And they’re off. Free agency officially opened this week, and teams are free to negotiate with whomever they please. Of course, we probably won’t see any major moves for another month or so. But we still have plenty to talk about.

• We start with CC Sabathia, who did not become a free agent. Mike and I talk about why this was huge for the Yankees.
• From there there’s a lot of free agent talk. Do any fit for the Yankees?
• Warning: John Danks talk ahead.
• There’s also a decent segment on trading Burnett and what it would take. The chances don’t look great, you guys.
• And there’s a bit on Brackman, plus some optimism about the coming season.

Podcast run time 45:48

Here’s how you can listen to podcast:

• Download the RAB Radio Show by right clicking on that link and choosing Save As.
• Listen in your browser by left clicking the above link or using the embedded player below.
• Subscribe in iTunes. If you want to rate us that would be great. If you leave a nice review I’ll buy you a beer at a meet-up.

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Intro music: “Die Hard” courtesy of reader Alex Kresovich. Thanks to Tyler Wilkinson for the graphic.

It’s been a wild, wild playoff run, and it will conclude tonight. Of course, we can’t help but talk about it on the show.

• Mike and I talk about the wild Game 6. It was fully of blunders, so it might not have been the best game, but the heroic moments certainly made it one of the most exciting in recent memory.
• The Yankees have a few things coming up in the next few days. Brian Cashman‘s contract expires on Monday, but it appears that a new deal is no worry.
• Of bigger concern is CC Sabathia, who has to make a decision on his opt-out by Monday. Perhaps the Yankees will make him an offer too lucrative to reject.
• Then there is Nick Swisher‘s option. It sounds as though, unsurprisingly, the Yankees will pick it up. The question is of whether they keep or deal him. Mike and I discuss the possibilities.
• Oh, and Boras was looking for an extension for Cano, only he wasn’t. That smells a little fishy.

Podcast run time 45:14

Here’s how you can listen to podcast:

• Download the RAB Radio Show by right clicking on that link and choosing Save As.
• Listen in your browser by left clicking the above link or using the embedded player below.
• Subscribe in iTunes. If you want to rate us that would be great. If you leave a nice review I’ll buy you a beer at a meet-up.

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Intro music: “Die Hard” courtesy of reader Alex Kresovich. Thanks to Tyler Wilkinson for the graphic.

After a week off we’re back with a nice, long podcast for your Friday afternoon listening pleasure. Topics covered:

• The World Series: how they got there, how it’s going. Honestly, this has been a greatly enjoyable series through two games.
• Yankees housekeeping: not much going on right now, other than a few minor roster moves. But two Yanks execs have been interviewed for Anaheim’s GM gig.
• We play a little game that brings to the fore a number of weird hypotheticals.
• Plus our standard brand of miscellany.

Podcast run time 50:48

Here’s how you can listen to podcast:

• Download the RAB Radio Show by right clicking on that link and choosing Save As.
• Listen in your browser by left clicking the above link or using the embedded player below.
• Subscribe in iTunes. If you want to rate us that would be great. If you leave a nice review I’ll buy you a beer at a meet-up.

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Intro music: “Die Hard” courtesy of reader Alex Kresovich. Thanks to Tyler Wilkinson for the graphic.

This one was tough, for obvious reasons. But we still forged ahead.

• A look back at the series, but not for long. It seems pretty straight forward what happened.
• We reflect on the season as well. It’s the success of the season that made this loss hit harder.
• Lots and lots on Jorge Posada.
• Towards the end we talk about the first orders of business this off-season, and outline a few priorities.

Podcast run time 36:41

Here’s how you can listen to podcast:

• Download the RAB Radio Show by right clicking on that link and choosing Save As.
• Listen in your browser by left clicking the above link or using the embedded player below.
• Subscribe in iTunes. If you want to rate us that would be great. If you leave a nice review I’ll buy you a beer at a meet-up.

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Intro music: “Die Hard” courtesy of reader Alex Kresovich. Thanks to Tyler Wilkinson for the graphic.

We’re just hours away from Game 1 of the ALDS, so you know what’s going to be on the agenda.

• We start from where we left off last week, with the AL playoff races coming down to the wire.
• Hopefully well-rested troops are effective troops. It seemed to help down the stretch, after Girardi bought some guys a little rest mid-September.
• It might surprise everyone, but Justin Verlander gets discussed at length.
• Tigers offense: better than you might think.

Podcast run time 54:41

Here’s how you can listen to podcast:

• Download the RAB Radio Show by right clicking on that link and choosing Save As.
• Listen in your browser by left clicking the above link or using the embedded player below.
• Subscribe in iTunes. If you want to rate us that would be great. If you leave a nice review I’ll buy you a beer at a meet-up.

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Intro music: “Die Hard” courtesy of reader Alex Kresovich. Thanks to Tyler Wilkinson for the graphic.

We’re running a shorter than usual show today, because we’re all talked out about the 2011 Yankees. We’ve been doing this all season, and it’s been a blast. Next time we’re on the air, it’ll be time for Game 1 of the ALDS. So, without getting into any playoff previews:

• Lots of stuff about the Rays and Sox and their race to the AL Wild Card.
• A few things to look for in the final few days, including the Bartolo Colon situation.
• The quick road ahead before they get to the playoffs.

Podcast run time 30:59

Here’s how you can listen to podcast:

• Download the RAB Radio Show by right clicking on that link and choosing Save As.
• Listen in your browser by left clicking the above link or using the embedded player below.
• Subscribe in iTunes. If you want to rate us that would be great. If you leave a nice review I’ll buy you a beer at a meet-up.

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Intro music: “Die Hard” courtesy of reader Alex Kresovich. Thanks to Tyler Wilkinson for the graphic.

We’ve got a pennant chase going on, and it has consumed The RAB Radio Show.

• Mike and I look at the Rays’ actual chances of deposing the Red Sox.
• The playoff picture is taking shape: With Detroit on a tear it could be an ALCS rematch in the first round.
• We briefly discuss the playoff rotation. It’s unlikely that anything in the next two weeks changes the Yanks’ plans, absent an injury. Freddy Garcia‘s sharpness is the only possible exception here.
• The ideal way that the Rays-Sox series plays out, and how it affects the Yanks’ magic numbers.

Podcast run time 48:33

Here’s how you can listen to podcast:

• Download the RAB Radio Show by right clicking on that link and choosing Save As.
• Listen in your browser by left clicking the above link or using the embedded player below.
• Subscribe in iTunes. If you want to rate us that would be great. If you leave a nice review I’ll buy you a beer at a meet-up.

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Intro music: “Die Hard” courtesy of reader Alex Kresovich. Thanks to Tyler Wilkinson for the graphic.

We’re creeping up on playoff time, and the Yankees are in the driver’s seat right now. They’re up three on Boston in the loss column with 20 games (19 for Boston) to go. Mike and I spend the bulk of the show talking about how things can play out.

• Of the 20 games left, 11 are against the Rays and the Sox. Mike and I talk about how this alters the outlook.
• Pitching, pitching, pitching. Who’s going for the Yanks, how they’ll pare down the rotation, and how everything will line up.
• Plus: Might offense dictate postseason success this year?
• The AL playoff picture: Who’s in, who’s out, who’s hot, who’s fading. Also, why the Yankees opponent shouldn’t scare the Yankees as much as the Yankees scare their opponent.

Podcast run time 55:33

Here’s how you can listen to podcast:

• Download the RAB Radio Show by right clicking on that link and choosing Save As.
• Listen in your browser by left clicking the above link or using the embedded player below.
• Subscribe in iTunes. If you want to rate us that would be great. If you leave a nice review I’ll buy you a beer at a meet-up.

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Intro music: “Die Hard” courtesy of reader Alex Kresovich. Thanks to Tyler Wilkinson for the graphic.

It’s been a while, so we might be rough around the edges. But there’s plenty of Yankee baseball on the plate.

• Red Sox series: long as usual, but with the excitement of a playoff game.

• Jesus Montero: How much playing time will he get? Will he catch? What does he have to do to prove himself?
• Playoff race: The Yanks are out in front by a lot. How does that affect their final month?
• And plenty of more typical Mike and Joe banter.

Podcast run time 42:09

Here’s how you can listen to podcast:

• Download the RAB Radio Show by right clicking on that link and choosing Save As.
• Listen in your browser by left clicking the above link or using the embedded player below.
• Subscribe in iTunes. If you want to rate us that would be great. If you leave a nice review I’ll buy you a beer at a meet-up.

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Intro music: “Die Hard” courtesy of reader Alex Kresovich. Thanks to Tyler Wilkinson for the graphic.

The Yanks are rolling along pretty well right now. Mike and I find the few interesting nuggets from the past week.

• The only downer, really, was the botched home run call on Wednesday.
• Well, that and the starters not being that great the last turn or two through the rotation. That seems like a short-term issue, though.
• But on the bright side, the bullpen has been stupendous.
• We also turn the conversation to the playoff races, which, given how things have broken down this year, we can do in mid-August.
• Does Jim Hendry’s firing have anything to do with the Yanks?

Podcast run time 42:09

Here’s how you can listen to podcast:

• Download the RAB Radio Show by right clicking on that link and choosing Save As.
• Listen in your browser by left clicking the above link or using the embedded player below.
• Subscribe in iTunes. If you want to rate us that would be great. If you leave a nice review I’ll buy you a beer at a meet-up.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Intro music: “Die Hard” courtesy of reader Alex Kresovich. Thanks to Tyler Wilkinson for the graphic.