JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat With Jeff Todd

MLBTR Live Chat With Jeff Todd

Jeffrey Todd

3:40

Have you been keeping up with the Article XX(B) madness? Is it the most exciting day of the year for you too?

3:41

Let's let everyone mosey on in with some questions and then we'll get rolling shortly ...

Mike

3:42

Best chance for Swish?

Jeffrey Todd

3:43

I mean, I'd be surprised if he opened on an active roster. So, he's probably going to have to decide if he wants to go play at Triple-A and wait for a chance. That's all up to him, of course, but some guys in his situation would probably hang 'em up.

3:44

He just continues to have no power, and he really can't play the field. So I'm not seeing much hope unless he goes to the minors and rakes.

Orioles fan

3:44

Thoughts on the kim situation?

Jeffrey Todd

3:45

Sad. I want to watch him in the bigs. But you can see how a Triple-A stint would work out for everyone. He obviously wants to play in the majors, but it's not going to happen unless he earns the shot. It's not like it's shameful to be playing in the upper minors or something, and maybe he can get accustomed to things a bit and figure it out.

Anthony

3:45

Is the MLBTR App on iOS no longer available?

Jeffrey Todd

3:45

Not sure what makes you ask this, but if you have any issue with functionality or with getting it, please write into the MLBTR contact form.

Orioles

3:45

Who hits more homers, Alvarez or Trumbo?

Jeffrey Todd

3:46

Trumbo has the prospect of slightly more playing time, so him.

Now go forth and make fantasy magic.

Mike

3:46

Chances Jesus Montero clears waivers and ends up in Buffalo?

Jeffrey Todd

3:47

There are going to be a lot of guys flying around on waivers in the next few days. He could certainly end up in Buffalo, sure. But there's a reason they got him in the first place.

Josh R

3:47

Hey Jeff, what are the chances that Pablo Sandoval gets dealt to the Padres before the season starts?

Jeffrey Todd

3:47

I'm not sure I can give odds, exactly, but I'd be stunned.

Michael

3:47

Best farm system, worst projected team this year. Where do you see the Braves at trade deadline and best move they make?

Jeffrey Todd

3:49

We'll see, but ATL could be in a really nice position. Suppose Aybar or Grilli perform -- those are nice rental pieces. Suppose Teheran bounces back and there's a dearth of SP available -- he's cheap enough for any contender to add and he's a more justifiable target b/c he isn't just a half-season addition. We'll see, but the FO will stay nimble.

Anthony

3:49

Will Roman Reigns turn heel at WrestleMania?

Jeffrey Todd

3:49

I'd probably have been able to answer this question like two decades ago.

Jeff

3:49

Hey Jeff, love your offseason review of the SF Giants, do you see the Diamondbacks emerging as the NL West favorites?

Jeffrey Todd

3:50

Thanks! You know, I really don't. I kind of appreciate their counter-culture approach, and they have a legitimate team. It's possible to imagine a division winner there. But I just think there are still enough questions that they aren't the favorite. And the overall talent base doesn't stand out to me as being better than LAD/SFG.

jeff

3:50

are the Mariners pulling the whole smoke and mirrors trick like every year? (look good in spring and on paper and crap the bed in season) or do they have a legit shot at contending with the overrated Astros?

Jeffrey Todd

3:51

IIRC, the Astros were actually one of those teams that underperformed their BaseRuns expectations last year. (Go read about it on Fangraphs if you haven't heard of it.) So, maybe they aren't overrated at all.

3:52

But as to whether the M's can compete, sure. I do think you have to see more things going right for them than for HOU, though. Like, can Martin hit enough to be a legit CF? Does Ketel Marte get it done at SS? Iwakuma still Iwakuma? Walker take a step? Karns/Paxton have a strong year? Etc etc.

3:53

Every team has questions, of course, I just think they have a bit more to answer than the Stros.

G13

3:53

Is Rusney Castillo a bust after two years and no results?

Jeffrey Todd

3:54

It is juuuuuust a bit too soon to say that. But only just, perhaps. He still has a chance to earn back playing time. And there still could be a bit of gamesmanship in giving Holt the time -- get some steady production early and light a fire under Rusney.

Jeff

3:54

Do Giants make a trade for a starting pitcher if Peavy, Cain and/or Heston are struggling?

Jeffrey Todd

3:54

Promote from within to fill the gap, then assess in mid-July. (If it happens.)

Mike

3:55

Hi Jeff, just wondering if MLBTR is updating it's comments section anytime soon. I see they've added an Edit option to have 5 minutes to edit your post, but what about Thumbs up/Thumbs down. Most importantly, does the site plan on doing something about certain users posting the same comments over and over again?

Jeffrey Todd

3:55

That isn't really my department, but I do encourage you to email through the contact form with any suggestions/questions. We always try to answer these kinds of things. (And I'm sure you'll get a better response than I can give right now.)

PATigersFan

3:56

Odds Aaron Sanchez pitches well enough to stay in Jays' rotation all year

Jeffrey Todd

3:56

Doesn't matter how well he throws, he only ran up 100 or so innings last year so no way he gets a full starter's workload.

3:57

He's got a lot to prove, though. Walks have always been an issue, and he only K'ed 5.9 batters per nine last year - despite throwing mostly in relief. That's not so hot.

Os Fan

3:57

Shame on the Orioles for how they've handled this whole Kim situation?

Jeffrey Todd

3:58

Interested to know why you say this - maybe I missed something, but I thought he just was kinda playing really poorly all spring?

David Murphy

3:58

Why am I not in Orioles camp, yet?

Jeffrey Todd

3:58

I can see it, for sure.