Baseball Connection

MLB and MLBPA failed to reach an agreement by the league's deadline and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that the first two series of the season will be cancelled. How did we get here and what is the solution? Are both sides negotiating in good faith? All this (and more) on today's episode.

Derek Jeter and the Marlins have mutually agreed to part ways. Jeter reportedly did not agree with the team's spending plan coming out of the lockout. As a proven winner, perhaps Jeter was ready for Miami to end their rebuild and go all in. The lockout continues and players have begun flirting with the idea of playing overseas. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Dodgers plan to extend manager Dave Roberts ahead of the season's start. Roberts has been wildly successful during his 6 years in the position. How much of this success if he responsible for? Is Roberts a great manager? All this (and more) on today's episode.

Freddie Freeman has been a lifelong Brave and it's hard to imagine him playing elsewhere. However, he's currently a free agent and didn't receive the offer he was looking for from the Braves before the lockout began. Freeman is reportedly looking to sign within 48 hours of the lockout's end, so it will come quickly. Other teams like the Blue Jays and Yankees are interested. Will the Braves pay up, will he take a hometown discount, or will he sign elsewhere?

Joey Gallo struggled in his short stint with the Yankees in 2021. He came over after the trade deadline to jolt the offense but never really found his footing. Gallo says the shift is partially to blame and that MLB should ban it. Does he have a point? Joe Kelly is a free agent but he's looking to reunite with the Dodgers. The Dodgers could use his services, too. All this on today's episode.

The Rangers are rapidly making their way out of a rebuild. After completing some mega-deals, they have their sights set on winning now. Their plan has taken a slight twist with top 3B prospect Josh Jung undergoing labrum surgery which will sideline him for about 6 months. Josh Reddick will be joining former big leaguers Pablo Sandoval and Keon Broxton on their Mexican League squad. MLB has said regular season games will be canceled if a deal isn't reached by February 28. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Matt Olson is on the Padres' radar. They'll have to trade for him but doing so will mean a hike in their luxury tax bill unless they're able to trade Eric Hosmer and/or Wil Myers. Olson will be a coveted target on the trade market once the transaction freeze lifts. The Cardinals have their eye on the 1B market in anticipation of the universal DH. Who would they bring in to as a 1B/DH alongside Goldschmidt? All this on today's episode.

Oliver Perez will give add one more year to his playing career, but it will take place in Mexico. Perez' career has been built on getting left handed hitters out. He's been quite good add it, which allowed him to play in the big leagues for 19 seasons. Although Spring Training is on hold, teams have began minicamps. We take a look a Tigers minicamp and an update regarding former No. 1 overall pick, Spencer Torkelson.

Rollie Fingers has perhaps the most facial hair in baseball history. The well groomed handlebar mustache is his trademark and something he has never been willing to part with. He felt so strongly about it that he declined an ultimatum from the Cincinnati Reds to shave or stay home, which effectively ended his Hall of Fame career. What is the history behind baseball's facial hair policies? All this (and more) on today's episode.

Tommy Pham is open to a position change. He's specifically open to playing first base and welcomes the idea of a reunion with Tampa Bay. Pham has been an outfielder his whole MLB career. Pham's peripheral stats point to him being a bounce-back candidate with the bat this year, and he'll need just that. The Mariners want a big righty bat to play 3B. Could Kris Bryant or Josh Donaldson fill that role? All this (and more) on today's episode.