Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney

Latest Episodes:

Neither: Max Scherzer Back for Season 19; WBC Preview; Charlies Barkley; Astros & Marlins Previews Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

Max Scherzer returns for his 19th MLB season, re-signing with the Toronto Blue Jays after his daughter wrote the organization a heartfelt note. Plus, the World Baseball Classic starts next week, and the Braves start their own TV network. Buster Olney, Jorge Castillo and Alden González discuss. Then, Charles Barkley stops by to talk about why he loves sports so much, rooting for the Blue Jays in the World Series, if Shohei Ohtani is a top-three athlete of all-time, his advice for MLB players during labor negotiations, and which league has better brawlers: The NBA or MLB. Later, Buster previews the Houston Astros and the Miami Marlins. Finally, Buster takes your questions during Bleacher Tweets.

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0:00 Welcome

0:30 Jorge Castillo & Alden González

22:49 Charles Barkley

39:07 Houston Astros preview

40:17 Miami Marlins preview

41:10 Bleacher Tweets

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Zone Remains the Same: Aaron Boone on the ABS System & How Judge Could Benefit; Braves Extend Chris Sale Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

The Braves extend Chris Sale, Buster drops his top-ten corner outfielders and which players stand to benefit from the ABS System? Hembo and Buster discuss. Plus, is Konnor Griffin a generational talent? Then, Yankees manager Aaron Boone stops by to talk about whether Aaron Judge’s size will benefit him with ABS, how he’s instructed his team to deal with the ABS System, if his interactions with umpires will change now that he has the ability to challenge balls and strikes, Gerrit Cole’s progression, and his assessment of the team’s offseason. Later, Buster previews the Sacramento Athletics and the San Francisco Giants. Finally, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.

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0:00 Welcome!

:47 Hembo

19:51 Yankees manager Aaron Boone

34:50 Headlines

36:01 Athletics preview

36:57 San Francisco Giants preview

38:16 Bleacher Tweets

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Big News: Gerrit Cole Throws 97 MPH; Did the Red Sox Have an Underrated Offseason?; Shortstop Draft Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

The podcast is available for viewing on ESPN's MLB YouTube page!

The Yankees’ Gerrit Cole is showing off his stuff at Spring Training. How soon will he return to the rotation? Buster Olney, Tim Kurkjian and David Schoenfield discuss. Plus, Major League Baseball is in a golden age of shortstops, Dave and Tim draft who they think are the top eight shortstops in the league, Dave thinks the Red Sox had an underrated offseason, remembering Bill Mazeroski and his World Series Game 7 walk-off home run, and everyone is all-in on the World Baseball Classic. Then, Buster previews the 2026 Toronto Blue Jays. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.

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2:28 Gerrit Cole, Yankees' pitching

7:02 Red Sox offseason

8:42 Gold age of shortstops

14:07 Shortstop draft

21:42 Remembering Bill Mazeroski

25:03 Buy-in for the World Baseball Classic

28:09 Headlines: Rhys Hoskins signs with Cleveland, Jordan Westburg injured, Pay Murphy extended

29:13 Toronto Blue Jays 2026 preview

30:32 Bleacher Tweets

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Equipment Closet: MLBPA Needs Urgency; Alex Bregman as the Anti-Kyle Tucker; Cubs Preview Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

Eric Hosmer and Buster discuss Hos’ breakout candidates for the spring, and the deep seated issues facing the MLBPA. Next, Jesse Rogers stops by to share his thoughts on Alex Bregman in a Cubs uniform, Pete Crow-Armstrong as an x-factor in the league, the change in leadership in the players’ union, and why Andrew Miller will play a key role in the labor negotiations. Then, Buster previews the Chicago Cubs. Later, Buster talks to Ken Davidoff about his new book “101 Lessons from the Dugout” and why some players aren’t made for the New York market.

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4:57 Eric Hosmer

24:54 Jesse Rogers

38:45 Chicago Cubs Preview

39:46 Ken Davidoff

51:00 Bleacher Tweets

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Reflections: World Series Managers Dave Roberts & John Schneider Stop By; Tony Clark Resigns Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

Jorge Castillo and Buster discuss MLBPA executive director Tony Clark resigning amid scandal, during a time the players' union needs stability and leadership. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins the show to talk about being deliberate with moving on after the World Series, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s leadership and his initial impressions of Dylan Cease. Next, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on embracing the challenge of a new season, how Kyle Tucker changes his lineup and Edwin Diaz. Later, Hembo provides an offseason retrospective. Finally, Buster shares additional thoughts on Clark's resignation during Bleacher Tweets.

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0:00 Jorge Castillo

5:17 John Schneider

19:08 Dave Roberts

31:04 Hembo

47:20 Bleacher Tweets

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Saying Something Nice: Bryce Harper is Yapping; Manny Machado is Also Yapping; Dodgers Preview Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

Tim Kurkjian, David Schoenfield and Buster discuss Bryce Harper first public response to Dave Dombrowski’s comments, Harper and Kyle Schwarber not exactly defending Nick Castellanos, Manny Machado’s thoughts on the Los Angeles Dodgers' spending, if Shohei Ohtani can pitch enough games to win a Cy Young, the Braves in need of another starting pitcher, the guys’ win projection for the Dodgers. Then, Buster previews the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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4:29 Tim Kurkjian & Dave Schoenfield

30:20 Los Angeles Dodgers preview

31:58 Bleacher Tweets

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Disproportionate: Nick Castellanos Released & Details Revealed; Latest on Labor Talks; Orioles & Rockies Previews Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

Jeff Passan and Buster discuss the circumstances surrounding the Phillies releasing Nick Castellanos, the latest on labor relations from the owners meeting, the wide range of outcomes for the Mets, and why Jeff is bullish on the Orioles. Then, Buster previews Baltimore, and the Colorado Rockies.

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6:09 Jeff Passan

32:14 Baltimore Orioles preview

33:44 Colorado Rockies preview

34:52 Bleacher Tweets

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Off the Knob: Francisco Lindor and Others Break Their Hamates; Tigers Poised to Pounce; Mariners Heavy AL West Favorite Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

Karl Ravech, Eduardo Perez and Buster discuss the spate of hamate bone injuries across baseball, hitters chasing bat speed, Spencer Schwellenbach starting the season on the 60-day IL, the re-envisioned Tigers with Framber Valdez in the rotation, Blue Jays analyst Buck Martinez leaving the booth, which players will get the green light to challenge pitches on the spot, and the reconfigured Red Sox. Then, Jorge Castillo has more on Francisco Lindor’s broken hamate, the Mets’ options to replace him at shortstop, Juan Soto moving to left field, Josh Hader’s slow return from injury, the Mariners looking like a heavy favorite in the AL West, and Tarik Skubal vs. Paul Skenes. Later, Sarah Langs tackles the Skubal vs. Skenes question.

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5:43 Clown Car w/ Ravy & Eduardo

29:01 Jorge Castillo

51:08 Sarah Langs

54:54 Bleacher Tweets

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Clear Villain: Tigers Should've Paid Tarik Skubal; Team Win Totals Release; Kiley McDaniel on Prospect Top-100 Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

Hembo and Buster discuss the Mariners waiting out the market and trading for Brendan Donovan from the Cardinals, why the Tigers are doing Tarik Skubal dirty by not paying him, Hembo’s best pitcher in baseball, and which team win totals look ripe for a wager. Then, Kiley McDaniel stops by to talk about the Donovan trade from the Cardinals’ perspective, his excitement over top prospect Konnor Griffin, players who shot up his board after the draft, and if George Lombard Jr. will force his way to the Bronx at shortstop.

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3:42 Hembo

30:50 Kiley McDaniel

50:26 Bleacher Tweets

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Tim Kurkjian Tough: Framber Valdez Lingering; Offseason Losers; Stephania Bell on Injuries to Watch Heading Into Spring Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

Tim Kurkjian, Jesse Rogers and Buster discuss the thought process behind Hall of Fame voting with the news of Bill Belichick's NFL first-ballot snub, Tim's tales of new Hall of Famers Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltran, Cody Bellinger bolstering the Yankees, why Framber Valdez could go unsigned for weeks, potential suitors for the Cardinals' Brendan Donovan, and the offseason's biggest losers (so far). Then, ESPN injury expert Stephania Bell stops by to share updates on Gerrit Cole, Zack Wheeler, Nathan Eovaldi, Austin Riley, and Carlos Rodon.

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4:40 Tim Kurkjian & Jesse Rogers

33:03 Stephania Bell

50:35 Bleacher Tweets

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