Episode 92: Scott Braun (Foul Territory), And What Can The Mariners Do With Their Remaining Budget?

[00:00:00] Welcome to episode number 92 of the Marine Layer Podcast. We welcome back on Scott Braun from FAL Territory will chat about the Mariners' offseason speaking of the Mariners' offseason. We'll project what could they do with their remaining budget? We'll take a look at some options. Here's your reminder before we start the show if you're listening on our audio platforms, make sure to download our episodes, leave us a five star review, follow the show. That really does help us out, especially those reviews and downloads. So take a few extra seconds to do that.

[00:00:30] Go like, comment, subscribe on YouTube, where our full video podcast is and follow us on social media for an Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube shorts at Marine Layer Podcast. Let's get it rolling.

[00:01:00] Good morning, January 8th. We've had some time to digest the Friday action, the two trades that Jerry depot made over the weekend, a reaction episode is up on YouTube if you missed that out of rid them for us. But now that we've had some time to

[00:01:17] let the trade sink in from the Robby Ray Trade to San Francisco for Mitch Hanager and Anthony disc LaFonnie, and then Jose Caviero going to Tampa Bay for Luke Rayleigh.

[00:01:28] Has been anything else you've kind of thought of as you've had more time to digest these trades over the weekend?

[00:01:34] Honestly, the more I think about it, the more I like it, it just makes sense for the Mariners. I'm not thrilled that they had to give up Robby Ray, but it's like we talked about in our reaction episode.

[00:01:43] They need offense, they got offense and Mitch stays healthy. If Rayleigh's on the field, I think it only helps the offense.

[00:01:50] Look at where they were just a couple days ago compared to now. I feel much better about where they are sitting here today than I did just a week ago.

[00:01:57] So that's where I stand. The more I see these trades, the more I like it. Oh, and I will add you said our reaction episodes on YouTube. It is on our audio platforms too.

[00:02:05] So wherever you want to watch your listen, you can do that.

[00:02:07] Yeah, in case you miss that. I think the other thing too is people get kind of skeptical of the future money aspect and you have every right to be skeptical of the future money aspect.

[00:02:16] The Mariners could really just slash payroll in the future. I don't know that that's a long way off in the future with all the financial uncertainty with root sports.

[00:02:24] But with some of the options will go over here today it is an option that that leaves open a chance for bigger contracts.

[00:02:35] I mean, it's not likely they have a track record of the exact opposite of what I just said of handing out lengthy high paying contracts.

[00:02:45] But when you take a look at their future commitments and see that next year in 2025, they only have about 90 million dollars committed and then it's in the 50s range in 2026 and then lower than that in 2027.

[00:02:58] There's options there. There's space open to add and especially if Jerry DePoto and company really sat there and thought I don't know if we trust Robbie Ray's health in the future.

[00:03:13] And we don't think that's going to be worth the 25 million dollars a year. He's going to cost in 2025 and 2026.

[00:03:19] So we're going to do something about that and we're going to get rid of that money if we can. We'll take on some money this year and free that up in the future.

[00:03:27] They could use that money in the future for something that would that would make an impact. So I think that's the biggest thing I took away from that the next biggest thing I think I took away from these trades is that it makes sense that Luke Ray would play a significant amount of first base because what the topic that we're going to talk about today.

[00:03:48] What can the Mariners do with the remaining budget? You and I are combing through options. And now I'm going to tell you there's a lot more outfield options than there are infield options by a significant margin.

[00:04:01] So if they can find a way to get Luke Ray Lee more playing time at first, this would usually this would probably follow a tie France trade because he's not playing third base.

[00:04:12] It seems like the most realistic path to being a better baseball roster this year is to put Luke Ray Lee at first base. Move him in from the outfield and then trade for another outfielder or sign another outfielder.

[00:04:25] There's still options out there to sign in the outfield as well because the infield market.

[00:04:31] We'll talk about a couple of options today is it's pigeon hold right now for what you think could actually be an upgrade.

[00:04:41] We talked about it in season the third base group of major league baseball players this season was not good.

[00:04:49] It was a pretty down year for third baseman overall the position was pretty bad so after you get past about 15 third baseman and major league baseball, you're right there in the Lewis area is range and it doesn't doesn't really benefit you at all.

[00:05:04] So I think that's the couple big things I took away there Luke Ray Lee more time at first.

[00:05:09] You sound like you're pretty ready ready to jump into today's topic so let's do that in just a minute before that let's hear a quick word over from our friends at Pagotches pub 85 that Togacias pub 85 in Kirkland.

[00:05:20] It's it's our favorite spot to go hang out with our friends eat some food drink some great drinks and watch a bunch of games the NFL playoffs are coming up national championship.

[00:05:29] Well as for recording this will be tonight and there's a bunch of basketball there's a bunch of hockey no March madness is right around the corner.

[00:05:36] You'll have a good time with your friends head over there and if you head over to pub 85 during happy hour you can get some great deals which include $3 domestic beers $4.00 man is blue moons $4.00 Mac and Jack's $4.00 Wells $4.00 house one that's during happy hour which is Monday through Friday 2 to 6 p.m.

[00:05:54] So head over to Pagotches pub 85 have some great food great drinks great time with your friends over it Pagotches pub 85 in Kirkland.

[00:06:03] All right so here's basically the top at the main topic of today's show we are essentially going to sit here and have a brainstorming session about what the Mariners could do the rest of the winner.

[00:06:12] We're gonna throw a bunch of ideas out there we're gonna the two of us are gonna bounce ideas off of each other and we're just gonna try and step off because there's a lot they could still do and a lot of unknown even though a lot of this roster is starting to shape out for how 2024 will look but we've got some ideas on paper don't we?

[00:06:30] Yeah we do so let's preface it by saying the Mariners payroll right now currently sits at about $121 million if you go look at fan graphs they project what they think the Mariners payroll is gonna be at the start of the 2024 season and they say $132 million that's $11 million more than they currently have committed right now.

[00:06:51] If I'm gonna take a guess the Mariners are gonna enter the 2024 season with no more than $135 million.

[00:07:00] Well if the budget is 145 we'll say that 145 to $150 million which would be above as Jerry says there are 2020 three payroll they're gonna need money in season to make additions and you've heard Jerry to poto talk enough and he loves his flexibility and you certainly can't be flexible.

[00:07:20] If they add all 145 to 150 million before the season starts because then you know what happens if you do that then you get into a 2018 situation where the team starts off really hot.

[00:07:32] Fizzles towards the deadline desperately needs a good player to come in and then Jerry's like well can I get some more money from ownership and they tell him no.

[00:07:39] Jerry doesn't want that Jerry wants some room in season to make additions if he needs to so while what is at the top of your mind of who they should add.

[00:07:51] If we're gonna go straight to the top this is me ignoring what you just said about having some flexibility when the season starts but if you're just looking at the allotted payroll budget they have left and you're looking at a 20 to $25 million range and the need to fill third base.

[00:08:06] We're gonna circle back to it here Matt Chapman's in play I'm not saying it's real I'm not saying it's likely but if you're talking about that's what the mariners payroll budget is he's in play here because if he's going to cost around 18 to $20 million that would use most of the remainder of the budget but it would be within the budget.

[00:08:27] So that would bring the mariners up to if it was so you said five for 90 five for 90's 18 million dollars a year that puts you at from 121 that puts you at $139 million.

[00:08:41] So on the high end the high most optimistic and that gives you $11 million a payroll space headed into the season and that's fine.

[00:08:50] So the offseason will be done right there period point like done but honestly that would probably finish out the offseason I and for everything people have wanted that would you know people like to be like okay I'm ready to watch the regular season I think people would be ready at that point.

[00:09:07] Five years for 90 is a lot five years of commitment it would be by far the most they've ever given to a hitter under Jerry and I would be kind of shocked if the contract like that ever came about for the mariners but it's within the budget.

[00:09:25] As skeptical as we are of match at men's future and his offensive profile he does make the mariners better because he's loo better than Louis Sirius point like and you would be guaranteed on this roster for five seasons to which they have no guaranteed money in the future.

[00:09:40] So let's address something we talked about match at men this off season and if you go back and listen to what we said about them we had our hesitations those were also hesitations on the idea that we're expecting him to get about a hundred and fifty million dollars or whatever crazy deal scapour is trying to cut it.

[00:09:55] So let's look up for.

[00:09:57] Poetrak projects him right now to get seventeen million dollars a year if that's really going to be the closer number to what his contract is and it's going to be a five for 90 type of deal.

[00:10:06] I'm much more open minded all this much more because five years of match at men is a little bit different than seven and there's a really good chance that on a five year deal from that

[00:10:16] you could get the bang for your buck on that contract and look strikes out a lot is getting older had one great month last year at the plate and then.

[00:10:25] Fizzled off but you know what he still plays great defense he hits the ball extremely hard and he makes the mariners a lot better you're still talking about a guy who's a walking three and a half for win player and that's toward the top of the mariners war list if he adds if he is in addition to the talk club so for 150 million I'm skeptical.

[00:10:46] For 90 million dollars yeah much more open minded 90 million dollars buys you your third best player by war so it'd be Julio Cal and then Matt Chapman given the season and if Matt Chapman comes to Seattle and has a breakout offensive season which is a pipe dream.

[00:11:04] You probably be your second best player easily Matt Chapman with a good offensive season is a five and a half win player.

[00:11:11] He is now let's we're not going to do this for every player we talk about here but let's do what's our favorite game these days what like hypothetical opening day lineup so in that scenario you have JP Julio Cal Garber Chapman yeah

[00:11:27] tie it six you have or you have Rayleigh at six tie it seven then you have to my miss will Rojas at nine and I'm missing a position oh left feel left you'll be Hannager and Dom so if Hannager Dom is hit in eighth with Rojas at nine and you have Chapman in the lineup that lineup can compete that's a real lineup.

[00:11:47] Yeah that's a that is a maybe not a world series contender it's everyone's own subjective thinking of what a world series contending lineup looks like but it is certainly better than it was last season it is certainly not for a lack of effort that the Mariners are that the Mariners don't have a world series lineup because the effort would have been there the financial commitment would have been there the future commitment would have been there and you would feel like this is a move they can make now in the future so I kind of like the match haven't if Jerry is willing to go all the way to the lineup.

[00:12:17] All the way to near the edge of his payroll budget given that he said it's a higher than 140 million from last season okay does that mean 141 million Jerry does that mean 145 million does that mean 150 million dollars we don't know so Matt Chapman if it's 150 million dollars makes the most sense because that's the most room the Mariners have and that would still give Jerry the about 10 million dollars he needs in season to be quote unquote flexible with the payroll and make it.

[00:12:47] So that would work out Ryan Davis wrote an analysis piece in the Seattle Times this weekend detailing what they could do next and where the payroll currently sets and he said so he thinks according to sources he has that 145 million dollars is the cap this season so that would make me a little more skeptical of a Matt Chapman deal because I don't know if Jerry would go to within six million dollars of that budget before the season starts let's just remember just to remember

[00:13:17] remind some of our listeners every time you call up a prospect in season it goes on the majorly payroll and your payroll goes up and that's not counting if someone gets hurt in season and the Mariners have to swing a trade for somebody that also gets added to the payroll this season and you need room to work with that and if the Mariners are right up at the 145 million dollar mark and they desperately need say a starting picture and say they have more starting pitching injuries in 2024 well Jerry shit out of luck.

[00:13:47] He can't go get anything so that's why there's reason to stay give yourself a little bit of a balloon between the top and where you're actually going to go into the season having.

[00:13:57] And let's look at both sides of this coin too we talked about the positives amount of Matt Chapman and again if it's a 90 million dollar contract I'm much more invested but I will remind people like we talked about a few weeks ago with him.

[00:14:08] That Chapman has not had a WRC plus of 120 or above since 2019 and he is very oddly struggled with fastballs a lot the last few years forcing fastballs now I don't know if that means his back speed starting to deteriorate but those are two things to consider.

[00:14:24] I still stand by the not a 90 million dollar contract I would be invested but I would keep that in mind if I'm Jerry and if I'm anybody listening thinking oh lock it in go get Matt Chapman to also get that close to the payroll budget for guy that.

[00:14:36] May or may not be deteriorating at the plate it's just something to think about.

[00:14:41] So a couple other big options still out there number one I still think a trade for Jorge Polanco makes a ton of sense let's let's say it costs Emerson Hancock someone making league minimum.

[00:14:54] Well actually sorry Emerson Hancock could probably get you.

[00:14:57] It would be great Emerson Hancock could you both with maybe with an attached prospect of both the twins guys but they don't need both of them now so that wouldn't wouldn't make as much sense so anyways pick well pick your.

[00:15:09] Pack what I would say well you were you were talking about earlier in the show you think they still might need an outfielder maybe maybe they'd still be interested in both guys now I think it costs more than Hancock I'll say in this world I still think it keeps.

[00:15:22] Yes that would still keep tie France because you're not trading tie France for Jorge Polanco so tie France is still on the roster at that point so there would need to be another trade independent of this one to get tie France off the roster okay so let's say let's say the Mariners still go in a choir Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco that's that's dangerously close to the top of the payroll budget that's about 20 million dollars of addition and the twins aren't just to know twins aren't taking any payroll.

[00:15:50] On with that now the Mariners could dump tie France they could take somebody back who's making a league minimum and save about nine million nine yeah it'd be about nine million dollars with tie France so that would work out to about around 11 million dollars with with the two twins guys so that would work.

[00:16:09] If you swing a trade still for Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco Kepler goes into the outfield Luke Rayley comes in place first base Jorge Polanco is your third baseman now that's a significantly better trio of spots than you had previously that works.

[00:16:25] You could still sign Reese Hoskins his price tag is I think still about 21 million dollars that would also necessitate a tie France trade he'd be on the more expensive end.

[00:16:37] But again within the budget of 145 million dollars that is technically within there and I'm still going to come back to jock Peterson as well to sign jock Peterson.

[00:16:47] Phil Luke Rayley's role in the outfield and you put Rayley on the infield and tie France gets dealt somewhere else there are ways to work around this and the more I think about it you know tie France

[00:16:58] If you're willing to take a you probably have to take a loss on the tie France trade because you're trying to save money.

[00:17:04] But you could still shed that nine million dollars that he's projected to make this season an arbitration and then

[00:17:10] When you go acquire someone else in the outfield their contracts kind of wash that out.

[00:17:14] It works that could all all those moves could work out jock Peterson makes you better line up and fits in your outfield Reese Hoskins could play first base if you trust his health issues

[00:17:25] And then the twin's trade just it makes so much sense. It really does

[00:17:30] Even if you throw Kepler out of this deal and you say okay, we're buying into what tie France is doing in a dribble on this winner

[00:17:35] We're expecting a bounce back year from them. They leave them at first taste

[00:17:38] Then even just a trade for Polanco one that's going to cost less and two of all the remaining moves

[00:17:44] This one probably makes the most sense

[00:17:47] Foray Polanco has

[00:17:48] Technically two years of club control because there's a club option on his contract for 2025

[00:17:53] So you would get two years of Polanco at third base

[00:17:56] And when you look at his profile while he's not a great defender and he is not great

[00:18:00] Out well on the defensive side of the ball

[00:18:02] Especially last year most of that stems from second base

[00:18:05] He was about league average in the sample size. He had it third

[00:18:08] So if you were to play him at third base, which would make the most sense

[00:18:11] It's an upgrade. It's a big upgrade

[00:18:13] This guy's headed WRC plus of 118 or higher in each of his last four full seasons

[00:18:18] We know we can hit the ball. We know he walks

[00:18:20] There's a lot that fits the profile there of what the Mariners are looking for and it shouldn't cost you

[00:18:26] Some haul between giving up Brian Wu or Bryce Miller. So of all the remaining guys

[00:18:31] I think Jorge Polanco is the most logical bit

[00:18:36] So I like that there's some other more bargain bin options ready are you ready to just shoot these down as soon as I open my mouth

[00:18:44] Tim Anderson

[00:18:46] I'm crazy not

[00:18:49] Gonna shoot that one down as much as you think. I don't love it

[00:18:53] But you know what if you buy that it was truly one bad year that he had last year

[00:18:58] Then maybe because because before that he was so good

[00:19:01] If they could just get like a 110 WRC plus at a Tim Anderson, that's fine

[00:19:06] If he doesn't need to be

[00:19:08] Some ultra power hitter and Seattle the problem

[00:19:11] He doesn't have to rely on that at all that's not the kind of hitter he is a 300 hitter

[00:19:14] He'll get on base about 34% of the time he'll slug in the 440s to 450s

[00:19:19] I mean that's fine and he's not gonna cost a whole lot either just five million dollars is what Spodrack projects him at

[00:19:26] That leaves you option to either make another move now or gives you way more flexibility in season

[00:19:32] If you want to go out there make a splash of the team surely making a difference

[00:19:36] So his bat profile is not really third base third base

[00:19:39] You want more power you want more of an anchor of your lineup Tim Anderson certainly not that

[00:19:44] But at this stage of the career. I think he could do it

[00:19:47] You wouldn't have to commit to him long term and I think Tim Anderson would be a lot of fun to have on the team

[00:19:52] lastly

[00:19:53] He would be a lot of fun to have on the team

[00:19:56] I would guess he'd probably play second base if he was here

[00:19:58] So he's never played a game at third base in his career

[00:20:00] He's played two career games at second base

[00:20:02] But both of those games were just a season ago in 2023 so if you sign Tim Anderson

[00:20:07] likelihood as

[00:20:08] Rojas and Urias would platoon at third rather than second and Anderson would play second

[00:20:13] But you said it

[00:20:14] He's been a two and a half to four win player most of his career

[00:20:16] That's a lot better than the manners have gotten its second base in a lot of previous years

[00:20:20] Now they're still the side of do you think Tim Anderson is on a downward spiral

[00:20:24] And he's just not going to get back to the player he was after the way you played in 2023

[00:20:29] Where he put up a five eighty two OPS

[00:20:32] But if you can buy a bounce back for five million dollars or seven million dollars

[00:20:37] Seems worth it. What do we always say? What is one war worth eight million bucks

[00:20:41] You pay Tim Anderson seven million dollars and he puts up one win

[00:20:45] Then the contract was a win. So it's not my first choice. I wouldn't totally hate it though

[00:20:52] But with the value of what that seven million dollars means to the Mariners right now is that worth the win at second base because

[00:20:58] Rojas gives you a win at second base at least if not two

[00:21:02] Your Rojas probably more like two. I mean the way he was playing last year he was certainly

[00:21:06] I agree

[00:21:07] So if for the value of what seven million dollars

[00:21:11] Is to the Mariners right now and seven million dollars is about a third

[00:21:15] Of what their remaining budget is is a third of the remaining budget worth one win probably not

[00:21:22] so if they get Tim Anderson

[00:21:25] For two wins if you pur if you're projecting out and you think he could be a two-win player next year

[00:21:30] Then that might lean a little bit more towards a yes

[00:21:33] Well great if he's a two-win player that's awesome

[00:21:35] I'm just using the example of the map that's used in baseball of one war worth about eight million bucks

[00:21:41] I'm not saying I want Tim Anderson to put up one war, but if he's gonna be a five million dollar player

[00:21:47] Then you're not you don't know that much out of it. There's the tea. Yeah

[00:21:51] That much out of them but to win the contract you don't need that much out of them

[00:21:54] To win the contract. Yes, but I'm also thinking good in the context of what the Mariners have available to them

[00:21:59] Like it would that money be better spent somewhere else if that's all they're gonna get

[00:22:05] Yes, but

[00:22:07] We'll see what they'd even get again

[00:22:09] I sure Tim Anderson comes in and bounces back signing me up

[00:22:12] speaking of bounce back candidates

[00:22:14] And we're if it's going to be third base in feel bad bounce back candidates

[00:22:17] Do you like geo or shella any better than Tim Anderson?

[00:22:23] Maybe once he gets out of Los Angeles and gets out of the angels organization

[00:22:27] He'll start hitting a little bit better

[00:22:29] I'm like I just come back to his his 2022 season with the twins yet a 119 WRC plus and

[00:22:35] 144 games he was healthy

[00:22:38] He's an above average defender a third base

[00:22:40] He's not gonna cost that much. He's gonna cost seven million dollars

[00:22:44] So for some context you or shella missed a bunch of time with the angels this past season

[00:22:49] And had just a 92 WRC plus there are a number of factors that his offense it either could be declining

[00:22:55] Because he had some he had a couple of declining years with the Yankees before he left their organization and went to the twins in 2022

[00:23:03] Um, and he's getting older as well

[00:23:06] Nothing's gonna top that 2019 season he had. I don't think any of us are gonna expect that from geo or shella

[00:23:12] But if he can come in again a 110

[00:23:15] Like and you think he could bounce back

[00:23:17] I think that's another quality option

[00:23:19] He's more suited to third base than Tim Anderson is

[00:23:22] More complete of an offensive player than Tim Anderson is

[00:23:26] And for about the same price doesn't sound like a terrible decision and especially if you think he's gonna bounce back

[00:23:33] I'm not I wouldn't be I'm not certainly be just gonna bounce back

[00:23:36] It's it's kind of hard to judge anyone on the angels. I mean what are they playing for anyways?

[00:23:40] So I like I like it. I like the idea of geo or shella. I think that could work

[00:23:45] He's also a low strikeout guy

[00:23:47] He's usually under 20% this past year. He was under 16% so that parts good

[00:23:51] Now he does not walk at all. I'm talking less than taysca her nandas, but

[00:23:57] If you like that he doesn't strike out if you think he could bounce back at the plate if you trust his defense

[00:24:02] I'd be worth $7 million dollars

[00:24:04] But it's just another bounce back candidate potential

[00:24:07] Couple other quick ones mean Adam DuVal

[00:24:10] Technically is still out there

[00:24:11] He could give you decent offensive numbers. He'd slide into the outfield

[00:24:15] You move lucrally to first base you trade tie france for something

[00:24:19] We I've already gone through the polonco

[00:24:22] Polonco trade for

[00:24:25] To coming to Seattle Kepler or Polonco

[00:24:29] There's a couple more expensive options

[00:24:33] Well, I actually know I already noted these jock Matt Chapman Reese Hosskins

[00:24:36] Are anyone like we haven't noted yet?

[00:24:39] That you add on your list

[00:24:41] I have a couple so quick on Reese Hosskins

[00:24:43] This would have to involve a trade with tie france right because then Hosskins would play first and you trade france

[00:24:49] Presumably for a third baseman or a reliever

[00:24:53] Yeah, yeah

[00:24:54] So and Hosskins would cost a decent amount too

[00:24:57] Maybe the fact he's coming off a big injury would lower his value a little bit

[00:25:00] But he will cost a decent amount and eat up a chunk of the remaining payroll for the Mariners

[00:25:05] Here's a couple well first

[00:25:06] I feel like we have to just address the Jorge Solero rumors because you would think right after they sign Mitch Garver

[00:25:12] They're out of it

[00:25:13] Hector Gomez is saying no there's still as of the time we're recording this

[00:25:18] In on him

[00:25:19] Now I don't know what that means and I don't know how exactly Scott's service is going to manage his defensive alignments if they actually signed them

[00:25:26] We've made the offense better

[00:25:29] Defense will be a nightmare

[00:25:31] Be a real jacksy throwback that's like having Mark Trumbo and Raul Abonias in the same outfield

[00:25:36] I don't like I just don't

[00:25:38] When I see these rumors, I'm like great

[00:25:41] Like I I wanted Jorge Solero

[00:25:43] Solero is out near the top of our list at the beginning of the offseason in terms of affordability and production at the plate

[00:25:50] But looking at the moves they just made I don't know how this makes any sense like you're already gonna have Mitch

[00:25:55] Hanager who probably shouldn't be playing outfield every day at this stage of his career

[00:25:59] Playing outfield most days

[00:26:01] You're gonna have Mitch Garver who also shouldn't be playing in the field most days due to his injury issues

[00:26:06] And then on top of that

[00:26:08] You're still interested in someone who's probably now at DH only in Jorge Solero

[00:26:14] The price would be manageable the production would be great

[00:26:17] But how do you manage that defensive lineup? You have one DH spot

[00:26:21] You can't play you're not putting Mitch Garver behind the plate. There's just that's an irresponsible move

[00:26:26] totally irresponsible

[00:26:28] Mitch Hanager

[00:26:29] Like

[00:26:30] Is gonna have to play in the outfield and you want to still play defense in the outfield Jerry continues to harp on that

[00:26:37] You don't do that with Solero

[00:26:40] If I had to throw my best idea out there

[00:26:44] I guess it would be

[00:26:46] Solero DH's he has tell Garver to play first he has said to tie France

[00:26:51] Hey get down to Arizona and start working on third base with Perry Hill even though

[00:26:55] Ty France is not built to play third base anymore and he is truly a first baseman

[00:26:59] That's I guess the best idea I have if you sign Solero

[00:27:03] But that is a defensive nightmare because again

[00:27:05] I just

[00:27:06] Ty France isn't a third baseman anymore and Mitch Garver is not supposed to be playing the field all the time

[00:27:12] Can I just remind people that when we talk about bad defense

[00:27:15] It doesn't only affect the defense itself it affects the pitching staff

[00:27:18] And you have a pitching staff you want to prop up and be great

[00:27:23] You know what doesn't help a pitching staff be great put those guys in the field

[00:27:29] Here's a couple other ideas I had

[00:27:31] They involve one team

[00:27:33] It would be the Dodgers funny enough

[00:27:35] So I have a couple ideas that I'm going to throw out and this is the last part of my list

[00:27:40] With all the signings they've made and by the way they just signed Tay Oscar Hernandez to a one year 23 and a half million dollar deal

[00:27:47] Is there any world where they would think about trying to trade back for Chris Taylor if

[00:27:52] The Dodgers ate a good chunk of that money

[00:27:54] Chris Taylor is a couple years of control left

[00:27:56] He's about to win player he strikes out a lot

[00:27:58] But he can play both second and third base

[00:28:01] I'm not saying it's my favorite idea, but it's an idea

[00:28:05] Hmm

[00:28:06] I'm gonna probably give you the same reaction. I gave you when you texted me last night

[00:28:10] Probably not

[00:28:13] I would say that's the same

[00:28:14] It's not my favorite move he does walk again

[00:28:17] He does strike out a lot and if you want his exact money

[00:28:20] He's owed 13 million dollars for each of the next two seasons

[00:28:23] And then a club option for 12 million bucks in 2026

[00:28:26] So the Dodgers would have to eat a lot of that money and just rather get Polanco

[00:28:30] Yeah same here for cheaper I would too

[00:28:33] So

[00:28:34] Now what if the trends don't the twins wouldn't trade him that I'm just throwing it out there is

[00:28:39] It might not be the best idea, but it is an idea

[00:28:42] So I just wanted to throw that out maybe

[00:28:46] That would be news to us if they weren't gonna trade them

[00:28:49] They're the most publicly available players in baseball

[00:28:52] That's true. They are Chris Taylor. We don't even know if he's available

[00:28:55] No, we don't but if you want to go off

[00:28:58] Oh Jerry makes a lot of moves that nobody expects who expected him to trade back for Mitch Hannager

[00:29:03] Maybe a trade back for Chris Taylor in some world

[00:29:05] Yeah, why don't we just like what's the mean the games back together?

[00:29:09] Yeah exactly

[00:29:10] Now we're gonna stick on the Dodgers. I do have one other interesting idea

[00:29:16] So as their roster sits right now

[00:29:18] Both Michael Bush and Miguel Vargas are projected to be in the minor leagues when opening day starts

[00:29:23] I mean this is what happens when you acquire big league superstars like the Dodgers have

[00:29:26] Well, we've talked about the Mariners and the idea of making a trade with the Orioles in terms of could you get

[00:29:32] Heston Kirstack? Could you get Kobe Mayo? Could you get Jordan Westberg guys like that

[00:29:38] Well, what if they called Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers and said we're interested in one of Miguel Vargas or Michael Bush

[00:29:44] Those are two guys that are very young

[00:29:47] High prospects good upside and they both play second and third base

[00:29:51] Maybe

[00:29:55] What are like are we talking this so the the Mariners best asset to trade is pitching because they have a lot of it

[00:30:02] And those guys are highly touted 100% the Dodgers regard them very highly

[00:30:09] Like you couldn't just trade Emerson Hancock for those guys the Dodgers don't need starting pitching. They just be like

[00:30:15] We're good. We don't need it

[00:30:18] I'm just wondering what what you could offer the Dodgers that

[00:30:21] It would have to be

[00:30:23] It had to be probably a blue chip prospectory or two to go get those guys those guys are

[00:30:30] Are very highly regarded. I mean Cole Young like yeah, we'll take Cole Young back

[00:30:36] It would have to be a decent hall and again

[00:30:38] Maybe this is not is an idea that everybody just throws out including Jerry DePoto

[00:30:43] But we're just spitball and ideas right where if you're looking for young controllable players with good upside like you

[00:30:49] Kind of talked about with the Orioles

[00:30:51] So Dodgers are just another idea and then the Orioles they have a lot of bats

[00:30:55] But they're still really building their core the Dodgers are at the point where this is their team

[00:30:59] And it's a team that very well could win the world series

[00:31:02] Are Michael Bush and Miguel Vargas a part of that maybe if there's injuries

[00:31:06] But right now they're kind of stuck in no man's land

[00:31:08] So maybe this just results in a nothing burger and the Mariners don't even think about this

[00:31:12] Michael Bush and Miguel Vargas at this point are a bit expendable because their roster is so good

[00:31:17] So maybe the Dodgers wouldn't move on from them. Maybe the Mariners aren't interested

[00:31:21] But again just another idea

[00:31:25] I'm wondering what the reaction would be if the Mariners are expecting two guys who have not played very much majorly baseball at all

[00:31:33] To be major contributors this season because that's your trading Michael but for Michael Bush and Miguel Vargas to

[00:31:39] contribute now and be productive now

[00:31:42] I

[00:31:43] Know that wouldn't reflect very well. We could be excited about their future

[00:31:48] But contention in 2024 still reign supreme and saying hey Michael Bush no pressure, but if you're not good

[00:31:56] That's an issue man

[00:31:58] And his first full big league season

[00:32:01] It is and if I had to pick between one of the two to trade for it would probably be Bush because he's a little bit older

[00:32:07] And Vargas also in his first hundred big league games or so it's really struggled

[00:32:11] So I'd probably lean toward Bush if it was going to be one of those two

[00:32:14] But you are right that it is an unproven guy

[00:32:18] Just an idea welcome to the pressure cooker Michael no pressure. Yeah, well, I know I like that idea so if

[00:32:26] It just sounds like this would be less realistic because the Dodgers view again view those guys so highly

[00:32:33] But the combination of the Mariners not wanting to give up a top prospect on top of trading for a completely unproven guy

[00:32:41] Yeah, he's cheap and you'll have him for a while but unproven and I don't know

[00:32:46] The I know the people who watch the games don't want to wait for anymore people to prove themselves

[00:32:51] It's time to go. It's not time to wait around any longer and you need

[00:32:56] You need production out of an infield spot and I don't know if you could as

[00:33:01] As much as we could like Michael Bush

[00:33:04] project that he's better than Louis Sirius in 2024

[00:33:08] Like we can't say that for certain unfortunately

[00:33:10] He could be but we can't say that for certain and that makes you a little hesitant be like

[00:33:15] Well, that is that worth coal young now. Is that

[00:33:18] I don't know because by the time the Mariners could say okay

[00:33:22] Well, we'll control him for six years

[00:33:23] It's gonna be really nice to have him in 2025 and 2026

[00:33:26] Well, you might have some more infielders by then in your own system that you don't have to trade for

[00:33:31] So okay

[00:33:33] That's true and like I said on our mailbag episode Friday while unlikely

[00:33:37] I think there is a small chance where there's a world coal young could be in the big leagues by the end of 2024

[00:33:42] So if you believe that then maybe you just wouldn't trade for Michael Bush

[00:33:46] This is where we're at or any of these ideas perfect no

[00:33:50] But when a team limits what your payroll is gonna be in limits options you got to try and get creative

[00:33:56] Otherwise, I'd just say Cody Belinger

[00:33:59] Go for it

[00:34:00] Doesn't matter what it takes but that was never in the cards to begin with before we get to our interview with Scott

[00:34:06] Braun. Let's hear a word from

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[00:35:20] Well

[00:35:22] We've got a conversation with Scott Brown to get to

[00:35:24] We haven't recorded it yet as of the time of us recording this part of the show

[00:35:28] But I will say a couple things have changed since the last time we had Scott on

[00:35:32] Well one

[00:35:34] As far as we know he is not going to be in an airport this time so that parts good

[00:35:38] The last time we also talked to Scott

[00:35:40] The Mariners were a week or two from ending the season

[00:35:43] 54% was not a thing

[00:35:45] For all we knew they still had a shot to get in the playoff

[00:35:48] And Val Territory had not started talking about the Mariners

[00:35:51] The way they've talked about them this off season

[00:35:53] They have really put the Mariners under

[00:35:56] The spotlight here this winter for the reason that we have

[00:35:59] And it's been for

[00:36:02] Things that have been in a negative connotation because they haven't spent money

[00:36:04] They've done a lot of a lot of salary dumping

[00:36:07] The Val Territory guys have not been shy to talk about that

[00:36:10] So we wanted to have Scott back on at some point no matter what

[00:36:12] Now we've got some very relevant things to talk to him about

[00:36:15] And Scott himself has been especially critical

[00:36:18] I mean he might be the most vocal of that group against the Mariners

[00:36:22] So we'll dive into that with him and more

[00:36:25] So with that let's get to our conversation with Scott Braun

[00:36:31] All right, we welcome on Scott Braun friend of the program now recurring guest

[00:36:35] And not in the airport this time so it seems a little less hectic on your end Scott

[00:36:40] Yeah

[00:36:40] I can hear you well, I can see you well

[00:36:42] Connectivity should be good although it's supposed to storm pretty badly here

[00:36:47] Coming up in Orlando but I think we'll beat that so good to see you all from my

[00:36:51] I guess first home you saw my second home last time

[00:36:54] One of the newly renovated airports up north

[00:36:59] How is how is Orlando treating you this winter?

[00:37:02] Great it's treating me warmly

[00:37:04] So it's been fantastic down here and it's just been fun

[00:37:07] Kind of feels the same doing our shows every day

[00:37:09] Because the offseason has had a lot of length to it I would say

[00:37:13] Being that we're in January and half the major free agents haven't signed yet

[00:37:18] Some people are pissed about that

[00:37:20] We're not because sometimes January can be slow in baseball

[00:37:24] And it is not slow at all

[00:37:26] I mean some days specifically where there's no one signing can be slow

[00:37:29] But otherwise it's a lot more buzz to talk about

[00:37:32] Versus every player signed up already right

[00:37:35] January is usually in my mind the deadest month of the year

[00:37:39] In baseball because then spring training starts in February

[00:37:41] So January just became another December this year which I'm all about

[00:37:47] So you guys on the show like more of a hypothetical approach than a results base

[00:37:51] It's it's just more fun

[00:37:54] I think fans are into that right?

[00:37:55] So we've barely talked about show Hey Otani since he signed

[00:38:00] And some fans probably we always get that they're like

[00:38:02] Hey we're talking about Otani too much I'm like

[00:38:05] Not really it's one of the biggest signings in baseball history

[00:38:07] So I feel like we can talk about it a lot

[00:38:09] But then once he signed

[00:38:11] It just became more about the Dodgers and what they are doing next

[00:38:14] Not just about Otani and what he's thinking right

[00:38:17] So I feel like it's been treated the way that fans want it to be treated

[00:38:22] Because we're really going off with the fans are doing

[00:38:24] I mean I tried to do that as much as I can

[00:38:27] I mean I'll give you a quick example

[00:38:29] Like in our chat

[00:38:30] The other day fans were like

[00:38:32] I really want to learn more about the business of baseball

[00:38:35] All the TV revenue they get to talk about which is very relevant to what we'll probably talk about with the Mariners

[00:38:40] And they said are there any guests that you can bring on

[00:38:43] We've done that once or twice during this season

[00:38:45] With say John O'Ran who works for SPJ

[00:38:48] So on the next show that we're doing we have Mori Brown

[00:38:51] Who writes all about the business of baseball

[00:38:53] So we just literally listened to the fans who to talked about that and did that

[00:38:57] Lot of chatter about hey can you talk about Dylan Cies and Corbin Burns

[00:39:00] So we've done a lot of that so yeah there's a lot of potential

[00:39:03] I would say in general when you look at the digital audience

[00:39:07] And what their interests are and this is different in my mind from the linear TV audience

[00:39:11] Where I used to be a part of more and we're still on TV

[00:39:14] But it's more of a mix now is future is most important

[00:39:18] Present is second most important and interesting

[00:39:21] And past is least interesting

[00:39:23] So where at this time period at my old job

[00:39:26] We're probably talking about Hall of Fame like three quarters of the time

[00:39:30] We're not talking as much Hall of Fame because our fans have minor interest in it

[00:39:35] Not as much interest right they'd rather us talk about

[00:39:38] What each team is going to do over the next month in terms of moves

[00:39:42] So that's where I've seen some differences

[00:39:43] I'm all about it. I like that better

[00:39:45] So sign me up I can talk Hall of Fame but only a little

[00:39:48] I feel like you get dominated a little too much in the off season

[00:39:52] Where I'd rather just talk about what teams are doing trades and signings wise

[00:39:57] Before we get into any Mariners specific stuff

[00:39:59] You're mentioning all the TV revenue stuff

[00:40:01] Do you feel like that is a reason free agency is moving so slow this winter?

[00:40:05] Do you feel like it's something else?

[00:40:08] I think there's a number of factors

[00:40:10] I think Scott Boris right now has four out of the top what?

[00:40:15] Five or six free agents

[00:40:16] So that puts him in a case where

[00:40:20] If he decides that the numbers aren't where they should be

[00:40:24] You can kind of do that hold with all of your players right

[00:40:27] I think we've seen in the past him have a hold on players and they all sign pretty much

[00:40:31] Right in a row where if I remember back

[00:40:33] I think it was after the 2019 season

[00:40:36] Wasn't it coal, randone and strawspurg all at the winter meetings and those were all I believe

[00:40:41] Scott Boris clients so that's a factor sure TV revenue is a factor

[00:40:45] I call it more the excuse to sure

[00:40:47] It's the excuse of the year for owners to keep more money

[00:40:50] That's really what it is

[00:40:51] They try and look at narratives on a yearly basis not all but some and say hey

[00:40:56] What can I use as an excuse to try and let people that are not at my level feel bad for me

[00:41:01] In terms of what my spending amount should be

[00:41:03] So that's just what they're using and that's what they use in leverage and negotiations

[00:41:06] And that's why a team like the Dodgers can just laugh them

[00:41:09] Sure their TV contract is big

[00:41:11] And I think it's the biggest one at the moment

[00:41:13] But there's other teams that have spent

[00:41:16] Like the Yankees are showing a willingness to spend

[00:41:18] The giants are showing a willingness to spend

[00:41:19] They're not using the TV money

[00:41:21] Excused like some other spots are

[00:41:23] So I just think it's a way for owners to keep more money in their pockets

[00:41:27] What sucks is how disproportionate it is

[00:41:30] I mean it is all focused on essentially LA

[00:41:33] That's it

[00:41:34] Because no, I feel like half the teams in mage league

[00:41:36] Baseball have not much to think about this offseason

[00:41:39] Because there hasn't been anything

[00:41:41] And I like for you guys especially

[00:41:43] You guys want to cover the whole league

[00:41:44] But you don't want to only spend time talking about the teams that will actually add this offseason

[00:41:48] I mean it wants

[00:41:49] You want to have some conversations about the rest of the teams

[00:41:52] But it stinks when teams like the mariners

[00:41:56] The marlins, the reds

[00:41:57] I don't know how much you guys want to talk about the Rockies or the A's

[00:42:00] Because they clearly don't care that much

[00:42:01] But I mean

[00:42:02] You guys cover all 30 teams so you have to

[00:42:04] So is it

[00:42:05] Like

[00:42:06] Does do you think it

[00:42:07] It

[00:42:08] That hurts

[00:42:10] Maybe not hurts

[00:42:10] But it

[00:42:11] It's more difficult to format the content you guys want to put out

[00:42:14] Because it's so disproportionate this offseason

[00:42:16] And you want to reach all 30 fan bases

[00:42:20] Yeah, with the A's we're not going to talk about the transactions

[00:42:22] Because there are none

[00:42:24] I mean Trevor got I think

[00:42:25] The only mage league signing that they've made

[00:42:27] So

[00:42:28] They still have a massive storyline around them

[00:42:30] So we still talk about the A's quite a bit

[00:42:32] But it's more for other reasons

[00:42:34] Right?

[00:42:35] So

[00:42:36] There's still in our minds

[00:42:37] I mean we actually talked about the Rockies yesterday

[00:42:40] And we did a poll within our

[00:42:42] Hosts like what's the team we talk about the least on the show

[00:42:45] And it's probably the Rockies

[00:42:46] They don't have any controversy surrounding them

[00:42:48] They're not doing that much at the moment

[00:42:50] So yeah, we're going to talk about what's relevant in the game

[00:42:53] We're not just going to sit on a team

[00:42:54] That's not doing anything

[00:42:55] It just doesn't make any sense

[00:42:57] So yeah

[00:42:58] You're right

[00:42:59] That is kind of dictating

[00:43:01] What we're going to talk about on a daily basis

[00:43:03] The teams that are actually making moves

[00:43:05] Right

[00:43:07] Yeah there's no doubt

[00:43:09] Well the Mariners have made some moves

[00:43:10] And you guys have talked about the Mariners

[00:43:12] A pretty good amount of this offseason

[00:43:13] Unfortunately I'd say more of it has been

[00:43:16] Infamously rather than things they've done well

[00:43:19] And I'll just throw this to you

[00:43:21] Because I know you and the rest of the baseball world

[00:43:22] Have brought it up

[00:43:24] Us included a ton this winter

[00:43:25] But when you heard 54% for the first time

[00:43:28] What was your reaction?

[00:43:30] Like you hear Jerry DePoto utter those words

[00:43:32] You think what

[00:43:33] I think about

[00:43:35] Merchandise

[00:43:36] Right T-shirts

[00:43:38] Inc

[00:43:39] There's somebody who's going to make a lot of money

[00:43:41] In the parking lot

[00:43:43] Outside of the ballpark for opening day

[00:43:45] Where people will show up

[00:43:47] And if they don't already have something

[00:43:48] That has that number on there

[00:43:49] Then they'll have it now

[00:43:51] Right

[00:43:51] It is a number

[00:43:53] That is going to stick with the franchise

[00:43:56] Until they win a World Series

[00:43:57] Right

[00:43:58] We all had a number in our minds

[00:44:00] For two decades plus

[00:44:03] Right

[00:44:03] What was the number

[00:44:04] 2001

[00:44:05] Or 21

[00:44:06] Right

[00:44:08] So that was the number

[00:44:09] That number is gone

[00:44:10] They made the playoffs

[00:44:11] The new number is 54%

[00:44:14] Because

[00:44:14] Who cares what the explanation is

[00:44:16] It doesn't matter

[00:44:18] The number has to do with

[00:44:19] The

[00:44:20] Um decision

[00:44:22] To stand in mediocrity

[00:44:24] In terms of payroll

[00:44:25] At a time when this is their winning window

[00:44:27] So that's what it stands for

[00:44:28] I don't care about the rest

[00:44:30] That's what it stands for

[00:44:31] Hey are we putting ourselves in a position

[00:44:33] Where if

[00:44:33] The cards

[00:44:35] Go our way

[00:44:36] We make the playoffs

[00:44:37] Or are we going to be like teams that

[00:44:40] Either go for it all the time

[00:44:41] Which they should be

[00:44:42] They're essentially a big market team

[00:44:44] In terms of how

[00:44:44] They should be operating

[00:44:46] Or at the very least

[00:44:48] Are we pushing all of our chips in

[00:44:49] When it's the time

[00:44:50] Which is now

[00:44:51] Because I think

[00:44:52] Any Mariners fan would agree

[00:44:53] That if they push their chips in

[00:44:54] For the next two to three years

[00:44:56] And then they scale back again

[00:44:57] Which they've done in the past

[00:44:58] Everyone would be okay

[00:44:59] Right

[00:45:00] If their payroll was $200 million

[00:45:02] Over the next couple of years

[00:45:04] And then they want a world series

[00:45:06] And then they scale back

[00:45:08] And some of their guys got expensive

[00:45:09] Or left in free agency

[00:45:10] And they kind of reset

[00:45:12] Would you guys be okay

[00:45:14] Yeah

[00:45:16] They could go on another 22 year drought

[00:45:18] I wouldn't care

[00:45:21] The cops is that right

[00:45:23] The cops

[00:45:24] Tanked

[00:45:25] Want a world series

[00:45:27] The glory days were not as long

[00:45:29] I think as anticipated

[00:45:31] But they still let it run

[00:45:32] They had some postseason appearances around that

[00:45:34] And then they reset

[00:45:35] And their fans

[00:45:36] Were generally okay

[00:45:38] Until now

[00:45:39] Where they're like demanding

[00:45:40] Them to go for it again

[00:45:42] And get back involved

[00:45:43] They've been super

[00:45:44] They haven't done anything

[00:45:45] As off season

[00:45:45] But I think they will

[00:45:46] So I'm not as concerned about them

[00:45:48] But that model works

[00:45:49] The problem in Seattle

[00:45:50] Is that model is

[00:45:51] Now never happening

[00:45:53] Right

[00:45:55] Tanked

[00:45:56] Brought payroll down significantly

[00:45:58] Now won't even bring it back up

[00:45:59] To what it was many years ago

[00:46:01] And usually like

[00:46:02] payroll should be going this way

[00:46:04] Just given how money

[00:46:06] Is

[00:46:07] Going up right

[00:46:08] In terms of what a payroll should look like

[00:46:10] Like natural inflation

[00:46:12] Especially in a game where the revenue

[00:46:13] Does go up

[00:46:14] And the team has done super super well

[00:46:16] I give them a ton of credit

[00:46:17] Like from a business standpoint

[00:46:19] Top 10 attendance

[00:46:20] They're doing a lot of things correctly

[00:46:22] What they're not doing is

[00:46:23] Is

[00:46:24] Figuring out when they should be pushing their chips

[00:46:26] And how they're playing the PR game too

[00:46:28] Because I've

[00:46:30] Done a lot of digging on

[00:46:31] What the TV situation looks like for them

[00:46:33] And I don't know everything

[00:46:34] Because there's been no transparency

[00:46:36] From the tipy top

[00:46:37] I don't ownership in terms

[00:46:38] Of what's going on

[00:46:39] That's another good way to piss people off

[00:46:41] Is to not tell them

[00:46:42] The facts

[00:46:43] But

[00:46:45] When you have a network

[00:46:45] That's going to go to a different tier

[00:46:47] Sports package wise

[00:46:48] And you're concerned

[00:46:49] That people are going to

[00:46:51] Not

[00:46:52] Subscribe

[00:46:53] To paying more

[00:46:54] For mariners games

[00:46:55] I know that if I was an owner

[00:46:57] And I was concerned about that

[00:46:58] I would kick ass

[00:47:00] In the offseason

[00:47:01] So that I made sure

[00:47:02] That everyone's like

[00:47:02] I can't not have this package

[00:47:04] I got to watch every mariners game

[00:47:05] We just picked up

[00:47:06] We just traded for one soda

[00:47:08] Like let's go baby

[00:47:09] Right

[00:47:10] That's a trade they should have made

[00:47:11] Or that's a kind of player

[00:47:12] That they should have looked into

[00:47:13] That would have had mariners fans

[00:47:14] Freaking out

[00:47:16] This offseason

[00:47:17] And nobody's canceling his subscription

[00:47:19] What they've done

[00:47:20] Right now

[00:47:21] And the precedent

[00:47:21] That they've set

[00:47:22] Unfortunately for their front office

[00:47:24] I feel bad for Jerry DePoto

[00:47:25] Is that he has to

[00:47:26] To make magic

[00:47:28] With the same payroll

[00:47:29] When players get more expensive too

[00:47:31] Right when guys go into arbitration

[00:47:33] Like a Logan Gilbert

[00:47:34] He's saying

[00:47:34] Hey Jerry

[00:47:35] You have to make magic

[00:47:37] Get us back in the playoffs

[00:47:38] With the same payroll

[00:47:41] How are fans supposed to react to that

[00:47:42] I've already seen it

[00:47:44] I've fans reaching out to us on our DMs

[00:47:46] Social media

[00:47:47] Twitter replies

[00:47:48] Go down the line

[00:47:48] Tons of YouTube comments

[00:47:50] And they're like

[00:47:50] F this

[00:47:51] I'm not subscribing to that

[00:47:53] Right

[00:47:54] Even if they do surprise us

[00:47:55] They're like

[00:47:56] You're not doing what you promised as a franchise

[00:47:59] So in my mind

[00:48:00] Then they're going to use the TV excuse

[00:48:02] But you screwed yourself over with the TV excuse

[00:48:04] By not giving fans a reason

[00:48:06] To subscribe to a premium tier package

[00:48:09] So off of volume aside

[00:48:12] What you just mentioned

[00:48:13] Wanted to create

[00:48:14] The most valuable product possible

[00:48:16] That that Kimmy Kim is

[00:48:17] Is that not exactly what the Dodgers

[00:48:20] Yankees and Red Sox have historically done

[00:48:23] To put themselves in this position

[00:48:24] They are in right now

[00:48:26] Way elaborate

[00:48:27] Give me more

[00:48:30] In terms of making a valuable product

[00:48:32] And making their RSNs that much more valuable

[00:48:34] Like the yes network

[00:48:35] Nobody in New York

[00:48:36] Is going to be like

[00:48:37] I can't have yes

[00:48:38] Like I'm good

[00:48:39] I'll pass on yes

[00:48:40] Like no

[00:48:41] Actually, I do really want to have yes

[00:48:42] Because I can't miss Yankee games

[00:48:44] And they built up that

[00:48:45] A generational pull

[00:48:47] To their network

[00:48:48] And it's the same with Nesson

[00:48:49] And the Dodgers channel name has changed over the years

[00:48:52] I think it's spectrum now

[00:48:53] But people want to watch Dodgers

[00:48:55] And now they're going to have hundreds of millions

[00:48:57] Of more people who want to watch the Dodgers

[00:48:59] Over in Japan as well

[00:49:00] So I'll say bring it back to that

[00:49:02] So something that like the Red Sox Yankees

[00:49:04] And Dodgers have done over the years

[00:49:06] Of the reason there are ascends

[00:49:07] Are that valuable?

[00:49:09] So the mariners have to realize

[00:49:10] From the top

[00:49:12] That we are in the entertainment business

[00:49:13] We are not in the mathematics business

[00:49:15] You're not going to teach fans

[00:49:18] A math equation

[00:49:19] To get them to subscribe to your product

[00:49:22] And you are spot on

[00:49:22] And by the way, I just want to mix this in

[00:49:24] Because I thought of this when we were talking about Dodgers

[00:49:26] And I didn't spit it out yet

[00:49:27] But do you know what the Dodgers did last off season?

[00:49:30] Do you guys remember?

[00:49:31] Not really

[00:49:32] Much

[00:49:32] They waited

[00:49:33] They got under the luxury tax

[00:49:35] To set themselves up for Otani and Yamamoto

[00:49:37] Sure

[00:49:38] And guess what?

[00:49:38] Last off season

[00:49:39] There wasn't a ton of complaint

[00:49:41] The general consensus

[00:49:42] In my mind from fans was

[00:49:44] Let's go baby

[00:49:44] We're loading up for Shohei Otani

[00:49:46] And they have delivered

[00:49:47] They obviously have delivered even more than that

[00:49:50] And some of that thanks to Otani

[00:49:52] Who had the idea of the deferrals

[00:49:53] But you're spot on

[00:49:55] DJ

[00:49:55] Because those teams

[00:49:57] Have made themselves valuable

[00:49:59] From a TV network

[00:50:01] Or even digital network

[00:50:03] Whatever you want to call it these days

[00:50:04] Right?

[00:50:04] Perspective

[00:50:05] From a franchise perspective

[00:50:07] Which I think we're vastly

[00:50:09] Underrating with the Dodgers

[00:50:10] Is how much they can sell a jersey patch for

[00:50:13] How much they are going to dominate

[00:50:14] Baseball internationally for years to come

[00:50:17] And how much that helps

[00:50:19] People traveling to

[00:50:20] The United States and saying

[00:50:21] Oh I want to go to LA

[00:50:22] So I want to go to a Dodger game

[00:50:24] So I want to see all those freaking players

[00:50:25] That they just brought in

[00:50:27] That's the merchandise

[00:50:28] And the jersey sales that I want to buy

[00:50:30] Even internationally

[00:50:31] I'm sure they'll have a big ass deal

[00:50:32] With a place like NHK

[00:50:34] So you're spot on

[00:50:35] That's the way that those teams

[00:50:37] Have thought for years

[00:50:38] The Red Sucks are actually taking a step back right now

[00:50:40] And it is going to hurt them

[00:50:42] But

[00:50:44] I just think there are a lot of

[00:50:47] Decision makers in our game

[00:50:48] That just can't get over

[00:50:50] When they're not profiting like crazy

[00:50:53] And they set that market right

[00:50:54] Billionaires generally

[00:50:56] Are numbers people

[00:50:58] They're obsessed with numbers

[00:51:00] Everything even probably little things in life

[00:51:02] I've come across quite a few in my life

[00:51:04] Where they're cracking numbers on things

[00:51:06] That I'm like

[00:51:07] I'm the person stepping in

[00:51:08] With my little salary going

[00:51:10] Why do you care?

[00:51:11] Like you're rich don't worry about that

[00:51:12] Just just get a car service

[00:51:14] Like what are you doing

[00:51:14] You know

[00:51:15] Stuff like that

[00:51:16] So I think that obsession

[00:51:18] Can hurt people

[00:51:18] And especially sometimes when it's the next generation

[00:51:21] I mean we're seeing that in Oakland

[00:51:22] That's a daddy money person

[00:51:23] Who has no concept of reality

[00:51:25] And that's why he just

[00:51:27] Every single step he takes

[00:51:28] Is right into a gutter

[00:51:30] So yeah you're spot on

[00:51:31] They're just not looking at this the right way

[00:51:32] It's very obvious

[00:51:34] And if

[00:51:35] I was wrong

[00:51:36] If you were wrong

[00:51:36] If anyone was wrong

[00:51:37] They would come out and tell us

[00:51:39] There's a reason why there's been

[00:51:40] Zero word from the tippy top

[00:51:42] That's when people keep their mouth shut

[00:51:44] When they don't have anything good to say

[00:51:45] And if they got questions

[00:51:46] The answers would be ugly

[00:51:49] I know we've got a few more minutes left with you

[00:51:51] But you guys have had Paul C. Waldo on a decent amount

[00:51:53] Now over the last few months

[00:51:54] And especially this offseason

[00:51:56] When you've asked him about the Mariners

[00:51:57] And listening to some of the answers he's given

[00:52:00] What have you learned from him

[00:52:01] About how players were feeling in that clubhouse

[00:52:05] I think

[00:52:06] We should point to someone else

[00:52:07] That's been on the show recently

[00:52:09] Who spoke at the end of the year

[00:52:10] Do you know who I'm talking about

[00:52:11] Yeah, Cal

[00:52:13] Yeah, Cal

[00:52:14] Cal's the man

[00:52:15] He is a G for saying that

[00:52:17] And I know in our sport

[00:52:19] Players can be worried especially before they get their big contract

[00:52:21] About saying something like that

[00:52:23] But they shouldn't be

[00:52:24] The right teams will look at a player like that

[00:52:26] And be like that's a winner

[00:52:28] That's a transparent player

[00:52:29] That's a guy that's obsessed with winning

[00:52:31] That's the quarterback of a team

[00:52:33] It's a guy who's been so valuable for them

[00:52:35] So I think Cal Raleigh's comments

[00:52:37] Speak to me

[00:52:38] Paul's comment speak

[00:52:39] Because I think the shop factor was there too

[00:52:42] Where he's like on the closer on a team

[00:52:44] And I get parts of why they made that deal last year

[00:52:47] But really for me

[00:52:50] I just think

[00:52:52] Trade a prospector too

[00:52:54] If you're trying to bring in some more depth

[00:52:56] And a few guys that have more contact oriented approaches

[00:52:59] Right which I think was partially the explanation

[00:53:02] For who they acquired

[00:53:03] Trading away your closer at a time like that

[00:53:05] Just made no sense to me

[00:53:07] So

[00:53:08] We even made fun of it the other day

[00:53:10] That's just not what winning teams do

[00:53:12] And again that's just putting

[00:53:13] Jerry DePoto in a losing position

[00:53:16] I will say he's the right man for the job there

[00:53:19] Because if you are given the same bar on a yearly basis

[00:53:22] Even though salaries inflate

[00:53:24] He is the guy that's going to make crafty traits

[00:53:27] That least try and put you in a better position

[00:53:29] So I'm not knocking what he's done this off season

[00:53:31] He's playing within his parameters

[00:53:33] And they might be a better team

[00:53:34] I think there's a little more

[00:53:36] Upside this year

[00:53:36] But there's also more risk

[00:53:38] Right like Mitch Garver's a perfect example of that

[00:53:40] Dude can freaking hit

[00:53:42] He can slug lefties as well as anyone in baseball

[00:53:45] Also hasn't been able to say on the field

[00:53:47] Same with Mitch Hanagher over the last few years

[00:53:49] So that's what you're looking at with a team like this

[00:53:51] Not saying I don't like them

[00:53:52] And the reason I have so much passion

[00:53:53] Specifically with Mariners fans

[00:53:55] I am an insomniac

[00:53:57] I watched so much Mariners baseball the last few years

[00:54:00] I love Dave Sims

[00:54:01] I think he's one of the best play by play dudes in the game

[00:54:03] So whenever he's on

[00:54:04] I've automatically want to listen to him

[00:54:06] So there's passion there

[00:54:07] And that's why we're able to relate to fan bases

[00:54:10] That don't have anywhere else to go

[00:54:12] Team shows like yours absolutely

[00:54:13] But from a national perspective

[00:54:15] You're not going to get this on other shows

[00:54:18] Right? This kind of passion and transparency

[00:54:20] And it's not just me but you know

[00:54:22] Ken Rosenthal and AJ Prysinski calling out

[00:54:25] Specific names right

[00:54:26] Like John Stan and being like dude

[00:54:28] What are you doing right now

[00:54:29] That's what you need

[00:54:30] You need therapy sessions for your fans

[00:54:33] If the teams aren't gonna do it

[00:54:35] Last question for me Scott

[00:54:36] So you you mentioned Jerry's the perfect guy

[00:54:39] For this job

[00:54:41] How much of that has to do with his previous stop

[00:54:43] With the angels and how that situation ended

[00:54:45] And how he's learned to deal with

[00:54:47] Subpar upper management

[00:54:49] Oh yeah, that's a great great call

[00:54:52] You dealt with Arnie Moreno

[00:54:54] I mean

[00:54:54] Jerry's had it rough

[00:54:56] If you think about it in terms of who your boss is

[00:54:58] Right? You wake up one day

[00:54:59] You think

[00:55:00] I'm sure there was a point in life

[00:55:02] Where he thought he might be able to recruit

[00:55:04] And sign show Hey Otoni

[00:55:05] And he woke up one day

[00:55:06] And ownership said hey

[00:55:07] We're gonna have a little little meeting

[00:55:09] And they said not only are we not going after

[00:55:11] Show A but

[00:55:12] Payroll's staying the same for next year

[00:55:14] But I know you've been waiting for this moment

[00:55:15] For many years

[00:55:17] To be able to strike and bring us up to

[00:55:19] More realistic range

[00:55:20] But it ain't happening

[00:55:21] So get crafty baby

[00:55:23] Because you're my front man

[00:55:25] And I pay you millions of dollars

[00:55:26] So that you can take the hit

[00:55:28] And not me

[00:55:28] So yeah that's why I can't say it enough

[00:55:30] I've been very impressed

[00:55:32] With what Jerry's done

[00:55:33] This offseason to be creative

[00:55:35] But it's the same thing

[00:55:37] I think Robbie is going to be good

[00:55:38] When he comes back from San Francisco

[00:55:40] Did the Mariners need that player?

[00:55:41] No, but then

[00:55:42] The asset was traded to dump money

[00:55:44] I mean they ended up dumping

[00:55:45] $50 million on the back end of that contract

[00:55:48] He's just in a really difficult spot

[00:55:50] So I like the Mariners

[00:55:53] I think they're a playoff contender

[00:55:55] But I think we can all agree

[00:55:57] That they have massively whiffed

[00:55:59] With their fan base

[00:56:00] And just having a little more wiggle room on payroll

[00:56:04] Would have made all the world a difference

[00:56:05] We're not having a conversation about any free agents

[00:56:08] Right?

[00:56:08] Like we've been able to easily shoot a down based on what's been said

[00:56:11] That we've had fans be like

[00:56:12] I think Chapman would be a good fit there

[00:56:14] I think Belinger would be a good fit there

[00:56:15] I think Soda would be a good fit there

[00:56:17] And we're able to

[00:56:18] Confidently, 100% say that ain't happening

[00:56:23] And Jerry's had to take a lot of arrows for it

[00:56:25] As unfair as it is

[00:56:26] Yeah

[00:56:27] Scott this has been great

[00:56:28] As always

[00:56:29] We always love talking to you

[00:56:31] We appreciate you keeping it real

[00:56:32] Especially for a national show

[00:56:35] The teams like the Mariners don't always get

[00:56:37] As much attention as people out here would like to see them get

[00:56:41] But you guys have done a great job with it

[00:56:42] We appreciate it

[00:56:43] And we appreciate you chopping it up with us for a bit

[00:56:45] Thanks guys

[00:56:46] You can do a great job

[00:56:48] You do have probably what the best

[00:56:50] Young starting staff in all baseball

[00:56:51] So get hang your hat on that

[00:56:53] It's definitely not going to be a bad team

[00:56:55] But yeah

[00:56:56] It's just passion and venom that I'm feeling

[00:56:58] So it's nice to air it out with you guys

[00:56:59] Because obviously you can relate

[00:57:01] Happy to hopefully come on again

[00:57:03] Where we can talk about a team that's exceeding expectations

[00:57:05] And every single move that was made hit

[00:57:07] But until then

[00:57:09] We're going to be a little pissed off as a collective group

[00:57:12] Right

[00:57:14] You're not wrong absolutely

[00:57:16] Yeah

[00:57:17] Thanks guys

[00:57:17] Appreciate you

[00:57:20] Always enjoy talking to Scott

[00:57:21] Bronn

[00:57:21] It was kind of like I said at the end of that interview

[00:57:23] Where

[00:57:24] There's a lot of national shows

[00:57:25] That don't talk about the Mariners a whole lot

[00:57:27] But foul territories done it a lot this winter

[00:57:29] And even though it's for reasons

[00:57:30] That we wish for more positive at times

[00:57:33] We've all echoed it

[00:57:34] Either it's on the show

[00:57:35] Here or on Twitter

[00:57:36] Wherever

[00:57:37] And foul territory

[00:57:38] They've done a lot of it too

[00:57:39] On a national stage

[00:57:41] Echoing the same sentiment

[00:57:42] So we had

[00:57:42] You heard it from Scott in the interview

[00:57:44] And as always

[00:57:44] He keeps it real

[00:57:45] He's transparent

[00:57:46] And he's always great to talk to

[00:57:47] So we appreciate it

[00:57:48] With that

[00:57:49] That'll just about wrap up

[00:57:50] This edition of the Marine Lair podcast

[00:57:52] You guys know the drill

[00:57:53] You want to listen to the full form podcast

[00:57:55] You can do so wherever you get your audio pods

[00:57:57] Make sure to download the episode

[00:57:58] Leave us a five star review

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[00:58:10] At Marine Lair pod

[00:58:12] That's TJ

[00:58:13] On the Lyle

[00:58:13] As always we thank you guys for tuning in

[00:58:15] Talk to you soon