You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
MLBTR Live Chat
powered byJotCast
Jeffrey Todd
3:22
Welcome!
Sorry for the late start ... it has been a bit of an adventure this week. Shredded my tire 1/10 of the way into the downhill of my mountain bike ride this afternoon, so I had to run the bike back and rolled in late.
3:23
And on Monday I shot a nail through the tip of my middle finger with a nail gun, so the bandage is creating some typing challenges. Please forgive any stray Xs!
Anyway we are here now so let's do this ... leave some questions and we'll get started in 2-3 mins.
Mike Schildt
3:25
I should be fired if I ever let Christian Yelich see another pitch, right?
Jeffrey Todd
3:26
Nah. I mean he obviously needs to be treated as one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball. But otherwise it's just a quirk that he has so thoroughly destroyed the Cardinals, in particular.
Seth
3:26
What can the Braves do for that dumpster fire of a pen?
Jeffrey Todd
3:26
Look at the rest of that division! So much pen need. Obviously some other teams around baseball as well.
3:27
It's a fascinating start to the trade market, though obviously all these teams are expecting that some things will even out over the next few months.
3:28
Farhan Zaidi is twisting his moustache and doing a maniacal power laugh.
Logan
3:28
Why not send Rizzo and Bryant Down!
Jeffrey Todd
3:28
Surely you jest!
Jay Buhner's Bald Head
3:29
If the Mariners plummet back to earth, who could you see them dealing Bruce and EE too?
Jeffrey Todd
3:30
I think that's more of a "when" than an "if." Not to say they can't play competitive ball this year -- there is real talent on the roster -- but I don't expect the remainder of the season to reflect the start.
3:31
When you do start like that, though, it changes things b/c it makes it much likelier you'll be in competitive position come the trade deadline. Whether they'll really want to deal those kinds of players will depend upon the standings and other factors, but there's a clear path to keeping them.
3:32
Why? Well, why not -- if the M's are in spitting distance of the postseason and the offers are weak, it's an easy way to keep fans interested and give yourself a legit shot at pulling off a surprise. Frankly I don't expect major returns in either case, particularly when salary is accounted for.
Would you rather...
3:33
Have Mookie Betts of Christian Yelich in your outfield for the next five years, not considering financial implications.
Jeffrey Todd
3:33
Best bet over next 5 years
Mookie (45.5% | 364 votes)
 
Yeli (54.5% | 436 votes)
 
Total Votes: 800
Seth
3:33
Sorry to hear about that run of bad luck, Jeff
Jeffrey Todd
3:33
I feel fortunate I didn't get it through my nail or into a bone!
Yeti
3:33
You don't keep a tube in your pack?
Jeffrey Todd
3:34
Tubeless! But ... yeah I am not as prepared as I should be.
Steve Adams
3:34
Let that be a lesson to you: Stay inside and never, ever venture outdoors (or into the garage).
Jeffrey Todd
3:34
It's okay I'll just dictate my writing to you.
Gloria
3:34
Any chance the Dodgers sign Gerrit cole next year?..UCLA connection
Jeffrey Todd
3:35
Not b/c of UCLA but he's the type of guy I could imagine them splurging for a bit as an exception. Like ... 3 years at a big AAV or something. (Pure speculation.)
Mark
3:35
What kind of extension do you think Tatis gets, and when do you think they make the deal?
Jeffrey Todd
3:37
From a pure market value perspective he is obviously worth well more than Eloy Jimenez, since he's sort of the second coming of Manny and has now laid down an impressive early track record. The Acuna deal is a steal for the Braves but Tatis would have every reason to point to it as a comp and even ask for more. Hasn't done it for as long as Ronald had, of course, but ... as we've seen of late, it's more about team/player motivations than it is "market value."
JT
3:38
Kimbrel and Kuechel talks have actually picked up or are people just desperate for clicks?
Jeffrey Todd
3:39
I don't know anything more than what I've read -- a few folks are saying there's some movement on the Kimbrel market -- but there's a reason you don't see that stuff in headlines on our website. It's the sort of vague, fundamentally unprovable item that we don't tend to put much stock in.
3:40
Like, "closer" .... that is a relative term! What does it mean? It sounds important at first but doesn't mean much without lots of additional context.
Ethan Price
3:40
Yeah this braves pen is rough
Jeffrey Todd
3:40
I hear Sobotka has closer stuff tho
tuggster
3:41
Does Giants SP suck or is it just me?
Jeffrey Todd
3:41
They'll come back to earth but they are all MLB-quality starters.
3:42
When you're looking around at non-contending teams, there aren't many such pitchers that seem likely to be available. Giants are looking to own the pitching market at the deadline, though a few other clubs could still push their pieces out for bidding as well.
Hmmm....
3:43
Does the high # of young players getting extensions carry into next offseason and beyond? Why or why not?
Jeffrey Todd
3:44
I suppose there are some natural limits to it just b/c teams need some flexibility and some players won't bite. How many David Bote deals can you sign? But the incentives will remain in place unless the union figures out other ways to protect players' downside scenarios. They should be able to, in concept.
Matt Klentak
3:45
If Eickhoff fails as a starter, what move do I make?
Jeffrey Todd
3:45
Bring Pivetta back or deal.
Load More Messages
Connecting…