It's time for another edition of the weekly MLB Mailbag here at MLBTR. I'm pinch-hitting for MLBTR owner Tim Dierkes this week.
We received more questions than usual, with a heavy focus on some recent rumors/reporting on big-name NL Central players like Nolan Arenado and Cody Bellinger. We'll address that, plus questions on the Phillies' options, the Reds' outlook following a few early moves, the recent wave of non-tendered players, how the A's can actually spend some money and more.
Onto the questions!
Mark asks:
Should the Cardinals not find a trade partner for Nolan Arenado (or one that he agrees to), how do they sort out the logjam? Gorman, Donovan, Saggese--and eventually Wetherholt--at 2B/3B, and 1B/DH is kind of occupied now with Contreras and Burleson. Seems like if they plan to let the younger guys play, tough to see how there is enough playing time to go around.
Eldon asks:
The Yankees are rumored to have interest in Nolan Arenado. Wouldn't this be too much like the Donaldson fiasco of just a very short time ago Hopefully Steinbrenner and/or Cashman wouldn't dare do that again...would they? An aging player with a big contract who seems to be in decline? Why?
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Saggese isn’t someone who needs regular playing time yet. People always get hurt he will get chances to prove himself and then if he does you make room for him. Wetherholt is probably looking at mid 2026 so it’s not an issue until then. Teams need 6 infielders or 7 if a couple of them can play outfield which Burleson and Donovan can.
Contreras
Gorman
Winn
Donovan
Burleson
Saggese
That’s only 6 so if Arenado is traded and is replaced by another infielder that would work out fine. And if the team wants to give some guys on that list more playing time then they can do that by acquiring a lesser player in the Arenado trade. Long term the only infielder the team needs to make room for is Wetherholt and they can address that when the time comes.
Arenado is 2 years younger than Donaldson was at the time the Yankees acquired him. That’s a big difference.
He suck’s hard pass! The Yankees need to get younger
If Arenado isn’t playing 3b for the Yankees who is?
The Yankees might need to get younger. But they wont……
@blackpink: “If Arenado isn’t playing 3b for the Yankees who is?” Why not Chisholm again? The Yanks seem intent on bringing Caleb Durbin up to play 2B. Where do they play Chisholm if not at 3B?
Nlackpink, who is your team to root for.
Durbin has had a good fall league from what I understand but they aren’t going into the season with him as the starter. Chisholm is not a 3b he’s better at 2b.
Same one you root for fella
Soto and Walker would be first on my list for the Yanks! If Soto signs elsewhere I would sign Walker/Adames/Scott/Finnegan
Durbin should get a shot, even if it’s as the utility man..
Chisholm to 2B , Bregman to 3B…OR Chisolm to CF , Judge to RF , Dominguez LF , Walker 1B
I doubt they sign Bregman. If they don’t sign Soto then that could make sense but I really think they sign Soto.
Arenado would’ve dug that ball out at third in the 5th…
Who plays second base?
They trade for Ketel Marte. That would be sweet.
Who’s on first. What’s on second.
Donovan and Burleson can both play the OF corners and it’s not like the Cardinals are swimming in Outfield depth. Lots of moving parts but i doubt Marmol is the guy to make it all work
Marmol is a bozo but I think he’s done ok with handing out playing time. Odds are the next Cardinals playoff team won’t be led by Marmol.
You have to keep Siani away from Marmol. He will play him and not
V. Scott III
I worry they are both basically the same player and therefore don’t really fit on the roster together. Even if one was a righty and one a lefty it could work but they are both lefties.
Scott has more upside potential but siani already has a decent floor I’d have to think they keep siani
It’s a tough call
how do they sort out the logjam? Gorman, Donovan,
====================
I remember asking that at the trade deadline in 2023.
There is no logjam. That’s made up.
There is no logjam. That’s made up.
==========================
Not now that Goldie, Edman and O’Neill are gone. But at the TDL in 23, they had:
Goldie
Gorman
Wynn
Arenado
O’Neill
Carlson
Edman
Nootbar
Walker
Burleson
You might not like all those guys, but they all look good enough to deserve a shot. Just imho, when you are finishing last, you play the kids and trade off the expensive veterans.
Burleson had not proven he needed everyday at bats by mid 2023. And 10 guys for 9 spots is not a logjam that’s what you need to be a good team. Guys get hurt. ONeill was hurt a lot. Walker couldn’t play defense at all. Carlson wasn’t any good and now of course is gone. That’s not a logjam. You forgot Donovan but again guys were either hurt or just not good enough to play everyday.
I’d like to see Gorman traded it’s weird seeing such a big guy play 2nd he makes max muncy look small
Gorman value is not good at the moment I wouldn’t trade him. I think he ends up at 1b.
Donovan is gonna play, full stop. Gorman is gonna prove he can play, maybe.
What happened to Gorman’s output this season?? Was he playing hurt? Has the opposition figured him out and he failed to re-adjust? Seems like he stalled out/regressed. Basically a non-entity and he was supposed to be untouchable and the next golden boy.
“Trout’s contract carries negative value.”
Oh, to be able to take the DeLorean back in time to when Trout signed that contract, and ask people if they thought we’d ever be saying this about Mike Freakin’ Trout.
When it was signed, it was fine. But there were several of recommending a trade 3-4 years ago.
I’m still of the opinion that if the Cubs either 1. Have to eat money or 2. Have to attach a prospect to Bellinger to move him then just keep him and figure out how to make it work. With Bellinger Cubs top 9 is set for better or worse.
Amaya,Happ, PCA, Bellinger, Suzuki, Paredes, Swanson, Hoerner and Busch.
Maybe Caissie and Shaw for reserves with Vasquez.
Probably have to peddle them back and forth to get them AB’s throughout the season. Injuries should settle all that anyway.
Just my opinion.
Probably still could use a decent LH bat for utility. Mastrobuoni sure ain’t cutting it.
It’s not going to be the worst lineup in the world. Could even crack the top 10.
I would love having belly on my team I don’t think he has negative value
Would the Cubs eat a little bit of Bellingers contract? Let’s say 12,5 of the remaining 52,5.
Why should they? Bellinger could be more than worthy of that money. He has the potential to be anyway. If you don’t think he’s worth the money why do you want him so bad?
Didn’t you just say Bellinger has negative trade value in a prior post?
Me? I said that I’d be happy if the Cubs could unload Bellinger to free up money that could be better spent. I’ve never said he had a ” Negative trade value”. If the Cubs could deal Bellinger they’d have about 97 million to spend and room for Caissie or Alcantara to move up. They have about 70 right now( Spotrac). They could get a stud starter, A Closer plan B and Catcher for that quite nicely. But if they have to pay for him to go what’s the point? I’d keep him.
If the Cubs spend 70 million on the 2025 payroll this offseason i will change my name to Harry Carays little blue team.
On Hoskins, his downturn also coincided with him rushing back from a hamstring injury, as he refused a rehab assignment.
Obviously teams have more info than me, but I’d bet on him bouncing back over a big year at 37 for Goldschmidt
I do wonder if these rumors mean that Hoskins is being shopped, with the upshot being they can go cheap at 1B while telling fans the plan was to get Goldy.
Exactly. Hoskins is poised for a big season another year removed from the injury and in his “walk” year on the 2 year deal.
Gorman might not even be in the majors when Wetherholt arrives in like 3 years.
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