Talkin' Baseball (MLB Podcast) - 469 | AL East | Profile & Projection

Episode Date: April 3, 2022

The AL East is up next in the Team Profile & Projections. Did the Bluejays leapfrog the rest of the division? Do the Yankees suck? Are the Red Sox going back to the playoffs? The Orioles. Do the Rays still have magic? Presented by SeatGeek Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello and welcome back to another episode of team profiles and projections here on Talking Baseball presented by Seat Geek. My name's Jimmy. I got Jake here, Trevor, BBD as always coming to you from the Draft King Studios in Manhattan. Here's how these work. If you haven't been tuning in, we've already done four. This is the fifth, if you're listening on the podcast apps, because we're going by division. And this is the AL East.

we will be talking about all five teams 15 minutes on the clock for each if you're watching on YouTube we break it down one video per team we're going to find out how we feel about all of these squads this division is rather stacked and I'm excited to weed through it are you guys ready I think so all right a couple minutes ago I lied it's not 15 minutes on the clock for every team these Orioles are getting less than that because they don't deserve it. One, two, three, go. All right.

The Baltimore Orioles finished 52 and 110 last year. They won 52 games and they missed the playoffs. They did have a standout in Cedric Mullins, and that is exciting. And they changed their stadium dimensions this year. It might be the biggest difference about it. Their pitching staff may give up far less home runs now. Jake, can you tell us if they added any?

one to that staff or anywhere else. So they lost Pedro Severino. They'll replace him with Robinson, Chorinos. Great baseball name. They lost the Harvies, Matt and Hunter, Fernando a bad. How about that? They added Jordan Liles right before the lockout. Rugnett Odor goes from R. Yanks to Baltimore.

He's going to hit 35. I mentioned Chorinos. Chris Owing shed long on some minor league stuff. Not a lot of flash from your Baltimore Orioles. Trev, the rotation slash John Means and the fellas. Yeah, we can start out what John Means, left hander, 362 last year, career high 134Ks. Do you throw a no-hitter last year or the year before? Last year.

It was a year of the no-hitter. So we like that. John Means, let's go, man, keep it going behind him. Jordan Miles, Tyler Wells, Bruce Zimmerman, Zach Louther, Kegan Aiken. That's a name that you guys say all the time. Yeah. Keegan Aiken. Dean Kramer rounding out some rotational depth, the bullpen, more guys who I just,

I don't know name-wise, but we're going to dig into that. Cole Sussler, Solcer, Tanner Scott, Dylan Tate, Jorge Lopez, and Paul Fry. There's some other guys there as well. not a lot of household names there they're kind of ranked towards the bottom for a reason James what about that line up they got anybody that can save them? Not really no I mean

they got Cedric Mullins they got Ryan Mountcastle Anthony Santander Trey Mancini these are all names I know but it might just be because I watch a lot of AL East games so I don't know if everyone knows these guys Austin Hayes Rugnett O'Dore is now with the Orioles name a lot of you probably know Raymond

Ramon Reyes Jorge Mathan Robinson Trinnos. So that's the crew. They picked up Ramon Urius on waivers in 2020. They picked up Jorge Mateo on waivers in 2021. You have Anthony Santander, a Rule 5 guy. Odor is a free agent and Trino's free agent's very low-signing free agent. So I'm just letting you paint the picture. they haven't really acquired much. A lot of their draft picks are playing. But I don't know how much hope is still there for a lot of them,

which is sad. And that's a genuine question, Jake. Like some of these big guys, Mount Castle, some of the others, can you speed me up to date? Like, is hope still bountyful? No, we're still good. Mount Castle and Austin Hayes especially. Okay.

Mount Castle's 25. Austin Hayes is 26. I mean, Mount Castle is projected to hit 30 dongs this year. Austin Hayes is projected at 26. I think he was like a three-war guy last year. So the offense, end of the day, and hey, it's a little bit of Camden.

It's a little bit, there's some hitters on this team. Everyone knows Trey Mancini and good. He's awesome. Just a hitter, a solid hitter. You know, this team was like, 19th and average, 23rd in OPS last year, still not elite. The problem was they were 30th in pitching ERA for starters.

They were 30th in ERA for bullpen. They have no pitching. And it's just really sad because it's an awesome stadium. It's a fun baseball franchise. It feels like they've been in the teeth of a rebuild for a while without any... Like Cedric Mullins broke out last year. and he was a prospect that they half gave up on, if we're being honest. He fought back.

He was awesome last year. Let's hope for everyone's sake he repeats that. And, you know, there's going to be an Adley Rushman conversation. But you wish there was three more Adley Rushman because there's not a ton, Trev. No, there is. I mean, if there's one thing you could hang your hat on as an Orioles fan right now, I mean, you have some guys that are fun to watch in the Big League level. But when you're in this position that they're in, you want to know,

Is the Calvary coming? Right. They have six prospects in the top 100. That's really good. I mean, I don't have the prospect rankings in front of me. They got to have one of the better farm systems in baseball with that. Only two are projected to be there this year. Adley.

No one cares about this year. No one cares about this year. You have Adley Rushman. You have Ryan Mountcastle. And then behind them, Grayson, Rodriguez. D.L. Hall could be there this year. He's a pitcher. He's good.

Colton Couser, Gunner Henderson, and Cousie. Kobe Mayo. I mean, some of those guys, yeah, they're a little bit further away, but this it lines right up with kind of where they want to be. They're not competing this year. We know that. The following year, hey, let's see what we got. Following year to that, here we go. So this is probably a 24 thing for them with all these guys up there together, where they're making league minimum and you can go add pieces. So the future is there. If, you know, let's say two or three of these guys really hit, plus Mount Kast's, Plus, Mullins.

I guess you could add Rushman in there. I'd rather be in their position than a lot of other teams that we start out talking about on these. The first team, the last place team in the division. I'd rather be with the Orioles than, you know, say the Pirates or even the Nationals who we just talked about. Division's brutal. Yes. And like what I guess that's the only opposite. Like, what would we be saying if they, if they half-heartedly signed a couple free agents, they'd still be in fifth place?

No, I mean, they don't care. They ran Pat Valake out there, like, all season. Hey, hey. Treps guy. Sorry, Treve. I have, like, 45 OPS Plus. I know, but he had, like, a 45 OPS plus, and they ran them all season. Good nickname.

And they'll just do that again. They did it, like, last year with, like, Freddie Galvis and. They're up-the-middle combination are both guys they got off wave. That's what I'm saying. Yeah. They're not faking it. They're just really hoping the prospects are good. And then in the last four years of their window,

they can like supplement them and hope that other teams around them aren't good. Yeah, I mean, that's where they're at. And Orioles fans know that. But again, six prospects in the top 100. You got to at least say, okay, we can make some trades. We can have these guys come be guys this year, 2022. ain't going to happen. I guess the part that bums me out is they

haven't had a team identity in a while. Their team identity has just been losing. If they supplemented this lineup with a couple hitters, you'd be like, all right, the Orioles have a fun lineup. Like they'll stumble into some wins. Like Hayes, Mancini, Santander, Mountcastle and Mullins, those are guys that are Major League lineup guys,

second half of the lineup. With that pitching, there's nothing here. It's going to be a long year in Baltimore. It is. And they moved the fence back? They did. In left field, the power alley there. I'm just interested to see how that changes things.

Buzzard. For themselves. That was eight minutes. We're doing eight minutes? Yeah. Over under 62 and a half. Under. Under.

What's the over under? 62 and a heath. Under. Sorry. They got off to a hot start last year, didn't they? In 2020, I think they did. I think, yeah. There was one year we took the under and they were like,

they came out like really hot. We're like, man, it's going to be tough to get it. I think you still hit it. 2020. Yeah, yeah. They finished fourth in the east that year. Is that the year that Red Sox quit? Cora wasn't there.

Yeah, had a walking dead manager. Yeah. Now it was 2020. They were like, I know, they're still not good. 52 and 110 last year. Did they get better? Did the division? Yeah.

That stinks, man. Sorry if Baltimore. We'll go catch some games down there. It's a nice stadium. I love Camden Yards. So farm system, Keith Law, biggest fan of mine, Keith Law, he always says that how he loves my work,

ranks them 10th in the big leagues. That's what I'm saying. Their farm system? That's tough. All right, let's move on to teams that are trying and deserve more time on the clock resetting my timer now. And we are moving on to the Boston Red Sox.

Now, I don't know our audience, lean Yankees, obviously, because Jake and I are Yankees and started this. And I don't know what the polling for all this stuff happened at a different time. I have no idea. But they- Before Trevor Story. Before Trevor Story. There you go.

The Red Sox finished 92 and 70 last year. They lost in the ALCS. They were supposed to just be in seeing what we got and rebuilding and all. Not like full rebuild, but retooling, I guess, regrouping. And they were awesome. They had an identity, they had fun, they had consistency. I was very jealous as a Yankees fans of the way the team felt. And now they went out and they supplement it.

And I don't think we got to give Hime that much time anymore, Treff. Jake, can you tell us what they did, what Hime did this offseason? So they did lose some stuff, man. Kyle Schwabo came over. You know, he was having fun in the playoffs. He had a huge year. He's in Philly. Erod, man, a mainstay of that rotation for a long.

long time. He's now in Detroit. Hunter Renfroza Brewer. Out of Vino's a Met. Jose Iglesias, remember that? He was good for them, but he couldn't play in the playoffs. He's a Rocky, Garrett Richards, Martin Perez, Danny Santana, still a free agent, who they added. Trevor Story highlights it. All-world middle infielder. He's going to play some second base for him. That's going to be an interesting storyline. Jackie Bradley Jr. returns. They signed some pitchers that they just want to get innings from Michael Waka and Rich Hill. Jake Deekman and the Penn, circle that one. I think he could be very important to their season.

Big game, James Paxton. He's coming off T.J. He'd have to be around at the later part of the year. We'll see if he has an impact on the season. And then some M.LB dudes floating around Matt Strom, Travis Shaw, Hansel Robles, a couple minor league deals at the end there. So the Red Sogs retooled a little bit around their core. And why wouldn't you?

Because some of those core pieces are awesome. Trev, tell me about the rotation and give me some feeling, because I don't know. I have mixed emotions. You know, I feel like that's how you should feel. Okay. Your gut is right on, as usual. Sticking out a little bit, it's feeling around,

and hit right on the button right there. Nathan Eovaldi, he's in my book. He's going to lead the rotation. Nick Povetta, full pension Piv, right behind him. I think he really found some confidence in the playoffs last year that I hope transfers over into this season. Tanner Howe made 13 starts from last year did really well for them

and like you said Waka and Rich Hill come in to eat up some innings the big question mark here is the sale he has like a stress fracture in his rib that doesn't feel good got to rest that I'm not exactly sure when he's going to be there but it won't be for opening day the bullpen really good

how about that how's your gut saying about the bullpen okay we got Matt Barnes Jake Deekman came over. Garrett Whitlock was awesome. Came over from the Yankees. You guys know him. Little dagger right there. Brazier. Brasier.

I can never pronounce that name. Brazier. Brazier. Brazier. Are you serious? Yeah. Okay. Matt Strom from the Padres. He likes to open up baseball cards. Actually, that's not the right guy I'm talking about. Okay. Is it?

I think he's a different guy. And a bunch of other guys round out their bullpen. Pitching staff, for me, six or seven out of ten? James, what about that lineup, though? I think you're going to rank a little bit higher. The lineup is very consistent with what it was last year. Last year, the mainstays.

You got returning Devers at third base, J.D. Martinez, Dejing Verdugo, and left. Zander at short. Vasquez behind the dish, dollback at first base. You got Kike Hernandez bouncing around in the outfield now. It was him in Renfro last year. JBJ this year. And then at second base, they really didn't know what's going on. They went through a platoon of guys.

And now they have Trevor Story, who they signed and will be playing second base. So swap Renfro for JBJ and it's minus offensively, but it's a plus defensively. And then swap, you know, Marwin Gonzalez, Christian Arroyo, whoever else was over there, Iglesias, Jack Lopez for Trevor. story. So they have a good lineup. They line up got better because Renfro plus the slog at second is less than story in JBJ, in my opinion. Especially when you do the full offensive profile and you have story who can steal backs. So that's the lineup. It's pretty good lineup. That's their plus for sure. Let me put some respect on Brazier's name because you've had a

1-5. 12 endings last year, but a 1-5. Let me put some respect on her name, but I'm sorry. Now, as a cute-infused puppy. No need. Crooked. These are the Boston Red Sox. Cora, I'm sure we'll talk about him, another manager that deserves to be talked about in this. The lineup,

I didn't realize my guy, Bobby Dwalbach. He hit 25 ding-dongs last year in 133 games, his first full season of baseball. If he takes a step up and we're adding another fearsome bat to the lineup. Remember when we do the unit draft?

You said something about him not being great, but I thought he had a great year. He finished very strong. He finished strong. I mean, for a first full season, it's a good year. I think the expectations were a little high because his sample size in 2020 was really good.

He had a 959 OPS. So last year, 792, a 105 OPS plus. You're playing in Fenway. You get a couple extra dongers. I'm interested, dude, if he takes a next step, I mean, whoa, because you're going Kike Devers, Bogatz, Matinez, Vedugo, Story, do all back. And that's where J.B.J. and Christian Vasquez do what you guys do. Be pesky at the plate at times and do your thing on defense.

And it's come together for Boston in previous years when it does. It is a beautiful thing. That lineup, man, especially the heart of it. When Devers, Bogartz, and J.D. are rolling. You're just in hell. never mind when Verdugo's right or Kike's right. Now Trevor's story. The pitching I have question marks.

I think it's genuine and fair. But Boston and Cora, when they get it rolling, they seem to find a way. Nick Povetta is the wild card here, or the X Factor, I think so. I think you know what you're going to get out of Ievaldi. You know, I think he'll be streaky. They'll have some really, really good runs.

You might have a few bad starts here and there. Povetta kind of has been the same way. but he never he is a a guy that believes in himself but the results haven't been there and then he had some like I said

some really good outings in the postseason and that could that could flip something for a player like that stuff hey he's I think I'm good but then when you know you're good and you can really do it

in those pressure moments that can translate so I think if he comes out and he's like as good as people have consistently told me he is remember in the Phillies they said this guy

I could win multiple si-yungs. Now, obviously, I don't think that's the case. But when you're speaking that highly about someone, you know, when there's smoke, there's fire. So he has some potential in him. If he goes out and fulfills that to even 80 percent, then we're talking on a much stronger rotation. Then we get Chris Sale coming back in. Tanner Hauk's still doing his thing. Then we start to see some depth there.

We can dream upon it, Jake. I love the dream. Sometimes you can dream just by eating some chocolate during the day. Wow. I don't know that. What do you think? heavy. I mean,

yeah. Say it, baby. Let your heart be free. The lineup's scary because I think they can meet you in a lot of different ways. And that's fun. I don't like the pitching,

but I like it against the Yankees. How about that? Like, against the rest of the league, I think, I don't know. I wouldn't love it. But the Yankees can't hit these guys. so that's good for them. They play the Yankees a lot.

Like if you showed me that this was like the twins' rotation or the White Sox rotation in another league, I think I'd be like, eh, can be great, can be really good. I think they're definitely going to need a six and a seven, but Yanks can't hit these guys at all. So fuck me, right? I think they're like, I was looking at Waka and Hill shocked how many starts they made.

Hill made 31 starts last year. Michael Wacham made like 25 or something like that. I don't know how good they were. Rich Hill is better than his ERA. The innings aren't there, but he gave the Mets or like a winning effort as a starter every night, basically. I was going through that stuff

trying to find some hope. And instead I found more like, God, I hope the Yankees don't get beat by these guys nonstop. Yeah. Yeah, circle Hauke and Poveta, Trev. I think you're around it. Hauk has all the arm talent and arm angle you can want from a young pitcher, Povetta with the postseason.

If one of those guys takes a leap and is a dude, like, pen Boston into the playoffs. Penn Boston into the playoffs, because the lineup will be there day and day out. Yeah, it's just, it's how much, how much they can pitch in this brutal division, and we're going to be saying this basically for the next three teams is going to depend if you're an 85 or a 95 win team. The AL East is brutal, and if how can Povetta,

if they're both guys and Sail bounces back, you're talking about probably the A.L. East champ, Boston Red Sox. If Sale has an injury-riddled year and, you know, Povetta plays more towards his career stats, like then, you know, I think you have a chance of, Boston being an 86-win team that just tries to out-hitch you every day. And a lot of days they will. But that's a tough way to live or die. So we'll see.

We'll see. And man, when Boston's the summer hits and that team's rolling and winning games and Cora's yelling at the other team, I mean, it's fucking poetry in motion for those Red Sox fans. And it's been driving us nuts for a couple years now. Does Haim know it's time? Like is he out there looking at those A's pitchers right now? Like every single other organization is?

Like do they add that? Now you start talking about a different team. If you're bringing in a monta to Suraminaya, you're talking about much more depth there. Paveta also made 30 starts. So they have guys that can eat innings. But to add another effective starter, for instance here, Sports Illustrated wrote an article.

and you want to hear the headline? Yeah. I just Googled Red Sox starting pitching to see what was out there. I like to see kind of what's out there in the world on the internet. Never heard of it? Red Sox hopes depend on new story, same meh rotation. So we're in tune with what people are thinking, although I'm probably a little bit bigger believer in the rotation

because I'm going to give Havetta. I'm going to say he's going to do a lot better this year. I can see him being in a threes this year. The only thing I'd say there, Fenway does, your ERA is going to go up a little bit of Fenway. So I mean like a low four at Fenway is high threes. So that's the only add there. Yeah, hey, Schwerber was there. He was hurt and then he played part of the season.

This Red Sox team finished third in OPS last year. They added Trevor Story. Renfro had a nice year and that's the Jackie Bradley swap but this team stacked that lineup is stacked and I like Cora and he's never had a losing season

I do think the floor in the ceiling here is when the division or finish fourth yeah yeah I think most people will say that I think we I mean and if this is the first episode you're listening to like we're talking floor and ceiling

I don't want Red Sox fans to be all up in arms about it we will say the same about the the Yankees. Yeah, the Yankees and I think the Blue Jays, but I don't think the race. I don't think the Jays. I do think the race. I don't think the race are four in the division. Two minutes on the clock, 85 and a half is the over under. Over. Where are we landing? Over. Over. Over. Over. Easily for you guys. Really? Over. They just get rolling, man. Like, I feel like those dog days of summers belong to the Red Sox. I don't know why. They just beat us down a little bit. they just they're so consistent sometimes when the offense is going

and I mean I pull up whatever I've done this rant a lot I pull up like the batting order that core uses all the time and just get so jealous because I think it's just the same just it's just whatever K. K. Beggars Bogart's J.D.

Yeah. We I mean is Redugo too last year but like it's just it is like wait if it's rolling, they just roll it where the Yankees switch it no matter what. If the Yankees are winning, they switch the lineup. If they're losing it. And I just love the rinse and repeat that he does in that style.

Why don't know why? I forgot. Because it fucking works. And all the teams that do it win. Yeah. Yes. Every big leaguer I ever ask, is it important to have a consistent lineup and know who you're hitting in front of him behind every day?

They say yes. So you guys are over 40 seconds on the clock for the red. socks. This is going to be the same as the NLES. There's a bunch of teams jumbled up there. Eighty-five wins is not going to get him in the place. I'm going to take the under. I like the teams I like the Rays

and the Jays much more. The Yankees. I'm about to find out. But I'm going to take the under here. I think it might end up being like a 500 ball club. Just because the pitching has some question marks. But again, ceiling is there. The ceiling is there. I'm not saying they can't people. I have to, I have to choose

some unders. I mean, that's the thing with this with this a. least, we're at some point, all of us are going to have to pick an under on a really good baseball team. So if this is yours, that's fine. There's not a lot of Utes on the way. Tristan Kassis is kind of their big prospect. He's expected like next year.

Marcelo Mayer is also a good one, but he's a 20-25 guy. So if they do have to go out and chase, other teams might have stuff a little more MLB ready. But we'll see. Where's Jeter Jeter Downs? I put my hands on this kid. What?

Nice, dude. Nothing. You know what the Red Sox have going for him? They have like the luck factor. It's they just like they'll win the close game and they'll win the games that you feel like they should lose. Ted Lassow, believe. Yeah.

They got Cor. Yeah, just the same. 26 and 18 in one run games last year. You touched Jeter Downs? I did. Timers up. Timers up. Ritin for you.

Outplayed their Pythagrum theorem, all that shit. All right. Moving on. Who is the next team on the list? Okay. Yeah. One, two, one, two, three, four. Fifteen minutes on the clock.

The next team we're talking about in the ALE East is the New York Yankees. How about that? A.L. Wild card game losers last year finished 92 and 70. So a winning season. Unbelievable, they won 92 games. I don't know how that happened. One of the more odders, odder years of Yankees baseball last year, they ranked bottom five in all the important offensive stats and top five in all the pitching stats. And when people look at their lineup right now, like if you were to give the lineup to a third party fan or whatever, an NL West fan, they'd be like, oh, that offense is good, but that pitching stinks.

And it's like, it was the exact opposite last year. But you're right. That's great, like party talk right there. If you want to sound like you know what the fuck you're talking about, bring that stat up. No one will believe you. Then you just bring out the old baseball reference show. It's like what we get on Twitter, like they're pitching stinks and their offenses are right. It's like, well, actually, it was the opposite last year.

But it's confusing, and you should be right. Jake, what do you got? What did they do? James, they lost. Gary Sanchez. Whoa, Yankee fans, hot button. He's in Minnesota with his friend, Gio Orchella. There's a big trade there.

Luke Voie. He's with the San Diego Padres. If he plays 150 games, that guy's going to hit about 35 to 40 home runs. Corey Klobors Array. Watch out for. that. We'll talk about that in a minute. Brett Gaudna is unsigned right now. That's an interesting topic. Tyler Wade, my doppelganger, he's on my halos. Ruggie's gone. Andrew Hingdog and Clint Frazier is a

Chicago Cub. A lot of names there. A lot of guys that were in the mix who they added. Anthony Rizzo re-signs. Oh, Josh Donaldson at the hot corner, literally, is going to be a hot corner with JD there. That's actually one of the more fun things heading into the same. season. At shortstop, they got Isaiah Kiner Folefa. He causes a fight in our office every day. Ben Roortvet will be behind the dish sometimes. Tim Lo Castro, Joelli Rodriguez's guest, caught me a Marwin, Edwin, Enciarte. I think those guys are going to get some run on the team this year's backups, but it's Donaldson, Rizzo, and IKF, three guys in the infield that should have big impacts. Trave, this rotation, I think people are saying it stinks.

the guy at the top's legit, and the other guys that follow. We've got some resumes. There's some guys here. There's no doubt about it. And I know, like you said, James, the name recognition isn't great. Obviously, Garrett Cole leading the way here. A really great year last year.

I don't know what you can say any differently than that. Second and the Cy Young voting, 15th in MVP voting, made his fourth all-star team. Whoops. Behind him to lefty, Jordan Montgomery. Savvy's coming back Tyone Nestor Cortez Jr. So you give me your fist starter?

For now. Like a swing guy. Okay. In the bullpen. Got to love the bullpen. Eraldus Chapman. Johnny Lazzania, Chad Green, Clay Holmes,

Wandi, Paralta. Like you said, James, this is a pitching staff that did really well last year. So you kind of say there is some, you know, veteran ship there too. So just rinse and repeat.

I don't think it's very, fluky, they could do it again. Now what about that lineup? Can they get better? Yeah, the lineup is a really interesting one. We got Anthony Rizzo playing first base for the full year. Aaron Judge, he's a monster. If you say something bad about him, you're dumb piece of shit. Hello. Love that guy. Joey Joey Gallo for a full year

Stanton for a full year Josh Donaldson Glaber Torres Aaron Hicks is back Isaiah Kineer Folefa Kyle Higashioca So the Yankees got marginally better At the corners

And then better at shortstop And catcher defensively But fully punted On offense At shortstop catcher in favor of getting better at defense. So that's the silly equation Yankees fans are fighting each other about is okay. Rizzo's better than void and Donaldson's better than Gio all around and Kiner's better at

defense and Higgie's better at defense, but Higgy and Kiner are so much worse at offense that the equation is like net neutral in the end. almost offensively Treve I'll tee up a little more I'll give you some of the hot buttons and you run because we talk about this on talking Yanksville Yeah I got I got questions hit me hit me with him

So Jimmy mentioned the corners I think there's general incitement there We got a weird dose of Rizzo last year He had a COVID thing You know might have zapped him a little bit Excited to see what the full product Really looks like with Riz this year

I think it could be a lot of fun Same with Donaldson electric Joey Gallo. We got a weird taste of Gallo last year. It wasn't pretty, and that's a dude who can put up 40 ding-dongs, especially at the stadium. Pretty easy. We're excited to find out. Glaber Torres, DJ LaMahue kind of hot button. Right now, DJ's supposed to be, he's listed in a utility role. He had the down year last year. He was hurt. Yankee fans expecting to be back. Hit lead-off-ish or be really good, which means there's kind of a playing time conundrum. And Glaber was their prince that was promised. He had a bad year.

He wasn't a shortstop. And they're going to find out what's going on there. So it all leads to ICF in the catcher situation. Aaron Hicks is back. He's been hurt. A team that couldn't hit last year didn't necessarily upgrade their hitting. They retooled some things and some guys really should bounce back. But it's the scary part in Yankee land because there were so many free agents.

They stayed under the cap. Fake cap. excuse me, sorry Trevor. And it should have been go time for a Trevor story. Jimmy's got to add one more thing. We're Yankee guys and then it's all you, dog. I forgot to say DJ Lemayu because they're acting like he's a utility guy, not a starter.

Another thing that I'm very upset about. Trev, you're up. Okay. My questions go back to the rotation. We got a couple guys so I didn't mention. I saw Debbie. I saw a tweet about his fastball velocity being like a 95 or something. What's going on with that?

He's going to be in the next. No, no, no, no, no. Not as of now. injuries heal. Injuries would have to play out for heel, Davy, and Schmidt to get in the equation. I believe what they have. I believe heels over Davey right now on like the spot starter list because he just needs to find the zone and throw strikes where Davy they're still like retooling who he is as a pitcher. Last year was a disaster.

Davey's under construction. A disaster last year for Davey. Yeah, he's under construction. Very young. Very young. Yeah. And that's why. I think they rushed him and then they realized.

fuck we rush this kid okay yeah a little bit of a log gem there i love the i kf talk in the uh in the office i'm not in the office i do get on text every once in a while like uh this morning i did yeah yeah a lot of fighting you know what's hot is telling me though it's hot it's hot it's good to have it's a good problem to have you got too many good players in the infield that's fine be happy with that it's better than having holes problem is jay i don't think Clef is good. I think you're going to like him. You need to see him play some ball and make some plays, get some big hits,

maybe swipe some bags or something. He's going to endear himself to the fan base. It just hasn't happened yet. There is a chance. That's my opinion. Well, there is a chance. He needs to do that. Then the prospects, Volpea or Paraza,

need to be good enough to replace him in two years and then be good for the next four years for this offseason to make sense and be the smart decision and the odds of all of that happening are almost zero in my opinion. Yeah. If he hits like he did last year, I think there's going to be a lot of talk about like, you know, we need somebody that can rake. But he does provide you with wins. I mean, three seven war last year. Like if you just don't look at that OPS plus. And I said, you're going to get a 3-7 war out of your shortstop. You guys would be happy.

So I know it doesn't always show up and like maybe he's not going to wow you. But at the end of the year, if he's saving runs and making plays and you already got guys around him that you know can bang. Hopefully everyone stays healthy this year. You won't really have to worry about the offense. If you can't point to another stat, like war does nothing for me. If you can't point to the umbrella stats underneath it to explain it. Okay.

And you can't with him. There's times where it just... The defense has to be special. I know, but defensive metrics change every year. And that's his... That's the thing. The Yankees haven't had special defense at short in a long time. If he has that, which I'll be honest, I don't fully know.

He won a gold glove at third. He went to short last year and some of the metrics loved him. So, yes, there's a percent chance that if he's crazy good at defense, he swipes 20 bags like he did last year, the Yankees did need some of that and he could be endearing. It's just scary when you went from Gary Sanchez, one of the bigger threats at the catcher position,

to now you have a whole hitting-wise at the catcher position while the hitting was the problem last year. It's kind of, it's a little bit of an unfair formula with ICF with the Yankees two top prospects also being shortstop, which has led us to come to a conclusion that ICF is there and if he balls out, good. but I do think the Yankees internally, if you gave them some truth serum, they want him to be caught by one of their top prospects.

Or look, sure, but he can still be good and be caught by a top prospect. Having this guy as a utility player on your team would be incredible. Yes, but not over Seeger Simeon Story Correa. Yeah, that's exactly, you know, we talked about that in the chat. That's the biggest thing is that Yankee fans were expecting one of those guys to end up there, whether it be Correa Storia or Simeon. By the biggest shortstop availability, like in the history of modern baseball,

and the Yankees went with zero of them. So that's why... Because, because not that they wanted ICAF, but they seem to really believe in these guys. It's the both. That's just kind of the truth right now. Yeah, they believe in him as a stopgap and there. But when Correa signs a deal with opt-outs and then story,

you know, and all the other deals are, and Story can sign and move, He already moved off a position. It's like, well, couldn't you? Yeah. So that's the frustration part with there. I am excited. So that's the half of it.

Yeah. I am excited for Rizzo and Donaldson because I do think they bring a veteran presence and intensity that this Yankees team has lacked. If you listen to talking Yanks, the, like I just got jealous of the Red Sox. I, of a consistent let's fucking go after it. Yankis have lacked that for like four years. It's just so calm and cool and casual. So I'm excited about J.D. bringing intensity.

Rizzo bringing stability and good defense at first, balance to the lineup. They lead the spring training and stolen bases and extra base is taken right now. So there's definitely clearly a like, let's be faster. And the eggs have been vocal about the need to be faster and more athletic, which there wasn't for three years. And so I'm like hoping that they actually do change. That being said, it's a tough division. And the pitching needs to duplicate what they did last year.

that's it's going to be tough to go back on your jd point in about the lineups if if they are shuffling the lineup like they did last year i promise you whether it's internally and we never hear about it or it becomes a thing and we hear about it through the media josh donelson will walk into erin boone's office and say put me in the fucking same spot in the lineup so i can prepare myself like he'll be the guy to do that i don't know if other yankees guys have done that I don't know if Judge or Stanton has walked in there saying, what are we doing? But if they haven't, Josh Donaldson is not afraid to do it.

And I believe Anthony Arizo is probably the same way. That would be great. I think we've told you, and if not, you're going to love this even more. Our guy, Dan Rourke, biggest Yankee fan in the world, and biggest Aaron Judge fan in the world, when the trade originally went down, he was accidentally spitting poetry, a Yankees' poetry. And he said when they got Donaldson,

they basically got the piss and vinegar that they needed that they would have gotten from Correa without the bad feelings of getting a guy from Houston and the bad guys that have bullied him. And it was... His exact line was it's like getting Correa without the cheating. And it was... Not skill-wise.

Not skill-wise, but... Mentality-wise. The piss and vinegar that the Yankees genuinely have been missing between rest days and we are the Yankees without being the Yankees and trying to be, be a weird mix of the rays in the Yankees that they just didn't have figured out.

The lineup, especially the top six, can be scary. We'll see what happens there. And I do think Luis Severino, we haven't really talked about him enough. His ceiling is high. His ceiling is very high when you look at his statistics. It's going to be interesting to see where he lands this year, especially later in the year if this Yankee team can meet or exceed X. and he looks like a dude,

then the whole tone around the Yankee season changes. Yankee fans aren't banking on it, I think. But they should be able to pitch enough. The bullpen is really solid. And I don't know. I mean, it's almost, will the prospects actually get the call? And what do they look like in this division?

Because it's good. I think Hixie coming back really helps. It could. I hope he gets out to a good start offensively and kind of rides that. I think he's going to bring good defense to center. He's kind of what he does. He's going the other way a lot in spring. I'm sure there's a specific emphasis on that during spring, but seeing it.

All big. There's an all big boy outfield, Trev, that they'll roll out some days. Gallo, Judge Stanton. The towers. What's the over-under? Hicks is big, too. Don't leave him out of that conversation. How tall is Hicks?

They're different kind of big. He's like normal baseball player tall. Yeah, he's not like tall, but he's a big boy. No, I mean, he's small. No, the towers, though, they're six five or taller, or six, six and taller. Freaks. Overrunners, 91.5. Mm-hmm.

92 games last year, right? What was 92 last year? Yeah. What was the Red Sox? 89 and a half or something. I don't get it. No, 85 and a half, right? I don't get it.

The numbers love this Yankees team. The analytics love this Yankees team. 85 and a half for the Red Sox. 85 for the Red Sox had 91 for the Yankees. These are up to date. What did these numbers get put in? Don't tell me these numbers have been put in before all the signings as well. No, I think they've been updating them.

I put those numbers in like three days ago. No, these are live. I'll double check them and see if they've changed again. They're scared of the Red Sox pitch. The Yankees pitching grades out well, and there should be bounce back guys on offense. Part of me understands it. It is just tough to see, and I think Jimmy's posture is delivering the message. Last year was a tough watch.

2020 was a tough watch. So Donaldson really has to change part of the culture. A couple guys have to have bounce back years. DJ LaMayhew should absolutely bounce back. He was hurt. I'm not taking the under. We got a weird sample from Gallo. Like, there are solutions here.

It's genuinely, as Yankee fans, you have to do some mental gymnastics. I'm not taking the under. So you're taking the over? I didn't say that. Okay. Trev? I'll start. I'll start.

Can you guys hear me? Yeah. I'm taking the under. Okay. Okay. Okay. Could happen. Ugh.

Um. Jake. And it's right there. I'm going to take the under. I believe in DJ. I believe in Sevi. You do? I'm Dan Rourke now.

You believe in Sevy? I mean, I want to. To a degree. Like, I mean, he could pitch two games and, and, but I want to.

I love Sevy. Like, he came back last year. He looked solid. He had a full season. Like, if Sevy pitches 20, 22 games, like I believe in Louis Severina.

Yeah, I do. I forgot it. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So, uh, I'll do it. Like maybe if I'm dumb, good. Give me the over.

Rather be optimistic and wrong than pessimistic. We're the New York Yankees, babe. We're the New York Yankees. That's why I'm not taking the under. What was the over under for them again? 91.5. 91 and a half. They won 92 last year and it was like an awful season.

I mean, Yankees have won 91 or more since 2017. Mine is 20-20. Obie. The fun thing is, some people are like, you Yankees fans are so fishy. And it's like, even the Yankees admit last year was awful. Yeah. Like, I don't know how they were.

Weird vibes. I don't know. Like, even like the players and Cashman and Boone, as everyone said, like, yeah, we need to change the vibes. Because it was just sad. They had like two different good, like 30 game stretches or so. And the rest was awful. All right.

Moving on. We are moving on. One, two, one, two, three, four. That a dot. 15 minutes on the clock. Welcome. some of we're talking about the Toronto Blue Jays. They went 91 and 71 last year,

but did miss the playoffs. I forgot how close that was at the end. That was really exciting. They are finally playing all their games in Toronto. Other teams will not be able to bring some of their unvaccinated players to Toronto, giving them somewhat of an advantage, kind of, not really,

maybe, I don't know, who cares everyone about a doop do. They're the darling right now. Which makes me think they're not going to, do good simply because they're the darling right the offseason darling has rarely been the in-season darling is the only thing i have in my head as like this doesn't add up but they're so the roster is so fun to look at Jake they lost some fucking guys and they gained some guys

can you tell everyone about it I mean Trevor plo's guys guys got added at the end here uh Marcus Simeon, an all-time season from a second baseman, and he set the tone for that team. He's now in Texas, and he got the bag, Trev. Let's get dinner with him sometime. Robbie Ray, another bag, a Cy Young. He gone. Stephen Matt's, really nice year last year.

He's in St. Louis. Randall, the fuck, Gritchick. He is now on your Colorado Rockies. Corey Dickerson, he gone. Kirby Yates, he gone, but he didn't really. play. Gunner Hogland, Kirby Sneed, Kevin Smith. You might not be familiar with those guys. Youngbloods, because they were in a big trade to get Treves. Dude, Matt Chapman will be on the hot corner for the Toronto Blue Jays. Kevin Gossman, trying to fill the shoes of Robbie Ray the best he can and his

numbers weren't far off last year. You say, and I say Cacucci, Jim's dude. He'll be there five. That's a nice five. Ramel Tapia came over in the Gritchick trade. Yemi Garcia, he'll be in the pen for them. And Trev, this rotation, a sneaky top five in baseball, something like that? If these guys click, man, with the offense, it's just, it's a strong team.

Give me the hurlers. You know how I feel about this first guy, Jose Barrios, my guy, heading the rotation along with Kevin Gowler, Houseman. Riu is there. Alec Manoa. Talk about darlings. This guy is going to turn into a stud. Just watch it and see. And your guy, James, you say Kakuche over their rounding out the road.

That's a solid, solid five right there. Moving on to the bullpen. They have some guys we really, really like here. Jordan Romano, Yami Garcia, Tim Miza, Adam Simber, Julian Mayweather, Trevor Richards. Not to mention Nate Pearson, who will see where he does. he was supposed to be like the ace of this staff kind of in the bullpen maybe he'll be a swing guy maybe they bring him back to the rotation who knows

Ross Tripling is there as well so they have depth a lot of good pitchers there but I think we're all just looking at this lineup James and just drooling a little bit right yeah they bang they bang that's all George Springer George Springer Vladdy Silver Daisy winner

Teasker Hernandez Bobichette, Alejandro Kirk, Lord is Griel, Jr., Matt Chapman, Cabin Bigio, Danny Jansson. I will say this. It's awesome. How many guys in that starting nine

that I just read come from the Blue Jays? Six of them. Six of the nine. Amateur free agents or homegrown. That's really cool. You got George Springer and Chat Chapman, obviously. Tay Oscar, how much run did he get before they traded for him?

Not a ton. Yeah, it was pretty quick, right? Yeah. That's awesome. I appreciate that. Their bench is nothing? If you're looking for any, like, sight unseen... Tappy is a fun ball player.

Like, he could fill in it outfield for a little while and... Yes. Yes. but I mean I'm searching for like you know everything looks kind of really nice Manoa stuff is dirty like nasty um so yeah this is a good team I said this Trevor you were I don't know if you had your headphones still in but the only fault I'm finding with this team is that the offseason darling and the Vegas favorite never very rarely pans out I agree with that and you know they were the off season darling but they also they were also good last year

It sounded like they were like crappy and then just signed a bunch of players All right or Texas Rangers. Like they have, they have some guys who really put up numbers last year. Yeah, but they missed the playoffs. They won 90 games. They missed the playoffs. Like,

I mean, they were good for their expectations last year. 91 games last year, right? They won. Game out. I have this team in front of the race who we're going to talk about next. I think this is one of the more complete teams in the big leagues.

I think that's fair. I also. love the fact that they have a bunch of homegrown guys. I'll give him to Oscar Hernandez. He played 40 games for Houston before he came over. Yeah, that's what I was saying. I really like that. I like that they've been aggressive in going

and inquiring starting pitchers, whether it be via trade or free agency. That's the name of the game, man. You have to have that and they do have that now. And I think they have really good depth there. So, I mean, maybe, yeah, you're talking about the bench, maybe being a problem, but, you know,

what the deep? The bench is going to be less and less. No, I'm talking about injury. Like used, I guess. They do have a catching prospect who's their number one prospect who's supposed to be here. Gabriel Moreno. What's up with Alejandro Kirk? They got him de-aging right now.

My thick king? He's going to de-h? Is Moreno, like, is he going to be there, like, soon? I honestly, I don't, you know, prospects guy, Jake. I don't have everything on Moreno. You're right. Top 10 guy. You know.

in the game. Yeah. Interested to see. Does he become an asset? They've loved Danny Jansen. His pitch framing or whatever they measure. They must love in Toronto. Same with Reese McGuire.

Those guys have kind of been doing it for them for a few years now as young catchers in the league with the option of Alejandro Kirk. So I don't know. I don't know if Moreno's a dude or if he's trade bait. But yeah, that's something you circle for this Blue J season to see what that means. Disgusting. Jim said disgusting into the mic. Is that Colin McHugh's a description of you?

Look at their batting orders for the month of... Oh, no. July. Or whatever the six month of the year is. We got a routine batting order? The same. Same six. Same five?

The same five. Yeah. Every single game besides two. Oh, babe. Hey, don't you guys work for the Yankees now? Can't you... Honestly, like I, we have some connections now that, like, I've never abused ever, and I might just start sending them pictures of this.

Yeah. Toronto Blue Jays were first in OPS last year, second in batting average. And Jim, I do know what you're saying. Like the Blue Jays, they didn't technically make the dance last year. They'll have a full season of Burrios. They should have a full season of Manoa. So there's a little bit of a pitching boost. George Springer, man, this guy is a freak of nature.

It doesn't get talked about enough. He was hurt last year. Trev, 78 games. He hit 22 homers. Like, he constantly does it. Teoscar Hernandez gets overlooked. Boba, Shett, Vladdy, like, these guys think they're next.

They think it's their time. They are peacocking a little bit. They're peacocking a little bit, but I understand why. Oh, they're not peacocking a little bit. They're peacocking hard. A lot. They're peacock and hard in a tough division. I'll preference this.

I think this is one of the most complete teams we've done. As far as lineup, defense, speed, like the offensive profile. I think they have a lot of it, and it's really good. The starting pitching, I think they have great depth. I like all the starters.

The bullpen also really good. I think it's one of the most complete teams we've done. They're getting too much hype. Baseball's hard. Weird shit happens. And I don't think they're light ears better than the other three teams in the division. And baseball's weird and baseball's hard and injuries happen. And until the rays get beat, the rays are better than you.

So can they finish first? Absolutely. Like, absolutely. And like I said, I think it's one of the most complete teams. But the hype machine has me scared because you look around and everyone's, on the Blue Jays. Yeah. Everyone.

And Blue Jays fans are acting like they accomplished something when they haven't yet. Vladdy Jr.'s quote, you saw the preview. Now it's time for the movie. I think that's what they're... It's a good quote. I'm happy they're confident.

It's the whole thing they got going on. And it's the exact way you rebuild. So like, it's awesome. I'm just scared of how much hype they're getting. I'm drinking the hype. if I'm being honest. I like it. Their offense is so good

that they're going to get a starting pitching effort every day. That's just, I mean, almost, like, has there been lower pressure starting pitching? Like, if you go out and you give up three earned runs, I think you're going to be fine. Like, the offense has you that day. I believe, like I said it in my wrong prediction last year, year, I think Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a special, special ball player. You know, pencil.

He's projected, again, a website, fan graphs that's nervous to project people. 305, 391, and 45 homers. Teosker and Springer are penciled in for 34. Trev, I'll kick it to you on this. I mean, defensively, I think this is a strong team, especially now that Matt Chapman, a guy that you, you say adamantly when he has his best offensive season, whether it's a high eights, a low nine, something like that, you believe he will be an MVP winner. The formula's there. The one thing I could complain about is you'd like another lefty bat.

And you wonder if, you know, Kerkie in that DH spot could a, could a conforto land there or a trade piece at the deadline? Like there is room for that. We'll see what happens. but I'm drinking it. I believe in these Jays. Being in Toronto, there should be good juice there. Like, I'm in.

If they held the opponents to three runs or last last year, they would have won 100 games. Okay. Where are we at with the whole COVID thing in Toronto? Because I've heard different things on that. I've heard that there's exception for businesses. I've heard there's not exceptions, acceptance, exceptions, and that we aren't going to have guys there.

So that's a big storyline. I am not entering it into my brain or thinking about it. And when game start, I'll just hear what happens. Yeah, it's interesting. Matt Chapman, I made that reference before Shohei Otani did what he did. I think it's going to be really tough for anybody to unseat him. But when Chapman goes off this year, I believe he'll be like a top five MVP getter, vote get her.

feeling healthy you add that to that lineup and i think honestly it's one of the reasons i think that i'm going to pick them over the raise in this division i think they're so like they're just deep if he's going to hit seven for you and like fangrass has him projected for 31 homers it's nice that is nice they're really good really good um what's they're over under 74 hard hit balls at 95 plus mile per hour exit Velo. It's the ball hard. What? What's their markup there?

Vlad Guerrera Jr. recorded 274 hard hit balls at 95 plus mile per hour exit Velo in 2021, the most of any player in a single season in the stat cast era. I've never seen 94 used as a benchmark. 95. 274 at 95 plus. 274. 95 plus you hit the ball hard baby and James here I give you something else you might like before before we go to the over under 92 and a half I believe is what it is all of their regulars in

their lineup all under 30 except for George Springer and most of them like 24 to 27 like these boys are ready to play there's a lot of tea level there very high tea level a lot of juice ready to go the vibe is just right for me I really really like these guys I'm taking the over. I'm just going to throw it out there right now. 92 and a half, not enough is a 95 win team. Banging the over. You know who was second in the hard hit over over 95? Judge would be my guess, but.

No. Salvador Perez. He hit a couple last year, huh? 255. Trev, I'm with you on the over. This team is in go mode, 92 and a half. Like, I think they're going to make moves at the deadline. Like, they are all in.

They have the Barrios extension. They have young guys for cheap. They sign Gossman. Like, it's go time in Toronto. I like what you said. 95-ish. And it's just going to be a question if Boston or New York or Tampa gets more juice. I'm thinking about it.

Not the over. But my math isn't going to make sense. Okay. Because on the Yankees, I just didn't take the under. You didn't take the under I didn't take the under You did not take the over For the Yankees either

It gets tricky I didn't hear anything said about that You didn't hear anything said about that I didn't even say the words That's the Blue Jays Okay We are rounding out the AL East With the number two ranked Tampa Bay

Rays They lost in the ALDS last year Because they had a bold strategy Of starting three pitchers who were basically making their debut. How about that? 100 wins, 62 losses in the regular season. They got first place.

They made a lot of moves, as always. And a lot of moves. Jake, what moves did these Tampa Bay Rays make? Your Tampa Bay Rays. How about a couple old friends, Joey Wendell, gone. Mike Brassoe, gone. Nelson Cruz, that's an interesting one that we're all going to forget in a few years.

Laplow, Colin McHua, huge season. Treves, Chris Archer, Michael Waka, Brent Honeywell Jr. And Lewis Head on the fish now. Who they added, Corey Klobber, the Clubot goes over from the Yankees. He's on a one-year deal. Lefty reliever Brooks Raley, buy some stock in him because he signed a two-year $10 million deal with a club option, which means they believe in that guy. Outfielder, Harold Ramirez, to slap it around a little.

bit. And our first extensions note, Wander, Franco, 12 years, 223 to become the face of that franchise. Trev, the pitching staff, I was looking at this earlier today, and man, a lot of mixed, a lot of Tampa Bay Ray's emotions. That's exactly what you think about when you watch. When you're looking at this rotation and this bullpen, it's like, huh? But then you have to remind yourself who you're talking about. These are the rays. They'll figure it out. They have to. I have a few injuries that I'm a little concerned with, but we'll start with the rotation.

Shane McClanahan, the left, Ethos Fuel. We all know him now, Drew Resmussen, Corey Klubor, Ryan Yarbo, our guy, and Luis Petino from the Padres, I believe. Big prospect, see if he can get it going. Behind him, Fleming. The injuries we're talking about are Shane Boz and Tyler Glassdown. Shane Boss has just had surgery.

He's gone. Glass Now is going to miss the entire season, I believe, as well. That's tough for them. but they do have this bullpen here that, you know, they can mix and they can match and they can throw two innings. They can throw point two innings, whatever it is. They can do whatever you need them to do. Andrew Kittridge, Pete Fairbanks, J.P. Fireizing in my books. Brooks really, like you mentioned, J.T. Shagawa, my friend, Matt Whistler, Wisler, I think his name is. Aaron Sledgers, also in my book, Ryan Thompson's, Jeffrey Springs, Chris Maza. We have,

we have notes on all of these guys. And what that tells me, is that they've all done something noteworthy and I just named like 15 people in the bullpen. That is the rays. That is who they are. They're going to the ray going to raise. All right. James, tell me about the,

oh, I forgot Colin Pache and Jalen Beaks too. More pitchers, more notes. It's ridiculous. What about that lineup? B. Lau. Brandon Lau. Wander Franco, Austin Meadows, Randy Arosa,

Rains. G. Man Choy, Yandi Diaz, Mike Zanino, Mani Margu, and Kevin Kiermeier. So whatever that does for you. Get your wins. Reminder, I hate the race. No, you don't. And thinking about them stinks. It's been tortured by the race. You've been tortured by him, but what's that Stockholm syndrome? Um, tortured by them. And don't like him.

Final statement. I'd hate to be a race fan. Okay. And I sat here and said how jealous I am of Red Sox fans. So that's where like it is. There's a brand of baseball I like and a brand of baseball I don't like. And I don't like the race. People get upset every time I do this.

But boo. I don't think it's a fun watch. Boo. Go to their baseball reference. page, their team page from last year, and then go into the bullpen, and then go down the ERA column and just see a bunch of guys with twos. Yeah, it's nuts.

I mean, they're, they're, they don't care about starts. I don't get it. Like, Rich Hill was, like, eating all their innings last year. Like, one of the starters that could go and they traded them to the Mets for

nothing. Like, that was, like, funny business. If it was fantasy baseball, that would be like a suspect trade. Trated him for your dude, uh, who was injured and they knew was never going to put on a raise uniform. They just ate his money.

They just gifted the... Tommy Hunt. They just gifted the Mets a starter. For salary relief, basically. Yeah. They took on the Mets salary relief. The Mets... No, no, it was actually like very close, I thought.

I don't know. Whatever. It's weird. Walk is gone. He had 124 innings pitched last year. Glass now is still recovering. And I wouldn't be surprised if they try to move him before he starts pitching again.

sand sticky stuff. I think that they probably think his value is higher before that happens. Glass is a friend, but he's very vocal about the grip and that stuff. And then they're just going to have a bunch of innings from a bunch of guys you don't know.

I do like that they signed Franco a lot. He's the face. I hate that they got rid of Joey Wendell. He was the face. Yeah. Joey Wendell. So let me go back to the bullpen. and the notes saying that everyone was noteworthy.

In fact, it's all one note. And the note that Erica put in here, shout out Erica. Rays had a dominant bullpen in 2021. They led the AL and ERA and Best FIP and all of MLB. And the only real change is no column Akew. Which was a monster piece for them. Sure, they don't care. They don't care.

But as a multi-inning reliever last year, what Colin McHugh did was special. I mean, it, you know, took me from micro to macro. Jim, bad news. One of their prospects is a low. I know we've talked about that a lot. They've just been a L-O-W-E factory and their number two prospect. Josh Lowe should be getting the call at some point this year. Is it low or Lowe?

I don't know. I'd assume low. I think he's low. And if memory serves, he's related to Nate. Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah. He is related to Nate and Josh. I like that.

I could see Shane Boz being a hit for them. He's a guy that they believe in. If I remember correctly, didn't they give him a playoff opportunity last year? Because they believe in talent. They're high tea. Trev talks about that on here. Yeah, he had three starts during the regular season. And then I believe they rolled him out.

They gave him a start against Boston 2.1 innings three-earned runs. I think he was one of the guys that was supposed to be next for them. I think obviously Glass Now was supposed to be part of their formula. Shane McClanahan, it's how, what step does he get to? One of the hardest throwing left, he started starting pitchers in the league. He's going to be 25. He's been around a little bit. I think he has an impressive level.

They're going to tap into something. Drew Rasmussen, Petino, always the bullpen. It's what clicks. Who's in the minors that's going to click that we don't even know about yet? are pesks, they attack your weakness, and especially when you play them in the drop. It's just, it's a nightmare. I misspoke on Boz earlier. I just saw elbow surgery.

He had it scoped. Some loose bodies removed, he'll be back within a month, you know, four weeks, six weeks, whatever it is. So he'll be part of this rotation. And honestly, I was looking at the rotation being like, I know it doesn't matter to them if they don't have starting pitchers because this is the race. but like, you know, you want to see some guy guys there. And the fact that he's going to be part of the rotation this season,

it's got me a little more juiced up on the raise. I was kind of, I do this every year, though. I think everyone does. You look at the lineup, you look at the rotation. You know the bullpen's going to be good, but you can still, like, say, this, the floor is really low, but then you start to think about it. And it's like, no, it's not. The floor is not really low with these guys.

It can't be low with them. and I don't know how they do it. I was part of the organization, and I don't really know how they do it. Can I say something I hate? What's that? I'll let my Yankee flag fly. It seems like their role guys used to change a lot,

but it's been the same. It's G-Man, it's Yondi, it's Anino, it's Margo. I mean, Kiermire, a role guy is rude to him because he's been a heart of the team for a while, but like, that's been there. Like, I know they play the matchup game, but, like, Brasso's gone. Brasso and Wendell are the guys that are gone. Joey Wendell was a part of that crew that was in there regularly.

But, like, these guys, man, these guys have really bullied us as Yankee fans. It's basically a little cousin that's just better than you at a game. and they do it every time and you don't know how but they do it every time Wander Franco is a big piece for me I think he could be the star of all stars if he wants to be he had an 800 OPS

I think last year in his first dip if that goes up my goodness Randy the greatest ever he won rookie of the year by the way there's a fun fact for you meds is really solid B. Low just hits homers it's like all he does

Ray's going Ray Ray's gonna Ray as a member of a former member of the Players Union Trev you hate the race they're kind of anti-player I have mixed feelings I feel like they give

guys opportunities that maybe wouldn't get them in other organizations because they do think outside the box yeah but as soon as they're worth anything they toss them Yeah, but I think you can build up your value here and go somewhere else. You know, I think about a guy like, you know, a Choi or a Brasso. Like they, they got more playing time. They'll get more playing time here than anywhere else because they really believe in the platoons.

So, yeah, I mean, look, you want them to pay their people and they just started to. They paid Wander. Maybe that's the step in the right direction for them. I don't think there's a hate there. I think you kind of just marvel at their creativity a little bit. And I spoke how I don't know how they do it. And I'll give you the only thing I can think of. And I've said this before on our shows.

They just tell you that you're going to be successful because they're going to put you in situations that you can be successful. So you start to believe in that. And they do. They understand how to platoon guys the right way. So you do find yourself in advantageous positions more often than not. and, you know, that can breed confidence. And then it's a snowball effect. So, I mean, that's what they're trying to do.

They know how to develop pitching. Players Union versus the race, I got it. Wasn't verbatim. Wasn't verbatim. I heard what I heard. I just found out a secret part of their recipe. They expanded the rosters for opening day, which has Josh Fleming projected.

And now, I mean, they're... To be there. Only one of their pitchers would have been drafted by the Razor. McClanhan. Trev, it did the pause and the speed up thing on us. Did we miss anything? It looks like you're good now.

I just can't tell if you guys can hear me or not. We can now. It was paused for a little... Yeah, yeah. It was paused for a second. We can't hear you now. I don't have anything yet. else. I just talked about putting players in advantageous positions. That's it.

I summed it up what you were saying perfectly. Yeah, I heard what you said. You're spot on. You crushed it right there. I mean, look, hey, this is one of the organizations where players actually come out and talk shit about. So, like, there is a little bit of truth to that. Yeah, they're what we're fighting against. They're manipulators. They're the best manipulators in the game. it's good for winning games I uh Jake's what did you say about McClanahan I was trying to listen to Frozen Treve

McClanahan is the only pitcher on the race org that on the opening day roster would be from the race Rasmussen Yarby Petino their whole bullpen are like like what something they're good at is finding

out guys in different orcs that aren't being tapped into and tapping into them a fire eyes and a shags um like that which is development people need to understand that is still player development it doesn't have to be from the time when you're a baby you can get somebody over and say look you do this really well so go do that for us we're missing like you're the piece here that fits that's what they try to tell guys it's so funny that that's that's the solution

that a lot of teams don't have um you need to throw a change up well unless it's shit then don't Yeah. I'm going to send us in a totally different direction. The Tampa Bay raise, their over under is 89 and a half. I'm taking the under. I was a raise stand last year. I believed in their formula. I spoke highly of the lineup. I still like the lineup. I think Colin McHugh was an important part of their success last year. I don't think you could just tap in and find another one of those, what he did.

and I think the rest of the division got better. And with the Blue Jays now kind of being a wagon, I think the Yankees will be better than they were last year, to what degree I don't know. I think the Red Sox are better. I think that ALE East, the Rays use their party tricks. I think if there's two teams, and they can kind of torment the Yankees and the Red Sox

at their different perils, now that there's three, I think that's going to be too much for the race. I'm taking the under for them. I'm also not taking the over. I've been here with the raise before, wanting to take the under because I just can't imagine them

to continue to be on the pace that they're on, to continue to do it again and again and again. I believe I took the under last year on them, and they just, or maybe in 2020, I just don't want to, they blow my face. I side with the, players always so I'm going to take not the over

Trevor you took the under on 85 and a half last year BVD from the top bro I was thinking the same thing as you Jake I can't continue dude the team the division's good they just did it I'm taking the over I'm taking the over 93 94 wins I think the Blue Jays win it with 95 96 wins and the rays are right behind them can I tell you something I'm jealous that you took the over I get where you guys are coming from because I know what they've done to the Yankees and I can see it. It feels like they're a goddamn highwire act.

Like the Houston success all adds up. Ah, they are, dude. You see that? They are, Nick Willenda. Oh, no. Oh, boy. Oh, God. They are, dude.

it. That's great. They stir the same emotion in me. God. Those are my parting words. You guys have any last words to say? Raise up. I'm wearing my raised jersey, but the Jays are going to win the division. I'm on them. Jay's Yankees socks. Raise.

Raise. Raise Jays, Ys. Hot. Stud. Seager Homer. Yenkees offer. a contract apparently.