Cleveland Guardians fans face a harsh reality: the Los Angeles Dodgers just won the World Series with a $394 million payroll while committing $228 million for 2028—more than most teams' entire rosters. Can small-market teams compete in baseball's broken economic system?

Jeff Ellis breaks down the Dodgers' championship run and what it reveals about MLB's payroll disparity crisis. The discussion covers why baseball desperately needs a salary cap and floor, analyzes the minimum offensive production Cleveland requires to contend for a title, and examines one of the darkest periods in Cleveland baseball history. From the infamous Rocky Colavito trade to the even worse Norm Cash deal, Ellis reveals how the 1959-1960 era saw Cleveland ship away multiple Hall of Fame-caliber players including Tommy John, Dennis Eckersley, and Minnie Miñoso in catastrophic transactions that shaped decades of franchise struggles.

Discover why the Colavito trade wasn't even the worst deal that week and what Cleveland must do offensively to compete with baseball's financial giants.

0:00 Intro: Dodgers Win World Series

1:04 Today's Topics

2:37 Dodgers' Payroll Analysis

5:09 Guardians vs Dodgers Spending

8:12 MLB Revenue Sharing Issues

13:17 Salary Cap Discussion

14:17 Guardians' Offensive Needs

22:28 Cleveland's 1960s Trade History

31:07 Tommy John & Craig Nettles Trades

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Could calling pitches from the dugout be the answer to the Cleveland Guardians offensive issues at catcher? The Miami Marlins tested this NFL-style system in 2025, where pitch sequences are called from the dugout rather than by catchers. Justin Lada breaks down how Cleveland could implement this innovation to maintain their elite pitching development (3rd in defensive catching metrics) while addressing their 25th-ranked catcher offense. The show covers Daniel Espino's impressive Arizona Fall League comeback, Trenton Denholm's knuckleball experiments with former Cleveland pitcher Tom Candiotti, as well as a interesting change by Jhonkensy Noel. Plus, our Halloween special ranks the franchise's worst trades, from the Myles Straw disaster to the legendary Rocky Colavito curse.

Discover how the Cleveland Guardians could transform their catching strategy while keeping their pitching dominance intact.

0:00 Intro - Pitching Innovation and Catcher Offense
5:07 Game Calling Issues and First Pitch Problems
15:17 Pitch Clock Impact on Game Calling
20:21 Winter League and AFL Updates on Daniel Espino, Alfonsin Rosario, and Jhonkensy Noel
25:29 Trenton Denholm Knuckleball Development
30:05 Most Horrifying Trades in Cleveland history for Halloween
34:10 Outro - Center Field Discussion Preview

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Could All-Star Jarren Duran be available this off-season and are the Cleveland Guardians a potential fit? Is Durran's availability be the answer in Cleveland's outfield, or is the price too steep? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down why Boston might move Duran despite his 6.8 WAR season, analyzing his splits against left-handed pitching and defensive concerns. The discussion examines what it would cost Cleveland to acquire him—potentially Gavin Williams or other proven pitching—and whether that price makes sense given Duran's three years of control. The show also spotlights an under-the-radar alternative: Romy Gonzalez, whose elite hard-hit metrics rank fourth in baseball behind only Schwarber, Ohtani, and Judge. We also dive into Boston's roster construction priorities, Cleveland's historical approach to acquisitions, and identifying market inefficiencies in players from struggling organizations.

Discover which trade target makes more sense for the Guardians' championship window and why underlying metrics matter more than All-Star appearances.

0:00 Intro - Jarren Duran trade rumors begin

5:26 Why the Red Sox might trade Duran

9:48 Shopping vs. taking calls on players

14:56 What would it take to acquire Duran

18:55 Comparing Duran's value to Guardians pitchers

22:11 Problems with "former All-Star" label

25:36 Andrew Vaughn trade comparison and market inefficiencies

28:20 Romy Gonzalez as alternative target

30:37 Logan Allen and pitching depth discussion

32:12 Top five hard-hit rates in baseball

33:00 Outro - Halloween candy preferences

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6 Cleveland Guardians prospects made their MLB debut in 2025. But which rising stars in the system should the front office consider trading while their value peaks?

Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down the minor league system's biggest risers and fallers in 2025. Ralphy Velazquez's explosive second half (.330/.408/.591 from July 1st) sees him generating pre-trade Clint Frazier-level excitement, while Alfonsin Rosario jumped from 27th to 12th in prospect rankings. The show also dives into potential trade scenarios involving first base depth—Kyle Manzardo, CJ Kayfus, and Velazquez all competing for limited roster spots. We also debate whether Rosario's strikeout concerns make him an ideal trade chip, why Daniel Espino represents the ultimate sell-high candidate despite his injury history, and which prospects like Welbyn Francisca and Franco Aleman saw their stock tumble.

Watch and listen for which Cleveland Guardians prospects could headline trades for controllable major league talent.

0:00 Intro - Prospects we held onto for too long

5:13 Ralphy Velazquez raised his stock the most

9:16 Alfonsin Rosario's impressive leap forward

13:09 CJ Kayfus raised his trade value significantly

16:13 Trading Kayfus vs Velazquez - who has more value

19:51 Velasquez is now a centerpiece trade chip

23:13 Alfonsin Rosario should be flipped this offseason

27:18 Jimmy Herget trade makes sense for Cleveland

29:23 Daniel Espino is the ultimate sell-high candidate

31:16 Welbyn Francsica stock fell the most

32:50 Franco Aleman completely blown up as prospect

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Could the Cleveland Guardians see more coaches leave with Craig Albernaz becoming the Baltimore Orioles Manager? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis analyze potential replacements and the ripple effects on the team's strategy. The show dissects Jim Bowden's top 50 free agent list, eyeing outfield hitters like Trent Grisham and Mike Yastrzemski as possible fits for the Guardians. They explore how recent changes might influence Cleveland's approach to the free agent market, debating contract predictions and player values. Could a potential MLB lockout create unexpected opportunities for the Guardians in free agency?

0:00 Intro: World Series ending soon, free agency discussion

5:07 Coaching changes and potential departures

10:24 Jim Bowden's top 50 free agent list analysis

15:53 Shane Bieber and Josh Naylor free agency fits

20:17 Cedric Mullins as potential Guardians target

25:00 Mike Yastrzemski and relief pitcher options

29:39 Devin Williams and undervalued relief arms

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Cleveland Guardians shake up coaching staff. Will these changes propel them to new heights in the upcoming MLB season?

Host Jeff Ellis analyzes the Guardians' recent coaching departures, including Craig Albernaz to the Baltimore Orioles and Jason Esposito to Vanderbilt. He examines the team's defensive performance, highlighting Steven Kwan's Fielding Bible Award and potential improvements in center and right field. Ellis also takes a deep dive into Cleveland's historic 1993 MLB Draft, discussing key picks like Daron Kirkreit and Richie Sexson.

Discover how small-market teams like the Guardians can compete in today's MLB landscape and why retaining pitching coach Carl Willis could be crucial for Cleveland's success.

Tune in for insider insights on the Guardians' strategy to overcome challenges and build a competitive roster for the future.

0:00 Cleveland Guardians losing third coach

5:08 Carl Willis staying as pitching coach

15:23 Fielding Bible Awards and defensive metrics

25:29 1993 draft: Cleveland's longest and weirdest

30:37 Richie Sexson trade and 90s offensive context

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World Series Showdown: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays - Who Will Reign Supreme?

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays face off in an unexpected World Series matchup. Can the Blue Jays' complete team challenge the Dodgers' powerhouse lineup? Key discussions include team strengths, payroll disparities, and the impact of high-spending franchises on MLB. The hosts analyze starting pitching, bullpen strategies, and offer bold predictions for the series outcome. Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. take center stage as potential game-changers.

Tune in for expert insights on this thrilling World Series clash and the broader issues shaping the future of baseball.

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STAR OUTFIELDER ON THE BLOCK?
Could Mike Trout be placed on the trade block? Could the Cleveland Guardians join the fray to acquire the star outfielder? Justin Lada explores the possibility of a blockbuster trade that would make sense for both the Guardians and Angels. We look at possible evidence of a trade, more reasons supporting an external outfield upgrade. The show breaks down potential trade packages, weighing prospects like Ralphy Velasquez and current MLB pitchers against Trout's remaining contract. Plus, we discuss the latest on the investigation involving Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, with implications for the team's future plans.

0:00 Intro: Cleveland Guardians outfield needs help
5:05 Mike Trout trade possibility to Guardians
10:14 Reasons Guardians should target Mike Trout
15:22 Evidence for external outfield upgrades
20:00 Potential trade package for Mike Trout
25:36 Investigation update on Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz
30:41 Impact on Guardians' roster and planning

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