“No Longer Serious About Winning” – Astros Fans Sound Off As Yankees Coach Gets Linked to Houston’s Managerial Opening

Days after announcing that former St. Louis Cardinals executive Randy Flores would become their new general manager, the Houston Astros have intensified their search for a new manager. At the end of the 2026 season, the Astros did not renew former skipper Joe Espada’s contract after three years in charge. Former Astros catcher and current New York Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus was spotted at Daikin Park on Thursday, the day before Flores was announced as the new GM. Multiple sources close to the team said that although Ausmus was interviewed for the GM role, the franchise may still consider him for the managerial position. Fans quickly took to social media to share their reactions to the latest developments in Houston’s front office, which connected Ausmus to the vacant skipper role. “Franchise is no longer serious about winning,” one fan commented. Ausmus interviewed for Houston’s managerial job in 2020, before the Astros hired Dusty Baker, and was a finalist for GM before Dana Brown’s 2023 hiring. He managed the Tigers (2014-17) and the Angels (2019), posting an underwhelming 386-422 overall record, well below .500. While serving as the bench coach with the A’s (2022) and later with the Yankees (2024-present), Ausmus failed to make a significant impact on the roster, undermining his candidacy for the managerial role in Houston, as evidenced by fans’ concerning reactions. At 57, he holds the franchise record for most games caught over 10 seasons. He was with the organization during its historic runs to the NLCS in 2004 and to the World Series in 2005. Who Are the Likely Candidates for the Astros Managerial Role? According to Brian McTaggart , the Astros beat reporter for MLB.com, Ausmus isn’t the only candidate for the franchise’s vacant skipper role. McTaggart listed ten candidates (including Ausmus) who could become the new manager and take the reins at Daikin Park. Although Ausmus has already been mentioned in the article, the MLB Insider lists nine others: Jeff Banister, Morgan Ensberg, John Gibbons, Brandon Hyde, Danny Lehmann, Rodney Linares, Martin Maldonado, Albert Pujols, and David Ross. Some analysts believe that since Flores was brought on as the new GM, the former Cardinals executive could turn to former Cardinals stars like Pujols and Yadier Molina, with whom he has close ties. It will be interesting to see who becomes the new Astros manager as the GMs head to the general managers meetings in Las Vegas. Also read: “Jazz Chisholm Jr. Is a Disgrace, a Clown” – Yankees Legend Goes Scorched Earth on All-Star Infielder “I Don’t Think Mookie Betts Would Care” – Dodgers Analyst Weighs In on Impact of Elly De La Cruz’s Potential Arrival College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis , college football , men’s college basketball , women’s college basketball , and college baseball !