Connor Byrne's NL Central comments

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mikechamp
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Connor Byrne's NL Central comments

Post by mikechamp »

These comments came from a chat with MLB Trade Rumors' Connor Byrne that occurred on November 11. I get that I just posted one from last week, but I was very busy and unable to post it sooner. It was a 2.5-hour chat, so lots of content to review. I added a question about a former Cardinal, and a couple funny bonus questions at the end.

The link to the entire chat can be found here: https://www.jotcast.com/chat/mlbtr-live ... -6390.html

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Will Cardinals invest in pitching finally?

Connor Byrne
Not sure I see it happening to a major extent. Still have Flaherty, Mikolas, Hudson, probably Waino, maybe C-Mart if he goes back to starting.
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Who's a middle of the order bat for the future the Pads should be targeting?

Connor Byrne
Ozuna? Castellanos? Trade for Starling Marte? OF definitely looks like an area for them to target.
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Who’s the best FA CFer in your opinion?

Connor Byrne
Brett Gardner? He's not even a full-time CFer. It's not a good class, which makes it all the more likely Starling Marte and Jackie Bradley Jr. will be traded.
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Milwaukee goes after which pitcher...and how much can they really afford?

Connor Byrne
Someone like Cole Hamels? We've got him getting 2/30.
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Should the Brewers go after Brock Holt? He seems like an upgraded version of Hernan Perez.

Connor Byrne
Not a terrible idea if they think he can play 3B.
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Do you think Angels GM Eppler will stay with Kevan Smith and Stassi at catcher?

Connor Byrne
No, they need to do better there, whether it's Grandal, Castro, d'Arnaud or Chirinos (or maybe a Contreras trade if the Cubs move him).
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Which is the better trade target for the Braves: Willson Contreras or Starling Marte?

Connor Byrne
Speaking of Contreras ... he's the more valuable player, but he'll obviously cost more as a result. Either would be a great addition to the Braves' lineup.
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How much fun will a Rays and Reds World Series be next fall?

Connor Byrne
MLB bigwigs worried about ratings:


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Matt Carpenter's bounceback 2020 wrc+ is....?

Connor Byrne
Hmmm ... 115.
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Which team signs more free agents and which team improves the most - Brewers or Reds?

Connor Byrne
I'll say the Reds in both cases, but there's more room for improvement there than there is with the Brewers.
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Could the Reds pull a trade for Kevin Keiermaier and/or Trevor Story?

Connor Byrne
Story would make a ton of sense if CIN could put together a legit package for him.
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Which teams have a need for catcher and can deal starting pitching? Looking for a match for Contreras.

Connor Byrne
I'd need to look into this more, but teams like the Reds, Brewers, Angels, Astros, Rays, Braves come to mind as catcher-needy teams.
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Will Arcia be a Brewer next year?

Connor Byrne
Probably, but they really ought to aim higher (Gregorius?). Arcia has not been good at all.
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The Cubs still have a strong core in place.

Connor Byrne
Absolutely. Still more talented than most teams in the game, but Theo Epstein may be in the mood to shake things up after such a dud of a season.
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Happ, Quintana + prospects for Matthew Boyd

Connor Byrne
What would the Tigers want with Quintana?
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What would the Cubs want with Boyd?

Connor Byrne
An affordable, good starter w/ multiple years' control? Plenty. That said, not sure Boyd is that much of an upgrade over Quintana at this moment, so it's a fair point.
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Should Matt Carpenter expect to get playing time next year?

Connor Byrne
Yes, as you've had an excellent career & are owed a lot of money. Owner Bill DeWitt and pres. John Mozeliak gave Carp votes of confidence last week, if that means anything.
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What trade value does Starling Marte have? What team do you see him being traded to based off need and what is the return?

Connor Byrne
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/10/ ... trade.html
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As well as the Reds did with Gray, how about an unexpected signing of Zach Wheeler? One heck of a rotation Castillo, Gray, Bauer, Disco and Wheeler would be...

Connor Byrne
The Reds should probably be using whatever spending room they have on offensive help (SS, C, OF). Their rotation looks pretty good for the most part.
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Could you see Wacha as a value pitcher for the Bucs next season? Where else might he go?

Connor Byrne
Yeah, I could see Wacha to Pittsburgh, Royals, Tigers are a couple other possibilities.
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Do you see the Cubs making moves in order to retain castellanos?

Connor Byrne
I think he's a goner.
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How much money do you see Ozuna making assuming he doesn't accept the qualifying offer?

Connor Byrne
We've got him in the $45MM range.
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If Grandal played this year for $18+ M, why should he get less than that on average for 4 yrs?

Connor Byrne
I don't think he should. Whether teams agree, we'll see. Guy's one of the best catchers in the game.
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2 years of control, small market team w no chance of resigning- thats Lindor AND Yelich. How come they're viewed so differently? No one speaks of a Yelich trade...

Connor Byrne
Yelich is controllable through 2022 on a $15MM club option, which looks like a no-brainer right now.
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Why not Wacha for the Rangers?

Connor Byrne
Not a crazy thought at all.
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Will the Pirates ever name a GM?

Connor Byrne
The job should go to Minkah Fitzpatrick.
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The Reds' offseason haul is?

Connor Byrne
At least one of Gregorius/Grandal and a corner outfielder.
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Indians need offense. Cubs need a SP. Contreras for Bieber?

Connor Byrne
Indians aren't trading Bieber.
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Contreras for Jon gray and prospects. Who says no?

Connor Byrne
Cubs.
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Now that the GM meetings have started do you see Cubs doing ground work for Merrifield?

Connor Byrne
They can do all the groundwork they want, but at least to this point, the Royals have never shown a willingness to trade Merrifield.
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Is Trevor Rosenthal going to retire or do you think he may actually give it another shot on a minor league deal next season?

Connor Byrne
I'll be very surprised if he retires. Rosenthal can still throw heat, and isn't super far removed from being productive in MLB.
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Where does Yasmani Grandal end up?

Connor Byrne
Brewers or Reds would be my guess.
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Does Carlos Martinez have much trade value or are we better off having him pitch in the rotation or bullpen?

Connor Byrne
He absolutely still has trade value, and I'd try him in the rotation again. Either way, he remains an asset.
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Do the Pirates go straight rebuild mode?

Connor Byrne
They should.
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(Someone had asked earlier about posting a poll for the 2020 World Series, and Connor replied that they would do that closer to the season. That Q&A started a tangent.)

Who you got in The 2112 World Series?

Connor Byrne
Mars Rovers over Jupiter Junebugs in 7.
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Tell me Joe Buck III will not be doing the 2112 World Series!

Connor Byrne
Maybe Joe Buck V
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Radbird
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Re: Connor Byrne's NL Central comments

Post by Radbird »

Thanks, Mike. Always interesting stuff. Fixed your YT link.

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mikechamp
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Re: Connor Byrne's NL Central comments

Post by mikechamp »

Radbird wrote:Thanks, Mike. Always interesting stuff. Fixed your YT link.
Thanks, Radbird. I always butcher those.

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