Executive Access

MLB.com executive reporter Mark Feinsand provides a unique look at the people building our favorite teams by engaging in candid interviews with front-office personnel from around Major League Baseball. How they got into the game, why they do what they do, how they envision the future of baseball and much, much more. Listen to or download individual episodes below, subscribe via iTunes or use your RSS reader so you never miss a single episode.

Sports
1
Ep. 71: International Scout of Mystery
On this week’s Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand is joined by Royals VP/Assistant GM of Major League & Int’l Operations Rene Francisco.  They discuss Rene’s 25 years in Major League Baseball, the world of international scouting, the Royals' World Series run in 2015, almost landing Juan Soto and more.   
34 min
2
Ep. 70: Math Major to Reds VP
On this week’s Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand is joined by Reds VP and Asst. GM Sam Grossman. We discussed how he became involved in baseball, the evolution of analytics in baseball, continuity in the Reds front office and diving into the trade market going into the 2020 season.
44 min
3
Ep. 69: It Takes One to Know One
On this week’s Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand is joined by White Sox Director of Player Development Chris Getz. We discuss his transition from his playing career to working in the Royals front office, the evolution of player development over the past 15-years, how the rebuilding effort is going with the White Sox and much more.    
51 min
4
A Solid Rock in Cleveland’s Front Office
On this week’s Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand is joined by Indians Assistant General Manager Carter Hawkins. They discuss Carters influences on his career choice, his role in helping develop the Indians solid core, and what bringing a title to Cleveland would mean to him, plus so much more.
46 min
5
The Scout Turned GM
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand is joined by vice president of player development for the Detroit Tigers Dave Littlefield to discuss his scouting days, his years at Montreal and Miami, and much much more.
38 min
6
Always on the Lookout for Talent
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand is joined by Mariners special assistant to the GM Tom McNamara to discuss the art of scouting, the inexact science of the amateur draft, the chaotic nature of a draft room and much more.
44 min
7
The Smartest Man in Baseball
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand is joined by Cubs director of pitching and special assistant to the president and GM Craig Breslow to discuss his decision to pursue baseball over medicine, his experience pitching for Team Israel, his move the front office and much more.
47 min
8
Ep. 64: What’s Brewing?
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand is joined by Milwaukee Brewers VP of baseball ops Matt Kleine to discuss his early days as a baseball writer, his 13 years with the Crew, the arbitration process and much more
37 min
9
Ep. 63: Sure Betts
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand is joined by D-backs senior VP and assistant GM Amiel Sawdaye to discuss the draft process, the importance of collaboration within a front office, making high-profile trades and much more
57 min
10
Ep. 62: Scout Who Can Throw Spirals
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand is joined by Oakland Athletics assistant general manager/director of player personnel Billy Owens to discuss his Minor League playing days, his early scouting days, working for Billy Beane and much more.
55 min
11
Ep. 61: Jack of All Trades
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand is joined by Los Angeles Angels special assistant to the GM Eric Chavez to discuss his 17-year Major League career, his time as a color analyst for the Oakland A's, managing the Halos' Triple-A team and much more
46 min
12
Ep. 60: From Rice to Bryce
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand is joined by Philadelphia Phillies assistant general manager Ned Rice to discuss his start with the Orioles, working for Andy McPhail, the highs and lows of pursuing high-profile free agents like Bryce Harper and much more
48 min
13
Ep. 59: Man of Steel City
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand is joined by Pittsburgh Pirates president Travis Williams to discuss his years as the CEO of the NHL's Penguins, experience in conducting a manager and general manager search, jump to baseball and much more.
56 min
14
Ep. 58: Trailblazer, actress and assistant gene...
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand throws it back to a 2017 interview with Yankees assistant general manager Jean Afterman to discuss her entrance into the game, working with and against George Steinbrenner, why more women aren't in front office positions and much more
63 min
15
Ep. 57: The Wild Wild West
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand throws it back to a trio of 2017 interviews with NL West executives Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, Padres GM A.J. Preller and Rockies GM Jeff Bridich to discuss their beginnings in baseball, mentors and more.
47 min
16
Ep. 56: From general counsel to general manager
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand throws it back to a 2017 interview with Athletics senior adviser Sandy Alderson to discuss starting in baseball as general counsel, the analytics revolution and going to the World Series with the A's and the Mets.
27 min
17
Ep. 55: A how-to guide on busting curses
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand throws it back to a pair of 2017 interviews with Jed Hoyer and Mike Hazen, who are executive VP and GM of the Cubs and D-backs respectively, to discuss what it feels like to break a World Series curse and how they pulled off big trades.
59 min
18
Ep. 54: From intern to general manager of the N...
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand throws it back to a 2017 interview with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman to discuss what it's like to work under George Steinbrenner, building the 1998 championship team and going on a spending spree in 2009.
52 min
19
Ep. 53: The fruits of the Mark Shapiro front-of...
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand throws it back to a trio of 2017 interviews with Mark Shapiro, Mike Chernoff and Ross Atkins, who are linked by Shapiro's "school for executives" with the Cleveland Indians.
46 min
20
Ep. 52: Throwback with the GM behind the WS Cha...
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand throws it back to a 2017 interview with Nationals general manager and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo to discuss his journey that included playing in the Minor Leagues and spending years as a scout.
25 min
21
Ep. 51: Journey from intern to assistant genera...
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand sits down with Padres assistant general manager Josh Stein to discuss his accession through San Diego’s front office, trading for Fernando Tatis Jr., the signing of Manny Machado and much more.
40 min
22
Ep. 50: Building teams all over the map
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand sits down with Rangers assistant general manager Shiraz Rehman to discuss his career that has brought him to Arizona, Boston, Chicago, and now Texas, giving him a look at different operations all over the map.
52 min
23
Ep. 49: Three former Yankees on their transitio...
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand hosts a roundtable conversation with three members of the Yankees front office who also played for New York, Senior Director of Player Development Kevin Reese, and Directors of Pro Scouting Matt Daley and Dan Giese. Reese, Daley, and Giese discuss their unique paths to working in baseball after their playing careers ended and how their experiences fit in with Brian Cashman’s leadership style.
56 min
24
Ep. 48: Expectations for a first-year GM
On the Executive Access podcast, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand sits down with Giants General Manager Scott Harris to discuss how a lunch meeting with former Giants GM Al Rosen jump-started his baseball career, why working with Farhan Zaidi was so appealing, and what the Giants have to do to get back to the playoffs. Plus, Harris reflects back on his journey to becoming a GM, especially the time he served with Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer building a champion in Chicago.
41 min
25
Ep. 47: Bringing a championship back to LA
Season 4 of the Executive Access podcast begins as MLB.com's Mark Feinsand sits down with legendary baseball executive, Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten. Kasten discusses how he got involved in baseball working for Ted Turner, building a dynasty with the Braves and running organizations in three different sports at the same time. Kasten also discusses his time with the Nationals and why he selected Mike Rizzo to lead the franchise. Lastly, Kasten talks about how running the Dodgers has been one of the best experiences of his career, his relationship with Magic Johnson, Vin Scully and why he believes in Andrew Friedman to lead the Dodgers to a world championship.
41 min