One of the most notable free agents has finally signed with only days until Spring Training, and it’s a reunion that many have been expecting. Late Wednesday night, the New York Mets and Pete Alonso agreed on a deal to bring the Polar Bear back for at least one more season in Flushing.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss why the re-signing by the Mets was always inevitable despite the back-and-forth between the club and Alonso’s camp, the reasoning why the first-base market never materialized for Pete and the reason why the Amazin’s lineup looks so much better now.

Also, on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys talk about a few notable Spring Training position battles, including who is playing third base for the New York Yankees and which pitchers might be included in an already crowded Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation. Jake & Jordan then talk about a few important players returning in 2025 before making their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

(1:30) - The Opener: Pete Alonso re-signs
(15:53) - Scott Boras Scoreboard update
(21:20) - Around The League: Spring Training position battles
(33:47) - Who’s returning in 2025?
(37:48) - Turbo Mode: Baseball transactions
(42:00) - The Good, The Bad & The Uggla
(1:01:12) - BBQ Homework

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As Spring Training rapidly approaches, a couple of notable free-agent pitchers have found teams just in time for pitchers and catchers to report. With Jack Flaherty returning to the Detroit Tigers and Max Scherzer taking his Hall of Fame resume to the Toronto Blue Jays, both teams are hoping the pitchers provide a spark to their rotations.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the surprising move of Flaherty going back to Detroit and why his contract signals that he will more than likely re-test free agency after next season, as well as whether the Blue Jays will be able to get a healthy Scherzer to anchor their rotation in an already competitive AL East division.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys take a look at some of the top prospects in baseball, including Roman Anthony from the Boston Red Sox, Sebastian Walcott from the Texas Rangers and Drake Baldwin from the Atlanta Braves. They then answer some of your questions from the BBQ mailbag before offering a baseball comp to the Luka Dončić-Anthony Davis trade.

(1:09) - The Opener: Jack Flaherty to the Tigers

(11:47) - Max Scherzer to the Blue Jays

(20:17) - Jordan’s Prospect Hut: A look at some top prospects

(41:40) - BBQ Mailbag

(58:52) - What’s the baseball comp to the Luka-A.D. trade?

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And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

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🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://twitter.com/j_shusterman_

The New York Yankees haven’t been quiet this offseason in regard to putting together a roster that they feel can hopefully get them back to the World Series in 2025. The same can be said for Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner this past week when he made a little noise himself, notably making comments about how the Los Angeles Dodgers have spent this offseason.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the noise that came from the Boss in the Bronx about how teams can’t spend like the world champs currently are and if these comments have something to do with the upcoming CBA talks that will surely focus on free agency and the way teams spend. They also talk about Hal selling the 2025 team as better than the 2024 club and whether the Yankees can actually put faith in a bounce-back season from Paul Goldschmidt and DJ LeMahieu.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys get into the incredible performance (and bat flip) by Junior Caminero from Game 7 of the LIDOM championship, including a feat that’s almost unheard of and how much better he can possibly get. Jake and Jordan also talk about Ha-Seong Kim and Carlos Estévez signing deals, as well as make their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

(1:36) - The Opener: Hal Steinbrenner’s comments

(21:44) - Around the League: Ha-Seong Kim and Carlos Estévez sign

(33:18) - Turbo Mode: Recapping other transactions

(38:53) - Holy %^&*$#&%: Junior Caminero’s Game 7 performance

(52:08) - The Good

(55:26) - The Bad

(59:41) - The Uggla

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

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And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

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🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://twitter.com/j_shusterman_

Over the weekend, the Houston Astros were finally able to trade reliever Ryan Pressly to the Chicago Cubs after he agreed to waive his no-trade clause and sign off on the deal. With the trade going through and some money being saved, could this mean the Astros are willing to bring back a familiar face at third base?

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss whether the Pressly-Cubs trade could indicate that Houston is trying to find funds to re-sign Alex Bregman and reunite him with Jose Altuve, something the second baseman has said he's willing to do by moving to the outfield to help accommodate the team. Even though the Astros have, in theory, moved on from the two-time All-Star based on the moves they’ve made, perhaps a reunion could be in the cards now.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys talk about comments made by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen at Amazin’ Day, which suggest he might be drawing a line in the sand regarding bringing back Pete Alonso and why he may be showing agent Scott Boras he’s done being taken advantage of. Later, Jake and Jordan discuss some controversy in the LIDOM championship that might involve a corked bat, as well as the Washington Nationals doing something they’ve never done before.

(1:28) - The Opener: Possible Bregman reunion
(17:54) - What can Cubs expect from Pressly?
(22:56) - Kind of a Big Deal: Cohen comments on Alonso
(36:46) - LIDOM championship controversy
(46:20) - Around the League: Nationals sign Shinnosuke Ogasawara

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ij2sgR

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And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://twitter.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://twitter.com/j_shusterman_

The members of the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame class were announced on Tuesday night. Ichiro Suzuki, C.C. Sabathia and Billy Wagner received the news that they would be enshrined in Cooperstown, adding yet another notable achievement to the legacy of their storied careers.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the very deserving class of 2025, including why it’s not a big deal that Ichiro didn’t get 100% of the vote, Sabathia overcoming struggles with addiction that helped him get back into baseball and Billy Wagner’s emotional reception of the news on his final try on the ballot. They then talk about the potential 2026 class and whether Carlos Beltrán will be the only player elected.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys talk about the Los Angeles Dodgers introducing Roki Sasaki to the media on Wednesday, the Atlanta Braves bringing in Jurickson Profar to solidify their outfield, the Cleveland Guardians’ surprising addition of Paul Sewald and then make their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

(1:00) - The Opener: Hall of Fame Class of 2025
(27:53) - Dodgers unveil Roki
(48:40) - Around the League: Profar to the Braves
(55:29) - Guardians get some relief
(58:07) - The Good
(1:01:08) - The Bad
(1:05:40) - The Uggla

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ij2sgR

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📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuTQj

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://twitter.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://twitter.com/j_shusterman_

The dream offseason that the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers are having continued with the signing of prized Japanese ace Roki Sasaki, right before agreeing to a deal with star closer Tanner Scott. As the Dodgers continue to assemble a team that resembles something out of a video game, many are wondering if this is good for the game of baseball.

Jake Mintz is joined by senior writer from The Athletic, Andy McCullough, as they discuss whether Los Angeles’ spending is going a bit too far and whether it could force the league to consider a spending cap in future CBA negotiations. They also talk about why the Dodgers are in a position where they can take a risk on acquiring a reliever like Tanner Scott in a way that other teams might not be willing to.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake and Andy discuss the Toronto Blue Jays finally landing the slugger they've been after in Anthony Santander and why they might be having a sneaky good offseason that could help them land a postseason spot come October. They also get into the Baseball Hall of Fame election announcement, which will likely include Ichiro Suzuki, C.C. Sabathia, and Billy Wagner all being elected.

(1:39) - The Opener - Roki Sasaki to the Dodgers
(20:27) - Dodgers sign Tanner Scott
(26:22) - Is LA’s spending bad for baseball?
(42:05) - One Dumb Question - A salary cap in baseball?
(50:11) - Around The League - Santander to Toronto
(54:41) - Hall of Fame election night

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ij2sgR

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42Lo4fa

📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuTQj

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://twitter.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://twitter.com/j_shusterman_

While many of the top free agents this offseason have signed and know where they’ll be playing baseball next season, one franchise player still remains on the market and it seems like his old team is ready to move on. After signing Jesse Winker on Thursday, the New York Mets are reportedly ready to pivot their offseason plans away from bringing back franchise first baseman Pete Alonso.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss why the polar bear has a right to be frustrated with the way things have gone for him this free agency with the Mets, question the lack of interest in a player who has been so durable on the field and explore where he could ultimately end up if his time in Queens is actually over.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys take a look back and remember the remarkable career of the late Bob Uecker, give a recap of some of the more notable International Signing Day players who signed, break down the latest in the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes involving the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Toronto Blue Jays, before making their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

(2:04) - The Opener: Remembering Bob Uecker

(15:00) - Where things stand with Roki Sasaki

(25:05) - Around the League: Mets pivoting from Pete Alonso

(35:38) - International Signing Day recap

(48:56) - The Good

(53:53) - The Bad

(56:55) - The Uggla

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ij2sgR

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42Lo4fa

📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuTQj

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://twitter.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://twitter.com/j_shusterman_

We are eight days away from finding out who will be in the Baseball Hall of Fame class of 2025, and while there will surely be a few slam-dunk first-ballot inductees, there will also be one player who is trying to get in on his tenth and final try.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the possibility of Ichiro Suzuki becoming the first position player to obtain 100% of the vote, whether CC Sabathia will be elected as a first-ballot Hall of Famer or have to wait a year and if Billy Wagner will finally join the club on his last ballot. All three are trending in the right direction, but we’ll have to wait until January 21st to see.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys open up the BBQ Mailbag and answer some of your questions, including Justin Verlander’s apparent love of the color orange, when players stop trying to get inside-the-park home runs and if MLB could incorporate some mystery into the next Home Run Derby to add a little juice to the competition. Jake & Jordan then give an update on Roki Sasaki’s free agency and comment on the reliever market heating back up after Jeff Hoffman signed with the Toronto Blue Jays.

(3:07) - The Opener: Hall of Fame voting
(18:50) - Who might get in eventually
(29:37) - Jake & Jordan’s ballot
(35:37) - BBQ Mailbag
(48:01) - Around the League: Roki Sasaki free agency update
(52:50) - Reliever market heating back up

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ij2sgR

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42Lo4fa

📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuTQj

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://twitter.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://twitter.com/j_shusterman_