Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander

Ben Verlander and Alex Curry discuss the big news of the Chicago Cubs signing Cody Bellinger to a $80M/3 year deal. Does this move make the Cubs the NL Central favorites? Ben gives his Top 5 teams to hit the over on their win total for 2024 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees & Cincinnati Reds making the list & so much more!

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Ben Verlander welcomes Dylan Cease of the Chicago White Sox to the show to discuss all the trade speculation surrounding him this offseason and what he wants to see from himself and the White Sox in 2024. Dylan shares his thoughts after a year of the pitch clock and offers some broader changes he’d like to see around MLB. He also breaks down what it’s like experiencing a Major League brawl, dives deep on his love for disc golf and much more.

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Ben Verlander and Alex Curry discuss the latest MLB news, starting with some free agent signings and Rob Manfred's announcement that he will be stepping down as MLB commissioner in 2029. They debate the merits of Manfred's suggestion to implement a free agency deadline and if it would be good or bad for baseball. Then, Ben and Alex cover Kyle Bradish's sprained UCL injury and how it will affect the Baltimore Orioles' rotation. Next, they react to Monday's comments from Angels players Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon. Finally, they close the show with a new round of 'Name That Swing'.

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Ben Verlander welcomes Teoscar Hernandez to the show to discuss his free agency, signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers and being teammates with Shohei Ohtani. He also discusses when he almost gave up baseball before he signed with the Houston Astros in 2011. He talks about his relationship with Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Julio Rodríguez. He also tells Ben who the toughest pitcher he's faced and so much more.

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Ben Verlander and Alex Curry discuss José Altuve's new $125M/5 year extension to make him a Houston Astro for life. They talk about the Boston Red Sox taking part in a new 'Hard Knocks' style docuseries for Netflix that will follow them around for the 2024. Ben gives his Top 5 Trios for 2024. Will the Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts take the top spot over the Atlanta Braves' Austin Riley, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson?

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Ben Verlander and Alex Curry discuss Bobby Witt Jr's massive contract extension with the Kansas City Royals where he could end up having the 3rd largest contract in MLB history. They also discuss the Los Angeles Dodgers' fan fest where Mookie Betts made a bold statement & Shohei Ohtani talked about his rehab. They also talk about the Baltimore Orioles' blockbuster trade for Corbin Burnes & their sale to David Rubenstein's group for $1.725 billion. Ben finishes his countdown to his top player for the 2024 season & much more!

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Ben Verlander welcomes Detroit Tigers' Jack Flaherty into the studio! They talk about his years with the St. Louis Cardinals, being traded to the Baltimore Orioles and now being viewed as a veteran on the Tigers. They also talk about him becoming a pitcher late in high school, being committed to North Carolina to be a Tar Heel and how he met Zac Gallen. Finally, they talk about what Los Angeles Lakers' legend Kobe Bryant meant to him, what Chicago Cubs' fans can expect from Pete Crow-Armstrong & more!

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Ben Verlander and Alex Curry discuss the recent moves by the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks. Ben gives his thoughts on why the free agency is moving so slowly. Ben continues his countdown of the Top 50 Players for 2024 and the introduction of a new game called 'Name That Swing'.

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Ben Verlander is joined by Toronto Blue Jays great José Bautista and they discuss his ownership of Las Vegas Lights FC, USL Championship soccer team. They also discuss his legendary bat flip against the Rangers, the Blue Jays shortcomings last season and their quiet offseason. They talk about when he followed almost everyone on Twitter and more.

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Ben Verlander and Alex Curry preview the 2024 MLB Hall of Fame ballot including the top first-year candidates including Adrián Beltré & Joe Mauer, a look back at the voting results from 2023 and Ben goes through who he would vote for if he had a ballot. Ben continues down his list of the Top 50 players for 2024 with numbers 15-11. Ben and Alex break down the big news of Josh Hader signing with the Houston Astros and they also draft their Top 3 favorite baseball movies.

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