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Mark P
1:57
Mountcastle is pretty likely to be non-tendered, so if Mayo is also dealt, that leaves 1B for either a new player or maybe Basallo.

Mayo didn't do great in his first extended taste of MLB action, but also didn't do anything that raises serious questions about his overall value.  He'd still get a lot of attention if the O's shopped him, even if they're looking for at least a mid-rotation arm
King Tuck
1:57
Do you think there's any chance Tucker agrees to a short term deal? Like a "prove it deal". Maybe similar to Bregman or Bellinger?
Mark P
1:58
I have some doubts over Tucker getting $400MM, but also think he can do better than a shorter-term opt-out contract.
John
1:59
do you think the Jays tender Eric Lauer for 2026?
Mark P
1:59
Definitely. He's a no-brainer to be retained.  With Bassitt and Scherzer both possibly leaving in free agency, Lauer might be penciled in for another starting role
Lou Brown
2:00
Jays went worst to first this year, what team has the best chance to accomplish this in 2026?
Mark P
2:00
Thought about making a poll out of this question, except Baltimore would likely win in a landslide.  Even if you have doubts about the O's overall, their chances of a turn-around in 2026 seem a lot better than those of the White Sox, Angels, Nationals, Rockies, or Pirates.
Chris
2:02
Who is starting alongside Judge in the Yanks OF on opening day?
Mark P
2:02
Bellinger and Dominguez.  New York isn't giving up on Dominguez this soon, and my guess is that the Yankees pony up to re-sign Bellinger to a big contract.
Richard
2:03
Mariners need to bring Naylor back! Show him the money!!!! With almost 25 mil coming off the books with both Mitches (Haniger and Garver) leaving what are the odds they resign him?
Mark P
2:05
Naylor has already become such a legend in Seattle that I can see the M's go above and beyond their usual financial comfort zone to re-sign him.  Dipoto has already been vocal on the subject, and one would imagine ownership could be swayed as they see more and more extra dollars flow in from playoff revenue.

Plenty of teams will be looking into Naylor's market, and I can see him waiting for Alonso to leave the market in order to capitalize on some desperate teams.  This might leave the M's in a waiting game since I don't see them as bidders for Alonso.
Mark
2:06
J. Duran for Caglione. Who says no?
Mark P
2:07
The Red Sox are likelier to say no, in part because I think the Royals would say yes.  Remember, the Royals are sorely in need for OF help, and Jac might already be without a position on a team with Pasquantino/Perez eating up a lot of the 1B/DH time
Mike Tex
2:09
Was it wise for the Cubs to announce Jed's extension at the trade deadline?
Mark P
2:11
It's fair for Chicago fans to point out flaws in the team's approach, but in the macro sense....the Cubs won 92 games, made the playoffs, won a WC series, and almost squeaked into the NLCS.
Working out an extension and then just sitting on it for a few months doesn't really change anything, unless you're suggesting that the Cubs should've moved on from Hoyer entirely
Walter
2:12
What right handed bats could Cleveland pursue in FA or trade? Thinking Hoskins or Willson Contreras.
Mark P
2:12
Hoskins is likelier due to a lesser salary, since I have a hard time seeing the Guards absorbing most or all of Contreras' deal.
hope in the desert
2:14
what are the chances the diamondbacks get Masanori Murakami, do you think it would be a good fit
Mark P
2:15
Murakami and Pavin Smith are both LHH, but that's not necessarily a huge obstacle since Murakami could be a DH, or get some 3B/OF time if the Diamondbacks are okay with his glovework.  Arizona isn't at the top of my list as natural Murakami candidates, but I can sorta see it
Tim
2:16
You see the Angels going after Framber or Suarez?
Mark P
2:17
I'll repeat my usual line about the Angels and top free agents....barring a huge overpay, why would a star player with choices opt to join a team that hasn't won anything in a full decade?

Now, the Pujols aspect adds a wrinkle to this situation.  Maybe it's slightly easier for the Halos to lure players if they're excited by the idea of playing with a legend as manager.  But, I wouldn't suddenly expect free agents to start bumping the Angels up their wishlist just if Pujols is in the dugout.
Carl
2:18
Does the Paul Toboni era begin with a bang or a whimper this offseason? Presumably he didn’t leave a great job in Boston just to re-sign Josh Bell.
Mark P
2:19
So far he's focused on overhauling a lot of the team's development staff, which isn't unexpected given how the Nats have struggled to build their own pipeline
Overall, the rebuild is still on in DC, so don't expect any splashy moves
Micky Batt
2:20
Randy Arozarena has one year left of club control for the M's.   Do they just ride out next year with him and not sign him to a multi-year extension?
Mark P
2:22
Leaning towards riding it out.  With their pitchers getting more expensive and the possibility of more money spent on Naylor or Polanco, Arozarena seems expendable
2:23
Maybe kind of a sneaky trade candidate this winter, but it's more likely he's still in Seattle on Opening Day
Royce Lewis
2:24
Do I end up somewhere else this off-season?
Mark P
2:25
He's still inexpensive, so the Twins are under no financial pressure to move him.  The Twins also surely don't want to sell low, in case Lewis stays healthy and figures it out elsewhere
Everybody's doin' the fish?
2:26
Are Marlins fans the happiest of the NLeast teams going into the offseason? What SHOULD do they do in the offseason to keep the riding the wave?...or maybe I should ask...what are they probably going to do?
Mark P
2:28
Are Marlins fans the happiest of the NL east teams going into the offseason?

This gets my vote as "whoa....wait..." eye-opening comment of today's chat session, lol.  I think this is actually correct, even with the caveat that Miami fans may have never been truly pleased with their team.

As noted in past chats, I don't think this year's relative success will suddenly turn the Marlins into free-spenders or spin them directly towards wanting to contend.  They can get a bit more aggressive with the types of talents they seek out, but maybe moreso in trades than in free agency.
Kyle
2:29
Is the fact that the DH is mostly used for either a proven masher or as a carousel for off days for position players that versatile bench options can fill in for preventing the rise of another Ohtani? At least in US baseball development? It feels a bit weird that another team hasn’t tried something with someone, bc even half of Ohtani as a hitter and pitcher is an all star
Mark P
2:31
Ohtani's emergence probably means that you'll see a few more guys give it a real go as a two-way player.  But beyond the reasons you mentioned, the biggest obstacle against "another Ohtani" emerging is that is exceptionally hard to be both a big league-caliber hitter AND big league-caliber pitcher, let alone a star in both fields.  Ohtani is an utterly unique talent.
Joe E
2:32
who should the Astros try and acquire?
Mark P
2:32
The best team trainers and medical staff that money can buy
Sam Francisco
2:33
Giants big spenders and traders?
Mark P
2:36
I see the Giants being aggressive this winter.  They have holes to fill, and with a new manager coming in, Posey will want to further put the stamp on the roster being 'his' team.  

Luring free agents to SF will continue to be a little tricky, and it'll be interesting if Posey is more active on the trade front.  Maybe not quite to the huge extent of a Devers-type blockbuster, but if FAs aren't biting for whatever reasons, the Giants could pursue the trade route again
Houston
2:37
Do I win the AL West?
Mark P
2:38
The Rangers may be cutting payroll, the Athletics' pitching (and ballpark) is still a big issue, and the Angels are the Angels.  So overcoming the Mariners won't be easy, but it wouldn't be a shock to see the Astros rebound to another division title just because the rest of the West is pretty thin.
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