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MLBTR Chat: 1/11/22
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Mo
3:13
Over last few years, experts said Cardinals needed 3 bats, in that time (Goldy-wait 2 years, Nolan. Do we finally get another bat, and stop playing for last playoff spot?
Anthony Franco
3:14
It seems like the bigger focus is on the bullpen. I think they should be open to a Nelson Cruz type if there's an NL DH though
Matt
3:14
Some say a player/manager is less likely in modern times. I argue, differently, as analytics and front offices are playing a more active role in decision-making, which could lessen the load of a manager. What say you?
Anthony Franco
3:15
I don't see it. I think there's too much information for the manager to have to weigh without having to also worry about keeping in peak physical shape
Bert Blyleven's Uncle Charlie
3:15
Do you see Miguel Sano as a trade candidate or more of an option to be released at this point?  He's got power to the moon, but he has to hit the ball, first.
Anthony Franco
3:16
Neither, really. Cutting him doesn't achieve a whole lot, and I doubt they'd do it unless he gets off to an absolutely terrible start
But yeah, at $10.5MM guaranteed next year, I don't think anyone's biting on a Sanó trade. Probably just rolling with him into the year and hoping he hits
Alex R
3:16
Is there even a chance the NL doesn’t get the DH? Or is it a foregone conclusion at this point?
Anthony Franco
3:17
I wouldn't put it at 100%, largely because of what happened last year where the league thought it was more of a carrot to the union than the PA did
3:18
But ultimately, I think they both want it and have a hard time seeing it not happen. If I had to handicap it, idk, 80%?
CBA
3:18
What do you think will be some big story lines to follow for the 22 season?
Anthony Franco
3:19
Acuna coming back from injury, whether the Angels stars stay healthy and they compete, if the Padres can stick with the Dodgers and Giants this time around
Both the East divisions have three or four plausible contenders to me. I think there's a lot to look forward to down the line, even if they past six weeks have been and next month will probably be ugly
Aaron
3:20
Is there anyone on the Rangers besides Jon Gray who the Rangers should be comfortable with in their rotation?
Anthony Franco
3:21
Dunning's a fine back-end guy. Howard and Alexy are probably worth getting a look at because the Rangers still aren't ready to compete, but if they were all-in to win this year, then you wouldn't want to count on those guys
Kyle Lewis
3:21
Can I still be a viable CF, or will my injuries relegate me to a DH most days?
Anthony Franco
3:21
Splitting the difference and rotating him through the corner outfield and DH feels like the best solution to me
MLB Fan
3:22
Why is it that college football and basketball players go straight to the NFL and NBA while even the best collegiate baseball players usually need time in the minors?  Is major league baseball that much harder than football and basketball where it just takes more time to reach elite level status?
Anthony Franco
3:22
Good question, I think the biggest issue is the caliber of pitching even the elite hitters are facing
3:24
Even the best college pitching staffs can thin out by the time you get into the bullpen, so hitters aren't really getting tons of reps against MLB-caliber pitching. And while I think football and basketball are sports where athleticism can translate pretty quickly (at least at certain positions), baseball's a skills-oriented sport
3:25
For elite college pitchers, I think the delay is more about workload maintenance than anything else. Jack Leiter threw 110 innings at Vandy last year because the college baseball season starts in February. Even if the Rangers don't think he's far off MLB readiness, they don't want to throw him right into the big leagues and risk getting him hurt by overuse
Guest
3:26
Does Steve Adams still do chats?
Anthony Franco
3:26
Steve took some time off, but he'll be back. Not sure exactly what his return date looks like, might be as early as next week
Chris Young
3:27
With my new middle infield…. Who from Foscue, smith, duran, Acuña, Acosta……  do I trade ? do I keep?
Anthony Franco
3:28
Keep them all for now and see which guys don't pan out. Some will settle in as utility types. Guys like Fescue and Duran might hit enough to be viable corner outfielders even with Seager/Semien locked in
Adam Frazier
3:28
Predictions for how he'll perform with Seattle next season?
Anthony Franco
3:29
I think he'll be a slightly above-average hitter who bounces between second base and left field, as he was for most of his time in Pittsburgh
He was never going to sustain his All-Star level play from the first half, but I don't have a great explanation for why everything fell apart in San Diego. I'll bet on his track record of being a pretty good everyday guy
Guest
3:30
Do you Giants could sign Kris Bryant for 4/80?  I don’t see where his recent performance justifies more.
Anthony Franco
3:30
I don't know that I'd meet our projected 6/160 on Bryant, but I think you're way underselling him at 4/80
3:31
He's not an MVP type guy anymore, but he's a well above average hitter who's a capable third baseman and corner outfielder. I still think he's an All-Star caliber player for the next couple years
Story
3:32
Will Story land in Houston? Or do you think they'll go with Pena?
Anthony Franco
3:33
I think he's a really strong fit there, yeah. Believe I picked Houston on the initial Top 50
El
3:33
I'm from the future. Guess which one of the following ends up being true: Cedric Mullins wins an MVP, Zack Greinke wins another Cy Young, Fernando Tatis Jr. is seen as a major bust.
Anthony Franco
3:33
Mullins is the only one of these that feels even a bit plausible to me
Ugh
3:33
With MLB and the PA not even started in earnest on core issues, what are the chances we (i.e. fans who read MLBTR at work) get progress on 'fun issues' like trading draft picks and an international player draft?
Anthony Franco
3:34
I don't know that either side cares much about draft pick trading, but an international draft feels like something MLB will push for eventually
QUEUEBD
3:35
If Brandon Crawford puts out two more above average seasons with the bat do you think he has a shot to join Buster and Bochy in the HoF?
Anthony Franco
3:36
I doubt it. Both FanGraphs and B-Ref have him around 30 career WAR. Typically guys need to be around 50 to draw much consideration
3:37
As with Rollins, that's not meant to diminish Crawford. Fantastic career, Giants' Ring of Honor guy, incredible production last season. But being a Hall of Famer's really hard
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