Huffman Sports Wire News Break · ALL · Reporting · Published · Huffman Sports Wire News Desk
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
ASTROS WILL NOT RENEW MANAGER JOE ESPADA
The Houston Astros announced that the club will not renew the contract of manager Joe Espada. His contract expires at the end of October, and he will leave the organization after nine seasons on the major league staff. Espada served as bench coach from 2018 through 2023 and as manager from 2024 through 2026.
Espada finished with a 256-229 record as manager. Houston won the American League West in 2024, won the division again in 2026, and missed the playoffs in 2025. Each division title season ended with a sweep in the Wild Card round, and Espada leaves without a postseason series win as manager.
The change extends across the coaching staff for 2027. Catching instructor Tim Cossins, game planning coach Tommy Kawamura, third base coach Tony Perezchica, assistant hitting coach Anthony Iapoce and assistant pitching coach Ethan Katz will not return. Bench coach Omar Lopez will not return in that role, and the club has offered him a different position in the organization. Houston will retain pitching coach Josh Miller, first base coach Dave Clark, field coordinator Jason Bell and hitting coach Victor Rodriguez.
The decision completes a leadership reset that began in August, when Houston parted ways with general manager Dana Brown. Owner Jim Crane said at that time that the status of Espada would be settled after the season. Houston finished the 2026 regular season at 81-81, won its division, and then lost its Wild Card series against the Chicago White Sox.
In a reported development separate from the official announcement, Houston granted Espada permission to meet with the Seattle Mariners about the open managerial job in Seattle. Espada remained under contract with Houston through the end of October at the time of that reporting. The Mariners are replacing Dan Wilson, who was let go after a 76-86 season.
Houston built its recent run on stability in the dugout, and the club now enters the winter searching for new leadership after another short October stay.
Sources: - [MLB Trade Rumors](https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/10/astros-manager-joe-espada-wont-return.html) - [SportsTalk 790](https://sportstalk790.iheart.com/featured/chris-gordy/content/2026-10-14-houston-astros-announce-they-are-parting-ways-with-manager-joe-espada/) - [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/sports/report-mariners-considering-astros-joe-espada-manager-job--flm-2026-10-13/) - [USA Today](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2026/10/13/joe-espada-mariners-manager-interview-astros/92234707007/)