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Mark P
6:38
Let's open up the Weekend Chat! We'll delve into the bees, beads, and baseball after we get a few questions in the queue...
BhamBrave
6:41
What sort of deal is Marcel Ozuna looking at after this season?
Mark P
6:43
One year, worth maybe around $10MM or so?

He's entering his age-35 season, and is coming off a solid year that has seen him greatly increase his walk rate, even as his other numbers are basically all down from 2024.  (Though still above average.)  He's a DH-only player, and his past off-the-field issues will also limit his market to some extent.
Kyle Schwarber
6:44
Do you think i’ll resign with Philly?
Mark P
6:45
Yes.  The Phillies have shown a tendency to retain their favored internal free agents, and Schwarber is beloved by everyone from ownership on down.
intl signings
6:46
What is a better strategy in the intl signing period- sign one top prospect using most of your pool or sign a few second tier guys and spread the risk ?  Should you alternate the two strategies ?
Mark P
6:47
It's hard to say since the international market is such a crapshoot.  When dealing with prospects at such a young age, it's so hard to view a kid as such a "sure thing" that it's worth committing most of your pool towards a signing.  We've seen plenty of highly-touted int'l signings over the years fizzle out in the minors, let alone in the big leagues.
Rockies Fans
6:48
It appears on paper we're beginning to see a core group developing in Colorado: Hunter Goodman, Brenton Doyle, Ezequiel Tovar, Jordan Beck, Warming Bernabel, Kyle Karros, and Mickey Moniak.
Rockies future
6:48
Are we beginning to see a young core develop in Colorado?
Mark P
6:49
The Rockies have quietly played some respectable baseball over the last month or so, giving them a chance of avoiding the single-season loss record. I wouldn't say the team is exactly on the right track since the organizational structure will always hold the Rockies back, but there are a few slivers of hope for the future
Blue Jays fan
6:51
would you consider giving Berrios a rest with an IL stint now that Bieber is ready to pitch?
Mark P
6:52
As Billy Eppler could tell you, teams can't just put a guy on the IL for non-specific injury reasons.  I suspect that when Bieber is ready, the Jays will just go to a six-man rotation to give everyone extra rest days.
Keep in mind that these plans can always turn on a dime.  The Phillies thought they had a six-man rotation all lined up just over 24 hours ago, before the news broke about Wheeler
Dub
6:54
Mark: Good evening. Is Jacob Marsee a present and future fixture in the Marlins outfit rls?
Mark P
6:55
Based on speed and defense alone, it's looking this way.  The book on Marsee was whether he can hit enough to stick as a regular outfielder, and the early returns have been obviously incredible.
6:56
Nobody should go crazy over an early-career hot streak, since Marsee "probably" isn't the next Willie Mays.  But he's absolutely doing enough to win himself a job for the foreseeable future
Sad Reds Fan
6:57
Tell me why I shouldn’t be completely disheartened by our performance this weekend. Should’ve swept the Brewers, instead looked like we never played baseball before
Mark P
6:57
Winning one game against the hottest team in baseball is no mean feat.  I think the Reds just caught the wrong team at the wrong time, hence the series loss.
A's
6:59
The A's couldn't fix Cusick either as a starter or reliever.  Why would they claim his former college teammate Shuster who was also a Braves #1 pick the year before ?  Shuster has better control, but doesn't throw hard enough so what are they thinking ?.
Mark P
7:00
It costs the Athletics almost literally nothing to claim Shuster and take a look at him.  For a rebuilding team in need of pitching, why not take a flier on a guy and see if you can find a fix?
Mark
7:00
Red Sox will need another higher end starter in the off season. Of Gore, Ryan and Alcantara who do you think makes the most sense for them if they can swing a deal?
Mark P
7:01
The Sox and Twins had some talks about Ryan already, with reports indicating that the two sides weren't particularly close on a deal.  However, it could be that those talks laid some groundwork, and perhaps at least gave both sides some idea of what the other wants in such a deal.  The Twins were reportedly prioritizing MLB-ready talent in trades, and while Boston wasn't willing to make such a move at the deadline, their perspective might be changed during the winter.
Angel Fan
7:02
Do you think Nolan Schanuel has a future ceiling of a Mark Grace like career?
Mark P
7:03
I'm going to say no, not out of disrespect to Schanuel but more out of respect to Grace's career.  Grace was a terrific player for a long time, and it would be a huge success for Schanuel and the Angels if he can get even in the ballpark of a Grace-esque career
McGonigle ETA?
7:03
When do you think Kevin McGonigle will get to DET and why?
Mark P
7:04
It would be quite surprising if he isn't in the big leagues before 2026 is over
Redsfan
7:05
Do you think the Reds pass the Mets and make the WC?
Mark P
7:07
The two teams have a three-game series in Cincinnati in September and looms large.  The Reds are up 2-1 so far this season for tiebreaker purposes.

I think the Reds haven't been fully able to capitalize on the Mets' slide to this point, yet they have more momentum than New York at this point.  On paper, the Mets should be able to get it together, but the chalk hasn't amounted to anything for them over the last several weeks.  Frankly, I wouldn't even count out teams like the Cardinals, Giants, or D'Backs from making a late run just yet.
Also, every Mets has undoubtedly noticed that the Braves have quietly been red-hot over the last week
Nancy's Friend Sluggo
7:10
Dylan Cease has had a nightmare platform year. Does he sign a one-year pillow contract with a team that's good at fixing pitchers? Do you think he can get a second-year player option?
Mark P
7:12
This looks like the classic case of a Scott Boras short-term contract with multiple opt-outs.  Cease's secondary metrics are better than his ERA indicates, but you're right that he isn't exactly heading into free agency on a high note, unless he really turns it on in September.
No NY baseball?
7:12
How likely is it both NY teams are sitting at home in October?
Mark P
7:12
Will both New York teams make the playoffs?
Both make (32.6% | 199 votes)
 
Both miss (26.9% | 164 votes)
 
Yankees make, Mets miss (24.4% | 149 votes)
 
Mets make, Yankees miss (16.1% | 98 votes)
 
Total Votes: 610
Bosox Fan 1
7:13
Does time on the IL count as Major League service tim
Mark P
7:13
Yes
Golfer
7:14
Will the return of the injured Astros be enough to keep them in the playoffs?
Mark P
7:14
My guess is that Houston makes it, since they've done a terrific job of at least treading water with so many key players missing
bobthebuilder
7:15
Mike Elias has led the Orioles to 3 winning seasons in a row for the 1st time since the 70's. I think his leash has to be longer than this offseason. Are the cries to fire him overblown or are you getting into that camp?
Mark P
7:18
Some serious questions need to be asked about the Orioles' roster-building, but overall, I lean more towards 2025 being a "year from hell" than a sign that this team is going to spiral back into long-term irrelevance.

My guess is that Elias has earned more time from ownership, but keep in mind that Rubenstein is still something of a wild card.  Maybe he has a mind to hire his own GM to see what a fresh voice can do with all of the talent within the organization.
Phree Phallin’
7:19
put aside the potential seriousness of the situation; big picture we all want wheeler just to get healthy. But purely baseball, if he’s out for an extended period or the rest of the yr, does that cost the Phils making the playoffs with their inconsistent offense?
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