In short
The Rich Eisen Show (Hour 1) mixes NFL contract talk with MLB trade-deadline analysis. Topic 1: NFL roster building and market-setting extensions. Eisen argues running backs should be paid like top wide receivers, citing Bijan Robinson’s reported record-setting three-year extension: $75M max value, $51M guaranteed (about $25M/year). He also points to Zay Flowers’ four-year, $140M extension with $108M guaranteed, noting Flowers’ 1,059-yard and 1,211-yard receiving seasons and questioning whether Ravens need more touchdowns from him.
Notable examples
Bijan, Jameer Gibbs (Detroit), Derrick Henry (not paid at top WR market), Lamar Jackson feeding Flowers. Topic 2: MLB deadline reactions with ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan. Passan says the Dodgers’ Tarek Skubal acquisition wasn’t about salary (everyone would have paid the remaining ~$10M) but about the Tigers’ preferred prospect package. He discusses Yankees bullpen planning and George Lombard Jr.’s readiness. Passan rejects “baseball is broken” conspiracy claims, though he criticizes competitive-balance penalties and anticipates a December 1 lockout.
Guests
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan; hosts of ESPN Radio “The Golicks” Mike Golick Sr. and Mike Golick Jr.; Chargers WR Vlad McConkey.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOSetting the Scene for NFL Discussions
0:00 to 0:54
Rich Eisen introduces the show, its guests, and sets the tone for NFL discussions.
“15 or more headache days a month, each lasting 4 hours or more, can make me feel like a spectator in my own life.”
Setting the Scene for NFL Discussions
1:04 to 1:28
Rich Eisen introduces the show, its guests, and sets the tone for NFL discussions.
“but choosing a snack you and your kids can both get behind doesn't have to be.”
Setting the Scene for NFL Discussions
1:55 to 3:34
Rich Eisen introduces the show, its guests, and sets the tone for NFL discussions.
“hosts of ESPN radios the Golicks, Mike Golick Sr.”
Bijan Robinson's Contract Breaks Records
3:34 to 6:05
Discussion on Bijan Robinson's record-setting contract and its implications for running backs.
“So well-deserved because at least on top of all this, Atlanta knows there will be no phone calls to Mr.”
Zay Flowers and Market Dynamics
6:05 to 8:34
Analyzing Zay Flowers' contract and what it means for the market of wide receivers.
“for zay flowers the baltimore raven wide receiver who just got paid as well four years 140 million extension.”
Running Backs vs. Wide Receivers in NFL
8:34 to 11:28
Rich compares the value of running backs to wide receivers regarding contracts and game impact.
“to take the time off and a running back who can run away from you after he's standing right next to the quarterback who just hands it to him or flips it to him or screens it to him or flat routes it to him.”
Implications for the Lions and Ravens
11:28 to 14:03
Discussing the implications of contracts for Jameer Gibbs and the Ravens' offense.
Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers' Impact on Ravens
14:03 to 16:14
Discussing the roles of Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers in the Ravens' strategy.
“but i think it won't hurt i think it helps there's a market to bear and then in baltimore Zay Flowers is, interestingly enough, the Ravens are the four downs today.”
Introducing Jeff Passan
16:14 to 16:55
Welcoming Jeff Passan to discuss MLB trade deadline insights.
“The Dodgers get the jewel of the deadline players available in Tarek Skubal.”
Analyzing MLB Trade Deadline Moves
17:23 to 19:24
Jeff Passan shares insights on MLB teams' trade strategies.
“The terms are not like, hey, let's let the Red Sox get the switch hitting stud catcher that the Orioles are willing to trade in division.”
Show all 20 chapters
Tarek Skubal Trade Analysis
19:24 to 25:26
In-depth discussion on the trade of Tarek Skubal and its implications.
“The Yankees be willing to dip into their farm system and do something like that for Luke Weaver.”
Baseball Economics and Future Changes
25:26 to 28:00
Exploring the economic implications of current MLB contracts and structures.
“at 4 p.m., they would have done a whole lot better.”
MLB Competitive Balance Issues
28:00 to 30:01
Explore the challenges of MLB's economic system and competitive balance.
“I don't think they're going to with a salary cap.”
The Impact of Revenue on Small Market Teams
30:01 to 32:08
Discuss the effects of financial disparities on small market teams' operations.
“And we're going to have this period between December and February where pretty much nothing gets done.”
Dodgers vs. Other Teams: A Financial Comparison
32:08 to 34:08
Analyze how different teams leverage their financial power in MLB.
“process when it has taken us to this point.”
Analyzing Recent MLB Trades
34:08 to 37:55
Examine the implications of recent trades and team dynamics in MLB.
“Cowboys and the Jaguars are in the same boat.”
Upcoming Guests and Show Highlights
40:31 to 42:00
Preview the next segment with guests and recap key moments from the show.
“and Jr., whose show precedes this one now on the ESPN Radio lineup.”
Reactions to the Dodgers' Trade Strategy
42:00 to 43:42
Analysis of the Dodgers' successful trade tactics and organizational strengths.
“and Jeff Passant said it was not a money thing at all.”
The Economics of MLB Trades
43:42 to 46:14
Discussion on the financial aspects of MLB trades and how money influences decisions.
The Importance of Organizational Success
46:14 to 47:38
Exploration of how successful organizations attract top talent in MLB.
“But at the end of the day, it was 10 million bucks.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Rich Eisen:Chronic migraine. 15 or more headache days a month, each lasting 4 hours or more, can make me feel like a spectator in my own life. Botox, onabotulinum toxin A, prevents headaches in adults with chronic migraine. It's not for those with 14 or fewer headache days a month. It's the number one prescribed branded chronic migraine preventive treatment. Prescription Botox is injected by your doctor. Effects of Botox may spread hours to weeks after injection causing serious symptoms. Allerge your doctor right away as difficulty swallowing, speaking, breathing, eye problems, or muscle weakness can be signs of a life-threatening condition.
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1:00This episode is brought to you by Welch's Fruit Snacks. Back-to-school season can be tough on parents, but choosing a snack you and your kids can both get behind doesn't have to be. Stock up on Welch's Fruit Snacks, made with whole fruit, and now made with no artificial dyes. It's a snack kids already love and one you can feel good about giving them. Go back to school with Welch's Fruit Snacks, now made with no artificial dyes.
1:28Rich Eisen:This is the Rich Eisen Show. Hey, everybody. Can't get enough of the Rich Eisen Show? You're in luck. You can find us everywhere. Watch us weekdays on Disney Plus from noon to 3 Eastern. Miss the show? We've got a podcast so you can listen anytime. But here's the best part. Our YouTube channel. Subscribe at youtube.com slash Rich Eisen Show and you'll never miss a moment. Now, on with the show. Track one. Track three. Tarek Skubal. And you knew who was going to get it. This is the Rich Eisen Show. That's baseball. The Rich Eisen Show. Today's guests. ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan. hosts of ESPN radios the Golicks, Mike Golick Sr.
2:18and Mike Golick Jr., Chargers wide receiver Vlad McConkie, and now it's Rich Eisen.
2:29Rich Eisen:All right, everybody, welcome to this edition of the Rich Eisen Show here on the Tuesday of Hall of Fame week in Canton, Ohio. we will be there on friday for our usual day's uh events 844-204-RICH is the number to dial for this tuesday program we're excited to be here on a big football tuesday 844-204-RICH is the number to dial here on the program good to see you over there christopher brockman how are you what's up my man dj mikey d isn't these nuts how are you mike good to see you tj jefferson candle appears to be lit over there how are you it feels good to be seen awesome uh and then like i mentioned you with us throughout the program Ladini McConkey our neighbor from across the street from the Los Angeles Chargers here on the show in hour number three we're excited to have him that's correct Jeff Passan's hanging out getting ready he's on a media tour for all the worldwide leader in sports ESPN conversation shows and things of that nature he's going to be joining us in about 15 minutes time to talk about the trade deadline that went down on uh on monday uh in major league baseball we have breaking news out of the national football league contracts being awarded and being given out to uh highly talented offensive football players first up i but listen i love foreshadowing by our conversation overreaction monday yesterday chris you're like bijon and jameer gibbs waiting for their contracts yep they should be paid as much as the top wide receivers in national football they're as good as them and i said to you you know uh how to make me uh happy sometimes um and you know exactly what i pound the table about here and that that was low-hanging fruit for me running backs should be paid the level of wide receivers in the national football league because of what these guys do and when they have the opportunity to get paid in their mid-20s because they're so damn good already knowing that at age 30 is when returns begin to diminish unless you're somebody named Derrick Henry or as Christian McCaffrey is going to try to prove for the 49ers this year just a number but for most that number is when teams begin to shy away from paying them so you're Bijan Robinson you're Jameer Gibbs you need to get yours now certainly when the league does not value you at the top end of the market as they do wide receivers that was the conversation we had just on monday and just before we come on the air here bjohn robinson it is reported gets a new contract that breaks the record breaks the record for running backs max value of a three-year extension of 75 million dollars It's easy math, 25 a year, 51 million guaranteed, highest ever for a running back.
5:40Rich Eisen:So well-deserved because at least on top of all this, Atlanta knows there will be no phone calls to Mr. Blank, Matt Ryan, Kevin Stefanski at 2 in the morning saying, guess what happened with Bijan? That kid is not doing anything except being a terrific face in the community and an awesome human being. well done for the falcons great point well done for the falcons now congratulations also in order for zay flowers the baltimore raven wide receiver who just got paid as well four years 140 million extension. That includes $108 million guaranteed. Now, Zay Flowers in his three years in the National Football League has had, in the last two years, 1 ,000-yard receiving seasons.
6:42Rich Eisen:He went from 1 ,059 in year two to 1 ,211 last year. And his touchdowns Just five.
6:59Rich Eisen:Now, this proves my point, I believe. Zay, you get what you need to get. And the Ravens just paid him what the market bears.
7:14Rich Eisen:Now, who's going to help the Ravens win football games? It's Lamar. Lamar's got to get the football to Zay Flowers. You might double cover Zay Flowers. the the uh the the protection may shade to say flowers
7:29you know where the protection's not shading to the guy named derrick henry now you could say we'll put eight in the box we'll do this okay try that one that's never happened with derrick henry before as he's first balloting his way to canton i i i don't get it i don't listen i know
7:50Rich Eisen:why they're paying Zay Flowers this money. This is what you have to pay top end wide receivers. And you could say he's not a top end wide receiver. That's what you're saying Chris, based on your eye rolling and things of that nature. You said it, I didn't. It's a different offense sometimes. I agree with you. You know the Ravens have not really ever had a 15 touchdown wide receiver guy, you know? They don't have that guy. Maybe that's the reason why they can't make the Super Bowl. you just know you've got to have a game on the line who's going to win the game for you what's more likely what's an easier path for you it's a running back that can run it to take the time off and a running back who can run away from you after he's standing right next to the quarterback who just hands it to him or flips it to him or screens it to him or flat routes it to him.
8:54Or you're somebody like Bijan, you're now on a linebacker or a slower safety
9:00Rich Eisen:because that's the way you could scheme it based on where he's standing. Pre-snap. Again, I'm no GM. I'm just a sports talk radio host. That's all I am right now. Humble host. I'm a humble guy. You know what I mean? I'm just a guy with a microphone. But I have a set of eyes.
9:25Rich Eisen:And Bijan, congratulations. And I'll tell you what, man. I would rather build a roster where my guy, who's the big difference maker. First of all, I'm an owner in the National Football League. I'm also not sitting here. But that said, if I'm an owner in the National Football League, I turn to my general manager and I say, if I can have the main engine of this offense, the main engine of this offense, I know I'm paying my quarterback. If I'm paying my quarterback in the$40 million range, I'm lucky. If I'm paying my quarterback$50 million, I'm understanding that's the cost of doing business. but I'm turning my general manager and I'm like, give me, get me one of these running backs in the draft, which is why Arizona go ahead and get Jeremiah love.
10:16Rich Eisen:He could be the next one of these guys that the top end I'm paying him. What? $25 million. And everybody's like, Whoa, I'd rather do that than take a wide receiver and pay him 30 million bucks on the come.
10:36Rich Eisen:I'd rather do that. So in Detroit, Jameer Gibbs, like, awesome. You also have Amon Ra and you've got Jamison Williams as well.
10:49So Gibbs is like cents on the dollar if you're paying a wide receiver
10:54Rich Eisen:who's gotten two 1 ,000-yard seasons. And you're waiting to see if some of the wide receivers who make this money have 14 touchdowns in a season rather than their career in the first three seasons of Zay Flowers has had. Again, this is just roster building. So Jameer Gibbs in Detroit, some folks think that this is now going to be a problem for them. To me, I look at this and say, now you know where you got to target. Remember when they had a problem in Baltimore figuring out Lamar's contract sometimes you have to remember this a couple of times ago and if I'm not mistaken Jalen Hurts got paid first and then all of a sudden Lamar got done because a market is set a market is set and Bijan just set the market I'll take 25 million so guess what Gibbs will say pay me a penny more right but my point is that Bijan gets 51 guaranteed what is Jameer going to get?
12:00probably a little bit more 52 53 something like that you're gonna pay zay flowers more guaranteed
12:06Rich Eisen:than the two best running backs in the nfl what are we doing hoping that zay flowers can provide the touchdowns and not fumble on the goal line well that wasn't his fault did he fumble at the goal i know he did that was unfortunate and that's on that's to bring that up and count that against him it was his rookie season man i i don't go to the super bowl you sometimes tip to get you tip your cap to the defense i'm not i'm not gonna lay that at his feet it was unfortunate for him and the fact that he's actually had a good career after that like that doesn't define him unless people like you bring it up when we're talking about him cashing in taking save power he can't hear you i can't hear your criticism over his pallets of cash good for him and by the way not hating on anyone on getting paid well it seems like that absolutely not but it's a structure of the nfl where the two best players fantasy isn't real life but they're going one and two in fantasy say flowers is probably going in the third or fourth round again receivers are depending on having to get the football to them a defense will dictate more against a wide receiver than a running back who can run and pat and catch it i believe that's the differentiator and now if i'm Detroit I'm like this is the I'm calling up Gibbs's agent and saying okay this is the market and if I'm the Lions I'm like let's do this today and if I'm Gibbs I want it done today too it's done today and and I think Dan Campbell's eager for that too it's certainly not gonna hurt I mean it it's not gonna hurt um but we'll see you know we'll see I'm look I'm anxious to get uh Gibbs back out there um every day that goes by you know that's that's another day that you feel like you miss with him and getting him out there with the guys and and him being uh doing his part so um but there again man it'll get done when it gets done yeah uh i i'm with him too i i you never know but i think it won't hurt i think it helps there's a market to bear and then in baltimore Zay Flowers is, interestingly enough, the Ravens are the four downs today.
14:16Rich Eisen:New offensive coordinator, Zay Flowers. You take a look at the other receivers on the roster. There's Rashad Bateman, Devontae Walker, and some other young players that they're hoping can come to the four. Mark Andrews as well. but it's really about Lamar and Lamar's got to get the ball to Zay Flowers. But I'll tell you what will win games for the Ravens inside the 20, you know, in between the 20s. You got one of the greatest running backs ever standing there, but we're not paying him top of the receiver market money. Is Derrick Henry getting paid? Hold on a second. I'm sure it's not that. I bet you it's half of what Bijan's getting paid.
15:09Rich Eisen:Let's see. Or what Gibbs is about to. He's getting$11 million in cash this year. So, listen, these NFL contracts, I'm just talking about roster building. Give me a kid who I can give a massive contract extension to, and it's half of what receivers make at the top end of the market. Get me one of those. I know that there's not many of them, but there appears to be many of them coming out of college. And I would tell I would tell my my kids who play football, don't don't don't play running back. Play wide receiver. Run fast, run your routes, have your head on a swivel when you're going across the middle.
15:48Rich Eisen:And hopefully you wind up on a team with a terrific quarterback, an offensive coordinator that's not going to get fired or hired somewhere else or the head coach isn't going to get fired. and you can just have a consistent run at it. And you will get paid twice as much as that running back. Go figure. Wow. All right. 844-204-RICH is the number to dial. The baseball trade deadline is over. The Dodgers get the jewel of the deadline players available in Tarek Skubal. and we've got Jeff Passan in a studio in Bristol, Connecticut. Let's go. Getting ready to talk about this. He is suited. He is booted.
16:38Rich Eisen:He's not in some weird pneumatic tube hotel room, like a hotel air conditioning unit. Oh, yeah. All these places that he's joined us. He was in a storage closet. He was in a storage closet one year. Yeah. We got him to talk about this. That's coming up next. Running a small business means every hire matters. A bad hire costs time and money, but the right one helps your business grow. The challenge is finding that person without sorting through resumes. That's where LinkedIn Hiring Pro comes in. It screens candidates you can focus on conversations with qualified talent. With Hiring Pro, you can hire with confidence and build the team you need.
17:14Rich Eisen:Join the 2.7 million small businesses using LinkedIn to hire. Get started by posting your job for free at linkedin.com slash eisen. Terms and conditions apply. The terms are not like, hey, let's let the Red Sox get the switch hitting stud catcher that the Orioles are willing to trade in division. Let's let the Red Sox get that guy while we stand put. Don't touch the bullpen and have the pen blow the lead given to the Yankees by the new left-handed hitter that they do acquire. There's a couch right here. You need to do some. Oh, I'm sorry. That wasn't part of the LinkedIn read. Got it. That was just me having an inner monologue live.
17:55Rich Eisen:Jeff Passan next. There he is on The Rich Eisen Show coming up.
18:04Rich Eisen:Rich Eisen here. Running a small business means every hire matters. A bad hire costs time and money, but the right one helps your business grow. The challenge? Finding that person without sorting through resumes. That's where LinkedIn Hiring Pro comes in. It screens candidates so you can focus on conversations with qualified talent. With Hiring Pro, you can hire with confidence and build the team you need. Join the 2.7 million small businesses using LinkedIn to hire. Get started by posting your job for free at linkedin.com slash eisen. Terms and conditions apply. Rich Eisen here with some advice.
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19:13Rich Eisen:Limits apply. Save 20 % on a micro guard or micro guard select engine air filter when purchased with this Syntec special. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast. The Yankees be willing to dip into their farm system and do something like that for Luke Weaver. I think it's a little bit tougher with the Yankees Mets trade. Like there's going to be a little tax that goes on there, so they might have to pay a higher price. I can see the argument 100%. Like, if you think that the Yankees should have gotten Luke Weaver, that's a super reasonable thing to think. And if you're the Yankees, you're asking yourself, well, if the Dodgers are going out and spending prospects on Tarek Skubal, and if other organizations that are trying to win are going out and spending prospects as well, should we?
20:00Well, they, you know, Garcia wasn't cheap. And it was interesting because the majority of the guys who were sent over in that deal were relief pitchers. So clearly the Yankees feel like they can solve the relief issue from within. And it's going to be the sort of thing I think that down the stretch, we're going to look back on August 3rd and say, was this the day that the Yankees did not need to do it? Or is this the day that the Yankees missed their opportunity to cement themselves as potentially the best team in the American League?
20:31Rich Eisen:Well, I mean, it all comes down to the health of Judge and Stanton and obviously Radone. And then Clark Schmidt, I think, is what you're talking about. like an internal button to push he comes back maybe they throw him in the pen along with weathers and then they throw um you know those are the guys that they can potentially throw into an inning role uh for for for bullpen but george lombard jr is he coming is this is this or or rich or rich rich could i can i just say this too by the way it might not be an inning role it might be a two inning role it might be a multi-inning role i i think the yankees can get creative with the arms that they've got right now to potentially bridge that gap up to David Bednar.
21:13And is it going to work? I don't know. Is it reasonable to think that it could work? Absolutely. George Lombard's an interesting case, though. He's coming up and he's going to play shortstop. And the Yankees have been through this before. In fact, the last few years, the Yankees have been through this with a young shortstop who arrives with all kinds of hype and we're going to see how real it is george lombard was putting up tremendous numbers in the minor leagues and really fulfilling the potential that he had shown coming into this season uh is he ready for the bronx though i suppose you can ask that question of anybody because let's remember in his first run through the bronx in his first year in his first september call up aaron judge stunk and it came back next year and hit 52 home runs and one rookie of the year but the idea that right now george lombard is going to be an impact player i'm not anticipating that exactly i do think he's going to be solid though the defense is good the on base is good uh and and i think he's going to have a chance to move up in this lineup the way it's currently constituted jeff passing here on
22:22Rich Eisen:the rich eyes and show day after the trade deadline so let's talk about tarik skuble jeff Did the Dodgers basically put together the best package of prospects and the agreement to pay every last penny of his salary? Is that why he's there? Or did he will Scoob will kind of put his thumb on the scale and say, this is where I want to sign long term. So just send me there right now, Jeff. No, no, no, no, no, no. He had nothing to do with this at all. Like, he was out of the loop information-wise. You know, he didn't know where he was going. And the salary rich, completely immaterial. Tarek Skubel's owed like$10 million for the rest of the year.
23:07That's, you know, the Brewers would have paid that. The Rays would have paid that. Everyone would have paid that. I don't know if the Detroit Tigers got the best prospect package back that they could. What they did get back is the prospect package that they liked the best. And this is all about individual teams' evaluations, right? Like, not all teams look at all prospects the same. That's why trades get done, because there are different valuations organizationally on every guy in the Major League Baseball universe. And so I think the Dodgers matched up well with what the Tigers need right now.
23:45They wanted an outfielder, and they've got Zaire Hope, who can play some center, but is going to end up in right field to go alongside Riley Green, who's the Tigers' left fielder, and to go alongside Max Clark, who just made his debut center field. They got River Ryan. I know he's older. I know he's a convert from shortstop and hasn't pitched a whole lot. I know he hasn't been healthy. He throws 100 like Jackson Jobe and like Troy Melton, and the Tigers figure to go into next season with a rotation. That reminds me a lot of the Pittsburgh Pirates, where they're just young, gas-throwing dudes. And Brady Smith, ERA is unsightly.
24:24the the rec excuse me the record is unsightly the era is not great 113 strikeouts in 74 and a third innings will play all day long and he has a chance if not to be a starting pitcher long term necessarily than to be a really good closer so i i think people coming down on the package that the tigers got back probably don't understand baseball economics very well because this is for a rental player. And I'm sorry, but rentals never get enormous returns. This was not a Juan Soto-like deal, because Juan Soto, when he was traded from the Nationals to the Padres for C.J. Abrams and James Wood and Harlan Susana and Robert Hassel, had two years beyond that extra year that they were going to get.
25:10So it's the control that makes the price. And for essentially 10 starts of Tarek Skubal, plus whatever the Dodgers do in the playoffs, I thought the Tigers did perfectly fine. Was it a blow-away return? No. But I'm not sure that even had they held on to him until Monday at 4 p.m., they would have done a whole lot better. And I think the downside there, if other teams are getting tired of waiting and don't feel like they don't want to miss the boat, the downside is far greater than whatever upside they could have had by holding on to him through monday
25:46Rich Eisen:so then i'm going to ask you the tinfoil hat question jeff i'm giving you that heads up okay everyone does okay no here hey so if the tigers can't hang on to school because they're not going to pay him the amount of money that it's going to be required to pay him long term and the system that now has the Tigers over a barrel. By the way, Rich, I just want to make sure we say this. It's not that they can't. It's that they choose not to. That's it. Now, that's it. That is an active choice by every team. Okay, so then in that respect, is it possible that anybody in that organization is like, let's trade them to the Dodgers because that is going to be the piece of red meat that's going to get everybody talking about the system And it's going to be everybody talking about how baseball is broken.
26:40Rich Eisen:And if baseball breaks, that could help us not have to pay this sort of money to people anymore. Is there any part of that in sending Scooble to the Dodgers now? Jeff Passam.
Read the full transcript
26:57i i don't think that this was a grand conspiracy to try and leverage the dodgers into winning a world series for a third consecutive season so that fans can then get angry and everyone can say we need a salary cap no i don't think that was part of it i'm sure like it came up in conversation not as as part of the strategy like let's do that but like oh god uh if this happens are are we feeling like we're going to be furthering the breaking of this sport and and to be abundantly clear i do not think baseball is broken i do not think baseball is in a bad place i think baseball system needs to change now does that change need to be a salary cap personally i don't think that it has to be i understand why owners are pushing for one because it's cost control and because the second that a salary cap gets put into place their franchise values are going to jump by 25 to 30 percent and that's a lot of money that these owners are going to come into just through cost certainty but i i have been of the belief this whole time that even if the system right now is problematic, and I think in a lot of ways that it is.
28:19I think that a system that allows financially mighty teams like the Dodgers, like the Mets, to a lesser extent, if they wanted to spend the Yankees and the Red Sox and the Cubs and teams of that ilk, I think a system that the penalties do not stop them from spending, that to me is a problem. that to me when you have a free cash advantage the way that the dodgers do and the way that the mets do in particular and that cash allows you to give out contracts the size that they do yeah you need to have penalties in place that hit these teams where it counts and whether that's via draft pick or whether that's via transacting whatever it is i just think that there are creative compromises, Rich, that if both sides were not so dug in, and I think the league on this one, they're not going to do this, but to me, the league is the one that's trying to fundamentally change a system that's been in place for more than half a century right now, and the onus, therefore, would be on them to try and convince the players that this is the right system.
29:33I don't think they're going to with a salary cap. I think that the players right now are extraordinarily dug in because they don't think that what MLB has presented to this point is going to change the competitive balance aspect any more than what their plan would do, which is more revenue sharing and things along those lines. But we could get in so deep into the weeds here, Rich, on collective bargaining. We have months to do that. The lockout is coming December 1st. It's going to happen. And we're going to have this period between December and February where pretty much nothing gets done. And hopefully, as spring training approaches, we see some movement.
30:13Because if not, I worry we could be in for a lot of games missed this season.
30:18Rich Eisen:That would be horrible, certainly since we are seeing it coming. You saying it with such certainty means that we have time to potentially avoid it. But it does sound unavoidable. Certainly when we're having conversations now, Jeff, that this trade is being viewed and discussed as if baseball is broken. And the Dodgers have a massive advantage that they just utilized. but your point is other teams small market teams milwaukee tampa would have absolutely paid the 10 million bucks left on scoobal's salary this year and they also have terrific prospects that they could put on the table but so but rich i i'll i'll say this i think this i think this is an important point to make what money buys you is the ability to make mistakes the dodgers can make mistakes, whether it's in free agency or in trades, and they're okay because they can paper it over with the resources that they've got.
31:23The brewers and the rays of the world feel like the lifeblood of their organization, Rich, is young talent. It's what they've built themselves around. It's how they've built these juggernauts on such small payrolls, and they want that to continue. And if you're the Rays in the Brewers, and you have the, I think the Brewers have the best record in baseball right now. The Rays have the third best record in baseball at this point. If you're following a process that has taken you in this world where you have far fewer resources than the majority of the teams, and you are still at the top somehow, I think it's a fair question for those executives who run those teams to ask themselves, why would we deviate from that process when it has taken us to this point.
32:11And, you know, the issue that I have with the system that's currently in place right now is I want the brewers and the Rays of the world, these teams that are so good at what they do, not to be scared at the deadline. I want them to operate with the same sort of freeness that the Dodgers do. And to me, that is the ideal system. It's not a system that constrains what players can make. It's a system that forces some of those teams on the bottom to do more while ensuring that those teams at the top are penalized in a way that's going to actually keep the salaries a little bit closer. It's not a full hard cap like MLB is proposing.
32:59It's what the CBT was supposed to do in the first place, which is prevent runaway spending. It has not done that there are ways to make that happen well and the issue is too though jeff is that
33:10Rich Eisen:you've got a team in the dodgers who are um so rich that they can spend as much as they spend on salaries and a salary uh tax this year and also have a billion dollars committed to nine players between um 2028 when freddie freeman starts seeing some of this stuff and 2046 which is when Blake Snell's last piece of deferred salary. So they can, we got a billion in the future. We got a half billion now. And then the other point, though, is, again, every time you take a look at it, you can shift it another way. The Mets have as much money, it does appear. And look at them. They're a hot freaking mess.
33:54Rich Eisen:So the Dodgers do it better with their resources than a team that has similar resources. They can't get out of their own way with the Mets. so i go back and forth about this that the other thing that you got to be smart but you have to be well-monied and that's the one thing about the nfl jeff and uh that is it's so great is that the packers and nick jacksonville name anybody that's supposedly in a small market right they're at the trade deadline they're not thinking about well the financial ramifications here or there Obviously, there's cash to cap and things of that nature. It's all the same.
34:31Rich Eisen:Cowboys and the Jaguars are in the same boat. And then obviously baseball owners will be like, what do they have? They've got a cap. I don't know what the answer is. The NFL trade deadline is garbage rich. Let's not compare the trade deadline from the NFL. So then there's a trade deadline situation for sure in the NFL where somebody like Scoobo isn't going to be sent on. You know what I mean? by like Detroit. The Lions are not going to send a scuba on. Listen, the bottom line is I know money matters and then kind of doesn't. The Blue Jays didn't have as much money as the Dodgers. They almost beat them.
35:11Rich Eisen:The Red Sox, we all know, aren't spending like crazy. They just swept the Dodgers who have now lost four in a row with all of us saying the season's over. You know, I don't know where this takes us is essentially what I'm saying. I'm asking for help, Jeff. That's what I'm asking for. You know? Yeah. Rich, ESPN pays me to be a baseball reporter, not to be your psychologist. That's fair. It's fair. Okay. The trade that we're not talking about before I let you go. What's the trade that we're not talking about that happened that we should be talking about more? Significant. Ooh. You know what? I'm really excited, Rich, to see what Clay Holmes' velocity looks like for his next start with the Chicago Cubs.
36:02Clay Holmes has been awesome this year in his last rehab start. He normally throws a sinker at about 94 miles an hour. He was sitting more like 91, topping out at 93. But if we see Clay Holmes' full sinker in front of that Chicago Cubs infield defense, Like, there is not a better match in the world than a guy who throws a two-seamer and gets ground balls. And Alex Bregman at third base, Dansby Swanson at shortstop, Nico Horner at second base, and Michael Bush at first base. It's the best infield defense in baseball, and you can argue that it's the best outfield defense, too, with Ian Happ in left, Peeker Armstrong in center, and Seizuki in right.
36:40I think the Cubs are a fun team, and I would love to see a Cubs-Dodgers National League Championship Series. I would love to see Dodgers-Brewers. I would love to see Cubs-Brewers. I think the National League is fantastic this year, and I'm really looking forward to that postseason. American League, you've got work to do.
36:59Rich Eisen:Yeah, I know, for sure. We'll see how that all plays. It looks like the Red Sox might just win the whole league, not just the East, the way that they're playing. They're just coming like a freight train right now, Two back of the Yankees, but five back of the five and a half back of the race. You never know. And I will cherish the final two months and postseason, certainly since you're talking about a nuclear winner, Jeff. I appreciate the time, as always. Thank you for having me, Rich. Always a pleasure. You got it. That's Jeff Passant, everybody. Major League Baseball insider, if you will. Yes, sir.
37:37Rich Eisen:From ESPN Studios. He's now going to go take a nap. Yeah, he's going to go take a nap. He's been a busy camper. Yes. Listen, we'll take a break. And, you know, Scoobal had a very interesting thing to say about his new organization. I did see that. You know, we'll talk about that and dive a little bit one more time into this since Jeff did not give me the therapy I needed. That's next. This is The Rich Eisen Show. Everybody.
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39:57Rich Eisen:The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. SoFi Personal Loan is here to help you achieve something once thought impossible, and that's overcoming high interest credit card debt. Walk the tightrope of your finances with one low fixed rate monthly payment, no fees required, and as soon as the same day funding. Pull off your own debt defying stunt right now with a SoFi personal loan by visiting SoFi.com slash trick. To learn more, loans originated by SoFi Bank and a member FDIC. Terms and conditions apply. NMLS 696891. The Gullicks are in our green room. Never said that before. Mike Sr. and Jr., whose show precedes this one now on the ESPN Radio lineup.
40:39Rich Eisen:Excited that Mike Sr. is back along with his son on ESPN Radio. Pretty good. Cool stuff. So we'll talk some ball with the Goliks and about how Rudy was offsides once. Wow. Oh, stop. Oh, he was there. He was? I believe Bob was more tenured on the Notre Dame team when Rudy was offsides. Are you really going to bring that up with them? What? You think I'm sorry, did I say offsides? I meant when he made that incredible play that inspired a terrific film. There you go. I'm sorry. I misspoke. I wrote it down wrong. I wrote it down wrong.
41:16Rich Eisen:Tarek Skubal does not want to hear any Dodger slander. If they're going to acquire him and basically be at the front of the line to give him$400 million, he's not going to take any slagging on the Dodger blue. Better not. How have the Dodgers broken baseball if all they did was pay the rest of his salary this year? As Jeff Passon just said, he gave me the answer of what I was looking for. On yesterday's show, I'm like, hey, did the Dodgers, were they the only ones who say we'll pick up the entire salary? Did the Rays say we'll only take 80 %? Did the Brewers say we'll only pay 70 %? And that was why the Tigers said sold to the Dodgers?
41:59Rich Eisen:Was it a money thing? and Jeff Passant said it was not a money thing at all. Money was apples to apples for everybody for a change. It's not like the Dodgers had any advantage. Everybody was going to find the money in their couch cushions. It was the three prospects that the Tigers liked best.
42:21Rich Eisen:So how are you going to blame the Dodgers for that? You know? They had the best prospects. They're the ones that the Tigers were like, We like them better than what you're offering us, Milwaukee or Philadelphia or Tampa, whoever else was in the Scoobles sweepstakes. So Scoob will not have any of this Dodgers slander. Every team could trade for me. You know, every team could make that acquisition. And I don't really sympathize with people that blame the Dodgers for anything they've done. You know, they've developed a really good organization. They draft well. They acquire talent really well. They retain talent.
42:56It's a winning organization.
42:59Rich Eisen:now the complaints seem to be because they've won the last two World Series. I don't think it was like that three years ago. So I don't really sympathize with people that are complaining because the Dodgers do all the right things. I don't think he said one thing that was inaccurate. Correct? Didn't take him long to be a true blue Dodger. Well, again, if I'm now part of a team that's welcoming me in that said, we'll take you, and this team is also well moneyed enough that i know my financial demands shall be met i'm getting mine yeah i i would defend the dodgers uh till the cows come home as well no i get it this is the business we've chosen that's correct that's a very hyman roth type statement from uh tarik scoobel this is the business we've chosen and if you choose not to do business like the dodgers that's on you yeah although you know not everybody has the local television contract or the chavez ravine stadium or wait for it enough money in the till that they're like sure prior to the season uh how much for the for the roster 320 some odd million bucks and oh wait a minute that's a that's a tax that we'll have to pay 163 million on top of that and oh how much money we've already gotten committed to nine players from 2028 all the way to 2046 oh 1.1 billion dollars to round up oh sure that's why when jeff passin says the money will helps paper over some of their mistakes you know what papers over some of the mistakes is you also have a lineup i'll never forget this i think it was last year's playoffs it was otani on second bets on first and freeman doubles and you just watch the the most expensive pond right right with the most golden goose ducks running around all three of them were running freeman a second that's from first to third i remember you and and and otani from second to home it was just like one big rotation oh yeah right you know sort of like that line uh from the famed bruce dickinson the he puts his right the dodgers put their pants on one leg at a time just like everyone else except when they do they make uh they make gold-plated uh at bats you know what i mean all you need to do is add more scoobal gotta have more scoobal i've got a fever and the only prescription is more scoobal literally what he's for that's what the money is for another great drop that we have here about business and the sports business that's what the money is for is to get these players because they can and the reason why some of these players come here is because the organization takes care of them and and by the way all they're also doing is planting seeds in their farm system so when it comes time for tarik scoble to be rented you can rent them now this again we're all saying that the scoobal to the dodgers thing is the end of baseball the canary in the lockout coal mine and everybody believes that this is happening i mean jeff passan had the dates december 1st lockout happens february we're hoping it's over by then if not we might miss some significant games next season i mean that's coming down the pike so you're hoping that some smart people from the commissioner to the players association everybody gets in a room and avoids this thing.
46:37Rich Eisen:You know, you're hoping. But at the end of the day, it was 10 million bucks. It was apples to apples in the money. And it was like, who's got a better package of players for the Tigers? And who's going to put more on the table to make sure it doesn't go to the Dodgers? To use a Harbaugh phrase, nobody.
47:01Rich Eisen:And if you're somebody that wants to win baseball games and it's apples to apples in terms of free agent dollars, why don't you come here? Dodger blue skies, orange sun. Come out to the coast. Come to death row. Have a few laughs. Come out to the coast. Have a few laughs. Pretty much it. That's it. Ohtani was already on the coast and he's having a hell of a lot more laughs further up geographically here in Southern California. so the Dodgers do it better than anyone else the money helps that's what the money is for but the Dodgers do it better than anyone else thanks for listening to the Rich Eisen Show podcast you can watch and listen to the Rich Eisen Show live weekdays from noon to 3 Eastern on ESPN Radio Disney Plus and on the ESPN app the Rich Eisen Show the podcast
47:57you know when you're locked in Focused and fearless. Welcome to the WNBA. Your vision narrows. You can't look away. Every assist. Every stop. Every logo three. From beyond the logo. Every did you see that moment. You bet. What records are going to be broken this season? All of it right here. Lock in. It's the WNBA on ESPN.
48:25Rich Eisen:All season long.
From the publisher
Rich and the guys compare the NFL-record contract the Atlanta Falcons gave running back Bijan Robinson to the new deal signed by Baltimore Ravens WR Zay Flowers in terms of the money vs what each player is actually worth to their team on the field. (2:12)
ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan and Rich break down the trade deadline including if the New York Yankees were winners or losers on the trade market, the impact of the Dodgers landing 2-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers, and more. (16:41)
Rich explains why he, a Yankees fan, can’t blame the Dodgers for utilizing baseball’s current system to put the best team on the field possible. (37:05)
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