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MLBTR Chat With Mark Polishuk
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Mark P
4:11
Whether you're killing some time before Thanksgiving dinner is served, looking to avoid talking politics with the family, or today is just a normal Thursday because you're not in the U.S., what better time to fire up a baseball chat?
Guest
4:12
Will the Reds look to add to already strong rotation?
Mark P
4:12
Maybe, though adding hitting is clearly the Reds' top priority
Eric
4:13
Think the Twins will sign any big names like Wheeler or Bumgarner?
Mark P
4:14
No reason they couldn't, since they have tons of payroll space and are obviously positioned to contend for a World Series next year.  I wouldn't rule out a trade for pitching, though a FA signing is the easiest way for Minnesota to upgrade the rotation
Joshua
4:15
I'm at my brother in laws house (he's a Royals fan and I'm a Nats fan).....please help us settle this! Would Luis Garcia, Mason Denaburg and Erick Fedde be enough to land Whit Merrifield? Thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Mark P
4:15
Wouldn't be enough.  KC will ask for the moon and stars for Merrifield, if they move him at all
Guest
4:16
Who has the best team, as currently constructed? Indians or Twins?
Mark P
4:16
Right at this very moment, Cleveland since the Twins are still short at least half of their rotation.
Jay
4:16
Will the Cubs make a trade or try signing a big name free agent Mark Polishuk?
Mark P
4:18
Ha, I read this as "will the Cubs try to sign me," and hey, I'm open to negotiations!  Chicago would be a fun place to live, I could crash in Tim Dierkes' basement.

Anyway, trades seem more likely.  Free agent signings would create more of a luxury tax crunch for the Cubs, though they could also swing a trade to free up enough payroll room to make a notable signing
Bo
4:18
Will the Dodgers trade Keibert Ruiz
Mark P
4:19
Will Smith certainly seems like the future, though keep in mind we all thought the same thing about Austin Barnes two years ago.  I wouldn't be surprised to see LA hang onto Ruiz through at least 2020 just to make sure that Smith is their guy before truly dangling Ruiz in trades
Next Decade
4:20
How many  championships will the Dodgers win by 2030?
Mark P
4:20
Mark's bold prediction for the next decade: the Dodgers will win at least one WS title.
Scott
4:21
What was your take on the trade between the Padres and the Brewers? I’m not really sure of my opinion on it
Ryan
4:21
Happy Thanksgiving! What do you think about the brewers trade yesterday ? I think it’s a great move for both teams, trading position of strength for weakness
Mark P
4:23
It could be one of those secretly-fascinating deals that we all look back on as a key moment in a few years' time.  You don't usually see teams deal young players like Urias and Grisham so soon into their MLB careers.  On paper, it makes sense for both the Padres and Brewers, though I think I like it a bit more for San Diego at the moment
4:24
I guess it depends on if Urias can stick at shortstop, though keep in mind that Milwaukee's IF is pretty fluid right now.  He could eventually end up at second or third depending on where Hiura ends up playing
Rob
4:25
If Wheeler signs elsewhere, are there any rumors on how the Mets would replace him?
Mark P
4:26
Big-picture, I think the "replacement" came last summer when Marcus Stroman was acquired.

For now, the Mets will run JDG/Thor/Stroman/Matz, which is a very nice top four.  They could go with internal candidates like Lockett as the fifth starter, or pursue a low-cost veteran type
Ranger Rick
4:27
Thoughts on the Gibson deal?
Mark P
4:29
I enjoy how the Rangers have carved out a little niche for themselves with these three-year/$30MM range deals for veteran FA pitchers.  If Gibson turns out anything like Lynn or Minor, Texas will be thrilled, though Gibson has more question marks than those guys.  

The other big uncertainty is how the Rangers' new ballpark will play for pitchers or hitters.
If it's a homer-happy park, that won't be great for a flyball pitcher like Gibson
Mookie
4:30
Will I actually be traded or is this all smoke?
Mark P
4:30
The Sox will explore every possible avenue to trim payroll before trading Betts, since they will want to try and win in 2020
4:31
So I wouldn't say "all smoke," but it's not like Chaim Bloom's first act was to send a mass e-mail to other front offices titled SEND ME YOUR BEST OFFERS FOR MOOKIE BETTS, URGENT
saint__chris
4:31
If you're the Padres owner, how are you feeling about AJ Preller right now? He built a great farm, but...
Mark P
4:32
I think Ron Fowler, the Padres' chairman, made his feelings pretty clear after the season: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/09/padres-chairman-ron-fowler-on-e...

If the Padres don't have significant progress in 2020, my guess is Preller is fired
Joshua
4:33
Why wouldn't a playoff contending team with a need at 2nd base (like the Nats) make a claim on Villar? $10 million may be a slight overpay for him, but to gain a 3-4 WAR player at a position of need without giving up any prospects or players seems like a no brainer to me. The Nats paid Dozier $9 million last year, and Villar is a much better player (with ability to slide to SS if Turner gets hurt or needs a rest) and in his prime. Thanks!
Mark P
4:33
You're not wrong.  I'm surprised Baltimore just waived Villar rather than hang onto him longer to find a trade partner.  Are they that worried about spending $10MM?
4:34
Villar should be a popular figure on the waiver wire.  Nats are an obvious fit, as are other 2B-needy teams
Blue Jays fan
4:34
What would it take to get Robbie Ray?
Mark P
4:35
As much as I'd like to make Ray Jay Johnson jokes all summer long in Toronto, I don't think the Blue Jays are a natural trade partner.  Ray is only under contract through 2020, so he isn't a fit for a Jays team that isn't planning to contend until 2021 at the earliest
Doug
4:36
What are the easiest ways for the Mets to upgrade in 2020?
Mark P
4:36
Suddenly realize "hey wait a second, we play in New York.  Why don't we have a $200MM+ payroll every season?"
Bloom baby Bloom
4:37
Mookie and Eovaldi for May, Maeda, Verdugo and Ruiz or Downs. Who says no?
Mark P
4:37
Dodgers say no.  They're not giving up that much for one season for Betts (with no guarantee he'd re-sign) and an oft-injured Eovaldi
Maeda by himself is better than Eovaldi and much cheaper, for one
Guest
4:38
how many questions do you get during these? like what percent of questions are you able to answer? it has to be low. there’s so many questions
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