1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: Pete Alonso is a guy that is going to be 2 00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:06,240 Speaker 1: someone who gets a lot of attention this offseason, and 3 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:08,440 Speaker 1: you say, well, do you do him instead of Sodo? 4 00:00:09,360 --> 00:00:10,240 Speaker 2: You're Steve Cohen. 5 00:00:10,440 --> 00:00:18,360 Speaker 1: You probably could do both. Welcome everyone to this week's 6 00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:22,000 Speaker 1: edition of Fair Territory, the Monday edition, the solo edition. 7 00:00:22,360 --> 00:00:25,320 Speaker 1: Alano Rizzo is back with us on Thursday. I hope 8 00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:28,000 Speaker 1: everyone had a great weekend. It was a tremendous weekend 9 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:31,200 Speaker 1: of baseball, and I want to start off today talking 10 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:34,920 Speaker 1: about what I think is a fascinating storyline that is developing, 11 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:38,800 Speaker 1: one that is not necessarily a surprise to those of 12 00:00:38,840 --> 00:00:41,760 Speaker 1: us who are looking at these teams in spring training 13 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:44,640 Speaker 1: and before the season started, but one that seems to 14 00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:48,680 Speaker 1: be crystallizing in an even firmer way than perhaps before. 15 00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:51,959 Speaker 1: I'm talking about the National League and the three powers 16 00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:56,360 Speaker 1: in the National League, in my estimation, the Dodgers, the Phillies, 17 00:00:56,480 --> 00:00:59,600 Speaker 1: and the Braves, not necessarily in that order. In fact, 18 00:01:00,040 --> 00:01:02,840 Speaker 1: it's the other order. Braves are nineteen and seven, the 19 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:05,720 Speaker 1: Phillies are nineteen and ten, the Dodgers are eighteen and twelve. 20 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:09,120 Speaker 1: Now you can tell me that the Cubs and Brewers, 21 00:01:09,160 --> 00:01:12,520 Speaker 1: Brewers and Cubs have better winning percentages than the Dodgers. 22 00:01:12,880 --> 00:01:15,360 Speaker 1: And yes, the Cubs are off to a very impressive start, 23 00:01:15,480 --> 00:01:20,480 Speaker 1: especially considering that right now Cody Bellinger, Saya Suzuki, and Justin. 24 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:22,560 Speaker 2: Steele remain on the injured list. 25 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:26,520 Speaker 1: I don't even believe people with the Cubs, or Brewers 26 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:29,160 Speaker 1: for that matter, would tell you that their team is 27 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:31,920 Speaker 1: stronger than the Dodgers. So I'm going to focus on 28 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:35,199 Speaker 1: the Dodgers, Phillies, and Braves. What's interesting to me about 29 00:01:35,240 --> 00:01:39,080 Speaker 1: these teams against the backdrop of this season is where 30 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:42,280 Speaker 1: they stand with regard to their rotations and where they 31 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:46,959 Speaker 1: will stand as the season evolves and progresses and goes 32 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:50,160 Speaker 1: into the postseason, because basically the sport has become a 33 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:54,360 Speaker 1: case of last man standing, last pitchers standing. Each of 34 00:01:54,360 --> 00:01:57,160 Speaker 1: these teams is fairly well situated, but perhaps in the 35 00:01:57,200 --> 00:02:00,560 Speaker 1: cases of the Dodgers and Braves in particular, not as 36 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:03,840 Speaker 1: well situated from a starting pitching standpoint as they would 37 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:06,360 Speaker 1: like to be. So let's go through these rotations where 38 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:09,320 Speaker 1: they stand right now and perhaps pictures that can join 39 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:11,880 Speaker 1: them as the season progresses. I'm not going to get 40 00:02:11,919 --> 00:02:16,040 Speaker 1: too deeply into the bullpens because Frankly, it all starts 41 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:18,080 Speaker 1: with the rotations, and that is where I think this 42 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:21,720 Speaker 1: thing ultimately will be decided. So let's start with the 43 00:02:21,760 --> 00:02:25,679 Speaker 1: team that as right now the best rotation in the 44 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:30,440 Speaker 1: National League. I'm talking about the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies rotation, 45 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:34,359 Speaker 1: due to the emergence of Ranger Swarz in particular, has 46 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:37,280 Speaker 1: become that much more of a force. And we have 47 00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:40,600 Speaker 1: to mention as well Spencer Turnbull and his early contributions. 48 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:43,560 Speaker 1: He has now been replaced by Taiwan Walker. You see 49 00:02:43,560 --> 00:02:46,880 Speaker 1: the group right there, Zach Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, 50 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:50,960 Speaker 1: Taiwan Walker, and currently Christopher Sanchez. Spencer Turnbull is on 51 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:53,880 Speaker 1: the list of further possibilities because of course he can 52 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:56,520 Speaker 1: return to the rotation at any time. And then I 53 00:02:56,560 --> 00:02:59,760 Speaker 1: list some other names, mick Abel, Kobe Aller, Tyler Phillips, 54 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:03,200 Speaker 1: Mac Castillo. Mick Abel is the most intriguing of those. 55 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:05,680 Speaker 1: He's a top prospect. He's a guy that they may 56 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:09,400 Speaker 1: be counting on as the season progresses. Again, the Phillies 57 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:12,120 Speaker 1: are second in rotation you already in the major leagues, 58 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:17,119 Speaker 1: only to the Red Sox. Red Sox remarkable rotation so far. 59 00:03:17,720 --> 00:03:19,959 Speaker 1: So I like the Phillies. I like where they stand. 60 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:23,919 Speaker 1: I like that Wheeler and Nola are postseason veterans, They're 61 00:03:23,919 --> 00:03:27,600 Speaker 1: accustomed to doing what they've done in October. And I 62 00:03:27,680 --> 00:03:30,480 Speaker 1: really like what I've seen from Rangers Wars. Of course, 63 00:03:30,520 --> 00:03:34,360 Speaker 1: that brilliant scoreless inning streak. He is looking like an 64 00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:37,760 Speaker 1: All Star. Now let's continue on. Let's look at the 65 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:41,920 Speaker 1: next team on this list. That would be the Atlanta Braves. 66 00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:47,040 Speaker 1: The Atlanta Braves, their rotation without Spencer Strider has still 67 00:03:47,040 --> 00:03:50,360 Speaker 1: been quite strong of late. I'm talking about Max Free, 68 00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:54,040 Speaker 1: Chris Saale tremendous start to his season, Rinaldo Lopez one 69 00:03:54,040 --> 00:03:57,080 Speaker 1: of the biggest surprises of the season with his move 70 00:03:57,160 --> 00:04:01,160 Speaker 1: to the rotation and success in that role, Charlie Morton ageless, 71 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:05,560 Speaker 1: and Bryce Elder stepping in nicely at this point for Strider. Now, 72 00:04:05,560 --> 00:04:08,400 Speaker 1: the Braves have some other possibilities to some younger pitchers 73 00:04:08,480 --> 00:04:12,640 Speaker 1: AJ Smith, Sharver, Darius Vines, Dylan Dodd, and Ian Anderson, 74 00:04:12,680 --> 00:04:15,520 Speaker 1: who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, could be 75 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:19,880 Speaker 1: a factor at some point. It's an okay group, It's 76 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:22,600 Speaker 1: not the group that it would be with Strider, and 77 00:04:22,640 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 1: there are going to be questions as the season progresses 78 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:28,960 Speaker 1: with regards to innings restrictions, with Lopez in particular, because 79 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 1: of course he was a reliever of the last few years. 80 00:04:31,279 --> 00:04:34,440 Speaker 1: And even with Chris Sale, we'll see if he holds up. 81 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:37,440 Speaker 1: So that's the Atlanta Braves. Now, finally, I want to 82 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:40,479 Speaker 1: look at the Dodgers as well. The Angelus Dodgers, the 83 00:04:40,520 --> 00:04:43,120 Speaker 1: team that we all regard as a super team, but 84 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:45,760 Speaker 1: a team that even when we were talking about them 85 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:51,320 Speaker 1: in the spring as this potentially dynamic force, had some 86 00:04:51,440 --> 00:04:54,119 Speaker 1: rotation questions, and you look at where they are right now. 87 00:04:54,720 --> 00:04:59,280 Speaker 1: Glass now tremendous start. Yamamoto shown flashes of really being 88 00:04:59,360 --> 00:05:01,400 Speaker 1: the picture that they paid three hundred and twenty five 89 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:04,320 Speaker 1: million dollars for. I believe he will get better as 90 00:05:04,320 --> 00:05:07,120 Speaker 1: the season goes on. And then you're looking at James Paxton, 91 00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:11,159 Speaker 1: Gavin Stone, and Landon Knack. Why because Bobby Miller is 92 00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:14,040 Speaker 1: on the IL, Em Sheehan is on the IL. They 93 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:17,159 Speaker 1: are still waiting for Walker Buehler, who is rehabit. Simon 94 00:05:17,240 --> 00:05:20,520 Speaker 1: has not gone all that great coming back from Tommy 95 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:23,799 Speaker 1: John surgery. He's healthy, but isn't pitched all that well. 96 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:26,200 Speaker 1: At least in terms of the numbers, and then Clayton 97 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:30,440 Speaker 1: Kershaw a question a possibility perhaps for the second half. 98 00:05:30,960 --> 00:05:33,480 Speaker 1: So which of these teams do you like? Which of 99 00:05:33,520 --> 00:05:35,920 Speaker 1: these teams do you think will be the best going forward? 100 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:40,039 Speaker 1: Which of these teams perhaps will stumble if indeed their 101 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:43,880 Speaker 1: injury situations get worse. All of these clubs are basically 102 00:05:43,880 --> 00:05:46,880 Speaker 1: one or two injuries wigh in their rotation from having 103 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:49,000 Speaker 1: real problems. So is every. 104 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:50,320 Speaker 2: Team in the major leagues. 105 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:54,280 Speaker 1: And I guess the other question would be, is there 106 00:05:54,320 --> 00:05:57,480 Speaker 1: another team in the National League that perhaps can slip 107 00:05:57,520 --> 00:06:00,400 Speaker 1: in as the Diamondbacks did last year, as the Andres 108 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:03,520 Speaker 1: did two years ago, and surprise us all in October. 109 00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:06,680 Speaker 1: Can't rule it out, certainly, can't rule it out. With 110 00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:09,359 Speaker 1: all that we've seen with the expanded playoffs and the 111 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:13,720 Speaker 1: possibility of upsets, particularly in that division series round, teams 112 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:16,279 Speaker 1: are coming off the buy I don't buy the excuse, 113 00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:19,840 Speaker 1: but it has been an issue. There's one other element here, 114 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 1: There's one other thing I want to discuss as we 115 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:25,800 Speaker 1: look at these teams, as we look at the landscape 116 00:06:25,880 --> 00:06:29,240 Speaker 1: of the National League. Obviously, the trade deadline presents a 117 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:31,760 Speaker 1: possibility for all of the clubs I mentioned, as well 118 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:36,320 Speaker 1: as other clubs to improve their starting rotations. The question 119 00:06:36,440 --> 00:06:41,040 Speaker 1: there is which players, which pitchers are going to be available, 120 00:06:41,120 --> 00:06:44,320 Speaker 1: Which starting pitchers are going to be out there? As 121 00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:47,560 Speaker 1: of right now, we're not even in May. I couldn't 122 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:49,920 Speaker 1: tell you. If you look back a year ago at 123 00:06:49,920 --> 00:06:53,040 Speaker 1: this time, no one would have predicted that Justin Verlander 124 00:06:53,120 --> 00:06:56,440 Speaker 1: and Max Schurzer would become available. So perhaps we get 125 00:06:56,560 --> 00:06:59,760 Speaker 1: the same kind of scenario this season with a team 126 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:02,840 Speaker 1: that proves a disappointment. Maybe that team is the Astros. 127 00:07:02,880 --> 00:07:05,839 Speaker 1: We've talked a lot about them, and yeah, they swept 128 00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:09,240 Speaker 1: the Rockies in Mexico City over the weekend. Congratulations guys, 129 00:07:09,680 --> 00:07:11,920 Speaker 1: That's not what we're going to judge them on. So 130 00:07:12,880 --> 00:07:16,160 Speaker 1: the deadline is a possibility for these teams to get better, 131 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:19,880 Speaker 1: but I'm not sure that it's going to be such 132 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:21,840 Speaker 1: a great crop. A couple of reasons for that. 133 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 2: Injuries are one. 134 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:25,880 Speaker 1: Of course, a lot of pitchers who might be available 135 00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:28,880 Speaker 1: won't be available. And then there is the case of 136 00:07:28,920 --> 00:07:33,600 Speaker 1: the expanded playoffs and what we've seen in the last 137 00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:37,480 Speaker 1: couple of years as more teams try to compete, perhaps 138 00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:40,600 Speaker 1: the anti tanking measures are taking effect in that regard, 139 00:07:40,680 --> 00:07:44,200 Speaker 1: but I really believe that more teams are seeing possibilities 140 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:47,080 Speaker 1: and talking about teams like the Royals and the Tigers 141 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:50,200 Speaker 1: that have spent money that are really trying. Again, there 142 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:53,240 Speaker 1: aren't many teams that are simply going to be out 143 00:07:53,240 --> 00:08:00,800 Speaker 1: of contention by July thirty. First, the Rockies, yeah, the Marlins, yeah, sure, 144 00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:03,840 Speaker 1: but those teams don't really have great starting pitching the 145 00:08:03,920 --> 00:08:05,000 Speaker 1: trade in the first place. 146 00:08:05,200 --> 00:08:07,640 Speaker 2: The Marlins had one. He's just Lozardo. Now he's on 147 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:08,360 Speaker 2: the injured list. 148 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:11,040 Speaker 1: Perhaps he'll be back, but we'll see about that. So 149 00:08:12,160 --> 00:08:15,040 Speaker 1: as the season evolves, all of these questions will begin 150 00:08:15,120 --> 00:08:18,600 Speaker 1: to be answered. It's going to be a fascinating, fascinating 151 00:08:18,680 --> 00:08:21,640 Speaker 1: National League race right down to the end. And yes, 152 00:08:22,040 --> 00:08:24,240 Speaker 1: I'm not going to rule out the Cubs getting in 153 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:27,560 Speaker 1: there in some fashion, maybe the other team that improves 154 00:08:27,600 --> 00:08:30,840 Speaker 1: the deadline. The Brewers, to me, have too many pitching 155 00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:33,880 Speaker 1: questions to hold up, and I don't see any other 156 00:08:33,960 --> 00:08:38,560 Speaker 1: team really maybe the Diamondbacks finally emerging with their pitching 157 00:08:38,559 --> 00:08:41,200 Speaker 1: gets healthy, as the type of team that could be 158 00:08:41,720 --> 00:08:44,760 Speaker 1: in this mix, but I do question their offense a bit. 159 00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:49,400 Speaker 1: So I'm looking right now the Phillies, the Braves and 160 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:52,120 Speaker 1: the Dodgers. The Dodgers, the Braves and the Phillies. You 161 00:08:52,240 --> 00:08:55,040 Speaker 1: might see it differently, but we'll see how the season 162 00:08:55,080 --> 00:08:57,880 Speaker 1: turns out. Time now for the Inside Dish, the part 163 00:08:57,920 --> 00:08:59,559 Speaker 1: of the show where I go inside a story I've 164 00:08:59,559 --> 00:09:02,680 Speaker 1: written side a trend in the game, and this week 165 00:09:02,720 --> 00:09:04,800 Speaker 1: I want to talk about something we discussed on the 166 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:09,280 Speaker 1: Fox broadcast Saturday, after Pete Alonso became a member of 167 00:09:09,320 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 1: the two hundred homer club hit his two hundredth homer 168 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:15,040 Speaker 1: as a Met in a losing effort, but still it's 169 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:18,200 Speaker 1: quite an accomplishment for Alonzo to get to two hundred. 170 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:22,840 Speaker 1: And of course we all know Pete Alonso is in 171 00:09:22,920 --> 00:09:25,080 Speaker 1: his last year of club control with the Mets. He 172 00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:27,160 Speaker 1: is a free agent at the end of the season, 173 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:30,440 Speaker 1: and his particular free agent case is going to be 174 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:33,800 Speaker 1: one of the more interesting ones in years now. Every 175 00:09:33,880 --> 00:09:36,840 Speaker 1: free agent case is interesting. Sjuan Soto is going to 176 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:40,960 Speaker 1: be interesting, Alex Bregman too, but Alonso is sort of 177 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:44,720 Speaker 1: a test case for where the sport where the industry 178 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:48,760 Speaker 1: views first basement because if you go back ten to 179 00:09:48,880 --> 00:09:52,800 Speaker 1: fifteen years ago, first basemen were paid a lot better 180 00:09:53,559 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 1: than they are today. The elite first baseman, the guys 181 00:09:56,120 --> 00:09:59,120 Speaker 1: who signed long term contracts. And I'm going to show 182 00:09:59,160 --> 00:10:02,240 Speaker 1: you exactly what what I'm talking about, because ten to 183 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:05,360 Speaker 1: fifteen years ago, look at these numbers for first baseman 184 00:10:05,880 --> 00:10:09,120 Speaker 1: Mark Tschera eight years, one hundred and eighty million as 185 00:10:09,160 --> 00:10:13,160 Speaker 1: a free agent, Albert Poole legendary contract, ten years, two 186 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:16,520 Speaker 1: hundred and forty million. Prince Fielder. He got this deal 187 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:20,480 Speaker 1: because Victor Martinez got hurt and the Lake Tigers owner 188 00:10:20,760 --> 00:10:22,800 Speaker 1: Mike Iliz said, you know what, I'll give Prince Fielder 189 00:10:22,840 --> 00:10:23,559 Speaker 1: two hundred. 190 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:25,640 Speaker 2: And fourteen million over nine years. It happened over a 191 00:10:25,679 --> 00:10:26,440 Speaker 2: span of days. 192 00:10:26,760 --> 00:10:30,160 Speaker 1: And then two extensions that were also monster deals Joey 193 00:10:30,200 --> 00:10:32,920 Speaker 1: Vado ten years, two hundred and twenty five million, Miguel 194 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:36,600 Speaker 1: Cabrera eight years two hundred and forty eight million. Back 195 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:39,480 Speaker 1: in that time, from two thousand and nine to twenty fourteen, 196 00:10:39,559 --> 00:10:42,760 Speaker 1: people in the industry were not as concerned as they 197 00:10:42,760 --> 00:10:46,760 Speaker 1: are today with were first base lies on the defensive spectrum. 198 00:10:47,120 --> 00:10:51,079 Speaker 1: How the defensive value of those players isn't as important, 199 00:10:51,200 --> 00:10:54,800 Speaker 1: isn't as significant as it is at other positions. And yes, 200 00:10:54,960 --> 00:10:57,839 Speaker 1: with the rise of analytics, we've since come to understand 201 00:10:57,880 --> 00:11:00,680 Speaker 1: that a little bit better. So that is why first 202 00:11:00,679 --> 00:11:04,400 Speaker 1: basemen are not valued necessarily the way they once were, 203 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:07,560 Speaker 1: and certainly aging players are not valued the way they 204 00:11:07,600 --> 00:11:09,560 Speaker 1: once were. And some of those players that were just 205 00:11:09,640 --> 00:11:12,240 Speaker 1: on that list were getting into their thirties at the 206 00:11:12,280 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 1: time they receive those deals. Let's look at three contracts 207 00:11:16,120 --> 00:11:20,520 Speaker 1: that are more indicative of where the industry lies right now, 208 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:24,040 Speaker 1: of where executives kind of view first basemen. All right, 209 00:11:24,440 --> 00:11:27,880 Speaker 1: Paul goldschmid March twenty nineteen, five years, one hundred and 210 00:11:27,920 --> 00:11:31,520 Speaker 1: thirty million dollar extension. These two contracts. The next two 211 00:11:31,840 --> 00:11:34,960 Speaker 1: came within days of each other. Freddie Freeman the six year, 212 00:11:35,040 --> 00:11:38,120 Speaker 1: one hundred and sixty two million dollar free agent deal 213 00:11:38,480 --> 00:11:40,960 Speaker 1: with the Dodgers. And then Matt Olsen, who the Braves 214 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:44,719 Speaker 1: acquire to replace Freeman, an eight year, one hundred and sixty. 215 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:45,720 Speaker 2: Eight million dollar extension. 216 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:50,160 Speaker 1: That's not two hundred, those numbers not to forty eight 217 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:54,240 Speaker 1: like Miguel Cabrera got. So there's a difference. And here 218 00:11:54,280 --> 00:11:57,840 Speaker 1: comes Pete Alonso, maybe the next great first baseman to 219 00:11:57,960 --> 00:12:02,040 Speaker 1: be considered in this category. So what's going to happen 220 00:12:02,080 --> 00:12:06,120 Speaker 1: with Alonzo? Well, there are so many layers to this one. 221 00:12:06,640 --> 00:12:10,880 Speaker 1: He is represented by Scott Boris. Scott Boris also represents 222 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:13,120 Speaker 1: Juan Soto, who is going to be a member of 223 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:16,160 Speaker 1: next year's free agent class, and Alex Bregman, who is 224 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:18,960 Speaker 1: going to be a member of next year's free agent class. Now, 225 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:23,400 Speaker 1: the Mets might very well be interested in Soto in particular, 226 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:26,880 Speaker 1: and even Bregman, depending on where Brett Baty ends up 227 00:12:26,880 --> 00:12:27,280 Speaker 1: this year. 228 00:12:27,320 --> 00:12:28,120 Speaker 2: He looks like he's. 229 00:12:27,960 --> 00:12:30,080 Speaker 1: Going to be a pretty good player still, and maybe 230 00:12:30,120 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 1: they'll feel comfortable with him going forward. 231 00:12:31,920 --> 00:12:32,600 Speaker 2: To third base. 232 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:36,720 Speaker 1: Maybe they won't. So what do the Mets prioritize well? 233 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:40,840 Speaker 1: As I said on the broadcast on Saturday, I believe 234 00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:44,520 Speaker 1: Alonzo should be a Met. He has more value to 235 00:12:44,559 --> 00:12:47,520 Speaker 1: the Mets than he does to other teams. Why, because 236 00:12:47,520 --> 00:12:49,480 Speaker 1: he has proven he can play in New York. He 237 00:12:49,559 --> 00:12:51,400 Speaker 1: is someone in the team drafted and developed. 238 00:12:51,400 --> 00:12:52,560 Speaker 2: He's a homegrown player. 239 00:12:53,480 --> 00:12:57,760 Speaker 1: And he also, now having reached two hundred homers, has 240 00:12:57,840 --> 00:13:00,680 Speaker 1: a certain place in this team's history, a place that 241 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:03,880 Speaker 1: is growing even more prominent as the years pass. And 242 00:13:03,960 --> 00:13:06,439 Speaker 1: let's look at the list of Mets players who have 243 00:13:06,520 --> 00:13:09,000 Speaker 1: reached two hundred homers in their career it's not a 244 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:12,720 Speaker 1: very long list. Strawberry at two fifty two, Right at 245 00:13:12,720 --> 00:13:16,040 Speaker 1: two forty two, Piazza at two twenty, Pete Alonzo at 246 00:13:16,040 --> 00:13:19,160 Speaker 1: two hundred. So Pete is probably, i don't know, two 247 00:13:19,280 --> 00:13:22,720 Speaker 1: years away from passing Strawberry. He can do that. He 248 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:25,240 Speaker 1: could be the all time Mets home run leader if 249 00:13:25,280 --> 00:13:29,880 Speaker 1: he re signs, and also he is progressing as a 250 00:13:29,920 --> 00:13:32,680 Speaker 1: home run hitter at a rapid pace. I want to 251 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:36,600 Speaker 1: look at another list here. Fastest hitters to two hundred homers. 252 00:13:36,960 --> 00:13:39,400 Speaker 1: Ryan Howard did it in six hundred and fifty eight games, 253 00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:42,480 Speaker 1: Aaron Judge in six hundred and seventy one, Ralph Kainer 254 00:13:42,559 --> 00:13:46,240 Speaker 1: former Mets announcer, Great Pittsburgh Pirate seven hundred and seven games, 255 00:13:46,280 --> 00:13:49,400 Speaker 1: and Alonzo two hundred homers in seven hundred and ten. 256 00:13:49,960 --> 00:13:53,000 Speaker 1: So he has been a pre eminent power hitter from 257 00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:56,120 Speaker 1: the earliest stages of his career. The Mets people will 258 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:58,840 Speaker 1: tell you he also is a really good hitter. He's 259 00:13:58,880 --> 00:14:03,040 Speaker 1: someone who focuses on the craft of hitting. So where 260 00:14:03,080 --> 00:14:06,720 Speaker 1: this all goes, I'm not sure. David Stearns, the Mets 261 00:14:06,760 --> 00:14:10,440 Speaker 1: president of Baseball Operations, is certainly one of the modern 262 00:14:10,520 --> 00:14:13,679 Speaker 1: gms who I would assume does not love the idea 263 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:17,560 Speaker 1: of extending a first baseman in his thirties into his 264 00:14:17,640 --> 00:14:21,120 Speaker 1: late thirties. But at the same time, this player has 265 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:24,120 Speaker 1: great value to the Mets, just as Aaron Judge had 266 00:14:24,160 --> 00:14:26,960 Speaker 1: great value to the New York Yankees. Now I'm not 267 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:29,080 Speaker 1: suggesting Alonso is Judge. 268 00:14:29,120 --> 00:14:29,960 Speaker 2: No one would do that. 269 00:14:30,480 --> 00:14:33,560 Speaker 1: But Alonso is handling the pressure of his free agency 270 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:36,760 Speaker 1: in New York rather well. He's had pretty good start 271 00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:39,320 Speaker 1: so far to his season, and he is a guy 272 00:14:39,480 --> 00:14:43,080 Speaker 1: again that the Mets can count on if they sign 273 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:46,440 Speaker 1: him going forward. Is he a great defender? No. He 274 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:48,920 Speaker 1: works hard at his defense, though, and he certainly is 275 00:14:48,960 --> 00:14:53,400 Speaker 1: an average defender who may ultimately be considered above average. 276 00:14:53,520 --> 00:14:56,760 Speaker 1: So I don't know again where this goes. I'll repeat 277 00:14:56,760 --> 00:15:01,000 Speaker 1: myself in that regard, But Pete Alonso is a that 278 00:15:01,160 --> 00:15:03,480 Speaker 1: is going to be someone who gets a lot of 279 00:15:03,480 --> 00:15:06,720 Speaker 1: attention this offseason. But I don't know that any team 280 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:09,600 Speaker 1: really needs him more than the New York Mets do. 281 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:11,880 Speaker 1: And you say, well, do you do him instead of Sodo? 282 00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:16,200 Speaker 1: You're Steve Cohen, You probably can do both. The Mets 283 00:15:16,200 --> 00:15:18,800 Speaker 1: payroll is going to become a lot more flexible after 284 00:15:18,840 --> 00:15:21,920 Speaker 1: this season. I don't know if it's wise necessarily to 285 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:26,240 Speaker 1: have Soto at say five hundred million, Lindora three forty, 286 00:15:26,280 --> 00:15:28,360 Speaker 1: and then Alonzo at two hundred plus, if that's what 287 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:30,840 Speaker 1: it's going to take. But at the same time, the 288 00:15:30,880 --> 00:15:34,600 Speaker 1: Mets certainly have not hesitated in their recent past under 289 00:15:34,600 --> 00:15:37,680 Speaker 1: Cohen to spend big dollars. And again, of all the 290 00:15:37,720 --> 00:15:41,200 Speaker 1: free agents this offseason, to me, Alonso might be the 291 00:15:41,240 --> 00:15:45,160 Speaker 1: most interesting one of all because of what he represents 292 00:15:45,720 --> 00:15:48,160 Speaker 1: in terms of his position and in terms of where 293 00:15:48,200 --> 00:15:52,680 Speaker 1: that position is evaluated and celebrated. I guess you could 294 00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:55,840 Speaker 1: say by the industry as a whole time. Now for 295 00:15:55,920 --> 00:15:58,720 Speaker 1: Grill and Ken, let's get to your questions. The first 296 00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:03,560 Speaker 1: question comes from Kevin, who asks Rinaldo Lopez best signing 297 00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:07,520 Speaker 1: of the off season economically speaking. Great question, Kevin. Now 298 00:16:07,520 --> 00:16:10,760 Speaker 1: we're only talking about one month into in most cases, 299 00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:15,200 Speaker 1: what are multi year contracts. But Ronaldo Lopez certainly is 300 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:19,720 Speaker 1: one of the best contracts economically speaking. But I want 301 00:16:19,760 --> 00:16:21,800 Speaker 1: to take a look at some others. 302 00:16:21,440 --> 00:16:23,160 Speaker 2: That are really interesting as well. 303 00:16:23,440 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 1: A number of starting pitchers are off to great starts. 304 00:16:26,240 --> 00:16:29,720 Speaker 1: I'm talking about free agent starting pitchers from last off season. 305 00:16:30,280 --> 00:16:35,040 Speaker 1: Rinaldo Lopez foremost among them. Three years, thirty million dollars 306 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:37,560 Speaker 1: was his contract. He has a zero point seventy two 307 00:16:37,640 --> 00:16:41,160 Speaker 1: ERA in four starts, but I'm not sure he's better 308 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:45,600 Speaker 1: than showda Imanaga four years fifty three million, zero point 309 00:16:45,680 --> 00:16:47,920 Speaker 1: nine to eight in five starts. And I'm gonna give 310 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:51,160 Speaker 1: honorable mention to some other guys as well, Sonny Gray, 311 00:16:51,160 --> 00:16:53,560 Speaker 1: he got a lot of money. Three years seventy five million, 312 00:16:53,720 --> 00:16:56,560 Speaker 1: one point one six ERA in four starts, everything the 313 00:16:56,560 --> 00:16:59,960 Speaker 1: Cardinals could have wanted. Jordan Hicks one of the best 314 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:03,280 Speaker 1: better stories of the season so far. Four years, forty 315 00:17:03,280 --> 00:17:06,360 Speaker 1: four million, moving from the bullpen to the rotation, one 316 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:10,200 Speaker 1: point five to nine ERA in six starts. Lugo another 317 00:17:10,280 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 1: former reliever like Lopez, like Kicks, but became a starter 318 00:17:14,520 --> 00:17:17,880 Speaker 1: last year. Three years forty five million, one point sixty 319 00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:22,320 Speaker 1: six ERA in six starts. So okay, these are some 320 00:17:22,440 --> 00:17:24,960 Speaker 1: impressive numbers so far. And from the hitting side, I 321 00:17:24,960 --> 00:17:26,919 Speaker 1: would go with Justin Turner, who's got like an eight 322 00:17:26,920 --> 00:17:30,200 Speaker 1: to sixty OPS on a one year, thirteen million dollar deal. 323 00:17:30,840 --> 00:17:31,879 Speaker 2: I don't know that we can. 324 00:17:31,800 --> 00:17:34,880 Speaker 1: Judge which pitcher or which player is the best signing. 325 00:17:34,960 --> 00:17:38,320 Speaker 1: So far. But it's intriguing to me that all of 326 00:17:38,359 --> 00:17:40,720 Speaker 1: these guys that we just had on that list have 327 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:44,120 Speaker 1: performed so well, and that Hicks and Lopez have done 328 00:17:44,119 --> 00:17:47,359 Speaker 1: it moving from the bullpen to the rotation. Now the 329 00:17:47,440 --> 00:17:50,400 Speaker 1: question becomes for both those guys, in particular, how many 330 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:53,440 Speaker 1: innings will they be capable of going this year? But hey, 331 00:17:53,800 --> 00:17:57,640 Speaker 1: so far, so good. Congratulations those pitchers and those teams 332 00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:02,840 Speaker 1: on those signings. Next question comes from Drfu who asks, 333 00:18:03,160 --> 00:18:05,760 Speaker 1: as a concerned Blue Jays fan, should we just blow 334 00:18:05,800 --> 00:18:08,360 Speaker 1: it up and start over. Well, I'm going to give 335 00:18:08,359 --> 00:18:11,199 Speaker 1: a similar answer to the previous question, at least in 336 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:13,880 Speaker 1: terms of where we are in the context of the season. 337 00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:16,280 Speaker 1: It is still relatively early. 338 00:18:16,720 --> 00:18:17,480 Speaker 2: We're a month in. 339 00:18:18,200 --> 00:18:20,719 Speaker 1: The Blue Jays, the team I call paper Tigers at 340 00:18:20,720 --> 00:18:25,640 Speaker 1: the end of last season, are again not performing to expectations. 341 00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:29,000 Speaker 1: They have the pitching, we know that their offense has 342 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:33,960 Speaker 1: not been as dynamic as one might think. Now, blowing 343 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:36,800 Speaker 1: it up is a harsh thing to do. They've invested 344 00:18:36,840 --> 00:18:39,280 Speaker 1: a lot in this season. They want to be good, 345 00:18:39,320 --> 00:18:42,120 Speaker 1: and it's too early to determine that they're not going 346 00:18:42,160 --> 00:18:44,920 Speaker 1: to be a playoff type team. But they are below 347 00:18:44,920 --> 00:18:47,280 Speaker 1: five hundred. They just lost five of six to the 348 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:51,040 Speaker 1: Royals and admittedly the Dodgers, so there are going to 349 00:18:51,080 --> 00:18:54,640 Speaker 1: be questions asked about this team until they prove they 350 00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:59,240 Speaker 1: are worthy of being looked at as a strong type 351 00:18:59,280 --> 00:19:03,000 Speaker 1: of team now blowing it up. Really, what we're asking 352 00:19:03,119 --> 00:19:07,080 Speaker 1: is should they trade Guerrero and Bishett Vladimir Guerrero Junior 353 00:19:07,160 --> 00:19:11,959 Speaker 1: bo Baschett both are in situations contractually where they have 354 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:15,040 Speaker 1: this year under club control and then next year as well, 355 00:19:15,160 --> 00:19:18,280 Speaker 1: so two years before they become free agents. And I 356 00:19:18,280 --> 00:19:20,240 Speaker 1: would think if the Blue Jays are out of it 357 00:19:20,359 --> 00:19:22,280 Speaker 1: somehow by the deadline, they're going to have to look 358 00:19:22,320 --> 00:19:25,679 Speaker 1: at that at the very least, because they've yet to 359 00:19:25,760 --> 00:19:28,000 Speaker 1: sign either of those players to an extension. I'm not 360 00:19:28,040 --> 00:19:30,679 Speaker 1: so sure in Guerrero's case, they're so enthused about it 361 00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:33,160 Speaker 1: right now because he has not been the same guy 362 00:19:33,480 --> 00:19:36,600 Speaker 1: that he was a few years back. But let's wait 363 00:19:36,640 --> 00:19:39,680 Speaker 1: and see before we start talking about the Blue Jays 364 00:19:39,800 --> 00:19:42,800 Speaker 1: really blowing it up and trading those guys. Let's wait 365 00:19:42,840 --> 00:19:45,720 Speaker 1: and see more of the season. See if this team 366 00:19:46,119 --> 00:19:48,880 Speaker 1: plays to the level of its talent. That's all we're 367 00:19:48,920 --> 00:19:51,480 Speaker 1: asking here. Play to the level of your talent. We'll 368 00:19:51,480 --> 00:19:55,280 Speaker 1: stop calling you ugly names like paper tigers. Finally we 369 00:19:55,320 --> 00:19:58,439 Speaker 1: hear from Trent, the real Trent, who asks is it 370 00:19:58,520 --> 00:20:02,560 Speaker 1: time to plan the Guardian World Series Parade? Well, I 371 00:20:02,600 --> 00:20:05,040 Speaker 1: talked about the National League in the opening segment. Trent 372 00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:07,119 Speaker 1: I did not talk about the American League. We'll get 373 00:20:07,160 --> 00:20:09,960 Speaker 1: to them at some other point. The Guardians are one 374 00:20:09,960 --> 00:20:12,800 Speaker 1: of the great stories of this early season. They lost 375 00:20:12,800 --> 00:20:16,640 Speaker 1: Shane Bieber to Tommy John surgery. They've been without Gavin Williams, 376 00:20:16,680 --> 00:20:20,080 Speaker 1: who as a rookie last season was really impressive. And 377 00:20:20,119 --> 00:20:23,280 Speaker 1: they're a team that last year had an offense that 378 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:25,400 Speaker 1: kind of put everyone to sleep. It was a pop 379 00:20:25,440 --> 00:20:30,240 Speaker 1: gun type of deal, right, no much power. Well, suddenly 380 00:20:30,359 --> 00:20:33,199 Speaker 1: they're one of the top hitting teams in the major leagues, 381 00:20:33,560 --> 00:20:35,560 Speaker 1: and they are a team that, while they lost the 382 00:20:35,640 --> 00:20:38,359 Speaker 1: series to the Braves this weekend, no shame in that 383 00:20:39,520 --> 00:20:43,119 Speaker 1: have emerged as perhaps more of a force than we thought. 384 00:20:43,240 --> 00:20:46,600 Speaker 1: Now I've got questions about their pitching. We're now seeing 385 00:20:46,600 --> 00:20:50,000 Speaker 1: Tanner Biby perform like he did last year, but the 386 00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:52,399 Speaker 1: depth of their rotation is going to be something that 387 00:20:52,400 --> 00:20:55,399 Speaker 1: they're going to have to deal with the entire season 388 00:20:55,480 --> 00:20:57,640 Speaker 1: because they've lost Bieber, and we don't. 389 00:20:57,440 --> 00:20:59,159 Speaker 2: Know where Williams is just yet. 390 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:02,360 Speaker 1: They have some other options, some other possibilities, some other 391 00:21:02,400 --> 00:21:05,280 Speaker 1: guys that they like in there, but that's one question, 392 00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:07,280 Speaker 1: and the other question is will they hit like this 393 00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:10,040 Speaker 1: all year. They have Jose Ramirez, one of the top 394 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:11,280 Speaker 1: players in the game, one of the. 395 00:21:11,280 --> 00:21:12,840 Speaker 2: Most underrated players in the game. 396 00:21:13,160 --> 00:21:16,280 Speaker 1: They have Josh Naylor, who in the early part of 397 00:21:16,320 --> 00:21:19,760 Speaker 1: this season has looked like he has reached another level, 398 00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:22,600 Speaker 1: a guy who is becoming a star. So I love 399 00:21:22,640 --> 00:21:25,000 Speaker 1: what the Guardians are doing. I love their bullpen. It's 400 00:21:25,040 --> 00:21:28,560 Speaker 1: been outstanding so far with Classe at the back. I 401 00:21:28,720 --> 00:21:31,520 Speaker 1: just don't know if they're pitching will hold, if it 402 00:21:31,520 --> 00:21:35,119 Speaker 1: does hold, if they can somehow find some solutions. I 403 00:21:35,160 --> 00:21:38,320 Speaker 1: don't know about planning the World Series parade, but certainly 404 00:21:38,520 --> 00:21:42,320 Speaker 1: are their potential playoff team in the Al Central. Yes, 405 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:45,840 Speaker 1: but the Royals and Tigers are better too. The Twins 406 00:21:45,880 --> 00:21:49,560 Speaker 1: finally are starting to play to their level of talent, 407 00:21:49,760 --> 00:21:52,879 Speaker 1: So we'll see how this all plays out. I don't 408 00:21:52,920 --> 00:21:54,879 Speaker 1: know that the White Sox are going to be in 409 00:21:54,920 --> 00:21:58,159 Speaker 1: the mix. Thanks to everyone for their questions, Thanks for watching, 410 00:21:58,240 --> 00:22:01,119 Speaker 1: for listening. You know where to find us YouTube, Apple, 411 00:22:01,240 --> 00:22:05,440 Speaker 1: Spotify like Us, Subscribe to us and join us Thursday 412 00:22:05,480 --> 00:22:08,120 Speaker 1: for our second show of the week. 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