Astros Begin Coaching Staff Shake-Up, More Changes Likely Ahead
The Houston Astros have kicked off their offseason with the first move in what could be a larger coaching staff overhaul.
Following confirmation that general manager Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada will return for the 2026 season—despite the team missing the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade—the Astros are starting to rework Espada’s staff.
Per Chandler Rome of The Athletic (subscription required), longtime hitting coach Alex Cintron will not return next season. His contract expired at the end of the 2025 campaign, and the club chose not to renew it.
This decision comes after a disappointing offensive season in Houston, where the lineup underperformed by their usual standards. The team’s plate discipline suffered, with a noticeable increase in chase rate and a deviation from the patient, grind-it-out style that once defined their offensive identity.
Cintron’s Impact on Astros’ Golden Era
Despite a rough 2025 season, Cintron’s contributions to the Astros’ sustained success over the years shouldn’t be overlooked. Originally joining the organization in 2017 as a Spanish-language interpreter, advance scout, and assistant coach, he quickly climbed the ranks, becoming first base coach in 2018 and then hitting coach alongside Troy Snitker in 2019.
Under his guidance, the Astros’ offense was among the league’s elite. They routinely ranked near the top in runs, home runs, and OPS, playing a key role in the franchise’s second World Series championship in 2022.
But over the last two seasons, Houston’s offensive production took a downturn. Last offseason, Brown met with both Cintron and Snitker to discuss recapturing their former approach—but the results in 2025 fell short, ultimately contributing to the team’s postseason absence and now leading to Cintron’s exit.
More Staff Changes Expected
As of now, Snitker’s status remains uncertain, but more shifts within the 10-man coaching staff are reportedly on the way, according to The Athletic.
With the core leadership of Brown and Espada staying in place, it appears the organization is focusing on reshaping the support staff to better fit the current roster and reset the culture after a down year. Letting go of Cintron may just be the beginning of a larger revamp as Houston looks to return to contender status in 2026.
More changes are expected to follow in the coming weeks as the Astros attempt to regroup and reposition themselves for another playoff run.
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