Talkin' Baseball (MLB Podcast) - We React to the Latest MLB Power Rankings & All the Moves We Missed | 589

Episode Date: January 4, 2023

Get 20% off your first order at https://ro.co/JOMBOYTimestamps:0:00 Intro5:45 Power Rankings13:50 Which Teams are for Sale?21:20 Daulton Varsho Traded to the Blue Jays29:50 DBacks Side of the Varsho Trade36:30 Phillies Have Added Pitching40:00 Braves Extend Sean Murphy43:40 Reds, Padres Moves46:00 Giants Sign Conforto & Rogers47:00 Kluber to Boston47:35 Cubs48:00 Marlins Get Segura and Want Another Bat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello and welcome to talking baseball. We've got way too early power ranking some rumors, and we're going to clean up all the news we never discussed. Let's do it. Hello and welcome to talking baseball. Thank you very much for joining us today. My name is Jimmy. Sit next to me is Jake, Trevor Plouffe out in L.A.

And B.B.D. wearing a fun shirt behind the dish producing. It's January 4th. The best time for baseball, they say. when everything is active and hot. So we're going to talk all about it. Jake, how are you doing? James, Travis, BBD, excited to be yucking with you guys.

Yeah, man, we're kind of hoping for that secondary trade season to go a little bit. I mean, it's funny looking at the free agent pool now. A lot of the, I mean, all the big names are gone. You're, you know, we're looking at Elvis Andrews. We're looking at, you know, because Grinky like baseball still. Uh, so yeah, I mean, the, the big free agency doors kind of close, except for Correa still, which we'll see what happens there. New newest rumor is, uh, new contract to look a lot different, which that feels like

bad news for Carlos Correa. Um, and yeah, we'll, we'll see. Maybe it's the same exact numbers, but a different team. It's, I was just thinking the contract was on different paper or something like that, but, um, perforated. We, uh, yeah, we got, got some fun cleanup at the end of kind of everything we miss. along the way during the chaos of winter meetings. And Trev, your power rankings, powerful guy.

How are you? More things should be perforated, in my opinion. I think there should be perforated band-aid so you can make it to the exact specifications of your wound. I have a wound right now that I would love if someone invented that. Where's the wound? Something you've thought about before. I have.

One night I just was on the moon and I was like, dude, I can't find a band-aided fit. I'd like perforated edged band-aids. I have a wound on my leg. I was cooking a pork butt, and I wrapped it, put it in a tray. And unfortunately, it was a little too juicy. So when I pulled it off, I kind of tip the tray a little bit, and 212-degree liquid went on my leg. Ew. You're boiling?

I didn't think it was that big of a deal at the time. And then now my skin has blistered. It looks like I roasted my leg, like a turkey leg. but I'm doing all right. I still get my workouts. And you know that, Jake. I'm in the gym, man. Could have been like Channing Tatum that happened to his weiner.

They poured boiling. I like Channing Taylor. He's got a burnt weaning? I think he was in a really cold pool of water filming a scene. And then they had had boiling water that they would mix with the cold water and then pour that on him to warm him up. And they didn't mix it. And they just poured boiling water straight on his weiner.

I think that was the story. No idea. I hope Jeremy Remmer's doing okay for talking about actors. and let's get right into way too early power rankings. Hmm. The way too early power rankings. That's officially like what they're called MLB.com came out of them and they said these are our way too early

because everyone just searching for stuff to talk about in January. So we're all going to react viciously to the power rankings. They're a doozy. These ones are a doozy. We're going to get some of our listeners like testosterone up because we're going to piss them off. So the power rankings way too early brought to you by our good friends at Roman.

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Trevor, it looks like you raised your hand for a question. if you have a car and you like to drive your car but all of a sudden your car has a flat tire what do you do you fix your tire I was hoping that was going to be a little more Scott Borrisy I'll be honest I thought there's going to be a twist I mean it's pretty simple people

if it's not working make you can fix it row dot co use our promo codes you know what I've done this for a couple guys I won't say their names I don't know if they want that I think there's a HIPAA violation there but I've done it for them they're happy with it Okay.

Hey guys, last year, 12 teams made the postseason with the expanded playoffs in the new wild card. And those 12 teams make up the top 12, way too early power rankings. I don't think they don't. They don't? Yes, they do. Okay, I'm just like triple,

I just tried to double check it because it seems a little lazy. And I was trying to look for a team that was in the playoffs last year, but their MLBs got them off. They're way too early. But no, it's just the same time. top 12 are the top 12, which is a bit of a bummer. They do have, just on the outskirts, the Texas Rangers bumping up, top half of the league, over 500.

Although, is that their schedule? That's their record last year, 6894. Yes. Also, the Orioles are in the top 15, and the White Sox are out. That might be a bummer for White Sox fans to see people saying the Orioles are. better than you? I don't believe that. I don't know if I believe that either. Tougher division, too, for the Royals.

We're saying this is a lazy thing. We actually talked about this yesterday, Chris Rose and I on baseball today. Do you think any team flip-flops and one of those top 12 teams is out? Yes. Because we kind of went over it. And I'm not sure exactly who. I guess the Brewers, you could say that.

They're not a top 12 team. You mean they could get in? That's what I'm saying. And like, you know, we've had, we've had more teams in the playoffs than ever before, 12 teams in the playoffs. So you'd think, hey, man, like the parody is going to come. But really, the league, to me, is getting more and more top heavy. And then this 12 here, I mean, you can find maybe one or two teams that you think can jump into it.

But, I mean, my first guess would be, 10 teams. My first way to finagle a change would be, I don't think three teams come from the AL East again. So either the Yankees, raise, Js. I don't think all three of them get, I think probably two. And also a hope that you get some more, another team in the Central, two teams from each division or some team in the West finally claws up. And there's a fun wild card race there.

That would be my guess is the Rays or the Js or maybe the Yankees, but I like their pitching. So, A, I tried to bring up the earliest article I could from last year to see some of the power rankings to see what switch. Obviously, the Orioles were big movers and shakers last year. A lot of people had them as like a bottom two team, and they ended up being middle of the pack. I think we did.

Guardians were 19th last year on this list I'm looking at. They were a big climber. I don't know, Jim. I hear what you're saying. In the Texas Rangers, especially after what we did last episode, they're a team you have circled as potentially the second, kind of that second wild card out west. The AL Central and Trev, I'd, you know, get ready for another year of this.

I think there's only one team in the AL Central that's gotten better this offseason, and it's the guard dogs. I think the twins lost Correa currently. You know, the Tigers are in a funk. The White Sox, I mean, they lost Jose Abrae. I know they've brought in Benny and they brought in Clevenger, but man, like Jose Ibrahim, that best guy on the field in the middle of the lineup kind of every day. Now, could they have washed off the stink from last year, and that makes them the better team in this year?

You can obviously talk yourself into the White Sox talent. We've done it over and over on this show. But, yeah, I mean, the Texas Rangers are one of the few teams that really got better via free agency in this offseason. I went through it a little bit with Bebes on Wake and Jake today. Not a lot of teams can you say like the needle really ticked up. And that's where the Rangers have one of the biggest jumps on this list or from what you'd expect. But like Jimmy said on the last talking baseball, the Rangers as an organization, we kind of, we don't really respect them yet. You know, we've, they've done that not what I said.

They haven't earned us. Okay, let's clear it up. I don't like the bottom of their lineup. I don't disrespect them as an organization. You were saying if what the Rangers did this offseason was the Red Sox Yeah, what I said was we don't know who they are and their full plan. Right. I didn't say I'd disrespect them as an organization.

That's Trev's talk. I think I was saying as fans, we don't respect what the Rangers have done. Their expectations are not through the roof like if a team like the Dodgers or the Yankees. That's what I was saying. I'm sorry. Jimmy respects the Texas Rangers. I'd like that on the record. Enough teams think I hate them.

I don't need you. guys putting it in my mouth for them. That's true. That's true. I think baseball fans don't respect what the Texas Rangers organization has been in recent years to give them respect for what their offseason has been or their off seasons have been. So they're the wild card.

Can they get into Mariners land and compete for one of the wild cards this year? Or are they going to be battling the angels again for whatever the hell third place looks like because they were 68 and 94 last year. They're one team that you kind of look at, and I said this about them before, and I'm starting to respect the organization more. Some of the people who maybe I didn't respect aren't really in positions of power or have left. So it's changed, and they have operated completely differently now.

So they're still a prove-it team to me. You know, they look good on paper for the most part. I think the lineup is still a little thin, but you can dream upon it, but you've got to prove it. And I think that's fine. I think Rangers fans are okay with us saying that they have to prove it. The Brewers to me, can I like, can you guys help me quit the Brewers? Because I just can't right now. You know, all we wanted them to do last year is make an offensive upgrade.

They didn't really do it. But, you know, they've done it a little bit via trade this offseason. You know, looking at that lineup, you know, bringing in William Contreras, Winker, and who's the other guy they brought in? Toro. Toro. Ram Toro. I like Toro as a player.

I think this is a guy that can go to Milwaukee and thrive. It's a great hitter's place. When you go there, the confidence level, you know, goes up. Now you're facing some good pitching and things might be different in the NL versus the A. But I think Winker is going to be comfortable in that division, obviously. So if he can get back to form a little bit, I think this team, like, still has it in them, man. And, like, if you guys can convince me to not believe that, I'd like it. because it feels like they break my heart a lot.

No, believe it. Then at 14 is a little low. Have fun. Nice stadium. Cool mascots. Clumsy. I'm found power rankings from last year from ESPN. Jake,

I don't know which one you had. Did you have MLB from 2020? I had our friends at pitchers list. Okay. Because the ESPN ones for 2022, they had four teams that in the top 12 that did not make the playoffs. They had the white socks, the Brewers, the Red Sox and the Giants.

And all of them didn't make the playoffs. So it's easy to go 12 and 12. I do think there's going to be shakeup. I don't know where. What were our rankings, our TPP rankings that our fans voted on that. Yeah, it's our audience. And that will be happening soon as we are prepping our TPP team profile and projections. We will be sending out this week or early next week.

And if you haven't done it with us the last three years, you guys rank the teams 1-2-30. And that is the order in which we do the episodes. So be on the lookout for that, Paul. And we'll see. And we can see how bad they were last year. Maybe by the time you're listening to it. it's been out last year it got funky because of the lockout sorry but yeah because all the moves happened like after we did back to normal now like a lot of the moves are done besides gray and

and some you know little ones hopefully a couple trades yes yeah uh okay i had a rumor that i heard that is pretty not unfounded but i just thought i wanted to get your guys uh everyone puts a guess in if it is true what was his name will carroll said two teams are going to be sold and he he he heard that two teams were going to be sold in early 2023. The obvious guesses are the two teams that I thought were like officially for sale but I guess it's not official with the Nationals and the Angels.

I just thought yeah, those aren't they trying to be sold but apparently they're not officially for sale. They're just rumored. Do you think there's a surprise third team that you would be eyeing to get sold, Treve? Which team do you want to be sold?

Which teams I want to be sold? I mean, I could tell them. Mine's the a few, but. Yeah, I mean, the A's, I think people have been clamoring for that. The Reds, I think different ownership there. People have been asking. But yeah, we heard the rumors about the Nationals and who's the other team? Angels.

And, oh, the Angels, yeah. I mean, these are all interesting plays here. I mean, if you're looking at the franchise values, like they're pretty high right now. You could think some teams are looking to capitalize on that. It makes sense because you're talking about new stadiums, too. Yeah, that was the other part of the room. A's would be part of that. And you know what, man, I don't know what to tell people in Oakland.

I don't know what to tell them. There is a very significant fan base there, and they are passionate. I got to play in front of them, and it really is like a very good baseball fan base there in Oakland. But as they're currently operating, like it's just not, it doesn't feel like a big league place. It doesn't feel like a big league park. it doesn't feel like a big league. They have probably the best ratio of people in the ballpark watching the games are diehard fans. They're great.

The people that are there are great. But, you know, like the way that team operates and the ownership and getting rid of, you know, players that have come up in your organization right when they get good. Like, it's tough. It's tough for them. It's tough to watch that. It's tough to be a fan of the Oakland A's. And I admire those people who are out there all the time and the bleachers and the outfield.

and bringing their signs and just they make you feel special there. But it's been a tough go for them. It's like I want the team to be sold, but I don't want the team to be moved, but it's probably best. And it's just a very difficult situation to even wrap your head around up there, man. I wish it was a different. I wish it was different. Yeah, it just feels like there's going to be a sad Jeff Passen article in 20 years.

It's going to be like the city of Oakland lost $8 billion by losing their sports team. and the past, you know, 20 years ago. They lost the Warriors. They lost the Raiders and like, it ain't looking good for the A's. It's crazy. And, I mean, the Bay Area is so booming. And I mean, Oakland's, like, becoming a part of that. And it sucks that they could be such a good baseball city having that owned as their

one thing. Again, look at the San Diego effect. I know the fan base that probably wants to be mentioned is the team that kind of hates their ownership group the most, I think, is the Cincinnati Reds right now. I don't think there's any smoke to fire of selling there. I just know I follow some very nice friendly Reds fans on Twitter that say some very not nice stuff about where they currently stand with the state of the Cincinnati Reds.

I mean, the other team that just jumps out as like, you guys could do this so, so right is the Pittsburgh Pirates. I mean, that stadium, you live in a city of like rabid sports fans and look how well run the Steelers and the penguins have been, and the city thrives on it. They're looking for their summertime activity. They love Pittsburgh. And that stadium is just so beautiful that I hope in a couple days in the future.

At some point in the future, we're talking about a pirates-type Padre situation where they go and they ball out and they feed into what that city can be for baseball. because man, that would be awesome. I got an idea for them. Okay. Ian Hap, almost a free agent, from Pittsburgh. Bring the hometown boy back.

Pay him nine figures. Neil Walker comes. He's the new manager. Yes. And we just go hometown boys. And there's like a sandwich shop that puts fries on their sandwich. Every day bring that for spread and just go all in on the Pittsburgh aspect, man. Gorgeous over there.

I love Pittsburgh. Oakland got a new mayor. Maybe that will change, I think. Didn't know that. That's why Bud Seleck's such a hero in Milwaukee, because, you know, you can get one mayor that's like, nah, not using our money to fund sports, even though it builds a whole economy and helps out a lot.

We're just not into that. And then the city loses all their teams. And now you're like, that's like in 20 years. Like, oh, yeah, well, that one mayor came for four years. And she just took away all sports. Interesting. Took away my hobby. I know, I have friends.

Like, I had diehard Raiders fans, friends that are just, like, don't watch anymore. Same with they were, they were also, the Warriors, you can still watch. I just went across the bay, whatever. It'd be tough losing them. Yeah. It'd be cool if it was a surprise team, if it was like the Rays have a new stadium, or they're moving, or they're going somewhere, or it wasn't what you expect. Well, it feels like the Rays just kind of got the momentum.

I mean, even with our guy, Brett Phillips, who grew up in the area, and he's like, I was like a raised. Ray's fan. Like I grew up liking the raise. I feel like Tampa just kind of hit that, what was it, 20, 25 year mark that the area has grown to be raised fans. And I think they get the TV numbers and stuff. I'd have to check into that again. Yeah, well, it could be a new stadium, but in that area. Right. That could change our mindset and perception of the Tampa Bay race. And by the way, that's a city that they've got NFL. They've got hockey. Like, it doesn't have to be that way. So hopefully there's...

They draw really well both those teams, too. How great would that be if there is a twist on this that, you know, we've talked about Vegas for a while now, some Nashville, Portland, Charlotte, Montreal. One of those cities, it would be so cool if in the next year or two, we got the plot twist that, like, no, the rays are going to be Tampa's team with the new stadium. Yeah, well, you need your stadiums to be on the top 10 things to do list. Like, the Trap isn't in the top 10 things to do list if you're visiting the Tampa.

It would be on the bottom 10. And neither is the Coliseum because you want people that have no interest in the sport at all to just be like, this is a nice thing that people do when they go here. Well, that's what that's what baseball has. Like this is what we. Yeah, that's what a lot of. It was. There was Avado talking about that. Like we have the summertime.

Like we, that's people are on vacation. Like your kids are off. Like you need things to do. And if you have a beautiful stadium, you're right. James, like, doesn't matter, you know, what the team. is doing necessarily if you have this nice day and people want to visit now does that go away eventually sure like you don't have like the ballpark eventually loses that new luster and you have to put a winning team on the field but initially i mean that's drives revenues big time it does

all right let's get to the the trades and there's a bunch of stuff that we missed guys moving teams uh trades signings all this that we haven't talked about the biggest one i believe well that everyone's got different opinion on that is the blue jays trade this happened like a month ago. Toronto acquires Dalton. I think it was like our show. I think it was like a week and a half ago. December 23rd. Well, with the holidays, that feels like a month

because I had. Are we still in the holidays? I asked Jake that. It kind of feels like it to me. It does in the city. There's no traffic. I can, I drove in a Egyptian Christmas. It's cold in L.A. That's why Trevor feels like it's a holiday. I still have Egyptian Christmas, bro. I can't even take my Christmas tree down yet.

It's driving me insane. Yeah, it sucks. I'm out on that. you and Katie did that so quick. Toronto acquires outfielder slash catcher Dalton Varshot. I don't think he's going to catch anymore. I think he's officially losing that and just becoming outfielder,

Dalton Varshow, even though that might stick around for a while just because it's fun. Like people still say that about ICF, but he hasn't caught in forever and he was not going to catch anymore. From the Dbacks, Dbacks receive Gabriel Moreno,

catcher, who was their number one prospect, but the Blue Jays kind of have a ton of catchers. and Lourluth Gorell. Jake, how do you feel about this as our resident Snake? I love this for my D-backs. Dalton Varsho, short king of the world, listed 5'10, and he's just not.

And I love you, Dalton. And the dude might be a star. I know Trev was, Trev got into the defensive numbers a little bit, and he's been geeking. He's got to play a little catcher in Toronto just to show the new team he can. He played, I think he caught 30. games last year. And I think the Blue Jays GM when they got him has a quote saying,

and we do like that he can be our third guy. Yeah, I mean, he's just got a show that I got him. The over-under for me would probably be like eight games. But he's going to be an outfielder because he's shown he can hit and they want to keep his body intact. There's some shift numbers that his numbers might boost. The only thing that worries me is Don Varsho's good young ball player, but he kind of, Trev, you know this.

He got adjusted to his division. and his home field and things like that, that, you know, jump into Toronto in a new division, you might be learning some new pitchers and stuff that, you know, if his numbers land around where they did last year, which, you know, 27 homers, a 745 OPS, 109 OPS plus, you know, that's a solid season. I guess the thing on the Blue Jay side that surprised me with this, because we initially heard it was Gabriel Moreno for Varsho, and you're like, ooh, all right, big prospect for a younger guy who's broken out interested.

Lord of Scuriel's in there too. And by the way, like, this guy has put up Dalton Varsho's. Right, but he's put up Dalton Varsho's season. So in the scope of Toronto for this one season, I don't necessarily love it. I like that they get Varsho, obviously, for the next couple seasons. But, you know, just looking in on the Blue Jays, they've lost Lorda Scariel and Teosker Hernandez this year. Varsho is in and Kiermire is in.

And offensively, I think they might have lost something there. Defensively, they could have gained a lot. I think that's the whole point, though, is they understand, you know, they can score runs. Run prevention, not so hot with the Blue Jays. So you have to figure that out. I think every front office has to decide, you know, what kind of scale we're going to, or not what kind of scale, like what's going to be on this scale? The Phillies went all in on offensive production last year.

They went to the World Series. The Blue Jays kind of were on that train. like let's just bang the ball, score a ton of runs and see if our young guys can field the ball a little bit. This is going to help their outfield defense. I think good teams get to a point where they realize that we need to have kind of a bang or outfield defense. That is the name of the game, dude.

Preventing extra base hits is all they ever talk about in big league clubhouses now because you can't string together three or four hits, but, you know, extra base hits drive and runs. They get you into scoring position, obviously. So they're trying to do that. And Varsho, talk about the numbers. Last year, categorically was the best defensive outfielder around. And it wasn't even close.

And that shocked me. And I don't know, you're a Varsho guy, Jake. Did you know that? Like, did you? I had no idea. And they bring in Kiermire, who's not what he used to be, but he's still the sheriff out there in Varsho and you got Springer. And like, I think now we're looking at obviously a much better defensive outfield.

And I think they're willing to give up a little bit of offense for that to be the, the case. Did you know? Did you know? I knew by the end of last year when we were doing all JM team and stuff like that because Varsho snuck into those conversations. I mean, you know, high 20s homers and you're playing good defense. He was, he found himself in the catcher and the outfield conversation, which, hey, man, maybe if he doesn't have to worry about the pitching staff anymore and, you know, Toronto's been a hitter's place. Like, if he continues to tick up, yeah, it could be awesome for the Js. Yeah, and I think the years are a big thing, right?

So obviously they had two outfielders that they were going to lose at the end of this year, right? With Tay Oscar and Lorda Scroio Jr. They're both one year left. And they found areas where they can go use those to get more years of what they consider probably the same end result, but a little different concocture to get to that result where, you know, the average is lower for Varsho, but the defense is better and the pop is kind of similar. and you get him for four years. You don't usually see guys get traded with this much, this much on there.

I am wondering, and I just want to, I was reading Blue Jays fansakes. This is a pretty big shakeup. It seems like the celebration crew in the dugout is kind of torn apart. And that was a big part of their vibe of their, and they were lax, man. They made errors and they played really sloppy ball. They were not a tight unit. You bring in just to kind of a different mixture of personalities and shake that up. The jacket's got to be gone now because I think that was a Teosker, Vladdy and Goreal thing.

And kind of like. Thank God. Yeah, thank God. A little bit of that culture. This seems like they're changing the culture and the dugout a little bit, which I think from the outside, and we're not fully in there. It is, it seemed like, yeah, you guys need to kind of like head down and win before you keep being the king of the quotes. But Kiermeyer's kind of king of the quote. So he might come in and help that.

I mean, he might come stir the pot hard. Like, you guys think you can talk and then he's going to lay down a rap for him. And they're going to be like, oh, shit, maybe we should just be cool and not talk. When you have a platinum glove, you can do a lot of different things. And I'll allow it. I'm, I've had this take on this show before. I am just not a big dugout extra celebration type guy. The laundry cart, tough, the jacket, tough.

What's up with the ALE East team? It's like relax a little bit. Well, it's because baseball players are inherently soft, Trev, because the sport is so hard and such a grind that you guys are like the nicest bunch of people ever. And you're like, keep your head up. You know, you got to celebrate the same way no matter what. Can't get too high. Can't get low.

So now what we have is all these teams and these kids being like, well, we do the cart. When we hit a game tying home run, we also do it when we home and we're down 10-0 because you just got to stay the course. And it's like, no, you should celebrate the good stuff and not really. celebrate the kind of like, eh stuff. But hearing you and all the ballplayers talk,

it's the nicest bunch of people ever. Like ballplayers, you guys are just like, compliments, like the wives when they first see each other. Like, love your purse. Nice shoes.

That's what you and all the ballplayers see. You're like, dude, you raped last year. Like, oh, man, look at them kicks. That's hitters.

Hitters have to, we pump each other up all the time. It's a game of failure. It is very good. Yeah. But all the celebrations, I would love the cart and the jacket if they did it only when, like, it was, you know, let's get up for it. Moments, not every single home run. I can't get going down this topic.

All right, right, all right. We're out. We're out. But let's talk about Gabriel Morando on the Dback side of this because I think that's, that's interesting. And I know you're our resident expert, Jake, but then let me get a, let me get something out. And then we'll toss the baton. We'll toss the baton to you. We're tossed it to you.

I think most of the time they just... I don't think you can throw the baton. I'm not sure about that. You get Gabriel Moreno and you have... Was it... Not Jansen. What's the guy? Carson Kelly.

Is the catcher there? What about him? Gabriel Moreno is an absolute stud. Top prospect in all the baseball. Obviously the top catching prospect, but this guy is a game changer. And when you do, James, you mention like Varsal getting traded with that much control.

To get a guy like that, who put those numbers, you're going to have to give up a top prospect. And for the Blue Jays, you know, they're dealing from a position of depth. I think this one hurts a little bit for them, but they're in kind of like win now mode. So they're okay with it. And your other short king, Alejandro Kirk, is there and he can bang the ball around a little bit. Catcher's also a position that at the top level, teams that have been winning recently have not cared about offensively. So.

Sure. It's kind of like a cheat code. this is like a good tight end in fantasy football. Like when you have an offensive-minded catcher, you kind of put you ahead of the curve offensively because most teams, like you said, just don't. Like, go look at catchers, numbers, man, they are just not offensive numbers. They're just really bad.

But Moreno has a chance to be like an absolute stud. So I like this move for the DDAX because I do believe, you know, they're still a couple years away from competing. So it's like, let's let these guys go play. They have a bunch of young outfielers there. another reason they were allowed they were able to let go of our show we saw some of these guys come up last year and make significant impacts and have some stretches there but i believe this is kind of what we're going to be seeing with the debacks is let's run these young guys out there let's bring in a veteran like evan longoria to help them out because he is you know as i've said many times on this show he is like the ultimate guy to watch like the way he works and everything like he's going to be so good for this club else and i think this is going to be a year where we just see you know let the kids play they're going to let the kids play here and let's see what we got and then you kind of make the determination of where we're at in our window if we're going to go be you know aggressive and free

agency I think this is a big like let's see year for the DBEX and if you're a dime backs fan I think that's awesome like I think this is like the beginning of okay let's get back into the fold we've been out of the fold for quite some time here with the diamond backs but I think we're starting to see them start that upward trend into the window, if you will. I'm ready for the window. No, yeah, I mean, Corbyn Carroll and Gabriel Moran are two top five prospects in baseball that'll be playing for them next year.

So let's find out what they are. I mean, if those guys are the truth, you're right. I mean, you start making a, you're the debacks. You can finally kind of make that two-year plan or something like that. So you can bump it with the Padres and with the Dodgers in the West. Yeah, let's see what the kid is because, yeah, if he's anything like that. his minor league numbers. You know, there's a chance they could Varshall him

and he could end up finding first base or something like that because he has really hit in the minors over 300, high on base too. So it seems like it's there. And yeah, I mean, if he can be a part of the organization and play for five, six years, I like it for the snakes. And I guess just kind of closing out on Toronto a little bit for me,

you know, we keep talking about how they're in their window and we do the movie quotes. I guess, you know, they got Swanson to be in the bullpen for the next few years. They got Farshow to be out there for the next few years. I guess for me it's just it's a little bit of a mental exercise to be like, I don't know if they might have sacrificed a little bit for this year, which I don't, again, this is a team that hasn't won a playoff game. Yeah, I don't think the tradeoff there is that much.

I mean, they have so much, they have so much of this crew. You know, Berrios Gossmann-Springer are on the books for the next four years. They got fucking Bichette for the next three. Oh, Bidio, whatever with him right now. But the Vladi for the next three, like their window is the next three years. And they also got Kirk for the next four, Manoa for the next five. Like, if anything, now is the time to say we're not just going to go all in for next year. We're going to use pieces because they're gone anyway.

Now the next moves they can make are sprinkles, because now they have like a really deep position player core locked up. And three starting, four starting pitchers, three or four starting pitchers, top of rotation guys locked up, and five position players at key positions. So then you go get your one-year guys in free agency to kind of sprinkle and add. But I like the move for them. I mean, the Diamondbacks, they're not trying to win this year.

I don't understand. They seem like they're putting a lot of lines out. I think this is a great trade for both teams. Where they're at in their organizational window, this makes sense for both teams. I mean, this Toronto team, I know that I think you don't say the T, right? We keep messing that up.

Toronto. This Toronto team. Oh, Canadian. Nice on paper, bro. Like, I get excited. I forgot Chris Bassett went there. Yeah. Yeah.

Like, they have a very, Very, very good top three starting pitching with Manoa, Gossman, and Bassett. And then Barrios, my guy who I dream upon all the time. Can you have a bounce back year? Are you going to be comeback player of the year this year? I mean, they also got Chapman, right? So Springer, Bichette, Guerrero, Kirk, Chapman. Chapman is one more year.

Okay, so then, so Varshow, how long's Witt there for? One more year? I think also one more year. So they had four guys that are. in their starting nine that were on last year. So they wanted to move two of them and use them to get longer term guys. I like it.

Oh, in the end, I don't think the Blue Jays got that knocked this year. I think the pitching helps them and the defense helps them. I agree. Get an impact left. It's a tough division. They didn't need a lefty. Yeah. All right.

What do you want to go next? Philly's got Taiwan Walker, Matt Strom. Craig Kimball signs a one year, 10-milled deal. with the Phillies? Anyone got thoughts? Dirty Craig, your guy, Trev. Rotational depth with Taiwan

is really nice. Obviously, they lose Eflin. I believe he's with the raise now. So that was something that needed to be done. They're looking to run it back. I mean, their team was predominantly set. They go get Trey Turner as well. I mean, this is a clubhouse that's a lot of fun.

They're in a really tough division. again, but they have that taste in their mouth now, man. Like, every single person that you talk to that's been to the World Series is like, I don't want to play any other baseball other than that and just motivates the shit out of you to get back. I saw it with the Blue Jays, or not the Blue Jays, the Royals in 2014 when they lost, went back in 2015 and won the whole damn thing.

And that's what they kept saying. It's like, you don't even know, man. Like, you've got to get to the playoffs. You've got to get to the World Series. It's the only baseball that fucking matters. And until you're there, you don't know. that for real. And I think this team is, like I said, they got the taste for blood now. I think it there will be a lot of fun to watch. I mean, Trey Turner to that team, kidding me? Yeah, they got a top

four in their rotation. Nola Wheeler, Suarez Walker, like that. Their bullpen, which used to be a joke, Sir Anthony, Alvarado, Kimbril, Blati, Strom Brogden. You know, we saw it in the postseason. It came together and they added a couple pieces there. I mean, it's how good are they going to be in the regular season. Like, you know, Castellanos wasn't great last year. They add Trey Turner, Harper missed a chunk of the year. I don't know. I mean, this team made a world series run. Are they going to be, next year we find out, is this going to be a team that competes with the Mets and the Braves during the regular season and they can go for 95 and 100 games? Or are they just going to try to be this new Trojan ship sneak into the playoffs and then beat you with their big boys?

They're going to be very, very competitive. This roster's legit. And I don't think they're done. They can make moves for the bullpen. I think that's the last thing that comes together during a season. You kind of mix and match until you find the right recipe. This is what I keep saying, man. These teams, this league is so top-heavy right now. It really is, dude.

A-L-East and Elise. There's six teams right there that are going to be in the playoffs. I like the Phillies as a team to pick up some of these veteran pitchers on a one-year deal that are still out there. Quedo, Waka, Granky, something like that. They got Bailey Falters are five. and I don't think they have any budding prospects that are supposed to be like game changers. And if you're a team that looking to be in the playoffs,

you kind of want seven guys there. So it seems like they might have some spring training invites or get one of these veteran pitchers on a one-year deal. Like I kind of would like Kluber for them. Better than the Red Sox as like their five extra one-year deal guy. Because that's the only area where I see like they can still add, not maybe like a game-changing arm, but just some depth to that part of their rotation.

This is one of the best lineups in all of baseball. I'm looking at it right now. I think you can make a case for probably the Padres too with what they've been able to do and who they've been able to bring in. But as far as like one through nine, like I think this might, this is close to the best lineup in baseball.

Kim Bang, got to catch them balls too. Sean Murphy. Braves do their thing. Trade and sign. He signs a six-year, $73 million extension, $15 million team option. He's 28 years old right now. Wow, that's a wild. Good for him. Murphy, Olson, Albies, Riley, Harris, Acuna, Jr.

Locked up from 2027. How many years did Murphy have left? I think he was a two-year guy, right? so they probably brought them out for... I'm trying to think if it was two or three, I think two. I think it was two. So, yeah, I mean, you talk about locked up course, there's...

That one doesn't seem necessary. I like him. This is what they do, man. Like, Jake just mentioned all the guys they have locked up. I mean, this is, it's kind of like unprecedented. We haven't seen, like, a nucleus like this, be able to stay together for as long. Because it's...

I said this on baseball today. Like, Alex Anthopoulos is, getting a lot of praise here for like locking these dudes up like oh what a what a great GM and it's like no man like these are no brainers you got a core here and you're looking to like save money in the long run like offer these guys deals and it's work for them i think the the praise needs to go to the scouting department the player development like they're to be able to even think about locking this many players up you have to have good players you have to draft right you have to develop these guys. And then like obviously he's made some trades to bring these dudes in, Murphy

and Olson. But I feel like they've just kind of gotten lucky with a lot of these guys, man, because we always say the draft is a crapshoot. I'm going to give credit to them for scouting and, you know, and like figuring that out. And obviously developing that's, there's something there. But there's got to be like a little bit of a luck factor there too. And they've just, they've capitalized on it. And that's what good organizations do. They realize. when they have a core, let's keep them together. Because it does make it a lot easier. If you know who your teammates are and, you know, you understand how to play ball together,

then you can bring in people, you know, randomly, but you have the core. And, you know, I just, everyone says it. And we probably said it too many times on here, but this is going to be a team that just is there every single year, just lock them into the playoffs for the next, what, five years? Pretty much. Yeah, with a team with so many DHS locking up a catcher for the, long seems odd to me or just unnecessary i guess would be more i put it how many teams that are in like a window have is real moodo the only one have like high money catchers

but there's not a high money it's not a high money catcher dude six year 73 million you're talking yeah but i think 12 everyone else is like at six a year arbitration or they've saved so much on the other guys like i guess so yeah yeah i just You had him for two years. I don't know. Braves feels like they just did this because it's part of their machine. It doesn't seem like a necessary move. Could be incredible value if Murphy keeps playing at the way he plays.

The bigger deal we talked about this is what's going on with this donating 1% to the charity thing? Everybody's doing it. We like it, obviously, continue to do that. But how come other organizations don't have that? I think sometimes they do, but the Atlanta Braves make sure to point that out when they sign guys. He's giving 1% back to our foundation. Marketing, man. I like it.

Will Myers goes to the Reds. Kurt Casale goes to the Reds. Friends. Yeah, Will Myers follows the Warehouse games. So maybe he's a big forgotten rotten fan. He's a big baggage fan. We don't know, Will. Who do you like?

Either loves us or hates us. Feels like a week-out ice guy. Matt Carpenter to the Padres. Good for him. Made his way back into baseball. Use the Yankees as a little launching pad. had a great 80 games or something or 60 games. A nice little bag for a guy that was out of baseball.

Yeah. Not bad. Conforto goes to the Giants. Two-year deal, $36 million. I want to close off the Padres there. They signed Seth Lugo, too, who the Mets talked about him starting for years. And right now they're slated to have him start. Just interested to see what that looks like.

I mean, at age 33, it feels like kind of tough when you've been mostly bullpen. but when his curveball's right, it's one of the most fun pitches to watch in baseball. So I'm interested to see if they tap into something there. How many years did they sign him for? The Lugo contract. I thought the Padres were going to get pitching because they have a lot coming out. Two years, 15 mil. I mean, I think the Padres are going to try and extend some of their pitchers now

with Musgrove, Darvish, Snell, all coming off the books next year. Well, Musgrove, they extend. Nextgrove, yeah, Darvish and Snell both come off. right. Lugo is a player option also for the second year. You've attacked this window offensively, so either they love the free agent class next year for starting pitchers. They were spending so much money offering all these guys money and getting offense,

but like you have good pitching for this year, but it could be gone. One of the big storylines for the Padres this year, and it's kind of individual is Juan Soda. I believe it's a walk year for him, right? He can opt out, but I think he's not going to opt out. I think he's going to see what Otani gets. And then I don't, I think he can opt out.

Ah, we did this whole conversation. He's through 20, 24. Through 20, 24. So he's going to look at what Otani gets. Okay. God, he's so young. I can't. I can't fucking believe it.

I can't believe. I just looked. I was like, oh my gosh. Yep. Taylor Rogers joins his brother, Tyler Rogers, in the San Francisco bullpen. So their parents are. are incredibly happy.

That's fun. That is fun. All throw kind of weird, right, twins, giants bullpen. That feels like... Should rotate saves. That's Gabe Kapler porn right there. Is he gonna mess that up? Like, fuck, what am I calling in right now?

Which one is he? Taylor, Tyler. Oh, that'd be fun. We can do that in the season once. I think one's lefty, one's righty, right? And they do, I've said it before. They play this game where they try to fuck with people and, like, act like the other person.

Are they mirror twins? Try to do it to me. Because one's righty, one's lefty. You guys ever read about mirror twins? They think that they're better than regular twins. Oh. They're like, they think they're like the fucking crop, the crim-the-crim of twins.

These are pretty good twins right here. Yeah, they've got a pretty good argument. One needs to be a lefty, one needs to be righty. Yeah, okay. Corey Klober continues his AL East one year tour. One year with the Yankees, one year with Ray's. He goes to the Red Sox now. I liked him for the Orioles more if he continued.

I talked a lot about him continuing this tour. I liked him in the Orioles with that deep wall. Instead, he gets the shallow wall. And no one cares about this. I care about it. No, you don't. Hot. What else we got?

Tucker Barnhart goes to the Cubs. Also going to the compound, chatting with those guys. Tonight, I think. Drew Smiley goes to the Cubs. Eric Hosmer, close to a deal with the Cubs. Friend Trevor May goes to the A's, and they just got... Oh, no, that was a...

Where did... Dom Smith go? Nats. Jolly was predicting one of the other. The athletics of the East this year. Oh, gosh. What did you just say? I think the only other big thing is our guy, Gene.

Gene Segarra, two years 17 to the fish. People have been rumoring... Well, we always do fish trade rumors because they got the pitching depth. Now, they've kind of got an extra... infielder between jazz, Miggy Row and Joey Wendell. So one of those guys,

we could see them in a trade soon. You know, we heard, we heard some of the weird stuff in jazz during the regular season. I mean, he's the guy that's got the most value there, but this team's always needed hitting. So I don't know. I just, I look forward to some gene highlights

having fun in Miami. Yeah, Mickey Rose on a one-year deal, and he was rumored to be part of that trade with Pablo last time. So they have so much pitching in Miami. So much starting pitching. And that is like gold. And like what's going on?

Dude, like do something, Miami. Like, it makes me upset. Like the Miami Marlin should be a premier franchise in baseball. They really should. Like, Miami's awesome. You have all this pitching. Like, go like figure it out. Let's do it.

Come on. The heater like the number one destination in the NBA. Like, you go through their history, guys seek out playing for the Miami heat. And the Marlins are just... There's a lot to like about it. Living in Miami, no state income tax. Like, they have a leg up on competitors for those reasons. And they just can't figure it out.

And it makes me pretty upset. Go, stop the uniform. Stink, too. I know I get trouble when I say that. I like their uniforms for them. If that makes sense. They're working from some good colors. I don't know.

Maybe I'm off on that. Who's this new? I'm just mad at them. They got their number one is a 19 year old and double A. Yuri Perez. That's fun. They got fun.

I think he's next, right? Yeah, but I don't think it's, he would have to jump up because, but that when, as soon as he graduates to being close to MLB ready, that's when they officially take like Pablo or, um, not Sandy,

but, uh, someone else and bounce him out for this guy. Six, eight, 19 years old. Oh, so he's got some... He's got some... He's got aging to go.

Go twirling. Them tall guys take forever. Too much body. Hot take, trade Sandy. Sorry. Wow. Trade him. You're wearing...

He's throwing more innings than anybody else in the league. Haven't you heard my new pitch? The peak of value. I don't know, man. Trades don't work. Dirt don't hurt. Prospects stink. Hmm.

I don't want them to trade Sandy, but they need, they need offense. Win with Sandy, Treves. I thought you were a fan of a PA. Agreed. Then go, what are they going to do, James? Who's left in free agency? They missed out on all that. Like, did they not know free agency was happening?

Yeah, that's where everyone left. Sounds like they're actively shopping their non-Sandy pitching deaths to try to get. Get a bat. A lot of Jay names, Gene, Jazz, Jorge, Joey, Jacob. Pezouce, John. Damn. That's a lot. Jared Cooper.

Jared Cooper. Javasail. That's a cool one. That one fell. That's a cool one. You know who's oddball? Brian Dela Cruz. You're out.

Traded. Otherwise, it's J's and G's across the board. Gene, Jazz, Garrett, Garcia, George, Joey, Jacob, Jesus, John. don't trade sandy i didn't mean that i just i'm i'm a little upset with you guys i don't know maybe you're my rangers or them or the marlins marlins

oh how scary j t shagua that's all the baseball news hopefully we get something else and it's exciting korea to the marlins wow make it happen why not why not thanks for tuning in appreciate you uh jake your final parting words. I hope everyone has a nice couple of days. Justin Turner should have signed back to the Dodgers. What is he doing? Maybe Dodgers.

BOW-BOW-BOW-BOW-BOW.