1 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:08,840 Speaker 1: What's up? Everybody? Welcome into another edition of Crush City 2 00:00:08,920 --> 00:00:10,760 Speaker 1: Territory m Chair in the Room, joined as always by 3 00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:14,200 Speaker 1: Tyler Stafford on about an hour before the Astros will 4 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:17,840 Speaker 1: play their third Great Fruit League game of spring training. 5 00:00:17,880 --> 00:00:20,759 Speaker 1: They are zero to two currently, which is always a 6 00:00:20,760 --> 00:00:24,000 Speaker 1: harbinger of great things to come. Tyler, they're the GM 7 00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:25,960 Speaker 1: and the manager in the last year of their contracts. 8 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:28,120 Speaker 1: Starting out oh and two in spring training is not 9 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:28,479 Speaker 1: the way you. 10 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:32,640 Speaker 2: Want to go pack it up. Season's over. Yeah, let's 11 00:00:32,760 --> 00:00:36,720 Speaker 2: let's go home. Nobody, I mean, everybody's bat in zero 12 00:00:37,120 --> 00:00:37,920 Speaker 2: is embarrassing. 13 00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:42,960 Speaker 1: Do you know who Jack Winkler is? Uh? 14 00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:46,959 Speaker 2: He's a fella that hit a home run? Is that? 15 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:47,600 Speaker 2: Is that him? 16 00:00:47,680 --> 00:00:50,800 Speaker 1: Yeah? Yeah, he's the only Uh, he's the only Astros 17 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:52,640 Speaker 1: player to hit a home run in Great Fruit League 18 00:00:52,680 --> 00:00:54,280 Speaker 1: play so far through two games. 19 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:56,840 Speaker 2: I definitely know him, and I knew that he was 20 00:00:56,880 --> 00:00:57,800 Speaker 2: on the Astros. 21 00:01:00,040 --> 00:01:02,840 Speaker 1: On the Astros. On the Astros is a liberal use 22 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:07,040 Speaker 1: of all of those words. But okay, well. 23 00:01:06,800 --> 00:01:09,400 Speaker 2: He's he's carrying the team right now. Where would they 24 00:01:09,440 --> 00:01:15,000 Speaker 2: be without Jack Tanner Winkler out of Littleton, Colorado? 25 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:19,840 Speaker 1: So it's tough. You know what a Dusty always used 26 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:22,000 Speaker 1: to say, I'm coming in looking for surprises, coming in 27 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:25,120 Speaker 1: looking for surprise. Maybe Jack Winkler is a is a 28 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:28,920 Speaker 1: surprise for him. Before we got on, I was, of 29 00:01:28,920 --> 00:01:32,520 Speaker 1: course had X open for no reason and on my 30 00:01:32,760 --> 00:01:36,400 Speaker 1: for youtub. I don't want to say that who it was, 31 00:01:36,480 --> 00:01:40,160 Speaker 1: but there was someone there was a content creator in baseball, 32 00:01:40,200 --> 00:01:42,920 Speaker 1: and I don't even remember the team, but the person 33 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:48,360 Speaker 1: had put out a list of that team's top ops, 34 00:01:49,280 --> 00:01:52,800 Speaker 1: top ops players in Great Fruit League play thus far. 35 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:56,800 Speaker 1: And on the side they indicated how many at bats 36 00:01:56,840 --> 00:02:01,200 Speaker 1: they had. The top leader the top person on the 37 00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:06,920 Speaker 1: leaderboard had three at bats cool twenty three. We are 38 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:07,840 Speaker 1: not going to do that here. 39 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:12,359 Speaker 2: All that ruins my segment. I had fifteen minutes planned 40 00:02:12,360 --> 00:02:13,520 Speaker 2: where we were going to go through that. 41 00:02:14,040 --> 00:02:15,880 Speaker 1: You had fifteen minutes on Jack Winkler plan. 42 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:16,359 Speaker 2: Mm hmm. 43 00:02:17,160 --> 00:02:19,360 Speaker 1: Big fan, big fan of Jack Winkler. 44 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:21,480 Speaker 2: He has a Wikipedia page he does. 45 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:22,200 Speaker 1: What does it say? 46 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:27,560 Speaker 2: He is an American professional baseball second baseman in the 47 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:33,440 Speaker 2: Houston Astros organization. Played college baseball for the San Francisco Dons. 48 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:39,839 Speaker 2: So and he graduated as a salutatorian, So good for him. 49 00:02:40,639 --> 00:02:42,119 Speaker 2: Congrats to Jack Winkler. 50 00:02:42,639 --> 00:02:47,280 Speaker 1: The Ashers have enough second basement. Sorry, Jack, but if 51 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 1: you could place him first, or you know, even maybe 52 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:52,239 Speaker 1: play some center field. 53 00:02:52,240 --> 00:02:55,639 Speaker 2: Can't be that hard. Ron Washington taught us that and Moneyball. 54 00:02:57,200 --> 00:03:01,840 Speaker 1: It's very it's very difficult of center field, you know, 55 00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:04,960 Speaker 1: kind of as we as we start and start thinking 56 00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 1: about what this thing is going to look like, what 57 00:03:07,480 --> 00:03:09,840 Speaker 1: this roster is going to look like. If you if 58 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:12,160 Speaker 1: you looked at it on Monday. I put out a 59 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:15,080 Speaker 1: second roster projection for no other reason than you guys 60 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:19,840 Speaker 1: love those. The numbers do not lie in terms of 61 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:22,920 Speaker 1: page views, in terms of interactions, in terms of engagement. 62 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:27,080 Speaker 1: You guys, uh, you guys are ravenous when it comes 63 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:29,799 Speaker 1: to roster projections. You always want to see that. So 64 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:32,920 Speaker 1: I I'm here to serve. I just do what the 65 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:35,240 Speaker 1: readers tell me to do. So put out a second 66 00:03:35,320 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 1: roster projection on the athletic and you know, ah, not 67 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:44,440 Speaker 1: too much different really on the position player side. 68 00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:46,080 Speaker 2: From the first step. Let's let's see it. 69 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:50,200 Speaker 1: Well, you see, I didn't prepare for this. I don't 70 00:03:50,240 --> 00:03:52,720 Speaker 1: have it like pulled up on it on a tab. 71 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:55,400 Speaker 1: But I mean I can do that while I'm filibustering 72 00:03:55,440 --> 00:03:58,600 Speaker 1: here to talk about it. While I'm filibustering, this is 73 00:03:58,640 --> 00:04:02,920 Speaker 1: a reminder to like the YouTube video that you're currently watching. 74 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:06,880 Speaker 1: If you're watching on YouTube, like the video, subscribe to 75 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:09,560 Speaker 1: Krush City Territory YouTube channel that helps us out a ton. 76 00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:14,600 Speaker 1: Please do that, and as a reward for that, I 77 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:17,280 Speaker 1: will show you the roster projection. Now, there was some 78 00:04:17,480 --> 00:04:20,200 Speaker 1: confusion in the comments a little bit about the projected 79 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:23,480 Speaker 1: lineup that I wrote here. It is a little bit 80 00:04:23,520 --> 00:04:26,960 Speaker 1: confusing only because this is an opening day roster projection. 81 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:31,159 Speaker 1: But I took the assignment for the lineup to be 82 00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:34,760 Speaker 1: the projected everyday lineup or the projected lineup you're going 83 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:37,560 Speaker 1: to see most days, and this is what I think 84 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:41,520 Speaker 1: as the roster is currently constructed, this is what I 85 00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:45,080 Speaker 1: think it will look like on most days. ESTOC paratus 86 00:04:45,160 --> 00:04:48,159 Speaker 1: is not in there. We don't need to relitigate why 87 00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:50,800 Speaker 1: that is. I'm sure many of you will in the comments. 88 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:52,640 Speaker 2: But as one. 89 00:04:53,720 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 1: Adept comment or pointed out, the Ashers are going to 90 00:04:56,279 --> 00:04:59,920 Speaker 1: face you se Kakuchi very likely on opening day. Barring 91 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:03,200 Speaker 1: and injury in the WBC or something you say, Akuci 92 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:05,840 Speaker 1: throw is left handed, they will find a way to 93 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:08,520 Speaker 1: get Esock Paradis and Christian Walker probably in the opening 94 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:11,320 Speaker 1: day lineup, especially against the left handed pitcher. 95 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:14,200 Speaker 2: But you agree it can be done. 96 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:16,600 Speaker 1: No, it's never been the art. 97 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:19,440 Speaker 2: Quit fussing' Chandler and let them put all of their 98 00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:22,479 Speaker 2: good guys out there. Why do you keep making them 99 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:25,280 Speaker 2: trade people? This is your fault. 100 00:05:26,120 --> 00:05:28,880 Speaker 1: The argument's never been that it can't be done. They 101 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:32,040 Speaker 1: can do it. It's just everything they. 102 00:05:31,880 --> 00:05:35,200 Speaker 2: Have endop the sentence there, they can do it. Let's 103 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:36,279 Speaker 2: let's get it rolling. 104 00:05:37,040 --> 00:05:40,080 Speaker 1: Everything they have indicated suggests that they do not want 105 00:05:40,120 --> 00:05:40,600 Speaker 1: to do it. 106 00:05:40,839 --> 00:05:43,560 Speaker 2: Now. If you would quit reporting it, the Astros wouldn't 107 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:45,960 Speaker 2: even think about it and they would just roll into 108 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:49,240 Speaker 2: the season and everyone be happy. But you have to 109 00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:53,280 Speaker 2: keep running your mouth and making them trade escoc parades. 110 00:05:53,320 --> 00:05:56,280 Speaker 2: And I'm tired of it. I'm standing up for the fans. 111 00:05:56,720 --> 00:05:58,680 Speaker 1: You sound like a local radio host that doesn't know 112 00:05:58,720 --> 00:05:59,520 Speaker 1: what he's talking about. 113 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:02,120 Speaker 2: It's really kind of you, Thank you. It's the it's 114 00:06:02,160 --> 00:06:05,039 Speaker 2: the sick voice. That's that's what makes me sound like that. 115 00:06:05,760 --> 00:06:08,919 Speaker 1: Yeah, so that was the lineup. I think the I 116 00:06:08,960 --> 00:06:12,400 Speaker 1: think the biggest I think the biggest change probably came 117 00:06:12,440 --> 00:06:17,320 Speaker 1: in the bullpen, where it is starting to seem pretty 118 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:24,080 Speaker 1: clear that barring something barring both of them just really 119 00:06:24,120 --> 00:06:27,599 Speaker 1: accelerating their rehab process. It it doesn't appear that Josh 120 00:06:27,680 --> 00:06:32,200 Speaker 1: Hater kay or an yeal Della Santos are on track 121 00:06:32,240 --> 00:06:34,440 Speaker 1: to be ready for opening day. Not ruling it out, 122 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:36,719 Speaker 1: certainly not ruling it out, but in yell Della Santos 123 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:40,040 Speaker 1: is currently not throwing, Josh Hater is currently still just 124 00:06:40,080 --> 00:06:44,080 Speaker 1: playing catch off of flat ground. Joe Aspata has said 125 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:46,080 Speaker 1: on numerous occasions that they are going to take it 126 00:06:46,160 --> 00:06:51,000 Speaker 1: slow with both of these guys. I would be surprised 127 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:53,760 Speaker 1: if they rushed Josh Hater just to for no other 128 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 1: reason than the ceremoniously put him on the opening day roster, 129 00:06:57,279 --> 00:06:59,760 Speaker 1: and yeal Della Santos isn't even throwing yet, He's farther 130 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:03,280 Speaker 1: by haters. So you take those two guys out, and 131 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:08,720 Speaker 1: here's what just based on conversations with people, based on performance, 132 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:11,800 Speaker 1: based on options kind of where they're at contract and 133 00:07:11,880 --> 00:07:15,520 Speaker 1: roster wise. Remember, the Ashers are running a six man 134 00:07:15,640 --> 00:07:17,560 Speaker 1: rotation to start the season, so there'll be one guy 135 00:07:17,640 --> 00:07:21,440 Speaker 1: short in the bullpen. So the seven relievers that I 136 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:24,880 Speaker 1: forecast as of you know, February twenty fourth, to make 137 00:07:24,880 --> 00:07:27,560 Speaker 1: the opening day roster, Brian Abray You, Friend of the Pod, 138 00:07:27,560 --> 00:07:32,280 Speaker 1: aj blue Ball, Brian King, Steven Okert, Bennett Suza, Kaiwa Tang, 139 00:07:32,440 --> 00:07:38,160 Speaker 1: and Friend of the Pod Ryan Weiss. I think the 140 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:43,120 Speaker 1: one name that keeps coming up when you talk about 141 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:50,600 Speaker 1: guys that are impressing in camp is Kaiwai Tang internally, publicly, privately, 142 00:07:50,720 --> 00:07:53,560 Speaker 1: like they are really really impressed with what they have 143 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:56,880 Speaker 1: seen from him. And it's the ability to spend multiple 144 00:07:56,880 --> 00:08:00,480 Speaker 1: breaking balls. It's the ability to miss bats. Joe's bottle 145 00:08:00,600 --> 00:08:03,560 Speaker 1: was raved one day about a live VP he threw 146 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:06,000 Speaker 1: in the backfields, just about the swings he was getting, 147 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:09,280 Speaker 1: about the funny reactions from hitters. Again, you don't want 148 00:08:09,280 --> 00:08:11,440 Speaker 1: to take too much out of a live VP in February, 149 00:08:11,480 --> 00:08:15,400 Speaker 1: but it's what we have. The good thing about Kaiwei 150 00:08:15,440 --> 00:08:20,080 Speaker 1: Tang is the Astros think he can start, but are 151 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:22,840 Speaker 1: comfortable putting him in the bullpen. All that to say 152 00:08:22,880 --> 00:08:26,280 Speaker 1: they are good with him throwing multiple innings, which when 153 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 1: you're gonna play twenty six games in twenty eight days 154 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:31,160 Speaker 1: to start the season and you have a short handed 155 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:34,080 Speaker 1: bullpen because you have a six man rotation. Having guys 156 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:37,319 Speaker 1: that can throw multiple innings is crucial, which is why 157 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:41,160 Speaker 1: Tang I think has an inside track. Ryan Weiss will 158 00:08:41,160 --> 00:08:43,280 Speaker 1: be in that same boat if he doesn't win a 159 00:08:43,280 --> 00:08:47,240 Speaker 1: spot in the rotation. And Aj blue Ball, who very 160 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:49,320 Speaker 1: clearly told you, Tyler that he's just a pitcher. He 161 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:52,160 Speaker 1: does not want labeled. So that's on you for trying 162 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:55,439 Speaker 1: to label Aj into something he doesn't want to be labeled. 163 00:08:55,880 --> 00:08:59,800 Speaker 2: He's just a beekeeper man. He's here to get the honey, 164 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:03,319 Speaker 2: no matter what it takes. That's what bee keepers do. 165 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:08,800 Speaker 1: Right I allegedly and take and take them off of 166 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:12,679 Speaker 1: the backstop at Chase Field every now and then when 167 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:14,040 Speaker 1: their services are required. 168 00:09:14,720 --> 00:09:17,800 Speaker 2: Can we get you to do a video with him? 169 00:09:17,840 --> 00:09:19,000 Speaker 2: Can we get you in the suit? 170 00:09:20,600 --> 00:09:23,120 Speaker 1: I mean that would require me going to Belleville, Ohio. 171 00:09:23,360 --> 00:09:25,319 Speaker 2: They got bees here. You don't. You don't have to 172 00:09:25,360 --> 00:09:25,880 Speaker 2: go up there. 173 00:09:26,400 --> 00:09:28,640 Speaker 1: But the whole, the whole fun thing about it is 174 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:30,480 Speaker 1: that he does it with his dad, and like his 175 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:33,719 Speaker 1: dad has all these hives. Like that's the that's the 176 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:35,760 Speaker 1: that's the real connection here. 177 00:09:35,960 --> 00:09:37,880 Speaker 2: It sounds like you got a plan. Then let's get 178 00:09:37,920 --> 00:09:38,560 Speaker 2: you on a plane. 179 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:41,040 Speaker 1: The New York Times doesn't have money to send me 180 00:09:41,080 --> 00:09:45,160 Speaker 1: to Bellville, Ohio. They don't have Like, I'm not even 181 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 1: in West Palm Beach right now, so. 182 00:09:47,760 --> 00:09:49,080 Speaker 2: Well, neither's Space City. 183 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:52,240 Speaker 1: No, they're not. They flew back on the on the 184 00:09:52,280 --> 00:09:55,400 Speaker 1: off day yesterday, but they'll be broadcasting live from the studio. 185 00:09:55,480 --> 00:10:00,439 Speaker 1: But anything look amiss to you. In the bullpen, obviously, 186 00:10:00,440 --> 00:10:02,360 Speaker 1: the rotation is the same as it was in the 187 00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:07,720 Speaker 1: first one. It's Hunter Brown, Tatsuya Emi, Christian Xavier, Mike Burrows, who, 188 00:10:07,800 --> 00:10:10,320 Speaker 1: by the way, Mike Burrows on Sunday. That was impressive. 189 00:10:11,440 --> 00:10:14,840 Speaker 1: He gets the ball and goes There is no wasted 190 00:10:14,880 --> 00:10:17,679 Speaker 1: time between pitches, there's no pitch clock needed for him, 191 00:10:17,720 --> 00:10:19,640 Speaker 1: and the change up is as advertised. The change up 192 00:10:19,679 --> 00:10:20,240 Speaker 1: is very good. 193 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:25,200 Speaker 2: So you say we don't care about spring training, but 194 00:10:25,280 --> 00:10:28,680 Speaker 2: I noticed that you have left our rule five friend 195 00:10:29,120 --> 00:10:32,520 Speaker 2: off this list. Would you like to explain yourself? 196 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:37,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, Rodery Munos didn't make my version of the opening 197 00:10:37,320 --> 00:10:39,800 Speaker 1: day bullpen. It doesn't mean he won't make it. 198 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:41,080 Speaker 2: I know. 199 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:44,800 Speaker 1: I even answered this question in the comments. He pitched 200 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:46,920 Speaker 1: on Sunday and did not pitch well. He gave up 201 00:10:46,960 --> 00:10:49,680 Speaker 1: I think three batted balls hit one. Oh three or 202 00:10:49,720 --> 00:10:53,439 Speaker 1: Harder gave up four runs. Jeremy Panna kicked the ground 203 00:10:53,440 --> 00:10:56,680 Speaker 1: ball behind him, which didn't help, but still the contact 204 00:10:56,760 --> 00:11:00,480 Speaker 1: was very loud and very on a line, wasn't They 205 00:11:00,520 --> 00:11:02,920 Speaker 1: weren't cheapies. He did not give up any cheap hits. 206 00:11:03,120 --> 00:11:05,800 Speaker 1: But he did that on Sunday. I wrote that story 207 00:11:05,840 --> 00:11:09,520 Speaker 1: on Saturday and filed it. So the poor outing had 208 00:11:09,559 --> 00:11:11,760 Speaker 1: nothing to do with me not including him in the bullpen. 209 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:14,959 Speaker 1: It had more to do with just I hadn't heard 210 00:11:15,080 --> 00:11:18,480 Speaker 1: much about him, like usually, like I base this off 211 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:21,880 Speaker 1: of just conversations that you know, you have on the backfields, 212 00:11:21,880 --> 00:11:24,840 Speaker 1: conversations that you have with team officials, what jo Aespotta 213 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:27,560 Speaker 1: says publicly, and you just you just haven't heard much 214 00:11:27,600 --> 00:11:31,640 Speaker 1: about him. And again not to say that he can't 215 00:11:32,559 --> 00:11:35,400 Speaker 1: start to impress. And look, they're going to give him 216 00:11:35,400 --> 00:11:38,200 Speaker 1: every chance. He's going to get a good bit of 217 00:11:38,480 --> 00:11:40,840 Speaker 1: run in spring training to try to prove why he 218 00:11:40,880 --> 00:11:43,120 Speaker 1: should be on the roster, because they don't put him 219 00:11:43,160 --> 00:11:46,520 Speaker 1: on the roster. He's out of the organization. So but yeah, 220 00:11:46,559 --> 00:11:48,679 Speaker 1: I just to be honest with you, haven't heard much 221 00:11:48,679 --> 00:11:51,880 Speaker 1: about him. It's it hasn't been one of these things 222 00:11:51,920 --> 00:11:56,040 Speaker 1: where it's been you know, oh, like he's impressing or 223 00:11:56,080 --> 00:11:59,040 Speaker 1: he's exactly what we thought. Again, not to say that 224 00:11:59,400 --> 00:12:01,880 Speaker 1: he's been bad by any means, he just it has 225 00:12:01,920 --> 00:12:04,760 Speaker 1: not risen the level like a guy like Kaiwai Tang, 226 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 1: who you talk to people and he is one of 227 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:09,920 Speaker 1: the first names out of you know, Dana Brown's mouth, 228 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:12,960 Speaker 1: Joe Spot his mouth as guys that have impressed them 229 00:12:13,280 --> 00:12:15,960 Speaker 1: this this camp. And one thing we have seen about 230 00:12:16,040 --> 00:12:18,480 Speaker 1: Dana Brown when he when he's making rosters out and 231 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:20,960 Speaker 1: when he's making opening day rosters is that he values 232 00:12:21,200 --> 00:12:23,880 Speaker 1: He values performance. He values what these guys do in 233 00:12:23,920 --> 00:12:26,880 Speaker 1: spring training. And Kaiwai Tang is a little bit ahead 234 00:12:26,880 --> 00:12:29,000 Speaker 1: of Rodery Munoz right now, Well. 235 00:12:28,840 --> 00:12:31,560 Speaker 2: There you go. All right, so you heard it here. 236 00:12:31,679 --> 00:12:36,480 Speaker 2: Spring training stats matter, Chandler cares about them. That's where 237 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:38,720 Speaker 2: it comes from. 238 00:12:38,840 --> 00:12:40,600 Speaker 1: The other one that's not on there is Nate Pearson. 239 00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:44,280 Speaker 1: Nate Pearson's out. The only reason it's kind of notable 240 00:12:44,280 --> 00:12:46,000 Speaker 1: that he's not on there is he's out of options. 241 00:12:46,440 --> 00:12:49,360 Speaker 1: So if he doesn't make the roster, he would have 242 00:12:49,400 --> 00:12:53,199 Speaker 1: to be exposed to waivers. I talked to Nate last 243 00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:56,480 Speaker 1: week in Les Palm beach, and he said that he 244 00:12:56,600 --> 00:12:58,440 Speaker 1: so he had a he had like an elbow clean 245 00:12:58,520 --> 00:13:00,640 Speaker 1: up this offseason. I don't think it was any thing major, 246 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:03,679 Speaker 1: but had a procedure done just to get some stuff 247 00:13:03,679 --> 00:13:06,040 Speaker 1: out of there. He is throwing off of a mound 248 00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:10,239 Speaker 1: like he's throwing bullpens, but he's on a velo progression 249 00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:12,920 Speaker 1: kind of ramp up thing, so his bullpens maybe are 250 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:17,959 Speaker 1: not as intense. His bullpens don't have the same purpose 251 00:13:18,120 --> 00:13:20,800 Speaker 1: maybe as some other guys, some guys that are on 252 00:13:21,360 --> 00:13:25,680 Speaker 1: a normal path. Nate said that the goal is for 253 00:13:25,800 --> 00:13:28,360 Speaker 1: him to pitch in a spring training game by the 254 00:13:28,480 --> 00:13:31,360 Speaker 1: end of camp, but that is nowhere near a guarantee. 255 00:13:32,040 --> 00:13:35,560 Speaker 1: The fact that that is even a question would lead 256 00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 1: me to believe that he probably will not be ready 257 00:13:38,559 --> 00:13:41,240 Speaker 1: to start the year. He will not be fully built 258 00:13:41,320 --> 00:13:43,480 Speaker 1: up to start the year. And remember, they are going 259 00:13:43,559 --> 00:13:45,440 Speaker 1: to give Nate Pearson a chance to start. They are 260 00:13:45,480 --> 00:13:47,760 Speaker 1: going to give him a chance to, you know, be 261 00:13:47,880 --> 00:13:49,840 Speaker 1: a starter. That is one of the reasons he signed here. 262 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:54,439 Speaker 1: So my thought would be that he would probably start 263 00:13:54,480 --> 00:13:58,199 Speaker 1: the year on the il again, not that he has 264 00:13:58,440 --> 00:14:00,600 Speaker 1: suffered an injury or anything, but start here on the 265 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:04,000 Speaker 1: eyel you're able to and you can keep throwing all 266 00:14:04,120 --> 00:14:05,679 Speaker 1: All it is is a paper move to put them 267 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:08,920 Speaker 1: on the I L they would avoid having to pass 268 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:11,680 Speaker 1: them through waivers. But that that's how I would think 269 00:14:11,760 --> 00:14:15,240 Speaker 1: that would go. But that's why Nate Pierson's not on there. 270 00:14:15,440 --> 00:14:17,599 Speaker 1: And again, the only reason in bringing it up is 271 00:14:17,600 --> 00:14:19,920 Speaker 1: because Nate does not have minor league options remaining, so 272 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:24,240 Speaker 1: if he doesn't make it, he will be exposed to waivers. 273 00:14:24,280 --> 00:14:27,560 Speaker 1: But yeah, that's really the only that's the The bullpen 274 00:14:27,640 --> 00:14:31,800 Speaker 1: is obviously the biggest place where in an otherwise kind 275 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:34,520 Speaker 1: of in an otherwise kind of boring camp to start, 276 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:37,000 Speaker 1: you know that the the bullpen has been the place 277 00:14:37,040 --> 00:14:39,560 Speaker 1: where there's been the most uncertainty, But I think we 278 00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:42,160 Speaker 1: kind of expected that going in because of the battle 279 00:14:42,200 --> 00:14:44,880 Speaker 1: for the fifth and sixth rotation spot and a lot 280 00:14:44,880 --> 00:14:47,920 Speaker 1: of new guys, and that's how spring training usually is. Like, 281 00:14:48,240 --> 00:14:51,160 Speaker 1: even when the Astros were, you know, at their best 282 00:14:51,160 --> 00:14:53,560 Speaker 1: and you could, you know, recite the twenty six man 283 00:14:53,680 --> 00:14:56,720 Speaker 1: roster before going to West Palm Beach, there was still 284 00:14:56,720 --> 00:14:59,000 Speaker 1: always you know, a couple of spots opening the bullpen, 285 00:14:59,080 --> 00:15:03,640 Speaker 1: so you kind of that. But the hater news really 286 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 1: kind of threw a wrinkle into a lot of stuff. 287 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:10,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, agreed, Any I mean he's just playing catch any 288 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:12,280 Speaker 2: any update there. 289 00:15:12,760 --> 00:15:16,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, he's again like I would be, I would be. 290 00:15:16,880 --> 00:15:20,280 Speaker 1: I would be surprised if he's on the opening day roster. Now, again, 291 00:15:21,080 --> 00:15:25,200 Speaker 1: things can happen, guys can accelerate their throwing programs, but 292 00:15:26,160 --> 00:15:27,760 Speaker 1: they have made it a point to say that they 293 00:15:27,760 --> 00:15:29,600 Speaker 1: are taking it slow with him, that they don't want 294 00:15:29,640 --> 00:15:32,720 Speaker 1: to rush him, especially coming off the shoulder thing last year, 295 00:15:32,840 --> 00:15:36,960 Speaker 1: Like it would make absolutely no sense to rush him, 296 00:15:37,280 --> 00:15:41,160 Speaker 1: just for no other reason than to have the sentimental 297 00:15:41,200 --> 00:15:44,840 Speaker 1: inclusion on the opening day roster. He's if he's ready 298 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:47,160 Speaker 1: to go by April fifteenth, and he's got to miss 299 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:50,520 Speaker 1: the first two weeks, they're fine with that. But yeah, 300 00:15:50,600 --> 00:15:55,280 Speaker 1: he's throwing off flat ground. The intensity is not what 301 00:15:55,400 --> 00:15:59,160 Speaker 1: I think people expected, but that's usually how this goes. Like, 302 00:15:59,560 --> 00:16:01,720 Speaker 1: you're not throwing ninety eight miles an hour off of 303 00:16:01,720 --> 00:16:05,640 Speaker 1: flagground usually when you're building back up. So yeah, it's 304 00:16:05,640 --> 00:16:08,960 Speaker 1: status quo with him. But again I'd be surprised. But 305 00:16:09,360 --> 00:16:12,400 Speaker 1: that's the pitching staff. We will talk about the position 306 00:16:12,480 --> 00:16:14,560 Speaker 1: player side. Right after this message from our friends at 307 00:16:14,560 --> 00:16:15,280 Speaker 1: foul territory. 308 00:16:15,600 --> 00:16:17,760 Speaker 3: We're going to get into all of the nitty gritty 309 00:16:17,800 --> 00:16:20,960 Speaker 3: details about why you should switch to Mint Mobile, but 310 00:16:21,120 --> 00:16:23,320 Speaker 3: I brought a special guest in for this one to 311 00:16:23,440 --> 00:16:26,200 Speaker 3: alert you that you might be paying way too much 312 00:16:26,400 --> 00:16:29,080 Speaker 3: for your wireless bill. Eric Kratz, can you give me 313 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:31,520 Speaker 3: the bullpen dugout phone? 314 00:16:31,640 --> 00:16:35,600 Speaker 1: Please? Lu lu lu lu lu lulu. You want to 315 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:39,600 Speaker 1: pay fifteen bucks a month unlimited switch to mint Mobile. 316 00:16:39,960 --> 00:16:42,760 Speaker 3: You wear the man unlimited talk, text and data at 317 00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:44,680 Speaker 3: a fraction of what others charge. 318 00:16:44,920 --> 00:16:46,960 Speaker 4: Ready to stop paying more than you have to? New 319 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:49,400 Speaker 4: customers can make the switch today and for a limited time, 320 00:16:49,440 --> 00:16:52,760 Speaker 4: get unlimited premium wireless for just fifteen bucks per month. 321 00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:56,880 Speaker 4: Switch now at mintmobile dot com slash territory. That's mintmobile 322 00:16:56,920 --> 00:17:00,960 Speaker 4: dot com slash territory. Upfront payment forty five dollars for 323 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:03,040 Speaker 4: three months, ninety for six months, or one eighty for 324 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:06,680 Speaker 4: twelve months. Plan required fifteen dollars a month equivalent taxes 325 00:17:06,680 --> 00:17:09,879 Speaker 4: and fees extra initial plan term only over fifty gigabytes. 326 00:17:09,880 --> 00:17:13,480 Speaker 4: May slow when network is busy. Capable device required, availability, 327 00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:16,119 Speaker 4: speed and coverage varries cemimobile dot com. 328 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:19,600 Speaker 1: I'm not there to watch it. Tyler, but Camp Smith's 329 00:17:19,600 --> 00:17:20,639 Speaker 1: playing center field today? 330 00:17:21,160 --> 00:17:25,920 Speaker 2: Yeah? Is watch out? It's the birthday boy getting to 331 00:17:25,960 --> 00:17:26,800 Speaker 2: play center field. 332 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:32,560 Speaker 1: Yep, we'll see, it'll be uh sound. I have found 333 00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:35,920 Speaker 1: it interesting that when I was in Florida, at least 334 00:17:35,920 --> 00:17:38,480 Speaker 1: when I was in the scrums with Joe a spot 335 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:42,240 Speaker 1: at he was given at least like three opportunities spread 336 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:45,200 Speaker 1: over about a week week and a half to say 337 00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:49,560 Speaker 1: that Jake Myers is his starting center fielder, and he 338 00:17:49,600 --> 00:17:53,400 Speaker 1: never took the opportunity to do so. He has never 339 00:17:53,560 --> 00:17:57,600 Speaker 1: just outright said that Jake Myers will be the team's centerfielder. Now, 340 00:17:59,240 --> 00:18:02,800 Speaker 1: I would be if this is the roster construction at 341 00:18:02,800 --> 00:18:06,040 Speaker 1: the Astros carry into opening Day. I have a hard 342 00:18:06,080 --> 00:18:08,400 Speaker 1: time believing that Jake Myers isn't going to run out 343 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:10,840 Speaker 1: on run out to center field on opening Day against 344 00:18:10,840 --> 00:18:15,560 Speaker 1: the Angels. But the fact that that has not been solidified, 345 00:18:15,960 --> 00:18:20,399 Speaker 1: I think Tyler underscores the uncertainty around the outfield and 346 00:18:20,480 --> 00:18:25,640 Speaker 1: around just how wide open competition is in all three spots. 347 00:18:25,680 --> 00:18:29,000 Speaker 1: That nothing is guaranteed. We knew that about Cam Smith 348 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:32,439 Speaker 1: coming in just because of Dana Brown's comments this offseason, 349 00:18:32,480 --> 00:18:36,560 Speaker 1: but it's a wide open competition. And it really may 350 00:18:36,600 --> 00:18:40,159 Speaker 1: come down to who is playing the best in March. 351 00:18:40,400 --> 00:18:43,280 Speaker 1: And that's a gamble. That's a gamble that this front 352 00:18:43,280 --> 00:18:44,919 Speaker 1: office and this coaching staff is taking. 353 00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:48,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, and like you said, we just don't know the 354 00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:54,280 Speaker 2: roster construction yet. There's still alleged trades to be made. 355 00:18:55,520 --> 00:18:58,719 Speaker 2: At some point, they're probably going to get a backup 356 00:18:58,800 --> 00:19:03,159 Speaker 2: catcher maybe, and then also, you know, who knows what 357 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:07,520 Speaker 2: the infield situation will look like, which can also affect 358 00:19:07,520 --> 00:19:12,639 Speaker 2: the outfield situation. But honestly, you need solid backups in 359 00:19:12,720 --> 00:19:17,679 Speaker 2: center field anyway, just for the occasional off day or 360 00:19:17,680 --> 00:19:21,080 Speaker 2: if Jake Myers gets injured. You know, you need to 361 00:19:21,119 --> 00:19:26,320 Speaker 2: have people that are available. And look, camp Smith took 362 00:19:26,320 --> 00:19:28,560 Speaker 2: to right field pretty well, so throw him in center 363 00:19:28,600 --> 00:19:29,520 Speaker 2: and see what happens. 364 00:19:30,359 --> 00:19:32,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, I don't think it's a I don't think it's 365 00:19:32,880 --> 00:19:35,760 Speaker 1: a big adjustment going from right to center. I mean, 366 00:19:35,760 --> 00:19:38,520 Speaker 1: obviously it's more ground to cover, but camp Smith's a gazelle, 367 00:19:38,560 --> 00:19:41,159 Speaker 1: like he's a He's not going to be Jake Myers 368 00:19:41,160 --> 00:19:43,760 Speaker 1: out there. Jake is the best defensive center fielder that 369 00:19:44,080 --> 00:19:48,120 Speaker 1: they have, and though he hasn't been recognized with the award, 370 00:19:48,200 --> 00:19:51,320 Speaker 1: he is a goal glove caliber center fielder, just in 371 00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:53,320 Speaker 1: terms of his reads, in terms of what he sees 372 00:19:53,320 --> 00:19:56,560 Speaker 1: off the bat, and that is still something Cam is learning. 373 00:19:56,680 --> 00:20:00,960 Speaker 1: Like Cam, he's played one total year of outfield playing. 374 00:20:02,240 --> 00:20:04,760 Speaker 1: But I think the arm, the arm will certainly play 375 00:20:04,800 --> 00:20:08,040 Speaker 1: in center field. The arm played in right field very well. 376 00:20:08,680 --> 00:20:10,600 Speaker 1: It's just kind of more of the reads off the bat. 377 00:20:10,720 --> 00:20:13,520 Speaker 1: It's more of knowing that he's got a bigger area 378 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:16,639 Speaker 1: to cover. It's not he's not just confined to his 379 00:20:16,720 --> 00:20:19,720 Speaker 1: one little area he's got. He's got more room to roam. 380 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:23,280 Speaker 1: And I think doing that in a spring training game 381 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:26,159 Speaker 1: is this is why you have spring training. You have 382 00:20:26,200 --> 00:20:29,720 Speaker 1: spring training for Camp Smith to experiment out there, to 383 00:20:29,760 --> 00:20:31,639 Speaker 1: see what it's like, what it looks like. And I 384 00:20:31,680 --> 00:20:34,520 Speaker 1: think the other thing that the main reason why they 385 00:20:34,520 --> 00:20:38,040 Speaker 1: want to do this is, you know, he had Joe 386 00:20:38,119 --> 00:20:41,600 Speaker 1: Aspota hasn't always had the roster to do this, but 387 00:20:42,359 --> 00:20:44,760 Speaker 1: when he has a roster that has a lot of 388 00:20:44,800 --> 00:20:49,240 Speaker 1: interchangeable parts, he loves he's he loves to pinch hit, 389 00:20:49,280 --> 00:20:51,199 Speaker 1: he loves to play matchups. He loves to go to 390 00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:54,760 Speaker 1: his bench late in games to match up against bullpens. 391 00:20:54,800 --> 00:20:58,240 Speaker 1: Now because they were so injured last year, and because 392 00:20:59,040 --> 00:21:01,639 Speaker 1: they don't have a lot of depth at the upper 393 00:21:01,640 --> 00:21:04,680 Speaker 1: minor leagues, he didn't have a roster that was conducive 394 00:21:04,720 --> 00:21:08,040 Speaker 1: to doing that. But when he has won, he has 395 00:21:08,280 --> 00:21:11,399 Speaker 1: shown a willingness to hit for Zach Cole late in 396 00:21:11,400 --> 00:21:13,680 Speaker 1: a game or when Cam was struggling in the second 397 00:21:13,720 --> 00:21:16,680 Speaker 1: half last year, he'd hit for Cam with a Susanchez, 398 00:21:16,680 --> 00:21:18,960 Speaker 1: but he would hit for him late in games like 399 00:21:19,720 --> 00:21:22,840 Speaker 1: that is how he prefers to manage. He prefers to 400 00:21:22,920 --> 00:21:27,240 Speaker 1: manage with some aggression against some late inning bullpen arms. 401 00:21:27,280 --> 00:21:29,520 Speaker 1: Look the top five or six guys in his order, 402 00:21:29,560 --> 00:21:31,760 Speaker 1: He's not going to hit four, but you know the 403 00:21:31,840 --> 00:21:34,920 Speaker 1: bottom three four guys in the order. Joe's always looking 404 00:21:34,960 --> 00:21:38,280 Speaker 1: to create platoon advantages, create matchups. I think it's more 405 00:21:38,359 --> 00:21:42,520 Speaker 1: rooted in if he has to hit for Myers in 406 00:21:42,600 --> 00:21:46,480 Speaker 1: the seventh or eighth inning, are you comfortable with Cam 407 00:21:46,640 --> 00:21:50,440 Speaker 1: sliding over to center so you don't ruin your outfield 408 00:21:50,440 --> 00:21:53,199 Speaker 1: configuration and you still have a pretty good defensive setup 409 00:21:53,200 --> 00:21:55,920 Speaker 1: out there. I think it's rooted more in that than 410 00:21:55,960 --> 00:21:58,320 Speaker 1: it is that Cam Smith's going to suddenly become the 411 00:21:58,359 --> 00:21:59,359 Speaker 1: everyday center fielder. 412 00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:03,320 Speaker 2: I mean, all of these guys can play center field, 413 00:22:03,600 --> 00:22:08,359 Speaker 2: right Low Braffito, Zach Cole, I mean they you know, 414 00:22:08,800 --> 00:22:10,720 Speaker 2: I mean I remember the last time that Astros have 415 00:22:10,760 --> 00:22:15,879 Speaker 2: had an outfield that conceivably everybody could play center. 416 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:18,880 Speaker 1: I mean they can, they just haven't done it at 417 00:22:18,880 --> 00:22:22,040 Speaker 1: the big league level a lot like I mean, Zach 418 00:22:22,119 --> 00:22:24,040 Speaker 1: Cole did it, a ton of Triple did it, a 419 00:22:24,040 --> 00:22:26,520 Speaker 1: ton of the minor leagues, Joey low Perfido's done the 420 00:22:26,720 --> 00:22:30,040 Speaker 1: but like at the big leagues, they have really kind 421 00:22:30,040 --> 00:22:34,240 Speaker 1: of only been corner guys. And I think Cam is 422 00:22:34,280 --> 00:22:37,400 Speaker 1: the one that you probably worry is probably a strong word, 423 00:22:37,440 --> 00:22:40,879 Speaker 1: but that's the one that you need to get the 424 00:22:40,880 --> 00:22:45,080 Speaker 1: the the biggest look at because he's never done it, 425 00:22:45,480 --> 00:22:48,199 Speaker 1: like Low Braffito, Cole, like they've done it in the 426 00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:49,840 Speaker 1: minor leagues. It would still be nice to get a 427 00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:51,520 Speaker 1: look at it in the big leagues with the big 428 00:22:51,560 --> 00:22:53,919 Speaker 1: league outfield coaches things like that. But Cam is the 429 00:22:53,920 --> 00:22:57,560 Speaker 1: one that I think you've got to I think you've 430 00:22:57,560 --> 00:23:00,160 Speaker 1: got to give a longer look at just to under 431 00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:05,680 Speaker 1: stand whether this is something that is feasible on opening Day, 432 00:23:05,680 --> 00:23:07,280 Speaker 1: if you've got to hit for someone in late in 433 00:23:07,320 --> 00:23:09,280 Speaker 1: the game and you want to keep Cam in the lineup. 434 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:12,880 Speaker 2: Well, we'll see. Well, I guess we won't see. It's 435 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:15,359 Speaker 2: not on TV today, but I imagine he gets another 436 00:23:15,480 --> 00:23:17,760 Speaker 2: chance at some point in the spring. 437 00:23:18,680 --> 00:23:21,199 Speaker 1: I think you will. It's something that they wanted to 438 00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:23,120 Speaker 1: do last year. They were hitting him, they were hitting 439 00:23:23,200 --> 00:23:26,439 Speaker 1: him BP flyballs in center field last year, and just 440 00:23:26,800 --> 00:23:30,520 Speaker 1: again with the way their roster got ravaged by injury, 441 00:23:30,560 --> 00:23:33,359 Speaker 1: it just it never ended up manifesting. And the fact 442 00:23:33,359 --> 00:23:36,399 Speaker 1: that Jake Myers had a nice year last year, had 443 00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:40,720 Speaker 1: a breakthrough offensive season. How sustainable do you think that 444 00:23:40,800 --> 00:23:43,440 Speaker 1: was a one off for Myers or do you think 445 00:23:43,520 --> 00:23:47,240 Speaker 1: that that was maybe the start of something that is 446 00:23:47,320 --> 00:23:50,720 Speaker 1: sustainable that you could see, because I think that is 447 00:23:50,760 --> 00:23:53,000 Speaker 1: the question they have to ask themselves, and it's probably 448 00:23:53,040 --> 00:23:56,600 Speaker 1: a question they are asking themselves as they're considering what 449 00:23:56,640 --> 00:23:58,800 Speaker 1: this outfield's going to look like going in the going 450 00:23:58,840 --> 00:24:00,440 Speaker 1: in the next, going into the seat. 451 00:24:00,720 --> 00:24:03,600 Speaker 2: I mean, I don't I don't think that you will 452 00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:08,199 Speaker 2: would expect Jack Myers to hit two ninety, you know, 453 00:24:08,320 --> 00:24:11,840 Speaker 2: I think that's probably a little on the high end, 454 00:24:11,920 --> 00:24:15,639 Speaker 2: although you know, his expected batting average last year was 455 00:24:15,680 --> 00:24:18,159 Speaker 2: two seventy, which was much higher than it has been 456 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:20,320 Speaker 2: at any other point in his career, so it's not 457 00:24:20,400 --> 00:24:24,480 Speaker 2: like he was just getting crazy babbit luck. 458 00:24:25,880 --> 00:24:28,320 Speaker 1: I will say he did have a three fifty three BABU. 459 00:24:28,200 --> 00:24:30,439 Speaker 2: Which he did, but I'm saying it's not like it 460 00:24:30,520 --> 00:24:33,840 Speaker 2: was four hundred, you know. I mean it was higher 461 00:24:33,880 --> 00:24:39,680 Speaker 2: than what his actual batting average was, but just for context, 462 00:24:39,880 --> 00:24:43,800 Speaker 2: the year before in twenty twenty four, when he hit 463 00:24:45,760 --> 00:24:50,280 Speaker 2: to nineteen, his expected batting average was two thirty, so 464 00:24:50,320 --> 00:24:52,920 Speaker 2: it was a little higher than that, but it wasn't 465 00:24:53,080 --> 00:24:55,600 Speaker 2: you know something. You know, he had a better year obviously, 466 00:24:56,080 --> 00:24:59,400 Speaker 2: but even again we talk about him having a breakout 467 00:24:59,440 --> 00:25:02,040 Speaker 2: year last year. His ops plus last year was one 468 00:25:02,119 --> 00:25:04,639 Speaker 2: oh three, Like he was a he was a league 469 00:25:04,720 --> 00:25:08,520 Speaker 2: average hitter. But that's all Jake Myers needs to be that. 470 00:25:08,720 --> 00:25:11,000 Speaker 2: You know, you don't need him to carry the lineup. 471 00:25:11,040 --> 00:25:14,160 Speaker 2: You need him to be able to hit seventh, eighth 472 00:25:14,200 --> 00:25:17,600 Speaker 2: to ninth and not embarrass you and play great defense. 473 00:25:18,160 --> 00:25:21,680 Speaker 2: And I think that's certainly a possibility. The biggest thing 474 00:25:21,760 --> 00:25:25,200 Speaker 2: was he cut way back on his strikeouts. Last year. 475 00:25:25,240 --> 00:25:29,320 Speaker 2: He struck out seventeen percent of the time. After running 476 00:25:30,080 --> 00:25:35,159 Speaker 2: in the thirties and mid twenties, you know throughout the 477 00:25:35,200 --> 00:25:38,320 Speaker 2: rest of his career. So he cut way back on strikeouts, 478 00:25:38,359 --> 00:25:41,240 Speaker 2: and that is something that I think, you know, is 479 00:25:41,280 --> 00:25:45,679 Speaker 2: a little bit more sustainable. Outside of that, like his 480 00:25:45,680 --> 00:25:51,040 Speaker 2: his stack cast, you know, batted ball types and stuff, 481 00:25:51,160 --> 00:25:54,960 Speaker 2: didn't change all that much. He still was around the 482 00:25:55,000 --> 00:26:01,080 Speaker 2: same average exit velocity, barrel percentage was more or less 483 00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:06,040 Speaker 2: the same, launch aangle was a little bit down, just 484 00:26:06,160 --> 00:26:09,520 Speaker 2: getting more line drives than pop ups, which again you 485 00:26:09,600 --> 00:26:13,320 Speaker 2: want as a as a guy that doesn't lead with 486 00:26:13,400 --> 00:26:16,239 Speaker 2: his power and is fast, you want him hitting it 487 00:26:16,600 --> 00:26:19,960 Speaker 2: on the ground or on a line. But the strikeout 488 00:26:20,000 --> 00:26:24,440 Speaker 2: percentage was the biggest thing, and he cut way back 489 00:26:24,480 --> 00:26:26,919 Speaker 2: on that, and so I do think that that is 490 00:26:26,920 --> 00:26:31,400 Speaker 2: something that you can assume will carry over. I don't 491 00:26:31,440 --> 00:26:36,359 Speaker 2: know that it'll carry over quite as much, but I mean, again, 492 00:26:36,400 --> 00:26:40,520 Speaker 2: even if he hovers around a ninety ninety five ops 493 00:26:40,560 --> 00:26:43,960 Speaker 2: plus next year, that's still a very valuable player. And 494 00:26:44,000 --> 00:26:46,159 Speaker 2: that's all you're asking him to be. 495 00:26:47,480 --> 00:26:50,399 Speaker 1: The two things that this kind of dovetails in what 496 00:26:50,440 --> 00:26:53,480 Speaker 1: you said, the two things that would give me that 497 00:26:53,520 --> 00:26:55,680 Speaker 1: would give me hope if I'm an Astros fan, that 498 00:26:56,040 --> 00:27:00,920 Speaker 1: it was sustainable. He whiffed twenty one point two percent 499 00:27:00,960 --> 00:27:02,639 Speaker 1: of the time last year. He had not had a 500 00:27:02,640 --> 00:27:05,960 Speaker 1: big league season before that in which he'd whiffed less 501 00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:08,239 Speaker 1: than twenty seven percent, So he cut his whiff rate 502 00:27:08,359 --> 00:27:11,359 Speaker 1: by six percent. Last year, he cut his chase rate 503 00:27:11,480 --> 00:27:17,200 Speaker 1: by seven percent. The swing decisions were better, the pitch 504 00:27:17,280 --> 00:27:21,160 Speaker 1: recognition was better, and there were some tweaks he made 505 00:27:21,240 --> 00:27:24,280 Speaker 1: to his swing to be able to make better contact. 506 00:27:24,440 --> 00:27:28,400 Speaker 1: Now the contact he made, as we discussed that, there 507 00:27:28,520 --> 00:27:31,119 Speaker 1: was probably some luck involved. You know, a three fifty 508 00:27:31,119 --> 00:27:34,440 Speaker 1: three bad hip is high. It's not now the expected 509 00:27:34,480 --> 00:27:37,360 Speaker 1: numbers that you said, a to seventy expected batting average. Look, 510 00:27:37,440 --> 00:27:41,400 Speaker 1: if the regression is seventy, they'll take that in a heartbeat. 511 00:27:42,840 --> 00:27:46,040 Speaker 1: But you know, I think what you brought up is 512 00:27:46,160 --> 00:27:48,520 Speaker 1: correct that they don't need him to I mean, look, 513 00:27:48,560 --> 00:27:51,560 Speaker 1: he's he's gonna hit ninth most nights. Like if if 514 00:27:51,560 --> 00:27:53,439 Speaker 1: he's hitting ninth, they don't need him to have a 515 00:27:53,680 --> 00:27:55,960 Speaker 1: one to twenty five OPS plus. They would love that, 516 00:27:56,240 --> 00:28:00,200 Speaker 1: but then need to happen. What it does do puts 517 00:28:00,240 --> 00:28:02,760 Speaker 1: a lot of pressure on the two corner outfield spots, 518 00:28:03,480 --> 00:28:08,200 Speaker 1: two spots that that's where you need a one fifteen 519 00:28:08,440 --> 00:28:13,000 Speaker 1: to one twenty five OPS plus those are offensive first positions, 520 00:28:14,240 --> 00:28:20,359 Speaker 1: and it's why it's why I'm still just again, I 521 00:28:20,359 --> 00:28:22,720 Speaker 1: don't think a trade is eminent. I don't think anything's 522 00:28:22,760 --> 00:28:25,080 Speaker 1: happening eminently where they're going to add to this roster. 523 00:28:25,800 --> 00:28:30,199 Speaker 1: But it's still is just it's a little concerning to 524 00:28:30,320 --> 00:28:34,360 Speaker 1: me that the corner outfield spots here are so unsettled 525 00:28:34,680 --> 00:28:36,480 Speaker 1: and you really have no idea what you're going to 526 00:28:36,520 --> 00:28:39,400 Speaker 1: get from any of these guys that are in contention 527 00:28:39,480 --> 00:28:39,760 Speaker 1: for it. 528 00:28:40,880 --> 00:28:44,239 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, like you said, you don't know. You 529 00:28:45,440 --> 00:28:48,520 Speaker 2: that's why you have Zach Cole and the plans, because 530 00:28:48,760 --> 00:28:52,000 Speaker 2: he's the one that you know, in a career year 531 00:28:52,160 --> 00:28:56,520 Speaker 2: can really bring that power and slug in a way 532 00:28:56,600 --> 00:28:59,520 Speaker 2: that the other guys cannot. And you just hope that 533 00:29:00,120 --> 00:29:03,080 Speaker 2: camp Smith can get back to the first half form 534 00:29:03,360 --> 00:29:07,040 Speaker 2: that we saw and that low per Vedo can provide 535 00:29:07,320 --> 00:29:11,360 Speaker 2: again league average offense. But again, this underscores the need 536 00:29:11,480 --> 00:29:17,000 Speaker 2: for the Astros to add some power in the outfield, 537 00:29:19,080 --> 00:29:22,400 Speaker 2: especially because you know your on's going to be d 538 00:29:22,680 --> 00:29:24,800 Speaker 2: h most of the time, whether he likes it or not. 539 00:29:25,000 --> 00:29:30,880 Speaker 2: Apparently he's he's going to be there again unless they're 540 00:29:30,920 --> 00:29:33,440 Speaker 2: scoring two runs a game in the first two weeks 541 00:29:33,440 --> 00:29:35,280 Speaker 2: of the season and then you're just gonna run out 542 00:29:35,560 --> 00:29:39,320 Speaker 2: whoever can hit and see what happens. 543 00:29:40,120 --> 00:29:41,480 Speaker 1: I do want to say one more thing about the 544 00:29:41,520 --> 00:29:45,760 Speaker 1: Alvarez left field thing, and it's it's something that I 545 00:29:45,800 --> 00:29:49,200 Speaker 1: don't think is getting as much acknowledgment as it should. 546 00:29:49,240 --> 00:29:51,680 Speaker 1: And when everyone is just like yelling, just play him 547 00:29:51,680 --> 00:29:53,240 Speaker 1: in left field, play them in left field, playing in 548 00:29:53,320 --> 00:29:58,400 Speaker 1: left field, even in the years where they were okay 549 00:29:58,520 --> 00:30:01,280 Speaker 1: playing where they came into spring training saying, oh, yeah, 550 00:30:01,320 --> 00:30:03,680 Speaker 1: like we'll play him in left field, like we'll we'll 551 00:30:03,680 --> 00:30:06,480 Speaker 1: give him some time there, like he'll he'll be he'll 552 00:30:06,520 --> 00:30:09,560 Speaker 1: be a contributor out there. He's never played more than 553 00:30:09,640 --> 00:30:12,920 Speaker 1: fifty six games in a season in left field. He's 554 00:30:12,960 --> 00:30:15,720 Speaker 1: never had more than fifty six starts. Like they have 555 00:30:15,800 --> 00:30:18,960 Speaker 1: already told you till they're blue in the face that 556 00:30:19,240 --> 00:30:23,840 Speaker 1: he is not playing out there a lot, even if 557 00:30:23,840 --> 00:30:26,680 Speaker 1: they would come out and change their tune and say, hey, 558 00:30:27,680 --> 00:30:29,120 Speaker 1: we're gonna let him go out there, We're gonna let 559 00:30:29,160 --> 00:30:31,000 Speaker 1: him play some like he's still the DH but like 560 00:30:31,440 --> 00:30:35,360 Speaker 1: we are more open to really thinking about this. Did 561 00:30:35,360 --> 00:30:38,040 Speaker 1: you really think they were gonna like double or triple 562 00:30:38,120 --> 00:30:42,120 Speaker 1: his his outfield starts, Like this is a guy that 563 00:30:42,160 --> 00:30:44,640 Speaker 1: has never played out there more than fifty six times, 564 00:30:44,720 --> 00:30:47,160 Speaker 1: even in his healthy seasons, even in the seasons where 565 00:30:47,160 --> 00:30:48,920 Speaker 1: he played one hundred and forty one hundred and forty 566 00:30:48,960 --> 00:30:54,360 Speaker 1: five games. It's not realistic, Like it's not realistic to 567 00:30:54,480 --> 00:30:57,080 Speaker 1: just go from he had a career high of fifty 568 00:30:57,120 --> 00:30:59,160 Speaker 1: six starts, you're gonna go out there and start ninety 569 00:30:59,160 --> 00:31:00,800 Speaker 1: five times this year, you're gonna go out there and 570 00:31:00,840 --> 00:31:06,000 Speaker 1: even start seventy times. Like the way it's it's just 571 00:31:06,000 --> 00:31:08,959 Speaker 1: not feasible. And I don't think that's being given as 572 00:31:09,000 --> 00:31:12,520 Speaker 1: much that that he hasn't been out there that you know, 573 00:31:12,600 --> 00:31:15,440 Speaker 1: even in the years when they have been more amenable 574 00:31:15,480 --> 00:31:17,600 Speaker 1: to this, he's not been out there. And he's not 575 00:31:17,640 --> 00:31:20,360 Speaker 1: a good left fielder. Like I mean, I hate to 576 00:31:20,720 --> 00:31:24,240 Speaker 1: I hate to be so crass, but like everyone's acting 577 00:31:24,280 --> 00:31:26,680 Speaker 1: as if he's like this, he can go out there 578 00:31:26,720 --> 00:31:30,240 Speaker 1: and like really hold his own like guys a couple 579 00:31:30,240 --> 00:31:32,520 Speaker 1: of times he threw guys out at the plate were 580 00:31:32,560 --> 00:31:36,080 Speaker 1: just third base coaches that had absolutely no respect for 581 00:31:36,120 --> 00:31:37,440 Speaker 1: his arm. 582 00:31:38,000 --> 00:31:40,800 Speaker 2: I mean, that's not the issue. It's yeah, I mean 583 00:31:40,840 --> 00:31:44,200 Speaker 2: the arm is okay, he's fine. And again he can 584 00:31:44,200 --> 00:31:47,320 Speaker 2: play at home. He can play left field there you can, 585 00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:50,560 Speaker 2: I mean you can jog in in left field. 586 00:31:52,320 --> 00:31:55,840 Speaker 1: Joseel played out like Carlos Lee played the outfield at 587 00:31:56,000 --> 00:31:58,040 Speaker 1: minute made when it was minute May Park. Like that 588 00:31:58,280 --> 00:32:01,760 Speaker 1: a bio to you, sir, It can happen. But just 589 00:32:01,800 --> 00:32:05,600 Speaker 1: like this thought of like, okay, you want to increase 590 00:32:05,640 --> 00:32:07,520 Speaker 1: his time, like you want to get him out there 591 00:32:07,560 --> 00:32:11,479 Speaker 1: ninety ninety five times, which inherently means he'll be in 592 00:32:11,560 --> 00:32:14,960 Speaker 1: ballparks on the road where it's not advisable to have 593 00:32:15,040 --> 00:32:18,400 Speaker 1: him playing in some of these bigger ballparks. And then 594 00:32:18,440 --> 00:32:20,320 Speaker 1: you have to ask yourself, like do you want to 595 00:32:20,360 --> 00:32:24,160 Speaker 1: leave yourself defensively susceptible late in the game like Joe 596 00:32:24,160 --> 00:32:27,320 Speaker 1: Aspota has shown, Like if this roster construction goes in, 597 00:32:28,400 --> 00:32:30,760 Speaker 1: you pull Alvarez for defense in the eighth inning with 598 00:32:30,800 --> 00:32:34,040 Speaker 1: a one run lead, you have back into the bullpen 599 00:32:34,080 --> 00:32:35,920 Speaker 1: that maybe as an off night comes in and the 600 00:32:35,960 --> 00:32:39,240 Speaker 1: game goes extras, you've burned his lineup spot. Like it's it. 601 00:32:40,680 --> 00:32:43,720 Speaker 1: I get it. I get the outcry, I get the outrage. 602 00:32:43,800 --> 00:32:47,400 Speaker 1: I understand where it's coming from, and on some level, 603 00:32:47,520 --> 00:32:51,800 Speaker 1: I don't disagree that they could benefit from at least 604 00:32:51,840 --> 00:32:56,200 Speaker 1: softening their stance on You know, he's never playing out there. 605 00:32:56,240 --> 00:32:58,160 Speaker 1: He'll play out there every now and then, but he's 606 00:32:58,240 --> 00:33:01,960 Speaker 1: the DH all year. I get it, but I don't 607 00:33:02,040 --> 00:33:05,520 Speaker 1: think it is the panacea that everyone wants to have. 608 00:33:05,880 --> 00:33:09,960 Speaker 1: I don't just saying play Jordon Alvarez in the outfield 609 00:33:10,160 --> 00:33:12,080 Speaker 1: more is going to be the thing that solves this, 610 00:33:12,200 --> 00:33:14,640 Speaker 1: because I think it's going to create maybe more problems 611 00:33:15,120 --> 00:33:16,480 Speaker 1: than some people are letting on. 612 00:33:17,280 --> 00:33:20,239 Speaker 2: And look, at the end of the day, Jordan is 613 00:33:20,280 --> 00:33:24,400 Speaker 2: one of the best hitters on the planet, and Joe 614 00:33:24,480 --> 00:33:26,560 Speaker 2: Spot his job is to figure out how to make 615 00:33:26,600 --> 00:33:29,400 Speaker 2: sure that he hits as much as possible over the 616 00:33:29,400 --> 00:33:31,560 Speaker 2: course of the season, and nothing else really matters. If 617 00:33:31,600 --> 00:33:34,560 Speaker 2: he's taken forward bats a game one hundred and fifty 618 00:33:34,600 --> 00:33:38,640 Speaker 2: five times a year, I don't really care where he plays. 619 00:33:38,680 --> 00:33:41,959 Speaker 2: I just want him taking six hundred at bats, So 620 00:33:42,680 --> 00:33:45,680 Speaker 2: you figure that out. If it's in left field for 621 00:33:45,880 --> 00:33:49,600 Speaker 2: thirty or forty games, d H the rest of the time, whatever, 622 00:33:50,360 --> 00:33:55,000 Speaker 2: But you just he's so good. I know I'm not 623 00:33:55,040 --> 00:33:58,840 Speaker 2: breaking new ground here. He's so good at hitting the baseball, 624 00:33:59,080 --> 00:34:00,800 Speaker 2: you just gotta let him do it, and it doesn't 625 00:34:00,840 --> 00:34:03,440 Speaker 2: really matter you. You figure out the rest of your 626 00:34:03,480 --> 00:34:06,920 Speaker 2: lineup based on how do I get jord On as 627 00:34:06,960 --> 00:34:09,040 Speaker 2: many at bats as possible. He's the only guy in 628 00:34:09,080 --> 00:34:13,000 Speaker 2: your lineup that you that other teams are circling. Don't 629 00:34:13,040 --> 00:34:16,280 Speaker 2: let this guy beat us. Uh, and he's going to anyway. 630 00:34:16,880 --> 00:34:17,000 Speaker 1: Uh. 631 00:34:17,200 --> 00:34:21,960 Speaker 2: But that's that's how the Astros win this year. I mean, 632 00:34:22,239 --> 00:34:26,799 Speaker 2: if if jord On has a normal ord On year, 633 00:34:27,400 --> 00:34:32,040 Speaker 2: the Astros are making the playoffs. They He's so good 634 00:34:32,640 --> 00:34:36,160 Speaker 2: that as long as he is hitting every day, the 635 00:34:36,480 --> 00:34:39,200 Speaker 2: rest of the team will figure itself out. But again, 636 00:34:39,320 --> 00:34:43,520 Speaker 2: that's that's priority number one. So I understand the holding 637 00:34:43,520 --> 00:34:46,440 Speaker 2: it back. But look, once once you get into the season, 638 00:34:46,600 --> 00:34:49,680 Speaker 2: obviously he's going to play some at some point because 639 00:34:49,680 --> 00:34:52,279 Speaker 2: you just you just have to to get everybody in 640 00:34:52,280 --> 00:34:55,120 Speaker 2: the lineup to give people days off and to give 641 00:34:55,160 --> 00:34:59,000 Speaker 2: them d H spots. But yeah, when when you're thinking 642 00:34:59,040 --> 00:35:02,480 Speaker 2: of your normal every day lineup, he's your DH. Of 643 00:35:02,520 --> 00:35:05,880 Speaker 2: course he is. But yes, I understand what you're saying. 644 00:35:07,360 --> 00:35:09,719 Speaker 1: A lot of people have asked where has he been? 645 00:35:10,000 --> 00:35:14,040 Speaker 1: Where has Hazael Tuve and Christian Walker and Carlos Korea 646 00:35:14,120 --> 00:35:15,839 Speaker 1: and the regulars that you. 647 00:35:15,840 --> 00:35:19,919 Speaker 2: Don't care love, wrap them and bubble wrap till March 648 00:35:19,960 --> 00:35:20,600 Speaker 2: twenty seven. 649 00:35:21,040 --> 00:35:24,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, they're not playing, they're not playing for league games 650 00:35:24,440 --> 00:35:27,920 Speaker 1: anytime soon. I would imagine that they probably may get in. 651 00:35:28,200 --> 00:35:31,240 Speaker 1: We're recording this on Tuesday, February twenty fourth. I'd imagine 652 00:35:31,239 --> 00:35:35,399 Speaker 1: you may start see them trickling into lineups. Maybe by 653 00:35:35,400 --> 00:35:39,879 Speaker 1: the weekend. You'll see just Joseel Twova's first game, You'll 654 00:35:39,880 --> 00:35:43,520 Speaker 1: see Korea's, You'll see Walkers just Paradus if he's on 655 00:35:43,560 --> 00:35:47,800 Speaker 1: the team. It they bring these guys up slowly, and 656 00:35:47,840 --> 00:35:51,120 Speaker 1: I think one thing that Joe has emphasized early in 657 00:35:51,200 --> 00:35:53,400 Speaker 1: camp is that they have made some changes in terms 658 00:35:53,480 --> 00:35:57,839 Speaker 1: of what they're doing workload wise with these guys. It's 659 00:35:57,880 --> 00:36:01,000 Speaker 1: really the first inkling we've got and of what they 660 00:36:01,200 --> 00:36:04,640 Speaker 1: looked at in their return to play audit this offseason. 661 00:36:04,800 --> 00:36:08,319 Speaker 1: So you're seeing a lot more short days for some 662 00:36:08,360 --> 00:36:11,600 Speaker 1: of their older players. You're seeing them start later in camp, 663 00:36:12,080 --> 00:36:14,600 Speaker 1: and you're going to see them play later in camp. 664 00:36:14,680 --> 00:36:17,160 Speaker 1: But the one regular that you have seen, you've seen 665 00:36:17,200 --> 00:36:20,319 Speaker 1: Jeremy Paynya and you've seen that because he's heading to 666 00:36:20,360 --> 00:36:24,560 Speaker 1: the WBC in a couple of days he'll be taking off. 667 00:36:24,600 --> 00:36:28,160 Speaker 1: I believe. I believe the DR is in Miami. I 668 00:36:28,160 --> 00:36:31,279 Speaker 1: think they're They're training camp is in Miami, but their 669 00:36:31,280 --> 00:36:33,560 Speaker 1: pool play will be in Miami. And if you want 670 00:36:33,560 --> 00:36:35,680 Speaker 1: to go to Miami, if you want to go to 671 00:36:35,760 --> 00:36:38,080 Speaker 1: the to the WBC in Houston, We've got the hookup 672 00:36:38,080 --> 00:36:46,640 Speaker 1: for you. Like we said, guys, the the WBC in 673 00:36:46,719 --> 00:36:50,200 Speaker 1: Houston does start. I believe March sixth, Is that right? 674 00:36:50,239 --> 00:36:52,760 Speaker 2: I should know this, yes, March sixth. 675 00:36:52,920 --> 00:36:56,480 Speaker 1: March sixth is when the WBC starts at dyk In 676 00:36:56,560 --> 00:37:01,319 Speaker 1: Park in Houston. You don't need me to say it again, 677 00:37:01,400 --> 00:37:03,040 Speaker 1: you don't need Tyler to say it again. It is 678 00:37:03,080 --> 00:37:06,840 Speaker 1: going to be lit when the US plays Team Mexico. 679 00:37:06,960 --> 00:37:09,080 Speaker 1: I believe that's the third game. I believe that's on 680 00:37:09,120 --> 00:37:12,759 Speaker 1: March ninth. You will not want to miss that. You 681 00:37:12,760 --> 00:37:15,440 Speaker 1: will not want to miss a if you've never been 682 00:37:15,480 --> 00:37:19,080 Speaker 1: to a WBC game. Put aside what you think about 683 00:37:19,239 --> 00:37:21,600 Speaker 1: whether guys should play in it or not, put aside 684 00:37:21,719 --> 00:37:25,319 Speaker 1: like whether you think it's useful or not. Like when 685 00:37:25,360 --> 00:37:28,480 Speaker 1: you get in there and you go to these games, 686 00:37:29,600 --> 00:37:33,520 Speaker 1: it's it's a real, real insane experience. One of the 687 00:37:33,880 --> 00:37:36,759 Speaker 1: one of the best experiences you will have watching a 688 00:37:36,800 --> 00:37:39,680 Speaker 1: baseball game, and every one of them will be lit. 689 00:37:39,719 --> 00:37:42,839 Speaker 1: But the US plays Mexico on March ninth, and then 690 00:37:42,960 --> 00:37:47,080 Speaker 1: the quarterfinal and Dyke and Park could include Team Puerto 691 00:37:47,200 --> 00:37:52,359 Speaker 1: Rico against Team USA, which would be incredible. And there 692 00:37:52,400 --> 00:37:55,400 Speaker 1: are there are tickets obviously still available that you can 693 00:37:55,440 --> 00:37:58,319 Speaker 1: get and we will try to help you out get 694 00:37:58,360 --> 00:38:02,360 Speaker 1: some tickets, and that is seat geek. And if you'd like, 695 00:38:02,880 --> 00:38:04,719 Speaker 1: I have a code for you all. You can use 696 00:38:04,840 --> 00:38:09,080 Speaker 1: the code territory ten for ten percent off your next 697 00:38:09,120 --> 00:38:12,120 Speaker 1: set of tickets at seat geek. That's ten percent off 698 00:38:12,280 --> 00:38:16,799 Speaker 1: any tickets with promo code Territory ten. You can click 699 00:38:16,840 --> 00:38:19,160 Speaker 1: the link in the description to download the app and 700 00:38:19,239 --> 00:38:22,319 Speaker 1: have the code automatically added to your account so you 701 00:38:22,320 --> 00:38:24,640 Speaker 1: can use it later. And guys, if you're watching on YouTube, 702 00:38:24,880 --> 00:38:27,879 Speaker 1: there's a QR code. You can just scan that QR code. 703 00:38:27,880 --> 00:38:30,520 Speaker 1: And it doesn't even have to be WBC tickets. It 704 00:38:30,520 --> 00:38:32,719 Speaker 1: doesn't have to be Opening day tickets, don't have to 705 00:38:32,719 --> 00:38:35,160 Speaker 1: be baseball tickets. You can get whatever you want on 706 00:38:35,239 --> 00:38:37,120 Speaker 1: seat geek, but ten percent off that is used the 707 00:38:37,120 --> 00:38:42,839 Speaker 1: code territory ten for ten percent off tickets on seat, 708 00:38:42,880 --> 00:38:46,240 Speaker 1: Geek Tyler, look into that. Are you going to the WBC? 709 00:38:46,960 --> 00:38:51,360 Speaker 2: I want too very much. So that is that is 710 00:38:51,360 --> 00:38:54,759 Speaker 2: in the plans. I mean there's a ton of great 711 00:38:55,080 --> 00:38:58,799 Speaker 2: matchups there. You go see great Britain in the US 712 00:38:59,440 --> 00:39:04,200 Speaker 2: face off across the pond some badles. Did you watch 713 00:39:04,360 --> 00:39:08,719 Speaker 2: the the gold medal hockey game? Did you wake up 714 00:39:08,719 --> 00:39:11,520 Speaker 2: at eight on Sunday and watch that? 715 00:39:11,840 --> 00:39:13,920 Speaker 1: There's in me a lot of people that take that 716 00:39:15,040 --> 00:39:18,560 Speaker 1: run wild with this and don't love it. So the 717 00:39:18,560 --> 00:39:21,000 Speaker 1: gold Medal hockey game was going on like while the 718 00:39:21,040 --> 00:39:24,640 Speaker 1: Ashers Clubhouse was open to the media West Palm Beach 719 00:39:24,680 --> 00:39:28,600 Speaker 1: that and it was not on in the club to 720 00:39:28,640 --> 00:39:32,560 Speaker 1: be honest, like the televisions were not on period. They 721 00:39:32,560 --> 00:39:35,239 Speaker 1: have like fifteen TVs in the Ashers Clubhouse and they 722 00:39:35,239 --> 00:39:39,640 Speaker 1: were all off. So if the Ashers did watch the 723 00:39:39,760 --> 00:39:44,359 Speaker 1: US Hockey gold medal win, it was in the cafeteria 724 00:39:44,400 --> 00:39:47,640 Speaker 1: where the media is not allowed. But no, they did 725 00:39:47,640 --> 00:39:49,799 Speaker 1: not watch it in the clubhouse. So because of that, 726 00:39:49,960 --> 00:39:52,719 Speaker 1: I did not watch it because I am I'm I'm 727 00:39:52,719 --> 00:39:54,680 Speaker 1: a reporter. I'm doing my job here and I'm in 728 00:39:54,719 --> 00:39:56,919 Speaker 1: the clubhouse where all of the televisions were off. 729 00:39:57,040 --> 00:39:59,880 Speaker 2: Well, I hate to use such strong language, but that 730 00:40:00,120 --> 00:40:04,680 Speaker 2: is a dereliction of duty channeler to not have that on. 731 00:40:05,160 --> 00:40:08,040 Speaker 2: But my point is is that that was awesome. WBC 732 00:40:08,200 --> 00:40:11,040 Speaker 2: is gonna be just as awesome, and I mean, any 733 00:40:11,120 --> 00:40:13,520 Speaker 2: of those games will be so much fun. My hot 734 00:40:13,560 --> 00:40:18,879 Speaker 2: tip is, look, USA and Mexico is obviously the one 735 00:40:18,880 --> 00:40:21,240 Speaker 2: that you want to go to. That's gonna be expensive. 736 00:40:21,360 --> 00:40:27,880 Speaker 2: You can buy the quarterfinal games for like half of 737 00:40:27,920 --> 00:40:30,480 Speaker 2: what the USA Mexico game is gonna be. And that 738 00:40:30,520 --> 00:40:33,560 Speaker 2: game is probably gonna be just as good, if not better, 739 00:40:33,600 --> 00:40:35,759 Speaker 2: because like you said, it's probably gonna be USA and 740 00:40:35,800 --> 00:40:38,959 Speaker 2: Puerto Rico. But it's gonna be so much fun. Yes, 741 00:40:39,040 --> 00:40:41,440 Speaker 2: I definitely want to go down there. I'm hoping I 742 00:40:41,440 --> 00:40:45,640 Speaker 2: can take Olivia. She would love that. So that's the plan. 743 00:40:46,560 --> 00:40:48,960 Speaker 1: What'd you think of What do you think of Scooble? 744 00:40:49,680 --> 00:40:51,840 Speaker 1: He's he's making one, starting then bouncing. 745 00:40:52,760 --> 00:40:56,319 Speaker 2: I mean, I get it. You need Scooble to come 746 00:40:56,360 --> 00:41:01,319 Speaker 2: in and dominate the Brits, you know, come in, make 747 00:41:01,440 --> 00:41:03,920 Speaker 2: make your start, get out of there. Look, he won 748 00:41:04,000 --> 00:41:10,360 Speaker 2: his arbitration hearing, so he's he's good. Now the US 749 00:41:10,400 --> 00:41:13,400 Speaker 2: has enough good pitching, I think to make it through. 750 00:41:15,000 --> 00:41:18,440 Speaker 1: I think that is the most sensible way for pitchers. 751 00:41:18,880 --> 00:41:22,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, I should do this, although I mean I would 752 00:41:22,640 --> 00:41:26,000 Speaker 2: want to still be around there. But I understand, especially 753 00:41:26,000 --> 00:41:29,480 Speaker 2: with where the Tigers are at this year, and with 754 00:41:29,880 --> 00:41:34,000 Speaker 2: the investments that they've made, obviously with their rotation getting 755 00:41:34,480 --> 00:41:39,200 Speaker 2: Astros North up there and their rotation trying to make 756 00:41:39,200 --> 00:41:42,799 Speaker 2: a run for the World Series. I completely understand he's 757 00:41:42,800 --> 00:41:45,319 Speaker 2: got other things on his mind. But I can't wait. Man, 758 00:41:45,360 --> 00:41:48,279 Speaker 2: I'm so excited again, especially coming off the Olympics, like 759 00:41:48,320 --> 00:41:50,040 Speaker 2: this is gonna be so much fun. I cannot wait 760 00:41:50,560 --> 00:41:52,799 Speaker 2: for the WBC to start. I'm gonna be watching it 761 00:41:53,239 --> 00:41:54,760 Speaker 2: every game. I'm pumped. 762 00:41:55,120 --> 00:41:58,600 Speaker 1: You're gonna wake up it very early to watch the 763 00:41:58,719 --> 00:41:59,440 Speaker 1: Japan pool. 764 00:42:00,360 --> 00:42:02,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, what do you think having kids is? 765 00:42:02,480 --> 00:42:02,600 Speaker 1: Like? 766 00:42:02,920 --> 00:42:03,760 Speaker 2: I'm up anyway. 767 00:42:04,120 --> 00:42:06,920 Speaker 1: I can't, I can't relate. I will not be up 768 00:42:06,960 --> 00:42:11,520 Speaker 1: to watch Team Samurai Japan absolutely destroy everyone in that pool. 769 00:42:12,280 --> 00:42:16,160 Speaker 2: I'm gonna be eating blueberry ego waffles at six in 770 00:42:16,200 --> 00:42:18,200 Speaker 2: the morning watching all of these games. 771 00:42:19,040 --> 00:42:25,080 Speaker 1: Wow, enjoy that. Enjoy chocolate chip ego waffles are better 772 00:42:25,360 --> 00:42:25,960 Speaker 1: use of time. 773 00:42:26,160 --> 00:42:29,200 Speaker 2: But I'm with you, but I gotta at least feel 774 00:42:29,239 --> 00:42:31,640 Speaker 2: like i'm a good dad, and start the day with fruit, 775 00:42:32,000 --> 00:42:35,360 Speaker 2: even though I can't imagine that it is any healthier, 776 00:42:35,480 --> 00:42:38,200 Speaker 2: but it feels a little better to hand your kids 777 00:42:38,200 --> 00:42:39,600 Speaker 2: something with a blueberry in it. 778 00:42:40,080 --> 00:42:42,120 Speaker 1: I mean, give them a chocolate chip when them put 779 00:42:42,160 --> 00:42:44,640 Speaker 1: peanut butter on it. Peanut butter is protein. They get some, 780 00:42:45,000 --> 00:42:47,319 Speaker 1: they get some nice protein start every day. That's what 781 00:42:47,440 --> 00:42:47,880 Speaker 1: I need some. 782 00:42:48,000 --> 00:42:51,279 Speaker 2: I need some blue Ball, Honey, bring me some next time. 783 00:42:51,600 --> 00:42:54,719 Speaker 1: Yeah, we're working on that special. Thanks again to aj 784 00:42:54,800 --> 00:42:55,239 Speaker 1: blue Ball. 785 00:42:55,480 --> 00:42:56,080 Speaker 2: He was great. 786 00:42:56,280 --> 00:42:58,920 Speaker 1: He was awesome. Hunter was great too a couple of 787 00:42:58,960 --> 00:43:02,359 Speaker 1: days before. Really had a nice run on guests there. 788 00:43:02,440 --> 00:43:03,440 Speaker 1: And I hope we're. 789 00:43:03,200 --> 00:43:07,719 Speaker 2: Doing great in the Astros Pictures with fun Dad stories 790 00:43:07,760 --> 00:43:09,240 Speaker 2: category right now. 791 00:43:10,000 --> 00:43:14,760 Speaker 1: Yes, Josel Tuove's dad, if you're watching, send them a text. 792 00:43:15,120 --> 00:43:19,280 Speaker 1: We always have time. We'll make time, you know maybe. 793 00:43:19,680 --> 00:43:23,680 Speaker 1: But mister Alt, if you're watching, let him know that 794 00:43:23,800 --> 00:43:26,479 Speaker 1: we're willing and able to have Josel tu on the pod. 795 00:43:26,560 --> 00:43:28,360 Speaker 1: But until then, you can follow me on X at 796 00:43:28,400 --> 00:43:31,120 Speaker 1: Chandler Underscore Room. You can follow Tyler at Tyler C. Stafford. 797 00:43:31,320 --> 00:43:34,080 Speaker 1: Please rate and review us on Apple and Spotify. As 798 00:43:34,080 --> 00:43:37,080 Speaker 1: we mentioned earlier, please like the video and subscribe to 799 00:43:37,120 --> 00:43:39,359 Speaker 1: the YouTube channel that would really help us out. We'll 800 00:43:39,360 --> 00:43:42,840 Speaker 1: be back later this week to discuss whatever happens in 801 00:43:42,920 --> 00:43:47,200 Speaker 1: Great Fruit League play. Overreact to meaningless innings of pitching. 802 00:43:47,600 --> 00:43:52,719 Speaker 1: Overreact to well well taken at bats against Double A 803 00:43:52,880 --> 00:43:55,080 Speaker 1: kids from the Cardinals system that you will never hear 804 00:43:55,120 --> 00:43:59,120 Speaker 1: from again, but you can only get that here. We'll 805 00:43:59,120 --> 00:44:00,799 Speaker 1: be back soon to talk to you guys. Thanks for 806 00:44:00,880 --> 00:44:02,319 Speaker 1: listening and we'll talk to you soon. 807 00:44:02,800 --> 00:44:08,640 Speaker 2: The Jack Winkler hype train starts now. Bye.