Christopher M. Welch
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digitalflood.bsky.social
Christopher M. Welch
@digitalflood.bsky.social
Theology. Science. Technology. Beer. Sports. Politics. Dad jokes. Family stuff. Business. All the kind of things that seem to ruin a good holiday dinner. That’s me. 🤷‍♂️
ESPN reports the Chicago Bears are continuing to look for a new stadium location & have expanded their range to outside IL. Hey if it works for the Jets or Giants (that I would really like to refer to as NJ teams until their ownership actually starts caring anyhow) it might work here.

More:
December 18, 2025 at 4:55 PM
MLBN also notes the window for Munetaka Murakami to sign in the MLB is nearing end (Mon. 12/22/25) but so far the rumor mill has been unexpectedly quiet on possible suitors. As in none. If he doesn't sign by Monday Munetaka will head back to the Nippon League for 2026.
December 18, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Per MLBN Bo Bichette is floating the idea of being able to move to 2B for the right team.

Also Alex Bregman has been inspired by the Alonso as well as Schwarber deals. He's looking for a slightly bigger 5 yr deal. He kind of lines up w/both in age, use & stats so he believes the ask is reasonable.
December 18, 2025 at 2:58 PM
The NY Knicks play the Pacers tomorrow (12/18/25) night at 7p ET. Knicks are the odds on fave.

The BK Nets play Miami Heat tomorrow as well at 7:30p ET. Miami is the odds on fave here.
December 18, 2025 at 1:05 AM
KC Chiefs QB Mahomes has underwent successful Achilles surgery & is starting early rehab work. The hope is he is back for week 1 of next season.

More:
www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...
Mahomes begins rehab; Chiefs eye Week 1 return
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has begun rehab following surgery to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee, and the team is optimistic the two-time MVP could be back early next season -- perhaps even b...
www.espn.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Previously announced as playing in the WBC as well is Francisco Lindor (Puerto Rico) and Mark Vientos (Nicaragua).
December 18, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Waddell was a bit of surprise DFA for me. He had an OK ERA but really didn't get much of chance to do much work in the majors this past season. I figured they might keep him in MiLB as a backup plan but looks like not the case.
December 18, 2025 at 12:58 AM
The Mets have claimed Drew Romo off waivers. Romo was DFA'd by the Orioles shortly after being acquired early this month. He spent a total of 5 off season days w/the team. At the same time they DFA'd Brandon Waddell. Romo spent move of his time in MiLB & is 24yo. He has played about 20 MLB games.
December 18, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Per SNY McLean & Holmes will pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic this coming year.
December 18, 2025 at 12:52 AM
The Dolphins are the latest NFL post season eliminated team per ESPN to bench their starting QB (Tagovailoa) in favor of a rookie for the final weeks of play. That's not too surprising. Why risk breaking a QB in the final weeks? But also it's a bit of a "sit there & think about what you did wrong".
December 17, 2025 at 6:14 PM
And apparently my earlier report via SNY & ESPN about a later TBD banner raising has gone the opposite direction for the Knicks. The org will recognize the team's work in the Cup in Friday's game (12/18/25) but since it isn't an actual NBA Championship title doesn't warrant such thing. It's a fair
December 17, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Brunson gets the official nod as the NBA Cup MVP. He was pretty darn good in the tourney span (not to mention before).

More:
sny.tv/articles/kni...
Knicks' Jalen Brunson named 2025 NBA Cup MVP
Knicks star Jalen Brunson was named the 2025 NBA Cup MVP on Tuesday night.
sny.tv
December 17, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Another day another trade/signing/please play for me target: The Mets & Yankees are talking w/Michael King. He's a free agent. Analysts put him the most likely to sign next pitchers as yesterday (though that wasn't the case... see Weaver post below). Either way he's been really good in the past but
December 17, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Per ESPN & SNY the Mets have reached a $22m 2yr contract deal w/RHP reliever Luke Weaver. He was on the Yankees last season joining fellow ex-Yank Devin Williams who'll most likely be his setup guy. Weaver has been in a on/off closer role for NYY since joining in 2024. Prior to that he was a SP.
December 17, 2025 at 6:03 PM
The NY Knicks won the 3rd Annual NBA Cup last night, beating the Spurs 124-113 last night. Anunoby was top scorer of game at 28pts. Brunson got the MVP. The final pot worked out to $530,933 ea for the players for the W. A pennant raising is planned at MSG at TBD date. The Spurs were down Wembanyama,
December 17, 2025 at 3:21 PM
The Mets officially announced the 2 yr Polanco deal we all unofficially knew about already yesterday afternoon. It's FB official. Now in a relationship! 🤣🤷
December 17, 2025 at 2:59 PM
The NY Times reports that NBA commissioner Adam Silver says it's possible in 2026 that 2 teams will be added to the league. Top cities? Seattle & Las Vegas. The Seattle Supersonics played in WA until 2008 (est in 1967) & is the current OKC Thunder since then. The exodus was over a new stadium.
December 17, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Per SNY new Mets acquistion target: Cody Bellinger. Another day. Another target. We'll see. 🤷‍♂️
December 17, 2025 at 1:07 AM
1010 WINS Radio is reporting that 3 NYC casinos got final approvals & 1 of the is the Queens Hard Rock Casino which is part owned by NYM Owner Uncle Steve. This was the final hurdle to start working towards construction & subsequent operation. No timeline yet on when that will happen yet.
December 16, 2025 at 9:06 PM
All the other free agents have signed w/someone else (as SNY points out). That's Nimmo, Diaz, Alonso, Helsley, Rogers, G Soto & Mullins.

Meanwhile Semien, Williams & Polanco are the only MLB level signings by NYM. The rest are MiLB contracts & long shots.
December 16, 2025 at 5:27 PM
SNY points out that Marte, Stanek, Winker & Canning are still free agents as of this morning. You can pick & choose who they should talk with or not but that's who got through Winter Conf w/out a signing who was a Met this past season but free agent now.

My opinion: Stanek & Canning are options.
December 16, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Tonight's the night. The Knicks will play the winner of the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup Finals tonight (12/16/25) at 8:30 pm ET in Las Vegas. Now here's the catch: Depending on where you are you can see it ABC but most people need to watch it on Amazon (ugh NBA...ugh).
December 16, 2025 at 4:55 PM
SNY is reporting that Jets WR Allen Lazard has mutually agreed to split w/the org. The rats continue to jump ship... and I can't blame them. W/out Rogers there Lazard has far less purpose.

More:
sny.tv/articles/jet...
Sources: Jets, wide receiver Allen Lazard mutually agree to part ways
Sources tell SNY NFL Insider Connor Hughes that the Jets and receiver Allen Lazard have mutually agreed to part ways.
sny.tv
December 16, 2025 at 4:51 PM
SNY via ESPN breaks down how the Mets blew it w/Diaz's renewal on the team. Not surprised. I suspected it was a bit of back/forth dancing by the org that made him just decide to move on especially when coupled w/the chance to get to the WS as a very high likelihood.

More:
sny.tv/articles/edw...
Edwin Diaz pivoted from Mets to Dodgers after New York 'refused' to meet escalating contract asks: report
It was universally shocking when Edwin Diaz left the Mets to sign a three-year deal with the Dodgers, since there was never any indication that Diaz didn't want to return to New York.
sny.tv
December 16, 2025 at 4:49 PM
MLBN's Mike Petriello takes a look at Polanco & the key stat that makes him very desirable in a line up for a specific role to improve that line up a bit... K rate. It's a good argument for the DH batting value he brings but of course that also means you need the right lineup to back him up.
December 16, 2025 at 4:45 PM