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MLBTR Chat: 04/22/2023
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Simon Hampton
10:04
Good morning, will get started shortly
Mr Curiosity
10:10
Is Kikuchi for real?
Simon Hampton
10:12
It's been a solid start for Kikuchi. I was at the game last night and he certainly made sure it was a pretty flat atmosphere at Yankee Stadium. Need to see a bit more before I think he's for real - he's done a great job limiting the walks but the home run rate is alarming and any uptick in walks/hits with that sort of home run rate is going to get ugly
A guy who rakes
10:12
What do you make of this Pirates team? Is this for real? Or are they destined to flatline at some point? On the other more important hand, does a winning streak and maybe more continued winning convince them to pay Brian Reynolds what he deserves?
Simon Hampton
10:17
Would really like to see them extend Reynolds first and foremost.

I like the Pirates a lot, don't think they're a 108-win team that they're currently pacing for though! Guys like Connor Joe should see a bit of regression, but there's also a lot to like about what Castro and Suwinski are doing. They're definitely trending in the right direction, but tend to think they'll still finish in the 70s for wins
kc
10:18
damn you John Fisher.. A's are the only team I;ve ever known... dont know if I should keep following them or jump ship..
Simon Hampton
10:19
Really feel for A's fans. I get all of the concerns about the stadium/market etc etc, but at the end of the day it absolutely sucks for the fans that do show up to see their team shifted.
Owen
10:19
As a padres fan, should I be concerned about this start?
Simon Hampton
10:22
Not yet. The offense has been anemic, apart from Bogaerts no one has really hit at all. Tatis is back now which is a huge boost. Musgrove coming of the IL as well. They'll be fine.

Speaking of the offense, I am interested in the feeling around Soto. Tim and I had a good discussion about this on the podcast this week (shameless plug), and I tend to think his talent will shine through eventually, but I would say it's also enough of a sample that the Padres FO may not be quite so gung ho about a mega-extension with him
Candle light
10:22
Can the royals take a flier on Bumgarner
Simon Hampton
10:23
Sure why not. Will only cost the minimum once he's released. I'm skeptical that MadBum has much more to give, but someone will give him a chance and it may as well be a rebuilding team that can afford to throw him 5-6 starts over the summer
CY
10:23
If you had to pick a team from last year to not make the post season that did and a team to make the postseason who didn’t who would you choose ?
Simon Hampton
10:24
The Cardinals and the Twins
Votto
10:25
Will I be on the trade block this time around? Potential Dodgers trade target?
Simon Hampton
10:25
Votto won't be moved
Dave
10:25
Thought experiment: MLB finds an error in the Soto trade transaction and gives the Padres a chance to unwind it. No renegotiation. The choice is keep it as-is or Soto goes back to the Nats and the Padres get their players back. What do the Padres do?
Simon Hampton
10:27
Interesting... I think you probably still do the deal. The upside is still enormous, even after this poor run of form. Also - as poor as Soto has been, it's relative to his past performance and he's still be an objectively good hitter.

The Padres gave up a lot, sure, but it's still a lot of unproven talent at the big league level
Ken
10:28
Between John Fisher, the city of Oakland, MLB itself, the Giants blocking moves to Fremont, San Jose, etc., the local fandom not coming out for the team, how would you apportion blame for the A's decision to leave Oakland for Las Vegas?
Simon Hampton
10:30
I probably don't have the depth of knowledge on this particular topic to give you a great answer, Ken. I would say that I don't think you can get too upset at the Giants, they've gotta look after themselves. As for the rest, there's probably a fair bit of blame shared around there
Coop
10:31
When do the Cardinals wake up and trade one of their surplus of OF’s (O’Neill, Carlson or Burleson) in a package for at least a #2 SP?
Simon Hampton
10:33
I'm sure they're discussing it in the Cardinals' war room, but realistically who would be available? Take the White Sox for example, I could definitely see them trading Giolito in a few months but for now they've still got ambitions of competing. There's just not much of a market.

They could get Bumgarner I guess but I think at that point the better bet is just letting the current crop figure it out
Never mind
10:33
Is IKF worth keeping
Simon Hampton
10:35
Been impressed with how IKF has taken to center field, but he should've been non-tendered in the winter. Given he appears to have little to no trade value, I think either he or Hicks gets DFA'd once the Yankees are back to full strength in the outfield. Playing time of late would suggest Hicks is the odd man out there
Bilbo
10:35
Who are some non-rental (ie control for at least ‘24) starters who could move at the deadline?
Simon Hampton
10:37
If the White Sox really blow it up Dylan Cease, but I don't think they'll do that.

Burnes and Woodruff are the big ones, although I think the Brewers are in a good enough spot at the deadline that that is put on hold until the winter.

If Chris Sale figures it out he could be an interesting one.

I'm sure I'm missing others as well, but those are a couple off the top of my head.
Chucky
10:39
Why is the industry down on Soto, when Betts’ numbers are as bad if not worse than Soto’s? Is it because Mookie has become everyone’s multi positional darling?
Simon Hampton
10:40
Mookie has a .261/.386/.435 line at the moment to Soto's .176/.351/.378?
Appa Yip Yip
10:43
The thing about Soto is his max exit velo and hard hit% are still elite, his xSLG is 80th percentile. Obviously statcast stuff isn't the be all end all, but we're very early in the season. Expecting him to be a pumpkin instead of delicious pumpkin pie is premature.
Simon Hampton
10:45
For sure! He's also just 24, there's a lot of career left for Soto
Gruber_mullet
10:45
With all the hype surrounding the Cole-Manoha riverly do you see a blow up in the Bronx this weekend ?
Simon Hampton
10:45
Doubt it, but very much excited for this afternoon's game
Gruber_mullet
10:45
When do the Yankees give up on Hicks? He never plays, plays poorly when he does and I can't fathom that he has much trade value.
Simon Hampton
10:46
Think he might be squeezed out once Bader is back
DavidCNYC
10:47
Does Verdugo look for real to you? Duran?
Simon Hampton
10:48
The BABIP on Verdugo is .362 which is obviously due for a bit of regression. You knock .50 points off the batting average and his line suddenly looks awfully similar to what he's been doing most of his career.

Duran's had 21 plate appearances
Llyod from London
10:53
You don't answer questions that require more than a surface level threshold of baseball knowledge....
Simon Hampton
10:54
Yet you've failed to ask a single question, and instead prefer to spend your Saturday complaining about an internet baseball chat room
Hello from Istanbul
10:54
You my favorite chat people Mr. Simon! I think Justin Verlander win pitcher award again even still he hurt now. What you think happen?
Simon Hampton
10:55
Thank you! For Cy Young? Might be running out of time for him to get the innings required to get in the conversation, but expecting another big year from JV
Gruber_mullet
10:55
When do the Ray's fall back to earth?
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