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MLBTR Chat: 05/13/2023
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Simon Hampton
10:00
Good morning! Hope everyone's having a nice start to their weekend. We'll get this going in a couple of mins.
Oakland
10:07
Rooker an All Star?
Simon Hampton
10:08
There's not a ton of other options on that Oakland roster. Would have to think if he keeps this pace up he can make it, otherwise I think someone like Sam Moll or Zach Jackson would be the favorite
Mr Curiosity
10:08
Who is the worst team in the NL?  Who is really the worst team in the NL??
Simon Hampton
10:09
The Cardinals by definition, but I'd probably give it to the Rockies as the team I still expect to finish with the worst record - maybe the Nationals.
Guest
10:09
Are the Orioles legit? They’ve had a great offense all year but now the starting pitching is taking it to another level. Is it sustainable?
Simon Hampton
10:11
I think so - maybe not quite at this pace but I'm buying into them more and more as a 90+ win team. I think Rodriguez is starting to settle in nicely in the rotation - and that's where most of my concerns lie. Would really like them to push for a quality arm at the deadline to deepen that group, and they'll probably be in the market for a bat as well but think it's a really exciting group
Old Man58
10:11
Seems like a lot of arm and shoulder issues early this year, what do you think is the reason?
Simon Hampton
10:12
I'm sorry to hear that, definitely get that looked at as soon as possible
10:13
With regards to pitching across the league, I haven't seen any hard data that there's a sizeable uptick in these sorts of injuries. The pitch clock has surely forced at least some adjustment for pitchers, but I'm not convinced we're suddenly seeing a lot of pitchers break down? It's worth noting it always feels more magnified if your individual team experiences a few more issues than usual though, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's something league-wide
Not a ChiSox fan
10:13
How excited are you for Liam Hendricks return? I’m rooting for this guy to come back and be that catalyst for this team, so inspiring
Simon Hampton
10:14
How could you not be excited to see this guy get back on the mound? Fun pitcher to watch and seems like a great guy as well
KS Rangers
10:15
Texas needs a closer. Chapman? Diaz?
Simon Hampton
10:15
Unconvinced Diaz will be on the move but would definitely expect them to be in the mix for relief help and Chapman is shaping up as one of the top relief rentals available, so would have to think they'd be looking at him or Barlow
Bunyon121314
10:16
Rays are having a pretty good year so far, don't you think?  Hardly anyone mentions them.  All we hear about them is how they have only played last place teams.
Simon Hampton
10:18
Hard disagree Darragh and I talked about them at length on the podcast this week! I think I made the point that the schedule has been soft to begin with, but they've been getting it done against good teams and the performances from guys like Yandy Diaz and Harold Ramirez has been fantastic. As soft as the schedule was, you've also got to win those games and it's not easy to roll through teams as efficiently as the Rays did.
Also -- Zach Eflin looking like one of the signings of the season so far
Bucco Fan
10:19
Hey Simon! Was wondering your thoughts on the pirates. I am frustrated with them not calling up Henry Davis or Endy Rodriguez. I understand wanted to develop their defense. But out offense has scored something like 16 runs in the last 100 innings (that may not be the exact number but you get the point lol)
Simon Hampton
10:21
Yeah I've enjoyed following the Bucs a bit more closely this year and it has been tough offensively over the past week. The counter to that is they've been getting great results with their pitching so is the move really to change things at catcher in search of more offense?

Endy isn't really hitting much at Triple-A and Davis is still at Double-A (though he's mashing there). You'll obviously see those guys in the bigs soon, but don't think that's the immediate move for the Bucs
10:23
The Pirates have also played the Rays, Blue Jays and now Orioles of late - not easy
Greg
10:24
Dylan Crews goes first overall to Pittsburgh? They should go best player now that they'll most likely not get top of the draft picks now.
Simon Hampton
10:25
In my head, the big piece the Pirates will need at some point will be a genuine ace (although Keller is looking pretty damned good right now), but yeah you take best player every time - I'll leave it to the experts on who that is right now but the chat seems to be Crews at this stage
Allen
10:25
This looks like it should be Crawford’s last season right?
Simon Hampton
10:26
I think there would still be a market out there for him, but it might not be in San Francisco, and would he consider chasing one more season elsewhere?
JJim B
10:26
Should the Orioles trade for Eduardo Rodriguez to improve and solidify their starting pitching rotation? They have the prospects to make this work.
Simon Hampton
10:28
It's just such a tricky trade to make work. If he pitches like he's pitching, he opts out and you lose him at the end of the year, if he needs TJ surgery you're on the hook at a steep price for a number of years.
Bunyon121314
10:28
Is Patrick Corbin a potential trade piece?  He's having a semi-decent season.  Owed a ton of money yet... $24 this year $35 next.  Would anyone be desperate enough to try and pick him up?
Simon Hampton
10:29
Would still need to eat a fair bit of money there, unless it's a bad contract swap. Maybe the Yankees would be open to it to unload Donaldson/Hicks?
Bunyon121314
10:30
Mock draft top 5 picks... do you have a prediction?  Do the Pirates take the best player or do they do Piratey things?
Simon Hampton
10:31
Expecting Crews and Langford as the top two, beyond that I don't really know. Even then, a lot can still change.

I'll defend the Pirates there - a lot of whiffs through the 2010s but they've drafted a lot better under Cherington
Proof is in the pudding as always, but it certainly looks a lot better thus far
Glenn
10:33
Do you think the Ray's try to trade for starting pitcher or do they get one from the farm?
Simon Hampton
10:33
I doubt they pay a big price for an arm, but I could definitely see them looking for another pure starter to throw in the mix. Depends a bit on Glasnow's recovery as well, but wouldn't be surprised to see them beef that up a little
Preller's Wingman
10:34
Padres can't be this mid-level, right?
Simon Hampton
10:35
Padres, Astros, Mariners, Phillies, Mets, Yankees, Guardians ... ton of teams I expected to be good are really battling to break out from a ~.500 record
Generally just think there's a lot of competitive teams this year and not many out-and-out bad teams
Stanton
10:36
We’re two years in the future: who has the best rotation in the AL West? Mariners? Rangers?
Simon Hampton
10:36
I'm liking the youthfulness of the Mariners group in this particular question
Ted I
10:36
Do yoi see the Dodgers trading for a shortstop before the trade deadline? I’d love to see them acquire Tim Anderson but the package to obtain him will be high!
Simon Hampton
10:37
It will be - and the fact that the White Sox probably don't love the idea of trading him and the absolute lack of shortstop options in free agency will only drive the price higher. Maybe they do, but they're starting to pull away in the West and maybe they figure it's better to spend the resources elsewhere? They are an obvious fit if the White Sox do move Anderson though
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