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El Jefe
12:26
Could the Yankees pursue an NBA style buy out with Jacoby Ellsbury to help slightly reduce their payroll figure for luxury tax purposes?
Dave Cameron
12:26
No.
Outta my way, Gyorkass
12:26
Wade Davis's deal...man, I thought baseball execs were past overpays for the "proven closer". Or, was that deal more like a "sorry, but you have to pitch at Coors" overpay?
Dave Cameron
12:27
If you think Davis is an elite RP, the price is fine. The question is whether you think Davis is still that. He's got some pretty big red flags.
Nelson
12:27
Do Machado and Donaldson have similar trade value?
Dave Cameron
12:27
I think Donaldson probably has a little more, because he's a bit better right now and probably has a more reasonable chance at a pre-FA extension.
Pat
12:28
Hey Dave, how many applications are you going to get for the position? I applied, we might be on the verge of becoming best friends!
Dave Cameron
12:28
We got something like 150 on day 1. We'll end up with several hundred, for sure.
DK
12:29
In the unlikely scenario that the ChiSox got Machado, wouldn't something like this be attractive? Front loaded 350 mil. 10 year contract, player option after 5, team option after 7. While he might get a higher AAV in FA, his AAV in years 1-5 could reach or exceed the FA AAV. The huge money starts earlier (like a 150% raise in 2018). If he continues to be elite, he opts out after 5 likely gets a higher AAV in 5 years. Plus, he shields against the risk of a down year/injury in 2018.
Dave Cameron
12:29
Why would the White Sox do that, though? They get Machado for 2-3 years when they won't win, then maybe 1-2 when they might, all for the low price of ~$200M?
Jay
12:30
At what point do I say "okay, the Braves aren't doing anything big" and set my sights on 2019?
Dave Cameron
12:30
I would never feel comfortable that Alex Anthopolous doesn't have something big planned.
12:31
His track record suggests he's always working on something crazy.
Sterling Malory Chris Archer
12:31
Can you announce some of the cool new things FGs is doing this new year?
Dave Cameron
12:31
Not yet, but we have a pretty cool announcement about another new staff member joining on Friday, separate from yesterday's job posting. The staff is going to be pretty great this year.
Stevil
12:32
Merry New Year! I'm curious if a deal between Seattle and Boston might be feasible, with Boston sending Rodriguez, Castillo and a little salary relief to Seattle (2019-2020) for Rzepczynski and maybe a low-level prospect. Rodriguez might miss the start of the season, but should be ready in the first half, and Seattle has no real outfield depth. This would be more of a salary dump for Boston and a way for Seattle to land a starting pitcher with some upside, simply paying for it in another way. Who would be more likely to say no? Does Boston have enough starting depth to get away with that?
Dave Cameron
12:32
The Mariners should do that in a second, but there's no way Boston should give away Eduardo Rodriguez just to clear Rusney's money.
Estevao
12:33
Imagine if NYY, BOS, SFG, STL or anyone else 4 that matter, had realized Justin Turner at 64/4 was the definition of a steal and offered him 90+ over 5
Dave Cameron
12:33
I know he's an LA kid and probably didn't want to go anywhere else, but that one will never make sense to me.
So many teams could have used him, and he signed for half of what he was worth.
Erik
12:34
Let's say Bryce Harper decides that the way to maximize his earnings is to sign one year contracts for the forseeable future, for at least the duration of time in which he remains a top-10 hitter. How much would he get paid per season? Would his career earnings actually be higher that way, barring a career-ending injury?
Dave Cameron
12:35
He'd get over $50M on a one year deal. The problem with this plan is the CBT specifically incentivizes longer deals, not shorter ones, by taxing big spenders on the AAV. So the teams that will want to sign him will want to spread the money out so they don't get taxed as high.
But yes, if Harper stayed healthy, he'd get the most money by taking a series of one year deals
Skeptical AF
12:36
Hey Dave. Happy New Year. I'm assuming you read Swydan's piece a couple of weeks ago on the Orioles' choice not to pursue Ohtani--or pretty much any other international free agent. Does the idea that Angelos is being, on some level, principled and pro-worker have any cachet with you? Do you see a single owner taking such action having any impact whatsoever? Or is the whole thing just PR spin on a massive organizational shortcoming (international scouting)?
Dave Cameron
12:37
No, I don't actually think Angelos is being pro-worker. But it was an idea worth considering.
SalYellon
12:37
Think Arrieta or Darvish get a 6th year?
Dave Cameron
12:37
Not anymore.
Sam
12:37
When do you factor in ZiPS into 2018 projections?
Dave Cameron
12:37
In March, when they're all done.
JH
12:38
Can you give us your hypothetical HOF ballot?
Dave Cameron
12:38
The guys who run the HOF have effectively made me not care about their institution. It's a poorly run museum made up of people with agendas who have too much power. Get rid of the people in charge and maybe I'll care again.
Matt
12:39
Gimmie some thoughts on JP Crawford. Has the "offensive shine" come back a little bit? Looking like a solid offensive SS, or we still concerned he's glove only?
Dave Cameron
12:39
I think he's going to be a solid average bat, maybe a bit above.
IsIt2015Yet?
12:39
Would Ian Happ + a prospect pretty far away like an Aramis Ademan be a reasonable Cubs/Pirates package for Cole?
Dave Cameron
12:39
It's not crazy, but I bet PIT could do better.
Mike
12:40
Who are the most likely suitors for Matt Kemp if they can package him with a prospect?  Likelihood of a trade?
Dave Cameron
12:40
At this point, the only teams I see being interested are ones who are looking to buy a prospect. Maybe someone likes Wilmer Font's projections enough to take $5M of the deal in order to get Font or something. Otherwise, I think LA cuts him.
Beni and the Betts
12:41
With the way this free agent market has gone, seems unlikely JDM will get the 7/180 deal you had predicted.  What would you say he gets now?
Dave Cameron
12:41
6/$160M, maybe.
Jon_D
12:42
Is there value to a second tier free agent to take a one year deal this year so they are back on the market for next year's free agent bonanza?  Not everyone saving money for next year will get Harper or Machado.
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