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Brandon Tierney & Sal Licata
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BT & Sal unleash a fiery Yankees offseason demand: Cody Bellinger is a "must-sign" that the team cannot afford to miss, arguing they must abandon "fair market value" and aggressively "load up." They dissect potential trades for Steven Kwan and Alex Bregman and float the nuclear option of trading Carlos Rodón.
The Mets side of the Hot Stove is equally hot with a shocking report that Brandon Nimmo is being "spitballed" as a trade piece, signaling a massive philosophical shift for David Stearns. Sal airs a hilarious personal grievance against Alex Rodriguez, who texts everyone but Sal.
Off the field, the hosts dive into a bizarre celebrity tangent, debating the definition of "swordsman" sparked by Sydney Sweeney drama, and welcome Marlon Wayans to discuss comedy and crushing cancel culture. The show wraps with a brutal assessment of the Jets' upcoming primetime game and a controversial NFL Power Up Ranking that leaves the Chiefs out of the top spots!
BT & Sal ignite a fiery Yankees offseason debate, asserting that securing Cody Bellinger is a "must-sign" that the Yankees cannot afford to whiff on—unlike their approach with Soto. Sal argues they must "stop waiting" for the market and be aggressive. The discussion pivots to ideal trade targets like Steven Kwan (the perfect leadoff hitter) and Alex Bregman, and whether trading Rodón is the creative move the team needs.
Off the field, the guys dive into the news of Sydney Sweeney's movie flopping at the box office, her beef with actress Ruby Rose, and the Eddie Murphy documentary, which sparks a hilarious, winding, and surprisingly academic debate about the proper definition and pronunciation of the word "swordsman."
BT and Sal tear into the Jets' primetime matchup against the Patriots, with BT predicting a "bloodbath" given the team's struggles, while Sal holds out hope for a "competitive" showing to build on the Aaron Glenn era.
In baseball, the hosts turn to the Hot Stove, fiercely debating how the Yankees and Mets must "load up" to compete with the Dodgers' high-spending, star-stockpiling strategy, fueled by the Ohtani deferral model. Sal proposes an aggressive trade: Marté over Chisholm for the Yankees.
Finally, legendary comedian Marlon Wayans joins the show to talk about his return to Scary Movie 6, crushing cancel culture, and why he believes the world desperately needs "no holds barred" comedy like Archie Bunker to bring people together.
BT & Sal ignite the offseason discussion, declaring Cody Bellinger the "linchpin" for the Yankees' success and arguing that both New York teams need to abandon "fair market value" for a necessary, "irrational" approach to win. They dive into a shocking report from Joel Sherman suggesting the Mets are "spitballing" a trade of Brandon Nimmo—a move that could clear salary and upgrade defense, but signals a major philosophical shift for David Stearns.
The focus then pivots to the NFL for their Week 11 Power Up Rankings. Sal shocks by putting the Patriots at No. 5 and leaving the Chiefs out, while BT puts the Patriots at No. 1 due to their consistent winning and coaching, dropping the Chiefs to No. 4. The guys debate whether the Broncos and Rams have done enough to earn top spots, and predict a crushing loss for the Jets against the Patriots tonight.
BT & Sal kick off with a furious post-mortem on the Knicks' loss, with Sal taking aim at coach Mike Brown for leaving Jalen Brunson in late and comparing the heat he'd get to former coach Tom Thibodeau. They pivot to the Yankees, dissecting the long-standing "suck wind" problem of player development that continues to plague the organization.
The show takes a turn as Sal hilariously airs his personal grievance with Alex Rodriguez, revealing he's offended the former slugger texts BT and a mutual colleague, but snubs Sal! The Mets discussion heats up with news that the Orioles are entering the Pete Alonso sweepstakes and a caller raising concerns over the logistical nightmare of Citi Field construction once Steve Cohen gets his casino license. The show wraps with a look at the Jets' hopeless matchup against the Patriots and a fiery call of the day.
Sal vents his fiery frustration over his lack of a texting relationship with Alex Rodriguez, feeling personally snubbed that A-Rod only reaches out to his co-host Brandon Tierney and his podcast partner, Jimmy Traina. He humorously questions what he needs to do to get A-Rod's attention—rip him or kiss up to him—and wonders if A-Rod even likes him.
Tierney provides context, explaining that A-Rod expressed a genuine fondness for Sal but may simply be "Alex" (sincere and normal) with them, rather than "A-Rod" (the guarded public figure). The conversation touches on A-Rod's past, his infamous lie to Mike Francesa on The Fan, and Sal's forgotten bond with A-Rod over being an '86 Mets fan and coincidentally attending the same movie screening.
BT and Sal dive into an explosive report from Joel Sherman suggesting the Mets are "spit-balling" scenarios to trade veteran outfielder Brandon Nimmo. With five years and over $100 million left on his contract, the Mets' motivation is to upgrade a poor defense and gain roster flexibility, even if it means eating some salary. Sal supports moving on from a contract that David Stearns wouldn't have signed, while BT sees it as an "out-of-the-box" move that could define a transformative offseason. The conversation also touches on other potential trade targets, like Ketel Marte, as the guys conclude that no one is untouchable this winter for the new front office.
BT & Sal wrestle with the most challenging power rankings of the season, revealing their "Top 5" teams heading into NFL Week 11. Sal drops the Bills entirely after their embarrassing loss and shockingly places the Patriots at Number 1, praising the team's depth, coaching, and the play of Drake Maye. BT, meanwhile, sticks with the Broncos at his Number 2 spot despite their flaws and slides the Chiefs down to a questionable Number 4 due to their 5-4 record.
The hosts also debate the quiet dominance of the Rams (BT's #3, Sal's #1) and discuss how the Colts and Eagles are separating themselves from the rest of the pack. They highlight the importance of key Week 11 head-to-head matchups, including Chiefs vs. Broncos and Lions vs. Eagles, that will shake up the rankings next week.
BT and Sal get a hilariously fiery interview with comedy legend Marlon Wayans, who unleashes a scorching take on "cancel culture." Wayans argues it's a fear-based illusion fueled by foreign bots and "scared executives," not what real audiences want, and declares his intent to bring back the "equal opportunity offender" laughter of In Living Color with the upcoming 'Scary Movie 6.'
Marlon also opens up about the friendly jealousy among the famous Wayans brothers (and why he was their mother's favorite), reveals his "F these people" pre-show ritual for comedic fearlessness, and debates whether an Archie Bunker-style show could ever survive in today's hypersensitive world.
BT & Sal ignite a fierce debate on how the Yankees and Mets can realistically compete with the Dodgers' powerhouse, star-stockpiling strategy. They argue that both New York teams must stop being "afraid to make mistakes" and aggressively "eat" bad contracts to maintain a competitive edge, just like the Yankees of old.
The conversation centers on the Dodgers' financial model, specifically the Ohtani deferral deal, which Sal calls a "perfect storm" built on a willing star, and question why the Mets and Yankees haven't been as innovative. For the Yankees, they explore bold moves like trading Rodón to make room for an elite arm like Skubal and question the value of trading a top prospect like Lombard for a rental. The bottom line: The Dodgers have raised the bar, and New York must match the intensity and financial bravado.
BT & Sal tackle the grim reality of the Jets' Thursday Night Football matchup against the New England Patriots. Sal expresses a sliver of curiosity about the team's "competitiveness," but the consensus is brutal: the Patriots are one of the NFL's best, and the Jets are one of the worst. They slam the notion of a "momentum" build, pointing out the wins against the Bengals and Browns were due to luck and special teams, not a true team turnaround.
BT says it will be a "bloodbath" and a "mismatch," arguing the bar for the Jets is simply to "not embarrass themselves." He challenges head coach Aaron Glenn to "empty the tank," calling for Uber-aggressive play and trick plays to narrow the overwhelming odds. The hosts also briefly transition to a heated discussion on whether the Yankees should trade Jazz Chisholm for the Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte.
BT & Sal kick off the segment with a fiery, yet hilarious, linguistics lesson on the pronunciation of "sword," with BT's preferred "sword**"** (or "sword") sparking a comical debate about intellect and high-quality literature.
The main discussion shifts to potential Yankees trade targets. The hosts dismantle a trade proposal for Ketel Marte, questioning the high asking price and his history of taking days off. The focus then turns to the "perfect fit": Steven Kwan. Sal argues that the elite, contact-hitting, Gold Glove left fielder is the ideal leadoff hitter the Yankees desperately need, contrasting him with the "analytics war" being waged by Boone and Cashman. Finally, they weigh the risks of signing free agent pitcher Michael King and debate if small, smart moves can round out the roster.
BT & Sal kick off the segment by immediately addressing the viral news surrounding Sydney Sweeney—specifically the disappointing box office flop of her latest movie, with Sal jokingly suggesting their recent interview "helped" the movie sink. They dive into the ensuing drama, including the Ruby Rose feud over the casting and a bizarre segue into the Eddie Murphy GOAT debate.
The conversation pivots sharply back to sports with a fiery Yankees trade suggestion: dumping Carlos Rodón and his hefty contract to free up money for a major free agent acquisition like Shohei Ohtani or Kwang Hyun Kim (a bit of classic Sal hyperbole). The hosts criticize the Yankees' recent lack of "creative" trades, arguing they need to be more aggressive this offseason. The segment concludes with Tierney reluctantly admitting his unique, and incorrect, definition of "swordsman" after a caller brought up an old rumor about a certain sports radio host.
BT & Sal unleash a fiery debate on the Yankees' offseason, arguing the entire success of their winter hinges on re-signing free agent Cody Bellinger. Sal insists the team has "no excuse" to lose Bellinger after already whiffing on Juan Soto last year, demanding the Yankees get aggressive now and exceed the market if necessary. Tierney agrees, noting that losing Bellinger would make their already unclear roster situation "very worrisome."
The hosts also pivot to a bigger picture, asking: "Is Bellinger enough?" They propose bold moves like trading for a true leadoff hitter like Steven Kwan and questioning the Yankees' self-imposed limitation at third base with Ryan McMahon when a proven winner like Alex Bregman is available. They conclude that without Bellinger and further aggressive action, the Yankees risk simply starting the next season with the same flawed team.
BT & Sal demand aggression from David Stearns, urging the Mets to stop playing a waiting game and "call the bluff" with a massive offer to lock up Pete Alonso. They debate if Stearns' "prudent" style fits the Cohen-era pressure.
The guys explode over the rumor that Pirates ace Paul Skenes wants to be a Yankee, arguing New York must give up Clarke Schlittler and "whatever it takes" to acquire the generational arm.
On the gridiron, they dissect the Giants' coaching chaos under Mike Kafka and slam Jets coach Aaron Glenn for his "prick" and "petty" media feuds over injury questions.
Finally, the show features two star interviews: UFC middleweight Bo Nickal discusses his career and mentality, prompting BT to "hammer the bet," and legendary comedian Jay Leno shares unfiltered takes on the Conan O'Brien drama and his famous prank war with David Letterman.
The segment concludes with Three Random Questions (3RQ):
Is it odd to have feelings for a plant or non-living thing?
What's your favorite soup?
Where would you rank Sauce Gardner amongst other sauces?
BT & Sal dive deep into the Mets' offseason strategy, debating whether GM David Stearns can balance his restrained management style with Steve Cohen's massive checkbook. Sal insists the Mets need at least two top-tier starting pitchers and a major offensive change, while Tierney questions Stearns' hesitation on re-signing Pete Alonso, urging an aggressive, take-it-or-leave-it offer. The guys clash with callers over Alonso's value and debate potential free-agent fits like Bregman, Bichette, and Schwarber.
The discussion explodes with an explosive report that Pirates ace Paul Skenes is "hoping for a trade" to the Yankees. The hosts emphatically agree that New York must give up "whatever it takes," including beloved young starter Clarke Schlittler, to acquire the transcendent, under-control superstar pitcher. They argue that Skenes' long-term control makes him the ultimate prize and a transformational trade target.
BT & Sal go off on the Mets' offseason strategy, arguing that the front office is playing a waiting game with Pete Alonso and should "call his bluff" with a massive, immediate offer to lock him up. They dissect David Stearns' "prudent" approach, questioning his ability to build a winner with the immense pressure and payroll of the Cohen era, especially concerning Edwin Diaz's contract demands.
The focus shifts to the Giants' coaching chaos: they debate if the mid-season shake-up, placing Mike Kafka in charge, will provide a true evaluation of Joe Schoen's roster, or if any wins will be a "false representation" of a bad roster/front office.
Plus, the hosts break down the Paul Skenes trade rumors, debating if the Yankees should liquidate their best prospects (Schlittler, Jones, Rice) for the "rock star" ace. Finally, the guys tackle a wild Three Random Questions:
Is it odd to have feelings for a plant or non-living thing? (Tierney loves his Arborvitae!)
What's your favorite soup? (Sal's Italian Wedding vs. BT's despised pea soup!)
Where would you rank Sauce Gardner amongst other sauces? (Hint: he's dropped to the "discount rack"!)
BT & Sal dive into the high-stakes GM meetings, demanding the Mets' front office stop their "penny stock" ways and "Go BIG" to close the gap with the Dodgers. They debate an all-star offseason wishlist—Bellinger, Bregman, Alonso—and whether the Yankees should trade Cam Schlittler for Paul Skenes now.
The temperature spikes as they slam Jets coach Aaron Glenn for his petty and unnecessary feud with the media, calling out his "prick" behavior for deflecting injury questions and questioning his overall "Parcells-lite" strategy.
Finally, UFC Middleweight Bo Nickal joins the studio ahead of his main prelim event at UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden. Nickal discusses overcoming his first career loss, the mentality of a fighter, and why MMA is a more complete sport than boxing. Tierney gets so sold on Nickal's confidence that he vows to "hammer the odds" on his fight!
BT & Sal get fired up after their interview with UFC star Bo Nickal, taking his advice to "hammer the bet" on his upcoming fight. Hof then hilariously attempts to prove he could last ten seconds in the octagon against the wrestling phenomenon.
Next, legendary comedian Jay Leno joins the show to provide unfiltered takes on the current state of late-night, the drama with Conan O'Brien, and his classic prank war with David Letterman (involving a meatball sandwich!). Leno also shares his secret to staying humble outside of the "Beverly Hills Bubble": working on his massive car collection.
Finally, the guys discuss the Saint John's basketball program under Rick Pitino, celebrating the commitment of a top-50 high school guard and breaking down the implications of a report that MLB star Paul Skene's wants to play for the Yankees, bolstering the team's brand.
Legendary comedian Jay Leno joins BT & Sal for a fiery, in-depth conversation on his career and the changing landscape of late-night television. Leno critiques the current state of late night—too many commercials, too much political fighting—and reveals the never-before-heard truth about the Conan O'Brien/NBC debacle, stating the network's incompetence and infighting drove the wedge.
Leno shares priceless stories from his career, including his years-long prank war with David Letterman involving a meatball sandwich, and the unforgettable difference between President Obama arriving to the show in a rental car versus a satellite-proof tent. Finally, he discusses the need for humility and why working on his massive car collection helps him avoid the "Beverly Hills Bubble."




