JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat

MLBTR Live Chat

Mark P

8:06

The Weekend Chat is here to wrap up the first weekend of the 2023 season. Let's dive into some questions....

Duvall Season

8:09

Is the Red Sox offense for real? 9 runs in each game so far.

Mark P

8:09

There wasn't much doubt in mind that Boston would score plenty of runs this season, it's just a question of whether or not they have the pitching to back it up

Shane B

8:10

We just saw the NBA agree to a new CBA deal… do you think MLB can avoid a lockout in 2026? At least avoid Missed games in 2027?

Mark P

8:11

As much as I would love to see a lockout avoided, it doesn't bode well for baseball that some owners have already been vocal about their displeasure with the new CBA. "A good compromise leaves everyone mad" and all that, but some owners are going to be even more adamant about curbing salaries in the next CBA talks, and obviously the players aren't interested in that

Oriole Bird

8:12

Panic in Birdland?

Mark P

8:13

This is probably a good time for a blanket "it's only been a few games!" post, since nobody should be over-reacting to the small sample size of a few games.

Guest

8:13

Rhodes or reigns tonight?

Mark P

8:13

Feels like Reigns is finally going to drop the title.

Eric

8:14

If Brito continues to pitchlike his debut would this kick German out of the rotation once Rodon and Severino come back?

Mark P

8:15

The Yankees will continue riding the hot hand, so if Brito keeps pitching better than the other options, he'll keep getting starts no matter who is healthy.

The Yankees don't get the same acclaim as a pitching development machine as some other teams (i.e. the Rays, Guardians, Dodgers), but they've gone a good job of finding and developing some really good arms in recent years.

Guest

8:16

Any update on Hendricks from the White Sox?

Mark P

8:17

Rick Hahn made a point of placing Hendriks only on the 15-day IL, not the 60-day. A future 60-day placement is naturally still possible, but it's a good early sign that the Sox think Hendriks won't need two months to recover and get back to action

Small markets

8:18

People argue about small markets vs big market’s disparity but no one talks about less draft rounds and less roster spots favor big market teams. It’s easier for a team like the Dodgers to attract undrafted free agents. More draft rounds allows the teams like the reds and KC to get talent in their system. What are thoughts on shrinking drafts cresting more disparity in talent?

Mark P

8:20

It may take some time before we can really assess the smaller draft sizes. While a team can find a hidden gem in the later rounds, obviously the large majority of players taken from rounds 21-40 never even made the big leagues, or even the upper minors.

As for undrafted free agents, it kind of depends on the player's decision and what they feel their best opportunity is. If a player is weighing multiple offers, money is a factor, but also opportunity --- a player might feel he has a better shot at the big leagues in an organization that doesn't have a constantly stacked farm system like the Dodgers

John

8:22

Can you put me on record for saying Jeffrey Springs finishes top 3 in cy young this year? - 2012orioles

Mark P

8:22

It has been marked, and frankly, I'm surprised that I even had access to The Record.

Guardians

8:23

Best bullpen in MLB?

Mark P

8:23

They're very high on the list. Cleveland's ability to generate good pitchers year after year is nothing short of impressive

Fan

8:24

Is Nolan Gorman for real this year?

Mark P

8:26

It's strange, Gorman almost seemed like a forgotten man amongst STL fans, whereas at this time a year ago the chat was inundated with "when will Gorman be called up?" questions. And it's not even like Gorman played poorly in his rookie year

Esteven Florial

8:27

Do I clear waivers? Will someone claim me or deal for me? Would DC be a good landing spot?

Mark P

8:27

Florial is absolutely being claimed on waivers, so it's just a question of whether or not some eager team works out a trade with New York beforehand

Fan

8:28

Florial cannot hit ML pitching... someone will take a flier, but there is not much there...

Mark P

8:29

Florial has all of 63 MLB plate appearances to his name. It might be that he doesn't end up making it in the Show, but there's certainly enough Triple-A potential to indicate that Florial deserves a longer look at the big league level

Austin

8:30

Alec Burleson will have a better rookie year then Jordan Walker

Mark P

8:31

Yet another under-the-radar Cards player, despite being a borderline top-100 prospect. The Cardinals are very deep in talent.

Barney Coolio

8:32

I love the brisk games. Do the owners hate the reduced concession sales? SD beat Col in two hours and three minutes today.

Mark P

8:33

It'll be interesting next winter if this is a factor in adjusting the pitch clock rules, once teams have more concrete data on how shorter games could impact revenue in certain ways

LeinieGuy

8:34

Wiemer, Frelick or Chourio? Who will have the better MLB career with the Brewers?

Mark P

8:34

Hey, don't forget Turang, he's off to a very good start.

Jays fan

8:34

Bigger concern from the weekend for the jays, bad starts from Manoah and Bassit or 0 HRs by the offense?

Mark P

8:36

When I posted earlier that fans shouldn't panic over their teams this early, I will now proceed to share my concerns over my own favorite team. :)

The pitching is naturally a big concern. Manoah and Bassitt aren't going to be great every time out, naturally, but their poor starts will loom larger until the Jays have an idea of what Berrios or Kikuchi might do. If Berrios and Kikuchi struggle, and one of the top three starters struggles, the rotation depth suddenly becomes a very big problem

Jake

8:37

What is Joe Ryan’s upside? I really like the new sweeping slider and splitter he added this offseason. Will these pitches allow him to become a top of the rotation starter?

Mark P

8:39

Ryan has plenty of potential, and I was surprised Tampa was willing to part with him in the first place. (Maybe that's another testament to their pitching depth that they consider Joe Ryan expendable.) Not sure about being a true "ace" by whatever definition of the term, but as a guy who can reliably start a playoff game? That certainly seems possible

Dodgergirl 23

8:39

Have you heard any rumblings of Chris Taylor being moved ?

Mark P

8:39

Nope, and such rumblings seem unlikely given Taylor's contract and how he struggled in 2022

Ang T

8:40

Does Senga have any opt outs in his contract?

Mark P

8:41

Yes, after the 2025 season if Senga pitches 400 innings combined in 2023-25