Joe Espada out as Astros manager as team's top-down overhaul continues

The Houston Astros' overhaul is continuing.

The Astros became the first team to make the postseason despite not finishing over .500 (they went 81-81), but it was quickly understood that they did not belong after getting walloped in the Wild Card Series against the Chicago White Sox.

Much of the organization has changed from the top down since it last won the World Series in 2022, and one of the cherries on top commenced on Wednesday when the team announced it would not be renewing the contract of manager Joe Espada.

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The team announced it was moving on from several members of Espada's coaching staff. His contract is set to expire at the end of this month.

"We are thankful for Joe’s hard work, his passion for the game, and for his commitment to the Houston Astros," team owner Jim Crane said in a statement. "He represented the Astros and the Houston community in the most positive way. We wish he and his family the best moving forward."

The Astros will now be searching for a new manager and general manager after former GM Dana Brown was fired in August.

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It was the first managerial job for Espada, who was in his third year after being promoted from bench coach after Dusty Baker retired following the 2023 season. Espada had been with the organization since the 2018 season after previously working as the New York Yankees' infield and third base coach for three seasons.

Espada went winless in the postseason during his managerial tenure in Houston, also getting swept in the 2024 Wild Card Series by the Detroit Tigers. They missed the postseason in 2025.

Espada's exit was announced shortly after the Philadelphia Phillies announced they would be dropping the interim tag on Don Mattingly over a two-year deal.

The Astros and Seattle Mariners are the only two teams in the league with open managerial spots, as interim managers Chad Tracy and Andy Green are staying with the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, respectively.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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