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MLBTR Chat: 04/29/2023
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Simon Hampton
10:05
Good morning from Brooklyn on this Saturday morning. Looking forward to chatting baseball for an hour or so
White Sox
10:09
Season over already?
Steve
10:09
How bad are the white Sox?
Simon Hampton
10:09
Few early questions on the White Sox here...
10:10
Look, I don't think they're a great team but I don't think they're a 7-20 team either. There's a lot of talent on the roster and their April schedule is pretty brutal, so I expect their win percentage to certainly tick up in the long run.

But at the end of the day, they're 13 games under .500! That's a lot of ground to make up even if there is a lot of season left to go. I can't see them getting back from this.
Guest
10:11
any update on degrom?
Simon Hampton
10:12
Not yet, suspect we'll hear at least something before tonight's game - might just be a vague update in the same way the Yankees have been communicating Aaron Judge's injury though, so don't hold your breath
Guest
10:13
What’s going on with the Yankees?   Do they still make the playoffs?
Simon Hampton
10:14
They are devastated by injuries at the moment but yeah they are limping along a bit.

Bader should be back soon which will help the depleted outfield stocks, but you have to think they'll be in the market for help there eventually. I was in the camp of them giving Hicks one last chance to start the season, but I think it's time to move on there
10:16
As for the rotation, obviously it's always tough with guys like Rodon and Severino hurt, but wonder how much of a leash Schmidt has in the rotation.

End of the day, the need some of their guys back from the IL. That's the biggest thing that's going on with the Yankees
Ozuna
10:16
Where will I finish the season ?
Simon Hampton
10:17
Should've been released yesterday. Maybe he gets a minor league deal from someone, but have to wonder if it's worth it for anyone?
Guest
10:18
Please mention the Pittsburgh Pirates.    They have the best record in the NL right now.     something that they have not been able to say in a long time.
Simon Hampton
10:20
The Pirates are the story of baseball so far! Lots to love about how they're going about things.

Some targets for regression there (looking at you Connor Joe), but also some guys are just playing really nicely (Mitch Keller and Johan Oviedo, Jack Suwinski).

So while I don't think this team is going to the World Series, I do think they are giving optimism that they're a bit further along the timeline to contention than I thought they were going into the season
B Snit’s Bongos
10:20
Which contender has had the most disappointing start?
Simon Hampton
10:21
Gotta be the Cardinals for me. I didn't have the White Sox in the playoffs (as disappointing as they've been), but I had the Cardinals winning the Central.
Brian Cashman
10:21
Which left fielders will be available at the deadline?
Simon Hampton
10:22
Profar, maybe Bellinger. There'll be others too.

Jake Bauers is your guy for now though, Yankees just added him to the roster
Bluejays
10:22
can we sign both bo and vladdy long term?
Simon Hampton
10:22
I thought Vlad was going to the Yankees?
Realignment?
10:23
Good Morning Simon. Do think MLB realigns if and when expansion happens?
Simon Hampton
10:25
I would like to see it. Maybe put Pittsburgh in the East and take out Tampa? I'm sure there's other avenues go about it. Decreasing travel where you can is a good place to start
Brewers
10:26
Potential targets for Milwaukee? They've survived injuries from Woodruff, Ashby, Houser, Varland, Bush, Mitchell, Urias, Taylor.
Simon Hampton
10:27
Bullpen can always be bolstered, although Milwaukee's has been strong. They could do with another starter, and maybe an outfield bat. I'm sure they'll be active, but suspect they won't make the splashy addition
Aoe3
10:27
Could DeGroms forarm tightness be a minor issue?
Simon Hampton
10:28
Yes. I will say forearm tightness is a red flag because often we see pitchers wind up needing some sort of surgery afterwards, but it's not a lock that it's a major issue either.

I completely understand the panic from Rangers fans though, it's definitely worrying
Al
10:29
If the ChiSox are out of it by July, which players are traded? Anderson? Giolito? Clevenger?
Simon Hampton
10:31
Clevinger is tricky with the player option - if he plays well he's a rental, if he tanks he'll pick up that player option and you're stuck with him.

Giolito would have to be high on the list, but I'm not convinced the White Sox will blow it up. Maybe they'll trade one of their controllable players to try and get back some impactful talent, but I doubt guys like Cease are getting moved
Impatient Reds Fan
10:32
When do we stop seeing the Matt Reynolds and Kevin Newmans and see the Matt McClains, CESs, and EDLCs?
Simon Hampton
10:34
I know you want them, but Elly De La Cruz is hitting .182/.206/.364 with a 41% strikeout rate at Triple-A, so I don't think he's ready.

Christian Encarnacion-Stroud might be the better bet, he's lighting up Triple-A so perhaps he could be in play soon
Appa Yip Yip
10:35
Will all 5 AL East teams finish over .500? Also can we please have some realignment?
Simon Hampton
10:36
Jeff Passan just had an interesting tweet...

The entire AL East is a combined 84-48 (103 win pace)

The entire AL Central is a combined 51-80 (63 win pace)
Impatient Reds Fan
10:37
McClain has hit all year including ST. He should’ve been called up and not Matt Reynolds
Simon Hampton
10:38
Certainly not disagreeing with that take, although I take ST stats with a grain of salt, but he's looking great in Triple-A. 188 wRC+ so far. Walking almost as much as he strikes out.
J
10:38
Encarnacion-Strand
Simon Hampton
10:39
Thanks - someone's been watching too much of the NFL draft..
Schedule
10:39
Is there a schedule for the chats? I'm usually missing them and having to read the transcript
Simon Hampton
10:39
It depends a little on schedules, but think Steve usually does his at 1pm CT on Tuesdays, Anthony later in the afternoon on Wednesdays, Mark does a Sunday evening one and I do a 10am CT Saturday one
Al
10:42
Watching soccer this morning and I can't help but think: would MLB ever even contemplate a promotion/relegation system? Make the league more competitive
Simon Hampton
10:42
Certainly would be, but good luck getting the owners to agree to a system that potentially relegates their team and massively dents their revenue
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