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MLBTR Chat With Mark Polishuk
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Mark P
9:49
PNC Park in Pittsburgh is probably my #1.  Honorable mention to Seattle, San Francisco, and Wrigley Field.
#12
9:50
2 teams - Jays & Padres - are going to have a lot of rookies this year, who do you like better long term?
Mark P
9:51
I'll hedge this difficult question by saying SD in terms of definite results (in terms of reaching the postseason most often), but Toronto might have a better overall team.  It's just that the Jays have something of a tougher hill to climb in the AL East, whereas the Padres could sneak into a playoff berth with the D'Backs/Giants/Rockies all in various stages of flux
g
9:51
Your predicted order for the NL Central?
Mark P
9:52
Cardinals, Cubs, Brewers, Reds, Pirates.  Ask me tomorrow and my answer could be different, however.
g
9:53
Are Goldschmidt and Miller enough to get the Cardinals back in the playoffs, or do they still need to make 1-2 more moves?
Mark P
9:53
As you could tell from my NL Central picks, I like what the Cards have done already.  Beyond their acquisitions, they'll improve significantly if they manage to stay healthy.
Sox Fan
9:54
What is Dombrowski doing ? You dont spend all this money on an offense then not have a bullpen. If you're willing to spend blow by the tax bring back Kimbrel and maybe another big late inning arm.
Mark P
9:55
My take on Boston's strategy ---- they already feel like they have at least a wild card spot in the bag.  So, they'll use the first few months of the season to evaluate what they have in the bullpen in terms of elevating an internal option to close.  If no answer can be found from within, they can pursue someone at the trade deadline.
Jerry A
9:55
Why aren't the Angels connected to Harper? Trout is leaving soon and not only playing together for a couple years being enough of a draw, but Harper could be had for longer and paired with Ohtani and everyone else.
Mark P
9:56
The Angels have been bitten on enough mega-deals in the past that I can't blame for being wary about signing another.  (Though obviously signing a 26-year-old Harper is much different than signing Pujols when he's already in his 30's.)
#12
9:57
How much do the Cubs hate themselves for signing Hayward?!
Mark P
9:58
Flags fly forever, right?  With Heyward in the mix, the Cubs won the World Series, even though he obviously didn't contribute as much as the team expected.
Billy Eppler
9:59
If Keuchel's price tag drops to 3/50 range, do I pursue him?
Mark P
9:59
(Eppler is the LAA general manager)

Absolutely, but at that price, the Angels have a ton of competion
Marky Mark
10:00
If the MLB expanded to 32 teams what two cities would you want to get those expansion teams?
Mark P
10:00
I'm Canadian, so naturally I'm biased in favor (or favour) of Montreal.  Portland has a lot going for it as another potential expansion site.  That said, I doubt expansion is in the cards for MLB until things get figured out in Tampa and Oakland.
Jay
10:01
Best rotation in the NL East?
Mark P
10:01
Hard to argue against the Nationals
M's
10:02
Would it make sense for M's to go after Harper? they said they want to compete in 2020 and got a lot of money off the books
Mark P
10:03
To echo my colleague Steve Adams, the Mariners suddenly going after Harper would give them the "best offseason ever," at least from a pure entertainment standpoint.  Like I said earlier, you can never rule out Dipoto on anything, even if trades are more his milieu rather than FA signings
Catch tha taste
10:04
Yes! Bring back baseball to Montreal. Favorite Expo memory?
Mark P
10:06
I went to a few games at the Big O back in my teenage days.  It was a fun atmosphere --- a very small crowd, but those that were there were the total diehards, so it was an energetic bunch.  

My best memory is a tie between seeing a Barry Bonds pinch-hit HR during his record 2001 season, or Youppi rubbing my bald head for luck during an Expos rally.
BSum
10:07
Does Anthopoulos continue to stand pat until maybe the trade deadline or does he have a big move in him?
Mark P
10:09
I see some similarities to this Braves offseason and the 2013-14 Blue Jays offseason, when AA was in charge.  After the Jays vastly underachieved in 2013, Anthopoulos did very little that winter since he still didn't really know what he had (due to injuries, underperformance, etc.)

With the Braves now, it could be that Anthopoulos is a little wary about any huge moves since now he's in charge of an OVERachieving club.  He doesn't want to jump too soon, in case some young players take a step back.
If the Braves are close in July, I absolutely see AA pulling the trigger on a notable trade or two
Brew Crew
10:10
Why the anti-Milwaukee bias? We made the NLCS last year...
Mark P
10:10
Hey, I've been wrong in my predictions before!  Brewers could easily reach the postseason again, it's just that the NL Central is such a tossup
Les Gomez
10:11
Any chance the Mets jump in on Harper? Do you think thier ownership understands the impact of a marquee player would
Mark P
10:12
The Mets already have a pretty crowded outfield, so I can't see Harper coming unless another trade is made.  (Or if ownership suddenly remembers that they're in the New York market, and should be able to spend tons more.)
Stu
10:12
Do both Machado and Harper break Stanton contract record at this point?
Mark P
10:13
Highly unlikely, at this point.  But then again, it only takes one team to not being able to resist a big offer to get things done.
Jonathon
10:13
If Mike Trout were in this Free Agent class would he too he too struggle to find the deal he was looking for?
Mark P
10:15
Trout would've been immune to the travails of this FA marketplace.  He has none of the question marks or baggage of Harper and Machado, and he has been a decidedly better place.  If Trout had been a free agent this winter, he would've cleared $400MM, easy.
TG
10:16
Does Wil Myers stay with the Padres or get traded? Does he still have upside? Dude did win rookie of the year and has a nice looking swing..
Mark P
10:18
Myers' contract is pretty hefty for a guy who looks more like a good player (7 total fWAR over the last four seasons) than a very good one, plus I'm not sure if he has a real defensive position apart from first base.  I feel like SD may be stuck with him unless they include a couple of very good minor leaguers to sweeten the pot, but I also don't think the Padres quite feel they're in a salary-dump phase yet
Rocky Mountain High
10:19
Do you see any further catcher moves thus offseason? Still would like to see the Rox go after Cervelli
Mark P
10:19
I expected Colorado to make an upgrade at catcher, and something could shake loose now that Realmuto has finally been traded.
Guest
10:22
Orioles get Adam Jones back?
Mark P
10:23
Doubtful, unless Jones is content with playing out his final seasons in a pure mentor/franchise icon role rather than playing for a contender
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