Sam Antonacci Interview + AL Central Offseason Needs

Today we went through what every team in the American League West needs. This division was the weakest in baseball last year, with the Astros winning it at 81-81. I'd rebuild with the Angels under new ownership and shop guys like Detmers and Neto. The A's need pitching, pitching, pitching. The Mariners are still my pick if Cal Raleigh, Julio and Naylor bounce back and Brendan Donovan stays healthy. The Rangers are shopping Corey Seager and deGrom, and the Astros have big rotation holes. Before that, we knock out a couple of Immaculate Grids. I also answer questions about the rule of eight on pitch movement, how arbitration actually works, the lockout and Evan Phillips to the Braves. Thanks for listening!Chapters:0:00 Intro0:51 GM meetings and lockout slowdown3:53 Immaculate Grid7:37 Moving on from Pete Alonso14:07 Salary cap and lockout questions16:19 Rule of eight explained18:21 How arbitration works22:13 Free agent sleepers, pitching trends25:35 Evan Phillips to the Braves39:20 Angels: time to rebuild49:43 Athletics need pitching59:49 Mariners bounce back candidates1:08:20 Rangers, Seager and deGrom1:21:32 Astros rotation problems1:28:00 AL West wrap and Correa1:31:36 OutroWatch the original livestream -https://www.youtube.com/live/XivFGUs-jow?si=VzrjF3zn_EcMSEPI

I'm in Las Vegas for the GM meetings and the MLB Awards, and today we go team by team through the NL Central's offseason needs. I think the Reds should consider rebuilding, with Hunter Greene out for 2027 and a rotation that isn't there. The Pirates are close but have to replace Brandon Lowe's power. The Cardinals are building something under Chaim Bloom but need swing and miss. The Cubs need two or three real starters. And the champion Brewers might move Andrew Vaughn or McGill while Jesus Made knocks on the door. We also dig into Sal Stewart winning NL Rookie of the Year, and why I'd have voted for Nolan McLean. Then I talk through where Brandon Lowe could land and the most unbelievable home runs I ever gave up. Thanks for listening!Chapters:0:00 Intro0:37 Morning in Las Vegas3:19 NL Rookie of the Year results14:21 Where Brandon Lowe lands31:16 Immaculate Grid picks39:41 Biggest homers I allowed41:26 Reds needs: time to rebuild?49:38 Pirates offseason needs55:11 Prospect look: Murph Gray1:02:55 Cardinals offseason needs1:12:14 Liam Doyle scouting report1:16:30 Cubs need pitching1:22:38 Dansby Swanson swing breakdown1:35:16 Brewers offseason needs1:42:31 Brewers prospects: Jesus Made1:55:21 NL Central wrap-up1:57:14 OutroWatch the original livestream -https://youtube.com/live/N8q6jz4BOt0

Two big topics today. First, I'm joined by Sam Antonacci, my Team Italia teammate from the WBC and a rookie this past season with the White Sox. We talk about the whirlwind from the WBC to his debut, the college-like vibe in that clubhouse, learning left field, why he doesn't move on inside pitches, and what Benintendi and Will Venable meant to him. Then we go through the whole AL Central and what each team needs. The Royals have to fix a bullpen that blew 26 saves. The Tigers should reload after an unlucky year, and I love Shota Imanaga as a fit there. I'd blow it up if I were the Twins. The White Sox need to spend on pitching, and Cleveland will probably listen on Kwan and Adell. Thanks for listening!Chapters:0:00 Intro0:56 Opening and Vegas plans4:44 Immaculate Grid10:10 Arm slot and velocity11:19 Suzuki rumors and lockout talk19:47 Sam Antonacci interview26:51 Antonacci on getting on base34:25 Benintendi, Venable and offseason44:57 AL Central needs: Royals56:44 Tigers needs and Torkelson1:02:18 Troy Melton and Jackson Jobe1:09:52 Twins should blow it up1:22:29 White Sox must buy pitching1:36:41 Guardians reload again1:43:39 AL Central wrap-up picks1:47:26 OutroWatch the original livestream -https://youtube.com/live/zuy7Hch6HOc?feature=share

Welcome to the first offseason episode! I ran through my top 30 free agents and the qualifying offer mess hanging over a lot of these guys. I explain why I have Michael King just ahead of Freddy Peralta, why I'm high on Michael Soroka, and where Skubal could land, with the Mets, Cubs, Padres and Blue Jays in the mix. We also dug into Jazz Chisholm's market and why I think he bets on himself with a one-year deal. In the back half we took a long look at the Japanese players. Sato won the Triple Crown and has huge power, but the chase rate and those throwing errors at third worry me. Kaima Taira looks legitimately hard to hit. Hiromi Ito's WBC outings knocked him down my list. Thanks for listening!Chapters:0:00 Intro0:49 Offseason show kickoff5:50 Brewers beat the Dodgers13:36 My top 30 free agents17:58 Qualifying offer fallout23:00 Ian Happ and Bouers debate27:27 Cubs left field outlook33:28 Michael King vs Freddy Peralta40:17 Mid-tier starters: Soroka, Holmes, Gray48:26 Where does Skubal sign?1:04:59 Jazz Chisholm's market1:18:58 Sato hitting breakdown1:32:31 Sato's defense and throwing1:44:22 Kaima Taira scouting report1:56:10 Hiromi Ito and WBC tape2:11:10 Luis Arraez's market2:18:07 OutroWatch the original livestream -https://youtube.com/live/l7wAnA4HcdU?feature=share