Greg Jewett joins Al to discuss his general approach to drafting relievers this season and to discuss likely opening day closers who could lose their jobs and relievers who could emerge from committees to become primary closers.

Rundown
1:45 How is Greg approaching getting saves in his drafts this year?
7:25 ADP conundrums: Félix Bautista, Clay Holmes, Jason Adam
18:00 Closers who are potentially at risk of losing their job during the season: Daniel Bard, José Leclerc, Alex Lange, Carlos Estévez
25:40 What should we look for from relievers in spring training?
27:59 Can anyone emerge as a primary closer from these committees: Dodgers, Angels, Phillies, Twins, Cubs, Marlins, Diamondbacks?

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e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com

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Closer Potpourri with Greg Jewett

Eno Sarris and Derek VanRiper discuss advanced stats and fantasy baseball strategy, prospects, and more. From the first move of the Hot Stove season to the final pitch of the World Series, join us for year-round baseball talk.

Sports

Baseball

Eno, Trevor and DVR discuss Jordan Walker's demotion, the Pirates' plan for building up Paul Skenes' workload while trying to backload his innings, and the key ingredients to building an elite bullpen.

Rundown
0:43 Make It Make Sense: Jordan Walker's Demotion to Triple-A
6:31 Falling Between Organizational and Individual Coaching
15:34 Tracking Workloads: The Pirates' Plan for Paul Skenes
21:41 In-Game Monitoring Technology
29:51 Building an Elite Bullpen
30:17 What Traits Do You Want In a Closer?
35:03 How Many Defined Roles Do You Want?
46:13 Unintended Consequences with Limited Pitcher Availability?
56:19 Command Thresholds For Elite Relievers

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Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper
Follow Trevor on Twitter: @IamTrevorMay
e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

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How to Build an Elite Bullpen, the Pirates' Paul Skenes Plan & Another Jordan Walker Demotion

Eno, DVR and Britt discuss another excellent showing from Jared Jones and an impressive outing from Mason Milller in the Bronx on Monday afternoon. With teams having greater incentives to bring prospects up when they are ready, the new challenge is having a plan to change course if they struggle. Plus, is there legitimate reason to worry about the slow start of the Astros (7-16 entering play Tuesday) or the Cardinals (10-13)? And, is Blake Snell's bumpy start in San Francisco the byproduct of a late-spring signing?

Rundown
4:10 Jared Jones & Mason Miller Continue to Impress
13:50 An Ump Show in the Bronx
17:52 Jackson Holliday's Early Struggles & When to Adjust a Plan
28:45 Having Defensive Value to Fall Back On
36:53 What's Different About the 2024 Astros?
49:35 The Cardinals' Offense is Going to Wake Up (Right?)
58:01 Is Blake Snell Struggling Because of Signing Delay?

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Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper
Follow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_Ghroli
e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

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The New Challenge of Being Patient with Prospects & When to Worry About A Contender's Slow Start

Eno and DVR discuss news and notes from the weekend including an encouraging diagnosis for Spencer Strider before examining several risers from Eno's first in-season update of his 2024 starting pitcher rankings. 

Rundown
4:20 Underwent Internal Brace Procedure Rather Than Second Tommy John Surgery
7:28 Another SP Injury for Arizona: Merrill Kelly
13:10 Francisco Àlvarez: Out 6-8 Weeks
21:46 Eno's Updated Starting Pitcher Rankings
($) https://theathletic.com/5426812
27:31 Reid Detmers' Early Success
32:22 Casey Mize: Will Strikeouts Show Up With His New Arsenal?
38:09 Javier Assad: What Eno Likes About Him
40:51 Brady Singer: Moves Up Slightly!
44:21 Zack Littell: LODEM Goodness?
48:56 Paul Skenes: Callup Coming Shortly?
53:47 Where the Money Went: Looking Back at Weekend Pickups

Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris
Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper
e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

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Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes!
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Early Season Starting Pitcher Risers

Eno and DVR discuss Tanner Houck's excellent start to 2024 on the heels of a 'Maddux' against the Guardians on Wednesday. Plus, they look at the ongoing health struggles for Kris Bryant in Colorado, Yu Darvish's move to the IL, hitters with a path to develop more power over time, and a few recent callups including Jack Leiter, Andy Pages, and Landon Knapp. 

Rundown
1:45 Tanner Houck and Buying High on Surging Starting Pitchers
9:35 Ryan Weathers Makes DVR Look Dumb
15:02 Yu Darvish & Kris Bryant Land on the IL
27:25 Finding Power that Follows Contact Skills
37:08 Jack Leiter Gets the Call
40:31 Andy Pages & Landon Knack Join the Dodgers
47:02 Jonatan Clase Lands in Seattle
51:16 A Very Quick Look Ahead at Weekend Waiver Consideration

Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris
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e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe

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Buying High on Surging Starting Pitchers, Future Power Sources & Recent Debuts

Eno, DVR and Britt discuss John Sterling's abrupt retirement after 36 years with the Yankees, the Marlins' surprising decision to send Max Meyer back to Triple-A, the current state of baseball rivalries including a few potential new feuds that could develop. Plus, they discuss the Cubs as a potential top-five team for the next five years, before a round of 'Buy, Sell, Hold'. 

Rundown
1:07 John Sterling Abruptly Announces Retirement
6:03 The Changing Role of Baseball Broadcasters
11:25 Why Did the Marlins Option Max Meyer to Triple-A?
17:50 Baseball's Rivalry Heat Check
24:20 New Rivalries On the Horizon?
29:30 The Case for the Cubs as a Top-Five Team for the Next Five Years
43:46 Buy, Sell, Hold: Tyler O'Neill's Excellent Start in Boston
47:29 Buy, Sell, Hold: Francisco Lindor's Quiet Bat, When to Actually Worry About Early-Season Slumps
56:21 Buy, Sell, Hold: Joe Musgrove

Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris
Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper
Follow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_Ghroli
e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe

Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes!

Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
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Closer Potpourri with Greg Jewett

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