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MLBTR Chat With Mark Polishuk
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Mark P
9:32
Hi everyone, what better time than the first NFL Sunday of the season to talk some baseball?!
Mike
9:32
How much of an impact will Luzardo make the rest of the season?
Mark P
9:34
He adds yet another interesting arm to Oakland's underrated pitching selection, and there's the x-factor since teams don't have a book on him yet.  Luzardo obviously has filthy stuff, and that could be a nice boost out of the pen
tad2b13
9:35
How much does a team's record in 1-run games tell you, if anything? Thanks Mark.
Mark P
9:36
By some measures, it's sort of luck, though I do think there are some teams who actually do inherently perform better in these tight situations.
Mozman
9:37
Goldschmidt trade win win?
Mark P
9:39
It'll still be some time before we can make a ruling on that one, and if you're the Cardinals, you had to have been hoping for more than the good-but-not-great numbers Goldy has posted this season.  Especially since they haven't even gotten into his extension years yet
Ya gotta believe
9:40
Mets doomed by quick fixes?
Mark P
9:41
Makes you wonder where they might be if Cano and Diaz hadn't been on the team this season, eh?
Ryan
9:41
Do the Redsox bring back Porcello next year on a low base salary contract with a bunch of incentives?
Mark P
9:42
I could see it happening.  Porcello could probably like returning to a familiar environment and to what should still be a contending team, and I'm not sure if he's going to find much of an active free agent market given his numbers
From Boston's perspective, re-signing him for little could turn into a bargain, but it's also possible the Sox could be ready to move on
Pete Incaviglia
9:43
After Rendon, who do you consider the next best 3B available in free agency this year that TEX might go after?
Mark P
9:44
In terms of ability, Donaldson is the best non-Rendon third baseman, though I'm not sure JD would sign with a team that isn't a clear contender, or at least most clearly on the cusp of contending.
Ryan
9:45
Is Bryce Harper a top 5 outfielder?
Mark P
9:45
No, I wouldn't have him in my top five
Matt
9:46
In response to this season’s struggles, do you see Ricketts taking off Theo’s $$ shackles or tightening them?
Mark P
9:47
Keep in mind, the Cubs are only financially restrained in the sense that they won't exceed the top luxury tax penalty.  They don't have much of an issue in exceeding the tax itself, at least on a one- or two-year basis
9:48
The Cubs will get a lot of money off the books this winter so there should be some spending room, though I'm not sure they'll necessarily exceed this year's payroll number
Cubs fan
9:49
Danny Hultzen isn’t post season eligible is he? so what happens if he very good in the final weeks
Mark P
9:50
He is eligible, since he has been in the organization (if not at the MLB level) prior to September 1
btw, Danny Hultzen emerging as a relief weapon to lead a team into the playoffs would be an incredible story
Pumpsie
9:50
Do the Jays trade Giles in the off-season, or do they sign two starters and see where they are in July, Hoping for better injury luv
Mark P
9:51
I have to imagine Giles will be dealt, it was a foregone conclusion that he was being moved at the deadline if he'd been healthy
And I think the Jays are more than just two starters away from contending next year, even if those hypothetical two arms post Cy Young-type numbers
Dave
9:52
So many teams with bullpen issues. Some, like Phillies, can be attributed to injuries. How do you explain teams such as Cubs, Nationals, Red Sox and Braves?
Mark P
9:54
Those teams have had their share of injuries too, but in general, bullpen performance is just really hard to predict from year to year.  

Also, as some recent articles have pointed out, the modern reliance on relief pitching may also be contributing to some struggles, since relievers are tossing more innings and perhaps getting overworked
Albert Pujols
9:55
Thoughts on my much better than expected season?
Mark P
9:56
100 wRC+, and still a 0.0 fWAR due to subpar defensive and baserunning contributions.

I mean, "better," sure, but not exactly good.  There's no reason (beyond health and avoiding wear-and-tear) that Ohtani shouldn't get the big bulk of DH at-bats next season
Moreno
9:56
Obviously, I’m going after pitching this offseason.  Do I “try” to sign one or two of the better pitchers available?
Mark P
9:58
(This would be Arte Moreno, the Angels' owner)

And yeah, they'll certainly try.  Don't forget, the Angels tried for a lot of the big names last winter, both on the pitching and hitting side.  It's time to start sealing the deal on some of these upgrades, however.
Jason N
9:58
How much does Sunday Night Football affect your chat room traffic?
Mark P
9:59
Seems around the same as usual, though I did start this week's chat around 30 minutes later than usual.
Bob Boberson
9:59
Will the Yankees let Didi walk and roll with Torres at short and DJ at 2nd?  Didi hasn’t come back strong and I can’t see 15-20MM a year long term...
Mark P
10:01
I think the likeliest scenario might be the Yankees issuing a qualifying offer, and Didi accepting.  He'll want another season to rebuild his value, and the Yankees won't mind having him back to further deepen the infield.
10:02
On paper, there's a logjam of Gregorius, Torres, DJ, Urshela, Andujar, Voit, and whomever the DH is, but don't forget ---- the Yankees will definitely be preparing for injuries next season, too.  If there was ever a team who would be concerned about having depth, it's the 2020 Yankees
Enrique Martinez
10:02
Talk to me about the Arizona Diamondbacks. Will they get a Wild Card spot? If yes how or what is needed, if not why do you believe not? Thanks for your time.
Mark P
10:04
The D'Backs have been a great story, they simply refuse to go away.  I'd have to give them a very solid shot at the wild card in part because of their schedule --- of their 19 remaining games, 12 are against the Reds, Marlins, and Padres.
Kermit
10:05
Josh Donaldson is making a case for a 3-year deal for serious $$, right?
Mark P
10:05
Yep, no doubt.  He'll be 34 next year, but he's been both healthy and very productive.
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