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Trade Rumors Front Office Chat
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Connor Byrne
2:00
Happy New Year to everybody! We'll get going in a minute or two.
Phillip
2:01
With the Cubs giving away Yu Darvish, one would have to imagine any and everything is available. Would it make sense for the the Red Sox to make a deal for Kyle Hendricks and Jason Heyward if the Cubs retained about half of Heywards contract? He still gets on base and could provide solid defense in CF. Hendricks would be a much needed frontline starter for Boston.
Connor Byrne
2:02
That doesn't seem like the type of move Chaim Bloom and the Red Sox are looking to make right now. And I don't like the idea of the Cubs weighing down Hendricks' value by attaching a bad contract to him, though I guess you can't rule it out with the way they're doing things this offseason.
Bruce
2:02
Will the Yankees take a chance on someone like Chris Archer or Tijuan Walker
Connor Byrne
2:04
Archer might make some sense as a buy-low candidate. Walker should do better on his contract (I think we predicted 2/16), so I wouldn't group them together. However, we at MLBTR don't find Walker all that exciting. Great ERA last season, but the rest of the numbers weren't overly impressive. He's not a guy I'd be targeting from NYY's standpoint.
Edmund
2:04
Is Kevin Kiermaier going to be dealt from the Rays?
Connor Byrne
2:05
I'm going to say no. Steve just wrote a piece explaining the challenges of trading him: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/12/rays-trade-rumors-kevin-kiermai...
Jorge
2:05
This is not exactly MLB related but I am very curious. How many accounts, notifications, Twitter feeds, emails, websites, etc. do the staff have to monitor at all times to produce your articles? It must be mind boggling. 
Thanks!
Connor Byrne
2:07
It's mostly just using our Twitter account, though we do always have our email account open in the event a team announces something that way. It's pretty tough, though. If you get up for a glass of water or whatever, you better make it back to your laptop quickly in case of breaking news.
Lilly
2:07
My Paw Paw says the Braves need a big  bat this season.Who they gonna get?
Connor Byrne
2:08
If they're not going to keep Ozuna, I like Brantley as a potential replacement, though he may not be that appealing to an NL team if the universal DH isn't in play. I also like the idea of a Kris Bryant trade. The Braves have shown interest in the past, and the Cubs are obviously cutting money, so it's not unrealistic.
2:09
Of course, I don't think it's in the Cubs' best interest to trade Bryant off a down season. But I also didn't think it was in their best interest to trade Darvish for what they got, and they did that. So ... you never know.
Jays Fan
2:09
Will the Big 4 free agents all sign in January, or is this going to drag out into February?
Connor Byrne
2:10
For MLBTR's sake, let's hope so. This has been a rather boring offseason for the most part. Kudos to the Padres for giving us stuff to do.
Jared Porter
2:10
Help Connor! Steve Cohen is already talking about firing me because I haven’t gotten the starting pitching sorted out. What should I do?!
Connor Byrne
2:12
(Mets GM Jared Porter) - Still not totally ruling them out for Bauer, though someone like Tanaka/Sugano/Odorizzi comes off as more realistic. They definitely do need to add another starter as they await Syndergaard's return, though.
SteveM
2:12
With Minnesota waiting on Nelson Cruz are they lagging behind. Bringing in a guy like Trevor Story shifts some players around with the DH spot filled in with capable hitters. If Cruz is still available then sign him. If he statrs to show age he's so good in club house and dugout that he is a valuable player/coach. Thoughts?
Connor Byrne
2:14
The Twins definitely make sense for Story, if they're willing to pay the prospect price and the Rockies actually deal him. Could move Polanco into a super-utility role with Story on the roster. Also, in the end, I expect Cruz to go back there. It's probable that one of the reasons Cruz is still out there is the lack of clarity on the universal DH, which isn't fair to him or others in similar shoes.
I know it's reportedly unlikely to stick around in 2021, but it sure would be nice if MLB actually announced a decision on the matter
Kelly
2:15
What to say about the Padres? Your assessment? Does the acquisition of Darvish give them an advantage with Seguno?
Connor Byrne
2:17
I'm guessing you mean Sugano. I don't know if Darvish has much of anything to do with whether he'll sign in San Diego. That said, I do like the fit, and Padres could have an edge from a geographical standpoint if they do push for him. My assessment of the team matches just about everyone else's: They're really good, seemingly a title contender, but they could still stand to address the bullpen.
Stevie
2:18
Are the Padres the "new" Yankees this year. I mean...it seems like they are signing every good pitcher on the market.
Connor Byrne
2:18
More Padres. I'm not comparing them to the Yankees, but the effort they've put in (and the progress they've made) over the past few years has been refreshing. Too many teams don't even seem to be trying.
SteveM
2:19
Would Odorizzi sign with the Red Sox just for money? Boston is not a contender right now. The Twins are. Would he not rather sign with Minnesota?
Connor Byrne
2:20
All things being equal, Odorizzi probably would rather stay in MIN, but who knows what they and other teams are offering. He has a chance to cash in on a multiyear deal after accepting the qualifying offer last winter, and that's what I expect him to do - whether it's in Minnesota or elsewhere. Odorizzi does have a tie to Boston in Chaim Bloom.
DH for 2021
2:21
It's very much a wild guestimate, but when do you imagine Manfred & MLBPA come to an agreement on season length/DH/minor league season?
I've heard it discussed that much of it hinges on availability of vivid vaccine
Connor Byrne
2:22
That's definitely part of it. At this point, it's too difficult to guess, though the union has made it clear they want a full season. If not, they're going to fight another year of prorated pay. There was plenty of MLB/MLBPA drama before last season started & we're probably headed down the same road for 2021.
Daniel
2:23
Stoked to see a team like San Diego make for exciting baseball. On the other hand, the Rays frustrate me with this ugly look for their fans and just the look of baseball especially after the World Series. Will moves like this consistently lose revenue from a withering fanbase, that was already small to begin with, end in the Tampa finally being relocated? And hopefully a less frugal ownership.
Connor Byrne
2:24
Off the very top of my head, I think they're contractually tied to Tampa Bay through the late 2020s (maybe 2028?). So, I don't think a move is imminent, but it may well happen in several years if they don't get a new stadium. And I understand the fans' frustration in trading a guy like Snell, though I am always willing to give their front office the benefit of the doubt. They clearly know what they're doing. It's just too bad ownership doesn't do more to support them in terms of payroll.
Frank
2:25
Question - Given TB Rays recent trades with Texas and SD adding even more depth to their # 1 rated Farm System, how likely are they to deal for 2021 ML ready performers ?
Connor Byrne
2:27
It's possible if the right player becomes available. Again, though, the budget is a big issue, as is the team control of a player they'd acquire. I'd like to see the Rays make a play for a guy like Luis Castillo, but whether they'd do that after trading Snell (who, granted, is more expensive) is iffy. Castillo does have three years' control left, though, and he's only going to make a few mill in arbitration in 2021.
Rangers29
2:28
I just wanted to say that Ronald Guzman won the MVP of the Dominican Winter League, and all of his HRs were hit off of lefties (5). An interesting development to say the least.
Connor Byrne
2:29
I've given up on Ronald Guzman. If he turns into something, good for him. Not something the Rangers should be banking on anymore, and they're clearly not with the Nate Lowe acquisition.
BVW’s Ghost
2:29
OK so what would I have done with Steve Cohen’s money? I can’t help but assume JT Realmuto, Francisco Lindor, Trevor Bauer and Blake Snell would all be Queens-bound and that the farm system would no longer exist. Like the Mets would abandon the concept of minor leagues. What do you think?
Connor Byrne
2:32
I don't think Cohen would have signed off on BVW further stripping the farm system to that extent. I did expect Realmuto to sign there when Cohen took over (BVW or not), but that went kaput with the McCann deal.
Rangers29
2:33
How many of the questions do you get here are either stupid questions or trolls?
Connor Byrne
2:34
Pretty much none in these chats. The people here are subscribers, so they're not fooling around. As an aside, thanks very much to all of you for your support!
Brian C
2:34
Do i go all in now ? with the Rays talent drain. Does it give a bigger window to push a NOW timeframe. everyone else seems to be on the brink of either like us needing some pitching (Blue Jays) or they are rebuilding (tampa ,baltimore) and Boston is floating somewhere in-between - Most other teams - Need Pitching to some degree - I know that. So. Does Brian C. go for some middle ground for DJL get that done and move on to Pitching ?? which is the next priority but as the youth is almost ready to produce from the farm. thats the dilemma - why He gets paid the big bucks ... but again not knowing what type of schedule the 2021 season length will be when it will start, the only thing we know is that they are going to have expanded playoffs again ??? is that correct ?? sorry for the what if .. and how and what $$$ are going to be garnered from a season with or without fans in the seats. That's the biggest thing i think for the upcoming season - when do Fanny's get in the seats and how many there will be. Dont you?
Connor Byrne
2:38
Brian C = Yankees GM Brian Cashman. A LeMahieu signing and some pitching depth is about all I expect at this point. Otherwise, all indications are that the Yankees won't be going hog wild on spending this winter. To your other questions, there's nothing official about an expanded postseason yet. Fans in the seats ... your guess is as good as mine. It's too far in advance to speculate on that, though the NFL has had a certain number of fans in the seats this season in some stadiums and there haven't been any issues that I'm aware of
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