Although the offseason hasn’t officially begun, there wasn’t a lack of potential drama. I mean, did you watch the end-of-season press conference with Dana Brown and Joe Espada last week? It didn’t feel like a certainty that either one would return to the Astros for the 2026 season. Considering Jim Crane’s history with other managers and front office executives, you couldn’t outright ignore the possibility of another leadership shift within the organization.
We can now put those rumors to rest, at least for one more year. I reckon that their seats in 2026 may be a bit warmer than it was in 2025, though.
In all honesty, the decision to bring Brown and Espada back isn’t a controversial one. The roster was greatly hampered for most of the season due to injuries, both in terms of quantity and severity. That development shouldn’t serve as an excuse to let the status quo rule over the offseason, yes, but you can make the argument that this team makes the postseason if Yordan Alvarez were available for, say, 40 or 50 more games. What if that errant batted ball in batting practice misses Spencer Arrighetti? Or if Framber Valdez is even marginally better in the second half? The list can go on and on and on… You get the point. Espada had to deal with the ramifications of having a roster depleted by injuries at various points and the ongoing absences of key figures essential to any chance for success.
Organizationally, the 2026 season was always setting itself up as a crucial one for short- and long-term direction. It feels appropriate for Brown to allow him to see if his vision starts to produce fruit, especially in the farm system. We’re entering his fourth year as general manager, and the 2026 draft will also be his fourth. Sooner or later, preferably the former, there must be progress on that side of the organization to remain in contention in future seasons. Next year will shine a brighter light on how his first couple of draft classes are developing. There’s also the immediate planning of this offseason, with Valdez now a free agent and a noticeably thin roster at certain positions to address. Not an easy task for Brown this upcoming winter.
Any changes within the organization’s front office and coaching structure will likely be minor in terms of visibility, although their overall importance remains high. I think Espada will have some changes to his staff, particularly on the hitting side. A review of the club’s return-to-play procedures is a must and long overdue. Whether the current leadership shares the same sentiment remains to be seen.
Where the Astros go from 2026 onward will be interesting to watch. This roster will change, and the current CBA is set to expire after next season. While a lockout is a distinct possibility, the likelihood of it occurring remains uncertain. Another disappointing season a year from now will only bring renewed criticism to both Brown and Espada. I don’t think they’ll survive another year like 2025, injuries galore or not. But the debate is settled for now about who will lead the Astros into next year. Let’s see if that conversation is reignited in roughly eleven months.
