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Beezer
12:04
As a jays fan, I love the rumour of signing (semi Canadian) Freddy Freeman but just don’t see the fit with Vladdy at first. Is this just a rumour or does it actually have some validity?
Mark P
12:05
The Blue Jays are one of those "check in on everyone" teams, so I'm sure they've actually explored signing Freeman.  And as a big left-handed bat, he does fill a need in the lineup.  Ultimately, however, I do think already having Vlad at 1B creates too much of a logjam, even with the DH spot a consideration
Reggie
12:06
Read about the proposed international draft idea MLB floated where win loss record does not impact draft positioning. No matter if we do or don't have an international draft, should union ask for this to be the approach with the domestic draft?
Mark P
12:07
It would be an interesting idea for sure, and it would seemingly be an easy way to eliminate tanking.  That said, making the draft order entirely random probably isn't an ideal solution either, but surely some kind of middle ground could be found
Ro
12:08
Could the nats get hassell from the padres if they take Hosmer and myers?
Mark P
12:09
If the Nats took the entirety of Hosmer and Myers' salaries?  The Padres would happily part with Hassell in that scenario.  If anything, the Nationals would ask for more if they were willing to absorb that much salary
David
12:09
Among all the issues being discussed, what’s ultimately going to be the length of the new CBA? 5 years? 10?
Mark P
12:09
Five years.  So we get to go through this whole thing again after the 2026 season!  Hooray!
Ray
12:10
I was looking more for an exact number.
Mark P
12:10
For the national TV money?  For instance, I think ESPN's last deal with MLB was for $4 billion.  So divided over 30 teams, that's $133.33MM per club
MLB FAN
12:11
I honestly think that if MLB teams could trade draft picks and players for picks It would become just as popular as the NFL/NBA drafts
Mark P
12:13
I'm in favor of trading picks, just to add some extra intrigue to the draft.  But overall, I don't think it would generate nearly the same level of debate as the NFL/NBA drafts for a couple of simple reasons....

* a star football or basketball player can make your team better immediately, the very next season after the draft.  A star baseball prospect will still be in the minors for a couple of years.
* I don't think many high-level MLB picks would actually be traded, given how teams prize their control over young talent
MikeD
12:13
T/F? Voit and his 137 OPS+ as a Yankee have become extremely undervalued.
Mark P
12:14
I agree to some extent, since even in a rough 2021 season, Voit was still an above-average hitter by OPS+ and wRC+.  As enticing as a Freeman or an Olson would be to Yankees fans, it's not like Voit is a "bad" fallback option.
Guest
12:14
Are they talking today?
Mark P
12:15
Talks are underway as we speak
Er, chat
Connor
12:18
So I think we start in may what bout u mark?
Mark P
12:19
I am not super optimistic about the chances of April baseball, so May 1st might be realistic.  Sam "Mayday" Malone would be pleased, if nothing else.
People were mad about the Dodgers being a wildca
12:19
People were upset that the 106 win Dodgers had to face the 107 win Giants. Won't the ghost win just make that worse? It would have made it even easier for the 88 win Braves to beat the 106 win Dodgers. How does that help the players?
Mark P
12:20
In fairness, most seasons don't have a 106-win second place, or even a division winner with only 88 wins.
Guardians fan!
12:22
When the lockout is over….how soon can teams start signing and trading?  Is there a waiting period?
Mark P
12:22
Theoretically, transactions can resume the moment the lockout is officially lifted
Anonymous
12:24
Is  a Division Realignment out of the question?
Mark P
12:24
I would imagine that realignment will be discussed if/when the league looks to add expansion teams
Jim
12:26
Does Bryan Reynolds get traded this “off-season”?
Mark P
12:26
Probably not.  The Pirates seem to want an arm and a leg for him, and that interest isn't likely to diminish (barring a big downturn from Reynolds, of course)
Adam
12:27
how surprised would you be if the entire season ended up being canceled?
Mark P
12:28
As naive as this sounds, very surprised.  It's still hard for me to believe that the lockout has even gotten this far, and that we're now in a position where regular-season games will be lost.

Canceling an entire season over what seems like relatively solvable financial issues just seems crazy to me, and it would ruin baseball
O'Malley
12:29
Manea to the Mets for McNeil and Mauricio?
Mark P
12:29
Oakland would definitely do that, but the Mets aren't giving up Mauricio for just a year of Manaea.
Realignment
12:31
When expansion occurs, do you see 4 teams in 4 divisions or 5-5-6?
Mark P
12:31
4x4 is more likely
Guest
12:31
Can we have a 3 hour chat today or sometime?
Mark P
12:32
I'd like to think that we'll eventually get enough news that a three-hour chat isn't necessary, but man, if this lockout continues....
Tampa
12:34
The Rays used 41 pitchers, pitched more innings, threw very few fastballs, ...the new norm for copycat teams?
Mark P
12:35
You've already seen multiple teams adopt the Johnny Wholestaff strategy, rather than a traditional set "starting five."  I would imagine that continues, though the incoming rule about limiting minor league options (to five promotions per season) will impact this tactic
Red Hed
12:35
Why did you come to MLBTR?
Mark P
12:36
It's always been my dream to write about labor negotiations!

Actual answer: I was a fan of the site, and applied for a writing position when MLBTR was hiring back in 2009.  Luckily I got the nod, and the rest is history.
Otto
12:36
Prediction for Bogaerts after this season? He will surely opt out. Can the Sox really afford to let Betts and then Bogaerts follow him out the door in the span of a couple years. He is a leader on that team.
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