Sources - Astros promoting Joe Espada from bench coach to manager - ESPN

The Houston Astros are hiring Joe Espada as their manager following Dusty Baker's retirement, turning to their longtime bench coach as they look to continue a record-setting run of seven consecutive American League Championship Series appearances, sources told ESPN on Sunday.

Espada, 48, has been the Astros' bench since 2018, a year after the Astros won a World Series title that has since been tainted by the revelation of a sign-stealing scandal. Espada had previously been a coach with the New York Yankees, and prior to that he had coached with the Miami Marlins following a nine-year playing career in the minor and independent leagues.

Espada remained with Houston after the firing of manager A.J. Hinch in the wake of the sign-stealing allegations and served as a vital member of the staff as it transitioned to Baker taking over. Baker, who managed the Astros to the World Series title in 2022, retired following Houston's loss to eventual champion Texas in the ALCS this year.

The Astros will return the core of their team that won the AL West division this year. Left fielder Yordan Álvarez Second baseman Jose Altuve, rightfielder Kyle Tucker, third baseman Alex Bregman and starters Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez and Cristian Javier are all under contract for next year, though Altuve, Bregman and Verlander all are set to hit free agency after the 2024 season.

The news of Espada's hiring, first reported by USA Today, will go over well in the clubhouse, where he is well-liked. Espada is seen by players as a well-rounded coach whose leadership skills helped fill a gap with Baker.

Espada will be the fifth manager hired this winter, joining Craig Counsell (Chicago Cubs), Bob Melvin (San Francisco), Ron Washington (Los Angeles