Tampa Bay Rays All-Stars Aranda, Caminero & Lowe & Women's Baseball energized

• Rays facing the Detroit Tigers 
• Jake Mangum has Joey Wendle energy and commitment
• Arozarena & Siri had a lackadaisical approach & sometimes spotty
• Mangum, Chandler Simpson & Meisner showing up with strong rookie performances
• Veterans energized by the rookie players
• 22 year-old, Junior Caminero hit 22 Home Runs
• 6th & 7th hitters hitting above 300
• Rays are Strong defensively
• How aggressive will the Rays be at MLB Trade Deadline
• Where will the Rays add 
• Shane McClanahan on the horizon, playing in the FCL
• Drew Rasmussen as an opener role with Joe Boyle
• What becomes of the reliever role 
• Blue Jays Pitching Piggyback model – 4 inning pitchers - Noah Syndergaard and Aaron Sanchez & 1 inning closer
• Yoniel Curet is back in AA, when will we see him return
• MLB All-Star, Rays in the game, Jonathan Aranda, Brandon Lowe & Junior Caminero         
• All-Star Game snubs – Juan Soto – How much do you need to pay a player to get into the All-Star game
• Al Pujols notes on high salaries and pressure of performance
• MLB All-Star player selection rules https://www.mlb.com/news/all-star-game-roster-rules-faq-c239654292
• Add more variety to All-Star game beyond Home Run Derby
• Clocking speeds contest versus potential hamstring injuries
• Recently Retired players going against the prospects
• AUSL – Athletes United Softball League – talent from Oklahoma, USF, Kentucky
• Tryouts for WPBL - https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2025/07/02/womens-pro-baseball-league-announces-historic-2025-tryouts-at-nationals-park-in-washington-d-c/
• Stadiums - Why hasn’t baseball utilized commonalities in men and women’s fields
• MLB could create an opportunity to grow by sharing fields & stadiums
• Would MLB team owners like to get in on the ground floor of Women’s Baseball
• Durham ownership and Sue Zipay with the development of women’s baseball
• from the As If department - Mark’s offers from the new Rays ownership as broadcaster & also offer as a GM 
• Nationals looking for a new manager 
• Mike Rizzo could rejuvenate a rudderless Rockies organization
• Chaim Blooms work with Red Sox is now bearing fruit             
• Nationals are losing a Manager, a GM & a Broadcaster, Bob Carpenter
• Carpenter discussed need for local broadcasters be involved in post-season games
• Why is the MLB Draft going to be a dud. Not like the NHL Draft which has last minute action with trades with current team players
• Will MLB treat their teams like grown-ups?
• Draft Day movie
• Inside Edition of MLB Draft Day - What if they had cameras live in the MLB offices during 
• Wimbledon Screw-up, Someone failed to turn on the system that was to replace the line judges. Compare to potential with MLB ASB & Replays

You can find Mat at @matgermain.bsky.social or reach Mark at  baseballbizondeck@gmail.com BaseballBiz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com 

Special Thanks to Scott Holmes for the music Stomps & Claps

Transcript

Tampa Bay Rays & Tigers, All-Stars,Trades & WPBL & AUSFL WIB

[00:00:00] Mark Corbett: Welcome to Baseball Biz on Deck. I am Mark C, your host, and my other host, of course, is Mr. Germain. How you doing, buddy? I 

[00:00:13] Mat Germain: am really, really happy. I got to get some sun recently, so I, I feel energized. Mark, I feel like I have a boost. Even though the rays tried to drain those rays outta my body, I replenished them with new ones.

[00:00:26] Mark Corbett: Did did you turn all the media off and say, I'm not gonna listen to these games. I'm not, I'm not gonna see what's happening in Detroit. I'm just gonna just stay away from that. 

[00:00:36] Mat Germain: Yeah, it was a little bit of peaking. It was peaking like, oh, how's it going now? Oh, well, what happened here? Oh, well, so I, I wasn't watching the games, but I was more or less paying attention to how, what the flow was.

[00:00:47] Mark Corbett: Right, right, right. So before today we were, I think, uh, three wins and seven losses for last 10 games. We turned that today. Thank you, God. [00:01:00] I mean, it might as well have been a prayer because it has just been. It's been sad. I mean, we've seen the same team do so well and we knew, we knew coming into Detroit it was gonna be tough.

[00:01:15] I mean, here's the team. They're leading between both leagues. They are at the top Dodgers, you know, their second shelf and. And it was going to be a challenge. But I gotta tell you, watching the second game of that series, it was hard, Matt, it was really hard. I dunno about for you, but I'm, I'm sitting there and I'm looking at the stats as the getting progresses.

[00:01:36] I said, oh, let's see. We've had eight hits. Okay. The other team has four hits. Oh, what else have we done? Oh, for, oh, from the mound. We help him out from the mound. Oh 5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6 walks, and three hit by pitches. Come on, man. 

[00:01:55] Mat Germain: I think the, the important thing to remember is, is. There's [00:02:00] a lot of positives leading up to that, right?

[00:02:02] So there was a big, the rays were the talk of the town for June, let's face it. They were opening up a lot of eyes. So anybody that watches baseball long enough knows there's gonna be dips and valleys. And uh, even I remember last year, I think, or may might've been the year before. Four, where I watched the, the Dodgers go through a stretch where they were swept by the Rockies and then lost two three from the A's, and the world was ending in Los Angeles essentially.

[00:02:28] So e every team goes through it. The question I think, and, and the positive that I want to draw from it really, and, and you can speak to this, is it opens up the weaknesses that the rays need to address before the deadline. So now they know, they know that they have soft spots and they can. To address them and to be honest, I'm glad they made some, you know, I'm sure what were difficult moves to make, like Yeah, I don't think they wanted, for example, to send, uh, Mason Montgomery down with his a hundred mile an hour lefty [00:03:00] fastball and bring up EN Seymour and put him in a different role.

[00:03:03] I don't think that was ideal, but they did it because. They felt like that wasn't working and they needed to work on something else, and they brought Mason Englert back and they brought, you know, that. The other positive I'll note is that yesterday Manuel Rodriguez threw an inning and it was clean and, and that was in aaa.

[00:03:21] So if he can return, that is a huge boost to the raise pen because between him and Eric Orzos then you have, um, you know. Two guys that have are pretty much lights out from the right side and it lowers the pressure on Kevin Kelly and a couple of the other guys. 

[00:03:38] Mark Corbett: Orus said of both though have had a little bit of difficulty this week, but as you mentioned, the game of baseball, you wax and you Wayne, in this game, rarely do you play 162 games and you certainly don't as a pitcher, uh, and maintain a.

[00:03:52] Highest level of performance. But I gotta say, I am really excited about this team. Matt, I've, I've [00:04:00] looked across the entire lineup and the bottom of the lineup. The last couple of games has been healthy. They've done well. Uh, I, well let for one, let's, let's pick Mangum Manga, Jake Mangum. I love watching this guy.

[00:04:14] Mat Germain: Yeah, he learned the nickname, which I love. Yeah, so go ahead. 

[00:04:19] Mark Corbett: No, I was gonna say, you know what I like about him too is I'm saying something, it's tickling the back of my memory. He said, who, who does this guy remind you of? Joey Wendell? Because of the commitment that you see that man on the field that he does, there is a intensity, you know, to him, he, I feel like.

[00:04:37] Every player's committed to the game's, major League baseball, but that man shows more so I think than many, and it's, it's amazing to watch him play. I thought he was gonna tear out his shoulder today to catch a ball. 

[00:04:49] Mat Germain: It's a great point, mark. 'cause I can remember sitting here last year and, and part of the things that irritated us about Jose Siri, Randy Rosana, a lot of the other [00:05:00] guys that were with the race, is the relaxed nature and, and the lackadaisical kind of attitude on occasion that can rub you the wrong way when they make mis plays here and there.

[00:05:12] And they were spotty and they were, they were not. Know constant like throughout the season, but they were numerous enough that it led to the rays being susceptible to downfalls in moments when they probably shouldn't have had them. So, so I think between Jake Mangum and, and Chandler Simpson both, and even Meisner before them.

[00:05:34] They never took plays off. They kind of set the standard. And it's weird because they're rookies. So you're, you're expecting this from your veterans, right? Like Joey Wendell, like the guy that you mentioned like that, that was just normal. It was normal. Joey, he's gonna show up every day. He is gonna do his work, he's gonna be professional, and, and that's it.

[00:05:51] So I, I do agree that what's kept the raise consistent this year and, and I think we're at 50 wins now, so before the all-star break, [00:06:00] getting to that level is good. Um. You know, is the fact that the, the veterans haven't had to carry the load in terms of the energy. So, and they've been energized by the young guys showing the way in that front, right.

[00:06:12] Um, and Junior Canero hitting his 22nd home run and the week that he turned 22. I mean, how many guys actually matched their n their age before the All Star may break and home runs. So between all of that put together, it's like a big mix of warmth and, and you do enjoy it. I agree that it's a great, uh, it's a great feeling to have before the all-star break.

[00:06:35] Mark Corbett: It is, like I said, seeing him and you mentioned Chandler Simpson. My gosh, I love watching that young man still the bases or work on it. However, I do have to give. Brian Anderson, a little bit of a shot. Yeah. The, uh, the announcer and I was watching the game, and he's there and he's talking about Chandler's record, and he says, well, for the last 45 at Bets, Chandler has [00:07:00] not been struck out.

[00:07:00] What? I said, dude, he, he said, why don't you, why don't you go talk on somebody's no hitter while you're at it? Yeah. Bam. Okay. Okay, next time up. Cha Chandler struck out. 

[00:07:14] Mat Germain: Oh, man. I'm sure he felt bad when he realized that too. Oh, he did. 

[00:07:18] Mark Corbett: He, he kind of berated himself for the next two innings about it, but, uh, and Andy Freed wasn't gonna let up on him either, so it worked out pretty well.

[00:07:26] But watching Chandler Mac. Gosh. Uh, again, it goes to, you're talking about the youth of the team, the energy they're bringing. So it's not like the veterans are having to carry all of this weight on their shoulders. No, I definitely think Chandler's a big part of that, and the excitement that this team has stealing bases this year is just adds a whole other dimension to the game.

[00:07:49] Mat Germain: They're bringing back old school baseball, which I think the, the commissioner should love. Like I can remember the last, what, nine years or, or since Neander has been in pretty much the rea the rays have been [00:08:00] breaking rules mm-hmm. From old, old school baseball. Whereas this year they flipped the script and they've gone and become the model franchise when it comes to how to play old school baseball.

[00:08:12] Yeah. Which is just, it's kind of crazy how it's gone full circle. So, uh, you know, and I look at the race. Lineup today, like you would, people, uh, managers in the eighties would've drooled for this kinda lineup where the sixth and seventh hitter are hitting over 300. Yeah. Uh, they have three hitters hitting above three 10 now, I think, or thereabouts.

[00:08:32] Uh, they, they have, you know, four guys with power double digits power before the Allstar break. They have, uh, a lot of guys that can do anything in terms of bunting running, everything else that you want a guy to do, uh, you know, which. Makes them professional baseball players. Right. So, and they're all fairly strong defensively on top of it.

[00:08:55] So, I mean, this is, this is one of those special teams where [00:09:00] everything is coming together to the point where you're, you have to wonder how aggressive the rays are going to be at the trade deadline and adding, and where specifically they're gonna decide to inject, you know, strength. Watching the last that, 

[00:09:16] Mark Corbett: that's what I ask you.

[00:09:17] Do you mean do you think bullpen wise we're, we're need some help there? 

[00:09:21] Mat Germain: I. I do, but you know, like we have another guy in the FCL that's rehabbing, which is Shane McClanahan, and, and he threw an inning, a clean inning yesterday. So if he's able to come back, like we've already seen Drew Rasmussen go in for two innings and start to do that almost long opening role.

[00:09:39] Right, right. And whereas Joe Boyle comes behind him, I think that's why they brought in E and Seymour as well. 'cause they're gonna do it with other guys. They might do it with Peppo, they might do it with, um. Bradley just to minimize their length of innings pitched. So it, it leads the question. Okay. Well then at that point, are you considering them relievers [00:10:00] or are they just longish relievers?

[00:10:03] That's, you know, so now you're playing, I remember the, this is something clear in my mind. When I think about this Mark, so the Blue Jays, when they were bringing up Noah Cigar and Aaron Sanchez, this is a ways back, they were using the piggyback option basically. So Noah Cigar would start the game. Aaron Sanchez would do the other half.

[00:10:24] So basically four innings, one guy, four innings, the other. Then you bring in your closer and that's the way they ran it and it, it worked great. So there's nothing to say. The rays can't go that route, right? Where they have guys throw three or four innings at a time and they piggyback off of each other, which, you know, you do have to get and make sure the guys are comfortable coming in and the third or fourth inning instead of starting.

[00:10:47] So that's the, the caveat or the catch. But I don't think you're gonna hear any rumbling from a, a minor league. Pitcher who gets a chance to throw in the show. Right? So, so that's where the raise luck out on that front. And they [00:11:00] have the talent and the depth to do it, to be honest. Um, the only other things I'll throw out is Al Ette is also back in AA now.

[00:11:08] Mm-hmm. And, and he's. He could walk on the field tomorrow and be really, really outstanding in the pen, just stuff wise. So, you know, a few more weeks or three, four more weeks of that, you never know. So they have internal options. They say, you know, just to start there. The other thing that I'll say is that nobody's dealt any major, you know, talent when it comes to relievers.

[00:11:32] So, so there's like the wide open field as to who you want to go and get. 

[00:11:37] Mark Corbett: Well, it's funny you say that because I was looking at, I think it was the athletic, uh, pulse and Chris Branch wrote the trade deadline might be a dud ML B's expanded playoff format means more teams are in the hunt for a postseason spot, which means fewer teams.

[00:11:56] Are giving up at the halfway point. Fewer sellers [00:12:00] means fewer trades, which is a good thing for competitive baseball and a bad thing for trade. Deadline intrigue. I'm okay with it, but we should just temper expectations come July 31st, and that's from Chris branch with the athletic pulse. 

[00:12:16] Mat Germain: So I would throw out there like a caveat to that, like the raise last year, I don't think anybody really anticipated them being sellers.

[00:12:24] And they took a strong look in the mirror and decided that even though their record, I. Could have supported a push the other way that it was better for them to take a step back and to load up the system and really give it a go thereafter. I think you're gonna have franchises do that. And I'll give a couple examples.

[00:12:44] Like the Texas Rangers, the Texas Rangers are in a spot where they're sort of, you know, they, first of all, they have the the hangover effect, and then they have the. Uh, bunch of guys that are coming back from injury. Uh, they have guys that are veterans that are [00:13:00] probably well known and well-liked by a lot of different teams.

[00:13:02] They also have budget cu crunches. So all of those things combined forces a team to kind of stare in the mirror and say, okay, well what do we wanna do? And you, you also have guy like the competition. You have to bet for other teams to slump in some cases, and like right now, we're close to having four ales teams in, in the playoff picture.

[00:13:24] If, if the Mariners lose today, I think the red and the Red Sox win, they end up being four ales. These teams. So you're talking about a huge chunk of the American League after that. That's looking out going, well, how many of those ales teams are going to slump. Between now and the end of the season to the point where we can catch up and pass them and stay ahead of them.

[00:13:44] So those are big bets for them to make and, and I think there's enough injuries and enough enough question marks that there'll be some surprise sellers essentially. 

[00:13:55] Mark Corbett: I know. Pardon me? I know recently you posted about the, the blue is doing so well [00:14:00] lately. You know, I know right now what they've faced the White Sox here in their current grouping here, they, huh?

[00:14:08] White Sox beat 'em today. Ooh, two to one. Goodness gracious. Yeah, the, the, yeah, go ahead. No, 

[00:14:17] Mat Germain: that's, that's it. Yeah. The Blue Jays mark, they're in a dangerous position. I'll tell you why. 'cause things are going so well leading up to the trade deadline that I think they may invest in the wrong areas, if that makes sense.

[00:14:32] So. Uh, assume that the pet trade deadline passes and, and your pitching falls apart in August. Right. Uh, where does that leave the Blue Jays in terms of depth when it comes to starting pitching and then I think that's the, the nail in the coffin of their season if they're not careful. So the Blue Jays should be adding a lot of, you know, AAA slash long relief can become a starter after kind of depth.

[00:14:59] They may do [00:15:00] that. Uh, but I have a feeling that instead they're gonna focus on adding a bat. 'cause everybody likes to rip apart their lineup. They have some older guys like Springer who tends to get injured here and there. Um, so, you know, there's pressure on them to add a little bit of offense more so, and their pen is a little bit susceptible as well because Eric Swanson, a bunch of other guys, you know, had some failures this year earlier.

[00:15:22] So, um. Yeah. But they are a scary team because when they do get hot, you know, and they, if their pitching is healthy, they can, you know, make your life miserable as a, as a team, especially in the seven game series. 

[00:15:36] Mark Corbett: I did want to go and talk about the All-Star games coming up. Yeah. And I was surprised today, I mean, I knew we had two guests.

[00:15:47] And then found out we got a third who's gonna be in the All Stars. Yeah. So three Tampa Bay Rays will be there. Uh, wasn't surprised at the first two. I was a little surprised with the third, [00:16:00] but pleasantly, but still surprised. And to that point. Who we looking at? Brandon Lau. Brandon Lau, whose name was Misspoken by Buck when he went into the All-Star game the last time in 2019.

[00:16:17] I think they'll have his name right this time. Uh, Jonathan or Rhonda Mag. Gosh, that guy's magic. Now. I knew he wasn't gonna make it the first time through because it's dependent upon fans to vote and with the smaller fan base that the Rays have, they aren't gonna get him all the way up at the very top, but he's in there as well as he deserved it.

[00:16:37] If he wasn't in there or Brandon, I would've just had a fit. Gone nuts. Yeah. You know, you, you always, I go in there and I virtually every guy on our team, that's who I'm putting in when I'm selecting as a fan. But I would, if it was anybody, I was not going to omit. I mean, those would've been the two, Brandon and, and Jonathan.

[00:16:58] And then today we [00:17:00] get the news that Junior ca is joining them. Yes. I said, well, where, where's he coming in? What's, what's, oh, he's, he's more than a reserve. He's replacing an injured player. Replacing Alex Bregman. Ooh, that's, there's a certain little cachet on that too, brother. I mean, it's, 

[00:17:19] Mat Germain: there's it more even than Alex Bregman did.

[00:17:21] I think Alex is doing it based on his past, whereas Junior is doing it more on this year. 

[00:17:26] Mark Corbett: Yeah. 

[00:17:27] Mat Germain: Yeah. 

[00:17:28] Mark Corbett: I, I'd have to say that it just Junior, and as we were talking earlier, you mentioning that, you know, here he is, he's 22 years of age and hit his 22nd home run today. And he's going to share that, uh, ability with us to be able during the home run derby of the All Stars.

[00:17:44] My goodness, brother, are you ready for it? Dude, 

[00:17:48] Mat Germain: I, I don't know what he's going to do, but if there's somebody like Wonder Franco liked the spotlight as much as anybody, but Junior Canero has a certain presence about him where he's going to [00:18:00] love this spotlight and wanna show that power. It's such an easy power.

[00:18:04] Um. He could do a lot of damage in his, in his home run derby. I'm not a betting man, but if I was to put a couple of bucks down on somebody, I would wanna put them on Junior just to enjoy the ride with him when he goes. You never know though. 'cause it could end up being a dud, I think. What is it, Bobby? A brail one year just went nuts during the home run derby and nobody saw it coming.

[00:18:25] I could see that kind of outbreak from Junior Cameron in this one. 

[00:18:30] Mark Corbett: It's gonna be a lot of fun, folks. I'll tell you what, if you haven't seen him enough already, if you're not a race fan, he would make you one. So, uh, watching the Energy, which again, young energy, young energy and, and I, I think, you know, because he is so young, he's gonna be in that moment, he's gonna enjoy all the surroundings of all those all stars and being in the, the moment of the All-Star game, being out there in the home run Derby.

[00:18:55] And I think we'll see that on his face and his performance. So I'm really excited about that. [00:19:00] 

[00:19:00] Mat Germain: I wanna make one more note about the all-star game Mark. So the rays traded away ESOP paradees, right? Mm-hmm. He's going to be in the Allstar brick game, as well as, as one of the, the players that made the team.

[00:19:12] So the Rays literally traded away a third baseman, which made the Allstar game and have a new one to make the Allstar game. That's pretty impressive for a team like the Ray to be able to have that. And if you, you could actually have Esau parades at third, uh, junior Kevin, at first, Jonathan Miranda at second.

[00:19:32] Oh, no, we can't play Bandon now at. I was trying to make a hole infield. I was like, ah, that's not gonna work. I think junior, I'd have to go to shortstop. 

[00:19:43] Mark Corbett: Oh, oh, oh. You know, I was a little bit of homework. You mentioned Esau and I always loved watching him, man. It was sad to see him go, but things always seemed to work out.

[00:19:52] But pers being a third baseman. Mm-hmm. And also another one. Third baseman who made [00:20:00] it into the All Stars, and that was Evan Longoria. So there's another Tampa Bay raid for third baseman who's made it into the All-Star game. But yeah, that's it's fun brother. It's Pertti's was fun to watch. Geez. 

[00:20:14] Mat Germain: It's interesting when you think back of the Rays, uh, history, how strong third base has always been for them.

[00:20:21] Like generally even Joey Wendell, you could say, when he was playing for the raise, he was doing really well. Mike Brassel had a couple of really excellent years and 

[00:20:29] Mark Corbett: they've 

[00:20:29] Mat Germain: always been strong at the hot corner. So that's something that I, I kind of like would look at the entire history of the raise and see where they rank in terms of third, uh, base production.

[00:20:39] Mark Corbett: We'll have to put that up for another show. One of the things we did wanna talk about maybe is the snubs, and I guess the one that most people are complaining about is Juan Soto. 

[00:20:51] Mat Germain: Yeah, I, so how much do you need to pay a player to get 'em into the All-Star game? That's the big question there, right? Like. [00:21:00] He had a rough time starting out the year, and, and Albert Poho will speak to this, like, when you sign a contract that big and you put that much weight on your shoulders, weird things are going to happen mentally where you're, you're trying to do too much all at once instead of just being yourself.

[00:21:17] Um, so I think that's what makes Cal Rallies run so impressive because he signed a big deal with, with the Mariners and he's able to. I, I've never seen a catcher perform like this before. I don't think ever. Um, so. Yeah, I think that that's definitely a snub on in terms of we know the caliber of player that Juan Soto is and if he was playing at his best, then we know he is def most definitely an all star.

[00:21:47] But, but the other ones like, I mean, you could go up and down the line in terms of, you know, the guys that you feel are playing the best at, at a certain position and probably would deserve. To be, [00:22:00] but I think, does MLB have a rule where they have to have a representative from each team? 

[00:22:05] Mark Corbett: That is correct.

[00:22:05] They do have that as a rule. 'cause I felt like maybe some teams would've been admitted and so I'm, I'm kind of glad that they have that rule in there because there's smaller market teams I think could have just got overwhelmed and pushed aside in many cases. So yes, that's a rule. 

[00:22:21] Mat Germain: Exactly. So in a lot of cases we say snubs, but in reality they're just not playing for the right team.

[00:22:27] Mark Corbett: Yeah. Right? Yeah, yeah, yeah. You got that right? So, yeah, I know when you start putting up, uh, fences around here, oh, you can do this or you can't do that, and oh, we're gonna have the half fans and we're gonna weigh their votes this much. We're going to have the players votes weigh this much, and the owners, et cetera.

[00:22:47] It gets to be insane. I, I'll be quite honest with you, uh, you know, I do love. The All-Star game. I do love the hall of Fame, but I also know as far as the architecture to pull some of those [00:23:00] things together. Sometimes I'm just scratching my head say, really? But, uh, 

[00:23:05] Mat Germain: I wish that we took a page more out of Japan.

[00:23:07] I think they have more skills competitions than Japan for dur all-star game. So they'll have like bunting drills where you're trying to get the bun like. The ball bunted into a circle or something like that, or a target of some sort. I can't remember exactly how it works. Uh, you're trying to get, uh, a hit in each direction, like, or something like that, or there, there's a whole bunch of different ways, uh, throwing, uh, from across the, the diamond like trying to get it into a target there.

[00:23:36] Um, things like that. Like just to show off more skills than just the home run. Like you, you wonder why. Um, players gravitate to the home runs. Well, that's the only thing you show in the All-Star game that everybody gravitates to. And it's the only thing that gets players paid, uh, to the highest level. So if you're gonna change the game, you wanna make it more exciting.

[00:23:59] You [00:24:00] know what, like have some guys running first to third and clock it and make that. Make that, you know, the, the next, you know, go-to thing. Now when they pull up with a hamstring injury after the All-Star game, you're gonna have a lot of teams that are gonna be angry. So you do have to kind of measure that a little bit, uh, in terms of what games you choose.

[00:24:20] But I don't think bunting or hitting or even throwing across the diamond or from the elk field to the plate and trying to get it in, you know. At, at the, the fastest speed. I don't think those are, are injury grown kind of drills to go through. So it, there would be a lot of fun and I think we need more of that.

[00:24:38] And I also think there, it'd be nice to have to change it up at some point or do something different where you have retired players that recently retired, let's say, right within the last 10 years, going up against the rookies, like the, sorry, the prospects. Right, and having the game be that instead of prospects versus [00:25:00] prospects, 

[00:25:01] Mark Corbett: like, to me, that would be 

[00:25:02] Mat Germain: a lot of fun.

[00:25:03] Mark Corbett: Well, yeah, because everybody was, they would have favorite players from the past out there 

[00:25:08] Mat Germain: rubbing shoulders too, right? Yeah. Like they're transferring some of their knowledge and, and getting them, you know, excited about the past and the future all at the same time. 

[00:25:18] Mark Corbett: I like that, Matt. You gotta put that one together, you know?

[00:25:22] It's, I'm expanding what I'm watching for sports a little bit these days. One of 'em is the, was it Athletes United Softball League. And that's PR happening right now. Mm-hmm. And you know, I wonder about, as far as the women's teams and wondering what kind of money they're gonna make, well, they're making 40 to $45,000 is about what they're making through this season.

[00:25:46] So it's not chump change, it's not, you know what, you're gonna be paying an MLB, but it's something more than just, Hey, we got. What bus money and, uh, here's something for lunch. It's a little more than that. So I'm glad to [00:26:00] see this. And you're, you're looking at, I'm seeing some of these names from, of the top talents from like Oklahoma's team, maybe us F'S team.

[00:26:07] Kentucky's team. So players who've done that. Some of these are women who've actually gone on and become, uh, coaches and directors elsewhere, but are coming in to be part of this. So it is gonna be something that I'm gonna spend a little more time watching. Um. There's also coming up tryouts in Washington, and I don't have the dates for the, uh, for the new Women's Baseball League, and that's, that's gonna be something to see.

[00:26:32] Mat Germain: So I've been paying attention to stadiums as well, and arena, um, rebuilds or remo, uh, refurbishments, I guess you could call 'em like, so I was watching the video on how the mammoths are, are working their way into the jazz facility there in, in Utah. And, and what always comes to mind when you're mentioning the women's game?

[00:26:53] I think I've talked to you about this before, where it, it's an opportunity for MLB even with softball. [00:27:00] And in any baseball league to get involved and draw them into your stadiums. Like all of these arenas that the, the NBA and NHL are a part of have, uh. An advantage over all other leagues in that they can actually share the facilities at the highest levels.

[00:27:18] And so they're, they're recuperating and using that facility way more. And there's an op a business, you know, part of that not only are your concession stands and, and businesses are a lot happier and more consistent. They can provide better services. They can, uh, ensure long, uh, you know, more long-term employment for the employees that are there.

[00:27:37] There's a, a more community feeling, um. There's just a lot to go around, so I don't understand why baseball to this point, and I know they're, they're slow to, to change Mark. They, they've always been the last to the line basically in terms of change, but. They should be inviting and honestly leading the charge when it comes to [00:28:00] establishing a, a women's league in both baseball and softball, and really adding men's softball as well in all forms, right?

[00:28:09] Like could do all of them. You have the stadiums. The stadiums don't get beat up that much. And, and the, the fueling crews are really good. They can actually maintain these things. Uh, you can set up certain rules where they can't, you know. To go around working, um, the chewing tobacco all over the elk field, whatever you wanna do to make sure that they're not tearing the place apart.

[00:28:30] But even though it would seem like there's not many people in the stands, in a lot of cases, the point is that you're giving them the venue to grow. 

[00:28:39] Mark Corbett: So 

[00:28:39] Mat Germain: that eventually those seats will become full and it's up to them to come up with marketing, uh, ideas to fill those seats. But at least at a minimum, you're giving them the opportunity.

[00:28:50] You're giving them access also to some of the, the logistics that they need. In terms of broadcasting, uh, cameras, [00:29:00] radios, all of those things that cost a lot of money and people underrate when you're starting a league. Um, but also, like, so let's say they do grow to a certain point, right? They, I don't know how it's working out in the N-W-N-B-A and how they're.

[00:29:14] How separate they are from the NBA, but all of those owners of the NBA teams, I am positive right now, would love to have a stake or ownership of one of those WNBA teams because they are extremely valuable. Right. So those MLB owners right now should be looking at that going, hmm. Well, do we get in before it gets big or do we end up buying in after it's gonna cost us a bundle of money so that, that's the option they basically have.

[00:29:42] So, you know what, be a little bit more, uh, forthright and, and you know, dare yourself to actually lead the way in promoting your sport. 'cause ml, MLB owners are not only in charge of the team, they're in charge of the sport and promoting it globally. Right. And around. [00:30:00] And everywhere and all, you know, sexes involved as well.

[00:30:04] So yeah, that's my little, uh, bo uh, soapbox, uh, speech. 

[00:30:10] Mark Corbett: Well, you know, it, it's, it's interesting too because, you know, I had worked a little bit with the all, uh, with the American girls baseball as far as the tournaments the last few years, and they were Sarasota for a couple years and they did. Durham last year.

[00:30:24] Mm-hmm. And the Durham organization wasn't just, I mean it wasn't that they were just using facilities. Durham was actually picking up the project from, uh, Zape, who was one of the original All American girls Professional Baseball League PE players. And they were starting to take, I dunno ownership's the correct word, but managing and putting it together so they have a stake in it.

[00:30:46] And I'm not sure how that's gonna play out, Matt, because. You know, one, we got the, uh, the softball league coming up, which of course that's what our good friend Mr. Manfred endorsed softball, hover baseball. [00:31:00] And then we've got the baseball league coming up. Uh, next year there's gonna be some tryouts and then we still have the American girls baseball.

[00:31:07] You know, there are so many leagues upon leagues out there, and I hope we can find some cohesiveness to. Build a strong women's league and whatever that may be, that that may be what's happening. You know? Right now with those trouts, we won't know until next year, but it's the business of baseball and finding.

[00:31:29] Things that compliment one another, especially a woman's baseball team, if they're using the same dimensions that the men are on the field. You don't have to have a separate field, you don't have to have bases at different lengths or the mound at a different length from the home plate. So there's a, there's a sense about it there, and I don't know if this is their time to segue into it or not.

[00:31:53] What do you think? 

[00:31:55] Mat Germain: You're, you're gonna declare that you're gonna be a broadcaster for one of their teams? [00:32:00] 

[00:32:00] Mark Corbett: Yeah. Yeah. I'm gonna be the broadcaster at the news race stadium with a new owner. They've, they've just signed me on and that, and, uh, I'm looking at that. And also I have an offer from Washington to be the general manager at the moment, so I'm kind of trying to figure out which one I want to do right now.

[00:32:22] Oh, there's, there's so much movement. I think it was, I can't remember, it's four or five managers now that have bit the dust in major league baseball. And this year, uh, also we've had general manager go, sometimes, oftentimes it's like, you know, maybe the real problem is with the general manager. 'cause a lot of times the manager can only work with the tools that the general manager and the owner allow 'em to have.

[00:32:45] So I think you may have said something about that because. When we're looking at the business of baseball right now, the raise has been in a quandary for some time now about ownership, about where they're gonna [00:33:00] play. Uh, all of those, these things, you know, you're hearing about it. New buyers coming in from Jacksonville and then all just kind of disappears.

[00:33:09] The number 1.75 billion is the worth of the team. All these things are out there. And there is, I haven't seen any dust settling yet. But, um, didn't you say something about Eric Neander today and, and all this rigmarole in terms of, in terms of, since I've thrown so much out there of, uh, this combination salad of baseball, uh, with the nationals.

[00:33:38] Mm-hmm. Moving on, looking for a new manager. 

[00:33:42] Mat Germain: Right. Oh, I, I said. So I, I think Mike Rizzo is the guy that I think will get snatched up pretty quickly from, from other teams. So, um, I, I was saying that the Rockies should be looking to, to bring him in, uh, just to rejuvenate their franchise. 'cause I [00:34:00] think Mike Rizzo knows.

[00:34:02] A lot about the structure of a team to be successful in terms of how they need to bring in talent, when they need to be aggressive, and when they need to be more relaxed and more patient. And, and, and the Rockies just haven't had any direction whatsoever. So they've been rudderless, um, and in their area and they've kind of just been, you know, blindfolded throwing darts at a board and hoping some of them stick, but they never actually have.

[00:34:28] Um, I. A plan that'll work for their situation. And I think theirs is unique and Mike Rizzo will be intelligent enough to actually get that going. Um, it's hard to, to blame owners very easily. Right. It's, it's hard to build a front office that works and, and have some, uh, patience and watching them do their thing.

[00:34:49] I think. Los Angeles Angels and the Rockies are two examples of owners that have, have been uber aggressive because they're passionate, [00:35:00] uh, but probably too passionate and not letting some of the people actually guide the team the way that they, uh, they would've liked to have done if the owner wasn't as vocal.

[00:35:10] Now that we don't know how many other owners are more vocal probably than those ones. But it's just what we know and, and the success rates that they have are really painful to watch. So I think that that's always the, the caveat to any, uh, franchise firing managers or, uh, front office personnel. You have Heim Bloom that's still sitting out there, that rubbed shoulders at the race for a long time, and he, you can see the work that he did in Boston paying off now all those young guys that he had cultivated up to that point, you know, bearing fruit.

[00:35:43] So, you know, tho there's two options for. The Rockies to dive into. So why are you sitting on the sidelines and sitting still if you have those options, uh, to walk through. I'd also note the nationals are going through a lot of changes. Oh, yeah. Because their manager, their [00:36:00] GM and their, their broadcasters retiring after this year.

[00:36:04] Bob Carpenter. Who, uh, I interviewed a couple of years ago and is a great guy, just a great personality. He's, I've never heard somebody be so forthright and angry about not being able to call playoff games and, and he just hates that rule in, in Major League baseball, uh, that they actually use national broadcasters when the playoffs come around.

[00:36:27] And, and I completely agree with him. I think that that's a rule that needs to be changed at some point. And they need to not only cherish and promote local broadcasters on a national stage, when that those kinds of things happen. Again, it's an opportunity for MLB to promote the game. Right. Um, and they have ways to allow you to, to listen to whichever broadcast you prefer, right?

[00:36:50] To give people options. They won't complain as much. But all that to say that Nationals fans who saw their team, you know. Gets sold or suddenly [00:37:00] looking at a pretty significant changeover, like you could actually say, is that where the raise end up in a few years? You know, when, when they have a new owner and they have changes happen if things go badly for a certain point of time.

[00:37:15] Right. So it, it's something that I hope it, it turns out well, I hope the nationals hire good people to, to replace them down the road, but, uh. The, the Rockies should benefit the a should look into it as well and, and a couple of other franchises that may want a change on their own as well. 

[00:37:33] Mark Corbett: Well, baseball is all about change and the deadline coming up here at the end of July and we're gonna see what other changes are coming.

[00:37:42] And so it was interesting, the one fellow thought it was gonna be a dud, but I think teams are gonna realize they do have needs and there will be changes made. I think that, uh, he was probably. A little overwhelmed with a, uh, possibility of dullness. 

[00:37:57] Mat Germain: Writers should be writing about why the [00:38:00] draft is going to be a dud.

[00:38:01] Let's talk 

[00:38:01] Mark Corbett: about that. 

[00:38:02] Mat Germain: I'm watching people promote the draft, right? And I'm like, why would I watch this? Like I'm a passionate fan and I probably won't watch half of it because I know the teams are gonna pick where they're picking and I know there's not gonna be trades, and I know there's not gonna be, I.

[00:38:17] So why would I bother to sit there and watch the draft if there's not gonna be any action and any surprises? People like surprises, right? If it's too predictable, yeah, sure. You get to see who's, but I can look at the rankings and know, okay, well they're gonna select somebody of this caliber, this caliber, this caliber, this caliber.

[00:38:35] There's not gonna be any trades, any move up. Uh, they're not gonna acquire somebody because we are still within. Trade deadline. So they're not gonna combine things to go get a guy and add a draft pick. Right? So I watched the NHL draft, it was fun. All of a sudden they'd have this big thing, a loud event, you know, it was, it was literally like thunder.

[00:38:54] And people were like, oh, what's going on? And it was a trade and they announced the trade and it was. You [00:39:00] know, uh, players that were actually on the team, not just draft picks that are changing hands, and it's like chaos, so it draws you in. And all the fans were like cheering and it was, it was like a joyous exercise.

[00:39:11] You go to a major league baseball draft and it's like a, a, an mortuary. They're, they're basically just walking up to the thing going, oh, yeah, yeah, okay, next. Okay, next time. That's it. Like, there's no oomph. So I, I really, really, really, really hope. Major League baseball starts treating their teams like grownups.

[00:39:32] Uh, I know it's hard, but let go of the leash, man. Just let them be teams. Build up the action and suspense. 

[00:39:42] Mark Corbett: I am with you there. I mean, I, when it comes to draft days, I, I'll, I'll just watch the movie Kevin Costner and with what happens with the NFL and that to me, that's exciting 'cause I get to see what's going on all these back rooms and, and what's happening there.

[00:39:57] Those, so gimme the fiction, I guess since instead [00:40:00] of the, the boring reality of the, uh, MLB so draft that is, anyway. 

[00:40:06] Mat Germain: You're touching on a good point though. What if they had cameras in each room? Right, and, and like, not to the point where they're so good. You can read lips in terms of what they're saying, but just to see if any of them are pushing each other against the wall and pausing, ruckus because they want a certain guy and, and the guy's not buying in and they're trying to get their guy selected.

[00:40:26] Right? I don't know how you would build that up, mark. I like it though. I tell you what, but it's like an insider thing. Sort of like, or they can just this like show it afterwards so that you get to see. But probably a lot of teams would feel like, uh, it exposes a lot of their things that they probably don't wanna do now.

[00:40:49] Mark Corbett: Oh, idea. Were 

[00:40:50] Mat Germain: pitch right away. Mark 

[00:40:52] Mark Corbett: Long, we're being critical of things. I gotta tell you, I'm not a Wimbledon guy. I. But [00:41:00] watching what happened this past week with their automatic systems, being able to say if a ball is in or out on a serve or a plant being played and their automated system didn't work, and it wasn't the failure of the system of itself.

[00:41:17] It was somebody forgot to turn the damn thing on, and it's like. You know, oh gosh. So gone are the line judges who used to stand there and looked straight down that line from Wimbledon to see that. And you know, they, there's an automated system, but you gotta remember to turn it on. But, so it makes me think of course, about the automated, you know, balls strikes system, what that's gonna look like, and we just gotta make sure that in MLB we have people who can turn that switch and turn it on, brother.

[00:41:51] So. 

[00:41:53] Mat Germain: I'm surprised it's taking this long, but I'm glad that it's happening. I think it'll, it'll be sort of like the replay, uh, [00:42:00] the replay kind of thing. I, I foresee like in terms of you get a certain number of calls to kind of, uh, try to get back. And from what I've seen in aaa, it's working great. Like nobody.

[00:42:11] If anything, it takes pressure off the umpires because it diffuses a lot of those tense moments where there's contentious. Calls being made and, and so it gives them that opportunity to get that sorted out and then they all move on. And so there's less of that, you know, need to get angry at the umpires.

[00:42:31] I feel, I don't know if you feel the same way, but I feel like the anger towards umpires this year has been way lower than it's been in the past. And I think it'll keep getting lower the more we introduce these systems because people are getting the calls right. Eventually, nobody's expecting the umpires to be perfect all the time.

[00:42:49] I know they expect it from themselves, right? But. Nobody human and, and somewhat intelligent can expect somebody [00:43:00] in those close touch, touch, bang, bang plays or, you know, at, at a certain speed to, to be able to get those calls right a hundred percent of the time. So, I'm glad that things are getting sorted out because all you want in the end is the right outcome to be decided and then go forward.

[00:43:17] Mark Corbett: Now I did like, you know, we did have that during spring training, and if you were there and you wanted a call, you, you padded your helmet. Mm-hmm. You know, just like Taylor Walls and, uh,

[00:43:29] poor, poor Taylor. I mean, they got him an ejection during the regular season. But no, I, I do like it. I do think it's gonna be good. And I think one, here's another thing. Wimbledon didn't, does not have video replay. So you remember, like I said, they told them, oh, you have to play that again. We're just gonna take that little piece of history, extract it all that you did in that last server play, and you're gonna have to do it again, man.

[00:43:55] Could you imagine, Matt, if we told. A player. Hey, you know [00:44:00] what, uh, first bass umpire didn't, couldn't really tell if he swung or not. Uh, so, uh, you gotta do that again. 

[00:44:08] Mat Germain: Yeah. The other thing I would say is I'm glad that the sign wasn't just them grabbing their crotch because a lot of baseball players getting that call, uh, way too early in the game.

[00:44:22] Uh, I'm, I'm often asked like. Why are they always doing that? I said, it's the uniforms. It's just the uniforms. That's what they do.

[00:44:32] Mark Corbett: Oh, brother. Oh well, you got any other fun you wanna talk about this week? 

[00:44:37] Mat Germain: I. Uh, no, just saying that the, uh, the rehabs are complete for a lot of raise, you know, prospects coming through that are, uh, it's nice to see them rejuvenate the, the pitching at all levels. But the raise system is going through a little bit of a tough stretch right now where a lot of them are in, in downturns and, and I'm not exactly sure why, uh, but the draft is [00:45:00] coming up and we're, so we're gonna see a lot of injunction.

[00:45:02] Uh. Injection of talent in the system. And then, uh, what that'll lead to is a lot of promotions. So we're gonna see a lot of promotions. This is the time of year for trades. This is the time of year for the draft and the all-star games. So a lot of baseball to talk about. A lot of baseball to go around. Go out and support your minor league baseball teams and, uh, and enjoy the, the weather 'cause the weather's been outstanding for baseball.

[00:45:26] Mark well. I, I say that I know there's a wet period there and a lot of the southeast, but, uh, um, yeah, just go enjoy it when you, when you can. 

[00:45:36] Mark Corbett: Yeah, and if you're here in Florida, you can still go to all those great spring training fields and watch the Florida Complex League and see, you know, the up and coming.

[00:45:44] So there's a lot of fun there, as well as regular, uh, games that, so I agree with you a hundred percent there, Matt. And I wanna remind, oh, one other thing, before I forget, my brother and I are going to go to Williamsport and see the World Series, the Little League World [00:46:00] Series this year, so Awesome. Yeah.

[00:46:01] Yeah. I'm over me. 

[00:46:03] Mat Germain: Jealous. That's awesome. 

[00:46:05] Mark Corbett: So if any of y'all have any recommendations, uh, send 'em my way and I'd love to hear it. But looking forward to that. A whole lot of things going on this year. There's stuff with the International Women's Baseball Week coming up and I'll put some things on, um, blue Sky and, and also on Facebook about that too.

[00:46:22] So just a little reminder there. Well, Matt, I can't thank you enough, brother. It's good to see you back. I'm glad you made it through the woods just fine. And, uh, glad you and the fam had a good time. 

[00:46:31] Mat Germain: We had an excellent time. Thank you very much for having me back. It's great to be back. 

[00:46:35] Mark Corbett: You're always here, brother.

[00:46:38] Take care. You too, buddy. Well thank you all again for joining us here today, Mr. Matt Germaine. And I'm Mr. Mark Car. And we'll bring Baseball Biz on deck back with you next week. 

[00:46:49] Extro guy: And just a reminder, if you enjoyed this show, go ahead like and subscribe to Baseball Biz on Deck. Also, you can find Matt at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B Sky Social.

[00:46:58] That's Matt at [00:47:00] M-A-T-G-R-M-B, sky Social or Market Baseball Biz on Deck at gmail com. You may also find Baseball Biz on Deck at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at Baseball Biz on Deck. Special thanks to Scott Holmes for the music.

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