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Funnyball
7:40
Any insight into what DePosesta may do to turn the Rockies around? What do you think of them taking on a bad contract in order to add a little talent to the org.  Say Yoshida or Contreras plus prospects?
Mark P
7:42
Neither Contreras is a bad contract, but in general, your point makes sense.  The Rockies are basically starting from scratch here and don't really have anything on the books besides Tovar and Bryant.  Who knows if ownership would sign off or not, but taking on Yoshida/Castellanos/etc. just to obtain much-needed prospects is a decent strategy for a team with a sparse farm system
MCM
7:43
Lots of new managers coming. Anyone you’re particularly excited about?
Mark P
7:43
Obvious answer here is Tony Vitello, just because he's such a unique hire.  It'll be fascinating to see how his work at Tennessee can translate to working with big leaguers.
Joe
7:44
Do you think there’s more to the Ryan Helsley deal than what’s been reported? 2/28M with an opt out seems higher than expected; maybe because there’s a club option for 2028 if he opts in or it’s backloaded a bit?
Mark P
7:46
No reports yet on how the $28MM is allotted over the two seasons.  No club option was reported so that's not part of things.

I don't think $28MM is too outlandish for Helsley.  He had a brutal run with the Mets, but if that really was just due to tipping pitches, that's a fixable problem.
kurt the hurt
7:47
How do you like the new Ball/Strike challange system coming next season ?
Mark P
7:48
I think it only benefits the game to have a backup against correctable mistakes.  In the same way that replays and challenges have improved games, getting to fix a few ball/strike calls per game sounds like a good thing to me
Kyle
7:49
Do you think Gray ends up being Boston's only SP addition this offseason, and if so how do you think they address the outfield surplus?
Mark P
7:50
I suspect they're not done in the rotation.
Who Hangs Up?
7:50
Skenes to the Yankees for... The Martian, Austin Wells, Schlitter, Spencer Jones, George Lombard Jr.
Mark P
7:51
If the Yankees actually offered all that for Skenes, I think Pittsburgh says yes
John Son
7:53
Are the Reds going to have a competition for the 3b job, or have they already given it to Hayes? Where does Sal Stewart fit if Hayes is the 3b and Steer at 1b? Stewart just the DH?
Mark P
7:54
Hayes is an incredible defensive 3B, so he isn't going anywhere.  As recently noted in an Athletic piece, Stewart/Steer have enough positional flexibility that it allows the Reds to be open to several possibilities as they weigh new additions

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/reds-notes-lineup-free-agent-pu...
Chris Young
7:56
Do you think I sign one of the big name free agents?
Mark P
7:56
The Rangers seem to be cutting payroll, and not getting into position to make any splashy new signings
Guardians of the Galaxy
7:57
Who is going to play 2B for Cleveland in 2026? Do you think Bazzana can break camp with the team?
Mark P
7:59
Though Bazzana made it to Triple-A last year, I suspect the Guardians want to see more from him on the batting average and power fronts before giving him a look in the Show.  

That being said, I'd be very surprised if Bazzana doesn't get the call before 2026 is out.  This might also be a situation where Bazzana is on the Opening Day roster if the Guardians can sign him to a pre-career extension
Robbie Baseball
7:59
Do you think Addison Barger is somewhat “untouchable” at this point (outside of something major)?
Mark P
8:00
Tend to agree.  It would be a big surprise if Barger is dealt in the wake of his breakout year
Drew
8:02
Do you expect that Breslow and Toboni will line up on some trades?
Mark P
8:03
Boston fans started thinking of Gore trades the minute Toboni got hired.  It's certainly possible the Sox and Nats make some trades given Toboni's knowledge of the Boston farm system, but not necessarily any big blockbuster-ish moves
Cubs
8:05
Tatsuya Imai and Cubs a good fit?
Mark P
8:06
Sure.  Raises the ceiling of Chicago's rotation, and provides long-term rotation help since Imanaga/Taillon/Boyd are all free agents after 2026
mark
8:07
Could cards balance a trade with M,s featuring Donovan & Sloan as principals
Mark P
8:09
If Polanco departs, trading for Donovan would be a very nice pivot for Seattle.  Dealing Sloan for two years of Donovan is a risk, yet the M's farm system is deep enough that Dipoto might be willing to take the plunge.
Mariners Fan
8:10
Do you think there is a market for Luis Castillo? Does it make sense to trade him? It would free up money, but create a hole in the pitching staff.
Mark P
8:12
There's certainly a market for him. Ownership seems to be a little more willing to spend given how close the team came in 2025, so the idea of moving Castillo just to open up payroll space might not be as critical as it once seemed.  And you're right, trading Castillo does mean the M's now need another starter to either step up from the minors, or they could acquire a low-cost vet.
Dana Brown 4 Advice
8:13
Should I sign Merrill Kelly?
Mark P
8:15
The "Dana Brown 4 Advice" poster sent in like a dozen questions all about various players, so I feel compelled to answer at least one.  I chose an option that seemed most realistic, as Kelly fits within the Astros' budget and he'd be a nice help for the rotation.

btw, I have my suspicions that the poster isn't the actual Dana Brown
secret souse
8:16
Will White Sox convince OHearn with some money doing the talking? I could see him being unpopular with MLB analytic departments and maybe his price is 1y/15m plus buyout on a second year. He doesn't have the long track record, though he's ok with the bat data
Mark P
8:17
We had two years, $26MM for O'Hearn in the top 50 list. As noted earlier, he'll get enough interest that ROH will probably find an acceptable offer with a team that has better chance of winning in 2026 than the White Sox
fascinating
8:17
favorite movie of 2025?
Mark P
8:17
"Sinners" is the best I've seen this year.  Fantastic film!
Cards Fan
8:18
When will the 2026 mlb draft order be determined? Where will the cards pick??
Mark P
8:18
The lottery takes place on December 9
Guest
8:20
With this possibly being the last year for Skubal and Torres for the Tigers, do you see a chance the Tigers going all in this  year and signing combination of Framber Valdéz or Ranger Suarez and either Bregman or Bichette.  Skubal and Torres would come off the books the following year and they would already have their replacements on the team.
Mark P
8:21
This seems bolder than the Tigers are willing to be, even though I absolutely agree they should be making the most of Skubal's (probable) last season in Detroit.  Making at least one big-time signing seems more than reasonable for a team that has been in contention for two straight years now, but is still a few pieces away
8:23
We're over two hours now, so time to wrap up the chat.  Thanks for all your questions tonight, and next week, the Weekend Chat will probably be taking place during the day on Saturday.  Sunday evening will likely be busy with the HOF veterans committee announcement and the start of the Winter Meetings, so Saturday it is.
if you're interested in more baseball Q&A, one of the many benefits of our Trade Rumors Front Office subscription is the exclusive weekly live chats. The more limited field means you're about 10 times more likely to get a question answered, as opposed to battling for space with hundreds of other questions in today's chat. For more on our memberships, check out this link: 

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