Astros GM Ed Wade Dismissed; Major Changes to be Announced Monday

UPDATE 11/28 11:31AM ET: Looks like Crane and Postolos will select the new GM before deciding (or revealing) Brad Mills' fate as manager, perhaps to gauge new GM's opinion. (Heyman). In any case, we're expecting quick decisions as Winter Meetings approach.

11/27: Ken Rosenthal is reporting via twitter that Houston Astros General Manager Ed Wade's dismissal will be announced Monday, among other major changes for the team. Also rumored via Rosenthal is the dismissal/resignation of Tal Smith, the Astros' President of baseball operations. The status of clubhouse manager Brad Mills is still unknown.

These moves follow the recent purchase of the team and agreement to move to the team to the American League by Jim Crane, who officially took over last Tuesday and committed to making decisions as early as this weekend, which he has clearly fulfilled. Rosenthal's sources also suggest that Crane and new team president George Postolos plan to meet with each of the team's top executives starting tomorrow.

Crane is getting a late start in the general manager hiring carousel, but this might be a chance for a GM acclimated with the AL to take over before the team officially switches leagues in 2013.

More updates:

• Smith, Wade out in front office shake-up - Brian McTaggart
  "In a statement released by the club, team president and CEO George Postolos said assistant general manager David Gottfried will serve as interim general manager, but is not a candidate for the permanent position."
• Jim Crane Fires GM Ed Wade, President Tal Smith To Retire - The Crawfish Boxes
  "This may be hasty. This may be not be fair to Ed Wade, given the direction he was under from Drayton McLane during his tenure and the rotten state of the farm system when he took over. However, it does show a sense of purpose by Crane. He knows what he wants and how he wants to move forward."
• Ed Wade’s legacy with the Astros is more complicated than it appears. - Ultimate Astros
  "His lasting legacy may be that he steered the Astros back in the right direction. He upgraded the player development department by hiring new scouts and instructors and by establishing a presence in the Dominican Republic. Thanks to four drafts and the trades of Michael Bourn, Hunter Pence, etc., the talent level in the minor leagues has risen from the bottom of the pack to somewhere in the middle."
•  If Astros clean house, Crane has options for GM and manager - Ultimate Astros
  Check out this somewhat predictive look at potential options for Houston's GM search.
  
• Wade told last week he wouldn’t return - Brian McTaggart
  "Former Astros general manager Ed Wade told MLB.com on Monday that he was informed by owner Jim Crane and club president and CEO George Postolos last week that he would not be returning for another season in Houston."

• Smith missed a classy opportunity to take the high road - Ultimate Astros
  "Perhaps staying on was the classy move, but now he will live with the indignity of being fired by the same team for a second time"

• Wade says 2013 season salary was guaranteed before firing; team informed him of move Wednesday - Ultimate Astros
  "In conjunction with the evergreen provision that triggered the renewal of his deal for what would have been a sixth season in 2013, his dismissal leaves the Astros on the hook for two years of his salary in addition to that of their new general manager."