WAKE and RAKE Podcast

Detailing and explaining the new rules being implemented for the 2024 MLB season, including the enforcing of obstruction plays, widening of the runner's lane, and pitch clock reduction. Plus, we make our preseason playoff predictions. Pirates win the NL Central? Seriously?! And finally, a film breakdown of Bobby Witt Jr.'s impressive mid-pitch adjustment.

(1:01) Changes to podcast ... (4:36) Oakland fan boycott on Opening Day ... (11:22) American League playoff predictions ... (13:29) History tell us 1 losing team will make the playoffs this year ... (17:57) National League playoff predictions ... (21:31) MVP predictions ... (24:12) New MLB rules for 2024 ... (27:23) Umpires to start enforcing obstruction rule ... (30:33) Bobby Witt Jr.'s...

Part II: In preparation for the 2024 MLB season, Danny Vietti details one reason to be optimistic and one reason to be discouraged for each American League team. Could the Mariners take the leap? Will the A's plan to relocate to Las Vegas fall through? Plus, hear why Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s stats from last season just flat do not make any sense.

(1:44) No. 1 picks play each other in Spring Training ... (3:49) AL West glass is half full ... (10:27) Make or break year for Mike Trout ... (18:15) AL Central glass is half full ... (23:08) White Sox are a complete oddity ... (29:17) AL East...

Spring Training is the only time of year when fans of all 30 teams have hope. Danny Vietti runs through each team in the National League, detailing one reason why the glass is half full and one reason why the glass is half empty for the 2024 season. Perception is reality, right? Plus, major props to Oakland fans and the Pirates front office.

(1:06) Cody Bellinger contract details ... (2:59) Oakland fans host Fan Fest ... (11:13) Glass is half full vs. empty for NL West ... (18:27) Fernando Tatis Jr. has a golden opportunity ... (23:14) Glass is half full vs. empty for NL Central ... (32:21) Pirates have...

After acquiring former Cy Young ace Corbin Burnes and the selling of the team, Will Middlebrooks says the Baltimore Orioles have a chance to build something special -- maybe even a dynasty. Full details of the trade, what it means for the NL Central and AL East divisions, and the impact of Theo Epstein returning to Boston.

(2:02) Reaction to Corbin Burnes trade ... (7:15) Orioles have a chance at a dynasty? ... (9:51) Status update on Orioles ... (14:30) Brewers' return package and impact on NL Central ... (17:32) Theo Epstein returns to Boston ... (23:39) Red Sox are not ready to compete in 2024 ... (29:00) Middlebrooks is FIRED...

Detroit Tigers to win the AL Central? Pittsburgh Pirates in the playoffs? Will Middlebrooks and Danny Vietti shoot straight from the hip with some BOLD PREDICTIONS for the 2024 MLB season. Plus, future betting odds for the season. Rosters are still changing by the day, so we'll see if these these takes age like milk.

(3:38) Tough story about Orioles owner Peter Angelos ... (7:39) Detroit Tigers are BACK! ... (14:17) Angels will be better without Ohtani? ... (18:38) Betting odds for 2024 MVP ... (21:00) Reds to improve or take a step back? ... (24:33) Cy Young Favorites ... (26:24) Fernando Tatis Jr. can lead San Diego to playoffs ... (29:03) Tarik Skubal...

Trevor Bauer joins the show to discuss 2024 free agency and his experiences playing professional baseball in Japan. After a two-year absence, Bauer is attempting to make an MLB comeback. Bauer answers questions involving current contract offers, future plans, and the differences between baseball in Japan and the United States.

(1:13) Trevor Bauer status update ... (3:50) Trevor Bauer is asked where he will be playing in 2024 ... (8:20) Dodgers discussed deferred money option with Bauer in 2021 ... (14:22) Bauer's takeaways after playing in Japan ... (21:32) Japanese baseball sponsor gave away free tuna ... (25:23) Playing style differences in Japan ... (29:35) Japanese baseball is squishier than MLB baseball ... (33:05) Bauer's...

Considering the dominance of Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani and Venezuelan Ronald Acuña Jr., have international athletes now surpassed the Americans as the superior athletes? Will Middlebrooks and Danny Vietti disagree on the subject and discuss. Plus, they provide an update on the latest free agent signings.

(1:45) Lucas Giolito, Chris Sale find new homes ... (13:25) Braves have something up their sleeve ... (16:45) Never go on a cruise with kids ... (23:45) Why Jenny Dell refuses to golf ever again ... (28:29) International baseball players this offseason ... (29:49) Are international countries dominating American sports? ... (39:00) Unsigned free agent list

Move over Messi! Shohei Ohtani is now THE RICHEST athlete in the world, of any sport! Will Middlebrooks contextualize Ohtani's record-breaking 10-year/$700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. And if you think the Dodgers are done making moves, think again.

(0:46) Immediate reaction to Ohtani news ... (3:50) Deferred money is crucial ... (6:40) Richest sports contracts in the world ... (14:19) Blue Jays chaos on Friday ... (18:13) Ohtani makes more than Oakland A's ... (22:22) Next year's biggest free agent ... (24:25) Giants the biggest losers? ... (26:17) Polarity in baseball

Former Milwaukee Brewers VP of Player Development and current Nevada Wolf Pack head coach Jake McKinley joins the podcast. How does NIL deals work in college baseball? Why is Brewers top prospect Jackson Chourio the "real deal?" Plus, what makes Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns so special?

(4:42) Transitioning into a Div. I baseball head coach ... (6:18) NIL deals in college baseball ... (12:21) NIL college deals for dummies ... (14:41) What makes David Stearns special ... (22:09) Jackson Chourio is the "real deal" ... (26:33) Inside the Mauricio Dubón trade ... (32:11) Jets are a disaster ... (37:45) Favorite Christmas song ... (41:58) "90 is the new 85" for pitchers

Free agency is expected to shift into high gear when the MLB Winter Meetings commence next week. No better time to make our FREE AGENCY and OFFSEASON PREDICTIONS. San Francisco makes a splash? Tyler Glasnow to Southern California? Baltimore adds a Cy Young? Plus, Will Middlebrooks has some inside intel on the Red Sox offseason plans.

(5:24) Are Sonny Gray and Tyler Glasnow No. 1 starters? ... (10:24) Tyler Glasnow headed to Southern California? ... (15:20) Red Sox going after two notable starters? ... (20:01) Where does Shohei Ohtani sign? ... (24:04) Yankees will land either Cody Bellinger or Juan Soto ... (28:34) Blue Jays a dark horse free...