Munetaka Murakami to the White Sox, Red Sox Trade For Wilson Contreras & Mets Trade Another Veteran

For the final podcast of the year, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman break down the latest on NPB stars Tatsuya Imai and Kazuma Okamoto as their MLB posting windows close, analyzing where they could sign and how their profiles contrast with previous Japanese imports like Munetaka Murakami and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The guys take a hard look at the differences between pitching and hitting projections for international talent, highlighting Imai’s adaptability and Okamoto’s ready-made bat for contending teams. They discuss the best roster fits for Imai, focusing on the Giants, Mets, and Phillies, among others, and debate which teams actually make sense for the 3B slugger Okamoto.Later in the show, they open up the Bar-B-Cast mailbag and answer questions about Juan Soto, the Dodgers' championship window and some baseball easter eggs in the latest Knives Out film, Wake Up Dead Man.Finally, they close the episode with a round of Turbo Mode, highlighting a bevy of signings across the league in Cincinnati, Chicago, Seattle & more. Also, a special shout-out to the Buffalo Sabres.1:53 - Why is it taking so long for Japanese stars Tatsuya Imai and Kazuma Okamoto to sign?14:45 - Where will Imai sign?24:50 - Where will Okamoto sign?31:30 - Baseball Bar-B-Cast Mailbag: Mets, Dodgers, Knives Out & more1:05:10 - Turbo Mode: Reds, Cubs, Mariners & more🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tvAnd check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

The Chicago White Sox made a surprising signing right before Christmas when they agreed to a deal with Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami. As his posting window was nearing a close, there was a thought that the big-time power bat might not find a team. However, Murakami will be taking his power stroke to the South Side.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz is joined by special guest host Dani Wexelman as they break down the two-year, $34 million deal that will send the two-time Central League MVP to Chicago on a very much prove-it deal. They wonder how so many in the baseball world got his posting window wrong and what it could mean when he becomes a free agent at the age of 28.Later, Jake and Dani talk about a flurry of moves that have gone on in baseball, including the Boston Red Sox trading for St. Louis Cardinals catcher Wilson Contreras, the New York Mets parting ways with another franchise staple and a wild three-team trade. They then get into the A’s extending Tyler Soderstrom and the San Diego Padres bringing back Michael King before making their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.1:28 – The Opener: Murakami to the White Sox20:32 – Around the League: Red Sox trade for Contreras30:10 – Mets trade away Jeff McNeil36:20 – Three-team trade48:28 – Turbo Mode: Signings and an extension57:23 – The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tvAnd check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

With the holiday season upon us and the end of the year within reach, it’s time to take a look back at the year that was with some of the best moments from the show in 2025. Come take a journey throughout the year and listen to some of the biggest names in baseball.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman are first joined by Hall of Famers Pedro Martinez and Cal Ripken Jr. Pedro talks about the Boston Red Sox and gives some pitching insight, while Cal discusses the anniversary of his Iron Man streak and some of the moments leading up to the day he broke Lou Gehrig’s record.Later, Jake and Jordan talk with Sacramento Athletics star rookie shortstop Jacob Wilson as he discusses his hitting approach that has made him an All-Star in only his second season in the bigs. Then, Lucas Giolito speaks with the guys about the 2025 Boston Red Sox and what it’s like to be a free agent. Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster Brian Anderson closes out the show, talking about the Brew Crew and the exciting regular season they put together.0:41 – Pedro Martinez13:06 – Cal Ripken Jr.26:16 – Jacob Wilson36:10 – Lucas Giolito48:07 – Brian Anderson Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tvAnd check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

With roughly three months until the start of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Team USA’s pitching rotation just got a huge bump as they go for their second championship in the tournament. Tarik Skubal was announced as the latest starting pitcher added to the roster, and adding the reigning AL Cy Young might be the biggest addition they’ve had yet.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the impressive rotation that has been assembled behind Skubal, which includes NL reigning Cy Young award winner Paul Skenes, Joe Ryan and Logan Webb. The biggest question now is how Team USA manager Mark DeRosa will use some of the game’s biggest arms in order to try to shut down any competition that comes their way.Later, Jake and Jordan talk about some more free-agent signings that have gone down, including the San Diego Padres bringing back Michael King on a three-year deal, the New York Mets adding another former reliever from the New York Yankees and the possibility of Alex Bregman joining the Arizona Diamondbacks. The guys then make their picks for this week’s edition of The Good, The Bad and The Uggla.1:01 – The Opener: Tarik Skubal joins Team USA27:12 – Scott Boras Scoreboard update32:16 – Around the League: Murakami, Bregman updates41:50 – Reliever market news53:08 – Padres re-sign Michael King1:02:38 – The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tvAnd check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

There has been a lot of hype around Japanese superstar slugger Munetaka Murakami, as he was posted this offseason. With his posting nearing expiration, many are wondering which MLB team might make a move for the first baseman, or if there is a chance that he might not sign at all and stay in Japan for next season.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the fascinating posting of Murakami and why teams like the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and Seattle Mariners, among a few others, could be a suitable fit for his services. They then get into the flurry of transactions that have gone on over the past few days, including Jorge Polanco going to Queens, the Philadelphia Phillies picking up Adolis García and an update to the Scott Boras Scoreboard.Later, Jake and Jordan take a look at a couple of rosters for the World Baseball Classic, including the superstar power on Team USA and why the Dominican Republic squad is loaded on offense. They then ask a few questions pertaining to each team that could help them figure out which team could come out on top in the 2026 edition of the tournament. 1:14 – The Opener: Murakami signing soon31:40 – Predictions for his landing spot36:36 – Around the League57:09 – Scott Boras Scoreboard update1:02:02 – World Baseball Classic: Team USA roster1:11:09 – A look at Team DR Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tvAnd check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

The Polar Bear has gone extinct in Queens as career New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso has joined the Baltimore Orioles. A fan favorite for seven seasons—during which he set the franchise home run record, captured the single-season rookie home run record, and won multiple Home Run Derby titles—Alonso will be wearing orange and black next season.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the surprising five-year, $155 million contract the Birds gave Alonso and why it’s awesome to see a superstar join a team like the Orioles instead of the usual suspects signing big free agents. They then try to figure out what the Mets do next after losing yet another fan favorite, and how the move is leaving former players flabbergasted.Later, Jake and Jordan discuss Robert Suarez joining the Atlanta Braves and why we shouldn’t be sleeping on them next season, as well as a few other smaller free-agent deals that have gone down post–Winter Meetings. Then the guys make their picks for this week’s The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.1:11 — The Opener: Alonso to the Orioles24:01 — Scott Boras Scoreboard update27:16 — Nuclear Overreaction: What happens to the Mets?41:49 — Around the League: Suarez to Braves49:17 — Other signings in baseball52:36 — The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tvAnd check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

Reactions are still coming in following the shocking news of Edwin Díaz leaving the New York Mets after six seasons and joining the reigning back-to-back champion Los Angeles Dodgers. We’re starting to get a better picture of what led the All-Star closer to take his talents out west.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman get into the offer that the Mets made to try to keep Díaz. While they fell short on the dollars side, some are left wondering if the reliever simply wanted to join Los Angeles instead. The question now is: Where do the Mets go from here?Later, Jake and Jordan talk about super-agent Scott Boras giving his annual address at the Winter Meetings, where he discusses all of the big free agents he's trying to secure deals for. Then the guys talk about all the other transactions that went down in Orlando, including the Chicago White Sox winning the MLB Draft lottery and getting the first overall pick in next year’s draft. 2:29 – Díaz-to-Dodgers fallout11:09 – Scott Boras scoreboard update31:55 – Around the League: Winter Meetings36:42 – White Sox win draft lottery Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tvAnd check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

The annual baseball Winter Meetings were quiet — until suddenly they weren’t. Within a span of minutes, news broke that the Philadelphia Phillies had re-signed Kyle Schwarber, bringing him back to the City of Brotherly Love. While the move wasn’t entirely surprising, it was the news that followed that left the baseball world shaking.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the Los Angeles Dodgers signing Edwin Díaz away from the New York Mets to a three-year, $69 million contract, taking the trumpets out west. The move fills a much-needed void in the Dodgers’ bullpen and has people wondering if it could be key to a potential three-peat.Later, Jake and Jordan talk about the Phillies bringing Schwarber back and why it made sense for them to commit five years and $150 million. They also discuss Philadelphia giving manager Rob Thomson a contract extension and speculate about the possibility of Don Mattingly joining as a bench coach to support the veteran skipper. 1:25 – Dodgers sign Edwin Díaz9:42 – How this affects the Mets19:00 – Phillies re-sign Kyle Schwarber31:00 – Rob Thomson gets an extension Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tvAnd check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

The 2025 edition of the baseball winter meetings is officially underway in Orlando, Florida, and the Baseball Bar-B-Cast crew is on the scene. This is normally the week when deals start to bloom and big free agents are plucked from the tree. Just last year we saw Juan Soto and the New York Mets agree to a deal, as well as Max Fried joining the New York Yankees, so you never know what might happen.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman give their thoughts on what might happen at the meetings this year and the things they’re looking forward to, including the annual Scott Boras free-agent pitch. They then talk about Jeff Kent being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee and why it’ll be at least five years until Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds possibly get their last shot at enshrinement.Later, Jake and Jordan talk about the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals,and Pittsburgh Pirates all making trades with their hopes set on 2026, as well as a few free agents coming off the board. Then they get into the Sonny Gray vs. Yankees drama that has developed following the news that he wasn’t happy to join the Yankees in 2017.1:25 – The Opener: 2025 Winter Meetings17:00 – Jeff Kent elected to Hall of Fame24:47 – Around the League: Trades going down42:42 – Free agents signing47:51 – We Need To Talk About: Gray vs. Yankees53:45 – Field Report: Winter League edition Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tvAnd check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

There aren’t many debates hotter than who should and shouldn’t be elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame. While members of the BBWAA are tasked with voting on the standard ballot, the veterans committee votes on a smaller ballot to determine whether those who fell through the cracks will ultimately achieve baseball immortality.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the committee of 16 former players, executives, and members of the media who will ultimately decide whether some of the biggest and most controversial names in baseball will be elected into the Hall of Fame. While players like Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy hope that their time in the league will help their nomination, for players like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, this could be their last chance to be voted in.Later, Jake and Jordan welcome nine-year veteran and current free-agent pitcher Lucas Giolito as he discusses what going through free agency is like, his thoughts on his time with the 2025 Boston Red Sox, how Garrett Crochet changed following his contract extension and what plans Lucas has for his post-MLB days. Then the guys talk about three players making their way back to MLB following their time in Japan, discuss the Colorado Rockies hiring a general manager and make their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.3:14 — The Opener: Hall of Fame veterans committee20:20 — Lucas Giolito joins the show!32:40 — Thoughts on the 2025 Red Sox55:37 — The future for Giolito1:00:48 — Around the League1:10:47 — The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tvAnd check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_