JotCast | MLBTR Chat: 3/18/2023

MLBTR Chat: 3/18/2023

Simon Hampton

9:48

Good morning, will get this started in ten minutes or so, but feel free to submit your questions in advance.

Mets

9:59

Is the Mets season over? Where do they go from here? Is it likelier they do or do not make a move in the next two weeks?

Simon Hampton

10:01

Absolutely not. Losing Diaz is obviously a massive blow but he also wasn't the difference in them being competitive or not. I see some sense to them adding Britton to deepen the pen, but I'd be concerned by only having two players with options in the bullpen - I think you want more than that to maintain flexibility.

Boring answer? I think they largely hold off moves but could be aggressive at the deadline

Guest

10:03

How’s that podcast coming along ?

Simon Hampton

10:03

It's coming - Steve Adams and I recorded a dry run this week. We're just fine tuning a couple of things but it's not far off

A fan

10:04

Who will be the Yankees opening day shortstop?

Simon Hampton

10:04

Volpe hype seems to be picking up, and I think it's definitely down to him or Peraza, but I still think Peraza will win out (I'd love for it to be Volpe though)

Tim

10:05

Would Yankees or Dodgers be interested in DeJong for SS trade? I imagine Cards would have to pay portion of the 11 million owed.

Simon Hampton

10:05

Yankees? Definitely not. Dodgers are a maybe, but I get the feeling they're just gonna go with Rojas to begin with

J-Rod Show

10:06

Which team has best chance to surprise and make playoffs? Arizona, Baltimore, Miami, or Texas?

Simon Hampton

10:07

Good question. I lean Arizona as I think there's a clearer path there. I'd probably rank them Arizona, Texas, Baltimore, Miami

AL Central Casting

10:07

Chances the Twins win the division? Outside of Buxton staying healthy, who most needs to step up to make that happen?

Simon Hampton

10:08

I have the Guardians as pretty clear favorites, but think the Twins are comfortably in second, so yeah I could definitely see things working out for them. Some bounceback from Gallo and Kepler would go a long way

Bird droppings

10:09

Would shohei consider any teams from the central divisions when he is a free agent?

Simon Hampton

10:10

I think he'll consider anyone that throws enough money in front of him. Only he could say how much he values certain other factors, such as location, but as always money will surely be the driving factor

Guest

10:11

Shohei ends up where? Your best guess?

Simon Hampton

10:11

Dodgers

Armchair GM

10:12

Would you say the Blue Jays are the most likely of AL teams to dethrone the Astros as AL Champs?

Simon Hampton

10:12

Blue Jays and Yankees are neck-and-neck for me at the moment. Enough uncertainty over the Yankees' injuries to maybe have Toronto just ahead at the moment

Gruber_mullet

10:13

With Machado off the market, who is the top position player Free Agebt for next off season? (Not named Ohtanhi)

Simon Hampton

10:15

Think it's Matt Chapman at the moment, but a big year from Harrison Bader or Ian Happ could maybe change it. It doesn't look like a great free agent market for hitters next winter

Peace

10:16

Have the LA Angels improve enough to make the playoffs?

Simon Hampton

10:16

Really like the Angels this year, think they'll be right in the mix (yes, we say this every year)

Wally green monster

10:16

Chris sale over 80 ip this year looks pretty good definitely helps the sox if he's back to form

Simon Hampton

10:17

It does - easy to forget about him. Dark horse trade candidate at the deadline as well if the Sox are out of it and he's performing

Angels Fan

10:18

I know spring training stats don’t mean anything but Jared Walsh and Anthony Rendon have been killing it this spring. If they stay healthy, what’s stopping them from making the playoffs?

Simon Hampton

10:20

Rendon's always going to have his contract to try and live up to, but even if he can return to being a solid 3 fWAR player it'd help the Angels a lot. A lot of that comes down to health as you say

Bulljive

10:20

Who has a better season? Corbin Carroll or Gunnar Henderson?

Simon Hampton

10:20

Prefer Carroll, personally

Jake Z.

10:21

Your personal opinion, with the Padres current roster, do you think they have what it takes to perform well enough to overtake the Dodgers for the top spot in the west.

Simon Hampton

10:22

Yes, absolutely. I have the Padres as favorites out west. Still believe the Dodgers will have a very nice season, but think their roster has a few more holes in it this year than in the past

Nats3

10:22

Assuming the Pirates take Crews --who does Mike Rizzo pick at #2?

Simon Hampton

10:23

Way too early for that I think, plenty of water to go under the bridge between now and the draft

10:23

What team would take Hicks from NYY and at what cost?

Simon Hampton

10:24

I think if Hicks were to get moved they'd have already traded him by now. At this point, New York's better suited to trying to get a bounceback out of him. Another year removed from his serious injury and the shift restrictions mean it's not unreasonable to think he could see some improvements this year

Guest

10:24

Could we get a poll on the Gunnar v. Carroll question?

Simon Hampton

10:24

Sure

Better 2023 season?

Corbin Carroll (55.3% | 131 votes)

Gunnar Henderson (44.7% | 106 votes)

Total Votes: 237

Roberto 21

10:26