Jeff Sullivan: Hello friends

Jeff Sullivan: Welcome to Friday baseball chat

Bork: Hello, friend!

Jeff Sullivan: Hello friend

Dylan: I know it’s early and spring training but this is the best you could hope for out of Dan Vogelbach, right? How encouraged can we be?

Jeff Sullivan: .636 OBP, with as many home runs as strikeouts!

Meg Rowley: Hello, and welcome to the chat! It is very gloomy in Seattle. Let’s have some less gloomy fun.

CamdenWarehouse: Do you think this will be Scioscia’s last year with the Angels?

Meg Rowley: He has said publicly that he wants to focus on the season and address it when 2018 is done. I suspect he’ll be back. He seems to have a productive relationship with Eppler. If he isn’t back, I think it’s more likely the result of a retirement than the Angels moving on. That doesn’t seem super likely either, though he’s been doing this so long, and it is such a grind, who knows.

Andrew: Jake Arrieta makes so much sense for my Brewers, what do you think the hold up is?  We’ve been burned by overpaying for aging SP’s in the past (Suppan/Wolf/Garza) do you think this factors into management’s decision to not be more aggressive?  Or is there still hope of moving some combination of Broxton/Santana/Phillips for a SP?

Meg Rowley: It sounds like he (and Boras) haven’t adjusted their demands much, though I expect they will. Teams can always wait longer than individual players. Given that, I’m not surprised the Brewers haven’t been aggressive in moving one of those guys. Why not see where the market ends up?

cheese: The Dodgers have been too quiet and they have too many OFers.  What do you see happening?

Jay Jaffe: From slushy Brooklyn, welcome to today’s chat! Thanks for stopping by

Gsellman: I’ve still got something to give, right?

Jay Jaffe: That late-2016 stint in the majors was promising, but looking back at the lack of success at Triple A, I’m not sure the rotation was the right place for him, and he basically appears to be a guy on the fringes. That sinker got hit pretty hard last year

Dale: Would the Yankees trade Judge for Correa straight up?

Jay Jaffe: Hell yes. Correa’s just 23 and plays a premium position well enough to stay there for a few more years, where Judge is about to turn 26, plays an outfield corner, is likely to regress from last year’s great season (that 2nd half slump notwithstanding) and has a similar player on the roster in Giancarlo Stanton. Brian Cashman wouldn’t give Jeff Luhnow a chance to come to his senses if that phone call came.

David: Mustache grooming tips, I like this addition to the FG repertoire!

How frequently should someone trim his mustache/beard?

Kiley McDaniel: Alrighty my lunch is all set up and I’m ready to listen to selected things from you people

druidiful: You said to come yell at you, but you aren’t here yet!

Kiley McDaniel: I am now be thankful your punching bag has arrived, aggrieved internet citizen

Nat: What kind of player does Cole Tucker become? Is there enough power there for 15 HRS?

Kiley McDaniel: Raw power yes, game power maybe

Larry: Hey Kiley, thanks for the depth of info on the Braves list. Questions on two guys who weren’t listed — any update on the status of Matt Rowland, and is he a guy worth watching? Also, surprised no mention of Braulio Vasquez. I’m obviously scouting the statline, but I’ve been intrigued by him. Is he too small to be a factor?

Eric A Longenhagen: HI everyone. Busy day of games and writing ahead for me so apologies if I cut things short.

Hunt: What kind of upside do you see in Akil Baddoo?

Eric A Longenhagen: Chance to be an above-average everyday player

Bullpen Cart: Bullpen Cart vs pitching prospect in a race to the mound.  Which player you picking?

Eric A Longenhagen: Gose

McNulty: Why is Kyle Cody so underrated? He’s got plus stuff and carried his team to a Carolina League championship this year

Travis Sawchik: Greetings!

Travis Sawchik: Let’s get started …

David: I loved your article detailing the Billy Hamilton idea (and reading the clubhouse reactions to it were priceless), but one issue I have with the idea is basically the incentive for a player NOT to be the first to get on base (and therefore stay in the game).  I wonder if this could actually backfire and hurt the team in the long run

v2micca: Ouch.  Was that conversation with Billy Hamilton as painfully awkward as the article made it feel?

Travis Sawchik: Thanks … And it was a bit awkward, but also kinda fun to get other players to feel compelled to participate

Travis Sawchik: I guess there would be great incentive to be the second Reds player to reach base

Jeff Sullivan: Hello friends

Jeff Sullivan: Welcome to Friday baseball chat

Dan: Do you see new signee Danny Valencia getting playing time in Baltimore?

Jeff Sullivan: Surprisingly yes. Wouldn’t be shocked to see him open as a platoon partner for Colby Rasmus

Jeff Sullivan: In the outfield

Jeff Sullivan: In the major leagues

Jay Jaffe: Howdy folks! Welcome to today’s chat. It’s four weeks until Opening Day and two weeks until the Ides of March — beware!

Mattyb: Why will the Mariners make the playoffs this year?

Jay Jaffe: Hmmm, I think they have a pretty good shot if the entire Astros squad get abducted by aliens and the Angels squad gets lost in a cave. I think they can hold their own in a three-team division with the A’s and Rangers.

Nate: Honest question: Why do YOU think Hosmer got $100M more than guys like Duda and Morrison?

Jay Jaffe: He’s an above-average player who’s riding a positive trend, young enough to still be in his prime, and very marketable. Plus the Padres have to put some money somewhere or they’d be part of that MLBPA grievance like the Pirates, Rays et al.

Harold: What lineup in history featured the most HOFers at one time?

Kiley McDaniel: Hello. It is chat time.

tim815: Agree or disagree.

Kiley McDaniel: Hmmm. Disagree.

Waltharius: Is there any update on Hankins’ injury?

Kiley McDaniel: Not really. It’s shoulder soreness, as expected and also rumored before the start where he walked off the mound. He’ll rehab it and probably be fine. Hopefully is back on the mound in like a month or two and has some time to prove he’s healthy. Don’t think it’s a long-term thing.

ECinDC: Fangraphs ranks Carter Kieboom a lot higher than other sites, what do you all see in him that others are missing?