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Paxton
9:05
Does Mitch Keller to the D-Backs for Ketel Marte makes sense for both team?
Mark P
9:05
Keller is a perfectly decent starter, but the D'Backs would want way more than "perfectly decent" back in exchange for Marte
Boras
9:06
Do you think Alonso will hold out until near or spring training this year like he did last year? It sounded like larger offers kept disappearing that were below what his expectations were as the offseason went on and had to settle for the mets deal which was lower than what was originally offered earlier in the offseason.
Mark P
9:08
Knowing Boras, he's got a new game plan in place given how last offseason went, and he has more of an idea about how the market as a whole evaluates Alonso.  And, that market may have changed since Alonso is no longer tied to a qualifying offer, and because he's coming off a much better platform year.
Troy
9:09
is Otto Lopez a trade option for the Braves at SS? They could even pursue Sandy in a package deal. Thoughts?
Mark P
9:10
The Marlins probably aren't trading Alcantara at all, and if they did, it definitely won't be to a division rival.

Secondly, this is the first time I've heard Alcantara described as an add-on in The Otto Lopez Trade, lol
Tiger Lover
9:11
Do you think the Tigers will make any moves at the meetings, or, is it all smoke we are hearing?
Mark P
9:12
This is true of the Tigers and every other team, but if they don't do anything major (or at all) over the next four days, their offseason isn't a bust.  There are still months to make transactions.

Undoubtedly the Tigers will explore some things at the Meetings, but if they don't close on a notable move, it isn't the end of the world.
TheHurricaneBen
9:12
Do you think the Cardinals will make a trade this week? Lot of smoke around Donovan and KC
Mark P
9:14
Derrick Goold made the interesting point in a recent piece that the Cards, Rays, and D'Backs are all shopping second basemen to some extent, leaving the market a little clogged.  

Now, that doesn't mean St. Louis wouldn't or couldn't be the first to make a trade here, since there's so much interest in Donovan that the Cards have probably already received a few interesting offers....it's just a question of whether any of these offers are deemed enough, or if Chaim Blooms thinks more than be found in a counter-offer, or from another team entirely.
Cashman
9:15
am I finally going to make a real move this offseason
Mark P
9:16
Fried, Bellinger, Devin Williams, and the umpteen other huge moves Cashman has made over his long career aren't "real moves"?
Pete
9:17
Are the Giants really not interested in committing big money to top free agent SPs or is just a bargaining strategy
Mark P
9:19
Every team would prefer to not sign pitchers to long-term deals, since the majority of them turn out to be poor investments.  That said, just enough of them turn out great that several teams still feel willing to take the plunge.

I don't doubt that the Giants would so big on a starting pitcher if they're really particularly keen on a guy, but maybe nobody in this year's market strikes their fancy.
buhlake
9:20
Would it make sense for the Rangers to try and bring back Garcia for much less if they can’t find another outfielder?
Mark P
9:20
I think the ship has sailed on Garcia in Texas.
IM
9:21
I keep seeing suggestions on MacKenzie Gore to the Orioles trades...are the Nats and O's likely to hook up on any trade, much less for someone like Gore?
Mark P
9:21
Highly unlikely.  Even after the ownership change, there's way too much bad blood between the two organizations.
Mariners
9:21
Why do you think that Harry ford's value was so comparatively low? He was traded, along with someone else, for a young, intriguing but unproven reliever, and not even to be a closer. Do you think the could have gotten more for ford?
Mark P
9:23
It was a fascinating trade, since I agree with you that it seemed like the M's would be able to get a lot more back for Ford.  That said, perhaps it's a sign of just how much the market value controllable relievers with Ferrer's stuff.  Plus, the Mariners are certainly in "last piece of the puzzle" mode.  A LH reliever was a clear need for them, so perhaps they felt giving up Ford was worth it to land a pitcher like Ferrer they so clearly coveted
Dbacks Fan
9:24
Since Ketel is an MVP level player and on a defeated team friendly deal for only a few more years, is any return good enough to actually trade him? I know the Snakes need pitching but can the return include a controllable mlb established arm and a quality bat at the corner infield?
Mark P
9:25
It feels like that unless there's a lot of smoke behind those reports of clubhouse discontent, there's no reason for Arizona to move a star player like Marte.  And like I said earlier, I doubt they send him anywhere unless they receive an absurd trade offer.

It costs the D'Backs nothing to at least listen to trade offers, even if they aren't actually shopping Marte themselves.
CT
9:26
Ruiz for Cronenworth?
Mark P
9:27
San Diego did some to mind when I was floating that Ruiz scenario earlier.  But, Cronenworth is still a useful player, if overpaid within SD's payroll limitations.  Ruiz can't be relied on as a starting catcher, so he wouldn't be much of an answer to the Padres' search
Pete
9:28
Super bowl predictions?
Mark P
9:28
Rams over Broncos
Mr. Red
9:29
Is there a player who, when signed, would be the first "domino" and other signings would quickly follow? How about the same for a traded player? Or does it even work like that?
Mark P
9:29
This is pretty common in many offseasons.  This year, Schwarber leaving the market will get a lot of teams turning their attention more fully to other hitters.
Kyle
9:31
Coulda package of Donovan and Arenado make sense for Boston, assuming STL takes on enough of the money? Donovan and Mayer have both had their injury issues, and Arenado wouldn't be the worst backup option. Would STL even consider moving both in the same deal?
Mark P
9:32
There's no way the Cards are diminishing the return on Donovan by linking him to Arenado.  If they were in the same deal, the Cardinals also aren't eating any of Arenado's salary....but by the same token, STL isn't moving Donovan just to unload Arenado's money
Marky Mark
9:32
Mark, you've been ignoring me buddy! Weekend Chat Nation want to know - what's on your playlist?
Mark P
9:32
(Fast) Slow Disco, by St. Vincent
Cubs Fan
9:33
What are the chances of Imai to the Cubs?
Mark P
9:34
Seems like a distinct possibility.  The Cubs have a good history of signing Japanese players, and Imai's price tag is expected to fall within the range Chicago is comfortable paying
Ivy Walls
9:35
Any idea how much of the Cubs rumored interest is legitimate and how much is agents and media trying to generate interest?
Mark P
9:35
No reason to doubt the Cubs aren't making calls or checking in on a wide range of players.  Only the front office knows which players are highest on their target list, and which are being contacted out of due diligence.
J
9:36
Will the Rays sign a big name free agent or at least extend caminero?
Mark P
9:38
  1. No way
  2. They hadn't any talks with Caminero as of last August, as per his agent Rafa Nieves.  Certainly you'd think Tampa would have interest in locking Junior up, but as Nieves pointed out, the triple factors of the team sale/the ballpark mess/Wander Franco's contract may have kept the Rays from delving into extension talks
Dallas
9:39
How often does a team make a move that even the MLBTR writers can't understand or endorse?
Mark P
9:40
Happens every once in a while.  As someone who couldn't fathom for about a year why the Orioles made that Trevor Rogers trade, we'll often find ourselves eating our words!
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