Mariners Seek Permission to Interview Astros Manager Joe Espada
Seattle has been allowed by Houston to discuss a possible managerial vacancy with Astros manager Joe Espada, who is nearing the end of his contract.
Seattle's baseball operations have received clearance from the Houston Astros to meet with manager Joe Espada regarding the Mariners' open managerial position, according to a report from MLB.com reporters Mark Feinsand, Daniel Kramer and Brian McTaggart.
Espada's contract with the Astros expires at the end of the month, and while Houston has not formally announced his departure, many analysts anticipate a search for a new manager. The Astros, who won the American League West in 2024, were eliminated in the Wild Card round and missed the playoffs in 2025.
"I expect to meet with Jim Crane in the next day or two," Espada said on Sept. 30, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. It is unclear whether that meeting took place.
Espada, a former minor-league infielder drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 1996, has spent more than two decades in coaching and front-office roles, including stints as a minor-league hitting coach, a major-league third-base coach for the Miami Marlins, a special advisor for the New York Yankees, and six years as the Astros' bench coach before being promoted to manager in 2023.
During his first season as manager, Houston recorded an 88-74 record and captured the AL West title. The team’s performance has declined in recent seasons amid roster turnover and injuries, prompting speculation about the future of the managerial role.
Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto has indicated a preference for candidates with prior managerial experience, though it is not a strict requirement. The organization recently dismissed several coaches, including third-base coach Manny Acta, after a disappointing 2026 campaign.
If the Mariners do not hire Espada, he is expected to attract interest from other clubs seeking an experienced manager or senior baseball executive.