The Astros’ current manager is interviewing for a divisional rival.
In one of the strangest situations in baseball, the Mariners requested permission to interview Astros manager Joe Espada, and Houston granted it, per MLB.com.
The bizarre situation comes as the Astros are uncertain about nearly everything that involves the team’s future, with Espada’s contract set to expire at the end of October.
It would certainly seem like the Astros intend to let Espada go and head into the 2027 season with a new manager if they’re letting him interview with a division rival.
But Seattle could be playing some games here, too.
By requesting permission to talk to Espada just before his contract runs out, the Mariners may be signaling that he’s in demand, pressuring Houston to re-sign him before someone else does.
Seattle is coming off a terrible 2026 season and fired manager Dan Wilson after going 76-86 despite entering the season among the American League favorites.
Houston had a tough go in their own right this season. The Astros won 81 games — good enough to win the AL West, but were swept by the White Sox in the wild-card round — and faced internal upheaval midseason.
The Astros fired general manager Dana Brown right after the trade deadline as ownership was in disagreement with the front office on the direction of the team.
Brown had tried to trade reliever Bryan Abreu for Twins outfielder Trevor Larnach, but ownership killed those plans and fired him weeks later as his contract was set to expire in October, like Espada’s.
Espada took over for Dusty Baker after the 2023 season and had a 256-229 regular season record but went 0-4 in the postseason.
