Did MLB get the 2026 Gold Glove Awards right? Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris debate the biggest defensive questions, break down the American League and National League Rookie of the Year races, and question whether Manager of the Year is still a meaningful award.
With the World Series over, MLB's offseason is underway, and teams are making critical decisions on contract options ahead of free agency.
The guys examine the Twins' decision to decline their side of Joe Ryan's $13 million mutual option and why arbitration could leave one of baseball's most valuable starting pitchers underpaid. They also discuss the Padres declining Nick Pivetta's option, Michael King entering free agency, and what comes next for Sandy Alcantara, Drew Rasmussen, Bo Bichette and Tatsuya Imai.
Plus, who deserves Rookie of the Year? Kevin McGonigle, Parker Messick and Munetaka Murakami feature in the AL conversation, while Carson Benge, JJ Wetherholt, Sal Stewart and Nolan McLean lead a crowded NL debate.
DVR and Eno also explore the limitations of defensive metrics like Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average, the influence of reputation on Gold Glove voting, and whether voters sufficiently recognize sustained managerial success.
Finally, DVR shares highlights from Milwaukee's World Series celebration, and the guys congratulate the overall winners of the Rates & Barrels Listener League.
00:00 Today's Show
00:56 Milwaukee Celebrates a World Series Championship
05:19 MLB Option Season Begins
09:21 Sandy Alcantara's $21 Million Option
13:35 Drew Rasmussen's Workload and Future
16:48 Bo Bichette Stays with the Mets
19:47 Can Tatsuya Imai Improve in Year Two?
23:59 Joe Ryan's Arbitration and Contract Value
29:51 Michael King, Nick Pivetta and the Pitching Market
33:40 More Starting Pitchers Enter Free Agency
36:11 Luis Robert Jr. and the Orioles' Option Decisions
39:01 American League Rookie of the Year Debate
50:07 National League Rookie of the Year Debate
56:40 Cowboy Ohtani and the Rookie Class
57:28 Should Manager of the Year Still Exist?
1:03:03 Gold Glove Winners, Snubs and Defensive Metrics
1:09:58 Rates & Barrels Listener League Winners
1:19:17 First Pitch Arizona and What's Next
Rates & Barrels is a baseball podcast from The Athletic covering Major League Baseball, advanced analytics, player development, fantasy baseball and the biggest stories around the game.
Hosts: Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris
Production: Rates & Barrels | The Athletic
Subscribe to Rates & Barrels for year-round MLB analysis, baseball news, fantasy baseball strategy and more.
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