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Mike
10:31
How did the Red Sox get so good?
Mark P
10:32
Maybe it's just more that they weren't really all that bad, and 2020 was just a Murphy's Law year for them.  Keep in mind that the Red Sox were still a good-hitting team last year, so they only truly needed pitching improvements.
Angels Fan
10:33
So Pujols wasn’t willing to accept a diminished role in Anaheim (thus his release)  because he feels he’s an “everyday player” yet he’s willing to accept a possibly even more diminished role (since no DH) with the Dodgers?  
Mark P
10:35
Being a bench player on a loaded (when healthy) team that can challenge for a World Series is a different situation for Pujols, no doubt.  It seems like the last straw for Pujols in Anaheim was when he wasn't even being started against a lefty he'd had success against in the past --- Pujols seemed willing to accept not actually playing "every day," but if the Halos weren't even sticking with the platoon, it infuriated him.
Philly A's
10:36
Will the looming CBA scare off some teams for a big trade?
Mark P
10:37
It's possible, or maybe the reverse could be true.  Teams fearing a work stoppage or some alteration to baseball's business might feel their best chance to win is right this season, so they could be more bold about swinging a huge blockbuster deal
Nick
10:37
Do you think the Angels would trade Trout?
Mark P
10:37
No, not unless he demanded one.
Beat LA 4 Ever
10:39
I had a cutout at Oracle Park and they shipped it to me after the season was over. It's in my Man Cave by the Championship Wall
Mark P
10:40
That's a cool idea.  I should try an idea like that, my man cave looks more like a man's grave.

(That one is for the very small crossover of MLBTR chat readers and Comedy Bang Bang fans.)
Prediction
10:40
Where will the A’s land with their new stadium?
Brandon
10:40
Oakland is probably the worst run city that has a professional sports team. I'd think it would be in the A's best interest to leave. What do you think?
Mark P
10:43
Let's not overlook the fact that if it wasn't for the Giants exercising their territorial rights, we might have had the Fremont A's or the San Jose A's (the San JosA's?) for the last few years.  So there is some sense that ownership has wanted out of Oakland for a while, unless they're willing to get a sweetheart deal on a new ballpark.

The A's might feel they can play hardball since Oakland has lost both the Raiders and the Warriors, though judging from the Oakland city council's recent letter to Rob Manfred, they aren't pleased with the public posturing
Hot Saucerman
10:44
Heynongman!
Mark P
10:44
Ha, as seen by a few different user names in the question queue, there seem to be at least a few CBB fans out there.
Dayton Moore
10:44
Are we done playing passable baseball or is there hope for us to turn it around and get another hot streak?
Mark P
10:45
(Dayton Moore = Royals GM)

Quite possible that neither the early season hot streak or the current slump are representative of the Royals' true talent level.
Sandy Alderson
10:45
Is Rojas the voice the Mets need?
Mark P
10:47
It's hard to gauge Rojas because of all the unusual circumstances that have befallen the Mets basically since the moment he got the job.  (Heck, even how he got the job was in itself unusual.)

Despite his long time with the club and his long relationship with Alderson and Cohen, I think Rojas will be let go if the Mets underachieve.  Or, maybe even if they do achieve, like how the White Sox fired Rick Renteria despite making the 2020 postseason.
Liance Parrish
10:49
What moves do you see the Rangers making at the trade deadline?
Mark P
10:52
Speaking of teams that have come back to earth after a hot start....

If the Rangers are sellers, then naturally the veterans and rental players are the top trade candidates.  In particular, Ian Kennedy will get a lot of attention if he keeps pitching like this.

If the Rangers get back on track and get back into contention, I don't see any big splashy adds. For a team that has been trying to get younger and is in semi-rebuild mode, they won't go all-in immediately.  Pitching seems like a natural need, and maybe a veteran multi-position type.
Brandon
10:54
Of course the Giants exercised their territory rights. That's the whole reason why territory rights exist, is it not?
Mark P
10:54
Fair point, though you'd think baseball's rules would have some leeway since Oakland is already within the "territory."
Jorge78
10:55
Mark, you would be called a featured extra if you got to shout the funniest line in a movie.  I know, I've had many scenes left on the cutting room floor.  But the checks always cleared!
Mark P
10:55
Aha, learn something new every day!
Bucs love
10:55
Are the Pirates really going to hover this close to .500 all season?  I was envisioning back-to-back  #1 picks.
Mark P
10:57
Would you settle for a top-five pick?
10:58
Plus, y'know, lots of baseball left.  I can use that answer to also illustrate how some teams might be play worse over the rest of the season, rather than get better!
Dalton Wilcox
11:00
What can the Cubs get for Hendricks? I imagine even with his big contract someone might bite and jumpstart The Future
Mark P
11:02
Moving Hendricks would definitely be a sign that the Cubs were abandoning all pretense and going into a rebuild, which I'm not sure they're yet ready to do.

If they did decide to move him, it would be interesting to see what the return would be.  Obviously you'd think a controllable (via his extension) and relatively inexpensive pitcher with years of solid results to his name would merit a big trade package.
11:04
Hendricks is already 31 and isn't the big-strikeout, big-velocity guy that so many front offices crave, but surely he'd still bring back at least a couple of solid prospects.
Mark P
11:04
The chat is completed.  Goodbye!
Mark P
11:05
What the....that's my line!

Anyway, um, the chat is completed.  Back next week for another round of questions!
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