How Hot Are the Seats of Astros GM Dana Brown, Manager Joe Espada?

TL;DR

Astros GM Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada face pressure amid injuries and budget constraints. Owner Jim Crane's high expectations complicate their situations as the team struggles.

Key points

Astros face injuries to key players.
Owner Jim Crane has high expectations.
Dana Brown's roster flexibility is limited by budget.
Joe Espada has a strong relationship with players.
Team may be in 'tread water' territory until reinforcements return.

Mentioned in this story

Dana BrownJoe EspadaJim Crane

Houston AstrosChicago Cubs

Jun 28, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros manager Joe Espada (left) and general manager Dana Brown (right) talk on the field before the game against the Chicago Cubs at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic addressed these topics on the Foul Territory podcast: Astros owner Jim Crane is a prideful man, and he has high expectations. A case can be made that Brown’s ability to reshape the roster has been compromised by Crane’s budgetary constraints, the size of the payroll he inherited, and the mitigated flexibility he’s had as a result. It can certainly be understood that Joe Espada has been given an impossible task for the third straight year, which is winning with large portions of your roster on the injured list for long periods of the season. I’ve heard the argument firing the manager could be a move to try to spark the team, but firing the manager doesn’t make anyone come off IL any faster. To me, it would be a move of frustration, and not of forward thinking. Espada clearly has a strong relationship with the players, and he has the trust of the front office that he will work in lockstep with them. If the team doesn’t have the financial flexibility to make the required moves, then it’s up to Dana Brown to throw darts and hope to catch some magic in a jar with smaller moves. While not impossible, certainly it is a task that is very difficult with low odds of success. Previous Astros teams have started slowly. In 2024, mired with the same kinds of injuries to the pitching staff, the Astros started 12-24. This team has demonstrated a far superior offense to that one. It looks like the team is in ‘tread water’ territory until it gets reinforcements in the form of players returning from injury. Tatsuya Imai, , , , are all missed on the pitching staff while and have left a void in the outfield, particularly in CF where and may be forced to play with and both out as well. Do you think the manager and general manager should be fired mid-season, or do they deserve the benefit of the doubt to finish the year and see how the season develops first considering that 2024 team did go on to win the AL West?

Q&A

What challenges are Astros GM Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada facing?

They are dealing with significant injuries to key players and budgetary constraints that limit their ability to reshape the roster.

Why might the Astros consider firing Joe Espada or Dana Brown?

Frustration over the team's performance and injuries may lead to discussions about firing them, but it may not address the underlying issues.

How did the Astros perform in previous seasons with similar challenges?

In 2024, the Astros started 12-24 due to injuries but later won the AL West, indicating potential for recovery despite current struggles.

How Hot Are the Seats of Astros GM Dana Brown, Manager Joe Espada?

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

Related Articles

Where to watch Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game 2 NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Tuesday, April 21

📋 Botafogo and Chape line-ups named for Copa do Brasil first leg

WrestleMania 42 exit survey: Was this year a pass or fail for WWE?

Renner's 2026 NFL Draft notebook: Red flags, sleepers and biggest questions in a wildly unpredictable class

Unai Simón y Guruzeta reconcilian a San Mamés

Browns QB competition might already be down to Shedeur Sanders and one other player

More from Sports