Astros will promote bench coach Espada to be manager, AP source says

HOUSTON — Joe Espada is set to be unveiled as the new manager of the Houston Astros on Monday, as per a reliable source disclosed to The Associated Press.

The source, speaking to the AP on Sunday on the condition of anonymity, since the team had not made an official announcement yet, stated that the Astros have a news conference planned for Monday morning.

Espada is all set to succeed Dusty Baker, who retired from the position last month.

This marks the 48-year-old Espada’s first managerial role, following his tenure as Houston’s bench coach since 2018.

His coaching journey commenced in the Marlins organization, where he worked in the minors before moving to the big-league club as the third base coach in 2010.

After remaining with the Marlins until the 2013 season, Espada held a special assistant position to New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman before joining the Yankees coaching staff in 2015. He handled infield and third base coaching duties through the 2017 season.

Born in Puerto Rico, Espada was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the second round of the 1996 amateur draft and spent nine seasons in the minors, reaching Triple-A. He retired at age 29 after not making it to the majors before beginning his coaching career.