Sports · October 14, 2026
Joe Espada out as Astros manager as team's top-down overhaul continues
The Houston Astros have announced they will not renew the contract of manager Joe Espada following his three-year tenure with the club. This move is part of a broader organizational overhaul led by owner Jim Crane, which included the dismissal of general manager Dana Brown in August. Under Espada, the Astros compiled a 256-229 regular-season record and won two AL West titles but failed to win a postseason game, going 0-4. The team also announced that five coaches will not return for the 2027 season, while others will be retained or moved to different roles within the organization.
Read the original coverage
- Fox NewsMainstream
Joe Espada out as Astros manager as team's top-down overhaul continues
Read at Fox News ↗ - New York PostTabloid
Astros dump Joe Espada to complete franchise overhaul after disappointing season
Read at New York Post ↗ - ESPNSports network
Espada not returning as Astros manager after winning AL West
Read at ESPN ↗
Reported by multiple outlets
- The Houston Astros will not renew manager Joe Espada's expiring contract.
- Espada served three seasons as the Astros' manager (2024-2026).
- General manager Dana Brown was fired in August 2026.
- The Astros finished the 2026 regular season with an 81-81 record and were swept in the Wild Card series.
- Espada's postseason record as manager was 0-4.
- Owner Jim Crane is overseeing baseball operations during this transition.
- Five additional coaches will not be returning to the staff for 2027.
Reported by only some outlets
- The Astros allowed Espada to interview for the Seattle Mariners' managerial opening while under contract.
- Bench coach Omar Lopez has been offered a new role within the organization.
- Five specific coaches, including pitching and hitting coaches, are being retained.
- A rumored disagreement between Crane and Brown regarding a trade for reliever Bryan Abreu preceded Brown's firing.
- Don Mattingly was recently named the permanent manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Confirmed
- Joe Espada's contract will not be renewed.
- The Astros finished the 2026 season 81-81 and were swept in the Wild Card round.
- Jim Crane is currently leading baseball operations following Dana Brown's August firing.
- Espada went 0-4 in postseason games as manager.
Reported
- The team tipped its hand regarding Espada's future by allowing him to interview with the Mariners. (New York Post)
- Owner Jim Crane nixed a trade involving reliever Bryan Abreu that the GM wanted. (New York Post)
Rumor
- Disputing views on a trade involving Bryan Abreu led to the rift between Crane and Brown. (Unnamed sources cited by the New York Post)
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