The Braves have been the most competent team in an NL East full of turmoil—why aren’t we talking more about them? Then Marc Normandin joins to discuss the latest deep dives into MLB’s cynical international practices. Finally we review the Hall of Fame ceremonies from over the weekend, which included the inductions of Mike Mussina, Roy Halladay, and Edgar Martinez, among others. Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram Guest: Marc Normandin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastc...
Jul 23, 2019•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 202
Contending teams have started to make modest moves for rotation help and extra bats in the lineup—are larger moves coming down the road or will this be a slow July (0:52)? Plus, the Phillies are in a state of turmoil on the field that could lead to one off (22:58), while the Giants have overperformed expectations to the point that it might throw a wrench in their plans to trade stars like Madison Bumgarner (38:24). Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram Guest: Meghan Montemurro Learn m...
Jul 16, 2019•58 min•Ep. 201
We break down the Vlad Guerrero Jr. show that was the Home Run Derby (1:11) before calling up FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen to talk about what stood out to him at the MLB Futures Game (17:44). Then, to wrap up the pod, Ben Lindbergh comes on to speculate about what we most have to look forward to in the second half of the season (37:06). Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram, Guest: Eric Longenhagen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 09, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 200
We mourn the unexpected loss of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs and discuss what he meant to his team and the camaraderie of MLB teammates (0:48). Then Donnie Kwak joins the show to talk about his cousin Tommy Edman’s first few weeks in the big leagues (17:30), and finally we discuss the stark contrast between the NBA and MLB offseasons and free agency (38:35). Host: Michael Baumann, Zach Kram, Ben Lindbergh Guests: Donnie Kwak Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a...
Jul 02, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 198
In the first episode of “Why I Hate My Team,” Sean Fennessey joins to have a (relatively) reasonable conversation about the turmoil in Queens over the past two weeks (0:30). Then, Mallory Rubin describes the acute pain of watching your favorite baseball player return, in a different uniform, to your team’s home ballpark (25:00). Host: Bobby Wagner Guests: Sean Fennessey and Mallory Rubin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 29, 2019•36 min•Ep. 196
We detail the latest week in Mets mania (1:10), wonder how Lance Lynn became possibly the best pitcher in baseball (26:15), and try to make sense of MLB’s plan for international expansion—specifically theLondon series and the Rays' early plans for a Montreal/Tampa Bay crossover (39:39). Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh Guests: Katie Baker, Craig Edwards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 25, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 195
The Yankees traded for Edwin Encarnación this weekend and expect to get Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge back soon. Is this the deepest home-run-hitting lineup of all time (1:30)? Then we check in with MLB.com Padres beat writer AJ Cassavell about the state of baseball in San Diego as it continues to be more interesting than it has been in years (18:54). Finally, we do our annual checkup on Clayton Kershaw’s status as the ace of his generation and wonder whether he’ll age as nicely as lefties l...
Jun 18, 2019•1 hr•Ep. 194
We bounce around a busy week in baseball news, starting with a first look at some surprising names atop the All-Star voting leaderboards (2:12) and then discussing David Ortiz’s health after he was shot in the Dominican Republic (21:31). We finish by talking about whether the home run is diminished by the ball flying out of the park seemingly easier than it ever has before (37:51). Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram Guest: Emma Baccellieri Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po...
Jun 11, 2019•58 min•Ep. 193
We react to the first worthwhile trade of the MLB season—Jay Bruce to the Philadelphia Phillies (1:45). Then, FanGraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen joins the show to go deep on the (still unfolding) MLB draft, sharing his biggest winners so far (21:00). Finally, Ben Lindbergh shares the work and reporting that went into his latest book, 'The MVP Machine': What was the impetus for writing it? What was the most surprising and resounding takeaway (45:34)? Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lind...
Jun 04, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 191
We open this week’s show by processing what it means for the Red Sox to see the Dustin Pedroia era truly on its last legs and then memorializing the life and career of Bill Buckner (1:00). Then, Baseball America’s Teddy Cahill joins the show to break down the upcoming NCAA men’s baseball tournament and its respective pro prospects (18:40). Finally, we theorize over how the Athletics have managed to rip off 10 straight wins and what that means for a surprisingly lively AL playoff race (41:16). Ho...
May 28, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 190
We go over the nose-diving Nationals, who are now nine games under .500 with seemingly no answers for how to get better (1:20), before putting it into context with their division rivals, the Mets, and why it always seems like the sky is falling in on them even though they’re only slightly below expectations this season (21:05). Finally, we finish by going over the long-standing criticism of Robinson Canó and why it’s a tired argument that’s only propped up by the New York media (39:02). Hosts: M...
May 21, 2019•1 hr•Ep. 188
After the teams on Giants ace Madison Bumgarner's no-trade list were revealed, we speculate about whether that means he’ll get traded or not—and whether it’ll be to a contender (1:52). Then, Baseball Prospectus managing editor Craig Goldstein joins to talk about the statistical outlier seasons of the Dodgers’ Alex Verdugo and Hyun-Jin Ryu (20:15). Finally, Ben Lindbergh closes out the podcast by sharing some of the highlights from his piece on home run robberies and putting into perspective just...
May 14, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 186
We bounce around the leading headlines from the past week, including the return of Shohei Ohtani and the Boston Red Sox's divided clubhouse (1:30). Then, Baseball Prospectus editor-in-chief Aaron Gleeman joins the show to break down how the Twins have leap-frogged Cleveland in the AL Central (25:00). Finally, we wave goodbye to our preseason optimism for the Reds and wonder how they’re playing well but still losing games (45:35). Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram Guest: Aaron Glee...
May 07, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 185
We hand out some early-season MLB superlatives (2:45), before discussing the Blue Jays’ recent call-up of Vlad Guerrero Jr.—baseball’s top prospect (26:08). Then Ben Lindbergh closes the show out by joining to theorize what might happen to baseball if ‘Avengers: Endgame’ were real life and we lost half the crop of MLB players (43:30). Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram Guest: Katie Baker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 30, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 183
Christian Yelich and Cody Bellinger are off to almost unfathomably hot starts. Are their performances sustainable, lucky, or a little bit of both (1:49)? Then, with the Tim Anderson suspension, MLB proves that it never runs out of creative ways to step on its own feet (23:10). Finally, the Yankees are experiencing a rash of injuries we thought wasn’t possible, yet they remain over .500 and in contention for the AL East—how have they done it (32:45)? Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kr...
Apr 23, 2019•50 min•Ep. 181
We mull over Zach Kram’s preseason prediction that the Tampa Bay Rays would win the AL East and wonder: Should that prediction be expanded (2:20)? Then, The Athletic's Astros beat writer, Jake Kaplan, calls into the show to talk about the slow start and resurgence of Houston, the most-stacked team in baseball (21:30). Finally, Ben Lindbergh joins the show to recap last week’s Ozzie Albies extension (36:30). Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ...
Apr 16, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 180
The Red Sox haven’t gotten off to the start they hoped after steamrolling their way to a World Series victory last October (4:15), while the Mariners have—against all odds—seemingly stolen their thunder (23:30). Plus, which preseason predictions look correct, and which have we already soured on (40:20)? Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram Guest: Meg Rowley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 09, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 179
The Braves signed Ronald Acuña Jr. to one of the most team-friendly long-term deals in recent memory (1:30), and we wonder whether the Cleveland Indians’ bad first weekend and shallow lineup mean that 2019 isn’t going to be the cakewalk we all thought it’d be (8:41). Then The Athletic’s Meghan Montemurro joins to share an insider’s take on Bryce Harper’s loud, successful first week in Philadelphia (20:00). Finally, are the Padres the most exciting team in baseball (36:03)? Hosts: Michael Baumann...
Apr 02, 2019•52 min•Ep. 178
We weigh the Jacob deGrom contract against the extensions of Chris Sale, Justin Verlander, and Kyle Hendricks (2:00). Then, we run through our annual fake prop bets to preview the upcoming 2019 season (19:00). Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 26, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 177
We react to Mike Trout agreeing to the largest contract in North American sports history, and posit that it probably doesn’t even amount to what he’s actually worth to the Angels (1:40). Then, we run through all 30 teams, division by division, and give our predictions for whether they’ll go over or under their predicted win totals in the Las Vegas sports books (30:08). Finally, we give a few enticing futures bets for the 2019 season (63:55). Hosts: Michael Baumann and Zach Kram Learn more about ...
Mar 19, 2019•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 176
Michael Baumann is joined by Mallory Rubin to discuss Game 6 of the 2011 World Series in a special 'MLB Show'–'Rewatchables' crossover. The two break down how different baseball looked just eight years ago, the managerial blunders that potentially altered baseball history, the mythmaking performance of David Freese, and more. Hosts: Michael Baumann and Mallory Rubin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 14, 2019•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 175
We run through some of the news of the past week—including a two-pound chicken tender being offered at the Texas Rangers’ stadium, Vlad Guerrero Jr. getting injured, and Adam Jones finally landing with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2:00). Then, in the final installment of our preseason trend series, we discuss the ways that pitch speed and selection, as well as pitcher usage, training, and health have drastically altered the way baseball is played in just the past five years (32:00). Hosts: Michael ...
Mar 12, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 173
With a few more days to process the news and observe how Bryce Harper is being received in Philadelphia, we go deep on the structure of his contract, the immediate returns on ticket and merchandise sales, and the now-stacked NL East (2:20). Then, Marc Normandin joins the podcast to discuss the current state of labor relations between players and owners, what the future holds for the next CBA negotiations, and the history of owner collusion that led us to this point (38:16). Hosts: Michael Bauman...
Mar 05, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 172
After months of speculation, Bryce Harper has finally signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, to the tune of 13 years and $330 million—the most total money for a contract in MLB history. We give our immediate reactions to the length of the contract, the backlash, the Phillies' team-building strategy, and more. Hosts: Michael Baumann, Zach Kram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 01, 2019•26 min•Ep. 171
We take a look at Nolan Arenado’s eight-year, $260 million deal with the Colorado Rockies and the recent run of extensions this offseason — including Aaron Hicks and Miles Mikolas (3:42). Then freelance journalist and data consultant Rob Arthur joins the show to talk about how fast analytics are changing in baseball, how accurate our assumptions about players are, and what this might mean in the future for the on-field product and front-office decision-making (37:22). Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben...
Feb 26, 2019•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 170
We reconvene the 'MLB Show' to discuss the biggest move of the offseason: Manny Machado's breaking the hot stove dry spell by signing the largest free-agent contract in baseball history. Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 20, 2019•53 min•Ep. 169
We break our hiatus to discuss the Mariners selling their roster pieces off. First, Robinson Canó and Edwin Diaz to the Mets for Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak, and prospects (1:00). Then, Jean Segura and two relievers to the Phillies for J.P. Crawford and Carlos Santana (14:00). Hosts: Michael Baumann and Zach Kram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 04, 2018•27 min•Ep. 170
Josh Donaldson lands in Atlanta (2:20), most teams in the league are looking to blow it up (11:40), and Kyler Murray has a big decision to make (28:25). Then, where did MLB go wrong with Cindy Hyde-Smith and what does it do from here? (39:10). Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 28, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 168
Is Paxton the top-10 pitcher the Yankees need? Plus, Adrián Beltré's two-decade career has come to an end, assessing the state of the Cy Young and MVP races, and wondering what the hell is going on on Bryce Harper’s head. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 20, 2018•53 min•Ep. 167
Dr. Lorena Martin’s accounts of sexism and racism inside the Seattle Mariners front office (2:03), some early offseason trades (14:11), Rookie of the Year (29:22), and Joe Mauer sailing off into the sunset (46:22). Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 13, 2018•57 min•Ep. 166
