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MLBTR Live Chat With Jeff Todd
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Jeffrey Todd
4:49
Hey there! Sorry for the delay getting started today -- I had to record a podcast segment.
4:50
We're rolling a day late with the pod since I was out of town ... enjoying Austin, TX with the family. Anyhow, let's get some questions rolling and we'll get started here shortly.
Mike
4:51
Thanks for answering my message Jeff. So who gets first win, Twins or Braves?
Jeffrey Todd
4:52
No worries! Thanks for the reminder that I needed to hustle up and get that chat going. I still like the outlook better for the Twins, so I'll guess they get the first one, but man ... rough start, they have a mountain in front of them to climb back into contention.
Dan
4:52
What are the odds that Dae-Ho Lee replaces Lind and starts starting full time? Lind can still dominate righties?
Jeffrey Todd
4:52
Full time? Unlikely. Lind always looked like a platoon option, so every reason to think that's what will unfold.
Daryl Ahrmann
4:52
I live in Austin great place.
Jeffrey Todd
4:52
Really, really enjoyed it! Great food and music.
Jack C
4:53
Josh Reddick a fit for the Cubs if Jorge Struggles, if so, what does the package look like?
Jeffrey Todd
4:54
Certainly a plausible scenario, sure. A lot has to happen 'tween now and then, of course. As for a package, I'd expect JR to be one of the more hotly pursued names at the deadline if he's available, though it'd be a bit of a surprise if he netted a truly premium asset as a pure rental.
Ben
4:54
What will become of the Swihart/Hanigan/Vazquez scenario?
Jeffrey Todd
4:55
Check out tomorrow's podcast for more on that, but by way of preview ... Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald suggests that he sees Swihart as likely to spend time at Triple-A, possibly even changing positions.
Jesus Flores
4:55
Favorite midnight snack?
Jeffrey Todd
4:55
I miss you, Jesus. Beer, I'd have to say.
Phil
4:55
With the terrible start and hard schedule, do you think it makes it likely the Braves start trading pieces well ahead of the deadline?
Jeffrey Todd
4:56
Still unlikely we'll see major movement earlier than usual, but I do think that ATL's awful start makes it more likely they'll be more willing to shave MLB pieces off in June/July.
sean
4:56
Any chance the phillies look to trade velasquez or morw likely to hold on to him?
Jeffrey Todd
4:56
Hold all the way.
matt
4:56
I've always wondered something and i've never seen it answered before. How much do players typically make on a minor league deal?
Jeffrey Todd
4:57
Most significant MiLB free agents will have their MLB salaries reported. And they also tend to get better earnings at the minor league level ... think maybe up into the $200K range. There was an interesting report -- forget from where -- about the Yankees promising more $ to guys who were in the upper levels of their farm. Believe that was how they landed Yangervis Solarte, if memory serves.
Michael
4:58
The White Sox are off to a 7-2 start. With the $$ saved with LaRoche retiring should they look at picking up another bat before the deadline?
Jeffrey Todd
4:58
They will surely be canvassing the market for additions if they can sustain the start, sure. That could be a bat, but it's also possible they'd want a pitcher. Needs will surely be clear come the summer.
Denny
4:58
Beautiful day in ATX
Jeffrey Todd
4:59
I was glad it was overcast for my visit -- I sweated like a beast every time the sun blinked through.
Andrew
4:59
Willson Contreras picked up where he left off. Big game after big game. Does he see time this year?
Jeffrey Todd
5:00
The loss of Schwarber makes that a distinct possibility, and the Cubs haven't been shy about moving up top prospects. John Baker had very high praise for him when he appeared on the podcast.
Of course, that'd mean carrying three catchers, and they'll want him to develop, so I don't think it's a near-term scenario unless an injury intervenes.
Tripp
5:00
If Cleveland falls out of contention, does a Kluber for De Leon/Verdugo deal make sense?
Jeffrey Todd
5:01
Nah, Kluber is a long-term piece on a great contract. I have a hard time seeing him moved unless a premium young hitter returns, personally.
Ryan
5:01
First team to make the playoffs: Padres, Reds, Brewers, Braves, Rockies or Phillies? Tie goes to the team with the better record.
Jeffrey Todd
5:01
Phillies, if I had to bet. Easy choice. If the pitching continues to make strides, it's easy for them to ramp up spending and make needed additions. And Crawford is on the way, too.
Lucroy
5:02
Have I done enough early on to merit a strong return were I traded now?
Jeffrey Todd
5:02
Yeah, an early deal would still be a surprise but if he can keep up anything like this batting line, he'll be a major piece. Lots of injury and depth questions behind the plate around the league, too.
Xian
5:03
The Boston fanbase are already calling their team a bust even with their shiny new toys, is this fair ?
Jeffrey Todd
5:03
Not at all. Position player side looks pretty darned strong, and there's time for the rotation to improve and receive outside supplementation. Far too soon to panic there.
Kevin
5:04
If you weren't writing for this, what would you be doing?
Jeffrey Todd
5:04
Wow, I have no idea. Had already quit my lawyering gig before I did this full time, so ... wandering the wilderness in search of meaning?
Kevin
5:04
The Orioles are bound to fall apart, right?
Jeffrey Todd
5:05
It's been said before and hasn't happened. With the strong start they don't have to be all that great going forward to stay in the hunt.
Charlie
5:05
What do you think of the early struggles of the Mets? Any thing to them or just a rough stretch?
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