MLB Season Preview, We Still Dislike Red Sox Ownership
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On this episode of Missing the Point: we have our long range view of Major League Baseball one week into the 2021 season, we'll break down the Divisions, which moves made during the offseason will have the biggest impact.
And we'll do what we do best on the show pitch about the Boston Red Sox.
Hosts: Joe Malkin, Rayshawn Buchanan, Rob Kelly, Craig D'Alessandro
Producer: Craig D'Alessandro
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On this episode of missing the point we have our long range view of Major League Baseball one weekend of the season or break down to the visions which moves made during the offseason will have the biggest impact and we'll do what we do best on the show bitch about the Boston Red Sox. This is missing the point Episode 52 but it's all relative
Joe Malkin:welcome into missing the point My name is Joe Malkin joined tonight by the real BK Bob Kelly ratio. Um you can and of course, our EP Craig D'Alessandro, who will probably get in on this episode a little bit as it's about his favorite sport baseball. So guys, we're going to talk baseball client is we're now four days five days into the season as we record this the Red Sox are in game two of a series with the rays but it hasn't been an easy start to the season for all 30 teams and it hasn't been an easy start to the season for the Red Sox. But we have a lot to get through the baseball is back no 60 game COVID shortened season this year they're gonna play 162 games most teams anyway, they're going to try and fit everything in with the least amount of issues as possible. I think from a societal standpoint, we're heading to that point as most leagues have announced that they will have fans the Texas Rangers had a full stadium the other day so it was wild. So guys, let's get into some of the offseason moves. We saw a lot of big names move around. We saw the San Diego Padres basically load up which they took a big hit today as Fernando Tatties went out with a shoulder injury but is only expected to be on the BI l for 10. So that's good for them. But let's start with that. Let's start with the Padres and talk about their offseason moves because they made a lot of moves. And they from big to small. They went out and basically revamped their entire roster they brought in a jurickson profar who's a utility Guy 278 hitter 343 on base percentage and afford 28 slugging percentage so he's gonna be a singles and doubles guy for them. They they bring in Blake Snell they bring in you dervish, and of course they signed Fernando Tatis to a 14 year contract extension which good for them because right now he's the best player in baseball and he's going to be for a long time they're completely out of our market and they're completely not relevant to the Boston Red Sox but this padres team is should be impressive if they can stay healthy.
Rob Kelly:That's been the thing with the pirates. So this idea does feel different with them because now I likes now a lot went on last year so obviously he's good. You Darvish is just going to start for since he came into the league since day one you Darvish has been a stud so we know what we're getting from you Darvish, it. It does feel different this year. I mean, we've seen San Diego do this before you remember, back in the day they signed What do they sound like Mike Cameron, they signed like five guys in two offseasons right in a row. And you thought that maybe they were going to do something within half a season they were all gone. It doesn't seem to be what's happening here because they've already committed over 600 say over $600 million to the left side of the infield. So obviously this team is is they got Machado on third base too. So I like this team a lot. I mean, Darvish, Snell Machado, Tatties, like it's a beautiful young team. I love it.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Yeah, I mean, don't forget about hosmer they gave hosmer $180 million, you know, a few seasons ago as well. So, I mean, that's basically that's, you know, almost three three quarters of a billion dollars given to the infield. So I mean, you know, like I said, profiles are gonna play a second base every now and then, but he's just not gonna be an everyday guy like Joe had mentioned. But, you know, when you ask now you had Darvish guy that had been proven pitchers and they're you know, previous stops individually in Major League Excuse me. Any you come you come in? Well, I don't know. I don't think it's a call Petco, Petco Park anymore. No, right. So, let's talk about back. Okay, so definitely most most punctures go through name changes are for like everyone to change their name. But yeah, so I mean, Petco Park has always been a pitcher friendly area. So I'm pretty sure that you know, snow, who did well in Tampa, but and obviously, you know, dogs did well, in Texas. He did well in Chicago as well. So, yeah, I mean, they definitely seem to be all in clearly they were looking to become all in what hfm is more than last year, and they added some other guys at the deadline last year. So, you know, they're very talented team, what seems like looks like like every maybe 20 years, they look just like you said, Bobby, you know, when he had those signings of getting, you know, Cameron and you know, some other guys obviously, I think the last time he went to the World Series was in 98 when a loss of a Yankee. So you know, so, you know, rest of peace and Tony Gwynn, you know, but yeah, it's about see It seems like a nice to me, Joe, you said that right? I mean, Todd sees, I don't know if he's the best player in baseball. He's definitely most exciting. I think that title still goes to number 27 to Anaheim, or sorry, Los Angeles. I'm Anaheim, whatever it's called now, but yeah, number 27. And, you know, wherever that where's the runaway is still To me, the best guy in all of baseball bats, as he says coming for sure. And you know, I always like that guy north of the border, or in Buffalo, wherever they are. Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. I'm a fan. I was a fan of his father. I said what we'll get into the alias later on. But But yeah, San Diego was awesome. And I'm excited to see what they do this year.
Joe Malkin:Sorry, go ahead, Craig.
Craig D'Alessandro:These were moves made by the Padres that they absolutely had to make. They wanted to compete in this National League, especially natalis because the Dodgers just keep turning out to talent. And if they can't turn it out, they will acquire it. They had that big course they had the movie about trade a bout a year and a half ago at this point. Of course, they had the and now you know, they got Cy Young awards, up and down this lineup for people who only have one or more can win them. You know, Trevor Bauer, they just added Clayton Kershaw. You got David Price in the bullpen. These are long man for $30 million. I mean, still terrible, just off course. But if this T if this Potter's team is going to hope to be able to compete, they need to keep up with the Dodgers. And I think that's exactly what they did.
Joe Malkin:Yeah, they started the season three and three into where they won three out of four against the Diamondbacks. And then they lost one to the Diamondbacks and lost one to the giants, and that they have that series on now. And they just lost him to Jr. for about a week and a half. But Craig, they play in the MLS, we were all trying to signal to you that it was the MLS. But the Dodgers are extremely good, the Dodgers are so good. And you're absolutely right, that if they are geography, not my best subject, and that's, that's fine. Baseball is one of your best subjects. So we just mixed, you know, oil and water. So it's being of spending money, we have a few guys to talk about spending money. And since Craig already mentioned him mentioned him English, not my strong suit. Let's talk about a Trevor Bauer, who signed a three year $102 million deal that can expire after the first year because that's what Trevor Bauer does. And Rachel Luba, his agent is incredible. What she gets this gets for this guy is ridiculous. And to put him on a team, the best team and base and give him an opportunity to win a ring at the age of 30. When he you know, Trevor Bowery, I mean, we can say what we want about him, right? We can look at his numbers and say He's really good. He's above average. And he's making a lot of money to be above average. He's a great PR. Was.
Rob Kelly:That's it, that's an automatic 12 and nine, and you're not going to get much above it. You might get 15 and a lot 15 and six, something like that. You
Joe Malkin:know what I mean? You're never gonna get, in my opinion from Trevor Bauer that 2223 one season, not the most, he's one of the 17 and that was in 2017, when 17 and nine in 2019. He went 11 and 13. Between Cleveland and Cincinnati, five and four in the COVID. Jordan year last year, but he had a 1.73 array, which is what got him the money. But he's one of those so far with the Dodgers this year, pitch six and a third in his first game allowed three hits four runs. So he did give up two home runs. But he struck out 10 so and only walked two. So I mean, you're right, you're right, Bobby, he can be very good, but he's never going to be great. But he has the personality and the gall to go out and get the job done. And make the money doing it. And for Rachel Luber to get there. Honestly, this was such a player and team friendly deal that Trevor Bauer got because if he doesn't pitch Well, the Dodgers can just whatever. We don't have to pay him anymore after year one. And then if he decides to come back, he decides to come back or he can have a good year and we'll get paid more elsewhere. So it really is one of the best deals I've seen in a long
Craig D'Alessandro:time, which has been his tendencies entire career to sign a one year deal, have a really good season, get paid And do it all over again.
Joe Malkin:Right. And that's what he has done his entire career. I
Craig D'Alessandro:got blamed for making $45 million this year.
Joe Malkin:Yeah, I mean, you pitch with Arizona, Cleveland, he kept signing deals with Cleveland. And then, you know, he pitched very well there. He was great in Cleveland. He was 67 and 53 while pitching in Cleveland. So I mean, again, above average 3.91 career era, but to add him into that rotation, Greg, as you said, which pushes David Price into the bullpen, you really do have I don't want to say a band of Misfit Toys, but you do have a band of big personalities in LA, but that works for that market. And that works for that team. And if a team with Trevor Bauer and David Price can win a World Series more power to Dave Roberts because I have trouble with a three year old and an 18 month old I can only imagine these two in the same place for a long period of time.
Craig D'Alessandro:Well, I mean, just listen to their one through five Clayton Kershaw Trevor Bauer Walker Buehler, Julio Urias and Dustin May, who's going to be perennial all star in this league. Then they get through them. Okay, here's David Price out of the bullpen. Right,
Rayshawn Buchanan:right but this is the thing bueller's that he's the number one it's not our number one like that's the guy that that's the guys would come to Horace like we saw it a few years ago just the Red Sox like he had a great game gets us in the 2018 World Series like, he is their guy. So that's why I think it makes sense for them to go get Power Rangers.
Unknown:Look.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Yeah, you want to say on Yeah, you've had good you know, you've had good seasons, but we're looking for you to be the guy here. So one year try out. Let's see if we can go back to back with you on our team and be our day three guy. Yes. Phenomenal. That's lightweight. Let's say that's the guy Kershaw. You know, finally he finally got over the hump, you know, but he's been he's kind of been the Peyton Manning so to speak of, you know, Major League Baseball, you know, someone who's gonna dominate, you know, in a regular season, but then kind of have his woes in the postseason. But he finally got over the hump. He finally won. So definitely solidified his Hall of Fame career, too. I know, that wasn't on a, you know, that's how we were going to talk about but that's just something I've thought about, like, he's definitely going to be all the fame and now for sure, but yeah, I said, bill should be the guy that for that team going forward.
Rob Kelly:Yeah, for sure. When you so think about your go back to that Red Sox series, you talking about? The reason? You know, he's a dog. I don't know if you guys remember, they took him out in that seventh setting. And the relief that I felt that he wasn't on the mound anymore. As soon as they took him out. I was like, oh, we're good. We're good. That guy's not on the mound anymore. We're all right, we're good. He just has that feeling of a guy who when he's in there, he changes the game, like you need to figure him out. Because if you don't, he's not just gonna pick great, he's going to dominate you like you'll have no chance. Now when it comes to bringing in Bauer why I think that's great, is because you think about Kershaw. He's at the edge of his career. And Bauer's not a superstar, but both these guys are always relied upon to beat these guys. You bring Bower in. Now, it's split between the two of them, you know what I mean? Like, Bower doesn't have to be the one. Kershaw doesn't have to be the one there. You don't have to be the two for Christ's sakes. You know, like they're just coasting this season. That team is unbelievable. And we're seeing that we're seeing that change in baseball right now. And
Joe Malkin:you mentioned the ages of the guys, Trevor Bauer is 30 years old. We're talking about that contract that Trevor Bauer signed with three years $102 million, that basically there's an option for year two and three, it's really a one year deal. And Trevor Bauer is 30 Clayton Kershaw is 33. David Price Is 35. I didn't know Kenley. Jansen was 33 years old. But that's another story for another time. But Dustin May, who Craig mentioned is 23 years old. Walker Buehler is only 26 and Julio Urias is 24. So they have three of those five, possibly six stables in their rotation for a long time to come. And the last thing I'm gonna say about on this Dodgers team for now is Bobby, I'm going to give you an argument right now as to why the d h is bad for baseball. Clayton Kershaw is two for three at the plate with a run scored. He's batting 667, Trevor Bauer Oh, for two with an RBI.
Rob Kelly:So they integrate bro Clayton correct.
Joe Malkin:I'm just
Rayshawn Buchanan:right. Yeah, he's one of the few places I can actually wait. Yeah, but see, this is gonna be Mike Hampton. Or, you know, that's not gonna happen.
Joe Malkin:The other guy's name Mike Hughes. It was Mike Hampton, Mike Stanton.
Unknown:You know, no,
Joe Malkin:I understand. They're gonna who's
Unknown:the guy? Well,
Rayshawn Buchanan:Rick, Priscilla was pretty good, too. Why
Rob Kelly:wasn't Purcell there's another guy who hates gangers as a pitcher. It was the past couple years. He had like,
Rayshawn Buchanan:the guy for the reds, I think. Yeah, yeah. Yeah.
Joe Malkin:But everyone listening knows he went off the rails. But we'll have a dh conversation as the season goes on. Because I know that we are. We are pretty split on that one. I think it's actually five against one and that well, Dave doesn't count. But I think it's four against one in that argument. But yeah, so so Trevor Bauer signs that contract, and then again, that that wasn't all that we saw. We had Nolan arenado leave Colorado. He goes to St. Louis. This is a big contract for St. Louis because we all know St. Louis is generally a team that builds from within they don't like to go and throw money around all the time. When they had the opportunity to do it with pool halls. They let him walk nine years 275 million for the all star third baseman. I really love the signing. I think he is so good. And I think that him being trapped in the Mile High City, especially after DJ LeMay you jumped ship to go to New York was it left him in a spot where he needed to make a move like this? This is a great contract for him and allows the Cardinals something to build around for the next nine seasons.
Rayshawn Buchanan:I love it. I think he's the best third base their basement and baseball not chairman.
Unknown:That's tough. That's tough.
Rayshawn Buchanan:That's I think I think you're talking about Yeah, I think it's our annato then Chapman then you know then our guy in Boston Devers? That's just my opinion, but yeah, I mean, I don't I think he's gonna do great over them but stadium I think he's going to hit a lot of those home runs of maglev and they're going to love them you know, you still have that you still have the captain there and Dr. Molina you know and St. Louis is always finds a way to still be around right like you know people talking about the central kind of flipping back and forth you know, whether it be will it be Milwaukee because obviously you know, yellow has been a problem since he got there you know, will Chicago come back and make noise but you know, aren't autolyse like you said Joe want him coming in for the next nine seasons? Probably six years out though. He'll be productive and that's that that is 30 now that's a win so it's just like to me he could definitely re he still plays third base at a high level so yes, St. Louis to me guys still I mean, I think honestly, maybe they realize they made a mistake earlier when when I resigned in four holes like obviously he will he hasn't been the same and that way but when a guy that's been that dominant for you, you don't just let him go because you don't want to pay him But once again, we see that happens we did it we will do best as well. So that's just what we're doing for us.
Rob Kelly:You like me to go off bad tangent I completely outside our pools, that would have been a disaster for them. It was a disaster for the angels. We're not doing that right.
Joe Malkin:No, we're not gonna do that right now. But
Rob Kelly:we just have, so I will Nolan. arenado go back to him real quick. I think he's the most underrated player in baseball. I think he's up there at least in the top three underrated players in baseball cuz you never hear his name. And he's so
Joe Malkin:reason why every single year there's a reason why. And it's the same reason why Mike trout isn't bigger than Mike trout is in the sports community. They play they played on the west coast and there's no national TV deal for baseball like there is with football. So you have a guy that was trapped, quote unquote I think the Rockies are pretty good organization but I think he felt trapped with the Rockies and that's why he signed the deal that he didn't get the heck out of there. But I mean, did we did you guys do we really know who DJ LeMay he was before he put on this pinstripes we may i
Unknown:do i
Rayshawn Buchanan:did but it's like the the fancy selling and maybe Boise Idaho that was you know getting some potatoes.
Joe Malkin:That is what a stereotype that is you kidding me?
Rayshawn Buchanan:That's why I mean there's
Rob Kelly:no way Hey, a goddamn ballgame after it. Okay, the potato bowl.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Yeah. All right. So listen, underscore Hollywood.
Unknown:Coming back to it coming back.
Rayshawn Buchanan:So bad. Oh, No One No One No One No One like that. But baseball, real baseball fans.
Joe Malkin:Right. And that's what I was trying to say is like, that's why he's underrated. So I don't think I don't think underrated is necessarily the right word. When it comes to baseball for these kinds of guys. It's undiscovered, because they play in these markets that no one really pays attention to. And it always does seem like if you're unless you're Griffey with the Mariners in the 90s, or you're you're Curt Schilling, or Luis Gonzalez or Randy Johnson with the with the Diamondbacks in the late 1990s into the early 2000s. Or you're, if you're not on the Red Sox, the Yankees or the Dodgers, no one knows who you are.
Rob Kelly:So it's either so it's, essentially be iconic, or be on one of five teams. That's how you become known in baseball. Yeah, that's
Joe Malkin:baseball. Because the NFL, we can all name the star player on all 32 NFL teams. Now, again, this group probably could do that with baseball, but it's not as easy. And I think there's more of a conversation. I also think there's more variables when it comes to baseball. So that's why arenado was just, he was just kind of doing this thing in Colorado. I mean, they were putting together a good thing there in Colorado for a long time. And they just say, what, two years ago, they did, they just couldn't get over that hump. And then, you know, once LeMay he went out the door and then arenado went out the door. That was the end of it for them. But this moved to St. Louis to bring it back to where we started. Yachty here. Molina, Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan arenado are the cornerstones of that lineup right now. And you still have Matt Carpenter who's really coming off the bench, but I mean, he's 35. So those guys are 3833 30 and 35, respectively. And you have some pretty young ballplayers on that team, and they're still going to bring in the kids to do the job and that's why they spent the money is I think they're revamping like they had done in the early 2000s when they started competing for World Series. Adam Wainwright is still on that pitching staff. So this was just a the right deal for both teams for both sides at that time. So moving on to our next deal as we're getting just through the offseason, Francisco lindor was a big move as he leaves Cleveland. I know the Cleveland faithful and the Cleveland fans were pretty broken up about this. I don't blame him. He's there. mukhi man,
Rob Kelly:I'd be mad too.
Joe Malkin:Yeah, I mean, he is young guy to you know, Francisco lindores 27 years old. He's a four time all star. He's been with Cleveland since he was, you know, he came up with Cleveland, and he's just impressive. He's super impressive. I mean last year in 60 games, but he was 61 for 236, which was a 258 batting average, but he had a 335 on base had eight home runs. 13 doubles. He's a middle infielder and he has an incredible glove. He's got two gold gloves to go along with those four All Star selections. He signs a have to hit the button on baseball reference, not as far as strength on strength do 1010 years
Rayshawn Buchanan:340
Joe Malkin:I'm sorry, it's a 10 years. Yeah, sign through 20 2031 so he'll make
Unknown:while
Joe Malkin:he'll make 22.3 this year.
Rob Kelly:But he's worth it is worth every penny. You know what I mean? He's one of those guys. is Joe frozen?
Unknown:Yeah,
Rob Kelly:yeah. Okay, but just the type of guy he is, though when it comes to indoor like he's the monkey bats. Like if there's certain guys in MLB that deserve that $300 million contract. So watching Francisco indoor, he's one of them. Yeah,
Craig D'Alessandro:I'll just do that. over again. Yeah, just relax.
Joe Malkin:Hang on a second. My internet completely. Just should have been.
Rob Kelly:Yeah, no, I feel you
Unknown:went off.
Craig D'Alessandro:Linder. Which part but might have
Rayshawn Buchanan:started to 41 he'll make 22.3
Joe Malkin:Okay, yeah, we'll just start up we'll start over with lindora Craigie that good. Yep. So moving on from the Cardinals and taking a look at the New York Mets Francisco indoor moves from Cleveland to the Big Apple and signs with the Mets which is a good situation for them. lindora four time All Star two time gold Glover two times Silver Slugger Platinum glove recipient as well. He's signed with the Master 2031. He'll make 22 point 3 million this year, and then held his deal goes for another 10 years for 341 between 2022 and 2031. This guy was a staple in cleaning. They hated to see him go but it really is the right move for him. He's a middle infielder with a good glove, a very good glove. He's a career 285 hitter, which is right where he should be. He plays every game. I mean, in his career, the least amount of games he's played in a season based on the amount of games is 99 and 2015. He's played 158 159 158 143 and then 60 in the 60 game season last year. This guy's a horse, and he's healthy, and he's good. Knock on wood. We don't want to wish any injuries on anybody. I love this lindora deal. And I think the Mets made the right move when I first saw it. I didn't like it because I the Mets to me are just the magnets. But he joins an interesting lineup. And this is gonna be good for New York. Yeah,
Rob Kelly:I mean, a Cleveland definitely traded lindorff for pennies on the dollar. I mean, they were definitely put in that situation where they had to. It really was very, you brought it up earlier, it was very mukhi bet ask how that went down in Cleveland. Not as bad because Cleveland you know, actually isn't the most profitable team and baseball cutting corners. But anyways, we'll get there. No, I love that. I love the deal for z mess. Friends who's going door to me is one of those guys that when you watch him play baseball, joy, I know this is your mindset when you watch him play, but he plays it the right way, man, just from the moment he walked on the diamond, like, you know, we both coach before and there's just those guys that as soon as you watched him play, there's something about them the way they field the ball the way they do everything. You're just like, okay, that's different. And that's the type of guy Francisco indoors. So the fact that the Mets actually made a move for a guy like that is big for them because they don't usually do that. You're right. So
Joe Malkin:especially at 27 years old, he's fun to watch because he enjoys playing the game. It's one of those things where you know, you turn on anything or you're on YouTube or whatever you see a highlight of Francisco lindora and there's a smile on his face. And that's what's that's what's fun about it and that's what honestly we'll have to do an episode on this on what baseball is missing. It's fun and guys having a personality and showing some showings that personality because they need it but I hate but before Ray goes, Bobby I just want to let you know Jake degrom two for three at the plate with an RBI
Rob Kelly:all year. It's just happening all the all All
Joe Malkin:right, every baseball show.
Unknown:We are doing well. Here we go.
Rob Kelly:Well, Miley Wade Miley was the pitcher that can hit
Unknown:Wade Miley Miley. Okay, yeah,
Rob Kelly:I got right my head. Oh, yeah.
Rayshawn Buchanan:So I guess first first hot take outside of what Joe said about the pictures that you hit. first house. I gotta show I think Linda Alonzo will be the best do for combination Nigerian National League. But I, to me, I think it's going to be phenomenal to see what those guys do to pitches on a nightly basis. And I just love how to negotiate the deal. Right? You know, he wanted 12 years 35 they offered, you know, I think 10 years through 25. And wow, they met in the middle, which which was your religion? Look at that. It could actually happen. It is almost
Rob Kelly:like that. It's almost like a definition of negotiation.
Rayshawn Buchanan:But I'm not gonna go there because you know why I brought it up the way I brought it up, I'm gonna go there. No, but it's like, it's amazing what can happen when you actually let's suicide can actually come together and actually agree on data or so both sides, you keep the player that you actually want. Well, right not just oh god. It's not
Joe Malkin:to go off on another tangent. But sometimes the problem is the player overvalues themself, or the team undervalues a player and we know a certain team in this area that undervalues players all the time. And we know another area that overvalues players, all the players overvalue themselves all the time. So that's going to happen but sports is rough right now Boston sports is and I know that
Rayshawn Buchanan:I need
Joe Malkin:a therapist honestly. But shout out and I can't remember his name right now but shout out to the to the University of Maine former University of Maine black bear goalie that is starting for the Boston Bruins tonight. He known the backup to the dollar because he played last night But anyway, we're at tangent middle of the show this Mets lineup right you mentioned Pete Alonzo and Francisco indoor James McCann, Pete Alonzo Jeff McNeil, Francisco indoor JD Davis Brandon Nimmo, Kevin Poehler, Michael conforto of those top eight guys in the lineup, obviously not counting the pitchers that seem to be able to hit they're all under the age of 30. With the exception of McCann and polar, yeah. Which is awesome for the match right now, because that tells me they got a three, three to four year run in an nl East that's on the east coast. Correct. That is is winnable, that is winnable. So I'm a big fan of this lindora deal. And you're absolutely right, Ray, but to get to your point about the contract. It is nice when teams and players can meet in the middle when they want to be together somewhere. I mean, lindora very easily could have said, Hey, I'll play for you and Tony 21. But none. Clearly, I think he wanted to go to New York and wanted to play for the Mets. And I think that was the best opportunity he received in his mind. And that's why he signed that contract and dude got paid. And he deserves it. He's a good ballplayer and like I said, the smile on his face. And the fact that you can see that he enjoys playing the game is the best part of it. I mean, he does have a lower batting average than Jake degrom. But we're not going to we're not going to go there right now. So So now going north of the border or as Ray said, or to Buffalo wherever the hell they're playing George Springer, formerly of the Houston Astros. I like being an asshole. So the George Springer that goes north of the border to to play on a Blue Jays team that is already getting stacked with the act. We'll talk about the Al East coming up but with the way the Blue Jays and the Yankees look and the fact that the rays haven't been dismantled yet. The Red Sox are in trouble but coming soon so. George Springer signs a six year $150 million contract he like I said he joins a pretty impressive lineup already. Vlad Guerrero Jr, Bo bichette, Kevin Biggio. And then of course, you have George Springer in there as well. So, and while they have Joe panik I forgot I had Joe before I came over from San Francisco.
Rob Kelly:I like to panic a lot, actually. So before before you move on, I want to say my favorite part about all these young guys is that it's like a video game. It's like what I would do when I'm creating players as they're the sons are here. The sons of these guys that we watched growing up, are in baseball right now like Fernando Tatis Jr. I remember the day his dad hit two grand slams in the same boba shack. I remember Dante bichette like it was yesterday, bro. Guerrero. I remember him hitting a home run when the ball bounced. I'm halfway to the plate. Like the bloodlines are running strong and baseball right now. And that's one of the reasons why I feel pretty hopeful for the future of the sport because like I mean, you mentioned Vizio to Vizio Sony's in baseball now to I think Clemens son, I don't know if he actually ever made it. And but you know, all these guys are so you can cut that last one out. So all these guys are coming in and it's just it's really exciting to hear these names and hear these guys be like, Oh, I know that guy. I remember she
Joe Malkin:it's great for us because we love the sport. The sport needs a revamp and again we'll have we will have an episode on that on on How we would say of baseball. But that's the problem is that there's so many people out there that don't know that these guys are even in the league, or know that they're the sons of these incredible players that played when we were kids. And that's part of the history of the game. And that has to be, you know, I think about that with my kids all the time. Like, my kids are never going to know who Tom Brady is. They're never gonna know who you know. I mean, they'll definitely never know who Pedro Martinez is, you know, they will from lore, but they'll never have seen them play. So it's just such a part of the game but you know, you mentioned those those guys and it's so interesting that the Toronto Blue Jays basically became the team that started hogging all the kids of the former made of the four major leaguers. If they had Tatties, it would be like the the four cornerstones of 2000s baseball. So as we move away from the offseason moves, we're gonna move into the Boston Red Sox, who I am very now on Yes, after four games, excuse me, what is we
Rayshawn Buchanan:so it's okay, we're for you.
Joe Malkin:Do you need a bag of skinnypop not a sponsor? I do actually. So, so we were taking a look at the Boston Red Sox back back in January. The Sox traded cash and a player to be named later. We still don't know who that player player is for Adam out of vino and pitcher Frank German February 10. They traded cash and left fielder Andrew benintendi to the Kansas City Royals and a three team deal was involved in New York Mets which brought outfielder Frenchy cornero right handed pitcher Josh a wink, wink koski and three players to be named later to from the Royals, wonderful events that came to Boston. They signed hunter Renfro on December 14, they signed key gay Hernandez on February 2. Garrett Richards on February 3, Martin Gonzalez came in on February 11, and Martin Perez came in on February 12. So you look at the signings that the Boston Red Sox made. The best part about all of this for me is that high end bloom is undoing what Dave Dombrowski undid when he came here, and that's the biggest thing for me is that I, I know, in my heart of hearts, and I think we all do that the Boston Red Sox are not playing for 2021 but in fact playing for 2023 2024
Rob Kelly:Yeah, no doubt about it. I mean, you look at the signings none of the signings say win this year even so even you flashback to year after when we signed like Victor Reno Napoli all these guys were bargain bin signings, well, boy, and people were trying to relate these guys to them. No, these guys aren't even on the same playing field. This is clearly a sign of playing to win later, but doing just enough that they can say like hey, but like we signed Kiki Hernandez and Garrett Richards guys, like we tried. But I'm with you man. I don't want to say I'm down on the season it's over. But when you go into the first series of the year, and you're playing maybe one of the worst teams in baseball and you get absolutely demolished by that team. Guess what? You might be the worst team in baseball yeah you know
Rayshawn Buchanan:yeah yeah that's yes that's fair to say it like like you said Bobby like I just I don't think that any of the signings they made we're geared to win right away and I mean, like I said for Victor Reno and Napoli had just came on playing a two World Series with with Texas at the time victim you know had won a World Series in Philadelphia so these are guys that you know Johnny goes playing in Tampa once at once I will say so. They these guys had already been battle tested have been there you know, so it was about Okay, how do we maximize getting another year for teams and maximize what we have a pager? Not pager? What are teaser for jorja like that's that's what you're supposed to do? So yes, it's a joke how they put together their roster when it really I hope that we bring this up on another episode, but we can adjust it now to but it's like, what exactly is the right way to go about winning in this world? Because people would come in Dombroski. Oh, he said that he dismantled the farm and he traded everybody away. He sold out while 2016 want to shit man. Yeah, we know at least 2017 and you want to at least 2018 not only do you want to at least but you win the World Series and you break a franchise record going 108 and 54. So to me, I'm about going all out Damn, or building too far for three, four or five, six years 10 million years. This is not pre oh four anymore. So I think before then it's like well, you got to build you know, you've got to bring in no more. You're gonna have to balance it. You got to have that. Besides that. That's not the case anymore. Bring guys here on a big If you can, and then I started I started with many, many Stata eight year deal from, you know, with no tests on him eight years 160 and then it started to trickle effect like, you got to bring guys here obviously every day it's not gonna be like, Man, you're gonna have your car crashes, you're gonna have your aging Gonzales's, I get that, but I rather you swing for the fences, then you look to try to win now so to speak, as I put that in quotation mark, but really, you're now looking for another three or four years.
Joe Malkin:But teams can have sustained success with a farm system and still continue to build through that farm system. The Yankees have done it, the entire existence of the New York Yankees. The St. Louis Cardinals have done it the entire existence of the St. Louis Cardinals. But the Boston Red Sox have not been able to do that. And they have the same amount of money as one of those teams and nearly the same amount of money is the other. And for you to say Yeah, all right. Dave Dombrowski came in here and got us a World Series Well, great. What do we have to show for it now? Are you so if you're happy with them going all out? yes or no answer. Are you happy with the status of the team right now in 2021? No, that's because of Dave rasky.
Rob Kelly:So so but when you think about it, though, the direct when you think about I
Joe Malkin:actually john Henry and he needs Yeah, I was gonna say
Rob Kelly:that but it really because because listen, Dombroski did right Dombroski. Like I get to hate on Dombroski. And it's not it's a narrative all over the place, you know what I mean, but like, exactly what he was asked to do. Dombroski was brought here for one reason, and that was to win as a damn championship whatever he had to do because what you look at what he did in Detroit, so he had this track record coming in here. You knew what he was doing when he got here. You know what I mean? Like he he went into Detroit, he traded everyone for Miguel Cabrera.
Unknown:Everyone,
Rob Kelly:the entire goddamn pharmacist, but
Unknown:he also
Rayshawn Buchanan:as he as he said,
Rob Kelly:right so it's like bullets, but we just think about my bag. Just think about it. He traded one Mankato, who's good. But I wouldn't give I wouldn't give up what we got for Chris sale and what he brought us for what we could have gotten from one Moncada. You know what I mean, like for what he actually did for this team? Because that's the big deal, right? That's the one that's like, everyone points to that we traded this young guy, first guy with the shoulder. We don't want a World Series. Okay, so Dave Dombrowski. What do I blame him?
Joe Malkin:Right. That's what he's saying. Is that while he wouldn't, he wouldn't have given it out. They Yeah, right. Serious. So but again, so this is what we're talking about, right? Because we can go revisionist history. But let's talk about Dombrovskis track record. You're absolutely right, Bobby, but he left the Detroit Tigers in the exact same state Red Sox. And this is a bigger problem that goes to john Henry, which you guys know I can drive these cattle home all day. Is that it? I watched the movie The other night because it was on TV. I watched Moneyball again. And that story at the end where he tries to bring in Billy Beane, and Billy Beane says no, so what does he do? He goes out and finds this young uns exec in Theo Epstein brings in Theo tells him, this is what we want to do. Guess what Theo didn't get along with john Henry for very long. He didn't. Nobody really seems to get along with john Henry for very long. But he so then that happens, and Theo kind of he leaves comes back, they do their thing, the then when Theo leaves. He's trying to find a guy that'll come in, but he needed to switch it up. Why did he Why did john Henry switched up his mentality of what he wanted, because for years, All he wanted was Billy Beane, All he wanted was Moneyball with money, which doesn't make sense that model doesn't work here. And we can say that it did in oh four because it did work in oh four. But the things that Theo Epstein knew to bring in guys that cost money in order to win the championship while also providing farm a farm system that was sustainable. So So Ray, this is another rebuttal to your argument when they knew what they were getting. And they brought Dombroski in to do a certain thing. They brought him in to do a certain thing, but they brought Theo Epstein in to do a certain thing and build that time as I get really excited and knock my microphone over. They bring in Theo Epstein to do an almost the exact same thing and he sustained it longer. Because Dave Dombrowski gutted everything and they had nothing left. It's like, if you move the couch out, what are you gonna sit on, but Theo would get rid of the couch, and then bring in chairs and more chairs and then bring in a loveseat and then bring a couch back in and sure it got crowded, but it but at one it worked. Dombroski just couldn't get it done. So now they're going back to the old model and bringing in high in bloom high and bloom is more of a Billy Beane than Theo Epstein ever will be and that's not a good thing. But it's a good thing in the sense that he's going to build the farm system back up. And again, right, as you said, do the job that he is asked to do by the owner. So my filibuster is just about over by we go ahead.
Rob Kelly:Yeah. So I completely agree with you because this is how I pictured john Henry calls Dave Dombrowski into his office. He says, I want you to do anything that you can trade anyone. Bring me some good big name, guys. This Bobby Vieira is over. We want a world series go get it trade. Anyone you have two, three years later, why'd you trade our farm system? Why don't we farm system left? You know, that's, but that's how I pictured john Henry. That's why
Rayshawn Buchanan:Joe, which is, which
Rob Kelly:is I think that the john Henry thing, because when you look, the direction of this baseball team for the last 10 years has been such an inconsistent, inconsistent mess that like they, they don't have an image, they don't have a direction that they're going in anymore. It's like, it's so up and down with this team that I got, it has to be at the top and it has to be the owner, the only consistent thing from day one of all this is john Henry, you know,
Joe Malkin:I've always said I've always said it, and especially with you guys is that the David prices, the Adrian Gonzalez is the Carl Everett's the Who's that I love it. But nonetheless, these guys come in here and they can't handle it. They can't handle the pressure. They can't handle the media. The ultimate guy that can't handle the pressure is john Henry. And I say that. And then everybody's like, well, he's still here. Yeah, he's the owner, he has the money to still be here. He's still making lots and lots of money off of being inconsistent, because people still buy the tickets and still go, because he has that nailed down, that he's going to be able to put asses in seats because this is Boston. And this is one of the biggest sports markets in the country, if not the world. But the thing about john Henry is that he felt as though he was going to walk in this door and he could do no wrong, that he would win some World Series here in Boston, we would love them and we would never look down on him speak bad about him or do any of that. But we are
Rob Kelly:and he doesn't like that. Yeah, what he forgot is that Boston's actually the smartest sports town in the country are one of the smartest sports towns in the country. So we don't get fed bullshit. You know what I mean? We've talked about this on the show before when coaches and teams try to feed us with that silver spoon. All of Boston's like, no, like just not happening. Not today. Not ever, never. Well. That's all Boston sports does.
Joe Malkin:So bringing it back to now we look at the starting lineup and we can talk about this and just kind of preview where we're at the Boston Red Sox one and three on the season swept by Baltimore to start the year. They win last night over Tampa, which was an OK game. We were talking in the discord at the end. And you know, they're up seven runs and it was like they were going to give it away. Luckily they scored some runs in the eighth and put the game away. But right now the Red Sox are batting 238 as a team with a 285 on base percentage. They're one and three on the season. Their best player is JD Martinez, which is fine. He's paid the most. But what's interesting to me is when I look at this lineup and I say one of these things is not like the other. We're paying JD Martinez a lot of money to have the lack of talent built around him bow guards is fighting he's batting 294 rafeal Devers can't hit. He's had a problem with the glove. Bobby dalbec who's two is 26 years old. He hasn't been able to put it together. Christian Vazquez is batting freakin 455 when we all thought the Christian Vazquez was never going to be a hitter. We thought he was going to be your like prototypical 60s catcher who is there for defense. And now all of a sudden the last two years he's figured out how to swing a bat no marwin Gonzalez Krishna royal Kevin pool wacky on on the bench. And then what I don't know what the pitching staff is, but it's there. They throw baseballs. They're not guys I'm just really not happy with just
Rob Kelly:summarize. Just to summarize this, they're not good, you know.
Joe Malkin:And that's why I'm, I'll watch the games. I also don't have NASA on YouTube TV. Neither one of those are a sponsor. But if someone from YouTube TV, listen to this, or NASA and figure your stuff out, because I want to watch the Red Sox, even if they are bad, because I love baseball. Bobby and I have talked about this before. And we've kind of gotten negative on this. But, you know, baseball bat baseball is like bad pizza. It's still baseball, and I'm still gonna watch it because it's fun to watch. It's a fun game. It needs a revamp the sport does, but you're right. So to summarize it, you know, we kind of just did a history of Boston ownership and gms over the last 20 years but but it's all true. It's right there in front of us. The facts are there. And you know, as Bobby so eloquently put in the rundown, you know, a couple questions, Bobby one, one question that that you asked I'm going to answer right now is what's the ceiling for this team? 70 wins. I really don't i don't think they went a lot I don't think I'm gonna play well do we think about the basement? I think I think Baltimore still finishes last night in this division even when Chris sale comes back I think it's gonna be tough and I just don't see much happening unless they can find some prospects to bring up and give some time or they go out and spend at the trade deadline.
Unknown:Yeah,
Rob Kelly:I got my bad one real quick. I think this team it's very possible at the end of this season that we're looking at the Red Sox as one of the worst three baseball teams in the league because you just watch them like you guys know baseball, you watch them and they're not a good baseball team you know that this team is not going to win more than 80 games they're not going to win more than half their games and I can guarantee you that because they don't play the game the right way. They make too many errors. They swing a bad pitches. They make bad running mistakes. The it's atrocious in Boston right now that starting rotation compared to what it was when we won that World Series is just it's despicable you know what I mean? We can't
Joe Malkin:live in the past we can't live in the past with it either. Right? We have to live in the present you can't
Rob Kelly:but I'm saying like if you're okay, I agree you're gonna move on from that rotation do it but this is what you're gonna give us this is garbage bro and the two guys you're gonna hang on to from that rotation you give him 20 mil each and they can even fucking throw the ball right now. So it's like
Rayshawn Buchanan:yeah, I mean getting in I mean I know we were talking about about that but i mean but getting sale and Rodriguez back that's what I think you can give more of a I get more of a synopsis of what they're going to be obviously we don't know what's going to happen because we're probably because having a dead arm and you know, you know sail has thrown as many pictures as I have in the last year. So it's just like I just I just don't I just don't know what's going to come of it but I'm actually the opposite of YouTube Go figure. I do think they find a way to figure out and I'm not saying figure it out winning like 90 plus games like that's that's just done by I still want to be on the show don't keep saying dumb shit, right? But I mean, can they go 8478 like they did in 2019 sure, they didn't that 84 7085 and 77 something like that. Or maybe like the old 16 though 86 to 76 who knows maybe something like that, but they're not it's not gonna be something where they win 95 games to catch lightning in a bottle unless the prospect come because fire kind of like Microsoft was that a few years ago even though the team was awful but shame has caught fire and was good for about a month and a half three was like the best player at that type of job or any of that that type of overhaul at the trade deadline we're bringing in somebody that can help the team so I think they're gonna do it they're probably not because it was taken out there being high in bloom is being told Hey, rebuild the farm do this. But once again, Joe made a great analogy earlier, you know about you know, training a cashmere burgundy chairs and they're bringing in a loveseat that's what they did, even though I wasn't offended that you know, at the time, but it was just like, yo, like, you still brought back guys that were gonna be key key parts. Even Oh, seven guys like Barbie Kelsey. Guys like Julio Lugo, you know, so it was a guy that was brought in. I mean, even
Rob Kelly:on a future show, but I hate to do the I don't even
Rayshawn Buchanan:Yeah, you know, so the danger was, was like, there's guys that were brought in on while bigger pieces were moving, you know, Americans moving away, you bring back Jason bagels, I can go on and on. So it's just like, you have to get to that point where I guess you're doing both, which is what I mean, that's going against what I just said, I said go for broke, essentially. But if you're going to do the other option you have to do with the audit, in my opinion. You can't do what this guy is doing now or it's just like, well, we're gonna we're just going to get enough players. We're going to get 10 utility players and maybe have one or two good players that's not going to work.
Joe Malkin:So this is the next part of that though, right? Is that Theo Epstein? came in after Dan do cat which Say what you will about danu cat. He did a job for a while and put this team in some good positions. So I'm not saying this is a Tony Dungy Jon Gruden situation where Jon Gruden built the house and Tony Dungy brought it to a Super Bowl. I'm telling you that or the other way around, sorry. But what I am telling you is that Theo Epstein was coming into a better situation than high end blueness, because Theo Epstein at least had a farm system. Hi in bloom has the skeleton of a pharmacist. He also is now dealing with a team that just relocated from Target to Western and they're also now talking to Tanner Hoke back down to AAA back to Western which was that
Rayshawn Buchanan:that's a joke. Like
Joe Malkin:to bring in a rod which it blows my mind because I mean, listen, I think Eduardo Rodriguez has a lot of upside. But I there's too many red flags there to continue to pay this guy and run him out on the field. Taking away his bout with COVID last year that sidelined him, and then with the heart issues which he had heart issues anyway. Now the dead arm and all this stuff like, Man, you're a major leaguer, like you're being paid millions of dollars, you should be in shape enough to not have a dead arm and dead arms happen again it but dead arms happen like that, to guys like us who don't throw every day. It shouldn't be happening to a finely tuned athlete, and the decisions that are being made or where I agree with you, Ray that putting this team together the way high and bloom has been atrocious. But he is working within the confines of what he can work with, though. I think some of those confines are being confined by john Henry and the Red Sox, where they don't want to spend a lot of money. And I think that still comes back somewhat to a COVID era. But now as I say, it's crap, because the Dodgers have done it. The Cardinals have done it. The padres have done it. They've gone out and figured out that they can still spend money, they're still gonna make money and they're going to be perfectly fine. But the Red Sox are refusing to spend money issue
Rob Kelly:it. Not so much
Rayshawn Buchanan:show in Boston period. Yeah.
Rob Kelly:That's what it is. It's the fact that they're literally trying to sell us that they didn't want it. They couldn't afford to pay monkey bats.
Joe Malkin:Well, that's rhetoric that in Boston all the time we see a lot,
Rayshawn Buchanan:but but still want to tell you, hey, come and get a family friend.
Rob Kelly:But not only that, but then see you're gonna events, but you can't tell them. You can't afford this dude, when you just spent $40 million on two pictures that are over 34 years old or over 30 years old. You have an outfielder who could have been the cornerstone of your franchise
Joe Malkin:lobbyists rhetoric, they didn't want to spend the money. It's all rhetoric.
Rob Kelly:JOHN Henry Garth, hang on. It's
Joe Malkin:Oh, how many times do we hear it from Danny Ainge? We had it we were in on that deal. But it just didn't work out. It's all rhetoric and Bs. And it doesn't matter what we say or what we do, we can come back and I say it all the time. And Tom Brady didn't want to be here. I said Mookie Betts didn't want to be here. I mean, I'd much rather be in Tampa or LA to, but I'm here. So when I have my press conference, I'll tell you, I'll tell the truth when I just say I don't want to be in Boston anymore. But cold. This is what happens in this town. Because Bobby, everybody pays so much attention. And when you said earlier that Boston is one of the smartest sports towns, we're okay, because we still let the wall get pulled over our eyes and they push this rhetoric on us. And nothing ever happens. And we continue to spend our money. So really, who's the smart one here? Is it the guys that own the teams making the billions of dollars? Or is it us? Who continuously pay tickets to go see teams that suck?
Rayshawn Buchanan:Yeah, they know we're Laura's whole fault. It's like in the 60s like the 70s it's like that now.
Rob Kelly:I'm not it's not the rhetoric that pisses me off isn't the the we're not that. I can accept an awkward team. I really can't.
Joe Malkin:We're not good just wants to buy a product. They can be bad, but at least play the game.
Rob Kelly:Right and and be honest with me, let me know what team This is. You know what I mean? Like you look back at the Celtics, when Marcus banks was our point guard list. We knew who that team was. They were horrible. We never had any doubts that they weren't winning more than 20 games that season.
Unknown:Yeah. And then
Rob Kelly:you write a team. But then you look at some things this year where we're being spoon fed this bullshit of like word contender, word contender, word content, you're not a fucking contender. The Red Sox aren't a contender. The Celtics are like these teams, and they just feed us as bullshit. Right? And it's just annoying me. I'm sorry.
Joe Malkin:You have a guy like Garrett Richards who goes out and and throws the other day. He has a 27 era and one game pitch. And he goes out and and in his postgame press conference. In his postgame press conference. He says that he felt good. And then he was throwing a lot of strikes. And I was like, well, buddy,
Rayshawn Buchanan:no, you forgot the best part. Joe.
Joe Malkin:He was
Rayshawn Buchanan:he got beat by the shifter football time.
Joe Malkin:All right, and he got beat by the shift. Yeah, right. Right. Cuz you know that sounds like
Rob Kelly:a nickname, right? What's the nickname? Oh, it
Rayshawn Buchanan:sounds like he sounds like horseshoes. You know, I almost got the person a rice spot. I almost got the curveball over. I almost got the sinker to be working. I almost got my mustache to be just perfect. Well, guess what? Your mustache was long. Again. You're out in garbage. You suck. You blow. This is not Anaheim. You would trash This is not Mickey. This is not our Disneyland. This is Boston. Get your shit together. Get it together right now. Not next month not to get it today Mr. Richards
Rob Kelly:Yesterday
Joe Malkin:whatever but now
Rayshawn Buchanan:now take that for rhetoric now
Joe Malkin:that we've effectively taken a dump all over Fenway Park after talking about every other team we are going to cut this one here for missing the point as we are an hour into this and again probably just be an end about the Red Sox for 30 minutes so we'll come back with more baseball talk we will be more positive but right now with the Red Sox at one and three Ray still thinks they can win at four games even though they're having press conferences like Garrett Richards had and they're gonna send out Tanner Hoke rayshawn is still positive but Bobby and I are right here. I mean, Bobby and I are on the same page here. So wait,
Rob Kelly:why was everyone sound the fuck out? So what was
Joe Malkin:it again? What was it what was intended to be a preview episode turned into a binge fest but we appreciate you all missing the points first baseball episode of the season, but we hope you guys had as much fun listening to it as we did recording it all. Thank you for joining us. We'll talk to you next time I'm missing the point I'm Joe Malkin with rayshawn Buchanan, the real became Bob Kelly and Craig D'Alessandro Talk to you later.