NHL Trade deadline approaches, Hurricanes bad at trade business? NFL combine round up and we review MLB catchers & pitchers

We take a look at the NHL trades happening in the run up to trade deadline. Mikko Rantanen is looking likely to leave the Hurricanes but where will he go? We discuss where we think he moves to.

NFL off season has been a busy one so far and with the combine taking place this week we project the first 5 picks and where they end up.

With the MLB season due to start in just a few weeks we pick our top 10 catchers and pitchers.

Transcript

Matt: 0:01

Welcome to TriplePlay UK, the UK's home of the NFL, NHL and MLB. Welcome back to Triple Play UK. I'm your host alongside my co host Tom again today. We've got one hell of a show today. There's been so much going on this week. We've got an NHL through from Tom. He's going to look at the final quarter of the season and what to look out for. We've got a Ovechkin watch. We've got Rangers watch. We've got news on the trade deadline. Over in the NFL, it's all change at the Jets. Debo Samuel is on the move and me and Tom go through the details. draft picks our top five draft picks, where we think people are going to end up. in MLB, Tom and I are going to pick our top ten catchers and our top ten pitchers. then there's been a few more debuts over in spring training, so Tom's going to give us a run through of all of that. Tom, how are you mate? What a week, it's been so busy hasn't it?

Tom: 1:04

I feel like we keep saying it. It's like we said that we wouldn't we wouldn't be talking about NFL. It seems like since we said that everything's just kicked off and the offseason is well and truly underway. It's been a manic, manic week. The NHL trade deadline is Friday, guys. So we're bringing this to you just a couple of days beforehand. Everything that we go through in this, in this podcast, we could be completely right with some of the predictions we could be completely wrong. So don't hold that against us, but looking forward to Friday to seeing kind of what unfolds there. And yeah like you said, the baseball spring trees, spring training is upon us. If I can get me words out, spring training is upon us. And we've and yeah, we've had a couple of debuts and. I think it's, look, we've only a few weeks to go to the season. Me and Matty thought it would only be right to start bringing you guys what you've really been waiting for, which is the controversial, who's our top 10 players in each position. And we're going to go through catchers and pitchers today guys, so. Yeah, by the way, me and Matty have not spoken about who we are top 10. So, Matty's top 10 is going to be complete news to me, just like mine is to him. So, there'll probably be a bit of disagreement, but look, all of that will get to you shortly. So, yeah, Matty, kick us off my friend.

Matt: 2:25

So we're going to start with a Ovetchkin watch. Only 11 goals away now, so you've got two more since the last show. We, I think there's 21 games left. It's looking more and more likely that he's going to do it. I think he needs to pick up the pace a little bit though. I think it's six or seven, I think seven weeks left of the season. three games to go per week, maybe. So it's doable. I think he's going to do it. I think I've always been kind of, you know, I didn't want Gretzky's Record to go but the closer it's getting I think it would be exciting to see You've got to give to the guy for continuing to play at such a high level so we're going to keep a close eye on that watch just for me. The rangers are in the playoffs They're in the berth. They're ready to they're ready to attack it So I genuinely didn't think they were going to going to do it and they snuck in there I think last night the night before Let's just hope they they can do it And we've got some interesting trades haven't we mate going on at the moment so bring us up to speed.

Tom: 3:30

Yeah well, I think before we kind of run through like the whole trade deadline obviously I think the ABS and the Rangers made a trade. So our boys kind of made a trade. You guys got. A couple of deaf defensemen, and you got a second round pick from us, we took Lingren off your hands, who, look, it's been no secret, I think the Rangers have been trying to get rid of Lingren for a little while. I think, it's not that Lingren's a bad player, I think Lingren's just one of those players, he needs to change his scenery, he's just not quite become the player I think you guys thought he would do. And, you were quite happy about that, you said to me the other when it happened, you were like, the other trades you've made have been more focused on than now. Which I guess is paying off, because like you said, you've, you've got into that second wildcard position. See if you can kind of climb up it and hold on to it. But yeah, I think this is a trade kind of more aligned towards the future, giving you that draft pick. And also just kind of shipping up some, a player that probably hasn't quite, like we said, hasn't quite performed. And then yeah, giving you the, giving you a little bit more cap space, which I think we'll go into when it comes to the trade deadline.

Matt: 4:33

Yeah I'm really pleased with it mate you know it frees up some cap space the bit for me was we get some draft picks for the future which you know I think a couple of weeks ago I said I was a little bit concerned that we weren't really looking at the future but I'm happy with it mate it's a good trade for me.

Tom: 4:49

Yeah, agreed. I think it's a good trade. I think the Avs need a depth in defence and I think Lindgren just brings that bit more NHL experience and I think it'll kind of help us push on as we head towards the playoffs and hopefully that first round will just give, like I said, just gives us that bit more depth and experience and if he can find a home in Colorado and kind of get to the level which he's definitely capable of, then I think it's a good trade all round for both teams. So, guys, like Matty said, there's a quarter of the season to go, about 20, 21 games left. A couple of little tidbits just to make a note of. See, we've mentioned Ovechkin's 11 goals away. The wildcard races, by the way, guys, are looking insane. So, just to give you an idea, a lot of it is in the East, but there's a couple in the West as well. So, this is the amount of games that each team that's kind of in that wildcard race has still got to play against other teams in the race. So, the Sens have got 11 games against other teams in the race. The Blue Jackets have got 8. The Ducks have got 7, the Canadians have got 7, the Flyers have got 7, the Islanders 5, Rangers 5, and the Canucks 5. So, all of these teams that are going for that, like, one of the first or second wildcard spots, they, they've all got to play each other. So, we've got exciting games to come and it's always better when there's meaning on it as well. Speaking of the wildcard guys, the Eastern Conference wildcard has been tight all season. The Blue Jackets have spent 9 days in the first wildcard spot and 20 days in the second wildcard spot. The Lightning, 11 days at first, 8 at second. Red Wing, similar, 11 at first, 7 at second. The Sends, 7 days in the first wildcard spot and 9 at second. The Bruins, 12 in the first wildcard spot and 3 in the second. And the Canadians and the Penguins have kind of fallen, fallen out of it a little bit with only a couple days at second. And then yeah, look, we've got a big scoring race on our hands. I think we've got McKinnon, Dreisaitl and Kucherov, kind of all around the 90 point mark, 92, 93 point mark. So, whoever's gonna kind of win the Art Ross and for Dreisaitl also going for the Maurice Rocket Richard, it'd be good to see who wins that. And, if it is McKinnon and Dreisaitl who win the, the Rocket and the, Art Ross, it would actually be the first time in 14 years that we've had two first time winners of the award. So, let's see how, let's see how that goes Matty, trade deadline though, that is what we're looking at. Because it, it is Friday, there's so much going on. So many players linked with moves, so many teams that need to add and bolster the depth to the roster. What have you got for us, my friend? Miko Rantanen news.

Matt: 7:29

think we we spoke about it last week there is a very very real chance. That he's traded before Friday. Did not see that happening. I thought he'd kind of, I thought something would get done because they obviously wanted him, but it looks like a deal is not going to get done. So he's going to, he's going to go either by Friday or they're going to just let him, let him go to free agency. And I think We, when this kind of, we were looking at this throughout the week, we said, do you see him going? If he goes for free agency? So we both went away. We've both had a look at where we think he's going to fit in. And what's really funny that just before we started recording, we were talking and we've ended up with the same, haven't we? So really, really interesting. We did all the research and we had to look into it. Sort of behind sort of closed doors away from each other and then we came back and go, Oh, so where do you think he's headed? so Tom, where, where do you think he's headed?

Tom: 8:35

Yeah, we, we both agreed, didn't we? I think, I think, like you said, because it, I mean, by the way, just before we go into where he's headed, some people in the head office at the Carolina Hurricanes need to seriously be looked at for their jobs. If this was a normal job at nine to five, I think there'd be a few heads on the chopping board, because it's, I, how on earth they've allowed a situation where they've I've got rid of Marty Nature's Drury, Draft Picks. Fair enough they're not paying his whole salary because the Blackhawks have helped out with that, but you've brought a player in that you were so convinced that you were going to sign and you've not managed to get a deal and now you're going to have to trade him away. So, yeah, I think that's a real bad one that this has ended up being for the Canes. Where he goes, I think if he does get dealt, which I think is looking more and more likely that he will before Friday, I think he gets dealt to the Kings and the reason being is like you said there, because he's a free agent at the end of the year, I think they're in a really good position to sign him and give him the money that he wants. I'm not saying he'll necessarily get the 14 mil that he wants, but I wouldn't be surprised if a team like the Kings. Offers it to him because I think they'll have the cap space to do it. And I just think for me I think the Kings just make sense. I think there was a lot of rumors about the Jets coming in potentially which again Look, Miko Rantanen is one of those players who is going to be a good fit for whatever team that he goes to Because of how good of a player he is So any team can use a Miko Rantanen But I think the Jets have got needs elsewhere, which I think we'll touch on a bit later on with some of the other rumors I think they need a second line center more than they need a first line winger, especially in that position. I think Kyle Connors, obviously a great player. They've got him producing well this year. I think the Kings are having a good season and I think getting a player like Miko Rantanen in helps them kind of propel to where they want to be. He's an out and out front runner for the Pacific division and give them a chance with someone who's proven in the playoffs to go and produce points and Win games for them.

Matt: 10:42

So what are the, what are the trade rumors are are in the offing at the moment, mate? Yeah,

Tom: 10:48

Look, trade deadline is always going to be loads flying around and we'll see how much truth there is to some of these. There was a couple that I kind of picked out just because I think they were, they were quite interesting ones. And ones that I think, where I kind of looked at the teams that were linked with them, or where I see them being a good fit. And a lot of it is kind of based around sort of the Western Conference, because I think that the West, there are, I think there are a few, I think the Avs and the Oilers. Are two teams that I kind of looked at because I think when I was looking at teams that I think are under pressure to make moves because of where they're at With their franchise. The Avs and the Oilers are in a Stanley couple bust period with the ages of their players The players they've got signed to the contracts they've got Nathan McKinnon and obviously Conor McDavid, they're not getting any younger, obviously they're still producing high levels Dry Cycle the same, Kael McCall's coming into his prime You've got four of the best players in the league there Obviously those teams are under pressure to go out and make moves because I think you get to a point, obviously, in a timescale where you start to lose some of your better players or players that were young coming through for yourselves are getting a bit older and they're not that kind of young prospect that you can kind of still keep going, Oh, we'll rely on him to come up and kind of change it around. So I think those two teams are under a bit of pressure to make a move. So a couple of the ones that I saw that I found interesting. First one was Ryan O'Reilly. I loved him when he was at us years ago. He's gone and he's won a Stanley Cup with the Blues. Still having a decent season with the Preds this year. Obviously, they're going to be big players, I think, at a deadline, but just because of how their season has just tanked after being really aggressive in free agency in the offseason. Season's just gone completely the other way. So, I think he could be a, he could be an interesting one. For the, for both the Avs and the Oilers. The other team though that I think might make the move for someone like O'Reilly is, as I already mentioned, is the Jets. I think the Jets are obviously a vibe for the President's Trophy, finishing top of the league. And I think they're really, really give themselves the best chance they've ever had to win the Stanley Cup this year. They've not been this good before. This is the best they've been for a number of years. Conor Hillibuck, we keep saying it, but he is genuinely an MVP candidate with how well he's played in goal this year. So, they had someone like Ryan O'Reilly to give them a score in depth on that second line. And, who's betting against the Jets? Maybe Capitals fans, but, who's betting against the Jets? The other one that I saw that, again, I thought was interesting was, obviously the Bruins are struggling a little bit this year. It looks like they, they could potentially miss playoffs. I mean, I'm not going to make a prediction with that, with that Eastern Conference wildcard spot. Because, that, I think that's a, that's a fool's game to be putting bets on. Who's going to finish one and two there? Because, That could change five or six times before we hit the end of the season. But, Brad Marchand is an interesting one. Obviously out of contract at the end of the year. Still put up, I think, 46, 47 points this year at 36 years old. He's still producing. He's still a great player, produces offensively. And obviously, do you know what I mean? He's, he's gonna give you that graft and that grind on the second, third line that you want. Again, Avs and Oilers been linked with him. I think it's a better fit for the Oilers than it is for the Avs. I'm not really sure if he fits into the Avs. Game plan, I think we, we like to play with a lot of speed and play quickly through the zone. I'm not sure if he kind of fits into that, but look, I'm not gonna, if we traded for Brad Marchand, I'm, I'm not gonna turn around and say that's a bad move as long as we don't give up too much for what will be a rental at 36 years old. And the last one, which I thought was really interesting and a player that I love, by the way, because when he was at us, we drafted him and he won the Sandy Cup with us and Injuries kind of hampered him a little bit, but when he played, he is very, very good. He's burned Byron. He's a top D pair defenseman for most teams, and the Wings and your Rangers have been linked to him. Because obviously now, especially you guys have freed up the cap space with Lingren going, I think it gives you guys a really good chance to go and get a player like Byron, who I actually think if you've got someone like Byron on the defense, to kind of complement playing with Adam Fox. I actually think that will give you guys a really solid and well rounded out team, especially with some of the other moves you'd make, and put you in a strong position to kind of finish the wild card. But, look guys, there's loads of players that have kind of been linked with moves rumoured to be going. Obviously, John Gibson's one of them from the Ducks, top tier goalie. A lot of teams need goaltending. So, I think it'd be interesting to see what happens after Friday. And kind of reviewing it from there, and kind of where teams stand when the players go. But those were kind of three that kind of caught my eye, that I thought would be, would be good moves. And would be interesting moves, should they happen.

Matt: 15:26

it's looking like another busy weekend for us, mate. Digesting all of the the trades that are going to be happening on Friday and sort of into the Early hours on Saturday for us. That wildcard race in the Eastern Conference is, is amazing. There is like, I think there's six points between first place and eighth place. It's still anybody's game. Anybody's birth, isn't it? So we've got some real interesting stuff to watch out for in the NHL then. Over in the NFL, which we said we wouldn't do anything on because we didn't think anything was really going to happen. I think there was a quiet week and then it's all sort of kicked off again, hasn't it? So we've got all change at the Jets. Aaron Rodgers has been go. However, he's still going to be picking up a paycheck for another year if he decides to sit on his backside. If he goes somewhere else, then he won't it from us. the Jets have also released Devontae Adams, which has freed up 30 million cap space. and as of yesterday, the commanders we're given permission to talk to Alan Lazard of the Jets. If he goes that'll free up 26 million cap space. The Jets were open to re signing him. but they've given the commander's permission to talk to him, so it's looking like a complete rebuild for the Jets, which I think, I'm not surprised about, given that There's been 16 years there where they've not made playoffs, which is I think next season or the season after it will be an unwanted record. The bills went 17 years on. It's not a record we we really want, so open to doing whatever they need to do to get us into playoffs. Listen, I don't think it's gonna happen this year. I just want us to finish with a positive win loss record. To be honest, be nice. in big news, mate, the commanders did make a signing. You want to tell us a little bit about Debo?

Tom: 17:35

Yeah, Deebo Samuels to the Commanders. Interesting trade, I think the Commanders, like you said, they're going after your guy, and trading for Deebo. They're obviously being quite aggressive, obviously had a very good, sort of surprisingly good year last year. I think they finished 12 5, obviously Jalen Daniels was just a phenomenon. And I think, I, I actually quite like it from the commanders that they're being aggressive. I don't like it because it could put them a little bit closer to the eagles, but from like a neutral side of things, I think it's really good to see that look, they've got, they've obviously got this star quarterback who they really think they're going to build their future around. I think it's quite nice to see a team actually be aggressive and go, no, do you know what, we're building our franchise around this guy. Let's go and get players that are going to suit his play style. Suit the way that he can throw the ball deep. He can find players in and out of the pocket as well. And I think it's a bit of a low risk trade. So Debo Samuels, 49er. Don't know if anyone's ever seen the Netflix documentary Receivers. Which they did, which was kind of a follow up to the quarterback one they did. He's on that. Comes across really well. Seems like a good guy. Has been, obviously, a little bit up and down. Started his career really, really well. Little bit down in the last couple of seasons. I mean, this year Only 51 receptions, which obviously was rumoured to be a little bit of an issue, and a rift between him and the coaches and the owners at the Niners, because he obviously wanted more touches at the football, only got 51 catches last year for 6. 70 yards and 3 touchdowns, which was actually in seasons where he's played 15 or more games. Those are all career lows, or tie in career lows, so It's one of those where like, I think if you can get the best out of him, you've got a very good 1B 2 wide receiver there. Obviously, they've already got Daniel's McLaurin, and obviously then you add Debo to that. So they've got a really potent quarterback and wide receiver mix there now at the Commanders. And it's a low risk trade, like I said, because they only traded a 5th round pick for him. See he brings 20 odd million in caps in cap, which the commanders have got to eat I think like I said, they're being aggressive with that and they're going out and they're they're adding to this offense to make them I want to say obviously they obviously want to compete more with the Eagles. I don't think personally that the Debo trade does that I Think the Eagles are still way too strong in that division But I think it gives the commanders a chance to build on what they did last year What do you think made you'd like to trade you think it's a? Is it a good move for them, or are you not a fan of it?

Matt: 20:09

I think it's a good move for both. Obviously he had a bit of a down year. He did have some kind of issues at the 49ers. There's rumours that somebody said he was he was too heavy. You know, he's come out and addressed a couple of the issues on social media this week and said, look, I've got no issue. The 49ers have said, he leaves with you know, goodwill. So, I think for him it's a good move. I think it's a great move for the commanders. You know, they're being very aggressive in their business. They're getting it done early as well. I really like them. They were surprise package of last year. I don't think it gets them close to the Eagles though. I think. know, the Eagles were phenomenal last year. They've done some really good work in terms of getting to where they are now. I don't see anybody overtaking the Eagles. I think I said a couple of weeks ago. Genuinely, I think there is a real, a real threat of them doing back to back. So in terms of the commanders, I think great move for them. Great move for Debo Samuels. I think it's going to work out for both. You go straight into the starting lineup for me as well like the trade I think makes them even more competitive. So to winner for both for me while we're on the subject of the eagles, you've got some eagles news, haven't you?

Tom: 21:26

Yeah, so a little bit of positive, a little bit of negative. I think the negative will kind of start with not so much, but look, obviously Darius Slay, absolute club legend was announced that he is, he's going to be being released by the Eagles, or it's going to be allowed to hit free agency, isn't going to be re signed straight away. Now, I think a lot of the talk is about the fact that obviously the fact that both the Eagles love Slay, Slay loves the Eagles, Super Bowl champion. He really transforms the cornerback position for the Eagles over the last couple of years. Obviously won the Super Bowl with us as kind of guided Quinion Mitchell and Cooper Dejean to be kind of the star rookie defenseman that they were last year. So, like I say, it's a little bit negative, but I really wouldn't be surprised to see him re sign. But as it stands, it's been announced that he will be leaving. But the big, the big news and sort of one of the biggest news, news of the week in the NFL is the, I mean, Saquon Barkley's year just goes from pillar to post, it's just, it's just getting better and better for him. He was actually signed to a contract extension, again. So, in the same year he was signed within the same year, he's actually been extended by two years by the Eagles. They've given him a 41. 2 million contract extension. So, not only is the high, is he the highest paid running back in the NFL now, he's actually the highest paid running back in NFL history. So, look, they rewarded what might be The best season ever by a running back was certainly up there with a massive contract and in my opinion, and I am biased, but I just think fully deserved. I think you lock the man up, you're gonna, with the performances he was doing and the money that he was on, he got that contract from us. He went out and proved that he was worth it and some. And they've paid the man. And I, and I couldn't agree more with it. I think it's great news for him. Obviously great news for him and his family, because I mean that's him sorted for life now. But I think he just, he, his performance has proved it. And I think it's nice to see a player go out and get paid and a team reward someone for doing what they've asked them to do and more. So, good on him. Like I said, NFL history breaking contract for, for Saquon Barkley. Two year extension with the Eagles and, I mean, I couldn't be happier.

Matt: 23:42

Yeah, it's a fully deserved contract extension that he was Phenomenal this year, fully deserved there. Kind of got some breaking news on DK Metcalfe. Do you want to fill me in on that?

Tom: 23:56

Yeah, it kind of just came to us just before, again, another one sort of, like I said, guys, like, it's one of the, like the NFL, seems like the off season has just kick started with a bang and it's just every couple of minutes, it's just, there's some, there's news coming in, I mean, we actually literally just had it, had it come in to us that the that the Raiders have just signed their Pro Bowl defensive end, Max Crosby, to a three year, 106 million extension, so, there you go, we're talking about, Oh, Saquon getting paid, but Max, Max Crosby gets paid. 106. 5 mil extension, he's now the highest paid player in the NFL who isn't a quarterback. So, everything is going on. That's literally just come through just now guys. So, everything's going on by the minute, but yeah, like you said, big kind of DK Metcalfe news is he has, I mean look, this was rumored for quite a while, that there was potentially, there was stuff going on with him that he might potentially be Being shipped being shipped around by the by the Seahawks. So, he is now actually officially handed in a trade request. So, 27 years old, 66 receptions last year for 992 yards, 5 touchdowns in 15 games. So, look, I mean, DK Metcalf, you know what you're getting. The man is an absolute playmaker. And yeah, there's been a couple of teams linked. So, Packers are one of them. Obviously, Jordan Love, the quarterback over there. They're kind of in the mix. Obviously, they need an impact wide receiver. Obviously, Christian Watson over there is recovering from an ACL tear. So, they kind of need someone like a DK Metcalf to come and be that playmaker for Jordan and love to find. One of the other team in links, and this is all early doors, but is the Patriots. Again, they're a reliable wide receiver and they've got picks they can trade, which I think puts them in a good position. And the other team that again, very early doors, but has been linked early is The Raiders, obviously Pete Carroll over there, used to coach DK Metcalf. Is that a reunion potentially on the cards? If he has something to do with it, could he kind of influence the, kind of the Raiders going in for him? Now the Raiders need a playmaker, but I think why I kind of put them at the bottom of that list of the three is the Raiders need a QB, and I think that's a lot more pressing than their wide receiver need. I think at the moment you need someone to throw the ball to your wide receivers, so I think they're going to focus on the QB, and I don't think they can afford to trade away what the Seahawks will want for DK Metcalf. Which, I think, if they do that, they almost give up on getting that QB to get Metcalf. So, I think they kind of go for the QB, but again, look, anything can happen. Deals get struck all the time where you kind of go, oh Christ, they got in for that. So, wouldn't be surprised to see any of those three teams make a move. But I think out of all three of them, I think the Packers are definitely the kind of front runners for that.

Matt: 26:50

This might be a long shot. Keep an eye on the cowboys. On that one. I just have a feeling. So this week saw the NFL Combine, some players Didn't didn't work out. So the QBs that we spoke about a couple of weeks ago didn't work out, most of them. They did their media obligations. But we've had a look at some of the stats from the combine and me and Tom are going to run through. The, the five, the five first picks. So do you want to go first and tell me your first five picks and then I'll hit you with mine?

Tom: 27:25

So yeah guys, my five is pretty bog standard, I think most of the people and most of the pundits and experts have come out with a similar one. So I've not really differed too much from that because I actually don't see it changing too much. So I got first pick Cam Ward to the Titans, second Abdul Carter to the Browns, third Hunter to the Giants, fourth Sanders to the Raiders, and I got five Mason Graham to the Jags. Was it the only thing I think might potentially change where I'm a little bit unsure whether this will happen There's also been a lot of rumors around the Giants potentially trading up with the Titans to get Cam Ward at first We'll see the Titans slightly less need at QB and the Giants obviously won't want to risk the Browns or the Titans Just going for him anyway, so I think there's a big chance that they trade up so I think if that happens I can see Cam Ward going first or it's just a case of whether Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter go first and second and it leaves the Giants that chance to go and get Hamwater first. The only other thing that I've kind of noticed recently that's coming out of the woodwork, I don't know if you've seen this Matty, but obviously the Patriots have got Joe Milton III and apparently he's available for trade and a lot of the scout reports, obviously they have, they have Drake May as the number one QB, but in the same draft, sorry. They've got Joe Milton III, who is obviously a rookie quarterback. Did very well in the one game that he played last year. Got two touchdowns over 200 yards in it. It was a bit of a dead rubber game, but looked very good. And the scout report on him, some are saying that he's a better bet at quarterback and has the potential to become a franchise quarterback over the likes of Cam Ward and Sanders. So, I think the only thing that might offset the apple cart with a couple of those quarterbacks going First, second or third is the, yeah, is the Joe Milton the third trade, but I think, yeah, kind of sticking to the, to the prospects available. That's the order I've gotten going in. I think Cam Ward will go first because I think the Giants will trade up with the Titans and get Cam Ward first. But keep an eye on Joe Milton the third because that would be an interesting one to see how that affects what teams do in this draft with drafting quarterbacks if someone goes and trades for him. Who's your five? What have you, what have you got your end?

Matt: 29:39

I've gone fairly similar to you to be fair mate. Couple of, couple of players in different places though. So I've got Abdul Carter going at one to the Titans. Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter going to the Browns. The Giants who have third pick got Cameron Ward going there because they are in desperate need of a QB and he's the top rated prospect in the draft this year. When it came to the Patriots at number four, I was a little bit sort of torn. I was looking at Shador Sanders, I've actually gone for tight end Tyler Warren. And then the Jags going for Mason Graham. So we, we've, we had a few players in the same, the same sort of order. Maybe one or two difference, but I think there's quite a few needs this year At some of the teams, so I think there's going to be some some trades for picks made the coming in the coming weeks mate, so have you got any, have you got any ideas on where you think they're gonna come from?

Tom: 30:44

Yeah, I think you, I, I like your, I like your pick there for the Patriots with Tyler Warren. I think that's a really good shout. I kind of got ahead of myself. By the way, guys, when I was saying Sanders to the Raiders, it's because I actually think that the Raiders and the Patriots will trade up because I think the Patriots will be, it could, like you said, I think Warren to the Patriots is a shout. So I think the Patriots will be able to trade up with the Raiders because I think. The Raiders will need a quarterback, like we mentioned, so I think they'll trade up with the Patriots to get four, and then get Sanders to kind of eliminate the risk of someone else getting him, and then yeah, I think like you said there, at six, I think Warren will go to, go to the Patriots, but yeah, I think, look, the trip, look, in kind of 50 days away from the draft, I think a lot of it will come down to kind of who gets signed where, and free agency, and what needs still need to be filled, so yeah, I'm, I'm interested to see kind of how that plays out. And what teams make what trades to make the moves. Like I said, we've already kind of alluded to the Giants and the Titans trading up so that the Giants can kind of secure Cam Ward. Like we said, will Joe Milton III be a potential trade option for teams that are looking for a quarterback but don't necessarily have the pick to get? Sort of a Cam Ward or Sanders and yeah, we'll, we'll, the Raiders and the Patriots make a trade for picks themselves and will the Raiders, I think they will, but will the Raiders go in and try and get that fourth, that fourth pick from the Patriots who aren't in need of a quarterback to kind of secure someone like a Sanders or if by some miracle Cam Ward is still on the board, then a Cam Ward, but yeah, it'd be good to see, like we said, 50 days away. So he, it'd be good to see kind of who goes where and we'll keep you guys posted.

Matt: 32:26

Lovely stuff, mate. So we're now gonna go onto the MLB. You've got a couple of updates for us, haven't you, on a couple of debuts and how people are getting on in spring training. And then we're gonna get to the good bit. So we have ranked our top 10 captures and our top 10 pictures. Neither of us know where we've rated these players. So. us through the sort of the debuts mate and then we'll we'll get into it.

Tom: 32:54

Well, to be fair, I think there was kind of, there's obviously been loads of debuts. I think there's been certain players hitting their first time run. So it's good to see as a Yankees fans, Goldie hit his first time run for the Yanks the other day. So it's good to see 37 year old Paul Goldschmidt still kind of raking it. Hopefully he has a good season for us. I think there's only one debut though, that we kind of look at. How boring are the Dodgers gonna be this year? Roki Sasaki, I mean, he obviously made his spring debut yesterday, guys. And he looks as if he's gonna be everything he's sort of made out to be. Look, we can't go too much off spring training because spring training is spring training. And obviously you're kind of playing against split squads and some big league players, some minor league players. But, Roki Sasaki goes three innings in his Dodgers debut, gives up two hits, don't think he gave up a walk, strikes out five, and hits 99 on the radar. I'm just like, whenever, when you, if any other team wanted that little glimmer of hope that, you know, that sort of way you like, just don't be as good as you're made out to be, or at least not yet. Just so it gives everyone else a chance to maybe, maybe sneak in and give us a chance against the Dodgers in the World Series. I think that, That debut for me yesterday, just sort of all but, put a, put a, damped any kind of glimmer of light that was still on that flame for me. He, he looks unbelievable.

Matt: 34:18

Yeah, I've said it before mate, as a Yankees fan I'm extremely jealous of what they're building over there in LA. He looks a hell of a player. I think we said it before he even got to the major league in the US, mate, from his days in Japan, he was going to be an absolute superstar. And they just seem to have a habit of snapping them up from Japan, don't they, at the Dodgers. So, he's another one to watch and, you know, like we said, it's a potential back to back situation for the Dodgers. Quick side note on the Yankees. Lewis Hill has picked up an injury, so Marcus Strowman might get his dream of being a starting pitcher for the Yankees again.

Tom: 34:58

Yeah, it's a bit of an interesting one that obviously came into camp. Like we said, we kind of touched on it the other week, guys, where he came into camp. There was obviously a little bit of uncertainty about whether he's going to be moved. He obviously quite flat out said, I'm not pitching out the ball pen. Looks like he might get his wish. The only thing that's going to potentially scarper that, obviously, Lewis Hill isn't going to be able to throw for six weeks. So, start of the season, one of these two guys is definitely gonna be in with a chance. Obviously, Will Warren, who came up for a few games last year, and by the way, I think a lot of the guys in the organization love his stuff. His numbers were terrible when he came up, but I think there were signs that he can be an efficient pitcher in the majors and has started spring training really well. He looks like he's got his stuff together. So, I think Strowman and Warren are definitely going to be vying for that fifth spot in the rotation. So, just a little one to look out for there, guys. Obviously, if you are Yankees fans or just interested in kind of seeing kind of what plays out with that Strowman situation. But, the Lewis Hill injury, not thrown for six weeks. So, he, he's got his chance now to go out in spring season and kind of prove that he can be that fifth starter and that the Yankees will need him in that rotation. So, just one to watch for there.

Matt: 36:11

Yeah, I don't see him finishing the season as a Yankees player, but that's just my opinion. Let's get into our top ten then mate, I'm quite looking forward to this. Ten catchers. So, go first, run through your list. I'm gonna tick them off, see if they've made my list. then we'll we'll go with mine.

Tom: 36:31

I'm a little bit nervous for some of these. Not so much mine, I'm just nervous to see where you've put some of your guys in. Like Matty said, and like we said at the start, we've not run through this together yet. So, it's a little bit more fun to kind of give like the blind reaction to it, and to kind of see how we got on. So, yeah, we'll start with captures. And where we've kind of got on, where we've kind of got, got on ranked on our list. So, we'll go from 10 to 1 and go from there. So, catchers, I've got 10th, I've got Bailey of the Giants. I've got 9th, 8th, I've got our boy Austin Wells. Had to get him in there. Obviously finished the season really strong when he got moved to the clean up spot. Little bit of talk that he might hit lead off for us this year. He's done it a few times in spring training. He looks good in spring training as well. I think a year under his belt. He's one of the best defensive catchers in the game as well as he came into, kind of came into his own and kind of took over from Jose Trevino last year. I mean obviously the Yanks are so confident in him that they've traded away Trevino, Navarro as kind of the backup catchers because I think they want him to have most of the time this year. So I've got Wells at 8, I've got JT Romuto at 7, I've got Yane Diaz at 6. I've got Will Smith at 5. I know people are going to hate me for that. I think Dodgers fans are going to say that's too low. I think Will Smith at 5 is, is, is not a terrible shout. I think he is kind of that middle of the pack. He's top 10. Offensively, he's good. Obviously four seasons in a row where he's had at least sort of 19 homers and 17 RBIs. I think only JT, who we had a little bit further down the list, has got more homers since Will Smith's debut in 2019. So, I've got him at 5. I've got Salvi at four, Salvador Perez. I couldn't not have him in my top four. I think if he was better defensively, because I do think he'll spend a DH ing, but obviously he is officially a catcher, so I'm having him on my list. But I think he spends a DH ing, which is why I don't have him in my top three. But Salvi's consistently a 30 home run, 100 RBI guy. I have to have him in the top four. Three, a guy who really kind of bursts onto the scene. Last year and kind of made and actually got top 10 MVP votes is Cal Raleigh for the Mariners 34 home runs last year 100 RBI is actually very good defensively in In his position as well. A lot of people talk about the offense because he he's a powerful catcher But only Patrick Bailey who obviously 10th was better had a bet as numbers wise for framing runs last year so Very underrated defensively. And then for my top two, I've gone I think you could have had these guys in any order because I think offensively, they both kind of match up quite well. I've got, I've got Contreras at two, and I've for the Brewers, and I've got Adley Rushman for the Orioles at first. I had to go Adley at one. I, I just, I think it's just personal preference. I just love the way he plays. I just think he's just one of those guys, he's a young guy, he's so good defensively. Look, he, he, the only people that have kind of got him out of their top ten are people that are looking at that second half of the season where he kind of took a little bit of a dip. But his adjusted OPS was still 107. I just think, I just watched Adley Rushman play and I'm like, the guy can Hit for average. He hits for extra base hits. He hits home runs. He drives in runs. He's one of the best defensive catchers in the game. And he's playing on a team that are competing in the hardest division in baseball, which is the ALEs. And when I say the hardest, it's just because of the fact that it is year in, year out. There is always two or three, and potentially this year even four teams. That could, that could actually win that division. So, I just think, for me, Adly gets my nod for one. But go on Matty, tell me your, tell me your ten.

Matt: 40:28

You're gonna be quite impressed with this bud. So how many of yours do you think are on my list?

Tom: 40:35

I reckon you've probably, I reckon catches is a lot easier than pitches, because I think there's, I think there's only sort of a select group that you can really include. I reckon you've probably got at least eight or nine of the same guys on the list. I reckon maybe, I reckon you may even have the same guys on the list, and potentially just a different order.

Matt: 40:55

So I've got, I've got nine of the same guys. The one that didn't make your list at my number ten. Francisco Alvarez of the Mets.

Tom: 41:05

good shot. Good shot. He was an honourable mention for me. I was really toying with putting him in. But I think maybe this year, I think if he has a good year this year, he'd definitely be in there.

Matt: 41:14

So at nine I've got Salvador Perez. Eight, Gabriel Moreno. Seven, Austin Wells. At six, the same as you Yana Diaz. I've got Patrick Bailey at five. Adley Rushman, I've got him at four. Will

Tom: 41:33

Adley at four!

Matt: 41:36

Yeah, well this is my top three, so you've got Will Smith at three. Cal Raleigh at two and my number one Contreras of the Brewers

Tom: 41:45

You're gonna have to justify Adley at four, Matty. Come on.

Matt: 41:49

I was looking at it more from not just the defensive side, but the offensive side as well. So Contreras hit 23 home runs and 92 RBIs whereas Rushman only 18 home runs and 79 RBIs. So. Yes, he's probably a better catcher, and we were looking at catcher, but I was kind of basing it on overall player, and anyway, it's my list, so if I want to make him number four, I'll number four.

Tom: 42:20

listen mate, I, I get that, I get that. I think four is so harsh. And I think if you're doing a list based on offensive prowess, then surely Salvador Perez has got to be higher up in your list. What did you have him at, nine? Eight or nine, Salvy?

Matt: 42:34

I had him at nine, and to be fair, he did hit more home runs than both of those guys, but, it was, it was a tough list, it was a tough list, mate, to be fair. I mean, like, there was people I was gonna put in it, then I took out. But yeah, I mean to be fair he probably has got bumped down the list a little bit But oh, yeah, i'm kind of happy with my list. I think they're quite similar

Tom: 42:56

I'll give you, I'll give you Salvy at nine, because I feel like, like we said, he's gonna, he does a lot of his time DH ing as well. So I'll give you, I'll give you Salvy a little bit further down the list, but Adlai at four, I'm scared to hear your pitchers list, go on mate, starting pitchers, top ten in the league, give me your ten.

Matt: 43:17

Well to be fair i'm i've gone a little bit biased on this

Tom: 43:22

god.

Matt: 43:22

Across the last four years only has an era of 2. 81 then we're going another new guy at the L. A. Dodgers, Blake Snell, 8 I believe another new guy, Garrett Crochet at the Red Sox Valdez at the Astros in number 7 jacob de Grom at the Rangers at 6, Corbin Burns at the Diamondbacks at number 5, Skeens at the Pirates. And then my top three and I can tell by your face. You are you are wondering what I was thinking was already i've gone Gerrit Cole of the Yankees the bearded beast is back mate. Number two, we're going Zach Wheeler of the Phillies. And who is my number one, I hear you ask? We're gonna go to the Tigers for Tarek Skubal. The American League Cy Young winner, currently with an ERA of 2. 39, and his win loss record last season was 18 wins and only 4 losses.

Tom: 44:27

I just, just double check your, double check your list there? Was Chris Sale in your list? Did I, did I hear correctly?

Matt: 44:36

wasn't

Tom: 44:37

So, so the, so the reigning NL Cy Young winner doesn't make your, doesn't make your top ten.

Matt: 44:45

He does not.

Tom: 44:46

Oh, Christ alive. Right, I give you me ten. I don't know what to say about that. Some of, some of the shouts I loved, some of the shouts I love. I love that you got Cole at three. Like the Yankees hat was definitely on there. Right. Ten, let's be fair. A lot of I've kind of got similar to you, but it's very much in different orders. Some of those very rogue shouts. Ten I've got Garrett Crochet. I just think he was unreal at the White Sox last year, but has a little bit of room to improve. And I think a contending team like the Sox. I, I just think he's gonna have a very good year for them this year. I, I think he's a sneaky shout for what could be the aal si young this year, but I've got him at 10 going into the season nine. I agree with you. Max Reed, maybe a little bit of Yankees bias there, but top left-handed pitcher, like you said, he's got one of the best era rays in the whole of baseball over the last sort of seven, eight years. I just think he's just, I think he's just going to have a very good season and like I said, I'm a little bit biased with that pick like you said you were. Eighth, I've got Corbin Burns, maybe a little bit harsh on Burnsy, putting him down at eight, but I think, look, new team, the Diamondbacks, I think he'll have a decent year. I don't think he'll be as good as he was for the last couple of years, but he'll probably go and prove me wrong. Seven, bit of an interesting run, but I've actually got Logan Gilbert at seven. He had a great year last year. He had, I think, the most innings pitched in the league and over 200 strikeouts for the Mariners. The Mariners rotation is very good. If they could get people that can actually hit the ball, they'd actually be a half decent side. And he had the fifth best walk rate among all starters who threw over 162 innings. Last year I had the lowest whip in the league and walks plus hits per inning if you're not giving him up as a starter Your numbers are probably gonna be quite good. So yeah, I've got Gilbert a seven Sixth, I've got the bearded monster. Like you said, I've got Garrett. I wanted him higher I can't put him higher just because of the fact that he spent most of last year injured I'd love him to be higher on my list I think I again I think Garrett Cole if he's back to full fitness and at his best Will end the season in the top three for that for the league, but I just for now I have to have him sick fifth I've got Blake's now fourth. I've got Chris sale because he's the NL Cy Young winner and he has to be in the top ten Three I've got the other the other side of the leagues Cy Young winner I've got Tarek scuba a little bit harsh, maybe not putting him in the top two, but My top two, I've got Wheeler at second, Zach Wheeler at second for the Phillies, he's just every year, he's phenomenal, I know a lot of people, a lot of the pundits had him number one, but my number one, and I am just completely in awe of how good this guy is, and I am jumping on the bandwagon, and I don't care because it is a bandwagon I'm happy to jump on, but Paul Skeens is the best pitcher in baseball for me, I just, the man came up it was like he was still, he was like he was pitching against minor league prospects. He made, there was a game at Yankee Stadium where he pitched against the Yankees and he just looked phenomenal. The all star game, he gets Judge and Soto out and you know when you just, I just watch it, I just watch his command and his, he's got the velocity and he is quite literally, he is a franchise pitcher, like you build your whole franchise around this guy. And it's very rare that you get that with a starting pitcher, but I just genuinely, I've never seen a pitcher look this good, like, for being so young and kind of coming up and this early, like, I genuinely just, I don't know what the limit is for this man, but I actually, I think he, I think he's even in the running for the MVP this year, I think he'll win the Cy Young in the National League and, provided, this is all provided he doesn't get injured, but I think he's so good, I think he actually has a chance to win Cy Young an MVP because I just think he's that good and by the way if the Pirates can turn that I mean, they're awful a lot of the times the Pirates if they are in with a chance of playoffs It'll be because of one man. It'd be because of him. I think if they can get into the postseason He is or he's already MVP if we're not including like your show he Otani's and stuff I think he's it out for MVP. So yeah, that's my that's my 10. That's my 10 starting pitches

Matt: 49:20

That's some interesting shouts there, mate. I don't disagree with you putting Skeens at one, to be fair. He had a great season last season. I think he's only going to get better. Bit disappointed you put Gerrit Cole down at six, you know, what's that all about? But, you know, yeah, he was injured pretty much most of last season. So, still think he should have been higher on the list. I'm, I'm looking at where I think, you know, they're gonna, they're gonna rank this season as well as kind of where they sat, but. Personal opinion. I think the bearded beast is going to do going to do some work for the yankees this season I really enjoy that mate. I think we should do another top 10 of different positions next week, maybe

Tom: 49:59

A hundred percent.

Matt: 50:00

edging ever closer cool. us bud. That's us done here's to another busy week. I think we've got a lot kicking off all leagues again. So we've got a hell of a lot to cover off next week. No idea what we're going to be covering off yet, but I know it's going to be a lot of trade talk in all sports. No doubt. We're gonna have a little look at spring training because we're getting ever closer to baseball being back. Can't wait. look after yourself, buddy. Hope you have a really good week.

Tom: 50:35

Thank you very much, my friend. And guys, just as we wrap the show up, like I said, we're getting news coming through to us all the time, but for all my fellow Eagles fans out there, Zack Bourne has re signed. Three year deal. Fifty one million, thirty four million guaranteed before he hits free agency. So, yeah, good news to end the show on. We are not lying to you. We are quite literally, as we are recording episodes, we are getting news.

Matt: 51:00

Yeah.

Tom: 51:03

sports. So, yeah, we'll be sure we'll have plenty to bring to you for like we said, for, for the, for all the sports this year. We'll have the trade deadline to kind of go over everything that's probably been going on in the NFL. Like we said, there'll be trades, free agent signings. So plenty to update you on. And yeah, definitely do another top 10. Like we said, Matty, we'll, we'll bring in other positions and the top 10s for that. So see if Matty's got as controversial a list as he does this week, guys.

Matt: 51:30

right mate, have a lovely week and I'll catch you soon.

Tom: 51:35

All the best, my friend.

Matt: 51:36

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.