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Trade Rumors Front Office Chat

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Connor Byrne

1:58

Hey everyone. Plenty to talk about today, including that Trevor Bauer is finally off the board. We'll start in a minute or two.

Matt

2:00

Do you think Dustin Pedroia will receive any HOF votes?

Connor Byrne

2:00

Yes, but I don't believe he'll get in. He's a "Hall of Very Good" type for me. No shame in that.

Daniel

2:00

This is the 2022 Rangers' lineup with no new acquisitions. I'd like you to give this lineup a grade:

Taveras CF
Lowe 1B/DH
Gallo RF
Huff C
Dahl LF
Jung 3B
Guzzy/Calhoun 1B/DH
Solak 2B
IKF SS

Connor Byrne

2:01

Is a D+ too harsh? I just don't see a lot to get excited about there.

Zack

2:02

What are your thoughts on season length? If the cactus league does not allow teams to start Spring training on schedule, would the Grapefruit league still go ahead? When do you think opening day will be?

Connor Byrne

2:02

Looks like we're getting an on-time season with 162 games, though I can't predict whether the COVID situation will worsen and cause that to change.

Dave

2:03

What are the Reds going to do at SS?

Connor Byrne

2:04

I honestly have no idea at this point. I'm stunned the Reds didn't add one of the vets out there, especially since Jose Garcia isn't ready yet. Kyle Farmer maybe? Their offseason has been a huge disappointment so far.

2:05

Look at the remaining FA shortstops. It's bleak: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/10/2020-21-mlb-free-agents.html

Jeremy

2:05

Thoughts on a Grichuk for Price swap? Do the dodgers have any need for this?

Connor Byrne

2:05

I don't think they do

Jeremy

2:06

Whats your early 2021 Postseason bracket look like assuming no expanded playoffs?

Connor Byrne

2:07

Probably (in no order) Yankees, Astros, White Sox, Jays and Rays in the AL. NL: Dodgers, Padres, Cards, Braves and Mets.

Jeremy

2:08

Odorizzi, Walker, Paxton likely to sign soon now that Bauer is off the boards?

Connor Byrne

2:09

Yes, especially with spring training about to begin. Shouldn't be much longer in any of those cases.

yewed

2:09

Enjoyed the Rockies article. With all the money they spent over the last few years on FA they total a WAR of basically zero.

Connor Byrne

2:09

Thanks! Yeah, their FA signings have generally been atrocious. So many failed relief additions.

Joe

2:10

Do the Mets pivot to Odorizzi or was it Bauer or go with what they've got?

Connor Byrne

2:11

Odorizzi would be a fine pickup, but I also wouldn't be shocked to see them go into the season with what they have and reassess in the summer. DeGrom, Carrasco, Stroman and Peterson is a good top four, and maybe someone like Lucchesi will be able to hold down No. 5 until Syndergaard returns.

Mets Fan

2:12

WTF? I mean, WTF?!!!

Connor Byrne

2:13

I get the frustration, but Bauer made it clear earlier in his career he wanted to be a Dodger. He's a SoCal native who wanted to play for a winning/forward-thinking organization. The Dodgers are the best org in the game, and it seemed inevitable to me from the start of free agency he'd be a Dodger. Still a good offseason for the Mets (minus the Porter fiasco) even if they do nothing else.

Jeremy

2:14

40,45,17 for Bauer with opt outs after each season!!!! CRAZY

Connor Byrne

2:14

Given the length, I'm kind of surprised he fell shy of Gerrit Cole's record AAV of $36MM.

sockpirate

2:15

Are we to expect a lock-out over the CBA?

Joey V

2:15

Please give your thoughts on a potential work stoppage and what each side should be willing to compromise on. I appoint you as mediator!

Connor Byrne

2:16

I'll tackle both of these at once. I do expect a work stoppage because the two sides can't seem to agree on anything at all. I'd at least like to see a salary floor and the universal DH in the next CBA.

"salary floor" meaning teams have to spend a certain amount

Bauer ISNT the guy Mets need

2:18

Career ERA+ 113, would have an ERA over 4 without last season and has like a sub 3 SO/W. Like what am I missing about this guy besides his own ego creating this aurea around himself?

Connor Byrne

2:19

He's not someone I'd have the easiest time trusting, especially considering his behavior on social media and whatnot, but I don't mind this deal when considering how short it is. No way would I have given Bauer a Cole/Scherzer type of contract, for instance.

Braves Fan

2:20

Do you think AA still has something up his sleeve?

Connor Byrne

2:21

AA = Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos. Yes, I do. They're still going to have to add another big bat, whether it's at third or in the corner OF. Ozuna, Bryant, Turner are some possibilities.

2:21

Do you think the A's will open the season with Chad Pinder, Tony Kemp, Nate Orf and Vimael Machin sharing time at SS/2B? What upgrades are available?

Connor Byrne

2:22

There isn't much left. You're looking at the Schoops, Marwins and Villars of the world at this point. This has been a disastrous offseason for the A's, who have gone from elite AL team to one I don't see making the playoffs this year.

Casey

2:23

Again, the Angels have hired an inexperience GM and spent the winter bargain shopping bargain racks for pitchers...giving up on the man the needed most...again...this time, Trevor Bauer.

Why should I expect that (barring expanded playoffs) the Angels (and Mike Trout) will play in the post season this year?

Connor Byrne

2:25

Your frustration is warranted, though I do like the Quintana pickup. However, the Cobb trade didn't make a lot of sense to me. Why give up a half-decent prospect for Cobb when you can just sign Porcello or someone like that for a few mill and keep the young guy?

Robert

2:25

Why is Click approaching the Astros like a small-market team? True, they kept Brantley, but with Springer, Reddick, and Devenski off the books (plus Verlander and Grienke departing next year), they could have afforded to go Realmuto or a closer or another starter. Or at least Dahl to play center.

Connor Byrne

2:25

It isn't GM James Click's fault. That's an ownership decision.

Jeremy

2:26

Which division is weaker, AL West or NL Central?

Connor Byrne

2:27

Good question. Probably the AL West at this point, given the Cardinals' recent moves.

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