Episode 642 - The Starting Rotation

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1:05at IXLlearning.com slash audio. Visit IXLlearning.com slash audio to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price. Getting everyone together to watch the game is fun until you realize you're running low on snacks right before half time. That's why Shipt is there for you on Game Day. Whether going for that classic spread, chips and dip, or mixing in even a few healthier options, I can, and so can you, order all the favorites for same day delivery to keep the party going, especially now that March is here. And if that ship bowl is looking suddenly too empty, no stress just placed another order, and it shows up the same day. Shipt makes last minute hosting so much easier. You can get snacks, party supplies, decorations, and more delivered from nearby stores. I'm talking grocery runs from places like Safeway or Albertsons, party decor from Michaels, or even a quick target order. All while you're getting ready for guests with Shipt, you can order same day delivery on groceries, gifts, and so much more. And shoppers are known for incredible attention to detail and care.

2:06Plus with an annual Shipt membership, you get unlimited orders, zero delivery fees on orders over $35, exclusive deals, and even the option to request your favorite shoppers again. Download the app or order at ship.com. That's s-h-i-p-t.com. 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 go to Washington to keep us in the lead. Learn how at AmericaCures.com. Pay for it by Farma. It's the amazing Rico Brundt podcast with your host, Evan Rodgers. Let's go! How are we doing? Welcome into episode 642 of the Rico Brundt. I am your host, Evan Roberts. I just got off a plane

3:13from Florida and no, I didn't go to any spring training games. This is like part of the Roberts family tradition that sometime in late February I go down to Florida, I visit my sister, I visit my brother-in-law, I visit my nephew, and I do not rope in Med Spring Training Baseball. But then usually the following week, because I didn't have enough, I go back to Florida and we do our annual Rico Brundt your spring training trip. And that's where I want to start, because we are less than a week away. And if you are ahead at the spring training, or you happen to live in Florida, we have a lot of Rico listeners from all over the country, all over the world. But if you happen to be in Florida, we will be doing a live Rico Brundt coming up on Saturday at four o'clock from DOS Beer Garden, the same location we were at last year. It was a lot of fun. And one thing that Hoff and I are talking about is that if you guys come to DOS Beer Garden, we're thinking of making it the people's Rico Brundt where I can't

4:14guarantee everybody. But some of you will get to come on stage and talk meds with us. You know, give your opinions, yell at me, because I'm sure there are plenty of things that I've said that has annoyed you over the last few weeks and months. So we're going to make it a very interactive live Rico Brundt. And we'll have some drinks, even though I'm technically not supposed to drink, because I'm on a lot of strong drugs to help with back issue. So maybe that'll be the exception, though, Hoff. I mean, they could turn into a drunk in Rico, because I think if you mix alcohol with, you know, the medicine I'm on, I'm not going to die or anything like that, but I may, you know, act a little cookie. So come on down, DOS Beer Garden, it's this Saturday. So that is March 7th in Jupiter, Florida. And then the following Rico is going to be a lot of fun, because Hoff and I are going to go out to Port St. Lucie on Sunday, perform Metz Yankees. We will interview a ton of meds, maybe even a Yankee that's relevant. And then on the Sunday Rico Brundt, you get to hear

5:14all of our discussion. So it's our annual spring training trip. But if you are down there, come say hello, come say Ola will be down there in Jupiter, Florida. I cannot wait. I'm really hoping my back is better because I can't sit for long periods of time. So I was going to warn you, Hoff. I'm already eyeing like the standing room seats potentially where we can watch the game standing up. The other thing I do tell you is I don't like leaving games early, but it's a four o'clock podcast. So even if this spring training game goes way too long, Hoff will look at me and say, get the hell out of here. We got to do a live Rico. So we will do that live Rico coming up in a week. I can't wait. I look at it this way. I'm already bored with spring training. And this is a way to spice it up. Now we got a lot to talk about. We haven't done a Rico in three days, which in the Rico world is a very long time. If you're watching the Rico live on YouTube or on YouTube, you'll see our beautiful art that was created of me in Florida with my thumbs in the air saying it's the Rico Brundt your podcast live. And there's a beer right next to me, which I don't know how real that's

6:18going to be. But you know what? Come on down. Come on down. You know what I think I may even do because I have like when I wrote my meds Bible, I bought a hundred books. And I think I did it for two reasons. I did it a so at least I can sell a hundred books in case no one else buys it. And then be just to have and I have like 10 just burning in my closet. Some I bring them and give them out. So if you haven't read my meds Bible or if you have any interest in reading my meds Bible, I may throw them into the crowd. And then you may throw it back. I have no idea. Anyway, let's get to the baseball. So I think it was Saturday. I was laying in my sister's backyard and I was consuming the med game because yes, why not? It's a lot a lot of it's relaxing. The kids are playing. Let me watch some spring training baseball. And I think these clips were about to play actually got around. So even if you don't watch med spring training baseball, I'm pretty sure other people have put it out there or quoted it because it was really interesting. And it was Ron Darling talking about the rotation. As we stand here right now and it is the first week of

7:22March, believe it or not, we've made it to March. And we are within three and a half weeks of opening day. And I knock on wood when I say this and I know I'm going to get in trouble for saying it. We have no starting pitching injuries to report. And I will admit that even though that can change very, very, very quickly. And if it does, I will not hear the end of it. That's kind of a surprise. And usually by the time you get to March, first, March, second, there's a guy who's had a setback or a guy who's you already know is going to start the year on the IL or something of that nature. Even though we haven't seen court, I sang a start yet. We haven't seen Sean and IA start yet. We haven't heard at least of any setbacks. And it got Steve gobs and Ron Darling talking about the rotation because the meds have not said a lot about this rotation because they're also nervous that somebody's going to get hurt. So the first clip I want to play is Ron Darling, I think coming down pretty hard on the idea of Sangha being in the rotation. And the meds manipulating it to make it a six man rotation to keep Kodai Sangha on an extra

8:26day. Take a listen. Well, this is this is my feeling. And Sangha's been here long enough. I think it's time to be in a five man rotation, you know. And the rotation should not work around him anymore. It should work with him. Those are very strong comments. And I think those are comments that a lot of med fans agree with. The one thing I would sort of push back on is while you're right, who the hell is Kodai Sangha for that to alter the rest of your rotation. You also want to put your pitchers and really anybody on your team in the best position to succeed. And so the reality is with Kodai Sangha, he has not pitched on regular rest a lot in his med career. He didn't do it at all last season. And so I get the whole idea of, hey, just go out and freaking do it already. Why are we building everything around you? If you're going to pitch Kodai Sangha, you're going to want to get the best out of him. Now, here are the numbers just so we have the information about Sangha on, quote, unquote, regular rest and extra rest. He has made four major league starts. Just kind of crazy,

9:32such a small number. Four major league starts on what is deemed regular rest. And I do stand corrected. He made one last season. I kind of vaguely remember it. And it was a lousy outing. It was four rings, six hits, three runs, four strikeouts and three walks. Only one start though. So not a huge sample size. And then in 2023, he only made three starts on regular rest, 13 and two thirds innings, six hits, eight runs, nine walks. I mean, a whip that is ridiculously high. I mean, he was putting a lot of guys on base. So it's not good. And I get run darling sentiment. I get the sentiment of, dude, you're not good enough for us to build our rotation around you. But what I would also push back on is, let's take a look at the rest of the rotation. Don't you agree that just about everybody outside of Freddie Peralta and maybe no one would claim the two big guys? Don't they benefit from an extra day? Doesn't Clay Holmes benefit from an extra day? Clay Holmes was asked on Sunday. I didn't cut

10:35this clip, but he was asked about the difference between regular rest and extra rest. And he gave a very, I don't even think it was a PC answer. I think it was his honest answer, which is now sometimes during the season, it's good to get extra rest. And sometimes during the season, it's good to pitch every fifth day, which I totally get. I mean, depending on the way you feel, it would actually make sense. Hey, this time around, remember that start? This was the start that really turned last season around 2025 around when he felt something in Colorado. And that led to the June 13th game against Tampa Bay, where he got pulled after only five innings and we're all freaking out. Like, why the hell is this guy pulled after only five innings? And the reality was Clay Holmes just didn't feel completely right after that start. That was the whole thing. Well, in a circumstance like that, getting an extra day or two would have benefited him. So I look at a guy like Clay Holmes and I say, I think he would benefit from it. Now Sean Meniah's numbers, like, especially if you go back to 2024, he was better on regular rest. So I, I certainly keep that into account, but he'll still miss half of last season.

11:40You don't think it benefits Sean Meniah to have an extra day or rest. So the way I've envisioned this, and I, I don't understand why this isn't talked about is not that it has to be a six-man rotation, but that Kodai Sangha should be involved in a tag team him and Sean Meniah, probably, where they both make that start on the fifth day and they kind of split it. But I also think that if Kodai Sangha is going to be on this roster and he is, you've got to maximize him. You've got to get the best out of him. And there are ways of your creative and men, those are his creative. I don't think this is splitting an atom, as I like to say, where you can have Nolan McLean on regular rest. You can have Freddie Peralta on regular rest and Kodai Sangha, you make sure has an extra day. It doesn't eff up the entire rotation. You know what that does, though? It makes Kodai Sangha not make as many starts as potentially you would want one of your best pictures to make. And I'm okay with that. Until Kodai Sangha proves he is one of the best

12:43starters and you do want him out there as much as possible. But I get, I get, Ron Darling was hard on him because Ron's a major league pitcher. He pitched and he's like, what the hell is this? Why do I have to wait an extra day to pitch for this son of a bitch? That's basically what Ron Darling is saying. Now, here's the next part. If Ronny gets his way, which is we are not having a six-man rotation just for Kodai Sangha, what do you do? Because as of right now, the mets have knock on wood, six healthy starters. What do you do, Ronny? We're leaving today and entering a world of Mickey Mouse waving, princess meeting and greetings. Like saber-clashing. The boy lights on tower of terror dropping. Banshee flying. Space mountain launching. Galaxy rewinding. What's the one that look galaxy rewinding? Fireworks igniting. World of other worlds. For whatever you love. Infinite worlds await at the most magical place on earth while Disney World Resort.

13:45Hey, this is Richard Ditch, the host of the Sports Media Podcast. If you're interested in what's happening with all the places where you consume sports, the Sports Media Podcast has you covered. I've been turning down interviews all week. Kodakapi reached out. Oprah, George Stephanopoulos. So I said no. I was booked on the Ditch Podcast before the Taylor Swift phenomenon. I must live up to my responsibility. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Spring starts at the Home Depot and we are bringing the heat to your backyard this season. Fire up the flavor with our wide variety of grills for under $300. Like the next grill for burner gas grill that's perfect for hosting your spring cookout. Then set the scene and turn your outdoor space into the go-to spot the patio sets for every budget. Bring it this season with grills that deliver flavor and patios that set the vibe from the Home Depot. Start your spring with low prices guaranteed at the Home Depot. Exclusions apply see Home Depot dot com slash price match for details. The question becomes Ron and I know that there's still months left and usually

14:52these things have a way of working themselves out. But if everybody is healthy, who's the odd man out there? The guy who's got six legitimate starting pitchers. The guy who can make the transition of the bullpen. That's how it always works. The guy who can make the transition of the bullpen. I Pete Hoffman, let us get to this mysterious world where every starting pitcher is healthy and the meds continue to not listen to me. They say shut up Evan. Do your podcast be a good little boy. Send this your season ticket money and shut your mouth. We're not doing tag teams. Who is the one starting pitcher that would fit what Ron darling described of being best suited to help this team out of the bullpen? Go ahead Tobias Myers. No, he's already in the bullpen. No. In this perfect world, I know he's been stretched out, but he's in the bullpen. So I'll give everybody the names again in case you forgot it's been a while. Kodai Senga, Sean Monaya, David

15:57Peterson, Clay Holmes, Nolan McLean and Freddie Paralto. All right. Do you want the obvious choice or do you want the one that's a little bit more thinking? Well, what is the obvious choice? Because I don't have a stop it. Okay. I you know what? He's a bullpen arm. We know that already. We've seen that. I got to tell you, I am, I've moved past it. I don't think of a mess of bullpen arm. He had a good year last year. He delivered an incredibly clutch starting game 161. He continues to look great in spring training. Not that that means everything. I, I got to tell you, man, I don't think of a mess of reliever anymore. And that doesn't mean it can't happen, huh? If I'm just saying in this conversation, I would not even consider him in this spot, but I understand why you brought him up. Right. Okay. So take away the, in my opinion, obvious, because he's done it before Sean Monaya. That's who I would throw in there because I think he fits with a, you know, a piggyback, like you said before, that to me seems like he can

17:00give you a long if need to. He can maybe give you a couple of outs here and there too. It's a lefty with something we love to see come out of the bullpen. I think that is a, that is a special weapon Brooks Rayley over the years. We were excited about agent mentor. That didn't happen. But like we love those lefties in the bullpen. I would say he's the numeral Uno choice. I completely agree with you. That, that would be my, now I don't want to do this, by the way. Like I continue and I can't wait to get down to spring training, whether it's on the Rico or it's quote unquote off the record. Yeah. I didn't off the record. I'll tell you what we talk about. Even if Mendy doesn't want to come on the Rico. Now he's a good dude. I had no issue with Carlos. He always talks to us. But what I would say to him is the different issue. What? David Stern's a little different. He was a douchey to me last time. He was. He was. But maybe rightfully so we probably don't like me anymore. He's like, you know what? This guy's a jackass. Well, you grilled him with honest questions and his responses were like, I'm not going to give you

18:03Yeah. Now that's, you know what? I don't care. I've learned to not care anymore about this. But what I would say to Carlos Mendoza is you should take two starting pictures. I happen to think it's Minayan Senga and use them as a tag team. Like I do think that is a really beneficial thing to this team because hear me out on this and I'll answer the question because I know I'm not answering the actual question, which is which starter would you move to the bullpen? But if you add six starting pictures, but it was five days. So you have your six starters, but two of them get combined in one day, even on their bad days, they're giving your bullpen a rest. And there's something to be said about that because look, we all love Freddie Peralta. We're very excited. He's here. I'll get into him being named the opening day starter in a little bit. He is not a seven in a guy. Now, can that change with this team? Because the meds push him a little bit more than Milwaukee did. I am absolutely open to that and it would not surprise me. Like I think we need to keep in mind that the brewers had their philosophies. It's kind of like,

19:05it kind of reminds me of Blake Snell a little bit in Tampa Bay. I mean, we see Blake Snell go deeper in the games now. Not that he's a super eating zeter, but he'll go deeper in the games. He didn't do that in Tampa. And we all remember what happened in the World Series. So I am open to Freddie Peralta potentially being that guy. But this is not a rotation that features a lot of guys who are locks to go seven innings, hopefully Nolan McLean is that guy. So if you have a day in which it's Senga and Maniah and they're both going four, that's eight innings that he's up a lot and gives your bullpen arrest. So let me move on from that because I've made that point many times and I'll make it demanding next week. But I I agree with you off. I think Sean Maniah adds a dimension to this bullpen lefty. He's done it before. That's a big part of it. Do you have the experience doing it? Now David Peterson has a little bit of experience doing it. And he did in a very big spot as we all recall when he locked down game three against Milwaukee. But considering the year that Peterson had last year as bad as it ended, I don't really want to do that. And I know

20:07I shouldn't bring this up, but you also think about contracts. Maniah makes $25 million a year. That's an absurd amount of money to have a guy coming out of the bullpen. That's more than and Wendy adds making, right? So he'd be the highest paid relief for an whole baseball, but you can't think that way. And I think Sean Maniah would probably say to himself because this is a human business. I'm making $25 million here. I'm good. David Peterson's in the final year before free agency and he's not making $25 million a year. You really damage the value of David Peterson by moving him to the bullpen. And I get there's a lot of people listening to why should that matter? Here's why it matters. You're managing humans. You're managing people. You want to get the best out of them. And so that does, I have to admit, worry me a little bit about David Peterson, but I do agree with the answer that if we're going to play Round Orleans game and the meds are playing Round Orleans game, the odd man out assuming everybody selfie would be Sean Maniah. I happen to agree with you. All right. So my question though is and I

21:10forget if you said this before Ronnie put the pressure on everybody. Is that something that you're you even want? Do you even want them to have a five man quote unquote rotation? Because I want them to have a five man rotation with two starters splitting a start. I really want to do the tag team thing. And for those that are loyal Rico listeners, this is something we talked about before the meds tried it before the meds did it that it made sense. And it made sense because the meds had starting pictures that were go we're not going deep in a game. So it was really trying to alleviate their issue. Well, I look at this rotation right now and I feel great at the top. I mean, honestly, I feel great one through four. I feel great about Paralta. I feel amazing about no one would claim. I mean, my God, how good did he look this week? Jesus Christ. Keep him in bubble wrap. I know he's got to go pitch in the WBC, but no one McLean getting hurt, which is crushed my soul. Like, I cannot live in that world in which no one McLean has any kind of injury. Protect him at all costs.

22:13All right. At all costs. I mean, that is a guy. I send this to my wife the other day because I'm debing up the med tickets, I'm figuring out games. I'm trying to go ahead of time. And I said, hi, when no one McLean pitches, I'm in the building. And she said, what is this guy? Shake up the grump? I said, not yet. Not yet. But this is our, this is our history as med fans, whether it was doc good and back in the day, whether it was Matt Harvey, even the dominant year of our A Dickey, obviously, Jacob, the grump, we live with dominant starting pitchers. So I am fired up about Paralta McLean at the top. I obviously believe in Clay Holmes. I held a lot more than you. You crapped on him all last year. And I think he answered the call in game 161. And I feel good about David Peterson in a full season. So I really liked the front floor of this rotation. And I would take the two questions in Manayan Sanga and say, until you prove differently, like you have a chance to change everything. You are splitting starts every five days. That's what I would do.

23:16Well, first of all, the good news about Nolan McLean, he wasn't named the opening day starter. So that's kind of still good for the previous few years. Last year we both Ben Shaw and Manayan we named the opening day starter. He was. Guess who didn't pitch opening day. All right, that's we all have that dream trip. We've been wishing we could go on. But too often life for usually price gets on the way. That's why price line is here to help you turn your dream trip into reality. With up to 60% off hotels and up to 50% off flights, you can book everything you need for your next adventure. Don't just dream about that next trip. Book it with price line. Download the price line app or visit priceline.com and book your next trip today. Go to your happy price. Price line. So good, so good, so good. Spring styles are at Nordstrom Rack stores now. And there are up to 60% off. Stock up and save on rag and bone made well. Vince, all scenes and more of your favorites. Why do we rock for the hottest still just so many good brands join minority club to

24:21unlock exclusive discounts, shop new arrivals first and more plus buy online and pick up at your favorite rack store for free. Great brands, great prices. That's why you rack. Get in the game with the college branded Venmo debit card. Rack your team with every tap and earn up to 5% cash back with Venmo stash a new rewards program from Venmo. No monthly fee, no minimum balance, just school pride and spending power. Get in the game and sign up for the Venmo debit card at Venmo.com slash college card. The Venmo master card is issued by the bank court bank NA select schools available Venmo stash terms and exclusions apply at Venmo.me slash stash terms max $100 cash back per month. Can we address this because our met fans upset that no one McLean is not getting the opening day I think some people are but I'm honestly I don't care. It doesn't make a difference. You can told me that you know we have an opener on open day. It doesn't make a difference. I wouldn't go that far because there is something special about opening day.

25:28Yeah, but there's absolutely something special about opening day. But I think when we look at that first of all when Mendy announced this a few days ago, it was very obvious and the only reason he waited until you know a week or two into spring training and actually waited until before his first spring training start. He did he didn't announce it after his first spring training start. He did it before which I thought was a little risky like let him get healthy. Let him get into his healthy. It was always obvious. This was always the way they were going to go. And I want to take met fans back on a journey because I love Nolan McLean and I didn't know McLean is going to end up starting a lot of opening days. Jacob DeGrom did three in a row. I'm looking at the history of Metz opening day. It's it's an amazing history of opening day start. Do you remember who started opening day last year, Hoff? Did you just say it? I know Sean McLean didn't get it. Uh, right. Sean McLean was the guy that we all agreed should get it. And he obviously was right. Oh, oh, it was was it McGill? No, it was Clay Homes.

26:28Oh, I think McGill started the home opener, which he's had a lot of like McGill's had a lot of opening day itch kind of performance. I'm talking about the season opener. So it was Clay Homes before that it was Jose Cantana before that was Max Sherzer before that was Tyler McGill before that is Jacob DeGrom. So you were looking at the sixth different opening day starting picture for the New York Metz. And if you go back in their history, that is I don't think that's ever happened. Like I'm looking back at this. I got Roger Craig, Roger Craig. You got Al Jackson, Al Jackson. You got Fetchak Fisher. Okay. You got Don Cordwell. So you had, I feel like you're all Tom Sievers now. Then you got Tom Siever between 1968 and 1977. Kuzman Swan Swan Zachary. Who the hell is John? Oh, Randy Jones started on opening day, Jesus. Tom Siever, Mike Torres, Doc Gooden. So that's a streak of Swan Zachary Jones,

27:33Siever, Torres, Gooden. That's six and a row. All right. So I guess that's what it happened. But to my point, Freddie Peralta came here with huge expectations. He is an ace, right? He's more of a proven ace than Nolan McLean is. Give him the nod. And I'll give you the best example, Matt fans of where this happened. I think on a grander scale, like the scale of, whoa, really we're giving that guy opening day. I want to take you back to when Mike Hampton, after being acquired by the Houston Astros, started opening day in 2000 over Al Leiter. And Al Leiter in 1999 is first year with the Mets. It came in ace. Like he became really, really good. Actually, a second year with the Mets because 1998 was his first year with the Mets and Bobby Jones got the nod then. But Al Leiter was clearly the guy, but they go out and they trade for Mike Hampton. And I think out of respect for who they acquired, they gave Mike Hampton the opening day nod. Then Al Leiter got it for a few years. And what happens? They go out

28:36and they add Tommy Gloven and Tommy Gloven gets the nod. Then they sign Pedro Martinez and Pedro gets the nod. And they go acquire Johann Santana and he gets the nod. So there is a history that if you're acquiring a big time starter, and Freddie Peralta is, even if he's not the guys I just mentioned, that it's the honor you give him. And I saw it interview with Freddie Peralta when he was talking about it. And he's a humble guy, but it was pretty obvious. It means a lot to him. And so I think it was a no brainer. I love knowing McLean. And I think that if knowing McLean is who I think he is and who you think he is, he's going to get so many opportunities to do this. So let's take a deep breath and say Freddie was the obvious choice, because I think he was. Yeah, listen, and again, like I said, this is good news for Nolan McLean. The pressure is off. You don't have to. The pressure is not off because there's still high expectations for it. High expectations, but again, I feel like opening day start, it means you're the ace of the staff.

29:39They're giving you that reign, right? That's technically what that means. Yeah, the pressure is off a little bit because he doesn't have to be the guy right away. He can be. He certainly can be the best pitcher on this team with no question, but it doesn't automatically be like, hey, we expect you to be. Yeah, I mean, I expect him to be a week before opening day. We're going to do a lot of ricos with predictions and previews. And I think when we get to the Nolan McLean predictions, I'm probably going to go overboard. I know I need to calm myself down. A lot of other things I want to get to on today's rico. And I ask you this question. And you know what, how I've go into the live chat and see what the people think about this because I am, I am so mixed because sometimes I do this podcast, I do a radio show, and I really don't want to talk about certain things, but I do because that's what the people want. You know what I mean? Like when you host a talk show, it's not about myself. It's not about what I want to talk about, even though some people accuse me of that.

30:39It's about what you think the people want to hear. So I ask you the rico audience, do we want to get into Brandon Nemo? Like do we give a crap that Joel Sherman got the 15th different exclusive interview, talking about Brandon Nemo so Brandon can relive the trade and tell us what happened and his side of the story. And I don't mean to to urinate on Brandon Nemo. I like Brandon. He was a wonderful met. I'll give him a big ovation when he returns. But I am so sick of hearing about last year, like I'm over it, and I'm telling you right now, I don't know who the meds are going to give us to interview, but the one thing I'm not going to do is harp on 2025. We've done it already, I'm done with it. So just a fatic nose all the way around. Someone says, yes, that we talk about the guy that we're not supposed to talk about. So I'm not going to say his name. And then there's one person that says, yes, because I don't know what you're talking about. I haven't heard it. Oh, geez. All right.

31:40No, no, no, I'm going to meet in the middle. I'm going to very quickly. It's going to be like a minute. I'm going to explain brand like the big parts of the brand and ML stuff and we're going to move on. And we're going to get to the stuff that matters because it doesn't frickin matter. Basically, Brandon did an interview with the post. I mean, his 15th different interview in which he talked about, well, you know, when they come to me and say there's a trade, it's like your wife coming to you saying, I want to get divorced, but it's up to you. You really have no choice. I thought that was a great analogy, by the way. My prayer didn't go well. We want to trade you, but you have a no trade clause. So if you say no, fine, but we do want to trade you. Yes, my wife comes up to me and says, honey, I wanted to divorce you, but you know what? You have to sign it too. So if you don't want to get divorced, you can stay. And that's basically Brandon explaining why he accepted the trade to Texas. He's, this is a pure, he is so concerned about what Matt fans think about him. And he really shouldn't be. That fans like him.

32:41Like right now, even us not wanting to talk about it, it's not because we don't like you. It's because we're just over you. We got to move on. Like we have lives. We have to, we were sleeping with somebody else now if we're going to use the white knowledge. Yeah, I'm excited. Let's go. I got a new baby. Let's go. That's right. But Brandon in talking about the clubhouse said it, he understands if there was criticism towards him, for example, because a part of his program, that's allowed him to stay healthy last couple of years, is that he would hardly ever take batting practice, feeling it was detrimental to warm up. So Nimmo often waits close to the game to get in a uniform, warm up, and play. And that is some a parteness from the club. And he feels it disturbed some people about that. I do think that a part of the things had a little bit to do with that. And then he mentioned, and this is my favorite part, that he thinks he talked too much during meetings. And that may have annoyed people. Can I tell you that was my favorite part? That was my favorite part of the story, because that's basically

33:42like nobody wants to hear from me anymore, but I'm going to say one more thing, and it's tone deaf. And by the way, all of this means Tommy Femme was right. How about that? I don't think it means Tommy Femme was right. He said this was the least hardest working team in the Biggs. Right, but he's not like a thousand teams. He knows. In fairness to Brandon Nimmo, him staying healthy the last couple of years is actually kind of miraculous. If you go back to the early days of the Rico, when we did the examining, resigning Brandon Nimmo, Rico, Bronya, you go over his health history. It wasn't good. And the fact that he had been able to stay healthy, and at least on the field, even if he was injured, but playing through it, was really a testament to him. And if that involved taking less batting practice and working less hard, I mean, are we really killing him for it? Well, all I'm going to say is this is I always thought that Brandon Nimmo was this like, I don't want to say dirty, but this awkward type of player, this like,

34:44you know, he didn't have the normal repertoire of getting into a game. He had like a little different type of way that he maintains his health. But it seemed like it was affecting a lot. And like, mind you, he's in New York. It's cold weather for the first month of the season. If he can't get ready early in games, period, in the first month of the season, he's basically useless. Even though his numbers were technically better, usually the first half of the season, I recall him talking and wanting to order all the time. Even last year, as he started to hit the boy like, wait for May, wait for June. The ball will start to fly. He's not built for this area. That's really what it comes down to. So it's better off he goes to Texas. All right, enough. We're done. Is that fair? We're done. Let's go. Great. Please, please. To Joel Sherman, who's a fine reporter to, you know, Tim Healy, to every other metric, stop talking to these former meds.

35:45You know, when you could talk to the former met, when we play them, I totally understand that. Like when the meds play the Texas Rangers, go to town. When the meds play the A's, which is early in the season, let's hear from Jeff McNeil. But I think as we sit here in spring training, we are, and I think I speak for many med fans when I say this, we're just looking forward to this team. Doesn't mean we think this team's going to be great, but we're looking forward to a new season. And going through the past, it's like, it's enough. It really is. I can't, can I say, it's over at, man, 2025 sock. Let's just move on. Could I tell you something? And this is pissing me off a little bit. And this would be the only for less than I say about it. I happen to put on MLB Network today. And I forget Greg Amsinger and, and Yad Yurolanzo. I think it was Yad Yurolanzo down there and talking about the Texas Rangers and hyping up with Kenzie Gorel, so always with the Grammys with this. And they talk about Brandt and Nemo and how the expectations are. He's going to be the main part of it all.

36:47What are you doing? What are you doing? No, I just, I couldn't believe this. I just said we're done talking about him. And now we're hearing about what we think of the Rangers. No, I just say it like the Rangers. Hold on, I've been like, boy, is this, you know how down I am on Nemo anyway. I never thought he'd ever be the life of the party. If that's the case, the Rangers are going to suck. By the way, let him have a good year. I got no issue with Brandt and Nemo. By the way, a couple days ago, Starling Marta signed with the Kansas City Royals. I almost forgot he existed. It shows you that Wansoto's words matter, but only to a point. Because we all remember last year, Wongo and out of his way, talking about Starling Marta being the real leader of the team and I didn't have an issue bringing him back, but I think when you look at the roster right now, just the way this roster is built and the battles for the final few roster spots and who's going to get at bats and who's not going to get at bats, he just doesn't fit. Like it just doesn't, it doesn't work. So I wish him the best of luck in Kansas City. Well, CV makes the team. I think it was a minor league deal. The other thing I noticed over the last few days,

37:48obviously Brett Beatty got his first work at first base. I went back on that game and I wanted to see every play that involved Brett Beatty and it's tough because he made that really good play with I think it was second and third with one out. Bottom line was there was a runner on third base and Brett Beatty was very aggressive, fielding a ground ball to his right, made the play quickly went to first base. There was no bad throws, there were no scoops. He looked solid over there and maybe I'm jumping at some crazy conclusions because again, he really wasn't tested in this. I think he's such a good athlete. Such a good athlete and he turned himself in such a solid third baseman, which was really impressive because we watched him get better right in front of us. And then even second base. Remember all you e-mailers? Oh, Brett Beatty can't play second base. Stop bringing it up, Evan. And then to his credit, not my credit, Brett Beatty turned himself in a good second baseman. I bet she's going to be a good first baseman. I do. I already forgot, but on the last Riko

38:49where I think it was two Riko's ago, we were playing that game of who's going to end up playing first base the most. I almost have to go back into the archives. That has Dan, our archivist. I think I said, Beatty's going to play the most in first base. I don't know if I said that, but you know what? I think that, I think that today. I want to see more of him out there. And obviously more of him in the right field. I think versatility is a good thing. But I think he's a good enough athlete as a former football player and as a guy who we saw get better in front of us in front of our eyes defensively. At third base and second base. I think he's going to do a good job at first base. I really do. And I think when you look at the other options right now, obviously Mauricio is not playing first base. I've recommended it, but that's a ways down the road. We've seen him play a little short stop. Third base, second base, kind of that range. But when you look at the other options, Mark, the Anthos is awkward over there. I don't know if he's ever going to become good. And we still haven't seen Jorge Polonco over there. We haven't seen it. The right field competition continues to be fierce.

39:50I mean, everybody's performing. MJ Melendez had a big day the other day. Mike Takman has been productive. And Carson Bench has been impressive. Here's the thing about Carson Bench. And I think back to what Mandy said at the beginning of camp, it's not going to be about the numbers. He looks the part. He's got a good arm and right field. We saw play and I get all these spring training games confused. But we saw play at Saturday. I'll just say Saturday like anyone's going to fact check me on this. I don't even think the game was on TV or Friday's game, whatever it was, where he is armed. Hell day runner at third base. It actually may have been Sunday. He looks the part defensively. He made that really good dive and catch the other day as well. And is that bats are good? Is that bats are good? He's going to make this team. And honestly, he should make this team. I know it's only a week in, a week and a half in. But he just feels like a major leader. He feels like it. And I also think like there's no harm in him making the team. We've seen guys go back down to the minor leagues and then come back.

40:53That's not something that's like unforeseen. You can't not do that. So it's early and we'll get to see him in person next week. I can't wait. Hopefully we'll talk to him. That'd be a nice Rico Bronie guest. But I think he's going to make the team. I want him to make the team. And I think Mike Talkman is just a wonderful fourth outfielder. And I'm going to look this up. This is going to be a live time fact check of myself. But I seem to think or believe based on his time with the New York Yankees. That Mike Talkman is one of those left hand titters that hits lefties pretty well. So let me fact check myself first just to see if there's some accuracy. Let's check the splits of Mike Talkman left these versus righties. Let's look at his career numbers and see if I'm right. Oh yeah. I feel good when I fact check myself and I'm right. Against righties 244 726 OPS against lefties 255 728 OPS. So an OPS basically the same two points higher. A batting average 11 points higher.

41:54And I'm based percentage nine points higher slugging 13 points lower. That's in his major league career. As far as last year was concerned, 2025, he hit 220 with a 776 OPS and three home runs against right handers against lefties against righties. 272 752 OPS. So much higher batting average, but the OPS not that far off. So yes, the fact check backs me up. He's not a guy who you should be afraid of facing left handed pitching. And look, MJ Melendez is kind of in the same boat. Would you like another right handed bat, sure? But I think that it makes sense for him to make the team as a guy with major league experience. And a guy who's been very productive. Now I got to look at MJ Melendez's splits. I honestly have no idea. The problem with MJ Melendez is last year, he was five for 60. And that's why he ended up in the minor leagues. So his splits are going to be crappy all the way around the year ago. But I've said this to you before about MJ Melendez.

42:55I like him. 27 years old. He's going to be on the meds this season at some point. But it probably makes the most sense for him to start the year in the minor leagues. Mike Tockman and Carson Banger certainly way in front in terms of the right field competition. And as far as having a right handed bat, you have Tyrone Taylor hit a home run on Sunday. So I feel okay about it. Now let's get to the WBC. I like the WBC. What I'm curious about is this is a Metcentric podcast. But you know, sometimes we do generic baseball. If you go back to game seven of the World Series, we did an instant reaction. As soon as that game was done, how could you not? Do you want us to talk WBC? Or should it be strictly the Met's relation to the WBC? So you let me know what you want over the next couple of days. I like the tournament. The way I view this tournament is I watch it. I can't say I'm watching every second of it. The way I do Met's baseball. Like am I going to score every team USA game? No, but I like to watch it.

43:57I find it very entertaining. I think it's a fun tournament. Am I worried about injuries? Look, injuries happen. And what we have to remind ourselves is that, look, the Edwin Diaz thing is completely different. I put that aside because that's an odd, crazy celebratory injury. But if a guy pulls a hamstring, he could do that in spring training. If an elbow goes, I hate to say it with a picture, you can do that in spring training. You could do that the second day of the regular season. So I tend to think that these injuries and there have been plenty. I remember Mark to share I got hurt. I think it was a wrist injury in the WBC and it affected him. And I know that pissed a lot of Yankee fans off. Injuries are part of sports. And obviously I am nervous that Nolan McLean is going to get hurt. So I'm going to watch his stars and just be like a mother who's afraid that his child is going to get hurt all the time. I'm going to be a helicopter mom watching when McLean and the WBC. But I also hope he has great success. And I think with McLean, I'll start with him specifically.

45:00This can benefit him. Like pitching in a big moment or what it feels like a big moment can help train him for the really big moment down the road. And so for a guy like Juan Soto, I don't think it makes any difference. I mean, for him, it does. I'm talking about for us. I don't think it's going to change anything about him. But I think in the case of Nolan McLean, even Clay Holmes, you know, being a starting pitcher, if he is starting, I don't know if he will. In a big spot in the WBC, I guess there's something to be learned from that. Well, I think there's big pressure at moments in the WBC. And it puts people into I don't like it so revved up already. Like, you know, you're already in high competition so early. While most people are spring training mode, like just working on pitches like Devon Williams. But that being said, though, the one thing that I do agree with you 100%. And I think I'm going to say it a little differently, but almost the same thing. You say you can get injured spring training. You get injured early in the season. I think I've always had this philosophy. If your ACL goes, it's going to go eventually anyway.

46:03It's not because of something that happened today. It was bad. I kind of agree with you. Like, I know that there's more intensity in these games, but you're right. And I don't know if there's any health expert who can prove it. But yeah, like if you're going to have this kind of major injury, isn't it inevitably going to happen to you anyway? So yeah, so yeah, so like have fun with it. If the players really like it, let them enjoy it. I've seen now that the reaction to the USA men's hockey team and the USA women's hockey team. Like, that's awesome. Let these guys have some fun. Like, they're about to go to a serious grind. Let them enjoy themselves a little bit. And if the USA wins, maybe we get a little extra praise, no? Tip the cap. No one can claim. I mean, I hope they win. Like, I'm watching it. And I hope they win. But I made this point about the Olympics. Like, if they win, I'd say that's great. That's exciting. Let's move on now to the rest of spring training. And if they lose, I'll say, yeah, it's like, all right, let's move on to the rest of spring training. When the match lose, we don't do that.

47:03You know, we, we sit here and do 155 Rico bronies trying to figure out what the hell went wrong. That's usually what we do. Now, I remind you, if you are headed down to Florida, we are bringing the Rico bronia to DOS Beer Garden in Jupiter, Florida. That's going to be on Saturday at four o'clock. It's a beautiful, beautiful bar. Have a beer. Have a drink and yell, met stuff at us. And we'll make it the people's Rico bronia. We'll bring a handful of people up and give you a couple minutes to rant about the meds. Talk about the meds. Be excited about the meds. That's coming up on Saturday. DOS Beer Garden, Jupiter, Florida. We'll do another Rico the following day. And we'll give you the feels of spring training. Real quick before we wrap this up, you mentioned Devon Williams. Obviously, a first pitch home run in spring training looks bad and it becomes a meme. And everybody laughs about it. It obviously means nothing. I think we all know that. My level of worry in Devon Williams, though, is high.

48:04And maybe there's some irrationality to that because Devon Williams has been one of the better closures in baseball. And last year was an unlucky season with the New York Yankees. But he is probably my biggest worry going into 2026. Like, I feel good about this lineup, different, but I feel good. I feel good about the rotation. We've spent a lot of time talking about that. The bullpen, that's a different story. And the head of the snake to at least start the year is Devon Williams. And I admit, I have some worry. Now, I hope he shuts me up. And he goes 15 scoreless headaches to start his met career. So this isn't about the home run because obviously that means nothing. And really, spring training doesn't mean anything with Devon Williams. He's trying new things. I am not concerned about that. But am I concerned? 2-1 Metz opening day. Metz scratch out a few runs against Paul Schien's. Freddie Peralta gives him six beautiful innings. And Devon Williams is coming in the ninth inning. Trying to protect the 2-1 lead. Yeah, I'd be very worried. That's my kind of fear going into 2026.

49:06Yeah, but the whole thing with this first pitch, too, by the way, like you said, he's working on different things. He's working on a cutter. Like, that's the first time he's ever thrown it. So like, I'm mad about that. I'm just saying, like, I'm worried. He didn't have to give up a home run for me to tell you that he's my biggest worry going into 2026. All right. But here's the other thing about last year being so awful. You know how freaking odd arms are in the bullpen. I know. So this is like, we've seen Edwin Diaz beat atrocious. I agree. And then be amazing. So I go the other way. I think that Devin Williams is going to be the best closer in New York. Well, you're also a weird Devin Williams stand because you sat here last year until June saying he's better than Edwin Diaz. So I give you credit for consistency. I mean, you hate Brandon Nemo and you love Devin Williams. And that's fine. And I admit that there is some irrationality into my concerns about Devin Williams. But you know what?

50:08Shut me up. I'm not going to harp on it this entire spring training because there's nothing you can do about it. Go out and get off to a good start. And be that closer. I said this a lot about Edwin. You're going to blow saves. And that's okay. Like being a closer, unless your Brad Lige in 2008, or Eric Gagne when he was doing God knows what, you're going to blow saves. That's okay. Sometimes it's the moment you blow the save. And it's if a blown save turns into a disaster. Like you can blow a save and still win the game. You can come in with a two to one lead, give up a lead off home run. And then both the next three guys down to blown save. And then you'll win it at the bottom of the ninth inning. So sometimes it's how you blow a save and when you blow a save. Do you think that Craig Kimberl's a lock for this roster? No, he's not a lock. And you know, watching him pitch like his velocity is low. Maybe I shouldn't do that because I'm so used to him throwing 98, 99 back in the day. I think he's got a real shot to make the team. I got to see more of him. Like his appearance wasn't bad.

51:08It wasn't great. It was just okay. Let me see more. He's got a real shot to make the team. He's going to get a chance to pitch a lot or at least as much as they're willing to over the next few weeks. And we'll see. My gut is he does make the team. That was my prediction. I think at the beginning of the spring training when we projected the 26. But if you want to go back and listen to that episode of the Rico, you can and hear how we projected the 26. But we got another Rico coming up this week. As we react to the goings on's of spring training. And then I mentioned we're taking the Rico on the road. Bed back and all to Das Beer Garden on Saturday in Jupiter, Florida. Any thoughts or any things you disagreed with, you can always email us to ricobeachemel.com. And I do remind you, we've gotten tons of entries in our fantasy baseball league, the Rico fantasy league. We will be announcing the 10 lucky people. And you are lucky because it's like a 1% chance to get in. I warn you, we will announce the 10 lucky people on the Sunday edition of Rico, Bronia, a week from today. So make sure you're tuned in.

52:10Probably going to be about five, six o'clock late afternoon, right after Metz Yankees. Hoff and I will head on over to the beautiful PGA national. And we'll do a Rico there like we did last year. And in the course of that Rico, along with listening to interviews, we will unveil the 10 lucky people that made the Rico fantasy league. So a lot coming up over the next week or so. We appreciate you downloading, listening and subscribing to another edition of Rico, Bronia. No matter how you do game day, on the couch, in the crowd, or manning the snack table, athletic brewing fits right in. With a full lineup of non-alcoholic beer styles,

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