Will Houston Astros Hire Their Popular Coach As Next Manager?
![Will Houston Astros Hire Their Popular Coach As Next Manager? Will Houston Astros Hire Their Popular Coach As Next Manager?](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/MjAxMjEzODk4NzY5MDQ5MTEw/usatsi_19214313.jpg)
The Houston Astros are dealing with a disappointing loss in the American League Championship Series after once holding a 3-2 lead.
Their elimination has already resulted in some changes within the organization.
Legendary manager Dusty Baker decided to retire, leaving the Astros to conduct a search for the first time since the conclusion of the 2019 season.
One person who is certainly in the mix is their bench coach Joe Espada.
He was hired by Houston in 2018 and has interviewed for managerial positions in the past.
His name continues to pop up on shortlists when jobs become available and he will likely get an opportunity to lead a team soon.
Espada seems like the obvious choice for the Astros.
He already has a relationship with ownership, the front office and players on the roster. This would make the transition away from Baker much more seamless than if they brought in somebody completely new.
General manager Dana Brown could be looking to make that splash however.
He was hired in January and completed his first year on the job following the 2023 season.
Brown inherited Baker as manager and found themselves in disagreements over which players were in and out of the lineup.
He might want to bring someone in who more closely aligns with his vision on how the game could be played.
Maybe Espada is that guy.
Maybe he's not.
"Dana’s done a great job so far. And you know, we've got things really running well in the back office. And, so I don't think it'll take us very long to find someone that will fit in well with us," owner Jim Crane said.
If Houston wants an easy transition, then Espada is the obvious choice.
That all depends if the decision makers want to go that route or if they want to begin an overhaul following the departure of Baker.