Equipment Closet: MLBPA Needs Urgency; Alex Bregman as the Anti-Kyle Tucker; Cubs Preview

ESPN released its 2026 Top-100 ranking of MLB players, and somehow Shohei Ohtani wasn’t the unanimous No. 1 pick? Buster, Jesse Rogers and ESPN.com MLB editor Liz Finny share their reactions to the top-100 list, including Mike Trout’s absence. Then, the gang drafts their top players in the league, and things go sideways at pick No. 2. Next, Buster and Jesse discuss injuries to Jeremy Peña and Hunter Greene, Jesse’s reporting on Team USA and the World Baseball Classic, and how MLB should handle contracts of players testing positive for PEDs. Then, MLB VP of On-Field Strategy Joe Martinez stops by to talk about how the ABS Challenge System is working so far to start Spring Training. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Rank 2026: ESPN's Top-100 MLB Players 8:06 Drafting the best players in MLB 14:30 Jesse Rogers on Team USA 21:11 MLB VP of On-Field Strategy Joe Martinez on ABS Challenges 31:48 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Atlanta Braves’ outfielder Jurickson Profar was suspended for the entire 2026 season, leaving the Braves in a hole as the season nears. Buster Olney, Karl Ravech and Eduardo Perez discuss. Plus, what is the level of concern for Roki Sasaki, their takeaways after a day with the Detroit Tigers, and who they’re picking to win the World Baseball Classic. Then, Hembo stops by to talk about the most important pitching skill in an ABS world, why he’s betting on a MacKenzie Gore breakout with the Texas Rangers, the star who’s hiding in plain sight and his WBC pick. Later, Buster previews the Seattle Mariners. Finally, he answers a listener question during Bleacher Tweets 0:00 Karl Ravech & Eduardo Perez 20:55 Hembo 36:38 Mariners preview 38:03 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cardinals extend manager Oliver Marmol, Tarik Skubal has high praise for Tigers’ prospect Kevin McGonigle, and the World Baseball Classic is about to begin. Buster Olney and David Schoenfield discuss. Plus, the guys draft World Series hopefuls that have the best chances of unseat the Los Angeles Dodgers. Then, Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer stops by to talk about how his perspective on the WBC has changed, recruiting Alex Bregman, what to expect from Pete Crow-Armstrong after a tough second half of 2025, and why Michael Busch is one of the league’s most underrated players. Later, Buster previews the Cleveland Guardians and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Finally, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 David Schoenfield 9:45 Non-Dodger Contender Draft 20:19 Cubs GM Jed Hoyer 37:01 Headlines 38:15 Cleveland Guardians preview 39:39 Pittsburgh Pirates preview 40:51 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEET Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Max Scherzer returns for his 19th MLB season, re-signing with the Toronto Blue Jays after his daughter wrote the organization a heartfelt note. Plus, the World Baseball Classic starts next week, and the Braves start their own TV network. Buster Olney, Jorge Castillo and Alden González discuss. Then, Charles Barkley stops by to talk about why he loves sports so much, rooting for the Blue Jays in the World Series, if Shohei Ohtani is a top-three athlete of all-time, his advice for MLB players during labor negotiations, and which league has better brawlers: The NBA or MLB. Later, Buster previews the Houston Astros and the Miami Marlins. Finally, Buster takes your questions during Bleacher Tweets.  WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 0:00 Welcome 0:30 Jorge Castillo & Alden González 22:49 Charles Barkley 39:07 Houston Astros preview 40:17 Miami Marlins preview 41:10 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Braves extend Chris Sale, Buster drops his top-ten corner outfielders and which players stand to benefit from the ABS System? Hembo and Buster discuss. Plus, is Konnor Griffin a generational talent? Then, Yankees manager Aaron Boone stops by to talk about whether Aaron Judge’s size will benefit him with ABS, how he’s instructed his team to deal with the ABS System, if his interactions with umpires will change now that he has the ability to challenge balls and strikes, Gerrit Cole’s progression, and his assessment of the team’s offseason. Later, Buster previews the Sacramento Athletics and the San Francisco Giants. Finally, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE⁠ CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 0:00 Welcome! :47 Hembo 19:51 Yankees manager Aaron Boone 34:50 Headlines  36:01 Athletics preview 36:57 San Francisco Giants preview 38:16 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The podcast is available for viewing on ESPN's MLB YouTube page! The Yankees’ Gerrit Cole is showing off his stuff at Spring Training. How soon will he return to the rotation? Buster Olney, Tim Kurkjian and David Schoenfield discuss. Plus, Major League Baseball is in a golden age of shortstops, Dave and Tim draft who they think are the top eight shortstops in the league, Dave thinks the Red Sox had an underrated offseason, remembering Bill Mazeroski and his World Series Game 7 walk-off home run, and everyone is all-in on the World Baseball Classic. Then, Buster previews the 2026 Toronto Blue Jays. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.  CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 2:28 Gerrit Cole, Yankees' pitching 7:02 Red Sox offseason 8:42 Gold age of shortstops 14:07 Shortstop draft 21:42 Remembering Bill Mazeroski 25:03 Buy-in for the World Baseball Classic 28:09 Headlines: Rhys Hoskins signs with Cleveland, Jordan Westburg injured, Pay Murphy extended 29:13 Toronto Blue Jays 2026 preview 30:32 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eric Hosmer and Buster discuss Hos’ breakout candidates for the spring, and the deep seated issues facing the MLBPA. Next, Jesse Rogers stops by to share his thoughts on Alex Bregman in a Cubs uniform, Pete Crow-Armstrong as an x-factor in the league, the change in leadership in the players’ union, and why Andrew Miller will play a key role in the labor negotiations. Then, Buster previews the Chicago Cubs. Later, Buster talks to Ken Davidoff about his new book “101 Lessons from the Dugout” and why some players aren’t made for the New York market. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 4:57 Eric Hosmer 24:54 Jesse Rogers 38:45 Chicago Cubs Preview 39:46 Ken Davidoff 51:00 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jorge Castillo and Buster discuss MLBPA executive director Tony Clark resigning amid scandal, during a time the players' union needs stability and leadership. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins the show to talk about being deliberate with moving on after the World Series, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s leadership and his initial impressions of Dylan Cease. Next, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on embracing the challenge of a new season, how Kyle Tucker changes his lineup and Edwin Diaz. Later, Hembo provides an offseason retrospective. Finally, Buster shares additional thoughts on Clark's resignation during Bleacher Tweets. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 0:00 Jorge Castillo 5:17 John Schneider 19:08 Dave Roberts 31:04 Hembo 47:20 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tim Kurkjian, David Schoenfield and Buster discuss Bryce Harper first public response to Dave Dombrowski’s comments, Harper and Kyle Schwarber not exactly defending Nick Castellanos, Manny Machado’s thoughts on the Los Angeles Dodgers' spending, if Shohei Ohtani can pitch enough games to win a Cy Young, the Braves in need of another starting pitcher, the guys’ win projection for the Dodgers. Then,  Buster previews the Los Angeles Dodgers. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 4:29 Tim Kurkjian & Dave Schoenfield 30:20 Los Angeles Dodgers preview 31:58 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jeff Passan and Buster discuss the circumstances surrounding the Phillies releasing Nick Castellanos, the latest on labor relations from the owners meeting, the wide range of outcomes for the Mets, and why Jeff is bullish on the Orioles. Then, Buster previews Baltimore, and the Colorado Rockies. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 6:09 Jeff Passan 32:14 Baltimore Orioles preview 33:44 Colorado Rockies preview 34:52 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices