As soon as the Houston Astros failed to make the playoffs this year, there was rampant speculation about the futures of general manager Dana Brown as well as manager Joe Espada. Everyone knows that owner Jim Crane does not handle losing particularly well, and there was a real sentiment that both Brown and Espada could find themselves unemployed after Houston's collapse.
For the moment, it appears as though both men are safe. According to reporting from Astros beat writer Brian McTaggart, both Brown and Espada remain under contract for next season and are expected to be back with the Astros.