Nowadays, we tend to think that the players and those working in the analytics department are the most important parts of a winning franchise.
They may be, but the importance of a great manager and a good coaching staff should never be underestimated.
The Houston Astros know this: it’s important to rely the organizational message and overall philosophy to the players, and the coaches are in charge of processing and understanding that message and giving it to the ones who will put it in practice on the field.
Manager Dusty Baker has the perfect ally in Joe Espada, his bench coach.
The organization is making sure he returns for another season.
“Astros bench coach Joe Espada will return to Houston in 2023 with a new contract, per source. Espada’s contract had expired after the World Series. Folks around the Astros have talked about Espada’s importance to Dusty Baker’s coaching staff, so no surprise to see him return,” MLB insider Mark Feinsand tweeted.
Astros bench coach Joe Espada will return to Houston in 2023 with a new contract, per source. Espada’s contract had expired after the World Series. Folks around the Astros have talked about Espada’s importance to Dusty Baker’s coaching staff, so no surprise to see him return.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) November 13, 2022
Espada Is A Quality Managerial Candidate
Espada actually interviewed for managerial openings, and it’s not the first time he has done that: he is reaching for the stars, and one of these years he will get the opportunity he deserves.
He is actually well-liked and respected not only by Baker, but also by players and fellow coaches.
Espada, 47, has been coaching since 2010.
He has experience with the Miami Marlins, the New York Yankees, and since 2018, with the Astros.
You could very well make a case that he could be the Astros’ manager of the future: he has been learning from Baker, one of the best in the business, and the latter won’t be around forever.
In the meantime, the Astros just made sure he stayed in the organization.
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