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Mark P
12:15
Nope.  Nootbaar is a trade asset either this winter or at the 2026 deadline once he gets healthy, so the Cards won't cut him loose for nothing.
The Hamm’s Bear
12:19
Do you think the Giants will try to move Jung-Hoo Lee for Pitching? Say of the Joe Ryan variety?
Mark P
12:20
Obtaining Lee doesn't seem to fit with what the Twins are trying to do (i.e. cut payroll and rebuild).  But, if the Giants are willing to dig deep into their prospect depth chart, Ryan is a possibility, except clubs with better farm systems will have an edge in bidding wars
Cool Names Matter
12:21
I don't understand Boston signing Schwarber. You'd be paying his and Yoshida's contract for him to DH. I think they need to be pot-committed to Yoshida at this point - for better or worse.
Mark P
12:23
$36MM remains on Yoshida's contract.  That's not a ton of money for a wealthy team like the Red Sox to just eat in releasing him, since it's very clear he's the odd man out of the roster mix.  

The questions about how Schwarber ideally fits into Boston's roster are mitigated by the fact that a) it's Kyle Schwarber, and b) his power absolutely makes the Sox a better team
Jason
12:25
Who makes more sense at 3B than Suarez for the  Red Sox if Bregman leaves?
Mark P
12:26
Marcelo Mayer, assuming Story remains as the SS and the Sox don't go with Mayer at 2B
This isn't to say that the Sox might not consider someone like Suarez, but finding a regular lineup spot for Mayer is a priority
paul engle
12:27
although the dodgers may win the world series bats like mookie betts max muncy and soeewhat tommie edmond do the dodgers make a run for a really good quality outfielder
Mark P
12:28
OF definitely seems like an offseason priority in Los Angeles.  Can't rule out a pursuit of a big fish like Tucker, or maybe even something bold like exploring Teoscar Hernandez trades
Mariners
12:30
What percentage chance do you see us resigning naylor?
Mark P
12:31
In a nod to Jerry Dipoto, about 54%
12:32
(While that answer was tongue in cheek, it might actually be true.  Seattle loves Naylor and wants to keep him, but he'll get lots of attention from other teams around the league, so it could be about a coin flip.)
Addition not subtraction
12:32
The Tigers should be looking to add a #2 SP not trade away an Ace SP for the ‘26 & ‘27 seasons.
Mark P
12:33
Skubal is only controlled through 2026 but I agree with you.  Having a first-rate ace is such a rarity that the Tigers should be viewing 2026 as an all-in type of season.  Trading Skubal would ruin a lot of the momentum this team has built over the last two seasons.
Cubs fan
12:35
the Cubs should have some payroll flexibility.  Do you see them making a big move.  If so, pitching or hitting?
Guest
12:35
Just asking about general activity for the Cubs, what players/type of players do you think they will target this offseason?
Mark P
12:38
I see Chicago spending relatively big on a starting pitcher or a notable position player, and then swinging a trade to obtain whichever of the SP/notable position player they don't sign.

The Cubs seem to be working under self-imposed payroll restrictions that keep them from shopping in the upper tier of free agency. But, the team has been willing to open the wallet to a certain extent on particular player.  Given their past deals with Suzuki and Imanaga, I wonder if any of Imai/Okamoto/Murakami would be on Chicago's radar, and if so, does that make Shaw an expendable trade chip.
Tim
12:40
What's your thoughts on teams hiring managers with little to no coaching experience? Seems like a trend the past couple of seasons.
Mark P
12:42
Track records as a manager/coach aren't absolutely necessities to being a manager.  Frankly, getting some fresh faces and fresh ideas into the dugout is a better idea in some cases than hiring some retread skipper.

To use someone like Vogt as an example, he was already a player who was "a coach on the field" for most of his career anyway, so it made for an easy transition.  That's the gold standard teams are trying to achieve with these less-experienced hires.  Whereas the Giants and hiring Vitello is a step beyond that, since Vitello (as accomplished as he is in college) has never been involved in an MLB clubhouse before
Marlin fan
12:43
What do you see is doing this offseason? Are we going to actually add or still subtract
Mark P
12:46
The Marlins will be looking to build on what they have, though I'd be surprised if they were particularly aggressive on the trade front (and shocked if they spent notable money in free agency).

Bendix and ownership are more apt to look at the -89 run differential than they are at the 79 wins.
JDB
12:47
Would a trade centered around W Abreu for Issac Paredes work? Play Paredes at 1B and resign Bregman?
Mark P
12:48
Not a true 1-for-1 deal, but yeah, Abreu-for-Paredes in some kind of package makes some sense for both teams.
Foxy
12:49
Yankee fans seem down on Volpe, but he played through a torn labrum, which seems to be an obvious culprit for his down year.   Do you see him having a bounce back year?  Do you think he will be traded?  I don't get why many teams insist on playing their injured players instead of just putting them on the DL.
Mark P
12:52
The problem with viewing Volpe as a bounce-back candidate is that what exactly is he bouncing back towards?  His 2025 hitting numbers were about the same as his previous career numbers when healthy.  Obviously it's fair to assume better health will get his defense back on track, but Volpe has yet to show much of anything at the plate over three years in the majors.

As I've written before, I don't see the Yankees cutting bait on Volpe entirely.  But, his absence at the start of 2026 opens the door for the team to start thinking about alternatives, whether that's seeing what Caballero can do or just keeping Volpe/Caballero as pure placeholders until George Lombard is ready
Brian
12:52
Do you really believe Schwarber can get 5yrs on FA market?
Mark P
12:54
His numbers were so good this year and he is such a beloved figure around the game that five years seems plausible.  The Phillies will go above and beyond to try and keep him, so if the rest of the market is only willing to go as high as four years, the Phils will likely stretch to five
Twinkies & choclate milk
12:54
What’s for lunch?
Mark P
12:55
I made the rookie mistake of starting this chat before getting lunch made, so my stomach is rumbling.
Giants Fan
12:56
As a Giants fan I understand starting and relief pitching is a high priority. Do you think the Giants would go after a Bo Bichetter or Kyle Tucker to improve the lineup? Thanks!
Mark P
12:57
Sure, I totally expect SF to at least check in on those two, as they've explored so many other big-name free agents in recent years.  Whether they can seal the deal with either remains to be seen --- in Bichette's case in particular, the Giants would only be offering him the 2B job.
Ms fan
12:57
Will there be any payroll flexibility or is this going to just be another cheap offseason?
Mark P
1:01
Dipoto recently said that the starting payoll for 2026 will be around $166MM, so that gives Seattle around $34MM to spend this winter, plus potentially more at the deadline if the M's are contending as expected.

Now, to be clear, Dipoto didn't mention any specific numbers --- I'm extrapolating based on his broad comments about spending at the same level as in 2025.  Given how ownership gave Dipoto less than expected in offseason payroll space a couple of years ago, we shouldn't be assuming that $34MM-ish in spending capacity is in any ways a done deal.  But, you would think that after a successful season and a long playoff run that brought some extra revenues in, ownership is more open to spending to keep the gravy train rolling.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/mariners-aiming-for-roughly-166...
Jim
1:02
Anything you can say about the A's?
Mark P
1:03
They've done a nice job of rebuilding their lineup, but a lot of work needs to be done on the pitching side.  Those efforts will be trickier given their ballpark situation for the next two years.
Astros fan
1:03
Chances the astros sign cease?
Mark P
1:04
Doubt this happens
Bravos
1:04
What should the Braves be looking at to upgrade and get back to contention?
Mark P
1:05
The middle infield, bullpen, and at least one more starting pitcher.  It would also help immensely if Riley and/or Harris started hitting more consistently again.
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