JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat With Jeff Todd

MLBTR Live Chat With Jeff Todd

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Jeffrey Todd

1:58

Yep, that's right - on-time chat start. Go ahead and log some questions and we'll get going in a few minutes.

Coppy

2:00

What do you think is a fair ETA to see both Swanson and Albies on the braves infield?

Jeffrey Todd

2:00

Guess I'd be surprised if it came about before next summer.

Josh

2:00

Is it inevitable at this point that Jorge Soler gets moved? With Baez playing stellar defense at the hot corner and pushing Bryant to the outfield, what is going to happen to Soler?

Jeffrey Todd

2:01

Not at all. I mean, he's obviously a potential trade asset, no question, but there's still plenty of fluidity there and the org will value his upside and the depth he brings, esp. with Schwarber out.

Josh

2:01

Do you see the braves going in any other direction besides Bud Black when they eventually fire Fredi? What other candidates can you see stepping forward?

Jeffrey Todd

2:02

I have no idea, and honesty find it a bit funny to see the speculation on that. Black is an obvious candidate, of course, so he's easy to pick as some kind of front-runner, but evaluating managerial matches is throwing darts blindfolded for the most part.

Alec W

2:02

What are the chances the Angels make a run at Lincecum?

Jeffrey Todd

2:03

They'll have to outbid 20 other teams to get him -- let the great Lincecum bidding war begin! (Not really.)

2:04

But ... I don't know, I guess I could see it, just hard to guess since we don't know a ton about the various guys the Halos are nursing along. Or how they view Timmy. Or how anyone views him, really, since nobody has seen his super-secret workouts.

2:04

Thoughts on Aaron Hicks? Can he prove to be at least a serviceable hitter in Arod's absence?

Jeffrey Todd

2:04

Same thoughts I had before: should have a solid floor as a 4th OF with a smidge of upside. Obviously he isn't anything close to the hitter that ARod is (or, at least, was last year), so temper expectations offensively.

Jerry D

2:05

Any top/good RH center fielders available this deadline?

Jeffrey Todd

2:05

Does Carlos Gomez count?

2:06

Not really sure I see a ton of candidates otherwise. Maybe Ozuna, but he's not a traditional deadline acquisition target.

Scott

2:06

When do the Twins move on from Terry Ryan

Jeffrey Todd

2:06

I don't know, but this start to the year probably isn't the nail in the coffin. They still have long-term aspirations, and he's pretty entrenched in that org.

Pat

2:07

Say the BlueJays miss the playoffs- do you see any chance of them considering a rebuild and start by offering EE and Jose QO's and maybe trading Donaldson? They would be able to stockpike a ton of talent this way

Jeffrey Todd

2:08

EE and Joey Bats are automatic QO guys barring complete catastrophe, so you can pretty much book that regardless. But trading Donaldson? I don't know, they have his salary locked in for next year, no obvious replacement, and enough assets under control that a full-blown rebuild doesn't seem terribly appealing. I don't see any reason why TOR would feel the need to go that route even in a disaster scenario.

That being said, if they truly are out of the hunt at this year's deadline, obviously the short-term assets could be in play.

2:09

If the Tigers can trade David Price, and the Red Sox can deal Jon Lester, then those guys could be moved.

Josh

2:09

Is Josh Reddick available and at what cost?

Jeffrey Todd

2:09

Not right now, no, unless you're willing to do something truly crazy to get him. And nobody is.

Angel fan

2:10

With the imminent return of Daniel Nava and Craig Gentry, the Angels will have to decide between keep Ji-Man Choi or Rafael Ortega on the major league roster. Ortega has shown great skills in his short time in the majors. Choi can play 1st base or outfield, but has only .083 batting average (1 hit). Which player would you keep?

Jeffrey Todd

2:11

Honestly, neither player is too exciting. Both are fringe MLB talents.

Brayan

2:11

What Is Your Opinion For Philadelphia Knowing That Howard And Ruiz Are Leaving

Jeffrey Todd

2:11

Good

That's my opinion on that.

Broseph

2:12

How can the Yankees continue to trot Severino out there? Seems like a demotion would be better for his development at this point. Thoughts?

Jeffrey Todd

2:13

Hard to say without knowing his mental approach/status. Every guy is different. His peripherals look okay, honestly, though his swinging strikes are down. Definitely has suffered from some bad luck, though the fact that he's really homer prone is a concern -- question is, does that reflect poor fortune or does he tend to leave meatballs over the plate?

Anonymous Coward

2:14

There seems to a belief that Blake Swihart is not long for Boston. Would he make sense for the Braves, who have long-term issues at catcher, and would the Braves even be able to make a competitive offer, assuming that they want good, ML-ready starting pitching?

Jeffrey Todd

2:14

Swihart is a very hard guy to evaluate from the outside. Bat is still promising, but has hardly overwhelmed, and if Boston thinks he needs to spend time away from catcher then that's pretty telling. Maybe other teams feel differently.

2:15

On the other side of things, would BOS really have interest in Teheran? Certainly possible, but he's been so inconsistent that it's a scouting question in large part. He's the only ATL pitcher that there'd be a theoretical match for in terms of adding to the Red Sox at the MLB level.

J-Hey God of W.A.R.

2:15

Does Inciarte goto LF when he returns and Mallex Smith stay in CF? I am not sure the Braves want Ender covering CF with the hammy injury.

Jeffrey Todd

2:16

I'm still expecting Mallex to be sent down, but we'll see.

RichLa

2:16

With the 2016 draft order officially released, is it a done deal that the Commissioner will leave St Louis with all of their picks (in light of the hacking incident)?

Jeffrey Todd

2:16

Don't know, but that's kind of an interesting point -- you'd think they might have taken care of that beforehand if that was going to be the penalty.

Oliver

2:16

Youre the Denver guy right? Going to Denver next week for a couple days. Anything on the "must do" list while im there?

Jeffrey Todd

2:16

Alas, I may not be living here much longer. : (

2:17

But you are fortunate to visit. Just enjoy being here rather than trying to see the sites -- there aren't many, honestly. It's a place to rent a bike and ride around, hit some breweries, etc. Golden is a cool town not far away, you should go to the mountains (or at least foothills in Boulder) if at all possible. Try something new -- climbing, mountain biking, etc.

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