Baseball America Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Gary Hughes and Smokies Broadcaster Mick Gillispie host the Hot Stove Baseball Podcast for the third consecutive off season.
Click to listen-Hot Stove Baseball Podcast Inning 3
The podcast starts with Mick and Gary discussing the Toronto Blue Jays CEO job search. White Sox Vice President Kenny Williams and Baltimore Orioles General Manager Dan Duquette have both been connected to the opening.
Skydome -Rogers Centre in Toronto.
The second segment is a review of Winter Meetings. Gary’s Boston Redsox made a cluster of moves, trading Yoenis Cespedes , Alex Wilson and Gabe Speier for Rick Porecello from the Tigers. Then traded Arizona for left-handed pitcher Wade Miley giving up pitching prospects Ruby De La Rosa & Allen Webster. They finished a strong trip to San Diego by signing free agent sinker baller Justin Masterson. However, the Red Sox failed to sign Jon Lester losing out to the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs paid 155 million on a six year deal to nap the lefty ace. Lester has been extremely durable and consistent over the past seven seasons. Chicago also worked a trade with Arizona for catcher Miguel Montero. The finished an aggressive trip to Winter Meetings by signing Jason Hammel to a 2-year deal.
The biggest move of the week was Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp getting sent to San Diego for catcher Yasmani Grandal and pitcher Joe Wieland. L.A will also pay some of Kemps huge salary. L.A then traded All-Star Dee Gordon and pitcher Dan Haren to the Marlins for pitcher Andrew Heaney, Austin Barnes and Chris Hatcher. Then hours later Andrew Heaney was dealt again to the Angles for second baseman Howie Kendrick. They also grabbed Philadelphia Phillies great Jimmy Rollins to play shortstop and signed pitcher Brandon McCarthy to a four year deal.
Jon Lester (Cubs signed at 6 years-155 million)
The final segment focused on the Veterans Committee Hall of fame vote. Made up of a 16-person panel, it failed to select an inductee. Three players were very close including Dick Allen (3B/1B) and Tony Oliva (OF) who fell only one vote short while Jim Kaat (10 votes) needed two. The Golden Area Committee next meets in 2017 for 2018 inductions.
The newest hall of fame broadcaster is Dick Enberg of the San Diego Padres. He won the Ford Frick Award but Mick and Gary talk about the how long time A’s Voice Bill King was passed over again.
The show also touches on the excellent series produced by Chicago Cubs broadcaster Pat Hughes called “Baseball Voices”. The newest release spotlights Mick’s friend and broadcast mentor Chuck Thompson.
(Click picture below to visit site)
Chuck Thompson http://www.baseballvoices.com
Andrew Green
James Rowe
Leave a Reply