Major League Baseball (MLB) Houston Astros Manager Joe Espada has received permission from his club to interview for a managerial position with a rival team within the same division while still under contract.

US sports outlets, including ESPN and MLB.com, reported on the 14th (KST) that the Seattle Mariners are in discussions with Manager Espada regarding their managerial vacancy.

Espada, whose contract with Houston is set to expire at the end of this month, has previously expressed his desire to continue leading Houston next year.

Having taken the helm at Houston in 2024, Espada led the team to the American League West title and a postseason berth in both his first year and this year. However, the team was eliminated in the first round both times, suffering two consecutive losses in the Wild Card Series without a single win.

The Seattle Mariners, who share the same division with Houston, dismissed Manager Dan Wilson last month and are searching for a new skipper, reportedly showing a strong determination to find a suitable candidate from outside the organization.

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