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Top 50 Free Agents
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Tim Dierkes
9:56
Hi everyone!  It has probably been a year since I held one of these, so please bear with me.
This chat is mostly focused on our Top 50 Free Agents list, which came out yesterday: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/2017-18-top-50-mlb-free-agents-...
Rick
9:58
Lorenzo Cain is not getting the Giants over the top and they said they want to go younger. I would think he wouldn't be the target of the Giants?
Tim Dierkes
9:58
I feel like most contending teams would like to go younger, ideally.  Cain's not particularly old.  I think they could use a real CF.
Matt
9:58
Do you actually think the White Sox have a shot at Michael Brantley if the option is declined?
Tim Dierkes
9:59
Sure, why not?  They can be patient with his injury and offer him LF/DH time.
Adge
9:59
If not Jay Bruce, who is your next favourite OF for the Jays?
Tim Dierkes
10:00
Cain makes some sense if they can afford him.  Not opposed to Carlos Gonzalez.
Odie
10:00
You must expect Yu to fall first.  Could you picture the Cubs not bringing Jake back if they know market price is 4/$100?
Tim Dierkes
10:01
I can see how those two predictions don't really seem to square.  One part is that I consider Yu a better pitcher.  I don't know whether the Cubs agree.  The other part is that I am somewhat of a low man on Jake's market, and see this contract happening in January or so.  Meaning the Cubs could offer Jake 4/100 now, he'd turn it down, and they have to make sure they get their starting pitcher, so they pay full price on Darvish.
Chris
10:01
I know the focus of the free agents piece is the players, but do you really expect the Indians to re-sign Santana and then do nothing else within the top 50?
Tim Dierkes
10:02
If it goes that way, I wouldn't find it surprising.  But certainly they'll look at bringing Bruce back, they could consider LoMo or Alonso at 1B if Santana leaves, they could add a Jon Jay or CarGo to the outfield.  Not sure I see them on Top 50 pitchers though.
Camus
10:02
You only have the Os down for one starter... How do you see that rotation panning out if they don't add at least 2 or 3 guys this off-season?
Tim Dierkes
10:03
That's more a function of wanting to spread out the predictions on the top 50 a bit.  Them signing two of these guys is realistic.  But they can also add to the rotation through trades and non-top 50 FA, like, I dunno...Ricky Nolasco.  Feel the excitment.
ForLoveofThe Game
10:04
You keep connecting Chris Tillman to the Tigers for $10 mill.  They just cut Alex Presley who was slated to make just over $1 mill.  Why would these cheapskates pony up $10 mill. for Tillman?
Tim Dierkes
10:05
Did we make that connection more that once?  Tillman to the Tigers is just an idea Steve Adams had that we found reasonable.  And I still do.  Not sure why you'd call the Tigers cheapskates, they've spent a ton compared to their market size.  By next year their payroll will fall below $100MM, which has not happened in a decade.  So Tillman as an upside play and potential July trade chip works for me.
Noah
10:05
Interested, as a brewers fan, to know why you think the Brewers will be such big spenders this FA period.
Tim Dierkes
10:06
I should note that although we picked three guys for them off this list, including one bold one in Arrieta, we do not necessarily expect them to throw down $40MM+ in new 2018 player salary.  It's more of us saying that their commitments are light and they have an opportunity to dive in and make some targeted upgrades.
Connor
10:06
You predict Dervish to the Cubs, but given his command issues, WS flop, injury history, possibly tipping pitches, etc, wouldn't the Cubs rather sign a younger and more stable Tanaka?
Tim Dierkes
10:08
I had the Cubs on Tanaka until yesterday or so, so I dig it.  I find that viable.  I don't know that Tanaka is more stable - I would consider him the greater injury risk, hence the shorter predicted term.  In terms of the WS flop, I think some teams can look past it.  Darvish was one of the reasons the Cubs didn't reach the WS this year.
Jon Daniels
10:08
I should sign every starter available, right?
Tim Dierkes
10:08
They might run up against some payroll constraints, but I could see them in on everyone from Arrieta on down.  Steve Adams doesn't expect them to be big spenders though.
Doug
10:08
I know Carlos Beltran is not on the list of 50. But if he does not retire, where does he land?
Tim Dierkes
10:10
Hmm.  I don't want to dump on a guy with such an illustrious career, but any value he has at this stage is purely a clubhouse thing.  So, a few million bucks for a team with a DH opening?  It's tricky because he'll want to play for a contender but a contender can barely justify a roster spot on him unless it's purely as a bench guy.
Jerryzkidz
10:10
Good morning and glad to have you back. I understand the need for the Giants and Cain in CF but his age and necessary years make it seem like a bad idea. Not to mention factoring in the loss of the second round pick. Anything else they could do?
Tim Dierkes
10:11
Lots of other things.  Trade for Yelich, Cutch, or JBJ, maybe sign Carlos Gomez, Jon Jay, or Jarrod Dyson.
10:12
And they can also look at 3B options like the Toddfather, as Steve Adams has suggested.
Brewers
10:12
With both salary space and prospects to deal sell me on how Arietta is a better option than trying to work out a trade for someone like Archer or Stroman?
Tim Dierkes
10:12
I'm not much of a salesman.  I don't necessarily consider signing Arrieta to be better than that - it all depends on what is required to acquire them.  I don't really see Stroman coming available, but if you can acquire Archer, you definitely acquire Archer.
Firstros
10:12
Is there any way that the Astros don't sign Wade Davis?
Tim Dierkes
10:13
Heck yeah.  Won't rule out Cubs.  Cards can make a play.  Rangers, Rox, or Nats could get crazy.
Guest
10:13
Hey Tim, do you think the The Red Sox should address there 1st base need thru free agency (morrison, Hosmer)  or via trade like Justin Bour or Jose Abreu?
Tim Dierkes
10:14
If I'm in charge, I'm not looking at Hosmer or Bour.  I'd definitely weigh both LoMo and Abreu.
Jim
10:14
I think the Angels could be suitors for more of the mid-tier free agents like Nunez, Chatwood, Cobb, Kendrick, Santana, etc. Thoughts?
Tim Dierkes
10:14
I'd say yes on all those guys being candidates for the Halos.
Josh
10:15
The Rangers weren't mentioned in the list of potential teams for Yu Darvish. Is that because you think the team is scared of years or $$, or something closer to potential animosity related to the mid-season trade?
Tim Dierkes
10:15
I wouldn't say animosity, they seem to have parted on decent terms.  I'd say not listing them is a combo of the price tag and their failure to extend him when they had him.
Joey Bats
10:15
I`m not in the top 50?! What team do you see me signing with and for how much?
Tim Dierkes
10:17
Similar to the Beltran situation.  Need a DH opening and a team that can risk signing a guy who was a zero with the bat in 2017.  I'd say the White Sox but these older vets may want a contender.
Mm
10:17
realistic landing spot for Stanton?
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