Astros Fire Joe Espada After Wild Card Exit Against White Sox

The Houston Astros have fired manager Joe Espada after three seasons. It completes a leadership shakeup that started when general manager Dana Brown was fired in late August. Espada went 256-229 and led Houston back to the American League West title on the final day of the season, but the Astros lost both Wild Card Series games to the Chicago White Sox, leaving him 0-4 in the postseason. Owner Jim Crane waited until after the season to decide and let Espada interview for the Seattle Mariners' managerial opening while he was still under contract. Bench coach Omar Lopez will not return in that role and five other coaches are out for 2027. Espada's exit ends nine years with the organization.