Baseball Isn’t Boring

It was time for Bradfo and Baseball Isn't Boring to weigh in on the big news in baseball: Shohei Ohtani is signing with the Dodgers for 10 years and $700 million. There is a lot to pick through, starting with Joe Kelly's wife Instagram video and campaign to help land the superstar. Bradfo dive into everything involving the Ohtani news. The deal itself. The fan bases. The team. And the media. It's the ultimate guide to a pretty big deal. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There hasn't been a free agent pursuit quite like the one involving Shohei Ohtani. That is a reality we have been reminded of throughout the past few weeks, with teams being sworn to secrecy to an absurd level and social media being flooded with a tidal wave of misinformation. ESPN's Buster Olney joined Bradfo to discuss Buster's column on the matter and how the whole situation has gotten out of hand. To listen to the entire Olney podcast, click here. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this conversation, Liam Skiffington and André Riezno, the first Brazilian born player to pitch in the MLB, discuss their experiences in Dubai and the challenges they faced during their trip. They talk about their desert safari adventure, exploring the Dubai Mall and airport, flight issues, and the importance of patience. André also shares his passion for baseball in Brazil and his dream of helping the sport grow in the country. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bradfo jumped on the 'Rich Keefe Show' on WEEI in Boston to dissect all that comes with the Red Sox approach so far this offseason, and what Craig Breslow and Co. might be thinking now that the Winter Meetings are done. If you want to know the what's what when it comes to the rebuilding of the Red Sox, you should take a listen. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ESPN's Buster Olney is back on Baseball Isn't Boring, this time going deep into the Yankees' deals for Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo. What will be each player's impact and fit in New York? Why are the Yanks doing what they're doing? What this all means when it comes to the shifting of power in the American League? And then there is the very pointed conversation regarding Buster's recent column, that called out Ohtani and his camp for their approach to this free agent tour. If you like baseball and you like opinions, this is the podcast for you. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Yankees haven't been shy this week in allocating their minor leaguers in order to get short-term very impactful players - such as Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo. So how good are these prospects? In his latest appearance on the podcast, Sam Dykstra offers insight into a couple of key pieces of the Yanks' recent deals, offering scouting reports on Drew Thorpe (now a Padre) and Richard Fitts (now a Red Sox). To listen to the entire conversation with Sam, click here. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What players should teams be actually excited about from Wednesday's Rule 5 Draft? Who should have been taken? Who shouldn't have been taken? This is the ultimate what's what when it comes to the annual exercise of plucking minor leaguers and telling them they have a sudden fast track to the major leagues. Helping guide us once again is MLB Pipeline analyst Sam Dykstra, who joins Bradfo to dissect exactly what happened in this year's Rule 5 Draft. There is also some good Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo trade analysis along the way. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boston Red Sox Legendary Radio Broadcaster Joe Castiglione Is Headed To Cooperstown! Announced this morning as the winner of the Hall of Fame's Ford Frick Award Winner, Joe meets with the media to the emotions he is feeling and his journey to the National Baseball Hall of Fame To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Red Sox CBO Craig Breslow meets with the media to discuss the Alex Verdugo trade and what that could mean for the Red Sox moves going forward To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Finally, some action at the Winter Meetings! Late Tuesday night there was an actual meaningful trade pulled off, with the Red Sox sending outfielder Alex Verdugo to the Yankees for three minor-league pitchers. It's just the beginning, but at least it's something. Bradfo offers his analysis from both the Red Sox and Yankees side of things, along with some very noteworthy sound from a previous Verdugo appearance on BIB. We also get into Dave Roberts' Shohei Ohtani potential misstep, along with the latest on who is seemingly a finalist for the superstar's services. Along the way, we also remind you that Ben Nicholson-Smith was ahead of the curve on the Blue Jays candidacy thanks to his appearance on BIB earlier this week. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New York Yankees Manager Aaron Boone meets with the media to discuss the latest on the Yankees pursuit of Juan Soto and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, which players he believes will step up in 2024, and how he plans on changing his managing style in 2024 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora meets with the media to discuss the latest on the Red Sox plans at second base, discusses that they have met with many free agent pitchers, along with discussing what the Red Sox current players are doing to prepare for Spring Training To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Philadelphia Phillies Manager Rob Thomson meets with the media to discuss the latest on the Phillies plans for centerfield, what areas he feels the team needs to address, and how he still feels the sting of getting eliminated in the NLCS To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

San Diego Padres Manager Mike Shildt meets with the media to discuss the latest on when his coaching staff will be finalized, what areas he feels the team needs to address, the talent that they already have in house, and how his first month on the job has been To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Craig Breslow is now the Chief Baseball Officer for the Red Sox, pulling the strings for the organization at the Winter Meetings. But it was years ago Breslow was first introduced to the annual baseball get-together, going to the Meetings as a player. Bradfo is once again joined by Bob Baratta, Breslow's former agent who recounts when the pair navigated the event as a player and agent. Baratta explains how the experiences impacted Breslow's current lot in life, along with insight into what an agent does as the Meetings. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New York Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza meets with the media to discuss the Mets moves, what areas of the team he believes they need to address next, gives updates on Jeff McNeil and Starling Marte, and talks about how his first month on the job has been To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chicago White Sox Manager Pedro Grifol meets with the media to discuss the White Sox moves, where he believes they need to address next, and how the 2024 White Sox will be better than the 2023 White Sox To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we sit on the edge of what we all hope is an active Winter Meetings, take a few minutes to listen to Rangers exec - and former Royals general manager - Dayton Moore offer insight into how things have changed when it comes to teams actually making signings and trades. It's a good blueprint for analyzing how front office folks are approaching things these days. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Not every free agent has to be at the level of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Blake Snell. But that doesn't mean there aren't some names who are going to be inked in the coming week(s) who will be key pieces of winning teams. That's why Ed Hand is here to offer up six players who your club can sign that will likely make an under-the-radar difference heading into 2024. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Things have officially kicked off in Nashville, with the baseball world converging for the Winter Meetings. Baseball Isn't Boring will have you covered every step of the way, starting with some great conversations with Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith about the team that might be the straw that stirs the offseason drink - the Toronto Blue Jays. Also, thanks to free agent expert Ed Hand we deliver five players your team might sign that won't get a press conference but will help win ballgames. Let us help you guide us through the craziest week of the MLB offseason, starting with this podcast. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

'Tis the season to find baseball books for your baseball-loving friends, family and loved ones. And that's why Baseball Isn't Boring is here for you. Bradfo catches up with friend of the podcast actor Nate Corddry - a baseball book expert - to offer the absolute best list of baseball-themed books you can secure heading into the holiday season. Nate doesn't disappoint, going into detail why he believes there are some baseball books that should separate themselves from the rest. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Baseball Isn't Boring goes international as STAT's Liam Skiffington returns from Dubai after covering the Baseball United All -Star Showcase last week. Liam sits down with Baseball United West All-Star, Connor Panas. The two explore Baseball United's impact across the world, Connor's experience sharing the field with MLB legends like Robinson Cano, and the future of the league. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Angels GM and current Mariners POBO Jerry Dipoto sits down with Bradfo to discuss how Mike Trout's 2014 extension before his third full season in the big leagues impacted Dipoto's decision to approach Julio Rodriguez even sooner and lock him up long-term following his electric Rookie of the Year campaign in 2022 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the news that the Brewers on the verge of signing prospect Jackson Chourio to an historic eight-year deal, Bradfo gives you three conversations with general managers who have taken the dive into inking youngsters to long-term deals. Atlanta's Alex Anthopolous, Arizona's Mike Hazen and Seattle's Jerry Dipoto all give unique insight into how they viewed the commitment to players like Ronald Acuna Jr., Corbin Carroll and Julio Rodriguez. It's the ultimate guide to contract extensions. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Appearing on 'Dukes & Bell' on 92.9 The Game in Atlanta, Bradfo told the guys the pitcher and player the Braves should be targeting is friend of Baseball Isn't Boring Dylan Cease. The conversation turned to how teams like Atlanta should be targeting the right players to get their ultimate goal, not worrying too much about what you might be sacrificing in the future. Oh, and there is, of course, some Shohei Ohtani talk. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

105.3 The Fan's Mike Bacsik of The K&C Masterpiece's "Baseball Nuggets" Segment discusses Dayton Moore's comments how the Rangers decided to go all-in at the trade deadline To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Royals POBO & Rangers Senior Advisor Dayton Moore sits down with Bradfo to discuss how the Winter Meetings has evolved, the pressure of needing to make a splash, and how he managed to land Royals Legend Joakim Soria in the Rule 5 Draft To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dayton Moore has won three World Series - one each with the Braves, Royals and now Rangers. After serving at Kansas City's general manager for their title team, he now is Texas' GM Chris Young's right-hand man with the Rangers. Moore joined Bradfo to offer insight into how the Rangers orchestrated their World Series-winning season, taking us behind the scenes with key moments and moves in the Texas front office. He also explains how and why baseball has changed when it comes to pulling off trades and sometimes being paralyzed by too much information. There is also a look behind the curtain when it comes to what life is like at the Winter Meetings for the chief decision-makers. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rangers Broadcaster C.J. Nitkowski joins Bradfo to give his assessment on this year's free agent pitching market, who he thinks are the top dogs and who he thinks is getting slept on, but can be a valuable addition to a contending team! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last week it was Red Sox reliever John Schreiber. This 'Relief Pitcher Wednesday' centers around nine-year veteran Mychal Givens, a highly-touted shortstop-turned-pitcher who has found himself pitching in some of the most important innings a reliever can experience. Givens talks about his switch from position player to pitcher, whether or not there can be another Shohei Ohtani, lessons learned from playing in the World Baseball Classic, and why he knew the 2023 Orioles were going to be so good. All of it in a conversation with Bradfo before Givens heads to the David Ortiz Celebrity Golf Classic, an event that helps save kids lives! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There is no doubt that Jordan Montgomery helped his free agent cause with a memorable run to a World Series title. But where has the lefty landed among the other top tier available starters on the open market? Former big league pitcher C.J. Nitkowski - of both the Rangers' broadcast and MLB Network Radio - joins Bradfo to take a deep dive into why Montgomery is a worthwhile investment. The guys also take a look back at Texas' improbable championship journey, with an insiders' view of how it all happened. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you know how many pitchers were used in 2023? Nine hundred and thirty eight! That is 938. Three teams used 40 or more. With that reality, there are lessons to be learned heading into 2024. Bradfo guides you through which remaining free agent starters should be prioritized because of the dynamic, and how teams might start prioritizing not having to lean on minor leaguers who aren't ready for the prime time. You won't look at building a pitching staff the same way. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cardinals President Of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak and newly signed Sonny Gray meet with the St Louis and National Media to discuss his contract, decision to sign with the Cardinals, what and who convinced him to go to St Louis, and much more as the offseason rolls on To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our free agent ranking expert - Ed Hand - is back with the list everybody is digesting and debating. Ed joins Bradfo to pick through how he came to rank his Top 20, explaining the ins and outs of why who went where. Sonny Gray ahead of Jordan Montgomery. Whit Merrifield high as one of the top position players. And how about Tim Anderson? All that and more. Listen. Think. React. It's free agent season. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it comes to top of the rotation pitchers, it is definitely a sellers market. That's why Dylan Cease's name is being bandied about in trade talks. Bradfo catches up with one of the 'Who Says No' guys, Sammy of the 'Play Tessie' podcast', to offer up a couple of deals for the White Sox ace that make all kinds of sense. And, to top it off, we begin the podcast with a reminder of how motivated Cease is for 2024 with the pitcher, himself, explaining his mindset. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zack Scott has lived the life of being a boss - or GM - with the New York Mets. It's why he is uniquely qualified to give his take on why David Stearns is the right man for the job as President of Baseball Operations for the Mets. Scott explains his take on Stearns, while also reflecting on some of the other front office folks he has the opportunity to learn from. To listen to the entire Scott podcast with Bradfo, click here. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The free agent recruiting season is in full force, with front office and teams trying to convince players that their organizations are the place to be. But are all the bells and whistles worth it? Current free agent Joe Kelly and former All-Star pitcher Jon Lester joined Bradfo last offseason to give the what's what about the process, using stories from their own experiences to paint the picture. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the biggest college football game of the season upon us, we are bringing back a conversation Bradfo had with star Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The Buckeyes' star offers his honest assessment of which is more difficult: Catching a touchdown pass or hitting a home run. He also professes his love for the great game of baseball. It's a great way to get ready for the big game. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With MLB free agency about to heat up, Bradfo joined the 'Rich Keefe Show' on WEEI to break down exactly what should be expected when it comes to the markets for Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani, while rating which free agents he believes should be prioritized. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While so much of the focus is on free agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, there is another Japanese pitcher who MLB teams have a keen interest in: Shota Imanaga. As part of Bradfo's conversation with Lance Brozdowski, the merits of Imanaga is discussed, with Lance offering a superb breakdown of the lefty. To listen to the full Brozdowski podcast, click here. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the news coming down that the Mets were hiring friend of Baseball Isn't Boring John Gibbons as their new bench coach, it seemed like a good time to offer listeners a reminder of what a great personality and baseball man Gibby is. We are bringing back one of our conversations with the former Blue Jays manager, with Bradfo, Courtney Finnicum and Gibbons getting together for a good time and a great conversation. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the holidays upon us, it's worth a few minutes to get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the best family dinner scenes in movie history - which just happens to have a piece of baseball-inspired art to tie it all together. Baseball Isn't Boring Hollywood correspondent Nate Corddry sits down with Bradfo to get the inside look into the memorable get-together in the 2013 movie "The Heat". To listen to the entire conversation with the actor, whose take on baseball and baseball books will make you fall in love with the sport even more, click here. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is Thanksgiving and there is no better person to deliver a thanksgiving message than one of the Mayflower descendents, Bradfo. The host of our podcast is joined by Producer Evan to reflect on five things that they are thankful for when it comes to both the world of baseball and this red-hot baseball podcast. It's a great time to contemplate what a great world Baseball Isn't Boring has led us to. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Red Sox reliever John Schreiber touched on a lot of topics in his appearance on the podcast. (Listen to the entire interview with Bradfo, Gordo, Pat and Sammy by clicking here.) And one of the most intriguing topics was Schreiber's explanation of why he went to Driveline, what he learned there and the new pitch that the pitcher came away with. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Red Sox reliever John Schreiber is jumping aboard the Baseball Isn't Boring express, with the guys from the 'Play Tessie' podcast also coming along for the ride. Bradfo, Gordo, Pat and Sammy welcome in Schreiber to take a deep dive into his time at Driveline, his new pitch, his new beard, and his brand new pitching coach and Chief Baseball Officer. There is also some good walk-in music talk along with how he views 2024 (and Thanksgiving chaos). It's a wild ride on Relief Pitcher Wednesday. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New White Sox Senior Advisor To Pitching Brian Bannister explains why New Red Sox Pitching Coach Andrew Bailey will succeed in Boston and how he is able to incorporate different techniques for different styles of pitching and pitchers as told from his experiences working with Bailey with the San Francisco Giants To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With all the news surrounding Japanese pitchers coming to the major leagues, it's a perfect time to hear from White Sox senior pitching consultant Brian Bannister when it comes to why these free agents might be perfect fits for MLB teams. Bannister explains the pitch that separates many of them, and how it is a weapon which can serve as a difference-maker during their switch from Japan to North America. To listen to the entire Bannister interview, click here. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the day teams can finally make offers to 25-year-old free agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Bradfo catches up with Lance Brozdowski of the Marquee Network to take a deep into what we're dealing with with the righty hurler. The good. The bad. The unknown. It is the most level-headed, in-depth breakdown of Yamamoto you will find. And as a bonus, Brozdowski also offers analysis on another free agent Japanese pitcher, Shota Imanaga. Happy Yamamoto Day! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phillies President Of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski, GM Sam Fuld, and newly re-signed Aaron Nola meets with the Philadelphia and National Media to discuss his contract, decision to re-sign with the Phillies, what convinced him to come back, and who the Phillies are looking to add as the offseason rolls on To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Within the lengthy conversation between Bradfo and White Sox senior pitching consultant Brian Bannister was the thought process behind Chicago's dealing of pitcher Aaron Bummer to the Braves in exchange for Michael Soroka, Jared Shuster, Braden Shewmake, Nicky Lopez and Riley Gowens. Bannister goes into detail when it comes to what the White Sox saw in some of the trade's key pieces, while explaining how his voice was heard. To listen to the entire podcast, click here. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices