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MLB Trade Rumors Live Chat With Tim Dierkes
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Tim Dierkes
9:29
I suppose if any GM has earned the benefit of the doubt on building a team without big FA signings, it's Zaidi after winning 107 games last year.  I don't think the Giants are signing those guys.
Frustrated Red Sox Fan
9:30
Why is Chaim Bloom doing nothing to improve Red Sox for 2022?
Tim Dierkes
9:30
Chaim Bloom is being very Chaim Bloom-ish.  Dude was not hired to sign Carlos Correa and stuff like that.
Stl Cards
9:30
When do all these upper tier free agents starting getting nervous and start to sign with teams?  Today, tomorrow?
Tim Dierkes
9:31
I don't think we've reached the "time to get nervous" portion of the game of musical chairs.  A week from now we'll be there.
Guest
9:31
You should start a scoreboard of who broke what
Tim Dierkes
9:31
The website itself is that, kind of
Dale
9:31
Can Suzuki play CF for the Cubs? I know he apparently has a cannon for an arm, but how is his range?
Tim Dierkes
9:32
I haven't heard much suggestion that he'd be suited for that.  The Cubs need to just not make any commitment to Heyward's playing time, and potentially release him.
Parker
9:32
Tim, I understand the Reds wanting to add some young pieces… but we had two all stars last year and would’ve made the playoffs if the Cardinals didn’t win like 50 games in a row… Personally I just don’t understand the rebuild idea based on that. Your thoughts?
Tim Dierkes
9:33
They'll tell you it's not a rebuild.  And if it was, there are guys they'd definitely sell off in the coming weeks.  Bob Castellini wanted to save some money, so the Reds torched their 2022 playoff chances.  That's it.
Brandon
9:33
I still think the Nats have a big move or two left. What would you do if you were them?
Tim Dierkes
9:34
I thought Greinke would've been decent for them.  But I think they need starting pitching the most and free agency is now just back-end guys.  I guess they could trade for Jake Odorizzi or sign Tyler Anderson or something.  I don't see a big splash.
Salazar
9:34
How many years do you think it will take to determine if the Braves made the right move choosing Olson over Freeman?
Tim Dierkes
9:36
I guess in a sense 2, since that's what they knew they were getting for Olson when the decision was made.  Also, if you're offering Freeman five years starting at age 32, you're focused the most on him being great in those first two years.  Plus by then we'll have more clarity on what Pache and Langeliers will be.
MH
9:36
What prevents teams like the Dodgers from tacking on a couple mutual option years at $500k a piece at the end of a deal like Freeman's? Lower the tax impacts and be able to easily cut him at the end (or retire)
Tim Dierkes
9:37
Nothing really stops it, except that Freeman probably didn't want to transfer dollars to the end of the contract in the form of a buyout.  And any obvious gaming of the system would be voided by MLB.
Orioles
9:37
Do you think we actually have a chance at Correa?
Tim Dierkes
9:37
I don't expect it at all.  But I think it's something they should be taking a serious look at, gauging the price.
Luis
9:37
Can Frankie Montas net back a top 5 prospect?
Tim Dierkes
9:38
Like Bobby Witt Jr.?  No.  The top prospect in the Olson trade was probably Langeliers, a top 80 guy.
Phil
9:38
Where do the Phillies go from here? They’re clearly not up to the Mets’ and Braves’ level, yet they’re $10MM away from the CBT. Does Middleton finally go over the threshold now that they’re so close?
Tim Dierkes
9:38
Reading Matt Gelb's recent column, they seem to have zero appetite to go over the CBT.
George Fulmer
9:39
Hey Tim, what do you make of Boston’s pursuit of Trevor Story?
Tim Dierkes
9:39
Bit of a square peg into a round hole.  If they sign him, someone's unhappy, because both he and Xander want to play SS.
Beane counter
9:39
Who brings a better return? Montas or Manea?
Tim Dierkes
9:40
Montas - has two years of control as opposed to one.  And is a better pitcher regardless.
Joe the giants fan
9:40
Farhan Zaidi said that the giants are pursuing a 2B in an interview.  I don't really see many other than Villar on the market, am I missing someone?
Tim Dierkes
9:41
Jed Lowrie or Tony Kemp?  That market is thin if McNeil stays put.
Jon KK
9:41
Jason Heyward for Patrick Corbin or Tyler Glasnow? Or at this point does J-Hey hold too little value to anyone?
Tim Dierkes
9:41
J-Hey holds extreme negative value.  I suppose the money could be worked out on a swap for Corbin, and I think the Nats bid on Heyward in free agency, but Corbin seems more fixable.
Dale
9:42
How much does Tampa have to package with Kiermeyer to trade him? Would they include Glasnow or Brujan?
Tim Dierkes
9:42
Heck no they wouldn't have to include those guys.  If it's a team that's not close to the CBT, I think just a marginal prospect and taking on all the money gets it done.  I'm not convinced the Rays will trade him before Opening Day.
9:43
Matt Gelb pointed out something I didn't know, with regard to Kiermaier-Phillies: "The calculus changed with the new collective bargaining agreement. A small accounting wrinkle to contracts that are traded had a direct effect on a player like Kiermaier. He is signed to a six-year, $53 million deal, which means his average annual value is $8.83 million. However, under the new CBA, a traded contract is recalculated to reflect the remaining actual dollars. That means contracts that are backloaded will be harder to trade (if the acquiring team is concerned about the luxury tax threshold).
Had the Phillies acquired Kiermaier in a trade, he would have counted for $14.67 million against the luxury tax payroll in 2022. That number might have prevented the Phillies — operating on a budget designed not to pay tax — from other moves. They did not value Kiermaier at that rate, along with whatever prospect capital it would have cost. So, they explored other options for center field."
Guest
9:43
CONFORTO TO MIAMI
Tim Dierkes
9:44
Yes, it makes sense.  Any team making him an offer has to account for the forfeiture of a draft pick.  If an international draft is agreed to, this could be one of the last draft picks forfeited for FA compensation.
What fans?
9:44
I know it's a business and it takes two to tango but seeing Freeman out of Atlanta still hurts.  And I'm not even a Braves fan
Tim Dierkes
9:46
There's not really loyalty on either side and I don't see how there can or should be.  Often times when a player stays with one team for his whole career, it's because he was content taking less than market value.  I'd say Kershaw has done that multiple times.  If Kershaw had instead sought fair market value instead of a 3/93 extension, I wouldn't have faulted him for it.
9:47
So in the case of Freddie and the Braves, I've seen all the static they're getting from baseball writers, but valuations didn't match up.  It's fine.  Braves simply did not see him as a 6/162 player, and I don't know why we have to say they need to.  They employed him for 12 years not out of loyalty, but because of his ability to hit a baseball.  They've made an assessment on his ability to hit a baseball over the next six years and put a dollar value on it.  Might seem cold but that's the way it's been since the advent of free agency in 1976.
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