The Houston Astros are hiring Joe Espada as their manager following Dusty Baker’s retirement, turning to their longtime bench coach as they look to continue a record-setting run of seven consecutive American League Championship Series appearances, sources confirmed to ESPN on Sunday.
Espada, 48, has been the Astros’ bench since 2018, a year after the Astros won a World Series title that has since been tainted by the revelation of a sign-stealing scandal. Espada had previously been a coach with the New York Yankees, and prior to that he had coached with the Miami Marlins following a nine-year playing career in the minor and independent leagues.
Espada remained with Houston after the firing of manager A.J. Hinch in the wake of the sign-stealing allegations and served as a vital member of the staff as it transitioned to Baker taking over.