News Article
The Astros' recent dismissal of their general manager, manager, and several coaches only scratches the surface of what one former GM termed as 'dysfunction'
Published
Oct 15, 2026 at 02:26 PM EDT
The Houston Astros might have won the American League West this season, but they're behaving more like a .500 team that didn't win a game in the postseason despite high expectations.
On paper, all of this is true. The Astros' 81-81 record was good enough to win their division, but they were swept at home in the AL wild-card round by the Chicago White Sox.
Houston let go of general manager Dana Brown in August. On Wednesday, Oct. 14, the team announced manager Joe Espada and five coaches would not return in 2027.
This only scratches the surface of the "dysfunction" former New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles general manager Jim Duquette described within the Astros' organizational ranks.
...
Duquette, now a host and analyst for MLB Network Radio on Sirius/XM, wrote on Twitter/X that an MLB team called Houston for permission to interview assistant pitching coach Ethan Katz for a possible promotion. Not only did the Astros deny Katz permission to interview, he was among the coaches let go along with Espada on Wednesday.
Duquette wrote that the Astros' behavior was "pathetic" and demonstrated "pure lack of understanding of how to do the right thing."
More news: Dodgers' Alex Call Blasts MLB for Airing Sydney Sweeney 'Soft Porn' Ad
Perhaps not coincidentally, the Minnesota Twins announced they had hired a new pitching coach, Brian Reith, on Wednesday. Reith spent the last five seasons as the pitching coach for the Tampa Bay Rays' Triple-A affiliate.
The Athletics, who fired pitching coach Scott Emerson at midseason and have yet to remove the interim tag from his replacement, Dan Hubbs, could give Katz another opportunity for a promotion in MLB.
More news: Dodgers Special Assistant, ESPN Analyst Linked to Mariners’ Manager Job
The Astros' behavior underscores other questions raised about how the front office and coaching staff will be reshaped under owner Jim Crane, who is apparently in no hurry to replace Brown.
Crane figures to have an active offseason at the collective bargaining table. The current CBA expires Dec. 1, and owners are widely expected to impose a lockout at that point.
Crane might not replace his key front-office and field personnel before then. For now, the Astros' future looks more unsettled than any team's.
For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.