Chas is instinctive and a better RF than Cam? What balls has Cam not gotten too that Chas would've gotten too? Plus Cam has a cannon for an arm in RF. Something Chas can only dream of having.
This is reasonable for some and inconceivable for others. Our examples are Alvarez who saw it as reasonable and Tucker who did not. Some say it was betting on yourself and tie it to confidence and others see the chance to secure their future financial security. That's where discussions, whether in a contract window or not, need to be routine and probably are. I don't think the Alvarez contract came out of the blue. He had experienced both success and injury risk and had a different risk/reward perspective than a guy like Tucker. The agents just see the financial picture as getting huge contracts for 80% of their clients and just walking away from the other 20% like marketers do those who hang up. They just move on from the consequences without concern. But they do listen to their clients when THEY choose early financial security as a priority.
There's nothing wrong with questions. But conclusions based on incomplete information are always dicey.
I agree, but add he's younger and still at an age a new position is not overwhelming. For example, Biggio's move from all star C to 2nd base when he was younger was easiER in my opinion than his move from 2nd Base to the outfield because he was older and his body and mind were less adaptable. I don't even know if he agrees or not, but this is my perspective as a fan who has matured and lost adaptability. I know my ability to become a Hockey Fan when the old Aeros were here no longer exists, even if Houston gets a new NHL team. I've just gotten set in my ways. ps - I'll just share something that made me laugh. I was recalling how as a kid, I could IMAGINE outperforming a pro at their game. Now I imagine dying on the field just going out to start the inning because I tripped over the baseline..
You're never going to have complete info as a fan. My general philosophy is most of the everyday players need to be playing 140- 145 games.
Players are people and have all kinds of experiences, thoughts, and goals. Yordan had grown up in Cuba, got $2M 6 years before signing the extension. Because was in his 4th year of making MLB minimum and had injury issues, including missing, essentially, and entire season. It makes perfect sense that he wanted security. Tucker signed for $4M after growing up in Tampa Florida. He has an older brother who made the MLB and made a decent living, even playing over seas, despite having only a fraction of the talent he has (brothers absolutely know and note that). Until half way through his 10th season in pro ball, he had no injury scares or issues and that one was more fluke than risky. He was in a better situation to bet on himself.
Great point. Logical despite the discomfort. Good work. What's the opposite of 'great'? Is not considering someone else's experience as something with which one can, in any way, possibly agree or disagree the epitome of arrogance, borderlining on dehumanizing? Sort of a gross slippery slope there. Anyway, Go Stros.
There is no way of knowing Cam's situation. With Kyle, I knew there was no way he wasn't going to free agency. He's an MVP candidate, young and relatively healthy. It would take a Vlad type deal for Kyle to sign an extension and the Astros were never going to offer it. I think if we offered a Bregman or Alvarez type extension in the next two season, we could possibly get him to sign. There are lots of things that could happen over the next five years. I think Brown could easily see himself as Gerrit Cole or Verlander, but pitching contracts are seldom as long as fielding contracts. Cole's deal being the exception.
This experiment has me so interested because it's nearly unprecedented in (recent) Astros history. Sticks just do not get moved up this aggressively for this franchise. Even Yordan spends more time getting seasoning. Watching Cam so far, I'm impressed with the move DOWN in the lineup because it took all the pressure off of him and allows him to get ABs and develop at his own pace. His oppo field penchant will eventually need to be converted into pullside power, but when you're batting in the bottom 1/3, it's much more important that you just get on base however you can so the lineup can turn over. Bravo decision. Lately, we've been seeing him being more comfortable at the plate and the results are showing more activity on the base paths. And .. he isn't sacrificing his advanced eye at the plate. Cam's plate discipline is already at a very advanced level, no consideration to age or experience. I see this as key to him just knowing that he belongs in the bigs. Next step is learning to drive the baseball with backspin. THIS IS FUN!
According to statcast his raw sprint speed and bat speed are elite. Those are 2 pretty awesome tools to have at that level. He already turned himself into a really excellent RF in only 2 months.
The Astros have hinted Cam was one of their favorite players in last years draft. And in a very unorthodox move, put him in the opening day roster despite his very limited minor league tenure. Paredes and Cam are holding their own quite nicely for the Astros. Tucker wasn’t going to be resigned, so even though Tucker for one year as a rental would have been nice, seems that Cam and Paredes are producing similarly in a combined force.
His arm strength is really good overall, but basically average to slightly below average for a CF/RF. Currently 45th with 110 qualified outfielders. Despite popular assumptions, the average arm in CF and RF is basically the same. I think it's plenty good enough to keep runners honest. As for jumps, his reaction time is already above average, and so is his acceleration. Route running is below average, but also something that could certainly improve with game experience unlike speed. If we're playing the old school "5 tool" game, I don't think he physically lacks anything. However if I were doing my very amateur projecting, he is swinging and missing a lot for a guy that will hit for a great average. Would one consider a 265 hitter that walks a lot to have a "hit tool", I sure would, but I'm not sure if it meets the traditional definition.
The last time we were talking about a 5 tool guy was Cesar Cedeno. The rest were 4 1/2 tools at best. The tools have changed a bit since then. Average and Power are now Contact rate and bat speed. Defense is now split between power and accuracy.Base running is less important and WAR attempts to account for efficiency.
Back in the day, it seemed that fans focused on hitting, HR’s, and stolen bases. I still remember looking at the newspaper to see which were the stats leaders and getting excited every time an Astros was in the top 10. A guy can be a .300+ hitter and be a sub .700 OPS. Or a guy can hit 40+ HR’s but hit sub .200. The modern way of determining WAR has shown which players impact winning the most, and it seems that those players are getting appreciated more. But I do think Cam Smith has the tools to be a 5 tool guy. 1. controls the plate (hits, walks, works counts) 2. Hits for power 3. Speed on the bases and the field 4. Elite glove, range, and reads 5. Strong throwing arm
