Welcome to The Roundtable with Grant Brisbee and Andy McCullough. Each week we will yammer with a guest about the biggest topics/stories in MLB. This week we are joined by Athletic Senior MLB Writer Stephen Nesbitt. The guys each give their hottest take heading into the MLB season and they yammer about it.The Hot Takes are: 1) The Mets main Cy-Young candidate will be Chris Bassett. 2) The Padres will win the NL West. 3) The A's have had a good offseason-Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBrisbee-Follow Andy on Twitter: @ByMcCullough-Follow Stephen on Twitter: @stephenjnesbitt-Get six months of The Athletic for just $1 per month at theathletic.com/baseballshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In what is now officially a tradition, Theo Epstein is throwing out the first pitch in Starkville this season. He continues his mission to make Major League Baseball more entertaining so we’re covering potential rule changes and how they could impact the sport. From the pitch clock, to limiting shifts in the infield AND outfield to moving second base to PitchCom, robot umpires and more.Jayson and Doug also make their predictions sure to go wrong, look back on a 29-8 Spring Training game and of course... trivia!Follow Jayson on Twitter: @jaysonstFollow Doug on Twitter: @dougglanvilleFollow Mayor Tim on Twitter: @TimMMcMasterGet six months of The Athletic for just $1 per month at theathletic.com/baseballshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just a few more sleeps until Opening Day and the transactions continue at a fever pitch across baseball. Ken explains what deals could still get done before the season's first pitch. Tim and Ken also give their predictions for the 2022 season and of course answer your questions...-What rookies could have big Opening Days?-What players could break out and surprise us this season?-Does the Ohtani DH rule work in reverse?-Is there a way to beat Ohtani for MVP considering he pitches and hits?-Are Indians overvaluing young players or just being cheap?-Did Cardinals do enough to contend?-Is there any chance John Fisher would sell the A's?Those questions and more! To be a part of next week's episode call the voicemail at 646-543-7072 or email tabaseballshow@gmail.com.Follow Ken on Twitter: @Ken_RosenthalFollow Tim on Twitter: @TimMMcMaster Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DVR and Keith discuss Keith's recent trip to Arizona, where he had a look at Mariners, Cubs and Giants prospects. Plus, they discuss the Reds' decision to push their top pitching prospects into the early-season mix with multiple injuries in the starting rotation, the Phillies' bid to outhit their defense, and a flurry of assignments and options as spring training winds down.Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Keith on Twitter: @keithlawGet a subscription to The Athletic at $1/mo for the first six months by visiting theathletic.com/baseballshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, Britt and DVR discuss Albert Pujols' return to St. Louis, the impact of early pitching injuries for the Cards, second base getting moved closer to home plate in the lower levels of the minors, the Nats' flashy City Connect uniforms, the oft-ignored Arizona Diamondbacks on the heels of an extension with Ketel Marte, and grades for a few of Eno's recent Bold Predictions. Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_GhiroliFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Opening Day just ten days away Ken explains how he covers Spring Training and how different this year has been. Then Tim and Ken open up the mailbag...-Why do players attend arbitration hearings?-Ways to "improve" universal DH-Limiting but not banning the shift-Why aren't international players included in the regular MLB Draft?-Would Angels be better off trading Mike Trout?-If Tatis injury occurred on motorcycle, should he forfeit salary?-Ken's fun storylines for 2022?-Why are Reds still tanking?-Will 2026 CBA negotiations be as heated?Those questions and more! To be a part of next week's episode call the voicemail at 646-543-7072 or email tabaseballshow@gmail.com.Follow Ken on Twitter: @Ken_RosenthalFollow Tim on Twitter: @TimMMcMaster Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, Britt and DVR discuss observations from spring training trips to the Florida and Arizona, plus the impact of the big additions made by the Twins (Carlos Correa), Phillies (Nicholas Castellanos & Kyle Schwarber), and Red Sox (Trevor Story) as all three teams made significant strides in their bid to reach the 2022 Postseason. Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_GhiroliFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperSubscribe to The Athletic for just $1/mo for the first six months: theathletic.com/baseballshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Major League Baseball's lockout has created a different kind of March Madness. The Atlanta Braves have been front and center and GM Alex Anthopoulos returns to Starkville to sum it all up. From Freddie Freeman's departure to Matt Olson's arrival, his emotional news conference and so much more. It's an interview you don't want to miss. Plus, in Strange But True, Jayson and Doug discuss last week's Baker family reunion and Wander Franco's parking mishap.  All that and of course... trivia!Follow Jayson on Twitter: @jaysonstFollow Doug on Twitter: @dougglanvilleFollow Mayor Tim on Twitter: @TimMMcMasterGet six months of The Athletic for just $1 per month at theathletic.com/baseballshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DVR and Keith discuss the return the Athletics have received as they've traded away Matt Olson, Matt Chapman and Chris Bassitt since the end of the lockout, the Reds' decision to trade away Jesse Winker & Eugenio Suárez, and whether the Cubs have done enough to make a playoff run out of the NL Central. Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Keith on Twitter: @keithlawGet a subscription to The Athletic at $1/mo for the first six months by visiting theathletic.com/baseballshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, Britt and DVR discuss the flurry of activity since the start of the new CBA, the most improved teams as the offseason player movement draws close to the end, a curious decision by the Rockies to add Kris Bryant in free agency, and the strange timing of the teardown in Oakland, and changes in Cincinnati.Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_GhiroliFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices