Blog Archives
Sully Baseball Podcast – Honoring Poppi Kramer and Examining the Illusion of Baseball’s Timelessness – July 28, 2018
Poppi Kramer, comedian and friend and guest of the podcast, died this week. Her death affected me as I have strong memories of our mutual love for the game.
And losing her made me examine the illusion of timelessness in baseball and how we recoil when we see that change and finality are possible in our game.
A little sad in this episode of Sully Baseball.
Here are some of Poppi’s previous appearances on the podcast.
While we are at it, enjoy the NEW In Memoriam video.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 23, 2017
Duane Burleson/Getty Images North America
Sunday, we learned about the tragic deaths of Yordano Ventura and Starling Marte. These were two lives cut short and two very different careers ended in the worst way.
Meanwhile, an awful Tweet by a fan about the death of Ventura made me realize we need to do small things to make this experience of living a little better.
Paying respect on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 9, 2016
Rob Carr/Getty Images North America, Tim Bradbury/Getty Images North America and Elsa/Getty Images North America
It looks like Koji Uehara is heading to the Cubs. They will have three pitchers who have clinched a World Series title out of the pen.
Why not try to get more?
It is time to celebrate and clinch in this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Enjoy this video podcast.
Cubs Acquire Closer Wade Davis: It’s A Smarter Maneuver Than You Think
Wade Davis has been one of the filthiest late inning Relievers in the game over last three years, and only comes with a salary for one year at $10 MIL. Chicago is really smart for doing this as Aroldis Chapman cost the Yankees $86 MIL for 5 years yesterday, and Kenley Jansen is not far behind. he Cubs may also give Davis a Qualifying Offer after next season is over. Who knows, maybe he would accept a one year deal at $18 MIL to stay on this World Series Contender. The most important factor in landing Davis is his playoff pedigree. He has proved he is an elite Closer on the grandest of stages – something that Chicago plans to be involved in again to defend their championship.
With the news that the Cubs brought in Wade Davis in exchange for Jorge Soler, the Cubs have effectively brought in a 9th Inning Man – who won the World Series for the Royals in 2015 as their stopper.
Davis will earn $10 MIL in 2017, and can may be extended the Qualifying Offer for 2018 in the process. With another spike potentially in the top 125 salaries (this years total was $17.2 MIL) maybe Davis would take the one year deal for 2018 after this next season.
As one of the game’s premiere Late Inning arms since the 2014 season, Davis is also a perfect replacement for the departing Aroldis Chapman.
With a team that has a World Series under its belt, they just added a Pitcher with a 4 – 0 record, with a 0.84 ERA and 0.959 WHIP in 32 Innings worth of work – spanning the 2014 and 2015 World Series trip for Kansas City. He has performed at the optimal level – under the most pressure. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 12, 2016
Charles Wenzelberg
The Mets have a shot to be THE team of the New York… and it is slipping away.
Is Terry Collins to be blamed? Well, he isn’t helping.
It is a “Don’t Blow This” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast
Danny Duffy, Jameson Taillon, George Springer, Charlie Blackmon, Kennys Vargas, Erick Aybar and Eduardo Rodriguez all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.
See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports
Baseball’s Biggest “Get Out Of Jail Free Cards” For Financial Contracts Over The Last Few Years
Several players have either retired for various reasons, or have served suspensions in which their organization has received an unexpected benefit of salary relief for it in recent years. This will need to be addressed in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement to be forthcoming after this next season.
Hunter Stokes (MLB Reports Part _Owner – Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Before I go into this fully, this is a bit different of an article than “Hoodini Acts” pulled by GM’s in getting out from under horrible contracts, such as the praise for former Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos fleecing the Angels to take Vernon Wells, and being lucky enough for the White Sox to claim Alex Rios.
Those moves paved the way for Toronto to sign Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion to replace those crappy deals with awesome ones, so there is a note of credit to AA.
The new CBA forthcoming should be addressing on how player contracts work towards team salaries when it is due for suspension or retirement. Last week’s sudden packing in the cleats from Adam LaRoche will actually benefit the White Sox with $13 MIL in salary relief.
It is not the 1st time a guy has retired during a contract, and it is the latest where a team may be drawing a sigh of relief.
It wasn’t even the 1st instance of the winter. Earlier this off year, Mets OF Michael Cuddyer retired with one year of service left on his deal. This move led the Mets to have a few extra dollars in their seat cushion to re-ink Yoenis Cespedes to a 1 Year $27.5 MIL deal
Cuddyer was still expensive for New York with a 1sr RD Draft pick forfeit, but at least he only cost the club $8.5 MIL on 1 season, as opposed to an additional $12.5 MIL this upcoming campaign.
If the Mets are still under contract with this guy it makes re-signing Cespedes a tougher deal. Not only cash wise, but it was also clogging up another spot on the Roster if New York had to keep the under-performing former Rockies and Twins player.
Instead, all of the fans wishes were granted when Cespedes came back to Flushing Meadows, and you can add the fact they also re-upped with Bartolo Colon for another year as yet another extension of the Cuddyer decision. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The MLB Divisions In 2016: Best Value Bets
Should win between 82 – 85 games in my view – and is the best odds on the board for this wagering in any category this week. Picking them to win the AL East for a +1200 is full value.
Hunter Stokes (BBBA Featured Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The BBBA On Twitter Follow @baseballblogs
Bad Value – Red Block
Good Value – Blue Block
AL East
As stated in an article this week, I am loving the value of the O’s across the board. Picking them to win the Division at +1200 should be ranked 1st, to win the American League Pennant at +2800 is 2nd – and to win the World Series at +5000 is third.
Since Baltimore would have a tough NL matchup for the Fall Classic, the best cash should be thrown on the AL East win, then to win the Pennant.
Boston and Toronto are both listed at 87.5 regular season win odds – whereas the Jays are favored to win over that amount just slightly ahead of the Sox. Here they are evenly slated.
David Price is a regular season beast, and Craig Kimbrel solidifies the Bullpen, but I just can’t put money behind them winning this Division.
It was a good job by BET365 handicapping the AL East
Boston Red Sox +175 (6)
Toronto Blue Jays +175
NY Yankees +350
TB Rays +800
Baltimore Orioles +1200 (1)
Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 1, 2016
Al Bello
The Royals are signing their stars to long term deals, keeping the World Champs together for several more runs. This would not have been possible a few years ago.
It’s an Everything is Up To Date in Kansas City episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
2016 MLB Preseason Power Rankings
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
With just 5 weeks to the regular season – and all of the important Free Agents finally being locked up with Ian Desmond signing with the Rangers, it is time to see where all 30 MLB clubs stack up.
We are going to be running weekly power rankings once the year starts on Apr.3, 2016.
The way I compile the Power Rankings is best on confidence to win the World Series. Some clubs may be more talented (or playing better) than a squad they are behind in the rankings, but the Division (and strength of opponents) plays a massive factor.
It is the reason why teams like the Royals or Astros will be selected above a team like the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Pittsburgh Pirates might win 90 games (which may only see one AL club join them), but because they have to contend with the Cards and Cubs in the NL Central, it will be tough for them to receive a great ranking (at least until games are played). Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2016 MLB Divisions
Best Division odd value on the board this week.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
As the season approaches we are seeing more and more gambling entities finally display and update their Division odds on a daily basis.
Over the course of the year we will be doing a weekly post on both the World Series and the MLB Divisions for best value.
I have selected one good value pick and one bad value pick for each Division. Next to a good pick, or a bad one, there will be an assigned parenthesis number for the degree I love the wager compared to the other Division picks.
The Chicago Cubs are the biggest favorite to win their own Division which is not surprising. In the American League, the KC Royals have the lowest odd.
I like how this establishment has the Royals as their favorite lock to make the postseason, yet still have the Red Sox and Blue Jays favored over them for the World Series odds.
This goes the same for the Giants in the National League. San Francisco is +900 to win the ‘Fall Classic’, yet the Mets and Nationals are more of a favorite to win the NL East, then they are the NL West. Read the rest of this entry
Zack Wheeler Loves Big Sexy And NY Mets Fans
Freddy Vasquez (Featured Baseball Writer/Owner – metshotcorner.com) Follow @metshotcorner
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Zack Wheeler gave MLB Network Radio’s Round Trip a few moments talking about his rehab back from Tommy John surgery,Bartolo Colon and NY Mets Fans.
The young starter also had a few choice words about recently banned player Jenrry Mejia, playing for Terry Collins, and watching his peers in the rotation during the World Series.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 23, 2016
Photo: Bill Kostroun. New York Post
Yoenis Cespedes is coming back to the Mets, at least for 2016. The goodwill that will buy for the Mets is worth every penny.
Plus I beat the hell out of a spider in Burbank.
Good times in Flushing for this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 21, 2016
Yoenis Cespedes needs to find a home. The Angels and Nats are the logical landing spot. But can the Mets afford to lose him?
I pulled off the road and into a parking lot to record this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 20, 2016
PHOTO BY: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY
What teams can lay claim to “Team of the Decade” for the 2010’s?
What team can enter the conversation with a 2016 World Series win?
It is a long term legacy episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 31, 2015
USA Today Sports
The last podcast of the year. So much can happen in 365 days. So many legacies can be changed. So many events not foreseen at the beginning of the year can totally be flipped.
Just think of Salvador Perez, ending 2014 as the man who popped up to end the World Series… and being the World Series MVP for 2015.
Think of Pariah Alex Rodriguez leading the Yankees back to the playoffs.
Lots of changes happened. Lots more will happen in 2016.
Be sure to listen to all of it on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
New York Mets State Of The Union For 2016
The Mets made it to the World Series in 2015 after a subpar start heading into the Trade Deadline. With a ton of pitching and some decent positional players still on the roster, they could set themselves up for a lengthy run in the NL East. After tinkering with average players in acquisitions (other than Neil Walker – who is a comparable replacement for Daniel Murphy), it looks like GM Sandy Alderson is done constructing the offense for 2016. I think this is a critical error.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It has been a decent offseason for the New York Mets so far. They have resigned Bartolo Colon, filled in the spot at 2B with an almost equal amount of talent for Daniel Murphy, while adding Asdrubal Cabrera is also a wise move.
The organization even resigned Jerry Blevins to the Relief Core. There is still potential to add another arm or 2 for late innings in the Bullpen.
On Tuesday, it was announced the OF Alejandro De Aza has joined the club for a one year deal at $5.75 MIL (and $1.25 MIL in incentives). This guy can play all 3 OF positions, but he really should be a 4th OF on a championship team caliber style of team. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 11, 2015
Will the Dodgers panic and sign Johnny Cueto to a long term deal? If they do, then why didn’t they just keep Zack Greinke?
Meanwhile the Giants are taking a more low key approach.
It is a Dodger blue episode of Sully Baseball Daily Podcast
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 30, 2015
Photo – Ryan Garza, Detroit Free Press
It is November. Thanksgiving is over. Can you believe baseball was played this month?
Plus the signing of Jordan Zimmermann by the Tigers will be felt by other teams throughout the winter.
Tis the season for more episodes of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
30 MLB Teams Needs/Notes And Financials For The Offseason
Perhaps no team is more top-heavy than the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They need a Catcher/3B/OF/2B and have Erick Aybar, C.J. Wilson and Jered Weaver clearing off the books after next campaign. It is an important off year for them. Will they spend a lot of money, or will they wait until next winter?
Jordan Gluck (Part Owner/Featured Writer): Follow @jgluck777
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Team Needs notes and financials
Braves: need 4/5 SP depth Setup/Closer type and Catcher budget 15-30M -but will likely save huge splash signings for next years new stadium.
Marlins: maybe 1B Could trade Marcell Ozuna and sign an OF will likely acquire 2 SP one of them being a #2 starter the other lower end. needs lefty reliever. Budget 10-25M.
Mets: Could trade Matt Harvey or Jon Niese/Need MI (at least 1)/ and a big bat for Yoenis Cespedes replacement. Budget 20 -30M.
Phillies: Needs all over especially SP Needs all over offense except SS and 3B Bullpen can use beefing up 10-100M Budget don’t know what they are going for but should wait for next season to make some game changing moves new GM. Unknown philosophy could sell Odubel Herrera high.
Nationals: 7th/8th inning man maybe SP (Would only be high end) Possible CF. Budget could be -10M to upwards of 30M.
Cubs: SP 3/CF/RF/CL. if needed but not urgent Quagmire at 2B High end SP a priority Should acquire shutdown closer. 40-80M budget. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 10, 2015
Joeff Davis
Comedian and native of Kansas City Pat Brown joins the podcast.
We talked about her being a Royals fan living in New York City during the 2015 World Series among all the Mets fans. Pat also shared memories growing up in Kansas City, why she might be a championship good luck charm and how Bo Jackson was a viral star before there was an internet.
It is one more salute to the World Champions on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Follow Pat Brown on Twitter by clicking HERE.
Get information on Pat Brown and her shows by clicking HERE.
And enjoy Bo Jackson scaling the wall.
Pick KC To Win The 2016 World Series At The 18/1 ODD: It’s Worth It Even To Hedge Later
Since the beginning of the 2014 playoffs, the underdogs have won 16 of the last 18 series, and the only favorites to win were the Royals and Blue Jays in the ALDS rounds this year. Series in which the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers had them on the brink of elimination. We take you behind the curtain to reveal some great gambling perspectives from this in this post.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I was curious to see what the odds were for the 2016 World Series when they were first posted. As a former professional gambler this is my favorite thing to do. I was happy to see the early mistake made by Vegas. KC at 18/1 odds? Thanks fellas!
Odds courtesy of vegasodds.com
Dodgers 8/1
Mets 10/1
Blue Jays 10/1
Cubs 10/1
Nats 10/1
Cards 12/1
Astros 12/1
Pirates 12/1
Rangers 12/1
Yankees 16/1
Red Sox 18/1
Royals 18/1
Read the rest of this entry
MLB’s Flawed 2 – 3 – 2 Format Exposed Again In 2015 World Series
The Royals had home field advantage in the 2015 World Series, yet played 1 less game at their park than the Mets, who they defeated in 5 games. Since the ALL – Star Game deciding which League would host more games, the winning team has actually had their park be the home venue for 2 less dates than the loser. There is a culprit in this fiasco, and that is the 2 – 3 – 2 format. I am proposing a 3 – 3 – 1 format or 2 – 4 – 1 change to the Fall Classic, Because of travel they would never do the 2-2-2-1 format ever again. ALEX TRAUTWIG/GETTY IMAGES
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Now while the team winning the ALL – Star Game is 8 – 4 overall in the World Series itself, only 2 teams have actually had to use Game #7 for home field advantage. That was the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals and the 2014 World Series – where the visiting Giants took down the Royals.
There have been 4 Sweeps, 3 series ended in 5 games, 3 series in 6 games, and only two series in 7 games.
In 2003, the Yankees had the best record and they both played 3 games in each others field.
In 2004, Each club played 2 games each in their home park.
In 2005, Each club played 2 games each in their home park.
In 2006, Detroit had home advantage – but were split by the Cards in Detroit, before St. Louis swept them in The Show Me State! Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 6, 2015
John Minchillo/AP
Teams looking to win pennants and World Series titles should search the free agent bins looking for fading starting pitchers.
They could just turn out to be the bullpen depth you are looking for!
It is a bargan hunting episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Listen to my guest spot on Sports Without Balls by clicking HERE.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 4, 2015
Fox Sports
I heap more praise on the World Champion Royals and realize that trading for Jonny Gomes was brilliant because he had one single job: Give a great speech at the World Series celebration.
Also, I address a SoundCloud user, Bill Burns 4, who feels that I am not being respectful enough to the Royals.
Cue up the victory BBQ for the latest episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
New York Mets Payroll In 2016 + Contracts Going Forward
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
So you are the New York Mets, and you have just lost the World Series, what is next? First off, you have several Free Agents walking out the door that you may not be able to re-sign. Most notably Yoenis Cespedes and Daniel Murphy.
Forget about the postseason in which the man was banged up, Cespedes was one of the biggest reasons you even made it to the playoffs to begin with. The Mets should try to sign him.
Daniel Murphy carried you through two rounds of the postseason – but looked horrible in the field during the World Series. So what is the prognosis on his status with the club? Let him walk… His playoff numbers, coupled with a high need for second baseman in the Majors may well skyrocket his next deal.
At first glance though, this is not the end of the world for the Wilpon led New York franchise. The entire Starting Staff could be composed of team controllable salaries. Bartolo Colon is a Free Agent now too, but maybe he would sign a small guaranteed contract with incentives. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 3, 2015
Kansas City Star – John Sleezer jsleezer@kcstar.com
Some last World Series thoughts, including an amazing Cristian Colon fact.
Plus remembering the 1985 Royals, honoring Ned Yost and hoping Dusty Baker can come back and cap a bizarre but potentially Hall of Fame worthy career.
Heat up the hot stove for the latest episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 2, 2015
ALEX TRAUTWIG/GETTY IMAGES
Did the Royals win this World Series or did the Mets lose it?
The answer is YES. Both are true.
The Royals won it all. They deserve it. They were the best team in the American League almost the entire season and they earned this title.
But MAN, this is going to be a bitter pill for Met fans to swallow.
And I face that always uncertain darkness: The off season has begun.
It is a “Crown the Champs” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Luke Hochevar, Eric Hosmer, Curtis Granderson and Matt Harvey all added to their totals of Who Owned the World Series and Who Owned October (WOWS and WOO).
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 1, 2015
Howard Simmons – NY Daily News
It is time for the Sunday Request.
@sullybaseball Please talk @Mets and #WorldSeries with @PoppiKramer on the show tomorrow #SundayRequest
— cubsfan (@cu8sfan) October 31, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsIn the light of the Mets collapse last night, I felt like this would be cruel and unusual to talk to a rabid Mets fan like Poppi Kramer. So I found myself refusing a Sunday Request. It turned out it was good that I did.
@sullybaseball @cu8sfan @Mets it’s too sad. I can’t. — Poppi Kramer (@PoppiKramer) November 1, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
It is a respectful and mournful episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Wade Davis and Salvador Perez and Michael Conforto all added to their totals of Who Owned the World Series and Who Owned October (WOWS and WOO).
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 31, 2015
Robert Deutsch / USA TODAY Sports
The Mets have turned this into a competitive World Series. Was Curtis Granderson’s homer the turning point?
Meanwhile Juan Uribe is back in the World Series where he belongs. And Raul Mondesi’s son did in zero regular season games what his father couldn’t do in 13 seasons: Play in the World Series.
BOO! It is the Halloween episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
David Wright, Noah Syndergaard and Salvador Perez all added to their totals of Who Owned the World Series and Who Owned October (WOWS and WOO).
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 28, 2015
RON VESELY/MLB PHOTOS
Recapping Game 1 of the World Series… a game that was wonderfully loony, emotional and potentially a classic.
No time to rest for this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Chris Young, Ben Zobrist, Jon Niese and Daniel Murphy added to their Who Owns October and Who Owns the World Series.
Read the rest of this entry
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