158: The MLB Lockout is over; and six days of big NFL headlines

In today's podcast, The MLB lockout mercilessly came to an end after 99 days following a new collective bargaining agreement on Thursday in which the players made significant financial gains, including a large pre-arbitration pool, higher minimum salaries, and a higher competitive balance tax, and the introduction of the universal DH, the banning of the shift, and a 12-team expanded postseason. This also triggered the start of another free agency frenzy in which several key moves have been made since the end of the lockout, including future Hall of Fame pitcher Clayton Kershaw returning to the Dodgers on a 1-year deal, the Giants striking a deal with Carlos Rodon on a 2-year, $44 million deal to solidify the rotation in San Francisco, and the Toronto Blue Jays bringing in starter Yusei Kikuchi on a 3-year, $36 million contract to shore up their rotation ahead of camps opening up on Sunday. Also, the advent of this season's NFL free agency period brought about major trades and news across the NFL every day this past week, including the suspension of Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley for the 2022 season for illegally gambling on NFL games, the return of Aaron Rodgers to the Green Bay Packers, Russell Wilson traded to the Broncos for a host of high draft picks back to Seattle, the Indianapolis Colts moving Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders, the Chicago Bears trading star linebacker Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers, DeShaun Watson cleared of criminal activity following a year of investigation, and the Dallas Cowboys trading star wideout Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns to clear salary cap space.