Why Teams Give Near-MLB Prospects Guaranteed Millions

Eno, DVR, and Britt discuss a pair of eight-year extensions for two yet-to-debut shortstops -- Seattle's Colt Emerson and Milwaukee's Cooper Pratt -- before looking back at Roki Sasaki's first start of 2026 and digging into why the lofty expectations around him are unlikely to fall anytime soon. Plus, Andrew Baggarly joins the show to for our (belated, blame DVR) Giants season preview. Rundown1:50 Colt Emerson Gets Eight-Year Extension from Mariners9:33 Cooper Pratt Gets Eight-Year Extension from Brewers19:19 Examining Roki Sasaki’s First Start of 202625:45 The Weight of Expectations on Roki 33:15 Justin Verlander’s Return to the Tigers41:04 An Immaculate Inning From Michael Soroka42:43 2026 Giants Preview with Andrew Baggarly43:39 Overall Impressions of Tony Vitello Early in Year 146:03 Luis Arraez’s Long-Term Future at Second Base50:13 The Buster Posey Era: Is This Team Better Now Than It Was A Year Ago?55:32 Assessments of Landen Roupp, Tyler Mahle & Adrian Houser59:21 The Bullpen Comes Into Focus1:04:54 PECOTA’s 82-Win Projection: Too Hot, Too Cold, or Just Right?Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Britt on Bluesky: @brittghiroli.bsky.socialFollow Baggs on Bluesky: @andrewbaggarly.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Britt Ghiroli & Andrew BaggarlyEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.