Claim OwnershipBrandon Tierney & Sal Licata
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After more than a decade on national and local radio with Tiki Barber, Brandon Tierney is turning it up a notch, partnering with Sal Licata for a dynamic duo of NYC natives!
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This week's Yankee highlights include the worry that has fallen over the fanbase after YES Network's Yankee Hot Stove hinted that the Bombers could be out on Cody Bellinger now that Trent Grisham is back on a $22 million salary. Evan says there should be big concerns in the Bronx, while Sal can't believe the mighty Yankees wouldn't be in on the likes of an Edwin Diaz or thought to be willing to spend big on Kyle Tucker.
This week's Mets highlights are full of Devin Williams reactions, from Sal calling it a good move regardless of what happens with Edwin Diaz to Chris McMonigle giving it an incomplete grade, depending on what moves are next. Plus, BT and Sal react to reports of a chilly relationship between Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor, and ponder what the market is for Pete Alonso.
BT & Sal dive into the Mets' fiery offseason, centered on the blockbuster choice: re-sign Pete Alonso (who wants a long-term deal) or replace his power with Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber. Sal loves the idea of pairing Schwarber with Soto and is ready to trade fan favorites to change the team's DNA, putting immense pressure on President David Stearns.
The conversation gets heated over trade targets, with the hosts calling the Tigers "idiots" if they don't move ace pitcher Tarik Skubal now for maximum value. They then shift to NFL Power Rankings for Week 14, where they both exclude traditional top teams and Sal shocks with the Bears at #5. The pressure is on for the Perfect Parlay—will Sal's aggressive 100-point play break his losing streak? The show wraps with wild Vegas stories and the mystery of the stolen baseball cards in the office.
BT & Sal dive deep into the Mets' high-stakes offseason, fueled by rumors linking the team to Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber. The central debate is whether signing Schwarber means Pete Alonso is gone, as the Mets are reportedly holding firm at a three-year contract for the Polar Bear. Sal argues that Schwarber is the only comparable power bat to replace Pete and loves the idea of pairing him with Soto.
They discuss the pressure on President David Stearns to radically change the team's DNA, even if it means sacrificing fan favorites, but note that losing the core makes success mandatory. The conversation also shifts to the desperate search for a center fielder, weighing the high-risk, high-reward proposition of trading for the often-injured Byron Buxton against making a costly play for Cody Bellinger. Sal is open to a four-year deal for Schwarber, which would surely anger a younger Alonso, who wants more money and term.
BT & Sal kick off with weekend plans, discussing the upcoming SantaLand queue and their fascination with the Diddy documentary, before diving into the baseball hot stove. They get fiery over Mets target Tarik Skubal, arguing the Tigers are "idiots" if they don't trade him now for max value, and debate the merits of signing Framber Valdez (a ground ball pitcher) despite the Mets' shaky infield defense. They also briefly touch on the Yankees' minimal offseason moves, the lingering Giannis rumors for the Knicks, and the mystery of who stole Sal's vintage baseball cards from the community area, symbolizing a "nose dive" in office etiquette!
BT & Sal dive into a heated discussion on the New York Jets, with BT's renewed faith in the team's "unkillable" foundation and coach Aaron Glenn leading to a debate on whether Tyrod Taylor is helping develop young talent like Mitchell (00:04:50) despite the losing season. Callers weigh in with fiery takes on the Mets' offseason, urging Steve Cohen to trade for Skubal and move on from Diaz (00:17:52).
The main event is the NFL Power Rankings for Week 14, where both hosts exclude traditional powers like the Bills, Ravens, and Eagles (00:36:31).
Number 1: Both agree on the dominant New England Patriots (00:42:50).
Number 2: Both choose the Los Angeles Rams (00:42:19).
Contention: Sal shocks with the Bears at #5 (00:37:24) and Seahawks at #3 (00:41:29), while BT defends the Packers at #5 (00:36:31), 49ers at #4 (00:38:12), and the Broncos at #3 (00:39:17). They also discuss the tenure clock ticking for the Jets' front office (00:30:32).
BT & Sal dive into a discussion about changing fan loyalties, with Sal questioning his nephew's allegiance to the Rangers despite wearing a Devils jersey, and BT revealing a potential family tie to a Devils star that might force him to convert.
The main event is the Week 14 Perfect Parlay, where the pressure is on: Hof dials back to a three-team parlay despite a tight race, BT wiggles back into contention with a conservative two-team play, and Sal takes a four-team, 100-point shot to catch up, trusting his Colts "due" theory to snap a 10-game losing streak in Jacksonville.
The show concludes with a wild detour into Vegas gambling stories, covering the agony of the "Blackjack Table Bullies," the self-shame of ATM withdrawals, BT's $160,000 side-bet near-miss, and Sal's theory that you play to win, not to have fun. Finally, they give their Players to Watch for the week: Josh Allen and Sam Darnold.
It's Week 14, and the Perfect Parlay competition is heating up! Host Hoff holds a narrow lead, but a streaking BT is right behind him, prompting Sal to go for a high-risk, four-team parlay for 100 points to close the gap.
BT plays it conservative with a two-team parlay, betting the over in the Titans-Browns "dirt game" and backing the Jaguars as home dogs against the Colts. Hoff likes big favorites, smashing the spread with Seattle (-7) and Tampa Bay (-8), while predictably picking Miami over the Jets.
Sal swings for the fences, taking the Raiders (+7.5) as a home dog and backing his Colts (-1.5) to finally snap a 10-game losing streak in Jacksonville! The segment ends with the hosts sharing crazy stories from their gambling past, including BT's near-miss of a $160,000 blackjack payout and their hard-and-fast rules about when to quit the casino ATM line.
BT & Sal dive into the most chaotic power ranking week of the season, fueled by the NFL's "up and down" parity. They agree on one undisputed leader: the New England Patriots ($11-2$ with 10 straight wins) and their impressive quarterback, Drake Maye.The rest of their lists ignite a debate, particularly over the surging Denver Broncos (Sal begrudgingly puts them at #4, BT at #3) and the surprise Chicago Bears (Sal at #5), who BT dismisses as winning with "smoke and mirrors."The discussion covers the Seahawks, the Rams' inexplicable loss to the Panthers, and why perennial contenders like the Bills and Ravens have fallen off both hosts' radar. The consensus: the NFL is unpredictable, making the search for the five best teams harder than ever.
From 'Kickoff with Boomer & Valenti' (subscribe here): Kickoff with Boomer Esiason and Mike Valenti for week 14 in the NFL. The boys go over what happened in week 13. They pick every game against the spread and Boomer hands out his awards for the season.
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BT & Sal kick off a fiery segment by discussing the death of office etiquette after Sal left three boxes of vintage baseball cards (including an '88 Score Mattingly!) in a community area, only for them to vanish without a trace in under two hours. Tierney confesses he, too, swiped a few packs "just in case Santa forgets" but was shocked to find the entire haul—and even the boxes—gone on his return. The hosts rail against the "every man for himself" mentality that dominates the station's communal space.
The discussion pivots to the MLB free-agent market, where Sal details Marc Feinsand's top starting pitcher rankings, including Ranger Suarez, Framber Valdez, and Michael King—all of whom the Mets and Yankees are pursuing. Sal expresses frustration over the Mets missing out on Max Fried last year, arguing that he was a better and more proven "true ace" than the high-priced, potential-based pitchers available now. Tierney highlights the defensive concerns, noting Valdez's extreme ground-ball rate and the Mets' shaky infield defense (especially at 3B/1B).
BT & Sal go off on the Detroit Tigers' hesitation to trade ace left-hander Tarik Skubal, arguing the team would be "idiots" to risk losing him for nothing when his value is at its absolute peak right now in the offseason. Tierney emphasizes that Detroit is in no position to pay the $400 million Skubal is expected to command in free agency, making a trade the only smart move.
The hosts argue that Skubal is the "biggest difference maker" available and should be the Mets' absolute focus, even if it means giving up a massive package. Sal says Skubal is "ten times better" than Framber Valdez, urging the Mets not to get distracted by other lower-tier pitching targets.
BT & Sal dive into a deep-cut sports debate, first reacting to the Lions' dominant win over the Cowboys. The conversation quickly shifts to the New York baseball offseason, where Sal predicts the Mets will have a "better" and more active winter than the Yankees, particularly in "crushing the rotation."
They discuss the "Giants Effect," arguing that the Mets' unexpected success in 2024 "complicated" David Stearns' job, forcing him to keep a core that should have been dismantled earlier. They analyze the Yankees' internal problems, noting the lack of improvement if Volpe can't put in work due to his shoulder injury and if the lineup relies on Stanton and Grisham. They challenge Mets fans' pessimism, demanding the team lands two top pitchers (Skubal/Suarez or Peralta/Valdes) and explore Tatis Jr. as a dynamic replacement option if Pete Alonso bolts. The segment closes with a note that Giannis will dominate Knicks coverage for the next two months.
BT & Sal ignite a debate over Mets President David Stearns' disciplined, non-budging stance on a three-year contract for Pete Alonso. Sal believes Alonso is "100% gone" for at least four years elsewhere, but Tierney respects Stearns' hard line—if he wins! The pressure is immense: if Stearns lets fan-favorite Alonso walk and the team loses, he's a "dead man."
The discussion heats up over the possibility of the Mets pursuing Kyle Schwarber, with the hosts agreeing that if Stearns gives Schwarber (who is two years older) more years or money than Alonso, it would be a "dirty" move and a massive blunder. Callers chime in, suggesting front-loaded deals, while the hosts ultimately acknowledge that Stearns must be allowed to build the team his way, or else the model breaks. The excitement builds imagining a Lindor-Schwarber-Soto three-man tandem.
BT & Sal ignite a heated debate over the Mets' struggling outfield, dismissing Cody Bellinger as an unlikely option given his Yankee ties, but acknowledging his flexibility is appealing. The conversation quickly shifts to the current center field options, with Sal calling a potential Harrison Bader signing a waste of time and Byron Buxton an injury-prone gamble.
The crux of the segment focuses on the future of Pete Alonso: if the Mets let him walk, they "must sign Kyle Schwarber." Sal passionately argues that Schwarber's superior plate discipline (despite the high strikeouts) and unhinged "caveman" energy make him a better power-bat acquisition than retaining Alonso. They compare the two sluggers' OPS and debate the risk of Schwarber's two-hundred-strikeout season in the postseason.
BT & Sal dive into the hot rumor connecting the Mets to free agent Kyle Schwarber, immediately questioning whether the power-hitting DH is a replacement for Pete Alonso or an addition. Sal loves the idea of adding Schwarber's prodigious power while weakening the Phillies, but BT argues it makes little sense for a team emphasizing defense and versatility under David Stearns, given Schwarber's lack of position and high strikeout rate.
The conversation pivots to the "hardball" the Mets are playing with Alonso, with sources indicating the team is holding firm at a three-year offer, far below what Pete and Boras are seeking. They debate whether moving on from Alonso to pursue Schwarber—and finally breaking up the core—is a smart business decision, even if it sacrifices a fan favorite. They agree the Mets have options, including a Bellinger-Pete combo, and must prioritize pitching, but the Alonso-Schwarber ultimatum is the most fascinating offensive negotiation.
BT & Sal ignite a New York sports firestorm starting with the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors, passionately arguing that Jalen Brunson is "untouchable" and debating which key player (OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges) must be sacrificed for the Greek Freak. Sal insists the trade is pointless if the Knicks retain Karl-Anthony Towns' contract.
The heat moves to the Giants, where the hosts slam the decision to keep Joe Schoen as GM, calling him a "lame duck" who will only worsen the upcoming head coach search. They then pivot to the Yankees' confusingly "lukewarm" offseason, questioning if the Bronze Bombers are serious about winning while pursuing Cody Bellinger and other Japanese stars like Kaz Okamoto and Tatsuya Imai.
The segment also features NFL Week 14 "best bets" with Nick Kostos on the Chiefs' "DEFCON ONE" status, a spicy Hall of Fame debate over the eligibility of A-Rod and Manny Ramirez, and the shock of the Diddy documentary footage. The show closes with a desperate "Call from Down Under" lamenting the Mets' "slop" pitching.
BT & Sal dive into the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors, which are heating up with reports that the superstar wants the Knicks. The fiery debate centers on the New York Knicks' strategy: Giannis In, Karl-Anthony Towns Out. Sal argues that keeping the overpaid and defensively exploitable KAT makes the trade pointless, even with Giannis. They discuss the likelihood of OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges being the necessary price, and whether a Brunson-Giannis-Towns trio could ever work.
Later, the conversation pivots to the New York Giants' front office turmoil, where Sal and BT react to a report from Ian O'Connor asserting that the organization made a "bad situation worse" by retaining General Manager Joe Schoen, who is now reportedly "leading the way" for the next head coach search. The hosts argue that Schoen must be removed to facilitate a clean break.
BT & Sal ignite on the Yankees' confusing "Hot Stove" reports, questioning why the Bronze Bombers aren't a threat to sign every top free agent like Edwin Diaz, though they agree with the team's pursuit of Cody Bellinger. They debate if the team is prioritizing winning and if the front office is playing possum.
The conversation then pivots to the Knicks, where the hosts vehemently disagree with trading Jalen Brunson for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but analyze the difficult decision the Knicks face regarding which other key player—OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges—would have to be moved for a blockbuster trade.
Finally, Nick Kostos jumps on to share his "best bets" for NFL Week 14, calling the Lions/Cowboys game a must-win for Dallas and declaring the Chiefs are at "DEFCON ONE" ahead of their dangerous matchup against the surging Texans. They also touch on the Jaguars' trajectory and the surprising NFC North race between the Packers and Bears.
BT & Sal dive into the fallout of Giannis Antetokounmpo's calf strain, debating the conspiracy theories about whether the two-to-four-week injury is a power play to force a trade to the Knicks. Sal argues that Jalen Brunson is "untouchable" and that acquiring Giannis now is necessary to maximize the Knicks' championship window.
The discussion pivots to the MLB Hot Stove as they examine the odds for several Japanese stars heading to New York. They break down the pursuit of infielder Kaz Okamoto (Yankees favored) and the intriguing pitcher Tatsuya Imai, who declared he wants to "beat the Dodgers." The hosts also weigh the cost of Japanese pitchers, discussing the impact of extra rest days on a team's rotation. The consensus: the Knicks must strike now for a championship, whether with Giannis or another star, as the window is wide open.
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