Triple Play UK
UK based podcast discussing NFL, NHL & MLB.
Matt & Tom talk about their love of sports and all the hot topics from around the leagues.
Triple Play UK
The Eagles dominate, 4 Nations preview & Spring training starts!
We evaluate the Eagles demolition of the Chiefs. Whats next for these two teams?
We delve into the Quarterback pool for the 2025 draft after rumours started to circulate that the Jets were ready to move away from Aaron Rodgers and over in the NHL we preview the 4 nations tournament.
There's also a look at who's going where in the trade market in both the NHL & MLB.
Welcome to TriplePlay UK, the UK's home of the NFL, NHL and MLB.
Tom:Tom's take this week is the Philadelphia Eagles are your Super Bowl champions and they are not just going to be your Super Bowl champions, but they're going to be your Super Bowl champions with relative ease.
Matt:Welcome along to TriplePlayUK, I'm your host Matt alongside Tom We've got a jam packed show for you today. We've got a Superbowl 59 reaction after the Eagles destroyed the Chiefs. We're gonna look at what's next for both of those teams. There's rumours coming out of New York that the Jets are done with Aaron Rodgers. So we're gonna have a look at where that leaves the Jets. Over in the NHL, we're going to have a look at what's going on in the trade market, who's in the mix for postseason, and we're going to be previewing the four nations that kicks off on Wednesday night. In the MLB, we're going to have a look at free agency, any trade rumors, and upcoming training, as some of the guys have started reporting for spring training. So without further ado, let's get into it. Tom, let's get this gloating out of the way. Come on, mate. Let's hear it.
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :Champions! Champions! Olé! Olé! Olé! That was as that was reserved as it, as it could be, mate. It could have been a lot worse. I'm gonna try and be as as contained and as, and as humble as it can, as it can be for this episode. So yeah, I'm yeah, let's, let's get into the, let's get into the review. what a game, eh?
Matt:It was some game, wasn't it, mate? Yeah, I think. I think everybody could see pretty early on that, that this was not, not gonna be a three peat. Don't think I've ever seen players look as broken as I saw the the Chiefs, mate. Like, Travis Kelce, Mahomes, you know, these guys should, should be the leaders out there. They looked broken, didn't they, mate? The Eagles absolutely destroyed their souls.
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :Yeah, I think the old, the old Bane quote, it comes into play. what's going to break first, your, your body or your mind? and I think it was a case that for Patrick Mahomes, it was the body first. Because his offensive line did him absolutely no favors, And yeah, I think once his body was broken, I think the, I think like you said, you could see it when they kind of pan the cameras over to the benches. I think this was a, I think this was quite an, when I say an important beat in, I don't mean it in a sense of like, I mean, every loss is a loss. And I mean, you're like Patrick Mahomes said, like his two worst defeats of his career, are the two Superbowl losses. Cause they mean the most. but I dunno, there was something a bit different about this one. This wasn't a. They've lost to Tom Brady, who had one last hurrah, and he's the best player ever. This was, they didn't just lose the game to a team that was kind of riding a high, like the Bucks were, and, kind of came into it with Brady behind them and Gronk. This was This was a lot of humbling. This was like you, you didn't just get beat. You were the favorites for the free P and you came in and but they would like they were destroyed. I think we kind of joked about it on the phone, didn't we? we kind of said it stuff like that should have had an age limit. So the watching of it, it's yeah, it was, it was pretty brutal if, if you're a Chiefs fan.
Matt:Yeah, so I'd probably say it was one of the most one sided Super Bowls in recent history, apart from the Chiefs last outing where they lost in the Super Bowl the, the Bucs. But not only were the Chiefs really bad, but the Eagles were oh so good. So I think I probably want to look at what went wrong for the Chiefs then roll into the, the, the positive side of it from the Eagles point of view. so the Chiefs O line were absolutely bullied, weren't they? And then, what, Mahomes was sacked six times. And in the first half, they only totaled 23 yards and one first down. The O line then folded, without the Eagles even blitzing for the whole game. So I think the result on a whole was shocking, but the display from the whole of the Chiefs team was just. I don't think it was ever, nobody ever even had kind of team display on the cards. I mean, from obviously one person who's probably going to sit here and gloat for the next however long. you know, you, you called it a long time ago. You said, Oh, if the Eagles get there, they're going to win easy. I never saw it. I don't think many other people saw it, mate. So, tell me why you think the, the Eagles were so good then.
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :Yeah, and I think you kind of alluded to it in the last episode and I hope you stick to your word, mate, where you said you're going to make sure you clip, Tom's take and a few of the takes from the last episode. I think there's a few kind of takeaways from it. I think the Eagles were so good and I think where I think you can't start anywhere else but that, but that defense, you mentioned it. You're playing against the best quarterback of the modern era. and when I say modern era, I mean post Tom Brady. you're playing against a team that's going to, that's on the cards to free Pete. This is their fifth Superbowl of the last six that have been played. They won four of the last five. they're going for a three peat. and that defense, like you said, they sent four every time. They didn't even blitz. We didn't even have to blitz. And they were getting to them every single time. like you said, Mahomes, six sacks. 25 pressures, 42 dropbacks. The Eagles had three takeaways. Two of them were in interceptions. One of them was a big six from Cooper Dejean. What a player and what a game he had on his birthday, by the way. He's going to be an absolute stud going forward. Obviously one of them was a sack and a fumble, which was recovered. And like you said, all of that without a blitz. The Eagles defense kept Mahomes scoreless pretty much, I think it was up until the last minute of the third quarter. I remember the, it was actually said on Fox commentary when we were watching it, it was Mahomes has never been scoreless through the first three quarters of a game in his whole career. And I was, even though the game was, I wouldn't say won, because I was still sitting there a little bit nervous because it's Patrick Mahomes while it was going on. I was almost annoyed when they scored because I was like the game's bait almost done I was almost kind of just seeing how badly we could beat them For the enjoyment. So I think you kind of got a start there like you mentioned 23 total yards in the first half. They didn't have a possession in Eagles territory till the third quarter. That is just I mean, like I said, we're not touching on the how bad the Chiefs were here with, I mean, you have to give credit to the Eagles. That is just that is all on their defense and Vic Fangio, our defensive coordinator. There was people, Jalen Hurts, obviously one MVP. Well, I'll touch on him in a minute. For the game. Any of the Eagles defense could have won it that those four guys that were going forward every time. Like I said Cooper Dejean picked six on his birthday. The linebackers were excellent. If you could give MVP to a coach, I think Vic Fangio would have been well in the running. The way he's transformed that defense that was pretty much bottom of the league. Every in almost every stat last year to being first in the league this year and the way they dominated that KC offense. So like I said, I think you've got to start with a defense there. I mentioned it at the start when I gave Tom's taken when we kind of gave the reasons as to why we think each team could win last week because the defense is the main reason it all is why you win championships. It's why the Eagles won that game, because I think if you kind of look at the other reasons, the Eagles won. You alluded to the fact that if they stop the running game then the Chiefs will definitely win. Now, this isn't me kind of picking it out saying, oh, Matty, you were wrong. Because I think I kind of came around and was like, no, Saquon Barkley's gonna run. For a silly amount of yards and he's going to win. He's going to be one of the reasons we win the game. They kept him really quiet. Where they didn't kind of pick up. And again, I alluded to it last week was if you stop Barkley and why I was so confident that the Eagles were going to win the Superbowl, not necessarily just against the chiefs, but just from the start is. You stop Barkley, you have to deal with you have to deal with the wide receivers and DeBonta Smith and AJ Brown went off big touchdowns. Jalen Hurts was unreal. So yeah, like I said, they're just a multifaceted team and that's why they won the game.
Matt:I think it was it was great to see you The, from, you know an impartial kind of fans point of view, these, these two quarterbacks kind of highly anticipated game, having one of the worst games he's ever had, the ball over multiple times you know, Cooper to do what a catch 17 nil by the way. And then, I mean, on that point, I think Mahomes, I think he was kind of In a place he hadn't been before. Because me it was like he was rushing, he was trying to throw passes he was never gonna make. And I just think you're making those decisions in, in that kind of game, you're not, you are, you're onto a loser. And I think with Jalen Hurtz, he had probably one of the best games I've seen him play. He was very, very impressive and fully deserve to be the the MVP. You know, I think the Chiefs plan to stop Saquon Barkley at all costs backfired massively and I think we discussed it last week. I think, you know, the Jalen Hurts probably knew that that was going to be the plan. And I think Barkley only ran for something like 60 odd yards for the whole game, didn't he? It was like his second lowest, of the season I think overall, mate, Jalen Hurts You know, and the offensive coordination from the Eagles the right calls and throws of 22 completed 70 percent of his passes with three or more touchdowns puts him up there with with Tom Brady, doesn't it? So huge display from Jalen Hurts would be interesting to see where the Eagles go from here.
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :Yeah, I think for the Eagles, your big guys, your big playmakers they're all either rookies, like Quinion Mitchell, Cooper Dejean. Or they signed to long-term deals. AJ Brown Devonta Smith, Jalen Hurtz, Swan Barkley. I think pretty much all of the offensive line bar, mackay, Beckton,, are all signed. So the core of this team and why they're so good is all locked up. And then we've had such success with the draft recently. Like I said, I mean we got Cooper de Jean and Quinone Mitchell in last year's draft, and they've ended up being two of the best players on the defensive end. in the whole of the NFL this year. Zach Bourne, I think, was signed on like a two million contract in the offseason. He's going to be getting a lot more than that this year. So, I think it's, I think that the signs are good. I did just kind of want to touch on because I just think I want to just make a little bit more of it about just Jalen Hurts, because I think Like I said, like, obviously, he's my quarterback, man. Like, I love him. He gets a lot of stick. But I just wanted to give a couple people some numbers just from his game and then just his career so far. Jalen Hurts, he threw for 221 yards in this Super Bowl. He rushed for 73, which, by the way, is a record in a Super Bowl, breaking his own record from the last Super Bowl that the Eagles and the Chiefs played. Three total touchdowns. Now, I think, but I think, do you know what, I think the thing that impressed me most about Jalen in this game was when we were leading, I think we were only up 7 0 at the time, he threw for an interception. Now, I think a lot of people would have sat there and gone, well that's the turning point, that's a massive interception, Eagles, Eagles are up. Jalen's gonna lose his head, Mahomes is gonna come back. That was a turning point for them, and it just didn't faze him, which was brilliant to see. Now, like I said, he gets so much hate, but like I said, just a couple lines on his career. Jalen Hurts has been a starter in the NFL for four years. He's thrown for over 16, 000 yards. He's thrown for 131 touchdowns. He's, he's had an All Pro selection. He's made the playoffs four out of four years as a starter. Two NFC Championship games and two NFC Championship wins. One Super Bowl champion. Now, he's outplayed Patrick Mahomes in both of the Super Bowls that he's played. And he's 45 and 17 in his career as a starter. I mean, start putting some respect on Jalen Hurts name. He deserves all the credit he's getting, man. Like I said, I just think he gets so much like I wouldn't say abuse, but a lot of stick and they were kind of talking about it after the game in the interviews. And you could see all the players that he's the most cool, calm, collected guy. Just like, look, keep, keep hating. I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing. You can tell his teammates get annoyed. Like Darius slavers like that. That stuff bothers me. Jalen's just sitting there like, just bring it on. If the hate is what is what motivates me to win, then yeah. Keep on sending it through and I'm going to keep on winning. So just wanted to give him like I said, some props and we kind of spoke a little bit about like why, where the Eagles kind of go from here and the fact that it's looking positive for them going forward now. For the Chiefs, I think, like, I'm looking at it, maybe an aging team, potentially no KLC next year, obviously there's been no kind of announcement on that, but there's talks about retirement, obviously they're still going to have Mahomes, now, and Andy Reid, and it's those two that I kind of want to talk about. Who do you, as you were kind of looking on it before the game as kind of why the Chiefs can win, who do you blame for this loss? Do you blame Andy Reid? For not running the ball more. And I say that because the chiefs ran for the free, for the, I think the three guys that ran the ball for them, not including Mahomes. They completed 24 rushing yards, which is unheard of considering how easily the Eagles pass rush was getting to Mahomes. So who do you blame more? Do you blame Andy Reid for not switching the tactics up and getting the ball on the ground more and forcing the Eagles to stop the run and then go into the pass or do you just simply put it down to the fact that Mahomes just wasn't on his game? What do you reckon?
Matt:I don't think you can put it down to one single factor to be honest. I think we spoke about it a little bit in the preview last week. Kelce hasn't been utilized as much this season. Pacheco got injured early on in the season. Kareem Hunt was still finding his feet within the organization. So I think, yes, there's a number of factors involved. But I think the manner of the defeat has really hurt the Chiefs and next season is going to be really interesting to see if Andy Reid can motivate this team to go again. I don't think they've suffered a defeat like this in the last seven years. Yes, they've lost the odd game here and there, but this was one hell of a beating. I think the result surprised a lot of people, none more so than Mahomes, Kelce and Reed. I think it's tough to blame any part of that result on individuals. I think the fact that they were going for a three peat may have been a contributing factor. Maybe the pressure was too much for some people, maybe some people just assumed because they've beaten the Eagles before, and they knew. How to get a jail and hurts and they knew how the defense would come at them They just assumed they'd do it again, and they couldn't have been more wrong. I Think for the chiefs, so I think there are certain areas in which they need to move on from I Think they need to probably move on from Travis Kelce Didn't really click this year. I mean if you look at it, he didn't carry the ball as often He didn't break tackles like he used to He didn't score as many touchdowns this season. He's been in decline for the past two seasons now. When you look at the running game of the Eagles, the Chiefs need that, the Chiefs need a running game and they need a running back. Pacheco got injured early on in the season, he broke or fractured his tibia, and he never really recovered from that, so they do need a running back. If they want to run the ball like some of those teams, good teams have this season. I think Kareem Hunt isn't ready yet as a running back. He doesn't react quick enough to the holes that are being created by the blockers. When you watch some of his games he seems a little bit slow. And in terms of Andy Reid, he's a fantastic coach and last week like I said, he has the potential to be the greatest of all time. I think there's a potential that the Chiefs could go for the AFC title again next season. Right now, after that defeat, I don't think they get into the Super Bowl. And to be honest mate, you're probably going to love to hear this from me, but out of those two teams, I think the Eagles have more chance. And I think are a good shout for back to back.
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :Yeah, I think I agree, especially with that. I mean, on that last point again, like, I mean, try and keep it as unbiased as we can. But it's yeah, it's hard not to look at that. I think I kind of said at the time I got a bit carried away while I was watching it. As we kind of I think when Devonta Smith scored scored that touchdown I kind of started shouting, best team in the world. This is why we're going to win it. I think I actually think from what I'm seeing, the Eagles are so dominant with the way that they play. Unless teams quickly figure out how to stop us, I think the Eagles could potentially Now I'm not going to say build a dynasty because it's, it's one championship and it's, you've got to get back there. And the pressure's on, they've got even more pressure on them now. to get back there and to do it again, because now, like we said, same as Casey, the minute you now have a target on your back because you're the team that's one. So teams are going to be doing whatever they can to stop you. And to try and bring that to an end. So yeah, I agree. I think the Eagles have a really good chance of going back. Hopefully we do. And we can repeat ourselves. It'd be brilliant to see I just kind of think like you said there on the Chiefs as well. I think like you said, it's they've got to move on from certain aspects. I think you've got to retool a little bit now, by the way, I'm not saying by any means you've got a completely up sticks and turn the whole thing around because this is still a team that went back to back and still got to another Super Bowl. So like, I can't say too much like, Oh, the chiefs need to do this and need to do that because I don't think it's major changes. You've still got the best quarterback in the world. No, he didn't have a good game, but He also played unfortunately against what might be considered the best defensive performance that has ever been in the Super Bowl. When you look at kind of some of the numbers that we ran through, but yeah, I think it's, it'll be interesting to see where the Chiefs kind of go from here. I think it's a, it's going to be a long six months for them to kind of recover from this and retool and look, all the best teams recover from stuff like this, come back stronger. And I wouldn't put it past Patrick Holmes to be leading them. to be leaving them out for the Super Bowl again next year. You just couldn't, you wouldn't put it past him or the Chiefs, but yeah, no, it'll be, like I said, it'd be interesting to see. Just a quick one as well. Did just want to really touch very quickly. Just before we kind of move off of the off of the Super Bowl. And I know you wanted to talk about Aaron Rogers and the Jets cause there's been some news around there. Just a quick shout out. A couple of the award winners. So first of all, big congratulations to Josh Allen who won MVP. Saquon Barkley, one offensive player of the year and just a quick little line on him. Also just want to obviously congratulate Saquon. Most ever rushing yards in a season, broke it during the Superbowl to 2, 504 rushing yards. Actually received for over 353 yards. 20 touchdowns, offensive player of the year. He's a first team All Pro, came third in the MVP vote in, and yeah, won the Super Bowl on his birthday. So, what a first season that is for Saquon. If he can have any kind of season like that next year, then I think I think, yeah, I think the Eagles have a very good chance. We've got a very good chance of Yeah, of going back to the Superbowl and maybe repeating, but yeah, Matty, I know you wanted to talk about Aaron Rodgers, so we'll wrap up kind of the Superbowl chat. What's your what's your thoughts there? Because there's been a bit of news around that and him potentially leaving the Jets, isn't there?
Matt:Yeah, so rumor coming out of New York at the minute is that he's been told by the new, coaching. team that they want to move on from him if he can't agree to certain stipulations. One of those is that he stops going on the Pat McAfee show, which is a random one. And then another one is that he attends all of preseason. The thing is, is that they do move on from Aaron Rodgers, it leaves the Jets in a predicament because they don't really have a recognized starting quarterback. So. Do they go into the trade market or do they go after a quarterback draft? I think if he does go, then potentially so do Devontae Adams and Tyler Conklin. there's quite a few players at the Jets that contracts are up for negotiation. And I think If you're either of those players, you look at the fact that, you know, you've got Aaron Rogers, a future hall of fame quarterback let go by the organization, you know, what, what are you getting instead? So I think it makes more sense for them to keep hold of him potentially. And he may, he may offer something. I mean, his numbers were decent, but you know, with all of the other stuff that went on. within the organization. It was it was a tough season. Whilst I'm talking about, I've been talking about the draft. So this year, the draft is that is a down year in terms of draft prospects at QB. There are a few quarterbacks of interest coming out of the draft this year. So, you've got Cam Ward out of Miami, Sanders out of Colorado, Jackson Dart out of Old Miss, and Jalen Milrow out of Alabama. The first round starts on the first day. Jets have the 7th pick of the first round. expected that Cam Ward is going to go first. Now the Titans have the first pick. They're not really in the market for a quarterback, but if Cam Ward is mooted as the number one prospect, do they go after him? In terms of Cam Ward then, so out of Miami, they finished the season 10 and 3. He had 4, 313 passing yards and touchdowns. To Miami from Washington state. at Washington State, he had a habit of trying to do too much. Can be a little bit reckless on his play calls. He holds the ball for an average of 2. 91 seconds, which is one of the worst in the league. And then you've got Shader Sanders coming out of Colorado. their season nine and four. He hit 4, 134 passing yards with 37 touchdowns. This guy has a tendency to drift backwards and look for escape lanes out of the side of the pocket. And this season he took 42 sacks, which was the most in the league. Jackson Dart out of Ole Miss. They also finished their season 10 and 3. He hit 4, 279 passing yards 19 touchdowns. percent of Darts passes are classed as wide open. And there's a concern that he looks for the easy option. However, he does get the ball out quickly and has a completion percentage of 69. 3%, which is the fourth straight season that he's improved. So he's a player on the up. And then you've got Jalen Milrow out of Alabama who finished their season nine and four. only hit 2, passing yards and 16 touchdowns. He though added 726 yards on the ground. So he's a mobile quarterback. The concern is with his passing on whether or not he can get the footwork. To merge with his release timing. the pool on quarterbacks isn't great. However, Cam Ward is mooted as the sort of standout of those four. I don't know if the Jets are too far down the list to get him though. And then in terms of trade, it's it's whoever's willing to let their potential starter or second string go. And do you want a second string quarterback starting at the Jets when the pressure's already on at the Jets? Because they're the longest standing team that haven't got to the playoffs. You know, it's, it's, it's getting more and more painful as a Jets fan. So it's going to be an interesting kind of off season for the Jets and Aaron Rodgers. Do you think he should stay or do you think he should go?
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :I think you kind of touched on it there. I think obviously the problem with the Jets this year and Aaron Rodgers is not just to do with performance. I mean, his performance wasn't great and get a quarterback rating of 48 this year, which was 25th in the league. So not very good, especially like you said, for a team that's trying to get Into the playoffs there on the longest streak without making it in. I think Aaron Rodgers and the Jets his biggest problem has just been finding a relationship that works and Aaron Rodgers has had far too much control and power over there. And it just seems like a complete power struggle. I think. My personal opinion on it is when you have a player that has too much of a say in what goes on. I think especially aging guys who haven't had success at the franchise, this isn't Tom Brady at at the Patriots, for example, Drew Brees at the Saints. Do you know what I mean? Like, we're not talking about guys that have been there, done it, and won it for this franchise. Like, this is a guy who's aging on the downward slope of his career. We're talking about a team that Look, the Jets, okay, we can say what you want about them, but like, there's a big fan base there. New York is a, is a massive market, and it's one of those, there's untapped potential in that team. In terms of the franchise, I know that's what you want to hear as well, and you'd love to get someone in. You kind of mentioned about a couple of those draft picks there. I personally look at, I mean, you guys have got the seventh pick in the draft. I don't know whether the Jets will look at this and go, did we waste our seventh pick on one of those QBs, who I'm not saying are not good, but like you said, it is a weak draft this year for quarterbacks. Do you trade for someone who could come in and be a stopgap? Now, one of the rumors that I've heard, I don't know if you've read into it at all, is that the Falcons are making Kirk Cousins available. Now he last year threw for 3, 500 yards 18 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, which is quite high. And had a passer rating of 88. 6, so 87. We'll round it up to 87. We'll be kind to Kirk. Now again, look, this is another quarterback who, similar to Rodgers, is on the downward trajectory now for his career. Obviously he had his best years at the Vikings, but That's not a bad year for for the Falcons. Now, obviously his career average is like 97. 4. So yes, he is on a downward slope, but when you, when you look at those kind of numbers experience that he's got, Kirk Cousins is still performing at a relatively good level. Now that could be a fairly decent stopgap for the Chets to come in and go right. Well, let's go in and draft if you're a top end wide receiver. And then when it kind of comes to next year with your pick, do you then go for the quarterback? That's where I kind of think the Jets might be looking at. I just think the problem is, is this year trading for a quarterback is going to be a risk because you're potentially giving up second, third round picks, which the Jets need in order to kind of build that solid team for the future. Cause you are in a rebuild. And you don't want to make the same mistake that you've done with Aaron Rogers, where you get rid of one stop gap quarterback or a quarterback on the downward trajectory who doesn't take you anywhere. You get rid of him and you trade for another one who's going to maybe potentially have the same effect on the team as Aaron Rogers has, maybe not with the politics side of it, but in terms of performance is someone like a Kirk cousins really going to come in and make much of a difference. There's no guarantee that he is. So I think the jets are in a real sticky situation. It'd be interesting to see. Where they kind of go as a Jets fan Where do you want them to go? Do you want them to draft? Do you want them to trade? Or do you think stick with Rodgers?
Matt:I don't think it can get any worse for the Jets. I mean, we've had some appalling seasons. You know, Rogers has got one year left. I think there's not a lot in the trade market. I think the QB market in terms of the draft is like said, there's not a great pool of guys in there. Is there a risk to go after one? But then if you, you go after one and you miss, you miss him, watch your backup plan. So I know, I don't know if I'd be happy to stick with Rodgers or not. It's kind of, I know it's weird to think I'm a bit meh the whole situation because it's a risk either way. We've got a brand new coach, we've got a brand new GM, there's a new coordinators. In there that the whole thing is being rebuilt. So I think stick with what you've got for now. You know, if you can get a decent QB in the draft then plan to pull, you know, put him in the team next season, learn a little bit from Rogers and then who knows where you go from there.
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :Yeah. No, that's fair enough. I think that's fair enough I think like you said maybe it is worth maybe going for someone if you get a QB, if you keep Aaron Rodgers around then, like you said, who, I mean, who better to learn off of? I mean, he's a future Hall of Fame quarterback. So I think a lot of young quarterbacks would like to come in and learn from someone like that. And I think you, as if you draft a quarterback that is kind of highly touted, then you never know. And I think, I guess the only thing is as well, like. With the draft, like, look at Tom Brady, the guy was a 4th round pick, or something, something along those lines, like, you just never know what you're going to get out of the draft. You might go in and draft one of those guys at 7, and they flop. You might draft one of those guys at 7, and everyone's saying it's a weak quarterback pull this year. The guy might go on and be the next Patrick Mahomes or Tom Brady, so, you just never know. Kind of what you're getting. So, yeah, I think it's, I think it's, it's kind of open for the jets this year. I think I don't, like you said, I don't think there's a, there's a right or wrong answer on it, really, but yeah, it'd be interesting to see.
Matt:So we'll move on now from the NFL, we'll go into NHL. So this year sees the four nations. Instead of an all star game. So a little mini competition between the U S Canada, Finland, and Sweden, which starts the 12th of Feb. That goes on till the following Thursday and then the season reconvenes on Saturday, the 22nd. At the minute, the favorites appear to be the U S and Canada. Can't really split the two. Me personally, I think Canada are probably going to win it. If I'm honest what are your thoughts on the tournament, Tom?
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :Yeah. I'm excited, mate, to be honest with you. It's been a long time since we've had kind of the top nations being able to play, especially mid season. So I think it's just one of those where I'm like, I'm, I'm excited for it. It's going to give you guys an idea of how it works. It's a round robin tournament. So every team will play each other. Once you get three points for a regulation, when you get two points for a winning overtime or shoot out one point for a loss in overtime or shoot out. And obviously nothing for a loss in regulation. Yeah, obviously Canada, USA, Sweden, Finland. It starts Wednesday night. Canada, Sweden. It's a great opening game. I'm excited for it. I think it's just good to see the best players in the world kind of playing together. I think we kind of say it with all sports. That's why those international tournaments are so good. A lot of the times, because especially in the NHL, you very rarely get to see it. So I mean, just to kind of highlight Canada a little bit. I mean, you're talking about potentially watching a team that's going to have Crosby, McKinnon, McDavid, Kale, McCall. Potentially you're playing on the same power play unit. And we'll kind of touch on that in a little bit, but like, that's just, that's like PlayStation stuff. You get, that's like a, you do like a fantasy team on PlayStation and you're like how this is almost impossible not to score when you've got that much talent on the, on the ice. So this is why these tournaments are so exciting. I think the, every fan you kind of speak to, I'm, I'm really excited for it. I think every fan you speak to. He's really, really looking forward to it. So kind of going for it. You touched on there. So I'll kind of I've got a couple of sort of who's and what's for you. And we'll kind of go for it together. So you just touched on it there. But go on, Matty. So who is your winner for the four nations?
Matt:Canada.
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :I've gone Canada as well. Who have you got as top point scorer for the, for the four nations?
Matt:McDavid. I
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :I think anything can happen in these tournaments, but again, I've, I've gone with David. It's. As much as I would love it to be McKinnon I mean, to be fair, Sidney Crosby's a sneaky shout as well he's, I mean, he's 20 and 0 as captain of Canada in international tournaments, so he always performs for his for the international stage, but yeah, I think it's, it's hard to look past McDavid. I think this is a quite a good one and a couple of the people, a couple of guys I was speaking to about it asked me this, so I threw it in there. What are you most excited to see? Now that doesn't necessarily have to be a player on his own. It could be a team. It could be a power play unit. It could be a certain game. Like what are you most excited to see from this tournament?
Matt:The matchup between the USA and Canada, it's an old rivalry, isn't it? So, it'll be interesting to see who comes out on top. That's probably the, the match I'm most looking forward to. and I think overall the tournament will be between those two teams. But I quite like the idea of seeing McKinnon and McDavid on the same team. I think, you know, anybody facing those two, professional hockey player or not, is going to be nervous as hell when you see those two guys running at you. Yeah
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :so Canada's projected and from what they've seen from open practice the power play unit for Canada. So they had McCall as the quarterback. And then you kind of had Reinhardt. David and Mac as your sort of like three after and then you kind of had Crosby center in it all. I mean, that is like, that's like the stuff of dreams for hockey fans. Like I said, it's like something off of a PlayStation. So it's kind of see those guys together as an abs fan. I'm really looking forward to seeing Crosby and McKinnon play together. They're good buddies. Like they grew up in the same town, like Matt kind of idolized Sydney growing up. So to kind of see them to play At a high level, we saw it at the All Star game last year in that kind of free on free, where there's not that kind of intensity to it. It's good fun. But to be able to kind of see those two and throwing Kael McCar to the mix and Connor McDavid to the mix as well as all the other players they've got on their lineup, like we're just mentioning some of the best players there, but they've got such a stacked roster for it. I just I'm excited just to see kind of all those players play together. And if you finish above Canada, or you can come out on top against Canada in this tournament, I think you you give yourself a good chance to win.
Matt:I think the only thing for me on this. Thanks. Bye. Is as excited as I am to see some of these matchups for me it's almost like from a premier league point of view how annoyed do we get when they Pause the season for Like friendlies, do you know what I mean? So for me, I think i'm a little bit split on it I mean, I don't get me wrong. I'm looking forward to watching it I think when you're this close to the business end Of the season as a fan. I'm looking at my team pushing to get into the into the playoffs. I don't want any more players getting injured. You know, I want I want them to be available to make sure that, you know, everybody's fit and hoping to push. But then Like we said, watching Nathan McKinnon and Conor, Matt, David play together for Canada, and then Brody, Kemper and Raymond for Sweden. Faber, Hanna, fin and Connor the us like just some great players playing together is, is exciting. I just hope that no, we don't see any injuries and we don't see any of the, the teams get affected by that in the running, you know, in the running.
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :Yeah, I think it's a I think it's a fair point. I think I wouldn't necessarily call them friendlies. I think that I think they're trying to tout this up to be saying that they potentially do kind of going forward. I'm not sure whether it'll be on like an annually. I don't think it'd be annually, maybe on like a Like a bi yearly thing where they do it every two years, every four years. I think obviously the problem is in, in ice hockey is It's not like you kind of compared it to the Premier League football and I get that in the Premier League. It's annoying because there's almost too much international football. But obviously you've got to remember football has the big tournaments of the Euros stroke, Copa America and the World Cup. We get that every two years. Whereas obviously in ice hockey, you're waiting for the Winter Olympics to come around. And obviously the guys didn't get to play in that last time. Out or it wasn't done properly because of everything that was going on with like league regulations and kind of the fallout off the coven and stuff like that. So there was a few reasons why that like it just wasn't done properly. So I think this actually has the making to be a really good tournament because I think a lot of those guys are kind of scratching at the bit to go and play international hockey and put on that Sweden jersey, that Canada jersey, that USA jersey, that Finland jersey. And I think It makes for a really good tournament. Yes, I get what you're saying. It's kind of a friendly tournament because it isn't an official. It's not like the like you said, like the World Junior Championships when they're younger or the World Cup of Hockey or the or the Winter Olympics. But you don't get those very often. Unfortunately, in in in sort of ice hockey or professional ice hockey anyway, so I'm really excited for it. Yes, I don't want any of you guys at the ABS to get injured. We've got four of our best players go in. But I mean, look, I think every team kind of runs that risk. And I think for the players sake for once, I'm kind of actually on their side. And I'm I'm excited to see it because I think this is saying the players have been wanting for years now. It's kind of throw on those jerseys, and I actually think it makes for For a really good tournament,
Matt:Yeah, so it should be, should be interesting, man. I'm looking forward to to some of the matchups. So upon the USA and Canada kind of being favorites, but what do you think and Sweden can bring to this tournament? Do you think they're just kind of in it because they've got a number of guys that play in the league? Or do you think they're going to actually surprise a few people?
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :It's important to be honest with you. I think it's very hard to look past Canada when I look at, and the USA. I think when I look at those two in particular, I think obviously we've touched on Canada's offensive firepower. Obviously, they've got Keon Makara at the back end. I think the only thing that's a question mark over Canada is the goaltending. I think it got confirmed that Jordan Binnington's gonna be starting in net for them in the first game against Sweden. That is a big question mark. Binnington hasn't been like an elite level goalkeeper for a while. Obviously on the flip side of that. I think the U. S. Is biggest chance to win is the fact that Conor Helleby plays in goal for them. The guys obviously out of this world. And it's potentially up there for MVP, which we've touched on a couple of times on the pods. Like for this year. So the goal tending is complete opposite ends of the spectrum. And, but I also then think that Canada's offense and defense is better. So it's just a case of what one will play out. I think for the U. S. Obviously, no Quinn Hughes getting injured before and he's going to miss the four nations. It's massive for them. The guys up there. Some people think better than Kale McCall Wright don't, but I'm biased. But he's top two, or top one point, or one A, one B defenders in the whole world. So, without him, that's a big question mark. But, like, to give Finland and Sweden their credit, Finland, you've got leadership there. You've got Barkov. Who is the captain of the, like the Stanley cup winning team Sasha Barkov. And he's ability as well. He's an unreal player. You've got Miko Rantanen. You've got Arturi Laikonen who not just haven't got ability, but I mean, those guys have won Stanley cups. Arturi Laikonen has scored game winners in the Stanley cup final in like the. in the conference championship, game finals. But I mean, I'm not just game winners, like cup winners, like that's a real icon and one us the cup with his game winning goal against the lightning in game six a couple of years ago. So they've got big, big players on their team that have been there and done it in the big game. And they've got ability. I think for Finland, I just look at it as you've arguably lost. What some people would say their best player. I don't think he's their best player because I think Barkov and Rantanen may be slightly ahead, but they've lost Haiskinen, which on the back end is a big loss for them. And for Sweden, I just think I kind of look at their like the goaltending is good. And again, it's the leaders. You've got Hedman, multi time Stanley Cup winner. Forsberg, Carlsen, Nylander. I think any lineup that goes into a game with those players on the team, they're not just there to make up the numbers like those guys are winners. They're going to compete. They're good players. So I think they always give themselves a chance. I just think personally, I think the only thing that's a downfall for Sweden and probably Finland as well as they just don't quite have the same depth. That Canada and USA have, which I think is where they'll come unstuck. The reasons I gave us, I think those give them a chance to win. And look, it's a round robin tournament. You only need to get lucky in a couple of games and you see yourself in the final and finals and one off game. You win that and you've won the whole thing. So. I think they gave themselves a chance.
Matt:I look forward to it, mate starts Wednesday night. so we've had some interesting moves in the trade market over the past few weeks. JT Miller returns to the range as being just one of those trades, bud.
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :Yeah, big news for your boys over there. I think they've been after him for a while. Think you kind of texted me afterwards. You were fairly happy with the fact that he was back. I think, I think if the guys, if you haven't seen the trade, so New York got Miller. Brandstrom and Dorenton from the Canucks. New York sent back Phillip Chytle or Chytle, sorry Mancini. And a 25 first round pick, which is top 13 protected, by the way. For just a quick one for those who don't know, protected draft picks are basically where if the Rangers finish in a position that they are then in their first round pick is the top 13 of the draft. It means that the pig doesn't go to the Canucks, which is quite interesting. I think it's almost like a guarantee that they won't finish that low, especially now they've kind of picked up. You guys picked up a bit of form, and I think with the acquisitions, you're obviously making that trade with the view that you don't finish that low. You want to get into the playoffs. My kind of thoughts on the trade, it improves the top six for the Rangers. I'm kind of looking at it and go, yeah, have you won? I think, yeah, I think you look at it and go, you probably did just win the trade. But looking at some of the moves you've made this year, like obviously there was a bit of stuff around Capo Caco. But he's one of your big guys. You traded him away not for the future. Philip Cheetle. Again, another really big player for the future of the Rangers. Now, I'm not saying he's amazing now, but these are kind of guys that you want to develop and make part of your core for years to come. And, again, at a first round peak, added to that, you've kind of traded away, like, a lot of your future. And it could go wrong. I mean, Miller's, I mean, what, has he got four points in the first five games so far for the Rangers? But he's only got 39 on the season now. This is a guy a couple of years ago that got over 100 points. So if you're getting that JT Miller, then by all means, I think it's a, it's a no brainer that the Rangers have come out on top here and that's a great trade. But obviously as a Rangers fan, I think I'd also have a couple of doubts over that there was obviously some issues with him in Vancouver that was very GM came out and basically said there's issues in the locker room. So they potentially had to get rid of him, but. I mean, as a Rangers fan, what do you think? Like, what are your honest thoughts on it? Are you happy he's back? Do you think it is a good move with what you had to give up? Is it the right move? What do you think about the whole thing? Is it going to give you what you need to kind of get into that playoff spot?
Matt:If he's the player of old, then yes, I think we, we need, we needed to do something because we've not been great this season. We're still in the mix a little bit at the moment, which I'll run through in a sec on sort of like where a few teams are, I think we've got a chance. Like I said, if he, if he returns as the player that he was when he was scoring sort of a hundred plus points, it'll have worked. Let's see how it goes. I think he's going to be playing in the four nations, I believe. So we'll see what his form's like in that. And then how that resonates, but I'm not I'm not casting any sort of doubts on it. At the moment, the team have obviously made the move for a reason. You know, I think we just have to trust in the in the coach and the GM at the moment. So how it goes. I'm holding out hope that we're going to get into the playoffs. But then who knows? But now it's nice to see him back at the rangers way So i'll quickly run through then sort of where things are in the league then so In the eastern conference, you've got the washington capitals way out in front on 80 points. I don't think they're going to get caught by the new jersey devils or the carolina hurricanes. They're they're battling out for second in the atlantic conference, it's a three horse race between the panthers the maple leafs and the lightning It's just five points separating those three teams over in the Western Conference Central Division. The Jets lead the way by nine points. The closest rivals are the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild. There's two points between those guys and then the abs might just behind. And then in the Pacific the Oilers and the Las Vegas Golden Knights and neck on 72 points. The LA Kings are their closest rivals on 65. And in Rangers watch, sort of a few points on 58 points. They're three points behind the Red Wings and four points behind the Senators. It's still doable, but the Bruins seem to have turned a corner this season. And the Blue Jackets alongside the Bruins on 60 points, which is just ahead of the Rangers on 58. So it's starting to, to sort of. Pan out now you kind of seeing who's pulling away who's looking quite strong think the next couple of weeks after the four nations is going to be interesting still think there's a few teams that could have a late push and hopefully One of those is the rangers are you sort of happy where the apps are sitting at the minute mate?
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :I think happy's maybe a bit of a strong word. I think given kind of like the, like the, I wouldn't say drama, but obviously after the whole Nico ranting and trade and just kind of some of the unrest that's been going on around the club this year with a lot of injuries. Obviously a lot of the stuff happened in the off season with people like the true skin and the fact that he's not come back and got himself fit and stuff like that. Like, I think there's been a lot of adversity for the abs this year, but we've still kind of found a way to be only two points behind third. I think if, like, if I was a betting man, I'd probably back the Avs to finish in the top three for the Western for the Central Division. Sorry, I don't think we'll catch the Jets. I think that's probably too far gone now. I mean, you never know. You could make a run. There's still a long way to go. Sort of just under 30 games to go with the season, so there's still a long time to, to kind of make those points up. If the Jets sort of hit a bit of a snag, the Avs pick, pick up or continue good form. But, no, look, I think if the Avs can get top three this year, in their division. I think it's good. Seven game series that you, you've got to back your boys to be anyone. We've got the players that can do it. We've got experience. So yeah, I think, yes. Am I happy? Not no, because obviously, I mean, the last few years we finished top three and most of the time won the division and I've been competing for that. So certainly down near this year, but I think given sort of where we are as a team and kind of what we've had to deal with this year, I can't be too. Unhappy with the fact that we're, we're still wearing much in with a chance of finishing in the top two of our division. So yeah, from that side of it, I think I'm, I'm happy. I think I did just also, I think you just wanted to touch on it. Alexander Ovechkin. So yeah, mate, you had an update for us on, on that. He's, he's closing in. He's closing in. Where's he, where's he at mate? How's he getting on? How many more has he got to go?
Matt:He's now 16 goals away passing Wayne Gretzky. So I think he's only scored five or six in the last few weeks, it's still doable. 16 goals can happen quite quickly in this game. So we'll keep an eye on that week by week now, mate.
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :Yeah, I think to be found. Listen, got to give credit to Ovi as well. Still doing what he's doing his age. He's tied ninth in the league now with goals at 26. So I mean, look, he's probably not going to catch Leon who's up to 40. But I mean, what is he? He's eight goals behind Nylander. Who's second on 33. So I mean, tech could be kind of having the season he's having his age. He's almost found a second gear. This year, which I mean, some people may be questioned whether we'd find it. I think when you have a player like Alex Ovechkin, you can almost never doubt that he's just gonna sort of mash and destroy and yeah, just do what he has to do. I think you can tell he wants the record and see how much they celebrate every goal that he scores as well. Like he's getting that one step closer. And like I said, 16 is not insurmountable. There's, there's still 30 or games left to go. So I think it's definitely doable. We all know, even if it doesn't happen this season, it'd be brilliant to see it happen this season. But even if it doesn't happen this year I think we all know that our first few games in next season is going to be a case that it happens. So it's a case of, of when, not if for Alex. So yeah, just hoping it happens this season and we get to watch that bit of history. Yes, absolutely, mate that's the NHL out the way the mate, which means MLB spring training has begun, which means that the baseball season is just around the corner and I cannot wait. I think it was just the other day. We were saying it feels like it's gone really quick this year. We were talking about this podcast sort of September, October, and now here we are in the, in the midst of it. We've got a couple of free agency moves. Captures and pictures of reported for spring training with most teams. And there's talks between Arenado and a few teams, right? And Bregman still available, isn't he? So tell me what you know Yes, sir. Super Bowl is done, which means one thing. Like you said, baseball season is back. Pitchers and catchers are reporting. I think a lot of players are starting to file in in their droves now as well. I think it's not just the pictures and catches coming back now. I think a few other players are coming back in which is always good to see. It's good to see the boys in the spring training gear, kind of over at their camps. Which is, yeah, it's always good fun. You get to see the new players, some players with new numbers. I know it sounds a bit silly, but it's all the kind of exciting stuff that, like, we love to see around spring training. Like I said, those new players kind of lining up in your team's jerseys. Yeah, and like we said, it's, it's baseball season again. Like you said, there's been a couple of free agent signings. So just before we kind of touch on the big one that's kind of gone down in the last week or so to Kenley Jansen, Simon, the angels good relief option there, back end of the bullpen for the angels. Kike Hernandez was re signed with the Dodgers. So good infield options there. I think Yankee fans is another infielder, middle infielder that we've kind of missed out on that we were linked with. Again, kind of leaves question marks around that. We did resign though. Tim Hill has come back. So at least that fills the kind of left the, in the bullpen for the Yankees. And yeah Matt Scherzer signs with the Blue Jays who have been very active. In this pre in this kind of off season, but you kind of touched on it. There is obviously two big storylines that were left for free agency in baseball. One was Alex Bregman, and he's still available, like you said, linked with him and the Red Sox. Arenado as well. I'm going to touch on that shortly. But the big news in baseball is the polar bear Pete. Has signed and I think as a lot of people projected and what was probably the right fit for both of them is that he's gone back to the Mets now. Interesting contract here because Pete assigned a two year 54 million deal with an opt out option. These opt out option contracts are getting quite popular. You saw Cody Bellinger take one. Blake Snell, Matt Chapman over at the Giants where it kind of gives the guys an option like look. You go out and you play well, you can opt out your deal and you can try and go and hit free agency again and, and get paid. I don't think Pete's going to be particularly happy with this deal. I think the reason is free agency kind of took so long was the fact that he was. Obviously holding out for that big free agency money. I think a lot of reports were kind of saying he wanted to try and break it was Miguel Cabrera's AAV for a first baseman, which was a record. I think Miguel Cabrera was like 31 million. I think he wanted like 32 or like 31. 5. He was looking for I mean, look fair play for him for trying to do it, but I think he kind of lost a lot of strength in his negotiation when. Pete and his agent, I think it's Scott Boris, kind of came back to them, came back to the Mets and was like, Pete wants to re sign with you. So the Mets were kind of like, well, we know where he wants to be then, so we'll just wait and we'll give you a deal that works for us on our terms. But look, at the end of the day, in terms of match up, Pete is where he wanted to be. The Mets get their guy that they wanted. We did a lot of Mets bashing on a couple of the first few episodes as Yankee fans, you can't blame us. Gonna kind of switch it around a little bit this week, because as much as I don't like to say it, I think the Pete Alonso signing is massive, because I kind of look at their lineup and that was the missing piece. For me that I think the Mets were missing from that projected 2025 opening day lineup, given that everyone's healthy, that they were missing that big bat. Now, I kind of had a look at it and we're using RotoChamp guys, great website if you ever kind of looking for stats and projections. Now the Mets projected lineup this year. So you've got Frankie Lindor at one, Soto at two, Alonso at three, Nimmo at four. Vientos at five Jesse Winokur at six. Great fit over there for those guys. He really fits in well with that team. Frankie Alvarez, the catcher at seven. Jeff McNeil at eight and Jose Siri at nine. Now, obviously, look, these things can all change in spring training. You get injuries, you get a prospect that kind of performs above and beyond. They get more of a chance. trades happen, free agent signings happen, but I'm kind of just looking at that one to five of the Mets lineup and we mentioned it when we first kind of spoke about free agency. That is a scary one to five. Now, they've kind of got, they've penciled Pete in this year for 36 bombs, 98 RBIs, but honestly, like, I'm looking at that and Pete's power and especially if he's playing with that option where, again, he's, again, he's almost getting another hit at have a go at your, your like walk season because with these opt out contracts, this is almost like a walk season for him again. He's got Frankie Lindor and Juan Soto hitting in front of him. Those guys are gonna get on base. One Soto is definitely going to get on pace. So 98 RBIs, Pete could go and slash, could go and get you 40, go and get you 40 home runs, could easily hit over 100 RBIs. When you've got three, potentially four guys in the lineup with Lindor, Soto, Alonso and Vientos who could all hit over 30, could all get over 90 runs batted in, That's a, that's a championship. That's a championship lineup. So, I think the Mets are a scary prospect this year. I like the rotation. I don't love it. Obviously they re signed Minaya. Which I think is big for them. I think he'll have a good year. I think he kind of solidified himself as he is a Major League pitcher. Obviously Cody Singh Frankie Montas. Klay Holmes. That'll be interesting, seeing him become a starter. Didn't do it as a closer, but I think Again, to kind of give Clay Holmes credit is last year, Clay Holmes is a ground ball pitcher and if he can get it right and if the Mets pitching coaches can kind of work him right, the Mets have got a better defense than the Yankees did last year, especially in that infield. So if Clay Holmes can pitch to how he can pitch and keep the ball on the ground, then he's going to bring that ERA down and he actually might have a bit of success as a starter. So like I said, I don't love the rotation. I think the bullpen is pretty solid especially the back end of it as well. But obviously with Edwin Diaz A. J. Mintz is coming off the aisle, but again, he's a great pitcher when he's fit. Jose Buto. Griffin Canning, Tyler McGill, so they've got some good options at the back there. So, yeah, look, Mets fans, holding my hands up, you guys, I'm not saying you've won the off season because I think everyone was playing second fiddle to the Dodgers with what they did this off season. And just re signing everyone, but you went and re signed Pete, you got your, you went and re signed your starting pitcher that you wanted in Minaya. And you got Juan Soto. And I'm now looking at your team and I'm thinking,
Matt:Yeah,
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :to admit, I think the lineups looking scary this year. Isn't it?
Matt:when we were discussing the, re signing of Alonzo, I was a bit, I wouldn't say worried or concerned, but I think we had the discussion before about them being planned. Potentially the Yankees noisy neighbors. I think this season we may see them there or thereabouts. I think if they've come up against the Dodgers though, I can't see past the Dodgers, but listen, stranger things have happened. You never know. They, they have got a scary lineup, mate. They do have a scary lineup. I, you know, I think, I think the one area which I think they lack their, their pitching lineup.
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :Yeah. Like you said, I think the lineup is, is scary. I think one thing that is. It's guaranteed and not just because of the Pete signing. I think it was going to be like this anyway, but that NL East, that is going to be a fun watch this year because the Phillies are going to be good. The Braves are going to be better again this year. They've got Ronald Acuna coming back. He's one of the best players in the game. The Mets are going to be strong this year. So you've, you've got three teams there that not only could they maybe win the division but those are three teams that could go all the way to the World Series should, should they have a good year. I mean, the Braves are a great side, the Phillies, again, if they get it right, are another brilliant side. Obviously, you kind of feel a little bit for the Nationals and the Marlins, but again, like, with those two teams in the division, and I mean this with the greatest respect to those two guys. That's a lot of wins that those three teams are then going to pick up because they're playing against them in the division. Yes, they've all got to play each other, but it makes for a, it makes definitely for an interesting watch. I think you, we both said it. Are they better than the Dodgers? Necessarily? No. But like we said, anything can happen in baseball in a sort of five, seven game series.
Matt:So before a bat has been swung, And a pitch has been thrown. I'll ask you now. The New York Mets, do they make it to the World Series?
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :I think if I'm not going to sit on the fence and give a boring kind of like on the fence answer, I'm going to go with no. And it's not due to any kind of bias or, like, dislike towards them. I do just think I'd be going against my own take with the fact that I think the Dodgers are gonna dominate baseball for a long time. Have the Mets, potentially closed the gap on the Dodgers in terms of their, like, the, the depth in their squad now? Yes, they have. I'm not saying they've closed it by a lot, but they've closed the gap. And they've got a lineup that can compete with the Dodgers lineup now. The rotation? No. But again, this is all ifs, buts, and maybes. Like we said in baseball, sometimes guys that you don't expect to have great years come out and Are up there competing for MVP and Cy Young Awards, so Do I think they will do it? No. And they do it, yes. But no, I think Dodgers are still the pick for the, for the World Series as it stands. So, I'm gonna go with no, I'm not gonna sit on the fence. I'm gonna go with no, but They have by no means have they harmed their chances Of, yeah, of making it and potentially winning the World Series.
Matt:Also Arenado then, where do you see him going? Because I know he's been in talks with multiple teams. Where, where is it looking likely he's going to be headed? Yeah.
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :I think in terms of likeliness, It's a hard one because I think The Red Sox you mentioned have been there the whole time. The Yankees are still there. Potentially the Dodgers, crazily enough, the Dodgers are still there. They've all been linked again in the last few weeks. I think the Cardinals are desperate to trade to kind of ship that. I think they owe, he's owed 74 million over the next three years. So I think they're kind of desperate to kind of ship that contract off. I think the only thing is Nolan Aronado is a risk. And I think the, one of the reasons why the trade hasn't been done is because I think the Cardinals are going to want a lot. They're going to want a lot and it's just where the teams are going to want to give that up for a man who is potentially on the decline. Now I kind of looked at his numbers. I mean, career wise, I mean, the guy's a stud, 10 time gold glove. He's got a 56, nearly 57 career war. He's at 341 home runs. His slash line is very good, 342 OVP, 515 slug and 857 OPS. That's really good. And the guy was still an all star two seasons ago in 2023. So, still a player there. Obviously, his defense is still unbelievable, but like, I was kind of looking at his, like, as I always say, guys, I love war. I think it's such a good stat to kind of look at players and where they're kind of standing with things. 2022, when he had his best year in a Cardinals jersey He had a 7. 7 war, which is great. The year before last, that dropped, 7. 7 dropped to 2. 4. And 2024 it dropped to 2. 3. Now, that's a big decline. Which means the offensive numbers have gone right down. He's not hitting as many home runs. I think his war is kind of saved by his defense, which I actually think is even slightly more concerning when it comes to having the bat in his hand, because the fact that his defense brings his points up by quite a bit means that with the bat in his hand, he is struggling a little bit the last couple of years. Now, like I said, that's a big contract to take on for a team, as well as the fact that the Cardinals are going to want you to give up some top prospects or potentially some very good everyday players. Could teams use a player like Arenado? I'm using it from a Yankees fan perspective. Would I feel more comfortable with Nolan Arenado playing third base every day for us over Oswaldo or DJ LeMahieu, who is obviously a massive question mark whether he's going to be healthy or not. Yeah, I probably would, just because of the name, but I think there's only so often players can live off that name. So I think it's a massive question mark. Where he goes, I mean, I just, I can't call it at the moment. I don't actually see any of those three teams really being a fit. Yeah, okay, you could go to the Sox and they could move Devers over to first or hit Devers in the DH. Is it worth giving up what they maybe have to give up to do that? I don't know. I think the Red Sox, again, painful to say, have actually got a pretty stacked team this year. And again, if that kind of comes together, they could, they're right up there for the A at least this year. Does Aronaldo, is he that signing that pushes them over the edge? I don't necessarily think so. I think the Dodgers, I mean we say, where does he fit, but they seem to find a way of fitting everyone into their, into their line up at the moment. They they just go out and sign whoever they want. So I think if they want him, they can go and get him. And yeah, like I said, I think with the Yankees, it's a, I probably feel maybe more comfortable with him being there, but again, is it worth what we maybe have to give up? I'm, I'm not sure. I think it's definitely worth it if the Yankees can find a way to ship off some of the players, like a Marcus Strowman, who we know they don't want there anymore, they're trying to free up that cap space, but getting rid of Marcus Strowman with his cap space for Arenado with his, it's, you're not really changing much, so yeah, I don't know where he lands, I think him and Bregman is a really interesting one, just because I think it's I think the, it's kind of come down to this point now where teams are kind of going back to spring training. I know ADO has reported for spring training, so that's an interesting one to see how that plays out. And if he plays in the first few games and they play him to keep him fit and kind of almost like you say, put him in that shot window, that you still got it. I'm not sure for him and Brigman, I still kind of like the Tigers for Brigman. I do. I think that's a really good fit if they can kind of make that work. They've got a good young team and kind of adding his back to the lineup could really kind of propel them over the edge. Yeah, I'm not sure. Yourself? You see him go into any of those teams, or? Do you think this will still be one that kind of plays out for outspring training and maybe into the start of the season?
Matt:I think the cardinals want to get rid of him. So I think it will happen sooner rather than later. I think it will happen before the season starts. just unsure where it fits in because the Red Sox are apparently in talks, but don't know where he fits in at the Red Sox. Especially if they're in talks with Bregman as well. So I mean, I dunno, it's a tough one cause I don't know who I'd rather have either Bregman or Arenado, but I don't really like the Sox. So don't care if they have either of them or none of them, to be honest.
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :Yeah, no, I know what you mean. I think, I think obviously looking at it objectively, I think obviously Bregman's younger. And probably is, you'd probably say it's a better player as it currently stands. So yeah, I think if I'm going to choose between the two of them, I'd rather sign Bregman, but I think you've just kind of got to look at where the teams are and what they can afford to do and what they can afford to give up. So I think obviously those are the two big kind of storylines now heading into it. Now Pete's kind of wrapped up and done. So yeah, it'd be interesting to kind of see how it goes. But like we kind of touched on at the at the start of the segment, baseball's back and as much as it was a heartbreak at the end of last season for both of us, I think Seeing the guys kind of report back, it just, it just goes to show how much I've missed it and yeah, can't, can't wait for it to get going.
Matt:Yeah, it's been great to see on the socials, players walking back up to, Up to the locker room getting interviewed and I can't wait. Can't wait for opening week. Can't wait just to see what the season brings should be an interesting one And like I say these trades are going to be interesting as well, but I think that's us I think that does it for another week, but been a long one But I think we've covered a hell of a lot. We've had a lot to talk about this week So i've really enjoyed this one too
COOPER DEJEAN IS MAHOMES DADDY :Yeah, I think I think there was always going to be loads to cover when we when we had a kind of whole Super Bowl special last week, guys. So thanks for staying with us. It's baseball and hockey season now. Just want to have one last shout out to my team and the champions the Eagles. Great to see. Hopefully we can repeat again next year. But yeah, guys, that'll probably kind of do it with a lot of the NFL chatter now and less kind of some big stories come up and as, and when they do, we'll bring them to you, but yeah, it's going to be a lot of baseball focused talk and, and hockey focused talk and kind of stick with us for kind of updates on the four nations and how spring training gets going. It's been great.
Matt:Have a good week mate and i'll catch you again next week when we get to do it all again That does it for another episode of triple play UK. I've been your host, Matt, along with co host Tom. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to follow us on X and subscribe on whatever listing platform you're on. And we will catch you again next week. Cheers guys.