JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat

Jeffrey Todd

3:00

Got a few things cooking today ... good time for a chat. Drop some questions and I'll start working through them shortly.

Chris

3:04

Sonny Gray to the Braves for whom?

Jeffrey Todd

3:05

Y'know, I have never fully understood that from the Braves perspective. I mean, sure, add another guy you think is a useful rotation piece. Maybe they particularly like Gray. But it's another Gausman type of move, which is curious when this org has loads of SP depth and talent but really lacks top-end, established MLB quality.

(Yes, I know Folty had a great season. I expect him to take a step back. Still a very good pitcher, not an "ace." And Gausman didn't change his peripherals despite the good ERA in ATL.)

gelo

3:06

What kind of return does Sonny Gray get?

Jeffrey Todd

3:06

Maybe an optionable, less-talented pitcher? Would allow the Yanks some more flexibility while keeping their depth intact. But who knows?

3:07

Now it seems they were mostly holding off on a deal to make sure CC came through his medical issues in good form, not so much b/c they were trying to press for bigger offers.

Brodie V

3:08

I know I keep saying I'm done but I'm probably lying. What's my next move of the offseason?

Jeffrey Todd

3:08

He has never said he's done, really. He has just said "we really like the team" and then talked smack.

3:09

I wouldn't rule out a decent spend on a reliever, I guess. Might make sense to get a longman type since they are interested in rotation depth, though I suppose they already do have that in Gsellman/Lugo.

Jake

3:10

Seriously what are the braves doing? Can they not pay Ottavino 27 over 3 years? They need major help in the OF I know also, but the BP is bad too. Just seems like they are sitting and waiting, just because 2020 was supposed to be the start

Jeffrey Todd

3:11

I think that the fact is, they did not change their overall spending plan much b/c of the division title. That was a nice surprise. It no doubt padded the wallet a bit, though there's also chatter that portions of their ballpark boondoggle aren't making them quite as filthy rich as had been hoped. But this is corporate ownership and AA has been tasked with managing things with the bottom line in mind.

3:12

The OF is still the top priority, and there are young arms that can slide into the pen, but they are clearly interested in keeping the reliever costs down. Remember, AA was just with the Dodgers, who have gone out mining for reliever gold repeatedly rather than giving out Ottavino/Britton kinds of contract (with Jansen being the exception).

JNogle

3:13

The Dodgers have to be one of the mystery teams in on Bryce Harper, right? What are they waiting for!?

Jeffrey Todd

3:14

See above re Braves, but with a bigger payroll. Also, probably, more flexibility to greenlight deviations from The Plan. But ... maybe the ownership group feels that Friedman is delivering on what he promised, which is excellent results (5 consec division titles, 2 straight WS trips) for a palatable price. Already paid up to keep Kershaw. Maybe Harper doesn't quite work for what they are trying to do.

Not saying that's just totally cool and that fans should accept it. But that may be the thinking.

Chris

3:14

Any latest news on Reds/Padres/Indians 3 way involving Kluber? Haven’t seen anything about it since the original report that they were talking.

Jeffrey Todd

3:15

Never made a ton of sense to me, unless the Indians were specifically interested in some of the Padres' young MLB-level players and those teams thought they had a path to a deal involving Kluber ffrom a value standpoint -- but with SDP not actually wanting him.

3:16

Who knows ... these guys are obviously batting around tons of concepts and trying to get a feel all winter as to how they all value various assets. It's a good reminder that execs really do consider relatively wild ideas.

Roger Smith

3:18

A's going to get another catcher or are they going to go out opening day with Hermann/Phegley platoon?

Jeffrey Todd

3:18

That is an underwhelming duo. Still options out there and I don't see why they wouldn't be able to get one at a palatable rate.

Halo fan

3:19

Any chance the angels go after harper or manny as insurance trout leaves

Jeffrey Todd

3:20

Suppose there's some low-percentage chance of that happening. But not "as insurance Trout leaves." It'd be bc they see a value opportunity, a way to shave some other salary (trading Calhoun or Cozart, presumably), and Arte signs off on a bigger payroll.

Twins

3:21

Any chance we do something else with our money besides pocket it

Jeffrey Todd

3:23

I understand the preference not to commit future cash, but man ... it has to be disappointing to watch this as a Twins fan. When is a division ever more in reach than this? The Indians are still really good, of course, but they are vulnerable. And it's not as if the Twins are just now graduating some guys ... many of their biggest-name young players are into arbitration. What are you waiting for? I'm not saying they have to get anyone in particular, or that their short-term additions are meaningless, but ... I'm surprised they've let a few of these opportunities pass by.

JTR

3:24

What uniform will I be wearing at the start of spring training?

Jeffrey Todd

3:24

The forgotten man! I'll guess ... Astros.

Halo Fan

3:24

If Machado and Harper aren't worth $30-40 million per year....is Trout?

Jeffrey Todd

3:24

Trout is quite a bit more valuable than both Manny and Bryce.

Joe

3:25

Padres have a lot of money, a definite need, great farm system ready to help in 2020, and a Latino market that they would like to continue building. Why aren't they signing Machado?

Jeffrey Todd

3:27

Good question. They somehow found Eric Hosmer to be a compelling opportunity at 8/144 but have no interest in pursuing Machado, a much better and younger player? Mmkay. I mean, they did already plunk down that cash for Hoz, so that has to be a factor, and there are certainly pieces that they think will slot in eventually at third. But still -- this kind of argument holds water w/r/t the Padres and a variety of other teams as to Manny and/or Bryce.

Brendan

3:27

Is Betances, Chapman, Britton, Ottavino, Green, Holder, Kahnle the best bullpen in baseball

Jeffrey Todd

3:28

Would expect so, yeah. That's ridiculous.

Eugenio Suarez

3:30

I know San Diego was inquiring about me early in the off season, any chance I am the one they want, not Senzel, in a 3 way trade with the Indians, with Kluber going to the Reds? My below market extension on top of a breakout 2018 makes be highly valuable.

Jeffrey Todd

3:30

Maybe he is, but .... why are the Reds doing that? I get the value of Kluber, believe me, but for that org in a scenario that costs Suarez? That's a heck of a risk to take.

LeeJPC

3:31

I get Machado/Harper wanting the most they can get; but why is this dragging out so long? Harper, for instance. Let's say for sake of argument Phillies offer 10/$350. Nats offer 10/$300. Boras doesn't have any other offers. What's the point of dragging it out? Is there some sort of hoep some "mystery team" all of a sudden has a bigger offer?

Jeffrey Todd

3:32

There may already be mystery team discussions ongoing. And Boras has pulled rabbits out of a hat before. (Prince Fielder signed in late Jan. 2012, for example.)

3:33

How much longer will I keep my job if I keep getting slightly above average players and never acknowledging that we don’t have and need a ace?

Jeffrey Todd

3:33

I mean ... Paul Goldschmidt is not a "slightly above average player."

3:34

There really wasn't an ace available this winter, and I think you seem to be underestimating the pitching talent already on hand.

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