Where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire, and now the baseball world has been set ablaze after the news that Japanese superstar pitcher Roki Sasaki would be posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines. With that news, the 23-year-old flamethrower is poised to be one of the most sought-after free agents this offseason by every team.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the excitement around Sasaki, including why this is such a unique and different free-agency experience due to his age, the amount of money he’s potentially leaving on the table by coming to MLB so soon and why he compares to Pittsburgh Pirates star Paul Skenes and Texas Rangers veteran Jacob deGrom.

Later on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys welcome on NPB expert Yuri Karasawa to give his insight on Sasaki, which includes when the star pitcher first got on everyone’s radar, why the Marines are posting him so early into his career and which MLB teams already have a clear advantage to sign him. Jake & Jordan then go around the league, taking a look at the Miami Marlins' new managerial hire, the Philadelphia Phillies shaking up their front office and Reggie Jackson leaving the Houston Astros.

(1:43) - What changed with Roki Sasaki getting posted?
(17:29) - Yuri Karasawa joins the show
(22:17) - Why Sasaki is unique
(27:38) - A look at Sasaki’s 2024 season
(35:35) - Why are the Marines posting Sasaki?
(39:43) - Which MLB team has the advantage to sign him?
(46:48) - Around the League Turbo Mode
(52:38) - Phillies shake up their front office
(59:23) - One Dumb Question

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And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://twitter.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://twitter.com/j_shusterman_

Juan Soto has been in the baseball limelight since making his Major League debut at the age of 19 in 2018. Once established as a baseball phenom with the Washington Nationals, many have counted down the days until his inevitable free agency. The time for fans hoping their team lands the big fish has finally arrived.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the kickoff of the Juan Soto sweepstakes at the General Managers' Meetings this past week, the possible no-brainer suitors (looking at you, New York Yankees and New York Mets), and some of the out-of-the-box teams (uh, Tampa Bay Rays?) who will do their best to court the 26-year-old outfielder.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys talk about Scott Boras’s annual pun-fest regarding the free agents he’s representing this offseason, the Los Angeles Angels making a few moves right out of the gate and why the Milwaukee Brewers seem destined for another heated arbitration session. Jake and Jordan close the show by making their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

(2:31) - Juan Soto free agency has begun

(21:46) - Where will Soto sign?

(23:09) - Scott Boras offseason scoreboard

(34:33) - Notes from the GM meetings

(49:02) - Turbo Mode around the league

(55:05) - The Good

(59:23) - The Bad

(1:04:28) - The Uggla

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ij2sgR

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42Lo4fa

📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuTQj

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://twitter.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://twitter.com/j_shusterman_

Fresh off the heels of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrating their eighth championship in franchise history, the team announced that Shohei Ohtani, the 50-50 man, underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder on Tuesday. The injury, sustained during the World Series, was successfully treated and we should see Ohtani back just in time for the start of Spring Training.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the severity of Ohtani’s injury and how impressive it was that he played in the Fall Classic despite it. The guys also dive into the potential free agency of Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki and if he’ll come to MLB. Later, they talk about Gerrit Cole deciding to not opt out of his contract with the New York Yankees that will see him remain in pinstripes until at least 2028.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake and Jordan take a look at the top 50 MLB free agents, making their picks for who might be the last player to sign, who they’re extremely high on, which player they’d be wary of signing and which players they wouldn’t know what to do with.

(1:31) - A word after Tuesday night

(5:30) - Shohei Ohtani undergoes surgery

(10:45) - Roki Sasaki’s move to MLB?

(16:23) - Gerrit Cole stays with the Yankees

(24:48) - Top 50 MLB free agents

(1:12:47) - Turbo mode from around the league

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ij2sgR

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42Lo4fa

📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuTQj

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://twitter.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://twitter.com/j_shusterman_