JotCast | MLBTR Chat With Mark Polishuk

MLBTR Chat With Mark Polishuk

Mark P

9:13

Since we're not getting a seventh game between the Astros and Yankees tonight, we'll have to settle for the only thing as exciting......an MLBTR chat.

Guest

9:14

‘Stros in 5 is my pick wbu

Mark P

9:14

My preseason pick of Yankees over Rockies in the World Series doesn't seem like it's happening, so I'll take Houston in six

Josh

9:15

Moustakas to St. Louis? Thoughts

Mark P

9:16

Cardinals seem to be overloaded with infield options already, unless they were to trade Wong or Edman. DeJong or Goldschmidt aren't going anywhere, and Carpenter is probably immovable due to his rough season and large contract

Liberty Media

9:16

Will I ever commit to creating a champion? Or do I like returns on real estate too much?

Mark P

9:19

(Liberty Media being the Braves' ownership group)

It should be noted that the Braves have spent a lot more on payroll in 2017-19 than they did in previous seasons, so there has been some extra money to work with. And what helps the Braves is that they don't have any albatross deals on the books, so that will give them some solid flexibility for signings going forward if they wanted to make a big splash.

Will the Braves ever be a true big spender? It's doubtful, but that doesn't mean the team can't go beyond its comfort zone once in a while

WORD UP THOME

9:19

I AM WONDERING WHAT YOU THINK GERRIT COLE WILL EARN AS A CONTRACT THIS OFFSEASON. MY OL' PAL MARK BUEHRLE USED TO SAY THAT GOOD PITCHING WILL BEAT GOOD HITTING AND I THINK THAT IS TRUE, SO PEOPLE WILL PAY GERRIT BECAUSE HE IS A GOOD PITCHER. ALL THAT TO SAY MY GUESS IS 7 YEARS / $225 MM

Mark P

9:21

That would break David Price's record as the largest pitching contract in history (Price got 7/$217MM), yet it's hard to argue that Cole isn't a realistic candidate to top that figure. Even with the free agent chill of the last two offseasons, Cole is an elite enough talent to still merit something in the $225MM range

King Kelly

9:21

Which team in the Series do you think has the better top 3 pitchers?

Mark P

9:21

Good question! Let's put it to the field...

9:22

Which top three would you prefer?

Scherzer/Stras/Corbin (40.7% | 436 votes)

Cole/JV/Greinke (59.3% | 635 votes)

Total Votes: 1,071

Logan

9:22

Can the cubs hire Espada while he’s with the Astros in the WS

Mark P

9:23

Yes. Actually, maybe Astros fans should be rooting for Espada to be hired....the last time they lost a bench coach (Cora) to another managerial job, they won the WS

Phil

9:23

What do you think of the top priorities for the Phillies this year in free agency

Mark P

9:23

Starting pitching, first and foremost

9:25

Bullpen as well, despite all the money they sunk into it last winter.

3B and CF are positions of need, with the caveat that Kingery will end up at one of them, probably as an everyday player or ping-ponging between both. Bohm could also factor into the 3B mix at some point

Hoyce

9:26

Lindor to reds. What would it take?

Mark P

9:26

Oof, I'm not sure the Reds have the prospect depth to pull that off. I mean, they do, but they'd be more or less cleaning out all the top talent from a farm system that already isn't very deep.

Mark P

9:27

Why won't the Padres at least interview Espada>

Mark P

9:29

It should be noted that the Cubs are the only team who have actually interviewed him. He doesn't have a lot of free time, what with the WS and all. Not sure why San Diego went in other directions with its managerial search, but every team has different priorities in mind

Chris

9:29

Is Didi getting a Qualifying Offer?

Mark P

9:30

My guess is yes, and I think there's also a pretty good chance he would accept it. He might prefer a pillow contract for now and then hope that he can score a bigger multi-year deal after a big 2020 season, rather than perhaps have to settle for a lesser deal after his rough 2019

Brockmire

9:30

What's your thoughts on Brockmire? Hilarious, right.

Mark P

9:30

Absolutely.

Braves

9:31

What do you think about a trade to Cleveland for Francisco Lindor for 3rd? Seems like Cleveland has resolved itself to he wont be extended.

Mark P

9:32

If you're going to deal for Francisco Lindor, why not play him at shortstop? Plus, Cleveland might ask for Swanson anyway as part of a Lindor trade package.

King Kelly

9:32

Last offseason, the Mariners unloaded the Cano contract by bundling it with young talent. Who do you see as the most likely contract to be moved this way in the current offseason?

Mark P

9:33

The Padres have so many prospects that the "Cano strategy" would seem like a decent tactic to use in trying to deal Wil Myers

John

9:34

Your reply on the Lindor to the Reds question talked about prospect depth. With Cleveland in contention, wouldn't they be looking for a package including MLB players?

Mark P

9:35

That's true, I should've mentioned other MLB-ready younger guys like Senzel or Aquino. But those types of players are also very valuable to the Reds, and less likely to be moved.

Baseball Lifer

9:35

Ever been to the Hall of Fame?

Mark P

9:36

Twice! One as a kid with my family, and once in my 20's while on a baseball road trip to New York with a group of friends.

I can't recommend a Cooperstown trip highly enough. Every fan should check out the HOF

Jay

9:36

What will my Tigers do this off-season?

Mark P

9:37

Not much, I don't think. Same as last year, try to land a few short-term veterans and see if they can find a bargain signing or a hidden gem somewhere

Chris

9:38

why do the Yankees, a seemingly smart org, continue to saddle themselves with albatross contracts as soon as theyre getting out of a previous one? me, relatively smart guy but not in a baseball FO, knew when it was happening the Stanton trade was a bad one, as i did the Ells contract and the Arod extension

Mark P

9:39

There is no such thing as an "albatross contract" when you're the New York Yankees and can easily drop $200MM on players without blinking.

Joe

9:40

What's a bigger need for the Padres? Pitching or a middle of the order bat?

Mark P

9:40

Padres have lacked hitting for years.

Mike The Millar

9:40

Good Evening Mark. Would Stroman have made a difference to the Yankees World Series chance?