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Mark P
8:44
A move to 2B could indeed stop Volpe's downward slide defensively.  But, if he continues to scuffle at the plate, he'll need to be a premium defender (wherever he plays) to retain his spot in the everyday lineup.
M. Betts
8:45
Will I be back in the OF next season?
Mark P
8:46
Betts has been very good defensively at shortstop, so I'd guess he stays put.  Whether or not his lack of hitting is directly tied to the position change is unclear.  Betts and the Dodgers probably want to run it back and see what happens in a year when Betts isn't waylaid by a brutal illness during the spring.
Zach
8:47
Will this be the season that costs Aaron Boone his job?
Mark P
8:48
Boone's next contract extension hasn't actually kicked in yet, as it was signed in February and covers the 2026-27 seasons.

If the Yankees fully collapsed and missed the playoffs entirely, that might be enough to force ownership to make some kind of major move like a managerial change.  For as much loyalty as Boone has received, it might be that a culture change is needed in the clubhouse
Steve
8:50
Can you explain how trades that involve a "player to be named later" work? It there a timeline in which MLB requires the trades like that to be finalized? Could a team theoretically finalize a trade like that during the season but after the trade deadline or does it have to be finalized in the offseason? I'd love to hear about any known behind the scene stories of these trades.
Mark P
8:51
Usually a team provides the other club with a list of a few players to choose from as the PTBNL.  I believe the other team has to decide on its choice within six months of the trade.  This timeframe allows for players drafted that year to be eligible, since clubs cannot trade a player until at least six months after their draft date.
NY Mess
8:52
Stearns and Mendoza both seem really good at their jobs, but this team is pretty bad. Do these guys keep their jobs or is a shakeup coming in the offseason? There could be several hard years in front of this team given payroll, age, and lack of quality.
Mark P
8:54
It always felt like the Mets' halfway approach to their pitching staff would catch up to them, but the biggest question mark has been the surprising lack of offense.  Lindor hasn't looked right for a couple of months and may be playing hurt, Vientos' production fell off sharply, and overall the lineup just hasn't been the sum of its parts.
8:55
I don't think either Stearns or Mendoza are going anywhere, but a change in hitting coaches seems very plausible.
Jeff
9:00
Why don't we see more (or any) teams using openers? It seems like it worked wonders for teams like the Tigers and Rays in recent years. Does the data show otherwise?
Mark P
9:01
Deploying an opener/bulk pitcher for a regular turn in the rotation makes things harder on a pitching staff's depth.  Over a short period or even a couple of months it can work fine, or even work wonders.  Over a full season, however, it has some drawbacks.
JeffyM
9:03
Where do you think Barger eventually ends up?  Is he a 3B or a RF long term?
Mark P
9:04
I'd install him at third base since that's a tougher position to fill. There's no harm in toggling Barger between both 3B and RF as circumstances dictate, for now.
NL playoffs
9:04
Which teams do you have making the postseason?  Any surprise team that could sneak in?
Mark P
9:06
Even with the Mets in freefall and the Cubs being shaky recently, the Reds are the only team that is in decent position right now to break into the playoff picture.  Cincinnati is the only non-playoff NL team with a winning record, since the Giants and Cardinals are both exactly .500

The way the Mets look right now, I'm hard-pressed to think much of their chances down the stretch.  Meanwhile, the Reds get Hunter Greene back this week.
Colson Montgomery
9:08
Colson make a run at top 3 rookie of the year with the way he is playing?  Who wins the award?
Mark P
9:08
Kurtz is walking away with the AL ROY.  Jacob Wilson will still get plenty of votes despite his injury, plus you've got Roman Anthony surging and Noah Cameron continuing to pitch well.  Montgomery is probably out of luck.
Verlander
9:09
Do I have anything left or is the inability of my teammates to put runs on the board. Today was a bad day for the lack of offense.
Mark P
9:11
The Giants' lack of run support has certainly been an issue, but Verlander hasn't helped himself with some shaky performances.  I dove into his under-the-hood numbers a bit during that post earlier tonight, and they're not particularly impressive.

Whether or not he has anything left in the tank remains to be seen, as there's probably some change of scenery potential there as well heading into 2026.  Verlander is such a name and has such a history of defying time in the past that some team will definitely be willing to give him another one-year deal.
Marky Mark
9:12
Whats on the Sunday Night Chat Playlist,?
Mark P
9:12
"Bad," by U2
Nick
9:13
Who will land the biggest free agent deal this coming off-season?
Mark P
9:13
Tucker, by a comfortable margin
Grimace
9:13
Would my appearance rejuvenate the Mets or expose the transient limitations of my powers?
Mark P
9:14
I feel like this is a stand-up comedy bit from the 80's, but.....why is that character called "Grimace," anyway?  That's a pretty weird name for a friendly mascot, isn't it?
Nolan A
9:14
I should’ve moved on. And you told me to stay…. Ugh
Mark P
9:16
Arenado probably wasn't checking in on the Weekend Chat when weighing his decisions about accepting a trade or not.

In all likelihood, Arenado probably has some regrets about not just accepting that trade to Houston.  That's a real sliding doors moment that would've completely changed 2025 for both organizations.
Josh Naylor
9:17
Do you think the Mariners have a legitimate chance to sign Naylor before he hits free agency? What will it take?
Mark P
9:19
He's a more viable option than Suarez to get re-signed, and if the M's are willing to stretch the budget, I can see it happening.

Naylor turned 28 last June, he's posted four above-average offensive years in a row, and he is on pace to break Rickey Henderson's steals record.  The downside is that Naylor is a 1B-only player, his numbers have been more solid than elite, and he might want extra in order to stay in a pitcher-friendly environment like Seattle.
Dealer
9:21
If Cubs/SD end tied for WC seeds 4/5who gets home field since season seres went 3-3
Mark P
9:21
The next tiebreaker is inter-division record.
Rafael
9:22
Thoughts on the Phillies since Duran arrival have there chances gotten better to be a favorite to win the World Series
Mark P
9:23
Duran was one of my favourite deadline pickups for any team, and he's a huge help to Philly's chances.
Jet2Holiday
9:24
youre the GM of the Braves..do you hire from within or look outside the organization? If so who?
Are the Braves hiring their next manager from within or outside
Mark P
9:26
I think there's a non-zero chance it'll be John Gibbons, based on Anthopoulos' long history with him.  But, who knows, any number of internal candidates could be on the radar, or other candidates on other teams could emerge
Friars
9:26
Was trading for all these starting pitchers necessary? (Including Miller) I get that we may have King and cease leave in free agency but it seems like a little much considering musgrove is coming back next year
Mark P
9:26
All together now.....you can never have too much pitching!
9:27
There's also no guarantee that Musgrove returns as a frontline pitcher after his long layoff.
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