The A’s Growing Core & A Few Favorite Baseball Things From 2025

Eno, DVR and Britt discuss a few late December moves including another extension for an A's position player with Tyler Soderstrom agreeing to a long-term deal, Ryan O'Hearn's new pact with the Pirates, Pete Fairbanks' move to Miami, and a few of their (and your) favorite moments and stories from the 2025 season. Rundown2:55 Tyler Soderstrom Signs Seven-Year, $86M Extension with A's6:57 How Good is the A's Position Player Core?17:40 Ryan O’Hearn to the Pirates23:32 Has Pittsburgh Done Enough to Enter Wild Card Picture?29:24 Pete Fairbanks Joins the Marlins34:58 Is a Busy January on Tap for the Marlins' Front Office?42:47 A Few Highlights From 202556:04 Zach Eflin, Hunter Harvey, Reds Outfield Additions, Sean Newcomb & Ricky Tiedemann Health UpdateFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow 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 & Eno SarrisWith: Britt Ghiroli Executive Producer: Derek VanRiperTyler Soderstrom Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR catch up on a busy half-week of moves including Michael King's return to the Padres, a trade that sent Willson Contreras to the Red Sox, a three-team swap involving the Pirates, Rays, and Astros, Shane Baz to the O's in a five-player trade, and Munetaka Murakami's somewhat surprising two-year deal with the White Sox. Rundown3:48 Michael King: Re-Ups With Padres; Complicated Deal w/Two Opt-Outs6:55 Sung-mun Song: Gets Three-Year Deal with Padres13:14 Fantasy Implications of Song's Arrival in San Diego and King's Return16:22 Willson Contreras to the Red Sox27:31 Increasing Clarity in Cards' Position Player Group?32:09 A Pirates-Astros-Rays Three-Team Deal52:15 Shane Baz to the Orioles1:02:45 Munetaka Murakami: Heads to the White Sox (Two-Year, $34M)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 SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the possible fit of Alex Bregman with the D-backs as the Ketel Marte trade rumors continue to swirl. Plus, Ha-seong Kim takes a one-year deal to return to Atlanta, Luke Weaver is likely headed to the Mets, Maikel Garcia gets an extension with the Royals, and school is back in session for draft season December draft-and-holdRundown1:01 Buying the D-backs' Interest in Alex Bregman Amidst Ketel Marte Trade Rumors11:04 Luke Weaver Nearing Two-Year Deal w/Mets13:19 Ha-Seong Kim: Reunites with Braves on One-Year Deal26:05 Adrian Houser to the Giants31:50 Maikel Garcia's Five-Year Extension with the Royals38:45 Foster Griffin to the Nats; Interesting Swap w/Red Sox46:15 First 2026 Draft & Hold League TakeawaysFollow 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, DVR, and Jed discuss Robert Suarez's move to Atlanta as the Braves rebuild their bullpen, Kenley Jansen's pursuit of 500 saves following a one-year deal with Detroit, the Royals' attempt to fix their outfield and reported interest in Jarren Duran, Jorge Polanco goes to the Mets, who might line up very well as a blockbuster partner for the Padres, Merrill Kelly stays put, and the Cardinals ink Dustin May to a one-year deal. Plus, Eno discusses his story about MLB's plans to regulate data and tech in the minor leagues. Rundown4:41 Robert Suarez Gets a Three-Year Deal with Atlanta (and Mike Yastrazemski Gets Two)12:05 How Healthy Is the Braves' Organization?16:00 Kenley Jansen Lands with the Tigers20:53 The Royals Get Busy: Sign Lane Thomas, Trade for Isaac Collins and Nick Mears27:43 Interest in Jarren Duran, Can He Return to 2024 Level?37:57 Jorge Polanco Gets a Two-Year Deal with the Mets44:46 The Mets Line Up Very Well with the Padres49:01 Merrill Kelly Gets Two-Year Deal with D-backs53:13 Eno's Story About MLB Regulating Data & Tech in Minor LeaguesLink ($): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/68794871:04:48 Adolis Garcia Heads to Philly1:07:00 Dustin May to the CardinalsFollow 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 are back for their final day at the Winter Meetings in Orlando where Pete Alonso has landed a new five-year, $150M deal with the Orioles. Ken Rosenthal, Dennis Lin, Andrew Baggarly and Carson Cistulli join the show.Rundown1:05 Ken Rosenthal Joins the Show15:15 Dennis Lin Joins Us to Sort Out the Padres' "Big Splash" Options23:48 Andrew Baggarly Joins the Show to Discuss Tony Vitello and Other Offseason News for the Giants38:58- Carson Cistulli Joins the Show57:57 Other Moves, Rumors & ReportsShow Survey: theathletic.lnk.to/RBSurvey25 -- Thank You for your feedback!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: Ken Rosenthal, Dennis Lin, Andrew Baggarly & Carson CistulliProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR are live from Orlando for Day 2 of the Winter Meetings. They are joined by Britt Ghiroli to talk about some of the big moves from Day 2, Levi Weaver joins the show to discuss his path into the world of baseball writing and Nick Wan, senior director of baseball analytics for the Cincinnati Reds, discusses his path into the industry.Rundown1:10 Britt Ghiroli Joins the Show; Edwin Díaz to the Dodgers5:51 Kyle Schwarber Stays with the Phillies10:20 Rob Thomson Gets an Extension12:28 The Padres Are Looking to Make a Splash18:19 Levi Weaver Joins the Show38:55 Nick Wan Joins the Show50:03 Other News, Rumors & Chatter: Steven Matz to the Rays, Shane Baz Trade Considerations & Vaughn Grissom on the MoveShow Survey: theathletic.lnk.to/RBSurvey25 -- Thank You for your feedback!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: Britt Ghiroli, Levi Weaver & Nick WanProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR are live from the Winter Meetings in Orlando! As Day 1 comes to close, they discuss Jeff Kent's election to the Baseball Hall of Fame, and whether time will help the cases of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. Plus, they discuss the Rockies' decision to hire Josh Byrnes as their new GM, Nationals President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni putting his stamp on the team's rebuild, and other rumblings and rumors. Rundown1:08 Jeff Kent is Headed to Cooperstown15:19 Josh Byrnes is Named Rockies' New GM20:29 Paul Toboni is Putting His Stamp on the Nationals25:03 Are CJ Abrams and MacKenzie Gore Really Available?33:18 Mike Soroka Signs with the D-Backs40:15 Pete Alonso Meets with the Red Sox & Orioles44:41 Could Bryce Eldridge Be Available in San Francisco?49:54 The Royals Look for Multiple OutfieldersShow Survey: theathletic.lnk.to/RBSurvey25 -- Thank You for your feedback!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, Jed, and DVR discuss Devin Williams' shift to the Mets on a three-year deal, Cody Ponce's new pact with the Blue Jays after a very successful run in the KBO, a reunion for Emilio Pagán and the Reds, and Cedric Mullins' fit for the Rays. Plus, they examine the long-term potential of Jac Caglianone and Luke Keaschall, before discussing the 2025 Hall of Fame Ballot and loss of doubles and triples.Rundown3:30 Devin Williams Heads to the Mets12:32 The Blue Jays Sign Cody Pence17:10 Emilio Pagán Returns to Reds; Another Year to Close?20:12 Cedric Mullins to the Rays28:03 Johan Ovideo to Boston in Five-Player Swap32:48 Long-Term Potential: Jac Caglianone & Luke Keaschall51:51 Thoughts on This Year's BBWAA Ballot1:08:54 Where Have the Doubles & Triples Gone?($) Jayson Stark: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6856840Please fill out our show survey to help shape the future of Rates & Barrels! theathletic.lnk.to/RBSurvey25 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 SarrisGuest: Jed LowrieProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR return from their Thanksgiving break to discuss a busy final week of November that included a surprising Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien trade between the Mets and Rangers, Sonny Gray to the Red Sox for two pitchers, Dylan Cease's new seven-year, $210 million deal with the Blue Jays, and another move for the Orioles with the addition of Ryan Helsley.Rundown4:22 Mets Trade Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien10:23 Nimmo's Place Among All-Time Mets14:48 What Does Semien Have Left as a Hitter?20:00 Sonny Gray Traded to the Red Sox for Richard Fitts & Brandon Clarke34:30 Dylan Cease Lands a Seven-Year, $210M Deal with the Blue Jays42:40 Ryan Helsley: Two-Year Deal with Orioles (Plus Opt-Out)50:37 Raisel Iglesias: Back in Atlanta on One-Year Deal; Still Clear Closer?1:01:29 ICYMI: Hader, Manaea Injury Updates; Jordan Walker "Found Something" at Driveline, Anthony Rendon is Working on a Buyout, Warren Shaffer Stays as Rockies Manager, Pirates & Marlins Looking for their CheckbooksFollow 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.

Rebound Starting Pitchers, Past Big Contracts & 'The Year of the Splitter' in 2026?

Eno, DVR, and Trevor discuss several rebound candidates in the starting pitcher pool for 2026 including a potential Cy Young Award candidate in the American League who was limited by injuries in 2025. Plus, they look back at how big deals for starting pitchers have worked out throughout the past decade, and wonder if 2026 will become 'The Year of the Splitter' after the uptick in splitters we saw in the playoffs. Rundown4:54 Cole Ragans as a Bounce Back Ace with Health?16:58 Aaron Nola's Unusual 2025 Absence24:28 Zebby Matthews: Rebounding From Rough Start to Big League Career?44:13 Recent Big Contracts for Free Agent Pitchers1:03:56 Will 2026 Be the 'Year of the Splitter?'Follow 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 MayExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.