Blog Archives

Sully Baseball Podcast – Talking Ichiro, Musberger and Parrots with my Wife – March 30, 2018

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ESPN – MLB

My wife joined me to watch the Mariners and Indians game…and we discussed parrots, one flap down home run trots, the sexiness of Ichiro, the concept of ugly sexy and the worst calls of Brent Musberger.

Doing the hard hitting analysis on this episode of Sully Baseball.

While we are at it, enjoy the In Memoriam video.

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“Every Day Chucker” – Podcast: Episode #4: MLB Should Go To 154 Games + Recognize All Record Holders From Pre 1961 Again

(Note: I meant to say Joe Dimaggio‘s 56 game hit streak, not Ted Williams in this podcast.  I was talking about the .406 season back in 1941 in this show.)

While the podcast name is still applicable (with full pun intended), due to internet problems and real life issues, my big streak of 3 days in a row with a show ended right there.

I had finished a full podcast but it failed to upload successfully and I lost it outright.  I had even done show #5 (now #4) right after. Yes I could have used that one to make 4 days in a row, but I did not have the time to pound another one out in time for Friday

I am also not sure when I will do my next podcast.  It has been a fun experiment, and I am sure when the mood strikes me next, I now have a platform to use.

Today’s theme was moving the 162 game MLB format each year to 154 Games and keep separate records for both of the totals,

Even with the 8 extra games – many old time records still hold up.  Only Barry Bonds with his 73 bombs in 2001 and Ichiro Suzuki breaking George Sisler‘s 257 hits with 262 in 2004- with Nolan Ryan‘s 383 Strikeouts are the new holders in the last 55 – 56 years.

We could effectively end the steroid era, Or at least have them separate moving forward.

Babe Ruth would be the HR king at 60, although Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire did break the record for that mark much quicker.

Still it would be a true test to see that happen.  It may also extend the LDS rounds to best of 7, and also have enough wiggle room to complete tiebreakers when the season extends by four more off days in 2018.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 10, 2017

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Doug Pensinger/Getty Images North America

There are no Colorado Rockies in the Hall of Fame. I suggested they trade for Ichiro Suzuki to ensure one player will have worn the CR on their hat and made it to Cooperstown.

But Larry Walker and Todd Helton might put a beloved Rockie in the Hall.

It is a Rocky Mountain High episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 27, 2016

SI:  T. Tanuma -

SI: T. Tanuma –

I have often wondered which Negro League players and Cuban stars could have excelled in the big leagues. But what about Sadaharu Oh? What could HE have done in the major leagues?

That and more on today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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Seattle Mariners Showing A Riverboat Gambler Mentality With The Segura Deal: Why Not Covet Chris Carter Next?

The Seattle Mariners at a massive fork in the road for their franchise. The bulk of the roster is right at the peak of their careers, and with the A's and Angels rebuilding. -and perhaps the Rangers taking a step back, GM Jerry DiPoto trading a young SP with a ton of potential in Taijuan Walker, in order to secure the biggest weakness the club suffered down the 2016 season. In landing Jean Segura, the brass is hoping they have found the Leadoff man/Shortstop that will hep the break the longest MLB Playoff Drought currently.

The Seattle Mariners at a massive fork in the road for their franchise. The bulk of the roster is right at the peak of their careers, and with the A’s and Angels rebuilding. -and perhaps the Rangers taking a step back, GM Jerry DiPoto trading a young SP with a ton of potential in Taijuan Walker, in order to secure the biggest weakness the club suffered down the stretch in the 2016 season. In landing Jean Segura, the brass is hoping they have found the Leadoff man/Shortstop that will hep the break the longest MLB Playoff Drought currently.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) 

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i love the Jean Segura trade for the Martiners.  In a deal announced over Thanksgiving, the M’s picked up the 2016 All – Star 2B/SS, along with Mitch Haniger and Zac Curtis  for a return of Ketel Marte and Taijuan Walker.

The real meat of this trade boils down to Segura vs Walker.

I definitely think the SS position was a sore spot for Seattle down the stretch in 2016 – with Marte slumping after a hot start to begin the campaign.

Yes pitching is at a premium in the market place right now, however Walker, now 24, hasn’t delivered to the hype he came into the MLB with – and Seattle had him pegged as the #3 Starter on the Depth Chart, despite Ariel Miranda outperforming him last season.

Segura led the NL with hits in 2016 (203) – and featured a career best .319/.368/.499 – with an astounding 71 XBH (20 HRs, 7 = 3B and 41 Doubles.)  This helped the 26 Year Old tally 102 Runs Scored, while swiping 33 Bases.

Even though projecting a repeat performance out of Segura in 2017 may be a huge stretch, this man posted an incredible overall year and it may be one of the most underrated campaigns for an offensive player in the Majors this past campaign. Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 9, 2016

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Superfan @Cu8sfan asked a bunch of questions, including about sliding into first, Las Vegas and Ichiro Suzuki.

It is a grab bag episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast

Brandon Crawford, Rob Whalen, Devon Travis, Hisashi Iwakuma, Christian Yelich, Tyler Anderson, Michael Fulmer and Logan Forsythe all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.

See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports

Follow Cubs Fan with an 8 on Twitter by clicking HERE.

 

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Who Owned Baseball August 7, 2016 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings

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Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

 

Ichiro Suzuki tripled off the right field wall to become the 30th member of the 3,000 Hit Club. He also walked and scored in Miami’s 10-7 victory in Colorado.

Manny Machado homered in each of the first 3 innings, driving in 7 to help the Orioles clobber the White Sox, 10-2.

Kyle Hendricks kept the A’s scoreless for the first 7 innings and finished with 1 run over 7 1/3, 3 hits and no walks and got the 3-1 win for the Cubs.

James Paxton pitched into the 9th, allowing 1 run over 8 1/3 innings, 1 walk and 5 hits and earned the 3-1 decision for the Mariners over the Angels.

They All Owned Baseball on August 7, 2016.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

In Memoriam Video For all baseball family who have passed since 2015 ASG.

Who Owned Baseball June 27, 2016 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings

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JOE ROBBINS/GETTY IMAGES

Kris Bryant went 5 for 5 with 3 homers, driving in 6 and scoring 4 to lead the Cubs in a wild 11-8 slugfest in Cincinnati.

Jon Gray struck out 8 Blue Jays over 7 innings, walking none and worked around a pair of homers to get the 9-5 victory for Colorado.

Nick Franklin singled, doubled and homered, driving in 5 runs as the Rays snapped their losing streak, 13-7 over Boston.

Danny Duffy pitched 8 innings, allowing 2 runs, walking none and struck out 8 Cardinals batters to earn the 6-2 decision for the Royals.

They all owned baseball on June 27, 2016.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Who Owned Baseball June 26, 2016 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings

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RICH SCHULTZ/GETTY IMAGES

Tyler Duffey did not allow a hit until the 6th and finished with 8 innings, 2 hits, 8 strikeouts and 1 run as the Twins clobbered the Yankees, 7-1.

Jose Fernandez struck out 13 Cubs and allowed just 4 hits and 1 run to earn the 6-1 decision for the red hot Marlins.

Lonnie Chisenhall collected 9 total bases with his 4 hits, including a homer and 3 RBI as the Indians continued to roll, 9-3, in Detroit.

Freddie Freeman reached base 4 times, including a homer and a pair of runs scored in the Braves 5-2 victory over the Mets.

They all owned baseball on June 26, 2016.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Daily Fantasy MLB DFS Picks For DraftKings 6/9/16

P- Gio Gonzalez (vs. Chicago White Sox): $8,900. In 76 career at bats against Gonzalez, the White Sox are batting a cool .197, with one home run, three RBIs, 15 strikeouts, and a .291 OBP. The White Sox offense has struggled recently. In their last seven games, the White Sox are ranked 27th in runs scored (22), 25th in batting average (.210), and 22nd in on base percentage (.303).

 

Based on the Sox recent struggles and Gio’s career success, this should be a good matchup on Thursday. There is a really good chance of rain for this game tomorrow, so check the weather forecast prior to his start. If the game does get postponed, check the “other hot starts” for other options.

 

P- Bartolo Colon (vs. Milwaukee Brewers): $6,900. The pitching match-ups are very limited on Thursday because there are only nine games being played. Colon has been very solid all year, but he won’t put up elite points. Luckily, he is playing the 24th ranked offense in baseball.

 

To view the rest of the picks, click the link below:

 

SEE THE REST OF THE PICKS

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – May 28, 2016

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Getty Images

As Ichiro moves closer to 3,000 hits, I wonder how many hits he can compile if he just keeps playing.

It is a “Let’s Keep Pushing” episode of The The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Josh Donaldson, Michael Fulmer, Aaron Hill, Jacob deGrom, Adam Duvall and Jose Ramirez added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.

See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports

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Who Owned Baseball May 23, 2016 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings

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MARK J. TERRILL/AP

Clayton Kershaw threw a 2 hit complete game shutout for the Dodgers, dominating the Reds, 1-0. (It was razor thin between Kershaw and Cueto. Kershaw’s hit was the lone separation.)

Rich Hill threw 8 shutout innings, striking out 6 Mariners and earned the 5-0 decision for the A’s.

Ichiro Suzuki marched closer to 3,000 hits with another 4 hit day, scoring one and driving in another in Miami’s 7-6 win over the Rays.

Miguel Cabrera reached base 4 times with a double and a pair of homers as the Tigers topped Philadelphia, 5-4.

They all owned baseball on May 23, 2016.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Who Owned Baseball May 21, 2016 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings

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ROB FOLDY/GETTY IMAGES

Ichiro Suzuki reached base 5 times, including 4 hits, now 46 shy of 3,000 and helped the Marlins squeak past Washington, 3-2.

Mookie Betts got three hits, including two homers (one being a grand slam) as the Red Sox stopped the red hot Indians, 9-1.

Mike Leake threw 7 shutout frames, allowing 4 hits and earning the 6-2 decision for the Cardinals over the Diamondbacks.

Michael Fulmer struck out 11 Rays in 7 innings, giving up just 1 run and got the 5-4 win for Detroit.

They all owned baseball on May 21, 2016.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Odds To Win The American League Rookie Of The Year

The American League has some young talent, however about only half of the guys on this list will even break camp with their parent big clubs,and others will be blocked for various reasons -including against each other on their own squads. There is really only one good bet and one bad for entire 15 guy list.

The American League has some young talent, however about only half of the guys on this list will even break camp with their parent big clubs,and others will be blocked for various reasons -including against each other on their own squads. There is really only one good bet and one bad for entire 15 guy list.

Hunter Stokes (MLB Reports Part _Owner – Chief Writer) 

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1st off the Twins have the top 3 players listed for the category in Buxton, Ho-Park and Berrios.

All Minnesota youngsters could make the squad, although Buxton is posting just a .567 OPS  in Spring Training –  after only putting up a .576 OPS in his 129 AB for 2015. He will be given the starting job to either make it or not, after the trade of Aaron Hicks.  Don’t like the favorite status for most of these categories, this will ring true one more time.

Ho-Park has looked solid at the dish so far with a 3 Slash of .283/.306/.543 – with 3 HRs and 13 RBI in his 46 AB, and at 29 years of age – coming over from the KBO, he has years of experience next to his classmates.

Jose Abreu and Ichiro Suzuki both came over as later in life rookies to the Junior Circuit and took the honors  Ho-Park was a beast in Korea – blasting over 50+ HRs in each of the last 2 years there for his club team Nexen.

While you have to temper expectations coming overseas to North America from there, what I love is that the guy improved his numbers in each of the last 5 years.  This bodes well for him in Minny.

With a 4 year deal in his back pocket, Park will and should remain on the big roster based on his early success.

I am not sure he will win the Award, and I am not placing any cabbage on him too, but at least he won’t be subjected to service time restrictions like other rookies. Read the rest of this entry

New York Yankees Need To Go Full Bore To Start 2016: Seek Reinforcements Midway Through If Need Be

The Yankees were almost flawless in their 1st 33 games to start the 2015 campaign. Quick starts by Teixeira and A-Rod fueled the offense, while Miller and Betances did not yield a run in this stretch either. Pineda was 5 - 0, Tanaka was healthy, and their duo of Ellsbury and Gardner were hitting north of .300

The Yankees were almost flawless in their 1st 33 games to start the 2015 campaign. Quick starts by Teixeira and A-Rod fueled the offense, while Miller and Betances did not yield a run in this stretch either. Pineda was 5 – 0, Tanaka was healthy, and their duo of Ellsbury and Gardner were hitting north of .300.  The club was able to coast for the last 129 games of the year when injuries and age caught up to them.  Considering they spent no real money in the winter, they should go for bore early in the season, and then bring in a boatload of people late via trade  to compensate for injuries that will probably occur to their roster.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) 

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On May.11, 2015 – the New York Yankees had just finished an 11 – 5 drubbing of the Tampa Bay Rays – and this led to a record of 21 – 12 to start their first 33 games.  It would be important on so many levels in completing the campaign.

You see – in the next 129 games the club would go just 66 – 63 to secure the 1st Wild Card Berth.

Mark Teixeira had clubbed 11 HRs over the wall with 27 RBI.  Alex Rodriguez had 8 big fly’s with many of them giving the Bronx Bombers a shot in the arm for victory.

Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances both had not yielded a run to that point. Michael Pineda was a brilliant 5 – 0, and that was about the time that Masahiro Tanaka began having health issues.

You throw in Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner both hitting well over .300 – and it was easy to see how the Pinstripers had taken off to a great start. Read the rest of this entry

Bold Predictions For The 2016 MLB Year

a bold predictions

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) 

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Every year we do an article called “Bold Predictions”.  I love this concept as most of these ideas are so preposterous that none of them will actually happen.  I liken it to the “Riverboat Gambler Theory” where you can really get rich quick if it were to come to fruition.

There may not be too many secrets in the National League where the clubs seems to be either really good or really bad.  The American League has a lot more parity.

I suppose I could start off by saying that the NL would win the Interleague series versus the AL, but that it is probably not going to happen based on a 12 year losing streak. Read the rest of this entry

New York Yankees State Of The Union For 2016

The 2015 New York started off extremely strong at 21 - 12, before they finished the last 129 Games at just 66 - 63. With surprising years from Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira, the club still made the Wild Card Game with 87 wins. The club has done a couple of nice winter moves in picking up Starlin Castro and Aaron, however the Bullpen is weaker, and the Starting Rotation has many health concerns. New York will need to address those before the season opener.

The 2015 New York Yankees started off extremely strong at 21 – 12, before they finished the last 129 Games at just 66 – 63. With surprising years from Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira, the club still hosted the Wild Card Game with 87 wins. The club has done a couple of nice winter moves in picking up Starlin Castro and Aaron Hicks for backup players, however the Bullpen is weaker, and the Starting Rotation has many health concerns. New York will need to address those before the season opener.

Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead  Analyst) 

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Okay so one of the things that happens when you own a website is you lose some of the hardcore enthusiasm for the team you love the most.  This is my story with he Yankees.  Don’t get me wrong, they are still my favorite club, it is just I cover all 30 MLB teams a lot more than I used to.

Having said this, I have been railing on the Yankees for a long time on how they have conducted themselves.  I traced it back to 2014, when they could have reset the Luxury Tax Threshold by trading Ichiro Suzuki, Hiroki Kuroda and Brett Gardner at the Deadline.

Instead, the club went for a half ass attempt to make the playoffs with Derek Jeter in his last season as Shortstop.

I do give Brian Cashman some credit in 2015 for the club making the postseason.  I maintain that his building of the team was still flawed.

Bullpen withstanding, he has known his Starting Pitching situation has been in health peril since  Masahiro Tanaka was diagnosed with a UCL injury in July of 2014.

Joe Girardi squeezed every ounce of the Veteran Lineup that he could last year.  Who would have predicted the squad would have had 30+ Homer years from Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira?

That helped the club jump out to a fantastic start, and then coasted with a .500 record for the last 4 plus months to the 1st playoff Wild Card spot.  They lost to the Houston Astros in that game at Yankee Stadium.

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Miami Marlins State Of The Union For 2016

The Miami Marlins have not had a winning season since finishing 87 - 75 in 2009. With some deft maneuvers and the right allocation of team salary - this club could contend in the NL East with Atlanta and Philadelphia both rebuilding. With a suspect ownership group I am not sure they will be bolster the club any bit.

The Miami Marlins have not had a winning season since finishing 87 – 75 in 2009. With some deft maneuvers and the right allocation of team salary – this club could contend in the NL East with Atlanta and Philadelphia both rebuilding for the next couple of years. With a suspect ownership group I am not sure they will be bolster the club any bit – which would waste away the great value they have with their players currently with Fernandez, Stanton and Gordon.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) 

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Just what the hell are the Marlins up to this winter?  Talk about a team that has done relatively nothing.  I understand that the market isn’t the greatest however you have Jose Fernandez and Giancarlo Stanton at a ridiculous value.

This club should be spending as much money as humanly possible right now to go for it.  The Braves and Phillies are down and rebuilding – and even Washington doesn’t seem as formidable as they have in previous years.

There was so much hype after signing Stanton long-term last season that has all dissipated within the last 12 months.

The management also turned out one of the better trades last year in picking up NL Batting Champion Dee Gordon for Andrew Heaney as the best players of the deal. Read the rest of this entry

MLB 162 Game Format Should Be Changed To 154 Games: More Interleague + Less Division Games

For 80 years of their existence, the MLB played a 154 Game Schedule. By going back to this number of games it would ensure that no World Series may be played in November, and would give the league an alternative or two in changing the playoff format if need be. You could also revert the record book back to a 154 Games - and have Babe Ruth being the single season leader all time for HRs at 60. You can effectively rub out the steroid era.

For 80 years of their existence, the MLB played a 154 Game Schedule. By going back to this number of games it would ensure that no World Series may be played in November, and would give the league an alternative or two in changing the playoff format if need be. You could also revert the record book back to a 154 Games – and have Babe Ruth being the single season leader all time for HRs at 60. You can effectively rub out the steroid era.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) 

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TV Contracts aside, this will never happen.  But baseball should really grandfather in the schedule to be peeled back to 154 Games from the end of the contract of the last year on a deal with a network right now.

So why go to 154 Games?

Gone are the days when clubs sell out every single game.  Fenway Park and Citizens Bank Park both went through huge consecutive sellout steaks in recent vintage.  But recently there are not any clubs that sellout every game for a given year.

Each MLB club could easily withdraw 4 home dates on the calendar each.  I am of the opinion that most teams would not suffer many losses at the gate either. Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 20, 2015

 H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports/US PRESSWIR

H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports/US PRESSWIRE

Josh Donaldson was a deserving MVP, but could the A’s wind up looking good in the long run? They had better hope so.

Plus the combination of Bryce Harper and Mike Trout is unique… maybe even historic.

It is a very valuable episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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Seattle Is Poised For 2015 Dominance: But Off To A Slow Start

 

Seattle was everyone's pick to win the American League it seemed. A slow start mirrored the beginning of the 2014 season as well.  There are some outliers though, as they spent 10 of their 1st 13 games on the road.  The club has looked a lot better of the last week. included in that were awesome starts by Felix Hernandez.  Nelson Cruz has also picked up where he left off in 2014, with an MLB leading 9 HRs and 18 RBI in the teams first 16 games.

Seattle was everyone’s pick to win the American League it seemed. A slow start mirrored the beginning of the 2014 season as well. There are some outliers though, as they spent 10 of their 1st 13 games on the road. The club has looked a lot better of the last week. included in that were awesome starts by Felix Hernandez. Nelson Cruz has also picked up where he left off in 2014, with an MLB leading 9 HRs and 18 RBI in the teams first 16 games.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer)

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Forgive me for a second while I didn’t lose sleep on the Mariners losing Chris Taylor for some time early this year  I actually think that Brad Miller may have a chance to breakout this year.

But more importantly Seattle had themselves a great offseason.  Yes.. you read that right.  I am endorsing Jack Z. for a job well done, even though he saw fit to sign Endy Chavez and Franklin Gutierrez for yet one more year.  But since the club is full with depth, I am hoping the guys wont be counted on.

Last year the club had to start the year without Hisashi Iwakuma, James Paxton and Taijuan Walker for the majority of the 1st half, and while Paxton has still been bothered my a flexor strain early in the year, his arsenal speaks to the of an ace. Read the rest of this entry

If ‘Cash’ Was Handled Right – The Yankees Could Get 2015 Payroll Under The Luxury Tax This Year

A few years ago, the Yankees were trying to get under the Luxury Tax Threshold just a few years ago, before they dished out $175 MIL over 7 years to Masahiro Tanaka.  Despite that, the club could have opted to get under last July by trading Kuroda, Suzuki and Gardner near the Deadline, instead of going for an ill-advised run at the playoffs.  At an estimated $211 MIL team salary so far, there are options to drop the mark under the limit yet again if the club struggles.  Should they not take advantage this time, they are completely dumb beyond recognition.

A few years ago, the Yankees were trying to get under the Luxury Tax Threshold just a few years ago, before they dished out $175 MIL over 7 years to Masahiro Tanaka. Despite that, the club could have opted to get under last July by trading Kuroda, Suzuki and Gardner near the Deadline, instead of going for an ill-advised run at the playoffs. At an estimated $211 MIL team salary so far, there are options to drop the mark under the limit yet again if the club struggles. Should they not take advantage this time, they are completely dumb beyond recognition.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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Losing out on Yoan Moncada Sweepstakes

The Yankees fans let out a collective groan. but the cost of Yoan Moncada would be even more money than his $31.5 MIL signing bonus – and additional $31.5 MIL penalty.  How about tacking on another $15.75 MIL for part of their $50% Luxury Tax Penalty?

I agree with the Yankees not wanting to shell out nearly $80 MIL for an unproven teenager.  There are a numerous of examples of can’t miss prospects that won’t pan out.

The Yankees are estimated to have a payroll of near $221 MIL.  But the actual AAV is a little higher with the length of term bringing up the overall mark.  Alex Rodriguez makes $21 MIL in 2015, but he 10 year pact, was for an AAV of $27.5 MIL overall, so that is the number that brings up the clip.

If the Yankees are on pace to have spent $215 MIL in 2015, so  by July, that means they would have put out about $105 MIL at the ALL-Star Break.  This gives about $84 MIL worth of room, but you must take off around $27 MIL to fall under the limit.

For a Year to Year Breakdown For all of the Yankees players please visit here.

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An 154 MLB Game Schedule Makes A lot Of Sense – Even For Separating The Record Books

Major League Baseball used to run on a 154 game schedule before 1961  In that year, the American League added two new franchises in expansion, with the Caliornia Angels and the Washington Senators.  The National League played one more season with the 154 games mark before they also converted to the new 162 game season.

Major League Baseball used to run on a 154 game schedule before 1961 In that year, the American League added two new franchises in expansion, with the California Angels and the Washington Senators. The National League played one more season with the 154 games mark before they also converted to the new 162 game season in the 1962 campaign.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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Nice Idea, Doubt It will happen anytime soon though

I have been a longtime advocate of a 154 game schedule. I believe you could draw back the clock and have an official record book for the 162 game schedule and also the 154 ame schedule.  Guess what that would do?  Set back the single season HR mark to 60 by Babe Ruth in 1927 again.

The idea has lots of merit at its starting point, but a lot of the big market clubs like New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, LA Dodgers, Philadelphia Philies, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and LA Angels would hate voting for this for sure, as it would cut into revenue’s based largely on attendance alone, but for the other clubs I could see them not dropping by much in attendance at all aggregate for the whole lump sum of a year.

I think it would only work if they increased the Post Season to a bet of 7 LDS Round once the Wild Card Winners were determined. Read the rest of this entry

Ichiro Suzuki Maybe Older, But He Is a Perfect 4th OF/PH

a a ichiro suzuki-3

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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Okay so Ichiro Suzuki doesn’t possess as much speed as he once did, or even hit .320 like he routinely did for the Mariners.  Plus yes, there is virtually no power…however he hit .284 last season, and for a 4th OF or Pinch Hitter in the Senior Circuit, that would be much likened.

I was sitting there last month debating on whether the Mariners should give him a call for a return to Seattle, considering they tried signing   Franklin Gutierrez (hurt all of 2014, which was the biggest waste of a $MIL ever by M’s mgmt – considering the guy already burned the squad for 120 games missed in 2013) and employed friggin Endy Chavez for much of the 2014 year.

I am giving Jack Z. and the Mariners some chops for picking up Justin Ruggiano and Seth Smith instead in the last 30 days, but the point was, Ichiro may not have wanted to return to the PAC NW anyway even though he could have helped that club as they were constructed then.

Have you seen some of the 4th OF and PH that still have jobs in the Majors?  Heck yeah… give me a guy who can put the bat on the ball still.

Suzuki is a great contact hitter even at his age, and he will likely see some AB roaming the outfield for the Marlins this year.  I love Giancarlo Stanton, but it is not like he ever plays 162 games straight on the diamond. Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 24, 2015

 (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Deflated footballs show how being hateful can be fun in sports if it is about something silly.

Ryan Vogelsong loves the home cooking of San Francisco and Ichiro goes for 3,000 in Miami.

That and more on the new episode The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

 

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The Evil Empire Is About To Crumble In The Bronx!

With almost $100 MIL tied  up in contracts for Sabathia, A-Rod, Teixeira and  a potential Tommy John Surgery candidate in Masahiro Tanaka, this New York squad is in some deep trouble for next season.  Despite the recent playoff misses, and injury prone players brought in by Brian Cashman, the club saw fit to grant him a 3 year extension last month.  It may take a small miracle for them to make a playoff spot next campaign..

With almost $100 MIL tied up in contracts for Sabathia, A-Rod, Teixeira and a potential Tommy John Surgery candidate in Masahiro Tanaka, this New York squad is in some deep trouble for next season. Despite the recent playoff misses, and injury prone players brought in by Brian Cashman, the club saw fit to grant him a 3 year extension last month. It may take a small miracle for them to make a playoff spot next campaign.

The Evil Empire Is About To Crumble In The Bronx!

Jordan Gluck (Featured Writer): 

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The Yankees have long used the prolong success of the “core four” to drive them to go far in the playoffs. They then surrounded them by free agents and other homegrown players.

Today the Yankees are in some trouble and if they aren’t smart this offseason they will remain hampered by large contracts for a long time instead of a quick retool to be VERY competitive in two years.

Let me show you what I’m talking about

Here is their Starting lineup and their ages:

LF Brett Gardner 31
3B/2B Martin Prado 31   
CF Jacoby Ellsbury 31
C Brian McCann 30
RF Carlos Beltran 37
1B Mark Teixeira 34
DH Alex Rodriguez 39
2B Robert Refsnyder 23 (Or acquisition at 3B, Prado plays 2B)
SS Brendan Ryan 32

Not exactly Spring chickens over there. The only player under 30 is one that will almost absolutely be replaced by someone who is most likely over 30. This at this moment isn’t exactly a star studded lineup, but the way that their being paid might make it seem that way. Read the rest of this entry

As Of Right Now – The Yankees Are A Mess For 2015: End Of The Year ‘State Of The Union’

With almost $100 MIL tied  up in contracts for Sabathia, A-Rod, Teixeira and  a potential Tommy John Surgery candidate in Masahiro Tanaka, this New York squad is in some deep trouble for next season.  Despite the recent playoff misses, and injury prone players brought in by Brian Cashman, the club saw fit to grant him a 3 year extension last week

With almost $100 MIL tied up in contracts for Sabathia, A-Rod, Teixeira and a potential Tommy John Surgery candidate in Masahiro Tanaka, this New York squad is in some deep trouble for next season. Despite the recent playoff misses, and injury prone players brought in by Brian Cashman, the club saw fit to grant him a 3 year extension last week

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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Let me get this straight…The ‘Bronx Bombers’ have missed the playoff for 2 years straight and no one has lost their jobs?  Man how times have changed in Yankees land.

If George Steinbrenner were alive still right now, the twitter and social media world would be trending his name for all of October.

Since when is it acceptable to miss the playoffs, underachieve and spend to the best payroll in the American League?

Firing Kevin Long is not going to solve the hit crisis the club has.

Before any of you throw daggers at our site, we have had this stance for a couple of years now.

The 1st mistake was to not get under the Luxury Tax Threshold this season.  That was soon followed by inking Brett Gardner to a 4 Year Deal, when you have such a similar player in the Outfield like Jacoby Ellsbury. Read the rest of this entry

Even With The Awesome Farewell To Jeter, There Are Others Who Are Hanging Up The Cleats This Year

Paul Konerko announced that the 2014 season will be his last. Konerko has 439 career HR, 1412 RBI, and 6 All Star appearances in his 18 year career. What will most likely not be a HOF career, will certainly go down as one of the best in White Sox history. Konerko was the direct replacement for Frank Thomas.  Konerko is only 16 HRs behind Thomas for the White Sox franchise record.  While he will not reach that mark, his role may increase now with some DH AB.  Konerko, now 38, was a 1998 trade acquisition - with OF Mike Cameron going back the other way.  while Cameron was a nice Major Leaguer in his time.  Konerko should have his number retired by the club, and is the current active leader for HRs hit for just one team.

Paul Konerko announced that the 2014 season will be his last. Konerko has 439 career HR, 1412 RBI, and 6 All Star appearances in his 18 year career. What will most likely not be a HOF career, will certainly go down as one of the best in White Sox history. Konerko was the direct replacement for Frank Thomas.He is only 16 HRs behind Thomas for the White Sox franchise record. Konerko, now 38, was a 1998 trade acquisition – with OF Mike Cameron going back the other way. while Cameron was a nice Major Leaguer in his time. Konerko should have his number retired by the club, and is the 2nd active leader for HRs hit for just one team.(432 HRs) to Albert Pujols (having hit 445 HRs with STL).  His 3 Slash Line for his career is .279/.354/.487 – and he has collected 2340 hits.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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1st off, mad respect to Derek Jeter, for giving everyone a last night to remember on Thursday.  He embodied what a class act superstar should be his whole career.

The MLB world is fully justified to praise him as much as they want. So the ‘hater’s’ will just have to suffer.

I am happy to see a lot of our brethren of website writers all chime in some of the other guys hanging them up too.

Paul Konerko is about us unheralded as their is for a near Hall of Famer these. days.  He is second actively when it comes to HRs for a select team, with his total of 432 bombs for the White Sox.  Only Albert Pujols‘s 445 HRs for the Cards is more.

Only David Ortiz has hit over 400 HRs for one active team besides Pujols and Konerko..

It is only too bad, that the big 2005 World Champion, saw a lot of his power evaporate before he passed Frank Thomas‘s career mark of 448 big fly’s for the franchise.

Still, #14 will be missed, and I definitely will be watching on my computer, with it being “Paul Konerko Day” today (Saturday Sept.27th) at Us Cellular Field. Read the rest of this entry

Ichiro Suzuki Is Closer To Setting The ALL-Time Professional Hits Record: Provided He Keeps Playing

Ichiro Suzuki fashioned 10 straight 200 hit campaigns to start his career, tying Pete Rose for the most 200 Hit season ALL-Time, and setting the most consecutive years with the feat. He may only be a .270 - .280 hitter now as a 4th OF, but he still plays decent defense, and makes nice contact.  Suzuki is about a full year of AB away from setting the professional hits record.  He is a Free Agent after this year. and at 40, he may have a few years left to offer a club.

Ichiro Suzuki fashioned 10 straight 200 hit campaigns to start his career (2001 – 2010), tying Pete Rose for the most 200 Hit seasons ALL-Time, and setting the most consecutive years with the feat. He may only be a .270 – .280 hitter now as a 4th OF, but he still plays decent defense, and makes nice contact. Suzuki is about a full season of AB’s away from setting the professional hits record. He is a Free Agent after this year, and at 40, he may have a few campaigns left to offer a club.  His 2841 Career Hits come during what will end in 2014, as his 14th year only in the MLB.

Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead  Analyst) 

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He is not receiving the kind of fanfare that Derek Jeter is this year, (although maybe he would if he was retiring too and had announced it), by Ichiro Suzuki has put forth a decent year in 2014.

His .284/.323/.338 Slash Line is not something to write home about, but he is a nice 3A Outfielder on a club that has seen its fair share of injuries.

Heading into the last 4 games of the year, the 10 time 200 hit man, has 99 hits on the season, thus giving him 2841 Hits in his MLB Lifetime.

After Derek Jeter retires this year. Ichiro will be 2nd in active total hits to Alex Rodriguez. Read the rest of this entry

Stop Praising The Yankees For 2014! + Someone Should Be Held Accountable For This Disaster!

The Yankees can't stop themselves from spending!!  A self-imposed cap of under $189 MIL was shot when injuries began to mount.  The club should have packed it in for the year, with nothing but a hope and a prayer. Now because they couldn't fall under the Salary Tax Threshold, it will take a miracle to reach underneath this mark before the 2016 CBA.  Welcome to financial hell Yanks, and your team is old - and have no Starting Pitcher's above the #5 slot to begin 2015, and your payroll is already nearing $200 MIL.

The Yankees can’t stop themselves from spending!! A self-imposed cap of under $189 MIL was shot when injuries began to mount. The club should have packed it in for the year, traded veterans near the deadline, with nothing but a hope and a prayer to make the playoffs. Now because they couldn’t fall under the Salary Tax Threshold, it will take a miracle to reach underneath this mark before the 2016 CBA. Welcome to financial hell Yanks, and your team is old – and have no Starting Pitcher’s likely above the #5 slot to begin the 2015 season currently on your 40 man roster under contract, and your payroll is already nearing $175 MIL on just 17 players as it is.  Despite all of this, the Yankees are set to offer Cashman an extension?  Are they for real?

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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I am sick and tired of hearing all this praise being bestowed on Brian Cashman for the job he is done.

I will not lump Joe Girardi into this conversation,  Heck, he has done a great job manipulating the roster he has been given.  With the amount of  injuries (which happens to old players – hello!) the Yanks are lucky they are not cellar dwelling with the Red Sox.

Back near the Trade Deadline, Chuck Booth explained the “Pinstripers” were foolish to not take advantage of a seller’s market, giving them the ability to deal some veterans – in order to get under the $189 MIL Luxury Tax Threshold.  They were 47 – 47 at the ALL – Star Break. Read the rest of this entry

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