1 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:08,360 Speaker 1: Welcome back to Fair Territory, week two of our show 2 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:12,240 Speaker 1: on YouTube, podcast Everywhere. We've got a lot to talk 3 00:00:12,280 --> 00:00:13,920 Speaker 1: about this week, and we're going to start with the 4 00:00:13,920 --> 00:00:16,040 Speaker 1: team that is the hottest team in baseball, one of 5 00:00:16,079 --> 00:00:19,239 Speaker 1: the hottest teams in recent memory to start the season. 6 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:22,040 Speaker 1: That of course would be the nine to oh Tampa 7 00:00:22,079 --> 00:00:26,720 Speaker 1: Bay Rays. So you might ask, how are they doing this? Well, 8 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:29,840 Speaker 1: I've got a number of reasons listed in our Athletic 9 00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:33,240 Speaker 1: newsletter today. That's a new thing. We've got out subscription 10 00:00:33,560 --> 00:00:35,839 Speaker 1: but free, so don't have to worry about paying. And 11 00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:39,360 Speaker 1: here are the reasons that I listed some of them. One, obviously, 12 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:43,440 Speaker 1: is the schedule Tampa Bay has played, let's face it, 13 00:00:43,520 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 1: in order Detroit, Washington and Oakland, three of the worst 14 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:50,960 Speaker 1: teams in the game. That helps a lot, and their 15 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:54,040 Speaker 1: schedule is going to continue to be relatively easy through 16 00:00:54,080 --> 00:00:57,400 Speaker 1: the month of April. But all that said, speaking to 17 00:00:57,440 --> 00:01:00,200 Speaker 1: someone in baseball this week, an executive with another team team, 18 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:03,280 Speaker 1: he said, listen, yes, it's an easy schedule, but they've 19 00:01:03,320 --> 00:01:05,759 Speaker 1: got to win those games, and as they win those games, 20 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:08,880 Speaker 1: they gain confidence. So it all works hand in hand. 21 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:13,560 Speaker 1: And we see all season long teams that go into 22 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:16,319 Speaker 1: series that appear to be very easy for them, and 23 00:01:16,400 --> 00:01:19,000 Speaker 1: they don't win them. Sometimes they collapse in those series, 24 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:22,600 Speaker 1: they play poorly. Tampa Bay is not doing that. Other 25 00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:26,640 Speaker 1: reasons well, home runs. They've hit twenty four last year. 26 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:28,759 Speaker 1: This team was twenty fifth in the league in home 27 00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:32,199 Speaker 1: runs this year obviously their first twenty four home runs 28 00:01:32,240 --> 00:01:35,200 Speaker 1: in nine games. It's a ridiculous pace. They won't keep 29 00:01:35,240 --> 00:01:37,320 Speaker 1: it up, but that's something that they're doing that they 30 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:42,199 Speaker 1: weren't doing last year. Something else injuries Now. Last year, 31 00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:45,360 Speaker 1: as Brickroly points out in her story in The Athletic Today, 32 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:48,280 Speaker 1: this was one of the most injured teams in baseball. 33 00:01:48,480 --> 00:01:51,520 Speaker 1: Right now, they're relatively healthy. It's making a difference. And 34 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:54,680 Speaker 1: two guys in particular that are healthy, Wander Franco, who 35 00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:57,840 Speaker 1: played in only eighty three games last year, and Randy 36 00:01:58,080 --> 00:02:02,800 Speaker 1: mister Sunshine Arosa. Well, why do I call him sunshine 37 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 1: because he's shining even in April now it's opposed to 38 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:08,720 Speaker 1: October or the WBC even when the lights aren't bright 39 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:11,960 Speaker 1: as Randy's killing it right now. So the stars are 40 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:16,040 Speaker 1: playing like stars. That helps. They're also getting contributions from 41 00:02:16,120 --> 00:02:19,639 Speaker 1: two guys who really aren't stars, left handed hitters, outfielders 42 00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:22,960 Speaker 1: that we didn't really hear much about before. Josh Lowe 43 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:25,720 Speaker 1: is one, Luke Railly is another. And of course then 44 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:28,720 Speaker 1: you go to the pitching. The starting pitching one point 45 00:02:28,760 --> 00:02:33,240 Speaker 1: nine zero leads the majors. Yes, the competition is inferior, 46 00:02:33,520 --> 00:02:36,560 Speaker 1: but the Rays love the way they're executing. So you 47 00:02:36,680 --> 00:02:39,920 Speaker 1: put all of these factors together and you have a 48 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:43,120 Speaker 1: nine to zero start to the season. It's fairly amazing 49 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:45,880 Speaker 1: on a number of fronts. The Blue Jays are good, 50 00:02:45,919 --> 00:02:48,200 Speaker 1: the Yankees are good, the Oriols are good. It's not 51 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 1: going to be easy for Tampa Bay once the schedule 52 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:53,080 Speaker 1: gets a little bit more difficult, but so far, Man, 53 00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:57,120 Speaker 1: that's an impressive start to the season. Now, as we 54 00:02:57,200 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 1: continue this morning, I want to talk about their nineteen 55 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:04,359 Speaker 1: ninety expansion twins, the Arizona Diamondbacks, another team that has 56 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:07,239 Speaker 1: started very well. Not quite as well as Tampa Bay, 57 00:03:07,320 --> 00:03:11,280 Speaker 1: but six and four against two powerhouses in the NL West, 58 00:03:11,480 --> 00:03:14,720 Speaker 1: the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. They've 59 00:03:14,760 --> 00:03:17,280 Speaker 1: already won as many games against the Dodgers as they 60 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:20,720 Speaker 1: did all of last season. That would be five. So 61 00:03:20,760 --> 00:03:24,919 Speaker 1: how are they doing it. Stolen bases, aggressiveness, athleticism, that's 62 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:28,399 Speaker 1: one thing. They're seventeen for eighteen and stolen bases so far. 63 00:03:28,960 --> 00:03:32,040 Speaker 1: They are playing with a little bit of an edge 64 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:35,520 Speaker 1: because they can. They're that kind of team. Also, when 65 00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:38,560 Speaker 1: you look at the Arizona Diamondbacks, you've got to look 66 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:42,200 Speaker 1: at their pitching, which I still believe is somewhat suspect. 67 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:45,560 Speaker 1: With Ryan Nelson in the rotation and Dre Jamison now 68 00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:49,040 Speaker 1: going to join him because Davies is on the injured list, 69 00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:53,440 Speaker 1: it's an impressive looking group. Now there are questions. Bumgarner, 70 00:03:53,440 --> 00:03:55,200 Speaker 1: of course is a huge one, but I like the 71 00:03:55,240 --> 00:04:00,400 Speaker 1: two kids. Their bullpen is improved. Do I trust it entirely? Well, 72 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:03,160 Speaker 1: every year I seem to fall in love with the Diamondbacks, 73 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:05,600 Speaker 1: and their people have now told me to stop writing 74 00:04:05,600 --> 00:04:07,840 Speaker 1: about them. Earlier the season after they play well, they 75 00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:09,880 Speaker 1: feel in some kind of jinks. I don't know why, 76 00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:13,600 Speaker 1: but this is a very athletic team. Corbyn Carroll is 77 00:04:13,600 --> 00:04:16,400 Speaker 1: one of the more exciting players in the game. Longoria 78 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:18,800 Speaker 1: is a stabilizing force. Now that he is a board, 79 00:04:19,279 --> 00:04:21,880 Speaker 1: They've got the trade pieces that they acquired. Lord Is 80 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:25,600 Speaker 1: Gariel Junior Gabrielle Moreno. I just sort of like the 81 00:04:25,640 --> 00:04:28,440 Speaker 1: way they're going about it, and they are playing with 82 00:04:28,520 --> 00:04:31,520 Speaker 1: a belief not just a hope. And the way they 83 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:35,040 Speaker 1: pounded the Dodgers these last two games, that is something 84 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:38,159 Speaker 1: that is pretty impressive and something that they can build 85 00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:41,840 Speaker 1: on for sure. Now, one other topic we want to 86 00:04:41,960 --> 00:04:46,320 Speaker 1: kit in this first topic segment, Brian Reynolds. You might 87 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:50,400 Speaker 1: have noticed he hasn't signed an extension yet. Maybe he 88 00:04:50,480 --> 00:04:53,200 Speaker 1: won't sign an extension. The home opener, which was supposed 89 00:04:53,200 --> 00:04:56,000 Speaker 1: to be the time when people thought this would get done, 90 00:04:56,560 --> 00:05:00,360 Speaker 1: it has come and gone. Now. The Pirates offered Reynolds, 91 00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:03,719 Speaker 1: according to reports, eight years, including this one, one hundred 92 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:07,000 Speaker 1: and six point seventy five million. The talks broke down, 93 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:11,440 Speaker 1: according to Robert BEARDMFL of The Athletic, because there was 94 00:05:11,520 --> 00:05:14,800 Speaker 1: no opt out clause included. Now you might say, on 95 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:19,320 Speaker 1: one hand, hey, one hundred million dollars, what's this guy's problem? 96 00:05:19,320 --> 00:05:21,640 Speaker 1: Why hasn't he taken it? And you might say, on 97 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:26,000 Speaker 1: the other hand, excuse me, it's reasonable for him to 98 00:05:26,040 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 1: ask for an opt out clause after a fourth year 99 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:32,080 Speaker 1: of an eight year deal, when the Pirates can't exactly 100 00:05:32,120 --> 00:05:35,080 Speaker 1: be trusted to build around him. If you're a team 101 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:37,880 Speaker 1: like the Pirates and you don't pay top dollar, and 102 00:05:37,920 --> 00:05:40,080 Speaker 1: by the way, this is not a top dollar deal 103 00:05:40,120 --> 00:05:43,480 Speaker 1: for Brian Reynolds, then you have to maybe do some 104 00:05:43,520 --> 00:05:47,880 Speaker 1: other things give in other areas. You can't take this stance, Huh, 105 00:05:48,040 --> 00:05:50,640 Speaker 1: we're not going to give opt outs. Sorry, it doesn't 106 00:05:50,680 --> 00:05:53,720 Speaker 1: work like that. So for Reynolds, who was off to 107 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:57,960 Speaker 1: a blazing start, he already in this deal would have 108 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:02,960 Speaker 1: been taking below market dollars. Why not wait two more 109 00:06:03,080 --> 00:06:04,919 Speaker 1: years to get the free agency, or at least for 110 00:06:04,960 --> 00:06:07,920 Speaker 1: the Pirates to improve their offer an extension when you're 111 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:11,560 Speaker 1: in really good position. That seems to be where this 112 00:06:11,800 --> 00:06:15,480 Speaker 1: is right now, and opt outs are never good for teams. 113 00:06:15,560 --> 00:06:20,599 Speaker 1: I'll acknowledge that basically, if the player succeeds, he's going 114 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:23,200 Speaker 1: to opt out. If he fails or gets injured, he's 115 00:06:23,240 --> 00:06:26,080 Speaker 1: going to stay and keep collecting his money. But in 116 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:29,240 Speaker 1: a backloaded deal like this one was, it seems to 117 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:31,960 Speaker 1: me to be a reasonable compromise. I don't know why 118 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:35,240 Speaker 1: they can't get there. One estimate by Tim Britt in 119 00:06:35,240 --> 00:06:37,400 Speaker 1: The Athletic is that this guy could make one hundred 120 00:06:37,400 --> 00:06:39,800 Speaker 1: and thirty three million dollars in an extension right now, 121 00:06:39,839 --> 00:06:43,080 Speaker 1: in a fair market type of situation, he is twenty 122 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:46,120 Speaker 1: five million under that with the pirates offer. It's a 123 00:06:46,120 --> 00:06:50,880 Speaker 1: good amount. So Red Hot Diamondbacks, Red Hot Rays, Bryan 124 00:06:50,920 --> 00:06:54,400 Speaker 1: Reynolds still not signed. We'll keep going as we continue 125 00:06:54,440 --> 00:06:57,839 Speaker 1: with fair territory. All right, Time for the inside dish. 126 00:06:57,880 --> 00:07:00,040 Speaker 1: This is a segment in which I go inside. I 127 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:02,560 Speaker 1: had a story I have written, perhaps not gonna do 128 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:05,279 Speaker 1: that this week. It also is a segment in which 129 00:07:05,360 --> 00:07:08,240 Speaker 1: sometimes I will talk about something that is bugging me, 130 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:10,840 Speaker 1: and there is something that is bugging me, as often 131 00:07:10,960 --> 00:07:13,320 Speaker 1: is the case with our wonderful sport, which I love, 132 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:17,320 Speaker 1: when things happen and what has happened, well, it really 133 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:19,600 Speaker 1: was happening in March, but it's still on my mind, 134 00:07:19,640 --> 00:07:22,120 Speaker 1: so I want to get to it today. In March, 135 00:07:22,360 --> 00:07:27,240 Speaker 1: during the WBC and before, people were saying fans and 136 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:30,080 Speaker 1: people with clubs too, oh my gosh, we don't want 137 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:32,880 Speaker 1: our guys going to the WBC. They might get hurt. 138 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:36,400 Speaker 1: It's a huge risk. Huh. You don't want them out 139 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:40,040 Speaker 1: of the team's control. Not for one minute I thought 140 00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:42,000 Speaker 1: it was bogus to say that then, and I think 141 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:44,960 Speaker 1: it's bogus to say that now, even knowing what happened. 142 00:07:44,960 --> 00:07:48,800 Speaker 1: Of course, unfortunately to Edwin Diaz that freak injury and 143 00:07:48,880 --> 00:07:53,400 Speaker 1: Jose Altuve an injury that a broken thumb obviously could 144 00:07:53,440 --> 00:07:57,400 Speaker 1: have taken place in spring training. I'm not downplaying those injuries. 145 00:07:57,440 --> 00:07:59,480 Speaker 1: If I'm a Mets fan, yes I'm upset. If I'm 146 00:07:59,480 --> 00:08:02,840 Speaker 1: an Astro fan, i am very upset as well. But 147 00:08:03,360 --> 00:08:06,000 Speaker 1: at the same time, what gets discounted here, what never 148 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:10,200 Speaker 1: gets talked about by club people and by fans, is 149 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:14,200 Speaker 1: the fact that because these guys got ready earlier, they 150 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:17,520 Speaker 1: had to get ready earlier to play intense competition in 151 00:08:17,640 --> 00:08:22,600 Speaker 1: mid March, maybe it's enhancing their performance. And we're actually 152 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:26,640 Speaker 1: seeing that happen throughout baseball right now. Now. It's not universal, 153 00:08:27,040 --> 00:08:28,880 Speaker 1: but I want to show you some things, just some 154 00:08:28,960 --> 00:08:31,840 Speaker 1: statistics about some of the players who have performed in 155 00:08:31,880 --> 00:08:34,960 Speaker 1: the WBC and what they are doing in the early 156 00:08:35,040 --> 00:08:38,520 Speaker 1: part of this season. Let's start with some offensive players 157 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:41,760 Speaker 1: led by Mike Trout, but not including just Mike Trout. 158 00:08:41,760 --> 00:08:44,280 Speaker 1: And these are guys who rank all in the twenty 159 00:08:44,320 --> 00:08:47,960 Speaker 1: five top twenty five in ops in Major League Baseball. 160 00:08:48,040 --> 00:08:51,480 Speaker 1: Right now, that list includes Luis Robert Jr. Doesn't include 161 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:56,280 Speaker 1: Joa Mancata, who is also hot, Paul Goldschmidt, Peter Alonso, 162 00:08:56,600 --> 00:08:59,640 Speaker 1: all these guys, Trey Turner, a number of them who 163 00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:03,679 Speaker 1: are on two really good starts. Glaber Torres, he's benefiting 164 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:06,440 Speaker 1: as well. We're seeing this on a number of fronts. 165 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:10,040 Speaker 1: A Rosa, Rena Jimenez from the Guardians. You can name 166 00:09:10,080 --> 00:09:13,680 Speaker 1: a number of players. Now, you might say, Ken, these 167 00:09:13,679 --> 00:09:15,400 Speaker 1: are some of the best players in the game. Of 168 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:17,880 Speaker 1: course they're going to be playing well. But there is 169 00:09:17,920 --> 00:09:20,560 Speaker 1: a pattern here, and yes there are exceptions. But let's 170 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:22,680 Speaker 1: look at some of the pitchers as well. Some of 171 00:09:22,679 --> 00:09:25,440 Speaker 1: the pitchers who are performing at an extremely high level 172 00:09:25,880 --> 00:09:30,120 Speaker 1: after pitching oh my gosh in the WBC. Well, that 173 00:09:30,240 --> 00:09:34,080 Speaker 1: list is pretty prominent too. Kyle Freeland, Marcus Stroman, Julio 174 00:09:34,080 --> 00:09:36,480 Speaker 1: Arius who has added a cutter in the regular season. 175 00:09:36,480 --> 00:09:38,240 Speaker 1: That might be why he's pitching better now than he 176 00:09:38,400 --> 00:09:41,760 Speaker 1: was even for Team Mexico, Patrick Sandoval who look great 177 00:09:41,760 --> 00:09:44,559 Speaker 1: in the WBC, and of course Sandy al Contra, the 178 00:09:44,679 --> 00:09:47,280 Speaker 1: raigning Nlsy Young winner and one of the best pitchers 179 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:51,320 Speaker 1: in the game. Again, it's not universal. Miles michaelis not 180 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:54,120 Speaker 1: off to a great start in Saint Louis. We've seen 181 00:09:54,160 --> 00:09:57,440 Speaker 1: some others too. Lance Lynn is not pitching particularly well 182 00:09:57,440 --> 00:10:00,079 Speaker 1: for the White Sox. I'm not saying this is a 183 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 1: direct correlation. What I am saying is that this can be, 184 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:09,280 Speaker 1: as I mentioned earlier, a benefit. Something that gets players 185 00:10:09,320 --> 00:10:12,000 Speaker 1: going gets them in shape earlier. And I also have 186 00:10:12,080 --> 00:10:16,080 Speaker 1: a suggestion for the WBC that might even enhance this 187 00:10:16,160 --> 00:10:19,840 Speaker 1: effect further, and that would be to push it back 188 00:10:19,880 --> 00:10:23,920 Speaker 1: a little bit right up to the edge of the 189 00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:26,520 Speaker 1: start of the regular season. So what you would have 190 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:29,760 Speaker 1: is maybe the WBC from March twentieth to March thirtieth, 191 00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:33,080 Speaker 1: something like that. You do that, you maybe get some 192 00:10:33,120 --> 00:10:36,920 Speaker 1: more starting pitchers involved, and at that point you've got 193 00:10:37,080 --> 00:10:39,600 Speaker 1: maybe the ultimate in what you want to see the 194 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:43,560 Speaker 1: best players playing. You'll have players peaking at around the 195 00:10:43,559 --> 00:10:46,000 Speaker 1: time they should be peaking. It just seems to me 196 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:50,480 Speaker 1: something a tweak that could be made here to really 197 00:10:50,559 --> 00:10:53,160 Speaker 1: take this event from what it was this year, which 198 00:10:53,240 --> 00:10:57,000 Speaker 1: was pretty darn good, to an even higher level. So again, 199 00:10:57,320 --> 00:11:01,280 Speaker 1: my final point on this back off the WBC, and 200 00:11:01,320 --> 00:11:04,280 Speaker 1: I'm saying that the clubs too. Clubs, oh my gosh, 201 00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:07,640 Speaker 1: we can't have our guys playing, they won't be protected. Really, 202 00:11:08,320 --> 00:11:11,160 Speaker 1: how good a job do clubs do at protecting them 203 00:11:11,160 --> 00:11:14,319 Speaker 1: players from injury? Just look at the injury list every 204 00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:16,520 Speaker 1: single day. It is something else. Some of the things 205 00:11:16,559 --> 00:11:21,000 Speaker 1: are unavoidable O'Neil Cruz Obviously, maybe that's unavoidable, could have 206 00:11:21,120 --> 00:11:25,160 Speaker 1: lid earlier, who knows. But a lot of injuries take place. 207 00:11:25,360 --> 00:11:27,640 Speaker 1: A lot of injuries take place even with all the 208 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:31,280 Speaker 1: great training, nutrition and conditioning we hear about from the clubs, 209 00:11:31,520 --> 00:11:34,720 Speaker 1: the sports science, all these brilliant things happening, and yet 210 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:38,040 Speaker 1: players still don't seem to stay healthy. It's not the 211 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:42,079 Speaker 1: WBC's fault. It's just the way the game is. All right, 212 00:11:42,120 --> 00:11:44,760 Speaker 1: We turn now to fair or foul. Here is one 213 00:11:44,760 --> 00:11:47,240 Speaker 1: of our producers, Claudia Olsen, who is going to ask 214 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:49,840 Speaker 1: me a few questions. Claudia, fire away. 215 00:11:50,240 --> 00:11:53,080 Speaker 2: Hey, Ken, all right, let's get it started, fair or foul. 216 00:11:53,320 --> 00:11:57,080 Speaker 2: Nolan Aernaudo is a first bout Hall of Famer. Aeronaudo 217 00:11:57,160 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 2: hit a homer on Saturday, becoming the eighth to reach 218 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:04,080 Speaker 2: three hundred homers and has tangled gloves. Everyone else with 219 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:07,520 Speaker 2: tangled gloves and three hundred homers is in the Hall 220 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:10,160 Speaker 2: of Fame except Andrew Jones, so fair foul that he 221 00:12:10,320 --> 00:12:11,200 Speaker 2: is one. 222 00:12:11,280 --> 00:12:14,480 Speaker 1: Fair and Andrew Jones actually should be in the Hall 223 00:12:14,480 --> 00:12:16,719 Speaker 1: of Fame. I vote for him every year, Claudia, I 224 00:12:16,760 --> 00:12:18,640 Speaker 1: don't need to spend a lot of time on this one. 225 00:12:18,840 --> 00:12:21,240 Speaker 1: Noan Arnatto is a first ballot Hall of Famer. He 226 00:12:21,360 --> 00:12:23,960 Speaker 1: is one of the great players of our generation. And 227 00:12:24,080 --> 00:12:27,079 Speaker 1: actually he seems to keep getting better. So yes, fair 228 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:29,160 Speaker 1: for sure. Nice. Yeah. 229 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:31,120 Speaker 2: I think his birthday's coming up and his ten year 230 00:12:31,160 --> 00:12:33,480 Speaker 2: anniversary in the big leagues, so it's big for him 231 00:12:33,480 --> 00:12:37,840 Speaker 2: this one, all right, all right, fair foul. The Giants 232 00:12:37,880 --> 00:12:39,960 Speaker 2: are in trouble. They're four and five on the season, 233 00:12:40,120 --> 00:12:42,880 Speaker 2: just lost two of three games at home against Kansas City. 234 00:12:43,840 --> 00:12:46,120 Speaker 1: I wouldn't say they're in trouble foul on this one. 235 00:12:46,440 --> 00:12:49,880 Speaker 1: And they're a weird team. They've had a little bit 236 00:12:50,200 --> 00:12:53,480 Speaker 1: of an unusual start. Didn't play so well against the Yankees, 237 00:12:53,480 --> 00:12:55,880 Speaker 1: played great against the White Sox, and then stumbled against 238 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:59,199 Speaker 1: the Royals somewhat. They have a lot of power, they 239 00:12:59,200 --> 00:13:02,160 Speaker 1: have starting pitching depth. They're a team that I don't 240 00:13:02,160 --> 00:13:05,840 Speaker 1: believe is as good as the Dodgers and the Padres, 241 00:13:05,880 --> 00:13:08,760 Speaker 1: and maybe not even the Diamondbacks. But they're a competitive 242 00:13:08,800 --> 00:13:11,960 Speaker 1: team and I see them right around five hundred, maybe 243 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:13,080 Speaker 1: up to eighty five wins. 244 00:13:13,360 --> 00:13:17,320 Speaker 2: All right, Ken, fair or foul. Respect Minnesota's starting pitching, 245 00:13:17,520 --> 00:13:19,800 Speaker 2: their second in the league in Era Sunny Gray had 246 00:13:19,840 --> 00:13:22,520 Speaker 2: thirteen k's versus Houston, and they took two out of 247 00:13:22,520 --> 00:13:24,440 Speaker 2: three against the Astros this weekend. 248 00:13:24,480 --> 00:13:28,120 Speaker 1: Fair foul, fair, I respect them starting pitching. I'm not 249 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:30,440 Speaker 1: quite sure it's going to be this good all season long, 250 00:13:30,520 --> 00:13:33,400 Speaker 1: but Sonny Gray, that was an amazing start. Pablo Lopez 251 00:13:33,440 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 1: has pitched well, They've got Molly, They've got my Ada, 252 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:40,200 Speaker 1: They've got Joe Ryan. It's a pretty presentable group. Now, 253 00:13:40,559 --> 00:13:43,160 Speaker 1: this team is quite interesting. They're one of the teams 254 00:13:43,200 --> 00:13:45,320 Speaker 1: to watch in my opinion. Korea has done nothing at 255 00:13:45,320 --> 00:13:48,760 Speaker 1: this point, or not much at all, but they've gotten 256 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:52,440 Speaker 1: a lot from Kyle Farmer. They're an interesting club. Offensively, 257 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 1: they can be much better than they've been. And yes, 258 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:57,040 Speaker 1: they're starting pitching so far. Quite good. 259 00:13:57,240 --> 00:14:02,720 Speaker 2: Fair, very fair, Thank you, Ken. I will say see 260 00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:04,440 Speaker 2: you later and we will do it again soon. 261 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:08,240 Speaker 1: Thanks Claudia. Okay, we go now to a recurring segment 262 00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:10,439 Speaker 1: on this show, one that I started in Baltimore when 263 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:13,520 Speaker 1: I was a radio talk show host many many years ago. 264 00:14:14,040 --> 00:14:16,839 Speaker 1: It's the dude and dork of the week. Now back 265 00:14:16,840 --> 00:14:18,960 Speaker 1: in Baltimore. He used to just do Baltimore guys for 266 00:14:18,960 --> 00:14:21,359 Speaker 1: the most part, but now we do all of baseball. 267 00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:24,480 Speaker 1: So let's start, as we always will, with the dude 268 00:14:24,480 --> 00:14:27,520 Speaker 1: of the week. That would be Andrew McCutcheon of the 269 00:14:27,560 --> 00:14:30,440 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh Pirates. Now did he have the highest war of 270 00:14:30,480 --> 00:14:32,840 Speaker 1: the week, the highest opiate And I don't care. This 271 00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:34,840 Speaker 1: is not what that is about. It's kind of like 272 00:14:34,840 --> 00:14:38,560 Speaker 1: an MVP subjective. Andrew McCutcheon is the dude of the 273 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:41,800 Speaker 1: week because of the way he embraced Pittsburgh and the 274 00:14:41,800 --> 00:14:45,520 Speaker 1: way Pittsburgh embraces him. We saw it Friday when he 275 00:14:45,640 --> 00:14:49,240 Speaker 1: returned home for the first time, got a huge ovation 276 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 1: as he stepped to the plate, you saw his emotion. 277 00:14:52,440 --> 00:14:55,200 Speaker 1: He said he was trying not to cry. But he 278 00:14:55,240 --> 00:14:57,880 Speaker 1: has a great feeling for that city and it showed 279 00:14:58,040 --> 00:15:01,280 Speaker 1: on that day and cut well. He was an MVP 280 00:15:01,400 --> 00:15:04,640 Speaker 1: in twenty thirteen. Obviously he's not the player he once was, 281 00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:07,720 Speaker 1: but to see him come back to that team, in 282 00:15:07,760 --> 00:15:11,480 Speaker 1: that market, in that time in their history, when they're 283 00:15:11,480 --> 00:15:14,960 Speaker 1: still rebuilding. That part was cool. The way you handle 284 00:15:15,040 --> 00:15:17,000 Speaker 1: that was cool. And oh, by the way, just so 285 00:15:17,080 --> 00:15:21,400 Speaker 1: you know, the umpires are allowed or basically given instructions 286 00:15:21,840 --> 00:15:24,560 Speaker 1: on special moments like that to cool it with the clock, 287 00:15:24,960 --> 00:15:27,680 Speaker 1: let it flow, and that's exactly what they did. We'll 288 00:15:27,720 --> 00:15:31,200 Speaker 1: see that in other circumstances as the year goes on. Now, 289 00:15:31,280 --> 00:15:33,920 Speaker 1: the dork of the week, Now, I'm not going to 290 00:15:33,960 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 1: give it to an owner every week. Okay I probably could, 291 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:40,200 Speaker 1: but we're not going to play that game. But this week, 292 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:43,640 Speaker 1: after the Oakland A's performance against Tampa Bay in which 293 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:47,400 Speaker 1: they were outscored thirty one to five, step right up, 294 00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:49,480 Speaker 1: John Fisher, you are the dork of the week. You're 295 00:15:49,520 --> 00:15:52,760 Speaker 1: the Oakland Athletics owner. Your payroll is I don't know, 296 00:15:52,960 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 1: fifty six million by one estimate, fifty nine million by another. 297 00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:59,440 Speaker 1: Either way, however you stack it up, it's the lowest 298 00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:03,640 Speaker 1: in the majors. Justin Verlander and Brandon Nimo combined are 299 00:16:03,680 --> 00:16:06,920 Speaker 1: making more for the Mets. Max Scherzer and Starling Marte 300 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:11,000 Speaker 1: combined are making more for the Mets as well. And 301 00:16:11,160 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 1: mister Fisher, you get what you pay for. This team 302 00:16:14,280 --> 00:16:18,440 Speaker 1: did very very little in the offseason. Drew Rasinski, the 303 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:22,800 Speaker 1: Japanese pitcher for Jinami, I led Mis Diaz. I can 304 00:16:22,840 --> 00:16:25,920 Speaker 1: go on, but really why even bother d A's have 305 00:16:26,080 --> 00:16:29,720 Speaker 1: some interesting young players. Langeleiers has one. Struryreez is another, 306 00:16:30,160 --> 00:16:32,680 Speaker 1: Kyle Muller coming over in the trade, the three way 307 00:16:32,720 --> 00:16:35,160 Speaker 1: trade in which Ruiz was acquired as well the Sean 308 00:16:35,240 --> 00:16:38,160 Speaker 1: Murphy trade. Of course, seems to be off to a 309 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:41,280 Speaker 1: really good start. But that said, this is a team 310 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:43,520 Speaker 1: that if you give them a little bit of money, 311 00:16:43,800 --> 00:16:45,960 Speaker 1: you give David forst and Billy Bean a little bit 312 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:49,040 Speaker 1: of money. Over the years, they've been able to compete. 313 00:16:49,920 --> 00:16:53,920 Speaker 1: Six postseason appearances in a span of nine years. In 314 00:16:53,960 --> 00:16:56,800 Speaker 1: the twenty tens, they did three in a row in 315 00:16:56,800 --> 00:16:59,920 Speaker 1: one stretch and three in a row in another. They're capable, 316 00:17:00,520 --> 00:17:03,520 Speaker 1: but you have to give them some degree of resources. 317 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:06,080 Speaker 1: John Fisher has not what his motives are with the 318 00:17:06,080 --> 00:17:10,400 Speaker 1: stadium situation with Las Vegas. I don't know, but this team, frankly, 319 00:17:10,480 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 1: right now, it's embarrassing. John Fisher dork of the week. 320 00:17:14,760 --> 00:17:17,000 Speaker 1: All right now for our look ahead segment in which 321 00:17:17,040 --> 00:17:18,639 Speaker 1: we look ahead to the game I'll be doing for 322 00:17:18,760 --> 00:17:22,800 Speaker 1: Fox this week and also discuss some other topics of interest. 323 00:17:23,080 --> 00:17:25,280 Speaker 1: The game I'll be doing for Fox actually is looking 324 00:17:25,359 --> 00:17:28,080 Speaker 1: like a really good one. It's Brewers at Padres. I'll 325 00:17:28,080 --> 00:17:31,160 Speaker 1: be flying to San Diego later this week, Padres coming 326 00:17:31,200 --> 00:17:34,080 Speaker 1: off that great series against the Braves. They played really well, 327 00:17:34,440 --> 00:17:36,919 Speaker 1: and the Brewers, well, they've played really well all season, 328 00:17:37,040 --> 00:17:40,760 Speaker 1: so we could be looking at a postseason preview. But 329 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:43,320 Speaker 1: before I fly out there, we want to answer some 330 00:17:43,440 --> 00:17:45,680 Speaker 1: fan questions. We've got some really good ones this week. 331 00:17:45,760 --> 00:17:48,320 Speaker 1: I want to thank you guys on Twitter for sending 332 00:17:48,320 --> 00:17:52,200 Speaker 1: along some really intelligent queries. And let's start with the 333 00:17:52,280 --> 00:17:56,320 Speaker 1: first fan question this week, and here it is. It 334 00:17:56,359 --> 00:17:59,080 Speaker 1: comes from Christopher Verneck, and Christopher asked, with the new 335 00:17:59,160 --> 00:18:03,280 Speaker 1: rules working attackerly, do you think there's any chance MLB 336 00:18:03,359 --> 00:18:06,960 Speaker 1: would consider ditching the three batter minimum rule now that 337 00:18:06,960 --> 00:18:11,840 Speaker 1: it's quickly becoming an unnecessary relic? Christopher well said, but 338 00:18:12,119 --> 00:18:14,560 Speaker 1: I asked this question a couple of weeks ago because 339 00:18:14,680 --> 00:18:18,479 Speaker 1: I had the same thought and was told no, not yet, 340 00:18:18,560 --> 00:18:22,920 Speaker 1: because what the league wants is starting pitchers going deeper 341 00:18:22,960 --> 00:18:26,440 Speaker 1: into games. They also do not want to go back 342 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:30,760 Speaker 1: to a day when there is increased specialization among relievers. 343 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:33,679 Speaker 1: And what I mean by that is, of course the 344 00:18:33,720 --> 00:18:36,480 Speaker 1: matchups where you get left, left, right, right. No, they 345 00:18:36,520 --> 00:18:40,000 Speaker 1: want more opposite side matchups, and you get those from 346 00:18:40,040 --> 00:18:44,200 Speaker 1: the three batter minimum. Also with relievers so dominant. Yes, 347 00:18:44,240 --> 00:18:47,240 Speaker 1: you want to reduce their advantage over the hitter. That's 348 00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:49,720 Speaker 1: part of the idea of the three batter minimum in 349 00:18:49,720 --> 00:18:53,280 Speaker 1: the first place. Now, if Baseball ever goes to a 350 00:18:53,400 --> 00:18:57,920 Speaker 1: twelve pitcher maximum, they're at thirteen right now, you could 351 00:18:57,960 --> 00:19:00,600 Speaker 1: see the rule go away then because it would be 352 00:19:00,680 --> 00:19:04,679 Speaker 1: an unnecessary relic at that point. With twelve man staff, 353 00:19:04,680 --> 00:19:07,840 Speaker 1: you'd have to have starters going deeper into games, and 354 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:10,879 Speaker 1: you'd accomplish what you're trying to accomplish in part with 355 00:19:10,960 --> 00:19:13,520 Speaker 1: this rule. Good question, Thank you for that one. Here's 356 00:19:13,520 --> 00:19:16,959 Speaker 1: the next question. Are the Cubs going to be sneaky decent? 357 00:19:17,040 --> 00:19:20,200 Speaker 1: That comes from Logan, P Logan. I wish I knew 358 00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:22,480 Speaker 1: the answer to that. I know if you're a Cubs fan, 359 00:19:22,600 --> 00:19:25,840 Speaker 1: that is your hope. For it to happen, You've got 360 00:19:25,840 --> 00:19:27,959 Speaker 1: to have a number of things happen. One, they've got 361 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:31,399 Speaker 1: to play well defensively, something they didn't always do on 362 00:19:31,520 --> 00:19:34,760 Speaker 1: Sunday at times. They've looked quite crisp and quite good, 363 00:19:35,080 --> 00:19:38,280 Speaker 1: especially with Swanson and Horner up the middle. You've got 364 00:19:38,280 --> 00:19:41,680 Speaker 1: to get respectable starting pitching, which I think they will. 365 00:19:42,040 --> 00:19:44,560 Speaker 1: The bullpen has to evolve. It probably will be different 366 00:19:44,600 --> 00:19:46,399 Speaker 1: by the all start break than it is right now. 367 00:19:46,440 --> 00:19:48,360 Speaker 1: They're gonna have to figure out what works for them. 368 00:19:48,920 --> 00:19:52,159 Speaker 1: But really for them to make a move of any kind, 369 00:19:52,840 --> 00:19:55,080 Speaker 1: they're gonna need one of their one year guys or 370 00:19:55,160 --> 00:19:59,600 Speaker 1: short term guys Bellinger, Mancini, someone like that, to have 371 00:19:59,640 --> 00:20:02,320 Speaker 1: a mind year. I don't know that it's gonna happen. 372 00:20:02,359 --> 00:20:04,680 Speaker 1: Hasmer would fit in this category as well. They'll need 373 00:20:04,720 --> 00:20:08,480 Speaker 1: those guys to play above themselves, almost like you saw 374 00:20:08,560 --> 00:20:11,119 Speaker 1: with the twenty twenty one Giants, which they had several 375 00:20:11,160 --> 00:20:14,800 Speaker 1: surprising contributions. It's similar to that, is what I'm talking about. 376 00:20:15,320 --> 00:20:17,800 Speaker 1: Will it happen? I have no idea, But can they 377 00:20:17,800 --> 00:20:20,679 Speaker 1: be sneaky this decent? Sure? If they're pitching holes up 378 00:20:20,680 --> 00:20:23,159 Speaker 1: and they get those surprising efforts from some of their 379 00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:26,119 Speaker 1: position players, no question they can do that, all right. 380 00:20:26,160 --> 00:20:28,480 Speaker 1: This one comes from Ounce Ounce. I wish you'd give 381 00:20:28,520 --> 00:20:31,480 Speaker 1: your big name. Maybe it's official big Oz. I know 382 00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:33,520 Speaker 1: people on Twitter don't like to use their names, but 383 00:20:33,640 --> 00:20:35,200 Speaker 1: let's see it once in a while. All right, let's 384 00:20:35,240 --> 00:20:38,359 Speaker 1: get to the question. Outside of the superstars of the game, 385 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:41,320 Speaker 1: who are some of your favorite players to watch? Now? 386 00:20:41,359 --> 00:20:43,440 Speaker 1: I have to think about this one long and hard, 387 00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:46,400 Speaker 1: because a lot of my favorite players to watch are 388 00:20:46,520 --> 00:20:48,560 Speaker 1: the superstars of the game. But I'm gonna give you 389 00:20:48,600 --> 00:20:51,119 Speaker 1: one that's gonna probably make your eyes roll, and then 390 00:20:51,119 --> 00:20:53,400 Speaker 1: I'll give you a couple others as well. The one 391 00:20:53,440 --> 00:20:57,000 Speaker 1: that will make your eyes roll is Rugy o'door. Now. 392 00:20:57,000 --> 00:21:00,159 Speaker 1: I've liked that guy ever since he came up. He 393 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:03,199 Speaker 1: gets his team's energy. He's kind of an infectious player. 394 00:21:03,520 --> 00:21:06,560 Speaker 1: I know his on base percentage is horrible. I know 395 00:21:06,640 --> 00:21:10,560 Speaker 1: he makes defensive mistakes. He is not, by any stretch 396 00:21:10,600 --> 00:21:14,240 Speaker 1: of the imagination, what people would define as a good player, 397 00:21:14,680 --> 00:21:17,080 Speaker 1: but he's kind of fun to watch. He's always seems 398 00:21:17,080 --> 00:21:19,720 Speaker 1: to be in the middle of the actions. So I'm 399 00:21:19,720 --> 00:21:23,200 Speaker 1: gonna go with Rugy for that reason alone. Another guy 400 00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:25,439 Speaker 1: I was just watching yesterday and he is kind of 401 00:21:25,440 --> 00:21:27,200 Speaker 1: a star at this point. He was an All Star 402 00:21:27,280 --> 00:21:31,240 Speaker 1: last year, but he's not superstar quality just yet. Nester 403 00:21:31,359 --> 00:21:35,800 Speaker 1: Cortez Junior nest Cortez junior in the pitchclock. Era is 404 00:21:35,840 --> 00:21:38,639 Speaker 1: a perfect guy. He is in control of the tempo, 405 00:21:39,119 --> 00:21:41,840 Speaker 1: he is doing what he wants. He mixes up deliveries, 406 00:21:41,840 --> 00:21:44,520 Speaker 1: he mixes up pitches. He is just a fun pitcher 407 00:21:44,520 --> 00:21:47,280 Speaker 1: to watch. And my third guy, and again we're talking 408 00:21:47,280 --> 00:21:52,720 Speaker 1: about not superstars. My third guy is someone that is 409 00:21:52,760 --> 00:21:55,040 Speaker 1: a little bit different and he goes about it a 410 00:21:55,080 --> 00:21:58,359 Speaker 1: little bit differently. I'm talking about Jack Peterson. Jack is 411 00:21:58,640 --> 00:22:02,440 Speaker 1: a slugger, left handed slugger. He's not a guy that's 412 00:22:02,720 --> 00:22:05,400 Speaker 1: getting long term deals. He's going one year at a time, 413 00:22:05,440 --> 00:22:08,359 Speaker 1: it seems. But I like watching as at bats and 414 00:22:08,440 --> 00:22:10,560 Speaker 1: I just kind of like his vibe in general. Jock 415 00:22:10,920 --> 00:22:14,600 Speaker 1: gives off. It's not care free, but it's cool. It's 416 00:22:14,640 --> 00:22:17,840 Speaker 1: California cool. So those are my three favorites as far 417 00:22:17,960 --> 00:22:21,400 Speaker 1: as not being superstars. But I can go on and 418 00:22:21,440 --> 00:22:24,040 Speaker 1: on and on about the others that I like to watch, 419 00:22:24,320 --> 00:22:25,960 Speaker 1: and those would be some of the best players in 420 00:22:25,960 --> 00:22:28,920 Speaker 1: the game. All Right, With that, we close it out 421 00:22:28,960 --> 00:22:31,920 Speaker 1: on Fair Territory for this week. We'll be back next 422 00:22:31,920 --> 00:22:35,159 Speaker 1: week next Monday as well. Remember you can watch us 423 00:22:35,200 --> 00:22:38,200 Speaker 1: on YouTube and you can also listen on your favorite 424 00:22:38,200 --> 00:22:41,280 Speaker 1: podcast network. However, you get your podcasts. 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