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Mark P
11:01
Earlier edition of The Weekend Chat this time, but hopefully with no shortage of questions and hot takes filing in from our readers.  Let's see what's up....
Luca
11:02
Are the Rays still in on Ketel Marte? Anyone else there targeting?
Mark P
11:03
In all likelihood, the Rays are targeting players much less expensive than Marte.  He'd be a huge help for their lineup, of course, but with a remaining price tag that wouldn't seem to fit Tampa's budget.

Hindsight being 50-50, if the Rays had exercised Fairbanks' option, I wonder if he might've been part of a hypothetical Marte trade package --- both as salary offset, and because Arizona needs ninth-inning help
Kwallington
11:04
Has the Cardinals trade stuff stalled? It's been a while since any updates.
Mark P
11:05
Not surprising that things slowed down over the holidays.  The Cards have already moved Gray and Contreras, leaving Arenado as the last big contract remaining, and Donovan/JoJo/maybe Gorman or Nootbaar as less-expensive but more sought-after trade chips.
11:06
The Cardinals certainly aren't done with their swaps yet, and it feels like Donovan, Romero, and Arenado will all be elsewhere by Opening Day
Cj james
11:06
The Braves should worry about the bullpen more than the starters. Do you agree?
Mark P
11:07
Probably, though Suarez and the re-signed Iglesias solve a couple of big question marks.
Steve
11:08
Who is more likely to be in a different uniform next year, Duran or Casas?
Mark P
11:08
Casas
Curious George
11:08
Who signs first? Framber or Ranger?
Mark P
11:08
Who signs first?
Ranger Suarez (51.4% | 641 votes)
 
Framber Valdez (48.6% | 607 votes)
 
Total Votes: 1,248
secret souse
11:10
What is the easiest path for Red Sox to dump money
Mark P
11:13
Their projected payroll is $191.1MM, and their tax number is around $240MM.  Not huge figures considering this is the Red Sox we're talking about, so my answer is "they don't need to dump money to make any further notable moves."

However, it seems ownership feels differently.  The easiest path in terms of pure simplicity is to attach a prospect (either a pitcher or Casas) to Yoshida or Hicks, perhaps to a team like Colorado that needs all the young help it can get.  But, clubs are increasingly loath to give away young talent as sweeteners in salary dumps.
RedsHopeful
11:13
What’s stopping the Reds from being in on Okamoto?  Seems like a great fit at 1B/DH along with Sal Stewart and have Steer as super utility again?
Mark P
11:13
Good question. Maybe they are in on him, and this'll be another outta-nowhere signing like Murakami to the ChiSox and Imai to Houston
Matt
11:14
Okamoto going to sign during the chat?
Mark P
11:14
Don't jinx it!
Norbert
11:14
Are you concerned with Ranger Suarez's loss of velocity, or do you think he has the type of command that will allow him to continue getting weak contact for a few more years?
Mark P
11:16
I think I'm higher on most on Suarez, since in my view, he was the clear choice as the best starter on this year's FA market. He wasn't exactly a high-velo guy to begin with, so a drop shouldn't (in theory) impact his bread and butter abilities of generating grounders and soft contact.
Peralta
11:16
The rumor mill quieted on Peralta. You think that picks back up now that the holidays are over or do you think the Brewers are more likely to give the season a go with him?
Mark P
11:18
It always felt likelier that Milwaukee would just keep Peralta, since they'd need a ton in return to say yes to a trade.  It could be things get rolling a bit now that Imai is off the board, though it's interesting to remember that the Astros were one of the teams reportedly interested in Peralta.  That may no longer be the case now that Imai and Burrows are on board.
Guest
11:20
Why is no one talking about Okamoto to the Yankees?  He could platoon at 1st or 3rd and releve Domingues in rig,ht.
Mark P
11:20
Okamoto himself probably wants to be more than a short-side platoon guy
Josh
11:21
Do you see Ian Happ starting for the cubs this year?
Mark P
11:21
Yes.  He had a no-trade clause, so he probably isn't going anywhere.
NY Sports
11:22
Any chance that a potential lockout for next year lowered the projected salary for Imai, Murakami and potentially Okamoto?
Mark P
11:23
I don't think it's the looming lockout, necessarily, but more that this trio had more question marks than a lot of other premium players recently coming over from NPB.
Imai
11:25
What are your thoughts on the Astros signing Imai? Was it a good signing to help fortify their rotation?
Mark P
11:26
I like the deal a lot.  Potentially it's a great bargain for the Astros, and if Imai pitches well, it's just a one-year commitment since he would likely opt out next winter.

Potentially, if Imai pitched well but not spectacularly well, he might also pass on his first opt-out just to avoid getting caught in limbo during a lockout
Ryan
11:27
Is Emerson plus a lottery ticket for Donovan possible. Donovan is what the Mariners would hope Emerson could be.
Mark P
11:27
Zero chance Emerson is traded.  He's a top-10 prospect in baseball.
Josh
11:27
Are the A’s contenders this year?
Mark P
11:27
They need to do a lot more with their rotation before I can take them seriously as playoff candidates
Kyle
11:28
Are you surprised that Gore hasn’t been traded? Will the Nats have to pair him with Abrams or Wood to get the sort of return they were hoping for?
Mark P
11:29
Not terribly surprised.  This is another case where the Nationals don't have to make a move right now, since Gore is controlled through 2028.  If another team stepped up with a huge offer, the Nats wouldn't hesitate to deal Gore, but only in that circumstance.

And Gore has more than enough value on his own that he wouldn't need to be linked to another big trade chip.  And, needless to say, Wood isn't going anywhere.
Alex
11:30
Does Z Gallen fit into the braves “ace caliber” - final need?
Mark P
11:32
Gallen's rough 2025 season dips him out of the ace category, though he has shown ace-type stuff in the past.  That might be enough to get the Braves to roll the dice, especially if Gallen is open to a somewhat shorter-term deal to re-establish his market.

Two more obstacles.....Gallen would cost Atlanta a draft pick, since he rejected a qualifying offer.  Gallen is also a Boras client, and Anthopoulos traditionally doesn't do a lot of business with Boras.
Bob Nutting
11:33
Are the Pirates wild card contenders if they get Okamoto or Suarez for 3B with that rotation?
Mark P
11:34
I'd say so.  Their lineup would be a lot better and the pitching is still strong, so that might be enough for Pittsburgh to get over the playoff line amidst a number of NL teams with comparable weaknesses
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