Baseball Bar-B-Cast

Latest Episodes:

BREAKING NEWS: Edwin Díaz signs with the Dodgers & Kyle Schwarber re-signs with the Phillies Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

The annual baseball Winter Meetings were quiet — until suddenly they weren’t. Within a span of minutes, news broke that the Philadelphia Phillies had re-signed Kyle Schwarber, bringing him back to the City of Brotherly Love. While the move wasn’t entirely surprising, it was the news that followed that left the baseball world shaking.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the Los Angeles Dodgers signing Edwin Díaz away from the New York Mets to a three-year, $69 million contract, taking the trumpets out west. The move fills a much-needed void in the Dodgers’ bullpen and has people wondering if it could be key to a potential three-peat.

Later, Jake and Jordan talk about the Phillies bringing Schwarber back and why it made sense for them to commit five years and $150 million. They also discuss Philadelphia giving manager Rob Thomson a contract extension and speculate about the possibility of Don Mattingly joining as a bench coach to support the veteran skipper.

1:25 – Dodgers sign Edwin Díaz
9:42 – How this affects the Mets
19:00 – Phillies re-sign Kyle Schwarber
31:00 – Rob Thomson gets an extension

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

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

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

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

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

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

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

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

2025 Baseball Winter Meetings Get Underway, Jeff Kent Elected to Hall of Fame & Sonny Gray vs. the Yankees Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

The 2025 edition of the baseball winter meetings is officially underway in Orlando, Florida, and the Baseball Bar-B-Cast crew is on the scene. This is normally the week when deals start to bloom and big free agents are plucked from the tree. Just last year we saw Juan Soto and the New York Mets agree to a deal, as well as Max Fried joining the New York Yankees, so you never know what might happen.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman give their thoughts on what might happen at the meetings this year and the things they’re looking forward to, including the annual Scott Boras free-agent pitch. They then talk about Jeff Kent being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee and why it’ll be at least five years until Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds possibly get their last shot at enshrinement.

Later, Jake and Jordan talk about the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals,and Pittsburgh Pirates all making trades with their hopes set on 2026, as well as a few free agents coming off the board. Then they get into the Sonny Gray vs. Yankees drama that has developed following the news that he wasn’t happy to join the Yankees in 2017.

1:25 – The Opener: 2025 Winter Meetings
17:00 – Jeff Kent elected to Hall of Fame
24:47 – Around the League: Trades going down
42:42 – Free agents signing
47:51 – We Need To Talk About: Gray vs. Yankees
53:45 – Field Report: Winter League edition

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

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

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

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

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

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

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

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

Lucas Giolito Talks Being a Free Agent, 2025 Red Sox Season + Barry Bonds & Roger Clemens’ Last Shot at the Hall of Fame Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

There aren’t many debates hotter than who should and shouldn’t be elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame. While members of the BBWAA are tasked with voting on the standard ballot, the veterans committee votes on a smaller ballot to determine whether those who fell through the cracks will ultimately achieve baseball immortality.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the committee of 16 former players, executives, and members of the media who will ultimately decide whether some of the biggest and most controversial names in baseball will be elected into the Hall of Fame. While players like Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy hope that their time in the league will help their nomination, for players like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, this could be their last chance to be voted in.

Later, Jake and Jordan welcome nine-year veteran and current free-agent pitcher Lucas Giolito as he discusses what going through free agency is like, his thoughts on his time with the 2025 Boston Red Sox, how Garrett Crochet changed following his contract extension and what plans Lucas has for his post-MLB days. Then the guys talk about three players making their way back to MLB following their time in Japan, discuss the Colorado Rockies hiring a general manager and make their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

3:14 — The Opener: Hall of Fame veterans committee
20:20 — Lucas Giolito joins the show!
32:40 — Thoughts on the 2025 Red Sox
55:37 — The future for Giolito
1:00:48 — Around the League
1:10:47 — The Good, The Bad & The Uggla

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

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

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

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

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

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

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

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

Dylan Cease Lands Mega Deal with Blue Jays, Red Sox Trade for Sonny Gray & Relievers on the Move Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

The Toronto Blue Jays made a major impact on the baseball world when they won the AL pennant and came within a game of winning the World Series this past season. However, just because they got so close to a title doesn’t mean they didn’t see room for improvement, and with one fell swoop, they found themselves a new potential ace for their rotation.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the mega deal that Dylan Cease received from the Blue Jays, as he finalized a 7-year, $210 million contract to hopefully lead them right back to the World Series next year. Did Toronto jump the gun a little too quickly to bring in the seven-year veteran or were they right to strike before any other team could bid for Cease’s services?

Later, Jake and Jordan discuss the other moves that saw pitchers finding new homes, including the Boston Red Sox trading for St. Louis Cardinals starter Sonny Gray, the New York Mets signing Devin Williams to a three-year deal and the Baltimore Orioles bringing in Ryan Helsley to help with their bullpen. Then the guys take a look back at their bold predictions for the 2025 season and whether any actually came true.

2:31 — The Opener: Cease to Toronto
25:03 — Scott Boras Scoreboard update
29:27 — We Need To Talk About: Sonny to Boston
42:33 — Around The League: Devin & Helsley’s new homes
55:04 — Turbo Mode: ’25 predictions recap

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

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

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

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

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

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

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

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

2025 MLB Time Capsule: Ohtani’s Special Pillow, Baseball Pope, Misiorowski’s Charizard & Yankees’ Torpedo Bats Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

The 2025 Major League Baseball season was one of the most memorable in recent history. From the Los Angeles Dodgers becoming the first repeat champions since the New York Yankees’ ’90s dynasty to the incredible run that brought the Toronto Blue Jays to their first World Series since 1993, it’s time to look back at the unforgettable moments from the season that was.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman revisit the year in baseball with their annual time capsule episode. Starting with the Opening Series in Japan—which featured Shohei Ohtani getting a little help on a home run, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. receiving a contract extension and Juan Soto’s reception upon his return to the Bronx—the guys collect mementos from these moments so future generations can remember them.

Later, Jake and Jordan discuss the first-ever swing-off to decide the All-Star Game in Atlanta, the extremely rainy Speedway Classic, Jacob Misiorowski pulling an extremely rare Charizard Pokémon card and the first-ever American Pope being a Chicago White Sox fan. This year’s time capsule does not disappoint!

1:40 – What is the time capsule?
5:28 – Opening Series in Japan
19:11 – Baseball Pope
36:30 – Rafael Devers traded
42:26 – Cal Raleigh’s Home Run Derby
53:12 – Speedway Classic
1:08:43 – Mets complete collapse
1:11:48 – 2025 Postseason
1:23:09 – Ernie’s couch
1:31:59 – Yamamoto’s Game 7

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

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

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

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

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

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

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

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

Mets and Rangers swap vets, Tatsuya Imai says no to the Dodgers & Steinbrenner talks Yankees money Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

The New York Mets and the Texas Rangers made a splashy deal on Sunday night that saw Brandon Nimmo and Marcus Semien trade places. Nimmo, who has been with the Mets organization since 2011, will head to Arlington, while the three-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glover and Silver Slugger winner Semien takes his defensive specialty to Flushing.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman break down this surprising trade that nobody saw coming and discuss which team benefits most from it. With the Mets shedding payroll by moving Nimmo’s contract, how will this affect their pursuit of other superstars this offseason? Also, with Semien on the move, could this be the first of several notable names dealt by the Rangers?

Later, Jake and Jordan talk about coveted Japanese free agent Tatsuya Imai and his remarks about wanting to join a team that doesn’t have any other Japanese players, seemingly sending a slight toward the Los Angeles Dodgers. They then dig into MLB’s new TV rights, the Colorado Rockies naming their new skipper and Ryan Helsley potentially being shopped as a starting pitcher, before making their picks for an early-week edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

1:36 – The Opener: Mets–Rangers trade
21:30 – Nuclear Overreaction: Imai speaks up
31:19 – Around the League: MLB’s new TV rights
41:21 – Rockies name new skipper; Helsley wants to start
51:31 – The Good, The Bad & The Uggla

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

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

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

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

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

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

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

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

Everything you need to know about Murakami, Imai and Okamoto + qualifying-offer surprises Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

Every MLB offseason there seems to be a new Japanese baseball sensation set to take Major League Baseball by storm. With the arrivals of Roki Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, teams are hoping to find similar superstars across the globe to help bolster their chances of bringing home a championship.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman are joined by Japanese baseball expert Yuri Karasawa as they discuss Munetaka Murakami, Tatsuya Imai and Kazuma Okamoto all being posted this offseason. Will their games translate to MLB and which players could end up where? These questions and more are answered in this must-listen conversation.

Later, Jake and Jordan talk about the four qualifying offers that were accepted this week and why some of them were a bit questionable, including Trent Grisham returning to the Yankees and Shota Imanaga going back to the Chicago Cubs. The guys then close out the episode by making their weekly picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

5:36 – Yuri Karasawa joins the show
12:29 – Munetaka Murakami breakdown
25:57 – Get to know Kazuma Okamoto
34:50 – What to expect from Tatsuya Imai
45:20 – Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s heroics
55:19 – Around the League: QO surprises
1:21:43 – The Good, The Bad & The Uggla

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

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

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

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

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

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

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

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

Needs for every MLB team this offseason, big questions for free agents + Mariners bring back Josh Naylor Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

With the General Manager Meetings all wrapped up, the groundwork is being laid for what is sure to be a busy offseason. After the Los Angeles Dodgers captured back-to-back World Series titles, teams are aiming to knock them off their throne and every club has needs to make that happen.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman take a look at all thirty MLB teams and determine what their main needs are this offseason. With teams like the Dodgers, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies all ready to spend money on high-priced free agents, how will they allocate their funds? What do teams in the middle—like the San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs—do to try to close the gap?

Later, Jake and Jordan ask big questions regarding Kyle Tucker and his pursuit of over $400 million, who will be the toughest to envision wearing a different uniform and which player the Dodgers will eventually acquire to annoy fans from other teams. They also dive into the Seattle Mariners re-signing Josh Naylor after his successful half-season with them.

1:33 – The Opener: Naylor back to Seattle
20:47 – Around the League: Needs for all 30 teams
39:36 – What do the teams in the middle do?
55:32 – Will smaller-market clubs spend?
59:42 – Pressing questions for free agents
1:14:55 – Field Report: Nats’ new manager

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

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

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

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

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

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

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

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

Judge edges out Raleigh and repeats as MVP with Ohtani, Skenes-Yankees report + Scott Boras at it again Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

As the winners were announced for the end-of-year MLB awards, there weren’t many surprises regarding who would take home hardware this season. However, the one race everyone speculated about—the American League MVP—finally delivered an answer on Thursday night.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the extremely tight race that saw New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge just edge out Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh to earn his third MVP award. While Raleigh had a historic season, doing something no catcher had ever done before by hitting 60 home runs, Aaron Judge’s incredible performance could not be denied.

Later, Jake and Jordan talk about Shohei Ohtani’s unanimous victory in the National League, earning his second consecutive honor in the senior circuit. They then get into the Paul Skenes-to-Yankees report that surfaced, Scott Boras busting out some classic one-liners in his annual GM Meetings press availability and make their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

1:41 — The Opener: Judge wins tight MVP race
19:27 — Ohtani wins fourth MVP award
35:21 — Paul Skenes–Yankees rumor
49:00 — Scott Boras scoreboard returns
1:05:53 — The Good, The Bad & The Uggla

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

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

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

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

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

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

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

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

Latest on MLB’s Gambling Scandal with Emmanuel Clase, Judge vs. Raleigh One More Time & Rookie of the Year Winners Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

On Sunday, charges were announced stemming from alleged gambling misconduct involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis L. Ortiz. Both pitchers have been charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, among other charges, and each could face up to 65 years in prison.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman break down all the charges and the possible suspicious in-game activity that led to them. They then discuss why this is such a sad story for both players to be involved in, and why, unfortunately, it’s become something we now have to deal with in the new era of partnerships between gambling companies and sports leagues.

Later, the guys dive into the end-of-year awards, including Jordan explaining his vote for American League Rookie of the Year, a reexamination of Aaron Judge vs. Cal Raleigh for AL MVP and their picks for who will appear on both the American and National League MVP ballots.

1:38 - The Opener: Latest on the gambling scandal
22:59 - Possible aftermath of the controversy
30:50 - Nick Kurtz named AL Rookie of the Year
41:25 - Drake Baldwin named NL Rookie of the Year
50:07 - Judge vs. Raleigh
55:05 - MVP ballot game

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

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

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

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

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

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

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

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