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MLBTR Chat With Mark Polishuk
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Mark P
9:57
I'm Canadian, so my heart says Raptors.  And you know, with home-court advantage and Kevin Durant out, it's not inconceivable.

But I'd be shocked if the Warriors didn't win.  My head says Golden State in six, hopefully I'm wrong
Zach
9:58
Which  of your preseason predictions has cratered the most at the 50ish game point?
Mark P
9:58
I had the Rockies as a darkhorse to win the NL pennant.  That pick isn't looking too hot right now.
Tribe fan
9:59
Where is Jose Ramirez??? That guy in Cleveland seems like an imposter
Mark P
10:01
I can't remember the last time a star player so suddenly and inexplicably just went south.  He's been a sub-replacement level player since August 2018, out of nowhere.
Kimbrel should be a Brave.
10:01
Interesting arm in limbo, Mike Wright. Electric arm but has been hit hard in his time in Baltimore and his short stint in Seattle. Do you see anyone hungry enough to pick him up?
Mark P
10:03
Wright is still with the M's organization, they just outrighted him to Triple-A.  So there's still a chance he unlocks something with them, but if not, I'm sure another team or two will give him a look.  That said, Wright has shown very little at the MLB level, and he's been around for a few years now that you can't say it's a small sample
Sweetie Pie
10:05
MacKensie Gore is domination high A for SD. any chance the Pads bring him up later in the year?
Mark P
10:05
That would be an awfully aggressive promotion, even for the Padres
Wire Fan
10:07
With the Glasnow injury,  is that Rays opener strategy viable long term?  Seems like even with roster shuffling the pen is going to be taxed pretty heavily.
Mark P
10:09
Keep in mind that last season, the Rays didn't have a single "regular" starter for a couple of weeks when Snell was on the IL.  As long as they have a couple of guys like Snell and Morton capable of lightening the innings load every turn through the rotation, it should still be a viable strategy
SteamedHamsFan99
10:09
Best ballpark fare in Toronto?
Mark P
10:10
I am one of the most boring eaters in history, so when I'm at the ballpark, I just stick to basic stuff like hot dogs, pizza, chicken sandwiches, etc.  

While Toronto is close to upstate New York, I'm not sure if steamed hams are served at Rogers Centre
Cubs in 4
10:11
Is Scherzer become available and where does he go
Mark P
10:12
I have my doubts that the Nationals would move Scherzer.  As rough as this season might get for them, they surely are still looking to contend in 2020.
Craig
10:13
Ken Giles going to be on the move? If so, would you expect the team acquiring him to make him their closer?
Mark P
10:14
Jays are rebuilding, so Giles will certainly be shopped around.  His future role depends on what team ends up landing him
Jack Reacher
10:14
Are you surprised at the Yankees' success to date, considering all the injuries ?
Mark P
10:16
Yes and no.  

Yes, because the sheer number of injuries to notable players makes it kind of incredible that any team would manage to still be in first place.

No, because it's the Yankees, and nothing ever seems to go *that* badly for them, no matter how many injuries or underachieving players they might have.
Craig Kimbrel
10:16
I'm looking for some work, you know anyone who needs a closer?
Mark P
10:16
Oh, are you a free agent?  I hadn't heard
Fan
10:18
Is Mackenzie Gore “off limits” in the Padres’ pursuit of a front-end starting pitcher just like Tatis was?
Mark P
10:19
I would imagine so.  According to reports last winter, Gore, Tatis, and Urias were the only Padres prospects that team wasn't willing to deal.
10:20
Of course, literally every team they talked with was undoubtedly focused on those three youngsters, which is probably why the Padres didn't seal a deal for an ace starter
Josh
10:20
Can you see the Redsox trading a guy in a contract year? Such as Eduardo Nunez, Moreland, or Rick Porcello to help replenish their minor league system.
Mark P
10:21
Nunez has zero trade value, Moreland has some but 1B/DH types aren't hard to come by, and Porcello isn't going to be dealt since the Sox need pitching themselves
Huh?
10:22
But look at it this way...look how much $ they could save drafting Joyce DeWitt #1!
Mark P
10:23
Strong point.  Since Joyce is now in her age-70 season, you'd have to think she'd accept a below-slot contract.

Also, this has to be the most Three's Company discussion in the history of MLBTR chats.  Setting records every week!
Tribe fan
10:23
Do the Indians deal Lindor, Santana, Bauer, carrasco and hand in the next two months?
Mark P
10:25
All five of those guys?  Absolutely not, unless the team completely craters and the front office decides to change strategy entirely.

Like the Nationals, Cleveland is likely seeing this as a one-season blip, at most.  (Plus, Cleveland has a clearer path to at least a wild card than a team like the Nats does.)  They're not going to make big rebuild-type moves like trading Lindor or Carrasco until they have to.

That said, if they fall out of the race by July, I wouldn't be shocked to see Bauer or Santana traded
Phillies!
10:26
With the injuries to the pen, do you see the Phils as a Kimbrel contender?
Mark P
10:27
Definitely.  The Phils had interest in him over the winter, but obviously nothing happened.  Philly will be in on the Kimbrel market come June 3, just like almost every other contender in baseball.
Portland Beavers
10:27
Is Luis Urias’s service time being manipulated? I don’t know when they need to wait until to negate his time this year and last but it seems like they’re maybe making up for Tatis starting opening day
Mark P
10:29
Urias looked really overmatched by MLB pitching in his brief time in the bigs this year, so there was some genuine need to give him more minor league seasoning.  That said, Urias is currently crushing Triple-A pitching, so another callup is probably coming later in the year.
...
10:29
Bees?
Mark P
10:29
Beads?!
Billy Eppler
10:30
How can I can land stroman or scherzer via trade?
Mark P
10:31
(Eppler is the Angels' GM, by the way)

Well, offering Trout would get a trade done.

Maybe the bigger question for the Halos would be if they feel such a big trade for pitching is necessary now, given that their chances at the postseason don't seem that great.  At least Stroman and Scherzer are both controllable beyond 2019, but like i said earlier, I'd be very surprised if Washington actually dealt Scherzer
Frustrated Angel fan
10:32
Cozart, Harvey, Cahill and Allen just horrible signings is Eppler job in jeopardy?
Mark P
10:35
A lot of the Angels' moves have backfired, but if you're blaming Eppler alone for those signings, you also have to give him credit for landing Ohtani, signing under-the-radar guys like Lucroy or La Stella, etc.

That team is in a tough spot, and i feel for the Angels since virtually nothing they've done pitching-wise for the last several years has worked --- either pitchers have struggled, or else been briefly good and then hit with major injuries.
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