mike zunino

1.8.23

Alex and Paul are finally back with the first episode of 2023, recapping the Guardians offseason.

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Baseball Analyst, Mat Germain, takes a deep dive into the Rays tank and discovers good news.

• 2022 Rays lineup projections
• Emerging players, Josh Lowe, Vidal Brujan, Taylor Walls
• Yandy Diaz - his bat is coming to life
• Outfield is looking great with KK, Arozarena, Margot & Phillips
• Kiermaier & Austin Meadow trade rumours
• Rays Pitching Rotation - Corey Kluber can be a great stablizer 
• Looking forward to seeing Jalen Beeks coming back to mound. 
• Base Speed – Arozarena, Kiermaier, Phillips gain another base
• Chaim Bloom and the Boston Red Sox making some moves with Trevor Story 
• NYC drops Covid restrictions for Aaron Judge, Kylie Irving & other NYC Un-Vaxed. Will Judged be docked for games he can't play in Toronto. If Trevor can do it so can you.
• Tim Beckham hits a Home Run and gives a cold stare into the Rays dugout  as he slowly trots home. 
• Erik Neander got rid of the Old Guard and gave the team to Kevin Cash
• PECOTA ratings on the Rays is wildly inaccurate - ask Mad Dog
• Stealing Base - Rays base speed tracking
• Enlarging the bases may allow the Rays to break some records. 
• Mat’s AL East 2022 projections

Special Thanks to Mat Germain who can be found on Twitter @Mat_Germain_
BaseballBiz is also on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple & Google podcasts 
You can reach Mark @TheBaseballBiz on Twitter & Brandon @SportsBlitzPod 
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward"

Tommy & Jimmy-  baseball jobs lost, offered & pizza

1:45  - Germain gives us a deep dive into the Tampa Bay Rays farm system & who is coming up

2:50 – MiLBy awards – Rays Winners, Taj Bradley –
 
3:22 Taj Bradley has strong mound presence
 Bradley reminds Mat of Shane Baz
 xFIP explained - (Fielding Independent Pitching)

5:25 – Colby White ascends the Rays farm ladder through 4 levels in 2021. Could make a strong difference with the Rays pitching in next year.

6:04 – Depth of the Farm system reduces dependence on paying top dollar to experienced players.

6:45 – Most teams need a plethora of pitchers. Rays were strong with their pitcher depth compared to other teams. Not overtaxing the arms. 

8:22 – Shane McClanahan – big ask to perform again so quickly in postseason

9:20 – Durham Bulls – MiLB Team of the Year. Mat takes on Baseball America staff on value of the Durham Bulls.

10:40 – Braves, their GM was courageous

11:00 – Arizona Fall League (AFL) – Scorpions – great games but not available to be seen. Why not?“  . . . a 6 team All-Star League”

12:00 - Curtis Mead, very close to being a major league hitter. Will the Rays trade him?

13:00 – Matt Dyer & Rich Hill trades with the Mets.

13:30 – TB Rays, Carlos Garcia – made AFL All-Star game 

14:15 – How to break into the Rays Pen

14:45 – Joey Wendle – will the Rays keep this high quality and versatile player?
 Other options – Keep Taylor Walls & possibly trade Vidal Brujan.
 Joey Wendle brings the work ethic and commitment to the job.
 Kevin Kiermaier, shouldn’t he be awarded thee Golden Glove award this year. Was something slowing him down early last season.

18:00 – CBA status – Collective Bargaining Agreement expires soon. How is this impacting team ownership on their decisions to sign, extend or trade this week. What are the Rays doing to the exterior of the Trop.

18:35 – Rays have taken down the images of the Rays on the outside of Tropicana Field. Dark dirge being played early?  Let’s avoid the 1994 & 1995

20:00 – Truly – “Who’s on First?”
 Where is First Base Coach Ozzie Timmons?
 Third Base Coach Rodney Linaires is managing a Dominican League team that has Pujols as a team player.

22:00 – Rays need a seasoned veteran player leader with the team like Nelson Cruz, Albert Pujols, Rich Hill. 

24:45 – Tampa Bay Rays Free Agents who should the front office bring back? Collin McHugh, Michael Wacha.
 Loss of Charlie Morton cost the Rays money, wins and leadership for young arms.
 Shane McClanahan – “I’m a Rookie”  - sounded like a need for help.

28:30 – Stu’s tight purse strings restricted Erik Neander from building a stronger team

29:50 – Mat’s Favorite GM’s – Alex Anthopoulos & Erik Neander – courage to change the face of the franchise to empower your team.

32:00 – Mark’s Rays team – who he wants back. Nate Eovaldi, Charlie Morton, Hunter Renfroe, d’Arnaud

34:25 – Mike Zunino – Rays rather smartly re-signed Zunino. He is the forgotten man when it comes to catchers across MLB. “Zunino behind the plate  . . he calls a great game” Will the Rays bring up Pinto this year to study under Zunino.

38:30 – Rookie of the Year, Randy Arozarena and Wander Franco are nominees. Franco is the best switch hitter since Chipper Jones.

Thanks to Mat Germain for visiting us on BaseballBiz
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward"
You can reach Mark @TheBaseballBiz on Twitter
BaseballBiz is also on iheartradio, spotify, apple & google podcasts
@TheBaseballBiz on Twitter
Max is @Mat_Germain_ on Twitter.
#RaysUp

• MLB PostSeason games
• 3 teams left the postseason in defeat on game 4 .
• Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago White Sox & Milwaukee Brewers
• Who is left - (Dodgers, Giants - pick 1) Braves, Red Sox, Astros
• Dusty Baker has pulled the Astros from the muck and mire of cheating
• Eric Clapton - Take a look at yourself
• Game 5 - NL West fight for the  final spot - Top Heavy teams
• Brandon and Mark who were their early picks  Astros, Padres, White Sox, Toronto
• Reflect on the 100 games won by the Rays this season
• Kevin Cash challenge of Game 4 but proud of his Rays clawing back
• Weak Pitching - We needed Charlie Morton, Blake Snell and Glasnow
• Popcorn in the dugout and ordering champagne - Bad Karma?
• Who are these postseason Rays
• Media's criticism on Kevin Cash's decision & postseason Analytics
• Wander Franco & Randy Arozarena - a bright future with the Rays
• Keep Cash and don't rely completely on Analytics
• Arizona Fall League
• ALCS Champion? - Alex Cora's thumbprint
• Our Final Favorites for the World Series

Special Thanks to Kevin Cash, Kiermaier, Lowe, Mike Zunino, Wander Franco, Randy, Margot, Meadows, Brett Phillips, Arozarena, Mejia, McHugh, McClanahan, Baz, Archer, Glasnow, Kittredge, Fairbanks, Mazza, Wacha, Yandy Diaz, Yarbrough, Luis Patiño, Ji-man Choi, Joey Wendle, Brujan and every other player who took the field at the Trop.
Special Thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward"
You can also find us @TheBaseballBiz on Twitter

• Kiermaier politely laments
• Rays & Red Sox rock it for 13 innings looking for the advantage to win best 4 of 5
• How deep is your pitching staff
• Did the last inning Ground Rule Double steal the Rays steam
• Mark and Brandon discuss @Mat_Germain_  Rays expert 6 postgame insights and questions to last nights game.
• Drew Rasmussen - what happened?
• How would you build a solid 5 man rotation amongst the 13 pitchers on the Rays postseason roster.
• After bringing 9 pitchers to the mound how do you plan for Game 4 pitching?
• Brandon Lowe - Where are you and why did you bunt?
• Mike Zunino is suffering - should Mejia been brought in to face Pivetta
• Ground Rule Double - should it be modified, should Umps on the field make final call
• Schwarber in runner's lane. Intentional or just dumb at first base? Umps should have called it.
• Accolades to those Rays that brought it to ALDS game 3, Robertson, Arozarena, Kiermaier, Franco & Robertson
• Time to pull our big boy pants up and RaysUp tonight for ALDS Game 4 in Fenway

Giancarlo & Vlad Jr at Little League game?
American League beats National League and wins 8 consecutive game in 8 years
Scherzer faces Ohtani - literally
Coors Field hosts the 2021 All-Star Game
Media Clown Show  with A-Rod & Big Papi
Flipped from FOX to ESPN for Eduardo Perez pre-game
Salute to Hank Aaron to launch the game
Joe Buck can't pronounce Mike Zunino's name in lineup
Arenado receives well deserved praise and applause
Arts in the game, bats by Gregory Siff
Shoe designs that Acuna Jr has showcased in the past
ASG Uniforms - Pajamas, Prison Uniforms, Red Flag, Splendiferous or Horrendous
Who is Mic'ed Up during the game - did you like it?
- Boston, Xander Bogaerts, at the Plate gives his Scherzer analysis via mic to the press box
- Freddie Freeman, Braves and Aaron Judge, Yankees talk at 1st
- Tatis Jr, Padres - talks with Vlad Jr, Blue Jays as he passes Fernando to finish his Home Run trot home
- Salvador Perez, Kansas City fakes ferocity to Marquez after wild pitch toward Perez's head
- Dave Roberts & Kevin Cash take the mic and share their thoughts
- Liam Hendricks, White Sox pitcher, on mic drops some language and shares pitch instructions with Mike Zunino and the world
- Kevin Cash brings his Rays coaching staff to game along with Mike Zunino and Joey Wendle.
- Late Entry, Andrew Kittredge
- Astros skip the trip
- Rob Manfred delivers the MVP to Guerrero Jr.
- Will MLB change the extra innings rules. 
- ASG Celebrity Softball Game - Adult Sandlot game

Thanks to XtakeRuX for the music, ""Rocking Forward"
Follow Mark @TheBaseballBiz on Twitter & Brandon @SportsBlitzPod

• 1:25 MLB Rundown, American and National League
  6:48 San Francisco Giants Ugly Uniforms v Arizona Diamondbacks Record
  8:50 – All-Star Game
  9:33 Origin of All-Star Game 1933 
  10:11 Game Location moves from Atlanta to Denver, Coors Field
  10:50  MLB sued for $100 million by Atlanta
  11:25 – All-Star small payout to players
  13:15 – All-Star Selections and Votes
  14:00  - American league choices – Where is Mike Zunino
  15:35 – Outfielders, Where is Kevin Kiermaier, Mike Trout, 
  16:30 - Aaron Judge & Austin Meadows
  18:25 – DH, Shohei Ohtani
  19:05 – American League Reserve includes Houston Astros players
  20:20 – Blue Jays Showing
  20:50 – First Base is loaded with great choi Jared Walsh, Trey Mancini
  21:34 – Starting & Relief Pitchers, Gerrit Cole, Nate Eovaldi, Lance Lynn,
   Where is Tyler Glasnow, Aroldis Chapman
  23:00 – American League First Timers
  24:45 -  National League All-Star Selections, Apologies to Jesse Winker, Tatis Jr, Acuna Jr, Arenado, Freddie Freeman
  26:23 – National League Reserves, Mookie Betts, Jake Cronenworth, Justin Turner should have been here, 
  28:30 – NL All-Star Starting Ptichers – Where are you Max Scherzer?
  30:07 – NL All-Star Relievers
  30:25 – NL First Timers
  30:55 – Big Snub – Brewers, Freddie Peralta
  33:05 – Home Run Derby  Began in 1960’s with weekly show with Mickey Mantle
  33:50 – The Rules and who is invited including Pete Alonso & Matt Olson
  34:50 – Who pitches to the contestants – Bryce’s Dad?
  36:20 – Home Run bonus time
  36:50  - Past Winners of the Home Run Derby
  38:25 – The color of the balls
  39:29 – All-Star week events include the All-Star draft
• 6.    Tip of the Hat to Tampa Bay Lightning & Champa Bay

Special Thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music Rocking Forward
Brandon Noe @SportsBlitzPod
Mark Corbett @TheBaseballBiz

• Tampa Bay Rays Lead the AL East standings
  
  
• Rays Covid-19 Stadium capacity & the rules
  
  
• Stu Sternberg , inside fight with Rays minority owners
  
  
• Rays win a 2 game Series against the Phillies can you call it a Sweep?
  
  
• Yankees taking a hit from Blue Jays and Alek Manoah
  
  
• A.J. Hinch's Tigers tear at Yankees
  
  
• 2019 Rays meet up as Padres & Brewers party 
  • Brewers: Willy Adames, Avisail Garcia, Daniel Robertson
  • Padres: Emilio Pagan, Jake Cronenworth, Tommy Pham, Blake Snell

Music by Scott Holmes, Claps & Stomps
Brandon @SportsBlitzPod
Mark @TheBaseballBiz
MLB, Baseball, RaysUp

Special Tampa Bay Rays Holiday edition

Mark and Brandon look at gifts the Rays have sent, received and re-gifted

• We welcome back Mike Zunino 
• Looking  forward to RHP Mike Wacha joining us in the 2021 season
• The amazing moves of Erik Neander
• Will the Rays finally open the gift of Wander Franco
• Looking back at Nate Lowe as he leaves for Texas
• A Cardinal Christmas story featuring Matthew Liberatore, Jose Martinez and Randy "Lucky Boots" Arozarena.  Cameo appearance with Tommy Pham
• Give thanks for the gifts of great players, managers and coaches,  Kevin Cash, Chad Mottola,  Kyle Snyder, Ozzie Timmons, Rodney Linaires and Matt Quatraro
• Thank you to all of our listeners and we wish you peace and safety throughout the holidays and next year

Music by XTakeRuX  -  Rocking Forward
Contact Mark @TheBaseballBiz or Brandon @SportsBlitzPod

RaysUp edition of BaseballBiz

Mark an Brandon take a look at 
Who will be on the 2021 Tampa Bay Rays roster 

• Congrats to Marlins new GM, Kim Ng
• Kevin Cash, Manager of the Year, Tampa Bay Rays
• Tampa Bay Rays Roster cooking on the stove
• What deals will be cut by Erik Neander
• Kevin Kiermaier, 
• Blake Snell,
• Charlie Morton,
• Mike Zunino,
• Hunter Renfroe,
• Yoshi Tsutsugo
• Special Thanks to Tricia Whitaker for excerpt of Kevin Cash interview
• Music by XTakeRuX  -  Rocking Forward

RaysUp Let's Celebrate as the Rays move on to the WorldSeries

• Kevin Cash rallies the troops
• Randy Arozarena, Arroz con Pollo and Power Boots
• Rundown of ALCS games
• Dodger Match-ups
• Charlie Morton the essential and effective difference
• Media Report Card
  • Lauren Shehadi
  • ESPN
  • Rays - know my name
  • Get it Right or Go Home
• Does Tampa deserve the Rays - Cheer them on
• TV and Game Schedule

In this brief episode of BaseballBiz we Celebrate the Victorious 

• Tampa Bay Rays as they are now MLB AL East Division Champs.
• It happened in 2008 and 2010 and now a decade later they are back..
• Congratulations to 
• Kevin Cash
• Kyle Snyder
• Chad Mottola all of the coaches and 
• Erik Neander for bringing such great talent to the field.
• And special thanks to those 60 players who have been part of this sensational season in the era of Covid
• Thanks to Scott Holmes for the Stomps and Claps

Trev & Corb say goodbye to Earl Thomas, free safety and one of the founding fathers of the Legion of Boom.  No one has hit us up on Twitter yet, and that doesn't feel great.

Please follow Talkin' Sports with Trev & Corb on Twitter so you can join the discussion, provide feedback or suggest a topic for us to discuss next time.

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