AI Summary
5 min readThe Boston Red Sox reportedly inquired about shortstops Elly De La Cruz, Bobby Witt Jr., and Francisco Lindor before the trade deadline. They acquired none of them. Ben Maller argues that this was not a serious negotiation but a "strategic leak"—a calculated effort to convince the fan base the front office is trying, when in reality the ask was fantasy. "The Red Sox asking about them," Maller says, "is kind of like me going into the Ritz-Carlton or the Four Seasons and saying, 'Hey, do you guys have a coupon code?' They'd laugh at you."
"Aggressively Looking" vs. Actually Buying
Maller frames the entire episode around the phrase "aggressively looking." This is the central thesis: teams leak these inquiries to create the appearance of ambition without the willingness to pay the price. De La Cruz and Witt Jr. are franchise anchors—Witt Jr. signed a "forever contract" in Kansas City, and De La Cruz is the centerpiece of Cincinnati's rebuild. Neither was ever available. Lindor is the only realistic name, but only if Boston absorbs his massive contract. Maller notes that the Mets would "personally drive him and his luggage all the way up I-95" if Boston swallowed the deal, but the Red Sox are looking for a discount, not a commitment.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (03:57) **"Aggressively Looking": The Red Sox Trade Deadline Strategy** - Ben Maller introduces the idea that Boston's reported inquiries about elite shortstops are a calculated message to fans, not a serious pursuit.
- 2 (11:20) **Keystone Cops in Toronto: The 15-Minute Delay Over Outs** - A breakdown of a bizarre sequence in the Red Sox vs. Blue Jays game where no one knew the correct number of outs, leading to a long delay.
- 3 (18:26) **Does Tim Anderson Deserve a White Sox Tribute Night?** - Maller argues against the White Sox honoring Tim Anderson, calling him the "face of a failed rebuild" whose career was defined by a knockout punch.
- 4 (31:24) **Caller Feedback on Tim Anderson and White Sox History** - Maller takes calls and reads texts, including a listener pointing out that White Sox players (like Chris Sale) are more famous for losing fights or destroying property.
- 5 (41:36) **Chris Berman's Viral Hall of Fame Appearance** - Maller and co-host Steven Manhattan comment on a viral video of a noticeably changed Chris Berman at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- 6 (49:02) **"Side the Bite" Game Segment** - Maller plays a generic sports soundbite and takes caller guesses on who said it, with the answer being a former college player with a notable NCAA record.
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Show Notes
Ben Maller talks about the significance of the Red Sox inquiring about Elly De La Cruz, Bobby Witt Jr., and Francisco Lindor, the Red Sox baserunning blunder in Toronto, Tim Anderson getting a tribute night from the White Sox, Cite the Bite, and more!
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