You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
MLBTR Chat With Mark Polishuk
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Not the real Billy Eppler
11:15
Would the Rockies be more willing to accept Angels prospect package for Gray if took on overpriced reliever contract as well?
Mark P
11:16
Potentially, but giving up Gray just for the sake of unloading a RP contract would be a real embarrassment for a Rockies team that has constantly been looking for starting pitching
Chaim Bloom
11:16
What is my offseason going to look like? Will I potentially trade Mookie?
Mark P
11:17
(Bloom is the newly-hired Red Sox chief baseball officer)

I'd be a little surprised if both Betts and JD Martinez are both in Boston next year, but JDM is the easier piece to part with if he opts out.  Since the Sox plan to contend next year, I still feel like trading Betts is a Plan B or Plan C at best, but they'll definitely consider the possibility
Philly A's
11:19
The future for the A's pitching looks good, do they concentrate on offense or is it another youth (wait for it) movement.
Mark P
11:19
I think the large majority of teams would love to have the Athletics' pitching situation.  Lot of really promising arms breaking into the big leagues
David
11:20
Would a Shane Bieber or Adam Plutko trade for Starling Marte trade work?
Mark P
11:21
I think the Pirates would do Marte-for-Bieber in a heartbeat, but Cleveland isn't making that trade.  Plutko isn't enough to be a centerpiece of a deal for a star like....uh, Starling
CardsFan76
11:22
Who goes in rotation next year behind Flaherty, Hudson, and Mikolas? Strasburg possibly?
Mark P
11:22
There's a solid chance Wainwright returns.  Beyond him, the Cardinals could pick their fifth starter from their in-house guys, or maybe add one more proven guy (if not quite an ace like Strasburg) and then rely on the other pitchers as depth, which might be the wiser play
Cubbie Blue
11:23
Did the front office hire a love-able Ross to lessen the blow of rebuilding or a status quo seasons to come?
Mark P
11:24
Fans will only give a manager so much rope, no matter how lovable.  It wasn't long ago that Joe Maddon was the toast of Wrigleyville
Dave
11:25
The Twins never seem to spend any money in FA, will this year be the same?
Mark P
11:26
I mean, they spent a decent amount (on short term deals) last winter and it worked out like gangbusters, so it's hard to complain about that strategy.

This year, however, it seems like the obvious next step is to sign an upper-tier guy (probably a pitcher) to a multi-year contract.  The Twins have shown they can contend, yet more is definitely needed to get them deeper into October
Yanks fan
11:28
What would an Aaron judge extension look like .... 5 yrs 125?
Mark P
11:30
It'd take more than that, I'd imagine.
Yankees would likely want more control than just two FA years, and Judge would want more cash given how he's already produced in his career
Guest
11:31
Will Bumgarner sign in the NL in order to keep hitting?
Mark P
11:32
I can't imagine that's a huge factor in his thinking, all things considered
Dodgers
11:32
There's no such thing as "Cubbie Blue"......there's only one Blue!!! Dodger Blue!!!
Mark P
11:32
What about Blue Jays blue?  Or Royals blue?  Or Mets blue?
Best 2 outta 3
11:34
Whats your prediction? Maybe a poll
Mark P
11:34
Who wins the World Series?
Astros (73% | 173 votes)
 
Nationals (27% | 64 votes)
 
Total Votes: 237
Wait, unless you were asking me to make a poll about which Meat Loaf song is best
Offseason
11:35
Will MLBTR be posting a list of significant dates coming up this offseason? Non tender deadline/QO etc?
Mark P
11:35
Our pals at Cleveland.com have just such a list!

https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2019/10/mlb-offseason-calendar-2018-19...
Apex
11:36
Treinen or Trivino for Jackie Bradley. Would the A's do it?
Mark P
11:36
Treinen yes, Trivino probably not.
11:37
If you're Boston and trying to unload salary, however, it's a risk in taking on Treinen coming off a rough year and projected to earn only slightly less than JBJ
Secret Weapon
11:38
Which is more likely, Carlos Martinez are Cardinals closer or starting pitcher?  And, if he remains in the bullpen, do the Cardinals sign a starting pitcher (since I doubt Wacha returns)?
Mark P
11:40
The Cards have said they'll see if CarMar can start during Spring Training, and if he can do so while staying healthy and effective, I have to imagine he'll be in the rotation.  A valuable SP is more important than a closer, though that would leave St. Louis looking for ninth-inning help.  My guess is they'll pursue a veteran reliever (maybe a Sergio Romo type) who can close or be a setup man, depending on what ends up happening with Martinez
KC Fan
11:41
Seems Matheny is inevitable to the dismay of most in KC.  Any one they are looking at outside the organization?   Who do you think could be their #1 player target?
Mark P
11:42
To date, KC has only interviewed internal candidates, which doesn't make a lot of sense to me.  Even if Matheny is your guy, why not do some due diligence and at least talk to a couple of outside voices, if for no other reason than to get a fresh take on your team?
King Kelly
11:42
How much value do you ascribe to "good clubhouse presence" - veterans whose tangibles are declining but who bring "intangibles"?  Is your view the same about NEGATIVE clubhouse presences - the "clubhouse cancers"?
Mark P
11:44
There's obviously value in having good chemistry in the clubhouse.  As we all know from our day-to-day lives, any work environment is improved when you're working with people who are good workers, fun to be around, have a good attitude, etc.

When it comes to spending a lot of money on a player just because they're a known "clubhouse leader," however, that seems a bit much.  Buster Olney had a good column about this a year or two ago, noting that a guy who can be a positive clubhouse voice for one team can turn into a negative in another situation.
Chisox Fan
11:45
I think Cole needs inclusion in the HOF talk.
Mark P
11:46
Doh, I forgot Cole too!  Man, I'm bad at this
Buddy
11:46
In this era of mega strikeouts (which means a lot fewer balls put in play), I'm not worrying too much about my corner outfielder's defense. There will be games he doesn't even get a ball hit to him. There has never been a better time to sacrifice defense for offense.
Mark P
11:47
But this is also the era of launch angles and an increase in fly balls, so a poor defensive OF becomes all the more glaring when he can't catch up to a fly that lands on the warning track
Goose
11:48
Do you think the Yankees make a strong attempt to upgrade the rotation to put them over the top?   It was a head scratcher when they weren't in on Corbin last off season.
Connecting…