Mariners Interview Joe Espada After Astros End Manager's 3-Year Run
Updated
Updated · MLB.com · Oct 14
Mariners Interview Joe Espada After Astros End Manager's 3-Year Run
3 articles · Updated · MLB.com · Oct 14
Summary
Seattle is set to meet with Joe Espada for its managerial opening after Houston declined to renew his contract a few weeks before it expired.
Three seasons as Astros manager produced a 256-229 record and AL West titles in 2024 and 2026, but Houston finished 81-81 and was swept by the White Sox in the Wild Card Series.
Houston's slide exposed deeper roster problems — a club-record 19 starting pitchers, an AL-high 650 walks and a .662 OPS from the outfield — after key departures and failed offseason pitching additions.
Jerry Dipoto has said Seattle wants an external hire and prefers prior MLB managing experience, making Espada a fit for a club that finished 76-86 but still offers a win-now roster led by Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh.
Seattle and Houston are now the AL West's two managerial vacancies, with the Mariners seeking a fresh voice after Dan Wilson's one-season tenure ended.