Head over to iTunes to check out the latest podcast: "Beanball, Prospects, Value, and Lamb"
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/balls-in-the-dirt/id865902518?mt=2
Thanks for listening, please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe!
-Hayden
Friday, August 8, 2014
Monday, June 30, 2014
Trade Deadline Podcast Pt. 1
Available on iTunes is our latest podcast, about potential trades we think make sense. Things get silly and we get rid of Aaron Hill!
Enjoy and please don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe on iTunes!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/balls-in-the-dirt/id865902518?mt=2
-Hayden
Enjoy and please don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe on iTunes!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/balls-in-the-dirt/id865902518?mt=2
-Hayden
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Podcast: The Draft, Goodbye Cahill, Machado, and Rookies
Go to iTunes and check out our newest edition of the podcast!
"The D-Backs Draft & Machado"
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/balls-in-the-dirt/id865902518?mt=2
The guys discuss the newest members of the Arizona Diamondbacks following the 2014 Draft, Trevor Cahill's recent demotion, Manny Machado's recent tantrums, and the rookie class of 2014.
As always, thanks for listening and downloading. Please rate and review our podcast on iTunes and don't forget to email us at ballsinthedirtpodcast@gmail.com
Thanks,
Hayden
"The D-Backs Draft & Machado"
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/balls-in-the-dirt/id865902518?mt=2
The guys discuss the newest members of the Arizona Diamondbacks following the 2014 Draft, Trevor Cahill's recent demotion, Manny Machado's recent tantrums, and the rookie class of 2014.
As always, thanks for listening and downloading. Please rate and review our podcast on iTunes and don't forget to email us at ballsinthedirtpodcast@gmail.com
Thanks,
Hayden
Monday, June 2, 2014
New D-Backs Podcast!
6/2/14
Check out the link below to download our newest podcast on our beloved (and last place) Diamondbacks.
"Some Predicting":
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/balls-in-the-dirt/id865902518?mt=2
Hayden & Nick discuss the possibility of Kirk Gibson and Kevin Towers being fired and whether or not that should happen now! As in TODAY! Other discussions include trade bait on the current roster and what prospects are doing well (and some that aren't). Hayden inevitably talks about Archie Bradley.
Thanks for listening!
Hayden
Check out the link below to download our newest podcast on our beloved (and last place) Diamondbacks.
"Some Predicting":
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/balls-in-the-dirt/id865902518?mt=2
Hayden & Nick discuss the possibility of Kirk Gibson and Kevin Towers being fired and whether or not that should happen now! As in TODAY! Other discussions include trade bait on the current roster and what prospects are doing well (and some that aren't). Hayden inevitably talks about Archie Bradley.
Thanks for listening!
Hayden
Friday, April 25, 2014
"The Really Abrasive Episode" on iTunes
Hey boys and girls,
New episode up at iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/balls-in-the-dirt/id865902518?mt=2
Please remember to rate and review us, and while you're at it please subscribe.
As always, our email is ballsinthedirtpodcast@gmail.com.
Thanks for listening,
Hayden
New episode up at iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/balls-in-the-dirt/id865902518?mt=2
Please remember to rate and review us, and while you're at it please subscribe.
As always, our email is ballsinthedirtpodcast@gmail.com.
Thanks for listening,
Hayden
Monday, April 21, 2014
iTunes Update!
Good afternoon boys and girls. We've got some updating to fill you in on.
We are now on iTunes! All you have to do is go into iTunes and type in "Balls in the Dirt" and under podcasts, you will find us! We have our first episode up now called "Early Season Blues" which was recorded on April 9th. Or if you want the link will be posted here:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/balls-in-the-dirt/id865902518
If you would do us the favor of subscribing, review, and rating us that'd be great. Remember, any and all feedback is welcomed at our new email which is ballsinthedirtpodcast@gmail.com!
Thanks for being so patient with us as we go through some transition with this operation.
Content is on the way!
-Hayden
We are now on iTunes! All you have to do is go into iTunes and type in "Balls in the Dirt" and under podcasts, you will find us! We have our first episode up now called "Early Season Blues" which was recorded on April 9th. Or if you want the link will be posted here:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/balls-in-the-dirt/id865902518
If you would do us the favor of subscribing, review, and rating us that'd be great. Remember, any and all feedback is welcomed at our new email which is ballsinthedirtpodcast@gmail.com!
Thanks for being so patient with us as we go through some transition with this operation.
Content is on the way!
-Hayden
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Nick and Hayden's 2014 MLB Preview: 6. Detroit Tigers
6. Detroit Tigers
by Nick Opich4/2/2014
To really examine the make up of the 2014 Detroit Tigers,
you have to look back at the circumstances that brought them to this point.
After a disappointing ass whooping at the hands of the Texas Rangers in the
2011 ALCS, owner Mike Illitch and General Manager Dave Dombrowski knew they had
a good team and were content to begin 2012 with relatively the same team. Then
Victor Martinez tore his ACL during an offseason workout, the club panicked and
signed slugging first baseman Prince Fielder to a 9-year, $214M contract. All was
right in the world.
The Tigers were now easy favorites in 2012 to reach and win
the coveted World Series. Although they didn’t dominate during the regular
season, they reached the World Series and were matched up against the San
Francisco Giants and were quickly swept, giving Detroit another embarrassing
showing in the playoffs and their second World Series defeat of the decade.
In 2013, the Tigers were once again the odds-on favorite to
win the championship. With Martinez returning
the lineup, Detroit
had arguably the most imposing middle of the order in the game. Add on the fact
that they had a rotation of Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Anibal Sanchez,
Doug Fister, and Rick Porcello and it was assumed by many that this team was
the best in baseball. But you know what they say about when you assume
something…
![]() |
This will never be forgotten |
It was clear that the dynamic of this team needed to change
and you would be hard pressed to find any team that changed their make up more
this offseason than the Detroit Tigers.
First, Manager Jim Leyland retired and was replaced by the
younger and more analytically-inclined Brad Ausmus - a move many Tigers fans
applauded. Then Prince Fielder and $30M was traded to Texas in exchange for 2B Ian Kinsler. Miguel
Cabrera was to move back to first base and hot shot rookie Nick Castellanos was
going to be brought up to play third. Another solid move by the savvy,
Dombrowski.
Then things got weird…
First, reliever Jose Veras, who was acquired at the trade
deadline from Houston for young OF prospect
Danry Vasquez, was cut because Detroit
didn’t want to pay his $4M salary for 2014. An odd move considering the
weakness of the Tigers bullpen but he wasn’t as reliable as many expected and
so maybe this was the right move.
Then, on December 2nd, 2013, a day that will live
in infamy, The Tigers traded Doug Fister to the Washington Nationals for
Double-A pitcher Robbie Ray, left-handed reliever (and homophobe) Ian Krol, and
utility man Steve Lombardozzi. This sent shockwaves across Detroit and the rest of Major League
Baseball. Did Dombrowski really trade a top-10 pitcher for a mid-tier prospect
and spare parts? Isn’t this team set up to win now? There’s got to be something
else going back to Detroit ,
right?
Yes, he did. Yes, the team wants to win now. No, they did not
receive anything else from this trade.
Later that week, Detroit
signed closer Joe Nathan but hardly anyone was excited. The damage had already
been done.
They later signed OF Rajai Davis instead of the bigger name
on the market Shin-Soo Choo and RHP Joba Chamberlain to a one year deal worth
$6M bringing up many questions about why they cut Veras.
![]() |
Who's really making these decisions? |
Despite these strange moves, entering Spring Training, there
was still plenty of optimism for Detroit .
Then, only a couple weeks before the season was to begin, it
is reported that defensive whiz Jose Iglesias will likely miss the season with
two fractured shins. A few days later, flame throwing reliever Bruce Rondon
goes down with a torn UCL and it is announced that he will miss the season
after receiving Tommy John surgery.
Tiger fans just wanted the season to begin before anything
else weird and horrific could happen.
To replace Iglesias the Tigers acquired a platoon of Andrew
Romine and Alex Gonzalez. One of the trades included sending Lombardozzi to Baltimore , making the
Fister deal look even more dismal.
Finally the season has begun for Detroit and the outlook is still optimistic.
Castellanos looked great this spring and Ausmus has shown so far that he is
going to employ a more analytically inclined philosophy than that of the
somewhat stubborn Leyland .
![]() |
This team is in your hands now Brad |
Objectively looking at this team, they have an array of
players who are experienced and know how to win. In 2014, the Tigers could win
anywhere from 88-95+ games and at the very least, run away with the AL Central
crown.
a. 93-69 (Lost in ALCS to BOS)
b. Signed Joe Nathan, Rajai Davis, Joba Chamberlain
c. Traded Jose Alvarez to LAA for SS Andrew Romine
d. Traded Doug Fister to WAS for LHP Ian Krohl, 2B Steve Lombardozzi
e. Then trading Lombardozzi to BAL for SS Alex Gonzalez
f. Traded Prince Fielder and cash to TEX for 2B Ian Kinsler
2. Lineup/Rotation
Lineup:
1. Ian Kinsler 2B
2. Torii Hunter RF
3. Miguel Cabrera 1B
4. Victor Martinez DH
5. Austin Jackson CF
6. Alex Avila C
7. Nick Castellanos 3B
8. Alex Gonzalez SS
9. Rajai Davis LF
Rotation:
1. Justin Verlander
2. Max Scherzer
3. Anibal Sanchez
4. Rick Porcello
5. Drew Smyly
3. Favorite/Least Favorite
a. Nick's Favorite– Brad Ausmus
b. Hayden's Favorite– Verlander’s conservation. Saves himself and his velocity.
c. Nick's Least Favorite – Waste of roster spots
d. Hayden's Least Favorite – Cabrera’s inevitable weight gain; Fister trade; Farm system
4. Impact Player
a. Ian Kinsler
i. Career lows in walks – 2012 & 2013 (12% to 8% drop)
ii. Slugged .511 in Arlington; .399 everywhere else
iii. Has hit .200 in Comerica
iv. Age 29: Isolated power of .223; Age 31: I.P. of .136 (last 3 years: .223,.166,.136)
v. But Michael Young was a better player from 32-34 than 29-31
b. Rick Porcello
i. Reaching 200+ innings – never done
ii. Must be elite
iii. Can he be Fister reincarnated?
5. Impact Prospect
a. Nick Castellanos
i. Oppo-field power
ii. One of best pure hitters among prospects
iii. Low expectations outside of hitting
6. Midseason Status
a. Contending as usual for first in AL Central
b. SS or LF as biggest hole?
7. Bold Predictions
a. 93-69
b. No significant trade
c. Castellanos: AL ROY
Podcast Playlist:
"Are You on Your Way" - Middle Class Rut
"Trampled Underfoot" - Led Zeppelin
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