Joe Espada Talks Managing, Astros Expectations

Opening Day is just over a week away.

Blake Snell has finally signed with a team as he joins the Giants.

There are somehow still a bunch of names out there in free agency.

Will the Yankees go for someone with Gerrit Cole out for at least a month? Will the Mets sign someone? And can the Astros win the American League?

Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman try and answer those questions on a new episode of “The Show” podcast. They are joined by Astros first-year manager Joe Espada.

‘The Show’ podcast with Joel Sherman & Jon Heyman:

• BLAKE SNELL: Signs with the Giants for two years, $62 million. Giants have a strong rotation now, especially at the top. They could be a playoff team.
• METS NL RACE: Much tougher for the Mets to try and find a way into the playoffs. Plenty of other teams right now are better than them in the NL Wild Card race. Mets could get into low-to-mid 80-win mark, but that may not be enough. With the luxury tax, any player the Mets are going to sign could cost double. Is it worth it to sign J.D. Martinez or Jordan Montgomery?
• GERRIT COLE/YANKEES: Good news that it is not a long-term injury for Cole. They have a lot of question marks to the rotation now. Not very confident in their pitching.

Joe Espada Interview:
Astros manager

• BLAKE SNELL: Did they get close to signing Snell?
• INJURIES: Dealing with injuries to the rotation. Justin Verlander is moving along nicely. Hoping to get him back by mid-April.
• EXPECTATIONS: Win the World Series. Things have not changed no matter who the manager is.
• CULTURE: Winning culture in Houston. MVPs, future Hall of Famers, but it goes beyond that.
• ALEX BREGMAN: Walk year for him. His focus is on the season. He’s going to have an incredible year. Hope is they can keep him around for many years.
• JOSH HADER: Makes them much better. His toughness and composure in big spots.
• JUSTIN VERLANDER: Teaching the young pitchers and being a veteran leader.

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