MLB4d ago
Astros Part Ways With Manager Espada After Three Seasons
Houston will not renew the contract of the manager who led the club to two division titles in his three years at the helm.
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Contract Decision
The Astros will not bring back Joe Espada for the 2027 season. Espada guided the team to two American League West titles across his three seasons as manager. The club was swept in two games by the Chicago White Sox in the AL Wild Card series. The team announced it would not renew his contract when it expires at the end of the month.
Three-Year Tenure
Espada was promoted from bench coach after the 2023 season. In 2024 the Astros overcame a 12-24 start to claim the division before a wild-card loss. They finished second in 2025 and missed the postseason for the first time since 2016. In 2026 Houston won the division again with an 81-81 record, becoming the first team in MLB history to reach the playoffs without a winning record.
2026 Season and Roster Issues
The 2026 campaign featured a 20-31 mark through May 20 and a maximum deficit of six games in a weak division. The club won 40 of its next 66 games through Aug. 7 to take sole possession of first place on July 31. After general manager Dana Brown was fired on Aug. Yordan Alvarez captured the batting title with a.316 average while finishing fourth with 42 home runs and fifth with 106 RBI. Injuries sidelined Carlos Correa after May 4, limited Jeremy Pena with multiple IL stints, kept Hunter Brown out for three-plus months, and delayed Josh Hader's debut until June 3.
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