Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

Eno, Britt & DVR discuss the blockbuster trade that sent Francisco Lindor to the Mets, plus ideas from Britt's recent piece about how to prevent MLB teams from tanking, Eno's look at the impact of missing in-game video in 2020, overdue changes to the Drug of Abuse provisions of the Joint Drug Agreement, and more. Rundown 6:07 Ideas for Preventing Tanking in MLB 14:59 A Likely Explanation for t...

Eno and DVR discuss the Padres' two blockbuster trades, whether the Rays will spend any money at all this winter, the Cubs' first step toward a potential teardown, Ha-seong Kim's decisions to sign in San Diego, and Josh Bell's move to the Nationals.  Rundown 3:58 Adjusting Blake Snell's Projection in San Diego? 11:52 Luis Patiño’s Clear Path to the Rotation in Tampa Bay 20:32 Francisco Mejia’s Res...

Eno, Britt & DVR discuss the importance of supporting local food banks, in-game video and the potential impact on overall team offensive performances, new names for the Cleveland Baseball Team, free-agent landing spots for Marcus Semien, the potential benefits of a condensed MLB offseason, holiday movie toss-ups, and traditions they're looking forward to as 2020 comes to a close. Rundown 0:44...

Eno and DVR discuss player popularity against production in hopes of finding undervalued players, and look at potential fits for Trevor Bauer, Masahiro Tanaka and Tomoyuki Sugano, before considering the Blue Jays' offseason options -- including a potential trade for Nolan Arenado -- as they aim for a deep October run.  Rundown 1:28 Fresh Concerns About 2021 Season Length 8:08 An Examination of Pop...

Eno and DVR discuss James McCann to the Mets, the new GM in the Big Apple, suitors for J.T. Realmuto and George Springer, a possible mystery team fit for DJ LeMahieu, and Chris Flexen's return to the big leagues after a successful one-year stint in the KBO.  Rundown 1:55 Buying James McCann’s 2019-20 Offensive Production? 5:05 Would You Rather? Fringe Top-10 Catchers 13:35 Jared Porter is the Mets...

Melissa Lockard joins Eno, Britt and DVR to discuss the lost 2020 minor league season, changes to the minors, the A's Rule 5 picks, and expectations for A.J. Puk. Then, Eno, Britt & DVR examine the Nate Lowe trade, before discussing the team position-by-position WAR projections, and Dave Dombrowski's move to Philly. Rundown 1:07 What Are Teams' Greatest Concerns Coming Out of Lost 2020? 9:05 W...

Eno and DVR discuss the Lance Lynn-Dane Dunning swap, Adam Eaton's return to the south side of Chicago, and Carlos Santana's move to Kansas City. New Mets reliever Trevor May joins the show to discuss the evolution of pitching during his time in Minnesota, his role in the new Fan Controlled Football League, sandwiches, and more! Rundown 0:58 The Rangers Send Lance Lynn to the White Sox 5:40 Dane D...

Eno and DVR discuss Raisel Iglesias' move to Anaheim, buy-low candidates, keeper and dynasty league strategy, aging curves for late breakouts, and more.  Rundown 1:25 Raisel Iglesias to the Angels & Reds Bullpen Thoughts 14:23 Is Tomoyuki Sugano a Good Fit in Anaheim? 17:08 Gio Urshela Has a Bone Chip Removed From His Elbow 22:08 What Characteristics Age Well in Young Hitters? 25:01 Buying Low...

Eno, Britt and DVR break down the moves made at this week's non-tender trade deadline including the Rockies' puzzling decision to let David Dahl go, the impact of uncertain 2021 budgets on free agency, Len Kasper's move from the Cubs to the White Sox, and more. Rundown 1:23 Making Sense of Non-Tender Decisions 9:52 The NL DH & Future Leverage 12:07 Teams Don’t Have Budgets Yet? 16:54 Agents &a...

Eno and DVR discuss the non-tender deadline, Trevor May's move into the Mets' bullpen, concerns about pitcher injuries in 2021, early NFBC draft observations, and more.  Rundown 1:14 The Non-Tender Deadline & $/WAR 8:48 Alex Kirilloff's Path to Playing Time Opens Up 10:51 Trevor May Heads to the Mets 12:09 2021 Pitcher Injury Concerns 19:25 Changes Around the Rangers' Infield 25:31 Catcher Is...

Eno and DVR discuss the Royals' addition of Mike Minor and Michael Taylor, Wander Franco's arm injury, Blake Snell trade rumors, and a few KBO players seeking opportunities in the big leagues.  Rundown 1:14 Smaller Thanksgiving Missteps  7:39 Mike Minor Signs with Kansas City 12:54 Michael Taylor Joins a Weirdly Crowded Royals Outfield 19:46 Minor League Changes & Possible Delayed 2021 Start 2...

Eno and DVR discuss a few ideas to fix MLB's broken hot stove as a flurry of NBA activity takes center stage, before holding their pitcher stats draft and discuss a few beer options for Thanksgiving.  Rundown 2:26 Can MLB Speed Up Offseason Player Movement? 12:06 Some Interesting Difference in Top Salaries Between MLB and the NBA 17:10 How Long Should It Take to Develop a Big League Player? 23:42...

Eno, Britt & DVR discuss Theo Epstein's future, Robinson Canó's 162-game suspension, trade rumors swirling around Nolan Arenado, and the work ahead for Kim Ng with the Marlins' current roster before holding their first annual Thanksgiving sides and appetizers draft. Rundown 1:52 What’s Next for Theo Epstein? 10:12 What’s Next for the Cubs? 16:46 2021 Unknowns 21:33 Robinson Canó’s Positive PED...

Eno and DVR discuss Cody Bellinger's shoulder surgery and relief for Luke Voit's 2020 foot trouble before drafting hitting stats. Rundown 1:34 Cody Bellinger Undergoes Shoulder Surgery 9:22 A Cure for Luke Voit's Foot Stuff 14:11 A Hitting Stats Draft! 18:28 DVR's First-Round Selection 26:45 Eno's First-Round Selection 34:32 Round 2 Begins 48:07 Round 3! 64:06 Matt Chapman and an Altered Approach...

Eno and DVR discuss Mike Clevinger's absence for the 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery, Drew Smyly's quick move to Atlanta, injury risk for pitchers, overrating and underrating the same player simultaneously, and more.  Rundown 2:15 Mike Clevinger Undergoing Tommy John Surgery 6:06 Drew Smyly to Atlanta for 2021 8:41 Reassessing Injury Risk for Pitchers in the Wake of Clevinger News? 13:35 Or,...

Eno and DVR discuss Kim Ng's rise to become the general manager of the Marlins, before sharing their evaluation process after a season, a push to remove or modify stolen bases as a common fantasy baseball category, and what we can glean from teams' on-field decisions.  Rundown 1:15 Kim Ng Hired as GM of Marlins 7:13 Self Evaluation After a Season 21:42 Re-Tracing Your Draft Day Steps 33:32 Reconsi...

Eno and DVR discuss several starting pitcher rankings issues -- including reduced expectations for Max Scherzer, Z-Contact% surprises, Aaron Nola's move back into fantasy ace status -- and the impact of groupthink on rankings.  Rundown 1:36 Max Scherzer & Aging Aces 7:36 2020 Trevor Bauer is Baseline Trevor Bauer Now 10:44 The Influence of Groupthink On Rankings 14:35 Kenta Maeda: Top-15 Start...

Eno, Britt and DVR discuss pitchers' widespread use of foreign substances for grip, spin and movement, Trevor Bauer's bid for the NL Cy Young Award, and their thoughts on the Rookie of the Year winners and nominees. Rundown 0:54 MLB’s Sticky Problem 5:51 Other Ways to Reduce Strikeouts 14:45 Trevor Bauer’s Experiments & 2020 Cy Young Bid 19:45 Why Not Just Legalize the Substances? 21:10 AL Roo...

Eno, DVR and Britt discuss the start of free agency, the big changes for the Mets with Steve Cohen's purchase of the team, the return of A.J. Hinch, Alex Cora and Tony La Russa to the dugout, and more.  Rundown 2:15 The 2021 Free Agent Class 5:50 Non-Tenders Are Still To Come 12:40 Questions About Team Finances After 2020 18:53 Steve Cohen Purchases the Mets 26:32 Francisco Lindor Trade Rumors 34:...

Eno and DVR begin their 2021 fantasy baseball draft prep episodes and discuss how they plan to work with the shortened 2020 season when putting together rankings for the new year.  Rundown 3:59 How Are We Accounting for the 2020 Season? 11:51 Prioritizing Steals in First-Round Picks 17:57 Is the Industry Wrong to Pass on Trout at 1.1? 21:07 Re-Thinking Tim Anderson 25:47 The Adalberto Mondesi 'Pro...

Eno, Britt & DVR wrap up their playoff episodes as the Dodgers take Game 6 and win the World Series on a night where third baseman Justin Turner was removed from the game due to a positive COVID test, and Rays manager Kevin Cash gets hammered for pulling Blake Snell instead of allowing him to face the Dodgers' lineup a third time.  Rundown 3:58 Blake Snell and Kevin Cash's Decision 10:21 Looki...

Eno, Britt & DVR discuss an excellent weekend of World Series games -- including the incredible finish to Game 4 -- and their predictions for Game 6 as the Dodgers attempt to snap their 32-year World Series drought.  Rundown 1:56 Never Go Home Early 6:21 Returning to the Grid with Brett Phillips as a Postseason Hero 13:13 Manuel Margot's Attempt to Steal Home 20:11 Clayton Kershaw Pitches Well...

Eno, Britt and DVR discuss Game 2 of the World Series including the adjustments made by Blake Snell, Brandon Lowe's big night, the disappointing outing from Dustin May, and more.  Rundown 1:12 The Dodgers' Bullpen Plan Unravels 5:41 Blake Snell’s Adjustments 9:25 Who Should Have Received the Win? 14:03 Is Tony Gonsolin the New Ross Stripling? 24:27 Mid-Series Predictions & Charlie Morton Love...

Eno, Britt and DVR discuss Clayton Kershaw's excellent Game 1 outing against the Rays, the curious handling of Tyler Glasnow, Mookie Betts' big night, and predictions for Game 2.  Rundown 1:42 The Rays’ Curious Handling of Tyler Glasnow 8:18 Clayton Kershaw Finds His Slider and Delivers a Gem 13:34 Mookie Betts' Big Night 15:47 'Who Would Trade Mookie Betts?' 23:06 The Importance of Speed 25:43 Th...

Eno, Britt & DVR discuss the excellent weekend Game 7s from the LCS matchups and break down the World Series matchup between the Rays and Dodgers.  Rundown 1:04 LCS Game 7s Delivered! 3:33 Morton’s Hook & Nick Anderson’s ALCS Struggles 9:02 Did the Braves Ask Too Much of A.J. Minter? 12:11 Stacking Up the Rays and Dodgers 14:31 The Rays and the Underdog Narrative 19:15 The Importance of Bl...