Astros Target Yankees Coach for Manager, Latest Update on Search for Vacant Job

The Houston Astros are interviewing Brad Ausmus as part of their managerial search, according to the New York Post 's Jon Heyman .

Ausmus, who's currently the New York Yankees bench coach, has a .486 winning percentage across his five seasons as an MLB manager. He was with the Detroit Tigers from 2014-17 and then led the Los Angeles Angels in 2019.

Last week, Houston tabbed Randy Flores as its next general manager. With that role filled, the organization will begin to focus more seriously on replacing Joe Espada.

Beyond his experience in the dugout, Ausmus had an 18-year playing career and was with the Astros for a decade.

In a lot of cases, hiring a longtime former player as the manager is an easy way to engender fan goodwill straight out of the gate. Appointing Ausmus could have the opposite effect in Houston, however.

Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell is the senior advisor to ownership and baseball operations, and there's a general sense he's an influential voice behind the scenes. The Astros legend has made it no secret in the past he diverges a bit from the front office's old orthodoxy, one that resulted in two World Series titles.

The Athletic's Chandler Rome reported in June 2024 there were questions over how much authority GM Dana Brown wielded over personnel moves.

Were Ausmus to be the ultimate choice, it would further reinforce the perception that Bagwell has the ear of team owner Jim Crane.

Ausmus' track record isn't inspiring, either, as his lone playoff trip as a manager resulted in an ALDS sweep in 2014.

Only days removed from Flores' arrival, the Astros aren't on the verge of hiring their next manager. The process will continue to unfold in the coming days and perhaps weeks.

Ausmus won't be the last candidate seriously linked with the job.