With Spring Training games in full swing, baseball fans are starting to get familiar with the Automated Ball-Strike challenge system. Although ABS isn’t brand new to baseball, as it’s been used in the minor leagues for a few seasons, it will be new to the majors in 2026 — so now is the time to learn all about it.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman give you the history of the ABS challenge system and explain how we’ve gotten to the point where it will be implemented in the game. MLB catcher Garrett Stubbs joins the show to give a catcher’s point of view on how it’s impacting his position, as well as the strategies that come along with challenging calls and the tension it can create with umpires.

Later, Jake and Jordan talk about Rhys Hoskins and Michael Conforto both getting minor league deals and a wave of new injuries plaguing the Minnesota Twins and the Baltimore Orioles. They then close the show by remembering Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski following his passing this weekend.

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The Major League Baseball Players Association had a major shakeup this week after union head Tony Clark resigned from his position following an investigation into an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law. This shocking news has caused a ripple effect with collective bargaining agreement discussions set to begin next offseason.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss why this controversy is such a big deal as the players’ union looks for strong leadership ahead of upcoming negotiations. They then dive into the newly elected leader, Bruce Meyer, and why he is an interesting choice to lead the players at a crucial moment as the league prepares for 2027 and beyond.

Later, Jake and Jordan are joined by Yahoo Fantasy analyst Scott Pianowski, who gives his expert opinion on whether Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani or Bobby Witt Jr. should be the number one overall pick in your draft — and which sleepers you should have your eye on. Then, the guys discuss the Milwaukee Brewers giving Pat Murphy an extension and why Tony Vitello felt the need to clarify his move to the majors. To close the show, Jake and Jordan make their picks for this week’s edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

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With Spring Training fully underway in Florida and Arizona, we’re starting to hear more and more from those in the baseball world about their thoughts on this offseason. Between how New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge voiced his displeasure with his club’s slow-moving offseason and Bryce Harper not being too happy with how he was spoken about by Philadelphia Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski, things are getting spicy.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about which of these headlines are actually big deals and which aren’t, including Steve Cohen saying there won’t be a captain for the New York Mets as long as he owns the team and a couple of players with questionable thoughts on position changes. Then, the guys get into the San Diego Padres having a busy week that saw them bring in Nick Castellanos, along with other free agents, to fill out their roster and signing General Manager A.J. Preller to a long-term deal.

Later, Jake and Jordan present the grand finale to this year’s Scott Boras Scoreboard after a flurry of his players received new deals and Roman Anthony replaced Corbin Carroll on Team USA’s World Baseball Classic roster. They close the show by reintroducing the 26-and-under rankings for this season after big players graduated from the list last season.

0:34 - Tony Clark update
3:20 - The Opener: Hot Springs Training headlines
39:05 - Around the League: Padres keeping busy
48:03 - Team USA roster update
50:38 - Scott Boras Scoreboard finale
59:41 - 2026 26-and-under rankings

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With the wonderful sounds of spring training filling the air in Arizona and Florida, there have already been a few unfortunate injuries that have knocked out several top MLB stars from getting their work in. Francisco Lindor, Corbin Carroll and Jackson Holliday have all been sidelined with hamate injuries, and it’s bringing us all down.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the impact these injuries will have on their clubs, including what Team USA might do since Corbin Carroll will not be able to start and play in the World Baseball Classic. They then get into the situation surrounding Nick Castellanos being released from the Philadelphia Phillies and him addressing the now-infamous incident that occurred in Miami.

Later, Jake and Jordan discuss Justin Verlander reuniting with the Detroit Tigers to help continue his push for 300 wins, the Los Angeles Dodgers re-signing a couple of familiar names and give a quick college baseball preview with the season opening today. The guys close the episode by making their picks for this week’s edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

1:28 - The Opener: The hamate issue
9:12 - Nick Castellanos and the incident
25:36 - Around The League: JV back to Detroit
35:48 - Other notable free agent signings
42:40 - Dodgers bring back familiar names
46:02 - The Good, The Bad & The Uggla

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As pitchers and catchers start to report to their teams’ camps this week, signaling the official return of baseball, it’s time to take a look back at each club’s offseason and give them a final grade for their work.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman go through all 30 teams division by division, talking about the newest additions and subtractions for each side, as well as which teams could’ve done a little bit more.

Did the Los Angeles Dodgers do enough to bolster their squad and try for a three-peat? Did the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies do the right thing by essentially running back their rosters? Are the Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Guardians throwing away a golden chance during a championship window? With at least one team getting an A and another getting an F, find out how your squad did this offseason.

5:45 – AL East
25:04 – NL East
38:52 – AL West
51:11 – NL West
1:01:08 – AL Central
1:17:30 – NL Central

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Tarik Skubal has 54 career wins in Major League Baseball, but on Thursday he may have earned his most lucrative victory yet—against his current club. The two-time Cy Young Award winner won his arbitration hearing against the Detroit Tigers, and the ramifications could be larger than many anticipate.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the historic win for Skubal, his agent Scott Boras, and the entire Players Association. Skubal will make a record $32 million after winning his arbitration hearing. This decision sets a precedent for future cases and could help determine Skubal’s long-term future in Detroit. With the Tigers’ acquisition of Framber Valdez, could the team be more willing to move on from their ace at some point this season?

Later, Jake and Jordan break down some of the most intriguing rosters from the World Baseball Classic after every team revealed its squad Thursday night, including which teams may have been impacted by insurance issues. They then make their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla, including an update on the Emmanuel Clase gambling investigation and an incredibly unique giveaway from the Toronto Blue Jays this season.

2:02 – The Opener: Skubal wins vs. Tigers
11:03 – Scott Boras Scoreboard update
20:21 – Tigers sign Framber Valdez
31:15 – Around the League: WBC rosters
53:02 – The Good, The Bad & The Uggla

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The San Francisco Giants signed Luis Arráez to a one-year deal, with the hope that the three-time batting champion will be able to help solidify their offense after their blockbuster deal that brought Rafael Devers to the Bay last season. However, after finishing at 81–81, are the Giants doing enough to try and compete for a title?

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman examine the questionable offseason that President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey has navigated for his Giants. While being in the same division as the Los Angeles Dodgers does present some difficulties, should the Giants be doing a bit more to show their commitment to winning? Could they still find a way to improve their rotation before the start of the season?

Later, Jordan and Jake talk about the trade that saw the St. Louis Cardinals trade Brendan Donovan in a three-team deal to the Seattle Mariners and why he is going to be a key player for them. They then discuss the Chicago White Sox’s active weekend, the Sacramento A’s signing Jacob Wilson to an extension, all before they get into the problem that insurance is causing with World Baseball Classic rosters.

2:29 – The Opener: A look at the Giants
29:58 – Around the League: Mariners trade for Donovan
48:18 – Turbo Mode: Reds sign Eugenio Suárez
58:37 – Tarik Skubal vs. Detroit Tigers
1:01:44 – We Need to Talk About: WBC insurance

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After the free-agency frenzy that saw Kyle Tucker shockingly go to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Bo Bichette signing with the New York Mets and Cody Bellinger opting to run it back with the New York Yankees, teams are starting to look more and more set for the 2026 season. However, there is still plenty of time for teams to do some last-minute shopping to bulk up before Opening Day.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman make their choices for the one thing that every team needs from now until Game One of the season. Could the Dodgers push all of their chips in to go for a three-peat and trade for Tarik Skubal? Will the Yankees have a resolution on what to do with Jasson Domínguez amid their crowded outfield? Who could the Mets trade away from their rotation after acquiring Freddy Peralta?

Later, Jordan and Jake react to the breaking Minnesota Twins news after they parted ways with President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey at this point in the offseason. They then make their picks for this week’s The Good, The Bad and the Uggla, which includes Alex Honnold maybe taking a shot at Garrett Crochet and the history that landed Aaron Judge in the Bronx.

2:36 – AL East
16:50 – AL Central
30:54 – AL West
37:13 – NL East
50:23 – NL Central
1:01:05 – NL West
1:08:28 – The Good, The Bad & The Uggla

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José Ramírez has been a member of the Cleveland Guardians organization since 2011 and is on track to one day be immortalized in Cooperstown with the greats of baseball. However, over the weekend, the seven-time All-Star signed an extension to stay in Cleveland until 2032, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest to ever play for the franchise.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the deal that will keep Ramírez with the Guardians into his age-39 season. The six-time Silver Slugger’s extension, while surprising, isn’t shocking considering his love for Cleveland. But when his contract is up, will he be considered the best player in Guardians history?

Later, Jordan and Jake break down the Texas Rangers–Washington Nationals trade that sent a package of prospects to the nation’s capital for 26-year-old MacKenzie Gore. With the Rangers hoping that Gore pans out to the uber-prospect he once was, how important will his continued development be for the Rangers to win this deal? The guys then talk about MLB Network’s 2026 Top 100 Players and what changes they would make to the list.

1:20 – The Opener: J-Ram stays in Cleveland
27:49 – Around the League: Rangers trade for Gore
42:57 – Harrison Bader to the Giants
49:50 – Nuclear Overreaction: Top 100 list
58:11 – Top 10 players debate

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When the New York Mets signed Bo Bichette and traded for Luis Robert Jr., many wondered if President of Baseball Ops David Stearns was finished making major moves this offseason. On Wednesday night though, Stearns had one more big surprise up his sleeve when he acquired someone from his past days in Milwaukee.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the big trade that saw the Mets deal for Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers in exchange for a package of top prospects Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams. With Peralta now headlining the Mets’ starting rotation, does this addition make them a World Series contender again? Also, how will the new additions to the Brew Crew’s prospect pipeline help them in the immediate future?

Later, Jordan and Jake talk about the New York Yankees and Cody Bellinger reuniting after his impressive 2025 season in pinstripes on a five-year, $162.5 million contract. The move further solidifies the Yankees’ belief in their offense, essentially running it back from last season—but could Brian Cashman and company have one more front-page deal before Spring Training kicks off? The guys then close the show by making their picks for this week’s edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

2:03 – The Opener: Freddy Peralta to the Mets
29:43 – Jordan’s Prospect Hut: The Brewers’ return
38:28 – Yankees re-sign Cody Bellinger
52:00 – Scott Boras Scoreboard update
54:37 – The Good
1:01:13 – The Bad
1:06:44 – The Uggla

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