Eno and DVR discuss an unfortunate sequence that led to two Royals players suffering an injury Thursday night, uncertainty regarding the availability of Tyler Glasnow down the stretch, several pitching prospects set to debut this weekend including Rhett Lowder and Caden Dana, and a few other intriguing waiver-wire targets to consider. Rundown 2:44 Vinnie Pasquantino & Lucas Erceg Injured On Same Play 8:36 Tyler Glasnow and Freddie Freeman Updates 15:18 Rhett Lowder Gets the Call From the Reds 20:27 Samuel Aldegheri & Caden Dana Join the Angels 26:30 A Look at Kumar Rocker's Post-Surgery Pitch Mix 29:03 Other Pitchers We're Watching Closely for Potential Stretch Run Opportunities 40:47 Which Team Doesn't Have an Internal Stuff Model? 44:40 Does Ernie Clement Have a Late Breakout Profile? 48:12 Weekend Waiver Preview: Tigers Pitching, José Tena, Miguel Amaya and More Marlins Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Join us on Thursdays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes! Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Producer: Brian Smith Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, Trevor and DVR discuss Oneil Cruz's move to center field and the Pirates' needs in order to take a step forward in 2025, the fast adjustments being made by 'The Jacksons' -- Jackson Merrill, Jackson Chourio, and Jackson Holliday -- that have enabled them to make a significant impact in Year 1.Plus, they discuss swing adjustments being made deeper in counts, the erosion of Corbin Burnes' strikeout rate, and the long-term lack of whiffs from Logan Webb, who continues to generate great ratios despite limited swing-and-miss in his arsenal. Rundown 1:42 Oneil Cruz Moves to Center Field 11:32 Who’s Next at Shortstop for the Pirates? 15:52 Jackson Merrill & Jackson Chourio’s Fast Adjustments 28:57 Is It Good to Modulate Your Swing by Count? 44:11 Corbin Burnes’ Second-Half Struggles; Long-Term Decline in K% 53:08 A True Whiff Pitch for Logan Webb? 1:02:58 Name That Dude! Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Trevor on Twitter: @IAmTrevorMay e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris With: Trevor May Producer: Brian Smith Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the 2024 Olympics completed, Eno, Britt and DVR wonder -- if MLB players are participating in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, who among current stars will be on the roster? Plus, they discuss the unexpected sweat for the NL West and possibility of four teams from the division finding their way into the playoffs.  Rundown 1:08 The "Locks" for Team USA in 2028 (Assuming MLB Players Are Included) 3:39 ZiPS Projections for *2028* (Thanks, Dan Szymborski!) 7:05 Pitching Changes A Lot Over Four Years 15:00 Overprojected Unproven Players? 20:12 How Do We Think Aaron Judge Will Age? 23:20 Looking Back at 2020 Suggest We Might Underrate Current Late-20s Players 29:55 The Race for the NL West Looks Like a Party 41:53 Four Teams From This Division Could Reach the Playoffs 52:48 Will We See Another August Waiver Roster Dump? Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_Ghiroli e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Join us Thursday at 1p ET/10a PT for our weekly live episode with Trevor May! Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosts: Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris & Britt Ghiroli Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss a busy weekend of news including further examination of Ronald Acuña Jr.'s surgically-repaired knee, shoulder fatigue for Kevin Gausman, Zack Wheeler's extension with the Phillies, Matt Chapman's three-year deal with the Giants, a pair of big March movers in recent drafts, and the increasingly complicated playing time situations in Baltimore and Cincinnati.  Rundown 1:31 More Knee Trouble for Ronald Acuña Jr.? 7:36 Chris Sale's Rapidly-Rising ADP 11:00 Kevin Gausman Slowed by Shoulder Fatigue 12:57 Zack Wheeler Signs Three-Year Extension w/Phillies 16:07 Matt Chapman Goes to the Giants 23:43 Fallout & Secondary Benefits to Chapman's Arrival in San Francisco 30:57 Wyatt Langford is Flying Up Draft Boards 37:05 Colt Keith v. Jordan Westburg? 38:44 Building a Bench: Orioles Edition 44:45 Jordan Hicks v. A.J. Puk v. Reynaldo López 51:04 Building a Bench: Reds Edition 58:57 How Much Do We Pay Attention to First- and Second-Half Splits? Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our new livestream episodes w/Trevor May! https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, Trevor and DVR discuss Statcast's new Bat Tracking technology and the potential benefits of having that information as it becomes publicly available in 2024. Plus, they discuss Blake Snell as a free agent still available in March in a league desperate for quality starting pitchers, the importance of Spencer Strider's developing curveball, the challenges of getting ready for an earlier Opening Day, and take a deep dive into the cutter. Rundown 1:10 Trevor's Takeaways From Oakland's Fans Fest 7:38 Coming Soon! Statcast's Bat Tracking Leaderboards 15:20 Blake Snell's Big-Miss Dominance 21:56 League-Wide Similarities in Contract Offers & Player Valuations 29:37 The Clear Need for Snell in San Francisco 32:28 The Importance of Spencer Strider's Developing Curveball 38:26 Challenges for the Dodgers and Padres Ramping Up for Early Opening Day in Korea 42:48 Cutter Deep Dive 54:09 Live Q&A: Camilo Doval's Unusual Cutter Movement, Mo's Cutter v. Maddux's Two-Seamer to Lefties, Evaluating Pitchers Coming Back from Tommy John surgery Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow Trevor on Twitter: @IamTrevorMay Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes! Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR continue their Team Preview series with the Blue Jays, Rays, and Orioles, three teams in the AL East with very little separation in projected wins. All three clubs are loaded with intriguing players, and plenty of mid-round and late-round targets to consider. Can you trust Yusei Kikuchi's walk rate improvement from last season? Will Taj Bradley put the pieces together for a complete season in Tampa Bay? Is Jordan Westburg primed for a breakout despite a late ADP? Rundown 5:28 2024 Toronto Blue Jays Preview 13:39 An Undervalued Bat Behind the Stars? 25:06 The 'New' Yusei Kikuchi 33:14 2024 Tampa Bay Rays Preview 40:43 Josh Lowe's K% Improvements 50:54 Unlocking a Taj Bradley Breakout 55:07 2024 Baltimore Orioles Preview 1:04:38 Should We Be More Excited About Jackson Holliday in 2024? 1:10:54 Buying the Grayson Rodriguez Adjustments Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our new livestream episodes w/Trevor May! https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR continue their Team Preview series with the Yankees, Royals and White Sox. With the addition of Juan Soto to the lineup, will the Yankees make good on their projection and win the AL East in 2024? Can Clarke Schmidt find a solution against left-handed hitters? Are we buying another improvement in the Royals' young group of hitters? Is there any help coming through the system to bolster the team's rotation? And just how bad is the rebuild going to be in Year 1 for the White Sox? Rundown 1:17 2024 New York Yankees Preview 9:32 Will Alex Verdugo Tap Into More Power at Yankee Stadium? 19:06 Clarke Schmidt's Struggles Against Lefties 26:32 2024 Kansas City Royals Preview 30:37 Maikel Garcia's Sleeper Case 42:03 2024 Chicago White Sox Preview 50:16 Are Potential Surprises Coming From This Group of Pitchers? Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our new livestream episodes w/Trevor May on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss Cody Bellinger's return to the Cubs on a short contract with multiple opt-outs, the start of TGFBI, a busy first weekend of spring action that featured a lot of new pitches, and a lot of information about velocity and iVB changes. Plus, they dig into the importance of working backwards when building out draft-day roster construction plans.  Rundown 5:32 Cody Bellinger Re-Signs with the Cubs 17:37 A Live First-Round Pick from Eno’s TGFBI Draft 22:56 Two (!) New Pitches for Hunter Greene 28:02 Cole Ragans’ Improved Fastball Ride in Spring Debut 34:02 Carlos Rodón Has a New Cutter 39:55 Quick Thoughts on Strikeout Park Factors 46:03 Draft Strategy: Working Backwards, or At Least From the Middle 57:15 Looking for Late Power, Without Sacrificing Average Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/r9u5jBvV Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our new livestream episodes w/Trevor May! Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, Trevor and DVR discuss an unusual day at Phillies camp, superstitious teammates, and what to look for in spring training games. Plus, they continue the deep dive pitching series with a detailed look at two-seam fastballs/sinkers, before discussing a few challenges organizations have getting coaching staffs on the same page in player development. Rundown 1:38 A Rough Day in Phillies Camp 7:26 What to Look For in Spring Training Games 18:45 Reliever Usage in Closer Battles 26:28 'Two-Seamer' v. 'Sinker' 32:33 Good Two-Seamers & Newer Location Strategies 37:39 An Ineffective Sinker 48:35 Two-Seam Fastballs in Stuff+ 50:37 Organizational Philosophy v. Individual Approaches 1:06:15 Viewer Q&A Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow Trevor on Twitter: @IamTrevorMay Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes! Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/r9u5jBvV Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After discussing a few spring news items, Eno and DVR return to their Team Preview series to break down the Twins, Guardians, and Tigers. Will the Twins' position player core take a leap forward with a full season of Royce Lewis at third base? Is the Twins' pitching depth and bullpen good enough to withstand the loss of Sonny Gray from the rotation? How much will the Guardians lean on Kyle Manzardo and Chase DeLauter this season in a bid to improve their run production, and can the Guardians' young starters to take another step forward in 2024? As the Tigers' rebuild continues, are they primed to close the gap and contend for a division title? Rundown 0:59 Kodai Senga: Will Begin Season on IL 4:46 Mitch Keller: Signs Extension with Pirates 7:39 Tim Anderson: Finds New Home in Miami 16:11 2024 Minnesota Twins Preview 27:33 Can Joe Ryan Find a Quality Secondary Offering? 40:35 2024 Cleveland Guardians Preview 47:34 Assessing the Draft-Day Value in the Guardians' Top-Four Starters 55:28 2024 Detroit Tigers Preview 1:06:55 Buying Reese Olson's Improved Changeup? Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/r9u5jBvV Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels and join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our new livestream episodes w/Trevor May! Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR return to their Team Preview series to break down the Cardinals, Cubs, and Brewers. Will the Cards' loaded lineup be able to outhit their shaky starting pitching? Are the Cubs preparing to lean on a group of young players to fill a few remaining gaps in their lineup? How will the Brewers' pitching fare following the Corbin Burnes trade and with Brandon Woodruff likely unavailable in 2024? Rundown 1:17 2024 St. Louis Cardinals Preview 7:11 Buying the Breakout From Jordan Walker? 20:30 The Pitching Plan: Is This Going to Work? 30:38 2024 Chicago Cubs Preview 34:20 Will Jameson Taillon Build on Second-Half Success? 43:57 Youth Movement Coming in Center Field and at Third Base? 50:27 2024 Milwaukee Brewers Preview 54:49 Which Young Players Will Emerge for Large Supporting Roles? 1:03:27 The Pitching Staff Sans Burnes & Woodruff Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/B3Ymqwrd Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels and join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our new livestream episodes w/Trevor May! Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss a few takeaways from Eno's squad in the Bay Area Rotisserie Fantasy League before digging into the latest round of news as spring training is in full swing. With a lot of positive injury news around recently hampered players, how should you adjust your plans as ADP begins to reflect improved spring health? Rundown 0:50 Eno's Case for Elly De La Cruz 8:10 Recapping Eno's BARF League Build (From Sober Values to YOLO) 13:10 Josh Jung's Calf Strain 15:53 Xander Bogaerts Moves to Second Base 20:49 Whit Merrifield to the Phillies 24:14 Carlos Rodón's Velocity is Back This Spring 36:00 Byron Buxton's Knee is Gone! 41:17 A Quick Nick Lodolo Update 49:23 Are the Rays Backloading Shane Baz's 2024 Innings? 55:41 Starling Marte & Riley Greene Follow-Ups 56:55 A.J. Puk as a Starter & Occasional Six-Man Rotations in Miami? 1:08:15 Applying Roto Advice to H2H Points Leagues 1:13:06 What Might a Team See in Luke Weaver? 1:19:57 Live Episodes in New York at Other Half Brewing! Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our new livestream episodes! (https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels) Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/B3Ymqwrd Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Elly De La Cruz Thumbnail Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trevor May makes his Rates & Barrels hosting debut, joining Eno and DVR to discuss missteps with the new MLB uniforms, wearing other people's pants, unusual self-designed training regiments, and the difficultly of processing news when the flood of information happens at the outset of spring training. Plus, Eno & Trevor do a deep dive into four-seam fastballs, before a round of listener Q&A. Rundown 0:56 Getting to Know Trevor 10:45 Making Sense of Spring Training News Updates 19:48 Four-Seam Fastball Deep Dive 51:54 Listener Q&A Follow Trevor on Twitter: @IamTrevorMay Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our new livestream episodes! (https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels) Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/B3Ymqwrd Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss a soon-to-debut prospect pitching at his *fourth* level of 2024 with the arrival of Zebby Matthews on Tuesday, the demotion of Camilo Doval to Triple-A, and a potential suspension for Jarren Duran after he directed a homophobic slur toward a fan over the weekend. Plus, they take a look at the biggest underperformers among hitters relative to their initial 2024 projections. Is it finally time to lower expectations for the likes of Corbin Carroll, Matt Olson, and Gleyber Torres? Finally, they look at where the money went in weekly waiver-wire leagues and discuss a few of their own roster decisions coming out of the weekend.  Rundown 5:53 Who is Zebby Matthews? 11:54 Camilo Doval Optioned to Triple-A 20:08 Jarren Duran Facing Discipline for Homophobic Slur 23:36 Biggest Underperforming Hitters of 2024 (So Far) 33:15 Finally Tempering Enthusiasm Around Gleyber Torres? 38:44 Where the Money Went: Joe Musgrove Nearing Return from IL 53:26 What Moves Did We Make This Weekend? Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Join us on Thursdays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes! Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss a flurry of news updates from Orioles camp before continuing their Team Preview series, looking at the Dodgers, Reds and Pirates. Is it possible that the Dodgers are slightly underprojected even as a 101-win team in PECOTA? Will the Reds' young pitching stay healthy and deliver enough for them to contend for the NL Central? Can the Pirates turn the corner sooner than expected with Oneil Cruz's return to health and a nice group of young pitchers knocking on the door? Rundown 1:15 Kyle Bradish's UCL Sprain 6:00 Other Injury Updates From Orioles Camp 9:44 2024 Los Angeles Dodgers Preview 14:09 Build a Bench! Finding the Platoons in LA 27:28 2024 Cincinnati Reds Preview 34:51 Breakout Potential for Elly & Noelvi Marte Despite Wide-Range of PT 49:50 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates Preview 55:09 How Aggressively Will the Pirates Promote Their Pitching Prospects? Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/B3Ymqwrd Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Join us on Fridays starting 2/16 at 1p ET/10a PT for our new livestream episode w/Trevor May! Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR share some show-related news and discuss Jorge Soler to the Giants, a recent swap between the Twins and Marlins, catcher additions for the Brewers and Pirates, and a few spring items to watch for the Rays. Plus, they examine a few risers and fallers among pitchers since the start of draft season in the fall.  Rundown 0:49 Show Announcements! Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels 5:20 Jorge Soler Signs a Three-Year Deal with the Giants 11:37 Nick Gordon to the Marlins for Steven Okert 17:29 Spencer Turnbull Joins the Phillies 23:40 Gary Sánchez to the Brewers 29:26 Yasmani Grandal to the Pirates 33:39 Things We Recently Learned About the Rays 42:54 Spring Injury Updates: Edwin Díaz, Shohei Ohtani, Garrett Crochet 46:11 ADP Risers & Fallers (Pitchers) Since the Start of Draft Season Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Jorge Soler Thumbnail Photo by Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR continue their Team Preview series, looking at the three teams projected to finish in the middle three spots in the NL West -- the Diamondbacks, Padres, and Giants. Will Arizona's offseason upgrades be enough for them to return to the playoffs in 2024? Can the Padres rebound after sending Juan Soto to the Yankees in a blockbuster trade in December? Is there a reasonable path forward for the Giants with their current core? Rundown 1:11 2024 Arizona Diamondbacks Preview 11:25 Key Rotation Questions & Depth Concerns 21:24 2024 San Diego Padres Preview 28:23 Fernando Tatis Jr.'s Pulled Barrel Rate Shift From 2021 to 2023 48:12 2024 San Francisco Giants Preview 56:29 Marco Luciano's Breakout Potential & Contact Quality Comps Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Corbin Carroll Thumbnail Photo by Christian Petersen-Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is an infinite number of ways to play fantasy baseball, so what factors should you consider when joining or creating a league?  Eno and DVR discuss some of the basic elements of building or finding a league to play in, as well as a few 2024-specific strategy considerations to keep in mind in the face of MLB's 2023 rule changes and the resulting impact on the run environment.  Rundown 1:40 How Do You Want to Play? - and - Key Questions to Consider 14:17 Where Do You Want to Play? - and - League Formats/Entry Fee Options 23:05 Yes, Free Leagues Still Exist! 39:03 Why We Like the FanGraphs Auction Calculator (https://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy-tools/auction-calculator) 46:43 What Are You Adjusting for 2024? Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR continue their Team Preview series, looking at a few key questions for all 30 clubs as spring training approaches. Part 2 of the series wraps up the AL West with the Astros and Mariners, before examining the ongoing struggles of the Rockies at the bottom of the NL West.  Rundown 0:54 Jose Altuve Signs a Five-Year, $125M Extension w/Astros 5:05 2024 Houston Astros Preview 18:25 Paths to a Hunter Brown Breakout 25:56 2024 Seattle Mariners Preview 33:06 Bryan Woo's Need for a New Approach Against Lefties 43:27 2024 Colorado Rockies Preview 55:38 Will Brenton Doyle's Glove Carry Him to Everyday Playing Time? Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Yordan Alvarez Thumbnail Photo by Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR begin their Team Preview series, looking at a few key questions for all 30 clubs as spring training approaches. The series begins with three teams from the AL West, including the defending World Series Champion Texas Rangers, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Oakland A's.  Rundown 4:47 2024 Texas Rangers Preview 18:27 Will Josh Jung Take Another Step Forward? 24:37 2024 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Preview 35:56 Can Chase Silseth Find a Solution For Left-Handed Hitters? 43:52 2024 Oakland A's Preview 50:04 Potential Power Growth for Esteury Ruiz? Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Marcus Semien Thumbnail Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR catch up on several moves -- big and small -- including the trade of Corbin Burnes to Baltimore for DL Hall and Joey Ortiz, Jorge Polanco to the Mariners, two veteran additions to the A's rotation, and much more.  Rundown 1:10 Corbin Burnes Traded to the Orioles 8:15 Comps for Joey Ortiz 14:47 Jorge Polanco Traded to the Mariners 20:45 Carlos Santana Joins the Twins 23:55 Justin Turner Signs with the Blue Jays 28:25 Gregory Santos Traded to the Mariners 32:40 Dominic Fletcher Acquired by the White Sox 37:54 A's Add Alex Wood and Ross Stripling 42:55 Shohei Ohtani's Bid for Opening Day 44:53 News & Notes (Carlos Correa, Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, and more!) Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR close out Pitcher Week with their 2024 Relief Pitcher Preview!  For this series, players are grouped by recent Average Draft Position (ADP) data from the National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC). Rundown 2:27 ADP Tier 1 (Devin Williams, Edwin Dîaz, Josh Hader, Emmanuel Clase, Jhoan Duran) 15:02 ADP Tier 2 (Camilo Doval, Raisel Iglesias, David Bednar, Jordan Romano, Alexis Dîaz) 27:53 ADP Tier 3a (Paul Sewald, Pete Fairbanks, Andrés Muñoz, Ryan Helsley, Tanner Scott) 36:30 ADP Tier 3b (Evan Phillips, Craig Kimbrel, Clay Holmes, Kenley Jansen, Adbert Alzolay) 43:53 ADP Tier 4 (José Alvarado, José Leclerc, Alex Lange, Mason Miller, Carlos Estévez, Kyle Finnegan, Robert Suarez) 58:33 Beyond Pick 250: Targets For Saves & Saves + Holds Leagues Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR continue Pitcher Week with the third and final installment of their 2024 Starting Pitcher Preview! This episode focuses on the starting pitchers typically drafted outside the Top 200 overall. For this series, players are grouped by recent Average Draft Position (ADP) data from the National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC). Rundown 2:36 ADP Tier 9 (Aaron Civale, Brandon Pfaadt, Shöta Imanaga, Lucas Giolito, Yu Darvish, Brayan Bello, Charlie Morton, Yusei Kikuchi, Nick Lodolo, Reid Detmers) 29:31 ADP Tier 10a (Kenta Maeda, Cristopher Sánchez, Andrew Abbott, Nestor Cortes, Taj Bradley, Marcus Stroman, John Means) 53:13 ADP Tier 10b (Kyle Harrison, Kutter Crawford, Seth Lugo, Edward Cabrera, Reese Olson, Emmet Sheehan) 1:12:58 ADP Tier 10c (Luis Severino, Michael Wacha, Griffin Canning) 1:23:16 Beyond Pick 300 Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Subscribers to The Athletic can check out Eno's 2024 Starting Pitcher Rankings ($): https://theathletic.com/5224402/ Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR continue Pitcher Week with the second installment of their 2024 Starting Pitcher Preview! This episode focuses on the starting pitchers frequently in the Pick 100-200 overall range in recent drafts.  For this series, players are grouped by recent Average Draft Position (ADP) data from the National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC). Rundown 1:18 ADP Tier 5 (Dylan Cease, Joe Musgrove, Walker Buehler, Tanner Bibee, Sonny Gray & Justin Verlander) 26:15 ADP Tier 6 (Chris Bassitt, Hunter Greene, Michael King, Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Chris Sale & Bailey Ober) 46:23 ADP Tier 7 (Carlos Rodón, Gavin Williams, Shane Bieber, Mitch Keller, José Berrîos & Nick Pivetta) 1:10:07 ADP Tier 8 (Cristian Javier, Bryce Miller, Eduardo Rodriguez, Hunter Brown, Shane Baz, Bryan Woo, Nathan Eovaldi, Ryan Pepiot, Braxton Garrett) Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Subscribers to The Athletic can check out Eno's 2024 Starting Pitcher Rankings ($): https://theathletic.com/5224402/ Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss the pros (and a few potential cons) of playing in keeper leagues and how long-term formats can make you a better redraft league player. Plus, they consider the ceiling and 2025 redraft ADP of Jackson Chourio, the recent struggles of David Bednar, a big move up for the White Sox's system in Baseball America's midseason rankings update, and a few weekend waiver-wire targets. Rundown 1:34 Biases That Can Develop From Keeper/Dynasty Leagues 7:00 How Keeper Leagues Make You a Better Redraft Player 16:29 Jackson Chourio's Ceiling & 2025 Redraft ADP Outlook 29:36 Concern About Lars Nootbaar's Playing Time? 35:58 What Has Happened to David Bednar? 39:30 Maybe the White Sox's Future Isn't Awful? 45:02 The Angels' Long-Term Outlook 50:13 Weekend Waiver Preview (Hitters) 1:01:15: Tyler Mahle, Spencer Arrighetti & DJ Herz Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Join us on Thursdays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes! Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Producer: Brian Smith Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR start off Pitcher Week with the first installment of their 2024 Starting Pitcher Preview! This episode focuses on the starting pitchers frequently being drafted within the first 100 picks of winter drafts.  For this series, players are grouped by recent Average Draft Position (ADP) data from the National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC). Rundown 2:44 ADP Tier 1 (Spencer Strider, Gerrit Cole, Corbin Burnes, Zack Wheeler, Kevin Gausman & Luis Castillo) 22:05 ADP Tier 2 (Pablo López, Zac Gallen, George Kirby, Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Aaron Nola, Tarik Skubal) 39:39 ADP Tier 3 (Freddy Peralta, Framber Valdez, Max Fried, Logan Webb, Blake Snell, Kodai Senga, Grayson Rodriguez, Logan Gilbert) 1:04:31 ADP Tier 4 (Eury Pérez, Bobby Miller, Jesús Luzardo, Kyle Bradish, Zach Eflin, Joe Ryan, Cole Ragans, Justin Steele) Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Subscribers to The Athletic can check out Eno's 2024 Starting Pitcher Rankings ($): https://theathletic.com/5224402/ Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR continue their 2024 Position Preview Series with the third and final installment of their outfield preview. This group of players is comprised mostly of late-round considerations for mixed leagues, and those that could make an impact in draft-and-hold and mono leagues (AL/NL-only).  For this series, players are grouped by recent Average Draft Position (ADP) data from the National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC). Rundown 0:53 ADP Tier 9 Continued (Parker Meadows, Sal Frelick, Giancarlo Stanton, Will Benson, Alex Verdugo, Willi Castro, Jake Fraley, Jeff McNeil, Brent Rooker) 20:48 ADP Tier 10a (Matt Wallner, Luke Raley Jr., Jose Siri, Tommy Pham, Austin Hays, Johan Rojas, Pete Crow-Armstrong) 45:42 ADP Tier 10b (Brandon Marsh, Alek Thomas, Mickey Moniak, Henry Davis, Jake McCarthy, Hunter Renfroe) 58:12 ADP Tier 10c (Ceddanne Rafaela, Mitch Haniger, Harrison Bader, Andrew Benintendi, Garrett Mitchell) 1:10:48 Outfielders Beyond Pick 400 (Jesús Sánchez, Colton Cowser, Hunter Goodman, Brenton Doyle, Estevan Florial, Edward Olivares, Jonny DeLuca, Dylan Carlson, Joey Loperfido JJ Bleday, Lawrence Butler, Oscar Colás) Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR continue their 2024 Position Preview Series with the second installment of their outfield preview. From the top of the positions, to the players that might only make an impact in draft-and-hold and mono leagues (AL/NL-only), they examine the wide range of talented options all over the draft board. For this series, players are grouped by recent Average Draft Position (ADP) data from the National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC). Before getting to the Outfield Preview content, Eno and DVR discussed a few recent news items including Rhys Hoskins to the Brewers, Josh Hader to the Astros, James Paxton to the Dodgers, and a developing story about a cheating scandal in the NFFC.  Rundown 0:53 Rhys Hoskins to the Brewers 4:30 Josh Hader to the Astros 7:07 Robert Stephenson to the Angels 8:54 James Paxton to the Dodgers 13:08 A Cheating Scandal in the NFFC 18:58 ADP Tier 5 (Cedric Mullins, Teoscar Hernández, Anthony Santander, TJ Friedl, Jorge Soler, Ian Happ) 35:12 ADP Tier 6 (Wyatt Langford, Riley Greene, Chas McCormick, James Outman, Jarren Duran, Masataka Yoshida) 52:15 ADP Tier 7 (Brandon Nimmo, Daulton Varsho, Lars Nootbaar, Steven Kwan, Christopher Morel, Kerry Carpenter) 1:02:59 ADP Tier 8 (Jarred Kelenic, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Tyler O'Neill, Starling Marte, Taylor Ward, Jack Suwinski, Jung-Hoo Lee) 1:23:30 ADP Tier 9 (Nelson Velàzquez, Kris Bryant, Max Kepler, MJ Melendez, Bryan De La Cruz) Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR continue their 2024 Position Preview Series with the first installment of their outfield preview. From the top of the positions, to the players that might only make an impact in draft-and-hold and mono leagues (AL/NL-only), they examine the wide range of talented options all over the draft board. For this series, players are grouped by recent Average Draft Position (ADP) data from the National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC). Rundown 1:19 ADP Tier 1 (Ronald Acuña Jr., Julio Rodríguez, Corbin Carroll, Kyle Tucker, Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, Yordan Alvarez) 24:14 ADP Tier 2 (Luis Robert Jr., Michael Harris II, Adolis García, Randy Arozarena, Nolan Jones, Cody Bellinger) 39:30 ADP Tier 3 (Mike Trout, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Christian Yelich, Josh Lowe, Kyle Schwarber, Bryan Reynolds) 56:03 ADP Tier 4 (Nick Castellanos, Spencer Steer, Lane Thomas, Seiya Suzuki, Jordan Walker, Esteury Ruiz, George Springer, Evan Carter, Jackson Chourio) Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR continue their 2024 Position Preview Series with catchers and UT-only players. From the top of the positions, to the players that might only make an impact in draft-and-hold and mono leagues (AL/NL-only), they examine the wide range of talented options all over the draft board. For this series, players are grouped by recent Average Draft Position (ADP) data from the National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC). Rundown 1:08 UT-Only ADP Tier 1 (Shohei Ohtani, 2024 Edition) 9:42 UT-Only ADP Tier 2 (Marcell Ozuna, J.D. Martinez, Eloy Jiménez & Byron Buxton) 15:51 UT-only ADP Tier 3 (Joey Meneses, Heston Kjerstad, Mark Vientos, Tyler Soderstrom & Jonathan Aranda) 33:48 Catcher ADP Tier 1 (Adley Rutschman, J.T. Realmuto, Will Smith, William Contreras & Yainer Diaz) 49:52 Catcher ADP Tier 2 (Salvador Perez, Cal Raleigh, Sean Murphy, Gabriel Moreno, Francisco Álvarez & Wilson Contreras) 1:00:05 Catcher ADP Tier 3 (Logan O'Hoppe, Bo Naylor, Jonah Heim, Keibert Ruiz, Mitch Garver & Luis Campusano) 1:10:59 Catcher ADP Tier 4 (Tyler Stephenson, Elias Díaz, Shea Langeliers, Ryan Jeffers, Danny Jansen & Alejandro Kirk) 1:16:44 Catcher ADP Tier 5 (Austin Wells to Freddy Fermin, and Beyond) Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR continue their 2024 Position Preview Series at first base. From the top of the position, to the players that might only make an impact in draft-and-hold and mono leagues (AL/NL-only), they examine the wide range of talented options all over the draft board. For this series, players are grouped by recent Average Draft Position (ADP) data from the National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC). Rundown 1:08 ADP Tier 1 (Freddie Freeman, Matt Olson, Bryce Harper, Pete Alonso, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.) 20:46 ADP Tier 2 (Christian Walker, Paul Goldschmidt, Triston Casas) 32:53 ADP Tier 3 (Spencer Torkelson, Yandy Díaz, Josh Naylor, Christian Encarnacion-Strand) 50:38 ADP Tier 4 (Vinnie Pasquantino, Rhys Hoskins, Nathaniel Lowe) 55:30 ADP Tier 5 (Ryan Mountcastle, Andrew Vaughn, Justin Turner, Anthony Rizzo, José Abreu, Josh Bell) 1:03:09 ADP Tier 6 (Wilmer Flores to Joey Votto) Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR continue their 2024 Position Preview Series at third base. From the top of the position, to the players that might only make an impact in draft-and-hold and mono leagues (AL/NL-only), they examine the wide range of talented options all over the draft board. For this series, players are grouped by recent Average Draft Position (ADP) data from the National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC). Rundown 0:51 ADP Tier 1 (José Ramírez, Austin Riley, Rafael Devers, Gunnar Henderson) 17:43 ADP Tier 2 (Royce Lewis, Manny Machado, Alex Bregman, Josh Jung, Nolan Arenado) 39:45 ADP Tier 3 (Jake Burger, Noelvi Marte, Alec Bohm, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Max Muncy, Isaac Paredes) 51:14 ADP Tier 4 (Jeimer Candelario, Junior Caminero, Maikel Garcia, Ryan McMahon, Eugenio Suárez) 1:05:21 ADP Tier 5 (Matt Chapman, Tyler Black, Michael Busch, Colt Keith, Brett Baty, Anthony Rendon, J.D. Davis, Yoán Moncada, Curtis Mead, Justyn-Henry Malloy, Jordan Diaz, Jared Triolo, Orelvis Martinez, Damiano Palmegiano) Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR continue their 2024 Position Preview Series at second base. From the top of the position, to the players that might only make an impact in draft-and-hold and mono leagues (AL/NL-only), they examine the wide range of talented options all over the draft board. For this series, players are grouped by recent Average Draft Position (ADP) data from the National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC). Rundown 1:13 ADP Tier 1 (Mookie Betts, Ozzie Albies, Marcus Semien) 17:54 ADP Tier 2 (Jose Altuve, Ha-Seong Kim & Gleyber Torres) 30:51 ADP Tier 3 (Bryson Stott, Andrés Giménez, Ketel Marte, Zack Gelof, Thairo Estrada, Luis Arraez) 49:09 ADP Tier 4 (Nolan Gorman, Jonathan India, Edouard Julien, Brandon Drury, Brandon Lowe, Whit Merrifield, Gavin Lux, Jorge Polanco, Jeff McNeil, Brendan Donovan) 1:10:42 ADP Tier 5 (Jordan Westburg, Brice Turang, Brendan Rodgers, Michael Massey, Luis Urías, Davis Schneider, Mauricio Dubón, Luis García, Miguel Vargas, Josh Rojas) Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Subscribe to The Athletic for $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR begin their 2024 Position Preview Series at shortstop. From the top of the position, to the players that might only make an impact in draft-and-hold and mono leagues (AL/NL-only), they examine the wide range of talented options all over the draft board. For this series, players are grouped by recent Average Draft Position (ADP) data from the National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC). Rundown 2:48 ADP Tier 1 (Bobby Witt Jr., Trea Turner, Corey Seager, Elly De La Cruz, Francisco Lindor) 24:40 ADP Tier 2 (Bo Bichette, CJ Abrams, Nico Hoerner, Matt McLain, Oneil Cruz) 46:11 ADP Tier 3 (Xander Bogaerts, Dansby Swanson, Anthony Volpe) 54:22 ADP Tier 4 (Tommy Edman, Trevor Story, Willy Adames, Ezequiel Tovar) 59:46 ADP Tier 5 (Jackson Holliday, Jeremy Peña, Vaughn Grissom, Carlos Correa, J.P. Crawford, Zach Neto) 1:14:37 ADP Tier 6 (Amed Rosario, Jordan Lawlar, Orlando Arcia, José Caballero, Javier Báez, Geraldo Perdomo, Masyn Winn, Tim Anderson, Colson Montgomery, Jackson Merrill & Brayan Rocchio) Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Subscribe to The Athletic for $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss Shōta Imanaga's move to the Cubs and expectations for him in Year 1 against MLB hitters. Plus, they return to the draft room for the first time in 2024 and discuss choosing a 'weakness' in your roster foundation, early-round players they're skeptical of at their current prices, and unique considerations when playing in a draft-and-hold league (no in-season pickups). Rundown 1:42 Shōta Imanaga to Cubs; 2024 Expectations 11:10 Choosing Your Foundational Weakness 22:13 Nolan Jones' Surprising 20-20 Campaign, Top-50 Status for 2024? 28:09 DVR Is Flip-Flopping About CJ Abrams 31:49 Choosing an Elite Closer over an Early Speedster? 35:51 Concern About Gerrit Cole's Small Skills Loss in 2023? 43:30 Looking Back at Past Earn Values; Cooling on Aaron Nola? 49:42 Trusting the Vlad Jr. Steamer Projection? 52:55 Mike Trout's Difficult Plate Appearance Projections Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Blake Snell's return to Cy Snell levels since coming back from the injured list, DVR, Eno and Trevor discuss how teams should game plan against him during the final two months of the season. Plus, they examine some of the biggest surprises among position players in 2024, and the recent uptick in sinker usage around the league. Plus, they discuss the White Sox's decision to part ways with manager Pedro Grifol, the possibility of MLB players in the 2028 Olympics, and more. Rundown 1:15 Pedro Grifol Fired as White Sox Manager; Evaluating Managers on Bad Teams 7:37 Typical Player-Manager Interactions 15:00 How Will MLB Approach Baseball in the 2028 Olympics? 25:02 The Game Plan: How Do You Prepare to Face Blake Snell 42:38 Pleasant Surprises of 2024: Brenton Doyle 50:57 Tyler Fitzgerald's 8.0 fWAR Pace 54:37 Brent Rooker's Step Forward From 2023 1:01:03 What Has Led to the Uptick in Sinker Usage This Season? 1:06:20 Notable In-Season Bat Speed Increases Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Trevor on Twitter: @IamTrevorMay Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris With: Trevor May Producer: Brian Smith Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss a trade between the Mariners and Giants that sent Robbie Ray to San Francisco with Mitch Haniger returning to Seattle with Anthony DeSclafani. Plus, Teoscar Hernández joins the loaded Dodgers' lineup, the Rays make a pair of small trades, and the Mets sign a pair of veteran free agents.  Rundown 2:12 Robbie Ray to the Giants; Mitch Haniger & Anthony DeSclafani to Mariners 11:05 Teoscar Hernández to the Dodgers 18:38 Luke Raley Also Added to the M's Outfield Mix 26:35 José Caballeros with the Rays 33:20 Andrew Kittredge to the Cardinals for Richie Palacios 39:22 Sean Manaea Signs with the Mets 44:08 Harrison Bader Also Signs with the Mets 52:04 Other News & Notes Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DVR is joined by Todd Zola of Mastersball & RotoWire to discuss the flurry of activity that took place over the past two weeks including Yoshinobu Yamamoto's decision to sign with the Dodgers, the trade that sent Chris Sale to Atlanta, Vaughn Grissom's outlook in Boston, Lucas Giolito's rebound potential in Boston, and Frankie Montas' fresh start in Cincinnati.  Rundown 1:52 Yoshinobu Yamamoto the Dodgers 11:44 Chris Sale to the Braves 17:13 Assessing Atlanta's No. 5 Starter Job Battle 20:33 Vaughn Grissom's Outlook with the Red Sox 31:53 Would You Rather: Late MI v. Grissom Edition 38:45 Lucas Giolito's Rebound Chances in Boston 43:14 Frankie Montas to the Reds 48:10 Yuki Matsui Joins the Crowded Padres Bullpen 52:08 Another Look at the Four New Padres SP Candidates 1:01:37 Mitch Garver to the Mariners; Clear Path to Regular DH Duty? Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Todd on Twitter: @ToddZola e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Subscribe to The Athletic for just $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss Eno's annual piece looking at the best pitches of 2023 before cleaning out their rundown refrigerator for the end of the year. With new additions to the Tigers' rotation and a clean bill of healthy for Casey Mize, which starters in Detroit are they targeting this draft season? Plus, can the Rangers weather a lengthy absence from Max Scherzer with their current group of pitchers? Will Brett Baty step up and take a the bulk of the playing time at third base following Ronny Mauricio's ACL injury, and what should we expect from Henry Davis at the plate in 2024? Rundown 1:00 Best Pitches of 2023 ($) https://theathletic.com/5146544 3:32 Casey Mize's Clean Bill of Health 7:36 Tarik Skubal's Impressive Projection and Early ADP 11:32 Kenta Maeda & Jack Flaherty Join Reese Olson, Sawyer Gipson-Long, and Matt Manning in the Rotation Picture Behind Skubal 22:29 Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Re-Ups with D-backs 28:17 Max Scherzer Undergoes Back Surgery 39:17 Ronny Mauricio Suffers a Torn ACL; Brett Baty time? 42:51 Endy Rodríguez Out for 2024; Henry Davis Back to Catcher? 49:15 The Pirates Make Several Additions 57:49 FOMO on Oneil Cruz in 2024? 1:02:54 Nick Senzel Gets a New Start in Washington Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow The Show on Twitter: @RatesAndBarrels e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Give the gift of The Athletic this Holiday Season! One-year gift subscriptions are just $19.99 at theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss the four-player trade that sent Tyler Glasnow to the Dodgers, the subsequent four-year extension that Glasnow signed after the deal, expectations for Jung Hoo Lee in San Francisco, the surprising addition of Jeimer Candelario to the Reds' infield, and a few other recent moves including the D-backs' addition of Eduardo Rodríguez.  Rundown 1:04 Tyler Glasnow to the Dodgers 7:53 Buying Ryan Pepiot's 2023 Skills Growth? 12:34 Rays' Rotation: Would You Rather? 17:10 Waiting on Walker Buehler This Draft Season? 21:47 Jung Hoo Lee's Outlook with Giants 29:43 Eduardo Rodríguez: Lands with Arizona 35:18 Jeimer Candelario to the Reds?! 44:57 Elly De La Cruz's Second-Round ADP, Are You In? 52:19 Weighing Early Pitchers v. Bats 55:47 Seth Lugo & Michael Wacha to the Royals Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow The Show on Twitter: @RatesAndBarrels e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Give the gift of The Athletic this Holiday Season! One-year gift subscriptions are just $19.99 at theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is part two of a two-show series called “Working in Baseball”. At this year’s Winter Meetings in Nashville, we had an opportunity to discuss jobs in baseball with several people in different positions around the game. Whether you’re a long-time fan interested in knowing more about the inner workings of the sport, or someone who hopes to build a career in baseball, we think you’ll enjoy these conversations.  On this episode, Eno sits down with Driveline Baseball founder Kyle Boddy, and Lance Brozdowski of Marquee Sports Network. Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow The Show on Twitter: @RatesAndBarrels e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Give the gift of The Athletic this Holiday Season! One-year gift subscriptions are just $19.99 at theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is part one of a two-show series called “Working in Baseball”. At this year’s Winter Meetings in Nashville, we had an opportunity to discuss jobs in baseball with several people in different positions around the game. Whether you’re a long-time fan interested in knowing more about the inner workings of the sport, or someone who hopes to build a career in baseball, we think you’ll enjoy these conversations.  On this episode, Eno sits down with Phillies general manager Sam Fuld, Rangers assistant general manager Ross Fenstermaker, and Pirates Director of Research & Development Sean Ahmed.  Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow The Show on Twitter: @RatesAndBarrels e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Give the gift of The Athletic this Holiday Season! One-year gift subscriptions are just $19.99 at theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shohei Ohtani is a Dodger! In an emergency podcast special, Eno and DVR discuss Ohtani’s record-shattering 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers. Plus, they take another look at the now finalized trade that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees, and a swap that gives Tyler O’Neill a fresh start and a nice home park for right-handed power in Boston.  Rundown 0:17 Shohei Ohtani is a Dodger with a 10-year, $700M Deal 10:12 Ohtani's 2024 Fantasy Outlook w/Dodgers 15:09 The Juan Soto Deal Goes Final 21:31 Michael King's Health and Effectiveness as Full-Season Starter 25:35 What's Next for Padres? 31:15 Concerns About Blake Snell's In-Start Workloads Are Overblown 39:08 Tyler O'Neill Traded to the Red Sox Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Give the gift of The Athletic this Holiday Season! One-year gift subscriptions are just $19.99 at theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ken Rosenthal joins Eno and DVR to discuss the latest on a potential deal that will send Juan Soto to the Yankees, Yoshinobu Yamamoto's soaring price in free agency, Alex Verdugo's move to the Bronx, and the potential impact of RSN uncertainty on spending this winter.  Rundown 0:22 Is a Juan Soto Deal Between the Yankees and Padres Nearly Done? 3:38 Did the Yankees Acquire Alex Verdugo to Keep Him, or Deal Him? 4:46 Yoshinobu Yamamoto's Soaring Market 7:25 Slow Market Causes, Beyond Ohtani? 11:33 Erick Fedde Lands with the White Sox 14:17 Fallout in Boston From the Alex Verdugo Trade 17:41 Craig Kimbrel to the Orioles 24:17 Other Notes From Nashville 31:02 Jackson Holliday's Shot at the Opening Day Roster Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Ken on Twitter: @Ken_Rosenthal e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, DVR and Britt discuss the reason for the slow start to moves during the Winter Meetings before digging into the surprising five-player swap that sent Jarred Kelenic to Atlanta on Sunday night. Are the Mariners' positioning themselves for a big move as a result of their recent cost-cutting? Plus, Jackson Chourio's record-setting contract for a player with zero MLB service time, a full-time move to second base for Mookie Betts in 2024, and a role change on tap for Mason Miller.  Rundown 1:12 What Is Holding Things Up in Nashville? 9:32 Jarred Kelenic to Atlanta in a Five-Player Swap 19:47 Jackson Chourio's Record-Breaking Deal with the Brewers 25:56 Can the Padres 'Win' the Juan Soto Trade? 33:40 Other Nashville Tidbits Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_Ghiroli Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Give the gift of The Athletic this Holiday Season! One-year gift subscriptions are just $19.99 at theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss Sonny Gray's move to the NL Central to head up the Cardinals' rotation, Kenta Maeda's shift to Detroit, and a swap between the D-backs and Mariners that opens up a few different paths for Jerry DiPoto, while Arizona adds thump at the hot corner with Eugenio Suárez.  Rundown 6:05 Sonny Gray to St. Louis 13:13 Gray v. Hunter Greene in Early Drafts? 17:23 Kenta Maeda to Detroit 23:45 Opportunity for Rotation Competition in Minnesota? 29:47 M's-D-backs Trade 36:29 Choosing From an Oatmealy Corner-Infield Trio 39:30 Strikeout Park Factors 45:33 Why Do We Love Seattle's Pitchers? 48:45 A Question About Fastball Shape 56:50 Shota Imanaga: Making Sense of WBC Stuff+ Numbers; Outlook as SP 1:03:45 Chris Sale, Carlos Rodón and Low IP Projections Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Subscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Holiday Special through 11/27/23! Subscribe to The Athletic at $1/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Links from this Episode Alex Chamberlain's Pitch Leaderboard: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/chamb117/viz/PitchLeaderboardv5/Dashboard Check out this offer from our sponsor: Get 20% OFF with our code RATES at calderalab.com/RATES to unlock your youthful glow with Caldera + Lab! #teamcaldera Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, DVR and Britt consider several options for the 'Best Team in Baseball' title, with just under two months before the playoffs. Plus, they discuss the White Sox as the current titleholder for 'Worst Team in Baseball' honors amidst the team's 21-game losing streak and wonder how things turned for the worse so quickly on the south side of Chicago where the future looked bright just four years ago. Rundown 4:07 Who Is The Best Team in Baseball Right Now? 12:48 The Injury-Based Case for the Dodgers 21:13 Questions About the Yankees' Bullpen 25:24 What About the Royals?! 33:05 Eno Takes a Trip Down Narrative Street 37:16 The White Sox Are the Worst Team in Baseball 48:40 Eno's Case for the Rockies 55:58 Have the A's Escaped This Conversation? Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_Ghiroli e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Join us Thursday at 1p ET/10a PT for our weekly live episode with Trevor May! Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosts: Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris & Britt Ghiroli Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss Aaron Nola's new deal to remain in Philadelphia, Lance Lynn's return to the Cardinals on a one-year pact, the posting of Yoshinobu Yamamoto ahead of his highly-anticipated foray into free agency, and the fallout from a non-tender deadline that led to a flurry of activity plus the potential end of Brandon Woodruff's time in Milwaukee.  Rundown 1:29 Aaron Nola Gets a New Seven-Year Deal to Stay in Philly 9:31 Lance Lynn (Back) to the Cardinals 13:43 Other Potential One-Year Deals for Free Agent Starting Pitchers 18:46 Reynaldo López: Stretching Out as Starter in Atlanta? 30:29 Yoshinobu Yamamoto: $200 Million Deal Coming? 39:22 Brandon Woodruff Non-Tendered by Brewers 43:05 Injured Pitchers to Target? 51:57 Other Movement Around the Non-Tender Deadline Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Subscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Holiday Special through 11/27/23! Subscribe to The Athletic at $1/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Check out this offer from our sponsor: Get 20% OFF with our code RATES at calderalab.com/RATES to unlock your youthful glow with Caldera + Lab! #teamcaldera Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, DVR & The Welsh are LIVE from First Pitch Arizona discussing a few interesting ideas that bubbled up during the conference, how they are trying to build roster foundations in 2024, and potentially undervalued pitchers for the first leg of draft season. Plus, Kyle Manzardo of the Cleveland Guardians joins the show to discuss his approach, changes following his midseason trade to Cleveland, and his combination of contact and power as he's moved through the minors.  Finally, Eno, DVR & Welsh discuss the AFL Stuff+ Report and prospects that have stood out to Welsh in live looks this spring.  Rundown 5:28 Who Is the Best Pitcher in the World, Right Now? 9:32 Changes to Prioritizing Aces in 2024? 13:52 Looking at Total Pitches v. Innings Pitched 18:35 An Eno Board: Above Average Stuff, Below Average ERA in 2023 31:57 Kyle Manzardo Joins the Show! 56:37 Changing a Teams' Plans During the Spring 60:15 Arizona Fall League Stuff+ Report 66:57 Other Standout Prospects This Fall Subscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels Subscribe to The Athletic for just $1.99/mo for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss several disappointing hitters from the 2023 season with an eye toward their rebound potential and long-term outlook.  Rundown 4:17 Carlos Correa: Did Injuries Sap Overall Performance? 13:58 Daulton Varsho: Going Too Far with Pull-Heavy, Flyball Approach? 28:02 MJ Melendez: Is More Power on the Way? 32:47 Eloy Jiménez: Will He Hit Enough Without OF-Eligibility in Some Leagues? 39:04 Trevor Story: Optimism in Underlying Numbers Post-Injury? 47:32 Paul Goldschmidt: It's All Relative 54:01 Cedric Mullins: Is 2021 or 2022 Still in Reach? Subscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels Subscribe to The Athletic for just $1.99/mo for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Check this offer from our sponsor: Caldera Lab: Get 20% OFF with code RATES at calderalab.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices