Astros Rumors: Brad Ausmus joined by obscure AL West rival in Houston’s managerial search

The Houston Astros search to replace Joe Espada has been an odd one. The Astros recently hired Randy Flores as the team's new GM, but had already begun interviewing managerial candidates. That seems kind of backwards, huh?

But with Flores now installed as the top boss under Astros owner Jim Crane, he's conducting what promises to be a quick, yet thorough search for Houston's new skipper.

By now. most fans know that former Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels manager Brad Ausmus has received a formal interview. The 18-year veteran, who spent 10 years behind the plate in Houston, is currently part of the New York Yankees coaching staff.

According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, former NL MVP Albert Pujols has also been interviewed for the vacancy. Pujols doesn't have any experience as a Major League manager, but has managed a Dominican League team, Leones del Escogido, a few years back.

Rangers’ bench coach Luis Urueta interviews for Astros vacancy

A new name has emerged, however, in the search for Espada's replacement, and this one comes from right down the road in Arlington. Rangers’ bench coach Luis Urueta took a break from his Winter League duties, and interviewed for the Astros' managerial job this week.

Urueta has been in the coaching profession for quite some time and has been part of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Miami Marlins organizations in the past. He was reunited with former Marlins' skipper Skip Schumaker, but was Bruce Bochy's bench coach during the future Hall of Famer's final season at the helm for the Rangers.

Urueta joins Ausmus as the only two who re known to have interviewed for the job itself, but if there's genuine interest between Pujols and the Astros, there's little to think he hasn't talked with Flores about the vacancy in the dugout.

It's a little late in the game to be dragging this situation out at this point, especially with free agency set to explode at any moment. Astros insider Brian McTaggart revealed on Monday that Houston's hoping to finalize a deal by the end of the week. Stay tuned, Astros fans.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow