Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Tucker, Bellinger, Let's Talk About It

Date: January 13, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg

Overview

This episode dives deep into the current state of New York baseball, focusing on the Mets' rumored pursuit of Kyle Tucker and the Yankees' ongoing contract negotiation saga with Cody Bellinger. The conversation extends to broader themes: modern contract structures, MLB economics, the influence of fan and media noise on ownership decisions, and the personal side of public life—highlighted during the “Talk About It Tuesday” segment.

The trio’s distinct perspectives—Don’s pragmatism, Alan’s insider knowledge, and Peter’s colorful commentary—drive an engaging conversation about how sports, media, and culture intertwine in today’s landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Kyle Tucker & Mets Contract Rumors (00:19–06:13)

• Mets’ Monster Offer:
  Allen reports the Mets may offer Kyle Tucker $50 million a year in a short-term deal (00:52). There’s disbelief at the sheer annual value and speculation about where he fits in the team's lineup, noting his primary experience in right field (04:56) but considering his versatility.

• Changing Contract Structures:
  Allen points out that teams, led by the Yankees and now the Mets, are pivoting from long-term (7-8 year) deals to shorter, high-AAV offers. Owners want to avoid getting "stuck" long-term but are willing to pay premium on annual salaries (01:05, 01:19).

  "Rather than give you the years … now it's like, I don't want to be stuck for seven years." – Allen (01:11)

• MLB’s Financial Landscape:
  Peter and Allen debate MLB’s ability to support these deals, noting the league is propping up a growing number of regional networks and questioning the business viability of these massive contracts (01:38–02:25).

  “Baseball is a popular sport, but can it sustain the kind of money that's getting thrown around? And the answer is no.” – Peter (01:38)

• Owner Wealth Disparity:
  Allen compares Steve Cohen’s deep pockets to the Yankees' more conventional budgeting, highlighting how some owners are personally bankrolling teams far beyond their operational income (02:24–03:02).

2. Yankees-Bellinger Negotiations & Agent Dynamics (06:13–13:11)

• Bellinger Wants to Stay—a Boris Game:
  Speculation flies about Cody Bellinger’s preference to stay a Yankee, hinting that his agent, Scott Boras, is drawing out talks for leverage, aiming to “squeeze as much as he can out of the sponge” (06:18–07:05).

• Negotiation Fatigue:
  There's frustration at the protracted process. The Yankees won’t budge from 4-5 years, while Bellinger seeks 7. Both sides seem dug in.

  "But at the end of the day, he's not giving him a hometown discount. Otherwise, he would have taken the offer the Yankees gave him." – Peter (12:21)

• The Boras Effect:
  Hosts agree that hiring Boras means Bellinger is chasing top dollar, not just a preferred team (08:34). They note the performative “bad guy” role Boras takes, which protects players from being perceived as greedy (12:11–13:11).

• Player Empowerment vs. Fan Expectations:
  Discussion turns to how players juggle personal priorities (money, legacy, family), resisting simplistic narratives about player loyalty or self-sacrifice (13:28–14:45).

  “Why should they have to [sacrifice]? No, hey—the Yankees: You want me, pay me.” – Allen (14:43)

3. MLB Roster Mechanics: Where Would Tucker & Bellinger Actually Fit? (04:45–11:44)

• Position Crunch for Tucker:
  Mets’ outfield is already competitive (Soto, others). Allen breaks down Tucker’s career games by position, noting he's no real center fielder (05:00), and the group jests about the overcomplication of moving big-league players around the diamond.

• Callers Chime In:
  Caller Joe questions why Soto couldn’t be moved to left field if the Mets land Tucker, citing past outfield alignments. The segment morphs into a discussion on lineup flexibility and player ego (10:30–11:44).

4. “Talk About It Tuesday” (23:16–39:43)

A. Personal Stories on Anxiety & Comfort Zones

• Nick Jonas’ Social Anxiety
  Alan shares Nick Jonas’ story of leaving the Golden Globes due to social anxiety, relating it to his own experiences with discomfort in the public eye, even at Madison Square Garden (27:04–29:50).

  "Everybody thinks you must love it… but there are times, and I have experienced it… you suddenly just feel this social anxiety. You feel this thing about, I got to get out of here." – Allen (28:13)

• Being Uncomfortable with Recognition
  Alan admits he hates talking about himself and can’t handle being the focus, despite years in the spotlight (29:55–30:09).

B. Book Gifting & Co-Host Dynamics

• Banter about Don never reading "Wiseguy" (the inspiration for Goodfellas) (30:58–32:11).
• Lighthearted jabs about giving and receiving gifts, and family quirks blend with deeper moments.

C. Music Takes & Family Backgrounds

• Discussion humorous reveals around Peter never owning a Michael Jackson album, and Don’s father’s music tastes—more Air Supply, less Beatles/Elvis. Friendly ribbing ensues (47:06–49:16).

5. The “Noise” of Modern Sports Media & Ownership Decision-Making (33:35–53:45)

A. Aaron Rodgers’ Comments – “Ignore the Noise”

• Rogers’ Take (33:35):
  Rodgers’ rant, played on-air, laments the proliferation of hot takes and “Twitter experts” causing respected coaches like Tomlin and LaFleur to constantly be on the “hot seat.”

  “When I first got in the league, there wouldn't be conversation about whether those guys were on the hot seat… The way the league is covered now… it's an absolute joke.” – Aaron Rodgers (33:39)

• Hosts’ Analysis:

  • Peter argues that the democratization of opinion (from legacy media to fans, bloggers, and social media) dilutes the quality of discourse and muddles owner decision-making.

    “We are bombarded by literally hundreds of people a day that give their opinions… It’s just, who are those people? What is their credibility?” – Peter (35:42)

  • Allen and Peter dissect how “noise” is generated by new media, and question how much sway it has over franchise choices, concluding some owners are influenced, especially those less experienced or who care about public image.

B. Callers & Counterpoints

• Callers push back on the claim that sophisticated owners are swayed by Twitter, but hosts cite personal experiences where even billionaires are sensitive to online and fan “noise” (50:31–52:53).

  “There are some who even confided about how, ‘Oh, we’re just getting killed on Twitter’… The Jets are a great example…” – Allen (52:25)

C. Real-World Ownership Decisions

• Examples given: Steve Cohen’s public interaction with fans, past NFL coaching turnover prompted by uproar, and the complex “who drives the bus?” question—owners, fans, media, or superstar players (53:04–53:42).

6. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “$50 million a year. That’s coming out of Cohen’s cash.” – Peter (01:38)
• “Rather than give you the years... now it’s like, I don’t want to be stuck for seven years.” – Allen (01:11)
• “[Boras will] work the media, okay? He’ll work some other teams. He’ll drum up some leverage.” – Alan (09:26)
• “Why should they [players] have to [sacrifice]? No, hey, the Yankees: You want me, pay me.” – Allen (14:43)
• “I just want to get this thing over with. It's got to be driving him crazy [Bellinger negotiations].” – Allen (08:28)
• “He creates reaction... and that's all you're looking for.” – Alan on frequent caller Richard (25:44)
• “When I first got in the league, there wouldn't be conversation about whether those guys were on the hot seat.” – Aaron Rodgers (33:39)
• “Not everybody in the same community is valued the same way or shouldn’t be valued the same way.” – Peter (43:12)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• MLB’s monster contracts & Mets-Tucker rumors: 00:19–06:13
• Bellinger, the Yankees and Boras negotiation logic: 06:13–13:11
• Fan/media noise and ownership decisions: 33:35–53:45
• Talk About It Tuesday (personal anecdotes, mental health): 23:16–39:43
• Music/family/fun tangents: 46:27–49:56

Tone & Style

The hosts blend sports nerdery with light-hearted banter, deep personal admissions, and cultural asides. The mood shifts fluidly between critical analysis, empathy (“Talk About It Tuesday” vulnerability), and the kind of teasing that only long-time radio partners can pull off.

Conclusion

This episode embodies the multifaceted nature of modern sports talk—where baseball contracts, billionaire personalities, Twitter hysteria, and real human vulnerability coexist. Whether dissecting hot stove rumors or mental health moments, Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg offer a smart, entertaining, and deeply New York perspective on the intersection of sports and life.