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The Seattle Mariners have been granted permission to interview Houston Astros manager Joe Espada as they search for a new leader, according to reports. Espada, who has spent most of the past decade with Houston, could potentially move to a division rival.
His contract with the Astros is set to expire at the end of the month, which may allow Seattle to pursue the veteran skipper. The Mariners are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2026 season in which they missed the postseason, just one year after coming within a game of the World Series.
Espada joined the Astros as bench coach before the 2018 season and worked behind the scenes for several years before getting his chance to manage. After Dusty Baker retired following the 2023 campaign, Espada was promoted to manager, inheriting a team with championship expectations and a winning culture.
During his tenure with Houston, the organization won the 2022 World Series, captured seven American League West titles, and reached the postseason eight times. That experience within a successful franchise could make him an appealing option for Seattle, which hopes to return to contention after falling short this season.
However, Espada's latest campaign ended in disappointment. The Astros were swept by the Chicago White Sox in the 2026 American League Wild Card Series after finishing the regular season with an 81-81 record and winning the AL West. Despite the early playoff exit, Espada's experience and familiarity with competing in the AL West could appeal to the Mariners as they evaluate their next managerial hire.
Key Analysis
Seattle parted ways with manager Dan Wilson at the end of the season after the club finished the 2026 campaign with a 76-86 record. The decision followed a significant step backward from the previous year, when the Mariners advanced to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The organization has made clear that it intends to hire a manager from outside its current system, making Espada a potential fit as the search progresses. With championship experience and extensive knowledge of the division, Espada could provide Seattle with a fresh voice as it attempts to return to the postseason.
Whether the Mariners ultimately pursue him remains to be seen, but his reported availability gives the club an intriguing candidate to consider.
Originally reported by yahoo.