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Jeffrey Todd
4:21
Apologies for the weird start time and the Steve/Jeff swap. There were behind the scenes trade negotiations. Last minute changes. Jerry Dipoto tried to get involved for some reason.
Anyway ... I'll leave a few minutes for some questions to roll in and then we'll get moving.
AA
4:24
Now that I've signed Markakis, I assume a big move or two is coming soon?
Jeffrey Todd
4:25
I mean ... assuming they are dealing with a payroll cap (which seems only fair) then I guess it likely leaves some more room to add an arm or two. Big move? Dunno. Depending upon what they'd get -- trade for a young/controllable/cheap pitcher? a more expensive one? FA reliever? -- then this move may or may not be about "saving" on an OF to improve elsewhere. For all we know, they already intend to spend little more on pitching and see this as a splurge on Markakis.
4:27
It makes the most sense if you go with a sort of 4-man mix of Ender/Kakes (left side) + Duvall/Camargo (right) ... Camargo also seeing time in INF (and he's also a switch-hitter). But will they do that to a guy who has always been a regular? Don't know.
Dave D.
4:28
Any chance I sign a relief pitcher not named Craig Kimbrel?
Jeffrey Todd
4:29
I have to think they will. That unit could at the very least use depth. No reason they can't spend a bit on that, so far as I'm aware they still have at least some room to work with while staying under the max CBT penalty. (Which seems to be the goal.)
ATL
4:29
Was Nick Markakis really the best we could do?
Jeffrey Todd
4:30
I honestly find it underwhelming. Not b/c it's a bad value -- hey, good price -- but b/c the team just won a danged division title. Fine, don't go blowing your future by going wild, but that should justify a bit of a changed approach, whether that means spending a tad more or giving up some more talent.
The Rangers are going wild today.
Asdrubal.
Several minor moves.
And now ...
@BNightengale
27s
The Texas #Rangers sign veteran reliever Zach McAllister to one-year $1 million deal
Jeffrey Todd Helton
4:32
Markakis take a steep hometown discount here? You'd think that he would have been able to at least top Brett Gardner's contract, no?
Jeffrey Todd
4:32
@JonHeyman
17s
Markakis had offers for more money and more years elsewhere. But he wanted to return to the Braves.
Anyway ... moving on from Markakis ...
Danny
4:32
Will Harper or  Manny sign  soon?
Jeffrey Todd
4:32
Have to think both will sign before camp opens. So.. yeah, I suppose so, since that's like 3 weeks away.
Cory
4:33
What are the Twins going to do the rest of the offseason?
Jeffrey Todd
4:35
Got me. I mean, I believe I stated in last week's chat my general feeling on the subject. That club had more holes than the Braves, more reason for urgency (best young players already in arb), and an even better division opening. But they have been ultra-conservative. Maybe that'll change. Maybe they are the dark horse on Machado (!). Perhaps that explains the otherwise very cautious movement. But I do think they can and should go for something bigger. What are they waiting for?
Dan
4:36
Are the Reds done after acquiring and extending Sonny Gray or will they continue to make moves?
Jeffrey Todd
4:38
Dick Williams said there's more in store. I don't know where the spending limits or tolerance on moving young talent is, but ... barring a surprise strike for Realmuto, I'd assume the likeliest thing at this point would be to add to the bullpen.  Some of their better 2018 guys are regression candidates and depth never hurts. Could conceivably also boost the bench I suppose but it looks like most of their infielders should see steady time.
Jeffrey Todd Helton
4:39
Other than Keuchel, who is the best SP presumably available right now?
Jeffrey Todd
4:39
I think the next guy up would be Gio Gonzalez. You could perhaps argue Wade Miley or Ervin Santana.
George
4:40
The Yankees are too quiet to be out on Bryce Harper?  The last 3 years leading up to this season all we heard was Harper would be a Yankee.  What is your thought process on this?
Jeffrey Todd
4:40
Still zero indication. Still would never rule them out entirely til all is said and done.
4:41
Mostly wanted to respond on the point you make re the 3-year run-up. This is just all proving why that was so silly, as I think I tried to make clear when it came up. I bypassed I don't know how many "reports" on the subject when considering what to write up on the site, because it was just hard to fathom a basis for that kind of speculation.
Dan
4:42
Are you surprised Realmuto has not been moved to date? Are the Marlins asking too much for him?
Jeffrey Todd
4:43
It is surprising it hasn't come together yet, but I can see why. They probably feel that they can always go back to a certain level of deal with at least one team (if not more) -- that the offer will still be there b/c JTR is too good a player to pass up and they haven't done anything irreversible. The Dodgers and Braves, for instance have done things behind the dish, but it's not like that'd totally prevent them from getting Realmuto.
4:44
So, in that sense, perhaps the Marlins feel it's worth waiting to see whether a team finally breaks down and meets the high ask. Worst case, they can perhaps still get a very good return anyway. Just my speculation, though, and that's of course all quite vague since we don't know specifics of offers.
Jeffrey Todd Helton
4:46
Over/under 215 million for Machado in the end?
Jeffrey Todd
4:46
I'll still go well over. Feel free to call me out if that doesn't happen!
John
4:46
Are the Reds planning on contending this year? I don't understand why they've made the moves they have
Jeffrey Todd
4:48
Think the idea is to push the ball forward, hopefully contend, and not hurt the future too badly. It's not crazy at all. Only so long you can go between having competitive teams that fans want to watch. And it probably helps with forming a new, winning core to add these veteran guys. It has mostly cost money and the team obv has kept the prospects it values most.
Redlegs
4:50
After the reds deal for sonny is it safe to assume they r done with pitching?
Jeffrey Todd
4:50
SP, yes.
AJPreller
4:50
Am I filling the Padres need at 3B via trade or FA before spring training?
Jeffrey Todd
4:52
Man, who knows? Another possible Machado dark horse for sure. So many options still. I personally feel like SD has to come up with at least one reasonably significant move. Reds FO is pushing and it surely doesn't have near the heat that Preller does. He has had some time to get things going there and needs to start putting results out. Esp with Giants and DBacks being vulnerable, there's a chance to sort of at least put on a competitive face. I think they'll do more.
metsbro
4:52
What do you think the players union will push hard for in the next bargaining period, considering the uproar over the new reality of free agency?
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