Cam Smith, A Faded Cubs Memory of Something That Never Happened

[RavenCub30]

Image courtesy of Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Waking up in a city like Chicago, witnessing the early-morning sun glitter off of Lake Michigan, it's easy for anyone, even hardened baseball supporters, to get caught up in dreams. Based on my observations, the obsession with those dreams is the notion that we live in a place where they're more likely to come true. For most of the Cubs' 2025 campaign thus far, that's been the vibe.

However, even the most dream-like seasons have their pitfalls, and position player depth is proving to be one on the North Side of Chicago this year. Could the Astros' ambitious Cam Smith, so briefly once a Cub, have helped solve the problem?

It's impossible to use hindsight to describe what Cam Smith, a multi-position 22-year-old, could have been for the Chicago Cubs, because the performances are unfolding right before our eyes. He blasted through an elite spring training earlier this year to make the big club in Houston out of the gate. The deal that sent him there brought Kyle Tucker, a man who is the definition of a "win now" presence on the squad, to Chicago, but probably only for one year. Less consequentially, the trade also sent Isaac Paredes (who is also having a strong year) and Hayden Wesneski (recovering from Tommy John surgery) to Houston, but let's focus on Smith and Tucker. To offer you a statistical comparison between Tucker and Smith would be fruitless at best. Tucker is one of the game's elite outfielders, while Cam Smith is developing as we speak. It is worth noting that, in the Cubs' mission to compete for a World Series, Smith's slash line of .271/.343/.402 does not scream prosperity nor production. The Chicago Cubs may very well reach the baseball summit without the young prospect, but if they don't, get ready to feel some buyer's remorse.

Just as with any shopping run, the idea is to bring home goods that will last a while. If Tucker is wearing another team's uniform this time next year, it will be apparent that the Cubs shopped for groceries that could provide instant gratification, and not necessarily ones that could feed them later. Regardless of whether or not Cam Smith's value appreciates in the duration of his time with the Astros is immaterial to what Chicago could have done with him in their stout system. The Cubbies have a stockpile of desirable farmhands, which is perhaps why they were so willing to cut ties with Smith so soon after drafting him, yet the bottom line remains: whatever he accomplishes, it won't be for the Cubs. It's curious that Smith is not a pitcher, a position on the field that Jed Hoyer openly covets; were he a hurler, maybe he'd still be in blue Cubby pinstripes. Of note, some prominent starting pitchers could soon be donning the beloved home threads. 

For the Cubs to earn their stripes this season and beyond, they need to play good baseball. That's true no matter who is on this roster that Counsell has at his disposal. In this fun run the North Siders are on, we've been properly acquainted with individuals with a tenacious work ethic and some impressive tools of their own. Even with taking that and so much more into consideration, however, one would not be scolded for dreaming about how Cam Smith could have factored into this team's realities. The Cubs are built for right now, but if their championship hopes are deferred until later, the organization will have to dream on.

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[Victor Reichman]

What I have said from the beginning is that is was foolish to trade for Tucker without getting an extension. That was done to save Hoyer's job. He is represented by the shark, Boras, who puts money way ahead of players' comfort levels where they are. Boras also has conflicts of interest when he represents so many players and often several at the same position.

Tucker is an outstanding player, Bellinger whom they discarded and paid part of his salary is a very good player. Bellinger fields well and can play 1st as well as all OF positions. There is a difference, but not worth the likely 1 yr. rental. How will Tucker even spend the money he will be getting?

 

[Jason Ross]

16 minutes ago, Victor Reichman said:

What I have said from the beginning is that is was foolish to trade for Tucker without getting an extension. That was done to save Hoyer's job. He is represented by the shark, Boras, who puts money way ahead of players' comfort levels where they are. Boras also has conflicts of interest when he represents so many players and often several at the same position.

Tucker is an outstanding player, Bellinger whom they discarded and paid part of his salary is a very good player. Bellinger fields well and can play 1st as well as all OF positions. There is a difference, but not worth the likely 1 yr. rental. How will Tucker even spend the money he will be getting?

 

Kyle Tucker is represented by Excel Sports. Not Scott Boras.