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Connor Byrne
2:00
Hey everyone. Welcome to this week's chat. We'll get going in a minute.
Dallas
2:00
Do you think the Cubs are going to start "selling" off pieces to retool down the road?
Connor Byrne
2:01
I do expect at least one big name to go in a trade - Bryant and Schwarber seem the most likely. With that said, I don't think the Cubs are going to wave the white flag on competing in the near term.
GBS42
2:02
Biggest name to get DFA'd?
Connor Byrne
2:02
Off the very top of my head, maybe someone like Eddie Rosario. I don't think he'll be a Twin next year either way.
Mike d
2:02
What ss do you think Reds will acquire?  And would Senzel and prospect be enough to get Lindor?
Connor Byrne
2:03
Someone from the Didi-Simmons-Semien-Kim group. I put Kim there for the MLBTR free agent predictions contest, though I was basically just playing pin the tail on the donkey. Lindor's someone they could at least kick the tires on, though, and Senzel+ would pique the Indians' interest.
Mr Roctober
2:04
As I White Sox fan, I'm getting the impression that their chances of singing an impact player like Springer or Bauer are pretty low, because too many other teams with larger payrolls are interested in Springer as a CF, and the White Sox never seemed like a fit for what Bauer is looking for in a team.  So the trade route may be the more realistic option to meet the team's needs.  What do you think of Kopech/Sheets for Gallo/Lynn (with swaps of a lower-level prospect or two)?
Connor Byrne
2:06
When you're talking about White Sox vs. the field for Springer or Bauer, you take the field. However, I do think they're at least realistic suitors for Springer. Imagine an outfield of him, Robert and Jimenez. I don't think Bauer is as big of a need, nor do I expect him to end up there. To answer your other question, I'm not sure that offer would suffice for the Rangers, as promising as Kopech is. Lynn is the best rental starter on the market and Gallo still has two years' affordable control remaining.
Jeremy
2:07
What team that hasnt been in the rumours much do you expect to make a big splash (Trade or Signing)
Connor Byrne
2:08
Steve Adams has kind of floated the idea of the Mariners doing something surprisingly big. I don't hate the idea.
Mariners fan
2:08
Do you see the Mariners making any significant moves, or do they wait for 2022?
Connor Byrne
2:09
Speak of the devil. Realistically, despite what I just said, they won't do anything that huge; however, they could at least nab one high-end FA reliever (Trevor May is from the state of Washington, so it's easy to put him there). GM Jerry Dipoto has said they want 3-4 bullpen pieces.
Rangers29
2:09
Just to throw it out there, a Lynn and Gallo to Chicago trade would probably start with Madrigal.
Connor Byrne
2:10
It wouldn't be an insane ask from TEX, but I doubt CHI would do it.
King Kelly
2:10
We saw many anomalies in 2020.  Mike Trout with a -9 DRS ... and Joey Votto with a -7.  Nolan Arenado with a 76 wRC+ and Javy Baez with a 57 (!).  Are these just small sample size aberrations, or did the 2020 covid craziness affect some players more than others?  How much weight should we give these outliers in predicting 2021+?
Connor Byrne
2:12
For the most part, I chalk it up to a small sample fluke. In the case of a guy like Votto, though, it's entirely possible he just doesn't have that much left in the tank anymore. I hate to say that because he was such a joy to watch in his prime, but we're now looking at two straight years of relatively disappointing production, and he's 37 years old.
Jeremy
2:12
The Jays a number of years ago said they would cut salary for a few years so when it came time to compete again they'd go with a larger salary ($150Mil). I know a lot has changed financially the past year for everyone but given the Jays payroll is only around $80Mil, can you see them signing or trading for 2/3 big stars? (Lindor, Bryant, Darvish, Bauer, Springer, DJ)
Connor Byrne
2:13
Yes, I expect the Jays to reel in at least one high-priced player. They make sense for every player you mentioned, though I don't expect Darvish to go anywhere. Bryant seems kind of perfect if they just want a short-term stopgap as a bridge to some of their younger guys.
stpbaseball
2:14
Which young,up and coming team's future are you the most excited about- Padres, White Sox or Blue Jays?
Connor Byrne
2:16
This is really tough. It's hard to go against the Padres after they won 37 games in 2020. They have lots of talent on their MLB roster and a great system. That said, I expect all three to be formidable teams for the foreseeable future.
Farhan Zaidi
2:16
We were one game short of the 2020 playoffs.  Beyond Kevin Gaussman, what high profile FA signings should we make this winter?  Or should we want for next winter, once Posey, Crawford, Belt, Cueto, come off the payroll?
Connor Byrne
2:17
(Giants pres of baseball ops Farhan Zaidi) - I don't know if the Giants will do anything that high profile, but starting pitching is still a pretty clear need. There isn't much to get excited about even after keeping Gausman. Smyly's gone, which creates another hole.
Baseball Fan
2:18
Is the current plan for the 2021 season to play 162 games? I've been seeing opening day matchups early April but can't seem to find any sort of schedule
Connor Byrne
2:18
As far as I know. Whether that will prove to be realistic is anyone's guess.
Dallas
2:19
The Mets probably won't pay the price, but would it take to get Willson Contreras?
Connor Byrne
2:21
I think it would have to start with one top 100 prospect at the very least, assuming the Cubs are looking for a return more geared to the future. Contreras is really good, really affordable and under control for two more years, so it would be tough to get him out of Chicago.
Baseball Fan
2:22
Biggest surprise name to be moved this offseason?
Connor Byrne
2:23
This is hard to answer on a whim. I just did a quick perusal of teams' rosters and couldn't find any truly shocking trade candidates. Maybe Carlos Correa if the Astros have zero confidence they can extend him? Not saying I expect it to happen.
Red Sox
2:24
What does our offseason look like?
Connor Byrne
2:24
I think it will be pretty modest. Their biggest signing might be an innings-eating type for their rotation. They're in desperate need of one of those.
Reds direction
2:25
What do you see the Reds doing this off-season?  Standing pat, signing another big free agent, or selling?  What should they do with Nick Senzel?  Will he ever turn the corner?
Connor Byrne
2:26
They'll at least address shortstop, maybe sign/trade for a starter (though they might just stick with their in-house guys to replace Bauer and DeSclafani) and probably add at least one reliever. Nothing too crazy.
2:27
I think a Bauer-less Reds team would still be pretty respectable. Shortstop has to be dealt with, though, at the very least.
Bauer
2:27
Do I actually sign a 1 year deal? or does a multi year deal make all the sense given I am the best SP on the market by far
Connor Byrne
2:28
We'll stick with Bauer here. I don't expect him to sign a one-year deal because it would be so unprecedented; plus, as you mentioned, he's the best SP out there & these are such uncertain economic times. If I were in his place, I'd try to cash in as much as possible on a multiyear contract.
Rangers29
2:29
Assuming Whitley gets picked up by Houston today, here's a trade proposal. Lance Lynn, Nick Solak, and Demarcus Evans for Forrest Whitley. Astros get a season of Lynn to pair with Grienke and Valdez, Solak can be a high profile utility guy, and Evans is a future back of the pen piece with a heavy fastball. All of that for Whitley, whose stock is fairly low right now, but is still on 23. Who says no?
Connor Byrne
2:29
I wouldn't expect the Rangers to say yes to that
Lindor NYY?
2:30
MLB network opined-Lindor to NYY for Miguel Andujar, Clint Frazier and 2 minor league RHP, Luis Gil and Albert Abreu.  Is that offer in the ballpark?  Who says no?
Connor Byrne
2:30
The Yankees. They stuck with Frazier even when he had no role on the team, and now that he has established himself, I don't think he's going anywhere.
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