Mark P
The Weekend Chat isn’t late, neither is it early….no matter daylight financial savings. We’ll take a minute for some inquiries to file in (or so that you can keep in mind to regulate your clocks) earlier than we get underway.
Pirates man
The place do you see the pirates rotation falling within the NL Central? Is it the perfect
Mark P
A very good chunk of the Pirates’ rotation remains to be working on potential greater than confirmed MLB outcomes, so I feel I’ll nonetheless put the Cubs barely forward total.
Terry Pendeldon
I’m loopy or can the marlins end 2nd within the east (who is aware of who end first) braves are cursed once more, mets counting on lots of younger guys, phils 1 huge harm. marlins have the bonus of zero strain
Mark P
Whereas Miami did end third in 2025, even matching that this yr will probably be a high quality feat. The Braves and Mets each had Murphy’s Regulation years, and even then, New York will completed forward of the Fish.
To not say that the Marlins couldn’t have one other stable season, however their lineup has much more query marks than any of their huge three NL East rivals
Silky Johnson
Did the Mets overpay for Peralta or did the Orioles underpay for Burnes? Looks as if there’s a fairly large disparity within the prospect return
Mark P
Peralta is incomes solely $8MM in 2026, whereas Burnes was incomes over $15MM in his ultimate yr of workforce management. Peralta’s wage meant he had a wider subject of doable suitors, since he might’ve match into any workforce’s payroll. An argument could be made that Burnes additionally might’ve simply match into payroll for only a one-year dedication, however nonetheless, the Brewers in all probability had a barely harder time discovering commerce companions
Tito
I’ve the perfect rotation within the central and it’s not shut
Mark P
Hunter Greene’s elbow challenge offers me pause about crowning the Reds’ rotation. However, it’s a testomony to their depth that even when they did lose Greene for any prolonged period of time, their rotation wouldn’t be devastated.
Atl
What transfer can the Braves make if any now that Profar has been suspended?
Mark P
Yastrzemski is already there, so the Braves have one other high quality everyday-ish kind of outfielder who can take over left subject. White or Mateo can spell Yaz towards left-handed pitching if want be.
Gamel, Azocar, and Dominic Smith are all in camp on minors offers, so the Braves in all probability really feel they’ve sufficient position-player depth for now to pretty account for Profar’s absence. (Now that I’ve jinxed it, watch AA swing a commerce within the subsequent ten minutes.) However since Atlanta now has chunk of payroll freed up by Profar’s suspension, investing that cash into rotation depth won’t be a nasty concept
Krally
Ought to the Reds have traded Greene within the offseason?
Mark P
This query might need some 20-20 hindsight connected given what occurs with Greene’s elbow, however I agree with the Reds’ determination to hold onto him.
Clearly we don’t know what precise presents would possibly’ve been on the desk for Greene, however it could’ve needed to have a significant return (or perhaps a clear overpay) for the Reds to maneuver a man who has regarded like a frontline starter when wholesome. Having rotation depth is one factor, however purposely dipping into that depth to account for buying and selling away your #1 is one other factor altogether
Garrett
Zack Littell to the Nationals is sensible for either side and I’m stunned it didn’t occur earlier.
Mark P
The Nationals have clearly not needed to spend a lot cash this winter, and had been keen to attend out the market to see if they might land a relative discount. No phrase but on what Littell is making in his new contract, but it surely’s in all probability not a ton.
Little Texas
Reduction pitcher Alexis Diaz for example, how a lot ought to the Rangers play him in spring coaching video games earlier than understanding if he’s making the reduce, 15 innings?
Mark P
This query varies from pitcher to pitcher and from workforce to workforce. Principally it comes right down to any membership’s roster wants, who else is in camp, what pitchers have or don’t have minor league choices, what pitchers does a workforce really feel assured they will sneak by means of waivers, what veterans with outs of their contracts are content material to remain put, and so on.
In Diaz’s case, he signed a assured contract this winter, so he’s mainly a lock for the Opening Day roster barring harm.
A Royal signing
Starling Marte is the perfect hitting OF on KC now. I perceive he’ll possible principally DH when Perez is catching, however do you envision him getting performed within the OF extra typically if he’s hitting effectively?
Mark P
Marte’s well being is the most important consider his outfield time, not how effectively he’s hitting. If he’s doing effectively on the plate, clearly KC will wish to work out methods to maintain him within the lineup, however that additionally means not over-extending him and maybe inflicting an harm.
Artwork Rock
Mark P
Speaking Heads are one among my favourite bands, so that they’re the straightforward decide right here. No disrespect to Devo, and even to Devon White
Ed
Is Stearns the best GM for the Mets? When you could have Steve Cohen cash to play with and a mandate to win whereas Juan Soto is in his prime, who cares in case you’re snug giving Peralta 7 or 8 years? Simply do it. It’s not the Brewers. Even when the signing doesn’t work out, it’ll hardly cripple the franchise.
Mark P
Cohen pursued Stearns for years earlier than hiring him, so I doubt Cohen is all of a sudden shocked by how Stearns approaches transactions, or isn’t keen to provide his PBO carte blanche in making choices.
The Mets are not any completely different than some other entrance workplace in that they’d “desire” to not make any long-term signings. It’s not an absolute rule for the Mets (as we’ve seen with conditions just like the Juan Soto deal) so if Stearns is keen to go longer-term for a pitcher he is aware of effectively, an extended deal would possibly occur.
It’s additionally price noting that Peralta could be aiming excessive with a 7-8 yr ask. A yr away from free company, he would possibly desire a deal like that to maintain him off the market.
Royals
Jac Caglianone is ths finest hitting OF in KC
Mark P
He’s a tremendous prospect, however there’s up to now zero proof he could be productive on the MLB degree. Can’t anoint him the perfect with none outcomes.
That man
Do you see Skubal signing earlier than or after the CBA deadline?
Mark P
My hunch is barely earlier than. Solely a restricted variety of groups will be capable of meet his sky-high asking worth, and people groups getting ready to bid on Skubal will make him their chief precedence.
Purple Sox
Any probability Masataka Yoshida can increase his commerce worth on the WBC? He doesn’t match on the Purple Sox bench
Mark P
A giant exhibiting within the WBC gained’t make groups neglect Yoshida’s first few huge league seasons, nor will it cut back his remaining wage
Sodo Mojo
Wouldn’t AZ have gotten an even bigger return for Marte if the dealt him this winter as an alternative of (possibly) on the deadline?
Mark P
Marte’s contract runs by means of 2031, so it in all probability wouldn’t have made a ton of distinction in his market. If the D’Backs are totally out of the race on the deadline and begin promoting, they’ll contemplate Marte presents, however a commerce might be nonetheless unlikely except they will get one thing that helps them rapidly reload for 2027.
Ross Detweiler
Please give me hope that the Guardians gained’t have a backside 3 offense once more this yr
Mark P
King Felix
I do know my later years damage my HOF possibilities. However with out them, they’d say I didn’t play lengthy sufficient. I’ve 8 extra tries. What are my odds?
Mark P
Hernandez is nearly certainly getting in. His vote whole already jumped from 20 % to over 46% in his first two years on the poll, so it’s simple venture extra help rising to get him above the 75% threshold
RAGBRAI
Does Crews get optioned? He’s having a horrible ST!
Mark P
This could be a daring transfer for the Nats, although sending Crews right down to Triple-A sooner or later may be obligatory if he can’t get on monitor. It’s price noting that Crews doesn’t have lots of upper-minors seasoning (71 video games at Double-A, 62 at Triple-A) and he had solely okay numbers at each ranges, not dominant numbers.
For the reason that Nats are in rebuild mode anyway, simply retaining Crews in Washington to let him regulate to huge league pitching is sensible. However, his improvement gained’t be helped by continuous struggles, so a quick demotion only for confidence or tune-up functions isn’t out of the query
Romaine Lettuce
Can I get irrationally enthusiastic about Dustin Might’s first Grapefruit League outing?
Mark P
For those who had been actually irrational, you’ll’ve spelled your display screen identify RoMayne Lettuce
Colt Emerson
JP has as locked down this yr for SEA. Am I blocked till his contract runs out?
Mark P
There’s at all times 2B relying on how Younger performs, or 3B if Donovan is moved over to second base (once more, hinging on Younger’s adjustment to the majors).
Since that is Crawford’s final yr underneath contract and Emerson has solely six video games of Triple-A expertise, the timeline appears to be matching up cleanly sufficient that Emerson gained’t be “blocked” for too lengthy
Tampa Bay Rays GM
Are we deep sufficient and aggressive sufficient to carry onto Junior Caminero for a very long time, or ought to we promote excessive and get a ton of prospects in return to rebuild for our “new” ballpark?
Mark P
Caminero isn’t even arb-eligible till after the 2027 season, so he’ll stay a significant discount for the Rays for fairly some time. Whereas the Rays are at all times broadly open to buying and selling nearly anybody, transferring Caminero any time earlier than 2028 (assuming he retains hitting like this) could be shocking.
Mets Fan
So it appears like Mark Vientos is the odd man out. Who’s in want of a 3rd baseman? Mets play Benge in proper subject, and have Brett Batty again him up there, again up third for Bichette, again up first for Polanco, and 2nd for Semien. That permits Brett to fill in for all these guys and permit them to have some DH time as effectively. We don’t want Vientos.
Mark P
The difficulty may be that different groups don’t view Vientos as a viable third baseman, given his defensive metrics. So in the event that they view him as a primary baseman going ahead, that lowers his commerce worth, plus his shaky 2025 manufacturing is one other challenge.
Kicker Roo
Is it loopy to assume that T.O. might be O’s MVO?
Mark P
Terrell Owens performs baseball?
A giant season from O’Neill could be big for the Orioles, however I’d recommend that if 2026 ends with him as their prime bat, one thing’s gone amiss.
Giolito
In comparison with not taking part in this season, what are the probabilities I signal a minor league provide at this level?
Mark P
Giolito will nonetheless find yourself with a assured contract, however a one-year deal, and on a a lot lower cost than he was anticipating.
Bo is aware of….
Talking of the NFL, what’s your tackle the shocking rumbling about Kyler Murray returning to baseball? No means he offers up that NFL cash proper?
Mark P
Agreed. Murray isn’t ranging from scratch as an A’s minor leaguer when he nonetheless has a number of years of eight-figure paychecks nonetheless out there to him at the same time as an NFL backup
May very well be that getting out of Arizona even results in a Darnold-esque profession revival
Bobby Cox
Braves make a transfer for a fifth starter? Lucas G? I believed Bassett would have been the match however 18 million alot
Mark P
Atlanta looks as if an honest match for Giolito, however this has been true for months, even earlier than all of the spring accidents. The Braves would possibly merely their inner choices to signing Giolito particularly.
Kerry Wooden’s Slurve
Who has the nastiest pitch in baseball at present?
Mark P
Stein
Thanks to your time Mark. What does Seattle do with all their OFs? Method too many and so they want a starter.
Mark P
Playing cards
Was the Burleson to the Astros factor Rosenthal mentioned an precise rumor or simply him speculating?
Mark P
It was hypothesis on Ken’s half, simply because the Playing cards are open to enterprise on lots of their roster and the Astros want a LHH outfielder. Even then, it was a attain as a result of Rosenthal famous a 3rd workforce would should be concerned in a commerce (with that workforce getting one among Houston’s infielders).
Rosenthal’s piece was additionally written earlier than Pena fractured his finger, quickly relieving the Astros’ infield surplus
Killingmesmalls
Is the MLB commerce rumors workforce, making plans in case of a lockout for stuff to jot down about?
Mark P
Between the 2020 pandemic shutdown and the 2021-22 lockout, we (sadly) have some expertise in learn how to function when there’s actually nothing occurring within the baseball world.
Brewers Fan
Kyle Harrison, gave up some runs however 8 Ks in 3 innings at present
He undoubtedly is the participant with probably the most upside in that commerce proper?
Mark P
Given how the Crew develop pitching, it could shock no one if Harrison figured it out in Milwaukee
JD
does Benge make opening day or we roll with Tauchman for a bit?
Mark P
Benge just isn’t precisely pulling down the door by way of securing himself an Opening Day roster spot. Tauchman was a really smart signing for the Mets, and I’m nonetheless stunned he needed to accept a minor league deal.
Zach
Do you assume the World Collection would have gone any completely different if the Mariners held on to win the ALCS and went?
Mark P
Nats Rebuild
Mark P
Therefore the explanation Mike Rizzo is out of a job.
We had a query within the chat final week about whether or not you’d desire your workforce to have ten years of competitiveness with no titles, or one title inside a decade of failure. Sadly, Nats followers appears to be going by means of that second choice.
John W
Who’re the 5 finest pitching labs in baseball?
Mark P
Brewers, Dodgers, Yankees, Astros I’d put within the prime 4. Padres, Guardians, Rays, possibly the Pirates all deserve consideration for the fifth slot
Mayor West
Who ought to the Reds try to increase now that Elly has rejected them?
Mark P
Abbott makes some sense. The Reds are within the awkward place about not understanding but what they actually have in a lot of their roster, so among the many youthful guys, Abbott is probably probably the most cheap selection as a legit extension candidate
Phillies fan
Are the Phillies to outdated, are we going to signal an enormous free agent to spark some youth,and can Crawford,Painter, and MILLER going to be good
Mark P
Simply by the character of when gamers hit the market, including a free agent isn’t the best way to make a roster youthful.
As to the in-house youth motion, that’s the most important query hanging over the Phillies group. They strongly want no less than one of many three guys you talked about to interrupt out and turn out to be an above-average huge leaguer, with the intention to assist preserve the Phils’ rivalry window open
Dozed and Confuzed
How far out do the Tigers should be with the intention to commerce Skub? In the event that they go the entire yr and don’t win, they get NOTHING out of shedding him. Proper?
Mark P
Optimistic Venable
In a latest chat you mentioned final place isn’t out of the query for Minnesota. I’m positive most of that’s on how a lot the Twins have declined, however how a lot do you assume the White Sox are improved?
Mark P
Normally, I feel the constructive buzz on the White Sox is just a little a lot, since that roster remains to be filled with holes. However the Twins look like they’re heading squarely in direction of 95 losses, for my part.
Kevin
Have the Playing cards turn out to be a workforce who will perennially look primarily and maybe solely to enhancements from inside à la Rays and different poorer groups with that mannequin?
Mark P
To be truthful, that is how St. Louis operated for many years. The Playing cards have by no means actually been big spenders in free company…they make the occasional splash (i.e. Contreras, Matt Holliday, and so on.) on the open market, however most of their largest spends have been on extensions for gamers developed in-house.
Ketel
He will get 10 and 5 rights in April. He’s not
transferring at this level
Mark P
There’s additionally that issue. Marte would possibly effectively be open to accepting a commerce, however we don’t know if he needs a change of surroundings or what he’s feeling about staying in Arizona over the long run.
Buxton
He will get 10 and 5 rights in April. He’s not
transferring both at this level.
Mark P
Buxton already has a full no-trade clause in his contract by means of the 2026 season anyway
Guards
Wanting prefer it’s going to be a troublesome season. How a lot of the inaction was as a consequence of lack of TV income
Mark P
The Guards had been one of many groups who had MLB deal with their broadcasts in 2025, not one of many groups who obtained out of their Primary Avenue Sports activities contracts this offseason.
Whereas I’ve little doubt the discount of TV income was an element, the near-total lack of spending appears absurd for a workforce that could be a) gained a division title, b) obtained three additional residence video games’ price of income within the playoffs, and c) had such clear wants within the lineup
And whereas no one expects Cleveland to splurge in free company….why not a artistic commerce or two?
Invoice James
Do you assume baseball would have been higher if I by no means invented sabermetrics and algorithms, and Moneyball by no means occurred? A number of followers like wanting behind a baseball card.
Mark P
Invoice James didn’t “invent” statistical evaluation in baseball, however was simply the primary author to begin writing at size about such ideas.
Austin Hedges
I get 10 rights in April, however not 5 but. I’m not transferring from the bench in 2026, am I?
Mark P
Doesn’t matter, since Hedges will signal one-year, $4MM contracts with Cleveland till the tip of recorded time
yankee fan
what’s your tackle the american’s outfield state of affairs? I’m severely irritated that they determined to provide the QO to Grisham. I severely don’t assume he’s going to have one other good season, I feel he’ll regress closely. I don’t care in regards to the excuse of accidents. Sure, I’ve seen the information on Bellinger’s again, Aaron Choose retains getting old, and don’t get me began on Stanton’s well being, however the Yankees have so many depth choices and I actually want to see Dominguez no less than get a full season. Spencer Jones goes off loopy in Spring and he’s additionally already turning 25! The Yankees actually have a difficulty when it comes with giving their prospects an precise full season. (Moreover Volpe after all, and it didn’t even work out effectively with him anyhow)
Mark P
Grisham would’ve been a really attention-grabbing free agent case if the Yankees hadn’t issued him a QO. It’s not out of the query that he nonetheless might’ve been in the marketplace at present, if groups equally had a troublesome time evaluating his 2025 energy breakout.
When the QOs had been being issued final November, the Yankees at that time didn’t know if Bellinger could be returning. So securing Grisham crammed one gap on the roster, and the Yankees wouldn’t have issued the QO in the event that they weren’t snug with the thought of Grisham probably accepting it.
As you alluded, and as we’ve written about numerous groups previously, one harm can all of a sudden flip a surplus right into a deficit. If Stanton will get damage once more, all of a sudden the DH spot is open any there’s loads of room for one among Dominguez/Jones to get taking part in time. If two accidents happen, all of a sudden New York’s bench state of affairs might look just a little skinny.
Optimistic Venable
So even in case you’re not excessive on the White Sox for this season, are you shopping for into their prospects just like the Montgomerys, Schultz, the possible No. 1 decide? Is the arrow actually headed up?
Mark P
Oh, I feel Chicago is unquestionably exhibiting some potential. It’s simply that their huge step ahead isn’t occurring till no less than 2027.
Zach
If Josh Jung repeats 2025 will he get traded and the place?
Mark P
Neglect a commerce, the Rangers would possibly simply non-tender him
Assertion that’s not a query
Cleveland will 3-peat-the Tigers and their followers assume they gained the division they haven’t gained in 12 years. Underestimate away!
Mark P
“Scoreboard” is certainly a good counterpoint to criticisms of how the Guardians function. However, enhancing the offense helps Cleveland get a step nearer to being believable World Collection contenders, not simply candidates to succeed in the playoffs and possibly win a spherical
Brewers Fan
As a fan of the Brewers who’ve had a few decade of competitiveness and the Bucks who obtained the ring however about to fall off a cliff.. give me the ring all day.
Mark P
