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MLB rumors: Bob Nightengale puts Joe Espada on notice with Carlos Mendoza ‘safe’
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- MLB rumors: Bob Nightengale puts Joe Espada on notice with Carlos Mendoza ‘safe’
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With the Houston Astros experiencing struggles in the 2026 season, some could speculate whether the job security of manager Joe Espada is safe, especially after the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies fired Alex Cora and Rob Thomson, respectively. While Astros general manager Dana Brown has supported Espada recently, this MLB insider tells a different story.
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As Houston sits with a 13-21 record, one of the worst in the majors, one could automatically think that the team could let go of Espada, especially after other teams that have disappointed fired their managers, as said before with Cora and Thomson. Bob Nightengale makes this connection, saying that while New York Mets ' Carlos Mendoza appears safe, Espada "could be the next manager dismissed."
When Brown was asked in late April if there was consideration of a change at manager and if Espada was in danger of being fired, he would shut down those talks.
"Joe is managing through the injuries. We are all watching what's going on," Brown said, via The Athletic. "The pitching hasn't been up to par…I can't start pointing the finger at Joe because we're walking a ton of guys and we're banged up."
Joe Espada brings a "calming influence" to the Astros
While the Astros are going through injuries, like pitcher Christian Javier, outfielder Jake Meyers , and others, Brown would talk about the "calming influence" Espada brings to the team.
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"He's even-keeled. You're not going to see him blow up at players and get guys more on edge," Brown said.
"He's going to quietly lead these guys individually — and he'll do it as a group if he has to — and get these guys back on the mark," Brown continued. "I think players appreciate that. When you're like that, at the end of the day, players start to pull back and say, 'OK, let me take it day by day, let me not put too much pressure on myself.'"
It remains to be seen if Houston ends up moving on from Espada, with the team taking on the Red Sox in the final game of the current series on Sunday.
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