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MLBTR Live Chat With Jeff Todd
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Jeffrey Todd
3:35
And it's certainly possible to imagine that they could need a back of the rotation hero at some point.
dn3524
3:35
Expectations of Jurickson Profar this year?
Jeffrey Todd
3:36
Another topic discussed on today's podcast. IF he can stay healthy, I'm thinking he goes down, is productive at Triple-A, and is pretty much the first guy up when a need arises.
Needs always seem to arise, so I think that'll be the case. And TEX can shift around in various ways depending on how things look.
Met Fan
3:37
I am a huge Met fan, I am super happy with the overall off season, the acquisitions of Antonio Bastard, Niel Walker, and returns of Cespedes and Big Sexy are pleasing. The thing is, The Asdrubal Cabrera signing really confuses me, why sing him two a two year contract when there are a few SS in the pipeline that may soon be ready for the MLB? Also, they really need a defensive SS, In my mind they signed Cabrera because of his average-above average offensive numbers. The signing is very John Mayberryesquee and Chris Youngesque
Jeffrey Todd
3:37
I will agree with you there. Wasn't a huge fan of that move, more because there were other guys who look like they're more or less just as useful for the Mets' purposes who could've been had for much less.
The Dude of NY
3:38
I think there's a recency bias for the Royals beating projection systems. People said the Angels had found a way to beat their projections, until they stopped. Then people said the same thing about the Orioles, until they stopped. The Royals are not a new trend; simply the most recent.
Jeffrey Todd
3:38
Certainly could be the case.
Predictions
3:38
Do you think the new CBA will have any salary floor discussions? Seems like a math-based "solution" to tanking even though teams could still tank by spending more, though hopefully front offices/owners wouldn't want to...
Jeffrey Todd
3:39
I'll be honest, I think this "tanking" talk is kind of ridiculous. I don't see evidence of it being a problem. It's not like the same organizations are doing it year after year. The Astros, Brewers, and Phillies (to name a few) were coming off of long periods of pretty significant spending (relative to their markets) and at least reasonable success.
3:40
I think Manfred said it best: it's a self-correcting system. If too many teams try to tank, the incentives for doing it (getting a top draft pick) are reduced, and the incentives for not (having a chance to win by being there to pick up good value free agents and whatnot) are increased.
CarmenSanDiego
3:41
Where in the world is Tim Dierkes? Tell him hi and that we love him and miss him!
Jeffrey Todd
3:41
He's lurking in the background. But always there.
3:42
Ha, I am sure he'll be glad to hear that.
Jorge Alfaro
3:42
Do I make a switch from C?
Jeffrey Todd
3:42
Can't imagine why they'd rush into that kind of decision.
Matt from KC
3:42
Is Tony La Russa the frontrunner for Executive of the Year?
Jeffrey Todd
3:43
Well, he'd have to share the award with Dave Stewart, I guess, but remember: Dayton Moore was widely panned, and just won one of those himself. It could happen!
Ross
3:43
Why do so few pitchers wear protective head gear?
Jeffrey Todd
3:45
Peer pressure, social ridicule, being young and perhaps not quite so risk-averse as we tend to get as we age ... I'm sure there are a lot of reasons. Fortunately, that isn't some kind of super-common thing that is just taking people out left and right. But if there's a reasonable way to eliminate or reduce catastrophic injuries such as being struck by a liner in the head, I'm all for it. I do think you have to take the decision from the players at some point, in the right circumstances.
Heck, I remember when hockey was doing it, and was still grandfathering in guys who were allowed not to wear them. Could imagine that happening at some point.
Jack
3:46
Is Joe Panik overrated?
Jeffrey Todd
3:47
Well, what he's done speaks for itself. The value is in the books, and he's already justified his draft selection. Is he going to be the real deal going forward? Dunno, but I was very impressed with him when he joined the podcast. He is a super hard worker. And when I looked into his numbers, there are a ton of similarities to Dustin Pedroia.
I'm comfortable buying him as a strong first-division regular at this point, if not more.
Tigers World Series champs 2016
3:47
What do you think of the new Tigers bullpen? Still a problem?
Jeffrey Todd
3:48
Not sure I have a ton of overall thoughts, since relievers are so volatile, but I really liked the move to get KRod. He's been very quietly excellent, and addressing closer that way helped them stay free to make the other significant additions.
3:49
Also hard not to like the Justin Wilson additions. I'm not as sold on going 2/12 (or whatever it was) for Lowe, but hey, that isn't a ton of cash.
If you haven't seen it, Maybin is out 4-6 for DET
3:50
His injury plus Dyson's may open some market opportunities for some of the veterans still out there -- Marlon Byrd, David DeJesus, etc
Kenny
3:50
The Braves could have had the Todd Father for what they paid for Olivera in hind sight are the Braves wishing they'd done more talking to the Reds because everyone assumed it would have cost the farm to acquire him?
Jeffrey Todd
3:51
I'm sure they did talk to them if they had interest. But Frazier doesn't come with nearly the same cheap control they got with Olivera. He's much more of a sure thing, but he's not the player/contract situation they were after.
Bork
3:52
Look into your crystal ball. What extension would EE be looking at?
Jeffrey Todd
3:54
I'll basically assume he's being signed as a pure DH. I'll be glad to assign him more $ than VMart's 4/64 because he's younger and has been consistently better. But I'm not sure he tops what HanRam got in FA (4/88).
They might well get some more time out of him at 1B, but I'm not sure I see that FO going beyond that for a player with his profile.
Willie McGee
3:55
What's your opinion on the Wong signing? Seems like a steal for STL to me, but I'm a little biased.
Jeffrey Todd
3:56
I don't think it carries a ton of risk for STL, but I'm not sure I see a ton of upside either. I spent some time yesterday poring over his numbers - not that I'm any expert - and he just looks like a league-average hitter in virtually all respects, but with below average power (avg for a 2B). He's never really had big power numbers in the minors, so I'm not sure there's a ton to go on to expect development there.
3:58
If he's an average bat with a good (but not spectacular) glove and wheels at second base, that's a nice, solid player. But he can't hit lefties, 'least not yet, so ... seems around about the market rate. It's interesting the Cards are committed for so long to him and Gyorko with Carpenter already set at third.
mike. williams
3:58
Birds still looking at Jay Bruce? How is his defense?
Jeffrey Todd
3:59
Not real sure there's been movement on that front. He's actually bounced around quite a bit in defensive metrics, but has been seen as a really good defender at times. I do think he's struggled with injuries and inconsistency quite a bit, and the numbers reflect it.
4:00
Trouble is, for the O's, is that really what you're after? He's a high-variance player that isn't particularly cheap. I guess I feel like they are probably better suited for someone who is solid and doesn't carry a big price tag, given the other expenditures.
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