Astros Manager Odds: Top 5 Candidates for the 2027 Season
Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez
Published: Thu Oct 15, 2026, 12:00 pm ET
Read Time: 6 minutes
Misc.
The Houston Astros are searching for a new manager after parting ways with Joe Espada following the 2026 MLB season.
BetOnline has opened its next-manager market, with former Astros catcher Brad Ausmus leading the contenders.
Danny Lehmann, Rocco Baldelli, Alex Cora, and Rodney Linares complete the top five. Their backgrounds offer Houston several options, ranging from experienced MLB managers to coaches with strong organizational connections.
The market also provides insight into how bettors view the vacancy. Here are the five leading candidates, their implied probabilities, and the factors that could influence Houston's decision.
BetOnline Astros Next Manager Odds
Candidate
Fractional odds
American odds
Implied probability
Brad Ausmus
5/2
+250
28.6%
Danny Lehmann
4/1
+400
20.0%
Rocco Baldelli
5/1
+500
16.7%
Alex Cora
6/1
+600
14.3%
Rodney Linares
8/1
+800
11.1%
Odds reflect the supplied BetOnline market and may change. Implied probabilities exclude the bookmaker's margin.
Brad Ausmus (5/2 | +250): Experience and Familiarity With Houston
Ausmus leads the market after building a résumé that combines previous managerial experience with recent work on a major-league coaching staff.
The former Astros catcher played in Houston from 1997 through 2008, giving him an established connection to the franchise. He subsequently managed the Detroit Tigers from 2014 through 2017, reaching the postseason in his first season. He also managed the Los Angeles Angels in 2019.
More recently, Ausmus served as the New York Yankees' bench coach, working alongside manager Aaron Boone during the 2026 season. His combination of managerial experience and familiarity with Houston could appeal to an organization seeking an experienced leader.
His short price makes him the market's leading candidate, although it still implies less than a one-in-three chance of landing the position.
Danny Lehmann (4/1 | +400): A Dodgers Coach With Texas Connections
Lehmann offers a different profile as the Los Angeles Dodgers' bench coach under Dave Roberts. His recent experience places him close to the strategic decisions and daily preparation involved in managing a championship-caliber roster.
He attended high school in The Woodlands, Texas, and played college baseball at Rice University in Houston. Those connections could give him familiarity with the region, although they do not establish whether the Astros will pursue him.
Lehmann joined the Dodgers organization in 2015 and progressed through scouting, game planning, and coaching roles. He became the team's bench coach in 2023, giving him substantial experience supporting a veteran MLB manager.
His candidacy could appeal to Houston if the organization prioritizes analytical preparation, modern coaching methods, and a candidate ready for a larger leadership role.
However, he has yet to manage an MLB team, making the transition a significant step.
Rocco Baldelli (5/1 | +500): A Proven Regular-Season Manager
Baldelli offers Houston an experienced alternative to candidates seeking their first MLB managerial position. He managed the Minnesota Twins from 2019 through 2025, leading the club to multiple postseason appearances.
His strongest achievement came in 2023, when Minnesota won the American League Central and secured its first postseason series victory since 2002. That record gives Baldelli a meaningful advantage in experience over Lehmann and Linares.
However, his departure from Minnesota also raises questions about whether Houston would view him as the right choice for its next competitive cycle. The Astros must weigh his previous results against their expectations for a team seeking to return to consistent postseason success.
Baldelli's availability and experience could make him attractive if Houston prefers an established manager over a promotion from another coaching staff. His position in the market reflects a credible alternative, rather than a clear favorite.
Alex Cora (6/1 | +600): Championship Pedigree and Houston Ties
Cora brings one of the strongest postseason résumés among the listed candidates. He managed the Boston Red Sox to a World Series championship in 2018 and previously served as Houston's bench coach during its 2017 championship season.
That shared history could make him an intriguing option, particularly if the Astros value experience with their organization. Cora also understands the demands of managing a high-profile MLB team and navigating the pressure of postseason expectations.
Nevertheless, a potential return would carry complications. His association with Houston's 2017 sign-stealing scandal could make the appointment more sensitive than a conventional managerial hire.
Cora therefore represents a high-risk, high-reward option in the market. His championship experience strengthens his credentials, but Houston would need to weigh that history against the scrutiny surrounding his previous tenure.
Rodney Linares (8/1 | +800): An Internal Development Connection
Linares rounds out the top five with a background deeply connected to Houston's player-development system. Before joining the Tampa Bay Rays, he spent more than two decades working in the Astros organization.
He managed multiple minor-league teams and helped develop players who later became key major-league contributors. Those included José Altuve, Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman, and George Springer.
Linares joined Tampa Bay as a third-base coach in 2019 before becoming the Rays' bench coach in 2023. That progression gave him major-league coaching experience while preserving his reputation as a player-development specialist.
His organizational knowledge could appeal to Houston if the team wants continuity in its development philosophy. However, he has not managed an MLB team, so the position would represent a substantial promotion.
Linares' background makes him a plausible candidate for a club balancing internal familiarity with the need for a fresh direction.
What the Astros Manager Odds Reveal
Ausmus leads BetOnline's market, but the implied probabilities show that the race remains open. Lehmann sits second, while Baldelli, Cora, and Linares offer distinct combinations of managerial experience and organizational familiarity.
The candidates also reflect two possible approaches for Houston: hire an established manager or promote a coach with strong strategic and development credentials. Ausmus and Cora bring previous Houston connections, while Lehmann offers experience with the Dodgers and Linares has deep roots in the Astros' farm system.
For bettors tracking MLB picks, these managerial futures offer another angle beyond traditional game markets. US online sportsbooks may adjust their MLB odds as the search develops, but the prices reflect market expectations rather than confirmed hiring decisions.
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Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.
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