Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball American League Breakdown: Division Winners & Awards Predictions
Mar 25, 2026
They debate a Cubs long-term contract and the defensive wizardry of Pete Crow-Armstrong. They flag troubling HR and culture issues at Ilitch Sports & Entertainment. Detroit roster moves and Kevin McGonigle’s promotion get fantasy and lineup talk. Then they race through AL divisions to pick winners, wild cards, and predict Rookie, Cy Young, and MVP contenders.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Pete Crow-Armstrong Bet On Himself And Got Paid
- Pete Crow-Armstrong negotiated an extension after betting on himself and delivering a breakout season in 2025.
- Eno and Britt compared his path to Aaron Judge and noted the Cubs likely paid well to lock him before he got pricier.
Red Flags At Ilitch Sports And Entertainment
- Ilitch Sports & Entertainment faces recurring HR and governance issues after a long-tenured employee was essentially pushed out for reporting problems.
- Britt detailed emails, a severance negotiation, and an HR investigation that left staff distrustful of leadership.
Promote Prospects When You Can't Buy A Solution
- Promote top prospects aggressively when you lack big free-agent options to fill roster needs.
- The Tigers promoted Kevin McGonigle to fill shortstop need and capitalize on young internal assets rather than sign stopgaps.