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Paul Swydan

9:14

It does indeed seem like a lot to ask of him, Name.

Irving Falu (not that one)

9:15

Who is your favorite post-hype sleeper for 2017?

Paul Swydan

9:15

Come on man, I'm just starting to enjoy this 2016 season.

Michael

9:15

re: salazar, pomeranz, and encarnacion trade: i'm trading only salazar and getting back both pomeranz and edwin. would that change things?

Paul Swydan

9:15

Oh, sorry. That definitely changes things. I'd lean more toward doing it.

Jim Lonborg

9:16

I am a mad billionaire, and my dream is to own a team that breaks the Spiders' loss record (the Mets' one is too easy). I want you as my GM, Paul. We have to abide by MLB rules, which means players and coaches can't be in on it and it can't be too obvious. What team should I buy, and what's our first move?

Paul Swydan

9:17

Buy the Padres and trade Wil Myers for more pitching prospects who won't play until 2019?

Grandpaboy

9:18

OK, here' s inevitable Cubs/NYY question--Miller for Vogelbach & Soler. Who hangs up and why?

Paul Swydan

9:18

Gee, I wonder if you're a Cubs fan. The Yankees hang up before you finish saying Vogelbach.

Pat

9:18

Vinny V on an innings limit this year?

Paul Swydan

9:19

I would assume so, yes. But I don't know for sure.

KiaTigers

9:19

KBO obviously not great, but any substance to the idea of Eric Thames returning to MLB after tearing up Korea?

Paul Swydan

9:19

Sure, I think there could be something to that. What's the downside for a MLB team to sign him?

Pat

9:19

What % you give Chase Utley making the HOF?

Paul Swydan

9:21

I'll say 30%. On the one hand, his WAR puts him in deserving range.

On the other hand, he didn't win an MVP, and Cole Hamels overshadowed him in 08.

9:22

Also, Lou Whitaker and Bobby Grich didn't get in, and they are still above him on the WAR leaderboard.

On the OTHER OTHER hand, voters are less likely to "miss" on a player like Utley than they probably used to be.

Jim Lonborg

9:22

Seems like there's been a run of Papi's feet stories--based on anything particular, or just watching him run (Ortiz runs like my father)?

Paul Swydan

9:23

Ortiz has continuously listed his feet as the reason he's retiring.

Matt

9:23

If Drew effing Pomeranz is worth a top-20 prospect, what is Teheran worth? He has a much better track record, better contract, and is an all around better pitcher...

Paul Swydan

9:24

As I noted last week, Teheran has a 2.75 career ERA vs. the Phillies and Marlins, and a 3.75 ERA vs. everyone else. I don't know that he's a superior pitcher at all.

As for his contract, it's only better if you think he'll be better 3 years from now. Pomeranz isn't even making $2 million this year, so the only advantage Teheran's contract has is that it lasts longer.

9:25

And for a team in it to win it this year, I doubt they'll factor that as heavily as the Braves will.

In summation, I think Teheran will fetch two top 75 prospects and a third guy similar to the Kimbrel trade, but I don't think he'll land Atlanta a top 20 guy like Pomeranz did unless it's a similarly far away A ball player.

Matt

9:26

Teheran's 3.75 ERA against everyone else sure seems better than Pomeranz's 3.93 ERA against everyone else.

Paul Swydan

9:26

Yes, because we always take pitcher's ERA at Coors Field at face value, right?

Pomeranz has a 2.84 ERA since the start of 2014, and that is good for 8th best in baseball.

9:27

Teheran's ERA in that span is 3.29, 30th best.

This narrative that Teheran is leagues better than Pomeranz is one of fiction. Sorry.

BritishCub

9:28

wasn't kluber cramping?

Paul Swydan

9:29

I never understand major league players cramping. The Gatorade cooler is right there in the dugout. I know baseball players are generally not the sharpest knives in the drawer, but staying hydrated is a pretty basic rule to follow.

Having said that, if he was cramping, he was cramping.

Mike

9:29

tanaka and miller for profar and gallo

Paul Swydan

9:30

That's an interesting proposal, though I don't understand why the Yankees would want to get rid of Tanaka. If they sell off, it's more of a reload than a rebuild.

Jon Gray

9:30

League has 2 year contracts with option to extend for 4 more years at 5$ more original price. Jon Gray 12$, Kepler 14$ and Aaron Sanchez 19$

Paul Swydan

9:30

Definitely want Gray.

9:31

Of Kepler and Sanchez, I'd feel safer with Sanchez. The Twins just have no clue what they're doing, and the fact that they didn't immediately clean house paired with the owner saying Paul Molitor will *definitely* be the manager next year doesn't exactly have me brimming with confidence about their future.

Kevin

9:32

Over/Under on Andrew Benintendi making his MLB debut: 9/1/16.

Paul Swydan

9:33

I think it depends on how many roster loopholes the team can create for the playoff roster. If they can wait until the end of the minor league season before calling him up and still get him on the postseason roster should they want to, I'd think they'd do that. If they won't have the loophole available, then before 9/1.

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