Houston Astros do not renew Joe Espada’s contract, part ways with their manager

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros have parted ways with manager Joe Espada after deciding not to renew his expiring contract.The team announced the decision Wednesday while also moving on from several members of his coaching staff. His contract is set to expire at the end of this month.“We are thankful for Joe’s hard work, his passion for the game, and for his commitment to the Houston Astros,” team owner Jim Crane said in a statement. “He represented the Astros and the Houston community in the most positive way. We wish he and his family the best moving forward.”The move comes after the Astros overcame a plethora of injuries to win the AL West with an 81-81 record and become the first team in Major League Baseball history to reach the postseason without a winning record. They were then swept by the Chicago White Sox in two games at home in a Wild Card Playoff series.The Astros will now be searching for a new manager and general manager after former GM Dana Brown was fired in August.Al