Matt Johnson
There have already been two managers fired during the Major League Baseball season, with both the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox making changes in April. With several other projected contenders struggling, another could be fired this month.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote on Sunday that Houston Astros manager Joe Espada could be the next skipper fired during the regular season.
The Astros currently have the seventh-highest payroll in baseball this season at $240.93 million. Following a 5-2 start to the season, though, the club has dropped to 9-19 since April 2.
Espada took over as the Astros manager in 2024, taking over a club that won 90 games the previous season and reached the American League Championship Series. During his tenure, however, the Astros haven’t won a single playoff game and they missed the postseason in 2025.
Why the Astros May Fire Joe Espada
Espada isn’t necessarily to blame for the Astros’ issues this season. Entering MLB games today, Houston’s lineup ranks sixth in runs scored (178) and third in batting average (.269), OBP (.348) and slugging (.440).
Unfortunately for Houston’s skipper, he’s saddled with the worst pitching staff in baseball. Astros’ pitchers have the highest ERA (5.75) and WHIP (1.62) in baseball with the fourth-highest batting average allowed (.264).
Injuries play a significant factor in that, with starting pitchers Hunter Brown (shoulder), Tatsuya Imai (arm), Ronel Blanco (elbow), and Cristian Javier (shoulder) on the injured list. Imai is the closest to returning, but command was a massive issue for him in his first rehab start.
More of the blame could certainly fall on the shoulders of Astros general manager Dana Brown. However, he has the ear of team owner Jim Crane right now. That leaves Espada in an unfavorable position for his job security, with Brown potentially firing his manager as a last resort to save his own job.
Realistically, Espada will be fired in a matter of weeks barring a huge turnaround by the club. A change in the dugout will buy Brown some time, but the club’s on-field results in recent years likely mean that he will not be retained when his contract expires following the 2026 MLB season.
