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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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.
The Houston Astros appoint Conner Watson as director of hitting, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Watson arrives from the Cleveland Guardians, where he spent the past two seasons as assistant director of hitting development, and previously served three years as a lead instructor at Driveline’s Arizona facility. His hiring fills a vacancy left by Dan Hennigan’s August exit and follows the recent addition of Spencer Medick as director of pitching, giving the Astros two key division heads before a new GM and manager are named. Watson is expected to modernize hitting across both major and minor league squads, potentially reshaping the role of current hitting coach Victor Rodriguez.
The New York Yankees losing Triple-A pitching guru Spencer Medick might have fans nervous, but a stat that illuminates the talent of the system should ease concerns.
Astros right‑hander Tatsuya Imai struggled in his MLB debut, posting a 4.93 ERA over 76 2/3 innings with a 15.1% walk rate—the highest among qualified pitchers. After 15 starts and a brief postseason roster spot, he slid into a limited bullpen role, posting a respectable 2.00 ERA in 18 relief innings but still issuing 11 walks. Imai can opt out of his three‑year, $54 million contract, though rejecting $18 million for 2027 seems unlikely. To stay in Houston’s rotation, he must add a third viable pitch and improve control, possibly leaning on sinkers like the Astros did with Hunter Brown. Otherwise, he may transition to a bullpen role amid a thin relief corps.
Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara and Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham are among those worth targeting for the Houston Astros this offseason.
The Astros poached Spencer Medick from the Yankees' organization.
Federal Baseball analyst Ian Harper says the Washington Nationals should target 32‑year‑old free‑agent second baseman Brandon Lowe, who just hit 35 homers with a .260/.331/.493 slash line and a 5.4 bWAR for Pittsburgh. Lowe, a Gold Glove finalist with 15 OAA, can also play first base or DH, giving the Nats flexibility if they shift CJ Abrams. Spotrac projects a four‑year, $91.2 million contract (about $22.8 M per year), though estimates range to $70‑80 M. With a low payroll and recent offensive upgrades from James Wood and Abrams, the Nats face a decision amid potential qualifying offers and a looming CBA lockout.
The Sox Machine podcast rolls out its annual 2026 White Sox roster quiz, challenging fans to name all 59 players who appeared in a game this season. Listeners can take the quiz via the provided link, then hear a World Series preview and a rumor that former Sox infielder Josh Barfield is eyeing the Houston Astros GM vacancy. The episode is sponsored by Ankin Law and teases new Sox Machine merchandise.
The Houston Astros are hunting for a new general manager after parting ways with Dana Brown in August. MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart says internal candidates assistant GM Gavin Dickey and Charles Cook have been interviewed, while Rays assistant GM Kevin Ibach and Brewers assistant GM Matt Kleine are also in the mix. Kleine is rumored to be the frontrunner. Dickey, a 2011 scout turned assistant GM in 2023, and Cook, promoted to assistant GM in 2022, may have received courtesy interviews. The club could choose a low‑payroll‑savvy executive from a small market before the World Series concludes.
Yankees pitching guru Spencer Medick has defected to the Astros, which could help their offseason plan.
Braves assistant GM Ben Sestanovich is reportedly in contention for the Houston Astros’ vacant general manager role, according to The Athletic’s Chandler Rome. The Braves have a history of losing Alex Anthopoulos protégés to other clubs—Perry Minasian left for Anaheim and Dana Brown was recently ousted from Houston. Sestanovich, who joined Atlanta in 2020 after serving as the Padres’ head of player development, focuses on talent development and helped Kyle Wright reinvent his pitch mix. If hired, he would be the second Braves staffer to replace a former Astros executive, raising questions about Jim Crane’s hiring pattern.
The Houston Astros are expected to include Christian Walker in trade talks this offseason.
The Pirates, after a successful 2026 season with former Astros acquisitions Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum, and Mason Montgomery, may pursue another deal with Houston. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller proposes swapping Astros third‑baseman Isaac Paredes—who can also play second base—for a spot the Pirates need as Lowe heads free agency after a 35‑home‑run, 150‑game campaign. With the Astros flush with infield talent, including a returning Carlos Correa, the trade could benefit both clubs, prompting Pittsburgh to reopen talks this offseason.
White Sox assistant GM Josh Barfield is a candidate for the Astros' GM job, The Athletic reported. Houston could hire before the World Series ends.
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The Houston Astros are narrowing down candidates for their general manager vacancy, with Royals senior vice president Scott Sharp and Braves assistant GM Ben Sestanovich emerging as frontrunners, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Sharp, 54, brings two decades of Kansas City experience and has interviewed with several clubs, while Sestanovich, a Harvard alum and former Atlanta assistant GM, adds a strong player‑development background. They join a shortlist that also includes Matt Kleine, Josh Barfield and Randy Flores. The Astros aim to appoint a GM before the World Series concludes and are also seeking a new manager after parting with Joe Espada. Additionally, Houston plans to hire Spencer Medick as director of pitching.