Baseball Insiders: Aaron Judge rumors, witnessing MLB history and more

Aaron Judge has been a big topic of conversation in the MLB world and it was today on The Baseball Insiders.

After a bit of a layoff, The Baseball Insiders is back and with a new crew! Adam Weinrib is Robert Murray’s new co-host.

Adam is one of the editors of Yanks Go Yard, FanSided’s site for the New York Yankees, and in his inaugural episode, Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge was a big topic of conversation as well as the history that he and St. Louis Cardinals DH Albert Pujols could make and have made recently.

We’re here to break down the biggest topics covered.

Aaron Judge, Albert Pujols making history

This past week, Aaron Judge hit his 60th home run of the season, making him the first player to hit 60 home runs in a season since 2001. However, there is only one player ahead of Judge that has not been tied to performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs): former Yankees outfielder Roger Maris hitting 61 home runs in 1961.

Robert and Adam discuss when they think he will hit it, if he gets it, and if the pressure is getting to him. They also discuss some other Yankees topics, including Frankie Montas, Harrison Bader, and reflecting on trading Jordan Montgomery at the trade deadline.

They also discuss some Aaron Judge rumors and whether or not the San Francisco Giants may target him this offseason in free agency.

For Albert Pujols, he hit his 700th career home run this weekend. The game was broadcast on Apple TV and not by the local TV networks. Robert and Adam discuss the home run, the broadcast, and are enough people acknowledging the greatness of Pujols, Adam Wainwright, and Yadier Molina in St. Louis in their final season together.

Don Mattingly leaving the Marlins

This past week, Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly announced that he will be leaving the team after the season ends.

Who will the Marlins target in a new manager and could Mattingly return to the New York Yankees in some capacity?

MLB Playoff Bracket

The seeding in the MLB playoffs is far from deciding with slightly more than a week left in the regular season and some teams could be in trouble for even making the playoffs.

Robert and Adam discuss whether or not the Mariners in trouble and are the Orioles charging up the ranks in the AL Wild Card race? Will the Phillies hold off the Brewers for the final NL spot without any remaining home games? Which bye team has the easiest path in the postseason and which team has the hardest path?

Are the Dodgers coasting too much right now? Who’ll deliver them their first rude awakening And are the Mets as fearsome in a short series as people are claiming?

Would you rather?

Robert and Adam also play a game of “Would You Rather?” with some current MLB contracts or what players could get on the free agent market this offseason.

Those contracts include:

• Trea Turner vs. Xander Bogaerts vs. Corey Seager
• Jacob deGrom vs. Justin Verlander vs. Clayton Kershaw
• Nick Castellanos’ remaining contract or JD Martinez on the free agent market?
• Carlos Rodón vs Luis Severino?

You can listen to the full episode here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7HCQdD6r4s

Tune in for the next episode of the Baseball Insiders Podcast. With the regular season entering the final week, there will be plenty to talk about in the near future on the podcast! See you next time on the Baseball Insiders Podcast.