Gregory Polanco of the Lotte Marines is the guest, Jim and John take an early look at the new skippers, discuss the hidden meaning of masked-up Nippon Ham manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo and ponder the definition of slump as it pertains to Yomiuri star Hayato Sakamoto.

Jacob Waguespack of the Orix Buffaloes is the guest, Jim and John take a look at some highlights from Opening Weekend, discuss the defection of Chunichi hurler Yariel Rodriguez and hit some Trevor Bauer-related HighHeat.

We open with quick press chats featuring Japan’s Lars Nootbaar and Italy skipper Mike Piazza, then Jim and John discuss Shohei Ohtani and the baseball fever that gripped the county during and after the Samurai's WBC title run, look at Trevor Bauer joining the DeNA BayStars and hit some HighHeat.

CENTRAL LEAGUE PREDICTION SPECIAL: Claudio Rodriguez joins to help Jim and John take a comprehensive look at the CL, with predictions for all six slots for the upcoming season, all coming right a chat about Samurai Japan and the WBC.

PACIFIC LEAGUE PREDICTION SPECIAL: Jason Coskrey and Claudio Rodriguez sit in to help Jim and John break down the PL from top to bottom, offering predictions for the upcoming season right after a little bit of conversation about Samurai Japan.

MLB.com researcher and reporter Sarah Langs joins as we rank the top 10 Japanese players in major league history, then Jim and John chat about camps, Samurai Japan and handle some HighHeat!!

Jim and John put a tidy bow on the panel conversation from the previous episode, discuss the opening of training camps, examine the crop of new skippers, chat about Samurai Japan and the WBC, and handle some HighHeat!!

Former Yakult outfielder and current Swallows international scout Aaron Guiel; former L.A. Dodgers GM and COO of Field of Dreams Movie Site, among other projects, Dan Evans; former player, Fighters skipper and Texas Rangers manager Trey Hillman; writer Jim Allen form the panel, with John E. Gibson is the moderator, for our second panel discussion show!!

Jim and John discuss the posted players making the jump to the major leagues, look at a couple of big free-agent moves, opine about the MVPs and top rookies, hit on an unruly rule as well as the Ohtani Rule and touch on one note about the NPB-style Rule 5 Draft.

Jason Coskrey joins Jim and John as we wrap up the Japan Series, look back at the season and discuss some free agents and international moves before closing things out with some HighHeat.