JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat

Jeffrey Todd

3:04

Thanks for joining! Drop some questions and we'll get moving in a bit ...

Matt Harvey

3:07

Any chance I can salvage my career?

Jeffrey Todd

3:07

Sure. But for all involved, it might be best if that effort was undertaken with another org.

3:08

Obviously there are things to overcome there. The arm speed just isn't what it once was. That's not totally uncommon, but he hasn't shown he can adapt and has a significant injury history.

Jake

3:08

What do you make of the struggles of Yu Darvish? Can he still be a top 30 pitcher, or is he just now ok?

Jeffrey Todd

3:09

He gets a much longer leash. Swinging strike drop isn't great but it's also not so massive that you need to freak out yet. Obviously some adjustments need to be made though.

3:09

Any chance the Phillies can trade for a young controllable starter like Stroman?

Jeffrey Todd

3:10

Sort of an iffy example given his poor start, but yeah, sure, it's definitely possible to imagine them pursuing that sort of thing at the deadline this year. If they're willing to spend on major FAs, no reason they wouldn't be amenable to at least considering swapping some of the position player depth for a good arm.

As you know, asking price will be lofty for anyone who's legitimately good, affordable, controllable.

Walker Bueheler

3:11

Blessing in disguise that Ryu is hurt. I’m the 3rd best starter here!

Jeffrey Todd

3:11

I'm going to disagree here ... Ryu has been pretty danged good.

ATL Braves

3:12

Are we legit contenders for a postseason spot or just riding a hot hand?

Jeffrey Todd

3:12

Given the good start in the W-L dept, and what the young players have shown thus far, I think that expectations are moving northward. I think they are a legit contender.

3:13

Albies/Acuna/Soroka is pretty darn exciting isn't it?

Kap

3:14

Raisel Iglesias to the Braves almost makes too much sense

Jeffrey Todd

3:15

He makes sense on quite a few teams. If the Reds indicate they're willing to move him, there'll be lots of interest. Though the walks are concerning.

Yankee Fan

3:17

Drury, frazier and a three piece for Bumgarner?

Jeffrey Todd

3:17

You really think that's going to get it done?

Jeff

3:17

What types of decisions do you envision Ichiro making in his new role? Many former players seem to make that transition to "special assistant", but what exactly, from you perspective, does that entail?

Jeffrey Todd

3:19

He's not going to just jump in and start making baseball ops calls. It's hard to know, but his involvement could range from purely ceremonial to reasonably significant. But unless he spends some time getting in the nitty gritty, I would assume he's not a big wig.

3:19

Thoughts on the type of contracts AJ Pollock and Patrick Corbin might land in free agency? And is there any chance the Diamondbacks find the money to keep either/both of them?

Jeffrey Todd

3:20

If they keep up anything like their current paces, and stay healthy ... both could conceivably be considered for nine-figure contracts.

Trouble for the DBacks will be the same as with JDM -- you can't fit but so many big contracts, and they already have that whopping Greinke deal in there. Something would have to bend to make it work.

Rick Springfield

3:21

Is Chris Archer regressing or is it just another bad April?

Jeffrey Todd

3:22

So hard to know. The dinger problem just hasn't gone away and I guess it has to be increasingly worrying that it never really will.

Matt E

3:22

Are you still a believer in any of the young Reds starters currently not in the rotation?

Jeffrey Todd

3:23

"Still" would imply I ever was ...

That's not to say that I had an opinion in the other direction, really, either. I just don't have much in the way of prospect viewpoints since I don't and couldn't take the time needed to adequately evaluate them.

dwest

3:24

Cubs' offense has been putrid of late. Any trade target that makes sense that isn't named Machado? Thinking of like, Leonys Martin.

Jeffrey Todd

3:25

I don't believe they'd really see Martin as an offensive upgrade. I realize he's off to a nice start but there's a broader track record to consider.

3:27

Beyond that ... I can't say that I have thought about that closely enough to think of specific targets, but I definitely think there's a possibility that the Cubs will be looking for a stick at the trade deadline. More time to go before they need to make a move, of course, but there are some questions in the lineup.

Good thing is they have some flexibility in terms of positions, so that might help them find a guy they really want or achieve good value.

Rick Springfield

3:28

Will Mookie Betts hit 40 homers this year? Or is it just a hot start?

Jeffrey Todd

3:28

Will Mookie hit 40 bombs?

Yes (42.1% | 122 votes)

No (57.9% | 168 votes)

Total Votes: 290

Bobby

3:29

With LeMahieu on the DL, are you surprised they didn't give Rodgers a shot? Is LeMahieu a trade piece this year?

Jeffrey Todd

3:30

You don't call upon a guy like that for spot duty, generally. LeMahieu is a solid performer on an expiring contract, which makes him an asset that a team in the Rockies' position is likely to be interested in retaining, not trading.

Robot Chicken

3:30

Why doesn’t anybody sign a WAR based contract?

Jeffrey Todd

3:31

There are actually strict limits to what you can and cannot base incentives on. Generally, it's limited to playing-time-related statistics (games pitched, plate appearances, games finished).

Disgruntled Employee

3:31

Thanks again, Jeff. Helping to get me through yet another dull and unnecessary meeting.

Jeffrey Todd

3:32

Chatting during a meeting? Bold.

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