Tablesetters: A Baseball Podcast

Welcome to Episode 121 of Tablesetters — and today we’re joined by one of the most essential voices in global baseball storytelling. Jim Allen, longtime NPB writer, analyst, historian, and the force behind jballallen.com and its weekly newsletter, sits down with us for a deep, far-reaching conversation about the heartbeat of Japanese baseball and its growing impact on MLB.
For decades, Jim’s reporting has been the bridge that helps English-speaking fans understand not just NPB players, but the culture, structures, and histories that shape them. From the posting system to player development pathways, from extra-inning philosophy to editorial norms, and from national identity to modern pitch-design trends, Jim brings context you simply can’t find anywhere else. And with Tatsuya Imai, Munetaka Murakami, Kona Takahashi, and others drawing MLB attention — all while Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Sasaki redefine the top of the sport — this is the perfect moment to have him on.
In our conversation, Jim takes us inside how the posting system actually works: the incentives that guide both leagues, how timing and leverage shape negotiations, and why the 2013 reforms solved some issues while pushing others into new territory. We break down Imai’s rise into a front-line starter, why his growth feels so intentional, and what parts of his profile give him the best chance to translate quickly to MLB. Jim also helps untangle the narrative around Murakami’s 56-homer “Japanese-born record,” how it’s framed against Balentien’s 60, and what American fans need to understand about how that story was built and why it stuck.
We dig into the philosophical gap between MLB’s open-ended extra innings and NPB’s 12-inning limit, what that says about pace, workload, and cultural logic, and how that contrast resurfaced when Yamamoto appeared in the World Series on almost no rest. From there, we look at Japan’s relationship with the WBC — Ohtani’s commitment, the national pride attached to the tournament, and how fans weigh those responsibilities against MLB club preferences.
Jim also breaks down why narrow milestones and highly specific statistical labels catch fire so quickly in Japanese media, and what American audiences often miss about that editorial tradition. We explore how public sentiment in Japan has shifted regarding stars leaving for MLB, from the tension-filled Matsuzaka era to today’s more normalized wave of early departures. And we close with a look ahead: the next generation of NPB names to know, plus Jim’s thoughts on Anthony Kay’s breakout season and Trevor Bauer’s polarizing stint in Japan.
It’s one of our most wide-ranging episodes yet — part baseball, part culture, part analytics, part history — and Jim guides all of it with clarity, nuance, and generosity.
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Tablesetters — where the game on the field meets the stories that define it.

The offseason didn’t take a warm-up lap — it jumped straight into real movement. Episode 120 starts with two Blind Rankings games: Devin puts together eight random free-agent tag teams, pairing two available players who would be a fun combo for any club to sign together, while Steve works through eight free-agent ballpark fits to see which hypothetical landing spots match the player’s style, strengths, or vibe the best. No context, no reshuffling — just reaction.
We also dig into the Nimmo–Semien trade, one of the more surprising one-for-one swaps in recent years. The Mets send Brandon Nimmo (plus $5M) to Texas for Marcus Semien, reshaping both teams in a pretty direct way. We look at why Nimmo approved the deal, how the Rangers shift their outfield with Carter and Langford, and why Semien fits exactly what the Mets want to emphasize — defense, reliability, and a more balanced lineup. It also raises real questions about New York’s infield picture, from Jeff McNeil’s role to Brett Baty to how soon Jett Williams forces his way into a spot.
From there, we get into Sonny Gray’s move to the Red Sox — a deal that accelerates Boston’s push toward a stabilized, playoff-ready rotation — and Toronto’s massive swing for Dylan Cease, handing out a franchise-record seven-year, $210 million contract to anchor the next era of the Jays’ staff.
And then there’s Hal Steinbrenner, who stirred the week even further by suggesting the Yankees didn’t turn a profit in 2025 and that reducing payroll would be “ideal.” We break down why those comments landed poorly, how they contrast with the Yankees’ global financial footprint, and what it means for their offseason strategy.
Once the trade, signing, and ownership reaction breaks wrap, it’s Blind Rankings time:
Devin’s Free Agent Tag Teams:
Two random free agents at a time, paired together like a package deal — who makes the best duo a team could sign this winter?
Steve’s Free Agent Ballpark Fits:
Eight different free agents matched with eight different ballparks — which pairing feels right, and which ones fall flat?
We close things out by talking about how this early wave of moves — the Nimmo–Semien blockbuster, Sonny Gray to Boston, the Cease mega-deal, and Hal’s payroll posture — might shift the broader free-agent picture, especially for hitters like Pete Alonso, Kyle Tucker, and Cody Bellinger.
🎙 Steve and Devin are live walking through the trade, the immediate roster fallout, the Hal discourse, and both Blind Rankings boards.
⚾️ Two ranking games. A major trade. Two big signings. A Yankees ownership storyline. Plenty of early-winter movement.
📱 Follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X for coverage all week — breakdowns, reactions, and everything else as the offseason starts to take shape.

Welcome to Episode 119 of Tablesetters—and today we’re joined by one of the most influential minds in modern baseball analysis. Eno Sarris, Senior MLB Writer at The Athletic, co-host of Rates & Barrels, creator of Stuff+, and a driving force behind how the sport understands pitching, pitch design, and player value, sits in with us for a conversation that spans the future of baseball, the state of analytics, and everything reshaping the game this offseason.
Eno’s work sits at the intersection of curiosity and clarity—where a question about a fastball’s shape becomes a study of deception, intent, biomechanics, and why certain pitches outperform their “stuff.” His concepts—Stuff+, seam-shifted wake, pitch-shape modeling, bat-speed evaluation—have filtered through front offices, pitching labs, broadcast booths, and fantasy baseball communities. If you’ve ever wondered why a pitch works, Eno is probably the person who has already built the model explaining it.
This winter he broke down the smartest value buys in free agency, explaining why Tatsuya Imai’s fastball could be the next elite NPB translation, why Alex Bregman’s aging curve is misunderstood, what actually caused Ryan Helsley’s 2025 volatility, and how Cody Ponce rebuilt himself into a meaningful big-league option. He also delivered the clearest analytical breakdown of the Emmanuel Clase gambling scandal—quantifying exactly how six intentionally thrown pitches affected win probability, cost Cleveland real financial value, and altered the organization’s multi-year roster plan. On top of that, his postseason analysis reframed how we think about October baseball—from the rise of contact + damage, to the surge in TOOTBLANs, to the drag on starters pitching on short rest, to the explosion of splitter usage across elite arms.
And all of this happens as MLB enters a brand-new distribution era. ESPN absorbs MLB.TV. NBC returns to Sunday Night Baseball. Netflix enters live baseball with Opening Night, the Home Run Derby, and the 2026 Field of Dreams game. Few people can contextualize these shifts the way Eno can, and today we dig into how this realignment reshapes the fan experience and hints at where the sport is heading.
We also get into Eno’s offseason rhythm—how he unwinds (or doesn’t), how his fantasy season went, and how his models continue evolving behind the scenes. From data to storytelling, from pitch design to media rights, from free-agent value to playoff trends, this is one of the most wide-ranging and illuminating conversations we’ve had on Tablesetters.
🎧 Subscribe and follow us @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X for bonus content, interviews, and analytics-driven breakdowns all offseason long. Tablesetters — where the stories behind the numbers shape the future of the game.

Welcome to Episode 118 of Tablesetters. The offseason opened with a major move, as Josh Naylor signed a five-year deal with the Seattle Mariners, immediately reshaping the first-base market. His return reinforces Seattle’s lineup core and removes one of the most dependable bats from free agency. We break down why the deal came together quickly, why other teams never seriously entered the mix, and how his signing affects clubs still searching for first-base or middle-of-the-order help.
Midway through the live show, the conversation shifted when news broke that the Orioles traded Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels for Taylor Ward. Rodriguez missed the entire 2025 season with arm injuries, but the Angels are betting on the upside he showed before the setbacks. Ward, under control through 2026, gives Baltimore a steady right-handed bat and immediate outfield stability. We break down how the trade fits each team’s broader offseason plan and what it suggests about their priorities moving forward.
The episode also covers one of the most unusual qualifying-offer cycles since the system’s creation. Four players accepted the QO — Trent Grisham, Gleyber Torres, Shota Imanaga, and Brandon Woodruff — marking the first time more than three players have taken it in the same offseason. Grisham’s decision is the most surprising, coming off a breakout 34-homer season in a thin outfield market. His acceptance raises the Yankees’ payroll above the third luxury-tax tier and signals a calculated one-year bet on himself. Torres returns to Detroit looking for a healthier 2026 after playing through a sports hernia. Imanaga chose a reset with Chicago after a late-season downturn, and Woodruff accepted as expected as he continues his recovery from shoulder surgery.
On the other side, nine players rejected the QO — Kyle Tucker, Kyle Schwarber, Bo Bichette, Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, Ranger Suárez, Edwin Díaz, Zac Gallen, and Michael King — a group largely expected to pursue multi-year deals despite draft-pick compensation. Their decisions, combined with Grisham coming off the board, further thin the center-field market and shift clubs toward potential trade options. This QO cycle reflects a winter shaped by uncertainty around future labor conditions, stricter tax penalties, and mixed performances from several major free agents.
In San Diego, the Padres’ ownership evaluation remains ongoing. The Seidler family is formally exploring a potential sale while working through internal disputes and long-term financial considerations. The front office maintains a “business as usual” stance, but the review introduces real questions about payroll strategy and organizational stability heading into 2026.
Award season added another layer to a busy week. Shohei Ohtani earned another unanimous MVP, and Aaron Judge secured his third after a tightly contested race. On the pitching side, Tarik Skubal won his second straight AL Cy Young Award, and Paul Skenes captured the NL honor just a year after winning Rookie of the Year — a rare progression that underscores how quickly he has become one of the league’s most impactful pitchers.
In Washington, the Nationals introduced Drew Butera as their new manager, making him the youngest skipper in Major League Baseball in more than 50 years. His development-focused background aligns with the organization’s larger reset under Paul Toboni. The 2026 Hall of Fame ballot was also released, featuring returning candidates such as Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones along with first-time names including Cole Hamels, Ryan Braun, and Matt Kemp.
🎙 Steve and Devin break down the Naylor signing, the Rodriguez–Ward trade, the Qualifying Offer outcomes, the Padres’ ownership situation, the MVP and Cy Young results, Washington’s managerial hire, and the early shape of the Hall of Fame ballot — and how each story frames the first stage of the offseason.
⚾️ A major signing. A notable trade. An unusual QO cycle. Ownership uncertainty. Award season clarity.The winter has officially begun.
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Welcome to Episode 117 of Tablesetters! Today we’re joined by Will Klein, one of the breakout stars of the 2025 postseason and a pitcher whose performance will be remembered as a defining moment in Dodgers history.
A fifth-round pick out of Eastern Illinois in 2020, Klein’s path to the majors was anything but straightforward — marked by perseverance, steady development, and belief in his own process. After stops in Kansas City, Oakland, and Seattle, he found his footing in Los Angeles, where preparation met opportunity in the biggest possible way.
That moment came in Game 3 of the World Series — an 18-inning epic that pushed both teams to their limits. With the Dodgers down to their final bullpen arm, Klein threw four scoreless innings, struck out five, and helped shift the entire momentum of the series. The Dodgers went on to capture their second consecutive championship, and his performance instantly became part of franchise lore.
We dive into Will’s remarkable story and his reflections on that defining night, including: – When he realized he was getting the call in Game 3 – How he stayed composed with the season on the line – What it revealed about his preparation and competitive edge – The emotions behind that final strikeout and Dave Roberts’ “unsung hero” praise – The moment it hit him that he’s a World Series Champion
Plus, we explore: • The Dodgers’ clubhouse culture and what makes their development model elite • How guidance from the team helped unlock his command • What it’s like sharing a clubhouse with Shohei Ohtani and witnessing Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s MVP run • Lessons from bouncing between three organizations before finding a home in Los Angeles
Will also discusses his offseason focus areas, how he resets after a championship run, and what it means to know that when his moment came — he was ready, and he delivered.
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Welcome back to Tablesetters, your home for deep-dive baseball conversation and analysis. Steve and Devin are here, and we’re thrilled to welcome back Keith Raad, the play-by-play broadcaster for the New York Mets on WCBS 880, returning to the show for the first time since Episode 37. Keith works alongside Mets Hall of Famer Howie Rose, bringing fans every pitch, every rally, and every unforgettable moment of Mets baseball. You can follow Keith on X @keithraad and hear him live all season long on the Mets’ broadcast.
In this episode, we take a hard look at one of the most compelling—and confounding—teams in baseball. The 2025 Mets went from owning MLB’s best record through mid-June to missing the postseason entirely, a collapse defined by bullpen fatigue, record-setting pitching turnover, and a clubhouse tested by adversity. Keith offers firsthand insight from the booth, breaking down what made the first-half magic so special, how Carlos Mendoza held the group together through the storm, and what lessons the team can carry forward into 2026.
From there, we dig into the offseason storylines dominating Queens: the opt-outs of Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz, what their market value truly looks like, and whether David Stearns can retain both without compromising the organization’s flexibility. We explore the reported “culture reset” and the trade chatter around Jeff McNeil, assessing how the front office might reshape this roster’s identity around its long-term superstar core.
Then we turn to the rotation and a rumor with real traction: Tarik Skubal. The 2024 AL Cy Young winner has been linked to the Mets amid uncertainty over his future in Detroit, and Ken Rosenthal recently called New York “the obvious team” if the Tigers can’t extend him. Keith breaks down how that potential pursuit could affect the Mets’ 2026 plans and whether Stearns might resist handing out long-term deals this winter to keep the door open for Skubal next year.
Of course, the conversation also highlights the organization’s young foundation—Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and arms like Brandon Sproat, Nolan McLean, and Jonah Tong—and what their continued growth could mean for a rotation in transition. Keith offers sharp in sight on Vientos’ long-term potential, and how Soto’s arrival has redefined the team’s competitive identity.
We close by revisiting a landmark moment in franchise history—the retirement of David Wright’s No. 5—and hearing Keith’s reflections on what that night symbolized for the organization and for a fanbase that still sees Wright as its moral compass. Finally, Keith shares what it means to be the voice behind a franchise now firmly entering the Juan Soto era, and what he hopes to deliver to Mets fans in 2026 and beyond.
This is one episode you won’t want to miss. Grab your headphones, settle in, and enjoy a conversation that captures the emotion, intelligence, and future of Mets baseball—right here on Tablesetters, where every inning tells a story and every pitch sets the stage for the game’s greatest moments.
And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Twitter @tablesetterspod for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive fan polls. We want to hear from you!

MLB free agency has officially opened, and Steve and Devin are back with Episode 115 for one of Tablesetters’ most anticipated offseason events — The Free-Agent Match Draft.
Each host enters with a secret 15-pick draft board, predicting where the biggest names in baseball will sign and what their contracts will look like. Every correct destination earns points, but the real intrigue lies in how each prediction reveals the pulse of the market — where logic meets instinct, and every choice tells a story about how front offices think.
This year’s free-agent class is loaded with possibility: superstars ready to shift the balance of power, steady contributors who complete contenders, and intriguing bounce-back bets looking for the perfect fit. As the draft unfolds, Steve and Devin break down how teams across the league are positioning themselves — from the spenders to the sleepers, and everyone in between.
By the end, two draft boards paint a portrait of the entire offseason before it even begins — ambition, strategy, and the ever-evolving art of roster building.
Follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X for full draft boards, live scoring updates, and exclusive offseason coverage all winter long.

Steve and Devin went live for Episode 114 as the 2025 World Series reached its epic conclusion — an all-time classic that saw the Los Angeles Dodgers repeat as champions after an 11-inning thriller in Toronto.
The Dodgers outlasted the Blue Jays 5–4 in Game 7 at Rogers Centre, capturing their second straight World Series title and becoming baseball’s first repeat champions since the 2000 Yankees. Will Smith provided the decisive swing, crushing a solo home run in the top of the 11th off Shane Bieber to put L.A. ahead for good. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, pitching on zero days’ rest, recorded the final five outs to secure the championship — his third win of the series and fifth of the postseason.
Toronto struck first behind Bo Bichette’s three-run homer off Shohei Ohtani in the third inning, but the Dodgers clawed back. Max Muncy’s solo blast in the eighth made it 4–3, and Miguel Rojas tied the game in the ninth with one of the most dramatic home runs in World Series history — a 357-foot shot off Jeff Hoffman that silenced the sold-out Rogers Centre.
From there, both teams traded blows. Toronto’s defense shined, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. turning a critical 3–6–3 double play and Andy Pages making a collision catch to save the game in the ninth. But the Dodgers’ relentlessness proved too much. Smith, who caught every inning of the series — 1,054 pitches in total — came through in the 11th, cementing his place among postseason legends.
Yamamoto’s performance closed the door on a postseason for the ages: 5–0 with a 1.63 ERA. The Dodgers, deep, disciplined, and battle-tested, once again found the right answers when it mattered most.
Steve and Devin also broke down the incredible October run of Ernie Clement — whose 30 hits set a new single-postseason record — and the historic implications of Yamamoto joining Randy Johnson (2001) as the only pitchers in the last 57 years to win three games in one World Series.
Follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X for full championship reactions, offseason breakdowns, and exclusive Dodgers-Blue Jays Game 7 analysis all week.

 
Steve and Devin went live for Episode 113 as the World Series reached Los Angeles with the series tied 1–1. Through two games, it’s been everything you’d expect from two balanced, well-prepared teams.
Toronto took Game 1 by sticking to their plan — long at-bats, traffic on the bases, and patience that wore Blake Snell down early. Addison Barger’s pinch-hit grand slam, the first in World Series history, broke the game open and set the tone for how the Blue Jays want to play.
The Dodgers answered in Game 2 behind Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who threw a complete game while allowing just one run and no walks. His command and tempo completely reset the series before it shifts to Dodger Stadium.
Now it’s 1–1, and both teams have shown what they do best. Toronto creates pressure and forces mistakes, while Los Angeles controls pace and leans on execution. The rest of the series will come down to which approach holds up longer.
Steve and Devin also discussed Tony Vitello leaving Tennessee to manage the Giants, Bryce Harper’s frustration with trade speculation, and Rob Manfred’s comments on MLB’s ongoing gambling investigations.
Follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X for full World Series coverage, reactions, and analysis all week.

The stage is finally set. The Los Angeles Dodgers are back in the World Series, looking to defend their crown and become baseball’s first repeat champion in 25 years. Standing in their way are the Toronto Blue Jays, back in the Fall Classic for the first time since 1993 when Joe Carter sent an entire country into celebration.
This matchup has everything. The Dodgers have been steady, efficient, and in control from start to finish. The Blue Jays have been resilient and relentless, finding ways to win close games and rising to every challenge in October. It’s experience against emotion. Power against contact. The sport’s most complete team against one that has played its best baseball when it matters most.
Game 1 is Friday night in Toronto. The Rogers Centre will be loud, the moment will feel heavy, and both teams have earned their place here.
🎙 Steve and Devin are live right now, previewing the 2025 World Series. They’ll look at how each team reached this point, what could decide the series, and why this matchup captures the state of modern baseball better than any in recent memory.
⚾️ Two teams built differently. One chance to define a season.
📱 Follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X for live coverage, reactions, and full World Series breakdowns all week.