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Jeffrey Todd
4:00
Bartolo Colon (46)
Yovani Gallardo (33)
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Bucco Bob
4:00
I feel like the Pirates have the chance to be sneaky good!  Lot of depth to the lineup with some guys who still could exceed their to-date career norms (i.e., Marte, Polanco, Bell and Kang).  What say you, Jeffrey?
Jeffrey Todd
4:01
I generally agree. Doesn't mean it's not a bit frustrating to see the payroll pare back, 'specially since every win is precious when you are in a dead heat (on paper, more or less) with every team in your division, but I do think that roster has some real upside.
4:02
Part of that upside is perhaps the fact that they have tamped down spending and could presumably ramp it up some at the deadline if needed.
Distraught Ranger Fan
4:02
Which Ranger reclamation pitching project nets us the best return at the deadline?
Jeffrey Todd
4:04
I'll assume Minor and Lynn don't count as reclamation projects, since they are playing on three-year deals. Think Smyly would be the safest bet. Shelby Miller probably has the higher ceiling if he's clicking in the first half.
Hi Jeff
4:04
Have the dodgers decided they will be so well off that they can just wait for teams to drop out of contention and try to enhance their roster after identifying weaknesses in the regular seasons?  The bullpen looks weaker.
Jeffrey Todd
4:05
To an extent, yes, I think this is exactly what they think. On paper clearly the best team in the division. Lots of trade assets. Let the needs become apparent and fill the holes.
Buford
4:05
Is there a way that the Red Sox sign Kimbrel on an extreeemely back-loaded contract? Like $3Mil, $20mil, $20, $20??
Jeffrey Todd
4:06
You still have to take the AAV for calculating the luxury tax. So that'd be just under 16 mil annually. And they'd still be paying a huge tax bill ... https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/02/a-closer-look-at-the-red-sox-an...
Jeffrey Todd2
4:08
When will you put out a predictions list for W and L for the upcoming season? I want to see what you think of the Marlins
Jeffrey Todd
4:08
We have never done that before and aren't planning to this year.
4:09
Marlins are in for a tough year for sure. The NL has accumulated a lot of talent, across the board. They are clearly the worst team on that side of the fence.
Ross-Less ?
4:10
Why haven't the cubs signed a backup catcher? Is the budget really THAT tight?
Jeffrey Todd
4:11
If you read the story on the team restructuring the Brad Brach deal after his physical, you'll see it was suggested that the cost savings permitted the Cubs to go out there and land Xavier Cedeno for like 900k.
So, yeah, I think the budget is that tight.
Zaidi
4:11
Where can I see a list of players/prospects who are out of options?  Specifically looking at OF’s who are fringe MLBers
Jeffrey Todd
4:12
Tim typically compiles such a list in March. I assume he will do so again.
Acuna Yomama
4:12
Is there a better contract in baseball than Freddie Freeman's 8/$135 million?
Jeffrey Todd
4:14
Lots. Esp if you count control rights over young players. But there are others as well if you are looking at extensions. Jose Ramirez is the obvious choice there. I think you can look at some of the other contracts signed with guys when teams had ample leverage -- say, Aaron Nola's recent deal -- and say you'd rather have that contract than Freddie's, esp now that it is a few seasons into it so the cheapest/youngest seasons are gone.
And that's no offense to FF.
4:15
"Lots" may overstate it a bit. There are a good number, if you include the Acunas and Sotos.
Ranger13
4:15
Was the LEclerc extension a great deal for the Rangers?
Jeffrey Todd
4:16
Pretty easy bet to make on a guy you intend to use as the closer. Could easily pay big dividends and the risk is low. At the same time, you can see why he took it.
4:17
I wasn't in love with the Nola deal b/c I felt like his realistic downside was still pretty danged high. He was already arb eligible and is a starter. Figured he would've earned 20+ even if injuries started popping up now. Quite likely much more. So taking 50? Eh.
4:18
Leclerc, though ... he's a year away from arb. If he pops his UCL or the command issues come back and he doesn't get a big save total in 2019, his whole earning path changes. There are realistic scenarios where he'd only make another mil or so in the majors. Not the likeliest. But the downside was real.
Adam Jones
4:20
Is there anyone in recent memory who was as well respected in the league, still a semi-productive player, and at 33 years old, unable to find a job?
Jeffrey Todd
4:21
As I have said before ... key question here is whether he's truly "unable to find a job" or whether his asking price is really holding things up. I'd be surprised if no MLB team is willing to give him a 40-man spot. If that is truly the case, then I would tend to agree with you. But I also don't think he's worthy of a big money or playing time commitment. And it's possible he missed the boat somewhat by asking for too much ... details we just don't know, alas.
Rob S
4:22
So is chat attendance down now that Harper has signed?
Jeffrey Todd
4:22
Come on man. The people come for me, not for Bryce.
(And they are very disappointed haha.)
Zack
4:23
I know that many of us love playing GM here, but from a real GM's standpoint, it HAS to be annoying when a key piece gets injured and the collective media/fanbase immediately tries to point out the "obvious" move they need to make.  Cases in point, the Royals (sign Maldenado!) or the Yanks (sign Gio!).  Do you think their initial responses that they're OK with their current players is more simply code for "Chill out everyone. We'll figure it out"?
Jeffrey Todd
4:23
Nothing wrong with playing GM. It's fun. And the more you pay attention, the more you realize that teams really do bat around all kinds of wild ideas, just like we do.
4:24
That said ... I think those kinds of statements are just sort of obvious PR  talk, right? They want to show confidence in their guys. Don't want to lose leverage. Do actually probably have alternative ideas to the glaringly obvious fix.
J56D
4:27
Wouldn’t the Reds be better off if they traded Votto. The are paying a lot for walks and not much else
Jeffrey Todd
4:27
Fortunately he is walking right onto first base, where he becomes not-an-out that can score a run. He's an awesome hitter. Bottom line.
4:28
Sorry I just can't quite move on from this yet.
What is going on here? Why do people not think Votto is a very good hitter? What am I missing?
4:29
I know he was off last year, but he was still a waaaay above average producer. Love your traditional stats? He has to be the active leader in batting average (don't know for sure). Does that not count? He leads the NL in OBP every fricking year.
4:30
JV also has nearly 300 career homers, so it's not like there's just no power there. I don't get it, truly.
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