How long will the Astros make Joe Espada twist in the wind before deciding his future?

Joe Espada joined the Houston Astros in 2018, joining A.J. Hinch's staff as Bench Coach replacing Alex Cora. Cora had left to become the new manager of the Boston Red Sox. Espada had come to be such a valued member of the staff that he spanned two different managers: A.J. Hinch and Dusty Baker.

When the Astros and Dusty decided it was time to part ways and Dusty retired, Espada was named the 25th manager in Astros history. His strong relationships with the players and the length of time he served the organization often cited for Joe's being deserving of the opportunity. Overall, at the time he was hired, fan sentiment was firmly behind him.

Three years later, Espada finds himself in no man's land. He's won two division titles but no playoff games. He's had to navigate three years of rosters riddled with injuries as well as consistently declining talent. His contract is now expired, while the GM who elevated him is no longer with the organization.

On August 24, it was announced that the Astros had fired...err....agreed to part ways with GM Dana Brown. At the time the team was in first place, but only 65-66. Considering he had a trade vetoed by owner Jim Crane at the deadline, and only made one minor move, it seemed the writing was on the wall. The team wasn't winning, the owner undercut his power, the offseason moves he made were failures, being fired was the final step of the progression.

It was also reported on the same day by Bob NIghtengale, a longtime baseball insider with USA Today that has been very in tune with Astros moves over the past decade, that a senior member of the Astros staff told him that Joe Espada was told he wouldn't be returning.

The problem with that report was that Espada had stepped away from the team the day before due to a family emergency, and that the team leaking such a thing while Espada was dealing with a family tragedy were hideous optics. Espada had been a good soldier, a dedicated team man, highly liked and respected by other coaches and his players, and the team was leaking he was out while he was dealing with a personal tragedy. That is about as awful as you can treat someone. It wasn't a surprise when the team deliberately walked that back, claiming it wasn't true. However Nightengale is one of the most respected reporters and insiders in the country, and someone in the organization that is clearly informed fed him that info.

The fact the Astros walked it back doesn't mean it didn't happen, it just means they didn't want people to think it did.

Espada would return to the team, and say he wanted to stay with the team as manager. The owner would come out and give a mild endorsement of Espada when stating Espada was "doing what he can do with what he's got", a not-so-veiled swipe at Dana Brown for his failures constructing the team. Espada continued to steward the ship, ultimately overcoming the injuries and poor roster to win the division at 81-81.

Both the team and Espada maintained that he would be evaluated at the end of the season. The Astros season ended September 30. It's October 7. There has been no word on Espada's future with the organization. The franchise is simply letting him twist in the wind.

There is nothing that has happened between September 30 and now that would have influenced the owner's decision. It is mostly unfathomable to think that the owner didn't already know what his lean was before the end of the season, before the playoffs, and after the playoffs. The same can be said for Crane having gotten his input from his trusted inner circle. There is no chance the decision has not already been made. So what is the hold up?

If the team is going to let Espada go, then do the right thing and tell him now. There's no need to drag this on. It's unnecessary, it's cold, and it's no way to treat someone who has been an important part of your organization for 9 years, including a championship. Give him and his family their peace of mind, and let him move on.

If the team is intending to keep Espada, then give him a new deal and solidify his place in the organization. Get him involved in helping choose the new GM, because he will need to work with that GM to rebuild (yes, Jim, rebuild, unless you plan on ignoring the tax lines) the Astros into true contenders again.

It does no good for Espada nor the organization for this decision to continue to loom over the franchise. I am aware that the decision doesn't need to be announced today, but it should be. What you are able to do and what you should do are not necessarily the same thing. There are people involved, and those people can be treated with grace.

Keep in mind that if Esapda is let go, there is a good possibility many if not all of the coaching staff is also let go. A new manager will want their own staff and their own people. A lot of people on the Astros staff would be looking for new employment. They are currently twisting in the wind as well.

It is simply a bad look for a franchise to treat a nine year coach/manager this way, especially after having to walk back the report that they told Espada he was being let go when the team let go Dana Brown. Espada deserves better because everyone in his situation deserves better.

There is just no need to drag it on. Make the decision and move on, one way or the other. Let Espada and his staff have their peace of mind to do the same.

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