Will Houston Astros lose Joe Espada to White Sox or Marlins?

HOUSTON — It may be a scheduled off day in Houston during the American League Division series matchup between the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners, but there is still plenty happening inside the Houston clubhouse.

As reported by MLB insider Jon Heyman, Houston Astros bench coach Joe Espada is scheduled to interview on Tuesday for the managerial openings with the Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins. The 47-year-old Espada is considered a “hot manager candidate,” according to Heyman.

Will the Chicago White Sox or Miami Marlins hire Joe Espada away from the Houston Astros?

Espada’s Puerto Rican heritage (and coaching experience with the Puerto Rican team during World Baseball Classic action) and extensive MLB coaching resume are both thought to be positives heading into these interviews. It’s also not the first time that Espada has been in consideration for a manager position, as he interviewed for the Texas Rangers’ job after the 2018 season, the Chicago Cubs’ position after the 2019 campaign, and last offseason’s interviews with the New York Mets and Oakland A’s.

Earlier this season when Dusty Baker tested positive for COVID-19, Espada stepped in as the team’s acting manager, calling becoming a manager (even for a brief period), “my dream for a long time.”

Among Espada’s other positions are serving as the third base coach for both the New York Yankees and Marlins, one reason why some in Miami believe he might have an inside edge on the manager position in south Florida.

Just before their 2022 postseason run began, the Astros lost assistant general manager Pete Putila to the San Francisco Giants, who promoted him to their general manager position. He replaces Scott Harris, who was hired in the same capacity with the Detroit Tigers. Thanks to the team’s recent success, Houston is a hotbed for other teams trying to fill vacancies, in the dugout and the front office.