Talkin' Baseball (MLB Podcast) - Major Trades & Signings Shaking Up MLB! | 1086

Episode Date: January 21, 2026

Use our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TALKIN2026. Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discountDownload the DraftKings Sportsbook app and use promo code JMBASEBALLCoach Trev and Talkin’ Jake break down the Mets trading for Luis Robert Jr, Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltran getting into the Hall of Fame, Ranger Suarez signing with the Red Sox and more!0:00 Intro2:00 What Luis Robert is going to bring to the mets7:00 The trade24:00 Hall of Fame induction - Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltran42:00 Beltran post-career Astros scandal50:00 Ranger Suarez signs with the Red Sox59:00 What else do the Red Sox need1:02:00 JT Realmuto re-signs with the Phillies1:10:00 What does Framber Valdez do now? 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 Luis Robert. He's a New York met Ranger Suarez. We did Hall of Fame. It's a double-up. It's a double-up. So we do. Tom Glavin. Chris Gets.

Chris Gets out. Hello. And welcome to Talking Baseball. I am Jake Storelli. That is Trevor Plouffe. Rob Serocco's producing. Dalton Feeley's back in the last. We're going to time travel a little bit.

You might get double intros today. Dalton Feeley was on a triple date at the hockey game last night, a little heated rival reaction. We recorded a full episode. That's right. We're at it again, people. Last night, we did a whole Hall of Fame, Ranger Suarez, J.T. Realmudo episode. And then right as, you know, heads are about to hit pillows.

Luis Robert. Robert. Robert is traded. On baseball reference, it's just as Robert. I know. I just got polluted for years by people being like, hey, stop being white. It's Robert. And now everyone's coming the other way to the New York Mets linked for a couple years.

The Uber talented center fielder, some tough results in his recent play. But the Mets make another move. So we're here to talk about it again, Coach Trev. we don't care you think we care about time you think we care about time timelines no we don't we'll put we'll put whatever we want out here on the youtube uh i'm excited about this one coach because we have been kind of teeing this up for a few years our guy chris gets finally pulling the trigger here and we've said this from from time to time and actually jolly put out a video saying that he thinks this is fan made fodder when you're talking about a fresh start for a guy And I just don't believe it, Jolly. I'm sorry. I think sometimes you get stale in an organization and do need a fresh start. Is it always going to help?

Absolutely not. It's up to the guy. It's up to the coaching staff of the new team. Like, what are the Mets going to do with Luis Robert? Because we know what he's going to do defensively in the center field. He's going to be a baller out there. He's one of the best defensive centerfielers in all the baseball. He's still, even in these down offensive years, has been doing that.

So he's creating value for himself. But you're right. Over the last couple of years, we're talking in the six's OPS, not the guy that we saw matched 38 homers or the guy that looked like he was going to be, you know, a Mike Trout S-type player. That was kind of crazy. It was that 20-21? He went crazy.

There are some things, coach. I've been diving into a little bit of video, a little bit of baseball savant swing metrics. There are some things that they can do. He's made some changes. In 2023, this guy was mashing fastballs. 24, 25, not so much. If you look at the swing to the naked eye, it looks kind of the same, but when you kind of dig deeper, there are some differences.

And I'm hoping the Mets development, like player development can get in there and say, let's get back to the time when you were mashing fastball, because everything falls off of that. If you're on time for the fastball, you're able to make adjustments, you're more consistent with your contact. I think that's what we're going to see. Do you want to know what I found?

Yeah, I'll be honest, I'll give one Jakey weird thing along the way. The phrase the naked eye, how did that start about? You know? Genuinely. Like, saw it with the naked eye. I don't know. The naked eye means without help, like, you know. Right.

What about binoculars or, you know, a magnifying glass or a microscope? The naked eye is just the naked eye, Jake. I'm so mad we didn't have the zoomed out producer shot because Palmer the dog. making a little shout out. Gosh. Everyone to know that. Palmer, get up there. Oh, God.

What a beauty. Everybody in my house is asleep, so I had to take her out and then not wake everybody up because I'm like that. You're built entirely different. You're built. You are the Cuban Mike Trout.

Tell us what you saw in Louis, Robert Swing. So in 2023, well, number one, you can just like look at what his stance was then they have all the metrics on on baseball football, which is awesome. It was a little bit more closed off.

It was actually a little bit more narrow. Okay. So you see that from the get-go, but to me it's his hands. His hands start from a lower spot. So when he is getting, you know, his coil, getting ready, he's launching from a little bit lower slot.

So like a little bit less steep of an attack angle, if you will. And that actually shows up on the metrics too when I looked at it. So it's just, it's less distance to cover. like he's closer to where he needs to make contact at and I think he was just he was just on time a little bit more because of that and that's like to me a pretty simple fix but when you're going through you know if you're in the cage with the guy and you're like okay well hey like let's spread out a

little bit so we get the contact that doesn't always work sometimes when you spread out you get stiff you um you know it just things don't work the same whatever anyone says uh get more athletic the first thing most guys do in the box is narrow their stance and you get more fluid that way. So it's not a big difference in the width of his stance. I think it's only like an inch or two there. But the arms to the leg are shorter. So he's he's here attacking from here instead of attacking from here a little bit higher up, which is just going to cause a little bit of, you know, being not in sync or not in time for these heaters.

I think that's an easy fix. You can go and do that. Go convince Luis to make the adjustment. Guarantee he's up for it. He wants to provide offensively. So simple things like that, this guy still has incredible bat speed, which is like one of the leading indicators of like things are about to fall off is when the bat speed starts to go. He still has incredible bat speed. It's still there.

So now it's just about taking that bat speed and making it more direct and making more consistent contact and getting yourself on time. He can do that. So like, hey, 20 million bucks can the Mets get in there and fix his swing during spring training or even try to start right now? You're welcome. Hey, baseball fans, Mets fans, there you go. Luis Robert fixed. I guess we could talk about the trade a little more. It was Luis Angelicoonia. That's why, right, Ron's little brother. And Thomas Pauley, I don't have the full standard. Harvard guy, right?

Oh, shoot. Truman Pauley, excuse me. Truman Pauley. Oh, he went to Winward in L.A.? Your fingerprints are all on this. I think Chris Rose's kids went to Winward. Okay, doxed. Um,

or they're not more. Luis Robert, like we talked about and you probably know if you're listening to this show, but came on to the scene hot, big time prospect, second and rookie of the year, gold glove, um,

in 2020. Wow, what a time. Um, and then we saw him in 2021. He was amazing, Treff, 68 games of 3-7 war.

Um, but the problem was 68 games, but we're like, okay, get ready for this guy when he's healthy. And then we've seen a mix of injuries. He's only played over 110 games once. And that was in 2023, where he was a 5 plus war player, 8.57 Ops, 38 homers, 20 steals, oozing with talent.

And then the past two years, it's just been icky, 210 games in OPS in the 6-5s. Now he's mashed lefties. So there's a couple things that you like here. You like a major league team betting on talent. Luis Robert is 27, 28, excuse me. So, like, time hasn't won the war yet. Chicago White Sox fans, I saw some of you fighting this online, but there's still a little bit of stink there.

Even Andrew Vaughn, like when he went over and midseason to the Brewers, like, again, that's a small sample size. and maybe it's Brewer's devil's magic, but it's also the change of scenery thing that we're talking about, along with potential coaching. And maybe there's a hitting coach there that knows what Coach Trev knows and can help him out. Maybe it's moving down the lineup.

I know some of the analytics people don't believe in stuff like that. Luis Robert played more than half his game hitting second, third, and fourth last year. So like on the Mets, they're currently slot them in the bottom half of the lineup, surrounded by a lot of talented guys. I think talent is attracted to talent like Luis Robert, go talk to Juan Soto a little bit. Why not? And Bo Bichette is on that team now. And I forget the term Jolly used.

I forget if he said like fun or weapons or whatever it is. But up and down that Mets lineup, there's a lot of talent. I don't know what Luis Robert's going to be this year, but also on the counter to everything I just said. It is interesting, like, Robert and Simeon, if they play to what their baseball card was last year, those are going to be a couple moves that are critiqued pretty highly at the end of this season. End of the day, I'm not there yet because I like the talent those guys have, especially coming into this organization. Sorry, Palmer's chewing up a rug in my studio right now.

And this is a disaster. Do you like that or hate that? I don't like it. I need to talk to her right now. Hold on. I'm back. You're back. Where are we at with this, Coach?

I listened to what you have to say. We talked about... Robert hasn't been great. The Simeon move is... I think that gets magnified a little bit. The Mets have made their moves, and we generally kind of like it. Yes, and it still doesn't mean they have to be done either.

You know, right now, I'm assuming the line would be Soto in right. You have Luis in center and then some sort of Taylor, Ben, is it Benj? And maybe Brett

out there in left field. So like they've been linked to Cody. Is Cody still going to play up? Hey, they're still a spot for me there. Like we're expecting Bellinger News at any freaking moment. But again, I think this is,

they've tried a bunch of of people out there in centerfield if my memory serves correct it's it's been baiter last year they went after mullins uh obviously taylor there so like they've david searns has been trying to find his centerfield piece um i like the move jake i do i think it's interesting because you did give up a ton of money to get louise unhael akuna junior from was it the rangers The Rangers had him, right? And the Max Scherzer trade. You ate a bunch of that salary so you can get a better prospect.

You liked him. I liked him as a player, but it didn't really happen for him there at the major league level. So maybe he will get a fresh job. He'll get to go work with my guy Derek Shulman, former Twins assistant hitting coach, who got hired this offseason. See if he can kind of get more playing time, more consistent playing time. Could be good for him as well. But yeah, I mean, this is to me, it's like,

this is low risk it's low risk for like a pretty high ceiling here Jake for being honest Luis Robert's still 28 years old so I'm like he's an old you know put him out to the pasture type guy I mentioned the bat speed is still there

so you know the floor will be there because of the defense and man if you get some some offense at him it could be this could be one of the best moves of the off season it's true like I you can't knock the talent

and potential of it at all. It's Carson Benj. So we said. You had that. That, yeah, hey, the Mets, the Mets after, you know, the Kyle Tucker situation where they clearly, you know, Uncle Steve was taking a Twitter. They thought they were in the mix. They've now countered with Bichette and Luis Robert that, yeah, I think on the other side

of this, Coach Trev, you know, we thought the Mets would be trading. We kind of thought it would be for pitch. pitching. We'll be interested to see if they address that because like we've danced around, we like their pitching. You'd really like it more with one kind of bona fide innings eater towards the top. You can say that for any rotation though. And hey, the Mets have addressed defense with Simeon at second base, Robert and Centerfield, which, hey, whenever we talk about the Brewers, which we know Stearns came from there, whenever we talk about the guardians, like one of the deep dark secrets is just those teams play defense every year.

Like we scoff at their lineup sometimes because we're like, what are these guys doing in 7, 8,9? Well, they're fielding the ball. And they have guys that are going to field the ball with potential upside of Marcus Simeon not having to be the leadoff hitter that he's been the past couple years. Luis Robert, not having to be in the middle of the lineup. That, yeah, I'll tell you what, the Mets are going to be must watch TV. And hey, you know, I know, I know we don't do.

this a lot, but I kind of like it for the white socks. Like Luis Roberts value and money had gotten to a weird spot. He's $20 million, $22 million for this year, slash a buyout with $20 million for next year. So it's going to be interesting to see how he performs. And I think worst case for the Mets, you have a defensive center fielder who Robert has hit lefties well the past couple seasons. So you have that. The only downside of that is, okay, the stats that we've told you about, Robert, the 85 and 86 OPS plus the past two years. If you're mashing lefties, well, then you've really been struggling against Wright. So there is risk to this health-wise for Robert, who doesn't have a lot of big games played

and performance-wise, but you're taking a chance on potential and you're using Uncle Steve's wallet, which should be the Mets advantage. Yeah, now the White Sox picking up those options, we kind of were like, okay, like, what's, what's up with that? I think they did the right thing. by picking up the option you get Luis Luis on Helicunya

essentially and and don't forget about Polly my LA guy I never do Harvard I'm looking at this the average bat speed page here on baseball savant it's a pretty good indicator

of who's going to be banging the ball around the park not every big hitter is on there like judge isn't leading the way and he's actually shitty seventh his picture just wasn't there but like that's one thing

thing that people, you know, continue to try to work on and increase every single year and there's ways to do it. Luis Robert has been

steadily in the top 15. I think he was, well, he was 14th in 2020. And actually this year, he was 18th. So he's like at or near the top of the leaderboard there,

which is, again, a good, good sign for, if you're a Mets fan, you want to take some solace and say, hey, we can get some offensive production. And this guy, it's the fact that he still is swinging the bat

with some vigor, if you will. 90th percentile outs above average sprint speed and bat in 2025. I think the only two to do that were Luis Robert and Julio Rodriguez. And I mean, the rest of this episode, we go on to talk about kind of great centerfielders and how center fielder should be treated different. So the chance that he has this potential, if the Mets do think there's something they can tap into, you can be getting an elite player in this league. for the price of that salary dump with Max Scherzer that, you know,

I don't know where Luis Anhele Cunia's prospect status is. I know he had a four-home or winter league game. Yes, he did. Last one was a position player pitching. I don't need to come at that. But, you know, hey, you look at the White Sox, and there's a lot of young, fun guys on the field. And the path of baseball, none of us can predict.

it maybe in a couple years they're looking at some really fun guys on their team I don't know their AL Central hopes but I think that's it Cody Bellinger sign

do you know who's right in front of Luis Robert on the average bat speed list show hey O Tani yeah that guy he's on every list He's on every list He's on every list

He's on pitching list Rob just scroll up and just look at the names I mean it tracks Right It tracks these guys are these guys are bangers Matt Walner The Minnesota moves Matt Wallner I can't tell people what I've been doing with Matt Wallner

But it's good Sounds gross Okay Incoming massive season I love it it. Hopefully the same for Robber. Hopefully the same for Acuna, a baby bro.

That, yeah, that's a, that's that, a rumor trade for years. Again, we recorded the rest of this episode last night with a lot of Hall of Fame and Ranger Suarez and Real Mudo. So a little Talking Baseball super rep to get everyone back

through January. Hello and welcome to talking baseball. Ranger Suarez is a sock kid. There's some ripple effects from that. And we got some center fielders in the Hall of Fame. Let's talk ball. I played center. Gonsmoltz. Oh, Derram Astriani. Oh, I know. I know. Hello. And welcome to talking baseball. We got good news for the people. Everyone was so mad. You guys recorded an episode and you didn't release it until three days later. Well, now we're coming early. That's a little bit.

bit more in my lane. I don't know. We got a big night tonight. It's the night shift. A gummy might have been nibbled on. I don't know if the Vino's coming out. I do know we've got two new Hall of Famers and we got one Hall of Famer in my heart. It's Trevor Plouf. Coming live from the left coast. Coach Trev, how are we doing? I'm doing great. Back from Chicago as, you know, I have duties now. One of my many jobs, I'm calling plays for the Los Angeles Rams during the playoffs. It's not a big deal. We're on to Seattle. But yeah, I needed to get this episode in. I felt like we hadn't talked in a while.

And here you are answering the bell. I said you looked like Kurt Signetti. You did not take that very well. I lamented as a compliment. I'll let the comments go. You know, I think if the shoe's on the other foot here, and if I was like, Trev, you're looking like Coach Sig today. I don't think you're loving that.

The mustache is interesting for me because I get it. Like some people like it and some people think I look terrible. It can be seen as aggressive. I think it works. I saw it pop up on a social clip and I was like, yeah, I'm there. And then, yeah, I don't know. I can't deal with you calling me Signetti. He's a champ.

I see Rob on the production side. He's looking at pictures of Signetti, and that's not the energy I bring to the table. I do, Trev, you know, you and me were always about. to Fighter F, F or F as we say. I want to give a shout out to our listeners, not because they listen, even though that's awesome, not because they're the best people in the world, that's great. The comment section on our Kyle Tucker episode that we delayed by three days

was actually pretty hilarious. It was a lot of jokes like, I hope the bears do okay this weekend. There was a lot of, I wonder where Bichette's going to sign. know what? Sometimes the internet and comments can end up in the bad place. Our people brought the noise this weekend, and I'm proud of them. Yeah, I know. We didn't know what to do. I called for the release early. We decided not to, what do they call that, cannibalized views, I guess. We'll think about that in the future. We'll take it under consideration. Comments have been, you know what, I will say this. The YouTube comment section is usually phenomenal, because that's

People that have actually listened to the episode. Social media has been not so great. But again, that's okay. Like, I think there are going to be times where we just kind of get shelled. And we got to take it. Like, people don't like our views. That's okay. Like, that's part of it.

That's why we're the best in the business because we will look at those and, you know, consider what's happening. I think when we get into this CBA thing next year, it's going to be, we're going to be in the weeds. pop, and I'm okay with that. I want to hear different opinions, and I think you called it, and then we put a clip out today about, it's the fans, man. Gotta listen to the fucking fans, Jake.

And I want to make sure that we always continue to do that. And we should be the leading example for Major League Baseball. Fans first. For the fans, by the fans. We are fans. Foo-Foo-Foo, instead of Fubu. That, yeah, I don't

think that works, but, um, no, and I, hey, it was kind of cool. I listened to a little bit of brother Jeff. He, he, he, he was on McAfee and he was kind of echoing the same sentiment, because we're, we're in a society that people will divert their attention. There's so much stuff to divert your attention to that if you screw around, you'll find out that, uh, it was kind of everything we were talking about in this, what feels like a pivotal moment in the baseball scene where we have an Asian Bay Bruce where we have the Statue of Liberty is hitting 60 home runs a season where the sports back in a world fighting for attention there's all these pockets of 30 fans that tune in for three hours every night for six months we got something

people let's not CBA today um okay I think trev I the ranger Suarez signing which big money uh team that we that has been a hot topic of the offseason especially recently. And this might surprise people. I think I want to do a little Hall of Fame quick. I don't know. I know you wanted to talk some Hall. I wanted to talk some Hall too. And normally when the Hall of Fame stuff comes out,

you and I shrug a little bit and we kind of do like, yeah, man, those are two great ball players. Like we don't really know what to add to the conversation. And this year there's a little wrinkle with a pair of center fielders getting added to the mix that, hey, there's some center field history. There's a little bit of Beltran's post-playing career that is now tying into other players on the ballot that you, right before the show, you came to me and you were like, hey, I want to talk. You said you had a Chris Rose Hall of Fame question, so I can't wait for that. And I also wanted to Yuck some Hall.

So what do you got? Well, I think the reason that you and I feel like we have nothing to offer the Hall of Fame discussion. I'll give you a reason. I actually thought about this today. I'm like, why do I not care about the Hall of Fame? Like, I respect the past and the history of baseball. I love old school players. I had mentors that went on to become Hall of Famers.

I understand how difficult it is. not only to just, I mean, to make it to the bigleys and then to put a career together that gets you into the Hall of Fame you have to have, I mean, obviously have the utmost respect for anybody that gets inducted, but I think there are reason that you and I, and maybe it's like this middle generation, like before the internet, like kind of right at the internet,

we just didn't have, I didn't have stats. I never focused on stats when I watched baseball. Growing up, I was like, that guy's an awesome player. And like if you wanted to find the stats, I surely was not going to be. baseball reference. It probably wasn't even around when I was a kid or in high school when the internet was actually a thing.

So like I just would like, I like this player. He's awesome to watch. Maybe in the paper, the daily news. I would check out, hey, who has the most hits in the league every once in a while? That's cool. What's your ERA? You know, so like the statistical side of the game, I was never super into. I liked who I liked.

I mean, I like Brett Butler for God's sake. Like that was my favorite player. growing up. So, like, I'm not a statistical guy. So every once in a while, we'll get guys. Brett Butler was your favorite player growing up? Yeah, here's a stupid reason why. I had a flip book, you know, one of those flip books. Kids don't even know what I'm talking about. No. And it showed you how to bunt because guess what Brett Butler did? Wow. That's sick. That's sick in the head. But okay. It's maybe why I'm so obsessed with the punt play. A hundred percent. Maybe we need to unpack that one day. But again, like,

For instance, dude, like Andrew Jones, hell of a ball player. I could have named one stat. Won a bunch of gold gloves? I know that. Yeah. Hit a bunch of homers. I know that's off the top of my head. Carlos Beltrane.

Like, I know he was great, and it was great in the playoffs, too. I don't know all the stats. So when I go check these guys out, I'm like, holy fuck. Like, Carlos Beltran had a hell of a career. Like, Andrew Jones had a really, like, great, like, eight-year peak. And then, like, I'm like, fell off. Like, I don't, like, remember all. all that stuff. So a lot of times I have to kind of get a refresher course. And maybe that's why we're

just like, all right, like I know these guys are good. But I think a lot of guys are good. Because I just, when I was growing up watching ball, I never thought about statistics. And I don't, I feel like there's still a large portion of people that feel that still watch the game like that. But now, obviously, we're inundated with stats, data, new stats. You know, it's like, it has, people have to be more. more into stats nowadays than they were before, I think. So yeah, let me, let me give you some facts and then I'll give you some educated guesses because I like what you're dancing around.

Hey, shout out to your guy, Brett Butler. We're looking at 50 career war for him, 558 career stolen bases. Never would have thought that, Jake. 377 career on base for a speaker. We might have, okay, Brett Butler. So with baseball stats, I think there's a couple things here. One, there's a tweener generation that I think I'm a part of where fantasy baseball and video games happen. That fantasy baseball and video games brought stats a little more to the forefront naturally.

But it was also the stats we were familiar with. It was home runs. It was RBI. It was stolen bases, batting average. Win, strikeouts, saves. Even saves like used to be a new stat. that I think that's a little more ingrained around people our age, Olympus together,

than guys that maybe weren't, you know, passing Stanford to go to the draft. That I think that's part of it. I also think baseball has a history side to it that this part is becoming theory, but as you get older, you naturally get into more history. I have, when I'm out of podcast, I've got to. an ancient Rome pod going on. I don't think people would expect that for me. I don't expect that for me. That's new. But I think as you get older, you're kind of like, what was the treaty of Versailles? So I think baseball has always had a historic side to it. And like, Babe Ruth's home run record.

And when Hank Aaron got past that, and like, I think it used to be built on the numbers. It was 3,000 hits. It was 300 wins. It was 500 home runs that we've definitely now gone into hyperdrive, that the analytics and the nerds and the war and the Vorp and whatever you've got, like baseball brought in geeks, which, hey, you guys are welcome here. We're not, we're going to throw you in the locker, but that's a sign of respect. That where stats are and the Hall of Fame, it's an interesting new world. And this year's vote was kind of one of the first flashes of that.

I don't like when you say nerds. I say it endearing. Like, I wish I had that side, bro. I don't. Okay. Actually, let me- I feel like it's derogatory. And guess what?

I shout out Cresby High. Like, I hung out with everybody. There was no such thing as like nerds and jock. We all were just one. Dude, I was class president of my high school. Okay. So, okay, you're using it as a total of endearment.

That's, that's, I'm glad we cleared that up for the people. And I think everybody has a nerdy side to them. Like, I get nerdy about baseball. football. I'm trying to think what else I get nerdy about. I'm, I'm into a coach, but that's a new one for you. I mean, man, it started off way too early, like Romulus and Remus, and I was like, can we like fast forward? Like, give me, give me some F and F. Hey, let me tell you right now, I don't know how far you've gotten. There is some

effed up things that happen in H&R. Oh, yeah, dude, everywhere. Have you gotten to Nero yet? and this is what Trevor and I are trying to say congratulations to Carlos Beltran and Andrew Jones Can I give you my Chris Rose question? Yes Yes

First of all there's some numbers here that are nuts for Carlos Beltran But I guess my Chris wrote he liked this question I actually asked him today Wow Do you prefer Because I think both are like equally as hard

But do you prefer a guy that went 15 to 20 years consistently above average, three to four war a year, you know, kind of in that like 880 OPS, you know, the 25 homer guy, but for a long period of time stayed healthy, or do you prefer like an Andrew Jones who like seven, eight years was one of the top five players in a league consistently and racked up all of his value in those years? Like what I guess who do you respect more? So I lean the guy with the higher peak. And again, everyone's a different, it's a different flavor of ice cream.

That's normally my lame statement for situations like this. But another Scott Van Pelt line that's one of my favorites, how good is you're good? And man, that's a fun thing to go to the drawing board with. And again, I don't want to knock a guy because as I get older, the appreciation for, you know, what Scott Rowland did into his later years and some other guys, that also deserves to be appreciated. But when you're talking about the hall, I want a little flash in there.

I want the bang. Like it is a little weird when you get into some of these conversations about guys. And it's like, yeah, you know, he never finished top 10 in MVP. And you're like, ooh, that's, you know, over their 15-year content. consistent career, nobody ever considered them a top 10 player in their league. Things like that do get a little weird for me. But everyone has their own case. But that's why I love these center fielders.

There's a Beltran off the field that we'll probably get to in a little bit. But dude, home runs and stolen bases. Beltran has 400 and 300. I believe he's one of six players to ever do that that's played the game of baseball. are It's Arod, Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, Andre Dawson,

yes, and one other person? I think we're missing one. I took two pictures. I'm so pathetic. I took two pictures while watching MLB Network because it's cool center field stuff. A, going off Beltron, because he's one of the five or six on that list.

Andrew Jones is one of four players that ever has 10 gold gloves and 400 homers. It's Willie Mays, it's Griffey, it's Mike Schmidt, it's Andrew Jones. So this is where stats with baseball get fun because you can kind of chop them up to tell your story a little better. And for me, Beltron is a little bit more of a compiler. And, you know, that hits some WFAN chords with some people. With peak years, though, I mean, what he does from a power speed standpoint,

we've only seen from literally a handful of people to ever play this game. Andrew Jones, like you mentioned, with his peak in the 10 gold gloves that came before age 31, he's a guy that came out of the post-steroids era, that this is my Ken Griffey versus Barry Bond's argument. Like, okay, one guy we know is on the sauce, if you do the first half of their careers, Griffey had him. When you start doing the sauce years, bonds ran laps around him, because, Griffey's body fell apart, and Andrew Jones, well, you know, we're starting to do apples and oranges a little bit there.

But Barry Bonds had seasons in his 38, 39, and 40-year-old season that we've never seen before while he was on Juice. So I kind of went rabid Jake mode there for a second. But I think these two are clear Hall of Fame players. When we do the All-JM team, we have the most prestigious award in baseball. We have a center field spot. Because that position is so difficult. And the other stat that popped up that was just jarring, and I am stealing this from MLB Network,

center fielder's in the Hall of Fame. I think we currently have nine ever. Ty Cobb, Trist Speaker, DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Duke Snyder. Then, from 1980, it's Kirby Puckett, and it's Ken Griffey, June. What? That I'm glad Beltron's in. I'm glad Andrew Jones is in. And if people are asking at home, Bernie and Kenny Lofton should be in the hall. Yeah. I think it's just so difficult to stay at center field. And Kenny Lofton, absolutely. Your dad, absolutely. Golly. That's a crazy stat. You just got me right there. Again, that's where I was kind of like, while Dalton's at a hockey game right now, looking like he's on a date with some chika. I'm watching MLB network, and they've, you know, they got all sorts of stats flying around.

So, I mean, Dahl, let's go. I was going to give this, like, Andrew Jones as, like, Kangrafie Jr. light comparison. I kind of think I nailed it. Okay. Like, as cool. I think he's as cool as Kangrophy Jr. is. As smooth as Kangrophy Jr. It just didn't have, like, the bat was not what Kangrophy Jr.

No. It was good. Hey, man. For the eight-year peak that he had. had 1998 to 2006. I'll give him those years. An 866 OPS, winning the gold glove every single year.

That's pretty freaking good. But Ken Gregory Jr. I did eight years for him from 90 to 98, and it's like longer peak than that, but I just went for the eight years. Gold glove every year, 966. And so, yeah, no.

He's on a different level. So I think I kind of nailed like Griffey Light. Like, because Andrew Jones epitomized cool as well because he was so young. and just like just making those catches he had the power yeah man and what an insane way to spell andrew yeah um and shout out to Andrew Monasterio on the Brewers the only other Andrew with the you uh in there uh love it and yeah I think okay I think Beltron baseball wise accumulating stats I I think there's less people that would fight it.

I think there's been an argument against Andrew Jones. But like you said, A, I'm with that early peak. And just what he did and the team he's a part of, like, I do think that matters to a degree because the guy played 78 postseason games, I believe. 76 postseason games. He had a 796 OPS.

But again, like that. for a center fielder that plays the defense he played, that's another half elite season in games that mattered. I thought you're talking about Beltran in the postseason. No. His numbers are insane. He's one dotting it in the postseason. And by the way,

I don't know if people remember this Jakey Liddick's moment that I had during the year. Why don't postseason stats count towards your career war? Because I think that would end this conversation. I don't know how I feel about that. as a guy who never got the fucking chance. I know it's a little unfair, but the wear and tear is pretty real. Yeah, no, I get it.

I get it. You're playing the games in the biggest moment. It's a counting stat. That's why. But count them. You know what I'm saying? Like, um, my, and again, maybe I- Put spring training in there.

My war will be up. I was a spring training ball. Gonna need those stats. Um, and again, maybe there's a little bias in there because my guy Bernie played 121 postseason games, 275, 371, and 850 OPS.

And by the way, Bernie Williams also gets knocked for his defensive war, which didn't exist when he played. He has a negative defensive war, won four gold gloves playing center field. So, you know, sometimes we live and die by the war. I don't know. I think both of these guys are Hall of Fame players. I think we get a little too tight

about the Hall of Fame sometimes. And yeah, I think some of... It's such a great, like, and this is going to come off as me hating on Andrew Jones. Yes. If his 62.7 career war wasn't the first thing you saw on the page, are we going Hall of Famer? Wild, right?

Like, when we made that the end-all be-all, and it's not a perfect staff. It's good. It's a good accumulation. Guess what? The best players usually end up with the highest war. But Chris Roses, I like what he says. He goes, if I watch the game of baseball and I've seen this guy play his entire career,

do I ever feel like he's a Hall of Fame talent? I think Andrew Jones is an absolutely yes. Yeah. And like you talked about with his peak years and that probably is kind of a nice statement for your question there, like that I, I understand the people that fight back at some of these guys, and now I'm going to war, but these guys have like eight war seasons in there, and Andrew Jones led in home runs

with 10 gold gloves. Both of these guys, you can point to not crazy cut up numbers and be like, yeah, no, that's a Hall of Famer. Career war of centerfielders in the Hall of Fame. The only guy that's in the hall as, or excuse me, the only guy who's not in the Hall of Fame as a center fielder above Beltran and Lofton. Mike Trout. So I think that's going to take care of itself.

So yeah. That's going to be a fun discussion, man. Talk about Mike. I haven't seen anyone up in arms about it. I guess I want to close off the Hall of Fame and see if you have any other Beltran thoughts because of that whole other thing. But it's all brought to you by Seat Geek. Make sure you guys go to Seat Geek.

Go to the Hall of Fame ceremony. Shout out to Josh Rowwich, the president of the Hall of Fame. I don't know if Seekek's selling tickets to that, but they sell tickets to everything, so probably, including the upcoming World Cup, the NFL playoffs. Treve'll be there. And Seekek has been with us pretty much from the start now. They're the number one rated ticketing app, and they give you guys a code and girls. Talking 2026, 10% off your next set of tickets at Seek, 10% off.

Any tickets at Seekkeek promo code Talk in 2026. Click the link in the description. Have the code automatically added to your account so you could use it a later. Thank you, Seekkeek. Trev, do you care about the Beltron post-playing career stuff at all? You're talking about the Astros. I was alluding to it. So do I like that he did that?

No. Have I criticized him heavily about, like, you know, he's probably one of the most important people to blame for that? Yes, I have. Do I think it matters in Hall of Fame voting? No, because all those numbers that he can pile of like, it had nothing to do. Yeah.

I don't think it should have held him out. Am I mad at him a little bit? Yeah. Fine. Do you think he cares? I'm mad at him? No. Right.

And I guess the other part for Hall of Fame people that this conversation gets interesting, there was a lot of boost on the ballot. A-Rod is getting into kind of a it could happen territory. Andy Pettit is getting into it could happen territory. Those guys both have linked histories to steroids at different points. Nice. Thanks for clarifying, Jake. And then there was a couple others like Felix Hernandez, which, Trev, okay, the game we were

playing before, I think you and I, if we were playing the game, Hall of Famer or not. If we were playing without a camera, without a microphone, and a lot of people watch this program now, which again, thank you guys, if you and I were off camera playing,

hey, is Felix Hernandez a Hall of Famer? I think you and I are like, yeah, King Felix? That guy was disgusting. Well, C. Rosie asked me that. He goes, you know, you played against Verlander,

Scherzer in their primes. Like, was he part of that? And I said, yeah, like you thought about Felix, the same way you thought about Scher and verily. You did. You just did. He was absolutely filthy. Maybe the numbers speak for themselves. I think, I believe, did he, he won a Cy, I'm pretty sure. Yeah, he won the Cy Young in 2010. He finished second in 2009 and 2014. Yes. To me, like, it's, it's, he should be in the Hall of thing. Yes.

Yeah. And I think, um, I, more so what I think Felix will signify in a couple years. By the way, Hamels did really well. That one's interesting to me. I have no idea what his career stats are. Dude, I'm kind of in the same boat. Whoa, he's in your book. And I like, he's been a part of this show. Remember when we were the biggest fan of Cole Hamill's agent?

Just like getting him gigs? One million dollars without a bullpen? It's like, what? That, yeah, I guess for the deep loss in baseball people, Felix's career innings, career war, you know, some of the things we get caught up in, they're not

necessarily the old standard of pitching. Oh, come on. Well, the, no, is this him getting you out? Did I miss it? Oh, Rob, play that back. I was looking at stats. Okay. Felix Hernandez from, it's 02,

so you're working the count. Felix freezes you. Down and in 90s. Heater. Is that, Was that the stance Josh Donaldson made fun of you for? Is that your 70-30? No, this is a better. I think this is better. I was going to say, you're a little more up right there. This is 2014 got to be with that stand. Good year for you. Good year for us.

Yeah. Anyways, Felix kind of signifies that, you know, some of the old career pitching numbers, when guys used to throw complete games 25 times a season, he could kind of change the mold, which was going to have to happen because pitching has changed so much. That, yeah, I don't know. He threw so much, dude, during that, like, his peak that, like, he wasn't long for the game, dude. He threw so much.

Like, they're, Treve, it's going to be funny in, like, five years or so. We're going to be looking at Hernandez as one of the, like, were horses that got in the hall because, yeah, the game just changed so quickly. He, from, for 10 seasons, Felix averaged 217.8 innings pitch per season. So, like, we'll never probably see that again. If you ask me, like, playing against Cole Hamels

that I feel like he was a Hall of Famer, with the utmost respect for a guy that did it for 15 years and I'm looking at the stats now and I'm liking them. Right. I would have said no, but like the stats are what they are, Jake. Fifteen years to a three, four.

You know, the wins, obviously, no one's going to get to those win numbers that you need anymore, 200, 300 wins. That's crazy. And I guess I'm still looking at his war because he got to 58. Trev, I will take it a step more confidently than you. even though I'm not confident.

If I didn't know Cole Hamels' war, looking at his baseball reference, I would not assume he's a Hall of Fame player. It sounds mean. I don't want that to sound mean. Again, respectfully. He never finished fourth or higher in the Cy Young. Like, that's what I'm talking about.

Again, when you look at the numbers and you look at the war, you're kind of like, yeah. And I mean, Cole Hamels was very good. And this turns into the baseball conversation that a lot of baseball people like to have. So, again, I think it was his first or second year on the ballot, and he did very good. So that was some Hall of Fame chatter.

I know not normally where I land. It looks like Chase Utley is going to get in. And then from the early scouting report I saw from the beat riders, Jimmy Rollins is a little low right now, but all the beatwriters were like, Rollins was kind of better than Utley. So you might see that kind of pick up and become more of a thing.

And I guess my final- Don't look at the war for Chase-Upley. Right. But there's also like a feel that came with Chase Utley, but I kind of- Nine War season. Is that Trevor Plouf taking Cole Hamill's

up top to bring the twins within a five-run lead? Got him. Don't put it there. Was that the combio, the famous combio? I think it was. I think it was. Yeah, that was the epic run of 2012.

That got me, my entire life. Wow. Yeah. Thank you, Cole Hamels. And thank you to, oh, let's watch the replay. Yeah, I think so.

That's 70-30, coach. Look at this. Look at the leg kick. Look at the drive. Oh. And next batter. Popped up. That's prime closure.

That was a little Twins baseball 2012. Chase Stutley would not like to hear me say that about it. He probably want to fight me. Yeah. And he might win. I think he's got a good, he's got that Silver Fox thing down. You've got a new trainer. Yeah, I got new trainer.

And Trev, I know you're setting a lot of goals for yourself, workout-wise, golf-wise. Did you see where Andrew Jones got the call? No. Rob, I'm going to need you to get on the sticks quick. Andrew Jones was in the Dominican Republic with C.C., Adam Jones, Pudge. It was a bunch of Hall of Famer. Jimmy Rollins was there.

It was a bunch of studs that we need to find our way into that golf trip. Is this it? Rob, what is? I mean, I literally just shout it out like, C.C., can I be your friend? He's like, no. I think it's Pooleholz's tournament. So, dude, me and Albert are tight, dude.

You know who's in the middle of that, Trev? Your guy Yonder Alonzo. I love me some Yonder. If Yonder can get in, I can get in, man. That's the spirit. He's an all-star, though. I'll hold the camera or something. That was talking Hall of Fame.

Anything else you need to get out there? Today I saw I was at the golf course with Royce Clayton Wow And Schoolboy Q What Hands on the wheel

A great swing by schoolboy I saw him hit a drive on a fifth hole of our course Nice piped one down the middle Where do you live? It's kind of this hole that if you're on the driving range Everyone sees you so like you got a peacock a little bit If you hit a bad one, it's like, fuck. Yeah.

Hey, nice shot, pal. I've been having that happen. My new gym has a basketball court, but only like half of it you can see through. So when people walk by, they only get to see me take one shot, and I'm like, God, this one better be, this better be there. Otherwise, I'm the short guy thrown up bricks, and I don't need that. I don't need that. Speaking of, Trev, your fingerprints again. Ranger Suarez, your former teammate on the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs,

signs with the Boston Red Sox for five years, $130 million. There's a 2031 mutual option. I will already report that will not be picked up. There are no deferrals. there are obviously no opt-outs if you're going to sign with Boston and no no trade protection. No. That's you can't.

We just don't do no trades here. Ranger Saras signs with the socks. Hey, Red Sox fans, hand up. I'll give a little apology in an offseason that's been a lot of cold stove. We just went on a Hall of Fame rant. And we weren't first to this one. Go check out baseball today. Chris Rose, Trevor Plouffe.

but Ranger Suarez is kind of the pivot after the Red Sox missed from Bregman and now that rotation is starting, people are arguing it's the best in baseball. I'll give you a shout out Ranger number one, great guy, former Swiss Army knife that has turned himself into a great starting pitcher who has incredible postseason numbers as well,

some of the best posting numbers you're ever going to find from a pitcher so shout out my guy like a lot of people are like this is an overpay i don't think it is i think it's just what you pay one of these pitchers like this i'll tell you why i think boston went out and got him and i don't think it was a a quick like until we just need to sign somebody type thing if you look at what's happening right now with their roster first of all maybe i'm just a dummy but i still like like their roster without doing anything else i still think they kind of have a complete roster uh you know made the playoffs last year i had them going to the World Series didn't happen. Who'd they run into? Do the Yankees take them out?

Yankees in the three-game wild card. In the wild card. Okay. Um, no Roman Anthony. That changes thing. Okay. So you got Roman there. Anyways, I think what we're seeing now is they have two very, um, deep pools of depth. That's, I should, that did not word that right. Oh, no. No, no. That one hurt. Two deep pools of depth. I think it kind of works. It can work. Let's see if you can land it. Two positions of deep depth. Okay.

Starting pitching. Yeah. And they have young controllable starting pitching. And like tried and true proven major league outfield. Okay. So you miss out on Bregman. You don't get boba shit. But now you have these trade chips.

I'm almost there. Trade chips to go get what you need. We always talk about is Catea really not going to get traded again? And if the Boston Red Sox said, hey, what about, you know, one of our young controllable pitchers? And then what about, you know, one of our outfield debt pieces or maybe a Marcello Meyer. Like, they have these guys that other teams will covet. And they can go out and get their, quote unquote, free agent or their player they need to plug in. either at third base or second base.

Like, they can go do that now. So I think adding Ranger and getting that, that starting pitching depth, not only is he worthy of the contract and makes your rotation better, but he affords you the luxury to now go trade from your depth to go fill that other hole that you didn't,

you didn't get Bragman back at. So I think this is a very smart move by the Red Sox, um, for many different reasons. But again, I think, I think we're going to need to see that next move.

Because right now it's just a hypothetical thing, but I think they're in a position to go get it done, Jake. Yeah, and that's, I'm, the baseball side of me is hoping that when free agency taking a while, that maybe that was part of the reason the trade market wasn't as active. Let's see. That's just speculation, but I guess and a little hopeful that if we get some crazy trades, like, you know, the big names we dreamt of being traded this offseason, Scoobel, Cte, they didn't really have. happen. Even that next tier, Freddie Peralta, Joe Ryan, some of these other guys, Jaron Duran has been on the trade block for some reason for two years, which again,

maybe that's just us being foolish. But yeah, and hey, I know we've talked a lot about what the potential package for Scouble would be. You know, Ken Rosenthal said that the Red Sox were floating out. Who's our guy, Brian Bayo out there, who he's on kind of a team-friendly extension that, Trev, we've been wondering what a scubel package would look like. This is literally me just going from the hip people. But, you know, do the tigers take the phone call if it's Bayo and Marcelo Meyer? I think they'd listen. I think they'd listen that like, I don't know.

Again, we're getting into fairyland a little bit and just daydreaming. The Red Sox can do a lot. They brought in three starting pitchers this off season. Yeah. Sonny Oviedo and now Ranger So you have these young guys That you either need to find innings for Or you need to trade them

Because these are major league talent Like talent guy And just having him rotten AAA is not really what you want They're not giving you value there So I think we will see them move I don't know when It could come during the season too It doesn't have to come before the season

But I think they are very very well positioned Jake to go and get what they need. And maybe they put Marcel O'Meyer at third base and he becomes the guy they think he can be. And then they're like, all right, well, let's move on to the next position. You know, like, maybe that's what the plan is here. We have these guys. We know guys want them.

Teams want them. Let's see what we actually need this season. Because forget, I mean, what if Christian Campbell's the answer at second base? They thought he was already. Yeah, and the other thing, I don't know if it's now. I don't know if it's later, but there's been a lot of rumor second basements to be traded. I don't, you know, Brendan Donovan,

I think that guy would fit as a Red Sox. He already looks like a Red Sock. I forget if we made that joke on this show yet, but Kittel Marte was the guy they were rumored for for a little bit. And then there, Nico Horner was rumored, but I didn't believe that jazz for a little bit. There's a lot of second baseman just kind of thrown out there

that I think if the Red Sox want to make that move, but like you're saying, at the end of the day, like Romie Gonzalez did a lot last year, mostly against lefties. Christian Campbell's still around. You're right. The Red Sox could roll this team out there. I do think their fan base is thirsty for one more move,

whether it's from that outfield depth, whether it is packaging a starter for maybe another starter. Like you said, they have the assets that they can, right now the Red Sox still have questions. They made a three-game wild card against the Yankees. the Yankees were overmatching the AL. I think the socks were overmatched in the AL. Yes, Roman Anthony could be the entire difference.

If he's a seven-war one of those dudes, okay, then maybe that's it. But you'd like to have a little more there, especially in what looks like a gnarly ale east. They have options. I think that's a good place to be in, if you're the Red Sox. I think you're still licking the wounds of Alex Breggman not coming back.

and, you know, hearing about the no trade clause and all these different things on the Bichet end. I get it. You know, there's, and I also think there's a history now in Boston of like not getting the guy and trading away. Some of your big players, the whole like Devers situation is weird. So like I understand the fan sentiment of like being disappointed in their organization right now. But I do think they are set up well if they execute what we're talking about.

Because you, I mean, you can really see Roman Anthony belongs. And then you have a guy like Garrett Crochet, who is just an absolute freaking monster, dude. Right? Like, they have the pieces. They have the depth. I can't wait to see what they do. I'm actually very excited about it. Don't mess it up, Breslo.

Where do you go? Harvard? Yale? I'm not sure. Rob's on it. Well, Rob looks it up. I'll remind everyone that this great program is brought to you by the draft King's sports book.

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Bet must win to receive bonus bets which expire in seven days. Minimum odds required. Four additional terms and responsible gaming resources. See dkng.com slash audio. Limited time offer. It looks like Breslow's a Yale man. Go Bulldogs. And Trev, this is where, again, maybe I played too much video games as a child.

Think about where the Red Sox are currently at. if they call up Detroit, and I don't know the package, you know, get in a fight with your friends, your baseball friends, and a text message. But if Scoobel's available, and the Red Sox traded for Scoobel, which they have the assets, I don't know who it is,

I don't know if they want to trade those assets, but they do. If the Red Sox had Crochet and Scoobel, I think they're the favorites in the AL. That'd be very, That'd be a lot, coach. That's a lot, Tre. Yeah, and Ranger Swores.

Just these three lefties coming at your ass? I mean, you might get signed. Bring me back? Punch a lefties? Come on, we need a guy. I hit Chris Hill just fine. I hate Chris Hill just fine. I think you wanted Rob to dig up that tape, and he will.

So that's the good news. That's a little far-fetched for me. But why? Because I don't think they need terror. I mean, would it be great, but that's not their need right now. They have the pitching that they want. Everybody needs Terrick Scoobel. You know what I mean?

I mean, come on, Jake. I know, but how many teams, if they traded for Scoobal, they would become the favorite? Like, a lot. I don't think, Jake. I don't think there's probably like six teams in each league that would become the favorite. Well, no, no, no matter what. So it's basically A.L.

I'll try to answer that question right now. I don't know. Okay. Toronto, yes. Toronto, yes. You just said Boston. Okay. Boston, yes.

My twins. Unfortunately, I can't say any of the AL Central teams. None of the Central team. Detroit already has them. Correct. Seattle, yes. I think they already have pitching that I don't know if that changes my scope of them. Like I know what you're saying.

It's insane what you just said right there. It doesn't change your scope. you have put Terrick Scoobel on the Mariners? Don't get me wrong. He's a stud, but it's like, okay, so who's out of the rotation? Kirby, Castillo? It doesn't matter. Then you could trade one of those guys.

Right. Philly, yes. Mets. Not over the Dodgers. Is that what you're saying? In the NL, yes. I think it might put, I mean, you put Terrick Scouble on the Phillies. I don't know.

It's fun. I'm picking up what you're putting down, player. I understand. I guess like the other, like, if Texas Rangers did it, like their pitching was the best in the AAL last year, that that wasn't the problem. Houston's interesting. They kind of, would they be favorites?

I don't know. They're so righty. Do I need to get that out of my head? I don't know either, yeah. We got to talk about other stuff. Let's do a little JT. I got to check my tri-tips. Who knows what temperature they're at right now.

Whoa. I'm just y' got to. and ball. Well, in a nice way, I don't think we have to lose our minds on this one. J.T. Real Mudo resigns with the Phillies. Three years, $45 million. He's now been there, I think half a decade, five years, some like that. Fifteen million a year, he's got some performance boosters in there. We love that. The move comes right after the Bichette announcement. And I think Real Mudo had a quote that he was like I was pretty sure I was going back to Philly. It got a little hairy for a second, but then it didn't. So I think Bichette not signing made it either a lot easier accounting-wise or whatever

else they're planning to do. And kind of like we talked about a couple episodes ago, Philly still had more to do this off-season. I still think they have more to do. But having J.T. Rulamuto at center, when you still look around the league at that position, you got a guy. He's a guy that, you know, is tried and true handling the pitching staff. So I think that means a lot. Like, yeah, some of the offensive numbers have continued to decline as he gets older. I think a lot of that has to do with how many innings this guy has caught over the past decade. Like, he is an absolute animal.

He's always back there. And there's just something about having a catcher that you can rely on. It means a lot. I thought the twins might be. I think Jeffers was a realistic option to go there. They signed Victor Caratini. I'll see how that all plays out. I'm going to Twins Fest this weekend.

People will be in Minneapolis. Can't wait to just chop it up with Derek Shelton and Michael A. Taylor. Leroy Hawkins, same. Great get for the Phillies. Still think they need to do something different, man. And what's wild is, Jake, you know, they are three-time offenders and over the dollar amount. So they're paying 110% on that bad boy. 15 million to them is about 36 and a half.

That's not 31 and a half. Yeah. That's what they're really paying him per year, essentially. Yeah, and I mean, one of the transactions that supposedly supposed to happen is they think they're going to trade Castellanos to get off some of that money. Trying to trade bone still. They probably have to eat some of that money and they still have supposedly they want to sign Bader or make another move. So I don't think they're too freaked out by that, that one 10%, which, okay, just anytime you're thinking about these teams and their financials and the books, the Phillies seem to be okay with where they're heading. Because they were also about to sign Vichette.

So that would have been the equivalent to what? 70 million a year. A lot, a lot, dude. And this is going to go down. The Phillies need it so bad, Jake. They freaking need it so bad because we're going to end up. If the Dodgers are just who we think they are and they're going to run off some three Pete here,

if the Phillies don't end up winning the World Series with this core and like the amount of money they've invested in this team, I think they did a really good job of compiling talent. Like look at that roster up and down, pitching staff, hitters, went out and got Brice Harper. That's going to go down as a big time. as the planet man.

And I know it's hard. It's one of the hardest sports to win in just because, you know, small sample size in these series. But, dang. It's, um, yeah, I'd have to do like a Jolly Olive video on this.

I guess it's a little bit of opinion, but like, you know, baseball's from an interesting standpoint, you can have these kind of beautifully good teams that don't win. Like, I, you know, I'll,

I want, I'll start with my Yankees, just because I don't want other teams to get mad. Like, I said this last episode, if the Yankees don't win one with Judge, that's going to be, like, a scar on the Yankees. This Mariners team right now, like, the generation of pitching that they bred up there is nuts. The Phillies core, like you've talked about, these are teams that if they walk away without hardware, you turn into the old guy at the bar being like, remember those late 2020? money. What are they the, yeah, the Mariners. They could shove, man.

I think overall roster between those three teams you mentioned. And I get judge in that, and obviously Garrett Cole, but I think the totality of the roster of the Phillies, the Yankees, and what the Mariners have going on there. So I'm just looking right now at their top 12 players from last year, six foot 13 inches of Christopher Sanchez. Tray Turner, Zach Weir, Kyle Schwerver, Rangers Suarez,

Hazelsoz Zaro, Bryce Harper, J.T. Riumuto. It is star-studded, man. But... It was supposed to be a shit. You know what? This is like... It reminds me a lot of the Detroit Tigers in the early 2010s, man. It was a hell of a team. Go look at those teams.

Right? And they didn't get it done. And you know what? At least I still talk about them. Well, and that's, again, I guess I was trying to say it in a nice way. Like there's like the basketball or football teams that are great, they often get a ring or, you know, they don't. And we talk about it later. I guess I'm trying to think of an example of the top of my head. Like Barclay never won one.

And he was on some great teams. Like he's kind of the NBA's example of a person. Anyways. But yeah, dude, those tigers. Tigers teams were, if they, if you cleared my brain and you told me they had two rings, I wouldn't be shocked. Like, that's how good those teams were. I saw it up close and personally. It was disgusting. I know. You were too close to it. I'm sorry. I mean, it was like you were going to lose. We knew we were losing. That's tough.

I'm like, I made it all the way. Now I got to face these guys. I mean, somewhat like the pitching staff alone. Yeah, I know, man. That's, uh, that's gnarly. Okay, I think we have to wrap up. I think we've got to do a free agent forecast brought to you by Seek, but I've now been distracted by another topic because it's a late night show drive. This is what we've been dreaming of for a long time. You're a competitive guy. Most people that make it to the show are.

When you're facing a team like those Tigers teams, what does that do to you? Like, it's a sport in baseball where you have a chance, but also you were outgunned by them. I loved every second of it. I wanted to face Verlander. I wanted to face Scherzer. I wanted Valverdi in the ninth. Like, that to me was like, that's why you play.

We're allowed to play in the postseason. Comment how I didn't, people. You love to do that. But I wanted, I wanted to face it. And is that dumb of me? Probably, dude, like, probably should have sat out a few more times against those guys. You know what I mean? Like, for the longevity of my career is probably better for my overall numbers.

But I just loved it, dude. And I knew I was beat. Shit, like, Max Scherzer, I'm just trying to grind out. I'm just trying to get on base. I knew I couldn't, like, go up there and, like, really have, like, a solid approach against him. He just, he was better than me and, like, his strengths were just better than my strength. So it was tough. But I loved it.

I loved every second. and then watching Miguel Cabrero was like watching literally like watching a whoever your favorite artist is painting music like it's like doing that in real time like painting a masterpiece in real time watching your favorite artist record a song that you know was going to become a massive hit in real time like watching Miguel Cabrera do his thing like hit in those years winning the triple crown it was it was phenomenal it was incredible I'll never forget it Yeah, I guess I think people can find some relatability or at least I can. Well, not facing Max Scherzer exactly, but I don't know. I guess if you play someone in anything and you know they're good and you think you can compete, that's a fun feeling, right? You're like, you're probably going to get me, but what if I get you? And I guess that was the relatable feeling there.

And then it kind of felt like at the end that you might have been rooting for, for Miguel Cabrera against some of your pitchers? No. No, no, I wasn't. I mean, I didn't have to root for me. It was the success was coming. He didn't need me to root for him. Not cheering for him.

Okay. Legit, like, the only guy that, like, in my career, that people would go out and they'd watch him hit BP. Watch him. I'm glad I asked that. Go Cabrera, yeah. But I'm also glad I'm asking you, the free agent forecast brought

to you by Seekkeek. We keep tabs on the players on the move this off season. Trev, I think it's coming down to it's Cody and it's Framber. The rumors around Cody are that it's happening this week. Who are old rumors coming from? Who knows, dude? Because I don't believe him. Because I think he's got the Yankees in a vice grip. And if anyone beats that, he's good.

I don't know. Are you following any smoke or fire with either of those guys? I know that's not our normal lane. To be honest, I've heard rumblings about Cody Bellinger, yes, in the Yankees, and yes, the Mets are still there. And, you know, like, he fits a lot of teams. I haven't heard anything about Fram. Nothing.

Which is wild. But I guess if you have to do a 20-minute video of why you're a good guy, like people maybe have a pause. Like, do you think that's what it is? I think they have a pause. I think it's a little bit of, everyone's still at the dance looking for a date. There's going to be a point when Framber's the last date.

And I guess teams are still going to need to dance without trading away assets and the other weird J comparison I'll make. I think Framber is going to have a, if you've ever done an auction fantasy football draft, where someone gets thrown out there a little late and you're like, I think everyone spent their budget. But it's like, no, you're still going to bid for that guy. Because what Framber can do for the next three years is pitch as many innings as anyone in baseball

while having a low three ERA, like, that gets you paid. I'm curious because he's 32 probably he was I'm assuming looking for like seven years maybe six years maybe teams are not willing to go that far if you're him do you do like the one year

prove it deal or are you like you know what let me just lock in a three year deal with some good like a good chunk of chain like what do you do? Because he is is kind of a, it's different. It's different for a guy like Framberg. He is durable. It matters. That matters. To me it does.

I know there's some teammate stuff. Hey, we only saw one occasion, which was a really bizarre one. And I think there's been rumblings that, you know, by the end of Houston, he wasn't the most beloved cat. So I don't know how far that goes. What he does baseball-wise, he deserves at least a three-year contract.

The guy's a dog. Like would a team Bock at signing him for a three year hundred? I think a team would offer that today. I don't think Framber signs that. What's he going to sign? Hey man, if I'm Framber Valdez, I'm looking at what Dylan C signed, and I'm like, what the hell? Yeah.

He's had much, he's had greater success than Dylan C's in this Major League Baseball League. And it's not like Framber does not have the arm. Ranger Suarez sits 90-91. He's a dog. So I didn't mention any of that because I don't care. I'll take Ranger Suarez. Like, Framber sits 95-96. Like, that curveball is one of the biggest wipeout pitches in the game.

He throws innings. I don't know. I think everyone didn't have him at the top of their board. but as the board starts to get erased with the other names, then he is on top of the board. That I think Framber is going to do just fine. I wouldn't be surprised. Okay, I'll put my nuts on the table a little bit.

The reported 5 for 160 for Belli, I think he can get in the ballpark of that. Quick math, that's $32 million. I think that's... I think so, right? I know that. That was great. You got it.

Shoot, man. Look, I agree with you that we have this weird perception of players right now and Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez. Kyle Tucker. And again, you know, there was a fake social media post about Kyle Tucker

not liking the game. I think there's other stuff going on. Like, you know, okay. Like, he got what he got. he's happy where he's at. Shout out Kyle Tucker. The Frammer Valde stuff, like, everyone's heard it. We saw it with our own eyes.

We've also heard it from other people. Like, the clubhouse thing is an issue. Only if it's an issue. Like, go somewhere else where, like, someone's not going to put up with it, and it won't be an issue. I promise that. What did you say about Vladdy in Toronto?

I think Vladdy's going to let that happen? No, he's not. So get someone that can handle him. and let that guy go out there and slaying the ball 32 times for you to a low three. Would you like that? I think I'd like that, yeah. That's your job as a manager. If I was a manager, I'd be banging my fist until it'd give me that guy.

I got him. I got him. Bramber, bad teammate, bring him over here. Betty won't be. Like, that's what you should be doing as a manager. That's your job. Yeah, I don't know. know. And now I think I'm going to get calls to be a manager because that was pretty inspiring if I do

say so myself. You're going to get calls to be a manager. If the Red Sox trade for Scouble, your Tampa, Tampa has your number. I've seen it. I will, you know what? One day, maybe one day. Maybe one day what? What's that mean? I'll be a manager. Oh, okay. Yeah, if you wanted to, I think you like life too much. Yeah, it'd have to be like after my kids are like, I'll, Me and me and live empty nesters We want to go live that travel life again Bam, I'd do it It'd have to be like Teddy's team

Oh wow Whoa I took them to the cages today Nice Nice I think that's what we got It looks like Rob has one more video You versus JV

What did I do? What do I do? Okay Oh Down the line Don't first pitch me Oh, very hustle. Hustle. Hustle, go, go.

Easy. What's that head shake by JV? Can't believe that I just gave up. And there's Ted Barrett, too, by the way, right there. He's a... Hey, I'm not being... Look at an eye black. That...

Ooh, Trev, were you? Team F boy? What was that? I wasn't not. That's a lot of cheek. Let's end this episode For Ducci in the booth Oh that's just bad base

Oh no That's nice play by the first basin What am I supposed to do? You almost got back It's a great play by the first Prince He had a cannon Prince was awesome

Those Tigers teams were awesome We can talk about that another time Coach Trev We're on garden higher Shout out Thanks to everyone for tuning in Make sure you subscribe share as we leak

closer and closer to spring training Jake somebody W sign for Amber I think he's going to be I think he's going to be able I mean maybe he gets Snelled I guess If I'm him I'm going I'm going

Max money now Yeah 32