The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Saturday Special - Colin Speaks w/ FOX MLB Analyst Tom Verducci

Episode Date: July 6, 2019

Colin is joined by Sports Illustrated Senior Writer and FOX MLB Analyst Tom Verducci to discuss how the Dodgers have maintained such a high level of success.  Tom explains how important the Yankees under the radar signings were this year and what team could be a surprise come October  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise,

breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes.

Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you're not to be played. with and just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to listen to learn

the hard way on the iha radio app apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast what's up guys this is clivert taylor the fourth and on my podcast the clivert show i'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff like being an internet famous referee we're in the middle of a game this linebacker this linebacker walks up to me he goes a ref my mom wants you to wave at her what Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, Brett, my mama want you to weigh better. What?

Hey, Ms. Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Hi, everybody, and welcome to our post 4th of July Saturday podcast, and I thought it's a perfect time. Here we go, getting ready for the All-Star break to bring in my favorite baseball writer in the country, senior baseball writer for Sports Illustrated. A baseball analyst for Fox and the MLB Network, Tom Verduci. So here we go. There's a couple of big storylines. Let's start with this.

The Yankees, an incredible year, despite a myriad of injuries. I saw yesterday Michael Kay, my buddy, his vocal cords even went on the fritz. Yet they've been able to maintain it. Does that speak to the Yankees' young talent? Does it speak to Aaron Boone? Does it speak to the Red Sox struggling? What do you make of the Yankees' first half, Tom? Depp, man.

They've done a great job. We know all about the star players. But the way they have supplemented that roster with some guys who they identified as undervalued, you know, the Gio Arshelos, the Luke Voitz and DJ LaMay Hughes of the world, that's what I don't even want to say has kept this team a blow. That's kept this team just charging. I mean, you lose impact players like Judge and Stanton and Severino and, you know, you're boat racing the division. That speaks to how good they've been at acquiring and developing people from outside the organization.

So, Colin, when they're at full strength, man, that is one scary lineup. I will tell you this, I don't think there's been a lineup with more brainhanded power. When the Yankees are at full strength, at least that I've seen, when they can run that a varsity lineup out there. Now, we go back to the Red Sox winning the title last year, and it wasn't just that they won. But I can remember conversations listening to you and others, and rightly so, this was an all-time team in Boston. And now we're eight months past that, and it's a team that's struggling. Is it a malaise in the first half? Is it to you, is it an enigmatic issue that's unsolvable by, you know,

July and August. Well, first of all, calling you right about last year. It was a storybook season. Basically, they never had adversity. I mean, like never, the entire season came out of the gate strong and just rolled. It's been the opposite this year, and it is a melee, starting with their choice in spring train, slow play, their starting pitchers. They figured, well, these guys pitched the seventh month last year in October. We want to make sure these guys are strong for another October. So we'll essentially have them really get up to speed in the middle of April. And they pitched very little in spring training. Well, they came out of the gate slow because of that, especially Chris Dale, a little bit of David Price, but especially Sale and Porcelo.

They're still trying to catch up to get to midseason form. And the other thing, Colin, and listen, we know it's hard to repeat, right? Nobody's done it in the game since, what, 2000. and it's the longest stretch since we've had a World Series without a repeat champion. So there is something in today's game besides the fact that there's more playoff rounds to jump through with today's athletes, right? And you're seeing it with Boston. Colin, they did very little to introduce any, I don't want to say hungry, but at least new blood into this consignment as they have here. So the same player is thinking, hey, we're a World Series team. everything worked great for us last year will be fine and to me they've played without urgency

certainly without consistency but without urgency and they better start playing that way because the american league wild card race now is starting to get crowded let's move over to the national league in the dodgers best record in baseball um from the outside in it is fairly remarkable they have hit on so many good young players um and and in its different positions, it's kind of shocking. I mean, I don't know what the person. And again, they've been so good for so long. It's not like they've had, you know, top three picks in the draft.

But something about their scouting department. Every young guy they bring in delivers. And, you know, it's a crapshoot. It's a crapshoot in all drafts, NFL, NBA. What do you make of the Dodgers, young players? Is their scouting simply better? I know this. They spend more money on, let's call it, research and development, not just player development,

but research and development, all the analytics, all technology, yes, and scouting as well. They spend by far more than anybody else on baseball. I'm told that number is about $20 million a year. So all their little incremental advantages begin to add up. They can go find a Max Muncie. They can take a Cody Bellinger who hit one home run as a high school scene. drafts him, change his swing in Rancho Cucamonga, and now he's going all Babe Ruth on us this year. So, yeah, they, listen, Andrew Freeman, I thought he did a great job on a low budget in Tampa Bay.

Now you're seeing what he can do and you give him essentially an unlimited budget. You know, the Astros and the Dodgers to their credit, they said no to Bryce Harper, no to Manny. A couple years ago, Dodgers said no to Zake Grinky. You know, and this is not to pick on the manis and the Bryce Harper's. But the Astros and the Dodgers were very much into chemistry. Dodgers moved Puege out to Cincinnati because they thought there was a chemistry issue. Let's speak about Philadelphia. Now, Bryce is more strikeouts than ever.

Phillies, I think, it's fair to say, have underachieved. Bryce is, I think, you know, the defensive shifts are a little in his head. Could you make the argument that these, that these, Astros, these Dodgers, very reliant on analytics, are seeing something in these massive 10-year power hitter contracts, and that it may become a macro trend that the Bryce and the Manny contracts are not going to signal a new era in baseball. They may be cautionary tail contracts.

Yeah, I think you're on to something. And you can throw the Yankees in there. I know they dabbled on Machado. They really didn't have interest in Bryce. I wouldn't say they were, you know, all in on Manny Machado, but they did talk to them, so they considered it. But, yes, those teams you mentioned, especially Dodgers and Astros, they have their own way of valuing players. And they don't get carried away with the halo effect of getting a player. The way the Angels did with Albert Pujols, the way the Tigers did when they extended Miguel Cabrera, it's about being essentially ruthlessly efficient.

Yes. And these star, superstar players, let's face it, they're not efficient. Now, I will tell you this, Colin. Bryce Harper has brought Buzz back into Philadelphia. Yeah, the attendance has been excellent for them. Yes. So that, to me, is a hit for them in terms of just re-energizing that town that had been down. It's a great baseball town, but it had been down.

He's done that. But Bryce Harper, to me, is Reggie Jackson. Would you say Reggie was one of the five best players in the game? No, but you know what? You wanted to go buy a ticket to watch and play. Yeah. And he might punch out four times. But even when he strikes out, you're going to go, wow, that was pretty cool.

Right. I think Brice is that kind of player, and he has developed buzz. But if you're the Dodgers and the Astros, you don't really need that. You know, you develop your own star players. You stay away from the super long-term contracts. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending.

Opinions are flying. And nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear.

The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice. radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness

month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't really really that we are in possession of the thing, and we're still chasing it, and we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses.

Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth, or are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person.

Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the hard way and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Clever Taylor the 4th.

And on my podcast, The Cliverts show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff, like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out.

Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, Wreck, my mama want you to weigh better. What? Hey, Ms. Parker. Listen to the Cliverts show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. The story I've told myself about love or relationships can then shape my behavior, and that can lead me to sabotage the possibility of connection. This Mental Health Awareness Month, tune into the...

the podcast deeply well with Debbie Brown and explore the journey of healing, self-discovery, and returning to yourself. We explore higher consciousness, emotional well-being, and the practices that help you find clarity, peace, and self-mastery in a world that can feel overwhelming. The world is becoming lonelier. We're not becoming more social and connected. We're becoming more individualized, but we actually meet people in connection. If you've been searching for a soft place to land while doing the work to become whole. This podcast is for you to hear more. Listen to deeply well with Debbie Brown from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHeart

Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. You know, we've talked about, you know, there's some analytical changes in the sport. I'm critical of the defensive shift. I think hockey doesn't let you sit in the crease, basketball doesn't let you stand in the key and football forces you to stand certain places. I don't love the defensive shift because I do think, you know, guys like Manny Machado are taught to hit the ball down the middle their entire lives, and now it's an out.

Bryce Harper similarly. Where do you stand? I mean, the launch angle's here to stay. Where do you stand on the defensive shift, which, you know, again, it creates sort of a strikeout home run league? Yeah, you know what? It doesn't bother as much as it first did. first of all, pitching is so difficult to hit in today's game,

and it's not just velocity. Guys are spinning the ball more than they ever have. So it's tough just to say, go ahead and hit the ball the other way. Right. I don't think, yes, I think it has taken away, especially singles. You know, it's harder to get a single in today's game than ever in the history of the game. People just don't want them, first of all. Yeah.

And then the defenses conspire against it. But I don't think if you wave the magic wand, took away shifts tomorrow, I don't think the game would look that much different because this is how hitting is right now, and you touched on this, Colin, guys want to get the ball in the air. You know, I don't think if you took away shifts all of a sudden, they're going to hit the ball on the ground and go the other way and go for a five-hit rally. It's a boom or bust game right now. And the big question is, what do the fans think of it, right?

Is there such a thing as too many home runs? Well, we're testing that this year, I can tell you that. Yeah. Let's visit the Cubs. So I don't think there's any question that Theo Epstein's plan worked. And I don't think there's any question that Joe Madden's considered a very academic, very bright guy. But I thought they were more successful quicker than even an optimistic baseball fan could be, considering Wrigley Fields not from the star players I've heard through the years,

ideal as a facility. And yet they got a World Series champion. you. But then, you know, injuries, guys move. Where does Joe Madden sit today? Because Theo Epstein's not going anywhere. Chicago is a demanding sports town, Tom. Where does Madden sit today in that hierarchy and his future going forward for the Cubs? Well, as you know, he's on the last year of his deal. He's making a lot of money. And this is a team built to go to the World Series. And I think there'll be a lot of pressure on him if the Cubs at the least don't get through a round, at least get to the National League Championship Series. You know, showed up for a wildcard game and gone home, that's not going to cut it. Maybe even losing in the first round might not cut it.

Highly successful, as you mentioned, you know, they're winning 90 games, they're winning division. Yes. But they're built to do more than that right now. You know, you get to a point where you play at peak capacity and anything less than that is just not acceptable. Now, I think he's still the right manager for this team. but as we saw in cases with Dusty Baker in San Francisco and Washington or Tori with the Yankees

there's a lifespan to managing a team and we've seen managers Joe Girardi is another one right I almost went to the World Series they didn't bring him back so I do think Theo has seen well I know he's itchy right now with his team and he has threatened changes

to turn this thing around and they're going to go through a first wave of personnel changes whatever they may be I'm saying he'll be earth-shattering, but figure out they can fix this thing on the fly. And if they can't, then, yeah, Joe Madden will be talking about his job security in September. Tom Verduci, senior baseball writer for Sports Illustrated, works for us at Fox and the MLB Network. To me, the best baseball guy in the country, usually, I remember you writing an article about a decade ago that in, by late July, excuse me, by late June, early July, you really do get a sense of the sport. Most of the teams that are in free fall will not recover.

But baseball is very unique. We have concurrent dynasties in college football in the NFL, you know, in the NBA. Baseball's different. You know, it's the only sport where a pitching staff can go down because of an arm injury. Brady doesn't have an arm injury, you know, halfway through an NFL season usually. So it's very hard to predict in the postseason. How do the pitching matchups work? You may have a better team, but get a bad pitching matchup in a second playoff series.

So is there a team to you now that may not lead a division, but when you look at their perhaps depth of starting pitching or their closers, or you think they are a team built for September and October, maybe a quirky team, do you have one now as we are celebrating the 4th of July weekend? Well, it seems like we've been saying this for years, Colin, but the Washington Nationals who've underachieve the first two months, man. I mean, again, line up their starting pitchers, right? Scherzer has gone all world on us this year. I think he's better than he's ever been. Strasbourg may be better than he's ever been. And Corby's been shaky, but you know this stuff is there. That's a team when you talk about October is the rare team with starting pitchers

who can take you out just with starting pitching. So listen, I don't have much confidence in the culture there because they just never seem to get it done. Right, no, that's true. On paper, yes. I think every scene in the National League looks at the nationals in the rearview mirror and say, you know, these guys are coming. Where do they finish it off?

I don't know. But yeah, they're scary with their pitching. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending. Opinions are flying. And nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in.

I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source. The athlete themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs,

the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slice Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark.

Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. and we're still chasing it and we don't know when we've done enough because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person

while you hear on earth? Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing,

growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast. Learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Clivert Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts show,

I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me. He goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42.

Hey, ref, Mom, I'm a one. want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clippers show on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. The story I've told myself about love or relationships can then shape my behavior,

and that can lead me to sabotage the possibility of connection. This Mental Health Awareness Month, tune into the podcast deeply well with Debbie Brown and explore the journey of healing, self-discovery, and returning to yourself. We explore higher consciousness, emotional well-being, and the practices that help you find clarity, peace, and self-mastery in a world that can feel overwhelming. The world is becoming lonelier. We're not becoming more social and connected.

We're becoming more individualized, but we actually meet people in connection. If you've been searching for a soft place to land while doing the work to become home, whole. This podcast is for you. To hear more. Listen to deeply well with Debbie Brown from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And finally, the New York Mets, every league has one of these. I generally point to ownership when a team is consistently lax or underachieving. The Mets have really been a mess this year.

Is it just as easy as the owners don't work, the owners aren't aligned with management. How do you explain another disappointing Mets team? Well, first of all, Colin, globally, I'm with you. If you're talking about a team, it consistently gets in its own way, not just underachieves. And you change managers and you change personnel and the DNA is the same. You have to look at ownership and they have to take responsibility for that. So listen, Brody Van Wagonin, they went outside the box with an agent tournament.

to a GM. He was super aggressive. He won the off season, and most of his moves now don't look good, right? They got a lot of headlines, not enough wins. Right. Now the point is, how does he pivot? I think they should put Noah Sindegarde on the trade market and see what they can get for him. Okay. You know, I think big at this point, this team to me is not close to winning at this point. So in a market where there's not a ton of great starting pitchers available, instead of keeping, you're still waiting for Sindegard to really be what we all think he can be before the value goes down even further.

I would at least put them out there, see what I can get and start to pivot now and not hope you're going to make some Hail Mary wild card run. By the way, who do you think would be interested? A lot of teams, I think the Yankees might be interested. Oh, Lord. Yeah, I mean, the Yankees will get a starting pitch. Now, they're interested in, I was going to say,

they're interested in Madison Baumgartner, perhaps. Absolutely. Milwaukee Brewers be a perfect fit. I think Milwaukee and to a lesser extent, Minnesota, but the Yankees, those three teams to me, by the time we're at August 1st, they will have added a starting pitcher. By the way, I grew up with at the time one of the more improbable World Series winners, the twins, Kent Herbeck, Kirby Puckett. I like to see the twins. I think it's actually a really good baseball city. It reminds me of Golden State. The Warriors were bad for 30 years, but I always considered it a great basketball city. I think Minnesota is a great baseball city. You just got to give them a team that's competitive.

Do you buy into the twins? Yeah, I bought into them in spring training, Colin. I was around them in spring training and saw the job that Rocco Baldelli, youngest manager in baseball was doing. Picked them to win their division. I like them more than Cleveland. It is a great baseball town. It's a great ballpark.

But just remember, if they go to the World Series this time, you better park bring your park out. Last time we were indoors in Minnesota. late October in Minnesota not exactly baseball weather Tom Verducci Fox MLBN network

SI great talking to you have a nice weekend always a pleasure Colin thank you last night a blown call changed a game this morning

the internet lost its mind and nobody's telling you exactly what happened that's where sports slice comes in I'm Timbo and every episode we're cutting through the noise

breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source the athletes themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment,

and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy,

not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funny. This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform?

We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardway with your favorite therapist and host Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's

doing. How many men carry a suit or armor. It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to, listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. What's up, guys? This is Cliver Taylor the Fourth. And on my podcast, The Cliverts show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff, like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her.

What? Quarterback on office blue 42. Hey, rec, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Ms. Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHeart podcast.

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