Baseball Connection

A few teams have been linked to free agent shortstop Trevor Story, most recently including the Red Sox and Astros. If so, what is Xander Bogaerts' long term outlook in Boston? Do the Astros trust their up-and-coming shortstop prospect Jeremy Pena? The Mets have made huge splashes but they still need a manager. All this (and more) on today's episode.

It's Hall of Fame voting season. As we get ready to announce a new class from the regular ballot, let's note the old-time players who just got inducted through a special committee. There are "veterans committees" formed to represent players from different eras of baseball history. The era due for voting rotates on an annual basis. Who got in this year? All this on today's episode.

The Diamondbacks had a forgettable season. It was a long summer in the desert and wins were hard to come by. What went wrong for Arizona, who has potential there, and how can they move forward? All this on today's episode.

The Orioles finished 2021 tied for the worst record in MLB. They struggled on all major fronts including offense, pitching, and defense. There were some bright spots in Baltimore including Cedric Mullins' All-Star season and Trey Mancini's comeback. Baltimore will likely call up two of their top prospects in 2022: Adley Rustchman and Grayson Rodriguez. What else must they do to start moving in the...

What caused MLB to implement a lockout? What does a lockout even mean? The owners and MLB Player's Association will have to settle their differences about the economics of free agency, service time manipulation, tanking, and more. All this on today's episode.

A flurry of deals poured in as the clock ticked towards Wednesday's 11:59 pm EST deadline. Chris Taylor returned to the Dodgers on a 4-year, $60 million deal. Stroman became a Cub for 3-years, $71 million, and the Red Sox and Brewers pulled off a surprise trade. Because no agreement was reached between the owners and player's union, MLB has entered a lockout. What does this mean? All this (and mor...

Raisel Iglesias was one of the top arms on the free agent list this offseason, but he has just agreed to a four-year deal to return to the Angels. Iglesias will make $56 million over the next hours. Leury Garcia is back in a White Sox uniform on a one-year deal. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The free agency fireworks continued as Max Scherzer, Cory Seager, and Robbie Ray all found new homes. Big money deals are appearing, and we're not done yet. Scherzer will be a Met, Seager will be a Ranger, and Ray will be a Mariner. We discuss the full details of each deal and the immediate impact for the teams. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Hot Stove is blazing as free agents fly off the board. Marcus Semien became the first big shortstop to find a team as he agreed to a 7-year, $175 million deal with the Texas Rangers. This means we'll see some large numbers for Seager and Correa when they eventually sign. Are the Rangers and Marlins ready to contend? Kevin Gausman is headed to the Blue Jays on a 5-year, $110 million deal. All t...

The Astros signed former Phillies closer Hector Neris to a two-year, $17 million deal. Having played in Philadelphia his entire career, Neris is no stranger to playing in tough situations and environments. Adam Frazier will be the Mariners' everyday 2B in 2022. Seattle traded for Frazier, who will be a free agent after the 2022 season. Pablo Sandoval wants to play next year. The Panda isn't done y...

Like many others, the Mets went shopping on Black Friday. In the busiest day for a single team in recent memory, New York agreed to deals with 3 free agents: Eduardo Escobar, Mark Canha, and Starling Marte. These are huge moves which completely change the Mets lineup and defense - especially in the outfield. What does this mean for guys like Dominic Smith, JD Davis, Jeff McNeil, and Robinson Cano?...

Kyle Schwarber is a free agent for the second straight year. After his first career All-Star selection and record setting power surge in the summer, he'll be a hotter commodity this time around. The use of a universal DH will increase his value further. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Steven Matz has agreed to a 4-year, $44 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. A bidding war emerged for the hard-throwing lefty, which raised his price tag above what many predicted. Wade Davis was one of the best relievers of the past decade, and he has called it a career. Marcus Stroman is drawing interest from at least 5 teams at the moment. Who doesn't want a consistent and durable ground...

The Rays have found their guy. With less than 1 year of MLB service time, Wander showed up just the tip of the iceberg. There must be something about key bullpen arms that the White Sox really enjoy. Kendall Graveman has agreed to a deal with the White Sox and looks to be one of the most impactful signings of the Hot Stove season so far. Who made the All-MLB Teams? All this (and more) on today's e...

Trey Mancini and Buster Posey were named AL & NL Comeback Player of the Year in their respective leagues. The Giants are calling reinforcements for their pitching staff - they've re-signed Anthony DeSclafani and look to bring back Alex Wood. Big Papi and A-Rod have entered the Hall of Fame ballot. All this (and more) on today's episode.

By bringing back Justin Verlander, the Astros have signaled their intent to remain competitive in coming years. They won't bring back Correa, but they've got their eyes on other elite shortstops. The Red Sox seem to like bringing in former Dodgers. Could Chris Taylor end up in Boston? All this (and more) on today's episode.

Wander Franco is baseball's next big thing and the Rays know that. Tampa Bay has reportedly offered Franco a ten-year deal worth $150-200 million. This would be a record amount for a player with less than one year of MLB service time. When does it make sense for a player to sign an early extension? All this (and more) on today's episode.

With award season behind us, the offseason focus shifts to free agency. There's a strong free market this year, but who are the best players available? We take a look at the top free agent at each position and what they bring to the table. All this on today's episode.

Bryce Harper has been named NL MVP. Shohei Ohtani has been named AL MVP. Harper solidified his Hall of Fame trajectory with the second MVP of his career. Shohei Ohtani was a unanimous selection after turning in the greatest season we've ever seen. All this (and more) on today's episode.

It's not the tandem most people envisioned at the beginning of the season, but Robbie Ray and Corbin Burnes are the 2021 American League and National League Cy Young award winners, respectively. Both pitchers have improved significantly in their primes. Justin Verlander is re-signing with the Astros on a 1-year, $25 million deal. All this on today's episode.

Noah Syndergaard has agreed to a 1-year, $21 million deal with the Angels. The Angels have been looking for pitching and will get a strong starter to slot in behind Ohtani. Syndergaard gets a great salary to prove he's healthy next year. Gabe Kapler and Kevin Cash were named Manager of the Year in their respective leagues. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Tigers have agreed to a 5-year, $77 million deal with Eduardo Rodriguez. Detroit is done with their rebuild and rapidly moving towards contention now. They still need another starting pitcher and a shortstop but their winter is off to a great start. Jonathan India was named NL Rookie of the Year. Randy Arozarena was named AL Rookie of the Year. All this on today's episode.

Eduardo Rodriguez is drawing interest from multiple teams including the Blue Jays, Angels, and Tigers. E-Rod's ERA seemed inflated last season and teams are able to look past that due to strong underlying metrics. Robinson Cano has completed his 162-game suspension. What can we expect from him as he returns to the Mets? Will the A's trade Matt Chapman. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Nolan Arenado and Carlos Correa were named this year's Platinum Glove winners. Arenado won it for the fifth consecutive season while Correa won his first. Starling Marte is 33 years old, but he still has elite speed and plenty of teams are lining up for his services. Freddie Freeman is a free agent, but nobody believes he'll play anywhere but Atlanta.

MLB proposed a system where player arbitration-eligible players would earn salaries dictated by WAR metrics. WAR is a good metric, but it does have its flaws. What are some downfalls of this approach? Former Blue Jays southpaw Brett Cecil has called it a career. It looks like some big-name free agents will sign in the next few weeks. All this (and more) on today's episode.