Latest / Sports Avenue Twisted Podcast / SATP Part I Ep. 37 feat. Running from the OPS

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SATP Part I Ep. 37 feat. Running from the OPS · Sports Avenue Twisted Podcast

0:26
Welcome to another edition of the sports Avenue Twisted
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podcast. We have a special guest here
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today and We're here to have a round table discussion, just
0:35
general based on the MLB season so far and, you know, have
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certain topics to talk about. His account name is running from
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the Ops known as Ethan Ethan, welcome man, appreciate you
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being here. Yeah, thank you guys for having
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me on the show, nothing better to come on, you know, Sunday
0:53
afternoon talks about men. Thanks for joining us today.
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Rocky introduced me to, I love your tweets, man.
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Everything you do. So keep up the good work and
1:03
we're just excited to have. You talked to some baseball and
1:06
I said very much appreciated. All right.
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Let's, uh, let's let's have the first question here.
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And the first question I want to ask you and this, and I'll start
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with you, Ethan, is who's been the most impressive?
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Hottest hitter surprise hitters. Like, it doesn't have to be one
1:25
name. You could, you could bring up a
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couple names and and um, I would I would say to begin the year,
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I'd probably go Tyler soderstrom.
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There's a guy that I was watching, I know he's kind of
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cool off a little bit but I was a guy that I was very high on
1:37
going into the year for a breakout candidate.
1:39
Pretty much everything across the board Barrow percentages
1:42
hard hit percentages have gone up his quality of contact
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against breaking balls and office.
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Pitches is something that he really improved on an
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off-season, really improved on going into this year.
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I believe that the last time of Me looking.
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He had he had like no production his career breaking balls, like
2:01
zero home runs like a sub Mendoza Line average and this
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year he's thinking over 400 against breaking balls with
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four, five home runs. So guy, that's getting
2:10
comfortable at the dish with more Major League experience
2:13
under his belt and he's always been able to handle the
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fastball, but now we started to handle the off Street breaking
2:18
balls which is fantastic for him.
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Oh yeah, I watched him coming up through the minor league.
2:24
So I've always been high on them.
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So it's it's, it's it's nice to finally start seeing, you know,
2:29
the fruits of his labor starting to pay off, right?
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I mean, I think he has three games with multi home runs so
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far this year which is just impressive for for, for a rookie
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to come in every second year player right now.
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I believe. Yeah, I think he played a little
2:46
bit in 23 like barely but I know like the second half of last
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year. He was really really productive,
2:53
right? Yeah, since he got, I think in
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he made a little bit of a swing change when coming back from
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from Sacramento. So yeah, he's he's been very,
3:02
very impressive this year. Yeah, guys, impressed me so far
3:07
as Jacob Wilson. That that rookie he's he's
3:12
taking off, I mean it started season.
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I think he had not sure how many games but it was like 16 games
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or something. We had a straight head or
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something. It was like super impressive and
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and he said in the ball hard he said it's all Fields.
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He only has a few home runs, but I mean, I think the power is
3:30
going to come in his back. But just, just real impressive
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for for a young kid. You said well over 300.
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Would you say he's in the Rookie of the Year?
3:42
The leader right now? Would you say Here.
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I know it's early but yeah no, I mean you could definitely make
3:50
the case. Also Christian Campbell's been
3:52
really, really picking it up again.
3:54
He kind of went through, like a five-game, stretch where he
3:57
wasn't hitting the best, but he's starting to really turn it
4:00
on to I'll be at Jacob Wilson. I would say the bat broke the
4:04
bat to ball profile. Excuse me, is up there with Luis
4:07
Reyes already. I don't even really think that's
4:08
an outlandish. Take, yeah, guy a few days ago,
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who saw, I think it was like 100 and something, majorly,
4:16
fastballs, swing the missed two of them.
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He was rocking like a two or three percent with raid against
4:21
forcing fastballs. And I like the brought up the, I
4:25
guess, the lack of the power profile.
4:26
And I think we agree on this too.
4:28
I think the bats of all skills are so late and he does have a
4:31
plus frame. He's a former, he's a son of a
4:34
former pretty solid major league baseball player in Jack Wilson.
4:37
I don't think the power profile over the years gonna improve,
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right? Um, I think this is a guy that
4:42
could easily surpass, 20 home runs.
4:44
He's gonna play Gold, Glove caliber defense, At shortstop.
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And like I said, the bats balls are already so late and his
4:49
ability to, you know, recognize pitches even in and outside of
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the Zone. I know he doesn't walk and this
4:56
is something that I know even MLB Network was talking about
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the other day with maybe a concern.
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But I really don't think it is. I think his ability to put that
5:04
out on the ball. I think he's gonna be able to
5:05
draw walks over the course of his career as he just won MLB
5:08
pitching and Jacob Wilson. I think is one of the most
5:11
exciting rookies in baseball already.
5:14
I think with Jacob Wilson, it's like, like you said, like he has
5:17
a lower strikeout, right? That Louisa rides, which is
5:20
insane to think because like we survives hits for contact, not
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really a power hitter. With Jacob Wilson.
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If you look at him, he's still classified as a rookie.
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So I mean his potential could be off the charts and like you said
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he has baseball and his blood, right?
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I think I swear we seen Jack Wilson played for the Pirates
5:38
early to his career but right, Jacob Wilson has much better
5:42
child. I don't know what it is with the
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cheese and all right, but with him and a lot of people kind of
5:49
questioned that pick if you remember that 2023 draft class,
5:52
right? Because if you look at that
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draft class, it's it's a deep class.
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But I mean, he's proven a lot of people wrong and give credit to
6:02
the Athletics for drafting him. And if you look at the teams
6:07
building with saw the storm too, man, they they're building
6:11
something with that. Oh yeah, organizer really
6:14
absolutely. Absolutely, I'll give you a
6:18
name. Kind of surprised.
6:20
Me and you know what? Good for him is Spencer Turkish.
6:23
And the powers was always there. I and I believe he had 130 home
6:29
run season, I believe, but he struggled the last couple years
6:32
and he's finally back to what he should be.
6:36
And if you look at Detroit, they're they're, I believe in
6:40
first place for a reason. I think they have the best
6:42
record in the AL. As I said, I know.
6:44
It's I know it's small sample size, I know, it's early, but
6:48
they, they need his back to be pivotal with his office.
6:53
I mean, Harvey bias is a little bit of surprise too.
6:56
If you look at his contract, the way he's been struggling.
6:59
So I think it Detroit itself if he looked at their light up
7:03
there, they're not I'm, they're the names itself is just not a
7:07
threat. But I mean with Oracle sin and
7:09
bias with those two guys, but he's hitting 300 this year.
7:13
Yeah, by his bias and moving the center has been fantastic.
7:17
Torrco. Had a pretty small swing
7:21
adjustment. So he's swinging the bat a lot
7:22
similar to what he was doing with Arizona State, when he was
7:25
the first round first overall pick.
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Um, so I I know he's getting more comfortable and stuff like
7:30
that, but I think he's just getting back to a place where he
7:32
was already. Mashing the ball coming out of
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college and I think that's played vital to him.
7:36
Javier bias looks like a change man playing center field.
7:39
Riley, green has looked fantastic.
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He had a game against the angels two home runs in the same inning
7:45
and look what? That Tigers team again.
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Very easy against Kelly Jansen first time.
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He's, yeah, weird. He's about three home runs in
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this. I think it was three or four
7:52
months in the same inning and the Tigers put up in eight spot
7:55
on the 94 Wilson. Coming back doing his thing or
7:59
re-emergence possibly of Javier bias.
8:01
You have cold Keith Houston, heat up Riley.
8:03
Green who I think could be a dark horse MVP candidate.
8:06
And Dylan the dish. Oh didn't wear Highs are a good
8:10
team and And then they bringing laboratory from the Yankees, you
8:15
know, he looks pretty good too. So.
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Yeah. And they're, they're impressive.
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What they've done so far and they have the pitching to go
8:22
along with it so and the bullpen good fairly good.
8:26
So I mean they've got a good solid team and and a good chance
8:30
to win that Division, I think. But yeah, just thinking we could
8:33
break down the alleys a little bit.
8:36
You know, you know the divisions always been a tough division,
8:40
you know, for years been The Gauntlet been you know the
8:44
perceived as one of the best divisions in baseball and it's
8:48
pretty wide open to start the season.
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So I figured we could just take a look at it, break it down.
8:53
What are your thoughts on the division this year and and but
8:58
what do you see from it? What do you expect from going
9:01
forward? I think, I mean mine even be
9:04
like, maybe a little bit of a hot take.
9:06
I think, is the year goes on. It's gonna be even more
9:08
competitive, right? I think even my team, the race.
9:11
I know, we've been struggling a lot of of late.
9:13
I know we had really good series against Arizona.
9:16
We went out to San Diego and swept them too.
9:18
Um, but I think the razor team that could definitely start to
9:22
get hot when they get guys like Josh low back asan.
9:25
Kim. Shane McClanahan, Richie
9:26
Palacios and guys like that and even Toronto I think has been
9:30
like pretty surprising too. I think a lot of people were
9:32
down on them and they definitely have some, like, young pieces.
9:34
That could definitely be very productive on the stretch.
9:36
In the pitching has looked very, very good Kristin, and pretty
9:40
much one of the best pictures to start the season.
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I know Kevin's last start was was really good too.
9:45
Um, and even, I mean, I think everyone coming into the year
9:50
was really high on Boston, myself.
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Include, I'm sure you guys as well.
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We're probably really high on Boston.
9:55
The pitching is maybe a little concerning Brian.
9:59
Bales look pretty good. The start the year Tanner how
10:02
I've made. Adjustments his last start with
10:04
pitch locations and he was much more effective and obviously
10:07
Garrett crochets, one of the best pictures in baseball.
10:08
I would say the most surprising thing to me is probably the
10:12
Orioles. I thought the offense would be
10:15
able to kind of counteract how poor the rotation was going into
10:18
the year. But it looked really bad like
10:21
the Orioles are in desperate need to go and get a starter and
10:25
I wanted them to go and get a guy like Spencer Turnbull to try
10:27
and bolster the rotation. And I mean, same, I mean, the
10:31
Yankees Yankees look really good.
10:33
Aaron judge is looking like one of the best players we've seen
10:36
since probably Barry Bonds and you could probably go ever at
10:39
this point that he performed at the last four years has been
10:42
incredible. They have a great Bowl, pain and
10:44
Max freed has been on touchable. Carlos Road, dawn.
10:46
Looks like he might be living up to that contract, but I don't
10:49
really think there's a team that's like a clear front
10:51
runner. Like I said, I think a lot of
10:53
these teams like the Rays, the Red Sox, potentially, even the
10:56
Blue Jays can start playing Better Baseball than, you know,
10:58
down the stretch. And um the division is wide open
11:01
and in general the AL is wide open.
11:03
I don't think there's really a clear front-runner team right
11:05
now and in the American League and let alone the aliens I had.
11:11
I believe four teams to when I made the prediction, when we did
11:15
our preview, we had Jay Jackson travel Robinson.
11:19
You know it. I like you said, if the Yankees
11:23
had a healthier rotation, I would have picked them to win
11:28
the division overall, but they're going through injuries
11:31
right now. Like not having Gary Cole is a
11:34
big deal, Louise Hill. I mean, That's the most, he's
11:37
pitched last year and his rookie of the year season and his arm
11:41
is down 100% Clarke Schmidt doesn't look 100% with this.
11:44
Last straight and Now they're in field is getting a little bit
11:49
more battle tested. If you see Bop I think the news
11:52
was he dated data it's a toy but they don't have a clear cut.
11:56
Third baseman, right now at this point, which is himself for two
12:00
months, I picked the race to win the division but like you said
12:04
like this. Yeah.
12:05
Like because the thing is that it's a crazy statistic that 19
12:12
pictures in the race organization has a velocity of
12:16
94 miles per hour and better. Like, and I was, I was like,
12:20
this is the race, like, Eric neander is such a smart guy,
12:24
and, and I believe we had a conversation.
12:27
You think about like, in the space like what the race do,
12:31
like, they got gay, they always manufactured like GM's that come
12:36
from that organization and they become assistant GMS or they
12:39
just run a team like, right, Andrew Friedman with the Pioneer
12:42
and he's been doing that, and he's trying to do that with the
12:44
Dodgers and that's been the race like Like a Joe Boyle.
12:48
Like I said, why would, why would the A's trade?
12:51
Joe Boyle was a guy that I wanted the race to get for like
12:55
the last year and a half and I don't know if you looked at his
12:57
last start. Six Innings.
13:00
No one runs 10ks. He had like 20 widths on 60
13:05
pitches that's that's like, sewer line unheard of how
13:08
dominant that is over. 80 pitches that's like, well over
13:11
30 I mean put almost closed, you know, to 30 like high 30s.
13:16
But that's a guy that I think with, you know, they've been
13:19
struggling a little bit of, as of late.
13:20
Um, I think brand allows gonna start turning it around soon.
13:24
We haven't seen the best from Junior Cameron Arrow yet once he
13:27
gets going. Okay, Kevin is gonna be really
13:29
good star and yeah, once he gets going to be really good and
13:34
they've been faltering as of late.
13:35
I know, even on online for Twitter, I tend to not really
13:38
look at it because it gets really, really negative.
13:40
But I think this team is a lot better than what they're showing
13:42
right now. And I actually had Boston,
13:44
winning the division. I was really, really high on
13:48
Boston, and I was even before the pregnant signing.
13:52
But this is like one of the most dynamic offenses, in Major
13:54
League Baseball. Yeah, like returning to MVP
13:58
form. Will Your brave looks fantastic.
14:00
Almost better than he did, looks better than he did.
14:03
Last year, Jared Duran, the counting numbers aren't there
14:07
yet, but if you go look at his Advanced profile, it's right in
14:09
line of what he did last year. Christian Campbell, I can't say
14:14
enough about Christian, Campbell Christian, Campbell's party.
14:16
One of my favorite players in baseball.
14:17
Yeah, you know, this is a team I thought was really, really good
14:21
coming out of this year. Yeah.
14:22
No. But I'll say some of the quick
14:24
and here is that The Baltimore. It's been disappointing me, less
14:30
a little bit. and, If you look at Boston, they miss the playoff
14:35
three of the last four years. But they are ahead of Baltimore
14:39
when it looks like. If you look at the overall,
14:43
Standard like Baltimore should be running away with the
14:47
division every year. I don't know if it has to do
14:49
with ownership. I don't know what it has to do
14:51
with, you know. Free agents, don't want it not
14:55
willing to come to nought Toronto.
14:57
So he Baltimore because if they're not giving enough enough
15:03
of a contract or whatever it is because I know the reports about
15:06
corporate Burns but they have to you.
15:09
You're not gonna you're not gonna get the same opportunity
15:11
like what they have right now. Like if you look at Michael lies
15:15
he came from the Houston Astros and look what Houston did when
15:17
they were rebuilding. Like while those guys were
15:19
pri-arm advantage and they didn't continue to take
15:24
advantage and I don't know what's missing with Baltimore
15:27
and I know they have new ownership but even though they
15:30
said the last three years, they're willing to spend and get
15:33
guys. They haven't done enough of
15:35
that, right? So really anything, I mean, to
15:38
be completely honest and I think a lot of people aren't even
15:41
looking at the big picture. How the hell are they gonna keep
15:44
all these young guys gonna Henderson is gonna fetch a
15:47
outlandish contract. He's gonna get paid so much
15:52
money even if Jackson. Holiday takes next step forward
15:55
over the last, you know, 100, you know, 100 plus games.
15:58
He needs to get paid. Jordan Westberg needs to get,
16:01
paid. Ryan O'Hearn, has looked
16:03
fantastic as a like platoon neutral.
16:05
DH. And I mean, if Grayson Rodriguez
16:08
comes back, he does pretty well next year or even down the
16:12
stretch. Like, how are they going to keep
16:14
all these young guys there? How are they going to keep
16:16
adley? Like, that's the one thing that
16:19
I know them getting free agents and then trying to swing trades,
16:21
which they've been decent at the trade aspect.
16:23
But in terms of free agents, that's a concern.
16:26
And then already keeping that young chord that's gonna cost
16:28
them, a boat load of money, and they haven't shown that they've
16:31
been able to spend money so far, which they said coming in two
16:34
years ago they were gonna be like the big dogs spending all
16:38
that money but it's like a lot of bark.
16:40
No bite. Yeah, they've talked a lot, they
16:43
talked the big game in the heaven backed up.
16:45
Apparently, they tried to resend Corbin Burnes to a contract that
16:50
didn't get done. He actually, they offered a more
16:54
money than, than Arizona. They just see one to go back
16:57
home but really, right? And what when it comes to like
17:02
you said, resigning I got her Anderson.
17:05
We're going to have to reset Ali rushman.
17:07
I mean it's just there's gonna be so much.
17:10
They got so many good young players that they're going to
17:13
need to lock up. It'll be interesting to see if
17:16
they actually Do it because like you said was it was guys Gunner,
17:22
is it Gunner that's represented by Boris or there's a Russian
17:27
gun is represented by Sports. Yeah.
17:28
Right right. So I mean that alone is going to
17:31
be a tough negotiation. You know what?
17:35
What what's really disappointing me about them and we knew the
17:38
pitching was week going in but it was their basting, they
17:42
haven't hit the ball like Like, we know they can, you know, I
17:46
don't know if it's just, you know, like they they had this
17:48
great season last year and it's kind of like that version of a
17:51
sophomore slump, almost for the next year.
17:53
It's kind of a letdown. I don't know what what the
17:56
problem is, but I do I think that though eventually figure it
18:00
out, I do because they're just too talented, not to.
18:03
Um, but the pitching definitely needs work but I wanted to bring
18:08
up two guys with the Rays just quick.
18:10
Jake Mangum and kameron misner. Thank those two kids for you
18:17
guys are really good but yeah, go ahead.
18:20
Yeah, Jake Mangum, I mean, journeyman was one of the best
18:25
NCAA hitters and Mississippi State.
18:27
And he got a chance this year. He's injured right now.
18:29
I don't know if you guys have seen video, this guy is fully
18:34
dressed in The Dugout in baseball gear like he's gonna
18:38
play but he's on the 10-day IL? What he brings on the bases on
18:43
what he brings defensively. His contacts goes his great and
18:46
kameron misner has been super super impressive for the Rays.
18:49
This is a guy that profile is very similar to Josh Lowe like
18:53
he didn't 2023 not going to have for a high average maybe like
18:56
250 to 60 he has plus plus pop. He's a guy that's been a 20, 30
19:01
player in the minors and he's been one of the best rookies to
19:04
start Major League, Baseball, Rookie to start the year, um,
19:08
and that's something that I've brought into just a few people
19:11
with DMS and talking in spaces and on other podcasts as like,
19:14
where would This team be without that production like kameron
19:18
misner and Jake Mangum have been some of the most productive, you
19:21
know, rookies and especially some of the most productive
19:24
players on the race. So, them stepping up at a time
19:27
where we are. So injury decimated right now is
19:30
very impressive to see from from two.
19:32
I wouldn't even say young guys, I mean, I think Jake Mangum is
19:36
30 and cameras, 27 years old. So yeah, I saw your Tweet about
19:40
it. That's what made me think about
19:41
it. Last night.
19:42
I'm like, you know what those guys are so impressive and you
19:45
guys are super aggressive on the base pass so far.
19:49
This is what I thought, mango, I think has eight or nine steals
19:53
Jose Caballero. Well, I know he does get thrown
19:56
out and picked off a lot. He led the AO and stolen base is
19:59
last year and I mean, even he is is getting in on the action.
20:02
I think he has a couple steals this year but crazy.
20:04
Um, like I said, I think the team is is really good.
20:08
Um, And I think they're capable of playing a lot better.
20:12
The pitching has been fantastic. Still like I, this is something
20:17
that even fans. I don't know how going into this
20:19
year, are somehow worried about the rotation of the bullpen.
20:21
They're gonna be good every year.
20:23
Since Kyle Steiner has been a part of the race as they're
20:26
pitching coach. They've had this second lowest
20:27
year in Major League Baseball, I think to other I think it's the
20:29
Dodgers that are first. So this is a team that's going
20:32
to be one of the best teams in terms of pitching and they have
20:34
a lot of high upside guys. You need Diaz.
20:36
Brandon loud and your Camaro. Christopher Morales look pretty
20:40
pretty solid to start the year and you can get a guy like me
20:43
camera Meister who could break out too.
20:44
I mean, this team is capable of playing a lot better.
20:48
You know, the thing about Toronto, it's like they were
20:51
under so much pressure under scrutiny about the whole flat
20:54
situation, but they had a hard time recruiting free agents.
20:58
We could say this is Blue Jays like Robin and blue jays fans
21:00
and The moment Vlad signed an extension.
21:04
I think it changed that franchise, it altered that
21:06
franchise because, because now they can recruit free agents.
21:10
I mean Santander signing there. I think that's a little bit of a
21:13
loss for both words so like, which color you.
21:16
Yeah, and I think with Tyler Neal just signing that one year
21:20
deal when he had that one hit, wonder with Boston, he just
21:23
can't stay healthy. If you look at substantial track
21:26
record at Saint Louis, he hasn't played a full season since when
21:29
you're bossing Boston was wise to let him walk right for a
21:32
reason. So and and if you look at
21:34
Toronto now I think it's a there's a little bit of pressure
21:37
with the front office now and I think they want to they want to
21:42
try to win this year, moving forward, I mean now and they're
21:45
pitching their rotations were pretty steady and and the guys
21:49
had a great game yesterday against Cleveland.
21:52
Chris Bassett. Like, he says, after Barrios
21:54
after that, bad starting to Baltimore.
21:57
He's been better. Voting France is been up and
22:00
down, but shirts are the thing about shirts.
22:02
It's like he was supposed to be the first starting pitcher
22:05
injured. So they're a little bit of
22:07
situations. So every team in the Ali says
22:09
like you can make you can still make a case regardless, right?
22:12
So but we'll see what happens down the road but um the next
22:17
question I want to ask you here is the early sign young
22:21
candidates like if you look at both legs, if you want to talk
22:25
about a couple pictures that's out there like How would you
22:29
look at it in in any aspect possible?
22:34
Yeah, I think Yamamoto has been I mean I always say hot take I
22:39
think yamamoto's been a top three picture of baseball since
22:41
his debut. If you go and scrap that game
22:44
that he had overseas, it's like a sub 25 era, he leads Major
22:48
League, Baseball and era. The fastball, since dropping his
22:51
arm angle has been super effective gets a lot more ride.
22:54
His splitter. You don't even really, I mean,
22:58
it's one of the best pitches in Major League Baseball,
23:00
yamamoto's, look great. I think this is a guy that
23:02
should easily finish top three, Insight, young injury, you know,
23:06
hopefully, no injuries down the road, 100 green.
23:09
Hunter green has been super impressive.
23:11
His 12ks and his last performance this guy that's
23:14
averaging over 100 miles an hour on his fastball, which is
23:17
fantastic. A lot of Arsenal changes last
23:21
year. And this is a guy that thing was
23:24
developing a splitter last year and it's been very effective
23:26
this year too. So those are definitely two guys
23:28
in the NL special box too. I think he'll be very, very good
23:32
down the stretch. This is a guy that I had top
23:35
five going for young going into this year.
23:38
Um, American League side, Max freed has been so so good.
23:43
I know there was a lot of concerns about injury related
23:46
stuff going to the Yankees and that contract might have been,
23:48
you know, a lot largest to a left-handed, pitcher a major
23:51
league history, but this is a guy that's not going to rely on
23:53
Velo. He has, he has seven pitches.
23:56
I think it's kind of crap saying that I think Max freed.
23:59
Realistically probably has nine pitches with what he's able to
24:02
do in terms of slowing pitches down similar like a Seth Lugo
24:06
Max freed has been has been really good.
24:09
Dara crochet, again, fantastic with the Red Sox and Turk school
24:14
ball. I think Turk school is getting
24:16
underrated at this point. I don't think a lot of people
24:19
are talking about him. This is a guy that's so top, 10
24:21
era. I don't know if you guys watched
24:23
the Angels game, the other night, he had a very, very
24:26
effective performance, a 73 pitches, I think, through six
24:30
Innings, he realistically probably could have gone to
24:33
seven or eight inning with that pitch count.
24:34
And um, yeah, I think this is a guy that could easily go back.
24:38
To back, Arsenal's, fantastic. He is one of the best change in
24:41
baseball. And um, yeah, those are like
24:44
probably six, guys, right off the top of my head back and just
24:48
really leave pictures right now. Yeah, I think Hunter Brown too,
24:52
is I'm so I really was adding the Sinker on May 5th of last
24:59
year has been one of the best pictures of baseball.
25:00
Yeah. 100 Brown has been. Yeah, he's you know, there's
25:04
some commotion amongst Twitter fans between, you know, the
25:07
whole night winning picture of the month because you know,
25:12
between him and Max free MAX freed was fantastic.
25:15
Hunter Brown. I think he might have been you a
25:18
little bit better. He was not good but yeah, he's
25:21
right. I mean, you know, I love his
25:24
curveball, you know, he is one of the best curveballs and
25:26
baseball I think and you know, he just he throws that time and
25:31
off on the hitters gets lost, swing and miss.
25:35
You know he's he's great buy. I agree with you on.
25:38
Tariq school will being underrated.
25:40
It's almost feels like he's the Forgotten man so far this
25:43
season. I'm glad you agree because
25:44
that's not the other than a few people.
25:47
I'm like I feel like no one's even talking about him right
25:49
now. It's a lot of free Yamamoto, 100
25:53
green, um, underground, yeah. Hunter Brown Spencer swallowing
25:58
box. Like, and I would even say, like
26:00
Roki Sasaki is getting more like coverage at this point from
26:03
people, even though he's been like falling, like Turk school
26:05
ball is not getting talked about right now and he came off a
26:08
Dominus season. Last year, American League, Cy
26:10
Young. He's doing the same thing this
26:12
year, like he needs to get talked about.
26:15
Just as much as he was last year because he's still that
26:17
dominant. I agree and I just want to throw
26:21
Chris bassett's. Having a good start to a season
26:24
two and fantastic, he looks really good.
26:26
Another, another Jays players starting to come starting to
26:31
really round in the form as Kevin Gosman, he started to look
26:35
really good. But yeah, man, it's there are a
26:40
lot. There's been a lot of good
26:41
pictures so far and both leeches.
26:43
Big fan of 100 green, what he's doing like you mentioned him
26:48
Nickelodeon was teammates having a good start to see season 2.
26:52
I hope Nicholas can stay healthy me too, man.
26:56
I'm okay and the Nickelodeon yeah he's super nasty.
27:00
Rocky have any any guys you want to talk about?
27:05
I think the sleeper in NL. Right now, it's Nick pavetta. if
27:11
you look at his stats right now, it's like, San Diego always,
27:20
just finds these hidden gems like Michael King his teammates
27:23
in other one who might have the nasty stuff in that.
27:25
Right, arms. We forgot about Michael King.
27:28
Well. Okay, too.
27:30
Yeah. Look AJ preller, like he's one
27:33
of the most aggressive GMS in the sport, and, you know, I know
27:37
the owners wanted to try to spend, but they find pitching
27:40
Man. Randy Vasquez is starting to
27:42
form to become something, but Nick pavetta that signing so
27:45
far, has look, great. And I said to people, like he
27:50
did pretty decent in the AL East, the AL East is one of the
27:53
toughest divisions, especially when you have hitters ballparks
27:56
and you have tough lineups, but he goes to the NL.
28:01
And he's dominating, like, it doesn't come to surprise.
28:04
It's gonna benefit him in those ballparks because most of the
28:08
ballparks in the NL or pretty much picture friendly, right?
28:11
And I think that's all so big reason, why as well?
28:14
And I think having more T-Mobile Maldonado, as his battery made.
28:19
I mean, that's benefited so much and I think they had a sneaky
28:23
tender with their, with the catcher.
28:24
Do with last year said, Mark to Maldonado.
28:27
Another guy's Logan Webb. That's another one too.
28:31
You just, you put, you put them as one of the MVPs besides Aaron
28:39
judge, right? For each league.
28:40
And he's been an MVP for for San Francisco.
28:43
I mean, I mean, he's been the anchor of that rotation for
28:47
years now and he's been one of the most consistent starting
28:51
pitchers in baseball, right? If you like, I think it can make
28:54
a case Rockies. Probably the most unrated
28:55
picture on baseball. Absolutely.
28:57
Yes, that's why, because he gets overshadowed by the bigger
29:00
names, right? He just Lazaro has been
29:05
phenomenal, too God. Yeah, so we are Strikeout
29:10
machine. I mean, it was it costed a
29:13
pretty penny To trade within the division.
29:17
I know the Cubs were after him and that in the offseason but
29:21
that I don't know what happened with the medical stuff.
29:24
I know he was in it, he wasn't healthy.
29:27
Yeah, he's gotta stay healthy. We can stay healthy well with
29:32
Lazada. He's in Philadelphia now and he
29:35
looks, he looks great. I mean, I mean, the rotation is
29:38
for solid. I'm just surprised that Nola's
29:40
off to The horrendous start, but he probably will turn it around
29:43
eventually. But Zach wheeler obviously, he's
29:46
the obvious name in that rotation.
29:48
He was always going to be a child candidate every year.
29:50
Regardless, this stuff is so damn good.
29:52
Like he's a nasty picture and the allay you mentioned.
29:58
All the big names out there to reach School.
30:00
Bulls always going to be there. What about Tyler Malley, Texas?
30:04
Really good. Yeah, yeah.
30:07
He's been off to a fantastic. He's the one who's one of my
30:10
surprise too because he hasn't been healthy the last three
30:14
years. And he had Tommy John, he hasn't
30:16
stayed healthy at all. And, you know, Texas took a
30:20
flyer and I'm on a two-year deal and he's off to a great start
30:23
for a guy like him. It's like Texas.
30:27
Like they always have a problem with pictures always been
30:31
consistency. That's what they're well known
30:32
for, right? And with their pitching.
30:35
It's like we don't we don't know what it is.
30:37
Like besides Jacob, if you could stay healthy, of course, it
30:40
Tyler. Molly has one of has been one of
30:42
the guys that I showed up to be really good for them and For the
30:48
for for guy like him. It's good for him, right?
30:52
Like you don't see you don't see a guy like that, you know, he's
30:55
not a household name. He's, he's a guy who came from
30:58
Cincinnati went to the twins, right?
31:00
A couple years ago. Chambers.
31:04
You your guy, right? Um, strikeout machine I mean I
31:11
mean, oh, that trade from from that Chris Archer trade.
31:15
It's still hot. Thank you.
31:18
Chris Archer, man. He's been.
31:23
He's been, he's been probably, the probably, the most
31:27
consistent picture that rotation, right?
31:29
I, you know, the rage are always a pitching Factory.
31:31
They they do so damn. Well, when it comes to pitching
31:36
wise and it's it's been, it's been fascinating for for the
31:40
race to keep fighting all these guys out of nowhere, right?
31:43
So, Um is there any other names that you could think of, or you
31:47
may I got a name you mentioned talking about Tyler Molly, his
31:52
teammate, Nathan of Aldi has been just as his show good, it's
31:58
ridiculous. He's been amazing.
32:03
He's been, he's been lights out this year.
32:05
So yeah, I just wanted to throw his name out there.
32:08
Yeah, just real quick too. Like even the Grom the Grom even
32:13
came into this year. He's not throwing like his, you
32:16
know, normal with the mattes like 101 102 like pretty
32:19
consistently. This is a guy that his fastball
32:21
is so Elite it could sit 96.97 with a devastating Change-Up and
32:25
slider that he doesn't really need to rely on 100 miles, 100
32:29
plus miles an hour anymore. He's a lot cleaner with his
32:32
delivery. And so, as one of the best
32:33
deliveries in baseball, but he worked a lot on off, season on
32:36
bettering himself, you know, mentally and health wise and
32:40
we're seeing it. Like, if Jacob degrom can be
32:43
like someone close to Vintage to Grom and you have a guy like,
32:46
you know, Tyler Molly that's been really good.
32:48
Nathan of all these. I mean, Health Prevail is one of
32:50
the most consistent starters that we've seen he's done with,
32:54
you know, the Yankees, the Rays Red Sox Rangers.
32:57
Yeah, this is You know, Jacob degrom can be that guy again.
33:03
And like what we're seeing in. Oh, he does have a start later
33:06
today. We'll probably talked off camera
33:09
about it after you have episode, but he's been very impressive
33:12
again and his last start was fantastic too.
33:15
Yeah, and then you have Jack leiter rounding out the rotation
33:19
at Kumar rocker. So if those young pictures can,
33:22
you know, just round out things just, you know, keep them in
33:27
ball games, you know, they could be, they could, you know, they
33:30
were a bit of a disappointment last year, Texas.
33:32
So if they can kind of bounce back this year, I mean, if the
33:37
pitching goes well I think they can absolutely bounce back.
33:41
But we kind of touched on it earlier about Aaron judge, you
33:46
know, he's already off to this crazy MVP type season again.
33:50
Well, and there's way and we kind of really know that
33:54
they're, you know, it's kind of him and everybody else.
33:57
But who are some other guys that you would mention this
34:00
candidates for that would be, you know, if you know, if you
34:04
know I don't know if it's sustainable all year but like
34:08
just who else would you think will put their name in the Hat
34:11
and the end you know like Well, I mean, I don't know what you've
34:16
if you guys have been paying attention to Bobby with Junior,
34:18
Bobby with Junior was my MVP pick going into this year.
34:21
I mean, It's really judge but you can't say judge because it's
34:25
almost like a for sure thing now I think Aaron judge.
34:28
You guys maybe might agree. I think he might have the best
34:30
season of his career this year, which is crazy to even say.
34:34
Yeah, Bobby with Junior. I think he's on a 20-game
34:36
hitting streak right now. He's starting to hit, you know,
34:39
a couple more home runs. He had one on the race series.
34:41
He had one the other day too. Um Bobby with Junior is like a
34:45
lock for like nine to 10 F War. He's one of the most productive
34:48
players in Major League Baseball.
34:49
I think Alex bregman too if Alex bregman keeps this up and he
34:55
puts up like a 260 to 270 average 30 plus home runs 40
35:00
plus doubles you know the Red Sox, make the playoffs, it gives
35:03
like the writers a little bit of an extra thing.
35:05
I think he could probably even throw out pregnant in there too.
35:08
Those are definitely two guys that would I would look for I
35:11
think really sneaky Riley. Green is so damn good.
35:14
He does not talked about. This is a guy that Wiley at a
35:18
home runs right now after two home run performance, I did a
35:21
pretty big breakdown on him on the offseason.
35:23
A lot of his quality of contact metrics have improved the last
35:26
four years, three or four years. He's criminally underrated.
35:30
I think Riley green if he's able to put up 30 plus home runs like
35:34
close to a 900 Ops and the Tigers make the playoffs again
35:37
too. This is a guy that could finish,
35:38
you know, top five top 10 of my opinion.
35:43
I would look at I don't know this it's tough to say right now
35:48
besides judge because he's statistically he's just running
35:51
away with everything Bobby Witt probably went and Alex pregnant
35:56
look like two guys that probably be in that conversation right
35:59
now is we speak but I think I think another name and I think
36:04
it's just his teammate and he's been pretty underrated as a Paul
36:08
Goldman He's been off to a good start too.
36:12
I mean if you look at it he is number two in average after
36:15
Jared judge. And And a lot of people thought
36:18
with his issues and everything. If you look at his stats, I mean
36:21
besides a home runs, I mean he's hitting 349 his obese 394.
36:27
So, like I said, 404 his Opps 878 like, you don't like those
36:32
stats are just insane. A sneaky player that doesn't get
36:38
talked about, Stephen Kwan He's off to a incredible start man.
36:45
He one of the best leadoff hitters in the sport right now.
36:48
That doesn't get talked about. If you look at that, he doesn't
36:52
have really hit for power. He's like a Lewis Horizon Maybe.
36:56
And if you look at he, he's top five in hits, he's third in
37:00
average. I mean his his stats are and his
37:03
op Ops is actually uh 8:42 a lot better than I thought it would
37:08
be right. Being a guy like that because if
37:10
you look at a guy like Ichiro, I believe he wanted MVP in his
37:14
rookie year as alongside with his rookie of the year season.
37:18
If you look at his Opps it was under 800.
37:22
But like Jesse was just hit machine, right?
37:25
Like yeah you just don't see too much of that in today's baseball
37:29
in 20 minutes, you're sitting for more power to like this is a
37:33
guy that could definitely leave the ballpark out of pretty
37:35
decent rate to Absolutely. I think I think an 800 Ops could
37:39
definitely be sustainable for Stephen Kwan this year.
37:43
They're great. Another guy like to throw throw
37:45
his name and there is Jorge Polanco.
37:48
Oh my God, I mean he said almost 400 he said just under 400 at
37:54
395 runs 25 RBIs like you know like I always like Polanco he
38:02
was a guy and always loved. I always kind of hope the Blue
38:05
Jays are trade for because I figure you know like if you
38:08
could just stay healthy because his health is always been kind
38:11
of that thing holding him back that like the guys talented,
38:15
he's super talented. He's got nine home runs playing
38:18
for the Mariners and not, you know, it's not really a hitters
38:22
Paradise over there and And Safeco Field or T-Mobile.
38:29
I guess it's called know. But yeah, no, he's he's been
38:33
fantastic. Yeah, and he 12 home runs.
38:39
The big Dumber has been unbelievable and you can make a
38:42
case right now. I said it going into last year,
38:44
one of my hot takes, I think Kyle Rally's probably the best
38:46
country in baseball right now. He's unbelievable agreed.
38:50
Couldn't agree more. The next question, I want to ask
38:54
you is who's been the biggest disappointment so far, baseball?
38:58
I know, we know that the notorious teams who were not
39:02
good, like the white socks, the Marlins and the Colorado
39:06
Rockies, but besides those three like, who would you say he's
39:10
been surprises me off to a bad start.
39:14
Team wise or player wise. Let's do both.
39:21
I would say Michael totally a dude.
39:23
Loved Michael totally cleaning into this year and he's been
39:27
turning it up a little bit. I know he's had two ones in his
39:31
last couple games, but I thought Michael told me it was a lock
39:34
for 30 home runs this year and the lock.
39:36
If you go and look at his splits last year when it's 20, I think
39:39
25 home runs, he only had eight at Coors.
39:42
So this is a guy that if he had even remotely better at chords,
39:45
this was a lock for 30 home runs.
39:47
The quality of contact is still like kind of their, he hits the
39:50
ball as hard as anyone in baseball when he makes contact
39:52
with it. He's definitely been not
39:55
impressive for me. I think he could turn it around
39:57
but definitely a slow start, um, Team wise.
40:02
I'm not gonna say the Braves, the Braves are so good.
40:04
They just had a really bad start and they were playing teams,
40:07
very tough and they were, you know, they were playing the
40:10
Dodgers and Mets and all these other teams.
40:13
So, he's trying to think of another team that's been like,
40:16
very disappointing. Well, Baltimore is obviously
40:19
one. Okay, yeah, I would, I probably
40:22
go Baltimore, um, just because like I said, I really thought
40:26
the offense would counteract the yeah.
40:28
I think a lot of us going into this year were just not high on
40:31
the pitching at all. I think a lot of us too.
40:35
Had Charlie Moore in like this was his last two Ross season and
40:38
I don't even at this rate, doesn't even look like he'll
40:41
make it through the season. His numbers are.
40:42
God awful. I don't even think he's had a
40:44
solid start this season. Um, and if you've looked at the
40:48
Orioles offense against left-handed pitching, I've
40:50
actually talked with Evan Ryan from baseball and such about it.
40:53
They have one of the worst offenses in Major League
40:55
Baseball against lefties, which is surprising.
40:57
Yeah. Which is right?
41:00
I mean, yeah, there's a lot of lefties in there, like, you're
41:03
probably not gonna throw over and against a lefty Gunners, a
41:06
lefty, I know add Lisa switch hitter.
41:08
Um, but yeah, you would think that this offense would Mash
41:12
against like, Everyone and we haven't really seen it.
41:16
Um, I got two names that I want to throw out there for players
41:22
have disappointed me. I'm gonna stick with the theme
41:25
of Colorado and I know he's been hurt for a couple weeks but
41:29
Ezequiel Tovar. is another guy, you know, he said in 212 and 66
41:36
that I know it's always 66 at bats but for RBIs 560 Ops, you
41:43
know, and this was a guy that I thought was gonna even take a
41:48
bigger step last, then he did last year like I just, I expect,
41:53
I expect more out of him and and I know he's hurt.
41:57
Now, I believe he's hurt and when he comes back, I do think
42:01
he'll turn it around, but just disappointing start.
42:06
And sorry, the other guy I'd want to, I kind of want to
42:10
mention is is and I know he has a history of getting off to slow
42:16
starts but Anthony Santander. Um, he's after, you know, and I
42:21
do think he'll turn it around, you know, I've wanted him on the
42:24
Blue Jays for a couple years now, just waiting for the moment
42:28
that we can sign him we finally did and you know I thought we
42:35
should have just went out and signed him and said of wasting
42:38
our time with soda. So but yeah.
42:41
I think you will turn it around. It's just it's kind of been
42:45
really disappointing. You know, only what three or
42:48
four home runs and we had a really big home run the other
42:50
day, so maybe that'll get them going.
42:52
But yeah, just just pointing and and as far as disappointing
42:58
teams, I mean, easy answers Baltimore for sure. but, yeah, I
43:11
mean Yeah. Just disappointing teams.
43:15
I guess Cleveland's kind of middle right now.
43:18
You know, I thought they'd be a little bit better than they are.
43:21
You know, I thought they're pitching would be better.
43:23
So to me, so yeah I'll just say Cleveland I thought Cleveland
43:27
would have had a better start than they've had going into and
43:32
to the season. I think I think with Santander
43:37
he remember he's always often notorious slow starts the last
43:40
four years in April. So for me, it's that's all.
43:42
I don't know if I'm not, I don't know what I think, but the track
43:47
record shows he's always off to slow starts but after may he
43:50
started taking off, Man, you get you're forgetting names here.
43:54
What about Joc Pederson? I was I was literally just gonna
43:58
say and you could go with Jake Burgers.
44:02
Yeah burger. Yeah.
44:05
You like yeah, neutral DHS that were going out there and Jake
44:11
Burgers playing a little bit first.
44:11
Baseball, Jack Peterson was like what?
44:13
Oh for 40? And it was like, yeah, yeah, can
44:20
I just create one disappointing team real quick?
44:22
So I had like, I think, I think a lot of us still had them
44:27
disappointing. After the offseason.
44:28
Do the Minnesota Twins. Yes.
44:31
Gonna say that wins. Yeah, they didn't make any
44:34
additions in the offseason, the pitching had like pitching
44:38
spell. Okay.
44:39
Like the twins never moved me. This is a team that comes in
44:43
every single year where everyone is hyping up the twins.
44:45
This is the core that is very high upside but is super super
44:52
injury prone. Yeah.
44:53
And they've been disappointing, foreign, you know, 14 and 20.
44:56
Um, this was a lot of people had them winning the division and It
45:01
didn't do anything this off season and I know that Carl was
45:04
great contract too. The team financially is mightily
45:07
struggling to. Yeah.
45:09
So overall just very disappointing.
45:11
Yeah, I think you could even go back to last trade deadline when
45:15
they didn't, they only added a relief pitcher from Toronto.
45:18
And that was it. They did.
45:20
And they just down the stretch, they had one of the worst,
45:23
right. You know, collapses to miss the
45:26
playoffs that we've seen in recent memory, I mean they hoped
45:28
their way out of a playoff spot last year and they do anything
45:32
to address it this year. It's like, yeah, you know, you
45:35
have Carlos Correa for so long Health Prevail, you have an
45:38
aging, Byron bucks, and You know, you have was playing well,
45:42
by the way. He's really talk about
45:45
surprising player. He's Right there.
45:48
Yeah. Bucks has been very good, but
45:50
yeah. Just, I just had to throw out
45:52
the twins. We can go.
45:52
I know, we'll go back to Rocky talking about jock, Peterson.
45:55
I think we were all kind of have that on my mind.
45:57
Yeah. And you look at Job Peterson
46:00
last year. I had a hell of a year.
46:01
Like she in the NOS. Come to the AL West and you look
46:09
at the numbers provided very disappointing.
46:12
Other disappointment, thus far. And, and when the, when the
46:18
Marlins traded away, Jake burger and they always something with
46:20
these Marlins like purebred Nicks.
46:22
Like he's come, he's come from the brains of Tampa Bay Rays and
46:25
they're trying to build the way they're supposed to be right?
46:27
Like the race and when they traded Jake Berger, who had five
46:31
years of control, gave up three prospects that are like what are
46:35
the Marlins doing? Keep doing like trading guys.
46:37
But It looks like it looks like it's Peter.
46:40
It's a Peter Bendix back to class like Nick Burger King, sit
46:44
down, right? But he strikeouts a lot.
46:46
He does hit for power like when he was with the White Sox he was
46:48
he was doing all that but I don't know what's going on with
46:52
Texas. Do they miss him hires?
46:54
Because now he's with the braids.
46:55
But even with the braids offense, they're not even off to
46:58
a great start as well. And Texas is off its last year
47:00
was very disappointing, right? So pointing again this year, I
47:03
mean look at more. Yeah.
47:04
Marcus. I mean yeah, he's been Well, I
47:09
think I think the age is becoming a thing.
47:12
He's turning 35 this year and you know that they went for the
47:15
day, they were back on him. To provide it as early part of
47:19
his career like that contract and I did did they, they did win
47:23
the World Series, they'll give them that for sure.
47:25
But like overall, if you, if you're gonna look at the next
47:28
three to four years, what that contract looked like, it's
47:30
probably not gonna look good and that's that's in general with a
47:33
lot of contracts, right? Yeah.
47:34
Well, yeah, I think that's a great Point too.
47:35
I think a lot of long-term deals are just not good.
47:38
Like, in terms of value wise, you're not good, but you're
47:41
looking at. If you can win two championships
47:44
in that window and more than pays in either one is tough.
47:47
Because yeah, like because like how many teams have won multiple
47:51
championships is pretty much a Dodgers in their asteroids.
47:53
That's it over to take that, right?
47:55
The Yankees have been one since what 2009 and and the last team
48:00
to win back-to-back championships was the Yankees in
48:03
the early 2000s which is a time ago, right?
48:06
That's a quarter of a century, right?
48:07
Like to me baseball's a toughest sport heads up just supporting
48:12
team is the Pittsburgh Pirates that location man.
48:15
Um I'm just so disappointed with them.
48:19
Like, when you have a small skins and I get it Jared Jones's
48:22
injured. Andrew, he needs off to a
48:24
fantastic start. If you look at a statistics, a
48:27
lot of people questioned that signing and I just feel bad for
48:30
that organization because overall they got bride and
48:35
Reynolds signed to an extension. They got Brian Haze to an
48:37
extension. Nick Gordon's always has become
48:40
something, but he's been up and down O'Neil Cruz is filing.
48:43
Becoming the player that he should have been the last couple
48:45
years and moving him to a different position.
48:48
His defense is still a problem. Henry Davidson was very
48:51
disciplined baseball to start the year, I know, right?
48:54
Like it's it's insane to think like is he, what is he
48:57
long-term? Like I thought I always was no
49:00
profiling known that. This guy was gonna move to the
49:03
Outfield but it's not working. So is he right?
49:06
Fielder is left field. That that's going to be
49:08
something, they're going to have to figure out when when they get
49:11
more prospects coming in their system.
49:12
But if you look at polski's as a player, he's like like his stuff
49:19
is like generational type of stuff and I don't know if
49:24
they're gonna afford them, like, down the road because he's going
49:26
to be a very expensive player and, you know, yeah, there's no
49:30
way. Yeah, he's in Pittsburgh know,
49:32
and, you know, the thing it's big Market teams are going to
49:34
sell it for whether it's for trade or he just a market, which
49:40
I think picture will probably have to trade him in about three
49:43
years. You know that works right with
49:44
the And if you look at that organization, they've been
49:49
trying to win. They've been trying.
49:50
Just can't do it. I just don't know. what they
49:54
need to do because a lot has to do with the ownership that
49:57
ownership with Bob nutting like He he cut off Broadway to last
50:02
because they didn't want to give him the bonus 20 up there
50:05
certain time, which is very good.
50:07
I'm glad you brought that up that was brutal last year.
50:09
Like that was yeah ridiculous. At that.
50:11
He didn't get his payout. Yeah, well talk about the Cubs
50:16
and they're off to this this towards start mainly.
50:21
They're offense is just clicking on all.
50:24
So Anders you know they're 21 and 13 leading the division.
50:27
You know you got. You got Carson Kelly, he got
50:33
Pete, Crow Armstrong. You know, the middle of the
50:35
order was Suzuki and and Kyle Tucker, after trade, she's been
50:40
off to a fantastic start. So, what are your thoughts on
50:44
the offense and what's going on over there in Chicago, man?
50:47
I mean, this is, I would say, one of the most dynamic offenses
50:51
in baseball right now. I mean, that's even we named all
50:53
those guys, he's still got like Michael Bush, who is super
50:56
productive last year. PCA, Like this is the PCA
51:01
breakout party and I don't know why he got.
51:05
He got so much hate this offseason so much hate everyone
51:10
was doubting him and what he has nine home runs 12 steals like a
51:15
one forty WRC plus. This is a guy that is hammering
51:19
the breaking ball. If you go and look at his
51:21
barrels that he's had this year, yeah, you'll see something
51:25
against fastballs. He's just throwing breaking
51:27
balls and he did it again last year, pulling and opposite.
51:31
And this is PCA wasn't really known for this power profile
51:34
that we're seeing right now. This is a guy that's pulling
51:36
breaking balls on the outside, part of the plate and pulling
51:39
him 380 to 390 feet. Um, while I understand the
51:45
offensive profiles, only getting talked about PCA is one of the
51:48
best defensive outfielders in the entire sport.
51:51
Yeah, this is a guy that could potentially be a five tool
51:55
player and you're getting into Kyle Tucker, who is one of the
51:58
best players in baseball games. Be Swanson.
52:00
Yes, the bat is not really there, but this is a guy that is
52:02
one of the Premier defensive shortstops.
52:05
Nico hoerner, when he gets back and and you know, getting going
52:08
one of the best middle infield Duos in terms of Defense in
52:12
baseball, you got Michael Bush. Like you mentioned, Rob Kelly
52:16
has been on even real. Yeah, well, I think it was
52:20
minimum 50 played appearances, he was leading in WRC plus above
52:24
a kind like Aaron judge. Like he has been super
52:27
productive for Chicago, great contract for them.
52:31
If you, if you look at the Cubs here, like you said his like
52:35
they're off to a towards start. Like she said, like, Carson
52:39
Kelly came out of nowhere. I think you put you credit to
52:42
you. That you, you posted the WRC
52:44
plus I believe Carson Kelly is what number one in w.
52:47
R c plus one. Yeah, great.
52:51
This is it's insane to think about that and you put and
52:56
people forgetting about CSU and other one.
52:59
And that lineup, man. So good, this year I thought
53:03
sagey is best. She was gonna be this year.
53:05
If you go, look at the underlying metrics the last
53:08
three seasons, vastly improved launch angle.
53:11
He had the highest baptism baseball, which I know was a
53:15
luck stat. I don't think it is at times
53:17
because it showing the quality of contact he has its the ball
53:20
as hard as anyone and him moving to dh2, I know a lot of people
53:24
talk about just general baseball, if you come into the
53:27
ballpark you know a position you're playing.
53:28
You're going to be a lot more comfortable, safety knows.
53:31
Playing and it's translating a lot.
53:33
In the offensive Department say Suzuki is I think criminally
53:38
underrated, he's so good. Yeah, he is.
53:42
I just wanted to throw in there. I wonder what what the Saint
53:46
Louis Cardinals. Are thinking watching, Carson
53:48
Kelly, you know, smash the ball right.
53:51
Place? It be a former Prospect and
53:54
their you say that about a lot of Carnival prospects too.
53:57
Yeah, you really can man. That's weird and Weaver, Samuel
54:02
Rose He really can, man.
54:17
It's crazy. I mean, if you look if you look
54:22
at that, like they have the best lineup in that Division, I still
54:26
think the Reds. Could match up with them pretty
54:29
well. Because if you if you look at
54:32
the Reds lineup, I know it's not Cubs level right now, but the
54:35
potential is there. If you If you look at the way
54:38
that I think those are the two teams are going to compete for
54:41
the division at the end of it seems like right Terry Francona,
54:45
Craig counsell experience managers question for me about
54:49
the Cubs is always going to be is what they're pitching is
54:51
gonna look like when they're healthy because they just lost
54:53
Justice deal for the year, right?
54:55
With Tommy John, I believe. So they're gonna probably have
54:58
to bank on Kate Horton, once he gets called up, right?
55:00
Are they right? Is he ready to fill in those
55:02
pictures bread? Brown's been off to decent
55:05
started. He's been up and down.
55:05
Tie on is another surprise player that is actually pitching
55:09
well for the Cubs this year, and he's been an X Factor in that
55:14
rotation, believe it or not. Right.
55:15
So, the bullpen is still another question mark.
55:19
I mean, he did let shake you and we're gonna get to the bullpen
55:26
stuff in a bit but like Nate. Pearson hasn't been the guy like
55:31
I did it for so many reasons that they have, right?
55:35
So but they're And they're going to have to rely so much on their
55:39
offense, but my question is, could it be sustainable all
55:42
year? Because every team goes through
55:43
the upside down but it seems like their identities more
55:48
likely they're offense now especially getting Kyle Tucker
55:50
other team right? He's been fine.
55:52
I mean I know I know Sandy the Sandy sweepstakes are gonna be a
55:56
lot this year. I know he has not looked good
55:58
but at the same time I think this is a guy that moves away
56:01
from the Marlins. I think it could be very
56:02
productive if you're the Cubs. Why don't you go and try and
56:05
swing a trade for San Diego? Zara.
56:09
If triangles for that rotation, I would if I mean, I know the
56:11
Mets might be involved, he's like a pretty I guess like Mets
56:15
kind of guy multiple years of control.
56:17
But if you're the Cubs go out and try and make a big move at
56:22
the deadline, and go get a top-end starter, you know, from
56:24
his team like teams, we've talked about that have been very
56:26
disappointing. You, you know, like you
56:29
mentioned, could the twins be Sellers and I wonder if Pablo
56:35
Lopez becomes available a Joe Bryant becomes like oh I want
56:41
the gate to go be all over Joe Ryan just as well so Elite it's
56:47
ridiculous. Sleeping stuff is electric too
56:50
like 30 inches with a break on a sweeper.
56:52
Yeah broke. They didn't even classify as a
56:54
pitch on statcast, it was like no one's ever and you were a
56:59
race, fit your race fit. And I know that Joe Ryan was
57:02
raised prospector they used it. One of, you know, we don't talk
57:09
But that's the thing wrong for one minute.
57:15
We'll get back to Joe Ryan and potential moves that they can
57:18
make, but it was a hindsight 2020 trade.
57:21
They needed a big back, they got by far the best available bat on
57:25
the market with Nelson Cruz. Um he helped the offense in a
57:29
lot of ways just by struggling water Franco.
57:32
We don't talk about him either but his developed one or Franco
57:34
a lot into the hitter that he was before his off the field
57:37
stuff. But yeah, Joe Ryan was so damn
57:41
good and it just pained me. It pains me now to see how good
57:45
he is with Minnesota because I think all Rays fans that
57:47
followed prospects and how could this guy?
57:52
Yeah, um, but I agree with your assessment about going to get a
57:58
starter because that's really the thing that is gonna hold
58:02
them back in the end, it's it's Bullpen.
58:04
And since starting pitching, I mean, pitching so important in
58:08
this league so they can go out and get a guy and maybe who
58:11
knows, maybe they'll sell low on them because of, you know, the
58:14
injury, you know, and this slow start, you know, and and maybe
58:19
they can get them for a decent price.
58:21
You know, you guys are growing up the Cubs Bullpen.
58:23
Why don't they go and get Daniel Robertson?
58:25
Right right. Yeah, I don't think I'm gonna I
58:28
we've said that about the Blue Jays and going to get give him a
58:32
cotton. Yeah.
58:32
I don't know why. He's on signed right now.
58:34
It's it's baffling. He was great last year, too.
58:37
I understand. He's old and, and I know people
58:40
have been talking about the Mets, getting him because he's
58:42
used to that, but he's kind of faltered in those markets too.
58:44
And I know he's kind of burned some bridges there in New York,
58:46
but why don't a team like he said, like the Blue Jays or the
58:50
Cubs go and get a proven Veteran Bullpen arm that can eat Innings
58:54
is played in the playoffs, almost his entire career.
58:57
Like why don't you go and get a guy like that?
58:59
And I don't think his asking price would be too much right
59:02
now. No, I mean we just entered a new
59:04
calendar month. No, you're not you're not wrong
59:09
about that and we're just right. Like I was surprised that blue
59:12
jays ended up signing Hozier like out of all people like like
59:16
he hasn't been consistently good for for a while.
59:18
So but getting its turn balls are interesting pickup for the
59:22
Jays too, right? But like like you said, if the
59:25
Cubs can go get A relief pitcher or two and a starting pitcher,
59:30
they're going to be serious contenders if they could get
59:34
that because that offense is real.
59:35
Like yeah if they can't fix that pitching.
59:38
That would, that would provide them so much to contend and B
59:43
Teams like the Dodgers, or the, or, or the Phillies meds Braves,
59:46
whatever, right? So um, yeah.
59:49
I mean, we'll see where that goes, but