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Polar Bear
11:35
The Mets are going to make some kind of move for a starting pitcher....right?
Mark P
11:36
Sure, except it is becoming increasingly unclear if it'll be the kind of frontline arm they need.
Pat
11:38
Whether it be a trade forna player like Kwan or signing a big bat, do you think the Dodgers will add an OF before the season starts?
Mark P
11:39
A trade (though probably not for Kwan specifically) is more likely than a big signing, but maybe I shouldn't write that while Tucker is still available.

Some level of longer-term outfield help might be less feasible since LA doesn't want to block its younger outfielders on the way up.
Ateam
11:41
Dodgers have a lot of young arms coming back from injury. What are the next steps? Stash them in the minors or trades?
Mark P
11:42
Minor league stashing seems logical, as teams likely aren't eager to give up a big return for pitchers just coming off long IL stints.  The Dodgers themselves probably want time to monitor these hurlers to evaluate their health, and to further gauge which ones they want to keep and which ones they might want to shop.
11:43
Don't forget, the Dodgers have needed all the rotation depth they can find over the last few years.  The team can also just stand pat.
Hot trade
11:45
Gunnar Henderson for Joe Ryan.
Mark P
11:45
That would indeed be hot, but the O's are never trading Henderson for two years of Ryan
Ken
11:46
Gore is only controlled through 2027.
Mark P
11:46
Correct, that was a typo on my part.  But, two years of control is still a lot of time for Washington to explore trades.
Lance
11:48
Hi Mark. Thanks for doing the chat today.

Which free agent signed so far, do you believe, will have the most positive impact for their new team?
Mark P
11:49
Since you specified 'new' team, does that mean you're asking about just the free agents who went elsewhere?  That narrows the field by quite a bit, given how many FAs stayed put.

Feels like Alonso will take to Camden Yards like a duck to water.  But, as a Jays fan, I'm hoping the answer is that Cease helps lead Toronto to a championship
Frustrated Nats Fan
11:51
How long do we have to wait to become even a fringe contender?
Mark P
11:52
I wouldn't have been surprised if the Nationals had been borderline contenders in 2025, yet things obviously went in the exact opposite direction.  

Seems like it'll be at least two more seasons in the wilderness, though stranger things have happened in terms of unexpected turn-arounds.
steve
11:53
Kristin Campbell was the minor league player of the year .  If one looks at the list of players who have won previously --you see a very successful group.   Why has everyone given up on campbell.    Has Boston mismanaged him?
Mark P
11:54
The Sox certainly aren't giving up on a player they've already signed to a hefty extension.  Fans can be a little too fickle when top prospects struggle early, even though the majority of top prospects routinely look shaky in their first time at the MLB level.  It would surprise nobody if Campbell suddenly broke out in 2026.
RoyalsCenter2026
11:55
The Royals have been super quiet after being involved in so many rumors? Will it heat back up and will they get a big of bat or are they done?
Mark P
11:56
Doubt they're done, since they need another good hitter in that lineup
Brockmire
11:57
What's your take on the looming CBA quagmire?
Mark P
11:59
I think it's a shame that a lockout seems to be a foregone conclusion, and that the two sides seem fine with things reaching that point.  In a perfect world, you'd have the two sides say "look, we're both making a lot of money here, so let's start figuring things out now to keep everyone happy."
Carrie Halas
12:00
Were the Phillies genuinely in on Imai? If they wanted rotation depth that badly, why not pivot to Ranger?
Mark P
12:02
It's possible they might indeed consider reuniting with Suarez now that Imai is off the board.

That said, it's a little telling that there has been virtually no buzz about Suarez re-signing in Philly.  The team was publicly open about their desire to being back Schwarber and Realmuto, yet it was little more than boilerplate stuff in regards to Suarez.
Brother
12:04
James Wood looks like a bust and the Nationals should sell while his value is still high, any thoughts?
Mark P
12:05
Wood strikes out way too much, and his bat really cooled off in the second half.

He also has a 125 wRC+ and 40 homers in his first 1025 PA in the majors.  Wood isn't going anywhere, and is still a huge building block for Washington
NY Sports
12:06
Would you say the off season has been quiet so far? It seems like there's still a lot of players unsigned with roughly 6 weeks before catchers and pitchers report to spring training.
Mark P
12:06
Six weeks is a lot of time.  Looking MLBTR's top 50 as a guide, 29 of those 50 free agents have already signed, so there's been a fair bit of movement even if a few of those guys were early-offseason qualifying offer accepting-types.
JeffyM
12:07
if the Jays are able to get Bo, Tucker or Bregman, do Straw or Lukes have any trade value or are they more DFA candidates?
Mark P
12:08
If they get Tucker specifically, Lukes is probably traded.  Straw sticks around in any scenario as a backup OF.
CJ J
12:10
The Cubs seem to be sniffing around INFs.  If they sign one, who is the odd man out?  I have terrible feeling it’s Hoerner, even though he brings elite contact to a lineup that needs it.  Any chance, if the Cubs sign a Bregman or whomever, that Shaw is the odd man out and they could trade him for pitching?
Mark P
12:12
Nico makes a ton of contact but it isn't exactly quality contact.  He is also a free agent after the season, so it would make sense that the Cubs are looking to deal him now if Nico isn't part of their future plans.
That either opens up 2B for an acquisition, or perhaps they get Bregman and move Shaw to 2B
Cris E
12:14
Does COL burn things down this winter or get some front office stuff settled first and move the vets at the break?
Mark P
12:15
The Rockies don't have many veterans left, and not much left in general for a fire sale.  Hard to have a teardown when the house has already burned to the ground, as they say.  (Or did I make that saying up?)

I suspect DePodesta is viewing 2026 as an evaluation year, though naturally he'll be open to any and all trade offers in the name of bringing younger talent into the organization.
Guest
12:16
Is Carson Benge the real deal and should he start opening day in center?
Mark P
12:17
There's a lot to like about Benge's potential but breaking camp seems like a reach.  He has only 24 Triple-A games on his resume and he didn't hit well in Syracuse, so it feels like some more seasoning is required.  However, he is a lock to make his MLB debut in 2026, and if he gets on an early tear in Triple-A, the Mets could make him a quick call-up
Daniel
12:18
Why do players wait so long to sign. If it was me I’d sign as soon as possible to get acclimated with my new squad.
Mark P
12:18
If the offers aren't interesting, players aren't just going to grab the least-uninteresting lowball offer just for the sake of signing
Dana Brown's a rental
12:19
Yordan Alvarez has a 1.046 career OPS as a LF (896 PAs) and .919 as a DH.  Why can't the Astros just home Paredes the everyday DH and 1B/3B backup?
Mark P
12:20
The issue isn't whether or not Alvarez can hit as an outfielder, it's whether he can stay healthy in regular outfield duty.  And, he isn't a good defensive player.
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