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Mark P
9:10
We've been using the B-Ref player tracker for years and years, and since it has worked just fine for us, I don't think there's any impetus to change?  But, we reference both B-Ref and Fangraphs all the time....heck, I've got a Fangraphs page open right now
Major League Bros
9:10
HEY MARK BRO... how many pull-ups can you do?
Mark P
9:10
I can pull up stats on that Fangraphs tab but that's about it
Steven Kwan
9:11
Are fans overvaluing Steven Kwan? He has had health issues in each of the last two seasons and his sprint speed is plummeting. I'm sure front offices are taking that into consideration, but are teams willing to "overpay" for a good leadoff bat? Guardians have been noted as having a high asking price for him last trade deadline. Was that at any way in compensation for losing Clase's trade value?
Mark P
9:15
It may surprise some fans to learn that Kwan had only a 99 wRC+ last year, and he had a similar number in 2023 while posting much more impressive offensive seasons in 2022 and 2024.

So in that even-odd sense, he's due for another big season next year!  But, you're also leaving out the fact that Kwan is an elite defender, and his injury history is pretty light in comparison to most players.  

The Guardians' financial situation means they're always open to moving any player nearing free agency, but don't forget....the Guards are also always trying to win, and Kwan has filled as outsized void as basically the only reliable player in Cleveland's outfield for a few years now.  

My stance has always been that Kwan will be dealt next winter when he's a year away from free agency, but that could potentially change if the younger OFs have started to emerge enough that the Guards felt comfortable moving Kwan at the deadline
That....was a lot more words than I realized I was writing, haha
Angel Fan
9:17
Who closing out games for us next season, Thought it would have been a no brainer to bring back Jansen. He said he liked playing here and only got a 1M dollar raise from the tigers
Mark P
9:19
Jansen may have preferred the idea of playing for a winning team that will help him get to 500 saves in much quicker fashion.  Due to their lack of success, the Angels aren't going to win a ton of bidding wars unless they've got the clear top offer.

As to who could step in, it's asking a lot for Joyce or Stephenson to become the new closer, yet teams have often turned to any number of random relievers to close games.  Chances are the Angels bring in someone with a decent ninth-inning track record, but a committee might not be out of the question.
JaysVladdy
9:21
I think the Rays had a mutual option with Fairbanks. Considering the level of interest other teams have in him, why didn’t the Rays accept the $11 million option and then trade him afterward?
Mark P
9:22
Good question.  This was what I think most pundits figured the Rays would do, yet it seems like the Rays' early forays into the trade market didn't yield all that much interest.  Or, teams that were keen on Fairbanks might be open to paying him $11MM but not giving up prospects to Tampa to obtain him.
9:23
That $11MM weighs more heavily on the Rays' budget than for most teams, yet it would seem like Fairbanks would still have been reasonably easy to move at full salary.  Or, Tampa Bay might have linked him to another trade chip in a multi-player deal?
Josh
9:25
I’m not a Mclain believer, does he have any trade value for the Reds?
Mark P
9:25
It would be a major sell-low situation for the Reds, so I doubt they'd have much interest in a trade.
Marky Mark
9:26
Mark Happy Weekend Chat!! So what is on ye ol' Playlist this week?
Mark P
9:26
"Keep It Between The Lines" by Sturgill Simpson
Murakami
9:27
There’s only about a week left for me to sign and there’s been barely any rumors about interest in signing me? Does my market end up shifting to a shorter term deal?
Mark P
9:28
It's been pretty quiet on the Murakami front, but Alonso leaving the market shakes up the 1B market.  It could be that Murakami's camp is keeping a tight lid on rumors, moreso than interest is mild.
Rick Rude
9:29
Bold prediction for the rest of the Rays offseason?
Mark P
9:29
Lowe and Baz are both traded
Not Breslow
9:31
Asking for a friend. After the postseason push are the Red Sox fumbling the offseason so far? Any trade recommendations to right the ship? Im seeing a lot of negativity from the fanbase.
Mark P
9:32
Gray and Oviedo are very noteworthy pickups.  Keep in mind that Sox fans were having the same criticisms until Crochet was acquired at the winter meetings last year, and even then the criticism continued until Bregman signed in February.

Boston's roster is in good shape at the moment, they've already made the rotation better, and there's still plenty of time for more significant moves.
Bobby Cox
9:33
You like the Yaz signing? I dont love it, good vs rh but a 4th outfielder and Eli white was good for us
Mark P
9:33
Really good move by the Braves. Yaz provides a lot of OF and bench depth, raises the team's talent floor.
rando
9:34
Is it me or does it feel like the international/NPB signings have been oddly quiet? Aside from the usual west coast + some east teams. being interested, haven't really heard any momentum
Mark P
9:35
Imai/Okamoto/Murakami don't have the same big-name buzz of some of the other recent NPB additions.  Plus, I do wonder if some of the rumor mill is muted due to fan perception that the Dodgers will somehow sign all of these guys.
Snakes
9:37
Why would any GM trade away Marte. He is on a team friendly contract
Mark P
9:41
It could be that there's some heat to the rumors of clubhouse discord over Marte.  Or, the D'Backs are simply open to offers, just in case some team makes a crazy bid that can't be refused.

Chris Young made comments to this effect today, talking about Corey Seager....all front offices "check in" on star players, just out of due diligence and just in case.  Like, take this scenario...

GM #1: Hi, what would it take for me get your best player?
GM #2: Haha, you and every other team, buddy! Ok, I'll play along, what would you be willing to offer?
GM1: I'll offer prospect X and prospect Y, and eat the entire contract.
GM2: ...haha, I like your thinking, but I'll still pass. Take care!

/hangs up phone

GM2 to his staff: Holy crow, they were willing to give X and Y?!  How long should I wait before calling back?!
Guest
9:42
Yanks had a quiet winter meetings. Something in the works or are they going to run it back again next year?
Mark P
9:43
The Yankees feel (with cause) that they're in good shape already for 2026, and can afford to be relatively patient in seeing how the market develops on a number of fronts.  Who knows, maybe they'll sign Bellinger or King tomorrow, or they'll swing some trade that wasn't even known to be on their radar.
Bucco B
9:44
What’s it going to take for a FA to sign in the ‘Burgh? No one wants to play in that beautiful ballpark? For a losing organization?!
His excellence, Mark Polishuk
9:44
Are the Pirates for real with their interest in high end free agents? Or this a mirage to say they tried for the fanbase?
Guest
9:44
What do you think is the biggest realistic target left for the Bucs? And do you think they'll actually make any kind of splash?
Mark P
9:46
It only takes one Jayson Werth-esque signing to change a perception of a team for other free agents.  The real question now is that if the Pirates were willing to pay Schwarber $120MM, that theoretically means they have $120MM in spending capacity over the next four years.  So why not use most or all of that money on two or even one big bat, and really try to go for it while Skenes is still on the roster?
Cards in NY
9:48
What kind of return can we expect to see for Romero based on what seattle gave up for Ferrer
Mark P
9:49
Ferrer is a high-velo strikeout pitcher who comes with multiple years of team control.  Romero is a grounder specialist with so-so strikeout numbers, a lot of walks, and only one year remaining of team control.

In short, the Cardinals will be getting a heck of a lot less than Harry Ford in a trade return.
Jerry R.
9:50
Was it probably a mistake for the White Sox to pick up Luis Robert's club option for the year? 20m is quite a lot for him on a low-spending team, and it even looks like an obstacle to a trade that nets decent prospects. What's the deal, you think?
Mark P
9:51
There seems to still be enough interest that Robert will probably get dealt.  I can understand Chicago's logic in not wanting to just cut him for nothing, and if Robert does end up staying put this winter but then has a strong first half, he'll get a good return at the deadline.
Ray Oyler
9:52
You got anything to say about the athletics tonight or are you gonna talk about the beads?
Mark P
9:54
Kurtz is narrowly beating Anthony in the poll, so that's something!

Perhaps just by dint of their unusual geographic situation, there are fewer A's rumors than for most teams, so there usually isn't a ton to really discuss.  Leiter is an okay signing for them.  Severino should be included in every discussion about any "unwanted contract swap" since he's an interesting trade chip, and it'll be interesting to see where he lands and for what return
Fred Bird
9:56
When will the Arenado saga end? Cards can’t move forward with him on the team
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