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Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Sunday that the Astros are promoting bench coach Joe Espada to be their next manager. Espada has been with Houston since 2017 and has previously interviewed for multiple managerial positions. The Astros are holding a press conference today to announce the news.

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

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Nightengale also reported that Craig Counsell was never going to take the Mets’ offer to be their new manager. Counsell said he’d rather sit out a year from baseball than have to manage a team 1,000 miles away from his home. He used the Mets’ offer as leverage for the record-setting deal he signed with the Cubs.

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Nightengale reported that the Reds are likely to non-tender Nick Senzel and trade Jonathan India this offseason. They are also targeting help for their starting rotation.

Padres general manager AJ Preller is trying to convince the team’s brass to hang onto Juan Soto until at least the trade deadline. Soto can enter free agency after the 2025 season.

Braves first base coach Eric Young Sr. is leaving the organization to be the third base coach for the Angels. Young will be reuniting with Ron Washington in Anaheim.

After the declining Eddie Rosario‘s option, the Braves may move Vaughn Grissom to left field, and spend more on their starting rotation. Grissom has yet to play the outfield as a professional.

Latest on MMO

Jorge Eckardt reviews the Mets’ depth chart for designated hitter.

Matt Lazzaro profiles Yoshinobu Yamamoto as a free agent.

Christian De Block grades Drew Smith‘s performance from the 2023 season.

James Villani looks at five free-agent starters the Mets should look at for the back end of their rotation.

On This Date in Mets History

1985: Dwight Gooden wins the NL Cy Young award. The young fireballer won the pitching Triple Crown, going 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA and 268 strikeouts.

2019: Jacob deGrom wins his second straight Cy Young award, becoming the 11th pitcher to win the award in consecutive seasons. The righty registered a 2.43 ERA with an NL-leading 255 strikeouts in 204 innings.

Birthdays: Bobby Pfeil (81), George Theodore (77), Rigo Beltran (54), Vic Darensbourg (53), Asdrúbal Cabrera (38), Brett Baty (24)