1 00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:26,079 Speaker 1: All to the Hemmer Territory Podcast. My name is Sean Coleman. Hope, 2 00:00:26,079 --> 00:00:29,560 Speaker 1: wherever you are and wherever you are listening, you are 3 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:32,440 Speaker 1: having a great week. It's hard to believe February is 4 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:35,760 Speaker 1: already here, but you know what that means. Spring training 5 00:00:35,800 --> 00:00:39,199 Speaker 1: is right around the corner, which means that the last 6 00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:42,919 Speaker 1: bit of free agency occurrences where many players who are 7 00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:45,040 Speaker 1: still out there need to find a new home for 8 00:00:45,080 --> 00:00:48,519 Speaker 1: twenty twenty six and beyond. It means movement is going on, 9 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:51,199 Speaker 1: and that's what we're going to discuss in tonight's episode. 10 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:54,600 Speaker 1: Plus a new era is upon us when it comes 11 00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:56,880 Speaker 1: to Braves TV. Do you want to talk about a 12 00:00:56,880 --> 00:00:59,200 Speaker 1: few names, a few interesting names that are going to 13 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:02,080 Speaker 1: be joining the Braves in the spring training But Stephen Tolbert, 14 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:04,840 Speaker 1: let's get right into it. No moves by the Braves, 15 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:10,080 Speaker 1: but moves that certainly could impact what the braid. The 16 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:13,240 Speaker 1: last remaining box to check for the Braves, and that's 17 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:15,760 Speaker 1: of course the starting pitcher and you have the breakdown, 18 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:18,080 Speaker 1: as always won the best when it comes to baking, 19 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:21,039 Speaker 1: breaking down the Braves and podcast partner Steven Tolber get 20 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:21,800 Speaker 1: even it to you, sir. 21 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:23,360 Speaker 2: What's up, buddy. 22 00:01:23,720 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, So we've been waiting on this domino to fall 23 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:33,960 Speaker 3: for you know, really since like Ranger Suarez went off 24 00:01:33,959 --> 00:01:37,760 Speaker 3: the market, We've been kind of waiting for Framber to 25 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:39,920 Speaker 3: get his deal, to see what it was, who, what 26 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:43,120 Speaker 3: team it was, what the contract was, and mainly to 27 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:45,680 Speaker 3: try to kind of push the rest of the starting 28 00:01:45,720 --> 00:01:47,280 Speaker 3: pitching market to the finish line. 29 00:01:47,360 --> 00:01:49,200 Speaker 2: And we kind of got that domino. 30 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 3: Tonight about an hour before we started recording, so it's 31 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:56,200 Speaker 3: it's Wednesday night at a nine pm Central time when 32 00:01:56,240 --> 00:01:58,600 Speaker 3: we're recording this. So yeah, about an hour ago, we 33 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 3: got the news that the Higers are signing Framber Valdez 34 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 3: to a three year, one hundred and fifteen million dollar contract. 35 00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:09,240 Speaker 2: There's a signing bonus in there. 36 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:11,080 Speaker 3: I think it was like a twenty million dollar signing bonus, 37 00:02:11,120 --> 00:02:13,400 Speaker 3: So I think the actual contract is going to be 38 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:16,919 Speaker 3: like three ninety five, so it's you know, thirty two 39 00:02:16,919 --> 00:02:20,440 Speaker 3: to thirty three million dollar AAV. Add on the signing bonus, 40 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:22,079 Speaker 3: it's like a thirty eight million dollar AAV. 41 00:02:22,360 --> 00:02:23,800 Speaker 2: So it's a that's a big boy deal. 42 00:02:23,880 --> 00:02:25,840 Speaker 3: And he also got an opt out at the end 43 00:02:25,880 --> 00:02:27,639 Speaker 3: of the second year of that three year deal. 44 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:30,680 Speaker 1: I think, I think deferrals as well, like Baser. 45 00:02:30,919 --> 00:02:32,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, so. 46 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:35,760 Speaker 3: You know, for all the talk that Framburg might have 47 00:02:35,800 --> 00:02:37,680 Speaker 3: to take a smaller deal, and he listen, he took 48 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:38,639 Speaker 3: a three year deal. 49 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:38,639 Speaker 2: But. 50 00:02:40,080 --> 00:02:43,080 Speaker 3: You know, he got big boy money, and he's going 51 00:02:43,120 --> 00:02:44,720 Speaker 3: to be able to opt out after the second year 52 00:02:44,760 --> 00:02:46,120 Speaker 3: and get right back out on the market if he 53 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:47,239 Speaker 3: wants to sign another one. 54 00:02:48,280 --> 00:02:50,919 Speaker 2: I've talked about it before, how these short term deals. 55 00:02:51,440 --> 00:02:53,560 Speaker 3: The new in vogue thing on these two to three 56 00:02:53,639 --> 00:02:56,920 Speaker 3: year deals is opt outs, and that's going to hurt 57 00:02:56,919 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 3: the Braves because the Braves don't give out opt outs, 58 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:01,680 Speaker 3: and you know, I think the shorter deal used to 59 00:03:01,680 --> 00:03:04,760 Speaker 3: be something that Alex could take advantage of. I think 60 00:03:04,840 --> 00:03:07,560 Speaker 3: ironically now it's probably something that it's going to be 61 00:03:07,560 --> 00:03:10,440 Speaker 3: harder for the Braves to do unless they unless they 62 00:03:10,520 --> 00:03:12,560 Speaker 3: change their stance on these opt outs, because it seems 63 00:03:12,600 --> 00:03:14,440 Speaker 3: like every two or three year deal for any kind 64 00:03:14,480 --> 00:03:17,639 Speaker 3: of big time free agent includes at least one opt out, 65 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:22,640 Speaker 3: and we've seen that multiple times this offseason. So so yeah, 66 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:27,239 Speaker 3: Framber's off the board. Zach Gallon is the only qualified 67 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:31,040 Speaker 3: free agent left on the market. You know, obviously, Chris 68 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:33,640 Speaker 3: Bassett is STI out there. There's still some interesting names, 69 00:03:33,639 --> 00:03:38,200 Speaker 3: but unless the Braves specifically signed Zach Gallen, they will 70 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:43,920 Speaker 3: be keeping that extra draft pick. But again, the same 71 00:03:43,960 --> 00:03:46,480 Speaker 3: message applies. It's as that it's applied all off season. 72 00:03:46,520 --> 00:03:48,560 Speaker 3: We want the Braves to go out a starter, and 73 00:03:48,920 --> 00:03:50,720 Speaker 3: I haven't waivered on that one time. 74 00:03:50,760 --> 00:03:52,720 Speaker 2: I'm not gonna waiver on it now. I would have 75 00:03:52,720 --> 00:03:53,520 Speaker 2: loved if it's Framber. 76 00:03:53,560 --> 00:03:56,760 Speaker 3: I understand it that contract in those terms, while why 77 00:03:56,800 --> 00:03:59,920 Speaker 3: it wasn't, But you know, go get a starter, Go 78 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:00,880 Speaker 3: get Chris Bassett. 79 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:02,560 Speaker 2: I don't think they're. 80 00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:05,400 Speaker 3: Gonna sign Zach Gallon. Maybe, I mean maybe his market 81 00:04:05,880 --> 00:04:09,040 Speaker 3: you know, shortens up. But again, on these short shortened deals, 82 00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:10,760 Speaker 3: we see a lot of opt outs now and I 83 00:04:10,760 --> 00:04:12,120 Speaker 3: don't know that the Braves are going to do that. 84 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 2: So it's starting to feel like Chris Bassett or bust 85 00:04:16,320 --> 00:04:17,080 Speaker 2: for the Braves. 86 00:04:17,200 --> 00:04:19,160 Speaker 3: But I'm not going to say that yet. It's it's 87 00:04:19,160 --> 00:04:22,880 Speaker 3: still too soon. But like you said, 'run February spring training. 88 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:27,320 Speaker 3: These pictures and catchers report in a week something like that, 89 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:31,159 Speaker 3: So it's you know, it's kind of time to get 90 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:34,360 Speaker 3: all this to a resolution, and hopefully Framber signing will 91 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:36,440 Speaker 3: push the rest of the dominoes towards the finish line. 92 00:04:37,240 --> 00:04:41,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, and I agree at this point, Chris Bassett it 93 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:46,960 Speaker 1: seems like the most ideal option to add. But he's 94 00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:51,840 Speaker 1: probably played the long game in an intelligent way where 95 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:56,560 Speaker 1: knowing that the deals for him may start to get 96 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:59,360 Speaker 1: a little bit uncomfortable for Atlanta what they may be 97 00:04:59,440 --> 00:05:02,599 Speaker 1: willing to for him. You know, I personally think a 98 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:05,120 Speaker 1: two year, you know, thirty million dollars deal, you know, 99 00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:07,520 Speaker 1: given the opportunity to paying fifteen million for a couple 100 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:09,760 Speaker 1: of years, I don't think that's outrageous. I think that's 101 00:05:09,760 --> 00:05:13,120 Speaker 1: certainly there. But maybe there's another team out there that's 102 00:05:13,160 --> 00:05:16,160 Speaker 1: willing to pay more. But I definitely think Chris Bassett 103 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:19,120 Speaker 1: is a better option than Zach Gallon. I would prefer 104 00:05:19,320 --> 00:05:23,400 Speaker 1: Gallon over Bassett in a vacuum. But if you're gonna 105 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:25,719 Speaker 1: get them, or if you're potentially gonna get them both 106 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:28,040 Speaker 1: on either a two or three year deal, you're gonna 107 00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:33,240 Speaker 1: pay Gallon more plus also plus also have to give 108 00:05:33,320 --> 00:05:38,600 Speaker 1: up the draft pick. Yeah, you know, it's it's gonna 109 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:41,719 Speaker 1: be hard to do. And so that to me, when 110 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:44,200 Speaker 1: it comes to that being the only option that's out there, 111 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:47,320 Speaker 1: and I won't shut the door on the trade. Like 112 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:49,960 Speaker 1: I definitely won't shut the door on the on the trade, 113 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:54,400 Speaker 1: I think that there are still some options out there 114 00:05:54,680 --> 00:05:59,400 Speaker 1: that could be controllable contracts that perhaps other teams who 115 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:01,919 Speaker 1: are looking to make moves may be more willing to 116 00:06:01,960 --> 00:06:05,279 Speaker 1: move off a picture who the Braves like, they may 117 00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:08,760 Speaker 1: find something that falls into their lap. What I will 118 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:11,440 Speaker 1: say is is that while the options seem to be dwindling, 119 00:06:11,800 --> 00:06:14,200 Speaker 1: I think that there are still multiple sensible options that 120 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:17,280 Speaker 1: are out there. But I also say I feel confident 121 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:19,400 Speaker 1: that by the end of the weekend, for instance, we're 122 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 1: gonna have our answer. Something's gonna be added. I would 123 00:06:23,000 --> 00:06:25,799 Speaker 1: put odds very strongly that we have an emergency podcast 124 00:06:25,839 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 1: out there. I think more likely than not, in the 125 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:30,719 Speaker 1: coming days, we're going to see the Braves make the move. 126 00:06:30,839 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 1: I would love for it to be Chris Pass and 127 00:06:32,360 --> 00:06:34,080 Speaker 1: I think he makes a lot of sense from a 128 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:37,200 Speaker 1: lot of different perspectives. But I also don't think it's 129 00:06:37,200 --> 00:06:39,400 Speaker 1: out of the rammed possibility that Alex could do his 130 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:42,440 Speaker 1: trademark out of left field move and wind up getting 131 00:06:42,440 --> 00:06:44,600 Speaker 1: a guy who not many thought was available or thought 132 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:46,760 Speaker 1: made sense. But then in time when you think about 133 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:48,039 Speaker 1: it like that's a really good ad. 134 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:49,400 Speaker 2: Yeah. 135 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:53,039 Speaker 3: And Rosenthal reported today and he specifically mentioned he said 136 00:06:53,200 --> 00:06:55,840 Speaker 3: two teams that are still actively looking for starting pitching 137 00:06:55,920 --> 00:06:59,040 Speaker 3: are the Padres and the Braves. And that was a 138 00:06:59,120 --> 00:07:04,440 Speaker 3: Rosenthal report today. So I don't know if I put 139 00:07:04,520 --> 00:07:06,240 Speaker 3: I don't. I don't know if I'm as optimistic as 140 00:07:06,279 --> 00:07:09,520 Speaker 3: you are that they're gonna get something done. The thing 141 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:11,400 Speaker 3: I worry about with Bassett is the same thing I 142 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 3: just said. A lot of these two and three year 143 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:16,320 Speaker 3: deal downs come with opt outs. It's just like almost 144 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:21,880 Speaker 3: like a standard thing, which is wild because opt outs 145 00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:24,680 Speaker 3: used to be pretty rare and only the very top 146 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:26,760 Speaker 3: guys would get them, And now like every three year 147 00:07:26,840 --> 00:07:29,680 Speaker 3: deal of anybody decent has an opt out in it, 148 00:07:29,720 --> 00:07:32,960 Speaker 3: which I don't I don't fully get opt outs are 149 00:07:32,960 --> 00:07:35,120 Speaker 3: horrible for the team. They're great for the player, But 150 00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:37,800 Speaker 3: I don't know why all these teams keep signing up 151 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:40,520 Speaker 3: for opt outs. You you you assume all of the 152 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:42,320 Speaker 3: downside with getting very little. 153 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:42,679 Speaker 2: Of the upside. 154 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:46,280 Speaker 3: So that could be a problem if Bassett gets out, 155 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 3: you know, multiple opt outs or an opt out and 156 00:07:47,960 --> 00:07:48,640 Speaker 3: a two year deal. 157 00:07:49,080 --> 00:07:50,440 Speaker 2: I don't know that the brids are gonna get them. 158 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:51,120 Speaker 2: I do agree with you. 159 00:07:51,160 --> 00:07:53,680 Speaker 3: I think the trade market is still available. Like as 160 00:07:53,720 --> 00:07:57,320 Speaker 3: soon as I saw the Tigers got fromber and the 161 00:07:57,360 --> 00:08:00,120 Speaker 3: Tigers were already the favorites to win that division, I 162 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:02,280 Speaker 3: was like, the Twins are just like dead in the water, 163 00:08:02,320 --> 00:08:04,760 Speaker 3: like there's no the Twins have no chance, and they 164 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:07,040 Speaker 3: just fired their president like a week ago, which is 165 00:08:07,240 --> 00:08:09,920 Speaker 3: I mean, the Twins are just a conundrum on top 166 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:12,840 Speaker 3: of a miss tree, on top of a you know. 167 00:08:13,480 --> 00:08:14,640 Speaker 2: Steaming pile up poop. 168 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:17,200 Speaker 3: So I don't know what they're doing, but the Twins 169 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:20,960 Speaker 3: should be like actively trading Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan. 170 00:08:21,040 --> 00:08:22,760 Speaker 3: That's what the Twins should be doing. But I don't 171 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:25,680 Speaker 3: know that they are. I think, you know, there's a 172 00:08:25,680 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 3: couple of names in the trademarket still out there that 173 00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:31,360 Speaker 3: I think the Braves could explore, but it's just easier 174 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:35,040 Speaker 3: to sign free agents. It just is, so, you know, 175 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:37,880 Speaker 3: until Chris Bassett signs, that's gonna be the name. 176 00:08:38,160 --> 00:08:39,079 Speaker 2: I guess Gallon too. 177 00:08:39,120 --> 00:08:41,240 Speaker 3: I mean, I'm not gonna mark the Braves out of 178 00:08:41,360 --> 00:08:43,840 Speaker 3: Zach Gallon until he's signed somewhere else. I don't think 179 00:08:43,840 --> 00:08:46,320 Speaker 3: they're gonna be in on him. But until those two 180 00:08:46,320 --> 00:08:49,720 Speaker 3: guys are off the board, Gallon and Bassett, I still 181 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:52,280 Speaker 3: am gonna assume that's the easiest way to add pitching. 182 00:08:52,800 --> 00:08:54,840 Speaker 3: Once those guys are off the boards, and if it's 183 00:08:54,840 --> 00:08:57,840 Speaker 3: not to Atlanta, then I'm gonna be worried that they're 184 00:08:57,840 --> 00:08:58,920 Speaker 3: not gonna actually do anything. 185 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:00,839 Speaker 2: Obviously, the trademarket still be there, but. 186 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:05,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, the number of names is getting slim, and like 187 00:09:05,200 --> 00:09:08,360 Speaker 3: you said, it's possible that Bassett has put himself in 188 00:09:08,400 --> 00:09:10,199 Speaker 3: a position and maybe even Gallen as well, where now 189 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:13,079 Speaker 3: they have a number of teams still looking for pitching 190 00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:15,679 Speaker 3: and they're the only two kind of decent names left 191 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:20,080 Speaker 3: and that might help their case on getting better deals. 192 00:09:22,160 --> 00:09:25,839 Speaker 1: Be interesting to see what could occur. And again, you know, 193 00:09:25,840 --> 00:09:28,600 Speaker 1: if the Braves were to not make a move before 194 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:30,880 Speaker 1: spring training, especially when it comes to the trade market, 195 00:09:31,080 --> 00:09:33,560 Speaker 1: that doesn't mean they want make a move, but it's 196 00:09:33,559 --> 00:09:36,400 Speaker 1: certainly better to go ahead and make the move and 197 00:09:36,640 --> 00:09:39,600 Speaker 1: get the new acquisition. And at the same time as 198 00:09:39,640 --> 00:09:42,280 Speaker 1: everybody else is to get them acclimated and you know, 199 00:09:42,559 --> 00:09:45,000 Speaker 1: you know, really get to work on what you feel 200 00:09:45,320 --> 00:09:47,280 Speaker 1: could make them, you know, make the most of their 201 00:09:47,520 --> 00:09:49,960 Speaker 1: you know, time now in Atlanta, Yeah, it'd be good 202 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:52,000 Speaker 1: to see a move that would be made, and I 203 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:54,480 Speaker 1: definitely think it's warranted, you know, because we've seen you know, 204 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:58,240 Speaker 1: hey once again Fangrass for instance. We'll discuss this a 205 00:09:58,280 --> 00:10:00,240 Speaker 1: bit more as we get to our close to the 206 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:03,120 Speaker 1: start of the season. Fangrass came out with their projections 207 00:10:03,280 --> 00:10:06,040 Speaker 1: Braves second best chance to win the World Series and 208 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:08,360 Speaker 1: also the second best chance to make the playoffs. There's 209 00:10:08,360 --> 00:10:10,400 Speaker 1: still a lot of love for the race that gives 210 00:10:10,440 --> 00:10:14,840 Speaker 1: them in every every reason I feel to remain aggressive, 211 00:10:15,320 --> 00:10:18,240 Speaker 1: but again the options to you know, go out and 212 00:10:18,240 --> 00:10:20,400 Speaker 1: be aggressive and actually get something that can make a difference. 213 00:10:20,559 --> 00:10:23,720 Speaker 1: They're becoming, you know, slimmer and slimmer. But of course 214 00:10:24,200 --> 00:10:27,880 Speaker 1: when we talk about the Braves, everybody seems to be 215 00:10:27,920 --> 00:10:30,839 Speaker 1: interested now in just exactly how are they going to 216 00:10:30,880 --> 00:10:33,280 Speaker 1: be able to watch them Steven, and that you know, 217 00:10:33,320 --> 00:10:36,000 Speaker 1: brings us to, you know, our next topic. We've talked 218 00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:39,679 Speaker 1: quite a bit about it, but we're also now to 219 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:42,920 Speaker 1: the point to where it's it's pretty crystal clear what's 220 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:45,360 Speaker 1: going on with the Braves. The Braves are likely, in 221 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:48,840 Speaker 1: some way, shape or form, you have been one of them, 222 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:52,160 Speaker 1: if not the best source a kind of breaking down 223 00:10:52,559 --> 00:10:55,079 Speaker 1: how this will all evolve. But it does seem like 224 00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:58,160 Speaker 1: the Braves are going towards having you know, their own 225 00:10:58,360 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 1: TV network to where they would be, you know, something responsible, 226 00:11:02,520 --> 00:11:04,520 Speaker 1: you know, not only for the product, but the distribution 227 00:11:04,640 --> 00:11:07,320 Speaker 1: of the product to Braves country, and they may involve 228 00:11:07,360 --> 00:11:09,640 Speaker 1: you know, other you know platforms of how to do that, 229 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:12,320 Speaker 1: but that seems kind of the way to go. And 230 00:11:12,400 --> 00:11:15,600 Speaker 1: a big reason why that is so attractive to Atlanta, Stephen, 231 00:11:16,240 --> 00:11:19,480 Speaker 1: is so that they can keep as much potential revenue 232 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:22,080 Speaker 1: as possible from the TV deal. 233 00:11:24,040 --> 00:11:26,679 Speaker 3: Yeah, so let's kind of reset where we are on 234 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:29,559 Speaker 3: this entire topic, because a lot has happened since the 235 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:34,319 Speaker 3: last time we talked. So on Friday last Friday, the 236 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:38,880 Speaker 3: kind of rumors circling around was that this Main Street Sport, 237 00:11:39,400 --> 00:11:43,160 Speaker 3: these RSNS was gonna come to a head this week, 238 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:45,640 Speaker 3: like the we were start going to we were really 239 00:11:45,640 --> 00:11:47,880 Speaker 3: gonna start learning some information this week. 240 00:11:48,720 --> 00:11:51,760 Speaker 2: And then on Monday we learned that of the nine. 241 00:11:51,520 --> 00:11:57,000 Speaker 3: Teams that Main Street Sports has under their umbrella, eight 242 00:11:57,080 --> 00:12:02,920 Speaker 3: of them are going to MLB's distribution in twenty twenty 243 00:12:02,960 --> 00:12:05,480 Speaker 3: six for their games, and they might sign some local 244 00:12:05,520 --> 00:12:10,120 Speaker 3: TV rights as well, but they're mainly going to use 245 00:12:10,280 --> 00:12:13,480 Speaker 3: MLB's distribution for their TV rights in twenty twenty six 246 00:12:13,559 --> 00:12:16,199 Speaker 3: and then probably make a long term plan after that. 247 00:12:16,920 --> 00:12:19,600 Speaker 3: The one team that is not doing that, or is 248 00:12:19,640 --> 00:12:20,240 Speaker 3: not doing. 249 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:22,360 Speaker 2: That yet at least, is the Atlanta Braves. 250 00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:26,400 Speaker 3: And there was so much reporting on this, and the 251 00:12:26,440 --> 00:12:30,320 Speaker 3: smoke got so you know, it got so heavy that 252 00:12:30,360 --> 00:12:32,400 Speaker 3: the Braves actually put out a statement, which I was 253 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:34,959 Speaker 3: not expecting. I was not expecting the Braves actually put 254 00:12:34,960 --> 00:12:37,400 Speaker 3: out a statement. And not only did they put out 255 00:12:37,440 --> 00:12:40,959 Speaker 3: a statement, but they put out a fascinating statement because 256 00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:43,640 Speaker 3: and I'm gonna read it verbatim because I'm just gonna 257 00:12:43,679 --> 00:12:46,360 Speaker 3: read the first paragraph because this is where the nugget is. 258 00:12:46,920 --> 00:12:48,679 Speaker 3: So this is the brave statement they put out two 259 00:12:48,720 --> 00:12:51,680 Speaker 3: days ago. The Atlanta Braves are aware of the reporting 260 00:12:51,720 --> 00:12:54,720 Speaker 3: regarding Main Street Sports Group, which again is these rsns 261 00:12:54,840 --> 00:12:59,320 Speaker 3: FanDuel Sports Network. While disappointed with this development, we have 262 00:12:59,520 --> 00:13:02,439 Speaker 3: actively We've been preparing for this outcome and are well 263 00:13:02,480 --> 00:13:06,000 Speaker 3: on our way towards launching a new era in Braves broadcast. 264 00:13:07,520 --> 00:13:10,320 Speaker 3: So I was not I was thinking the Braves would 265 00:13:10,320 --> 00:13:12,520 Speaker 3: not comment on this until they had something to announce 266 00:13:12,600 --> 00:13:15,480 Speaker 3: in terms of a TV network or what they're gonna do. 267 00:13:16,440 --> 00:13:19,719 Speaker 3: But they came out already and they said, we are 268 00:13:20,080 --> 00:13:21,040 Speaker 3: well on our way. 269 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:22,520 Speaker 2: We have been, you know. 270 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:25,640 Speaker 3: We the tea leaves on this have been easy to 271 00:13:25,679 --> 00:13:28,040 Speaker 3: read for a couple of years now that this was 272 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:30,960 Speaker 3: going to happen. This this RSN model has been dying 273 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:33,840 Speaker 3: slowly for like ten years, and it's been dying at 274 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:36,600 Speaker 3: a much quicker rate the last two years. 275 00:13:37,320 --> 00:13:39,720 Speaker 2: So clearly the Braves have been doing. 276 00:13:39,559 --> 00:13:45,520 Speaker 3: Behind the scenes work on launching some sort of network that, 277 00:13:45,800 --> 00:13:49,840 Speaker 3: in their according to their statement, is going to be 278 00:13:49,920 --> 00:13:51,080 Speaker 3: up and running this year. 279 00:13:52,760 --> 00:13:54,480 Speaker 2: I have no idea what that's going to look like. 280 00:13:55,600 --> 00:13:59,720 Speaker 3: We got a million questions on Monday when that all 281 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:02,440 Speaker 3: drops about, like what's the pricing gonna be, how what's 282 00:14:02,480 --> 00:14:03,160 Speaker 3: it gonna look like. 283 00:14:03,720 --> 00:14:06,160 Speaker 2: Again, we don't have any of those details. 284 00:14:06,320 --> 00:14:07,920 Speaker 3: I will tell you what I've heard from a couple 285 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:10,720 Speaker 3: of people in the industry that I've been deeming with 286 00:14:11,160 --> 00:14:14,200 Speaker 3: during this whole saga the last two years, and there's 287 00:14:14,280 --> 00:14:15,080 Speaker 3: a couple nuggets that. 288 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:19,520 Speaker 2: I want to share. One, according to people. 289 00:14:19,320 --> 00:14:23,200 Speaker 3: I talk to you, it's very unlikely almost I would 290 00:14:23,360 --> 00:14:25,400 Speaker 3: I'm not gonna say a zero percent chance, but very 291 00:14:25,480 --> 00:14:29,240 Speaker 3: unlikely the Braves would do anything on a network that 292 00:14:29,360 --> 00:14:32,080 Speaker 3: does not have some sort of linear TV option. 293 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:37,360 Speaker 2: So if you don't know about the demographic, the demographics. 294 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:39,480 Speaker 3: Of baseball, it does tend to be an older demographic 295 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:40,520 Speaker 3: versus other sports. 296 00:14:41,160 --> 00:14:42,400 Speaker 2: The baseball has done. 297 00:14:42,320 --> 00:14:44,600 Speaker 3: A really good job in getting younger demos the last 298 00:14:44,600 --> 00:14:47,480 Speaker 3: couple of years, but still baseball is an older audience 299 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:51,560 Speaker 3: and linear TV is still the way the older audience 300 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:53,960 Speaker 3: prefers to take in games. So I would be shocked 301 00:14:54,680 --> 00:14:57,200 Speaker 3: if the Brave whatever the Braves announced in the next 302 00:14:57,200 --> 00:15:00,840 Speaker 3: week or two is a streaming only op. I think 303 00:15:00,880 --> 00:15:04,280 Speaker 3: there's one hundred percent going to be a linear TV option. 304 00:15:05,240 --> 00:15:07,440 Speaker 2: So that's one two. 305 00:15:07,840 --> 00:15:10,040 Speaker 3: And this is important to remember about all sports teams. 306 00:15:10,400 --> 00:15:13,360 Speaker 3: Your favorite sports team wants you to have access to 307 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:16,800 Speaker 3: their games, but they don't necessarily want you to have 308 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:21,240 Speaker 3: cheap access to their games. So I saw a lot 309 00:15:21,280 --> 00:15:23,640 Speaker 3: of people say, like, you know this, this should be 310 00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:27,160 Speaker 3: a more affordable option, and I would just hesitate and 311 00:15:27,240 --> 00:15:33,120 Speaker 3: caution people that that's not necessarily the key, Like the 312 00:15:33,160 --> 00:15:35,800 Speaker 3: Braves are making a good amount of money on these 313 00:15:35,920 --> 00:15:38,280 Speaker 3: RSN deals, and the reason that teams held on to 314 00:15:38,360 --> 00:15:41,600 Speaker 3: this RSN model so long, even though it was dying 315 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:43,680 Speaker 3: for so many years, was because how much money they're making. 316 00:15:45,120 --> 00:15:48,400 Speaker 3: So in order to prevent any sort of windfall in revenue, 317 00:15:48,440 --> 00:15:52,120 Speaker 3: they're going to try to make this next venture as 318 00:15:52,160 --> 00:15:55,120 Speaker 3: close as possible to what they were getting. So I 319 00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:56,880 Speaker 3: have no idea what the pricing is going to be, 320 00:15:58,240 --> 00:16:00,760 Speaker 3: but I would hesitate towards believing that this is going 321 00:16:00,800 --> 00:16:03,960 Speaker 3: to be some massive savings for the customers. 322 00:16:04,040 --> 00:16:04,880 Speaker 2: Until I see it now. 323 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:06,680 Speaker 3: It could be wrong, and they could do a discount 324 00:16:06,720 --> 00:16:09,040 Speaker 3: in year one because it's so new and it's coming 325 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:09,680 Speaker 3: out so late. 326 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:12,359 Speaker 2: But I would just caution. 327 00:16:12,240 --> 00:16:15,560 Speaker 3: People against expecting this to be like some super cheap 328 00:16:15,600 --> 00:16:18,320 Speaker 3: way to watch the team. If it is fantastic, we'll 329 00:16:18,320 --> 00:16:20,880 Speaker 3: take it, But I think it's still going to be 330 00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:24,000 Speaker 3: around the same price you've been paying to watch Braves games. 331 00:16:24,240 --> 00:16:26,000 Speaker 3: And I would be stunned if there's not a linear 332 00:16:26,040 --> 00:16:30,640 Speaker 3: TV option to go along with streaming options. But we'll see, 333 00:16:30,800 --> 00:16:32,840 Speaker 3: you know, it was a very exciting announcement. The Braves 334 00:16:32,840 --> 00:16:35,440 Speaker 3: need to have their own network. I'm fascinated to see 335 00:16:35,440 --> 00:16:35,880 Speaker 3: what's going. 336 00:16:35,800 --> 00:16:40,040 Speaker 1: To look like. Yeah, and I would imagine, you know, 337 00:16:40,160 --> 00:16:44,640 Speaker 1: from from other teams that over the past couple of 338 00:16:44,720 --> 00:16:46,960 Speaker 1: years have have kind of you know, done a similar 339 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:49,360 Speaker 1: type setup, or you know, maybe they went to MLB. 340 00:16:49,720 --> 00:16:52,520 Speaker 1: You saw I think it was Arizona that or maybe 341 00:16:52,600 --> 00:16:54,880 Speaker 1: San Diego that offered you know, the full year for 342 00:16:54,920 --> 00:16:56,960 Speaker 1: like one hundred dollars. I would imagine that, you know, 343 00:16:57,040 --> 00:16:59,000 Speaker 1: it would cost us total about one hundred and twenty two, 344 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:01,320 Speaker 1: one hundred and fifty dollars to be able to access 345 00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:02,440 Speaker 1: the break for the full season. 346 00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:06,200 Speaker 3: And remember those teams went with MLB's distribution, So that's 347 00:17:06,240 --> 00:17:07,679 Speaker 3: the pricing if you go with MLB. 348 00:17:07,840 --> 00:17:09,960 Speaker 2: The Braves are not going with MLB, so. 349 00:17:10,720 --> 00:17:13,640 Speaker 1: It probably will be closer to that Fife maybe twenty 350 00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:14,240 Speaker 1: to twenty. 351 00:17:14,080 --> 00:17:14,439 Speaker 2: I don't know. 352 00:17:14,680 --> 00:17:18,800 Speaker 3: And what the good news is if you build out 353 00:17:18,840 --> 00:17:23,080 Speaker 3: your own network. So the problem with these rsns is 354 00:17:23,080 --> 00:17:25,640 Speaker 3: they have to pay for everything in terms of production, 355 00:17:25,720 --> 00:17:28,280 Speaker 3: but they also have to pay for the broadcasting rights 356 00:17:28,359 --> 00:17:30,560 Speaker 3: just to show the games. The good thing is is 357 00:17:30,560 --> 00:17:33,680 Speaker 3: if you have your own in house network, the broadcasting 358 00:17:33,760 --> 00:17:36,800 Speaker 3: rights is a cost you don't have, so it is 359 00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:40,560 Speaker 3: easier to be profitable without having to gouge your customers. 360 00:17:41,280 --> 00:17:44,680 Speaker 3: So there is a chance it's it's somewhat cheaper. I 361 00:17:44,760 --> 00:17:46,840 Speaker 3: just don't expect it to be nearly as cheap as 362 00:17:46,840 --> 00:17:50,160 Speaker 3: like maybe the MLB's option, which brings in a lot 363 00:17:50,240 --> 00:17:52,480 Speaker 3: less revenue. Like we saw the car one of the 364 00:17:52,480 --> 00:17:55,760 Speaker 3: Cardinals guys send out their numbers today and it was 365 00:17:55,840 --> 00:17:59,480 Speaker 3: like the Cardinals are taking a major bath in revenue 366 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:02,720 Speaker 3: because it's basically going to be a direct to customer 367 00:18:02,880 --> 00:18:06,119 Speaker 3: option that MLB is offering, and you basically get like 368 00:18:06,920 --> 00:18:09,720 Speaker 3: they basically split it with the team how very many 369 00:18:09,720 --> 00:18:12,080 Speaker 3: subscriptions they get. You know, they get half the revenue, 370 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:15,800 Speaker 3: So you're just taking a major bath. And that's why 371 00:18:15,840 --> 00:18:18,360 Speaker 3: teams don't usually do direct to customer stuff because there's 372 00:18:18,359 --> 00:18:21,440 Speaker 3: just not as much revenue in it. So I think 373 00:18:21,480 --> 00:18:25,160 Speaker 3: it's going to be a network that you purchased through 374 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:28,560 Speaker 3: your cable provider like you did like Ballely or FanDuel. 375 00:18:28,560 --> 00:18:31,040 Speaker 3: It's just in house instead of a third party. It's 376 00:18:31,080 --> 00:18:32,960 Speaker 3: just I, you know, I have no idea what the 377 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:35,879 Speaker 3: logistics are yet, and nobody does. But they're gonna have 378 00:18:35,920 --> 00:18:39,640 Speaker 3: to release these soon because we got spring training games 379 00:18:39,680 --> 00:18:43,520 Speaker 3: starting in like two and a half weeks, so you know, 380 00:18:44,040 --> 00:18:46,520 Speaker 3: you got to give fans time to like find you 381 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:48,679 Speaker 3: and be able to watch you. So I expect this 382 00:18:48,800 --> 00:18:50,560 Speaker 3: information to come out relatively soon. 383 00:18:50,960 --> 00:18:54,440 Speaker 1: Well, if this brings to questions some very important or 384 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:58,240 Speaker 1: bring us to mind some very important questions for me, Steven, 385 00:18:58,800 --> 00:19:01,000 Speaker 1: and I'm gonna, you know, do rapid fire with you 386 00:19:01,119 --> 00:19:04,200 Speaker 1: real quickly. You know, when it comes to the to 387 00:19:04,240 --> 00:19:07,119 Speaker 1: the presentation, do we feel that there's going to be 388 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:12,560 Speaker 1: more of a four commercial rotation during commercial breaks during 389 00:19:12,600 --> 00:19:16,040 Speaker 1: these games, during rain delays? Do we feel that we're 390 00:19:16,080 --> 00:19:20,399 Speaker 1: going to bring back the entire the entire library of 391 00:19:20,840 --> 00:19:25,200 Speaker 1: decades worth of Braves driven documentaries, one by the way, 392 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:26,600 Speaker 1: that features our own Brad Roland. 393 00:19:27,880 --> 00:19:29,240 Speaker 2: You're asking the hard hitting questions. 394 00:19:29,520 --> 00:19:33,840 Speaker 1: These are the important whenever it came to Braves baseball, 395 00:19:34,480 --> 00:19:37,040 Speaker 1: but you had to keep the crowd in tune when 396 00:19:37,080 --> 00:19:42,639 Speaker 1: it wasn't actually Braves baseball. This is tradition. You can't 397 00:19:42,680 --> 00:19:45,359 Speaker 1: have more than five commercials in the rotation and you 398 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:50,200 Speaker 1: have to see the same Chipper, Tommy, Greg, John and 399 00:19:50,280 --> 00:19:52,520 Speaker 1: Bobby roundtable conversation every ti. 400 00:19:52,560 --> 00:19:57,160 Speaker 3: Many how many episodes of Andy Griffith's show, Oh. 401 00:19:57,280 --> 00:20:02,040 Speaker 1: My goodness, we all f we all felt at home 402 00:20:02,119 --> 00:20:05,400 Speaker 1: in Mayberry in the early two thousands, like it was 403 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:07,800 Speaker 1: just it was crazy. If Barney five is not on 404 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:11,400 Speaker 1: my TV at least twice a week. It's not the same, right, 405 00:20:11,640 --> 00:20:12,360 Speaker 1: it's not the same. 406 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:14,159 Speaker 2: These are these are the important questions too. 407 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:17,240 Speaker 1: These are these are what we need to We need 408 00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:22,760 Speaker 1: to make sure that these these traditional characteristics of just amazing, 409 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:26,160 Speaker 1: nostalgic Braves baseball is there once again. 410 00:20:26,240 --> 00:20:28,879 Speaker 3: And I will say this along that same line about 411 00:20:28,920 --> 00:20:31,159 Speaker 3: like what is going to continue, because we got a 412 00:20:31,160 --> 00:20:34,800 Speaker 3: lot of questions about this. Anybody that carries the Braves 413 00:20:34,840 --> 00:20:37,440 Speaker 3: in twenty twenty six knows they have to have a 414 00:20:37,480 --> 00:20:40,720 Speaker 3: broadcast team. Yes, you have to have somebody call the game, Yes, 415 00:20:41,119 --> 00:20:45,320 Speaker 3: it is. It is substantially easier to just use the 416 00:20:45,359 --> 00:20:47,199 Speaker 3: guys that have already been doing it, even if you 417 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:50,600 Speaker 3: have to subcontract them out for a season or give 418 00:20:50,600 --> 00:20:53,840 Speaker 3: them a six month contract. So, like everybody is asking, 419 00:20:53,920 --> 00:20:55,440 Speaker 3: are they going to keep Brandon and CJ. 420 00:20:56,520 --> 00:21:00,199 Speaker 2: I don't know that. I would almost I. 421 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:04,320 Speaker 3: Would almost guarantee that in some form or fashion, whoever 422 00:21:04,400 --> 00:21:06,879 Speaker 3: is carrying the team in terms of their broadcast in 423 00:21:06,920 --> 00:21:09,119 Speaker 3: twenty twenty six is going to use Brandon and CJ. 424 00:21:09,200 --> 00:21:11,920 Speaker 3: It's just a inertia that it's just easier to keep 425 00:21:11,960 --> 00:21:14,399 Speaker 3: what's already been going for the last couple of years, 426 00:21:14,560 --> 00:21:17,080 Speaker 3: and just you know, even even if it's not a 427 00:21:17,119 --> 00:21:19,320 Speaker 3: long term, even if it's just like a six month 428 00:21:19,359 --> 00:21:22,679 Speaker 3: contract to get through the season. My guess is, regardless 429 00:21:22,680 --> 00:21:25,520 Speaker 3: of where the Braves are next year on TV, it 430 00:21:25,560 --> 00:21:27,520 Speaker 3: will be Brandon and CJ calling the games. 431 00:21:27,720 --> 00:21:28,400 Speaker 2: I don't know that. 432 00:21:28,520 --> 00:21:30,399 Speaker 3: I mean, I guess they could make a it's just 433 00:21:30,440 --> 00:21:33,639 Speaker 3: so late in the game to be making changes that big. 434 00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:35,680 Speaker 2: I would be stunned. 435 00:21:35,680 --> 00:21:39,920 Speaker 3: I really believe CJ and and Brandon will be back 436 00:21:39,960 --> 00:21:43,359 Speaker 3: on the call along with Like you know, so I 437 00:21:43,440 --> 00:21:46,040 Speaker 3: had like multiple questions about Whyley Ballard. I think Wiley 438 00:21:46,040 --> 00:21:48,200 Speaker 3: has become like a fan favorite. You know, when you 439 00:21:48,240 --> 00:21:50,840 Speaker 3: get down to like the sideline reporters, it's probably easier 440 00:21:50,880 --> 00:21:52,720 Speaker 3: to make a little turnover. So I don't know about that, 441 00:21:52,840 --> 00:21:55,440 Speaker 3: But Brandon and CJ would be tough to switch out 442 00:21:55,480 --> 00:21:58,200 Speaker 3: this late in the game. So my guess is, again 443 00:21:58,240 --> 00:22:00,359 Speaker 3: we don't know yet, but my guess is we're of 444 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:03,840 Speaker 3: where they are on TV, Brandon and CJ will be 445 00:22:03,840 --> 00:22:04,560 Speaker 3: calling the games. 446 00:22:04,760 --> 00:22:09,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, the Braves, the Braves Radio plus TV combination. I 447 00:22:09,600 --> 00:22:13,399 Speaker 1: think Ben Ingram has one of the best voices on 448 00:22:13,480 --> 00:22:16,359 Speaker 1: the radio out there. He is so much fun to 449 00:22:16,480 --> 00:22:21,199 Speaker 1: listen to. But I would if anybody is investing in 450 00:22:21,240 --> 00:22:23,840 Speaker 1: the Braves, and especially if it's the Braves themselves, nobody 451 00:22:23,880 --> 00:22:26,720 Speaker 1: better than the Braves themselves know how good and how 452 00:22:26,760 --> 00:22:30,200 Speaker 1: improved the TV broadcast is with those two being involved 453 00:22:30,200 --> 00:22:30,439 Speaker 1: with it. 454 00:22:30,480 --> 00:22:32,760 Speaker 3: And I think people get this, But the radio side 455 00:22:32,800 --> 00:22:34,200 Speaker 3: is unaffected by any of. 456 00:22:34,359 --> 00:22:38,040 Speaker 1: Correct correct but the combination. I think it's very important 457 00:22:38,119 --> 00:22:40,840 Speaker 1: when you combine them, the combination, and it's rare that 458 00:22:40,880 --> 00:22:43,480 Speaker 1: the Braves have had such quality on both sides of 459 00:22:43,560 --> 00:22:44,760 Speaker 1: the coins. 460 00:22:45,160 --> 00:22:45,480 Speaker 2: Yeah. 461 00:22:45,480 --> 00:22:49,480 Speaker 1: Absolutely, But we're mentioning all this stuff leading up to 462 00:22:50,480 --> 00:22:53,840 Speaker 1: the twenty twenty six season and we're starting to get 463 00:22:53,840 --> 00:22:57,239 Speaker 1: indications of who exactly is going to be there in 464 00:22:57,480 --> 00:22:59,800 Speaker 1: spring training, and that's you know something else I think 465 00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:03,159 Speaker 1: that is notable. You know, when it comes to the 466 00:23:03,240 --> 00:23:06,680 Speaker 1: announcement for Major League Baseball teams of non roster invitees, 467 00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:10,240 Speaker 1: the casual fan may think, Okay, what's so exciting about this? 468 00:23:10,240 --> 00:23:10,800 Speaker 2: This is just. 469 00:23:10,840 --> 00:23:15,000 Speaker 1: Mostly you know, invites some players who are trying to 470 00:23:15,040 --> 00:23:17,840 Speaker 1: catch on and be organizational depth and all that stuff. 471 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:21,040 Speaker 1: And that is the case, but you also start to 472 00:23:21,160 --> 00:23:25,199 Speaker 1: get a bit of an understanding to some of the 473 00:23:25,240 --> 00:23:29,080 Speaker 1: more intriguing prospect games, and this is through the team 474 00:23:29,080 --> 00:23:32,800 Speaker 1: itself some names that they find most intriguing when it 475 00:23:32,840 --> 00:23:36,359 Speaker 1: comes to spring training. And Stephen, twenty four non roster 476 00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:39,439 Speaker 1: invitees were announced by the Braves for spring training today. 477 00:23:39,800 --> 00:23:41,320 Speaker 1: What are your thoughts on some of the names that 478 00:23:41,400 --> 00:23:45,440 Speaker 1: stand out among some of the prospects that'll be there 479 00:23:45,680 --> 00:23:46,880 Speaker 1: in spring training this year. 480 00:23:47,920 --> 00:23:51,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, so the Braves are released there in our eyes, 481 00:23:51,119 --> 00:23:54,520 Speaker 3: which is non roster invitees for spring training today. Every team, 482 00:23:54,840 --> 00:23:56,560 Speaker 3: pretty much every team in baseball did this in the 483 00:23:56,720 --> 00:24:00,399 Speaker 3: last two days or so. The notable names for the Braves. 484 00:24:00,480 --> 00:24:02,640 Speaker 3: Of course, everybody on the forty man gets an automatic 485 00:24:02,720 --> 00:24:05,040 Speaker 3: invite to spring training. I don't know if people know that, 486 00:24:05,080 --> 00:24:07,480 Speaker 3: but everybody on the forty man is is already in 487 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:10,280 Speaker 3: spring training. So a non roster invites he is not 488 00:24:10,359 --> 00:24:13,359 Speaker 3: on the forty man but still invited the spring training. 489 00:24:14,119 --> 00:24:15,840 Speaker 2: And so some of the notable names. Jr. 490 00:24:15,960 --> 00:24:19,320 Speaker 3: Richie and Owen Murphy are probably two of the biggest 491 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:24,560 Speaker 3: NRI pitchers in terms of the prospects. And then what's 492 00:24:24,600 --> 00:24:28,520 Speaker 3: surprised me a little was Alex Lodis and John Gill, 493 00:24:28,600 --> 00:24:29,000 Speaker 3: which are. 494 00:24:29,480 --> 00:24:32,600 Speaker 2: I guess at this point the Braves correct me if. 495 00:24:32,480 --> 00:24:35,400 Speaker 3: I'm wrong, Sean, I guess probably the Braves two best 496 00:24:35,400 --> 00:24:39,239 Speaker 3: position player prospects at this point. I don't know if 497 00:24:39,240 --> 00:24:41,359 Speaker 3: anybody's ranked ahead of either one of those guys. I 498 00:24:41,359 --> 00:24:42,520 Speaker 3: think though, I think they're like. 499 00:24:43,560 --> 00:24:46,240 Speaker 2: Seven and ten something like that. 500 00:24:46,600 --> 00:24:49,080 Speaker 3: Yeah, the Braves starting the Braves top ten is very 501 00:24:49,080 --> 00:24:49,960 Speaker 3: pitching heavy. 502 00:24:49,720 --> 00:24:55,280 Speaker 1: So Diego torns Horns uh to south the scene. I 503 00:24:55,280 --> 00:24:57,160 Speaker 1: don't think it's that highly up there as if yet 504 00:24:57,480 --> 00:25:01,840 Speaker 1: Perdermo and Eurepa is that Yeah, you RepA the two 505 00:25:01,840 --> 00:25:04,719 Speaker 1: begin international signings. I think those two are the highest, 506 00:25:04,720 --> 00:25:06,040 Speaker 1: but those are just some other names. 507 00:25:06,119 --> 00:25:10,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, so John Gill and Alex will do both shortstops both. 508 00:25:10,880 --> 00:25:14,600 Speaker 3: Ladis was obviously drafted last year. He was their second 509 00:25:14,680 --> 00:25:17,520 Speaker 3: round pick out of Florida State, and then was Gil 510 00:25:17,600 --> 00:25:22,520 Speaker 3: an international signing, and so that those are the two 511 00:25:22,600 --> 00:25:24,840 Speaker 3: names that kind of perked a lot of people's you know, 512 00:25:24,920 --> 00:25:27,760 Speaker 3: attention today or yesterday when this was an out it 513 00:25:27,880 --> 00:25:30,800 Speaker 3: was today. So that's gonna be interesting to see again 514 00:25:32,600 --> 00:25:35,600 Speaker 3: half these guys get cut and sent back to the miners, 515 00:25:35,760 --> 00:25:38,760 Speaker 3: like in the first two weeks. One thing I will 516 00:25:38,760 --> 00:25:43,720 Speaker 3: say is because it is a WBC spring training, it 517 00:25:43,840 --> 00:25:45,800 Speaker 3: is a little longer than normal, so you might see 518 00:25:45,800 --> 00:25:48,200 Speaker 3: these guys stay up a little longer. You might actually 519 00:25:48,240 --> 00:25:51,000 Speaker 3: get to see them playing games, maybe more games than 520 00:25:51,000 --> 00:25:52,960 Speaker 3: you otherwise would have if it was just a normal 521 00:25:52,960 --> 00:25:56,480 Speaker 3: spring training. The w the WBC ends up taking like 522 00:25:56,520 --> 00:26:00,560 Speaker 3: three or four weeks and one spring training starts, so 523 00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:03,280 Speaker 3: you know, you could actually see Alex Odisse, John gill 524 00:26:03,600 --> 00:26:04,520 Speaker 3: Owen Murphy Jr. 525 00:26:04,640 --> 00:26:05,120 Speaker 2: Richie. 526 00:26:06,119 --> 00:26:08,520 Speaker 3: You know, there was some veterans that were notable on 527 00:26:08,560 --> 00:26:10,760 Speaker 3: the list. I think Carlos Carrasco was on the list, 528 00:26:10,880 --> 00:26:17,600 Speaker 3: Chadwick Trump, Martin Perez, Sandy Leone. So there's some veterans 529 00:26:17,600 --> 00:26:19,920 Speaker 3: there too. It's not just prospects, but obviously people are 530 00:26:19,920 --> 00:26:23,240 Speaker 3: interested mostly in the prospects. So yeah, it's kind of 531 00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:25,480 Speaker 3: a you know, a mixed bag of of younger and 532 00:26:25,520 --> 00:26:29,000 Speaker 3: older players. The roster is a lot more set than 533 00:26:29,040 --> 00:26:31,399 Speaker 3: it was last year. Like last year the Braves had 534 00:26:31,480 --> 00:26:35,680 Speaker 3: I think multiple NRI guys on the opening day bullpen. Yes, 535 00:26:35,760 --> 00:26:39,560 Speaker 3: I don't see that happening. Like the position player group 536 00:26:39,640 --> 00:26:43,600 Speaker 3: specifically is pretty set. 537 00:26:43,880 --> 00:26:45,639 Speaker 1: Let me let me make sure that I'm understanding this. 538 00:26:45,680 --> 00:26:49,280 Speaker 1: Steven Tobert, as of February fourth, at nine to forty 539 00:26:49,359 --> 00:26:54,960 Speaker 1: seven pm Central, you were saying, with full confidence, with 540 00:26:55,119 --> 00:27:01,320 Speaker 1: full confidence, you are not expecting a reliever to be 541 00:27:01,440 --> 00:27:05,240 Speaker 1: signed three to four days before the regular season and 542 00:27:05,280 --> 00:27:08,040 Speaker 1: then used in a high leverage situation in the first 543 00:27:08,080 --> 00:27:12,199 Speaker 1: game of the season. Is that what you're saying? No, no, no, no, no. 544 00:27:12,320 --> 00:27:15,520 Speaker 1: Hector Ners deja vu? Opening Day? 545 00:27:16,040 --> 00:27:17,560 Speaker 2: That's when we should have known. 546 00:27:21,040 --> 00:27:23,920 Speaker 1: Some of us, did I think? I'm not saying myself. 547 00:27:24,040 --> 00:27:25,960 Speaker 3: I think some of us the opening day in the 548 00:27:26,000 --> 00:27:28,159 Speaker 3: seventh inning with a one run lead and Hector Nearis 549 00:27:28,160 --> 00:27:29,960 Speaker 3: comes straight. Now, that's when we should have known. Twenty 550 00:27:29,960 --> 00:27:32,560 Speaker 3: twenty five, what's gonna go to hell? But yeah, I'm 551 00:27:32,600 --> 00:27:35,040 Speaker 3: not expecting that this year. I will say, I was 552 00:27:35,040 --> 00:27:36,760 Speaker 3: thinking about it. The Braves are gonna need a catcher 553 00:27:36,800 --> 00:27:43,240 Speaker 3: for a couple of months while Sean Murphy rehabs. So 554 00:27:43,400 --> 00:27:46,239 Speaker 3: I guess one of those catchers is probably gonna get 555 00:27:46,240 --> 00:27:48,480 Speaker 3: a shot unless they sign. I still think they should sign, 556 00:27:48,600 --> 00:27:51,480 Speaker 3: like Mitch Garber, but I don't think they're going to. 557 00:27:52,040 --> 00:27:54,720 Speaker 3: But well, yeah, it's a it's not like a fascinating 558 00:27:54,800 --> 00:27:56,879 Speaker 3: name of NRI guys, and most of them don't have 559 00:27:56,920 --> 00:27:58,800 Speaker 3: any shots to make the roster. Now, I would be 560 00:27:58,840 --> 00:28:02,719 Speaker 3: surprised that more than one made the roster, but you know, 561 00:28:02,720 --> 00:28:04,919 Speaker 3: you'll get to see some of the younger prospects. I 562 00:28:04,960 --> 00:28:07,680 Speaker 3: want to see Gil like I've seen Lodi's play. I 563 00:28:07,720 --> 00:28:11,600 Speaker 3: don't think I've ever seen Gil play, so I'm just 564 00:28:11,640 --> 00:28:12,720 Speaker 3: curious to see what he looks like. 565 00:28:12,880 --> 00:28:14,960 Speaker 2: So, yeah, that got released. 566 00:28:14,640 --> 00:28:18,320 Speaker 3: Today, and pitchers and catchers report next week, and then 567 00:28:18,320 --> 00:28:22,040 Speaker 3: the first game is like February twenty second, so we're 568 00:28:22,240 --> 00:28:23,640 Speaker 3: we're less than three weeks. 569 00:28:23,400 --> 00:28:28,479 Speaker 1: Away, absolutely, and it's exciting, you know, it definitely is. 570 00:28:28,640 --> 00:28:31,159 Speaker 1: The World Baseball Classic starts in a month, and just 571 00:28:31,200 --> 00:28:33,560 Speaker 1: think about it. You will talk about the sports calendar. 572 00:28:33,720 --> 00:28:35,560 Speaker 1: You know, I know that the NBA trade deadline is 573 00:28:35,600 --> 00:28:38,640 Speaker 1: going on. Yeah some of us a bit more impacted 574 00:28:38,680 --> 00:28:41,320 Speaker 1: by than others, but we'll leave that alone. But hey, 575 00:28:41,480 --> 00:28:43,640 Speaker 1: what a fun time of the sports calendar. I know 576 00:28:43,640 --> 00:28:45,960 Speaker 1: that the Super Bowls coming up, But you got Winter Olympics, 577 00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:48,360 Speaker 1: you got baseball starting up, you got you know, college 578 00:28:48,400 --> 00:28:51,800 Speaker 1: basketball ramping up, you got the World Baseball Classic. A 579 00:28:51,840 --> 00:28:55,520 Speaker 1: lot of fun coming our way. But but I think 580 00:28:55,560 --> 00:28:57,480 Speaker 1: they will make it even more fun because it the 581 00:28:57,520 --> 00:29:00,800 Speaker 1: Braves can you know kind of close deal. I want 582 00:29:00,840 --> 00:29:03,840 Speaker 1: to see the Braves make a notable pitching edition. Right. 583 00:29:04,240 --> 00:29:07,360 Speaker 1: They've had a very good spring, They've had a very 584 00:29:07,360 --> 00:29:11,040 Speaker 1: good off season. That is without a doubt. Anybody that says, oh, 585 00:29:11,040 --> 00:29:13,040 Speaker 1: if they don't get a starting pitcher, it's a failure 586 00:29:13,080 --> 00:29:15,280 Speaker 1: of an off season or it's incomplete, that's a lot 587 00:29:15,360 --> 00:29:18,560 Speaker 1: that's not true. But go ahead and cap it off 588 00:29:18,840 --> 00:29:21,920 Speaker 1: with with with a good deal. I completely understand why 589 00:29:21,920 --> 00:29:23,760 Speaker 1: they didn't, you know, go out and do the front 590 00:29:23,760 --> 00:29:26,160 Speaker 1: of Valdez deal. It's just not what Alex does, and 591 00:29:26,240 --> 00:29:28,800 Speaker 1: that's a pretty you know, high price. But go out 592 00:29:28,800 --> 00:29:31,000 Speaker 1: and get the Chris Bassy. Go out make a trade, 593 00:29:31,080 --> 00:29:32,920 Speaker 1: you know, go out and get a guy that you 594 00:29:32,960 --> 00:29:36,200 Speaker 1: can control for multiple years. I think it's definitely worth that. 595 00:29:36,640 --> 00:29:38,880 Speaker 1: And just get it done, get it done, get taken 596 00:29:38,880 --> 00:29:41,320 Speaker 1: care of it, and let's really have that depth that 597 00:29:41,320 --> 00:29:43,480 Speaker 1: we've been missing over the past couple of years. That's 598 00:29:43,480 --> 00:29:45,880 Speaker 1: what I want to see. And then once baseball starts again, 599 00:29:46,280 --> 00:29:48,560 Speaker 1: if you get the if you keep up with a team, 600 00:29:49,200 --> 00:29:52,280 Speaker 1: if you have your favorite teams. For instance, on the 601 00:29:52,480 --> 00:29:55,520 Speaker 1: ESPN app, I was giddy, you know, four days ago 602 00:29:55,720 --> 00:29:57,800 Speaker 1: when it finally showed the Braves. I think they're playing 603 00:29:57,800 --> 00:30:02,000 Speaker 1: with the Rays or someone the the twenty first of February. 604 00:30:02,080 --> 00:30:05,080 Speaker 1: It was awesome to see that. So but my point is, 605 00:30:05,160 --> 00:30:08,160 Speaker 1: let's get a starting pitcher. Let's get this roster in place, 606 00:30:08,560 --> 00:30:11,120 Speaker 1: knock on wood, very little to no injuries, and then 607 00:30:11,160 --> 00:30:12,800 Speaker 1: let's get spring training in here and make the most 608 00:30:12,800 --> 00:30:13,040 Speaker 1: of it. 609 00:30:14,120 --> 00:30:16,680 Speaker 3: Yeah, one hundred percent, get a starter. Go out a 610 00:30:16,680 --> 00:30:20,120 Speaker 3: starter again. Chris Bassett would be a fantastic signing for 611 00:30:20,160 --> 00:30:22,320 Speaker 3: this team. I know people are hoping always for the 612 00:30:23,480 --> 00:30:25,840 Speaker 3: top level starter of the ace, and I you know, 613 00:30:25,920 --> 00:30:27,680 Speaker 3: I would have been fine if they signed a big 614 00:30:27,760 --> 00:30:31,880 Speaker 3: name pitcher. But Chris Bassett is plenty good to help 615 00:30:31,920 --> 00:30:34,080 Speaker 3: this roster. And look, if you look at some of 616 00:30:34,120 --> 00:30:38,479 Speaker 3: the more objective ratings of this team. 617 00:30:39,080 --> 00:30:40,640 Speaker 2: They're still viewed very highly. 618 00:30:40,840 --> 00:30:42,800 Speaker 3: Like there's still a lot of talent on this team, 619 00:30:43,320 --> 00:30:46,480 Speaker 3: but there is so much inherent injury risk, especially in 620 00:30:46,520 --> 00:30:50,760 Speaker 3: the rotation, that I feel like you need one more, 621 00:30:50,920 --> 00:30:53,560 Speaker 3: and I think the Braves agree again, Rosenthal reported the 622 00:30:53,640 --> 00:30:55,760 Speaker 3: day the Braves are still very much looking for starting 623 00:30:55,800 --> 00:30:59,000 Speaker 3: pitching because they haven't added to start their starters at 624 00:30:59,000 --> 00:31:01,720 Speaker 3: any point this offseas, so go add one more and 625 00:31:01,760 --> 00:31:04,520 Speaker 3: then we can get into this, you know, like it 626 00:31:04,640 --> 00:31:06,040 Speaker 3: is a tremendous time. 627 00:31:06,600 --> 00:31:07,560 Speaker 2: If you're a sports fan. 628 00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:11,280 Speaker 3: You've got the Super Bowl, You've got March Madness starting soon, 629 00:31:11,680 --> 00:31:14,719 Speaker 3: You've got the WBC, and then you got baseball. You know, 630 00:31:14,920 --> 00:31:17,240 Speaker 3: if you're a golf fan, like golf starts when we're 631 00:31:17,320 --> 00:31:19,240 Speaker 3: ramping up a lot right now, Like it is a 632 00:31:19,400 --> 00:31:20,000 Speaker 3: really it's. 633 00:31:19,880 --> 00:31:21,760 Speaker 2: One of my favorite times of the year. 634 00:31:21,800 --> 00:31:25,280 Speaker 3: Actually, maybe my favorite time of the years is March 635 00:31:25,960 --> 00:31:30,000 Speaker 3: when baseball starts and the tournament is going so really. 636 00:31:29,880 --> 00:31:31,120 Speaker 2: Fun time in the sports calendar. 637 00:31:31,400 --> 00:31:33,520 Speaker 3: Need the Braves to add a starting pitcher though, That's 638 00:31:33,560 --> 00:31:36,080 Speaker 3: what we're looking for, and hopefully it happens soon. I 639 00:31:36,080 --> 00:31:38,760 Speaker 3: do think Framber signing is gonna kind of loosen the 640 00:31:38,800 --> 00:31:40,760 Speaker 3: rest of the market up, and these guys, the rest 641 00:31:40,800 --> 00:31:42,160 Speaker 3: of these guys are gonna sign pretty soon. 642 00:31:43,280 --> 00:31:44,680 Speaker 1: So Steve and I want to make sure that we're 643 00:31:44,680 --> 00:31:47,280 Speaker 1: on the same page here. Okay, all right, So so 644 00:31:47,320 --> 00:31:50,600 Speaker 1: it only happens every four years, but please tell me 645 00:31:50,720 --> 00:31:58,280 Speaker 1: before you have experienced, and I mean experienced, the exhilarating 646 00:31:59,000 --> 00:32:06,480 Speaker 1: two hour window of watching ski jumping followed by a 647 00:32:06,640 --> 00:32:14,240 Speaker 1: very very very very competitive curling match. Herelys please tell 648 00:32:14,280 --> 00:32:15,200 Speaker 1: me you've done that before. 649 00:32:15,280 --> 00:32:17,680 Speaker 3: I'm gonna admit something. I'm more of a Summer Olympics guy. 650 00:32:19,080 --> 00:32:21,640 Speaker 3: I've always been more of a I'll watch this the 651 00:32:21,720 --> 00:32:27,920 Speaker 3: Winter Olympics. So I spent a lot of my teens 652 00:32:27,920 --> 00:32:31,640 Speaker 3: and twenties snowboarding, which is something is weird thing to 653 00:32:31,640 --> 00:32:34,480 Speaker 3: say from somebody from Alabama, but we would go snowboarding 654 00:32:34,520 --> 00:32:37,320 Speaker 3: a lot, so I really enjoy watching the snowboarding stuff. 655 00:32:37,960 --> 00:32:39,640 Speaker 3: But yeah, I'm not a big Winter Olympics guy. If 656 00:32:39,640 --> 00:32:41,680 Speaker 3: I'm being honest, I will watch it because it's the 657 00:32:41,680 --> 00:32:44,880 Speaker 3: Olympics and it's still cool to watch, but definitely more 658 00:32:44,880 --> 00:32:48,200 Speaker 3: of like a track and field and the swimming stuff 659 00:32:48,240 --> 00:32:50,600 Speaker 3: on the Summer Olympics. But yeah, I forgot when I 660 00:32:50,600 --> 00:32:52,600 Speaker 3: was talking about the sport stuff, I forgot about the Olympics. 661 00:32:52,800 --> 00:32:55,800 Speaker 3: That's happening too. So it's a crazy busy sports calendar 662 00:32:55,840 --> 00:32:56,120 Speaker 3: right now. 663 00:32:56,640 --> 00:33:00,040 Speaker 1: Hey, you know what good deal, and and hopefully it 664 00:33:00,000 --> 00:33:02,320 Speaker 1: would be busy now and then it'll be then before 665 00:33:02,360 --> 00:33:04,240 Speaker 1: you know it, Braves baseball will be here nearly every 666 00:33:04,360 --> 00:33:08,600 Speaker 1: night and hopefully more wins than losses. But hey, can't 667 00:33:08,600 --> 00:33:11,000 Speaker 1: thank you enough for joining us here on the Hammer 668 00:33:11,120 --> 00:33:15,160 Speaker 1: Territory podcast. You can find Stephen Tolbert at b Underscore Outliers, 669 00:33:15,200 --> 00:33:18,960 Speaker 1: myself at stats sac, on Twitter, slash act. You can 670 00:33:18,960 --> 00:33:22,200 Speaker 1: find Hammer Territory across all forms and social media, part 671 00:33:22,280 --> 00:33:27,080 Speaker 1: of the Foul Territory family of podcasts. You can find 672 00:33:27,120 --> 00:33:30,840 Speaker 1: us anywhere and everywhere. Make sure you subscribe, like tell 673 00:33:30,880 --> 00:33:33,840 Speaker 1: your friends, tell your neighbors, you know at tee, to 674 00:33:34,000 --> 00:33:36,360 Speaker 1: tell your favorite Olympic athlete over over Twitter, you know, 675 00:33:36,400 --> 00:33:38,080 Speaker 1: however you want to go about doing it. 676 00:33:38,200 --> 00:33:42,200 Speaker 3: Yes, definitely sweets your favorite Olympic athlete about Hammer Territory. 677 00:33:42,360 --> 00:33:45,440 Speaker 3: That would and send me the screenshot of that. 678 00:33:45,520 --> 00:33:50,200 Speaker 1: Please Hammer Hammer, Hammer Territory at home. Hammer Territory support 679 00:33:50,280 --> 00:33:52,920 Speaker 1: you until next time go breaks. We'll talk to you 680 00:33:52,920 --> 00:33:56,440 Speaker 1: agetting sued here on the Hammer Territory supporting your favorite 681 00:33:56,560 --> 00:34:00,760 Speaker 1: Olympians The Hammer Territory Podcast