The New York Yankees could be losing their bench coach, Brad Ausmus, this upcoming offseason, and the destination might sting: the Houston Astros. ESPN’s Buster Olney reports Ausmus is a prime candidate for Houston’s managerial opening, largely because current Astros manager Joe Espada is expected to be out after his contract expires this season. Yeah, you heard that right, a big shake-up is brewing for two major league clubs.
Houston’s Hot Seat and a Familiar Face
Let’s be real, the industry buzz is loud: Joe Espada’s time as Astros manager is likely coming to an end. Olney says the expectation is clear, Espada won’t be re-signed. When Jim Crane, the owner, is largely making the baseball decisions, and he’s getting advice from Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell, you know they’re not messing around. And who do they have their eyes on? Brad Ausmus, a guy who actually played with the Astros for a decade and was even teammates with Bagwell. Talk about a full-circle moment! This isn’t just some random name being tossed around; there’s a serious connection here, which makes this whole situation even spicier.
Ausmus’s Track Record: Can He Lead the Way?
Ausmus is 57, and this is his third season as the Yankees’ bench coach, a role he stepped into ahead of the 2024 season after Carlos Mendoza bounced to manage the Mets. But this guy’s got more than just bench coach experience. He’s actually managed for five seasons in the bigs. He was at the helm for the Detroit Tigers from 2014-17, leading them to a 314-332 record. Then, he took over the Los Angeles Angels in 2019, but that stint was short, with the AL West club going 72-90 in his lone season. Oh, and he also managed Team Israel in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. So, he’s been around the block, seen some things, and got some dirt under his nails.
What’s this mean for the Yankees? If Ausmus heads to Houston, they’ll be scrambling to fill a pretty important spot in their dugout. And for the Astros, they’re clearly looking for a fresh start with a familiar face. The upcoming offseason is gonna be wild, and honestly, we’re here for all the drama.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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