Crane Says Postseason Berth Will Weigh On Espada's Contract Talks

Crane Says Postseason Berth Will Weigh On Espada's Contract Talks

Houston Astros owner Jim Crane said Monday that the team's playoff berth will factor into his decision on manager Joe Espada's future, with the skipper's contract set to expire at season's end. Crane told The Associated Press there have been no recent talks about a new deal, and the two sides plan to discuss the matter once the season concludes.

Asked whether reaching the postseason - after missing out a year ago - would influence the outcome, Crane said: "All positives are positives. All negatives are negatives. So I think that would be something to consider when we make the decision." Espada's status has drawn scrutiny since the Astros dismissed general manager Dana Brown on Aug. 24, a move Crane said he does not believe affected the team's performance down the stretch. He described the timing as "a courtesy" to give Brown time to find his next opportunity, noting the front office had sufficient depth to absorb the transition. Assistant general managers Charles Cook, Gavin Dickey and Connor Huff, along with senior adviser Jeff Bagwell, have since divided Brown's responsibilities. Crane said communication among that group has been smooth despite the unusual arrangement of changing general managers during a playoff race. live futsal bets

Houston finished 81-81, becoming the first team in major league history to reach the postseason without a winning record, edging the Texas Rangers to capture the AL West and advance to the Wild Card Series. The berth marks the Astros' ninth postseason appearance in 10 years, a run that included seven straight ALCS appearances from 2017 through 2023, four World Series trips and championships in 2017 and 2022.

"We've always said we're here to win and we're here to make the playoffs and make a deep run in the playoffs, and we've done that consistently," Crane said. "So getting in the playoffs is a big deal. If you don't, you don't have a chance." The Astros open their best-of-three Wild Card Series at home against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, with Espada's long-term future expected to be addressed once Houston's season ends.