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December 11, 2019 22 mins

This week on Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob looks at the MLB offseason, Steven Strasburg returning to D.C. and re-signing with the Nats, the Gerrit Cole sweepstakes, the market for Anthony Rendon, and why Lou Whitaker deserves to be in the Hall of Fame

Guests: Bo Porter - Former MLB Manager and current Nats analyst joins the show to discuss the MLB offseason, Strasburg returning to D.C., and how Washington's pitching heavy approach will affect how other teams build their rosters. Julian McWilliams - Boston Globe Red Sox Beat Writer reports on the buzz surrounding the winter meetings and if Mookie Betts is about to be shipped out of Boston to cut costs.

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Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
From the Burke Shears to the South, from wherever you
live in MLB America. This is Inside the Parker. You
give us twenty two minutes and we'll give you the
scoop on Major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of
Fame voter number one oh three, Rob Parker. Welcome into
Inside the Parker, our off season edition. Rob Parker. Here

(00:26):
you there. Coming up on the program, we'll talk with
former Major League manager Bow Porter about the National's huge
signing of Steven Strasburg. Also, Julia McWilliams from the Boston
Globe joins us from San Diego and the Winter meetings.
He'll talk to us about what's going on with the

(00:47):
Red Sox and the future of Mookie Betts. That plus
my Hall of Fame ballot. I'll reveal that and much more.
Let's go to lead off. It's getting rock and keep
him on. Robs Hot take on the three biggest stories
in Major League Baseball. Number one, the Washington Nationals did

(01:09):
the right thing. He's staying in Washington, d C. As
Steven Strasbourg is on the verge of a record breaking contract.
Yes the twenty nineteen World Series, MVP has agreed to
a seven year, two hundred and forty five million dollar
contract with the defending Nationals, and uh, that news coming

(01:32):
down the first day of the Winter meetings in San Diego,
and no one should be surprised. It averages out to
about thirty five million dollars a season and breaks two records,
at least temporarily. David Price previously held the record for
total dollars committed to a picture, which was two hundred

(01:53):
and seventeen, while Zach Granky held the mark for the
highest average and annual value for or picture at thirty
four point four. However, we do know Garrit Cole will
get signed and he's probably gonna break that. That's how
much money's out there for baseball. But but let's not
make a mistake about this. Uh, the Nationals did the

(02:13):
right thing, keeping their own guy. And then he had
a great year, was eighteen and six with a three
point three two uh e r A and thirty three starts.
And then the thirty one year old was just masterful
in the postseason, going five and oh with the one
point nine eight e r A in six games. He
had five starts in the postseason and of course in

(02:36):
the World Series against the Astros. He started in well
and won both Game two and six, and uh unbelievable.
Uh for Steven Strasburg. Mozle top to both the Nationals
and their fans and to Steven Strasburg, he earned every
penny of it. Number two, Garrick Cole is going to

(02:57):
get paid. Some people of thinking that he's going to
break the bank and could get maybe even three hundred million.
Sources are saying that the Yankees are in all the
way that they've gotten a commitment from ownership to be
able to go and get Garrett Cole to add to
the top of their rotation. There are other teams that

(03:19):
are definitely interested in him. He had a phenomenal year.
He didn't win the Cy Young that went to Justin Verlander,
his teammate, but he had a cy Young type of season.
Garret Cole twenty nine years old, twenty two months Uh
shy of Strasbourg. And here's another one. You ready, no
injury history. So three million makes total sense in this situation.

(03:45):
And immediately, Uh, there's competition. Is not just the Yankees
in there? Supposedly this competition coming from his hometown Angels
and perhaps even the Dodgers and uh, even the San
Francisco Giants apparently they have money. They're also interested. This
will be interested, and there'll be a little bit of
a bidding war. He'll make more than Strasbourg. But Garrett

(04:08):
Cole is gonna hit the Jackpott Baseball keeps showing out
big money. It probably will be an eight year contract
for three hundred million dollars. And I'll tell you this,
he's worth every penny of it. Again, the team that
signs him will be in the mix for the postseason
and potentially the World Series. Number three Anthony Rendon, Yes,

(04:30):
he is going to get paid. He's the big slugger
out there on the free agent market, and uh, there
are teams for him. There are at least two teams
vying for the services of the twenty nine year old
third baseman who had a heck of a year with
the Nationals. And the Nationals came out and said, hey,
we can't sign both guys. They had Strasburg and you

(04:51):
had Rendon, and so they chose Strasburg. And you know,
baseball is about pitching, so the Rendons has a chance
to hashion as well. He won't get the kind of
money that we just saw with Strasbourg. It'll be a
lot of money. And the two main people supposedly in
the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Rangers

(05:14):
make a lot of sense. They're opening up a new ballpark. Uh,
they love to add his bat. And the Dodgers again,
Dodgers had plenty of money and I think that they're
looking to up the anti in l a. Uh not
making the World Series this year, but have previously made
it two years in a row, but still don't have
the hardware, Dodgers having won a World Series since n

(05:38):
so this will be another very interesting spot where he
can land um So Anthony Rendo, but back up the
Brinks truck for europay Day number four, say it isn't so,
Lou Whitnaker has been overlooked again. This here we go
again with this. This makes no sense to me. Only

(05:59):
from this damn point. Lou Whittaker did not make the
Hall of Fame via the Baseball Writers. But there's a
Veterans committee uh that votes on players who might have
been overlooked, who didn't get into the writer's way. And
here's my only issue, why in the world did the
committee as six team member Modern Era Committee is what

(06:22):
they call it. They voted in Ted Simmons, the former catcher,
and the former executive Marvin Miller UH for changing the
game of baseball through the Players Association that helped create
free agency. But Whittaker and his first year of consideration
on the ballot got just six votes, which was six

(06:42):
shive the twelve needed. Here's my only problem. Alan Trammell
and Jack Morris from that nineteen four Tigers World championship team,
they both got in through the Veterans Committee, and especially
Uh Trammel. Trammel and Whitnaker played second base and shortstop

(07:03):
together for twenty straight seasons with the Detroit Tigers. Lou
was a Rookie of the Year. He was a tremendous player.
And here's my only point. If Alan Trammels in through
the Veterans Committee, then Lou Whittakers should have got in.
I don't get this. I know Lou wasn't the nicest
guy around and all that, but his numbers and his

(07:27):
abilities should speak volumes, and especially when it's up next
to Alan Trammel. So if trams in, Lu should be in.
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(08:56):
Terms and conditions apply. Here come the Big Interview. Listen
Headler Good, All right, let's welcome to to the podcast.
Former major league player, former major league manager Bo Porter. Bow.
What's going on? My man? How you doing? Oh? I'll
tell you what it's. It's the MLB hot Stove. I mean,

(09:17):
this is an exciting time of year for Major League
Baseball and I couldn't be happier with fall of being
the traction that has taken place, with with free agency,
with trades, and you look at you know, the number
of teams that have you know, been inactive or taken
over the years. It's just good to see that there

(09:38):
are quite a few teams that are looking to get better.
And we should say Bo Porter right now is in
San Diego for the Winter Meetings. He's also an analyst
for the Washington Nationals UH Television. And speaking of the Nationals,
did they make a big splash on the first day
of the Winter Meetings by signing their stud ah right

(09:59):
hand is Stephen strang Osburg to a record breaking seven year,
two hundred and forty five million dollar contract for the
right hand of thirty one year years old. Uh, what
a great deal for the Nationals. It's a wonderful deal
for the Nationals. Then again, I think in the day
and age where you see players um jump in teams

(10:19):
and and you think about a guy like Steven Strasburg,
who obviously was the number one pick overall. He he
it's one of those guys that staying in Washington was
very important for him. And it's great to see that
the organization and the player folk was able to get
exactly what it is they wanted in free agency. And

(10:41):
when you look at this bill, and again you know,
I'm in the organization, I understand, you know, the Learning family.
I understand Mike Rizzo. This was top priority for them
for Steven Strotsburg to retire as a Washington National. And
here's the other part that I loved. The organization came
out no games, no Bologna and said, we can't sign

(11:01):
both guys. Anthony Rendonan was tremendous again for them, one
of their guys. They just said that we have two
big time free agents and we're gonna sign one. And
there was no monkey business, and they picked Strasburg and
you know what, you know the game bowl better than anybody.
The game is about pitching. And when you got a
guy like that at the top of your rotation, it's

(11:23):
hard not to want to sign him. It's very difficult.
And again, I think when you look at the free
agent market and what has taken place in the early
stage of the free agent markets, there's been a return
to the importance of starting pitching. And I think the
Washington National's run up, success through the postseason and routes
to win in the World Series has changed the thought

(11:46):
process of a lot of front offices and a lot
of teams as they're starting to put their teams together.
And you look at having those three horses at the
front of the rotation with Strosburg, Scherzer and Corbyn, they
were able to whether the storm of even one of
the worst starts in Major League Baseball nineteen and thirty one.

(12:07):
But when you have those forces, and once those forces
got going, it was it was a great success story
for the Washington Nationals. But back to the deal, Rob,
when you think about Strasbourg opting out of the four
years one hundred millions, what does that tell you right there?
I mean, can you imagine you got a hundred million
guaranteed and you opt out of it. I think I
would be afraid to leave the house. Well, I think

(12:30):
I think one he knew his value when you look
at the free agent market and what other pictures had
garnished over the course of the last few years. But
when you break this deal down and you have eighty
million of it deferred, was the Washington Nationals? To me,
this wasn't no brainer because if you take the seven
year to forty five and you subtract a hundred million

(12:53):
that he was already due over the four year period,
you're talking about three years at one hundred and forty
five million. Well, if you're the Nationals, you get to
the for eighty million of that. Now you're looking at
three years sixty five million for Steven Strotsburg. When you
when you really start to take a deep look, No,
those are real numbers. You're right, those those are absolutely

(13:15):
real numbers. There's no reason not to get that done.
Like you say, already on the hook for a hundred million,
Uh already. So yeah, it's a sweet deal. And for
Steven Strotsberg, who was comfortable in Washington, Uh, you know,
there was talking about the Padres and the Dodgers and
maybe the Yankees and different teams who are looking for
a stud and he's comfortable he got paid. What do

(13:36):
you believed? Even though that won't last long. We both
know that Garret cole Will will wind up getting a
bigger deal. But uh, I think Strassburg did the right thing. Yeah,
and getting the biggest deal I don't think was ever
a priority for Steven Strotsberg. I think his family and
you mentioned, you know, him being comfortable in Washington. He
has basically hit roots are there, his family is comfortable there,

(13:58):
and those are the things for Steven Strasburg that were
paramount and his decision making. And when you look at
the fact that even the deferment of the contract, Steven
Strassburg would be a part of the Washington Nationals organization
for the rest of his life. So them deferring a
portion of his money, it just gives the organization more

(14:19):
flexibility to go out and continue to make the team better.
There you go, Washington Nationals get there. Man. I don't
know if they're gonna repeat and win the World Series again,
but they did win. Uh, they did. When Strasburg was
a big part of it and they have them back
in the saddle. Hey, Bo Porter, always a pleasure to
have you on the podcast. Man, stay well, we'll talk soon. Okay,

(14:42):
thank you Rob. When Rob was a newspaper columnists, he
lived by this motto, if I'm writing, I'm ripping, Let's
bring in a writer, a broadcaster. Older New Julia McWilliams
one of the brightest new young baseball writers. He covers
the Reds Socks for the Boston Globe, Julian, what's happening?

(15:03):
What's going on? Rock? Thanks for having me man always
And he's down at the Winter meetings in San Diego.
A lot of buzz going on down there. Take the
scene for us. What's happening? I mean, everybody's waiting on
cold to drop. He saw Strassburg drop for seven years
to forty five. Yesterday Boris held his uh, his annual

(15:24):
winter meetings, uh you know, uh party, whatever you wanna
call it is his, his his sting is his, a
big bang. And he said, hold is gonna get get
more than that. And we know closing the closed a
better picture. So uh Yankee said they won't be denied.
You know when the Yankee said they not gonna be denied.
You know, usually they get the guy that they want,
but they have money. They got money to spend money.

(15:45):
They got money, They got money, and you know, I
think this year against the Houston Astros when they're when
they're pitching, kind of plummeted their bullpen right out. I
think I was a wake up called the cashman to say, hey,
we need to go out and get some guys. How
about the Red Sox. We know the big story when
Dave Dombrowski was fired as a team president and they
were talking about the Red Sox going on welfare and uh,

(16:07):
you know they don't have any money and all that
other stuff. I mean, help me out, what are they doing?
And is there some way, somehow that Mookie Betts is
gonna be unloaded? Well, I mean that's that's always a possibility.
If you look at the luxury tax situation, if they
if they get on the luxury tax, but they're trying
to get on eight million dollars, they could say a

(16:29):
hundred million dollars next year. Granted you're looking at Mookie Betts,
a guy that's that's uh, you know, uh two thousand
eighteen m VT. You know, he's the second best player
in my opinion, other than Mike Trout. Um, you know,
this is a guy that's death the fixture in that
line of man. And and you know they've gone to
the table and they they offered him the last two years.

(16:50):
And this is the guy that's adamant that he wants
to go into free at until they so they could
unload him. But the fact of the matter is, I
don't know if if you unload them, and you're a
team that's in the running for something, you know, Okay,
it's not like a Kawhi Leonard situation where you're guaranteed
it's baseball, you know that, Like it's not a guarantee
that you win the World Series just because the one guy.
And granted, if you unload them, you might be giving

(17:11):
up some prospects in return, so um, you know, and
and needs just he's a rental it's a rental thing.
So it's it's gonna come down to our team will
be willing to give up the prospects to be able
to get Mookie Bets And I don't know if they'll
be able to be willing to do that because it
will be a huge haul to get him because he's
he's that type of player and what's your gun? Does

(17:31):
he start this? Does he play for the Red Sox
this year? Yeah? I think he sees he plays for
the Red Sox this year. I can't see a team
unless the team feels that they're really, really close and
he would be the guy to get them over the hump.
I can't see them um giving giving in for last year.
Arbortraity and Cerebity do to make twenty step in the
thirty million dollars in orbitration this year so that the

(17:51):
team want that film. I don't know. I think he
plays for the Red Sox this year. Hey the tchech
his Rangers got a big check book. They opening up
a new ball park. Uh this season coming up? You
know they're they're talking about trying to get Garret Cole.
I mean Anthony Rendon. What do you think about that?
Where does he want? Why does he wind up? Hey?

(18:12):
That's I mean, he he's the teeth of Texas kid.
I mean people, I spoke to somebody from from the
Nationals Aftertely the one in the World Series, and they said,
you know, they're they're pretty much you know, sold On.
He's probably not gonna be able to come back next year.
I know they offered him the seven years to fifteen,
but a lot of that was the Ferrol money. He
declined that. So, um, I think they got they got

(18:32):
the Strasburg deal, and now they're looking at a situation
where they're trying to get him. But I don't know
if they'll be other dish out that type of money
to get him with washed and I think he either
goes to Texas, but now, uh, the Angels in the
mix too, so you never know what that situation. But
this is the guy that put on the show in
the World Series, and you know he deserves his money
for sure. All right. Last thing, just your gut. Where

(18:53):
does Garret Cole wind up? Is it the Yankees? Is
it the Dodgers? Is it the Padres? Where does you
wind up? Look? The Yankees missed out of him in
two thousand and eight. He decided to go to u c.
L A. He grew up the Yankee fan. Uh, Yankees
don't swing and miss when they really want somebody. I
think he ends up in Yanking. All right. There he is.

(19:14):
Julia mcwillam, who covers the Boston Red Sox for the
Boston Globe, always a good read. Check him out, Julian,
thank you so much. Happy holidays to you and yours.
Hey appreciate it Rob any time. Now bring in the closer.
Here's why MLB is better than the NFL or NBA,

(19:35):
and it isn't even close. The reason baseball is better
than the NBA and the NFL simple. The Hall of
Fame matters. People care who's getting in. People don't even
know what the criteria is in the UH Pro Basketball
Hall of Fame. Remember, the NBA doesn't have a Hall

(19:56):
of Fame, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame eleven
twelve people. And that can't be a special place if
that many people get in at one time. But all right,
I've been a Baseball Hall of Fame voter for a
number of years. It's my most prized possession. And here
is my ballot for the Hall of Fame class. I

(20:21):
voted for Barry Bonds. I voted for Roger Clemens. I
voted for Gary Sheffield, I voted for Sammy Sosa. You
get ten votes. I only voted for five. That's four.
Let me tell you why. I voted for the first
four Barry Bonds all time home run King, Roger Clemens, seven,

(20:44):
Cy Young's Gary Sheffield over five hundred home runs, Sammy
Sosa over six hundred home runs. Yes, they all get
my vote, and of course the number one vote on
my ballot for this year's first year on the ballot,
it is none under than the captain Derek Jeter from
the New York Yankees over three thousand hits, unbelievable career,

(21:08):
Rookie of the year, twenty years with the Yankees, five championships.
I think he had nearly a perfect career in baseball.
I'm not sure if you're gonna get it unanimously like uh,
Marianno Rivera did, But Derek Jeter gets my vote. Recap
Rob Parker voter number uh baseball writer number one oh three,

(21:29):
Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Gary Sheffield, Sammy Sosa, and Derek Jeter.
In the words of New York TV legend the late
Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your time this time until
next time. Rob Parker out. This could be an inside

(21:53):
the Parkers. Jos Church, Jos Jo
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