Joe Espada’s time in Houston is over, and the Astros’ move to a new direction became official on Wednesday when the club chose not to renew his contract.
The decision fits the broader shakeup already underway. Houston also moved on from general manager Dana Brown on Aug. 24, a clear sign that the front office is entering a transition period. With a new general manager expected to make the next managerial call, Espada’s future had been uncertain for a while.
Espada spent three seasons as the Astros’ manager from 2024 through 2026, and the club captured two American League West titles during that stretch, in 2024 and 2026. Even so, Houston’s current leadership decided it was time for what it views as a new era.
On Thursday night, Espada posted a farewell message on Instagram, later shared by Brian McTaggart of MLB.com on X.
"After 9 incredible years with the Houston Astros, the time has come to begin a new chapter. I want to thank the Astros organization for giving me the opportunity to be part of his history.
To my players, coaches, staff and everyone worked tirelessly behind the scenes, it has truly been an honor to share this journey with you. To the fans, thank you for your support, passion and for standing by us through every victory and every challenge.
I leave with tremendous gratitude and pride in everything we accomplished together, and a deep appreciation for this city and its people. Thank you Houston from the bottom of heart," Espada wrote.
Espada originally joined the Astros in 2018 as bench coach after Alex Cora left for the Boston Red Sox. He held that job through the end of the 2023 season before being elevated to manager after Dusty Baker retired.
His run in the dugout had its bright spots, but Houston never got over the 90-win mark in any of his three seasons. It also never finished below .500 under his watch. His first win as a big league manager came on April 1, 2024, when Ronel Blanco threw a no-hitter, making Espada the first manager in MLB history to earn his first victory in a no-hitter.
That 2024 season ended at 88-73, good for Houston’s seventh straight full-season division crown. The Astros opened slowly, fell 12 games under .500 at one point and trailed the division by 10 games before clawing back to take it.
The postseason results, though, were rough. Espada’s first playoff series as a manager ended in a sweep by the Detroit Tigers, and he finished 0-4 in the postseason overall.
Houston missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016 in 2025, even after going 87-75. The 2026 team found its way back into the field at 81-81 and still managed to win the AL West for the eighth time in the last 10 years.
Injuries were a major part of the story throughout Espada’s tenure. Houston was in possession of the best record in the American League at one point in 2025, but a wave of key injuries knocked the club out of postseason position.
In the end, Espada inherited a roster that was no longer operating at the level of Houston’s golden run, and his three years at the helm did not unfold the way anyone had hoped.
In Other News...
Baylor Faces A Huge Home Test With Early Big 12 Stakes
Week 8 in the Big 12 brings a useful snapshot of where the league is starting to sort itself out, and Houston is right in the middle of it with Oklahoma State coming to town. The Cougars are fresh off a 35-16 win at Kansas State, a result that gave their season some needed momentum and made this one feel a little more meaningful than a typical conference date. For fans looking for a game to circle, this matchup fits the bill, with a road-tested opponent, an energized home setting and stakes that are beginning to matter more by the week.
Oklahoma State also arrives with enough individual talent to keep Houston honest, especially quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who is already drawing midseason honors attention after a fast start to his Cowboys career. The broader weekend slate includes Baylor hosting TCU and Cincinnati heading to West Virginia, but from Houstons perspective, this is the one that can say the most about where the Cougars fit in the Big 12 picture. A solid showing would only sharpen the conversation around a team that is trying to turn one good win into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Houston Faces A Tough Formula To Upset Oklahoma State
Houstons path to an upset in Stillwater starts with making Oklahoma State uncomfortable. The Cowboys offense leans on quarterback Drew Mestemakers ability to stay on schedule, while receiver Wyatt Young adds another layer of difficulty because he can move around and force the Cougars to sort things out on the fly. For Houston, the first order of business is simple in theory and difficult in practice: tackle cleanly, avoid giving up easy yards, and make the Cowboys earn every bit of space they get.
The challenge only grows when Caleb Hawkins gets rolling, because Oklahoma State can turn a routine run into a much bigger problem if the first wave of tacklers does not finish the play. On the other side, Houstons own offense has to manage pass rusher Jaleel Johnson while still looking for chances to attack outside and create some balance. It is the kind of game where a few missed stops or one clean pocket at the wrong time can tilt everything, and that leaves the Cougars with a thin margin for error if they want to pull this off. [Read more 🡒]
Houston Secondary Faces Its Biggest Test Yet Against Oklahoma State
The No. 20 Cougars head into a significant home matchup with No. 18 Oklahoma State carrying a defense that has quietly started to settle in, especially on the back end. Houstons secondary has looked better of late and brings experienced pieces to the field, which matters in a game of this size and in a league where one busted coverage can change everything in a hurry.
Oklahoma State brings a dangerous challenge into town, with quarterback Drew Mestemaker directing an offense that has been one of the more productive units in the Big 12. For Houston, this is the kind of test that can sharpen a defenses identity, and the Cougars will need their secondary to keep matching routes, contesting throws and holding up under the pressure of a top-tier conference opponent. [Read more 🡒]