High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - PHILLIES GM PRESTON MATTINGLY JOINS THE POD!

Episode Date: November 19, 2024

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz sit down with new Philadelphia Phillies general manager Preston Mattingly to talk about the team's offseason plans and his recent promotion. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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On the Odyssey app and sports radio 94 WIP The crowd was singing hi ho Smiling through a broken nose Oh hi ho hi ho I feel a little less alone. Yo. It is another edition of the High Hopes podcast sponsored by Miller Lite, official partner of the Philadelphia Phillies Taste Like Miller Time in Philadelphia Celebrate Responsibly, Fritzie. Hey pal.

We went from maybe a meeting with Juan Soto to planning to meet with Juan Soto. Oh, buddy, let's go! Yeah, yep, yep, yep. So we're back, baby. We are back. And I like, again, right down to the wire of when we're recording this podcast.

I know, yeah, literally, actually. And we're also recording in an abnormal time for us. So it really- Well, for one of us. For me. You're usually, you know- Well, technically for us- Passed out by now. Yeah, I am.

We're right in nap territory right now. Like right in the middle. I'm usually napping right now every day, but I'm here, cause I love you, buddy. Well, and we had to do an hour. That's a bigger reason for why we did it, yep. An hour, I'll never get back. It's over, it's done. A lot of Garrett crochet talk for an hour. Yep

What a crazy idea I didn't realize how good you think he is. I think he's down there You think he's one of the two best left-hand pitchers and I think I think I guess I guess you said right scubal scubal on him Sail I guess you have to you have to put him in there after last year, but I get why you, you know. It's all, it's, listen, I think he strikes out a ton of guys. I think he's, once he gets away from being a part

of the worst team in the history of baseball. And listen, there's concerns with Crochet, obviously the injury stuff. And I don't, the mentality thing, listen, he's had what, two Tommy John injuries? Prioritizing. I can understand getting paid when you've had that gone through. Well, and with last year, I mean,

he was coming off of Tommy John. Yeah. I can understand, hey, I'll do it, but I gotta get paid first. Yeah, I get it. Or I really. No, I get it. So, I mean, listen, I'm talking to Mr. Athletes

or Humans over there. That's, you're not wrong, buddy. You're not wrong. I don't worry about the mentality. I would be more worried about the injury than anything, but I think when healthy and I think that, like if you look at all his underlying numbers, they're all, if top five could be hyperbole,

I think he could be in there, but I think at least you're getting a top 10 pitcher. And I think that Wheeler and him would automatically go to the top of the best one two. Hey, the best one two punch is in base. Oh, all right. coming up in a minute new general manager of the Phillies Preston Mattingly really awesome gave us far more time than anyone should give us so that's coming up in a minute quickly before that though and

then after we'll get to the take back but quickly just on the Soto thing what you know update they they they are planning to meet with him now. We always thought they would probably end up meeting with him even when that report came out about them not having a meeting. Where are you at with the Soto thing as of today? I still, I'm about where I was. I think, I do think it's interesting

that they now are aggressive in the idea of having a meeting with him. It kind of felt like we were trending towards, we're not gonna get them. He's not coming here guys. They're not, I just, I don't think they're wasting their time, I guess. I don't think they wanna go into one of these meetings thinking that they're just wasting their time with Wansoto.

So you think it's a good sign that they're gonna have a meeting? I think it's a good sign. It means that they're actually in. It brings my belief that they could get Wansoto from 5% to 10%. Nice, okay. I think that's pretty much where I am too.

I feel pretty much exactly the same way. The Mets thing is just lingering. No, I know. Not excited about it. Yeah, I know, I know. So yeah, I just, with Soto, I'm more in the camp of, I'll believe it when I see it, and I pray to God he's a filly.

And I pray to God he's a filly. And I pray to God that they put money aside, they don't even look at whatever the fourth tier of the luxury tax would cost. Don't even look and find out what it is. Don't even worry about what the repercussions are. Just find out when it happens. I promise.

Oh, we're losing a draft pick? I didn't even know. Okay, it is what it is. Well, and they move it back 10 slots. Which I promise I won't bring up. I'm saying don't even look at it. Don't even know what it is. Well, and they move it back 10 slots, which I promise I won't bring up. I'm saying don't even look at it. Don't even know what it is. I promise I won't bring that up

because Wansu is a great, great, great, great player. He's amazing. Come on, man. This is actually looking like a pretty strong draft looking at the high schoolers. But yeah, so I feel a little bit more hope, I guess. I'm glad they're not just bowing out and saying, well, what do you want us to do?

I'm glad that they're being Seemingly aggressive in that and I don't think it's for show like Yamamoto felt like for show like we we want to be in that market and they have to be in that market because It's only getting better. I just I Feel a little bit more hope but I'm definitely not we're here. Mm-hmm Dollars over any offer according to, was it K that said that? I heard it from you, so I don't know who actually said it. I think it was K said that. Michael K said it. Michael K said that. Cohen is prepared to go 50 million over whatever someone else offers.

So if it comes down to, is it pure money? Is it pure money or is it? Or is the difference between $650 and $650 not that big a deal to Wanda? It's not that big of a deal. Wanda, I'm just letting you know, buddy not that big a deal to one not that big of a deal. Why don't you know buddy? No, we don't there's not that big of a difference that much. I mean, come on. It's all the same once you reach a certain threshold Oh The main line here in South Jersey live an anonymous life here in New York. Everyone knows you are Well, I did that's probably not sure I think everyone would know who wants Oh, yeah, I think so. I think you actually in New York. everyone knows you are, come on. Yeah, well. I did, that's probably not true. I think everyone would know who Juan Soto is here. Yeah, I think so too. I think you could actually be easier to get lost in New York.

And in New York, they're probably just having stars around, yeah, nevermind, I'd take that one back. No, everyone would know your every move here in Philadelphia. But, but. That's pretty cool, you want everyone to know. Sounds like a great time. I know. You could be that important that everyone knows

that you're doing it all the time. Also, your good friends are here. Yeah, exactly. Come on. We think you're gonna get at least two. Yeah, so. Former teammates, if nothing else. Yeah, exactly. Come on. We think you're good friends at least. Yeah, so former teammates and nothing else. Exactly, yeah. So just do it.

How about that? Hey Juan, just do it. Just do it. Yeah, but I'm glad, listen, I would have been perturbed if they didn't try. It would have been unacceptable. Whether they're, again, I don't expect them to get him. If they had just not met with him,

like that would have been, I would have had a real problem with that. So I'm with you. All right Come up in a bit. We'll get to the take bag. But first Let's welcome a man How about it? No big deal to us the general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies Some things require a lot of work to grow like plants hair babies or your savings But when you run a business you already have enough on your plate. Scotiabank's Right Size Savings for Business account can help you grow your savings with ease. For a limited time, open a new account and earn up to 4.65% interest for the first six months.

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by adding your Visa Infinite Privilege Card to your OpenTable account. From there, you'll unlock first-come, first-serve spots at select- top restaurants when booking through Open Table. Learn more at opentable.ca forward slash visa dining. And it is our pleasure to welcome back to the podcast friend of the pod, the first friend of the pod to be a general manager of a major league baseball team

the new general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies mr. Preston Mattingly Preston I just you're the general manager of the Phillies what up man what's going on I like friend of the pod. Gia, you know, like right, right. They're close. They're close. Yeah. So, yeah, press and what was it like? I mean, we'll get into a lot of the, you know, nitty gritty and what the jobs could entail and all that. And I'm sure Jack's going to pepper you about minor leaguers that that listeners will hear the name of for the first time, you know, coming up, but just just what was it like, I mean, to find out to, you know, go through the process of finding out and it being announced that you're the becoming a general manager, one of the 32 general managers of a majorly baseball franchise. I mean, what's that like? a majorly baseball franchise. I mean, what's that like?

It was an honor, you know, especially, you know, talking to Dave and the group that we had, it was an honor to work for the Phillies. And, you know, I hate like when people just kind of single me out, you know, we have got like Sam Folds been here and he's going to still continue to work with us. You know, Ani Columbia, a guy that doesn't get

the recognition he deserves. He's tremendous. Brian Barber on the amateur scouting side, you guys know Jorge Voland, who helps with international scouting, other areas of our front office. I mean, to me, it's like Ned Rice, another one, just like, it's a tremendous group,

so it's an honor to work with them. And I don't take lightly, like, the fan base that Philadelphia Phillies have, and the history of winning we have here, and I wanna continue that. So, I'm just curious, I mean, how, like, what was the timeline here, I guess? Because it seemingly came out of nowhere.

All of a sudden we get a press release on a Friday that Sam moved to the business side. What kind of was the timeline here for this move? Yeah, Sam has been in business school here for most of the year. I don't have the exact timeline when he went to school, but he's been in business school for most of the year. Honestly, I don't know how he's done what he's done so far, obviously, unbelievable managing his family life with Wharton Business School and the Philadelphia Phillies GM. Like it's a that's three jobs in one.

Like Wharton no less like the business school of business school, we can barely host a podcast. Yeah, Sam's brilliant. They wouldn't let us in the door at Wharton we did like just to like visit they'd be like, no, I'm sorry, man. You're not allowed. Sam's one of one. He can do a lot of things.

And, you know, I think as we got here the last few weeks and they started to approach me with some things. And obviously it was just honored, like I said before, to be a part of this group and, you know, work with Dave Dabrowski and the group that I mentioned previously. Like it's a great feeling. So shifting to the major league side of things, you know, I know you've been involved.

You're obviously part of the organization. You're paying attention, but a lot more with the minor league drafting development, all that type of stuff. Your focus shifts now and you're shifting to the major league side of things. How big of a transition is that and how much work do you have in front of you just to be, you know, up on everything to the level you need to be at? You know, I think from the work standpoint, like nothing really changes like the minor

leagues. It's a task in itself, you know, run the minor leagues, you have 180 players plus, you know, close to 100 staff members and just managing, you know, the players with agents and managing staff members and making sure everybody's getting what they need. That's a job in itself. I'm really excited to get up with Dave and the group and work more focused solely on the Major League team. So I think obviously, as you guys know, we have a great roster and I think to me,

we want to continue with the success we've had the last few years and to me, just build on that. So what will your responsibilities be more geared towards now? Do you still help shape the minor league vision? I know you have been, protect the standard has kind of been your mantra. Are you still overseeing that?

Are you doing more major league stuff like helping with what Dave needs help with? What would you say more your responsibilities are now? Probably all the above that you just mentioned. But I think we're still ironing out the responsibility side because Sam's still gonna be around and involved, right? So whatever I can take off Sam's plate, I'll do on the major league side and Dave,

whatever he asked me to do. I'll still, you know, over not be as involved in the day-to-day with the minor leagues, but we hired Luke Merton, who I think is gonna do a tremendous job. But I'm here to help him and help, you know, maybe on the day-to-day side, but more the overall vision and what we're trying to do as an organization. I I'm here to help him and help, you know, maybe on the day to day side, but more the overall vision and what we're trying to do as an

organization, I'll be there to help and support. So still not finalized on exactly the roles and what I'm going to be in charge of or overseeing. But I think, you know, that'll be ironed out here in the next few months. You've spent some time around some, you know, great general managers, obviously, Dave de Brauske, Hall of Fam managers, obviously Dave DeBrosky, Hall of Famer, some day, AJ Prowler, not obviously as long a resume as Dave, but has done an amazing job out in San Diego. Also an old school guy, a new school, kind of more aggressive guy.

What have you learned being around those high level general managers, commonalities, and things that you think you can take from them and employ yourself. Yeah, I mean, honestly, as different as AJ and Dave may be, they're pretty similar. And then from the standpoint of they love plus players. And when I say plus player, I can just use star players and they're gonna be aggressive in trade market

and to go get those players because to me that's what wins and that's what they that's kind of the vision they've kind of set forward is you know to win in the playoffs to reach the ultimate goal which you're trying to achieve is like you got to have plus players on the field and I think in San Diego we had that and they still do and in here in Philadelphia we've built that as well and you know I think to me to me, one thing, AJ was very gracious when I came over as a kid who they created a role for me in 2017 and I was doing scouting

and he exposed me to things I honestly had no business being. And I always appreciate AJ and be appreciative of that because I was in manager interviews and trade discussions as a little punk kid. And he was always gracious of his time discussions as a little punk kid. He was always gracious of his time to help me and ask questions. And obviously he's one of my close friends still today. And then Dave, the same thing,

when I came over to Philadelphia, even though I was directly reporting to Sam, and Sam did so much to help me kinda get this PD system off the ground. But Dave was always there to answer questions and talk me through things and just really appreciative of both AJ and Dave. And there's so many other people I could think too, but just highlighting those guys.

So it's funny you mentioned, you know, being a kid and being in trade negotiations and all that. And that's something I've been thinking about with you taking over this job. And you know, I'm a big believer in reps in life, like whatever you do, whether it's what Jack and I do, you know, the more times you talk into a microphone, the better you're going to be at talking in a microphone. The more times you swing a baseball bat, the better you're going to be at swinging a baseball bat. You can't necessarily get the opportunity to go in and be in charge of a trade and say like, all right, I'm making the call. It's me and this other guy. And obviously it's a collaborative thing, but like final call, I'm saying

we're trading this for that, or you're in the negotiations and understanding how desperate the other GM is or what the dynamics of, of the roster construction, how badly they need something versus what you need and what your players valued at in other people's eyes, like a big poker game, essentially. Like, how do you prepare for that? I know you can sit in those negotiations, but how do you prepare for something like that and the parts of the job where you you can't really get real reps doing it until you do it? Yeah, I mean, honestly, probably you'll learn as you go.

But I've been fortunate to sit in, you know, like I said, with AJ and Dave to hear a lot of those discussions and Tim, you you start to list, you start to hear how other teams talk and players they value. And to me, like when they make calls, you understand usually like what they're looking for, which players they're going to value in our system. And, you know, to me, just weighing different things of how we value them versus other teams value them. So to me, it's just getting reps and experience. And like the way this works in today's baseball feels like it's a collaborative effort, as you mentioned. Like we have so many people involved

in all the discussions and that's how it should be. You know, the more information you have, the better. And so I'm excited to help the group in any way possible but it will definitely be a collaborative effort. Before Jack dives into the nitty gritty, so prepare yourself because get ready, that's going to happen. What more about influences? And we've talked about AJ Prelor and Dave Dombrowski

and some of the people along the way who've gotten you to where you are. How big an influence still is your dad in this stuff? Obviously, your dad has been a man. And now he works for another team. So there's that natural, you know, like we can't talk specific players and stuff. But is this sounding board as a person who's, you know, spent, you know, however 40 years whatever it is in the in the sport being like intimately a part of the sport as a player

manager all that stuff. Like is he a sounding board for you? Is that someone who you can go to and you you know, discuss these general philosophical type decisions with? Yeah, he gives me a great perspective. I have a great relationship with my dad and we talk a lot and honestly, he's probably I was I'm very passionate about baseball. I love it. I love it. It's been in my blood since I was born. It's one thing I've ever wanted to do. And he's he's happy for me because he's probably heard me on the other side of these 30 minute hour calls me just Getting passionate fired up about players or trades or why we're not playing better and just asking him questions

So I'm sure he's excited for me and then also hoping you have to sit on the other end of those hour-long calls anymore That's great, man. Yeah, so you mentioned you mentioned Luke Merton and he is I guess taking over for you in a way. What has he kind of brought to the organization and why do you think he was the right pick to take over for you? Yeah so so first off when we brought him over to the organization I got to work with Luke for I think three or four years in San Diego before he came to Philadelphia. I think he's one of the, let's just call it, 10 best young people in baseball there is. And he's like extremely intelligent in a lot of ways, but like to me, he's so valuable on the hitting side. And when we brought him over, it was like we created a kind of a dual role for him where he

was out scouting, identifying players in the offensive side, and then also coming in and working with him in the system. So we've gotten our hitting program in a really good spot. And I think why he's the guy, to me, it's like, it's all the above of like, he's a tremendous person, tremendous work ethic. He has a great feel for people and players, and he shares a vision of like player development

and getting players better at all costs. And I think we've always sat there and talk for years about what we want to build in an organization. And to me, we always talk about like a lot, probably Luke here and me ran about just build the bully, build the monster. And that's what we're trying to do in the minor leagues and where you just have waves and waves of players coming. And it's just like you look up and on the field you have 10 or 15 of your own

homegrown guys. And you know, obviously what that does for your roster when you have a bunch of cost-controllable players what you can do to fill in the pieces Yeah, we're just we're both just really passionate on building this thing the right way and a continuous pipeline of just dudes Let's do Don't make me sound like I mean Jackb. I mean, Jack can barely handle this one. This is just great. Most podcasts would not care, and I would argue that James doesn't care about this at all, but you want to talk about panic setting in.

When Brian Kaplan left... I actually did care for what it's worth. I was bummed when I saw it. But he's replaced by Mark Lowy, I think from Cressy as well. What can he kind of tell us about him taking over for Brian? Yeah, so like cat leaving I was I'm really happy for Brian If he's really helpful to get our pitching off the ground and build a program on that side with Travis Herger So obviously him getting to run his own thing in Arizona

It'll be fun to watch him him do that then kind of pivoting over to Mark Loewy, Mark's honestly a uniform from a standpoint, like yeah, he was kind of a cat protege and a blend of being able to work with players and staff, but honestly like the knowledge of the data and biomechanics and everything that he has in that regard, like he's a guy that like you can't, the skillset that he has is really hard to

find and I think him he was around the major league team a lot last year so it's kind of just stepping into a bigger role with Cap gone so I think Loey's going to be tremendous and I think you know losing caps tough I think we're well equipped in the pitching side. So eventually I have like 12 players I need to run past you that we have to discuss because it's very important. Have to be in the upper board area. Have to be in the operative word there, yes. But just overall, how do you kind of feel like the system performed last year? What would you say you're most proud of that you're able to institute and get going last year with the system?

I'm happy with where we performed last year. I think we can obviously get better. I think the thing that was most proud of last year was our FCL team. I think we put a lot of resources into our Dominican Academy and signing players over there. And this felt like kind of the first wave of those guys coming over. You got Eduardo Taite, the catcher.

You had Guillermo Rosario, another catching prospect. You had Starling Cabba at shortstop. You have underrated prospect that people should know about Arun Escobar playing second and third. So I think it was just like it was kind of the first wave of guys where it was like, hey, people should know that who these players are and we're going to get on the field and we're going to develop these guys the way they should and everybody will know. And I think that kind of proved out the way they performed throughout the year. And so that was probably what I was most proud of.

All right. Before Jag nerds out too hard, just let me get a couple like major league questions in here and then we'll go nuts. But, uh, what, what has been the messaging on the front office side of things with Dave coming off? Obviously, you know, we all know, uh, incredibly disappointing end to what we, you know, had a chance to be a magical season and certainly at times was a great year overall, but a disappointing end.

What has been the messaging from Dave on the front office side of things? And where do you guys feel like you're at right now? Yeah, I think the messaging is we're not happy with the way the season ended. And I think as an organization, you're always looking to get better and improve. And I think we sat down and as a group

with all of our front office and a lot of our scouting group and R and D, everything that kind of goes in an organization and put our heads around like, why haven't we gotten over the hump yet? I think we all felt we've had like great rosters and had a chance to be in the mix to win this whole thing the last three years. And to me, the overall message is like,

we got to get better and we got to look at all the different ways to get better, whether that's additions and free agency, whether that's trades, I think we're looking to improve our roster and obviously improve our organization. So with the change in roles for you now, and obviously, I'm sure there'll be, you know, transition stuff for your helping, you know, Luke on that side and learning still on the Major League side. But what are your roles, like right now? What do you what are you kind of transitioning to right now? And what do you see yourself focusing on and growing with this season?

That's probably a question for Dave, but right now, I think- Okay, no problem. He's coming on next week, so no problem. Yeah. Yeah. But I think right now I've had a lot of focus on, I'm kind of transitioning the minor league side over to Luke. And like we have our high performance get down in a clear water now and about 40 of our of our younger higher end players are down here training with us and

so just kind of having him around having the group around to transition everything that goes into running the minor league system and and Dealing with our staff and players. That's what I've been focused on here last couple weeks well also, you know, obviously we had the GM meetings and, and helping Dave and assisting anything he needs from a, you know, player eval standpoint, a roster decision standpoint, like I've been there to help him as well and Sam too. By the way, I was just joking listeners. Dave is not coming on the pod next week. Exactly.

One day. One day. It can be really exciting. Anyway, yes. All right, let's do it. So he had to call like all right get ready like buckling so all right i want to start with the guy who obviously is is letting up the arizona fall league and i know that people are geeked up about them and i know people are very excited and

that is auto camp so what is like i'm sorry if you're not looking at the video, the pause and like gigantic smile that just Jack just had, like I couldn't I couldn't just let it go back. He looks like a child on Christmas morning right now. Like he just opened his AutoCamp present. We'll get to the other names. We know who they are. But AutoCamp, first off, who the hell is AutoCamp? Just kidding. We know who AutoCamp is. But he's lighting up the other names. We know who they are. But Otto Kemp, first off, who the hell is Otto Kemp?

Just kidding, we know who Otto Kemp is. But he's lighting up the fall league. What kind of player might we have here? Yeah, so Otto's the guy that we took a non-drafted player from a few years back. We got him, he kind of had the rap of always being kind of injured in college and never really people got to see who he was.

Since we've had him, I think just Otto is extremely hardworking. He's strong as a bull. He's a really good third baseman and above average third baseman. You know, and I think when we meet as a group, like all of our staff felt like Otto, maybe the best base runner organization. He's a really good at bat taker. Um, yeah, I think like he's versatile too. He can play third base, second base, first base.

He played corner outfield in the fall league. Like he's a guy to me that, you know, people don't talk about, but like to me, he shows up in the big leagues and is a good player for you. So yeah, I think we're really happy to have Otto and he shouldn't be underrated anymore for what he did after what he did this year. Well, you had me, it works a quality at that.

That's a, it's a big thing right now. So the One thing I'll say on, on Otto, he reminds me a lot of a guy that I was around a little bit in San Diego, which is Ty France. You know, Ty came up and played a little bit of first base for us in San Diego, played some third base, try to play a little bit of second.

And obviously he's had a pretty good major league career. Otto reminded me of a guy that's in the same bucket as Ty. Well, cause he was I love that he tried to play a little second. That was a strong way. Well, cause he was, did he get drafted or was he under, undrafted? I mean, I know if anything it was in the late late rounds. I want to say Ty was a really extremely late round pick. You're testing my knowledge. I want to say 34th round pick. But another thing they both do is they both get hit by a ton of pitches. Oh, we like, we love that. Given, hey, get on base, man.

Get on base and do whatever it takes. So the guy I guess the real story, the following was obviously Andrew Painter, you know, big of a more of a big headliner. I read the lead with the other camp over. I think it's this podcast. Yeah, exactly. So Andrew Painter coming back from Tommy John, obviously. I mean, it seems

like to me his first start he was just like, kind of, he was ironing out some of the issues. And then he just was back to being Andrew Painter. I mean, what'd you what'd you see from him at the Folly? So just take a step back to when he first started throwing bullpens, like this guy was like, he's always had, you know, a guy that's a young kid with plus command, but this dude just came out from first bullpen of Tommy John, first live BP, just throwing strike after strike after strike with plus stuff. So just, I saw that, it was very encouraging. And as he- And hitting like 99 too, right?

Yeah, that was- It's like no big deal, right? Yeah. So he transitioned after the fall league. I think we all knew, hey, the first, like he was going to be amped up, like knock a little bit of rust off just from like the slider he's throwing. Now is not quite the same one he threw, uh, before he had the sweeper, like the 82, 84 sweeper. Now it's like that 87 to 91, like hard, true slider.

So I think like he had to understand like, you know, how to use his pitch mix again, and I think you saw after a couple outings, like the command was back to being plus, the stuff was always plus, and just like the competitor that he is, he's just relentless. He's just on the attack coming after you. Yeah, he had a tremendous fall league. We couldn't have asked for anything better.

We wanted to get 15 to 18 innings before he came out. And I think just exposing him back to just being a regular player and not having to worry about being a rehab and like, you know Get out there and just be around the other guys and and just be be a dude Yeah, I almost forgot this what it's Andrew painter. All right. I know you're trying to push this Andy painter thing What is that? We're an Andrew painter podcast It's just so much more intimidating like a Andrew painter on the hill like Andy painter. It's like I mean, Andrew Painer, it's just so much more intimidating.

Like Andrew Painer on the Hill, like Andy Painer. It's like I can I can hit up Andy Painer. It's Andrew Painer. I'm like, oh, when I'm upset, I go full name Andrew. But I think I just I go by Andy with him. So, all right. I guess we'll let him choose what he wants to be called, I guess. But we just you know, Andrew sounds strong. I'm just saying, you know,

what do you what do you think his 2025 outlook is? You know, I mean, everyone here is obviously geeked about him. But I mean, a realistic, I guess expectation as to what to expect for for painter in 2025. I think we don't we don't want to put a an innings cap. We never use like to with any of our guys. But I think, you know know it's realistic just when he gets in and see how he's feeling like I obviously we're kind of starting the off-season Program now he'll come into spring training like a like a healthy player And I think how we use his innings to me is what's to be seen right like because he's obviously not gonna have 200 innings available

So we're going to be really strategic on how we use it I know Dave's mentioned some of the media just how the Pirates handled Paul Skeen's kind of slow playing out the gate to keep innings available late in the season. I think we've talked about everything we haven't finalized any plan yet. But I think everything's on the table. And because to me, the most important thing is Andy finishing the year. And I think where we're trying to go as an organization is, you know, win the World Series like every team should be. But, you know, Andy having innings available late in the year would be really valuable. I like the subtle things you're already taking with calling him Andy. But yeah, we noticed it. I'm just kidding. All right. So Justin Crawford, he's playing in the the premier 12 games right now. Hit a home run the other night.

To me, the it looks like you guys worked on some swing adjustments with him. Looks like he's playing in the the premier 12 games right now hit a home run the other night To me the it looks like you guys worked on some swing adjustments with him looks like he's doing a better job of lifting the baseball was that something that uh, it is that true or uh, what kind of has been the development with Justin Crawford? First of all, we gotta get luke merton on here to get into detail on this hitting stuff But yeah, I know you took it away from me there. Justin's always been the guy. It's been a quality of contact thing, right? He's he's a chance to be an elite defender, chance to be an elite base runner. He makes really good contact. And I know people saw like the skinny, you know, kind of baby giraffe

looking kid when we signed him. He's not that anymore. He's 190 pounds. And the one thing I would say, we were always very confident he's going to have power. He's going to have power. You know, the exit velocities, I think has been up to like 110. So that's already good enough now. And I think it's just like the battle of more balls on the line and in the air, right? I think he was a guy that the head, you know, the profile was

a lot of balls on the ground, which with his speed is not the worst thing in the world. Sure. I think going forward, we were always looking to kind of chip away year by year and how can we slowly move the needle to more balls on the line and in the air. I know Luke could talk in more detail about what they've done with him, but it's a depth and quality, it's like catching the ball out in front, like he catches the ball so deep that the balls, you know, the pat, the the angle so steep, it hits the ball on the ground. We've worked to get him up a little bit more, a little taller, to which also allows him to catch the ball out in front.

And he did that a lot better this year as he kind of went from Jersey Shore to AA and now to the Premier 12. It was impressive what he did, a 20 year old finishing year in AA, the success he had. And I think he's just scratching the surface on what he can do. Cuz if Justin continues to get the ball on the line in the air, it's gonna be an extremely dynamic player. It's gonna be doubles, triples, home runs, and

any ball in the gap's essentially a triple. So yeah, it's an exciting guy that hopefully we can- Kind of like his dad, sounds like someone I've seen play before. Yeah, kind of like his dad, I think. But people have to realize that Justin's still 20, right and like the player you see now is not the player he's gonna be when he's 23 24 years old so you have to be patient and Take it year by year what we're trying to do well sorry to jump the patience here But is there a chance that I guess you come into spring training with a chance to compete for the starting job in your estimation

for the major league team I Think like anybody that gets invited big league spring training like to chance to compete for the starting job in your estimation for the major league team? I think like anybody that gets invited to big league spring training, like to me, you're competing for a job. And I know it's always not the case, but I think with the way our roster is constructed right now, like if I was Justin, I would be coming in to try and win a job and whether that happens out of spring training or whether that happens in July or September, like make a great impression in spring. So I think we're looking to see how he how he fits on the field with our guys It'd be exciting. Yeah, listen, I'm already ready for spring training

Enough of this nonsense. Whatever. It's it's it's fine Aiden Miller, I mean our guy also a friend of the pod Adam on last week great great talker greater. Ari like talks like a 15 year vet, which is polished, man. Like I couldn't believe how polished he was. So he jumps what three levels last year.

What kind of stuck out to you with Aidan and what do you feel like is his next progression as a as a player? Yeah, I think he took big steps defensively. That's probably I know we've talked about before, like he came in as like this, you know,

his stronger body looking kind of people thought like, oh, he'll move to third base. And I think like he's went out and proved that he can play shortstop. Obviously you're always looking at rosters and how they fit and where he, you know, may debut or kind of break in with the Phillies. But I think he's shown the ability to play,

to play shortstop. And I think there's a lot of different paths he can go down, right? Like the third base route, the second base, like he's gonna be very versatile in the infield. And I was obviously most impressed with like, how you mentioned how 15 year vet to me, this kid was buttoned up.

And from the second he got here, from a preparation standpoint, like he knew exactly what he wanted to do. He knew where he needed to improve. And I think the next steps to me, like he's always been a guy that's really good at bat taker, the bat quality was really high, he's not going to chase

and he's going to do damage. So to me, like the thing for him is seeing the upper level pitching next year. I mean like a double A, whether he starts in double A, where he starts, to me it's getting used to guys pitching you backwards. I mean, he's only, people have to remember he's a year out of high school. I know. It's It's amazing that the upper level arm that he'll see in double a and big league spring training like to me That's to me his next step and realizing that hey man You're swing and you're plenty strong enough and your swings plenty good enough. Just go be Aiden Miller Is there anyone you mentioned auto camp that remind you of Ty France a little bit? Is there anyone that that that Aiden reminds you of? This is a tough one.

People ask me this a lot. So some people internally threw out David, right? I obviously didn't see him as a kid. I could see that. Yes. The podcast. Listen, I totally see that. Absolutely.

That one's been thrown out a little bit. Yes. Boy, to the whiskey type body, bigger, stronger shortstop with power. Um, we'll see. I don't, I don't love to throw cops. No, I know it's hard. To Lewicki type body bigger stronger shortstop with power We'll see I don't I don't love to throw cops. No, I know it's hard. I don't either Jack is like mr. Comp Lives on him. Oh my good job. Yeah It's a fun. It's fun now draft comps on draft night They are the worst but you know what you see the guy a little bit I think I think it matters you mentioned Starling Cabba a little bit earlier.

80 grade defender. Unbelievable on that side of the field. How do you think his bat is coming along? Yeah, I mean, just, you know, you already kind of highlighted the defense, I'll touch a little bit more. Like this kid is as good a shortstop as I've ever seen as like as an 18, 19 year old kid. Ever?

He's got to be Wow, that's I mean, that's a statement. You've been around baseball your whole life. That's pretty well. He's got to be special defensively. I think from an offensive profile, like the one thing about Starlin is he's makes a ton of contact. He doesn't chase. To me, it's a little bit of like, he's not quite strong enough to impact the ball yet. And I think obviously down in high performance camp now we're getting him stronger. And I think it's in there. It's to me it's a little bit of like he's not quite strong enough to impact the ball yet. And I think obviously down in high performance camp now we're getting him stronger and I

think it's in there it's to me it's getting there more consistently. I think he's been trained as a kid kind of to put the ball in play and he does that at a high level and elite clip. But I think now just getting him to understand that hey man you make a lot of contact you're not going to swing at balls like take some chances. Because like you've we've seen like when he does clip a ball, like he has enough in there to hit some balls in the seats. And I think that's kind of his next step is, is some bat speed and some strength.

Eduardo Tait, a name that I think is people are starting to get really, really excited about. I guess, you know, tell us a little bit more about him. You know, at 17 years old is already playing up in in clear water That's pretty ridiculous There is some concerns about if he can catch if he can stick it catcher Where do you kind of see his future and what sticks out about him? Yeah, the first thing that sticks out is like how intelligent he is you know he's a kid that you know from Panama Obviously Phillies have a history with Panamanian catcher

In Ruiz and this kid is, I met with him in the DR when he was still 16 and we had told him he was coming to the States the following year and we asked him like, hey, what do you need to work on? And he rattled off just extremely, like very quickly. I gotta be really buttoned up with my English to be able to talk to my pitchers.

I gotta make sure my body's in a really good spot. And the third thing is I gotta really improve my catching. We're like, okay, hey, you got it, like go ahead. And I think like we're pretty confident as an organization, like his receiving skills are going to be plenty good enough. Like obviously he's a young kid and a lot can change, but we like where he's at right now. He has an above average arm to me.

It's just, you know, in the pop times are good. It's just, I think they can clean up some of the transfer stuff to get him even more efficient. And the most appealing thing with dough is the hit power combo. Like it, to me, it's like, he's well beyond his years. Obviously mentioned him playing in, in low way as a 17 year old and just, um, the ability to impact the ball is, is special for that kind of, for that age. And, um, I think as he learns, he's a little bit right now of a guy who swings

and wants to hit everything. But I think as he learns, like, you bit right now of a guy who swings and wants to hit everything But I think as he learns like, you know picking out pitches and what they're trying to do and picking spots in the zone and hunting counts like he's gonna have Monster power and I think there's a there's a real hitter in there, too one guy you've mentioned a couple places and earlier on this podcast that I think people are starting to get to know more about is aun Escobar who came over and was playing in with the the FCL and was putting up already really big monster numbers. What can you kind of tell us about him? Yeah, he was on track, honestly, like Kaba and Taik get a lot of the highlight from that league and Arun was on track to be the MVP of the league, before he had a lower leg injury to kind of knock him and knock this season out.

But another guy who really good at bat taker, controls the zone and has real power. And I think there's real ability to play second or shortstop, he turns a double play really well at second base, because he's a stronger body kid. But it's another guy who is gonna give you quality at bats. He's not gonna chase and he's going to do damage. And I think, you know, extremely high IQ player who people should know about just

from a standpoint of its contact, its control in the zone, its power, and he's a really good defender as well. So he's a guy that I think internally a lot of teams already know about. But I think when they called us the deadline, but we also know we have to so We're excited for him to have a hopefully help the year in 2025 We had two draft picks, you know start playing obviously the whole like how did you cut? I guess overall before we get into nori and burkholder How'd you kind of feel about the the draft overall and kind of it the talent that old?

Brian barber was able to bring into the system. Our guy. Yeah, really excited. I think, you know, where we've been, obviously, you guys know, picking that the bottom of the draft with the lower pool, it's obviously tougher to navigate your draft. But I was excited with who we got. And Brian and his group always do a tremendous job of bringing elite talent.

I think we got some speed, we got defense, we got power too. So I don't know if you want me to highlight on individual guys, but I'm sure you will. So I'll let you ask, you want me to know about. Well, I'm curious about Norrie and Burkholder, you know? Like Burkholder had, I think a lot of first round grades and then you were able to get him in the second round. Norrie was right around, projected to right around

where you guys were picking. But you know know those two specifically Will kind of stuck out to you about them Yeah To me if we just played the draft normal like we were gonna get one or the other So I think doing it the way we did it just kind of almost like splitting the first two picks with two first-round picks Is how we looked at it and I'll touch on Nori first Yeah, like it's another guy. I'm like you're gonna hear a lot of the same same phrases here Yeah, like it's another guy. You're gonna hear a lot of the same phrases here.

Elite contact ability, has a really good understanding of the strike zone, controls his own really well. He plays quality defense in center field. He'll be able to play all three. He's got a chance to be a base stealer. And I think to me as an organization and Luke in our group felt that there's power in there.

And I think when you do the things that I just mentioned, it frees you up to take chances. And I think when you do the things that I just mentioned, it frees you up to take chances. And I think he's going to be able to hit some balls in the gap in the seats. And if he does that, he's going to be a top of the order table setter type player. And he's got like to me, special makeup to like special work ethic. And he's a great add to our organization. And then Burke Holder, the second guy we take, we took in the second round. Honestly, this dude was like a little bit of a freak from like a physical standpoint. Like, you know, he's six foot two,

he's 205 pounds, like just looks like a, honestly like one of these like linebacker type guys, but he's a 70 runner with, you know, a chance to have 70 power. And we, you know, obviously the high school kids you don't have as much data on, but we felt really good in his at bat quality. And if this kid controls the zone, he's gonna have a ton of power and he's in a

chance to play center field and be this power hitting center fielder similar to a lot so you know you see I'm not gonna not know who you want come on but I don't I wouldn't do that to any kid but yeah he's got that type of body for sure yeah yeah well I mean if you say control the strike zone one more time. I mean if this is this Words man, there's only one yeah needed it needed it last one last one This guy came over at the trade deadline In Moises Chasse Yeah

It seems like you guys just added like a top 10 prospect in a system I mean Moises Chasse comes over from Baltimore. What'd you kind of work with him on and I mean fastball seems pretty special Yeah, so the first thing we did that the Baltimore had kind of thrown him in the piggyback system He was kind of thrown twice a week, but in really short stints And I think when we got him the first thing we did was move him to the traditional starter routine. And I think where he could get his three lifts in a week, where he could throw multiple bullpens and work on things. And the stuff has a chance to be special. I mean, like you mentioned the fastball, like it's a unicorn fastball and obviously the velocity he's at the mid to upper 90s. The change up as a making to be at least an average pitch,

the slider, the sweeper has a chance to be plus. He added a cutter, which we think is really gonna help him burst left-handed hitters. Yeah, it's a guy to me, like he just needs refining of like the smaller things. To me, like what Baltimore did, it felt like was focused on the strikes, which was I think smart. And I think now he's got to focus on some of the finer points,

which is holding runners. Before he's major league ready, it feels like he's got to kind of fielding his position, holding runners, things like that. And I was the command can always get better. I was lucky to see the start he had in a down in Somerset where we think it was, I could get this wrong here, six innings, 84 pitches, one hit, 14 punch outs. And it honestly was like, and just like the stuff as a chance to in the competitor to, you know, the stuff and compare when you get a dude who competes the way he does with his stuff and he's throwing it over like that.

It's like, it's going to be a long night for hitters. All right. Thank you for humoring Jack and allowing him to basically just run down his list of players to ask you about. I have to stop him or else we'd go for two hours and there's football coming up, which reminds me, before we get we add it, we didn't get to talk about other sports last time. I mean, you are now one of the four general managers of Philadelphia sports teams. I mean, this is a pretty hallowed ground to be in. So, you also are now part of this Philadelphia sports thing. Like the Eagles, the Sixers, I know some people might not know this about you. You actually retired from minor league baseball as a player to go back to college to play basketball in college

in like your mid-20s. So you're a basketball guy. Let's start with the Sixers and then we'll finish with the Eagles. First like how much of a basketball guy are Let's start with the Sixers and then we'll finish with the Eagles. First, like how much of a basketball guy are you at? Because you did play and then thoughts on the Sixers. Jared McCain, I think the only thing that that I want to say right now. You know, your basketball background and thoughts on the Sixers. Yeah, I love basketball. It's one of my it's one of my real passions. Big Auburn basketball fan, the college ranks. G, I love basketball. It's one of my it's one of my real passions. Big Auburn basketball fan the college ranks grew up with Steven Pearl. So it's around the Pearl

for me and Bruce. So it's name dropping here. But yeah, big Auburn fan. And then from the pro side, I love the NBA. Like I love the NBA. And honestly, I think the Sixers haven't got off the start. I think they would want. I don't think it's all doom and gloom here. I think, you know, the pieces are in place to me to the roster to where it's conducive to success in the in the playoffs. To me, they have some wing defenders. You mentioned McCain, the pick, I think, like, you know, three and D type guy right now. Paul George, I know it's kind of just coming back from injury to me is another guy that like

big spot can put him on a wing. He can defend two way type guy. And like to me, if him beats healthy, spot can put him on a wing. He can defend two-way type guy and like to me if him beats healthy like he's one of the best players in the league so I'm not as entire eating touch on Tyrese Maxx now that's amazing guy that's like a that's a score can go get you a bucket two-way type guy yeah I'm not as down the Sixers as like to me like people are at the start I think it's actually exciting time to be a Sixers fan. It just feels to me like just gotta, you know, get that culture to be buttoned up and

and believe in the same thing. And to me, like you'll look up later in the year and it's gonna be wherever they finished to me, doesn't matter, but it's like that they're clicking on all cylinders with this roster going into the playoffs. Cause I think they're gonna be dangerous. Look at you. I mean, never a doubt.

Just, just right off. It's you. I mean, never a doubt. Just throw them right off. That's great. Yeah, this is my work here. That's good. And then are the Eagles going to win the Super Bowl? I mean, they're pretty damn good. The Eagles are good. It hurts Jack to say it.

That was a, you know, but the Eagles are pretty good. Not as buttoned up on the NFL as I am the NBA, but it's always seen that, you know, the Eagles roster to me, you know, it seems like this year has been more continuity. Saquon's been, you know, elite. And then even like, you know, some of the, I'm going to get his name over the corner they took in the first round. Oh, Quinian Mitchell. Yes. Quinian Mitchell and... Quinianimo Bay, you get locked up. I'm normally not like a Revis Island guy like quinana mo bay is pretty good Yeah to me like if you can you the kind of the leagues kind of trended to like that, you know pass first

You know You got to be able to defend the wide receivers and it feels like they got some guys who can do that And to me with the elite running game to me It's like I think they got a chance to be to you know, be in the mix down the stretch It feels like to the NFC is wide open. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Absolutely. I think the Sixers to the, the East is pretty open to, or at least the, they're

like after the Celtics, you know, and the Cavs, I guess you got to put there right now, it feels like, you know, there's not that many teams they have to jump to kind of get back in it. So I'm excited about the flyers. I've never been a I'm going to get back in it. So I'm excited about the flyers. I've never been a I'm gonna get really locked in and mishka off the Russian have I'm gonna have some flyers knowledge next time we're on and really good time to be a Philly sportsman. Well,

is it? Well, I mean, just think about it. I was thinking like just rookies like pure like rookies that we have right now I was thinking like just rookies, like pure, like rookies that we have right now with McCain, Quinn, Yamiche, Cooper, Dejean and Mishkov. And then when we, I'm serious, like that could be like the five best, like class of rookies in the same calendar sports here that I remember in my lifetime as a Philly sportsman. It's awesome. I think my goal for this, this, this podcast right here here is we need we need jack on a Jared McCain tic toc that's that's what it comes down to. Yeah, you know me. That's

what I'm gonna six years take on one of the dances with him. I could see that. Yeah, I'm dipping my I would never dance. I'm not a tic toc guy. But I'm, I'm starting to understand all the references on tic toc. We're getting there. We're evolving. Yeah, I've always says like, Oh, I'm gonna get TikTok guy, but I'm starting to understand all the references on TikTok. Look at you. So we're getting there, we're evolving. Yeah, I'm not. Everyone always says, like, oh, I'm gonna get into the Flyers this year though.

So we'll see, we'll test your knowledge next time, all right? Yeah, that's a good point. Flyers quiz coming next time you're on. You know us, you know us. We're gonna really go deep. Yeah. So Preston, first and foremost, again, congratulations. You know, I know for us, I know for our listeners, like this is a really exciting thing for us as well.

We're really excited that, you know, they've locked you in and moved you up and put you in a position where, you know, you're hopefully going to be in our lives for a long time. And, uh, congratulations. I texted this to you, but like, you know, in life, when you're grinding in businesses, like what we have, what we do, what you do, like it's a grind, you gotta keep pushing, keep pushing, keep going up, keep moving up, like step back for a second.

Man, you're the general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, of a major league team, like step back and, you know, acknowledge how, you know, sit back and smell the roses for a minute because you've earned it it really is a an amazing accomplishment and obviously more to come but congrats friend of the pod we can't wait to have you back on this is just awesome man we're really happy for you. I think I appreciate it like you know kind words mean a lot and it's just hard for me to to step back and I probably won't to be honest. I get it. I get it. I get it. It's hard man.

Love this sport, love our players and love this organization. They've been great to me. And to me, it's like all about just bringing a championship home. That's what we're all about in this organization. It's like you got to bring a winner back to Philly. All right. You know what? I take it back. Don't take a step back. Just keep pushing. Keep pushing.

We got work to do. And just a quick reminder, I know you can't comment. There was a reliever that struck out 50% of his batters in September Rhymes with the famous 80s song my Sharona, so I just just letting you know making sure that's on your radar there I'm gonna get him in trouble in his first week or two weeks as general manager. All right No comment. Let me speak for Preston. No comment. Hey, Preston. Thanks again, man. I will definitely have you back on soon and I guess get back to work. You know, go grind brother. Thank you. Appreciate it. Go birds. Go birds. Yeah. Bumble knows it's hard to start conversations. Hey. No, too basic.

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yourself. Come join me, Andrew Filippone. And me, Patrick Peterson, three-time NFL all-pro cornerback on First and Pod for premier NFL coverage and conversations. Our motto on the podcast is every team every week and we don't play favorites. Every episode you get a glimpse of the entire national football league with first and pod follow and listen to first and pod on Mondays and Fridays on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. The all new fan dual sports book and casino is bringing you more action than ever. Want more ways to follow your faves? Check out our new player prop tracking with real-time notifications.

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We were here for, yes. So for yes, it's I baseball. I'm sure you can figure it out, but we've recorded this interview before. We're recording the beginning and the end. So, so, so all I did was I took like three seconds to put a little I'm sure you can figure it out, but we've recorded this interview before we're recording the beginning in the end So so all I did was I took like three seconds I put a little mark in the recording to know where to drop the interview in and then I'm like hey Jack So how about it? Remember that interview that just like if we recorded the right after to the interview or even like that was amazing

Jack texted me like right he's like yeah for like an hour later. He's like I'm still like jacked Yeah, he's uh, I Think we're in very good hands. I do too and I think he's a sharp guy I think he gets it. I think the nicest part about Preston is it's not just analytics. It's not just old Yeah, I think he's a really really good mix of both and I know people are probably sick of hearing about the 2026 Phillies, but the direction this organization is going towards with the minor league side, they have real seemingly impact prospects. And you look up and down the list, and I'm not a big pipeline guy, but you just look

at it real quick, and the amount of interesting players pipeline guy, but you just, you just look at it real quick. And the amount of interesting players they have in their top 30, I think is, is a testament to him and Brian Barber and the international scouting. So I just think they're in a really healthy spot from that standpoint. And I'm glad that I'm glad he's not leaving because we don't know it, but that felt like the decision there where we're not going to let you leave. We'll make you the GM and maybe there's some kind of succession plan here. So yeah, I'm excited for him to eventually possibly get to run the whole thing, but at least from the standpoint of turning around the minor leagues,

I think he's done a great job. Yeah, I'm right there with you. And again, I think even when he came here, it was one of those rising star type of things, he had that reputation of batting in San Diego, then coming here. He's just felt like one of those up and coming people that you hear about and all of a sudden they're a general manager and they're leading a team and blah, blah, blah. So the pedigrees there, obviously, I mean, there's a guy who spent his whole life in baseball, literally his whole life in baseball.

Well, and college basketball. Yeah, with the tiny little portion of it. What you heard in the and. And college basketball. Yeah. What the tiny little portion of it. Yeah. Um, what you heard in the interview. Love basketball. But, um, I do think that, uh, to the point you made before about the succession thing, I think, you know, Dabrowski has been so good at kind of

reshaping this organization and, you know, putting smart people in, in places to be successful and all that type of stuff. And, you know, we know that Dave's not, you know, the youngest guy, we know that it can't be forever. So feeling like there is this plan, feeling like there is something with someone who we believe in, it's just exciting in general,

overall with the team and where they're at. So, shout out to Preston. And Juan Soto, it's great, it's fun, but homegrown guys. Homegrown guys. Yes. Yeah, buddy. Building the right way. Yeah, I'm gonna throw. It is more fun that way. It's way, but homegrown guys. Homegrown guys! Yes. Yeah, buddy. Building the right way. Yeah. You know. It is more fun that way. Way more fun. It just is. It just is. You're invested in them for longer. Look at the city right now. McCain, Quignon, Coop. Dude, this is the greatest rookie class of all time.

Mitch. And then Painter. And then Painter. Seriously, this is a chance to be the best calendar year of rookies in the history of Philadelphia. We're not going to bring up 2017 when we had Fultz and Simmons and Indeed and... That wasn't! Nolan Patrick. Oh yeah, yeah. I mean, look... And Carson. I think, yeah, well, Carson, yeah.

I was about to say, I think Quinian Mitchell has already been better than all of those ever were at any point, but Carson really was pretty great for a moment there. So... I won't start welling up on the spot, guys. I know. You know. I know. The old Bronco.

Your guy. Yep. Yep. So, yeah, no, I know. The old Bronco. Your guy. Yep. Yep, so yeah, no, Preston's great. And I hope people's eyes didn't roll into the back of their heads when we brought up the lower levels of the prospects. 10,000 straight prospects, yes, yes, yes. We had to discuss them.

Yes. Had to. Yes, yes. Otto Kemp was actually, when you sent me, so I'm more inside baseball, on a baseball pod, when we do the interviews, Jack and I'll have a Google spreadsheet that we can look at or whatever, that Jack will fill up with like 8,000 questions

before I even look at it. I'm like, well, I guess I don't have to do that much with this. It was like Otto Kemp was like the main, I was like, what are we doing? Like, what are we doing here, man? Cause I had the joke set up. I know, it was really good.

And he didn't pick up on it in the beginning, which is disappointing. No, it was great though. It was good, the listeners enjoyed it. No, auto camping the next Thai France is an exciting development. Such a deep cut, I love that. I'm so happy.

It was great, I know, that was right. Listen, the amount of times he said, works equality at bat or whatever, I just sold. Speaking our language. Sold, I need it more than than I it's watching the Dodgers I know just not chase was eye-opening What someone can experience this is allowed? Yeah. Yeah So we're gonna now I'll save that for an expert for okay. Good. Good. Good. There is a player who has it was in a hundred percent

Percentile of chase rate. Wow. It could be available. Now he also didn't swing very often, but at least from the perspective of does not chase, he does not chase. I like it. So, you got a fact about it?

All right, let's get the take back. Oh yeah, so, yeah, so, so this perfect offseason I did, it's just the perfect- Oh, another one, you got another one. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, okay, good. It's just the perfect offseason I can feel in my just the perfect. Oh another one, you got another one. Yeah, yeah. Oh, okay, good. It's just the perfect off season I can feel in my bones.

I'm not endorsing it for this. This is what you think is most likely. So the last one was the realistic one with the best chance to be successful this season or something like that. I think that was just the crochet is the biggest move they can make. Yeah, I don't know, you've had qualifiers,

and I appreciate that. Thank you, always a qualifier. So this is the most realistic but not fun one. Yeah, great. Yeah, they're good use of people's time. Yeah, exactly Well, I can feel to my bones. Okay, that's the qualifier. That's equal. Okay. Is the field in the bones one? Yes. Thank you I'm trading boom Dante nori Devin saltaban and Dante Nori, Devin Saltaban, and Nick Able. Wow. To the St. Louis Cardinals.

For Nolan Ayrnado. For Nolan Ayrnado and Ryan Elsley. Isn't Elsley a free agent? No. No? They'd trade for Elsley. Okay. Well, I love Elsley.

Didn't think about that, did you? Well, I thought he was a free agent. No, he's one more year. One more year. Him and Devin Williams both have one more year. Okay. So you get your little closer. Love it, give me a closer.

Everyone's excited. Elsie's awesome. Of course Elsie's awesome, yeah. And then you get Aeronado and take on the rest of that contract. And you, I can just hear the press conference. This guy's won a lot of games. It's like $500 million on the left side of the infield.

How can you not win? Well, and then, oh, I can just, can't you just envision Schmidt at the press conference? And he says- Oh, this is my favorite player in the league. I've been watching him for years, era parent. Yeah. Nolan. Hey, Nolan, you can wear number 20. Oh, can't you see it? Well, pull it off the wall.

Yeah. That part I can't see. Yeah, I can't see. He'll wear 28 just like he's on his entire career. Exactly right. Exactly right. I can just, I'm waiting for the first Aeronauta Ho-Trot. When they, if they- It is the most obvious name that they- I can just I'm waiting for the first they're not a hooker when they If they say most obvious name that they strike out on Bregman if they strike out on Soto, I just I'm waiting for it Yeah, just waiting totally good. I'm signing Verlander

It is your new thing. Yeah, you're gonna sign for a lander and then I'm signing clay Holmes. How'd you really love claims? I don't love clay on again. This is. Again, this is a feel in my bones. This is a very Dave off season it feels like. Signing AJ Mentor. Oh, there we go. So, in a serious sense about it. I would take AJ Mentor. I would. I think I'd rather pay AJ Mentor, I don't know, I think he's going to get maybe a total of eight to 10 million a year for two or three years.

I think you could even get him on a one year deal potentially. Sure. Would I rather have AJ Minter or pay $60 million for Tanner Scott? And I love Tanner Scott. It's AJ Minter and I don't think twice about it. I just, there's this whole Tanner Scott thing, which I love Tanner Scott.

It's really good, but I'm not giving him, I'm not giving any of these relievers that kind of money, other than Hoffman. Hoffman's the only one I would even consider giving that Kind of money to and I'm probably not giving him what he might get, you know No, and I'm sorry saying Tyler O'Neill for left field nice That's the off season right on brand that is the off season really disappointing off and there's no shot They signed Mike's yeah Nolan. They're not gonna be off season would be Nolan Aeronado Yeah, Nolan Aaron not gonna be offseason would be Nolan Aaron Otto ver lander ver lander relievers Clay Holmes and AJ mentor Oh, man, and Tyler O'Neill and left Wow

Wow, that's the offseason. I feel in my bone. I could totally see it. That is a Dark timeline that be a disappointing offseason. You get your closer though. I do I love Halsey's the best part of that by far Halsey's the only one I want to do you to trade for Devin Williams or Ryan Hesley. This is a really good question. You're saying they both cost the same. Sure. And they probably do cause they both have a year left. I actually think I might take Hell's Lee. Yeah, it's tough. I would probably say Hell's Lee too. I think he's better. Like, I think Williams, like when you watch them, William's stuff looks nastier, but how's he's better? I think he's better. I think Williams, like when you watch them, Williams' stuff looks

nastier, but Halsley's better, I think. Yeah, well, yeah. I think they're about the same. And the injury stuff with Devin Williams has to be talked about. The playoff stuff. I know you've been on the anti-Hall of Fame ballot track the last couple years. Oh, is that so? Your anti-Goopers down. Oh, really? Yeah. It's good to know. I didn't know that I'm at okay but the balance that

come out yes I saw it yeah each row each row put him in CC sure CC won 300 games or 250 games even got 3000 you got the 3000 strikeouts he's gonna get it he's a lock he's a lock I just don't you know I think I think CC is a borderline Hall of Famer for me, but he's going to get it. You're right with the 3000 strikeouts. That was. Like that's, I was arguing with this yesterday

cause I think King Felix should get in. I would have taken King Felix over CC. Well, that's my point. I don't know that Felix should get in either, but I think Felix was better than CC. I love. Felix was way better than CC at his peak. I mean, Felix is a Cy Young winner.

Yeah. I don't think CC ever ever won a Cy Young did he? Well he should have won a 1-0-8. He got screwed out of that 1-0-8. He didn't win a 0-7. I don't think he won, it could be wrong. Maybe he won 1-1 along the way. Maybe he won with the Guardians, or the Indians back then. He might have won one with the Indians. I think he might have won one with the Indians. He might have won one with the Indians. I do believe he has won Cy Young, but I do love, I do love, I loved King Felix, man. He was awesome. He was part of my favorite non-Philly pitcher there for a little bit.

Daltron, you think Daltron gets in? I think he will get in based on the way the voting's gone and all that, but oh, he did win one in 07. Yeah, you're right. His last year there. So he did win the one in 07. Yeah. So that's about the one time Cy Young winners now Phil Shanahan has broke the Cy Young voting because X is the 14-game winner

Whatever was there was it less even dude? I think he well it might have been 14 and that felt like at the time It felt like a wall Yeah, and then I think the green to ground winning with nine one with maybe a losing record Yeah, I think it's's Felix Hernandez versus Bartolo. Do you think we've gone too far, now with the, because I agree, wins are, you know, a flaw that's set on, but have we gone too far with the numbers and the voting? Like,

like, do you know what I mean? Like, uh, like over rating analytics when it comes to voting for awards. Do you think it's gone too far with that? Yeah. And I just think, analytics when it comes to voting for awards. Do you think it's gone too far with that? Yeah. And I just think, I think it's all gone too far.

Yeah, I think it's all gone too far. And I think it's getting back to- I think it's all gone too far. It has all gone too far. Back to being normalized. Yeah, it's normal. I guess in a way. So I don't know, we'll see.

But it's just so funny looking at all these guys and I actually do remember. Oh, see, now you're getting to that point. Yeah, buddy. You can actually remember these guys. Their's careers of the guys. Yeah, I know that game I just man I'm so curious to see how Pedroia gets voted versus Utley Because Pedroia had the test a two championship. He does the phony MVP He won an MVP though. You're right. The phony MVP is not a Hall-famer in my mind. It's tenure Piggy at 300 Yeah, no, he's got a chance, I agree, yeah.

I mean, I think Ottley was a better player than DeJoya, but. I would say so too. I would say so too, but you know with the fricking red socks. Yeah, I know. It kinda is what it is. But it feels like the locks are Sabathia, Sabathia, Ichiro. I feel, Beltran, I hope gets in.

I think he's gonna in. Andrew Jones, I think, has a real chance to get in. I think Wagner gets in. I think he probably will will that's about it. Yeah, that's about it I mean each you're always the only one on that list who is lock lock lock The best Like so much fun. I'm sorry that guy played Major League Baseball Yeah, and then final thing here in the tape bag. It's sort of to the Dodgers good or bad for baseball bad But everyone would care about the Dodgers and they would if they lost it creates

What they kind of a sweet thing that people would care that much like I think it would just be like alright Well, that's dumb. They spent all the money. I hope he doesn't go there. So I really hope and I don't think he will be you know They'll just sign Sasaki in a one-man. It's a sake again. I wish I wish the Phillies could sign them I love them. I love will, but he, you know, they'll just sign Sasaki and it won't matter. Dude, Sasaki again, I wish the Phillies could sign him. I know. I love him. I love him. That's a bummer. Listen, you're gonna get Bregman and you're gonna get Crochet.

And then you're gonna get- I mean, at this point, I have to be happy about it. You're gonna get Bone for two relievers. Yeah, at this point, it's like, great. I do believe that's plan A. It sounds like a viable plan. Yes. Yeah. And he could be a Mariner, but they're not getting Munoz.

No, I know. You're going to get Matt Brash. I like Matt Brash, but I need more back from Boam than Matt Brash. No, it's Matt Brash and something else. OK. Like Andres Munoz? Yeah, I think there's like Andres Munoz.

I think the teams that make sense for him are the Reds, Royals, Mariners. Diaz, could he get Diaz for him? Maybe. I think Fernando Cruz seems more viable. It just seems like they're going to trade him for a bullpen arm. Everyone will be excited about that. Well, as long as bone gone, right?

If they trade for the right reliever. You got anything else? No. Good. The next time we talk, W Soto will be a filly. Oh yeah, well, yeah. All right, we'll figure it out. Do you buy into that he's going to sign before the winter meetings thing?

Yes. Wow, you do. I don't. I don't. I think he's going to sign at the winter meeting. I agree. All right, we'll be back. John at the press and Matt at agree. Alright, we'll be back.

Shout out to Preston Mattingly. Why are they all... All the reporters now are getting the whole, they're gonna meet with Juan Soto thing at the same time. This is exciting! Everyone's tweeting it out! They're gonna meet with him! Can't wait. Alright, we'll be back. He's Prince himself.

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