Latest news with #Baseball-Bar-B-Cast
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Bar-B-Cast' on why there's reason to feel bad for White Sox fans after succession plan reveal
(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.) Chicago White Sox fans can expect a significant but somewhat gradual change in the team's ownership, based on the podcast's discussion. From Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman of Yahoo Sports' "Baseball-Bar-B-Cast" podcast, here's a summary of what fans should know and what to expect: Jerry Reinsdorf's exit plan is finally official — but not immediate Jerry Reinsdorf, who has owned the White Sox for 45 years, has established a clear succession plan for selling the team. The path is mapped out but doesn't take effect right away. The earliest possible transition to new ownership is 2029, and it could stretch as late as 2034. Advertisement Justin Ishbia, the brother of Phoenix Suns owner Matt Ishbia, is set to become the White Sox's principal owner, according to legal arrangements revealed this week. He already holds a minority stake and will have the option to buy the majority stake from Reinsdorf starting in 2029, or absolutely by 2034. Sorry, White Sox fans, as for now, not much changes The current public messaging is that nothing significant changes for day-to-day fans or for the on-field product until at least 2029. In the short-term, Ishbia will infuse some cash and begin slowly getting involved, but the team's operational control still rests with Reinsdorf. Advertisement Reinsdorf is 89 years old, so it makes sense for him to set up this transition. He's finally making concrete plans for when he's no longer in charge. "He clearly sold this to Ishbia because he likes Ishbia or thinks Ishbia will do a good job or whatever," Mintz said. "That was the pick. He's making the pick, not someone else. That's important to Jerry Reinsdorf. He is lucky here that he has made this choice before he dies. A lot of people, most people die before 89, and I feel bad that some White Sox fans, in fact will die before this ownership group changes hands because the quickest it could change is 2029." Said Shusterman, "If he's doing great and the White Sox are winning, guess what? Jerry's going to keep on owning the team. Now if the White Sox are still losing in 2029? Very possible, considering how deep of a hole they are in, then, I mean, I don't know, maybe he then finally decides, 'All right, your turn, Justin.'" Advertisement While there's no reason to expect rapid on-field changes or increased spending immediately, there is a sense of long-term optimism. The new owner comes from substantial means and chose the White Sox over other available MLB franchises, indicating belief in the franchise's potential. For more of the latest baseball news and debates, tune in to "Baseball-Bar-B-Cast" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bar-B-Cast on Red Sox's struggles and ugly season: 'Alex Cora is going nowhere at least this season'
(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.) Based on the conversation between Yahoo Sports' Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman in this episode of "Baseball Bar-B-Cast," it's clear that while things look bleak for the Red Sox, the season isn't over — but there's a lot of frustration and concern. Advertisement The Red Sox aren't mathematically eliminated, and there are still scenarios where they turn things around, especially if prospects contribute and some injured players return and perform. But the path forward is "complicated" and hope is fading, reflected in Boston's big drop in playoff odds. The team's flaws are showing, and unless things change quickly, they're at risk of falling out of the race for good. Here are the key points Shusterman and Mintz discussed on the show: Poor performance, bad breaks The Red Sox have struggled recently, particularly with a five-game losing streak entering Friday, lots of one-run losses (6-15 in one-run games), and multiple walk-off defeats. There have also been key injuries — especially to Alex Bregman and Tristan Casas — and some roster inflexibility. Advertisement Their playoff odds have plummeted from preseason hopes of 56% down to 18%, according to Fangraphs, as Shusterman mentions. This drop reflects their poor play and the surprising strength of other teams. Why manager Alex Cora is safe this season Mintz and Shusterman discussed some odd roster choices and poor communication, especially around locking Rafael Devers into the DH spot. However, neither Mintz nor Shusterman believe Cora is on the hot seat, and they think he's handled the chaos relatively well. "Alex Cora is going nowhere at least this season," Mintz said. "If I had to rank baseball operations juice amongst MLB managers he would be toward the top of that list. Yeah, he just signed a new contract. The organization believes in him and frankly I think he has done a fair, good enough job keeping this thing from going completely off the rails because it is not his fault." Advertisement Despite the mess, there's still hope in the farm system, with top prospects like Roman Anthony pushing for a call-up (though the front office seems reluctant for a mix of service time and roster jam reasons). The "Bar-B-Cast" wouldn't pick Boston to win the division at this point. Shusterman still gives the Red Sox a chance to sneak into a playoff spot, though his confidence is shaken. For more of the latest baseball news and debates, tune in to "Baseball-Bar-B-Cast" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Is Tarik Skubal on his way toward surpassing Justin Verlander's legend in Detroit?
(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.) Detroit's Tarik Skubal is making a compelling case to stake his claim among modern Tigers legends —potentially even challenging Justin Verlander's status in Detroit. In this episode of "Baseball Bar-B-Cast," Yahoo Sports' Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman go in depth on Skubal's masterpiece Sunday against Cleveland and what it means for his place in Tigers history. Here's how they frame the comparison: Skubal's most recent complete-game shutout (13 strikeouts, 94 pitches, 102.6 mph on his final pitch) was described as 'one of the best games we've ever seen pitched.' The combination of dominance, efficiency and drama left a huge impression — not just on the hosts, but on the home crowd as well, who gave Skubal a hero's ovation. Mintz makes the point that Skubal has a certain charisma and openness to being 'about the Detroit of it,' performing for the fans in a way Verlander didn't always express. Skubal's emotional reaction — wiping away tears after the standing ovation — shows just how much this team and city means to him. Skubal's journey (a ninth-round draft pick in 2018 rather than a top draft prospect) adds a special 'underdog' flavor to his legend that sets him apart, even from Verlander, who was a No. 2 overall pick and highly touted from Day 1. Shusterman and Mintz suggest there's a unique energy around Skubal, a connection to the fans, an on-the-mound swagger, and the sense that Detroit can 'dream on him' the way they did with Verlander in his prime. 'Skubal seems to love this and plays to the crowd … in a way that I don't feel like Verlander ever was," Mintz said. "There's just something about the way that Skubal goes about pitching that just connects there.' Skubal had an outrageous strikeout-to-walk ratio (82 Ks, 3 BBs). While Verlander obviously has longevity and milestones (MVP, Cy Young, World Series, etc.), Skubal's current run is the kind of sustained dominance that could build toward that kind of legendary status. While Verlander's legacy as a Tigers legend is carved in stone — thanks to years of elite pitching, a no-hitter and a Cy Young — Skubal is absolutely putting himself in the conversation. If he continues this trajectory, stays healthy, and leads the Tigers back to sustained relevance, there's every chance we'll be talking about the 'Skubal era' in Detroit for years to come. He's not there yet — but he's laying down the path, and fans (and the Baseball Bar-B-Cast crew) are here for it. For more of the latest baseball news and debates, tune in to "Baseball-Bar-B-Cast" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Even while 'struggling,' Mets star Juan Soto is still elite
(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.) When a player is as talented as Juan Soto, even his 'down' moments generate headlines. On the latest episode of "Baseball Bar-B-Cast," hosts Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman dove into the ongoing conversation around Soto's performance thus far for the 2025 New York Mets — and let's just say both hosts think the concern about Soto is seriously overblown. For Mets fans who might be worried about Soto after a slightly 'slow' start, just pause and look at the numbers. As Mintz points out, 'Do you know what his OPS+ is right now? … It's 137.' Shusterman echoes the sentiment, highlighting how baseball discourse tends to exaggerate any little blip for stars such as Soto: 'When we're talking about these tiny April samples … superstars all over the place have 60 OPS+ through the first [few weeks]. They're, like, actively crap, [but] you know, doesn't happen with [Soto]. It doesn't exist. He's on base too often. And that's why, you know, [he has the] highest floor in baseball.' The bottom line: Even while Mets Twitter wrings its hands, Soto is producing at a rate that's 37% better than league average. That kind of 'struggle' would be a career year for most big leaguers. As Mintz says, 'That's why Juan Soto is different. … The struggle, the strife, the worry is about a guy who is 37% better than the average hitter.' What Mintz and Shusterman are saying is that the conversation around Soto is more about expectations than reality. 'Pretty bad for Juan Soto, but this is why Juan Soto is different,' Mintz deadpans. They also offer a dose of long-term context, pointing out that last year, Aaron Judge looked 'like a bad dude' for a month, posting a .674 OPS through 22 games. Hot and cold streaks come for everyone, but the truth is that Soto's 'lows' are higher than most players' highs. What sets Soto apart, according to the hosts, is not just his power but also his ability to reach base and avoid prolonged hitting droughts. So if you're tuning in to Mets games or scrolling through social media and see worried takes about Soto, take it from "Baseball Bar-B-Cast:" There's nothing to stress about. 'Juan Soto — he'll be just fine. I wouldn't be too concerned about him,' Shusterman concludes. The real takeaway? Enjoy the show, and take some time to appreciate the player. For more on the Mets and the rest of the league, tune in to "Baseball-Bar-B-Cast" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Even while 'struggling,' Mets star Juan Soto is still elite
The hosts took a look at Juan Soto's early season performance on the latest episode of "Baseball Bar-B-Cast" (This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.) When a player is as talented as Juan Soto, even his 'down' moments generate headlines. On the latest episode of "Baseball Bar-B-Cast," hosts Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman dove into the ongoing conversation around Soto's performance thus far for the 2025 New York Mets — and let's just say both hosts think the concern about Soto is seriously overblown. This embedded content is not available in your region. The Soto 'slump' that isn't For Mets fans who might be worried about Soto after a slightly 'slow' start, just pause and look at the numbers. As Mintz points out, 'Do you know what his OPS+ is right now? … It's 137.' Shusterman echoes the sentiment, highlighting how baseball discourse tends to exaggerate any little blip for stars such as Soto: 'When we're talking about these tiny April samples … superstars all over the place have 60 OPS+ through the first [few weeks]. They're, like, actively crap, [but] you know, doesn't happen with [Soto]. It doesn't exist. He's on base too often. And that's why, you know, [he has the] highest floor in baseball.' The bottom line: Even while Mets Twitter wrings its hands, Soto is producing at a rate that's 37% better than league average. That kind of 'struggle' would be a career year for most big leaguers. As Mintz says, 'That's why Juan Soto is different. … The struggle, the strife, the worry is about a guy who is 37% better than the average hitter.' Superstar standards and perspective What Mintz and Shusterman are saying is that the conversation around Soto is more about expectations than reality. 'Pretty bad for Juan Soto, but this is why Juan Soto is different,' Mintz deadpans. They also offer a dose of long-term context, pointing out that last year, Aaron Judge looked 'like a bad dude' for a month, posting a .674 OPS through 22 games. Hot and cold streaks come for everyone, but the truth is that Soto's 'lows' are higher than most players' highs. What sets Soto apart, according to the hosts, is not just his power but also his ability to reach base and avoid prolonged hitting droughts. So if you're tuning in to Mets games or scrolling through social media and see worried takes about Soto, take it from "Baseball Bar-B-Cast:" There's nothing to stress about. 'Juan Soto — he'll be just fine. I wouldn't be too concerned about him,' Shusterman concludes. The real takeaway? Enjoy the show, and take some time to appreciate the player. For more on the Mets and the rest of the league, tune in to "Baseball-Bar-B-Cast" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.
