The Houston Astros are already undergoing major offseason changes. First, the Astros fired Joe Espada as manager after losing their AL Wild Card game to the Chicago White Sox. Then, they hired Randy Flores as general manager.

Now, the hunt is on for their new skipper. On Monday, the Astros officially confirmed they interviewed New York Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus, per Jon Heyman of The New York Post. Additionally, Houston beat reporter Brian McTaggart reported that Ausmus was in Houston on Thursday, the day before the Astros hired Flores as general manager.

Ausmus is a former player who became a manager. He played from 1993 to 2010 for Houston as well as the San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He then managed the Tigers from 2014 to 2017 and the Angels in 2019.

As a player, Ausmus was an All-Star in 1999 and won three Gold Glove Awards in 2001. 2002 and 2006.

In 2022, Ausmus was a bench coach for the Athletics. He has been a Yankees bench coach since 2024, when the team reached the World Series before losing to the Dodgers. Ausmus served under manager Aaron Boone, who is returning next season.

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Like Houston, the Yankees also suffered an early playoff exit, as the Tampa Bay Rays swept them in the ALDS.

Some Yankees fans grimace at Boone returning. Meanwhile, Ausmus' previous managerial experience and familiarity in Houston make him an ideal candidate. At the same time, the Yankees are undergoing a shakeup amongst Boone's coaching staff. Rumors also circulate that Yankees legend Jorge Posada might join the coaching staff.