While there has been a lot of chatter this offseason about the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets, there are also a few teams flying under the radar who might be due to make some noise prior to the 2025 season kicking off. It’s time to dive into the other teams that should be on baseball fans' radars this hot stove season.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman pick out which teams intrigue them the most following their 2024 campaigns, including the Chicago Cubs and their notable lack of star power, whether the St. Louis Cardinals are setting themselves up for a season of retooling, why it’s time for the Washington Nationals to make a big splash and if the Texas Rangers will bounce back following their uninspiring title defense.

Later on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys are joined by ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan as he dives into which teams interest him this offseason, like how serious the Boston Red Sox might be about pursuing free-agent Juan Soto, why the Baltimore Orioles might opt for short-term contract players and if the Detroit Tigers will bring in a top-line starting pitcher to join their rotation. The guys close out the episode by making their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

(1:28) – The Opener: Who intrigues us this offseason?

(6:26) – Chicago Cubs

(11:00) – St. Louis Cardinals

(16:40) – Texas Rangers

(25:06) – Jeff Passan joins the show!

(28:09) – Who intrigues Jeff this offseason?

(34:34) – Orioles’ first offseason with new ownership

(38:47) – Red Sox poised to make moves?

(45:16) – Jeff’s usage of “BREAKING NEWS”

(56:56) – The Good, The Bad & The Uggla

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With the 2024 MLB season now in the rearview mirror, the last bit of baseball to take care of is naming the winners of the end-of-year awards. This week, the finalists were announced for MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year and it’s time for us to break down who we think will be taking home some hardware.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman examine all the nominees, whether Aaron Judge will join Shohei Ohtani in being named unanimous MVP, why Zack Wheeler deserves to be the NL Cy Young over Chris Sale and who might steal some first-place votes from Paul Skenes in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys discuss the Juan Soto sweepstakes picking up, with him scheduled to meet potential suitors this week, before diving into the listener mailbag where they answer whether the San Francisco Giants or San Diego Padres are the bigger rival to the Los Angeles Dodgers, if Roki Sasaki can sign an extension immediately with whatever team he picks and then make their picks for fan-created awards.

(1:58) - MVP finalists

(8:29) - Cy Young finalists

(16:13) - Rookie of the Year finalists

(22:03) - Manager of the Year finalists

(24:39) - Juan Soto sweepstakes update

(32:55) - Baseball Bar-B-Cast mailbag

(52:48) - Explain this to me like I’m five

(56:02) - Turbo Mode news recap

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Where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire, and now the baseball world has been set ablaze after the news that Japanese superstar pitcher Roki Sasaki would be posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines. With that news, the 23-year-old flamethrower is poised to be one of the most sought-after free agents this offseason by every team.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the excitement around Sasaki, including why this is such a unique and different free-agency experience due to his age, the amount of money he’s potentially leaving on the table by coming to MLB so soon and why he compares to Pittsburgh Pirates star Paul Skenes and Texas Rangers veteran Jacob deGrom.

Later on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys welcome on NPB expert Yuri Karasawa to give his insight on Sasaki, which includes when the star pitcher first got on everyone’s radar, why the Marines are posting him so early into his career and which MLB teams already have a clear advantage to sign him. Jake & Jordan then go around the league, taking a look at the Miami Marlins' new managerial hire, the Philadelphia Phillies shaking up their front office and Reggie Jackson leaving the Houston Astros.

(1:43) - What changed with Roki Sasaki getting posted?
(17:29) - Yuri Karasawa joins the show
(22:17) - Why Sasaki is unique
(27:38) - A look at Sasaki’s 2024 season
(35:35) - Why are the Marines posting Sasaki?
(39:43) - Which MLB team has the advantage to sign him?
(46:48) - Around the League Turbo Mode
(52:38) - Phillies shake up their front office
(59:23) - One Dumb Question

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Juan Soto has been in the baseball limelight since making his Major League debut at the age of 19 in 2018. Once established as a baseball phenom with the Washington Nationals, many have counted down the days until his inevitable free agency. The time for fans hoping their team lands the big fish has finally arrived.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the kickoff of the Juan Soto sweepstakes at the General Managers' Meetings this past week, the possible no-brainer suitors (looking at you, New York Yankees and New York Mets), and some of the out-of-the-box teams (uh, Tampa Bay Rays?) who will do their best to court the 26-year-old outfielder.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys talk about Scott Boras’s annual pun-fest regarding the free agents he’s representing this offseason, the Los Angeles Angels making a few moves right out of the gate and why the Milwaukee Brewers seem destined for another heated arbitration session. Jake and Jordan close the show by making their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

(2:31) - Juan Soto free agency has begun

(21:46) - Where will Soto sign?

(23:09) - Scott Boras offseason scoreboard

(34:33) - Notes from the GM meetings

(49:02) - Turbo Mode around the league

(55:05) - The Good

(59:23) - The Bad

(1:04:28) - The Uggla

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

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And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

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Fresh off the heels of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrating their eighth championship in franchise history, the team announced that Shohei Ohtani, the 50-50 man, underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder on Tuesday. The injury, sustained during the World Series, was successfully treated and we should see Ohtani back just in time for the start of Spring Training.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the severity of Ohtani’s injury and how impressive it was that he played in the Fall Classic despite it. The guys also dive into the potential free agency of Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki and if he’ll come to MLB. Later, they talk about Gerrit Cole deciding to not opt out of his contract with the New York Yankees that will see him remain in pinstripes until at least 2028.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake and Jordan take a look at the top 50 MLB free agents, making their picks for who might be the last player to sign, who they’re extremely high on, which player they’d be wary of signing and which players they wouldn’t know what to do with.

(1:31) - A word after Tuesday night

(5:30) - Shohei Ohtani undergoes surgery

(10:45) - Roki Sasaki’s move to MLB?

(16:23) - Gerrit Cole stays with the Yankees

(24:48) - Top 50 MLB free agents

(1:12:47) - Turbo mode from around the league

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The Los Angeles Dodgers held a celebration for the ages last week following their World Series victory over the New York Yankees. Although they won the championship in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, their title this year allowed them to celebrate in the streets and at Dodger Stadium with all their fans.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about all the scenes from the parade and stadium celebration, including Kiké Hernández dunking on Fat Joe, Jack Flaherty’s perfect t-shirt for the occasion and why Clayton Kershaw deserved to celebrate just as much as the rest of Dodgers Nation, even though his role in 2024 wasn’t as prominent as other players.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys discuss the narrative that the Dodgers bought this championship and why that’s a silly take. They draft the best moments from LA’s 2024 season and then take a look at what the offseason holds for them. Later on, Jake and Jordan talk about the 2024 Gold Glove Award winners, Gerrit Cole opting out of his Yankees contract and Jordan Montgomery’s awkward opt-in with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

(1:37) - Reviewing the Dodgers celebration

(15:37) - Did the Dodgers buy this title?

(21:25) - Drafting the best moments from LA’s season

(45:17) - Where do the Dodgers go from here?

(49:01) - 2024 Gold Glove Award winners

(52:47) - Cole opts out, Montgomery opts in

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The Los Angeles Dodgers will finally get the celebratory parade they have coveted after not being able to have one following their 2020 World Series championship. Although the series seemed destined to head back to California after the New York Yankees took a 5-0 lead and ace Gerrit Cole was dealing into the fifth inning, a comedy of errors led to that lead disappearing right before their eyes in the pivotal Game 5.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the never-say-die Dodgers’ comeback in that fifth inning that will go down in the history books, how everything went wrong for the Bronx Bombers after two errors opened the door for the game to be tied and why it was all but inevitable for Los Angeles to win Game 5 once the Yankees relinquished the lead.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys talk about the impressive postseason from both Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, why it was a shame that Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge were a big part of the the disastrous fifth and the coolness factor of seeing Shohei Ohtani getting to celebrate a championship.

(3:18) - Game 5 recap

(11:33) - Yankees fifth inning meltdown

(22:58) - Momentum switches for the Dodgers

(31:39) - Dodgers take the lead

(40:34) - Walker Buehler’s day on

(46:52) - Where does this leave Juan Soto?

(55:05) - Appreciation for Freddie Freeman & Shohei Ohtani

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

For the first time in 15 years, the New York Yankees won a World Series game and it couldn’t have come at a more crucial time in their hopeful championship run. With the Los Angeles Dodgers one win away from clinching their eighth title in franchise history, the Yankees' offense finally came alive to help them force a Game 5 in the Bronx on Wednesday night.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the Yankees staving off elimination in Game 4 with the help of a grand slam from Anthony Volpe, New York’s bullpen yet again having a great night, why Aaron Judge might be turning a corner at the plate and Paul O’Neill’s rough night throwing out first pitches.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys talk about the bizarre fan interference with Mookie Betts in the first inning, how the Dodgers will try to close out the series again tomorrow night and preview Gerrit Cole vs. Jack Flaherty for Game 5.

(1:52) - Paul O’Neill’s first pitches

(5:23) - Game 4 recap

(13:08) - Anthony Volpe’s full circle moment

(18:07) - The Yankees' offense comes alive

(26:38) - Game 5 preview

(33:00) - Notes on Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge

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

When the Los Angeles Dodgers rolled into the Bronx on Monday night, they knew they would be in for a fight in order to take one step closer to achieving their ultimate goal. However, as quickly as the fight started, the Dodgers were able to land a big punch that seemed to knock the wind out of the New York Yankees and their fans.

The Bronx Bombers were ultimately unable to recover.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the Dodgers taking Game 3 in New York behind Walker Buehler’s strong outing, give an update on Shohei Ohtani following his injury in Game 2 and discuss Freddie Freeman hitting yet another home run as the Dodgers are now one win away from raising the Commissioner’s Trophy.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys talk about how this World Series has been a bit of a letdown with how the Yankees have played, the large differences in the two rosters that we may not have realized before the series started and preview the pitching matchup for Game 4, which will see Luis Gil going against a bullpen game for the Dodgers.

(1:40) - Shohei Ohtani possibly playing through the pain

(4:48) - Recapping the action from Game 3

(14:31) - Giancarlo Stanton thrown out at home

(21:56) - Appreciation for Walker Buehler

(25:31) - Previewing Game 4

(30:08) - Has this series been disappointing?

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Coming into the 2024 edition of the World Series, we knew there was a chance we’d be treated to some exciting baseball, but nothing could’ve prepared us for what we’ve seen so far. With Game 1 ending in grand fashion and Game 2 concluding with a nail-biting ninth, the Fall Classic is living up to the hype.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the Los Angeles Dodgers going up 2-0 in the series against the New York Yankees, highlighting the heroics from Freddie Freeman and the strong performance from LA’s starting pitching. The guys also talk about Shohei Ohtani injuring his shoulder on a slide into second base and whether we’ll see him when the series resumes on Monday.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake and Jordan try to make sense of why Aaron Judge is continuing to struggle at the plate during the postseason and give a quick Game 3 preview as the attention of the baseball world shifts from the West Coast to the Bronx.

(1:42) - Recapping Game 2

(13:54) - Shohei Ohtani injury

(23:57) - Friday's epic Game 1

(30:50) - Freddie Freeman in the 10th

(41:12) - What’s going on with Aaron Judge?

(46:23) - Previewing Game 3

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

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And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

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

Recording from right inside Dodger stadium, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman share their biggest takeaways from the 2024 World Series media day. From Giancarlo Stanton’s opportunity to rewrite his career narrative, the impact of Aaron Judge’s calming demeanor on the New York Yankees, to even the character the stadium parking lot might play in the series — the Baseball Bar-B-Cast covers all the biggest storylines.

Jake & Jordan answer fan emails including whether or not the Los Angeles Dodgers are entering a dynasty and what might happen if Shohei Ohtani were to play in left field. Plus, the duo gives their Game 1 predictions.

(2:31) Media day takeaways

(12:22) Giancarlo Stanton expectations

(15:49) Aaron Judge impact

(19:37) Boone vs. Roberts matchup

(25:09) Who should neutral fans root for?

(30:19) Beginning of Dodgers dynasty?

(31:58) What if Ohtani played in left field?

(36:08) Are high-paying teams & players a good thing?

(42:08) Pitching matchup preview

(47:56) Game 1 predictions

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

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And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ

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⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://twitter.com/Jake_Mintz

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