AI Summary
5 min readHour 3 – The Red Mist
The hour opens with Ben Maller framing three distinct baseball storylines that share a common thread: each involves a franchise facing a hard decision about its future. The Reds, the Padres, and Major League Baseball itself are all at inflection points where the gap between ambition and reality is widening, and the choices made in the next year will reshape the competitive landscape for years.
Elly De La Cruz and the Reds’ existential question
The lead story centers on Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, the 24-year-old phenom whose agent, Scott Boras, has publicly stated the player has "bigger ambitions than staying with the Reds his entire career." The Reds reportedly offered De La Cruz a 10-year extension before the 2025 season that would have topped the $225 million record Joe Votto held for the franchise. De La Cruz declined.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (04:45) **Show Open & Lead Tease** - Ben Maller introduces the hour's topics: Elly De La Cruz's future in Cincinnati, Manny Machado trade rumors, and MLB's proposed 50% revenue split.
- 2 (05:48) **Elly De La Cruz: Reds' Future or Trade Bait?** - Ben analyzes Scott Boras's statement that De La Cruz has "bigger ambitions" than staying in Cincinnati, framing it as Morse code for "get me out."
- 3 (12:55) **Padres' Financial Fire Sale: Machado on the Block** - Ben discusses the Padres' new ownership group looking to unload one of their three superstar contracts, with Manny Machado as the most likely candidate.
- 4 (19:13) **MLB's 50% Revenue Split: A Trap for Players?** - Ben breaks down the ownership proposal for a $245 million hard cap and $171 million salary floor, arguing it's not as good for players as it sounds.
- 5 (25:55) **Newbie Night & Maller Riddle of the Day** - Transition to the show's recurring segments, including the riddle about the Raiders' Allegiant Stadium.
- 6 (39:09) **International Call: Monkey Biz Doug** - Ben takes a call from Doug, a long-time listener currently stationed in South Korea who is about to relocate to Virginia.
- 7 (40:55) **Game Show: Too Much or Not Enough** - Ben plays the radio game show with caller Steve from Arizona, who claims to have guarded Thunder Dan Majerle in local leagues.
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Guests on this episode
Show Notes
Ben Maller discusses if Cincinnati should keep negotiating with Elly De La Cruz or start preparing for a blockbuster trade, noise that Manny Machado is heading to the Padres swap meet, the latest proposal of a 50% revenue split with the MLB players, Too Much or Not Enough, #QueenOfHearts w/ LaReina, and more!
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