Talkin' Baseball (MLB Podcast) - Japan Wins the World Baseball Classic! | 636

Episode Date: March 22, 2023

Talkin' Jake and Trevor Plouffe react to Team Japan's win over Team USA in the World Baseball Classic Finals as well as some potential adjustments to the pitch clock.Use code JOMBOYPRESEASON for 15% off your next purchase at SeatGeek* https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/JOMBOYPRESEASON*max discount $50, expires 3/31/2023Get 20% Off and Free Shipping with our code TALKIN at https://Manscaped.com++++++Timestamps:0:00 Japan Wins WBC10:10 Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout18:30 Japan's Team is Incredible30:45 Mexico vs. Japan Semifinal39:00 Team USA42:00 Potential Pitch Clock Tweaks 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 to Talking Baseball. Your world baseball classic champions are Japan? And we're adding some rule changes. Let's go Japan. Take that, United States. It's players only. Your two Blitzball MVP's. Hello and welcome to Talking Baseball presented to you by Seat Geek.

People, it's time to get your seats. We're a week out from games. Major League baseball games that matter. So make sure you go to Seek Code Johnboy preseason. If you've used any Seeky codes before, you're fine. You can use that one. You'll get 15% off,

whether you're first time by or not. Code Johnboy preseason, download the app for 15% off. Go to one of your team's opening week games, man. Next Thursday, we're going to be streaming. And Trev, we just got a delicious. taste of real baseball, past regular season baseball, past opening day baseball, IMO. The World Baseball Classic ended pretty in a scripted way.

We've already talked about the simulation a little bit for how much, where the final ended up. So Trev, how are you doing? You can't lead into me a simulation time. Oh, I will. I'm doing great. Yes, the finals was awesome, but I think the WBC. on a whole really seemed like it was scripted. We had some incredible games,

some come from behind victories. We had, you know, the dark horse coming out in Mexico, even though if you looked at their roster, they were really good. But yes, now we're like kind of past that. We're definitely going to talk about the WBC today,

but I'm kind of struggling because now we get like this week and I'm trying to get back into spring training. It's, there's been spring training this whole time. Have you even paid attention at all? because I haven't. Now I've got to get my mind back on regular season baseball because it is coming and it is here

and there are some incredible storylines for that and we'll touch on a few of them today. It's players only. You know we get a little squirrelly on these Eps but to answer your question I'm doing great. It's good to see your face. A little squirley would be an understatement.

Yeah, I mean I sent Trev there's a viral video going around that's a computer generated video of a giant I love that video. Maglodon shark that like kills a ship, and Trev's been watching that on repeat. Man, we'll save that for the end. And yeah, I was just, Trev, I'm so excited from a week out for games,

like someone in our Amp chat that we go on for these shows, they said Esteree Cruz, Estuary Ruiz doing things, eyeball emojis, the, you know, the versatile outfielder that got traded to Oakland. Like, I'm excited to start thinking about that, because, I mean, right now I'm just not. We just came out of the WBC, and I don't watch as many Oakland spring training games as I'd like to. Treve, we got to wrap up the WBC. We're going to start with the championship game,

because it just happened, and we'll touch upon Mexico and Japan, because that was one of the... That's just a great baseball game. We got the same last night. Trevor, I'll kick it to you, because I, I mean, it was getting laid on the couch for myself.

So I was having some deep and heavy thoughts about baseball as a whole. You know, diving, we should probably do the gameplay a little bit in what happened with the USA, Trey Turner jumping out again with his fifth home run of the tournament, got slid up the lineup, hits a solo home run, future Yankee third baseman hits a home run from Japan. And then Japan kind of takes over. and it all ends in the culmination of you Darvish and Shohei Otani coming out back to back

out of the bullpen. That Schwabber at bat is unreal. Unreal, unreal. Aaron Loop saves the day at one point. Trevor Plouf, I'll let you run. I thought that, and you know I don't give managers credit, like ever, but I thought the way Japan was managed was beautiful. I even thought Mark DeRosa did an excellent job.

And you know, you mentioned he moved Trey Turner. up to the sixth spot. And I said before that, don't mess with this guy. A thousand percent agree. Keep him in the nine hole, leave him there. And I guarantee DeVroso was thinking the same thing until our boy pops one in the first inning. And now he's like, I'm a god.

See these decisions I make? I am a genius. So Trey made DeRosa look really good right there. And then I don't know about future Yankee, their baseman. I think the twins will be in play for a lot of these guys coming over from Japan. But that dude's an absolute tank. Thick. Murakami, like, you know, he, we saw him come to life in that Mexico game, walk it off. Very next swing off Merrill Kelly, who just, no offense to Merrill. He lit a dick shot in there.

92 miles an hour right down the middle. He did not miss it. But that guy can play a little bit of third base to. He's moving there, kind of a thick boy like yourself, athleticism, doing it. And, you know, Japan, I thought the U.S.'s offense was just going to go and be too much. I've called it the greatest lineup ever assembled that I probably stand by that. I mean, people, this was one game, relax. It's an incredible lineup from top to bottom and Japan's pitching just went and shut them down, man. Whether it was the splitter that was giving them trouble

or the high V-low, like the power was there as well. And the U.S. bats just really didn't have an answer. And you knew Japan was going to chip across a few runs against our pitching. but I thought our guys did an excellent job there as well so I think it really came down to the offense being held down by Japan starting pitching we had our chance

there at the end of the game we got the dream matchup we get Jeff McNeil walking on a close pitch Shohei wanted that one you got Mookie Betts Mike Trout Paul Goldschmidt coming up against Shohei Otani

you thought it was going to happen and then Mooky hits into that Taylor-made double play, well, set up, you know, the Mike Trout, Otani at bat. All in all, it was a great game. We know what the end outcome was. You're happy to see Otani celebrating like that. You would have happy to see Mike Trout celebrating like that. It was kind of a win-win situation, I think, for baseball fans right there.

But an incredible game. I tweeted it out. So, A, it's the sport of baseball. I think if those two teams teed it up 50 times, I think you're looking at a 26 24 type split. Like those teams last night were evenly matched, which I think, you know, when we talked about a, you know,

dream team got thrown out for Team USA and had been a talking point since the start of the tournament. That, you know, the lineup, absolutely. You're still missing a few guys, you know. I think Aaron Judge could have found a slot in that lineup if they really needed. And, you know, there's other guys in baseball. But the pitching staff, there's a lot of names that weren't there.

And it, A, I think it was the WBB. being new. I think it's, or newer, it hasn't happened in a while. I think if you're an agent, you tell your pitcher, the last thing we need is more high-stress innings. You know, I had some of my buddies tuning in kind of to the WBC, really for the first time. And, you know, it shouldn't be shots fired at these guys because they earn their spots on the team. But Merrill Kelly to Kyle Freeland, you know, I have a lot of buddies that are, you know, just sports fans and don't follow baseball. And they were like, you know, where's a Garrett Cole?

Where's a, where's Max Fried? Where's, you know, there's a lot of names on the pitching side that didn't come to Team USA. And that's fine. Like, I understand all the reasons why, but I think they're going to be there next time after this experience. And the other thing I want to say about Japan is I remember these games in past years. And even there was a Little League World Series vibe to this tournament just grown up, right? And I think Joe's McFly pegged it the best that it was, they were playing,

they weren't playing for money in these games. They were playing for passion in their country. Like, they were out there to win for other reasons. You know, when it's season and a team kicks off, obviously you do it for your team and it's not, the dollar isn't driving it, but it's in the back of your head. For this, this wasn't going to change any way the players play.

That Mike Trout Hustle double to start the game? Are you kidding me? I mean, all of us were saying, I'd love to see that in October, because that was like, that was a different gear. That for Japan, where I was going with that whole thing, normally in previous tournaments you see one or two guys that you're like, ooh, like, you know, watch out for you, Darvish in a couple years. That whole team could ball and be on MLB teams tomorrow.

The shortstop, the best defensive shortstop ever, whose throwing hand had a broken pinky. We had Aaron. Aronado came out of the game after not getting hurt because, you know, precautionary got hit in the hand. He was fine, but they did it precautionary. He was playing with a broken finger on his throwing hand. So you have an equally talented team

where guys wanted it more, and I think you saw the result. And after the end of that whole speech, Schwarber runs into that 3-0 fastball down the middle, and we're talking about a USA victory. So that's baseball, baby, but it was a beautiful scene and the culmination that everyone has now talked about for ours, Otani and Trout, the teammates,

and, you know, Trout was the best to be in baseball for, you know, a seven-year period, and then he gets this teammate who does something we've never seen before. And the story about Otani and his manager, how he's Japan's Joe Madden, He's the one that talked Otani into staying a two-way guy. Like, it was a beautiful night, Trev.

It was a beautiful night, and it was ruined in the morning because for some reason, I had ESPN on in my house. I never had the TV on in my house, okay? But I did. So I got to hear Mad Dog Rousseau's take on it. I got to hear some other fucking dude. I don't know their names. But they were talking about this at bat.

And they're like, yeah, it was nice to see Mike Trout up there, except it didn't perform. it's like how what are you talking about watch the at bat the pitches that were thrown to him for him to even be even close to that last pitch which he was yeah he put a good swing on that freaking nasty pitch was not off balance at all that was a good at bat

he worked to count to three two against a guy who he probably has never seen before blowing a hunch 102 and then hits him with the 89 on our three two slide ball on the edge of the plate Mike trout put up a nice at bat Did he get the result he wanted? No, but don't tell me this guy doesn't go up there and perform.

Get out of here, man. I just, it makes me upset, Jake, and I don't want to be upset. Trevor, because it was a beautiful, beautiful tournament, and I'd rather convey that aspect of it. And yes, that I put out that I was Team Swing on that 3-0 Schwabber pitch. Of course I did, because I am Team Swing right there. The guy's already seen three pitches. You don't need to see what a strike looks like.

What, that is, like, get that out of your head. You see the guy's motion, you see the window, you see what his pitches are doing. You don't need to see a ball right down the middle to get ready for a ball right down the middle. The guy just missed it. That's it. He didn't miss the next one, did he? No, he homers in his next step bat, a double-digit pitch at bat, which is incredible. Poppy laid a 20 on Schwerber Homer and before the game.

I mean, that's an easy hundred bucks. Whoops. You did do that, didn't you? But, yeah, I mean, 3-0. And by the way, it was a fastball down the middle. Like, it's not like he threw a change up and Schwerber rolled it over. Like, no, he was probably an eighth of an inch from hitting that 450 feet. So, yeah, I mean, it was what it was.

You know, the rest of the offense went cold. And it's so brutal. And it's, you know, I've heard a lot of people saying that the WBC championship should come down to three games. I disagree. I kind of like the little league. You got one game. So, like, you know, I'm sorry, Goldschmidt, who had an incredible tournament. He had some tough at bats last night.

And that's how the cookie crumble. So I obviously get the argument, make it three games, because I think that's probably more fair and you get a better winner. But I like that this is a different tournament. That's kind of been the whole argument. And it's why some people have been having trouble embracing it. But like, if you just say, this is different. This is how this works.

I think that's when you end up getting moments. And we got so many baseball moments over the past 24 hours. going back to the Mexican Japan. Remember the Randy Rosarena show? I mean, that was... Damn right, I do. That was unreal. Let's close off anything else there is with a championship game.

Turner, Homer, again, was insane. I will say this about the last app, Pat Trev. Did I want Shohei to throw the 3-2 heater? Because Trout swung through two? Yes. Do I think Otani threw the right pitch? Absolutely. But in my script, in my simulation,

Otani pumps another heater right past him. See, that's, I disagree big time right there. You're going to give Mike Trout another shot at that. Oh, he shouldn't. Shohei threw the right pitch, but Trout swung through two heaters. If he swings through a third, that's just my simulation.

Okay. Oh, man. Yeah, I want to make it clear that although I would like to see some of the bigger name starting pitchers, specifically join this team in 2026. The pitching was not the problem. I think they put us in a hole in the in the group stage when they gave a bunch of runs to Mexico.

But you got out of that and then they were very solid, very solid. So you cannot put this on the starting pitching on this team. I think it's fair to say that we'd like to see some of those other guys come and do it. We would have liked to see judge. Why didn't judge to it? He's played the captain card.

It's like it's my first spring training is Yankees captain and got to lead the team. We have a lot of rookies that are going to be part of the team. I think if we're being fully honest, I think Judge kind of was half out, and I think the Yankees were full out, and that together was like, all right. I don't, let everyone do what they want to do with their careers.

Usually I say that when guys are about to sign a contract, not that already did. Judge has said. Right. But, dude, I mean, look, I think that, and I've said this on the show way before the W. BC came out. It's playing for the team USA is a completely different type of baseball. And it is to me, and again, I said this,

it's like a selfless type of baseball that you don't get once you go past I mean college. Right. It's like a high school slash college experience where you're playing for you and the other guys around you and that's it. Once you get into pro ball, that money is always what you're hunting, dude. And you know what?

You could say that bullshit. You can say that's bullshit but you know you put a lot in to a life that's very the window's small and the chance of you actually making it is small

and you put a lot into that so when you get into a position where like hey man like I just got to perform during the regular season so I can support my family and like cash in on this opportunity like I don't fault anybody for not playing in those situations not one bit at all but it is a different type of game

and you hear all these guys say it And I think that's got to get into some guys' heads that weren't there. When Mike tried to say this is one of the best weeks of my life, when Shohei Otanya says this is the biggest moment in my baseball career, like it's putting it into people's heads. And I think we're going to have like, we're going to have too many people signing up for 2026, which is going to be great. I was going to preface this because he's your guy and he's become our guy.

But it's actually a really, I think I'm saying a nice thing. Like, do you think Jack Flaherty didn't want to be out there pitching for Team USA? But he has a contract year coming up where if he's healthy the whole year and is Jack Flaherty, he's in line for nine figures that for him to go and throw out bullets in this and break his routine, it's the wrong move. Like, it's just the wrong decision for him. So, like, I mean, knowing that guy how we do now, like, oh, my God, in front of that crowd, Like, that's a dream, but he'll get the contract this year and we'll see him in three years.

Problem solved. It's funny that you brought him up. How about that? Because I know for a fact, the Jack Flaherty really, really wanted to be out there last night. And he had a 90 pitch day in spring training yesterday, about two hours from that facility. And again, the pitching did great for us last night. So it's not like we're worried about that. But yeah, I mean, guys are already feeling that way for sure.

Oh, for seven. runners in scoring position. Japan was also O for 5, by the way. And that would have easily changed the game with one hit there. And I didn't fully, I drove this home with the Japanese lineup. Every pitcher, like normally in tournaments like this, whether World Series or World Baseball Classics previously, you know, you'd see the couple guys.

You'd see, you know, Roki Sasaki, and you're like, wow, that dude is it. He's going to be playing pro ball in a couple years. I can't wait. You know, there's one guy in the lineup. update, you're like, yeah, he's coming up. This whole team, I mean, condo hitting two hole. I was like, wait, they're batting him before Yoshita. Murakami, he's already playing third for the Yanks.

Okamoto, I thought it was funny. The Japanese manager said, like, who's going to be the guy people are talking about coming out? And they were like, Okamoto is just kind of the all-around guy. Like, he does it all. He plays defense. He hits. He's contact power.

That whole team was incredible. And, you know, Trev, I don't know how heavy, heavy you want to get. Every pitcher that came out was lights out, lights out, pumping mid to high 90s. Like, this wasn't, in previous tournaments, you'd see a bullpen guy come out and they're like, yeah, this guy's a legend, but he throws 88, and you just see Team USA light up. That is over. The technology, the health, everything that goes into it is spread around the world that the world has caught up.

Like, do I think USA has better? all around talent, yes. But look what Japan put on the field. That was not smoking mirrors. That was the better team last night. So the other thing, Trevin, I don't know if we want to go down this wormhole.

Oh, baby. For years, I've heard smoltz and other analysts and other USA baseball guys say that leg kick in that stance, you know, once the velocity gets high enough, it just doesn't work. Hey, guess what? for a few of these guys, it's working, man,

that maybe we need to go back to the drawing board a little bit. Because, like, Murakami stance looks like it's working. Looks like it's working. Like, the fact that we label that as a Japanese or Asian batting stance, like, maybe we have to throw that out because it works. I mean, do we really need to go down this right? I know I'm asking the other guy. Do you really want me to come on here and tell you my truth?

thoughts on some of these guys that are out there talking about baseball or now, I don't know, man. A-Rod said they don't even have analytics in Japan. That was nuts. That was nuts. I didn't think that was true. I thought Jolly was fucking around on that tweet. Yeah.

They were doing shifts, man. I just what were they, what do they do in Japan? A-Rod, they just bunt all day long and move the runner over? Like, I think I know what these guys are trying to convey. Right. Because I've said some of this.

I enjoy the fact that it's not all about slug, that there is still an aspect of the game within the game that they seem to do more often than our big big teams do. And I think, as we've talked about on talking baseball quite a bit, sometimes you've got to zig when teams are zagging. You know, look at the Indians last year, being able to do what they did, kind of put their focus on contact and base running

and taking extra bases. Like, that's a lot of things get said in spring training, but for them to go out and do it and then win the Central was awesome. I get that Japan bunted in the semifinals, and I kind of like, I loved it. I did, okay? I'm, that gets me going for a couple of different reasons. One, team USA, once the last time, like, they practiced bunt defense.

Like, teams just don't bunt anymore. They don't. So it's like, it just creates a little bit of havoc out there. That's why I enjoy it. but dude i just baseball now we have seen time and time again guys come into the major leagues from different countries that play the game a little bit differently

and how often do we just go oh that doesn't look the same that doesn't look right we don't like it but then give it a second let these guys actually play the game you'll fall in love with it like the latin baseball culture has come and taken over the u.s bottom freaking line the passion that we have now as a comes from freaking Latin America in these countries. They've been doing that forever. And before we were throwing baseballs at their head

when they did it a little bit in our country. And now look, let the kids play. Let's do, you know, it's, don't be stuck in the past, dude. Do not be stuck in the past because there's beautiful stuff coming our way. You mentioned those guys that are in Japan. They're coming, right? They're coming.

And that's awesome that we have that in the U.S. Let's just be thankful that we have the Premier League in the U.S. Because we're going to get some of these guys over here and we're going to get to admire them from close up rather than from afar. That's how you should approach the game. Let's embrace this new culture. Let's embrace what these guys bring to the game. It's beautiful.

We're moving forward. We don't care about what you did in the freaking 90s, bro. I can't. Oh, dude, I, you know. I dropped the big bro right there. Dude, we're deep in the baseball world that, You know, we got to play nice with everyone. There's times with Smolts, I can't do it.

And that's just honest. Like, I don't know. I know he was very complimentary to Otani and everything he does last night, but there's just a couple lines that you're just like, come on, man. Like, he was talking about when is Otani going to run out? And it's like, hey, dude, we'll cover that when it happens. Like, let's enjoy this. The guy just went to the bullpen in the middle of the game.

He hasn't pitched in release since 2016 and came out and ran through the freaking heart of the U.S. order. tell me when's this guy going to run out uh fuck dude a couple other things i just i just think it's funny going back to the batting stances thing like you know we see kevin euclis come up with a funny stance and we're like oh okay guy with a weird batting stance but

hey you just got to find a way to put the bat on the ball i don't really care how and trev the other thing that i think is funny about american baseball over the past decade we've seen between shifts and, you know, more offense, more homers. Our guy Murakami, who's going to be playing third base for the Yankees, as you mentioned, you're right. He didn't look, you know, Aeronado-esque at third base. But the big fella, his footwork was delicious. And guess what?

That's another trait that I think is so funny that's left American baseball. Like making sure you do the fundamentals well. I know this sounds a little old manish, but you can't play on that field for Japan if you don't do the fundamentals as well. And what would you rather play against? Would you rather play against a third baseman that's nasty, but sometimes laxadaisical and makes the mistake? Or would you play against a third baseman that's getting everything out of his body

defensively at third base? By the way, hit 56 home runs last year. And is going to make the play and be fundamentally strong. I mean, I'll take the 56 Homer guy. I don't know, man. I was having a late night on the couch and I was getting into some late night thoughts, just being honest.

Okay. Simulator. I don't know. I think that, I mean, it's a good point that you brought up. I've talked to guys that went over and played in Japan and what they'll say is, sure is how it work a lot harder.

Like the double barrel batting practice, like, you know, the amount of work that you have to go through in that league, I think is, I'm not saying that's the only way to do it but sure that's going to make you a better player if you do it and I wish I honestly I sit back in my career and I wish I was out there every single day doing stuff like that

I think it would have made a big difference but you know we've kind of gone through this we've gone through a couple different phases you know at least when I was playing in pro ball where it was like at the beginning get your butt out there early work as much as possible and I like that I think I got better doing that and then it became like well, we need rest and we need to make sure that our bodies are optimized.

You shouldn't be lifting this way. And let's make sure that we have the right, like work smarter, not harder. And, you know, I think every single person needs to find out what works for them. And like, and you shouldn't be downplaying a guy because he doesn't, you know, work as hard as you. Or you shouldn't be calling an eyewash if that guy is out there taking ground balls every single day. That just works for you. It works for, you know, baseball is such an individual game when it comes down to it. it's a bunch of individual matchups, dude.

So, like, you have to know it works for you. And I don't, I don't want anyone getting on somebody for doing something differently. Like, relax a little bit. Let it play out for them. Trev, we've talked about it in private and on the show a few times. Like, if you came up, you were kind of the end of an era of, like, two strikes, slapped the ball the other way. Like, if you came up in 2017, they would have told you try to hit home runs.

Like with your like home run and double numbers, they would have been like, we don't care if you hit, you know, 220. If you can give us 35 homers, like you're our guy. And it's just so funny because I know you were coach so differently. You were, you know, kind of that old school baseball coach mentality we've talked about. Yeah, things have changed a lot even now. Now we're going back to the two strike approach.

Aaron Judge is learning from Paul Goldschmidt and all this stuff. It's like, you know, just let people do what they do. And don't always, it doesn't always have to be, doesn't always have to be what you did. I will end on a high note. You got me down this. That's your fault. I will end on a highest note, Trev,

because I did end up landing on like, you know, because they talked about the teacher who was the first guy to play baseball in Japan. And then that Babe Ruth, uh, US world tour or whatever goes over there. You know, if you told Babe Ruth, What was that? A hundred years ago that Japan was going to come and

Whop up the USA's butt in baseball? I didn't know Babe well, but I think he would have gave you a big hearty chuckle and a slap on the butt. Guess what? The future of baseball, man, and I wasn't here. I thought some of it was eyewash

when people were talking about the WBC. I think the future of baseball in this event is massive. I mean, like Sho Hay's pregame speech that everyone is freaking out, or freaking out about? Incredible. And properly so. Like, that was a baller move.

Like, I know you're impressed by these guys, but, you know, we got to be better than them for one day and we can. Guess what? In 20 years in Japan, I think the squad they're going to put on the field, even if we roll out our guy guys at every position, is going to be neck and neck, man. And some of these other countries, like, hey, is Europe? Is baseball going to clear? in one of those countries over there.

Did the Italian team spark something in my cousins? You know, are we talking Czech Republic baseball? You know, those great Britain unies, didn't help. Might have been a setback. Hey, even Peter's Australia. Look at a summer Olympics. Australia is going to be near the top in gold medals. They got athletes down there.

Where's their baseball program going to be in 50 years? I bet they have some ballers. So I don't know. I liked the World Baseball Classic. internet did all its fights about it. And I did genuinely land on like where this event can take baseball in the future is pretty badass, man. It is.

And like I said, I'll reiterate the fact that we have the premier baseball league in the world is we have to cherish that. It's the truth. Because, I mean, look, there could be a day where guys like, fuck, let's just go to Japan. Why not? Look at the crowds over there. You know? If I'm Lars Noobar.

I'm, you know, he might do some special things for the St. Louis Cardinals coming up. And Cardinals fans, I hope he does. Hope you do, Lars. I mean, that guy can go be the king of the world if he wanted to. Probably get a nice salary. Like, when he landed, he hadn't been there with the team yet. He landed at 5 a.m. And there was a crowd waiting for him.

Like, I don't know, man. I don't know. Anything on Mexico, Japan the night before, the Randy show and just everything that was displayed there? It was another incredible game, dude. We kept thinking, like, there's no way this game is going to top the next. We saw the U.S. Venezuela game, and that was awesome. And then you get this game and Randy's all over the field.

And then you knew in the ninth inning when you saw who was coming up and it was only a one-run deficit. And it happened so quickly. You know, kind of like just took the wind out of Mexico sales very, very quickly. But they did an excellent job throughout the tournament. Not only Randy, although he was, you know, he was named to the tournament, all-tournament team. But there's a lot of guys who showed up there, man, who played really well.

Like the Urius brothers, that was awesome. My guy, Joey Manessus out there. You know what Urius is going to bring. But there was... You know who opened my eyes a lot? Who's that? On that team. Sandoval?

Patrick Sandoval. Yeah, man. Like a dog. Like, he was out there, like, pitching, like, excuse my terminology, but letting the nuts hang. Yeah. No, he, um, it's where baseball is a sick sport, man. And I always say this.

When I talk about the third baseman, there's so many good third baseman in baseball nowadays that whoever you watch, you should think they're the best. Because if you watch Mani Machado. play every night? Guess what? There's no telling you that there's someone better than him at third base. You could say the same with Aeronado.

I've got socks fens that would go to war for Devers, and I get why when Devers is right. Yeah, that's the scariest guy involved at the plate. Asterisk, sure, there's other guys. But that's the whole point. Jose Ramirez, like, you love Matt Chapman more than anything in the world. So that's where...

When you mentioned to Patrick Sandoval, if I had watched him have 27 starts last year to the tune of a 291 ERA and he pitches with the moxie he does, I would go to war with Patrick Sandoval. So Angels fan, shout out. I think you guys earned a little bonus point there. Because, yeah, that guy pitches with what you like.

And I think he's 26 or 25. Jeez. Let's tie a bow on this. Okay. WBC. I'm asking you one question. Shohay Otani. Say he came into the WBC at 500 million starting point.

Has the starting point moved up at all? Or does that matter? Did this tournament earn him money? In my opinion, yes. And I'll give you the long and short of it quick. I think, as you will know, every GM would love to sign show Hey, Otani the free agent.

Who allows them to sign Shohei Otani the free agent is the owner. And I think all the baseball owners just watched what happened with the World Baseball Classic. And I think a couple of them said, let's get that guy.

The guy whose followers tripled on Instagram during the World Baseball Classic. 60-something million people in Japan were watching this guy throw? Trev, you know my business. document is surprisingly small for some of our articles that leak out about this damn company. I think there's a way to monetize Otani on your team. That's just me. That's just me.

What about you? Honestly. Yeah. I think so. We've never seen him on a big stage before, really. Am I right? A couple Friday night games here. No. Did he pitch in the baseball classic? Last baseball classic as a kid? Wasn't that the thing? No, he did. I don't think he was on the team, but he, in 2016, they won the championship and he pitched. I mean, I'm talking about against the best players in the world doing it. I mean, and, and honestly, that pregame speech, I know people are making a fuss or they should.

That was about as perfect of an answer or speech as you can give if you're Shohei O-Ton. I mean, he's keeping in line with the Japanese, like, culture and, like, the respect that they have. He's saying, look, we can't admire these guys. He said, for one day, let's not admire these guys. And so we can surpass them. And it was, I mean, it's everything that you want in a player, man. So, yes, yes, I think he might approach $600 million. I do.

When a person breaks the mold, there's a, part of us as a society that wants them to be special. It's part of the reason why Jackie Robinson has looked upon as, like, one of the best ever because he came in. He was like, he was kind of the show of his time. He was a track star. Like, he did everything good. He came in.

He did that. What Otani is doing, it's unreal. And it's, uh, the thing that, and I'm, okay, this might be a little past where I'd like to step. I think in John Smoltz's voice, it doesn't hurt John Smoltz that, Otani can hit. Because I think John Smolten and his core is like, well, if I got the chance to hit, I could have hit.

Like, you know, the coaches told me to stop. I think it blows his mind that Otani so fast. And it blows my mind, too. Like, everything. Everything. And you don't think that guy could go out there and win a gold glove he wanted to? He's one of the fastest people in the big leagues. And he's fucking huge.

Does he have a good arm? Yeah, a little bit. Run a third on him. He should, you know what? A little crow hop in there. I am going to call up and just say, let him play there for a year. Fuck it.

Let's see what happens. Then he could really shut everybody up. If the Angels fan, I know we've dreamt about this a little bit. If the Angels hand got force and say they're in the race and they need Otani to do like a C.C. Sabathia and Brewer's performance

where he's like starting. Imagine if he's relieving on his throat days or something like, I don't know. I guess a girl can dream. An awesome WBC. I'm going to be very excited for the next one. And I keep pretending like I have a closing note.

Dude, after how big it was, I never thought MLB would consider altering the schedule. I think they can, man, because there's so much money that can be made at it at an international level to juggle the schedule every three years? Like, before the past two nights of games, I did not think that could ever happen

after the last two nights. I think there's a chance. Money talks, and I think you can figure it out. I got another thing I want to say. Yes. And this is brought to you by Manscaped. Yeah. I manscaped the other day,

landing strip. If you haven't already heard, the leaders in below the waist grooming are traveling north of your South Pole with their revolutionary beard, Hedger Pro kit. And now they've got the brand new weed whacker 2.0. That's right.

We just got those in the office. The nose and ear trimmer. I'll be honest, poppies needed it. And if it's time to upgrade your toolbox by going to manscape.com and using code talking, 20% off plus free shipping.

The kit comes with beer shampoo, conditioner, beard oil, beard balm, and the performance package 4.0, the full body grooming experience. Man, the weed whedwacker 2.0 and the 4.0. Why don't you go to manscape.com, use code talking 20% off and free shipping. Link in the description. Trev. I came on some show that I do on this platform,

and I said if the U.S. doesn't win this thing, it is a disaster and a failure. I am here now taking back those words because I believe in my heart that it was not a failure. I am here now taking back those words. because I believe in my heart that it was not a failure and it was not a disaster that these dudes went out there and gave everything that they had played with incredible emotion

stepped up to the plate when things were looking bad they stepped up they get to the finals they ran into a bus saw like that's baseball so I want to make sure that I let everyone know that I'm sorry about that take

and that I think that we should all be incredibly proud of the dudes that freaking strapped up for the U.S. of A. And I want to give them one final salute because they played their hearts out. You're absolutely. I'm serious. I'm like that's, I'm sincere too because they, they was special,

man. And I, I'll double back on myself. I don't want people thinking I'm doing the, oh, US didn't have their best pitchers. Like, no,

you're right. The pitchers were not the, they held Japan to three. And, yeah, man. Hey, I, Kyle Schwerber. What?

In that moment, you Darvish, out of the pen. Yeah, man, all the guys, all the guys brought it for Team USA, man. McNeil in that walk. Shout out Mark DeRosa. He was going to get every managerial opportunity that he wants now. Yeah, I wonder if he wants it. Because he kind of gave that honest interview.

He's like, it felt like it's been six months and I'm super stressed out. All right. So you're having fun, Mark? And I didn't like, he copied Benji Gill. Benji Gill after the game dropped the, you know, baseball one tonight, even though we lost. He kind of ran it back. And I don't know, he just needed to twist the words a little bit for me. But Trev, I too think you got one step closer to the throne, buddy.

I mean, I'm as patriotic as they come. I'm a two-time guy. Oh, yeah. What would you bring in his pitching coach? Ooh. Gibby? Gosh, Ghibie would be an incredible pitching coach. Ionic.

That's a really good one. Just right off the bat that you threw at me, so now I have to kind of go with that one. Is it a good one. Hmm. By that time, 2026? Yeah. Maybe Chris Archer?

Okay. And maybe he could even like Nelson Cruz it for you. Like pitching an inning and be a coach too. Not on my team. Sorry, Chris. Okay. Not on my team. I'll let you two figure that out.

I'll let you two figure that out. Okay. We're one step closer. Awesome, WBC. Trev, we got them. And I think we can keep this fairly high and tight because we haven't gotten the official update. But it sounds like we're getting some tweaks. to the pitch clock rules,

which, you know, I'll give you a little bit of credit where credits do. You were kind of on it. We'll see if they come out with your playoff suggestion because did anyone mind the pace of play in the WBC last night? I did not. And there was no pitch clock going on there. So we'll see if they mentioned the playoffs.

I mean, what baseball deserves credit on is that even if they don't announce something like that, they could, like a week before the playoffs. They have made changes when they've needed to be. addressed. So credit there. And I think they're addressing some of the funny business we've seen this spring training with pitchers trying to trick hitters with the pitch clock and the eight second mark and, you know, some of the other, the 15 seconds with no runners on base. I think people are saying that's a little tight. So I think we're getting the final update soon, but it

feels like, again, we're on the right path. Well, this is what I was hoping for when we implemented of these rules. Like, let's see how they work and then we can make some adjustments because that's common sense, right? Let's just not say we're going to do something and if it doesn't work, keep doing it. I did get official word that they're not going to change in the postseason as of yet. Okay. I know some guys on the competition committee. How about that?

Oops. Most of the things that are going to be changed are going to be small tweaks, things that kind of also just make sense. Like we're talking about the batter having to be in and alert at eight seconds. I think they're going to move that down a few seconds where they don't have to be sitting there for eight seconds if the pitcher wants them to. Also, if they call time out as of now, as soon as they step in the box,

the clock starts. So then it can be 15 seconds that you're sitting there. So now they're going to try to change that a little bit as well. Other stuff with guys making the last out or catching like a defensive plan on the last out, the catcher leading off. It's going to be more so. like umpire discretion like when to start the clocks and if the clocks do get started a little too early

he can wave them off which you know say what you want about umpires having more control i think at least that's a step in the right direction instead of just these cut and dry rules that like you know there's things happen in a baseball game dude so my question to my friends there on the competition committee was how receptive has MLB been to what the players have said and the answer was like what you think, like not really receptive, but kind of like they're listening. So I believe there's going to be more meetings about this throughout the season. And I implore everyone to just give it a chance. You know, we haven't even hit the regular season yet. Let's let's see how it works in 162. We can talk about it during the, during the season because, you know, some of these quotes

by the guys that are making the decisions here, they're saying like, yeah, let's a small tweak that needs to be made, we can do that. Like, there are things they're willing to do. because ultimately I believe they want to get this right. But postseason, I think, is from what I've heard is off the table. So Manfred probably saw my tweet. Yeah. I know he's got all those burners out there checking what I'm doing all the time. He's got to kind of lay off me a little bit.

It's a little creepy sometimes. But I think they're headed in the right direction. He doesn't want you getting the credit right away. If he waits until September, then you don't get the credit. And I respect that from a little bit of a power play. Um, yeah, man, in the, uh, you know, hey, I, I think people might have heard it in my voice. It sounded a little bit like I was sucking up to the rules committee, but our rules episode that we did at winter meetings has been one of our biggest episodes recently. And those are the guys.

Like, uh, Glenn, who gets quoted in the, in the article, we, we spent a day with him. Um, you know, Raulie Banya's, who's our other guy? Morgan's sword. Morgan's sword. I was going to say. He's always got a Game of Thrones name. He's got a Game of Thrones name. Okay, so you're going to kill me. Those guys are literally the ones on the button, and they like us.

We like them. And yeah, let's see some logic. And when we need to make changes in some iterations, we do that. Man, week out, Trev. Yeah, it's time to get our heads back into the grind. Because this was a quick-paced tournament. We were just kind of covering that. It kind of came out of nowhere where the games were just so good you had to just kind of only focus on that.

And kind of forgot about spring training altogether. But now, yeah, now it's time remembering all the 30 teams, what they did before. And I don't know if we want to let people know about, like, kind of what's cracking on talking baseball. Is it a time to say that? I think we can discuss it. We can discuss it. That, please. Oh, I think that you and I are going to be handling the recap episodes.

and James will be visiting us during the midweek app. So Monday and Friday, it'll be the three amigos here, players only, recapping with the occasional fill in because we still have some schedules. You and I are busy guys. We're busy guys. But Wednesdays will all be together.

And I think that this is going to be a good year. We're going to reformat a few things, but we're trying to constantly improve the show as best we can. I think we're doing that. Yeah, if you guys have some thoughts, comments, feedback, tweet, I guess tweet at me, Beaves, and Trev in the next couple days for the series recap episodes because we put our heads together in the next few days and figure out exactly how we want to attack those. We want to cover it the best way we can for all baseball fans.

That's a goal, right? And John, I think you'll see him make appearances on Monday when we have those big topics. You know, even for a 20 minute, something like that. I think you'll see a chunk of that. Because just, you know, full disclosure with the people, we peel the curtain back. It's all real. We got like 70 employees now. We got there's shit everywhere.

And I hope you guys are enjoying it because there's some really good content we're pumping out in every aspect. Silly stuff, baseball stuff, other sports. There's a boxing guy now, Cobo. Who is that? Not a bad. He just sent me quite a video. Okay. Interested in that.

Can't talk about it quite. Yeah. So, yeah, I'm so excited to get into it. I mean, even talking about that one world baseball classic game, the juices are flowing, and I'm excited to see, you know, what young guys are next in all of it, the thrills of a season. And in a way, like, this is, is this our first regular season? Or when was the lockout?

Was that last year? Yeah, 2020 we had COVID, then we had the lockout. So this was like a regular spring training into the season for us. We haven't had that yet. COVID. Well, even though, this doesn't really count for the WBC. WBC. So what is normal?

Not much in the simulation, Trev. I'll tell you that much. Send me some more of those Megalodon videos. That thing is. I'm sending me. Maybe BVD can like post a link or something because this thing got me for a while. I watched that thing quite a bit. So Teddy, he was like, what, is that real?

I'm like, kind of. Close. Maybe. Kind of. What's real? Like, I don't know. I think we send Teddy to Japan for a year. Put in that work.

Comes back. Oh, and then he plays for Team Japan, though. Yeah. Team USA needs him. Never mind. We can't risk that. I think I'm going to do some content with Teddy this year. I've mentioned it to you guys a little bit.

But we're going to see a little bit more Tedster on the mic, I think. Team Egypt, right? we could sneak them on that. I would love to go out there. Let's get him on TV. Egypt, Teddy? All right. Egyptians and I are

real close. I think we'll wrap it up. Man, we emptied the tank hard there and some news at the end. So we will see you guys Monday. Monday. One of our drafts is a special one. Is it prop bets?

No. Position units Jake sucks. Oh, position. Unless you really want to. in my name, we can flip them. I'll figure it out. Just need to give people winners. That's all I do.

Talking yanks tomorrow, I might be giving out some winners. I think. Nanks? Pirates are my surprise TV. Watch their TPP.