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Connor Byrne
2:28
I'm not optimistic they'll make (m)any big splashes
Tony M
2:28
Which of the major free agents do you expect to sign first?
Connor Byrne
2:29
In terms of the absolutely elite FAs, it seems like Springer has had the most buzz around him. He's my wild guess right now.
Alfonse
2:29
Casey Mize for Jarred Kelenic.....who says no
Connor Byrne
2:30
Star prospect for star prospect. That would be fun. I'm guessing the Mariners would be more hesitant because it's easier to trust a hitting prospect than a pitching prospect.
sgrossman
2:31
Nat's fans are used to having at least 4 starting pitching slots filled and many years the fifth is also set. For 2021, we have the big 3 and lots of question marks. If they stay internal, who are the possibilities and among them, who are the favorites?
Connor Byrne
2:33
I do think they'll sign a back-end type in free agency, so that would give them four. Otherwise, Joe Ross could come back. Voth was a big disappointment this year, but he could again battle with Ross and Fedde. Seth Romero could get a shot.
F. Lindor
2:33
My family wants to know....Will I begin the regular season w/ Indians then get moved just before trade deadline?  Or will I be traded before the season begins?
Connor Byrne
2:34
I expect an offseason trade, especially considering Lindor's salary and the Indians' low budget.
Jeremy
2:34
Jays need a CF or a IF more?
Connor Byrne
2:36
I'd probably say infielder because at least Grichuk's a passable player, but as I said, they don't seem to trust him in CF. I expect the Jays to address both areas; they have quite a few options in the INF given Biggio's ability to play second and third. CF could be Springer or someone like JBJ.
Mariners fan
2:36
Do the Mariners do anything big this off-season or wait until next year to maybe do something?
Connor Byrne
2:37
I'm not expecting anything that big, but they'll probably at least get one of the noteworthy relievers still out there.
Chief
2:37
Do you buy the financial information the owners are publishing? I understand last year was a pretty significant hit, but it comes across like a bunch of billionaires crying poor.
Connor Byrne
2:37
Agreed. Yes, they took a hit, but it isn't an excuse to cease spending (or do something close to that)
2:38
or cut salary from a good roster and actively get worse (that means you, Reds)
Jorge78
2:38
Connor!  Do you think the lack of video in the clubhouse led to so many good players having weirdly bad years?  Has anyone studied this?  Is that rule permanent?  Thanks for the exclusive chat!
Connor Byrne
2:39
It very well could have, though I haven't seen studies on the matter. Based on Manfred's comments from last winter, it does seem permanent: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/ML...
“I don’t deny that video can help you perform if you have access to it during the game,” Manfred told ESPN. “A golfer can’t come off on the sixth hole and take a quick look at what he’s doing with his swing. We’re going to have to learn to live with less access to live video in and around the dugout and clubhouse.”
Jeremy
2:41
I know it says that Ha-seong Kim is a SS. I've heard he can also play 2B/3B. What is his defence supposed to be like at all 3 positions?
Connor Byrne
2:41
Baseball America wrote that he's likely to stick at short, which tells me he'd also be able to handle those two other positions. From BA: Kim "has the average arm strength to stay on the left side of the infield."
2:42
Admittedly, I'm no KBO expert, so I'll take BA's word for it
Rob
2:43
Blake Snell for Wilson Contreras feasible?
Connor Byrne
2:44
At the very least, I don't think the Rays would do it. They'd probably want cheaper, more controllable talent (the Archer trade comes to mind)
Dallas
2:44
I keep seeing this rumor (and I don't believe any of it), Springer to the Mets for 5-125. Which sounds great. What do you think Springer actually signs for (more money right?)
Connor Byrne
2:45
That contract seems about right. It even matches MLBTR's prediction.
Jeremy
2:45
Who is most likely to be traded of this bunch (Or rank them if you'd like!): Darvish, Snell, Gray, Carrasco
Connor Byrne
2:46
I'm playing pin the tail on the donkey here, but I'll go Gray, Snell, Carrasco, Darvish
Rangers29
2:46
  1. Should the Brewers be buyers this off-season? 2. I think the Cardinals take the division as things stand.
Connor Byrne
2:47
I think everyone in the NL Central but Pittsburgh should be buying, but that doesn't seem to be happening. It's basically a wide-open division. The Brewers obviously can't buy to the extent of big-market types, though they can still make an effort to improve.
Rob
2:47
Should the Braves try to sign Hamels on the cheap since he got paid for a lost year?
Connor Byrne
2:48
That ship has likely sailed after the Morton and Smyly signings. I don't see a fit for Hamels in that rotation anymore. I do, however, like him as a buy-low starter for someone.
GBS42
2:48
If you're looking for a LH-hitting OF, would you rather have Joc Pederson or David Dahl, with salary estimates being taken into consideration?  Or is there a better bargain out there?
Connor Byrne
2:49
I trust Joc more. He's another really good bounce-back candidate to me. Dahl's no slouch, and he'll come cheaper, though you have to be wary of his perennial injury issues
Jason
2:50
Reacting to Matt Snyder's recent article on CBS Sports "Why it's time for Major League Baseball to ban the shift," I'd be curious to get the thoughts of the MLBTR team and others around the game. My feeling is that outlawing shifts will only do so much. Matt touches on the rise in strikeouts and the electric stuff of MLB pitchers these days which I think is the fundamental issue. Matt even references the decline in offense prior to the mound being lowered. Why not lower the mound again to improve batter's chances of putting the ball in play? Why not go to 9" height or even 8"? Thoughts? Can you get Matt Snyder or others around the game to comment on why not address the real issue that makes baseball "hard to watch" at times, the overwhelming number of strikeouts where nothing happens during an at bat.
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/why-its-time-for-major-league-baseb...
Connor Byrne
2:50
I don't support the idea of banning the shift. It's a strategic decision, and if it works out for the team doing it, so be it.
Giants fan
2:51
Could Cole Hamels end up in SF, the buy low club?
Rangers29
2:51
Is Cole Hamels one of the "longevity" types of players to make the HOF. Even JAWS places him at 80th all time for pitchers ahead of some of the greats. Your thoughts?
Connor Byrne
2:52
I'll field two more Hamels questions here. I like the SF idea (he is from Cali, I believe). I think he's Hall of Very Good.
beachcomber
2:54
How many more years at his current level does Freddie Freeman need to enter the Hall?
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