1 00:00:01,720 --> 00:00:05,000 Speaker 1: Welcome everyone to the Monday edition of Fair Territory. I 2 00:00:05,080 --> 00:00:08,159 Speaker 1: hope everyone had a great July fourth weekend. I was 3 00:00:08,560 --> 00:00:11,600 Speaker 1: in rain delays and fog delays at Wrigley Field, but 4 00:00:11,680 --> 00:00:14,840 Speaker 1: it was a blast nonetheless. And we have as we 5 00:00:14,920 --> 00:00:19,560 Speaker 1: start the week, a very interesting series, one that I 6 00:00:19,560 --> 00:00:24,080 Speaker 1: wouldn't say could prove critical. But it's late enough now 7 00:00:24,920 --> 00:00:27,920 Speaker 1: where this series has some meaning. And I'm talking about 8 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:32,159 Speaker 1: the Yankees visiting Tropicana Field and the Tampa Bay Rays. Now, 9 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:36,640 Speaker 1: why is this series meaningful? It's meaningful because the Yankees 10 00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:40,839 Speaker 1: are reeling. They have lost nine of ten, thirteen of 11 00:00:40,920 --> 00:00:45,519 Speaker 1: seventeen since June eighteenth, and the standings essentially have flipped 12 00:00:45,760 --> 00:00:48,880 Speaker 1: in the Al East. The Yankees had one point, had 13 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:51,400 Speaker 1: a lead of three and a half games on the Rays. 14 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:53,840 Speaker 1: This was on June seventeenth. You can see it right there, 15 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:57,040 Speaker 1: three and a half game lead on the Rays. Granted, 16 00:00:57,480 --> 00:01:00,040 Speaker 1: Aaron Judge was out and others were out at that 17 00:00:59,880 --> 00:01:03,360 Speaker 1: time too, but that's a nice little cushion. And then 18 00:01:03,360 --> 00:01:05,759 Speaker 1: today you see the records just a few weeks later, 19 00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:10,800 Speaker 1: Tampa Bay with the four game lead over the Yankees. Now, initially, 20 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:16,440 Speaker 1: when the Yankees started sliding I thought, Okay, it's understandable. 21 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:18,320 Speaker 1: Teams are going to go through this. Of course, the 22 00:01:18,400 --> 00:01:21,360 Speaker 1: Yankees seem to go through it every year. And when 23 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:24,520 Speaker 1: they were missing Aaron Judge and Gian Carlos Stanton and 24 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:28,000 Speaker 1: Trent Grisham and Ryan McMahon, you could get it, and 25 00:01:28,080 --> 00:01:30,240 Speaker 1: of course with Max Fried out as well, you could 26 00:01:30,319 --> 00:01:34,600 Speaker 1: understand what was happening. Grisham and McMahon since have returned 27 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:38,959 Speaker 1: and the slide has continued. Now, what you've heard about, 28 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:41,759 Speaker 1: what the Yankees have talked about is this seeming lack 29 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:44,520 Speaker 1: of focus. And yes, that's part of it on the 30 00:01:44,560 --> 00:01:47,720 Speaker 1: defensive end in particular, and the vulpi issue is not 31 00:01:47,840 --> 00:01:52,040 Speaker 1: going away. But really it's the offense that is the 32 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:54,360 Speaker 1: biggest problem. I know the starting pitching has not been 33 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:57,800 Speaker 1: good either, but suddenly, and not so suddenly, it's come 34 00:01:57,840 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 1: on over the last couple of weeks, Ben Ryan and 35 00:02:00,320 --> 00:02:04,240 Speaker 1: Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt, these guys are not hitting 36 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:07,360 Speaker 1: the way they once did. Jas Chisholm Junior really hasn't 37 00:02:07,400 --> 00:02:09,600 Speaker 1: had the season that we all expected from him, that 38 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:14,119 Speaker 1: he expected from himself. So here are the Yankees, as 39 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:16,760 Speaker 1: I said, they are reeling and now They're going to 40 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:20,080 Speaker 1: the trop where the Rays are thirty one and twelve, 41 00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:23,800 Speaker 1: thirty one and twelve at Trop that's their, of course, 42 00:02:23,919 --> 00:02:27,040 Speaker 1: perennial home. It will be until they open the new ballpark, 43 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:29,240 Speaker 1: and they are quite happy to be there, as I've 44 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:32,960 Speaker 1: written about, after spending a couple of years at Steinbrenner Field, 45 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:36,880 Speaker 1: actually one year at stein Brenner Field. So the Rays 46 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:40,399 Speaker 1: obviously have played much better of late. They went through 47 00:02:40,440 --> 00:02:44,200 Speaker 1: their own slide, and Junior Kamonero is hotter than hot, 48 00:02:44,440 --> 00:02:47,360 Speaker 1: eleven home runs in his last twelve games. But this 49 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:50,280 Speaker 1: is going to be an interesting series, and the Yankees 50 00:02:50,360 --> 00:02:53,360 Speaker 1: are going to throw Schlitler and Cole in the series. 51 00:02:53,360 --> 00:02:55,920 Speaker 1: Adam Warren's I'm sorry, Will Warren's going to be in 52 00:02:55,919 --> 00:02:59,399 Speaker 1: this rotation as well. So they should be throwing their 53 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:02,600 Speaker 1: better arms, and they should be in a spot where 54 00:03:02,639 --> 00:03:06,080 Speaker 1: they should be able to adjust their focus if that 55 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:08,800 Speaker 1: is indeed a problem, and it is, and yes, they 56 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:12,600 Speaker 1: have to play better defensively as well. But we see 57 00:03:12,639 --> 00:03:17,480 Speaker 1: now as this four four game series begins, the possibility, 58 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:20,799 Speaker 1: I don't expect it to necessarily happen, but the possibility 59 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:23,679 Speaker 1: of the Rays opening a gap they win three or four. 60 00:03:23,760 --> 00:03:27,840 Speaker 1: Here the lead is six games. It's not inconsequential at 61 00:03:27,880 --> 00:03:30,560 Speaker 1: this time of year. So here we go with the 62 00:03:30,639 --> 00:03:33,800 Speaker 1: Yankees and Rays at the drop four games this week. Now, 63 00:03:34,160 --> 00:03:38,400 Speaker 1: the big news on Sunday related to the Miami Marlins 64 00:03:38,440 --> 00:03:41,640 Speaker 1: and Uri Perez doing something at Sutter Health Park that 65 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:43,720 Speaker 1: I don't know that many of us ever expected to 66 00:03:43,760 --> 00:03:48,760 Speaker 1: see seven perfect innings at that hitter haven that exists 67 00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:52,880 Speaker 1: in West Sacramento. Now he gets pulled after ninety two pitches, 68 00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 1: and Euri Perez is a guy who has had injury problems. 69 00:03:57,200 --> 00:03:59,880 Speaker 1: The Marlins are thinking long term. I know some people 70 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:02,760 Speaker 1: were offended that he gets pulled with a perfect game 71 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:06,280 Speaker 1: after seven innings, and I can understand why he's never 72 00:04:06,320 --> 00:04:08,400 Speaker 1: thrown more than one hundred and two pitches in his start. 73 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:11,640 Speaker 1: He was at ninety two, and as I said, the 74 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:14,480 Speaker 1: Marlins are playing for the long haul. The fans were 75 00:04:14,480 --> 00:04:17,039 Speaker 1: brewing in West Sacramento. That showed me something. And you 76 00:04:17,080 --> 00:04:20,200 Speaker 1: see Trevor May's tweet right there. Pulling a starter after 77 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:24,960 Speaker 1: seven perfect innings at ninety two pitches is indefensible. But 78 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:28,960 Speaker 1: I still would say, given Perez's injury history and his 79 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:31,800 Speaker 1: importance to the Marlins, this guy's been red hot of 80 00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:35,760 Speaker 1: late since coming off the injured list. I could understand 81 00:04:35,800 --> 00:04:37,920 Speaker 1: where they were coming from, and I know what the 82 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:43,720 Speaker 1: Marlins do, some innovative, funky kinds of things. But at 83 00:04:43,720 --> 00:04:47,039 Speaker 1: this point of the season with Perez, I really had 84 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:49,839 Speaker 1: no problem with it. And it's funny about the Marlins 85 00:04:50,200 --> 00:04:54,799 Speaker 1: where they stand now. They are rolling. Since June first, 86 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:57,640 Speaker 1: they've been arguably the best team in baseball, not even arguably. 87 00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:00,599 Speaker 1: They've won twenty three or thirty one, a team that 88 00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:04,320 Speaker 1: does a lot of things really well. And I know 89 00:05:04,360 --> 00:05:07,960 Speaker 1: people say it's the Marlins, come on, but right now 90 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:11,560 Speaker 1: they've got a pitching staff led by Sandi al Contra 91 00:05:11,640 --> 00:05:15,120 Speaker 1: of course, but also including All star Max Meyer and 92 00:05:15,279 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 1: Uri Perez. And at the start of June they had 93 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:20,719 Speaker 1: just suffered a slew of injuries on their pitching side, 94 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 1: Jansen Junk and Perez and Robbie Stelling, and Robbie Stelling 95 00:05:25,520 --> 00:05:28,200 Speaker 1: was one of their top prospects. Thomas White another top 96 00:05:28,400 --> 00:05:32,120 Speaker 1: prospect that they expected to contribute. He went down as well, 97 00:05:32,520 --> 00:05:35,680 Speaker 1: and I thought at that time the Marlins might collapse, 98 00:05:36,360 --> 00:05:39,159 Speaker 1: but it didn't happen, and it's a testament to what 99 00:05:39,200 --> 00:05:43,520 Speaker 1: they've put together and to what Clayton McCullough as their manager, 100 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:47,000 Speaker 1: has been able to do holding them together and keeping 101 00:05:47,040 --> 00:05:50,760 Speaker 1: this team going. Now, this is not a team short 102 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 1: of talent. Otto Lopez the shortstop, one of the best 103 00:05:53,800 --> 00:05:57,640 Speaker 1: players in baseball this season so far, Liam Hicks has 104 00:05:57,680 --> 00:06:01,280 Speaker 1: emerged breakout season for him at catcher, Xavier Edwards at 105 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:04,359 Speaker 1: second base theoretically could be an All Star. And of 106 00:06:04,360 --> 00:06:06,800 Speaker 1: course they've got Myers who is an All Star. And 107 00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:10,200 Speaker 1: now Kyle Stowers is coming on. So they have some 108 00:06:10,279 --> 00:06:12,560 Speaker 1: really good things happening. And I'll tell you a story 109 00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:15,520 Speaker 1: from the start of the season. I'm not going to 110 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:18,240 Speaker 1: name the team or the people involved, but I was 111 00:06:18,279 --> 00:06:20,760 Speaker 1: in a manager's office talking with a manager and a 112 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:23,680 Speaker 1: GM of a team and the Marlins were on television. 113 00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:26,320 Speaker 1: This was in April, and I said, as I've been 114 00:06:26,320 --> 00:06:29,520 Speaker 1: saying since really even spring training, I kind of like 115 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:32,520 Speaker 1: the Marlins. I like where they're going. And the GM 116 00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:34,640 Speaker 1: turned to me and said, well, what do you like 117 00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:38,240 Speaker 1: about them? Really kind of condescending, but I said, just 118 00:06:38,320 --> 00:06:40,320 Speaker 1: what I just said there. I just like the way 119 00:06:40,360 --> 00:06:42,200 Speaker 1: they go about it, I like the way they play. 120 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:45,760 Speaker 1: They're kind of the Milwaukee Brewers of the southeast, spraying 121 00:06:45,760 --> 00:06:49,200 Speaker 1: the ball around, doing some different things offensively, and the 122 00:06:49,279 --> 00:06:52,000 Speaker 1: GM said, naw, if farm systems should be better, they 123 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:55,719 Speaker 1: should be better. I'm not sold. Well, if I see 124 00:06:55,720 --> 00:06:58,840 Speaker 1: that GM again, I might remind you of that conversation. 125 00:06:59,120 --> 00:07:03,600 Speaker 1: The Miami Marlin certainly have been this season. I wouldn't 126 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:07,320 Speaker 1: say a surprise, but they've continued their progress under McCullough 127 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:11,040 Speaker 1: and their President Baseball Operations, Peter Bendix. They end the 128 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:14,480 Speaker 1: break where they enter the break with two more series 129 00:07:14,520 --> 00:07:18,480 Speaker 1: coming up at home against Seattle and Cleveland, two good teams, 130 00:07:18,720 --> 00:07:21,119 Speaker 1: so that will be another test of the Marlins. But again, 131 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:24,680 Speaker 1: twenty three of their last thirty one games they've won 132 00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:25,880 Speaker 1: pretty impressive. 133 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:29,440 Speaker 2: Look in summertime, it's cool in the morning, hot during 134 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:32,640 Speaker 2: the day, cool again at night. Rarely am I sitting 135 00:07:32,640 --> 00:07:34,600 Speaker 2: there going, oh, I'm just gonna do one thing at 136 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:38,000 Speaker 2: a time. I'm bouncing from work, I'm bouncing in the yard, 137 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:42,800 Speaker 2: I'm running to a game. 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Take a 147 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:14,800 Speaker 3: quick style quiz and be sure to select foul when 148 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:17,960 Speaker 3: prompted to unlock this offer. This is a limited time offer, 149 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:22,400 Speaker 3: so don't wait again. That's fabletics dot Com slash foul 150 00:08:22,480 --> 00:08:25,880 Speaker 3: for seventy to eighty percent off everything as a new VIP. 151 00:08:26,760 --> 00:08:29,480 Speaker 1: Let's talk about the All Star snubs, which of course 152 00:08:30,280 --> 00:08:33,840 Speaker 1: are snubs only in a temporary fashion in most cases. 153 00:08:34,120 --> 00:08:36,800 Speaker 1: And I say this every year, everyone's going to get 154 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:39,800 Speaker 1: a participation trophy. No one's going to get left behind. 155 00:08:40,160 --> 00:08:42,160 Speaker 1: What we're going to see over the next few days 156 00:08:42,679 --> 00:08:47,040 Speaker 1: are injury replacements, other forms of replacements, and players you 157 00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:49,880 Speaker 1: think should be All Stars added to the team. By 158 00:08:49,920 --> 00:08:53,360 Speaker 1: the time it's all over, we should have about ten 159 00:08:53,480 --> 00:08:57,240 Speaker 1: percent of all players represented as All Stars this season. 160 00:08:57,400 --> 00:09:00,680 Speaker 1: So the biggest snubs for me were Bryce and the Brewers. 161 00:09:00,720 --> 00:09:03,840 Speaker 1: And you could see this coming because the NL is 162 00:09:03,880 --> 00:09:06,720 Speaker 1: so deep at second base. I talked about this on 163 00:09:06,760 --> 00:09:10,640 Speaker 1: the broadcast Saturday. So you had Azzi Albi's as the fans. 164 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:15,080 Speaker 4: Elected starter, you had Luis Arise as the players electee 165 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:17,200 Speaker 4: at the position, and then you had a bunch of 166 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:20,880 Speaker 4: guys including Terrang who did not make it but certainly 167 00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 4: were all Star caliber players JJ Weatherholt of the Cardinals, 168 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:28,560 Speaker 4: Katel Marte of the Diamondbacks, Brandon Lau of the Pirates. 169 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:32,800 Speaker 1: As I mentioned Xavier Edwards as well two other snubs. 170 00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:36,040 Speaker 1: Two guys on the Red Sox that probably are going 171 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:39,400 Speaker 1: to be added to the team Wilson Contreras, who can 172 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:42,760 Speaker 1: replace Vladimir Guerrero junr who's already said he is not 173 00:09:42,840 --> 00:09:45,199 Speaker 1: going to play because he's had some back trouble that 174 00:09:45,240 --> 00:09:48,360 Speaker 1: he wants to address. And Sonny Gray, second in the 175 00:09:48,400 --> 00:09:52,080 Speaker 1: league in era. Sonny Gray probably will be added to 176 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:54,720 Speaker 1: the team as well, especially with the news on Rangers 177 00:09:54,760 --> 00:09:58,280 Speaker 1: Suarez yesterday leaving the game with a left adductor strain. 178 00:09:58,720 --> 00:10:04,199 Speaker 1: Frankly Suarez Gray two editions by embattled Red Sox President 179 00:10:04,200 --> 00:10:08,040 Speaker 1: of Baseball Operations Craig Wreslow, along with Contreras. Another edition 180 00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:11,240 Speaker 1: by Breslow. These guys have all had All Star caliber 181 00:10:11,320 --> 00:10:14,080 Speaker 1: seasons others that I wanted to see in the game. 182 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:17,640 Speaker 1: Nick Martinez of the Rays. Here's a guy who's never 183 00:10:17,640 --> 00:10:19,640 Speaker 1: been an All Star. He's been around a long time, 184 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:24,160 Speaker 1: beloved as a teammate wherever he goes, and he's third 185 00:10:24,160 --> 00:10:27,240 Speaker 1: in the American League in era. I expect, or I 186 00:10:27,320 --> 00:10:29,960 Speaker 1: hope that he will be added at some point. And 187 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:32,400 Speaker 1: I've got one more I want to talk about. This 188 00:10:32,440 --> 00:10:35,480 Speaker 1: isn't getting much attention. The White Sox only got one 189 00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:38,360 Speaker 1: All Star. Now, if Murakami was healthy, it would have 190 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:41,840 Speaker 1: been two, but one Davis Martin certainly could have been 191 00:10:41,880 --> 00:10:45,439 Speaker 1: an All Star in Colson Montgomery. This dude has had 192 00:10:45,760 --> 00:10:48,560 Speaker 1: twenty three home runs. He is fifth in the American 193 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:53,280 Speaker 1: League in home runs, and since the beginning of his career, 194 00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:55,959 Speaker 1: in one hundred and fifty six games basically a full season, 195 00:10:56,040 --> 00:10:59,079 Speaker 1: one hundred and fifty six games, he has hit forty 196 00:10:59,160 --> 00:11:03,400 Speaker 1: four home runs. As a shortstop. He's not Adam Dunn 197 00:11:03,480 --> 00:11:06,400 Speaker 1: or Rob Deer, some slug who just hits home runs. 198 00:11:06,640 --> 00:11:09,920 Speaker 1: This guy's playing shortstop at a pretty high level. Coolson 199 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:12,760 Speaker 1: Montgomery should be an All Star. And finally, before we go, 200 00:11:13,160 --> 00:11:15,720 Speaker 1: I want to mention one thing. I picked my teams 201 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:18,880 Speaker 1: last week, thirty two players for each team, right, that's 202 00:11:18,920 --> 00:11:22,120 Speaker 1: how you do it, foul the rules, and then the 203 00:11:22,160 --> 00:11:25,840 Speaker 1: All Stars get announced and the National League has thirty 204 00:11:25,840 --> 00:11:30,200 Speaker 1: three players because they squeezed Bryce Harper in by making 205 00:11:30,280 --> 00:11:32,800 Speaker 1: him a Legends pick. Rob Bamford did that. That is 206 00:11:32,840 --> 00:11:35,160 Speaker 1: his right as a commissioner, and I get it, and 207 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:38,120 Speaker 1: it was a good choice, great choice. Harper has to 208 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:39,920 Speaker 1: be in the game. It's in Philadelphia, he's having an 209 00:11:39,960 --> 00:11:43,960 Speaker 1: amazing year, and he is a legitimate All Star. But 210 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:47,440 Speaker 1: if I knew the National League was getting thirty three, 211 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:50,400 Speaker 1: I would have picked thirty three of my own, and 212 00:11:50,440 --> 00:11:54,080 Speaker 1: I wouldn't have left Brandon marsh off my team, offending 213 00:11:54,160 --> 00:11:57,440 Speaker 1: all of Philadelphia. All Right, that's all I wanted to say. 214 00:11:57,640 --> 00:12:06,960 Speaker 1: We'll be right back with the Inside Dish. Time now 215 00:12:07,080 --> 00:12:08,679 Speaker 1: for the inside Ditch, the part of the show where 216 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:11,200 Speaker 1: I talk about something I've written, a trend in the game, 217 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:15,800 Speaker 1: something else entirely, or some combination of all of the above. 218 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:18,520 Speaker 1: And today I kind of want to expand upon the 219 00:12:18,559 --> 00:12:21,040 Speaker 1: notes column that I published this morning in The Athletic, 220 00:12:21,679 --> 00:12:24,840 Speaker 1: in which I focused on a number of NL Central 221 00:12:24,880 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 1: teams with kind of a deadline angle to each of them. 222 00:12:30,120 --> 00:12:32,320 Speaker 1: Now I didn't include the Reds. The Reds are not 223 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:35,400 Speaker 1: really in contention right now. We can talk about them 224 00:12:35,480 --> 00:12:38,320 Speaker 1: another time. But I'm going to go through kind of 225 00:12:38,880 --> 00:12:41,000 Speaker 1: the highlights of my notes Calm. You can read all 226 00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:44,240 Speaker 1: about it in the notes, and I'll start with the Cardinals, 227 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:46,400 Speaker 1: one of the teams I saw this weekend in my 228 00:12:46,480 --> 00:12:49,200 Speaker 1: work for Fox and the Cardinals are one of the 229 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:53,280 Speaker 1: great surprises in Major League Baseball this season, and we've 230 00:12:53,320 --> 00:12:55,800 Speaker 1: all waited for them to start playing like we thought 231 00:12:55,880 --> 00:12:58,679 Speaker 1: or rebuilding team should. This is a team that remember 232 00:12:59,200 --> 00:13:04,000 Speaker 1: parted with Wilson Contreras, Sonny Gray, Noan Arnado, and Brendan 233 00:13:04,080 --> 00:13:07,319 Speaker 1: Donovan last off season. You would have thought, after all 234 00:13:07,400 --> 00:13:10,920 Speaker 1: that they would be strictly in a rebuilding type season, 235 00:13:11,320 --> 00:13:14,320 Speaker 1: and that has not happened. They've played way above themselves. 236 00:13:14,360 --> 00:13:18,560 Speaker 1: And as I explain in the notes column, one reason 237 00:13:18,720 --> 00:13:23,840 Speaker 1: is they've been remarkably healthy, like crazy healthy. They've had 238 00:13:23,920 --> 00:13:28,360 Speaker 1: only six injured list placements all season, placed only six 239 00:13:28,440 --> 00:13:32,360 Speaker 1: players on the injured list, one of them or not 240 00:13:32,480 --> 00:13:34,680 Speaker 1: one of them was a starting pitcher, and right now 241 00:13:34,840 --> 00:13:37,240 Speaker 1: they only have one player on the IL. It's their 242 00:13:37,240 --> 00:13:41,520 Speaker 1: infielder Ramon Urius. So that is something where you have 243 00:13:41,600 --> 00:13:44,800 Speaker 1: to say, Okay, they've been a bit lucky, and they've 244 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:49,560 Speaker 1: also gotten breakouts from Jordan Walker, their all star, JJ Weatherholt, 245 00:13:49,559 --> 00:13:52,440 Speaker 1: we mentioned him earlier as a potential All Star. Alec 246 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:55,840 Speaker 1: Burson's had kind of his typical year, but Yvonne Herrera 247 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:59,680 Speaker 1: also enjoying a breakout. So a lot of good things 248 00:13:59,679 --> 00:14:04,000 Speaker 1: have happened. And this is how you get a surprise season. 249 00:14:04,280 --> 00:14:06,679 Speaker 1: So if you're the president of baseball operations in your 250 00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:10,240 Speaker 1: first full year, Heim Bloom, what do you do well, 251 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:13,200 Speaker 1: You've got to honor what the team has done, what 252 00:14:13,320 --> 00:14:18,040 Speaker 1: the players have performed with or how they performed, and 253 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:20,360 Speaker 1: you've got to go forward and say, okay, let's see 254 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:23,760 Speaker 1: what happens over the next month. If indeed the Cardinals 255 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:28,400 Speaker 1: continue playing this well, holding a playoff position third wild card, 256 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:31,360 Speaker 1: then you at least have to try to add you're 257 00:14:31,360 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 1: not going to blow up your farm system to go 258 00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:37,040 Speaker 1: for it this year. They're trying to build a perennial contender. 259 00:14:37,080 --> 00:14:40,040 Speaker 1: We all get it, but you have to honor your 260 00:14:40,040 --> 00:14:43,120 Speaker 1: players by going for it a little bit. You have 261 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:46,040 Speaker 1: to honor your fans by saying, we're trying to win. 262 00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:49,000 Speaker 1: This is what the whole sport is about. And if 263 00:14:49,040 --> 00:14:51,640 Speaker 1: you're the Cardinals, yes you will add, and you will 264 00:14:51,640 --> 00:14:54,600 Speaker 1: add in kind of a measured way. I'm interested to 265 00:14:54,640 --> 00:14:56,600 Speaker 1: see what they do. I'm interested to see if their 266 00:14:56,640 --> 00:15:00,760 Speaker 1: good health continues. But the Cardinals, they've been in a 267 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:03,520 Speaker 1: great spot. And one thing that they have that other 268 00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:08,000 Speaker 1: teams want are a number of young catchers. A few 269 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:11,000 Speaker 1: of them are in the big leagues, Jimmy Crooks, and 270 00:15:11,240 --> 00:15:14,480 Speaker 1: they've got also in their minor leagues. Two of their 271 00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 1: top five prospects are catchers. So teams are going to 272 00:15:18,440 --> 00:15:22,320 Speaker 1: be reluctant, of course, in this position to necessarily trade catching, 273 00:15:22,360 --> 00:15:25,520 Speaker 1: because of course it's kind of fragile. But the Cardinals 274 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:27,600 Speaker 1: are in position to do that. They've got too many 275 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:31,320 Speaker 1: at the big leagues Crooks and Herrera Pedro Pahes and 276 00:15:31,360 --> 00:15:33,800 Speaker 1: then the Miners, the two prospects that I mentioned. So 277 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:36,280 Speaker 1: they're in a good spot, and I expect that they're 278 00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:41,360 Speaker 1: going to be reasonably aggressive if they stay at this level, 279 00:15:41,840 --> 00:15:45,720 Speaker 1: not overly aggressive, but I expect that they will do things. Now. 280 00:15:45,720 --> 00:15:49,280 Speaker 1: The Cubs are on the other side of the injury equation. 281 00:15:49,800 --> 00:15:52,160 Speaker 1: Remember I just said. The Cardinals have had six aisle 282 00:15:52,240 --> 00:15:58,280 Speaker 1: placements all year. The Cubs have thirteen pitchers on the 283 00:15:58,320 --> 00:16:02,920 Speaker 1: injured list alone, pictures basically an entire rotation and entire 284 00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:06,840 Speaker 1: bullpen and more so, we know what they're going to 285 00:16:06,880 --> 00:16:09,640 Speaker 1: be looking for at the deadline. It's obvious, and their 286 00:16:09,680 --> 00:16:13,920 Speaker 1: President Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer, has said, We've got to 287 00:16:13,920 --> 00:16:17,280 Speaker 1: be mindful of where we are in the standings as 288 00:16:17,320 --> 00:16:20,920 Speaker 1: we go forward here and as we determine how aggressive 289 00:16:20,960 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 1: we want to be. If the Cubs feel they can 290 00:16:23,440 --> 00:16:26,840 Speaker 1: win the division, possibly get a buy then okay, maybe 291 00:16:26,840 --> 00:16:30,400 Speaker 1: they go hard. If they don't, if they're essentially playing 292 00:16:30,440 --> 00:16:32,440 Speaker 1: only for a wild card, and of course the Brewers 293 00:16:32,440 --> 00:16:36,560 Speaker 1: have been so good all year long, then they will 294 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:41,000 Speaker 1: be more restrained in their approach. They clearly need bullpen help. 295 00:16:41,160 --> 00:16:44,240 Speaker 1: They've been surviving on guys who I don't want to 296 00:16:44,280 --> 00:16:46,400 Speaker 1: call them cast offs, but a few of them are 297 00:16:46,400 --> 00:16:49,320 Speaker 1: waiver claims, a few of them are lesser additions. And 298 00:16:49,440 --> 00:16:53,320 Speaker 1: for the most part, these pictures have performed fairly well, 299 00:16:53,600 --> 00:16:56,360 Speaker 1: but they're going to need better and also they're going 300 00:16:56,400 --> 00:16:59,000 Speaker 1: to need help, of course in their rotation and what 301 00:16:59,040 --> 00:17:03,040 Speaker 1: they're also going to need going forward is consistency out 302 00:17:03,080 --> 00:17:07,400 Speaker 1: of their offense. We've seen this team be wildly inconsistent 303 00:17:07,480 --> 00:17:09,800 Speaker 1: all year, and part of it's due to the injuries 304 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:12,359 Speaker 1: that they've had in their pitching staff, and part of 305 00:17:12,400 --> 00:17:14,440 Speaker 1: it is due to an offense that goes up and 306 00:17:14,520 --> 00:17:17,880 Speaker 1: down and up and down. We saw it just this week. 307 00:17:18,359 --> 00:17:20,760 Speaker 1: They had this crazy series against the Padres, scored a 308 00:17:20,760 --> 00:17:23,040 Speaker 1: ton of runs and then in the first two games 309 00:17:23,040 --> 00:17:27,119 Speaker 1: against the Cardinals scored only one. So the Cubs, obviously 310 00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:31,719 Speaker 1: their focus will be on pitching, and the question will be, 311 00:17:31,760 --> 00:17:35,240 Speaker 1: as I said, can they chase down the Brewers? Now? 312 00:17:35,280 --> 00:17:39,080 Speaker 1: The Brewers to me are perhaps the most fascinating team 313 00:17:39,440 --> 00:17:43,040 Speaker 1: at the deadline because we know that they're really good. 314 00:17:43,320 --> 00:17:47,040 Speaker 1: Everyone in baseball has seen that, and we know that 315 00:17:47,119 --> 00:17:50,760 Speaker 1: even though they're really good, they have needs. And those 316 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:54,520 Speaker 1: needs become even more apparent now that we know Brandon 317 00:17:54,560 --> 00:17:58,320 Speaker 1: Woodruff is on the injured list again. The Brewers certainly 318 00:17:58,320 --> 00:18:00,520 Speaker 1: could use another starter to go with miss Rowski and 319 00:18:00,600 --> 00:18:04,280 Speaker 1: Kyle Harrison. Brendan Sprout has been less than consistent. They 320 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:08,200 Speaker 1: have others as well. We know that Logan Henderson coming back, 321 00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:11,920 Speaker 1: but they could use one more starter for sure. Especially 322 00:18:12,680 --> 00:18:15,639 Speaker 1: when miss Erowski and Harrison are guys that have not 323 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:18,719 Speaker 1: pitched into October in their past and you don't know 324 00:18:18,760 --> 00:18:21,280 Speaker 1: how they're going to hold up over the long season. 325 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:25,040 Speaker 1: So that's one need for the Brewers. Bullpen depth is 326 00:18:25,080 --> 00:18:29,000 Speaker 1: another need. They've gotten a great performance all season long 327 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:32,479 Speaker 1: out of their bullpen the back end Ashby and Uribe 328 00:18:32,760 --> 00:18:36,560 Speaker 1: and McGill and Grant Anderson. Now depth would be something 329 00:18:36,600 --> 00:18:38,199 Speaker 1: that they would be looking to do. And as I 330 00:18:38,240 --> 00:18:41,560 Speaker 1: mentioned in the notes column today, one other area the 331 00:18:41,640 --> 00:18:44,840 Speaker 1: left side of that infield. Now they've already made changes there. 332 00:18:45,560 --> 00:18:48,040 Speaker 1: They've brought Cooper Pratt up from the minor leagues to 333 00:18:48,040 --> 00:18:51,959 Speaker 1: play shortstop, going now with Joey Ortiz the display shortstop 334 00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:55,639 Speaker 1: and Joey Hamilton at third base, but their production at 335 00:18:55,640 --> 00:18:58,879 Speaker 1: those two spots remains bottom of the league. If they 336 00:18:58,880 --> 00:19:02,640 Speaker 1: could get a third base or a shortstop, someone who 337 00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:07,479 Speaker 1: is more productive and more veteran than those players. Obviously 338 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:09,479 Speaker 1: Joey Ortiz has been there, but a guy who's been 339 00:19:09,520 --> 00:19:12,080 Speaker 1: there maybe and a guy who in the playoffs you 340 00:19:12,080 --> 00:19:14,960 Speaker 1: could count on, well, that would be something that would 341 00:19:14,960 --> 00:19:18,119 Speaker 1: behoove them to do. So I just listed multiple needs 342 00:19:18,119 --> 00:19:19,960 Speaker 1: for this team that's been one of the most dominant 343 00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:23,040 Speaker 1: in baseball. I don't know that they see it that way. 344 00:19:23,240 --> 00:19:25,120 Speaker 1: I don't know that they see any of these things 345 00:19:25,160 --> 00:19:29,280 Speaker 1: as being particularly urgent. But the Brewers have the farm system, 346 00:19:29,320 --> 00:19:32,720 Speaker 1: as I've written and as I've said, to do some things. 347 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:36,080 Speaker 1: And we saw last year they had an amazing run 348 00:19:36,640 --> 00:19:39,119 Speaker 1: ninety seven wins I believe it was, and then in 349 00:19:39,160 --> 00:19:41,679 Speaker 1: the playoffs they ran into a Dodgers team that in 350 00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:45,440 Speaker 1: that particular series, played out of their minds. Brewers got swept. 351 00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:49,560 Speaker 1: It happens the playoffs, short series, things like this do happen. 352 00:19:50,080 --> 00:19:52,040 Speaker 1: But if the Brewers want to go further this year, 353 00:19:52,359 --> 00:19:55,040 Speaker 1: and they are fully capable of doing that, they're going 354 00:19:55,119 --> 00:19:59,320 Speaker 1: to need to be more aggressive. How aggressive Terrek's schoogle aggressive? No, 355 00:19:59,400 --> 00:20:02,840 Speaker 1: I don't expect that, but I do expect them to 356 00:20:02,880 --> 00:20:05,520 Speaker 1: do some things. They're not going to trade prospects for rental, 357 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:09,080 Speaker 1: but they can do some things. They have the ability 358 00:20:09,119 --> 00:20:12,760 Speaker 1: to do that, and frankly, they have no excuse not to. 359 00:20:12,760 --> 00:20:15,440 Speaker 1: They owe it to themselves to give themselves the best 360 00:20:15,520 --> 00:20:18,280 Speaker 1: chance with this team that might be their best of 361 00:20:18,320 --> 00:20:21,720 Speaker 1: all in all these years that they've had. This run. 362 00:20:21,800 --> 00:20:24,400 Speaker 1: Now it's going back to the late twenty tens. They've 363 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:26,840 Speaker 1: been really good. So here we go with the Brewers. 364 00:20:26,880 --> 00:20:30,199 Speaker 1: Now the Pirates, I've written about this as well, and 365 00:20:30,480 --> 00:20:32,960 Speaker 1: I want to conclude with them in this portion of 366 00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:36,400 Speaker 1: the show. They are looking for high end bullpen help. 367 00:20:36,440 --> 00:20:39,320 Speaker 1: They've been looking for that, and they've made a few 368 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:43,760 Speaker 1: moves in that regard, lesser kinds of moves. They've been dangling, 369 00:20:43,800 --> 00:20:47,399 Speaker 1: as I've written, the number thirty four pick in the draft, 370 00:20:47,400 --> 00:20:50,280 Speaker 1: it's a competitive balance round pick. Those are the only picks, 371 00:20:50,320 --> 00:20:54,159 Speaker 1: of course, that a team can trade. The Pirates have 372 00:20:54,240 --> 00:20:57,280 Speaker 1: that pick. They've got prospects, they want to do things. 373 00:20:57,359 --> 00:20:59,400 Speaker 1: They consider this to be a year in which they 374 00:20:59,480 --> 00:21:01,560 Speaker 1: want to make make the playoffs, and they've done some 375 00:21:01,640 --> 00:21:04,680 Speaker 1: great things on the offensive end the additions they made 376 00:21:04,760 --> 00:21:08,040 Speaker 1: in the offseason Brandon Lau, Ryan O'Hearn, not so much 377 00:21:08,119 --> 00:21:11,880 Speaker 1: Marcela Zuna, but they've transformed their offense into a top five, 378 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:15,919 Speaker 1: top ten offense. Great job. So now they're looking to 379 00:21:16,440 --> 00:21:20,120 Speaker 1: upgrade the bullpen. Actually, the rotation hasn't been that great 380 00:21:20,200 --> 00:21:23,280 Speaker 1: lately as well, But that number thirty four pick is 381 00:21:23,359 --> 00:21:26,159 Speaker 1: really interesting. We've seen teams trade these picks in the 382 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:29,560 Speaker 1: last few years, and sometimes they have brought quality relievers 383 00:21:29,800 --> 00:21:34,080 Speaker 1: in return. And with the Pirates, they're always thinking about money, 384 00:21:34,080 --> 00:21:36,800 Speaker 1: of course, and that pick has a slot value of 385 00:21:36,800 --> 00:21:40,600 Speaker 1: almost three million dollars. You trade that pick, you saved 386 00:21:40,640 --> 00:21:43,480 Speaker 1: the three million. At least you save at least a 387 00:21:43,480 --> 00:21:45,400 Speaker 1: portion of it that's not going to the major league 388 00:21:45,480 --> 00:21:48,960 Speaker 1: you acquire in return, you save some money, and maybe 389 00:21:48,960 --> 00:21:51,320 Speaker 1: you put that money back into the major league team 390 00:21:51,400 --> 00:21:55,080 Speaker 1: as you try again to make the playoffs. I'm not 391 00:21:55,119 --> 00:21:57,879 Speaker 1: saying it's going to happen that way, but it seems 392 00:21:57,920 --> 00:22:00,800 Speaker 1: to me that the Pirates have is a diition motivation 393 00:22:01,280 --> 00:22:04,719 Speaker 1: for trading the pick because it might help them reinvest 394 00:22:04,760 --> 00:22:07,199 Speaker 1: in the major league club. Maybe they don't do that. 395 00:22:07,320 --> 00:22:09,720 Speaker 1: Their owner is Bob Nutting. We know that. We know 396 00:22:09,760 --> 00:22:13,560 Speaker 1: he's not necessarily inclined to spend. But they did spend 397 00:22:13,600 --> 00:22:15,840 Speaker 1: in the off season in their way, and they did 398 00:22:15,880 --> 00:22:18,120 Speaker 1: a good job of it. So the Pirates are going 399 00:22:18,160 --> 00:22:20,639 Speaker 1: to be a team to watch at the deadline as well. 400 00:22:20,920 --> 00:22:26,240 Speaker 1: And the ANL Central, in conclusion, remains arguably the most 401 00:22:26,320 --> 00:22:31,120 Speaker 1: fascinating division in baseball. We've seen the Pirates emerge, We've 402 00:22:31,119 --> 00:22:33,840 Speaker 1: seen the Cardinals emerge. The Reds. You see them at 403 00:22:33,880 --> 00:22:36,640 Speaker 1: the bottom of the standings right there. They're not emerging. 404 00:22:36,800 --> 00:22:39,080 Speaker 1: And Hunter Green came back over the weekend, a little 405 00:22:39,080 --> 00:22:42,840 Speaker 1: bit of a struggle for him to be expected. Maybe 406 00:22:42,880 --> 00:22:45,679 Speaker 1: they make a run here, they're certainly hoping to. I 407 00:22:45,680 --> 00:22:47,520 Speaker 1: don't think that's going to happen. They could be a 408 00:22:47,560 --> 00:22:50,560 Speaker 1: team that ends up maybe selling some of its pieces. 409 00:22:50,800 --> 00:22:54,480 Speaker 1: So we'll be watching this division the entire month of July, 410 00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:58,520 Speaker 1: watching to see how things shake out. Do the Cardinals 411 00:22:58,560 --> 00:23:02,840 Speaker 1: stay healthy, the Cubs get healthier with Jamison Tyn coming 412 00:23:02,880 --> 00:23:06,879 Speaker 1: back and eventually Edward Cabrera and Daniel Palencia and still 413 00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:11,240 Speaker 1: supplement themselves. Do the Brewers make the moves that maybe 414 00:23:11,320 --> 00:23:13,919 Speaker 1: could put them over the top in this particular season, 415 00:23:14,200 --> 00:23:17,160 Speaker 1: And do the Pirates act aggressively with their number thirty 416 00:23:17,160 --> 00:23:20,400 Speaker 1: four pick and others as well? Other players as well, 417 00:23:20,440 --> 00:23:23,000 Speaker 1: I should say, not picks, and I've trading any other picks. 418 00:23:23,200 --> 00:23:26,320 Speaker 1: So the Eno Central again will be an object of 419 00:23:26,400 --> 00:23:29,800 Speaker 1: fascination and I'm looking forward to seeing how this all 420 00:23:29,880 --> 00:23:31,000 Speaker 1: plays out. 421 00:23:32,119 --> 00:23:34,840 Speaker 3: Hey, for the families out there looking for a different 422 00:23:34,880 --> 00:23:37,240 Speaker 3: path to help your child succeed at home, looking to 423 00:23:37,520 --> 00:23:40,840 Speaker 3: K twelve pirate schools. Todd, Father, you've done the homeschooling 424 00:23:40,880 --> 00:23:41,680 Speaker 3: thing in the past. 425 00:23:41,720 --> 00:23:42,439 Speaker 1: I know you liked it. 426 00:23:43,240 --> 00:23:44,919 Speaker 5: Yeah, I did. I liked it a lot. All my 427 00:23:45,040 --> 00:23:48,280 Speaker 5: kids have done it before. It's an opportunity for them 428 00:23:48,359 --> 00:23:51,840 Speaker 5: to stay at home and enjoy school just as much. 429 00:23:51,920 --> 00:23:54,560 Speaker 5: They learn a lot. And this is an opportunity for 430 00:23:54,680 --> 00:23:56,720 Speaker 5: families that are on the go too as well. They 431 00:23:56,760 --> 00:23:59,680 Speaker 5: have to understand, Listen, can't be at a regular school 432 00:23:59,680 --> 00:24:02,000 Speaker 5: at all times. I need my child to be doing this, 433 00:24:02,359 --> 00:24:05,280 Speaker 5: whether it's an athletic career or whatever stature they are at. 434 00:24:05,760 --> 00:24:08,200 Speaker 5: And we loved every second of it, and I think 435 00:24:08,200 --> 00:24:10,240 Speaker 5: it is an easy opportunity for some children. 436 00:24:10,320 --> 00:24:14,320 Speaker 3: K twelve offers tuition free, accredited online public education for 437 00:24:14,359 --> 00:24:17,280 Speaker 3: students in K through twelve on a setting that works 438 00:24:17,280 --> 00:24:19,919 Speaker 3: for your family. See how K twelve parate schools can 439 00:24:19,920 --> 00:24:23,280 Speaker 3: help unlock your child's full potential. Enroll today at K 440 00:24:23,320 --> 00:24:26,760 Speaker 3: twelve dot com slash foul. That's the letter K, the 441 00:24:26,880 --> 00:24:31,000 Speaker 3: number twelve dot com slash foul. K twelve dot com 442 00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:31,639 Speaker 3: slash foul. 443 00:24:38,240 --> 00:24:39,840 Speaker 1: All Right, here we go with Grilling and Ken, the 444 00:24:39,840 --> 00:24:43,040 Speaker 1: part of the show where I try to answer your questions. 445 00:24:44,040 --> 00:24:47,480 Speaker 1: First question, comes from armand is amazing. Who asks Ken, 446 00:24:47,680 --> 00:24:51,280 Speaker 1: what type of return can the Mets get for Francisco Alvarez? Now, 447 00:24:51,320 --> 00:24:53,800 Speaker 1: let me give you the background here. Will Salmon of 448 00:24:53,840 --> 00:24:57,000 Speaker 1: The Athletic wrote this morning that the Mets are expecting 449 00:24:57,080 --> 00:25:01,639 Speaker 1: to receive interest in their catchers, Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrance, 450 00:25:01,640 --> 00:25:04,120 Speaker 1: who they just signed to a two year deal. Now, 451 00:25:04,160 --> 00:25:07,840 Speaker 1: Alvarez is an interesting guy. He's interesting because he of 452 00:25:07,840 --> 00:25:11,200 Speaker 1: course has some club control remaining. He has immense talent. 453 00:25:11,680 --> 00:25:14,080 Speaker 1: He's been hurt a lot, but he also has remarkable 454 00:25:14,119 --> 00:25:17,359 Speaker 1: powers of recovery, and he's someone that you can see 455 00:25:18,080 --> 00:25:21,199 Speaker 1: at some point becoming a star. Now I'm sure the 456 00:25:21,200 --> 00:25:24,080 Speaker 1: Mets see him that way as well. But given the 457 00:25:24,160 --> 00:25:29,600 Speaker 1: demand for catching in the current game, it's possible, possible, 458 00:25:29,760 --> 00:25:32,720 Speaker 1: i would say, an outside chance at best, that the 459 00:25:32,760 --> 00:25:35,160 Speaker 1: Mets get an offer for Alvarez or get the kind 460 00:25:35,200 --> 00:25:38,439 Speaker 1: of interest in Alvarez that at least tempts them to 461 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:41,560 Speaker 1: possibly move him. It wouldn't be easy for them, they 462 00:25:41,560 --> 00:25:44,320 Speaker 1: wouldn't necessarily want to do it, but it would depend 463 00:25:44,440 --> 00:25:47,439 Speaker 1: on what they are offered. So that's something to watch. 464 00:25:47,880 --> 00:25:50,160 Speaker 1: Whether the Mets kind of act on this. They don't 465 00:25:50,200 --> 00:25:53,520 Speaker 1: seem inclined to. They want to keep their guys with control, 466 00:25:53,600 --> 00:25:56,520 Speaker 1: it seems, but I would imagine that they are at 467 00:25:56,600 --> 00:25:59,040 Speaker 1: least going to field calls on him, and then they'll 468 00:25:59,040 --> 00:26:03,720 Speaker 1: have to decide, all right. Next question from Wicked Better 469 00:26:03,920 --> 00:26:06,880 Speaker 1: fifty four, which starting pitcher trade you see as more 470 00:26:07,080 --> 00:26:10,600 Speaker 1: likely Joe Ryan to the Braves, Freddy Peralta to the Cubs, 471 00:26:10,720 --> 00:26:14,119 Speaker 1: or read Debt Meers to the Diamondbacks. Good question. Now 472 00:26:14,400 --> 00:26:17,520 Speaker 1: here's the problem, though, I don't know that Joe Ryan 473 00:26:17,600 --> 00:26:20,119 Speaker 1: is getting traded. The Twins are in the thick of 474 00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:25,000 Speaker 1: the Ale Wildcard race, admittedly in a mediocre AL Wildcard race, 475 00:26:25,240 --> 00:26:29,280 Speaker 1: a mediocre Al in general. But they've got a new 476 00:26:29,320 --> 00:26:32,000 Speaker 1: control person, a new pole ad running the team. It's 477 00:26:32,080 --> 00:26:36,320 Speaker 1: Tom Pohlad, and he is motivated to win, wants to 478 00:26:36,359 --> 00:26:38,040 Speaker 1: do it for his players, wants to do it for 479 00:26:38,080 --> 00:26:41,159 Speaker 1: their fans. They know they've ticked off a lot of 480 00:26:41,160 --> 00:26:45,720 Speaker 1: people in recent years. So barring a collapse this month, 481 00:26:46,160 --> 00:26:49,840 Speaker 1: I don't expect them to necessarily trade Joe Ryan, Byron 482 00:26:49,880 --> 00:26:52,720 Speaker 1: Buxton or anyone else. Now I mentioned in my notes 483 00:26:52,720 --> 00:26:55,640 Speaker 1: Calm they could still trade Jeffers because they've got Victor 484 00:26:55,720 --> 00:26:59,720 Speaker 1: Carrattini and Alex Jackson. And if Jeffers brings bullpen help, hey, 485 00:27:00,040 --> 00:27:03,160 Speaker 1: that would help them continue to compete. So I don't 486 00:27:03,600 --> 00:27:06,680 Speaker 1: believe Joe Ryan's getting traded. I'm not sure Reed Debt 487 00:27:06,720 --> 00:27:09,640 Speaker 1: Meurs is getting traded either, But certainly under a new 488 00:27:09,680 --> 00:27:15,000 Speaker 1: President of Baseball Operations actually interim President Baseball Operations, interim GM, 489 00:27:15,080 --> 00:27:19,160 Speaker 1: whatever his title is, John MONZELOK, they're going to be 490 00:27:19,280 --> 00:27:23,639 Speaker 1: perhaps more open than they were under Perrimanas. Now the 491 00:27:23,720 --> 00:27:27,840 Speaker 1: final one and that was Freddy Peralta to the Cubs. 492 00:27:28,320 --> 00:27:30,680 Speaker 1: The Cubs certainly are going to trade for a starting pitcher. 493 00:27:30,720 --> 00:27:33,359 Speaker 1: They already have traded for one from the Mets, David Peterson. 494 00:27:33,960 --> 00:27:37,280 Speaker 1: One good start, one terrible start. I don't know that 495 00:27:37,320 --> 00:27:39,880 Speaker 1: Parolta is going to be their main target. Parolta has 496 00:27:40,000 --> 00:27:43,600 Speaker 1: not had a good year. So the Cubs are yes 497 00:27:43,760 --> 00:27:47,240 Speaker 1: going to do something, and I believe Parolta will be traded. 498 00:27:47,680 --> 00:27:49,840 Speaker 1: I just don't know that that's the guy for them. 499 00:27:50,080 --> 00:27:53,200 Speaker 1: Kind of depends again, I'll keep saying this, how these 500 00:27:53,240 --> 00:27:56,600 Speaker 1: things all play out all right? Time for our final question. 501 00:27:56,680 --> 00:27:59,719 Speaker 1: This one comes from Bubbs two nine to eight. Was 502 00:28:00,080 --> 00:28:03,400 Speaker 1: Lex Burlson a consideration for your first base NL all 503 00:28:03,400 --> 00:28:07,840 Speaker 1: star back backup. Excuse me, he's having a breakout season. 504 00:28:08,280 --> 00:28:10,920 Speaker 1: Alec Burlson certainly is having a strong season. I don't 505 00:28:10,960 --> 00:28:13,000 Speaker 1: know that I would call it a breakap because last 506 00:28:13,040 --> 00:28:16,359 Speaker 1: year was really good as well. But that NL first 507 00:28:16,359 --> 00:28:19,080 Speaker 1: base was tough to crack, and I didn't really give 508 00:28:19,160 --> 00:28:23,000 Speaker 1: him consideration because I had to go with Olson matt 509 00:28:23,000 --> 00:28:25,119 Speaker 1: Olsen of the Braves, I had to go with Freddy 510 00:28:25,160 --> 00:28:27,159 Speaker 1: Freeman of the Dodgers, and I had to go with 511 00:28:27,200 --> 00:28:30,000 Speaker 1: Bryce Harper of the Phillies. Now, if I knew I 512 00:28:30,040 --> 00:28:33,000 Speaker 1: had thirty three, like I was saying in my first segment, 513 00:28:33,080 --> 00:28:36,160 Speaker 1: maybe I would have given Burlson more consideration. But remember 514 00:28:36,480 --> 00:28:38,680 Speaker 1: I left off Brandon March, who I knew was getting 515 00:28:38,680 --> 00:28:42,120 Speaker 1: in by the fan Moode. So no, I didn't really 516 00:28:42,160 --> 00:28:45,280 Speaker 1: give him much consideration. But he's he worthy. Sure, he's 517 00:28:45,320 --> 00:28:48,520 Speaker 1: worthy of that consideration at the very least. All Right, 518 00:28:48,560 --> 00:28:50,479 Speaker 1: with that, I want to close it out. I want 519 00:28:50,520 --> 00:28:53,760 Speaker 1: to thank everyone for watching it, for listening. Foul Territory 520 00:28:53,840 --> 00:28:57,840 Speaker 1: coming up at one pm Eastern. Aj Persitski back from 521 00:28:57,920 --> 00:29:00,960 Speaker 1: visiting the Pope. He'll be joined by Eric Kratz and 522 00:29:01,000 --> 00:29:04,280 Speaker 1: Scott Brown. The Guests will include Rocky's All Star Catcher 523 00:29:04,640 --> 00:29:08,600 Speaker 1: Hunter Goodman and USA Today's Bob Nightingale. We're back Thursday, 524 00:29:09,000 --> 00:29:12,440 Speaker 1: twelve thirty Eastern. Alana Rizzo will join us tucked it in. 525 00:29:12,760 --> 00:29:15,840 Speaker 1: Have a great week everyone, looking. 526 00:29:15,560 --> 00:29:18,280 Speaker 6: To take your MLB action to the next level this season, 527 00:29:18,480 --> 00:29:21,640 Speaker 6: Boosted Odds are here to crank up every pitch, swing 528 00:29:21,840 --> 00:29:24,760 Speaker 6: and home run bet. MGM is hooking you up with 529 00:29:24,840 --> 00:29:28,200 Speaker 6: your very own MLB Odds Boost token to get things 530 00:29:28,240 --> 00:29:31,680 Speaker 6: started all season long. Just add any MLB bet to 531 00:29:31,720 --> 00:29:34,960 Speaker 6: your bet slip, activate your Odds Boost Token, and lock 532 00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:37,600 Speaker 6: it in. 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