First-Time All-Stars & An MLBPA Investigation

DVR and Britt discuss several first-time All-Stars including four starters in the 2025 Midsummer Classic, superstars on that stage for the first time like Pete Crow-Armstrong and James Wood, and a few veterans getting the nod on the strength of outstanding first-half performances. Plus, they discuss Britt's recent story of an MLBPA investigation into agent Yasser Mendez following allegations of financial misconduct.Rundown1:44 Stories of First-Time All-Stars & Starters7:03 Does Cal Raleigh Pass the "Neighbor Test"?14:19 Shane Smith: Second Rule 5 Pick to Make ASG in Draft Year18:11 Kyle Stowers & A Late BreakoutBritt's Story ($) about Stowers' adjustments: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/647849028:24 MacKenzie Gore and Questions About Patience for the New Front Office in D.C.42:11 MLBPA Investigating Allegations of Financial Misconduct Against Agent Yasser MendezBritt's Story ($) about the allegations: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6478358Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Britt on Bluesky: @brittghiroli.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Britt GhiroliProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the return of Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Carroll's surprisingly quick activation from the IL, likely Tommy John surgery for Clarke Schmidt, a midseason rollback of Drew Rasmussen's workload, the arrival of Colson Montgomery, the Nats' decision to part ways with Mike Rizzo and Davey Martinez, and where the money went during the weekend.Rundown2:46 Brandon Woodruff's Return to the Brewers' Rotation11:14 Corbin Carroll is Back14:48 Clarke Schmidt Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery21:38 Colson Montgomery Promoted by White Sox28:57 Drew Rasmussen's Mid-Summer Role Tweak for Innings Management33:20 Nats Fire Mike Rizzo & Davey Martinez47:23 Mailbag: Team Quality & Save Opportunities52:45 Where the Money Went: This Weekend's Waiver Wire PickupsFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the 3,000-strikeout milestone for Clayton Kershaw, injuries to Max Muncy and Spencer Schwellenbach, a demotion for Josh Jung, and an opportunity for Colby Thomas with the A's. Plus, they dig into weekend waiver-wire targets before checking in with Senior Hot Dog Correspondent Niv Shah ahead of the Fourth of July Weekend.Rundown1:29 3,000 Strikeouts for Clayton Kershaw5:55 Who Else Will Reach The 3,000-Strikeout Milestone?10:04 Max Muncy's Early Exit w/Knee Injury12:48 Spencer Schwellenbach to the IL w/Elbow Fracture22:07 Josh Jung to Triple-A, A DVR Miss27:16 Luis Ortiz: On Paid Leave During Gambling Probe32:15 Colby Thomas: Nothing Left to Prove at Triple-A?40:50 Senior Hot Dog Correspondent Niv Shah Returns! (The Texas Dog delivers at Nats Park, and Six Picks strategy talk)1:04:05 Otto Lopez's Push to Shallow League Utility1:13:55 Hayden Birdsong's 2025 StrugglesFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Niv on Bluesky: @ottoneu.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithGuest: Niv ShahExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Jed, and DVR discuss the three division leaders in the American League, examining the strengths and weaknesses of the Astros, Tigers, and Yankees with the Trade Deadline looming at the end of the month. Plus, they explore how offense has held up to 2024 levels despite the increased drag on the baseball this season.Rundown1:03 Yordan Alvarez's Setback & Increasing Needs for a Left-Handed Bat in Houston10:13 Balancing Team Spending Limits w/Available Upgrades20:59 The Tigers Have a Commanding Lead in the Central36:53 Yankees Under Pressure in the AL East47:52 Drag on the Baseball is Up, But Offense is SteadyFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Jed LowrieProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the three division leaders in the National League, examining the strengths and weaknesses of the Phillies, Cubs, and Dodgers with the Trade Deadline looming at the end of the month. Plus, they check in on the Nats' rebuild, where the return in the Juan Soto trade hasn't been supplemented with enough to push the club into playoff contention.Rundown1:07 The Phillies Atop the East; Will They Stay There?15:54 The Cubs Attempt to Hold Off the Brewers and Cardinals29:28 Separation for the Dodgers in the West39:17 Checking In on the Nationals' Rebuild46:23 A Surprising Stat From the Nationals (2020-2025)Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss an IL stint for Jeremy Peña, a health issue that has forced Ron Washington to step away from managing the Angels for the duration of the 2025 season, and the passing of Hall of Famer Dave Parker at the age 74. Plus, they take a look at the rolling one-year leaderboard for hitters in hopes of finding long-term trade targets on the struggling side, and a few pleasant surprises, before discussing where the money went with free-agent pickups this week.Rundown2:49 Jeremy Peña to the IL w/Rib Fracture4:59 Checking in on the Angels as Ron Washington Steps Down for the Rest of 202513:16 Dave Parker Passes Away at Age 7418:15 One-Year Leaderboard: Struggling Hitters27:56 Adley Rutschman: A Year Packed w/Injuries33:55 Top-10 wOBA Surprises: Eugenio Suárez, Cal Raleigh & Brent Rooker36:05 Riley Greene v. Corbin Carroll; Is Average Undervalued In Many Leagues?43:57 Mookie Betts: 2024 Injury & 2025 Illness Dragging Production Down50:04 Where the Money Went: Roster Spackle GaloreFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss good news for Zach Neto, whose return from shoulder surgery has gone well in the first half of the season, another injury in the Mets' rotation, and a verdict in the Wander Franco case. Plus, they discuss a surprising multi-year move of Globe Life Field into a pitcher-friendly environment, and weekend waiver-wire targets before checking in with Senior Hot Dog Correspondent Niv Shah about a few ottoneu trends and a big culinary swing at Progressive Field in Cleveland.Rundown1:37 Zach Neto: Good News on Follow-Up for Shoulder5:22 A Potential Long-Term Absence for Griffin Canning9:24 HBPs Reaching an All-Time High (J-Ram & Vlad Jr. day-to-day)13:13 A Verdict in the Wander Franco Case16:39 Globe Life Field Is Changing, Reasons TBD27:46 Hitters of Interest: A Single-Catcher Shuffle & Joey Ortiz Is Waking Up38:05 Pitchers of Interest: Charlie Morton Back on the Shallow League Radar?46:17 Senior Hot Dog Correspondent Niv Shah Returns! (Jacob Lopez's rising roster rates, Didier Fuentes' long-term appeal, and Wenceel Pérez adds thump)1:08:48 What Is Happening in Cleveland?Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Niv on Bluesky: @ottoneu.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithGuest: Niv ShahExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss a highly-anticipated matchup between Paul Skenes and Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski, and the different approaches the two pitchers bring to the table. Plus, they discuss the foundation necessary for a pitcher to become an eventual Cy Young Award contender or future ace, before a collaborative draft of the 2025 rookie starting pitchers.Rundown0:51 Jacob Misiorowski v. Paul Skenes4:54 Skenes' Early Career Adjustments, Planning Ahead for Future Velocity Decline?10:05 Misiorowski's Long-Term Ceiling14:45 Tarik Skubal and the Multi-Year Path to Elite Levels22:08 Eno's Criteria for Eventual Aces32:38 A Collaborative Rookie Starting Pitcher Draft43:29 Beyond Our Top-Five57:06 Recapping the Top-15Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor MayProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Jed, and DVR discuss Chase Burns' impressive big-league debut against the Yankees, an ugly fan incident in Chicago against D-backs second baseman Ketel Marte, and the Cubs' choice of Cade Horton over Ben Brown in their rotation with the return of Shota Imanaga, before taking a deep dive into the AL playoff picture with a focus on the third Wild Card spots.Rundown2:55 Chase Burns' Impressive Debut9:05 Abusive Fan Ejected (and Banned) After Heckling Ketel Marte14:49 The Cubs Choose Cade Horton over Ben Brown (Optioned to Triple-A)21:52 Buying the Mariners, Rays, and Jays as AL Wild Cards?30:51 The Rays Are Surprising (Some of Us) Again43:24 Team(s) Most Likely to Pass Current Wild Card Holders49:21 Can the Twins Recover in 2025?Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Jed LowrieProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss Corbin Carroll to the IL as another injury hampers the D-backs, one benefit of choosing to trade away players ahead of the Trade Deadline, the Reds' decision to DFA Jeimer Candelario, and Kenley Jansen's abrupt exit Monday. Plus, the current league leaders in "Combo Meals", James Wood's first full year in the big leagues, Ben Brown's underperformance relative to ERA estimators, and a few trades we would like to see as a birthday present to Eno, courtesy of the Trade Master 3000.Rundown1:32 Corbin Carroll Headed to IL w/Chip Fracture in Wrist7:57 Benefits of Deciding to Trade Players Away Early14:55 Kenley Jansen's Early Exit, Jeimer Candelario DFA'd17:58 Does Byron Buxton Leads MLB in Combo Meals?24:54 Ben Brown and Falling Short of Indicators40:27 Clay Holmes' Rest-of-Season Value, Fade Concerns?48:04 Trade Master 3000: Jacob deGrom (assuming he would waive his No-Trade clause), Cedric Mullins & Taylor WardFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.