Talkin' Baseball (MLB Podcast) - Our MLB Preseason Power Rankings!

Episode Date: February 25, 2026

Book your next trip at https://www.bestwestern.com Get $25 off your first grading submission with PSA at https://bit.ly/JomboyTalkinBaseball with code BASEBALL25 Reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money at rocketmoney.com/talkin. Please ensure the link in the description is hyperlinked. Use our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TALKIN2026. Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount Coach Trev and Talkin' Jake give out their preseason power rankings for the 2026 MLB season! Which rankings do you like more?! 0:00 Intro 5:00 Teams 1-10 40:00 Teams 11-20 1:02:00 21-30 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. Power is power. We are doing our preseason power rankings and we're horrified. Let's talk ball. Frumber Valdez. Mr. Duncan the Tall. Jonah Hillgiff. Who's actually Paul P. DeBadesta.

Hello and welcome to talking baseball. Feeling like a special. Have got to be honest with you, people. It is February 25th. Still struggle with that month. Treve and I are running hot. We just, we had a weekend. We had a night out.

We kind of did. And we kind of own the place. So we're feeling good about that. Baseball, we are getting closer and closer. Are we a month away? When's that Yankees Giants opening mine? The 25th. A month out from MLB baseball.

We're going to be live streaming that. The WBC is going to be here in like a week. So it's all happening people. and you're getting spring training action. We're getting all of it, Coach Trev. How are you doing? I'm doing great. I forgot that you weren't on the Monday episode.

You were snowed in. But yes, we did that. We had a night out. A little too late, if we're being honest, my body these days. But it was good to see you, pop, always. People want to know, did we F or F?

We effed. We effed. We Fed. I love power is power. That's my favorite. Oh, you do. When I had that, I was like, that's going to make, that brings you to the forefront. Because, A, you're looking a little more powerful.

Those trainer sessions are working out. And, man, let's start talking ball. And we'll end with life advice per usual. But let's start talking ball because there's so many teams to talk about. And this is, we started doing power rankings was last year midseason? Or do we do one before the season? We did one early, and people liked it. And it gives us a chance to talk about a chunk of the teams.

I'll say right now, Coach, at the top, we both have the same one. And I think everyone around baseball, unless you're really hunting that click, has a different one. But the one is pretty obvious. Dude, I got lost. Two to seven, I don't know. Nine to 15 all felt like the same team. and you and I were going through our team profile and projections,

and as some of the people just saw, we're releasing, we're doing a little different format. We're grouping together some of the lesser teams, and then we'll start doing, you know, three teams together, two teams together. It just gives us a few less recording sessions, and, you know, we're full curtains, like a lot of those episodes weren't getting the views they needed.

So we tightened it up a little bit that you guys have given us, basically your fan power rankings, that this is the first time that you and me, it's like, okay, I got to really look at the Braves and the Mets and think about who I like more, the Padres and the Giants, the whoever it may be, that man, this was a, this was kind of a brutal exercise. Well, first of all,

you don't have to win to have your fans be happy. That's what was just said out there in the streets. So don't worry about that. Second, you haven't looked at my rankings. I have not. I'm about to kind of live reveal that. Oh, because there's a team that you just said that I have way high. And I think you're right.

Like there is a consensus number one. And then after that as I'm going through the rosters, I'm like, it's going to, it feels like I'm trying to clickbait this, but I'm not. Yeah. I have some teams. I feel like people are you serious? But like as I'm going through the rosters, it's how Coach Treve feels. And that's kind of, I think that's where you and I probably both landed because you're,

you're going through the, you know, the recent history and obviously the powerhouses that jump out and then you're trying to do a side by side and you start wandering into the season, like, okay, who's got the most like injury potential? And then you're like, what am I talking about? I don't care about that at all. Like power is power. But then you also start backtracking because you're like, well, what, what can I bank on? Like, what do I know is going to be there?

And I might have accidentally walked into a little bit of clickbait, but we will see. Trev, let's start as we do the Los Angeles Dodgers. They are top team. And it was funny. Our last power rankings, we do have a rolling power rankings document that Dalton's been keeping up on. Our last power rankings were August of last year.

we both had the Dodgers third. Again, the regular season was kind of clunky. That pitching was really struggling. We obviously know what happened after that. And now they have Kyle Tucker and I don't know. And Edwin Diaz. And Edwin Diaz. Basically the only thing that was truly like a fault of theirs last year

was they couldn't really figure out the bullpen, specifically the back end of the bullpen. they obviously brought a ton of guys in just didn't work out. And so what do they do? They get one of the best relievers in all of baseball to leave the Mets and come over and pitch for them. They bring in Edwin Diaz. Still in the back there, I mean, we saw Will Klein kind of break out in the postseason. He's like an afterthought in their bullpen.

Can he turn into something more? But still Tanner Scott Vesia, we'll see what trying. And if he's got anything left in the tank. But a ton of guys, Ben Casperia. just kind of there. But I think addressing your biggest weakness with the best

option that you can get is kind of a sign of the times for the Dodgers right now. Yeah, man, I mean, they the layers that they have, like our guy Gavin Stone is like working his way back and people were tweeting about him looking good

the other day and it's... No, he's not... He's in a different organization, isn't he? No. he was. I think the Dodgers. Am I thinking of Gus Varlane? That's what I'm thinking of. You are always thinking about Gus.

No, man. Like Bruce Starr-Gratterol, he was missing last year. He thought about him. Like he should be around. Like they have layers upon layers that their AAA staff, if we were doing team profile and projections, and we were like, River Ryan, Gavin Stone,

Land and Nack, Kyle, her, we could, like, that kind of seems like they could mess around with chasing a wild card or something. Yeah, the Dodgers are the Dodgers. Mookie lost a ton of weight before the season last year. Let's see what happens. But if someone was doing a power rankings and they didn't have the Dodgers at the top, that's just being obnoxious.

Now, on the other side of that, Trev, I don't, number two was my biggest struggle of this whole exercise. I'll let you kick off. You know, I did debate a number of different teams. Spoiler, it's not the Blue Jays, but I think a lot of people are probably putting the Blue Jays at number two just because what we saw them do in the postseason, you know, go toe to toe with that powerhouse Dodgers team.

I decided not to do that. It's a new year. And I think there is one team that addressed the need is already a very, very good baseball team. kind of have they kind of like hit all the freaking notes for me and i am going with the seattle mariners okay as my number two team we bring in a couple guys who i really like that i think fill out their roster a core group of players they bring nailer back obviously hollio and cal there um the best to ever do it randy rose arena but to bring in brendonovan to be at the

top of your lineup to kind of solidify uh you know your influence you know your influence field there, I think is a banger of a move. I think the Rob Reff Snyder move, right-handed bat off the bench for them. I can platoon if need be. I think that's a great move for them. And then you just, you have the pitching. You have all the starters. You have the bullpen. Like it's, they do it right. I think this is, I think this is one of, if not the best complete rosters in baseball. So I had to put a number two. Yeah, there's something to be said for, we kind of need to see Seattle do it, and they did to a degree last year. You know, the game seven, that rotation has been, it's one of the most stable things in baseball at this point between what

Wu did last year, Gilbert, Castillo, Kirby Miller, the bullpen looks strong, the lineup looks strong. There's young guys on the verge, both with Emerson in their name. Colt Emerson, potentially coming up in the infield, Emerson Hancock is like, that wait, he's been waiting in line to pitch for this team. That, yeah, they're, for what that rotation can provide you with a limited offense. And that offense doesn't feel limited anymore, man. Ninth in runs what Julio did last year. Cal, the Donovan ad, Naler for a full season, yes.

Like, I debated them for two. I put them at three, man. We're, that's nice. Yeah. When you have Cal and Julio are two top five MVP candidates. And it's pretty much book it for the next how many years, right? So like you have that offensive core as well. And again, I think they did a good job adding a round.

And you mentioned some of the prospects coming up. I forgot about Ferrer Ferrer. Ferrer coming over. So a left-handed weapon in the bullpen for them as well. They addressed their needs. And they did it quickly, nail her right away. And then I think the Donovan trade is going to prove to be pretty damn. big for them. Yeah. And I again, some of the little ads like even Rob Reff Snyder to just

mash lefties. Like that's that's an asset, man. They were one of the safest picks on the board that they made me question like their true power. But dude, as we go through these again, next two through seven or eight, I'd say, they all have question marks. And I think that's surprising. coming off of last year when we started doing power rankings, and it was like the NL, bro, like how stacked is the Phillies, the Braves, like this National League is disgusting. And it's a little bit of a different tenor this year. I mean, we're going to talk about a lot of those teams,

but everyone kind of took a baby step back, I'd say. While Seattle, it feels like they're rising, peaking that even if one or two young guys appear, then they get looked at as a true power. So I had them three. Trev, my two pick. I don't know if you're going to like it. My two pick is the Seat Geek team forecast. Brought to you by Seat Geek.

We keep tabs on every team this offseason. Make sure you guys do with code talking 2026, 10% off your tickets at Seek. My number two team, Coach Trev. I went with the Milwaukee Brewers. Oh my gosh. Trev, this was my thought process. As I was going through some of these teams we're about to talk about, you know, Toronto's obviously out there,

a couple of Phillies, a couple of the traditional powers. It was kind of where I landed with Seattle on just, what do I believe in? And I believe that Milwaukee is going to have a top-tier bullpen. They prove that every year, every year. their starting pitching isn't like this chippy Milwaukee starting pitching. Woodruff's back and he's nasty. I know he's got some injuries, but that is what it is.

Mizorowski, like that whole story, I'm not forgetting that. And he won't. Like, if he comes in a little low at camp this year, which I haven't seen yet, but that means he's throwing 101. Like, the guy's a freak show. And we know they're going to tap into a priest or Patrick. Henderson, whoever they want. That, like, so then it comes to the offense,

Jackson Truro gets ignored as one of the young stars of this game. I think he's been 2020, his first two years. He's 22 years old. I think there's more in there. He hasn't had the full season come together. William Contreras is one of the best catchers in the game. We know who Yelie is. Freelick and Terang are like day in, day out what you're going to get from those guys.

maybe accumulation-wise, it might look different, depending if you're tracking pure stats or war. But, like, I just know what this team is going to be year and year out that I think they deserve a little more respect than, like, well, here come the 10th place brewers again, and we know they're going to be good. Like, this is a really good team and I believe in it. I love that you put them there.

I do, coach. It was a very difficult ranking for me, because it is true. Like you're like, oh, that's Freddie Peralta, but when you go down there, Woodruff was a dog last year when he came back. I, too, am a Mizorowski truther.

I can't wait to see what he does. A guy like a Chad Patrick who doesn't even really get talked about. Like, he's nasty as well. Like they, we know they're going to pitch. Like, they just figure it out year in, year out. We know that. I do also like the lineup.

I know you're an Andrew Vaughn Truther. We'll see. I don't know if he's going to, going to be a one dot guy this year for them. But I like it. So I mean, this was a difficult one for me. I had them at 10, coach. I had to make sure they're in my top 10. I get it. Like there, there is an argument, like there kind of has been in previous years that talent on paper and power is power that, yeah, I get it. And like, Treve, I know you and I were laughing and we're like, when we were talking about doing power rankings this weekend.

We were like, okay, like, we got to, should we throw this in the AI machine and see what pops out? I didn't. I should have done that. I did a couple Sims just to see what they were saying. And like, dude, one of them had the brewers as like a bottom 10 team. And I was like, we're, okay, AI, you're losing. AI, just, you just crash the stock market right there.

Way to go, drinking. That like, I, however we view teams, we're doing it wrong. with the Milwaukee Brewers. Brandon Woodruff since 2020 and 93 starts has a 281 ERA. That, yeah, I respect what they built there, and I just think as you start looking at teams' weaknesses and what could not work for them during this season, the Brewers, it's, I don't know.

Like, that's where I was kind of surprised. I'm just not scared of anything pitching-wise, because they are so ahead of so many other organizations that I think they're going to pitch and I know they're going to play defense and I know they're going to grind every day, dude. You know, like, I don't know if I have them two, but I think they deserve to be higher than 10.

Like remember who they were last year? They won the most games in baseball. Yes. And like, I don't know. Freddie Peralta could have. I don't love my 10. I like your two more than my 10. Fred.

You're going to hate my three, I think. Let's go. Let's hear it. As I'm going through the rosters, I just keep thinking there's this one team that I think has a very, very high ceiling. And I also think they have a high floor as well. And to me, I'm just, I can sometimes see the future.

You know that, right? Yeah. I think this team is in for a hell of a year. They completely overhauled the roster. I like the fundamentals that they have there. I have the New York Mets number three in my rankings. I love the lineup. I know Lindor is banged up right now,

but if you're just talking about Lindor to Soto to Bichet, and then you got, you know, I know a lot of people don't think of Jorge Polanco, middle of the order guy, but a solid bat behind these guys. up and down. I think the bench got better this year with the guy like

we got Viantos, like where is he going to play? But if he's on your bench, Tyrone Taylor coming in there to play center field when need be. I like the rotation. You get Peralta and McLean might end up being like one of the better one, two punches in all of baseball.

And I don't think people understand like Clay Holmes pretty good last year. Kodi Isanga before he heard his hamstring. I mean, He's an ace. He's a freaking ace. I know it didn't end well with him last year. That's fine.

You can have recency bias there. He's back throwing 97 miles an hour in spring training. His mechanics were all out of whack after that. They have other guys coming up as well. Some of these young pitchers in a Jonah Tonk. Could he be the fifth starter pushing his way up that rotation by the end of the year? Yeah, he definitely can. I like the back end of their bullpen.

It just everything kind of clicks for me right there. And there's just something about the vibe, man. I just think it's going to be better this year. They addressed, they didn't want to continue to do like the same thing over and over again because it wasn't working. And I like the changes that they made. So I'm going the New York Mets number three. Highest ceiling, lowest floor potential.

I don't think their floor is that low. I do. It's the Mets. Like, hey, I realize there's a little bit of that that's messed up. And hey, New Yankees, Jake saying that. But literally, look where we left off. Look where we left off. Did it make the playoffs last year?

It happened again. It happened again. And we did all this. And, oh, Cohen, man, like the Mets are different. They got Soto and they got off to that hot start. And we did the whole thing, Brewer's with money. And then the same thing happened that I've seen happen in that universe. and that fan base has seen happen in that uniform,

that you're not wrong. Like, talent-wise, I'm in. And that pitching can be really impressive. And if they have their couple young guys on offense, click, I mean, that lineup can be an absolute wagon. The bullpen scares me. Why? Because I, Devin Williams and Luke Weaver basically got replaced

at the back end of the Yankees bullpen last. year, like literally. And then after that, like, after that, I kind of like seeing the young guy that I'm like, ooh, if this guy clicks, they can take over. No offense to Brooks Raley or Luis Garcia or Brazzobahn. They're all 36 plus, and I think I kind of have the scouting report on them,

that it's just a dangerous mix. It's a dangerous mix. It's going to be Tobias Myers in the 8th. Devin Williams in the night. Luke Weaver is the guy that's putting the fire out. That's what it's going to be. Hey, man. The weave dog when he's right is sick.

Obviously, kind of got the wrong impression from Devin last year. I see what you're saying. But I don't know. I didn't know what to do with the whole NL East, man. The NLEs. NLEs and the ALEs. So we kind of did a Brewers Met Swapsie here. Okay.

I had the Mets at 11. Okay. I'm fine with that. I know. This was my one pick where I was. It's like, man, I know this is not going to go over well, but I'm just forecasting, coach. I'm forecasting into 2026.

I'm not letting the Mets, as Metsi as a Gitsy enter my brain right now as I'm looking towards the future. I mean, that lives in my brain, sadly. It does. Well, I think you coined it. I don't know what to do with that. Make sure you guys do with code talking 2026, 10% off your tickets at Sea Geek. The Mets also have Simeon, Luis Robert.

A couple guys that have done it and not done it. Yeah, man, it's all over the board. And I guess I get nervous because you can, you can point at a lot of teams and there's a lot of young guys that are they going to do it or not. Or is this guy going to bounce back? Or is this guy going to be healthy? The Mets have a little more than that than I like. I like that you like the vibes though.

And you're a vibes guy. That's it. There's something clicked, man. So it could be way off. We could be looking at these preseason power records. You had a man, a three coach? Or I could look like a genius. Well, the Mets and the Brewers are R2 at the top big separators.

We each have them at 10 and 11, where we have them at two or three opposite. Then we start to, I don't want to say come into lockstep here, but you have the Blue Jays 4, I have the Blue Jays 5. You have the Cubs 5, I have the Cubs 6th. Yankees, Tigers, we both have seven and eight but reversed. So that I guess the bigger talking point against these kind of recent powerhouse teams, I did put the Phillies at four, you have them at six. So I guess it's not a dramatic gap, but the pillies, even,

the Phillies have been like, I think they were last years like, if someone's going to take the Dodgers, it's these guys. again, the Bichette situation where they thought they were going to get him, we thought they were going to have a big shuffle and they kind of didn't. It's just interesting that it currently feels like this Philly season is going to be dictated by young players like Justin Crawford, Andrew Painter, that that just hasn't been the vibe in Philly at all. Yeah, to me, it's the back end of the rotation that's going to determine kind of how their season is going to go.

I like the lineup is the lineup, you know, bringing in Adelis-Cars. as an upgrade over Nick Castellanos I'm in. I mean, they've kind of been shuffling through center fielders. So Justin Crawford, like, we'll see. I mean, they're saying like he's going to get every single chance to have that job. We'll see how it does.

But, you know, we could end up kind of playing that game again where we're just trying to figure out who's going to be in center for them. I don't mind it. I think Edmoutendososa is a guy that probably doesn't get enough love. And I'm curious to see that kind of what playing time he gets this year. But yeah, the back end of the rotation, especially we're missing Wheeler for a little bit

right now. Obviously, love Christopher Sanchez, love me some Hazers Lozardo. Like, what is Aaron Nola, I think, is a valid question now. Obviously, a guy that's done it throughout his career, but, you know, not so much last year. Is he pitching for Team Italy?

Yeah, sure is. I can't wait to see that. Nola. I love that. But yeah, then in the back, yeah, what's Painter got, you know, is Taiwan Walker just kind of like a depth rotation piece. If he has to end up being like your four or five guy, I don't necessarily love that. Although he's also playing for what, Great Britain?

Yes. Can't like to see these guys. Patriot. I love the back end of the bullpen. Things is a great team. But yeah, I mean, I don't think where I have him is like a disrespect. I think Taiwan Walker's Mexico. I think so.

Yeah, that's it. It is true. Yeah. No, it's weird. It is weird looking at the bottom of that rotation. And Taiwan Walker, who's kind of, I don't want to say, has been on the outs, but, you know, has been the man left behind in this Philly's rotation in the past couple years. And now it just feels like, wait, he's in the middle of the rotation.

And Andrew Painter, who's supposed to have A's stuff, like, hey, if that clicks this year, that obviously changes things, but sometimes it takes a minute. I do like, I think their bullpen is a little underrated at this point. Duran Alvarado, like you mentioned, he's back in no suspension this year as you think about the upcoming postseason. Keller fully broke out as one of those like starters who's made a beautiful transition to the bullpen. Kirkring, who unfortunately is going to get remembered for the wrong moments.

Banks is a lefty to have in the bullpen. Like if you just go through their big chips when you, you know, I'm a big chess guy. Like Christopher Sanchez is still a really big chess piece on the board. The top of their lineup are are all powerful, dangerous pieces. and that bullpen's good. They're like, the Phillies feel like they still very much have their identity. And I just can't picture them slipping as an organization. But, you know, we would have said the same thing about the Braves last year.

So that's where I just, the whole NLEs freaked me out with this exercise. I agree. And I do think all these teams are kind of jumbled up. Like you have the Blue Jays, five, I have them four. To me, there's not a lot of, like, I think they have one of the, the higher floors in all of baseball. I like what they did with the rotation, bringing in CIS now. I think you have a top three there with Gospon, CIS, and you savage that like, I mean,

I'm a, you savage is nasty. Yeah. He's going to be a guy. So I think they're, I don't want to say they're sure things, but that's, that's something that you can rely on. And then you have various and ponds there at the end. That's not a bad back end of the rotation. I'm curious to see what Cody looks like coming back, uh, to the states.

The bullpen kind of freaks me out a little bit. bit. You know, like, if there's one quam I have with the Blue Jays, it's, it is that bullpen. I think their offense is going to be their offense. I don't know if they're going to be as good as they were last year, where they were first and average, first and OEP, third, and OPS, fourth and runs. But hey, prove me wrong again. I like Hesu Sanchez. You know I've been a truth. There are mini, a mini or Don there. Let's see if you can put it all together. But yeah, I mean, line is great. I like the rotation. Bullpen scares me a little bit. I love Louis Barlin, Tyler Rogers bringing that low arm slot.

They're trying to do all that type of stuff. Hoffman can be good. They didn't have a great year last year. So if I'm pointing to one thing, it would be that. But I still think overall roster, it's, it's complete. They have a complete roster. Yeah, the bullpen doesn't freak me out that much. And kind of cool.

We mentioned that fan graphs, they have some of the fielding stats. listed now. And, you know, Toronto has made an effort in previous years. Like, they're outfield. I remember when they first started putting out there, like, oh, my God, defensive outfield. And now that infield, and that's the only, for me, that's the question. They were the top offense, or first and average first in OBP.

So, hey, maybe David Popkins, who we talked about. They got this whole thing figured out. When you look at it, I think it's fair to say, like, you don't think, wow. like most impressive offense. But it really was like day in, day out last year. They deserve the respect. You could say, can Springer do that again? Could that infield feel just weird without Boba's shed?

I think so. Is this not like reminiscent of the Brewers offense? A little bit. Or like no one's standing out. Obviously you have Vladdy and Cherio and Yelich on the Brewers. But the rest of them are, it's just a good mixture of contact of, of, I mean, look, who knows what Addison Barger's going to do this year. Like, he might turn into an absolute beast, but they just kind of do,

they all have their own skill sets and it kind of works together. They're a ball club. They're a ball club. Yeah, if anything, the rotation, I just, I don't know. Like, Cease's first year, you savage trying to put together a full year, there could be something there that, and again, like Toronto fans, we can pick apart.

After the Dodgers, you can pick apart any team in that fashion. We both still have them around the top. The Cubbies, I think the conversation, we've talked about them a lot this offseason. Obviously, the Bregman move was significant. Still, the way they handle pitching just freaks me out a little bit, although they deserve credit there. And I think Cubs fans are probably sick of me saying that.

But, you know, as we look at some of these elite teams to see Boyd, Edward Cabrera, Cade Horton, Imanaga, Jameson, Tyone. It's, I don't know, you kind of want to see that guy. You want to see the Chris Sanchez or you want to see Wheeler. You want to see Otani. Every team wants to see Otani. I love their lineup. Their lineup feels so show, dude, that I just, I think that works.

And I think, like, the whole emphasis they made. Like, we're bringing in Alex Bregman, essentially because he's dog, essentially because he brings it every day. And so does Ian Hap, and so does Seya, and so does PCA. So does Bush, like, maybe the most underrated player in baseball at this point. That, like, or maybe there, maybe that whole right side of the infield is just having that argument between Horner and Bush, that like, I think this recipe just works. The pitching, I, and I don't know, maybe it's Justin Steele comes back and he's that guy for

them and that makes me feel a little better. Their whole bullpen basically did a remodel. Again, there's part of that that feels weird, but I believe in what the Cubs are doing now. They, I mean, they addressed everything they needed to address. I debated putting them at the three spot, like kind of flipping them in the Mets. I do also love this offense.

I think if you're looking for, I don't know, like a one through, a one through, five. I'm going to, I'll give him that. I don't know if you can find four better teams than this. Like their, their, their offense is, goes because Michael Bush is that guy.

And I do think Alex Breggman makes a difference in a lineup. And then Hap, Suzuki, all underrated. I think the biggest mover of the needle for this Cubs team will be PCA and like what he brings offensively. If he's, if he's PCA of the first, first half, they're such a different team. They're such a different team. Yeah. And he struggled mightily during the second half. And what does that do for a kid's psyche? I mean, he's saying all the right

things and he's he's juiced up in the all season. There's no doubt about that. But when the lights come on again, like what are we going to see? I'm a believer. Like, he's shown that he can do it. Now, there needs to be adjustments. A ton of swing and miss at the end of last year. So like, you know, we need to get back to some contact oriented stuff. with him, but he's a dog. He'll work. He'll do it. I'm in on this team. They're actually, like you said, this whole like two through 10 was very difficult for me to rank. But I think, I think we got it right. The, uh, yeah, the Cubby's for, it's interesting. And the PCA point goes to like what his upside is. He was an MVP can. Like we were doing like, wait, is he going

to finish with seven or eight war? You were talking about him being better than a Julio. That it is funny and I think the phrase I've run into that made me laugh with the Cubbies this year is at almost every position it feels like they could have the second or third All-Star like when they do like the 30 guys down the line and it's like oh in half like the whole Cubs lineup could be the eighth inning of the All-Star game and I think I think that's a really good thing to have are they the best up the middle defensive combination in the league they have to be, right? Dude, are they the best up the middle?

Are they the best left side? Are they the best outfield? Like, I, that's, that's where this Cubs team can be very impressive. And maybe that's the biggest perk that they're pitching has is like, strike them out or let them put it in play and let any of these guys go to work. Like the, I like the NL Central. How do you like that? We're going to get to some of that.

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All right, Trev. In that next, as we kind of finish off the top or the top 10 now, in that secondary five. I mentioned the Tigers and the Yankees. We both had them seven and eight flip-flopped. And then let's see. Those are the only aligned teams, and that's where I mentioned this coming in.

Nine through 15 gets similarly as messy. I guess let's do Yanks Tigers quick. I think the Tigers conversation for me is pretty easy. Like, not only have they kind of done it, that division is weak, and scoble, Framber, JV, like, I think the Tigers are maybe the safest bet to make the postseason. It's just what version are they while they're in there.

Riley Green is underrated as like kind of a young star in this game. And then for the Yankees, I mean, they're still the Yankees. Like, I know the offseason wasn't flashy, but who they could be at mid-season is pretty impressive. And they did have a big trade deadline that maybe I just drank too much of the Kool-Aid this off-season. As far as the tigers go for me, I'll start there, Pop. And maybe I'm just like wrong about this, but it's still like, they address, like the pitching is going to be great. The offense to me is like, all right, like, what can this be?

I think there is a high ceiling and I think there is a low floor for this offense. I do. I think there's a couple guys you can bank on. The fact that, you know, Kerry Carpenter is kind of not a platoon guy, but he's not going to hit against, lefties still a great player. I'm banking on him to have a great year in on that. Ryther Green, Riley Green is that guy.

After that, to me, I'm like, all right, like we could see a bunch of guys with 780 OPSs. We can see a bunch of guys with 690 OPSs. So I am not bought in on their offense completely. I agree that it can go.

And it also, I think, has a decently low floor. but other than that they have Matt Veerling so that's sick and they clearly went after starting pitching and really kind of shored that up

and they brought in Kenley Jansen which is like I don't think even anybody remembers they brought him in and go look what he does year in and you're freaking out dude so in on the Tigers where'd you have them? You had him at eight at them at seven

and then for the Yankees yeah I think people don't give enough credit to their offense and it's not just judge. Like they have guys that can do it up and down that lineup. And I do believe, I believe in the rotation being one we talk about as a top five rotation in baseball,

maybe even higher than that by the end of the season. I would like that. I'm with the interest. I would like that. Let's see, rounding off your top 10. You had the Brewers at 10, as you mentioned. I guess the next teams, well, the next team for you would be the Houston Astros.

which you had at 9, I had at 12. And again, like, I think for this next section, as we go through these teams, I think at the top you kind of have to, like, draw your opinions and be like, well, I like what the Cubs are doing. And my whole Milwaukee speech, like, that whole deal. Trev, in this area, and you can include the Yankees and the Tigers, like Baltimore, Atlanta, the Red Sox, I don't, I genuinely don't know how you just differentiate. like if there's something that jumps out to you let me know i guess houston for you kind of

was your team you took a chance on i don't know if i took a chance on him coach i mean they basically played all last year without your don uh and they get him back i just you look at this lineup like christian walker can't be as bad as he was uh you get your don back altuva actually had a really nice year last year which i think i think in a lot of people's minds he just struggled but He, you know, go look at his stats. Offensively. Offensively. Yeah, I mean, he's not grading well out at second base anymore.

That's fine. I don't care. Like, he's, let the guy bang a little bit. Jerry Payne is a stud. Like, this is, this, they have a nice lineup here. And your Don anchoring it is only going to make them better. I actually, like, don't mind they're starting pitching either. From all accounts, so far, um, my in spring training, people are like, this guy is an absolute stud.

Now, we heard he's a wild card. and we'll see how that goes but I believe he's going to try to make as best of an impression as he can in the big leagues to start and that's kind of been the problem with him as we've heard some things Mike Burroughs coming over

like they have a they have enough depth I don't know what I'm counting on Lance McCuller's Jr. We'll see how that goes both Hunter Brown, Javier, Amai, Burroughs and a couple guys behind them I can get behind that Love the bullpen as well.

There's just not a lot to dislike about the Houston Astros. Like I could see this team going and freaking running the West again, even above my number two Seattle Mariners team. But that wouldn't surprise me if they were neck and neck all season long. Their rotation makes me a little nervous. Like I believe in Hunter Brown. I think that breakout past the eye test and every test. After that, I mean, who is Javier now?

what is a my like in his first season, McCullors, Burroughs, and Weiss? Like, I'd like a little more I could stamp the table and be like, I know what that rotation is going to give me week in, week out. And I don't. And maybe it does. Like, I, you know, what Burroughs could be. This is, this season's a big test for Houston to see, you know, they barely missed the postseason last year.

And like you mentioned, they didn't have your Don that, okay, what would we be saying about them that, yeah, I mean, maybe there's still those guys. They've got some depth pieces between second year Camp Smith and, like, if something clicks in the lineup, they're dangerous. They got the bad man at the end of the bullpen. Like, I can obviously see how it works, and I had them, I had Houston at 12, so we're not very far apart there. I guess in this section, the team I took a chance on was the Atlanta Braves. And I don't know.

I just still believe. Ronald Acuna only played 90-something games last year. Who he just is as an offensive profile player is special. They have the new manager. They have a little bit of a, like, Drake Baldwin. Is he going to take it to another level? And if he doesn't, like, okay, well Matt Olson or Austin Riley, do that thing you do.

Pro far missed the first half of the season. Like, it's still there. Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris, too. Those can be elite guys at their positions. That the question comes to the bolt or the rotation. And it's a lot of its health. And let's be honest, it's currently scary. But if Chris Sayles out there, second year Spencer Shrider,

like that should be, that should be a thing. And I kind of like the back end of their bullpen. And I just feel like They just wanted to turn the page on last season In June That like all right Well now you've got it You've got a new season

You've got Ronnie Like prove that you can still be the Braves I wanted to put the Braves a lot higher We talked about them throughout the year The off season how this is going to be Like our no doubt smash the over button on this team Like people are going to forget get how good the Braves are.

And then they went and they've already had more injury issues. And like so I actually have my belief at 14 coach. It's crazy. I would have, without that, they're a top 10 team for me. I don't think that's, I mean, that's fairly obvious. But again, I mean, that's what haunted them last year. And right now they're already dealing with those injuries. Schwell and Bach in Waldrup having bonespurs.

surgery, so not TJ, which is good, but both elbow issues. So, like, that was tested. The depth is already being tested in the rotation. Hassan Kim already out at shortstop, which is another, you know, it just seems to me like we're just seeing this over and over again. A healthy Braves teams, a top 10 team for me. Right now, they're not exactly healthy. So I moved them down just because of that. But I do believe, especially in this offense, top of the rotation, I want to see Spencer Shrider come back and be that guy. I truly hope he is Chris Sale. Congratulations. She's got an extension. Yeah, of course. Boy. Brave sounders. So like they're there for me. The back in the bullpen, Iglesias and Bobo Svores. Yeah. I mean, that's pretty damn good. So I'm

in on them. The injuries moving down my list. Probably will be a pick that I regret. I just, they didn't have a strength last year. And like, like, if you look at their lineup, 13th, basically, if you look at their pitching is like 20th, and like, they just should be better units. And I, that Braves offense, we should respect more. Like, it should open up games with Ronnie Olson, Riley, Baldwin, Pro Far. Like, I don't know.

I still, I still have to believe in that talent. And Ronald Ocuna Stapage has been my, favorite to look at this offseason. Can't believe he has a career 381 on base. It's silly. It's just silly. Okay. I'm going to be my 11.

I'm so curious where you put this team. My 11 is the Boston Red Sox. Yeah. I have him at 13. Okay. You're close. I was curious because they're another team. I think people are, I might be more in than a lot of people. You know, they didn't have the offseason that a lot that everyone was expecting there. You know, they brought some guys in.

You get Caleb Durbin in that lineup now, which is going to be, I can't wait to see what he's like. I think Boston people are going to absolutely love this guy. Also, Wilson Contreras comes over. Your guy, IKF, which I don't think a lot of people are too stoked about in Boston, but it's all right.

Come on. They added to the rotation. They have one of the deeper pitching staffs in all of baseball. I mean, Rolda Chapman still absolutely firing. bullets at the back end of their bullpen. But crochet, Ranger's Force,

although he gave a freaking massive bomb to Connor Griffin. You see that thing? Sure did. Holy shit. Sure did. I got that. I'm buying all Connor Griffin's baseball cards right now, people. I'm in.

It's the only prospect I've ever believed in in my life. Wow. That's big good. I think this Red Sox team has a chance to be very, very, very good. where I look back and I'm like, I had him at 11. So I guess it's the Red Sox Nation, I don't think it's as stoked on their team as I am.

And I guess I'm wondering why. It's a pretty damn good team. Well, it's the Bregman situation, which is also. Yeah. It's a carryover from the Devers. Devers, yeah. They're mad at the front office, but you still have a really good team right in front of you.

Well, and that's what, I guess that's where the exciting, thing if you're a Red Sox fan should be, I think this team's strength is it's pitching. I think you look at Whitlock and Chapman at the back end, and that can go with a lot of combos in this league. And then, you know, like a lot of bullpens, those six, seventh inning guys, it's kind of who's hot at the right time that every team figures that out. That if my concern with the socks, because, dude, Crochet, Suarez, Gray, Beio, Oviato, we got young pitchers fighting for spots between Tolly and Connolly Early. and some of these guys, like, I think the Sox can pitch.

And if I think a Red Sox team can pitch, watch out. Because the offense does not jump off the sheet, but Red Sox teams find offense. The ballpark they play in is conducive. It's a pretty good offense, coach. I think Roman Anthony, we're both checking the box. We're getting a full year, him. About to be a dude of dudes of dudes.

After that, I think there's more question marks than you normally expect to see from a Red Sox lineup, especially a Red Sox lineup coming off of having Breggman endeavors for years, that that's going to be the question. Like, if this is a top 10 lineup and Contreras is playing monster ball and Wheelier is living up to his baseball card, Duran and Trevor Story stays healthy, like, I think that is a big, sneaky part of this team, then yeah, we're going to be talking a lot of Sox kid, but there's a lot more maybe in the lineup in that second half can get a little, I don't know. The offense finds a way at Fenway that I would look at that as glass half full for Sox fans.

I'm a big believer in Wilson Contrera is there. I think he's going to make a massive difference. I think Jerry Duran can be that guy. You know I love Williore. You mentioned Caleb Durbin. I think he maybe is the biggest, if he goes the guy. go. Caleb Dirk?

Yeah. DERB? If he comes in and figures out like that park and kind of like the city rallies around him, I'm doing a little fan fiction here. City rallies around him. Shades of Dustin Projoria. Easy. What?

How can you not make the comparison? I think the bigger thing you should be going for, we believe in hot boys. Roman Anthony, Marcello Mayor and Caleb Durbin. Why'd you laugh? Jaron Duran. Kind of gets overlooked, which is crazy. Which is crazy. And maybe my Trevor story thing is wrong

because they'll just be like, hey, Raphael, why don't you play shortstop? Now we've got a place for Yoshida to hit. Like the Red Sox, their path is kind of clear. It just feels, you wish, I wish there was one more power bat. I could bank on like a 30 homer season, and so does every team.

Speaking of that and another conundrum I had, and Trev, this ties in to your Mets at the three spot and your Boston Ranking. I'm in on the Baltimore Birds this year. I had them as my last top 10 team. I put them in the 10 spot. And part of them is Pete Alonzo. And it's time for our traveler check-in brought to you by Best Western. We highlight a player who was on the move this offseason. And we got to see Pete the meet, go big fly already for this Baltimore Orioles offensive.

And yeah, man, for me, that took a couple points away from the New York Mets in my head. It took a couple points off like the Boston Red Sox. This was a potential landing spot for him. And he goes to Baltimore. And I think he fits that team perfectly. We've talked about it a lot. Sneaky Taylor Ward, like they added some right-handed pop. Trevor Rogers and what he did last year was scary that the question for Baltimore is the

pitching. Here's Pete. Yeah, don't hang it there to Peter because that's what he does. Samuel Bessio, some of his projections are kind of crazy this year as like someone who could break out on the scene. That, yeah, for me, it's the pitching. And like, I, again, I got hurt by this last year, but Rogers, Bradish, Basset, Baz, Eflin, Kramer, like I, Tyler Wells, I think we have enough in this team after a horrific start. wasn't as bad as that. They're like, I'm, I'm in on them. You have them 10?

I had them 10. I had them as my last top 10 team. Don't mind that. I think all these teams are kind of jumbled up. I have them at 13. Yeah. And no real reason why, you know, between 10 and 13. I do believe in this lineup.

I think there's a lot of guys, like you said, there's a mixture of proven track record guys. And then guys who I think have, the potential to kind of like step up this year, which is kind of the sweet spot that you want to be in with your organization is, we have our guys that are tried and true. We have young guys that are hungry. Now we have these veterans teaching them.

We think they can make the next, take the next step. Osio is one of those guys. Obviously Holiday banged up right now, but he's another one of those guys. What's Blaze Alexander going to do in that? Is he going to take it and run with the opportunity? I guess that's, as I've looked at these teams,

the Orioles have the most easy valves to turn on. Got lost. And what's that giant dam in Vegas? The Hoover Dam. The Hoover Dam. If you want to get lost on YouTube one day, look at how the Hoover Dam works pretty wild. And some of the emergency systems they have set up.

Dude, okay. Could just Pete Alonzo being Pete Alonzo, being Pete Alonzo, change how this team feels. Yep. What if Adley Rushman goes back to being hell a B player? Never mind the A that he was for a little bit. What if Tyler O'Neill is healthy and goes nuts? Like, what if Dylan Beavers is a guy?

What if they have so many valves that could potentially turn on this season that I just think a couple of them will, and that's going to be enough for them to be a good ball team again. Can I rain on your parade? Please. Just a little bit. And it's probably why I have them, lower and

last year 24th and runs starting pitchers 21st and whip relievers 28th in whip defensive run saves OAA 24 23

take your choice like this was not a good team last time I know I know but a lot of that was like six weeks of baseball that's I don't know coach you play 162 I know I know I guess I see

I see a lot of that as upside because I think the offense. I couldn't put them in my top 10. I agree. I'm in that I think they could go. I couldn't do top 10. That's fair. That's fair.

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BestWestern.com. I frequented the Best Western in Chicago last year. Very nice spot. We're doing that again? It felt like we were in Chicago every weekend last year. We'll see. All right, Trev, in this, okay, so as, you know, tierless are all the rage these days, we kind of, we kind of just checked off that second tier of Red Sox, Orioles, Braves.

I think the Giants deserve a conversation. I'll let you another team that we have a massive gap on. Yeah, I know. So, yeah, this is an interesting one, because I don't have a great reason. for it. Nobody does, but in the same way you do. So yeah, like the reason you have the Brewers too is because I just do it every single damn year. The reason I have the Guardians 12 is because they just do it every single damn year. I do not have a great reason for them to be 12. They won 88 games last year.

They actually took the AL Central from the Tigers. So like, again, this is a team that just figures it out. Like there is no names. Like in the entire rotation. Say you want Gavin Williams to be a guy. I think he can be like, okay, great. But after that, we're talking about a guy like Tanner Bybee, who sometimes you call him Tanner Vibe. Like, sometimes he goes out there and looks great. Sometimes not so much. Is Joey Cantillo going to, like, is he going to step up in the rotation and be a guy this year? But you're just not going to find find a great reason why to put this team at the top of the Central to approach winning 90 games, but they find a way. I guess the one great reason is Jose Ramirez.

okay after that i don't i don't really know coach i don't really have a reason for it but ball is ball and these guys just figure out a way every single freaking year maybe you point to stephen vote i don't know what it is but they do it so i i mean there's no way i could put this team 17th or 18th and knowing what i know yeah i just i fought it i i just fought it and i'm sorry clea and everything Trev said is right. And the other spin zone for you would be they were, they were a bottom two offense last year. That, okay.

So if they become the 20th offense in baseball, they probably win 90 games, like 90 plus games last year. I know. I guess I doubt the pitching just a little bit. And I know that's dumb. I know that's foolish. But like... Where'd you have them?

They were my one team that I got messy with. I put them at 20th. Okay. I just, with power being power. That's fine. I know it's fine, but it's also not. Like, it's so not because I know it's going to be wrong. I know they're going to make the playoffs.

I don't know. It's the roster itself doesn't get me jazzed up. But man, if that offense does anything this year, if Kwan can tick up, if George Valera chased a lotter, I don't know, man. I don't know. That's the whole point is you don't need to. You just let it happen. Because they play good defense. They're going to catch the ball.

Yes. The bullpen is going to be good. They're going to protect leads. They're going to win. Now I need to know what were they in one run games. I'm going right now. Undefeated. They go undefeated in one-run games every year because they play defense. I'm getting it up.

Throw the ball. Five, four, three, two. Not as good as you think. So that takes up. 26 and 20. That's pretty good. That's good. I know, I expected them to have like at least a 600 winning percentage in those games.

They're, uh, yeah, one-worn games are tough. I mean, you can't really. Last year, coach, they had. a 577 month, a 519 month, a 360 month. In June, they went 9 and 16. Another 538, 519. And then they ran off a 20 and 7 in September. It's where you start getting into the baseball gods.

And you're like, what the hell is that? And like I could knock the 20 and 7 against them. I could say that's the coolest thing they have that they said, all right, let's win every game down the stretch. And they almost did. Yeah, they're a loophole in this exercise every year, and I was contradicting myself having Milwaukee up, but Cleveland down.

A part of that is a team I like in their division. I think there's, as we got to start chewing through these a little quicker, the San Francisco Giants and the San Diego Padres, A, I just kind of lumped them together just because I have to. I have them at 1415. I mean, the Padres were really strong last year. I felt like, I feel like the cabinets are getting cleared out just a little more each year. Like a little one guy gets plucked each.

And hey, again, like Dylan Cease was not fantastic for them last year. But it's a lot of innings. Bobby Suarez, but their bullpen is still one of the best. They had a lot in the cupboard there. a rise like that is a that's going to be a good test of what war means that like they deserve respect as a team yeah I think you know

I mean 93 wins last year is that what it was? They won 90 they won 90 yeah the Dodgers have 93 wins last year correct oh my gosh correct yeah I mean I have the podgers at 17

the Giants at 19 and I think it for the giants I just need them to prove it I mean they've just been a 500 baseball club for what three years now it's just they're

they're kind of like a middling team that should be better the podgers I've always just been high on and then it kind of doesn't happen for them and I don't think

they're getting better so I put them down the list a little bit there my team that that I am unsure of that I think could go a lot of different ways is the Texas Rangers. I have them at 15.

Okay. Jake. Where did you have them? I had the Rangers at 18. They kind of tortured me last year. I still, talent-wise, I believe they're better than that.

And hey, you could do the whole spin zone that they had some clubhouse stuff and hopefully that's sorted through now in this next season. But, yeah, they can't be as bad as they were offensively this year. They cannot be.

We're talking 26 in OPS, 22nd and runs. If you just look at that lineup, you expect them to be better. A lot of lefties. A lot of lefties. Which, like, I think should work out well for you, except like in late games,

if you face like some lefty lane of relievers. But, like, this offense should be better. You got Nimmo there. And I think you're going to get some uptick from the rest of the guys. They can pitch. That starting rotation is so fun. It's so fun.

DeGrom, Ievaldi, now you bring him McKenzie Gore, Jack Leiter, you know, I think it's his last 13 starts, pitched like a 3-2-8.

So he's got it in the tank. You know, what's Kumar Rocker going to be? It's, they have all the recipe there. I think this is one team where, you know,

what do I have? I have it at 15th. This could be a team we're talking as an upper echelon team by the end of the year. I love their, talent and I actually when I was doing this exercise I didn't click their their team page because when I do I go I let out like a sigh that I'm just like damn man like I

this is a team that I feel like if things go right they could be a top five team and you're talking about the best the best rotation I kind of like where their bullpen is landed I know we were weird on that for a little while that it's and they're often they're often they're often offense should be a plus. They should be at least a top 15 offense, but it was horrific last year that they're so, they're so young. Like Wyatt Langford is, what, 23 or 24? Evan Carter is 23. Like, these guys can make that next step.

Langford can play defense, 775 OPS last year. Evan Carter, 728. I think he's got much more in the, tank. These are guys you can say they're going to, they're going to take that next step. And if they do, I think the Rangers, like you said, we'll be talking about them as a top team. They're probably my most difficult to rank team, the Rangers. I agree. And this is, this is where divisions get weird, too, that I still give Hughes and their credit. And so did you. Like, they, they deserve it. And they can easily point to things last year not working that could work this year, that almost they get the

not above Texas that, yeah, as you start, and that's where this exercise gets really sick in the head. Because, you know, in that N.O. West, you're splitting between the Giants and the Padres. I want to believe in what the Giants are doing so bad. I had them one spot above the Padres, you know, like that when you get to these second or third teams in the division, that, yeah, I don't really know what to do with them. The Padre starting pitching scares me a little bit. I don't think there's any doubt about that. You know, top of the rotation, I'm in on it.

I'm a big Pavetta believer. Are they going to keep him around? I'm curious about that because he could demand, you know, a pretty penny for his services. I like Michael King, but then after that, there's a lot of question marks. Obviously, the bullpen's going to be there. The offense kind of lets me down year in and year out. You know, they were a decent offense last year. I always think we're going to get more.

We need more juice. out of that club and they didn't really do anything to change that. So like I'm I've been the biggest Padre supporter over the last couple years. They just hasn't really panned out for me. And I agree with you with the Giants as far as, you know, you look at what they've done and what they're trying to do. There are another team who's we've probably rated too low, but we've got to see it. like on paper this this should be a top 12 baseball team yes but they just have not been that

over the last couple years i have i have two al teams i want to hit you with that i um i had a mini panic and have kind of gotten me excited uh they ended up being my 16th and 17th team the 16th isn't that much of a hot take, I think the 17th is, I have the Royals in the Reyes back to back. You had the Royals pretty far down on your list. You had them 22. I don't, their rotation, I think, is still there, and Cole Reagan's back at the top of it.

Like, I think we kind of forgot, you know, he's got like young, young Cole Hamels type energy. that Reagan's Waka, Boobich, Luga, Noah Cameron, who kind of broke on to the scene, like they can throw the ball. Estevez, Erseg, Strom, Schreiber, Mirren, like, I think that bullpen can throw the ball. I think they catch the ball. I think they have a high upside at the top of their lineup with Bobby Witt, as obviously, you know, one of the best players in baseball.

And then Mike L. Garcia, Vinny P. in the corners, like Jack Cags, if that happens. that yeah i i'm kind of i'm in on the royals i'm more in on them talent wise than cleveland and i i realize that could be dumb but i i am i like what they have agreed i don't love that i have them at 22 okay but again at at this point you're just kind of like all right like where i guess sealing wise yes they deserve to be higher than 22 um I know, you're kind of selling me right now. Yeah. Look at the roster.

I mean, I did see this team play last year, and I wasn't, like, super impressed by them. Like, I called a couple different series, and they just didn't impress me. And a lot of times I go by that. Reagan's being back obviously changes a lot of things. I agree with the talent on this roster. If Caglione can figure it out,

we're talking about a one through five there that can kind of rival anybody. Because Michael Garcia is a, dog. We know what Bobby Witt can bring. Vinny's going to do it. Bringing the fences in, baby. Sal's going to get you 30. And yeah, they can get, they can catch the ball. You're right. I probably haven't ranked too low. I probably haven't ranked too low. Did we mention they're bringing the fences in? I did. I've mentioned it many times if you ever fucking listen to me on this show. I don't, gosh. I was good. That was good. That was an all time clipping. Now you're

thinking, because you got a chance to give some Hail Central love here. I just didn't impressed me that much when I saw him. I got you. I got you. I think Reagan's co-riding. Where do you have them 16? Don't act like you had him top 10. No, but

16 to 22nd, that's a gap. Travo. And then the Tampa Bay raise, again, 17 and 21, so a little less of a gap there. And this is full disclosure for the listeners. We did the Ray's team profile and projection the other

day. And I was looking in like in more than I thought that they one of the phrases we ran into is that they've got a little more raise of old like I Rasmus and Pepio McClanahan Martinez mats in the rotation it's kind of funky but it's kind of raise and like I think their bullpen is back to Jeff and Jacks coming over is a is a beast he's a beast for them their their bullpen looks real like okay so these teams we're talking about in this area like pitching in defense can bring you a long way. It felt like the Ray's got away from that for a little bit.

Their pitching wasn't as strong. Their defense definitely wasn't. It seems like they've trended that way. With a little hint of like Aranda and Common Arrow of righty lefty combos, those dudes can beat you up. Second part of their lineup's super

thin, but doesn't that sound like an old race team? Like, hey, these big guys at top can mess with you. They're going to pitch and play defense. the second part of the lineup looks weird, but then one of those guys gets the two-out RBI hit and you lose to the raise. They have a little more of their recipe this year.

Spoiler alert, if you haven't watched those episodes, you did say one team from the 21 to 25 tier of the fans rankings will make the playoffs. And I think that's where we're at in our exercise. Like, yeah, like this is a, when we get down to this level of teams, it's, you know, between 15 or even like, yeah, 14 and 22, like they're all, they all have their pluses.

They all have their minuses. And that I think, you know, we got to see. The game's got to be played. And then we'll figure out kind of where we're at. Preseason wise is really hard to rank all these teams. Tampa, I kept, I actually had them higher, but then Dalton convinced me to put the Diamondbacks higher. So then I kept moving my teams around.

Okay, here we go. I think my original list I had them higher. Here we go. go. Now it's getting real. You can't have the Cardinals. I'm like, okay, hold on. Let me rethink what's going on here. And like I said, you know, where we're at is an interesting one. Because I have a team that I'm curious where you put then because they're at the highest

19. I have the Cincinnati Reds. So I was just 16. That's not a big gap. I was, I was just going to do. I think there's, I think there's like three teams we've ignored. that I think have genuine playoff hopes right now.

The Reds who made the playoffs just like a quiet off season kind of. And I don't know what to do with that. And okay, in the Central, if you believe in the Brewers, if you believe in the Cubs. And I think the team that now piggybacks with the Reds is how do you feel about the Pittsburgh Pirates who you're higher on than me?

You had them at 18th. I had them at 24th. I'm just not bought in on. them until they make me buy in. And by the way, one Connor Griffin swing, bought in. You bought in, didn't you? I might be bought in. How about two Connor Griffin swings from yesterday?

That'd be nice. Yeah, I think the three teams that have the biggest gripes that we haven't really discussed yet, it's the Reds who have tortured me the past couple seasons, a la Texas a little bit because I do like their talent. The Pirates, which it's just a matter of actually believing in them in the first time. And then I do think there's just an A's conversation because the talent offensively is so impressive. Today's episode is sponsored by Rocket Money. Organizing your finances can feel overwhelming and the amount of time it takes can feel like a burden. Rocket Money is a personal finance app that helps you find and cancel your unwanted subscriptions.

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rocketmoney.com slash talking. Where am I starting here? I'd say start with your pirates. Do pirates and reds together? They're in the same division. They have different formulas. Honestly, you can almost say the exact same thing about what's going on.

Like the Reds, their strength is they're starting pitching. Yeah. I think the pirate strength is going to be their starting pitching. I think it's a little deeper with the Reds. So that's why I kind of gave them the nod. I think Chase Burns is going to break out this year and be an absolute dog. And then we're talking about Hunter Green, Andrew Abbott, Lodolo Burns, as your top four. It's pretty damn good.

And Brady Singer just kind of waiting there in the wings. The offenses for both of these teams are underwhelming, but we got a couple guys that could change that. If Gino comes back and hits his 40 homers, what does that do for the Reds? lineup. Can Ellie, like, truly put it all together and be the guy who we think he can be? Like, can Matt McLean have a bounce back year? Like, there's a lot of question marks

in the Reds lineup. So many. So many. Like, I need to have a marty to be that guy. Like, there's so many. But you can say the same thing about the pirates. Love their rotation. Love Connor Griffin.

The rest of the offense is, it's suspect. But I want to believe in the pirates and they went and they went out and made some moves in the off season. You know, you're bringing O'Hern, you're bringing in these guys,

great. Like are they, you know, Kyle Schwabber who you went after? No, but you made a good, a good swipe at free agency, if you will.

And if they bring this guy up and he is who like he looks like in Conn Griffin, it could change things. Does it make them a playoff team right away? I don't think so, but I'd love to see it. I'll tell you what, if I got to leave two asteris on teams that, like, my heart is just too hurt, it's Texas and the Cincinnati Reds. The Cincinnati Reds could have the best rotation in baseball.

And, like, that's kind of nuts. And how far off are them in the Pirates? That's what I don't know. And then I go into this NL Central chatter where I'm like, don't we do this every year? and the brewers just like the reds are their play toy like they just they just oh let's play seven innings tight and then we'll win the game like it's it feels like mean pickup basketball or something like that and now that the cubs are back like those two teams are just on such a separate tier that it feels like it feels like they check into the holiday house there's two really cool bedrooms and the brewers and the cubs take those. and then the Reds and the Pirates are fighting for the bunk beds. And I just don't know, man.

None of them jump out to me. And I want them to. I didn't really get that one. Well, because you get the nice bed. You fight for the bunk beds. Because you get the nice bed. Yeah, but the bunk beds, they're the same bed. Exactly.

Exactly. Who wants, I don't want top bunk. I want bottom bunk. If it's a good, the fucking top bunk. If it's a fun vacation that top bunk can play, But you're also being a little body matters there. And that's, you know, me and Rob, we sacrifice for the team in that moment.

I had bunk beds growing up. My brother and I shared a room. Like my entire life, we shared a room. Even we moved from that house. I had a bed that was like, I don't know why I had like wheels on the bottom of it. So like I'd wake up and my bed would be like in a different part of my room because there's hardwood floors and we just never addressed that. I don't know what happened.

But bunk beds, I was always bottom bump. Really? And you can draw. I had like, you could draw on it. So I had some crayon on it. I like that for you. I mean, Marshall, big bro is a big guy. Big guy.

He was top bunk. He was top bunk. That's why you didn't like the top bunk. That's too much guy up there. That was where he's, that's where he stayed. Um, what were we talking about? Um, the pirates and the reds, man, like, be loud. Alis.

Adelis. No, not Adelis. Marcel. I regret these words every year. The Reds can be really good. The Pirates can be good, comma. But every year it feels like it doesn't happen. And it's, hey, I guess it's the beautiful part of this sport.

Because you're right, dude, Chase Burns Ladolo as a 4-5? Like, those guys can be All-Star Game. Those guys can be All-Star game. I had the Reds in front of the Pirates, right? I did. Okay, so did you. All right. Yeah. And then respect-wise, they deserve that. The A's is the last team, I think.

And again, it's not out yet, their team profile and projection. But I don't know, man, you don't rarely, you rarely see a lineup that could be that good, that you'd like to think that matters, but there's also a chance their pitching is not that good, and that could matter. Yeah, no, it's the same thing we talk about. The lineup is great.

The pitching is not. Where do you have them? We both have them at 21. I have them at 23. 23. So yeah, I mean. I'm excited to watch the A's. Every time I get a chance to watch them play, I will because they have fun players on their team.

They just don't win a lot of baseball games. It's just, it's kind of scary. They have a couple like, if McNeil does what he did last year, if a Muncie steps up or Butler gets back to form, like then their offense can be a full season of Kurtz. I know. They can be, you could also say is Kurt's going to be a one dot guy this year?

Is there a sophomore slump coming? Yeah. I've said that he doesn't look like one of those guys. Like he looks more your Don than a guy that's going to get beat up his second year. Because I mean, dude, if you actually get in his numbers, like he was a one dot one guy for a lot. The bottom of the list and I'm sorry to these fan bases and power rankings is a place you probably didn't think you'd get discussed.

Marlins, I had 23, you had 24, Cardinals, 25, 26, White Sox, twins, Angels, Nationals, Rockies, a consensus bottom of three. Where'd you have the twins? I had them at 27, you had them in 26, so. If Pablo Lopez isn't hurt, I probably have the twins approaching a 19 to 20. I you could dream there's some guys there coach Luke Kishaw look out

Mac Walner breakout season look out Royce Lewis looks healthy look out there's a core of offensive players not to mention they have a guy named Walker Jenkins it's this absolute stud that's sick Pablo Lopez getting hurt really stinks

well I guess you heard it here first they're going to be better than you think I don't know I'm kind of I hope the White Sox start having fun again. I think they have a chance. I think the White Sox and Twins are going to be closer than you currently think.

Where did you put the snakes? I had the snakes at 22. You jump them to 20 with Dalton's peer pressure. I just, the Carroll injury freaks me out. That pitching freaks me out. Being that old in the corners freaks me out. Aronado Carlos Santana. That doesn't freak me out at all.

I know it doesn't. You're an old in the corner. That's why. Yeah, I hope I'm wrong at that. And we come back and we're like, we didn't talk about the dimebacks at all. I think we, Dalton kind of convinced me.

I mean, bringing Gallin back, it was big for them. So I don't think the pitching is as bad as you think it is. And then there's a chance like this often. Yeah, we need Corby and Carroll in there, obviously. Yes.

But that's not a season-ending injury. Like, he'll be back playing ball. Like the offense to me, like, all right. Like, I believe in a little bit of Nolan Aeronado resurgence. I do. I think he was overplaying for the Cardinals. It just wasn't the right fit for him. Carlos Santana can be a dog. Just, I'm, don't convince me. I like the debacks. Don't just, don't just flash the bullpen and then he threw up a little bit, which I found a little rude. I will say the rotation is, the rotation is me, comma, has more hope than they've had in a

little bit. I don't know. So I hope that becomes a fun story and snakes are alive again. Give me your Kansas City Royals versus the Diamondbacks rotation. What do you got? Royals easy. Okay. I don't think it's a fair fight. Yeah, probably. Trying to think of a good one to compare them to. Diamondbacks rotation and Rays? Padres. Ooh. There's, yeah. I guess they don't.

I guess Gallin's their upside guy, and I think Gallin's going to be good. But, like, Erod's best case at this point is a three-four starter. Ryan Nelson, five. I don't know. I don't know. I'm not excited by it.

Dalton comes in. He wants to compare them to the Baltimore Orioles. Rotation. some olds some proof it guys okay I think I'd prefer to have the Orioles yeah me too especially bathed in there I like Bassett in there I like Bassett Rogers probably has more upside right now than any of those guys in the

Rogers and dude Braddish yeah I think his name gets him ignored yeah yeah Dalton bad job bad job well and that's what we need after after he worked on the sheet for us it's a nice place to land it I don't know, Trey. Again, we covered a lot there. I guess we didn't talk about the Giants really much at all

because they got lumped with the Padres. It's because we've talked about them a lot too. And like basically their whole thing is laid out there. Like these guys are dudes and this is going to work and we're a better team or they're going to be this weird like giants. Giants cost a lot of money. What does it mean? I think it's going to work.

I really do. I really do. I like, I have them over the Padres right now. that could be dumb. A lot of ball, coach. God. A lot of ball. I guess everyone in the comments,

you've already let us know what we got wrong, but let us know again. We thank you. Power rankings tough this time of year. Tough. A lot of hope. A lot of hope. Shers are back to the D-backs.

Let's go. Jake sucks. Rumor mill. Not true. Yeah, it's definitely not a true statement yet. Is he going to do the wait till midseason thing? I love that. Oh, my, is he played banana ball till midseason?

Sick. I don't know if he's wired for banana ball.