Astros need a manager and general manager after Espada decision

An 81-81 division title has led to another leadership change in Houston. The Astros will not renew Joe Espada’s contract at the end of October, leaving the organization searching for both a manager and a general manager as it addresses pitching depth and the rest of its roster.

Brian McTaggart reported the announcement for MLB.com. Espada finished 256-229 in the regular season, won two division titles and went 0-4 in postseason games. Houston lost this year’s opening playoff series to the White Sox.

The departure creates another leadership vacancy for an organization already seeking a general manager after parting ways with Dana Brown in August. No replacement for Espada was named in Wednesday’s announcement.

Houston also announced several coaching departures. Catching instructor Tim Cossins, game-planning coach Tommy Kawamura, third-base coach Tony Perezchica, Anthony Iapoce and Ethan Katz will not return next season. The team retained pitching coach Josh Miller, first-base coach Dave Clark, field coordinator Jason Bell, hitting coach Victor Rodriguez and bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte for 2027.

Bench coach Omar López has been offered an opportunity to stay in the organization in a different role, MLB.com reported. An offer to remain is distinct from a confirmed appointment to a new position.

ESPN News Services reported Wednesday that Houston had given Seattle permission to interview Espada for the Mariners’ managerial vacancy. That permission does not establish that he has been hired by the division rival.

Espada joined the Astros as bench coach before the 2018 season and succeeded Dusty Baker as manager after the 2023 season. Houston won the division in 2024, missed the postseason in 2025 and returned this year despite finishing without a winning regular-season record.

The 2026 roster also exposed problems for the next leadership group. McTaggart reported that Houston used a club-record 19 starting pitchers and led the American League with 650 walks. The new manager and general manager searches now accompany those offseason roster decisions.

Sources

MLB.com: Astros part ways with Espada · ESPN: Astros will not renew Espada contract