Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

Eno, Trevor and DVR are joined by Brent Rooker to discuss his offseason so far on the heels of a career year in 2024. Plus, they examine a few tough cases from this year's Hall of Fame ballot and 'The Golden At-Bat' -- one of the least popular ideas in baseball history (?) -- before playing another round of 'Name That Dude!'.Rundown0:47 Brent's Early Offseason Work So Far3:31 Adjustments & Areas of Improvement6:10 Daily Prep Throughout the Season9:45 Expectations for Sacramento's Park Factors12:28 Staying In the Game While DH'ing18:41 Toughest Hall of Fame Cases On This Year's Ballot25:07 Félix Hernández & Making Better Era-Adjusted Comparisons39:19 Chase Utley's Case & Surprising Low Vote Share in Year 142:31 Nobody Likes the 'Golden At-Bat' Idea (except Trevor, sort of)53:18 Name That Dude!Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris & Trevor MayProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss a few of their big-picture takeaways from the hitter pool in 2024 including a heavy dose of injuries in the early rounds, Atlanta's intense high-volume approach with playing time atop their roster, oatmeal that came through, and the benefits of waiting to fill in your outfield last season. Rundown1:51 An Unusual Year For Round 1 Bats?7:58 Should the Braves Consider Load Management for Their Stars?13:58 The Quality & Depth at Third Base is Running Away From First Base18:27 Learning From Elly De La Cruz and Gunnar Henderson's 2024 Projections?27:25 Zigging When Everyone Else Zagged Early: A Tough Early-Round Pocket w/Injuries33:41 Did 'Oatmeal' Largely Pay Off For Us?40:18 Juan Soto Underperformed His xSLG!?43:30 Is DVR Tailing the Rays with Christopher Morel in 2025?48:00 Waiting In the Outfield WorkedFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR are back from the holiday to discuss Blake Snell's five-year pact with the Dodgers (and an extension for Tommy Edman), plus Frankie Montas' move to the Mets and Matthew Boyd's signing with the Cubs. Related Reading 'The book on Blake Snell doesn’t have it completely right' ($): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5951700Rundown2:10 Blake Snell to the DodgersRelated Search on Baseball Savant looking at Starting Pitchers with the lowest percentage of pitches in the heart of the strike zone since 2022: https://bit.ly/4ivcfRR14:39 An Extension for Tommy Edman27:05 Frankie Montas to the Mets33:03 Matthew Boyd to the Cubs40:14 Potential Position Changes & Rangers Rehab UpdatesMailbag!55:46 Reds Rotation After Brady Singer Addition1:00:51 Early 2025 Catcher Thoughts1:14:22 The Blue Jays' Offseason PlansFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the top free-agents available this winter and attempt to predict where that group will land when the dust settles in the weeks ahead. Is Juan Soto staying in New York? Will Corbin Burnes re-up with the Orioles? Can the Padres keep their core intact and continue as perennial threats by adding Roki Sasaki? They consider fits and the potential contingency plans for teams trying to shop at the top of this year's class.Related Reading ($) '2024-25 MLB Top 40 Free Agent Big Board: Welcome to the Juan Soto sweepstakes' -- https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5891633Rundown3:58 Juan Soto Staying in New York -- Yankees or Mets?9:45 Corbin Burnes: Long-Term Ace w/Durability Around Slowly Declining K%17:15 Roki Sasaki: Maybe It Won't be the Dodgers?!22:13 Max Fried: Moving on From Atlanta?26:40 Blake Snell: Another Turn on the Free Agent Market30:03 Willy Adames: Most Likely Destination?35:22 Alex Bregman: Is He Really Done in Houston?40:42 Pete Alonso: Part of the Mets' "A" Plan, or a Fallback to Return?44:43 Anthony Santander v. Teoscar Hernández: A FA Would You Rather54:15 Jack Flaherty: The Start of Tier 2 SPs?1:01:21 Sean Manaea: Best of Tier 2 Options?1:08:21 Yusei Kikuchi: Signs with Angels; We Would Have Got That Wrong!1:09:59 Christian Walker: Underrated Power Bat on the Market?1:12:53 Ha-seong Kim: Many Suitors with Injury Discount?1:15:24 Reds-Royals TradeFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR are joined by John Henry Schroeder to discuss draft-and-hold formats -- fantasy baseball leagues with no in-season pickups -- and how to approach those leagues in a way that is different than a typical February or March draft. They cover roster construction goals (and a few pitfalls to avoid), the unique risk of low WAR players in this format, playing time trends relative to draft position in 2024, and a few projections that they will likely disagree within heading into 2025.Rundown1:38 JH’s Path Into High Stakes Fantasy Baseball3:34 Draft-and-Hold (Draft Champions) & Gladiator Leagues5:19 Why Draft This Early?7:22 A Critical Roster Construction Mistake To Avoid15:17 How Important is Categorical Balance without In-Season Pickups?23:01 The Risk with Low WAR Players29:16 Low WAR Players We’re Still Interested In34:15 Playing Time v. Draft Position41:57 What Outside the Box Idea Flopped the Most?49:54 Ideal Roster Balance w/50-Round Draft-and-Hold Builds52:51 Other 2025 Projections You Will Disagree WithFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR return from a brief break to discuss Roki Sasaki's decision to head to MLB for the 2025 season. Now that he's on the way, they discuss a few potential landing spots and how they're currently valuing him for early drafts. Plus, they look at Andrew Painter's return in the Arizona Fall League, Josue Briceño's MVP-winning performance in the league, and another round of November news including shoulder surgery for Zach Neto, more changes to the left field wall in Baltimore, and a temporary move to George Steinbrenner Field for the Rays in 2025. Rundown2:24 Roki Sasaki is Headed to MLB, Where Will He Land?9:50 Would You Rather?: Roki Sasaki v. Other Early-Round (Top 75 overall) Starting Pitchers21:55 Andrew Painter's Arizona Fall League Return27:25 Josue Briceño Gets on the Deep Dynasty League Radar in the AFL34:14 Reading the Tea Leaves: Aaron Boone's Comments on Caleb Durbin & Jasson Dominguez39:48 Griffin Jax Being Considered for Starting Role in Minnesota46:19 Zach Neto Undergoes Shoulder Surgery53:49 Grayson Rodriguez: Fully Recovered From Lat Strain56:37 Other News & Notes: Charlie Morton & The Rays' 2025 HomeFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR are back from First Pitch Arizona with a flurry of early offseason updates including a shoulder procedure for Shohei Ohtani, a closer look at Roki Sasaki's pitch mix after his 2024 campaign in NPB, expectations that Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider won't be ready for Opening Day in 2025, plus a trade, a new contract for Michael Wacha, and the path for Jeff Hoffman to return to a starting role once he finds a new club in free agency. Rundown2:01 Shohei Ohtani's Undergoes Left Shoulder (Labrum) Surgery12:17 How Many Players Have Old Injuries to Manage?21:50 Roki Sasaki Nearing a Decision for 2025 Plans30:57 Spencer Strider & Ronald Acuña Jr.: Unlikely for Opening Day38:00 Jorge Soler Traded to Anaheim for Jorge Soler49:08 David Fry Undergoes UCL Surgery51:16 Extensions, Options & Opt-Outs1:11:14 Willson Contreras to First Base & Position/Role Change RumblingsFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR are live at First Pitch Arizona. Max Bay, parent of Stuff+ joins the show to discuss a few changes with the latest update to the model. Danny Kirwin and Cooper Adams from the Red Sox organization stop by to discuss their path as undrafted college players into Boston's system and into the Arizona Fall League.Plus, Eno and DVR discuss a few of the biggest surprises relative to the Stuff+ model in 2024, and their preferred roster construction strategies as the 2025 fantasy baseball draft season gets underway.Rundown1:02 Is DIPS Theory Dead?9:46 Looking Beyond the Projections & Models for an Edge11:56 Predicting the Next Iteration of Changes to Stuff+18:59 Danny Kirwin & Cooper Adams Join the Show23:31 How Did Tread Help Danny & Cooper Make the Leap From College to Signing with Boston?29:26 Unique Challenges in the Arizona Fall League34:06 The Biggest Movers in the Updated Stuff+ Model43:03 What Is Your Ideal Roster Construction Approach as Draft Season Begins?60:29 Considerations for Players Returning From Second Tommy John SurgeryFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperemail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the Dodgers' series-clinching Game 5 victory over the Yankees that made them the 2024 World Series Champions, which featured a string of defensive miscues that opened the door for a five-run fifth, and a clean ninth inning from....Walker Buehler?!Plus, they look ahead to busy offseasons for both clubs as the Dodgers weigh options for a few potential upgrades, and the Yankees prepare to make a massive offer to retain Juan Soto. Rundown1:18 The Dodgers' Pitching Staff Had Just Enough in the Tank7:33 One Brutal Inning for the Yankees' Defense15:20 The Yankees' Need for More Bullpen Depth in Future Postseasons19:24 The Dodgers Have Taken Over Baseball's Death Star30:06 Long-Term Concerns About Jack Flaherty's Velocity?37:38 The Yankees' Offseason Plans & Juan Soto WatchFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss Anthony Volpe's huge Game 4 -- including a grand slam -- that may help the Yankees turn the World Series around as they continue to stave off elimination. Plus, they dig into several hitters that missed their 2024 season projections in both direction, looking for overperformers who had real breakouts, and underperformers with rebound potential in 2025. Rundown1:27 The Anthony Volpe Game & Volpe's Long-Term Ceiling12:40 Austin Wells' Insurance Homer & Eighth-Inning Runs Saved Luke Weaver's Workload?16:22 White Sox Hiring Will Venable as Manager; Offseason Targets?26:58 Hitters that Missed Projections: Underperformers -- Long-Term Fallers, or Rebound Targets?42:58 Hitters that Missed Projections: Overperformers -- Breakouts, or Players Bound for a Downturn in 2025?Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.