Just because there isn’t much going on in baseball doesn’t mean Jason and I can’t yammer for over two hours. After a very long, wide-ranging email segment (keep ’em coming kids!), we talk about the remaining free agents, go inside the process of ranking 101 prospects, and then I take some time to go on a rant about Bert Blyleven, or more accurately, his Hall Of Fame supporters. Our final special guest of the year is Rocco DeMaro, who recently lost his gig as host of the best post-game radio show in baseball, and then we review our holiday and talk about the east coast blizzard.
How free agency and trades have had an impact on prospects in the National League.
The well has started to dry in one of baseball’s most consistently good systems.
After breaking down the trade on a baseball level, we go to the source as we are joined by Jim Breen of Bernie’s Crew, who broke the story of the Greike trade, about his wild weekend. Later, we are joined by all-around Dominican media guy Rafael Bello, who helps us respond to a listener email about traveling to the Dominican to watch baseball, and of course, we also talk about the mambo. From there, more goofy stuff with concept albums about yetis, holiday plans and a special announcement at the end.
While the No. 1 prospect should be up again soon, most of the talent in the system needs considerable development time.
A look at what is left in the Brewers system after they traded for Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke.
Looking at the new hardest thrower in the Royals system.
Jake Odorizzi’s scouting report was already written, so why waste it?
Back from Orlando, it’s time to wrap up the winter meetings as after going through some widely varying email, Jason and I spend more than half an hour dissecting the utter insanity that was a Monday night that ended with Cliff Lee’s shocking signing with the Phillies. From flight trackers to mystery teams to where the Yankees and Rangers go from here, we cover every angle. After a quick diversion into prospects, and a debate on if a tiny second baseman can get to the big leagues, Amanda Rykoff of espnW joins us to talk about her first winter meetings experience, as well as her involvement with the lastest venture from those folks in Bristol. Then it’s the usual wackiness, some tales from our trip and the best closing song in the history of the podcast, as The Bismark delivers their tribute to the words of Curt Flood.
The Astros’ system is better than last year, though that’s not saying much.
A look at the top players selected in the Rule 5 Draft.
If you are a Rangers or Yankees fan, it might be time to hope your favorite team finished second in the race to sign Cliff Lee.
Some brief comments on this year’s picks from Kevin Goldstein.
Kevin and Jason bring a mini-podcast with a post-midnight recap of their first day of the winter meetings from Orlando, Florida. Details include all the news from over the weekend (not much happened today), all the chatter in the lobby, tales from Jason’s hotel and some, but not all of the usual goofiness.
In an act of inevitable consummation, dealing A-Gonz to Beantown doesn’t equal garbanzo beans in San Diego, does it? Plus the Brewers add an arm.