Old enemies face off, Bregman on the move and a preview of the AL East

We review the 4 nations tournament so far, preview an exciting battle and there's an announcement from the NHL.

We preview the AL east projected line ups after Alex Bregman makes his move.

Is the Yankees - Red Sox rivalry hotting up again?

Transcript

Matt: 0:01

Welcome to TriplePlay UK, the UK's home of the NFL, NHL and MLB. Welcome to Triple Play UK. I'm your host, Matt, along with my co host, Tom, as ever. We've got a great show for you this week. We're going to be taking a look at the Four Nations tournament, which wraps up this Thursday with a Canada USA final. There's been an exciting announcement in the NHL, which we'll update you on shortly. And we're going to be giving you an overview of the AL East in the MLB, plus a free agency update. because of the Super Bowl wrapping up NFL last week, there's no NFL chat this week. So, first Sunday without football. How was it for you, Tom? Yeah, it's

Tom: 1:01

Yeah, you're right, Matty. Yeah, it was, it was a bit weird. It feels a bit weird coming on here and not starting with football every single time. Kind of started with the NFL. And I have football to talk about, but yeah, no, no football. I was enjoying, I think closest thing I got. I was enjoying the parade and watching some of the videos of that. Obviously wish I could have gone out there for it. Cause it looked like really good fun. It looked like the players really got into it. There was quite a funny clip on, I think it was obviously a local Philadelphia news channel where they were trying to bring in live highlights of it and they kept having to cut back to the studio and mute the and mute all the speeches while the players were swearing which was good fun. But that looks like I see a lot of the guys enjoyed it. And rightly so, do you know what I mean? Like you, you've worked hard all season. You're the champions, like go and enjoy it. Go and enjoy it for the city, for yourselves. So that was good fun. But yeah, no, it's it's, it's a week removed and I'm already looking forward to next season. So yeah, guys, stay tuned for that as the draft and free agency kind of approaches will start bringing some more NFL updates for you, but Matt, you touched on it, there's been a lot going on in, in obviously NHL with the four nations and Baseball, some big free agent signings.

Matt: 2:22

been a good week, mate, to be fair. There's been sort of information. In the MLB dripping through the socials have been packed full of players turning up for spring training. We're starting to see fielders, batters. It's it's shaping up, mate. I'm getting excited now, so we'll come to the MLB in a little bit. We've got the Four Nations face off due to wrap up. I think we called it. We've got a Canada US final. The first game was extremely exciting in the opening nine seconds, I believe, mate. What did you make of it?

Tom: 3:00

Well, I had to catch my breath a little bit I didn't know whether I put the wrong channel on, whether we were at a box, or whether I was watching the box, or whether I was watching the hockey, mate. Or was it free fights in the first 30 seconds? I mean, obviously no surprise to see the Kachuk brothers were both, were both involved, obviously they're they love a bit of a, a bit of a scruff and yeah, it was I think it was everything it was kind of build up to be when, I mean, we, we spoke about it, didn't we? For the preview when we said that's obviously the marquee matchup and it, it definitely didn't disappoint. There was some great saves. Connor Hellebuyck was fantastic. Even Binnington made a few good saves. I mean, I mean the first one, he probably a little bit disappointed on for Gnetso's first goal. But yeah, some, like I said, good goals. That's a great goal from a David and fights saves and I'll see us one out 31 winners for the game and it's kind of giving us a little preview for the for the final with Canada winning last night. So hopefully it's just as exciting. What did you make of it?

Matt: 4:07

The game was really good. My It literally had everything. It was a great advertisement for the Obviously getting the fighting in there as well is great. Everybody loves to see a little bit of a scuffle, but I thought overall the tournament being really good. I know last week I was a little bit skeptical because business end of the business end of the NHL season, we've seen some really good players on display. We've seen some really good goals. We've seen some great saves. Now I'm just going to quickly run through some of the scores and the standings, and then we'll go into the preview of Canada US game. So Canada and Sweden opened the tournament a 4 3 overtime win, which is a great. Great game to open a tournament with. It goes all the way into overtime and then Canada snatch it. So they went on for the first game, 4 3. next day, another great advertisement for the sport, USA spanking Finland six goals to one. We had two games, Finland, Sweden, seven goals. 4 3 to Finland, and then this USA Canada game, which started with three fights first nine seconds. Canada losing that one three goals to one. And then we had Canada Finland. Canada took that one 5 3, which secured their place in the final against the USA, who had already secured their place. They went down 2 Sweden. the final is going to be on Thursday. Looking ahead to that game, although Canada lost the first game, I think they're in a better position now because the USA have got a hell of a lot of injuries that they've picked up throughout the tournament. So are you still sticking by your prediction that Canada are going to take this one as well, bud?

Tom: 6:12

I think so. I actually, weirdly enough, I've kind of got down on my little results predictor. I've 32 in overtime. I'm going for a Sydney Crosby overtime winner as well. So anyone who's a betting man or woman if you want to bet, if you want to put that on, I don't know what odds you get on that, but that's what I'm kind of predicting. I think it'll be another really close game. I think there'll be some big saves in it again. I think there'll be goals, like I said, three to fights. I do, like I said, I have Canada winning it. Reason being, and I just want to touch on the defensive side of it, is obviously USA, and I'm not saying one man makes all the difference, but obviously Canada in that first game against America, well, minus Kayle McCall, who obviously is their best defensive player, and obviously he was down with illness, he came back in the win last night, he'll be available for the final, obviously Matthews, obviously the USA's best player, but maybe Barr Hellebuck, is obviously not going to be playing in the final. He's being evaluated for injury. McAvoy has got an infection that's just been announced today. So he's also out. Massive news though on the injury front, which is kind of just coming to us as we record now. So it's actually been announced that we, that Quinn Hughes, who was ruled out for the tournament, Because of injury has made a recovery and is actually coming in to replace Charlie McAvoy for the final game, which if you're an American fan. is brilliant news. If you're a Canada fan is terrible news because like I said, that's pretty much like for Canada having kale McCall come back into the lineup that for America is going to make all the difference. Sorry for the USA. And yeah I mean maybe as Canucks fans as well. You probably watching behind sort of your hands hiding behind and thinking, Oh God, Is he going to be ready? You don't want him picking up an injury, but look, if I think that they the trainers and the clubs now have a lot more of a say in it than I think they they let on. I really don't think he'd be playing if there was a risk that he could sustain further injury. So I'm really excited about the fact that he's available because I think you want to see as many of the best players on shove as you possibly can. And Quinn Hughes coming back into that lineup just kind of adds to the whole team. Sort of excitement around the game and the anticipation behind it now. So like I said, I'm going, I'm going Canada. Like I said, my score prediction is three, two with a Sydney Crosby winner. But yeah, I think just think the whole, the whole thing, like you said, the tournament's been great and. Yeah, I think we're set for a very good final.

Matt: 9:04

the Kachuk brothers doubts for the game. But do you realistically think that these two guys are gonna sit this one out?

Tom: 9:13

I think if I was to put money on it, I would say that they're playing. I think you get a lot of this, don't you? Sort of before, especially before kind of big games or finals, Oh, some of our better players, or they might be injured. I think sometimes is it, I don't know what to say, sort of cloak and dagger where you're sort of like, Oh, we're going to. Give you a little bit of this, but we've got to sort of mask whether this person's fit or not fit. I mean, those two are just absolute grinders. They're not going to miss this game. I can't, I can't see it on this. I think they would have to be. on their deathbed under these two to miss USA Canada in the four nations final. So I fully expect both of them to be to dress and play the game. But yeah, like you said, if they are injured again, that's another. That's two big players again out for the USA, which is starting to again sort of lean the pendulum more towards Canada's way. I just can't see it. I think those two are, those two are playing.

Matt: 10:17

Yeah, so I really do look forward to that one, mate. It's going to be I think it's going to be a late night for us, that one on Thursday, but it should be an absolutely amazing game. It's going to be, I think it's going to be a close game, but I think I agree with you, mate. I think Sidney Crosby is going to be the game winner, so the NHL announced this week that they're bringing back the world Cup of ice hockey back into the rotation. So they're gonna bring it back to two years after the Winter Olympics. gonna have potentially 8 team tournament. They're still debating whether or not Russia and Belarus are gonna be allowed to be part of it, I think it'll be interesting to see some of the world's best ice hockey teams face off regularly again. Interesting to see. we could get Great Britain into that, mate, eventually, I think that would be interesting to see. I know that there's a few teams in this country do tend to play, but I think a lot of it is overseas players, at the beginning or tail end of their career. But, as I say, I'd quite enjoy going to see Team Britain face off against the US or Canada. Probably get our arses handed to us, but it'd be a great game to watch, mate.

Tom: 11:31

Yeah. I think that's great news that that's of, like you said, kind of officially coming back into the rotation. The fact that the league have kind of said, look, the players are going to be allowed to compete at Olympics and the World Cup again, I think it actually all kind of comes down to just how well the four nations has gone and how well it's kind of gone down with the fan base. And I think just around the league in general, people have enjoyed it. And. Having the World Cup and the Winter Olympics back in regular rotation with the best players in the world playing in it is, it's going to do no harm. It's a great thing for the sport. I think ice hockey is one of those sports for the people that watch it and love it. We obviously, like you said, we love it. I think allowing the World Cup to go ahead, allowing it to be regularly competed at the Olympics with the best players in the world is only going to draw more attention to the sport and hopefully get increased funding and so on and so forth. Now I'm saying this like this isn't a multi billion dollar industry, but just obviously when you kind of compare it to your NBAs, your NFLs, your MLBs, it's obviously it's of the big four in America. There's no hiding behind it. Like the money in ice hockey just isn't there compared to the other sports. So it's, it really is one of those where I kind of look at it and just think this is, this can only be a good thing. And just on top of that, just from a fan's point of view, like I said, I want to see the best players in the world playing together. We mentioned it when we were talking about the four nations. We said one of the, it's exciting. You get to see players like McKinnon and McDavid playing on the same team. Matthews Quinn Hughes playing on the same team. Like those are just like examples that I can give and there's loads of others. And I, especially if they do, and they do give sanction and allow. Russia and Belarus to play some of the best players in the world of Russian. So there's some brilliant players that will now be on display that I mean, the whole world can kind of then sit down and I'm watching, take interest in it. And yeah, like I said, I think that's great news for the sport. We said it last week. It's great news for the players as well, because they want to play these international tournaments. And every other sport seems to get their chance to compete in Olympic games or. or World Cups or European competitions or a continental tournament, whether you're playing football, even the baseball has a World Cup of baseball. Do you know what I mean? So every other sport seems to get to do it. So the fact that ice hockey is kind of like Loosening the grip, as you say, on these international tournaments is only a good thing, and, yeah, like you said, I'm really excited for it, mate.

Matt: 14:11

Yeah, I think from reading of some like fan groups recently, there's some frustration in the fan base when it comes to ice hockey. I think the viewing numbers. been down and the league's had to act and I think fans have become a little bit frustrated with the availability of being able to watch their teams. So throwing out more games on an international level is a winner for me. So I think I think it's good that the league's actually paid attention. Listen to the fans. Just hope it happened in all sports, mate.

Tom: 14:42

Yeah. You touched on it there. It's, I think, I mean, I, I can only speak obviously from an avs fans point of view. I know there was a lot around the Cronky group and Altitude TV and the sort of main TV channels in and around sort of Denver and Colorado with regards to showing those games. And I think it was also including like Mammoth games and Nuggets games as well that will kind of all get shown on Altitude TV. So I think there has been a lot of problems and issues with broadcasting. In the NHL, there's a lot of blackouts because of like national games. And like you said, just accessibility to watch your team play is one of the worst when it kind of comes to, like you say, the big sports in America. So like you said, there is a chance that they could, I mean, it looks like they're improving that. As a whole in the league anyway, because of the fans disgruntlement and like you say, adding international games that everyone can watch is only going to benefit the sport in a big way. So, yeah, I'm I'm really looking forward to it, mate. And hopefully, like you say, if GV can compete, like you said, probably get our asses spanked, but it'd be good to it'd be good to, like you said, if we can get a game get a chance to go to a game. Unwatched GV against the best players in the world. I don't think I'll mind it too much. Baseball

Matt: 15:54

then buddy. We've seen lots of stuff on socials. Got some interesting moves happening the AL East. Obviously the Yankees in that division. So we pay extra special attention to that one. talk me through some of the free agency moves then in, in the AL East mate, where are we at the moment?

Tom: 16:18

Well. Last week guys, we brought to you that Pete Alonso had re signed with the Mets, and that left Alex Bregman as the last big free agent name that was left on the market. Well, not so much anymore. Alex Bregman is signed and Alex Bregman is a Sox. He is signed with the Red Sox. Feels like we're doing a lot of reporting on the big name players signing with a lot of the Yankees rivals, but Bregman, three year deal with the Red Sox, two opt out options on that. Oh, he secured the bag. 120 million over three years. 40 million AAV is one of just five other players now who he's one of five players. Sorry, in the league that earned 40 million AAV fair play to Alex Bregman. Like I said, went out, secured the bag and what a signing for the Red Sox. What was your, when you kind of saw it come through, what was your initial thoughts on that, mate?

Matt: 17:23

I wouldn't say I'm worried. There's a hell of a lot of competition coming the Yankees way. Now, isn't there, mate? I don't think we've managed to ourselves a big hit to support Aaron Judge. A lot of the teams in the AL East have strengthened the Yankees have had a decent, decent hold on it the last two out of the three seasons. They won it last year. I got to world series year before, not so good, but 2022 top the division. So I think the socks, they've not been great for the last couple of years, but they seem to have gone about their business quietly and yeah, it's I'm a little bit concerned, mate. I think the rivalry might actually be alive again. They might actually compete with us for a change. Yeah, I think as a Yankees fan, obviously, I wasn't best pleased because Alex Bregman is a fantastic player. Gold Glove third baseman who is seems like he's a World Series magnet. I think out of active players, I think he's played the most. postseason and World Series games of the active players in the league. So he's a winner as he had all that success with the Astros. And I mean, that that ballpark is just tailored to him. He's pure pool hitter from the right side. You're playing against the green monster in Fenway, which if you're a. slugging pool hitter. You're going to have success in that ballpark. I think his numbers in the ballpark are very good from what I read. I think he hits over 300 there. He's at multiple home runs. I think he had over 10 extra base hits and that's just playing against the Red Sox. So He's now going to play half of all his games at Fenway Park, which is, yeah, a scary thought for the other ALAs teams. I think just kind of touching on the Red Sox, and you mentioned about the about the guys and the fact that they've kind of gone about their business quietly. So, I mean, Garrett Crochet, obviously they've already got Raphael Devers, they've brought in Bregman. They've got Duran, they've brought in Walker Bueller, Trevor Storey. He's kind of had a quiet couple of years since coming over from the, from the Rockies. Can he bounce back? If he bounces back, then, core, like, that lineup is, again, that's looking scary. And I think the way that Boston's kind of gone about their business this off season, as much as it pains me to say it, I think you've got to start talking about the Red Sox's, that big market. Right up there at the top of the, not just the East, but at the top of the AL, like they're going to be, I think if I'm a Red Sox fan, I'm looking at that team that we've got and I'm going quietly confident that why are we not competing with the Yankees and the Guardians and the Astros for winning the pennant and getting back to the, getting back to the big show and the World Series. I think they, there's definitely a little bit more pressure on them now, whether they like to admit it or not. Look, we'll probably do a review of kind of winners and losers of the offseason in the next few weeks as kind of spring training rolls along and we kind of give previews to the season. But I think the Red Sox have firmly put themselves in that category of offseason winners and pressure comes from being successful and having a good team. So I think it's good to have pressure on you. And like I say, the Red Sox now, there's that little bit of pressure on you. I think one of the interesting things about this signing with like Bregman and I wanted to ask you about it and kind of what your thoughts were because I think the only thing that whether there's kind of a question mark on it is obviously there's talks that he's going to be moved over to second base, which he's apparently come out and said, I'm happy to do they obviously talked about it with him when he signed because we've spoken about it before. And I think there was a little bit in the press conferences the other day. Obviously, the Boston's kind of like star man is Raphael Devers. Now, he's the everyday third baseman but you've just signed Alex Bregman to one of the biggest contracts in the sport and He's a gold glove third baseman, Rafi Devers, not so good on the defense as he is with the bat in his hand. So, what do you think there? Obviously, Rafi Devers has come out and said, I'm a third baseman, I'm not moving. But, if you're the Red Sox, what are you doing there? Are you moving him? Are you telling Bregman to play second? What do you think the, kind of the move is there? I watched the interview where Devers via, he had a translator with him, didn't he? And he sat there and the look on the face of the translator was like horror. Devs have just come out and gone, I'm not moving. I'm the third baseman, I'm not moving. And I think, a little bit of me is a bit like, wow, the guy's backed himself. But also, it's like, dude, you're on a team. Like, you've got to do what's best for the team. And if, if I'm the owner, and I'm looking at I've got a golden glove, guy that I've just bought onto the team. I'm paying 40 million a year. That's his best position. I don't want to be testing him out at second base. I want to be playing him where he's best. So yeah, has got to find find a new position mate for me.

Tom: 22:41

Yeah, I think I agree. I think if I was the GM of the Boston Red Sox, or I'm Alex Cora, I am probably putting Rafi Devers aside and saying, look, with the bat in your hand, you are our best player, but I would look at it and kind of go, give him examples, like, look at Boston and no Strangers, to having big time players play the DH for, I mean, a first ballot hall of fame, one of the best to ever do it, David Ortiz, lefty batter just like Devers as well, is, was a pure DH, played first base every now and then. There's no reason that Rafi Devers can't DH for these guys, and you are purely there to put the bat in your hand. Look, you're going to get some time in the field as well, but like you said, I think it's a team game. And I think they'll be having those conversations internally. I think they'll test it out at spring. I think spring training, the first few games, we'll see where Bregman lines up for the Sox. I wouldn't be surprised to see him at third. I think they probably will put him at second. Not that I would. I just think that that's what they'll do for now. Not so much to offset the Apple card. And then I wouldn't be surprised if come kind of middle of the season, if we're getting. kind of shoddy third base performances from Rafi Devers defensively. I mean, the Red Sox have got an unbelievable farm system as well. And some of their better prospects coming through do play those middle infield roles. So, I think it's a case that there's no kind of issues with, look, test Bregman out at second. If he does well, great, we keep him there. If you feel more comfortable moving him over to third, where he won the gold glove, then they've got that option. It's a nice problem to have. Or maybe the grumblings and kind of, what would you call it? The, maybe the discourse in the dressing room, which I think will be squashed fairly quickly. Look, these guys are professionals and they're winners. Especially Bregman, so yeah, I think it's a good problem to have, I can see Bregman start in the season at second and then potentially moving back to third if needs be,

Matt: 24:50

With that in mind then mate, how do you think the AL east is gonna pan out this year?

Tom: 24:58

Well, I think it'd be interesting. All three teams made improvements. Sorry, all five teams made improvements this year. I say three because I think the, I think there's, there's three teams that I think are going to be good. And I think it will be competitive this year. I really can't call where two of them will land. And I think the other team is probably slightly ahead. And then I think there's two that will be good. kind of the front runners for it. So, I think the Rays and the Blue Jays are where I kind of can't split because I look at them and I just go, they've both made some decent off season moves. I really actually, I actually really like what the Blue Jays did in the off season with Matt Scherzer and Anthony Santander trading for Jimenez, who is platinum glove level defensively. I think that's really good. I think he'll complement Bo Bichette really well. I also think with the Blue Jays as well, the fact that Vladi and Boba Shett are in walkies and it has also just come out that the Blue Jays and Vladi couldn't get a deal done before the sort of supposed deadline where he will probably now test free agency unless he's traded. And then signed in the middle of the season. So Vladi and Bishet in walkies, which most of the time you see, I mean, you look at Juan Soto last year, probably put up the best season of his career. I think those were, they could potentially propel the Blue Jays to a higher finish than maybe some would have thought them as. And like I said, you've now got winners. You've got Matt Scherzer in the lineup and you've got Santander who adds that little bit of pop. So what, probably what they were missing to that lineup. So I think, but I think those two, I can't really split. I do have them as the bottom two kind of fifth and fourth. It's not to say that they'll finish with bad records. I just think that. There are three better teams in the division and the Orioles fans don't hate me for this because I think you guys have got a great team. But I do have the Orioles as kind of that third place team in the division. And the only reason I really say this is that I think Tyler O'Neill is a good acquisition, but you lost your ace and Corbin Burns is a big loss for the Orioles. And I think actually out of all the teams, the Orioles were probably the team that I actually think if anyone regressed out of other teams in the ALEs, I think you could argue that the Orioles didn't do enough to say that they improved, and there's an argument that they potentially regressed. The Orioles are, like I said, still a fantastic team. You've got Gunnar Henderson, one of the best players in the league. Adley Rushman's one of the best catchers in the league. You've got some really good young stars there as well. You've still got a decent rotation. If Jackson Holliday can kind of bounce back from his rookie year where he struggled a little bit and become the player that he's touted to be, then, yeah, the Orioles are going to be an absolute force again. When I say the Orioles are coming third, I still see them as a wildcard team. First or second wildcard, potentially. Potentially. But I just can't put them above. Especially with the signing of Bregman, I think the Yankees and the Red Sox are going to be the team that battles it out for the top two.

Matt: 28:24

Yeah, I tend to agree looking at it all on paper with the projected lineups. You've got the Red Sox. You've got Duran, Devers, Bregman, Kassas, Story, Yoshida, Wong. Brew ela. And then in the rotation they've got crochet, bellow, Buhler, and Crawford. I mean that lineup, they can keep all of those fit. I think there's a chance they, they pick the Yankees, but I mean, it depends if their, their move with Bregman and Devers pays off as well. We'll run you through the Yankees lineup and see how you see this playing out. So, Dominguez is projected to be the leadoff for the Yankees. Judge at second, followed by Bellinger, Stanton, Chisholm Jr., Goldschmidt, Wells, Volpe and LeMahieu. Looking at the rotation, Cole, Freed, Rodon, Gill, Schmidt. and potentially Strowman. We'll talk Strowman afterwards when you look at the the rotations for both of those and then when you look at the starting lineups, is going to be some amazing matchups between these two teams, mate. I think it's I think the Red Sox really have done some very shrewd business. Likewise the Yankees, I think with the with the way they went at the Yeah. the offseason when they didn't wrap up the Soto deal. They went after fixing up the rotation, the bullpen. I'm, I'm really excited about baseball season, mate. These two, these two teams are going to be definitely ones to watch for the AL East. What are your thoughts on those, on those lineups?

Tom: 30:18

Yeah, I think the Red Sox, like you said, that we've spoken about in depth is that they've now got a very, very good lineup. I think Bregman really kind of completes it and complements it. They've bolstered the rotation. Garrett Crochet was the best pitcher available. Not via free agency. He's a top, top tier starter. So they've really kind of strengthened themselves and made themselves a big player again. I think when it kind of comes to picking who edges it, I would probably still, and I say this without, again, I mention it a lot, but just because we support them, without trying to be biased, I think going into the season right here, right now, I probably have the Yankees first. Just because of the fact that last season that we did get to the World Series and didn't re sign Soto, and I think Aaron Judge put it perfectly in his, in his interview the other day, that you can't replace a player like Juan Soto, so you almost have to go out and retool and do things slightly differently. And I think the Yankees actually did a pretty good job of doing that. You said there, they bolstered the bullpen, they brought in Devin Williams and Fernando Cruz, they've re signed La Saiga. So we've We've bolted the bullpen. Obviously, Weaver at the back end has become one of the best relievers in baseball after this last season. So, the bullpen's secured. The rotation of fully fit and healthy Gerrit Cole is a Cy Young potential. Max Freed's been one of the best pitchers in baseball for the last kind of five, six, seven years. Will Lewis Hill, will he bounce back? Will he, sorry to say, bounce back? Will he, will he improve on his rookie of the year season? Carlos Rodon had a, again, had a better year for the Yankees. He bounced back from his first season of Struggles With Us, was better last year. And then obviously Clark Schmidt, who just seems to be that guy that is Mr. Reliable, kind of your fourth, fifth starter, and just never seems to let the team down. I think both sides look great. You said it earlier. It's great that the Red Sox Yankees rivalry will almost kind of be reignited this year. I can see those being really close, competitive, fiery games this year. You've got a lot of fiery personalities. on both teams now, like the Yankees have brought in a lot of experience and again, winners, Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger, they're not going to come into these into this side and go, Yeah, I'm happy to just kind of sit around and finish kind of middle of the pack and collect my paycheck. Like these guys want to win. And I think that's just going to help with kind of fuel and ignite that rivalry back up. Because I think it's fair to say that the Yankees Red Sox rivalry has kind of died off in the last few years. And I think that's a lot of it's just down to the fact. Like we said, the Red Sox haven't been as good the last couple of years. The Yankees have won divisions, but have also maybe we set ourselves to our expectations, but probably have been a little bit up and down the last sort of few years. Really not really sure whether we're even going to finish middle of the pack towards the bottom or whether we're going to win it by a mile. With regards to the division. So I think it'd be great to see that rivalry kind of reignited. Yeah, I'm, I'm looking forward to it and like I said, I think I've got, I think I give the Yankees the edge at the moment. My concern on the Yankees is, and we've had numerous conversations this offseason about it, is where they might fall down. I'm just kind of looking at the fact that they didn't sign Soto, which, okay, they didn't want to pay him the money. Bellinger's a great player and I, look, Goldschmidt and Bellinger, I'm not saying this with I need to respect to them, but they didn't go and get the big bat to compliment and help support judge. So that's a concern for me. The leadoff position is a massive, massive worry. They've got no one who I would call is an out and out leadoff hitter. I mean, you mentioned there the projected lineup is Jason Dominguez. I know Aaron Boone's come out and said that he's got the tools for it. I don't see that. And I also just think you don't want to put that pressure on the kids. Because I think that's a lot of pressure for the, for the number one prospect of the quote unquote most, the biggest and the most successful team in the sport. The most pressure to play in baseball no matter where you are is in New York. So I think to kind of have him come and hit lead off is a risk. I personally don't see that. I can't see Chisholm doing it. Is Volpe gonna do it? He's got the speed, but is he good enough with the bat? So that's a, that's a question mark for me. Obviously. The injuries surrounding Stanton, who has come out and said that he hasn't swung a bat since the postseason because of the soreness in his elbows, he's a question mark to start the season. And then one thing that I know you really wanted to get into, which was the Marcus Stroman situation, where there's obviously unrest there, he's not reported back or he's going to report back at the very latest that he possibly can. And has come out and quite literally said in an interview that He's refusing to pitch out the bullpen because he's a starter. So there is some question marks around the Yankees and there's some things that concern me going into the season which I don't think the Yankees have addressed. So yeah, what's your take on it all? Where do you kind of think it lands and how do you kind of see that playing out with where they finish in the division?

Matt: 35:49

Obviously, with my Yankees hat on, we, we win the division. I think it will be close though. I think it's going to be a tight division than it has been over the last few seasons where the Yankees have won it. But I think in terms of the Marcus Stroman situation, I, I personally don't like when players just kind of go out for themselves and, and that's exactly what he's done. He's come out in an interview and gone, I'm not pitching out of the bullpen. I am a starter. It's you need to remember you're part of a team. To be on a team that wins, you have to be part of the team, not, not out for yourself. So I think he's looking at engineering himself a move away. Be honest, I don't that sort of within the team. Cause it's not, it's not great for harmony within the team. You want, you want everybody rowing in the same direction and when you've got somebody coming out before pitches have already been thrown. I just, I just don't agree with it. So I think the Yankees need to trade him and trade him quick and move on from it, to be honest.

Tom: 37:03

Yeah, I, mate, I, I completely agree. I, I mean, I'm, I think I was sort of, I, I, it frustrates me listening to stuff like that because Listen, I'm all for coming out and backing yourself. And if you turn around in that interview and said, if they want to pitch me out the bullpen, no problem. I'm going to go and prove to them why I should be a starter. Then do you know what fair play to you? And I want you to go and do that because there's always a chance that someone's going to come out and not have a very good year and you're going to need Marcus Stroman in the rotation. And if you can have a bounce back year, but Marcus Stroman, no offense, my friend, but You were 10 and 9 with a 4. 31 But you did not have a very good season and you really struggled as the season when you started well, but you really struggled as the season went on. So this is not like a guy who's had an all world season and I know it's been no secret that the Yankees have been trying to move him and he's got a contract that the Yankees obviously don't want to hold on to and pay for because of the performances that he's put up and it just hasn't quite worked out. But at the moment you've not been moved. So. Stay professional, keep it humble, and go out there and prove the Yankees wrong and show them why that actually your contract is not an issue and that you should be a starter. Like you said, I agree, I don't, it's a team sport and I don't like that, I'm not doing this and I'm doing that. No, no, you play for a team and whilst they pay your wages, if that team ask you to pitch in this scenario or play in this scenario, You go out there and do your best job to do that. But yeah, I, I'm kind of on the same wavelength as you, mate. I can't see Marcus Stroman being a Yankee for much sort of much into the, into the first part of the season if they don't move him in spring.

Matt: 39:01

So a quick look elsewhere then. Any other trade picture interest?

Tom: 39:11

Trade front's been a little bit quiet. I think the only other free agent signing that I think has a little bit of note and Padres fans, there's kind of two ways that you can look at this. Great news for them is that they've signed what I would call a really good kind of back end of the rotation, middle to back end of the rotation guy in Nick Pavetta. He gets his deal with the Padres. So that's great to see. And I'm happy for Nick because he's a good player who's bounced around a little bit, been at the Sox. He's pitched in some tough ballparks like Fenway Park is a hitters ballpark. So I look at his numbers from last year and I'm like, yeah, they don't look great on the eye, like the. I wouldn't say inflated ERA, but the 4. 14 ERA finishes 6 and 12, but Boston have struggled the last few years. And I think Nick Pervetta, even in his career, again, playing for the Phillies, like, again, that's a, it's a hitter's ballpark. So San Diego, slightly more tailored towards pitching. I think he will do well there. I can see that ERA coming down under the threes and if you're a big person on ERA, I, I, I am just cause I'm a little bit old school with it and I like to see pictures with a, with a good earned run average, but he's going to bring that ERA down if he has a good year. And I think he has potential to have a good year out there in San Diego. Now they've obviously had a, I wouldn't say horrendous off season, but. With all the off the field talk, kind of causing problems with the ownership and kind of like the court cases and lawsuits that they had over there. Obviously Turek's in profile come out and said that's one of the reasons I'm not re signing. I think there's two ways this can go now that's kind of all come to an end. This is either the new ownership kind of saying look we're going to go out and spend money on a pitcher who we believe in to make our rotation better and he's going to pitch alongside Michael King, Dylan Cease. The other side of that is, those guys have got a year left on their deal, and there is big, big, big rumors that one of, if not both of those guys, are going to be traded away, and that Nick Pervetta signing is actually just to plug the hole by the fact that one of those guys is leaving. Now, I'd be scared about that if I was a Padres fan, because I think that's just not the direction you want to go in. If they can keep both of those guys, then I think the Padres give themselves a good chance. They ran the Dodgers close last year. Now, the Dodgers have obviously improved and I think they're a lock on for the West, but in terms of getting that what second spot, that wildcard position, I think the Padres, if they can keep that guys, that's a nasty rotation with a very good lineup, including players like Manny Machado. Obviously, Fernando Tatis Jr is back on the rise again. He was almost back to his best last year. He's going to get better. And obviously, Jackson Merrill, who knows what's going to happen with Jackson Merrill. I mean, what a rookie season for him. If Paul Skeens didn't exist, he probably wins Rookie of the Year in the National League. But, who knows what he can produce in his second season, so they've got a good team. But, holding on to those two guys is gonna make or break that season for them. So like I said, I think there's, it's a good signing for the Padres and I think that's a good acquisition in the, for the rotation. It's just whether a case it's a us bolstering and we're going for it or whether it's a case of, yeah, we're bringing him in because Michael King or Dylan Cease is getting moved. And I think if that's the case, I think you're looking at potentially a completely different season for the Padres.

Matt: 42:49

Yeah, we could see how that one plays out. Look forward to hearing more about that in the next couple of weeks. That does it for this week. Looking forward to the hockey final on Thursday. I'm looking forward to the regular season kicking off again over the weekend and seeing more from spring training. Mate, I hope you have a good week and I'll catch you again next week.

Tom: 43:11

Likewise, my friend, catch you next week.

Matt: 43:15

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.