The MLB offseason is in full swing with several teams hiring their new managers over the last several days. Craig Counsell is joining the Cubs and resetting the manager market, making $8 million per season.

The Mets are reportedly hiring Carlos Mendoza this week, and the Guardians opted to hire Stephen Vogt. So with all this movement taking place, what are the Astros doing on the manager front?

Dana Brown spoke with the media last week and said the team had not interviewed any candidates, and that might begin at the GM meetings this week. But why is this taking so long? Aren't they concerned that the top choices won't be available at this pace?

Are the Astros taking their sweet time because they already know who they want to hire? Bob Nightengale recently reported that Brown is in favor of promoting Astros bench coach Joe Espada. However, Nightengale also reported Jim Crane might be looking to make a splash with a bigger name.

So what's the holdup? Finding a bigger name to manage could get tougher by the day, with most teams much further along in the hiring process. And who would even be a big name in this hiring cycle?

We all heard reports about Dusty Baker and Dana Brown not seeing eye to eye on playing time for Yainer Diaz and Chas McCormick. Dusty Baker had the power to set the lineup how he saw fit, and Baker won a power struggle over former GM James Click last year.

With all this in mind, how much power does the Astros GM really have if he can't influence lineup decisions and hire his top choice for manager?

Is all this a dog and pony show for the club to eventually hire Brad Ausmus? Who many believe Jeff Bagwell would like to see hired. Or will Joe Espada get the gig?

Be sure to watch the video above as we examine what's really going on with the Astros manager search.

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