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Anthony Franco
5:42
No, they're good
Matty the Horse
5:42
How many AL East teams are likely to make the playoffs?
Anthony Franco
5:42
Still think it's three. Would probably leave the Sox out
Crash Davis
5:43
Burger, Brat, or Dog…first thing you grab at a cookout?
Anthony Franco
5:43
Typically a burger
Bonsai Bob
5:43
Are the Angels more likely to sign Ohtani to an extension this year or trade him?
Anthony Franco
5:43
I don't think they'll do either, but I can at least see the possibility of an extension coming together. I can't imagine them trading him
Guards up
5:44
Realistic trade options for the guardians this summer. Both coming and going
Anthony Franco
5:44
Josh Bell feels like a good fit there, maybe Tommy Pham
5:45
If it goes the other way, I could see them moving Amed Rosario or something. A Zach Plesac deal still feels possible if they're confident in the pitching depth they've got coming up
Tom Terrific
5:45
If you could have any current closer to save a "must win" game, who would you choose?
Anthony Franco
5:46
Probably Josh Hader
Jeremy
5:46
Will the upcoming roster reduction be a catalyst for any deals?
Anthony Franco
5:47
I did a thing for Front Office subscribers this week where I looked at some guys I could see being on the roster bubble by next week. Middle relievers, some utility types that aren't playing a ton in the early going
5:48
I do think it'll be a catalyst for some activity on the margins of a couple rosters, but it's not going to spur a jaw-dropping move
Braves
5:48
Dansby is in a slump...do the Braves need to look at some options?
Anthony Franco
5:48
Not yet but if he's still swinging and missing this often a couple weeks from now, I'd become a little more concerned
Matt
5:49
Do you think MLB will ever institute a salary cap? I was watching the Dodgers-Dbacks game yesterday and they pointed out the Dodgers payroll is $200 million more than the Dbacks. At what point does it become too unfair?
Anthony Franco
5:49
No, I don't the union is ever going for this, and it'd have to be collectively bargained
bmcferren
5:50
Most creative thing the Pirates can do to add to their rotation in the short term?
Anthony Franco
5:51
I don't think they really need to do anything. They're not competing this year. The biggest rotation question marks for them are whether Keller or Wilson can be long-term guys, so I'd rather just give them 20 starts apiece
Eventually Contreras will be back up as well
Robbie Baseball
5:52
I realize it is tough to make an educated guess at this point (as we are only three weeks into the season), but who do you predict will be the biggest name dealt at the trade deadline?
Anthony Franco
5:52
Probably Luis Castillo
Francesco
5:53
Which of the proposed 2023 rule changes could have the greatest impact?
Anthony Franco
5:53
I think the pitch clock will have the greatest impact on the spectator experience, while the shift ban will have the biggest effect on results
5:54
I'm skeptical the bigger bases do anything
Jindoclese
5:54
what do you think is the biggest cause of increased fastball velocity?  Personally I think it’s no more fear of TJ.
Anthony Franco
5:54
I agree there's probably a greater risk tolerance for injury, even if it's just because everyone else is throwing harder and guys feel pressure to keep up
5:55
So I think that's part of it, but the two biggest factors for me would be increased bullpen usage, which allows guys to empty the tank more than ever and not worry about working as deep into games, and the prevalence of weighted ball-type training that has become more accepted over the last 5-10 years
Duffy
5:56
Whitlock: should he be a starter or the closer? Additionally; how do you feel about this closer by committee the Red Sox are doing?
Anthony Franco
5:57
I like Whitlock in the in-between role. 3-4 innings at a time, not as a traditional starter but a true high-leverage weapon you can leave in when he's going right
5:58
They pitched him for like the last 4-5 innings to lock down a close win in Detroit a couple weeks ago. I think that's perfect
5:59
Alright everyone, we're pushing an hour and a half here
6:00
I have to head out. Apologies on all the stuff I couldn't get to, you can throw stuff at me on Twitter @affranco10 throughout the week
6:01
I also run a chat exclusive to Front Office subscribers on Friday afternoons where I get through the vast majority of the questions because it's a smaller queue
If that's of interest to anyone, you can find the link to sign up here
Also get weekly articles from Steve and myself, some fantasy-slanted analysis from Brad, and a mailbag from Tim
We'll do this again next week, have a good one!
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