Viewer - 2012 Divisional Chat: NL East

2012 Divisional Chat: NL East

Monday November 26, 2012

3:00

Hey everyone, I'm Mark Polishuk, welcome to MLBTR's NL East chat. The division has already generated a ton of news this offseason so let's get right to your questions.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:00

3:03

[Comment From CHadCHad: ]

Will BJ Upton end up in ATL or Philly? Does he get $100mil

Monday November 26, 2012 3:03 CHad

3:04

If I had to guess, I'd say Upton will be a Phillie next season. If it does turn into a bidding war, the Phillies have deeper pockets than the Braves, though I don't think Upton will quite get into the $100MM range.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:04

3:04

[Comment From EricEric: ]

Hanson to KC for Lorenzo Cain?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:04 Eric

3:06

Atlanta could get significantly more than that if they made Hanson available. Cain is a good player, but he would just be one part of a package for a guy with Hanson's front-of-the-rotation. Braves/Royals aren't a bad trade fit, however, given how badly KC needs pitching and how the Braves are one of the few teams who could spare an arm.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:06

3:06

[Comment From drewdrew: ]

What did you think of the longo deal and how will it affect david wright's contract?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:06 drew

3:07

Fascinating move by the Rays today, and I'm sure Wright's agents were paying close attention. It's a different situation given that Longo is younger and was already working within the framework of his previous team-friendly team, but I'd guess that Wright's extension (if there is one) ends up being in the seven-year, $120-$130MM range.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:07

3:07

[Comment From AdamAdam: ]

What kind of moves can we expect from the Nats? LaRoche re-signs? Bourn in CF? More relief help? Another starter?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:07 Adam

3:09

The Nats are in pretty good shape, so aside from adding another pitcher and addressing CF, there's not much to really work on this winter. They have plan Bs in place for both CF and 1B.....Harper can handle center if one of the Bourn/Upton free agent crew isn't signed, and if LaRoche leaves, then Morse/Moore become the left field/1B combo.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:09

3:10

[Comment From Sandy aldersonSandy alderson: ]

Where am I finding my catcher this winter?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:10 Sandy alderson

3:11

Maybe in Toronto, as there's been some speculation that the Mets and Jays could work out a trade for one of the Jays' several catchers.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:11

3:11

[Comment From Bravos13Bravos13: ]

Who will get more money annually ? Bourn or upton?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:11 Bravos13

3:12

When in doubt, always presume that the Boras client (Bourn) will end up with more money!

Monday November 26, 2012 3:12

3:12

[Comment From AndrewAndrew: ]

What % chance do you say Cliff Lee will remain in Philly by Spring Training?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:12 Andrew

3:14

95 percent, if not higher. The Phillies aren't in rebuild mode...even with all their injuries last year, they still recovered to finish with a .500 record. The Phillies see their contention window as open for at least a couple more years, so they'll need Lee on board.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:14

3:15

[Comment From SCOTTSCOTT: ]

Roy Halladay cooked? or poised for a nice year?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:15 SCOTT

3:16

I think Halladay will bounce back nicely. Even his 'bad' year in 2012 was still pretty good, and it looked even better from an advanced metric perspective.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:16

3:16

[Comment From JonnyJonny: ]

Do you think the Nats will be in play for Grienke?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:16 Jonny

3:18

The Nats almost acquired Greinke from the Royals two years ago and they do need some pitching help since Edwin Jackson is probably leaving. That said, the Nats probably won't make such a top-tier pitching upgrade, plus Greinke seems like he's ticketed to either Texas or one of the L.A. teams.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:18

3:19

[Comment From Peter BourjosPeter Bourjos: ]

What would the Braves have to give up to land me?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:19 Peter Bourjos

3:20

A good young pitcher, though I don't think the Angels are looking to move Bourjos. They need him more than ever, now that Torii Hunter is gone.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:20

3:21

[Comment From MikeMike: ]

Are the Mets still a year or two away from truly contending or will they make run this year?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:21 Mike

3:22

The Mets are seemingly looking to 2014 at the earliest to consider themselves contenders, though if they can't extend Wright, that timeline suddenly jumps to 2016.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:22

3:24

[Comment From BravoBravo: ]

Should the Braves look to lock up Beachy and Medlen this offseason?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:24 Bravo

3:25

I actually wrote an "extension candidate" post about Medlen a couple of months ago, arguing that Atlanta could potentially get a bargain by locking Medlen up now. I doubt Beachy gets an extension given that the Braves will want to see how he bounces back from Tommy John surgery.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:25

3:25

[Comment From waltwalt: ]

If you're the Marlins, how do you handle Stanton, assuming he's now unwilling to sign a long term extension with the club?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:25 walt

3:28

Stanton is arguably the biggest trade chip in baseball, so the Marlins could name their price for him on the trade market. Jeff Passan recently wrote a column arguing that a Stanton trade is the logical next step in their rebuilding process since Miami would get a ton back in return

Monday November 26, 2012 3:28

3:28

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Any idea what the Phillies might do to solve the 3B situation?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:28 Guest

3:30

The Phillies are in on Kevin Youkilis, and their backup plan is to have a Galvis/Frandsen platoon. Personally, I don't mind that platoon option, so as long as the Phils get a big bat or two in the outfield to shore up the lineup, they can get away with a lesser option at 3B

Monday November 26, 2012 3:30

3:31

[Comment From David JusticeDavid Justice: ]

Who do you like better for ATL, Cody Ross or Nick Swisher?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:31 David Justice

3:32

Swisher is the better, more consistent player, and while he has a lot of suitors, his price tag (around four years/$60-$65MM) isn't too high for Atlanta.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:32

3:33

[Comment From JCJC: ]

6/100 for Wright. The Mets drew the line. Trade/walk or sign?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:33 JC

3:34

It will take more than that to extend Wright. $100MM over six years was the Mets' starting offer back in October so surely they'll bump things up by another $25MM and maybe another year or so.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:34

3:35

[Comment From JayJay: ]

If the Mets trade Dickey to the Jays which players/prospects do you feel they will demand in return?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:35 Jay

3:36

Interesting dynamic between the two teams given that JP Ricciardi is the Mets' assistant GM. If the Mets do decide to trade Dickey, they would be wise to let the other team talk extensions with Dickey first --- that way the Mets could ask more in a trade if the other club knew it was getting more than just one year of Dickey's services.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:36

3:37

[Comment From SeanSean: ]

In the long run will the Marlins recent fire sale make them more competitive? Or was it just a straight salary dump?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:37 Sean

3:38

Sorry for the copout answer here Sean, but I think it's a bit of both. As many pundits noted, from a pure baseball perspective, the Marlins got some good prospects back from the Jays, plus players like Escobar who they could potentially flip for more prospects.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:38

3:38

[Comment From CorinneCorinne: ]

Is there any scenario in which David Wright becomes a Phillie?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:38 Corinne

3:39

The only way this happens would be if Wright played out this year and then signed with Philly as a free agent after 2013. Even if New York does decide to trade Wright, I definitely don't see them trading him within the NL East.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:39

3:40

[Comment From Brian McCannBrian McCann: ]

What kinda player could I bring back if the Braves decided to dangle me at the trade deadline?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:40 Brian McCann

3:41

Depends on the kind of first half that McCann puts up. His trade stock has dropped following his rough, injury-plagued 2012 season, so he'll need a good bounce-back campaign to re-establish value in a contract year

Monday November 26, 2012 3:41

3:43

[Comment From DJDJ: ]

A) Re-sign both Dickey and Wright B) Re-sign one and trade the other C) Trade both

Monday November 26, 2012 3:43 DJ

3:44

A or B seem equally likely, with C a very distant third. If one of the two is traded, it will almost surely be Dickey

Monday November 26, 2012 3:44

3:44

[Comment From Frank WrenFrank Wren: ]

Do I know wil myers exsists?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:44 Frank Wren

3:46

If the Royals really are open to the idea of moving Myers, every team in baseball will have interest, including the Braves. Unlike a lot of clubs, Atlanta has the pitching depth to potentially get something done. That said, it will take a capital-M massive offer to entice KC into trading Myers.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:46

3:47

[Comment From Chase HeadleyChase Headley: ]

Any chance Braves could put together a package to land me?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:47 Chase Headley

3:48

It's possible, but I think the Padres will keep Headley in the fold. I personally think San Diego is closer to contending than most people believe, and Headley is a critically important bat for them. So, unless things really fall apart for SD next year, Headley will be off-limits for both the Braves and Phillies (and other 3B-needy teams).

Monday November 26, 2012 3:48

3:49

We've got about 15 minutes of chatting left, so get those questions in! We have over 1000 readers participating in the chat right now, so thanks for the support and I'll try to get to as many Qs as I can

Monday November 26, 2012 3:49

3:49

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

Any chance the Braves sign Swisher and Victorino? That would make a great outfield.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:49 Ryan

3:49

It's very possible Atlanta gets one of those two players but I don't see them getting both.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:49

3:50

[Comment From MikeMike: ]

What do you think Medlen's body of work will look like at the end of '13? Is he a stud?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:50 Mike

3:52

He isn't the second coming of Greg Maddux (as he appeared to be in the second half of 2012) but I think he's a very solid pitcher and has ace-level stuff, though it's too early to call him a true ace.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:52

3:52

[Comment From Marlins FanMarlins Fan: ]

% chance Stanton is wearing a different uniform on opening day next season?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:52 Marlins Fan

3:53

67%. It's never a good idea to keep a guy around who doesn't appear to want to be there. Plus, the Marlins have already taken a big enough PR hit this offseason, so they might as well blow it up completely and move Stanton as well.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:53

3:53

[Comment From NatsNats: ]

Are the Nationals looking into extending Strasburg? How much would he get in an extension?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:53 Nats

3:56

Strasburg is arb-eligible after 2013, so it makes sense for the Nats to lock him up through those three years. (I say just those three years since most Boras clients don't give away free agent years in extensions.) The Nats will give Strasburg the full season to see how he looks and then if he keeps at top form, I can see a three-year, $36MM extension coming next winter.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:56

3:57

[Comment From qq: ]

Will the Phillies extend Halladay?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:57 q

3:58

Don't really see the need given that the Phils have up to two more years of control over him. Halladay will be 37 at the end of the 2014 season.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:58

3:58

[Comment From AdamAdam: ]

Will any notable free agent ever sign with the Marlins again?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:58 Adam

3:59

Never say never but the Marlins have tarnished their reputation amongst free agents for at least the next 5-10 years.

Monday November 26, 2012 3:59

3:59

[Comment From KazKaz: ]

Any chance J Hamilton goes to Philly?

Monday November 26, 2012 3:59 Kaz

4:00

Wouldn't be the first time the Phillies have surprised MLB with an out-of-nowhere major free agent signing, but Hamilton may just be too expensive for them.

Monday November 26, 2012 4:00

4:01

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

In my opinion, the Ryan Howard deal has got to be one of the worst signings ever. With that said, what are the chances we get rid of it with a trade?

Monday November 26, 2012 4:01 Guest

4:03

Speaking of the Phils and payroll space, it's easy to see them going after Hamilton or other top-tier FAs if they didn't owe so much money to Howard. He would need a major bounce-back in 2013 to make him attractive in a trade, and even then it'd still be unlikely given Howard's age and the money owed.

Monday November 26, 2012 4:03

4:03

[Comment From JonJon: ]

Do you see Adam LaRoche resigning with the Nats?

Monday November 26, 2012 4:03 Jon

4:04

It's probably an even-money bet at this point. I had LaRoche going to Texas in the MLBTR Free Agent predictions contest, but LaRoche likes Washington and likes hitting at Nats Park.

Monday November 26, 2012 4:04

4:05

[Comment From AustinAustin: ]

Think the Braves might unload their farm system for Stanton?

Monday November 26, 2012 4:05 Austin

4:06

The usual "no inter-division trades" caveat doesn't apply here since the Marlins are unpredictable. (Plus, remember they dealt Uggla to Atlanta a couple of years ago.) The Braves probably have as good a chance as any team if the Marlins put Stanton on the trade block.

Monday November 26, 2012 4:06

4:08

[Comment From mike14960mike14960: ]

Why is everyone seem to think that Michael Bourn is not coming back? Reading an article the other day, Bourn brings way more to the table than speed, like work ethic, clubhouse guy and so on. The Braves also have an opening in left for a power bat. What are they going to do about the Leadoff spot if Bourn does go?

Monday November 26, 2012 4:08 mike14960

4:09

The belief has been that Bourn (a Boras client) will be too expensive for Atlanta, and they'll go with a slightly cheaper FA center field option like Upton or Victorino, or acquire a CF through a trade. Bourn's good clubhouse reputation is a bonus, but it's not going to make Atlanta break the bank for him.

Monday November 26, 2012 4:09

4:11

[Comment From Chipper JonesChipper Jones: ]

over/under 5% chance i pull a farve come spring training time and i have healed up?

Monday November 26, 2012 4:11 Chipper Jones

4:11

Under 5%, and I'd say under 0.005%. Chipper is hanging up the glove for good. We'll next see him at the Cooperstown induction in five years' time.

Monday November 26, 2012 4:11

4:12

That's it for today's chat, thanks for everyone's questions! MLBTR's divisional chats continue tomorrow evening at 6 PM CST when Steve Adams talks the AL Central.

Monday November 26, 2012 4:12

4:16