The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann appraise Andrew McCutchen's trade value (3:49) and assess the wisdom of a recent flurry of signings and trades by the Braves (12:50). Then they bring on Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports to discuss the competitive ramifications of baseball's new collective bargaining agreement (18:49) and predict how long labor peace will last (40:15). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 02, 2016•49 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann put in a plug for 'Pitch' and talk Hall of Fame with Sports Illustrated writer Jay Jaffe (5:25), discussing the new and returning candidates on this year's ballot (6:13)and Jaffe's forecast for the 2017 Cooperstown class (32:30). Then, they bring on Astros infielder Alex Bregman to talk about his rapid rise to the majors (36:05), the changes he made to his swing before and after overcoming his slow start in the big leagues (39:35), and his outlook f...
Nov 22, 2016•52 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann react to Mike Trout's deserved (but still surprising) MVP Award win (4:50) and the Astros' active start to the offseason (11:45). Then, they bring on Twins second baseman Brian Dozier to discuss how the heck he hit 42 homers (16:50). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 18, 2016•42 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann discuss the tough transition to the offseason, Theo Epstein's next challenge (3:22), and whether the playoffs are too different from the regular season (8:25). Then they bring on MLB Trade Rumors founder Tim Dierkes to talk about the weak free-agent class (12:25), how CBA uncertainty might affect the market (29:41), and the prospect of record contracts for relievers (39:27). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 07, 2016•49 min
In the aftermath of the Cubs' World Series win, The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann talk to their colleague Robert Mays about Cubs fans' euphoria (3:00). Then, Ben and Michael draft and discuss their favorite moments from an unforgettable Game 7 (15:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 03, 2016•50 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann recap Michael's trip to Wrigley Field and the Indians' approach against the Cubs' Jon Lester and Javier Báez. Then, they bring on Fox broadcaster Kevin Burkhardt (13:05) to talk about anchoring a panel filled with former superstars, Alex Rodriguez's TV preparation and rapport with Pete Rose, Frank Thomas's imposing size on set, and how to make a postgame show go viral. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 01, 2016•42 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann recap the first two games of the 1–1 World Series. Then, they bring on the director of the Cubs' mental skills program, Joshua Lifrak, and the team's mental skills coordinator, Darnell McDonald, to discuss how the organization is teaching its players meditation techniques to cope with the stresses of major (and minor) league life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 27, 2016•39 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann preview the upcoming Cubs-Indians World Series matchup from every possible angle with help from Sahadev Sharma, a Cubs reporter for The Athletic Chicago, and MLB.com Indians beat writer Jordan Bastian. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 24, 2016•49 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann talk about the Dodgers' subtle scoreboard trolling and rank this year's playoff teams, and 10 more that missed the cut, in order of how likely they are to make the postseason in 2017. Then, they talk to a real-life Indians fan, Ringer staff writer Rob Harvilla, about his expectations and emotions on the eve of Cleveland's first World Series appearance in almost 20 years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 21, 2016•45 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann talk about Trevor Bauer's bleeding, the resurgence of short-rest postseason starts (02:10), and the October bullpen evolution (03:50). Then, they bring on the official historian of MLB, John Thorn, and author Steven Goldman to discuss some other unorthodox tactics from baseball's past that modern teams could consider bringing back (09:20). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 18, 2016•42 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann recount Clayton Kershaw's heroic, short-rest relief appearance in Game 5 of the NLDS (1:00), then bring on ESPN play-by-play man Boog Sciambi to discuss how he's preparing for the ALCS and why no one likes national broadcasters (6:30). Lastly, Ben and Michael analyze the ALCS and NLCS matchups and pronounce their pick for each series (37:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 14, 2016•53 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann discuss the status of the Cubs-Giants NLDS and the secret to Chicago's incomparable run prevention (7:40), then talk about their takeaways from the sweeps of the Rangers and Red Sox (17:47) and explain the difficulty of copying the Indians' Andrew Miller model (21:40). Lastly, they debate whether the instant replay process needs to be amended for slide plays (33:33) and puzzle over the lackluster postseason performance of David Price and Clayton Ker...
Oct 11, 2016•56 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann make a few grudging playoff predictions (3:04), then bring on Royals major league advance scout Alec Zumwalt (9:18) to discuss how teams prepare to take on their October opponents (11:30), the scouting insights that helped the Royals win back-to-back pennants (15:38), the differences between scouting in person and scouting via video and stats (25:25), and the scouting perspective on the decision not to send Alex Gordon in Game 7 of the 2014 World Se...
Oct 07, 2016•50 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann talk to Athletics third-base coach and former Rangers skipper Ron Washington (3:30) about postseason tactics and managing the first-ever AL wild-card game. Then, they bring on Diamondbacks beat writer Nick Piecoro (27:25) to discuss Arizona's dysfunctional front office and the firings of GM Dave Stewart and manager Chip Hale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 04, 2016•48 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann discuss the Indians' Monday makeup dilemma (2:07) and Theo Epstein's contract extension (5:57). Then, they talk to 'The Good Place' creator Michael Schur about the Red Sox (14:07), the state of baseball discourse (23:50), and the intersections of sports and TV (36:26). Lastly, they ask A's pitcher Andrew Triggs about his unique delivery (59:18) and surprising performance this season (1:00:42). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.c...
Sep 30, 2016•1 hr 16 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann talk to Braves president of baseball operations (and former Indians and Rangers GM) John Hart about his history of hiring executives who've gone on to run other teams (6:00). Then, they bring on Baseball Prospectus editor-in-chief Aaron Gleeman (36:30) to discuss the newest branch on Hart's tree, Derek Falvey, who'll reportedly take over the behind-the-times Twins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 27, 2016•1 hr 3 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann talk to former MLB pitcher Dan Haren about the latest blowup between Madison Bumgarner and Yasiel Puig (2:43) as well as the nature of unwritten rules (17:51). Then, in honor of Vin Scully Appreciation Day, they bring on Dodgers play-by-play man Joe Davis to ask him about being the heir to Scully's mic (43:44). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 23, 2016•1 hr 5 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann banter about whether the Indians are doomed in October after their recent rash of injuries, and then talk to Kevin Falls, the executive producer and showrunner of 'Pitch,' about the making of the new Fox series and the secret history of 'Summer Catch.' Lastly, they bring on professional baseball players Stacy Piagno and Kelsie Whitmore to discuss their thoughts on 'Pitch' and their experience competing against men this summer. Learn more about your ...
Sep 20, 2016•1 hr
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann talk to San Diego Union-Tribune Padres beat writer Dennis Lin about the suspension of boundary-pushing Padres general manager A.J. Preller. Then, they bring on Korn Ferry consultant Jed Hughes to discuss how his company helps MLB teams (including the Blue Jays, Brewers, and Twins) select and hire GMs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 16, 2016•53 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann break down the unprecedented four-team race in the American League East. Then, they bring on FanGraphs writers Dave Cameron and Jeff Sullivan to investigate why the AL has beaten the NL in interleague play for 13 consecutive seasons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 13, 2016•51 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann talk to MLB Advanced Media director of R&D Daren Willman and senior data architect Tom Tango about the latest developments with baseball's Statcast tracking system. Then, they bring on Braves organist Matthew Kaminski to talk about his crowdsourced taunting of opposing players. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 09, 2016•58 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann talk to Baseball America national writer Ben Badler about Yoan Moncada, Byron Buxton, José De Leon, and other high-profile prospects called up this month. Then, they bring on Angels director of player personnel Justin Hollander to discuss the unsung grunt work that prevents front offices from making major administrative mistakes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 06, 2016•1 hr 8 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh talks to Padres bullpen catcher Justin Hatcher about why being an MLB bullpen catcher is secretly the best job in baseball. Then, Ben talks to Indians manager Terry Francona about Cleveland's innovative usage of relief ace Andrew Miller, who's broken the modern mold for late-inning relievers since his mid-season move. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 01, 2016•46 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann talk to former major league catcher and current Yankees catching coordinator Josh Paul about how Gary Sánchez got to the big leagues and became the hottest hitter on earth. Then, they bring on MLB veteran David Aardsma to discuss his scouting report on Tim Tebow, who's about to try out for MLB teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 30, 2016•57 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh talks to Astros director of pro scouting Kevin Goldstein about the scouting, signing, and big league debut of Yulieski Gurriel. Then, Ben brings on former Dodgers VP of medical services and head athletic trainer Stan Conte to discuss how the Dodgers have succeeded despite leading MLB in disabled-list stints in consecutive seasons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 25, 2016•58 min
The Ringer's Mallory Rubin and Michael Baumann offer up five potential playoff contenders and determine whether it's time for these teams to hit the panic button as we enter the stretch run of the MLB season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 23, 2016•35 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh talks to Cubs baseball operations assistant John Baker and Red Sox director of pitching analysis and development Brian Bannister about how the two former big leaguers are melding their major league experience and their interest in analytics to optimize player performance and bridge the gap between the front office and the field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 18, 2016•56 min
The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann get firsthand accounts of the discovery and development of surprise superstars José Altuve and Mookie Betts from former Astros assistant GM (and current Pirates scout) Ricky Bennett and Red Sox VP of amateur and international scouting Amiel Sawdaye. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 16, 2016•56 min
The Ringer's Michael Baumann brings on SB Nation writer Grant Brisbee to discuss the nature of baseball fandom and Prince Fielder's career-ending injury. Then, CBS Sports writer Dayn Perry joins to break down what Alex Rodriguez's farewell symbolizes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 12, 2016•43 min
Ben Lindbergh talks to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and Brewers general manager David Stearns about the moves they each made at the trade deadline, their top-ranked prospect stockpiles, and their strategies for revamping their rosters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 09, 2016•54 min
