Tri-State at the Plate

Major League Baseball's All-Star Conundrum

On this week's podcast, Andy and Jason discuss the Major League Baseball's All-Star problem with the Kansas City Royals as well as the new Home Run Derby rules.  Jason then talks about the successes of Jason Kipnis and Corey Kluber as well as the struggles of Lonnie Chisenhall and Jose Ramirez.  Andy then discusses the slow start of the Pittsburgh Pirates and how it has affected their playoff hopes in 2015, as well as Jung-ho Kang's adjustments and Gregory Polanco's lack of progress. They finish up talking about the Erie SeaWolves and their less than stellar season on the field, but incredibly fan-friendly ballpark.

The Indians and Pirates Ups and Downs

On this week's Tri-State at the Plate, Andy and Jason talk about Edinboro Elementary student Jacob Haugh, who has raised nearly $3,000 for the Pirates charity Wins for Kids.  You can donate to the charity here and make sure to add 'Jacob Haugh' to your donation.

The show starts with Andy and Jason talking about the least controversial controversial topic that they can think of: the National League adopting the DH.  Andy then talks about the ups and downs of the Pirates' season so far: Starling Marte hitting for power, but not taking any walks.  The hitting not doing much of anything, but the pitching's stellar start.  Melancon's velocity is down and... well, there's no real upside to that.  Jason then makes some tater tots before he chimes in to discuss Cleveland's slow start and how the fans shouldn't be panicking.  Yet.  The duo finish up with a SeaWolves shout out that is Dean Green heavy this week.  

Rob Manfred Makes the Tough Decisions

Opening Day is almost here and we have a jam-packed episode for everyone today! While everyone eagerly awaits for Sunday night, Rob Manfred is fretting in his office about just how fans will be able to watch baseball this year, which is right where Andy and Jason start off their discussion: ending blackouts for in-market teams.  After that, Andy hits the talking points for the Pirates with recent injury news, the trading for Hunter Morris, Pedro Alvarez's success at first base and Jung-ho Kang's struggles at the plate.  He also talks about the fifth starter battle ending, with Jeff Locke victorious, keys to the Pirates success in 2015, and finishes up with a Minor League rundown of the Pirates organization.  Jason then talks about the injury news for the Tribe, Danny Salazar's assignment to the minors, Zach McAllister's assignment in the rotation, and Roberto's Perez's contributions to the 2015 Tribe.  Andy and then Jason talk about the awesome fan experiences you should be having at Progressive Field (which we still refer to as 'The Jake').  The duo finishes up the podcast with a SeaWolves Shout Out, highlighting some Wovles news and former Erie SeaWolf, now Detroit catcher, James McCann.

SeaWolves General Manager Greg Coleman Talks Erie Baseball

Andy traveled far and wide to find the brains behind the baseball operations for the Erie SeaWolves.  In the end, SeaWolves General Manager Greg Coleman ended up being in his office at the corner of 10th and Holland in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania for today's interview.  Andy had a chance to pick his brain about what makes a Minor League team tick, ranging from wacky and fun promotions in the upcoming season, to ticket packages, and how the team interacts with the community.  Greg talks about Andy's man-crush, Eastern League MVP Steven Moya, before diving into a much heavier topic, which is the economics of Minor League Baseball.

A huge thanks to Greg for taking time out of his busy spring schedule to fit in an interview today!

Spring Has Sprung and So Has Kang

Real baseball has returned in Florida and Arizona this spring!  Position battles and weird injuries are everywhere as Andy and Jason talk about Hunter Pence and his broken forearm.  Andy talks about both of those things in regards to Pirates as Corey Hart has a hot tub related injury and Jung-ho Kang hits an opposite field home run.  Andy also talks about the 5th starter spot in the Pirates' rotation being up for grabs as well as catcher Francisco Cervelli bonding well with staff ace Gerrit Cole.  Jason then jumps into the conversation talking about his favorite players to watch in camp (Francisco Lindor) and his undying love for Bruce Chen, even though Dan in Buffalo does not approve.  Jason also talks about Trevor Bauer's clean mechanics and the 5th starter spot in the Tribe's rotation as well.

Can Francisco Cervelli Effectively Affect the Effectiveness of Pitchers

Spring is in the air... if you're in Arizona or Florida that is.

Andy and Jason are in the best shape of their lives and they reported for this week's podcast!  It shows as they open up talking about meeting Jim Leyland and B.J. Upton's name change to Melvin Upton Jr.  Andy then talks about the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup in 2015 and how Francisco Cervelli could help all Pirates fans forget Russell Martin.  He also discusses the Pirates pitching and players who may need to make strides in 2015.  Jason then discusses Michael Bourn's hamstrings, Jason Kipnis's return to stardom, the two-spot in the Cleveland lineup, and Indians pitchers competing in sprint drills!

It's good to be back!

It's On Like Jung-ho Kang

Yes ladies and gentlemen, the Kang puns continue on this week's episode.  However, before talking about the Pittsburgh Pirates, Andy and Jason first discuss Max Scherzer at length and question if $210 million is deferred, is it really still $210 million?  Andy then analyzes the signing of South Korean infielder Jung-ho Kang and his role on the team before he discusses his surprise about the front office's intended plan for him.  Jason then un-ZiPS the Cleveland Indians as he takes a look at the 2015 ZiPS projections for Michael Brantley, Corey Kluber, Jason Kipnis, Yan Gomes, and others.

Mercer Me, It's Jung-ho Kang

On this week's podcast, Andy and Jason discuss a very busy offseason for San Diego Padres General Manager A.J. Preller before moving on to all things Pittsburgh and Cleveland related.  Andy first discusses the Pirates signing of A.J. Burnett and the re-signing of Francisco Liriano.  He then waxes poetic about the trade for Francisco Cervelli before discussing the move of Pedro Alvarez to first base and Pittsburgh posting for Korean infielder Jung-ho Kang.  Jason then talks about the Cleveland Indians signing of Gavin Floyd and its effect on on the rotation, the trade for Athletics outfielder Brandon Moss, and the stability of the short stop position in Cleveland over the last twenty years.

Brandon Moss or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Trade Rumors

On this week's podcast, Andy and Jason open with a discussion of the Supreme Leader of the Atlanta Braves, John Hart, and his plan for the franchise.  Jason then aggressively dissects the trade rumors swirling around Cleveland, particularly as they pertain to Oakland Athletics outfielder Brandon Moss, but also throws some other interesting names out there that have been circulating the Twitter-verse.  He talks plenty of prospect value and which of the batch of Cleveland Indians middle infielders he would feel comfortable parting with.  Andy then discusses his complex feelings towards Russell Martin signing with the Blue Jays, the catching conundrum in Pittsburgh, the Pirates' first base situation going forward, and pours one out for his homie, Clint Barmes.  The duo conclude the podcast by answering some Tweetmails about free agents from their good friend Dan in Buffalo.

Corey Kluber's Cy Young Smile

On this week's podcast, Andy and Jason analyze the SB Nation Off-Season Simulation and the craziness of letting average fans make moves on a franchise's behalf. Andy then discusses a busy off-season for the Pittsburgh Pirates, starting with the proactive trade of reliever Justin Wilson for Yankees backstop Francisco Cervelli.  He then discusses Pedro Alvarez's transition to first base, the soon-to-be non-tendering of Ike Davis and Jon Heyman's Tweeting of all things baseball related.  He finishes up by looking at the off-season awards that could have been for the Pirates as well as trades he would love to see happen in Pittsburgh.  Jason then leap frogs into the discussion on behalf of the Tribe, tackling Tribe Town favorites Michael Brantley and the most recent Cy Young winner, Corey Kluber.  He then discusses Yan Gomes's phenomenal season, the strength of the starting pitching, the short term upgrades for the Tribe, and finishes by waxing poetic about Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez.  The duo conclude this episodically long podcast by answering Dan in Buffalo's Tweetmail about how much money the Tribe and Buccos should spend this winter.