June 2, 2026 • 29 mins
Mark continues to react to the Steelers signing of Nick Herbig to a massive contract. Dave Smith joins to talk Bucco Baseball.
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Speaker 1 (00:11):
I should.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
I should put the Herbic contract on the list. I
want your reaction letter, recap it real quick. Here a
four year extension worth one hundred million twenty five million
per year on average annual value UH forty two million.
Of it's guaranteed. He's a backup. He's never proven himself
(00:33):
as a starter. Art is a fool. Omart is a fool.
It's like they're the idiot twins. How could you be
that dumb? What was he gonna do if you didn't
pay him? Hold in a backup? They should have told
him to f off, not rewarded him. But it is
a extremely soft organization. Adam Schefter tweeted that it's the
(00:58):
first time any NFL player who's never been a starter
has gotten one hundred million dollar contract. It just boggles
my mind. I want your reaction eight three to three
or one two WXDX. Let me go back to the
original programming already in progress. Say what you will about
(01:19):
Russell Wilson and how Russell Wilson failed the Steelers and
failed Dender and failed the New York Giants and could
have done Vetter in Seattle. But Wilson is reportedly gonna
finally quit football to do TV for CBS. Too many
guys in sports stick around way too long and need
to go away. Give Russ credit. At least he finally is, however,
(01:44):
many years too late.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Obj.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
On the other hand, back with the Giants, Juju, he
signed with the Giants. They should both go away. Aaron
Rodgers should go away. We're gonna wish Cam Hayward would
have Lebron James go away. Of Ginny Malkin, well you
like him, I do too, kind of Andrew McCutcheon did
(02:08):
go away, don't bring him back. So if you should
go away and won't, and let's throw the Herbi contract
in there too, guess.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
What you just made the list?
Speaker 2 (02:34):
The list brought to us by the Steelers Pro Shop,
gonna direct from the team at shop dot Steelers dot com.
I'm dumbfounded. Somebody taught me off the ledge. They gave
a back up one hundred million dollars. Now, if you
are going to trade WAP, but what could you get
(02:55):
for him? Who would want that ticket on a declining player?
The Steelers, Like I said, from now on, Art and
Omar are the idiot twins. This is just unbelievable. A backup.
One hundred million dollars, first time it's ever happened, and
they gave the kicker what is it eight million a year?
(03:15):
The idiot Twins. We had the toxic twins with Bell
and a B. Now we got the idiot twins with
Art and Omar oh Man. This team's going nowhere. I
feel bad for McCarthy. I think McCarthy can be the
guy who straightens it off. But you need better management
than this. And it's not my money, so who cares?
(03:39):
One thing I'll say about McCarthy, Well, I've said a
lot of good about him because I believe in the guy.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
He's an offensive mind and.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Nobody's ever wanted to coach the Steelers worse than he does.
But with McCarthy, there're gonna be games where the Steelers
win because he's the coach, and the coaches the other team.
When's the last time that happened with Tomlin?
Speaker 1 (04:03):
If it ever did.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
I used to really bust a gut and denied, deny,
deny when Tomlin won, and they said he won with
Cower's team, And as the years went by, it became
evident he won with Coler's team and Cower's leaders and
Coller's culture, and he never replaced any of the above,
(04:30):
and then you know ate out for years based on
what he did with Cower's team. McCarthy is the solution.
Drew Aller will be the solution. But stuff like this
is just don't figure. Haven't given Watch that money in
(04:54):
his decline? Just don't figure now if they had gotten
rid of Watch, traded when they should, and then given
her this money because he's been a starter, that I
could figure this.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
I can't figure. I want your.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Reaction to her big contract eight three three four one
two WSDX. I just think it's doesn't make sense. I
think the guy's a pretty good player, just pretty good.
He's a backup. That's what he is. That's what the
stats say the game started. Figure in that column on
(05:29):
Pro Football Reference, he's a backup.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
So I just do not get this.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Miles Garrett got traded from Cleveland to La a move
that makes total sense for the Browns, and now the
Steelers giving a backup one hundred million dollars. Are the
Browns a better organization than the Steelers? That would be
quite the switcheroo. Let's go to Jude Hey Drone with double.
Speaker 3 (06:00):
M super genius just responding to the her Big deal.
When was the last time a Steelers player didn't get
what they wanted? I'm just I'm just pretty dumbfounded at this.
And I mean, what's what's Paz Junior gonna get? Granted,
I think he's more deserving than than Herbig, but I
mean it's just just crapy.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
You know what.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
You'll hear that again. You're right, Brov, And I'm sure
it's happened. I just can't think of the last time.
When is the last time a Steelers player didn't get
what he wanted? And you know, her Big is the
beneficiary of them being a soft touch, and I think
he figured it out earlier today he said he wanted
to be a Steeler for life. That was all Art
Corleone the second needed to.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
Hear, right right, Yeah, And to your point about the Browns,
I mean they actually they're accumulating some young talent on
both sides of the ball, especially with this, with this
Garrett trade. I mean, things are are trending pretty well
from them. I just and I don't get I don't
get rewarding these players who haven't won any thing, just
just frustrating as a fan.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
Well, not not even just rewarding the players.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
But look at it from this perspective, Jude, they are
bending over backwards and spending a hell of a lot
of money to keep together the components of a team
that hasn't won a playoff game in nine years.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Let's go to Jeff. Jeff, you're on with Mark.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
Doublem. Big fan, big fan. I just wanted to comment
on that her big contract and say that it's kind
of like George Costanza and his secretary and when he
gave the secretary a raise if she made more than him.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
It just is a right. Well, I can't wait.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
I hope somebody who covers the Steelers can find high
Smith today and ask him what he thinks. Never mind
that I should go on Twitter and try to find
high Smith's dad see what he thinks. Actually, I'm pretty
sure I know what he thinks. Okay, get your calls in.
I want your reaction to her big thing. It's just
it's mind boggling. It's mineogling. They gave a backup one
(08:03):
hundred million dollars. It's mind boggling. One O five to
ninety x.
Speaker 5 (08:09):
This damn.
Speaker 6 (08:11):
Well.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
I love sadly wiggam as much as soccer I.
Speaker 6 (08:13):
Think especially I've almost ever heard the exit one.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
If you're just tuning in.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Nick Kurbig has signed a four year extension with the
Steelers worth one hundred million dollars, with forty two million
of that guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
Adam Schefter reports.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
He is the first NFL player in history to get
a one hundred million dollar contract without being a starting player.
It's Mondo nut. So it makes me realize how badly
underpaid I am this guy. Frank tweeted this is the Steelers'
(08:52):
loyalty over leverage problem in one contract. They already set
the precedent with TJ, especially last year. Pay the guy
because he's a Steeler and not because the market dictates it.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
That last part is right on the money. Rob King said.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
That that Nick Nick Herbig would have got more in
free agency had he played this year at.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
I'd like to have seen if that's true.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Eight three three four one two wxdx the number to call,
And I just tweeted out, when is the last time
a Steelers player didn't get what he wanted? Deontay Johnson,
maybe you tell me a three to three four one
two WXDX. I am just you know I'm not a
(09:47):
Steeler fan per se. I think you've all figured that
out by now. But this is just dumb fun I
can't believe it. A backup to get one hundred million
dollars and they gave a kicker eight million. The idiot twins,
they're running a mock. What's going out of the Egyptian Magician? Bob,
you're on with double m I'm just I'm shocked.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
How about you? I feel shocked?
Speaker 5 (10:11):
Well, I really think that they are going to trade what?
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Okay, Bob, but this kind of points to that. I
don't dismiss it out of hand, but who would trade
for what? Who would take a forty million dollar contract
on a declining player at thirty two thirty to an
age when edge rushers just generally hit the wall and
he already.
Speaker 5 (10:35):
Has You never know, I you know it can happen.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
It was.
Speaker 5 (10:41):
I think they might be. That's the That's one reason
that I mean, otherwise it doesn't make sense. Herbert is
a he's off fortunistic guy. He's a very smart player,
he's faster.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
He's a backup. I don't he's a backup.
Speaker 5 (10:58):
I know he doesn't have the ball he to be
able to, you know, be started for the whole season.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
I always think he gets hurt a lot. But I'm
going to look this up now real quick. His games
played stats aren't bad. He's not missed that much action.
Speaker 5 (11:18):
Okay, that was last season. I assume, well one of
he's not a starter, but he did have his his
portion of being injured before seasons before. However, like I said,
I like him. I think he's.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
A in a vacuum Bob. I I don't dislike him.
I think he's a solid player. I think he starter caliber.
But the point is he has not done that, and
they gave him one hundred million dollars. Yeah, actually he's
he missed two games last year. For the year before that,
(11:54):
played every game as a rookie. But but that's in
limited snaps as a backup.
Speaker 5 (12:00):
Yeah, that's true. Can I say something what NBA?
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Real quick, Bob, because nobody cares. But go ahead, Well, I.
Speaker 5 (12:09):
Know, well everybody thinks that Nick's gonna win it, But
I tell you, I put my money on the first.
I really like the way they this team, if they
played the way they played in the seventh tenth, did.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
Run the table.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
I don't know about that, Bob, And don't forget the
Spurs have played more games, the Knicks have been resting,
and when by Ama looks like his tank is empty,
I think the seventh game against Oak City, and they
did play great, but I think that was more likely
a last gasp and not gonna make the final. You know,
a continuation of that thank you for the call. Yeah,
(12:48):
if they gave her big this, what are they gonna
give Joey Porter Junior? You know what? The answer is,
whatever he wants because they never say no. I give
Herbie credit his agent, whoever did a negotiating you have
some balls. If you're a backup and you go in
and ask for that kind of money, you got the
(13:10):
balls and they ain't got the brands to say no.
And it is that one helmet thing. It is that
one big happy family thing. It is that loyalty thing.
And if all that was being repaid with playoff wins,
that would be one thing.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
But it's not.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
Tom and I talked about this earlier. Cam Hayward, that
one helmet stuff, it means nothing. He's only won one
playoff game. The TJ want one helmet thing. It means
even less. He's never won any playoff games. All these
guys one helmet f them.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
They don't win. That's what the low gooes about.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
That's what the helmet's about winning, and they don't do
it and get rewarded. Nonetheless, it is absolutely mind boggling
to me. But you know what, it doesn't bother you.
And it's why I hate all of you so much,
because all you want is your favorite for player to
be a Steeler. You believe in the one helmet thing
we used to believe in winning.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
You suck.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
They suck baseball. With Dave Smith up next, one oh
five nine.
Speaker 1 (14:11):
This is Doug Gottlid. Here's what's trending from the Iheartsports.
Speaker 7 (14:13):
Network presented by Iheartadvertising dot Com.
Speaker 8 (14:16):
The final phase of the Steelers offseason programs underway now.
The team returned to the practice field today for the
opening of mandatory mini gams. I'll pour stray win that's
in reach for the Pirates. Tonight in Houston, Baba Chandler
takes them ball for Pittsburgh, who's coming off a sweep
of Minnesota, and NBA superstar Steph Curry has a new
endorsement deal with Chinese shoemaker lineing that expanses Curry brand
(14:37):
venture globally.
Speaker 7 (14:39):
I'm Scott David said, run a business and not thinking
about radio. Think again, because people are listening to radio
more today than they did twenty years ago. And only
iHeartRadio connects with organized chaos.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
I just diddled my lips on live radio for thirty
seconds and.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
You all listen X at one oh five nine.
Speaker 2 (14:59):
This herbig deal for your extensive one hundred million. Like
more crazy stuff keeps like piling up. If you really
think about it, how much money are you going to
spend on one position edge rusher? How much money are
you gonna spend on that defense which is already in
the NFL's highest paid and doesn't.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Seem to get very much done, certainly not enough.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
But joining us now to Tuck Bucco Baseball, He's our
baseball guy, Dave Smith, Smitty. Have the Pirates finally found
a catcher in Andy Rodriguez?
Speaker 6 (15:32):
Well, I hope so. I mean it seems like he
can hit.
Speaker 9 (15:35):
He's young, and he's only as long as he stays healthy,
he's gonna he can really deliver for you.
Speaker 6 (15:40):
I mean, you know they can.
Speaker 9 (15:41):
They can carry somebody like Henry Davis. If he's only
going to hit one fifty. He's gonna be Skeins this
personal catcher. But you've got to have somebody else filling
in because you don't want Davis to be a full
time catcher given the way he's hitting the ball right
now at one thirty nine, and because they can give
you at that behind the plate, you know, catching, of
all positions and baseball catcher is the one universally, this
(16:02):
is the.
Speaker 6 (16:03):
One with the lowest batting average.
Speaker 9 (16:04):
And you know, like the New York Yankees, even as
good as they've been this year, their catchers are only
hitting one eighty three.
Speaker 6 (16:10):
Combined Wells and Escata.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
But having Endy back.
Speaker 9 (16:15):
There, as long as he stays healthy, you know, he
can put the bat on the ball, and that's been
the difference for this team with Gonzales and Horwitz and Triolo.
I mean, they need him in there. I'm glad to
seem stay healthy.
Speaker 3 (16:28):
Well.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
Gonzales and Horwitz are hitting the ball okay.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
But the impressive word about Endy to me is, you know,
he's hitting two seventy, but he's walked a ton of times.
His OBP is up here near five hundred, and I
know that some teams don't need the catcher to hit
like the Yankees. Dope, But the Pirates aren't the Yankees.
They don't have a rest of the lineup like the Yankees.
I leave Indy catch until he proves he can't do it,
(16:52):
and I don't let schemes have any part of the decision.
I don't care if he wants Henry Davis to be
his caddy or not. The Pirates aren't good enough to
let any player dictate against the grain of what helps most.
Speaker 10 (17:04):
I think in that situation, I see your point, but.
Speaker 9 (17:07):
I think they can get away with having Davis be
his personal catcher because the hits are coming from all
over the lineup right now. I mean, their offense is
just one of the best in baseball. They're batting out.
The team average is number four in baseball, and it's like,
it's amazing what they're getting out of that.
Speaker 10 (17:26):
So right now, as.
Speaker 9 (17:28):
Long as they're getting getting offensive punch from other spots
in the lineup, you can get away with that with Davis.
So right now, I'm still kind of positive about that.
He can hit a home run here and there, but
my god, you got to hit more than one forty
three Henry, because you know when you look around, I mean,
you know, you look right up here in the road
in Cleveland, and Austin Hedges is hitting two forty four.
Speaker 6 (17:49):
I mean, whoever expect that? I mean, you never know.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
Well, you mentioned that the Pirates have great offensive stats.
Let me give you an update on that, Smithy. If
I could, they right number five in batting average number
two and hits number five and runs eleventh and home
runs which is certainly respectable and much better than recent
years in fifth and ops. How on earth is their
record not better? And will that necessarily even out?
Speaker 9 (18:14):
You know what, it can even out? Why is their
record not better? Well, you know what, there's a little
bit of a little bit of liability in the middle
of all that. They're number twenty three in doubles, okay,
And you know sometimes that makes a big difference. And
it makes a big difference because if you look around
the rest of their stats, their fifth and run scored mark.
(18:35):
But on top of being fifth and run scorer, they
are the second worst in baseball and leaving men on base.
Speaker 6 (18:40):
And I really think that, So imagine that. I imagine
if they.
Speaker 9 (18:43):
Had a few more doubles, if Reynolds get.
Speaker 10 (18:45):
Hit a few more doubles are they can get something
like that.
Speaker 9 (18:47):
With little more extra base hits, they'd be scoring runs
even more. But like as far as the wins and
losses go, sometimes you know that's the way you roll
the dice. You get the things with a bullpen can
blow a lead late in the game. And right now
you're still at your beginning of June. You're at the springboard.
Here's the springboard right now.
Speaker 6 (19:03):
You want to take off.
Speaker 10 (19:03):
You want to see what they do from now until
they all start break.
Speaker 6 (19:06):
And that's going to.
Speaker 9 (19:07):
Make a big difference, because this team can win this
division and this team should make the playoffs basically bother
where they're playing right now, and all the pieces are there.
I can't stress that enough. All the pieces that are.
Speaker 6 (19:20):
There, don Kelly Mark.
Speaker 9 (19:24):
Other than the bullpen, the little liabilities in the bullpen,
by really, all the pieces are there for this.
Speaker 6 (19:28):
Team to win this division. They really really are, or at.
Speaker 10 (19:31):
Least to make the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Well, I agree with the playoff thing. I think they
can make the playoffs. They probably ought to. It's such
a crowded house in that race right now. But let
me jump ahead to the idea of finishing ahead in Milwaukee?
Can they do that if Misserowski's out pitching skis isn't
that kind of a microcosm?
Speaker 6 (19:51):
Well?
Speaker 5 (19:51):
Are?
Speaker 9 (19:52):
There are other things right there with that? You know,
look at Kyle Harris, I mean Kyle Harrison with them,
he's six and one behind.
Speaker 6 (19:58):
Miserowski and he's got a one.
Speaker 9 (20:00):
I went five seventy ra Look at the bullpen. Aaron
Ashby is nine and oh. I mean, that's really amazing
to see that in June.
Speaker 6 (20:06):
What is he going for?
Speaker 9 (20:07):
Elroy faces eighteen and one record. I mean, I got
a relief pitcher nine and oh in the first week
of June.
Speaker 6 (20:13):
I've never even heard of that.
Speaker 9 (20:15):
Maybe Phil Reagan did at one time fifteen and one
or something like that. But when you tie miss Erowski
not only that, to Kyle Harrison and Aaron Ashby.
Speaker 10 (20:23):
I mean, my goodness, it's like it's.
Speaker 9 (20:26):
That Pat Murphy's a genius. And that's another thing that
got going on in Milwaukee.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
Great.
Speaker 9 (20:32):
Yeah, the NCAA's best college manager ever and he's just
a fabulous and fabulous head of the head of the
thing up there. And that's another thing they got going
for them up there.
Speaker 10 (20:43):
But like, really, that's if Misrawski's just been.
Speaker 6 (20:46):
Out of this world.
Speaker 9 (20:47):
When you look around the National League, you can't believe
what Schemes is up against as far as like Cy
Young Award, I mean, Sale Burns done in Cincinnati, Otani,
Christopher Sanchez and Philadel if it comes out of nowhere, Uh,
it's it's just amazing. With Bizarowski and Kyle Harrison, plus
that Bullpend Schemes us to really really get get stronger,
(21:10):
and Breston Ashcraft has to continue his amazing season that
he's going through right now too.
Speaker 2 (21:15):
We're talking to our baseball guy Dave Smith here on
the X. If you're just tuning in, Nick Herbig signed
a four year extension for one hundred mil. That's insane.
We'll get to that a little bit later on with
some other Steeler talk. Ozoon is not in the lineup
again tonight at Houston. It looks like he's being phased out.
How do you think the lineup will settle in and
if that does turn out to be the case, Smitty,
(21:37):
I think to be well served to make d H
kind of a rotating thing to give guys a rest.
Speaker 9 (21:42):
Yeah, that's definitely a way to go you really, you
really could do something like that.
Speaker 10 (21:46):
You can, like you can.
Speaker 9 (21:47):
Spend Horowitz around from DH first base, second base, You
can put Triolo in their slot, other guys in there
and Brian Rails especially. You can really make a lot
of moves. Donny Kelly's got a lot of moves, chess
moves he can make with this. Ozuna has been a
major disappointment when you're thirty five years old, power hitter
like that. He's going to start to fade. He's gonna
(22:08):
He's where Chris Davis was and all those people. They're
just gonna once they fade, They're really going to fade.
So I wonder why are they going to Are they
going to DFAM like they should? Uh, they really should
because they have the people to come in. They can
bring as Merlin Valdez back up and have.
Speaker 6 (22:24):
Him cycle into that DH thing. I mean, I don't know,
you can.
Speaker 9 (22:28):
Bring Linne White Junior up from Altona and having Cyclinda
with a little bit. But like, really they really need
to move on from that, and they have the pieces
in the lineup that they can really take advantage of
not having the liability of Azuna in there.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
What do you make of the whole Leginski thing, Dave
and who's going to wind up in what role. I
think it's a battle for who does what between Leaginski,
Bubba and Jones. But they they they have more invested,
it seems in Jones and Bubba.
Speaker 9 (23:00):
Yeah, it's a strange situation Mark because to me, if
you're going to do something like that, take a quality
starter out of the rotation and stuff them in the
bullpen like that, asking for him to deliver you long.
Speaker 10 (23:12):
Relief innings, That's that's something a.
Speaker 9 (23:13):
Team would do in September when they're sprinting for a
division title, or in the postseason when they're moving into
another series with a high quality a really high quality team.
I don't blame Magensky for getting a little upset over it,
because he's really put out this season as a starter.
But the problem with Chandler, of course, you'd say, like, well,
(23:34):
keep Maginsky in the rotation and move Chandler of the bullpen.
But those walks are going to kill you. And then
that's exactly the thing you.
Speaker 6 (23:40):
Don't want to have coming out of the bullpen is.
Speaker 9 (23:43):
Somebody who's going to be walking guys as soon as
he comes in here and and Chandler just has to like,
he's got to get it out of his head because
he's pitching too much.
Speaker 6 (23:51):
With his head.
Speaker 9 (23:52):
He's overthinking it and that's why he's like, that's why
he's not fine on the strike center as often. He
hasn't had this bad of a walk per nine inning
ratio since he was nineteen years old in his first
year in pro ball. So I think he can settle down.
But to me, i'd put Chandler in the bullpen and
let him settle it down.
Speaker 6 (24:10):
And Keith Maginsky is a starter. Yeah, we will see
how this works.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
Yeah, here's the problem, Smitty.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
You can't bring Chandler in in a tight game and
have him walk guys right away. I hate to say
you can hide that as a starter because it certainly
doesn't help, but I think that's true.
Speaker 9 (24:27):
But you can't hide it as a long relief for
a little bit. You're not going to bring them in
an eight in high leverage situations until he can settle it,
until he can start finding the strike zone again.
Speaker 10 (24:35):
But then you know it's six and one half dozen.
Speaker 6 (24:38):
Of another they're going to go.
Speaker 9 (24:39):
They think Chandler has a higher ceiling, and that's why
they want him to continue developing as a starter. And
I can agree with that too. So it's good to
see Maginsky back in the team and willing to go
out there and take one for the team and go
out there. Hey, you know what I'd love someone to say, Hey,
all you have to do is be a relief pitcher.
Speaker 6 (24:56):
Go ahead, give me.
Speaker 9 (24:57):
Two innings and we'll pay a lot of money instead
of geting to be and pay me a lot of money.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
Well, and I think what Lejinski I mean, it's an
ego thing obviously, because his job as dulk relever is
the same as it is as a starter.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
He's going to pitch four or five innings.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
When he pitches, it'll just be entering the game instead
of starting the game.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
That's the only difference in his.
Speaker 9 (25:17):
Job and that role the role that they need someone
in that role, that long reliefroal who can really be
effective in it. And this as this race in this
division gets more and more and more tight and competitive
down the line, they're going to need someone.
Speaker 6 (25:32):
To take those innings like that.
Speaker 9 (25:33):
And they and hopefully they told them, we can count
on you to do that.
Speaker 6 (25:37):
That's why we want you to do it.
Speaker 1 (25:40):
Smitty. Do they have legit momentum right now?
Speaker 2 (25:42):
It seemed like something clicked when Reynolds hit that walk
off Friday to snatched victory from the Jaws to defeat.
They've won two straight since, and then again, we've kind
of felt that click before and it is quickly dissipated.
Speaker 9 (25:54):
It was really something to see them turn it around
after those lumpy Phillies came in here and handed them
a ahead of them that bad that bad series with
their old guys, with Harburn and Schwarburn all that, but
given it, given it to the Twins like that was
really really an uplifting thing.
Speaker 10 (26:10):
And it's coming from all directions.
Speaker 9 (26:11):
Mark, you know, like like Manga Mangum's doing really well
and uh, Horowitz.
Speaker 10 (26:16):
I can't Spencer Horwitz is hitting three.
Speaker 9 (26:19):
Thirteen from the lead off position. He's he's increased his
ability to hit against lefties. You know, from the day
they acquired Horowitz, I told you this is a great
player for them to get.
Speaker 10 (26:29):
And he's really coming into his own right now. It's
fantastic to see.
Speaker 9 (26:32):
But I really think they can get on a role
because with Horwitz doing hitting the the way he is,
Gonzales hitting the way he is. Even Reynolds shows up.
Reynolds is coming on and Cruise. All the all the
complaining we've done about oneo prus in the past, I'm telling.
Speaker 6 (26:47):
You what the speed, the power.
Speaker 9 (26:50):
Uh, he's really showing some this some improvement this year
which he didn't before. You know, I'm gonna sit there
and I'll admit that like he's on. He's on pace
to break the all Tanks strikeout record one season set
by Mark Reynolds and the Diamondbacks. But Cruz now he's
delivering the power and he's not making his money one
ketted moves in the outfield. I'm enjoyed watching the guy now,
(27:10):
and I think both of us like that two years
ago would not have said.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
That Smitty has always great stuff. We'll do it again
next week.
Speaker 6 (27:17):
Take care of my friend, Thanks for having me. Bye bye.
Speaker 2 (27:19):
That's our baseball guy, Dave Smith. Before we go to break,
I got to recap this herbig thing. One hundred million
dollar extension over four years, forty two million of it guaranteed.
According to Schefter, he's the first ever player to get
one hundred million dollar contract without having been a starter
to that point in his career. They're spending more money
(27:42):
on a defense that is under chief for X amount
of years despite its price tag. And check this out.
Here's the Edge guys average annual value of the contracts.
What forty one million, Herbig twenty five million, high Smith
(28:03):
seventeen million. That's all Edge Rusher and one of them
won't start. That's crazy. And does this mean they're gonna
trade what or Highsmith? Well, who would trade for what
on that ticket? Forty one million average annual value when
he had seven sacks last year and stopped taking over games.
Speaker 1 (28:26):
And somebody said, and I agree with this.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
The real mistake, the biggest mistake is probably a better
way to phrase it.
Speaker 1 (28:33):
The biggest mistake is not the Herbig contract.
Speaker 2 (28:36):
The biggest mistake was absolutely one hundred and fifty fing percent.
The biggest mistake was the Watch contract. To give that
guy a vanity paycheck of a million dollars more than
Garrett when he was clearly in decline just incredibly stupid
on the part of the Steelers. And that doesn't make
(28:58):
giving her Bigness deal smart, It just makes it a
little less stupid than the Wat deal.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
Just unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
It's a soft organization that prizes loyalty over winning the
prizes one helmet, over serving the logo on that helmet
as much as should be.
Speaker 1 (29:21):
Here's an artist
I should.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
I should put the Herbic contract on the list. I
want your reaction letter, recap it real quick. Here a
four year extension worth one hundred million twenty five million
per year on average annual value UH forty two million.
Of it's guaranteed. He's a backup. He's never proven himself
(00:33):
as a starter. Art is a fool. Omart is a fool.
It's like they're the idiot twins. How could you be
that dumb? What was he gonna do if you didn't
pay him? Hold in a backup? They should have told
him to f off, not rewarded him. But it is
a extremely soft organization. Adam Schefter tweeted that it's the
(00:58):
first time any NFL player who's never been a starter
has gotten one hundred million dollar contract. It just boggles
my mind. I want your reaction eight three to three
or one two WXDX. Let me go back to the
original programming already in progress. Say what you will about
(01:19):
Russell Wilson and how Russell Wilson failed the Steelers and
failed Dender and failed the New York Giants and could
have done Vetter in Seattle. But Wilson is reportedly gonna
finally quit football to do TV for CBS. Too many
guys in sports stick around way too long and need
to go away. Give Russ credit. At least he finally is, however,
(01:44):
many years too late.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Obj.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
On the other hand, back with the Giants, Juju, he
signed with the Giants. They should both go away. Aaron
Rodgers should go away. We're gonna wish Cam Hayward would
have Lebron James go away. Of Ginny Malkin, well you
like him, I do too, kind of Andrew McCutcheon did
(02:08):
go away, don't bring him back. So if you should
go away and won't, and let's throw the Herbi contract
in there too, guess.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
What you just made the list?
Speaker 2 (02:34):
The list brought to us by the Steelers Pro Shop,
gonna direct from the team at shop dot Steelers dot com.
I'm dumbfounded. Somebody taught me off the ledge. They gave
a back up one hundred million dollars. Now, if you
are going to trade WAP, but what could you get
(02:55):
for him? Who would want that ticket on a declining player?
The Steelers, Like I said, from now on, Art and
Omar are the idiot twins. This is just unbelievable. A backup.
One hundred million dollars, first time it's ever happened, and
they gave the kicker what is it eight million a year?
(03:15):
The idiot Twins. We had the toxic twins with Bell
and a B. Now we got the idiot twins with
Art and Omar oh Man. This team's going nowhere. I
feel bad for McCarthy. I think McCarthy can be the
guy who straightens it off. But you need better management
than this. And it's not my money, so who cares?
(03:39):
One thing I'll say about McCarthy, Well, I've said a
lot of good about him because I believe in the guy.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
He's an offensive mind and.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Nobody's ever wanted to coach the Steelers worse than he does.
But with McCarthy, there're gonna be games where the Steelers
win because he's the coach, and the coaches the other team.
When's the last time that happened with Tomlin?
Speaker 1 (04:03):
If it ever did.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
I used to really bust a gut and denied, deny,
deny when Tomlin won, and they said he won with
Cower's team, And as the years went by, it became
evident he won with Coler's team and Cower's leaders and
Coller's culture, and he never replaced any of the above,
(04:30):
and then you know ate out for years based on
what he did with Cower's team. McCarthy is the solution.
Drew Aller will be the solution. But stuff like this
is just don't figure. Haven't given Watch that money in
(04:54):
his decline? Just don't figure now if they had gotten
rid of Watch, traded when they should, and then given
her this money because he's been a starter, that I
could figure this.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
I can't figure. I want your.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Reaction to her big contract eight three three four one
two WSDX. I just think it's doesn't make sense. I
think the guy's a pretty good player, just pretty good.
He's a backup. That's what he is. That's what the
stats say the game started. Figure in that column on
(05:29):
Pro Football Reference, he's a backup.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
So I just do not get this.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Miles Garrett got traded from Cleveland to La a move
that makes total sense for the Browns, and now the
Steelers giving a backup one hundred million dollars. Are the
Browns a better organization than the Steelers? That would be
quite the switcheroo. Let's go to Jude Hey Drone with double.
Speaker 3 (06:00):
M super genius just responding to the her Big deal.
When was the last time a Steelers player didn't get
what they wanted? I'm just I'm just pretty dumbfounded at this.
And I mean, what's what's Paz Junior gonna get? Granted,
I think he's more deserving than than Herbig, but I
mean it's just just crapy.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
You know what.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
You'll hear that again. You're right, Brov, And I'm sure
it's happened. I just can't think of the last time.
When is the last time a Steelers player didn't get
what he wanted? And you know, her Big is the
beneficiary of them being a soft touch, and I think
he figured it out earlier today he said he wanted
to be a Steeler for life. That was all Art
Corleone the second needed to.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
Hear, right right, Yeah, And to your point about the Browns,
I mean they actually they're accumulating some young talent on
both sides of the ball, especially with this, with this
Garrett trade. I mean, things are are trending pretty well
from them. I just and I don't get I don't
get rewarding these players who haven't won any thing, just
just frustrating as a fan.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
Well, not not even just rewarding the players.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
But look at it from this perspective, Jude, they are
bending over backwards and spending a hell of a lot
of money to keep together the components of a team
that hasn't won a playoff game in nine years.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Let's go to Jeff. Jeff, you're on with Mark.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
Doublem. Big fan, big fan. I just wanted to comment
on that her big contract and say that it's kind
of like George Costanza and his secretary and when he
gave the secretary a raise if she made more than him.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
It just is a right. Well, I can't wait.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
I hope somebody who covers the Steelers can find high
Smith today and ask him what he thinks. Never mind
that I should go on Twitter and try to find
high Smith's dad see what he thinks. Actually, I'm pretty
sure I know what he thinks. Okay, get your calls in.
I want your reaction to her big thing. It's just
it's mind boggling. It's mineogling. They gave a backup one
(08:03):
hundred million dollars. It's mind boggling. One O five to
ninety x.
Speaker 5 (08:09):
This damn.
Speaker 6 (08:11):
Well.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
I love sadly wiggam as much as soccer I.
Speaker 6 (08:13):
Think especially I've almost ever heard the exit one.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
If you're just tuning in.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Nick Kurbig has signed a four year extension with the
Steelers worth one hundred million dollars, with forty two million
of that guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
Adam Schefter reports.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
He is the first NFL player in history to get
a one hundred million dollar contract without being a starting player.
It's Mondo nut. So it makes me realize how badly
underpaid I am this guy. Frank tweeted this is the Steelers'
(08:52):
loyalty over leverage problem in one contract. They already set
the precedent with TJ, especially last year. Pay the guy
because he's a Steeler and not because the market dictates it.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
That last part is right on the money. Rob King said.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
That that Nick Nick Herbig would have got more in
free agency had he played this year at.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
I'd like to have seen if that's true.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Eight three three four one two wxdx the number to call,
And I just tweeted out, when is the last time
a Steelers player didn't get what he wanted? Deontay Johnson,
maybe you tell me a three to three four one
two WXDX. I am just you know I'm not a
(09:47):
Steeler fan per se. I think you've all figured that
out by now. But this is just dumb fun I
can't believe it. A backup to get one hundred million
dollars and they gave a kicker eight million. The idiot twins,
they're running a mock. What's going out of the Egyptian Magician? Bob,
you're on with double m I'm just I'm shocked.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
How about you? I feel shocked?
Speaker 5 (10:11):
Well, I really think that they are going to trade what?
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Okay, Bob, but this kind of points to that. I
don't dismiss it out of hand, but who would trade
for what? Who would take a forty million dollar contract
on a declining player at thirty two thirty to an
age when edge rushers just generally hit the wall and
he already.
Speaker 5 (10:35):
Has You never know, I you know it can happen.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
It was.
Speaker 5 (10:41):
I think they might be. That's the That's one reason
that I mean, otherwise it doesn't make sense. Herbert is
a he's off fortunistic guy. He's a very smart player,
he's faster.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
He's a backup. I don't he's a backup.
Speaker 5 (10:58):
I know he doesn't have the ball he to be
able to, you know, be started for the whole season.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
I always think he gets hurt a lot. But I'm
going to look this up now real quick. His games
played stats aren't bad. He's not missed that much action.
Speaker 5 (11:18):
Okay, that was last season. I assume, well one of
he's not a starter, but he did have his his
portion of being injured before seasons before. However, like I said,
I like him. I think he's.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
A in a vacuum Bob. I I don't dislike him.
I think he's a solid player. I think he starter caliber.
But the point is he has not done that, and
they gave him one hundred million dollars. Yeah, actually he's
he missed two games last year. For the year before that,
(11:54):
played every game as a rookie. But but that's in
limited snaps as a backup.
Speaker 5 (12:00):
Yeah, that's true. Can I say something what NBA?
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Real quick, Bob, because nobody cares. But go ahead, Well, I.
Speaker 5 (12:09):
Know, well everybody thinks that Nick's gonna win it, But
I tell you, I put my money on the first.
I really like the way they this team, if they
played the way they played in the seventh tenth, did.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
Run the table.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
I don't know about that, Bob, And don't forget the
Spurs have played more games, the Knicks have been resting,
and when by Ama looks like his tank is empty,
I think the seventh game against Oak City, and they
did play great, but I think that was more likely
a last gasp and not gonna make the final. You know,
a continuation of that thank you for the call. Yeah,
(12:48):
if they gave her big this, what are they gonna
give Joey Porter Junior? You know what? The answer is,
whatever he wants because they never say no. I give
Herbie credit his agent, whoever did a negotiating you have
some balls. If you're a backup and you go in
and ask for that kind of money, you got the
(13:10):
balls and they ain't got the brands to say no.
And it is that one helmet thing. It is that
one big happy family thing. It is that loyalty thing.
And if all that was being repaid with playoff wins,
that would be one thing.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
But it's not.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
Tom and I talked about this earlier. Cam Hayward, that
one helmet stuff, it means nothing. He's only won one
playoff game. The TJ want one helmet thing. It means
even less. He's never won any playoff games. All these
guys one helmet f them.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
They don't win. That's what the low gooes about.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
That's what the helmet's about winning, and they don't do
it and get rewarded. Nonetheless, it is absolutely mind boggling
to me. But you know what, it doesn't bother you.
And it's why I hate all of you so much,
because all you want is your favorite for player to
be a Steeler. You believe in the one helmet thing
we used to believe in winning.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
You suck.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
They suck baseball. With Dave Smith up next, one oh
five nine.
Speaker 1 (14:11):
This is Doug Gottlid. Here's what's trending from the Iheartsports.
Speaker 7 (14:13):
Network presented by Iheartadvertising dot Com.
Speaker 8 (14:16):
The final phase of the Steelers offseason programs underway now.
The team returned to the practice field today for the
opening of mandatory mini gams. I'll pour stray win that's
in reach for the Pirates. Tonight in Houston, Baba Chandler
takes them ball for Pittsburgh, who's coming off a sweep
of Minnesota, and NBA superstar Steph Curry has a new
endorsement deal with Chinese shoemaker lineing that expanses Curry brand
(14:37):
venture globally.
Speaker 7 (14:39):
I'm Scott David said, run a business and not thinking
about radio. Think again, because people are listening to radio
more today than they did twenty years ago. And only
iHeartRadio connects with organized chaos.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
I just diddled my lips on live radio for thirty
seconds and.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
You all listen X at one oh five nine.
Speaker 2 (14:59):
This herbig deal for your extensive one hundred million. Like
more crazy stuff keeps like piling up. If you really
think about it, how much money are you going to
spend on one position edge rusher? How much money are
you gonna spend on that defense which is already in
the NFL's highest paid and doesn't.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Seem to get very much done, certainly not enough.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
But joining us now to Tuck Bucco Baseball, He's our
baseball guy, Dave Smith, Smitty. Have the Pirates finally found
a catcher in Andy Rodriguez?
Speaker 6 (15:32):
Well, I hope so. I mean it seems like he
can hit.
Speaker 9 (15:35):
He's young, and he's only as long as he stays healthy,
he's gonna he can really deliver for you.
Speaker 6 (15:40):
I mean, you know they can.
Speaker 9 (15:41):
They can carry somebody like Henry Davis. If he's only
going to hit one fifty. He's gonna be Skeins this
personal catcher. But you've got to have somebody else filling
in because you don't want Davis to be a full
time catcher given the way he's hitting the ball right
now at one thirty nine, and because they can give
you at that behind the plate, you know, catching, of
all positions and baseball catcher is the one universally, this
(16:02):
is the.
Speaker 6 (16:03):
One with the lowest batting average.
Speaker 9 (16:04):
And you know, like the New York Yankees, even as
good as they've been this year, their catchers are only
hitting one eighty three.
Speaker 6 (16:10):
Combined Wells and Escata.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
But having Endy back.
Speaker 9 (16:15):
There, as long as he stays healthy, you know, he
can put the bat on the ball, and that's been
the difference for this team with Gonzales and Horwitz and Triolo.
I mean, they need him in there. I'm glad to
seem stay healthy.
Speaker 3 (16:28):
Well.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
Gonzales and Horwitz are hitting the ball okay.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
But the impressive word about Endy to me is, you know,
he's hitting two seventy, but he's walked a ton of times.
His OBP is up here near five hundred, and I
know that some teams don't need the catcher to hit
like the Yankees. Dope, But the Pirates aren't the Yankees.
They don't have a rest of the lineup like the Yankees.
I leave Indy catch until he proves he can't do it,
(16:52):
and I don't let schemes have any part of the decision.
I don't care if he wants Henry Davis to be
his caddy or not. The Pirates aren't good enough to
let any player dictate against the grain of what helps most.
Speaker 10 (17:04):
I think in that situation, I see your point, but.
Speaker 9 (17:07):
I think they can get away with having Davis be
his personal catcher because the hits are coming from all
over the lineup right now. I mean, their offense is
just one of the best in baseball. They're batting out.
The team average is number four in baseball, and it's like,
it's amazing what they're getting out of that.
Speaker 10 (17:26):
So right now, as.
Speaker 9 (17:28):
Long as they're getting getting offensive punch from other spots
in the lineup, you can get away with that with Davis.
So right now, I'm still kind of positive about that.
He can hit a home run here and there, but
my god, you got to hit more than one forty
three Henry, because you know when you look around, I mean,
you know, you look right up here in the road
in Cleveland, and Austin Hedges is hitting two forty four.
Speaker 6 (17:49):
I mean, whoever expect that? I mean, you never know.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
Well, you mentioned that the Pirates have great offensive stats.
Let me give you an update on that, Smithy. If
I could, they right number five in batting average number
two and hits number five and runs eleventh and home
runs which is certainly respectable and much better than recent
years in fifth and ops. How on earth is their
record not better? And will that necessarily even out?
Speaker 9 (18:14):
You know what, it can even out? Why is their
record not better? Well, you know what, there's a little
bit of a little bit of liability in the middle
of all that. They're number twenty three in doubles, okay,
And you know sometimes that makes a big difference. And
it makes a big difference because if you look around
the rest of their stats, their fifth and run scored mark.
(18:35):
But on top of being fifth and run scorer, they
are the second worst in baseball and leaving men on base.
Speaker 6 (18:40):
And I really think that, So imagine that. I imagine
if they.
Speaker 9 (18:43):
Had a few more doubles, if Reynolds get.
Speaker 10 (18:45):
Hit a few more doubles are they can get something
like that.
Speaker 9 (18:47):
With little more extra base hits, they'd be scoring runs
even more. But like as far as the wins and
losses go, sometimes you know that's the way you roll
the dice. You get the things with a bullpen can
blow a lead late in the game. And right now
you're still at your beginning of June. You're at the springboard.
Here's the springboard right now.
Speaker 6 (19:03):
You want to take off.
Speaker 10 (19:03):
You want to see what they do from now until
they all start break.
Speaker 6 (19:06):
And that's going to.
Speaker 9 (19:07):
Make a big difference, because this team can win this
division and this team should make the playoffs basically bother
where they're playing right now, and all the pieces are there.
I can't stress that enough. All the pieces that are.
Speaker 6 (19:20):
There, don Kelly Mark.
Speaker 9 (19:24):
Other than the bullpen, the little liabilities in the bullpen,
by really, all the pieces are there for this.
Speaker 6 (19:28):
Team to win this division. They really really are, or at.
Speaker 10 (19:31):
Least to make the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Well, I agree with the playoff thing. I think they
can make the playoffs. They probably ought to. It's such
a crowded house in that race right now. But let
me jump ahead to the idea of finishing ahead in Milwaukee?
Can they do that if Misserowski's out pitching skis isn't
that kind of a microcosm?
Speaker 6 (19:51):
Well?
Speaker 5 (19:51):
Are?
Speaker 9 (19:52):
There are other things right there with that? You know,
look at Kyle Harris, I mean Kyle Harrison with them,
he's six and one behind.
Speaker 6 (19:58):
Miserowski and he's got a one.
Speaker 9 (20:00):
I went five seventy ra Look at the bullpen. Aaron
Ashby is nine and oh. I mean, that's really amazing
to see that in June.
Speaker 6 (20:06):
What is he going for?
Speaker 9 (20:07):
Elroy faces eighteen and one record. I mean, I got
a relief pitcher nine and oh in the first week
of June.
Speaker 6 (20:13):
I've never even heard of that.
Speaker 9 (20:15):
Maybe Phil Reagan did at one time fifteen and one
or something like that. But when you tie miss Erowski
not only that, to Kyle Harrison and Aaron Ashby.
Speaker 10 (20:23):
I mean, my goodness, it's like it's.
Speaker 9 (20:26):
That Pat Murphy's a genius. And that's another thing that
got going on in Milwaukee.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
Great.
Speaker 9 (20:32):
Yeah, the NCAA's best college manager ever and he's just
a fabulous and fabulous head of the head of the
thing up there. And that's another thing they got going
for them up there.
Speaker 10 (20:43):
But like, really, that's if Misrawski's just been.
Speaker 6 (20:46):
Out of this world.
Speaker 9 (20:47):
When you look around the National League, you can't believe
what Schemes is up against as far as like Cy
Young Award, I mean, Sale Burns done in Cincinnati, Otani,
Christopher Sanchez and Philadel if it comes out of nowhere, Uh,
it's it's just amazing. With Bizarowski and Kyle Harrison, plus
that Bullpend Schemes us to really really get get stronger,
(21:10):
and Breston Ashcraft has to continue his amazing season that
he's going through right now too.
Speaker 2 (21:15):
We're talking to our baseball guy Dave Smith here on
the X. If you're just tuning in, Nick Herbig signed
a four year extension for one hundred mil. That's insane.
We'll get to that a little bit later on with
some other Steeler talk. Ozoon is not in the lineup
again tonight at Houston. It looks like he's being phased out.
How do you think the lineup will settle in and
if that does turn out to be the case, Smitty,
(21:37):
I think to be well served to make d H
kind of a rotating thing to give guys a rest.
Speaker 9 (21:42):
Yeah, that's definitely a way to go you really, you
really could do something like that.
Speaker 10 (21:46):
You can, like you can.
Speaker 9 (21:47):
Spend Horowitz around from DH first base, second base, You
can put Triolo in their slot, other guys in there
and Brian Rails especially. You can really make a lot
of moves. Donny Kelly's got a lot of moves, chess
moves he can make with this. Ozuna has been a
major disappointment when you're thirty five years old, power hitter
like that. He's going to start to fade. He's gonna
(22:08):
He's where Chris Davis was and all those people. They're
just gonna once they fade, They're really going to fade.
So I wonder why are they going to Are they
going to DFAM like they should? Uh, they really should
because they have the people to come in. They can
bring as Merlin Valdez back up and have.
Speaker 6 (22:24):
Him cycle into that DH thing. I mean, I don't know,
you can.
Speaker 9 (22:28):
Bring Linne White Junior up from Altona and having Cyclinda
with a little bit. But like, really they really need
to move on from that, and they have the pieces
in the lineup that they can really take advantage of
not having the liability of Azuna in there.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
What do you make of the whole Leginski thing, Dave
and who's going to wind up in what role. I
think it's a battle for who does what between Leaginski,
Bubba and Jones. But they they they have more invested,
it seems in Jones and Bubba.
Speaker 9 (23:00):
Yeah, it's a strange situation Mark because to me, if
you're going to do something like that, take a quality
starter out of the rotation and stuff them in the
bullpen like that, asking for him to deliver you long.
Speaker 10 (23:12):
Relief innings, That's that's something a.
Speaker 9 (23:13):
Team would do in September when they're sprinting for a
division title, or in the postseason when they're moving into
another series with a high quality a really high quality team.
I don't blame Magensky for getting a little upset over it,
because he's really put out this season as a starter.
But the problem with Chandler, of course, you'd say, like, well,
(23:34):
keep Maginsky in the rotation and move Chandler of the bullpen.
But those walks are going to kill you. And then
that's exactly the thing you.
Speaker 6 (23:40):
Don't want to have coming out of the bullpen is.
Speaker 9 (23:43):
Somebody who's going to be walking guys as soon as
he comes in here and and Chandler just has to like,
he's got to get it out of his head because
he's pitching too much.
Speaker 6 (23:51):
With his head.
Speaker 9 (23:52):
He's overthinking it and that's why he's like, that's why
he's not fine on the strike center as often. He
hasn't had this bad of a walk per nine inning
ratio since he was nineteen years old in his first
year in pro ball. So I think he can settle down.
But to me, i'd put Chandler in the bullpen and
let him settle it down.
Speaker 6 (24:10):
And Keith Maginsky is a starter. Yeah, we will see
how this works.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
Yeah, here's the problem, Smitty.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
You can't bring Chandler in in a tight game and
have him walk guys right away. I hate to say
you can hide that as a starter because it certainly
doesn't help, but I think that's true.
Speaker 9 (24:27):
But you can't hide it as a long relief for
a little bit. You're not going to bring them in
an eight in high leverage situations until he can settle it,
until he can start finding the strike zone again.
Speaker 10 (24:35):
But then you know it's six and one half dozen.
Speaker 6 (24:38):
Of another they're going to go.
Speaker 9 (24:39):
They think Chandler has a higher ceiling, and that's why
they want him to continue developing as a starter. And
I can agree with that too. So it's good to
see Maginsky back in the team and willing to go
out there and take one for the team and go
out there. Hey, you know what I'd love someone to say, Hey,
all you have to do is be a relief pitcher.
Speaker 6 (24:56):
Go ahead, give me.
Speaker 9 (24:57):
Two innings and we'll pay a lot of money instead
of geting to be and pay me a lot of money.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
Well, and I think what Lejinski I mean, it's an
ego thing obviously, because his job as dulk relever is
the same as it is as a starter.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
He's going to pitch four or five innings.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
When he pitches, it'll just be entering the game instead
of starting the game.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
That's the only difference in his.
Speaker 9 (25:17):
Job and that role the role that they need someone
in that role, that long reliefroal who can really be
effective in it. And this as this race in this
division gets more and more and more tight and competitive
down the line, they're going to need someone.
Speaker 6 (25:32):
To take those innings like that.
Speaker 9 (25:33):
And they and hopefully they told them, we can count
on you to do that.
Speaker 6 (25:37):
That's why we want you to do it.
Speaker 1 (25:40):
Smitty. Do they have legit momentum right now?
Speaker 2 (25:42):
It seemed like something clicked when Reynolds hit that walk
off Friday to snatched victory from the Jaws to defeat.
They've won two straight since, and then again, we've kind
of felt that click before and it is quickly dissipated.
Speaker 9 (25:54):
It was really something to see them turn it around
after those lumpy Phillies came in here and handed them
a ahead of them that bad that bad series with
their old guys, with Harburn and Schwarburn all that, but
given it, given it to the Twins like that was
really really an uplifting thing.
Speaker 10 (26:10):
And it's coming from all directions.
Speaker 9 (26:11):
Mark, you know, like like Manga Mangum's doing really well
and uh, Horowitz.
Speaker 10 (26:16):
I can't Spencer Horwitz is hitting three.
Speaker 9 (26:19):
Thirteen from the lead off position. He's he's increased his
ability to hit against lefties. You know, from the day
they acquired Horowitz, I told you this is a great
player for them to get.
Speaker 10 (26:29):
And he's really coming into his own right now. It's
fantastic to see.
Speaker 9 (26:32):
But I really think they can get on a role
because with Horwitz doing hitting the the way he is,
Gonzales hitting the way he is. Even Reynolds shows up.
Reynolds is coming on and Cruise. All the all the
complaining we've done about oneo prus in the past, I'm telling.
Speaker 6 (26:47):
You what the speed, the power.
Speaker 9 (26:50):
Uh, he's really showing some this some improvement this year
which he didn't before. You know, I'm gonna sit there
and I'll admit that like he's on. He's on pace
to break the all Tanks strikeout record one season set
by Mark Reynolds and the Diamondbacks. But Cruz now he's
delivering the power and he's not making his money one
ketted moves in the outfield. I'm enjoyed watching the guy now,
(27:10):
and I think both of us like that two years
ago would not have said.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
That Smitty has always great stuff. We'll do it again
next week.
Speaker 6 (27:17):
Take care of my friend, Thanks for having me. Bye bye.
Speaker 2 (27:19):
That's our baseball guy, Dave Smith. Before we go to break,
I got to recap this herbig thing. One hundred million
dollar extension over four years, forty two million of it guaranteed.
According to Schefter, he's the first ever player to get
one hundred million dollar contract without having been a starter
to that point in his career. They're spending more money
(27:42):
on a defense that is under chief for X amount
of years despite its price tag. And check this out.
Here's the Edge guys average annual value of the contracts.
What forty one million, Herbig twenty five million, high Smith
(28:03):
seventeen million. That's all Edge Rusher and one of them
won't start. That's crazy. And does this mean they're gonna
trade what or Highsmith? Well, who would trade for what
on that ticket? Forty one million average annual value when
he had seven sacks last year and stopped taking over games.
Speaker 1 (28:26):
And somebody said, and I agree with this.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
The real mistake, the biggest mistake is probably a better
way to phrase it.
Speaker 1 (28:33):
The biggest mistake is not the Herbig contract.
Speaker 2 (28:36):
The biggest mistake was absolutely one hundred and fifty fing percent.
The biggest mistake was the Watch contract. To give that
guy a vanity paycheck of a million dollars more than
Garrett when he was clearly in decline just incredibly stupid
on the part of the Steelers. And that doesn't make
(28:58):
giving her Bigness deal smart, It just makes it a
little less stupid than the Wat deal.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
Just unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
It's a soft organization that prizes loyalty over winning the
prizes one helmet, over serving the logo on that helmet
as much as should be.
Speaker 1 (29:21):
Here's an artist
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