Joe Espada: The Ideal Candidate to Replace Dusty Baker as Houston Astros Manager

The Houston Astros management will begin the search for a new manager following the departure of Dusty Baker, who announced that he will leave the position after four years.

Among the potential candidates to replace Baker could be Buck Showalter, Don Mattingly and even AJ Hinch, who was forced out of the organization by the sign-stealing scandal in the 2017 season.

However, in the opinion of Edwin Rodríguez, Puerto Rican Josué “Joe” Espada is in an ideal position to finally be granted the opportunity to direct in Major League Baseball (MLB).

“I understand that it is the best opportunity that has been presented to Joe. He has been ready for years and it is on a team that he knows and they know him,” said Rodríguez, who coached the Marlins between 2010 and 2011 and had Espada as part of his coaching group before he moved to the Yankees as assistant to general manager Brian Cashman and since 2018 assumed the position of bench coach in Houston, a position he holds to this day.

Espada is no stranger to hearings with MLB teams. In 2022 he was interviewed by the Chicago White Sox and the Miami Marlins. Likewise, in 2018 by the Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets and Chicago Cubs.

“I understand that they were preparing it. Joe is a guy who knows how to manage, he communicates very well and that also helps. Joe has already been through the interview experiences. When they call, you spend three, four or even five days preparing. “It is an exam,” Rodríguez explained.

In addition to the Astros, the Mets, San Diego Padres and Cleveland Guardians will be in the process of hiring new managers by 2024. The Milwaukee Brewers could join the group.

“We hope he stays in Houston because he communicates very well with the manager, the players know him. “Joe has experience in the playoffs and that helps, plus Houston has the talent to compete,” concluded Rodríguez.

2023-10-26 18:12:02
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