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Connor Byrne
1:58
Hey everyone. We'll get started in a minute or two.
Richard
2:00
What's your favorite thing about Spring Training?
Connor Byrne
2:01
The end of it. In all seriousness, though, at least it's nice to watch baseball again when it's snowing out (if you live in a cold climate like I do), and it's something to do after football ends. Those are the only two sports I'm especially passionate about. The Sabres' ongoing ineptitude in the NHL has sucked the life out of me when it comes to that sport.
Kirt
2:02
How many teams do you see going to a 6 man rotation this year due to the innings limits that they are placing on their pitchers?
Connor Byrne
2:02
I'd have a hard time giving you a number off the top of my head, but I do think it's something we'll see more and more.
Eric
2:02
Do you ever see MLB making the World Series like the Super Bowl, one location determined ahead of time?
Connor Byrne
2:03
I really hope not. I know it's something Scott Boras has advocated for, but no thanks.
Monsieur Moncada
2:03
Since the Blue Jays will be playing in Dunnedin for the next 6 weeks leading up to Opening Day, will that be an advantage for them when real games start (they'll be prepared for that location) or a disadvantage (it will be harder to transition away from practice game mentalities)?
Connor Byrne
2:04
I don't see how it could be disadvantageous unless the Blue Jays never actually find a consistent home during the regular season.
Nick
2:04
Jerry Dipoto gets a lot of press for his job as GM but in the 5 full seasons he has genn In charge in Seattle he has a losing record. What is is grade as a GM , since the Mariners are not competitive and don't appear to be this year?
Connor Byrne
2:06
It has taken awhile, but I actually like the path their on right now. Could see them being an aggressive team next winter in free agency/trades in an effort to break their playoff drought. Dipoto has greatly improved the farm system during his run. Baseball America ranked it second overall this week. I think the M's time is coming in the near future.
*they're, not their
T.W.
2:07
I'm going 70% -30% there's a strike next season.  Do you think a strike is looming in the future?
Connor Byrne
2:07
Unfortunately, I do expect a work stoppage. Neither side can agree on much of anything.
bob
2:07
Who are your pics for MVP, Cy Young, and ROY?
Connor Byrne
2:08
MVP: Trout/Betts; Cy: Bieber/Buehler; ROY: Mountcastle/Hayes
James
2:08
Drafted Arozarena last preseason, ( summer ), at 5$ and have him for at least 3years in my fantasy draft/ auction league. MLB pundits seem to be split on this guy, whether he's real or just a average MLB outfielder. Have had significant opportunity to add by trading him. Any thoughts on his future. I'm hearing he's yoked and ready to play. Star or pretender?
Connor Byrne
2:10
Tim Dierkes and I did a mock expansion draft for the site last spring, and Arozarena was either my first or second pick. I'm definitely a believer. He has done nothing but hit in the bigs, both in the regular season and the playoffs. His minor league numbers are great too, so I don't see any reason to doubt he's a legit big leaguer.
StevieM
2:10
Hey Connor, thanks for another chat. Much appreciated. Any news on Odorizzi. With Walker off the table the Mets seem to have pulled out of his chances of joining them. Shouldn't the TWINS try harder to bring him back or was his less than great season last year soured their relationship with him.
Connor Byrne
2:12
Thanks to you and everyone else for participating. With Walker off the table, I think the Blue Jays make the most sense for Odorizzi. They still need rotation help, he's the best starter out there, and they had interest in him even before this offseason. The Twins still seem like an OK fit, but maybe they're content with Shoemaker and Dobnak fighting for the fifth spot in their rotation.
Zack Collins
2:13
Why are the Sox sour on me? I've hit at every level!
Connor Byrne
2:14
I don't know if they're necessarily sour on him. Grandal is a premier starter, and Collins is the favorite to back him up. I don't expect Lucroy to beat him out, as Lucroy seems to be just about done. No harm in adding Lucroy for camp, granted.
Longfoot
2:14
Seems like JBJ’s options are shrinking. Where does he land and for how much?
Connor Byrne
2:15
I picked the Astros at the beginning of the offseason, and I continue to like that idea (maybe for something like 2/20 or 3/30). The Giants are also right up there. Can't discount the Red Sox either.
Richie
2:16
Where if anywhere do you believe Brett Gardner will be playing this year?
Connor Byrne
2:18
I'm going down with the Yankees ship in this instance. Either way, Gardner does want to play this year, so it seems he'll be somewhere. The Phillies make some sense if they're confident he can play CF on a fairly regular basis.
It would be a lot easier to see that match with a universal DH, as they could just plug in Cutch there and put Gardner in LF/CF depending on the day.
James
2:19
A.L. only league. We added Holds as a pitching category several years ago. X'd out K's. This has brought value to a significant stream of otherwise seemingly worthless players. Plus rostering the right players leads to help in the Saves category. Highly recommend using Holds in pitching categories. Its helped us keep our AL only status in a 11-team setup. Does employing a Holds category seem rare or is it gradually seeping into more leagues.
Connor Byrne
2:19
I'm all for holds as a fantasy category. I was in a dynasty league for several years & and we always used that as a stat.
Carlos
2:20
Why did my angels do so little on the rotation? The al west got a little weaker so I thought this was gonna be the time to try and win it by going all out to get trout to the playoffs
Connor Byrne
2:22
I'd like to see at least one more move, though options are dwindling. Odorizzi would be nice, but maybe someone like Porcello or Hamels would be more realistic. I still don't really get the Alex Cobb trade. I'd have rather just signed Porcello or someone along those lines in their shoes.
bob
2:22
At this point should we stop hoping for the DH in the NL? (heresy I know!)
Connor Byrne
2:23
Probably for this year, but I think we'll see it in the next collective bargaining agreement.
James
2:23
What's makes more sense in Holds league? X'ing out the K's or Wins? Wins are so frustrating. Even if your guy earns one the pen can blow it. Should QStart also be in consideration?
Connor Byrne
2:24
We used quality starts over wins in the league I just mentioned. I think that makes more sense.
Joe
2:24
Is there the slightest chance the Yankees get a backup middle infielder?
Connor Byrne
2:25
I don't trust Tyler Wade very much. Problem is the supply is low in free agency right now.
Maybe someone better will come along via waivers/trade in the next few weeks.
Matt O.
2:26
The White Sox top three starters- Giolito, Keuchel and Lynn- make up one of the best top three pitchers in the AL.  Are Cease, Kopech and Rodon good enough to make this an AL Champion?
Connor Byrne
2:27
If they're not, I expect the White Sox to address it leading up to the trade deadline. I'll be surprised if they're not serious contenders then, so it would make sense to chase whichever good starters are available in the summer.
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