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MLBTR Chat With Mark Polishuk
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Mark P
8:46
It's the first Sunday chat of the offseason!  Go crazy, folks!  Go crazy!
Dipoto
8:46
I see mariners as contenders for several free agent outfielders, but why would they?
Mark P
8:47
The M's are reportedly going to take 2020 as another rebuilding year before starting to pivot to contention in 2021, so we likely won't see any big free agent moves from them until next winter
Top 50 Free agents
8:47
Predictions?
Mark P
8:48
I predict....you'll be seeing it published here on MLBTR soon!
Yanks fan
8:49
-Do you think the Yankees will resign Betances?
Mark P
8:50
I wonder if some of the bad blood between Betances and Yankees upper management from a few years ago is still a factor, or if that's all water under the bridge by now.

If it's all old news, then I could see Betances returning on a cheap, one-year deal to the team that knows him and his health best
JD Martinez
8:50
Any chance the Yankees sign me to replace Edwin and then play some LF with Gardner in CF as Hicks recovers from TJS?
Mark P
8:51
There's a chance, though if the Yankees do make a big splash this winter, I suspect it'll be more likely be for a starting pitcher, or for a player with more defensive value than JDM, who can play some outfield in a pinch but is best served as a DH-only guy
Cubbies
8:52
Do you thinks tha cubs can be on Cole ??
Mark P
8:52
Given their payroll crunch, I greatly doubt it
8:53
It occurs to me that this question could apply to Gerrit Cole or Cole Hamels.  My answer was for Gerrit Cole.....Hamels might be a candidate to return to Wrigley, at a lesser price
Cobra
8:53
Chances Yasmani Grandal resigns with Milwaukee?
Mark P
8:54
There's a chance, though he'll command a big contract, and the Brewers might not be able to get into a true bidding war
Milledge
8:54
Any chance chaim bloom tries to get out of the price contract? who would be the taker?
Mark P
8:55
It'd most likely be a team who could send another big contract back Boston's way as a bit of salary offset.  I've seen questions in past chats suggesting that the Padres could offer Myers or Hosmer as part of a Price trade, though those particular players don't seem like a fit since I suspect the Sox would want better bats
kb
8:55
will jerry reinsdorf top his highest FA contract ever this offseason ($68mm)?
Mark P
8:56
Jerry Reinsdorf is the White Sox owner, for any that don't know.

It's kind of amazing that Abreu's $68MM is still the biggest White Sox contract, and I'd say there's a decent chance that record finally falls.  Making a big pitching signing would be a big way of announcing that the rebuild is over on the South Side
Johnny Cueto
8:57
If Rizzo cant retain Rendon or Stras, how long does he last with the team? Does he get the DD treatment?
Mark P
8:58
I'm pretty sure Nationals GM Mike Rizzo has tons of job security
Carmen C
8:59
Obvious Gardner suitors if he does not return to New York
Mark P
8:59
Teams like the Braves, Phillies, White Sox, Mets all make sense.  But it's a moot point since I strongly think Gardner returns to the Yankees
Jolly Roger
8:59
Is Starling Marte moved during the winter?
Mark P
9:00
Bob Nutting gave a pretty non-committal answer about this the other day (https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/10/latest-on-pirates-trajectory-gm...), though the real answer is that we won't really know until the new GM is hired
9:01
From my view, I don't think the Pirates are really in a position to contend in 2020, so dealing Marte while he's still controlled for two years might be a wise move
Lou Gorman
9:02
JD staying put or opting out?
Mark P
9:02
My guess is that he opts out
But let's put it to a vote!
Will J.D. Martinez opt out of his contract?
Yes (59.1% | 644 votes)
 
No (40.9% | 445 votes)
 
Total Votes: 1,089
Chris
9:03
How likely do you think it is that the Dodgers will give serious pursuit to Gerrit Cole? Do you think if they re-sign Hyun Jin Ryu that level of pursuit changes?
Mark P
9:04
Adding Cole would obviously help any team, but starting pitching doesn't really seem like a major area of need for the Dodgers.  I don't doubt that they'll check in on his availability, but other teams seem like more obvious suitors
Guest
9:05
Any chance Padres have to trade for betts?
Mark P
9:06
They have a chance, sure, since they have the prospect depth to get Boston's attention.  Maybe AJ Prellar feels enough heat that he'd make such a splurge for a star who is only under control for one year, but otherwise, it would seem like an impulsive move after all these years of building up that minor league system
As in, it would make more sense for the Padres to trade prospects for a star with multiple years of control remaining
Scott
9:07
Who goes and who stays? Bryant, Schwarber, Russell, Almora, Contreras?
Mark P
9:08
My guesses....
Almost surely stays: Contreras, Bryant
Probably stays: Schwarber
Borderline: Almora (isn't expensive, could stay as a pure defense-only bench guy)
Definitely gone: Russell
Boras
9:09
What can I responsibly expect to get for my client Gerrit Cole ? In terms of dollar value and years?
Mark P
9:09
Definitely over $200MM, and it's just a question of how far over $200MM teams are willing to go.  Minimum six-year deal, most likely seven
Nick the Stick
9:10
Why do you say Cubs are in a payroll crunch? They have Hamels (20), Zobrist 15, strop (8), kintzler (5), cishek(6.5), and more off the books.
Mark P
9:11
Very true, but even with all those salaries departing, Roster Resource still has them over the luxury tax threshold: https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/payroll/cubs
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