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Astros' New GM Randy Flores Is on a Mission to Find a New Manager
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- Astros' New GM Randy Flores Is on a Mission to Find a New Manager
(Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)
The Houston Astros ' new GM, Randy Flores , is reportedly set to interview Albert Pujols and Morgan Ensberg this week. Both are former teammates of Flores, aka Flo.
Houston is searching for a replacement for Joe Espada, whose contract was not renewed at the end of October. Espada finished his tenure with a 256-229 record and two AL West titles, but the Astros went 0-4 in the postseason under his leadership.
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Dana Brown was let go in August, followed by Joe Espada. Now, Randy Flores is the new GM and on a mission to find a new manager.
That said, the Astros have not officially confirmed the interviews, but let's take a closer look at the potential candidates.
Albert Pujols
Pujols is a 46-year-old former Cardinals and Angels slugger. He played 22 MLB seasons, hitting 703 HR, recording 2,218 RBI and winning three NL MVP awards. He famously hit a three-run homer off Brad Lidge in Game 5 of the 2005 NLCS. While the playing experience is there, the managerial experience is not. That said, he has the baseball credentials.
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While the playing experience is there, the managerial experience is not. That said, he has the baseball credentials.
He won the 2024–25 Dominican Winter League championship and the 2025 Caribbean Series.
He managed the Dominican Republic to third place in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
He also interviewed for the Angels and Padres managerial openings last offseason.
Morgan Ensberg
Ensberg is a 51-year-old former Astros third baseman. He played seven seasons in Houston from 2000 to 2007. He helped the Astros reach their first World Series in 2005, and that season he won the Silver Slugger Award, finishing the season with .283 AVG, 36 HR, and 101 RBI.
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When it comes to managerial experience, he has managed the Triple-A Durham Bulls for the past three seasons and previously managed Double-A Montgomery for four seasons, reaching the postseason each year.
Both are connected to Flores.
Flores and Pujols played together with the Cardinals from 2004–08 and won the 2006 World Series. Flores and Ensberg were teammates at USC from 1995–97. At his introductory press conference, Flores emphasized trust, energy and chemistry when discussing what he wants in a manager. These connections could suggest that he trusts them and believes they are capable of stepping into unfamiliar territory.
He also said he would rely on his "network, experience and expertise." When it comes to management, these two might not have lengthy experience, but they know the game and they know Flo.
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Now, these two are not the only candidates.
Brad Ausmus: Former Astros catcher who previously managed the Tigers and Angels. His potential managerial role was reportedly discussed with Houston.
Luis Urueta: Texas Rangers bench coach, reportedly expected to interview.
The Astros finished 2026 with 81 wins and were eliminated by the White Sox in the Wild Card Series. Changes are being made for a different outcome in 2027, and Flores is motivated to find a new manager.
Source: Houston Astros (YouTube) - "Astros Name New General Manager"
