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Connor Byrne
1:59
Hey everyone. Steve's off today, so I'm filling in. We'll get underway shortly.
john whelan
2:01
Connor, can a umpire's call like the Michael Conforto HBP be reviewed?  
Connor Byrne
2:01
Unfortunately for the Marlins (and for everyone who wants games to be decided the right way), that play was not reviewable because it was a judgment call.
bob brenly
2:02
How worried should I be about Ketel Marte's injury?
Connor Byrne
2:03
At least mildly concerned. It looked awful in real time, though Torey Lovullo has since said Marte is "doing OK." I think he's going to issue another update today or tomorrow, so we'll see. Would be a real shame to see Marte miss a bunch of time, though, considering his start to the season.
Rays Half Full
2:04
The Rays haven't pitched Luis Patino yet this year.  Any idea why not?
Connor Byrne
2:05
My understanding is that they want to stretch him out at their alternate site in hopes of having him land in their rotation later in the season.
Dave
2:06
Do you buy into the early season success of Nate Lowe, Jared Walsh, Ryan McMahon and what kind of years do you think they each put up?
Connor Byrne
2:10
I think all three are pretty interesting. Lowe's K/BB rates are awful, and he can't keep BABIPing almost .400, but he's sort of a Statcast darling right now. The pedigree's also there, as he was a former top 100 prospect. The Angels may have a real find in Walsh, who has raked since last year and absolutely crushed Triple-A pitching in 2019. McMahon was the best prospect of the three, and though he has struggled in previous years, I like that his K rate is way down this season. He's another guy Statcast has loved in the early going.
mmddyyyy
2:11
Would you rather watch good hitting or good pitching?
Connor Byrne
2:14
I'm partial to a duel between aces. One of my favorite games was a Sunday night matchup between the Red Sox and Yankees from around 2000. It was Pedro Martinez vs. Roger Clemens, both in dominant form. Boston won 2-0.  Both pitchers threw complete games.
Here it is:
Monsieur Moncada
2:15
Have there been more injuries during the first week of play this year than normal?  Or are we just forgetting all of the early injuries from years past?
Connor Byrne
2:18
You're not wrong. Here's Tom Verducci on the subject: https://www.si.com/mlb/video/2021/04/08/injuries-plague-baseball-after...
mmddyyyy
2:19
When guessing what kind of contract a free agent will get, do you start with the "where" or the "how much"?
Connor Byrne
2:20
It's more the "how much" for MLBTR, but it's important to consider how many teams could be in the market for that player. That certainly has an effect.
Dave
2:21
Could you suggest an obscure "under the radar" shortstop that might emerge to become a productive regular in 2021?
Connor Byrne
2:23
If this is a fantasy question, not really (my team's terrible anyway, so I'm not the best source of advice there). For real baseball, I'm liking Kiner-Falefa more and more. Not sure how "obscure" he is after winning a Gold Glove at third last year, but between his defense and offense, I'm optimistic he can be a solid starting shortstop. He doesn't offer much of any power at the plate, but he puts the ball in play and hits for average. Looks like an upgrade over Andrus for Texas.
Regit68
2:24
Will the Cards add anything? I mean ANYTHING!!!
Connor Byrne
2:25
Well, they're off to a pretty nice start, and teams don't really make big additions this early in the season anyway. Maybe in the next couple months if they like their chances.
Trevor Story
2:26
Talk about me going to the Yankees are swirling. Would make sense to put Gleybor at 2nd. DJ sharing time between 2B/3B/1B and keep an eye on Voit's rehab. Will I be in NYY? I'm guessing I'll be there in the summer.
Connor Byrne
2:27
I've gotten multiple questions about Story/Yankees rumors, yet I haven't seen anything all that credible linking the two in any serious way.
That seems like a whole lot of nothing to me
Who cares if he's friends with LeMahieu?
2:28
Granted, GM Brian Cashman did say during the offseason that he'd prefer Torres at 2B, but I believe that was before NYY re-signed LeMahieu
Monsieur Moncada
2:29
IKF is actually a decent fantasy pickup in Yahoo leagues were he retains catcher eligibility.
Connor Byrne
2:29
This is a good point. Depending on the rules in your league, it could be worth looking into.
Joe
2:30
What does Cespedes’ continued free agency mean for his career at this point, given the number of teams with injuries in the outfield? Was his show day that bad?
Connor Byrne
2:32
I don't know how he looked at his showcase, but I just don't think teams are clamoring for a defensively limited 35-year-old coming off a couple injury-wrecked seasons.
Same goes for a guy like Encarnacion. It seems like their time has passed.
Giants
2:33
Lots of talk about what the Giants will do with their fairly new developed farm especially in regards to Luciano. I love the dude and what he brings to the table. But with a plethora of SS in next years FA and a payroll looking quite light, any chance Zaidi and Co. will cash in on Story/Baez on a shorter term deal and possibly move Luciano to 3B once he comes up? Marco is a pretty big frame still developing and isn't exactly as talented defensively as the previously mentioned. (I'm also banking on Seager to rival Lindor's extension so I just eliminated him from the equation).
Connor Byrne
2:35
I do expect the Giants to make a big strike at some point, but Zaidi doesn't seem like someone who will spend just to spend. It'll probably depend on how close he thinks the Giants are to pushing for a playoff spot. All of that is to say your scenario of the Giants adding a SS seems plausible if they make enough progress this year. However, I doubt Story will be settling for a shorter contract. Maybe Baez is he has another poor year.
*if, not is in the last sentence*
Old_chief
2:36
Did Shane Greene go into witness protection?
Connor Byrne
2:36
I don't get it either. Certainly a major league-caliber reliever & not one who should require much of a payday.
Rick
2:37
What is wrong with the Yankees?  Year in and year out they suffer more injuries to their starting lineup than any team in baseball.
Connor Byrne
2:38
If I had a good answer for this, I'd probably be on the Yankees' payroll. Now it seems like Judge may be dealing with another concerning issue, as he's not playing today and Aaron Boone said they'll check on his status tomorrow.
Joe
2:40
Who is the White Sox starting left fielder on 7/1? On the team now, or is there a chance they make a move?
Connor Byrne
2:41
Vaughn's still the best in-house choice with Jimenez out. It may be a different story on 8/1, the day after the trade deadline.
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