Overview
- The Astros announced Wednesday that they will not renew Joe Espada’s expiring contract, formally ending his three-year run as manager after a 256-229 regular-season record.
- Houston granted permission for Espada to interview with the Seattle Mariners, a rare move with a division rival that signals the club is ready to let him pursue other opportunities.
- The team also announced multiple coaching changes, replacing several assistants while retaining pitching coach Josh Miller, hitting coach Victor Rodriguez and first-base coach Dave Clark.
- Owner Jim Crane has been overseeing baseball operations since the club fired GM Dana Brown in August, and the non-renewal completes a wider front-office and on-field reset.
- The decision follows a 2026 season that exposed pitching depth problems, a club-record 19 starting pitchers used, and the loss of core players that contributed to an 81-81 division-winning year and an early wild-card exit.