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Live Chat With Tim Dierkes
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Tim Dierkes
2:00
After a morning of snowblowing and sledding, I'm ready to talk baseball!
Graham
2:00
Thoughts on Justin Wilson signing?
Tim Dierkes
2:03
As a Cubs fan, I saw Justin Wilson pitch quite a bit over the last year-plus.  Lefties who throw 95-96 are always tantalizing, but his control was a serious problem for his entire time with the Cubs.  At times with the Pirates, Yankees, and Tigers, he was in a good place on that front, so it's up to Dan Warthen to bring back Good Justin Wilson.
Andrew
2:03
Why is Marwin Gonzalez not a Brewer yet?
Tim Dierkes
2:04
They are already about $10MM beyond the highest payroll they've ever had.  Plus for the Brewers it's more of a pure 2B opening/opportunity, and Marwin could be a bit wasted because they are solid at the infield corners as well as CF/RF.
JW
2:05
Are Harper and Machado going to start up their own league this season?  They are the two captains and they pick teams from the remaining free agents.
Tim Dierkes
2:05
I'd pay to see that.  Or in general, just all of the world's baseball players in one pool, and the 30 MLB teams do a snake draft.
2:06
I am an expansion draft nerd, so I'm rooting for two more teams just so we can have that again.
Brian
2:06
What do you think the Yankees are going to do with Jacoby Ellisbury?
Tim Dierkes
2:09
I feel like he'll start the season on the DL, since there's no reason to rush things after missing all of 2018.  He's 35 and has two more years at a huge salary.  If he demonstrates full health and the Yankees want to pay it down (or take on bad money) so that two years and $10MM remains, seems plausible that they could find a match in June or July.
Bruce
2:09
We know Boras clients take long but it’s not usually this quiet.  What’s up w Harper?
Tim Dierkes
2:10
At this stage, all I can really say is that no matter what happens with Bryce Harper, it's going to be super interesting.  For example, is there any conceivable way he decides to take a massive one-year deal?  Obviously anything under $300MM would be perceived as a huge disappointment if he goes the much more likely multiyear route.
JM
2:10
I know you're probably tired of questions about where Machado and Harper are going to sign, so how about places that they're NOT going to sign?
Tim Dierkes
2:11
Those holding onto hope for the Dodgers to jump into the fray on Harper can probably stop doing that in light of the Pollock signing.  I also do not expect a sneak attack from the Cubs.  The Red Sox aren't involved on these guys.  So there are three major powers who I don't see even as dark horses.
NL
2:11
Why do the Padres want Realmuto when catching is arguably their strongest position? The cost in prospects can't be worth the slight increase in production.
Tim Dierkes
2:13
Well, Austin Hedges had a .282 OBP and Francisco Mejia has yet to prove anything in the Majors (and was good, not great, in Triple A last year).  So if the Padres feel they should try to acquire the best catcher in baseball, that seems logical to me.
Rockies
2:13
Our winter so far has consisted of Daniel Murphy. Are we still looking for a catching upgrade and if so who represent a realistic option?
Tim Dierkes
2:14
Martin Maldonado and Matt Wieters are a couple of options.  Seems like a good club to pursue Realmuto but I don't think they are.  I imagine Francisco Cervelli could be had via trade.  But his salary might pose as many issues for the Rox as it does the Pirates.
Trenten Hansen
2:15
What do you think a Zobrist trade would look like
Tim Dierkes
2:17
I feel like it would resemble a salary dump.  You take the $12MM off our hands, we give you a respected near 38-year-old versatile veteran who can play around 120-130 games and provide above average offense.  Much like my nine-year-old car, he's worth more to the Cubs than to anyone else.
You know what they say...Zobrists lose 20% of their value the minute you drive them off the lot.
Time for some market research!
2:18
Would you pay $20 per year to remove the ads from all four Trade Rumors sites, as well as the app?
Yes (9% | 114 votes)
 
No (91% | 1,153 votes)
 
Total Votes: 1,267
Mark
2:18
Would Texas be a WC team with Harper and Manny?
Tim Dierkes
2:19
I find that plausible.  I think I've said that in previous chats.  They have plenty of spending capacity, and even if they're stepping back this year, they could see one of them as a unique opportunity if the price is right.
Player percentage of revenue
2:19
Hello.  I've heard multiple reports this week.  Some have me as low as 40%. Others have me well over 50%. How is a fan supposed to take a side in this when the magic number is so obscured?
Tim Dierkes
2:19
I looked into this at one point and I don't think there is an agreed-upon, undisputed number for it.
E&D
2:20
What are your thoughts about teams moving cities? Could the Marlins move somewhere given their recent ownership change and lack of a current competitive team?
Tim Dierkes
2:22
Given their new stadium and new ownership, let's wait until this ownership group reaches the peak of its intended competitive cycle.  I'd like to see them pledge a middle of the pack payroll for a five-year span.  That would probably mean around $150MM at that point.  Say they do that for five years, hopefully make some smart additions, and make the playoffs twice in those five years.  And remain at least a contending team throughout.  That's about the most you could ask for out of ownership.  If, after all that, the fans just don't show, then I think it's fair to look into relocation.
Juuust a bit outside
2:22
Is there any sense in a trade of Jose Martinez for Joc Pederson? It seems the dodgers had interest in Jmart earlier this offseason and The cards need a LH RF.
Tim Dierkes
2:24
Joc has his flaws, but he's the current starting LF and can play CF, so there's no reason to swap him for a DH.
TimmyPinDC
2:24
This is far fetched but if Machado is only being offered in the range of 200 million wouldn't it make sense for the Nats to offer him a bit more and shift Trey Turner back in to the outfield?  They
Tim Dierkes
2:26
Well, it's kind of jerking around one of your better players.  But I do think that if Manny would accept something in the 200 range, almost any contending team should be trying to shoehorn him into the roster.  For instance, could Machado play 2B for a year and Dozier would serve as super utility?
Goldy
2:26
How much money would it take for Goldy to sign long term with cards before season?  Would it have to be a massive overpay for him to forgo free agency? 6/150 starting with this year as first year is what I’m hearing cards are thinking.  Enough?
Tim Dierkes
2:27
If I was Goldy, and I liked St. Louis after a few months, I'd take an offer like that.  When's the last time a position player got over $150MM in free agency?
2:28
The answer is Chris Davis and Jason Heyward, after the 2015 season.  Times have changed drastically since then, plus both of those contracts were awful.
Ryan
2:28
Is Moncada falling into Byron Buxton territory? Give him another year or he is what he is?
Tim Dierkes
2:30
I don't think either player is what he's shown so far.  Buxton is 25, Moncada is not yet 24.  Unlike the Twins, the White Sox did the right thing for Moncada in 2018 - just give him the starting job and let him take his lumps.  Even if Moncada lands at 20 HR, .330, acceptable defense, that's a nice thing to have.
Jason in Australia
2:30
Still some top end free agents out there. Will Harper, Machado and Kimbrel get deals done before pitchers and catchers arrive at spring training?
Tim Dierkes
2:30
I'll guess yes on Manny, no on Harper.  That is founded on nothing.
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