Marlins & Guardians offseason needs + Dodgers heavily favored again

00:00:08
Speaker 1: That's it the Marlins for our off season to do list. Isaac is Zoo joining us right now, Isaac. Great to have you on and you can catch Isaac's work on Fish on First Great site, cover in the Marlins, rights for Them, editor for Them, co host of Fish Unfiltered, among many other Marlins insights. So let's get into this, Isaac. What do you think is the to do list here for the Marlins so far? Christopher Morrell added to see if they can catch some fire from somebody who definitely has the stat cast stats. But what else can you tell us about what you expect?

00:00:37
Speaker 2: Well, I think the Marlins have a few things on there to do list for sure. First things first is the high leverage relief options that they that are on the market, still on the market anyway, I think they want to shore up the back end of that bullpen immediately. Then second is probably to add at least one or maybe two more bats to their lineup, whether it's via trade or free agency, I think either way, they just would like to add a little bit of length to that lineup. And then finally, or simon a while, I think you could see an extension happened this offseason. Like I said, for the first time, at least under this ownership group, the Marlins have some pretty attractive extension candidates, and I wouldn't be surprised if there's maybe multiple extensions announced what in the next twelve months or so.

00:01:15
Speaker 3: High leverage relief options ISAAC have been going off the board. Have they been in on those in the sense that not in like the Red Sox are in on every single player. Still haven't signed a major league free agent. But were they in? Were they in to push this team in an area, like you said, high leverage, Like to me, this is one of the better starting pitching organizations that's out there right now, and then the bullpen just fell flat on their face. For the most part. A high leverage would have pushed them to above five hundred, you know, to a much higher season ending record.

00:01:58
Speaker 2: Yeah, one hundred percent improved by seventeen wins last year. I think you could have seen them be in the postseason race up until Game one sixty two had they had a little bit more depth at the back end of that bullpen. Obviously Ronnie Henriquez did everything he could, but yes, so answer your question, they were very much interested in Devin Williams before he got off the board. They were interested in Steven Mattz, cal Finnegan, Ryan Helsley before he went to Baltimore. So they have been in on a lot of these guys, but unfortunately they just weren't comfortable going to the multiple years that they did command from their respective organizations. One guy that's still out there that still is considered high leverage is Peter Fairbanks, and I can confirm that the Martins are still very much interested. They've even upped their offers to the mid teens for a one year deal, so you could see him one year thirteen fourteen million dollars or so. So yeah, I think that's their sort of last chance for that high leverage role anyway. And I think if let's say they they're unable to get him, I think you could see them sort of wait till January or February for some of those lower tier guys, maybe someone like Sir Anthony Domingez could come close to them.

00:02:59
Speaker 3: Way way they weren't comfortable going a few years. Like this team is young, it's not like they're like we got to win now. This is the win now, Like if they get a stopgap one year, Pete Fairbanks at even if they say thirteen million dollars which per year, that would be more than what Brad Keller got, That would be more than what Luke Weaver got. Why do you feel like, besides the fact that they're cheap and don't want to spend that they weren't willing to with the way this roster is and I love this young roster. Say we want somebody for three years that locks down that bullpen.

00:03:35
Speaker 2: It's not about the money. It's like you said, it's about the years. And from what I understand, this is just the way that Peter Bendix operates. It's the way that Tampa Bay Rays operate. They don't feel comfortable handing out They think that free agent deals are just sometimes not a great value at times. And if you want to get a reliever who there's no position on the field that's more volatile than that. They just don't feel comfortable handing out three year deals to guys who have suffered some injury history in Fairbanks case or another guys like William Some guys will command forty five year deals like Suarez and like Edwin Diaz. But in Miami's case, Peter Bendix is going to operate in the way like the Rays have and they're just gonna give one year deals to a lot of these guys.

00:04:13
Speaker 4: Let me, I'm gonna transfer over to the extensions. But first let me help you a little bit. It's about the money. It's not about the years. They they they don't care about the years. It's all always about the money. But instead of being in seat of throwing out the words cheap or anything, let's just go cost effective, small market. I played in one for for many years Cleveland, and one of their guidelines to get through it, and one of their reasons that they were successful in the nineties and two thousands and before that, was they would lock up their young players early and on cheap deals. Rather they would be team friendly deals, and that's how you get them. So who are the top priorities that Miami is trying to consider? Who do you think are the top three to five that they they should lock up or trying to lock.

00:04:55
Speaker 2: Up The number one guy, from what I understand, is right handed Yuri pro As. The two sides had conversations back in spring training of twenty twenty five, and obviously during the season they don't really have those talks, but they are expected to resume this offseason, maybe even going into spring training. So I think he's the number one priority. You know, they don't really love extending pitchers either, but if they're on young pitcher two lock up long term, his combination of just control and command and stuff and age, you just he's the number one target. And then the second guy, Jacob Marcy, who debuted in the second half of last year. They acquired him and he leuis a rise deal and he just came up and was on a five win pace during his two months stretch with the Marlins. And there have been some conversations between his representatives and the Marlins as recently as the last couple of weeks going after the winter meetings, and so I expect that to maybe be able to get done. From what I understand, they're looking at the first Christian Yelch extension from the Marls. I believe that I was in twenty fourteen, seven years forty four million dollars ISSH. Jared duran One is another comp that I've heard. So it looks like the Marlins are trying to extend a couple of their guys.

00:06:00
Speaker 3: All right, If you had your if you had your choice, to make this team best where it fits into this current young, young position player corps that they have. What free agent bat or trade would plug in and make the most impact. I don't care if you say Kyle Tucker. You know he lives in Florida. I don't care. It's more of how it fits into this roster and the niche that they need, because there are some positions that, in my opinion, are filled already in Miami with some really good players like Marci I love, Augustine Ramirez. You know, there's some guys that have good position, But where do you see that fit being if you had endless cash.

00:06:44
Speaker 2: If you look at the twenty twenty five season, the position that lacked the most production was by far first base. And since I don't have a name for you, it looks like that they're not necessarily going after first baseman. It looks like they're trying to go the route of finding maybe an outfield or whatever the best bat available is, whether trade or free agency, They're going to try and fix that first base issue. Internally, there's been reports that alder Griffin Conine will get reps at first base. There's reports that Connor Norby, Hi, ROBERTA Hernandez, a couple of other outfielders and third baseman could get reps at first base. So it doesn't seem like they're targeting a specific position on the diamond more so just trying to find the best bat available to linked in that lineup and then mix it matches the season goes on, because the way I see it, there's maybe four guys in that lineup that are going to play every single day and the rest it will be a mix and match situation.

00:07:32
Speaker 4: At some point they got to I mean, it's great to extend and it's great for a fan base to see these young players for amount of years and get attached to them and all that stuff, but you got to get a little star power at someone if you want to rejuvenate a fan base, and if you want to rejuvenate a great city like Miami, because it's just it's not the best sports city. There's a lot of other stuff going on that guys. The games are just it's one of the most empty stadiums when they play. You need that star power and they had it before with the the late Jose Fernandez and John Carlo when he was hit home runs there. It's like you got to have a face for the franchise or something like that. So it's nice to have these young guys, but at some point, if you want to actually do something as an organization, they got to go out and get a name.

00:08:14
Speaker 2: Yeah, it wouldn't hurt. Just remember you. I'm sure you know when when Stanton was chasing sixty and Jose was pitching as well as he was, no one was there either. You know, they had a time.

00:08:24
Speaker 5: That's true.

00:08:25
Speaker 2: They had a tough time getting fans in that ballpark regardless. So like I said before, it's they're just going to operate like the Rays, and they think that through development, through drafting, through clever trades and waiver wire pickups, they will get to where they want to be. And it's if it's not the sexiest way, so be it. But that's just the way that it sounds like they're going to go.

00:08:45
Speaker 3: All right, I got an org question for you, because I know Jeremy pal the head of pitching development, whatever name you want to have in the minor leagues that got fired when Peter Bendix came in or not rehired as minor league coaches. If you don't get a job, you're not fired, You're just not rehired. He was very instrumental and essential in this crop of young pitchers that came up through the organization. He had his fingerprint on a lot of these guys, and Peter Bendex comes in and doesn't renew him, just like the position put the head of position players and hitting. When gian Carlos Stanton, JT. Real Muto, Christian Yelich, Marcelo Zuna, we're coming through the minor leagues, they get rid of that. Isn't that where the Marlins have to be one hundred percent even to the point of look, Jeremy Palell, because I'm using that as an example. You've done so well helping these pictures become who they are. Obviously it's all in the pictures. We need to keep you. Plus add to that because another coach, what does that cost one hundred and fifty thousand dollars two hundred thousand if you have the greatest one. But they're looking to cut those pieces and it almost is like they're cutting they're cutting their pipeline. That is the only way of what you just said building this team from within.

00:10:06
Speaker 2: Well before Peter took over, the system was in shambles. I think we can all agree on that they really had one of the worst farm systems in baseball, and since he has taken over, it has jumped to arguably top ten. And regarding renewing coaches, any time a head of baseball operations department is gonna, you know, make overseeing changes, he's gonna do some crazy overhauling and unfortunately there's some unpopular decisions when it comes with that. But yeah, there's a lot of examples of coaches that I thought could have stayed or even Triba a Jacksonville's coach not coming back either. There's a lot of moves that are head scratchers at times. But again, Peter Bennix is always, you know, to bring in his own guys, the guys that he's comfortable with, guys that he has history with, even if hey, those guys directly had an impact on some of these young guys pitching really well. Unfortunately, it's just the way it goes, all right.

00:10:53
Speaker 3: So one more pitching question for you, calling pitches from the dugout. They did it the last As a catcher, I have some not one hundred percent. I'm not one hundred percent against it. I'm some percent against it because all it is is about success and the success showed when they did it. I think it was it the last month or the last two weeks. You know, they can show in that small sample size that it was successful. Are they going to continue it and ramp it up more?

00:11:22
Speaker 2: Yes, that will be continued. Obviously, Miami's assistant pitching coach, Alon Likeman, is going to go be with the Colorado Rockies as their head pitching coach, and so since then Miami has been able to replace them with Rob Marcello, and it sounds like they're gonna go in to spring training and see how it goes and you know, get everyone up to speed with that process. But it does sound like that will continue going into twenty twenty six as well as through all the minor league levels. They will be calling pitches from the dugout and if I had a guess, it'd be Rob Marchello calling pitches this year to replace Alon. And then, yeah, it is an interesting POV. You're, like you said, you're a catcher. There's guys in the dug that don't know how the hitters feeling behind the plate, like you guys would do. So it's definitely interesting the way what they're doing, but the results you can't argue with results so far. They only did two weeks toward the end of September, but it really panned out pretty well, honestly, But obviously it's September numbers. It can't put too much weight on it. However, yes, it will be back in twenty twenty six.

00:12:15
Speaker 3: When it has success again, because obviously if it doesn't have success, we're not going to hear about it. It's not going to be the front office's fault. But when it has success again, does it seem like a approach that will work in big situations, in playoff situations, in the place where I hope the Marlins organization wants to get to, and that's into big games.

00:12:40
Speaker 2: That's a great question. I would assume that if they're doing it in the minor league or they're doing a spring training and they're doing it from opening day on, I would have to imagine that if they're playing in the National League Championship Series, they're going to be doing it there too. They've been prepping their catches in the minor league levels for years or for the last year anyway for the situation, and I just don't I wouldn't understand if they would do it only for the whole hundred and sixty two game season and then not when it really matters in October. I would tend to agree with you that, you know, I would like in those high leveled spots, maybe let the catcher make those calls. But their point of view is to let the catchers just focus on catching the ball and hitting and framing well and then yeah, just leaving the pitch calling to the guys in the dugout.

00:13:22
Speaker 1: Hey last one for you, Isaac. I lived in Miami for five years, and I want to go back to how you described John, Carlos, stan and Jose Fernandez. They're still not commanding an audience. If it's you, you own the team right now, how do you create more buzz? I mean a couple things that come to mind. I think the Heat have done a much better job. Sure they had that era when Lebron and Wade there, and that certainly helps. But you know how Miami is. You need success and star power. So I don't think that the way that they're doing things is going to lead to butts in seats, right just Hey, I don't think they're going to build a consistent winner with this model, right the Rays they're basically doing exactly what the Rays do, and the comp for the Rays, in addition to being in Saint Petersburg, which I know as a factor, is that they don't build around stars and the Tampa Bay Lightning did. And we see the difference in how those two businesses operate.

00:14:18
Speaker 2: You go to Tampa and you're like.

00:14:19
Speaker 1: Wait, it's hockey more popular than baseball in Florida, and it's like, no, nobody plays hockey in Florida. But they end up having this super successful franchise. So I start to think, Okay, I worked in a number of spots in the sports scene down in Miami. The only combination that works is both you need success and star power and then you will get people to show up. It needs to be a party, a vibe. It needs to be of course like the WBC. You're not going to get that, but you need to figure out ways to recreate that. So how would you fix it?

00:14:48
Speaker 2: I think Number one is continuity and that's something that this organization, this franchise and its entire history, has really never had. And I think you could see some of that now with some of the extensions we spoke about earlier. And then factors are around the ballpark, the infrastructure. If you go to a ballpark, you go to a ballgame at Marlins Park or a loan depot park, I'm sorry, there's not much to do either before the game or after the game. You know, I've covered games on the road at Wrigley Field and there's just you know, infinite things to do after the ball game that fans really like to do. So it's got to be more than just a baseball game. It's got to be an event for teams, for fans who want to go to and I think the Marlins have done a pretty good job of enhancing the ballpark experience. Look for the Nles, it's going to bring more ball, more people, more butts in that in that stadium. So it starts with continuity of your big star players. I think Sanuel Condra is going to be back next year, so that's a big start. That's a good start, and they're gonna have to have some firepower and they're hoping that agu Seen Ramiers and Kyle Stowers can launch home runs for years to come. And they're also working on some construction around the ballpark and some stuff that could probably help with the infrastructure wise, infrastructure side. Cool.

00:15:57
Speaker 1: I would love to see it. Yeah, I'd love to see it, and I want to get to a game this year. And really of course it's going to be buzzing for the World Baseball Classic right coming very soon to that area. I'm sure you've been for me. The World Baseball Classic in Miami was a crazier scene than any World Series or postseason game I've been to. That's how incredible it is. So you see the electricity, and many people are coming from Miami or places right around Miami. Of course people fly in so anyway, you know, you just wish you sit there and you're like, damn, this place could be lit. So but you know, yeah, Isaac, great to talk to. You really appreciate the time. And Fish on First is the spot if you want to read all of Isaac's work, Fish Unfiltered if you want to listen to him, and you can follow him at Isaac a zuit A z out on Twitter. Oh yeah, and on the way out, if you want to stop by, there's a somewhat new restaurant that's quite popular down there called, she.

00:16:50
Speaker 2: Said, and win right.

00:16:53
Speaker 3: Check it out.

00:16:55
Speaker 2: That's so thank you guys so much for having me.

00:16:57
Speaker 1: Thank you, Isaac, appreciate you. Here he is, Paulins joining us right now. You can watch his coverage both on the Cleveland Baseball Talk podcast and also of course on Cleveland dot com. Beat writer there, longtime covering Cleveland and recipient of the twenty twenty six BBWAA Career Excellence Award. He's going to be inducted into Cooperstown this summer. So it is great to have you on, Paul, and congratulations on the honor.

00:17:22
Speaker 6: Thank you, Thanks very much, guys. Thanks.

00:17:25
Speaker 1: Uh, well, let's get into biz first. Wherever we at with Cleveland so far this offseason.

00:17:31
Speaker 6: They've been they're on the back burner as usual. They haven't done a whole lot.

00:17:37
Speaker 4: Uh.

00:17:37
Speaker 6: They've made a commitment to, you know, go with their young position players. You know, that's why you know, they obviously need some help offensively, but they're going to rely on their young players that they've you know, developed over the last few years. They've made some moves in the bullpend department, added three or four you know free agents. They took a guy in a rule five draft, But basically it's been it's been a pretty quiet offseason for Cleveland. You know, a team that's won the division the last two years.

00:18:15
Speaker 3: Uh yeah, the last time they were this good, Jason Kipness, Corey Klueber, Lonnie Chisenhall. They went out and got an Edwin and Carnassion. Does the organization think this team?

00:18:28
Speaker 5: Doesn't?

00:18:29
Speaker 3: Do they think this team isn't very good? Because Stephen Vote is never gonna say that. Stephen Vote's gonna be the eternal optimist, one of my best friends that is just so positive. He thinks this team is good and he has to convince his players this team is good. Does the organization not think that? Or if they did think that, where would that Edwin and Carnassion move come from?

00:18:53
Speaker 6: Yeah? I mean, uh, you know the last time they did, you know, the Karnassion deal was what three years, sixty million. That was right after they reached the World Series in two thousand and sixteen, and they have not made that kind of commitment they they you know, it was almost like last season, you know that that was almost like to me at least, it seemed like a step back season, the season to reset and all of a sudden they come back from fifteen and a half games out in July, there's still what eleven games out on September, and they win the division. Kind of it was. It was almost they were as surprised as anybody else. And I think they're still in that same kind of boat. They've they've wanted to make, you know, commit to the young players, and it doesn't seem like they're gonna, you know, deviate from that path.

00:19:50
Speaker 4: Paul, what's going on? Jason Kidnis here? Longtime listener, first time paller, Good to see you.

00:19:55
Speaker 6: What's ugh, Kiv? I'm still talking to me.

00:20:00
Speaker 5: Look at us. I could ask you all the questions now.

00:20:03
Speaker 6: That's right, This is a little reversal.

00:20:07
Speaker 5: Yeah, first question, how the hell did you get into the Hall of Fame?

00:20:11
Speaker 6: I'm asking myself the same question when they told me at the Winter meetings, I almost passed out.

00:20:20
Speaker 4: Listen, you were there long before me, and you're there long after me. You've been doing it for a long time for Cleveland. I know we've had our riffs and back and forth, but there's always a respect there and I just want to say congratulations to you.

00:20:32
Speaker 5: That's well deserved. Happy for you.

00:20:34
Speaker 6: That's awesome, Thanks Jason. I appreciate that. That means a lot to me.

00:20:40
Speaker 5: What can you tell us?

00:20:41
Speaker 4: I know there's some rumors I think where we both are well in the know of that Cleveland kind of has to mix and match some pieces, and we were just talking about that. It's not always They're not always in for those big names or those big contract guys. So I'm hearing some rumors between Cleveland and the Cardinals. I think, is there any front on that, whether Donovan's names come up or what can you tell us on that end?

00:21:03
Speaker 6: Yeah, they have, you know, that name has come up. But again, you know, when we've talked, when we've asked about that, you know, they say they do not want to bring in, you know, a free agent on a two or three year deal to block the path of a young developing player that they've invested in. So you know, I would really you know, I think eventually they'll make a deal. They'll add some you know, a hitter to this lineup at some point, but I don't think it's going to be a high profile guy, Jason, even maybe a mid level guy. I just think I just get that impression.

00:21:44
Speaker 5: Yeah, I think, Sorry, Eric, I got one more quick follow up.

00:21:47
Speaker 4: But I think on that one, would you agree that they're still in the same position where they want to see the first half in their big names or big profiles would come at a big deadline trade kind of like a push. They never really do it in the offseason. Be eyes that we've talked about Edwin earlier.

00:22:02
Speaker 6: Yeah, you know that that that's you know, they are if they're in if they're in position, if they're in contention, Uh, they you they will make moves. I guess the big the name out there right is Steven Kwan. You know that's that's the name they're getting a lot of calls on. Uh, that's, you know, the one player that people want. They came after him at the deadline last last season. Uh, this this winner, it's been the same. But I get the impression that that he's going to be the opening day left fielder for Cleveland on March twenty sixth. Then if there's a you know, depending how the season goes, there could be more activity at the deadline because he's he's only got two years of control left, so as you know, they usually you know, if he hasn't signed an extension by now, that usually means, you know, one way or the other, he's going to be uh leaving Cleveland and then you know, probably within the next two years.

00:23:03
Speaker 3: What would they look for in return? Since it wasn't gonna be my question, but you're talking about if if they would trade him, if they would trade Stephen Kwan, what type of return do you think where this roster currently is the Guardians need to go to because of they're a playoff team each year. Some people don't know how, but they're a playoff team. A few pieces here and there. Could they beat the Yankees two years ago? Could they beat the Tigers who they outlasted for the division? If they make this Stephen Kwan trade a more big league next three year type of trade and not ooh, save my job for the next six years type of trade.

00:23:46
Speaker 6: Yeah, they would. You know, that's the tough part when I when I try to think about this, You know, Kwan is probably your second best offensive player next to Jose Ramirez, uh and you you know, you hit two twenty six as a team last year, the lowest team batting average and franchise history that goes back to nineteen oh one. And are you really going to trade that player? And if so, what do you get for him? And do you do you get another offensive player? You know, he's a leadoff hitter. He doesn't hit for a lot of power, you know, he I think he would fit on top of a you know, a really a dynamic offensive team. You know he might be you know that that would probably make him even better. But to get you know, if you if the Guardians had trade him, they would have to get back. I think the one thing they're lacking is it have to be some kind of power, you know. But that's you know, it's just it's a hard it's a hard deal to uh to wrap your head around. I guess you know, you'd have to get back, like you said, for you'd have to get back some immediate players that give you some immediate impact. And you know, I would imagine some prospects.

00:25:03
Speaker 3: All right, you talked about power. It's seven days till Christmas. John Kenzie Noel just got designated as we're talking here yesterday. And it's ironic that Luke Weaver, who we hit the huge home run in the playoffs off of signs a two year, twenty two million dollar deal in the same day that he gets designated. Did they get the most out of John Kenzie. No, well, because of the fact that they called him up, you know, he filled in some roles. Or did they miss on the fact that he has light tower power and they weren't able to implement it in the big leagues well enough for him to stick and be a big part of that power that they're lacking.

00:25:45
Speaker 6: Yeah, that's a good question, and I always go back and forth. Jason knows, is that they platooned so much in this organization with the with the lineup, you know, there's only two or three guys that play every day. And you know, with with with John Kenzie being a young guy, big guy, big swing, it's hard for him to come. To me, it was hard for him to really get into a groove. Now in twenty twenty four, I thought they use him a lot better than they did. But of course he had better numbers in twenty twenty four. But to me, they they have such they have so many outfielders and they and they mix and match every day that you know, the players sometimes you know, there's they can't get in a groove. They they're in and out of the lineup so frequently that that I think, you know, it as a team for team wise, it works, you know, wins and losses, it works, But some players suffer in that in that uh you know, in that arrangement.

00:26:51
Speaker 5: No, you're absolutely right.

00:26:52
Speaker 4: I think if you don't get those every day at bats or or know that you're still going to be in the lineup after or no for four, you start kind of pressing and grinding a little bit too much and you never really find that groove that can set you forward and give you the confidence to become a better version of yourself. I guess I want to ask you what would it take? Because I think some of the best Cleveland has have and I think you're gonna agree with me on this, some of their successes almost hurt them in the long run because they have made it to the playoffs, been almost right there without making that big splash move, without spending that money. So the ownership really doesn't think that they ever have to, because I think they're fine, but it seems like until they do, they're not going to get over that hump, and they're always goind of to be stuck in this middle middle ground with a fan wanting them to spend more.

00:27:35
Speaker 5: What would it take for a reset. What is it going to take where.

00:27:39
Speaker 4: What would Jose Ramirez trade do for this franchise or what what would when would it come to that point to where Kwan and Ramirez and you really just reset, because if you're not going to spend money, you might as well retool and restock and those two guys can give you the biggest packages back.

00:27:55
Speaker 6: Yeah, I uh, there might be a revolt in Cleveland if they I.

00:27:59
Speaker 5: Hear you, as they should be, as they should be.

00:28:02
Speaker 4: All we all love him, but he definitely has with his contract, could bring back uh Yayhood Hall.

00:28:09
Speaker 6: But they are in a position, Jason, and you know this haven't played there for so long that they feel they cannot take it down to uh you know, the foundation. They cannot do a total rebuild here. That's you know, kind of been their claim to fame that every year they put a consistent good team on the field. Uh you know, it might not be a name filled with a household player household names, but they they're able to produce or in the right division for them, Uh, they have a chance to win it every year. And I think, uh the front office has taken that approach and and as you said, yeah, it can get you the division title, it can get you into the postseason. But then you know, you always run into the Yankees. And you know the last time they ran into the Yankees in the ALCS in twenty twenty four, I think they got out homeered like ten to four, you know, and and to me, that's where they get caught short. That's where the power and the difference in talent comes to play. And you know they're their thinking is if we you know, as you know, if you if you get to if you keep getting to the postseason, one of these years, things are going to break your way. But you know it is really you know, it's it's one thing to win the division. It's it's another thing to you know, take the next step in advance to the World Series and finally win the World Series.

00:29:39
Speaker 3: All right, Yeah, two questions for you, Paul are about you. You've been with the Cleveland Baseball organization writing about them for a long time. How many times do you still type in the Cleveland Indians Cleveland Guardians Because even Hall of famers make mistakes.

00:30:01
Speaker 6: I've made more than Just ask Kipness.

00:30:03
Speaker 4: He'll tell you we don't have enough time on the show.

00:30:08
Speaker 6: I ended up in Lake Gary with one of them. But no, I still find myself type in Indians. I still you know, you know, we write our own headlines now and I'm still writing Indians and Tribe, and in the headlines it's a it's a tongue twister for me.

00:30:26
Speaker 3: Okay, So then that brings me the next question. You've covered baseball this whole time? How hard is it to stay positive? Because baseball I hate when people say baseball is a game of failure because I see so many positives, even in outs, even in mistake pitches, even in errors. But that's just the coach and me and the positive baseball player and me. How hard is it to stay positive as a writer that covers a baseball game for one hundred and sixty two games.

00:30:57
Speaker 6: It's not hard for me. I like the game. I like the game because everything every day is different. You know, there's there's a different story, there's a different theme. You can talk to different players. You know, there's gonna be some bad games, obviously, some bad winning streaks, bad losing streaks, winning streaks, you know, but there's usually always something to write about, always something to have a little fun with, to inject some humor in in it not, you know, staying positive. You know, that's I think that's easy, easy for the writer. I think it's I think the tough part is staying positive. If if you're a player and you're struggling and and you're you know, you're you're you know, you're on a losing streak, you know you're not getting enough playing time. You know, I marvel at at the uh, the mental approach that players have, that that that keep them showing up day after day after day. You know, we get days off. The players never get days off. They they got to be at the ballpark every day. And uh, you know, I've I've learned over all these years to really respect that. I respect the skills it takes. And I don't know if I was always like that when I was, you know, first started off, I was more kind of a wise guy at first.

00:32:14
Speaker 4: Listen, I think I had a lot a lot more bad games than Paul had bad articles. So you've been doing it for a long time, and again, no, you've been doing this for a real long time in your commitment to an organization that both of us love and hold dearly. I do want to show you my appreciation and congratulate you again. I'm making it to all of fame.

00:32:34
Speaker 6: Thanks Kip. I remember you giving me let me drink out of your champagne bottle in Toronto.

00:32:40
Speaker 5: Absolutely absolutely, I look forward to seeing you. Hear this.

00:32:43
Speaker 4: I'm sure we'll cross past this next year too, this next season, so I'll save me another handshaking hug, and I look forward to seeing you again, Bud.

00:32:51
Speaker 6: Okay, but thanks thanks for having me guys.

00:32:54
Speaker 1: Thank you, Paul, really appreciate it. Thanks Hans, good talking to you, Thank you. Thanks a lot. We're doing futures bet MGM futures. That's what you do when you miss baseball. You look at what BETMGM thinks will happen in twenty twenty six and the odds against it or for a twenty twenty six and L Pennant. Wow, that's kind of crazy to see the Dodgers at plus one sixty. That's not to win the division, that's to win the National League?

00:33:23
Speaker 4: Is that that like the lowest odds ever for a team before a season.

00:33:27
Speaker 1: Gotta be up there, man, one and a half to one.

00:33:31
Speaker 5: That is nuts.

00:33:34
Speaker 3: For somebody, For somebody who took down a decent amount of money for the Dodgers winning the National League Pennant, I'm going to tell you to wait, because I got a much better number than that while they were playing the Phillies last year. So if you you get to watch the entire season, and we knew that the Dodgers and the Phillies were probably the two best National League teams, I know, Kip was like, oh, the club is there the best, and everybody in Milwaukee was like, the Brewers are the best. They win the most games. When the Dodgers were playing the Phillies, you had an opportunity to get a really, really good number on the Dodgers, and I took it. And they were never losing in that series. And I took that number. It was better than plus one sixty. So I'm gonna say, no weight. If that is your choice weight, there will be a better.

00:34:29
Speaker 6: Number, smart man.

00:34:32
Speaker 1: It's actually a good point. There are often times during the season where many futures look more enticing, and yeah, if you've got playoff thoughts.

00:34:41
Speaker 2: It's baseball.

00:34:42
Speaker 1: Almost everybody goes through a high and a low, and sometimes you can cash in during those low points. So I'm not saying the Dodgers are going to start slow. But there are times when you look at a team and be like, Eh, they're pitchings in chambles and I don't know if this is it. I mean the Dodgers had that once or twice this year where you're like, I mean, it's not like they look like a disaster, but you didn't look at them as this lock to win the World Series. And actually you could have put some pretty good money on them in Game six. It would have been nice. Game six World Series, they were probably up to three to one.

00:35:21
Speaker 3: The ninth of the World Series, you you were could have gotten probably I would say it was probably at like plus six hundred and seven hundred. They were down by a run with two outs to go and Miggy Rowe was on deck. I mean, Miggy Rowe was at the plate. Yeah, you probably you probably got much better numbers, but you're really you're really waiting until the end there.

00:35:43
Speaker 1: Yeah, that's pushing it. But anyway, during the season, you can find certain value in futures if you like to do it that way. It's almost like live betting in a game of kind of doing that during the course of a season. But for now, Yeah, I'm not touching this one, but if you feel like you want to go there, it's not that I don't think it's going to happen. It's just the value. It's just too low in our minds, and we're just giving you our thoughts. Anyway, Let's get to football. No Sweat token available for you in the bet MGM app to use on any bet on pro football, and you can use it by adding a little bet to your slip, activating the token and getting bonus bets at the bet that you made with that token. Loses gambling problem more concern called one in hundred gambler