The Houston Astros have named Brad Ausmus their new manager, bringing back one of the franchise’s most recognizable former players to lead the club into the 2027 season.
General manager Randy Flores announced the hiring Wednesday, November 11, ending Houston’s search for a replacement for Joe Espada. Ausmus, 57, becomes the 21st manager in franchise history after spending the past three seasons as bench coach of the New York Yankees.
The Astros will formally introduce Ausmus at a news conference Friday morning at Daikin Park.
Ausmus expressed enthusiasm about returning to Houston, where he spent 10 of his 18 major-league seasons as a catcher. Flores praised his leadership, energy, and experience, qualities the new general manager identified as priorities during the interview process.
A Familiar Face Returns to Houston
Ausmus played for the Astros from 1997–98 and again from 2001–08, becoming one of the franchise’s most accomplished defensive catchers. He won three Gold Gloves with Houston and helped the club reach its first World Series in 2005.
He also played a memorable role in Houston’s 18-inning victory over Atlanta in Game 4 of the 2005 National League Division Series. His two-out, game-tying home run in the ninth inning kept the Astros alive before Chris Burke eventually won the game with a walk-off homer.
After retiring in 2010, Ausmus moved into baseball operations with the San Diego Padres before becoming manager of the Detroit Tigers in 2014.
His first Detroit team won 90 games and captured the American League Central title but was swept by Baltimore in the Division Series. The Tigers failed to return to the postseason during his remaining three seasons, and Ausmus departed after 2017.
He subsequently managed the Los Angeles Angels in 2019, finishing 72-90 before being dismissed after one season.
Across five seasons with Detroit and Los Angeles, Ausmus compiled a 386-422 record. He later served as Oakland’s bench coach in 2022 before joining Aaron Boone’s Yankees staff in 2024.
Experience Influences Houston’s Decision
Ausmus emerged from a managerial search that also included former Astros third baseman Morgan Ensberg, former Cardinals star Albert Pujols, and Texas Rangers bench coach Luis Urueta.
Among those publicly identified candidates, Ausmus was the only one with previous major-league managerial experience.
His connection to Houston also runs deep. Ausmus remains close to Astros senior advisor Jeff Bagwell, his former teammate, who participated in the hiring process alongside owner Jim Crane and members of the baseball operations department.
Houston previously considered Ausmus for its managerial opening in 2020 before hiring Dusty Baker. He also interviewed for the general manager position that went to Dana Brown in 2023 and was considered for the GM vacancy again this fall.
Those longstanding relationships provide familiarity, although the Astros have not indicated that they determined the outcome.
For Flores, the appointment is his first major personnel decision since becoming Houston’s general manager October 30.
A Coaching Staff Still Taking Shape
Ausmus inherits an organization undergoing substantial changes following an 81-81 season that nevertheless produced an American League West championship.
Houston declined to renew Espada’s contract after three seasons, during which the Astros won two division titles but failed to record a postseason victory.
The club has retained pitching coach Josh Miller, hitting coach Victor RodrÃguez, first-base coach Dave Clark, and longtime bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte. Field coordinator Jason Bell was initially expected to return but subsequently accepted a position with the Boston Red Sox.
The Astros must also appoint a new bench coach. Omar López remains with the organization, although his role for 2027 has yet to be determined.
Ausmus and Flores will now work to complete the coaching staff while addressing questions about Houston’s roster.
An Important Offseason Ahead
The Astros have won eight AL West titles in the past 10 seasons, but their declining win totals and aging roster present challenges for the new leadership.
Injuries, inconsistent pitching, and roster concerns contributed to an 81-81 season that ended with a Wild Card Series sweep by the Chicago White Sox.
Ausmus will be expected to help restore consistency while working with Flores to evaluate the club’s personnel needs.
Their preparation could be complicated by a potential labor lockout when baseball’s collective bargaining agreement expires December 1. A work stoppage would limit communication between club personnel and players, making the next several weeks particularly important.
For Ausmus, the appointment represents a return to the franchise where he spent much of his playing career. For the Astros, it marks another step in an offseason overhaul that has already brought a new general manager and significant changes throughout baseball operations.
Houston has chosen experience and familiarity to lead its next chapter. The challenge now is turning those qualities into results.
Photo: Keith Allison / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
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