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In our 24th episode of Season 2, we are welcoming July 4th weekend already! Wow, where do we stand? The first half of the season has brought us many twists and turns. Numerous teams have been Hot AND Cold. The Phillies, Mets, Cardinals, Brewers, Padres, Giants, Diamondbacks, Yankees, Rays, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Royals, Twins, Mariners and even the A’s.

So let’s look at the current standings and what we think...

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In our 23rd episode of Season 2, we will discuss the various contract options available to players who sign a minor league contract. This past Sunday, I came across the news that the Atlanta Braves have released catcher James McCann, who was playing for their Triple-A affiliate, the Gwinnett Stripers. This news made me wonder: why on earth would the Braves make this decision? McCann had been with the Stripers all season and was their best and most consistent hitter.

During his time with the Stripers, McCann played in 41 games and posted a batting average of .297, which was second on the team. He scored 19 runs, hit 11 doubles, and led the team with 6 home runs, finishing with an OPS of .824, also a team best. McCann made his MLB debut in 2014 with the Detroit Tigers but never quite lived up to the high expectations set for him. He was traded to the Chicago White Sox in 2019 and enjoyed his best years there, catching 118 games while batting .273, hitting 26 doubles, 18 home runs, and driving in 60 RBIs—all career highs.

Capitalizing on his successful seasons with the White Sox, McCann signed a free-agent deal with the New York Mets in 2021 at the age of 31, hoping he had figured things out. He signed a four-year contract worth $40.6 million, and there was optimism surrounding his future. Unfortunately, he struggled through two disappointing seasons with the Mets...

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In our 22nd episode of Season 2, we're diving deep into baseball. Let's begin with a recap from our 16th episode, which focused on the year's theme: blown saves. Yes, it's become quite a phenomenon!

As of May 6, 2025, the teams leading in blown saves were:

Red Sox: 8 - Phillies: 8 - Cardinals: 7 - Cubs: 7 - Diamondbacks: 7 - Dodgers: 7

The most BLOWN SAVES currently are:

Phillies: 15 - Athletics: 15 - Diamondbacks: 14 - Red Sox: 14 - Pirates: 13 - Twins: 13 - Angels: 12 - Rangers: 12 - Marlins: 12 - Rockies: 12 - Braves: 12 - White Sox: 12 - Dodgers 12

Remarkably, the Cubs have only blown one game since May 18, which may explain their impressive 17-8 record over the past month. They are closely trailing the surging Tampa Bay Rays, who boast a record of 19-7 since May 18.

On the other end of the spectrum, the teams with the worst records over the past month include:

Royals: 8-16 - Rockies: 8-18 - Braves: 8-16 - Athletics: 8-19

Wow, that's quite disappointing. The team I'm particularly perplexed by is the Royals, as they are scoring only 3.32 runs per game this year. With a run differential of just -23, their pitching seems solid, but their hitting has been puzzling. They are, in a way, the American League version of the Braves this season...

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In our 21st Episode of Season 2, we are going to talk about players who are HOT… and players who are COLD. First though let’s talk about the teams first.

As far as who's hot or cold, I guess we gotta look at the Toronto Blue Jays first. They've been kinda hot as the are 8 - 2, in their last 10. They have inched up the standings to only 4 games out. The Tampa Bay Rays have been pretty warm as well. These are two teams that we didn't really think much of this year. Another team who is currently Hot are the surprising Los Angeles Angels. They have inched up close to .500 going 7 - 3 in the last 10 games. I don't know what they'll make of it but it is what it is. That's one weak division, the American League West. The Astros are in the lead because of default I think. There's no one else playing competitive ball, or anyone playing .500 in the division. It's really just a poor division.

One team that is currently pretty hot are the New York Mets. They're on a winning streak right now of 5 games, and as we produce the podcast they are 8 - 2 in their last 10. They're looking good at five games up on the Phillies. Who else is Hot? Over in the National League West it looks like the Giants are making another play to be competitive in the division as they are 8 - 2 in the last 10 games and they've moved to within a half of game behind the Dodgers. That division has been surprisingly streaky with the Giants, Padres and Diamondbacks, all having hot streaks and cold streaks.

Who's cold? Wow, a lot of teams are playing very disappointing this year. We all recognize the Orioles are still underperforming, as they sit in last place 14 games behind the Yankees. The Kansas City Royals just completed a series with the Yankees getting swept and they sit at .500, 9 1/2 games behind the Detroit Tigers. Very disappointing and after watching them a little closer they have some issues, especially with their outfielders...

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In our 20th Episode of Season 2, we are going to tackle the subject that most Yankee fans do not want to hear. Are the Yankees done as a dynasty or take that back is the aura of the New York Yankees finished?

The Yankees do not intimidate like they used to, they don’t even get the free agents that they desire, so what is it? What happened? Did the rest of the league catch up? Yes that is what it is. There is no longer the dynamic that the Yankees had when they processed the most money. They had the most power, they got the players they wanted ,they had the most scouts, they had the most minor league teams. That was in an era of the 30s 40s 50s into the mid 60s the power of the Yankees. Through the 70s the 80s they were stagnant and then the Joe Torre era of the 90s reestablished the Yankees clout, but today in 2025, they have the same basic chance of signing a free agent as a team like the San Diego Padres. We are gonna get into that and see what that’s about. After watching the Dodgers dismantle the Yankees again, it is sad because the aura the Yankees had, is laughed at now. The Yankees are just another team trying to get to the World Series. The Yankees used to think… all we need to do is stay close, get the starter out and take control. Now the result is hold on and see if the bullpen doesn’t blow the lead. The Dodgers simply laugh at the Yankees, and the Dodgers got into the heads of the Yankees as being inferior.

Derek Jeter used to say, “The Yankees play to win the World Series, anything less is a lost season”. Well, sorry, but this team really is thankful just to make the playoffs.

2009. That was the last year the Yankees won the World Series. In 2025 the Yankees are entering this season looking for that elusive World Series championship. Which has been 16 years since the Yankees hosted the championship parade. The last World Series before that was won prior to that was in 2000. In 25 years, the Yankees have won two world championships . How does that compare with other teams?

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In our 19th Episode of Season 2, we are going to investigate some of the FREE AGENTS that will possibly be available at the end of this year.

The List

Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, Pete Alonso, Blake Snell, Alex Bregman, Willy Adames and Max Fried were some of the top players who reached free agency after the 2024 season.

But what about future free-agent classes? Is it too early to discuss ? If you are the Baltimore Orioles perhaps not. Here’s a look at some of the TOP names who are set to become free agents in 2025-26.

Potential free agents after 2025 season

Catcher: J.T. Realmuto, Salvador Perez (club option), Mitch Garver (mutual option), Gary Sánchez, Danny Jansen (mutual option), Tom Murphy (club option), Austin Barnes, Jacob Stallings (mutual option), Christian Bethancourt, Christian Vázquez, Victor Caratini, Austin Hedges, Elias Díaz (mutual option)

I’d say we are looking at J.T. Realmuto and possibly Sal Perez, if the Royals do NOT pick up his club option as the leaders at catcher. Everyone else is a sub. But how do they compare?

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In our 18th Episode of Season 2, we are going to ask you if you ever heard the term, “Playin’ To The Card”.

Players of the Past 10 Years

Aaron Judge - 2016 - Debut at age 24 - 1039 Games Played - Career WAR 56.3

His Card: Avg. .291 - Runs 100 - 2B 24 - 3B 1 - HR 45 - RBI 101 - GP 134 - OPS+ 180

Mike Trout - 2011 - Debut at age 19 - 1547 Games Played - Career WAR 85.8

His Card: Avg. .276 - Runs 39 - 2B 12 - 3B 2 - HR 18 - RBI 40 - GP 64 - OPS+ 161

Juan Soto - 2018 - Debut at age 19 - 984 Games Played - Career WAR 37.9

His Card: Avg. .272 - Runs 108 - 2B 31 - 3B 2 - HR 33 - RBI 97 - GP 155 - OPS+ 160

Shoehei Ohtani - 2018 - Debut at age 23 - 906 Games Played - Career WAR 46.5

His Card: Avg. .286 - Runs 96 - 2B 28 - 3B 7 - HR 39 - RBI 96 - GP 142 - OPS+ 159

Freddie Freeman - 2010 - Debut at age 20 - 2069 Games Played - Career WAR 62.6

His Card: Avg. .307 - Runs 112 - 2B 35 - 3B 2 - HR 28 - RBI 99 - GP 156 - OPS+ 146

Bryce Harper - 2019 - Debut at age 19 - 1700 Games Played - Career WAR 52.1

His Card: Avg. .286 - Runs 86 - 2B 35 - 3B 1 - HR 27 - RBI 84 - GP 133 - OPS+ 144

Mookie Betts - 2014 - Debut at age 21 - 1426 Games Played - Career WAR 72.2

His Card: Avg. .285 - Runs 109 - 2B 35 - 3B 3 - HR 28 - RBI 80 - GP 136 - OPS+ 142

Jose Altuve - 2011 - Debut at age 21 - 1866 Games Played - Career WAR 52.0

His Card: Avg. .296 - Runs 96 - 2B 30 - 3B 1 - HR 25 - RBI 66 - GP 131 - OPS+ 139

José Ramírez - 2013 - Debut at age 20 - 1495 Games Played - Career WAR 53.2

His Card: Avg. .272 - Runs 94 - 2B 37 - 3B 4 - HR 30 - RBI 102 - GP 150 - OPS+ 134

Manny Machado - 2012 - Debut at age 19 - 1781 Games Played - Career WAR 59.4

His Card: Avg. .273 - Runs 85 - 2B 284 - 3B 1 - HR 30 - RBI 98 - GP 150 - OPS+ 127

Expectations…That is the definition of today’s podcast. The term, “Playin’ To The Card”, refers to the ability to look at a players Baseball card as a way to expect his final results. That player has earned that distinction because of his consistency, production and longevity.

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In our 17th Episode of Season 2, we are going to look into some of our past episodes that are in the news…We call this episode “Podcast Look Back”.

The fun thing about doing some of these podcast is how some episodes topics pop up from time to time. This episode I wanted to touch on a few HOT topics in the news of late. Obviously you know the number one topic I am talking about. Pete Rose’s ineligibility status is changed by Commissioner Manfred. I don’t know if …

Episode 22 - Hall of Fame Voting/ Pete Rose podcast helped, but I am glad for the change. Instead of going back and talking about this again. I would suggest you revisit this podcast from Season 1. Look it up and take another listen. Ohhh, I fully support the change of status for Joe Jackson as well…about time.

Season 2 - Episode 16 - Bullpen Blown Saves - HOLY COW! This topic is THE topic. WTH! Teams are really blowing up in the pen. This podcast was out one week and the amount of blown games was unbelievable. Why? Take a listen again to this podcast and ask yourself what a starter is?