Sources Tell Jeff Passan

The Milwaukee Brewers just won their first World Series in franchise history, but the stories behind their championship run might be even better than the title itself.

Jeff Passan takes us inside Milwaukee's remarkable season, from the young stars and roster decisions that have turned the Brewers into a small-market powerhouse to the clubhouse chemistry that helped them take down baseball's biggest spenders.

Plus, Jeff shares the emotional moment he witnessed between brothers William and Willson Contreras, Christian Yelich's bold World Series prediction and the story behind the Brewers' now-infamous "rally heaters" tradition — including how a little investigative reporting led to one unforgettable championship celebration.

Finally, Jeff reflects on what made this Brewers team so special, what's next for Milwaukee and the looming labor battle that could threaten baseball's future.

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Joe Davis joins Jeff Passan ahead of a historic World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays, with both teams looking to capture their first championship in franchise history.

After watching Milwaukee take down the Dodgers in the NLCS, Joe shares his biggest takeaways from the series before turning his attention to the World Series matchup. Where do the Brewers have the edge? What advantages could help the Rays pull off a championship run? Joe and Jeff break down what each team brings to the table, the keys to the series and what it will take to win it all.

Plus, Joe gives a behind-the-scenes look at preparing to call the World Series, the pressure of delivering a historic call and what he's most excited about heading into the Fall Classic.

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Garrett Mitchell joins Jeff Passan to take us inside Milwaukee’s incredible postseason run and the confidence that has fueled this team all October. From his clutch Game 4 home run to proving the doubters wrong, Garrett shares what makes this Brewers team special and why they believed they could get here all along. He also reflects on his relationship with the legendary Bob Uecker, the impact of Pat Murphy, and what bringing a World Series title to Milwaukee would mean to the city.

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Why has hitting been so difficult this postseason? Joey Votto and Alex Bregman join Jeff Passan for a deep dive into the art of hitting and how the evolution of pitching has changed the game.

Two of baseball’s sharpest hitting minds go back and forth on everything from rising fastball velocities in the postseason and changing pitch angles to making adjustments mid-at-bat. They also dig into this postseason specifically, including Shohei Ohtani's struggles while dealing with an injury, and Bregman breaks down his toughest at-bat of the playoffs. Plus, is timing in hitting actually a thing? What do all great hitters have in common? And has the evolution of pitching ultimately made baseball better?

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The Division Series are heating up, and Brian Anderson joins Jeff Passan to break down all four matchups.

They start in the American League, where the Rays look to build on a 1-0 series lead against the Yankees, while the White Sox try to do the same against the Guardians. Then, they head to the NL, where the Brewers have a chance to close out the Padres in Game 3, and the Braves and Dodgers battle for control of a series tied at 1-1.

Jeff and BA break down what they’ve seen so far, the biggest storylines in each matchup, and what to watch as the Division Series continue.

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Jeff Passan breaks down the entire postseason field, starting with every Wild Card Series matchup: Red Sox-Yankees, White Sox-Astros, Cubs-Padres and Phillies-Braves.

Then, we look ahead to the four teams that earned a bye and are waiting in the Division Series — the Dodgers and Brewers in the NL, and the Rays and Guardians in the AL.

Which Wild Card teams are built to make a run? What should we expect from baseball’s top seeds? And what could define the road to the World Series?

Everything you need to know as the road to the World Series begins.

(0:00) Welcome to Sources Tell Jeff Passan

(0:25) Playoff preview

(0:47) Red Sox vs. Yankees Preview

(10:38) White Sox vs. Astros Preview

(22:18) Cubs vs. Padres Preview

(32:49) Phillies vs. Braves Preview

(46:26) NL Top Seeds: Dodgers, Brewers

(57:03) AL Top Seeds: Rays, Guardians

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Ten years after the death of José Fernández, Jeff Passan sits down with two of his former teammates, Christian Yelich and Dee Strange-Gordon, to remember the person behind one of baseball’s most unforgettable stars.

Christian and Dee share stories about what José was like as a teammate and friend, from his arrival in the big leagues and the joy and energy he brought to the clubhouse to the moments that still make them smile today. They also reflect on the devastating day they learned of his death and the emotions of returning to the ballpark without him — including the Marlins’ first game back, when Dee led off with a home run and left everyone in the ballpark stunned by a moment that felt almost impossible.

Jeff also reflects on José’s complicated legacy and why, 10 years later, he believes more can be done to remember the extraordinary mark Fernández made on the Marlins, Miami and the game of baseball.

A conversation about José Fernández — the player, teammate, friend and person they knew — and why his memory still matters 10 years later.

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Jeff Passan asked all 30 MLB owners for an interview about baseball's looming labor war. He got 30 nos. So he answers the biggest questions himself — the ones ownership won't touch on the record.

MLB is pushing for its first salary cap in over 30 years, and the MLBPA has called the league's proposal "the worst system for players in any of the major sports — and it's not close." With the CBA set to expire and a lockout looking more likely by the week, Jeff breaks down what a cap would actually fix, who benefits, and why a full season could disappear in 2027 the way one did in hockey in 2004-05.

Along the way: a hard look at the Dodgers' payroll and luxury tax spending compared to the rest of the league, the legal nuclear options both sides are sitting on, the ghost of 1994, and how close baseball is to a shutdown nobody in charge wants to talk about.

Five questions. Zero owners willing to answer them. One very real chance the game stops.

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MLB expansion is on the horizon. So who gets a team?

Jeff Passan is joined by representatives from six cities hoping to land an MLB team — Montreal, Nashville, Portland, Salt Lake City, Raleigh and Orlando — and gives each of them the chance to make their case. Why is their city ready for Major League Baseball? What would a new team look like? And which pitch is the most convincing?

Six cities. A limited number of spots. Let the expansion pitches begin.

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September is one of the most special times on the baseball calendar. For players grinding away in the minor leagues, it’s a month when anything can happen — and the dream of reaching the big leagues can suddenly feel a whole lot closer.

This week, I’m celebrating September baseball through three remarkable stories: John Paciorek, who went 3-for-3 in his only MLB game and finished with a perfect 1.000 batting average; Brian Jeroloman, who was called up by the Blue Jays in 2011 but never got into a major league game; and Matt Buschmann, who joins me to share his own unforgettable September baseball story.

Three very different journeys — and a reminder of the hope and possibility that September brings to baseball.

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On this episode of Sources Tell Jeff Passan, Jeff is joined by financial fraud expert and whistleblower Tom Gober for a deep dive into the complicated financial web surrounding Dodgers owner Mark Walter, Guggenheim, and the insurance companies connected to the purchase and operation of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

How were insurance companies used to help finance the purchase of the Dodgers? Why do Mark Walter’s insurance companies own the Dodgers’ television contract? And how did a franchise that emerged from bankruptcy become a multibillion-dollar powerhouse?

Gober breaks down how potential financial-crime cases are built, when affiliated investments begin raising regulatory concerns, the role of the NAIC, and how reinsurance factors into the Dodgers’ financial structure. Plus, the red flag settlement from 2012, where the profits ultimately go, the biggest potential concern for Walter’s lawyers, and who could ultimately be held responsible.

TIMECODES:

0:00 Welcome to Sources Tell Jeff Passan

0:25 Dodgers Owner Mark Walter's Billion-Dollar Insurance Scandal

4:25 Tom Gober Joins Sources Tell Jeff Passan

5:35 How Mark Walter Used Insurance Companies To Buy The Dodgers

7:12 How Cases Are Built With Potential Financial Crimes

8:55 The Complicated Web Of Guggenheim's Holdings

11:03 When Affiliated Investments Become Problematic

12:45 Investment Threshold That Causes The NAIC To Start Asking Questions

16:36 How Does Something Like This Happen?

18:25 The Game-Changing Dodgers Television Contract

23:37 Why Do Mark Walter's Insurance Companies Own The Dodgers TV Contract?

26:30 How The Dodgers Went From Bankrupt To Billions

32:15 Wall Street's Stance On The Matter

36:30 What Is Reinsurance And How Does It Involve The Dodgers?

48:05 More Insight Into The Mark Walter-Dodgers Situation

50:05 Biggest Concern For Mark Walter’s Lawyer

52:25 Profits Go To The Dodgers And Their Owners

56:17 Who’s To Blame?

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On this episode of Sources Tell Jeff Passan, newly discovered footage captures baseball legends Ted Williams and Bobby Doerr on a fishing trip, talking—and debating—the art of the baseball swing.

Jeff is joined by Joey Votto, who idolized Williams and studied The Science of Hitting, along with the Executive Director of the Ted Williams Foundation and a friend and former security guard of Ted’s.

Together, they watch this remarkable footage and break down Ted’s thoughts on hitting, his approach to the swing, and what it’s like to hear one of baseball’s greatest hitters talk about his craft in such a candid setting.

A rare glimpse of baseball history that has to be seen.

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There’s a lot more happening in baseball than the Dodgers.

On this episode of Sources Tell Jeff Passan, Jeff breaks down the biggest storylines to watch down the stretch of the MLB season — from Yordan Alvarez’s pursuit of the Triple Crown and Aaron Judge’s eventual return to Jacob Misiorowski’s Cy Young case, the red-hot Red Sox and Pete Crow-Armstrong’s place in the MVP race.

Which storylines will define the rest of the season? And which players could change the playoff picture before October?

(0:00) Welcome to Sources Tell Jeff Passan

(1:48) Yordan Alvarez Triple Crown

(5:30) Aaron Judge will be back

(10:05) AL West Race

(16:28) NL MVP Race

(19:50) Cy Young Races

(23:16) Red Sox Run

(27:27) AL Central Race

(30:51) NL Wild Card Race

(38:30) Lockout

(45:00) World Series Contenders

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Jeff Passan is joined by Buster Olney & Tim Kurkjian react to the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline, grading all 30 teams’ moves at the deadline. It’s a baseball extravaganza crossover event with The Baseball Tonight Podcast and Sources Tell Jeff Passan. The guys discuss Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox, Freddy Peralta to the Tampa Bay Rays, Luis Arraez to the Philadelphia Phillies, Luis Garcia Jr. to the New York Yankees and more. Plus, Alden Gonzalez, Jorge Castillo, Jesse Rogers and Kiley McDaniel join to deliver their grades. Later, Chicago Cubs GM Jed Hoyer stops by to talk about his team’s strategy at the deadline.

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Welcome to The Trady Bunch!

Jeff Passan and Richard Staff randomly draw 25 of the biggest names connected to the MLB Trade Deadline and react to each one—predicting who's getting traded, who's staying put, and the best landing spots if a deal happens.

Who gets moved? Who stays put? And which team is about to make the biggest splash?

Let us know in the comments: Which trade do you think is most likely to happen? What is a trade you’re dying to see?

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What happens when you ask AI one of baseball's biggest questions?

Jeff Passan and Richard Staff enlist the help of several AI models to tackle one of MLB's most hotly debated topics: Should there be a salary cap?

Along the way, they compare how each model approaches the question, challenge them to back up their arguments with charts and graphics, and see just how well AI can handle a baseball debate.

Whose argument is the most convincing? Watch and decide for yourself.

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In this episode of Sources Tell Jeff Passan, Jeff sits down with Paul Skenes, Ernie Clement, Travis Bazzana, Roy Wood Jr., Nick Martinez, Jac Caglianone and Ivan Herrera at the All-Star celebrations in Philadelphia. Jeff asks each of the All-Star players what they love, which ranges from American history, the Bills Mafia, selling big league chew, baseball scouts, MMA and much more.

Timecodes:

0:00 Welcome to Sources Tell Jeff Passan

0:45 Ernie Clement

8:50 Paul Skenes

19:20 Travis Bazzana

24:53 Roy Wood Jr.

41:40 Nick Martinez

46:33 Jac Caglianone

51:16 Ivan Herrera

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In this episode of Sources Tell Jeff Passan, Jeff Passan sits down with Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero for an honest conversation about his remarkable path to the major leagues—and the challenges facing baseball today. Junior reflects on being traded from the Cleveland organization to the Rays. He also looks back on one of the most unforgettable moments of his career: crushing the game-winning home run in the LIDOM Championship and unleashing a bat flip that many believe is one of the greatest ever seen in baseball. The conversation then shifts to some of the sport's biggest and most important topics. Jeff and Junior discuss the proposed MLB salary cap, what it could mean for players and the future of the game, and the often-overlooked realities facing many Latin American prospects. Junior shares insight into how young players are frequently exploited financially and the pressures that can lead some teenagers—as young as 10 years old—to use performance-enhancing drugs in pursuit of a professional career.

Timecodes:

0:00 Welcome to Sources Tell Jeff Passan

2:10 Rays Junior Caminero Joins Sources Tell Jeff Passan

3:21 Developing a fast swing and being signed by MLB at Age 17

6:06 Getting Internet Fame off one swing and growing up in DR

9:28 Baseball is Life and Importance of Education

14:03 Junior Caminero on MLB Scouting

17:31 Thoughts on being traded by Indians

20:10 What the Rays saw in him and playing in Australian Baseball League

33:02 Hitting the ball, “Perfect, Perfect.”

31:30 Making MLB Debut with Rays and playing for Albert Pujols

38:07 Breaking down Homerun that won the LIDOM Championship

44:50 Becoming an everyday player for the Rays

46:54 Free Agency and Salary Cap

52:30 Importance of having Latin player representatives during labor talks

59:31 Love for WBC as a Dominican Player

1:01:44 After baseball wants to become a DJ and golf enthusiast

1:02:52 How the game of baseball talks to you

1:05:32 Why the Rays are always competitive

1:07:57 Wrapping up Sources Tell Jeff Passan

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In this special episode, Jeff Passan is joined by legendary sports and rock 'n' roll photographer Michael Zagaris, along with special guests Jose Canseco, Billy Beane, and Dallas Braden. They share behind-the-scenes stories from some of the sport's most iconic moments, including Canseco's famous beefcake photo shoot for Madonna, how Zagaris helped inspire Brad Pitt's portrayal of Billy Beane in Moneyball, and Braden's unforgettable perfect game.

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In this special episode of Sources Tell Jeff Passan, Jeff hands out his inaugural MLB Midseason Awards, The Sourcies. He’s handing out hardware for the accomplishments that actually matter. Joining him are MLB players Jo Adell, Logan Gilbert, Jake Mangum, and Corbin Carroll, who accepted their prestigious award with great pride. From hilarious clubhouse stories and unforgettable moments to the quirks, celebrations, mishaps, and innovations that defined the first half of the season, this episode celebrates the side of baseball that doesn’t show up in the box score.

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