November 20, 2020

FanGraphs Audio: If Craig Edwards Ran the Mets

1 hour 10 minutes

Episode 897

While baseball playoffs are still underway in Asia, the major leagues continue to have their own exciting happenings early in the offseason. In this week’s episode, the FanGraphs crew is ready to talk Japanese championship matchups, curious PED suspensions, and one influential executive’s career arc thus far.

At the top of the show, David Laurila is joined by Jim Allen of the Japan Baseball Weekly podcast. Jim has covered Japanese baseball for many years, and the pair look ahead to the 2020 Japan Series, which starts this weekend. Do the Yomiuri Giants stand a chance against the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, who are seeking their fourth consecutive title? David and Jim also check in on the former major leaguers who played in Japan this year and talk about how difficult that transition can be. [2:45]

Next up, Jay Jaffe and Craig Edwards discuss Robinson Canó’s second PED suspension and what that means for him and the Mets. The club was already eager to spend money under new owner Steve Cohen, but how does not having to pay Canó’s 2021 salary affect their plans? Craig has a strategy, and it indeed involves some big free agents. [23:15]

Finally, Eric Longenhagen and Jon Tayler discuss Theo Epstein’s departure from the Chicago Cubs. The team is at an undeniable crossroads as they face some difficult roster decisions, and the person arguably most important to their rebuild and 2016 championship is now out the door. Meanwhile, Epstein’s own statements suggest self-reflection on his personal impact on the sport of baseball — for better or worse — inspiring Eric and Jon to assess him and his journey through the same lens. [45:22]

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Audio after the jump. (Approximate 71 minutes play time.)

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