1 00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:15,480 Speaker 1: Hey, anytime we get to talk White Sox baseball here 2 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:18,880 Speaker 1: on Foul Territory. I'm obviously excited because as the resident 3 00:00:18,880 --> 00:00:22,040 Speaker 1: White Sox homer, they are in first place and they're 4 00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:24,119 Speaker 1: kicking ass and they're better than the Cubs. So we 5 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:28,000 Speaker 1: were joined now by David Keller, Special Assistant to this 6 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 1: Traveling Secretary Eddie Casson. I mean, GM, Chris Gatz, I 7 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:34,480 Speaker 1: mean I don't know. 8 00:00:34,440 --> 00:00:36,120 Speaker 2: Whatever that means. DK. 9 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:41,600 Speaker 3: What is exactly your title? Because I know our producer asked, 10 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 3: but when I looked it up, there was no way 11 00:00:44,040 --> 00:00:46,320 Speaker 3: I was going to say that without saying you drive 12 00:00:46,360 --> 00:00:49,040 Speaker 3: a Dodge Stratus. So what exactly is your title? 13 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:53,519 Speaker 4: My exact title is Special Assistant to the GM Chris Gatz. 14 00:00:54,120 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 3: With what special privileges to the International Scouting Services Department 15 00:01:01,360 --> 00:01:02,320 Speaker 3: of Culture. 16 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:07,480 Speaker 4: Yeah, so I oversee our international Scouting department, which includes 17 00:01:07,680 --> 00:01:13,040 Speaker 4: pro and international spaces. I assist in the draft process, 18 00:01:13,080 --> 00:01:15,600 Speaker 4: help out Mike Shirley in his group in the draft, 19 00:01:16,080 --> 00:01:19,280 Speaker 4: and then help Chris when it comes time to talk 20 00:01:19,319 --> 00:01:21,960 Speaker 4: about player personnel moves as well. So I get to 21 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:24,960 Speaker 4: do a little bit of everything, which is great. The 22 00:01:25,040 --> 00:01:29,760 Speaker 4: variety is outstanding, and man just really thankful to be 23 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:32,440 Speaker 4: a part of this group and that Chris has assembled 24 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:34,880 Speaker 4: and I think we're on the right track. 25 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:38,920 Speaker 3: Hi. DK, you were in high school with me at 26 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:41,479 Speaker 3: the same time. You had red hair and I had 27 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:44,679 Speaker 3: whatever color hair it was. But that's all gone. Can 28 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:49,160 Speaker 3: you give us the short two minute version of what 29 00:01:49,320 --> 00:01:51,760 Speaker 3: got you to this spot? Because I honestly didn't even 30 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:54,560 Speaker 3: know you were with the White Sox because until I 31 00:01:54,640 --> 00:01:58,440 Speaker 3: read an article about the behind the scenes draft process 32 00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:01,080 Speaker 3: and your name popped up and I you, I was like, 33 00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:04,240 Speaker 3: you're the what, the the who, to the where and 34 00:02:04,320 --> 00:02:07,760 Speaker 3: so can you give us that to say? Pretty much, 35 00:02:07,840 --> 00:02:12,440 Speaker 3: that's showing your credentials, your resume to where you are 36 00:02:12,480 --> 00:02:14,880 Speaker 3: now and we'll jump off from there. 37 00:02:15,760 --> 00:02:18,639 Speaker 4: Yeah. So you know, first of all, Eric, good to 38 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:23,160 Speaker 4: see you again. Man, it's been a while. You know, 39 00:02:23,760 --> 00:02:25,720 Speaker 4: played high school. You know that I wasn't that great 40 00:02:25,960 --> 00:02:29,160 Speaker 4: as a player, but loved the game, loved studying the game, 41 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:33,240 Speaker 4: and went to Bucknell University. I will make this as 42 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:36,440 Speaker 4: quick as possible. Went to Bucknell University, playing career to 43 00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:41,160 Speaker 4: not go the way that I wanted it to. Got 44 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:43,680 Speaker 4: into coaching right away. I coached the high school team 45 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:47,320 Speaker 4: right out of College was the head JV coach. Shout 46 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:52,600 Speaker 4: out to Louisbourg High School and as I started to 47 00:02:52,639 --> 00:02:56,079 Speaker 4: coach those kids along with a real job, I realized 48 00:02:56,280 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 4: and rediscovered a love for the game and started sending 49 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 4: resumes and cover letters everywhere. I was fortunate enough to 50 00:03:03,320 --> 00:03:06,959 Speaker 4: get a job with our hometown team in Philadelphia. Worked 51 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:10,520 Speaker 4: as an intern with the Phillies for two years. At 52 00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:12,280 Speaker 4: the end of the second year, they didn't have anything 53 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:15,120 Speaker 4: for me and went and worked in the Atlantic League 54 00:03:15,360 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 4: for another two years, where I got to gain a 55 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 4: ton of valuable experience, whether it was negotiating contracts, assembling 56 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:25,200 Speaker 4: a roster, dealing with the coaching staff, handling p one 57 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:30,400 Speaker 4: Visa's budgets, all that stuff, and really a platform where 58 00:03:30,440 --> 00:03:36,600 Speaker 4: I could make mistakes and learn that eventually springboard me 59 00:03:36,640 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 4: into a role in player development in the front office 60 00:03:39,240 --> 00:03:42,440 Speaker 4: with the Arizona Diamondbacks in two thousand and nine. Got 61 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:46,800 Speaker 4: to work with some incredible people there. AJ Hinch, Tommy Allison, 62 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:50,920 Speaker 4: Jerry Depoto, Josh Burns. The list could go on and on, 63 00:03:50,960 --> 00:03:54,440 Speaker 4: but a lot of amazing people there. And then I 64 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:58,760 Speaker 4: got my first scouting opportunity the New York Mets hired 65 00:03:58,800 --> 00:04:01,640 Speaker 4: me to be a professional scout. I was responsible for 66 00:04:01,720 --> 00:04:05,920 Speaker 4: the independent leagues and the California League. They were gracious 67 00:04:06,040 --> 00:04:08,880 Speaker 4: enough to let me make mistakes along the way and 68 00:04:09,840 --> 00:04:13,320 Speaker 4: learn and grow into the job. And two years into 69 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:15,880 Speaker 4: that experience, the Red Sox called and asked for permission. 70 00:04:17,520 --> 00:04:20,559 Speaker 4: They brought me on as a pro scout, but also 71 00:04:21,160 --> 00:04:22,919 Speaker 4: allowed me to do some other things, whether it was 72 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:27,280 Speaker 4: international or amateur scouting. Forever indebted to Ben Charrington and 73 00:04:28,160 --> 00:04:31,200 Speaker 4: some others who really played a pivotal role in my 74 00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:33,919 Speaker 4: life and allowed me to grow. And at the end 75 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:36,760 Speaker 4: of three years, after twelve thirteen fourteen with the Red Sox, 76 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:39,919 Speaker 4: I became the pro scouting director in Miami. I was 77 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:45,119 Speaker 4: there for two educational years, got fired for the first time, 78 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:48,760 Speaker 4: and you know, I know players know what it's like 79 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:50,480 Speaker 4: to be released. That was the first time that I'd 80 00:04:50,520 --> 00:04:55,279 Speaker 4: really experienced something like that, but another opportunity to grow, 81 00:04:55,839 --> 00:04:57,760 Speaker 4: and the Mets were kind of enough to welcome me 82 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:00,839 Speaker 4: back with open arms. Was there for eight years, got 83 00:05:00,839 --> 00:05:05,040 Speaker 4: to do a little bit of everything amateur draft, international scouting, 84 00:05:05,839 --> 00:05:09,160 Speaker 4: and then some pro stuff as well. Prior to Chris 85 00:05:09,279 --> 00:05:11,680 Speaker 4: picking up the phone and asking me if I wanted 86 00:05:11,720 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 4: to join the White Sox and his team. 87 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:18,320 Speaker 3: Okay, that sounds like my playing career. So something about 88 00:05:18,360 --> 00:05:22,120 Speaker 3: our high school Christopher Doc now Doc Academy. I guess 89 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 3: we just have the grinder mentality, not like people from 90 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:29,560 Speaker 3: Doctor Pepper High School where AJ went to. But we're 91 00:05:29,640 --> 00:05:33,800 Speaker 3: going right now to Chris Getz and kind of in 92 00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:39,640 Speaker 3: charging you with the international aspect, obviously the pro aspect 93 00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:44,760 Speaker 3: of scouting too. But how different is that international scouting 94 00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:47,479 Speaker 3: than the pro scouting Because I remember talking to you 95 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:49,480 Speaker 3: when you were at the Mets and talking about your 96 00:05:49,560 --> 00:05:54,000 Speaker 3: travel obviously all that stuff, but like this process and 97 00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:57,400 Speaker 3: then ultimately we'll get to the whole you know, murrh COMI. 98 00:05:57,440 --> 00:06:00,640 Speaker 3: But what's the difference in the pro to the international 99 00:06:00,680 --> 00:06:04,000 Speaker 3: scouting for you? And which is more invigorating or do 100 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 3: you like better? Yeah? 101 00:06:06,080 --> 00:06:09,760 Speaker 4: So I have an appreciation for all three phases. And 102 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:13,479 Speaker 4: there are two different veins within the international scouting community. 103 00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:18,920 Speaker 4: There's the amateur side, which is predominantly young Latin American 104 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:25,880 Speaker 4: players Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Panama, Mexico, the ABC Islands. And 105 00:06:25,880 --> 00:06:28,479 Speaker 4: then there's the pro aspect, where you're focusing on the 106 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:32,680 Speaker 4: professional international leagues, whether it's the KBO, the MPB, or 107 00:06:33,200 --> 00:06:39,160 Speaker 4: the league in Taiwan, so the travel the travel doesn't stop, 108 00:06:40,279 --> 00:06:44,880 Speaker 4: but the travel is different. In the professional world, you 109 00:06:44,960 --> 00:06:46,920 Speaker 4: kind of know where you're going, you set it out 110 00:06:46,920 --> 00:06:50,119 Speaker 4: ahead of time. There might be a couple of weeks 111 00:06:50,120 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 4: around the deadline where you're jumping on a plane every 112 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:54,880 Speaker 4: day and going to a different city to see certain players. 113 00:06:56,160 --> 00:07:00,040 Speaker 4: But internationally, it's it's a little more on demand, and 114 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:03,080 Speaker 4: you know, you can schedule trips, but every once in 115 00:07:03,120 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 4: a while a player pops up and I have to 116 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:08,920 Speaker 4: get on a plane to Santa Domingo, you know. So 117 00:07:09,160 --> 00:07:17,400 Speaker 4: there's a little more volatility with that market, but it's exciting. 118 00:07:17,720 --> 00:07:20,840 Speaker 4: It's a good place to be and I really enjoyed 119 00:07:20,840 --> 00:07:25,600 Speaker 4: the international market. We watch players some are as young 120 00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:28,040 Speaker 4: as ten years old. I think the last scouting trip 121 00:07:28,080 --> 00:07:30,320 Speaker 4: I had down to the dr they put a ten 122 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:34,320 Speaker 4: year old home in the field, and you know, you 123 00:07:34,360 --> 00:07:36,640 Speaker 4: start to build history with those players. You get to 124 00:07:36,640 --> 00:07:40,360 Speaker 4: see them at the earliest stages of their development, understanding 125 00:07:40,360 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 4: that there's a ton of risk that comes with trying 126 00:07:43,760 --> 00:07:48,080 Speaker 4: to project young players forward into who they're going to be, 127 00:07:48,600 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 4: not just as potentially a professional player, but just as 128 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:56,720 Speaker 4: a adolescent, whether it's seventeen eighteen years old. I think 129 00:07:56,720 --> 00:08:00,840 Speaker 4: the mental gymnastics and the challenges that come with doing 130 00:08:00,960 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 4: the amateur international space for me are really rewarding and 131 00:08:06,200 --> 00:08:10,760 Speaker 4: fulfilling in large part because we get to build relationships 132 00:08:10,760 --> 00:08:14,480 Speaker 4: with these young men as well as they develop and 133 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:15,760 Speaker 4: start their baseball journey. 134 00:08:19,080 --> 00:08:21,080 Speaker 5: Hey, for the families out there looking for a new 135 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:23,240 Speaker 5: path to help your child succeed, take a look at 136 00:08:23,320 --> 00:08:27,920 Speaker 5: K twelve Powered Schools. 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It's 144 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:52,920 Speaker 6: a fantastic opportunity for them not only to get better 145 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:56,559 Speaker 6: in school, but timely fashion too, and make some new friends. 146 00:08:56,720 --> 00:08:59,760 Speaker 6: K twelve has every opportunity to make your child better, 147 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:03,000 Speaker 6: smarter as they move forward in their academic career. 148 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:06,200 Speaker 5: See how K twelve powered schools can help unlock your 149 00:09:06,240 --> 00:09:09,560 Speaker 5: child's full potential and roll online today at K twelve 150 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:12,800 Speaker 5: dot com slash foul. That's the letter K, the number 151 00:09:12,840 --> 00:09:15,560 Speaker 5: twelve dot com slash f o u l K twelve 152 00:09:15,600 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 5: dot com slash foul. 153 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:18,520 Speaker 2: That's great. 154 00:09:18,559 --> 00:09:22,319 Speaker 1: One of your big signings this offseason, David was Munna taka, 155 00:09:22,800 --> 00:09:25,760 Speaker 1: gonna tak you Morecami, right, we're gonna talk more. You know, 156 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:27,360 Speaker 1: the White Sox felled it wrong, so I can say 157 00:09:27,360 --> 00:09:28,520 Speaker 1: it wrong too, So it's fine. 158 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:29,640 Speaker 2: Uh, no big deal. 159 00:09:30,240 --> 00:09:34,640 Speaker 1: But keeping I know, neither was I, but it was. 160 00:09:34,679 --> 00:09:36,480 Speaker 1: It was pretty funny. And I know the clubhouse guys 161 00:09:36,559 --> 00:09:38,720 Speaker 1: very well. They were mortified, so we don't want to 162 00:09:38,920 --> 00:09:40,400 Speaker 1: drag them into into the mud. 163 00:09:40,960 --> 00:09:41,280 Speaker 2: Uh. 164 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:43,640 Speaker 1: But he he was not expected to sign with the 165 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:45,840 Speaker 1: White Sox. There was other teams that were expected to 166 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:49,840 Speaker 1: sign him. How did and I hate this term, but 167 00:09:49,880 --> 00:09:52,120 Speaker 1: how did he fall into the White Sox lap because 168 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:55,280 Speaker 1: that's kind of the narrative out there that oh, at 169 00:09:55,320 --> 00:09:58,240 Speaker 1: the end, did White Sox kind of jumped in, you know, 170 00:09:58,480 --> 00:09:59,400 Speaker 1: into the deep end of. 171 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:01,040 Speaker 2: The pool here and brought him in. 172 00:10:01,080 --> 00:10:02,720 Speaker 1: And if you take away when he was hurt for 173 00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 1: that while he'd be right at the top of the 174 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:07,880 Speaker 1: leaderboard for home runs, he'd probably be winning Rookie of 175 00:10:07,920 --> 00:10:10,840 Speaker 1: the Year. How did this come about over in Japan? 176 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:14,560 Speaker 1: For traditionally the white sex don't jump into the Japan market. 177 00:10:15,760 --> 00:10:17,960 Speaker 4: Yeah, so I think you need to look at a 178 00:10:17,960 --> 00:10:22,040 Speaker 4: couple of things. I think one good outcome. Good outcomes 179 00:10:22,080 --> 00:10:25,680 Speaker 4: can come from bad process, and bad outcomes can come 180 00:10:25,720 --> 00:10:30,840 Speaker 4: from good process. I don't necessarily agree with the narrative 181 00:10:30,960 --> 00:10:35,040 Speaker 4: that this was us jumping in late right when I 182 00:10:35,080 --> 00:10:38,640 Speaker 4: came on board in September of twenty four in talking 183 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:41,840 Speaker 4: to Chris, we talked about the importance of having a 184 00:10:41,880 --> 00:10:45,520 Speaker 4: presence in Asia and how we were going to go 185 00:10:46,280 --> 00:10:50,280 Speaker 4: about that. And so it started with identifying players that 186 00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:52,640 Speaker 4: we believe were going to come over from the MPB. 187 00:10:53,240 --> 00:10:58,120 Speaker 4: Murkami was obviously one, and we talked about what a 188 00:10:58,120 --> 00:11:01,560 Speaker 4: good process would look like. We hired a full time 189 00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:06,760 Speaker 4: scout in Japan, brought him on board to help organize 190 00:11:06,760 --> 00:11:11,840 Speaker 4: information to help accommodate trips for myself and others over 191 00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:16,520 Speaker 4: to Japan, and then we went about the work. And 192 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:20,320 Speaker 4: so you know, last year, being my first year with 193 00:11:20,360 --> 00:11:23,000 Speaker 4: the club, I was the only one that went to Japan, 194 00:11:24,720 --> 00:11:29,040 Speaker 4: spent fourteen days there. Obviously saw a bunch of key players, 195 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:33,960 Speaker 4: not just Murakami, but also Okamoto and some other guys 196 00:11:33,960 --> 00:11:37,400 Speaker 4: that are likely to come over in the following years. 197 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:41,440 Speaker 4: And you know a big part of that is, yes, 198 00:11:41,760 --> 00:11:45,160 Speaker 4: you want to spend time evaluating the player and the talent, 199 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 4: but you also want to use all of the context 200 00:11:48,520 --> 00:11:50,760 Speaker 4: clues that are available to talk to people who are 201 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:53,959 Speaker 4: around them, get an understanding of who they are as 202 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:56,240 Speaker 4: a person, what the makeup is like, how do they 203 00:11:56,320 --> 00:12:00,160 Speaker 4: interact with coaches, how do they interact with staff, teammates, 204 00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:04,480 Speaker 4: all of the above. And so we went through that 205 00:12:04,559 --> 00:12:09,000 Speaker 4: whole process, not not just with Munataka but also with 206 00:12:09,040 --> 00:12:13,160 Speaker 4: Okamoto and some others, and you know, filed a report, 207 00:12:13,360 --> 00:12:15,880 Speaker 4: send it to Chris, told him, here are the guys 208 00:12:15,920 --> 00:12:18,960 Speaker 4: that I expect to come over. This is how I 209 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:23,320 Speaker 4: value them, and and we talked about it and going 210 00:12:23,400 --> 00:12:26,840 Speaker 4: into the off season as we tried to construct this rosters. 211 00:12:27,360 --> 00:12:32,200 Speaker 4: As Chris and Josh Barfield and others contributed to this, 212 00:12:32,559 --> 00:12:35,920 Speaker 4: you know, it was something where his name kept coming up, 213 00:12:37,320 --> 00:12:39,920 Speaker 4: and so we monitored it and and quite frankly, I 214 00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:43,560 Speaker 4: think all of us expected the value of the contract 215 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:48,600 Speaker 4: to exceed what it eventually became and give Chris a 216 00:12:48,640 --> 00:12:52,600 Speaker 4: ton of credit here. You know, he kept coming back 217 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:55,360 Speaker 4: to Murakami and we kept talking about it and what 218 00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:59,160 Speaker 4: it looked like and what a deal that what a 219 00:12:59,200 --> 00:13:01,240 Speaker 4: deal that would look good for us but also for 220 00:13:01,280 --> 00:13:04,040 Speaker 4: the player would look like. And you know, I think 221 00:13:04,920 --> 00:13:07,800 Speaker 4: at the end of the day, as that market started 222 00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:11,040 Speaker 4: to come back to where we felt comfortable and where 223 00:13:11,080 --> 00:13:13,760 Speaker 4: we felt like we could take on the risk of 224 00:13:13,760 --> 00:13:17,800 Speaker 4: adding somebody with Mooney's ability, that's when we became more 225 00:13:17,840 --> 00:13:23,760 Speaker 4: proactive and ultimately, you know, Chris, you know, went to 226 00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:26,600 Speaker 4: Jerry and was able to get this one of the 227 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:28,680 Speaker 4: finish line. And I'm really happy that he did. 228 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:32,120 Speaker 3: What did you see, Amurakami when you saw him? What 229 00:13:32,160 --> 00:13:35,679 Speaker 3: did you see in the sense of the physical baseball 230 00:13:35,720 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 3: skills and what were you because you just said the 231 00:13:38,559 --> 00:13:41,800 Speaker 3: risk of a contract like this on the field, what 232 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:44,080 Speaker 3: was the risk that you were afraid of? 233 00:13:45,360 --> 00:13:49,000 Speaker 4: Yeah, so I don't think it's a secret, Eric that 234 00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:52,920 Speaker 4: you know, he was playing in Japan. The velocity in 235 00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:55,600 Speaker 4: Japan's a little bit different than it is at the 236 00:13:55,640 --> 00:14:00,280 Speaker 4: major league level, and when he faced velocity there where, 237 00:14:00,360 --> 00:14:02,560 Speaker 4: there were some concerns that he was not going to 238 00:14:02,600 --> 00:14:05,480 Speaker 4: be able to handle that. I think that was a 239 00:14:05,559 --> 00:14:08,720 Speaker 4: widespread thing throughout the league. I think that's part of 240 00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:11,640 Speaker 4: why the market was a little more tepid than what 241 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:17,080 Speaker 4: he expected than what we expected. But in going over there, 242 00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:19,520 Speaker 4: I had been there in the past, I'd seen him 243 00:14:19,720 --> 00:14:24,840 Speaker 4: the last three years. A couple of things. One, you know, 244 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:30,360 Speaker 4: just to simplify scouting from my perspective, and you know, 245 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:32,640 Speaker 4: I don't think this is a big secret. We look 246 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:38,440 Speaker 4: at the body and he had done tremendous work from 247 00:14:38,480 --> 00:14:41,800 Speaker 4: twenty twenty three to twenty twenty four on his body. 248 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 4: You know, he had taken taken the appropriate steps with 249 00:14:46,760 --> 00:14:50,480 Speaker 4: a lot of intentionality to making sure that his diet 250 00:14:50,600 --> 00:14:53,320 Speaker 4: was dialed in, to make sure that his athleticism was 251 00:14:53,680 --> 00:14:57,440 Speaker 4: at its peak form. And so that jumped out right away. 252 00:14:57,720 --> 00:15:00,840 Speaker 4: You know, one that he had the discipline and the 253 00:15:00,880 --> 00:15:03,920 Speaker 4: regiment and the people around him to help him get 254 00:15:03,920 --> 00:15:07,240 Speaker 4: that right. It had to stand out. And then then 255 00:15:07,280 --> 00:15:10,240 Speaker 4: you watch him on the baseball field, right and he 256 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:13,040 Speaker 4: moves around and he's far more athletic than I think 257 00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:16,960 Speaker 4: people give him credit for. He runs the bases incredibly well, 258 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:20,720 Speaker 4: he's very instinctual as a player, and so you look 259 00:15:20,760 --> 00:15:23,640 Speaker 4: at the the athlete part of it and you go, yeah, 260 00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 4: you know what he's he's a sneaky good athlete for 261 00:15:26,800 --> 00:15:29,840 Speaker 4: a man his size. And then you get into the 262 00:15:29,840 --> 00:15:33,640 Speaker 4: baseball part, and you know, for for me and I'm 263 00:15:33,680 --> 00:15:35,840 Speaker 4: sure for a lot of others, we focus on the 264 00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:41,200 Speaker 4: hit tool doesn't doesn't change from high school to to 265 00:15:41,240 --> 00:15:43,960 Speaker 4: the big leagues. Really, if you can hit, there's generally 266 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:46,280 Speaker 4: going to be a spot for you. And you know, 267 00:15:46,360 --> 00:15:49,760 Speaker 4: he's he's a guy who consistently put together quality at bats. 268 00:15:50,560 --> 00:15:56,720 Speaker 4: He knew the strike zone, and the power stands out significantly. 269 00:15:56,760 --> 00:16:00,440 Speaker 4: It's it's eighty raw power. The fact that he has 270 00:16:00,480 --> 00:16:03,360 Speaker 4: done this much damage and limited time so far this year, 271 00:16:04,440 --> 00:16:06,720 Speaker 4: participate in the home run Derby, I think speaks to 272 00:16:07,120 --> 00:16:10,120 Speaker 4: how much power he has. And then we have to 273 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:12,320 Speaker 4: get into the defense. You know, he was playing third 274 00:16:12,360 --> 00:16:16,200 Speaker 4: base in Japan. I felt like that was that was 275 00:16:16,240 --> 00:16:19,440 Speaker 4: going to be something that would have to improve when 276 00:16:19,480 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 4: he came over, and the first base might be a 277 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:25,600 Speaker 4: better fit for him long term. And so you put 278 00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:29,280 Speaker 4: all those things together and now you're really forming a 279 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:32,480 Speaker 4: vision of what the player could be and selling that 280 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:37,880 Speaker 4: vision to Chris to ownership and trying to understand, you know, 281 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:42,280 Speaker 4: where the pitfalls might be if it goes wrong, what 282 00:16:42,320 --> 00:16:45,040 Speaker 4: could get him. And then and then also you know, 283 00:16:45,160 --> 00:16:47,960 Speaker 4: turning that over to Ryan Fuller and our hitting department 284 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:50,160 Speaker 4: and going, hey, you know, I think there are a 285 00:16:50,200 --> 00:16:52,960 Speaker 4: couple of adjustments that can be made here and if 286 00:16:52,960 --> 00:16:56,760 Speaker 4: we are successful in doing so, you know, it's it 287 00:16:56,840 --> 00:16:59,400 Speaker 4: could be special. And give Ryan a ton of credit. 288 00:16:59,400 --> 00:17:02,160 Speaker 4: He spent a lot time watching film on on Mooney 289 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:08,320 Speaker 4: and felt like he embodied a couple of things that 290 00:17:08,400 --> 00:17:11,720 Speaker 4: we really like and value as an organization, but also 291 00:17:11,760 --> 00:17:15,200 Speaker 4: saw the same opportunities for him to improve offensively and 292 00:17:15,880 --> 00:17:17,280 Speaker 4: really contribute at a high level. 293 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:21,000 Speaker 3: Hi, Dave, So you've interviewed and I know the extensive 294 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:23,600 Speaker 3: process in Japan, Like it means a lot to Japanese 295 00:17:23,640 --> 00:17:28,520 Speaker 3: players to like see that you're invested in them. There's 296 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:31,240 Speaker 3: there's some you know, Dodgers talked about it with Yamamoto 297 00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:39,080 Speaker 3: and this class with Mirkami, Imi and Okamoto. What's mir 298 00:17:39,280 --> 00:17:42,959 Speaker 3: Kami's personality? Because we see the baseball side of it, 299 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:45,879 Speaker 3: But when I'm watching White Sox games or when I'm 300 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:49,960 Speaker 3: watching interviews, it seems like his personality is like way 301 00:17:50,080 --> 00:17:52,480 Speaker 3: less boring than the other guys. Am I am. I 302 00:17:52,560 --> 00:17:55,399 Speaker 3: spot on them with that. 303 00:17:54,640 --> 00:17:58,280 Speaker 4: You're spot on. He's a character, right. He might he 304 00:17:58,359 --> 00:18:00,439 Speaker 4: might not speak English in the same way that you 305 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:03,399 Speaker 4: and I do, but he's he's very quick witted, he's sharp, 306 00:18:03,480 --> 00:18:08,000 Speaker 4: he's funny, he's a tremendous teammate. And I think that 307 00:18:08,040 --> 00:18:11,480 Speaker 4: came through and everybody that we talked to during my 308 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:14,760 Speaker 4: trip in Japan, people that I talked to after I 309 00:18:14,840 --> 00:18:17,119 Speaker 4: came back, that's the one thing that came through. He 310 00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:20,880 Speaker 4: cares about his teammates, and he cares about winning, and 311 00:18:21,800 --> 00:18:24,600 Speaker 4: you know, you put all those things together and you think, 312 00:18:25,440 --> 00:18:27,600 Speaker 4: you know, as Chris and I talked about it, you know, 313 00:18:27,680 --> 00:18:30,879 Speaker 4: this is a guy that was a superstar in Japan. 314 00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:36,479 Speaker 4: He knew what the limelight was like. And you insert 315 00:18:36,560 --> 00:18:40,800 Speaker 4: him into a clubhouse with guys around him his same age, 316 00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:43,159 Speaker 4: who are who are trying to find their footing at 317 00:18:43,160 --> 00:18:46,119 Speaker 4: the major league level and maybe not used to the 318 00:18:46,160 --> 00:18:50,000 Speaker 4: same type of attention, and some would call it pressure. 319 00:18:51,560 --> 00:18:54,240 Speaker 4: And he's already done that. He's already achieved that and 320 00:18:55,320 --> 00:18:58,600 Speaker 4: passed with flying colors, And so I think those things, 321 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:01,399 Speaker 4: You boil it down and you're like, wow, this this 322 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:03,400 Speaker 4: could be a really good fit for us. 323 00:19:05,880 --> 00:19:07,000 Speaker 3: All right, who's next? 324 00:19:07,080 --> 00:19:07,240 Speaker 5: Then? 325 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:10,920 Speaker 3: Who's the next Japanese star? You said, you've you've you've 326 00:19:10,960 --> 00:19:14,080 Speaker 3: watched a few. You're not giving anybody. Look, oh, it's 327 00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:17,359 Speaker 3: a secret this players who's the next Japanese star that 328 00:19:17,520 --> 00:19:21,040 Speaker 3: now the White Sox have made a splash. I mean 329 00:19:21,960 --> 00:19:25,560 Speaker 3: Tadahito Agucci was was AJ's teammate back in the day. 330 00:19:25,600 --> 00:19:30,120 Speaker 3: But this splash makes puts Chicago on the map. They're 331 00:19:30,119 --> 00:19:33,040 Speaker 3: no Dodgers yet. But who's the next star that's there 332 00:19:33,040 --> 00:19:35,200 Speaker 3: that you're like, everybody needs to see this guy? 333 00:19:36,080 --> 00:19:36,359 Speaker 6: Yeah? 334 00:19:36,520 --> 00:19:39,840 Speaker 4: No, I think there are a couple, right, you know, 335 00:19:39,880 --> 00:19:42,320 Speaker 4: and we'll we'll we'll address that as it comes. I 336 00:19:42,359 --> 00:19:46,320 Speaker 4: think you know, nobody's there are no secrets as to 337 00:19:46,320 --> 00:19:49,000 Speaker 4: who is coming over, but don't want to don't want 338 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:51,520 Speaker 4: to tip our hand quite yet as to who we're 339 00:19:51,520 --> 00:19:53,600 Speaker 4: targeting and who we we would try and bring to 340 00:19:53,640 --> 00:19:55,119 Speaker 4: the South Side of Chicago just yet. 341 00:19:56,160 --> 00:19:58,960 Speaker 3: Okay, okay, that's fair. Well, the last one I got 342 00:19:59,040 --> 00:20:01,680 Speaker 3: is the fact that I'm supper. I'm not I'm not 343 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:04,399 Speaker 3: employed by the White Sox. AJ got fired from the 344 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:07,359 Speaker 3: White Sox. But I'm not employed because three of my 345 00:20:07,440 --> 00:20:13,600 Speaker 3: ex teammates, Dave Keller, m Josh Barfield, and Chris Gatz 346 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:17,200 Speaker 3: are all just the hefes in the White Sox organization. 347 00:20:17,359 --> 00:20:20,000 Speaker 3: So I think I'm not hired because I work with AJ. 348 00:20:20,680 --> 00:20:23,400 Speaker 3: But I'm okay with that because I like working with AJ. 349 00:20:24,320 --> 00:20:27,240 Speaker 4: Well, hey, Eric, don't worry. I will make sure that 350 00:20:28,200 --> 00:20:30,560 Speaker 4: both of those guys know that you are. You are 351 00:20:30,600 --> 00:20:33,640 Speaker 4: the head coach of a state champion baseball team back 352 00:20:33,680 --> 00:20:35,520 Speaker 4: in Pennsylvania, So I'll let him know. 353 00:20:36,760 --> 00:20:39,040 Speaker 3: AJ knows too. I bring out my I bring out 354 00:20:39,080 --> 00:20:42,320 Speaker 3: my medal, right right, AJ, Yeah, but you get a medal, 355 00:20:42,320 --> 00:20:45,200 Speaker 3: two I have two or even coaches get a medal. 356 00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:49,960 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, wow, yeah, congratulations scratch if we fit on 357 00:20:50,040 --> 00:20:52,159 Speaker 3: this and yeah, he won to he won it, and 358 00:20:52,200 --> 00:20:53,840 Speaker 3: it was awesome. His son had a big game, and 359 00:20:53,880 --> 00:20:55,600 Speaker 3: it was pretty cool to to. 360 00:20:55,920 --> 00:20:56,639 Speaker 2: See that happen. 361 00:20:56,840 --> 00:21:00,800 Speaker 1: And I saw JJ Lawley this week, David so him 362 00:21:00,840 --> 00:21:03,000 Speaker 1: and Frank Thomas were having a flex off in the stands. 363 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:05,119 Speaker 1: It was pretty funny. They received the could wear a 364 00:21:05,119 --> 00:21:07,239 Speaker 1: tighter shirt. So make sure when you see JJ you 365 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:10,560 Speaker 1: passed that he lost the flex off to for me, 366 00:21:10,800 --> 00:21:12,160 Speaker 1: so I appreciate. 367 00:21:11,720 --> 00:21:15,200 Speaker 4: It would I would anticipate a flex off between him 368 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:17,119 Speaker 4: and Frank would not end well for JJ. 369 00:21:18,480 --> 00:21:21,639 Speaker 1: All right, well, David, thank you very much, you know, 370 00:21:21,720 --> 00:21:23,960 Speaker 1: for me from all the White Sox fans out there, 371 00:21:24,440 --> 00:21:27,600 Speaker 1: thank you. Good luck finding the next White Sox star. 372 00:21:28,359 --> 00:21:29,200 Speaker 2: We'll be keeping on the. 373 00:21:29,119 --> 00:21:30,679 Speaker 1: Eye on the White Sox, not only in the future, 374 00:21:30,680 --> 00:21:32,440 Speaker 1: but definitely for this year since they are in first 375 00:21:32,440 --> 00:21:34,840 Speaker 1: place and they are better than Cubs on my power ranking. 376 00:21:39,400 --> 00:21:43,320 Speaker 1: All right, let's welcome in Katie Wu from Dodgers Territory 377 00:21:43,359 --> 00:21:46,720 Speaker 1: and the Athletic Katie. Have you figured out which mascots 378 00:21:46,760 --> 00:21:49,080 Speaker 1: were which yet? Because we ran into a thing at 379 00:21:49,080 --> 00:21:52,920 Speaker 1: the All Star game where Katie, Tricia, and myself were 380 00:21:52,920 --> 00:21:55,680 Speaker 1: in a random place and all the mascots were there 381 00:21:56,520 --> 00:21:58,480 Speaker 1: and we were trying to figure out which one went 382 00:21:58,560 --> 00:21:59,440 Speaker 1: with which team. 383 00:21:59,520 --> 00:22:01,120 Speaker 2: So, Katie, have you figured it out yet? 384 00:22:02,080 --> 00:22:03,760 Speaker 7: No? And I have to say I don't like the 385 00:22:03,800 --> 00:22:06,720 Speaker 7: mascots out of character. I like it better like I 386 00:22:07,440 --> 00:22:09,920 Speaker 7: need to see Wally with the Wally head on. I 387 00:22:09,920 --> 00:22:13,920 Speaker 7: I don't like these like regular people mascots. I need 388 00:22:13,960 --> 00:22:17,639 Speaker 7: to It's like, I don't know, It's like if it 389 00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:19,120 Speaker 7: just didn't feel real to me. It's like a real 390 00:22:19,119 --> 00:22:21,320 Speaker 7: mascot you mentioned when they are real people, you know, 391 00:22:21,520 --> 00:22:22,479 Speaker 7: kind of ruined the vibe. 392 00:22:22,760 --> 00:22:24,359 Speaker 2: I got you, I got you. Can you name the 393 00:22:24,359 --> 00:22:25,240 Speaker 2: Dodgers mascot. 394 00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:28,120 Speaker 7: I don't think they have one? 395 00:22:29,920 --> 00:22:35,240 Speaker 1: Magic Johnson all right? No, you know he's there Jersey 396 00:22:35,840 --> 00:22:38,880 Speaker 1: every time. The big game magics here guys? Or what's 397 00:22:38,920 --> 00:22:44,639 Speaker 1: the lady behind home Plade the blonde lady from No 398 00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:45,760 Speaker 1: Entertainment tonight? 399 00:22:46,080 --> 00:22:46,199 Speaker 3: Uh? 400 00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:56,040 Speaker 2: It's Milwaukee, very hard, very. 401 00:22:55,840 --> 00:22:59,600 Speaker 7: Hard, very hard, A good star guys. 402 00:23:00,119 --> 00:23:01,399 Speaker 3: Yes, yeah, well done, Katie. 403 00:23:02,280 --> 00:23:05,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, we love Katie. Who let's let's get into the Dodgers. Katie. 404 00:23:05,680 --> 00:23:07,760 Speaker 2: We have to talk about the Dodgers. You know, they're 405 00:23:07,800 --> 00:23:10,879 Speaker 2: so good. Woo woo woo. You know we love the Dodgers. 406 00:23:12,160 --> 00:23:13,399 Speaker 2: Is scoobl going to be a Dodger? 407 00:23:14,680 --> 00:23:16,680 Speaker 7: Yeah, we'll do some Dodger eleven. I know, your favorite 408 00:23:16,720 --> 00:23:18,560 Speaker 7: thing to do AJ on this Friday. I think that's 409 00:23:18,560 --> 00:23:21,960 Speaker 7: the question every exec across the industry is just assuming 410 00:23:22,000 --> 00:23:24,000 Speaker 7: the answer is going to be yes. And it makes 411 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:28,160 Speaker 7: sense because anytime there's a big, high profile marquee player available, 412 00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:30,359 Speaker 7: you expect the Los Angeles Dodgers to be in it. 413 00:23:30,640 --> 00:23:33,720 Speaker 7: I think the bigger question is is Schooble actually going 414 00:23:33,800 --> 00:23:36,679 Speaker 7: to be available? Will the Tigers trade him? I mean, 415 00:23:36,720 --> 00:23:38,800 Speaker 7: they are just a few games out of the wildcard 416 00:23:38,800 --> 00:23:40,359 Speaker 7: and I know what six seven games back out of 417 00:23:40,359 --> 00:23:42,720 Speaker 7: the AL Central, maybe four or five games out of 418 00:23:42,760 --> 00:23:45,920 Speaker 7: the final wildcard spot in the American League. But as 419 00:23:45,920 --> 00:23:49,200 Speaker 7: we've seen last year, guys, the American League can switch 420 00:23:49,280 --> 00:23:50,760 Speaker 7: in a week. And I was talking to a couple 421 00:23:50,800 --> 00:23:52,720 Speaker 7: of rival execs and they said, you know, the Tigers 422 00:23:52,760 --> 00:23:55,400 Speaker 7: are one week away, a heater away from being right 423 00:23:55,440 --> 00:23:58,640 Speaker 7: back into contention. Will they move Schooble? And you can 424 00:23:58,640 --> 00:24:00,440 Speaker 7: go back and forth and if they should or shouldn't. 425 00:24:00,440 --> 00:24:02,760 Speaker 7: I'd argue that this Tiger's team over the off season 426 00:24:03,040 --> 00:24:05,320 Speaker 7: was not built to be disassembled, right. You don't go 427 00:24:05,359 --> 00:24:08,640 Speaker 7: out there and bring in Valdez extand the qualifying offer 428 00:24:08,680 --> 00:24:11,439 Speaker 7: to Glabor Torres if and kind of know that this 429 00:24:11,480 --> 00:24:13,960 Speaker 7: could be your last season with Schoogle because it's pretty 430 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:15,720 Speaker 7: unlikely in my opinion, they can bring him back in 431 00:24:15,760 --> 00:24:19,600 Speaker 7: free agency just to sell It's a really hard message 432 00:24:19,640 --> 00:24:21,679 Speaker 7: to send to your fan base. But if they do 433 00:24:21,840 --> 00:24:24,160 Speaker 7: decide to trade him, I'd expect the Dodgers I would 434 00:24:24,160 --> 00:24:27,000 Speaker 7: expect Andrew Freeman to make a call. And this is 435 00:24:27,080 --> 00:24:30,160 Speaker 7: what this Dodgers organization is so good at. We talk 436 00:24:30,200 --> 00:24:32,320 Speaker 7: about this a lot. They love to just hang around 437 00:24:32,320 --> 00:24:34,840 Speaker 7: the backboard and they're ready for a rebound when the 438 00:24:34,960 --> 00:24:37,760 Speaker 7: market or the industry dictates it. Right now, it's still 439 00:24:37,760 --> 00:24:39,119 Speaker 7: too early to say if that's something they're going to 440 00:24:39,160 --> 00:24:41,200 Speaker 7: be able to do. You can just never rule them out. 441 00:24:41,320 --> 00:24:44,399 Speaker 7: They have the prospect capital, there's no financial flexibil or 442 00:24:44,520 --> 00:24:47,360 Speaker 7: financial limitations. Obviously, they can be very flexible with their 443 00:24:47,359 --> 00:24:50,680 Speaker 7: cash here. So all things considered, I see why these 444 00:24:50,720 --> 00:24:53,440 Speaker 7: two parties are still being connected. But we aren't really 445 00:24:53,480 --> 00:24:55,600 Speaker 7: going to know for sure where those tracks pick up 446 00:24:55,800 --> 00:24:57,600 Speaker 7: until about a week from now, when we know what 447 00:24:57,640 --> 00:24:58,399 Speaker 7: the market looks like. 448 00:24:59,280 --> 00:25:01,159 Speaker 5: Todd Father hitting some games this summer. 449 00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:05,560 Speaker 6: What's the deal, of course, And it's real simple, Scottie Braun. 450 00:25:05,600 --> 00:25:07,080 Speaker 6: You know how it is. You go to seat Geek 451 00:25:07,119 --> 00:25:09,520 Speaker 6: and you can find any deal you want in any 452 00:25:09,560 --> 00:25:11,760 Speaker 6: section you want, even if the game sold out. Go 453 00:25:11,840 --> 00:25:14,600 Speaker 6: to seat Geek and you'll find something that you love, 454 00:25:14,720 --> 00:25:18,919 Speaker 6: affordable for your family, that you can enjoy anywhere, anytime, 455 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:22,440 Speaker 6: at any ballpark and stadium you want. Enjoy it. It's 456 00:25:22,480 --> 00:25:25,600 Speaker 6: the best opportunity to go see a beautiful game of baseball. 457 00:25:25,720 --> 00:25:28,360 Speaker 5: And that's the thing that you can be so last minute. 458 00:25:28,520 --> 00:25:31,800 Speaker 5: Sea Geek is the official ticket marketplace of Major League Baseball. 459 00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:34,240 Speaker 5: They have you covered for all of your baseball ticket 460 00:25:34,280 --> 00:25:37,880 Speaker 5: needs the entire summer. They also have over seventy thousand 461 00:25:37,880 --> 00:25:41,600 Speaker 5: events on sea Geek that includes concerts, festivals, all kinds 462 00:25:41,600 --> 00:25:45,200 Speaker 5: of sporting events. So go check it out right now. FTFAM, 463 00:25:45,320 --> 00:25:47,879 Speaker 5: the code is Territory ten for ten percent off your 464 00:25:47,880 --> 00:25:50,240 Speaker 5: next set of MLB tickets at sea Geek. That's ten 465 00:25:50,280 --> 00:25:53,240 Speaker 5: percent off with promo code Territory one zero. Make sure 466 00:25:53,240 --> 00:25:55,359 Speaker 5: you click the link in the description to download the app, 467 00:25:55,480 --> 00:25:58,000 Speaker 5: and then the code automatically is added to your account 468 00:25:58,040 --> 00:25:58,960 Speaker 5: so you can use it later. 469 00:25:59,720 --> 00:26:02,359 Speaker 6: Love that's a great answer. So my question to you is, 470 00:26:02,440 --> 00:26:06,040 Speaker 6: take Schoolble out of it. What is their biggest need? 471 00:26:06,080 --> 00:26:09,160 Speaker 6: Where do you think the Dodgers if you can't get Schoolble. 472 00:26:09,880 --> 00:26:11,600 Speaker 6: I don't know what's going to happen with him. You know, 473 00:26:11,880 --> 00:26:14,679 Speaker 6: we'll see. But if they can't get schoolable, what is 474 00:26:14,720 --> 00:26:17,320 Speaker 6: the number one thing this Dodger team needed. It seems 475 00:26:17,359 --> 00:26:19,399 Speaker 6: like they'll figure it out even if they don't, but 476 00:26:19,480 --> 00:26:21,240 Speaker 6: what is their number one need in your opinion? 477 00:26:22,280 --> 00:26:23,960 Speaker 7: So I've said this a couple of times and it 478 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:26,520 Speaker 7: remains true. The most annoying thing you can hear in 479 00:26:26,560 --> 00:26:28,960 Speaker 7: execs say this time of year is this cliche of well, 480 00:26:28,960 --> 00:26:31,000 Speaker 7: we're getting so and so, back off the iel. It's 481 00:26:31,040 --> 00:26:33,760 Speaker 7: just like making a trade, except it's literally not. But 482 00:26:33,880 --> 00:26:36,119 Speaker 7: in the Dodgers case, you can make the argument that 483 00:26:36,160 --> 00:26:39,080 Speaker 7: these guys coming off the iya else soon, Blake Snell, 484 00:26:39,320 --> 00:26:43,320 Speaker 7: Van Diaz, Tyler Glass, now Keiky Hernandez will Smith. All 485 00:26:43,359 --> 00:26:45,160 Speaker 7: of these guys that the Dodgers expect to be back 486 00:26:45,640 --> 00:26:49,120 Speaker 7: as early as Tuesday through before September, depending on the guy, 487 00:26:49,640 --> 00:26:52,240 Speaker 7: are guys that, well, I don't think you can find 488 00:26:52,240 --> 00:26:54,040 Speaker 7: on the market that are going to be better. Right, Like, 489 00:26:54,080 --> 00:26:56,040 Speaker 7: there's not a starter outside of schoobl that's going to 490 00:26:56,080 --> 00:26:58,760 Speaker 7: make the Dodgers better than Blake Snell returning or Tyler 491 00:26:58,800 --> 00:27:00,920 Speaker 7: Glass now returning. There's not a clothes are available that's 492 00:27:00,920 --> 00:27:02,920 Speaker 7: going to be better for the Dodgers than Edmund Dia 493 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:05,600 Speaker 7: is getting healthy. He could be back as early as Tuesday. Also, 494 00:27:06,160 --> 00:27:08,840 Speaker 7: and you have to remember many clubs around this deadline 495 00:27:09,200 --> 00:27:11,600 Speaker 7: are looking to acquire players that are going to help 496 00:27:11,640 --> 00:27:13,800 Speaker 7: them improve over the last two months of the regular 497 00:27:13,800 --> 00:27:16,600 Speaker 7: season and sneak into the postseason. That's not what the 498 00:27:16,640 --> 00:27:18,679 Speaker 7: Dodgers are looking to do at the deadline. The Dodgers, 499 00:27:18,680 --> 00:27:20,400 Speaker 7: if they're going to make a move, it's either going 500 00:27:20,440 --> 00:27:22,679 Speaker 7: to be something for their long term future. So you're 501 00:27:22,680 --> 00:27:25,199 Speaker 7: looking at prospect trades, we can get into that. Or 502 00:27:25,240 --> 00:27:27,920 Speaker 7: if you're looking at upgrading the major league roster, Los 503 00:27:27,920 --> 00:27:30,000 Speaker 7: Angeles is only doing so if they know that they 504 00:27:30,440 --> 00:27:33,280 Speaker 7: can get someone that makes them better in October. They 505 00:27:33,280 --> 00:27:35,960 Speaker 7: don't need a sixth starter, right they don't need a 506 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:38,560 Speaker 7: third string backup catcher. If they're going to make a move, 507 00:27:38,600 --> 00:27:40,320 Speaker 7: it's going to be someone that's going to increase their 508 00:27:40,320 --> 00:27:42,520 Speaker 7: odds of winning in October. If they don't care about 509 00:27:42,520 --> 00:27:45,000 Speaker 7: the regular season, they care about getting the first round 510 00:27:45,000 --> 00:27:47,600 Speaker 7: by they're not chasing the regular season record. They care 511 00:27:47,640 --> 00:27:50,280 Speaker 7: about getting into the playoffs and winning that third straight 512 00:27:50,320 --> 00:27:52,600 Speaker 7: World Series. So anyone they look to acquire for that 513 00:27:52,640 --> 00:27:54,960 Speaker 7: major league roster is going to be someone that makes 514 00:27:55,000 --> 00:27:57,640 Speaker 7: them better come October. You can make the argument guys 515 00:27:57,680 --> 00:27:59,600 Speaker 7: and I tend to agree that those guys coming back 516 00:27:59,600 --> 00:28:02,080 Speaker 7: are going to make the team better than anyone available 517 00:28:02,080 --> 00:28:04,440 Speaker 7: on the market right now. All that matters, of course, 518 00:28:04,520 --> 00:28:06,399 Speaker 7: is health, and it's a risky gamble giving you know, 519 00:28:06,520 --> 00:28:09,320 Speaker 7: Snalls coming off of surgery. Dz Glass now has missed 520 00:28:09,320 --> 00:28:11,520 Speaker 7: most of the season with the back issue. But all 521 00:28:11,520 --> 00:28:14,960 Speaker 7: things considered, those names coming back make the Dodgers the 522 00:28:14,960 --> 00:28:17,520 Speaker 7: best it could possibly become October. I don't see a 523 00:28:17,520 --> 00:28:20,200 Speaker 7: lot of names outside of Schooble that have the same effect. 524 00:28:20,800 --> 00:28:24,360 Speaker 3: All right out fear for are we of Otani's injury? 525 00:28:24,560 --> 00:28:29,200 Speaker 3: If in Dodger Land, what is the fear or expectation 526 00:28:29,480 --> 00:28:32,880 Speaker 3: of what's next with this bulky meee that he's dealing with. 527 00:28:33,680 --> 00:28:36,320 Speaker 7: Yeah, he'll throw another bullpen Saturday here in New York 528 00:28:36,359 --> 00:28:38,840 Speaker 7: at City Field. He threw one a couple of days 529 00:28:38,880 --> 00:28:41,600 Speaker 7: ago when the team was in Philadelphia. For the Dodgers, 530 00:28:41,640 --> 00:28:43,680 Speaker 7: it's all about airing on the side of caution. We 531 00:28:43,800 --> 00:28:46,520 Speaker 7: know how important show Hee Otani is. We don't need 532 00:28:46,560 --> 00:28:48,960 Speaker 7: to go into it's pretty self explanatory. But it's much 533 00:28:49,000 --> 00:28:51,160 Speaker 7: more important for the Dodgers to have Otani healthy in 534 00:28:51,200 --> 00:28:54,560 Speaker 7: October than pitching not one hundred percent in July, especially 535 00:28:54,560 --> 00:28:56,960 Speaker 7: when they are the best team in baseball. Sixty five 536 00:28:56,960 --> 00:28:59,800 Speaker 7: and thirty eight. They have a double digit lead in 537 00:28:59,840 --> 00:29:02,360 Speaker 7: the d They've earned this cushion to be able to 538 00:29:02,360 --> 00:29:04,520 Speaker 7: do things like shut Otani down, and they're not shutting 539 00:29:04,600 --> 00:29:07,280 Speaker 7: him down entirely right He's continuing to throw again, throwing 540 00:29:07,280 --> 00:29:09,960 Speaker 7: that bullpen on Saturday, and they'll reevaluate from there. So 541 00:29:10,240 --> 00:29:12,840 Speaker 7: worst case scenario, they lose Otani off the mound for 542 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:15,120 Speaker 7: a couple of weeks, but it helps him long term 543 00:29:15,160 --> 00:29:19,000 Speaker 7: for October. They're totally fine with that now. Monitoring this 544 00:29:19,080 --> 00:29:20,960 Speaker 7: leftne because this is something that has plagued him for 545 00:29:21,000 --> 00:29:23,520 Speaker 7: the last month or so, does remain a priority. But 546 00:29:23,560 --> 00:29:25,239 Speaker 7: they have the depth to be able to do this. 547 00:29:25,320 --> 00:29:28,200 Speaker 7: They've ran a six man rotation out there essentially since 548 00:29:28,240 --> 00:29:30,800 Speaker 7: the season started. They don't plan on stopping right now. 549 00:29:30,840 --> 00:29:33,200 Speaker 7: The schedule is favorable. They had an off day yesterday, 550 00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:35,600 Speaker 7: they have another off day on Monday. They can still 551 00:29:35,600 --> 00:29:38,200 Speaker 7: honor the six man and keep guys like Yamamoto Roki 552 00:29:38,280 --> 00:29:41,600 Speaker 7: Sasaki healthy. The additions of Eric Lauer for the depth 553 00:29:41,600 --> 00:29:44,760 Speaker 7: and the rotation has been instrumental. Justin Erbluski's at Breakout Star. 554 00:29:45,080 --> 00:29:47,960 Speaker 7: They have other names that maybe aren't as flashy as Otani, 555 00:29:48,000 --> 00:29:50,880 Speaker 7: but just as important that allows Shohey to get right 556 00:29:50,960 --> 00:29:52,800 Speaker 7: and get back to being one hundred percent for when 557 00:29:52,840 --> 00:29:54,080 Speaker 7: they need him down the stretch. 558 00:29:55,120 --> 00:29:57,640 Speaker 6: Yeah, and people talk about cy Young, I think he's 559 00:29:57,640 --> 00:30:00,600 Speaker 6: out of the race now, you know, since the injuries. 560 00:30:00,640 --> 00:30:04,120 Speaker 6: I think it's Mezzeroski's cy Young to win here. He's 561 00:30:04,120 --> 00:30:07,440 Speaker 6: been absolutely phenomenal. I want to go to Tyler Glass 562 00:30:07,480 --> 00:30:10,240 Speaker 6: now and Blake's Now, when do you think we will 563 00:30:10,240 --> 00:30:12,280 Speaker 6: see these guys back? Because look, it's playing into what 564 00:30:12,320 --> 00:30:15,160 Speaker 6: the Dodgers do. Guys are not healthy and and all 565 00:30:15,160 --> 00:30:18,600 Speaker 6: of a sudden August and August September, all of a 566 00:30:18,640 --> 00:30:20,880 Speaker 6: sudden it gets colder, and these guys are like, oh, 567 00:30:20,600 --> 00:30:23,000 Speaker 6: I'm ready to go. It's Christmas morning. So talk a 568 00:30:23,040 --> 00:30:24,960 Speaker 6: little about those two guys and when do you think 569 00:30:24,960 --> 00:30:25,560 Speaker 6: they'll be back? 570 00:30:26,640 --> 00:30:28,959 Speaker 7: Look, I respect the Dodgers' ability to really lock in 571 00:30:29,080 --> 00:30:31,280 Speaker 7: when it matters. It's like when AJ has to host, 572 00:30:31,280 --> 00:30:33,640 Speaker 7: he's actually I'll give you credit, Aj, you're a good host. 573 00:30:33,640 --> 00:30:36,080 Speaker 7: You really lock in. But I see you behind the scenes. 574 00:30:36,360 --> 00:30:38,680 Speaker 7: So I kind of when you look at the load 575 00:30:38,720 --> 00:30:41,360 Speaker 7: management of Snell and Glass, Now, I mean, Blake Snell's 576 00:30:41,360 --> 00:30:43,480 Speaker 7: going to make his second rehab start tonight for Triple 577 00:30:43,520 --> 00:30:45,800 Speaker 7: A OKC in Sacramento. That's going to be three and 578 00:30:46,160 --> 00:30:48,720 Speaker 7: forty five ish pitches. The Dodgers are going to build 579 00:30:48,760 --> 00:30:51,040 Speaker 7: him up to the standard five and seventy five pitches. 580 00:30:51,320 --> 00:30:53,000 Speaker 7: They didn't do that last time. They were going to 581 00:30:53,040 --> 00:30:55,520 Speaker 7: have him sure start a little bit of a short, 582 00:30:55,640 --> 00:30:57,600 Speaker 7: shorter leash. That's not the plan this time. They're going 583 00:30:57,680 --> 00:31:00,200 Speaker 7: to wretch them out until he can handle a full 584 00:31:00,240 --> 00:31:03,200 Speaker 7: starter's workload. Tyler Glass now back in Los Angeles working 585 00:31:03,240 --> 00:31:05,280 Speaker 7: his way back from the back spasms that started in 586 00:31:05,320 --> 00:31:07,760 Speaker 7: the first week of May, and they originally thought, oh, 587 00:31:07,760 --> 00:31:09,200 Speaker 7: it is gonna be a couple of weeks. Well here 588 00:31:09,240 --> 00:31:11,960 Speaker 7: we are end of July st Tyler Glass now still 589 00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:14,160 Speaker 7: on the il, but he's been throwing a couple bullpens 590 00:31:14,200 --> 00:31:16,600 Speaker 7: and they've been fastball only, so but they're, you know, 591 00:31:16,680 --> 00:31:19,880 Speaker 7: baby steps. Once he faces life hitters at least probably 592 00:31:19,920 --> 00:31:22,320 Speaker 7: two or three times, then they'll progress to a rehab assignment. 593 00:31:22,400 --> 00:31:24,479 Speaker 7: So he's, i would say, just looking at the general 594 00:31:24,520 --> 00:31:28,080 Speaker 7: timeline of injuries, about a month behind Snell and then 595 00:31:28,120 --> 00:31:31,840 Speaker 7: again Edmund Diaz pitching. He'll he's off today, he'll pitch again, 596 00:31:31,880 --> 00:31:35,360 Speaker 7: tomorrow for ok see travel back to LA On Sunday, 597 00:31:35,400 --> 00:31:37,560 Speaker 7: they'll reevaluate could be active along with Kei k a 598 00:31:37,640 --> 00:31:40,840 Speaker 7: Herne Andez on Tuesday. But all in all, when you 599 00:31:40,880 --> 00:31:43,160 Speaker 7: look at Blake Snell and Tyler glassnow coming back, I mean, 600 00:31:43,440 --> 00:31:45,720 Speaker 7: if they have a setback either one in the next week, 601 00:31:45,760 --> 00:31:48,280 Speaker 7: that's going to completely change the calculus of the Dodgers 602 00:31:48,360 --> 00:31:51,560 Speaker 7: trade deadline plans. I think the best case scenario, and 603 00:31:51,600 --> 00:31:53,760 Speaker 7: what Andrew Freeman is hoping to do is to kind 604 00:31:53,800 --> 00:31:55,680 Speaker 7: of sit back and wait for the market to tell 605 00:31:55,760 --> 00:31:58,000 Speaker 7: him what to do. If the if the Tigers decide 606 00:31:58,320 --> 00:32:00,840 Speaker 7: to sell, does that change his plan on being in 607 00:32:00,880 --> 00:32:02,800 Speaker 7: on Schoogle, He's probably gonna make a call to Scott 608 00:32:02,840 --> 00:32:05,360 Speaker 7: Harris if something happens to Snell or Glass now he's 609 00:32:05,360 --> 00:32:07,600 Speaker 7: probably gonna make a call to Scott Harris. But until then, 610 00:32:07,840 --> 00:32:10,000 Speaker 7: Freedan has the luxury of just looking at a starters, 611 00:32:10,040 --> 00:32:13,120 Speaker 7: evaluating their workload, trusting that Snell's going to come back, 612 00:32:13,120 --> 00:32:15,960 Speaker 7: you know, right around or after the deadline, and going 613 00:32:16,000 --> 00:32:19,280 Speaker 7: from there. It's an enviable position to be in for 614 00:32:19,320 --> 00:32:21,840 Speaker 7: other executives. But that's what makes this front office so good. 615 00:32:21,880 --> 00:32:23,960 Speaker 7: As they put themselves in position to be able to 616 00:32:24,040 --> 00:32:26,040 Speaker 7: just sit back, relax and let the market come to them. 617 00:32:27,080 --> 00:32:29,240 Speaker 2: Okay, Will Smith update, Can we get a quick Will 618 00:32:29,280 --> 00:32:29,880 Speaker 2: Smith update? 619 00:32:30,800 --> 00:32:33,080 Speaker 7: He will not be. The earliest to be back is 620 00:32:33,160 --> 00:32:35,800 Speaker 7: mid August, dealing with some next spasms, a slip disc 621 00:32:35,920 --> 00:32:37,360 Speaker 7: or something in his neck. And then you know, as 622 00:32:37,400 --> 00:32:40,120 Speaker 7: you guys know, that's not like a muscle strain or 623 00:32:40,120 --> 00:32:42,720 Speaker 7: a broken bone where there's a timeline you can't really 624 00:32:42,720 --> 00:32:44,880 Speaker 7: measure out when he could come back. I will say, 625 00:32:45,080 --> 00:32:47,920 Speaker 7: talking to people in the organization, they don't seem too 626 00:32:48,000 --> 00:32:51,160 Speaker 7: overly concerned. They firmly expect Will Smith back for you know, 627 00:32:51,240 --> 00:32:53,760 Speaker 7: maybe September, definitely the playoffs, and it's not to the 628 00:32:53,800 --> 00:32:56,120 Speaker 7: point where they're looking for cashing depth at the major 629 00:32:56,200 --> 00:32:59,200 Speaker 7: league level. They see this as an opportunity for Dalton 630 00:32:59,240 --> 00:33:02,080 Speaker 7: Rushing to really look at him as a full time starter, 631 00:33:02,240 --> 00:33:05,040 Speaker 7: because when Will Smith is healthy, Dalton Rushing is just 632 00:33:05,080 --> 00:33:07,040 Speaker 7: simply not going to get that opportunity. You're not gonna 633 00:33:07,040 --> 00:33:09,760 Speaker 7: get Will Smith to extend who once was your top 634 00:33:09,840 --> 00:33:13,640 Speaker 7: prospect in the organization consistent playing time and Dalton Rushing. 635 00:33:13,680 --> 00:33:16,440 Speaker 7: I know he's has his fair share of vible moments, 636 00:33:16,440 --> 00:33:18,680 Speaker 7: but when you take just the production and look at 637 00:33:18,680 --> 00:33:20,480 Speaker 7: what he's been doing with that staff. Who he is 638 00:33:20,520 --> 00:33:22,680 Speaker 7: as a hitter. Dodgers are more than pleased with what 639 00:33:22,720 --> 00:33:24,320 Speaker 7: he's been able to do. I think his production is 640 00:33:24,400 --> 00:33:26,920 Speaker 7: right above, right out or above league average for any 641 00:33:26,960 --> 00:33:29,880 Speaker 7: starting catcher around the league. It's been fine. It's an 642 00:33:29,920 --> 00:33:32,040 Speaker 7: opportunity for them to see again, with this big lead 643 00:33:32,120 --> 00:33:35,080 Speaker 7: in the division, what maybe their next wave of talent 644 00:33:35,160 --> 00:33:37,400 Speaker 7: looks like. And Rushing is part of that group. So 645 00:33:38,320 --> 00:33:40,200 Speaker 7: will Smith. Still, it's been disappointing. I know he's a 646 00:33:40,200 --> 00:33:43,000 Speaker 7: Dodgers fan favorite. He's super clutched this offense. I'm I 647 00:33:43,000 --> 00:33:45,440 Speaker 7: don't want to nitpick this team, but the offense hasn't 648 00:33:45,440 --> 00:33:48,920 Speaker 7: been I think up to their their caliber consistently. He's 649 00:33:48,960 --> 00:33:51,560 Speaker 7: a big piece in that middle of the lineup. But again, 650 00:33:51,800 --> 00:33:54,240 Speaker 7: the organization doesn't feel like he's in jeopardy of missing 651 00:33:54,280 --> 00:33:56,720 Speaker 7: the postseason when they need him, when they care about 652 00:33:56,960 --> 00:33:59,760 Speaker 7: So why not extend this opportunity to Dalton Rushing and 653 00:33:59,760 --> 00:34:01,360 Speaker 7: see who we can be as a full time starter? 654 00:34:02,000 --> 00:34:04,160 Speaker 2: Plustalled Rushing talk shit to all the other teams, so 655 00:34:04,200 --> 00:34:05,120 Speaker 2: you know that I love him. 656 00:34:05,600 --> 00:34:07,880 Speaker 1: I mean, he gets caught, He gets caught he gets 657 00:34:07,880 --> 00:34:10,279 Speaker 1: caught once a week talking trash to the other team 658 00:34:10,320 --> 00:34:12,280 Speaker 1: with lip reading or whatever it is, you know, Katie. 659 00:34:12,320 --> 00:34:15,560 Speaker 1: For me and the Dodgers, the trade deadline is like 660 00:34:15,600 --> 00:34:17,640 Speaker 1: when you have two friends and then you find out 661 00:34:17,680 --> 00:34:20,080 Speaker 1: they're dating, not from those two, you find out they're 662 00:34:20,160 --> 00:34:21,800 Speaker 1: dating from a random third person. 663 00:34:21,920 --> 00:34:23,120 Speaker 2: So that's what I'm just. 664 00:34:23,080 --> 00:34:25,840 Speaker 1: Waiting for the rumors to come to Fruition, but I 665 00:34:25,880 --> 00:34:27,720 Speaker 1: want to hear about it from the people in charge, 666 00:34:27,960 --> 00:34:30,239 Speaker 1: not from a third person, So Katie. If you want 667 00:34:30,280 --> 00:34:32,200 Speaker 1: to hear more from Katie, you can check her out 668 00:34:32,520 --> 00:34:35,120 Speaker 1: on the Athletic and on Dodgers' Territory, on YouTube and 669 00:34:35,160 --> 00:34:36,240 Speaker 1: wherever you get your pods.