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The Houston Astros have had an up and down season to say the least. The Astros had a rough start to the season, then got hot, and then went cold.
Houston has dealt with injuries all season long and leaned on guys throughout the year they never even expected to see the major leagues, or be an Astro, in 2025.
However, despite it all, the Astros enter the final nine games of the season tied with the Seattle Mariners atop the American League West, and the two teams will play this weekend for the upper hand in the division. Does Astros manager Joe Espada deserve AL manager of the year recognition?
Ken Rosenthal Gives Espada AL MOTY Award Vote
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal joined Foul Territory on Friday afternoon and revealed his pick for the AL manager of the Year award. Rosenthal mentioned a few names he believes are deserving, but one stood out for him.
"American League Manager of the Year is fascinating. To me, Joe Espada should be the front runner for all that the Astros have dealt with this season," Rosenthal said. "But you can make a case for John Schneider. You can make a case for Alex Cora, if they get there. You certainly can make a case for Steven Vogt as well. Maybe even Dan Wilson in Seattle."
Schneider has the Toronto Blue Jays with the best record in the AL, and Cora has the Red Sox holding onto the final wild card spot after trading away their star third baseman Rafael Devers and hoisting youth all over the roster.
We need to start talking about Joe Espada for AL Manager of the Year.
Leading the division after 26 total players were injured this year, currently 14. 17 WAR lost from it.
New rotations. New lineups. Next man up.
Espada has led the charge and deserves the award this year. pic.twitter.com/iEETQzI1JW
Both Vogt and Wilson have the Guardians and Mariners, respectively, in the middle of the playoff hunt despite looking out of it at various points this season. However, Rosenthal pegged Espada as his vote.
The Astros' manager served as Houston's bench coach from 2018-2023 and took over as the manager in 2024. Espada took the Astros back to postseason in his first year, and has them in a prime position to do so again in 2025 despite loads of injuries.
According to fangraphs, the Astros have the highest potential WAR lost due to injuries this season at 17.6, which is 2.4 more than any other potential playoff team.
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) August 7, 2025The Astros also lost star third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency, and traded star outfielder Kyle Tucker before the season began.
The various lineups and pitching alignments Espada has put together throughout the season to get the Astros to 84 wins, entering Friday, and in the thick of the playoff race has been impressive.
Espada has won the belief from Rosenthal, and if the Astros' manager can seal the deal with a playoff berth, he may have himself near the top of the list for the AL Manager of the Year award.
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