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Trade Rumors Front Office Chat
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Connor Byrne
2:00
Hey, everyone. We'll get going in a minute or two.
edcoanjr@yahoo.com
2:02
I don’t recall a game played in weather like yesterday’s game in Detroit. Is there any rule about playing in a snowstorm?
Connor Byrne
2:03
I haven't seen a specific rule. My guess is that if the snow is actually accumulating, then they'd call it off. Also, I'll always remember this Yankees-Royals game from '96:
Dean j
2:03
I believe that Elsberry's contrac tfor New York was still part of this year team salary limits, was it for 5 million which was his buyout or was it calculated at 21 million or so which was his average?
Connor Byrne
2:05
This is a weird situation, one that still doesn't have a resolution after all this time, but my understanding is the Yankees are paying Ellsbury's $5MM buyout this year without any impact on the luxury tax.
Reynold S.
2:05
If Carrasco and Thor return to Mets timely and effectively, would they be 2nd to the Dodgers in the NL? Not a Mets fan, just curious.
Connor Byrne
2:06
It's not an outlandish thought. I already think the Mets are the third-best team in the NL (Dodgers 1, Padres 2) without Carrasco and Syndergaard.
2:07
But it is kind of wide open after LA and SD. I wouldn't argue with anyone who picks, say, the Braves.
john whelan
2:08
Are the White Sox actively trying to find a bat until Eloy Jiminez can play again?
Connor Byrne
2:09
Now isn't really the time to land a big free agent (Puig's still out there, but he has the legal issues hanging over his head) or make a significant trade. The White Sox will probably ride it out with what they have for the time being.
GBS42
2:10
Will Eugenio Suarez stick at SS? If so, is his projected error total of 324 high or low?
Connor Byrne
2:12
Well, yesterday didn't go well, and Suarez struggled last time he played SS extensively, so I've never been optimistic about the experiment. I don't expect it to work out. Still surprised the Reds didn't add an actual SS (e.g., Andrelton Simmons, Marcus Semien) during the offseason.
Will
2:13
Is Jed Lowrie (IF - OAK) going to be productive this year, or is he just filling the spot until Machin matures?
Connor Byrne
2:14
As with the Reds, I expected the A's to be more proactive with their middle infield in the offseason. There were some decent, relatively inexpensive stopgaps out there. To answer your question, if Lowrie actually stays healthy and rebounds, fantastic. However, it's clearly not something they can bank on.
2:15
He had 8 plate appearances from 2019-20, none last year
and he's about to turn 37
Eddiecomic
2:15
Do you think that Yoelqui Cespedes plays OF for the White Sox this year?  Does Pedro Leon play CF for the Astros this year?
Connor Byrne
2:17
It seems like Leon has the better chance to debut this year, but my guess is we won't see either until next season
Dave from Montana
2:17
Has anyone ever calculated what percentage of an umpire's disputed calls were overturned by New York?  Seems like it is mighty low--not enough to waste the time involved in the review.  Maybe it can be justified in the playoffs, but is it worthwhile when everyone wants quicker games?  Plus, the ump's occasional bad calls are part of the game, just like fielder's errors or wild pitches.
Connor Byrne
2:19
Not that I've seen. However, I would rather have the game take a little longer with the right calls than have it go quicker with the wrong decisions. I can't get behind "human error" impacting games when the technology exists to make the correct calls.
There are other ways to speed up games without screwing teams over.
bob
2:20
wtf is going on w/ the Nats? if they lose players like Soto or Turner for 10+ days b/c of covid, is their chance at October kaput?
Connor Byrne
2:21
I wouldn't say that - lots of teams lose key players to the 10-day IL on a yearly basis and still survive - but I don't have the Nats as a playoff team as it is. What they're going through right now obviously doesn't help.
StevieM
2:22
Thanks for the chat Conner. Makes being a subscriber worth it. TWINS 2021. A pitching-defense oriented team with maybe some "small ball" tendencies? Forgetting Rosario is the Bomba Squad ancient history?
Connor Byrne
2:24
Thanks for subscribing/chatting, Stevie and everyone else. I don't think Rosario's that big of a loss for the Twins. Even when he hit 30-plus HRs a couple years ago, he was only a 103 wRC+ guy. They can still hit & are pretty well-rounded in general.
2:25
hopefully Donaldson's okay
Frank
2:25
I feel it is imperative that we find a new MLB commissioner before we approach the upcoming negotiations with the players' union for next season.  I realize Manfred's term is not up, but we shouldn't be willing to accept the premise there will be a strike because of the people involved in the negotiations.  Wm Eckert was removed before his term expired.  Not only does Manfred appears unable to reach a deal, he delays a uniform DH for another year, and leaves in place the little league rule of starting a runner on 2nd base in a tie game, which cheapens the game.  It's time for a change.
Connor Byrne
2:26
You're preaching to the choir, Frank. I'm not a fan of the job Manfred has done at all, but it doesn't seem that he's going anywhere. He's under contract through 2024. MLB owners unanimously approved that extension a couple years back.
GBS42
2:27
What were the best and worst things from Opening Day, not COVID-related?
Connor Byrne
2:29
I can't think of any non-COVID things to put in "worst," but Rangers-Royals was entertaining and Tigers-Indians playing in a snow globe was cool. I really liked the slo-mo video of Miguel Cabrera's HR in that weather.
Old_chief
2:30
Postponing the Nats-Mets series punishes the Mets unreasonably.  Yep or nope?
Connor Byrne
2:30
Not much you can do about it either way. The Mets would be punished worse if they were exposed to the illness in any way because of non-postponements. It's just a lousy situation.
Jorge78
2:31
Connor!  I notice teams wait to put a player on the 60 IL until they "need" the roster spot.  Why can't they leave it open?  Is there a rule against that?  Thanks for chatting!
Connor Byrne
2:32
Thanks, Jorge. If I'm understanding your question correctly, the team can't leave the spot open because it counts against the 40-man roster. If a player goes on the 60-day, that frees up 40-man space, so it makes sense to stash him there if he's a ways from returning.
Keith
2:33
Is Jazz Chisholm related to DJ Jazzy Jeff?
Connor Byrne
2:34
No, but maybe the Marlins should get an Uncle Phil lookalike to heave Chisholm from the dugout to the field at the start of every game
Greg
2:34
When I was a kid, I'd see spring training games in Tucson, AZ (Cleveland Indians) and the players looked like they were in terrible condition. These days players work out year-round and are physical specimens. Why is it that so many players today are injured and/or need surgery when in the 50's and 60's, they never seemed to need that? Pitchers would throw every fourth day and seemed to never go on the injured list. Has anyone concluded anything about this apparent dilemma?
Connor Byrne
2:36
I've seen theories that the increase in weight training has led to more injuries, but as far as I know, there isn't anything definitive on the matter. And pitchers are throwing harder these days, which taxes the arm more.
@TheRealRangers29
2:37
Just wanted to remind people that the Trade Rumors Forum still exists: https://forums.traderumors.com/ People haven't been active on it at all recently, and I think it's a really good idea.
Connor Byrne
2:38
Yeah, it will probably take time for those forums to gain a following, but it's a worthwhile effort on Tim's part. If you're looking for a sports message board to use, try it out.
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