Veteran catcher Carlos Perez returns to Detroit on a minor‑league contract for 2027, according to Matt Eddy’s Baseball America update. Perez, 36, split 2026 between Triple‑A Toledo and the Astros’ affiliate, posting a .351 average with seven homers in his first 12 games before an ankle injury halted a strong 69‑game stint (108 wRC+, 15 homers). Released by Houston in June after a brief Mexican League spell, he re‑joins the Mud Hens but faces a stacked Tigers catching depth chart behind Eduardo Valencia and rising prospects Josue Briceno and Thayron Liranzo. A major‑league call‑up will likely require an injury to the Tigers’ starters.
In what could foreshadow the outcome of the MVP race, the Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez and Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong were named by their peers as the Outstanding Players in their respective leagues.
Former Ray Ben Williamson delivers a walk‑off single in the 12th inning, giving Tampa Bay a 4‑3 win over Milwaukee in Game 4 of the 2026 World Series on Oct. 27 at Tropicana Field. The victory forces a Game 5 as the Brewers look to clinch. Meanwhile, the Mariners consider ex‑Astros manager Joe Espada and Cubs player‑development director Jason Kanzler as finalists for their vacant manager role, with a decision expected by month’s end. Other notes: Twins' Jeff Hoffman faces surgery, Jorge Posada feels unwelcome with the Yankees, and the Astros release Nelson Velázquez for an Asia move.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have hired former Houston Astros Triple‑A pitching coach Sean Buchanan to work with their upper‑level Minor League staff, according to The Athletic. Buchanan, who helped the Sugar Land Space Cowboys post the fewest runs allowed, a 4.97 ERA and a league‑best nine shutouts in the PCL, joins longtime Astros pitching mentor Bill Murphy in Pittsburgh. His five‑year stint with the Astros organization also includes roles at Double‑A Corpus Christi, High‑A Asheville and Astros Blue. The move marks the second recent Astros coach hired by the Bucs and could position Buchanan for a future major‑league role.
The Seattle Mariners are narrowing their managerial search to two finalists: former Astros manager Joe Espada and Cubs director of player development Jason Kanzler. Both will interview in person on Tuesday and Wednesday, with a hiring decision expected by week’s end. Espada, 51, brings three seasons of MLB managing experience, including two AL West titles with Houston, while Kanzler, 36, would be a first‑time big‑league skipper with a background in hitting coordination and player development. The club has eliminated other candidates such as Rocco Baldelli, Walker McKinven and Brandon Hyde, and may explore additional options after the World Series.
Former Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, fired in July 2025, is now being interviewed for the Houston Astros’ open general manager position, according to a Bob Nightengale report on October 26, 2026. Rizzo, who built the 2019 World Series champion Nats and captured four NL East titles, faces scrutiny over recent drafting missteps and a perceived reluctance to embrace analytics. The Astros, a financially robust club sharing a Spring Training site with Washington, could benefit from Rizzo’s trade acumen if he adapts to modern tools. He competes with several candidates, and his interview is slated for today.
A player on the Houston Astros is leaving MLB to pursue another opportunity.
The Houston Astros release veteran outfielder Nelson Velazquez, who will now chase a contract in Asia, MLB Trade Rumors reports. Velazquez, 27, posted a .722 OPS in 34 games with the St. Louis Cardinals before being claimed off waivers by Houston, where he went 3-for-27 with two homers and a 30% strikeout rate. After a brief stint, he cleared waivers, elected free agency, and signed a minor‑league deal before being let go. In 728 MLB plate appearances he has 37 homers but a low .221 ISO and defensive struggles (-4 DRS).
It was September 27, 2026. Game 162. The Texas Rangers had been eliminated from playoff contention, while their in-state rival, the Houston Astros, clinched the American League West. For most teams, falling just short of the postseason, especially with a division title within reach, would reinforce a familiar offseason mentality: “We’re close. We just need […]
The post The Rangers Could Win the Offseason if They Decide To Trade Assets appeared first on Just Baseball .
The Crawfish Boxes breaks down the Astros’ top pitching prospects of 2026, spotlighting Bryce Mayer’s system‑leading 140 strikeouts across Double‑A and Triple‑A (2.61 ERA in Double‑A, 5.45 in Triple‑A), Jagger Beck’s 2.80 ERA and 102 Ks in 22 games, and Jackson Nezuh’s 124 strikeouts over 103 innings (3.83 ERA). Also featured are Cole Hertzler’s 2.72 ERA in Asheville, Javier Perez’s 132 Ks in 110 innings, closer‑turned‑starter Nick Potter’s 2.11 ERA in Single‑A, and reliever Alex Santos II’s 2.91 ERA with a 1.09 Triple‑A stint. These stats illustrate a deep, strikeout‑rich arms pool ready for a major‑league push.
The Milwaukee Brewers crush the Tampa Bay Rays 10-1 in Game 3 of the 2026 World Series, seizing a 3‑0 series lead thanks to an eight‑run fifth inning and a six‑scoreless‑inning performance by rookie Robert Gasser. Meanwhile, Seattle’s Mariners are interviewing former Astros manager Joe Espada and Cubs development chief Jason Kanzler for their next manager, and former Mariner Daniel Vogelbach, now a Brewers hitting coach, is praised for his offensive impact. Additionally, Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor earns the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award for community service.
The 2026 World Series heads toward a possible finale as the Brewers, riding a near‑perfect postseason with just one loss, look to close out the Rays after a dominant Game 3 win. Meanwhile, the Arizona Fall League spotlights Tate Southisene as a top‑performing position player, and MLB offseason chatter includes former Nationals GM Mike Rizzo interviewing for the Astros' GM vacancy. Brewers reliever Brandon Woodruff returns for a ninth‑inning outing after months sidelined by injury.
The Houston Astros are prioritizing a new general manager before hiring a manager, and former Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo has emerged as the leading candidate. Rizzo, 65, blends traditional scouting with modern analytics and is credited with drafting Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg and engineering the Juan Soto trade. His experience aligns with owner Jim Crane’s hands‑on style, suggesting he could thrive in an organization that values both data‑driven development—evidenced by recent hires from Driveline Baseball—and seasoned baseball judgment. If hired, Rizzo is expected to retain the core roster while making targeted improvements, positioning the Astros for continued competitiveness.
The Pirates’ 2026 turnaround—82 wins, a record‑setting 35 homers by Brandon Lowe—won’t last without an aggressive offseason. The article argues three must‑dos: re‑sign 32‑year‑old power hitter Brandon Lowe, whose Gold Glove finalist season (35 HR, 96 RBI, .260 avg) makes him the franchise’s top threat; add a quality right‑handed bat like former Astros third‑baseman Isaac Paredes (25 HR, .262 avg, .807 OPS) to shore up middle‑lineup pop and address left‑handed pitching woes; and acquire a left‑handed starter, citing Foster Griffin (3.60 ERA, 15 wins, recent All‑Star) as a potential fit after Mitch Keller’s decline. These moves aim to cement Pittsburgh’s rise into a playoff contender for 2027.
The Seattle Mariners are set to interview two managerial candidates, Joe Espada and Jason Kanzler, in person this week, according to MLB.com. Both former coaches on the 2022 World Champion Astros staff, the 51‑year‑old Espada brings a résumé that includes managing the Astros and a stint with the Yankees, while the 36‑year‑old Kanzler, a former minor‑league hitting coordinator turned Cubs director of player development, represents a younger option. The club aims to decide by month’s end to rebuild its coaching staff after a turnover following last season’s ALCS run.
The Astros revealed that outfielder Joey Loperfido had arthroscopic surgery on his right hip to fix an impingement and labral tear, delaying his return for spring training. The injury surfaced after the 2026 season, adding to a year that already saw Loperfido on the IL with a quad strain. With three option years exhausted, he faces roster uncertainty heading into 2027. Over the past three seasons, he posted a .240/.300/.378 line with a 92 wRC+, solid BABIP, and modest defensive value across all outfield spots. At 27, his minor‑league success and cheap contract could make him a useful bench depth option, but his health and lack of options put his roster spot at risk.
The Houston Astros enter the offseason with questions surrounding Jeremy Pena’s future and Carlos Correa’s place in their infield. Pena enters his final season before free agency, while Correa’s return from injury adds another consideration for Houston. Crush City Territory shared a clip Monday on X, formerly Twitter, featuring host Tyler Stafford and The Athletic’s […]
The post Astros urged to trade Jeremy Pena, and possibly Carlos Correa appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Bad news for the Cleveland Guardians. Good news for the Minnesota Twins.
The Houston Astros are set to interview longtime Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo on Monday for their vacant general manager role, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. Rizzo, who led the Nats to a World Series title in 2019, is the most seasoned candidate among a pool that includes Brewers assistant GM Matt Kleine (who has already met with Houston), White Sox assistant Josh Barfield, Cardinals assistant Randy Flores, Royals SVP Scott Sharp, and Braves assistant Ben Sestanovich, as well as Astros assistants Charles Cook and Gavin Dickey. At 65, Rizzo brings proven success but faces questions about his adaptability to modern analytics, while younger contenders offer fresh perspectives.
Houston Astros outfielder Joey Loperfido received an injury update after undergoing hip surgery. Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle shared the update from the Astros. “Joey Loperfido had arthroscopic surgery on his right hip to ‘address a labral injury and hip impingement that were identified shortly after the season ended,’ per the Astros. He’ll be […]
The post Astros outfielder’s injury update will impact his 2027 spring training availability appeared first on ClutchPoints .
While the Houston Astros look to replace manager Joe Espada this offseason, the team is also looking to find a new general manager after the firing of Dana Brown last season. As the Astros try to find a sure-fire hire for the general manager role, there is one candidate that the team is interviewing who […]
The post Astros interviewing GM candidate who built team that beat them in World Series appeared first on ClutchPoints .
World Series Game 3 kicks off tonight as the Tampa Bay Rays seek their first win over the 2-0 Milwaukee Brewers, with Freddy Peralta (now averaging 96.9 mph) facing Brewers left‑hander Robert Gasser. In Seattle news, former Twins manager Rocco Baldelli pulls out of the Mariners’ managerial search for family reasons, while The Seattle Times’ Adam Jude outlines three offseason priorities: a star shortstop, proven relievers, and a veteran utility player. Mariners analyst Kate Preusser joins The Enni Way podcast to discuss team identity and clubhouse leadership. Additional league updates note Astros hiring hitting director Connor Watson, Rangers closer Jacob Latz’s 2.13 ERA, and shortstop Taylor Walls’s elite defensive metrics.
The time has come for owner Jim Crane to find the Houston Astros a new general manager. After Dana Brown parted ways with the franchise in August, Crane had promised to start his GM quest after the season. With the offseason knocking at the door, the Astros have prepared an extensive list of external and […]
The post Astros’ Search for General Manager Draws Out Praise as Analyst Calls Out Major Misconception appeared first on EssentiallySports .
Rocco Baldelli has withdrawn from the Seattle Mariners' managerial search, citing family considerations. The 45‑year‑old former Twins manager, who led Minnesota to three playoff trips before back‑to‑back fourth‑place finishes in 2024‑25, is currently a special assistant with the Dodgers and is a father of three children under five. Baldelli’s exit leaves the Mariners to consider other candidates as they aim to hire a new manager before month‑end, amid interest from the Astros and Angels. The Astros just added Conner Watson as hitting director from the Guardians.
Rocco Baldelli pulls out of the Seattle Mariners’ manager search, citing family considerations, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. His withdrawal leaves former Astros manager Joe Espada and Cubs player‑development director Jason Kanzler as the only publicly known candidates, though other names remain in the mix. Mariners president Jerry Dipoto prefers an experienced skipper, giving Espada a potential edge. Baldelli, who led the Twins to three AL Central titles and a 2023 Wild Card win before being dismissed after a 70-92 2025 season, had been linked to the Dodgers front office and other clubs. The hunt, now in an advanced stage, may see a delay as Seattle pivots to its next choice.