@YouTheReader who subscribes, I’m sorry for spamming your email with 4 columns in a week. In fairness, the past few days in sports were content filled. That said, I’m not sorry for being an unapologetic fan of the Yankees & Americans… playing soccer.
This Week’s music for the thematic concept is Just Like Christmas by Low. The song came out in ‘99 but I actually never heard it until the 1st COVID Christmas. I like showing people music they may not have heard so this fits into that category. Two warnings if @YouTheReader ever bothers to give it a listen:
1) It is extremely fast pace and catchy. If you give it a play and put it on repeat you could listen to it 484,605,793 times like I did this past week. C’mon, you know I always have to get into the theme song of the week for this bit.
2) It is not necessarily one of those happy, upbeat, jolly Christmas songs for kids and people at a holiday party. I’m hoping I don’t sell out and have to use one of those Christmas songs like the one Mariah Carey sings until at least Week 14, ‘32 (but we’ll see).
I’d label the song PG-13 because to me it sounds like a Christmas song you can’t relate to until you hit the age where nobody knows what gift to get you. Not that @YouTheReader cares what my favorite gift was as a kid, but it was obviously our family dog named Holly - like the leaf. Looking back now, the second most impactful gift I ever got was a PS2 that came from Santa. I’m sure a ton of @YouTheReaders played one as a kid too, here’s that PS2 Startup Sound that’ll help you remember. One of the video games I got was my first Madden, the ‘02 Daunte Culpepper.
I remember playing the game with two controllers simultaneously. The Jets had lost the AFC Wild Card in Oakland the previous season, so I would always play NY Jets against the Raiders. I would line all the Raiders’ defense up on the other side of where I was running a RB toss with Curtis Martin. My Favorite Martian would always rush for 250+ yards and the Jets always won those games handily. It was fun getting to know the players around the league’s names + where they went to school, how long they were in the league, how highly rated Madden had them, etc. I’m sure I’m not the only @YouTheReader that used to do the same thing when you first started learning about football. Yes, it was a video game, but in other ways, it was like having an encyclopedia of sports statistics and facts. Nowadays every kid grows up with Madden, I wouldn’t be surprised if most kids today could name more current players in the league and who they play for at a higher rate than I could. That said, not too many before my @MainTargetDemographic had this kind of in-depth sports resource at our fingertips.
I write these mini anecdotes for a multitude of reasons. A big one is to relay to @YouTheReaders around my age that my story of how I fell in love with the sports we played and now watch is probably not too different from yours. Obviously, Christmas is really about spending time with family and friends, but 20 years later, just want to again say thanks for the Christmas gift @Santa.
Christmas Tree Update
Uhhh.. yeah…so Dumb and Dumber over here on Willow Ave (@YouTheReader gets to decide who is who, I’m cool with being the latter) put the tree in the stand and lit the bad boy up with colored lights. Still had the white ones up all year for the exposed brick. Then the clock struck 8:15 PM ET so clearly, it was time for Sunday Night Football and the tree didn’t receive water. Long story short, the Christmas Tree wasn’t hydrated for the first ~28 hours in the apartment. @RandomGirlFromTheBar is convinced the tree is dead (and she is usually always right every time). Regardless if @YouTheReader finds this interesting, I’ll keep you updated with this storyline next week.
@NewReaders **thinking** “This guy is talking about his Christmas Tree, why would anybody care about that? Where are the sports? I’m out.” Thank you for the view, come back next week.
World Cup Quarterfinals Preview
Croatia vs. Brazil
Friday, 12/9 at 10 AM ET on FOX
Croatia
Luka Modrić in the ‘18 World Cup was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament. The Croatian captain was a workhorse in that tournament playing the most minutes and running the most miles of any player that stepped on the pitch. Now in ‘22, the 37-year-old isn’t a lock to play all 90 minutes and extra time anymore; so when he was subbed off at the 98th-minute mark in the Round of 16 against Japan, he had to have been wondering if those were his last moments playing in a World Cup game. Croatia beat Japan in penalty kicks, giving Modrić at least one more World Cup game. When asked about reporters about this matchup, he responded, “Of course, Brazil is the favorite. Favorites can also lose.” Modrić knows this Brazil team better than most, as he is currently, or was at one point, teammates with half of Brazil’s starting lineup that played for Real Madrid. (Source: FoxSports)
Brazil
Richarlison is 25 years old and plays for Tottenham. Believe it or not, his cheeky goal against South Korea last round was his second most entertaining goal of the tournament thus far. His bicycle kick goal in group play will likely be the goal of the tournament and made Richarlison an overnight sensation to the point that he gained 4 million followers (Source: @ESPNUK). @YouTheReader if you’re wondering why Brazilian soccer players go by one name, “We don't use the last names. It reflects a trait in the culture that's more personalized. We care about the person, and the person is not the family name. It's who they are” stated a Brazilian Stanford professor (Source: USA Today). Brazil is the only country to have 5 World Cup trophies on display (the most in the world), so I think they earned the right to call their players whatever name they want to.
Netherlands vs. Argentina
Friday, 12/9 at 2 PM ET on FOX
Netherlands
I don’t want to speak out of pocket with the fútbol talk in part because @YouTheReader I’m learning a lot about these guys for the first time as well. Van Dijk reminds me of Rio Ferdinand. Like the former Man United star, the Dutch centre-back (@Americans not a typo) is a do-it-all defender that plays the last line of defense with grace. Van Dijk plays for Liverpool, a powerhouse English Premier League club with elite supporters, second only to Man United supporters (I have no idea if either of those statements is true but I grew up on Roy Keane’s squads. @Liverpool fans please don’t Green Street Hooligans me for saying this). No player has ever won the World Cup, Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup (Credit: @harryatmiller)… Virgil van Dijk will look to be the first, but defeating Messi first will be no small feat.
Argentina
When van Dijk was asked about defending Messi, his take was, “the difficult thing about him is when we are attacking, he is chilling somewhere in a corner or something” (Source ESPNFC). Messi’s inconspicuous tendencies have made him one of the greatest to ever play the game, so why should he stop now? The Argentian lefty forward scored his first World Cup knockout stage goal last game against the Aussies. While we’ll likely see Messi in the States when we host in ‘26, you never know, he’ll be turning 39 years old at that point in time. Then again, sports scientist Simon Brundish did say, “at this point in his career, he’s an aging genius” so what do I know, maybe he’ll play in the World Cup in ‘30 as well.
Marocco vs. Portugal
Saturday, 12/10 at 10 AM ET on FOX
Marocco
Marocco is for sure the biggest surprise team still playing. Their recipe for success has been allowing the least amount of balls to hit the net of any teams still left. They have only given up one goal in their four games. What is even more impressive is that one goal was an own goal, so they technically haven’t allowed the opposition to score yet. Moroccan goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou is the figurehead of their defense. He saved 3 Spanish penalty kicks to get Marocco into the Quarterfinals for the first time in the country’s history.
Portugal
While Marocco may be the Cinderella of this World Cup, Portugal only adds to the fairytale plotline in this matchup because they have a King and Prince of their own. Cristiano Ronaldo, who I’m impartial to over Messi because I grew up watching him on Keane’s United teams, was sent to the bench at the start of the Portuguese-Swiss match. The King of Instagram became the first person to ever reach 500 million followers. While Ronaldo was checking his follower count, Portugal’s coach, Fernando Santos, entered Gonçalo Ramos into the starting 11. Ramos repaid Santos’ bold strategy by scoring a hat trick against Switzerland. Portugal has not yet announced who will start, but most bettors believe the King over the Prince has better odds to give the Cinderella team the kiss of death goal. @YouTheReader idk, just let me riff. I don’t want to do just straight facts with all these, that would get boring for you to read.
England vs. France
Saturday, 12/10 at 2 PM ET on FOX
England
England and France have not met in a World Cup since 1982. They’ve actually only played each other twice, with England winning both matches. In 79 games representing the English, Harry has scored 52 times and assisted on 17. England has not brought the World Cup home since 1966. After making it to the Euro ‘20 Final (that was played in ‘21), this English team’s already high expectations skyrocketed to the highest levels since their Golden Generation of David Beckham, Michael Owen, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville, Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole, and Paul Scholes.
France
The defending World Cup Champions of ‘18 steamrolled the Polish earlier this week. Mbappé is the odds-on favorite to win the Gold Boot, having already scored 5 goals, two more than the seven others in this tournament who have scored three. At only 23 years old, this is Mbappé’s 2nd World Cup. In 11 appearances, he has already scored 9 goals. He already has more World Cup goals than French legends, Thierry Henry (6) and Zinedine Zidane (5). His 2 goals against Poland had him move ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo (8) and tie Messi (9). The overall World Cup career record for goals is held by Germany’s Miroslav Klose who scored 16 spanning 4 World Cup tournaments (Source: Oylmpics - yeah I had no idea they covered things outside the Summer and Winter games either). Even if France loses to England and Mbappé doesn’t score, as long as France qualifies for the next 3 World Cups, at his current goal rate he could tie Klose by the time he is only 33 years old without the French even making out the group stage. He could also just score two goals against the English tomorrow and nearly break the record this World Cup, he has an assassin’s boot.
Week 14 Picks
Warped Logic - Week 14, ‘22
Thursday Nighter
Las Vegas Raiders 16 @ Los Angeles Rams 17
@YouTheReader I did recommend skipping out on this one for a reason. It did feature a nice 4th Quarter comeback by Baker Mayfield though if you’re into that. Mayfield was released by the Panthers out of respect because he was going to be holding the clipboard behind Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker. Good on Baker to show up to LA just two days ago and lead two TD drives running the 2 min offense without any real practice reps with his new offensive line and skill position teammates.
Ben Skowronek had 7 receptions for 89 yards, the most important one coming on the final drive when he went up and high-pointed a ball over two Raider defenders. Thankfully these two nice catches happened because I would have struggled to make GIFs out of the other highlights of this game.
Week 15’s Thursday Night game is the 49ers in Seattle, have me down for 26-17 San Fran.
1 PM Slate
New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills
The Jets last week lost a heartbreaker in Minneapolis and are now on their way to play the Big Bad Buffalo Bills. While Braxton Berrios’ drop in the end zone will likely be the play Jets fans will remember, the entire offense came up just short too often which resulted in 5 field goals. Moving the ball was no issue in Minnesota, as Mike White was able to throw for 369 passing yards with rookie undrafted RB, Zonovan Knight, toting the rock 15 times for 90 yards on the ground. Even with Michael Carter poised at making a return to the lineup this week, Knight should still see double-digit rush attempts as the Jets may have found something in the NC State product. The box score will show two INTs in Mike White’s column, but both balls hit Jets receivers in the hands. Jets WR Garrett Wilson when asked about White, “I’ll go to war for that boy. He’s got something special about him.” It’s time to stop the whole charade that the plan is for Zach Wilson to at some point return to the lineup again this season. This is Mike White’s team now. The Bills have had a long break since playing the Patriots on Dec. 1 and are looking for revenge some Week 9 revenge.
Prediction: 21-20 NYJ (+9.5 NYJ & Under 44)
Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants
The Giants’ defensive coordinator, Wink Martindale, said that with the Eagles “it’s like they got TO back out there”, in AJ Brown. Yes, I will shamelessly plug Week 6, ‘22 because I made the same rather obvious reference back in October. @JordanVanekDFS Tweeted that AJ Brown against the Defensive Coverage 0/1 (0 meaning the corner has no safety help, 1 meaning the CB has one deep safety usually playing centerfield) ranks 1st in TDs and 4th in receiving yards per route run. The Giants just so happen to play the most Cover 0/1 in the NFL. Either the Giants will deviate from their typical game plan and try something different, or AJ Brown may be in line for back-to-back monster games. Last week against Washington, Saquon Barkley surpassed the 1,000 yards rushing mark for the ‘22 season (the 3rd time he has done so in his NFL career). Last night on NFL Prime Video, OBJ hinted that “I don’t feel like Saquon and I got to do what we were supposed to do.” This comes on the heels of reports that the Cowboys were no longer interested in signing OBJ after his workout. Could it be Jerry Jones saving face in case OBJ was always planning on returning back to NY or is the 30-year-old free agent WR sort of out of options at this point?
Prediction: 23-16 PHI (-6.5 PHI & Under 45)
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers
This week Ravens’ Coach John Harbaugh noted that QB Lamar Jackson will be out “Week to Week” as he’s got a knee. Thank you for the plug Coach Harbaugh, very nice of you. Backup QB, Tyler Huntley, will get the start in place of Jackson. While Huntley may not have the elite extra gear of speed that Lamar Jackson possesses, he still has very good mobility and allows the Ravens to still run most of the playbook as if Jackson was behind center. Before the Steelers’ bye, QB Kenny Pickett had a 1-3 record with 2 passing TDs and 9 turnovers. Post-bye, Pickett has gone 3-1 with 2 passing TDs and zero turnovers (Source: @NFLonCBS). I’m picturing two inexperienced QBs having gutsy performances in an otherwise ugly defensive struggle which is what @YouTheReader probably remembers most about this rivalry.
Prediction: 15-11 PIT (-3 PIT & Under 37)
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals will look to end their 5-game losing streak against Cleveland. Joe Burrow (0-4) has yet to beat the in-state Ohio rival, but having Ja’Marr Chase seamlessly return back to the field last week with 7 catches for 97 receiving yards should only help that cause. That said, Burrow has been sacked 5 times in each of his last two meetings (Week 9, ‘21 & Week 8, ‘22) with the Browns, so keeping him upright will be the main focus for Cincinnati entering this weekend. When asked by reporters if the Browns do something different than most defenses, Joe B said, “they have Myles Garrett, that’s different from everyone else.” In 8 career games vs the Bengals, Garrett has 9 sacks with 2 forced fumbles. In his first game back in nearly a 2-year layoff, Deshaun Watson looked rusty in his Browns’ debut. Unless Watson plays above pedestrian-level football, it’s tough envisioning the Bengals losing 6 in a row to Brownie the Elf.
Prediction: 24-16 CIN (-4.5 CIN & Under 48.5)
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans
There was a scary moment last week when Trevor Lawrence was sacked below the knees. Sunshine getting twisted while tackled looks gruesome, but the second-year signal caller showed toughness by getting back out onto the field following the hit. Lawrence has not practiced this week (he has a foot) but plans on playing Sunday. (Source: CBS Sports). Derrick Henry is the Titan’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award and called it a great honor. Last week, King Henry had his worst game of the year in which he only had 11 carries for 30 rushing yards. In 11 career games against the Jaguars, the giant RB has rushed for 1,143 rushing yards and 14 rushing TDs. I would expect Mike Vrabel to try and force-feed Henry from the jump.
Prediction: 22-18 TEN (-3.5 TEN & Under 41.5)
Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions
Viking’s Justin Jefferson took quite a few hits last week and held onto the ball each time. Here is a list of receiving yards per game leaders in NFL history: 5. Michael Thomas (83.8) 4. Antonio Brown (84.2) 3. Calvin Johnson (86.1) 2. Julio Jones (89.3) 1. Justin Jefferson (95.4). Despite the featured GIF, Sauce Gardner actually played pretty well against Jefferson. Kirk Cousins only targeted Jefferson 4 times while Sauce was on him, allowing 2 receptions for only 14 yards (Source: @PickSixSauce). For Detroit, two of their young pass rushers did something that only Myles Garrett has done over the last 20 seasons. This year, Aidan Hutchinson (#2 overall pick in ‘22) and James Houston (6th round pick) joined Garrett in accumulating 3+ sacks in their first 2 career games (Source: @NFLonCBS). I get that Detroit is playing really well of late but they’re still the Lions.
Prediction: 35-30 MIN (-1 MIN & Over 52.5)
Houston Texans @ Dallas Cowboys
For the Texans, you really have to dig deep to find some positives. Their rookie corner, Derek Singley, has allowed the 7th lowest QB rating allowed among NFL rookie CBs (Credit: @Rob_Paul). On offense, Dameon Pierce leads all rookies through Week 13 in most scrimmage yards with 1,026. Another positive is they have the #1 overall pick in the ‘23 NFL draft nearly locked up, so maybe we’ll see someone like Bryce Young bring a jolt of energy to Houston. The Dallas Cowboys on the otherhand are firing on all cylinders. Their defense ranks 1st in sacks with 44, 2nd in pressures with 237, and have allowed the 2nd fewest TDs with only 18 (Source: @PFF). Offensively they can score in a multitude of ways as well. Back up RB Tony Pollard has scored 5 touchdowns of 30 or more yards, Ezekiel Elliott still gets fed enough to hop into the Red Salvation Army Bucket, and Ceedee Lamb is being lined up all over the field - just last game against the Colts all 94 of his yards of scrimmage came from him being in shift/motion (Credit: NextGenStats). Cowboys cakewalk.
Prediction: 31-0 DAL (-17 DAL & Under 45)
4 PM Slate
Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos
All of Kansas City must’ve sat in silence wondering if 1) Patrick Mahomes was okay after Supermaning into the end zone and 2) did the ball crossed the plane? That play was scored through the ground, but in the same game Mahomes threw for his 30th passing TD of the season and 181st passing TD of his career (passing Rich Gannon in the process). The Chief’s QB has played in the NFL from 2017-2022, while Rich Gannon played in the league from 1987-2004. This game in Denver was originally scheduled for Sunday Night Football, but it was flexed due to the Broncos being a brutal prime time watch. The Broncos will still be wearing their alternate navy blue uniforms for this game.
Prediction: 37-9 KC (-9.5 KC & Over 41.5)
Carolina Panthers @ Seattle Seahawks
Geno “they wrote me off but I ain’t write back though” Smith had another great quote when asked if he ever got frustrated during his seven years as a backup QB, “My tough times would be a dream to someone else” (Source: @bcondotta). DK Metcalf is currently on pace for a new career high in targets with a 67% catch rate which would be the best in his career. Thought to be as just an outside WR who could run verticals, this year Metcalf has turned into more a complete WR who’s air yards divided by targets (aDOT) is nearly 2 yards lower than his career average (Source: @4WhomJBellTolls). For @CasualFans all that means is Geno isn’t just chucking it up to Metcalf every so often. DK has learned to run more of the route tree and will now lineup all over the field to create mismatches. On Carolina’s side of things, Sam Darnold is starting so tune in for some “magical sloppiness” as Dan Orlovsky put it or just poor QB mechanics that lead to entertaining turnover football.
Prediction: 25-6 SEA (-5.5 SEA & Under 44)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ San Francisco 49ers
Rumors are flying that Tom Brady’s new girlfriend is @Veronikarajek (I’m not tagging her with a hyperlink because I don’t want a bunch of guys leaving this to check her out). Whether these rumors are true or not, she was in attendance wearing a Brady jersey during his latest 4th Quarter comeback - this last one being on Monday Night Football against the Saints. After his NFC Defensive Player of the Month of November performance where Nick Bosa had 3 sacks in 3 games, Bosa decided he’d start his month of December with 3 sacks in 1 game against the Dolphins. His 14.5 sacks so far this year are only one off from his career high of 15.5 he set just last year. He and Micah Parsons are my clear favorites for Defensive Player of the Year as of today.
Prediction: 12-3 SF (-3.5 SF & Under 37.5)
Prime Time
Sunday Scaries
Miami Dolphins @ Los Angeles Chargers
A QB showdown between the 5th (Tua Tagovailoa) and 6th (Justin Herbert) overall picks in the 2020 NFL Draft. While at the start of their careers, it looked like Miami may have made the wrong decision at 5 overall, Tua this season has certainly bridged the gap. While Herbert has much more pure talent, there is something to be said as to why his team always seems to be trailing in the 4th Quarter running around like a chicken with its head chopped off week in and week out. Yes, Tua may have more talent around him, but his 21-10 career record is much less blemished than Herbert’s 21-23 career record. Please now forget everything I just said as my warped fan logic thinking now has the Chargers taking the lead early on in this game and never relinquishing it.
Prediction: 29-19 LAC (+2 LAC & Under 52.5)
Moody Monday
New England Patriots @ Arizona Cardinals
It is very sad that Mac Jones would curse on Primetime while kids are watching. I’ll do censored @Jomboy lip-reading with my own GIF: “Throw the ball downfield, the short (passing) game sucks.” Maybe Bill Belicheck should have considered hiring an offensive coordinator for his 2nd year QB instead of picking the failed rocket scientist to call plays. This just feels like a boring Primetime Game. Belicheck, with extra scouting time from playing last Thursday night, will probably cook up some unconventional way to double-team DeAndre Hopkins every play and has Kyler Murray running for his life. The Patriots have the worst red-zone offense in football. They’ve only scored touchdowns on 37.5% of the time they are within their opponents’ 20-yard-line; while the Cardinals are the league worst at defending in the red-zone, allowing touchdowns on 68.9% of the time (Credit: @MikeReiss). Something has to give, but I’m banking on offensive woes. Joe Buck may not be able to wake Troy Aikman up from his halftime nap.
Prediction: 10-7 NE (-1.5 NE & Under 43.5)
College Football Playoff
#2 Michigan vs. #3 TCU | Fiesta Bowl | 4 p.m. ET | ESPN | Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022
#1 Georgia vs. #4 Ohio State | Peach Bowl | 8 p.m. | ESPN | Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022
More on the playoff later on in the month. Bowl Games start next weekend. For @CasualFans who’d like to read more about College Football, here’s an Upon Further Review that was posted in early September.
MLB Scorching Furnace
Aaron Judge Re-Signs with the NYY
While the Yankees were always thought to be the favorite to win the Giant Face of Baseball sweepstakes, there were some twists and turns this week that led to him signing on Wednesday morning.
On Tuesday evening, Jon Heyman jumped the gun on a scoop that Aaron Judge was headed to the San Francisco Giants. This incorrect breaking news came on the same day when #99 was named Time’s Athlete of the Year and in his featured article interview Judge stated “I said, in 10 years, I’ll be married to Sam (his high school sweetheart),” says Judge, “and playing for the San Francisco Giants.” Judge smiles. “I was like, that’d better not get out.” (Source: Time Magazine)
It didn’t look so good. As soon as I got home from work Tuesday night, I just started writing about Judge’s time with the Yankees. I basically accepted the fact the Yankees were going to have to embarrassingly close the Chambers section out in the Short Porch in Right. The next morning I woke up to none other than @RandomGirlFromTheBar breaking the Judge re-signing, a much more reliable source than @JonHeyman.
My take on what went down was that Hal Steinbrenner went over GM Brian Cashman’s head on this move. There was no way he was going to let the next Yankee captain leave and Judge never really wanted to play anywhere else, but it is a business, and in all business, money talks. Either an agent like Scott Boras (who has a ton of other free agents waiting on the Judge domino to fall) or Judge’s own camp leaked the rumor to Heyman. Heyman, wanting to be the first to report the news, never confirmed with the Giants that Judge was signing. In the last few MLB offseasons, most of the stars to hit free agency had to wait out the market (Manny Machado and Bryce Harper for instance didn’t sign until February), and Judge (a big players union guy on all accounts) wanted to sign early so other free agents could now get the spotlight well before Christmas. If this theory is correct, then Judge’s camp was extremely savvy at getting Hal on the phone asking how much it would take him to make #99 a Yankee for life. Again, this is my take, I have no real sources and I’m just spitballing. I did tag Judge’s low-profile clever agent on the posts so it would be great if one day I could ask him, but for now, @YouTheReader’s guess is as good as mine.
Some other notable MLB signings since the last MLB Scorching Furnace…
SS Trea Turner (from LAD): 11 years, $300 million with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Turner will once again set the table for former DC teammate Bryce Harper.
SS Xander Bogaerts (from BOS): 11 years, $280 million with the San Diego Padres.
The Padres are fully in win-now mode. This splash will move Tatis Jr. to the outfield.
OF Brandon Nimmo (re-signed): 8 years, $162 million with the New York Mets.
The Mets brought back their leadoff hitter. Nimmo has reached first base at a .385% clip.
OF Masataka Yoshida (from Japan): 5 years, $90 million with the Boston Red Sox.
The left-handed contact bat hit .336 with 21 homers and struck out only 42 strikeouts in 515 plate appearances.
C Willson Contreras (from CHC): 5 years, $87.5 million with the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Cardinals replaced Yadier Molina with a former foe.
SP Jameson Taillon (from NYY): 4 years, $68 million with the Chicago Cubs.
While he may not be an ace, he is a quality #3 in a rotation.
1B Josh Bell (from SD): 2 years, $33 million with the Cleveland Guardians.
Switching-hitter who should provide much-needed pop to the Tribes’ meat of the batting order.
RP Kenley Jansen (from ATL): 2 years, $32 million with the Boston Red Sox.
The Sox's biggest weakness was their bullpen. Addressed it by signing the top closer on the market.
SP Jose Quintana (from STL): 2 years, $26 million with the New York Mets.
The veteran southpaw might be a steal after pitching to a 2.93 ERA in ‘22.
RP David Robertson (from PHI): 1 year, $10 million with the New York Mets.
The Mets import the crafty veteran reliever who already has had 2 separate stints with the Yankees.
His or Her Words, Not Mine
We finally got a submission from someone outside the @PrTeam. When I tried doing a mailbag earlier in the year this subscriber was the first to throw out a question in Week 3, ‘22. Let’s see what Dave Thomas from Lake Tahoe has to say…
Dear Tom,
I wrote to you, but you still ain’t calling. I left my cell and my Instagram account - still no follow back. I sent you two letters back in autumn, you must not’ve got ‘em. There probably was a problem at the post office or somethin’. Sometimes I scribble addresses too sloppy when I jot ‘em. But anyways, all good, what’s been up man? I know you probably hear this every day, but I’m your biggest stan. I even got the same Week to Week Notes stenographer notebook you said you bought at CVS. I got a room full of your Instagram Story covers that I printed out and made like posters. Whenever you make them NFTs I’m buying them all. I like the thing you did about Life Advice with Ryen Russillo, that bit was phat. Anyways, I hope you get this man, hit me back. Just to chat.
Truly yours, your biggest fan,
This is Dave
______________________________________________
Hi Dave,
Sorry man, just the last few mailbags that you sent over were NSFW and I want Week to Week Notes to be for anyone with any interest in sports. I got your two letters and don’t worry I have terrible handwriting as well, I can’t even write down NFL team names and score predictions without scribbling at some point. I’m doing pretty well, can’t complain. I really appreciate all @YouTheReaders who take the time out of their busy week to read my work, but I don’t think my Instagram Posts should be hanging on your walls. As for the NFT question, you probably know more about them than I do. I’m not too concerned about that at the moment, I just have fun making them. I think of them more like the Front Pages of the Sports side of Newspapers rather than NFTs, but maybe I’m old-school. Yeah, the Russillo bit was funny but the Week he stopped viewing them I didn’t want to come across as an Internet troll so I stopped tagging him on them. Thanks for contributing this week Dave, just keep whatever you send me on @You_The_Reader or WeekToWeekNotes@gmail.com PG-13 and I’ll be sure to post the unedited version. These are your words, not mine.
We’ll end on that note, at least he let me get my Weekly Peaky Blinder reference in.
YouTube Rabbithole
Madden NFL 2002 PS2 | NY Jets @ Oakland Raiders
Check out this Sunday’s Weekly Debate poll on @You_The_Reader with a question involving Candy Canes…
Are they a Festive Treat (Underrated) or a Liability (Overrated)?
…But we felt so young. It was just like Christmas. It was just like Christmas. It was just like Christmas, It was just like Christmas. It was just like Christmas. It was just like Christmas…