Astros Dismiss Manager Joe Espada Amid Major Team Shakeup
WHO:
MLB.com - Brad Ausmus, Jeff Banister, Morgan Ensberg, John Gibbons, Brandon Hyde, Danny Lehmann, Rodney Linares, Martín Maldonado, Albert Pujols, and David Ross are potential candidates to become the next Astros manager.
MLB.com - Bench coach Omar López led Venezuela to the World Baseball Classic championship in March.
MLB.com - Jim Crane, owner of the Houston Astros, expressed gratitude for Joe Espada's contributions, stating, “We are thankful for Joe’s hard work, his passion for the game and for his commitment to the Houston Astros.”
MLB.com - Bench coach Omar López has completed his 28th season with Houston and has been offered a new role within the organization.
MLB.com - Bench coach Omar López has been offered an opportunity to remain in the Astros' organization in a new role.
MLB.com - Tim Cossins, Tommy Kawamura, Tony Perezchica, Anthony Iapoce, and Ethan Katz will not return next season.
MLB.com - Joe Espada, manager of the Houston Astros.
MLB.com - Jim Crane, owner of the Houston Astros.
MLB.com - Omar López, bench coach offered a new role in the Astros' organization.
MLB.com - Dana Brown, former general manager of the Astros.
WHAT:
MLB.com - The Astros are searching for a new manager after announcing Joe Espada would not return in 2027.
MLB.com - The Astros used a club-record 19 starting pitchers during the season.
MLB.com - The Astros led the American League with 650 walks this season.
MLB.com - The Astros had one of the worst offensive outfields in club history, posting a .662 OPS.
MLB.com - The Astros will retain several coaches for the 2027 season, including pitching coach Josh Miller, first-base coach Dave Clark, field coordinator Jason Bell, hitting coach Victor Rodriguez, and bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte.
MLB.com - Espada's contract will not be renewed after he went winless in the postseason.
MLB.com - The Astros reached the postseason for the ninth time in ten years despite an 81-81 record, which was good enough to win the American League West.
MLB.com - Espada was granted permission by the Astros to interview for the vacant managerial position with the Mariners.
MLB.com - The Astros announced they would not renew Joe Espada's contract.
MLB.com - Espada won two American League West titles in three seasons as manager.
MLB.com - Espada posted a 256-229 record during his tenure and was 0-4 in the postseason.
MLB.com - The Astros used a club-record 19 starting pitchers and led the AL with 650 walks this season.
MLB.com - Several coaches, including Tim Cossins, Tommy Kawamura, Tony Perezchica, Anthony Iapoce, and Ethan Katz, will not return next season.
WHERE:
MLB.com - Houston, Texas, home of the Houston Astros.
WHEN:
MLB.com - The Astros parted ways with general manager Dana Brown on August 24, 2026.
MLB.com - The winners of the 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Award will be unveiled on November 1, 2026.
WHY:
MLB.com - The decision to part ways with Espada is part of a broader organizational reset initiated by Jim Crane following a disappointing season.
MLB.com - The decision to part ways with Espada is part of a broader organizational reset initiated by Jim Crane following a disappointing season, which exposed flaws in the roster.
MLB.com - The decision to part ways with Espada is part of a broader organizational reset initiated by Jim Crane following a disappointing season.
MLB.com - The decision to part ways with Espada follows a disappointing season where the Astros reached the postseason with an 81-81 record, exposing flaws in the roster.
HOW:
MLB.com - Espada was hired by the Astros as bench coach days after the club won the 2017 World Series, replacing Alex Cora.
MLB.com - Espada was hired by the Astros as bench coach days after the club won the 2017 World Series, replacing Alex Cora.
MLB.com - Espada was promoted to manager after Dusty Baker's retirement following the 2023 season.
The Houston Astros are on the lookout for a new manager after announcing that Joe Espada will not return in 2027. This decision comes as part of a broader organizational reset led by owner Jim Crane, following a disappointing season. Among the potential candidates for the position are Brad Ausmus, Jeff Banister, Morgan Ensberg, John Gibbons, Brandon Hyde, Danny Lehmann, Rodney Linares, Martín Maldonado, Albert Pujols, and David Ross.