1 00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:22,200 Speaker 1: Welcome on and all to the Hammer Territory Podcast. 2 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:23,680 Speaker 2: My name is Sean Coleman. 3 00:00:23,760 --> 00:00:26,840 Speaker 1: Hope, wherever you are ere, ever you are listening, you 4 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:31,800 Speaker 1: are having an outstanding week so far. The GM meetings 5 00:00:31,800 --> 00:00:34,080 Speaker 1: are now in the books, and while we've not really 6 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:37,360 Speaker 1: seen a lot of activity so far this off season, 7 00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:41,519 Speaker 1: rumors are certainly ramping up, and that includes some that 8 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:43,919 Speaker 1: focus on the Atlanta Braids and we're gonna discuss some 9 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:46,199 Speaker 1: of those in today's episode. 10 00:00:46,240 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 2: It is always with me one of the best. 11 00:00:47,680 --> 00:00:50,839 Speaker 1: When it comes to breaking down the braves podcast partner, 12 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:53,840 Speaker 1: my friend Steven Tolbert Stephen. Good talking with you, sir. 13 00:00:55,000 --> 00:01:00,680 Speaker 3: What's up, buddy Emen. Just a comically slow start to 14 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:04,800 Speaker 3: the off season. Not a single transaction by any team, 15 00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:09,240 Speaker 3: No trades, no signings. Every rumor is like a drop 16 00:01:09,240 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 3: of water in a desert. We're just all clinging to 17 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:14,000 Speaker 3: it just because it is literally the only thing out 18 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:19,000 Speaker 3: there right now. Yeah, it's just it's the baseball all 19 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:21,880 Speaker 3: season always starts off with a with a dud, and 20 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 3: it just seems like this year it's just even slower 21 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:27,000 Speaker 3: than normal. Usually we have something by now, but I 22 00:01:27,040 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 3: don't think there's been a single Major League trade or 23 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:33,600 Speaker 3: signing since free agency started last Thursday, So here we 24 00:01:33,680 --> 00:01:37,240 Speaker 3: are waiting and Alex Adoplas did make some public comments. 25 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:40,160 Speaker 3: It was the GM meetings. You wouldn't know it by 26 00:01:40,200 --> 00:01:42,399 Speaker 3: any of the news that came out, but technically the 27 00:01:42,400 --> 00:01:46,399 Speaker 3: GMS all did gather in Las Vegas. Everybody spoke publicly. 28 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 3: So we got some comments from Nthopoless, some interesting stuff 29 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 3: that we're going to talk about, and then we had 30 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:55,920 Speaker 3: another award drop tonight that we're gonna talk about a 31 00:01:55,920 --> 00:01:57,360 Speaker 3: little bit at the end of the show. But yeah, 32 00:01:57,440 --> 00:01:58,280 Speaker 3: it's good to be all with you. 33 00:01:58,320 --> 00:02:01,680 Speaker 1: Man YouTube man as always, and let's go right into it. 34 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:06,920 Speaker 1: And basically, you know, it's nothing new, but it always is. 35 00:02:07,280 --> 00:02:11,640 Speaker 1: You know, it's always relevant when hey, it comes straight 36 00:02:11,720 --> 00:02:14,680 Speaker 1: from the decision maker's mouth himself, and that of course 37 00:02:14,760 --> 00:02:16,840 Speaker 1: is Alex and Thopless, who spoke with the media I 38 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:19,800 Speaker 1: believe multiple times during his time at the GAM meetings. 39 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:22,239 Speaker 1: But what really stood out was that he did say, 40 00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:25,040 Speaker 1: you know that the Braves off season plans consisted of 41 00:02:25,320 --> 00:02:28,200 Speaker 1: starting pitching and a shortstop and the big key is 42 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:30,959 Speaker 1: that was the focus right now. And then he made 43 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:34,400 Speaker 1: the comment, and lots of relievers and then I think 44 00:02:34,480 --> 00:02:38,519 Speaker 1: in latter comments, you know, he elaborated a bit saying 45 00:02:38,520 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 1: that the focus is pitchers and shortstops and then looking 46 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:46,839 Speaker 1: at relievers. Steven, when you kind of see Alex lay 47 00:02:46,880 --> 00:02:50,360 Speaker 1: out the order of operations in terms of how the 48 00:02:50,360 --> 00:02:52,960 Speaker 1: off season may play out or where the bravest focuses are, 49 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:54,360 Speaker 1: what are your initial thoughts. 50 00:02:56,760 --> 00:02:59,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, So when I saw that, the first thing I 51 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 3: thought was he's ordering it by what he thinks might 52 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:07,760 Speaker 3: cost the most. H you know, depending on what level 53 00:03:07,800 --> 00:03:11,079 Speaker 3: of starter he goes after, that's probably gonna be a 54 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:14,880 Speaker 3: significant part of his budget. And then whatever short stop 55 00:03:14,919 --> 00:03:17,920 Speaker 3: he goes after, whether it's Kim or or Bushett or 56 00:03:17,919 --> 00:03:20,839 Speaker 3: somebody we haven't talked about or we have talked about, 57 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:23,679 Speaker 3: but we just don't know, it's probably gonna be a 58 00:03:23,720 --> 00:03:25,480 Speaker 3: decent amount of money. And he probably has to think, 59 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:28,320 Speaker 3: like we have to get those two figured out and 60 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:31,960 Speaker 3: then see how much money we have left. Bullpen is 61 00:03:31,960 --> 00:03:34,720 Speaker 3: not an option, Like he has to get relievers. They 62 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:39,000 Speaker 3: have like two relievers right now, like three, maybe two 63 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:42,040 Speaker 3: or three. Like another thing that came out is they're 64 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 3: still unsure about Joejamanez and we don't know if he's 65 00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:48,720 Speaker 3: you know if he's gonna pitch in twenty twenty six 66 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:51,200 Speaker 3: or how he's gonna look, and apparently that knee is 67 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:53,800 Speaker 3: still a pretty big question. And he's a big guy. 68 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 3: He's a huge guy, and so it's not it's not crazy, 69 00:03:57,240 --> 00:03:58,880 Speaker 3: but it's been a long time since he's pitched and 70 00:03:58,920 --> 00:04:00,440 Speaker 3: we still don't know anything about what how he's going 71 00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:03,440 Speaker 3: to look in twenty twenty six. So bullpen is a must. 72 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:08,080 Speaker 3: But reading those comments, I did think, all right, he's 73 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:10,480 Speaker 3: going in order of what it's going to cost him 74 00:04:10,720 --> 00:04:12,920 Speaker 3: because he's got to make sure he's got enough to 75 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:14,920 Speaker 3: do the two big things first. And I do think 76 00:04:14,960 --> 00:04:20,200 Speaker 3: starter and shortstop are the two big things. Though bullpen 77 00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:22,800 Speaker 3: is certainly necessary when you when you look at the 78 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:24,120 Speaker 3: current state of the bullpen. 79 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:29,279 Speaker 1: And that's for my take is I'm not necessarily calling 80 00:04:29,839 --> 00:04:32,679 Speaker 1: BS because you know, I know not to take Alex 81 00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:37,520 Speaker 1: and Topless at his word, obviously, but I think the 82 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:40,440 Speaker 1: first move the break Braves make is getting their closer. 83 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:43,520 Speaker 1: I really do think that that's the first move that 84 00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:47,760 Speaker 1: they make. I'm not coming BS on alexandopolass because I 85 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:52,440 Speaker 1: think that he's being honest and accurate. I feel like 86 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:55,479 Speaker 1: that at the GM meetings, he probably did lay the 87 00:04:55,520 --> 00:05:00,960 Speaker 1: groundwork on likely trade scenario for a starter, because I 88 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:02,920 Speaker 1: think it's more likely he trades for a starter than 89 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:05,600 Speaker 1: signs one. And I think that he had some conversations 90 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:09,080 Speaker 1: with Scott Morris regarding Hasan Kim and also did some 91 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:12,599 Speaker 1: due diligence on other shortstop options, So I think that 92 00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:14,680 Speaker 1: that probably was his focus at the time that he 93 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:17,880 Speaker 1: made the comments. But I do think that with the 94 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:20,600 Speaker 1: fact that Johamanz now seems to be more of an 95 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:23,240 Speaker 1: uncertainty of this all season than we thought, and the 96 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:26,920 Speaker 1: Braves just have so many holes to feel in their bullpen, 97 00:05:27,360 --> 00:05:30,800 Speaker 1: and with how important the bullpen is to Alex and Thoppless, 98 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:34,240 Speaker 1: one thing that probably is higher on his list that 99 00:05:34,320 --> 00:05:39,480 Speaker 1: many may think is getting the established, reliable back end 100 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:42,800 Speaker 1: option in there. And I don't necessarily think that that's 101 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 1: gonna be an Edwin Diaz are just a top, top, 102 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:48,360 Speaker 1: top of the line guy. But I know Robert Sworez 103 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:51,640 Speaker 1: is someone that some have connected to the Braves someone 104 00:05:51,680 --> 00:05:54,160 Speaker 1: along those lines. You've got plenty of options out there 105 00:05:54,160 --> 00:05:57,679 Speaker 1: with closing experience. I think in the coming days, Alex 106 00:05:57,760 --> 00:06:00,359 Speaker 1: and Thopless is going to at least make a run 107 00:06:00,560 --> 00:06:02,880 Speaker 1: at one or two of those guys to see if 108 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:05,360 Speaker 1: they can land him. So, while I think he's done 109 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:08,560 Speaker 1: work on establishing his paths towards getting the starter in 110 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:12,960 Speaker 1: the shortstop, I think, especially with how many slots there are, 111 00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:16,560 Speaker 1: needs there are in the bullpion and specifically a back 112 00:06:16,640 --> 00:06:19,200 Speaker 1: end closing option, I think a closer is going to 113 00:06:19,279 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 1: be the first big move of the breaks this offseason. 114 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:27,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, certainly possible, and one thing you can't really I mean, 115 00:06:28,279 --> 00:06:31,960 Speaker 3: you can control it somewhat, but it's also not completely 116 00:06:31,960 --> 00:06:35,599 Speaker 3: in your hands when moves get to the finish line. 117 00:06:35,760 --> 00:06:38,120 Speaker 3: You know, these guys have agents, and they have other 118 00:06:38,160 --> 00:06:40,720 Speaker 3: teams that are talking to and you know, listen with 119 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:43,840 Speaker 3: like the top guys, a lot of them just wait now, 120 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:45,720 Speaker 3: they'll wait and wait and wait. You know, a lot 121 00:06:45,760 --> 00:06:47,599 Speaker 3: of that is boris. He likes to wait until like 122 00:06:47,720 --> 00:06:50,839 Speaker 3: March to get his guy signed because he wants to 123 00:06:50,839 --> 00:06:53,719 Speaker 3: make sure every single team hasn't had a chance to 124 00:06:53,760 --> 00:06:56,120 Speaker 3: talk to their owner and what's the best offer, and 125 00:06:56,240 --> 00:06:59,680 Speaker 3: like you know, when you're starting free agents or even trades, 126 00:06:59,839 --> 00:07:03,279 Speaker 3: like it's not up to you entirely about when this 127 00:07:03,279 --> 00:07:07,560 Speaker 3: stuff gets done. And so he could you know, he 128 00:07:07,600 --> 00:07:10,040 Speaker 3: could certainly want to get shortstopp done and certainly want 129 00:07:10,040 --> 00:07:13,360 Speaker 3: to get a starter done. And you know, there's also 130 00:07:13,400 --> 00:07:16,520 Speaker 3: the thing where like you think you're gonna wait to 131 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:17,920 Speaker 3: get a closer, but then all of a sudden you 132 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:21,640 Speaker 3: wake up one morning and three closers sign elsewhere. It's 133 00:07:21,640 --> 00:07:23,360 Speaker 3: like in a draft where you get this run on 134 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:25,120 Speaker 3: receivers and you're like, well, I was gonna wait to 135 00:07:25,120 --> 00:07:27,360 Speaker 3: get a receiver, but they're all going right now, so 136 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:30,560 Speaker 3: I gotta take one. You know, you could get a 137 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:32,880 Speaker 3: run on closers. You're like, well they am, no, there's 138 00:07:32,880 --> 00:07:34,240 Speaker 3: no wait now. If I want to get my guy, 139 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:36,600 Speaker 3: I gotta go get my guy. So it's not entirely 140 00:07:36,680 --> 00:07:38,360 Speaker 3: up to him, and he knows that. I mean, he's 141 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:41,040 Speaker 3: been doing this a long time. But I do think 142 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:44,239 Speaker 3: priority wise, I do think they in their brains they're 143 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:48,280 Speaker 3: going to spend a substantial amount of money at Starter 144 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:52,800 Speaker 3: and at shortstop, and I think they I think they 145 00:07:52,880 --> 00:07:55,920 Speaker 3: think they can be creative with the bullpen in terms 146 00:07:55,960 --> 00:07:58,400 Speaker 3: of how much money to spend. Now, I agree with you, 147 00:07:58,440 --> 00:07:59,960 Speaker 3: I don't know that you can be all that creator 148 00:08:00,120 --> 00:08:01,920 Speaker 3: with the closer. I think with the closer you probably 149 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:04,000 Speaker 3: just got to pay the guy. Pick the guy you 150 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:06,320 Speaker 3: want and pay him. But with everybody else, you can 151 00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:08,480 Speaker 3: be creative. You can make trade. You can go find 152 00:08:08,480 --> 00:08:10,520 Speaker 3: guys that you think are more valuable than maybe their 153 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:12,880 Speaker 3: numbers or you know, like they did with Kinley and 154 00:08:13,080 --> 00:08:16,080 Speaker 3: Pierce Johnson. Like, you can go find those guys and 155 00:08:16,600 --> 00:08:20,160 Speaker 3: you can be creative financially with the bullpen. It's tougher 156 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:24,320 Speaker 3: to be creative with the shortstops and with the starters. 157 00:08:24,680 --> 00:08:26,240 Speaker 3: Some of that is just you gotta pay him. So 158 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:29,480 Speaker 3: I do think he's being honest there, but like you said, 159 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:31,960 Speaker 3: it might not be entirely up to him. And the closer. 160 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:34,760 Speaker 3: We've heard actually there was a report today that that 161 00:08:34,840 --> 00:08:37,319 Speaker 3: the closer market is moving a little bit. We got 162 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:40,680 Speaker 3: we got Edwin Diaz rumors, we got Robert Schwarez rumors, 163 00:08:41,760 --> 00:08:44,640 Speaker 3: and so like, if that market moves, you got to 164 00:08:44,679 --> 00:08:46,080 Speaker 3: move with it or you miss out on your guys. 165 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:48,160 Speaker 3: So yeah, it wouldn't surprise me a off that's the 166 00:08:48,160 --> 00:08:53,319 Speaker 3: first move that that they make this off season. You're muted. 167 00:08:56,800 --> 00:09:01,320 Speaker 3: I'm that's just well, I mean, your consistency is just if. 168 00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:04,080 Speaker 1: You've met on the show and you bet on if 169 00:09:04,120 --> 00:09:06,960 Speaker 1: the if if you were to be a betting person, 170 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:09,320 Speaker 1: you would win quite a bit if. 171 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:12,080 Speaker 2: You would bet on me. Speaking while you're. 172 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:14,080 Speaker 3: The Matt Alison of muting yourself, you just every day 173 00:09:14,080 --> 00:09:15,080 Speaker 3: you show up, just. 174 00:09:15,960 --> 00:09:18,240 Speaker 2: I could be, or I could be compared to maleson 175 00:09:18,320 --> 00:09:18,920 Speaker 2: to life the better. 176 00:09:19,080 --> 00:09:20,760 Speaker 3: An incredible consistency. 177 00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:23,640 Speaker 1: But the thing that I'll say is this about how 178 00:09:23,640 --> 00:09:26,720 Speaker 1: a pitching staff comes together, is that the starting rotation 179 00:09:27,080 --> 00:09:29,960 Speaker 1: and bullpen are a bit opposite in terms of how 180 00:09:30,040 --> 00:09:32,920 Speaker 1: you build them out. Listen to your starting rotation is 181 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 1: a lot easier to build if you've already got the 182 00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:38,000 Speaker 1: top taken care of in terms of an ace. Probably 183 00:09:38,040 --> 00:09:40,960 Speaker 1: have that Chris Sale. The bullpen is a lot easier 184 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:43,679 Speaker 1: to build out when you've got the back end taken 185 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:45,720 Speaker 1: care of, and that of course is a reliable closer. 186 00:09:46,080 --> 00:09:49,680 Speaker 1: The Braves don't have that. And so you mentioned a draft, 187 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:52,320 Speaker 1: right like think to yourselves. For those who listen to 188 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:54,800 Speaker 1: the show, if you've ever done a fantasy football draft, 189 00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:57,520 Speaker 1: you know that you need to stock up running backs. 190 00:09:57,520 --> 00:10:00,360 Speaker 1: You know you need to stock up wide receivers. There 191 00:10:00,480 --> 00:10:03,920 Speaker 1: always is that that tease that you that you don't 192 00:10:03,960 --> 00:10:06,200 Speaker 1: want to get, you know, too far, down the tight 193 00:10:06,320 --> 00:10:08,960 Speaker 1: end list and then you don't have a good guy. 194 00:10:09,120 --> 00:10:11,480 Speaker 1: That's kind of how I think the approach is when 195 00:10:11,480 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 1: it comes to the closer. Yes, the Braves need pitching. Yes, 196 00:10:14,520 --> 00:10:16,400 Speaker 1: of course they need a short stop. I need this many, 197 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:18,880 Speaker 1: you know, offensive pieces as they can get. But you 198 00:10:18,960 --> 00:10:21,960 Speaker 1: just came off a season where you truly saw, even 199 00:10:21,960 --> 00:10:24,560 Speaker 1: with Rice ell Iglacias back there, you truly saw if 200 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:27,360 Speaker 1: you don't have a reliable back into the bullpen, it 201 00:10:27,520 --> 00:10:29,920 Speaker 1: really puts you in a hole to try to compete 202 00:10:30,240 --> 00:10:34,480 Speaker 1: with consistently. That's why I think Getty, that established closer 203 00:10:34,800 --> 00:10:37,160 Speaker 1: could be a bit higher on the priority list or 204 00:10:37,400 --> 00:10:40,920 Speaker 1: Alex and Thopplis won't hesitate to pounce early if there's 205 00:10:40,920 --> 00:10:42,600 Speaker 1: an opportunity to make something happen. 206 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:46,199 Speaker 3: And he's always had one, He's always had a closer 207 00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:48,040 Speaker 3: like and he's. 208 00:10:47,920 --> 00:10:50,640 Speaker 1: Always been willing to pay top dollar for a closer. 209 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:53,560 Speaker 3: Pay big money. Yeah, they paid Will Smith top dollar 210 00:10:53,640 --> 00:10:56,160 Speaker 3: on the free agent market. They paid Kelan Jansen like 211 00:10:56,440 --> 00:10:59,440 Speaker 3: eighteen million bucks. I think they took on that Aglesia's 212 00:10:59,480 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 3: contract with which was a massive contract for a reliever. 213 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:05,040 Speaker 3: I think when he signed that deal with LA it 214 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:08,640 Speaker 3: was like a four year fifty six million dollar contract 215 00:11:08,679 --> 00:11:10,960 Speaker 3: or something something that's I mean for a year sixty 216 00:11:10,960 --> 00:11:13,560 Speaker 3: four four year sixty four, So there you go. So yeah, 217 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:15,640 Speaker 3: it was a big, big contract that he took all 218 00:11:15,679 --> 00:11:18,439 Speaker 3: of and so yeah, he's always had a proven closer, 219 00:11:18,920 --> 00:11:21,040 Speaker 3: even going back before that, we didn't even mention, like 220 00:11:21,040 --> 00:11:25,200 Speaker 3: when he traded for Mark Blanson. Yeah, so yeah, they've 221 00:11:25,240 --> 00:11:27,440 Speaker 3: never gone. They've you know, it's just a it's a 222 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:30,000 Speaker 3: position they believe in. Even though it's more of an 223 00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:32,880 Speaker 3: old school kind of traditional you know, get a guy 224 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:36,960 Speaker 3: who can get your saves, you know, role, it's still 225 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:40,120 Speaker 3: very much alive in the modern game. And they've always 226 00:11:40,120 --> 00:11:41,960 Speaker 3: had one. He's always had one, and like you said, 227 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:44,560 Speaker 3: he's always spent a chunk of change on one too. 228 00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:46,640 Speaker 3: So yeah, I agree with you. I would not be 229 00:11:46,679 --> 00:11:49,600 Speaker 3: surprised at all at all if their first move was closer. 230 00:11:50,480 --> 00:11:53,600 Speaker 1: So of course, when it comes to Alex and Thoppolss 231 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:56,080 Speaker 1: and the off season, you could try to structure it 232 00:11:56,440 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 1: as much as possible, but there's always the surprise element 233 00:12:00,160 --> 00:12:03,160 Speaker 1: when it comes to Alexandopolis. And there was a name 234 00:12:03,240 --> 00:12:06,240 Speaker 1: that the Braves have been tied to. That also we 235 00:12:06,320 --> 00:12:08,559 Speaker 1: have seen resurface when it comes to rumors over the 236 00:12:08,559 --> 00:12:09,360 Speaker 1: past few days. 237 00:12:09,679 --> 00:12:10,640 Speaker 2: More on that just a. 238 00:12:10,679 --> 00:12:14,200 Speaker 1: Moment after a word from our partners. 239 00:12:14,720 --> 00:12:15,240 Speaker 2: So, Stephen. 240 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:19,160 Speaker 1: One of the things that came from the twenty twenty 241 00:12:19,160 --> 00:12:21,760 Speaker 1: five MLB trade deadline, which let's be honest, was a 242 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:25,160 Speaker 1: disappointment overall when it came to the Braves, was a 243 00:12:25,240 --> 00:12:29,480 Speaker 1: few days after it came to surface that the Braves 244 00:12:29,480 --> 00:12:33,840 Speaker 1: and actually the Mets as well, had targeted a somewhat 245 00:12:33,880 --> 00:12:39,120 Speaker 1: surprising and unexpected name that definitely would have been a 246 00:12:39,160 --> 00:12:41,920 Speaker 1: difference maker if something would have happened, and that, of 247 00:12:41,920 --> 00:12:46,559 Speaker 1: course is Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton. And I want 248 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:49,080 Speaker 1: to say this, and I don't want to for it 249 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:54,360 Speaker 1: to be taken out of context. Byron Buxton's career certainly 250 00:12:54,400 --> 00:12:57,640 Speaker 1: has not lived up to the potential that many thought 251 00:12:57,679 --> 00:13:00,400 Speaker 1: that it could have. But if you go to this's 252 00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:03,560 Speaker 1: stat cast page, and if you go and you look 253 00:13:03,600 --> 00:13:07,080 Speaker 1: and you realize that his stat cast page looks like 254 00:13:07,160 --> 00:13:11,080 Speaker 1: it does, and he's in his early thirties, one thing 255 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:15,000 Speaker 1: remains very clear. Even with all the injuries that Byron 256 00:13:15,040 --> 00:13:20,440 Speaker 1: Buxton has had, he to me clearly stands out as 257 00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:25,000 Speaker 1: still being a top ten overall natural talent in the 258 00:13:25,160 --> 00:13:28,880 Speaker 1: game of Major League Baseball today, and so if you 259 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:33,840 Speaker 1: have any opportunity to potentially at least look into the 260 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:38,040 Speaker 1: possibility of going after him and acquiring him, especially on 261 00:13:38,080 --> 00:13:42,080 Speaker 1: the contract that he's on, it certainly is worth looking into. 262 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:44,560 Speaker 1: But I want to just make that clear. When it 263 00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:48,120 Speaker 1: comes to Byron Buxton, many think, Okay, the injuries have 264 00:13:48,200 --> 00:13:51,120 Speaker 1: kind of derailed his career so on and so forth. Yes, 265 00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:53,680 Speaker 1: they certainly have prevented him from, you know, living up 266 00:13:53,679 --> 00:13:56,000 Speaker 1: to the expectations of potentially being at all time great. 267 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:57,640 Speaker 1: I mean, he thought he could have been at the 268 00:13:57,679 --> 00:14:00,760 Speaker 1: start of his career, but he still rem one of 269 00:14:00,840 --> 00:14:03,840 Speaker 1: the singular best offensive producers. 270 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:03,880 Speaker 2: In the game. 271 00:14:04,440 --> 00:14:06,360 Speaker 1: And if the Braves were to have an opportunity to 272 00:14:06,400 --> 00:14:08,120 Speaker 1: go actoring, it could make sense. 273 00:14:10,600 --> 00:14:13,680 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, he is kind of a polarizing guy 274 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:16,199 Speaker 3: because of the injuries. He had thirty five home runs 275 00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:17,840 Speaker 3: last year. I don't know how many people realized that 276 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:19,880 Speaker 3: because the Twins were bad and they did a big 277 00:14:19,880 --> 00:14:22,480 Speaker 3: fire south the deadline and they kind of just, you know, 278 00:14:22,520 --> 00:14:24,200 Speaker 3: everybody kind of forgot about him. But he hit thirty 279 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:25,520 Speaker 3: five home and he put up a five to win 280 00:14:25,560 --> 00:14:28,400 Speaker 3: season last year. He only played one hundred and twenty 281 00:14:28,440 --> 00:14:30,720 Speaker 3: six games, but that tells you how unbelievable he was 282 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:32,120 Speaker 3: in those one hundred and twenty six games that he 283 00:14:32,160 --> 00:14:33,000 Speaker 3: put up a five. 284 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:35,560 Speaker 2: One hundred percentile sprint speed steal. 285 00:14:35,880 --> 00:14:38,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, no, he's yeah, you can fly as a great outfielder. 286 00:14:39,240 --> 00:14:42,400 Speaker 3: He will be thirty two next year's his age thirty 287 00:14:42,440 --> 00:14:43,960 Speaker 3: two seasons, so you have to be careful with that, 288 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:45,880 Speaker 3: especially if somebody wh's already had a lot of injuries. 289 00:14:46,640 --> 00:14:48,480 Speaker 3: But it is interesting the Braves, you know, I think 290 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:50,480 Speaker 3: the I think there was a Twins beat writer that 291 00:14:50,520 --> 00:14:53,040 Speaker 3: reported right after the deadline last year that the Braves 292 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:56,960 Speaker 3: called and were interested. So a couple of things on 293 00:14:57,000 --> 00:15:00,960 Speaker 3: that one, Rosenthal did come out today and say Ken 294 00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:06,000 Speaker 3: Rosenthal foul territory that he did not think the Braves 295 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:09,640 Speaker 3: were going to explore a trade for Barron Buckson one, 296 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:12,480 Speaker 3: because they have Michael Harris, you know, I don't know, 297 00:15:12,600 --> 00:15:15,000 Speaker 3: like obviously, if you trade for Byron Buxton, you have 298 00:15:15,040 --> 00:15:18,800 Speaker 3: to include something in the trade. And the Twins are 299 00:15:18,840 --> 00:15:21,440 Speaker 3: like kind of rebuilding kind of not they They've sent 300 00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:24,520 Speaker 3: out some mixed messaging this week, especially at the GM meetings. 301 00:15:24,520 --> 00:15:27,000 Speaker 3: Their GM said they were trying to build around Pablo Lopez, 302 00:15:27,640 --> 00:15:29,880 Speaker 3: which is weird when you got a thirty year old 303 00:15:29,880 --> 00:15:32,200 Speaker 3: picture and you just started to rebuild. But whatever, Twins 304 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:35,360 Speaker 3: do weird stuff. But if you're gonna trade for Barron Buckston, 305 00:15:35,360 --> 00:15:37,960 Speaker 3: you got to give stuff up. And so like in 306 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:40,360 Speaker 3: my brain, I was thinking, well, they're trading for a 307 00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:43,320 Speaker 3: center fielder. I'm guessing the Twins would want Michael Harris 308 00:15:44,360 --> 00:15:52,080 Speaker 3: in return. And also, like the thing is he's twenty. 309 00:15:52,200 --> 00:15:54,560 Speaker 3: You know, Michael Harris is also not a prospect anymore. Like, 310 00:15:54,560 --> 00:15:56,760 Speaker 3: if the Twins are really starting to rebuild, do they 311 00:15:56,800 --> 00:15:59,080 Speaker 3: want somebody who's already like four years into their major 312 00:15:59,160 --> 00:16:02,080 Speaker 3: league career? They want like legitimate top level prospects to 313 00:16:02,080 --> 00:16:04,280 Speaker 3: build this thing from the ground up. I don't know 314 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:07,720 Speaker 3: the answer to that. And now for the Braves perspective, 315 00:16:08,280 --> 00:16:09,560 Speaker 3: you know, we've talked all the time about it, like 316 00:16:09,640 --> 00:16:12,360 Speaker 3: you can easily fit four outfielders because I saw some 317 00:16:12,360 --> 00:16:14,400 Speaker 3: stuff like, well they already have three outfitter that does 318 00:16:14,440 --> 00:16:16,600 Speaker 3: not matter. That's like saying you can't have a starter 319 00:16:16,720 --> 00:16:20,720 Speaker 3: because you got five outfielders. Are the outfielders is very 320 00:16:20,720 --> 00:16:23,720 Speaker 3: similar to the rotation, like you you just collect them 321 00:16:23,960 --> 00:16:26,720 Speaker 3: because you're gonna have injuries. You got the DH. I mean, 322 00:16:26,760 --> 00:16:28,600 Speaker 3: I've said like twenty times on the show. I want 323 00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:30,840 Speaker 3: the Braves to go get another like star level outfitter 324 00:16:30,960 --> 00:16:33,920 Speaker 3: and use that DH spot to rotate all those guys. 325 00:16:34,160 --> 00:16:36,040 Speaker 3: I think that would help keep Buston healthy. I think 326 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:37,800 Speaker 3: it would help keep profile healthy. I think it'd help 327 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:40,720 Speaker 3: keep Acuna healthy. But we're not gonna do all that again. 328 00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:43,320 Speaker 3: So I see the appeal. I also see the risk. 329 00:16:44,120 --> 00:16:46,280 Speaker 3: You know, He's he gets hurt a lot. And if 330 00:16:46,320 --> 00:16:49,280 Speaker 3: you have a Kunya in Buxton in the same organization, 331 00:16:50,240 --> 00:16:52,040 Speaker 3: I mean you you better double the size of your 332 00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:54,680 Speaker 3: training room because those two guys get hurt a lot. 333 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:56,960 Speaker 3: And Michael Harris has had his share of injuries. Profar 334 00:16:57,000 --> 00:17:02,200 Speaker 3: obviously had the eighty game suspension last year. So it 335 00:17:02,280 --> 00:17:05,040 Speaker 3: is risky, but I can I certainly see the appeal. 336 00:17:05,359 --> 00:17:08,280 Speaker 3: I do I think it's gonna happen. No, it's a 337 00:17:08,320 --> 00:17:13,520 Speaker 3: tough trade to make. You know, the Braves have good prospects. 338 00:17:13,520 --> 00:17:16,320 Speaker 3: The Braves don't have elite prospects, or if they do 339 00:17:16,400 --> 00:17:19,400 Speaker 3: have elite prospects, usually have like one like last year 340 00:17:19,440 --> 00:17:22,560 Speaker 3: with Drake Baldwin, where yeah, you had the technically had 341 00:17:22,600 --> 00:17:24,720 Speaker 3: the talent to go get somebody like that, But every 342 00:17:24,760 --> 00:17:27,920 Speaker 3: single person wanted Drake Baldwin. So if you weren't willing 343 00:17:27,960 --> 00:17:29,720 Speaker 3: to trade them, then you couldn't really go get anybody. 344 00:17:29,720 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 3: That's what happened with like Garrett Crochet, everybody wanted Drake 345 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:35,320 Speaker 3: bald What the Braves don't have is like the depth 346 00:17:35,320 --> 00:17:37,840 Speaker 3: at the top where like the Boston Red Sox could 347 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:41,120 Speaker 3: make the trade for Garrett Crochet but then keep Roman 348 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:44,120 Speaker 3: Anthony and Marcella Meyer and Christian Campbell, like they kept 349 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:46,840 Speaker 3: all their top guys and made the trade. That's what 350 00:17:46,840 --> 00:17:48,879 Speaker 3: the Braves don't have. The Braves don't have that level 351 00:17:48,880 --> 00:17:51,760 Speaker 3: of depth where they can trade for guys like this 352 00:17:51,920 --> 00:17:54,720 Speaker 3: and keep their top guys. And that's kind of the 353 00:17:54,720 --> 00:17:56,919 Speaker 3: next level they need to get their system too. So 354 00:17:56,960 --> 00:18:00,040 Speaker 3: I would definitely say I don't see it, but I 355 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:03,720 Speaker 3: I mean, Alex has surprised us with much more than that. 356 00:18:03,880 --> 00:18:05,719 Speaker 3: Like the Chris Sale trade just came out of nowhere, 357 00:18:05,760 --> 00:18:08,359 Speaker 3: so we've at least heard about this, But yeah, I 358 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:10,560 Speaker 3: would be I would be pretty surprised if it happened. 359 00:18:10,960 --> 00:18:13,359 Speaker 1: Yeah, And and what I'll say, I think there was 360 00:18:13,400 --> 00:18:15,760 Speaker 1: plenty of logic in what Kid Rosenthal said, you know, 361 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:18,119 Speaker 1: in terms of the brains, already have an established outfielder. 362 00:18:18,520 --> 00:18:21,240 Speaker 1: But if the Twins are asking for Michael Harris back 363 00:18:21,280 --> 00:18:22,960 Speaker 1: for Byron Bucks, and it doesn't make a lot of 364 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:25,720 Speaker 1: sense for the Braves. But but the thing that I'll 365 00:18:25,760 --> 00:18:27,720 Speaker 1: say to this is that you know, I know the 366 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:30,600 Speaker 1: Braves have needs that they need to fill this offseason, 367 00:18:30,720 --> 00:18:35,280 Speaker 1: but they also if there's an opportunity to get a 368 00:18:35,520 --> 00:18:39,280 Speaker 1: true difference maker, yeah you go after that. And that's 369 00:18:39,320 --> 00:18:40,679 Speaker 1: what Byran Bucks it is. 370 00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:43,240 Speaker 3: Well, I think I think they need a bat. I 371 00:18:43,320 --> 00:18:44,120 Speaker 3: think they need a bat. 372 00:18:44,520 --> 00:18:47,760 Speaker 1: And we've seen this before, right, you know, wod Kid 373 00:18:47,800 --> 00:18:49,879 Speaker 1: rosen Thal bitches when they've already got a cent or fielder. 374 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:51,879 Speaker 1: Where just go back a few off seasons to go 375 00:18:51,920 --> 00:18:55,120 Speaker 1: to the twenty three off season, they had two legitimate 376 00:18:55,119 --> 00:18:57,800 Speaker 1: good catchers, Williams as well as Travis Dardo, and they 377 00:18:57,840 --> 00:19:00,399 Speaker 1: went and got Sean Murphy and they traded could Trais 378 00:19:00,560 --> 00:19:05,480 Speaker 1: in that scenario. The reason I think, again, I think 379 00:19:05,960 --> 00:19:08,480 Speaker 1: Kim Rosettal had good logic, but I think even more 380 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:12,240 Speaker 1: so why it would be hard to make sense, It's 381 00:19:12,280 --> 00:19:14,399 Speaker 1: just because it would be hard to your point, the 382 00:19:14,440 --> 00:19:18,040 Speaker 1: Braves probably aren't sending the top prospect value back to 383 00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:20,639 Speaker 1: the Twins because, like the Braves, every team out there 384 00:19:20,640 --> 00:19:23,800 Speaker 1: were wanting to get Viral Buxton and I also would 385 00:19:23,800 --> 00:19:25,880 Speaker 1: not be surprised. And if the Braves were to move 386 00:19:25,960 --> 00:19:29,760 Speaker 1: for Byran Buxton, Sean Murphy's moving somewhere in a deal 387 00:19:30,400 --> 00:19:34,280 Speaker 1: just because their contracts line up perfectly. Murphy has three 388 00:19:34,359 --> 00:19:37,439 Speaker 1: years and fifteen million dollars left, so does Buxton. You know, 389 00:19:37,480 --> 00:19:39,280 Speaker 1: I think the Braves could keep both of them. But 390 00:19:39,320 --> 00:19:41,040 Speaker 1: if the Braves are going to look to maybe give 391 00:19:41,440 --> 00:19:44,720 Speaker 1: you know, Hassan Kim that about over multiple years as well, 392 00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:49,040 Speaker 1: you know, having Kim Profar Buxton as well as Murphy 393 00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:51,840 Speaker 1: on the roster at fifteen million each, that would be 394 00:19:52,280 --> 00:19:55,960 Speaker 1: hard to do. So I think the construction of a deal, 395 00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:59,480 Speaker 1: the mechanics of a deal probably is the reason why. 396 00:19:59,640 --> 00:20:02,240 Speaker 1: To your it's very unlikely to see stuff that occur. 397 00:20:03,040 --> 00:20:07,960 Speaker 1: But going after Bucksted that move that doesn't really seem 398 00:20:08,040 --> 00:20:11,800 Speaker 1: to make sense fit wise, but really could make sense 399 00:20:11,960 --> 00:20:15,760 Speaker 1: value and impact wise. Yeah, that's that's where Alex Atopless 400 00:20:16,320 --> 00:20:19,359 Speaker 1: puts his focus a lot of times. So give it 401 00:20:19,359 --> 00:20:21,840 Speaker 1: a five or ten percent chance, but it would not 402 00:20:22,200 --> 00:20:24,640 Speaker 1: surprise me if it Thopless made that type of move. 403 00:20:25,760 --> 00:20:28,400 Speaker 3: And listen, I'll say this. If you make that move, 404 00:20:29,720 --> 00:20:33,720 Speaker 3: if you like, if you trade for Byron Buxton, then 405 00:20:33,760 --> 00:20:36,240 Speaker 3: you can probably get away with going for like just 406 00:20:36,359 --> 00:20:40,600 Speaker 3: pure defense at shortstop, right because you you have deepened 407 00:20:40,600 --> 00:20:42,720 Speaker 3: the lineup. And the problem right now with the lineup is, 408 00:20:43,880 --> 00:20:46,240 Speaker 3: you know you're losing Azuna. You don't know what you're 409 00:20:46,240 --> 00:20:48,200 Speaker 3: gonna get from Sean Murphy next year with the help, 410 00:20:48,600 --> 00:20:50,760 Speaker 3: Like you don't know what you're gonna get from Michael Harris. 411 00:20:50,760 --> 00:20:52,440 Speaker 3: You don't know what you're gonna give from Asia Albi's. 412 00:20:52,560 --> 00:20:55,200 Speaker 3: You can't really afford to just give up a spot 413 00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:57,040 Speaker 3: in the lineup at short stop like you have been. 414 00:20:57,520 --> 00:20:59,399 Speaker 3: And so that's why everybody's been saying you got to 415 00:20:59,400 --> 00:21:01,000 Speaker 3: go get a real s. You gotta go somebody can 416 00:21:01,080 --> 00:21:02,120 Speaker 3: hit at that position. 417 00:21:02,760 --> 00:21:03,320 Speaker 1: Well, if you. 418 00:21:03,240 --> 00:21:08,159 Speaker 3: Add Buxton, that need decreases, right because you have added 419 00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:12,080 Speaker 3: an impact back. And I'm not saying you let Nick 420 00:21:12,119 --> 00:21:13,879 Speaker 3: Allen do it. I think I think you got to 421 00:21:13,880 --> 00:21:17,000 Speaker 3: find something better than Nick Allen either way. But you 422 00:21:17,040 --> 00:21:18,920 Speaker 3: could go find a guy who could maybe post like 423 00:21:18,960 --> 00:21:22,560 Speaker 3: an eighty WRC plus versus one hundreds or Nick Allen's 424 00:21:22,560 --> 00:21:25,720 Speaker 3: like in the fifties, right, that's what you can't have. 425 00:21:25,920 --> 00:21:28,120 Speaker 3: But if you have Buston, you can get something that's 426 00:21:28,160 --> 00:21:32,280 Speaker 3: more defensive minded, that's maybe just you know, bad at 427 00:21:32,400 --> 00:21:36,399 Speaker 3: offense instead of truly, truly, tragically bad like Nick Allen. 428 00:21:36,600 --> 00:21:39,680 Speaker 3: So it is a sliding scale, and it's it's a 429 00:21:39,720 --> 00:21:41,359 Speaker 3: lot of it's tied to money, like you were saying 430 00:21:41,400 --> 00:21:44,560 Speaker 3: with with Sean Murphy his contract, I don't know if 431 00:21:44,560 --> 00:21:46,320 Speaker 3: the Twins would want Murphy because again they're kind of 432 00:21:46,359 --> 00:21:48,520 Speaker 3: like starting to rebuild. I don't maybe it's a three 433 00:21:48,520 --> 00:21:50,399 Speaker 3: team deal or somebody else takes Murphy. I don't know. 434 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:56,200 Speaker 3: You know, also Murph has this hip injury slash surgery. 435 00:21:56,400 --> 00:21:58,040 Speaker 3: You know, I don't know that you can even trade 436 00:21:58,040 --> 00:22:00,560 Speaker 3: Sean Murphy right now, to be quite fraek, I don't 437 00:22:00,560 --> 00:22:02,399 Speaker 3: know if anybody knows what they're gonna get next year 438 00:22:02,400 --> 00:22:05,240 Speaker 3: in Sean Murphy. So you know, there's a lot of 439 00:22:05,240 --> 00:22:06,920 Speaker 3: balls in the air, and this can go a lot 440 00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:09,119 Speaker 3: of ways. And that's why we've talked about for weeks 441 00:22:09,119 --> 00:22:11,239 Speaker 3: and weeks and months and months now this is a 442 00:22:11,359 --> 00:22:14,440 Speaker 3: fascinating offseason because my god, can he go in a 443 00:22:14,480 --> 00:22:16,600 Speaker 3: lot of different directions to try to get to the 444 00:22:16,600 --> 00:22:19,159 Speaker 3: same place, which is back to the playoffs, and we'll 445 00:22:19,200 --> 00:22:19,720 Speaker 3: see what they do. 446 00:22:21,240 --> 00:22:24,200 Speaker 1: But it's interesting when we talk about all these different 447 00:22:24,240 --> 00:22:28,240 Speaker 1: directions that Alex and Thopless can go, and he's likely 448 00:22:28,280 --> 00:22:32,720 Speaker 1: exploring many different directions that he can go. Whatever happens 449 00:22:32,720 --> 00:22:36,280 Speaker 1: this offseason, from the new manager that's been added, to 450 00:22:36,920 --> 00:22:41,000 Speaker 1: the bullpen reconstruction, to big moves in the rotation at shortstop. 451 00:22:40,520 --> 00:22:41,000 Speaker 2: What have you. 452 00:22:41,480 --> 00:22:44,320 Speaker 1: All of those are wonderful to see happen if they do, 453 00:22:45,119 --> 00:22:48,600 Speaker 1: but they still do not compare to the one singular 454 00:22:48,680 --> 00:22:51,600 Speaker 1: thing that this Braves team needs to truly get back 455 00:22:51,640 --> 00:22:55,280 Speaker 1: to contention, and it ties in two the man who 456 00:22:55,359 --> 00:22:58,240 Speaker 1: just won the twenty twenty five l Comeback Player of 457 00:22:58,240 --> 00:22:59,760 Speaker 1: the Year. More on that in just a moment after 458 00:22:59,840 --> 00:23:05,000 Speaker 1: more from our partners. So Steve and I I bring 459 00:23:05,040 --> 00:23:08,320 Speaker 1: it up. You know, it's pretty simple. You know, I 460 00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:10,640 Speaker 1: don't know if anybody has been following the Memphis Grizzlies 461 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:12,359 Speaker 1: as of late, and I know that many people on 462 00:23:12,400 --> 00:23:14,639 Speaker 1: here are Atlanta Hawks fans and what have you, but 463 00:23:15,040 --> 00:23:16,840 Speaker 1: you know, the Memphis Grizzlies right now are in flux 464 00:23:16,880 --> 00:23:20,439 Speaker 1: as of basketball franchise. But it all comes down to 465 00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:23,840 Speaker 1: one thing. Their stars are not performing like stars. If 466 00:23:23,880 --> 00:23:27,680 Speaker 1: stars perform like stars, other things just kind of fall 467 00:23:27,720 --> 00:23:31,280 Speaker 1: into place because a lot of times stars being stars 468 00:23:31,640 --> 00:23:34,600 Speaker 1: can solve a lot of other areas that are that 469 00:23:34,640 --> 00:23:37,600 Speaker 1: are flawed. So I bring that up as this point. 470 00:23:38,760 --> 00:23:42,080 Speaker 1: Ronald acune Junior just won two thousand and twenty five 471 00:23:42,359 --> 00:23:45,080 Speaker 1: NL Comeback Player of the Year, the second time he's 472 00:23:45,160 --> 00:23:49,919 Speaker 1: actually won that award. The thing I'm getting at is 473 00:23:49,920 --> 00:23:53,240 Speaker 1: is that we we're going to spend many hours this 474 00:23:53,280 --> 00:23:56,399 Speaker 1: offseason talking about what the Braves potentially could do, what 475 00:23:56,440 --> 00:23:58,960 Speaker 1: they've done, what they're going to do to improve this roster. 476 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:04,720 Speaker 1: Iver read little of that matters if Ronald Acunya Junior 477 00:24:04,800 --> 00:24:08,760 Speaker 1: is not Ronald 'cunan Junior. But thankfully, thankfully, I know 478 00:24:08,840 --> 00:24:10,679 Speaker 1: he had a bit of a cold spell, you know, 479 00:24:10,760 --> 00:24:14,520 Speaker 1: in August to July and August specifically, but when he 480 00:24:14,560 --> 00:24:16,919 Speaker 1: come back came back from his ACL injury, within that 481 00:24:16,960 --> 00:24:19,720 Speaker 1: first six weeks or so, he was legitimately a top 482 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:24,080 Speaker 1: three hitter in baseball. Ronald o'cunye Junior needs to return 483 00:24:24,119 --> 00:24:27,879 Speaker 1: to form as one of the five best singular offensive 484 00:24:27,920 --> 00:24:30,879 Speaker 1: producers in the game, and he showed last year he 485 00:24:30,920 --> 00:24:33,679 Speaker 1: still has that potential. That's what the Braves need to 486 00:24:33,680 --> 00:24:36,119 Speaker 1: do for him to do in twenty twenty six and beyond, 487 00:24:36,520 --> 00:24:39,240 Speaker 1: and from what he showed last year, I feel confident 488 00:24:39,320 --> 00:24:41,280 Speaker 1: he could do that. But the key for the Braves 489 00:24:42,040 --> 00:24:44,720 Speaker 1: is giving him all the resources he needs to be 490 00:24:44,760 --> 00:24:46,040 Speaker 1: able to do that confidently. 491 00:24:47,520 --> 00:24:51,679 Speaker 3: Yeah, and that's ad start. I mean it's the oldest 492 00:24:51,680 --> 00:24:54,160 Speaker 3: cliche in the world. But the best ability is availability, 493 00:24:54,200 --> 00:24:59,280 Speaker 3: and like it starts with just being healthy. And last 494 00:24:59,320 --> 00:25:01,919 Speaker 3: year he put up a one sixty one WRC plus, 495 00:25:02,119 --> 00:25:04,639 Speaker 3: which is an absurd year. It is the second best 496 00:25:04,800 --> 00:25:07,960 Speaker 3: offensive year of his career behind twenty twenty three when 497 00:25:08,000 --> 00:25:14,640 Speaker 3: you use the unanimous MVP, so very clearly still an 498 00:25:14,680 --> 00:25:16,560 Speaker 3: elite offensive player. 499 00:25:16,720 --> 00:25:16,840 Speaker 2: Now. 500 00:25:16,840 --> 00:25:19,399 Speaker 3: I know he had the little the blip in August 501 00:25:19,480 --> 00:25:21,520 Speaker 3: where he had a bad like three weeks and people 502 00:25:21,840 --> 00:25:25,199 Speaker 3: were freaking out, But again for the season, he had 503 00:25:25,200 --> 00:25:28,320 Speaker 3: a one sixty one WRC plus and his expected OBA 504 00:25:28,520 --> 00:25:33,119 Speaker 3: was over four hundred, like marks of not good, not great, 505 00:25:33,400 --> 00:25:38,640 Speaker 3: but elite offensive production. So I am very comfortable saying 506 00:25:38,680 --> 00:25:43,359 Speaker 3: if Ronald Goon Junior is healthy, and I mean fully healthy, 507 00:25:44,240 --> 00:25:47,719 Speaker 3: he's gonna be an elite offensive performer. Now, I do 508 00:25:47,760 --> 00:25:50,399 Speaker 3: think the defense has slipped to the point where he 509 00:25:50,480 --> 00:25:53,119 Speaker 3: is he is. I think he's a negative on defense 510 00:25:53,160 --> 00:25:55,120 Speaker 3: at this way. If we're just being we're being objective 511 00:25:55,119 --> 00:25:58,160 Speaker 3: of being fair. He's a great athlete. He's never been 512 00:25:58,200 --> 00:26:02,199 Speaker 3: a natural right fielder. I honestly think he always got 513 00:26:02,200 --> 00:26:04,480 Speaker 3: better jumps in centerfield than he ever has in right field. 514 00:26:04,480 --> 00:26:08,200 Speaker 3: But he's just never been a great instinctual outfielder. He 515 00:26:08,880 --> 00:26:13,120 Speaker 3: gets by on you know, freak athleticism. He doesn't get 516 00:26:13,119 --> 00:26:17,320 Speaker 3: great jumps, So I think he yeah, and that arm mean, 517 00:26:17,320 --> 00:26:19,800 Speaker 3: he's got a howitzer, so like he can, he can, 518 00:26:20,000 --> 00:26:23,280 Speaker 3: And in that short portion, right, he's a weapon because guys, 519 00:26:23,440 --> 00:26:25,399 Speaker 3: you know, he holds guys to singles all the time. 520 00:26:25,520 --> 00:26:27,320 Speaker 3: And you don't really you know, it's not really something 521 00:26:27,320 --> 00:26:29,920 Speaker 3: you see in the value in war or anything like that, 522 00:26:29,960 --> 00:26:32,440 Speaker 3: but like the amount of times he just holds guys 523 00:26:32,440 --> 00:26:36,000 Speaker 3: to singles has value because he can just he's got 524 00:26:36,040 --> 00:26:39,399 Speaker 3: a canon. So yeah, I I I fully expect a 525 00:26:39,480 --> 00:26:42,639 Speaker 3: Cunya to be back next year in the m v 526 00:26:42,720 --> 00:26:48,560 Speaker 3: P race. Now, the fascinating conversation with Acunya and CJ. 527 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:50,600 Speaker 3: Nikowski talked about this when he came on the show 528 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:53,000 Speaker 3: with Scott a few weeks ago. Is where do you 529 00:26:53,080 --> 00:26:56,360 Speaker 3: hit him? And some of that is tied to what 530 00:26:56,520 --> 00:26:58,680 Speaker 3: are you going to allow him to do on the basis, 531 00:26:59,720 --> 00:27:03,400 Speaker 3: And I think I've I've actually gone back and forth 532 00:27:03,440 --> 00:27:05,360 Speaker 3: on this because originally I just said put him back 533 00:27:05,359 --> 00:27:08,399 Speaker 3: at lead off and let him run the way he 534 00:27:08,480 --> 00:27:10,800 Speaker 3: used to run. And you know, if he gets hurt, 535 00:27:10,800 --> 00:27:12,800 Speaker 3: he gets hurt, buddy, There's there's really no way to 536 00:27:12,800 --> 00:27:15,760 Speaker 3: stop that. I think I've actually shifted that opinion to 537 00:27:16,680 --> 00:27:20,560 Speaker 3: I would I would love to see profar I don't 538 00:27:20,600 --> 00:27:24,200 Speaker 3: like him batting third because I think third is, if 539 00:27:24,200 --> 00:27:27,080 Speaker 3: you look at like analytically, third is where you get 540 00:27:27,080 --> 00:27:29,200 Speaker 3: a lot of two out nobody on in the first 541 00:27:29,200 --> 00:27:31,639 Speaker 3: inning at bats. I do like him, it's I do 542 00:27:31,720 --> 00:27:35,919 Speaker 3: like him batting second, like profar acunya Olsen going one, 543 00:27:36,040 --> 00:27:38,200 Speaker 3: two three. There We'll see what they do because I 544 00:27:38,200 --> 00:27:41,919 Speaker 3: could see where we go profar acunya Olsen, Riley and 545 00:27:41,960 --> 00:27:44,320 Speaker 3: then Drake Baldwin. I just kind of your top five 546 00:27:44,760 --> 00:27:47,240 Speaker 3: depending on what they do this winter, of course, So 547 00:27:47,680 --> 00:27:49,439 Speaker 3: you know, if if you put him more of a 548 00:27:49,520 --> 00:27:52,320 Speaker 3: run producing spot and he's not running as much. I'm fine. 549 00:27:52,320 --> 00:27:54,040 Speaker 3: I really am fine with that. Like I don't need 550 00:27:54,080 --> 00:27:56,040 Speaker 3: him to run, I don't need him to steal seventy bases. 551 00:27:56,359 --> 00:27:59,119 Speaker 3: I need to be healthy and get that bat in 552 00:27:59,119 --> 00:28:01,200 Speaker 3: the lineup, because that is one of the most electric 553 00:28:01,240 --> 00:28:03,600 Speaker 3: things I've ever seen in my life. He hits balls 554 00:28:03,640 --> 00:28:06,200 Speaker 3: that make no sense. He does things on a baseball 555 00:28:06,240 --> 00:28:09,200 Speaker 3: field I've legitimately never seen before, especially from somebody who's 556 00:28:09,240 --> 00:28:12,280 Speaker 3: like six feet one hundred and eighty pounds soaking wet 557 00:28:12,800 --> 00:28:14,879 Speaker 3: and can hit the ball four hundred and eighty feet. 558 00:28:14,960 --> 00:28:19,000 Speaker 3: I've never seen anything like it. So he's an incredible player. 559 00:28:19,119 --> 00:28:20,960 Speaker 3: Got to keep him healthy, and that's why I want 560 00:28:21,000 --> 00:28:22,760 Speaker 3: the Braves to go get an outfielder and let him 561 00:28:22,800 --> 00:28:25,800 Speaker 3: DH some and let the other guys DH some. I 562 00:28:25,800 --> 00:28:29,159 Speaker 3: think keeping Acuna healthy is critical and getting him off 563 00:28:29,200 --> 00:28:31,840 Speaker 3: his feet out of right field on a regular basis 564 00:28:31,880 --> 00:28:34,159 Speaker 3: I think would help that. So we'll see what they do. 565 00:28:34,359 --> 00:28:37,400 Speaker 3: But yeah, I mean, he had a monster offensive year 566 00:28:37,440 --> 00:28:40,080 Speaker 3: last year. Again, it was like Buxton, it was somewhat 567 00:28:40,200 --> 00:28:45,440 Speaker 3: under the radar because the Braves sucked. But healthy Acunya, 568 00:28:45,560 --> 00:28:48,120 Speaker 3: I fully expect to be in the MVP race in 569 00:28:48,160 --> 00:28:49,040 Speaker 3: twenty twenty six. 570 00:28:50,680 --> 00:28:54,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, I am. I've always been an advocate of batting 571 00:28:55,000 --> 00:28:57,000 Speaker 1: Nkuna first because. 572 00:28:58,240 --> 00:28:59,800 Speaker 3: I think it's gotta be one ered, it's got to 573 00:28:59,800 --> 00:29:00,440 Speaker 3: be one or two. 574 00:29:00,640 --> 00:29:01,360 Speaker 2: Yeah. 575 00:29:01,520 --> 00:29:04,680 Speaker 1: I I actually liked the idea of putting him at 576 00:29:04,680 --> 00:29:07,080 Speaker 1: three because then you stack Olson in front of him, 577 00:29:07,080 --> 00:29:09,479 Speaker 1: and then pitchers have to pitch to Matt Olsen and 578 00:29:09,520 --> 00:29:12,720 Speaker 1: that's an advantage for the Braves. And also, you know 579 00:29:12,800 --> 00:29:16,440 Speaker 1: profar and and also being one and two I think 580 00:29:16,520 --> 00:29:19,840 Speaker 1: would give Ronald more opportunities than. 581 00:29:19,760 --> 00:29:25,320 Speaker 2: Most one two combos would in most MLB lineup. 582 00:29:25,440 --> 00:29:27,320 Speaker 1: So you know, the the idea of being up there 583 00:29:27,360 --> 00:29:30,360 Speaker 1: with two outs would not necessarily happen as often, but 584 00:29:30,440 --> 00:29:32,680 Speaker 1: if you did get two outs, pitchers are just gonna 585 00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:34,200 Speaker 1: pitch around Ronald Acuna Junior. 586 00:29:34,280 --> 00:29:36,000 Speaker 3: I just hate the idea of getting the fifth at 587 00:29:36,000 --> 00:29:37,640 Speaker 3: bat in the game and the ninth inning of a 588 00:29:37,680 --> 00:29:39,880 Speaker 3: one run game and Acunya not getting to the plate 589 00:29:40,200 --> 00:29:44,600 Speaker 3: like that. That's the Those are the scenarios that I'm like, God, 590 00:29:44,640 --> 00:29:46,400 Speaker 3: I wish Acuna was a batting one or two here 591 00:29:46,520 --> 00:29:49,080 Speaker 3: so he got this at bat. But yeah, I understand 592 00:29:49,120 --> 00:29:49,480 Speaker 3: what you said. 593 00:29:49,880 --> 00:29:52,920 Speaker 1: Well, and then at that point, though, you know, say 594 00:29:52,960 --> 00:29:58,560 Speaker 1: they re sign Ronald Acuna Junior or excuse me, a 595 00:29:58,680 --> 00:30:06,560 Speaker 1: hass On Kim. At that point you could go profar Olsen, 596 00:30:07,160 --> 00:30:14,720 Speaker 1: Riley Baldwin, and then Hassan Camp whom I forget, No, 597 00:30:14,880 --> 00:30:16,120 Speaker 1: that's right, and then. 598 00:30:16,320 --> 00:30:19,080 Speaker 3: The other the other two guys are Ozzie and and Harris. 599 00:30:19,320 --> 00:30:21,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, that would that would be that would be six, 600 00:30:21,640 --> 00:30:23,720 Speaker 1: I guess. But yeah, but at the very least you could. 601 00:30:23,560 --> 00:30:26,680 Speaker 3: Go and then you gotta have the DH. There'd be 602 00:30:26,720 --> 00:30:27,840 Speaker 3: a D in there somewhere. 603 00:30:27,920 --> 00:30:33,040 Speaker 1: Yeah. Yeah, but that top five of profar Acuna, Olsen, 604 00:30:33,360 --> 00:30:36,520 Speaker 1: Riley Baldwin, that's a pretty dead gum deep. 605 00:30:37,360 --> 00:30:40,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's what that's, as the roster says today, that's 606 00:30:40,960 --> 00:30:42,160 Speaker 3: what I would run out like. 607 00:30:44,440 --> 00:30:48,480 Speaker 1: You got a lot of compliments, you got complimentary approaches, 608 00:30:48,520 --> 00:30:51,240 Speaker 1: you got good balance, you know, you just got that 609 00:30:51,400 --> 00:30:54,520 Speaker 1: type of light up is the one that could outpower 610 00:30:54,520 --> 00:31:00,360 Speaker 1: other lineups or produce well in situational hittied aspects. That's 611 00:31:00,560 --> 00:31:02,760 Speaker 1: that's the type of the top of order that could 612 00:31:02,800 --> 00:31:04,480 Speaker 1: allow for you to be able to win it multiple ways. 613 00:31:04,480 --> 00:31:07,240 Speaker 1: To pitty do it. You know where you're clicking that. 614 00:31:07,200 --> 00:31:10,360 Speaker 3: Buy and I'll add this like Buxton, if you add 615 00:31:10,400 --> 00:31:13,200 Speaker 3: if you did add Byron Buckston. And again we're not 616 00:31:13,280 --> 00:31:16,080 Speaker 3: expecting it, but like that's a guy that he's he's 617 00:31:16,120 --> 00:31:19,640 Speaker 3: at the level where you would need to rearrange the 618 00:31:19,680 --> 00:31:22,360 Speaker 3: top of your lineup to fit him somewhere. Yeah, because 619 00:31:22,600 --> 00:31:26,000 Speaker 3: you know he's hit leadoff, he's Minnesota's Acunya. 620 00:31:26,360 --> 00:31:28,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, so you. 621 00:31:28,560 --> 00:31:30,960 Speaker 3: Know that would change things. And and I do, I 622 00:31:31,000 --> 00:31:33,960 Speaker 3: really do think the Brave should add another pretty significant 623 00:31:34,000 --> 00:31:35,600 Speaker 3: bat to the lineup. As much as I like that 624 00:31:36,400 --> 00:31:40,200 Speaker 3: potential top five, I still think you know, you don't know, 625 00:31:40,240 --> 00:31:41,920 Speaker 3: you never know what you're gonna get from Riley. You 626 00:31:41,920 --> 00:31:43,800 Speaker 3: don't know what kind of year is going to bounce back. 627 00:31:44,120 --> 00:31:46,000 Speaker 3: You don't know really what you're gonna give from Profar 628 00:31:46,120 --> 00:31:48,480 Speaker 3: yet until we see it for a full year again, 629 00:31:48,520 --> 00:31:52,560 Speaker 3: Acunya with the injury stuff, Drake Baldwin is not a guarantee, 630 00:31:52,560 --> 00:31:55,080 Speaker 3: Like you know, sophomore slumps happen all the time. So 631 00:31:56,160 --> 00:31:57,840 Speaker 3: and then you have no clue what you're gonna get 632 00:31:57,840 --> 00:32:00,680 Speaker 3: from Murphy coming off this you know this hip surgery. 633 00:32:00,800 --> 00:32:04,080 Speaker 3: So and then again with Ozzy and Michael and Shortstop, 634 00:32:04,360 --> 00:32:06,560 Speaker 3: I do think the Brave should add another bat. But 635 00:32:07,480 --> 00:32:09,800 Speaker 3: you are one hundred percent correct with your opening comment. 636 00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:14,360 Speaker 3: There is nothing that will ever approach the Braves just 637 00:32:14,400 --> 00:32:18,040 Speaker 3: getting a fully healthy and productive Ronald Lacuna Junr. Because 638 00:32:18,080 --> 00:32:20,320 Speaker 3: when they get that, he is arguably the best player 639 00:32:20,360 --> 00:32:20,880 Speaker 3: on the planet. 640 00:32:21,280 --> 00:32:21,680 Speaker 2: Yeah. 641 00:32:21,720 --> 00:32:24,120 Speaker 1: Absolutely, and let's not forget you know, even before his 642 00:32:24,120 --> 00:32:27,800 Speaker 1: injury in twenty twenty four, he uncharacteristically really struggled to 643 00:32:27,840 --> 00:32:30,360 Speaker 1: start twenty four as well, so that played a part 644 00:32:30,680 --> 00:32:34,640 Speaker 1: into the Brave struggles. But yeah, it's the probably one 645 00:32:34,640 --> 00:32:38,680 Speaker 1: of the simplest comment concepts and sports, but it also 646 00:32:38,760 --> 00:32:40,680 Speaker 1: is one of the purest. 647 00:32:41,240 --> 00:32:42,080 Speaker 2: Teams that want to. 648 00:32:42,080 --> 00:32:44,720 Speaker 1: Win are going to find it easiest to do when 649 00:32:44,720 --> 00:32:46,760 Speaker 1: their stars are stars, and the Braves have plenty of 650 00:32:46,760 --> 00:32:50,760 Speaker 1: potential stars, but none to the level of Ronald Acoji Junior. 651 00:32:50,800 --> 00:32:53,880 Speaker 1: So congratulation to him on you know, comeback Player of 652 00:32:53,880 --> 00:32:56,160 Speaker 1: the Year. The last time he won that in twenty 653 00:32:56,240 --> 00:32:59,120 Speaker 1: and twenty two. Guess what, he popped right back up 654 00:32:59,320 --> 00:33:01,240 Speaker 1: and won the NBA the next year. I'm not saying 655 00:33:01,280 --> 00:33:03,800 Speaker 1: I predict that. The whole point that I'm giving that 656 00:33:04,000 --> 00:33:06,120 Speaker 1: is is that he can play to that level and 657 00:33:06,240 --> 00:33:09,240 Speaker 1: that beyond anything else that right there, I want to 658 00:33:09,240 --> 00:33:13,240 Speaker 1: make it very clear. The biggest key to the Braves 659 00:33:13,280 --> 00:33:16,240 Speaker 1: returning to the point of being a true contender for 660 00:33:16,360 --> 00:33:18,880 Speaker 1: multiple years into the future, like we all know they're 661 00:33:18,920 --> 00:33:20,680 Speaker 1: capable of. We all know that they want to be. 662 00:33:20,840 --> 00:33:23,840 Speaker 1: The biggest key to that is Ronald Acodie Junior returning 663 00:33:23,880 --> 00:33:25,400 Speaker 1: to the MVP level for him. 664 00:33:26,280 --> 00:33:28,400 Speaker 3: And I'll say this, no more comeback Player of the 665 00:33:28,480 --> 00:33:34,680 Speaker 3: Year awards. It's great honor, but I don't want him 666 00:33:34,680 --> 00:33:36,160 Speaker 3: coming back from anything anymore. 667 00:33:36,440 --> 00:33:38,840 Speaker 1: The man is The man is due the next five 668 00:33:38,920 --> 00:33:40,040 Speaker 1: years of being very healthy. 669 00:33:40,080 --> 00:33:42,240 Speaker 3: He is one of those awards that you win in 670 00:33:42,280 --> 00:33:45,600 Speaker 3: a couple of times you're like, you know, let's let's 671 00:33:45,640 --> 00:33:47,840 Speaker 3: calm down on the comeback play. Let's just have a 672 00:33:47,880 --> 00:33:50,600 Speaker 3: normal play the whole year kind of year. And I 673 00:33:50,600 --> 00:33:53,200 Speaker 3: do think he would be in the MVP. I think 674 00:33:53,240 --> 00:33:54,960 Speaker 3: if he had played the whole year last year, he 675 00:33:55,000 --> 00:33:57,560 Speaker 3: would have been at least in the discussion the way 676 00:33:57,600 --> 00:34:02,200 Speaker 3: he hit. And I I really hope the Braves use 677 00:34:02,280 --> 00:34:05,200 Speaker 3: him at DH SUM and get an outfielder that can 678 00:34:05,280 --> 00:34:08,600 Speaker 3: help in that load that load management. I had to 679 00:34:08,640 --> 00:34:12,440 Speaker 3: use an NBA term, but with a Kunya, I think 680 00:34:12,480 --> 00:34:15,480 Speaker 3: it's it's warranted. Like just keeping him healthy is so 681 00:34:15,640 --> 00:34:19,319 Speaker 3: damn important for this team, and yeah, congrats to him, 682 00:34:19,320 --> 00:34:21,360 Speaker 3: but yeah, no more Comeback Player of the Year awards. 683 00:34:21,400 --> 00:34:21,600 Speaker 2: Wrong. 684 00:34:21,640 --> 00:34:23,640 Speaker 1: I don't know if anybody's ever won multiple Comeback Player 685 00:34:23,640 --> 00:34:25,919 Speaker 1: of the Year multiple MVPs, But if Ronald Kunya Junior 686 00:34:25,920 --> 00:34:27,799 Speaker 1: wants to become the latest or first to do as well, 687 00:34:28,320 --> 00:34:30,480 Speaker 1: I'd be on board with. Let's go speak of that. 688 00:34:30,560 --> 00:34:34,960 Speaker 1: One of the things that I looked up just to 689 00:34:35,080 --> 00:34:39,480 Speaker 1: speak to how lucky we are to be enjoying baseball 690 00:34:39,480 --> 00:34:41,120 Speaker 1: on the time that we're in covering baseball on the 691 00:34:41,120 --> 00:34:44,040 Speaker 1: time that we're in. So show Heo Tani and Aaron 692 00:34:44,120 --> 00:34:47,279 Speaker 1: Judge both won MVP again. You know, I think that 693 00:34:47,440 --> 00:34:52,520 Speaker 1: Kyle Rally was very deserving, but Judge was just out 694 00:34:52,560 --> 00:34:53,080 Speaker 1: of this world. 695 00:34:53,080 --> 00:34:53,360 Speaker 2: Again. 696 00:34:54,400 --> 00:34:59,359 Speaker 1: So Judge, show Hao, Tani, and Mike Trout have all 697 00:34:59,440 --> 00:35:05,600 Speaker 1: won three MVPs in their careers, and they're all currently playing, right, 698 00:35:05,640 --> 00:35:07,719 Speaker 1: and they're going to be playing for multiple more years. 699 00:35:08,040 --> 00:35:10,600 Speaker 1: I may be wrong on this, but I think the 700 00:35:10,640 --> 00:35:14,279 Speaker 1: only other times in baseball history where we've seen at 701 00:35:14,400 --> 00:35:20,720 Speaker 1: least three players with three plus MVP's playing was, I believe, 702 00:35:20,760 --> 00:35:23,520 Speaker 1: for a few years in the mid two thousands, the 703 00:35:23,640 --> 00:35:25,920 Speaker 1: Pooh Holtz may not have won his third by that time, 704 00:35:26,400 --> 00:35:28,920 Speaker 1: but pooh Holts, a Rod and Bonds in. 705 00:35:28,880 --> 00:35:31,000 Speaker 3: The mid two That's what I was thinking. Those three 706 00:35:31,160 --> 00:35:33,560 Speaker 3: were all I know one. 707 00:35:33,480 --> 00:35:37,239 Speaker 1: Bonds is last year was oh seven seven. 708 00:35:37,040 --> 00:35:38,719 Speaker 3: Okay, Yeah, so all three of them were playing at 709 00:35:38,760 --> 00:35:40,880 Speaker 3: the same time, and each row was in there as well. 710 00:35:41,480 --> 00:35:46,759 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, but I think the only other time, and 711 00:35:46,840 --> 00:35:49,560 Speaker 1: it may have been again, Mantle may not have done it, 712 00:35:50,120 --> 00:35:53,680 Speaker 1: but Mantle, Roy Campanella and Yogi Berra in the fifties and. 713 00:35:54,320 --> 00:35:55,319 Speaker 3: Who can forget that? 714 00:35:55,840 --> 00:35:57,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, But the. 715 00:35:57,160 --> 00:35:58,719 Speaker 1: Point that I may be wrong on that, because I 716 00:35:58,760 --> 00:36:00,480 Speaker 1: think Mantle may have won is in the sixties. 717 00:36:01,200 --> 00:36:04,680 Speaker 2: What year was that, uh, the early fifties. 718 00:36:04,719 --> 00:36:07,120 Speaker 1: I think that Roy, Campanella and Barra won it in 719 00:36:07,160 --> 00:36:09,759 Speaker 1: the when they're three each in the fifties, and I 720 00:36:09,840 --> 00:36:11,440 Speaker 1: may be inaccurate on that one. 721 00:36:11,840 --> 00:36:13,640 Speaker 2: But the point that I'm getting at is, I'm. 722 00:36:13,480 --> 00:36:16,080 Speaker 1: Sure there's another year where three different where folks who 723 00:36:16,120 --> 00:36:19,719 Speaker 1: won three MVPs all played. But what I'm getting at 724 00:36:19,880 --> 00:36:22,880 Speaker 1: is is that we're in a pretty awesome time to 725 00:36:22,960 --> 00:36:25,560 Speaker 1: be enjoying baseball, and I know that many in Braves 726 00:36:25,560 --> 00:36:29,400 Speaker 1: Country are baseball purists overall, So just wanted to point 727 00:36:29,400 --> 00:36:31,879 Speaker 1: that out it's pretty awesome. But regardless of all that, 728 00:36:32,160 --> 00:36:35,239 Speaker 1: baseball for Braves Country is at its best when ronald'coma 729 00:36:35,320 --> 00:36:37,560 Speaker 1: junior is playing at an MVP level and the Braves 730 00:36:37,600 --> 00:36:39,920 Speaker 1: are contending, and those two things need to be in 731 00:36:39,960 --> 00:36:44,000 Speaker 1: line for both of those two things to come true. Stephen, 732 00:36:44,040 --> 00:36:45,759 Speaker 1: anything else from you as we wrap up this edition 733 00:36:45,800 --> 00:36:48,960 Speaker 1: of the Hammer Territory Podcast. 734 00:36:48,320 --> 00:36:51,320 Speaker 3: I'm just begging anybody make a move, sign a player, 735 00:36:51,320 --> 00:36:52,839 Speaker 3: and make a trade. 736 00:36:53,600 --> 00:36:55,960 Speaker 2: This is the nes they did. They did. 737 00:36:56,239 --> 00:37:00,000 Speaker 1: They did claim two pitchers from the Boss Memorials, Colle 738 00:37:00,160 --> 00:37:02,400 Speaker 1: Ragsdale and I believe was it Josh Miller? 739 00:37:02,520 --> 00:37:03,480 Speaker 2: Is that is that his name? 740 00:37:04,080 --> 00:37:09,200 Speaker 1: Walker Carston Ragsdale and Josh Walker? Excuse me, Josh Walker. 741 00:37:10,160 --> 00:37:14,399 Speaker 1: This seems to be just uh probably forty men roster 742 00:37:14,440 --> 00:37:15,640 Speaker 1: seat warmer type moves. 743 00:37:15,640 --> 00:37:17,279 Speaker 3: But maybe these these are the type of moves you 744 00:37:17,320 --> 00:37:20,080 Speaker 3: make and then you immediately like put the guys on 745 00:37:20,120 --> 00:37:22,520 Speaker 3: where you basically try to get him through waivers and 746 00:37:22,520 --> 00:37:24,520 Speaker 3: get them in your minor league system, and they get 747 00:37:24,560 --> 00:37:27,760 Speaker 3: they keep getting claimed over, and this is what does 748 00:37:28,040 --> 00:37:30,920 Speaker 3: because the oriol I mean stealing pitching depth from the 749 00:37:30,920 --> 00:37:34,640 Speaker 3: Oriols is is tough because the Ools have as little 750 00:37:34,640 --> 00:37:37,319 Speaker 3: pitching depth as anybody. So yeah, this is not this 751 00:37:37,360 --> 00:37:39,120 Speaker 3: is more of a seat warming situation. 752 00:37:39,200 --> 00:37:39,480 Speaker 2: I think. 753 00:37:39,520 --> 00:37:41,319 Speaker 1: Yeah, you let him know that they've been claimed by 754 00:37:41,320 --> 00:37:43,239 Speaker 1: the phrase, but you also probably let them know, you know, hey, 755 00:37:43,280 --> 00:37:44,080 Speaker 1: don't don't. 756 00:37:43,920 --> 00:37:45,160 Speaker 3: You know, don't don't unpack. 757 00:37:45,440 --> 00:37:47,879 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, don't, don't. Don't make too too many plans as. 758 00:37:48,160 --> 00:37:50,160 Speaker 3: I would rent, I would rent instead of buy. 759 00:37:50,680 --> 00:37:52,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, but. 760 00:37:54,200 --> 00:37:56,480 Speaker 1: You know that being said, you know, listen, I know 761 00:37:56,560 --> 00:37:58,720 Speaker 1: that you know right now we're continuing to talk about, 762 00:37:58,760 --> 00:38:01,319 Speaker 1: you know, several things that could happen, ready to start 763 00:38:01,320 --> 00:38:04,120 Speaker 1: seeing things happen. But that doesn't mean we're not going 764 00:38:04,200 --> 00:38:05,640 Speaker 1: to break down all the rumors for you. That doesn't 765 00:38:05,640 --> 00:38:08,359 Speaker 1: mean we're going to continue when these news nuggets come out. 766 00:38:08,400 --> 00:38:10,320 Speaker 1: This is your best spot when it comes to breaking 767 00:38:10,360 --> 00:38:13,279 Speaker 1: down the braves. And don't forget, we've got that emergency 768 00:38:13,320 --> 00:38:16,160 Speaker 1: podcast ready to go at the drop of a hat 769 00:38:16,480 --> 00:38:18,799 Speaker 1: as soon as something happens. For Steven Tolbert, you can 770 00:38:18,800 --> 00:38:21,360 Speaker 1: find him at Beard or Square Outliers on Twitter, slash x. 771 00:38:21,480 --> 00:38:22,239 Speaker 2: My name is Sean Commen. 772 00:38:22,280 --> 00:38:25,120 Speaker 1: You can find me at stat's sec Hammer Territory cross. 773 00:38:25,160 --> 00:38:28,160 Speaker 1: All forms of social media are the foul Territory family 774 00:38:28,239 --> 00:38:28,960 Speaker 1: of podcasts. 775 00:38:29,040 --> 00:38:31,320 Speaker 2: Until next time, Go Braves. We'll talk to 776 00:38:31,320 --> 00:38:34,719 Speaker 1: TV and soon here I'm a Hammer Territory