1 00:00:01,160 --> 00:00:05,400 Speaker 1: Good morning everyone, Welcome to the Monday edition of Fair Territory. 2 00:00:05,480 --> 00:00:08,080 Speaker 1: I have good news this morning. Punks of Tony Phil 3 00:00:08,280 --> 00:00:12,000 Speaker 1: saw his shadow. That means, well, it means we have 4 00:00:12,080 --> 00:00:14,440 Speaker 1: six weeks left of winter. But the good news is 5 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:18,560 Speaker 1: less than two weeks until spring training and that should 6 00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:21,840 Speaker 1: warm all of our cold hearts. Now, we're coming off 7 00:00:21,880 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: a very interesting weekend. A couple of interesting things happened, 8 00:00:25,560 --> 00:00:28,200 Speaker 1: a couple of free agent signings, a trade, and also 9 00:00:28,320 --> 00:00:31,520 Speaker 1: the insurance issues with the WBC. We're going to get 10 00:00:31,560 --> 00:00:33,680 Speaker 1: to all of it. I want to start off with 11 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:37,000 Speaker 1: the two free agent signings because to me, they're kind 12 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:41,839 Speaker 1: of similar and not necessarily related. But we're talking about 13 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:46,239 Speaker 1: two flawed players who got one year deals. Aohenio Suarez, 14 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:49,520 Speaker 1: of course, one year fifteen million with the Cincinnati Reds, 15 00:00:49,520 --> 00:00:52,320 Speaker 1: a team he had played for previously. He is welcome 16 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:55,080 Speaker 1: back to any team he had played for previously. He 17 00:00:55,240 --> 00:00:58,120 Speaker 1: is the good vibes guy in the game. And then 18 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:01,640 Speaker 1: Luis Arrives, another really good guy, by the way, one 19 00:01:01,720 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 1: year twelve million with the San Francisco Giants. These two 20 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:09,240 Speaker 1: guys were not necessarily top free agents. Suarez was number 21 00:01:09,319 --> 00:01:13,200 Speaker 1: sixteen on the Athletics big board, and Arise was number 22 00:01:13,319 --> 00:01:16,480 Speaker 1: thirty three. But they're kind of interesting in the way 23 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:20,240 Speaker 1: that I just said they're flawed. Suarez is a guy 24 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:24,240 Speaker 1: who is somewhat one dimensional. Arise as a guy who 25 00:01:24,280 --> 00:01:27,560 Speaker 1: is somewhat one dimensional. Now, in Suarez's case, the one 26 00:01:27,600 --> 00:01:31,000 Speaker 1: dimension is power. He has it. Forty nine home runs 27 00:01:31,120 --> 00:01:34,880 Speaker 1: last year, tailed off after his trade from the Diamondbacks 28 00:01:34,880 --> 00:01:37,399 Speaker 1: to the Mariners. But forty nine home runs, My goodness, 29 00:01:37,560 --> 00:01:41,000 Speaker 1: that's pretty good. What are the problems? The problems are 30 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:45,120 Speaker 1: strikes out a ton, usually in the two hundred strikeout range. 31 00:01:45,200 --> 00:01:48,160 Speaker 1: He is streaky as can be, and he is a 32 00:01:48,160 --> 00:01:51,360 Speaker 1: poor defender. Essentially, at this point of his career, he 33 00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:54,280 Speaker 1: is a DH and that is the Reds plan for him. 34 00:01:54,320 --> 00:01:56,360 Speaker 1: That is how they are going to use him for 35 00:01:56,440 --> 00:01:58,480 Speaker 1: the most part. They'll play him a third sum maybe 36 00:01:58,520 --> 00:02:01,480 Speaker 1: at first some but he is going to be their DH, 37 00:02:01,760 --> 00:02:06,240 Speaker 1: hitting behind Elie Dela Cruz. So that is Ajohano Suarez. 38 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:10,280 Speaker 1: Those are his flaws. With Luisa Rise, it's a little 39 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 1: bit different. Unlike Suarez, he makes contact. He is the 40 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:18,000 Speaker 1: leading contact guy in the sport. He is a throwback 41 00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:21,280 Speaker 1: to when players actually didn't strike out two hundred times 42 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:26,040 Speaker 1: a year. But what are Luis arise flaws? The flaws 43 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:29,600 Speaker 1: for him are pretty obvious too. Lack of power when 44 00:02:29,639 --> 00:02:32,120 Speaker 1: he doesn't hit three hundred, as he didn't last year, 45 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:35,160 Speaker 1: he doesn't get on base enough because he doesn't walk 46 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:38,320 Speaker 1: all that much. And defensively he is a real question. 47 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:41,119 Speaker 1: He saw the reports yesterday that he had multi year 48 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:44,120 Speaker 1: deals on the table, but he wanted to go play 49 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:47,320 Speaker 1: second base again. Wanted to get back to that position, 50 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:50,600 Speaker 1: his original position. The San Francisco Giants are going to 51 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:54,040 Speaker 1: allow him to do that. Proceed at your own risk, 52 00:02:54,200 --> 00:02:57,720 Speaker 1: San Francisco, because the rise at that spot, even though 53 00:02:57,760 --> 00:03:00,440 Speaker 1: he is still fairly young, he is, it's just not 54 00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:04,760 Speaker 1: defensively as capable as he is offensively. Again, two of 55 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:07,680 Speaker 1: the great people in the game, but flawed, and that 56 00:03:07,800 --> 00:03:10,959 Speaker 1: is why they were restricted to one year deals when 57 00:03:11,200 --> 00:03:15,520 Speaker 1: most projected them to get multi year deals in free agency. 58 00:03:15,639 --> 00:03:19,639 Speaker 1: Now with the Giants, it kind of continues a curious 59 00:03:19,680 --> 00:03:23,920 Speaker 1: offseason for them. They are a team that loaded up 60 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 1: in recent years with big additions, right Matt Chapman, Willia 61 00:03:28,080 --> 00:03:30,640 Speaker 1: Domas and of course Raphael Devers. We're going to get 62 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:34,320 Speaker 1: to him in a minute and yet this offseason, when 63 00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:37,119 Speaker 1: it seemed that they needed to push a little bit, 64 00:03:37,280 --> 00:03:40,520 Speaker 1: they also have Logan Web under a big, long term deal, 65 00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:44,960 Speaker 1: they didn't push at all. They signed six players for 66 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:47,640 Speaker 1: a total of sixty seven and a half million. The 67 00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:51,160 Speaker 1: most expensive of those was Adrian Hauser two years, twenty 68 00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:54,400 Speaker 1: two million. They also signed Tyler Molly. They bring in 69 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 1: Harrison Bader on a two year deal. He'll play center 70 00:03:56,960 --> 00:03:59,680 Speaker 1: field for them, with Jung Hulee moving to a corner. 71 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:03,440 Speaker 1: They're an interesting team to watch, no doubt. I look 72 00:04:03,480 --> 00:04:06,240 Speaker 1: forward to seeing them play. I don't know how good 73 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:09,200 Speaker 1: they're going to be. They still need, in my estimation, 74 00:04:09,560 --> 00:04:13,200 Speaker 1: a big time starter to go with Webb. With Hawser 75 00:04:13,240 --> 00:04:15,800 Speaker 1: and Malli, they got competent guys, I don't know that 76 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:19,760 Speaker 1: they got high end guys. So the Giants under first 77 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:22,440 Speaker 1: year manager Tony Vitello are going to be a different 78 00:04:22,560 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 1: kind of team then they've been in the past. They 79 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:28,479 Speaker 1: have the stars in place. They don't have really the 80 00:04:28,520 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 1: solutions that fans envisioned for them at the start of 81 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:34,280 Speaker 1: the off season, but this is the way they went 82 00:04:34,320 --> 00:04:37,320 Speaker 1: about it. They decided for whatever reasons, and maybe the 83 00:04:37,360 --> 00:04:40,160 Speaker 1: potential lockout was one of them that they didn't want 84 00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:43,280 Speaker 1: to go big this off season because they've gone big 85 00:04:43,839 --> 00:04:46,680 Speaker 1: in previous off seasons. And of course last June when 86 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:50,840 Speaker 1: they traded for Ralphael Devers, they wanted CJ. Abrams in 87 00:04:50,880 --> 00:04:53,560 Speaker 1: a trade they tried to get him, but end up 88 00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 1: ultimately with Arise, who is a guy that I said 89 00:04:57,040 --> 00:05:01,520 Speaker 1: will be problematic from a defensive standpoint. The Reds, too, 90 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:03,599 Speaker 1: are a team that didn't spend a whole lot of 91 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:08,279 Speaker 1: money this offseason. Their big move was re signing Amelio Pagan. 92 00:05:08,360 --> 00:05:10,719 Speaker 1: I believe that was two years twenty million. They are 93 00:05:10,760 --> 00:05:15,159 Speaker 1: a team that spent fewer than fifty million on five players. 94 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:17,840 Speaker 1: The Reds are going to be competitive. They made the 95 00:05:17,880 --> 00:05:21,360 Speaker 1: playoffs last season with what they had and Terry Francona 96 00:05:21,440 --> 00:05:24,240 Speaker 1: will get the most out of them. But in an 97 00:05:24,279 --> 00:05:27,719 Speaker 1: offseason that began with them pursuing Kyle Schwarber, Yes, of 98 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:31,200 Speaker 1: course Suarez is a bit of a letdown. Now. I 99 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:35,480 Speaker 1: mentioned the trade that occurred yesterday, and I mentioned Ralphael Devers. 100 00:05:35,960 --> 00:05:39,800 Speaker 1: Those two things are tied together, the trade and Ralphael Devers. 101 00:05:39,960 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 1: The trade, as reported was an announced. Jordan Hicks, one 102 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:48,040 Speaker 1: of the players in the Devers deal, and David Sandlin, 103 00:05:48,120 --> 00:05:50,960 Speaker 1: one of the Red Sox better pitching prospects. Not necessarily 104 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:54,120 Speaker 1: their top guy. That's Connolly early and Peyton totally, but 105 00:05:54,720 --> 00:05:56,800 Speaker 1: Sandlin was a guy who going into last season was 106 00:05:56,839 --> 00:06:01,960 Speaker 1: really highly regarded and still is quite highly regarded. Engage Zeal, 107 00:06:02,160 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 1: a pitcher from the White Sox system who they had 108 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:08,560 Speaker 1: acquired for Austin Slater. He goes back to Boston. This 109 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:11,880 Speaker 1: was a salary dump obviously from the Red Sox perspective. 110 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:15,040 Speaker 1: They picked up eight of the twenty four million remaining 111 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:18,080 Speaker 1: on Hicks's deal, but they get rid of sixteen million, 112 00:06:18,520 --> 00:06:21,480 Speaker 1: and from the White Sox perspective, this was a good 113 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:24,640 Speaker 1: move because, yes, they have to take on Jordan Hicks 114 00:06:24,680 --> 00:06:27,359 Speaker 1: and his money and make him an eight million dollar 115 00:06:27,480 --> 00:06:30,919 Speaker 1: a year middle reliever, but they also get Sandlin, a 116 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:33,160 Speaker 1: guy they really liked, and this is one of the 117 00:06:33,160 --> 00:06:36,919 Speaker 1: benefits of their ability a couple of weeks ago to 118 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:41,159 Speaker 1: trade Luis Robert Junior to the Mets. Since then, since 119 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:44,680 Speaker 1: clearing that twenty two million obligation to him, they've signed 120 00:06:44,720 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 1: Sir Anthony Dominguez, They've now traded for Hicks, and they 121 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:51,520 Speaker 1: have one other free agent addition that is eluding me 122 00:06:51,640 --> 00:06:55,560 Speaker 1: right now, but it was, Oh, Austin Hayes, another good one, 123 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:58,400 Speaker 1: one year, six million for him. So the White Sox 124 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:00,760 Speaker 1: have done well here, but the Red Soize are going 125 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:03,200 Speaker 1: to be the focus for the next minute or two. Now. 126 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:06,880 Speaker 1: The Red Sox, if you recall, made the Ralphield Devers 127 00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:10,400 Speaker 1: trade last summer. Now, I never thought when they did 128 00:07:10,440 --> 00:07:12,960 Speaker 1: that that the return was going to be something that 129 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:15,239 Speaker 1: they were going to be so excited about, and it wasn't. 130 00:07:15,640 --> 00:07:19,160 Speaker 1: But since then a trade that I didn't like at 131 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:22,280 Speaker 1: the time, mostly because of how it came about, mostly 132 00:07:22,320 --> 00:07:25,720 Speaker 1: because they alienated a star player they had recently signed 133 00:07:25,720 --> 00:07:29,080 Speaker 1: long term, alienated him to the point where he wanted 134 00:07:29,160 --> 00:07:33,240 Speaker 1: out and they needed him out. That was mismanagement one 135 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:36,960 Speaker 1: oh one. But the return and people have focused on 136 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:40,560 Speaker 1: this in recent days and weeks and months, that was 137 00:07:40,640 --> 00:07:42,280 Speaker 1: never going to be something that was going to be 138 00:07:42,320 --> 00:07:44,720 Speaker 1: so great. Let me show you how this deal has 139 00:07:45,040 --> 00:07:48,080 Speaker 1: netted out for the Red Sox, because yes, it is 140 00:07:48,200 --> 00:07:52,880 Speaker 1: disturbing if you're a Red Sox fan. The principal gain 141 00:07:53,360 --> 00:07:56,240 Speaker 1: from the Dever's trade was the savings of two hundred 142 00:07:56,240 --> 00:07:59,119 Speaker 1: and fifty five million on the remaining part of his deal. 143 00:07:59,560 --> 00:08:02,160 Speaker 1: Red Sox also acquired Kyle Harrison, who could be a 144 00:08:02,160 --> 00:08:05,640 Speaker 1: guy that ultimately serves a purpose for them. Gage zeal 145 00:08:05,680 --> 00:08:08,040 Speaker 1: he comes in the trade yesterday. Jose Beao, he's a kid, 146 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:11,280 Speaker 1: was in rookie ball last year, and then Jordan Hicks 147 00:08:11,320 --> 00:08:15,480 Speaker 1: for two months and they were often injured in effective months. 148 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:18,600 Speaker 1: And Dustin May, who came for James Tibbs, now one 149 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:21,040 Speaker 1: of the Dodgers' top ten prospects. I don't know why 150 00:08:21,400 --> 00:08:24,240 Speaker 1: the Red Sox felt compelled to trade him for two 151 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:26,920 Speaker 1: months of Dustin May, but that's what they did. And 152 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:29,920 Speaker 1: the Red Sox of course lost Ralph faeld Devers and 153 00:08:30,040 --> 00:08:34,080 Speaker 1: David Sandlin. Now, as I said, the principal return for 154 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:37,640 Speaker 1: ralfhaeld Devers, a star player who was not yet even thirty, 155 00:08:38,320 --> 00:08:42,480 Speaker 1: was never going to be what defined this trade. What 156 00:08:42,600 --> 00:08:45,440 Speaker 1: defined this trade was going to be what they did 157 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:47,760 Speaker 1: with the savings. Right, the two hundred and fifty five 158 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:52,040 Speaker 1: million that they saved on Devors alone, Well, what have 159 00:08:52,120 --> 00:08:54,160 Speaker 1: they done this offseason. Let's take a look at this 160 00:08:54,280 --> 00:08:57,000 Speaker 1: and I'll show you. Obviously, the two hundred and fifty 161 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:58,840 Speaker 1: five million was not going to be all spent in 162 00:08:58,920 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 1: one off season, and it will be spent over a 163 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:04,160 Speaker 1: period of time. But here is the Red Sox off season. 164 00:09:04,240 --> 00:09:07,200 Speaker 1: As far as the financial additions, I'm not talking about 165 00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:10,400 Speaker 1: the players they lost in some of the trades. Strictly finances. 166 00:09:10,440 --> 00:09:13,440 Speaker 1: Here Ranger Swarez one hundred and thirty million, five years 167 00:09:13,600 --> 00:09:16,480 Speaker 1: Wilson contrast, they ultimately take thirty four and a half 168 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:19,959 Speaker 1: million over two years in that trade. Sunny Gray nets 169 00:09:19,960 --> 00:09:23,080 Speaker 1: out to one year, twenty one million. I'm counting the 170 00:09:23,160 --> 00:09:26,880 Speaker 1: Chapman extension here because it happened after the Dever's trade 171 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:29,760 Speaker 1: and ultimately counts as an off season move. And then 172 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:33,480 Speaker 1: Johanno Viedo coming over from Pittsburgh in a trade one year, 173 00:09:33,559 --> 00:09:36,920 Speaker 1: one point five five million. If you're a Red Sox 174 00:09:36,960 --> 00:09:41,000 Speaker 1: fan and you're looking at this, you're saying, again, where 175 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:44,840 Speaker 1: is the big offensive addition? Where is Alex Bregman, who 176 00:09:44,920 --> 00:09:48,079 Speaker 1: of course signed with the Cubs. Where is someone else? Now? 177 00:09:48,440 --> 00:09:51,280 Speaker 1: The off season is not over. The Red Sox, as 178 00:09:51,320 --> 00:09:54,439 Speaker 1: Jen McCaffrey wrote in The Athletic Today, still want to 179 00:09:54,480 --> 00:09:57,359 Speaker 1: add an infielder. I expect that they will add an infielder. 180 00:09:57,960 --> 00:10:02,120 Speaker 1: Their fan base, which seems to be having conniptions over everything. 181 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:06,600 Speaker 1: Had conniptions yesterday again when they did not sign Aohano Suarez. 182 00:10:06,880 --> 00:10:10,080 Speaker 1: I don't know that Aohano Suarez was necessarily the best 183 00:10:10,080 --> 00:10:12,600 Speaker 1: solution for the Red Sox. Let's see what they come 184 00:10:12,679 --> 00:10:14,920 Speaker 1: up with. I didn't like the trade at the time. 185 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:17,160 Speaker 1: I didn't like it for the reasons I stated. I 186 00:10:17,280 --> 00:10:20,800 Speaker 1: never thought it was going to be this great panaceer 187 00:10:20,840 --> 00:10:23,440 Speaker 1: for the Red Sox. From the perspective of, oh wow, 188 00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:26,040 Speaker 1: we got these really good guys back from Ralph Field 189 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:29,400 Speaker 1: Devers and again Harrison might turn out to be Okay 190 00:10:29,600 --> 00:10:33,839 Speaker 1: Beyo or Jose baoyat ultimately in time could be the same. 191 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:37,520 Speaker 1: I wouldn't expect that. The key question was what do 192 00:10:37,559 --> 00:10:42,319 Speaker 1: they do with the newfound payroll flexibility. They got it, 193 00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:45,079 Speaker 1: They've spent some of it, maybe a lot of it, 194 00:10:45,320 --> 00:10:49,840 Speaker 1: but to this point their team still is one hitter short. 195 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:52,120 Speaker 1: All right, Now, we have a brand new show coming 196 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:54,880 Speaker 1: up on the Foul Territory Network, This one we're excited about. 197 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:58,760 Speaker 1: FT resident GM Jim Bowden and his son Trey hosted 198 00:10:59,040 --> 00:11:01,960 Speaker 1: GM Territory. It's a new territory for us. In the 199 00:11:01,960 --> 00:11:06,000 Speaker 1: first episode out now, the Bodon's Great, The Grade, the 200 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:09,160 Speaker 1: Al East offseason and predict breakout stars on each team. 201 00:11:09,440 --> 00:11:12,200 Speaker 1: Subscribe on YouTube and share it with a friend, part 202 00:11:12,240 --> 00:11:14,760 Speaker 1: of the Foul Territory Network, and we will be back 203 00:11:15,040 --> 00:11:21,480 Speaker 1: with the Inside Dish right after this. Well well, well, well, 204 00:11:25,160 --> 00:11:27,079 Speaker 1: all right, time now for the Inside Dish, the part 205 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:28,600 Speaker 1: of the show where I talk about a story I've 206 00:11:28,600 --> 00:11:32,480 Speaker 1: written something in the game. Maybe a combination of both, 207 00:11:32,520 --> 00:11:35,040 Speaker 1: and that's what we're going to have on this Monday, 208 00:11:35,240 --> 00:11:38,920 Speaker 1: a combination of both. A big issue surfaced over the 209 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 1: weekend and is an issue that I wrote about with 210 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:45,240 Speaker 1: evand Relic in the Athletic and the issue is insurance 211 00:11:45,440 --> 00:11:49,000 Speaker 1: for players in the WBC, the World Baseball Classic, the 212 00:11:49,040 --> 00:11:53,440 Speaker 1: first big event on the baseball calendar this season, and 213 00:11:53,800 --> 00:11:58,840 Speaker 1: the issue has arisen because insurance for some players has 214 00:11:58,880 --> 00:12:02,199 Speaker 1: been denied. A number of players on the Puerto Rican 215 00:12:02,240 --> 00:12:06,760 Speaker 1: team were denied coverage and for that reason, some of 216 00:12:06,800 --> 00:12:09,640 Speaker 1: their officials and their federation said, you know what, we 217 00:12:09,720 --> 00:12:11,719 Speaker 1: might not be able to field a club. We might 218 00:12:11,760 --> 00:12:15,680 Speaker 1: not have enough to go about this in the proper way. 219 00:12:16,240 --> 00:12:20,960 Speaker 1: So why has this problem arisen? Insurance has become more 220 00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:24,800 Speaker 1: expensive since the last tournament. It has been a situation 221 00:12:24,880 --> 00:12:29,080 Speaker 1: where the insurer became more stringent about the way they 222 00:12:29,160 --> 00:12:33,359 Speaker 1: approached players and who they covered, who they approved for insurance. 223 00:12:33,960 --> 00:12:36,680 Speaker 1: And this is largely a result of what happened in 224 00:12:36,760 --> 00:12:40,760 Speaker 1: the last WBC in twenty twenty three, when Edwin Diaz 225 00:12:40,800 --> 00:12:45,360 Speaker 1: and Jose l Tuve to expensive players both suffered injuries. Well, 226 00:12:45,559 --> 00:12:48,560 Speaker 1: you know how insurance companies react to things that go poorly. 227 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:52,000 Speaker 1: What do they do? They raised premiums and they make 228 00:12:52,040 --> 00:12:55,240 Speaker 1: it tougher to get coverage, and that is what is 229 00:12:55,280 --> 00:13:00,320 Speaker 1: happening here. Put Nico has been hit especially hard talking 230 00:13:00,360 --> 00:13:05,840 Speaker 1: about Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, Jose Berrios, and Victor Caratini, 231 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:09,360 Speaker 1: all flagged for insurance issues. Some of those players are 232 00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:13,960 Speaker 1: still under review. The rosters are due tomorrow and they 233 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:17,240 Speaker 1: will not be announced until Thursday, so there's still time 234 00:13:17,400 --> 00:13:21,200 Speaker 1: for some revisions here. And two Puerto Rican relievers have 235 00:13:21,320 --> 00:13:24,959 Speaker 1: actually been approved who are initially rejected, so things are 236 00:13:25,080 --> 00:13:30,720 Speaker 1: changing those relievers, Luis Cannes and Giovanni Moran. Now, other cases, 237 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:33,200 Speaker 1: as I said, are being looked at, and Puerto Rico 238 00:13:33,240 --> 00:13:37,880 Speaker 1: has said they might withdraw their US territory, and they're 239 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:41,760 Speaker 1: obviously a strong baseball country. But the problem that they 240 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:45,560 Speaker 1: face is they don't draw from as large a player 241 00:13:45,679 --> 00:13:50,520 Speaker 1: population as the United States, Japan, or even the Dominican Republic. 242 00:13:50,640 --> 00:13:54,439 Speaker 1: So the more players they lose, the more their team 243 00:13:54,600 --> 00:13:59,000 Speaker 1: is compromised. And with Puerto Rico hosting one of the 244 00:13:59,040 --> 00:14:02,720 Speaker 1: first round sites or being one of the first round sites, 245 00:14:03,280 --> 00:14:07,079 Speaker 1: obviously they don't want to be embarrassed playing at home, 246 00:14:07,480 --> 00:14:10,439 Speaker 1: and that's why they've talked about potentially withdrawing. I don't 247 00:14:10,480 --> 00:14:13,200 Speaker 1: believe that is going to happen. There's a lot at 248 00:14:13,280 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 1: stake for Puerto Rico. If they do drop out, you 249 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:19,720 Speaker 1: lose money. You kind of are in an embarrassing situation 250 00:14:19,880 --> 00:14:24,520 Speaker 1: when you are hosting something and you're not participating. Not good. 251 00:14:24,600 --> 00:14:27,080 Speaker 1: So I expect this to be resolved to the best 252 00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:32,080 Speaker 1: it can be resolved. But you understand why people in 253 00:14:32,160 --> 00:14:35,960 Speaker 1: Puerto Rico are upset. Now, let me explain the insurance 254 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:38,880 Speaker 1: element here. It's obviously a little bit different than what 255 00:14:39,080 --> 00:14:42,360 Speaker 1: you and I face when we go for insurance. In 256 00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 1: this case, for the WBC, the insurance covers one hundred 257 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:48,440 Speaker 1: percent of a position player's salary for two years and 258 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:52,560 Speaker 1: one hundred percent of a pictures salary for four. That's 259 00:14:52,640 --> 00:14:54,960 Speaker 1: pretty good. Now. It's expensive, of course, and that's the 260 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:57,880 Speaker 1: problem that the teams are I'm sorry the league and 261 00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:00,800 Speaker 1: union are running into it's co owned wannament is by 262 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:03,800 Speaker 1: the league and the union. But at the same time, 263 00:15:03,840 --> 00:15:07,840 Speaker 1: there's no deductible the premiums or paid off right away. 264 00:15:07,920 --> 00:15:11,280 Speaker 1: The teams get the money back. The players are paid regardless. 265 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:15,760 Speaker 1: Their contracts are guaranteed. That's worth knowing and certainly understanding. 266 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:19,920 Speaker 1: But the teams are unwilling to have players play without 267 00:15:19,960 --> 00:15:23,120 Speaker 1: insurance unless they were willing to assume the risk. The 268 00:15:23,160 --> 00:15:25,680 Speaker 1: Tigers did that from Miguel Cabrera a few years ago. 269 00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:28,760 Speaker 1: The Dodgers did not with Clayton Kershaw. This was both 270 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:32,640 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty three. So then you might ask, okay, 271 00:15:33,320 --> 00:15:38,120 Speaker 1: what disqualifies a player. Generally it's two things, one a 272 00:15:38,240 --> 00:15:42,440 Speaker 1: recent surgery and two more than sixty days spent on 273 00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:45,720 Speaker 1: the IL or sixty days missed with injuries in the 274 00:15:45,800 --> 00:15:51,000 Speaker 1: previous season. A number of US players had injury issues 275 00:15:51,080 --> 00:15:54,760 Speaker 1: last year but are eligible, we're cleared to play, were insured, 276 00:15:55,120 --> 00:15:58,080 Speaker 1: And this is what has gotten some people confused and upset, 277 00:15:58,480 --> 00:16:02,360 Speaker 1: especially people with passion for the Puerto Rican side and 278 00:16:03,520 --> 00:16:06,280 Speaker 1: what I'm talking about is Aaron Judge, a guy who 279 00:16:06,360 --> 00:16:08,760 Speaker 1: had a UCL issue last year but still played in 280 00:16:08,760 --> 00:16:12,040 Speaker 1: one hundred and fifty two games. I'm talking about Alex Bregman, 281 00:16:12,080 --> 00:16:14,280 Speaker 1: a guy who was injured a lot too, but never 282 00:16:14,320 --> 00:16:19,440 Speaker 1: went on the sixtydil, never had surgery. And Byron Buxton, 283 00:16:19,480 --> 00:16:22,600 Speaker 1: a guy who has always heard it seems IL twice 284 00:16:22,680 --> 00:16:25,600 Speaker 1: last year but didn't miss the sixty days. And the 285 00:16:25,680 --> 00:16:28,800 Speaker 1: other thing with Buckston, his salary is not as high. 286 00:16:28,840 --> 00:16:32,240 Speaker 1: It's fifteen million, so it's not as big a risk 287 00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:37,160 Speaker 1: to ensure him. So again you can understand why people 288 00:16:37,160 --> 00:16:41,800 Speaker 1: are upset and understand why people are confused. It looks arbitrary. 289 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:44,680 Speaker 1: Why are the Puerto Rican players getting singled out here? 290 00:16:45,440 --> 00:16:49,160 Speaker 1: It looks arbitrary. Well, we know this from our own lives. 291 00:16:49,560 --> 00:16:55,080 Speaker 1: Insurance often is arbitrary. There is no reason for Major 292 00:16:55,160 --> 00:16:59,000 Speaker 1: League Baseball and the Major League Players Association to want 293 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:02,200 Speaker 1: to stick it to Rico. They want the best players 294 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:05,080 Speaker 1: in the tournament. They want Lindor playing. He's the face 295 00:17:05,080 --> 00:17:08,080 Speaker 1: of Puerto Rican baseball. They want him in there. But 296 00:17:08,800 --> 00:17:12,840 Speaker 1: what happened was and it looks bad. Obviously, it's a 297 00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:15,200 Speaker 1: bad look for the tournament. It's a bad look overall. 298 00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:18,040 Speaker 1: What happened was a number of the players from Puerto 299 00:17:18,119 --> 00:17:22,199 Speaker 1: Dco had issues that were flagged. Now again it's not 300 00:17:22,359 --> 00:17:26,520 Speaker 1: over and we'll see tomorrow. Actually we will not see 301 00:17:26,600 --> 00:17:30,479 Speaker 1: till Thursday how this all panned out, because again there 302 00:17:30,480 --> 00:17:34,600 Speaker 1: are conversations being taken place right now, there are further 303 00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:38,760 Speaker 1: evaluations being made, players being looked at again and trying 304 00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:43,760 Speaker 1: to clear for coverage and obviously to play in the WBC. 305 00:17:44,359 --> 00:17:49,159 Speaker 1: So what is ultimately the overriding thing here, Well, the 306 00:17:49,280 --> 00:17:53,760 Speaker 1: basic problem of the WBC is the fear of players 307 00:17:53,800 --> 00:17:56,919 Speaker 1: getting hurt. Teams fear that because they don't want to 308 00:17:56,920 --> 00:18:00,440 Speaker 1: lose players. They're paying a lot of money to fans too. 309 00:18:00,680 --> 00:18:02,879 Speaker 1: You see fans off in comment I don't want my 310 00:18:02,920 --> 00:18:06,000 Speaker 1: guys in the WBC. I want them healthy for the season. 311 00:18:06,400 --> 00:18:10,320 Speaker 1: And certainly I understand all that, and everybody has their 312 00:18:10,320 --> 00:18:14,440 Speaker 1: own particular interests. From the perspective of the sport as 313 00:18:14,440 --> 00:18:18,199 Speaker 1: a whole, the WBC is a great thing. It has 314 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:21,320 Speaker 1: promoted the game internationally, It has grown the game, It 315 00:18:21,359 --> 00:18:25,880 Speaker 1: has created revenue that was not there before. And beyond 316 00:18:25,920 --> 00:18:28,199 Speaker 1: all that, and the part of it that to me 317 00:18:28,359 --> 00:18:31,920 Speaker 1: is most appealing. It is one of the more exciting 318 00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:35,440 Speaker 1: things going on the baseball calendar, and the last tournament, 319 00:18:35,760 --> 00:18:38,960 Speaker 1: the one in twenty twenty three. I've said this before 320 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:41,240 Speaker 1: and I'll say it again, one of the best things 321 00:18:41,280 --> 00:18:44,040 Speaker 1: I've ever covered, one of the most exciting things I've 322 00:18:44,080 --> 00:18:47,200 Speaker 1: ever covered. I've covered Olympics, I've covered Super Bowls, obviously, 323 00:18:47,240 --> 00:18:50,480 Speaker 1: I've covered World Series and all of that. But the 324 00:18:50,600 --> 00:18:54,520 Speaker 1: quality of play, the passion that the players showed, well, 325 00:18:54,840 --> 00:18:57,479 Speaker 1: why are so many US players in particular signing up 326 00:18:57,480 --> 00:19:01,680 Speaker 1: this time because of what they saw in twenty twenty three. Now, 327 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:05,760 Speaker 1: it's true that players do get hurt, and it's also 328 00:19:05,800 --> 00:19:07,960 Speaker 1: true that players get hurt in spring training, but the 329 00:19:08,080 --> 00:19:12,320 Speaker 1: risk in the WBC obviously is greater. We all know that. 330 00:19:12,720 --> 00:19:17,760 Speaker 1: So this is the byproduct of having the tournament. You're 331 00:19:17,800 --> 00:19:20,879 Speaker 1: going to have insurance issues, You're going to have players 332 00:19:20,920 --> 00:19:24,320 Speaker 1: who get hurt from time to time, and it's just 333 00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:28,280 Speaker 1: part of the equation. And ultimately you have a vast 334 00:19:28,320 --> 00:19:31,879 Speaker 1: majority of star players who are participating. The biggest names 335 00:19:31,880 --> 00:19:34,159 Speaker 1: for the most part are in this tournament, from Judge 336 00:19:34,160 --> 00:19:37,960 Speaker 1: to Soto, to cal Raley to Turrek Schoubel and Paul 337 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:41,880 Speaker 1: skins in this particular tournament. With the insurer becoming more 338 00:19:41,960 --> 00:19:46,720 Speaker 1: rigid about which players it covers, it was inevitable. Inevitable 339 00:19:47,240 --> 00:19:49,560 Speaker 1: there would be a greater number of issues this year. 340 00:19:49,760 --> 00:19:52,560 Speaker 1: That is what has happened. The hope now over the 341 00:19:52,640 --> 00:19:55,320 Speaker 1: next twenty four hours or so is that more players 342 00:19:55,320 --> 00:19:58,240 Speaker 1: from Puerto Rico get cleared that this is not that 343 00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:00,959 Speaker 1: big an issue for them that they feel comfortable fielding 344 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:04,040 Speaker 1: a team. I don't know how it's all going to transpire. 345 00:20:04,359 --> 00:20:07,600 Speaker 1: I do know it was very unfortunate what has happened here. 346 00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:13,160 Speaker 1: But let's see in wait before judging the WBC prematurely, 347 00:20:13,359 --> 00:20:15,480 Speaker 1: Let's see who gets on the field. Let's see how 348 00:20:15,560 --> 00:20:19,800 Speaker 1: the tournament proceeds before condemning it before it even starts. 349 00:20:20,119 --> 00:20:22,639 Speaker 1: All right with that, that's the inside dish. We'll be 350 00:20:22,720 --> 00:20:24,880 Speaker 1: back with grilling ken right after this. 351 00:20:26,320 --> 00:20:30,320 Speaker 2: BET'MGM account holders today. How about in any sport parlay 352 00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:32,560 Speaker 2: boost token you can score a bigger payout if your 353 00:20:32,560 --> 00:20:34,840 Speaker 2: wager with that token. HITS tokens can be used on 354 00:20:34,880 --> 00:20:38,600 Speaker 2: parlays and on same game parlays. Gambling problem or concerned, 355 00:20:38,640 --> 00:20:41,080 Speaker 2: there's help called one eight hundred gambler. 356 00:20:45,640 --> 00:20:47,760 Speaker 1: All right time now for grilling Ken, the part of 357 00:20:47,800 --> 00:20:50,520 Speaker 1: the show where I answer your questions. Let's get going, 358 00:20:50,600 --> 00:20:56,080 Speaker 1: Let's get right to them. First question comes from Wicked 359 00:20:56,160 --> 00:20:59,160 Speaker 1: Better fifty four, who asks, now that the Red Sox 360 00:20:59,200 --> 00:21:02,160 Speaker 1: have lost out on Aohanno Suarez, do you see them 361 00:21:02,200 --> 00:21:05,159 Speaker 1: pursuing from bra Valdez to double down on their starting 362 00:21:05,240 --> 00:21:08,440 Speaker 1: rotation and keep him from signing with the Orioles. Wow, 363 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:10,320 Speaker 1: the Red Sox are scared of the Orioles. That's a 364 00:21:10,359 --> 00:21:14,159 Speaker 1: new one. I don't see this happening. And Ranger Suarez 365 00:21:14,560 --> 00:21:17,560 Speaker 1: was the initial pivot from Bregman. When they lost Bregman, 366 00:21:17,720 --> 00:21:20,800 Speaker 1: they went and signed Rangers Suarez. That was the double 367 00:21:20,840 --> 00:21:24,240 Speaker 1: down move on their rotation at this point from bra 368 00:21:24,280 --> 00:21:27,800 Speaker 1: Valdez would be excessive. They don't need any more pitching. 369 00:21:28,119 --> 00:21:31,040 Speaker 1: What they need is offense. It's a good question, and 370 00:21:31,119 --> 00:21:34,760 Speaker 1: teams certainly are always wondering, all right, if we can't 371 00:21:34,760 --> 00:21:37,439 Speaker 1: do it this way, maybe that way. The idea is 372 00:21:37,520 --> 00:21:40,080 Speaker 1: to outscore the other team. But I don't see the 373 00:21:40,080 --> 00:21:42,960 Speaker 1: Red Sox getting another pitcher. I do see them needing 374 00:21:43,040 --> 00:21:46,560 Speaker 1: another bat, all right. Next question, so, when it comes 375 00:21:46,560 --> 00:21:49,119 Speaker 1: from Sean Daniel, I don't know what it says, are 376 00:21:49,160 --> 00:21:52,200 Speaker 1: the Rangers done for the off season? Maybe they add 377 00:21:52,240 --> 00:21:57,480 Speaker 1: a bat possible. I don't necessarily see it happening. The 378 00:21:57,560 --> 00:22:01,440 Speaker 1: Rangers have had an unusual off season in the sense 379 00:22:01,480 --> 00:22:04,000 Speaker 1: that it's been kind of quiet for them, But I 380 00:22:04,040 --> 00:22:08,399 Speaker 1: don't see them necessarily going big on anything. They're a 381 00:22:08,440 --> 00:22:11,480 Speaker 1: team that looks to be better next season with the 382 00:22:11,480 --> 00:22:14,000 Speaker 1: addition of Nemo and some other things that they've done. 383 00:22:14,600 --> 00:22:16,719 Speaker 1: They feel that they can get more out of their 384 00:22:16,800 --> 00:22:19,119 Speaker 1: own players. That's been a big thing with them. We 385 00:22:19,160 --> 00:22:21,800 Speaker 1: need to get more out of our own guys. They've 386 00:22:21,840 --> 00:22:25,359 Speaker 1: obviously added Mackenzie Gore. That was their big move. Yes, 387 00:22:25,480 --> 00:22:28,560 Speaker 1: they could use more offense because their offense was extremely 388 00:22:28,880 --> 00:22:33,040 Speaker 1: disappointing last season. But I don't see a bat of 389 00:22:33,160 --> 00:22:35,960 Speaker 1: consequence coming to the Rangers. In fact, there really aren't 390 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:39,639 Speaker 1: many bats of consequence left in either trade or free agency. 391 00:22:40,040 --> 00:22:42,000 Speaker 1: All Right, one more I think we can get to. 392 00:22:42,119 --> 00:22:45,040 Speaker 1: Let's see Armand is amazing one of our best contributors. 393 00:22:45,160 --> 00:22:48,520 Speaker 1: Armand asked Ken, well the Tigers make moves after the 394 00:22:48,680 --> 00:22:52,560 Speaker 1: RB hearing with Schooble, no matter the outcome. Great question. 395 00:22:53,280 --> 00:22:56,480 Speaker 1: Great question because Tarek Scouble is going to get either 396 00:22:56,600 --> 00:22:59,959 Speaker 1: nineteen million or thirty two million once his RB case 397 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:03,840 Speaker 1: is decided. Barring a settlement, which is not happening, most 398 00:23:03,920 --> 00:23:06,879 Speaker 1: likely it's going to be one of those numbers or 399 00:23:06,880 --> 00:23:09,440 Speaker 1: the other. That's how it works in arbitration. You win 400 00:23:09,640 --> 00:23:12,720 Speaker 1: or you lose. If that number is thirty two million, 401 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:15,720 Speaker 1: do I see them making any further additions? It would 402 00:23:15,760 --> 00:23:18,880 Speaker 1: compromise them, It would change things for them. If it's 403 00:23:19,000 --> 00:23:21,520 Speaker 1: nineteen million, Can they go forward with the addition of 404 00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:25,120 Speaker 1: perhaps another starting pitcher when a number are still out there, 405 00:23:25,359 --> 00:23:28,720 Speaker 1: from Gallon to Bassett to Geolido right down the line 406 00:23:29,280 --> 00:23:31,720 Speaker 1: that I can see that should happen. It should happen 407 00:23:31,800 --> 00:23:34,880 Speaker 1: either way. Frankly, if you're the Tigers, if you lose 408 00:23:34,920 --> 00:23:37,479 Speaker 1: an arbitration, well maybe you should have offered Derek Schouoble 409 00:23:37,520 --> 00:23:40,639 Speaker 1: more money before this all came to a head. So 410 00:23:41,480 --> 00:23:46,040 Speaker 1: with that Schooble hearing is going to have an outcome 411 00:23:46,200 --> 00:23:51,160 Speaker 1: that is obviously meaningful in the context of arbitration, meaningful 412 00:23:51,200 --> 00:23:54,160 Speaker 1: for the Tigers twenty twenty six payroll, and yes, perhaps 413 00:23:54,160 --> 00:23:58,159 Speaker 1: meaningful for their roster in twenty twenty six as well. 414 00:23:58,480 --> 00:24:01,640 Speaker 1: One way or another. All right, I want to thank 415 00:24:01,640 --> 00:24:05,200 Speaker 1: everyone for their questions. Everyone for watching, for listening. Foul 416 00:24:05,280 --> 00:24:08,399 Speaker 1: Territory coming up at one pm e T. That is 417 00:24:08,480 --> 00:24:11,879 Speaker 1: Jim Bowden and Richie Schaeffer. They're going to join Alana Rizzo, 418 00:24:12,160 --> 00:24:15,239 Speaker 1: Aj Prazinski and Eric Kratz. We'll be back Thursday at 419 00:24:15,240 --> 00:24:19,120 Speaker 1: our usual time, live at twelve thirty myself and Alana. 420 00:24:19,400 --> 00:24:21,920 Speaker 1: Have a great week. Everyone, We'll talk to you soon.