Our 2025 Offseason Importance Tier List

Summary

The Dan Patrick Show: "Our 2025 Offseason Importance Tier List" Summary

Release Date: November 20, 2024
Host: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Episode: Our 2025 Offseason Importance Tier List

In this insightful episode of The Dan Patrick Show, hosts engage in an in-depth analysis of Major League Baseball (MLB) teams' offseason strategies heading into 2025. The discussion revolves around creating a Tier List that categorizes teams based on the significance and impact of their potential offseason moves. This structured approach provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of which teams are poised to make critical changes and which are maintaining their current trajectories.

---

1. Introduction to the Tier List Concept

The episode kicks off with the Unknown Sports Commentator introducing the concept of a tier list to evaluate MLB teams' offseasons. The hosts aim to rank teams based on how pivotal their offseason decisions will be for future success.

• Quote [03:25]:
  "We're previewing this offseason a little differently by making a tier list of the most important offseasons for these teams."

2. Understanding the Tier Categories

The tier list is divided into several categories, each representing the urgency and type of offseason moves a team might need:

• Most Important Offseason:
  Teams whose offseason moves will significantly influence their competitiveness in the coming years.

• Impact Move Needed:
  Teams that require substantial additions or changes to address critical gaps in their roster.

• Plugging Holes:
  Teams focusing on filling specific deficiencies without overhauling their entire lineup.

• Hold:
  Teams in a stable position, needing to retain certain players or strategies to maintain their status.

• Pick a Direction:
  Teams at a crossroads, needing to decide between rebuilding or continuing to compete.

• Nothing Matters:
  Teams for whom offseason moves are less critical, often due to financial constraints or lower competitive priority.

3. Detailed Team Analyses

A. Most Important Offseason

New York Mets
The Mets are positioned at the top tier due to their financial flexibility and recent success. With significant funds available, they are expected to make multiple impactful moves, particularly strengthening their starting rotation.

• Quote [07:56]:
  "We have them top tier right now and I'm down to see that change... They have capital to spend and a fire under their butt now because they just went to the NLCS."

Los Angeles Dodgers
Although robust, the Dodgers fall into the "Hold" category. Their strong pitching staff and overall competitiveness mean they need minimal changes, primarily focusing on maintaining their core strengths.

• Quote [14:32]:
  "The Dodgers could run it back and I think they would still be World Series favorites just with a fully healthy roster."

B. Impact Move Needed

Atlanta Braves
The Braves require significant additions to bolster their lineup and pitching rotation. Potential targets include high-impact players like Willie Adames to enhance their competitiveness.

• Quote [24:16]:
  "The Braves are due for a big move... They might add an ace or a shortstop, making their team a lot better."

Baltimore Orioles
Positioned in this tier due to the need to replace key players like Carlos Corbin and Wil Myers. The Orioles have the budget to pursue essential signings to strengthen their roster.

• Quote [27:30]:
  "They need to make an impact move... They have money to spend, so yes, they need to make an impact move."

C. Plugging Holes

Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians focus on filling specific roster gaps, such as acquiring a center fielder or enhancing their bullpen, to maintain their competitive edge without overhauling the team.

• Quote [50:19]:
  "The Guardians are plugging holes... They just signed Davey Garcia, so that's covered."

San Francisco Giants
The Giants aim to plug holes by signing quality players like Hasan Kim and strengthening their starting rotation, ensuring they remain competitive.

• Quote [65:34]:
  "Their lineup can be good... They just need to plug in some holes."

D. Hold

Cleveland Guardians
Maintaining their current strategy, the Guardians are expected to retain key players and continue their established methods to stay competitive.

• Quote [49:29]:
  "The Guardians just signed Davey Garcia, so that's covered."

Los Angeles Dodgers
With a strong core, the Dodgers are in a position to hold steady, making minor adjustments rather than major overhauls.

• Quote [14:32]:
  "They're in a hold category because they have a great bullpen and lineup already."

E. Pick a Direction

Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays face a critical decision on whether to continue competing or begin a rebuilding phase. Their pursuit of star players like Juan Soto illustrates their intent to remain contenders.

• Quote [31:51]:
  "The Blue Jays' offseason will decide what direction they're going... If they pursue Juan Soto, they're building to compete."

St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals are at a crossroads, debating between maintaining their current success or making strategic changes to sustain their competitiveness.

• Quote [35:26]:
  "The Cardinals have been showing signs they're not rebuilding but are in a soft rebuilding phase."

F. Nothing Matters

Oakland Athletics
With limited financial flexibility and lower competitive priority, the Athletics are categorized here, as offseason moves are less likely to impact their future significantly.

• Quote [85:46]:
  "The Athletics are labeled as 'Nothing Matters' because they don't have the resources to make impactful moves."

Colorado Rockies
Similarly, the Rockies fall into this tier due to their constrained budget and minimal chances of making significant roster changes.

• Quote [21:19]:
  "There's nothing matters for the Rockies because they're not going to spend."

---

4. Notable Quotes and Highlights

Throughout the episode, hosts provide expert insights and pertinent quotes that underscore their analyses:

• Justin Jefferson on the Mets' Strategy [07:56]:
  "They have capital to spend and a fire under their butt now because they just went to the NLCS."

• Discussion on the Dodgers' Competitiveness [15:01]:
  "I'd say that's top five in MLB."

• On the Importance of Impact Moves [24:35]:
  "Spencer Strider maybe at some point next season... It's a big offseason for them."

• Blue Jays' Direction Decision [31:51]:
  "The Blue Jays' offseason will decide what direction they're going."

5. Insights and Conclusions

The episode emphasizes the diverse strategies teams adopt during the offseason, influenced by factors such as financial capacity, existing roster strength, and long-term goals. Teams in the Most Important Offseason tier, like the Mets and Braves, are expected to leverage their resources to make significant acquisitions that could define their competitive stance for years. Conversely, teams in the Nothing Matters tier face limitations that restrict their ability to influence their future through offseason moves.

Key takeaways include:

• Financial Flexibility: Teams with substantial budgets are better positioned to make impactful moves, either by acquiring star players or addressing multiple roster needs simultaneously.

• Strategic Focus: Depending on their current standing and future ambitions, teams may prioritize different types of moves, such as Impact Moves to address critical gaps or Plugging Holes to enhance specific aspects of their rosters.

• Long-Term Planning: Decisions made during the offseason can have lasting effects, setting the tone for a team's performance in subsequent seasons.

Overall, the tier list serves as a valuable framework for understanding the varying levels of urgency and type of offseason moves required by MLB teams, offering listeners a nuanced perspective on the upcoming baseball landscape.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• [07:56] "They have capital to spend and a fire under their butt now because they just went to the NLCS." — Justin Jefferson on the Mets.

• [14:32] "They're in a hold category because they have a great bullpen and lineup already." — Unknown Sports Commentator on the Dodgers.

• [24:16] "The Braves are due for a big move... They might add an ace or a shortstop, making their team a lot better." — Justin Jefferson on the Braves.

• [31:51] "The Blue Jays' offseason will decide what direction they're going... If they pursue Juan Soto, they're building to compete." — Unknown Sports Commentator on the Blue Jays.

• [85:46] "The Athletics are labeled as 'Nothing Matters' because they don't have the resources to make impactful moves." — Justin Jefferson on the Athletics.

---

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the episode's key discussions, providing a clear and structured overview for listeners who haven't tuned in. By highlighting significant points, team analyses, and memorable quotes, it offers valuable insights into the strategic offseason maneuvers shaping the future of MLB.

Transcript

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[Unknown Sports Commentator]

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[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Hello and welcome to Wake and Jake. It's back. It's tier list season. So, you know, King, Jolly Olive is back joining us as we preview this off season a little differently by making a tier list of kind of the most important off seasons for these teams. Off seasons, I'm not sure the plural, but kind of rank them out as who's this the biggest off season for? There's some teams that can kind of roll the ball out there next year and they got the same thing going on. There's a couple teams that this off season dictates their next 3, 4, 5. So I'm interested to see how it sorts out with our guy Jolly. How are you?

[Justin Jefferson]

I'm good, man. This is a great idea by you. I credit you fully. I mean it's gonna be a good way for us to I think brush up on all 30 teams. Like where are we at? Who are we losing? What are we doing? I like where we landed with our tiers. I'm, I'm excited for this app. I am, I'll admit it.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

So if you're new to our tier list episodes, welcome. And we play by our own rules here. We start out with certain categories we are willing to add and change at any moment. We'll keep some updates on the screen for you as we go. The current tiers we have for most important off season is most important off season. That's the number one. I think it's either got to be one or two teams and I don't think they can be the same league.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yes.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

We did some light brainstorming. We haven't over committed but interested to see what that looks like.

[Justin Jefferson]

We don't want it crowded up there. That's the big thing.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

No, normally we allow a little bit of bs but I, I think for the sacred word of most, we have to keep that pretty dialed. The second tier we have impact move needed. You need to. When we talk about your off season, when we do the team profile and projections, we say, well, they did sign bleep. We'll fill that in. In post. The next category we put plugging holes. Jolly's old nickname at Rutgers.

[Justin Jefferson]

Timeout. Oh, pause.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Illegal. You know, you've got, you have needs. You can do it. I think you said like fourth or fifth starter. Maybe we need one, you know, Mark Cannon, that eighth hole.

[Justin Jefferson]

I need an eighth inning guy. Give me Paul Seawald.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah. Give me a setup man. Give me a fourth starter and let's roll the ball out there. The fourth category is labor hold question mark. These teams I don't know. We kind of haven't thought about it. But there's teams that. I guess there's teams every off season that have a certain amount of youth and a certain amount of budget that it's like, well, if they. If they do or don't, it kind of is what it is.

[Justin Jefferson]

I have a crazy one for hold, but no spoilers.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Okay.

[Justin Jefferson]

We'll get to it.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

The next tier, which I'm interested to see because maybe we do need to slide this up, is pick a direction. I think that's kind of important. I don't. Okay. I'm interested to see if you're a.

[Justin Jefferson]

Team and you don't know where you're going.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Right.

[Justin Jefferson]

No one's respecting you right now.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I guess that's the thing. Some of these teams. And pick a direction. Their off season is more important than holding.

[Justin Jefferson]

Right.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

You know what I'm saying?

[Justin Jefferson]

Because the teams that are holding, they know their direction.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

So maybe we might bring up. Pick a direction. Let's early swap. Let's do that for now.

[Justin Jefferson]

Crazy.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

And then a classic Wake and Jake tier list. Bottom nothing matters. We'll talk about you in a little bit. Rockies. So we'll start there. If we feel like we need to add a tier because someone just don't fit, we'll do that. Oh, looks like Rocky's making everyone watching on YouTube subscribe appreciate it and make sure you guys comment. Whatever you think we screwed up, where do you think is easiest to start? Jolly. I. I mean, besides the Rockies who made the graphic early. But the YouTube algorithm says don't start with Rockies.

[Justin Jefferson]

I was gonna say, like, we could start with the. The garbage pickup down there, but we don't have to.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

You know what? Y'all.

[Justin Jefferson]

Sure.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I think there is a team that is no doubt towards the top of this board that people would consider you an expert in the field on.

[Justin Jefferson]

Wow.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

The New York Metropolitan starting there, huh? Uncle Steve? This is. They traded away guys. They said we'll eat the money. We'll get better prospects back. They made a deep NLCS run. I don't know if you remember that. That's pretty cool that this was supposed to be the off season anyways for them, and that was with no playoff expectations. That happened. That the Mets, I mean, they're going to be in the top two columns. Rose. Rose.

[Justin Jefferson]

Rose.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Horizontal is Rose.

[Justin Jefferson]

Little green there.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

So give me a little.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah, they're funky. They're funky right now. They're going to land in that top two. I don't know if they're quite at the top, but they're definitely a contender. They have 180 million coming off their books, which is absurd. Like you said last year was the $180 million coming off their books. They got out of the Justin Verlander vesting option because he didn't hit his innings limit. So that contributes to that.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Scherzer deal done.

[Justin Jefferson]

Scherzer deal done. I mean, all their bullpen, you can.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Go down the list like it's, it adds up quick.

[Justin Jefferson]

There's going to be a lot of turnover. A lot of guys will be back and we'll see as soon as tomorrow if Severino is one of those guys. Really important offseason for them, though, and this, that was always kind of the case regardless of what happened in 2024, which everything went as good as it could have gone. So they're. I have them top tier right now and I know I'm a little biased and I'm very honed in on this, but I have them making more than one impact move and many other moves on top of that. One, because they have capital to spend. Two, because they have a fire under their butt now because they just went to the nlcs so they're like, let's invest in this team. Why not? And three, they've become a desirable location. They're in New York, they have money to spend. They've shown that they're willing to be competitive year in and year out. So this is a really important off season for them because if things go as well as they did in the regular season, you're looking at a team that is probably going to be contending for a World Series next year. Just really opening their window. Not even necessarily in the middle of it because the window really cracked open in June of this year. So a lot to be done in the Mets front office. They got a guy in charge that they like a lot and it looks like Steve Cohen is sort of stepping out of the management decisions and sort of just saying here's the checkbook, do what you think you need to do and we'll get it done. So I have them at the top, but I'm down to see that change. If we see another situation, let's put.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Them up there for now because here's this is where I get kind of crazy eyed with your Mets jolly. What's the minimum starting pitchers they have to sign, sign or trade for this off season?

[Justin Jefferson]

3.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

3 is, I was going to say 2 if you really want to be. Minimum. Minimum. Minimum. If they're they're going to sign three.

[Justin Jefferson]

If they're focused on, you know, getting a really good center fielder or upgrading at third base and moving Vientos to first, I understand if it's less because they have guys like Jose Budo that they think can still start. Tyler McGill has always shown flashes, but if they're opening up this 2025 World Series contention window, the best case is one of the big Fish aces, one of the middle tier guys and the back end guy.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Three's right because Sang is coming off injury.

[Justin Jefferson]

Right.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Peterson, 21 starts last year. Blackburn, McGill, Buddha.

[Justin Jefferson]

Buddha. But oh, but you can call him the butt. He doesn't mind.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

That's good. That's a good sign. That's a good sign from a player.

[Justin Jefferson]

I'm not sure he knows what it means.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

You're going, you're going to bring in three starting pitchers. So that's already got a lot of teams beat with their off season needs.

[Justin Jefferson]

Right.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Lineup wise, there's work to be done. Again, doing listing it as minimum. They would have to bring in one major league starting player. Like this is even okay. We believe in Tyrone Taylor, we believe in Acuna, Brett Beatty, a couple of those could be okay. But minimum one MLB starting player.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah. And they get all of their options for where to put that guy are where the market is most robust, like right field, obviously. Juan Soto, first base.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Have you been saying robust? Is that a Joe's dry effect?

[Justin Jefferson]

Drop that in a little bit. Just see if it catch your first base. Alonzo and Walker, obviously third base. Bregman is available. Aronado apparently is available in trade. Like they have tons of options there too. And every other hole that's like plugged right now for them doesn't necessarily have a great free agent market. So they're in a terrific spot by all accounts.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Like who's your number one position guy?

[Justin Jefferson]

Swanson. Oh, but I've been.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

No but for real.

[Justin Jefferson]

I've been pushing. I've been saying that it's going to be Yankees because, you know.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

So let me, let me start over.

[Justin Jefferson]

Sure.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yes, of course. If it's not Soto, who's the guy that you think fits one? Soto fits everything. Who's the guy that you think fits all of this the best?

[Justin Jefferson]

The guy that I think who is not Juan Soto that makes the team the best that they can be is Christian Walker.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Okay.

[Justin Jefferson]

He fits the three year window that they're gearing up for because that'll be the length of his contract. Vastly improves the defense in our infield hits. Just as well as Pete Alonzo, maybe with less home runs, but the numbers are still there. My heart says Alonzo, but Alonzo is going to get that bigger contract and he deserves it. And I just don't think that that big number fits into the Mets plans of. We need to address a bunch of different things with this 180 million that we have. Obviously I'd love it and if the Mets go crazy, I'm down. Obviously I'm still a fan, guys. Like I'm being realistic but I'm still a fan. But I think realistically if it's not Soto, it's three starting pitchers, Christian Walker, bonus pieces go.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

So yeah, I guess and again there's different ways to cut up this exercise but I mean we're talking about 4 quality minimum 4 quality major league kind of bonafide pieces that the Mets will be looking to add.

[Justin Jefferson]

And just by how long this discussion has gone on this one team is the reason why I think they're at the top. Well, I have a lot to do.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Let's how about this. Those four to five pieces that you can almost lock in. Let's see who pops up as a potential contender. I like that you said you had a. You said you had an interesting was it pick a direction.

[Justin Jefferson]

I had an interesting hold. I have an obvious pick of direction if we want to do that first.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

There's a few obvious pick of directions. Let's get. Let's get a hold question mark because I'm a. I'm questioning even looking at the category but I do like it.

[Justin Jefferson]

You're going to think it's crazy because they're obviously going to do something because they always do something. The Dodgers could run it back and I think they would still be World Series favorites just with a fully healthy roster because realistically besides Tay Oscar, who are they losing besides a couple of bullpen arms. That was my like hot take for hold. But having them low on the list. I understand feels kind of funky when it's an off season thing.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

So we know something out of TE Oscar Flaherty. Something's going to go Dodgers.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

And they could also have a massive off season.

[Justin Jefferson]

Right.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

They're supposedly in on Soto like but.

[Justin Jefferson]

They the thing is they don't need it which is why they probably don't.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Go top two bullpen Kopec Phillips, Banda Brazier, Veccia.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah, that's a World Series bullpen brewstar.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Is going to come back midseason. We found out today. Sure. That's just his new thing. The lineup listed as of today, sure. Or, excuse me, the rotation. Yamamoto, Otani, Glass. Now Gonsolin, Bobby Miller, Dustin May.

[Justin Jefferson]

I'd say that's top five in mlb.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

That's pretty good. That's pretty good.

[Justin Jefferson]

That's pretty good.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

The lineup listed as of today. Shohei Otani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Max Muncie, Tommy Edmonds, Gavin Lux, Andy Pages, and James Altman.

[Justin Jefferson]

So you could say plug in holes, but it's really hole and it's just left field.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Just like outfielder.

[Justin Jefferson]

But they also believe in their guys.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

A lot of teams would like to have Andy Pahas.

[Justin Jefferson]

Like Pajas had a great year and he was like their fourth or fifth outfielder.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I'm. I like leaving it as hold. Okay, this Dodgers team, I didn't think.

[Justin Jefferson]

I'd get a yes.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

If the off season ended, this Dodgers team would be the favorite.

[Justin Jefferson]

I still have them as the best.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Team in baseball, and they're probably going to. You could label plugging holes, but I. I think cold is fine.

[Justin Jefferson]

Like, if Magic Johnson just wants to kick back and take a couple months off, he could.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I guess we'll just take Roi.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah, we'll just have him. Why not?

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

How's. How's your RO research going? I know. That's the video.

[Justin Jefferson]

Some things are trending in the Dodgers direction after I got a little bit of clarity today. But there. There's some nuances to it. It gets a little interesting. You might have an answer sooner than you might expect.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

We did uneducated Roki talk last week, so get ready for this weekend for some education folks.

[Justin Jefferson]

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[Unknown Podcast Host]

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[Unknown Podcast Host]

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[Unknown Podcast Host]

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[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah.

[Madison Packer]

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[Unknown Sports Commentator]

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Hey, I'm Jack Beast Thomas, the host of a brand new Black Effect original series, Black lit, the podcast for diving deep into the rich world of black literature. I'm Jack Peace Thomas and I'm inviting you to join me in a vibrant community of literary enthusiasts dedicated to protecting and celebrating our stories. Black lit is for the page turners. For those who listen to audiobooks while commuting or running errands. For those who find themselves seeking solace, wisdom and refuge between the chapters. From thought provoking novels to powerful poetry, we'll explore the stories that shape our culture. Together, we'll dissect classics and contemporary works while uncovering the stories of the brilliant writers behind them. Blacklit is here to amplify the voices of black writers and to bring their words to life. Listen to Blacklit on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Madison Packer]

The 2025 iHeart Podcast Awards are coming. This is the chance to nominate your podcast for the industry's biggest award. Submit your podcast for nomination [e-mail] podcast awards. But hurry, submissions close on December 8th. Hey, you've been doing all that talking. It's time to get rewarded for it. Submit your podcast [e-mail] podcast awards. That's iheart.com podcast awards.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Dodgers. Click. Let's.

[Justin Jefferson]

You want to add some layups?

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Let's start eliminating. We spent way too much time on the Mets. Weird. Okay, okay, let's get rid of some nothing matters. It looks like the Rockies are on there. The Athletics, we call them now.

[Justin Jefferson]

I mean, we just know they're not going to spend. So nothing matters, unfortunately. Like there's nothing matters. But there's so many ways you can make that team good, which is why it sucks. Like, they got really talented young players.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Rooker, Butler, Blade landed.

[Justin Jefferson]

That's like one of the best outfields in the American League and it's just gonna go to waste. That sucks.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I don't know that. Don't sleep on sacto. Let's see who's off season. The Rays are really weird because how do you ever label them?

Have they. Have they ever mattered in the off season?

I don't. I'm gonna leave them. They're in on Soto.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah, I can't. I can't put them in nothing Matters because they're still in.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

They matter.

[Justin Jefferson]

They're in Sasaki rumors too. Like they're involved.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

To them from me, saying nothing matters is a compliment.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Like just raise.

[Justin Jefferson]

They got bigger problems. Halos I have. They're doing stuff though.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

They are doing.

I don't know. Does any of it matter?

Does any of it matter?

[Justin Jefferson]

I I would put them in nothing Matters cuz these like minor, these minor things that they're doing like Hendrick and Darno, they're not going to be tangible. You know, proven.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

If they're lucky, one of them's tradable.

White socks.

[Justin Jefferson]

White socks go. That's what I was going to put. Yeah. That's just.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Does anyone else stand out as a nothing matters. I don't think so.

[Justin Jefferson]

I cap it there. Yeah. Because I, I, I think the Marlins.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

See if any Right. Later.

[Justin Jefferson]

Right. Like the. I think some of the lower level teams, they'll still do things.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Okay. If you were looking for more A's, Angels, Rockies and White Sox talk. Tune in next time.

[Justin Jefferson]

I really like the ace position, player core. I just want that to be known.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Okay.

[Justin Jefferson]

They're talented.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Okay.

[Justin Jefferson]

Zach gel off. Had a down year. He'll be better next year.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Zach Gill. Yeah. Hey. All right. I'm not, I'm not getting sucked into that right now. Not doing it. Who? Jolly Olive. How about our second tier? Someone that you think you can lock in. They're probably not going for the top category. We currently have it labeled as impact move needed. We wondered if it should be one big Fish, I guess. What team, as you look at the board right now, are you like they, they need an impact mod.

[Justin Jefferson]

I got an easy one here. They could even make two if they wanted to. But I don't think it's the way they do their business. But I do think after even despite making the playoffs last year, their performance last year and the injuries and how lackluster the season was comparatively, I think the Braves are due for a big move. Okay. Logically, I think it's Willie Adamas, but I don't know if that happens because his price tag is going to get pretty big. But even if you want to go the pitching route with them, they have sale Reynaldo Lopez, Spencer Schwallenbach, and they just traded for Griffin Canning, who they're probably going to fix and make really good. And that leaves one spot at the end, which is currently Ian Anderson. But who knows if that happens, that's.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

The best postseason pitcher of all time.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah. You know, let me just set a World Series Record and then I'll. I'll dip. I'll be out of your hair. So I have them either adding an ace or a shortstop, and either way it's going to make their team a lot better. Plus they're all going to probably be healthy again next year and they'll probably win. The analyst.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

So the only. I don't want to say fight back.

[Justin Jefferson]

Sure. Clap back immediately.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I'm gonna clap back. I'll make it clap. No hands.

[Justin Jefferson]

Pause.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Spencer Strider maybe at some point next season. I don't know.

Yeah.

[Justin Jefferson]

I don't know what his time.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I don't know where that's out.

[Justin Jefferson]

See if that's anywhere around.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Lacuna will be back, right? Next season, right? I don't. I don't know if there's any timeline stuff there. If I put Ronald Acuna Jr. In right field right now, the Braves lineup goes something along these lines. Acuna, Harris, Deuce Albies, Austin Riley, Matt Olson, Marcelo Zuna, Kelnick, Sean Murphy, Orlando Garcia. They could hold the rotation sale. Reynaldo Lopez on the Spencer Schwillebach, Canning eye on Anderson. And like I mentioned, Strider. I don't know.

[Justin Jefferson]

Strider is April to May. I just looked it up.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Okay. And that's Smith Shaver and who's supposed.

[Justin Jefferson]

To be very good.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Aaa. He's, you know, a couple other bodies, whatever Bryce held during Triple A.

[Justin Jefferson]

Remember all, sir, by the way.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

So I guess my only interesting thing here, you know, the Braves come Braves, and I think the big move is coming. But if they plugged a hole, if they signed a fourth starter, if they signed any of the Mets starters that were free agents, Quintana, and that was their off season, we would kind of shrug.

[Justin Jefferson]

I would still pick them as the NLE favorites.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Right.

[Justin Jefferson]

That I need is the big word in the second tier.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Right.

[Justin Jefferson]

Because they don't need a big.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

They don't need.

[Justin Jefferson]

But they could be so scary if they did. I think you want to go hold.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I want to put plugging holes for now.

[Justin Jefferson]

Okay.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Because this. This is where the exercise does get interesting because I think an impact move is coming. Like you said. I don't know if they've been waiting for Adamas. I don't know.

[Justin Jefferson]

They could get a big relief arm, too. They got some spots in their bullpen.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Like there's room to add an exciting starter for sure. Because every team has room to add an exciting starter.

[Justin Jefferson]

You give me a setup man, a four or five starter and a maybe just a minor shortstop upgrade on the Braves and 101 wins, right?

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

And I'm yeah like hey, Acuna comes back, you got a Loriano Kelnick platoon as the weak spot in your lineup.

[Justin Jefferson]

They made that work last like Loriano's numbers last year landed in a really good spot nowhere.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Loriano hive. I want to leave it for now because I, I think they're making an impact move. They don't need it but they gotta.

[Justin Jefferson]

Prove it because we don't. That's not how they do business.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Right.

[Justin Jefferson]

So like I'm doing a little like they got their course fan theorying or.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Whatever but I've got a team that I think needs impact move, impact move needed no matter what. I don't know if they can compete with the Mets. I think the Baltimore Orioles.

I was just about to say that.

They have to, right Dude, Santander and Corbin Burns. If you don't make ah impact move, you you done messed up.

[Justin Jefferson]

They're really interesting because they're one of the few teams that don't really have holes but they need the big fish. They don't have that big big piece of like what their team identity will be. It was Corbin Burns.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Sure.

[Justin Jefferson]

I don't think they're going to get him back. I'm willing to be wrong if they want to compete and they have new ownership so you never know. But yeah, they're losing Santander as well. So they're losing their biggest home run hitter and easily their best starting pitcher and they have money to spend. So yes, I fully agree. They need to make an impact move.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Their rotation is currently Zach Eflin who was better than I thought he would be with them. Good for you Zach. Grayson Rodriguez maybe build, build it up. Dean Kremer, Albert Suarez and Trevor Rogers. And that Marlins trade.

[Justin Jefferson]

Forgot about that trade.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

It is interesting on their il. Oh, Bradish did get tj. Forgot about that.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah, that's a big blow for them.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

He was big blow for them.

[Justin Jefferson]

4Th and Cy Young. I think last year.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Their lineup in theory doesn't need a big move. They just need to bird up.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah, I mean they gotta. They have to see a step forward from holiday. They have to see a step forward from cursed dad.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Santander was 40 something homers. Right.

[Justin Jefferson]

A lot of homers to take out of that lineup.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Just a stabilizing force that is not there.

They were second in home runs last year.

[Justin Jefferson]

Even if the move is just resigning Santander, I still think that qualifies. Putting the big move second tier. It's a big. He's going to get a big deal it's going to be a nine figure contract.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I think. I think you can. I think that's locked in. Impact movie needed.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah, that's an easy one. Orals. Let's see. Should we put another one up there?

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Before we do that, Charlie, why don't we show them this big Blitzball Battle 5 game? Coming up, warehouse games. Blitzball Battle 5. Woogas, hook, line, sinkers. Yeah.

Two really good teams without a win. Exactly right. That's the storyline who is going to come out victorious because both these teams have the potential to do a lot of damage. Obviously we know the history with sinkers.

[Justin Jefferson]

Woogas are a new team.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Dan Rorke's a new man. That's what we keep hearing, but we haven't seen it yet.

[Justin Jefferson]

Translate to on field performance.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I'm gonna take Woogas because look at.

[Rachel Zoe]

Old man Dan right behind me right now. I don't.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I don't know what he's writing for me. It's always going to be hard to pick against Jimmy North.

I believe in old men. I'm gonna have to pick Sinkers. Well, there's no country for old men around here.

[Justin Jefferson]

Let's go.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Woogas coming your way later today from the warehouse.

Blitzball Battle 5. Make sure you go check that out on The Warehouse Games YouTube channel. One of the best things we do here at Germbug Mediums. So we currently we have plug in holes with the Braves, which is open to some interpretation. We'll see. The only category that we currently don't have anything in is pick a direction. And there's a lot of candidates. So give me your number one. Pick a direction.

[Justin Jefferson]

Number one is maybe the easiest placement on this entire thing for me. Toronto Blue Jays.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Toronto.

[Justin Jefferson]

We talked a little bit about it before the show. This is a. Like you said when you describe the tier, this off season will determine the next two to three to even four years of Blue Jays baseball. They're pursuing Juan Soto. Some people believe it, some people don't. If they don't get that big fish or another one in Corbin Burns, Max Freed, whatever they're veering towards, it might be time to start blowing this thing up to ensure that our future is not going to be bad. Because there have been numerous times in this franchise's history where they waited too long to blow it up and it really cost them. Like the mid 2010s Blue Jays. If they had blown it up a year earlier or even like a half season earlier at a trade deadline, you would have seen more competitive teams, but they held on to guys like Bautista and Donaldson and Carnacion a little too long. Didn't get anything for them this off season I think will decide what direction the Blue Jays going.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Man, I don't. I've sunk my brain power into this like once and I don't know.

[Justin Jefferson]

I don't know.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I just don't know because are they. It. It seems like they want to resign Vlad.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Like, and it. If Lad has hit this point, there's no sense in him signing an extension unless Toronto rolls it out there. And maybe they do and maybe it's again, we're so caught up in this free agency. Like after Vlad's last year do age times production again and Vlad 405 if.

[Justin Jefferson]

He waits and does it again.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

5.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah. Like I don't. That's also where I'm at with this. Like even outside of Soto, I don't think it's wise for someone like Vlad to sign right now. Like because you in a bet on yourself scenario. And that just creates another problem for the Blue Jays. If they want two stars, they might end up with none. You know what I mean?

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah. And that's the Bashette thing. Feels like it's in a weird spot. His value is also down. You're not trading Boba shot.

[Justin Jefferson]

Even if you do decide to rebuild, you shouldn't trade him now.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

So the question is, yeah, I don't know what they're going to do.

[Justin Jefferson]

They have to pick.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

You have to bring in bodies to make Vlad feel like his last potential last year here isn't dead.

[Justin Jefferson]

Right.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

But you can't screw up your books enough that if Vlad is worth five hundy. I think they're banking on that.

[Justin Jefferson]

There. There is the other side of it and I'm Mets guys. So I'm going to use a Mets example. Pete had a really great 23, turned down the extension from the Mets and then went out and didn't have his best Pete esque year. Vlad is on a different level than Pete right now. But if Vladi, you know, gets an extension offer, turns it down, there's always a world where he posts a 2023 type season where it's like a 115 OPS plus still great numbers, but not star level and you might not get that big day. So he's got a lot to think about as well. Again, just an incredibly complicated situation in Toronto. The thing that stinks about it is that amidst all this they have a really good starting rotation and it's kind of just maybe going to get. I mean I like It a lot still.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I like their starting rotation going into last year and I got hurt a.

Little bit by it.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah. It's just they have pieces, you know what I mean? So if they do decide to sell, oh my God. They become the best team to trade with maybe like the most pieces available. You're finally going to get out of that Springer contract. Like times are coming. Times are changing.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

So I guess this is where things get a little kinky here. With impact move needed and plugging holes, the Blue Jays direction can't be sell, right?

[Justin Jefferson]

I think it can be.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

And you just bank on Vlad taking the best money.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah. Are you self lad. Now take a direction. They. They are. They fit this tier perfectly because they can't. They can't just sign a bunch of bonus pieces and expect that to fix their team. I also don't think even if it is Juan Soto, one star just fixes everything for.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Don't you think they are going to do that though? Don't you think they're going to plug holes?

[Justin Jefferson]

I think that they really believe in what they built and they recognize that this team made the playoffs two years in a row and I think they're just gonna throw more money at it. And I don't think that's a good idea.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Okay.

[Justin Jefferson]

And I think that stinks for Blue Jays fans. But that is what it is.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I have another. Pick a direction. Layup. I think it's the Cardinals.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I think they've been showing signs that they're gonna.

What direction they're picking.

Yeah, I think. I think they're. The early word is that they're not rebuilding but soft rebuilding there you haven't heard the Cardinals as a big lead for a lot of free agents.

[Justin Jefferson]

Also a thing we haven't seen them do a lot in recent years. Like this is a. They used to run the NL Central and they used to get whatever they wanted and have a great off season like every year. So they're in a weird spot.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

What happened? Yeah. Pick a direction, Jolly.

[Justin Jefferson]

I have a good one if you want to.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Oh, I think I might have just seen one too. Where's what leagues you're teaming?

[Justin Jefferson]

No.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Oh, I have a nail. One perfect. Count of three. Three, two, one. Twins.

[Justin Jefferson]

Oh, interesting.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Central.

[Justin Jefferson]

But what can the Twins really do?

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Pick a direction. Are you a competitive.

[Justin Jefferson]

I think there's only one way to go for them. They can't put more money in the team because they don't have more money. It's tough.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Right. But I feel like they're going to. They won 82 games last year.

[Justin Jefferson]

Right.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

They're not going to hard sell.

Still have Correa and the Right, Right.

Like they're still in it that they could make trades.

[Justin Jefferson]

They got guys.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I would love for the Twins to pick a direction. I think Twins fans would love for them to pick a direction because God, man, that.

[Justin Jefferson]

That division felt like it was there last year. I mean, you saw three teams make the playoffs last year at shocking fourth in the division. Crazy. Like that doesn't happen. Like the Twins, for all their playoff shortcomings, whatever, they do very well in the American League Central often. So like. Yeah, I agree. I think they need to figure it.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Out with some like very positive butter knives in the season. They finished fourth.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

How'd his year finish on a rain level?

Real good.

Carlos Correa, war last year.

[Justin Jefferson]

I'll say 3.2 B.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

War. 3. 7.

[Justin Jefferson]

Okay.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

He got like 81. Yes, I know. Where did he land? Like 86 games. Yeah. So when he was out there, he was.

[Justin Jefferson]

But that's like kind of the entire Twins team when he's out there. He's good.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Trade him to the Mets.

[Justin Jefferson]

Okay, let's start base. Let's talk. Yeah, base.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

You guys have already done that during Korea.

[Justin Jefferson]

You signed him to play third base before Puerto Rico.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Trade for Baez, trade for Karate.

[Justin Jefferson]

That whole two month period was so exhausting, man.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I think a lot about. I think it was a cesspool's family barbecue tweet I saw. I was like, wow, kids are going to look back at Carlos K's baseball references and say he started with the Astros, then went to the Twins.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yep. And that's all that happened.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Crazy.

[Justin Jefferson]

I had Cubs here as well. And I know you're having a little bit of trouble with this because if the Cubs go out and they sign some bullpen guys and a back end starter and maybe, you know, an impact position player, whatever, they could win the NL Central.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

See, that's. I think, I think that's where you and I, I think we disagree a little bit because I think that's. I think the Cubs need an impact move.

[Justin Jefferson]

Oh, really?

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Because Jolly, if you go and. Okay, this is going to be fun and bad.

[Justin Jefferson]

True.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Miguel Amaya, catching. I don't know. Fine. Catcher's a catcher. There's not a lot available.

[Justin Jefferson]

Sure.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

It is what it is. Michael Bush at first base.

[Justin Jefferson]

Solid.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Nice little breakout year. Fine.

Under contract.

Nico Horner.

[Justin Jefferson]

Defensive win.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Solid. Dansby Swanson. Solid. Solid. Solid.

[Justin Jefferson]

Price tag.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Isak Paredes.

[Justin Jefferson]

We'll see.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Solid.

[Justin Jefferson]

I. I know there's concerns that trade when it happens.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I know there's concerns, but he's 25. Yeah, he's 25 in half.

[Justin Jefferson]

Great player.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah. Good answer. Company man.

Awesome.

He Crow Armstrong.

[Justin Jefferson]

I still believe in him.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Probably going to rack up WAR even if he just catches the ball.

[Justin Jefferson]

Started hitting a little bit in September.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Not picking.

It's more pop than you think.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah, I mean he was a top five prospect dude in the net system.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Cody Bellinger. Good. Say a Suzuki.

[Justin Jefferson]

Good hitter.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

DH listed. DH currently.

[Justin Jefferson]

Not if you want that big fish.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Not a lot of these are a hole. The pitching show to Steele, Tyon Assad, Ben Brown.

[Justin Jefferson]

Hey, I like this rotation. I do.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I'm not saying you're wrong.

[Justin Jefferson]

Sure.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I'd like to see more out of big Ben Brown.

[Justin Jefferson]

This is the most like deferred on a team, I think.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I guess for me. What. What if they plug holes? I don't think that changes anything for them.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I think if you bring in a big fish, it's like, okay, Cubs, if they come back with this same team, that's a bigger problem.

[Justin Jefferson]

So much has to go. Right. So even when you add the star, so much has to go. Right. 1. You already have so much money invested in this lineup.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Right.

[Justin Jefferson]

So much money.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

So they can't sell.

[Justin Jefferson]

Right. So. God, they're in a. They're in a really. They're in a Blue Jays esque spot.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

If the Cubs better. How about this?

[Justin Jefferson]

Sure.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

If the Cubs plug holes this off season. Is that a good off season?

[Justin Jefferson]

No, no, no, it's not. But it's not always about winning the off season, Jake.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Right. But if they roll this out there again and it doesn't tick up 10 to 15 games.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I mean, we got real problems.

[Justin Jefferson]

I'm with you. That they can't sell because I just don't think anyone wants part of a lot of these contracts.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Loves this team and they don't get why it doesn't work.

[Justin Jefferson]

I don't. Oh God.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Their off season is only a success if they make a major move.

[Justin Jefferson]

I'm willing. I'm willing to put them there because you know what? If you put them in. Pick a direction. We know what direction they're gonna go.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

They're heading one direction.

[Justin Jefferson]

They're putting. They're putting more money into this team or investing more. They can't stand pat and impact move needed.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Maybe we're getting. We're getting hung up on free agency because again, they're not. I've fallen in love with the idea of them caving and getting Corbin Burns. Because then it's Burns. Emanaga Steel.

[Justin Jefferson]

That's nice.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Like, you kind of. You up. You up the ante for the whole team if you do that. Like, hey, lineup. You guys are good. We got three in the rotation. Let's figure this out and win more baseball games.

[Justin Jefferson]

I don't know if that's going to happen. You got a lot to fix in that bullpen, too.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

But the other thing is, we're like. We're kind of ignoring trades. Like, yeah, the Cubs could make an impact trade. I don't know who it is. I don't. Who are the trade names? Robert Aaron Otto. That's crochet and crochet. Like, if the Cubs made one of those moves, we'd be like, all right, Cubs, right? We're about it. I think. I think they need an impact move.

[Justin Jefferson]

I agree.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Gonna get it done.

[Justin Jefferson]

I agree. They just didn't have a lot of money come off the books. The biggest thing that came off the books was Hendrix.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

They got money.

[Justin Jefferson]

They freed up, like, one of these.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Guys back in a trade.

[Justin Jefferson]

We'll see, man.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Belly to your Yankees.

[Justin Jefferson]

Everyone's got to have their best year next year.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Robert to cross town. I think they need an impact move.

[Justin Jefferson]

You need an impact.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I think that raises rising tides and the ships. You're always talking about that.

[Justin Jefferson]

I'll tell you who else needs an impact move, Jake. Your Boston Red Sox. They got to do something. We got to do something.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

You're right. You are right, man.

[Justin Jefferson]

They're almost there.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

What are we doing?

[Justin Jefferson]

They play in the AL east, which is tough, but they're almost there. I mean, they had their position player core, I think is awesome. Like, they had a really great lineup last year. I am a little confused why they're really involved in the Juan Soto thing, because I think they get so much better if they add an ace. And there's just so many great starting pitchers out there. A lot of pitchers. Like, I mean, you know, it's Juan Soto, so you should go for him. But I really like Will. Your Breu. Jaren Duran had a terrific year. I think people still undersell how good he was last year. We're going to do the whole Trevor story song and dance again, but if you get something out of him, great. This is a really good lineup, in my opinion. And you can still add, like, a bonus piece to it. They got to add an ace. That's. That should be mission and top priority for them. Get me a Burns, a Freed, a Snow, a Sasaki, whatever. It is. Get me an ace.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yes. They. I'm trying. I'm just trying to think plugging holes is interesting because what does that look like for them? If that's. Again, I hate going back to this example, but you know, if it was Sevy and Maniah. They add Sevy and Mania. They add. They do the Jonathan India trade. Is that. Is that plugging holes? Is that impact move needed? I mean, but to go to the next level to say you're going to be above the Yankees, you're going to be above the Orioles.

[Justin Jefferson]

If we're talking about like, dude, they.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Lost some guys who were good for them last year. Tyler O'Neal was really good.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yes.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Full pension. Piv, we don't know yet.

[Justin Jefferson]

Which is why they need a big move.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah.

[Justin Jefferson]

It's not like we're.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I agree. And I think Red Sox fans have been asking for that and we're not.

[Justin Jefferson]

Just getting the same fourth place roster.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

We brought in a new front office.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Okay.

[Justin Jefferson]

And Red Sox fans should be expecting a big move.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Right.

[Justin Jefferson]

That's the. That's the status that this team is built up to.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

And I think the other thing, like you're saying they. They've got some options with their young lineup that they can. If they need to get creative or do a trade with one of those guys, something can happen there and they'd be fine.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yep.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

That with the pitching depth.

[Justin Jefferson]

They need more answers there. I also think they might trade Yoshida, but we'll see.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah, Yoshida's interesting.

[Justin Jefferson]

90 million.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

You can hit defense. And as. Was I talking to you or someone in the office that were like, you got to be careful, like if you trade the Japanese players, there's like a sign of disrespect to that assigning like future Japanese players. Yeah, I don't know.

[Justin Jefferson]

I think it does.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Like, comment below. What's your favorite country? All right, that's. That's just engagement. Okay, let's see. Impact move. Need I. Let's. I want to jump around. I think I've got another easy hold. And this is funny because this is just going to turn into good teams. Okay. The Phillies. I. Yeah, I know the Phillies are looking to make an impact move and they're probably going to. When Daddy Dombrowski starts talking to the media like that. Something's coming.

[Justin Jefferson]

Trade's got to happen first, though.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Bregman. I don't know if it's Aaronado. I don't. There. Luis Roberts. Been rumored for a while. Like they're probably going to make a move. But if they don't within this tier.

List, how important is that?

Philly's still here. If the baseball started a playoffs tomorrow, they'd be one of the favorites in the National League, So I expect them to make a move. But if they did hold, whatever that means, they would be fine.

[Justin Jefferson]

I mean, the team that won the National League east last year is largely coming back. The biggest thing for them, if they do want to make that big move, is they got to find a way to get rid of Tywin Walker's money, because that's $54 million that they can free up for his next three years or 36 for his next two. Excuse me. And then they got to fix their bullpen because they lost a lot of guys in their bullpen, but otherwise, they're still a really talented team.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah, man. I was even trying to elevate them to plug in holes. If they signed one reliever, and not even.

[Justin Jefferson]

Not even, man.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

It's like a. It's like, almost agreed move. Wheeler, Sanchez, Nola, Suarez, Walker a reliever. And even the lineup. I mean, Martian, Hayes, I.

[Justin Jefferson]

You can make it work.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

You can start the year with that.

And I. I have a problem.

[Justin Jefferson]

Like, Andrew Painter and Aiden Miller might be good to go soon. Boy, they got prospects they like, too.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

That's done. You're. Oh, my God. That's Dombrowski's music.

[Justin Jefferson]

But, like, that's what I'm saying. Like, if they're gonna make that big move, I think it's gonna be a trade, not money, you know? So we'll see that white sock that people keep doing the White Sox thing. I think they're the destination.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Okay. Okay.

I think I have another easy hold here.

[Justin Jefferson]

Okay.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Brewers hold the line. Like, we still believe in what they do.

Yeah. I mean, do they. Do they even have holes. Holes to be plugged? Yeah.

Like, it. Adamas, you can do some. Something.

Whether that's adding, like, Adamus is gone, and they don't care.

Like, I think. I think they trust what they're about.

They just signed Davey Garcia, so that's covered.

[Justin Jefferson]

It's. Glad we got to mention that. I mean, so. Yes.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Guys away, and it won't matter.

Plug holes. I. There's maybe an argument there.

[Justin Jefferson]

So that's a little where I'm at. Because they definitely believe in what they do. I. And you shouldn't ever operate your team this way. I do think that, like, crushing end to their season might change the way they approach this off season, because more of an emphasis. It's been a very cyclical story for them of they find ways to craft together run preventing good pitching teams and they get to the playoffs and it just doesn't work. So that part of me makes me think that they will try something new but it's not going to be an impact move because that's just not what their ownership group does. So I think plug and holes might be the best spot for them because.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I. I think you're going to see a starting pitcher get signed. Right now their rotation is listed Peralta, Woodruff, Savali, Myers and Aaron Ashby.

[Justin Jefferson]

Jose Quintana with that infield defense. Would be.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Would be money just makes too much sense.

[Justin Jefferson]

Money.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

And then like yeah, I think I.

They're gonna do stuff and I. And it was another heartbreaking end. So there's some.

Yeah.

And I just some pressure on them.

You know, no offense. And that the brewers deserve all the credit. Like Oliver Dunn slotted as your starting third baseman. Ortiz making the move to shortstop. You can I. I think there's an addition. There's going to be. Brewers paid 15 mil for this position player. Brewers played 15 mil for this starting pitcher off season. Done. Yeah, man. They've got a kind of what they did last. They have a Brewers bullpen.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Go check that out.

[Justin Jefferson]

As far as I'm concerned.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I love their bowl.

[Justin Jefferson]

That is your NL Central champion once.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Again, though they're not.

[Justin Jefferson]

Until they're not.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Let's. Let's plug holes with some brew crews for now.

Plug a hole.

[Justin Jefferson]

Hey, I'm Gianna Prudenti.

[Unknown Podcast Host]

And I'm Jamae Jackson Gadsden. We're the hosts of let's Talk Offline, the early career podcast from LinkedIn News and iHeart Podcasts.

[Justin Jefferson]

One of the most exciting things about.

[Madison Packer]

Having your first real job is that first real paycheck. You're probably thinking, yay, I can finally buy a new phone.

[Justin Jefferson]

Mm.

[Unknown Podcast Host]

But you also have a lot of questions, like, how should I be investing this money? I mean, how much do I save? And what about my 401k?

[Justin Jefferson]

Well, we're talking with finance expert Vivian.

[Madison Packer]

Tu, aka you're rich BFF. To break it all down.

[Justin Jefferson]

I always get roasted on the Internet.

[Unknown Podcast Host]

When I say this out loud, but.

[Justin Jefferson]

I'm like, every single year, you need.

[Unknown Podcast Host]

To be asking for a raise of.

[Justin Jefferson]

Somewhere between 10 to 15%.

[Unknown Podcast Host]

I'm not saying you're going to get.

[Justin Jefferson]

15 every single year, but if you ask for 10 to 15 and you end up getting 8, that is actually a true raise.

[Unknown Podcast Host]

Listen to this week's episode of let's talk offline on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

What's up, everybody? Adnan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast from iHeart podcast in the National Hockey League. It's NHL unscripted with Virk and Demers. Hey, I'm Jason Amers, former 700 game NHL defenseman turned NHL Network analyst, and boy, oh boy, does daddy have a lot to say. I love you, by the way, on NHL Network, we're looking forward to getting together each week to chat and chirp about the sport and all the other things surrounding it that we love. Right? Yeah, I just met you today, but we're going to have a ton of guests from the colliding worlds of hockey, entertainment and pop culture. And you know what, tons of back and forth on all things NHL. Yeah, you're still going to find out. We're not just hockey talk. We're into all kinds of random stuff on this podcast. Movies, television, food, wrestling, even the stuff that you wear in NHL. Now you wish you could pull off my short shorts, Virky. That's sure to cause a ruckus. Listen to NHL Unscripted with Virk and demers starting on December 5th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Madison Packer]

Hey, everyone, it's Sarah Spain from Good Game with Sarah Spain. And we're in the beautiful city of Malaga, Spain, where we just watched team Italy win the Billie Jean King Cup. Before the final, we got a chance to sit down with Billie Jean herself. Take a listen.

[Anya Packer]

Well, look at the scoring. I think it should be 1, 2, 3, 4. How do you get new kids in the game? I mean, they come to watch and I never been in tennis and my coach starts saying, well, let me explain the scoring. It's 15, love 30. I go, I know, 45, right? They go, no. And I go, and I'm 11 years old. And I said, this is the stupidest, great English, the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Now I know I'm like a lot of kids. I don't come from tennis. My family's not in tennis. And if you are in tennis as a child, you still want to make it fun. And I think when you start tennis, you should be put on a team. Just put them on a team. They can be a great, make it less individual from the beginning because it's about relationships.

[Madison Packer]

To hear more from the legend herself, Billie Jean King, on my show Good Game with Sarah Spain. Be sure to listen to this episode of Good Game with Sarah Spain on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Unknown Podcast Host]

Hey, I'm Jack Beast Thomas, the host of a brand new Black Effect original series, Black lit, the podcast for diving deep into the rich world of black literature. I'm Jack Peace Thomas and I'm inviting you to join me in a vibrant community of literary and enthusiasts dedicated to protecting and celebrating our stories. Blacklit is for the page turners, for those who listen to audiobooks while commuting or running errands. For those who find themselves seeking solace, wisdom and refuge between the chapters, from thought provoking novels to powerful poetry, we'll explore the stories that shape our culture. Together, we'll dissect classics and contemporary works while uncovering the stories of the brilliant writers behind them. Blacklit is here to amplify the voices of black writers and to bring their words to life. Listen to Blacklit on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Madison Packer]

The 2025 iHeart Podcast Awards are coming. This is the chance to nominate your podcast for the industry's biggest award. Submit your podcast podcast for nomination [e-mail] podcast awards. But hurry. Submissions close on December 8th. Hey, you've been doing all that talking. It's time to get rewarded for it. Submit your podcast [e-mail] podcast awards. That's iheart.com podcast awards.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Plugging holes, sucking on chili dog.

[Justin Jefferson]

I got a good pick of direction for, I think, one of the weirdest teams in baseball right now.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Okay.

[Justin Jefferson]

They're in the American League, if you want to guess.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Houston.

[Justin Jefferson]

Close. As close as you can get. The Texas Rangers. What are we doing? We got to kind of figure it out because I think everyone was like, you guys can have a hangover. You won the World Series, that's perfectly fine. Now you're about to be two years removed. And that's where we start to get into this weird, like, okay, are we like fully tied up in bad contracts and this is just what it is, or are we going to try and start competing again? Because I think everyone went into last year thinking like, rangers are back, baby. AL west champs, right? Everyone's consistent, consensus, agreement. And like, you know, you can't plan for things like the whole lineup taking a step back and guys getting hurt and all that stuff. But they can't just sit on their hands again, which is kind of what they did last offseason.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah, I guess I would have to look at how much money they have coming off of all the Heaney, Yates, Robertson.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah, they got.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

That was your money, right?

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Now you personally, I paid it. I guess my. My only fight back there is they're not going to sell.

[Justin Jefferson]

No.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

You know, so I think they might be plugging holes. Like if you're Texas's front office this off season. Hey, I don't know if you have a lineup spot to plug. I think pitching, you probably need one, if not two starters. And you need. You need a bullpen.

[Justin Jefferson]

You need like a whole bullpen. Their two best relievers are out the door.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Like they need four pitchers.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah, I like plugging holes.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I think they got a plug holes. Cause I. I think I'm on the Texas train next year. I think they had their World Series hangover.

[Justin Jefferson]

They're ready to come back. And like we didn't see the best of Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford. I still think those two are going to be really good baseball players.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yes.

[Justin Jefferson]

And they're not going to make that big money move for a bat because I think they still believe in what their lineup is capable of. That lineup won them a World Series. So get me a starting pitcher, give me a couple relief arms, and let's go.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Like they literally. Ooh.

[Justin Jefferson]

What you got Cooked up something.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

So Josh Smith, currently listed as their DH Silver Slugger. Again, he had a nice year. And utility Josh Young has some injury history. Whatever. Whatever. That Texas DH spot, that doesn't pass my sniff test.

Something's gonna happen.

[Justin Jefferson]

Santander, Jock.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I mean, that would be a kind of nuclear move out of them, man.

[Justin Jefferson]

I have. I've been having trouble with Santander.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

You. You roll into camp with Josh Smith as your util, not your dh.

[Justin Jefferson]

That's a fun lineup.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

And I think there's a couple dhs to be had. Who else is there? It's Jock. It's Jock would be really good with them. Winker. I mean, even just a light like Jack say that J.D. martinez. Oh, lost his sex appeal a little, but we can make that work.

[Justin Jefferson]

You butter knife out September. He had a great year.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Okay. Okay. There will be a DH to Texas announced or a hitter.

Marlins matter.

I was. I keep looking at the Marlins. I think we listed that. They're nothing. Yeah, they're not Xavier Edwards. Look at that on base percentage.

[Justin Jefferson]

Auto Lopez, baby. Come on now.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Easy with that.

[Justin Jefferson]

I got a big impact move, Tim.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Big impact move needed.

[Justin Jefferson]

We've been high on them, Jake. We did our free agent draft and we were. This was the talk of the town. The NLE is About to get beefy because I think the Washington Nationals are about to get involved in a big way.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I love it.

[Justin Jefferson]

I think they're due for a big boy move. Maybe, maybe. Maybe even two, because they have so much money coming off their young guys are ready. Dylan Cruz, James wood, you know, C.J. abrams could possibly move him to second base. Who knows? They have a lot they can do. And I think it's really exciting to be a DC fan right now because they kind of won the World Series and then they just went dormant and everyone's just been kind of waiting for the next era and I think it's finally here and they got a really good free agent class to spend some money on. So, like, Bregman could be a possibility. Santander could be a possibility. Any of the pitchers could be a possibility. No excuses for them. This needs to be a big off season for the Nets.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Pete.

[Justin Jefferson]

Pete is a great example. He could really fit there. It would break my heart, but I was.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I was going to try to lightly counter just because there's an interesting case for hold.

[Justin Jefferson]

Interesting.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Just because there's a lot of young talent. Let's see what it actually is before we make our big splash. But, you know, I'm not going to fight you on this one. I'm. It's an attitude season.

[Justin Jefferson]

But that's valid, though.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

2019'S been a minute.

[Justin Jefferson]

If they want to sell off that BS of like, we got to see what we have and we want to.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Sell another year, they could plug holes with some rentals and make some moves next year. But kind of like you're saying this free agent class, there's guys that make sense for them.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Not just for next year, but for a couple years that make the big move.

[Justin Jefferson]

I'm not coming out and saying that the Nats are a playoff team next year, but I think they're going to be that team where it's like they sign these big deals. The first year is kind of rough because it always is. And then next year is when they.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Get serious mention outfield that might rack up war, Wood, Cruise, Young, Jacob Young, Kyber, Ruiz.

[Justin Jefferson]

We gotta play better. Come on. You gotta step it up.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah, they. They have arguments for hold or even plugging holes with this young core. But the impact move, it's needed.

[Justin Jefferson]

The impact move might not be there in another year.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Right.

[Justin Jefferson]

You know what I mean?

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Besides, like, Vladdy might not feel as good.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

They need it to be like full excited for next year.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Can. I've got one that's hurting Me, because this is a Jakey favorite and last year kind of left us limping.

[Justin Jefferson]

Is it Mariner's dunk time?

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

No.

[Justin Jefferson]

Okay.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah. I've coming my issues with them.

[Justin Jefferson]

You're mean to them.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Cincinnati.

[Justin Jefferson]

I don't know.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Los Reds.

[Justin Jefferson]

Pick a direction.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

It's just tough because this was supposed to be their direction. Right. Like they can't. It's not like they have veterans to sell.

[Justin Jefferson]

The young pitching hasn't really gotten it done yet. Chambers.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

It's a tough year. I think he lands one of my favorite free agent signings last year.

[Justin Jefferson]

No. Did he land league average? Just below.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I think they end up with it.

429, sluggish.

[Justin Jefferson]

That's not what they paid for, though. You know what I mean?

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

No, no. I think they're plugging holes, if we're being honest. You sign a starting pitcher, you sign.

[Justin Jefferson]

If you plug. I think they're just gonna end up with 82 wins if they do that.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Well, you missed Matt McLean last year.

[Justin Jefferson]

You did.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

You know, you. TJ Friedel was out a lot of last year. Jamer Candelario has a down year like you have. The young pitchers that you're hoping are taking another leap. By the way, look at Hunter Green's final stats. It happened.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

You might have missed it. Never mind. Martinez, Rhett. Louder. With a cup of tea. Cup of coffee. Who calls it a cup of tea?

[Justin Jefferson]

Cup of tea.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

What was that? British? Lodolo. Louder. Martinez, Abbott, Green. That's. That's a nerdy baseball rotation for you.

[Justin Jefferson]

I think of the 30 teams, this is the team that I struggled the most with.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Right. I still don't.

[Justin Jefferson]

I don't know what the vision is. I don't know what it is like. Is this a team that's gonna score 10 on you? And that's like how they beat teams. Is this a team that's going to rely on their young flame throwing starting pitching? Because we have to lean one side or the other.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I gave you two options.

[Justin Jefferson]

Sure.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Hold or plug holes.

[Justin Jefferson]

You can't hold, so plug holes, I guess.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Can't sell.

[Justin Jefferson]

Can't you?

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

No.

And there's permanent India rumors. Never the one sell.

[Justin Jefferson]

I'm never so sick of India rumors. Just decide. Give him an extension.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

That's the direction I'm telling them to pick on Cult. Trade him or don't.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Plug hole.

[Justin Jefferson]

Sure.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

You got it.

[Justin Jefferson]

And I'm disgusted.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Starter to defend the kids. One guy in the lineup. Reds baseball. Roll the ball out there. Ellie De La Cruz is a freak. 50 minutes in and no New York Yankees. What is this program?

[Justin Jefferson]

Impact move. We all know what the move is.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

They need to sign or replace that one guy.

Take a direction. Impact move needed.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Obviously it's either one of the biggest free agent contracts of all time or it's multiple contract.

[Justin Jefferson]

Like, dude, if you don't get soda, the off season gets so fun.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

It's true.

[Justin Jefferson]

There's so many things you can do with all that money.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Can really start getting creative.

[Justin Jefferson]

But it's one soda.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I just don't know how creative or fun it gets.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Is the, Is that creativity more fun than just having one sodo Again, it.

[Justin Jefferson]

Depends on what it. Where it lands.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

It's a fundamental activity where who wants to play first?

[Unknown Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Justin Jefferson]

I listened to your Yanks offseason plan episode. Got nauseous with all the outcomes and the numbers and it's a lot. Go check it out.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

That's a lot.

[Justin Jefferson]

And leave a dislike. Don't do that. Don't do that. Don't do that.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Charlie, I'm, I'm getting nervous because we're, we're getting deep into this thing and I've got a lot of teams that I kind of wide eyed and bushy t who stares at you. I mean, we can get the Mariners over with and get that fight out of the way.

[Justin Jefferson]

No, I, I got an easier one. I'm hoping this is the direction they go. The Giants should plug in holes this off season.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I think you're right.

[Justin Jefferson]

Year in and year out, we do the whole thing where they're rumored for the big fish and then they drive up the price and they don't get them. And I gotta think if you're a Giants fan and your Giants ownership and you're Buster Posey new in this position, you have to go about things a different way this year. And you know what, man? If you add like a Hasan Kim to this team and like a nice mid tier starter to back up Logan Webb and maybe another back end guy on top of that, you can spread this money out and make this seem really good. Like they're not going to be the Dodgers. And I think that's kind of implied, but there's no reason why a position core of Tyler Fitzgerald, Matt Chapman, Elliot Ramos, Patrick Bailey, that team can be good. So they just got to plug in some holes.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah, I'm not going to fight you on it. You know, a big move would be cool and we'd get excited.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Obviously they've been trying to do the big move and like nobody will agree to be it they kind of did.

Last year kind of turned into their big moves.

[Justin Jefferson]

Right.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Kind of.

[Justin Jefferson]

And I believe even the Posey Giants.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I do there's like I. I think a lot of their fan base would be perfectly happy with like hey, we grabbed like four new guys. Hopefully three are like pretty good. And our long term pieces.

It's true on paper man, they if they had an MLB hitter in the lineup and they had a starting pitcher, you can roll that team out there and play some Giants baseball.

[Justin Jefferson]

It's just that's Gerald slugged like 500 last year. It's pretty good.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

He was very good in the games he played in. Add that with Gleyber Torres. Okay. Giants are plugging holes. Are the Royals plugging holes? I think so.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah. Pretty fundamentally like just get some outfielders. Get some outfielders and let's party. You know.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Because even the if it was the one big impact move that would almost feel like a miss. Like they need more of a well.

[Justin Jefferson]

Rounded team and that's not what they've ever done.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah.

[Justin Jefferson]

You know like that's not the Royals way but like you know the fact I think I in my research for my video last week they were the bottom three team in outfield offensive production and they still made the ds like that's remarkable. But like signed to out sign, sign jock and sign Tyler O'Neal and your team is so much better. You know like it doesn't have to be that complicated for them. They have a great rotation. They're going to add Kyle right to it. We'll see what we get. And I believe in their bullpen and the guys that they traded for at the deadline last year. Some of them are still under control like Lucas Erceg who is very good. So I like where they're at. They just need a couple more bats. Michael Massey.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Massey's good.

[Justin Jefferson]

It's a good player.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Pretty swing.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah. There's some disgusting.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah man. These are.

[Justin Jefferson]

Tigers. I think is easy.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Go on.

I have them. Is pretty easy.

[Justin Jefferson]

I think it's impact move. Right.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

That's where I have them.

Is it needed?

I don't think it's needed for it to be a free agent like we've been talking about with sniff test stuff.

[Justin Jefferson]

I don't know that you're going to have another magic September like they did. And I think that was really good for them because that's the evidence that like okay, the roster that we built can compete.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

You got it right.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

An impact move is needed.

[Justin Jefferson]

It's kind of needed.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

How many years of school do we have left? Two.

[Justin Jefferson]

We can start to play that game.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Is it two?

[Justin Jefferson]

Is it two? No way.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Two or three?

[Justin Jefferson]

That's that close. How long has he been around?

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Which? Either way.

[Justin Jefferson]

Oh, wow. Yeah. Is 20, 27. So it's three. I think we got to go. Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I'm seeing two.

[Justin Jefferson]

Oh, boy.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

We got to go. So. Yes.

[Justin Jefferson]

You know what? You should reward the team that just got you to the ds, man. Like, I don't think anyone had that in their cards. And Kerry Carpenter played great. Riley Green played great. Like, these guys deserve a nod from ownership that what they did was significant. And the nod you give is a big free agent.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah. And I'll. I'll give us an escape route if we need it. It would be pretty impactful if they said Tarek Scubal extension.

[Justin Jefferson]

Sure. I chalked that up as a win.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

That's a cop out answer. But that would. That would feel huge for Detroit's franchise.

[Justin Jefferson]

Everyone feels like he's the best picture.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

If they plugged holes and extended Scoob.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

That counts as okay. A good off season, I think, because.

[Justin Jefferson]

That you could also have enough young.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Pieces to consolidate into an impact guy.

[Justin Jefferson]

You can go ace for them and suddenly you have a. Like.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Right.

[Justin Jefferson]

Imagine if you had a Max Freed and Terik Scubal lefty tandem. That's gross. That's insane. Or you can go bat route. You can get Pete at first base. You can get Bregman to play third. Like, they got. They have a lot of options and they have money. So let's make it happen.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Okay. I have another impact move needed. This is. This one's been tough. Pittsburgh Pirates. I'm sorry, man. If you roll that out there, it's.

[Justin Jefferson]

Gonna be the same thing.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I know, but I'm with you. That's a problem.

[Justin Jefferson]

I'm with you.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

You've got it. You've got everyone saying that these young pitchers never happen. And if you have that, you've gotta go. And the front office came out and said, we need to add.

[Justin Jefferson]

And you added IKF and Brian De La Cruz.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

That ain't hip hop impactful for some.

[Justin Jefferson]

Like, I. I was. I was doing some impassioned speeches on talking baseball earlier this year about how we need to. You don't know when all three of these guys will be healthy at the same time in the future. It could be next year. And there could be. You know, the Pirates could look smart for being a little bit more conservative, but it also could not be, like, that's the game you play when your Strength is young starting pitching who throw really hard.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Get Brett Rooker yesterday.

[Justin Jefferson]

Oh, that would be such a good fit.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Brett Rooker yesterday.

[Justin Jefferson]

Oh, that would be such a good fit. Dude. Their DH is a switch hitting backup catcher.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I don't like that. Currently.

[Justin Jefferson]

Let's go.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I don't like that.

[Justin Jefferson]

Their first baseman is Billy Cook. Who is that? I'm sorry.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I like his game. I like the way he plays.

[Justin Jefferson]

Sign Pete.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Wow.

[Justin Jefferson]

But imagine if they did. I know there's no reason why they can't. And it just. The Pirates make me so mad.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Good. They make me let that hate fuel you.

[Justin Jefferson]

Make me so mad.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yes.

[Justin Jefferson]

Pittsburgh is a proud sports town.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

They're ready to be fun.

[Justin Jefferson]

Why does your baseball team suck?

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I can't wait for an angry 44 year old jolly olive.

[Justin Jefferson]

I'm so glad. It would just frustrate me endlessly, honestly.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Okay. Another one that I kind of need to defer the kickoff.

[Justin Jefferson]

Oh, boy.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Diamondbacks.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

P and Hs.

[Justin Jefferson]

I mean, let's remember that the Dimebags had the same record as a team that made the playoffs last year. They fell right that short of being in the dance. And who knows what they would have done if they got in. And I think we would have spoke about them very, very differently if we saw some October run from them. Again, with that being said, pitching is a little bit of a mess right now. They're in the Montgomery situation, which I think ownership handled fairly poorly.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Great.

[Justin Jefferson]

Because like, who knows what Monty looks like with a proper spring training and you kind of just threw that out the window. So for them, I think they're probably plugging holes. I think we know their direction. Their direction is to be competitive. I also would listen to an argument for hold because I think the team that I'm looking at right now is good and can compete, but they probably need a couple.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah. It's just tough because hold. Hold has become a tricky part of this exercise because I have a couple more hold teams. The rotation looks better than I expected to look at it.

[Justin Jefferson]

Brandon fought, had a nice year. It was okay. Montgomery Erod should be better, right?

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I think should like be around. Plug in holes.

[Justin Jefferson]

Go get me a center fielder.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Plug in holes.

Get, keep or replace jock.

Get an outfielder or a first baseman.

[Justin Jefferson]

Harrison Vader is a Diamondback.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Okay.

[Justin Jefferson]

He is.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

All right.

Maybe they're hold.

No, let's go. Let's plug some holes for now. What do you ever do with the Rays?

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah. Raising guardians. I'm struggling a lot. Guardians might be hold. Is that crazy?

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I was Thinking about pick a direction for them particularly in regards to like the Josh Naylor situation.

[Justin Jefferson]

So they do this thing where the. When a player enters their last year they usually trade them but they didn't do that with Shane Bieber and it did bite them because they probably should have known what happened. So maybe I actually kind of like pick a direction for them or direction do we.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

They're going to compete for the ALE Central.

[Justin Jefferson]

It felt like they got into the LCS by accident.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I'm leaning hold currently.

[Justin Jefferson]

I'm okay.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah.

I'm not sure how much because like matters.

Okay.

So this is not in a nothing matters way.

What are we labeling this?

[Justin Jefferson]

What hold is like. We think you can still compete with the returning.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

This is going to sound really dumb, but the whole episode.

[Justin Jefferson]

Oh, off season raking off season importance.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Most important off seasons tier for me.

They need to hold Naylor.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah, like that's a really big piece.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Naylor, you're out.

[Justin Jefferson]

Well, because I think they, they like Manzardo.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Sure.

[Justin Jefferson]

But you can't just like.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

And they just had too much hitting again.

[Justin Jefferson]

You can't just give him the keys. You know what I mean? You can't just be like, all right, we got our guy by Naylor. Because Naylor's a 30 homer bat which is so, so needed in this lineup. Hold. I, I think I'm with you Be.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Sick if they plug some holes, but I don't even think they do that.

[Justin Jefferson]

And I don't think they're going to go on sign a starter.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I mean they'll get like a bargain bin guy. But even that their bullpen. No, they're not going to pay out there.

[Justin Jefferson]

No way.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I mean, who in their lineup do they hate?

[Justin Jefferson]

I mean, I think they. I don't think they will but I think they should try and do something with shortstop because I don't know if Brian Roki is the answer.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I think they're in on Roki.

[Justin Jefferson]

Okay. We're holding. I'm with.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

They're at least like.

[Justin Jefferson]

We're holding.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

He's getting another.

They're holding.

[Justin Jefferson]

We're holding. I also. Let me take. I'm going to look one second before I say this out loud.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Well, I don't know if I'm. If this is the team you're talking about. I think I've landed on raise for hold.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah.

Because if they hold Yandy and Brandon Lau, I'm going to like them in the American League next year.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

They're getting some of their pitching back.

[Justin Jefferson]

They're getting a Whole rotation back.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Essentially getting a whole rotation back which.

[Justin Jefferson]

Is supposed to be the strength of their team.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Even if they flip one of Diaz and Lao, who are their two first listed hitters? Camanero, Josh Lowe.

I'll trust the decisions they make beyond.

[Justin Jefferson]

Oh, we're gonna get a full cam and arrow season. He's gonna be really good.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah. I mean they need to hold and that's even like them selling. I don't, I don't know.

[Justin Jefferson]

I would like like a trade for a better DH option. Even though that feels very non raise. It's just not the way they do things.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

But like I guess part of this. If they rolled out the squad you see on their baseball reference, that is a wild card contender. You obviously always want a little more out of the Rays.

[Justin Jefferson]

But it's almost weird that they weren't in the picture last year because I always just have them as like they're going to be there in September and then we'll see what happens.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

If these, if these sickos could bring in Jock Peterson, like that would change their whole outlook.

[Justin Jefferson]

I would love it.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I know.

[Justin Jefferson]

Because they would deploy him perfectly. But there's no way they do.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

They're gonna hold.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

So the final three teams.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

San Diego Padres, your Seattle Mariners in Houston, Shout Out, west coast and Houston.

[Justin Jefferson]

Three of the most important off seasons in my opinion. Right here.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I didn't wanna. I've been wondering who can compete with the Mets every day. Jolly. Call me crazy. Call me maybe.

[Justin Jefferson]

I think.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Do the Seattle Mariners have an argument?

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah, they do.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Cause this is a pivot year, man.

[Justin Jefferson]

Because their, their pick a direction is like five different directions. Like okay, are we going to start to chip away at our rotation to go get a bat? Are we going to full sell all of these controllable arms because we don't believe in the roster that much? Do we just try and sign hitters again? Even though it didn't really work last year and we have money to spend. They're in such a weird spot, but they have so much talent.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

So I don't think it would be pick a direction because they're trying to compete. They have this core of pitchers. Dude, it's kind of like the Pirates. Right.

[Justin Jefferson]

They also spent money on an extension mid season last year.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

So they're very clearly talking Victor Robles right now.

[Justin Jefferson]

Like that's a sign to me that they're still trying to compete.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I'm a believer they're trying to win.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

They have Julio, they have Kyle Raleigh, they have a whole rotation. They're trying to win.

[Justin Jefferson]

They have the best rotation. Not a whole. They have the best rotation.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

They've tried plugging holes. It does not work. It's one. It's the top two.

[Justin Jefferson]

And people don't want to sign there, so they kind of need to make trades. Hitters don't want to sign there, I should say.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Right. So thank God we have all these young pitchers.

[Justin Jefferson]

I'm down to put them at the top.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I'm interested as the second top team.

[Justin Jefferson]

As the second top team because like, you can. You cannot just roll this out again next year. Getting Randy, I think was big for. They had a good trade deadline, all things considered.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah.

[Justin Jefferson]

No, the season was a failure. Like getting Robless and Randy at the deadline. I think it was really good. Good for them.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Let's keep it Al.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

The Houston Astros. You know who their listed third baseman is right now. Give anyone a nickel if you get it.

That tall kid.

[Justin Jefferson]

Shay, Shay, Shay, Shay, Shay Station. I don't know.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

J. Whitcomb.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah. Wasn't gonna get to Whitcomb. Got shadow.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Proud of you on that.

[Justin Jefferson]

Thanks, man.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Appreciate it. Altuve, Tucker, Alvarez. Yes, like that. Jeremy Pena.

[Justin Jefferson]

Like that.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Myers McCormick.

[Justin Jefferson]

Oh, boy.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Victor Cartini.

[Justin Jefferson]

It gets ugly quick.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Framber Hunter Brown, Ronald Blanca Etgetti, Luis Garcia. And at some point I'm gonna assume Javier color juniors is gonna pitch again. I don't know how long Javier's out for.

[Justin Jefferson]

Pitching's still there.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Hater. Abreu Presley. Taylor Scott.

[Justin Jefferson]

Taylor Scott.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I think one move needed.

[Justin Jefferson]

No, this team needs Pete Alonso.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

That's a big move.

[Justin Jefferson]

This team needs Pete Alonzo. Pete Alonzo with the Crawford Boxes is 50 home runs for free.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Pretty short down the lines too. Down to right.

[Justin Jefferson]

I mean he was the pick I made in the video I did last week. And like I just. I just think it makes so much sense. It makes so much sense.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I'll Tucker hours that if they're gonna.

[Justin Jefferson]

Top five is so good.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

It's good. It's not bad.

[Justin Jefferson]

That's a full season out of Tucker too.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

It's not bad.

[Justin Jefferson]

They're gonna sign back to back.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Convince me.

[Justin Jefferson]

God damn.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

But they need an impact move.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah, they do.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

If need an impact. If we come out of the off season and Houston has added.

They just like plug the first base hole and.

Kikuchi and like that's it.

If they're bad answer Gucci Goldschmidt and.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah, whatever.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Whatever.

The third base, Kakuchi and Goldschmidt isn't the off season they need.

[Justin Jefferson]

No.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

So yeah. Which Would be like the plugging that starts getting into.

[Justin Jefferson]

We're the big bad Astros, we gotta have a big, bad move.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

They need an impact move. Okay, done, done. That leaves one team. Popular team around this office.

[Justin Jefferson]

Sure does.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

The San Diego Padres. They don't know because they're not sure where their ownership is at. They caught a lineup. Although some of the names currently listed at the bottom of the lineup. I cannot give you Terso or Nealis's scouting report.

[Justin Jefferson]

That was great pronunciation.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Wish I could cease. King, Darvish, Vasquez, Waldron.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah, no. Musgrove hurts.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Suarez, Jason, Adam. They got a bullpen back there.

[Justin Jefferson]

I'm at holes.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Yeah.

I think this is like, they're plugging.

It seems daunting. And I guess the Padres have also been so impactful that I think it's in our heads, but they just have to plug holes.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I mean, Profar and a starting pitcher and we're all like, okay, profar, starting.

Pitcher, some reliever situation.

[Justin Jefferson]

I think the Padres have had a little big move. Itis of like every off season.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Let's.

[Justin Jefferson]

Let's win the off season. And sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't. This top six of their lineup is, in my opinion, World Series caliber. So just supplement it. Like, that's kind of what they did last year. They got like David Peralta at the back end and he was pretty good for them. Like, those caliber of moves make this seem a lot better. Like, get the guys that are good defenders, get the guys that can play multiple positions. Missing Hasan Kim sucks for them. Like, they need to find someone that can fill that role because that was really important to their team. And then they need back end starting pitching because I don't know the confidence level in Vasquez or Waldron, but that top three, it's really good. You know what's up?

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

111 games last year.

[Justin Jefferson]

Okay.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Xander Bogart's had a 1.2 B war.

[Justin Jefferson]

Not good.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

No money. How many more years he gets paid for?

[Justin Jefferson]

10.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

9. 9.

[Justin Jefferson]

I didn't like it when it happened.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

11 years felt big.

I was gonna throw out, like, can you trade him back to Boston and kind of heal that wound? But I don't. That was like, they'd be very against.

[Justin Jefferson]

That was the mega deal where I think they already had a really good offseason. And I was kind of why.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

That was the one that felt.

That felt like overkill.

[Justin Jefferson]

It was over.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

That was the Seidler bomb. Hi, Jimmy. Who's Jeff? Oh, yeah.

[Justin Jefferson]

Breaking news.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Sure. Yeah. He'll Be excited. All right, so that round out. So where do we put the Padres?

[Justin Jefferson]

I had them in plug.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I think we had. We had them plug holes.

[Justin Jefferson]

I like where we landed at the top.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Most important off season. Mets, Mariners, al, nl. The Mets thing we laid out an hour ago.

[Justin Jefferson]

Geez.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Seattle. Yes. Dude.

[Justin Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Big time going into this. I didn't think they were gonna end up there, but it makes sense.

They're gonna trade Castile, but, like, good, because you can.

That'll be part of substantial moves.

[Justin Jefferson]

Like, you can still have the best rotation baseball if you trade them.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Impact moves needed. Orioles, Cubbies, Red Sox, Gnats, Yanks, Tigers, Pirates, Houston Astros. Plugging holes. The Braves, the Brewers, the Reds, the Giants, Royals, Diamondbacks, and our fathers, the Padres. Pick a direction. Blue Jays, Cardinals, and Twins. Oh, my. Oh, yeah, that's a. I don't like that lane. I do not like.

[Justin Jefferson]

I don't think they like it either.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Not where you want to be.

Hold Dodgers, Phillies, Cards, and Rays. Those are kind of like good franchises.

[Justin Jefferson]

Three playoff teams.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I just labeled good franchises and nothing matters. God, I feel like these teams end up towards this part of the list a lot. Athletics, who don't have a city name anymore. The Rockies, the Halos, the White Sox and the Marlins. I think. I think that's pretty good.

[Justin Jefferson]

Halos will spend more than half the teams on this list.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I think that's pretty good. Yeah, they already. Yes, they have. Sound off in the comments, everyone. Thank jolly Allah for joining us. Comment about his hair. That's the office's biggest activity. And go check out his video coming out this weekend on Roki. Sake. More educated.

[Justin Jefferson]

Should be interesting.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

I didn't really. I didn't really. Thanks, Joel.

[Justin Jefferson]

Thanks, man. I'm glad to be here.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Wiggin Jake is a production of Dan Patrick Productions, John Boy Media and Workhouse Media.

[Rachel Zoe]

This is Rachel Zo from Climbing in Heels with Rachel Zo. Being a Delta SkyMiles member comes with more than just miles and great travel. It comes with access to SkyMiles experiences. My new favorite place to find unforgettable events like an exclusive styling session and cocktails with me, Rachel Zoe. Courtside seats for your favorite team, one of a kind, dining concert, backstage passes and much more. All available by using your miles. Head over to delta.comskymiles experiences to find your next experience and favorite memory. Not a Sky Miles member. It's free and easy to sign up and start earning miles today. Terms apply.

[Madison Packer]

The 2025 iHeart Podcast Awards are coming. This is the chance to nominate your Podcast for the industry's biggest award. Submit your podcast for nomination [e-mail] podcast awards. But hurry. Submissions close on December 8th. Hey, you've been doing all that talking. It's time to get rewarded for it. Submit your podcast [e-mail] podcast awards. That's iheart.com podcast awards.

[Anya Packer]

Hey, everyone. I'm Madison Packer, a pro hockey veteran going on my 10th season in New York.

[Madison Packer]

And I'm Anya Packer, a former pro hockey player and now a full Madison Packer.

[Unknown Podcast Host]

Stan.

[Anya Packer]

Anya and I met through hockey and now we're married and moms to two awesome toddlers, ages 2 and 4.

[Madison Packer]

And we're excited about our new podcast, Moms who Puck, which talks about everything from pro hockey to professional women's athletes to raising children and all the messiness in between.

[Anya Packer]

So listen to Moms who puck on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Justin Jefferson]

What's up, everybody? It's Peter Schrager. We're back for the season with Peter Schrager. In each episode of this season, I'm going to empty my proverbial notebook and.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Take you inside and behind the scenes.

[Justin Jefferson]

On the conversations that happen at the highest levels of NFL franchises. You see, you'll be in the front office of an NFL team one week, but the next week, you're going to.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Be at a bar, elbow to elbow.

[Justin Jefferson]

With some of your favorite celebrities laughing about football, like Kansas City. By the way, can I just point out how much I like the music of this podcast? It's awesome. Incredible. Very good. It's very kind, like a funky beat. Listen to the season with Peter Schrager on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Wherever you get your podcasts, Wasabi Hot.

Cloud Storage Stormware, and do more with your data.

Try them for [e-mail] hey, this is Kyle Brandtz.

You're busy. I'm busy.

But every single Monday, we take 10 minutes to dish out 10 takes. NFL Life, whatever, but never more than 10 minutes. It's 10 takes with Kyle Brandt driving home from work, you got time for 10 takes.

[Justin Jefferson]

Taking a smoked break, you still smoke.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

You got time for 10 takes.

[Justin Jefferson]

Hiding in the bathroom at work, you.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

Got time for 10 takes.

[Justin Jefferson]

Listen to 10 takes on the iHeartRadio.

[Unknown Sports Commentator]

App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage. Store more and do more with your data.

Try them for [e-mail].