Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball Why Teams Give Near-MLB Prospects Guaranteed Millions
Apr 1, 2026
Andrew Baggarly, longtime Giants reporter, joins to preview San Francisco’s season and roster. He breaks down lineup construction, rotation depth, bullpen roles, and defensive decisions in short, sharp takes. Conversation also touches on manager Tony Vitello’s style and whether midseason moves could push the team past projections.
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Episode notes
Starter Role For Sasaki Hinges On Confidence
- Sasaki still projects as a high-walk starter who must lean on his slider to avoid liabilities.
- Success will likely be incremental: use the slider for strikes, four-seamer and fork for chase/whiffs, and build confidence.
International Stars Face Heightened Nonbaseball Pressure
- Cultural and roster politics expand how teams treat elite international signees like Sasaki.
- Britt Ghiroli notes Japanese media scrutiny, player celebrity, and reluctance to send such stars to minors affect Dodgers' management choices.
Aging Aces Need New Pitch Mixes
- Justin Verlander's decline shows velocity and command loss; teams should change pitch mix rather than rely on 4-seamers.
- Eno advocates adding cutters/sinkers and more offspeed to reduce 4-seamer dependency at 40-plus age.