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Minasian

8:21

Could Rendon be traded with his contract?

Mark P

8:22

It's not out of the question. The size of the contract will limit the number of suitors, but it could be done....assuming Rendon gets on track at the plate, that is.

Mike Scioscia (the manager)

8:23

Am I a HOFer?

Mark P

8:24

I agree with the idea that the Hall Of Fame should create some kind of "baseball lifer" category to acknowledge people who were notable both as managers and as players (i.e. Dusty Baker, Gil Hodges) if they aren't inducted via one category or the other. By this logic, Scioscia has a pretty solid case for induction.

Alex

8:25

Do you expect Hal Steinbrenner to make vast organizational changes if the Yankees disappoint again this year? Seems like the window is closing and patience is starting to really wearing thin.

Mark P

8:26

Once the Yankees reset their luxury tax payments (which, let's be real, was their top priority for 2021), they might pursue the typical Yankee strategy of blowing up the payroll and pursuing a lot of big names.

Whether that leads to changes within the front office or dugout, however, remains to be seen. Cashman seems to have as much job security as anyone in the game, so I doubt he goes anywhere.

A’s fan

8:29

A’s have been struggling to Score Runs. Is Marcus Semien missed that much?

Mark P

8:30

Short answer, yeah obviously! Longer answer, keep in mind Semien didn't contribute a ton during the regular season last year.

And the A's aren't really that bad off, offensively. They're about middle of the pack overall

Mark

8:32

Is Trevor Story a possible fit for a NL team that needs a 2B or SS like Cubs Reds or others?

Mark P

8:33

The Reds aren't looking like deadline buyers, for one. The Cubs getting Story and then using him as a 2B would be interesting, but the Cubs' payroll situation is weird enough that I'm not sure how the money would work out in absorbing Story's salary

Pete

8:34

When do the Marlins make a move,good pitching but too many below Mendoza line?Obvious nothing

Mark P

8:35

The Marlins are probably in wait-and-see mode, since they're not out of contention by any means, but don't want to overcommit to a move quite this early.

Should they do decide to buy, I agree, the lineup needs some big help.

Sox Fan

8:36

Will the Rays ever lose again?

Mark P

8:36

They've already played a lot of their games against the Jays this year, so they're bound to lose sooner or later

Striker

8:37

Lovullo in AZ has got to be on the managerial hot seat, right? Or is he too much Hazen's guy and if one goes they would both probably have to go? The guy doesn't seem to motivate or strategize in-game better than whoever is in the other dugout, ever.

Mark P

8:38

The Diamondbacks CEO just the other day said that Lovullo wasn't the reason for the team's struggles, and I agree. There's only so much a manager can do when his team is maybe a borderline contender at best if everything is going right, and then that roster is ravaged by injuries

Matthew

8:39

Do you think the Phillies could become sellers if they continue to play terrible baseball?

Ham “Babe” Porter

8:39

If the Phillies are sellers at the deadline who gets traded and for what?

Mark P

8:41

Neris, Miller, Velasquez would all have some limited value. Maybe Cutch if the Phillies eat a good chunk of the salary.

Beyond that....it's tough since the Phils have a lot of long-term money in invested in their key guys. They're another team that would be planning to contend in 2022, too, so you wouldn't see them deal Nola or someone

HtMD

8:42

To add on to the Marlins post, are the Marlins a sleeper team in the Joey Gallo hunt?

Mark P

8:42

That's an interesting concept. Can't rule it out, since you wouldn't have thought that the Marlins would've been in on Starling Marte last year, either

Benny the Jet

8:42

Any chance the steal makes a comeback in the modern game? Or is Rickey’s record very, very safe?

Mark P

8:43

Rickey's steals records are high on the list of "these will never be broken" sports benchmarks

CheeryVladdy

8:44

Is the Vladdy breakout for real? He’s been amazing so far. Only complaint is that he’s been a bit streaky.

Mark P

8:45

It was around this time two years ago that prospect guides were using comps like Miguel Cabrera to describe Vlad Jr., so this breakout shouldn't be any real surprise

Kris Bryant

8:45

At this point, seems pretty obvious the Cubs won’t give me an offer to keep me around. Best bet of where I end up?

Mark P

8:46

With the Cubs still in contention, Bryant might not actually get traded.

The North

8:48

How does Chatwood stay in that game?

Mark P

8:48

No idea. Not even having anyone else warming up until four batters deep into the inning is beyond me

Verlander

8:50

Do you think there’s any chance he could return for September call ups or something since he’s already throwing from 90 feet?

Mark P

8:51

Verlander's TJ surgery took place in the second half of September 2020. For him to return less than 12 months later would be a minor miracle, especially since the current trend is for guys to miss at least 13 months in recovery

8:52

Plus, Verlander has talked about wanting to pitch in the future, so I doubt he'd risk an early return and then another injury (that could be career-ending)

Nolan Ryan

8:54

Any pitchers you are taking ahead of me in an all-time draft?

Mark P

8:54

At the risk of offending Nolan and getting a Robin Ventura-esque beatdown, there are a good 25-30 pitchers I'd take ahead of Ryan in an all-time draft. Keep in mind that there is zero shame in being "only" the 31st or so best pitcher of all time.

Guest

8:56

Will the Giants trade either of the overpaid, useless Brandon's at the trade deadline?

Mark P

8:57

Would that be Brandon Crawford with the 135 wRC+, or Brandon Belt, who is injured but has a 131 wRC+?

Both of the Brandons have quietly been very productive for the last two seasons.

John does brotherdale

9:00

Doe Atlanta look for the opportunity to get out of the Ozuna contract?

Mark P

9:00

For certain.

Peter Parker

9:00

Marvel or DC?

Mark P

9:01

Marvel. Spidey was my comics hero of choice growing up.