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?

Eric A Longenhagen: Hi everyone, and welcome back. Gonna keep things to a tight hour this week so I can hustle across the valley to a big league game, but I’ll move as quickly as possible.

BC: Here are two top tier prospects, Tatis and Bichette. Which one has the biggest upside?

Eric A Longenhagen: I think Tatis because he might actually stay at SS

THE Average Sports Fan: Do you think Senzel can be ever decent at SS?

Eric A Longenhagen: It’s possible. If you assume you can hide what used to be considered subpar range with better positioning then it certainly improves his chances. If I’m skeptical of anything it’s how he’ll look around the bag.

Eric A Longenhagen: But I guess we’ll see. I don’t like watching Paul DeJong at SS baseball but I guess we’re headed there.

Dan Szymborski: Hey guys!

Lee: What are your thoughts on Franchy Cordero’s # of plate appearances in the majors this year?

Dan Szymborski: It’d be surprised if he got more than 100 honestly.

ericstephenisgod: is wilmer font the nl cy young favorite at this point?

Dan Szymborski: Ha

Lee: Did Thor just peak for the year? 7 of 12 perfect 1st inning pitches at 100 or 101 mph

Travis Sawchik: Greetings from the media workroom at the Cincinnati Reds spring training complex in Goodyear, Arz.

Travis Sawchik: Let’s get started …

Howdy: Any chance Senzel breaks camp with the Reds?

Travis Sawchik: zero chance due to service time issues but the bat might be ready and the shortstop experiment is pretty interesting

Jordan: Travis, how hard do you have to squint to see the Pirates being a legit wildcard contender? Are they REALLY that much worse than STL/MIL/COL? They could have a really strong bullpen, starting pitching should be okay, if not spectacular. Offense could struggle, for sure.

Travis Sawchik: Everything went wrong for the Pirates a year ago … If enough breaks right they could be in the WC mix, but I think the 75-win forecast seems pretty reasonable

Kiley McDaniel: Leave your question here and I’ll be back at noon eastern to chat. See my twitter @kileymcd for my notes from the MLB Int’l showcase (July 2nd, 2018 eligible Latin prospects) this week and Carson tells me that my post with tons of draft info will be going up shortly.

Kiley McDaniel: Inception

Kiley McDaniel: whoa

Matt: This isn’t where I parked my Jeff Sullivan

Kiley McDaniel: You will be able to find him here next week and me in my rightful place next week!

He Hate Me: Given that pitchers have a higher injury risk than hitters, does it make sense to focus more on hitters in the draft and then trade some of your seasoned hitting prospects (some of whom might be blocked) for young pitchers that have proven to be durable in their first few seasons? This seems to be the opposite of what the Braves have done (closer to what the Cubs are doing?).

Meg Rowley: Hi all! There is snow on the ground in Seattle, and the city is loudly digging up my street for some reason, so let’s chat and distract ourselves.

Matt Klentak: When should we expect to hear more about Miguel Sano’s suspension? Day before opening day? When did league finally announce Chapman’s suspension?

Meg Rowley: I would think before Opening Day. Chapman’s suspension came down on March 1, and the league took its time figuring that one out because it was the very first one of its kind. You’d think they’d give the team some time to sort out its plans.

Matt Klentak: What did you do with Jay Jaffe?

Meg Rowley: Jay is on vacation, but I believe will return to his regularly scheduled programming next week.

Danny: Chances the Padres trade their lower-level (A) prospects for MLB-ready pitching and go for it in the next two years with a still-young Myers and Hosmer?