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Trade Rumors Front Office Chat
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Connor Byrne
1:58
Hey everyone
Turk Wendell
1:58
Is there a chat today? Friday at 2pm, right?
Connor Byrne
1:58
It's 2 CT, not ET
GBS42
1:59
RIP, Hank Aaron.  Considering everything he did for baseball during and after his playing days, it's difficult to find someone who had a greater impact on the sport.
Connor Byrne
2:00
Definitely one of the most impactful athletes - not just baseball players - ever. RIP to another Hall of Famer. Baseball has lost way too many of late.
Dallas
2:01
Cubs done cutting payroll?
Connor Byrne
2:01
I still think Bryant could go (have said time and again the Braves look like a good fit). I expect Contreras to stay, but with the way the Cubs are operating, I guess you never know.
JP Sousa
2:03
I know the Mets have done a lot, but they still need more to supplant the Brave, no?
Connor Byrne
2:04
The Braves still have work to do themselves, particularly at 3B/OF and in the bullpen. Ozuna was a monster last year, and if he's not adequately replaced, it would be a huge loss. But yeah, to answer your question, I still consider the Braves the favorites. They've won the division three times in a row, so it's hard to say otherwise.
2:05
I'm quite impressed with what the Mets have done in terms of bettering their roster, though, and they're not done.
Atkins
2:05
Who is better right now: Jays or Rays?
Connor Byrne
2:06
I'd still go Rays by a slight margin, as they always seem to find a way to get it done despite a minuscule payroll. But that division should be a three-way dogfight among those teams and the Yankees. It wouldn't be a surprise to see any of them win it.
Joe
2:07
With all that San Diego has done and the Dodgers being arguably the best team in the league, where does that leave Arizona? Should they buy or sell?
Connor Byrne
2:09
I'm not sure there's a lot to sell (David Peralta? Maybe Kole Calhoun? Eduardo Escobar?). The D-backs don't appear as if they'll be spending much of anything to improve on last year's roster, though, so I don't have very high hopes for them in the near future. The Dodgers and Padres are miles above the competition in that division.
Jock Casey
2:09
Why would the Reds trade Eugenio Suarez? I know their trying to cut payroll, but he seems very cheap for the production he provides...
Connor Byrne
2:11
Suarez, Gray and Castillo have all come up in trade speculation. Other than blatantly trying to cut costs, I don't get it. That division is there for the taking, and all three are on very affordable deals. Suarez will make roughly $11MM salaries in each year through 2024. I know he wasn't that good last year, but that isn't a guy I'm trading if I have any interest in winning next season.
2:12
of course, the Reds could deal Suarez and then try to justify it by moving Moustakas back to third and maybe giving Senzel a big role at 2B
Guest
2:12
Rank these SPs in terms of who will be the best going forward: Odorizzi, Walker, Paxton, Tanaka
Connor Byrne
2:14
I probably trust Tanaka the most of that group. He's not all that exciting, but you can count on serviceable or better production every year. After that, Odorizzi, Paxton and Walker.
Guest
2:14
Do you think the Angels will land bauer? If not what do you see them doing with adding a front line type pitcher.? Thank you
Connor Byrne
2:15
They seem to be firmly in the mix. If not, I continue to like Tanaka as a fallback option, though trading for a guy like Castillo or Gray would be all the better (if the Angels are willing to surrender the prospects)
2:16
that's Sonny Gray, not Jon, but I do find Jon to be an interesting bounce-back candidate
Joe
2:16
In regards to Arizona, I'd argue they have some very good SPs in Gallen, Kelly and Smith they could deal for quite a haul in prospects if they decided to sell.
Connor Byrne
2:17
Gallen would bring back a lot, but would Arizona deal him? I'm skeptical of that.
Jeremy
2:17
Jays need a lefty IF to play 2b/ss, who would be a good fit? Didi? Wong? others?
Connor Byrne
2:18
Kind of depends on whether they'd move Bichette off short. If not, Gregorius probably isn't a possibility. Wong and Cesar Hernandez seem more realistic.
2:19
the Jays did have interest in Wong earlier this offseason
Farhan Zaidi
2:19
I have made some moves (Gausman, DiScalafini, Wood & Casali). However, given the San Diego moves, the Giants seem to be fighting for 3rd place in NL West. it is frustrating what else should I do?
Connor Byrne
2:20
It's just not the Giants' time yet. I'm sure Zaidi stepped into that president of baseball ops role realizing it would be a multiyear process.
Witness York
2:21
Are expanded playoffs still on the table for 2021? Don't GMs need to know this stuff to decide how to construct their teams?
Connor Byrne
2:21
Yes, they're on the table, but there still hasn't been decisions on issues like that, the universal DH, etc. And yeah, it would absolutely benefit GMs to know all these things.
GBS42
2:22
Three years and $21M, especially given the opt-outs, seems rather high for Profar.  I see little upside for San Diego with this deal.  Am I missing something?
Connor Byrne
2:23
It is a pretty weird deal. The average annual value is fine, but as you said, the upside is lacking. If Profar is good next year, he's probably opting out and going elsewhere. If he has a poor season, you're stuck with him.
That said, I do continue to salute the Padres' aggressiveness.
Braves in SC
2:23
How do you feel about Atlanta's rotation, going into 2021 (with the assumption that Soroka is back healthy), and should there be any interest in mid-season trades for more pitchers?
Connor Byrne
2:25
I don't see much of anything to complain about. Fried, Soroka (if back to health) and Anderson are studs. I was a big fan of the Morton signing, and I've always liked Smyly. Yes, there's risk with Smyly, but he was excellent last season. If anything goes haywire in the rotation, however, I'm sure they will be in the market for midseason help.
2:26
but this is a team that went through all kinds of adversity in its starting staff last year and still won the division
Dallas
2:26
Where do you think Ozuna signs?
Connor Byrne
2:29
It's extremely hard to say without an answer on the universal DH. I wouldn't mind seeing a team like the Mariners come out of nowhere and make a splash.
Jeremy
2:29
Is Springers $150mil and $25/yr going to be the highest this offseason?
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