WAKE and RAKE Podcast

Will Middlebrooks is BACK! He and Danny Vietti make their MLB free agent predictions. Plus, Will details the fun behind being an ESPN broadcaster during the MLB playoffs. Juan Soto stays in New York. Willy Adames to Los Angeles? Seattle lands an All-Star hitter!

(1:38) Radio broadcasting on ESPN ... (8:48) Fasciitis injuries ... (11:37) Angels have already added 5 players ... (17:58) Juan Soto stays in New York, but which one? ... (22:24) Could the Rays be the mystery team? ... (25:48) Detroit Tigers a sleeping giant? ... (30:35) Giants find their next shortstop ... (34:08) Gleyber Torres to Seattle ... (41:21) Anthony Santander stays in AL East ... (47:20) Pete Alonso vs. Christian Walker ... (50:50) Tyler O'Neill better numbers than Alex Bregman

Danny Vietti lists all of the available 2024-25 free agents available this offseason by position. Plus, the Marlins returns for trades might be all-time bad. And the formerly known Oakland A's have officially switched names. Finally, a strange factoid about Moonlight Graham in the movie Field of Dreams.

(2:30) Looking back at Marlins trades of Giancarlo Stanton, JT Realmuto, Christian Yelich ... (11:05) Willson Contreras is switching positions ... (12:01) The Oakland A's have a new name ... (16:36) Ohtani was playing on torn labrum, Freeman had broken rib ... (21:52) Why Freddie Freeman is the best ... (24:32) Angels add two former All-Stars ... (27:50) Free agents by position ... (43:35) Did you know this about the movie Field of Dreams?

Danny Vietti details the 2024 World Series matchup between the Yankees and Dodgers, including betting odds and X-factors. Plus, he explains why there is one particular player he would love to see get a World Series ring. Not to be overlooked, we all believe in Stephen Vogt.

(1:50) Big market teams can be a positive thing ... (6:15) Best broadcast calls from LCS ... (7:55) Why Stephen Vogt is the best ... (12:19) This World Series is not an underdog story ... (13:14) Dodgers have a very likable roster ... (21:08) World Series MVP favorites ... (23:00) X-factors for series ... (30:01) World Series predictions

Danny Vietti details why being an MLB general manager might be the most difficult job in all of sports. Recaps of the Dodgers-Padres NLDS and previews for the upcoming LCS series.

(4:00) Dodgers-Padres the best product in baseball ... (12:06) Appreciation for the Detroit Tigers ... (21:18) Rooting for Guardians front office is hypocritical ... (18:30) MLB GM is the most difficult job in sports

One move for all 30 MLB teams. One move each team should make at the upcoming 2024 MLB Trade Deadline. Dodgers make yet another blockbuster trade. Astros get Evan Gattis 2.0. Randy Arozarena to Minnesota??? Let's get weird!

(3:30) D-Backs acquire Jack Flaherty ... (8:05) Orioles make a deal with Oakland ... (13:15) Cubs move on from Cody Bellinger ... (18:50) AL's best record acquires pair of All-Star arms ... (22:45) Why Tigers trading Tarik Skubal would be HUGE mistake ... (26:01) Astros acquire Evan Gattis 2.0 ... (29:15) Dodgers blockbuster trade for Crochet, Robert ... (34:02) Randy Arozarena to the Twins ... (38:35) A's draft picks already the highest paid on club ... (45:02) Re-visiting Juan Soto trade to Padres ... (47:25) Giants get face of franchise ... (48:35) Mariners front office has failed ... (56:44) Blue Jays must hold onto Vladdy

Is PNC Park at the top? How about Oracle Park? Fenway? Danny Vietti ranks every MLB stadium from 1-30 based on current fan environments and conditions here in 2024. Plus, why relief pitcher Austin Adams might just be the most dangerous pitcher of this generation.

(5:15) Austin Adams on track for all-time hit by pitch record ... (10:10) Ultimate MLB ballpark roadtrip ... (17:00) Worst ballpark in baseball ... (21:54) No. 20-25 stadiums ... (24:08) Is Busch Stadium overrated? ... (27:31) Yankee Stadium not even top-15? ... (31:29) Nos. 10-15 ... (35:41) Top-10 MLB Stadiums ... (39:36) Where does Wrigley and Fenway rank? ... (42:59) Should PNC Park be No. 1? ... (44:40) Best MLB stadium is in California

Should Elly De La Cruz no longer be a switch hitter? The splits are mind-boggling. Danny Vietti details 10 switch hitters who have glaring differences in their platoon split statistics, including All-Star players like Ozzie Albies and Ian Happ. Plus, remember when Shane Victorino stopped switch hitting midseason and still won a World Series?

(2:01) Shane Victorino stopped switch hitting midseason ... (6:46) Elly De La Cruz is a TERRIBLE right-handed hitter ... (11:01) Why does Ozzie Albies ever bat lefty? ... (18:03) All-Star Cubs outfielder with insane splits ... (23:17) If Patrick Bailey ever figures this part out ... (27:59) Two Cardinals players have splits issues ... (34:25) Elly De La Cuz's GLARING NUMBERS

Rob Manfred said he intends to add two expansions teams in the next decade. But, where? Danny Vietti details why MLB's next expansion should team should be awarded to Latin America, particularly one in the Caribbean. Baseball is no longer king in the United States and it's time to look elsewhere.

(1:55) Rumored expansion team cities ... (5:22) MLB vs. NFL ... (10:39) Half of baseball superstars are not from United States ... (14:01) Number of MLB players by country ... (15:04) "The best option is Puerto Rico" ... (19:00) Travel concerns ... (22:15) Puerto Rico is a US territory ... (26:05) Latin American fan environments are ELITE ... (29:16) Concerns about Latin America expansion teams?

Which team is most likely to follow in the footsteps of the Baltimore Orioles as the next great young team? Is it the Nationals? The Reds? Tigers? Danny Vietti ranks the 10 teams that are next in line to become winning teams. Plus, this Luis Arraez-Tony Gwynn comparison will FREAK YOU OUT!

(3:39) Luis Arraez has same exact stats as Tony Gwynn ... (7:04) Former Dick's Sporting Goods employee called up to majors ... (9:04) Danny's history of tabbing teams ... (13:14) Least likely franchise to resurrect franchise ... (19:19) Colorado Rockies farm system looks solid ... (23:14) Oakland's predictable playoff cycle ... (27:19) Detroit Tigers could be on the cusp ... (31:35) Pirates ready to compete now ... (36:33) Nationals are the next Orioles? ... (41:40) Looking back at Juan Soto trade ... (45:27) This NL Central team has most promising future

Did the Astros just simply give the Orioles the blueprint for rebuilding a franchise? Danny Vietti details how Mike Elias and the Baltimore front office resurrected a franchise from within that was once a dumpster fire just a short time ago. Plus, the O's have some strange similarities to the Astros dynasty.

(3:10) Cam Booser's remarkable comeback story ... (7:03) Orioles resurrection began with D.L. Hall ... (13:30) Orioles first round draft picks ... (16:31) Saying Baltimore tanked for a decade is false ... (19:54) Orioles following Astros blueprint ... (24:27) Astros also hit on draft picks ... (27:36) Lineup in 2019 vs. now ... (32:14) When Orioles players will hit free agency