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Jeffrey Todd
2:06
Welcome. Hit me with some questions and we'll get rolling once the room fills up with eager and excited participants.
Oliver
2:09
When is Gleyber Torres up?
Jeffrey Todd
2:11
Typically you need either an opening or for the prospect to force the issue. Especially for a guy who's just 20 at Double-A. A big push from him and/or a huge hole at the MLB level could change things, but I think it'll be questionable whether he's even a September call-up.
Nats fan
2:11
Who do nats have to give up to get a closer? Can they get one without giving up stevenson Fedde or robles
Jeffrey Todd
2:12
Salary factors in here as well, and teams looking to deal relievers aren't going to be stuck on near-MLB talent. But we'll need to see how the market develops closer to the deadline.
Worth remembering: it might seem at one point like "wow, David Robertson is going to be the only closer available!" ... but that has already changed and will continue to do so.
Patty O'Furniture
2:13
Do you think the Braves have any attractive pieces to shop at the deadline? What could they get for Brandon Phillips, Jim Johnson, Arodys Vizcaino...?
Jeffrey Todd
2:13
Not terribly likely to be one of the major sellers. Not to say they won't have guys they want to move and will move, but it's hard to see any really desirable deadline targets on that roster.
Oliver
2:14
What's the deal with Greg Bird? Do you think the ankle injury affected him over his first 60 at bats?
Jeffrey Todd
2:15
The deal, IMO, is that he's still young and hasn't even had all that much time in the upper minors and is coming off a big injury. And spring stats don't matter. And yeah, maybe the injury.
Which is to say, it's not too surprising to see him struggling early on. But he ought to get a chance to right the ship after maybe getting some more polishing opportunities in the upper minors. Struggles from guys who'll likely be solid or better major leaguers aren't uncommon.
Cuba
2:16
Over/Under total cost for Luis Robert-$45mil?
Jeffrey Todd
2:16
With the tax included? Assume that's what you mean by "total," so ... I don't know, that might be light.
2:17
Moncada was over thirty mil just for the bonus, and that doubled. Seems like Robert could command that and more. (Emphasis on "could," though folks haven't been shy about singing his praises.)
Hannah
2:17
A lot of talk in Chicago about a Cubs/Sox trade for Quintana? Who could the Sox be looking at in the return? Baez, Happ, Eloy as Headliners?
Jeffrey Todd
2:18
Right, because it's a page-turner for the local media. No real suggestion there's a special match between Cubs and Q.
That's not to say it couldn't make sense -- it may well -- but it's not as if they just line up so perfectly or there's real indication of trade talks.
2:20
Anyhow, I can't imagine they'll be trading Baez in the middle of the season. Guess I could see the other two as making up the bulk of a deal, though I could also imagine the Cubs not being willing to do that.
Chelsea
2:20
Any chance my Royals can make a playoff run or are they the worst team in baseball?
Jeffrey Todd
2:21
Well, I'v been wrong on them before. But I was not bullish entering the year and don't really see a run as being likely at all.
2:22
Realistically, that's just fine for them ... so long as at least a few of their pending FAs are playing well, they'll have a chance to reload the upper levels of the system, which will make it a whole lot easier to bounce back from an understandable (and successful) decision to push in the chips to win now in recent years.
Bret
2:22
"If the Jays are out of the race in July" questions usually ask about Josh Donaldson, but moving a position player of that magnitude in-season is tricky. Is the best & biggest chip to deal, perhaps, Roberto Osuna? Given his years of control and the fact that every contender looks for relief help in July, he could bring in a bounty.
Jeffrey Todd
2:23
Certainly possible. Makes more sense to trade a controllable guy who comes with that kind of injury risk.
2:24
Generally, though, I'm still not sure how I feel about the Jays' course. It's always dicey to go halfway in or out, but it's tough to imagine a full-blown selloff from that org given its current slate of payroll commitments.
Drew
2:25
Who is Yu Darvish pitching for in August?
Jeffrey Todd
2:25
Even assuming he's dealt -- TEX isn't in good shape, but is just 5 games under .500 -- that's obviously going to be tough to predict. It's one thing to look at a player who has future control or a unique skillset. But "really good rental SP" could fit on sooo many teams.
Patty O'Furniture
2:26
Will MLBTR be expanding its draft coverage this year?
Jeffrey Todd
2:27
Not that I'm aware. It's hard to do more with any amount of added value, IMO, though if you really want to see more or have ideas I'd encourage you to write in and express that. (Or for any other subject.)
Phil
2:27
Should the Braves dfa colon, keep running him out there and play for a higher draft pick than maybe the originally thought, or hope he rebuilds trade value?
Jeffrey Todd
2:28
There's no way Bartolo doesn't keep getting trotted out for at least half the season. If he's really got nothing in the tank at that point, I guess I could see him being DFA'd, but they have quite a lot of cash (and a bit of credibility) tied up in him.
Ean
2:29
How long does Dusty Baker keep AJ Cole as the 5th man on the rotation? Ross struggling mightily in the minors. If he continues to pitch well, could this be permanent? Same situation for Eddie Butler.. if they are middle of the road guys, is that spot theirs to lose?
Jeffrey Todd
2:31
In theory, a guy like Cole could grab the job and run with it. No reason not to give him a shot; obviously, he doesn't have the track record in the majors of Ross, but he was probably a better-regarded prospect at one time. Butler really hasn't gotten the K's even though he has been keeping down the earned runs ... seems much more likely the Cubs use that rotation spot to upgrade at the deadline.
Hep
2:31
Trade Ervan Santana now?
Jeffrey Todd
2:33
As ever, there's a reason deals don't happen at this stage. It isn't like contenders are going to be duped into giving huge value for Ervin because they are wowed by his results. Not sure Twins have any choice really but to wait and see how the market develops, though perhaps they could move a bit earlier than usual in his case if there's strong demand.
Aaron
2:34
Atlanta sold a better club this year but that isnt happening. How soon till we see some call ups?
Jeffrey Todd
2:35
There really wasn't much reason to think they'd be a .500 or better team, IMO. The pitchers had risk and limited upside. The other additions were largely fill-in types who didn't hold appeal to contenders. So ... I guess maybe they oversold the product. But it's no reason to go pushing prospects too soon.
Jacob
2:36
When the regular season ends, where do you see the diamondbavks and Rockies being?
Jeffrey Todd
2:37
At this point, certainly, it wouldn't be surprising to see one of them in the WC play-in. Not even so much b/c of their showing as b/c of what's happened elsewhere (Mets, Giants).
Sean
2:37
Who the next prospect up not named Rosario or monacda
Jeffrey Todd
2:37
I'm kind of excited to see Jose Berrios 2.0
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