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Sully Baseball Podcast – Previewing the World Series and Honoring Dusty Baker – October 22, 2017

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The Astros chucked away the tyranny of the save and won a pennant along the way. It was the greatest moment in Astros history.
The World Series is set up and the Dodgers and Astros have tons of feel good storylines on both sides.
Meanwhile, Dusty Baker was fired and I give him credit where it is due.
October is heating up on this Episode of Sully Baseball.
While we are at it, enjoy the In Memoriam video.
The Nats Pay A Steep Price For Eaton: The New CF Has A Team Friendly 5 Year Deal Which Is The Key To Salvage The Trade

Mike Rizzo is getting scorched for the fact he gave up the #3 and #38 top MLB Pipeline Prospects. Throw in their #6 prospect – and you can see how people have said the Nats GM orchestrated a bad deal. I am not one of those people. This was a move that is more financial based than even the young players. If Washington is still able to get a top line Closer, and add several more pieces, while dancing around the Luxury Tax Threshold of $195 MIL – I am down with this trade if they re-spend the cash on another Starter that is MLB ready this season.
For the majority of the last week we heard the Nationals were trying to land Andrew McCutchen in a trade, but they shocked the world on Wednesday by acquiring CF Adam Eaton from the White Sox in exchange for three RHP (Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning).
These three guys represent the club’s #1, #3 and #6 prospects. Giolito was ranked #3 overall and Lopez #38 by MLBPipeline.com
This seems like a lot for just one player – but you have to look at several factors here.
Mike Rizzo landed a player that just turned 28 a few years ago.. He is the leadoff guy the team has needed ever since the departure of Denard Span. This is so critical when you consider the Nats will likely only have Bryce Harper for the next 2 years. Read the rest of this entry
The Nationals Should Definitely Sign Aroldis Chapman!

Aroldis Chapman is on pace to be one of the best ALL – Time Closers in the game. Toting a Career ERA of 2.08 – and a incredible 15.2/Per 9 IP SO rate, this man is about as hard to hit as they come. Entering the 2017 season at just Age 28, I would have no qualms about inking this man to a 6 year deal – worth anywhere from $90 – $100 MIL. He will have a few suitors. With the Nationals having an escalating payroll, this might be the best way to sign one guy to galvanize the team.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
This is an absolutely pivotal year for the Washington Nationals. They have many of their players locked up for 1 – 2 more years, but an escalating payroll also has entered the fray, and now they are in deep trouble to re-sign Bryce Harper when he comes up for Free Agency in 2019.
Looking at the projected player payroll for the current roster – and this franchise sits at about $155 MIL in 2017. They have some maneuvers they could pull off to take the money down slightly.
I would start with trading Gio Gonzalez to free up $12 MIL. This guy is the #4 or #5 at best. Yes we have seen lesser pitchers like Andrew Cashner sign a deal for one year at $10 MIL with the Rangers, however that has more to do with the Texas depth.
By dealing Gonzalez. the Nationals still would have a rotation of Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Tanner Roark, Joe Ross and Lucas Giolito, with Reynaldo Lopez and A.J. Cole likely seeing some action first out of the “Taxi squad.”
Quite simply put, the Nationals are extremely talented with 2 pitchers that could win the Cy Young (Scherzer who won it in 2016 and Strasburg, who could have won it had they given out an award at the ALL – Star Break) and up to 3 players that would be listed among the top 15 NL MVP favorites (Harper, Daniel Murphy and Trea Turner), but they do possess a few holes with losing Wilson Ramos and Mar Melancon off the end of the year Roster.
I fully think they should shore up their Late Inning work by signing Aroldis Chapman to whatever he wants this winter. Read the rest of this entry
Washington Nationals: 2016 Could’ve Been Different if the Winter Went How They Expected
With less than three weeks to go in the regular season, the Washington Nationals are all but assured their third National League East title since 2012. One has to wonder how this year would’ve gone if the offseason went as planned for general manager Mike Rizzo and his front office, though.
Rizzo made an appearance on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight podcast with Buster Olney earlier this week to talk about his club in advance of October. No conversation in 2016 about the Nats is complete without singing the praises of two influential people: manager Dusty Baker and second baseman Daniel Murphy.
They have truly been difference makers for this club, who owns a 87-59 record as they travel to face the Atlanta Braves this weekend. Rizzo didn’t hide how he felt about their contributions this year, referring to Baker as the NL Manager of the Year and Murphy as the NL MVP.
Even if they don’t take home hardware come November, it’s hard to fault Rizzo for feeling this way. It’s just ironic because neither of them were Washington’s first choice when it came to filling their jobs last winter.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – April 25, 2016

Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Why is there controversy about “the neighborhood play”? How can someone be against calling someone safe if the second baseman doesn’t touch the bag?
Also a listener sends me into a self esteem spiral and a wild day of baseball was experienced by all.
It is a “close enough” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Anthony Rizzo, Steven Souza Jr, Stephen Strasburg, Yordano Ventura, Paul Goldschmidt, Matt Boyd and Eduardo Nunez all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.
See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – April 5, 2016

Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Read between the lines of Chip Hale’s rant. He knows the Diamondbacks can’t afford to lose a lot of games to the Rockies, especially with Zack Greinke on the mound.
It is a “They all Count” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast
Trevor Story, Clayton Kershaw, Mark Trumbo, Cole Hamels, Adonis Garcia, Jeremy Hellickson, Kevin Kiermaier and Felix Hernandez all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball
Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Be The 1st MLB Manager Fired In 2016: Who Is On The Hotseat?
Hunter Stokes (MLB Reports Part Owner – Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Every year there are certain managers that have a ton of pressure to win. This is always a tough process to think of who will be nixed first.
On one hand, many clubs that should be in contention for the playoffs will see an axe come to their tenure, however sometimes clubs are so bad record wise (even though they were projected to be) that the franchise will just slay the field general in the name of mercy.
As far as under the gun goes. guys like Brad Ausmus, John Farrell and John Gibbons. are tops on the list.
Ausmus doesn’t have a track record of any postseason series wins like the latter two here, so he is going to be the #1 favorite out of this group of skippers that could go fast with playoff aspirations if their team struggles out of the starting block.
Gibbons did a great job with Toronto in 2015, but a slow start would really put his name on the block. Say if they are 6 or 7 games behind the playoff bar near Memorial Day.
Farrell has put up back to back 5th place finishes in the AL East after winning the World Series Title in his 1st year of being the skipper in 2013.
Then there is a perennial bad losing club that have long tenured coaches like Walt Weiss and Robin Ventura. I am not sure they should not have been shown the door following last years campaigns.
Weiss has losing years for every year under his belt, and Ventura rode out 2013 with his late season collapse, but his club has underachieved in every other year.
Still the two most managers on the hot seat are Fredi Gonzalez of the Braves on top of the favorite list at +331, followed by Bryan Price at +441. But I hate putting money on either of these gentlemen with their clubs both being on track to challenge for the worst record in the Majors this year.
Heck, Gonzalez’s predecessor Bobby Cox was the well into his 3rd decade with the “Tomahawk” Choppers when he finally stepped down to a front office job. Gonzalez at least had the Braves in the playoffs in 2012.
Price can’t really be expected to do anything with this anemic Pitching Staff, and all veterans except for Votto may be available for trade at any point.
3 Lessons We Learned During The First Week Of MLB Spring Training
Jen Rainwater (Featured Baseball Writer/Owner – www.bbstmlb.com) Follow @OakAsSockGrl
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
With one week of spring training in the books, here are the top three things we learned.
It’s’ the beginning of a new season. Spring Training began as pitchers and catchers reported late last week and position players started to arrive early on this week.
Of course there are going to be at least a few interesting situations that will go down in this first week or two of Spring Training.
It happens every year beginning with almost every player declaring “I’m in the best shape of my life” to there being so many new faces on some of the teams that the players literally need to meet one another for the first time.
That was the case for the Oakland Athletics last year after many offseason trades and it appears to be the case in Seattle this season with the Mariners.
New GM Jerry Dipoto turned over more than 40% of the Mariners roster in hopes to improve the team enough that they can compete in what is going to be a very competitive race to win the AL West or at least slide in as one of the two AL Wild Card teams.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 3, 2015
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 – August 8, 2015
Since changing managers in May, the Marlins have the worst record in the National League. If they have a new manager for 2016, who should it be?
Here is one hope that they hire Dusty Baker!
That and my sons get more into A’s Baseball on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sonny Gray, Mike Trout, Chase Anderson, Dexter Fowler, Jimmy Rollins, Nathan Eovaldi, J. D. Martinez and Jordan Zimmermann all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball
The Cincinnati Reds Payroll In 2014 + Contracts Going Forward
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 & Jeff Kleiner (Org Depth + Payroll Expert – find his website here) Follow @prosportsroster
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Reds have all shown up for Spring Training, and the team seems to be in jovial spirits for the most part – except for Brandon Phillips attitude towards the media.
Maybe Follow @datdudebp is upset about the recent news of the Homer Bailey 6 YRs/$105 MIL extension. Perhaps it grates him that Joey Votto starts his 10 YRs/$225 MIL deal in 2014.
Phillips is in the 3rd year of his 6 YRs/$72 MIL contract, he will make $48 MIL between 2014 – 2017, before he hits Free Agency in 2018.
The deal goes $11 MIL, $12 MIL, $13 MIL and $14 MIL for the next four campaigns. Read the rest of this entry
Atlanta Braves Payroll in 2014 + Contracts Going Forward Part 1

It would be one thing if B.J. Upton were the only player on the Braves who had an abysmal season. When you add the injuries and the season of Dan Uggla to Upton worst year of his career, it is actually amazing this team ended with 96 Wins. With the club losing Brian McCann, Paul Maholm and Tim Hudson, they will need Upton and CO. to rebound for the team to contend again in 2014. Upton has to get back to 20/20 years for powers and steals, and at least hit to 85% of his career 3 slash – to justify the contract doled out by the Atlanta Braves. Uggla must correct his vision problems and get back to raking again. These 2 guys are the #2 and #3 paid guys on the squad in 2014 behind Justin Upton.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 & Jeff Kleiner (Org. Depth Chart/Payroll Expert) Follow @prosportsroster
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The ‘Tomahawk Choppers’ have 2 players that are killing them for Free Agent signings this winter.
B.J. Upton is only in the 2nd year of his 5 YRs/$75 MIL – and underachieving Dan Uggla is still on the books for 2 more years.
Between these 2 gentleman, they will bring down $26.25 MIL in 2014. The Braves are hoping for more than under the ‘Mendoza Line’ Batting Averages – and an occasional big fly.
The Braves are also headed to Arbitration with Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward and Craig Kimbrel. This is certainly bound to cost the organization a pretty penny.
In fact, those 3 players will likely exceed the amount of the B.J Upton and Uggla contracts.
Craig Kimbrel 2013 Highlights – Mature Lyrics Parental Guidance Is Advised:
Don Mattingly Would Be Perfect For The Nationals Or Tigers MGR Positions: Dodgers Skipper Is Still In Limbo

Don Mattingly has a Managerial Record of 260 -225 (.536) in his 1st 3 years as Dodgers Skipper. Among the totals in this year – was that he guided the club to a 62 – 30 record during the last 92 Games this year. The Dodgers were knocked out the NLCS Round versus the Cardinals. Mattingly’s $1.4 Vesting Option was picked up by that accord of being in the final 4 this season. The Dodgers are only offering the one year of 2014, and Mattingly believes he has done a great enough job to earn a multi-year deal.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twiter Follow @mlbreports
The Dodgers are making a mistake in not signing Don Mattingly to a multi – year deal. If you actually sit back and think about what he was able to do is a miracle this year.
Matt Kemp was 50% of himself – and also missed half of the year.
Hanley Ramirez played at an MVP caliber for the time he was in there, problem was – missed 74 games.
Carl Crawford was great, but he missed 45 Games.
Yasiel Puig came up – with 60 Games already taken off of the year.
Zack Greinke missed 2 months after Carlos Quentin charged him.
Brandon League was abysmal early as a Closer.
The 3rd base/Shortstop position featured an opening day of Luis Cruz and Justin Sellers.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 22, 2013
The merry go round of managerial openings is in full swing. Will that mean a return of Dusty Baker and Ozzie Guillen? And where will Don Mattingly end up?
And why can’t Kevin Kennedy, Bob Brenly, Willie Randolph nor Chris Chambliss get a job?
It is a managerial focused episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
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The Atlanta Braves State Of The Union – Fall 2013: Part 1

2013 was not an easy road traveled for Atlanta. The Braves suffered so many injuries and set backs this season that I think a lot of us almost forget about the ones that happened earlier on in the year. Johnny Venters never even threw a regular season pitch this year and he has been our premiere set up man. Eric O’Flaherty threw his last pitch somewhere around the middle of May against this very Dodger team at Turner Field.
By Bob McVinua (Special Guest Braves Writer – visit his website here): Follow @tomahawkchop95
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
At the point after Eric O’Flaherty went down, many of us Braves fans began to panic and wonder how Fredi Gonzalez would get the ball to arguably the best closer
in all of baseball Craig Kimbrel. What happened after that? The Braves would still go on to post the best bullpen ERA in all of baseball and on top of that set a franchise record for the same mark.
Jason Heyward missed significant time as did Brian McCann. Freddie Freeman spent a couple of weeks on the disabled list and still drove in over 100 runs on the season.
BJ Upton and Dan Uggla struggled throughout most of the 2013 season and BJ was one of the players expected to make a huge impact when he signed with the Braves this winter and it just never happened.
Other players stepped up and young players assumed roles that were well beyond the original expectations of them in 2013.
No one panicked and no one quit and as a fan I am appreciative of the heart and effort this team always put forth.
The Dodgers Celebrate winning the NLDS Series versus Atlanta (At Turner Field)
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 4, 2013
The Division Series is NOT off to a flying start.
Meanwhile Dusty Baker is no longer the Reds manager. Will Joe Girardi take over?
Those topics and more on today’s Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
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Cardinals’ Wrap Up Division, While Pirates’ & Reds’ Still Have Plenty To Play For

Francisco Liriano has been the best pitcher in the rotation for the Pirates’ this season. He now has the opportunity to send Pittsburgh back to NLDS. Liriano has been making hitters look foolish the whole season, by holding the opposition to a .224 average and left-handed batters can’t touch him with them only managing a .131 average. He loves to pitch at home, where he has an 8-1 mark with an ERA of 1.47. The southpaw handles pressure well by limiting teams to a .233 average with runners in scoring position and two outs. He has faced Cincinnati four times this season and his holding them to a .193 batting average.
By Chris Lacey (Lead Baseball Columnist/Minority Website Owner) Follow @aecanada12
The National League Central has been the most exciting division to watch in baseball this season. There were three teams each with their own strengths and weaknesses vying for one spot.
It was expected that it would take up to the final weekend in baseball to determine the winner of this division. The St.Louis Cardinals just recently wrapped up the division title and are now focusing on trying to finish the season with the best record in the NL.
Pittsburgh Pirates: 2013 Highlights – Parental Guidance Is Advised
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 9, 2013
Today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast focuses on Ohio.
The Browns will probably be eliminated before the Indians, not that anyone in Cleveland is noticing.
Meanwhile the Reds are playing at an unreal level. Is it because of Dusty Baker or in spite of him?
Jay Bruce, Bruce Chen, Michael Wacha and James Loney all owned baseball on September 8, 2013.
To see the up to date tally of “Who Owns Baseball?,” click HERE.
Subscribe on iTunes HERE.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 5, 2013
You know that friend that you have that is getting harder and harder to defend?
For me, that is Dusty Baker.
I talk about the insanity of Mr. Baker today on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
David Ortiz, Matt Adams, Jarrod Parkerand Dillon Geeall owned baseball on September 4, 2013.
To see the up to date tally of “Who Owns Baseball?,” click HERE
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5 Things To Watch About The Reds In The 2nd Half
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Follow @mlbreportsTuesday July 30, 2013

The Cincinnati Reds are trying to make a push for a division title again in 2013 . but injuries have plagued them the entire season. Getting players healthy is going to be a huge factor if they expect to win the division and go deep into the playoffs. The major piece missing is Left Fielder Ryan Ludwick as he has been out since Opening Day with a shoulder injury. The other huge piece that has been missing for much of the season has been . He has been on the shelf three different times with a lagging right lat strain. The Reds look to have him back in late August. The last and final piece that needs to get healthy is the bullpen. Guys have been filling in great but that won’t last forever. Look for Sean Marshall and Jonathon Broxton to come back and help through the rest of the season and the playoffs.
By Ryan Ritchey (MLB Reports Writer): Follow @baseballaddicts
The Cincinnati Reds are five games back of the Cardinals going into play on Thursday.
They won the first two of their series after the ALL-Star Break, taking two of three from the Pittsburgh Pirates and three of four from the San Francisco Giants. But then lost three of four against the Dodgers in LA.
The Reds are playing a three game series with the Padres now and need a sweep going into the weekend with St. Louis coming to town.
Ryan Ludwick 2012 Highlights – Mature Lyrics So Parental Guidance Is Advised:
2 And A Hook Podcast #11: Its All About – How Many Altuves? The ALL – Star Game + Reds Chat
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Follow @mlbreportsFriday, July.19, 2013

A picture put up during a Houston Astros broadcast – helped the movement immensely – photo courtesy of howmanyaltuves.com
‘2 And A Hook’ is an expression from Baseball: ‘Throw the guy 2 Fast balls and then a Hook’ (AKA Curve Ball, Wiggly one, Chair etc..)
By James Acevedo – Host (Podcast Veteran ) Follow @yankeeman1973
Guests On The Show:
Today, my brother Daniel joined me for the show.
We talked to MLB XM Home Plate Radio Host Mike Ferrin (16 Minute Mark and a 22 Minute Segment) Follow @mikeferrinsxm I asked him about the origin in which he and Morgan Ensberg started this ‘phenomenon’ – and their reaction to how it has blown into a huge fanbase for the guy – based on one night that it was all started by the former Astros player Enberg, Ferrin and CO.

Jose Altuve is the shortest man in the MLB at approximately 5 FT 5, but he does not get cheated at the plate with his heavy swings. His big heart and hustle have inspired his own measurement. Go and check out @howmanyaltuves or http://www.howmanyaltuves.com for all of your Home Run (or any measurement for that matter) needs.
Next up was Astros County Writer and http://www.howmanyaltuves.com owner Bryan Trostel (41 Minute Mark and a 18 Minutes Segment) Follow @howmanyaltuves or Follow @The_Batguy We talked about how he joined the ‘Jose Altuve’ Phenomenon, created a twitter account and website surrounding it, and how it has thrived and blossomed over the last 14 months. We even learned the metric conversion for an ‘ALTUVE’. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – June 23, 2013
A new segment is being introduced to The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Every week, I am having the SUNDAY REQUEST. Listeners can request via Twitter (@sullybaseball) and let me know what YOU want to hear.
Richie Devotie (@mrbaseballman) made the first request: He wanted to know my take on the 2013 Cincinnati Reds.
Chein-Ming Wang, Zack Grienke, Victor Martinez and Ryan Howard all owned baseball on June 22, 2013.
To see the up to date tally of “Who Owns Baseball?,” click HERE.
Subscribe on iTunes HERE.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – June 23, 2013
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