DVR is joined by Clay Link, RotoWire's Senior MLB Editor to discuss takeaways from the season so far and a few potential weekend waiver-wire targets. Plus, Senior Hot Dog Correspondent Niv Shah is back to talk trad and considerations in ottoneu and keeper leagues, before a brief foray into 'not dogs'.

Rundown

2:44 Takeaways From the 2025 Season So Far

7:55 News & Notes: Connor Norby, Shane Bieber & Dane Dunning

20:34 One Pitcher You're Banking on for Second-Half Rebound

27:51 Top 10 Position Players So Far (FanGraphs Player Rater)

34:56 Zebby Matthews: Progressing in Rehab Assignment

38:25 Andrew Painter: Still a Good Redraft Stash?

41:57 Players You Like Despite Shaky Projections

45:30 Angel Martínez: Significant Role in Cleveland

50:07 Yanquiel Fernández: Enough PT for Deep Leagues?

56:51 Senior Hot Dog Correspondent Niv Shah Joins the Show!

57:21 Trading Away Pricey Stars in Keeper Leagues

1:23:01 'Not Dogs' Hot Dog Bowls, and Half Smokes?

Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social

Follow Niv on Bluesky: @ottoneu.bsky.social

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Host: Derek VanRiper

Guests: Clay Link & Niv Shah

Producer: Brian Smith

Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR is joined by Stephen Nesbitt to discuss All-Star Week festivities -- including Cal Raleigh's Home Run Derby win, a swing-off that delivered on a big stage, and a stunning visual tribute to Hank Aaron that missed a critically important detail. Plus, they look at several second-half storylines including the Red Sox's shift back toward Trade Deadline buyers despite trading Rafael Devers to the Giants in June, teams with a short window to change their Deadline plans, and a few potential risers and fallers over the course of the second half.

Rundown

1:16 Cal Raleigh's Home Run Derby Win

4:32 The All-Star Game 'Swing-Off' Delivered

11:25 A Stunning Hank Aaron Tribute Missing a Critically Important Detail

Hank Aaron's record-breaking 715th home run, as called by Vin Scully: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjqYThEVoSQ

17:55 Red Sox and Giants' Trade Deadline Plans

27:28 Pick 1 to Make the Playoffs: Padres, Red Sox & Giants

31:35 One Team Under 20% Playoff Odds (per FanGraphs) That You See Rallying Back

38:22 Wondering About the Tigers' Deadline Approach

43:21 Will the Astros Maintain Their AL West Lead as Injuries Mount?

47:45 Hitter's Season Most Likely To Turn Around

54:43 Unsustainable Levels From Excellent First Half

Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social

Follow Stephen on Bluesky: @stephenjnesbitt.bsky.social

e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe

Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels

Host: Derek VanRiper

Guest: Stephen Nesbitt

Producer Brian Smith

Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR is joined by Keith Law to discuss a few takeaways from the 2025 MLB Draft including Eli Willits as the Nationals' choice with the first overall pick, the entirely unsurprising selection of Ethan Holliday by the Rockies, the Angels' decision to take Tyler Bremner over Kade Anderson, Liam Doyle and Jamie Arnold at No. 2, intriguing risk-reward gambles from Day 1, and much more.

Rundown

3:17 Eli Willits Goes to the Nationals at 1.1 & Decisions Thereafter

9:15 Fast Tracks for Several First-Round Pitchers?

13:59 Seth Hernandez to the Pirates, Elevated Risk with HS Pitching

17:59 Pitchers More Likely to Choose College Thanks to NIL Opportunities?

21:37 The Angels Select Tyler Bremner w/Second Pick

26:47 Aiva Arquette Lands in Miami

33:19 Liam Doyle to the Cardinals; Pitching Changes On Tap in St. Louis

38:22 Billy Carlson and the White Sox's Bet on Developing a Better Hit Tool

48:01 Are High School Hitters Getting Better? (Maybe a Lot Better)

53:18 Kruz Schoolcraft and Intriguing Risk-Reward

Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.social

Follow Keith on Bluesky: @keithlaw.bsky.social

e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe

Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels

Host: Derek VanRiper

Guests: Keith Law

Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.