March 1, 2025 • 13 mins
Ell's 2025 MLB Offseason Grades & X-Factors for the American League AL West. Los Angeles Angels. Houston Astros. Athletics. Seattle Mariners. Texas Rangers.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, fundamentals and techniques, that's the key, right sixteen minutes,
right sixty minutes. Thanks for the Al West. I get
(00:28):
the Angels of b They started out with the first
signing free agency picture you say, Kakushi to a three
year deal. He started out with a solid season with
the Blue Jays, ended up getting trained to the Astros
and didn't play as well with the Astros. He's kind
of an up and down type picture. I bet they're
(00:48):
gonna allow him to be the ace. See he does
have the stuff to you do it, solid left handed picture,
but sometimes he just struggles on the mound. He traded
for veteran outfielder or a solo showing he still got
some power up in his back. The Braves last season,
small of a contract move for them, so the Angels
(01:11):
get the benefit there. They signed closer Kenley Jansen from
the Red Side. Say future Hall of Famer. Definitely gonna
complete some milestones here, killer silid picture at this age.
They signed catching Travis darnallt to a two year deal
from the Braves. He's solid player the show he still
got some power in the back last season, even though
(01:32):
he did struggle early in the season, but they needed
to write the position. He did start doing his thing
even over the higher page Sean Murphy, so Donell still
got a lot of power in the bat, so solid pick
up there to catch a position. They signed veteran pitcher
Kyle HENDRICKX to a one year deal from the Cubs.
(01:53):
He coming off the down year. He was more of
a number three type picture, so I think he'll possibly
do the same here. They signed third basement On one
Cattle said he needed a change his scenery from the
White Socks just getting injured every year, so hopefully he
can get on the field for them. And they just
had the same problem with Anthony Rendon. Some spotty's taken,
(02:16):
so hopefully he can stay healthy. They signed veteran infielder
Kevin Newman, who could play second base and third base.
He's always a solid player, starts out as a deaf guy,
but then you can't really keep him off the field,
So I believe Andrews will definitely find the spot give
him some playing time. It was a good spot for him.
(02:39):
Then they signed veteran third baseman JD. Davis veteran shortstops
Tim Anderson the minor league deal. You know, both players
still talented Davis more of a power guy, Anderson used
to be all around guy before the value kind of
fell off the last two seasons. Just leaving the White Socks.
I think both could find a spot here. They did
(03:00):
lose veteran pitching like Griffin Channon that they traded for
all Ha Sala, and then the veteran back like Kevin Palla,
who field that nicely in the outfield show and he
still got some pop to his game. He originally was
going to retire and decided that he still wants to play,
so I gave it a be. He picked up some
solid players that can contribute veterans at that to a
(03:25):
young lineup, so I know they want to be more competitive.
For Mike Trout, looks like he wants to end his
career here. Will continue to play here. Of course, my
ex factor southfield of Mike Trout. It's coming off injury
field season again, but they decided to move in the
right field who he doesn't have to run as much
(03:46):
like he did in center field. Should keep me out here.
Of course, the healthy Mike Trout, this team go a
long way at least definitely be competitive and strong AOST.
I'm looking forward to see what Mike Trout had left.
You know, they thought he was done two seasons ago.
He's still kicking. Next for the Astros a game of
(04:06):
ce plus, signed Christian Walker to a three year deal.
Finally solidify in the first basement spot. And they were
struggling with and they thought signing their Brave a few
years ago to solve it, but even horrible since he's
been there, so bringing in Walker definitely solidified. Not really
a question there. One of the top power beats in
(04:27):
the game right now in first base, so solid pick
up there. They picked up third basement Isaiah Barrettas and
believe and Hayen was Nisky in the trade for Kyle Tucker,
who they decided to trade a year early before they
have the BAM with the Sodo money coming out and
(04:48):
strue side Will went to invest similar money, so decided
to move him for Perettas with Annisky, which is a
down grade to be but Corettas filled the third base
role that's now open Wiznisky is supposed to be a
solid reliever potentially. Then a move I did like a
signed second baseman Brendan Rodgers to a minor league deal,
(05:11):
but after season he had with Colorado last year. He
should be able to get a regular contract. The solid
on base guy with some power to his game can
play defense as well as far as the losses. So
they traded Kyle tuck Away a year early. They let
Alex Bregmant Walk, longtime veteran at third base. They left
(05:34):
pictures justin Verlander and you say, Cacucci that I just
mentioned Walk, and then they lost a few relievers along
the way as well. But I did give it a
C plus. I really like the Walker deal. I understand
why they traded tuckover. That was a down grade Alex Bregmant.
That's a big loss there, having a veteran like Berland
(05:54):
that even you say Kakuch, who's more over any guy
lose both of them hurts as well, definitely eas Away
in their depth chart. They all pretty deep that picture anyway.
So for my X factoring with Pitture hunting Brown, he
going into his fourth year, definitely a solid pitcher. Out
of the young guys. You thought it might be him
(06:15):
and JP Franz, but they ended up just being hunted Brown.
But at this point is the number two guy now
basically taking brother in the spot. He need to show
he can get his wings up, losses down, e al
down as well. But Hunter Brown is everything he wanted
the top pictures, So looking forward to see what he
can do. The Astros team that really need him. They
(06:37):
want to stay at the top level. Thanks for the a's,
I gave my a C plus. They started out by
signing pitching Louis Sevalarto to a two year deal with
an option. Have a solid showing last season with the Mats.
Basically it's that Ace all throughout the postseason, playing well,
(06:57):
definitely rebuilding his value. They didn't have to overpay for him.
They traded for picture Jeffrey Springs mentioned earlier with Tampa Bay.
See he was more than number two, number three guys,
not the veteran that could really help the age, and
they signed veteran g R Shla the one year deal
play second base and third base. It's more of a
(07:18):
deaf guy, but when this team he might be to
get some true minutes here, So no big loss for
this team. They's lost if they signed last year. Rod
Stripner and Alex Wood both struggled last season, so I
like what they did this year. Sebarena and Springs are
the two veterans that could really helped the picture. I
(07:39):
said last season they went Strippland and would couldn't help it.
Oh so definitely upgrade day alone. So I gave it
to seat plus. I like to move best in the
Sevarina move my ex factor the same as last season.
Second basement sag g Law gi Law was expected to
be the base of the franchise, one of the top
(08:01):
players on the team, especially way how he played the
season before. You know, I thought they probably take the
next step. And I don't know if it was injuries.
I'm not really sure what the issue was with you
love last season. Just a horrible season by him. I'm
sure he's young, up and rebound. Definitely talented, y'all. Like so,
(08:21):
I'm before to see who Jack that's in the new location.
This team needs to build a fan base for the
Miners beat a deep designed infielder Donovan Solano to a
one year deal. He played like first base, second base,
third base, more of a power bet, but he played
(08:42):
with her consistency last season with pad dres and then
they resigned second baseman who hated Tolono, who came off
a down year last season when they relied on him,
which was weird because he never really had a season
where he struggled to get on base. Everybody struggled with
power at Towns. Defense always been there, but last season
(09:02):
when they leave him, the fact just wasn't there. As
far as the losses, they lost veteran first basement, third
basement justin turnam second basement third baseman Josh Rojas as
an earlier signed with the White Sox. So I gave
it a D. I mean, Polaco should rebound somewhat, and
Solanas is a good death piece who possibly building in
(09:24):
the first basement role. And Solano is a good death
piece for a team and need more bats. Just didn't
really get the production in for my X factor. I
went with outfield and Randy and Rose Arena. He played
a little better once he got to the Marlers. I mean,
I don't really know what was the issue with Tampa Bay,
(09:46):
but my paint I think it was when he played
for the Mexican national team. Then it took too much
out of him during the season, so he started to
looking more like itself towards the end of the Vernes,
so hopefully can regain his form. They had two seasons
ago he looked like one of the top players. He's
still young enough to be in his prime. Looking forward
to see Randy Rose Arena rebound. Actually, with Jay Rod
(10:10):
taking a slight step back, I think he's gonna regain
his form, so he needsbody to come along with him.
Maybe we should be Randy Rose Arena. When the Texas Rangers,
he ain't gonna be plussed. They started off out re
signing veteran pitching Nathan e Obaldi to a three year
deal and good value. He wanted to stay for us,
(10:31):
but he's been playing a number one role for them.
But he gotn't really mad, saying, well you put him
out one, two, three, you already know he's gonna come
to play, even in the postseason, hoping that by redside
snatched him back up. I don't think you want to
come back to us. They signed outfielder he ain't, Jack
Peterson to a two year deal break some power to
(10:54):
the lineup. They made a trade with the Marlins, bringing
in Jake bergen En up to minor league prospects and
Burger coming off with solid season. Nice home righthead of
the Marlins. Very consistent with the power show. Good y'all
getting on base last season. That was the difference, like
(11:15):
when he used to be with the White Sox. You
said a miss. Then they just mentioned during the Angels
they signed veteran Kevin Plaw I said he originally was
going to retire but decided that he did want to
come back and play, so they signed him to a
minor league deal. But the loss popping back. We saw
Dames last season, so he should be able to get
(11:37):
that major league deal. Then they just added some lower
level pitching death silent pick up there actually keeping your
bald in one of the top pictures in the game.
Just adding her, Powell, Berger and Peterson, even the law,
this team is gonna be tough for opposing pictures. I
can tell you that the Masses they had first baseman
Date Low, well, I really like to trade him to
(11:59):
the next bringing them more power. Even though low has
some power to his game, but it's more of a
get on base guy. They might miss that, but I
don't know. With Chith Berger he played I played last season,
they probably won't. They lost veteran pitching Max Scherzon and
mentioned earlier to Toronto Blue James. I said he was
(12:20):
injured for them most of the time. Anyway, they lost
top reliever Krabby Gates to the Dodgers, so they're gonna
miss him as well. Long with some other pitching death,
I said, they kind of replace the picture death and
pitching death, but they're gonna miss Sharsa and Yates. The
key losses there the lowest kind of been replaced. So
(12:41):
I gave you a bat plus. My ex factor for
them with all the losses is the picture they designed
to stick it out with and Jacob de Gron. The
Gron used to be one of the top pictures in
the game or the top pitch in the game two
to three seasons ago before the angry started to hit.
But he didn't really get to play much last season,
(13:02):
but he's shown he can still drag people out and
he's starting out pretty well this season so far too,
so it's good to see him healthy. But I'm cured
to see which version of how they're gonna get. I
said he was the guy not too long ago, so
I'm pretty sure he could play. And we've seen Chris
Sale last season for the Braves that'll p him regain
(13:23):
that form. So im looking forward to see what de
Gron can do. But that's something up for the M
looking forward to give you the NL world soon. Thanks
for tuning the Thanks for supporting
Hey, fundamentals and techniques, that's the key, right sixteen minutes,
right sixty minutes. Thanks for the Al West. I get
(00:28):
the Angels of b They started out with the first
signing free agency picture you say, Kakushi to a three
year deal. He started out with a solid season with
the Blue Jays, ended up getting trained to the Astros
and didn't play as well with the Astros. He's kind
of an up and down type picture. I bet they're
(00:48):
gonna allow him to be the ace. See he does
have the stuff to you do it, solid left handed picture,
but sometimes he just struggles on the mound. He traded
for veteran outfielder or a solo showing he still got
some power up in his back. The Braves last season,
small of a contract move for them, so the Angels
(01:11):
get the benefit there. They signed closer Kenley Jansen from
the Red Side. Say future Hall of Famer. Definitely gonna
complete some milestones here, killer silid picture at this age.
They signed catching Travis darnallt to a two year deal
from the Braves. He's solid player the show he still
got some power in the back last season, even though
(01:32):
he did struggle early in the season, but they needed
to write the position. He did start doing his thing
even over the higher page Sean Murphy, so Donell still
got a lot of power in the bat, so solid pick
up there to catch a position. They signed veteran pitcher
Kyle HENDRICKX to a one year deal from the Cubs.
(01:53):
He coming off the down year. He was more of
a number three type picture, so I think he'll possibly
do the same here. They signed third basement On one
Cattle said he needed a change his scenery from the
White Socks just getting injured every year, so hopefully he
can get on the field for them. And they just
had the same problem with Anthony Rendon. Some spotty's taken,
(02:16):
so hopefully he can stay healthy. They signed veteran infielder
Kevin Newman, who could play second base and third base.
He's always a solid player, starts out as a deaf guy,
but then you can't really keep him off the field,
So I believe Andrews will definitely find the spot give
him some playing time. It was a good spot for him.
(02:39):
Then they signed veteran third baseman JD. Davis veteran shortstops
Tim Anderson the minor league deal. You know, both players
still talented Davis more of a power guy, Anderson used
to be all around guy before the value kind of
fell off the last two seasons. Just leaving the White Socks.
I think both could find a spot here. They did
(03:00):
lose veteran pitching like Griffin Channon that they traded for
all Ha Sala, and then the veteran back like Kevin Palla,
who field that nicely in the outfield show and he
still got some pop to his game. He originally was
going to retire and decided that he still wants to play,
so I gave it a be. He picked up some
solid players that can contribute veterans at that to a
(03:25):
young lineup, so I know they want to be more competitive.
For Mike Trout, looks like he wants to end his
career here. Will continue to play here. Of course, my
ex factor southfield of Mike Trout. It's coming off injury
field season again, but they decided to move in the
right field who he doesn't have to run as much
(03:46):
like he did in center field. Should keep me out here.
Of course, the healthy Mike Trout, this team go a
long way at least definitely be competitive and strong AOST.
I'm looking forward to see what Mike Trout had left.
You know, they thought he was done two seasons ago.
He's still kicking. Next for the Astros a game of
(04:06):
ce plus, signed Christian Walker to a three year deal.
Finally solidify in the first basement spot. And they were
struggling with and they thought signing their Brave a few
years ago to solve it, but even horrible since he's
been there, so bringing in Walker definitely solidified. Not really
a question there. One of the top power beats in
(04:27):
the game right now in first base, so solid pick
up there. They picked up third basement Isaiah Barrettas and
believe and Hayen was Nisky in the trade for Kyle Tucker,
who they decided to trade a year early before they
have the BAM with the Sodo money coming out and
(04:48):
strue side Will went to invest similar money, so decided
to move him for Perettas with Annisky, which is a
down grade to be but Corettas filled the third base
role that's now open Wiznisky is supposed to be a
solid reliever potentially. Then a move I did like a
signed second baseman Brendan Rodgers to a minor league deal,
(05:11):
but after season he had with Colorado last year. He
should be able to get a regular contract. The solid
on base guy with some power to his game can
play defense as well as far as the losses. So
they traded Kyle tuck Away a year early. They let
Alex Bregmant Walk, longtime veteran at third base. They left
(05:34):
pictures justin Verlander and you say, Cacucci that I just
mentioned Walk, and then they lost a few relievers along
the way as well. But I did give it a
C plus. I really like the Walker deal. I understand
why they traded tuckover. That was a down grade Alex Bregmant.
That's a big loss there, having a veteran like Berland
(05:54):
that even you say Kakuch, who's more over any guy
lose both of them hurts as well, definitely eas Away
in their depth chart. They all pretty deep that picture anyway.
So for my X factoring with Pitture hunting Brown, he
going into his fourth year, definitely a solid pitcher. Out
of the young guys. You thought it might be him
(06:15):
and JP Franz, but they ended up just being hunted Brown.
But at this point is the number two guy now
basically taking brother in the spot. He need to show
he can get his wings up, losses down, e al
down as well. But Hunter Brown is everything he wanted
the top pictures, So looking forward to see what he
can do. The Astros team that really need him. They
(06:37):
want to stay at the top level. Thanks for the a's,
I gave my a C plus. They started out by
signing pitching Louis Sevalarto to a two year deal with
an option. Have a solid showing last season with the Mats.
Basically it's that Ace all throughout the postseason, playing well,
(06:57):
definitely rebuilding his value. They didn't have to overpay for him.
They traded for picture Jeffrey Springs mentioned earlier with Tampa Bay.
See he was more than number two, number three guys,
not the veteran that could really help the age, and
they signed veteran g R Shla the one year deal
play second base and third base. It's more of a
(07:18):
deaf guy, but when this team he might be to
get some true minutes here, So no big loss for
this team. They's lost if they signed last year. Rod
Stripner and Alex Wood both struggled last season, so I
like what they did this year. Sebarena and Springs are
the two veterans that could really helped the picture. I
(07:39):
said last season they went Strippland and would couldn't help it.
Oh so definitely upgrade day alone. So I gave it
to seat plus. I like to move best in the
Sevarina move my ex factor the same as last season.
Second basement sag g Law gi Law was expected to
be the base of the franchise, one of the top
(08:01):
players on the team, especially way how he played the
season before. You know, I thought they probably take the
next step. And I don't know if it was injuries.
I'm not really sure what the issue was with you
love last season. Just a horrible season by him. I'm
sure he's young, up and rebound. Definitely talented, y'all. Like so,
(08:21):
I'm before to see who Jack that's in the new location.
This team needs to build a fan base for the
Miners beat a deep designed infielder Donovan Solano to a
one year deal. He played like first base, second base,
third base, more of a power bet, but he played
(08:42):
with her consistency last season with pad dres and then
they resigned second baseman who hated Tolono, who came off
a down year last season when they relied on him,
which was weird because he never really had a season
where he struggled to get on base. Everybody struggled with
power at Towns. Defense always been there, but last season
(09:02):
when they leave him, the fact just wasn't there. As
far as the losses, they lost veteran first basement, third
basement justin turnam second basement third baseman Josh Rojas as
an earlier signed with the White Sox. So I gave
it a D. I mean, Polaco should rebound somewhat, and
Solanas is a good death piece who possibly building in
(09:24):
the first basement role. And Solano is a good death
piece for a team and need more bats. Just didn't
really get the production in for my X factor. I
went with outfield and Randy and Rose Arena. He played
a little better once he got to the Marlers. I mean,
I don't really know what was the issue with Tampa Bay,
(09:46):
but my paint I think it was when he played
for the Mexican national team. Then it took too much
out of him during the season, so he started to
looking more like itself towards the end of the Vernes,
so hopefully can regain his form. They had two seasons
ago he looked like one of the top players. He's
still young enough to be in his prime. Looking forward
to see Randy Rose Arena rebound. Actually, with Jay Rod
(10:10):
taking a slight step back, I think he's gonna regain
his form, so he needsbody to come along with him.
Maybe we should be Randy Rose Arena. When the Texas Rangers,
he ain't gonna be plussed. They started off out re
signing veteran pitching Nathan e Obaldi to a three year
deal and good value. He wanted to stay for us,
(10:31):
but he's been playing a number one role for them.
But he gotn't really mad, saying, well you put him
out one, two, three, you already know he's gonna come
to play, even in the postseason, hoping that by redside
snatched him back up. I don't think you want to
come back to us. They signed outfielder he ain't, Jack
Peterson to a two year deal break some power to
(10:54):
the lineup. They made a trade with the Marlins, bringing
in Jake bergen En up to minor league prospects and
Burger coming off with solid season. Nice home righthead of
the Marlins. Very consistent with the power show. Good y'all
getting on base last season. That was the difference, like
(11:15):
when he used to be with the White Sox. You
said a miss. Then they just mentioned during the Angels
they signed veteran Kevin Plaw I said he originally was
going to retire but decided that he did want to
come back and play, so they signed him to a
minor league deal. But the loss popping back. We saw
Dames last season, so he should be able to get
(11:37):
that major league deal. Then they just added some lower
level pitching death silent pick up there actually keeping your
bald in one of the top pictures in the game.
Just adding her, Powell, Berger and Peterson, even the law,
this team is gonna be tough for opposing pictures. I
can tell you that the Masses they had first baseman
Date Low, well, I really like to trade him to
(11:59):
the next bringing them more power. Even though low has
some power to his game, but it's more of a
get on base guy. They might miss that, but I
don't know. With Chith Berger he played I played last season,
they probably won't. They lost veteran pitching Max Scherzon and
mentioned earlier to Toronto Blue James. I said he was
(12:20):
injured for them most of the time. Anyway, they lost
top reliever Krabby Gates to the Dodgers, so they're gonna
miss him as well. Long with some other pitching death,
I said, they kind of replace the picture death and
pitching death, but they're gonna miss Sharsa and Yates. The
key losses there the lowest kind of been replaced. So
(12:41):
I gave you a bat plus. My ex factor for
them with all the losses is the picture they designed
to stick it out with and Jacob de Gron. The
Gron used to be one of the top pictures in
the game or the top pitch in the game two
to three seasons ago before the angry started to hit.
But he didn't really get to play much last season,
(13:02):
but he's shown he can still drag people out and
he's starting out pretty well this season so far too,
so it's good to see him healthy. But I'm cured
to see which version of how they're gonna get. I
said he was the guy not too long ago, so
I'm pretty sure he could play. And we've seen Chris
Sale last season for the Braves that'll p him regain
(13:23):
that form. So im looking forward to see what de
Gron can do. But that's something up for the M
looking forward to give you the NL world soon. Thanks
for tuning the Thanks for supporting
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