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

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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Manager Joe Espada of the Houston Astros looks on during a game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, on Sept. 25, 2026. (Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

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.

Manager Joe Espada, No. 21, of the Houston Astros stands for the National Anthem before Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Chicago White Sox at Daikin Park on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Logan Riely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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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.

Joe Espada No. 19 of the Houston Astros looks on before the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Aug. 9, 2026, in San Diego, California. (Meg McLaughlin/Getty Images)

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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.