After a rare postseason miss, the Houston Astros are shaking things up, and a longtime hitting coach is the first major name to go. Once viewed as a cornerstone of the franchise’s offensive success, his exit signals that general manager Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada are ready to make bold, possibly uncomfortable changes to reset the team’s direction.

Alex Cintrón, who joined the Astros’ staff in 2016 and became hitting coach in 2019, was not retained after his contract expired at the end of the 2025 season. The Athletic reports that Houston will not renew his deal, with more coaching changes expected in the coming days. The decision comes after a disappointing campaign in which the Astros’ offense sputtered, leading to their first playoff absence in nine years.

According to team sources, the Astros’ lineup struggled to maintain its trademark discipline and consistency. The club scored three or fewer runs in 82 of 162 games and posted a .719 OPS, ranking just seventh in the American League. Brown had previously emphasized the need for better plate discipline, telling reporters last winter that he wanted hitters to “be more patient and aggressive in the zone, not out of it.” But Houston instead finished with MLB’s second-highest chase rate and third-fewest pitches per plate appearance, a sign that the message hadn’t stuck.

Injuries certainly played a role. Key contributors Isaac Paredes, Yordan Alvarez, and Jeremy Peña all missed time, leaving holes in the lineup that forced others to overcompensate. “When Paredes went down, we started seeing fewer pitches per at-bat,” Brown explained. “I think our guys were pressing a little bit because we had players missing and tried to do too much.” His comments hint that the front office’s frustration went beyond results; it was about approach and execution.

Cintrón’s departure ends a nine-year tenure that included two World Series titles and one of the most dominant offensive runs in baseball. Yet in a season where the Astros lost their edge, the veteran coach became the easy target for deeper issues. As Brown continues his “complete look” at team operations, more changes across Espada’s 10-man staff seem inevitable, signaling a full-on reset for a franchise no longer guaranteed its October place.

Another news coming from the Astros management is related to Troy Snitker and Michael Collins. As per Brian McTaggart, “In addition to Alex Cintrón, the Astros are also not retaining hitting coach Troy Snitker and Major League coach Michael Collins, who worked closely with the catchers, according to multiple sources“.

The firing of longtime hitting coach Alex Cintrón was just the beginning of Houston’s offseason turbulence. With front-office pressure mounting and a clubhouse reportedly divided after their late-season implosion, the Astros appear set to make even more dramatic moves — including decisions that could reshape their rotation and payroll for years to come.

Two-Time All-Star Framber Valdez tipped to join Mets in $150 million free agency bombshell

As the Astros brace for internal restructuring, one of their biggest names could soon be on his way out. According to Matt Johnson of Sportsnaut, the New York Mets are expected to make a five-year, $150 million offer to Framber Valdez, Houston’s two-time All-Star left-hander. Despite a shaky finish that saw him post a 5.20 ERA in his final 12 starts, Valdez remains one of the most durable and proven starters in baseball, averaging nearly 192 innings per year since 2021.

The potential reunion with Mets president David Stearns, who helped sign Valdez as an international free agent in 2015 while with Houston, adds intrigue to the speculation. New York’s rotation woes — including a 5.65 ERA over the final two months — have owner Steve Cohen ready to spend big again. If Johnson’s prediction holds true, Valdez’s departure would mark the end of an era in Houston and further emphasize the sweeping changes following their postseason collapse.

The Astros’ offseason has quickly turned into one of reckoning and realignment. From Alex Cintrón’s exit to the looming possibility of Framber Valdez’s departure, Houston appears intent on redefining its identity after years of dominance. Whether these shakeups restore their championship edge or deepen their growing pains remains to be seen — but one thing is certain: the Astros’ next chapter will look far different from the last.