Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney

ESPN, Buster Olney
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Feb 23, 2026 • 40min

Big News: Gerrit Cole Throws 97 MPH; Did the Red Sox Have an Underrated Offseason?; Shortstop Draft

The podcast is available for viewing on ESPN's MLB YouTube page! The Yankees’ Gerrit Cole is showing off his stuff at Spring Training. How soon will he return to the rotation? Buster Olney, Tim Kurkjian and David Schoenfield discuss. Plus, Major League Baseball is in a golden age of shortstops, Dave and Tim draft who they think are the top eight shortstops in the league, Dave thinks the Red Sox had an underrated offseason, remembering Bill Mazeroski and his World Series Game 7 walk-off home run, and everyone is all-in on the World Baseball Classic. Then, Buster previews the 2026 Toronto Blue Jays. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.  CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 2:28 Gerrit Cole, Yankees' pitching 7:02 Red Sox offseason 8:42 Gold age of shortstops 14:07 Shortstop draft 21:42 Remembering Bill Mazeroski 25:03 Buy-in for the World Baseball Classic 28:09 Headlines: Rhys Hoskins signs with Cleveland, Jordan Westburg injured, Pay Murphy extended 29:13 Toronto Blue Jays 2026 preview 30:32 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Feb 20, 2026 • 1h 2min

Equipment Closet: MLBPA Needs Urgency; Alex Bregman as the Anti-Kyle Tucker; Cubs Preview

Eric Hosmer and Buster discuss Hos’ breakout candidates for the spring, and the deep seated issues facing the MLBPA. Next, Jesse Rogers stops by to share his thoughts on Alex Bregman in a Cubs uniform, Pete Crow-Armstrong as an x-factor in the league, the change in leadership in the players’ union, and why Andrew Miller will play a key role in the labor negotiations. Then, Buster previews the Chicago Cubs. Later, Buster talks to Ken Davidoff about his new book “101 Lessons from the Dugout” and why some players aren’t made for the New York market. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 4:57 Eric Hosmer 24:54 Jesse Rogers 38:45 Chicago Cubs Preview 39:46 Ken Davidoff 51:00 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Feb 18, 2026 • 56min

Reflections: World Series Managers Dave Roberts & John Schneider Stop By; Tony Clark Resigns

Jorge Castillo and Buster discuss MLBPA executive director Tony Clark resigning amid scandal, during a time the players' union needs stability and leadership. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins the show to talk about being deliberate with moving on after the World Series, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s leadership and his initial impressions of Dylan Cease. Next, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on embracing the challenge of a new season, how Kyle Tucker changes his lineup and Edwin Diaz. Later, Hembo provides an offseason retrospective. Finally, Buster shares additional thoughts on Clark's resignation during Bleacher Tweets. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 0:00 Jorge Castillo 5:17 John Schneider 19:08 Dave Roberts 31:04 Hembo 47:20 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Feb 16, 2026 • 40min

Saying Something Nice: Bryce Harper is Yapping; Manny Machado is Also Yapping; Dodgers Preview

Tim Kurkjian, David Schoenfield and Buster discuss Bryce Harper first public response to Dave Dombrowski’s comments, Harper and Kyle Schwarber not exactly defending Nick Castellanos, Manny Machado’s thoughts on the Los Angeles Dodgers' spending, if Shohei Ohtani can pitch enough games to win a Cy Young, the Braves in need of another starting pitcher, the guys’ win projection for the Dodgers. Then,  Buster previews the Los Angeles Dodgers. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 4:29 Tim Kurkjian & Dave Schoenfield 30:20 Los Angeles Dodgers preview 31:58 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Feb 13, 2026 • 44min

Disproportionate: Nick Castellanos Released & Details Revealed; Latest on Labor Talks; Orioles & Rockies Previews

Jeff Passan and Buster discuss the circumstances surrounding the Phillies releasing Nick Castellanos, the latest on labor relations from the owners meeting, the wide range of outcomes for the Mets, and why Jeff is bullish on the Orioles. Then, Buster previews Baltimore, and the Colorado Rockies. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 6:09 Jeff Passan 32:14 Baltimore Orioles preview 33:44 Colorado Rockies preview 34:52 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Feb 12, 2026 • 1h 7min

Off the Knob: Francisco Lindor and Others Break Their Hamates; Tigers Poised to Pounce; Mariners Heavy AL West Favorite

Karl Ravech, Eduardo Perez and Buster discuss the spate of hamate bone injuries across baseball, hitters chasing bat speed, Spencer Schwellenbach starting the season on the 60-day IL, the re-envisioned Tigers with Framber Valdez in the rotation, Blue Jays analyst Buck Martinez leaving the booth,  which players will get the green light to challenge pitches on the spot, and the reconfigured Red Sox. Then, Jorge Castillo has more on Francisco Lindor’s broken hamate, the Mets’ options to replace him at shortstop, Juan Soto moving to left field, Josh Hader’s slow return from injury, the Mariners looking like a heavy favorite in the AL West, and Tarik Skubal vs. Paul Skenes. Later, Sarah Langs tackles the Skubal vs. Skenes question. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 5:43 Clown Car w/ Ravy & Eduardo 29:01 Jorge Castillo 51:08 Sarah Langs 54:54 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Feb 3, 2026 • 59min

Clear Villain: Tigers Should've Paid Tarik Skubal; Team Win Totals Release; Kiley McDaniel on Prospect Top-100

Hembo and Buster discuss the Mariners waiting out the market and trading for Brendan Donovan from the Cardinals, why the Tigers are doing Tarik Skubal dirty by not paying him, Hembo’s best pitcher in baseball, and which team win totals look ripe for a wager. Then, Kiley McDaniel stops by to talk about the Donovan trade from the Cardinals’ perspective, his excitement over top prospect Konnor Griffin, players who shot up his board after the draft, and if George Lombard Jr. will force his way to the Bronx at shortstop.  CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 3:42 Hembo 30:50 Kiley McDaniel 50:26 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Jan 29, 2026 • 58min

Tim Kurkjian Tough: Framber Valdez Lingering; Offseason Losers; Stephania Bell on Injuries to Watch Heading Into Spring

Tim Kurkjian, Jesse Rogers and Buster discuss the thought process behind Hall of Fame voting with the news of Bill Belichick's NFL first-ballot snub, Tim's tales of new Hall of Famers Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltran, Cody Bellinger bolstering the Yankees, why Framber Valdez could go unsigned for weeks, potential suitors for the Cardinals' Brendan Donovan, and the offseason's biggest losers (so far). Then, ESPN injury expert Stephania Bell stops by to share updates on Gerrit Cole, Zack Wheeler, Nathan Eovaldi, Austin Riley, and Carlos Rodon. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 4:40 Tim Kurkjian & Jesse Rogers 33:03 Stephania Bell 50:35 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Jan 22, 2026 • 56min

Regenerate: Mets Get Their Ace; What’s Next for the Brewers; A Pair of Center Fielders Make the HOF

Hembo and Buster discuss the top of the Dodger lineup, the Mets trading for Freddy Peralta, the impact on the Brewers, why Hembo thinks the Phillies will win the NL East, and Cody Bellinger’s player friendly deal with the Yankees. Then, Sarah Langs has an essay on newly minted Hall of Famers, Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltrán. Later, Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, stops by. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 4:02 Hembo 27:50 Sarah Langs 30:53 Bob Kendrick 45:51 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Jan 16, 2026 • 39min

🚨EMERGENCY POD: Reacting to MAJOR Kyle Tucker & Bo Bichette signing news!

Buster is joined by Alden Gonzalez and David Schoenfield to break down the major news that the Dodgers have signed Kyle Tucker to a four-year $240 million deal. The Mets have also signed Bo Bichette to a three-year $126 million contract. The guys take a deep dive into both signings, what they mean for each team, and what these deals mean for the league at large. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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