In this episode of Painting Corners, Johnny and Aiden break down the blockbuster six-player trade sending Caleb Durbin to the Boston Red Sox. Is Durbin the infield solution Boston has been searching for, or is Milwaukee the secret winner as they take Kyle Harrison into their notorious "pitching lab"?

We also dive deep into the Detroit Tigers' big spending on Framber Valdez and the curious case of Tarik Skubal’s arbitration. Plus, a look at the aging New York Yankees—with Aaron Judge and Paul Goldschmidt leading the charge, can their injury-prone rotation hold up for a World Series run?

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Caleb Durbin Trade: Why Aiden thinks the Red Sox won the deal (for now).

• Pitching Labs: Can the Brewers turn Kyle Harrison into the next Framber Valdez?

• AL East Outlook: Why the Toronto Blue Jays earned an A+ offseason grade.

• The Houston Astros: Breaking down the MLB record for WAR lost to injury and why they’re still the team to beat in the West.

• Saber-talk: Why the delta between ERA and FIP is changing how front offices value pitchers like Dylan Cease and Jose Quintana.

Episode Description: Emergency Stove Spark — Donovan to Seattle & The Switch-Pitcher Trade

The MLB hot stove just got a major spark. In this emergency episode of the Painting Corners Baseball Podcast, Johnny C and Aiden Smith break down a flurry of late-night moves that have reshaped rosters from the Pacific Northwest to the South Side of Chicago.

• Brendan Donovan to the Mariners: Seattle reels from losing out on Polanco and Suarez but bounces back with a "Swiss Army Knife" acquisition. We discuss if Donovan’s high contact rate and defensive versatility are enough to fix a strikeout-heavy lineup.

• The Switch-Pitcher Shocker: Durangelo Cinnje (the ambidextrous sensation) is headed to St. Louis. Is he a future rotation piece or a "Carney-esque" spectacle? We dive into the mental fortitude it takes to throw gas from both sides.

• Luis Arráez Finds a Home: The batting champ is headed to the Giants. We analyze the "pick-me" energy of his demand to play second base and what a right side featuring Arráez and Devers means for the Giants' infield defense (hint: it’s going to be a rough watch for pitchers).

• White Sox Salary Dump: The Red Sox facilitate a move for Jordan Hicks. What is the plan on the South Side, and can Hagen Smith or Noah Schultz save the rotation?

• The Fall of Falvey: Minnesota parts ways with Derek Falvey. We examine the "morphine drip of mediocrity" in the Twin Cities and why ownership might be using a rolling head to cover up a lack of investment.

• Bobby Witt Jr. & Jacob Wilson: The A’s are finally spending on their youth, while Bobby Witt Jr. continues his trajectory toward becoming the best player in the league.

We wrap up with our way-early 2026 MVP Predictions and a look ahead to the Bruce Bolt College Baseball Classic in Houston this February.

Step back out onto the mound with Johnny C and Aiden Smith for a high-heat edition of the Painting Corners Baseball Podcast. This week, we’re breaking down a flurry of massive trades and signings that are reshaping the 2026 landscape.

From the New York Mets raiding Milwaukee’s pitching staff to the Chicago Cubs assembling a lineup that looks like a first-round draft board, we leave no stone unturned.

• The Mets' Power Play: David Stearns is playing chess. We analyze the acquisitions of Freddy Peralta, Tobias Myers, and the electric Luis Robert Jr. Is Peralta the "Unicorn" of the offseason? Plus, we debate if the Mets gave up too much of their farm system to save their season.

• Bader in the Bay: Harrison Bader heads to San Francisco. We discuss how his elite defense (and that iconic mouth guard) changes the dynamic for the Giants' outfield, alongside the disciplined approach of Jung-hoo Lee.

• The Cubs' "First Round" Phenomenon: Aiden breaks down the staggering draft pedigree in Chicago. With six first-rounders in the starting nine—including the Alex Bregman signing—are the North Siders the most talented roster in the NL Central?

• Texas-Sized Trade: McKenzie Gore is a Ranger. We dive deep into the "right side of the FanGraphs page" to see if Gore’s FIP and K-rate signal a true frontline starter or if Texas bought into a high-whip headache.

• The Nationals' New Identity: With the Gore trade and a haul of prospects like Gavin Fien, Washington is restocking the pond. We also ask the tough question: Is it time to trade CJ Abrams?

• Player Spotlights: Jose Ramirez's "team-friendly" greatness, Shota Imanaga’s beehives and home run hurdles, and Dylan Cruz’s offseason journey to the "King Kai's planet" of Driveline.

Love the show?Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Want to contribute? We are looking for guest writers! Reach out to ryan@painting-corners.com to get featured on the site.

Buckle up for a high-octane breakdown of the MLB offseason's biggest tremors. From the Los Angeles Dodgers creating a terrifying super-team to the New York Mets’ head-scratching "panic buys," Johnny C and Aidan Smith pull no punches. Whether it’s the fallout of the Kyle Tucker blockbuster or the "Discount Dads" of San Diego, we're diving deep into the front-office chess matches that are defining the 2026 season.

In this episode, Johnny C and Aiden Smith break down a massive week of trades and free-agent signings. The Chicago Cubs have emerged as the big winners of the winter, securing both star third baseman Alex Bregman and high-upside starter Edward Cabrera. Meanwhile, the New York Yankees add depth with Ryan Weathers, leaving the Boston Red Sox reeling from a missed opportunity.

The guys also get into the weeds of "Modern Monetary Theory" in baseball—explaining why the Los Angeles Dodgers' deferred contracts aren't actually the "cheat code" fans think they are. To top it off, they explore the "multiverse-level" strategy of Marlins GM Peter Bendix.

This episode of the Painting Corners Baseball Podcast dives deep into a busy New Year in the MLB and NPB. Hosts Johnny C and Aiden Smith break down the high-stakes moves of the "Hot Stove" season, focusing on the influx of Japanese talent and the shifting dynamics of the AL West and NL Central.

From the Houston Astros’ big splash with Tetsuya Imai to the Toronto Blue Jays’ "locomotive" acquisition of Kazuma Okamoto, we analyze whether these NPB stars will translate their success to the Big Leagues. We also discuss the strategic "dart throws" by the Giants and Cubs, and why the Oakland A's might actually be a .500 team in 2026.

In this episode of the Painting Corners baseball podcast, co-hosts Johnny C and Aidan Smith dive into the "hot stove" of the MLB holiday season, dissecting a flurry of major moves and trades. The duo analyzes the Chicago White Sox’s high-upside signing of Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, weighing his record-breaking power against the transition to major league velocity. They pivot to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ uncharacteristic spending spree, including their acquisition of Brandon Lowe and Bryan O'Hearn, which they view as a strategic attempt to capitalize on the team control years of ace Paul Skenes. The discussion also covers the Boston Red Sox signing of Willson Contreras—and what his move to first base means for the future of Triston Casas—as well as the Houston Astros' shrewd maneuvering for starting pitching depth in a complex three-way trade. From locker room drama involving Jeff McNeil to the "perfectly fitted pants" of KBO star Sun-woo Song, the hosts blend deep analytical scouting with lighthearted fan commentary to preview the 2026 landscape.

In this episode of the Painting Corners Baseball Podcast, co-hosts Johnny C and Aidan Smith navigate the boiling "hot stove" of the 2025 holiday season, offering a blend of statistical analysis and colorful player comparisons. The discussion centers on the Kansas City Royals’ significant investment in youth, headlined by a massive extension for Gold Glove third baseman Maikel Garcia. The hosts break down the value of Garcia’s contract, debating his floor as a defensive specialist versus his ceiling as a breakout offensive threat. They also dive into the Toronto Blue Jays’ strategic (if expensive) acquisition of submariner Tyler Rogers, questioning the high price tag for a non-closing reliever while noting the team's effort to build a "look" of varying arm angles in the bullpen.

The conversation shifts to the veteran market, where Merrill Kelly returns to the Arizona Diamondbacks on a two-year deal, sparking a debate about the durability of the Snakes' rotation and the "stuff" versus "workhorse" archetypes. A major highlight of the episode is the comparison between free-agent sluggers Pete Alonso (Orioles) and Kyle Schwarber (Phillies), with the hosts weighing Alonso's defensive value against Schwarber's elite power production. From the "MLB quicksand" of Christopher Morel's high strikeout rate to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ insatiable appetite for closers like Edwin Díaz, the episode provides a comprehensive look at the league's shifting landscape as teams prepare for the 2026 season.