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MLBTR Chat: 3/3/22
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Anthony Franco
5:11
We follow a few hundred reporters (both local beat people and national media) on Twitter and primarily keep an eye on there, but we're also reading the full-length stuff they put out
Trevor
5:11
If the Tigers were to make another splash this offseason, do you think their target should be another SP or maybe an OF. Baddoo, Grossman, Greene feel like the only for sure big leaguers out there and even Baddoo could fizzle out.
Anthony Franco
5:12
Another starter's a must. Bump Alexander back into a swing/depth starter role
5:13
I'd look at the outfield but Al Avila said at the start of the offseason he didn't consider it an issue and there's no indication they've been seriously involved in that market
I also think they need another reliever or two if they're serious about trying to contend in 2022
It's an improving roster, but I think they're still a few pieces away from really competing for a playoff spot at the moment
Reds
5:13
Unfortunately I feel we're getting rid of players and not keeping any....who is most likely to be traded? Castillo? Gray? Winker?
Anthony Franco
5:14
Gray seems likeliest, followed by Castillo/Mahle
They won't move all three, to be clear, just listing in order of "probability to be traded"
No indication they're planning to move Winker, although it's kind of a weird line to draw unless they're going to make a run at extending him
5:15
Keeping Winker two more years via arb but trading Gray, letting Castellanos walk and not adding to an average roster doesn't seem like a great combo. Feels like they might end up with a couple slightly below .500 seasons without much team success to show for the rebuild
Guest
5:16
Likely Seiya Suzuki destination?
Anthony Franco
5:16
I still like the Rangers
Nomaraey Arleston III
5:16
Steve was asked this, but I want to hear your thoughts… What do you think about Manfred? Agree with Stroman? Or Steve Adams of MLBTR?
Anthony Franco
5:16
Mostly in line with Steve on this one. Whether Manfred's a "good commissioner" depends on what you consider his role to be
5:17
The commissioner's office projects it as "benevolent overseer of the sport's well-being" when it thinks it's convenient to do so
5:18
In that regard, I don't think he's been especially effective. Some of his public comments get pretty tone-deaf, and it doesn't reflect great on him that they're canceling games (particularly since we're only two years removed from a dramatically shortened season)
5:19
That said, the real primary job of the commissioner is to represent the owners' financial interests. He's hired by the owners, and they're the ones who determine whether he keeps his job
5:20
In that sense, yeah, I think he's a good commissioner. The 2016-21 CBA was basically unanimously regarded as a win for the owners (a big reason why we are where we are now), and they've continued to keep Manfred around year after year
Baseball lover
5:20
How do you think the new playoffs will look. Why can’t the teams be reseeded. Last year the 2 best teams were one and 2 in the NL west
Anthony Franco
5:20
The union wants teams to want to win their divisions
5:21
I'm with them on that. I get that it probably wasn't "fair" the Dodgers had to play the Wild Card game last year, but knowing that one of them or the Giants would have to made that division race a hell of a lot of fun to watch at the end of the season
Guest
5:21
Do you watch the MiLB? If so, what is your favorite team?
Anthony Franco
5:22
I try to watch specific players sometimes but don't watch the minors religiously and don't follow any particular teams
Slow Slider
5:22
CBT - Obviously, the players want more money, but why do the players preach competitive balance and at the same time want the higher CBT? Seems like a higher CBT would make the haves that much better off compared to the have nots.
Anthony Franco
5:22
Yeah this is a good criticism, one we've discussed behind the scenes a few times
5:23
I think the union would say that the smaller-market teams could spend more if they wanted (probably true) and that some low-payroll franchises still win in spite of those limitations
5:24
But it's a good point, and frankly, I think "competitive integrity" is often deployed by both sides as a euphemism for proposals that would improve their economic lot
5:26
The league references "competitive integrity" when it doesn't want to raise CBT thresholds but never with regards to efforts to disincentivize rebuilding. The union raises it all the time as a rallying cry against tanking, but their push for higher CBT thresholds and revenue sharing cuts would seem to cut against that as well
Cashman
5:26
Is the crowded infield all part of the plan aor an accidental jam for Cashman and the Yanks?
Anthony Franco
5:26
I think it's only crowded because Torres can't play shortstop
5:27
So now you've got a surplus of second/third base stopgaps but a team without a true regular shortstop. That feels like more of an accident than a design
Doesn't mean they can't fix it via free agency or trade though
Guest
5:27
How does Milwaukee fill their DH slot.
Anthony Franco
5:27
I've said a few times I think they should make a run at Nelson Cruz
5:28
That still stands, but he might prove too expensive with where their payroll's at relative to previous franchise levels. And in that case, they probably just rotate Peterson, Hiura and Taylor through there along with quasi-rest days for the regulars
Fanthony Aranco
5:29
Why is Kyle Schwarber so underrated? I know I could say this about 50 other players but Schwarber could very easily be an MVP candidate. I see him rated 150 on some lists. He could EASILY be a top 100 player. Possibly top 40.
Anthony Franco
5:30
Man, I'd agree he's underrated but don't think he's particularly close to MVP candidate level
The defense is bad, and up until last season, he was a good but not elite hitter
5:31
I think he's closer to someone like Castellanos than reputation (or eventual earning power) might indicate, but I don't think he's among the top handful of players in the sport either
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