An Eye Toward 2024 & Protecting v. Chasing Leads

Eno and DVR discuss a few takeaways from the first seven rounds of the Too Early Meatball Draft -- including the myriad of great choices from the No. 3 spot on the first round, continuing to draft starting pitchers early if other teams try to wait, a potential rebound from Trea Turner, and Elly De La Cruz's push toward top-15 status for 2024. Plus, they discuss a few differences in how to approach protecting a lead at the end of the season compared to attempts to make up ground.  Link to Too Early Meatball Draft Board: https://twitter.com/deadpullhitter/status/1694203814910275867/photo/1 Rundown 1:20 The Top of the Board from the 'Too Early Meatball Draft' 6:47 Skills Growth From Fernando Tatis Jr. 10:31 Spencer Strider v. Elite Bats at Pick 3 14:54 A Smaller Circle of Trust for Closers in Early Draft Formats? 21:21 Freddie Freeman Keeps Getting Better 25:37 Chasing Power In The Current Run Environment 26:55 Elly De La Cruz's Push Toward Round 1 32:47 Interest in Re-Drafting at All-Star Break 38:07 What's Going On with Trea Turner? 43:08 Matt McLain's Great Rookie Season 51:17 How to Protect a Lead 60:35 Chasing a Lead Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Subscribe to The Athletic at $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Subscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels Nuts.com is offering new customers a free gift with purchase and free shipping on orders of $29 or more at Nuts.com/rates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices