98.5 The Sports Hub Red Sox Audio Podcast

Hardcore Baseball returns for its fourth season. Matt McCarthy sets the expectations for the 2021 Red Sox, reacts to the Andrew Benintendi trade, and shares his thoughts on the Fernando Tatis Jr. contract. Plus, Tyler Milliken explains why he thinks the Benintendi trade isn't as bad as some have suggested (13:10).

Dustin Pedroia has officially retired, ending his 14 years with the Red Sox. Matt McCarthy welcomes Sean Sylver back to the program to reflect on Pedroia's legacy. They discuss where Pedroia ranks in Red Sox history (5:31), the origins of Laser Show (7:21), Pedroia's standing in Boston in recent years (11:20), if Pedroia's last contract extension was actually a big mistake (16:03), the Manny Machado incident and the David Price "clappers," (18:53), and if Pedroia is a Hall of Famer (21:22).

Tony Massarotti returns to Hardcore Baseball to talk about the 2021 Hall of Fame voting. He joins Matt McCarthy to discuss his ballot (1:34), nobody getting in to Cooperstown this year (3:02), Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens (7:30), why next year's vote might be the most consequential in Hall of Fame history (10:52), not voting for Curt Schilling (15:55), comparing Schilling to recent inductee Mike Mussina (20:57). Plus, Mazz and McCarthy reflect on the life and legacy of Hank Aaron (24:42).

Well it took a while, but the Red Sox finally made some moves. Mazz and Matt McCarthy talk about the Red Sox' acquisitions of Garrett Richards, Chad Ottavino and Enrique Hernandez in addition to the pursuits of Corey Kluber and George Springer.

Also, the guys answer the following question: what are fair and proper expectations for the Red Sox in 2021?

Alex Barth from 985thesportshub.com joins Matt McCarthy to discuss everything Red Sox offseason. Matt and Alex explain everything you need to know about Japanese righty Tomoyuki Sugano (6:22), why the Red Sox should make their young hitters available in trades this offseason (24:44), and how the Lowell Spinners lost their affiliation with the Red Sox and what MLB's elimination of over 40 minor league teams impacts player development (35:06)

As the Red Sox enter the offseason, Mazz gives his thoughts on Chaim Bloom's game plan for the coming offseason and reads into some of the comments Bloom made during a Zoom teleconference with members of the media last week. Also, with Alex Cora now back in the Boston dugout, Mazz also shares his philosophy when it comes to managerial hirings.

Matt McCarthy reacts to Game 6 of the World Series and Kevin Cash's decision to pull Blake Snell at 73 pitches while throwing a 2-hitter. Plus, Mookie Betts continues to make the Red Sox look foolish.

Hardcore Baseball: October Edition returns as Tim McKone joins Matt McCarthy to discuss the MLB playoffs. Plus, are the Red Sox going public? Matt and Tim react to the Wall Street Journal's reports on John Henry's plans to add to his portfolio of sports teams overseas. Is Billy Beane going to run Henry's soccer clubs instead of his baseball team?

In the wake of the Ron Roenicke firing, Mazz examines the chances of Alex Cora returning as manager of the Red Sox. Why haven't the Red Sox publicly eliminated Cora's potential return? And does Chaim Bloom have the latitude to make the decision on his? Unedited answers from Bloom's Zoom press conference are included.

Tony Massarotti kicked off the season finale of the Baseball Reporters discussing comments made by JD Martinez and the expectations for the 2021 season. (00:30)

More on JD Martinez and his future with the Red Sox (10:39)

How will you look back at the 2020 season? (19:55)