1 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:07,480 Speaker 1: What's up everybody? 2 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:11,280 Speaker 2: Happy New Year, and welcome to an emergency episode of 3 00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:13,840 Speaker 2: Crush Shitty Territory. I'm Channel the Room, joined by Tyler 4 00:00:13,840 --> 00:00:17,160 Speaker 2: Stafford and Tyler. I'm not sure if it's a harbinger 5 00:00:17,239 --> 00:00:20,360 Speaker 2: of good or bad to come that our first episode 6 00:00:20,400 --> 00:00:24,520 Speaker 2: of twenty twenty six is an emergency pod. But here 7 00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:29,040 Speaker 2: we are after the Astros made I don't think it's 8 00:00:29,120 --> 00:00:34,320 Speaker 2: hyperbolic to call this a pretty stunning signing on Thursday, 9 00:00:34,440 --> 00:00:35,879 Speaker 2: and signing's not even the right word. 10 00:00:35,920 --> 00:00:36,760 Speaker 1: They have agreed to. 11 00:00:36,800 --> 00:00:41,280 Speaker 2: Terms on a three year deal with Japanese right handed 12 00:00:41,320 --> 00:00:45,440 Speaker 2: free agent pitcher Tatsuya Emi. The deal is a little 13 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:48,800 Speaker 2: bit complicated, and we'll get into all the machinations of 14 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:51,000 Speaker 2: some incentives, how much money he can make. 15 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:52,560 Speaker 1: Where this leaves the Astros. We'll get into that in 16 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 1: a little bit. 17 00:00:53,080 --> 00:00:56,720 Speaker 2: But Tyler, first of all, you know, I consider myself 18 00:00:56,840 --> 00:00:59,440 Speaker 2: somewhat decent at this job. I kind of have a 19 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:03,040 Speaker 2: pulse of what's going on. I kind of tend to, 20 00:01:03,440 --> 00:01:06,800 Speaker 2: you know, be able to tell you guys things. You know, 21 00:01:07,080 --> 00:01:09,600 Speaker 2: if you listen to me, I guess if you listen 22 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:11,280 Speaker 2: to me hard enough and you listen to like kind 23 00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:13,920 Speaker 2: of read them between the lines, you kind of understand 24 00:01:13,959 --> 00:01:15,679 Speaker 2: that I'm trying to tell you the story without telling 25 00:01:15,720 --> 00:01:19,600 Speaker 2: you the story. This one I had no clue about. 26 00:01:19,640 --> 00:01:22,200 Speaker 2: And I think this one shocked a lot of people 27 00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:23,160 Speaker 2: in the industry. 28 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:24,440 Speaker 1: It shocked, you know. 29 00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:27,319 Speaker 2: I talked to some astros officials today that were a 30 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:28,920 Speaker 2: little bit you know, they said, oh, we had been 31 00:01:28,959 --> 00:01:30,600 Speaker 2: talking about it a little bit, but they did not 32 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:34,440 Speaker 2: know it had progressed to this magnitude. This is this 33 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:36,720 Speaker 2: is a stunner, a stunner on New Year's Day for 34 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:37,360 Speaker 2: the Astros. 35 00:01:37,680 --> 00:01:40,479 Speaker 3: Yeah, just when you thought the fireworks were over right, 36 00:01:40,760 --> 00:01:44,360 Speaker 3: I mean, they come in here and then of course 37 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:47,240 Speaker 3: Chandler over here. Oh they're not going to sign a 38 00:01:47,280 --> 00:01:50,480 Speaker 3: free agent. This man has no idea what he's talking about. Clearly, 39 00:01:50,720 --> 00:01:55,000 Speaker 3: everybody unsubscribe like the video before you do, but don't 40 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:58,400 Speaker 3: listen to Chandler. He clearly has no clue what's going on. No. 41 00:01:58,560 --> 00:02:01,200 Speaker 3: I mean, this is awesome. It's a great sign. I 42 00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:04,480 Speaker 3: hope we do ten emergency podcasts of the Astro signing 43 00:02:05,200 --> 00:02:09,760 Speaker 3: a big name free agents. This is very exciting, Uh, 44 00:02:10,400 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 3: really really good picture. I'm sure you've seen the the 45 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 3: story of you know when when he was posted. Of course, 46 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:24,400 Speaker 3: the first thought is Japanese superstar, you know, is now 47 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:27,480 Speaker 3: a free agent or is able to sign an MLB, 48 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:30,200 Speaker 3: He's going to go to the Dodgers. And I saw 49 00:02:30,320 --> 00:02:33,119 Speaker 3: the the story of him saying like, no, I don't 50 00:02:33,120 --> 00:02:34,560 Speaker 3: want to go to the Dodgers. I want to beat 51 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:38,280 Speaker 3: the Dodgers. He came to the right place, uh, to 52 00:02:38,280 --> 00:02:40,240 Speaker 3: to the team that knows how to beat the Dodgers. 53 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:42,880 Speaker 3: Very very exciting. 54 00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 2: News that that that remark you're referencing, he made that 55 00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:50,280 Speaker 2: on a on I believe it was a podcast in Japan. 56 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:52,239 Speaker 2: Alongside Dice came out Susaka. 57 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:54,440 Speaker 3: I cast, uh, let's get him on. 58 00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:56,799 Speaker 2: Let's get him on the former Red Sox picture. Dice 59 00:02:56,840 --> 00:03:00,440 Speaker 2: came out Susaka. He uh, he had he had on 60 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:06,680 Speaker 2: his podcast and among the things he said that were interesting, obviously, 61 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 2: he said the thing about the Dodgers, like who wants 62 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:10,920 Speaker 2: to beat the Dodgers? Like he did not have like 63 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:14,960 Speaker 2: a real big It wasn't a prerequisite for him that 64 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:18,600 Speaker 2: he go to a team with a Japanese presence on 65 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:22,000 Speaker 2: it already. But I thought this was interesting to hear 66 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:24,440 Speaker 2: him say this. And this is from his podcast interview 67 00:03:24,440 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 2: with dice Ki Matsusaka. He said, if there were if 68 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:30,200 Speaker 2: there were another Japanese player on the same team, I 69 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 2: could just ask them about anything, right, But that's actually 70 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:34,280 Speaker 2: not what I'm looking for. 71 00:03:34,560 --> 00:03:35,080 Speaker 1: In a way. 72 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:38,800 Speaker 2: I want to experience that sense of survival when I 73 00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:41,680 Speaker 2: come face to face with cultural differences. I want to 74 00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:44,440 Speaker 2: see how I can overcome them on my own. That's 75 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:45,960 Speaker 2: part of what I'm excited about. 76 00:03:46,280 --> 00:03:47,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's the rules. 77 00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:51,440 Speaker 2: That's an awesome perspective to have. That's an awesome way 78 00:03:51,480 --> 00:03:55,560 Speaker 2: to go about things. Certainly not you know, he's not 79 00:03:55,680 --> 00:03:58,000 Speaker 2: taking the easy way out, so to speak, of just 80 00:03:58,040 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 2: going on a team where he can blend in with, 81 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:03,680 Speaker 2: you know, other people in his culture, other people that 82 00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:04,920 Speaker 2: kind of know what he's going through. 83 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:05,960 Speaker 1: He's going to. 84 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:09,680 Speaker 2: A place in the Astros where he will be the 85 00:04:09,720 --> 00:04:15,040 Speaker 2: only Asian presence on the teams. This is the astros 86 00:04:15,160 --> 00:04:19,920 Speaker 2: first Japanese free agent signing since kas Matsui in two 87 00:04:19,960 --> 00:04:22,400 Speaker 2: thousand and eight, and that was not Kasmatsui did not 88 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:25,920 Speaker 2: come from MPP. You know, Kasmatsui was already a big 89 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:28,520 Speaker 2: leaguer they had just they signed him. Now, obviously the 90 00:04:28,520 --> 00:04:31,120 Speaker 2: Astros have had Nori Aoki on their team. They had 91 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:34,880 Speaker 2: Usa Kakuchi on their team. But those were those were trades. 92 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:36,640 Speaker 2: Those were guys that they just kind of brought in 93 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:39,880 Speaker 2: for a little bit tylan in a in a more 94 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:43,960 Speaker 2: macro sense like this makes the Astros, you know, players 95 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 2: now in the Japanese market, in a kind of a 96 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:50,520 Speaker 2: burgeoning free agent market in Japan where you're seeing more 97 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:55,080 Speaker 2: and more guys come over and post, and you're seeing 98 00:04:55,160 --> 00:04:58,320 Speaker 2: that it's you know, we've even seen this this off season. 99 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:00,599 Speaker 2: Maria Kami went to the White Sox. It is not 100 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:02,800 Speaker 2: it's no longer just they're going to post and go 101 00:05:02,839 --> 00:05:05,840 Speaker 2: to the Dodgers. There's other teams trying to get in 102 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:09,280 Speaker 2: on the on that windfall, and you know, you have 103 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 2: to credit what Otani has done. You have to credit 104 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:14,440 Speaker 2: in large part a little bit Yamamoto what he has 105 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:16,719 Speaker 2: been able to do and kind of show that these 106 00:05:16,760 --> 00:05:20,400 Speaker 2: guys can come over and these guys can succeed in MLB. 107 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:23,640 Speaker 2: And I think from a macro sense, this puts the 108 00:05:23,680 --> 00:05:26,719 Speaker 2: Astros they are now. They can now call themselves like 109 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:31,320 Speaker 2: legitimate players in Japanese free agency and in MPB, which 110 00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:33,479 Speaker 2: is which is a pretty cool thing for them. Yeah, 111 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:36,720 Speaker 2: maybe he has a dyike in air conditioner and he's 112 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:40,640 Speaker 2: just you know, he was excited about that. Uh yeah, 113 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:46,280 Speaker 2: I mean it's it's huge news, like you said, very 114 00:05:46,440 --> 00:05:50,520 Speaker 2: very exciting, and you're right, it does kind of open up. 115 00:05:51,440 --> 00:05:55,880 Speaker 3: Uh. You know, the Astros have done obviously a huge 116 00:05:55,920 --> 00:05:58,839 Speaker 3: amount of success in the you know, kind of Latin 117 00:05:58,839 --> 00:06:03,320 Speaker 3: American Caribbean and you know that that side of the world. 118 00:06:04,640 --> 00:06:08,760 Speaker 3: But yeah, this opens up a whole other part, not 119 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:10,960 Speaker 3: just for the astrosk but for MLB in general. I 120 00:06:11,040 --> 00:06:16,520 Speaker 3: think objectively it is good that Japanese players are able 121 00:06:16,560 --> 00:06:20,760 Speaker 3: to come over and sign with any team and not 122 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:23,679 Speaker 3: feel like they are limited to a handful of options. 123 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:26,680 Speaker 3: You mentioned a few, you know, pitchers who are a 124 00:06:26,720 --> 00:06:29,760 Speaker 3: little bit more current. I think this is a very 125 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 3: similar situation of you Darvish coming over to Texas, you know, 126 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:39,279 Speaker 3: ten fifteen years ago now where just a you know, 127 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:42,960 Speaker 3: a superstar over there, but coming to Texas and coming 128 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:46,200 Speaker 3: to a place that didn't really have any any real 129 00:06:46,279 --> 00:06:51,320 Speaker 3: Japanese connection. Yeah, that quote of him saying like, yeah, 130 00:06:51,360 --> 00:06:56,000 Speaker 3: I want to experience kind of the the cultural shock. 131 00:06:57,320 --> 00:06:59,239 Speaker 3: I know that this is a different part of Asia, 132 00:06:59,279 --> 00:07:03,159 Speaker 3: and I know it as a very different scenario. But 133 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:06,120 Speaker 3: I feel like he and Ryan Weiss will get along 134 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:10,880 Speaker 3: really well too, because they both went over and you know, 135 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:13,880 Speaker 3: went to a place that didn't have a lot of 136 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:16,880 Speaker 3: cultural ties. And Ryan obviously really enjoyed it. When we 137 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:19,440 Speaker 3: had him on the pod, he said he was, you know, 138 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:24,320 Speaker 3: excited to go back and yeah, this is this is great, 139 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:29,040 Speaker 3: And boy is it not exactly what the Astros team 140 00:07:29,200 --> 00:07:33,480 Speaker 3: needs for this season. A for real number two starter, 141 00:07:34,160 --> 00:07:39,680 Speaker 3: a guy that can pitch a lot innings well and 142 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:41,680 Speaker 3: that you can count on. I mean, it's it's a 143 00:07:41,720 --> 00:07:42,520 Speaker 3: perfect signing. 144 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:47,600 Speaker 2: Let's let's break it down from a couple different angles. 145 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:48,880 Speaker 2: And before we do that, I'm going to ask you 146 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:52,720 Speaker 2: again please like the YouTube video guys, it really will. 147 00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:53,080 Speaker 1: Help us out. 148 00:07:53,160 --> 00:07:55,240 Speaker 2: That can be one of your New Year's resolutions if 149 00:07:55,320 --> 00:07:57,600 Speaker 2: you are if you are a frequent watcher of this 150 00:07:57,680 --> 00:08:01,440 Speaker 2: podcast on YouTube, and you don't, just all you got 151 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:03,760 Speaker 2: to do, like look right below the screen. All you 152 00:08:03,800 --> 00:08:06,240 Speaker 2: gotta do is hit the thumbs up. It takes two seconds. 153 00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:08,360 Speaker 2: It takes two seconds. All we're asking you to do. 154 00:08:08,840 --> 00:08:11,559 Speaker 2: We're not asking you to put out there that you're listening. 155 00:08:11,600 --> 00:08:13,800 Speaker 2: We're not asking you to tweet it, share, just asking 156 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:16,520 Speaker 2: for a like like the YouTube video really helps us out, 157 00:08:16,640 --> 00:08:21,040 Speaker 2: helps the algorithm helps makes our bosses happy, and it 158 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 2: allows us to keep doing this. 159 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:22,840 Speaker 1: So that's cool. 160 00:08:24,560 --> 00:08:28,040 Speaker 2: Now, let's kind of talk about how this happened, and 161 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:31,320 Speaker 2: a lot of this is a little bit of reading 162 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:33,560 Speaker 2: between the lines. A lot of this is talking to 163 00:08:33,600 --> 00:08:35,920 Speaker 2: some people today that have been involved in this process. 164 00:08:37,120 --> 00:08:41,600 Speaker 2: Let's start out by acknowledging that the Athletics Tim Britton, 165 00:08:41,960 --> 00:08:45,400 Speaker 2: who does a very very good job of projecting contracts. 166 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:49,480 Speaker 2: He takes comps from other guys that have done similar 167 00:08:49,559 --> 00:08:52,800 Speaker 2: things in the league. He comps free agents to other guys, 168 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:56,440 Speaker 2: and he comes up with free agent contract projections before 169 00:08:56,440 --> 00:08:57,040 Speaker 2: every season. 170 00:08:57,080 --> 00:08:58,160 Speaker 3: He's There have. 171 00:08:58,120 --> 00:09:01,400 Speaker 2: Been many where he has been dead on in years, 172 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:03,520 Speaker 2: dead on in money. He's been a little bit off 173 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 2: in some money, but most of the time he's pretty 174 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:11,120 Speaker 2: close to reliable. He projected EMI to get eight years 175 00:09:11,160 --> 00:09:14,000 Speaker 2: and one hundred and ninety million dollars, and that was 176 00:09:14,120 --> 00:09:16,240 Speaker 2: not He was not alone in that. There were there 177 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:18,040 Speaker 2: were a lot of people, a lot of you know, 178 00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:22,640 Speaker 2: projections that had em I getting a long term deal, 179 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:25,720 Speaker 2: and Tyler, you and I both know that the Astros 180 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:27,840 Speaker 2: are never going to do that. They are never going 181 00:09:27,880 --> 00:09:32,120 Speaker 2: to give, certainly a pitcher, They're never probably never going 182 00:09:32,160 --> 00:09:34,439 Speaker 2: to give a free agent eight or nine or ten 183 00:09:34,520 --> 00:09:36,240 Speaker 2: years as long as Jim Crane's the owner. 184 00:09:36,880 --> 00:09:38,480 Speaker 1: They just don't believe in that. They don't believe in 185 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:39,040 Speaker 1: that kind of deal. 186 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:44,599 Speaker 2: My understanding is that im I did have longer offers 187 00:09:44,679 --> 00:09:48,800 Speaker 2: on the table that there were long I don't know 188 00:09:48,840 --> 00:09:50,599 Speaker 2: that they were eight years in length. 189 00:09:50,400 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 1: But they were. 190 00:09:50,960 --> 00:09:55,400 Speaker 2: There were longer offers on the table with smaller average 191 00:09:55,440 --> 00:09:56,680 Speaker 2: annual values yearly. 192 00:09:57,520 --> 00:09:58,439 Speaker 1: But it became. 193 00:09:58,280 --> 00:10:02,920 Speaker 2: Clear that he was going to get that sort of contract, 194 00:10:02,960 --> 00:10:05,720 Speaker 2: the one that Tim projected him for, the one that 195 00:10:06,200 --> 00:10:10,520 Speaker 2: a lot of other insiders and analysts projected Emi to get. 196 00:10:10,760 --> 00:10:14,000 Speaker 2: So what do you do when you don't get that. Well, 197 00:10:14,320 --> 00:10:18,280 Speaker 2: they constructed this deal to where it is essentially a 198 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:21,280 Speaker 2: pillow contract. And I don't know what a pillow contract is. 199 00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:25,160 Speaker 2: It's kind of one of those contracts that allows a 200 00:10:25,200 --> 00:10:28,520 Speaker 2: guy to get right back into free agency. So this deal, 201 00:10:29,120 --> 00:10:31,960 Speaker 2: it's a three year deal with opt outs after each season. 202 00:10:32,040 --> 00:10:34,800 Speaker 2: So think of it like the Alex Bregman deal with 203 00:10:34,840 --> 00:10:36,200 Speaker 2: the Red Sox last year. 204 00:10:37,400 --> 00:10:39,440 Speaker 1: It is a total bet. 205 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:42,120 Speaker 2: On Emi, it is if he goes out there and 206 00:10:42,160 --> 00:10:45,640 Speaker 2: he pitches like a number two or a number one starter, 207 00:10:45,760 --> 00:10:49,640 Speaker 2: you know what, he can opt out after this season, 208 00:10:50,240 --> 00:10:52,520 Speaker 2: go back into a free agent market next year. That 209 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:56,080 Speaker 2: should be pretty aggressive because yes, there is a looming lockout, 210 00:10:56,240 --> 00:10:58,760 Speaker 2: but or what we think will be a looming lockout 211 00:10:58,880 --> 00:11:02,600 Speaker 2: once the CBA expires. But if you remember back to 212 00:11:02,679 --> 00:11:05,559 Speaker 2: when the CBA expired in twenty twenty two and there 213 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:08,120 Speaker 2: was a lockout like that was when all the money 214 00:11:08,160 --> 00:11:09,079 Speaker 2: was changing hands. 215 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:10,240 Speaker 3: That was when you. 216 00:11:10,280 --> 00:11:12,360 Speaker 2: Know, Seger got his big deal. That was when Trey 217 00:11:12,360 --> 00:11:14,400 Speaker 2: Turner got his big deal. I think that was when 218 00:11:14,480 --> 00:11:17,680 Speaker 2: Korea got both of his three hundred million dollars you like. 219 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:20,760 Speaker 2: So suffice to say, there will be there is precedent 220 00:11:20,880 --> 00:11:24,640 Speaker 2: that there will be aggression after before and after a lockout. 221 00:11:25,520 --> 00:11:29,240 Speaker 2: So it really kind of fell into the ASTROS lap 222 00:11:29,440 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 2: that this is the exact sort of contract that Jim 223 00:11:32,840 --> 00:11:34,160 Speaker 2: Crane is okay doing. 224 00:11:34,760 --> 00:11:36,400 Speaker 1: It's the short term. 225 00:11:36,800 --> 00:11:39,920 Speaker 2: It's a high ish aav So as of now, for 226 00:11:39,960 --> 00:11:45,520 Speaker 2: the ASTROS luxury tax purposes, Tatsuya EMI's average annual value 227 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:50,080 Speaker 2: is eighteen million dollars per year. Now he has million 228 00:11:50,160 --> 00:11:55,400 Speaker 2: dollar incentives that are in each year that for eighty 229 00:11:55,720 --> 00:11:58,160 Speaker 2: ninety and one hundred innings pitched, he gets a million 230 00:11:58,200 --> 00:12:01,920 Speaker 2: more dollars, so could max out at twenty one million 231 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:02,680 Speaker 2: dollars a year. 232 00:12:02,720 --> 00:12:03,960 Speaker 1: That's why you know. 233 00:12:04,280 --> 00:12:08,240 Speaker 2: If things happen to where Tatsuya Emi stays for the 234 00:12:08,280 --> 00:12:11,280 Speaker 2: life of this contract and pitches at least one hundred 235 00:12:11,320 --> 00:12:13,440 Speaker 2: innings in each of the three years of this contract, 236 00:12:13,480 --> 00:12:14,360 Speaker 2: he can max out. 237 00:12:14,240 --> 00:12:15,800 Speaker 1: At sixty three million dollars. 238 00:12:16,360 --> 00:12:20,720 Speaker 2: Now he has Scott Boris as his representative, I would 239 00:12:20,800 --> 00:12:23,840 Speaker 2: imagine that they are going to seek a more a 240 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:28,640 Speaker 2: longer term, more lucrative deal if Emi does what I 241 00:12:28,679 --> 00:12:31,000 Speaker 2: think Scott expects him to do, if Emi does what 242 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:32,880 Speaker 2: the Astros expect him to do, which is come here 243 00:12:32,920 --> 00:12:36,040 Speaker 2: and pitch well. Just come here and establish yourself and 244 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:40,280 Speaker 2: assert yourself as a high end number two, number three starter, 245 00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:43,800 Speaker 2: and pitch well enough to where if you opt out, 246 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:45,679 Speaker 2: you can go get the sort of pay day that 247 00:12:45,720 --> 00:12:48,520 Speaker 2: the Astros won't give you, and the Astros will benefit 248 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:49,319 Speaker 2: from having. 249 00:12:49,040 --> 00:12:49,640 Speaker 1: You for a year. 250 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:52,920 Speaker 2: But Tyler, there is some some wonder and some thought, 251 00:12:53,120 --> 00:12:56,000 Speaker 2: and I think the way his market played out only 252 00:12:56,040 --> 00:13:00,160 Speaker 2: accentuates it that he's maybe not the sure thing saying 253 00:13:00,880 --> 00:13:04,920 Speaker 2: that Yamamoto was that people thought Roki Sasaki will be 254 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:09,000 Speaker 2: There are some questions here, but still the upside I 255 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:10,880 Speaker 2: think was too much for the Astros to turn down, 256 00:13:10,960 --> 00:13:12,760 Speaker 2: especially when it landed in their lap like this. 257 00:13:13,240 --> 00:13:17,680 Speaker 3: Yeah, of course there's there's questions, but I mean it 258 00:13:17,720 --> 00:13:20,040 Speaker 3: makes a ton of sense for him too, because like 259 00:13:20,080 --> 00:13:23,560 Speaker 3: you said, I, if he's good after a year, somebody 260 00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:26,560 Speaker 3: is going to give him the contract that he you know, 261 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:30,920 Speaker 3: was projected for this offseason. And also, look, the Ashos 262 00:13:30,960 --> 00:13:35,400 Speaker 3: are in year by year when now mode, they're not in. 263 00:13:36,360 --> 00:13:39,480 Speaker 3: Let's sign a guy for eight years mode right now. 264 00:13:40,120 --> 00:13:43,240 Speaker 3: If he's great next season and he walks, do they 265 00:13:43,240 --> 00:13:46,880 Speaker 3: get a qualifying offer? Does that? Does that work if 266 00:13:46,920 --> 00:13:48,880 Speaker 3: you opt out of a contract. I don't know how 267 00:13:48,920 --> 00:13:50,880 Speaker 3: that works. I'd like this, I do. 268 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:53,440 Speaker 2: I don't know that he'd be qualifying off for eligible. 269 00:13:53,480 --> 00:13:54,920 Speaker 2: I do not have that in front of me. I 270 00:13:54,920 --> 00:13:56,920 Speaker 2: need to look that up. I will, I will. I 271 00:13:56,920 --> 00:13:58,959 Speaker 2: will work that into whatever I write soon. But I 272 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:05,040 Speaker 2: will say this, because they signed Emi, it prevented them from, 273 00:14:05,200 --> 00:14:07,120 Speaker 2: you know, if they were looking in the free agent market. 274 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:09,920 Speaker 2: It prevented them from you know, if Zach Gallan would 275 00:14:09,960 --> 00:14:12,600 Speaker 2: fall in their lap. He's a qualifying offer guy, same 276 00:14:12,600 --> 00:14:15,240 Speaker 2: as Rangers swore az, same as if they were resigned 277 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:18,400 Speaker 2: from or he does not have a qualifying offer attached 278 00:14:18,400 --> 00:14:20,640 Speaker 2: to him. So they did all of this while getting 279 00:14:20,680 --> 00:14:22,320 Speaker 2: to keep all of their draft picks as well, which 280 00:14:22,360 --> 00:14:24,600 Speaker 2: is something, which is something also be said. 281 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:29,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, and I mean yeah, I mean twenty twenty twenty 282 00:14:29,240 --> 00:14:32,640 Speaker 3: one million dollars for you know a guy. Let's let's 283 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:38,120 Speaker 3: run through his stats just from last season in Japan. 284 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:41,280 Speaker 3: I mean he had a one ninety two ERA one 285 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:45,880 Speaker 3: hundred and sixty three innings, a whip under point nine, 286 00:14:45,920 --> 00:14:50,080 Speaker 3: which is great, and I'm striking out about ten per nine. Again, 287 00:14:50,120 --> 00:14:53,360 Speaker 3: those are not going to translate one for one over 288 00:14:53,440 --> 00:14:58,040 Speaker 3: from Japan. But look, man, he throws ninety five plus. 289 00:14:58,280 --> 00:15:01,320 Speaker 3: He's got a great slider with a lot of glove 290 00:15:01,400 --> 00:15:05,360 Speaker 3: side run. He throws a change up like three different ways, 291 00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:08,760 Speaker 3: which is fun. He's got like a Vulcan group. He's 292 00:15:08,760 --> 00:15:11,880 Speaker 3: got a you know, a splitter grip that he does 293 00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:18,440 Speaker 3: a normal change up grip too. Yeah, it's it's it's great. 294 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:20,400 Speaker 3: I'm very excited. 295 00:15:21,640 --> 00:15:23,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, I've I've never seen him. 296 00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:25,720 Speaker 2: I mean I've seen all the videos that you guys 297 00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:29,400 Speaker 2: have probably spent all morning watching and looking at. 298 00:15:29,440 --> 00:15:30,200 Speaker 1: I've seen those. 299 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:33,320 Speaker 2: I I can't sit here with authority and try to 300 00:15:33,360 --> 00:15:36,200 Speaker 2: tell you kind of what makes him good, what doesn't 301 00:15:36,200 --> 00:15:38,359 Speaker 2: make him good? Like I've talked to a couple evaluators 302 00:15:38,400 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 2: in the league that seem to think they're they're a 303 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:44,040 Speaker 2: little bit divided. And you know, in the story that 304 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:47,520 Speaker 2: that we wrote today, you know, Cody Stavenhagen, friend of 305 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:50,080 Speaker 2: the pod in front of the Foul Territory Network, co 306 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:53,680 Speaker 2: host of co host of Tiger Territory, he talked to 307 00:15:53,720 --> 00:15:55,400 Speaker 2: a couple guys, He talked to a couple of people, 308 00:15:55,560 --> 00:15:58,080 Speaker 2: you know before while EMI was coming over him while 309 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:01,160 Speaker 2: he was posting, kind of talked to some evaluators about 310 00:16:01,160 --> 00:16:04,240 Speaker 2: what scared them, what they liked about him, and basically, 311 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:07,640 Speaker 2: you know, one National League evaluator told him that, you know, 312 00:16:07,680 --> 00:16:10,720 Speaker 2: it's good stuff. It's a deep arsenal. He's got about 313 00:16:10,720 --> 00:16:14,680 Speaker 2: six or seven pitches he can use. But there is 314 00:16:14,720 --> 00:16:18,280 Speaker 2: some thought that maybe at best he's a number three 315 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:22,760 Speaker 2: or a number four. You know, I think certainly this 316 00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:26,480 Speaker 2: raises the ceiling. This raises the ceiling and raises the 317 00:16:26,480 --> 00:16:30,640 Speaker 2: floor for the Astros twenty twenty six rotation. This is 318 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:37,280 Speaker 2: not you know, there's always going to be some just 319 00:16:37,880 --> 00:16:40,640 Speaker 2: in the transition is never as seamless as some people 320 00:16:40,680 --> 00:16:44,920 Speaker 2: make it seem like Otani's a freak, like coming over 321 00:16:44,960 --> 00:16:48,160 Speaker 2: and just doing what he did immediately. It just doesn't 322 00:16:48,200 --> 00:16:50,840 Speaker 2: happen often. There will be you know, you saw it. 323 00:16:50,880 --> 00:16:53,160 Speaker 2: I think with Code I single with the Mets, there 324 00:16:53,200 --> 00:16:56,640 Speaker 2: have been, you know, some some growing pains with him. 325 00:16:56,680 --> 00:16:58,760 Speaker 2: I expect there to be some growing pains with Emi. Heck, 326 00:16:58,800 --> 00:17:01,680 Speaker 2: there were some growing pains with you Shanoba Yamamoto his 327 00:17:01,760 --> 00:17:04,320 Speaker 2: first year in Los Angeles. And that's something that I 328 00:17:04,359 --> 00:17:08,040 Speaker 2: think you come to kind of expect when guys come 329 00:17:08,080 --> 00:17:11,400 Speaker 2: over from from MPB. Like it's a different baseball. It's 330 00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:14,479 Speaker 2: a different you know, the talent level here is just different. 331 00:17:14,760 --> 00:17:18,880 Speaker 2: It's you know, MLB is better than NPB. Like they 332 00:17:18,920 --> 00:17:22,640 Speaker 2: have better talent, they have better hitters. It's just it's 333 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:25,840 Speaker 2: just a better quality of leagues. So there will be 334 00:17:25,880 --> 00:17:28,960 Speaker 2: some adjustments, you know, I he had a one nine 335 00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:31,480 Speaker 2: to two E and the NPB last year, I would 336 00:17:31,520 --> 00:17:33,439 Speaker 2: not you know, look, I think the Astros would be 337 00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:35,600 Speaker 2: ecstatic if he comes over and has a one nine 338 00:17:35,600 --> 00:17:38,200 Speaker 2: to two in his first MLB season. You know, I 339 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:41,159 Speaker 2: don't think that's going to be the case, but I 340 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:44,639 Speaker 2: do think Tyler, what they have done is they've built 341 00:17:44,680 --> 00:17:47,400 Speaker 2: out and just by what they've done this winter by 342 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:50,679 Speaker 2: adding Weiss and Pearson and Burrows and what they have 343 00:17:50,840 --> 00:17:54,000 Speaker 2: coming back, like, they have enough insurance and they have 344 00:17:54,160 --> 00:17:56,280 Speaker 2: enough depth to where you know. 345 00:17:56,680 --> 00:17:59,520 Speaker 1: They're not going to be counting on this guy to 346 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:01,840 Speaker 1: have of a sub. 347 00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:05,119 Speaker 2: Three era from the beginning that they've if built in 348 00:18:05,200 --> 00:18:08,080 Speaker 2: and they've built up enough depth for this guy to 349 00:18:08,359 --> 00:18:09,960 Speaker 2: you know, he's gonna be making a lot of money 350 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:12,240 Speaker 2: and he's gonna slot in in the middle of the rotation. 351 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:12,920 Speaker 1: Don't get me wrong. 352 00:18:12,960 --> 00:18:15,560 Speaker 2: They're not gonna baby him, I don't think, but you know, 353 00:18:15,600 --> 00:18:18,000 Speaker 2: if the first couple starts don't go well, and if 354 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:20,200 Speaker 2: they've got to, you know, make some adjustments with him, 355 00:18:20,280 --> 00:18:23,800 Speaker 2: like they've got enough around him. They've got they have 356 00:18:25,080 --> 00:18:28,639 Speaker 2: given themselves enough depth and given themselves enough insurance to 357 00:18:28,720 --> 00:18:31,280 Speaker 2: where I don't think this guy has to come in 358 00:18:31,359 --> 00:18:33,920 Speaker 2: and feel the entire weight of the franchise and weight 359 00:18:33,960 --> 00:18:35,320 Speaker 2: of the team on his shoulders. 360 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:41,399 Speaker 3: Yeah, I wonder if some of the concern is just 361 00:18:41,640 --> 00:18:45,640 Speaker 3: height wise. I mean's he's listed at five eleven, so 362 00:18:45,760 --> 00:18:48,240 Speaker 3: you know, you wonder if maybe that's some of the 363 00:18:48,320 --> 00:18:50,760 Speaker 3: concern he does. He has kind of a weird arm 364 00:18:50,880 --> 00:18:56,520 Speaker 3: slot too, But look, I mean he's been successful in Japan. 365 00:18:56,600 --> 00:19:02,240 Speaker 3: It's again you're right, it is not MLB, but MPB 366 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:05,000 Speaker 3: is the second best league in the world, you know, 367 00:19:05,080 --> 00:19:10,520 Speaker 3: It's it's not like he's playing nobody's So yeah, I 368 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:13,720 Speaker 3: and the contract is perfect because, like you said, maybe 369 00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:16,440 Speaker 3: the first year is a little rough, and so maybe 370 00:19:16,440 --> 00:19:18,600 Speaker 3: he doesn't opt out after the first year, but maybe 371 00:19:18,600 --> 00:19:22,560 Speaker 3: he catches fire in the second year and then opts 372 00:19:22,560 --> 00:19:25,359 Speaker 3: out after that, And I'm sure the Astros would again 373 00:19:26,040 --> 00:19:30,560 Speaker 3: be more than happy with that. You know, opt outs 374 00:19:30,600 --> 00:19:34,800 Speaker 3: are funny because you know, you don't want somebody to 375 00:19:34,840 --> 00:19:36,840 Speaker 3: opt out, But at the same time, if they had 376 00:19:36,880 --> 00:19:40,159 Speaker 3: a season good enough to opt out, you probably had 377 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:44,080 Speaker 3: a pretty good season on your team and you'll take it. 378 00:19:44,160 --> 00:19:45,960 Speaker 3: So I mean, I think it makes a ton of 379 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:48,119 Speaker 3: sense for both sides. 380 00:19:48,640 --> 00:19:51,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, Like, as you said, like the Astros right now 381 00:19:51,040 --> 00:19:53,159 Speaker 2: are not they can't be thinking like they should be, 382 00:19:53,240 --> 00:19:55,679 Speaker 2: but they can't be thinking about twenty twenty seven and 383 00:19:55,720 --> 00:19:58,639 Speaker 2: twenty twenty eight, like they want to win this season, 384 00:19:58,840 --> 00:20:01,600 Speaker 2: like they've got a priority this season, having the twenty 385 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:05,320 Speaker 2: twenty six Astros ready to win and put themselves in 386 00:20:05,359 --> 00:20:08,800 Speaker 2: a position to be be ready to win. And I 387 00:20:08,840 --> 00:20:13,720 Speaker 2: think this helps in that endeavor greatly. You know, we 388 00:20:13,800 --> 00:20:15,720 Speaker 2: talked about and one thing that's kind of been bouncing 389 00:20:15,720 --> 00:20:17,879 Speaker 2: in my head, and we talked about how the Ashers 390 00:20:17,920 --> 00:20:21,399 Speaker 2: have not had a footprint in the Japanese market in 391 00:20:21,480 --> 00:20:25,320 Speaker 2: a long time. You know, they did acquire Usseka Kuci 392 00:20:25,840 --> 00:20:29,840 Speaker 2: in twenty twenty three. And look, Yusaka Kuchi's left handed. 393 00:20:30,040 --> 00:20:31,159 Speaker 2: Emi is right handed. 394 00:20:32,320 --> 00:20:32,760 Speaker 1: They're not. 395 00:20:33,160 --> 00:20:36,080 Speaker 2: They have some similar characteristics in their arsenal. You know, 396 00:20:36,160 --> 00:20:38,800 Speaker 2: you say is about six foot six foot one. You know, 397 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:43,040 Speaker 2: Emi is about five ten five eleven. They've got some 398 00:20:43,200 --> 00:20:45,159 Speaker 2: of the same pitch mix and they've got some of 399 00:20:45,200 --> 00:20:47,720 Speaker 2: the same stuff. But to say that they are the 400 00:20:47,800 --> 00:20:52,000 Speaker 2: exact same pitcher as disingenuous. But it has had me thinking, 401 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:56,000 Speaker 2: you know, yuse Ka Kuci is represented by Scott Morris, 402 00:20:56,119 --> 00:21:00,439 Speaker 2: just as Tatsuya Emai is. I talked to Scott Boris 403 00:21:00,600 --> 00:21:03,520 Speaker 2: the during that two months when we were in Anaheim, 404 00:21:03,560 --> 00:21:05,800 Speaker 2: when Kokuchi made a start in Anaheim, and I talked 405 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:09,440 Speaker 2: to Scott about kind of what the Ashers had done 406 00:21:09,440 --> 00:21:11,960 Speaker 2: with Kokuchi and he was I mean I wrote about 407 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:14,200 Speaker 2: it at the Athletic like. He was very impressed and 408 00:21:14,280 --> 00:21:16,560 Speaker 2: impressed him kind of the plan they had for him 409 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:19,639 Speaker 2: that making him comfortable and we all saw what Kokuchi 410 00:21:19,760 --> 00:21:22,399 Speaker 2: was able to do down the stretch. He parlayed that 411 00:21:22,520 --> 00:21:26,600 Speaker 2: into a big payday with the Angels. So while they 412 00:21:26,600 --> 00:21:31,639 Speaker 2: maybe haven't had the footprint from an MPB perspective of 413 00:21:31,720 --> 00:21:34,760 Speaker 2: signing those guys, of being legitimate contenders for those guys, 414 00:21:35,760 --> 00:21:38,560 Speaker 2: Scott Boris got an up close and personal look at 415 00:21:38,600 --> 00:21:42,959 Speaker 2: what the Astros pitching development infrastructure can do with a 416 00:21:43,600 --> 00:21:47,200 Speaker 2: Japanese pitcher that has at least some of the same 417 00:21:47,320 --> 00:21:52,320 Speaker 2: profile as Emi. I wonder how much that played into this, 418 00:21:52,640 --> 00:21:55,719 Speaker 2: just the fact that the Ashers have had success in 419 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:59,439 Speaker 2: tinkering and allowing him to come in and talk about 420 00:21:59,600 --> 00:22:02,760 Speaker 2: trans Like you say's transition into. 421 00:22:02,840 --> 00:22:04,480 Speaker 1: The Houston Clubhouse was seamless. 422 00:22:04,640 --> 00:22:08,200 Speaker 2: I mean, didn't know anyone, they didn't have any Japanese players, 423 00:22:08,960 --> 00:22:12,280 Speaker 2: kind of came in very blind and they welcomed him 424 00:22:12,280 --> 00:22:15,320 Speaker 2: with open arms. The pitching coaches and the analytic team 425 00:22:15,400 --> 00:22:17,720 Speaker 2: was able to distill some stuff down for him, and 426 00:22:17,720 --> 00:22:19,440 Speaker 2: he was able to have one of the greatest runs 427 00:22:19,480 --> 00:22:22,280 Speaker 2: of his career. Look, at the end of the day, 428 00:22:22,320 --> 00:22:25,000 Speaker 2: this all comes down to money. At ninety nine percent 429 00:22:25,080 --> 00:22:28,000 Speaker 2: of the time, these negotiations come down to money. They 430 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:30,040 Speaker 2: come down to who has the best offer. They come 431 00:22:30,080 --> 00:22:34,000 Speaker 2: down to all that stuff. But don't discount Kakuchi's two 432 00:22:34,040 --> 00:22:38,159 Speaker 2: months here that I think that left a resonating presence 433 00:22:38,200 --> 00:22:40,560 Speaker 2: with Scott Morris. I think it left a resonating presence 434 00:22:40,560 --> 00:22:42,680 Speaker 2: with a lot of you know, people in the industry 435 00:22:42,720 --> 00:22:46,240 Speaker 2: that we've known for a long time. At the astros 436 00:22:46,240 --> 00:22:51,360 Speaker 2: do a very good job of identifying, developing and helping pitchers. 437 00:22:51,960 --> 00:22:54,320 Speaker 2: I think that put it on a bigger stage, a 438 00:22:54,320 --> 00:22:57,240 Speaker 2: bigger platform, And I wonder how much maybe that had 439 00:22:57,280 --> 00:22:59,760 Speaker 2: at least something that could be a feather in the 440 00:22:59,760 --> 00:23:01,760 Speaker 2: app Extro's cap when it got down to this and 441 00:23:01,800 --> 00:23:03,440 Speaker 2: they realized that this could be a possibility. 442 00:23:03,800 --> 00:23:06,679 Speaker 3: Yeah. And I think I also saw that the Astro 443 00:23:06,800 --> 00:23:09,679 Speaker 3: scouted him like out of high school too, that they've 444 00:23:09,760 --> 00:23:14,600 Speaker 3: had some sort of relationship, right, Is that is that correct? 445 00:23:15,880 --> 00:23:16,679 Speaker 3: I believe emi? 446 00:23:16,840 --> 00:23:16,959 Speaker 1: Right. 447 00:23:17,119 --> 00:23:18,640 Speaker 3: I think I saw somewhere. 448 00:23:18,280 --> 00:23:20,480 Speaker 2: They did scout the scout a Kakuchi when he was 449 00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:23,159 Speaker 2: coming over as well. I wouldn't be Yeah, I wouldn't 450 00:23:23,160 --> 00:23:25,840 Speaker 2: be surprised if they scouted Emi as well. 451 00:23:26,320 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 1: The one. 452 00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:28,280 Speaker 2: The other thing I will say is that the Astros 453 00:23:28,320 --> 00:23:31,200 Speaker 2: have And the only reason I know this is because 454 00:23:31,800 --> 00:23:35,560 Speaker 2: I literally get emails those LinkedIn sponsored emails, because I 455 00:23:35,640 --> 00:23:38,320 Speaker 2: followed some of the people on I followed some of 456 00:23:38,320 --> 00:23:40,879 Speaker 2: the astra's front office members on LinkedIn, just as you 457 00:23:40,920 --> 00:23:44,239 Speaker 2: know you would normally do. They are posting for like 458 00:23:44,600 --> 00:23:48,679 Speaker 2: Asian Pacific Room, like Scouts, so this is not just 459 00:23:48,800 --> 00:23:52,480 Speaker 2: a one off thing, like they are trying to get 460 00:23:52,480 --> 00:23:56,520 Speaker 2: a deeper footprint in that market. And I think, you know, 461 00:23:56,680 --> 00:24:00,480 Speaker 2: I think Kakuchi helped. I think, you know, I think 462 00:24:00,560 --> 00:24:03,520 Speaker 2: seeing them seeing what he can do and what that 463 00:24:03,720 --> 00:24:06,240 Speaker 2: was like having him for two months, kind of the 464 00:24:06,280 --> 00:24:08,920 Speaker 2: exposure that got. And then I know we joked about 465 00:24:08,920 --> 00:24:11,560 Speaker 2: it at the beginning, but I can't separate myself from 466 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:14,399 Speaker 2: like they re like diyke And bought the naming rights 467 00:24:14,440 --> 00:24:18,080 Speaker 2: to the ballpark in January or February, so that we're 468 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:19,719 Speaker 2: coming up on about a year that dyke and has 469 00:24:19,760 --> 00:24:24,959 Speaker 2: brought bought the naming rights, And I think Jim Crane 470 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:27,000 Speaker 2: on that day or in the days afterward, you know, 471 00:24:27,119 --> 00:24:31,159 Speaker 2: did make some mention of yeah, you know, now that 472 00:24:31,160 --> 00:24:33,359 Speaker 2: we have this, maybe we can be a bigger player 473 00:24:33,480 --> 00:24:36,800 Speaker 2: in that pool. And I'm not saying that the two 474 00:24:36,840 --> 00:24:39,040 Speaker 2: are a direct like one is a direct result of 475 00:24:39,080 --> 00:24:41,160 Speaker 2: the other. That I don't think they signed Emi because 476 00:24:42,000 --> 00:24:44,639 Speaker 2: they're now called dyke In Park, But don't think that 477 00:24:44,680 --> 00:24:47,119 Speaker 2: doesn't have anything to do with it, because there were 478 00:24:47,200 --> 00:24:51,080 Speaker 2: multiple times this year where there were guests of Jim 479 00:24:51,119 --> 00:24:55,639 Speaker 2: Crane that were from the Japanese hub of dyke In 480 00:24:55,720 --> 00:24:59,040 Speaker 2: where dyke In is found and located is in Japan, 481 00:24:59,080 --> 00:25:02,480 Speaker 2: in Osaka, Japan. There were many home stands where on 482 00:25:02,520 --> 00:25:05,719 Speaker 2: a couple of occasions, you know, Jim had a Japanese 483 00:25:05,760 --> 00:25:08,680 Speaker 2: contingent from Dyikan that was showing around, sat in the 484 00:25:08,680 --> 00:25:11,520 Speaker 2: suite with him at the games. So like, don't discount 485 00:25:11,560 --> 00:25:14,520 Speaker 2: that either that this that that certainly could have at 486 00:25:14,600 --> 00:25:16,800 Speaker 2: least been somewhat of a. 487 00:25:16,760 --> 00:25:17,320 Speaker 1: Factor in this. 488 00:25:17,960 --> 00:25:23,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, and I've covered a few Astros games when Otani 489 00:25:24,080 --> 00:25:26,440 Speaker 3: was with the Angels, and I'm sure you can speak 490 00:25:26,480 --> 00:25:31,879 Speaker 3: to this, but anytime Otani is playing somewhere, there is 491 00:25:31,960 --> 00:25:38,000 Speaker 3: a humongous Japanese media contingency, or at least you know, 492 00:25:38,200 --> 00:25:39,600 Speaker 3: in the first couple of years that he was here. 493 00:25:39,760 --> 00:25:42,000 Speaker 3: I'm sure it's still the same, but those first couple 494 00:25:42,040 --> 00:25:45,520 Speaker 3: of years when he came over, they were live broadcasting 495 00:25:45,680 --> 00:25:49,480 Speaker 3: all of his games back in Japan. And look that 496 00:25:49,720 --> 00:25:53,199 Speaker 3: the Angels were playing the Astros eighteen games a year, like, 497 00:25:53,720 --> 00:25:57,480 Speaker 3: and people in Japan saw the Astros just dominate for 498 00:25:58,040 --> 00:26:01,960 Speaker 3: years while Otani was the biggest thing in Japanese baseball, 499 00:26:02,480 --> 00:26:04,760 Speaker 3: so that that certainly could have something to do with 500 00:26:04,800 --> 00:26:08,880 Speaker 3: it as well as Okay, this team is obviously very good. Uh, 501 00:26:08,920 --> 00:26:12,080 Speaker 3: they've seen that a lot. Uh. Is he gonna be 502 00:26:12,119 --> 00:26:14,919 Speaker 3: on the World Baseball Classic team? Do you know? 503 00:26:15,200 --> 00:26:15,960 Speaker 1: I haven't looked. 504 00:26:16,720 --> 00:26:18,600 Speaker 3: I like to see his name, but I'm not I'm 505 00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:21,040 Speaker 3: not sure that they've fully announced their roster yet. 506 00:26:21,320 --> 00:26:24,240 Speaker 2: I mean, I think there will be a press conference 507 00:26:24,280 --> 00:26:26,760 Speaker 2: with Emi and within the next couple of days, so 508 00:26:26,800 --> 00:26:29,560 Speaker 2: I'd imagine he will be asked that when he meets 509 00:26:29,600 --> 00:26:32,560 Speaker 2: the media here in Houston. I do not know that 510 00:26:32,600 --> 00:26:35,440 Speaker 2: off the top of my head, but it would stand 511 00:26:35,480 --> 00:26:38,000 Speaker 2: the reason that if he wants to play, I don't 512 00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:42,000 Speaker 2: see why the Ashers would would say no. But yeah, 513 00:26:42,040 --> 00:26:46,159 Speaker 2: because because you know, Jim Crane dyk In Park is 514 00:26:46,200 --> 00:26:48,960 Speaker 2: hosting the WBC, like Jim Crane is a fan of 515 00:26:48,960 --> 00:26:51,200 Speaker 2: the WBC, Like I don't think the team is going 516 00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:53,000 Speaker 2: to stand in the way of any player that wants 517 00:26:53,040 --> 00:26:53,399 Speaker 2: to play. 518 00:26:54,000 --> 00:26:59,359 Speaker 3: Now, my my only concern is, with all of the 519 00:26:59,400 --> 00:27:02,239 Speaker 3: technology you talk from this year, are are we do 520 00:27:02,320 --> 00:27:05,080 Speaker 3: we know that he is real? His last name is 521 00:27:05,400 --> 00:27:10,280 Speaker 3: I'm a I. Uh So that's that's one concern that 522 00:27:10,359 --> 00:27:12,560 Speaker 3: I have that we haven't seen him in person. So 523 00:27:12,600 --> 00:27:15,680 Speaker 3: that's why I'm looking for the the WBC to make sure. 524 00:27:17,760 --> 00:27:19,959 Speaker 2: I don't even know how to follow that one up. 525 00:27:21,119 --> 00:27:23,240 Speaker 2: It is weirding me out though, that the Rockets coach 526 00:27:23,320 --> 00:27:28,960 Speaker 2: is Odoka and that guy is em I, So I'm 527 00:27:28,960 --> 00:27:30,920 Speaker 2: having to like separate those two in my head. I 528 00:27:30,960 --> 00:27:32,679 Speaker 2: did some radio this past week and we talked a 529 00:27:32,680 --> 00:27:34,919 Speaker 2: lot of Rockets and I kept saying May and so 530 00:27:34,960 --> 00:27:38,359 Speaker 2: I have to get em in my head now. I 531 00:27:38,560 --> 00:27:42,600 Speaker 2: was writing something that will probably go live tomorrow morning. 532 00:27:42,600 --> 00:27:42,879 Speaker 1: I don't know. 533 00:27:42,920 --> 00:27:45,240 Speaker 2: It's a holiday. No one's reading them, so who knows 534 00:27:45,240 --> 00:27:48,320 Speaker 2: when of the will go live. But if anything, Tyler, 535 00:27:48,359 --> 00:27:51,280 Speaker 2: this accentuates like there's gonna be some competition in spring training. 536 00:27:51,640 --> 00:27:54,480 Speaker 2: Mm hmm, like they've got. I mean, this is a 537 00:27:54,480 --> 00:27:56,000 Speaker 2: good problem to have, don't get me wrong, but they've 538 00:27:56,000 --> 00:28:00,600 Speaker 2: almost got too many starters. You know, we have talked 539 00:28:00,680 --> 00:28:02,600 Speaker 2: that they will probably have to run a six man 540 00:28:02,720 --> 00:28:04,720 Speaker 2: rotation to start the year. With twenty five games in 541 00:28:04,720 --> 00:28:07,720 Speaker 2: twenty seven days, you start to kind of fill it out. 542 00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:11,760 Speaker 2: Now you've got four spots just about guaranteed with Hunter Brown, 543 00:28:11,960 --> 00:28:16,440 Speaker 2: tatsia Emi, Mike Burrows, and Christian Hoavier, and then it's 544 00:28:16,800 --> 00:28:21,920 Speaker 2: Ryan Weiss, Nate Pearson, Lance McCullers, Spencer Arraghetti, AJ blue Ball, 545 00:28:22,880 --> 00:28:27,399 Speaker 2: Colton Gordon, Jason Alexander all four two spots to open 546 00:28:27,400 --> 00:28:30,679 Speaker 2: the season. Then probably one spot you know, when they 547 00:28:30,680 --> 00:28:33,280 Speaker 2: get into a five man so look injuries always. 548 00:28:33,440 --> 00:28:35,880 Speaker 3: Can you imagine how good of a problem that would be. 549 00:28:35,960 --> 00:28:40,000 Speaker 3: It's a good problem. Too many starters. I'd be so excited, Well, 550 00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:41,680 Speaker 3: what are we gonna do with all these guys? 551 00:28:41,920 --> 00:28:45,600 Speaker 2: Right, this is a good problem to have. First and foremost, 552 00:28:45,680 --> 00:28:47,240 Speaker 2: this is not a this is not an issue. This 553 00:28:47,320 --> 00:28:49,560 Speaker 2: is not something they have to go down. This is good. 554 00:28:49,640 --> 00:28:51,680 Speaker 2: If they can go they go to the spring training 555 00:28:51,720 --> 00:28:54,680 Speaker 2: with this, be fine. But it's going to underscore that 556 00:28:54,720 --> 00:28:56,800 Speaker 2: there's gonna be some tough conversations to have to be had. 557 00:28:57,440 --> 00:29:00,400 Speaker 2: Ryan Weiss was on this pod like a month ago 558 00:29:00,440 --> 00:29:03,560 Speaker 2: and pretty emphatically said, like, I ain't a reliever, Like 559 00:29:03,920 --> 00:29:07,720 Speaker 2: I'm a starter, and I took this to start, you know. 560 00:29:07,800 --> 00:29:10,160 Speaker 2: Nate Pearson said, one of the reasons that he signed 561 00:29:10,160 --> 00:29:12,520 Speaker 2: with the Astros is because they're going to let him start. 562 00:29:13,680 --> 00:29:18,720 Speaker 2: You have the Lance McCullers junior situation. M h, that's 563 00:29:18,720 --> 00:29:19,240 Speaker 2: also there. 564 00:29:19,320 --> 00:29:21,280 Speaker 3: So I'm making eighteen million dollars. 565 00:29:21,560 --> 00:29:26,840 Speaker 2: Seventeen but also sorry, represented by Scott Bores. You've got 566 00:29:27,160 --> 00:29:31,320 Speaker 2: and you've got Spencer Raghetti, who I mean was excellent 567 00:29:31,520 --> 00:29:34,200 Speaker 2: the second half two years ago, but really hasn't you know. 568 00:29:35,120 --> 00:29:37,880 Speaker 2: So there's a lot of difficult conversations to be had. 569 00:29:37,920 --> 00:29:40,200 Speaker 3: Who cares that's a future problem. Well, we'll figure that 570 00:29:40,240 --> 00:29:42,320 Speaker 3: out later. I don't care. I'm excited that they have 571 00:29:42,400 --> 00:29:45,880 Speaker 3: this many pictures. Can you imagine two months ago saying 572 00:29:45,880 --> 00:29:47,280 Speaker 3: what are the Astros going to do with all this 573 00:29:47,400 --> 00:29:51,320 Speaker 3: starting pitching depth? I mean, this is a great problem 574 00:29:51,360 --> 00:29:53,840 Speaker 3: to have. Go get another one, keep doing it. Well. 575 00:29:53,840 --> 00:29:55,320 Speaker 2: I was about to say, everyone can stop asking me 576 00:29:55,360 --> 00:29:59,640 Speaker 2: about Justin ber Leander I would imagine this closes that door. 577 00:30:00,200 --> 00:30:02,200 Speaker 3: I don't know. Are they over the luxury tax? Now? 578 00:30:02,240 --> 00:30:04,920 Speaker 3: Who cares? Just go get it. We're getting to that, Okay. 579 00:30:05,960 --> 00:30:09,040 Speaker 2: The door for Justin Verliner to come to Houston was open. 580 00:30:09,200 --> 00:30:12,800 Speaker 2: It always is. I think it's closed a little bit 581 00:30:12,840 --> 00:30:15,840 Speaker 2: more now. But was the thing earlier in the in 582 00:30:15,920 --> 00:30:19,840 Speaker 2: the off season. Just warren't lined up money wise as 583 00:30:19,880 --> 00:30:25,640 Speaker 2: I understand it. As I understand it, the official luxury 584 00:30:25,720 --> 00:30:30,360 Speaker 2: tax number for EMI's contract the AAV this year is 585 00:30:30,400 --> 00:30:35,960 Speaker 2: eighteen million dollars. Now, if you go to Cott's contracts, 586 00:30:37,160 --> 00:30:39,640 Speaker 2: I need I'm doing this on the fly and seeing 587 00:30:39,680 --> 00:30:41,680 Speaker 2: if they have updated it yet. I do not believe 588 00:30:41,720 --> 00:30:44,400 Speaker 2: they have updated their their spreadsheet yet, which is actually good. 589 00:30:45,080 --> 00:30:49,880 Speaker 2: So before this agreement was put into place, according to 590 00:30:49,920 --> 00:30:53,160 Speaker 2: Kott's contracts, the Astros were about twenty two point two 591 00:30:53,240 --> 00:30:57,320 Speaker 2: million dollars under the first luxury tax. If the AV 592 00:30:57,520 --> 00:31:00,600 Speaker 2: hit is eighteen million dollars, as I'm told that's what 593 00:31:00,680 --> 00:31:05,800 Speaker 2: the official luxury tax hit will be, they are still under. 594 00:31:07,440 --> 00:31:08,120 Speaker 1: Not by much. 595 00:31:08,640 --> 00:31:12,320 Speaker 2: They do want to get a backup catcher, which is 596 00:31:12,360 --> 00:31:13,520 Speaker 2: going to cost money. 597 00:31:14,600 --> 00:31:15,400 Speaker 1: I would not be. 598 00:31:15,480 --> 00:31:20,720 Speaker 2: Surprised if there is another trade Allah what they did 599 00:31:20,720 --> 00:31:24,280 Speaker 2: with Ryan Presley last year. You can kind of start 600 00:31:24,400 --> 00:31:29,560 Speaker 2: to to trace a little more parallel. Last year, right, 601 00:31:29,600 --> 00:31:34,240 Speaker 2: they signed Christian Walker and they got up near the 602 00:31:34,320 --> 00:31:37,200 Speaker 2: luxury tax, but they weren't all the way. They weren't 603 00:31:37,240 --> 00:31:39,880 Speaker 2: over it yet, and it was just like they still 604 00:31:39,880 --> 00:31:42,080 Speaker 2: need to make some rooms. So they shipped Ryan Presley. 605 00:31:42,080 --> 00:31:45,680 Speaker 2: They found an expendable high salary, shipped Ryan Presley, paid 606 00:31:45,720 --> 00:31:48,120 Speaker 2: down some of it, and he went to Chicot. Would 607 00:31:48,160 --> 00:31:51,520 Speaker 2: not be surprised if there is another trade of that 608 00:31:51,600 --> 00:31:56,800 Speaker 2: ilk one that they find, they find someone on a 609 00:31:56,880 --> 00:32:00,000 Speaker 2: with a substantial ish salary to get them a litle 610 00:32:00,240 --> 00:32:04,880 Speaker 2: further under the tax. Will continue to reiterate, you know, 611 00:32:05,360 --> 00:32:08,760 Speaker 2: it would likely come from the infield, likely come you know, 612 00:32:08,840 --> 00:32:12,800 Speaker 2: one of Estak Paratus or Christian Walker. You know, remember 613 00:32:12,880 --> 00:32:15,440 Speaker 2: Ryan Presley had a fourteen million dollar salary when they 614 00:32:15,480 --> 00:32:18,400 Speaker 2: traded him last year. Now, the Astros paid down I 615 00:32:18,440 --> 00:32:21,280 Speaker 2: believe six million of it, but they got eight million 616 00:32:21,280 --> 00:32:26,160 Speaker 2: off their books. Everyone the Jake Myers conversation, I know, 617 00:32:26,200 --> 00:32:28,760 Speaker 2: we had that all winter. But he's only going to 618 00:32:28,840 --> 00:32:30,840 Speaker 2: make about four million dollars in arbitration. 619 00:32:31,080 --> 00:32:31,840 Speaker 1: Like I'm not here. 620 00:32:32,040 --> 00:32:34,040 Speaker 3: Sanchez is making six right. 621 00:32:33,920 --> 00:32:37,720 Speaker 2: So maybe you look at a Hay Sue Sanchez, also 622 00:32:37,760 --> 00:32:39,000 Speaker 2: represented by Scott Boris. 623 00:32:39,000 --> 00:32:41,320 Speaker 1: We've got so much Scott Boris over. 624 00:32:42,040 --> 00:32:44,480 Speaker 3: Time must be a big agent. I've never heard of 625 00:32:44,520 --> 00:32:46,800 Speaker 3: this man, is he? Is he a big deal? 626 00:32:47,080 --> 00:32:49,480 Speaker 1: He's kind of a big deal. I hope. 627 00:32:49,560 --> 00:32:52,280 Speaker 2: So he's gonna he will one hundred percent be at 628 00:32:52,280 --> 00:32:54,640 Speaker 2: this news conference whenever it is next week. 629 00:32:54,680 --> 00:32:57,120 Speaker 3: I can you tell him about my writing? Can you? 630 00:32:57,240 --> 00:32:58,680 Speaker 3: Can you ask him if I can get on that. 631 00:32:59,320 --> 00:33:00,560 Speaker 1: I'll slip your bit in his card. 632 00:33:00,640 --> 00:33:02,840 Speaker 2: But also, like one of my favorite things about Scott 633 00:33:02,880 --> 00:33:07,320 Speaker 2: is that he color coats his suits and his blazers 634 00:33:07,360 --> 00:33:11,080 Speaker 2: to whatever the team he is going to sit on 635 00:33:11,120 --> 00:33:14,720 Speaker 2: the dais for Like, he wore like a beautiful green 636 00:33:14,880 --> 00:33:18,360 Speaker 2: blazer when the Mariners introduced somebody that he that he had, 637 00:33:18,920 --> 00:33:20,840 Speaker 2: Like he'll he'll wear red if he goes to the 638 00:33:20,880 --> 00:33:23,400 Speaker 2: Phillies or something. I hope he shows up in like 639 00:33:23,440 --> 00:33:24,880 Speaker 2: a neon orange blazer. 640 00:33:25,000 --> 00:33:26,760 Speaker 3: I hope he shows up dressed like a orbit. 641 00:33:27,840 --> 00:33:29,920 Speaker 1: That would be great. That would be great. 642 00:33:30,840 --> 00:33:33,800 Speaker 3: Big old shoes, big green jacket, that'd be great. 643 00:33:34,320 --> 00:33:34,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, But. 644 00:33:36,400 --> 00:33:41,520 Speaker 2: So trades his Sanchez obviously, now, not that he ever 645 00:33:41,640 --> 00:33:44,080 Speaker 2: wasn't a trade candidate, but I think now you start 646 00:33:44,120 --> 00:33:45,920 Speaker 2: to look at him as that's gonna be about a 647 00:33:45,960 --> 00:33:48,400 Speaker 2: six seven million dollars that could help you get under 648 00:33:49,440 --> 00:33:52,320 Speaker 2: Yeah that, but you know they still have to, you know, 649 00:33:52,400 --> 00:33:55,840 Speaker 2: solve the infield logjam. You know, I do still wonder, 650 00:33:56,240 --> 00:33:59,080 Speaker 2: you know, just for practicality and for roster purposes and 651 00:33:59,200 --> 00:34:02,680 Speaker 2: keeping everyone happy and keeping everyone content, it would seem 652 00:34:02,720 --> 00:34:08,839 Speaker 2: that one of Walker or Paradus would be the guy 653 00:34:08,920 --> 00:34:11,719 Speaker 2: in terms of substantial amount of money you can move 654 00:34:12,200 --> 00:34:15,640 Speaker 2: a guy that two guys that are expendable. Not I 655 00:34:15,680 --> 00:34:18,520 Speaker 2: know you fans would not like if he saw Paradis 656 00:34:18,520 --> 00:34:21,440 Speaker 2: got traded. But there is no place for him to 657 00:34:21,480 --> 00:34:24,840 Speaker 2: play regularly on this current iteration of the roster. 658 00:34:24,960 --> 00:34:31,560 Speaker 3: So he's playing winterle right, Yeah, what I didn't his 659 00:34:31,640 --> 00:34:34,319 Speaker 3: leg fall off? Like, why is he not sleeping in 660 00:34:34,360 --> 00:34:38,279 Speaker 3: a cryo chamber somewhere? How's he out just playing winter ball? 661 00:34:38,320 --> 00:34:40,040 Speaker 3: I mean, I know he came back for like two 662 00:34:40,120 --> 00:34:43,359 Speaker 3: days at the end of last season, but that guy 663 00:34:43,440 --> 00:34:46,600 Speaker 3: just loves ball. He's out there just playing playing winter ball. 664 00:34:47,040 --> 00:34:49,680 Speaker 1: He loves ball, does love ball. 665 00:34:49,960 --> 00:34:53,880 Speaker 3: But so yeah, Esac's making ten, Christian Walker's making twenty, 666 00:34:54,239 --> 00:34:58,840 Speaker 3: Christian Harvey is making twenty one. Lance mccullor is making seventeen. Uh, 667 00:34:59,000 --> 00:35:01,240 Speaker 3: you know, you you do have some bigger name guys. 668 00:35:01,239 --> 00:35:06,479 Speaker 3: But I think, I mean, clearly, Hazu Sanchez is there's 669 00:35:06,560 --> 00:35:10,399 Speaker 3: no way the Astros start the season with with him 670 00:35:10,400 --> 00:35:13,600 Speaker 3: on the roster. With the way that they're constructed currently, 671 00:35:14,280 --> 00:35:20,279 Speaker 3: you got two left fielders already. You've got Zach Yeah, 672 00:35:20,320 --> 00:35:23,880 Speaker 3: you got al Tuvan jord On like that left field. 673 00:35:23,880 --> 00:35:26,520 Speaker 2: Both of whom, like the manager has literally said out loud, 674 00:35:26,560 --> 00:35:28,479 Speaker 2: I do not want either of them playing left field. 675 00:35:28,760 --> 00:35:34,320 Speaker 3: Well, too bad. That's that's where your roster is. Figure 676 00:35:34,320 --> 00:35:36,960 Speaker 3: that out later, but that's those are your left fielders. 677 00:35:38,280 --> 00:35:41,480 Speaker 3: You know, you you've got some some logjams there. I 678 00:35:41,800 --> 00:35:45,120 Speaker 3: don't I don't see a spot for Haze Sanchez, even 679 00:35:45,160 --> 00:35:49,160 Speaker 3: if he had, you know, performed a little bit better. 680 00:35:49,840 --> 00:35:52,239 Speaker 3: Uh you know, I I think that's one that you 681 00:35:52,280 --> 00:35:57,280 Speaker 3: can look at. You've got uh you know, like I've said, 682 00:35:59,160 --> 00:36:01,480 Speaker 3: I know they're not going to do this, but Brian A. 683 00:36:01,560 --> 00:36:03,799 Speaker 3: Bray you to me, makes a ton of sense as 684 00:36:03,800 --> 00:36:06,759 Speaker 3: a as a trade chip, just because this is the 685 00:36:06,800 --> 00:36:10,560 Speaker 3: last year of his contract. He's a huge really he's 686 00:36:10,600 --> 00:36:14,000 Speaker 3: making five million. You know, I could see a scenario 687 00:36:14,120 --> 00:36:19,000 Speaker 3: where you could include Brian A bray you with a 688 00:36:19,120 --> 00:36:23,839 Speaker 3: salary dump as well, because he's obviously way undervalued at 689 00:36:23,920 --> 00:36:27,720 Speaker 3: five million dollars. There's there's certainly ways to get value 690 00:36:27,719 --> 00:36:32,520 Speaker 3: there too. But man, what a what a rotation all 691 00:36:32,520 --> 00:36:34,120 Speaker 3: of a sudden? Where did this come from? 692 00:36:35,440 --> 00:36:38,040 Speaker 1: Jim Crane's wallet? Man, Yeah, no money, all. 693 00:36:37,960 --> 00:36:39,880 Speaker 3: It takes his money. This all takes easy. 694 00:36:40,280 --> 00:36:41,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, just just money. 695 00:36:41,840 --> 00:36:44,120 Speaker 3: Just pay the good players. It's not that hard. 696 00:36:44,800 --> 00:36:49,560 Speaker 1: I'm going to reiterate again. Two things can be true. 697 00:36:50,239 --> 00:36:55,160 Speaker 2: Their rotation today is far better than it was at 698 00:36:55,200 --> 00:36:58,040 Speaker 2: any point in twenty twenty five, at any point towards 699 00:36:58,040 --> 00:37:00,760 Speaker 2: the end of twenty twenty five. Their rotation is better today. 700 00:37:02,160 --> 00:37:05,839 Speaker 2: But you know, there is no guarantee that Emi just 701 00:37:05,960 --> 00:37:10,800 Speaker 2: completely becomes this force of a number two. The reason 702 00:37:10,800 --> 00:37:13,720 Speaker 2: why he fell into the astros lapse, the reason why 703 00:37:13,800 --> 00:37:17,239 Speaker 2: he was willing to take a deal like this is 704 00:37:17,280 --> 00:37:21,600 Speaker 2: because of the uncertainty. Is because of there was market uncertainty. 705 00:37:21,600 --> 00:37:23,920 Speaker 2: There was uncertainty within the sport as to how well 706 00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:27,840 Speaker 2: he will translate here. And this is a this qualifies 707 00:37:27,880 --> 00:37:30,000 Speaker 2: as a gamble by the Astros. But I think it's 708 00:37:30,000 --> 00:37:31,680 Speaker 2: as I think it's a sensible one. I think it's 709 00:37:31,719 --> 00:37:35,120 Speaker 2: a practical one. I think you're gambling on a guy 710 00:37:35,160 --> 00:37:40,160 Speaker 2: that has proven he can pitch at the highest level 711 00:37:41,400 --> 00:37:44,520 Speaker 2: we've talked about. MLB is a little bit. MLB is 712 00:37:44,520 --> 00:37:47,320 Speaker 2: a better league than MPB, but it's not. His stats 713 00:37:47,320 --> 00:37:50,080 Speaker 2: are nothing to slouch at. He has pitched, he has 714 00:37:50,120 --> 00:37:53,719 Speaker 2: been durable, he has been able to succeed at the 715 00:37:53,760 --> 00:37:57,560 Speaker 2: professional level. The Astros just have to hope that the 716 00:37:57,719 --> 00:38:02,239 Speaker 2: learning curve is not as steep for him as it 717 00:38:02,600 --> 00:38:04,680 Speaker 2: can be for some MPB guys. 718 00:38:04,840 --> 00:38:08,480 Speaker 3: I'd prefer you not to use all three words of 719 00:38:08,840 --> 00:38:13,040 Speaker 3: Japanese translate and gamble in the in the same sentence 720 00:38:13,040 --> 00:38:18,040 Speaker 3: when talking about a baseball player. Let's let's let's keep 721 00:38:18,080 --> 00:38:20,439 Speaker 3: that out of here. But yeah, I mean, of course 722 00:38:20,480 --> 00:38:23,520 Speaker 3: it's a gamble. I mean, but yeah, you're right. This 723 00:38:23,520 --> 00:38:26,160 Speaker 3: This makes a ton of sense for where the Astros 724 00:38:26,160 --> 00:38:27,920 Speaker 3: are at currently. It makes a ton of sense for 725 00:38:27,920 --> 00:38:32,279 Speaker 3: for e May as well. H My, Emi, you you 726 00:38:32,880 --> 00:38:34,640 Speaker 3: did this to me. I wouldn't have had that in 727 00:38:34,680 --> 00:38:37,280 Speaker 3: my head unless you did it. This is your fault. 728 00:38:37,440 --> 00:38:38,919 Speaker 3: I'm upset with you now. 729 00:38:40,560 --> 00:38:43,319 Speaker 2: Well, that's That's a perfect way to end the first 730 00:38:43,400 --> 00:38:46,720 Speaker 2: podcast of twenty twenty six, Tyler complaining that he's upset 731 00:38:46,760 --> 00:38:51,000 Speaker 2: with me. Well, this was uh, this was not how 732 00:38:51,000 --> 00:38:54,600 Speaker 2: I envisioned my New Year's Day going. But alas, this 733 00:38:54,719 --> 00:38:56,640 Speaker 2: is only a harbinger of great things to come for 734 00:38:56,680 --> 00:39:00,000 Speaker 2: the next three hundred and sixty four days of this year, 735 00:39:00,400 --> 00:39:03,880 Speaker 2: during which we will be around to talk about the Ashers, 736 00:39:03,920 --> 00:39:08,400 Speaker 2: talk about Tatsuya Emi, and to talk about this revamped rotation, 737 00:39:08,600 --> 00:39:13,839 Speaker 2: including a special guest later this week to discuss that 738 00:39:13,920 --> 00:39:16,200 Speaker 2: revamped rotation. But until then, you can follow me on 739 00:39:16,360 --> 00:39:18,919 Speaker 2: x at Chandler Underscore Room. You can follow Tyler at 740 00:39:18,960 --> 00:39:21,560 Speaker 2: Tyler C Stafford. As always, please rate and review us 741 00:39:21,600 --> 00:39:25,000 Speaker 2: on Apple and Spotify. Please subscribe to the YouTube channel, 742 00:39:25,040 --> 00:39:28,719 Speaker 2: and as always, like the video, when you subscribe to 743 00:39:28,719 --> 00:39:31,160 Speaker 2: the YouTube channel, you get notified anytime we go live 744 00:39:31,280 --> 00:39:33,600 Speaker 2: or anytime we post a new pot. We should have 745 00:39:33,600 --> 00:39:35,919 Speaker 2: gone live today, I should have been a today could 746 00:39:35,920 --> 00:39:36,680 Speaker 2: have been again. 747 00:39:36,719 --> 00:39:37,440 Speaker 1: It's New Year's Day. 748 00:39:37,480 --> 00:39:42,080 Speaker 2: Everybody's watching Texas Tech like play with themselves against Oregon. 749 00:39:42,160 --> 00:39:43,960 Speaker 2: It's not going well for them. Sorry for them, but 750 00:39:44,320 --> 00:39:46,080 Speaker 2: everyone's watching that. No one's listening to this so we 751 00:39:46,080 --> 00:39:47,399 Speaker 2: could have done it. We could have done a live 752 00:39:47,440 --> 00:39:49,279 Speaker 2: see how it goes. But we'll do one of those 753 00:39:49,320 --> 00:39:52,920 Speaker 2: soon at some point, maybe in the next week or so, 754 00:39:52,960 --> 00:39:56,040 Speaker 2: we'll do one, but until then, we will talk to 755 00:39:56,040 --> 00:39:56,319 Speaker 2: you soon. 756 00:39:56,360 --> 00:39:57,520 Speaker 1: We appreciate you guys listening. 757 00:39:57,560 --> 00:40:00,319 Speaker 2: Hope everyone had a safe New Year's Eve and a 758 00:40:00,400 --> 00:40:02,640 Speaker 2: happy New Year's Day. To all of you, to a 759 00:40:03,600 --> 00:40:07,080 Speaker 2: prosperous and fruitful twenty twenty six. Thank you guys for listening. 760 00:40:07,560 --> 00:40:07,880 Speaker 3: Ami