Free Agent Rankings: The Best Available Upgrades This Winter

Eno and DVR discuss the top of the this year's free-agent class, headlined by Kyle Tucker -- a player they are divided on with the potential price tag approaching the $400 million range -- and featuring a mix of interesting bats including Bo Bichette, Cody Bellinger, Kyle Schwarber, Pete Alonso, and Alex Bregman, and at least a trio of major rotation upgrades with Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease and Ranger Suárez all available.Rundown2:54 Kyle Tucker: Expectations Over a Long-Term (10+ Years?) Deal?15:57 Who Would Eno Target Near the Top of the This Year's Hitter Class?25:38 Cody Bellinger's Massive Home/Road Splits at Yankee Stadium in 202533:58 Munetaka Murakami's Outlook w/Elevated Strikeout Rate in NPB40:09 Will Alex Bregman Find a Longer Deal This Winter?47:00 Stacking Up the Three (or Four) Best Starting Pitchers Available This Winter53:42 Tatsuya Imai: Is The Fastball Weird (Good)?1:09:09 Yu Darvish Will Miss 2026 Season, Rockies Split w/Front Office Finalists, Walt Weiss (Atlanta) and Craig Albernaz (Baltimore) in Manager SpotsFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected]://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrelsJoin 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, DVR, and Jed discuss the Dodgers' rally from 3-2 series deficit in the series and an Instant Classic Game 7 road win in Toronto that featured nearly everything you could ask for from the final game of a great series. From Bo Bichette's early three-run homer off of Shohei Ohtani to Will Smith's 11th-inning solo shot vs. Shane Bieber, and everything in between, they discuss one of the best games in recent memory. Rundown1:21 A Game 7 That Had Everything7:43 Are Hitters Effectively Adjusting to Sliders, Sweepers & Splitters?13:56 Isiah Kiner-Falefa's Very Cautious Lead Off Third Base in the Ninth Inning16:48 Addison Barger's Tough Read at the End of Game 621:36 Will Smith's 11th-Inning, Game-Winning Homer27:08 Andy Pages' Game-Saving Catch & Collision w/Enrique Hernández34:31 A Long Winter Ahead, But Baseball Is Actually Health46:11 How Will Jays' Lineup Structure & Low K% Impact Future Roster Builds Elsewhere?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 Sarris & Jed LowrieExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, DVR, and Trevor discuss Trey Yesavage's dominant performance in Game 5 as the Blue Jays head back to Toronto with a 3-2 series lead, a puzzling decision from Dodgers manager Dave Roberts in the seventh inning when the game was still within reach, and the potential fatigue catching up to the older roster in this series after an 18-inning marathon in Game 3. Plus, they look ahead to the Game 6 matchup as Yoshinobu Yamamoto squares off against Kevin Gausman for the second time.Rundown0:28 The Splitter Velocity and Command Returned for Trey Yesavage9:37 Back-to-Back Homers From Davis Schneider & Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Set the Tone13:19 Why Didn't the Dodgers Use Their Best Reliever Down Two Runs in the Seventh?18:36 Is Late-October Fatigue Setting In for the Dodgers' Veterans?23:12 Fallout From an 18-Inning Game on Monday?28:39 How Much Do You Recover On the Off-Day After the Flight to Toronto?33:41 Game 6 Preview: Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Kevin Gausman, Round 2Follow 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 Sarris & Trevor MayProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the Blue Jays' Game 4 win over the Dodgers including strong pitching performances from Shane Bieber and Shohei Ohtani, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s huge swing in the third inning, Mason Fluharty's critical work finishing up the sixth, and how they expect things to change for Game 5 with a return to the matchup that started the series (Trey Yesavage vs. Blake Snell).Rundown1:18 Shane Bieber's Effective Outing in Game 4 & How the Jays Cashed In on Two Mistakes From Ohtani8:18 Are the Dodgers' Bats Struggling -- or -- Is the Jays' Pitching Executing?11:41 Does a Great Offense Struggle in October Without Top-End Speed?17:35 Was That Blake Treinen's Last Appearance in a Close Game This Series?20:02 Shohei Ohtani's Arsenal: How Does He Look Compared to Previous Versions?26:16 Louis Varland Pitched, Again...Is He Wearing Down?31:11 Ben Clemens Did the Math, the Intentional Walks to Ohtani Were a Bad Idea (http://blogs.fangraphs.com/so-youve-decided-to-intentionally-walk-shohei-ohtani-again/)33:21 Game 5 Preview: Trey Yesavage vs. Blake Snell, Round 245:09 The Hot Take Safe ZoneFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected]://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrelsJoin 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 epic Game 3 between the Blue Jays and Dodgers which eventually ended with a Freddie Freeman walk-off homer in the 18th inning! They look back at a game that had nearly everything -- including six scoreless innings from two relievers added to the Dodgers for this series -- and consider the fallout with Games 4 and 5 to come prior to the next possible off-day in the series.Rundown1:00 What Do You Remember About Max Scherzer & Tyler Glasnow's Roles in Game 3?5:14 Bo Bichette's Early Baserunning Out on Delayed Strike Call10:46 Shohei Ohtani Has First Four Extra-Base Hit Game in World Series Since 190513:30 Did Aggressive Pinch-Running Choices Burn the Blue Jays in Extra Innings?19:54 A Wobbly Outing From Roki Sasaki23:44 Everybody Pitches: Eric Lauer, Edgardo Henriquez and Will Klein Deliver27:54 Freddie Freeman Strikes in October, Again!33:54 Does Bo Bichette Play More (Regular DH) if George Springer Is Done for the Series?38:11 Whose Bullpen Is In Worse Shape for Game 4?Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected]://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrelsJoin 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 first two games of the Dodgers-Blue Jays series, including the nine-run outburst from the Jays' bats in the sixth inning of Game 1, Yoshinobu Yamamoto's latest postseason heroics in Game 2, and a few questions from each game including the Dodgers' bullpen management when Blake Snell ran into trouble in the sixth inning of Game 1, and another possible instance of 'He's Dealing" paired with a low pitch count keeping Kevin Gausman on the mound into the seventh inning of Game 2. They also preview Game 3 of the series, as Max Scherzer and Tyler Glasnow draw starting nods. Rundown0:45 The Jays' Nine-Run Outburst in the Sixth Inning of Game 17:18 Emmet Sheehan's Surprising Postseason Struggles14:05 Daulton Varsho's Game-Tying Homer Against Blake Snell21:55 Yoshinobu Yamamoto Tosses a Complete Game in Game 2 Win; "But, He's Dealing!"26:00 So, Did the Blue Jays Make an Actual Mistake Leaving Kevin Gausman In for the Seventh Inning?31:06 But Wait, Was Leaving Yamamoto In the Right Process?37:06 Where Does Yamamoto Rank Among Starting Pitchers for 2026 Fantasy Drafts?40:22 Game 3 Expectations: Max Scherzer vs. Tyler Glasnow49:40 Bo Bichette: Returned to Start Game 1, Entered Off the Bench in Game 2Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected]://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrelsJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, DVR and Britt are joined by Fabian Ardaya to talk about the Dodgers' bullpen 'Circle of Trust' ahead of the World Series matchup with the Blue Jays, the Postseason return of Shohei Ohtani's splitter, Dave Roberts' path to Cooperstown, and Mitch Bannon to discuss Bo Bichette's return to the Jays' roster, and the decision to start rookie Trey Yesavage in Game 1. They also discuss the narratives they want to dispel about this matchup, and a few non-World Series stories including new managers for the Giants and Angels, and the first four franchises in the Women's Pro Baseball League. Rundown0:37 An Updated 'Circle of Trust' for the Dodgers' Bullpen5:45 Is Shohei Ohtani's Splitter All the Way Back?10:29 Dave Roberts' Path to Cooperstown13:26 How Did Dodgers Prep for Trey Yesavage's Extremely High Arm Angle?16:05 Bo Bichette Rejoins the Blue Jays' Roster; How Does the Defense Alignment Work?22:35 How Will the Jays Choose Matchups with Their Relievers?28:29 Dispel a Narrative From This 2025 World Series49:20 Non-Playoff Stories: Tony Vitello to the Giants, Kurt Suzuki to the Angels, and the Women's Professional Baseball League Reveals First Four Franchises Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Britt on Bluesky: @brittghiroli.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrelsJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris & Britt GhiroliExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, DVR, and Trevor preview the Blue Jays vs. Dodgers' matchup in this year's World Series and take a look at the Tale of the Tape before highlighting a few critical matchups, and sharing their 'X-factors' for the Fall Classic, and a few predictions. Plus, they compare the current Dodgers' rotation to the 1995 Atlanta Braves, which featured three players that eventually made it to Cooperstown. Rundown0:53 Tale of the Tape: Blue Jays vs. Dodgers17:50 How the Jays Will Try to Match Up Pitchers Against Ohtani24:51 How the Dodgers Will Try to Match Up Against Vladimir Guerrero Jr.35:04 Will Blake Snell Utilize His Reduced Fastball Approach Again?48:24 X-Factors for the Series1:01:34 Comparing the Current Dodgers' Rotation to the 1995 Braves1:10:28 Predictions: Winner, # of Games & MVPFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrelsJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris & Trevor MayExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss an incredible ALCS Game 7 between the Blue Jays and Mariners which featured a go-ahead three-run homer from George Springer and a long list of questions about the bullpen matchup choices the Mariners made leading into that situation. (A full World Series preview episode is dropping Thursday.)They also discuss the offseason ahead for the Mariners after coming within one win of the franchise's first World Series appearance.Rundown1:10 The Series of Events Leading to Dan Wilson's Choice of Eduard Bazardo to face George Springer5:27 Yearly Third-Time Through Reliever Splits11:50 Is George Springer Building a Hall of Fame Résumé?17:21 Eno Turns the Tables on DVR26:45 The Mariners' Offseason Plans Re-Signing Josh Naylor and/or Jorge Polanco?34:41 Eugenio Suárez's Free Agent OutlookFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected]://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrelsJoin 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 wild path to Monday's Game 7 between the Mariners and Blue Jays after Seattle was unable to close out the series on the road in Game 6. They examine how things might be different in a rematch of the Game 3 starting pitchers with all-hands on deck for the pitching staffs, and a knee injury for George Springer from Game 5. Plus, they dig into the Dodgers' sweep of the Brewers with Shohei Ohtani's unbelievable three-homer game at the plate on top of a 10-strikeout, two-hit effort over six innings on the mound, before looking at the offseason ahead for the Brewers. Rundown2:03 The Path to Game 7 in the Blue Jays-Mariners ALCS8:45 Who Would You Have Turned to in Game 5?15:35 Does the Mariners' Great Command Get Exploited by Strength of Jays' hitters?20:33 Timely Grounders Propel Trey Yesavage Through 5.2 Innings in Game 624:09 Game 7 Expectations & Predictions31:27 Shohei Ohtani Plays the Greatest Game in Baseball History44:33 Starting José Quintana Over Chad Patrick?47:07 The Brewers' Offseason OutlookFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrelsJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.