Baseball Bar-B-Cast

When the New York Yankees decided, in essence, to run back a very familiar team they had at the end of last season, there was some unease from their passionate fanbase. After all, this was a team that was eliminated by division rival, the Toronto Blue Jays, in the ALDS and didn't look particularly threatening. Fast forward to this season, and those same fans might be thankful for the strategy, as it has the Bronx Bombers holding the best record in the American League. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman take a look at what has made the Yankees so successful this year—outside of another stellar start from Aaron Judge—and why the emergence of Ben Rice and Cam Schlittler has been key to their success. They also wonder if a new strategy is being adopted by the front office following Anthony Volpe's minor league demotion and whether it could signal a shift in how they're approaching this season. The guys also discuss the passing of legendary broadcaster John Sterling and what he meant to the team, as well as to baseball. Later, Jake and Jordan recap the rest of the weekend's action, including watching the Chicago Cubs from their famous bleachers at Wrigley Field, the Atlanta Braves getting off to their best start since 1892 and which pitcher has been irreplaceable for the Seattle Mariners. They then highlight a few other notable stories from the weekend, including the Miami Marlins calling up an important prospect and the New York Mets getting a much-needed series win in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels. 0:57 - Remembering John Sterling 7:41 - The Opener: Yankees standing out 29:48 - How Sweep It Is: Cubs and their home cooking 40:24 - Braves continue their strong play 54:10 - Turbo Mode: Who else won this weekend? Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

After a little over a month's worth of baseball games, we're slowly seeing how the season could potentially shape up based on those who are on top and those disappointing in their respective divisions. While there are some teams leading the way that aren't entirely shocking—looking at you, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers—there are quite a few surprises as well. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman play their annual standings golf draft and try to determine how much stock they're putting into the current standings. With surprising teams like the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox at the bottom of their divisions, will they actually stay there for the whole season or will things shake up as they normally do over the 162-game grind? Later, Jake and Jordan talk about the St. Louis Cardinals becoming the first team to get a mop on the road this year, as well as the Philadelphia Phillies sweeping their doubleheader against the struggling San Francisco Giants. The guys then take a look at the mess that was the month of April for the New York Mets, highlight an incredible achievement by Nick Kurtz and make their picks for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla. 2:21 - The Opener: Division standings draft 37:57 - Around The League: Cardinals doing some mopping 44:41 - Miserable month for Mets 52:43 - Nick Kurtz knows how to walk 54:44 - The Good 1:00:28 - The Bad 1:07:22 - The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The Philadelphia Phillies became the second team in the first month of the 2026 season to make a change at the manager position, following the Boston Red Sox making that decision over the weekend. Rob Thomson was relieved of his duties after the Phillies got off to a disappointing 9–19 start to the season, with the hope that a change will be able to jumpstart what has been a sluggish campaign. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the Phillies' decision to fire Topper and name Don Mattingly the interim manager, what the vibe was like at Citizens Bank Park yesterday following the firing and the interesting dynamic now between the manager and GM. They also highlight the rather surprising journey that found Thomson at the helm of the Phillies and what could be next for him. Later, Jake and Jordan discuss the debut of Cleveland Guardians' top prospect Travis Bazzana, the impact he'll have on baseball in Australia and whether the draft class he came out of will be one of the best of all time. The guys close the show by discussing Shohei Ohtani not hitting—at least for now—when he pitches and why this is different from what he was doing when he was with the Los Angeles Angels. 1:07 - The Opener: Phillies fire Thomson 15:12 - What to expect from Mattingly 29:45 - Field Report: Travis Bazzana joins the show 39:40 - 2024 MLB Draft class all-timer 48:29 - Kind of a Big Deal: Ohtani not hitting Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

Over the weekend, the Boston Red Sox made the shocking decision to fire Alex Cora, along with five other members of the coaching staff, in hopes of jump-starting the club after a rough start to the season. Cora, who was in his eighth season managing in Boston, found himself as the fall guy for the Red Sox—but was his firing fully justified? On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman examine the difficult position Red Sox ownership created by making a change at this point in the season rather than sticking with the manager who delivered a title to Boston in 2018. Should the team's Chief Baseball Officer, Craig Breslow, receive more blame, since this is the roster he constructed? Or is there a larger issue that needs to be addressed when it comes to payroll limits set by principal owner John Henry? Later, Jake and Jordan take a look at the situation with the New York Mets after being swept by the Colorado Rockies following the end of their losing streak. If the Mets begin to slide after this weekend, is there a real chance Carlos Mendoza could find himself, like Alex Cora, out of a job? They also discuss Shohei Ohtani's current odds of capturing his first Cy Young Award, the New York Yankees calling up Jasson Domínguez and preview the latest MLB power rankings. 0:43 - The Opener: Red Sox fire Alex Cora 37:01 - How Sweep It Is: Mendoza on the hot seat 45:53 - Other sweeps around MLB 51:13 - Around the League: Ohtani Cy Young watch 56:30 - Yankees call up Jasson Domínguez 59:34 - Turbo Mode: Everything else from the weekend Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

When the Chicago Cubs made some big moves this past offseason, the hope was to get the club back to its winning ways after a few disappointing seasons. Bringing in veteran Alex Bregman and star pitcher Edward Cabrera were just a few signs of that commitment, and so far this season, it's paying off for fans in the Windy City. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about what the Cubs are doing so well during their nine-game winning streak, which has them sitting atop the NL Central and ready for a big matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Even though their pitching staff has been depleted due to injuries, the Cubbies are ready to make some noise in the National League and make a statement in Los Angeles this weekend. Later, Jake and Jordan discuss the Atlanta Braves impressing this season in all facets of the game with their MLB-best 18–8 record, and how manager Walter Weiss set the tone early for this team to fight until the end of every game. They then get into the San Diego Padres signing Lucas Giolito, the New York Mets finally snapping their 12-game losing streak and make their picks for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla. 1:11 - The Opener: Cubs stay hot 19:00 - Field Report: Braves success in 2026 29:30 - Around the League: Padres sign Giolito 37:36 - Mets snap losing streak 44:35 - The Good 51:50 - The Bad 58:22 - The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The Philadelphia Phillies currently sit in fourth place in the NL East, only one win better than the New York Mets, and concern is starting to grow for a team that was a favorite to make some noise in the postseason this year. While things don't look sunny in Philadelphia at the moment, there is slight hope this can turn around. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman are joined by a Phillies beat writer for The Athletic as they get into the major pitching struggles the team has been having and why a returning Zack Wheeler could be a major factor in turning their recent struggles around. With Philadelphia sports fans being slightly distracted by other teams in their area competing in the playoffs, now might be the best time for the Fightin' Phils to get their worst play out of the way. Later, Jake talks about his experience at Citi Field in the midst of the Mets' 12-game losing streak, the Houston Astros being decimated by injuries and Chicago White Sox slugging Japanese free agent signee Munetaka Murakami hitting a home run in four straight games. They also bust out “Why Haven't You Homered Yet?” to figure out why some notable players have yet to fill the home run column this season. 1:32 - The Opener: Phillies are in a mess 25:47 - Field Report: Mets losing streak hits 13 40:34 - Why Haven't You Homered Yet? 51:18 - Around The League: Astros decimated by injuries 55:57 - Murakami smashes four in a row Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The New York Mets have found themselves in a really bad position, as they currently sit on an 11-game losing streak, which has led them to the worst record in the National League and tied for the worst in baseball. With the second-highest payroll in all of baseball for 2026, to say this season is not going as expected would be a complete understatement. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the Amazins' rough road trip, which concluded with them getting swept in walk-off fashion by the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. Even though the Mets are missing Juan Soto due to a calf injury, how exactly they'll be able to change their tune and stop their losing ways remains a bit of a mystery. They also discuss how the Flushing faithful might have a little less faith in this new core that was brought in during the offseason. Later, Jake and Jordan recap all the other action from the weekend, including the Atlanta Braves sweeping the Philadelphia Phillies on the back of their MLB-best pitching staff and Salvador Perez showing displeasure at getting a rest while the Kansas City Royals were swept by the New York Yankees. Then the guys talk about Munetaka Murakami smashing home runs for the Chicago White Sox and remember Los Angeles Angels great Garret Anderson. 0:55 - The Opener: Mets have lost 11 in a row 18:28 - Braves are pitching great 29:51 - How Sweep It Is: Yankees over Royals 39:11 - Yordan Alvarez is the Astros' shining light 49:51 - Tony Vitello is learning to win and lose 53:56 - Turbo Mode: Rest of the weekend action Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The Los Angeles Angels split their series with the New York Yankees in the Bronx this past week, and while the team cares about results, what they saw from Mike Trout might be the most encouraging takeaway. The three-time MVP turned back the clock against the Bronx Bombers and had one heck of a series at the dish. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about Trout's performance, which included five home runs in four games, and why it could be a good sign for his 2026 campaign if he can stay healthy. They also discuss Trout sharing the field with Aaron Judge—also a three-time MVP—and the mutual respect the two sluggers clearly have for each other after they both put on a show. Later, Jake and Jordan dive into a few eye-opening early-season stats from MLB's newly implemented Automatic Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system, including who is challenging the most, who is challenging the least and what these trends could be telling us about team strategies. They then close the show by making their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla, highlighting Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing's strong performance at the plate and an interesting post-playing career from a former dominant closer. 1:07 - The Opener: Mike Trout is BACK 14:23 - What is Trout doing differently? 29:30 - ABS Workout: Early-season trends 51:31 - The Good, The Bad & The Uggla 1:12:30 - Breaking News: Padres are being sold Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

Every year on April 15, the entire baseball world celebrates the achievements of Jackie Robinson for breaking the color barrier and becoming the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. The impact that Jackie had—not just on the sports world, but globally—through his courage, endurance, and military service shows the importance of the figure the Hall of Famer was. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about Jackie's story, including how his wife, Rachel Robinson, was just as important a figure in his life and continues to spread the message of her late husband. Jordan also discusses Charles Follis, the first African American professional football player, who also played in the Negro Leagues, and his relationship with Branch Rickey. Also on this episode, Jake and Jordan discuss the early-season power rankings, which have the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees at the top of the list, and why it's tough to rank teams with so few games played so far. Later, they cover Steve Cohen's interesting tweet after the New York Mets extended their losing streak, Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai having a difficult time adjusting in the States and try to figure out why Ben Rice isn't starting every game for the Yankees. 1:34 - The Opener: Power rankings drop 19:07 - Remembering Jackie Robinson 29:56 - The importance of Charles Follis 50:10 - Steve Cohen's Mets tweet 58:17 - Scary dugout moment in Baltimore 1:07:50 - Why isn't Ben Rice starting? Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The New York Yankees started the season on fire, opening with an 8–2 record and sparking thoughts about whether this could be a team that rivaled their infamous 1998 campaign. Since then, the Bronx Bombers have gone on a five-game losing streak and now sit at 8–7, with quite a few red flags popping up. However, they're not the only team in town dealing with a losing streak and major concerns. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman get into the messy, offense-less weekend from the Yankees and the New York Mets, while also trying to figure out which team should be more concerned about the recent rough stretch. They also discuss the interesting comments made by Jazz Chisholm Jr. after he misplayed a ball that led to the Tampa Bay Rays winning on Saturday night. Later, Jake and Jordan talk about the San Diego Padres mopping the Colorado Rockies and why Mason Miller has been an absolute cheat code coming out of the bullpen during his unreal stretch. Then the guys discuss the Washington Nationals' offense coming alive during their sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers, as well as catch you up on all the other action from MLB this past weekend. 0:59 – The Opener: Yankees and Mets slide 11:27 – Jazz Chisholm's interesting comments 25:20 – How Sweep It Is: Mason Miller, the cheat code 38:42 – Nationals come alive vs. Brewers 45:24 – Turbo Mode: Weekend recap Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

There are few more polarizing players in baseball than four-time Most Valuable Player and Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani. After returning to the site where he helped lead LA to another World Series title, a debate broke out about how much time the two-way player should be allotted when he pitches and hits. But should he be treated differently than any other player? On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about this conundrum surrounding the unicorn of baseball and why Ohtani's case should be viewed through a different lens. Jake then talks about spending time near the Japanese All-Star in Toronto, wondering if there is more we should be getting about his story outside of his tremendous abilities on the field. Later, Jake and Jordan discuss the new City Connect uniforms and rank the eight new looks from best to worst, including one that is a slam-dunk winner and one that clearly looks like the team just phoned it in. They then get into Boston Red Sox fans being fed up with John Henry and imploring him to sell the team after a rough start to the season, followed by making their picks for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla. 1:07 - The Opener: Ohtani and time 11:01 - Thoughts after being near Ohtani this week 24:52 - New City Connect uniforms 54:55 - We Need To Talk About: Red Sox rough start 1:01:11 - The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

On Tuesday night in Anaheim, there were quite a few fireworks at the ballpark—rather than a notable theme park—and it all went down between the Los Angeles Angels and the Atlanta Braves. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Reynaldo López and Jorge Soler traded blows after their heated rivalry reached its peak, causing benches to clear from both sides. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman break down the fight that saw López and Soler exchange punches before it was eventually broken up, with Braves manager Walt Weiss tackling his former player. The guys then discuss the Los Angeles Dodgers handling a depleted Toronto Blue Jays team in the first two games of their World Series rematch, with the Dodgers looking for a sweep today. Later, Jake and Jordan welcome Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing to the show, where they talk about his time in Los Angeles's system, being drafted by a West Coast team and the heavy expectations that come with playing for the club. To close the show, they get into Sandy Alcantara not being thrilled about being taken out of his last start, Konnor Griffin getting a contract extension and two notable pitching injuries that are hurting their clubs. 0:48 - The Opener: Fight Night in California 17:13 - Field Report: Dodgers-Blue Jays recap 27:53 - Dalton Rushing joins the show 47:08 - We Need to Talk About: Alcantara's not happy 52:17 - Around the League: Konnor Griffin gets an extension 55:43 - Two big pitching injuries Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The Los Angeles Dodgers are picking up where they left off last season, sitting in 1st place in the National League West with a 7–2 record. While they've had early-season success, the Toronto Blue Jays aren't exactly in the same form just yet this season. However, the Jays are looking to turn their early season around with a big rematch starting on Monday. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman recap all the action from the weekend in baseball, which saw the Dodgers sweep the Washington Nationals and the Blue Jays get surprisingly swept by the Chicago White Sox. With the 2025 World Series rematch set to take place in Toronto, the Jays will face some familiar faces, including Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Will the Dodgers be able to repeat their success at the Rogers Centre like last October? Later, Jake and Jordan get into the rough weekend the Boston Red Sox had at Fenway Park against the San Diego Padres that saw them drop two out of three and now has them sitting at an MLB-worst 2–7 record. They also discuss the incredible defensive game from Jo Adell, where he robbed three home runs, as well as the highly anticipated debut from Pittsburgh Pirates top prospect Konnor Griffin and the New York Yankees failing to sweep the Miami Marlins after a shaky bullpen effort. 1:08 - The Opener: Dodgers-Blue Jays set for rematch 24:42 - How Sweep It Is: Konnor Griffin's debut 35:50 - Around The League: Red Sox rough start to 2026 46:44 - Jo Adell robs three home runs 52:07 - Turbo Time: Yankees fail to sweep Rays 57:06 - Justin Verlander heads to the IL Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The Pittsburgh Pirates will play their first game of the 2026 season at home, and the excitement will be at an all-time high after they promoted Konnor Griffin to the big league club. The 19-year-old top prospect is set to make his Major League debut, becoming the first teenage position player in the game since Juan Soto made his debut. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the not-so-surprising news of Griffin's promotion following his outstanding 2025 minor league season. They then get into the reported contract extension the Pirates are trying to finalize for their new shortstop and what this means for the future of the club. Later, Jake and Jordan discuss the current state of the Boston Red Sox after they've started the year 1–5, and whether the alarms going off that are causing fans to panic are warranted. The guys then close the show by previewing all the weekend matchups in baseball and making their picks for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad and The Uggla. 1:33 – The Opener: Pirates promote Konnor Griffin 17:21 – What Griffin means to the Pirates' future 30:21 – We Need To Talk About: Red Sox panic? 38:40 – What's good this week? 43:03 – What's bad this week? 47:32 – What's Uggla this week? Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

On Tuesday night, Shohei Ohtani started his first game for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season and appeared to already be in midseason form. The reigning National League Most Valuable Player struck out six batters over six innings of scoreless ball en route to LA's 4–1 win over the Cleveland Guardians.   On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman review the start from the Japanese superstar, discuss why this could be the beginning of a possible NL Cy Young campaign and highlight how funny it is that Ohtani sometimes pitches and hits in the same inning. They then talk about Roki Sasaki's first start of the season and the reasons for optimism as he adjusts to MLB hitters.   Later, Jake and Jordan welcome the voice of NBC's Sunday Night Baseball and the Detroit Tigers, Jason Benetti, as he talks about his road to becoming a baseball broadcaster, why he feels a deep responsibility in this role and some of the things he's looking forward to this season. The guys then get into the Seattle Mariners and Milwaukee Brewers handing out contract extensions to players who have yet to make their MLB debuts and highlight Jose Fernandez's first game in the big leagues with the Arizona Diamondbacks. 1:10 – The Opener: Shohei on the bump 22:24 – Roki Sasaki's first start of 2026 25:20 – Jason Benetti joins the show 38:04 – The importance of Sunday Night Baseball for MLB 57:01 – We Need to Talk About: Pre-debut extensions 1:13:15 – Around the League: Andrew Painter debuts 1:19:43 – Jose Fernandez's immediate impact Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The biggest storyline heading into the 2026 Major League Baseball season was how teams would adapt to and utilize the newly implemented Automated Ball-Strike challenge system. After a weekend's worth of games, it's already making an impact on outcomes, and we couldn't be happier about it. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the instant success that ABS has been, both in terms of its importance in games and for fan entertainment. They dive into early statistics surrounding the challenges, including which catchers are succeeding and why hitters appear to be getting the shorter end of the stick instead of pitchers. We also saw the first ejection associated with ABS—but could more be coming? Later, Jake and Jordan recap every matchup from the weekend, including why Tony Vitello needs to take a breath after his San Francisco Giants got swept by the New York Yankees, the Toronto Blue Jays picking up where they left off after their magical World Series run, and thoughts on Edwin Díaz's entrance with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The guys then discuss the hottest start for the Miami Marlins since 2009, Chase DeLauter's great series against the Seattle Mariners, and a few messy games between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels. 1:10 - The Opener: Impact of ABS 28:09 - How Sweep It Is: Yankees sweep Giants 36:31 - Dodgers start the season hot 47:03 - Around the League: DeLauter says hello 51:44 - Mets fail to sweep Pirates 55:33 - Turbo Mode: Every series recap Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

One of the best parts about Opening Day is getting to see players you've heard about in your favorite team's minor league system play their first game in the big leagues. Normally, it can take a little while to adjust to major league talent; however, quite a few of them already made an impact for their teams. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman recap all the impressive debuts from the young stars, including Jake DeLauter, JJ Wetherholt, Carson Benge, and Munetaka Murakami, all hitting their first career home run and Kevin McGonigle who picked up four hits. Yes, it's just one game, but there are strong reasons to believe in the early success from these players. Later, Jake and Jordan give their early thoughts on the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system after seeing it used in the first few games of the season. They then discuss the Chicago Cubs giving Nico Hoerner a contract extension, the Los Angeles Dodgers revealing a new name for Dodger Stadium and the most popular jerseys sold in the offseason. The guys close the show by making their picks for a double-packed edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla. 1:13 - The Opener: Rookies rake on Opening Day 20:41 - We Need to Talk About: ABS debuts 32:07 - Around the League: Dodgers' new name 37:52 - Cubs extend Nico Hoerner 41:19 - Starter draft update 46:39 - The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

Baseball season has officially arrived! The 2026 season will kick off tonight in California when the New York Yankees take on the San Francisco Giants. As part of the start of the grind that is the regular season, we tell you about some of the most important names you need to know in baseball for this year. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the top 50 most notable names, including four important members of the Los Angeles Dodgers who aren't named Shohei Ohtani and one very large presence in the Bronx looking to make history. They also discuss which umpire you should be aware of with ABS becoming a part of the league, and why we need to see Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have a more impactful season. Later, Jake and Jordan try to determine which starting pitchers will fare the best on the first game of the season with their annual starters draft. The guys then discuss the Chicago Cubs extending Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Detroit Tigers breaking camp with Kevin McGonigle, and why the Netflix broadcast for the first game of the season is going to be a wild experience. 1:49 - The Opener: 50 notable names 5:14 - Dodgers you need to know 17:09 - Vlad Guerrero Jr. needs an MVP season 25:14 - ABS joins the league 32:12 - Aaron Judge goes for three in a row 36:36 - Opening Day starters draft 58:58 - Around the League: Cubs-PCA extension 1:03:57 - McGonigle breaks camp 1:09:44 - Netflix hosts Yankees-Giants Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The start of the 2026 Major League Baseball season is just two days away, so now is the perfect time to take a look at the projected win totals for all thirty teams this season. There are a few interesting projections this year after a busy offseason that could influence changes in the standings from last season. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman make their predictions and explain why they would take the over or under on projected wins for each team. While the Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off an incredible season, being the only team projected to eclipse the 100-win mark might be a tall task. Can the Atlanta Braves surpass their projection after an incredibly disappointing season? Later, Jake and Jordan dive into the American League, where they ask whether the New York Yankees, largely running back their roster from 2025, will get over the 94-win mark. They then take a strong stance on whether the Houston Astros missing the postseason for the first time in a while last year properly reflects their projected win total for this season. 1:07 - The Opener: Explaining over/unders 4:43 - NL East 20:09 - NL Central 35:32 - NL West 46:31 - AL East 58:48 - AL Central 1:11:12 - AL West Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The start of the 2026 Major League Baseball season is less than a week away, which means it's time to make one bold prediction for every team. While a lot of these picks may seem far-fetched—like Giancarlo Stanton stealing a base for the New York Yankees or Luis Robert Jr. leading the New York Mets in WAR—some of these might actually come to fruition. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about their picks for the American and National League teams, which include Edwin Díaz possibly reaching the 50-save mark in his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Garrett Crochet reaching the 230-inning mark for the Boston Red Sox. Also, is there a chance the Pope will be at a Chicago White Sox game this season? And will Mike Trout win another MVP award? Later, Jake and Jordan take a look at which baseball players you should consider drafting for your upcoming fantasy season and why it might be best to consider fading Francisco Lindor, Corbin Carroll and Cal Raleigh. They then make their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla, which includes the disappointing news that Trey Yesavage and the Toronto Blue Jays just received. 1:54 - The Opener: 2026 bold predictions 4:57 - AL East 13:38 - AL Central 23:11 - AL West 34:05 - NL East 42:31 - NL Central 48:51 - NL West 59:30 - Players you need for fantasy baseball 1:17:22 - The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

When the 2026 World Baseball Classic started, there were a few favorites to win the tournament, including the United States, Japan, and the Dominican Republic. However, in the end, the last team standing was Venezuela, as they took down Team USA 3–2 on Tuesday night. Behind clutch hitting and pitching, Team Venezuela captured its first-ever WBC title in Miami in what could be considered one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman recap all the action from the championship game that saw the Venezuelan side shut down the all-star-studded lineup that the United States assembled in hopes of winning its second WBC title. Despite some late heroics from Bryce Harper, it was Eugenio Suárez who delivered the game-winning knock in the 9th inning before Daniel Palencia shut the door in the 9th. Later, Jake and Jordan discuss why this was such a meaningful win for Team Venezuela, including highlighting a special moment for future Hall of Famers Salvador Perez and Miguel Cabrera, and the bond between tournament MVP Maikel García and Ronald Acuña Jr. They then get into where things went wrong for Team USA and why it might take a little while for the team to get this bad taste out of its mouth. 1:29 – WBC championship game recap 24:14 – Bryce Harper's moment 27:36 – Venezuela's comeback inning 34:18 – What this means for Venezuela 51:23 – How did things go wrong for USA? 1:00:23 – Defense for DeRosa Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The United States are returning to the championship game of the World Baseball Classic for a third consecutive tournament. However, in what was billed as one of the most star-studded baseball games ever played, the tightly contested matchup ended in a controversial strike three call that has left Dominican Republic players and fans shaking their heads. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about Team USA's 2–1 victory that saw Paul Skenes and a dominant U.S. bullpen shut down the high-octane offense from the DR that we've seen all tournament. They then get into the strike three call to end the game and why ABS is something that needs to be implemented when the tournament returns in three years. Later, Jake and Jordan preview the semifinal game between Italy and Venezuela that will decide who books their ticket to the championship game against the United States. The guys also discuss Japan getting upset in the quarterfinals by Venezuela and why it wasn't entirely shocking that it happened. 1:56 – The Opener: America vs. DR 11:41 – Aaron Judge's game-changing play 33:02 – Controversial 9th inning 40:57 – Did the game live up to the hype? 1:01:33 – Japan eliminated 1:04:34 – Italy vs. Venezuela preview Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

Pool play for the 2026 edition of the World Baseball Classic has wrapped up and we're now down to the final eight teams. With the quarterfinals set to kick off on Friday night in Miami and Houston, it's time to look at the matchups and who might move on to the semifinals. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz is joined by SNY MLB insider reporter Chelsea Janes as they break down each game in the quarterfinals, including the United States taking on Canada and whether the bad vibes that surrounded them against Italy are gone now that they've advanced. Then they discuss the highly entertaining Dominican Republic squad taking on Korea, where Hyun Jin Ryu will try to calm the explosive DR bats. Later, Jake and Chelsea preview Japan taking on Venezuela and why Ranger Suárez could be the key to the next major upset of the tournament. They close out the segment talking about whether the feel-good vibes coming from Vinnie Pasquantino and the Italian squad could carry them to the next round by defeating Puerto Rico. Jake and Chelsea then make their picks for a WBC edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla. 1:47 - The Opener: USA vs. Canada 24:13 - Dominican Republic vs. Korea 34:08 - Japan vs. Venezuela 42:38 - Italy vs. Puerto Rico 49:40 - The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The 2026 edition of the World Baseball Classic has already provided a few memorable moments for teams across the globe. However, on Monday night we might have seen the biggest upset of the tournament so far when Team Italy took down powerhouse Team USA, which has left us all wondering how it happened. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman recap the incredible win by the Italians and discuss how the United States could now find itself knocked out of the tournament based on the results of Italy's game with Mexico tonight. They also get into whether some of the moves that manager Mark DeRosa made prior to the game were influenced by the possibility that the USA squad believed it had already clinched their ticket to the next round. Later, Jake and Jordan preview the epic showdown for seeding between the Dominican Republic and Venezuela tonight that will determine who will play Japan and Korea in the quarterfinals, as well as Canada taking on Cuba in their final pool matchup. Then the guys discuss the Philadelphia Phillies giving a five-year contract extension to starter Jesús Luzardo and the Cincinnati Reds losing Hunter Greene to injury until the summer. 1:15 - The Opener: Italy upsets USA 12:28 - Tiebreaker scenarios for USA 18:47 - We Need To Talk About: DeRosa messes up 40:17 - DR vs. Venezuela preview 47:37 - Cuba vs. Canada preview 52:03 - Phillies extend Luzardo 55:50 - Hunter Greene out until summer Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

So far in the 2026 edition of the World Baseball Classic, the teams that we have come to expect positive results from are holding up their end of the bargain. With Team USA, Japan and the Dominican Republic all proving to be who we thought they were, pool play has seemed like just a tune-up for these powerhouses. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman break down all the action from the WBC this past weekend, which saw the United States handle Great Britain and Brazil with the help of the superstar friendship duo of team captain Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper. While the USA squad might not look like they're having as much fun as other teams on the field, their businesslike approach appears to keep them in the mindset of winning gold or bust for this tournament. Later, Jake and Jordan recap the other pool play from the tourney, which includes Masataka Yoshida returning to the form for Team Japan that made him such a coveted bat by the Boston Red Sox when he first came to the States. They then get into the incredible first-ever walk-off wins in the tournament that saw an emotional Puerto Rico crowd celebrate their home victory against Panama. 1:29 - The Opener: Team USA's impressive weekend 17:57 - The importance of the WBC 27:14 - Judge & Harper friendship 35:25 - Korea advances in thriller 45:26 - Japan in cruise control 50:11 - Turbo Mode: All the action from the tourney Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The 2026 edition of the World Baseball Classic is off and running, with a few games of pool play already in the books, including Team Japan mercy-ruling Team Chinese Taipei following a historic second inning. With Shohei Ohtani hitting a grand slam and Japan scoring 10 runs, the defending WBC champs are putting all challengers officially on notice. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the opening games, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto picking up where he left off last October and Team Australia getting off to a hot 2–0 start in Pool C. They then preview all the other games set to take place this weekend, including Team USA kicking off their quest for gold tonight and make their picks for who will win the whole tournament. Later, Jake and Jordan talk about the Texas Rangers signing veteran Andrew McCutchen to a MiLB deal after some weirdness with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña being out for a few weeks with a fractured finger. They then make their picks for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla, which includes the lame WBC uniforms and the incredible scenes from Team Dominican Republic's exhibition game in the DR. 1:35 – The Opener: Ohtani, Yamamoto lead Japan in win 9:59 – Recapping other opening WBC games 31:07 – Previewing weekend WBC slate 40:04 – WBC predictions 50:49 – Around the League: McCutchen to Rangers 56:12 – Jeremy Peña is injured 57:50 – The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The old saying in baseball is that “momentum is only as good as the next day's starter,” which shows how important having a good pitching staff is to a club. As part of our 2026 regular season preview, it's time to figure out who will do the best job of limiting their opponents' offense. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman draft all 30 MLB clubs based on who they feel will have the best pitching and hitting this season. While every squad wishes they had a Tarik Skubal, Shohei Ohtani or Paul Skenes to lead their pitching staff, will teams like the Seattle Mariners and Milwaukee Brewers still be able to find success on the bump? Later, Jake and Jordan discuss the second PED suspension handed to Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar, causing him to miss the entire 2026 season after he was suspended for eight games in 2025. They then get into the latest news surrounding the World Baseball Classic, including a surprising name joining Team Dominican Republic and Team USA finalizing its rotation for the tournament. 1:05 – The Opener: 2026 Run Prevention Draft 19:40 – Teams 1–10 recap 35:30 – Teams 11–20 recap 46:22 – Teams 21–30 recap 47:11 – We Need To Talk About: Profar suspended 56:50 – New Team DR roster addition 1:00:19 – Team USA's rotation Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

You can't win a baseball game without scoring runs, and since it's such a pivotal part of winning, it's time to take a look at all 30 teams and who might have the best offensive production this season. With the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers leading their respective leagues last season, will another team be able to outslug them this year? On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman draft all 30 teams based on who they think will score the most runs this season, from most to least. While the Dodgers and Yankees may be taken early, there are a few picks (looking at you, Sacramento Athletics and Atlanta Braves) that may surprise you. Could the new additions to the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox push them higher in the draft? Later, Jake and Jordan discuss the St. Louis Cardinals giving a two-year extension to manager Oliver Marmol and the possible reasoning behind GM Chaim Bloom's decision to make this move now. Then, the guys talk about the pandemonium surrounding Shohei Ohtani during his return to Japan as he goes out and about with his World Baseball Classic club. 1:56 - The Opener: 2026 offense draft 22:25 - Teams 1–10 recap 44:56 - Teams 11–20 recap 56:53 - Teams 21–30 recap 57:56 - Around The League: Cardinals extend Marmol 1:04:26 - Shohei Ohtani makes noise in Japan Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

What do Aaron Judge, Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Bobby Witt Jr., along with countless other All-Stars, have in common? They're all looking to become part of just the second United States team ever to bring home gold in the World Baseball Classic. However, it won't be easy to be the last team standing, despite all the star power the team will have at its disposal. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman give a complete preview of the Team USA squad as they try to avenge their loss in the 2023 edition of the tournament, falling just short against Team Japan. What will the rotation look like after Tarik Skubal pitches his one game? Can Aaron Judge be the difference-maker for the team? Time will tell, with the tournament starting next week. Later, Jake and Jordan discuss the impact the WBC will have on the 2028 Olympics, Max Scherzer rejoining the Toronto Blue Jays on a one-year deal and share some observations from Florida at Boston Red Sox camp. Then, the guys make their picks for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla. 2:03 - The Opener: Team USA preview 8:50 - The pitching staff 29:09 - The starting lineup 51:15 - We Need To Talk About: WBC-Olympics 56:32 - Scherzer back to Blue Jays 59:22 - Red Sox field report 1:04:31 - The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The 2026 edition of the World Baseball Classic starts next Wednesday, and now is the time to get familiar with every squad looking to be the last team standing. While the United States of America has one of its best rosters ever in the tournament, which international teams should they have their eyes on? On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman break down every international team's roster to try and figure out who poses the biggest threat to Team USA. They are joined by the creator of Yakyu Cosmopolitan and NPB expert Yuri Karasawa to talk all things Team Japan and why Shohei Ohtani not pitching this year is a bigger deal than people realize. As the current reigning champion, will Japan be able to defend its title? Later, Jake and Jordan talk about the other teams, including why they feel the Dominican Republic and Venezuelan squads might have the best chance to reach the finals and raise the WBC trophy. They then make their picks for sleeper teams and discuss which long shots could pull off a huge upset. 1:31 - Yuri Karasawa previews Team Japan 5:20 - What is the Ohtani vibe going into the WBC? 27:59 - Who could be starting for Japan? 43:11 - Around the League: DR & Venezuela 1:15:42 - Who are the sleeper teams? 1:39:25 - All the other teams Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

With Spring Training games in full swing, baseball fans are starting to get familiar with the Automated Ball-Strike challenge system. Although ABS isn't brand new to baseball, as it's been used in the minor leagues for a few seasons, it will be new to the majors in 2026 — so now is the time to learn all about it. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman give you the history of the ABS challenge system and explain how we've gotten to the point where it will be implemented in the game. MLB catcher Garrett Stubbs joins the show to give a catcher's point of view on how it's impacting his position, as well as the strategies that come along with challenging calls and the tension it can create with umpires. Later, Jake and Jordan talk about Rhys Hoskins and Michael Conforto both getting minor league deals and a wave of new injuries plaguing the Minnesota Twins and the Baltimore Orioles. They then close the show by remembering Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski following his passing this weekend. 1:56 - What is the ABS system? 35:48 - Garrett Stubbs gives POV on ABS 54:19 - Around the League: Minor league deals 1:00:51 - Injury bug is going around 1:05:14 - College baseball happenings 1:11:29 - Remembering Bill Mazeroski Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The Major League Baseball Players Association had a major shakeup this week after union head Tony Clark resigned from his position following an investigation into an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law. This shocking news has caused a ripple effect with collective bargaining agreement discussions set to begin next offseason. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss why this controversy is such a big deal as the players' union looks for strong leadership ahead of upcoming negotiations. They then dive into the newly elected leader, Bruce Meyer, and why he is an interesting choice to lead the players at a crucial moment as the league prepares for 2027 and beyond. Later, Jake and Jordan are joined by Yahoo Fantasy analyst Scott Pianowski, who gives his expert opinion on whether Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani or Bobby Witt Jr. should be the number one overall pick in your draft — and which sleepers you should have your eye on. Then, the guys discuss the Milwaukee Brewers giving Pat Murphy an extension and why Tony Vitello felt the need to clarify his move to the majors. To close the show, Jake and Jordan make their picks for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla. 2:02 – The Opener: MLBPA drama 13:33 – Who is Bruce Meyer? 29:03 – Fantasy baseball advice 49:26 – Around the League: Murphy extension 52:35 – Tony Vitello clears things up 58:02 – The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

With Spring Training fully underway in Florida and Arizona, we're starting to hear more and more from those in the baseball world about their thoughts on this offseason. Between how New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge voiced his displeasure with his club's slow-moving offseason and Bryce Harper not being too happy with how he was spoken about by Philadelphia Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski, things are getting spicy.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about which of these headlines are actually big deals and which aren't, including Steve Cohen saying there won't be a captain for the New York Mets as long as he owns the team and a couple of players with questionable thoughts on position changes. Then, the guys get into the San Diego Padres having a busy week that saw them bring in Nick Castellanos, along with other free agents, to fill out their roster and signing General Manager A.J. Preller to a long-term deal.Later, Jake and Jordan present the grand finale to this year's Scott Boras Scoreboard after a flurry of his players received new deals and Roman Anthony replaced Corbin Carroll on Team USA's World Baseball Classic roster. They close the show by reintroducing the 26-and-under rankings for this season after big players graduated from the list last season.0:34 - Tony Clark update3:20 - The Opener: Hot Springs Training headlines39:05 - Around the League: Padres keeping busy48:03 - Team USA roster update50:38 - Scott Boras Scoreboard finale59:41 - 2026 26-and-under rankings Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

With the wonderful sounds of spring training filling the air in Arizona and Florida, there have already been a few unfortunate injuries that have knocked out several top MLB stars from getting their work in. Francisco Lindor, Corbin Carroll and Jackson Holliday have all been sidelined with hamate injuries, and it's bringing us all down.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the impact these injuries will have on their clubs, including what Team USA might do since Corbin Carroll will not be able to start and play in the World Baseball Classic. They then get into the situation surrounding Nick Castellanos being released from the Philadelphia Phillies and him addressing the now-infamous incident that occurred in Miami.Later, Jake and Jordan discuss Justin Verlander reuniting with the Detroit Tigers to help continue his push for 300 wins, the Los Angeles Dodgers re-signing a couple of familiar names and give a quick college baseball preview with the season opening today. The guys close the episode by making their picks for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.1:28 - The Opener: The hamate issue9:12 - Nick Castellanos and the incident25:36 - Around The League: JV back to Detroit35:48 - Other notable free agent signings42:40 - Dodgers bring back familiar names46:02 - The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

As pitchers and catchers start to report to their teams' camps this week, signaling the official return of baseball, it's time to take a look back at each club's offseason and give them a final grade for their work.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman go through all 30 teams division by division, talking about the newest additions and subtractions for each side, as well as which teams could've done a little bit more.Did the Los Angeles Dodgers do enough to bolster their squad and try for a three-peat? Did the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies do the right thing by essentially running back their rosters? Are the Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Guardians throwing away a golden chance during a championship window? With at least one team getting an A and another getting an F, find out how your squad did this offseason.5:45 – AL East25:04 – NL East38:52 – AL West51:11 – NL West1:01:08 – AL Central1:17:30 – NL Central Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

Tarik Skubal has 54 career wins in Major League Baseball, but on Thursday he may have earned his most lucrative victory yet—against his current club. The two-time Cy Young Award winner won his arbitration hearing against the Detroit Tigers, and the ramifications could be larger than many anticipate.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the historic win for Skubal, his agent Scott Boras, and the entire Players Association. Skubal will make a record $32 million after winning his arbitration hearing. This decision sets a precedent for future cases and could help determine Skubal's long-term future in Detroit. With the Tigers' acquisition of Framber Valdez, could the team be more willing to move on from their ace at some point this season?Later, Jake and Jordan break down some of the most intriguing rosters from the World Baseball Classic after every team revealed its squad Thursday night, including which teams may have been impacted by insurance issues. They then make their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla, including an update on the Emmanuel Clase gambling investigation and an incredibly unique giveaway from the Toronto Blue Jays this season.2:02 – The Opener: Skubal wins vs. Tigers11:03 – Scott Boras Scoreboard update20:21 – Tigers sign Framber Valdez31:15 – Around the League: WBC rosters53:02 – The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The San Francisco Giants signed Luis Arráez to a one-year deal, with the hope that the three-time batting champion will be able to help solidify their offense after their blockbuster deal that brought Rafael Devers to the Bay last season. However, after finishing at 81–81, are the Giants doing enough to try and compete for a title?On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman examine the questionable offseason that President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey has navigated for his Giants. While being in the same division as the Los Angeles Dodgers does present some difficulties, should the Giants be doing a bit more to show their commitment to winning? Could they still find a way to improve their rotation before the start of the season?Later, Jordan and Jake talk about the trade that saw the St. Louis Cardinals trade Brendan Donovan in a three-team deal to the Seattle Mariners and why he is going to be a key player for them. They then discuss the Chicago White Sox's active weekend, the Sacramento A's signing Jacob Wilson to an extension, all before they get into the problem that insurance is causing with World Baseball Classic rosters.2:29 – The Opener: A look at the Giants29:58 – Around the League: Mariners trade for Donovan48:18 – Turbo Mode: Reds sign Eugenio Suárez58:37 – Tarik Skubal vs. Detroit Tigers1:01:44 – We Need to Talk About: WBC insurance Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

After the free-agency frenzy that saw Kyle Tucker shockingly go to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Bo Bichette signing with the New York Mets and Cody Bellinger opting to run it back with the New York Yankees, teams are starting to look more and more set for the 2026 season. However, there is still plenty of time for teams to do some last-minute shopping to bulk up before Opening Day.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman make their choices for the one thing that every team needs from now until Game One of the season. Could the Dodgers push all of their chips in to go for a three-peat and trade for Tarik Skubal? Will the Yankees have a resolution on what to do with Jasson Domínguez amid their crowded outfield? Who could the Mets trade away from their rotation after acquiring Freddy Peralta?Later, Jordan and Jake react to the breaking Minnesota Twins news after they parted ways with President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey at this point in the offseason. They then make their picks for this week's The Good, The Bad and the Uggla, which includes Alex Honnold maybe taking a shot at Garrett Crochet and the history that landed Aaron Judge in the Bronx.2:36 – AL East16:50 – AL Central30:54 – AL West37:13 – NL East50:23 – NL Central1:01:05 – NL West1:08:28 – The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

José Ramírez has been a member of the Cleveland Guardians organization since 2011 and is on track to one day be immortalized in Cooperstown with the greats of baseball. However, over the weekend, the seven-time All-Star signed an extension to stay in Cleveland until 2032, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest to ever play for the franchise.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the deal that will keep Ramírez with the Guardians into his age-39 season. The six-time Silver Slugger's extension, while surprising, isn't shocking considering his love for Cleveland. But when his contract is up, will he be considered the best player in Guardians history?Later, Jordan and Jake break down the Texas Rangers–Washington Nationals trade that sent a package of prospects to the nation's capital for 26-year-old MacKenzie Gore. With the Rangers hoping that Gore pans out to the uber-prospect he once was, how important will his continued development be for the Rangers to win this deal? The guys then talk about MLB Network's 2026 Top 100 Players and what changes they would make to the list.1:20 – The Opener: J-Ram stays in Cleveland27:49 – Around the League: Rangers trade for Gore42:57 – Harrison Bader to the Giants49:50 – Nuclear Overreaction: Top 100 list58:11 – Top 10 players debate Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

When the New York Mets signed Bo Bichette and traded for Luis Robert Jr., many wondered if President of Baseball Ops David Stearns was finished making major moves this offseason. On Wednesday night though, Stearns had one more big surprise up his sleeve when he acquired someone from his past days in Milwaukee.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the big trade that saw the Mets deal for Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers in exchange for a package of top prospects Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams. With Peralta now headlining the Mets' starting rotation, does this addition make them a World Series contender again? Also, how will the new additions to the Brew Crew's prospect pipeline help them in the immediate future?Later, Jordan and Jake talk about the New York Yankees and Cody Bellinger reuniting after his impressive 2025 season in pinstripes on a five-year, $162.5 million contract. The move further solidifies the Yankees' belief in their offense, essentially running it back from last season—but could Brian Cashman and company have one more front-page deal before Spring Training kicks off? The guys then close the show by making their picks for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.2:03 – The Opener: Freddy Peralta to the Mets29:43 – Jordan's Prospect Hut: The Brewers' return38:28 – Yankees re-sign Cody Bellinger52:00 – Scott Boras Scoreboard update54:37 – The Good1:01:13 – The Bad1:06:44 – The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The New York Mets struck big last year when they reeled in Juan Soto from the Bronx to headline an eventful winter. However, after a disappointing 2025 campaign, the Amazin's have been on a mission to retool this offseason, and thanks to David Stearns, they'll go into 2026 with plenty of new faces and hope for success.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the retooled lineup that the Mets have assembled, which includes signing Bo Bichette and trading for Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox. In addition to the signings of Devin Williams and Jorge Polanco, the new-look Mets are looking forward to a redemption season in 2026.Later, Jordan and Jake talk about Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, why the Houston Astros cheating scandal caused Beltrán to have to wait and the improbable climb for Jones to make it into the Hall. Then the guys discuss the Philadelphia Phillies bringing J.T. Realmuto back to the City of Brotherly Love, Elly De La Cruz rejecting a big contract extension from the Cincinnati Reds and take a look at the LIDOM Championship Series.1:12 – The Opener: New-look Mets22:09 – Luis Robert Jr. trade33:24 – Hall of Fame results54:26 – Around the League: Phillies re-sign Realmuto1:03:02 – Three-team trade1:06:47 – Elly turns down extension1:09:33 – LIDOM Championship Series Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The Los Angeles Dodgers did it again. The defending back-to-back World Series champions have had yet another big-time offseason. After adding star closer Edwin Díaz, they went out on Thursday night and brought top free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker into their already star-studded lineup, solidifying them even more as the Evil Empire of baseball.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the shocking—at least to some—move of Los Angeles once again bolstering their roster as they look for the first three-peat in baseball since the New York Yankees' 1990s dynasty. With the Tucker deal coming in at four years, $240 million, should Commissioner Rob Manfred start to worry about the perception the Dodgers are giving off to opposing fans with their free agent spending?Later, Jordan and Jake discuss the Boston Red Sox adding one of the big-arm free agents, Ranger Suárez, to their already crowded starting pitching depth chart and why he will be an interesting fit in their rotation. They then get into the Yankees trading for Ryan Weathers and the Arizona Diamondbacks acquiring Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals before giving an update on Team USA's newest roster additions. The guys close the show by making their picks for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad, and The Uggla.1:39 – The Opener: Kyle Tucker to the Dodgers20:36 – Red Sox sign Ranger Suárez43:29 – Scott Boras Scoreboard update46:10 – Around the League: Trade news1:01:48 – Team USA roster update1:08:09 – The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app: