Bold Prediction- Former Michigan St Spartan national champion under coach Tom Izzo, now current owner of the Phoenix Suns, Mat Ishbia... former Twins all-star catcher, Joe Mauer... and future hall of fame pitcher, Justin Verlander... will all have a combined stake in the Minnesota Twins new future ownership group. 😲
Everything you said about Shohei- all of it - is spot on. As a statistician, I’m comfortable with probabilities, streaks, and career-long cycles. Just ogle at the greatness of Ohtani, partially by understanding expectations for great ball players, GOAT-level ball players, and even the one likely to be crowned the greatest ever. He won’t start swinging 1-handed home runs or pitching multiple no-hitters. But he will still blow our mind. And for everyone who said, “$700M and you don’t know if he can pitch!?”, he showed us last year what can happen if he just hits…
Happy New Year🥳🎉Ben, the Verlander family, and the Flipping Bats crew (miss Alex). Surprised you didn't include the Seattle Mariners amongst the most disappointing, inactive teams. The pitching is still pretty good, but they definitely need offense to supplement Julio Rodriguez. There was a proposed trade with the Mariners sending pitcher Luis Castillo to Boston for Triston Casas and Masataka Yoshida. Castillo is definitely a high quality starting pitcher, but considering their need for offense, Seattle should have done it. Think that they have the starting pitching to offset losing Castillo.
many expecting shohei to contend for the cy young, but it won't be easy this next season. he will probably be on a strict innings limit, maybe just a hundred. can't win a CY pitching just a hundred innings or less (though I think trevor bauer did it).
I think Shohei’s offensive numbers like HRs may drop a bit this year as he will need to focus on pitching and how to attack hitters a lot more due to not pitching last year. Eg 2022. Hopefully it’s not like when he first came back from TJ and was getting lit up due to rust.
I think you're right about the Astros. No looming contracts, and several pitchers are coming back off the DL. Altuve, Paredes, Alvarez, Walker, Diaz, Pena...If they add an average OF to the mix it could get interesting. Maybe McCormick makes a come back after last years disaster and hits 250 with 15+ HR. I think the Astros will have a great 2025 after two mediocre years. 95+ wins.
For the Padres, right now it just seems like they're waiting to see if they win the Sasaki Lottery before they make any big moves. I expect some trades to keep costs down and I expect the 2025 season to be a hunker-down year. Hosmer's contract finally ends after this upcoming season and I think their top prospects Salas and De Vries might come up sometime in 2026.
I wish you would have done an Anthony Santander update. I have not seen any rumors on Verlander. Obviously you as his brother probably have more insight just when you talk to him and I think everyone understands why you can’t go into detail on that.
Mets fan here, other than the fans and Scott Boras's cronies. nobody in the Mets organization wants Bregman... The have much bigger fish to fry! Besides, he's the a perfect fit for Detroit!
The Detroit Tigers will forever regret signing Javier Baez; it never worked out for them. He hasn’t been a good player since he was with the Chicago Cubs; he was a great shortstop for the Chicago Cubs, but he hasn’t been a good playmaker for the Tigers. It's time for the Tigers to trade him. He still has a lot in him to make a comeback and be the shortstop he once was with the Cubs. He needs to get out of Detroit; maybe the Dodgers can make a trade for him in July when the trade deadline comes. They need a shortstop ASAP. He can be a good fit for the Dodgers.
I would LOVE the Tigers to sign Bregman I've been saying all off season, but I think the Baez contract scares them... But I don't care GO GET HIM NOW... Hey Ben is it time for the Tigers to move forward?
Two words for Christian Walker. High fastball. I love him. But he has a hole and it’s high inside fastballs. Top five in MVP voting. Not sure. Especially when he’s on the same team as Altuve. Bobby Witt Jr. Aaron Judge. Duran. Throw in some pitchers and I don’t think Walker will be Top 5.
It seems Scott boras is overvaluing Alex bregman. Yes he’s great. I love him. I love what he’s done for the special needs community in Houston but he wants too much money. I feel like Houston offered him a fair amount and it fizzled.
@@ShortwideguyI am saying/asking this as I do not know, even though I say it with some sass as I am a lifelong Dodger fan… How did Bond’s greatest offensive game compare to Ohtani’s Sept 19, 2024 game?
These aren’t bold predictions. Astros are a bit of a stretch but the rest of them are just paying attention. Red Sox have a good team and were active in the offseason. Oakland played great the second half of 2024. Toronto wasn’t active and is mediocre in a stacked division. They have no choice but to trade. Sho is a beast.
WHAT IS YOUR BOLD PREDICTION FOR 2025?
Bold Prediction-
Former Michigan St Spartan national champion under coach Tom Izzo, now current owner of the Phoenix Suns, Mat Ishbia...
former Twins all-star catcher, Joe Mauer...
and future hall of fame pitcher, Justin Verlander...
will all have a combined stake in the Minnesota Twins new future ownership group.
😲
ohtani will win cy young
Shohei is tired of winning MVP 😮
He wants to win the Cy Young award 😅🎉
BOLD 2025 Prediction:
The two teams to earn the reg season #1 seeds --
Diamondbacks & Royals
Junior Caminero has a break out season for the Rays.
Everything you said about Shohei- all of it - is spot on. As a statistician, I’m comfortable with probabilities, streaks, and career-long cycles. Just ogle at the greatness of Ohtani, partially by understanding expectations for great ball players, GOAT-level ball players, and even the one likely to be crowned the greatest ever. He won’t start swinging 1-handed home runs or pitching multiple no-hitters. But he will still blow our mind. And for everyone who said, “$700M and you don’t know if he can pitch!?”, he showed us last year what can happen if he just hits…
Shohei is the GOAT🐐
We should not take what Shohei has been doing for granted.
He is not human.
Happy New Year🥳🎉Ben, the Verlander family, and the Flipping Bats crew (miss Alex). Surprised you didn't include the Seattle Mariners amongst the most disappointing, inactive teams. The pitching is still pretty good, but they definitely need offense to supplement Julio Rodriguez. There was a proposed trade with the Mariners sending pitcher Luis Castillo to Boston for Triston Casas and Masataka Yoshida. Castillo is definitely a high quality starting pitcher, but considering their need for offense, Seattle should have done it. Think that they have the starting pitching to offset losing Castillo.
Happy New Year Ben! Super excited to hear about your opinions about baseball.
Happy New Year Ben!
Ben, A Happy New Year! Look forward to your more analysis and comment about 2025 MLB! Can’t wait for opening day! Theo
many expecting shohei to contend for the cy young, but it won't be easy this next season. he will probably be on a strict innings limit, maybe just a hundred. can't win a CY pitching just a hundred innings or less (though I think trevor bauer did it).
I think Shohei’s offensive numbers like HRs may drop a bit this year as he will need to focus on pitching and how to attack hitters a lot more due to not pitching last year. Eg 2022. Hopefully it’s not like when he first came back from TJ and was getting lit up due to rust.
Love the show. Keep doing what you are doing. Go rangers 🎉
Thanks, man!
I think you're right about the Astros. No looming contracts, and several pitchers are coming back off the DL. Altuve, Paredes, Alvarez, Walker, Diaz, Pena...If they add an average OF to the mix it could get interesting. Maybe McCormick makes a come back after last years disaster and hits 250 with 15+ HR. I think the Astros will have a great 2025 after two mediocre years. 95+ wins.
For the Padres, right now it just seems like they're waiting to see if they win the Sasaki Lottery before they make any big moves. I expect some trades to keep costs down and I expect the 2025 season to be a hunker-down year. Hosmer's contract finally ends after this upcoming season and I think their top prospects Salas and De Vries might come up sometime in 2026.
I wish you would have done an Anthony Santander update. I have not seen any rumors on Verlander. Obviously you as his brother probably have more insight just when you talk to him and I think everyone understands why you can’t go into detail on that.
Charlie Morton>Corbin Burnes 😁
Ohtani MVP!
Mets fan here, other than the fans and Scott Boras's cronies. nobody in the Mets organization wants Bregman... The have much bigger fish to fry!
Besides, he's the a perfect fit for Detroit!
Astros listening for Framber trade?
All of your predictions are compelling 😅
Still, the Dodgers are going to build a DYNASTY 🎉
5-peat 😅
Oakland have improved!
Christian Walker - star? Yes. Superstar? C’mon now. Maybe a super star to come, but not yet. Excellent player though
The Detroit Tigers will forever regret signing Javier Baez; it never worked out for them. He hasn’t been a good player since he was with the Chicago Cubs; he was a great shortstop for the Chicago Cubs, but he hasn’t been a good playmaker for the Tigers. It's time for the Tigers to trade him. He still has a lot in him to make a comeback and be the shortstop he once was with the Cubs. He needs to get out of Detroit; maybe the Dodgers can make a trade for him in July when the trade deadline comes. They need a shortstop ASAP. He can be a good fit for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers Dynasty Will score the Most Homeruns and win more games then any team has in the modern M.L.B history!
Around 3 ERA AND 40 homers is more like it.
I want JV back in Houston whether he's healthy or not!
I would LOVE the Tigers to sign Bregman I've been saying all off season, but I think the Baez contract scares them... But I don't care GO GET HIM NOW... Hey Ben is it time for the Tigers to move forward?
YESTERDAY
When has Shohei pitched to a 4.0+ ERA? In kindergarten?? 😁😆😄🙂😉
Two words for Christian Walker. High fastball. I love him. But he has a hole and it’s high inside fastballs. Top five in MVP voting. Not sure. Especially when he’s on the same team as Altuve. Bobby Witt Jr. Aaron Judge. Duran. Throw in some pitchers and I don’t think Walker will be Top 5.
I disagree the Yankees are better on paper going into 2025.
A'S will be better, but their owner is very cheap!!! He also has a lot of money.
Just imagine how many MVPs Ohtani could win in a row if he was juiced up on HGH and steroids like Bonds was
If Ohtani is pitching his arm will die. He should stick to batting.
JR. Will be a Met!!!! In the near future.
tigers win al central i think
It seems Scott boras is overvaluing Alex bregman. Yes he’s great. I love him. I love what he’s done for the special needs community in Houston but he wants too much money. I feel like Houston offered him a fair amount and it fizzled.
Astros need to add an OF
FACTS
bonds is the goat, idc he did roids or not
I concur. I’m the furthest thing from a Bond’s fan, but he’s the greatest hitter I’ve ever seen.
@@ShortwideguyI am saying/asking this as I do not know, even though I say it with some sass as I am a lifelong Dodger fan… How did Bond’s greatest offensive game compare to Ohtani’s Sept 19, 2024 game?
These aren’t bold predictions. Astros are a bit of a stretch but the rest of them are just paying attention. Red Sox have a good team and were active in the offseason. Oakland played great the second half of 2024. Toronto wasn’t active and is mediocre in a stacked division. They have no choice but to trade. Sho is a beast.
Mariners win the World Series. That is my bold prediction.
very bold ...
Yankee Hater!
He doesn't hate the yankees
the only one person on earth who can replace Soto in Yankees line-up is…FAT Joe