1 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:05,880 Speaker 1: Welcome everyone to the Monday edition of Fair Territory. A 2 00:00:05,960 --> 00:00:08,399 Speaker 1: lot of action right now, and I expect plenty of 3 00:00:08,440 --> 00:00:11,360 Speaker 1: action in the next couple of days leading up to Christmas. 4 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:15,239 Speaker 1: Let's get right to it. Let's go to yesterday's news. 5 00:00:15,280 --> 00:00:19,200 Speaker 1: We had two major situations developed. One was a trade 6 00:00:19,239 --> 00:00:22,440 Speaker 1: the Red Sox made for Wilson Contreras. The other, earlier 7 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:26,280 Speaker 1: in the day was the White Sox signing of Munataka Morikami. 8 00:00:26,720 --> 00:00:29,120 Speaker 1: Let's start with Contreras. This was a move that had 9 00:00:29,280 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 1: been rumored for several weeks. We all knew that the 10 00:00:32,479 --> 00:00:35,320 Speaker 1: Red Sox were looking for offensive help, and they still 11 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:38,120 Speaker 1: are after the Contrerast's move. We'll get into that as 12 00:00:38,159 --> 00:00:41,760 Speaker 1: the show progresses. But this trade is the second trade 13 00:00:41,760 --> 00:00:44,680 Speaker 1: that they've made with their former president of baseball Operations 14 00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:48,600 Speaker 1: actually chief baseball officer, Heim Bloom. The second trade that 15 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:51,120 Speaker 1: they've made in which Heim Bloom, with the Cardinals now 16 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:54,520 Speaker 1: sent the money to get better prospects and for the 17 00:00:54,560 --> 00:00:57,880 Speaker 1: Red Sox. These deals are, at least from a financial perspective, 18 00:00:58,040 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 1: looking good. I'll get more into that as well. Here's 19 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:05,920 Speaker 1: the trade Wilson Contreras for Hunter Dobbins, who made his 20 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:08,679 Speaker 1: debut last year and was impressive in two prospects Yorker 21 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:12,280 Speaker 1: fer Haardo and Blake Aita, all right handed pitchers. They're 22 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:15,240 Speaker 1: the guys who went for Wilson Contreras. I wrote and 23 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:18,680 Speaker 1: tweeted Fajardo was just nineteen years old, a four hundred 24 00:01:18,680 --> 00:01:21,360 Speaker 1: thousand dollars sign out of Venezuela by the White Sox 25 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:26,600 Speaker 1: twenty twenty four, acquired for the DFA Cambooser last winter, 26 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:29,200 Speaker 1: and then I eate a six round pick out of 27 00:01:29,280 --> 00:01:32,280 Speaker 1: Kansas State in twenty twenty four. So a guy who 28 00:01:32,280 --> 00:01:34,880 Speaker 1: has been in the major leagues in Dobbins and two 29 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:38,679 Speaker 1: longer term prospects. That's what the Cardinals get back for 30 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:42,440 Speaker 1: Wilson Contreras. What do the Red Sox get? A guy 31 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:46,600 Speaker 1: who can play first base, a guy who is pretty 32 00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:49,600 Speaker 1: strong in the clubhouse, a good leader, and a guy who, 33 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:54,000 Speaker 1: over the last two seasons has been When judging by 34 00:01:54,160 --> 00:01:57,680 Speaker 1: f war fangrafts version of wins a Brough replacement nearly 35 00:01:57,960 --> 00:02:01,000 Speaker 1: identical to Pete Alonso in terms of production, their f 36 00:02:01,080 --> 00:02:03,960 Speaker 1: wars are nearly the same now. Alonso has more power 37 00:02:04,320 --> 00:02:07,760 Speaker 1: Contrerass gets on baseboard. Contreras is also more than two 38 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:10,359 Speaker 1: and a half years older. But while you need it 39 00:02:10,440 --> 00:02:13,920 Speaker 1: to crede three prospects for Contreras, you're getting him for 40 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:17,800 Speaker 1: one hundred and twelve point five million dollars less than 41 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:21,600 Speaker 1: the Orioles gave Pete Alonso. So that's from the Red 42 00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:25,920 Speaker 1: Sox perspective, from a financial sense, a good exchange, something 43 00:02:25,919 --> 00:02:28,280 Speaker 1: that should help them next year. I don't see Wilson 44 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:32,919 Speaker 1: Contreras necessarily slowing down. Now. Questions arise with their roster 45 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:37,880 Speaker 1: as a result of this move. What happens to Tristan Cassis. Well, 46 00:02:37,919 --> 00:02:41,040 Speaker 1: he's coming off a ruptured Patel attendant. He had surgery 47 00:02:41,120 --> 00:02:43,800 Speaker 1: for that, and there is not certainty that he'll be 48 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 1: ready for opening day, you see. Jim McCaffrey wrote about 49 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:51,359 Speaker 1: that today in The Athletic. But once Cassis returns, they 50 00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:53,959 Speaker 1: can use him in some kind of rotation first base 51 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:58,320 Speaker 1: DH with Contreras. We'll see Cassis is not really a 52 00:02:58,320 --> 00:03:01,359 Speaker 1: proven major league player yet. So this at least gives 53 00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:04,799 Speaker 1: the Red Sox what the baseball people call a very 54 00:03:04,840 --> 00:03:08,200 Speaker 1: good floor at first base. The other question with the 55 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:11,520 Speaker 1: Red Sox Masataka Yoshida, what is going to happen with 56 00:03:11,560 --> 00:03:14,520 Speaker 1: this dude? So two years and thirty six million on 57 00:03:14,560 --> 00:03:18,720 Speaker 1: his contract. Once Kasis returns, there's seemingly no place for him, 58 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:21,200 Speaker 1: and I don't see a place for him even really 59 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:25,440 Speaker 1: in the interim without Castes. So that's a guy that 60 00:03:25,480 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 1: they've talked about trading and dumping for a while. Now 61 00:03:28,080 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 1: we'll see if it happens. Maybe they go into spring 62 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:33,800 Speaker 1: training with their depth, see how casts progresses. I don't know, 63 00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:38,960 Speaker 1: but without question, this cannot be their last offensive move. 64 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:42,600 Speaker 1: They've traded for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo to help 65 00:03:42,640 --> 00:03:45,840 Speaker 1: their starting rotation. They've done some other smaller things and 66 00:03:45,920 --> 00:03:49,360 Speaker 1: now they've added contraras deals not official yet but will be. 67 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:53,320 Speaker 1: They need one more big bat and we'll talk more 68 00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:56,280 Speaker 1: about that in the inside dish. Now. The other big 69 00:03:56,320 --> 00:03:58,520 Speaker 1: move yesterday, and this was a bit of a stunn 70 00:03:59,360 --> 00:04:03,200 Speaker 1: news first came out on Saturday night from Mark Finesland 71 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:07,200 Speaker 1: and Scott MERKENOMLB dot com that the White Sox were 72 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:11,280 Speaker 1: a team for Murakami and people thought, well, the White Sox, 73 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:15,080 Speaker 1: why would they want Murakami? Well, a couple of reasons. One, 74 00:04:15,320 --> 00:04:18,200 Speaker 1: the price proved to be right. Two years, thirty four 75 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:21,400 Speaker 1: million for a guy who was projected to get a 76 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:24,040 Speaker 1: lot more than that in free agency, because he's going 77 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:27,160 Speaker 1: to be twenty six this season. The Athletics Tim Britton 78 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:29,800 Speaker 1: had him at eight years, one hundred and eight and 79 00:04:29,880 --> 00:04:33,320 Speaker 1: fifty eight point five million, eight one fifty eight point five. 80 00:04:33,760 --> 00:04:37,280 Speaker 1: So what happened to Murakami? The questions that a lot 81 00:04:37,320 --> 00:04:40,640 Speaker 1: of teams had, really twenty nine teams it would seem, 82 00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:45,360 Speaker 1: had about his swing and miss, his ability to hit, velocity, 83 00:04:45,640 --> 00:04:48,640 Speaker 1: whether his strikeout rate in Japan, which was rather high, 84 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:53,200 Speaker 1: would be even higher in the major leagues. Now we're 85 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:57,240 Speaker 1: going to find out just who Murakami is. His people, 86 00:04:57,480 --> 00:05:00,560 Speaker 1: his representatives at Excel Sports Management, believe that he could 87 00:05:00,640 --> 00:05:04,120 Speaker 1: be another Kyle Schwarber, a guy who also strikes out 88 00:05:04,160 --> 00:05:08,200 Speaker 1: a lot, but like Murakami, has a ton of power 89 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:11,119 Speaker 1: and a ton of eggs and velocity, all those things 90 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:15,120 Speaker 1: that you look for from a slugger. So he now 91 00:05:15,240 --> 00:05:19,280 Speaker 1: signs the short term deal. If he succeeds well, a 92 00:05:19,360 --> 00:05:22,200 Speaker 1: couple of things could happen. One the White Sox could 93 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:25,039 Speaker 1: trade him, or they could make him part of their core, 94 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:29,400 Speaker 1: extend him at some point and make him the centerpiece 95 00:05:29,480 --> 00:05:31,800 Speaker 1: of the next great White Sox team. I know you 96 00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:35,120 Speaker 1: laugh at those mere words. But the White Sox are 97 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:38,160 Speaker 1: building an interesting young core of position players, and they've 98 00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:40,960 Speaker 1: got some pitching coming as well, and some pitching in 99 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:44,839 Speaker 1: the major leagues. So Murakami is a guy who really 100 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:47,840 Speaker 1: actually fits nicely for them, and once they can get 101 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:51,719 Speaker 1: him on a lesser deal, then they got interested. This 102 00:05:51,960 --> 00:05:55,960 Speaker 1: developed in my understanding very quickly over the last couple 103 00:05:55,960 --> 00:05:59,960 Speaker 1: of days. He's a guy that obviously should bring power 104 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:02,480 Speaker 1: as long as he can make contact to a team 105 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:06,240 Speaker 1: that severely lacked it last year, severely lacked offense at all. 106 00:06:06,640 --> 00:06:09,880 Speaker 1: White Sox were twenty seventh and run scored twenty eighth 107 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:13,120 Speaker 1: in slugging percentage. As Keith Law and The Athletic wrote, 108 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:16,120 Speaker 1: you'll probably not guess their home run leader last year. 109 00:06:16,440 --> 00:06:20,640 Speaker 1: It was Lenine Sosa with twenty two. So Morikami goes 110 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:22,800 Speaker 1: to the White Sox in a bit of a surprise, 111 00:06:23,560 --> 00:06:26,520 Speaker 1: and also over the weekend. This seems like ages ago 112 00:06:26,640 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 1: now because the offseason moves so quickly at times, But 113 00:06:30,279 --> 00:06:34,119 Speaker 1: there were some big trades on Friday involving starting pitchers, 114 00:06:34,160 --> 00:06:39,400 Speaker 1: specifically controllable starting pitchers. Shane Boss, three years of club control, 115 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:42,800 Speaker 1: goes to the Orioles, Mike Burrows six years of club 116 00:06:42,839 --> 00:06:46,640 Speaker 1: control goes to the Astros. Now, what's interesting about these 117 00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:50,039 Speaker 1: moves as we go forward here? They were interesting in themselves, 118 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:52,880 Speaker 1: and I wrote an entire column about the Rays Orioles 119 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:57,880 Speaker 1: trade regarding Boz. But what I see going forward is 120 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:01,200 Speaker 1: that if you are a team holding a controllable starting 121 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:05,039 Speaker 1: pitcher and you see the big returns that the Orioles 122 00:07:05,160 --> 00:07:10,720 Speaker 1: in particular, or that the Rays in particular got for Boz, 123 00:07:11,080 --> 00:07:13,720 Speaker 1: You're gonna think to yourself, well, maybe I can do 124 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:16,320 Speaker 1: that for my own team. I'm thinking about the Washington 125 00:07:16,360 --> 00:07:19,920 Speaker 1: Nationals Mackenzie Gore two years of control. I'm thinking about 126 00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:23,800 Speaker 1: the Miami Marlins Edward Cabrera three years of control, same 127 00:07:23,840 --> 00:07:27,760 Speaker 1: as baz Well. Mackenzie Gore all right, one fewer year 128 00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:31,680 Speaker 1: of control than Shane bos but probably a better picture. 129 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:34,080 Speaker 1: In the eyes of many in the major leagues. Boz 130 00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:36,400 Speaker 1: is a guy who has not yet reached his ceiling. 131 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:40,480 Speaker 1: So you're the Nationals, you're sitting pretty. You're the Marlins, 132 00:07:40,480 --> 00:07:43,920 Speaker 1: you're sitting pretty. You're thinking we can get something big too. 133 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:47,280 Speaker 1: And don't forget the return for Burrows that the Pirates 134 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:51,920 Speaker 1: received was three major leaguers, including Brandon laugh. So it's 135 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:55,240 Speaker 1: going to be interesting to see if this emboldens those 136 00:07:55,280 --> 00:07:58,080 Speaker 1: teams to ask for more, if it ultimately leads those 137 00:07:58,080 --> 00:08:00,440 Speaker 1: teams to keep these players because they can get what 138 00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:03,559 Speaker 1: they want, can't get that monster return that the Rays 139 00:08:03,560 --> 00:08:06,440 Speaker 1: got for Boz. And it will even be interesting to 140 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:09,680 Speaker 1: see if the Twins with Joe Ryan, who have been 141 00:08:09,800 --> 00:08:13,680 Speaker 1: adamant about not trading Joe Ryan, now get tempted because 142 00:08:13,680 --> 00:08:16,720 Speaker 1: he's a guy with two years of control into possibly 143 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:20,840 Speaker 1: doing something, knowing what might be out there. Again might 144 00:08:20,920 --> 00:08:24,120 Speaker 1: be out there because the free agents that remain the 145 00:08:24,200 --> 00:08:28,200 Speaker 1: top free agents from Valdez Ranger, Suarez, in my they 146 00:08:28,280 --> 00:08:31,640 Speaker 1: don't seem to excite teams the way other free agents 147 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:35,280 Speaker 1: in the past have. So perhaps the controllable starters are 148 00:08:35,320 --> 00:08:37,480 Speaker 1: the way to go for these teams, and there are 149 00:08:37,520 --> 00:08:40,360 Speaker 1: a number of teams that still need them. All right, 150 00:08:40,559 --> 00:08:42,320 Speaker 1: that is it for the first segment. We will be 151 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:44,920 Speaker 1: back with the inside Dish, more on the Red Sox, 152 00:08:45,040 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 1: more on Alex Bregman and Boba Schett when we return. 153 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:52,160 Speaker 2: Well, well, well. 154 00:08:56,440 --> 00:08:58,480 Speaker 1: Time now for the inside dish. You know, the drill. 155 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:00,400 Speaker 1: It's the part of the show right now, talk about 156 00:09:00,440 --> 00:09:02,960 Speaker 1: something I've written, a trend in the game, something else 157 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:07,440 Speaker 1: going on, entirely, something personal, perhaps well rarely something personal. 158 00:09:07,720 --> 00:09:10,160 Speaker 1: But today I'm going to talk about the column that 159 00:09:10,280 --> 00:09:14,520 Speaker 1: I published this morning, and also the general sense of 160 00:09:14,600 --> 00:09:17,720 Speaker 1: what is going on with Alex Begman, with Bobachett, and 161 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:20,760 Speaker 1: specifically what is going on with the Boston Red Sox. 162 00:09:20,800 --> 00:09:23,679 Speaker 1: As I wrote, the Red Sox have created a financial 163 00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:26,520 Speaker 1: path for a big move. Alex Bregman should be their 164 00:09:26,559 --> 00:09:30,120 Speaker 1: first choice. What is this path you speak of ken 165 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:34,600 Speaker 1: pretty clear. So with the money that the Red Sox 166 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:38,160 Speaker 1: got in the two trades for Contraras and Gray, Williams 167 00:09:38,320 --> 00:09:41,160 Speaker 1: Wilson Contraras and Sonny Gray the twenty eight million in 168 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:44,520 Speaker 1: those two trades, they essentially paid those players down to 169 00:09:45,160 --> 00:09:48,840 Speaker 1: very reasonable rates. With Sonny Gray it comes down to 170 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:53,080 Speaker 1: one year, twenty one million. That's a very good move 171 00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:56,080 Speaker 1: for the club from in the terms of what they 172 00:09:56,120 --> 00:09:58,160 Speaker 1: will be paying him for what his production might be. 173 00:09:58,400 --> 00:10:03,120 Speaker 1: He'll probably be exceeding that value in what he does. 174 00:10:03,440 --> 00:10:06,760 Speaker 1: And then with Contreras it's two years forty two point 175 00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:09,840 Speaker 1: five million. It's still a reasonable number for a guy 176 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:13,280 Speaker 1: who plays at the level that Wilson Contreras does so 177 00:10:13,800 --> 00:10:16,280 Speaker 1: in those two trades, and in the trade for Oviedo, 178 00:10:16,600 --> 00:10:19,520 Speaker 1: Johann Oviedo, who is projected to earn ten million in 179 00:10:19,640 --> 00:10:24,199 Speaker 1: arbitration this season. The Red Sox cut financially prudent deals. 180 00:10:24,760 --> 00:10:28,200 Speaker 1: That's one element of this. Another element, of course, is 181 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:31,480 Speaker 1: the money they saved in the Raphael Devers trade last June, 182 00:10:31,840 --> 00:10:35,200 Speaker 1: more than two hundred and twenty million going forward again, 183 00:10:35,320 --> 00:10:38,240 Speaker 1: more than two hundred and twenty million saved in that trade, 184 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 1: not all in one year, of course, it's spread out 185 00:10:41,040 --> 00:10:45,960 Speaker 1: over time, but they created incredible payroll flexibility with that deal. 186 00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:50,280 Speaker 1: That was one of the motivations. And then finally, also 187 00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:53,480 Speaker 1: this week, we learned that the Fenway Sports Group, owners 188 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:56,800 Speaker 1: of the Red Sox, are selling the Pittsburgh Penguins for 189 00:10:57,040 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 1: a reported one point seven billion to one point eight billion. 190 00:11:01,040 --> 00:11:04,120 Speaker 1: That's nearly twice or about twice what they paid for 191 00:11:04,160 --> 00:11:08,000 Speaker 1: the Penguins back in twenty twenty one. Pretty good investment, 192 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:11,120 Speaker 1: pretty good return over four years. Now. I know what 193 00:11:11,160 --> 00:11:13,480 Speaker 1: the Red Sox would say, or the Fenwaise Sports Group 194 00:11:13,480 --> 00:11:17,040 Speaker 1: would say, that's a separate transaction, has nothing to do 195 00:11:17,160 --> 00:11:19,280 Speaker 1: with the Red Sox. We operate the Red Sox simply 196 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:22,240 Speaker 1: based on their cash. All right, whatever, the Red Sox 197 00:11:22,280 --> 00:11:25,560 Speaker 1: have money. We know they have money. We know they 198 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:29,920 Speaker 1: need another big bat in addition to Wilson Contraras, So 199 00:11:30,320 --> 00:11:33,200 Speaker 1: who is it going to be? As I wrote in 200 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:37,320 Speaker 1: my opinion, the first choice should still be Bregman. He is, yes, 201 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:40,560 Speaker 1: going to be thirty two years old in March. But 202 00:11:40,760 --> 00:11:44,200 Speaker 1: at the same time, the Red Sox saw firsthand last 203 00:11:44,280 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 1: season what Bregman can do for them offensively, defensively, and 204 00:11:49,080 --> 00:11:52,520 Speaker 1: the thing that might distinguish him the most is what 205 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:56,079 Speaker 1: he offers from a leadership standpoint, the dugout and the clubhouse. 206 00:11:56,480 --> 00:11:59,959 Speaker 1: This is a guy, a rare player who, as I wrote, 207 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:03,800 Speaker 1: helps make teammates better. That's what Alex Bregman does, in 208 00:12:03,800 --> 00:12:06,840 Speaker 1: addition to being a really good player, a really good 209 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:12,600 Speaker 1: third baseman. So Bregman, Okay, that's one possibility. Boba Schett 210 00:12:12,640 --> 00:12:16,120 Speaker 1: would be another free agent possibility, and Boba Schett would 211 00:12:16,160 --> 00:12:18,000 Speaker 1: be an interesting fit for the Red Sox as well. 212 00:12:18,040 --> 00:12:20,800 Speaker 1: They could play him at second most likely, I would think, 213 00:12:21,160 --> 00:12:24,000 Speaker 1: or third. They still have Trevor's story at short and 214 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:27,400 Speaker 1: Marcelo Mayer conceivably could fill in at the other position, 215 00:12:27,559 --> 00:12:30,240 Speaker 1: or perhaps they could do something else at the other 216 00:12:30,320 --> 00:12:33,880 Speaker 1: infield spot. But to me, Bregman, because of his leadership, 217 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:37,040 Speaker 1: because the Red Sox have experienced him, because he has 218 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:40,920 Speaker 1: proven himself in Boston, he should be the first choice. Now, 219 00:12:42,320 --> 00:12:45,720 Speaker 1: there are other teams obviously interested in Bregman. As I wrote, 220 00:12:45,840 --> 00:12:49,000 Speaker 1: the Diamondbacks and Blue Jays have emerged as legitimate suitors 221 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:52,839 Speaker 1: in recent days, and there are other teams involved as well. 222 00:12:53,320 --> 00:12:55,520 Speaker 1: And I know a lot of people Red Sox fans 223 00:12:55,559 --> 00:12:59,439 Speaker 1: in particular the last few days are like Scott boris 224 00:12:59,520 --> 00:13:02,880 Speaker 1: just using the media for leverage. Guys, use common sense. 225 00:13:03,640 --> 00:13:06,440 Speaker 1: Do you really think there is only one team interested 226 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:10,640 Speaker 1: in Alex Bregman, only one team interested in Boba Schett. 227 00:13:11,160 --> 00:13:13,480 Speaker 1: These are elite free agents. The same goes for Kyle 228 00:13:13,520 --> 00:13:17,680 Speaker 1: Tucker and Cody Bellinger. These guys have active markets. Now 229 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:20,720 Speaker 1: it remains to be seen just what they'll get. But 230 00:13:21,120 --> 00:13:25,439 Speaker 1: the point of it is there's competition. Now, what will 231 00:13:25,440 --> 00:13:28,800 Speaker 1: the Diamondbacks do? Well, they could keep katel Marte even 232 00:13:28,800 --> 00:13:31,320 Speaker 1: if they signed Bregman, though I don't expect that to happen. 233 00:13:31,559 --> 00:13:34,679 Speaker 1: Katel Marte becomes a ten and five player with full 234 00:13:34,880 --> 00:13:37,840 Speaker 1: veto rights over a trade on the tenth day of 235 00:13:37,880 --> 00:13:41,520 Speaker 1: the season. We've heard all off season, even before that, 236 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:45,280 Speaker 1: about Marte's issues in the clubhouse. They've been well chronicled, 237 00:13:45,679 --> 00:13:48,679 Speaker 1: and it seems to me the Diamondbacks want to move on. 238 00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:51,760 Speaker 1: The Red Sox could be a team for Marte. They 239 00:13:51,760 --> 00:13:54,920 Speaker 1: could be a team for Brendan Donovan, another player reported 240 00:13:54,960 --> 00:13:57,520 Speaker 1: to be in trade talks. You play one of those 241 00:13:57,520 --> 00:13:59,880 Speaker 1: guys at second base, maybe you play may or third, 242 00:14:00,040 --> 00:14:03,240 Speaker 1: and you don't need Alex Bregman or Boba Schett. Okay, 243 00:14:03,280 --> 00:14:08,080 Speaker 1: you do that, that's fine. The problem with that from 244 00:14:08,360 --> 00:14:11,200 Speaker 1: the Red Sox perspective is they've already made three trades 245 00:14:11,240 --> 00:14:15,160 Speaker 1: in which they've given up prospects. Three Now they can 246 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:18,160 Speaker 1: do it again. They really haven't touched the top of 247 00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:20,480 Speaker 1: their system. But to do it to get a Marte 248 00:14:20,560 --> 00:14:23,760 Speaker 1: or a Donovan would probably require one of their top 249 00:14:23,800 --> 00:14:27,400 Speaker 1: starting pitchers, top young starting pitchers. I'm talking about Peyton, 250 00:14:27,440 --> 00:14:30,760 Speaker 1: Totley or Connelly early. They've already lost some pitching depth, 251 00:14:30,840 --> 00:14:33,720 Speaker 1: so I'm not sure they want to make a trade again. 252 00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:38,560 Speaker 1: It points toward free agency. So what about Toronto's role 253 00:14:38,600 --> 00:14:42,840 Speaker 1: in this? Toronto Blue Jays a team that for several 254 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:45,520 Speaker 1: years there couldn't seem to sign a free agent, but 255 00:14:45,640 --> 00:14:49,240 Speaker 1: they got a few smaller ones. Now suddenly seemed to 256 00:14:49,240 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 1: be a destination for all free agents. We've seen them 257 00:14:52,320 --> 00:14:57,320 Speaker 1: sign three already this offseason, Dylan Cees, Cody Ponce and 258 00:14:57,440 --> 00:15:00,560 Speaker 1: Tyler Rodgers. They've spent a lot of money already, and 259 00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:03,480 Speaker 1: it sure seems like with them in the mix for 260 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:07,120 Speaker 1: virtually every big name out there, they've got one more 261 00:15:07,240 --> 00:15:11,320 Speaker 1: signing at least in them. Bregman is actually a really 262 00:15:11,320 --> 00:15:14,000 Speaker 1: good fit for them. They can play them at third base, 263 00:15:14,440 --> 00:15:16,360 Speaker 1: they can move her and to Clement the second, ads 264 00:15:16,400 --> 00:15:19,120 Speaker 1: in Barger to write and go about it that way, 265 00:15:19,160 --> 00:15:23,120 Speaker 1: you'd have Springer in Santander Dhing playing some outfield as well. 266 00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:27,240 Speaker 1: He is someone who would fit quite nicely, as with Bobaschett. 267 00:15:27,760 --> 00:15:30,800 Speaker 1: With Bobashett, it's largely the same equation. You play him 268 00:15:30,840 --> 00:15:34,880 Speaker 1: at second, you play clemented third, Barger and Wright, Springer 269 00:15:34,920 --> 00:15:38,760 Speaker 1: and Santander contributing in the outfield. So all of these 270 00:15:38,760 --> 00:15:41,120 Speaker 1: things are in play for the Blue Jays, and I 271 00:15:41,120 --> 00:15:44,400 Speaker 1: imagine Tucker and Bellinger to an extent are as well. 272 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:48,800 Speaker 1: But their need, the greater need is in the infield, 273 00:15:48,880 --> 00:15:52,000 Speaker 1: so the Blue Jays. You can see the logic there. 274 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:55,600 Speaker 1: And also keep in mind George Springer and Miles Straw, 275 00:15:55,800 --> 00:15:58,240 Speaker 1: two guys who are on the Blue Jays right now. 276 00:15:58,320 --> 00:16:01,320 Speaker 1: They were teammates with Alex Bregman Houston. They know what 277 00:16:01,360 --> 00:16:04,520 Speaker 1: he brings. I'm sure they've spoken highly of him. Again, 278 00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:07,320 Speaker 1: there are other teams in the mix for Bregman, for Brishett. 279 00:16:07,880 --> 00:16:10,840 Speaker 1: My point what I wrote today is that the Red 280 00:16:10,880 --> 00:16:14,880 Speaker 1: Sox need to come away with one of these guys. Now, 281 00:16:15,320 --> 00:16:17,200 Speaker 1: if you don't get either of them, you could sign 282 00:16:17,200 --> 00:16:21,640 Speaker 1: a third basement, whether it's Kazumo Akamoto or a Uhano Suarez. 283 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:25,280 Speaker 1: You could make a trade for Noan Arnado. But none 284 00:16:25,320 --> 00:16:28,280 Speaker 1: of these options is as good as Bregman or Bishett. 285 00:16:28,680 --> 00:16:30,960 Speaker 1: So for the Red Sox, the way I see it, 286 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:36,080 Speaker 1: they've got one job here, one job, get another big bat, 287 00:16:36,360 --> 00:16:38,760 Speaker 1: and do it in free agency so you don't have 288 00:16:38,840 --> 00:16:41,920 Speaker 1: to trade some of your better prospects there it is. 289 00:16:42,520 --> 00:16:45,120 Speaker 1: I've a loaded the Red Sox. We'll see what they 290 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:47,440 Speaker 1: do back with grilling Tan right after this. 291 00:16:48,400 --> 00:16:51,440 Speaker 2: Hey, when you get a chance, subscribe to foul Territory 292 00:16:51,520 --> 00:16:54,760 Speaker 2: on YouTube. We are getting very close to three hundred 293 00:16:54,840 --> 00:16:58,040 Speaker 2: thousand subscribers on the channel and love all of them, 294 00:16:58,080 --> 00:17:00,640 Speaker 2: so we'd love you to join us on that channel 295 00:17:00,680 --> 00:17:04,200 Speaker 2: as we break down everything going on across the sport. 296 00:17:04,680 --> 00:17:07,080 Speaker 2: It is baseball the way it should be covered at 297 00:17:07,080 --> 00:17:10,320 Speaker 2: Foul Territory. Give us a sub bet. I'm jam account 298 00:17:10,320 --> 00:17:14,159 Speaker 2: holders today. How about an any sport parlay boost token. 299 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:16,040 Speaker 2: You can score a bigger payout if your wager with 300 00:17:16,080 --> 00:17:18,879 Speaker 2: that token. Hits Tokens can be used on parlays and 301 00:17:19,040 --> 00:17:22,080 Speaker 2: on same game parlays. Gambling problem or concerned, there's help 302 00:17:22,160 --> 00:17:23,640 Speaker 2: called one eight hundred gambler. 303 00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:31,160 Speaker 1: All right. Time now for Grill and Ken the part 304 00:17:31,200 --> 00:17:33,960 Speaker 1: of the show where I answer your questions. Let's get 305 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:39,080 Speaker 1: right to them. First question comes from Tyler Max Smith, 306 00:17:39,119 --> 00:17:44,200 Speaker 1: who says Anthopolis Braves, President of base Operations Alexandthopolis said 307 00:17:44,200 --> 00:17:47,120 Speaker 1: on the radio he's shooting high and wants to add 308 00:17:47,160 --> 00:17:51,280 Speaker 1: an impactful starting pitcher with the team. Adding Maldonado Martin 309 00:17:51,359 --> 00:17:54,240 Speaker 1: Maldonado to the front office last week. Could a from 310 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:57,080 Speaker 1: ber Valdez signing me next. That's a good connection you're 311 00:17:57,119 --> 00:18:01,919 Speaker 1: making there, Tyler, and certainly Martin Maldo is well acquainted 312 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:06,000 Speaker 1: with Fromer Valdez. I'm not sure that that's the route 313 00:18:06,080 --> 00:18:10,000 Speaker 1: Alexanthopolis wants to go. Valdez. You would think is going 314 00:18:10,040 --> 00:18:13,080 Speaker 1: to get a fairly big contract, but there is some 315 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:16,119 Speaker 1: question now just how well he's going to do. Now. 316 00:18:16,119 --> 00:18:19,280 Speaker 1: I'm sure his market is fairly active and I'm sure 317 00:18:19,280 --> 00:18:21,920 Speaker 1: he's going to do pretty well. But you see there 318 00:18:21,960 --> 00:18:25,280 Speaker 1: that he was born in November of nineteen ninety three, 319 00:18:25,840 --> 00:18:28,119 Speaker 1: so he is a guy who is thirty two. He 320 00:18:28,240 --> 00:18:31,800 Speaker 1: was always going to command a shorter deal. The question 321 00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:34,560 Speaker 1: is would the Braves be willing to do a short term, 322 00:18:34,720 --> 00:18:37,160 Speaker 1: high dollar deal with him, say, I don't know, four 323 00:18:37,280 --> 00:18:40,119 Speaker 1: or five years at thirty million a year. I'm throwing 324 00:18:40,200 --> 00:18:42,800 Speaker 1: numbers out there. I know, I don't know the answer 325 00:18:42,840 --> 00:18:45,280 Speaker 1: to that. The Braves also could make a trade, and 326 00:18:45,320 --> 00:18:48,600 Speaker 1: they have some players that would be interesting to other teams, 327 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:53,960 Speaker 1: some young pitchers in particular that are coming. But Anthopolis 328 00:18:53,960 --> 00:18:55,680 Speaker 1: has been quite clear, as he said on the radio, 329 00:18:55,720 --> 00:18:59,080 Speaker 1: that he does want another starter, whether it's a one 330 00:18:59,160 --> 00:19:01,879 Speaker 1: year trade for a ready Peralta, or whether it's a 331 00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:05,360 Speaker 1: signing a from ber Valdez, or whether it's a more 332 00:19:05,400 --> 00:19:09,040 Speaker 1: controllable starter who would be acquired in a trade that 333 00:19:09,160 --> 00:19:14,040 Speaker 1: remains to be seen. All right. Next question, This one 334 00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:17,439 Speaker 1: comes from Cody Klegg eight one oh five, who says, 335 00:19:17,480 --> 00:19:19,639 Speaker 1: after the Brandon Loud trade, what is next for the 336 00:19:19,640 --> 00:19:22,919 Speaker 1: Pirates and what about Akamoto? Akamoto is one of the 337 00:19:22,960 --> 00:19:26,400 Speaker 1: players in their mix. I've heard Luis Robert Junior with them, 338 00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:29,800 Speaker 1: I've heard Ryan O'Hearn with them. I would expect that 339 00:19:29,880 --> 00:19:34,840 Speaker 1: they are going to continue pursuing offensive help, both in 340 00:19:34,880 --> 00:19:38,400 Speaker 1: free agency and in trade. But as we've seen so far, 341 00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:42,359 Speaker 1: and it's still relatively early in free agency, as we've 342 00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:44,879 Speaker 1: seen they have been unable to get some of the 343 00:19:44,880 --> 00:19:48,320 Speaker 1: bigger targets that they were talking about. At least Kyle 344 00:19:48,359 --> 00:19:52,560 Speaker 1: Schwarber was one, Josh Naylor was another, and there have 345 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:55,080 Speaker 1: been others too where they just haven't been a factor. 346 00:19:55,119 --> 00:19:58,879 Speaker 1: Because generally free agents, when they have a better option 347 00:19:59,040 --> 00:20:01,399 Speaker 1: than the Pirates, they're gonna take the better option and 348 00:20:01,520 --> 00:20:05,600 Speaker 1: less the Pirates dramatically overpay. And they've yet to show 349 00:20:05,720 --> 00:20:08,679 Speaker 1: that they're going to do that. So they may end 350 00:20:08,760 --> 00:20:11,520 Speaker 1: up with a Ryan O'Hearn or an Aohano Suarez in 351 00:20:11,600 --> 00:20:14,119 Speaker 1: free agency or some other free agent. But it seems 352 00:20:14,160 --> 00:20:17,720 Speaker 1: to me that if you trade for someone like Robert Jr. 353 00:20:17,920 --> 00:20:21,199 Speaker 1: Or trade for some other bats somewhere else. That is 354 00:20:21,240 --> 00:20:23,640 Speaker 1: the preferred way to go. That is what they did 355 00:20:24,160 --> 00:20:26,760 Speaker 1: in the three team deal with Tampa Bay and Houston, 356 00:20:26,920 --> 00:20:29,920 Speaker 1: the deal that brought them Brandon Law and Jake Mangum 357 00:20:30,040 --> 00:20:33,600 Speaker 1: and the left handed reliever Mason Montgomery. It was a 358 00:20:33,640 --> 00:20:36,240 Speaker 1: good path for them, and I expect that's going to 359 00:20:36,320 --> 00:20:40,639 Speaker 1: be still a better path for them, perhaps than working 360 00:20:40,680 --> 00:20:43,359 Speaker 1: the free agent market. Remember they also got the password 361 00:20:43,359 --> 00:20:46,199 Speaker 1: from the Red Sox in the Oviedo trade. He's a 362 00:20:46,200 --> 00:20:50,520 Speaker 1: guy that can help them offensively as well. All right, 363 00:20:50,520 --> 00:20:54,280 Speaker 1: next question, This one comes from Padre Bod who asked, well, 364 00:20:54,280 --> 00:20:58,600 Speaker 1: the Padres add ohearn or a rise. Padres need help 365 00:20:58,640 --> 00:21:00,640 Speaker 1: at first, or they have a vacancy first, I should 366 00:21:00,680 --> 00:21:03,960 Speaker 1: say with Arise a free agent, and o'haran certainly was 367 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:07,720 Speaker 1: someone who did well there and was someone who was 368 00:21:07,760 --> 00:21:10,120 Speaker 1: a good fit there. I can see that for sure. 369 00:21:10,680 --> 00:21:14,240 Speaker 1: The real questions with the Padres involve their payroll and 370 00:21:14,320 --> 00:21:16,719 Speaker 1: where they go from here. Now that they've signed Michael 371 00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:19,880 Speaker 1: King to a three year, seventy five million dollar deal, 372 00:21:19,920 --> 00:21:22,560 Speaker 1: that really is a one year, twenty two million dollar deal. 373 00:21:22,840 --> 00:21:25,240 Speaker 1: If he does well, he probably is going to opt out. 374 00:21:26,280 --> 00:21:28,479 Speaker 1: I'm not sure what the Padres are going to do. 375 00:21:28,800 --> 00:21:33,080 Speaker 1: You never can read AJ Preller exactly, but their payroll, 376 00:21:33,160 --> 00:21:35,240 Speaker 1: at least when you talk to other teams, is something 377 00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:38,160 Speaker 1: that they're concerned about and something that they're trying to address. 378 00:21:38,240 --> 00:21:41,920 Speaker 1: So it would seem to me to make further moves, 379 00:21:42,280 --> 00:21:43,960 Speaker 1: they're going to have to clear some money. Now I 380 00:21:43,960 --> 00:21:46,080 Speaker 1: don't know who it's going to be and how they're 381 00:21:46,080 --> 00:21:48,359 Speaker 1: going to do it, but aj Preller is one of 382 00:21:48,400 --> 00:21:51,120 Speaker 1: the most creative gms in the sport, if not the 383 00:21:51,160 --> 00:21:54,800 Speaker 1: most creative, and he will figure out how to make 384 00:21:54,840 --> 00:21:57,480 Speaker 1: the resources work for him and how to put a 385 00:21:57,480 --> 00:22:02,000 Speaker 1: team together with what he has. All right, next question, 386 00:22:02,720 --> 00:22:06,480 Speaker 1: Tony hvac two Ken, Will the Mets trade for an 387 00:22:06,520 --> 00:22:10,280 Speaker 1: ace this week? Tony, good question, And certainly the Mets 388 00:22:10,560 --> 00:22:13,720 Speaker 1: need an ace, and it's all the usual suspects that 389 00:22:14,280 --> 00:22:18,000 Speaker 1: are in play, right, Valdez and Suarez and am I. 390 00:22:18,280 --> 00:22:20,520 Speaker 1: But the problem there is the Mets do not want 391 00:22:20,560 --> 00:22:22,960 Speaker 1: to go long term on any of the free agents 392 00:22:22,960 --> 00:22:26,600 Speaker 1: starting pitchers in the market this year. They're not enamored 393 00:22:26,720 --> 00:22:30,040 Speaker 1: of these guys, and many teams are feeling basically the 394 00:22:30,080 --> 00:22:33,119 Speaker 1: same way. Maybe that's why these guys haven't signed yet. 395 00:22:33,800 --> 00:22:37,080 Speaker 1: Will they trade for a starting pitcher now That possibly 396 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:41,040 Speaker 1: is more likely, And we've written in The Athletic about 397 00:22:41,080 --> 00:22:44,080 Speaker 1: the Mets talks with the Padres that have involved Nick Pavetta. 398 00:22:44,520 --> 00:22:47,639 Speaker 1: The Mets, I'm sure are on other starting pitchers as well, 399 00:22:48,040 --> 00:22:52,040 Speaker 1: and they've even been involved in trade talks regarding their 400 00:22:52,080 --> 00:22:56,679 Speaker 1: own starting pitchers David Peterson, CODEI Senga. So the Mets, 401 00:22:56,960 --> 00:23:00,680 Speaker 1: like the Yankees cross town, they're not done. They really 402 00:23:00,680 --> 00:23:03,800 Speaker 1: haven't even gotten started in some respects yet. And I 403 00:23:03,880 --> 00:23:06,240 Speaker 1: do expect if they don't trade for a starting pitcher, 404 00:23:06,320 --> 00:23:09,800 Speaker 1: they'll sign one. Maybe they'll find two in one way 405 00:23:09,920 --> 00:23:13,680 Speaker 1: or another. They know they know they have to address 406 00:23:13,720 --> 00:23:17,280 Speaker 1: their rotation, and as Will Salmon at The Athletic wrote today, 407 00:23:17,440 --> 00:23:20,159 Speaker 1: they also could use Cody Bellinger or someone of that 408 00:23:20,280 --> 00:23:23,040 Speaker 1: ILK to help their offense, with Pete A, Lonzo Goan, 409 00:23:23,240 --> 00:23:28,080 Speaker 1: and Jorge Polanco their only offensive replacement thus far, outside 410 00:23:28,119 --> 00:23:32,000 Speaker 1: of the exchange of Brandon Nimo from Marcus Simeon. All right, 411 00:23:32,160 --> 00:23:36,440 Speaker 1: next question, this one comes from cam Stench five six 412 00:23:36,560 --> 00:23:39,480 Speaker 1: oh three. What the heck are the Yankees doing? It 413 00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:44,800 Speaker 1: seems like nothing well, they've resigned Tim Hill, They've signed 414 00:23:44,800 --> 00:23:49,560 Speaker 1: Paul Blackburn, Amed Rosario, Ryan Yarboro. Okay, I know it's 415 00:23:49,560 --> 00:23:53,520 Speaker 1: not enough. The Yankees are not necessarily going to be 416 00:23:53,520 --> 00:23:55,960 Speaker 1: as active as they were last offseason when they lost 417 00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:59,000 Speaker 1: Juan Soda to free agency. But they know at the 418 00:23:59,119 --> 00:24:01,840 Speaker 1: very least they have to find a bat to replace 419 00:24:01,920 --> 00:24:04,720 Speaker 1: Cody Bellinger. They have to find help in that bullpen 420 00:24:04,840 --> 00:24:08,120 Speaker 1: in front of David Bednar, and they really could use 421 00:24:08,119 --> 00:24:10,960 Speaker 1: one more starter. With Rodin and Cole not starting the 422 00:24:11,000 --> 00:24:14,040 Speaker 1: season in the rotation. With Schlitler, a guy who probably 423 00:24:14,040 --> 00:24:16,480 Speaker 1: will be on some kind of innings restriction, they need 424 00:24:16,520 --> 00:24:20,119 Speaker 1: help there too. The Yankees, like the Mets, I do 425 00:24:20,320 --> 00:24:22,800 Speaker 1: not believe that they're simply going to call it an 426 00:24:22,840 --> 00:24:25,560 Speaker 1: off season over the next couple days. You know what 427 00:24:25,560 --> 00:24:29,560 Speaker 1: we're done January February, we'll just be quiet. No, they're 428 00:24:29,560 --> 00:24:31,480 Speaker 1: going to do stuff. We just don't know what they're 429 00:24:31,520 --> 00:24:34,399 Speaker 1: going to do. And that is the intrigue that the 430 00:24:34,440 --> 00:24:37,520 Speaker 1: rest of this off season brings for those particular teams 431 00:24:37,720 --> 00:24:40,320 Speaker 1: and for all of these other teams we've talked about 432 00:24:40,400 --> 00:24:42,639 Speaker 1: as well. All Right, that wraps it up today. I 433 00:24:42,680 --> 00:24:45,200 Speaker 1: want to thank everyone for watching and for listening. Foul 434 00:24:45,359 --> 00:24:47,720 Speaker 1: Territory is coming up and listen to who is on 435 00:24:47,880 --> 00:24:52,560 Speaker 1: foul Territory today, Pete Alonzo, Brandon Low, and Robert Murray. 436 00:24:52,760 --> 00:24:56,040 Speaker 1: Alana Rizzo joins me for our final Fair Territory of 437 00:24:56,040 --> 00:24:58,800 Speaker 1: the year that will be Friday at twelve thirty Eastern. 438 00:24:59,119 --> 00:25:01,960 Speaker 1: Talk to you then. Merry Christmas, Happy handed that everyone 439 00:25:02,320 --> 00:25:04,720 Speaker 1: have a great holiday