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Jeffrey Todd
3:06
Hey folks. Stove's still hot so let's do this!
Drop some questions and we'll get moving shortly.
Mace
3:10
Who signs first: Marwin, Kimbrel, Dallas, or Bryce?
Jeffrey Todd
3:11
Since Marwin popped up in a rumor today that suggest there's some momentum, I'll take him. And I'll do you one better by ordering those guys ... Marwin - Bryce - Dallas - Kimbrel
DC
3:11
How in the world is Harper going to get 300 MM with only two teams in the bidding?
Jeffrey Todd
3:13
There's an underlying price support here, too. Just like the Phillies were sitting there in the mid-200's on Manny, with the Yankees having previously signaled that kind of level. Even if the active bidding is down to 2 teams (that's still not fully clear), the other teams' previous/perhaps ongoing presence still functions as an underlying factor.
Will
3:13
How much truth is there to the idea that the braves are saving money for a mid season move? Is that really what they are doing or are they just moving the goal posts?
Jeffrey Todd
3:14
On one level, it's kinda bs, because that's what they all say. Obviously teams can be more or less prudent with saving in any given year. But it's also nonsense in that the mid-season spending is necessarily a floating concept based upon the new info you have at that stage. If the Braves are buried, they won't add ... and may well sell some guys and end up saving $.
3:16
On the other hand, I don't discount it entirely. Keeping powder dry makes sense. It's just ... in this case, I'm not so sure. They have a 40-man roster and the future to consider. But with this level of competition in the division and outside of it for the WC, you can't really be holding back. The concept from McGuirk of a big midseason morale boost is particularly worthy of an eye roll.
3:17
Point here isn't that they should spend money just to spend it. But you can't always, in every case, hold to a strict, single-minded "valuation" in making spending decisions. A given spend on a given player may be more or less justifiable based upon a whole variety of factors.
Sean Burroughs’s Fan Club
3:17
Harper to Pads? Porque no?
Jeffrey Todd
3:18
I just can't fathom it. They already have a rather worrying level of spending locked in for the next five years or so on just 3 guys.
Wadz
3:18
Harper 330M+ to Phils seems inevitable?
Jeffrey Todd
3:19
I can't say it's inevitable. The Giants can definitely pay what's needed if they want to -- and may see it as much as a business decision as a baseball one. The Nats still cannot be counted out given their relationships with Harper and Boras.
Jesse
3:20
The NL central looks pretty congested right now... any predictions on a move or two during ST that could help create some separation?
Jeffrey Todd
3:20
Feels like these teams are pretty tapped out, honestly. Maybe someone gets creative with a player who falls through the cracks, but tough to guess what that might be.
anonymous
3:22
Pache, Toussaint, Riley, Newcomb, and one more for Degrom or Thor?
Jeffrey Todd
3:22
The time to offer that was last summer or right at the beginning of this offseason.
SEMO
3:22
Do the Padres end up signing Dallas or Gio to go with Manny? I love Luchessi, but he's not a number 1.
Jeffrey Todd
3:23
Well, neither are Dallas and Gio. But they can improve greatly upon that staff with relatively modest improvements. One issue will be managing 40-man. But I feel like they will have to be looking at things. Perhaps revisiting some prior trade talks for SPs? They did look into some big names previously ...
Drew W
3:23
Carlos Martinez -- Starter or Closer?
Jeffrey Todd
3:24
I'd think he should be given every chance as a starter. But man, Cards don't seem to be in love with him, esp in that role. He's a guy I have thought of as a Padres target.
Buddy
3:25
Giants just added two relievers, thoughts?
Jeffrey Todd
3:26
Feels like they are preparing for different possibilities. If they miss Bryce, could move on to deal some relievers (less likely veteran position players) and then try to unearth some cheap pitching in camp. If they land him, perhaps they keep the relievers and even go looking for other additions?
Mark
3:27
If Senzel wins the center field job, how does Cincy handle the other 4 outfielders
Jeffrey Todd
3:28
It's an interesting situation, in that he's an easy guy to stash at Triple-A to open the season even if they do want him to have the everyday CF job. He surely will be in a position to benefit from getting real game reps in that role before doing it in the majors. And was hurt to finish 2018.
3:29
Much as they want to max out the chances this year I think that keeping him down would be sensible. See how he's looking and assess at the MLB level. I'd think that dropping Kemp could become a relatively easy choice at some point.
Otherwise, just spread playing time.
Lunar verLander
3:32
I know it kind of goes against their recent organizational philosophy, but who should the Astros focus on extending between now and opening day?
Jeffrey Todd
3:34
Well they just did another deal with Altuve. That one was a bit surprising. Can't fathom that Verlander or especially Cole are going to take any kind of discount. JV is a very tough guy to value at his age with another season left to go. Would probably be a big gamble to lock him up. Correa seems likely to want to rebuild value, but perhaps there's a window to get a deal done now that his arb earnings are at a fairly low starting point? Obviously they'd probably love to do a Bregman deal but that'd probably mean setting some records.
Dave
3:36
If Stroman goes to the Padres, what is the best case scenario return for the Jays?
Jeffrey Todd
3:37
Another good possible target. I think the Jays know their price on Stroman. The Pads probably know it also. It probably would hurt to pay and would require some conviction from SDP that he really is the same guy he was. (As I've noted before, there's plenty of reason to think he'll bounce back if you look under the hood.)
Sahil
3:38
Do you think the Brewers need to add another starter if they want to have a chance to win the NL Central or can they get by with what they have?
Jeffrey Todd
3:39
Don't think they need to add just any old decent starter, no. They have depth. I assume they already fully checked out and passed on opportunities for bigger trades. Perhaps they won't find quite as much success with the decent rotation/great pen approach this year. In that case, if they are otherwise in a good position, they could re-engage on trades in the middle of the season.
Bochy
3:41
Behind the smoke screen, was this a forced "voluntary" retirement? Seems like Farhan wants his own man in there...
Jeffrey Todd
3:41
I think the writing was mostly on the wall for a final victory lap when they agreed to stick with one more season in the first place.
Early Bird catches the worm
3:44
Wow, i've never been one of the first people to this chat... i got worms... Also, what do you think a deal for JD Martinez would be to stay in Boston... 4 years, $120?
Jeffrey Todd
3:44
Telling that I just got to your question!
3:46
I honestly don't see why the Red Sox would even entertain a new contract. And I don't think they really will. They have some significant players nearing FA and much more important contract situations to consider, I think. This was all part of the deal they signed. He has to go out and rake again if he's going to look like an opt-out candidate. If he does, then maybe they'll pay up. They probably believe he will find a tough market situation again, particularly since he'll be two years older and rather far removed from regular OF duty.
Andrew
3:47
The Padres need Keuchel. The Padres can easily afford Keuchel. Why isn't Keuchel a Padre?
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