Baseball Bar-B-Cast

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

1:39 – The Opener: Kyle Tucker to the Dodgers
20:36 – Red Sox sign Ranger Suárez
43:29 – Scott Boras Scoreboard update
46:10 – Around the League: Trade news
1:01:48 – Team USA roster update
1:08:09 – The Good, The Bad & The Uggla

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🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

When the Chicago Cubs acquired Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins, many were left wondering if there would be another big move left in their arsenal. That question was answered over the weekend when they agreed to a deal to bring three-time All-Star Alex Bregman to the Windy City.
On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the Cubs’ five-year, $175 million deal with the former Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox star to help solidify their lineup and continue their stellar offseason. Could this be the move that helps get Chicago back to the top of the NL Central for the first time since 2020?
Later, Jordan and Jake examine how badly it appears the Red Sox messed up in their negotiations with Alex Bregman, considering they traded away Rafael Devers during the season and are now left with neither All-Star on their squad. Then the guys get into how real of a possibility it is that Bo Bichette joins the Philadelphia Phillies, as well as a new addition to Team USA’s World Baseball Classic roster.

1:29 – The Opener: Bregman to Cubs
26:19 – Scott Boras Scoreboard update
34:41 – The Red Sox badly messed up
49:21 – Red Sox front office response
59:41 – Bo Bichette and the Phillies?
1:09:04 – New addition to Team USA

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:
🎧 Apple Podcasts
🎧 Spotify
🖥️ YouTube
📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv
And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:
🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social
🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ
📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq
⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz
🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

As the baseball world prepares for Spring Training being a month away, some of the biggest free agents in the sport remain on the open market. Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger and Bo Bichette are the three names that continue to circulate among the big spenders, but the question remains: where are they going to land come Opening Day?
On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jordan Shusterman is joined by guest host Jack Harris from the California Post as they discuss the free-agent game of musical chairs, as well as take a look at whether the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers could make a play for any of them if the deal is right. They also talk about why the Dodgers’ finances might be a reason for their quiet offseason, despite signing All-Star closer Edwin Díaz early on.
Later, Jordan is joined by Lance Brozdowski from Marquee Sports Network to break down the Chicago Cubs trading for Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins and why they were able to get him for a smaller-than-anticipated package. After that, Jordan and Jack examine Scott Boras trying to make history with Tarik Skubals’ arbitration case before making their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

3:34 – The Opener: Big free agents still out there
13:02 – What are the Dodgers’ next move?
30:43 – Breaking down the Cubs–Cabrera trade
56:21 – A new Rockies pitching theory?
1:00:10 – Scott Boras Scoreboard: Skubal update
1:08:06 – The Good, The Bad & The Uggla

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:
🎧 Apple Podcasts
🎧 Spotify
🖥️ YouTube
📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv
And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:
🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social
🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ
📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq
⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz
🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

With the recent success of Japanese players like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki, teams throughout baseball have been clamoring to add stars from Japan to their rosters. The Houston Astros and the Toronto Blue Jays did just that by bringing in Tatsuya Imai and Kazuma Okamoto, with hopes of having similar impacts on their game.
On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jordan Shusterman is joined by guest host Eric Longenhagen from FanGraphs to talk about the two signings and how their skill sets might be adjusted to the major league level. They then check in on the Scott Boras Scoreboard to try to determine how the super agent did with his deal for Imai.
Later, Jordan is joined by Astros beat writer Chandler Rome from The Athletic as they dig a little deeper into the Imai signing and try to figure out why he chose to go to Houston. They then talk about what the future might hold for the team after this signing and how, positionally, the Astros could be set up for the 2026 season. Jordan and Eric then discuss how recent events in Venezuela could impact baseball and talk about the fall of a top prospect.

2:57 – Kazuma Okamoto to the Blue Jays
19:11 – Tatsuya Imai to the Astros
25:26 – Scott Boras Scoreboard update
34:12 – Chandler Rome joins the show
53:46 – Future of the Astros
1:06:51 – Venezuela’s impact on baseball
1:17:46 – Jarred Kelenic signs with the White Sox

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:
🎧 Apple Podcasts
🎧 Spotify
🖥️ YouTube
📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv
And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:
🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social
🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ
📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq
⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz
🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

For the final podcast of the year, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman break down the latest on NPB stars Tatsuya Imai and Kazuma Okamoto as their MLB posting windows close, analyzing where they could sign and how their profiles contrast with previous Japanese imports like Munetaka Murakami and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The guys take a hard look at the differences between pitching and hitting projections for international talent, highlighting Imai’s adaptability and Okamoto’s ready-made bat for contending teams. They discuss the best roster fits for Imai, focusing on the Giants, Mets, and Phillies, among others, and debate which teams actually make sense for the 3B slugger Okamoto.
Later in the show, they open up the Bar-B-Cast mailbag and answer questions about Juan Soto, the Dodgers' championship window and some baseball easter eggs in the latest Knives Out film, Wake Up Dead Man.
Finally, they close the episode with a round of Turbo Mode, highlighting a bevy of signings across the league in Cincinnati, Chicago, Seattle & more. Also, a special shout-out to the Buffalo Sabres.1:53 - Why is it taking so long for Japanese stars Tatsuya Imai and Kazuma Okamoto to sign?
14:45 - Where will Imai sign?
24:50 - Where will Okamoto sign?
31:30 - Baseball Bar-B-Cast Mailbag: Mets, Dodgers, Knives Out & more
1:05:10 - Turbo Mode: Reds, Cubs, Mariners & more
🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube
Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:
🎧 Apple Podcasts
🎧 Spotify
🖥️ YouTube
📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv
And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:
🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social
🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ
📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq
⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz
🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_