In Joe Espada and Dana Brown, the Houston Astros now have a more connected duo in the new reality of major baseball and professional sport in general, that is to say an environment where constructive and constant communication reigns in order to to ensure that players and coaching staff are on the same page in achieving common goals.
For the Astros, these objectives should lead them to another season of more than 100 victories in 2024, because the main elements of the formation, both on offense and on the mound, will be back.
Yes, Dusty Baker has accomplished some great things in Houston, but the time had come to put the helm in the hands of someone who better meets the expectations of general manager Dana Brown.
We can learn that Baker communicated very little with team management and did things his way. Let’s admit that the latter was the man for the job to get the Astros out of the turmoil into which the team had plunged following the signal theft scandal. The Texan team has become persona non grata and the manager knew how to navigate troubled waters in a remarkable way.
The arrival of Brown therefore meant a breath of fresh air within an organization that needed it. By giving the reins of the team to Joe Espada, he ensures that his renewal plan is carried out in continuity with a group of star players.
An old-school manager, Baker knew how to reap success by not being too accountable to anyone and he ran his boat according to his rules. Espada will in turn enjoy a good deal of latitude in his actions, but he will be able to better communicate his intentions to his boss.
Without saying that the relationship between Baker and the second floor was poor, let’s say that it left something to be desired. Fortunately for the team’s fans, this didn’t have too much impact on the results on the field.
The new duo intends to fight again with the Texas Rangers in order to replay the same film as in 2023, hoping for a slightly different conclusion. Remember that the Rangers dismissed the Astros in the playoffs before winning top honors against the surprising Arizona Diamondbacks.
At 48 years old, Joe Espada has a solid and solid experience in major baseball. He will be able to count on an experienced lineup that knows how to win matches. Since 2017, the team has had four seasons of at least 100 wins. In 2023, they won their division title at the last minute with a 90-72 record.
You can count on José Altuve, Alex Bregman, Yordan Alvarez, Justin Verlander and others to make life easier for the new manager in his debut in major baseball.
