{
  "id": 17871489,
  "title": "New Houston Astros GM Randy Flores makes his first priority clear: Hiring a manager",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/new-houston-astros-gm-randy-flores-makes-his-first-priority-clear",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-11-02T23:08:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/houston-astros-gm-randy-flores-230814463.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Houston Astros general manager Randy Flores has made it clear that his top priority is to hire a new manager for the team. The Astros announced on October 14 that they will not retain former manager Joe Espada, whose contract expired after three seasons. Flores stated on Monday that the team needs to start the search for a new manager as soon as possible. The Astros are one of three major-league clubs without a managerial vacancy, alongside the Mariners and Angels. Flores, who has extensive experience in both the majors and the Cardinals' front office, will now take over the search process. He emphasized that the manager must possess qualities such as trust, energy, and chemistry within the team. Other potential candidates with Astros ties include Brad Ausmus, Rodney Linares, and Morgan Ensberg. The urgency of finding a new manager is heightened due to the potential for a league-wide lockout starting December 1, which would prohibit transactions involving 40-man roster players and communication between team employees and players.",
  "summary": "Houston Astros have already interviewed a 'few' candidates to replace Joe Espada, but new GM Randy Flores is taking over the process.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}