WAKE and RAKE Podcast

Considering the dominance of Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani and Venezuelan Ronald Acuña Jr., have international athletes now surpassed the Americans as the superior athletes? Will Middlebrooks and Danny Vietti disagree on the subject and discuss. Plus, they provide an update on the latest free agent signings.

(1:45) Lucas Giolito, Chris Sale find new homes ... (13:25) Braves have something up their sleeve ... (16:45) Never go on a cruise with kids ... (23:45) Why Jenny Dell refuses to golf ever again ... (28:29) International baseball players this offseason ... (29:49) Are international countries dominating American sports? ... (39:00) Unsigned free agent list

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Move over Messi! Shohei Ohtani is now THE RICHEST athlete in the world, of any sport! Will Middlebrooks contextualize Ohtani's record-breaking 10-year/$700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. And if you think the Dodgers are done making moves, think again.

(0:46) Immediate reaction to Ohtani news ... (3:50) Deferred money is crucial ... (6:40) Richest sports contracts in the world ... (14:19) Blue Jays chaos on Friday ... (18:13) Ohtani makes more than Oakland A's ... (22:22) Next year's biggest free agent ... (24:25) Giants the biggest losers? ... (26:17) Polarity in baseball

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Former Milwaukee Brewers VP of Player Development and current Nevada Wolf Pack head coach Jake McKinley joins the podcast. How does NIL deals work in college baseball? Why is Brewers top prospect Jackson Chourio the "real deal?" Plus, what makes Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns so special?

(4:42) Transitioning into a Div. I baseball head coach ... (6:18) NIL deals in college baseball ... (12:21) NIL college deals for dummies ... (14:41) What makes David Stearns special ... (22:09) Jackson Chourio is the "real deal" ... (26:33) Inside the Mauricio Dubón trade ... (32:11) Jets are a disaster ... (37:45) Favorite Christmas song ... (41:58) "90 is the new 85" for pitchers

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Free agency is expected to shift into high gear when the MLB Winter Meetings commence next week. No better time to make our FREE AGENCY and OFFSEASON PREDICTIONS. San Francisco makes a splash? Tyler Glasnow to Southern California? Baltimore adds a Cy Young? Plus, Will Middlebrooks has some inside intel on the Red Sox offseason plans.

(5:24) Are Sonny Gray and Tyler Glasnow No. 1 starters? ... (10:24) Tyler Glasnow headed to Southern California? ... (15:20) Red Sox going after two notable starters? ... (20:01) Where does Shohei Ohtani sign? ... (24:04) Yankees will land either Cody Bellinger or Juan Soto ... (28:34) Blue Jays a dark horse free agency player ... (31:10) What are the Braves planning to do? ... (32:35) Baltimore lands a Cy Young? ... (37:15) Rapid fire free agent predictions ... (41:40) College football chat

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We all know that Shohei Ohtani is available, but what about the under-the-radar free agents? What about the complimentary players? Let's talk about the Hunter Renfroe and Joc Pedersons of the world. Danny Vietti details 30 free agents that nobody is talking about.

(2:08) Aaron Nola returns to Philly ... (7:08) Mitch Garver is available ... (11:50) Middle infielder free agent options ... (17:24) Under-the-radar outfielders available ... (26:10) This free agent has hit 20+ HR in 6 straight seasons ... (27:58) Starting pitcher free agent options ... (32:40) Eric Fedde returning to MLB ... (35:03) Sean Manaea, Nick Martinez among bullpen options

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Will Middlebrooks and Danny Vietti look ahead to the 2023-24 MLB offseason, including a breakdown of the top free agents, potential trade candidates, and clubs looking to make moves. What's the latest on Shohei Ohtani? Could the Red Sox flip the script? Plus, reactions and analysis on the World Series Champion Texas Rangers.

(4:15) Rangers World Series reaction ... (9:31) Bruce Bochy is the ultimate drought ender ... (17:14) Rangers have great chance to repeat ... (23:32) Teams that could come out of nowhere in 2024 ... (29:09) Top free agents ... (34:29) Blake Snell is a risky sign ... (38:25) Potential offseason trade candidates ... (41:36) Why Juan Soto to Yankees is recipe for disaster

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Let's set the stage. Lineups, rosters, predictions, and complete preview of the 2023 World Series between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks. Plus, Will Middlebrooks shares a very quirky tie between the 2001 Diamondbacks, when they won the World Series, and this year's squad.

(1:35) When Arizona pitchers kill a bird, they win ... (7:25) Nathan Eovaldi has chance to become postseason GOAT ... (13:55) Where Arizona and Dallas rank among baseball markets ... (17:35) Better starting rotation? ... (19:07) D-Backs have bullpen advantage ... (23:04) Rangers offense significantly better? ... (25:19) World Series Predictions

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Who would have predicted this? The 84-win Arizona Diamondbacks will take on the Texas Rangers in the 2023 World Series. Will Middlebrooks and Danny Vietti investigate what went wrong with the Phillies, what went right for the D-Backs, and how the Rangers matchup. Plus, we detail the best storylines to watch out for in the Fall Classic.

(1:54) Brandon Phaadt was the X-Factor ... (6:59) Why D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo is special ... (11:08) D-Backs are a strange franchise ... (15:20) Why D-Backs-Rangers matchup is GREAT for baseball ... (24:32) Rangers did not just "buy" a title ... (31:25) Buy, build, and develop is the formula ... (35:05) Adolis Garcia's story is incredible ... (39:25) Craig Breslow named Red Sox new head man ... (42:34) Bob Melvin leaves San Diego for San Francisco

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Should MLB consider changing the playoff format? Do first round byes put top seeds at a disadvantage? Following the Dodgers and Orioles early exits, Will Middlebrooks and Danny Vietti propose alterations and discuss the latest playoff drama. Plus, drama in Philadelphia?

(3:26) Playoff format changes? ... (9:49) Blaming playoff format is a weak excuse ... (13:30) Data on new playoff format ... (15:46) Clayton Kershaw's inexplainable playoff woes ... (20:57) Evan Longoria back in the LCS ... (23:33) Orlando Arcia-Bryce Harper drama timeline ... (26:36) Need more context with Arcia story ... (30:48) Bryce Harper the ultimate competitor ... (35:33) First glance at Rangers-Astros ALCS

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Everything you could possibly need to know about the 2023 MLB Postseason. Pitching matchups, injury statuses, and stats. Will Middlebrooks and Danny Vietti preview the playoffs and fill out their brackets live on the show. Plus, they discuss the latest in Trevor Bauer's potential return to MLB.

(6:18) Will Middlebrooks reacts to the tragic passing of Tim Wakefield ... (10:25) MLB attendance largest in 30 years ... (12:04) Pitch clock and extra innings rules in postseason? ... (14:17) Update on Trevor Bauer ... (16:59) Blue Jays-Twins preview ... (20:37) Rangers vs. Rays preview ... (24:19) Diamondbacks vs. Brewers preview ... (28:14) Marlins vs. Phillies preview ... (31:41) ALCS predictions ... (38:03) NLCS predictions ... (40:42) "This is my World Series" ... (43:20) World Series predictions

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.