No, I don’t think Espada ever made it to the big leagues. Part of the appeal of Espada is that he is more technologically savvy and media aware than someone like Baker. He also has a desire to please - but at times that blows up in his face. Espada over thinks things and tinkers too much. I am sure he thought it was a wonderful moment for Cam and has bonded with him. When I first saw the video I felt it was awkward- then later had someone reach out and say veterans in private communicated it was an issue and indicative of issues last year. Espada gets away with these things because people that know him believe he is genuine and lives a high character life. Still - your manager needs to know how to read the room and not just smile and parrot back Joel Osteen vapid quotes to grown men trying to win games.
The Astros shopped Valdez at the same time they dealt Tucker. The offers were not over pays like Tucker so they held onto him. They believe they can win a WS this year. It isn’t their best team but it is a team they believe has a chance. They were willing to forgo that chance but the payoff had to be good. It isn’t so they passed. If there was a package Brown thought was special- Valdez would be gone. It is also not impossible Valdez doesn’t resign, his market is hard to gauge 9 months out.
The amount of pressure on Cam Smith right now is extraordinarily high. I don’t think the Astros have helped the situation at all. If he can manage the pressure and expectations at barely 22 years old and under 40 minor league games, he can handle any pressure baseball can throw at him. He struggled at times in high school - he struggled in the high school showcase circuit - he struggled as a freshman in college. He has failed before and turned it around. I have respect for that and hope it helps him prepare for being an anointed star out of nowhere.
Just a note. Both Bregman and Tucker got off to slow starts after being called up initially. There is still uncertainty whether staying with them helps or hurts. The immediate success of Alvarez has with it's recency bias along with Pena's initial success may have raised our expectations a bit. Let's just wait and see, unburdened by expectations of what might or might not have been. BTW, I'm old enough to remember the David Clyde Story, so at least he's not just out of High School just playing for ticket sales.
The Cubs hitting coach that shortened his stroke gave Cam a chance to be a star level player. Cam probably will owe that hitting coach millions. Wonder if Crane could talk that hitting coach into joining the crew down on Crawford. Do you know the hitting coaches name?
I am trying to temper my expectations, I want the kid to do well, he is a great story and "COULD" be a cornerstone on this team for the next few years. It's easy to be optimistic when your 0-0, and most fans are not patient, but I "think" the kid is special. I won't be shocked if he struggles out of the gate but I won't be shocked if he continues where he left off in Spring Training but as we all know there will come a time this year where he will struggle as all hitters do. I have been wanting for this day for a few months, and I am pumped. Let's jump on these Mets and start the year with a series win
As superstitious as baseball players are, he will be wearing the same suit and drinking the same water every game.
