Tablesetters: A Baseball Podcast

Welcome to Episode 139 of Tablesetters. Steve and Devin are joined by Jim Martin, the first-year head coach of Stony Brook Baseball and just the second Division I head coach in program history. Jim steps into the role following the retirement of Matt Senk, who led the program for 35 seasons and helped establish Stony Brook as a national name, highlighted by the historic 2012 College World Series run. Unlike many coaching transitions, this one comes from within. Jim spent nearly a decade on staff, helping guide conference championships, NCAA appearances, and the program’s move into the Coastal Athletic Association. As the Seawolves head into the 2026 season, they do so amid major changes across college baseball, from transfer portal movement and roster limits to NIL realities and a new CAA divisional format. The conversation begins with Jim reflecting on the moment the promotion became official and what it meant to step into a role shaped by decades of continuity. From there, we explore how his perspective has shifted now that every aspect of the program—culture, development, roster management, and long-term direction—ultimately falls under his responsibility. We dig into the 2026 schedule and what it demands, including an extended early road stretch that reflects the realities of Northeast baseball, the role of midweek games against regional opponents, and how coaches evaluate progress when early-season results can be misleading. Jim also breaks down the new CAA divisional structure, how repeated matchups and RPI factor into postseason access, and what consistency really looks like across conference play. We discuss roster construction in 2026, managing expectations behind the scenes, and the core principles of player development that have stayed constant throughout his career. Before wrapping up, we zoom out to talk about leadership, culture, and how success is measured in a first season beyond the standings. We close with quick hitters on Joe Nathan Field, lessons learned in Year One, and the message Jim wants fans and supporters to hear as this new chapter begins. Follow us for more: 📸 Instagram: @Tablesetterspod 🐦 X: @Tablesetterspod If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share—and as always, drop your college baseball questions in the comments. We’ll keep the conversation going.

Welcome to Episode 138 of Tablesetters. Steve and Devin break down a trio of offseason moves that quietly say a lot about where teams believe they are—and where they’re trying to go. We open with one of the most consequential pitching signings of the winter: the Tigers landing Framber Valdez on a three-year, $115 million deal. We dig into why this isn’t just about dollars, but about organizational intent—Detroit stepping decisively into the modern ace market, buying durability, variance reduction, and rotation authority rather than chasing upside. We talk contract structure, park fit at Comerica, and what this move signals about the Tigers’ competitive timeline moving forward. From there, we shift to Cincinnati and the Reds bringing Eugenio Suárez back on a one-year, $15 million deal. This isn’t a nostalgia play—it’s a targeted bet on power stabilization. We examine why the market stayed cold despite Suárez’s 49-homer season, how his extreme profile fits Great American Ball Park, and why this move makes sense for a Reds team that reached the postseason on pitching but desperately needed a bat that could change game states with one swing. We close with a deep dive into the Mariners acquiring Brendan Donovan in a three-team trade with the Cardinals and Rays. This is a roster-shaping move for Seattle: contact over chaos, flexibility over blockage, and present value without sacrificing the future. We break down Donovan’s offensive consistency, why his skill set matters so much for a high-variance lineup, and how Seattle managed to improve now without touching their true top-tier prospects. We also zoom out on what this trade means for St. Louis’ rebuild and Tampa Bay’s constant margin optimization. Three moves, three very different strategies—but all rooted in timing, fit, and clarity of direction. Follow us for more: 📸 Instagram: @Tablesetterspod 🐦 X: @Tablesetterspod If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share—and drop your MLB offseason takes in the comments. We’ll keep the conversation going.

Episode 137 of Tablesetters introduces a brand-new live concept: the MLB Royal Rumble — a stat-based elimination format designed to test how different types of baseball careers hold up when the rules never change and the criteria never stop shifting. This isn’t an argument about eras or a shortcut to crowning a “greatest” player. The structure is the point. The ring fills to five players with no eliminations. Once it’s full, every new entrant brings a predetermined stat that immediately forces a ranking. The lowest-ranked player in that category is eliminated, the new entrant takes their place, and the cycle continues. The player pool is generated completely at random, pulling from a wide cross-section of baseball history. Legends, active stars, pitchers, hitters, role players, and wild cards can all land in the same field. Careers from entirely different eras and paths are placed side by side, and the format doesn’t care how they got there. All eliminations are based on rankings, not vibes or debates but the format isn’t allergic to reality either. Sometimes raw totals don’t lie, and when they matter, they’re part of the equation. When pitchers and hitters are compared, equivalent statistics are used and ranked accordingly. Rate stats, value metrics, counting numbers, and durability all rotate through the board, creating matchups that are fair on paper — even when they feel uncomfortable in practice. To add even more unpredictability, select random numbers trigger double-entrant rounds and double eliminations, injecting chaos into the format and forcing the field to adapt on the fly. The stat pool spans everything from modern context-adjusted metrics to old-school production, blending performance, longevity, peak value, and efficiency and no player survives by being good at just one thing. What the MLB Royal Rumble ultimately reveals isn’t a definitive answer about greatness. It reveals something more interesting: which careers are flexible enough to survive constant comparison, and which profiles get exposed when the lens never stops moving. 📱 Follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X for live episodes, format breakdowns, and future MLB Royal Rumble editions.

Welcome to Episode 136 of Tablesetters! Steve and Devin are back as we continue our deep dive into all things baseball, and today we’re thrilled to welcome back Ben Upton, co-founder and host of 11Point7, one of the most trusted voices covering the college baseball landscape. Ben last joined us on Episode 59 in February 2025, when college baseball felt like it was standing on the edge of something bigger. One year later, heading into the 2026 season, that momentum hasn’t slowed. If anything, it’s intensified, with portal movement reshaping rosters, NIL becoming more structured, national exposure increasing, and a preseason Top 25 that feels deeper and more volatile than ever. We kick things off by revisiting that conversation from last year and asking Ben what the biggest tangible change has been now that another full season is in the books. Is it the way programs like LSU, Tennessee, and Georgia reload annually, the speed and scale of roster turnover through the portal, or the way fans now follow college baseball on a truly national level? From there, we dive into the 2026 preseason picture. UCLA opens the year at No. 1 behind returning Player of the Year Roch Cholowsky, while LSU chases history, Mississippi State reboots under Brian O’Connor, Georgia Tech brings back its ACC core, and Coastal Carolina enters the year with one of the best pitching staffs in the country. Ben breaks down whether this season represents real parity or simply an unusually strong upper tier and which team is best positioned to take control if UCLA stumbles. Hot topics include the loaded Player of the Year race featuring Cholowsky, Drew Burress, Derek Curiel, Ace Reese, and Justin Lebron, how Ben evaluates award races beyond raw production, and whether 2026 is shaping up to be a pitcher-driven season with arms like Cameron Flukey, Jackson Flora, Casan Evans, Dax Whitney, and Tommy LaPour headlining the conversation. The discussion expands to teams just outside the rankings, Texas A&M’s prove-it season, and the growing trend of college coaches moving into MLB roles. Ben shares his thoughts on Tony Vitello’s jump to the Giants, other recent staff departures to the pro ranks, and whether this movement can officially be called a trend. We also hit mid-majors capable of making real noise, conference realignment growing pains, potential structural changes to the MLB Draft and minor leagues, and what that could mean for college baseball’s future. Before we wrap, we close with quick hitters, including one team Ben is higher on than the rankings, one he’s more skeptical of, a player casual fans will be talking about by April, the pitcher he trusts most in a winner-take-all game, and his early “Eight for Omaha” pick. Follow us for more: 📸 Instagram: @Tablesetterspod 🐦 X: @Tablesetterspod If you enjoy the episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share. Let’s keep the conversation going — drop your college baseball questions in the comments!

Episode 135 of Tablesetters focuses on a fantasy baseball mock draft on CBS Sports, recorded Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET in a 12-team head-to-head categories format. This was a full-length, 23-round mock that ran close to 90 minutes and featured a room of experienced fantasy managers from across the fantasy baseball landscape. The draft included Scott White of CBS Sports alongside Sean Martin and Mike Nelson from Fantasy Baseball Now, George Kurtz of SportsGrid, Nick Fox of NBC Sports, B_Don of Razzball, Jeremy Heist of Fantistics Fantasy, Chris Mitchell of FantasyData, Anthony Kates of SportsEthos, and TGFBI participant Marty Tallman. The room approached the draft deliberately, reacting to positional runs, managing time, and adjusting strategy as the board developed. Rather than recapping the draft pick by pick, Steve and Devin center the discussion on decision-making and draft structure. They examine how early pitching selections involving arms such as Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, and Garrett Crochet influenced roster construction, and how elite hitters like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani shaped category planning and lineup balance. The episode breaks down how head-to-head categories formats create specific constraints, particularly with pitching minimums and weekly matchups. The conversation focuses on how managers weighed stability versus upside, managed category needs as the draft progressed, and used roster flexibility to respond to changes in the room. This episode is intended as a look at process rather than results, highlighting how experienced fantasy players interpret draft flow, adjust priorities, and make decisions in real time. For listeners preparing for competitive fantasy baseball drafts or looking to refine how they approach roster construction, this episode provides practical context without relying on full draft recaps. ⚾️ A blueprint for how drafts actually unfold. 📱 Follow Tablesetters for ongoing fantasy baseball discussion, draft strategy, and in-season analysis.

Episode 134 of Tablesetters is a live reaction episode examining how teams across Major League Baseball are balancing urgency, flexibility, and long-term thinking. We open in Queens, where the New York Mets respond to missing out on Kyle Tucker by leaning into short-term upside. That approach begins with the signing of Bo Bichette to a three year, $126 million contract and continues with the trade for Luis Robert Jr., adding contact ability, athleticism, and volatility to the lineup. The week culminates with the Mets acquiring Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers from the Milwaukee Brewers, giving New York a legitimate top of the rotation starter and much needed innings stability. We break down why Peralta’s durability, strikeout profile, and contract value made him the right target despite the significant prospect cost and competitive balance tax impact. From there, we shift to the Bronx, where the New York Yankees re sign Cody Bellinger to a five year, $162.5 million deal. We discuss the structure of the contract, the opt outs, and why Bellinger’s 2025 performance made him a stabilizing fit for a roster already operating deep into the luxury tax. We close with legacy, as Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones are elected to the Hall of Fame. The discussion centers on how very different career paths, one defined by longevity and completeness and the other by historic defensive dominance, ultimately arrive at the same destination. Steve and Devin connect market behavior, roster construction, and long-term planning across a league that continues to operate on multiple timelines at once. ⚾️ One episode, three timelines. The present, the future, and the history that frames them. 📱 Follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X for offseason reactions and league wide analysis.

This is not a numbered Tablesetters episode and not our standard show format. What you’re hearing here is our segment from a recent guest appearance on Refuse to Lose, the Seattle Mariners–focused podcast hosted by Brady Farkas. Brady was kind enough to allow us to share this portion of the discussion. Listeners should check out the full episode of Refuse to Lose for the complete conversation and broader Mariners coverage. The discussion begins with Félix Hernández and the Hall of Fame. Rather than focusing on traditional milestones, we talk through how Hall of Fame evaluation has shifted alongside changes in pitcher usage, workload, and league context. The focus is on peak performance, era adjustment, and overall impact, and whether the evaluation framework should continue to evolve. From there, we move to Dave Sims and his transition from Seattle to becoming the radio voice of the New York Yankees. We discuss Sims’ long tenure with the Mariners, the role broadcasters play in shaping fan experience, and why this move carries significance for both fan bases without overstating it. We also examine the Yankees’ offseason, why it has been comparatively quiet, and whether a move like Cody Bellinger still fits their roster construction. That leads into a broader look at how Yankees fans view the Mariners within the American League landscape, and what that perception says about competitive positioning. On the Mets side, the conversation turns to roster alignment and trade considerations, including whether the Mets and Mariners could function as logical trade partners. We also discuss Jorge Polanco’s time in Seattle and how that tenure informs expectations now that he is with the Mets. We round out the segment with some lighter reflection, including favorite former Mets who spent time with the Mariners, favorite former Yankees who passed through Seattle, and how those player overlaps shape the way fans experience interleague and cross-division connections over time. This is a focused baseball discussion centered on evaluation, context, and roster timing rather than breaking news or hot takes. Thanks to Brady Farkas for having us on and for allowing us to share this segment. 🎧 Listen to the full episode of Refuse to Lose wherever you get your podcasts. 📱 Follow @RefuseToLosePod and @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X.

Episode 133 of Tablesetters is a live, solo emergency reaction to the New York Mets signing Bo Bichette to a three-year, $126 million contract, a deal that immediately reframes the Mets’ offseason after missing on Kyle Tucker. This episode focuses on why this was not a fallback move. We break down the structure of the contract, the $42 million AAV, the opt-outs, and the absence of deferrals, and explain how it mirrors the same short-term, high-value philosophy the Mets pursued with Tucker. The player changed. The strategy did not. We also examine the market context that sharpened the decision. According to Bob Nightengale, the Philadelphia Phillies believed they had Bichette locked up on a seven-year, $200 million deal before the Mets stepped in. Rather than matching length and risk, New York leveraged annual value and optionality, reshaping both the division and the market in the process. From there, we dig into what the Mets are actually buying on the field, how Bichette’s 2025 season reestablished his offensive ceiling, and why the club appears comfortable with the defensive trade-offs at third base given their infield alignment and roster depth. This is not a full teardown. It’s a focused reaction on leverage, roster timing, and what this move says about how the Mets are choosing to compete right now. ⚾️ A fast pivot, a clear philosophy, and another defining contract in a rapidly evolving offseason. 📱 Follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X for instant reactions, contract context, and roster fallout.

Episode 132 of Tablesetters is an emergency reaction pod centered on a market-shifting decision, as Kyle Tucker agrees to a four-year, $240 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, immediately resetting both the top of the free-agent market and the competitive landscape heading into 2026. We open with the deal itself, breaking down how a $60 million AAV contract represents a decisive pivot away from traditional long-term free-agent structures and toward compressed risk at the very top of the market. We discuss why Tucker and the Dodgers were uniquely aligned on this structure, how Los Angeles leveraged competitive certainty and roster context over sheer length, and what this agreement signals about where elite player negotiations may be heading. From there, we examine the broader market fallout. Tucker’s decision effectively closes the door on the Mets’ reported $50 million-per-year short-term push and the Blue Jays’ long-term pursuit, while clarifying how teams are increasingly being forced to choose between flexibility and security. We explore how this signing reshapes leverage for remaining free agents and how quickly the rest of the offseason could now accelerate. We then turn to the on-field implications in Los Angeles. Tucker’s arrival addresses a clear offensive inefficiency in the Dodgers’ outfield, particularly in on-base ability, while raising both the floor and ceiling of a lineup already built to contend. We break down the inevitable roster ripple effects, including the pressure this puts on depth pieces and the difficult decisions that follow when a true superstar enters the mix. Finally, we zoom out to the long view. We discuss the draft and development costs attached to signing another qualifying-offer free agent, why the Dodgers were willing to absorb them, and how this move fits within an organization balancing immediate championship windows with a steady pipeline of young talent nearing the majors. Steve and Devin connect the dots between financial creativity, competitive leverage, and roster timing, framing the Tucker signing as more than a splash — it is a signal about how the next phase of team building at the top of the sport may look. ⚾️ An emergency decision, a market reset, and a defining move of the offseason. 📱 Follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X for instant reactions, contract breakdowns, and roster impact analysis.

Episode 131 of Tablesetters is a reaction pod focused on a pivotal stretch of the offseason, as a major pitching commitment in Boston, a franchise-defining signing in Chicago, a stalled superstar market, and a rare ballpark adjustment collectively show how teams are adapting to risk, scarcity, and roster timing heading into 2026. We open in Boston, where the Red Sox are set to sign left-handed pitcher Ranger Suárez to a five-year, $130 million contract with no deferrals, no opt-outs, and no no-trade protection. The deal represents the largest free-agent commitment of Craig Breslow’s tenure and a clear pivot back toward rotation strength after Boston stalled in its pursuit of an infield upgrade. Suárez joins a rotation led by Garrett Crochet and recently bolstered by Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, signaling a belief in run prevention, depth, and managed workloads over chasing innings volume. From there, we shift to Chicago, where the Cubs make the biggest offensive splash of their offseason by signing Alex Bregman to a five-year, $175 million deal with significant deferrals. We break down why this move reshapes the Cubs’ lineup, how it reflects a philosophical shift from the Ricketts family, and what Bregman’s arrival means for the infield picture alongside Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, and Matt Shaw as Chicago pushes firmly into a win-now posture. Next, we zoom out to the top of the free-agent market, where Kyle Tucker remains unsigned. We discuss reports that the Mets have offered a short-term deal with a $50 million average annual value, while the Blue Jays have made a long-term offer, highlighting the growing divide between extreme AAV flexibility and traditional long-term guarantees — and why Tucker’s decision could reshape the rest of the offseason. We close in Kansas City, where the Royals announce changes to the outfield dimensions at Kauffman Stadium, moving in the fences in both corners and the alleys while lowering wall height. We explore why this calculated adjustment is aimed at boosting offense without compromising pitching, how it aligns with the Royals’ left-handed core, and what it says about teams looking for marginal gains beyond the roster itself. Steve and Devin connect the dots between market behavior, roster construction, financial flexibility, and environment, focusing on how these moves reflect a league increasingly split between certainty, creativity, and controlled risk. ⚾️ One week, four signals, and a clearer picture of how contenders are being built. 📱 Follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X for daily offseason breakdowns, reactions, and roster deep dives.

Episode 130 of Tablesetters is a concept-driven mini episode built around roster construction, positional value, and decision-making under real constraints, as Steve and Devin each attempt to build a complete MLB lineup using nothing but a random team generator. The episode opens with a straightforward but demanding premise. Each host takes turns hitting a random MLB team generator. When a team comes up, that host must select one player from that franchise to fill a specific roster spot. Once a position is filled, it is locked for the rest of the build. By the end of the exercise, both hosts must complete a full roster that includes a catcher, all infield and outfield positions, a designated hitter, a starting pitcher, and a closer. From there, the discussion quickly becomes about strategy rather than luck. With players restricted to positions they have actually played, every choice forces a tradeoff between talent, positional scarcity, and long-term flexibility. Do you secure a premium shortstop or center fielder early before options narrow? Do you prioritize an ace-level starter while the board is still deep? Do you wait on DH knowing it offers the most flexibility but still carries opportunity cost? Each pick reshapes the rest of the lineup. As the draft unfolds, Steve and Devin explain their reasoning in real time, walking through how randomness creates pressure, exposes weaknesses in roster planning, and reveals different philosophies about how a team should be built. Certain teams present obvious advantages, while others force difficult decisions that test how well each host can adapt on the fly. Once both rosters are complete, each host sets a full batting order from one through nine, explaining lineup balance, run creation, and how their team would function over a full season or in a postseason series. The episode closes with a direct comparison of rotations and closers, followed by the central question that frames the entire exercise: whose team is actually better? The final verdict is left to the audience, with both completed lineups shared for a fan vote after the episode drops. ⚾️ One random draw at a time, real roster constraints at every position, and a full lineup built from scratch. 📱 Follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X to see the lineups, vote on the winner, and join the conversation.

Episode 129 of Tablesetters is a mini reaction episode focused on two developments that highlight how teams are navigating an offseason where certainty has become increasingly expensive. The episode opens in Chicago, where the Cubs land right-hander Edward Cabrera in a trade with the Marlins, sending outfielder Owen Caissie and infield prospects Cristian Hernandez and Edgardo De Leon to Miami. While the deal resembles a familiar exchange of pitching for position-player depth, it reflects a deliberate pivot toward upside as the Cubs address rotation needs amid a thinning pitching market. Cabrera had been on Chicago’s radar since last summer’s trade deadline. When rotation concerns resurfaced in October and elite starters quickly came off the board this winter, the Cubs turned to a pitcher whose ceiling is difficult to find outside the top tier of the market. The Cubs acquire Cabrera after the most complete season of his career. In 2025, he posted a 3.53 ERA across 26 starts with 150 strikeouts in 137⅔ innings. From early May through early August, he recorded a 2.22 ERA, pitching like a frontline starter over a sustained stretch. That performance was driven by a dominant changeup, elite swing-and-miss breaking balls, and meaningful improvement in his control. The risk remains part of the profile. Fastball inconsistency and durability questions persist, and the Cubs are not acquiring a finished product. They are betting that the gains are real and that their development infrastructure can push the profile further. The episode then shifts to Philadelphia, where the Phillies have scheduled a meeting with Bo Bichette. The discussion centers on why the fit exists now, how Bichette’s flexibility reshapes the infield picture, and what a potential move would mean for the Phillies’ payroll and roster construction. Episode 129 examines two different paths to the same question. When certainty is expensive, how far are teams willing to lean into upside? TableSetters is where roster decisions, front office thinking, and the business of winning meet. 🎧 Listen to Episode 129 now 👍 Like the episode 📌 Subscribe so you never miss a drop 🗣️ Share it with someone who actually cares about roster construction Follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X for clips, debates, and listener polls, and join the conversation.

Episode 128 of Tablesetters is a mini reaction pod focused on a pivotal stretch of the offseason where one signing, one trade market, and one free agent begin to reshape how teams are positioning themselves for 2026. We open in Toronto, where the Blue Jays officially make their long-anticipated breakthrough in the Japanese market by signing Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million contract just ahead of the expiration of his 45-day posting window. The deal is a straight four-year agreement with no opt-outs, structured as a $5 million signing bonus, a $7 million salary in 2026, and $16 million salaries in each of the final three seasons, with Okamoto represented by the Boras Corporation. To create a 40-man roster spot, Toronto designated right-hander Paxton Schultz for assignment. MLB Trade Rumors ranked Okamoto 19th on its top 50 free agents list and projected a four-year, $64 million deal, putting the final terms right in line with expectations. The signing also triggers a $10.875 million posting fee to the Yomiuri Giants under the NPB–MLB posting system. From there, we break down what Okamoto’s arrival does to the Blue Jays’ roster construction. The 29-year-old projects as Toronto’s regular third baseman, while also bringing experience at first base and in the outfield. His versatility creates ripple effects across the lineup, including a likely platoon with Addison Barger at third base, more consistent second base work for Ernie Clement, and a positional shift that moves Andrés Giménez from second base to everyday shortstop. We also examine how the picture changes if Bo Bichette re-signs, and how crowded things could become if Toronto lands another rumored target like Kyle Tucker. The signing adds another layer to an offseason for a Blue Jays team that came within two outs of winning Game 7 of the World Series, following earlier pitching additions like Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and Tyler Rogers. It also effectively closes the door on pursuits of Alex Bregman and Yoán Moncada unless Toronto makes the unconventional decision to deploy Okamoto primarily in the outfield. Next, we shift to the trade market, where Edward Cabrera has emerged as one of the most consequential arms potentially available. The Yankees are actively engaged in discussions with the Marlins while also remaining involved on Freddy Peralta, with the Mets and Cubs also expressing interest in Cabrera. We break down why Cabrera’s 2025 season, his power profile, his remaining club control through 2028, and his projected $3.7 million arbitration salary make him such an attractive target. We also examine the injury concerns that complicate his value, the Yankees’ urgent rotation needs with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón set to open the year on the injured list, and why Cabrera’s affordability matters for both New York and Chicago as they juggle payroll, roster needs, and other offensive pursuits. For the Mets, we look at how their rotation has remained largely untouched despite major position-player turnover, and why their collection of young infield talent could factor into any serious push for pitching. We close with the expanding market for Cody Bellinger, as the Cubs check in and join a group that already includes the Yankees, Dodgers, Giants, Mets, Angels, Blue Jays, and Phillies at various points this offseason. We discuss why Chicago’s interest reads as due diligence rather than a clear pivot, how Bellinger fits their roster, and why prospect timelines complicate any reunion. From there, we focus on the Yankees, where Bellinger remains the top offseason priority and negotiations have escalated to a second formal offer. We break down the roster logjam his return would create, how it impacts Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones, and why a Bellinger deal could directly intersect with New York’s pursuit of Edward Cabrera. Steve and Devin connect the dots across international markets, trade leverage, payroll pressure, and roster math, focusing less on headlines and more on what these developments reveal about how teams believe they need to be built to win in 2026. ⚾️ One signing changes the board, trade talks gain momentum, and leverage begins to shift. 📱 Follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X for daily offseason breakdowns, polls, and reactions.

Episode 127 of Tablesetters is a mini reaction pod, breaking down one of the winter’s most surprising pitching moves and what it immediately tells us about how teams are positioning themselves for 2026. We open with the Houston Astros signing Tatsuya Imai to a three-year, $54 million contract that can reach $63 million through performance incentives, finalized just ahead of his January 2 posting deadline. The deal includes opt-outs after each season, giving Imai the flexibility to bet on himself at the major league level. Despite interest from the Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles, Houston emerged as an unexpected but strategic landing spot. We examine why the market shifted from early long-term projections, how the deal structure balances risk and upside, and why the Astros felt comfortable moving decisively here. From there, we focus on who Imai is now, not the pitcher he was early in his career. After command issues and a difficult 2020 season that briefly pushed him to the bullpen, Imai rebuilt his profile beginning in 2021 and went on a dominant four-year run from 2022 through 2025. During that stretch, he established himself as one of Nippon Professional Baseball’s most effective starters, culminating in a 1.92 ERA season with elite strikeout rates, improved control, and exceptional home-run suppression. We break down his mid-to-upper-90s fastball, deep secondary mix, and why evaluators see a higher ceiling than his early-career reputation suggested. The conversation then shifts to Houston’s rotation outlook in a post-Framber Valdez era. With Valdez expected to depart in free agency, Imai slots in behind Hunter Brown, who broke out as one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2025. We project the Astros’ 2026 rotation featuring Brown, Imai, Cristian Javier, Mike Burrows, and A.J. Blubaugh, while evaluating the importance of depth pieces such as Lance McCullers Jr., Spencer Arrighetti, Brandon Walter, J.P. France, Nate Pearson, Colton Gordon, Miguel Ullola, and others after a season defined by injuries. We close by connecting the dots between Houston’s missed postseason in 2025, their recent rotation instability, and why this signing represents a calculated pivot rather than a headline-chasing move. At roughly $18 million per year with workload-based incentives and annual opt-outs, the Imai deal gives the Astros a legitimate one-two punch at the top of the rotation while preserving long-term flexibility. For Imai, it’s both an opportunity and a leverage play. For Houston, it’s a bet on development, velocity, and upward trajectory in the next phase of their competitive cycle. ⚾️ A rapid-response look at a market-shifting signing with long-term implications. 📱 Follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X for daily offseason breakdowns, polls, and reactions.

Episode 126 of Tablesetters breaks down a stretch of offseason moves that didn’t rely on shock value, but clearly revealed how several teams are positioning themselves for 2026. We open with Tatsuya Imai nearing the end of his MLB posting window with a January 2 deadline and, by his own admission, far less clarity than expected. Despite an elite résumé in Japan and interest from multiple clubs, firm offers have yet to materialize. We examine why interest hasn’t translated into action, which teams remain involved, the importance of family and contract structure in his decision, and what it means if Imai ultimately returns to Seibu. From there, we move to Baltimore, where the Orioles re-sign Zach Eflin on a one-year deal. We break down what Eflin realistically provides coming off an injury-filled season, where he fits alongside Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, and Shane Baz, and why this move stabilizes the rotation without removing the Orioles from the frontline starter market. The Athletics make their clearest long-term statement by locking up Tyler Soderstrom. We dig into how his extension reshapes the lineup, why his move to left field mattered after Nick Kurtz’s arrival, and how a core featuring Soderstrom, Brent Rooker, Lawrence Butler, Shea Langeliers, Jacob Wilson, and Jeff McNeil gives the A’s one of the deeper young offenses in the league as they build toward Las Vegas. Cincinnati’s pivot away from the Luis Robert trade market brings the bullpen into focus. We break down the additions of JJ Bleday and Dane Myers, the pitching depth lost along the way, and why the Reds’ roster decisions align with Nick Krall’s stated priority of fixing a relief group that quietly became one of the team’s biggest concerns. We close the Meat of the Order in Pittsburgh, where the Pirates sign Ryan O’Hearn to the largest free-agent position-player deal in franchise history. We discuss why O’Hearn fits PNC Park, how he complements Spencer Horwitz and Brandon Lowe, and why Pittsburgh’s recent aggression has created legitimate momentum — including growing buzz around Kazuma Okamoto. Steve and Devin connect the dots across international markets, roster math, and team-building philosophy, focusing less on headlines and more on what these moves tell us about how clubs believe games will be won next season. ⚾️ Deadlines approaching, cores taking shape, and priorities becoming clear. 📱 Follow @Tablesetterspod on Instagram and X for daily offseason breakdowns, polls, and reactions.

The offseason continues to take shape, and Episode 125 of Tablesetters brings together a week where the market didn’t explode — but it definitely shifted. We open with Munetaka Murakami landing with the White Sox, a short-term signing that reflects how teams are weighing upside against risk and flexibility. It’s a move that raises questions about fit, timeline, and what both sides are really betting on as Murakami makes the jump to MLB. From there, the trade market comes into focus. Brandon Lowe heads to Pittsburgh, a deal that signals intent without locking the Pirates into long-term risk. At the same time, Baltimore adds Shane Baz, continuing to behave like a team that believes its competitive window is very real — and very open. Those moves create ripple effects elsewhere. The Rays once again load up on future assets, the Blue Jays and Diamondbacks monitor the Alex Bregman market, and San Diego opts for continuity, keeping Michael King in the fold while adding Sung-Mun Song. We also touch on Kansas City’s bullpen move, another reminder of how aggressively teams are trying to solve late-inning depth. We wrap with listener interaction, breaking down the latest USA First Base debate, where the results were decisive — and revealing in terms of how our audience value upside, age, and track record heading into the next international cycle. Steve and Devin connect the dots across signings, trades, and market behavior, keeping the focus on process over headlines as the offseason continues to evolve. ⚾️ Measured bets, shifting leverage, and trade dominoes starting to fall — winter baseball is officially underway. 📱 Follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X for reactions, breakdowns, and daily offseason coverage.

Welcome to Episode 124 of Tablesetters, and today’s conversation goes well beyond wins, losses, and box scores. We’re joined by Dominic Leone, a former Major League reliever who pitched professionally from 2012 through 2024, navigating more than a decade inside big league clubhouses during one of the most transformative periods in modern baseball. His career unfolded during the rise of Statcast driven evaluation, the reshaping of bullpen usage, and an era where flexibility, churn, and uncertainty became defining features of roster construction. Leone’s path was never linear, requiring constant adjustment just to remain employed in a role where reliability and replaceability are often separated by a handful of outcomes. What makes this episode different and necessary is Leone’s willingness to speak openly about the human cost of that reality. Since stepping away from the game, he has been candid about mental health, identity, fatherhood, and the emotional weight of building a career without long term security. From going undrafted out of high school to earning trust at Clemson in a postseason elimination game that sent the Tigers to the College World Series, from adapting through injury to teaching himself a cutter by studying Mariano Rivera simply to survive, Leone’s story is defined by self direction, resilience, and constant reinvention. Across this conversation, we explore when mental health stopped being background noise and became something requiring intentional care, the invisible strain of bullpen life and living year to year without certainty, and the routines and personal rituals that helped him stay grounded during the season. We talk about baseball as identity and what happens when that identity begins to loosen, how fatherhood reshaped his relationship with pressure and failure, and why he ultimately chose to speak publicly about mental health and life after baseball when those conversations were rarely normalized inside clubhouses. We also dig into the razor thin margins that define relief pitching, the emotional reality of modern free agency, and how bullpen roles have fundamentally changed as teams prioritize depth, flexibility, and short term solutions. Leone offers perspective on clubhouse culture and whether winning creates chemistry or chemistry enables winning, what fans often misunderstand about the waiting and uncertainty of free agency, and what looming 2026 labor uncertainty means for players without guaranteed security. He reflects on what it is like to step away from a world where every pitch is tracked and judged, and what he understands now about baseball’s structure, culture, and economics that simply was not visible while living inside it day to day. We close by looking ahead, what Leone is focused on now, where listeners can follow and support what he is building, his favorite offseason signing, and a lighter moment as he reflects on the one strikeout that still stands out above all others. It is one of our most thoughtful and human conversations yet, a reminder that baseball careers are not just built on talent, but on adaptability, mental endurance, and the ability to redefine yourself when the game eventually moves on. 🎧 Subscribe, rate, and follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X for bonus clips, analysis, and offseason storytelling.

The offseason really planted its flag this week, and Episode 123 of Tablesetters is loaded. The Dodgers doubled down on their super-team bullpen by landing Edwin Díaz on a record-setting three-year deal, instantly changing the late-inning landscape and raising the bar yet again on what an all-in contender looks like. In the same tier of aggression, the Phillies are keeping their tone-setter at home, re-signing Kyle Schwarber on a five-year, $150 million pact while also locking in Rob Thomson through 2027 to extend the most successful run of Phillies baseball in a decade. We dig into how Díaz’s contract reshapes the relief market, what it says about the Dodgers’ willingness to blow past every financial line on the board, and how the Mets’ choice to pivot to Devin Williams looks now that their former star closer is in L.A. From there, we shift to Philadelphia: why Schwarber’s deal breaks every “rule” for 33-year-old DHs, what it means for the rest of the power market, how Thomson’s extension fits their “job’s not done” mentality, and what the Phillies still have to solve with J.T. Realmuto, the outfield, and the rotation. It hasn’t been a quiet week in Queens, either. Pete Alonso is back on the open market, talking to teams at the Winter Meetings while reports out of Orlando suggest the Mets are hesitant to go beyond three guaranteed years. We break down why Alonso’s profile is so polarizing in today’s game, why a reunion feels more like a late-offseason outcome than a sure thing, and how his market ties back into Schwarber’s deal, Cody Bellinger’s next move, and the first-base/DH shuffle across the league. On the future side of things, the Chicago White Sox win the 2026 MLB Draft Lottery and secure the No. 1 overall pick, with the Rays and Twins right behind them. We walk through how the lottery rules shaped this year’s order, why the Giants and Royals come out as surprise winners, which clubs slid down the board, and how names like Roch Cholowsky, Grady Emerson, and Justin Lebron could shape the next few years. And in Cooperstown news, Jeff Kent finally gets the call from the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee. We talk about his case as the most powerful second baseman ever, why he stalled out with the writers, and what the new Era Committee rules mean for Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Gary Sheffield, and the rest of the PED-era lightning rods going forward. We close by zooming in on Boston, where the Red Sox are kicking the tires on Eugenio Suárez as they hunt for impact power at third base and possibly first/DH. We get into what Suárez brings at this stage of his career, how his strikeout and chase issues complicate the fit, what it signals about their Plan A with Alex Bregman, and how Masataka Yoshida’s situation could dictate where the Sox go next. Steve and Devin are taking you through every angle — the signings, the extensions, the Hall of Fame fallout, the draft lottery results, and how all of it ties together as the hot stove finally starts to cook. ⚾️ Superteams loading up, power bats getting paid, futures being rewritten — the offseason is officially in full swing. 📱 Follow @Tablesetterspod on Instagram and X for full offseason coverage, instant reactions, and breakdowns all week long.

The league is not easing into the Winter Meetings. Everything is already moving. Episode 122 opens with a full preview of the Winter Meetings in Orlando, where front offices, agents, and scouts spend four days accelerating conversations that normally take weeks. We lay out what the schedule looks like, why teams such as Seattle, the Mets, the Dodgers, Milwaukee, Detroit, and Boston are positioned to act, and note that the Rule 5 Draft is on deck as part of the week’s business. It’s the annual checkpoint that pushes stalled talks forward, and this year the trade market is already hinting at a few possible flashpoints. From there, we break down the Mets’ big bullpen addition. New York lands Devin Williams on a 3-year, $51 million deal, giving them a late-inning anchor regardless of what happens with Edwin Díaz. We look at why the Mets felt comfortable betting on the underlying metrics, what Williams still does at an elite level, and how his arrival gives the front office multiple paths through the rest of the winter. It’s a stabilizing move before the Meetings even begin. We also get into Baltimore’s signing of Ryan Helsley, who might be one of the most interesting rebound bets of the offseason. The Orioles see fixable issues — pitch tipping, sequencing predictability, fastball shape — and believe their pitching infrastructure can get him back to All-Star form. With Félix Bautista recovering, Baltimore needed a legitimate ninth-inning option, and Helsley arrives with both the stuff and the track record to fill that role immediately. Two international signings hit the board as well: Anthony Kay to the White Sox and Cody Ponce to the Blue Jays. Both reinvented themselves overseas, both return with new arsenals, and both deals reflect MLB’s growing willingness to invest in pitchers who rebuild their value in the KBO and NPB. Kay gives Chicago a stabilizing piece in a flexible rotation, while Ponce becomes another power arm in what might be the deepest starting group in baseball. We also look at Sonny Gray, who hasn’t thrown a pitch for Boston yet but already leaned into the rivalry by taking a swipe at the Yankees. His comments added instant juice to a tense dynamic between the two clubs, and Boston paid real prospect capital to get him. We walk through the rotation fit, the motivation behind the deal, and the early messaging coming out of Fenway. To close things out, we propose one trade that feels realistic heading into the Meetings — a move that fits the market, the needs on both sides, and the competitive timelines without getting speculative. Think of it as the early favorite to become this year’s headline move once executives settle into Orlando. Steve and Devin walk through each signing, the market context, the roster ripple effects, and the trade to watch as the Meetings begin. Two major reliever signings. Two international additions. One rivalry story. One trade prediction going into baseball’s busiest week. Follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X for full Winter Meetings coverage with updates, reactions, and everything happening out of Orlando.

Welcome to Episode 121 of Tablesetters — and today we’re joined by one of the most essential voices in global baseball storytelling. Jim Allen, longtime NPB writer, analyst, historian, and the force behind jballallen.com and its weekly newsletter, sits down with us for a deep, far-reaching conversation about the heartbeat of Japanese baseball and its growing impact on MLB. For decades, Jim’s reporting has been the bridge that helps English-speaking fans understand not just NPB players, but the culture, structures, and histories that shape them. From the posting system to player development pathways, from extra-inning philosophy to editorial norms, and from national identity to modern pitch-design trends, Jim brings context you simply can’t find anywhere else. And with Tatsuya Imai, Munetaka Murakami, Kona Takahashi, and others drawing MLB attention — all while Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Sasaki redefine the top of the sport — this is the perfect moment to have him on. In our conversation, Jim takes us inside how the posting system actually works: the incentives that guide both leagues, how timing and leverage shape negotiations, and why the 2013 reforms solved some issues while pushing others into new territory. We break down Imai’s rise into a front-line starter, why his growth feels so intentional, and what parts of his profile give him the best chance to translate quickly to MLB. Jim also helps untangle the narrative around Murakami’s 56-homer “Japanese-born record,” how it’s framed against Balentien’s 60, and what American fans need to understand about how that story was built and why it stuck. We dig into the philosophical gap between MLB’s open-ended extra innings and NPB’s 12-inning limit, what that says about pace, workload, and cultural logic, and how that contrast resurfaced when Yamamoto appeared in the World Series on almost no rest. From there, we look at Japan’s relationship with the WBC — Ohtani’s commitment, the national pride attached to the tournament, and how fans weigh those responsibilities against MLB club preferences. Jim also breaks down why narrow milestones and highly specific statistical labels catch fire so quickly in Japanese media, and what American audiences often miss about that editorial tradition. We explore how public sentiment in Japan has shifted regarding stars leaving for MLB, from the tension-filled Matsuzaka era to today’s more normalized wave of early departures. And we close with a look ahead: the next generation of NPB names to know, plus Jim’s thoughts on Anthony Kay’s breakout season and Trevor Bauer’s polarizing stint in Japan. It’s one of our most wide-ranging episodes yet — part baseball, part culture, part analytics, part history — and Jim guides all of it with clarity, nuance, and generosity. 🎧 Subscribe and follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X for bonus clips, analysis, and offseason storytelling all winter long. Tablesetters — where the game on the field meets the stories that define it.