Baseball Connection

NED, AUS, and JPN Start Strong | Czech Baseball | Nats Extend Keibert Ruiz

The Netherlands, Australia, and Japan are off to 2-0 starts in the World Baseball Classic. The Miami and Phoenix-based pools begin play on Saturday, and there will be some heavyweights involved. The star-studded lineups of USA, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela will take the stage. The Nationals extended Keibert Ruiz on an 8-year, $50 million deal. Ruiz, 24, is already one of the better offensive catchers in baseball. All this (and more) on today's episode.

WBC Begins | Astros Talking to Tucker & Valdez | Familiar Names Retiring

The World Baseball Classic has begun. Netherlands defeated Cuba in the tournament's opening game in Taiwan. The Astros are looking to extend Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez but both sides remain apart in each negotiation. Mitch Moreland and Lorenzo Cain were All-Stars not long ago, but both are now retired. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Shift Loophole Discovered | Soto Extension Coming? | Sleeper MVP Candidates

MLB's new rules have been the talk of camp this Spring but the Red Sox may have found a key loophole to the infield shift rule. Gavin Lux tore his ACL & LCL and will miss the 2023 season. Who will man SS for the Dodgers? Adley Rutschman leads the group of sleeper MVP candidates this year. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Machado & Padres Make a Deal | Tie at the Buzzer?

Manny Machado and the Padres have agreed to a contract extension after all. It will be an 11-year, $350 million guarantee for the All-Start third baseman. San Diego realizes they have no choice but to spend big if they want to maintain in the NL West. The Red Sox-Braves game ended in a tie after a pitch clock violation forced a strikeout with two outs and the bases loaded. All this on today's episode.

Time’s Up! | New Rules on Full Display in Spring Training

MLB has introduced new rules for the 2023 season and we're seeing them on full display in Spring Training. Many Machado was the first batter to be called for an automatic strike due to a clock violation. We also have larger bases and no more shifts. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Remember Rendon? | Predicting Baseball’s First $500 Million Man | Andrus Changes Positions

Anthony Rendon is coming off two injury-riddled seasons with the Angels. It's been a bitter pill to swallow for Angels fans who watched him star for the Nationals in 2019. Can Rendon return to form? Who will be baseball's first $500 million man? Elvis Andrus signed a one-year deal with the White Sox; he'll play second base for the first time in his MLB career.

Machado’s Plan | Peeking at the Next Free Agent Class | What Is O’Neil Cruz’s Ceiling?

Manny Machado announced that he will be opting out of his contract after this coming season. Machado set a February 16 deadline for the Padres to extend him but their offer (10 years, $255 million) came well short of Machado's expectations. What will next winter's free agent class look like? Can a healthy O'Neil Cruz go 30-30 this year? All this (and more) on today's episode.

Yankees’ SS Battle | Phillies Maintain Strong ’Pen | Verlander & Scherzer Reunite

The Yankees have a battle brewing at shortstop this spring. Top prospect Anthony Volpe is knocking on the MLB door but he faces stiff competition with 3 other players. Philadelphia is keeping their strong bullpen intact they agreed to keep Seranthony Dominguez around for 2 more years. Verlander and Scherzer are back together after over 8 years. All this (and more) on today's episode.

World Baseball Classic Rosters Unveiled | Astros Extend Javier | Padres Extend Darvish

There will be many stars and familiar names playing in next month's World Baseball Classic. Mike Trout and Mookie Betts lead Team USA while Sandy Alcantara and Manny Machado will be amongst the All-Stars playing for the Dominican Republic. Miguel Cabrera (Venezuela) will have played in every Classic since it began in 2006. Cristian Javier is one of the most underrated pitchers in baseball but the Astros recognize his worth. Is Yu Darvish set to finish his career in San Diego? All this (and more) on today's episode.

What Can Chris Sale Still Do? | Moving Talent From Japan to MLB | Guardians Trade

Chris Sale is healthy at the moment. Can he stay healthy throughout 2023? It's been a trying three years for Sale as he's battled injuries every since the end of the 2019 season. The front-line starter has only thrown 57 1/3 innings (including postseason) in that timespan. How can we predict the success of Japanese hitters when they move to MLB? All this (and more) on today's episode.