Where Have All the Closers Gone?

Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville are back in Starkville to dig into the stunning April firings of Alex Cora and Rob Thomson, breaking down how it unraveled and what it reveals about the ever-shrinking margin for managers. Then, MLB broadcaster Ron Darling joins the show to share his thoughts on the moves, the mounting pressure on today’s skippers, the Mets’ ongoing struggles, and his memories of the iconic 1986 Mets.Rundown:0:00 Starkville Is Back!3:25 April Firings: Alex Cora and Rob Thomson8:24 Ron Darling Joins the Show9:18 Darling on Thomson11:53 Managers in Peril15:49 Where will Cora Go Next?17:40 In-season Managerial Changes18:57 How the Manager Role Has Changed25:37 What’s Wrong with the Mets?33:09 40th Anniversary of the ‘86 Mets39:02 Looking Back at Darling’s Book, ‘The Complete Game’43:04 Favorite PitchersFollow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.socialFollow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.socialE-mail: [email protected] to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Jayson Stark & Doug GlanvilleWith: Ron DarlingProducer: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR return for another Fantasy Friday—starting with some food takes, including Eno’s “try everything once” mindset and DVR revealing he’s never had oysters. From there, they shift to baseball, breaking down potential fantasy trade targets among starting pitchers and identifying arms to buy low or sell high. The guys close out the show by discussing a new Athletics closer: Jack Perkins.Rundown:1:29 Eno's Dining Philosophy3:28 The Truth Is: Midwest Food Creations Are Usually Good7:45 Injury Updates: Luis Robert Jr., Trevor Rogers, Brandon Woodruff & Garrett Crochet22:10 A Pitching Debut Friday: The Red Sox Turn to Jake Bennett28:00 Trade Targets: Starting Pitchers We're Interested In40:56 The 'Obvious' Sell Highs: More Easily Attainable Arms50:52 Travis Bazzana Projections1:04:11 Closer Carousel: Buying Jack Perkins, Considering Jacob Latz?Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR welcome former major leaguer Adam Ottavino to the show to discuss closers and why more relievers are racking up saves this season than in years past. The guys also dive into bullpen management and the ever-perplexing question of why closers tend to struggle in non-save situations. Later, Eno and DVR share their desert island favorite starting pitchers and reveal the biggest OOPSY droppers – with the correct chart this time.Rundown:1:04 Where Have All the Closers Gone?5:12 How Should Baseball Value & Reward Relievers?8:48 New Bullpen Management11:00 Is Better Balance Possible?14:32 Why Do Closers Struggle in Non-Save Situations?19:40 The Desert Island: Favorite Pitcher26:33 Will Tigers Stick with Kenley Jansen?29:40 Is the New Zone Causing K% and BB% Fluctuations?32:48 Seattle’s Starters’ Early Strikeout Rate Slide?39:08 The Biggest OOPSY Fallers 44:52 A Case for Lawrence Butler Despite Projections DropEno’s Article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7241759Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow Adam on Instagram: @adamottavinoe-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Adam OttavinoEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR open up the mailbag to dig into the Rockies’ surprising success on the mound and what the organization can do to make Colorado a destination for free agent pitchers. Plus, the guys break down Location+, OOPSY fallers, and whether Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. will get back on track.Rundown:1:12 Justin Steele has a Setback8:52 The Most Injured Teams in Baseball10:45 Pete Fairbanks to the IL14:21 Trey Yesavage is Back!19:27 Rockies Surprising Success27:50 Making Pitchers Better Opens Up More FA Options34:40 Revisiting Location+42:41 What is Launch Angle Sweet Spot Percentage?49:25 Jazz Chisholm Jr.: Time to Worry?51:37 OOPSY FallersFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Britt, and DVR are back and fired up as the trio breaks down the Phillies’ decision to fire manager Rob Thomson, what led to the move, and how Dave Dombrowski’s club can get back on track — including whether brighter days are ahead for Jesús Luzardo. From there, they shift to the Mets’ ongoing struggles, exploring what needs to change before things spiral further, and wrap on a high note with the debut of Guardians top prospect Travis Bazzana.Rundown:2:55 Phillies Fire Rob Thomson4:20 Slow Starting Bats11:35 Limited Options for Position Players17:00 Remember the 2019 Nats?20:52 Faith in the Rotation26:06 How to Fix the Mets36:25 More Concerned About Hitting or Pitching?48:30 Guardians Call Up Travis Bazzana53:40 Eno’s Hot Take in Cleveland55:55 Alex Cora to Mets or Phillies?Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.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 GhiroliEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR welcome The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey to the show to break down the shocking firing of Red Sox manager Alex Cora, along with five other coaches, and where the organization goes from here. Later, Eno and DVR dig into two struggling righties — Kodai Senga and Aaron Nola — discuss Zack Wheeler’s return, and track ‘Where The Money Went’ on the waiver wire this past weekend.Rundown:0:32 Red Sox Fire Alex Cora23:23 How Chad Tracy Can Improve The Club28:10 Kodai Senga’s Struggles Continue33:12 Aaron Nola’s Rough Stretch37:56 Zack Wheeler’s Return To The Mound39:46 Trey Yesavage To Start Tuesday41:54 Jasson Domínguez Called Up49:00 Where The Money WentFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow Jen on Bluesky: @jcmccaffrey.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Jen McCaffreyEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville welcome Braves manager Walt Weiss to Starkville to discuss his red-hot team, his brawl-saving tackle, and the time he swiped dirt from the old Yankee Stadium. They also break down another Strange But True, this time featuring Angels All-Star outfielder Mike Trout and his home run barrage in the Bronx a couple weeks ago.Rundown:0:00 Starkville Is Back!3:40 ABS Rarities12:12 Walt Weiss Joins The Show12:49 The Braves Hot Start15:45 Transitioning from Bench Coach to Manager17:27 Facing Adversity in Spring Training20:13 Lessons Learned From Colorado21:58 Walt’s Brawl-Saving Tackle28:12 Braves’ Deep Bench30:18 Replacing Brian Snitker32:35 Which Braves Player Would Make A Good Manager?34:01 Saving Dirt from Yankee Stadium35:58 Wearing High Socks40:50 Playing 16242:53 Trivia Time!44:55 Strange But TrueFollow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.socialFollow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.socialE-mail: [email protected] to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Jayson Stark & Doug GlanvilleWith: Walt WeissEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR celebrate Fantasy Friday as they break down some of the league’s top young arms and hitters who could be available on the open market. Then, they’re joined by the show’s Senior Hot Dog Correspondent and Ottoneu founder Niv Shah to talk closers—and deliver his latest hot dog reviews.Rundown:1:46 Francisco Lindor Placed on IL4:18 Waiver Wire Bats to Consider12:09 Nathan Church Getting a Look in St. Louis13:50 Buying Into Leody Taveras?16:48 Atlanta’s Young Starters21:37 Payton Tolle in Boston26:56 Connor Prielipp Debuting in Minnesota35:22 Riley Cornelio’s Role with the Nats39:33 Christian Scott Returned to Triple-A43:13 Closer Carousel52:51 Niv Shah Joins the ShowJoin the Rates & Barrels Six Picks Group! https://ottoneu.fangraphs.com/sixpicks/baseball/ (Password: froggy)Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Niv ShahEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Trevor, and DVR are full of surprises for Thursday's episode as they discuss the comebacker that disappeared in Mariners' starter Logan Gilbert's jersey, the upstart Cincinnati Reds, and Juan Soto's baffling comments on not texting with his Mets teammates during their recent road trip. The guys close out the show by highlighting three players who they didn't expect to have so much success this season: Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker, Cardinals reliever Riley O'Brien, and Padres starter Randy Vásquez.Rundown::35 Logan Gilbert Makes A Ball Disappear6:30 Counsell on “Ohtani Rule’11:45 More Two-Way Players?16:30 April Standings Surprises: Cincinnati Reds25:21 Who Gets Back on Track: Red Sox, Royals, Astros, Phillies, Mets32:43 Juan Soto’s Lack of ‘Contact’39:55 Jordan Walker’s Fast Start49:03 Riley O’Brien is Rolling54:48 Randy Vásquez is Missing More Bats Than EverFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.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 SarrisWith: Trevor MayEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Jed, and DVR dig into what the returns of injured stars Juan Soto and Zack Wheeler mean for their teams. Then, Kyle Tucker's sluggish start in LA and whether lingering injury effects might be to blame. Plus, a look at some of the most impressive rookie bats in the league right now -- including the swing-and-miss similarities of Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto as their big-league careers get underway.Rundown:2:29 Juan Soto to Return on Wednesday3:29 Zack Wheeler to Start on Saturday8:26 Jackson Holliday Injury Setback14:43 Kyle Tucker’s Struggles in LA24:17 Rookie Review: Chase DeLauter38:12 Rookie Review: Justin Crawford49:31 Rookie Review: Sal Stewart56:35 Rookie Review: Munetaka Murakami & Kazuma OkamotoFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Jed LowrieEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.