Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

The Dodgers are ruining baseball—or they’re not. These days, it depends on who you ask. This week, Jayson and Doug go straight to the source, sitting down with Dodgers president Andrew Friedman to get his take on the firestorm, as well as the inside story of how he pulled off the trade for Tarik Skubal. Plus, Jayson and Doug try to make sense of what happened in Toronto, where the Red Sox scored on one of the strangest plays in recent baseball history.
Rundown:
2:55 A Fourth Out in Toronto?
15:33 Andrew Friedman Stops By
15:57 The Rich Get Richer with Tarik Skubal
21:33 Are the Dodgers Ruining Baseball?
29:21 How a Big Deal Goes Down
31:20 Listening to the Players
32:24 Transitioning From Player to GM
33:17 The Awe-Inspiring Shohei Ohtani
36:06 Strange But True
41:10 Doug’s Strange But True Moment
Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.social
Follow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.social
E-mail: starkville@theathletic.com
Starkville Hotline: (347) 313-8371
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Hosts: Jayson Stark & Doug Glanville
With: Andrew Friedman
Producer: Jason Potere
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The Seattle Mariners sent Colt Emerson back to Triple-A — so what went wrong for one of baseball’s most talented young prospects? DVR and Eno Sarris break down Emerson’s struggles, his alarming strikeout rate, what Seattle should expect from him going forward and why a reset in the minors could ultimately be the right move for his development.

Plus, Jacob deGrom left his latest start with right triceps fatigue, adding another major injury concern for a Rangers rotation already dealing with the loss of Nathan Eovaldi. DVR and Eno look at potential replacements and break down several pitchers nearing returns, including Edward Cabrera and Carlos Rodón. DeGrom said afterward that he was optimistic the issue wasn't serious, though further evaluation was expected.

The guys also discuss another blown save from Edwin Díaz and whether the Dodgers should temporarily make a change in the ninth inning. Could Tanner Scott become the reliever to roster if Los Angeles gives Díaz a break from closing?

Then Niv Shah joins the show to help navigate fantasy trade deadlines. Is Corbin Carroll worth paying up for? Is Gunnar Henderson becoming a potential 2027 draft-day bargain? And how should fantasy managers value stars like Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto as keeper and dynasty decisions loom?

First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026

Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social

e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels

Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Contributor: Niv Shah
Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis
Editor: McEnroe Francis

Thumbnail Courtesy: Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images

00:00 Today on Rates & Barrels
03:00 Taj Bradley & Field of Dreams Takeaways
05:15 Is Baseball Better Without the Strike Zone Box?
11:01 Brewers Hit Hard by Injuries
15:08 Cooper Pratt’s Fantasy Outlook
18:28 What Went Wrong With Colt Emerson?
24:33 Mariners’ Struggles & Cal Raleigh’s Down Year
27:48 Jacob deGrom Injury & Pitchers Returning Soon
30:45 Is Jared Jones Still a Must-Roster Pitcher?
34:24 Fantasy Waiver Wire: Hunter Dobbins
36:09 Jackson Kent’s Fantasy Potential
40:20 Should Dodgers Make a Change at Closer?
43:07 Fantasy Saves & Bullpen Targets
45:23 Young Shortstops & Fantasy Waiver Targets
45:43 Is Zac Veen Finally Breaking Out?
52:35 Fantasy Baseball Trade Deadline Strategy
53:58 Ohtani, Judge & Soto’s Massive Keeper Prices
59:25 Buy Low on Corbin Carroll?
1:00:36 What Happened to Gunnar Henderson?
1:04:49 Fantasy Value of Gunnar Henderson in 2027
1:05:20 The Chicago Hot Dog Review
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Buster Posey is a San Francisco Giants legend — but could running the team put that legacy at risk? Britt Ghiroli joins DVR and Eno Sarris to discuss her exclusive reporting on Posey’s transition from franchise icon to president of baseball operations, the decisions that have defined his tenure so far, and what comes next for the struggling Giants.

They also break down the major roster decisions of the Posey era, including the Rafael Devers trade, Willy Adames contract and Matt Chapman, while looking at whether San Francisco can remain competitive as its next wave of young talent develops. With much of the Giants’ best prospect talent still years away from the majors, how should Posey approach the offseason and build a bridge to the organization’s future?

DVR, Eno and Britt also examine growing concerns surrounding the Philadelphia Phillies. Philadelphia's offense remains near the bottom of MLB in wRC+, the bullpen has struggled to protect leads, and the Phillies find themselves in a tightening National League playoff race with the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Plus, Hunter Greene needs a second Tommy John surgery, potentially sidelining the Cincinnati Reds ace for most or all of 2027. What does Greene's latest injury mean for Cincinnati's future, and is pressure mounting on the Reds' front office after six seasons under Nick Krall?

🎧 Rates & Barrels with Derek Van Riper, Eno Sarris and Britt Ghiroli.

First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026

Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social

e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels

Britt's article on Buster Posey
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7499186/2026/08/13/san-francisco-giants-buster-posey-legacy/

Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Contributor: Britt Ghiroli
Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis
Editor: McEnroe Francis

Thumbnail Courtesy: Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

00:00 Today on Rates & Barrels
04:18 Field of Dreams Game Returns
07:38 Is It Time to Worry About the Phillies?
12:46 Phillies on the Outside of NL Playoff Picture
15:04 Inside Buster Posey’s Giants Gamble
18:19 Evaluating the Rafael Devers Trade
21:59 What Happened to the Giants’ Pitching?
26:06 Are the Giants Falling Behind Other Front Offices?
29:15 What Could Posey Have Done Differently?
32:52 The Tony Vitello Gamble
38:42 Does Posey Have the Right People Around Him?
42:54 How Can Posey Fix the Giants?
47:44 What Happened to Willy Adames?
55:29 How Long Will the Giants’ Rebuild Take?
57:16 Hunter Greene Needs Another Tommy John Surgery
1:01:13 How Long Should MLB Front Offices Get?
1:06:56 Is It Time for Changes in Cincinnati?
1:10:36 What’s Next for the A’s Front Office?
1:14:45 Thanks for Watching

#phillies #sanfranciscogiants #mlbwildcard #cincinnatireds
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The Cleveland Guardians once looked like they were cruising toward an AL Central title. Now, after losing 13 of 17, Cleveland has fallen back into one of baseball’s most unpredictable division races. DVR and Eno Sarris are joined by Zack Meisel to break down what has gone wrong for the Guardians and whether they can turn their season around.

The guys take a deep dive into the AL Central playoff race, where the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins and Guardians remain tightly packed. Are the Tigers actually the best team in the division even after moving Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline? And could young players like Max Clark help swing the race down the stretch?

Then, the Rates & Barrels mailbag opens with a fascinating question: Are Dodgers prospects consistently overrated? DVR and Eno look back at Los Angeles’ highly ranked prospects to separate prospect hype from the reality of player development.

Plus, they examine River Ryan’s long-term outlook and injury history, whether Jake McCarthy's breakout is sustainable, the Brewers' unusual save situations involving Chad Patrick, and what to make of Jake Bauers' strong season.

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First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026

Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social

e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels

Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Contributor: Zack Meisel
Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis
Editor: McEnroe Francis

#tigers #guardians #whitesox #dodgers #mlbwildcard

00:00 - Today on Rates & Barrels
01:24 - Breaking Down the Wild AL Central Race
03:20 - Who Is Actually the Best Team in the AL Central?
11:14 - Which AL Central Lineup Is Best?
15:40 - Why the Tigers Still Look Like the Team to Beat
16:46 - Max Clark’s Impressive MLB Start
20:00 - Young White Sox & the AL Central’s X-Factors
24:30 - What’s Gone Wrong With the Cleveland Guardians?
29:01 - Steven Kwan’s Turnaround
31:07 - Why Cleveland’s Offense Struggles in Big Moments
34:42 - The Guardians’ Young Hitters
37:26 - Cleveland’s Pitching & Bullpen Workload
39:31- Did the Guardians Do Enough at the Trade Deadline?
43:02 - Mailbag: Are Dodgers Prospects Overrated?
45:12 - What Happened to the Dodgers’ Top Prospects?
49:36 - How Often Do Top Prospects Actually Hit?
51:18 - River Ryan’s Talent vs. Injury Risk
57:48 - Is Jake McCarthy’s Breakout Sustainable?
1:01:53 - What’s Going On With the Brewers’ Saves?
1:03:16 - Is Jake Bauers’ Breakout for Real?
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How do pitchers handle doubt, failure and the pressure of knowing one bad pitch can change an outing? Trevor May joins DVR and Eno for a conversation about the mental side of pitching in the major leagues. Trevor explains the battle to convince yourself that you belong, how pitchers build confidence and an on-field persona, and why the mental side of the game can be every bit as important as mechanics or stuff.

Plus, DVR, Eno and Trevor discuss the latest pitching news and performances around MLB, along with one of baseball's strangest rules sequences after the Red Sox scored against the Blue Jays on a rare timing play. They explain why the run counted, what Toronto could have done differently, and how an incorrect scoreboard helped create the confusion.

Finally, Trevor takes the show inside his post-MLB experience with Banana Ball, including what it's like competing in a completely different baseball environment and the adjustments that come with stepping back onto the mound.

Rates & Barrels brings together advanced baseball analysis, pitching development, fantasy baseball strategy and the perspective of someone who has experienced the mental and physical challenges of pitching in the major leagues.

Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment!

First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026

Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social

e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels

Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Contributor: Trevor May
Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis
Editor: McEnroe Francis

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.