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Jeffrey Todd
2:54
Thanks for joining! Leave some questions and we'll get rolling ...
Fair warning, I need to close up shop right at 4EST/3CST
Bravos
2:59
Did you think that the Braves will sign one of the Big Free Agent?...Harper or Machado?
Jeffrey Todd
2:59
I'm not really ready to make any predictions on those two. That said, no, I don't particularly think the Braves are likely on either.
3:00
That position is truly hard to argue with, I'd contend. There are at least a dozen teams with the money to land either of those players. Most have as much or more need/capacity to do a deal.
JW
3:00
How has Donaldson looked for Cleveland?  Has he improved his free agency case any?
Jeffrey Todd
3:01
So far, yeah, he has absolutely helped himself by getting back on the field and showing excellent plate discipline. Teams will be taking a harder look from a scouting perspective than a statistical perspective, I'd imagine, under the circumstances.
Bearry
3:02
Wendle ROY?
Jeffrey Todd
3:03
I am pretty much driving the Ohtani bandwagon, insofar as I care about awards at all. He has been so good and is also uniquely amazing. Nobody else truly leaps off the page -- and that's not to diminish Wendle, Andujar, etc
Anthony
3:03
What do you think of Manaea as an extension candidate? Seems like Oakland could pick up an extra year or two and Manaea might want to lock in some guarantee given the surgery
Jeffrey Todd
3:04
I thought more of it before he was hurt, but that sort of contract is certainly not without precedent. Not sure I can recall an example of an arb-eligible starter, but Nate Jones and Adam Ottavino signed potential model contracts.
BB-STC
3:05
Pennant race?  It's more like a pennant crawl. Only the NL has one real race.  Can we just go back to the old format.  I know owners want more money, but is it worth all the lost interest in the sport?
Jeffrey Todd
3:05
Which format is that? When the wild card was just as valuable as the division? Don't think that'd help. If you mean, like, the ancient AL/NL single champ, I think that has sailed.
3:06
And I'm not sure how you can say "one real race" in the NL when two are still undecided with only a few games left ... NL East fell flat in the end but was also fully contested. Was just an odd year in the American League.
Mariners Fan
3:07
If you're Dipoto, do you look to add this winter and make one more playoff push or start rebuilding a weak farm system?
Jeffrey Todd
3:08
Not sure that true rebuilding is something they can afford to do strategically, given the $ on the books.
They played well enough to be in the WC hunt in a typical year.
3:09
Obviously the division looks ... tough ... for 2019. But what can you do? You tried to ramp up to compete and it's still available. Gotta just go for it sometimes.
NickTheQuick
3:10
Life long Angel fan and I love Trout but my team needs to do what is best and get a boatload for him now. What say you?
Jeffrey Todd
3:10
Don't think I agree. More importantly, even if that's a viable option, they first need to see if they can get him to agree to another extension.
Zulander
3:11
What is your take on the Mesa brothers and Gaston?  Can teams still blow past their international spending limit and take the penalty.  Are any of the 3 worth it?
Jeffrey Todd
3:12
I have no opinion beyond what I've read. Teams now face a hard cap, which significantly changes the situation.
Ryan
3:12
Thanks for chatting today.  As a Ranger's fan I'm frustrated at their rotation and their managerial situation.  What free agents do you think they'll go after, and who would be a good fit as the next manager?
Jeffrey Todd
3:13
The rotation is just lacking so many parts. I don't know how they could go about filling it reasonably via FA and don't think they will. I expect further attempts to get value, whether on short-term multi-year, one-year, or minor-league deals.
3:14
As for skipper, I really have no clue.
Drew W
3:14
Do you think the A's bring back Jed Lowrie, and if not, do you think Barreto is ready to take over 2b?  Thanks for the chat!
Jeffrey Todd
3:14
They can afford him. He wants to stay. Does any other team truly like him more than the A's?
3:16
I can definitely see this occurring. They obviously don't typically make huge outlays but he'll be within the parameters of signings they've done in the past. Re Barreto, I'm sure they still like him and think he's nearly/actually ready for the majors, but do you just roll the dice on that at this point? I think even if they let Lowrie depart they'd be after some other veteran infielder. Barreto has just a single BB in 72 MLB plate appearances .. that's worrisome.
Sammy
3:17
Are there really any people left that don't think deGrom is the NL CY? I'd there even really an argument for anyone else at this point?
Jeffrey Todd
3:17
I have to agree with that. Scherzer has had a Cy-worthy campaign, but deGrom has had a historic one. I think voters will recognize that.
John
3:18
Who is the Oriole most likely to be traded this offseason?
Jeffrey Todd
3:18
Mychal Givens
Secaucus
3:18
My Mets need closer, catcher and professional first baseman. What else?
Jeffrey Todd
3:18
Like 5 other relievers.
Sammy
3:19
What do you think a deGrom extension looks like at this point? Would 5/$125M get it done at this point?
Jeffrey Todd
3:19
No way man. He's 2 years from FA, sure, but after that season? Even at a relatively advanced age ... he has big arm money coming already and is now unquestionably a top, top arm. It's gonna cost.
John
3:20
They need to make the wild card game a best of 3
Jeffrey Todd
3:21
Thought Bill James put it well recently ... you had your chance to get in during the regular season, so you now have to suffer through a roll of the dice to keep it alive.
That said, if they could reasonably expand it a bit, that'd be cool.
3:22
Think I've promoted this before ... this is the right fix: https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-wild-card-round-requires-a-particu...
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