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Salaries, Extensions, and Prospects
12 Plays8 days ago
A discussion about $500 million dollar Salaries, The most recent contract extensions, the top prospects in MILB and a quick review of the St Louis Cardinals.
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Transcript
Introduction to the Show and Host
00:00:00
Speaker
This is Gateway Sports. The rumors are true.
00:00:24
Speaker
This is Talking Sports on the Bleachers with Don Glenn. A confident young man. A superb athlete. A look at the sports issues of the day. Holy cow!
00:00:36
Speaker
Grab a seat, pop a cold one. Gee, that sounds kind of interesting. And let's talk some sports.
00:00:45
Speaker
You've got to get it done!
00:00:50
Speaker
Pujols with the widespread stance, arms out over the plate. Bickford from the stretch. The 1-1 pitch. A swing and there it goes! Left field, way back!
00:01:02
Speaker
That's home run number 700! Pujols hits a three-run homer and he hit 699 and 700 at Dodger Stadium on September 23rd, 2022.
00:01:14
Speaker
twenty twenty two
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Speaker
8 23 bm pacific
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Speaker
time badgers have no timeouts they can't stop it
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Speaker
McCourt for the win in the air.
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Speaker
Yes! Good! Let's go! Let's go, baby! Upset in champagne! The Illini win it 24-23!
00:02:18
Speaker
I could have had class. I could have been contender. I could have been somebody.
00:02:37
Speaker
Are you crying? There's no crying! There's
00:02:51
Speaker
Playoffs? Don't talk about... Playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs?
00:03:27
Speaker
Hey, Dad? You want to have a catch? I'd like that.
00:03:45
Speaker
Hey, welcome to the show, folks. This is Talking Sports on the Bleachers with Don Glenn, and I am your host, Don Glenn. And the show is a proud part of the Gateway Sports Network, where you can find a plethora of podcasts and articles on your favorite sports in the Gateway area, covering pro to college and more. It's thegatewaysports.net.
00:04:08
Speaker
Okay, sorry for the unscheduled pause. I know it's been a couple couple, three, four weeks since I last talked to y'all, but had some personal things going on, a death in the family. had owned my own little personal wrist surgery I had to have done. and So things had just kind of been got put on a back burner. But hey, I'm back with you now, and we've got some news.
Rebranding and Show Changes
00:04:28
Speaker
So recently, as you know, Gateway Sports, which used to be the Fuel Sports Network, um you know They did some remodeling and we came up with Gateway Sports. is you know We did a re-renovating, if you will, on my other show, the NCAA Report with Don and Russ.
00:04:50
Speaker
So I thought it was time to do another renovation. And it's going to be this show. So this will actually officially be the last show. the last podcast for talking sports on the bleachers with Don Glenn.
00:05:07
Speaker
Um, I, yeah know, it's been five years with that title now, or five episodes, five seasons, I guess, if you will, not necessarily five years, but five seasons. And I thought it was time for a change. in so And what precipitated this was, we were in our, gateway sports, uh, chat room. We did, we were talking about, uh, doing, uh,
00:05:31
Speaker
promotional headshots and things of that nature so we had I headshots generated using our own photos and then putting us in you know you know how the AI the thing works ah hopefully you do if you don't it's kind of a fun process um but anyway So I did some of mine. I did about four or five just to see what people thought. And one one photo was particularly noticed by r our co-founder, Derek King, who said, hey, this looks like, I like this picture because it looks like Uncle Don.
00:06:05
Speaker
So that made me think back to two things. One was my dad. And with my cousins always calling him Uncle Don. you know Of course you do that when you're relatives and stuff like that. But it made me think of my dad.
00:06:17
Speaker
The other thing was, I grew up listening to WLS Radio. um The 50,000 watt love pump in Chicago. And um there was a DJ on there by the name of Larry Lujak.
00:06:34
Speaker
And he was at that station for about 20 years, from think it was 67 to 87. And he was famous for one routine that he did called Animal Stories. um And that how that came about was a completely different story, which i don't really want, don't need to get into here. But anyway, he had an Animal Stories, and he had a little semi-cohost named Tommy, or a little, little that that was really, well,
00:06:58
Speaker
Anyway, he had a co-host, a semi-co-host for the show. don't know if he was his producer or if it was just an intern or just whoever else, but ah Tommy Edwards.
00:07:10
Speaker
And he would introduce the bit as Animal Stories with Uncle Lair and little snot-nosed Tommy. So the idea of a facelift moved from the back of my mind to the front. So this will be, as I said, the last official talking sports on the bleachers with Don Glenn.
00:07:27
Speaker
And
New Show Format and Baseball Season Excitement
00:07:28
Speaker
we'll be the ushering in of talking sports with Uncle Don. I know I'm not that creative, but hey, it sounded good. ah So, uh, thank you for being here for the last episode. And, uh, hopefully you will, uh, be come back when the format changes or when the name changes. Now the format won't change a lot.
00:07:49
Speaker
It'll still be a general sports show, but there's going to be more of an emphasis now on, uh, on season or in season sports, um, I'll still to have time, take time out to talk about my favorite teams, you know, and maybe some recent news happening with them. I'm talking like the Cardinals, the Blues, ah the Illinois Fighting Illini and things of that nature.
00:08:14
Speaker
But generally, it's going to be somewhat unchanged. So let's get cracking, shall we? It's baseball season once again. so and I remember the old Looney Tunes Bugs Bunny cartoon where it was Elmer Fudd trying to figure out if it was duck season or a wabbit season.
00:08:33
Speaker
And at the end, um Bugs Bunny dresses up as a game warden and Elmer goes to him and says, I am so confused. to i just want to know what season it is to hunt.
00:08:47
Speaker
I told him the wabbit season, duck season, mongool season, dirty skunk. Anyway, the Bugs Bunny goes, well, son, it's baseball season. And he goes off shooting a baseball around the field.
00:08:59
Speaker
ah So, you know, that that's kind of a fun thing there. But oh I want to just the don't care who's on first, who's in first, who loses first.
00:09:12
Speaker
But to me, it's baseball season. And, you know, I know a lot of people, ah depending on what team you're rooting for, i know a lot of Cardinal fans have been very vociferous in their ah disdain for what happened this offseason in the Cardinals and how they played the last couple of years. And, you know, okay, I get it. you're you're You're dissatisfied.
00:09:42
Speaker
i get that. But, you know, it's baseball season. Enjoy it. It's here. That means it's sunny weather for the most part. Unless you live in the Northwest.
00:09:54
Speaker
ah But it's it's it's it's sunny weather. It's the smell of hot dogs. It's the crowds. It's the crack of bat wood on on baseball. And if you can't get excited for that, then, you know, I just don't know what to tell
MLB Contract Extensions Analysis
00:10:12
Speaker
you.
00:10:12
Speaker
So I was looking around and there was an article published by Jim Bowden of The Athletic, and he ranks the most recent 11 MLB extensions from the best deals to the riskiest ones.
00:10:27
Speaker
And some of the deals are very club friendly and some are player friendly, but there's a couple of really that do defy some logic. I have to give him that, give him credit for that. So some I'm going kind of go over these. Some I'm going to spend a little time on, some I won't spend a lot of time on So the best deal that he starts off with is Jackson Merrill, center fielder for the Padres.
00:10:47
Speaker
He gets a nine-year, $135 million. dollars Now, these are all deals that have been signed either this offseason or this spring before the season started. 135 million dollars so for nine years uh maryl is only 21 uh and he finished second last year in the rookie of the year balloting when he hit 292 326 524 home runs 90 rbis he's got really good fielding skills uh only three errors and 403 chances in the center field and right now uh and i pulled these stats after the first 10 games um
00:11:22
Speaker
he's hidden He was hitting.378,.415,.676, three home runs, 10 RBIs. This deal also includes an option for a 10th season, ah which takes him to age 30, 31. So if he stays productive, he can still get a pretty decent six, seven-year deal down the road, maybe, um for decent amount of money.
00:11:46
Speaker
So this is a you're figuring at 135 for nine. That's in there less than 20 million dollars a year. They're going to get they've got this kid locked up until he's 30 or 31.
00:11:57
Speaker
um Pretty good deal if you ask me for the Padres. And then you couple that with the with what they've already got. if they keep him in place. And you look at the other long-term deals the Padres have got. This is a hell of a deal for the Padres.
00:12:13
Speaker
Because you look at Manny Machado got an 11-year deal for $350 million. He's not a free agent until 2030. Tatis... tati A 14-year deal. He's not ah for $340.
00:12:26
Speaker
He's ah not eligible for free agency until 2035. Xander Bogart's got 11 years for $280 million. He's a free agent in 34. So if you figure this contract out for Merrill, this takes him to 2034.
00:12:44
Speaker
um you know So they got a pretty decent... then you Also, you can look at Jake k Cronenworth. Seven years, $80 million. dollars He's locked in until 2031.
00:12:56
Speaker
I mean, this is ah this is a nice little deal for the Padres. They've got a really good core that's locked in that they don't have to worry about. ah Really smart deal. And actually, you know if you look at it compared to the others, now granted, I'm not saying Jackson Merrill is a Manny Machado or Fernando Tatis where he's going to deserve $300 million. But...
00:13:16
Speaker
but you know, locking him in for what they got or what they're getting, that's it's just a nice little deal. um You know, and in 2030, when they lose, and when they when they run out of of Machado's contract and Kronor's contract in 2031, you know, you've still got Bogarts, you've still got Tatis, you've still got Merrill, and anybody you've been able to add in over those years and some kids that are coming up. So, it's you know, this is...
00:13:47
Speaker
it's smart job by the san diego padres you just got to give them credit next up on this list is christian campbell a second baseman outfielder for the red sox who was listed as the number six prox prospect in all of baseball he gets eight years for 60 million dollars okay now grant i realize the kid's only 23.
00:14:08
Speaker
And, you you flash $60 million dollars in front of a 23-year-old kid, he's not going to think twice. He's taking the deal. Most kids will anyway. um This is his rookie season.
00:14:19
Speaker
And after just one week of him playing, that's when they made this deal. So they looked at him for a week and said, yeah, sign him. So they get him for at eight years, like I said.
00:14:33
Speaker
which takes him through his arbitration years and gets him to about, what, 2033 or 2032. ah And the club then has two options in 2033, 2034, one for 19 million, one for 21 million, respectively.
00:14:51
Speaker
So, you know, it's kind of a gamble on both parts. I mean, they're signing him, clearing his arbitration years, which is great. I mean, you want if you can get a guy through without having to worry about arbitration that's that's just a hell of a deal but you know uh campbell's taking a little bit of a risk too because he's locking out his first two with the if the club exercises the options he's locking out his first two or three ah years of um free agency
00:15:23
Speaker
So, you know a little bit of a risk on both sides, but, you know, it's a really good deal. ah to And if you look at the Red Sox point of view, they have to worry about arbitration. Now, if he completely bombs, you know, then, okay, yeah, it's it's not that great, but you're still locking up 60 million bucks.
00:15:42
Speaker
It's not like you've locked but locked in a ton of money on this deal. Now, he went through the minors in two years, which is why I think they they pulled the trigger. because This kid is just, he's performed everywhere he's been.
00:15:56
Speaker
He had, in those two years in the minors, he had a slash time of 327, 439, 546, 20 homelands, 82 RBIs. um so you know really the risk here for both of them is not that big. I mean, yeah, Campbell's taking a little bit bigger risk because he's moving up to the big boy club.
00:16:18
Speaker
ah But, you know, we'll see how it goes. um
00:16:23
Speaker
So next up on his Garrett Crochet, like left-handed pitcher from Boston. He's got a six-year $178 deal. Now, it's kind of in line with what the, if you look at it on the on its whole, if you look at what the Yankees paid for Max Fried or Arizona paid for Corbin Burns in the past years of free agent, you know, it's about in line with those guys. And Crochet's numbers aren't.
00:16:51
Speaker
that far off from those guys um considering he played arguably with one one of the worst teams in baseball with the White Sox. It is a big outlay when you when you consider, the like you said, you look at his numbers, but then again, you take where he's playing, Chicago.
00:17:08
Speaker
But as of in his first two games with Boston, he was 1-1 with the 1.5, or first three games, excuse me, 1-1 with a 1.45 ERA in 18 innings with 17 Ks versus 7 walks.
00:17:22
Speaker
And, um, so I think this is a deal that I think he's found a decent home, I think in Boston. And I think this deal is going to be work out very well for them.
00:17:33
Speaker
number four on this list is Lawrence Butler, right fielder from Oakland or excuse me, as they're called now the athletics. They technically don't have a home. Although get what, uh, San Jose or wherever they're playing Sacramento. I can't remember where they're playing in California right now, but they're not in sand they're not in Oakland. so um He's a 24 year old, got a seven year deal for $65.5 million, dollars you know, kind of like the the Christian Campbell deal.
00:18:04
Speaker
um And ah this could actually top $87 million dollars depending on incentives. And the team also claimed that has an option claiming for 2032. Now, Butler doesn't have a really big bat. He's only hitting like 250, 306, 450.
00:18:24
Speaker
um But he had a breakout year in slugging last season with a 490 slug and 22 home runs, 24 doubles. you know And quite frankly, they just don't have anybody else that they can sign to a long-term contract.
00:18:40
Speaker
And I'm not sure this was a good signing myself. I mean, um Bowden has it as number four. I tend to think this is more of a deal that's player-friendly than team-friendly, if you ask me.
00:18:52
Speaker
But we'll see what happens. ah Stranger things have happened in that respect. ah Number five, the Guardian secured Tanner Beebe, right-handed pitcher, five years, $48 million. dollars Extensions to pitchers are always a risk.
00:19:06
Speaker
ah But Beebe's only 26, so you're not extending him past what a lot of experts say is the the the age limit for pitchers at 30, 31.
00:19:19
Speaker
You're not extending your past that, so it's not that great of a deal. I mean, in terms of years. And you're getting him at a pretty decent time in his career, whereas he's getting close to his prime.
00:19:30
Speaker
Should peak in the next three to four years. So this is a pretty good deal for the Guardians. The club also has an option for 2030, because this takes him to 2029, I guess.
00:19:41
Speaker
And it's like ten to less than $10 million bucks a year. So it's not a bad deal. Club has the option for 2030. um And when you look at the pitching staff for the Guardians with Logan Allen, he's under contract at 27. Luis Ortiz is under contract at 27.
00:19:58
Speaker
So he can be kind of that core group in the rotation that that holds them together for a couple more years. And number six is Diamondbacks, extending the contract of Brandon Fedot.
00:20:12
Speaker
I hope I pronounced that right. P-F-A-A-D-T Fod. I can't remember. Anyway, five years, $45 million. dollars This is curious because they had two other pitchers, Zach Galen and Merrill Kelly, who ah Kelly, I can quite, I can understand not giving an extension to. He's 36, but Galen's only 29. That is I think.
00:20:42
Speaker
Yeah. And so it's just the three years difference between the two. So you you gain three years. But, you know, I mean, he pitched okay. But, you know, if I'm the out, one thing is Galen could be looking at a huge up a contract coming in the way he pitched. And if he pitches that way again this year, could be looking for a bigger payday that the Diamondbacks don't want to pay.
00:21:08
Speaker
But, you know, I just I just question this one. I really do. Yeah. So you look at the number seven deal on this one. The Mariners have the only catcher in Major League Baseball who topped the 30-homer mark in the last two seasons, and that's Craig Rowley. They just...
00:21:31
Speaker
Assigned him to a six-year, $105 million dollar extension. Take him to age 34, which is not that bad for a catcher. um An annual NAV of $17 million.
00:21:42
Speaker
it's This is not a bad move. Like I said, his you know you got him until age 34, so yeah hopefully his the defense doesn't slip too bad. ah But he's a besides being a powerhouse hitter, he's also a pretty good glove.
00:22:00
Speaker
And the perception of his defense is he's very good at handling pitchers and, you know, could be a gold glove. He was a gold glove winner last year and, you know, could have some more coming down to him. So this one's not a bad deal for both, I think. um Like said, he gets $105 million for six years and takes him to age 34. And, you know, after that, he can...
00:22:23
Speaker
do a couple small contracts and retire pretty comfortable. Another catcher got a good deal. Alejandro Kirk of the Blue Jays secured a five-year, $58 million dollar deal.
00:22:34
Speaker
He's a former Silver Slugger, All-Star back in 22. He's had a low couple tough years, ah but you know you got a credit the Blue Jays for saying, okay, we're going to give him a shot um to rebound. And you know i think he can with Toronto. We'll just have to see how it goes.
00:22:52
Speaker
uh number nine on this list is justin martinez five years 18 million dollars to eric zone here's another and this may be another reason they didn't extend zach galen's because they had this kid to to extend um he had a six and six record with nine saves and 74 appearances last year and he is one of the four relievers on the roster who is under age 30.
00:23:16
Speaker
Because he's only 23. So, you know, there's ah there's a deal there. Keep a ah reliever while he's young. um You know, and so I think that could have been a reason. And again, with signing him and the next guy they just signed, you know, like I think that's what squeezed Zach Galen out of this mess.
00:23:34
Speaker
As the number 10 on this list is Cateo Marte. And this is the one that I think really is a big question mark for Arizona. you know For me, I just don't understand this one. So it's six years, $116 million.
00:23:47
Speaker
Now Marte was a big player for the D-backs last year. He turned in just a pretty ah really, really good season. 36 home runs, 95 RBIs, third in the MVP voting, one of Silver Slugger.
00:23:59
Speaker
So why am I saying this is Curious Extension? Well, he was still already under contract until 2027. They didn't have to do that this year. They could have waited.
00:24:12
Speaker
um i'm i'm I'm not again. I'm just not sure why this deal was done. ah Can we kind of remind? He's already 31. OK, that's that's the other. And that's the other thing.
00:24:24
Speaker
31. So they're extending until age 37. It kind of reminds me of the of the of the um Matt Carpenter deal. St. Louis signed a few years ago.
00:24:36
Speaker
ah He was already under contract with two extensions. Or two options, excuse me. And they went in and extended them out past the options.
00:24:47
Speaker
And it's just like, okay, why did you do it then? And of course, everybody knows, well, people in St. Louis know what happened. They sucked. um yeah I'm not saying this was going to happen to Marte, but why push that envelope now If he's not a free agent at 27, you can wait this year, see if he continues where he's headed, and then extend him next year when he's one year away from his walk year.
00:25:21
Speaker
That would have made more sense. um And you could have got him for a little bit less in years. You could have got him for five years or four years you know for about $75 million. and Instead, they want to do six years, 116. And sixteen and i just, I just, this, that one befuddles me.
00:25:40
Speaker
And the last one is Vlad Guerrero
Future MLB Contract Speculations
00:25:42
Speaker
Jr. 14 years, $500 million. dollars Now, Bowdoin says that the he felt felt the Blue Jays had no choice, which, okay.
00:25:55
Speaker
Yes, he was due to be a free agent next season. And this is kind of like what I'm saying on with the Marte, you know. um OK, time to extend him is now. um But.
00:26:10
Speaker
You know, 14 years for 500 million.
00:26:15
Speaker
Now, granted, he's not that old. So this only takes him to age 30 or age who actually age 40.
00:26:24
Speaker
so But still, you're you're paying him, what, over $120 million dollars of that contract is going to be paid between age 36 and age 40.
00:26:41
Speaker
Which is, again, for hitters, that's your declining years.
00:26:46
Speaker
So this is why it doesn't make any sense to me. um I mean, he's good. Don't get me wrong. He broke out in 21 with a 311, 401, 601 slash, clubbing 48 home runs, which was an MLB best, driving 111 runs. And that was at age 22.
00:27:06
Speaker
But they could have locked him in, like I said, instead of going 14 years, they could have gone 12 years. Or they could have locked him in then, I should say, at 12 to 14 years.
00:27:23
Speaker
And then they're getting him just as he starts his declining years. And they could have got him for a little cheaper. Um, now they, to do the due diligence, they wanted to wait a couple of years. He's still a really good player, but this is really something I think, uh, Hmm.
00:27:42
Speaker
I don't know. To me, it's a curious, curious, uh, extension. So, uh, now a little quick thing on that, uh, we'll segue here.
00:27:54
Speaker
So when you're talking to five, $500 million dollars contracts, if you want to look at who is next since guerrero is the last one to sign a 500 or 500 million dollar deal uh another article on cbs uh sports by dane perry lists who he thinks the top five candidates are for the next 500 million dollar player and
00:28:24
Speaker
most of these i can't see i can't see it happening um He lists Gunnar Henderson, Ellie De La Cruz, Kyle Tucker, Paul Skeens, and Jackson Holliday.
00:28:36
Speaker
So when you're talking to five a $500 contract, you're talking and an AAV v of around $50 million dollars for a 10-year deal. So $500 million, dollars you're looking at a 12, 13, or as Guerrero contract.
00:28:55
Speaker
Which is, to me, a huge outlay. That's just too many years. I can't see paying anybody for that many years. um But, you know, teams have done it. Teams are doing it. So, there it is.
00:29:11
Speaker
Now, I'm going to rule out a couple of guys already here. Number one is Kyle Tucker. He's already 28. um If you go to age 36, 37 for him, let's say, which is, I guess, 36, 37 is the one they, so you know, normally the declining years.
00:29:33
Speaker
That's only an eight-year deal. That's over $60 million dollars a year And even if you went through a tenure deal, take until age 30, that's still 50 million bucks a year. And I just don't see anybody signing anybody to $50 million dollars a year. Now, yeah, the Dodgers technically did it was with Otani at seven, what, $70 million dollars a year.
00:29:55
Speaker
And no, that's fine. they They can do that. um But. I just, I'm sorry. I just don't see it with ah Kyle Tucker. This isn't going to happen. and Another one I'm going eliminate on this is Paul Skeens.
00:30:12
Speaker
Great pitcher. He's only 23, but you're not going to sign a pitcher to a 14-year deal. You're going to sign him to a 7-8 max. So you're, again, talking $65, $70 million dollars a year.
00:30:25
Speaker
Not going to happen. Skeens is good. He ain't that good. um Now, the other three likes that are far more likely. um Gunnar Henderson, he's only 23. Shortstop for the Orioles.
00:30:41
Speaker
And he's due to be a free agent in 2028. so you know You're looking at that point in time, he's going to be around $26, $27. So you could do, realistically, if you want to bite the bullet for four years, you could do a 12 to 13 year deal um and make it affordable at $500 million.
00:31:01
Speaker
um And he's not a bad one to go with. You're looking at what he's doing right now. He's got good power. The last two seasons, he's had really good power numbers. 65 home runs. Combine that with his 5'10 slug and 174 a 27% rate. Got a good glove.
00:31:17
Speaker
with only a twenty seven percent k rate got a good glove
00:31:24
Speaker
So and if if they were going to do a 500 year, it would end up being an extension on this guy. And I would I would not wait that long if you're going to extend him to a 500 million dollar contract, which I don't think he's worth right now um because he hasn't really shown that much.
00:31:47
Speaker
You're looking maybe in two years, if he's still performing like this, you look at doing that, catch him when he's 25, you do a 12-year deal. $500 million is not that bad over 12 years.
00:32:02
Speaker
I mean, still a little much for me. but I just don't see it with him ah at that. And when he gets to that age again, you get to the 27, 28.
00:32:14
Speaker
I just don't see the idea of extending a person, you know, 12, 14 years. I really, really don't. So it's something they'll have to do early. And, you know his numbers are don't think they're going to make 500 million on it He could probably get a decent, you know, eight to 10 year deal for $375, maybe $400.
00:32:35
Speaker
I don't see $500. Cruz, $500. maybe four hundred but don't see five hundred l laatorta cruise um for the shortstop for the reds same age as uh henderson um not a good not as good a power numbers but not bad he's got uh speed i mean he's you look at that kid run he's fast um plays his position well good glove But again, he's looking at age 27, 28 for his free agent year.
00:33:09
Speaker
And, you know, again, 13, 14 years, you're putting the guy at that, at, uh, through his age, 39, 40 years. I just, again, I'm, I'm not seeing the value in that.
00:33:23
Speaker
Um, but I think, The Reds are another team. they know They've got four years to play with this. If he continues, say, the next year or two, I can see him being signed early at age 24, 25, and to an extension.
00:33:45
Speaker
Could it rival $500 million? It's got a good chance. It's got a good chance. um I'd say a little bit better chance than Henderson's got, but you know we'll see. Again, ah the third name on on that list that he had that I that i think could be there is Jackson Holliday.
00:34:06
Speaker
Now, he's only 21, but again, he's another one. He's looking at age, what, 28, 29, because it's at the 2030, no, excuse me, 26, 27 at the age, or at the 2030 season.
00:34:22
Speaker
So, he's he's one that I think probably, if anybody's got the chance to be the $500 million dollars guy, it's going to be Jackson Holliday of the three that are left. But, you know, he had a rough... He's going to make some comeback here because he had a rough first season last year.
00:34:39
Speaker
Hitting below the Mendoes line at 189 with only five homers, 23 RBIs. But everybody can see this kid's potential. Of course, he's the former he's the son of former MLB All-Star Matt Holliday.
00:34:52
Speaker
um And, again, he's one... If he picks up the way they think, by age 23, 24...
00:35:04
Speaker
you can go 14 years on him only takes him to age 38.
00:35:12
Speaker
So I think in that vein, yeah, he's a good, he's a good shot. Um, but again, he's going to have to get there and sustain it. couple of the names, another name that's just that says that, uh, popped up as I was looking around is James Wood left fielder for the nationals.
00:35:28
Speaker
He's 22. Um, um Now, the reason he's his name popped up is because in the last 10 years, 18 contracts have exceeded $245 million. dollars And almost a third of those players got their start with Washington.
00:35:45
Speaker
And we're talking guys like Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon, Steven Strasburg, Trey Turner, and most recently Juan Soto. Now, Mo would did sign start his major career with the Padres, but he was treated during in the minors to national. So he came up actually through their system.
00:36:06
Speaker
And he's. His numbers, I don't think, would qualify him realistically unless he gets a little bit better. And he's only 22, so he's bound to bound to get better.
00:36:18
Speaker
264, 354, 427 last season, nine bombs forty one rbis and seventy nine games um He looks to have a better option or better power numbers this coming season. He's already got four homers and 50 plate appearances and a slug of 581. So, yeah, I think he's got, if he can continue that kind of growth, you know, again, couple years down a road the road, the Nationals might look to him to see about it.
00:36:47
Speaker
But I don't see him getting his extension with the Nationals. I just don't. Yeah.
Promotional Segment for Liquid IV
00:36:58
Speaker
So right now i'm going to take a look at Major League, well, in a minute going to take a look at Major League prospects right after I talk you about liquid IV. Now whether you're working out or working in the yard or just being active, hydration is a major factor.
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Just on a daily basis, the average loss of water due to hy dehydration is about 3% to 5%. So obviously the higher activity level, the higher level of dehydration.
00:37:23
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Now, dehydration levels get around 8% to 9%. It starts to affect your body. feel thirsty. You feel tired. These symptoms increase the more you dehydrate. Losing 15% of your body's water is enough to put you in the hospital.
00:37:36
Speaker
And I have been there with that particular condition and it is not fun. tell you that right now. So dehydration is very serious issue. Water alone sometimes isn't enough. Now couple that with the fact most people only drink 50% of the recommended daily amount of water for proper hydration and good health.
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00:38:28
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So even you vegans can get into this. I use liquid IV myself. I use the electrolyte replacement formula, especially when I'm out in the yard. I use the energy hydration formula for those times they need to pick me up.
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There's an immune boosting formula that's packed with vitamin C. i've also used the our They also have a kombucha blend formula me for dietary health and even a formula for better sleep through hydration ah containing melatonin.
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They have flavors that are very light, refreshing, to me no aftertaste. I'm partial Golden Cherry, Azu Pineapple, Strawberry Lemonade. They also have other flavors like Lemon Lime, Green Grape, White Peach, and Pina Colada.
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00:39:48
Speaker
So long flights get you dehydrated, which causes jet lag. Now, coffee and tea don't help with the caffeine levels, and alcohol won't help because it acts as a dehydrator. So ask for a bottle of water, drop in a stick, and stay hydrated.
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Prospect Overview and Player Performance
00:41:03
Speaker
Okay, let's take a look at some MLB, ML, MI LB prospects. I'm sorry.
00:41:09
Speaker
um And just looking at the top 10, three are already in in Major League Baseball. in Roki Sasaki, Christian Campbell, who we talked about earlier, and Jackson Jobe. Sasaki is the number one prospect, Jobe's number four, Christian Campbell's the number, as I said earlier, was the number six.
00:41:25
Speaker
ah Right now, Asaki is 0-0 three starts with a and only eight and two-thirds innings pitched um for the Dodgers. He's walked 11, struck at eight. So that's not a really good start to his career.
00:41:42
Speaker
Um, but he's, uh, assuming Lee will get better. Um, hopefully for the Dodgers, uh, Jackson, Job has had two starts for Detroit and neither of those have gone particularly well.
00:41:56
Speaker
Uh, he's given up six hits or seven hits, six runs, five earns, walk seven, struck out seven and only nine innings. Um, you know Campbell, of course, as we know. I noted those earlier.
00:42:09
Speaker
um There are three others that caught my eye on this list of the top ten. Number two prospect overall is Raman Anthony. He's a 20-year-old outfielder for the Red Sox organization.
00:42:22
Speaker
Throws right, bats left. Currently a AAA Worcester. Signed right out of high school in 22. He has a really good power. 32 home runs in his last two years in 850 at-bats.
00:42:34
Speaker
Good bat skills with averaging 282 with a 399 on base. Steals bases as well. ah The only rule I knock on him supposedly he is his arm strength is rated as...
00:42:46
Speaker
ah average to solid. um But again, being a 20 years old, he's got time to strengthen that arm up and and you know work on his work on his mechanics, if you will.
00:43:00
Speaker
Number three prospect, Walter Jenkins is in the Twins organization, also an outfielder at 20 years old. He's a double-A Wichita. And last season, he went through four levels from rookie ball to double-A.
00:43:15
Speaker
I mean, he's he's projected to be up ah sometime this year with the with the Twins. um So they've really got high hopes for this kid.
00:43:28
Speaker
And right now, his career number suggests at least a move to AAA this year at 299, 395, 467.
00:43:36
Speaker
Hasn't shown a lot of pop with only eight home runs, but again, another good glove guy with some speed. So, you know, Walter Jenkins could be somebody you could be keep an eye out if you're a Twins fan. Another guy is Andrew Painter, right-handed pitcher. He's only 22. He's in the Phillies organization.
00:43:50
Speaker
He's the number seven prospect overall. He's an imposing figure on the mound at 6'7 and 215 pounds. Two years removed from Tommy John s surgery, which why you haven't heard of him before.
00:44:03
Speaker
um He has a four-pitch arsenal and features a fastball that can hit the triple digits. This is after Tommy John. um He's got a low 80s curve, a high 80s slider.
00:44:16
Speaker
That is almost more like a cutter than it is a slider. And he's got an above average change up. He's also slated to be in the big leagues this year. So we'll see how that goes for him.
00:44:31
Speaker
ah one name i hear Another name I hear people talking about is Travis Bazana. He's a 20-year-old second baseman of Cleveland. Currently a double-A Akron.
00:44:43
Speaker
Drafted out of Oregon State where he set a school record for steals. with 36. He's a lefty-sided swinger. Also has ah good power. ah Again, at Oregon State bashing a a school record 28 home runs. um He's good bat speed, bat-to-ball skills, good range of second base.
00:45:04
Speaker
So ah you know he's another one you can look at. For Cardinal fans, J.J. Weatherholt is listed as the number 21 prospect, currently at AA Springfield. People are saying they could see him this year near the end at call-up time.
00:45:18
Speaker
um And with the current recent injury to Mason Wynn, I don't know if that will get sped up. It just depends how long wind's going to be out or they're gonna if they think this could be a ah chronic condition with wind. So we'll see how that goes.
00:45:35
Speaker
ah Right now, Weatherholz timetable is not until 2026.
00:45:40
Speaker
So speaking of the Cardinals, um now I've pulled these figures from the April 10th, so ah they're not quite what they are at this point. i mean Right now they're, I think, eight and nine but right This I had them at 6-7.
00:45:56
Speaker
They were only a game and a half behind the first place Brewers. I think right now it's the first place Cubs and they're two games behind. um And their offense has been what's striking to me.
00:46:10
Speaker
They started the season with 10 or more hits in each of their first nine games. um Which, you know, last year if you'd have told me they would have put 90 hits together in the first nine games, I would have would have wanted to know what you were smoking smoking or drinking.
00:46:24
Speaker
um The overall hitting has not been what you would call a
00:46:35
Speaker
an extension of the past where they said, oh, it's it's all drive. They're going to hit, you know, they get the loft, get the launch angle. No, new new hitting coach, Brent Brown, he's made it very clear. And I've heard this heard him say this on interviews a couple different times now.
00:46:50
Speaker
There's a time to slug and there's a time to hit. And if you watch the Cardinals and know what their ah offense is doing, most of these guys, when they're getting, and even the younger guys like Walker and Gorman,
00:47:03
Speaker
when they're getting two strikes on them, they cut their swing back. I mean this is old school stuff we're talking about. You know, they don't keep putting it down on the end and swinging swinging off their back foot.
00:47:16
Speaker
They're choking up a little bit or they're just compacting swing down. They're not looking to put the ball out. They're just looking to put the ball in play. And I think that, if anything, is the biggest difference.
00:47:30
Speaker
with Brant Brown over ah Turner Ward last year and Jeff Albert before that. um Also, I like the way theyre they're approaching the plate. They're being more aggressive. They're not letting the pitcher dictate.
00:47:45
Speaker
um They're being more selective of what they're swinging at. You're not seeing Walker swinging at those low away pitches anymore. um A lot of people worried about Gorman during spring training as he was striking out a ton during spring training.
00:48:00
Speaker
But so far um this season, he has... He's started out and with a 4-for-8 in his first ah couple games, had a home run in the RBA, and only one strikeout.
00:48:15
Speaker
And he's also, he's not chasing. um You know, yeah there's also, you look at Alec Burleson. um He picked up where he left off.
00:48:26
Speaker
He picked up where he left off last year. He's a little low right now in the power department ah with no hope with no home runs. Of course, I think he's already had one since then, maybe, since this last once I looked at the last figures, and only three doubles, but he is putting bat to ball.
00:48:41
Speaker
He's making things happen. Lars Nukbar moved to leadoff this season. i Of any move so far that Marmol has made with this law with this lineup construction,
00:48:57
Speaker
is putting newt bar in the leadoff spot in the leadoff spot no he's not going to steal you a ton of bases like a victor scott will and i think victor scott will end up being there at some point once he really gets used to and learns how to adjust to major league pitching um but newt bar is he's got a 403 on base percentage he's driving in some runs he's He's hitting. He's walk he's got, what, 10 walks in the first 10 games.
00:49:30
Speaker
So, you know, you look at that, and yeah that's what you want your leadoff guy to do. He works counts. He he makes a pitcher work. He's not swinging at pitches. And, again, the the whole team is not doing it They're not swinging at the pitches that are that are off the plate. They're waiting. they're They're making a pitcher work.
00:49:47
Speaker
you know and And if you want the honest of it, look at it. In the last, let's see, they just finished the second game with Houston. they got one more today.
00:49:58
Speaker
um Over the last ah six games or so, going back to the Pirates series, they've beaten Paul Skeens, Aaron Nola, Zach Wheeler, and Womber Valdez.
00:50:13
Speaker
That's some pretty good pitchers. And they beat them by making them work. making them, you know, fouling off a pitch here, fouling off a pitch there, you know, having seven, eight, nine pitch at bats.
00:50:28
Speaker
And I think that's that's one thing I think you're going to see continue with it. I hope it continues anyway. and If they continue with that and they can get the pitching to get more consistent, which is, you know, I know that's been a broken record for the last few years, but I'll get to the pitching in a minute.
00:50:45
Speaker
If they can get the pitching to to get consistent, then you could see this team And I'm not making any wild predictions that they're going to be a World Series bound team or make a deep playoff run.
00:50:56
Speaker
But this is a team that's going to be competitive. And quite frankly, I'll take a quick little side note here before I get to pitching. The attendance figures, a lot of people making big hay out of it.
00:51:10
Speaker
First week, I wasn't too worried about it because the weather was just shitty. ah That's the best word I'm put for po folks is what it was. But, you know, I think now we're seeing people that they just don't want to believe or they're apathetic.
00:51:27
Speaker
Get over it. These kids, these guys and the kids for the most part are playing some damn exciting baseball. Get out and watch it. That's my plug. OK, so going into pitching.
00:51:39
Speaker
um it's It's, you know, like said, it's lacking a little consistency. But you've got Sonny Gray, who is now, I think, a perfect 4-0, maybe, or 3-0.
00:51:51
Speaker
He has pitched, I mean... He's pitching very, had one rough outing his first game. And ever since then, he's been just a lights out on the mound. ah Eric Fetty, who's had two really, really good starts lately.
00:52:05
Speaker
um And just had another one last night. um You know, again, it's, he's had one bad one. uh michaelis and libertor have had their issues but both of those guys are coming off of really decent games libertor was a win michaelis should have been a win had the umpire been looking out the right side of his glasses and the cardinals hadn't didn't hit into five double plays that one should have been a win you want to look at probably who the most consistent consistent pitcher has been and that's andreide palante he hasn't thrown a bad game
00:52:41
Speaker
Kidd has not thrown a bad game yet. And I think yeah i think he's he's going to be a staple in that and that rotation for another couple years.
00:52:51
Speaker
I think if you're looking what this rotation is going to be built around the next couple years, once you get rid of the contract of Steven Matz, who gets to start today as the Cardinals start a six-man rotation, that ought to be interesting.
00:53:04
Speaker
um But going forward, I think if Palantes keeps this up, you know You're losing Michaelis, you lose Matz, and you lose Fetty, I think.
00:53:15
Speaker
a Palante, Quinn Matthews, ah Cooper Gerpe,
00:53:25
Speaker
great Gordon Graceffo, McGreevy. These are the kids that going come and fill in. And Palante, Libertor,
00:53:36
Speaker
You know, you got a bunch of young kids you're going to throw in there with the guy a guy like Sonny Gray for the next couple of years. You got a chance to develop some guys and make them work. um bullpen has been has been pretty good i mean it's had a couple bad bad outings here and there uh jojo romero has been fairly solid um one guy that really has impressed me was the late it was a late spring training or early spring training pickup um the only free agent they signed in phil matton um
00:54:10
Speaker
And in his first seven appearances, he had roll allowed only four hits and hadn't been scored on and had not walked a batter while striking at eight. I think he's finally got they finally got to him and scored on him.
00:54:23
Speaker
And I think he finally did walk a batter in the last two or three games. But he's come in and it's been a lights out situation. I mean, I'm not saying he closed material or anything like that, you know, if they want to get rid of Helsley.
00:54:38
Speaker
But he's been a guy that has been that bridge. it's What they've been looking for for the last couple of years with when they've had Helsley is finding those two guys that can do the 7th and 8th.
00:54:50
Speaker
you know They thought they had it with Gallegos a few years ago. um you know Romero came in the last couple years. Kittredge last year was was one of those guys that could do that. and i wish i I was hoping they would have kept Kittredge around, but they didn't. But I think Maton is the guy that can do it. I think Lehigh ah leehay is a guy that can be that in that realm as well.
00:55:17
Speaker
Yeah. So there's a few guys that they've got that I think and are really going to help this out. But those three right now, and and Helsley's being Helsley. So you got Helsley, you got Romero, you got Baton, you've got Lee Hay.
00:55:33
Speaker
i came't remember I wish I could pronounce the guy's name right. it's you know But Lee Hay. um And there's a couple. letters the King is still there. He's still pitching fairly well. They just brought up a new guy, Roderick Munoz, who looks pretty good. Got a pretty live arm on him as well.
00:55:50
Speaker
So, I mean, all in all, if the rotation... And i think here's what I think rotation as well. If you start seeing that rotation falter, if Libertor starts having more problems, if Michaelis starts having more problems, if Matz can't do that sixth-man rotation thing...
00:56:11
Speaker
I think you'll see some moves probably before the deadline. Libertor back to the bullpen. um And I think maybe bringing up a Graceffo or a McGreevy in his place.
00:56:27
Speaker
mean, that's why Graceffo's not with the team. They wanted him to start and they knew he was not going to get adequate number of starts with this rotation the way it sits. But I don't think they're going to wait long on pulling any pulling any moves. I don't think they're going to do like they've done in the past and wait until the trade deadline and just suffer with bad pitching.
00:56:49
Speaker
I think this year, I don't want to say that Shane Bloom is taking over the team early, but I think his influence is being felt for sure. I just don't think you can argue argue that.
00:57:01
Speaker
um So we'll see how this goes. They've right now they're one and one against Houston. Again, the third game today, this is Wednesday, the 16th. So they got third game today. So the chance to win this series um and they after, and that's coming off after beating the Phillies two out of three.
00:57:24
Speaker
And like I said, taking, and especially against Aaron Nolan, Zach Wheeler. So, you know, this team's got some good, good legs going right now. So, Get out and watch them, folks. Okay?
00:57:35
Speaker
All right. Well, um that's all there is for this, the final episode of Talking Sports on the Bleachers with Don Glenn.
Farewell and Future Shows
00:57:44
Speaker
The next time we meet, it will be Talking Sports with Uncle Don.
00:57:50
Speaker
And you can find me on X at TSOTBGCS. You can also check out the refurbished fate Facebook page, Talking Sports with Uncle Don.
00:58:01
Speaker
Don't forget to check out Gateway Sports and many of the podcasts like the Two for Three with Moose Michaels. Team of Rivals with Ron Nuttall, Pete Geddes, and Elliot Dewey. Ron also teams up there Chris Hambleton, all for At the Park, which is a look at city soccer.
00:58:16
Speaker
Rodney Capel and Tim Van Stratton are new additions with the stupidest sports show on earth. I have got to check that one out. um Haven't had a chance yet, but I will get there. Trust me.
00:58:28
Speaker
ah Then you can also find my other podcast, though I co-host with Russ Robinson, the NCAA report with Don and Russ. And as always, there is the Derrick King sports show with the one and only legend himself, Derrick King.
00:58:44
Speaker
tons of articles and stories so check out gatewaycitysports.net until we meet again and i want you to have fun stay safe and join me on the new talking sports with uncle don good night everybody