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NL East
10:24
Who out of Mets Nats Phillies and Atlanta is the most pressured to win? Least pressured?
Jeffrey Todd
10:26
What's great is that all have really clear pressure to have good seasons. That's why it's going to be so fun to watch -- because it'll matter even if it all goes to hell. The fact that we basically expect half or more of the AL to stink is what makes it so much less interesting this year. Stakes feel higher for so many teams in the NL.
Rob Manfred
10:26
How can we fight the "cancer" of tanking and what would a viable plan look like?
Jeffrey Todd
10:28
It is too complicated to just drop an answer in here, but I think approaching the issue is a matter of understanding the incentives. Clearly they are out of whack in some respects. It's too easy to make money and gain player assets while losing, I guess. Have to also be wary of seemingly easy fix proposals. Because teams will soon come up with creative ways to exploit them.
Tomt
10:29
Clark better worry about the future of MLB if Dems win presidency pro sports will disappear as a money making venture for rich guys😞
Jeffrey Todd
10:30
I know, right?! They have finally rebounded from those years of revenue collapse and franchise devaluation from the Obama years.
10:32
Just randomly found that on google, haven't really read it, but ... it is crazy to suggest what Tomt has just suggested.
Tomt
10:32
What about huge number of broken fingers from high hard inside pitches—this is what hurts MLB most—pitchers must be ejected!
Jeffrey Todd
10:33
Toughen up, Tomt
White Sox
10:33
Black here!
Jeffrey Todd
10:33
Knew I'd miss a few black jerseys, but that was an obvious whiff.
SF
10:34
Do you see Zaidi trading for any other outfield additions?
Jeffrey Todd
10:34
I foresee him trading for many other OFers this year!
10:35
I think there'll be some revolving door. Obviously they will want to avoid too much of that, but I ultimately dont think he'll hesitate if he sees a more attractive player available.
Mike Elias
10:35
How you like me now? The O's pitching stinks, I am personally stuck with Chris Davis and albatross contract, I cut Pedro Araújo, but I stick with Mike Wright! Do I know what I am doing?
Jeffrey Todd
10:36
The O's were horrendous last year after spending a decent bit of money on pitching and deciding to keep Manny Machado. There's no reason whatsoever to judge him based upon the results of this season, let alone a week of play.
10:37
As for Araujo ... it was obviously easy for them to keep him but he still would've required a 40-man spot. If you really think you know whether he or Mike Wright is a better bet ... well I take my hat off to you.
Dombrowski
10:39
Genuine concern about sale’s cell or is it just easing into the year?  Also too early to say the 3 hole for Devers was premature?
Jeffrey Todd
10:40
It's definitely not too soon to worry about Sale ... that kind of velo drop is bad news, especially in combo with the issues late last year. I mean I wouldn't be surprised if he figures something out -- he obviously has an impeccable track record -- but it's concerning.
10:41
Lineups are rarely that important ... I guess I can see the merit in deciding to sort of lay out a challenge to the young guy by putting him in that spot. Easy enough to adjust.
Early Results
10:42
Who are some waiver claims and/or Rule 5 guys who have surprised you so far?
Jeffrey Todd
10:43
I will totally write something on this in like a month.
10:44
It is interesting to see Trent Thornton getting K's in camp and now ... that has stood out a bit, if I'm forced to name a guy!
Daniel Murphy
10:45
Will I ever have another stretch of healthy play? Or am I better off being shipped out at 90 cents to the dollar to some chump that still believes?
Jeffrey Todd
10:45
The knee issues remain a long-term concern but I don't think a broken finger is anything but bad luck.
Brodie Van Wagenen
10:46
So...are people believing yet? Instead of guys who are now out of baseball in A-Gon, Reyes, Mesoraco and Bautista, I went out and got All-Star talent. Buy in?
Jeffrey Todd
10:47
I still don't understand this line of reasoning. The Mets signed Bruce, Frazier, Vargas, Swarzak in '17-18. They spent about as much as they did this time around.
10:48
I mean, it's certainly fair to argue they made better moves this time. They also gave up young talent to make the Diaz/Cano deal work. But ... not like they suddenly changed course. They decided to believe in the existing core and add some veteran pieces to it.
Jo
10:49
Are the Rays a legit threat to Yankees and Boston for the AL east crown ?
Jeffrey Todd
10:50
I think so, yeah. There's a legit downgrade to both of the latter teams' outlook with some major uncertainty arising. And the Rays have some real talent.
I guess that may seem to go against the thrust of what I've been saying throughout this chat. So let me explain ...
First of all, the Rays were already at least something of a threat before the season started. It's a good team that got better and has some upside to it.
10:52
But the Yanks and Red Sox have also had real issues! Loads of injuries for NYY. And pitching for BOS ... Sale, as discussed above. And you can't ignore even 2 outings for guys like Eovaldi and ERod who are sort of high-variability pitchers.
Even though it's early, the Rays also have a couple extra Ws to work with, and that has to be factored in.
Nick
10:53
More likely to finish .500 or worse: Red Sox, Astros or Cubs?
Jeffrey Todd
10:53
Cubs by a huge margin. If for no other reason than the AL is loaded with poor teams.
Regular Sports Guy
10:55
Stop talking about politics and keep to sports. Sports commentators talking about politics is annoying and totally goes against why people watch sports (to wander away from the real world for a moment).
Jeffrey Todd
10:56
I wasn't offering a take on politics. I was pointing out the silliness of the point that was being made.
10:57
In a sense, I was doing what you're asking, by rejecting the attempt by one reader to connect politics to sports.
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