MLBTR Chat Transcript

Mark P

• Seems like a normal, quiet Sunday evening with nothing going on. What better time to talk some baseball during the Weekend Chat?!

BPballknower

• Sounds like the carousel of trade rumors between Astros and Red Sox are heating up finally. Do they need a 3rd team to finally get it done?

Mark P

• I would think the two teams would be able to work some kind of multi-player deal (involving Paredes and one of Abreu/Duran as the primaries) that addresses everyone’s issues.  Involving a third team might help, or might just complicate things further.

Brockmire

• Who ya got in the Big Pigskin Gamaroonie?

Mark P

• Indiana/Miami was a few weeks ago, and the CFL doesn’t start for several months yet.  What other football game could you possibly mean?

Jays Fan

• Do the jays make a consolidation trade before opening day? Always thought they’d turn their surplus (Schneider, Loperfido) for someone like Jo Jo Romero

Mark P

• This seems possible, since I find it hard to believe Romero will still be a Cardinal by Opening Day.  But, the Jays might value having all of their depth back, since in my view there’s a lot of uncertainty over how many of their players will be able to replicate their 2025 numbers

Acuña

• Will the Braves extend my contract this year?

Mark P

• Atlanta holds $17MM club options on Acuna for both 2027 and 2028.  There’s probably no rush to work out an extension just yet, plus the Braves would likely want to see Acuna deliver a full and healthy season before discussing a longer agreement.

Giants

• Any chances that Posey pulls something else off to complete the offseason? I feel like he fixed some holes in the roster but could still use some help, especially on the pitching side. Maybe trade for a solid reliever (JoJo Romero) or free agent (Danny Coulombe) or hunt down one of the starters remaining on a lesser deal (Gallen, etc). It can’t be enough on the pitching side for them for sure, in my opinion, and do you think Posey has a strategy to wait out the market for some prices to drop?

Mark P

• With the lineup more or less set, any remaining Giants moves will surely come on the pitching end.  The bullpen adds you suggest make sense, and I’d prefer Gallen over any of the SF starters beyond the big two.

Yordan Alvarez

• I break my hand and everyone forgets I am a top 5 hitter in the league

Mark P

• I feel like I’ve written this before, but Alvarez in my view is one of the more underrated players in the league.  Despite posting borderline-HOF numbers for a perennial contender, Alvarez seems to be frequently overlooked when discussing the game’s best hitters

Matt

• Do you think MJ Melendez is the opening day left fielder, or is Benge still the favorite?

Mark P

• Feels like Mets will give Benge every opportunity to make the team.  If he doesn’t, frankly, I feel like there were better backup OF options out there than Melendez, who has yet to show he is a real Major League player

Brent

• Mountcastle and Honeycutt to STL for Romero?

Mark P

• The rebuilding Cardinals have no need for Mountcastle.

RocktheRed

• Are the Nats going to make a major league signing of note or are we stuck with the waiver wire shuffle?

Mark P

• Don’t expect anything too noteworthy from the Nats

Chat #15 same question

• Worst contract in baseball history?

Mark P

• Anthony Rendon or Kris Bryant come to mind.  In terms of dollars against virtually no return, Strasburg’s second contract with Washington should be #1, but Strasburg’s past history with the Nats at least adds a bit of “I get it” logic to that signing

Pirates fan

• We end up with Perades or Vientos?

Mark P

• Paredes would be a huge coup for the Bucs, but I’m not sure how well they line up with the Astros in terms of Houston wanting a LHH outfielder.  The Pirates could dangle another pitcher, potentially, or this might another case of the Pirates and Astros bringing in a third team to work out a trade

BMORE

• STL doesn’t have a first baseman after trading Contreras.  I could see them taking a flier on Mountcastle or pushing for Mayo for Romero.

Mark P

• Firstly, Burleson will be getting most of the Cardinals’ 1B playing time.  The Orioles aren’t moving Mayo for one year of a decent reliever.

Juan E

• Any guess on options for A’s to improve rotation and bullpen???

Mark P

• Scott Barlow’s on board now, but the A’s need more arms in both ends of the pitching staff, in my view.

  It could be that Forst and company are working on some kind of creative trade for a starter, and there’s also the x-factor of what’s going on with Severino.  By this point it is becoming less likely that Severino will be dealt, since then the Athletics just have another rotation hole to fill.  As for the pen, it’ll probably be lower-cost, Barlow-esque additions.

Blood Orange

• Who is your dark horse trade candidate before opening day?

Mark P

• What the heck, I’ll stick with Severino.

Posey

• Who can we get for Casey Schmitt ?

Mark P

• If I’m Posey, I keep Schmitt as depth.  He’s a decent injury fill-in at any infield position, so he’s a valuable guy to have on the bench.

Guest

• Will Donovan play 3rd for the Mariners?

Mark P

• Probably mostly plays 2B, but the plus of having Donovan is that the Mariners can now toggle him around the diamond (2B, 3B, or even in corner outfield slots) depending on how everything else plays out

Big game

• Seattle or New England?

Mark P

• I assume this is a Frasier-related question.

  I found Frasier to be a more entertaining character on his original sitcom (set in Seattle) than he was on Cheers or in the spinoff (both set in Boston).

Guest

• will the pirates aquire anybody to play third?

Mark P

• Triolo is a very good defender, so going glove-only isn’t the worst result in the world at third base.  But, Triolo works even better as a utility guy, so I’d prefer to see the Bucs add a bat

Rockford

• What about Nick Martinez to the Orioles? That would give them 3 pitchers S

Mark P

• Martinez raises Baltimore’s pitching floor, but doesn’t really raise the ceiling, which I think is the Orioles’ larger rotation issue.

Andy Asks About Mariners

• I feel like Jerry DiPoto doesn’t get enough credit for what he and his staff have accomplished. No GM or PBO is going to be perfect, but wow, how good a spot are the Mariners in considering their market, payroll limits, etc. Are there more than three clubs better positioned than the Mariners for the next 3-5 years?

Mark P

• I can’t blame Seattle fans for being critical, given how Dipoto’s tenure has been short on actual playoff appearances.  But, the M’s seem to have turned that corner in a big way, and it wouldn’t at all be surprising if they won the WS this coming year.

Gaurdians

• lineup really looks interesting. In a not so good way. Is there any hope to win the central against the royals and tigers who both got slightly better this offseason.

Mark P

• I’d never rule out Cleveland, who have found ways to win despite several subpar lineups in recent memory.  But, as written before, adding even one more prominent hitter would go such a long way to helping reinforce the Guards’ lineup and giving Ramirez some help

cam

• will the astros sign a outfielder

Mark P

• A trade is maybe more likely, but someone like Mike Tauchman is right there

Willy

• Castellanos for Joc, who says no? (Philly releases Joc and saves a couple of dollars)

Mark P

• The Rangers, because what’s in it for Texas?

Michael Kopech

• I was a pivotal piece of the 2024 World Series title. Why am I getting no interest this offseason?

Mark P

• A couple of teams have been linked to Kopech, but he has a lot of injuries and control problems on his resume.  It isn’t that surprising to see him still available as Spring Training nears.

cam

• can we get a good catcher to replace caratini for the astros like austin wells

Mark P

• The Yankees aren’t moving Wells, and he is overqualified as a backup or part-timer

Astros71

• What do you think about a Paredes trade?

Mark P

• I think the Astros should just keep him.  There is virtually no chance of Houston’s infielders all getting through the season healthy, so the “surplus” might not become much of a problem.

Sleepy

• Colt Keith for Cam Smith. Who says no?

Mark P

• Houston, since Keith has never played even an inning of outfield as a pro

Reds Fan

• Realistic opinion and grade on the Suárez deal?

Mark P

• Solid B+, maybe A- give the one-year commitment and salary.  The Reds badly needed a big bat and they’ve got one with upside.  There are some natural concerns over Suarez’s strikeouts and hot-and-cold nature, but in general, I really like the signing

SanDiegoPadresOfOakland

• Hey Mark, with the Padres ownership situation heating up, do you expect a resolution and new owner in place by the completion of the 2026 season?

Mark P

• Hard to predict, given all of the legal issues involving the team’s current ownership and the natural complications involved in finalizing a multi-billion dollar deal.  The impending lockout after the 2026 season might also give pause to any potential owners.  If I had to guess, I’d say a buyer does get found by the second half of 2026

Padres

• Padres need Gallen more than any other team??

Mark P

• I dunno about “any” other team, but he’d be a great fit for San Diego.  Surrendering two draft picks for what might be a short-term (or even a one-year) commitment might be an obstacle for the Padres beyond the cost

Spud

• Are the Brewers really going to pocket the 8 million they were going to pay Freddie, particularly when one considers the obvious lack of infield depth?

Mark P

• I wonder if the Brewers are one of the teams in on Paredes.  This is pure speculation on my part, but adding Paredes would be a very nice add

Lonnie

• Winner of NL Central this year ?

Mark P

• Who wins the NL Central?

  ---

  Brewers (25.7% | 200 votes)

  Cubs (46.7% | 363 votes)

  Pirates (12.7% | 99 votes)

  Reds (14.8% | 115 votes)

  ---

  Total Votes: 777
• (Sorry to Cardinals fans, but I’m realistically leaving them out of the mix.)

Michael

• Why won’t Mark P answer me. Are the yankees going to make another move this off-season? Are they going to trade either dominguez or jones at some point?

Mark P

• A big trade involving one of those two prospects is becoming less likely by the day.  NY will make some lower-level moves still, but the heavy lifting is probably done.

Thomas

• Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan. Will the be on the twins at the end of the year? I feel like we are going to trade everyone.

Mark P

• Lopez is the likelier trade candidate due to his salary, but Ryan could very well also be moved if another team meets what is sure to be a huge asking price.

  The Twins are an odd team to consider, as they still seemingly view themselves as possible contenders despite, you know (/gestures at everything over the last couple of years).  If they struggle again in the first half, they might decide to go into a full-on fire sale.

Phanatic

• What are the Phillies doing with Castellanos? Spring training is closing in… Has the game passed Dave Dombrowski or is he waiting to sail into retirement soon and left the team for his replacement?

Mark P

• The lack of a Castellanos trade is no indictment on DD, though the decision to sign him was certainly a miss.  Castellanos has as little trade value as any player in baseball — the likelier outcome was always Philly just releasing Casty, rather than another team (somewhat inexplicably) stepping up as a trade partner
• If there’s a team out there that does have interest in Castellanos, why not just wait for the Phillies to release him, then sign him for a pittance?

CJ Abrams

• Where am I playing this year?

Mark P

• Still leaning towards the Nationals, but then again, I’m the same guy who thought Gore was also staying put.
• The Giants and Mariners both finding second basemen removes two suitors from the list of potential Abrams trade candidates, so that doesn’t help Washington’s chances
• I say second base even though Abrams is a shortstop, since I’m kind of assuming another team would explore a position change

Trout

• Where do I play this season?

Mark P

• Mostly DH, with some time in left field depending on how his health is holding up
• If you’re asking that question in the sense of “will Trout be traded?”, the answer is no

criper

• Is there a market for Patrick Sandoval with all the FA pitching still available?

Mark P

• Sure, because there’s always a market for starting pitchers.  Sandoval hasn’t pitched in well over a year now, however, so his value is limited

Bucco Basement

• Why isn’t Lenyn Sosa more highly regarded by teams looking for a power hitting infielder (Red Sox and Pirates)?

Mark P

• Because he doesn’t bring much to the table beyond power.  Sosa never walks, and his contact numbers are only so-so.

Dodgers

• Zhyir Hope, Jackson Ferris, and Alex Call for Yordan Alvarez. Who says no?

Mark P

• Despite Alvarez’s big bat, his only role in LA is to play every day in left field, since Ohtani’s got the DH spot locked up.  So this just isn’t a fit for the Dodgers.

Tiger Fan

• Why didn’t Casey Mize push the arbitration envelope like Skubal. For his final year of arbitration $6.1 million seems pretty cheap.

Mark P

• Beyond the obvious fact that Skubal’s track record is far better, Mize’s early-career injuries really dragged down his arb numbers

Guest

• Its getting to be extension part of the offseason, lockout looming and relative weak FA class next offseason. Any noise of the Yanks trying to lockup  Jazz, Bednar, or Grisham long term? What would Jazz get  as F/A?

Mark P

• The Yankees, as an organizational rule, don’t do contract extensions.
• I don’t expect that trend to change this spring

Grayson

• Wouldn’t playing Rafaela at 2B solve Boston’s outfield surplus and fix the hole in the infield?

Mark P

• Rafaela’s best asset is his outstanding CF glove. Moving him to second base negates that.

Jays fan

• i think the jays are done on upgrades till the tradeline.  If the blue jays have a good record after two month how much more can they spend?

Mark P

• Jays are all-in on spending and trying to win a championship with this core.  I don’t think money will be much of an issue (at least in 2026) in terms of adding salary and talent at the deadline.

goat

• Does Houston look at Bello as a return for Parades having a young controllable pitcher with Framber leaving

Mark P

• Bello may be too pricey for an Astros team that would prefer to stay under the tax line, if possible

Say Hey

• How much of a factor will moving in the fences affect the Royals?

Mark P

• We’ll need to see the season play out before we can make that call.  Ballpark renos are hard to predict, as any Orioles fan can tell you.
• In theory, it should help KC (and also opposing hitters) leave the yard a little more often, but that might well impact the rotation just as much

Kyle

• Any chance the Brewers extend Turang or Frekick?

Mark P

• Frelick has four years of control remaining, and he doesn’t reach arbitration eligibility until next winter.  Turang is making $4.15MM this season, and he has three arb years left as a Super Two player.

  Turang is repped by Excel, who usually take their clients to free agency rather than sign extensions.  So between that and the money Turang is already slated to earn through his arb years, Frelick is the likelier extension candidate of the two, since Turang’s window for inking a long-term deal may have already passed.

Mike

• Why haven’t the Rangers extended Langford? He will only get more expensive

Mark P

• Takes two to tango.  I have no doubt the Rangers have at least floated an extension with Langford, but with $8MM already in his bank account via his signing bonus, he might have more comfort in betting on himself via arbitration raises and eventually free agency.

  Langford will hit arbitration next winter, and is controlled through 2029.  So there’s no real rush on Texas’ part to lock Langford up, but as I noted, their window to extend him on what might be a truly “team-friendly” type of contract might’ve already passed

Angels

• Should halos have a complete rebuild? Trading Neto, Adell, Detmers, Soriano and any other pieces?

Mark P

• A proper rebuild should’ve happened after Ohtani left, yet the Angels have remained sorta (very sorta) trying to win.

Chaim Bloomin’ Onion

• I’m a little shocked Romero hasn’t been moved yet, you’d think he would of been the easiest

Mark P

• That’s actually more of a reason why Romero is still on the team, probably.  Because he’s a fit on so many rosters, the Cards are likely getting a lot of offers, and are comfortable waiting things out until teams start getting a little more desperate

Carrie Halas

• Do you see the Phillies getting another starter before camp breaks

Mark P

• I could see the Phils may making a late play for Gallen if he remains available.  Walker is pushed to a pure relief role, and (if everyone is healthy) the Phils could adopt a six-man rotation once Wheeler is back.
• This might be another decent landing spot for Nick Martinez, who could be toggled between the rotation or pen as situations warrant

Sleepy

• I’m thrilled the Tigers came alive with the signing of Framber. It feels to me like they’re still a right handed bat with some boom away from World Series contention. We saw how impactful a single run can be in the playoffs, and how crushing it can be if you don’t get it.

Mark P

• I haven’t been posting them, but there have been several “great job by the Tigers” comments in the queue, which is a marked change from….basically the whole offseason.  Goes to show how just one big move can change the narrative of a winter.

  Agree on Detroit still needing more hitting help.  I think the Tigers have the pieces to have a better (or more consistent) offense, but bringing in one more proven bat would solidify things.

Bears

• Bees?

Mark P

• Beads?!

Hits Like Rays

• Is this an “evaluation year” for the Rays?  It looks like their 2026 strategy is to cycle through cast-offs, hope some of them hit enough to compete, and if not then clear the decks and bring up their own AAA players for 2027.

Mark P

• I will never write off Tampa’s chances, and saying they won’t be in contention all but guarantees they’ll beat the Blue Jays like 10 times this season.

  But on paper, the Rays have turned over a big chunk of their roster but still have as many question marks as they did back in October.

ClarkeinCuenca

• Bryce Harper..,rebound year or bigger decline?

Mark P

• I’m predicting a very good Harper season, maybe a borderline MVP year if he stays healthy.  Maybe Dombrowski was being crazy like a fox with the “not elite” comment, knowing it’d light a fire under Harper

Walleye Wade

• Danny Coloumbe ever go back to MN?

Mark P

• All things being equal, you’d think Couloumbe would prefer to pitch for a contender, if he’s getting offers from those types of teams.

MoonBeamMcSwine

• Breakout pitcher you’d want more… Andrew Painter or Nolan McLean?

Mark P

• McLean, just because we’ve seen a bit of what he can do at the MLB level and because Painter is still an unknown quantity.

Jimmy Krak Korn

• Can you put into words the loss of Buck Martinez?

Mark P

• Buck has been involved with the team for basically the entirety of my Blue Jays fandom, and it’s been my pleasure to meet him on a few occasions.  His retirement is well deserved, but Jays broadcasts just won’t be the same without him.

Mariners fan

• Chances colt emerson breaks camp on mlb roster?( with a really good spring training)

Mark P

• The Donovan trade lowered Emerson’s chances. He has only played six Triple-A games, so I think it’d take a truly special camp for him to win an Opening Day job.  The likelier scenario is that he starts the year at Triple-A to get some more seasoning, and the M’s roll with Young/Bliss/Mastrobuoni until Emerson is ready
• We’re over the two-hour mark now, so it’s time to wrap the chat up.  Thanks for much for sending in your questions and participating, even though there’s not much to do toni…..wait, it’s Super Bowl Sunday?!  Huh, who knew?
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