Joe Espada is set to interview for the Seattle Mariners’ managerial position after the Houston Astros granted him permission, with his contract expiring at the end of this month. A baseball official with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that Espada will meet with the Mariners, though the source requested anonymity since Espada remains under contract.
Espada recently completed his third season managing the Astros, guiding them to their second American League West title in that span despite a middling 81-81 record. That mark stands as the worst ever for a division winner in major league history. The Astros’ streak of eight consecutive playoff berths came to an end in 2025, a run during which Espada spent seven seasons as either the club’s bench coach or manager.
The Mariners fired Dan Wilson after a disappointing 76-86 season, falling short of expectations following their run to Game 7 of the AL Championship Series the previous year. Wilson’s managerial decisions, particularly during the ALCS loss to the Toronto Blue Jays when Seattle blew a 3-2 series lead, were widely scrutinized and contributed to his dismissal.
Espada’s contract with Houston was due to expire alongside general manager Dana Brown’s at the end of the season. Owner Jim Crane moved swiftly to fire Brown in August, even as the Astros battled for the AL West title, but he said Espada’s future with the club would be decided after the season concluded.
Despite leading Houston to the postseason, Espada’s position was clouded by the Astros’ swift exit in the wild-card series, where they lost in two games to the Chicago White Sox at home. That early elimination raised questions about his tenure and effectiveness as manager.
Moving from one AL West club to another in the same offseason is unusual but not unheard of. Craig Counsell made a similar switch from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Chicago Cubs after the 2023 season.
MLB.com was first to report Espada’s impending interview with the Mariners. The club has yet to formally comment on the search or the candidates involved.
As of now, Espada’s interview is the latest confirmed development in the Mariners’ ongoing search for a new manager following Wilson’s departure.
According to Yahoo Sports.
