JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat

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Jeffrey Todd

3:11

Hey all ... busy day! Gather up, start dropping questions, and we'll get rolling in a bit.

Lunar verLander

3:17

...what are the Mets doing?

Jeffrey Todd

3:17

phew ... quite a way to start

3:18

Um ... the most interesting element of this to me is the idea that they are clearly interested in Cano or some other 2B beyond the involvement of Diaz. I find that a bit curious b/c I think McNeil is a pretty nice asset for a team that has some ugly contracts on the book, but hey, they know him best.

3:19

Trading Thor ... I don't really understand fully. I mean, I get the possibility of getting multiple pieces back of course, but doing that at the same time as they are making win-now moves is odd. Plus, going on to buy a FA starter ... how much are they spending here in total? And how is the roster going to look that much better?

Guess we'll have to see how it shakes out.

Mike

3:19

The rumours are swirling...but is there actually a chance that the Jays can find a suitor for Russel Martin?

Jeffrey Todd

3:19

If they'll eat the $ necessary, absolutely.

Yep

3:20

If schoop becomes a non tender FA, what can he sign for?

Jeffrey Todd

3:20

Less than 10, presumably, though he could perhaps be a multi-year guy from a team that wants to the risk. He may prefer a one-year deal.

Drew

3:21

Do the Phillies get Corbin? If not who is their backup plan? Also do they prefer Machado or Harper?

Jeffrey Todd

3:22

Seems they might have to outbid the Yanks and Nats, if not others. Certainly possible. Not sure it's a strict backup plan situation ... I think they could realistically not do much with their rotation, but are looking at ways to get significantly better. In other words, I don't just expect them to check down to the next available arm til they fill the rotation opening, say.

3:23

Oh, and it's not an either/or w/r/t Corbin and Manny/Bryce

Andrew

3:23

Who is starting in RF for the Braves next year?

Jeffrey Todd

3:23

Still like the Cutch fit pretty well.

3:24

Oh, and I would like to point out: the JD signing is my new comeback every time we discuss something here that the GM of the team in question has seemingly ruled out via public comment.

We go through this dance all the time. "THEY ARE NOT SIGNING A THIRD BASEMAN THEY ARE HAPPY WITH CAMARGO", etc.

And here we are!

3:25

(I like the move quite a bit btw ... great way to utilize the immediate payroll space without tying up future $)

Rick hahn

3:25

Is Avi going to get us anything descent?

Jeffrey Todd

3:25

Nope. Just as likely a non-tender, if not more so.

Jeff

3:26

What free agent starting pitcher do you predict the Reds landing? An impact guy like Keuchel or someone a tier below him?

Jeffrey Todd

3:26

Not sure I'd characterize Keuchel as an impact pitcher at this stage. He might still have a really strong season or two in him, but he's more of a steady #3-4 anchor.

3:28

Syndergaard would be impact. Supposedly they are out on him. Not sure what else would qualify that's even remotely realistic. I expect they'll end up more in the realm of solid rotation pieces. Really hard to guess if they'll spend what's needed for the guys they like best or end up waiting to see whose price drops a bit.

derek

3:28

You expecting a lot of trades this offseason

Jeffrey Todd

3:30

That is sort of what I expect. Not so much the typical prospect deals, though there are potentially a few of those (eg Realmuto), so much as roster shuffling maneuvers. That's why I put together this list of contract swap candidates (which to reiterate, doesn't just mean "bad contracts"): https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/11/2018-19-contract-swap-candidate...

Marcus Stroman

3:30

Should I sign an extra year lease on my condo in Toronto? Asking for a friend.

Jeffrey Todd

3:31

I believe they just announced you have a bobblehead, so you can probably commit to an equal degree.

Ben

3:32

the mariners don't actually have anybody that's untouchable right? less than a week ago Dipoto said haniger and diaz were untouchable and now he's ready to send them off in a cano salary dump

Jeffrey Todd

3:34

I really don't love the untouchable phrasing, generally, though I did use it (not in a strict manner) in a post today. Really there aren't many such players. I don't believe DIpoto ever said anything truly definitive ... he did express, understandably, that he's not particularly interested in moving those guys. But you know Jerry's track record. Nothing is off the table.

3:36

Sorry, I'm wading through lots and lots of Cano/Diaz questions ...

Dick Williams

3:36

Could I acquire Zack Greinke?

Jeffrey Todd

3:37

Not realistically, unless they can and are willing to drive down the payroll hit by including prospects. Too big a salary otherwise. But he fits in roughly the same way he does the Braves, which I discussed in my offseason outlook post for them. It's a reach but perhaps not totally wild.

Patrick Corbin

3:38

Bronx Bound right? 6yr @ 132 million

Jeffrey Todd

3:39

Still don't know a reason to predict a different org gets him, but there's some Shin-Soo Choo level market juice right now for Corbin. We thought we were aggressive on him at 6/129 but I think I saw someone guessing something wild like 7/175 today. Would be surprised at that, but ...

Jeremy

3:40

What are the whitesox doing? It’s been quiet

Jeffrey Todd

3:41

I still don't expect them to drive the market. Doesn't make much sense.

Matt

3:42

Why do the Mariners have to Mariner?

Jeffrey Todd

3:42

Are we sure they aren't seeing a real chance to do something really useful here?