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Tim Dierkes
1:19
I wouldn't really look at it that way.  There are only so many SP to go around, and I don't like them for guys like Ray, Gausman, Stroman.  I do think the Yankees will come up with an SP somehow.
Steve Adams
1:19
I don't think there's any one individual pitcher who makes the "most" sense for the Yankees. I didn't predict them to sign a starter because I felt other teams had greater need there and because SS is a stated priority from GM Brian Cashman. I don't think any pitcher on the list is particularly implausible, outside of maybe Kershaw or Scherzer.
There's also the trade market, where the Yankees have done a lot of their prior rotation shopping.
Tyler
1:19
How did none of you pick LAD to be the landing place for Kershaw? It seems unlikely he would leave.
Tim Dierkes
1:20
I think the lack of a QO pushed us in that direction.  We read that as the Dodgers making a gesture that they wouldn't inhibit his market if he wants to check out other places.
Steve Adams
1:21
Yeah, it's also possible that they're bearish on his health. But really, not making that QO -- paired with Friedman's comments about Kersh doing what's best for his family -- at least gave us the perception that maybe he wants to pitch literally 15-20 mins from his home in Texas. Perhaps that was wrong. We'll see. I certainly think the Dodgers are plausible.
Jay
1:21
Has Boras ever had a player accept the QO?
Tim Dierkes
1:21
Ryu.  I think Jeremy Hellickson was with him?  Steve?
Steve Adams
1:21
Wieters
I'm sure there are others.
And yeah Hellickson was with him.
Cards Fan
1:22
Cardinals just had 5 gold glove winners including 3 infielders not to mention Yadi as a runner up. Seems like a ground ball pitcher would be an excellent fit there, say, Stroman. Does this seem like a good fit?
Tim Dierkes
1:22
I like the Stroman-Cards match, definitely.  If they're willing to bid the most
Steve Adams
1:22
Stro's a fine fit there. That insane defense is part of why I picked Melancon and his huge GB% there. And why I picked Greinke's bulk innings but declining K%
Cubs fans
1:22
Please let Cubs fans know that none of Bryant, Baez, Rizzo or Schwarber are coming back.  Please.  For the sake of everything that is good, let them know
Steve Adams
1:23
Yeah, I think the ship has sailed. I guess if Rizzo's market tanks enough, it's possible?
Tim Dierkes
1:23
I don't expect any of them to come back.  But if Rizzo gets a two-year, $30MM type deal somewhere, it may spark some outrage in Chicago.  Baez, if the market disappoints and he's doing a late one-year deal, Cubs could I guess get in there.
Guest
1:23
Are the Mariners in on an Ace or do they want to see what they have in Gilbert, Dunn, Hancock, Kirby and Brash?
Tim Dierkes
1:24
I think they're close to certain to add a starting pitcher.  We don't really know if that's at the Gausman/Ray level or below.  Or a trade
Zac Gallen might be out there, plus the A's/Reds guys
Merrill Kelly
Steve Adams
1:25
I expect them to be on more mid-rotation guys. A bat seems likelier to be their big-ticket item. Trade seems likelier if they add a big arm.

I talked some of this with The Athletic's Corey Brock for a piece he wrote over there last month
https://theathletic.com/2877520/2021/10/13/how-a-big-swing-and-a-few-s...
Adam
1:25
The Giants have so many positions of need and a huge financial war chest - and yet you guys predict they will re-sign Gausman and that's it?
Tim Dierkes
1:25
I'd maybe check out the picks a little more closely, as well as the teams mentioned in blurbs.  We're on board with the Giants spending big, for sure.
Steve Adams
1:26
Gausman+Belt+Verlander from me doesn't feel ultra light, and as we said throughout, they're fits for most top free agents.  Again, there is also the trade market, where they'll be active.

Farhan Zaidi comes from a background including the Athletics and a Dodgers front office that isn't as aggressive in free agency as many would expect based on payroll. I don't know that he'll just plop down $300MM in an offseason and call it a day.

Broadly speaking, not listing a team to sign a Top 50 guy at a position is in no way the same as saying they won't address it.
robert jr
1:27
do you really believe that there is no chance for the blue jays to resign Marcus Semien?  what about possibly Kershaw staying in LA?  would Schwarber to the Blue Jays be as a DH/1B?
Steve Adams
1:27
The Reds, A's and several other teams are going to be selling very good pieces this offseason.
Tim Dierkes
1:27
I think we all believe the Jays have a chance to re-sign Semien, we just didn't like them the most and liked them to re-sign Ray more.  Kershaw, we find plausible to return to the Dodgers even if we didn't make that pick.
Steve Adams
1:28
Semien re-signing in Toronto is completely plausible, I just see Ray as a bigger need and don't think they'll sign both.

My Schwarber pick was made with the assumption that they finally dump Randal Grichuk somewhere. It'd be a needed left-handed bat in a lineup heavy on RH hitters.

On Kershaw, as I said before: of course it's possible.
Estrada 22
1:29
Hi!!!!  Padres sign big FA?
Tim Dierkes
1:29
I found the money a little too tight to end up putting the Padres on a big FA.  How do you feel on it Steve?
Steve Adams
1:31
The Padres are the Padres so they'll do all kinds of weird stuff. I'd be surprised if they didn't sign at least one big name, and they'll be good for 2-4 notable trades as well.

I operated under the assumption that the NL DH will be in place next year, and with that in mind, I expect A.J. Preller to continue his quest to acquire all of his former Rangers players and sign Nelson Cruz, haha.

Tim's point is a good one -- the current budget is tight -- but I expect Preller & Co. to find creative ways to make some things happen
I put Castellanos down on them too, for what it's worth.
Cubs
1:31
I see us as the league's safety net this offseason: you want a pillow contract? We got you. Market not turn out how you plan? We'll take value. Risky short term adds? Oh yeah you betcha. Anybody fit that bill this offseason above Kikuchi?
Tim Dierkes
1:32
I should note that all of us picking the Cubs for Kikuchi was just a coincidence.  I think we all thought any mid-range SP with some Ks could work there.  The best FA I thought the Cubs might entertain was Eduardo Rodriguez, but maybe not with the QO.
Steve Adams
1:33
I found it really amusing that Tim, Anthony and I all put Kikuchi on the Cubs. I did not realize that when I submitted my picks.

As we both said before, I think that could be Javier Baez or Anthony Rizzo. Probably not someone with a QO (Conforto), but yeah... Rodon, DeSclafani, Garcia ... really any mid-range guy would fit there for me if he couldn't get the big mult-year he wanted.
John
1:33
Why do you believe the rangers will be decent spenders this offseason?
Tim Dierkes
1:33
I think mostly the stuff Chris Young and Jon Daniels have said plus their market size and payroll capacity.
Steve Adams
1:34
Because both their president of baseball operations and GM both flatly said they would. It's sort of the opposite direction the Cubs took, coming out and preaching "measured, intelligent" spending and whatnot.
Rich
1:34
Will the Dodgers be able to recoup any of the money paid to Trevor Bauer in 2021?  Also, what options do the Dodgers have to simply get rid of him and his salary for 2022?  Thank you
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