Dodgers Territory - Live from Camelback Ranch! Alden Gonzalez Joins, Final Roster Crunch

Episode Date: March 10, 2025

DT hosts Alanna Rizzo and Clint Pasillas share their biggest takeaways from the morning inside the Dodgers clubhouse at Camelback Ranch. (0:40)(3:28) Max Muncy opened up to our hosts about his offseason approach and his mission to get back to prime form in 2025. (7:35) ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez joins the show to break down the final roster decisions as the Dodgers prepare to head to Tokyo later this week.(7:54) Are there any holes in this Dodgers roster as Opening Day approaches?(11:06) Our hosts and Alden discuss their first impressions of Roki Sasaki — is his pitch mix already good enough, or does he have room to grow? (12:30) Reports suggest the Dodgers are slowing down Shohei Ohtani’s pitching progression — is this the right call for both Ohtani and the team?(15:15) James Outman and Andy Pages are making strong cases for the final roster spot, bringing different things to the Dodgers lineup.Subscribe to DT on YouTube! DT is LIVE on Mondays & Thursdays at 12p PT/3p ET all year long!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Loyalty program subject to terms and conditions. Visit the pro-desk or lows.com slash terms for more details. Subject to change. I was surprised by it because he already started that progression. He already started to get off the mound. And I think the question is going to be how long is that shutdown if you want to call it a shutdown? What up, everybody? If you're just noticing now, we have a different background.

We are live at Campbellback Ranch, of course, the home of your 2024 World Seasies. Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. I am Alana Rizzo. This is Clint Paseas. We're your host for the next half an hour. Alden Gonzalez is coming up shortly from ESPN. Of course, covers the Dodgers amongst all the other teams for ESPN. This is good.

What was the first, finally nice to meet you in person, by the way. But what was the biggest impression you had when we walked into the Dodgers Clubhouse this morning at 8 a.m.? There's a lot of talent. Just like you guys read about, just like we see about, we talk about. every week here twice a week on the show there's a lot of talent in this clubhouse and uh we got to shake roki's or not roki we got yama motto we got show hey's hand we're feeling good i don't know where i'm looking i think i'm over here now this is your single right here listen i'm i'm totally a professional one is my single but again a lot of talent on this ball club and other talent

coming at some point uh when they were covering from injury of course you guys just had clayton kersha on foul territory guys go check it out but a lot of hype a lot of excitement at this at this camp and of course today we just learn minutes before going on live dave roberts getting that contract extension locked in uh four years is the report four years and set to break Craig counsel's eight million per year record uh can't find a more deserving guy than Dave roberts to get this deal no question about again a team has not made this official john hayman reporting bob night and go reporting that a deal has been done we knew that they were trying to get it done before the trip to Tokyo.

Brandon Goams, we had on foul territory a little bit earlier today. Didn't give us the breaking news, but he said that there was plenty of time. And honestly, as Clint mentioned, Dave Roberts deserves it. This man has done everything that has been asked of him to do. He's taken this team with the postseason every single year. Under his tenure, he has two World Series championships should be three under his belt. And congratulations. Again, we don't know the actual terms, but it is supposed to be higher than the $8 million

in per annual value that Craig Council got with the Chicago Cup. So good for him. An important note, we'll be talking to Dave. Tonight, we will be live again, 5 p.m. Pacific time here on Dodgers Territory, territory R2 v1 sit down with Dave Roberts. So pull up the neighborhood. Come watch with us. Actually, don't pull up the neighborhood.

Everybody watch in your own homes, multiple screens, multiple devices. Let's get those numbers going. But yeah, a lot of good things going on to camp. What are your takeaways being back here? You know, it's funny because I walked in and I wasn't sure how it was going to be. It's been four years since I was the Dodgers reporter. And I walked in and it was kind of like riding a bike. And honestly, it was just so heartwarming to come back into the Dodgers dugout and into the Dodgers clubhouse and kind of see just what was going on.

And the thing that struck me, and I anticipated this going in and seeing all of the Japanese media. Of course, I did not expect Shohei Otani to be sitting there eating bacon and eggs. I did not expect that. I was not expecting Shohei to be sitting there just having some breakfast like he's a normal person. Like he's one of us. shook his hand. You know, he's tall. He's a big man.

He's a lot of dude. And Yamamoto walked up and said hello to him. But another thing, we were just talking to, you know, Max Muncie walks in. He looks good. He's 17 pounds lighter. We asked him how we did it. You know, just obviously portion control and kind of lay enough some of the imbibing. But he looks good.

You know, and he said that it, he really feels that the change in body type and weight is going to help him. Maybe not in April, but it's going to help him in July. And those dog days, taking some of that weight. off of his legs and his knees. Yeah, of course, I could use some of his advice on how to lose a pound or two. More of the torso showing here on the full shot. But, yeah, no, Max Muncie looks good. And he's got to do these kind of things.

I mean, he's 34 this season, getting older, playing a demanding enough position as a third basement. And he's not going to be a guy that's relied on to be hitting three or four in this lineup anymore, but it's still the importance of that. We got something going on on the screen, by the way. Um, the importance of having him deepen that lineup, help in the middle of that lineup with, uh, run production, staying on base, getting on base, all that kind of stuff. Uh, having him hitting four or five is absolutely going to help this ball club a whole bunch. Um, I asked him too. Hey, you're going for 40 this year because he's come close a couple of times.

36. I think it was his career high in 21. Last four years, he's been over 30 bombs. Yeah, he's, he's, he's looking for it. He's looking for 40 this year. And if you're able to have that hitting five. or six in your lineup. What a special group of dudes here. Yeah, it's a special group of guys. And we were also talking to, you know, I saw Chris Taylor in there. Austin Barnes is in there. Will Smith, Freddie Freeman was just on the show. Clayton Kershaw is also making the trip to Tokyo. He's not going with the team. He's not active. So he can't go with the team. But he is making the trip over there. And he seems to be ready to come back in June, you know. So that's going to be a huge,

huge thing. Another thing I noticed, Clint, is Michael Grove in his sling, unfortunately, done for the year. of Michael Grove. It's awful to see that. It's going to be a big piece of what the Dodgers have going on. Because you know every arm is going to be used. It seems like a surplus right now, but there's going to be a time this season that's like, why didn't we sign this guy? Yeah, with Grove, you know, big piece, yes, just because of how the Dodgers operate. We know they've moved talent in and off the roster all the time, having somebody that has,

that can be optioned to AAA multiple times and get come up, pick up a few innings here and there whenever the team needed. That goes a long way. for this ball club. So to lose that, it is definitely tough. He had mentioned too. The team had mentioned he was struggling with the injury through most of last season, explaining some of the struggles. Like when he was right, Michael Grove was very good. But still, he's somebody that's probably 10th, 13th, 15th on this team's depth chart. That's how good they are. And there's a reason they go out and add Tanner Scott. Add Kirby Yates. Bullpen, we talked about it last week.

There are some issues, injury issues to start the season. You guys have talked to Evan Phillips, E-Filly on his way back, expecting to be ready sometime in early April. But it opens up the door for some other kids. Saw Ben Casparius throwing a side session earlier. Somebody who could be in the bullpen as well. Dustin May got off the bullpen mound earlier. And we'll learn a lot more in the coming days when after the team announces Dave Roberts. I'm sure we're going to hear a lot more about what that roster is going to look like.

Well, Evan Phillips was on foul territory, as Clint mentioned. And the good thing is Evan Phillips is healthy. He's not built up yet. That's why he's staying back. He's not making the trip to Tokyo. but he's just going to keep working up that arm strength and getting back to where he needs to be. So it's a bullpen of the ages.

I mean, this is a team. AJ Prisinski was just talking about it, too, on Fowl Territory, that this is a roster of the ages on paper. And even AJ, who is a big leager, World Series champion in his own right, walked into the Dodgers Clubhouse this morning with you and I, Clint, and said he was Starstruck. He keeps talking about selling his right hand

because he was able to shake Shoah's hand and Roki Sasaki's hand. So this is a team that's built to win. It's a team that's built for October, and they certainly have the pieces to do. do it. We're going to come back after the break here with Alden Gonzalez does a tremendous job covering Major League Baseball covers the Dodgers, of course, for ESPN. So Dodgers territory from Campbellback Ranch rolls on. And actually, Alden is already here. So we don't even have to go

to break. Alden is here with us. We appreciate you taking the time as we get ready for first pitch here and less than an hour. Alden, I mean, again, on paper, this is a team that's built to go back to the World Series, right? It doesn't always work out that way. It's hard to run it back. What have you noticed about the challenges that this team might have? Are there holes? Yeah, there are holes like with any roster. I think the biggest one for them right now is in the bullpen because they've had some injuries to some key guys,

guys who are going to start to see a little bit late. Exactly, yeah. I mean, and that's just the rate of attrition of pitchers. And like, that's just every team in spring training just kind of holds its breath that everybody can stay healthy going into the regular season. I think the bullpen might be the hole on this team, but you're starting from a really high bar here. This is still a really good bullpen.

Even if Evan Phillips or Michael Kopeck or even Bruce Dar-Graddle to a greater extent are going to be a little bit later, they still got weapons down there and you could see why they went out and signed a Tanner Scott of Kirby Yates. I think for them, the challenge is going to be just maintaining that sort of edge that got them where they got to last year, wanting to win, especially the guys who have been here for a long time, who never got to experience a traditional championship,

the push to win that first full season championship since 1988, I think really drove this team last year, and it's the question that you have for every reigning champion. Can you maintain that edge? I will say, though, what will help them, all the new blood that they brought in, all the key guys that they brought in from other teams, those guys haven't won championships.

I think that can help them maintain that it. This is Bobby from the Bobby Gone show. It's the perfect time to get that Hyundai car or SUV that you've been wanting because the Hyundai Getaway Sales event is happening. now. Enjoy great deals across Hyundai's entire award-winning lineup, like the Tucson with the next level tech and safety features, or the Santa Fe with three full rows of premium comfort standard, or the bold and super stylish Elantra, or go all-electric with their breakthrough SUV, the Ionic 5. You can't go wrong with whatever model you choose, and getting

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Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete disclosures available at public.com slash disclosures. Yeah, you're quiet the haters of, or you haven't won a full season championship in so long. Now you're trying to become the first team to run it back since the Yankees in the 2000s and National League since the 70s. this front office got very busy, like you said. Adding a bunch of talent, particularly on the starting pitching side,

you add Blake Snell, you add somebody like Roki Sasaki, who is, he's insane. He's a lot of kid for sure. But these are also some of these guys. They have a bunch of other starters. You mentioned the kids, young blood, M. H. Sheen coming back from injury. Some of these guys, Dustin May, these are dudes that are going to fill in

for some of those holes in that bullpen. How do you think that kind of shakes out? I'm sure they have a very interesting puzzle. they're trying to put together when it comes to this pitching staff, what do you think the first few weeks look like? Well, so I think one thing that's interesting to note here is that they got a lot of off days in April. So they're going to run a six-man rotation for the majority of the year, especially when Shohei Otani is in that rotation.

But they don't really need it at least until maybe the start of May. They can maybe keep like one or two guys on a regular turn. So you're looking at early on, it's going to be Blake Snow and Tyler Glassna and Yoshinobo Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. They're going to start Roki Sasaki from the beginning. And then it's just a question of who gets that fifth spot. And as you mentioned, you know, Tony Gonsolin, obviously a prime candidate. He has options, though. He can be optioned down in the minor leagues.

I still think he probably ends up as a fit starter. Dustin May is out of options. But Dustin May, when you consider the time that he missed last year. Yeah, and what I mentioned earlier, all the injuries to their key relievers, Dustin May can be a weapon out of that bullpen. And the great thing about the Dodgers right now, they still have that starting pitching depth down in the minor leagues. Bobby Miller, Land and Mack.

Those guys can be ready. Let me ask you a little bit about Rokey Sasaki. who I saw for the first time today. And we know that he probably, again, not official by the team, but probably going to make that game two start in Tokyo. Yamamoto's throwing today in about 45 minutes and then we probably have Roki tomorrow, right? So it lines up to you, one would think,

that's going to be Yama and Roki in Tokyo. Let me ask you this, though. He obviously has the heater. He has that really nice splitter. But does he need a third pitch, Alden, in your opinion? And is that what they're working on in the lab? To get him that third pitch to make him even more, big league effective. Yeah, he definitely is at third pitch. I talked to a lot of people who

saw Roki Sasaki a lot in Japan over the offseason, and that's the point that they noted. And even the fastball, right, like it's 100 when he's right. It could play up to 100. And when you pair it with that splitter, which is one of the best pitches I've ever seen, honestly. But the fastball can be flat. The four-seamer can be flat at times. There have been people who have seen him who thought maybe he needs to incorporate more of a two-seamer, something that breaks in on right-handed hitters that could help offset that four-seem fastball. But, But in terms of just like a general third pitch, I mean, he needs to hone in on the slider. I think that's going to be the big thing for him.

That's going to be the separator for him. I know when he was being quartered by teams, the homework assignment for teams was, how do you get my fastball velocity back? That is important. The Dodgers believe that with health, with them sort of breaking down his delivery, maybe his stride length was compromised a little bit by compensating for injury, that will clear it up. And we've seen the fastball there.

But the bigger question for him is, as you mentioned, Alana, that third pitch, pitch, what does the slider look like? What does the depth of that slider look like? Dodgers is good as anybody at pitch shaping, at developing certain pitches. And I think that's going to be their biggest task this spring. So we see recent days the Dodgers decide to slow show hay's progression as a pitcher down. One, I'm very excited to see what this team can do, this front office, the lab, as you call it, or they call it, what they can do to help make Shohei a better pitcher.

But what do you think about the kind of slow play for him, obviously just coming off of the shoulder surgery, trying to, I think it was a Brandon Gomes who said it. He's a very important part of that offense as well. How do you think this kind of plays out? Is it more of a June progression where he's back? I mean, it's not like you can send him out on a rehab side. That's another whole option. That's the interesting thing, too, is that all throughout this,

like April was going to be basically him building up by the Dodgers staging simulated games at Dodgers Stadium before their regular game, before Shohei Otani would have to be the D.H and the lead-up hitter. Like, who's he facing? Probably minor leaguers that they'd bring up or even guys. I mean, you've seen this a lot, a lot of where, like, they'll do simulated games and guys who don't get at bats, regular playing time, that's how they see velocity. So that's what we would have seen.

There for Chris Taylor, you know. Chris Taylor, Austin Barnes, like those guys would be in there. But back to your original question about the buildup, like, I was surprised by it, because he already started that progression. He already started to get off the mound. And I think the question is going to be how long is that shutdown, if you want to call it a shutdown or a pause. I know he's still throwing, but he's not throwing off a mound.

So how much time is he going to have to make up when the team comes back from Japan? And so how does that buildup look where now you get into facing hitters? And now you get into simulated games, what would qualify as a rehab assignment. But I think the important thing, just sort of big picture with the Dodgers and Shohei Otani, they want Shohei Otani at his best as a two-way player going into October. And that's why they went hard after starting pitching depth. That's why they don't feel like they have. They never felt like they had enough because they want to have that sort of coverage because

Clay and Kirshah is not going to start the season with the team, obviously. Shohei Otney isn't either. They wanted to build in that excess of starting pitching debt. So they don't need Shohei El Tine to pitch for them in April. They don't even need it in May. I would venture to say they don't even need it in June. And I'm not saying it's going to be this long. But if it were to come to that.

It's not the end of the world. It's not the end of the world. And remember, he's not just coming off time. me john surgery he's trying he's also coming off uh labrum surgery on his non throwing shoulder and he's got a there's a progression there on the hitting side and as as a dog just talk about all the time there's no blueprint for this there's no manual on how to rehab this player they're coming up with it on the fly so and i think the best thing for them to do is read and react and it seems like this was that situation they're reading and reacting here show hey otani's going to make the roster i know that for

It's breaking. It's breaking. Okay. Who's going to be the 26th man? Who's the final guy? Yeah, it's interesting. And maybe I'm getting too in the weeds here, but like I've always felt like that last piece needed to be a left-handed bat

because I feel like they're very right-handed heavy, especially on their bench. But you're not going to force something in there that doesn't make sense. And obviously, when they signed Kim, like he seemed like the obvious fit, play second base, at least against right-handed pitching. But keep in mind, he can be options to the minor leagues. And he's a guy that they're invested in for the future. if they feel like he still needs development, I don't think it's in their best interest to just place them on an opening their

right. Exactly. Yes, it's definitely that. I think the defense is there. The speed is plus plus, and I think the bat needs to catch up a little bit. So I don't know if they're all,

they've ultimately come to this decision, but I think it'd be very easy for them to send him down to AAA, get him some seasoning that he still needs. And then I think it becomes a question of, is it Andy Pahas or is it James Outman? Okay. And James Outman being the left-handed hitter, I think it makes a lot of sense because we know Kike is going to be in the lineup against left-handed pitching.

So they need someone to start against Ritey's. But if Andy Pahas proves to be the best person for the job, and we've seen Andy Pahas really perform, and he could definitely play center field. Maybe they can go with Andy Pahas and center and Tommy Edmund in second base a lot of the time. But I think right now it's probably down to Andy Pahas and James Outman if Kim's going to get seasoning down in the minor lakes. Yeah, and we saw earlier Dino Ebel working behind the locker room here. working with Andy Paix has on some of his defense, you know, kind of charging the ball, the throw, the crow hop.

We understand with Paez, the kind of question is that defense, is it going to be consistently major league ready? And then the polar opposite with James Outman where the defense is there. Last week, Dave Roberts, a little bit more critical of Audi swing and where he's at right now. But then he drops a three-round homer last night in the ball game for this team. Outman, a left-handed bat, but still, like, I guess these are champagne problems. And we're talking about the final guy in the roster who, they're barely. They're going to get that much playing time.

I probably shouldn't say gunned to your head. But gun to your head. Who's that last guy? Who do you think does end up getting that last spot? Because I agree. It's not going to be Kim. I think he gets more time. We should throw in Eddie Rosario too.

That's a great point. In camp, Lieutenant of a veteran bat. Remember that? What about David Bodie? Another righty is another one. And keep in mind that it's going to be an inconsistent playing time. It's got to be somebody who can not play for three days, then get in the lineup and be effective.

Gun on my head right now, I would say Andy Pahas. Even though he's not a left-handed bat, I just think he has proven to be the more productive player in the big leagues, especially recently, but I could see it going anyway. Yeah, it's tough. I mean, these are decisions I'm glad I don't have to make, but I can't imagine what they're kind of going through right now because there's a lot of good options in that.

All right, we talked about the holes. We talked about Sasaki needing that third pitch. We just had Kirshah on foul territory. Looks like he's going to be coming back in June, obviously not starting the season with the team, probably going on the 60 day. This is Bobby from the Bobby Bone Show. It's the perfect time to get that Hyundai car or SUV that you've been wanting

because the Hyundai getaway sales event is happening now. Enjoy great deals across Hyundai's entire award-winning lineup, like the Tucson with next level tech and safety features, or the Santa Fe with three full rows of premium comfort standard, or the bold and super stylish Elantra, or go all-electric with their breakthrough SUV, the Ionic 5. You can't go wrong with whatever model you choose. and getting away with a great deal is just the beginning,

because every new Hyundai is backed by America's best warranty, which means you can shop with confidence and drive with unrivaled peace of mind. So get down to your local Hyundai dealer and get away with the deal so right it almost feels wrong, but don't wait, the Hyundai Getaway sales event won't be around for long. Visit HyundaiUSA.com. Recall 562-314-4603 for more to tells. At Big O, when tire trouble is what you're focused on, our team of experts say, bring it on.

Now through April 12th, get $80 in rebate savings on four select in-stock Michelin passenger or light truck tires with installation purchase. Plus get an additional $80 in instant savings from Big O. We turn big problems into no problem at all. Big O tires. The team you trust. Installation required. Disposal fees and shop fees extra work permitted. C store for pricing.

Eligibility may vary. not valid with other offers. Support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On public, you can build a multi-asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto, and now generated assets, which allow you to turn any idea

into an investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt, from renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year. You can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work.

It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one-of-a-kind index, and lets you backtest it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com slash podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com slash podcast.

Paid for by public investing. Brokred services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member Finrae and SIPC. Advisory services by Public Advisors LLC, SEC registered advisor. Generated assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete Disclosures available at public.com slash disclosures. But this is a team, Alden, that obviously won the World Series last year.

This is a team that has expectations to do it all over again. You talked about the Youngblood that hasn't won before coming over here. I mean, is this the best in terms of, you know, the construct of a roster that you've seen in a long time in terms of guys that have been there but guys that want it? I can't imagine a deeper roster. I really can't. I mean, you talk about just organizing. I mean, the fact that the Dodgers signed everybody that they signed this offseason

and some publications still rate their farm system number one in the industry is incredible. But if you just look at the Major League side, if that rotation is healthy, I think it's up there with the Mariners for the best rotation in baseball. Well, now they're down possibly with George Kirby going out of the Mariners. We'll see what happens as how long he's out with the information. And that lineup, how could you picture a lineup better than that? one through nine, by the way, one through nine that lineup. Let's add, let me, let me expand on that a little bit because last year we had some times on our show,

everybody did, talking about the bottom part of the order, that the Dodgers lineup. We know what you're going to get pretty much one through five, right? But there was more production needed from the bottom part of the order. Have they addressed that? Tommy Edmund. Tommy Edmund changed the complexion of the bottom third of their lineup. I mean, look at what he did in the playoffs. That's why they love him so much.

That's why they extended him. They tried to trade from like three different times. Yeah, they've been on him. a long time for a long time. Tommy Edmund batting eighth or ninth in your lineup is just the perfect fit to just kind of be an on-based guy for when it flips over again for Shohei and moogie and Freddie and all those guys. Michael Comforto. I'm very interested to see like his name barely ever comes up. He gets lost in this lineup. But I'm very curious. And I know his splits for kind of weird is home road splits for, but not playing in San Francisco anymore. Getting in with the Dodgers

hitting guys. What can they tap into from Michael Comforto? They identified him and gave him good money You don't have to be the man here because there's 25 other men. And we saw how that benefited to Oscar Hernandez. Correct. Right. He didn't have to anchor a lineup. And we got the best offensive version of to Oscar Hernandez. Honestly, I think the first half of the season, Alden, you know better than I.

I think all the Erks Malden was the MVP in the first half of the season. I think Teo was the first half of the season MVP for doctors. He was the most consistent member. While so many guys were in and out, he was such a consistent run producer for them. An important addition to this team. And I like you mentioning, Conforto, not really getting a lot of love, not getting a lot of respect. from people, maybe not so much respect. Another guy, I feel like we're not talking enough about,

we should be talking about two-time Saly Young Award winner, Blake Snell added to this team. I'm stuck on pitching very clearly. What do you think somebody like Blake Snell adds to this rotation that is already incredibly talented? Well, this is, when you look at this rotation, I think the spectrum of potential outcomes is very wide because there are a lot of guys who have incredible talent,

high ceilings, Tyler Glassnow, Yoshino Mi Amamoto, at the forefront of what, I'm mentioning here, but also injury risk, right? Like you can very well see issues come up. Glass now and Yamoto missed significant time last year with significant arm issues. Adding somebody like Blake who, it's weird to say, he's like the workhorse of this rotation. He's, what's his career, 180 innings, which is, maybe it's a lot in today's game, but it's not a lot in general, but he's a sure thing.

He's as much of a short thing as his rotation gets. That's why they wanted him. That's why that was their number one priority in the offseason. And not Juan Soto, it was Blake Snell because this rotation needed a sure fire. Every fifth day guy. Every fifth day guy who could hold up. After all of our pets' heads fell off for this team last year in terms of starting pitching, you need to have those kind of guys that can go out there,

plug them in every fifth or six day. And no, they're going to be good for you. It's very clear this front office was thinking we are not going to bullpen game our way to a World Series again. We're going to make sure that we have enough starting pitching. It's a lot of stress, a lot of gray airs. Oh, gosh. I know. Well, Alden, we appreciate you. Always do a great job covering this team and the other 29.

Let's be fair with ESPN. We appreciate it. Well, a lot of people say I don't cover the other 29. No, well, that's because, yeah, I know, I know, I know. It's fine. You hate everybody. That's not just how it goes. Can't please everybody. You can't please everybody. Alden, appreciate it very much.

Thank you. Coming up, let's check out last Licks. All right, guys. All right. We want to once again introduce you to Max. He's a good boy. He's a one-year-old, beautiful border collie, Australian Shepherd Bernese Mountain Dog Mix, we think. We are awaiting the official DNA results.

He's looking for a forever home. He's a beautiful dog, as you can see. We need a home that has older kids, probably high school aged kids or no kids. He's a little bit of a resource garter. He's a little bit protective. He was found in the desert near Fresno, California, kind of fending for himself. He's a great dog, though. Gidre's Guardian Foundation will also provide training for Max as well. If you're interested, hit us up. All right. So this is fun because we get to be together here. We're going to go check out a game.

We're having our sit-down exclusive tonight with Dave Roberts. Hopefully we can talk about his new contract if the Dodgers make it official. If not, whatever. Are you doing All Dodgers tonight? No, because we're talking to Dave. That's right. We're going to be hanging out with Dave Roberts. So come hang out here.

We said it on last show as well. I'm going to try to figure out some sort of all Dodgers content. I'm wearing it all over my body here. Yeah, what the hell? Where's your foul territory stuff? I'm a big boy. They don't make my size. But the plan is the hope, guys, call in to my voicemail hotline for my show.

We want to have voicemails for Alana. Please be respectful, you sickos out there. But we want to take some calls, take some questions, talk about the team, talk about your time here. Because you're hanging out with a celebrity when you're walking around Camelback Ranch with Alana Rizzo. It's cool. Thank you. You do your work here. And we also got some exclusive behind the scenes access at the new pitching lab.

Yeah, it's really, really awesome. But what I love is behind us, seeing that there's a ball game about to happen. There's this one. There's one more tomorrow, and then this team is gone. Tokyo and a week from tomorrow is opening night. Yeah, and they're not coming back here. They're going straight to L.A. for the exhibition and the freeway series. Before we let you guys go, though, and Clint and I get over to watch the ballgame before we get set for Dave,

Roberts informing non-roster invitee Matt Sauer that he's traveling to Tokyo. That's a special moment. That's pretty cool. The whole moment, the way it showed up or showed out is Sauer didn't have his best outing by far. And he's pissed at himself trying to come off the mountain. Dave's like, no, you're good. This is one of the things that's so great about Dave, too, is the human touch you do get with Dave Roberts, you know, Sauer saying he wanted to be pissed. He was confused.

But Dave saying, no, you're coming with us. It doesn't mean he's on the opening day roster. But what Dave told reporters earlier is everybody who travels with the team is about 30, 31 players going with the team. Not everyone's going. There's a lot of guys that are being reassigned and not on the trip. The players who do go with the team, they're going to at the bare minimum, get in those exhibition games against the Giants.

And I think the heroes are the teams they're playing. So really, really cool stuff for Matt Sauer, who has some big league time under his belt. But now he's a real big leaguer, as Tommy Lassortem, I'd say. You're with the Dodgers. You're a major league. Now you're welcome to the big leagues. Let me ask you this. Alden Gonzalez feels that Andi Pahas is going to be the 26 man.

What about what's your thought? Who do you think makes that last spot? I think it makes sense for him just because getting some more time around this team, continuing to kind of grow as a big leaguer. You might as well do it with the major league coaching staff. I don't think he's going to be with the big league club for like all of April just because they need to get him consistent playing time. And he'll get that in AAA.

Yeah, exactly. His future is brighter than somebody like James Outman. We love James Outman, of course. but he's fallen on hard times in his career. And I think Jimmy Outman coming up, being a lefty off the bench for this team, until they figure out some other options, whether it do be an Eddie Rosario, some sort of non-roster guy. They do have some options still left here in camp.

David Bodie, of course, you mentioned. He's having a great spring. And again, you take spring training results with a grain of salt, okay? But he is having, I mean, if he's trying to win himself a job, he's doing everything in his power to be able to show them what they have. All right. So, again, don't forget. Plus, he was nice to you.

That's an important thing. He was nice to you. Everybody's nice to me. Don't forget to join us tonight at 5 p.m. Pacific Clint and I have an exclusive sit down with Dave Roberts. He's taking us through his mind instead of what he was going through. Of course, we're all Monday morning quarterbacks, right? But he's going to take us through what he was going through when he led this team to a World Series championship in 2024. We appreciate you guys being with us.

Remember to like, subscribe, all of the good things. We will see you shortly tonight, 5 p.m. Go Dodgers. Bye. No matter what kind of car you drive, two things are always true. All tires eventually need replacing and all vehicles need servicing.

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