The Houston Astros announced Wednesday that they will not renew manager Joe Espada's expiring contract, parting ways with him after three seasons at the helm.

The decision, confirmed by the team in a statement, also came with sweeping changes to the coaching staff: catching instructor Tim Cossins, game planning coach Tommy Kawamura, third base coach Tony Perezchica, assistant hitting coach Anthony Iapoce and assistant pitching coach Ethan Katz were all let go.

Owner Jim Crane thanked Espada for his work, saying, "We are thankful for Joe's hard work, his passion for the game, and for his commitment to the Houston Astros." Espada's contract is set to expire at the end of this month.

What makes the timing surprising is that Espada's team still won its division.

The Astros overcame a wave of injuries to claim the AL West with an 81-81 record — becoming, according to the Associated Press reporting carried by FOX Sports, the first team in Major League Baseball history to reach the postseason without a winning record.

But the reward was brutal: Houston was swept by the Chicago White Sox in a two-game Wild Card series at home, ending the season almost immediately.

Espada finished with a 256-229 managerial record, won AL West titles in two of his three seasons, and was the second Latino manager in franchise history after Preston Gomez.

The managerial change lands amid broader upheaval in Houston. Former general manager Dana Brown was fired back in August, meaning the Astros must now search for both a new manager and a new general manager.

The team did retain some familiar voices — pitching coach Josh Miller, first base coach Dave Clark, field coordinator Jason Bell, hitting coach Victor Rodriguez and bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte stay — while bench coach Omar Lopez was offered a new role in the organization rather than the top job.

ESPN-level star power aside, the next hire inherits a roster that still expects to contend but has now missed October baseball's deep rounds for multiple years.

ClutchPoints, via Yahoo Sports, reports four leading candidates the Astros should consider. Brad Ausmus, now the Yankees' bench coach, offers franchise ties as a former Astros catcher plus prior managerial stints with Detroit and the Angels.

Rodney Linares, the Rays' bench coach, spent 21 seasons in Houston's farm system developing stars like José Altuve and Carlos Correa but has never managed in the majors.

Hall of Famer Albert Pujols managed the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic and brings credibility, though he lacks MLB managerial experience.

Former Rangers manager Jeff Banister, the 2015 AL Manager of the Year, knows the division well and once interviewed with Houston before A.J. Hinch was hired.