Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney

Buster Olney talks to ESPN national baseball writer Marly Rivera in the wake of the Mets parting ways with Carlos Beltrán. They discuss how the Mets got to this point, what Beltrán should do to move past this (7:03), why the timing worked out for the Mets, A.J. Hinch being available in 2021 (15:46), Alex Cora being labeled a cheater and what the reaction will be around baseball when the season starts (20:42).

Red Sox manager Alex Cora is out on sign-stealing allegations from the MLB. The charges date back to 2017, when he was the bench coach for the Houston Astros. It's a stunning downfall for a man considered one of the most talented young managers in the game. ESPN baseball insider Buster Olney joins Mina Kimes to explore Cora's career, and his role in this huge baseball scandal.

In an emergency podcast, Dave Schoenfield fills in for Buster and speaks with ESPN's Jeff Passan about Rob Manfred's ruling on the Astros, why the sign-stealing scandal evokes memories of the PED craze and more. Plus, Tim Kurkjian discusses the historical significance of these "unprecedented" punishments, the role of technology in the game and if the 2017 championship is tainted (11:56).

Before analyzing the changing nature of the catcher position with Padres front office assistant AJ Ellis (16:10), Buster and Tim Kurkjian discuss sneaky Nationals signings, the Josh Donaldson market and how the White Sox's moves will affect the 2020 AL Central race. Plus, ESPN's Eduardo Perez explains how Juan Soto can get even better (29:44) before Buster asks Hembo a very tough question (41:46).

In what will likely be the final podcast of the decade, Buster welcomes Tyler Kepner of The New York Times to talk about the Yankees' potential for next season, the latest research on the baseball and MLB's investigation into the Astros. Then, The Boston Globe's Alex Speier discusses how the Gerrit Cole signing impacts Boston's rebuilding process (30:26). Plus, Hembo evaluates the NL East (30:26) and Rena Banena mak... Read more

With Troy's Rangers finally making moves, Buster and Dave Schoenfield analyze the Corey Kluber trade and its impact on the AL West (32:29). But before that, Tim Kurkjian discusses Madison Bumgarner's deal with the Diamondbacks, the league's decision to alter drug testing and Anthony Rendon's comments about the Dodgers. Plus, Sarah Langs on remaining free agents and why her mom is angry (32:29).

Nine years. $324 million. Karl Ravech reacts to Gerrit Cole's record deal with the Yankees, its impact on the AL East and how the signing makes the Yankees the biggest World Series favorite in years. Then, New York Post's Joel Sherman on what Cole's decision ultimately came down to (19:15) and ESPN's Marly Rivera with a story on the moment she found out about the signing (37:23). And, SNY's Steve Gelbs with the ... Read more

Buster and Hembo analyze Stephen Strasburg's 7-year/$245M deal and how it impacts the free agency of Anthony Rendon and Gerrit Cole. Then, ESPN's Clinton Yates (and Nationals homer) offers his own reaction to the signing before discussing the trade market for Kris Bryant and why it's important for baseball's sake that Madison Bumgarner remain with the Giants (12:55). Plus, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick G... Read more

With the MLB winter meetings underway in San Diego, Buster welcomes ESPN's Alden Gonzalez (20:51) and Jesse Rogers (31:51) to discuss the latest in the Gerrit Cole sweepstakes, landing spots for Anthony Rendon, the trade markets for Kris Bryant and Wilson Contreras and more. Plus, Tim Kurkjian on last night's Hall of Fame inductions and Sarah Langs with her take on the changes coming to Mets ownership (11:02).

With the MLB Hot Stove already cookin', Buster and Bob Nightengale discuss possible landing spots for the biggest names left in free agency. Plus, a special offseason "Hembo Knows" (22:13) and some Bleacher Tweets with a Texas twist (33:21).

Major League Baseball has promised a thorough investigation into the Astros' stealing of pitching signs during their 2017 championship run, using a live video feed and...trash cans. At the owners meetings, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said there is no reason to expand the case to other teams at this time. But the scandal has raised big questions, and could change the game itself. ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan explores tough deci... Read more

Just weeks after losing the World Series, the Astros find themselves in trouble again. Mark Teixeira tells Buster how he thinks Rob Manfred should handle the situation and if he was surprised when this story first surfaced last week (28:10). But before that, Tim Kurkjian and Buster talk about Derek Jeter and if his career warrants a unanimous Hall of Fame selection (5:53). Plus, will this be the year that Barry Bonds and Roger Clem... Read more

Buster, Tim Kurkjian and Keith Law look ahead to 2020 by tackling the biggest questions swirling around some of the sport's biggest names this offseason. In a roundtable discussion, the guys talk about the Mets' hiring of Carlos Beltran, JD Martinez's contract and what it means for Boston, if Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon will return to the Nationals and more (5:27). Plus, Rena Banena's final "Bleacher Tw... Read more

Following the completion of one of the most improbable runs in postseason history, Buster and Jessica Mendoza discuss another Nationals comeback, Max Scherzer's ability to get out of sticky situations, Gerrit Cole's eerie postgame comments and more (38:32). But before that, Sarah Langs with some ridiculous numbers on the Nats (33:50) and Karl Ravech on Stephen Strasburg's evolution and AJ Hinch's questionable bullpe... Read more

A Game 7 will happen tonight thanks to the Nationals winning one of the most unforgettable, action-packed baseball games you'll ever see. Buster and Jessica Mendoza try to make sense of what happened by discussing Stephen Strasburg's amazing performance, Alex Bregman's troll jobs, the interference call that sent Dave Martinez into a frenzy and how Anthony Rendon saved the MLB from another controversy (20:14). Plus, they... Read more

Justin Verlander has never won a World Series start, and Tim Kurkjian joins Buster to give his thoughts on how Verlander will fare tonight, if he expects to see Max Scherzer in Game 6 or in a potential Game 7, the need for an electronic strike zone and much more (7:45). Plus, "The Numbers Game" with Sarah Langs (24:43) and ESPN Radio's Chris Singleton previews tonight's game (30:57).

Because of what ESPN Radio's Dan Shulman labels the Astros' "unwavering" belief in themselves, Houston now holds a 3-2 lead in the World Series. Buster and Shulman discuss how the Astros are living up to their pedigree, how disappointing it was to see Max Scherzer miss his Game 5 start and more (13:38). Plus, "Hembo Knows" (33:28) and the season's final "Cap Talk" with Todd Radom (42:55).

With Zack Greinke on the hill fighting to save Houston's championship hopes tonight, ESPN Radio's Chris Singleton talks with Buster about the pitching matchup, why Houston's offense has struggled, how the Astros can steal Game 3 and more (12:57). Plus, Karl Ravech on the biggest challenge facing David Ross and the Cubs and if Joe Girardi will be able to connect with his players in Philadelphia (35:28). And, Sarah Langs ... Read more

With the Astros collapsing both on and off the field, Buster and Keith Law discuss Houston's underwhelming performance so far and the organization's lack-luster response to the incident involving assistant GM Brandon Taubman (39:59). But before that, "The Numbers Game" with Sarah Langs (25:00) and Jessica Mendoza on the World Series and some new manager hires (11:10). Plus, Buster's interviews with Max Scherzer ... Read more