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MLBTR Chat With Mark Polishuk
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Mark P
2:32
Absolutely.  The Cano signing has to be considered an overall win for the Mariners, despite the lack of postseason apperances
More or Agony
2:32
Twins or A’s fan ?
Mark P
2:32
What fanbase should be more frustrated by their team's postseason showing(s)?
Twins fans (53.7% | 94 votes)
 
A's fans (46.3% | 81 votes)
 
Total Votes: 175
Matt
2:33
Should Teams hire former Managers?
Mark P
2:35
It depends on the person, of course, but there's an equally strong argument on both sides for either hiring a new voice as a first-time manager, or going with a more experienced voice in the dugout.

I understand when fans aren't wowed by a hire if it's either a completely new guy or a retread, but you never know which former manager might blossom in a new situation (just like players need a change of scenery).
Gibby Gallen
2:36
Shout out to first MLBer born in Gibbsboro, NJ - Zac Gallen! One of the most unheralded rookie seasons this year?
Mark P
2:37
Gallen looked really good this year, and that trade was a real clever move for the D'Backs
Guest
2:37
Nationals holding Scherzer over Sanchez — good or bad move?  This is the playoffs right?
Mark P
2:38
The Nats seem to be trying to win this series with just seemingly six pitchers total, so I can see the logic in starting Anibal today.
Ryan
2:39
What does Toronto’s outfield look like next year? Guriell, Gritch and who?
Mark P
2:40
In theory, one of the Hernandez/McKinney/Fisher/Alford/Davis group, though at least a couple of those guys won't be returning.  The best bet is Hernandez, who hit really well after he returned from Triple-A, but he's very much still a work in progress defensively
Mike Hargrove
2:41
How can the Indians try one more time to reconfigure and make it back to the postseason? Need offense improved.
Mark P
2:43
Acquire a full-time corner outfielder, and then pick up either a second baseman or third baseman (wherever Jose Ramirez doesn't end up playing).  It'd also help immensely if they got anything out of Bauers, or if Ramirez didn't vanish for months at a time.
2:44
I don't think Cleveland is that far off from another AL Central title, frankly.  It's just that they hit that rough stretch in May, and couldn't quite entirely recover to catch Minnesota
Matteo
2:45
Does Justin Verlander have a chance at 4,000 strikouts
Mark P
2:46
Realistically, the safe answer is no.  He's 37 next Opening Day and he's still 994 career K's away.

But the baseball fan part of my brain says I'd be awfully excited to see him try
Greg
2:46
I just wanted to jump on and thank MLBTR for the inventive feature writing to fill this dead transaction time. Today's piece on Betts was one of many and I hope you'll continue the creative concept material. Big chat fan, too.
Mark P
2:47
Much obliged!
Ian
2:47
Pirates just signed tv deal extension.  Is team payroll commitment  typically discussed in such negotiations?
Mark P
2:48
My guess is no, though I wouldn't be surprised if topics like the team's plans to contend were lightly discussed during negotiations.
That’s It, Fort Pitt
2:49
Pirates’ minor league acquisitions/development staff has got to go, right? Their either not drafting or developing talent well, or both. Getting rid of some of the big league staff makes sense because of the clubhouse situation, but the bigger issue is the Barton farm system, which low payroll teams simply cannot have.
Mark P
2:52
I'll assume you meant "barren" farm system, since Clint has a great (hawk)eye for talent.

In my view, the Pirates should absolutely be re-examining every aspect of their organization in the wake of the last few seasons.  In terms of pure player development, the Bucs have had more hits than misses (especially on the position player side), but the problem is that if a team is more or less ONLY counting on homegrown prospects, the misses have a bigger impact.
Ernie Banks
2:53
How can we improve our overall team speed and defense. Trade Schwarber to AL (as DH) is a start.
Mark P
2:55
Schwarber isn't a great defender, but he also isn't really a bad one.  He's also been a solidly above-average hitter, if not a great one.

I think that gets to the heart of most Cubs' fans issues with Schwarber, however....they've been expecting him to be great for years now (the front office's hype about him probably hasn't helped in this aspect), when his ceiling is probably just a solid-to-good everyday player.
Fav Jam Today
2:56
What is your fav jam right now? Still “Nothing But Flowers”? I respect your musical taste and sports preferences my man! Thanks for the chats
Mark P
2:57
The pleasure is mine!  The last two songs on my always-eclectic playlist were Voodoo Chile, and then a jazz cover of Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out."
We're coming up on two hours, so it's time to call it a day.  The chat will be back at its usual Sunday night timeslot next week, see you then!
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