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Paul Swydan

9:47

Bust out. As in be good.

Dr Evil

9:47

Chances Sonny Gray is dealt this year for an underperforming "upside" starter, an A ball prospect, a few AAAA type players and some shiny rocks?

Paul Swydan

9:48

Not sure. I've given up trying to peg Oakland's strategy. But I think if he gets traded, Oakland will fetch far more than that.

Byron

9:48

If you were a pitcher would you rather pitch in Coors but have elite defense at every position or pitch at Petco but have the worst defenders at every position?

Paul Swydan

9:48

Petco. Physically, it's hard to pitch in Denver for more than a few years.

9:49

It's why the Rockies should be helping fund college baseball in the area and drafting more local kids. Heaven forbid they actually look into a long-term strategy.

Dr Evil

9:49

Chances Aaron Hicks end up with the highest WAR among NYY OF's this year?

Jeff Zimmerman

9:50

Using MLB's grades for Story

Paul Swydan

9:50

Pretty decent, probably. All depends on the playing time. I'll vote Gardner for now.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:50

Here are his top comps:

Aledmys Diaz
J.T. Realmuto
Willson Contreras
Willy Adames
Brandon Nimmo

Paul Swydan

9:50

That's not exactly an encouraging set of comps.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:51

Nope, not at all

Phil

9:51

Keeper deadline tonight... 12-team standard 5x5 25-man roster... I can keep two of Price, Sale and Posey. I was leaning to Sale and Posey (given the dearth of quality catchers), then maybe just Sale, then maybe nobody as none may actually be 1st rounders. Thoughts?

Paul Swydan

9:51

I'd keep Sale and Posey for sure.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:51

Agree

Chicago Mark

9:52

I know the Trout/Angels problems seem clear. But how hard is it really to do better as GM with not just positional needs pulling at you? Ownership and $$ and coaching are constantly involved almost everywhere I'd guess.

Paul Swydan

9:53

Oh, there's no question that the Angels hands were severely tied by Arte Moreno pretending he knows things about baseball and signing Pujols, Hamilton and Wilson long term. None of those contracts have worked out that well.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:53

And the worst farm system anyone can remember

Paul Swydan

9:54

Yeah that hasn't helped.

Cam

9:54

Least likely to offend anyone deliberately - JJ Watt or Mike Trout?

Paul Swydan

9:54

Trout.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:55

Trout. By the way, how is the weather?

Chicago Mark

9:55

Need to fill in for Darvish in first half. Who do you like more, Valasquez, Eovaldi, Juan Nicasio or Cleveland Anderson? expecting the latter two get gigs.

Paul Swydan

9:55

Velasquez probably.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:56

Valasquez or Nicasio, both have upside, but get ready to move on if they stick

Travis

9:57

Staying with the Story theme - are you guys bigger fans of him or Ketel Marte? I'm stuck with one of them.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:58

I think Story just a bit better, but Marte could help with steals if needed

Paul Swydan

9:58

Marte has already debuted in the majors and hit above average. He's also a year younger. I'd say Marte.

Joc

9:59

Scouts reporting that Joc Pederson looks lost this spring. Still striking out a ton. Thoughts on his near and long term outlook?

Paul Swydan

9:59

I think he just needs to be thrown out there and trusted for a season. The last thing he needs is to be yanked in and out of the lineup. Either he can be an effective major leaguer with the Ks or he can't, but you need a little while to figure it out.

Jeff Zimmerman

10:01

If he has nothing to work on, keep him in the majors. If the Dodgers want to make a change, send him to the minors work through it. I didn't have high hopes, so the struggles didn't surprise me.

Trainman

10:01

Do you guys see ellsbury as a bounce back candidate? AL only league this weekend, draft auction.

Paul Swydan

10:01

Yeah, I can't see him being done this quickly. He might not be "Jacoby Ellsbury" again, but I don't see him as a scrub either.

Jeff Zimmerman

10:02

I think it will more the recent Ellsbury. Peak Ellsbury is done, but he will be an useful player

Paul Swydan

10:03

Unfortunately, we need to go to bed if we're going to be useful players tomorrow, so that's going to do it. Thanks as always for hanging out. Next week. REG-U-LAR SEA-SON BASE-BALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL.

Jeff Zimmerman

10:04

And you will have just Paul next week as I will be at the Royals game.

Paul Swydan

10:05

But there will be baseball. Night!

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