The offseason didn’t take a warm-up lap — it jumped straight into real movement. Episode 120 starts with two Blind Rankings games: Devin puts together eight random free-agent tag teams, pairing two available players who would be a fun combo for any club to sign together, while Steve works through eight free-agent ballpark fits to see which hypothetical landing spots match the player’s style, strengths, or vibe the best. No context, no reshuffling — just reaction.

We also dig into the Nimmo–Semien trade, one of the more surprising one-for-one swaps in recent years. The Mets send Brandon Nimmo (plus $5M) to Texas for Marcus Semien, reshaping both teams in a pretty direct way. We look at why Nimmo approved the deal, how the Rangers shift their outfield with Carter and Langford, and why Semien fits exactly what the Mets want to emphasize — defense, reliability, and a more balanced lineup. It also raises real questions about New York’s infield picture, from Jeff McNeil’s role to Brett Baty to how soon Jett Williams forces his way into a spot.

From there, we get into Sonny Gray’s move to the Red Sox — a deal that accelerates Boston’s push toward a stabilized, playoff-ready rotation — and Toronto’s massive swing for Dylan Cease, handing out a franchise-record seven-year, $210 million contract to anchor the next era of the Jays’ staff.

And then there’s Hal Steinbrenner, who stirred the week even further by suggesting the Yankees didn’t turn a profit in 2025 and that reducing payroll would be “ideal.” We break down why those comments landed poorly, how they contrast with the Yankees’ global financial footprint, and what it means for their offseason strategy.

Once the trade, signing, and ownership reaction breaks wrap, it’s Blind Rankings time:

Devin’s Free Agent Tag Teams:

Two random free agents at a time, paired together like a package deal — who makes the best duo a team could sign this winter?

Steve’s Free Agent Ballpark Fits:

Eight different free agents matched with eight different ballparks — which pairing feels right, and which ones fall flat?

We close things out by talking about how this early wave of moves — the Nimmo–Semien blockbuster, Sonny Gray to Boston, the Cease mega-deal, and Hal’s payroll posture — might shift the broader free-agent picture, especially for hitters like Pete Alonso, Kyle Tucker, and Cody Bellinger.

🎙 Steve and Devin are live walking through the trade, the immediate roster fallout, the Hal discourse, and both Blind Rankings boards.

⚾️ Two ranking games. A major trade. Two big signings. A Yankees ownership storyline. Plenty of early-winter movement.

📱 Follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram and X for coverage all week — breakdowns, reactions, and everything else as the offseason starts to take shape.