Toeing The Slab with David Cone

David, Justin and James are joined by the people who put the new rules in motion for 2023, Raúl Ibanez (MLB Sr. VP of On-Field Operations) and Joe Martinez (MLB VP of On-Field Strategy). The guests discuss what has stood out over the first week of games with new rules in place, whether tweaks will be made in-season, whether we can expect more rules in the near future and plenty more. The crew discusses PitchCom and how several pitchers are now controlling the game from their belt loops. Lastly, the hosts discuss whether Anthony Volpe can and will make the Yankees opening day roster. 

00:00 INTRO

00:52 The Opener

06:45 Joe Martinez and Raul Ibanez

31:22 Yankees talk

40:27 OUTRO

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David, Justin and James are scratching their heads wondering why we are hearing from so many MLB owners at the start of spring training, which should only produce happy thoughts. David pays tribute to the late Tim McCarver, who was on the call for David’s perfect game in 1999. The crew each gives one starter and one reliever who they believe has the most to prove in 2023. The hosts respond to why MLB has decided to create its “economic reform committee.” They discuss how Mets owner Steve Cohen is beginning to ingratiate himself into baseball operations, and later, touch on the arbitration process and approach that seemingly went over the line as it relates to Brewers star Corbin Burnes. Finally, is Aaron Judge actually part of the Yankees left field solution? Could a new pitch for Clarke Schmidt put him in position for a starting rotation spot?

00:00 INTRO

04:23 The Opener

09:45 Pitchers who need to prove themselves in 2023?

17:53 MLB creates "Economic Reform Committee"

24:05 Steve Cohen speaks

27:16 What's next for Max Friend and Corbin Burnes?

36:54 Aaron Judge playing left field this year?

43:16 Clarke Schmidt's new pitch

46:45 OUTRO

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Fresh off his Chiefs Super Bowl win, David is back with Justin and James and they react to the PECOTA projections that were released just before recording. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, each host gives the one pitch he has a crush on. The gang then reacts to the extensions given to Yu Darvish and Christian Javier, and whether new Astros GM Dana Brown will copy the model he worked with in Atlanta by signing Houston’s young, core-players to team friendly extensions. The hosts touch on the crackdown of position players pitching, the adversity in front of the Rays and whether we need to temper expectations with the Yankees starting rotation in the wake of Nestor Cortes’ injury. Now that Derek Jeter has entered the broadcasting world, Justin asks whether we’ll see Derek Jeter calling Yankee games in 2023.

00:00 INTRO

02:59 The Opener (PECOTA Projections)

08:17 Pitch crush?

12:53 Yu Darvish and Cristian Javier get extensions

19:08 Astros find their GM

22:20 New rules update

31:17 Rays' Spring Training situation

35:00 Nestor has a grade 2 hamstring strain

41:18 Jeter joins FOX

44:24 OUTRO

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David, Justin and James take a look at several promising pitchers who have the potential to elevate themselves and pitch like an ace in 2023. The trio discusses the current list of aces that MLB Network recently ranked on its “Top 10 Right Now” list and feel several names are misplaced, including Sandy Alcantara, Jacob deGrom, and possibly, Gerrit Cole. David believes negative comments had to be made by the Braves in their recent arbitration hearing with Max Fried. Coney then answers what Carlos Beltran can provide pitchers in his new role with the Mets. The crew touches on Yankees GM Brian Cashman’s recent comments about the fan base, and while the comments may have been sensationalized via the media, Cashman’s outlook shouldn’t only be black and white.  

00:00 INTRO

03:26 The Opener

08:31 What new aces will emerge in 2023?

25:11 Reacting to MLB Network's Top 10 starting pitchers

34:02 Max Fried loses his arbitration case

39:10 Carlos Beltran gets front office job with Mets

43:53 Brian Cashman speaks

54:20 OUTRO

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With Spring Training around the corner, David, Justin and James each give their three most improved bullpens and/or starting rotations. The hosts discuss where the Rays starting rotation ranks among American League contenders and how that affects the state of The Opener. The crew discusses the inactivity of the Orioles this off-season and where they go from here. With Jazz Chisholm gracing the cover of MLB The Show, the hosts pick their young pitcher that they would put on the cover of the video game. Lastly, the trio looks at the biggest questions surrounding the Yankees bullpen in 2023, and whether they are better than they were this time last year. 

00:00 INTRO

03:41 The Opener

06:30 Most improved pitching unit?

16:36 Rays make news (extensions)

20:32 The end of the Opener?

23:08 Orioles acquire Cole Irvin from A's

28:31 MLB The Show 23 cover

32:31 Yankees talk

42:20 OUTRO

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David, Justin and James react to the 2023 Hall of Fame voting results that led to Scott Rolen being elected into Cooperstown. The trio discusses how much the Twins rotation has improved after the addition of Pablo Lopez. The hosts close out the episode by wondering whether the Yankees have too many question marks attached to their roster heading into spring training. Longtime WFAN reporter Sweeny Murti stops by to discuss his departure from the station, being on the Yankee beat for over 20 years and shares some of his best stories from WFAN and the Yankees clubhouse. 

00:00 INTRO

01:55 Hall of Fame announcement

09:25 Twins/Marlins trade

14:31 Sweeny Murti interview

51:56 Brian Cashman speaks/Yanks question marks

59:32 OUTRO

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David, Justin and James discuss the concern over the news that Yankees pitcher Frankie Montas will miss time with shoulder inflammation and how nothing has gone right for Montas since he perhaps returned from the IL prematurely in July of last year. The hosts dive into some of the recent comments made by the ownerships families from the Reds and Orioles, and how the three model franchises (Dodgers, Astros and Braves) have largely been idle when it comes to big free agent spending. The hosts discuss Max Fried’s contract situation with Atlanta, and what pitching coaches around MLB should be preaching during spring training with new rules being introduced. With the news that Aaron Judge is receiving a key to New York City, David reveals what he did with his key to NYC after his perfect game. 

00:00 INTRO

02:00 The Opener

06:29 MLB owners are saying dumb things again

13:40 Dodgers, Braves, and Astros all sat out this Free Agency?

18:32 Max Fried situation

24:54 Astros are still without a GM

27:46 WBC sticking with "old" rules

33:10 Frankie Montas injury

39:27 Key to NYC

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David, Justin and James break down the state of the Dodgers pitching staff after they designated Trevor Bauer for assignment and wonder if 2023 is the first time in nearly a decade that LA is not the preseason favorites to win the NL West. Justin asks which NL starting pitcher will receive an extension first: Max Fried, Julio Urías or Logan Webb? The crew praises the Phillies acquisition of Gregory Soto and pick their top National League bullpens with a month to go before spring training. The hosts explain what the Yankees addition of Brian Sabean and Omar Minaya to their front office staff means for the future. Producer Dan Rourke joins the discussion as Coney feels the Yankees middle infield, not left field, remains the biggest question mark this off-season.

00:00 INTRO

02:29 The Opener

04:29 Dodgers release Trevor Bauer

10:21 Are the Dodgers NOT the NL West favorite?

12:23 Which of these starters will get extended?

18:44 Phillies and Tigers make big trade

24:04 Best NL bullpen right now?

27:45 Yankees new hires

33:34 Who's the Yankees left fielder?

45:45 OUTRO

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David, Justin and James usher in 2023 by taking a look at what may happen with Trevor Bauer’s immediate future as a MLB pitcher. David and James believe the poison of the entire situation will be too much for other teams to deal with if the Dodgers release Bauer. Justin believes Bauer will receive another chance somewhere because history has shown that you will get another opportunity if you have elite talent. The crew also discusses whether the Yankees should be monitoring the holdup between the Mets and Carlos Correa, just as the Mets did with Correa and the Giants. They go through which contender still has the most to do when it comes to addressing pitching, and Justin presents an elite name that these teams should go after via trade. David reflects on the 50th anniversary of the Yankees purchase by George Steinbrenner. Also, who could follow Judge and Ohtani as AP Male Athlete of the Year? And ten new umpires will be hired in 2023; coupled with the new rules this season, how closely should we monitor that storyline this season? 

00:00 INTRO

00:38 Happy Birthday David!

02:17 The Opener

08:36 Trevor Bauer

17:09 Which contender needs more?

23:53 Judge wins AP Athlete of the Year

28:59 Large number of umpires retiring

38:11 Yankees talk

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David, Justin and James fully cover the six year agreement between Carlos Rodón and the Yankees. David breaks down what makes Rodón an ideal fit for the Yankees at this moment in time. The crew goes over his increased K-rate the last couple of seasons, the range of fastball velocity he possesses, and David believes Rodón shouldn’t tweak anything that has brought him to this point until he has to. Coney believes the versatility of the Yankees rotation is what could make it great. The crew also drew comparisons to Tino Martinez when it comes to Rodón’s arrival in the Bronx. Elsewhere, the hosts think the rumor of Max Fried being available is something we all should keep in the back of our minds. What should the Yankees do next? Which of the still-available free agent pitchers would you want to sign? And a look at the World Baseball Classic. 

00:00 INTRO

02:09 The Opener

06:24 Yankees sign Carlos Rodon

21:27 Max Fried trade rumors

24:50 Remaining free agents

27:34 World Baseball Classic

34:34 Yankees Talk

42:16 OUTRO

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