Houston informed manager Joe Espada that his contract will not be renewed beyond this season, according to a report Monday from Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY.
Houston fired general manager Dana Brown a day earlier, making Espada the second casualty in 24 hours and raising urgent questions about his own runway in Houston.
Espada was given a choice, according to Nightengale. He could finish out the season with the Astros or bolt immediately. He chose to hang on.
“Manager Joe Espada was informed by a high-ranking Astros official that he will not receive a new contract after the season, and he was given the choice of staying with the team through the duration of the season or departing now,” Nightengale wrote. “He has elected to stay with the Astros, who are 65-66, but still tied for first place in the AL West.”
Joe Espada’s Job Security With Astros
Houston sits tied atop the American League West despite a season that has unraveled in stretches. The Astros dropped six of their last eight games against three teams with a combined winning percentage of .448, the Athletics, Angels and Mariners, a stumble that preceded both Monday’s front-office shakeup and now Espada’s own uncertain status.
Espada missed Sunday’s game for a family emergency, according to ESPN, an absence bench coach Omar López described as one of the worst nights of Espada’s life. He is expected to rejoin the team for its upcoming series in New York, still holding the job, but facing a hard expiration date.
Both Espada and Brown entered the 2026 season on expiring deals, and owner Jim Crane had already declined to commit to extending either man. Brown signed his four-year contract in January 2023, and Espada took over as manager the following winter on a three-year deal that runs out after this season.
Brown’s Exit Triggers Astros Shakeup
The Astros and Brown announced Monday that they had mutually agreed to part ways, according to MLB.com, though Nightengale reported the split was actually a firing that both sides agreed to frame more diplomatically for public consumption. Brown learned of the decision Sunday night, hours after Houston blew a 6-0 lead in a 7-6 loss to the Athletics.
“Over the past four seasons, Dana has helped our organization win two division titles and has led our baseball front office through key scouting, draft and development efforts,” Crane said, according to MLB.com. “On behalf of the Astros, I want to thank him for his commitment, energy, and contributions to our organization.”
Brown offered his own farewell.
“I want to thank Jim Crane for the opportunity to serve in my first role as an MLB General Manager,” he said, as quoted by MLB.com. “The Astros organization and the fans have welcomed me and my family, and I am grateful to have called Houston home for the past four seasons.”
Crane will run baseball operations himself through the transition, leaning on Hall of Fame first baseman Jeff Bagwell as senior adviser alongside assistant general managers Charles Cook, Gavin Dickey and Connor Huff. Houston plans a full-time GM search this offseason, and Crane is set to address both moves at a news conference planned for Tuesday in New York, according to ClutchPoints.
Astros Decide Joe Espada’s Future After Firing GM Dana Brown: Report