HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros will be unveiling Joe Espada as their new manager, as confirmed by a source close to MLB.com on Sunday. The announcement will be made during a press conference scheduled for Monday morning at Minute Maid Park, and will see Espada taking over for the recently retired Dusty Baker.

Although the Astros have yet to officially confirm Espada's promotion, the scheduled press conference at 11 a.m. CT on Monday, alongside general manager Dana Brown, strongly indicates the imminent announcement. Espada, who has served as the team's bench coach for the past six years, will now have the opportunity to lead the team from the dugout.

Espada, 48, joined the Astros in 2018 after a successful stint as the bench coach for the New York Yankees. His managerial experience includes a tenure in the Puerto Rican Winter League. With no other names being linked to the Astros' managerial vacancy, it appears that Espada was the top choice for the team all along.

The decision to hire Espada is expected to be well-received within the Astros' clubhouse, where he is known for his strong communication skills and popularity among staff and players. In recent years, Espada has interviewed for several managerial positions with other teams, including the Marlins, Giants, and White Sox.

Having previously worked with World Series-winning managers A.J. Hinch and Dusty Baker, Espada now carries the responsibility of maintaining the Astros' position as one of the American League's powerhouses. The team has made seven consecutive appearances in the ALCS and secured six division titles in a row. Despite falling short in the 2023 postseason, watching division rivals Texas Rangers win the World Series, the Astros are set to return most of their key players for the upcoming season.

Looking ahead, the Astros' general manager, Dana Brown, has outlined his offseason goals, which include adding bullpen arms and finding a backup catcher to support Yainer Diaz. With Espada's strategic acumen evident in Game 5 of the ALCS, where he played a crucial role in guiding the team to victory after Dusty Baker's ejection, the Astros' future seems promising under his leadership.

While Espada remains humble and refrains from publicly taking credit for his managerial decisions out of respect for Baker's legacy, he now has the opportunity to leave his mark on the team. This may include assembling his own coaching staff, potentially including a new bench coach. Omar López, the current first-base coach, is being considered as a possible candidate for the role, with the option to move to the third-base coaching box if Gary Pettis does not return.

Born in Puerto Rico, Espada brings a wealth of experience to the position. He had a 10-season career in the Minor Leagues and independent ball before transitioning to coaching. After his playing days, he spent time with the Marlins' organization before joining the Yankees as a scout and third-base coach. His impressive resume ultimately led to his appointment by the Astros shortly after their 2017 World Series triumph.

As the Astros prepare to introduce Joe Espada, he will become the team's 20th full-time field manager and the first Latin American manager since Preston Gomez (1974-75). The appointment signifies a continuation of the Astros' commitment to success and reinforces their quest to bring another championship to Houston.