Shortstop Showdown: BT & Sal Clash on Volpe!

On this episode of She's Got Next with Jordan Robinson, Jordan is joined by Athlete's Unlimited Softball League Champion, Sydney Romero. She talks about the journey to the inaugural AUSL Championship and when she finally plans on resting. Jordan then goes in depth into the social media side of Women's Sports and how that is helping to grow the game in her "Let's Get Down To Business" segment.

In this segment, BT and Sal dive into the New York Knicks' recent decision to sign Mikal Bridges to a four-year, $150 million contract extension. While acknowledging the value of Bridges taking slightly less than the maximum, both hosts express skepticism regarding the hefty price tag given his performance in his first year with the team. They discuss whether new coach Mike Brown can unlock a "heightened version" of Bridges offensively, and the conversation veers into a passionate debate about the potential acquisition of Ben Simmons, with Sal surprisingly advocating for the former Sixer's theoretical fit in a modified role, and BT adamantly against it due to Simmons' perceived lack of commitment and injury history.

BT and Sal dive deep into the rumors of Terry McLaurin wanting out of Washington and the possibility of the Jets trading for him. Sal expresses love for McLaurin as a player but questions the financial commitment of paying two high-end receivers and the potential culture clash of bringing in an unhappy veteran so early in Aaron Glenn's rebuilding process. BT, while acknowledging the financial outlay and potential shift in offensive philosophy under Justin Fields, emphasizes McLaurin's talent and the existing connection with Jets' passing game coordinator Scott Turner, who previously coached McLaurin in Washington. They debate if the Jets' run-heavy approach would justify such a significant investment and if the team's current stage of development is right for a "massive swing."

In a lively studio discussion, WWE's Michael Cole joined BT & Sal to share his passionate New York Mets fandom and offer insights into the upcoming two-night SummerSlam event at MetLife Stadium. Cole, a self-proclaimed "massive Mets fan," expressed mixed feelings about the team's trade deadline moves, praising the bullpen acquisitions but lamenting the lack of offensive help. The conversation also delved into Cole's extensive career as a WWE commentator, highlighting the unique challenges and joys of his role, including surprising moments like Brock Lesnar ending The Undertaker's WrestleMania streak and John Cena's heel turn. He shared his personal take on wrestling legends, naming Hulk Hogan and John Cena as his top two, and revealed how he prepares for major WWE events like SummerSlam, emphasizing the storytelling and character development aspects of his job.

During their show, BT and Sal delved into a listener's provocative comparison: Anthony Volpe is turning into the new Daniel Jones. The caller ignited a lively debate by likening Volpe's current struggles and the polarized fan base to the career trajectory and fan reception of the Giants' quarterback, prompting BT and Sal to weigh in on the striking similarities and crucial differences between the two New York athletes.

In this lively discussion, BT and Sal delve into the hypothetical trade of Yankees prospect Jasson Dominguez for Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan. Sal advocates for acquiring Kwan, emphasizing his proven Gold Glove defense and high-contact bat as a perfect fit for the Yankees' current needs. BT, however, shows more patience with Dominguez's potential, highlighting his youth and the inherent difficulty in evaluating prospects, and questioning the perceived "failure" of young Yankees while acknowledging Alvarez's struggles. The debate encapsulates the classic baseball dilemma: banking on future potential versus acquiring immediate, known production.

BT and Sal are locked in a heated debate, with Sal criticizing the Yankees' reluctance to trade their top prospects like Spencer Jones, arguing that these prospects often fail to live up to expectations, citing Anthony Volpe, Jasson Dominguez, and Austin Wells as current examples. BT, however, defends the Yankees' stance, highlighting the potential of these young players and arguing that while they may not have fully reached their projected ceilings yet, they still offer significant value and contribute to the team's success.

In this segment, BT and Sal dissect the recent MLB trade deadline, expressing their disappointment that neither the Mets nor the Yankees made a "knockout punch" trade for a big bat or ace pitcher. While acknowledging both teams added valuable pieces, particularly in the bullpen, they lament the absence of a truly impactful, "over the top" acquisition like Luis Robert, Steven Kwan, or Sandy Alcantara, questioning if playing it safe will ultimately hinder their World Series aspirations

In their post-deadline analysis, BT and Sal gave the New York Mets and Yankees a "solid" grade for their trade deadline moves, though neither felt the teams truly "crushed it." While acknowledging both clubs addressed critical bullpen needs and secured important position players (Mullins for the Mets, McMahon for the Yankees), they expressed a slight disappointment that neither team made the "over the top" blockbuster moves that would have earned them an A+ in their eyes, particularly the Yankees not landing a top-tier starter or Kwan, and the Mets settling for Mullins instead of a "splashier" center field option like Robert. Both hosts agreed that while improved, neither team went "all in" at the expense of top prospects.

This episode of BT & Sal was a whirlwind of trade deadline action, with the Mets making aggressive moves to bolster their roster, contrasting sharply with the Yankees' continued reliance on struggling prospects. The show also featured a captivating interview with "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, adding a unique flavor to the baseball trade chaos as rumors and confirmed deals unfolded live.