I'm not convinced of that, personally. His overall batting line ended up matching his usual output, and he's a versatile and affordable player. I think I'd hold.

Well, the asking price will probably start out just as high as it was at the deadline. But he's a pure rental now.

Still, Cincinnati will be able to point out to partners that Chapman can be QO'ed after the season, so that would take the edge off of the prospect price for an acquiring team. I'd think he should still command a pretty highly regarded headliner, or a nice group of lower-level prospects.

I think Puig is a sufficiently excellent and affordable player that his status won't be tied too closely to the club's other outfield options. He does seem a reasonably plausible trade candidate, but won't come cheap.

I think I might be on the Cubs bandwagon. But who knows?! That's why baseball is great. I'm just rooting for a lot of bat flips.

All of the above? I think they'll bring on Vazquez slowly and see how things play out.

Fredi Gonzalez

Seriously, Braves reporters have been very consistent. Team is giving no indication he'll be fired. It probably would've happened already.

Sure, they could. Tim Dierkes and I actually discussed this a bit on today's podcast. (Yeah, shameless plug.)

They won't and shouldn't be in a hurry to move him. He's a very valuable asset with plenty of cheap control remaining. Hahn would be in the driver's seat in trade talks.

Salary relief for Shields.

As for Cashner, there'd definitely be interest and he'd command a decent return. But he won't be super-cheap, doesn't have a great 2015 to stand on, and is only under control for one more year. So, expectations shouldn't be high.

If I'm handicapping things, I guess I'd say the Cardinals might have the best chance of any single club based on what we know now ... which isn't much. But his market will be wide open.

Like, physically largest? Chris Young is probably the tallest.

Check the most recent power rankings for the best. We've got David Price at #1.

Very preliminary thinking here, but I'm guessing something like 2/24 or 3/30. But he's a guy I want to spend more time thinking about and learning about before committing to a prediction.

Probably. And it will hurt his market some, in part b/c there are a lot of other mid-level arms and they won't all get QOs. Kazmir, for example.

I'd be holding both and hoping to ease the workload on Norris while giving Hedges a chance to prove himself.

I really don't have a personal opinion on Renfroe, so I'd just defer to the regular sources of prospect info there.

Parra seemed headed for something approaching Markakis money before tanking late. Now, maybe three years at a 4th OF salary? like 3/24 or something? Early guess ...

Wouldn't be my initial expectation. I tend to expect the Halos will look for a more permanent solution there, though maybe they end up landing in each others' arms if things don't work out.

Depends on how you define "premium". Could be in on the Jordan Zimmermann/Johnny Cueto range, sure. And they seem a highly plausible landing spot for Leake, of course.

At first glance, he fits their timeline well as a long-term Pedroia replacement, whereas maybe some of their upper level guys would hold more immediate value but would be less useful to the Sox right now. So I'm guessing he's a guy they'll keep.

Not sure either team would be too interested a rare prospect-for-prospect swap of those two. (Guess Nola isn't technically a prospect, but still.) Probably near-equivalent value, but I think the Phils like having a cheap arm in their rotation and the Yankees seem to really like their upper level young players.

They could offer, sure, but Bridich would never do it.

I'm not sure about that. All those concussions are a bit scary, Pagan is a question, Pence has had his nicks recently, Duffy/Panik/Crawford can't be penciled in to repeat, and there are lots of pitching questions.

They can do it, but it won't be straightforward.

I'm not a huge believer in paying much attention to lefty vs righty in structuring a rotation. It matters on the fringes, but you aren't going to sell low or buy high just to balance your rotation. A quality starter needs to be able to retire guys from both sides.

Thanks. I grow the beard to compensate for the fact that I've been balding since I turned 22.

I dunno man, Steve is pretty tall. I worry about his reach.

Hopefully nobody. He's a one-year commitment. They have some nice young pieces to build around, and if they cash in any future-value assets, I'd want it to be for someone with more control.

Not a chance. Puig has far more value than Britton, who is an increasingly expensive (albeit increasingly excellent) reliever.

Don't see it. Other teams will value him more highly right now.

Phillies. $$$$$$$$$$$

He should.

Too much to pay, I think. Chapman is great, but those are some nice, near/at big league assets.

Excellent.

It's not a competition, dude. Stop trying to chat with me and get back to work covering the site.

Hey, I'd get offended by it too if I gave up the bomb. In the moment.

But as some general moral proposition? They shouldn't, any more than people should be upset by pitcher celebrations. Both can go over the top, of course.

Eventually, yes, though maybe not at the start of the year ... and that goes for both guys.

Nothing to lose by letting them battle for spots this spring, with fallback of a bit more seasoning (while keeping their service clocks from running).

Would hate to see them give up Cole for a rental. He has been performing well in Triple-A.

Jordan is a guy who needs to rebuild some value, I think, but I could see him as a piece of a package if the Nats decide to go looking for a short-term veteran.

No. Duda has much more bat. Murphy is a solid hitter who can play second/third. That's where his value is.

Sure. What are you giving up, though?

All about age. And to an extent, maybe it makes sense to bet on a broader skill base b/c you could argue it gives a higher floor? I just made that up, so don't hold me to it, but it sounds good as I type it. He also still has a bit of upside over what he's done.

Steve put them on Ozuna, who they were tied to over the summer, in his recent outlook piece. That's the kind of guy I'd expect them to target -- good value proposition. If not a controllable, young player then a buy-low free agent.

Which is to say, they probably aren't making a run for Cespedes.

Five days after the WS to make the offer, then another week for player to decide.

I doubted the Royals last winter. No longer will be betting against them because it keeps happening.

Probably. Have to think they'll want to give the new GM time to get ready for business before the offseason starts. But they are not letting out much info on the search.

Alex Gordon is as automatic as they come for a qualifying offer. He'll have wide interest. Guessing he finds a new home, unless the Royals really decide that he's just too important a figure and they have to keep him.

Bearing in mind that I'm a total rookie at chatting ... I skim down the list til I see something I have a reasonable answer for. Like this one!

There are way, way too many even to read every one.

I am seeing your questions about a question I didn't answer and I don't know what I did. Chatting is hard. Promise it isn't personal.

He's done enough to get multiple years at a pretty nice AAV. Those will probably come from another team.

He's not a guy who really has much value. Don't get me wrong, he'd draw interest, but at his salary there just isn't a real surplus of value. I'd guess a low-level minor leaguer or two if they just decide to move on from him?

If that is the case, then sorry. I'm just answering what I can. Will try to investigate after the chat ends.

I can't pick a side, which makes me think you've done a good job of setting the over/under.

O's. Followed the Nationals more closely in recent years.

Gardner and Betances are both more valuable assets than the guys they'd be swapped for in this scenario. So, no for me.