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MLBTR Chat Transcript

By Mark Polishuk | at March 8, 2026 8:07pm CDT

Mark P

The Weekend Chat is never late, nor is it early….regardless of daylight savings. We’ll take a minute for some questions to file in (or for you to remember to adjust your clocks) before we get underway.

Pirates guy

Where do you see the pirates rotation falling in the NL Central? Is it the best

Mark P

A good chunk of the Pirates’ rotation is still operating on potential more than proven MLB results, so I think I’ll still put the Cubs slightly ahead overall.

Terry Pendeldon

I am crazy or can the marlins finish 2nd in the east (who knows who finish first) braves are cursed again, mets relying on a lot of young guys, phils 1 big injury. marlins have the bonus of zero pressure

Mark P

While Miami did finish third in 2025, even matching that this year will be a quality feat. The Braves and Mets both had Murphy’s Law years, and even then, New York will finished ahead of the Fish.
Not to say that the Marlins couldn’t have another solid season, but their lineup has a lot more question marks than any of their big three NL East rivals

Silky Johnson

Did the Mets overpay for Peralta or did the Orioles underpay for Burnes? Seems like there’s a pretty big disparity in the prospect return

Mark P

Peralta is earning only $8MM in 2026, while Burnes was earning over $15MM in his final year of team control. Peralta’s salary meant he had a wider field of possible suitors, since he could’ve fit into any team’s payroll. An argument can be made that Burnes also could’ve easily fit into payroll for just a one-year commitment, but still, the Brewers probably had a slightly tougher time finding trade partners

Tito

I have the best rotation in the central and it’s not close

Mark P

Hunter Greene’s elbow issue gives me pause about crowning the Reds’ rotation. But, it’s a testament to their depth that even if they did lose Greene for any extended amount of time, their rotation wouldn’t be devastated.

Atl

What move can the Braves make if any now that Profar has been suspended?

Mark P

Yastrzemski is already there, so the Braves have another quality everyday-ish type of outfielder who can take over left field. White or Mateo can spell Yaz against left-handed pitching if need be.
Gamel, Azocar, and Dominic Smith are all in camp on minors deals, so the Braves probably feel they have enough position-player depth for now to fairly account for Profar’s absence. (Now that I’ve jinxed it, watch AA swing a trade in the next ten minutes.) But since Atlanta now has a good chunk of payroll freed up by Profar’s suspension, investing that money into rotation depth might not be a bad idea

Krally

Should the Reds have traded Greene in the offseason?

Mark P

This question might have some 20-20 hindsight attached given what happens with Greene’s elbow, but I agree with the Reds’ decision to hang onto him.
Obviously we don’t know what exact offers might’ve been on the table for Greene, but it would’ve had to have a major return (or even a clear overpay) for the Reds to move a guy who has looked like a frontline starter when healthy. Having rotation depth is one thing, but purposely dipping into that depth to account for trading away your #1 is another thing altogether

Garrett

Zack Littell to the Nationals makes sense for both sides and I’m surprised it didn’t happen earlier.

Mark P

The Nationals have clearly not wanted to spend much money this winter, and were willing to wait out the market to see if they could land a relative bargain. No word yet on what Littell is making in his new contract, but it’s probably not a ton.

Little Texas

Relief pitcher Alexis Diaz as an example, how much should the Rangers play him in spring training games before knowing if he’s making the cut, 15 innings?

Mark P

This question varies from pitcher to pitcher and from team to team. Basically it comes down to any club’s roster needs, who else is in camp, what pitchers have or don’t have minor league options, what pitchers does a team feel confident they can sneak through waivers, what veterans with outs in their contracts are content to stay put, etc.
In Diaz’s case, he signed a guaranteed contract this winter, so he’s basically a lock for the Opening Day roster barring injury.

A Royal signing

Starling Marte is the best hitting OF on KC now. I understand he will likely mostly DH when Perez is catching, but do you envision him getting played in the OF more often if he is hitting well?

Mark P

Marte’s health is the biggest factor in his outfield time, not how well he’s hitting. If he’s doing well at the plate, obviously KC will want to figure out ways to keep him in the lineup, but that also means not over-extending him and perhaps causing an injury.

Art Rock

Talking Heads or DEVO?

Mark P

Talking Heads are one of my favorite bands, so they’re the easy pick here. No disrespect to Devo, or even to Devon White

Is Stearns the right GM for the Mets? When you have Steve Cohen money to play with and a mandate to win while Juan Soto is in his prime, who cares if you’re comfortable giving Peralta 7 or 8 years? Just do it. It’s not the Brewers. Even if the signing doesn’t work out, it’ll hardly cripple the franchise.

Mark P

Cohen pursued Stearns for years before hiring him, so I doubt Cohen is suddenly shocked by how Stearns approaches transactions, or isn’t willing to give his PBO carte blanche in making decisions.
The Mets are no different than any other front office in that they’d “prefer” to not make any long-term signings. It’s not an absolute rule for the Mets (as we’ve seen with situations like the Juan Soto deal) so if Stearns is willing to go longer-term for a pitcher he knows well, a longer deal might happen.
It’s also worth noting that Peralta may just be aiming high with a 7-8 year ask. A year away from free agency, he might want a deal like that to keep him off the market.

Royals

Jac Caglianone is ths best hitting OF in KC

Mark P

He is a fine prospect, but there is so far zero evidence he can be productive at the MLB level. Can’t anoint him the best without any results.

That guy

Do you see Skubal signing before or after the CBA deadline?

Mark P

My hunch is slightly before. Only a limited number of teams will be able to meet his sky-high asking price, and those teams preparing to bid on Skubal will make him their chief priority.

Red Sox

Any chance Masataka Yoshida can boost his trade value at the WBC? He doesn’t fit on the Red Sox bench

Mark P

A big showing in the WBC won’t make teams forget Yoshida’s first few big league seasons, nor will it reduce his remaining salary

Sodo Mojo

Wouldn’t AZ have gotten a bigger return for Marte if the dealt him this winter instead of (maybe) at the deadline?

Mark P

Marte’s contract runs through 2031, so it probably wouldn’t have made a ton of difference in his market. If the D’Backs are thoroughly out of the race at the deadline and start selling, they’ll consider Marte offers, but a trade is probably still unlikely unless they can get something that helps them quickly reload for 2027.

Ross Detweiler

Please give me hope that the Guardians won’t have a bottom 3 offense again this year

Mark P

If even one of the younger guys break out, that one bat and J-Ram’s usual work might be enough for Cleveland to escape the bottom three?
Seems like the umpteenth time I’ve written this, but it still amazes me that the Guardians didn’t get any kind of offensive help

King Felix

I know my later years hurt my HOF chances. But without them, they’d say I didn’t play long enough. I have 8 more tries. What are my odds?

Mark P

Hernandez is almost surely getting in. His vote total already jumped from 20 percent to over 46% in his first two years on the ballot, so it’s easy project more support growing to get him above the 75% threshold

RAGBRAI

Does Crews get optioned? He is having a terrible ST!

Mark P

This would be a bold move for the Nats, though sending Crews down to Triple-A at some point might be necessary if he can’t get on track. It’s worth noting that Crews doesn’t have a lot of upper-minors seasoning (71 games at Double-A, 62 at Triple-A) and he had only okay numbers at both levels, not dominant numbers.
Since the Nats are in rebuild mode anyway, just keeping Crews in Washington to let him adjust to big league pitching makes sense. But, his development won’t be helped by continual struggles, so a brief demotion just for confidence or tune-up purposes isn’t out of the question

Romaine Lettuce

Can I get irrationally excited about Dustin May’s first Grapefruit League outing?

Mark P

If you were really irrational, you would’ve spelled your screen name RoMayne Lettuce

Colt Emerson

JP has as locked down this year for SEA. Am I blocked until his contract runs out?

Mark P

There’s always 2B depending on how Young performs, or 3B if Donovan is moved over to second base (again, hinging on Young’s adjustment to the majors).
Since this is Crawford’s last year under contract and Emerson has only six games of Triple-A experience, the timeline seems to be matching up cleanly enough that Emerson won’t be “blocked” for too long

Tampa Bay Rays GM

Are we deep enough and competitive enough to hold onto Junior Caminero for a long time, or should we sell high and get a ton of prospects in return to rebuild for our “new” ballpark?

Mark P

Caminero isn’t even arb-eligible until after the 2027 season, so he’ll remain a major bargain for the Rays for quite a while. While the Rays are always broadly open to trading virtually anyone, moving Caminero any time before 2028 (assuming he keeps hitting like this) would be surprising.

Mets Fan

So it looks like Mark Vientos is the odd man out. Who’s in need of a third baseman? Mets play Benge in right field, and have Brett Batty back him up there, back up 3rd for Bichette, back up first for Polanco, and 2nd for Semien. That allows Brett to fill in for all those guys and allow them to have some DH time as well. We don’t need Vientos.

Mark P

The issue might be that other teams don’t view Vientos as a viable third baseman, given his defensive metrics. So if they view him as a first baseman going forward, that lowers his trade value, plus his shaky 2025 production is another issue.

Kicker Roo

Is it crazy to think that T.O. could be O’s MVO?

Mark P

Terrell Owens plays baseball?
A big season from O’Neill would be huge for the Orioles, but I’d suggest that if 2026 ends with him as their top bat, something’s gone amiss.

Giolito

Compared to not playing this season, what are the chances I sign a minor league offer at this point?

Mark P

Giolito will still end up with a guaranteed contract, but a one-year deal, and on a much lower price than he was expecting.

Bo knows….

Speaking of the NFL, what’s your take on the surprising rumbling about Kyler Murray returning to baseball? No way he gives up that NFL money right?

Mark P

Agreed. Murray isn’t starting from scratch as an A’s minor leaguer when he still has several years of eight-figure paychecks still available to him even as an NFL backup
Could be that getting out of Arizona even leads to a Darnold-esque career revival

Bobby Cox

Braves make a move for a 5th starter? Lucas G? I thought Bassett would have been the fit but 18 million alot

Mark P

Atlanta seems like a decent fit for Giolito, but this has been true for months, even before all the spring injuries. The Braves might simply their internal options to signing Giolito specifically.

Kerry Wood’s Slurve

Who has the nastiest pitch in baseball today?

Mark P

as per Statcast’s “run value” metric, Tarik Skubal’s changeup (with a +25 RV) was the most effective pitch in baseball in 2025.
Tied for second with +23 RV is Chris Sale’s slider and Ryne Nelson’s four-seamer

Stein

Thanks for your time Mark. What does Seattle do with all their OFs? Way too many and they need a starter.

Mark P

It’s “too many” in terms of bodies, but not necessarily in terms of quality. Robles and Raley are coming off rough seasons, and Canzone’s bat could well come back to earth.
In terms of the depth outfielders the Mariners would be willing to trade, I doubt any would bring back a decent “sixth starter” type

Cards

Was the Burleson to the Astros thing Rosenthal said an actual rumor or just him speculating?

Mark P

It was speculation on Ken’s part, just because the Cards are open to business on a lot of their roster and the Astros need a LHH outfielder. Even then, it was a reach because Rosenthal noted a third team would need to be involved in a trade (with that team getting one of Houston’s infielders).
Rosenthal’s piece was also written before Pena fractured his finger, temporarily relieving the Astros’ infield surplus

Killingmesmalls

Is the MLB trade rumors team, making plans in case of a lockout for stuff to write about?

Mark P

Between the 2020 pandemic shutdown and the 2021-22 lockout, we (unfortunately) have some experience in how to operate when there’s literally nothing happening in the baseball world.

Brewers Fan

Kyle Harrison, gave up some runs but 8 Ks in 3 innings todayHe definitely is the player with the most upside in that trade right?

Mark P

Given how the Crew develop pitching, it would surprise nobody if Harrison figured it out in Milwaukee

does Benge make opening day or we roll with Tauchman for a bit?

Mark P

Benge is not exactly knocking down the door in terms of securing himself an Opening Day roster spot. Tauchman was a very wise signing for the Mets, and I’m still surprised he had to settle for a minor league deal.

Zach

Do you think the World Series would have gone any different if the Mariners held on to win the ALCS and went?

Mark P

L.A. probably still wins, but who knows what might’ve happened in a short series.
As a Jays fan, I seriously might’ve preferred the Jays just losing Game 7 of the ALCS to the soul-crushing near-miss that was Game 7 of the World Series

Nats Rebuild

This has taken too long!

Mark P

Hence the reason Mike Rizzo is out of a job.
We had a question in the chat last week about whether you’d prefer your team to have ten years of competitiveness with no titles, or one title within a decade of failure. Unfortunately, Nats fans seems to be going through that second option.

John W

Who are the 5 best pitching labs in baseball?

Mark P

Brewers, Dodgers, Yankees, Astros I’d put in the top four. Padres, Guardians, Rays, maybe the Pirates all deserve attention for the fifth slot

Mayor West

Who should the Reds attempt to extend now that Elly has rejected them?

Mark P

Abbott makes some sense. The Reds are in the awkward position about not knowing yet what they really have in so much of their roster, so among the younger guys, Abbott is perhaps the most reasonable choice as a legit extension candidate

Phillies fan

Are the Phillies to old, are we going to sign a big free agent to spark some youth,and will Crawford,Painter, and MILLER going to be good

Mark P

Just by the nature of when players hit the market, adding a free agent isn’t the way to make a roster younger.
As to the in-house youth movement, that’s the biggest question hanging over the Phillies organization. They strongly need at least one of the three guys you mentioned to break out and become an above-average big leaguer, in order to help keep the Phils’ contention window open

Dozed and Confuzed

How far out do the Tigers need to be in order to trade Skub? If they go the whole year and don’t win, they get NOTHING out of losing him. Right?

Mark P

They’d get a draft pick back via Skubal rejecting the qualifying offer, and that pick falls after the first round since the Tigers are revenue-sharing recipients. So that’s not nothing, but yeah, still not a lot for a superstar ace.
Detroit would have to be decidedly out of the playoff picture for Skubal to be moved at the deadline. Like, 10-15 games under .500 and totally cooked.

Optimistic Venable

In a recent chat you said last place isn’t out of the question for Minnesota. I’m sure most of that is on how much the Twins have declined, but how much do you think the White Sox are improved?

Mark P

In general, I think the positive buzz on the White Sox is a little much, since that roster is still full of holes. But the Twins seem like they’re heading squarely towards 95 losses, in my view.

Kevin

Have the Cards become a team who will perennially look primarily and perhaps only to improvements from within à la Rays and other poorer teams with that model?

Mark P

To be fair, this is how St. Louis operated for decades. The Cards have never really been huge spenders in free agency…they make the occasional splash (i.e. Contreras, Matt Holliday, etc.) on the open market, but most of their biggest spends have been on extensions for players developed in-house.

Ketel

He gets 10 and 5 rights in April. He’s not
moving at this point

Mark P

There’s also that factor. Marte might well be open to accepting a trade, but we don’t know if he wants a change of scenery or what he’s feeling about staying in Arizona over the long term.

Buxton

He gets 10 and 5 rights in April. He’s not
moving either at this point.

Mark P

Buxton already has a full no-trade clause in his contract through the 2026 season anyway

Guards

Looking like it’s going to be a tough season. How much of the inaction was due to loss of TV revenue

Mark P

The Guards were one of the teams who had MLB handle their broadcasts in 2025, not one of the teams who got out of their Main Street Sports contracts this offseason.
While I have no doubt the reduction of TV revenue was a factor, the near-total lack of spending seems absurd for a team that is a) won a division title, b) got three extra home games’ worth of revenue in the playoffs, and c) had such clear needs in the lineup
And while nobody expects Cleveland to splurge in free agency….why not a creative trade or two?

Bill James

Do you think baseball would have been better if I never invented sabermetrics and algorithms, and Moneyball never happened? A lot of fans like looking at the back of a baseball card.

Mark P

Bill James didn’t “invent” statistical analysis in baseball, but was just the first writer to start writing at length about such concepts.

Austin Hedges

I get 10 rights in April, but not 5 yet. I’m not moving from the bench in 2026, am I?

Mark P

Doesn’t matter, since Hedges will sign one-year, $4MM contracts with Cleveland until the end of recorded time

yankee fan

what’s your take on the yankee’s outfield situation? I am severely irritated that they decided to give the QO to Grisham. I seriously don’t think he’s going to have another good season, I think he’ll regress heavily. I don’t care about the excuse of injuries. Yes, I’ve seen the news on Bellinger’s back, Aaron Judge keeps aging, and don’t get me started on Stanton’s health, but the Yankees have so many depth options and I really would like to see Dominguez at least get a full season. Spencer Jones is going off crazy in Spring and he’s also already turning 25! The Yankees really have an issue when it comes with giving their prospects an actual full season. (Besides Volpe of course, and it didn’t even work out well with him anyways)

Mark P

Grisham would’ve been a very interesting free agent case if the Yankees hadn’t issued him a QO.  It’s not out of the question that he still could’ve been on the market today, if teams similarly had a tough time evaluating his 2025 power breakout.
When the QOs were being issued last November, the Yankees at that point didn’t know if Bellinger would be returning.  So securing Grisham filled one hole on the roster, and the Yankees wouldn’t have issued the QO if they weren’t comfortable with the idea of Grisham possibly accepting it.

As you alluded, and as we’ve written about countless teams in the past, one injury can suddenly turn a surplus into a deficit.  If Stanton gets hurt again, suddenly the DH spot is open any there’s plenty of room for one of Dominguez/Jones to get playing time.  If two injuries occur, suddenly New York’s bench situation may look a little thin.

Optimistic Venable

So even if you’re not high on the White Sox for this season, are you buying into their prospects like the Montgomerys, Schultz, the probable No. 1 pick? Is the arrow truly headed up?

Mark P

Oh, I think Chicago is definitely showing some potential. It’s just that their big step forward isn’t happening until at least 2027.

Zach

If Josh Jung repeats 2025 will he get traded and where?

Mark P

Forget a trade, the Rangers might just non-tender him

Statement that’s not a question

Cleveland will 3-peat-the Tigers and their fans think they won the division they haven’t won in 12 years. Underestimate away!

Mark P

“Scoreboard” is indeed a fair counterpoint to criticisms of how the Guardians operate. But, improving the offense helps Cleveland get a step closer to being plausible World Series contenders, not just candidates to reach the playoffs and maybe win a round

Brewers Fan

As a fan of the Brewers who have had about a decade of competitiveness and the Bucks who got the ring but about to fall off a cliff.. give me the ring all day.

Mark P

As a fan of Toronto sports, ditto with the last decade of TFC/the Raptors over the last decade of Leafs hockey
That’s two hours for this chat, so it’s time to wrap things up. Thanks to everyone who submitted a question, and more chattin’ will be had next weekend!
If you’re interested in more baseball Q&A, one of the many benefits of our Trade Rumors Front Office subscription is the exclusive weekly live chats. The more limited field means you’re about 10 times more likely to get a question answered, as opposed to battling for space with hundreds of other questions in today’s chat. For more on our memberships, check out this link:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/membership?ref=chat-3-8-26

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MLBTR Chats

Trade Rumors Front Office Subscriber Chat Transcript

By Steve Adams | at March 6, 2026 1:55pm CDT

Steve Adams

Good afternoon! Hope you're all enjoying some spring and/or WBC games today. (I've got Panama/Cuba on at the moment!)We'll get started around 2pm CT, but feel free to start asking questions ahead of time, as always.
Let's get underway!

Giolito

Why isn't Giolito signed? Surely there's a place in the Athletics, Braves, Phillies, Padres or Astros rotations.

Stevie M

Does Minnesota have a plan at all? The team doesn't strike fear in me. With Pablo out, should they sign Giolito? He's familiar with the Central. I don't know how effective he is anymore, but it's a thought.

Steve Adams

I imagine Giolito went into the offseason looking for the kind of multi-year deal he might've been in line for were it not for that season-ending elbow scare, and it just wasn't there. Most clubs are probably looking at him as a one-year guy now, since the majority of offseason budgets have been spent.Especially with Profar's money being freed up, I'm surprised Atlanta hasn't signed him. He's a clear upgrade over the guys duking it out for the fifth spot (Joey Wentz, Bryce Elder, Jose Suarez), and the rest of the Braves' rotation is wrought with injury risk.
All of that applies to Zack Littell, too.
(Well, not the part about the elbow scare)
Twins, too, make an easy and obvious fit for either Giolito or Littell. They've lost Lopez. Festa's shoulder is flaring up. Ryan already had a minor back thing. And the Pohlad du jour there, Tom, has spoken openly about wanting to be aggressive since stepping into the executive chair position
With the other teams listed for Gio... he probably doesn't want a short-term deal to pitch in a hitter-friendly minor league park (A's), and he'd cost the Phillies more than double because of the luxury tax. Padres don't seem to have any money left (hence the cheap nature of all their late signings).Astros, I just disagree that they need him. Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, Tatsuya Imai, Mike Burrows ... that's a pretty decent top four, and they have Ryan Weiss, Lance McCullers, Spencer Arrighetti, AJ Blubaugh, Colton Gordon and Miguel Ullola as options at the back of the rotation. Their owner, Jim Crane, also doesn't want to pay the luxury tax -- and they're about $10MM shy of it right now.

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Front Office Originals MLBTR Chats

MLBTR Chat Transcript

By Steve Adams | at March 3, 2026 1:01pm CDT

Steve Adams

Good morning! We’ll get started at 1pm CT, but feel free to send me questions ahead of time, as always.
Let’s get underway!

All By Metself

What kind of contract can Skubal be expected to get? Will he clear 10/400?

Steve Adams

The years depend on who’s signing him, I suppose. Some clubs prefer to spread the money over a longer term (Phillies), others are more comfortable with mammoth AAVs on shorter terms (Dodgers, Mets).I’m going to take the over on 400 right now (probably over a long term, but if the Mets want to offer like some insane $50MM AAV to keep the term down a couple years, not much shocks me at this point)

Jimmy Chop

Huge O’s fan here. I don’t know how the Orioles can go into the season with Alonso, Mountcastle, and Mayo — all right-handed hitters and 1B/DH only types — on the roster. (Mayo is not a third baseman; I wish he was, but umm, no.) What gives? Send Mayo down to AAA (last option year), trade Mayo, cut Mountcastle (no real trade value)? I suppose, the path of least resistance is to send Mayo down, but goodness the club hasn’t been very good to him. Your thoughts good sir. Thank you.

Steve Adams

I’m still surprised they tendered a contract to Mountcastle. Something feels like it has to give there eventually, but perhaps not immediately. Mayo’s going to get a real look at 3B. I know he hasn’t looked great there in the past, but it’s been a recent focus for him and he’ll spend all spring working on it. They don’t have great alternatives — at least not if you want a 3B that can also hit some. If it’s a bust, they can try to address it midseason.For now, I’d assume you’ve got Alonso and Mayo in the lineup every day. Mayo at 3B regularly, Alonso playing primarily 1B with some occasional DH reps. Mountcastle will get some 1B reps those days. Samuel Basallo will get DH/1B/C reps. It’ll be matchup dependent, and I doubt either Basallo or Mountcastle gets true everyday ABs. Blaze Alexander can play some 3B, too, when the O’s want to get Jeremiah Jackson into the lineup.
It’s messy, but there are probably enough at-bats to go around. Alonso is really the only one who’s proven he merits everyday work anyhow

Ruh Roh Renfroe

Can I take Profar’s spot in the Atlanta OF for 2026?

BravesFan

What options do the Braves have now that Profar has yet again failed a PED test? I’m sure trades at this point are few and far between.

Cards

Nootbaar to the Braves?

To ATL

How ’bout that Profar? Oof.

Steve Adams

Lots and lots of questions along these lines.
I don’t think they need to add a regular outfielder. They already signed Yastrzemski, and they can go Yaz-Harris-Acuna and feel decent about the group. Yaz needs a platoon partner, and as I noted in the post on Profar’s suspension, they don’t have a good one right now. Eli White and Jorge Mateo hit right-handed but have poor lifetime numbers against lefties.I immediately wondered whether Andrew McCutchen as a part-time DH/LF might make sense. He could be lifted for White/Mateo late in games (or just serve as a DH against LHP with White starting in LF).
The more pressing need for me is still on the pitching side. I don’t know how they look at this windfall and don’t use it on Giolito or Littell. This will be a good test of whether they actually just don’t think those guys are upgrades (as they’ve at least indirectly signaled) or whether they just didn’t have the funds to sign either prior to Profar’s latest buffoonery.

YanksNYC

Seems like Yanks aren’t planning to invest in Chisholm long term. Doesn’t it make sense to trade him now, when value is high? They could balance the lineup with a Jazz-for-Nico deal, or trade Jazz to HOU in a three-team deal that nets Paredes. What say you?

Steve Adams

Hoerner and Jazz are both one-year guys, so not sure that really makes sense. Sending Jazz to Houston and getting Paredes back still leaves the Astros with more infielders than spots to play them.A lot of fans seem aghast at the idea of a contending team losing a free agent for “only” the draft pick associated with a QO — hence the incessant Skubal speculation, which has never seemed plausible — but the Yankees are always in clear win-now mode. Trading Chisholm because he’s a free agent in eight months isn’t likely to make their 2026 club better

Phils Thine Horn

Do Phillies actually add a starting pitcher of note or just fringe until Painter is ready?

Steve Adams

Dave Dombrowkski (their president of baseball ops) has pretty much said publicly that they’re not looking at established guys. They won’t have a spot for them once Wheeler is healthy (assuming everyone else avoids injury).They’re more looking for optionable depth types they could acquire, hence the recent minor league deal for Connor Gillispie. I have to think they’ll try to add someone who’s DFA’ed in a small trade at some point, but I don’t think they’re going to sign Giolito, Littell, Tyler Anderson, etc. unless they incur another rotation injury.

Doc Metal

In what order would you rank these – Eldridge, Condon, Justin Crawford? Thanks!

Steve Adams

For what? Fantasy? Future value? 2026 impact?I’d probably err toward Crawford long-term value-wise, just because the floor is higher based on his speed and defense. He’s probably the least impactful from a fantasy standpoint though, total upside considered.
Crawford feels likelier to be an average or better big leaguer to me than the other two, but Eldridge has the highest overall ceiling (with less floor because of his 1B/DH status and more strikeouts).

Rules committe

should the PED punishments be updated to 1 year for first positive and lifetime ban for second? Seems it’s not enough of a deterrent

Steve Adams

Based on Profar alone? There’s been one other PED suspension in the past year (Jose Alvarado). PED bans have plummeted since the punishments were upped to 80, 162 and lifetime.
I don’t think one guy being a knucklehead means the whole system is a failure.

SoxFan

Trade idea: Benintendi to the Braves, White Sox pick up half the remaining contract and the Sox receive a prospect for the OF. This would help the Braves with DH and LF, say what you will but Benintendi hit 20 HR’s the past 2 seasons.

Steve Adams

Eating half of Benintendi’s contract isn’t getting anyone to bite on him.
And the Braves already have a LHH OF to step into the Profar void. They signed Mike Yastrzemski early in the winter.

charlie tuna

Thanks Steve. Who do you think comes in second in the NL West and what was the first CD you ever bought?

Steve Adams

Padres for me.
Superunknown, by Soundgarden
Incredible record to this day

Ben

What’s your read on Wyatt Langford? Taking a step to superstardom? Or just an above average regular?

Steve Adams

He’s already really, really good. Borderline star level. I’d lean toward stardom — but maybe not superstardom? Can I take that answer? Haha. I think “superstar” is reserved for like … Ohtani, Judge, Skubal, etc. But Langford also seems like he’s going to be better than the “above-average regular” moniker.Multi-time All-Star, a handful of seasons with some down-ballot MVP votes, but not a perennial MVP contender?
I suppose everyone’s description of that outcome is going to vary, so let’s just say I think Langford’s already very, very good and going to be great.

Sam

Littell and Giolito wait to sign after Opening Day at this point? Or do you think they find homes before then?

Steve Adams

I think they’ll sign before then. I’d be surprised if they’re out there more than a week at this point.

Paredes

Are the Astros really going to sit on Paredes, and will it really just take a left-handed OF to snag him? Griffin Conine come on down….

Steve Adams

I don’t think they’re going to move him for the first LHH OF someone offers up, haha. No disrespect to Conine, but that trade isn’t happening.
If the goal were to just get ANY lefty hitting OF, the move would’ve been made by now. I lean toward a spring trade, but I also think the logjam/surplus narrative is overstated. When was the last time Yordan Alvarez and Carlos Correa stayed healthy for months at a time?
One injury and the whole thing is pretty smoothly worked out. I’m sure Paredes would prefer to have an everyday role, which is understandable, but I don’t think it’s some sort of disaster if they have all these veterans heading into the season. The “it’ll work itself out” cliche probably sounds tired to Houston fans who want to see a move come together, but it’s a cliche for a reason! It probably will work itself out. Dudes get hurt a lot — especially Yordan, unfortunately :((Said both as a fan of dudes who hit giant home runs and someone who owned Alvarez for years in a now-defunct keeper league haha)

Jays in 43 MLB parks

Who would want Berrios or do Jays wait until a team has a significant starter go down for the year?

Steve Adams

No one’s taking the 3/66 left on his deal. They’re “stuck” with him. (Which isn’t necessarily all that bad …. he’s still a decent pitcher, just not a $22MM-per-for-three-years pitcher)

Brian

Any sleeper picks this year? Miami? Pittsburgh? My Orioles should be much better……

Steve Adams

I’m not sure the Pirates count as one since they’ve had a decent offseason and have all that vaunted young pitching, but they’re a decent one. Can I count the A’s?

GruberChops

Kuzuma Okamoto ends up with a higher WAR this season then Bo. You taking the over or under.

Steve Adams

Comfortably taking Bo

MKE Fan

Why is everyone picking Milwaukee to finish 3rd or 4th in the Central? Have people not learned over the last 10 years?!

Steve Adams

I would say because no, they have not learned. I have Milwaukee second in the NLC right now and my consistent caveat has been that they’ll make me feel stupid for it.

Farhan’s kid sister

With Gavin Stone maybe not ready by Opening Day, any chance the Dodgers decide to sign Giolito or Littell? Yeah, I get the fact that they have an embarrassing wealth of arms to pick from on their 40 man roster but this is the Dodgers we are talking about. Seems possible that they could say, “hey we have money, why not sign another starter for insurance?”

Steve Adams

I don’t think they’d consider either enough of an upgrade over the in-house arms.

Sue Shi

Where do you see Zack Littell landing? Simply amazed he is still available with his track record.

Steve Adams

I’m not all that surprised. He only has 2+ seasons as a starter. He sits 90-92 mph with his heater in a velocity-obsessed MLB climate and has well below-average strikeout and swinging-strike rates. He’s a fourth/fifth starter, which teams are never going to break the bank for. If he went out looking for three-plus years, I can see why teams backed off.If I have to guess, at this point, I would pick the Braves and Twins to sign Littell and Giolito (flip a coin as to which lands where). But one injury somewhere else can always change that. (Or one PED suspension; five hours ago, I would not have picked Atlanta to sign one of them since I assumed their budget was largely maxed out)

Mr. Keeper

Who has the better fantasy season between R. Laureano and J. Marsee?

Steve Adams

I’ll take Marsee

Detroit Fanatic

Will Torkelson hit 40rs this year?

Steve Adams

And I will take the under on that

Don’t call me Frankie

Lindor: hall of famer in your eyes?

Steve Adams

Easily, yes.

1. Steven Kwan 2.Yandy Diaz 3.Jose Ramirez 4.Junior Caminero 5.Nick Kurtz……I know hindsight is 20/20 but if not for a couple bone headed moves by the FO, this could be the best top 5 line up in MLB as opposed to the 28th worst offensive in baseball.

Steve Adams

You can Monday Morning QB anyone’s lineup like this.We can’t assume Yandy Diaz and Junior Caminero would be the same hitters in Cleveland that they are in Tampa Bay, working with a player development staff that clearly seems to do a better job with hitters than they do in Cleveland.
This also gives them no credit for taking Kwan in the fifth round. They could’ve taken James Outman (who went a round later) or any of the dozens of guys who never reached the majors after they selected Kwan.

Kurtz vs. Bazzana is too early to judge, and while I’m certainly taking Kurtz if given the opportunity right now, there are scenarios where they end up being close or Bazzana even ends up more valuable

Besides, it’s not as though everyone thought Kurtz was the slam-dunk best option there and they bucked consensus by going Bazzana.
Any fan of any team can drive themselves crazy by going back through drafts and wondering what could’ve been if they’d just made the “right” choice in hindsight.

Guest

E. Suarez finally crosses the 50 Homer Run mark. You taking the over/under/exact?

Steve Adams

I’d take the under on 40, let alone 50. No disrespect to him, but he’s only topped 40 twice and will turn 35 next July

Colson Montgomery

35+ HR’s and 200K’s possible?

Steve Adams

Yes to both. Strikeouts probably likelier than the homers though, ha

Kyle

The Brewers trading away their best pitcher from a season ago with the best record in baseball, are they trying NOT to win the division this year?? Your thoughts

Steve Adams

It’s just how they always operate. They also traded a pair of All-Star closers while contending (Hader, Williams) and another former ace off the back of a winning season (Burnes). The Brewers are good every year despite having no money from ownership precisely because they avoid getting sentimental and hanging onto guys to run out their contention window.When it comes to a team like Milwaukee, I get the idea of biting the bullet and trading Peralta. Ownership was probably never going to pay market value to keep him.
It’s different (for me anyway) when it’s a Skubal situation or the Jazz Chisholm one someone asked about earlier. The Yankees can easily pay Jazz if they want to keep him and can add another high-end 2B if he walks.

Tigers are a bit different since Skubal’s price will be SO huge, but they have basically no long-term money on the books and have run payroll up to the 200 range in the past, so I don’t think they should be treated with the same “well they’ll never pay him” approach

Rangers13

Would E Duran be enough for Jo Jo Romero?

Steve Adams

Not with the way he’s hit (or rather, hasn’t hit) for the past two seasons.

Tyler O’Neil

Do I keep my opening day homer streak alive?

Steve Adams

My favorite and most nonsensical streak in sports. I certainly hope so, though I can’t in good conscience say it’s a good bet to say he will, haha.

Guest

Who will be the best player going forward: Bobby Witt Jr. or Ella De La Cruz?

Steve Adams

Love Elly but easy BWJ here for me.

Kurtz on 1st

Who’s closing for my squad?

Steve Adams

Doubt they have a set guy early on. Feels like it’ll be a committee until someone separates.

JeffyM82

Eloy Jimenez has been tearing it up in spring training. Any chance he makes the Jays? Can they option him to AAA without having to pass him through waivers?

Steve Adams

It’s 18 PAs. I wouldn’t get too excited just yet. He cannot be optioned if they select him to the 40-man, no.

Mariners fan

if Colt continues to impress, Cole holds onto second…. Does Donovan become ultimate utility?

Steve Adams

Yeah, he’d probably just play more OF than INF in that spot, with occasional appearances at 3B/2B/DH. He could be a backup for Naylor at 1B, too, and even Crawford at SS. He has over 100 big league innings at both positions. Doubt they’d want him there long term, but if Naylor needs to go to the 10-day IL or something, they could go with Donovan (even though it’d probably be Raley first)

StuckIn LF

Hi thanks for the chat. Question: is Mark Vientos odd man out in Queens? Doesn’t have a place on the diamond and his development would be capped as a part time DH. Would the Mets be better off trading him? And does he have much value?

Steve Adams

Trade wouldn’t surprise me, but there are enough possible ABs to grab that I don’t think it’s a lock or anything. Baty still really only has a few months as a productive MLB regular. Polanco has a long injury history and is just now learning 1B.They could probably find a way to make it all work, but if someone’s offering up a good reliever with options who can deepen the ‘pen, I’d consider it.

Mozman

Cards fan can be happy about what?

Steve Adams

JJ Wetherholt?

Chaim

Is Lars Nootbaar a legit trade candidate for the Cards? Considering he’s getting a bit older & could help the rebuild if he’s moved.

Steve Adams

Yeah but I think more midseason. He’s coming off the double heel surgery and I don’t think there’s a huge market/demand right now, save for the Astros maybe.

Albernaz

Over/under 15th (or just use the MLB average) for Orioles rotation ERA?

Steve Adams

I think they’ll be better than the median but not by a particularly wide margin.

Don

Would Giolito at 1/12 and McCutchen at 1/3 make sense to replace Profar

Steve Adams

John

Why is fangraphs so low on the Padres? Projected 79 wins and 23% chance to make playoffs.

Steve Adams

Poor depth, particularly in the rotation. They added a bunch of guys recently, but hard to be all that confident in Marquez, Canning, Buehler or Gonzales — and Vasquez was already a below-average option

Brook

Assuming the Yankees bench will be Escarra, Rosario, Goldy and Grichuk….who gets sent packing when Volpe returns? Rosario?

Steve Adams

Someone else will probably just be hurt by then

Just a Fan

Who reaches 500 career HR first? Trout or Harper? They both debuted at age 19. Trout is now 34 and Harper 33. Over the last 6 years, Trout has hit 129 HR and Harper 134. Trout has 404 career HR and Harper 363.

Steve Adams

I find it depressing to say I’d probably choose Harper. I love both players, but Trout hasn’t surpassed 130 games since 2019 or 140 since 2016.

Rick

What are the DBacks thinking? They pass on an inexpensive all purpose outfielder in Lane Thomas, then elect to pass on other relatively inexpensive 1st basemen, ie. Goldy, Francis, Bell, etc and up with a 40 year old, 200 hitter in Santana?

Steve Adams

Lane Thomas has been terrible since the Guardians traded for him and has been more of a platoon guy than a regular even prior to that. (The Nats used him regularly, but all the production was versus LHP)Santana still beat up lefties (same as Goldy) until last season and is one of the better defenders in the game at first base, even at 40.
I don’t think passing on Thomas when they had other more pressing needs or on Goldy/France/Bell is all that glaring. I’d like to see a more exciting 1B option there, sure, but an eventual Santana/Pavin platoon could be just fine productivity-wise

The Knuder

The MLBPA is challenging Profar’s suspension. I can’t recall them ever challenging a PED suspension. Without me looking it up, has it happened before, and have they ever successfully overturned a PED suspension or gotten it reduced?

Steve Adams

I’m not clear that this is any different than a standard appeal. I haven’t looked into it yet. But in terms of appeals reducing suspensions, sure. It’s happened. Michael Pineda was dropped from 80 to 60 a few years ago. The Royals recently had someone whose suspension was reduced, I believe.It’s rare, but not unprecedented.

Chris

Is Trea Turner an under the radar candidate for the HOF? It’s definitely feasible he accrues 20-25 more WAR in his career (putting him in the low to mid 60s) and ends up with about 2500-2700 hits.

Steve Adams

I don’t think it’s all that under-the-radar. He’s 32, signed for eight more years and already well north of 40 WAR — close to 50 if you go by fWAR. He’s going to shatter 2000 hits, top 300 homers and 500 steals. He’s on a pretty clear and obvious trajectory there, in my eyes.
Alright, I’ve got to call it this week. I’m on X @Adams_Steve and Bluesky @adams-steve.bsky.social.If you want more opinions and analysis from the MLBTR team, you can sign up for our Trade Rumors Front Office package, which gets you ad-free viewing (online and in app), two weekly subscriber-only chats, weekly subscriber-only articles and mailbags, fantasy advice, access to our Contract Database, Agency Database and GM Tracker — and more.
Have a good week, everyone! Enjoy the spring games and the WBC!

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MLBTR Chats

Front Office Subscriber Chat Transcript

By Anthony Franco | at March 2, 2026 5:00pm CDT

Anthony Franco

Good evening, hope you all enjoyed your weekend!
Steve needed today off so we're flipping chat schedules this week. He'll run one on Friday afternoon, going to keep this one around an hour

Red Wright Hand

4/112 million for Freddy Peralta to sign extension with Mets. You think that gets the deal done?

Anthony Franco

$28M AAV seems reasonable but I think it's a year light. Have a tough time seeing why he's taking less than Ranger Suarez money without at least seeing what's out there
If he has another season like 2025, I assume he's getting six years and north of $200M

Youk

Do you think it’s the right move for the Sox to trade an OF? I’d love to lengthen the lineup with an infielder but it’s really hard to find a fair matchup and I would hate to lose any of the four.

Anthony Franco

Nah I think they're fine with Durbin and giving Mayer some leeway. I'd keep all four

LeagueWide

Any predictions for a late offseason trade before Opening Day? The FA market is pretty barren, so teams looking for an impact arm or bat don't have many options left.

Anthony Franco

Hope I'm wrong but I'm not really seeing anything big at this point. Most teams are at least saying they want to compete this year and as you mentioned, there's no real opportunity to backfill in free agency if you're trading away an impact player
Feels like a Paredes deal before Opening Day is viable but a long shot. If that doesn't happen, it's probably mostly tinkering at the back of rosters for the next couple months

Giant Hopes

The Giants have a glut of outfielders. The Royals need outfielders. Is there a match there?
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Front Office Originals MLBTR Chats

MLBTR Chat Transcript

By Mark Polishuk | at March 1, 2026 6:40pm CDT

Mark P

The Weekend Chat is underway! Let’s kick off March by talking some baseball….

Desperate Yankees fan

Is my optimism this year valid?

Mark P

Sure. New York is bringing back largely the same roster that won 94 games last year, plus Gerrit Cole will be healthy.

John

Is Starling Marte a good fit with the Royals?

Mark P

If he can duplicate even his 2025 numbers, that’s a big step up from what the Royals got from most of their lineup last year. I doubt Marte will be physically able to play the outfield on the regular, but even from a DH slot, that’s not bad. Signing Marte raises the floor of the K.C. roster, if nothing else

McGonigle’s

Chances I go north with the Tigers out of spring training.

Mark P

It may not happen without a pre-career contract extension. Even if McGonigle doesn’t sign a deal or starts the year at Triple-A to get more seasoning, he’ll be in the bigs at some point in 2026

Brady

Trade idea for you- Marsh plus prospects (say Dante Nori and Jean Cabrera) for Isaac Paredes and Jake Meyers, then Phillies move off Bohm. Thoughts?

Mark P

This isn’t a fit, but I like the idea in general of the Phillies and Astros matching up on some kind of a trade to address their mutual needs.
“Moving off Bohm” may be a bit easier said than done at this point in the offseason, however, since a lot of teams have their 3B positions filled. Maybe a team like the A’s steps in, or maybe it’s a three-team trade from the jump.

KC Pain

Do you think we will see another early trade like we did with Priester last year? Teams like the Rays..and well the Brewers seem to have a large glut of arms that can’t possible all fit and have talent waiting in the minors.

Mark P

It’s only March 1, so it would be unusual if there WASN’T at least one more prominent trade before Opening Day. All it takes is one injury to suddenly make a team more willing to shake up its roster

Jays

I think the Scherzer signing by Jays was good as most of the salary is based on incentives. As a Jays fan, what do you think ?

Mark P

I like the signing a lot, more for “you can never have too much pitching” reasons than thinking Scherzer can turn back the clock in 2026. If he covers some innings, posts something like a 4.30 ERA, and continues being a clubhouse leader, that’s more than worth it.

All the pitching concerns with Atlanta are a bit overblown. Will have players returning in second half of the season. Also, JR Ritchie has the opportunity to be a legitimate contributor to the team this season.

Mark P

I mean, maybe? But, after Atlanta just had a season wrecked by pitching injuries, it’s obviously not great to have two starters already down less than a month into Spring Training.

Nolan McLean

Chances the Mets and I could get together for an early extension? Are they a little trickier for pitchers?

Mark P

I’d be stunned if the Mets hadn’t broached the subject already, but these deals often come down to personal preference. If McLean would like to lock in some security and a big payday right now, he might amendable if the Mets put a fair offer on the table. Or, he might prefer to bet on himself and count on big paydays in his arb years, and into free agency.

Gary

I know we have four outfielders, but how does trading Duran help the lineup? Wouldn’t it make us a bat short?

Mark P

In theory, trading Duran would open up the DH spot as a revolving door for multiple players, if not Yoshida specifically. Or, someone like Campbell gets another crack in the majors and hits better enough to stick, so Boston is able to fill some of the Duran void from within.

Jimbo

It’s a week before the trade deadline. The Tigers are playing a game below 500. They are 3-4 games out of the last wildcard. Do they break it down and try to get a package for Skubal? And others?

Mark P

How far out of the AL Central lead are they in this scenario? Actually, that may not even matter, since even if they’re 3-4 games out, that’s still close enough for Detroit to still make a run. Don’t forget their late magic in 2024.
In short, Skubal is only dealt at the deadline if the Tigers have an absolute nightmare of a season.

Oaktown

The A’s seem to be the polar opposite of where they usually are at this point in a rebuild after tear down cycle with incredible hitting but not much pitching

Mark P

Their ballpark situation is certainly a factor in that, as it was easier for arms to thrive in the pitcher-friendly old Coliseum.

Big D

Do you think that the MN twins will exceed exceptions? Better won loss than loss loss?

Mark P

I think the Twins are in for a rough year. Last place in the AL Central isn’t out of the question.

Pirates1Fan

Any hope for McCutchen signing with ANYONE? Maybe he should go to Japan or Korea?

Mark P

Starling Marte’s deal may be a sign that teams are now starting to look closer at some of these veterans still on the market. A reunion with the Pirates seems less likely at this point, but Cutch can still land with a big league roster. Going overseas doesn’t seem to be in the cards at all.

MiraclesNeverCease

Do you think the Blue Jays could make one more significant move before the regular season, possibly for Ketel Marte? Or will they wait till the summer trade deadline to address any team needs?

Mark P

The ship has long since sailed on the chances of a Marte trade. With Arizona bringing Gallen and Kelly back, they’re all in on trying to win in 2026.
The Jays do feel a bat short, but a deadline move (or a trade earlier in the season) to give them time to truly access their needs seems likelier. If Okamoto immediately adjusts to the Show, Barger and/or Clement continue their October hitting, etc., suddenly the offensive needs aren’t as glaring

Natitude

What’s the latest on a potential CJ Abram’s trade?

Mark P

Nats aren’t hanging up the phone to any offers, but they’ll need a lot to move him now. Abrams having (another) big first half in a Nationals uniform only increases his value, and adds to the team’s asking price for a potential deadline trade.

Charlesco

Can I count to see Schwellenback this year? What to expect?

Mark P

Perhaps midseason for he and Waldrep? It’s tough to say since “loose bodies” type of elbow surgeries can vary wildly from pitcher to pitcher. A midseason return is probably a best-case scenario.

The offseason bob got pretty

Who is more likely to extend Skenes or Griffin?

Mark P

Since there’s zero chance of a Skenes extension, Griffin is the answer by default. And to be fair, I could see the Bucs locking him up to a pre-career deal.

TO Mike

Do you think that Vladdy will have a breakout season?

Mark P

….Vladdy hasn’t broken out already, in your view?!

Beer District

Is Megill on the trade block or do the Brewers use he and Uribe as a one-two pinch in the closer role?

Mark P

Megill drew some trade interest earlier in the winter, but if he is dealt, it’ll probably be on the Brewers’ usual timeline of a year before free agency. So, Megill could be a popular trade chip next winter.

Zach

Who are your mvp picks if you cant choose Othani or Judge?

Mark P

Fun question! Let’s say Jose Ramirez in the AL, and a spite-fueled Bryce Harper in the NL.

Steve

I get the “you can’t have too much pitching” mantra, but eventually that has to not be true when you sign say a Houser and block your pitching prospects from meaningful development right?

Mark P

If the Giants hadn’t signed Houser, they’d be counting on one of their younger arms stepping up immediately as a reliable big league pitcher. Or, it basically puts two rotation spots into that category, since Roupp is also not a sure thing.
With Roupp penciled in as the fifth starter behind the more experienced top four, it allows the Giants to perhaps explore a six-man rotation, or at least gives them lots of depth options in the event of injury. The Giants are trying to win in 2026, remember, and can only give so much leeway to a young pitcher in the rotation. Also, frankly, SF doesn’t have the kind of obvious up-and-comer who is knocking down the door for a rotation job.

BigTimeTimmyJams

The O’s held back, and were non-competitive for so long and turned that period into a farm system coveted by all other MLB teams. Their grave mistake to me seems that they didn’t spend enough when the prospects matured into unproven but ready MLB talent. Is the Orioles plight an example of believing that every top prospect will turn into above average production, and more importantly

Mark P

“Plight” is maybe too strong a word. The O’s had a rough 2025 season, but it wouldn’t be surprising if they bounced back to contend this year.
In terms of not spending, the ownership instability was some poor timing, as the front office might’ve normally had a bit more of a green light to spend once the team starting developing into contenders earlier than expected.

Zach

Does Trout have a top 5 mvp finish left in him?

Mark P

If Trout can stay healthy, I think he still has a couple of big seasons (if not necessarily a top-tier MVP run) in him. That kind of special talent is hard to entirely write off, even after all these years of injuries.

Astros71

Looking Back At Last offseason: Should we have signed Kikuchi and not signed Walker?

Mark P

Hindsight is 20-20, but sure, that would’ve helped a lot on paper.
I’ve written this before, but Walker’s dropoff was a big surprise for me. I thought that was one of the cannier signings of the offseason, and a blessing in disguise for the Astros once the Arenado trade fell through. And to be fair, there’s still time for Walker to get back on track, but his underwhelming 2025 is a big red flag.

Olives

Thoughts on the Oli Extension?

Mark P

The Cards are writing off the next couple of years anyway on a rebuild, so it makes for them to stick with a familiar (and trusted) voice in the dugout.

Regret

Do you think Lucas Giolito regrets his option year in Boston? Does he admit his mistake and take a lower one year pillow contract at this point or will he hold out?

Mark P

Giolito had a mutual option, as he pitched enough innings to turn Boston’s club option into a mutual. It’s a moot point since the Sox would’ve likely declined their club option anyway, or would’ve declined their end of a mutual option if Giolito had chosen to stay in the deal.
At this point, Giolito will almost certainly have to settle for a one-year deal. I wonder if teams just don’t like what they see in his medicals, or if his asking price is too high, or any number of other factors that have contributed to his long wait in free agency

Zach

Whats next for the Rangers if they miss the playoffs in 2026? Will they do what they did this offseason and make changes and tweaks or could they enter a rebuild if they finish bad enough?

Mark P

Another .500-ish season probably means more tweaks. Obviously it depends on how the season would play out and why exactly Texas played middling baseball, but on paper, the team’s blend of intriguing younger talent and bigger-name veterans still seems like a solid mix. As much as ownership has closed up the pocketbook, I don’t see the Rangers entirely blowing it up unless they have a total disaster of a season.

Poutine Dream

Would you rather have 10 straight divison titles or 1 World Series win?

Mark P

A World Series win
Put it this way….my favorite football team is the Packers. They’ve won the NFC North a bunch of times, and suffered a bunch of gut-wrenching playoff losses. But, because they’ve won two Super Bowls during my fandom, those championships help make up for a lot of other playoff pain.

Cal

Very slim chance the Brewers are willing to pay up for a Contreras extension. Do we see them trading him next offseason like we’ve done with Burnes and Peralta?

Mark P

Very likely, which is why Jeferson Quero is a real intriguing player to watch for Milwaukee fans

Marco

Who are your Cy Young picks if you can’t choose Skubal, Crochet, Skenes or Yamamoto?

Mark P

Hunter Brown, Freddy Peralta

Nick

Are you surprised that Danny Coulombe and Michael Kopech are both still available?

Mark P

Kopech not overly due to all of his injuries.
Coulombe yes because he’s just been so generally good, but his age and tough finish to 2025 are certainly factors.

The relief market is always hard to gauge since I feel in many cases, teams evaluate a bunch of these guys on the same general level. So whether a club targets one particular reliever over another might come down to salary demand, or how many minor league options remain, or maybe even a personal connection (i.e. pitching coach used to work with the guy).

Justin Turner

Any chance I get picked somewhere up this year? Also, when I’m ready to retire, will the Dodgers give me a one day contract so I can retire a Dodger?

Mark P

For a ceremonial contract, sure, why not. Maybe the Dodgers have already signed him to such a deal but have deferred the ceremony to when Turner choose to retire.
On a more serious note, if the roster crunch is tough on veterans like Marte or McCutchen who had okay numbers in 2025, it’s even harder for guys like Turner who struggled.

Alex

Is Sale a Hall Of Famer if he retired today or is he still 1 or 2 solid years away?

Mark P

Sale’s definitely getting in. The Cy Young Award removed any doubt as to his Cooperstown chances.

Mr Kow

I’m excited about the Mets prospects getting opportunities to contribute. What position players have a real shot at making the team or getting called up this season? Could Benge start opening day at the third corner OF spot?

Mark P

Call Mr. Kow, that’s his name, that name again is Mr. Kow
Anyway, all signs are pointing to Benge breaking camp with the team. He’s the only sure thing, plus McLean will naturally be in the rotation and Tong and Scott will definitely be part of the pitching mix.

Friedman is Evil

True or false – Dodgers are bad for baseball

Mark P

False

Ebenezer_Batflip

Thoughts on the approach to trades from Craig Breslow, he made like 14 trades but refused to trade from his top 5 prospects and didn’t deal Mayer or Duran or any other big MLB talent. Dealing away substantial quantity vs the top trade chips, does this seem like a good plan or should Craig have been willing to pay for an established star?

Mark P

This isn’t exactly an accurate description, as Breslow moved Teel (one of Boston’s “big four” at the time) to land Crochet. And, reports indicated that the Red Sox have also approached the White Sox about acquiring Teel back, indicating some buyers’ remorse.
In general, Breslow’s plan is sound. Keep the prospects your staff views as the real building blocks, and deal the prospects you have a few more questions about.

Ebenezer_Batflip

Oh I just meant this offseason he made 14 trades, not his entire time in Boston

Mark P

Ha, okay then!
Based on just this offseason, I think the Sox have done quite well to add talent without giving up much in return. In the multiple Cardinals trades, for instance, just taking on extra money helped the Red Sox add Gray/Contreras for only okay returns going back in the Cardinals’ direction.

Ted Turner

Does Braves Vision mean more payroll for Braves? Seems like that announcement and Sale extension wasn’t coincidence. Not to mention highest one year guarantee ever for the Braves

Mark P

Atlanta’s got a lot of money coming off the books after 2026, so Sale’s new deal basically just replaces a lot of those expiring contracts.
Over the long term, however, BravesVision seems like it can be a very strong revenue stream for the club.

HUVIE33

How long of a leash does Grissom get if he goes back to his no hitting ways with Jones waiting?

Mark P

If Jones keeps crushing Triple-A pitching, he’ll be in the Bronx before too long. If an injury arises, that solves any roster crunch, but sure, Grisham is the odd man out if he’s struggling at the plate.
This only turns into a bit of a logjam if both Grisham and Rice are both hitting well, and everyone is healthy. If Rice was slumping, for instance, Bellinger could be moved to 1B to open up outfield playing time for Jones.

Loveable losers

What do think the Cubs do to back up 1st base?

Mark P

Giving Matt Shaw a few looks might not be a bad shout, as he matches nicely as a platoon with Busch. Or, if not a true regular platoon, he can get some starts at 1B against lefties to spell Busch

Matt

If Miller has to miss some time should the M’s sign another stopgap starter? Bring Hancock/Criswell into the fold? I’m a bit nervous about those last two.

Mark P

Dunning, Lawrence, and a couple of other SPs with experience are in camp on non-roster deals. The Mariners could also turn in that direction in a pinch, depending on how much time Miller if slated to miss (if any).
The rotation depth is a bit of a broader concern for the M’s all season, yet obtaining another starter is also tricky because such a pitcher would be a clear #6 on their depth chart. Unless a hole opens up in Seattle’s rotation due to a true long-term injury, available pitchers are going to prefer to sign with a team that provides more of a clear-cut avenue to a regular starting role.

Nobody

Hi. Thanks for the chat. On a STL chat forum peoples heads are exploding with Oli’s extension. Is he really that bad a manager or has the lack of talent been the primary problem?

Mark P

Marmol is hard to evaluate. Like with any manager, a lot of his work is done behind the scenes, plus he took over the Cardinals during a time when either the team was nearing the end of a competitive cycle, or the player development team was having more issues churning out prospects.
I can’t say I’ve been particularly wowed by Marmol’s work as a manager, but the fact that the team stuck by him through the Cards’ struggles tells me that the organization trusts him. It would’ve been very easy to fire Marmol and make him the scapegoat, but both Mozeliak and now Bloom view him as their choice in the dugout.
Also, this is just my read from afar on the St. Louis fanbase, but it also seems like the Cards fans give Marmol less leeway because they keep expecting Pujols or Molina to eventually take over as manager.

Orioles Ace

Could the Os trade for Gavin Williams or Tanner Bibee? They seem to have all the right pieces that Cleveland would need.

Mark P

Williams is arb-controlled through 2029, and Bibee was signed to an extension through at least 2029. Seems very unlikely that the Guardians would deal either of them, barring a truly knockout offer from the Orioles that the O’s probably aren’t willing to make.

Bullpen help

Despite the Yanks “running it back”, one area they’ve seen a noticeable dip in value is the bullpen. Should Yankees fans be worried about this, given their propensity for finding/creating value in often overlooked arms (Luke Weaver, Nelson Cruz, etc)?

Mark P

If the Yankees can turn Nelson Cruz into a good reliever, that’ll be quite the story.
Having Bednar/Doval for a full season will help the pen. Plus, if the rotation is relatively healthy, the Yankees will have excess younger arms they could deploy as relievers

Chris Getz

We are clearly going to draft Roch #1. He’s crushing it right now. Where would he be ranked in the top prospect lists right now? Top 25?

Mark P

The #1 overall pick usually slots right into the 25-30 range (at least) of the in-season top 100 rankings, so that sounds about right.

Alex

If Judge and Othani were in the same league in 2025 who would have you chosen for mvp?

Mark P

If Cal Raleigh is also in this league, he gets my vote

Littel

Wouldnt I be more sought after than Giolito? What’s the knock on me?

Mark P

Littell allows a lot of homers and doesn’t record many strikeouts. He’s got great control and he has been a workhorse since being converted to a starting pitcher, though some teams may still have some worries about his overall durability.
It may be a case of teams viewing Littell as having a higher floor than Giolito but with a lower ceiling.

Larry

Breslow wanting Teel back would be sellers’ remorse, not buyers’ remorse …. right?

Mark P

Oops, you’re correct

Record breaker

What do you see as the best destination for Tarik Skubal next fall/winter?

Mark P

I’m not “just” saying Toronto because I’m a Jays fan, but the Jays have a lot of money coming off the books and multiple starters (Gausman, Bieber, Scherzer) all heading into free agency.

Astros27

Hear me out: Astros sign Littlel to one year deal for a little more certainty in the rotation

Mark P

Houston has enough pitching that they might be able to run a six-man rotation. Now, that’s a very big if since it relies on everyone staying healthy, and that’s hardly a guarantee with the Astros in particular.
Littell in a hitter-friendly ballpark seems like a risk, though he held his own at Steinbrenner Field and at the Great American Ballpark in 2025

Curly W

Do you see any method to the Nationals madness this off season?

Mark P

They’re more or less restarting the rebuild, so it’s not a shock that they’ve done little to nothing in adding experienced talent.
Since it’s now March and available free agents might now be getting desperate, I can see the Nats adding a couple of veterans on low-cost guarantees
Time to wrap things up for another week(end). Thanks for all the questions!
If you’re interested in more baseball Q&A, one of the many benefits of our Trade Rumors Front Office subscription is the exclusive weekly live chats. The more limited field means you’re about 10 times more likely to get a question answered, as opposed to battling for space with hundreds of other questions in today’s chat. For more on our memberships, check out this link:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/membership?ref=chat-3-1-26

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MLBTR Chats

Front Office Subscriber Chat Transcript

By Anthony Franco | at February 27, 2026 1:59pm CDT

Anthony Franco

Good afternoon everyone, hope all is well!
Kind of a boring week in terms of baseball news but hey, we're closing in on meaningful games! Let's discuss

donaldmac3@comcast.net

What is the first thing the Chisox should do to get back to their winning ways, and I know better pitching is essential. I was born in Chicago nearly 80 years ago, and I have followed the Sox my entire life. Baseball is the best game.

Anthony Franco

Agreed, pitching's the big hangup here. I still think this is a below-average position player group in 2026 but you can see it coming together with Teel, Montgomery, Quero, the upside play on Murakami, potential solid role players in Meidroth/Acuña
Pitching's still pretty far behind. I like the Newcomb/Kay fliers well enough to raise the floor, buy Shane Smith as a league average starter. It's a low-upside pitching staff for now, though
Biggest factor long term is whether one of Schultz and Smith dials in the strikes enough to be a top-of-the-rotation arm. They're eventually going to need to add a stable #2/3 type via free agency or trade, but it's not the time yet to push in for that

LFGM

Last season the MLBTR team was on point about the Mets biggest issue being SP, as that ended up being their downfall, even if the first two months of the year it looked like a miss, what do you guys think this year’s team biggest weakness is?

Anthony Franco

I think they're pretty well balanced this year, nothing concerns me quite as much as the lack of high-end starting pitching did at this time last season.
If there is some kind of fatal flaw that tanks the season, it'd probably be the bullpen? It's a solid group but the late innings are heavily reliant on rebounds from Williams/Weaver and if those don't happen, they'd be in some trouble
Right there with the Phillies as the top teams in the NL East for me though. Not sure if others on the MLBTR staff are a little lower on them

Brewers Fan

Is there a rhyme or reason to when each teams off-season review comes out? To you wait on ones that you think may still make moves? Or is it just random draw?

Anthony Franco

Mostly random. We do try to start with the teams that we feel are less likely to make a significant move between when we publish it and Opening Day
We're basically down to Giolito and Littell as the remaining free agents who'd get more than a cursory mention in an OiR anyway, so it's not as big a deal this year. Was more of a consideration during the "Boras Four" year or certainly the lockout one when we had to drag the series well into the regular season
There's also just a logistical thing where Mark Polishuk takes around six of these every year and Tim Dierkes usually does the Chicago teams. Neither of them are full-time MLBTR employees -- the site is obviously Tim's focus but he's often tied up with behind the scenes stuff with the developers, web features, etc. -- so the teams that they claim are subject to their other scheduling stuff in a way that mine, Darragh's and Steve's are not

Steve

If Endy Rodriguez keeps up a good pace this spring, do you see the Pirates keeping him on the roster as a DH/Backup C&1B, or is the roster constructed in a way that blocks him completely?

Anthony Franco

Certainly don't think he's blocked. Bart's out of options but Davis and Rafael Flores can both be sent down, so they could roll with Endy as the backup catcher and keep the latter two in Triple-A
Given how little Endy has played the last two years, my guess is they roll with Davis/Bart and start Rodríguez in Indy, but it's not like Davis has done enough at the major league level that he needs to be on the active roster

Connor with a K

Given Bob Nutting's historical aversion to giving up control/arn years of young talented players (e.g. Skenes, Chandler), do you think it's realistic that Konnor Griffin actually makes the Opening Day roster even if he has a monster spring?

Bounty

What do you think the over/under on Konnor Griffin breaking camp with the big club? I really need him to go to the minors so I can select him with the first overall pick in our taxi portion of the roto auction league I'm in.
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Front Office Originals MLBTR Chats

MLBTR Chat Transcript

By Steve Adams | at February 24, 2026 12:57pm CDT

Steve Adams

Good morning! We’ll get going at 1pm CT, give or take a couple minutes, but feel free to start sending questions in anytime.
Good afternoon! Let’s get this started up

Sox Fan

Could the White Sox just release Benintendi? I think he’s taking up at bats from others

Steve Adams

Doubtful with two years and $32MM to go. He was at least a league-average hitter last year. They’ll hope for a decent enough first half to be able to trade him and save a few million bucks. If he really struggles at the plate this season though, I can see it happening midyear.

Wayward

The Bucs standing pat now? Things have gone quiet at 3B, and it seems that they want to see what Urquidy and some of the young arms in Barco and Harrington can give them potentially, especially since it appears Jones could be ready in late May. I really thought they would have signed Anderson or Corbin.

Bucco Basement

What is up with these minor league deals for guys who can still impact a team? Did they just wait around too long to see if they could increase their salary or are they much worse than I’m assuming? I want my Pirates to get Tyler Anderson or Patrick Corbin and I’m wondering if either could be gotten on a MiLB deal.

Pirates1Fan

I think the Bucs need another arm – Patrick Corbin a fit?

Steve Adams

So, Pirates fans really want them to sign another cheap starter. I feel like they already did this with Urquidy. I get that they’ve signed a cheap lefty pretty much every spring under Cherington (Quintana, Heaney, Martin Perez, Tyler Anderson the first time around)
But I don’t think it’s a big need with the depth they have already.You’ve got Skenes, Chandler, Keller, Ashcraft, Urquidy … Jared Jones on the mend and maybe back late April/May. Thomas Harrington, Hunter Barco in Triple-A. Mike Clevinger as a non-roster guy.
I do think it’s feasible that either Anderson or Corbin has to settle for a non-roster deal, and if it’s with the Bucs, sure, great. More depth is never bad. But I don’t think it’s super appealing for one of those guys to jump into a rotation mix that has like 8-10 options already — at least not on a non-guaranteed deal.

Yamama

Feelings on Yamamoto this year? Back to back deep playoff runs, in the WBC this year, regression on the horizon?

Steve Adams

One of the ten best pitchers in baseball. I’m not worried about him

Is there any way that scherzer signs with St. Louis?

Steve Adams

He wants to pitch for a contender and is in talks about returning to the Jays. He’s not going to sign in St. Louis, and I don’t think the Cards would have all that much interest in giving those innings to a 41-year-old when they have a bunch of arms to look at (Mizzou connection notwithstanding)

Trader Phil

Is there any shot of a Skubal trade midseason? He seems destined to leave in free agency, but are the Tigers really going to let him walk for nothing even if they
‘re contending?

Steve Adams

The only way they trade Skubal is if they’re somehow like 10 games out at the deadline

JeffyM

Would a Lauer for Romero swap work for the Jays and Cards?

Steve Adams

Rebuilding Cardinals aren’t going to want to swap Romero for another one-year rental.

Pete

If jays release berrios this season, can he potentially still opt in to 27/28 player options?

Steve Adams

The player options are guaranteed money. If they release him, they owe him the entire three years and $66MM.
(They won’t release him.)

Ryan Z

Who’s the Nats’ opening day 1B? On house option are pretty thin – Andres Chaparro, or slide Luis Garcia over from 2b. Seems like the should have made a buy-low trade or addition.

Steve Adams

I tend to agree. I don’t see why they wouldn’t have just signed Hoskins for a year and $2MM or so. I figure it’ll be Garcia sliding over to 1B, but I just wouldn’t have tendered a contract to him. I don’t really get the approach there. I suppose he’ll share time with Chaparro, but this seems like it was an easy area to add a veteran bat to help make the lineup more respectable and maybe flip for a middling prospect at the deadline.

Brody McBroseph

What’s with the new fonts on MLBTR? Why are the “writer” names in all caps now? DON’T SHOUT AT ME!

Steve Adams

Ha, yeah. Our developers are implementing a more uniform design with our other sites, but there are still some tweaks that need to be made. The fonts look a little wonky now, but sounds like they’ll be in line with the desktop designs at Hoops Rumors, Pro Hockey Rumors and Pro Football Rumors soon.Caught me off guard this morning, too, before Tim Dierkes sent an email update.

Drew

O/U 39 HRs for Suarez in Cincy?

Steve Adams

I’ll take the under but not by a ton. He’s only cleared 39 twice though, and he’s turning 35 in July. I’d probably feel more comfortable picking somewhere in the low 30s.
I will hereby make 32 my official prediction. Very scientific process.

David Silver

Who’s the giants closer this year? Ryan Walker the frontrunner?

Steve Adams

Walker is the frontrunner by default. San Francisco’s bullpen looks … well, bad. I can’t believe they did so little to address it.

Matt Mervis

Don’t forget me at first base for the Nats!

Steve Adams

I don’t think Mervis is ever going to make enough contact to be a steady presence on a big league roster.

Is Sale’s contract going to age well?

Steve Adams

It’s a one-year deal. Even if it doesn’t age well, it’s not a huge deal. I liked that arrangement for all sides.

Bob

Does the Chris Sale extension increase his trade value if the Braves find themselves out of contention again this year?

Steve Adams

Anthopoulos made clear last year he wasn’t interested in selling when they were out of it in July. Sale said he wants to play the rest of his career in ATL. Anthopoulos said he wants him to finish it there.Not everything is going to boil down to a trade. Unless Sale asks for one, I would be surprised if he suits up anywhere else.

Brook

Will the Yanks bring in a RH OF or live with Dominquez?

Steve Adams

I think they’ll either sign one or use Caballero in the OF some. Dominguez should be playing every day, which means sending him to AAA — not sitting him on the bench 4-5 times per week and getting him a stray start and pinch-hit appearance here or there.

Ayden

Do you think that the rays will end up trading Yandy Diaz?

Steve Adams

Nope

steve84084

Giolito and Littel. Possible interest by the Twins?

Steve Adams

I would be surprised if, after Tom Pohlad talked about how he wants to be aggressive and show the fans they’re still trying to win (lol?), they don’t have at least some interest.Right now, I’d pick the Twins to sign one of them.
Though realistically, they could also just give Tyler Anderson or Patrick Corbin like $2MM, too, which would feel very on-brand for the Pohlads.

Jay

What’s the chances of Charlie Condon breaking camp with the Rockies

Steve Adams

Almost none. He has 237 PAs above A-ball. He hit well but fanned at a 29% clip in Double-A. He doesn’t need to be added to the 40-man roster (to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft) until after the 2027 season.
I could see a summer promotion if he’s decimating AAA and the Edouard Juliens and TJ Rumfields of the world aren’t doing much at 1B in Denver, but not Opening Day

Walter

Which injured riddled Guardians prospects will finally provide major league impact? Delauter? Valera? or Espino?

Steve Adams

DeLauter > Valera >>>>>> Espino, for me
That’s in terms of likelihood. On a pure talent basis, Espino by all accounts sounds like a monster, but he’s pitched like 17 innings since Opening Day 2022.

Frustrated Angels fan

Could the Angels sign one of the remaining FA starters? Not named Tyler Anderson

Steve Adams

They’ve made it pretty clear they’re not interested in spending any real money this winter.
I guess they could sign Patrick Corbin for like … $3MM?

Mutual option

When was the last time someone picked me up? Why does no one take me seriously? Why do people keep putting me in contracts just to turn me down?

Steve Adams

Aramis Ramirez and the Brewers in 2014
Mutual options are just accounting measures.
It’s basically a fancy way to defer money. The Padres do this a lot, for instance. Cheap salary in year one, big buyout on a mutual option for the following season, which pushes the remainder of that salary to the following year’s books.

Weird trade

Soler and a back end prospect for Yoshida with the Red Sox eating half of next year’s salary?

Steve Adams

I don’t see why the Angels would want to give up a prospect to take on more money for another overpaid DH (even with the Red Sox eating part of the Yoshida deal)They’re free of Soler next winter (or this season, if they cut him loose). Even if you think Yoshida is marginally better, he’s a platoon DH who’s poor in the field. I don’t see any reason to lock that in a year early.

Hello Steve

as it stands where would you rank the reds pitching staff as of right now, or just the rotation if you prefer?

Steve Adams

I like the rotation much better than the bullpen. Rotation is probably top-five in the majors, for me.

Matt

If healthy, how will the Royals bullpen rank this year?

Steve Adams

Middle of the pack? Estevez is fine but less exciting than he was a few years. ago. Strahm is good. Big Erceg fan. Rest of the group is serviceable.I don’t think there’s enough swing-and-miss in the group as a whole, and the final few spots don’t inspire tons of confidence (Lange, Falter, etc)

Guest

what are the chances that Konnor Griffin is named the starting shortstop after spring training ends. He has hit 2 monster homers so far in today’s game against the Red Sox

Steve Adams

It’ll be a good litmus test to see how serious they are about competing. Obviously it depends on how he performs this spring. In past seasons I’d have said zero chance. Now, if he has a monster spring and the Pirates want to show they’re serious about trying to turn the corner, you’ve got to consider it.There’s no scientific way to put “odds” or “chances” on this sort of thing. I find it plausible but less than likely. 20-30%?

NRI players

Do they have to make the opening day roster or be released?

Steve Adams

No. A lot of them will just head to Triple-A. Depends somewhat on their service time; it’s different for guys with 6+ years of service who finished the preceding season on a big league roster/injured list (aka Article XX(b) free agents). Those guys have uniform opt-out dates built into their minor league contracts

Wayne

It’s looking more and more like Houston is not trading Paredes before the season starts. What are your feelings on that whole situation? I think he’s insurance for when Correa gets injured.

Steve Adams

I think they can make it all work in general, but I understand the idea that they’d prefer to be allocating that $9MMish to a similarly productive lefty-hitting outfielder, so I expect that they’ll keep exploring the market for options.
As you alluded to, one injury and the “logjam” doesn’t look so … log…jamm-y……….

Ms fan

What do you think of the Ms not being willing to include Cole Young in a deal for Ketel Marte?

Steve Adams

I think fans tend to read too literally into such things. I doubt the D-backs ever said “We’ll do Young for Marte straight up.” I’m sure the Mariners would have done that.The idea that the Mariners considered adding Cole Young (on top of the sort of young pitching the D-backs were known to be seeking) to be a dealbreaker? That I can buy, sure.

Squinky

I dont get the loperfido sanchez trade? More power? Loperfido the better all round player

Steve Adams

Based on his 100 PAs in the majors last year? Sanchez is a fine defensive corner outfielder with plus bat speed and power against righties. Loperfido was a league-average hitter in AAA last year.I don’t think it’s outlandish to say Loperfido could outperform Sanchez, but I don’t agree that Loperfido is clearly better. The Jays (obviously) don’t, either.

Christopher

With some injuries popping up… Do you see any significant trades revisited?

Steve Adams

Isaac Paredes still feels like he could go

Billy

When is the “out of options” post scheduled?

Steve Adams

Hmm, good shout. We’ll get that together soon.

Friars

Could Tyler Anderson be an option for the Nats? What about Wilmer Flores at first base?

Steve Adams

Either works, sure. Anderson especially. They just need more innings there.

Dipoto

Do i extend another one of the core players on the team this spring? If so who will it be? Sure worked out Great last spring!

Steve Adams

Wouldn’t be surprised if they try to extend Brendan Donovan. Bryan Woo is an obvious one, too.

Spud

It feels like a Jake Bauers for Mark Vientos trade make sense for both the Brewers and Mets. What say you?

Steve Adams

I’m definitely not trading four years of Vientos for one of Bauers.

Jason

assuming health, what kind of season can we expect from luke keaschal? last year was a pretty SSS, can he sustain those numbers over a full season?

Steve Adams

All he’s done dating back to college is hit. He doesn’t make tons of hard contact or have tons of raw power, but I’ll still take the over on the roughly .260/.350/.400 slash that both ZiPS and Steamer are projecting for him.

Jrue

Who is the most exciting pitching prospect to make their MLB debut this year?

Steve Adams

Assuming I can’t choose anyone who tossed even one pitch in the majors last year … Thomas White? Noah Schultz? Gage Jump?
Andrew Painter

Djboy2898

As much as I would like for the Giants to sign Giolito and go to a 6 man rotation I still think that one of our younger guys step up and give them quality innings and that someone will get moved to the pen to help it out as well. Although it just maybe wishful thinking lol

Steve Adams

I’d much rather undo the Houser signing (or the Mahle signing) and sign Giolito for whatever he’s going to get now than give out either of those deals that they did.

West Coast Mets Fan

Hey, why no love for McClean as a guy who threw a pitch last year?

Steve Adams

McLean is awesome
Question was about someone who’s going to make their MLB Debut this year

Cool Mama Bell

The Cards rotation looks like a mess. Isn’t there one FA starter they can sign to help stop the inevitable losing streak(s)?

Steve Adams

Yeah they’re another team I’d like to see add some stability. Not sure they will, though. I really dislike spending $12MM on Dustin May for them. Zero faith in him staying healthy

White Sox Fan

Chances of a playoff Wild Card this season?

Steve Adams

Still putting them fourth or fifth (probably fifth) in the ALC

Dismayed in Anaheim

What do you make of the comments that winning isn’t a priority to fans?

Steve Adams

Arte Moreno’s quest to make the Angels the biggest circus in MLB is super entertaining from an outsider’s perspective (in a “can you believe this guy?!” kind of way), but I’d be egging Angel Stadium if I were a Halos fan.

Drew

Colton Emerson going to make is MLB Debut in 2026?

Steve Adams

Yeah I think Emerson will be up in Seattle this summer for sure, if not sooner.

Jason

Any chance the Mets extend Freddy Peralta, or is he destined for free agent, what’s his next contract look like?

Steve Adams

I’ll be shocked if they don’t try.I said as soon as they acquired him that I think Stearns will try to get him to sign a short-term, super-high AAV extension. (4/140?)
Starting in 2027

Chris M

If Seattle extends Donovan what kind of contract do you see him getting?

Steve Adams

Somewhere around Tommy Edman money? (5/70) Maybe a bit more.

John

Dynasty question: If you already have EDLC and Jesus Made, would you still draft Connor Griffin over Nolan Mclean?

Steve Adams

I’d take Konnor Griffin over everyone, regardless of the rest of your roster. Can always trade. Plus, I love Nolan McLean a lot, but pitchers break.

Dave Mc

The Orioles spent money and got a few guys but does their winter seem incomplete to you? Like they needed one more bullpen arm or needed to aim a little higher in rotation signings?

Steve Adams

Yeah, I am generally underwhelmed by them.I don’t mind trading for Baz, but I would’ve liked that to be the lower-tier addition to the rotation. Taylor Ward just feels like taking a mulligan for what Tyler O’Neill wasn’t.
I’m not sure there’s an actual aversion to long-term deals for pitching with Mike Elias (GM/president of bb ops), but he’s certainly painting that narrative with his actions
Or rather his inactions

Adam Stevens

is there an MLBTR fantasy league? If so whos the reigning champ?

Steve Adams

We haven’t done one forever. I think I won the last one. Either that or the second-to-last one. Flags fly forever — even if you don’t remember what order they came in.
I also inexplicably won the Pro Football Rumors/MLBTR football league like eight years ago, which is hilarious given how casual I am (well, was) with football at the time. That was a stone cold fluke and could never happen if we did another one

Jsh1993

Who’s the closer in ATL? Iglesias or Suarez?

Steve Adams

They said as soon as they signed Suarez that Iglesias is closing and Suarez is setting up

#1 Giants Fan

Who could the Giants snag that’s an impact bullpen piece through trade? Jojo Romero is a name that comes to mind, but there’s a bigger need in the closer role. Any thoughts?

Steve Adams

Not much left out there in terms of impact. Michael Kopech is the best remaining upside play.

Walter

Steven Kwan plays entire season in CF? If the kids come through would Guards trade him at the deadline?

Steve Adams

Hard to see trading Kwan if they’re contending for the AL Central, but I also don’t think they’re going to contend for the division with the complete dud of an offseason they’ve had, so yeah, I can definitely see Kwan being traded.I don’t see why he can’t handle CF, given how elite he is in LF. I just wish the move to CF would have been prompted by the addition of a legitimate bat for left field rather than the “by default” means we’re getting since ownership seems to have set the payroll budget at like $65MM.
Sucks for CLE fans

Coop

Hey Steve, thanks for the chat! Are there any smoldering embers that could turn into sparks over a Nico Hoerner trade or does it seem to be dead now? I figured it was dead but then I read Fansided saying the Yankees had promising talks with the Cubs recently. Please tell me Cubs are keeping him for the season.

Steve Adams

Never felt Hoerner was likely to go, given how much he means to the 2026 roster when they’re clearly pushing to win now.
I’d be shocked to see him traded this year.

TxDude

Thoughts on the Rangers offense? I feel like it has to be improved almost by default

Steve Adams

I don’t think it’s great, but I agree that it’ll be better than last year. Feels like a middle-of-the-pack group to me. Not much faith in Jansen, Smith or Burger providing a ton, and I’ve begun to sour on Josh Jung.But Nimmo-Langford-Seager is a really talented trio, and there’s just no way Joc is as bad as he was last year

I know Jack

Would I be way off base to predict Detroit being this yrs Rangers, All Pitch No Hit?

Steve Adams

I think each of Colt Keith, Riley Greene, Gleyber Torres, Spencer Torkelson, Kerry Carpenter (against righties) and Dillon Dingler can be above-average hitters, and they’ve got Kevin McGonigle and Max Anderson hustling toward the majors.So, while I would have liked them to add another bat, I also think you’re looking at comfortably better offense than the Rangers got last year

Buster

DO you think the Giants have done enough for a return to postseason play this year?

Steve Adams

I do not
Bullpen is bad. Rotation is exceptionally top-heavy.

Prince

Which Dbacks hitter is primed to break out this year, Jordan Lawlar, Alek Thomas or Pavin Smith?

Steve Adams

Give me Lawlar among the three.I don’t think Smith really “needs” a breakout. He kind of is what he is. He can beat up right-handed pitching but needs a platoon partner. He’s a useful player, but it sure seems like Arizona fans have other views on him based on these chats, haha

Ludwig’s New Glove

In all the moves the Braves DIDNT make, I am all the more perplexed at extending Sale. This maddening. Does this move make sense in the absence of no other starting pitching moves?

Steve Adams

I don’t think the lack of additions is especially related to this extension. The Sale deal impacts the 2027 roster.The Braves, to me, feel like they were bullish on Schwellenbach, Waldrep and some other in-house guys, spent their money elsewhere, and now don’t have much financial breathing room to add in the wake of those surgeries.

Twins Fan

Emmanuel Rodriguez should be on the Twins roster on Opening Day. Agree or disagree?

Steve Adams

Eh, he’s only 22 and has minimal AAA experience, where he K’ed at a 32% clip. He’s always going to K a lot, which is fine, because he walks SO much and has so much power, but I’d want to see him at least curb the K’s a bit in AAA.I imagine you’re looking at Wallner in one OF corner. They should have non-tendered Trevor Larnach, though maybe they can trade him to a team seeking a LH OF (hi Astros!) and then give a look to Alan Roden in LF while Rodriguez keeps working in St. Paul.
Regardless, his MLB debut will be this year as long as he’s healthy (which is no small caveat for Rodriguez)

Sam_Horn_Legendary_Slugger

Grichuk signing anywhere? Royals make sense?

Steve Adams

Think they view that as Lane Thomas’ role. I could see the Yankees or Cardinals. Twins have like 100 LH OFs and don’t really have someone filling the role Bader did last year. (I guess Austin Martin, kind of)

Josh E

Do you think the padres are getting ready to trade Sheets? Seems they have alot of guys that can do the first base/dh/corner outfield (in a pinch) job and Sheets might be the only one with any trade value. If so, what are they trading for? Pitching??

Steve Adams

I don’t really think that, no. He’s easily their best LHH option at first base and really one of the only three LHH bats on whom they can rely for above-average production. You hope you get that from Song, but no way to know yet.
Alright, I’ve got to wrap up for the week. I’m on X @Adams_Steve and Bluesky @adams-steve.bsky.social for more questions.If you want more opinions and analysis from the MLBTR staff, you can sign up for our Trade Rumors Front Office subscription package, which removes ads, gives you access to a pair of subscriber-only chats each week, to Tim’s weekly mailbag, to multiple weekly articles from Anthony and me, plus our Contract Tracker, agency database, GM database and more.
Have a great week, everyone!

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MLBTR Chats

Trade Rumors Front Office Subscriber Chat Transcript

By Steve Adams | at February 23, 2026 2:00pm CDT

Steve Adams

Good afternoon! We'll get going at 2pm CT today. Feel free to submit questions ahead of time, and we'll get going in a bit less than two hours!
Hello! Let's get underway

Sam

It seems like consensus that STL is taking a step back, which I why I am picking them for this exercise. If they played in the AL Central instead of the NL would the be competitive?

Steve Adams

No, I don't think the AL Central is that bad. They'd be in better shape than in the NL Central, but the Tigers would still be heavy favorites and I wouldn't say the Cards are better than Kansas City or Cleveland.In general, I think their pitching is going to struggle, and while they have a lot of very good defenders on that roster, they're also going to be giving regular reps to guys who can only be considered defensive negatives (Walker, Gorman, Herrera).Bullpen is very suspect, too -- especially if they still trade Romero before Opening Day, which is possible.

Zack Littell

I've been an above-average starter for two years now. Are teams really that scared to give me a deal along the lines of 2 years/25 million? I think at this point, I'd take that.

Steve Adams

I would be shocked if he gets 2/25 at this point.
That's about what I would've thought he'd get back in November/December
At this point, I imagine he's going to take a year in the $8-12MM range?

Coach Chad

Who do you think the biggest surprise that has had to take a minor league deal so far? And one that will have to get in camp ?

Steve Adams

Probably Walker Buehler? Which is maybe contradictory, since I wouldn't have guaranteed him a 40-man spot on my fake team, haha, but I thought someone would just based on the name value -- even if it was a $5MM or so guarantee.Mildly surprised that Rhys Hoskins had to take one, but he hasn't been the same since the ACL tear, and the market pretty regularly craps on defensively limited corner bats like this, so that one's not as much of a surprise
Much of that Hoskins bit applies to Nate Lowe, too (minus the ACL portion, of course, ha)

Springfield Nine

Hi Steve, lots of comments from Eric Lauer about being a starter this spring. Any chance the Jays pull a trade to make that happen? What kind of return could he get?

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Front Office Originals MLBTR Chats

MLBTR Chat Transcript

By Mark Polishuk | at February 22, 2026 9:23pm CDT

Mark P

Welcome to the Weekend Chat! We’ll start up once a few questions start piling into the queue…

Pirates 2026 World Series Champions

Pirates are 3-0 in spring training. Are they the greatest team of all time??

Mark P

Yes. The next CBA will be built around how to level competitive balance so powerhouse teams like Pittsburgh can be held in check.

Jason

What do you see with #4 and #5 starter for Braves.

Mark P

It’ll be Holmes and I guess Elder as the fifth for now? Holmes I think can deliver a decent season but there’s a lot less confidence in Elder. Martin Perez isn’t a bad placeholder for the fifth spot, or maybe the Braves can use multiple pitchers to patch things up until (or if?) the injured guys are back.
Or, maybe the easiest solution is that Atlanta just signs a starter

Royals Fan

Local sports radio saying anything short of the playoffs for the Royals would be a disappointment. I am not seeing it based on the lack of offseason movement. Thoughts?

Mark P

The Tigers are the favorites in the ALC but I wouldn’t be shocked if the Royals won the division. That might be an easier path to the playoffs than a wild card, since there are lots of good teams battling for those extra AL slots.
The Royals have a good roster on paper, but I wish they’d gone bigger with their outfield upgrades.

Guards Fan

How much does Rhys Hoskins move the needle for the Guardians offense?

Mark P

Speaking of teams that should’ve done more to help their lineup…..
Hoskins has been decent over the last two years, with the caveats of injury rust and his thumb sprain perhaps preventing him from achieving greater heights. Cleveland’s not really asking him to be anything more than a platoon bat provided that Manzardo and Kayfus hit as expected, though even as a platoon specialist, Hoskins isn’t exactly a lefty-masher.

In short, don’t expect the Phillies version of Hoskins to suddenly re-emerge in 2026. He’s a logical signing for the Guardians but probably not a difference-maker for a lineup that really needs it

Is a 102 ops+

Really that much better than a 98 ops +

Mark P

/Nigel Tufnel voice
Yeah, it’s four better.

Lloyd Dobbins

Suppose the Braves flop and miss the playoffs again in 2026. Does Alex Anthopoulus’s seat start to get warm?

Mark P

Not likely. AA is under contract through 2031, and his track record with the team is strong enough to withstand even two rough seasons.

Campbell Soup

Do you think teams around the league have asked the Sox about Kristian Campbell? Or is the long-term agreement something that would turn teams off / be unwilling to send something of value?

Mark P

The Sox surely haven’t given up on Campbell less than a year after making such a big financial commitment. I’m sure some teams have made some creative offers, though you’re right in that Campbell’s extension kind of blocks out any “buy low” offers.

Marky Mark

Hey Mark, why not continue the trafition…what’s on the Playlist tonight??

Mark P

“Victim of Luck” by Metric

nick krall

i usually talk about the reds but what do you think about danny coulombe to the red sox? perfect fit in that bullpen and they are in need of LH relievers.

Mark P

It’d be a good fit, sure. Frankly, I’m not sure why Coulombe hasn’t been signed yet, unless teams were scared off his age and his poor numbers after the deadline.

Jesus made debut this year?

Mark P

He doesn’t turn 19 until May, though he has already gotten a handful of Double-A games under his belt. If he just crushes it in Double-A and Triple-A, I could see Milwaukee maybe giving him a cup of coffee in September, but a 2027 debut is probably likelier. The PPI will factor into the Brewers’ decision, assuming that the PPI will continue to exist in some form in the next CBA

Joe

Surprised that the best that Hoskins could get was a minor league deal from Cleveland, why the lack of interest from teams that still need help at first base?

Mark P

Teams like the Nationals, Rockies, etc. aren’t trying to win in 2026. Could be that Hoskins preferred a minors deal with a contender rather than a guaranteed deal with a worse team, plus there’s a strong chance Hoskins makes the Guardians’ opening roster

Astros71

Christian Walker bounce-back!!!

Mark P

That would be a huge help to Houston’s chances. I love that signing for the Astros last winter, so I was as surprised as anyone that Walker struggled so mightily. It’s possible he needed a year to adjust, but it would be rough for the team if Walker suddenly hit a wall in his mid-30’s

Slick Ric

Top to bottom, can you think of a pitching staff that is worse than Washington’s?

Mark P

The 2025 Rockies had the worst rotation ERA in baseball history, so there’s that. But Washington’s current rotation is indeed looking rough

Guest

Will the dodgers hold up health wise? Where do u see a potential problem area

Mark P

If they lost one of their real tentpole players (Ohtani, Betts, Smith, Freeman, Tucker), that’s a big problem. I’d say that a bunch of pitching injuries would also be a problem, but the Dodgers have such absurd pitching depth that they’ve been crushed by injuries to their arms in the last two years and still have two rings to show for it

What is your take on what the Astros do with Paredes? 2B? Trade? They cant possibly bench him right?

Mark P

The situation will resolve itself as soon as one of the Astros’ infielders gets hurt, which will inevitably happen. I can also see Houston using Altuve in LF a little more than they’re letting on.

NL East

Mets or Phils. Which is the better team?

Mark P

Who has the better record in 2026?

Mets (40.2% | 378 votes)

Phillies (59.7% | 560 votes)

Total Votes: 938

Brewers

good job on the brewers write up. you mention saves increase arbitration costs, does the fireman role make Megill more, less, or no difference in how likely they trade him in 26?

Mark P

Having saves on his resume means that Megill will still get a decent raise next winter if he’s this year’s closer or not. The Brewers might also be playing the long game in trying to limit Uribe’s save totals, in order to prevent him from having too large a first-time price tag once he becomes arb-eligible.
All of this is next to the more obvious point that the Brewers are trying to win ballgames. However Megill or Uribe are utilized this season, Megill probably isn’t being dealt until next winter, since the Crew usually move guys when they’re a year away from free agency (not two, as Megill is now)

Mike Elias

Do I trade Colby Mayo or keep him, since the Orioles have injuries?

Mark P

The Westburg/Holliday injuries probably close the door on a Mayo trade for now, given how Baltimore is suddenly short-handed in the infield

Baseball Savant

Jeff Passan thinks the history of the last time baseball was locked out will convince owners and players to compromise so that next season won’t be lost. Do you think a salary minimum is a legitimate bargaining point from the MLBPA perspective when combined with a mild version of a salary cap? The teams that spend the least make quite a bit of money because they get the taxpayers’ money. I don’t like the idea of a salary cap because it will limit teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs, etc. from making the game exciting by creating great teams on paper. There is enough history to know that WS aren’t won on paper.

Mark P

The MLBPA will resist a salary cap in any form.  What’s interesting about a cap is that it has to have a salary floor as well, which (if I recall the NFL/NBA/NHL versions) is something like 90% of the cap high.
If you’re referring to the same Passan column I’m thinking of, Jeff made the point that a salary floor will lead to a lot of consternation amongst owners.  Hypothetically, if a cap is something like $200MM, then an $180MM minimum spend isn’t something the Pirates, Guardians, A’s, Marlins, etc. are going to want to do.

So it creates a bit of a catch-22 situation for all parties.  Plus there’s also the fact that teams would have to give the MLBPA full access to their books in order to accurately gauge a cap or floor based on league revenues, and teams don’t want to do that

Guest

Baseball is still the greatest game!

Mark P

Agreed!

Bay Area fan

Don’t know too much about it, but I heard rumblings of the A’s having trademark troubles going to Vegas. Should they just abandon their name and start fresh going into their new city like the Expos did?

Mark P

I admittedly haven’t been paying much attention to this story about the name trademark. But for tradition’s sake, I’d like to see the A’s keep the name. The “Athletics” brand is the only thing linking the franchise’s long history from Philly to KC to Oakland to Sacramento to Vegas.

J2A

Out of Pages, Hererra, Crooks, and pozo who is the primary catcher and who DH’s?

Mark P

Herrera will catch as much as he can based on health and defensive capability, since he has a lot more value behind the plate than as a pure DH (even if he swings the bat well in any role).
Pages will probably be the primary backstop until the Cardinals have a better gauge on Herrera’s situation, and the team will go from there. For some of the talk about the Cardinals trading from this on-paper surplus, that depth suddenly dries up quickly if Herrera can’t really catch

Loveable losers

How worrisome is it that the Cubs need to re-up with at Nico, Seiya, Happ, Steele, Boyd, and Taillon

Mark P

This is by design, since it feels like the Cubs are preparing for some changes to baseball’s business structure in a new CBA. How widespread these changes are remains to be seen, and of course there’s still a still a month of the 2026-27 offseason that will happen before the current CBA actually expires.
Steele, btw, is a free agent after 2027. The rest of the group are free agents after 2026.

Lou Whitaker’s HOF resume

What, exactly, is missing?

Mark P

Your guess is as good as mine, since if I had my way, Whitaker would’ve been in Cooperstown years ago.

Jake Jortles

Assuming their average seasons (and that a QO is still a thing), does Toronto QO Bieber and Varsho?

Mark P

Yeah. Maybe some slight hesitation over Varsho since his “average season” is below average in terms of wRC+. But overall, it’s a pretty safe call to think the Jays give a QO to a power-hitting center fielder with a superb glove

Zach

Where do you think Skubal will sign if not extended and is a free agent?

Mark P

The Dodgers are the obvious answer. Having a rotation of Skubal/Yamamoto/Ohtani/Glasnow/Snell with Sasaki and all of the many younger guys as depth options sounds absurd, but this is the Dodgers we’re talking about.
Beyond LA, it’ll be the usual suspects of the Mets, Blue Jays, Phillies, and other big spenders who can afford the gigantic number Boras and Skubal will be asking for

Jill

Will Cleveland make any more moves?

Mark P

MORE moves? Hey come on now, you want more than Hoskins AND Austin Hedges?!

Jack Lazorko

Do you think the loss of their local TV contract has caused the Angels to cut payroll? I’m not optimistic about this season at all. The roster looks thin and poorly constructed.

Mark P

It’s a factor, but it feels like Moreno in his own way is trying to have a quiet rebuild without really calling it as much. Or, you know, going about a rebuild in the normal way of tearing down a roster and focusing solely on young talent.

Brewerfan

Did I miss it or did you guys not report Pat Murphy’s extension?

Mark P

You missed it
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/02/brewers-pat-murphy-agree-to-ext…

Chris M

Why do you suppose it was so hard for the Royals to find a trade partner for their pitching depth? Like selling high on Noah Cameran

Mark P

KC might’ve been asking for too much in return, or other teams were offering too little. Even for teams with an apparent pitching surplus like the Royals, it’s tricky to line up on trades since teams are so loath to give up pitching

Brian

Do you think any of the Mets’ moves were rage spending after missing out on other players?

Mark P

Stearns is a measured guy. He isn’t operating out of spite.

Guest

After considering the injury history, does Luis Robert have anything to offer the Mets?

Mark P

Assuming he stays healthy, Robert is (at minimum) a good defensive center fielder who hits left-handed pitching well. That’s a useful player to have on the roster, even if it remains to be seen if he can recapture any of his past stardom

MoonBeamMcSwine

Can you provide a comment regarding “the Big Rig”, Gavin Williams.. could he challenge for league ace status & Cy votes during the 2026 season?

Mark P

Some back-end Cy votes certainly seem possible. Williams had a nice breakout last year and might be the latest frontline arm from the Cleveland pitching factory.

Shouldn’t I have sold them off instead adding Gore to the aging and injury prone DeGrom and Eovaldi?

Mark P

DeGrom and Eovaldi both have no-trade clauses, so they’d have to approve any deal anyway. And, their ages and salaries and injuries are also obstacles to finding an acceptable return in a trade, though either would’ve certainly drawn interest if the Rangers had really shopped them
The bottom line here is that the Rangers are still trying to compete in 2026, albeit within payroll restrictions. Trying to thread the needle by moving DeGrom or Eovaldi for salary relief and some win-now return and then still (either in the same transaction or in others) filling those new holes at the top of the rotation is mighty difficult.

Kurtz on 1st

Who’s closing games for my A’s?

Mark P

It’ll apparently be a committee, though plans can change if one guy really stands out in a closing role. Hogan Harris is probably (big if) the top closer choice at the moment, if the A’s do give one member of the committee a larger share of the save chances.

Pablo Lopez

Now that my season is over, what do the Twins do about the rotation? I’m not sure that Giolito or Littell move the needle much…

Mark P

Littell is probably the better fit since he’ll be less expensive. Since I was pessimistic about Minnesota’s chances even with Lopez healthy, losing him for the season seems like it should already get the front office thinking about another deadline selloff

AJ Preller

Are the Padres done dealing ?

Mark P

Based purely on vibes, I feel like Prelller has one more notable addition still to come before Opening Day.

Dark 🐎

Which team has been the most surprising to go on a run that wasn’t on anyone’s radar throughout the season? Maybe 2006 Cards?

Mark P

Exactly nobody thought the 2023 World Series was going to wind up as Rangers vs. Diamondbacks, and yet…

Dark 🐎

Best under the radar off-season signing?

Mark P

Since I hyped him for months as a great darkhorse signing, Luis Rengifo going to the Brewers gives me a lot of hope that he’s in for a very good year. Milwaukee excels are under-the-radar adds, so the fact that they’re in on Rengifo says something.

Ian

Who wins the AL West this year?

Mark P

Seattle is the clear favorite. Astros/Rangers/A’s should all be competitive, with the A’s a tier below the Texas clubs since I don’t trust the Athletics’ rotation.
As for the Angels, well….uh, it’s an affordable experience at your ballpark?
Anecdote about the Anaheim ballpark experience!
My parents were vacationing in California years ago (maybe around 2011?), and on a night when their tour group was doing something they weren’t interested in, my folks decided to randomly just take in an Angels game. They remembered nothing about the game itself, but said the ballpark was nice, and there was a pregame promotion where two Angels players squared off in a cow-milking contest.

Rick Rude

Was the Twins FO delusional to think they could be competitive this season (at least before Lopez injury)? Do you think Buxton may eventually agree to a trade?

Mark P

Buxton’s irritated comments the other day were perhaps some indication that he is rethinking his decision to stick it out in Minnesota. That said, I’d still put a Buxton trade at at least 95% unlikely.

Ebenezer_Batflip

2013 red sox had no business being that good

Surprise

The 2019 World Champion Washington Nationals.

Mark P

If we’re looking even more recently, the Blue Jays were terrible in 2024 before winning the pennant last year.

Don Zimmer

Have the Cubs done enough? Asking for a friend.

Mark P

Chicago should reach the postseason at the very least. Given how the Brewers took a step back on paper, winning the NL Central is certainly within the Cubs’ reach.

Tom

I thought JoJo Romero would have been traded by now?

Mark P

Same here. Could easily still happen before Spring Training is over.

Is there any chance Murakami traded this year or next year?

Mark P

Unlikely. It probably wouldn’t be great for the White Sox reputation-wise if they branched out for this notable international signing, Murakami plays well, and the Sox immediately dealt him as part of the rebuild.

Brian

Will the Phillies decline this year after losing Ranger and the star players getting another year older?

Mark P

As per that survey from earlier, roughly 60% of Weekend Chat participants feel Philadelphia will still be better than the Mets, fwiw
What’s interesting about Philly is that technically, they keep getting better. They’ve increased their win total in each of the last full (not counting 2020) MLB seasons. The success just hasn’t paid off with a championship yet, and the playoff results have stalled out since their pennant in 2022.

Phils fans could care less about regular-season wins, of course, since it’s title or bust. There is some fear of the Phillies regressing due to the roster’s overall age, but the idea is that Crawford can give the lineup a jolt in the arm. It also seems like not having Castellanos will help the team both on and off the field, so Adolis’ contributions will be welcomed.

Dan

Brewers didnt take a step back. This is right where all the beat writers had them last year toom.

Mark P

Ah, that’s why I said “on paper”
Milwaukee just keeps figuring out ways to win, no matter how many stars they trade

Nick2112

What do you think of the job bloom is doing in the Lou ?

Mark P

Too early to tell, naturally. Felt like Bloom has been going for quantity of prospects over quality, with the Cards also eating a good deal of money to ensure that they have gotten some quality in return.
It’ll be years before we can gauge Bloom’s work properly, since so much of it depends on how the team drafts and develops, as well as future bigger-ticket moves like trades or signings.

Zakis

You spoke of Buxton having irritated comments earlier. What exactly are you talking about?

Mark P

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-twins-byron-buxton-spring-traini…

ROYALS

If think people are really underestimating just how much of an upgrade the Royals OF will be this year. They were SOOOOOOOOOO bad last year. You could put a swarm of bees out there and it’d be an upgrade.

Mark P

This a fair point. Collins/Thomas don’t need to be world-beaters to top the dismal numbers posted by the 2025 Royals outfield (apart from Yaz).
The issue is that Thomas is also coming off a dreadful 2025, and Collins had a promising rookie season but is far from a sure thing. My preferred Royals offseason would’ve been Collins, and then a proven OF bat rather than Thomas.
There’s also the Jac factor (or the Jac-tor, if you will), of hoping Caglianone will be markedly better. It would be hard for him to be worse than his rookie year, yet counting on him to improve is a risk for a Royals team trying to win

Basket ball GEEK

Marlins may surprise people if the kids hit and pitching staff stays reasonably healthy…may give the Braves a run at least…also, Phillies pitching is suspect until Wheeler returns and pitches…. What do you think?

Mark P

The Marlins are one of the more interesting teams to watch in 2026. Trading two starters doesn’t seem like the usual tactic for a team that truly plans on making a playoff push, but it’s still ultimately a building year. Getting to a .500 record doesn’t seem out of the question for Miami, though I think it’ll take (another) perfect storm of struggling rival teams for the Marlins to get close to the playoffs.
The Phillies are a team I’d consider as contenders for Giolito or Littell. This moves Walker to the pen and adds some depth until Wheeler is ready, or if Painter isn’t ready for the Show

German Marquez

Am I a dark horse candidate for Improved Player of the Year in San Diego?

Mark P

Stranger things have happened. Ruben Niebla has worked some wonders in the past, but this would be his masterpiece.

Wally

Red sox #5 starter is?

Mark P

Likely Oviedo
I’m not entirely ruling out a Bello trade, which opens the door for one of Early/Tolle

Blake

Does Paredes to the Orioles make sense?

Mark P

For the moment, but Paredes would be going from one crowded infield to another once Westburg and Holliday returned.
We’ve passed the two-hour mark, so it’s time to call it a night. Thanks for all your questions, and more chatting will commence next weekend!
If you’re interested in more baseball Q&A, one of the many benefits of our Trade Rumors Front Office subscription is the exclusive weekly live chats. The more limited field means you’re about 10 times more likely to get a question answered, as opposed to battling for space with hundreds of other questions in today’s chat. For more on our memberships, check out this link:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/membership?ref=chat-2-22-26

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MLBTR Chats

Trade Rumors Front Office Subscriber Chat Transcript

By Steve Adams | at February 20, 2026 2:50pm CDT

Steve Adams

Greetings! Anthony and I flipped the Monday/Friday chats this week since I was off for the holiday, so you're stuck with me today. Apologies in advance!We'll get going around 3pm CT, but feel free to submit a question(s) ahead of time if you prefer!
We'll get started a few minutes early today and go til a bit after 4

BaseballRadio

Curious as to how the Cleveland Ownership can justify doing literally nothing to upgrade the offense, while dropping to around 70 million in payroll, pending the Clase/Ortiz situation… literally dead last in MLB ?

Steve Adams

It's pretty inexplicable. The only significant move they made this winter was extending Ramirez on a deal that saved them $10MM in 2026. They re-signed Austin Hedges and bought a few cheap, one-year relievers.For me, they had far and away the worst offseason in baseball. There are so many glaring holes in that lineup, and they're content to just hope a club that produced an AL-worst .226/.296/.373 batting line (87 wRC+) will become serviceable from an offensive standpoint based solely on in-house improvement and promotions of Bazzana, DeLauter, etc.
It's an indefensible offseason, and if I were a Cleveland fan, I'd be livid. I joked the other day with colleagues that maybe the Dolans are trying to force people to say "Look! See how badly MLB needs a floor!" ... and while I was mostly kidding, I wonder whether there's some partial truth to that sentiment.

Matt

Now that Pablo Lopez is out any chance the Twins listen to offers for Byron Buxton?

J. Zoll

So . . . a lot of Twins fans think trading Joe Ryan ASAP is the right thing to do in the wake of Pablo Lopez's need for TJ. This late in the winter, though, I'm wondering if a guy couldn't get more of a return closer to the deadline. Your thoughts?

Sam

Hey Steve, thanks as always for the chat! What avenue do you see the Twins taking to address the Pablo replacement while he recovers? Sign Giolito/Littell/Scherzer/another FA, acquire a seasoned innings eater via trade, or work with what they have?

Steve Adams

Lots and lots of Twins questions post-Pablo
For starters, no they're not going to trade Ryan now. Demand is down -- though teams would still want him -- and Tom Pohlad has done nothing but talk about how he wants to be aggressive and win now since he took over the executive chair position. They're not going to be good (unless about 15 different things break their way), but it's pretty hard for an owner to pull that kind of about-face when his whole schtick so far has been "I'm going to be accountable, answer tough questions and win back the fans."I don't think that's going to happen, but I don't see any way they trade Ryan before Opening Day. Deadline? Sure. But not before then.
Ditto Buxton on all that
I do think there's a realistic chance the Twins give a one-year deal to Giolito or Littell. I guess they could throw a year at Tyler Anderson to bring in some cheaper, fairly durable innings as well.There aren't many teams left with much budget space, but the Twins made a late run at Framber Valdez, so Pohlad clearly isn't married to the payroll staying at its $108MM-ish current level. It wouldn't be exciting, but his comments keep saying he wants to show the fans they'll try and be aggressive under his watch, well ... Gio/Littell is about the closest he can come at this point.
Even before the report on the Jays/Scherzer picking up talks, there was no way Max was signing in Minnesota. He wants a clear win-now contender.

Tribefan528

Is it inevitable that Agustin Ramirez moves to 1B? How does his bat project at dh/1b?

Steve Adams

Guys make crazy improvements all the time, but Ramirez would need seismic gains behind the plate to stay at catcher. He had one of the worst defensive seasons ever for a catcher... -14 DRS and -12 FRV per Statcast -- in only 605 innings!Even if you don't like/trust modern metrics, he had an 8.8% caught-stealing rate and allowed NINETEEN passed balls in 605 frames. Plus 36 wild pitches!
He has enough power to be a 1B/DH, but he undercuts that power by chasing too much ... if you're going to be a RH 1B/DH, you need more than a 6% walk rate.
He's only 24, but last season was pretty rough in all aspects, other than ripping 21 homers in 536 PAs.

john

Why has Giolito to Atl not happened yet?

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