Astros' Joe Espada receives brutal 'lame duck' label after Dana Brown firing

The Houston Astros are sitting atop the American League West, but at just 68-67 on the year. It's been an underwhelming season that could be seen as a lot worse if it weren't for the fact that they're in a postseason hunt amid a terrible AL West division.

But despite the team's chances of making the postseason, Dana Brown was recently fired from his job, and plenty of other front office executives and coaches could be next.

That list includes Joe Espada, who was called a "lame duck" by Sports Illustrated's Karl Rasmussen. While a brutal label for a manager in the middle of a postseason hunt, it's not wrong, as the Brown firing revealed the Astros' intentions with Espada.

Joe Espada called a 'lame duck' as Astros' manager

"Espada is in the last year of his contract and was hired by Dana Brown, who was fired Monday on the heels of a disappointing homestand in which Houston lost six of nine games against division opponents, including the lowly Athletics and Angels," Rasmussen writes.

With the Astros' manager in the last year of his managerial contract, there is an easy out with him following the 2026 season: simply not re-signing him to a new contract.

Brown is also out of his job, which likely means Espada won't be far behind, as the two are linked to their success for the Astros this season.

But instead of firing Espada mid-season as the Astros did with Brown, Jim Crane is electing to keep Espada through the remainder of the 2026 season.

MORE: Astros' Yordan Alvarez has chance to join two MLB legends with very rare history

After the 2026 season, however, between Browns' firing and this being the last year of Espada's contract, it looks incredibly likely that this is the last year Espada will be with the Astros.

All of the signs are pointing towards Houston moving on this offseason, with the only thing that could save his job likely being a very deep postseason run.

The Astros making the ALCS might be the bare minimum that could convince the Astros to keep Espada for one more season. A World Series appearance, or a win, is the only real chance Espada has at keeping this job.

Unfortunately, this team isn't really World-Series-caliber. Yordan Alvarez is great, and might win AL MVP and the Triple Crown. But, in reality, this team just won't be good enough to do damage in October.

Espada is more likely than not, going to be fired after this season. He's a true "lame duck" manager, as barring a miraculous postseason, the Astros are going to move on from Espada following the 2026 season.

More MLB news:

• Mariners’ Cal Raleigh on track to hit fewest HR after 60+ homer season in MLB history
• Dodgers and Mets predicted to be only teams active in Tarik Skubal’s free agent market
• Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll joins only Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio in wild MLB history
• Former MLB pitcher critiques Pirates ace Paul Skenes' mechanics amid recent struggles
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. could make all-time terrible MLB HR history for Blue Jays