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MLBTR Live Chat With Tim Dierkes
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Tim Dierkes
2:13
In the 90s, no one beat the drum more against rising player salaries and baseball's supposed need for a salary cap than Reinsdorf.  I'm surprised he even got into the arena here, even in light of the Albert Belle aberration.
Great giant
2:13
What is your vibe/feeling on Sf or Philly ...what is the odds
Tim Dierkes
2:14
Hmm...I lean Philly.  Let's put it to a poll.
Where will Bryce Harper sign?
Giants (17.1% | 369 votes)
 
Phillies (49% | 1,057 votes)
 
White Sox (4.9% | 105 votes)
 
Nationals (10.1% | 218 votes)
 
Other (18.9% | 408 votes)
 
Total Votes: 2,157
Sala
2:14
Is Kimbrel really in Orlando to golf? It seems odd he’d be there just to hang out
Tim Dierkes
2:15
I didn't realize he was there - I was just in Orlando myself!!!  A little Discovery Cove time with my daughter.  I did not see Craig there.
Delaney
2:15
How devastating would it be if Philadelphia misses out on both Machado and Harper?
Tim Dierkes
2:16
Very.  Right now I think they are a .500 team.  Harper would vault them into the division/WC chase, but I don't know that they're there without him.
AK
2:16
Does the reds’ frankenstein work this year or do they blow it up and try again next year?
Tim Dierkes
2:17
It almost has to be blown up to a degree, with Kemp, Roark, Gennett, Puig, Wood, and a few others due for free agency.  It depends on how you define "work."  Is it a total failure if, say, they win 84 games and miss the playoffs?  That would be a more exciting season than anything we've seen recently.
Aggressively mediocere
2:17
What is the pads payroll like now? I always thought of them as low spenders but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore
Tim Dierkes
2:19
I think they are around $110MM, which would be a franchise record.  As I said earlier it would be weird to hit the brakes now and not add any starting pitching.  Most of the payroll will be tied up in Machado, Hosmer, and Myers for the next several years.  Of course, their farm system is awesome.  Imagine if this team hadn't made those mistakes on Hosmer and Myers?  Then we could actually be talking about also signing Harper.
JNogle
2:19
Does this deal affect what Arenado will be looking for if/when he hits FA?
Tim Dierkes
2:21
Much like Trout it provides the frame of reference.  I imagine the Rockies would like to pay Arenado through age 35 (seven-year deal) and he's thinking he'll go through 36 (eight-year deal).  So Arenado could be in the $200-250MM range.
Jacob
2:21
Does Machado signing first make it more likely Harper hits 326+?
Tim Dierkes
2:22
I don't really think it does.  I know this is supposed to be good for Bryce, but all that's really happened is that he (probably) has one less suitor.  I don't think the Phillies are now saying, "OK, we'll jump up to 326 to get this done."  That said - I do think Bryce will get to 326+.
Trevor
2:22
Does Machado finally be off the market mean that FA IF's such as Josh Harrison, Marwin Gonzalez and others will be able to find homes?
Tim Dierkes
2:23
Hmm...I don't see much of a connection there.
Disappointed Halo fan
2:23
Now that we have a floor any chance halos offer 10/400 to trout and he accepts?
Tim Dierkes
2:24
Oh yeah, I think Trout would sign today if offered that amount.
Head Menitino
2:24
Is Machado really worth that much?  His attitude is terrible and I feel like he could be a problem in the clubhouse...committing that much and that many years seems like a bad move.  Thoughts?
Tim Dierkes
2:24
To suggest he's a problem in the clubhouse would require some kind of info from his teammates to that effect.  I've seen nothing like that.
Ed-c
2:25
I still believe that Keuchel and Kimbrel are worth more in wins than Harper.   Wouldn't it be the smarter think for the Phillies to go with the 2 pitchers for less money than Harper?
Tim Dierkes
2:25
I actually think it's really close.
More WAR in 2019?
Bryce Harper (41.4% | 579 votes)
 
Keuchel + Kimbrel (58.6% | 819 votes)
 
Total Votes: 1,398
South Siders
2:25
Do you think the White Sox will knee jerk react to losing Machado by going back in to the Harper negotiations with the intent to win at all costs?
Tim Dierkes
2:26
No, if they had some kind of win at all costs mentality, they would have went into the low 300s on Manny, the guy they seemingly preferred.
Eric
2:26
Are the Padres banking on the DH making it to the NL with the long term, high dollar deal(s)?
Tim Dierkes
2:27
I don't think the Machado deal banks on that - he's only signed through age 35, and he might opt out before his 31st birthday.  I think Manny will still be a decent 3B at age 35.
The numbers
2:27
I see a stroman/Sanchez trade to the padres coming....thoughts?
Tim Dierkes
2:28
I'm not clear on what the Blue Jays are thinking.  They've got, like, a 77 win team.  Pick a lane!
padres
2:28
is this padres team just going to be padres 2015 2.0? Sign and trade for a bunch of free agents but no results?
Tim Dierkes
2:28
I don't think so, because Machado is a star and their farm system is great.  He fits into the plan for sustained success.
Woad Raider
2:28
It's still a Dodgers/Rockies battle in the NL West though, right?
Tim Dierkes
2:29
Not for me...I see the Dodgers winning the division with relative ease and the other four teams bunched together and possibly in the mix for a WC spot.
2:30
The Padres' $300MM deal for Machado: Good or Bad?
Good (69.7% | 884 votes)
 
Bad (30.3% | 385 votes)
 
Total Votes: 1,269
Paddy
2:30
75m for Manny Myers and Hosmer next year doesn’t leave a lot of room for impact upgrades
Tim Dierkes
2:32
The Padres are paying three guys a lot of money through 2022.  That's four long years.  However, if ownership is looking even bigger picture, Hoz drops to $13MM in 2023, Myers will finally be off the books, and Machado might be entering his last season in SD.  So you have to accept Hoz/Myers for what they are and make a push to contend now by pushing even more chips in.
DDiceRC
2:32
Percentage chance Phillies sign Harper now? (I don't believe the whole "apprehensive" storyline one bit.)
Tim Dierkes
2:33
Our readers are saying 49.4%.  I'll put it at 33%.
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