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Mark P
2:08
The Cards are in rebuild mode, so Cease doesn't fit.  Veteran innings-eaters like Quintana are more likely, but the priority will be giving rotation spots to the younger arms
Brian S
2:09
Do you think Bubic and Isbel could have value as a trade package for an upgrade in CF for the Royals. If so, who's a team needing SP who could trade a young CF with offensive potential?
Mark P
2:10
Bubic is only controlled through 2026, and Isbel is a fantastic fielder who can't hit.  I'm not sure that's enough to land "a young CF with offensive potential" since those types of players are generally kept by their teams.  

Moving Bubic for a corner OF might be the smoother fit for Kansas City.  As much as the Royals need outfield help, Isbel's glove is at least a big plus, so they're probably fine staying with him as the primary center fielder as long as they get some pop for the corners.
Bats or Arms
2:11
Bigger priority for Breslow: resign Bregman or find an actual #2 to slot behind Crochet?
Mark P
2:12
Finding another quality pitcher.  If Bregman leaves, the Red Sox can arguably fill that 3B hole with Marcelo Mayer, even if that's putting a lot of pressure on a youngster.
Dick Monfort
2:14
What's a realistic timeline for the Rockies to get back to contention? The whole organization is a dumpster fire. 5-7 years?
Mark P
2:14
Depends on who the GM hire is, but that sounds about right.  In theory, a new GM/PBO will be given the freedom to overhaul basically everything about how the organization operates, which will take a lot of time.
Guest
2:16
Not sure I’ve seen it mentioned anywhere, but if the Reds want more offense, maybe they could swing a trade for Benintendi with the White Sox eating much of the financial cost.  Obviously Benny hasn’t exactly been an offensive powerhouse the past few years, but if you look at expected homers by ballpark, the Reds’ ballpark should be one of the most beneficial ones for him, and LF/DH is enough of a question mark for them where the fit actually isn’t that bad.
Mark P
2:16
I see your logic, but if the Reds are looking for a true upgrade, they can do a lot better than Benintendi
MLB Owners
2:17
Saw an ESPN article before the NLCS saying it could impact CBA negotiations. You buy that? Seems like the cap crowd could make a pretty good case based on that blowout of a series. The Brewers just weren't in the class of the Dodgers.
Mark P
2:21
So, "blowout."  Let me be clear, the Dodgers were definitely a lot better than the Brewers in that series and were the clear winners.  But, LA also scored only 15 runs over the four games, and only because they had an all-time performance from their rotation.

And, if the Brewers get a big hit in the ninth in Game 1 and win, does everyone's perceptions of the NLCS change if the Dodgers win in five games rather than a sweep?

Right now MLB is having its cake and eating it too, in regards to the Dodgers and the upcoming CBA talks.  The Dodgers are a convenient boogeyman to present as an example why the league "must" have a salary cap, yet having a team like the Dodgers is an enormous boost to revenues across the board in terms of TV ratings, fan interest, merch, etc.
H-Town O’s
2:21
Could you see the rangers trading Garcia for Mountcastle?
Mark P
2:22
That's an interesting concept of basically one non-tender for another.  Yet for either team, I feel like they'd want to explore the market to aim higher for their needs.
White Sox
2:23
Are the White Sox going to loosen the purse strings and actually sign someone worthwhile? Or will it be another penny-ante off-season?
Mark P
2:24
The Sox are still at least two more years away from contention.  In the bigger picture, they might not really start spending to the degree that fans expect until after Justin Ishbia fully buys the team
Kyle
2:24
Arenado for Yoshida, who says no?
Mark P
2:24
Yoshida has no value to a rebuilding team like St. Louis.
Brian
2:24
Phillies would be wise to use money in other areas over giving Schwarber 5yrs at 30+AAV for a guy with 1 +tool. The OF needs work?  What do u think?
Mark P
2:25
This does make logical sense, except Schwarber is such a premium bat and such a leader in that clubhouse that losing him would be a real blow to morale (in addition to the lineup).
Pat
2:27
Do teams startthinking about lockout when offering new contracts?
Mark P
2:28
The upcoming CBA talks and the likelihood of a lockout are definitely on teams' minds.  It'll also be on free agents' minds when considering their options this winter.
Desiree
2:28
What, if anything, would prompt the Pirates to make Paul Skeens available?
Mark P
2:30
If Skenes demanded a trade, that might prompt some movement, but he doesn't have much leverage to force the team to do anything.

It is certainly possible another team calls Cherington this winter and says "look, I know Skenes isn't available, but we'll give you [absurd Godfather offer] for him."  Skenes is as close to untouchable as anyone in baseball, but if the Pirates are realistic about their inability to retain him long-term, they should at least consider a deal if another team offers the absolute moon and stars
Tim
2:31
Let's get this one out of way, you're going to get ask alot this offseason. Jo Adell finally gets traded this winter?
Mark P
2:33
I'm not sure why the Angels would move Adell after he's had the best season of his career.  The Angels' outfield alignment is imperfect to say the least, yet trading Ward or even Soler in a salary dump seems more plausible than moving Adell
Arenado Fever?
2:33
Why do so many people want Arenado on their favorite team?
Mark P
2:34
Some fans are just that dissatisfied with their own third basemen that even the diminished version of Arenado seems like an upgrade.  Or, they think he'll bounce back with a change of scenery.  Or, some fans might just not realize how much Arenado fell off in 2025.
Kyle
2:36
If the Brewers do move Peralta what kind of return would they be looking for? A prospect package, or major league talent in an area of need?
Mark P
2:37
I can see it looking pretty similar to the Burnes trade package.  Peralta doesn't have quite the Cy Young ceiling of Burnes, but he'd be available at roughly half the cost.  At the very least, the Brewers would want one MLB-ready young player, and one slightly more longer-term prospect (or a CBR pick).
romorr
2:38
""look, I know Skenes isn't available, but we'll give you [absurd Godfather offer] for him" So Spencer Jones and Volpe should get the deal done, right? Maybe throw in Will Warren if the Pirates ask for more.
Mark P
2:38
That would be the Godfather 3 of trade offers
Albert Pujols
2:39
Can a manager also be a player ? Player/manager?
Mark P
2:40
Player/managers used to be relatively common back in the day.  I think the most recent player/manager was Pete Rose with the Reds in the 1980's, and, uh, that didn't work out great for many reasons.

That should be the next challenge for Ohtani, becoming a hitter/pitcher/manager if Dave Roberts were to retire.
Craig Breslow
2:41
Did Masataka Yoshida do enough for me to trade him this off season?
Mark P
2:41
An 88 wRC+ in 205 plate appearances, so nope
Baseball Fan
2:42
Admittedly, I’m not a Tigers fan, so I hadn’t watched them this season until Skubal’s start the other night against the Mariners. Does the rumored contract extension numbers make sense for him or is that a steep overpay?
Mark P
2:44
The Tigers' initial extension offer seemed absurdly low, both in terms of money and the idea that Skubal would take such a relatively short-term deal.  

So yeah, Skubal and Boras aiming for a record-setting pitching contract is certainly within reason for them, given how well Skubal has performed.  Anything Detroit offers has to be $300MM, at least, since that's where Boras wants to move the market.
We're cutting things a little short on the chat today since some pretty fascinating news on the Giants' managerial search is breaking.  Thanks to everyone for all the questions!
2:45
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