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00:00you know john has a job to do also but apparently he's edging for agent of carlos
00:05he has an agent he has adam cats i'm not i don't get me in trouble
00:10that would aaron boone also they both have adam right john the uh mets have made a ton of news this
00:15month and it's fitting we have a friend of the show somebody's been with us a couple of times they're
00:20carlos mendoza is joining us yeah we love that mendoza on he is a terrific
00:25speaker a terrific face of the team and i just can't wait to hear what he has to say about all the
00:30changes with the mets yeah we'll be talking about all those changes who went how he thinks about that
00:35who's in where he thinks they stand john and i at the top of the show are gonna play a little
00:40game of which moves by the new york teams we like and dislike the the most and least
00:45uh and also we'll do that for the league at the very end we have another special guest harrison
00:50is going to join us who just joined just signed with the giants if you stick with us on the show we
00:55will trevin and john
01:00john since we were last on it happened soon after we were on last
01:05week and did our podcast the mets made a trade for freddie peralta to get the front of the rotation
01:10uh starter uh they were hoping to get it kind of feels like
01:15the mets and the yankees have done all the heavy lifting they're going to do now the yankees heavy
01:19lifting was essentially
01:20could they bring back cody bellinger or not they've done that uh the mets did a series of moves
01:34you
01:25obviously uh a flurry at the end with uh peralta robert jr
01:30and beau bechette uh so i thought john we'd play a little game uh see if the
01:35folks who are nice enough to listen and watch us want to play along and see if they agree with us or disagree
01:40with us the best and worst move so far by the new york teams feeling like the heavy lifting is done john
01:45we start uh best move by the mets well uh you mentioned it i i
01:50i'm going to go with the peralta move now i'm sure if you look at the values that they assigned to
02:04you
01:55all the prospects it it'll look negative to some people uh based on the fact that jed
02:00williams is a very good prospect and so is sproat but the mets absolutely need
02:05to get a number one pitcher the prices were very very high and all these trades i mean
02:10all of them shane bars are all of them and this guy is the best guy who's been traded i mean
02:15obviously he's not schoolable nobody is but he is the number one pitcher i happen to love freddie parole
02:20he'll be great in the clubhouse he was a guy who actually offered to translate
02:25for me in that milwaukee clubhouse you know as a small market they don't have an actual translator they
02:29have a coach
02:30coach who does the translating coach was busy not a surprise and he speaks perfect english
02:35perfect spanish i speak okay english terrible spanish and he
02:40he stepped in was willing to do it so it's a terrific guy he's a number one starter they had
02:45absolutely needed to do it i see the mets are now ranked number three and some ranking whatever those are worth
02:50uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it uh but they needed to do it to do it uh but they needed to do it uh
02:55You know, the Mets on like BetMGM are tied with the Phillies for the second most.
03:00Over under projections at 90 and a half, you know, the Dodgers are like 102.5.
03:05Or 103.5, everyone's behind them.
03:07So whatever they've done, especially late, has.
03:10At least the betting markets, seeing them as a very strong team, though, of course, they saw them as a strong team.
03:15John, I'm going to take best seriously here, the best move.
03:18I'm not saying it's the most.
03:20Impactful move, because I think that will be end up being probably Peralta or Bichette.
03:25I think their best move was Luis Robert Jr.
03:28And in a way, it was because of all the.
03:30Other moves and how little they gave up look.
03:35Acuna will probably, Luis Angel Acuna will probably play in the major leagues for quite a while.
03:40As a utility guy, because he could really defend and really run.
03:43It's two skills that will help.
03:45Maybe he'll hit enough at some point to be a starting second baseman.
03:48But that and it.
03:50That pitching lottery guy who they took in the draft last year who hardly pitched is a good trade.
03:55For a guy whose baseline, if he stays healthy, is play terrific defense.
04:00And again, I like it for the other things they've done with Simeon.
04:03And then you add Linda.
04:05Alvarez Torrance, they're really strong up the middle.
04:07Robert is a really good defender.
04:10A guy who could run and run at a high success rate, a la Carlos.
04:15And Beltran, who just got in the Hall of Fame, this guy steals and steals successfully.
04:18He hits lefty pitching.
04:20Which helps diversify their lineup.
04:23And he hits some home runs.
04:24Low bat.
04:25The high strikeouts don't bother me as much because Bichette, Simeon.
04:30And Polanco are all guys who don't strike out a lot.
04:33Added to Lindor and Soto who don't strike out.
04:35Strike out a lot.
04:36I like that.
04:37And look, I think there's a real downside.
04:39The guy's been in.
04:40He's injured, he's had a low batting average, and he strikes out a ton.
04:43Is this turnout to be a grand?
04:45A more expensive version of Jose Siri?
04:47Maybe.
04:48But for what they gave up.
04:50And what the upside is and how he shoehorns in on the team, I really love.
04:55That move by the Mets.
04:57Yeah.
04:58They did a lot.
05:00In a week, right?
05:01They remade the team in a week.
05:03Things looked bad.
05:04We were...
05:05Kind of down on the Mets, as were all their fans.
05:07Not that this was all done in a week.
05:10The groundwork of this was laid a long time ago.
05:12Peralta they started working on during the season.
05:15Robert, we know he was at the deadline last year, so that's been many, many months.
05:20Nine months, and maybe not nine, my math wasn't too good, seven months.
05:25And, you know, I think all these moves took a while.
05:30And they all came down in a week, and the result of it is very positive for the Mets.
05:35Yeah, why don't we flip to the Yankees, who kind of essentially it was all...
05:40Stay in house, re-sign, plus Ryan Weathers in a trade.
05:43What was your favorite thing, John?
05:45Well, I guess it's Bellinger, right?
05:46They needed to get it done.
05:47They stuck to the five years.
05:49I mean, I think...
05:50I think it's a good deal for Bellinger.
05:51He's going to make $85 million over the next...
05:55...two years, which is actually more than Aaron Judge makes by...
06:00$85 million if he opts out.
06:01I don't know that he's going to opt out when he's 32, though.
06:04He's already been...
06:05...re-aging a lot.
06:05I think he likes being a Yankee.
06:07But, you know, I think it was a...
06:10...good deal for him, and I think it was the right deal for the Yankees.
06:13They did a nice job with it, and...
06:15I think it's good that he's back.
06:16Judge is happy.
06:18If Judge is happy, I think the Yankees are...
06:20...in good shape.
06:21Yeah, I think...
06:22I'm going to agree with you, John.
06:23I wish I could tell you there was one...
06:25...and I liked better than that.
06:26But I think he's a Swiss Army knife.
06:28He plays left, center, right...
06:30...the fact that he also plays first base at a high level matters...
06:33...because Ben Rice is going to be there in case the...
06:35...the defense really does struggle there.
06:36You could always move Bellinger late in the game, and...
06:40...use somebody else in the outfield.
06:42I know the two years at 85 up front.
06:45...made some people a little wheezy, queasy.
06:49Not me...
06:50...John, I...
06:50Like, as a war player the last three years, he's kind of right in between...
06:55...Buchette and Tucker, who both got over $40 million on short-term deals...
07:00...on three- and four-year deals, and this is a two-year deal if he opts out.
07:04If it's a five-year...
07:05...those last three years are more in line with what he should probably be paid in that period...
07:10...the Yankees strike out way too much.
07:13He doesn't strike out.
07:14The Yankees baseball...
07:15...athleticism and IQ got a little better last year, but that was a lot because of him.
07:20It was good they brought him back.
07:22John, worst move by the Mets.
07:24What didn't you like?
07:25All right, losing Diaz and bringing in Devin Williams for Diaz.
07:30I don't see that.
07:31Diaz was the best closer in their history.
07:35And I guess someone can make a case for Doug McGraw, but he was an outstanding closer.
07:38Maybe the best in the league.
07:40And Devin Williams I'm still worried about because he wasn't a very good closer when he was the Yankee closer.
07:45Yeah, to me, again, John, I wish I could tell you I differ with you.
07:49It's the move I...
07:50...didn't like either.
07:51I get how volatile relief pitching could be.
07:53And by the way, Edwin Diaz...
07:55...was volatile as a Met.
07:56There were very, very good years.
07:58There were not so good years.
07:59And there was obviously...
08:00...an injury, a freak injury, but an injury right in the middle that cost them a season.
08:05We know how this could go, but I am always worried about the underlying number.
08:10...argument for a pitcher, that's the Devin Williams argument that the underlying numbers...
08:15...were not that far off from the guy who was dominant in Milwaukee.
08:18If anyone should know that...
08:20...the player, it's David Stearns.
08:21He was the general manager who brought Devin to the...
08:25...majors, and he had great success with the Brewers.
08:28It was a sub-2 ERA.
08:30...in the last three years before the Yankees acquired him.
08:32But on the field and in the clubhouse, I'll take Edwin...
08:35...and Diaz seven days a week, twice on Sunday.
08:38And, you know, with the Mets' money...
08:40...I wonder if they could have and should have had them both.
08:43Flip side, Yankees...
08:45...worst move, John.
08:47I think it's giving Grisham the qualifying offer.
08:5022 million, which you reported first was going to be 22 million.
08:55I, like them, could have seen Grisham going somewhere else and them getting...
09:00...the draft choice, and I think that's what some of them envisioned.
09:02And it didn't turn out to be correct, so...
09:05I can't kill them since I thought Grisham might be able to get a three for 45 somewhere else.
09:10But in retrospect, looking back at it, I think it was going to be hard with that qualifying offer.
09:15For Grisham to get a three for 45, right?
09:17So I think it was an error.
09:20Because I don't know that he's necessary.
09:22You know, you've got a lot of outfielders on this team, right?
09:24You've got...
09:25Ellinger, I'm still a believer in Dominguez.
09:28Obviously, we're a little skeptical.
09:30After last year, Spencer Jones is coming.
09:35You know, I don't think it was necessary.
09:37He obviously was pretty good last year.
09:40He's going to get more runs than any other center fielder in the game.
09:42So I can't kill him for it.
09:45You know, they're running the whole team back, right?
09:47It's the same team.
09:49So I think the fans are...
09:50They're going to be thrilled.
09:50Overall, I think they'll be better, right?
09:53Because they'll have Cole for the year.
09:55They'll have Schlittler for presumably the year,
09:58although he's not going to throw 200 innings.
10:00They'll have him for more than they had him last year.
10:02So I think they're actually going to be better.
10:05And I don't mind that they brought the team back.
10:08But Grish...
10:10Grisham at $22 million, that's an overpay.
10:12You know, again, like a more...
10:15Unbiased view is bet MGM has them with the second highest
10:17over under total in the major leagues by...
10:20Behind the Dodgers.
10:20So the top one in the American League, you know,
10:22over Seattle, over Toronto, etc.
10:25So, yeah.
10:27And John, I've got to say, Grisham is not my...
10:30My choice here.
10:30I, you know, like I heard a lot of people, Yankee fans,
10:34who love to whine...
10:35about everything, saying,
10:37well, they got Grisham so they won't bring back Bellinger.
10:39Well, they did.
10:40Like, it wasn't like the money kept them from getting Bellinger.
10:43I don't think they liked the...
10:45like the idea of Bellinger playing full-time in center.
10:48I don't know if they think Spencer Jones...
10:50is close to ready to do that, play full-time in center.
10:53You know, so they needed somebody to...
10:55play center field.
10:56And I would, quite frankly,
10:57rather have Trent Grisham for one year at $22 million.
11:00You know, again, if the...
11:03Here's another place, the under...
11:05I think everybody agreed with you.
11:06I don't think anyone was paying that $3 for $45.
11:09I think you were right.
11:10Yeah, so, I mean, I don't mind it as a one-year gamble
11:12that he's going to repeat something that looks...
11:15like last year, when he was not only powerful, but clutch.
11:18He had a ton of big hits, especially...
11:20especially homers for them.
11:21For me, the downside play, and I almost mean this symbolically...
11:25as opposed to on the guy, is the Paul Blackburn for $2 million.
11:28And here's why.
11:29I still...
11:30I still think the Yankees are a pitcher short.
11:32And you could tell me that's a reliever.
11:34You could tell me that's a...
11:35You could tell me it's a better hybrid than Paul Blackburn.
11:38But at a time where, like the...
11:40the big move this offseason after Grisham, money-wise,
11:43was going to be on Bellingham.
11:45I feel like you mentioned it, John.
11:48If it goes perfectly and...
11:50Rodan comes back May 1st, Cole June 1st,
11:53Clark Schmidt August 1st, and they're...
11:55close to who they've been.
11:57And you get Schlittler and Ryan Weathers.
12:00And Luis Gil...
12:00Like, I can make an argument that will be the best rotation
12:03in the American League.
12:05It still worries me because there's enough flammability there.
12:08And I think there are...
12:10Lever short, especially a power lefty,
12:13which they don't have their left...
12:15lefties are Tim Hill and Ryan Yarborough
12:16if they don't need Yarborough in the rotation.
12:19So I'm using...
12:20Blackburn more as a symbolic...
12:22I think they're one pitcher short right now.
12:25Yeah, absolutely.
12:26There are a ton of relievers left.
12:27I think Coulomb is still left, the lefty.
12:30reliever, yeah, I'm with you.
12:32They could use more help in that bullpen.
12:34I don't...
12:35love either team's bullpen.
12:36I like both teams.
12:37I think overall, they're in very...
12:40very good shape.
12:40Some of the Mets are in a lot better shape
12:42than we thought they were going to be.
12:43But I think they're both...
12:45a little short in the bullpen.
12:46Obviously, the Mets added some bullpen pieces late.
12:48Luis Garcia, who you...
12:50mentioned first, and some others.
12:52Obviously, they got one in the Milwaukee...
12:55Trey with Peralta, with Myers, who could be a reliever.
13:00I feel like the bullpens are still a question mark for both teams.
13:03Yeah, look, like...
13:05Harrison Bader signed today, John, as we're doing this.
13:09A two-year deal with...
13:10San Francisco.
13:11Financially, should the Yankees have let Grisham go and be like,
13:14let's bring...
13:15Bader, to be at least, like, the center fielder for two years.
13:19I...
13:20I haven't heard the money on it, but let me guess it's going to be...
13:22It's like 10 to 12 million in there, I would...
13:24Right.
13:2520.5.
13:26Oh, okay.
13:27So you actually know the numbers.
13:28So it's in that 20...
13:30Would the Yankees have been better off doing that and then, like, having a little more money?
13:35To spend on another pitcher in some way, a reliever, a starter, instead of bringing...
13:40Grisham back, again, like, they have to make the Grisham decision when I think Bader, etc.
13:45was going to be looking for a lot more years in money than two at 20.5.
13:49So they had...
13:50Could Bellinger have held them even more hostage if they didn't have Grisham?
13:55So, you know, like, things play in a way, but it's just something to think about.
13:58Yeah, I'm with you.
13:59I think...
13:59I think...
14:00Bader, a right eight bat, better defensively.
14:02Grisham is still okay defensively.
14:05But I don't think he was as good last year as he's been in the past.
14:09Obviously, Grisham...
14:10Grisham gives you more power, but Bader played great for the Phillies, and, as you know,
14:14he's a friend of the show.
14:15So that always helps as well.
14:17But, yeah, in retrospect, looking back...
14:20Back on it, related to the Grisham, yeah, I would have done Bader instead of Grisham and
14:24got the pitcher.
14:25Let's end the segment by talking big picture.
14:28There are 28 other...
14:30...teams in the sport.
14:31Tell me the move, the free agent move that you like.
14:35What's the best so far from one of those 28 teams?
14:37Well, I'll say one that a lot of people probably have already...
14:40said and thought, and that's Bregman to the Cubs.
14:42It gives him four, now gold glove caliber.
14:45Defenders, I think the best, at least on paper, defensive team in the league.
14:50Gives them extra leadership capability.
14:55He had a nice year last year.
14:56He didn't play a full season with Boston.
14:58I'm surprised the Cubs...
15:00...spent, they don't always spend, so I'm going with the Bregman of the Cubs.
15:04Yeah, I...
15:05Somehow in my gut, I thought you were going to go there.
15:07I had two other ones.
15:08I'll say one that was going to...
15:10I just love Ranger Suarez.
15:12I think he's so good.
15:13I know he lost three miles per hour.
15:15There's got to be some worries there, but that guy is so fearless.
15:18Five at 1.30 with the Red Sox.
15:19The one...
15:20The one I really like, though, I'm going to point out, is Murakami to the White Sox, to
15:23a 30-4.
15:25I just like the upside play for a team like the White Sox.
15:28Let's say it's a 50-50 chance.
15:30That it translates here.
15:31That's a 50-50% worth chance.
15:35For a team that's lost 324 games the last three years, and you're trying to change...
15:40And you'd like to get a little bit of a foothold in Asia and show that you're a real serious...
15:45For that amount of money, especially once they get rid of the Robert contract where, you know...
15:50Like, this becomes a little easier to handle.
15:52I just like the play for...
15:55For them, if it works, what they could trade him for over the next two years, if need...
16:00I just thought it was a smart, good move.
16:03Yeah, I'm with you.
16:04I think you're right.
16:05Right on.
16:05Two for 34, I think I predicted he was going to get 150, so that tells you what I...
16:10I know about the Japanese market, not very much.
16:12He did it 56 home runs one year.
16:14He's only 20...
16:1525 years old, you know, obviously the team scouted him.
16:18They know more about the risk.
16:20But the upside is huge, so great job by the White Sox.
16:25They did some stuff.
16:25It was good.
16:26It was a good winter in Chicago.
16:28It turned out to be.
16:28It didn't start out...
16:30It's not that way, and it certainly, in terms of weather, it's a disaster, as my daughter
16:34is there right now.
16:35But in terms of baseball, it was a very nice winter for Chicago.
16:39I hope she's staying...
16:40Who did you not like, John?
16:43Which free agent deals so far this off?
16:45Well, if anyone's been reading the post, they probably could guess, and that's...
16:50Kyle Tucker.
16:50Now, of course, the Dodgers can afford it.
16:52They're making so much money on Otani, they can do it...
16:55They have an all-time great team.
16:57It makes the team better.
16:59I don't know.
17:00$20, $60 million a year for Kyle Tucker?
17:03I mean, it was like, I don't know, $40 million.
17:05$40 million in war, you know, not that war is everything, like 70...
17:10He's fifth in RBIs.
17:12He did not have a great year.
17:13He's got a little bit...
17:15He's got a little bit of an injury question, not a big one.
17:18I mean, he's a terrific all-around...
17:20I mean, certainly that's going to help them, but, you know, it just seemed out of whack to me.
17:24And they...
17:25They usually make pretty good deals, right?
17:27Mookie Betts is a great deal.
17:28Freddie Freeman's a great deal.
17:30Otani is the greatest deal in sports history.
17:34So...
17:35It just seemed out of whack to me for the Dodgers, and unnecessary.
17:39No, and I said it was great for baseball that the Dodgers...
17:43That Otani picked...
17:44The Dodgers, and I know people in Toronto weren't too happy with it.
17:46I hope they do know I love Toronto.
17:49But, you know, to me, you know, this might be fine for baseball...
17:54Because it's great to have a team that's this great, but to me, it was unnecessary.
17:59They already had a great team.
18:01They didn't need to spend $60 million on an out.
18:04I guess this is the moment where I should say I love Toronto, too.
18:08Mm-hmm.
18:09Because our aggregator assholes are going to take this and totally misinterpret it and...
18:14I'll have a whole country on me.
18:17I think Dylan Cease is a very good...
18:19Pitcher who will probably help the Blue Jays.
18:21I think 7 for 210, even with deferrals, is...
18:24Out of whack for this pitcher.
18:26Again, he is a little bit like Devin Williams.
18:29Or, by the way, Frankie Montas, where the underlying numbers are...
18:34Very sexy, and everyone is always convinced they're going to get the best.
18:37Now, he's not Frankie Montas.
18:39He's healthy.
18:39This guy makes the starts.
18:41You know what he doesn't do, though, is for the starts, he doesn't throw...
18:44He's like, averages five and a third.
18:46He throws a lot of pitches for plate appearance.
18:48He throws a lot of...
18:49He throws a lot of pitches to cover those 15, 16, 17 outs.
18:52There's not a ton of quality...
18:54Over the last three years, he's had mid-four ERAs two times in the last three years.
18:59Now, I know some Blue Jays folks, this was the key to their offseason.
19:03This was the guy...
19:04I mean, I guess it wasn't.
19:05They would have loved to have some of maybe Tucker, right?
19:07But they...
19:09They felt that putting a beachhead down, and they were willing to go high to bring Cease
19:13in.
19:14To bring stability to the rotation.
19:16And again, if he's nothing but what he's been, which is...
19:19An above-average pitcher who makes the starts, he'll help the Blue Jays.
19:23I am...
19:24I'm not saying this is a bad player, or that he won't help the Blue Jays.
19:27I think seven for 210 is...
19:29Out of whack for what he has done in his Major League career, unless he's ready to turn...
19:34Ability into constant results, which he has not done to this point, because...
19:39Ability-wise, I'd put him near the top of the scale.
19:42Yeah, I'm with you, as I said.
19:44I love Toronto.
19:45I love Dylan Cease.
19:46He's a great guy.
19:47Not only a great pitcher...
19:49A very interesting fellow, but you're right, he doesn't throw...
19:54A big innings per start.
19:56You know, I get what you're saying.
19:58You're right, Edmond.
19:59Antas, you know, in terms of dependability, this guy is...
20:04At the top of the heap, so that's...
20:05I was talking underlying...
20:06Those underlying stats that people like...
20:09Right, right, a lot of pitches per inning, a few innings per start.
20:13He does throw a lot of...
20:14It's a big deal, considering.
20:17And we still have Fran Brevalde.
20:19That's out there, who's actually been a much more productive pitcher than Dylan Cease.
20:23And he...
20:24He's not getting $210 million at this point, right?
20:27And if he does, that's the agent.
20:29At the end of the year, but, you know, he's a better pitcher...
20:34I mean, at least he's performed better than Dylan Cease to this point in their career.
20:40Yeah, yeah.
20:42Look, I think Toronto's going to be very good.
20:44I think Dylan Cease will help them.
20:46Obviously, the team that's done the most...
20:49In January is the New York Mets.
20:51They've made trades, big free agents.
20:54Even some little stuff like Luis Garcia.
20:57We're going to talk about it all with their...
20:59Manager Carlos Mendoza, who joins us next on the show.
21:04John and I are thrilled to have a friend through the show, somebody...
21:09Who's been with us a few times.
21:11The manager of the New York Mets about to begin his third season.
21:14With the team, Carlos Mendoza.
21:15Carlos, thank you so much for joining us on the show.
21:18Thanks.
21:19Hi there, Joel.
21:20And, John, how are you?
21:21Good.
21:23Carlos, obviously...
21:24Your team in a flurry has made itself over in the last...
21:29A few weeks here.
21:30You head into spring training now.
21:32Seen as one of the...
21:34Better teams in the National League in this sport.
21:37There's an obvious question just like...
21:39I'd like to get into because you got asked this at the press conference.
21:43Your first and third...
21:44Basemen are going to be players who haven't played first and third base in their career
21:47in the Major Leagues.
21:48Bichette.
21:49Bichette at third.
21:49Polanco at first.
21:51I wonder if you could talk about that transformation...
21:54And how good you think they could be.
21:55And even...
21:56I know you live in Tampa.
21:58And both...
21:59lives in St. Pete.
22:00And at the press conference, you guys talked about maybe getting together and doing some...
22:04stuff and you, by trade, were an infielder when you were a player and an infield coach.
22:08What do you...
22:09What do you think about this transformation and it hasn't begun already with you and Beau?
22:13Yeah.
22:14You know, we're recording this in the afternoon and I spent the time this morning.
22:19We both in watching him take ground balls, third base and...
22:24Very encouraging.
22:25He's an athlete, man.
22:26We're looking at a guy that...
22:29Play shortstop pretty much his whole career, right?
22:32And just watching him today...
22:34Moving around third base, taking ground balls, creating angles...
22:39And then the throws with first base, I was just telling him, it looks like you're...
22:44playing him before.
22:46So, it was exciting that I had that...
22:49He's super excited, working really hard, you know...
22:54The hands...
22:54Like I said, he's an athlete.
22:56He's just...
22:57I think he's just a matter of...
22:59Getting game reps, you know, like that reaction time when as soon as the...
23:04Balls hit, whether he's going to have to make that decision, do I'm going to come in and get it?
23:09I'm going to go back and create a longer hop.
23:11Just things like that.
23:13There are...
23:14There are going to be, like I said, only through game reps.
23:18So...
23:19With that, feel comfortable there.
23:22You mentioned Polanco.
23:24Making that transition to first base, I think the game reps are going...
23:29Going to be huge here.
23:30It's not so much about taking ground balls...
23:34I think it's just a lot of the things that happen throughout the course of the game.
23:38Meaning...
23:39Doing a ball to your right, you know...
23:41How far is that second baseman playing?
23:43Getting used to...
23:44Instead of breaking towards the baseball, you got to break back to the base.
23:49Getting familiar with your pitching staff, cuts and relays.
23:54And then taking throws.
23:56I feel like people at times think that...
23:59You can put anybody at first base and...
24:01Oh, he's going to be fine.
24:02It takes time.
24:02You know, it takes time.
24:04And again, we're going to have to get creative here in trying to put Polanco...
24:09Polanco and Beatty and Mark Vientos, a lot of the guys in...
24:14Backfield action, you know.
24:17A lot of minor league games...
24:19Because that's how they're going to get better.
24:22He's going to take time.
24:22But again...
24:24Polanco is an athlete.
24:26He's the guy that came up as a shortstop playing in the middle of the...
24:29With Diamond, he moved around as well.
24:32And same thing with Beatty in Vienna.
24:34And those guys that got some experience there.
24:36But again, I feel like he's going to take...
24:39Some time as far as getting used to some game action there.
24:44Yeah, there's a debate on social media now whether Bechet should be in front of or behind...
24:49Polanco, which way...
24:51I mean, obviously, you've spent time thinking about this and you know...
24:54More about it than people on social media.
24:56Which way are you leaning now?
24:58And...
24:59And for what reason?
25:00Yeah, it's too early.
25:02But I...
25:04I've been playing around some potential lineups.
25:08Everyone has...
25:09Has to be healthy, obviously.
25:11And there's got to be conversations with players.
25:13But as I'm saying...
25:14Sitting here, talking to you guys.
25:16I could see a Lindor Soto.
25:19Bo out of the gate.
25:21You know, then you're looking at Polanco.
25:23You know, then you're looking at Polanco.
25:24I mean, whoever's in the lineup.
25:26There's a lot of versatility.
25:28There's a lot of flex.
25:29Flexibility.
25:30I like the fact that there's a balance.
25:33I can...
25:34Put together a very balanced lineup.
25:36Whether it's right, east, left...
25:39The switch hitting from Lindor and Polanco.
25:42It allows me to protect...
25:44Certain guys.
25:45So, I like...
25:46I like our lineup, one through nine.
25:48But since...
25:49Since you asked about those three...
25:51You know, I feel really good about it.
25:55You know, Carlos, there was a lot...
25:57And you addressed this at the winter meeting.
25:59I believe, but I wonder if you could for our show.
26:01A lot of questions about the...
26:04Temperature and temperament of your clubhouse last year.
26:07Obviously, nobody was...
26:09Talking about it when you had the best record in the sport
26:11Through the middle of June.
26:13But as things...
26:14Things kind of fell apart a little as the year went on.
26:16And you didn't make the playoffs.
26:17So, it was a bigger deal.
26:18I wonder...
26:19If you could tell us what would you think about your 2025 clubhouse?
26:22And do you feel there needs...
26:24Or has it already happened?
26:26Some better coming together of Lindor and Soto who are...
26:29So, clearly, the cornerstones of what you're doing moving forward.
26:32Yeah, look.
26:33I know there was a lot of...
26:34A lot of noise.
26:34And like you mentioned, I addressed it a little bit during the winter.
26:39We had a professional clubhouse.
26:43When you...
26:44Winning, everything is fun.
26:45Everything is...
26:46You know, you guys got the best team chemistry.
26:49Everything is perfect, right?
26:53And then you...
26:54You go through stretches where it's hard.
26:57And you're not winning as many...
26:59Then for me, and I take responsibility for it because I think...
27:04It became like a corporate clubhouse, you know, where guys...
27:09We respected each other, but I don't think we celebrated each other enough.
27:13Again, when you...
27:14You're not winning, it's hard to celebrate, but whether it was...
27:19Really good at bat and really good play.
27:22Things that, you know...
27:24That happened organically, we didn't do that.
27:27And I'm not sure if people...
27:29Start comparing 2024, that...
27:34That clubhouse was something else.
27:36You know, you have Candelita there.
27:39Who was a huge part of our success, you know, and then...
27:44And we felt that, hey, man, like, 2024 was 20...
27:492024, we got out of the gate winning a lot of games and, you know, with the best record
27:53in baseball.
27:54By the first week of June or something like that, and then, boom, we hit the wall.
27:59But, again, guys respected each other, but I don't...
28:04It just became a very corporate, very formal...
28:09Clubhouse, you mentioned Lindor and Soto.
28:13Two...
28:14Very, very different guys, you know, Soto is very business-like.
28:19He's just a guy that comes in, he's, you know, he's got his...
28:24He's going through his process.
28:28Lindor is more...
28:29More outgoing, more of, like, what we see or what you guys see.
28:34On the field, where's the big smile and that guy that whether we...
28:39Win or lose, he's going to be the same guy.
28:41He cares.
28:42Obviously, they both care.
28:44And I feel like because of who they are...
28:49Individually, he's just a game.
28:54Again, a relationship that they care about winning, they care about each other...
28:59They care about their teammates, but they're two different personalities.
29:04You know, I'm with you on all that.
29:05I thought the...
29:06We didn't say anything about the terrible...
29:09Allegedly, bad clubhouse throughout the entire season.
29:11It seemed fine to me.
29:12It seemed business-like.
29:14I would say the one thing, and I think these are both great guys.
29:17They are very, very different, Lindor.
29:19And Soto, you know, they are different.
29:22Is there...
29:22I would just follow up...
29:24I would just follow up on that a little bit, and I don't mind putting you on the spot because
29:26I know you're a smart guy.
29:28You think...
29:29I think there's something that can be done so that they would...
29:31It didn't feel like...
29:33You know, I'm not there.
29:34You know, like Mike Pum was there 150 days, but I was there a lot, and they didn't really...
29:39Interact very often.
29:41It was nothing really overly negative, but these are the two...
29:44Two guys who are the cornerstones of the team.
29:46One's going to be there another 14 years.
29:48Another guy...
29:49Another half a decade.
29:51Can anything be done to get them to be...
29:54Feel like they're closer, and again, they weren't at each other's throats at all.
29:56It wasn't anything terrible, but it feels like...
29:59I feel like they could be closer.
30:00Yeah, no, and look, and I feel like we all...
30:04That they got there once they got to know each other, and kind of like...
30:09Because at the beginning, Juan was kind of getting a feel for the team, getting a feel
30:13for his teammates.
30:14And same thing with Lindor, you know, like, okay, some of the new guys that we're getting here.
30:19But even when it got harder, when we were in winning games, like...
30:24Everybody got along well, like...
30:26And I'm going to go back to Juan.
30:28Juan is so...
30:29I'm not going to say shy, but he's just so into his...
30:34Personal routines and things like that.
30:36They get in a room on the hitters' meeting, and...
30:39And they are all talking, right?
30:41But, you know, people are all making it, okay...
30:44The interactions between Soto and Lindor.
30:46Soto is the guy that, you know, when...
30:49When you guys come in, you see him, he's pretty much in his own...
30:54Personal space.
30:55And then he goes, and you see him behind the scenes, whether he's in the cafeteria...
30:59In the kitchen, in the weight room, in the way he's interacting with his teammates.
31:04He's a completely different person.
31:06Again, but it took him a little...
31:09I'm going to be honest here, where he was kind of just getting a feel for the room.
31:14But as far as those two, they're in a good...
31:19You know, you made a bunch of moves this offseason...
31:24And I think the one that is universally doubted...
31:29The question the most, maybe, is Edwin Diaz is out.
31:32Devin Williams, Luke Weaver...
31:34What do you think about that flip-flop?
31:38How comfortable...
31:39How comfortable are you with it?
31:40Yeah, look, man.
31:42Edwin, we all know he's...
31:44One of the best closers in the game.
31:45And he was so consistent for us, a guy that...
31:49Takes the baseball every time that he's available.
31:54And you feel good when you get to the ninth inning.
31:59And you have the lead.
32:00Again, he earned it.
32:02He, you know...
32:04He went through free agency and made what he felt was the best decision.
32:09And for him and his family, you hate to see him go.
32:12But at the same time, you feel really good.
32:14With the guys that we got on board.
32:18Whether it's...
32:19Devin Williams or Luke Weaver.
32:21Guys that...
32:22With plenty of closing experience.
32:24High leverage situation.
32:26High leverage situation.
32:26High leverage situation.
32:29Luke proven in New York.
32:31Devin got out of the gate.
32:32And it wasn't easy.
32:33But they make so much...
32:34And he seemed like he turned the corner there with the Yankees.
32:38So I'm excited.
32:39I'm excited about those two and what they can bring to the table.
32:42Again, proving guys.
32:44Guys that take the baseball that compete and want to win as well.
32:49You've touched on a couple of the new players.
32:51But how much better do you feel about this team than you did...
32:54Let's say 10, 12 days ago before the makeover actually came to fruition.
32:58I mean...
32:59It was a whirlwind six days, obviously, heading Robert, Bichette and Peralta.
33:04So, you know, do you feel like this team is going to be better this year?
33:09This year than it was last year.
33:10Yeah.
33:11I mean, look.
33:11We've got to stay healthy.
33:12You know, I feel...
33:14I feel like we had a very good team last year.
33:17And when we...
33:19We started losing all the starters and we couldn't recover.
33:22And we all know that that was a...
33:24Big issues for us when we lost Senga, when we lost Griffin Canning,
33:27Taylor McGill and...
33:29And then, you know, Montas gets back and he goes down right away.
33:33Same thing with Sean Manette.
33:34We couldn't get the best version of Sean.
33:37So, I...
33:39I feel like we had a good team last year, but I also feel like because of...
33:44What Davey in the front office has done throughout the whole offseason and then...
33:49Definitely the past week, you know, with the latest transaction.
33:54I feel good with where we are at as a team.
33:58I feel like there's...
33:59There's versatility, there's athleticism, there's more balance.
34:04The addition of Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers to the pitching staff.
34:09I like where we're going here.
34:12You know, Carlos, the addition...
34:14And Peralta, who's pitched at the top of the rotation for several seasons,
34:17including the very top last year.
34:19And a full season of McLean encourages me that you have guys who can pitch at the top.
34:23And yet...
34:24But it still feels like there are two wild cards that turn that into a deep, long...
34:29Really talented, among the best in the sport.
34:32And that's where Minaya is.
34:34And where Senga are.
34:35And we spent about six months asking you those questions last year.
34:39And it's probably as big a reason as you didn't make the playoffs as anything.
34:42Is those guys just weren't what you...
34:44Where do you think they are and how encouraged are you that...
34:49You might get the best of them in 2026.
34:51Yeah, I'm pretty encouraged that we're going to get...
34:54The best version of themselves.
34:56Again, we missed those guys last year.
34:59I feel like Sean went down in spring training and could never recover.
35:03And when...
35:04Senga went down, he wasn't the same guy, right?
35:07But now...
35:09Both of them are going through their normal off-season routines and workout.
35:13I saw...
35:14I saw Minaya about a month ago.
35:16He looked great.
35:17He's already thrown off the...
35:19Feeling good, feeling good, feeling healthy.
35:22And same thing with Kora Iseng.
35:24Some of our people were able to...
35:28To...
35:29Meet with him at the end of December and watch him throw a sign.
35:33So he's...
35:34He's feeling good.
35:35And again, those are the two guys that if they are...
35:39What we feel and think that they are capable of, man, we have a...
35:44Pretty deep rotation here.
35:45What can you tell me about Freddy Peralta and...
35:49You know, I know, obviously, that Schuble's name was out there.
35:51There were other pitchers traded.
35:53Where...
35:54Where did he fit in for you guys?
35:55It seemed like he was basically at the top.
35:59Considering Schuble was probably very unlikely and doesn't appear like he's going anywhere at this point.
36:04But what do you like about Peralta and where did he fit in and how big a relief is it to have a number one?
36:09One starter now to go with McLean.
36:11I mean, I don't want to write off McLean as a potential number one starter.
36:14Yeah, look, I feel really good about him.
36:17We all know that...
36:19The type of arm, the type of pitcher that he is, a guy that's pitching at the front of the...
36:24But as soon as we acquired him, I got on the phone with a lot of...
36:29A lot of people that have been around him and everybody keeps telling me he's the quality of the person.
36:34How good of a human being he is and how much he cares about...
36:39His teammates, about people.
36:42And that was one of the things when...
36:44That he mentioned to me when I got on the phone with him.
36:47It's like, I'm with...
36:49I'm planning on reporting early to Port St. Lucie so I can start...
36:54Meeting a lot of the new faces.
36:56That goes to show you the type of guy he is.
36:59You know, again, super excited and I can't wait to get to work.
37:04You know, Carlos, I think we'd be remiss if we didn't talk at least...
37:09A little...
37:09We did on Diaz.
37:10But Nemo and especially Alonso are...
37:14Gone here, there and McNeil, all homegrown guys, all...
37:19Like, in some way, historic Mets.
37:20There are...
37:21The team doesn't have a great historic offense for players.
37:24Alonso is the all-time homer leader, obviously.
37:27I wonder if you could break it down a little.
37:29The meaning of these guys leaving.
37:32Yeah, I mean, look, nothing but...
37:34Appreciation, they did everything...
37:39That we asked them to do.
37:40You know, we're talking about guys that post.
37:43You know...
37:44Pete Alonso playing pretty much every game for the past couple of years.
37:49His presence in the lineup, in the middle of the lineup, his presence in the clubhouse as well.
37:54Same thing with Brandon.
37:55You know, this is a guy that takes a lot of...
37:59Proud of making himself available every day.
38:03You know...
38:04Homegrown guys that knows what it takes to play in New York.
38:09And look, same thing with Jeff.
38:11But they were...
38:14There were some tough decisions there.
38:16And like I said, from my seat as the manager...
38:19Nothing but just appreciation and thankful that I had the opportunity.
38:24To work with them.
38:25And I wish them nothing but the best of luck.
38:29Moving forward.
38:31Brett Beatty was really good last year.
38:34Defensively, he was, at least on the metrics, was the best of your starting...
38:39And now he was going to be the third baseman.
38:42Now, obviously, you have a third baseman that he's going to be...
38:44He's going to be the left fielder.
38:45Ben could be the left fielder.
38:46We'll see.
38:48And also...
38:49Sovientos, two years ago, was fantastic.
38:52And, you know, obviously didn't have...
38:54Not the same year last year.
38:55What are your thoughts going into spring training about these two?
38:59Two fellows who've been in competition, in a nice, friendly competition for a long time.
39:03But it doesn't...
39:04It doesn't feel like they really have definite spots at the moment.
39:07Yeah, we feel...
39:09Like, they're going to be at bats.
39:11Again, performance management...
39:14It matters.
39:14But they are going to get opportunities.
39:17The fact that Beatty can...
39:19Played multiple positions.
39:20You know, we saw not only at third base, but how well he had...
39:24Lost it to a second base last year.
39:26That he got to a point where we felt comfortable.
39:29Playing him at second base.
39:31He's got some experience in the minor leagues.
39:34In the outfield as well.
39:36And we're pretty comfortable.
39:38And...
39:39Confidence that he is going to be able to...
39:41To learn those two new positions.
39:43Whether...
39:44Whether it's left field or first base because of how good of an athlete he is.
39:48And again...
39:49Their bats are going to be there.
39:50Same thing with Mark.
39:52You know, whether it's a first base...
39:53The defense...
39:54You know, rotating those guys.
39:58We'll see what happens.
39:59With Carson Bench in spring training.
40:01Another player that we are excited about.
40:04But again, back to those two.
40:06It's going to be a healthy competition.
40:08And there are...
40:09They're going...
40:09They're both going to contribute to our team.
40:13Just because you mentioned it...
40:14Carson Bench, why are you excited about him?
40:16What do you see?
40:17Yeah, there's a lot to like here.
40:19You know, this is a guy that we were counting on playing center field before we are...
40:24Acquire Louis Robert.
40:25That goes to show you that we are high on him from the defensive side.
40:29His ability to impact the baseball to all fields.
40:34There's power.
40:35There's strikes on discipline.
40:38He...
40:39Puts the ball in play.
40:41There's a lot of upside.
40:43All I'm hearing...
40:44From our project development people is...
40:46How the makeup...
40:47You know, the aptitude.
40:49So there's a lot of things to like about this kid.
40:52And I'm excited to watch him play.
40:54As a way to wrap up here, Carlos, look, you work with Aaron Boone for a...
40:59Many years.
41:00And he kept making the playoffs.
41:02And at the end of every year, we'd ask him, what do you...
41:04What do you think about your job security?
41:05There's a guy who was making the playoffs.
41:07You're entering the final guaranteed year of...
41:09Your contract.
41:10You're going to, again, be at the very...
41:12I think the number two payroll in the sport.
41:14With the expectation of big things are kind of bust.
41:17What do you think about your situation?
41:19What do you think about your situation heading into the 2026s?
41:21Yeah, the way I see it is I have a great opportunity.
41:24You know, you got an owner that is willing to put...
41:29All the resources in order to accomplish the ultimate goal, right?
41:34And you have a front office that continues to make moves to continue to improve our roster.
41:39And now it's up to us.
41:40You know, and me as the manager, like you mentioned, in this situation, is a...
41:44Great opportunity.
41:45I know where I stand.
41:46I know, you know, especially in my seat...
41:49With so much expectations, you know, coming off a disappointed year.
41:54Just the way I'm going to go about it is...
41:59Get the best version of myself and, you know, get the best out of all the people in the organization, whether...
42:04You're a player, a coach, and again, the way I see it is it's a great opportunity.
42:09Let me just...
42:12Go ahead.
42:13I mean...
42:14You don't have to say anything because I don't want to get you in trouble, but I mean, they should just pick up the...
42:19Option for the next year or extend you.
42:21We can't have a lame duck manager.
42:24You're obviously fantastic in your first year.
42:27I mean, this is normally an...
42:29Opinion piece here, but I mean, I mean, why not pick up the option?
42:34I mean, what's the payroll?
42:36Where are we at now?
42:36Over $350 million, right?
42:38I mean...
42:39This is a big responsibility, you know.
42:42Anyway, that's just my...
42:43You don't have to say anything.
42:44I appreciate that, but hey, I have a job to do and I'm excited to be honest.
42:49You know, John has a job to do also, but apparently he's edging for agent of Carlos Mendez.
42:54He has an agent.
42:56He has Adam Katz.
42:57I'm not...
42:58Don't get me in trouble.
42:59He shares that with Aaron Boone also.
43:01They both have Adam, right?
43:02Right.
43:02So, look...
43:04This all starts for real kind of the day after the Super Bowl.
43:07The WBC means...
43:09Those guys are in a little earlier that Monday.
43:12I know I'm going to be there that...
43:14It feels like it's going to be, again, an exciting time to be around the Mets, spring training.
43:19The regular season with all you did.
43:21And, Carlos, we know you're busy.
43:23You went and saw...
43:24Oh, Bichette, today.
43:25So, you're busy.
43:26We appreciate you making time.
43:29Time to be on the show here.
43:30Yeah.
43:30Thanks for having me, guys.
43:32All right.
43:32Thanks, Carlos.
43:33Thanks.
43:34See you guys soon.
43:35Thanks a lot.
43:36You're the best.
43:39John and I thank you.
43:44Carlos Mendoza, of course.
43:45And we're breaking our pattern of usual.
43:48We usually do...
43:49Hit or error here.
43:49We're just going to make it a hit.
43:51We got Harrison Fader.
43:53We got Harrison Fader.
43:54A little bit of news.
43:54He signed, as we're speaking, not long ago, he signed with the San Francisco...
43:59The Giants for two years.
44:00So, first of all, congratulations, Harrison, on...
44:04Signing with the San Francisco Giants.
44:06Joel, thank you so much.
44:07Great to see you guys, as always.
44:09I really always appreciate, you know, these long seasons, in-season, off-season.
44:13You guys are always just...
44:14Always good to talk to.
44:15Always good to see your faces.
44:16So, happy to do it on this side.
44:18Just, you know...
44:19Having signed with a great team.
44:20So, I'm very excited.
44:20So, thank you for having me.
44:22Well, go to it.
44:23Why the Giants?
44:24Why did it turn out this way?
44:26Well, first and foremost, the opportunity.
44:29There's no doubt about it.
44:29You know, all you can do in this game is just work to set yourself up for the best opportunity possible.
44:34You know, I've always wanted to play as many games, have as many bats as possible, be on a winning team.
44:38The Giants...
44:39This cannot be a more perfect fit for me.
44:40So, I'm just very excited.
44:42You know, I love playing with superstars.
44:44You got a lot of really, really talented players.
44:46You know, I came up with Chapman in the Texas League.
44:49In Pro Bowl, prior to the Major Leagues.
44:51Familiar with him.
44:52You know, what he's about.
44:53And...
44:54Playing against Willie Adamas for a number of years when I was with the Cardinals.
44:56And he was on the Brewers.
44:58Uh...
44:59There's just a lot of superstars.
45:00You know, obviously, Devers was a big acquisition for them last year.
45:02So, it's a fresh front office.
45:04It's obviously a fresh coaching staff.
45:06Uh...
45:06Some SEC ties and Tony Vitello.
45:08Uh...
45:09You know, some familiarity with, uh...
45:11Tingler when I was with the Twins last year.
45:13So...
45:13So...
45:14It's always good to be in a new place without familiar faces.
45:16So, uh...
45:16Opportunity.
45:18Uh...
45:18The personnel.
45:19The players.
45:19Um...
45:20It just was a perfect fit.
45:21And I'm just really, really happy it worked out.
45:22Because it's very rare in this game when things work.
45:24You know, pretty, pretty perfectly.
45:27So, I'm just very excited.
45:28So, I'm just very excited.
45:29What was the free agency like for you?
45:31I mean, obviously, we still have a...
45:32My list is...
45:33I don't...
45:34I don't have them right in front of me.
45:35I still got, I don't know, 100 names on the list.
45:37And we're two weeks away from...
45:39Pitchers and catchers.
45:40Yeah.
45:41What was it like for you?
45:42I mean, it's still a pretty long wait.
45:44Even though you're ahead of 100 other guys.
45:47Yeah.
45:47Yeah.
45:47No, absolutely.
45:48Absolutely.
45:49No, you know, listen.
45:50It's a process.
45:51I think you have to put your faith in...
45:54You know, your team behind the scenes.
45:55For me, that was my family, first and foremost.
45:58Those are my coaches.
45:59My coaches and my training staff and my biomechanists and everybody who's helping me be distracted.
46:04From trying to sign with the team in the offseason.
46:06All those guys and my family, everybody did a great job.
46:09Kind of distracting me and keeping me on a really, really positive path throughout this entire process.
46:13Because...
46:14Listen, teams have, you know, trades to go through.
46:16They have other signings.
46:17They have a certain amount of...
46:19Money that they need to allocate.
46:20So, as they're building a roster, it's really important for us to just, as players...
46:24Just remain calm.
46:25Trust, you know, trust your representation.
46:27Trust your support system.
46:29And hopefully know that, you know, with the work and the season you put up, that things are ultimately going to work out.
46:33So...
46:34Keeping that faith, I think, allowed me to kind of just get through it.
46:36And I ended up in a great place.
46:38A great city.
46:39Like I mentioned, a great coaching staff.
46:40A great locker room.
46:42So...
46:42Just keeping faith in...
46:44Knowing that and knowing it will work out, I think, what kind of got me through it.
46:46You know, Harrison, as comfortable as you are with...
46:49I wonder if you could tell us about the process a little.
46:51You played on two different teams last year.
46:54Your trade to Philadelphia was a very important moment for the Phillies.
46:59You know, you played extremely well for them.
47:02And that was a team that maybe...
47:04On some levels, obviously, the Blue Jays went to seven games.
47:07But I know how...
47:08I know a lot...
47:09A lot of guys with the Dodgers, they were pushing your pitching, were so worried about
47:12the Phillies and getting through...
47:14And who knows what would have happened if you guys would have gotten through.
47:17Can you take us through the process a little?
47:19If you could tell us maybe teams, how close, why it takes till January...
47:24Yeah, sure.
47:26So like you mentioned, Joel, I mean, this is my third time going through the process...
47:29And again, I think based on the seasons you had, you know, you really just want to set yourself...
47:34Up for the next opportunity.
47:35And for me, the past couple of years prior to this season, it looked...
47:39Like one-year deals, which is fine because when your back is against the wall and you're
47:42really playing for something...
47:44Kind of bigger than just going out there and just playing ball, it just...
47:48You step into a different...
47:49You step into a different level of focus.
47:50You step into a different level of training.
47:52You know, you go to sleep differently.
47:53You wake up and go to the...
47:54You are differently.
47:55And I really just kind of wanted to escape that.
47:57You know, I didn't want to be known as a one-year deal kind of...
47:59A mercenary type player.
48:00I really wanted to find a home.
48:01And I think last year and just coming off of an injury...
48:04In 2023, 2024, kind of working through it.
48:07I really just want to hunker down and find out.
48:09So that process was one that, you know, you just got to wait it out.
48:14And you have to follow the opportunity.
48:15Sometimes the dollar sign might not be reflective of the opportunity.
48:19You give it on the field.
48:20So, you know, you get an opportunity last year to play with the Twins.
48:23I mean, that was an awesome...
48:24An opportunity for me to play left field.
48:26I got to play every day next to a player I've...
48:29Loved and admired from afar for so long in Byron Buxton.
48:32And it was an opportunity that I just thought was...
48:34Was great.
48:35I played left field in college.
48:36And I wanted to attack it head on.
48:37And, you know, I kind of shook...
48:39But I still have the ability to play left field if need be.
48:41You just never know what tool you might have to pull out.
48:44To be attractive to a front office.
48:45So kind of seizing that, getting to an opportunity where, you know, I get...
48:49Traded, like you mentioned, to the Phillies.
48:51And I'll just say this now, too.
48:52I mean, my time in Philadelphia was...
48:54Probably some of the best baseball I've ever been a part of.
48:57That was the most incredible...
48:59incredible fan base that I've ever had an opportunity to play in front of for a couple months.
49:03I mean, you kind of go around that...
49:04In that locker room.
49:05And I don't want to leave anybody out.
49:07But, you know, you talk about Bryce Harper.
49:08You talk about...
49:09JT Realmuto.
49:10You talk about Trey Turner.
49:12You talk about Kyle Schwarber.
49:13I mean, those are guys...
49:14that you just have so much respect for because they...
49:17The way I put it is they sit at a different table and they made...
49:19the major leagues.
49:20You know, the energy they bring.
49:21The talent they have.
49:22Obviously, their level of production.
49:24You know, level of consistency.
49:25Getting to share a locker room with those guys was something I'll remember.
49:29for forever.
49:30And you talk about the front office and some of the personnel.
49:33I mean, Rob...
49:34Rob Thompson.
49:35Kevin Long.
49:36I mean, John Middleton.
49:39He just brought his energy every single day.
49:40Whenever he was at the ballpark.
49:41It's just a fantastic ownership group.
49:43Dave Dunbrow.
49:44He restαι office and
50:10every single day.
50:10every single day.
50:12whether it's on the road or in the game.
50:12the same way I have in other clubhouses in the past and really just kind of
50:15settle in and be my best version.
50:17Not only as a competitor, but as a teammate, there's a lot of guys in there I know I can
50:22feed off of.
50:23There's a lot of guys in there I know I can support.
50:25I'm just very excited to go into it, you know, this game.
50:27And the pursuit of the ball, if you will, has just brought me to so many incredible places.
50:32It's put me next to and in front of so many amazing and talented baseball players.
50:37And it's just going to continue for longer than a one year term in San Francisco.
50:41So I'm just very grateful.
50:42I'm very excited.
50:44You were really good in Minnesota, but you were great in Philadelphia.
50:47And obviously you can only play for one team and you never know what someone else
50:52is thinking, but any idea why you're not back with the Phillies and also what?
50:57What do you have against the Mets?
50:59I think you hit a thousand against the Mets or was it 2000?
51:01I can't remember.
51:02Was it something personal?
51:06No, nothing personal.
51:07I just...
51:07You know, I think the game is trending in a different way.
51:10I think just understanding your opponent.
51:12Understanding their pitching staff and what they're trying to do to a lineup and going out there.
51:17And just giving it your best and educated guess, you know, and having familiarity with that pitching staff.
51:22Kind of how they think, what they might be trying to do to me, because they saw me, you know, up.
51:27Close, you know, on the offensive side.
51:29So just taking my shot, you know, and letting it show up.
51:32When it showed up.
51:34And I think I just had a lot of success against the Mets because...
51:37I just kind of really settled into a good approach.
51:40But no, certainly nothing personal.
51:42I love those guys.
51:42So much.
51:43And it's tremendous, tremendous character and competition on that side.
51:47And anytime you get a chance to play against your friends, I think it makes it even more fun.
51:51And, yeah.
51:52Listen, you know, with regards to affiliates, I just think that they, you know, they have a lot of people to worry about.
51:56There's a lot of...
51:57There's a lot of money at stake and as a, you know, it's not just as simple as, you know, thinking about...
52:02About me and my career when they're trying to construct a roster.
52:06So why I'm not...
52:07With them, I don't know.
52:09I don't know.
52:10But it doesn't diminish, you know, the amazing experience I had there.
52:12It doesn't diminish, you know, the incredible two months, two and a half months I had there.
52:18And baseball's a funny game.
52:20You know, you always see those guys on the other side.
52:22This is...
52:22It's always just about putting on the show for the families, putting on the show just for the kids watching.
52:27And I think tapping into that, now I get an opportunity to play those guys, obviously.
52:32I just...
52:32I'm really just looking forward to it.
52:34And you just never know what happens in the game.
52:35And, yeah, I just think that they win.
52:37Went a different way, which is totally okay.
52:41You know, we always have our allegiance to the...
52:42The ball, just like we were as a young kid playing Little League.
52:45All I want to do is play in the Major League.
52:47So, yeah.
52:47I'm extremely, extremely excited that the Giants gave me an opportunity to continue to do that in a fin.
52:52Fantastic city, one that I've always admired coming in.
52:55I always look forward to those trips.
52:57So, you know.
52:57It's all in good fun.
52:58I'm excited to see how it all shakes out.
53:01Harrison, last thing.
53:02You mentioned the name...
53:02There's a name before that I'm incredibly curious about, which is Tony Vitello and the...
53:07The switch he's making here from the college game to the major leagues.
53:12Pat.
53:12Pat Murphy kind of did it.
53:14There was an apprenticeship as a major league coach after Arizona State.
53:17But I'm sure you probably have dealt with him a little now.
53:22In this negotiation period, what are you thinking of him and his chances of making it?
53:28Yeah.
53:29Listen, I think it's awesome.
53:31I really do.
53:32I think it's great.
53:32You know, baseball's the same at every single level.
53:36You know, you add some people in the...
53:37Maybe, you know, the game might speed up a little bit.
53:41But it is the same game.
53:42If you...
53:42If you have success at a very high level in the SEC, there's no reason as to why you
53:45can't have success at the major level.
53:47And I'm excited.
53:47I'm excited for him and his family to go out there and test that.
53:50I know he's got the energy for it.
53:51Everybody I've spoken to who...
53:52I know he knows him and I'm an SEC guy too.
53:55You know, I'm cut from the cough of Brad Whitesoul.
53:57And Kevin O'Sullivan.
53:59And for those guys who know those guys over at Florida, you know, we're all cut from
54:02the same cough.
54:02So, you know, that level of baseball, it really doesn't get better in the...
54:07In the country, in the world, at that level.
54:10So, I'm excited for him to take what he did, building a...
54:12Really, really good program at Tennessee.
54:14I'm excited to play for him.
54:17And...
54:17Work with him and grow with him and learn with him because we never stop learning in
54:21this game, you know, at the major league level.
54:22So, it's going to be exciting.
54:24I know he brings a lot of energy.
54:25Everybody has the greatest things to say about him.
54:27That's all he can ask for.
54:28You know, you just want consistent, high, positive energy every single day.
54:32Over the course of a seven, eight-month season.
54:34So, I'm certainly...
54:36I have no reason to believe he's not going to bring that.
54:37And I...
54:37I just can't wait to work alongside of him.
54:39So, it's going to be great.
54:41I know he's excited.
54:42I know he's...
54:42He's done a lot of things this offseason in creating that level of foundation of familiarity
54:46with a lot of his players, which...
54:47Which is awesome.
54:49He cares a lot, clearly.
54:50So, it's great.
54:51I'm just looking forward to it all.
54:52And it's...
54:52It's going to start here, like you said, John, in a couple weeks before pitchers and catchers
54:56reports.
54:56So, I just can't wait to dive in.
54:57Yeah, you know, Harrison, first of all, congratulations on getting it done.
55:02We know it could be an arduous period.
55:04And really, John and I always thank you.
55:06You're a friend of the show.
55:07You do.
55:07I'm going to jump on at a moment, literally a moment, in this situation.
55:12So, we...
55:12We thank you so much for joining us on the show.
55:16Yeah, absolutely.
55:16Like I said, I really appreciate you.
55:17And, you know, the story and the road continues on.
55:21So, I'm looking forward to our next conversation.
55:23Yeah.
55:24Terrific.
55:24The other guy we have to thank always is our MVP, Tommy Hogan, who...
55:27Who also ad-libs great when we suddenly have...
55:30Yeah.
55:32Tommy, thank you for...
55:32Doing that.
55:33Today is the first day of the California Post.
55:35People should look for it either on the newsstand, California...
55:37YourPost.com, online, Apple, Spotify, wherever you listen to podcasts.
55:42Please rate...
55:42Review us, YouTube, Harrison will pretty it up from me and John and we'll look...
55:47A lot better on if you want to go take a look on YouTube.
55:51And Harrison said it.
55:52They're only a couple of weeks from spring training.
55:55The news is only going to get hotter and better and the games are going to begin.
55:57Please stick with us on the show with Joel Sherman and John Heyman.
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