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Let it be known: we decided to record this podcast before the Detroit Tigers made waves across baseball, signing free agent outfielder Justin Upton to a six-year, $132.75 million contract. See, there's a post and everything.
Anyway, what originally planned to be a dull episode became very exciting when the Tigers finished their offseason with a flourish. Rob and HookSlide break down the deal, discuss what it means for the Tigers roster in 2016 (and beyond), and debate whether opt out clauses -- the newest trend in baseball, apparently -- are worth the hassle.
Of course, other things have happened too. The Baltimore Orioles signed Chris Davis to a seven-year contract with all sorts of deferred money, while the Kansas City Royals inked Ian Kennedy to a deal more expensive than anyone expected. There are also the never-ending Yoenis Cespedes rumors to discuss, and St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak's recent comments about the DH making its way to the National League.
It's good to be back.
Topics in this week's episode include:
- Whether Al Avila is listening to this podcast
- The benefits to Justin Upton's opt out clause
- Holy crap we signed Justin Upton (the exuberance was a bit delayed)
- Bruce Rondon's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad offseason
- Chris Davis' roundabout trip back to Baltimore
- All the drugs the Royals must be taking
- Are the Tigers World Series contenders?
- Listener questions!
- Who bats where?
- Does the National League need the DH?
- Old-timey baseball, or at least a way to return to it
Contents
- 2:30 - Rounding the Bases: one good Upton deserves another
- 24:40 - Warming in the Pen: are the Tigers World Series favorites now?
- 43:17 - High and Tight: time for a roster pulse check
- 57:53 - Into the Mob Scene at Home: question marks and more
- 1:14:12 - The 7th Inning Kvetch: let’s tinker with MLB rules
Click below to listen to the podcast.
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Be sure to send us your thoughts, suggestions, and questions for our next show. We're on Twitter at @blessyouboys, @BYBRob, and @HookSlideBYB, on Facebook at BYB.Tigers, and can also be reached at bybtigers@gmail.com!