- May 21, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Photo: Another Believer via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Team logos via ESPN.
The Astros have officially hired Brad Ausmus as their new manager, bringing the former Houston catcher back to the organization where he spent ten seasons as a player.
Ausmus, who was serving as Yankees bench coach, will replace Joe Espada after the club declined to renew his contract following the 2026 season. The move comes weeks after Houston hired Randy Flores as general manager, replacing Dana Brown.
This marks Ausmus's third managerial stop. He led Detroit from 2014 to 2017, capturing an AL Central title in his first season, but was dismissed after a 98-loss campaign in 2017. The Angels hired him for 2019 but fired him after one season. He later coached for the A's in 2022 before joining the Yankees staff.
The Astros face significant roster questions. Yordan Alvarez, Jeremy Peña, Isaac Paredes, Hunter Brown, Christian Walker, Yainer Diaz, Cristian Javier and Josh Hader are all headed for free agency after 2027 or 2028. Jose Altuve remains signed through 2029.
Houston won the AL West with 81 wins this past season but was swept in the Wild Card round. The club reached seven straight ALCS from 2017 to 2023, winning two titles, but has not advanced past the first round since.
Mickey's Angle: Ausmus knows the Houston culture, but his prior managerial stops were underwhelming. With core talent potentially departing soon, the window to win with this group is narrowing fast.
Source: MLB Trade Rumors (also reported by ESPN, CBS Sports) - written by Mickey the Mouth from the original report.