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Mark P
7:27
The Weekend Chat is here on Doc Gooden's birthday to talk some baseball. Let's take some questions!
Armand
7:28
which player rumored to be on the trade block would you be surprised not get traded?
Mark P
7:28
Pretty much any of the Cardinals' veterans.  Unlikely last season, I fully expect St. Louis to go ahead and actually move some of all of these players.
Spencer Hones
7:29
Chances I’m the starting CF?
Mark P
7:31
Not great.  Jones has looked like a decent enough CF in the minors, but that's different than counting on him to be at least an average fielder at the MLB level, while also expecting him to hit to a respectable standard.
The Yankees will likely seek out some kind of veteran CF help (or re-sign Bellinger) rather than just give Jones the job
Rod
7:31
Do you think there is any chance of Brendan Donovan being traded to the Yankees?
Mark P
7:32
There's a definite chance.  New York has had interest in Donovan for a few years, so even though the positional fit isn't as clear as it once was, the Yankees surely are still giving it some consideration
John
7:32
chances we see Adley, Mayo, or Basallo being moved this offseason?
Mark P
7:34
Basallo obviously isn't being moved after signing that extension.  Trading Adley now would be a bold move and one that I doubt the O's would make, given how Rutschman's ceiling is still so high.

Mayo is far and away the likeliest of that trio to be dealt this winter.
Free Agents
7:35
who is the first big name FA to sign a contract? My guess is Edwin Diaz
Mark P
7:38
Diaz signed so quickly last time that I might think he could take a bit more time now, just to fully gauge the market rather than pivot back to the Mets.

Picking the first "major" (I guess this has some wiggle room in the definition) free agent to sign is tricky, since so much of it has to do with broader market considerations.  Maybe a player who had an arduous free agency in a past winter is more likely to want to sign quicker this time, or perhaps a player and his past team were already close enough in prior extension talks that they'll reignite talks soon if the player ultimately just wants to stay.
Illini Bill
7:39
will the White Sox finally sign their 1st 100 million player???
Mark P
7:40
It'll still be at least a couple more years before that threshold is likely to be broken.
romorr
7:41
Full rebuild, or a re-tool for the Twins? See their POBO making noise about adding talent. Can be taken a few ways, though. Trey Gibson + Dylan Beavers + CB-A pick for Joe Ryan needs to happen. Both are T100 guys on multiple publications. Makes sense if they are retooling.
Mark P
7:42
The fact that Minnesota aimed for MLB-ready players at the deadline indicates that they aren't blowing things up completely (or at least not yet).  Trying to reshape your roster like this on the fly is awfully difficult, of course, and the Twins might just be delaying the inevitable.
MLB fan 123
7:43
What does the Rockies future hold?
Mark P
7:44
A lot more losing in the near future.  2026 will be about DePodesta doing what he can to modernize and rework the Rockies organization.
This alone might take a couple of years, beyond what he's able to do to reshape the roster.
carpathian florist
7:44
Oh my bad wrong chat
Mark P
7:44
If you're looking to discuss Vigo the Carpathian's impending return on New Year's Eve, oh Johnny did you back the wrong horse.
Tony Vitello
7:45
Imai and maybe take a shot at Walker Buehler for the back end of the Giants rotation? Plus maybe taking Scherzer to take over Verlander’s spot? Would that be an upgrade for the giants rotation? Allowing them to use some of their younger pitchers to trade for an outfielder? Maybe package Ramos and Whisenhunt for Kwan?
Mark P
7:46
I dunno if the Guardians would be interested in that particular package for Kwan, but sure, Imai and one of Scherzer/Buehler would be a nice boost to the pitching staff.  Of the two I'd probably prefer Scherzer just because Buehler has been more of a question mark performance-wise.
Tiger Town
7:47
With a work stoppage likely after 2026, does Detroit just ride Skubal this season and let him walk with nothing in return? And is it a bad move on Skubal’s/Boras’ part to not get extended before the work stoppage?
Mark P
7:49
Skubal is arguably the best pitcher in baseball. He's going to get handsomely paid in his next contract regardless of what happens in the next CBA, even if there is a salary cap that somehow ends up in place.  

From the Tigers' perspective, they're trying to win the World Series in 2026.  As much as Scott Harris talks about being in perpetual contention, surely the team realizes that having a true ace gives them a much better shot of winning than rolling the dice and trading Skubal for an assortment of players.  He wouldn't be walking away for nothing, per se, if the Tigers have a trophy or an AL pennant to show for 2026
James
7:49
What wluld you rate the chances of a SD firesale at?
Mark P
7:49
Zero.
Ang T
7:51
Which team signs the most “top 50 free agents?”
Mark P
7:52
In terms of pure volume?  I kind of want to say the Mets, which doesn't necessarily mean a bunch of blockbuster signings.  But, bringing in multiple players on relatively short-term deals (plus one or two headline signings like Diaz or Alonso) is certainly plausible.
Go Blue Who's
7:52
With the Jays making the world series, the cultural shift around the MLB seems to have changed or at least that's what it seems. Hopefully more players seem to want to sign up in Canada. Realistically, what are we getting, via trade or signing? (read the 50 agents and trade already, just didn't know if anything changed)
Mark P
7:54
Some players just don't want to play outside the US for a variety of reasons, and that won't change no matter how the Jays perform.  But, the Jays have already shown that they're willing to pay top dollar for premium talent, and now they've answered whatever concerns free agents had about whether this roster was really good enough to contend.
Huh?
7:54
Would you anticipate someone like Donovan to be traded later after several free agents are signed? His versatility makes him a fit for those who miss out the FA targets.
Mark P
7:57
It makes for an interesting chess game for Chaim Bloom.  For all we know, he has a couple of offers right now that meet whatever threshold he has in mind for an "acceptable" trade return for Donovan.  Whenever such an acceptable offer emerges, it's then on Bloom to either decide to take it, or see if any better is still out there.

As you note, some teams are working on different timelines than others, so they might focus more on free agents before turning to the trade market.  Last year's backfired Arenado trade is a reminder of how the timing of these deals and offers is a key aspect of offseason business, which also might weigh heavily on the Cardinals' minds.
Trip
7:57
How do you think the Braves will rebuild their bullpen, top free agent or try to piece together a lower budget pen?
Mark P
10:33
Hello, everyone!  There was a Jotcast issue that both limited and then closed the chat entirely, but we're back up and running for a little while longer.  

Given how the chat would've been interrupted by the Josh Naylor signing anyway, perhaps it all worked out for the best?  What are that odds that another big signing happ....hmm, I probably shouldn't even risk jinxing things.
10:34
Turning back to Trip's question from like 2.5 hours ago, the Braves are probably going to address their pen relatively inexpensively.  I can see them re-signing Iglesias if he's still around, but probably not breaking the bank for the likes of Diaz, Suarez, etc.
moose
10:34
Hey, glad the chat's back up! Burning question: Who does Naylor sign with, and how long do you think his free agency drags out??
Mark P
10:35
I think a five-year deal with the Mariners sounds about right. Expect that contract to be signed by, oh, let's say February 29th.
Mojo
10:36
What would be the cost if the Rays traded Chandler Simpson to the Giants?
Mark P
10:39
Simpson might be the kind of player that inspires a wide range of opinions from rival front offices.  His 80-grade speed is obvious, but his ability to be a capable hitter or fielder is still up in the air.  

It also probably depends on how the Rays feel about Simpson after seeing in the bigs for a year, and whether or not they could be already to move on.  The Rays have been known to deal away ex-top prospects fairly quickly, and if you're another team getting a call from the Rays about such a player, be wary
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