Hour 1: LeBron, Mets Selling, Judge update

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: LeBron, Mets Selling, Judge Update

Date: July 17, 2026
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Key Topics: LeBron James’ NBA future, New York Mets fire sale, Aaron Judge injury update

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Episode Overview

This loaded first hour catches listeners up on three of the biggest stories swirling through New York sports and beyond:

• The ongoing speculation over LeBron James’s next NBA destination and its seismic impact
• The New York Mets’ full-blown roster fire sale, what it signals about organizational direction, and clubhouse drama
• Updates and implications around Yankees star Aaron Judge’s injury, including what it means for their trade deadline approach.

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1. LeBron James Watch: Decision Looms (03:15–21:29)

LeBron’s Future and "LeBron Watch"

• The hosts open with reminiscences about the hype of LeBron James’s 2010 free agency, with Alan Hahn recalling how covering LeBron’s saga changed his own career path:

  “It was that 2010, you know…I dubbed it the LeBron-a-Thon…” – Alan Hahn (03:32)

• They discuss the revival of “LeBron Watch” and speculate on his next move. Hahn lists Cleveland, Golden State, Miami, and Philadelphia as frontrunners, breaking down what each stop would mean.
• LeBron’s quote from Fanatics Fest is dissected, especially the “trust the process” line—a possible troll or slip referencing Philadelphia’s slogan.

  “Is that just a poor use of words? An intentional troll or a hint that Don La Greca could be on the right track and he’s headed down 95 to Philly?” – Peter Rosenberg (06:22) “It’s a bit of a troll, a bit of a slip, but I don’t think it’s giving away anything.” – Alan Hahn (06:45)

• The hosts stress that LeBron is giving no signals about a farewell tour, instead indicating his plan for a multi-year tenure wherever he lands (08:40).

Family & Business Factors

• LeBron’s family considerations, especially his daughter’s volleyball, weigh heavily in the decision and make Golden State (for proximity to LA) and Cleveland (for roots) appealing.

  “She said, ‘wherever you go, I’m going with you.’ And he’s like, ‘I don’t think that’s going to happen.’” – Alan Hahn (20:26)

• Adam Silver’s impatience is paraphrased; LeBron’s delay is literally holding up the NBA schedule and broadcast planning.

  “He is literally holding up the league.” – Alan Hahn (12:27)

National & NY Interest

• Despite the national spectacle, Knicks fans are largely unmoved, with their sights set on repeating as Eastern Conference champs. Hahn and Rosenberg agree that LeBron’s choice, while big, doesn’t impact Knicks fans’ optimism about their own team’s stability (16:00).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Moves glacially. What a beautiful job of the English language you do.” – Peter Rosenberg on Joel Embiid’s game (18:57)
• “You could put him and Steph together…and you know, Philly, you could still argue that you don’t know how that’s going to work.” – Alan Hahn (08:00)

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2. New York Mets: The Fire Sale & Clubhouse Drama (29:37–38:32)

The Mets are Selling

• Reports surface that the Mets are making nearly all players available except for a small core (Benj, Ewing, Scott, McClain, Soto). Lindor’s conspicuous absence from the “untouchables” signals a possible rift and looming organizational change.

  “It’s just making it clear that they are now ready to break these two up and move on.” – Alan Hahn (32:02)

Lindor-Soto Dynamic & Clubhouse Issues

• The discussion centers on the dynamic between Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto; leaked reports and sources suggest that while trading Lindor is unlikely due to his contract, relationships in the clubhouse are problematic.

  “There is clearly…a disconnect between the two stars, and it’s creating…an uncomfortable environment in the clubhouse.” – Alan Hahn (35:52)

• Hahn draws parallels to the Knicks’ Julius Randle/Jalen Brunson situation and the Islanders’ Alexei Yashin, explaining how stardom and leadership can fracture a locker room if not managed.

Market Reaction & Fan Fatigue

• Mets fans seem disillusioned by another rebuilding phase; hosts and listeners alike are waiting to see what course of action actually unfolds.

Notable Quotes

• “Can you get the Mets to do a deal with you?...That doesn’t exist here.” – Alan Hahn on changed Mets-Yankees relations (30:18)

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3. Yankees & Aaron Judge’s Injury: Deadline Implications (41:57–47:17)

Judge’s Health and Organizational Aggression

• Ken Rosenthal reports the Yankees will be aggressive at the deadline only if Judge’s imaging comes back positive. The hosts question this logic, considering the AL’s wide-open state.

  “If I’m Garrett Cole…why wouldn’t we go for it? Our pitching can help us win.” – Alan Hahn (42:57) “Who are you so scared of in the AL?” – Peter Rosenberg (43:06)

Breaking News: Judge’s Latest Update

• Brian Ho relays Judge’s own words:

  “Rib re-imaging showed some progress, some healing going on, but not fully healed. Still waiting on another doctor…but definitely a positive sign…Asked if he’s still confident he’ll play again this season, Judge said, ‘Definitely. I don’t see why I wouldn’t.’” – (44:34)

• Hosts urge caution, noting that Judge’s return may still be in September and he could be limited to DH duties.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “There’s no guarantee he’s coming back. Him saying definitely...He doesn’t talk like that.” – Alan Hahn, expressing skepticism (45:25)
• On trade deadline strategy: “Before we get to a cap system…why wouldn’t you go for it?” – Alan Hahn (44:14)

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Quick Hits & Light Moments

• Fanatics Fest: LeBron draws attention commenting on New York’s air quality haze, with Jeter and other sports royalty in attendance (28:50).

  “LeBron, when he showed up, the first thing he did was like, ‘What is with this air?’” – Alan Hahn (28:53)

• NFL Preseason: Four weeks till football, though hosts joke about how the anticipation usually gives way to disappointment once preseason games start (23:13).

  “You crave it until you see it, and then you go, this sucks. Get us to the regular season.” – Alan Hahn (23:49)

• Swag/Merch: Talk about possible show hats, poking fun at their lack of a merch empire compared to others on ESPN New York (27:26).

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• LeBron Watch Deep Dive: 03:15–21:29
• NBA Scheduling Delays (re: LeBron): 12:27–15:03
• Mets Selling & Locker Room Dynamics: 29:37–38:32
• Judge Update & Yankees Outlook: 41:57–47:17
• NFL Preseason Banter: 23:13–27:26
• Fanatics Fest/NYC Haze: 28:50–29:37

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Memorable Quotes

• “He is literally holding up the league.” – Alan Hahn, on LeBron’s impact (12:27)
• “Moves glacially. What a beautiful job of the English language you do.” – Peter Rosenberg, on Joel Embiid (18:57)
• “Can you get the Mets to do a deal with you?...That doesn’t exist here.” – Alan Hahn (30:18)
• “Definitely. I don’t see why I wouldn’t.” – Aaron Judge, on playing again this season (44:34)

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Summary Tone & Takeaways

• The episode is a lively blend of sharp analysis, seasoned New York sports skepticism, and trademark banter. Hahn and Rosenberg are candid about how media spectacles like LeBron James drive not just NBA decisions but even their own media careers.
• The Mets are beginning another sell-off, and the Yankees’ trade deadline posture is inextricably tied to Aaron Judge’s health. Across the spectrum, the mood among New York fans is watchful and weary, yearning for clarity and genuine hope—whether waiting on LeBron, Mets trades, or Judge’s return.

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Transcript

[A]

As soccer takes center stage this summer, Comcast helps bring the experience home to America. As the exclusive Spanish language home of the tournament in the US Telemundo is set to present its most expansive coverage ever. 700 hours of programming, live on site presence at all 104 matches. And with multi view and real time 4K Xfinity will deliver the most innovative and immersive sports viewing experience for fans watching on Telemundo. Peacock, Fox and FS1. Learn more at comcastcorporation.com Don I'll be

[B]

licking the television screen. Licking it like it's ice cream.

[C]

Han.

[A]

Oh, the type of music I listen to would make you cry.

[B]

And Rosenberg, I expect to be called ball coach. This isn't North Dakota, this is New York.

[A]

This is Don Hahn and Rosenberg. The best threesome I've ever heard on ESPN New York and streaming live on YouTube.

[B]

Oh boy, oh boy. It is time, folks. One more time on a Friday. Peter Rosenberg and Alan Hahn. The Hanster will take off next week. The Dawnster will return. Not gonna lie, towards the end of

[A]

it, I was like a little thick.

[B]

Like I felt like. That's Christian. Scott, we're not ready to hear from you yet.

[A]

I'm ready for vacation though.

[B]

But you, where are you heading, Big Al?

[A]

Parts unknown.

[B]

Parts unknown.

[A]

Not. We're not going to reveal, really.

[B]

Keeping it on the low down.

[A]

Is that what you do? Do you do. Do you tell the world where you're going or do you tell them when you get back?

[B]

Well, it depends. It's a really a. It's really about how likely is it that anyone's gonna find me there? You know what I mean?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like when I was going to Rio, I had no problem being like, hey, I'm going to Rio. Good luck, you know, if I run it to you. Sounds great. But you know, if you're. If you're gonna be going somewhere within two hours, then yeah, maybe you want to go ahead and wait. I see. But either way, you'll be taking a much needed post championship run break.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And God bless for that. We have a big program here today. We're gonna have the world champ and we had a world champion on a Friday just a couple of weeks ago. That same title is now around the waist of that man is CM Punk. He will join us. That's good.

[A]

Yeah, I like that. That's big.

[B]

Punk is a big, big deal. And actually I think it's my first. I think it's my first interview with him. Not like as a part of WWE television. Like an actual outside, real business type interview since. Since he's come back.

[A]

Yeah, I swear I've. I've had him on one of the, you know, I've been on a billion shows over the years. I swear we've had him on once because I know the Chicago background. He's a huge sports fan. It might have been on. On maybe on get up, maybe on when I did the morning radio show nationally. I. Somewhere along the way we had him because I was really impressed with his. His knowledge, like his sports knowledge.

[B]

He's a big, big, big Chicago Blackhawk fan. Also just a very opinionated person about basically everything that there is to have a thought on. So we'll talk to CM Punk at. Yeah, we'll talk to him at 4 o'. Clock. Now the thing that is maybe the most interesting from a national perspective, very interesting is of course, LeBron watch. And in fact, if we'd done a good job, I should have said, let's implement a LeBron watch drop. We never did LeBron watch, did we? I don't think there's ever been a LeBron watch previously. We've had Tiger watch.

[A]

Yeah, we've never had to be one here in New York for obvious reasons. The last one that was a real LeBron watch was when I was still a sportswriter. And 2010, it's actually, you know, I have to give some credit to LeBron for my transition from newspaper reporter into broadcasting.

[B]

Go ahead.

[A]

Because it really was that 2010, you know, that I called. I dubbed it the LeBron a Thon because it was. We're talking about. This started in, during the. Really the year before. Everybody knew he was going to free agency and teams were dumping salary to set themselves up. And then Knicks did the two years before, in 2008, 09 season. They were, they were making crazy trades to dump salary and just be bad for two years and get themselves to a place where they'll have so much cap space that they can get him and try to rebuild the team. And so for the, that, that last year, the 2009, 10 season, I spent a little bit of time covering the Knicks and a lot of time just showing up in Cleveland randomly to be around him and to get kind of embedded. And that whole playoff. Remember he lost to the Celtics and famously took off the Cleveland Cavaliers jersey as he walked off the floor in TD Garden. And I was there for that and I stayed with him to everything he did at that point. I'm talking about book signings and other appearances that he made. If he was out somewhere in the public. I was there, and it consumed my life. And it took us all the way to that famous day where he said at the Decision show the. That he's taking his talents to south beach. And, you know, that was quite a ride, and it was crazy. And because of all the coverage and, you know, the proximity I had to him, that it led to me getting a lot of broadcast opportunities, which in turn led to a beginning of a. Of a career move that, you know, has changed my life. So In a way, LeBron, you know, has definitely had an impact. He has no idea, but he had a big impact on my career.

[B]

Well, that is one of the big conversations I've been seeing moving around is not only how big this LeBron James thing is for the NBA, but how much of an impact it will have on Alan Hahn.

[A]

No, no, but I'm sharing that with our. With our listeners. So they know. I mean, like I said, he has no idea.

[B]

Well, no, but it's still a real thing. But he is an industry.

[A]

Yeah, he's become that in 2010. He was just becoming it. Look what he's become.

[B]

Dude, listen, you would not be the only person whose life and well being has been affected by LeBron James.

[A]

Brian Windhorse, Dave McMenamin. I mean, there's a lot of people in our community.

[B]

Look at the Cleveland town song. Our economy is based on LeBron James. Not a lie. Now, LeBron was at fanatics Fest yesterday, and a gentleman named Anthony underscore Rivardo on X. This was today, actually. Sorry. Yeah, because I saw another thing that he had answered I thought yesterday. But anyways, here's LeBron answering a question about his future at Fanatics Fest.

[A]

I want to, you know, join a franchise that kind of shares the same, you know, model as myself. And that's like practicing championship. Happens every day. But trusting the process more than anything, I think you. You trust the process of actually.

[B]

Well, so wait a second. Trust the process. He wants a franchise that trusts the process. Alan Hahn. Is that just a poor use of words? An intentional troll or a hint that Don legreca could be on the right track and he's headed down 95 to Philly?

[A]

I'm going to say yes. Yes. No.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Slip trolling.

[A]

It's a bit of a troll, a bit of a slip, but I don't think it's giving away anything. I don't think it's like his way of, like, giving you the heads up of what I'm gonna do. I don't think, I don't think it's that because I don't think he operates that way. But, but it is kind of funny. I think once he said it, he knew what he was doing and then he kind of leaned into it. But I don't think he meant it as, hey, I'm going to drop a hint here, you know, like, I don't, I don't think it works that way. I still feel like Cleveland and Golden State are the lead dogs. I think Miami is trying like hell to stay in it. They'd like to. I don't think it's, that's the best place for him to go. If he's going to go back anywhere, it would be Cleveland. If he's going to do anything that's going to be on a magnitude level of like 100, it would be Golden State. And if he wanted to just be a guy that joins a team that could be a, you know, a compelling contender, then it would be Philly. To me, Peter, the thing that he said that really caught my attention more than that. I mean that was a funny moment and of course that went viral. The thing that really caught my attention was when he said that he's looking for a place where it's like his plan is to play for the next couple of years. So he's giving zero indication that this is his going to be a farewell tour. That's not what he's letting us know here that he's going to wind it down. He's going to, he wants to go to a place that he can, you know, feels good about finish. I think this is just going to be another stop, likely the last stop, but not one that I'm done at the end of the year. I think he's looking to get a multi, multi year deal and he's looking to go somewhere where. That's why he said the process part of it and the building because he knows he's not going to walk into a team that is a ready made contender, one that's going to still have to add pieces to the roster. Cleveland isn't that. Golden State isn't that. But I think they'd be really close. You put him and Steph together and, and you know, Philly, you could still argue that you don't really know how all that's going to work. So I think that's what he's looking at is building this thing to a champion rather than I'm stepping into a team that will become a champion. So I found that to be interesting. That he's, he's actually letting us know that this is not a farewell tour. And if someone will have him for more than one year, I think that's what he's looking to do.

[B]

Yeah. If that just slipped out, that really is the big news. That. Yeah, that it's not a.

[A]

He said that for sure. I heard it.

[B]

Yeah. Wherever he goes, this is not going to be just, just a farewell tour.

[A]

Which is why now part of me, when I heard him say that, I stopped and I went. He's at fanatics fest. I know. You know, he and Jalen crossed paths. He didn't have a conversation. They have one roster spot open now. We know they're not among the teams. Everybody reportedly says that, you know, is. Is the team pursuing him. So it's not like it's on the table. But I still go back to if this isn't a farewell tour, is it this. Remember your concern. And it was a good one. Was like him coming in. It just turns into this big presentation and now it's all about LeBron and it takes away from what they built, which is this great team that isn't about one guy. But if he's coming in with a multi year idea, I still, I can't let go of it. I still would say, how do you just quickly dismiss it? Wouldn't it be a party like, all right, well, if this isn't going to be a farewell tour, that means you're just coming in and you just want to fit in. And he's. He's the ultimate. When you talk about a guy that force multiplier makes everybody better around him. He still does that. He doesn't have to carry any. Anybody anymore. He could be an interesting piece, but it's, it's not to be so. But the multi year thing though, really is the one that jumped out at me. I'm surprised that didn't become the biggest headline.

[B]

Now, Alan, as soon as the show ends, are you, Are you just jumping in your cruiser and going to ticket people? What's. What. Let's have a.

[A]

Is that what these are Given?

[B]

I mean, these are given. These are, these are giving my authorita. They are what those guys. I mean, all right, am I wrong? Those are big. Respect my authority.

[A]

I thought this was more like just summer sunglasses, only first of all, they were right here and you talked about vacation, so I just grabbed them. So my. Do you see? These are. I don't know if you can see this, Peter, but these are personalized. Oh, this was.

[B]

I. I'm trying to see what's in the reflection, the very shiny reflection of what's happening there.

[A]

Okay. You can't see it. Well, it says Han Solo on the side. And my man Karate Two Minutes made. Yeah. Probably a little bit of a catch at the studio, but karate man Mace made these for me a couple of years ago, gave them to me, and I just keep them. I kept them. I keep them by my. In my office, so I just figured I'd grab them and throw them on.

[B]

By the way, you should know, they're very summer.

[A]

Look.

[B]

They look like very nice. They look. They did protect you from the sun. And they also look like they'd be like. Do you know you were going 90 in a 65?

[A]

Yeah. Can you. Yeah, yeah. Are you in a hurry anywhere, sir? Yeah. You felt that? Yeah. Okay. I took him off.

[B]

You don't have to. You know, please.

[A]

I felt comfortable for once. The studio lights aren't hurting my eyes.

[B]

I have a headache. That's not what I.

[A]

You shame me. It's okay.

[B]

That is not what I meant to do at all.

[A]

But you did it, so.

[B]

So we'll find out. You know, LeBron. I don't know if LeBron is gonna be talking anymore.

[A]

Yeah. Today he's got one more. He's got the Shop. That's the podcast that he does.

[B]

Plus they're doing the Shop with his guys.

[A]

That's today at Fanatics Fest. And then he's done. Then he. Then he's. Then he goes off and, you know, the. By the way, you. I don't think you mentioned this. I don't know if we have the audio or can we use it? Adam Silver also getting a little impatient here as well. If you have that, it's very interesting what Adam said. If not. I can paraphrase.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Can you paraphrase? Because we cannot play it.

[A]

Yeah. So Adam Silver, in an interview, also discussed the fact that, you know, while he does understand, you know, LeBron has not made a decision yet. He's saying it's really kind of holding us up because we need to make a schedule. And we all know that wherever he goes, LeBron James gonna be on Christmas Day. He's gonna be probably on opening night. And if he goes to Golden State, that team's gonna be on everything. Every single time there's a national broadcast to be had or a holiday game to be played, that team is always gonna be there because it's Steph and it's LeBron. It's the two biggest faces of their generation playing as teammates. That's a huge story. So it depends. Where does he go? I would think game 82, if he goes to Cleveland, that might be a nationally broadcast game for obvious reasons. So there's a lot of things they have to do with the schedule, depending on where he goes, what team he plays for. So they can't really complete the schedule until they know where he's going. So he is literally holding up the league. Not just him, but DeMar DeRozan. The Kawhi Leonard thing is still hanging out there as well. There's a lot of things that are holding up. Other deals, other moves. And literally the league schedule with the broadcast partners picking the games that they want. And LeBron is going to factor into a lot of those games. So even, even Adam Silver said it, you know, like, he's kind of tapping his foot like any, any day now. But I felt like, and I said this earlier in the week, Peter, it's. You had. You have summer league going on. Free agency just kind of has started to calm down. The World Cup's happening and then there's Fanatics Fest going on right now where he was part of. He was never going to announce it and then go to Fanatics Fest because, you know, forget it, it would be insane. So he's going to wait after Fanatics Fest, but then you have the World cup championship game, which is right now scheduled for Sunday, and he doesn't want to get lost in that coverage as well. So my guess is we could be looking at maybe Tuesday, like next week. I do think it'll be next week. My guess feels more like Tuesday. If the game's played Sunday, you get the Monday follow up coverage and all that stuff. Then Tuesday, everybody looks at you like, all right, now what then LeBron can become the big story. So my guess is Tuesday.

[B]

Yeah, I don't hate that. I mean, listen, it's gotta, it's it if. Let me tell you this, if we don't get it Tuesday.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

We will be entering full on Aaron Rodgers territory of like, all right, buddy, we don't really care. It's just, just. Where are you going?

[A]

Well, isn't that the question? Does anybody like, do people really care about where he's going in this market? Do you care? Like all the Knick fans who love their team and they love what the Knicks have become and, and they've. The Knicks are the favorite to repeat at least to get out of the east right now because there's been so much disarray and disruption of some of the Top teams in the East. The only amazing. Not only saying Knicks and champions is amazing. Nixon stability is also something that's amazing. But they are, they are right now the most stable team with a roster returning that is almost full complete of a team that won a championship.

[B]

So what a great place to be, isn't it?

[A]

So, as a Knicks fan, are you somebody that's like sitting there going, I wonder where LeBron's going to go?

[B]

Or do you like.

[A]

I don't care. He can go wherever he wants. It doesn't matter. Because right now the feeling is the whole league is like kind of caught up in the intrigue of where's he going to go? Which is created by his brilliant agent, Rich Paul, who took a non market and turned it into a market and a competitive one where even Pat Riley looks a little strange. Kinda. Hey, we got golf courses here in Florida. No state tax.

[D]

Mm.

[A]

Like, man, Riles, you were the guy that threw your rings on the table and said, you want to win, you come with me. Now you're going, hey, we have golf courses. That's a long way away from you being the Godfather.

[B]

And it's funny, isn't it weird? Yeah, it is.

[A]

That's what he's doing now.

[B]

And it's weird to me because I don't see a world in which they have to be that far off. Miami.

[A]

Who? Miami.

[B]

Yeah. I don't know. If you added LeBron to what they have there, that wouldn't be already a top four team in the east that's competing.

[A]

This would be a good team. Not a very deep team.

[B]

No bench. No, no bench.

[A]

But they'd have to build that out.

[B]

But between Bam. Giannis and LeBron, that's not a.

[A]

No, no. That's a formidable front line.

[B]

That's.

[C]

That's like.

[B]

As that may be the sexiest big three in the game.

[A]

I mean, as far as a front line.

[B]

Right?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

What's sexier than that? That's. That's. So. I'm not. Again, I don't know if it's championship worthy, but in terms of get you in the conversation, it is.

[A]

Tatum, Paul George and Mitchell Robinson. That's what you got. Oh, hey, how about. I don't even know what the hell.

[B]

By the way, that. That is not the Real Big Celtics 3. That's a bad job by you. I'm sorry. Derek White is still there. Okay. I'm not. Paul George is not going to be.

[A]

Name is Keda.

[B]

No, it's Jason Tatum.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Derrick White.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And Paul George and Nevis Kata.

[A]

You won't even go pg. No. The other big three, though, has to be Maxi, Edgecomb and Brown. Those three. I'm being dead serious like that. That's a. Three guys that can get after it, man. Edgecomb is really. He did not have a good playoffs, but he was. He had a great year this year.

[B]

That's the Philly team. It's going to be very interesting to see whether this Philly team somehow finds a way to not be insanely competitive next year because.

[A]

Well, the only fantastic for them is Embiid. Like, can they. Can they get him to play 60 games, stay relatively healthy and then be available in the playoffs and not disrupt what they're doing offensively? Because he is. He, you know, he's a dinosaur. He moves glacially.

[B]

Moves glacially. What a beautiful job of the English language. You do.

[A]

You're welcome.

[B]

You know what I mean?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That's a beautiful piece of English.

[A]

You just think about it. If you.

[D]

Right.

[C]

Like.

[A]

Like, it's. I mean, I can. I can tell you, like, you know, I think when we had plate tectonics and the continents were splitting up, he's talking tectonics, that's. He's talking movement going from block to block. It's the same as when North America and Europe separated as a. As a landmass.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It didn't happen like in a day, you know, that. That took. That took a long time.

[B]

A long time. But I'll tell you this. If they. If he's able to play, if he. If he's able to put together season and stay on the court, that becomes a dangerous team.

[A]

I agree, but it's been a bit. It's been an if for the last, you know, 15 years with that or 10 years with that franchise. But still, the LeBron thing, I am curious, is anybody really gripped with anticipation about this? Because I do think he'll give you an. I think he'll get an announcement again. I think Tuesday, the earliest. He'll wait till the World cup stuff goes away and then we just. All you have now is baseball season and he wants to do before football begins too, because you don't want it to get swallowed up in that. He does have reasons why he's waiting. Let's be honest. It's not simply to hold all of us up. He talked about the fact that while his boys. Again, you know, Bronnie's on. On a team right now, his son's playing. His other son is playing in. At Arizona. Right. And it's his daughter she's 12 and she's a very good volleyball player, by the way. And she's the one that he's kind of most concerned about, like leaving her home. And he's talked about like, I've had to figure it out. She said, wherever you go, I'm going with you. And he's like, I don't think that's going to happen. So how far away from her does he want to be? Which is why Golden State to me always made the most sense, because he's not far from home in Golden State. Easy for him on an off day or two to just make a trip and just be home. And anywhere in the Cleveland is a lot harder.

[B]

And then Cleveland A gets you a little bit closer.

[A]

Well, they have a house that. They have a very, very large and nice house, I was going to say.

[B]

And then it's also home.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So even if everybody's not there all the time, it's still home.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So like with you.

[A]

So to be fair, as a dad, we can all understand that that's also part of this. So we can have fun with LeBron holding up the league because he loves the attention. But there is also another part of it which is him really coming down to like, what is the best thing? Me, for me, family wise. And that's, that's gonna all be part of the conversation. So next week, I think.

[B]

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[A]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[B]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[A]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Do you know what's happening one month from today?

[B]

What's today? Today's July 17th.

[A]

Yeah, it's a Friday to Friday, one month from now, so. So four Fridays from today. What's happening?

[B]

I do not know.

[A]

Oh, like you dream about.

[B]

Go ahead.

[A]

Bucks at jets preseason one.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Football.

[B]

Give it. Give it to me. We're back.

[A]

And the Giants are the next day.

[B]

Well, who do the boys?

[A]

Giants have the Vikings.

[B]

Like a dream.

[A]

Preseason week one. Preseason football. You know how it goes. We crave it until we see it, and then we go, this sucks. Get us to the regular season.

[B]

You know what? Exactly.

[A]

It's terrible.

[B]

It's gotten worse.

[A]

Is it not amazing, though, that it's just. It's four Fridays from today. Preseason begins. That's right. That's the sound you make.

[B]

No, this is the sound I make to celebrate. You know, it's the perfect sound. Here's the perfect sound.

[C]

Describe.

[A]

Play the band.

[B]

How hyped you get for the hall of Fame game. Oh, football's this week. Really? Oh, yeah. Thursday, Canton. I can't wait. I get to see football.

[A]

Who's playing?

[B]

I don't know.

[C]

Turn around.

[B]

Let's see. I just got to see football.

[C]

That'll be the Cardinals. And the Panthers, by the way.

[A]

Oh, my goodness.

[C]

On Zach's birthday.

[A]

The Cardinals hold on. And the Panthers hold on.

[B]

Hold on. Yep, it smells like a Wednesday morning in hell. I mean, that is bad. That is the worst one I've ever heard of. That is really bad.

[A]

Well, at least one team's trying to win. And it used to be the Cardinals, but now it's the Panthers. Cardinals and Panthers. Like, like you. Like you nightmare about. But. But you know what we're gonna do? We can't help it. We. It'd be calling me. Be calling me. I tried to stop. I try to stop, man. I tried.

[B]

I know.

[A]

It'd be calling me. I need football.

[B]

No.

[A]

So I just wanted to let you know that it's only. It's four short weeks from now, so it's so.

[B]

By the way. So what do we get now? We get.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Game one. You will not see our starting Quarterbacks, Right? We now get them, what, the first half of game three? No, game two.

[A]

No. You're not getting enough preseason anymore.

[B]

So it's game two. Is that it now, guys? It's the first half of game two.

[C]

We start. I'm going to be brutally honest with you. I really don't know anymore.

[B]

I know, right?

[C]

Because when I did jets, it. We were. We were getting away from four games to three. And then the first two drives were like, your team, one offense. And then it was like, well, we've got week two, I think is when they start doing the. The scrimmages in the week with the team.

[A]

So they all. That's our game.

[C]

That's our guys getting their work. We don't need it for.

[A]

Because it's a controlled scrimmage.

[C]

Because it's a controlled scrimmage. So we could just throw out the threes for. For the game that everybody's gonna actually watch.

[A]

Yeah, people are gonna pay tickets for this.

[C]

And then the third week is like nothing anymore. Third week doesn't mean anything.

[A]

No, third week is for, like, the almost guys. The G League, the. The. The American Hockey League guys. They're the ones. They're. They're trying to make a minor league team. I still wonder why we don't have like a. An NFL minor league team, minor league, like, system.

[B]

That's. That's. That is interesting. Right?

[A]

The practice squad thing is cute, but,

[B]

like, it's not real, though.

[A]

Like, there's a lot of guys. You could just have them that's just playing. But anyway. Yeah, I think you just get the one series. The ones play one series. Usually the coaches talk before the game going, are you going to start your ones? I'll start my one. Like, you know, like, you're going to do that stuff. But we don't get like, the first half. I think you do get it in week three, right. You get a first half or a first quarter with the starters, and then they just sit everybody. There's nothing like a preseason fourth quarter, though, Peter. There's nothing like that. It's just.

[B]

Did you see, there's another. There's a new DP and Rothenberg hat coming out.

[A]

Hat.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Rick's got that little.

[A]

He has an industry going. Yeah. I'm a little jealous because we really could have ourselves some good merch if. If one of us cared enough.

[B]

Do you want. Should we do the work?

[C]

I thought we weren't supposed to, but, you know, Rick.

[A]

Rick apparently can make it happen. We can't use. I Think the official logo stuff.

[C]

Right.

[A]

Because. So Rick just uses the names and create. It is your attractive looking hat.

[B]

Well, we could do the same thing. Our names are on the show.

[A]

Certainly. Good.

[B]

Good news, guys. Derek Jeter is at Fanatics Fest. I've seen it.

[A]

There it is.

[B]

There he is. He's walked onto a stage.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

There's been some pretty cool things.

[A]

No, I've been told. So I've been talking to people that I know that have gone. It is. It's the biggest they've ever had. It's been well run in comparison to the past where it really has gotten crazy. And it. It's just been like a pretty amazing. Like I can't believe. You know the. I guess it's the. The confluence of people who come together and they end up doing something or it's. It is just a really cool environment of just sports people. It's been great. The only issue has been like I. I friend of mine told me that LeBron, when he showed up, the first thing he did was like, like, what is with this air? What are you, like, what are you guys doing here in New York? Are we having a cookout? LeBron?

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

I mean, hey, what do you think we're doing? We didn't mean to do it.

[A]

Blame Canada. It's not our fault. Usually like LA has smog. Aren't you used to this?

[B]

Yeah. I mean, LA would be the one place you're used to probably days. Like. Although this was different.

[A]

No, last night as when we walked out together. Right. That, that, that. That tasted like.

[B]

I thought two nights barbecue. I know a lot. Yesterday was bad too. Last night was bad.

[A]

Last night was so hazy that you couldn't see the skyline. I was going uptown and was just looking at like down the block. There were people walking out in the middle of the street, taking pictures down the avenues because you couldn't see buildings. And it was just jarring.

[B]

So it's a. It's a. It's a weird time. We're in the weirdest of time. All right, so it's been weird times for the New York Mets.

[A]

That's true.

[B]

And a rival executive told SNY's Chelsea James that the Mets inform their team that the sale is on and that everyone but young stars Carson Benj, AJ Ewing, Christian Scott, Nolan McClain and Juan Soto is available. So everyone except those five. Now, that doesn't mean everyone's going to go, but it means that the Mets will listen to things about just about everyone. So what that means about Lindor.

[A]

Well, that's what's interesting.

[B]

Clay Holmes, Weaver.

[A]

I'd take Luke Weaver in a heartbeat. Back in the Bronx, do you think Luke Weaver would come back in a heartbeat?

[B]

Well, why not?

[A]

Yeah. I mean, if you talk about somebody that's already proven he can do it in this town, he's been on a bad team. Very good. Although last night he had a little bit of a slip. But that's all right. I like. That's a guy. When you think about Yankee needs and if. Can you get the Mets to do a deal with you? Because that's been also talked about that there's teams that the Mets will deal with that traditionally you might think they would never like in the Wilpon days, they're never going to trade with the Yankees because you're always afraid of losing the deal. Right. That doesn't exist here. And that's a good thing. So if you're the Yankees, you got to be. You're going to have a conversation, aren't you? And especially for a guy that your bullpen is not very good. You need to upgrade it. And Weaver has been a guy. He's been good. He lost it a little bit last year, but we know he's tough as nails and he has had a really good year. He could help you. That's a guy that I would target if I'm the Yankees trying to talk to the Mets. I already mentioned Clay Holmes. If I'm the Phillies, they've got three really good starters. Phillies really believe that they can make a run because they, they had a terrible start. They fired the manager. They bring in Dom Mattingly and they really have turned it around. They've got some real stars on that team. They've got good starters. But they. NOLA is not what he used to be. If they can find a fourth guy they can rely on, Holmes will be coming back. That could be something. So could you imagine the Mets dealing with the Phillies and the Yankees and trading away two pitchers? But that's all stuff that's got to be on the table. And when you're.

[B]

When it's. When it's a real sale like this.

[A]

Yeah, but I'm asking you, Picky Soto being on this list feels obvious because they just signed them on the no

[B]

on the no list. Yes.

[A]

Yeah, but it's weird. Like you don't have to put them on the list because nobody's trading for that contract. Right. So putting them on the list feels like if we don't put him on the list, Soto might feel away and people might think because this was leaked. This is not an official list, of course, but this was definitely leaked and it's leaked for a reason. So I don't think putting Soto on the list is the reason. I think not having Lindor on the list is the reason. You link you leaked this. It's just making it clear that they are now ready to break these two up and to move on. And Lindor is the easier one to trade. And I said last week, you're not trading him in season. It's very difficult to do. But it doesn't mean that you aren't starting a conversation by doing this where a couple you'll find out who might be interested and you'll table those conversations and say, you know, on the other side of the collective bargaining and when we get into the off season, we could probably talk about this again.

[B]

Well, how about this? Ken Rosenthal and Will Salmon have an article in the Athletic from just three hours ago that basically says, though all this chatter is fun, sources say within baseball, the real possibility of the Mets trading Francisco Lindor is very unlikely. It is still half of a 10 year, $341 million contract.

[A]

And that's the unlikely part, right? Peter? The unlikely part isn't the Mets don't want to trade them.

[B]

No, they can't.

[A]

The unlikely part is they don't want to pay half of the salary to make it palpable for another team to acquire him. They don't want to do what the Marlins did with Stanton. They don't want to do that because in the new, in the new world that we still don't know, is there going to be a cap? Is there going to be restrictive cap, whatever it is, they don't know what the environment's going to be. And so you can't say, yeah, we'll eat half the salary if you just take him. And now you're stuck with half the salary without paying a player. And that could end up backfiring if you don't know what the system is. So that's why these are conversations that you see who's interested. You know, a deal can't be done. It's very unlikely, like you're saying. But I'm trying to explain to people that my experience, 30 years I've covered pro sports. I've seen a lot of these types of trades. They are discussed during the season. They rarely go down in season because they're they, there's a lot of tentacles to it. But doesn't mean that you have a conversation or two and say all right, let's talk again later. And in the off season, you revisit and you go, hey, you remember we had the conversation about Lindor? Are you guys still interested? Okay.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

All right, well, let's try to figure it out and how can we make it work? That's.

[B]

That's all you do.

[C]

You're just.

[A]

All you're doing right now. If you're. The Mets is gathering interest and seeing. It's canvassing the league to see who'd consider it and what would it take and then revisiting it in the off season when you now know what this, what the. The CBA is going to include when it comes to cost certainty on payroll, and then you can adjust accordingly. That's what this is about. But to me, it does tell you they're ready to move on. The problem is it's not going to be easy to do.

[B]

Yeah, I don't think so either. And it just reminds me of how annoying the entire thing is with this Mets team that they haven't been able to find a way to make this work. Because that really is what this is about. Like, I understand, yeah, I understand that, that Lindor hasn't been great this season. But Alan, if those guys are able to get along, I don't think you're breaking them up because of play.

[A]

The problem is it's not that you get along thing. It's the fact that there is clearly there's a disconnect between the two stars and it's creating a, like just an uncomfortable environment in the clubhouse. The other issue is that even before, like when Soto got there, there already was an uncomfortable disconnect in the clubhouse. Right. So that's one of those situations when you are running a team that you recognize something that is not baseball related and it is more personnel related and you just make a choice. Rick told a great story about his years with the Islanders and how they had a player, the players, really good, Alexei Yashin, but they kind of made him captain. He really wasn't a leader, but they made him captain. And it kind of. The room now got uncomfortable because there's guys who were in the room that knew they were more leadership type guys, like by example, hard workers, all that stuff. They were, you know, they were good, good chemistry guys, but because they weren't designated as leaders, they kind of felt away. And because the star player who was really more of an aloof, kept to himself. You know, he didn't hang with the boys, he didn't go out to dinners, he didn't do any of that stuff. It just wasn't who he was. But he wanted the prestige of being named captain. It made for an awkward locker room and it messed up team chemistry and they just really could never be the same. It just, it led to a point where it's like, somebody's got to go and it, it broke up what was a good team. So he's seen it firsthand. He was telling that story. And I'm telling you, this is the same kind of thing you brought in Soto and you now understand that because of the contract and his talent and the type of person he is, he might not be a leader when it comes to voice. A guy that's, you know, let's all go out to dinner, let's have some chemistry. Like, he's not like that, but he is a leader by example at least. He and Lindor are definitely oil and water when it comes to that. Can't have two big egos without the other one feeling away. And I told you, it's also similar to when Brunson came in and Randall was already there and Julius Randall was the guy that, hey, I was the leader of this nick team that ended that playoff drought. And Brunson came in and said, okay, but I'm going to make us better. And Randall felt a way about Brunson getting all the attention and something had to give. He had to go. And it changed the dynamic of the room. And so the Mets are in that same place. It's uncomfortable, but you got to do it. But moving Lindor is not going to be easy and it's not an in season thing, but the Mets are letting you know they're ready for it on

[B]

the biggest stage in the world. FanDuel is changing the game, folks, because sometimes your player gets subbed off and your bets go with them. Well, not anymore with FanDuel super sub. If your players subbed out, your bet stays in. That's right. If your player leaves the match, your bet continues on with the substitute. So you're still in until the final whistle. Visit FanDuel.com local to get started now. Let there be goals this summer on FanDuel 21 plus physically present in New York. For help with the gambling problem, call 877-8-HOPE NY or text Hopeny 467-369. We'll talk to you 1-800-919-3776. Mets fans, I'm not going to lie, they don't seem exactly super motivated to talk right now. I'm not. I'm not.

[A]

Would you?

[B]

Yeah. I'm not getting a sense that there's a real, like, I really want to talk about what the Mets might do. I think they're just, I think, well,

[A]

look, it's like any fan base, you're at the point now where it's like, I just need to see what you're going to do. Like, you got to move people. It's got to happen.

[B]

Right? I'm not passionate about. About it. I just. What's it going to be?

[D]

This episode is brought to you by Google Health. Stop chasing someone else's definition of health. What matters is what's healthy. For Google Health offers a new kind of coach built with gemiini for effortless tracking, sleep insights and holistic coaching tailored to you. Visit googlestore.com to learn more and start a new relationship with your health. Requires Google account, Google Health app Internet and Google Health Premium subscription. Features subject to change availability and results vary. Not intended for medical purposes. Works independently of Gemini apps. Check responses for accuracy.

[A]

Did you know Sam's Club isn't a store?

[B]

It's actually a club with cool finds and like a whole community. It's a club. Of course, Jason.

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Oh, yeah. Come join us.

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of 45 for 3 months, $90 for 6 months or $180 for 12 month plan required. 15 per month equivalent to taxes and fees. Extra initial plan term only greater than 50 gigabytes. Me slow when network is busy. See Terms.

[A]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[B]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[A]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. This is a great number that Winthrop came up with during their meeting. Soto Lindor playing together because you know, they really haven't played a lot together. If you consider over the last two seasons what the Mets record is, which is we're going to go with not good. They're 94 and 89 when the two play together. So they're five games over.500, which it's, it's not great. It's an 83 win pace, which is, again, that's not what you're looking for. But they're well under.500 when one of them isn't playing. So it's not as if the two of them on the field together, you're not getting the results. It's more of just what it's done to that clubhouse. And that's why, you know, a move needs to be made. Now on the other side of things, it's like, what are the Yankees going to do? I found it interesting that Ken Rosenberg.

[C]

Thal.

[A]

Made it clear that from what he understands that if it's a positive test result with Judge, that we hear maybe today that they will be aggressive at the trade deadline, but if not, they won't be aggressive. And I don't know if I like that. I know it matters if he's in the lineup, if he's available. Of course it does, because he's one of the best players in the sport and he's the center of the universe when it comes to your lineup. But they've kind of proven that they can be competitive without him. And with the American League being as mid as it's been all year, you can still have a path to the World Series. Why wouldn't you still go for it to get to the World Series if you don't think you're good enough to beat any of the National League teams, especially the Dodgers, fine. But if I'm Garrett Cole. Max Freed's throwing now. He's, you know, working his way back. But if I'm he start, I'm Cam Schlub.

[C]

I'm.

[A]

I'm. I'm saying, why wouldn't we go for it? Our pitching can help us win. We can. We can win another way.

[B]

Well, I'm kind of with you, Alan. Who's the. Who are you so scared of in the al?

[A]

Nobody that you still don't want to

[B]

take a shot even if you don't

[A]

have the Rays beat you in a series? Of course they can. Sure, the Blue Jays do it. But can you be.

[B]

But can you beat the Rays?

[A]

Of course you can.

[B]

So that.

[A]

Couldn't you.

[B]

So who. The question I asked to Yankee fans is, who is. Who's the team in the AL that you absolutely cannot beat without Aaron Judge?

[A]

The white side, right.

[C]

Not that they're not good, but you just.

[B]

Yeah, they're 50 and 45, dude.

[A]

I know. I. Honestly, I. That's the part that. If I was a player, it's. The Rangers saw that report I would say to myself, what are we doing? Like, oh, so we have no shots and we're not going to go for it now when go for it. I'm not saying you're. You're trading Lombard because I know that he's supposed to be special and he's the future and all that stuff, but I still feel like before we get to a cap system, which is. Feels like it's coming, and before we lose half a season, why wouldn't you go for it? Why wouldn't you continue to go for. You're the Yankees. You're supposed to go for it. You're not supposed to punt. You're not supposed to be conservative. Well, we don't have Judge, so we're just gonna. We're gonna take it easy. We're gonna be conservative.

[C]

No.

[B]

All right, here we go. I have something.

[A]

What do you have?

[B]

From Brian Ho.

[A]

Is this. Is this an update?

[B]

It is an update, sir. Aaron Judge said the rib reimaging showed some progress, some healing going on, but not fully healed. So we're still waiting on one more doctor to take a look at it, kind of see how we progress forward the next couple weeks, but definitely a positive sign that we're seeing some. Asked if he's still confident he'll play again this season, Judge said, quote, definitely. I don't see why I wouldn't. Oh, Hercules, Hercules, Hercules.

[A]

Definitely don't see why won't.

[B]

That sounds.

[C]

It's not bad news, but. It's not.

[A]

But Anthony, we know.

[C]

Aaron Judge, I'm not jumping up and down right now.

[A]

Look, I still have said, like, there's no guarantee he's coming back. Him saying, definitely, like. Like Anthony, like, that's not. He doesn't talk like that.

[C]

No.

[A]

Usually is kind of like he's very conservative with anything that he says.

[C]

Well, he's clearly heard people that are nervous that he'll. He won't play.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And he wanted to give. Especially the fact that there was some signs of progress. Peter, it feels like he's saying, I feel. I feel good to say that since this is healing, I can't see why it's not going to keep healing and why I'm not going to be back on the field.

[A]

All right. Back on the fields. One thing. The healing process going as. As slow as it's going. I've already warned people about this. What are we going to do if it's all right? He. He's like. Because we're. We're two weeks from August and the healing is showing Showing some signs. This doesn't tell me, oh, he'll be back in August. No, this could still be a September return with Russ to knock off by the time you get to October. And by then, is he just a DH at that point? Because you're, you don't want to put him in the field, have to throw and do all the other things. Like, there's still a lot there. You have to know before you can decide whether or not. Okay, they're going to be fine. Judge will be back. And even when he does, you know how everybody's going to be. They're not going to say, well, he was coming off a tough injury and he fought his way back. He might have come back too soon. No, they're going to say, failed once again. Right. For Judge, it's, it's, it's almost a no win situation. And the only thing that he could do, the only thing he could do is just have a couple of heroic hits. But if he doesn't, it's going to be used against him. So we really still have to couch enthusiasm and anticipation until you see what it looks like when he does come back. But him saying definitely tells me he's all about it, wants to be back.

[B]

All right, so. So we have some news on Aaron Judge, and we'll dig more into that as the show goes on.

[A]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[B]

I don't want to know how the

[A]

sausage is made, but I just want to know it's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers. Close your eyes.

[D]

Exhale. Feel your body relax and let go of whatever you're carrying today. Well, I'm letting go of the worry that I wouldn't get my new contacts in time for this class. I got them delivered free from 1-800-contacts. Oh, my gosh, they're so fast.

[A]

And breathe.

[D]

Oh, sorry. I almost couldn't breathe when I saw the discount they gave me on my first order. Oh, sorry. Namaste.

[A]

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