1 00:00:04,920 --> 00:00:07,720 Speaker 1: Welcome to another edition of Fair Territory, coming to you 2 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:11,560 Speaker 1: Tuesday this week. Because of the holiday, people often ask Ken, 3 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:16,319 Speaker 1: when is your downtime during the year, and I always reply, really, 4 00:00:16,360 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: there is no downtime. Actually, this time of year is 5 00:00:20,600 --> 00:00:23,200 Speaker 1: supposed to be the time when we're really just focusing 6 00:00:23,200 --> 00:00:27,480 Speaker 1: on pennant races, kind of enjoying the stretch run. Well, 7 00:00:27,520 --> 00:00:30,040 Speaker 1: this past week was one of your wilder ones in 8 00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:33,040 Speaker 1: Major League Baseball. We had Waiver Week. We discussed that 9 00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:36,120 Speaker 1: extensively on Foul Territory, and then on. 10 00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:40,040 Speaker 2: Labor Day, a day of rest, we had two major 11 00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:46,360 Speaker 2: stories break, the first being Julio Urius's arrest on suspicion 12 00:00:46,360 --> 00:00:49,720 Speaker 2: of a felony charge of a corporal injury on a spouse. 13 00:00:50,360 --> 00:00:55,120 Speaker 1: And then sho Hee Otani's agent, Nez Bilelo of Cia 14 00:00:55,440 --> 00:01:00,680 Speaker 1: finally addressed shohes torn ucl his situation, and we'll start 15 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:02,800 Speaker 1: there and then we'll get into arias and the pennant 16 00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:08,520 Speaker 1: races as well. Choiotani well, now, as Blello says, it's 17 00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:12,160 Speaker 1: inevitable he will need a procedure on his torn ucl. 18 00:01:12,600 --> 00:01:14,360 Speaker 1: That was kind of what we all thought from the 19 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:17,600 Speaker 1: first jump here, but we had not heard it from him, 20 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:21,680 Speaker 1: and Billello also said that Otani will be in somebody's 21 00:01:21,720 --> 00:01:26,040 Speaker 1: lineup next year, dhing when the bell rings, that would 22 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:30,959 Speaker 1: be Opening Day twenty twenty four. Now, then after he spoke, 23 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 1: we had another development in the Otani saga. He gets 24 00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:39,040 Speaker 1: scratched from Monday night's game with right oblique tightness. Now, 25 00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:42,920 Speaker 1: this could conceivably, depending on the severity of the injury, 26 00:01:42,920 --> 00:01:46,560 Speaker 1: if it's an injury at all, effect and accelerate the 27 00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:50,000 Speaker 1: timetable for him getting this procedure. But what I wrote 28 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 1: about today in The Athletic is this idea of getting 29 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:57,800 Speaker 1: from point A the procedure to point B Opening Day 30 00:01:57,920 --> 00:02:01,840 Speaker 1: twenty twenty four as a hitter can show, Hey, Otani 31 00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:04,560 Speaker 1: do that. And in talking to some medical experts on 32 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:08,520 Speaker 1: Monday night, they basically said the most likely outcome for 33 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:12,080 Speaker 1: Otani And these are guys who have not examined O'tani, 34 00:02:12,080 --> 00:02:16,560 Speaker 1: you've seen his records, but they're speculating informed speculation on 35 00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:19,040 Speaker 1: just what they know. And they said, the most likely 36 00:02:19,040 --> 00:02:21,800 Speaker 1: outcome is this new hybrid procedure that a number of 37 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:25,960 Speaker 1: pictures have undergone. It's a Tommy John surgery. Yes, an 38 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:30,079 Speaker 1: elbow ligament replacement. And it's also in addition to that 39 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:34,480 Speaker 1: an internal bracing procedure in which they put a brace 40 00:02:34,560 --> 00:02:38,519 Speaker 1: on it and theoretically make the ligament even stronger. And 41 00:02:38,600 --> 00:02:42,400 Speaker 1: for Otani, where this gets a little complicated is this 42 00:02:42,440 --> 00:02:45,519 Speaker 1: will be his second Tommy John now nez Bulelo said, 43 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:48,040 Speaker 1: the tear is in a different place. The people I 44 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:53,000 Speaker 1: spoke to didn't necessarily think that mattered. You get a reconstruction, 45 00:02:53,080 --> 00:02:56,880 Speaker 1: You're getting a reconstruction period, So can he be ready 46 00:02:57,120 --> 00:03:00,880 Speaker 1: as a hitter Opening Day twenty twenty four. Nes Bilello 47 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:03,960 Speaker 1: certainly wants you to believe that. Shojeotani certainly wants you 48 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:07,280 Speaker 1: to believe that, and more importantly, they want the teams 49 00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:09,720 Speaker 1: that will be pursuing Otani as a free agent to 50 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:13,680 Speaker 1: believe that as well. Where this gets complicated is that 51 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:18,560 Speaker 1: it's a second procedure, a revision. The rehabilitation from such 52 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:21,160 Speaker 1: a procedure can be a little bit more extensive, more involved, 53 00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:27,000 Speaker 1: more delicate, riskier. And also I go back to that 54 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:30,640 Speaker 1: story Evandrelic wrote shortly after the diagnosis of Otani, in 55 00:03:30,639 --> 00:03:34,520 Speaker 1: which he quoted doctors as saying the best way for 56 00:03:34,560 --> 00:03:37,760 Speaker 1: Otani to return as a top pitcher is to not 57 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:40,880 Speaker 1: hit at all next season if he undergoes a procedure 58 00:03:41,120 --> 00:03:44,720 Speaker 1: and simply focus on his rehabilitation. Well, Nesbilello says that 59 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:47,440 Speaker 1: is not going to happen. Of course, Otani wants to 60 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:50,760 Speaker 1: be ready to DH by opening day. Of course, Nesbilello 61 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:53,880 Speaker 1: wants to believe that he will be ready to DH 62 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:56,600 Speaker 1: by opening day. But I am not sure it's in 63 00:03:56,640 --> 00:03:59,840 Speaker 1: the best interest of Otani to accelerate it to that level. 64 00:04:00,640 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 1: I know Bryce Harper did it. That was a first timmy. 65 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:07,200 Speaker 1: John Otani most likely will be signing a long term deal. 66 00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:10,080 Speaker 1: I would think his next team will say, listen, take 67 00:04:10,120 --> 00:04:12,480 Speaker 1: your time. We've got you for eight, ten years, whatever 68 00:04:12,520 --> 00:04:15,640 Speaker 1: the case might be. We don't need you back opening day. 69 00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:18,880 Speaker 1: And I would think Otani it's in his best interest 70 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:22,040 Speaker 1: to take all the time he needs to get this right. 71 00:04:22,960 --> 00:04:26,839 Speaker 1: So we'll see what happens here. But will it happen 72 00:04:26,960 --> 00:04:29,680 Speaker 1: that he is back opening day twenty twenty four after 73 00:04:29,720 --> 00:04:33,040 Speaker 1: he undergoes this procedure, which could be a reconstruction. It 74 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:37,120 Speaker 1: could be a repair which is less of recovery. Could 75 00:04:37,160 --> 00:04:40,919 Speaker 1: be a number of things, I guess, but most likely 76 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:44,200 Speaker 1: it is a reconstruction. If he's ready by opening day 77 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:47,839 Speaker 1: twenty twenty four, great, But why rush it? No reason 78 00:04:47,880 --> 00:04:50,880 Speaker 1: to rush it except to say to teams, hey, we're 79 00:04:50,880 --> 00:04:54,040 Speaker 1: gonna be there, man, We'll be ready. Pass whatever. Not 80 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 1: sure that's going to happen. Julio ODIs much different story, obviously, 81 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:01,520 Speaker 1: much more troubling story. Obviously, as I said at the top, 82 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:05,640 Speaker 1: he was arrested Sunday night on suspicion of a felony charge, 83 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:10,120 Speaker 1: a felony of a corporal injury on a spouse. He 84 00:05:10,279 --> 00:05:14,120 Speaker 1: was released on fifty thousand dollars bond. MLB is conducting 85 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:17,839 Speaker 1: an investigation, as it always does in these matters. And remember, 86 00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:22,159 Speaker 1: Julio Odias was arrested in twenty nineteen on suspicion of 87 00:05:22,200 --> 00:05:26,400 Speaker 1: domestic battery. He was not charged, but he received a 88 00:05:26,440 --> 00:05:29,120 Speaker 1: twenty game suspension from Major League Baseball. And with the 89 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:33,040 Speaker 1: domestic folence policy that Baseball has in place in conjunction 90 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:35,760 Speaker 1: with the players Union, you know that a player does 91 00:05:35,760 --> 00:05:37,520 Speaker 1: not need to be charged, he does not need to 92 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:41,480 Speaker 1: be convicted to be suspended. So here is Julio Odias 93 00:05:41,600 --> 00:05:46,000 Speaker 1: facing a second offense under this policy. Now let's go 94 00:05:46,080 --> 00:05:48,920 Speaker 1: through this a little bit. The first thing we need 95 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:51,880 Speaker 1: to talk about, obviously, and the first concern should be 96 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:54,719 Speaker 1: the victim. That's number one here. Let's put that above 97 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:57,160 Speaker 1: anything else before we get to the baseball before we 98 00:05:57,200 --> 00:06:00,279 Speaker 1: get to Odias's career. Too often, when we just discuss 99 00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:02,960 Speaker 1: these matters, we're not talking about the victim. So that's 100 00:06:03,080 --> 00:06:07,920 Speaker 1: number one. We know. The Dodgers issued a statement on 101 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:11,679 Speaker 1: Monday night after this news came out, the usual statement 102 00:06:11,720 --> 00:06:13,960 Speaker 1: the teams issue in these matters. We are aware of 103 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 1: an incident involving Julio Rias. While we attempt to learn 104 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:19,080 Speaker 1: all the facts, he will not be traveling with the team. 105 00:06:19,160 --> 00:06:23,080 Speaker 1: The organization has no further comment at this time. So 106 00:06:23,279 --> 00:06:26,160 Speaker 1: his next court date is September twenty seven. That's toward 107 00:06:26,200 --> 00:06:27,960 Speaker 1: the end of the regular season, right near the end 108 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:30,680 Speaker 1: of the regular season. He's not coming back before then. 109 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:33,559 Speaker 1: He probably is not coming back for the postseason either. 110 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:37,520 Speaker 1: Can you imagine the Dodgers allowing Urias to pitch again 111 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:41,680 Speaker 1: when this matter is unresolved. Can you imagine MLB being 112 00:06:41,680 --> 00:06:44,680 Speaker 1: comfortable with that happening. And yes, he is presumed innocent, 113 00:06:44,960 --> 00:06:47,320 Speaker 1: of course, that's the way our system works, that's the 114 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:50,279 Speaker 1: way the policy works as well, but generally these players 115 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:54,400 Speaker 1: are placed on administrative lead or the restricted list while 116 00:06:54,920 --> 00:06:58,400 Speaker 1: we go through this, and while Major League Baseball addresses 117 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:02,240 Speaker 1: the matter. So let's talk baseball a little bit. How 118 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:05,160 Speaker 1: does this affect the Dodgers? First of all, Well, they 119 00:07:05,160 --> 00:07:07,760 Speaker 1: still have Clayton Kershaw, they still have Lance Lynn, They've 120 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:10,680 Speaker 1: got the two kids, Bobby Miller and Emmi Sheen. They've 121 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:14,280 Speaker 1: got Walker Bueller on a rehabilitation assignment coming off Tommy 122 00:07:14,360 --> 00:07:17,720 Speaker 1: John surgery, so who knows what he can contribute or not. 123 00:07:19,080 --> 00:07:22,440 Speaker 1: The Dodgers, obviously, without udrias as inconsistent as his season 124 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:24,560 Speaker 1: has been, are not going to be as strong going 125 00:07:24,560 --> 00:07:26,680 Speaker 1: into the playoffs. That's number one when it comes to 126 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:31,040 Speaker 1: the Dodgers. As for Udias himself, you go back to May. 127 00:07:31,680 --> 00:07:33,480 Speaker 1: I wrote a column for The Athletic in which I 128 00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:37,320 Speaker 1: described him as the most intriguing free agent not named 129 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:41,240 Speaker 1: Shohei Otani. And the reason I wrote that is because 130 00:07:41,360 --> 00:07:44,040 Speaker 1: Urias will be hitting the market entering his age twenty 131 00:07:44,120 --> 00:07:47,760 Speaker 1: seventh season, the youngest starting pitcher free agent of prominence 132 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:52,160 Speaker 1: since Greg Maddox, and that was many many years ago, 133 00:07:52,360 --> 00:07:55,360 Speaker 1: thirty one years ago to be precise. I wrote at 134 00:07:55,400 --> 00:07:57,800 Speaker 1: the time that it was likely he would become the 135 00:07:57,840 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 1: seventh pitcher to get a two hundred million dollars I 136 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:04,560 Speaker 1: would be surprised under these circumstances, depending on the outcome 137 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:07,040 Speaker 1: of this, of course, depending on what more we learn, 138 00:08:07,560 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 1: if he gets anywhere close to two hundred million. So 139 00:08:10,320 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 1: this is a story that obviously we'll be developing and 140 00:08:13,080 --> 00:08:17,640 Speaker 1: we'll be following, but devastating news all around. Number one, 141 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:21,280 Speaker 1: the victim, and also there's an impact on the team 142 00:08:21,400 --> 00:08:24,680 Speaker 1: and Urias as well. All right, let's talk about some 143 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:28,360 Speaker 1: race baseball a little bit. We've got two really intriguing 144 00:08:28,440 --> 00:08:30,560 Speaker 1: races going on right now. We've got a lot of 145 00:08:30,560 --> 00:08:33,240 Speaker 1: intriguing races, but two that I want to focus on, 146 00:08:33,280 --> 00:08:36,800 Speaker 1: two that are the most well, the closest for lack 147 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:39,240 Speaker 1: of a better phrase. And let's start with the AL 148 00:08:39,280 --> 00:08:41,760 Speaker 1: West and the AL Wildcard. We'll start by showing you 149 00:08:41,800 --> 00:08:44,720 Speaker 1: the standings and then we'll get into some playoff odds 150 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:46,559 Speaker 1: and talk about some other things as well. All Right, 151 00:08:46,600 --> 00:08:49,880 Speaker 1: the AL West, you see it right now, Seattle and 152 00:08:49,960 --> 00:08:53,360 Speaker 1: Houston tied for first place. This is entering Tuesday's play 153 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:57,760 Speaker 1: with Texas a game out and in the Wildcard race, 154 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:01,400 Speaker 1: the Blue Jays are a fact. You see Tampa Bay, 155 00:09:01,400 --> 00:09:04,600 Speaker 1: they're quite comfortable. Obviously, they're still chasing the Oriols for 156 00:09:04,640 --> 00:09:07,719 Speaker 1: the division title, and then you have at least one 157 00:09:07,720 --> 00:09:11,079 Speaker 1: of the West teams getting in and maybe the Blue Jays. Now, 158 00:09:11,080 --> 00:09:14,640 Speaker 1: the Blue Chays are an interesting team. They're barely hanging on. 159 00:09:15,200 --> 00:09:19,199 Speaker 1: They have not played the way anyone anticipated this season. 160 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:23,160 Speaker 1: They've not been as strong. But if you look at 161 00:09:23,160 --> 00:09:26,200 Speaker 1: the playoff odds right now, they're right there, even with 162 00:09:26,280 --> 00:09:28,760 Speaker 1: Bobachett on the injured list, even with Matt Chapman on 163 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:31,440 Speaker 1: the injured list, even with Danny Jansen on the injured list. 164 00:09:31,880 --> 00:09:34,840 Speaker 1: They're playing guys like Ernie Clement and David Schneider and 165 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:38,320 Speaker 1: Spencer Horowitz. But they are right there, in large part 166 00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:42,040 Speaker 1: because Texas has collapsed. Texas has gone four and thirteen 167 00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:44,400 Speaker 1: in their last seventeen games. And you see the current 168 00:09:44,960 --> 00:09:50,000 Speaker 1: odds according to fanografts, Houston and Seattle, really good chance 169 00:09:50,559 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 1: Texas in Toronto, it's a little bit diceier. Texas was 170 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:57,240 Speaker 1: at ninety five point one percent at the start of 171 00:09:57,240 --> 00:10:00,240 Speaker 1: this four and thirteen slide, So look at how much 172 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:02,679 Speaker 1: they've been affected. How do I see this playing out. 173 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:05,559 Speaker 1: I'm not sure Texas needs to get its bullpen together. 174 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:08,280 Speaker 1: That would be helpful for their chances and the Blue 175 00:10:08,360 --> 00:10:11,400 Speaker 1: Jays should they get healthy and maybe start playing to 176 00:10:11,440 --> 00:10:13,400 Speaker 1: the level that everyone has thought they could play at 177 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:17,000 Speaker 1: all season long, maybe they slip in and Texas is out. 178 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:19,800 Speaker 1: The Blue Jays if they get in, they've got the 179 00:10:19,840 --> 00:10:22,559 Speaker 1: pitching to do some things, the starting pitching in particular, 180 00:10:22,880 --> 00:10:26,640 Speaker 1: but we will have to see how that all shakes out. Now. 181 00:10:26,679 --> 00:10:30,600 Speaker 1: The other intriguing race, in my opinion anyway, is for 182 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:34,160 Speaker 1: the third National League Wildcard. It's a free for all, folks. 183 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:36,440 Speaker 1: Let's look at the standings first, just as we did 184 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:39,640 Speaker 1: with the Ale West and Wildcard. You see Philadelphia and 185 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:42,600 Speaker 1: the Cubbies. They're kind of comfortable right now. They should 186 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:45,600 Speaker 1: be in the playoffs. Maybe the Cubs get the division title, 187 00:10:45,640 --> 00:10:48,360 Speaker 1: though that is going to be difficult with Milwaukee holding 188 00:10:48,880 --> 00:10:54,160 Speaker 1: somewhat sizeable lead. Arizona Cincinnati tied for the third wild card. 189 00:10:54,480 --> 00:10:58,120 Speaker 1: Miami one half game back, San Francisco one game back. 190 00:10:58,760 --> 00:11:02,280 Speaker 1: Now you look at these plays, odds, it's a mad scramble, 191 00:11:03,280 --> 00:11:06,800 Speaker 1: really up for grabs, right Arizona thirty eight point seven percent. 192 00:11:06,880 --> 00:11:10,800 Speaker 1: San Francisco thirty five point four, Miami twenty five point two, 193 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:14,080 Speaker 1: Cincinnati twenty point nine. Now keep in mind when we 194 00:11:14,120 --> 00:11:17,559 Speaker 1: talk about the playoff odds, the way Fangrabs calculates them, 195 00:11:17,880 --> 00:11:20,960 Speaker 1: they're based on the current standings, the remaining schedule, each 196 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:24,240 Speaker 1: team's projected performance, and they put all that together and 197 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:27,400 Speaker 1: then they project the rest of the season twenty thousand times. 198 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:31,160 Speaker 1: There's a simulation program that they run, so really it's 199 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:33,880 Speaker 1: up for grabs. And what's fascinating to me about this 200 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:38,560 Speaker 1: race is that each of these teams has kind of 201 00:11:38,600 --> 00:11:42,679 Speaker 1: gone through a really rough period. The Diamondbacks, remember they 202 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:44,839 Speaker 1: had that seven and twenty five stretch after the All 203 00:11:44,840 --> 00:11:49,000 Speaker 1: Star break, the Marlins that thirteen and twenty eight run 204 00:11:49,040 --> 00:11:52,600 Speaker 1: extended beyond August, but before and after, and then the 205 00:11:52,640 --> 00:11:55,920 Speaker 1: Reds they were forty six point two percent playoff odds 206 00:11:55,920 --> 00:11:58,640 Speaker 1: that the deadline didn't add pitching. Now they've got guys 207 00:11:58,640 --> 00:12:01,719 Speaker 1: on the COVID list, they've got guy hurt. They're kind 208 00:12:01,760 --> 00:12:04,280 Speaker 1: of a mess from a pitching perspective. And finally, the 209 00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:08,280 Speaker 1: Giants not exactly on fire here with their two starting 210 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:11,800 Speaker 1: pitchers and bullpenning every other day. They're in the middle 211 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:15,680 Speaker 1: of a sixteen and twenty seven stretch. This is life 212 00:12:15,760 --> 00:12:18,520 Speaker 1: with an expanded playoff field. You're gonna get teams that 213 00:12:18,600 --> 00:12:23,040 Speaker 1: aren't exactly on fire at all points of the season. 214 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:25,560 Speaker 1: But some of these teams, well at least one of 215 00:12:25,559 --> 00:12:27,400 Speaker 1: them is going to get in. And who do I 216 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:30,640 Speaker 1: like the most. I would say Arizona simply because of 217 00:12:30,760 --> 00:12:34,599 Speaker 1: Merrill Kelly and Zach Gallen. Those two guys at the 218 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:38,720 Speaker 1: front of a rotation give them the Arizona Diamondbacks, perhaps 219 00:12:38,720 --> 00:12:41,120 Speaker 1: more of an edge than any of the other clubs 220 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:44,079 Speaker 1: have with regard to their starting pitching. But again, it's 221 00:12:44,160 --> 00:12:46,839 Speaker 1: up for grabs. It's two gets hot, and listen, it's 222 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:50,400 Speaker 1: gonna be really exciting month down the stretch. Here a 223 00:12:50,559 --> 00:12:53,480 Speaker 1: really exciting end to the Pennant race, and we could 224 00:12:53,480 --> 00:12:55,760 Speaker 1: see some other things happen as well. Maybe Tampa Bay 225 00:12:55,840 --> 00:12:59,880 Speaker 1: catches the Orioles, maybe the Cubs catch the Brewers or 226 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:02,240 Speaker 1: at least make that final series of the season Cubbs 227 00:13:02,280 --> 00:13:06,680 Speaker 1: Brewers interesting. Well, we'll see what happens. Time now for 228 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:08,960 Speaker 1: the inside dish. This is the part of the show 229 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:11,520 Speaker 1: where I go inside a story that maybe I've written, 230 00:13:11,640 --> 00:13:15,000 Speaker 1: or inside a developing story in Major League Baseball, and 231 00:13:15,040 --> 00:13:18,760 Speaker 1: I want to go back to a momentous decision that 232 00:13:18,840 --> 00:13:21,080 Speaker 1: was made last week by the Chicago White Sox, but 233 00:13:21,240 --> 00:13:23,800 Speaker 1: props did not receive the attention that it might have 234 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:26,400 Speaker 1: if one hundred other things had not been going on. 235 00:13:26,760 --> 00:13:29,040 Speaker 1: And what I'm referring to, of course, is the White 236 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:32,160 Speaker 1: Sox hiring of Chris Getz, their farm director, their promotion 237 00:13:32,280 --> 00:13:37,000 Speaker 1: of Chris Gatz to general manager. Now, after that happened, 238 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:39,839 Speaker 1: I wrote for The wind Up That's the Athletics Free 239 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:44,720 Speaker 1: Daily Baseball newsletter about a situation that occurred when two 240 00:13:44,920 --> 00:13:47,920 Speaker 1: executives from diverse groups reached out to me and asked 241 00:13:48,080 --> 00:13:51,560 Speaker 1: basically the same question. And the question they asked was 242 00:13:52,280 --> 00:13:55,640 Speaker 1: did the White Sox interview a group of diverse candidates? 243 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:59,559 Speaker 1: And the answer was no, the White Sox didn't interview 244 00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:04,800 Speaker 1: any outside candidates at all. They simply promoted Chris Gentz. So, 245 00:14:06,120 --> 00:14:09,520 Speaker 1: when it comes to diverse hiring, the White Sox did 246 00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:14,000 Speaker 1: not violate any of Major League Baseball's requirements. The White 247 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:17,080 Speaker 1: Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf has what MLB considers to be 248 00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:19,520 Speaker 1: a very strong record when it comes to high profile 249 00:14:19,600 --> 00:14:25,480 Speaker 1: hires from candidates from diverse groups, underrepresented backgrounds. The White 250 00:14:25,480 --> 00:14:28,760 Speaker 1: Socks have had a manager from a diverse background twenty 251 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:31,480 Speaker 1: one of the past twenty six seasons, twenty one out 252 00:14:31,520 --> 00:14:36,480 Speaker 1: of twenty six. So some fans will always ask, whenever 253 00:14:37,560 --> 00:14:41,400 Speaker 1: we engage in such discussions, why does this matter? Some 254 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:44,120 Speaker 1: fans will ask why talk about race? Well, I always 255 00:14:44,160 --> 00:14:47,760 Speaker 1: find that fans finding convenient to talk about race when 256 00:14:47,800 --> 00:14:50,160 Speaker 1: they want to talk about race, and inconvenient to talk 257 00:14:50,160 --> 00:14:52,080 Speaker 1: about race when they don't want to talk about race. 258 00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:56,360 Speaker 1: To each his own, but I do want to talk 259 00:14:56,400 --> 00:14:59,960 Speaker 1: about this because it's an issue that MLB has prioritized 260 00:15:00,360 --> 00:15:03,440 Speaker 1: hiring candidates from diverse groups. They put pipelines in place. 261 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:06,960 Speaker 1: They're trying to make their sport look more at the 262 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:10,400 Speaker 1: executive and managing and coaching level like it does at 263 00:15:10,440 --> 00:15:15,240 Speaker 1: the playing level. That's what a responsible company is going 264 00:15:15,280 --> 00:15:19,840 Speaker 1: to do. So I know fans, most fans, most people 265 00:15:19,880 --> 00:15:23,120 Speaker 1: think that just the best qualified person should be hired. 266 00:15:23,160 --> 00:15:26,200 Speaker 1: We're all probably can agree with that. But the question 267 00:15:26,280 --> 00:15:29,040 Speaker 1: that is raised here is how do the White Sox 268 00:15:29,120 --> 00:15:33,120 Speaker 1: know Chris Gets is the best qualified. They didn't interview 269 00:15:33,160 --> 00:15:36,600 Speaker 1: anyone else. So then we go back to Major League 270 00:15:36,640 --> 00:15:43,200 Speaker 1: Baseball's guidelines for hiring from diverse groups. And they do 271 00:15:43,240 --> 00:15:45,800 Speaker 1: have these guidelines in place, and when a team like 272 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:48,040 Speaker 1: the White Sox goes about it the way they did, 273 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:51,680 Speaker 1: they have to provide the league the Commissioner's office with 274 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:55,360 Speaker 1: an explanation of why they did it in the fashion 275 00:15:55,400 --> 00:15:58,040 Speaker 1: that they did. Now, this is a delicate balance. Everyone 276 00:15:58,080 --> 00:16:01,600 Speaker 1: can agree on that as well. You want organizations to 277 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:05,520 Speaker 1: feel comfortable promoting from within. I want people to feel 278 00:16:05,520 --> 00:16:08,440 Speaker 1: like they have a chance to move upward in your organization. 279 00:16:09,360 --> 00:16:12,920 Speaker 1: And you don't want to conduct sham interviews. No one 280 00:16:12,920 --> 00:16:16,720 Speaker 1: wants to just say, okay, interview these three candidates from 281 00:16:16,760 --> 00:16:20,520 Speaker 1: underrepresented backgrounds. To say we did, that's a waste of time. 282 00:16:20,560 --> 00:16:23,920 Speaker 1: It's a waste of everybody's time. It's stupid. So this 283 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:28,560 Speaker 1: is a delicate situation. It's a delicate balance. But this 284 00:16:28,680 --> 00:16:32,040 Speaker 1: is a question of opportunity, and that's what the two 285 00:16:32,200 --> 00:16:34,680 Speaker 1: executives were asking about. They were not saying you have 286 00:16:34,760 --> 00:16:38,760 Speaker 1: to hire someone from a diverse group for this job. 287 00:16:38,840 --> 00:16:41,680 Speaker 1: No one is saying that. What they're saying, and what 288 00:16:41,720 --> 00:16:47,000 Speaker 1: they were asking is why wasn't the access given? Why 289 00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:50,960 Speaker 1: were people interviewed? And you know what, when the Mets 290 00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:54,320 Speaker 1: hire their president of baseball operations, and most likely it's 291 00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:56,200 Speaker 1: going to be David Stearns. They're going to face the 292 00:16:56,200 --> 00:17:00,000 Speaker 1: same questions, and these, in my opinion, are fair questions. 293 00:17:01,040 --> 00:17:03,720 Speaker 1: And I know people get all bent out of shape 294 00:17:03,760 --> 00:17:07,240 Speaker 1: about this, but this is simply a matter of fairness. 295 00:17:07,359 --> 00:17:10,280 Speaker 1: It is simply a matter of giving people from all 296 00:17:10,440 --> 00:17:15,119 Speaker 1: backgrounds opportunity. In the White Sox case, it also is 297 00:17:15,160 --> 00:17:19,600 Speaker 1: a matter of closing off everyone on the outside from 298 00:17:19,640 --> 00:17:23,080 Speaker 1: an organization that has struggled on the inside. I don't 299 00:17:23,119 --> 00:17:24,760 Speaker 1: know why they would do that in the first place, 300 00:17:24,840 --> 00:17:28,960 Speaker 1: but that's kind of a different issue again, question of fairness. 301 00:17:29,160 --> 00:17:31,080 Speaker 1: That's why I wrote about it, That's why I will 302 00:17:31,080 --> 00:17:34,000 Speaker 1: continue writing about it, because if you're going to talk 303 00:17:34,040 --> 00:17:36,800 Speaker 1: to talk when you're in Major League Baseball, you have 304 00:17:36,840 --> 00:17:39,639 Speaker 1: to walk the walk. And in this case, it was 305 00:17:39,680 --> 00:17:44,399 Speaker 1: a closed process period, closed process. All right, Dude In 306 00:17:44,480 --> 00:17:47,000 Speaker 1: Dork of the Week, we've had an entire show so 307 00:17:47,080 --> 00:17:49,920 Speaker 1: far and we haven't even talked about the nl MVP race, 308 00:17:49,960 --> 00:17:52,959 Speaker 1: which might be the most fascinating story in the entire sport. 309 00:17:53,800 --> 00:17:55,520 Speaker 1: And it leads me to my Dude of the Week. 310 00:17:56,359 --> 00:17:59,840 Speaker 1: That would be Ronald Acuna. Junior of the Atlanta Braves. 311 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:03,240 Speaker 1: Now we all know, right now, it's Akunya versus Bets 312 00:18:03,680 --> 00:18:06,520 Speaker 1: for the MVP of the National League. Yes, Freeman is great, 313 00:18:06,600 --> 00:18:09,440 Speaker 1: Yes Olsen is great, but Acunya and Bets are cut 314 00:18:09,480 --> 00:18:13,640 Speaker 1: above even them. And Acunya went into Dodger Stadium over 315 00:18:13,640 --> 00:18:17,280 Speaker 1: the weekend, went into Dodger Stadium with this debate raging. 316 00:18:18,119 --> 00:18:20,840 Speaker 1: And he had a series for the Ages. Let me 317 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:24,760 Speaker 1: go through the numbers. Six for seventeen, three home runs, 318 00:18:24,800 --> 00:18:28,280 Speaker 1: two walks, two stolen bases, a tidy one point three 319 00:18:28,359 --> 00:18:32,879 Speaker 1: six two ops. Reaches a level of play that no 320 00:18:32,960 --> 00:18:36,200 Speaker 1: player has ever reached. Thirty homers and sixty stolen bases. 321 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:40,240 Speaker 1: Oh and by the way, this doesn't count in the 322 00:18:40,320 --> 00:18:43,359 Speaker 1: MVP race. But he also got married at the start 323 00:18:43,400 --> 00:18:45,600 Speaker 1: of that series. And the reason he got married, if 324 00:18:45,600 --> 00:18:48,879 Speaker 1: he didn't follow that story, was that his fiancees visa 325 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:52,199 Speaker 1: was about to expire and he wanted to ensure that 326 00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:54,240 Speaker 1: she could stay in the country with their two children 327 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:56,879 Speaker 1: while the season continued. He didn't want her to have 328 00:18:56,920 --> 00:19:01,000 Speaker 1: to go back to Venezuela. So he gets married. He 329 00:19:01,040 --> 00:19:03,560 Speaker 1: has this monster series. Mooki had a good series as well, 330 00:19:03,680 --> 00:19:07,360 Speaker 1: Mooki was five for fifteen with two home runs. But Acunya, 331 00:19:07,440 --> 00:19:10,399 Speaker 1: who in some ways might face an uphill battle in 332 00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:14,199 Speaker 1: this race, Mooki's the war leader. Mooky has the advanced metrics, 333 00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:18,120 Speaker 1: he has the defensive versatility. Well, Acunya made a statement 334 00:19:18,160 --> 00:19:20,840 Speaker 1: of his own, and it's going to be fascinating to 335 00:19:20,920 --> 00:19:23,320 Speaker 1: watch this down the stretch, to see these two guys 336 00:19:23,760 --> 00:19:27,919 Speaker 1: continue to go at it. Dork of the Week I 337 00:19:28,040 --> 00:19:30,760 Speaker 1: touched on this last week in foul Territory, but I 338 00:19:30,800 --> 00:19:33,159 Speaker 1: want to go back to it. My dork of the 339 00:19:33,160 --> 00:19:37,640 Speaker 1: week is the collective Cleveland Guardians front office. And yes, 340 00:19:37,720 --> 00:19:41,359 Speaker 1: they made the waiver claims of Lucas Gielido, Rinaldo Lopez 341 00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:45,480 Speaker 1: and Matt Moore last week, but in my view, too little, 342 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:50,600 Speaker 1: too late and kind of a makeup call for what 343 00:19:50,640 --> 00:19:53,879 Speaker 1: they did at the deadline, which was trade players. They 344 00:19:53,880 --> 00:20:00,639 Speaker 1: were sellers. Amad Rosario gone, Josh Bell gone, Aaron Sabali gone. 345 00:20:00,800 --> 00:20:03,680 Speaker 1: And while they wanted to create opportunities for younger players, 346 00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:08,240 Speaker 1: they didn't replace those guys, or they didn't add I 347 00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:10,960 Speaker 1: should say why, because they did not want to give 348 00:20:11,040 --> 00:20:13,359 Speaker 1: up prospects in the waiver situation. They did not have 349 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:16,240 Speaker 1: to give up prospects they did get in the Savali deal. 350 00:20:16,280 --> 00:20:20,119 Speaker 1: A top prospect, Camonzarto, first baseman, would come up in 351 00:20:20,119 --> 00:20:23,760 Speaker 1: the Tampa Bay organization. But you're looking at most likely 352 00:20:23,880 --> 00:20:29,399 Speaker 1: Terry Francona's last season, his last season. You want to 353 00:20:29,400 --> 00:20:32,280 Speaker 1: sell at the deadline. Okay, that's consistent with what you've 354 00:20:32,320 --> 00:20:36,440 Speaker 1: done in the past. We all know teams like the Guardians' 355 00:20:36,440 --> 00:20:39,199 Speaker 1: lower revenue teams try to protect and balance their future 356 00:20:39,200 --> 00:20:44,120 Speaker 1: with their present. Understood, but then this makeup call when 357 00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:47,280 Speaker 1: you're five games out, too little, too late, and they 358 00:20:47,320 --> 00:20:50,160 Speaker 1: got hammered by the Twins on Monday. If two more 359 00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:53,880 Speaker 1: games left with the Twins, they're six out? Were they 360 00:20:53,920 --> 00:20:57,240 Speaker 1: ever going to really challenge claiming those three guys being 361 00:20:57,359 --> 00:21:01,439 Speaker 1: five out on September first thinks so. And I'm not 362 00:21:01,480 --> 00:21:03,639 Speaker 1: saying they shouldn't try, of course, I always want teams 363 00:21:03,640 --> 00:21:06,160 Speaker 1: to try, but the effort should have been made at 364 00:21:06,200 --> 00:21:10,960 Speaker 1: the deadline. You could have done both added and subtracted. 365 00:21:12,040 --> 00:21:15,560 Speaker 1: They didn't do that. Guardian's front office not loving it. 366 00:21:15,760 --> 00:21:18,919 Speaker 1: Dorks of the week. It's been hot and sunny everywhere lately, 367 00:21:19,400 --> 00:21:21,760 Speaker 1: so protecting your eyes is important, which is why I 368 00:21:21,760 --> 00:21:24,920 Speaker 1: want to tell you about our new sponsored Shady Rays. 369 00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:28,520 Speaker 1: They are an independent sunglasses company that has a world 370 00:21:28,560 --> 00:21:33,000 Speaker 1: class product just as good as all the expensive sunglasses 371 00:21:33,040 --> 00:21:37,359 Speaker 1: out there. They have durable frames, extremely clear optics for 372 00:21:37,440 --> 00:21:41,399 Speaker 1: outdoor adventures, and what really separates them is the best 373 00:21:41,480 --> 00:21:45,080 Speaker 1: protection plan in the industry. 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I 389 00:22:38,720 --> 00:22:42,439 Speaker 1: believe FS one, I've got Seattle Mariners at the Tampa 390 00:22:42,480 --> 00:22:46,280 Speaker 1: Bay Rays potential postseason matchup, and what I'll be most 391 00:22:46,320 --> 00:22:49,800 Speaker 1: looking forward to seeing, honestly, is where the Rays are 392 00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:52,679 Speaker 1: in the Al East Rays at that time as we 393 00:22:52,800 --> 00:22:55,080 Speaker 1: tape this entering Tuesday's play they are three and a 394 00:22:55,119 --> 00:22:57,320 Speaker 1: half out, three and a half behind the Orioles, and 395 00:22:57,440 --> 00:23:00,000 Speaker 1: this time of year, that's kind of a significant march. 396 00:23:00,720 --> 00:23:03,960 Speaker 1: They're in the playoffs, They've got a huge lead in 397 00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:06,800 Speaker 1: the wildcard race. They're comfortable in that regard, but of 398 00:23:06,840 --> 00:23:10,320 Speaker 1: course the key is winning the division, and Seattle will 399 00:23:10,359 --> 00:23:15,000 Speaker 1: be playing for the same stake. Seattle currently the ALE 400 00:23:15,040 --> 00:23:19,400 Speaker 1: West leader with Houston, and a division title for them 401 00:23:19,560 --> 00:23:22,960 Speaker 1: would be the first since two thousand and one when 402 00:23:22,960 --> 00:23:26,960 Speaker 1: they had each row. All that going on, so clearly, 403 00:23:27,119 --> 00:23:30,159 Speaker 1: Seattle Tampa Bay will be playing for high stakes on 404 00:23:30,320 --> 00:23:34,120 Speaker 1: FS one this weekend. Okay, let's go now to the 405 00:23:34,160 --> 00:23:36,919 Speaker 1: grilling Ken questions, the questions you guys have from me. 406 00:23:37,160 --> 00:23:40,119 Speaker 1: We're gonna answer a few of them, and let's start 407 00:23:40,119 --> 00:23:44,560 Speaker 1: with one that I found rather interesting. Will Buck Showalter 408 00:23:44,760 --> 00:23:48,720 Speaker 1: keep his job? Buck Showalter is the Mets manager. Of course, 409 00:23:48,920 --> 00:23:52,119 Speaker 1: the Mets have had an incredibly disappointing season. Of course, 410 00:23:52,400 --> 00:23:55,560 Speaker 1: they undid their team at the deadline. And what has 411 00:23:55,640 --> 00:23:59,600 Speaker 1: happened since, Well, there's been some good, there's been some bad, 412 00:24:00,119 --> 00:24:04,080 Speaker 1: Alonzo the good, some other things, but really this is 413 00:24:04,119 --> 00:24:06,120 Speaker 1: not a team that we're paying much attention to at 414 00:24:06,119 --> 00:24:09,520 Speaker 1: this point. But the real question will be, Okay, who 415 00:24:09,720 --> 00:24:12,960 Speaker 1: is the next President of Baseball Operations, and yes, what 416 00:24:13,080 --> 00:24:16,080 Speaker 1: will that mean for the future of Buck Showalter? The 417 00:24:16,200 --> 00:24:20,040 Speaker 1: question might be, what does Buck Showalter want to He 418 00:24:20,080 --> 00:24:23,399 Speaker 1: has a year left on his contract. I don't imagine 419 00:24:23,640 --> 00:24:28,080 Speaker 1: Showalter wants to leave the sport if this is indeed 420 00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:31,640 Speaker 1: his last job on this sour note, I would imagine 421 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:33,800 Speaker 1: he wants to go out on a higher note. And 422 00:24:33,880 --> 00:24:36,880 Speaker 1: maybe you come back next season. If the Mets want 423 00:24:36,920 --> 00:24:40,359 Speaker 1: you back, and you do it with a team that 424 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:44,480 Speaker 1: has perhaps lower expectations, they will have lower expectations and 425 00:24:44,600 --> 00:24:48,240 Speaker 1: you go out in a better way. That's from Buck's perspective, 426 00:24:48,400 --> 00:24:52,440 Speaker 1: from show Walter, from the Mets perspective, probably a lot 427 00:24:52,440 --> 00:24:55,680 Speaker 1: will depend on the President of Baseball Operations, most likely 428 00:24:55,720 --> 00:24:58,800 Speaker 1: to be David Stearns, and what he sees as the 429 00:24:58,840 --> 00:25:02,440 Speaker 1: future immediate future for the team and keep in mind. 430 00:25:02,480 --> 00:25:04,800 Speaker 1: I wrote about this last week. Creig Counsel is a 431 00:25:04,840 --> 00:25:08,240 Speaker 1: free agent. If Stearns wants to bring Counsel to New York, 432 00:25:08,280 --> 00:25:10,160 Speaker 1: if Council wants to come to New York, would they 433 00:25:10,160 --> 00:25:13,800 Speaker 1: fire show Walter to get Counsel. I don't know, but 434 00:25:13,880 --> 00:25:17,159 Speaker 1: that's a scenario that is in play. And this is 435 00:25:17,200 --> 00:25:19,760 Speaker 1: one of the things that obviously Mets fans will be 436 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:21,920 Speaker 1: looking at and the entire sport will be looking at 437 00:25:22,080 --> 00:25:25,359 Speaker 1: once the season ends. The future of Buck Showalter. This 438 00:25:25,400 --> 00:25:28,280 Speaker 1: one comes from Alexander m who asks, is there any 439 00:25:28,280 --> 00:25:30,360 Speaker 1: hope at all for the future of the Chicago White 440 00:25:30,400 --> 00:25:35,280 Speaker 1: Sox or should I just prepare for endless agony? Alexander, 441 00:25:35,280 --> 00:25:38,680 Speaker 1: if you're asking me an either or question, I would 442 00:25:38,760 --> 00:25:42,520 Speaker 1: take the endless agony. But if you remember when the 443 00:25:42,560 --> 00:25:45,320 Speaker 1: White Sox fired Ken Williams and Rick Hahn, I wrote 444 00:25:45,359 --> 00:25:50,119 Speaker 1: a column saying and quoting other executives as believing the 445 00:25:50,160 --> 00:25:53,680 Speaker 1: White Sox job is actually quite a good job. They 446 00:25:53,760 --> 00:25:57,479 Speaker 1: have some pieces in place, Luis Robert foremost among them. 447 00:25:57,560 --> 00:26:01,120 Speaker 1: Dylan sees for another two years on a few other 448 00:26:01,119 --> 00:26:06,000 Speaker 1: players as well. There's a core there that's the start. Also, 449 00:26:06,560 --> 00:26:09,800 Speaker 1: the White Sox play in an incredibly weak division. They 450 00:26:09,880 --> 00:26:13,120 Speaker 1: are the team with the biggest resources from a financial 451 00:26:13,119 --> 00:26:16,479 Speaker 1: perspective in that division. They should be able to return 452 00:26:16,520 --> 00:26:19,439 Speaker 1: to prominence quickly. And the other aspect that makes the 453 00:26:19,520 --> 00:26:22,800 Speaker 1: job appealing for this next GM and Chris Getz has 454 00:26:22,840 --> 00:26:24,920 Speaker 1: the job now is the fact that it's the city 455 00:26:24,920 --> 00:26:28,600 Speaker 1: of Chicago. There is a lot to recommend there with 456 00:26:28,640 --> 00:26:31,360 Speaker 1: some better decision making, and we'll see if gets can 457 00:26:31,359 --> 00:26:34,280 Speaker 1: be that person to do that. This should be a 458 00:26:34,359 --> 00:26:38,160 Speaker 1: turnaround that can happen. Maybe not tomorrow, but it should 459 00:26:38,200 --> 00:26:40,439 Speaker 1: be able to happen. A lot of fans I know 460 00:26:40,920 --> 00:26:43,800 Speaker 1: in Chicago White Sox fans believe that nothing will change 461 00:26:43,800 --> 00:26:47,399 Speaker 1: with this team until Jerry Reinsdorf is no longer the owner. 462 00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:51,679 Speaker 1: Perhaps that is true, But if you're asking me, is 463 00:26:51,720 --> 00:26:55,520 Speaker 1: the agony endless even with Reinsdorf, it shouldn't be. This 464 00:26:55,600 --> 00:26:58,360 Speaker 1: is a team that should be able to fix itself 465 00:26:58,400 --> 00:27:02,200 Speaker 1: and challenge in that weak division. I almost said pathetic, 466 00:27:02,400 --> 00:27:06,399 Speaker 1: but I'm saying weak sometime in the near future. And finally, 467 00:27:06,440 --> 00:27:10,119 Speaker 1: this comes from Roger dur Roger asks which MLB teams 468 00:27:10,160 --> 00:27:14,600 Speaker 1: are the front runners for signing Yoshinobo Yamamoto. Now In 469 00:27:14,640 --> 00:27:17,720 Speaker 1: case you don't know, Yamamoto is a twenty five year 470 00:27:17,720 --> 00:27:20,600 Speaker 1: old Japanese pitcher who is going to be posted this 471 00:27:20,640 --> 00:27:23,520 Speaker 1: offseason and will be one of the free agents most 472 00:27:23,600 --> 00:27:28,600 Speaker 1: in demand again twenty five. He is a pitcher who 473 00:27:28,680 --> 00:27:32,000 Speaker 1: in the past two seasons has won both the MVP 474 00:27:32,160 --> 00:27:35,000 Speaker 1: of the Pacific League and the Sawamura Award, which is 475 00:27:35,040 --> 00:27:37,280 Speaker 1: the Japanese equivalent of the Sai Young. He's done this 476 00:27:37,320 --> 00:27:39,560 Speaker 1: two years in a row. And if you're asking, well, 477 00:27:39,560 --> 00:27:42,440 Speaker 1: how is he doing this year? Uh, well, how does 478 00:27:42,440 --> 00:27:44,919 Speaker 1: a one point three to four era sound in one 479 00:27:45,000 --> 00:27:48,520 Speaker 1: hundred and thirty four innings? Yamamoto will be in demand 480 00:27:48,840 --> 00:27:51,399 Speaker 1: and the Mets are one team that could be a 481 00:27:51,400 --> 00:27:54,040 Speaker 1: front runner for him. Billy Yeppler has been over to 482 00:27:54,080 --> 00:27:57,800 Speaker 1: see him. He's their GM. He's seeing Yamamoto in Japan. 483 00:27:57,840 --> 00:28:00,000 Speaker 1: He actually saw him in the World Baseball Classic as well. 484 00:28:00,080 --> 00:28:02,399 Speaker 1: Other teams have seen him as well. The Mets have 485 00:28:03,119 --> 00:28:06,080 Speaker 1: had good success with Kodai Senga, the Japanese pitcher they 486 00:28:06,119 --> 00:28:09,760 Speaker 1: signed this year. Senga has spoken positively about the possibility 487 00:28:10,000 --> 00:28:13,040 Speaker 1: of Yamamoto joining the Mets, but of course there will 488 00:28:13,080 --> 00:28:15,240 Speaker 1: be other teams in this as well. I would expect 489 00:28:15,240 --> 00:28:17,320 Speaker 1: the Dodgers to be in it. I would expect the Giants, 490 00:28:17,359 --> 00:28:22,359 Speaker 1: the Red Sox, the usual suspects. This is perhaps the 491 00:28:22,359 --> 00:28:26,320 Speaker 1: most attractive Japanese pitcher we've seen come over Nano Tani 492 00:28:26,359 --> 00:28:31,040 Speaker 1: Division since Masahiro Tanaka. And Tanaka of course came over 493 00:28:31,080 --> 00:28:32,840 Speaker 1: at a young age as well, and that's why he 494 00:28:32,880 --> 00:28:35,119 Speaker 1: got a big deal from the Yankees and had a 495 00:28:35,240 --> 00:28:38,440 Speaker 1: very successful major league career. So we'll just have to 496 00:28:38,440 --> 00:28:40,840 Speaker 1: see how it plays out with Yamamoto, but it's going 497 00:28:40,880 --> 00:28:45,560 Speaker 1: to be quite an intriguing free agency, especially when Shoheyo 498 00:28:45,680 --> 00:28:48,480 Speaker 1: Tani is not likely to pitch next season, and when 499 00:28:48,600 --> 00:28:51,880 Speaker 1: Urrias's situation now as we spoke earlier, is so much 500 00:28:51,920 --> 00:28:55,520 Speaker 1: in question. Thanks to everyone for their questions, Thanks for watching, 501 00:28:55,560 --> 00:28:58,400 Speaker 1: thanks for listening. We'll be back next week on Monday 502 00:28:59,080 --> 00:29:04,280 Speaker 1: on the Usual Play YouTube, Apple, Spotify, watch us, listen 503 00:29:04,320 --> 00:29:07,080 Speaker 1: to us, like us, subscribe to us. 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