The EC3 Pod

World Series Preview: Rays vs. Brewers, MLB Payroll Debate & Small-Market Team Building

The World Series is setting up a rare small-market showdown, and the real debate is bigger than who wins the trophy. Chris Hamblin, Eric Chavez, and Adam Nelson break down why Rays vs. Brewers could reshape the conversation around payroll floors, long-term contracts, and what it takes to build a winner in today's MLB.

Eric brings a front-office perspective as the crew discusses the balance between players and owners, whether MLB needs a salary floor, and why long-term contracts may be a bigger issue than a salary cap. They also explore how small-market teams build competitive rosters-and whether they can afford to keep their young stars.

In this episode:
- Why the Rays and Brewers are models of
small-market team bulding
- How an MLB salary floor could affect teams
and players
- Whether long-term contracts are
changing baseball
- Why small-market teams may struggle to
keep their core players
- How Milwaukee's long layoff could affect its
World Series performance
- The Rays' pitching rotation decisions and key
series matchups
- Tampa Bay's ballpark
- ⁠- How Milwaukee's long layoff could affect its
World Series performance
- The Rays' pitching rotation decisions and key series matchups
- Tampa Bay's ballpark quirks and Milwaukee's passionate baseball fans
- World Series predictions from the EC3 crew
If you're searching for an MLB World Series preview, baseball payroll analysis, small-market team strategy, or a lively discussion about the future of Major League Baseball, this episode has you covered.

Eric Chavez and Chris Hamblin break down the MLB postseason, including the Brewers' commanding NCS lead over the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani's injury concerns, Milwaukee's winning style of play, and the Guardians-Rays ALCS. They also discuss the Yankees' roster philosophy, potential MLB rule changes, and finish with NFL picks and a Chargers check-in.

Eric Chavez and Chris Hamblin break down why everything changes in October, from managing bullpens to handling playoff pressure. Plus, Eric explains his “Make Sports Dumb Again” philosophy, the guys make their World Series predictions, and close it out with their NFL Week 4 EC3 Parlay picks.

Eric, Chris and Adam break down the MLB playoff picture, the impact of key injuries, and the latest managerial moves around baseball. Plus, the guys make their NFL Week 3 EC3 Parlay picks and Eric reflects on Justin Verlander’s career and legacy.

What’s really going on with Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks — and has the relationship reached the point of no return?

On Episode 15 of the EC3 Pod, six-time Gold Glove winner Eric Chavez and Chris Hamblin break down the situation surrounding Marte, his absence from the team, the casino controversy, Torey Lovullo’s handling of the situation, and what it could mean for Marte’s future in Arizona.

Chavy gives the former player and coach perspective on clubhouse accountability, professionalism, and why he believes the Diamondbacks may ultimately need to move on from one of their biggest stars.

Then the guys get into one of the strangest parts of baseball: sometimes the game just makes absolutely no sense.

They discuss the incredible randomness of home run streaks, Cal Raleigh’s dramatic turnaround, why a struggling hitter can suddenly catch fire, and whether underlying injuries could explain a star player looking completely different at the plate.

Plus, Chavy breaks down Kyle Schwarber’s approach and explains why hitters may actually need to think LESS at the plate.

And to close out the show, it’s time to put some money on the board with Chavy’s Daily Picks, including:

⚾ Phillies vs. Mariners
⚾ Red Sox vs. Marlins
⚾ Brewers vs. Mets

Will Chavy go at least 2-for-3?

The MLB Trade Deadline delivered — and now the bigger questions begin.

On this episode of the EC3 Podcast, Eric Chavez, Chris and Adam  break down the biggest moves from the deadline, including Tarik Skubal landing with the Dodgers, whether Los Angeles is actually vulnerable, and what it’s like for a superstar to suddenly step into a clubhouse loaded with future Hall of Famers.

Eric shares his perspective from his own move from Oakland to New York and explains why joining a star-studded roster can actually remove pressure rather than add to it.

Then the conversation turns to Shohei Ohtani. How long can he realistically continue as a two-way player? Eric takes us inside his experience traveling to Japan with the Angels to scout and meet Ohtani — including the incredible scene surrounding one of baseball’s most sought-after players — and explains why protecting Ohtani the hitter may eventually become more important than keeping Ohtani in the starting rotation.

The guys also dive into:

The Dodgers' recent struggles — real concern or just an August slump?

Why Eric still expects Los Angeles to dominate the NL West

Whether the Dodgers will actually win another World Series

The pressure Tarik Skubal faces after leaving Detroit for Los Angeles

Adley Rutschman’s move from Baltimore to Boston

Why small-market teams sometimes have to trade stars before they reach free agency

The looming MLB CBA and potential lockout

Why baseball’s real labor problem may be owner vs. owner, not owner vs. player

Revenue sharing, television contracts, payroll floors and massive long-term contracts

Why superteams may actually be good for baseball

How teams are turning ballpark districts, hotels, restaurants and real estate into new revenue streams

What the Diamondbacks' long-term stadium future could look like

Eric’s memories of MLB bench-clearing brawls

The strongest players Eric ever saw in a baseball fight

What players and coaches actually hear from fans sitting behind the dugout

The insanity of New York and Philadelphia fan bases

And whether Eric was nervous about another team challenging Oakland’s legendary 20-game winning streak

Is baseball really broken — or are we trying to fix a sport that is more popular and profitable than ever?

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The MLB Trade Deadline is approaching, the Hall of Fame class has been inducted, and Eric Chavez gives an inside look at what really happens inside a Major League clubhouse.

This week on EC3 Pod, Eric shares why modern hitters may actually be getting too much information, how MLB hitters meetings have changed over the years, and why simple communication often beats endless analytics.

We also discuss:

⚾ The return of traditional All-Star Game uniforms

⚾ Why MLB hitters are overloaded with analytics

⚾ How Eric approached coaching hitters with the Mets

⚾ The difference between coaching Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil

⚾ Helping struggling hitters break out of slumps

⚾ Hall of Fame memories with Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Carlos Beltrán, Andrew Jones, Jeff Kent and Ricky Henderson

⚾ Eric's unforgettable European vacation—including accidentally taking the wrong train for five hours

If you enjoy behind-the-scenes baseball stories from someone who played over 15 seasons in the Major Leagues and coached at the highest level, make sure to subscribe and turn on notifications.

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#MLB #Baseball #EricChavez #HallOfFame #TradeDeadline #Yankees #Athletics #Mets #BaseballPodcast #EC3Pod

Chavy returns from Las Vegas after visiting the Athletics during their first regular season games in Sin City, and the conversation quickly turns into one of the best baseball discussions we've had.

This episode dives deep into:

⚾ Eric's trip to see the Las Vegas A's
🏟️ The future of baseball in Las Vegas
🔥 MLB Trade Deadline strategy
💰 Why teams should (or shouldn't) go all-in
👀 Behind-the-scenes stories of trade rumors from Eric's career
🏆 The truth about the MLB All-Star Game
⛳ Eric Chavez shares one of the funniest Sports Authority stories you'll ever hear
😂 Hot Corner questions, golf clubs, Tahoe vacations, and more.

If you've ever wondered what really happens inside a Major League clubhouse around the trade deadline, this episode gives you a rare behind-the-scenes look from someone who lived it for 17 seasons.

Subscribe for new episodes featuring Eric Chavez, Chris, and Adam.

What really happens when an 18-year-old gets drafted into Major League Baseball—and suddenly has to make a life-changing decision?

In this episode of The EC3 Pod, six-time Gold Glove winner and 17-year MLB veteran Eric Chavez shares the behind-the-scenes story of being selected 10th overall by the Oakland A’s.

Chavy pulls back the curtain on MLB Draft negotiations, the pressure on the family, and the emotional reality of leaving home at 18 years old to begin aprofessional baseball career.

The guys also break down:

⚾ Why MLB organizations have to get top draft picks right
⚾ How the Oakland A’s developed Chavy, Miguel Tejada, Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, Barry Zito and a championship-caliber core
⚾ Why organizational vision matters more than simply collecting talent
⚾ The difference between drafting high school and college pitchers
⚾ Why velocity obsession could be hurting young arms
⚾ Chavy’s experience working inside an MLB front office
⚾ Why disagreement is healthy inside successful organizations
⚾ The moment defense became personal for a future six-time Gold Glove winner
⚾ The wildest signing-bonus cash story Chavy ever saw
⚾ And a heated debate over whether soccer is a “nerd sport”

From MLB Draft night to the front office, player development, youth baseball and the Hot Corner, this episode is packed with stories and insight you only get from someone who has lived the game at every level.