Clay Holmes Believes It's Win Or Bust For Team USA + Will Carson Benge, Jasson Dominguez Make The Team?

0:00It was one of the exhibition games in Arizona. I remember sitting down the bullpen, watching one of the stars warm up, and look over, and Kirschel sit into my left, and you got briming can to my right, group. Brace fan from the south, and watched a lot of B-Mac, and just one of those moments where it's like, man, this is cool, we're getting to play a baseball game year round these guys. John, we are joined by somebody timely who's on Team USA. He's also a med. He was a Yankee, and he's a friend of this show, Clay Holmes. Absolutely, looking forward to having Clay on the show. I think he was a high school valedictorian, so very smart guy, he's dominating for the WBC, and he's a big part of that med's rotation. Will it be a six-man rotation? We'll ask him about that, and more, when he joins us, looking forward to it. Yeah, I'm looking forward to it as well, John. I'm sure we'll also talk. Carson Benj, trying to make the match. Jason Dominguez, trying to make the Yankees and Terrick School, if he's sticking with Team USA or not, will play hit and error at the end if you stick with us on the show, which we'll show him in John Haven.

1:01[♪ OUTRO MUSIC PLAYING [♪ Post-Sports fans, get ready for an absolute game-changer. I'm out of shine. I'm about to bring a thunderstorm of takes, fire, and flat out truth from the world of sports. This isn't just another show. It's a full throttle, pennilth to the metal explosion of passion, insight, on apologetic opinions that will dominate the sports conversation. We're talking about the most electrifying debates. The boldest predictions and the kind of a-plus analysis that separates contenders from pretenders. If you love sports with attitudes, swagger, championship level intensity, you found it all. This is Shine Time. Catch Shine Time every day, live at 2 PM Eastern, 11 a.m. Pacific on the New York Post Sports or California Post Sports YouTube channels. [♪ OUTRO MUSIC PLAYING [♪ This episode is brought to you by State Farm.

2:02Listening to this podcast, smart move. Being financially savvy, smart move. Another smart move, having State Farm help you create a competitive price when you choose to bundle home and auto. Bundling, just another way to save with a personal price plan. Like the Good Neighbor, State Farm is there. Prices are based on rating plans that vary by state. Covered options are selected by the customer. Availability, amount of discounts and savings and eligibility vary by state. John, we have a lot to talk about this week because we're getting closer to the regular season, the WBC is in full flower. Can I ask you one I was thinking specifically about you in the last few days? We didn't prepare for this. Is like NFL free agency began yesterday and NFL free agency ended yesterday, as we're doing. Did? Did? As one of the... Yeah, as one of the foremost baseball newsbreakers. Do you wish ours was like that? You could do it in the floor. And then you have your rest of your winter off? Yeah, that certainly would cut down on the work. I guess it's more interesting in baseball,

3:03but yeah, that would cut down a little bit on the work. Yeah, from four months to one day. I certainly was... I'm sure it was frenzy though. I saw that Shepter was complaining that his cell was out when he was with the on a show or something like that. So you'd better be alert for those 24 hours, I guess. And, you know... I don't mind it stretched out. It gives us stuff to do all winter. It keeps us, you know, out of trouble on the streets. Anyway, what's major right now, John, is the WBC. It's caught a lot of people's attention. There's obviously three kind of super teams in this, right? The Dominican, Japan, the United States. Obviously, the dream of the people running this, especially in Major League Baseball, is that Japan and the United States have a clash again on March 17th in Miami. You're gonna be there for the semis and the finals. John, how about just an overall thought? Do you like the World Baseball Classic? Well, if people are watching, you can see I'm already in Miami.

4:04So I'm pretty excited. I'm already here warming up for it. I do. I like it better and better each year. I think it's getting bigger. It's getting more interest. If you watch the teams, the excitement, the Dominican is... I mean, that team is off the charts with the spirit. And certainly the upstart teams are into it. Certainly Team Mexico was. And look, I give them credit to Lois last night as we do this five to three. I mean, they have four stars, Major League stars at the top to line up after that. Kind of drops off, right? And they're able to hang with the Team USA and they beat in Team USC the past couple of times. I mean, they've got guys from the Mexican league, guys in the minor leagues, and they compete. I'm finding it fun. I like to see D.D. glorious back playing in the home run. Phillip Almano hadn't played the majors in nearly a decade playing for a team. It's certainly interesting to watch kind of the upstart teams and see what they can do.

5:04I mean, Team Israel had a couple of moments. Some of these teams had moments. Team Nicaragua was a great manager, Dusty Baker. Not so great. Neither is Team Brazil, but hey, they're in there competing. They're in there trying. It is a lot of fun. And our team is off the charts. I mean, you've got a team where Gunner Henderson and Peacrow Armstrong are on the bench. I mean, we shouldn't we be killing everybody? I mean, and that includes Japan. I mean, I was watching the Japan game and the announcer was telling us that they're the number one team. I mean, I guess they won last. They did win last time. I was there when Otani struck a trout, but I mean, our team should win, shouldn't they? Well, single elimination is freaky. As we know, we want, you know, like I think was it last year, the pirates went like five and one against the Dodgers during the regular season, six and one, something like that. Stuff happened short. We see this in Olympic basketball, where you look at the 12 guys who the Americans bring

6:06and go, well, how would anyone beat them? But, you know, the games are competitive. The other teams have like spirit and they've played together a little bit in international tournaments in Europe in the case a lot of these guys play winter ball together that we see. You know what stands out for me, John, is I hate to be modeling about it. I'd like to be optimistic is, this feels like a great tournament after a great World Series and a great time for baseball as far as reliable. And we're going to go right back into talking about labor and if there's going to be, you know, a lockout next to offseason and worse than that with games laws, it feels like the sport is on a winning streak and to disrupt that with labor talk and ultimately a lockdown would be kind of destructive to make. Absolutely. I think this sport definitely is on a winning streak. WBC has been fantastic and we're really just, we've just got through the preliminaries, right, and we expected those teams to win, to win.

7:07And I'm going to throw Venezuela in there as the fourth team, they're pretty good as well. And, you know, not that I expect them to win, you know, you know, there are some good Puerto Rico's not bad and they've done very well in the past, but I mean, that team USA is fantastic. Yeah, I say we don't talk labor on the show. I'm going to put at least two months. No more labor talk on the show. We're going to make a rule right now. How about no labor till labor day? And that's nice. I hope we can do that. I'm not seeing that happening. But I'm going to say, it's very unfortunate that, you know, I mean, I can make a deal with myself right now. Just get rid of that. Don't talk about the cap and then don't move the free agency and don't move the arbitration. I think things are going pretty well. I would raise the minimum. So I do think it isn't a accomplishment to make the major leagues and you should probably be making a million dollars. You are in basketball, I believe, if you make it. And I think they should be making a million. So that's the end of our labor talk.

8:09Now for two months, all right? John, you solved it. I sent you to the Middle East. Pretty quick. Yeah, you made it a little more difficult. That's more difficult. I wish it was so easy, but I'm not optimistic. But let's not talk about it anymore. That's the end of it. Let's talk about another decision that had to be made here. And that was by arguably the best starting picture in the sport, Tarek Schooble. He pitched Saturday night against Great Britain through, gave up a home around the first pitch he threw and then turned into Tarek Schooble. Three shut-out innings from there forward. The Americans one handily over Jazz Chisholm and Great Britain, eight to one. And then he kind of had his moment here where he didn't know which way to go, whether to stay or go. He's the opening day starter in San Diego on the 26th of March. It would have been hard to line that up and stay in line and do that.

9:09John, what do you think about the decision he had to make in the decision? He ultimately did make to kind of stay for the game on Monday night, but then rejoin the Tigers and kind of continue forward. Yeah, I think he saw the big picture and he made the right decision. He is a Tiger employee. I don't think you change it in midstream. That certainly affects the team. I think he did the right thing. Who is he going to replace? Let's say it was McLean over the four innings. They're going to throw. What is he point of, he's slightly better. At this point, I don't think it's worth the change for our team. I get it. You get caught up in it. I'm glad that we have that spirit. Maybe not quite the degree of the Dominican, but I'm glad that he had that spirit and it affected him and he was into it and he did well. But I mean, you're a free agent, not just any free agent, but a guy who's got probably 400, 500 million coming to him. Look, a parolta. I just saw a parolta in spring training

10:09with the Mets, a couple hundred miles up the road. He's not there. No free agent is ever there. I don't think a pitcher. He did throw one game and good for him that he did that. But the Dominican team would be a lot better if Freddie Parolta was their number one or two starter than what they have now. And they are, to me, they're the biggest threat to beat the US more than Japan. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe, but I watched it with the Japan games and they barely beat Australia. I know it's only one game. Oh, barely beat Australia. They barely beat Korea. Obviously they're great. I'm scouting. I'm scouting. I got up at 5 a.m. to watch these games. And I get up and we get up at 5 a.m. Yeah, I get up anyway at 5 a.m. So obviously they got Yamamoto, they got Otoni, they got a great team. But I mean, we got an all-star team that's on the bench. So I mean, how much was it going to impact things? That extra boost that the number, the best pitcher in baseball versus the 15th

11:13best pitcher in baseball give you over one inning. I think it would have been self-asjading state, really, and knock somebody off their appointed scheduled start. So I think he clearly made the right decision. Yeah, well, we make rules along the way for people who are extremely talented. And this is the most talented pitcher in the world. If he would have started the final over Nolan McLean, who I think everyone who listens to the show know you and I think very, very highly that he's a future ace, I think everyone would have understood that. And I understand his decision. He's got probably as a baseline, $400 million coming next off season. If he gets through this season, anything like the last two years, where he's won the American League, Sy Young, both times. I will say that. That's just the money. It's his career and his life, right? I mean, you know, you have a right to, I want to make that clear. He has a right to this decision and it's a decision he had already pre-made. I'm going to make one start and you use the right term.

12:15He got caught up in this and the question was, would he stay or not? He could have stayed and pitched. What you would have had to give up is opening day. He's been the opening day started the last two years. If you wanted to do something wholly different than you've never done before, it could have been lined up that he would have pitched again in this tournament and then maybe started the third game of the season. It could have been done. If he wanted to do it, it could have been done. I understand why he didn't. He has an obligation, as you say to his employers. He has an obligation to his future career. And this is, again, to your very strong point, not generally what a free agent pitcher will do in that walk-year. But he could have done it and thrown those four innings. And I do see the storm coming. If for some reason they get to the finals and McLean blows up, we are going to have a discussion about this again, right? Like, well, what would have happened if Scooble was there? So I think it's going to blow up too much because there's all hands on deck.

13:16But let me get the final, right? They've got all sorts of great pitcher starters and relievers at his disposal. So I don't foresee that happening with McLean. But yeah, I guess it's possible. But he did what he said he was going to do. It's not like he backed out of the storm. Again, I want to make clear. I think he had, I think he told them what he was going to do. They accepted it this as well. But it was possible the thing he would have given up is the honor of opening day, which he got a few times. Absolutely. Let's flip this over to two guys who are on the outfield bubble for our New York teams, Carson Benj and Jason Dominguez. Why don't we start with Benj? You would just up and met Camp Island earlier. I think we'll probably both be there again before the end of the year. I'm going to be there on opening day. Are you coming opening day? I'd like to. I don't know. I'm not a good planner. I know. I've noticed that we were late. I'm two days too early.

14:17I thought the semis were Friday and I guess they're not. So I'm not a good planner. So I'm going to have to get back to you on that one. So the question is, will Benj be in right field? And to me, this is like a decision, it's a twofold decision, John. Let's see if I could set it up and you could hit it out. The twofold decision is David Sterns has said one of things he does want to do every year is make sure there's a pathway for young players to break through. The most obvious position player ready to break through is Carson Benj, as the starting right fielder with Soto moving to left. He's had a good spring. He's nine for 23. Hit a triple the other day. He seems to control it back. He seems to run the base as well and field. He seems like a guy ready to graduate college and go to the pros. Go to their chosen field. Downside. If you are talking about Taylor, Mauricio, Vientel, and Torrance, it means Topman can't make the team unless you decide Mauricio

15:21doesn't make the team. And then you don't kind of have a clear backup shortstop unless you're OK with the shit flipping over to be the backup shortstop. I think the guy has earned it. I think the GM talked a big game about wanting to open up this kind of thing. I think if nothing changes in the next two weeks, he should and will make it. What do you think, John? Yeah, I'm with you. I think he makes the team. I don't see any reason why he shouldn't. He's basically a four and a half tool player right now. I think he's going to have that power be five-tool. He does everything well. He's left these. He hangs in there. I'm with you. I think they're just not committing yet because there's two weeks to go. And you never know what can happen. I'm sure they're. I feel like they're leaning that way. And they should be. I see him as the starting right fielder for the New York men's. Here's one that factors into it. Mark Vientos does not have an option. He obviously was down a grade from 2024 to 2025. And John, I really do ignore spring numbers

16:21at a pretty high level, but he has not hit this spring. What is the Metz tolerance level to keep a guy on the bench who doesn't bring defense, doesn't bring base running unless he hits? I think that this is a key moment in the world of Vientos. Because it's so much easier for their bench to work if Vientos is there, right? It just makes more sense as a group. The only reason to be there is to hit. Is he going to hit? Yeah. Well, to me, Vientos was such a star in 2024. I tried to figure out a way to put him on the team. I get what you're saying. It's not the perfect fit. Well, he has to be on the team. He's out of options. Put him on the team. Well, he could trade him, right? Yeah, I would give him one more shot with the Metz, rather than figure out a way to move on from him. The guy was such a dynamo in 2024.

17:23That's not so long ago, right? I'd give him another shot. I don't think that last spot on the bench is that valuable that I would give up that chance. Yeah. I think he's obviously... I think he's going to get that chance, because trades are harder to make at this time of year. And I will say, I have yet to find the executive who has him, like he has thought better up, I think by our group of media, this group of fans, and maybe even the Metz, then he is out in the big wide world, maybe because that's the big wide world cares so much about defense-based running. And that's really, like it's all about his bat, Kenny hit or not. Jason Dominguez, John, he's also had a good spring. He's eight for 27, as we speak, two doubles, a homer. I will throw in the bugaboo. He has nine strikeouts and 27 at bats. He's one for eight batting right-handed with three strikeouts. To me, if he can't hit from the right side,

18:23he can't make this team the way it's built. They clearly, Gritchick, Gulchmit, and Rosario, over the last three to five years, have been three of the best guys hitting left hand pitching in the sport. And they have a very left-dominated lineup. And if your bench probably has to tilt the other way, it does tilt the other way. Dominguez doesn't make sense on that bench, especially once they sign Gritchick to a deal. I think he ends up at AAA. I don't think it's the worst thing in the world. Go to AAA, prove you could hit lefties, prove you could defend, and you'll play baseball someplace this year, Yankees or elsewhere. What do you think, John? Yeah, it's hard to believe we're talking about this. I can remember in spring last year at the beginning, and Aaron Boone was predicting multiple all-star appearances for Dominguez. I think that's certainly within the realm of the possibility and maybe even likely still. The guy's an incredible talent. I know the fans are disappointed.

19:24I does feel that that's the way it's been heading for weeks. I mean, I made a note of it a couple months ago that he's starting the minors, and boy did I get response to that. I think you disagree with me on this. I don't think they should have given Gritchick the qualifying offer. He had that fantastic season. He had more home runs than any other center fielder, I believe, and he's obviously a decent defender. He was even better than before last year, but to make him that offer four times what he made the previous year, his defense is sliding a little bit. I mean, I don't want to knock anything because he was great last year, but $22 million is a lot of money for Trent Gritchick. So I think that's where the mistake was made, and that's where they were locked in, because they had made Belinger their number one priority. We knew that there was a likelihood they were going to bring him back. Do you think that Belinger becomes a much tougher sign if they don't do Gritchick and at least have the idea that Gritchick and Dominguez could be out there

20:26if there's no Belinger? And I think that was part of the equation with this. I would ask that on Gritchick. And the other one is if Gritchick had that same exact year for the Phillies, the Padres, somebody else, and the Yankees signed the 35 Homer Center fielder to a $122 million contract, would we say, oh, that's a pretty good contract? Yeah, I just don't, I didn't think he's a $22 million player. He had one year. Oh, one year. No, I didn't think so. You know, people always say there's no bad one year deal. I've seen a lot of bad one year deal. So, you know, he's a solid player. He's a solid defender. He obviously has got popped. The ballpark is right for him. He had a nice year, you know, as it turned out, I don't think anybody got close to tempting him to not take that $22 million. That's not the proof of it. But to me, that was where the mistake was and they were going to bring back Belinger, which we all agreed was the right thing to do. He was fantastic for the team. He's also great with that ballpark, very versatile. I mean, he's got a lot going for him, obviously,

21:27not comparing him to Grisha more. Dominguez or anybody else. It's certainly a big plus to have Belinger on the team, but that's where I think the mistake was made. But once you do that, it feels like Gritchock is going to get that other spot because he does it left these. And Dominguez is just going to give the Yankees the best triple A outfield in baseball with Spencer Jones who's also killing it in the minors. It is weird that we've come to this point where they wouldn't even consider giving up to Dominguez for even one sodo. And then he's predicted to have be a multiple All-Star. And now it looks slightly barring injury. He's going to be in the minor leagues. It's weird, but I think at this point that that's the logical decision. Yeah, I think that's where the logic is going. John, if you could just if they both cost the same thing and you could give 500 player appearances this year to either Dominguez or Grisham. And knowing the flip side of it is also, no Grisham means Belinger probably has to play center field every day,

22:28which is probably the worst of his four positions, which is to say he's good at it, but he's not the one that he plays the best and maybe he runs some kind of more injury stuff with him. I don't know if he's playing center field. I don't know. I'm okay with the Grisham thing because of what it means overall. But would you rather have Grisham 500 played appearances in center and Belinger in left or Belinger in center and 500 player appearances from Dominguez? Yeah, I think the likelihood is 500 player appearances, Grisham probably out plays Dominguez, but I do include the salary in that. I would have taken that 22 million as I've said on the show many times and signed Diaz. With the deferrals he's making slightly, I believe slightly less than 22 million for the year. You get Dominguez as your closer, Bednar as your set up man. Then it's a team with really without weakness, right now. I think the bullpen is the question more than the outfield. And if you're going to give me 22 million to spend, I'm, you know, maybe they're polite to the meds.

23:30I don't know, they never seem to consider it. I would have gotten Diaz and foregone Grisham. So like the other thing I would ask before we kind of close the segment is, you're so much better with numbers and all this than me. If you were the house and you had to establish an over-under number for played appearances in the major leagues this year for Dominguez, what would that be? Oh boy. I go first, always injuries and you've certainly stand great player on his way to the whole fame, but he does get hurt a lot. I'm going to say probably 300. I don't know. I don't think that's related to who's good with numbers. I think that's more about the baseball. And I'm going to do for you. To my point, John, is like, I actually would have made the number lower. I would have said 200 and a half, you know? But the fact that you're saying 300 means he is going to get opportunity this year. Right. Right. I believe that. As he ever fully sees it by being major league average

24:32as a right-hand hitter and as a left-fielder so that he could really capitalize on what he does left-handed and what he does on the base paths. Because there are some above average skills he has. And he needs to get closer to average at the other things to be that one or two time also that you alluded to, that Boone alluded to, actually to you. But I think both of us agree. I'm making it 200. You're making it 300. He's going to get opportunity. The question, does he seize opportunity? Yeah, I mean, I think it'll be 2027. When he does, you know, Christians got that one year deal as we said and barring a trade for Dominguez, which I'm not going to rule out. I see it next year. I do believe he's going to be a very good major league player, you know, 300. It's hard to become a star with even 300 at bats and you see that as a little bit high, which, you know, you've been with the Yankees a lot more than I have this spring. I'm going to defer on you to you on that one.

25:35So 200 to 300 at bats. I'm not going to, no matter what he does, I'm not going to count it against them. I still think he's going to be a very good major league player. Barring injury, it's probably not going to be this year though. Yeah, I'll say this is. The first job he has is to make sure when somebody gets called up. It's him and not Spencer Jones. That's the other thing. Yeah, he's Spencer Jones is an interesting player, you know. He's got a lot of play. Like you said, he's got some real strengths too. And he's got, you know, he's got the weaknesses as well. Should be, should be something. And it's obvious that, you know, everyone's thinking, could he be the next air in judge? Well, there's only one air in judge, but he still might be a hell of a player. If you can hit 35 home runs and run like he runs and he probably the fastest guy on the team, you know, he is potential is even higher than Dominguez, as I think I know he's a couple of years older, but I do believe a little bit older. Yeah, potentials higher. Yeah, we talk team USA, we talk meds, we talk gankies.

26:36A guy who's played on all three of those teams is Clay Holmes. He joins us next on the show. America leads the world in medicine development. It matters. We get new medicines first, nearly three years faster. Five million Americans go to work because we make medicines here at home and not relying on other countries keeps us safe. But China is racing to overtake us. Will we let them or will we choose to stay ahead? When America leads, America cures. Let's tell Washington to keep us in the lead. Learn how at AmericaCures.com, paid for by Pharma. Spring is here, and there's a whole new way to chie at Starbucks that's made perfect for you. Choose your sweetness, dial it up, or keep things light. Add a touch of pistachio, a hint of strawberry, or vanilla, or make it a spring classic with lavender. Because this season, there's endless ways to chie at Starbucks.

27:37It kind of went under the radar a little last year because the match struggled so much over the last few months. But one of the real success stories was Clay Holmes transitioned from Lake Game Reliever to make 31 starts through more than 165 innings, have a 3-5 ERA. And among other things that got him on Team USA where last Saturday, he pitched three shut out innings, struck out six, including five in a row at one time against Great Britain. And lastly, we'd like to say he's also a friend of the show he's joined us before. Thank you so much for joining us on the show. And it's always a pleasure to be here with you guys. Clay, you know, as the first question, it looks like you're at the best party in the world right now. You're playing baseball with Team USA. It seems like it's, tell us about it. It just seems great from a distance to be with all these great players at one time and one place. Tell us what it's like to be with this group. I'm glad it's being portrayed that way

28:39because it is definitely a dream. I mean, it is, I mean, all that you would dream up, it's the best players in the world. You're on the same team. You're on the same bus as you're chatting up in the locker rooms. And you're playing for something that matters. I mean, I think as a, someone who loves baseball, I mean, what else is there to want? And so it's, you know, my first time doing it and man, it's just been an amazing experience. You see, you know, there's, you know, certain, you know, reasons for pitchers might have to leave this and that and, you know, people aren't wanting to go. So it's definitely an environment that draws you in. You know, some more than just a, you know, showcase game. You feel that it's like, man, you know, this is a team and this matters. And we're with the best players in the world. And it's been an amazing experience so far. You mentioned, guys, not wanting to go. That seemed to be the case with Tarek Scoubel. So I want to ask you about that. How did that feel to you? Were you ultimately surprised?

29:39I was surprised that he was even considering it, throwing a second game already through one as a free agent to be, most of the free agent to be are, we're not down there at all. What was your perspective from where you sit on that? Yeah, I don't, I don't think he's alone. You know, there's, you know, there's pitchers, you know, especially starting pitchers that, you know, like, you know, there's some endings here the first time that we needed. And it kind of, there's also a pull in other direction as hey, there's a season to get ready for. You have to get pitches in. And I mean, there's definitely a pull that way, you know, attention that you feel. And so yeah, I mean, he's, there's guys that you just, you kind of have to get, you know, ready for the season. There's things that don't totally align. And as bad as you want to do it, you know, there's other things that you're having to meet too. And so yeah, I mean, just, you know, credit for him, you know, wanting to, you know, to do it. It had to desire and, I mean, you can see that, you know, he wants to be out there. He wants to take the ball and, yeah, you get this environment.

30:42I think every, every pitch from the roster, you know, you want to pitch, you want to be out there as much as possible. And I think it's fun to see, it's fun to be a part of. And like I said, it's, it's tough for anybody to leave this. John and I do have something in common with you. We also work with Rosa at MLB Network. And he, he was clearly, whenever I saw him at the network obsessing about this team, putting together something that not only had great players, but that looked like a team, so that the US one, after Japan has won the last two, what is the internal pressure like, Clay, to make sure that that happens? You've obviously assembled a great team. Yeah, I mean, I don't know how much pressure it is. I think at this point, it's just kind of a natural thing, you know, the people that are in the room, the players, the people, you know, some players, you know, we know each other from, you know, previous, you know, teams or whatnot. And I think just the history and the guys,

31:42the people, the players, I mean, it's just, I think this has come together, you know, tremendously. And then like I said, it's, it's a dream team. You know, it's the place you want to be. It's the baseball you want to play and it's been, it's lived up to the height for sure. To follow up on that, George Steinberg, and we said with the Yankees, that it's only a success if you win it all. You know, I don't know how much you believe that when there are 30 teams, but looking at that team and I agree with you, this is a dream team, kind of like that 92 basketball team. I mean, I mean, we got Gunnar Henderson as a backup player, P-Crow Armstrong, a backup player. I mean, the rotation, ridiculous. I mean, is that fair to this team? Is that right? So it's only really a success if you win this whole thing. I mean, that's our expectations. You know, we're in this thing to win it. It's very obviously that's what we want. That's what we're here for. That's what we're here to. So we're shown up for it. So yeah, you know, our expectations,

32:44what we desire is, you know, we want to win this thing. You know, I think that's everybody that's in this tournament. And the more you play, the more you feel the fans. You see it matters to the fans. The more you see it, you know, how much it matters. Just, you know, that's even more of a, you know, push to win this thing. You know, I think we all feel that. We all want it. And we said, that's what we're here for. You have a previous experience playing with Aaron Judge as a Yankee, where he was a captain. He's a captain here. Take him, but also like, how does leadership form on a team that kind of a strong together has two exhibition games and is then told, hey, go really care and play. Yeah, it's, it's pretty amazing. I mean, obviously, you know, Judge, he has, you know, great presence about him. You know, he's tremendous player. But I think the thing that comes across when he first meet him is like, man, this got cares, you know, he cares about me, he cares about the game, he cares about getting better.

33:46And I think no matter what room he is, you feel that. And I think that, you know, that kind of bleeds out to the rest of the clubhouse. And so yeah, I'd have him as a captain to just have that presence of what he stands for, what he means and what, you know, how he pushes, you know, teams and players is the start of this. And I think, you know, you see that. And yeah, he's just, I mean, he's a leader. And it happens, you know, naturally for him. And yeah, just like I said, see how his teams come together so quickly and how much the guys enjoy it and how much the guys enjoy playing with each other has been a fun experience. Tell me about the attitude of some of these guys. I mean, Will Smith, Gunner Henderson, Pete Crombs, the three of the best players in Major League Baseball, they're backups on this team. You know, I mean, I know Paul Goldschmidt knew coming in, he's the backup. But how are these guys dealing with being a back and Bobby Whit too? I mean, Bobby Whit is one of the probably three best players in the world.

34:47How are these guys handling the fact that they don't get to play every day? You say, I'm imagining they're not probably throwing temper tantrums in front of everybody. But what are you seeing from them? Yeah, I mean, I haven't even once thought about, you know, playing time, pitching time. I mean, people, you just don't really get that vibe. I mean, people are here to show up, to be with each other, you know, to work. You were still, you still see everybody working hard. I mean, it's when your name's called and me, everybody's ready. And I think, you know, that's the expectation, position player wise, pitcher wise. I mean, it's one of those things where, you know, you know what to say, you know what matters? And you know what you signed up for. And that's where we're here to win it. And we're here to do it together. And I think you really get that, you know, you get that vibe, which is, like I said, I think one thing that we talk about as team is, you know, it's cool to see, you know, that really just winning a game matters.

35:48You know, there's a lot of other things that could go on, but it's like at the end of the day, if we win, everybody's happy, and this is what we're here for. So, I mean, that's the vibe you get. And, you know, especially in talking about playing for USA and what, you know, stands for, and the, you know, the selfless sacrifice that it's taken just for this country, I think, you know, that also, you know, plays a role. And, you know, guys, you know, there's going to be some sacrifices you have to make, you know, to be on this team. And I think everybody's more than willing to do that. You know, you mentioned, but A was a dream team. And also earlier, you mentioned, like, like the bus rides, et cetera. Can you take us inside a little bit? Like, does it, will any, I'm sure you will have other memories and perhaps ultimately the ultimate memory from this coming up. But anything stick with you so far, time with somebody who you may have not spent with before, what is going on in the bus rides, the clubhouse, the weight room, group dinners or breakfast, whatever, that is really going to resonate with you.

36:52Yeah, I mean, I think it's everywhere you go, really. You know, it's, like you said, you get on the bus and you just watch, you know, God for God, come on. It's like, man, yeah, this is cool. You know, this is, this bus is just loaded with stars. And we're getting on a bus to go to the field. Like, we've done many times in our career, but we're doing it with these guys. And we're going to win a baseball game, you know, and it just has a special feeling. A lot of the, you know, mundane things that come with the baseball season, you appreciate them a little bit more here, you know, with the team and that's because of, you know, who's here. You know, it was one of the exhibition games in Arizona. I remember, you know, sitting down the bullpen, watching one of Sarge warm up and, you know, look over and, you know, Kirchelle sitting on my left and you got briming can, you know, to my right, you know, group, you know, brace fan, you know, from the south and watch a lot of, be back and just one of those moments where it's like, man, this is cool. You know, we're getting to play a baseball game. You're around these guys, all great people, you know,

37:53easy conversations. And like I said, it's just, it's a dream come true to be on this team and just to share in the locker room with these people. You guys are the betting favor. We know that now because, you know, 99.9% of the country apparently best and it's all over the place, but that Dominican lineup, you know, with your friend Juan Soto and the rest of them, they look pretty, you guys have something planned to get them out that lineup looks like a match for the USA lineup and team. That would be a fun matchup, you know, I think, yeah, I'm not sure, you know, when that game would be or when it's lined up or what that would look like, but they have a good team, you know, you know, me and Juan would joke about a little bit before we left and, you know, they know it, you know, we know it. It's gonna be a really fun, exciting game. I think that's what we play this game for, you know, you wanna, you know, the best go up against the best and to all of matter and to have it, you know, one game, you know, matter so much, you know, in the quarter finals, some of the finals and finals is,

38:54just a unique, you know, thing for baseball and it's a unique, just atmosphere you play in. I think it's, you know, it's really special and it's really easy to see why, you know, the fans love it, why the players love it and yeah, it'll be a big match out with the DR. Why don't I use Juan Soto as my tortured segway to get us to the mats. This is year two as a starter, back to being a starter for you, Clay, what's different this year? I assume it's probably a little easier, but take us through year two of being a starter. Yeah, it's been, you see, the transition last year was, you know, it was a challenge, you know, I wanted to take on and it was, I felt like it was, you know, pretty rewarding just to be able to, you know, get that opportunity and kind of take it on and, you know, add some pitches and be able to, you know, tinker with things and really kind of expand what I could do.

39:55And obviously, you know, you know, make the starts, you know, and I think that it put me in a really good spot to build a foundation of kind of to build off of, you know, and to come in this year, I felt like I, you know, in the year in a great spot, you know, physically kind of direction I wanted with pitching and was really able to build off that. I think coming in, I can feel it, you know, I think, you know, the ups, you know, transitioning from a pin, you know, the starter, you can, the more ups you have, you can start to feel it. I think it's just, it would be a naturally, a natural thing within the outing and, you know, the ups have definitely felt, I'll say a little bit easier this time around. Just as the game goes on, you're sitting, you're cooling, getting back up. And I think, you know, the change that was a big addition and being able to build on that, just to build on, you know, the innings out through last year is really exciting. So I'm excited to, you know, be in the rotation with these guys that we have with the Mets. I think it's going to be a fun group,

40:57you know, a very talented group. And I think we know the work we had to have ahead of us and ready to take it on. What do you think about us? It looks like to me anyway, that there could be a potential of a six-man rotation. You've got six really guys who are starters who are, you know, clear worthy of a start. What do you think about it? Maybe it'll be easier for you as a guy who's a reliever or maybe not, maybe it'll be less easy. You've got to pinched every day before. How do you feel like a six-man rotation would affect you? Yeah, I mean, that's what we did last year for a lot of the time. You know, I'm not sure the direction they're wanting to go with that, but I think, you know, the thing I take away is, you know, last year, health was a little bit, you know, we had some guys missing it, you know, quite a few times out of the year with their rotation. And I think health is the name of the game. If we have, you know, healthy six guys, then it's going to be a really fun group.

41:59And just to see the guys are feeling good, throwing the ball well, it's a huge, huge confidence right now on a huge positive sign, I really think. So just to see where guys are at, how good their feeling is, very encouraging. I think it excites all of us. You know, Clay, a guy who is part of that six-man, he's also part of Team USA, is Nolan McLean. It's hard to be anything less than very enthusiastic and excited while for watching the starts last year. Amazingly, he still qualifies as a rookie. And John was mentioning Betty God, he's the rookie, the favorite. I dare say watching him, he might get some side-young award votes this year if he stays healthy. What do you see from your young starter who might pitch near the very top of this rotation? Yeah, he's, I mean, he's got it. You've got that stuff. You've seen the command. Yeah, I think he's able to command two fastballs and he has a really good fill for spin.

42:59And you know, we can do that and add velocity in there. It's almost like creative pitcher. You know, he's just, I mean, he saw it there. He was dominant when he come up last year. And I think you've seen nothing short of that pitcher again here in spring so far. If not, you know, maybe a little bit better. You know, his V-Lo's been up there. He's looked super sharp. And yeah, like I said, I've said it before, but you know, just the work that he puts in, just the top of, you know, presence he has, the maturity he has and, you know, where, you know, he sees himself, you know, it's just, it's been fun to watch. Just to see him not come in and just be known. It was a hard thing to do. It was very, you know, easier said than done, but just to trust yourself and be yourself and on a bigger stage, a bigger environment is, could he hard sometimes? And he has that belief to him, which is fun to see. And I'm excited to watch him grow this year.

43:59I know you've been with the dream team for more than a week now, but the Mets obviously made a lot of changes coming off the disappointing finish last year. Do you have any initial impressions of a Polanco at first base, but you had a third base or Carson Benjou's creating a lot of excitement in Mets Camp where I just was. Yeah, you know, I was there. I mean, they were, everybody was looking great. You know, face, face them in live VPs, you know, saw them swing to that. And I mean, you know, special, special players. I mean, they can, they can do a lot dynamic. You know, I don't think there's gonna be, you know, any challenges, you know, for them to make the transitions to positions. Obviously, all I'm going to swing to bat, you know, really well. And so to have those guys in the line out of this year and those additions is going to be huge for us. I think we all know that. Or know the players they are. And you know, what they can do. And just to have them, you know, added in this lineup and be a part of this team,

45:00you know, and what they bring just in the clubhouse is managed to super exciting. And I think it, you know, it fuels everybody. So it's been fun to watch them and see them up close. And they excited to play with them this year. You know, Clay, at the beginning of this, we asked you about school, who can be a free agent at the end of this year. It's not talked about a lot. You could be a free agent at the end of this year. You could actually opt out of your contract after 2026. How much is that on your mind and how you could set yourself up this year? Off of again, what I thought was an underappreciated, strong first year. Again, I think it got lost a little bit because you finished poorly, just helped durable and well, you did this. Yeah, you know, we put that opt out in there just to kind of protect the transition, the starting role. And so it's there, you know, and it's something we'll have to evaluate at the end of the year, but, you know, at the end of the day,

46:03I love pitching, I just want to go out and pitch. And, you know, like I said, I'm excited to build off what I did last year if like I'm in a great position, you know, just with Arsenal, you know, physical, you know, or I was that physically. And so super excited for this year and to see where it goes. And like I said, any of those decisions will have to reevaluate it in the year, but it's going to be a fun year, exciting year. And I think we're all ready to get it started at this point. Well, I'll consider that part of your old job here, Clay. That was a good close. Yeah, we do appreciate you. We know it's a busy time. We know it's an exciting time. Clay is just joining us from Houston. We're team USA is he jumped in at the last second to join us. We do consider the show. And Clay, we hope that all that stuff you just said that you're healthy and successful. We hope it happens and we appreciate you joining the show. Yeah, thanks always guys. Good chat. Thanks Clay. Thank you. Yeah, see you.

47:09My day kicks off of the refreshing socio synergy drink, then straight to the gym. Pre-ke pick up back home to meal prep. Time for my fire session shift. One more Celsius gotta keep the lights on. When the three alarm hits, I'm ready. Celsius, live, fit, go. Grab a cold refreshing Celsius at your local retailer or locate now at Celsius.com. Shot clocks, big shots, upsets, aces, TGL playoffs are here. First, Atlanta Drive starts their repeat run against Los Angeles Golf Club. Then, Rory's Boston common golf and Tigers Jupiter links face off in their playoff debuts. Who will advance? Keep up its playoffs. Tune in Tuesday, March 17th at 6.30 pm and 9 pm only on ESPN and the ESPN app. John and I of course thank Clay Holmes, a frequent guest, joining us again. John, hit or error? I'm gonna give it a hit. I've been very, very positively. I don't know, we have great inflation or at least I do. I'm gonna give it to the Dominican team. I just think there's just so much excitement around this team.

48:09I loved it when they made one so to do push-ups after he had a fly out to the warning track in center field, he was laughing as soon as he hit it. He knew it was gonna be a fly out to the warning track. He comes back and they make him do the push-ups. I mean, obviously, there's so much better than the teams that they play that they can, I guess, clown around a little bit or whatever, but I enjoyed it. I think they're having fun and I'm having fun watching them. Yeah, the enthusiasm's great. I wish we'd get more of it during the regular season from the major league teams. I don't think anybody's being shown up. I think joy is joy. And if you take someone else's joy as a show-up, that's your problem. John, I'm gonna give an error to the Atlanta Braves. They have lost three starting pitchers this spring training. And they went into it already knowing AJ Smith-Schwarver wasn't going to pitch this year after Tommy John's surgery. They went in knowing Ronaldo Lopez had a shoulder thing and only made one start last year that Chris Sale is 37.

49:15Like Strider is coming back from fraud. Then they lost wall trips, Shwell and back and recently they just lost Joey Wenz to an ACL. John, they're running out of arms. The good news in the bad news within the bad news is that Jerkson Profar was just suspended, which hurts, I guess, though the fact that they signed Mikey Stremtski should probably help them cover up some of that. But they do get his $15 million back. And Lucas Geolito is still sitting out there on the market. Maybe that's a sign that the Braves don't like Lucas Geolito. But they have 15 million. I'm not sure Patrick Sondoval, for example, is gonna make the Red Sock rotation. Can they make a trade with Boston to get someone like him? They have somebody, you know, one of the best things and I hate to say it like this because I always want guys to stay healthy and the best. It's kind of good news for the Metz. The Braves rotation has taken on three huge hits when it was already the most fragile part of their team. John, they probably have to do something

50:16between now and like opening day if not by even Memorial Day to just steady that part of the team. Yeah, one thing I found interesting about their press release regarding the Profar's second drug suspension was, they said they were greatly disappointed, but they left that surprise. Well, last year they said they were surprised and not surprised anymore. Nobody's surprised. He's the biggest cheater in sports, certainly in baseball. It's actually probably, you know, I mean, it's obviously embarrassing, but the 15 million, is he worth 15 million? I mean, I'd rather have the 15 million than a guy who obviously cheated to build those stats a couple of years ago with the Padres. I don't get it. I don't know why they don't get Lucas Geolito. I don't know why nobody is signing Lucas Geolito. I thought he was really good last year with Boston. Yeah, his final, I heard somebody talk about his, he didn't end well. I mean, his final couple of months were pretty good overall, I think. I don't get it. This is a public company. We know they make what they were at least admit to publicly of $70 million profit.

51:19Go out and get Lucas Geolito. Go out and get somebody that costs some money somewhere, right? I really don't understand what's happening. Good, it's a good error by you. I need to think of more errors. You're, I like your errors. Yeah, it's my negativity helps with the share. It's very good. Yeah, good negativity, very positive negativity. The positive who helps with the show is Tommy Hogan, our producer is so great every week, making this possible Apple Spotify, wherever you listen to podcasts, please rate and review us. It does help the show as does going to the New York Post Sports YouTube page and giving us a view. Don't forget the California Post is fully going now. Read John, obviously, all the time in the New York Post and stick with us on the show with Joel Sherman and John Heyman. Stitch Fix. Shopping is hard. Let's talk about it. I don't have time to shop, so I buy all my clothes where I buy my seafood. I just want someone to tell me what shirt goes with what pants. I just want jeans to fit. Stitch Fix makes shopping easy.

52:19Just show your size, style and budget, and your style is since personalized looks right to your door. No subscription required plus free shipping and returns. Man, that was easy. That looked good. Stitch Fix, online personal styling for everyone, take your style quiz today at StitchFix.com.