Terry’s Talkin’ Podcast By Terry Pluto Cleveland.com cover art

Terry’s Talkin’

Terry’s Talkin’

By: Terry Pluto Cleveland.com
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Cleveland.com and Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto talks Browns, Cavaliers, Guardians and Northeast Ohio college basketball with host David Campbell.© 2021 Advance Local Media LLC Basketball Football Politics & Government
Episodes
  • What the Browns are really saying about Deshaun Watson; listeners' ideas to end NBA tanking

    What the Browns are really saying about Deshaun Watson; listeners' ideas to end NBA tanking
    Mar 31 2026
    Highlights: Why baseball's opening day remains a uniquely revered national holiday filled with deep historical roots, nostalgic traditions, and a hopeful clean slate for the summer. "Super Joe" Charbonneau's mythical rookie season endeared him to Cleveland, though a severe back injury prematurely derailed his promising career. Rookie Chase DeLauter is displaying explosive power and veteran-like plate discipline, suggesting a long major league career if he can avoid nagging foot injuries. Cleveland's Triple-A prospects are showing mixed early results, with Juan Brito shining offensively and promising pitchers like Daniel Espino making strides in their injury recoveries. Prospect Parker Messick delivered a dominant six-inning shutout against the Dodgers, utilizing poise and an unpredictable six-pitch mix. Backup catcher Austin Hedges offsets his lack of offense with elite defensive prowess, brilliant game-calling, and vital mentorship for the young pitching staff. Brayan Rocchio has emerged as the more fundamentally sound and reliable middle infield option over the physically gifted but highly inconsistent Gabriel Arias. CJ Kayfus’ defensive post-game reactions highlight the mental pressure and job-threatening insecurity faced by fringe players. Shohei Ohtani's historically elite dual-threat abilities continue to make him an unprecedented presence in modern baseball. The NFL strategically dominates the American sports landscape year-round by scheduling meetings and manufacturing global initiatives during other sports' offseasons. Browns General Manager Andrew Berry’s vague comments regarding a Deshaun Watson extension serve as diplomatic PR to maintain a player-friendly reputation rather than an imminent reality. The NFL rejected the Browns' proposal to allow trading five future first-round picks. Rejecting rumors of a Myles Garrett trade, Browns leadership is committed to avoiding the toxic culture of another long-term rebuild. The resilient Cavaliers utilized a remarkable 30-12 run to secure a strong Eastern Conference playoff position and approach 50 wins. Evan Mobley’s leap in interior offensive production has been heavily unlocked by the brilliant half-court playmaking of James Harden. The Cavaliers' transition from J.B. Bickerstaff to Kenny Atkinson illustrates how a team's developmental timeline adapts to the times. John Groce’s departure from Akron highlights how the modern college coaching carousel is now heavily dictated by contract buyout dominoes and the financial power of NIL collectives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Guardians season predictions; A plan to stop NBA tanking; Jarrett Allen: the Cavs' most pivotal player?

    Guardians season predictions; A plan to stop NBA tanking; Jarrett Allen: the Cavs' most pivotal player?
    Mar 25 2026
    Highlights: Chase DeLauter's addition to the Guardians' opening-day roster is met with high excitement, and it's not too much, for his legitimate hitting talent and advanced plate discipline. Top prospect Travis Bazzana will begin the season in AAA Columbus for further development, needing more professional at-bats before a potential major league call-up. Managing DeLauter's health is a top priority due to his injury history, with suggestions to limit his running effort to keep his valuable bat in the lineup. The Guardians set their starting rotation by demoting Logan Allen to AAA after a difficult spring, a decision influenced by both performance and roster flexibility. Allen's poor spring performance is speculated to be linked to the high-intensity innings he pitched in the World Baseball Classic, which can over-tax young arms early in the season. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt is earning praise for an empathetic, player-centric management style similar to Terry Francona's, which is considered a significant asset. The Guardians have a consistent history of exceeding expectations and defying their low payroll, making them a perennially competitive team despite predictions. Statistical analysis reveals Jarrett Allen's immense value to the Cavaliers, with the team's winning record dropping significantly when he is out of the lineup. Since the end of December, the Cavaliers have one of the NBA's best records, establishing themselves as an elite team despite narratives of inconsistency. The acquisition of James Harden has significantly improved the Cavaliers' offense through his passing and highly efficient shooting. A proposed solution to NBA tanking While former Cavalier Darius Garland is performing well post-trade, the consensus is that the trade was mutually beneficial and there is no "buyer's remorse." The Browns' strategy of acquiring versatile offensive linemen is justified by data showing starting units play together for less than half the season, necessitating roster flexibility and depth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Terry's sleeper prospect for the Guardians; Can the Cavs fix their defense in time?

    Terry's sleeper prospect for the Guardians; Can the Cavs fix their defense in time?
    Mar 17 2026
    Highlights: Guardians Outlook: Optimism for the Guardians is guarded but positive, primarily due to the perceived health and depth of the team's pitching staff. Chase DeLauter Praise: Manager Stephen Vogt is exceptionally high on outfielder Chase DeLauter, calling him a "complete hitter" who looks "scary at the plate." DeLauter's Path: DeLauter's unconventional journey, including being overlooked in high school and falling in the draft due to injury, positions him as a potential steal for the Guardians. Patience for Bazzana: There's a call for patience with 2024 first-round pick Travis Bazzana, emphasizing that player development takes time and is not always linear. Bazzana Scouting Report: While physically average, Bazzana is noted for a fanatical work ethic but may be overly driven; his bat will need to carry his "okay" defense. Sleeper Prospect: Class-A infielder Dauri Fernandez is a deep sleeper prospect who impressed with his poise, backed by a significant signing bonus and strong rookie stats. Mixed Prospect Results: Other Guardians prospects show a mixed bag: Angel Martinez looks promising, Juan Brito is struggling, and George Valera is injured again. Ramirez's Frustration Injury: José Ramírez sustained a minor shoulder injury after aggressively stealing a base, fueled by anger over a call from the automated strike system. Automated Strike Debate: The hybrid automated ball-strike (ABS) system is causing frustration, with the powerful umpires' union cited as a reason for the delay in full implementation. Cavaliers' Permissive Defense: The Cavs' defense has been called "too permissive" by Kenny Atkinson, though the return of Max Strus is expected to add toughness and improve wing defense. Cavs' Roster Instability: The Cavaliers' biggest challenge has been a constant lack of roster consistency due to numerous injuries to key players, preventing the team from building chemistry. Cavs' Playoff Defense: The Cavs' playoff lineup is expected to be more defensively sound than their regular-season lineups by featuring fewer exploitable matchups on the court. Bo Naylor's Workload: The hope is that catcher Bo Naylor plays fewer games this season to allow backup David Fry more playing time, which would indicate positive contributions from the backup. MAC Tournament Success: For the first time since 1999, the Mid-American Conference sent two teams, Akron and Miami, to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Coaching Speculation: Following Akron's success, coach John Groce would be a perfect candidate for the head coaching vacancy at Butler due to his Indiana roots and ties to the program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 9 mins
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