The Houston Astros have chosen Brad Ausmus as their next manager, the team announced on Wednesday. Ausmus replaces Joe Espada, whose contract as Houston manager was not renewed after three seasons.
Managerial Background and Playing Career
Ausmus, 57, had served as bench coach for the New York Yankees since late 2023. Prior to that, he had two stints as a big-league manager, first leading the Detroit Tigers from 2014-17 and guiding them to a 314-332 record and a division title in his first season. He also managed the Angels to a 72-90 record in 2019, giving him an overall winning percentage of .478 across five seasons.
Before his dugout career, Ausmus played parts of 18 seasons in Major League Baseball as a top defensive catcher, with 10 of those years coming with the Astros. During his playing days, he won three Gold Gloves and earned an All-Star selection with the Tigers in 1999.
“I am very excited to be back in Houston,” Ausmus said in a statement. “The Astros and the city of Houston have been a huge part of my life, and I’m thrilled to create a new chapter as the team’s manager. I’d like to thank [general manager Randy Flores] and the entire Astros organization for this opportunity, and I can’t wait to get to work.”
Looking Ahead for Houston
“We are thrilled to welcome Brad back to the Astros organization,” Flores said in a statement. “Brad impressed us throughout the interview process, demonstrating the leadership, energy, and expertise critical to driving a winning culture both on and off the field. I am excited to work alongside Brad and happy to have him back in an Astros uniform.”
Ausmus represents the first major hire undertaken by Flores, who was named general manager earlier in the offseason. The Astros enter the new phase following a 2026 campaign that included a division title and postseason berth, alongside an 81-81 record and a negative run differential. The franchise faces an uncertain future with an aging roster, a weak farm system, and multiple core contributors entering their walk years in 2027.
It remains to be seen whether owner Jim Crane will try to wring out another season of contention from the roster or lean into a rebuild. Whatever the course, Ausmus will help guide it in a city where he remains a highly popular figure.
