yahoo
Mike Rizzo, the mastermind behind the Washington Nationals' 2019 World Series victory, is now seeking to revive the fortunes of the very franchise his Nationals defeated for that historic title. Rizzo is interviewing for the Houston Astros' vacant general manager role on Monday in Houston, according to two individuals with direct knowledge of the situation. The sources spoke anonymously because the Astros are keeping their search confidential.
The Nationals bested the Astros in a seven-game Fall Classic in 2019, securing the first World Series championship in Washington, D.C., just weeks before the Astros' sign-stealing scandal came to light and two months before the team faced penalties.
Rizzo, 65, has reportedly expressed to friends a strong desire to join the Astros since the dismissal of GM Dana Brown in August. He holds considerable respect for Astros owner Jim Crane, believing the organization will continue to invest in contending, given its nine postseason appearances in the past decade, including eight division titles.
Additionally, Rizzo and his family reside in West Palm Beach, Florida, where both the Astros and Nationals have their spring-training facilities.
Renowned for his keen scouting eye, Rizzo almost single-handedly transformed the Nationals from a perennial also-ran into one of baseball's premier franchises during his tenure as general manager and president of baseball operations. He joined Washington in 2006 as an assistant GM, took over as GM in 2009, and was elevated to president in 2013.
Success came swiftly under Rizzo. He inherited a team that won 59 games in 2009 and boosted their win total by at least 10 games in each of the next three seasons, culminating in a 98-win campaign in 2012. The Nationals captured four National League East titles in six years, highlighted by their World Series triumph.
Rizzo, who selected Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg with consecutive No. 1 overall picks, also engineered a franchise-altering trade by sending Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres in a six-player package that brought back future All-Stars James Wood and CJ Abrams, along with starter MacKenzie Gore.
His 19-year tenure ended on July 6, 2025, when he and manager Dave Martinez were fired after a 37-53 start and five straight seasons without a postseason berth.
Rizzo emerged as a candidate for the Athletics' opening this offseason but withdrew after his interview, stating his preference was to join the Astros. Houston initiated its search after a first-round playoff exit to the Chicago White Sox and has also interviewed Matt Klein, assistant GM of the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Astros have had three GMs since Jeff Luhnow was fired in the wake of the cheating scandal in 2020. The team aims to have a GM in place by the GM meetings on Nov. 9 in Las Vegas.
Originally reported by yahoo.