Spring Training keeps rolling along, and Andrew and Paul chatted about some current events like Fangraphs’ take on projected strength of schedule based on opponent WAR; the Braves rotation takes a hit; Jimmy Rollins can’t keep quiet; Manny Ramirez keeps asking for one last chance.  Andrew also upped his trivia record to 4-1 and weighs in on domed ballparks.

Andrew and Paul are back from a short hiatus to discuss some happenings from the first few weeks of Spring Training 2014, with thoughts on Cole Hamels’ setback, the Phillies prospects for 2014 (or lack thereof), how the Pirates have done to repeat on their 2013 success, the interesting storylines of the upcoming regular season, Bud Selig’s last hurrah, and the Orioles’ signing Ubaldo Jimenez.

Andrew and Paul have picked up the pieces and moved on from A-Rod’s suspension, instead talking about Masahiro Tanaka joining the Yankees, Grant Balfour going home, Matt Garza and the Brewers’ (lack of a) plan, and recapping the careers of newly-retired Michael Young and Lance Berkman.  As a bonus, Paul rants about Bobby Abreu returning to the Phillies.

Andrew and Paul recapped two slam-dunk HOF selections in Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, and Paul then produced a convincing argument for Frank Thomas as a first-ballot HOFer.  We followed it up with our opinions on A-Rod’s suspension, Clayton Kershaw’s newfound wealth, and Don Mattingly’s contract extension.  Andrew wrapped it up by answering the question everyone is asking: “what in the world is FIP?”

Episode 3 covered a wide spectrum, from brawls to A-Rod to TV contracts to Ichiro, capped off with a Who’s In The Rotation talk worthy of the Hall of Fame.

With a number of late inning relievers signing contracts, Paul and Andy talk at length about how each impacts their new team, as well as the wisdom of spending money on relief pitching.  Other topics:  Shin Soo Choo, Masahiro Tanaka, John Kruk employment advice, and baseball’s record setting revenues.

Some big name free agents were already off the board, but the Winter Meetings provided plenty of fodder for our inaugural episode.  Topics discussed:  Robinson Cano, Mariners versus Rays, Roy Halladay, HOF managers, home plate collision rule change, Jerry Blevins:  funnyman, Lou Whitaker, WAR breakdown, Dave Winfield mega-contract, and Who’s in the Rotation.