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Jeffrey Todd

2:03

Howdy. Gather round and we'll get started shortly ..

Bryce

2:04

Any chance the Braves interview Lovullo for the managerial job?

Jeffrey Todd

2:04

They seem to have a narrow slate of candidates already defined, and it doesn't seem to include him.

Socrates

2:04

Which failed contender do you see making a total tear down this offseason? Royals maybe?

Jeffrey Todd

2:05

Not sure I see one. Doubt the Royals do. Rays don't seem inclined. Neither do the Angels. The White Sox could do some kind of partial tear-down.

2:06

It could all hinge on whether one of these teams gets a really great offer that starts a sort of cascade. But I'm not sure there are any teams that are set up for a drastic rebuild at present. I mean, you could argue some should -- Halos, KC, perhaps -- but for different reasons I don't feel they will.

Mike

2:06

Will the Brew Crew move Braun this offseason and what do you think they could get for him?

Jeffrey Todd

2:06

I think they will. Good planning and good fortune has helped them immensely in dealing the guys they've already moved. I think this is the time. Not sure how his value could increase.

2:07

As for what ... that will depend heavily upon the salary swapping involved. I think Braun is good and talented enough that a team would be willing to part with fairly high-end talent to get him. But perhaps not at his full salary, which is near market value.

Hoang

2:07

Hello! Always look forward to your chats. Do you think the Cardinals would be wise to exercise Garcia's option?

Jeffrey Todd

2:08

Thanks! I absolutely think Garcia is worth the option. They can pick it up and either hold him for a back-end rotation spot or trade him ... plenty of teams would love that one-year opportunity. If he's dealt, perhaps that's a way to help land a CF?

mets

2:08

What would it take to get Freddie Freeman? Wheeler?

Jeffrey Todd

2:09

Let's talk valuation of these guys: Freeman's stock is way up after raking. Wheeler's is way down after not making it back. He hasn't pitched since 2014 and has burned up two full years of service on the DL.

Rob S

2:10

With Cards expected to decline Matt Holliday's option, what contract do you expect him to get in free agency?

Jeffrey Todd

2:10

I could see him at something like one year and $8 to $10MM, perhaps?

2:11

But he might also just not care too much about salary, so much as exploring whether there's a good opportunity in a place he actually wants to play.

Optimally, he'd move to first or go somewhere that he can spend a lot of time at DH.

The Boat

2:11

With Ramos injured and Wieters/Castro having bad years, could the market for Brian McCann be fairly competitive? What sort of return do you see for him?

Jeffrey Todd

2:12

It boosts his stock quite a bit, IMO. Nats still need a catcher, so there's a drop in supply and no change in demand.

2:13

McCann at 2/$34MM isn't a terrible deal, but that's probably still more than he's worth. I'd expect he may be involved in some kind of MLB-for-MLB type of swap, perhaps involving another slightly overpaid player?

Something on the order of the Niese-for-Walker trade.

claude brown

2:13

Any chance the Cardinals pursue Char;ie Blackmon?

Jeffrey Todd

2:14

They better be ready to pay up if they do. He had a huge season. Not just big numbers at Coors.

Mark

2:14

Chris Sale to the Dodgers for Joc Pederson, Urias and one prospect. Who says no?

Jeffrey Todd

2:15

Dodgers. Urias showed too much this year for them to give him up, even for Sale, with a major piece like Pederson also being included.

SalemPirate

2:15

From the Braun discussion on to the McCutchon possible move

Jeffrey Todd

2:16

Not the right time. Sure, other teams would love the chance to take a shot at Cutch. But I don't see how they can sell low on an all-time franchise guy like that. Take him into the season and reconsider if things aren't going well at the deadline.

Gary

2:16

Do you do post season predictions?

Jeffrey Todd

2:16

Not really. I'd put my money on the Cubs, so, yeah ... real exciting.

Quaid

2:16

No brainer that the Nats bring Gio back?

Jeffrey Todd

2:17

Same basic reasoning as Jaime, except Gio doesn't have the long-term injury issues. Peripherals for both remain pretty strong. Gio was pretty good and still gave innings. Plus there's another option year after in his case.

Matt E

2:18

Where's Steve?

Jeffrey Todd

2:18

Ohhhhh forgot to mention!

Steve's on vacation, so I grabbed his slot today. He'll probably show up Thursday.

Wes g

2:18

Jason Castro 2 years for 10 million to ATL?

Jeffrey Todd

2:19

I kind of think he'll get more. He's a lefty bat so is always a platoon candidate. And there's so much need out there. All of the platoon-ish guys last winter got one year at $3-$4MM. Castro is a plausible starter and just 29 years old.

NYTT

2:20

Do you think a team that is desperate for defense in center field could deal for Mallex Smith and overpay a little? Does a Mallex Smith/Randal Grichuck swap make sense? Contingent on moving Markakis or Kemp, of course.

Jeffrey Todd

2:20

I'm not totally sold on the Mallex love. I don't see the Cards moving a major league bat with control in hopes that Mallex can hit enough to play CF.

2:21

Do you think the Red Sox trade Sandoval during the offseason?

Jeffrey Todd

2:21

Not really sure I see it lining up. They are better off hoping he becomes useful again and assessing as they go, I think.

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