Category Archives: MLB Podcast Network
Orioles Fill Closer Void With Signing Of Grant Balfour
The Baltimore Orioles signed Closer Grant Balfour to a 2 YR/ 14 Million dollar contract on Tuesday. Balfour will replace Jim Johnson, who was traded to Balfour’s previous team, the Oakland Athletics, earlier in the offseason. In an overall picture, the club almost essentially traded Jim Johnson for Jemile Weeks and Grant Balfour. The club will save $2 – $3 MIL in payroll next campaign, while they added Second Base depth, and perhaps may have the better Relief Pitcher out of the two. Better yet, Baltimore has their Closer scenario sewn up for the 2015 season now as well.
By Nicholas Delahanty (MLB Reports O’s Writer) Follow @Nick_Delahanty
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
What the signing of Grant Balfour means to the Orioles
As the winter moves along, the Oriole faithful keeps asking the same question: when are the Orioles going to make a big move?
The beginning of the MLB Free Agency period has not been friendly to Orioles fans, as they saw their team trade away Jim Johnson, one of the best Closers in baseball, as well as part ways with Left Fielder Nate McLouth and Starting Pitcher Scott Feldman through free agency.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Orioles found out that rumors surrounding the team were actually truth, as it was announced that Grant Balfour signed a 2 YR/ 14 Million dollar deal, with $500,000 deferred each season.
Grant Balfour Rage versus the Rangers
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 18, 2013
Today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast was recorded at the sports book of the Belaggio Hotel in Las Vegas.
There I placed an unusual but potentially lucrative bet on the 2014 World Series.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 17, 2013
Today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast was recorded at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas.
I gave the Mariners some gambling advice and told them to executive “Operation Marlins: 1997.”
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 16, 2013
Photo: David Richard, USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Diamondbacks made a trade for Addison Reed, making them the latest team to fall victim to the tyranny of the closer.
Also I get mad at podcasters who misuse the term “Live.” New Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 15, 2013
AP Photo/Matt Slocum
It is the Sunday Request on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
@sullybaseball What say you? “@Slate: MLB Plans to Ban Home Plate Collisions http://t.co/rK6z3sTyog”
— Michael Shure (@michaelshure) December 12, 2013
Home plate collisions don’t rank high in my favorite baseball plays. Getting rid of them won’t break my heart.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 14, 2013
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 13, 2013
Photos: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images – NJ.com – AP Photo/Rick Scuteri
While I deal with the fact that Pope Francis won Time Magazine Person of the Year over me, I talk a little bit about Joba Chamberlain’s future and the direction of the Diamondbacks.
It is a blessed episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 12, 2013
Chris Trotman – Getty Images
On his birthday, Jason Keidel of WFAN joins The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast to talk pessimistically about the Yankees.
It was more of a birthday gift to ME!
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Dear Santa: A Letter Sent By All 30 MLB Teams Fanbases
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twiter Follow @mlbreports
Remember when you were in grade school – and the teacher made you write a letter to Santa? Well this is kind of like that, but I will write on behalf of the clubs in the MLB.
Houston Astros: Can we have the opening day for the next 3 years in baseball – so that we can sell out at least one game?
Miami: If Jeffrey Loria is nice for the next 4,000 years maybe can he not receive a lump of coal for XMAS this year?
Can we also send the Real Estate Companies some nice computers to facilitate all the moves for the club? Also send the player wives all a nice gift basket for the same thing?
Of course, if you just want to give the Marlins fans a new owner, than great!
Chicago Cubs: Santa, this is a question already reserved for 2015, BUT can you make the prognostication of ‘Back to the Future 2 the movie’ real of the Cubs winning the World Series?
It will be the Cubbies beating Miami in 2015 World Series (yep probably 100 – 1 shot too)
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 11, 2013
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
The Phillies are thinking of rebuilding. And if that is the case, they should deal pitchers Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels, right?
NOT SO FAST! They might be better off just holding onto them.
Why? Listen to The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
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While I like Granderson Signing With The Mets, I Hate The Chris Young Deal
Granderson had back to back 40 HR years in 2011 and 2012 with the Yankees – after struggling to hit with New York in 2010. Last year was an injury filled campaign for the 32 Year Old from Blue Island, IL. This 4 YRs/$60 MIL deals smells of a classic NYM overpay. I would have liked the move if the club didn’t sign Chris Young already. Granderson has the ability to walk, has hit for decent home and road splits in his career, despite the thought of him being Yankee Stadium ‘centric’. The Mets hav to hope the 10 Year Veteran can hit close to his Career 3 Slash Line of .261/.340/.828.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twiter Follow @mlbreports
I wrote an article about the Mets about 6 weeks ago. In the piece, I illustrated that I thought Curtis Granderson was a good fit for the New York NL franchise.
I still like that they acquired the guy, even though I think they paid him too much cash.
The week before this, the franchise also inked Chris Young to a one year/$7.25 MIL.
So essentially, you have signed 2 guys for $22.25 on the books for the 2014 season. Why didn’t you just sign Shin-Soo Choo fellas?
Curtis Granderson 2011 Highlights
The Winter Meetings Feel So Much Different For The Astros In 2013 Compared To 2012
2012 Winter signing Rick Ankiel hit 5 HRs in his first 40 AB with the Astros to start last year – including a huge Opening Day long bomb, but he could not buy a hit after that. The Astros released him soon after that. Ankiel was one of the acquisitions from last winter, so we can at least see the club is going after more astute players.
By Lee White (Astros Correspondent) Follow @Lee_White73
Follow MLB Reports ON Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Houston Astros haven’t been all that busy the past few years in the offseason. They’ve signed older veterans to get them through the year.
Last year’s offseason acquisitions included Jose Veras, Carlos Pena, and Rick Ankiel. However, this year, they’re actually spending real money.
They’ve traded for Dexter Fowler, and they’ve signed Scott Feldman to a three year, 30 million dollar contract.
They also brought in a former Astro Chad Qualls at two years 6 million dollars with an option for a third year at 3.5 million dollars.
Those acquisitions could just be the tip of the iceberg for the Astros as the head into the Winter Meetings.
Chad Qualls Fist Pump – Followed By A Tumble
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 10, 2013
NY Daily News – Michael Bryant/Philly.com Staff photographer
Is Roy Halladay a Hall of Famer? I think so.
And how close was Joe Torre from never being a Yankee manager? Or just manager for one season?
REALLY close!
That and more on today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 9, 2013
MLB.com
After a long day (including a disgusting flight) it was time to talk baseball.
Tony LaRussa, Bobby Cox and Joe Torre are all Hall of Famers now. I have no problem with any of them in, even if I didn’t root for their teams.
That and more on today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
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The Nate McLouth Signing Demonstrates A Lesson Learned For Washington About Bench Players
The Nationals failed to meet expectations as the Preseason favorites to lock down the World Series in 2013. Heck, they didn’t even qualify for the playoffs. Whether it was injury, or complacency, the talent of this team didn’t maximize their potential this year. However, the club did go 24 – 12 in their last 36 Games Played, and made a late charge at the 2nd Wild Card Spot. Most of the nucleus is coming back for the 2014 year. But a most underrated facet of an NL club sometimes is their bench. Washington hopes to have a better bunch of pine riders in 2014 – than they did in 2013.
By David Huzzard (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): Follow @davidhuzzard
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
When the Nats built a bench on the cheap in 2012 it worked.
Steve Lombardozzi, Roger Bernadina, Chad Tracy, and Tyler Moore all had outstanding seasons, and the four of them combined cost less than half of what the Nationals will be paying Nate McLouth in 2014, but when they tried to do the same thing in 2013 it was a disaster.
The only back-up outfielder to have a higher than .700 OPS was Corey Brown and that was in 15 plate appearances. Hardly enough of a sample size to be trusted.
Nate McLouth gives the Nationals bench something it severely lacked in 2013, a reliable veteran. McLouth’s numbers aren’t great.
Nate McLouth Highlights in 2012 – Mature Lyrics So parental guidance is advised
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 8, 2013
It is the Sunday Request on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast, which I recorded while doing my laundry.
@sullybaseball You mention a Red Sox Mt Rushmore. Who gets left off? Speaker, Williams, Yaz, Pedro, or Papi?
— Bob Buscaglia (@BobBuscaglia) December 6, 2013
Who belongs on the Red Sox Mount Rushmore?
I have 4 faces, each representing a different aspect of Red Sox history.
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The Houston Astros Bolster The 2014 Squad With A Couple Of Moves This Week
Truth be told, when the Houston Astros first signed Scott Feldman, I was skeptical. Still am a little bit. The more I think of it, the more I like the signing. When news of it first broke on twitter, there was a bit of a mixed reaction. If fact, mine was something like “NOOOOOO!!” I wasn’t a fan of the money, nor was I too thrilled about the years on the contract. The Yankees, Orioles, Twins, and Astros were all interested in the former Oriole. However, it was the Astros who locked him up for 3 years, 30 million dollars.
By Lee White (Astros Correspondent) Follow @Lee_White73
Follow MLB Reports ON Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Feldman isn’t a high profile signing, but he certainly makes the Astros better today than they were yesterday. He isn’t going to change this franchise, but he certainly adds some wins to the Astros this year.
Last year with the Chicago Cubs and the Baltimore Orioles, Feldman went 12-12 with a 3.86 ERA. According to Steamer, a FanGraphs projector, projects that Feldman will go 12-11 with a 3.91 ERA.
Scott Feldman Start
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 7, 2013
I recorded today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast at an airport.
While the Yankees went on a big spending spree yesterday, I pointed out that they are not addressing their main problems and this is NOT the same as 2009.
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Cano Signs With Seattle 10 YRs/$240 MIL: Do You Want A Good Team Or A Good Business?
Cano and his management posse were in the Emerald City over night – to dicker with the Seattle Brass over a supposed 9 YR contract worth around $225 – $240 MIL . But something went awry, and the Cano camp made the Seattle Mariners storm off with disgust over what the demands were originally. It has now been reported the sides agreed to a 10 YR/$240 MIL deal. This could be a colossal mistake from the club, despite seeing probable early returns on their investment and the ticket wicket and for TV Ratings. In a city where they have only had 2 winning seasons in the last 10 years, they didn’t need to put all of their eggs in just one basket. We will go through the long decade of suffering in his blog, and come up with the conclusion, that the last thing the franchise needs – is another Free Agency flop.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 (Big Credit to Paul Francis Sullivan) Follow @sullybaseball
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The deal was supposed to be 9 YRs/$225 MIL for Robinson Cano‘s services to be taken to The Pacific Northwest, and play for the home fans of Safeco Field.
Somewhere in the deliberations, the Roc Nations Sports Agency (Jay – Z’s gang) made an unruly notion for something, to which the brass of the Seattle Mariners stormed off.
It would be nice to have been a fly on the wall for that sparing off of the minds.
The two sides finally agreed this morning to a 10 YR/$240 MIL deal for the ALL – Star, SIlver Slugger 2B.
Before the deal, a neutral fan had to ask Cano really taking the M’s seriously, or was it all for show – in hopes he could draw more cash from a team he really wants to play for?
Sully’s Daily Podcast from last night – truer words have never been spoken – Listen to this 20 Min show!
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 6, 2013
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Today on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast, I wonder why off season strategies need to be so difficult for teams.
The Mariners can get a decent second baseman without spending a quarter of a billion dollars.
The Diamondbacks could have a power hitting team if they didn’t trade Justin Upton.
And the Red Sox should look at 2014 as a rebuilding year while secretly trying to woo Clayton Kershaw.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 5, 2013
Notes On Free Agent Signings And Acquisitions Of The Last Week
Robinson Cano has seen his stock plummet down the river this winter. While he still will likely sign a deal for more than $25 MIL per year, it may have to be somewhere other than the Bronx. Meanwhile Jay – Z and his new baseball agent company is teetering with this client. The best move for that camp is to wait it out like Prince Fielder did 2 years ago. It may take for an unexpected injury – or for a team to panic after the majority of the Free Agents have signed in order for him to maximize his dollars in 6 – 7 year deal.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twiter Follow @mlbreports
2014 Winter Transactions Part 2
For part one of this transaction summary click here.
The White Sox sign 1B Paul Konerko (37) – 1 YR/$2.5 MIL (1.0 MIL deferred to 2021).
I like this deal for the White Sox. He is the team leader and can pass on knowledge to the young guys.. Expect for them to try and trade Adam Dunn halfway through the year if Konerko is playing well.
The Rockies sign 1B Justin Morneau (32) – 2 YRs/$13 MIL.
Love this move. The Rockies could potentially see this man hit 20+ HRs and knock about 30 – 40 Doubles per year. He carries a decent average too.
Justin Morneau Minnesota Twins Highlights
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 4, 2013
The A’s Pickup Another Quality Bullpen Arm In Gregerson
Luke Gregerson has authored 5 brilliant seasons coming out of the Padres Bullpen. He has a 2.78 ERA and 1.092 WHIP in his 347 IP worth of work. The 29 Year Old from Park Ridge, IL originally, has averaged appearing in 68 games a year. The A’s will use him as a late inning arm with Jim Johnson, Ryan Cook and Sean Doolittle also being capable inning’s eater to nail down shut victories. Gregerson is in his 3rd Year (made $3.2 MIL) of Arbitration before he hits the Free Agent Market in 2015.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Billy Beane ended his whirlwind day on Tuesday. by flipping just signed OF/DH/PH Seth Smith to the San Diego Padres for Relief Pitcher Luke Gregerson.
In what can only be described as shock, I can’t believe the Padres could be this brutal in talent evaluation.
Beane has continued his pillaging from all other franchises.
The result was that he never touched any of the 9 Starting Players from his offense, zero from his Rotation, and only 2 Minor League Players from last season, to acquire 2 potential Closers/late inning relievers, a premiere CF defender, and a nice #5 Starter in return.
Luke Gregerson Interview from 2012
The Jacoby Ellsbury 7 YRs/$153 MIL Deal Opens Up Many Possibilities for New York
Ellsbury missed 88 Games in 2012 (and also missed 144 Games in 2010), which brings into question his long – term durability. Heck, even this year, he was seen with a walking boot only a few weeks prior to the playoffs. You can’t deny the man has put up some great numbers out of the leadoff spot for the Red Sox since 2007.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
So all of a sudden the Yankees have taken a page from their 2006 playbook.
Prior to that season, they overbid for the services of Johnny Damon, effectively ending his tenure with their rivals – the Boston Red Sox.
They have gone back to the well for a 2nd time – raiding the Sox for their Starting CF.
It is a bold and calculated gamble for the Yankees, but then again, they are the biggest entity in the MLB – and they needed to protect the fledgling ratings on TV, and also to make sure the fans come through the turnstiles at New Yankee Stadium
Jacoby Ellsbury was brought in for a 7 YR/$153 MIL deal – that will send shockwaves throughout the Bronx and Major League Baseball.
Jacoby Ellsbury 2013 Highlights – Mature Lyrics So Parental Guidance Is Advised
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 3, 2013
(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America
I experienced some technical difficulties with today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast. But computer issues aside, there were a lot of trades and signings to review and give my thoughts to.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 2, 2013
Author Bruce Markusen is the guest on today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
We discussed his book The Team That Changed Baseball: Roberto Clemente and the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates and shared our thoughts about that club’s significance.
To buy a copy of the book on Amazon, click HERE.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 1, 2013
Photo: John Munson, The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger via USA TODAY Sports
It is The Sunday Request on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
@sullybaseball lol. U do realize the Yankees are going to be much better than they were last year. Don’t you?
— Nick Abbate (@CaptainClutch27) November 26, 2013
A strange conversation on Twitter with a Yankee fan made me wonder what ever happened to accountability in the Bronx. And I also wonder why everyone is so quick to make excuses for Brian Cashman.
This is not me being a smug Red Sox fan trashing the Yankees. If I were a Yankee fan, I’d be furious right now at the state of the team.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 30, 2013
legendaryauctions.com
The Nationals want DC to pay for a new roof? The Nats should be more worried about paying for a deeper roster!
If they emulate the Red Sox and Cardinals, they should have a great 2014.
It is a Washington-centric episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 29, 2013
While reading through the book Billy Ball by Billy Martin (and Phil Pepe), I stumbled across an interesting passage.
Evidently Billy Martin and I had similar ideas of how to set up a batting order… one where common sense triumphs of conventional wisdom.
I recorded today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast next to a swimming pool.
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![[Video] This is the first ever 3-3-5 triple play in MLB History](https://i0.wp.com/mlbreports.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/ryan-zimmerman.jpg?resize=40%2C40&ssl=1){kind=small}
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