HOUSTON -- Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow didn't take long to make a final decision regarding the immediate future of Brad Mills.
The 45-year-old Luhnow, who was introduced on Thursday afternoon at a news conference, proudly stated that "Brad's our manager."
There had been speculation leading up to the hiring of a new general manager as to how far a possible domino effect may go.
"I had a good conversation with him [Mills]," Luhnow said. "I'm going to go visit with him out in L.A. and here in Houston. I'm looking forward to working with him as our manager. He is our manager."
With Mills returning for the 2012 season, it's likely his entire coaching staff will remain intact, with the only exception being Jamie Quirk.
The former MLB catcher accepted the job as the Chicago Cubs' bench coach for new manager Dale Sveum last week after serving the previous two seasons as Houston's bullpen coach.
Mills told Examiner.com at the Winter Meetings in Dallas that the club was looking to get a GM in place before hiring a new bullpen coach.
Luhnow and Mills will likely address the situation soon.
Prior to the hiring of Luhnow, David Gottfried was serving as the interim general manager, while Bobby Heck continued his duties as the Astros' assistant general manager/director of scouting.
Gottfried is back in his role as assistant GM.
After announcing Mills' status for next season, the biggest question revolves around the future of baseball operations employees.
"As far as the rest of the staff, I'm only day one on the job," Luhnow said. "I have worked with a lot of these individuals before. I respect them. I think there's a lot here to build on. They have helped to create that. What I'm here to do is add complimentary pieces and to help put all of it together with George Postolos and Jim Crane's vision to make this thing a reality.
"I don't know all the pieces of the plan at this point. I do know what we did in St. Louis. I do know that it worked. A big part of that is logical common sense and making sure you have the right people in the right roles that are focused on the same goals. I look forward to helping to make that happen here."
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