Trade Bait

Thank you for listening to Season 3 of Trade Bait! In the final episode, I am joined by WWU graduate and NFL Network Researcher Dante Koplowitz-Fleming. Through our interview, we talked about the current state of statistics in the NFL, why story-driven stats are crucial, and we look ahead to the future of NFL analytics.  Big thanks to Dante for being part of the show!

After three discussions about quarterbacks, I wanted to shift the discussion to the rest of the offense. In this episode, we discuss how the current state of NFL statistics is harmful to each of these positions, and I propose some ideas for new metrics that would better quantify individual skill.  FiveThirtyEight.com article: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/our-new-metric-shows-how-good-nfl-receivers-are-at-creating-separation/  

After discussing different ways of evaluating NFL quarterback play, I wanted to take a step back and look at the evaluation process of amateur QB talent. In this episode, I launch a stats project to see if any college statistic is best indicative of a high NFL Passer Rating, and what the results tell us about our NFL Draft evaluation process. 

After learning about the metrics that currently exist to quantify quarterback play, I took a different look at the problem and added the financial value to the quarterback conversation. In Episode 2 I am pleased to present to you my first official metric for determining the value of NFL QB's: the Bagley Value Rating. Link to online portfolio: https://benbagley123.wixsite.com/website Link to BVR Score website: https://benbagley123.wixsite.com/bagleyvaluerating

Welcome to Season 3 of the Trade Bait Podcast! This season is serving as my senior capstone project for the Honors Program at Western Washington University. This season's thesis is "a dissection of the use of statistics in the NFL and NFL media". In episode 1, we break down the official statistic for evaluating quarterbacks in the NFL: Passer Rating. 

NFL Draft week is here!! To get you ready for the 2021 NFL Draft, this week Ben breaks down the biggest needs of each team in the first round, and which prospects could fill that role. The Chiefs traded for an OT this week in what Ben calls "the best draft trade of the year," and a look at Jacob deGrom's record-setting start with the Mets.  Thanks for listening! Be sure to find us on Twitter, subscribe to the podcast to have every show available instantly, and find all of Trade Bait's links here.

Welcome back! Why Julian Edelman deserves to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame, Studs and Duds from the first month of MLB action, and a quick look at the Buccaneers in the 2021 NFL Draft.  Like and subscribe, follow us on Twitter, and find all of Trade Bait's links here.

Baseball is back! As the new season gets underway, Ben has a few gripes with the league amidst the excitement. Nicholas Castellanos' suspension and the MLB's image issue, and why we need to pump the breaks on Randy Arozarena and the Padres. Plus, an outlook on Sam Darnold and his new team, the Carolina Panthers.  Thanks for listening! Be sure to find us on Twitter, and find all of Trade Bait's links here.

A full recap of the NBA Trade Deadline and which moves meant the most, and a look at the NFL Draft and what the 49ers trading up to #3 means for the rest of the league. Thanks for tuning in! Be sure to find us on Twitter, and find all of our links here.

Why teams really win in March Madness, and a recap and analysis of all the major NFL Free Agency news from the first week of the offseason. Enjoy this week's casual minisode -- stay tuned for some big projects upcoming! Follow Trade Bait on Twitter, and find all other links here.

A full breakdown of the opening days of NFL Free Agency! Tracking every big signing, which teams made the best moves to kick off the summer, and early-offseason predictions for the 2021 division winners. Also, why the Chiefs' Super Bowl window is closing fast, and the problem NFL GM's have with their star QBs. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, and find all of Trade Bait's links here. Thanks for tuning in, and enjoy the show!

A bit of a longer episode this week, but we are JAM-PACKED with all the stats you love! NFL offseason predictions for the five teams with the most cap space, trade ideas for the NBA trade deadline, and the first official Trade Bait NFL Mock Draft. EDIT: Right after posting this episode, WR Allen Robinson was franchise tagged. For all the teams I mentioned should pursue him, their biggest target now would be WR Kenny Golladay. Enjoy! Find all of Trade Bait's links here. Teams mentioned in this episode: Jaguars, Jets, Patriots, Football Team, Colts, Raptors, Clippers, Celtics, Suns, Kings, Nets, Mavericks and Grizzlies.

Trade talks are surrounding Russell Wilson in Seattle, and JJ Watt to Arizona only puts the Seahawks in deeper hot water. Reasons why Russ should stay in Seattle, and a look back at the young core of the 2017 Lakers, and where they are today. This is the 25th episode of Trade Bait! Thank you to all the supporters who have been along for this journey, and the new friends made along the way. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, and find all of our links here.  Enjoy!

NBA Statistical All Stars, 2021 MLB preview, and NFL offseason coverage of Carson Wentz, JJ Watt and Deshaun Watson.Follow us on Twitter, and find all of our links here. Enjoy!

Brady and the Bucs are Super Bowl champs, and the game showed the glaring importance of offensive lines in the NFL. How Patrick Mahomes' night under pressure should be a warning sign for teams drafting quarterbacks, Numbers of the Super Bowl, and a statistical look at the Western Conference-leading Utah Jazz.Follow on us Twitter. Like, subscribe, and enjoy!

This week, in the first ever Trade Bait crossover episode, I joined the Scotch N Sports Podcast to talk scotch, Matt Stafford, the Super Bowl, and more. Huge thanks to Mike, Gertie and Suds for having me on their show!Be sure to go give Scotch N Sports a follow on all their socials by following this link: Scotch N SportsFollow Trade Bait on Twitter @BaitTrade. 

The Super Bowl is set! Patrick Mahomes against Tom Brady will be the ultimate generational QB matchup, and how this game could mark the formal declaration of a new era in the NFL. In the first ever Trade Bait Mailbag we talk NFL, and present a 4-team mega trade that would have Bradley Beal on the move. Enjoy!Special thank you to our Mailbag contributors! Check out their socials here:Scotch N Sports, Jack, Going Deep With Matthew and Jeremy, 4th And Long

Welcome in! Everybody has been saying that Tom Brady "won" the divorce with the Patriots, but I beg to differ. A look at how the breakup affected both parties, previews of the NFC and AFC Championship games, and why Philip Rivers should not be a Hall of Famer. Be sure to find the podcast on Twitter too!Special Podcast Shoutouts for this Episode:Scotch N Sports - Apple Podcast, SpotifyField of Vision Sports - Apple Podcast, SpotifySportCity Podcast - Apple Podcast, SpotifyNothin' But Airtime - Apple Podcast, Spotify   

A full guide to the 2021 NFL Divisional Round Playoffs, and all the stats to predict the winners. Plus, a look at the new-look Nets with James Harden - why they will work, but with serious risk involved.

Official Trade Bait NFL Playoffs Predictions! We feel good about our Super Bowl Champion, but man there are some teams that could make a deep run. Who do you have winning it all?

Happy end of 2020! In this episode, we talk about how Sam Darnold has been criminally screwed by the Jets, we document how Miami performed one of the best rebuilds in recent memory, and we highlight all of the NFL games this week with playoff implications. Special bonus content includes some MLB talk about the Padres, and some NBA trivia. Enjoy!

The NBA is here! Breakdown of the opening games: Nets-Warriors and Clippers-Lakers. A look at the potential NFL Wild Card teams, and which one is the most dangerous in each conference. Fantasy football review, and gut picks of the week (Aaron Jones out-rushes Derrick Henry?!). Joined by special guest Mark Bagley.Also, check out the BVR Score, a new metric to evaluate NFL QB's, created by Ben Bagley: https://benbagley123.wixsite.com/bagleyvaluerating

Ben breaks down why he thinks the Steelers look more like a first round exit than a Super Bowl contender, Trade Bait's top-5 scariest non-QB duos in the NFL this year, and the formal introduction of the Bagley Value Rating (BVR) Score, a new way to evaluate NFL quarterbacks. Read more about the BVR Score here (best viewed on desktop): https://benbagley123.wixsite.com/bagleyvaluerating

The NFL is winding down, and the NBA is firing up! Ben breaks down the Atlanta Hawks, who he thinks had the best offseason. Ben also talks Lakers and John Wall to the Rockets. Gut or Gutted, Gold Star Wet Noodle, and Ben predicts a Steelers loss. Thanks for listening!

This week, the boys are joined by guests Jake Finkbonner and Eli Shin. The crew plays "Resign, Retire, Rehire" and discuss what teams should do with some key quarterbacks around the league. Everybody makes their Week 11 NFL picks in Gut or Gutted, and Bryce hands out the Gold Star of the year to DeAndre Hopkins. We were also fortunate to acquire new audio software for the podcast, and we are very excited about the new audio quality and possibilities going forward. We hope you enjoy another week of Trade Bait!

How 'bout those Miami Dolphins? The boys talk about Tua and the fins, and if the Pittsburgh Steelers are actually the best team in the NFL and Super Bowl favorites. This episode features Gut or Gutted, Gold Star Wet Noodle, and all the stats you could ask for. Thanks for listening!

The boys break down who has the brightest future in the dismal NFC East. Gut or Gutted is back, and after each going 3-0 last week, Ben and Bryce disagree on a few key games. Finally, they discuss where D.K. Metcalf - dubbed "Deep Killer Metcalf" - ranks among NFL WR's.

It's Tua Time in Miami, and Ben and Bryce break down the benching of Ryan Fitzmagic. The boys Gut or Gutted, Wet Noodle, and they discuss some potential trades for under-achieving teams. Thanks for tuning in!

Ben tips his hat to the NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers, and we play a new game called "Who Stat It". And, after going 3-0 last week, Bryce keeps his hot picks rolling in Gut or Gutted. Thanks for listening!

Ben dives into Dwayne Haskins being benched in Washington, and what the state of the franchise is. Bryce is 20-10-1 on the year with his NFL picks as we dive into some terrible defenses in Gut or Gutted. Also, what history says to expect from the remaining undefeated NFL teams. Thanks for listening! 

After a dominating Game 1 victory, Ben talks about why the Lakers will dominate the Heat in this series. Bryce makes some spicy choices in Gut or Gutted, and Ben explains just how the Chiefs shut down Lamar Jackson. 

Trade Bait Reborn! Co-hosts Ben Bagley and Bryce Young play "Gut or Gutted", where Bryce makes his locks for the week, and Ben lets him know if the stats back him up. Also, Ben explains why Russell Wilson is on pace to be league MVP.

The Ultimate Fantasy Football podcast! Ben jumps into a mock draft and talks through his ultimate draft strategy to make sure you win your league this season.

Why Daniel Jones shouldn't start this season, What will really happen in the NFL this season, MLB Trade Deadline review - look at those Astros!

Which teams history says has a chance at winning the World Series, What each MLB contender needs at the Trade Deadline, How historical stats say Patrick Mahomes will have a down year. Also, Ben uses the word "elite" far too many times. Somebody buy him a thesaurus!

Episode 1 - Introductions, Tacko Fall is Overrated, Who will be the #1 Seed in the West.