Astros managerial search turns to 10 possible candidates after Joe Espada’s 2027 exit

The central question for the Astros is who could take over after Joe Espada’s tenure ends. Houston announced that Espada would not return as manager in 2027, ending his three-year run that included a pair of American League West titles.

Among the names drawing interest is Brad Ausmus, a longtime Astros catcher who has worked as a Yankees bench coach under Aaron Boone for the past three years. Ausmus previously managed the Tigers (2014-17) and the Angels (2019), compiling a combined record of 386-422 across those stints.

Jeff Banister is another candidate to watch. He is currently a Diamondbacks bench coach and previously served as AL manager of the year with Texas in 2015, after leading the Rangers to two AL West titles during his managerial tenure (2015-18). The Astros list also notes Banister played college baseball at the University of Houston.

From the player-development side, Morgan Ensberg stands out as a current Triple-A manager. Ensberg has spent the last three seasons managing the Durham Bulls, the Rays’ Triple-A affiliate, and previously managed Tampa Bay’s Double-A club, the Montgomery Biscuits, to four postseason berths. The profile also adds that Ensberg has managed in the Arizona Fall League and in winter ball in Venezuela.

Other managerial experience mentioned includes John Gibbons, whose major-league resume includes two stints with Toronto (2004-08 and 2013-18). During his second Toronto run, Gibbons led the Blue Jays to ALCS trips in 2015 and 2016, and his career record is listed as 793-789. The Astros’ candidate list also notes Gibbons was dismissed after two seasons as Mets bench coach a year earlier.

The Astros’ list also includes Brandon Hyde. He was AL Manager of the Year with the Orioles in 2023, and the summary notes he was fired by Baltimore in 2025 after an early-season run, later transitioning to an advisory role with the Rays. The profile further notes Hyde is Espada’s brother-in-law.

Houston’s potential options extend to staff and organizational coaching familiarity, with Danny Lehmann and Rodney Linares both appearing. Lehmann has spent the last four seasons as bench coach under Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, and the list adds he is a Houston-area high school product and played college baseball at Rice. Linares, meanwhile, has spent eight of the past nine seasons with the Rays, with the Astros listing his Astros background and long development history in Houston’s system.

The candidate pool also includes former players and international options. The list highlights Martín Maldonado’s interest in managing at the major-league level, including that he will manage Mayaguez in the Puerto Rican Winter League this year. It also includes Albert Pujols, noting his desire to manage and his post-playing involvement in winter ball and international tournaments, and it lists David Ross, who managed the Cubs (2020-23) and has worked as an ESPN analyst and as a U.S. bullpen coach during the World Baseball Classic.