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Mark P
12:35
Given the new CBA, we don't know exactly what the luxury tax will look like, which may be why the Phillies and many other big-spending teams were relatively quiet pre-lockout.  Bryant would be a good fit in Philly, and some type of additional relief help is a necessity.
A's Fan
12:36
I'm thinking an All Star defense keeps our pitching sharp and keeps scores close? A's should just add the RP nececessary and go for it!
Mark P
12:38
I'm sure Billy Beane has asked the "what if I spent that money on someone or something besides Trevor Rosenthal" question about a million times since last offseason, since that alone might have made the difference in the A's making or missing the playoffs.

You're not wrong in suggesting that Oakland could or should still go for it, but that's just not the team's way.  They operate within these limited windows of contention, and unfortunately, 2021 might have been the end of this attempt
Colin
12:38
Are we looking at a first day of NBA free agency type scenario once lockout ends? Flurry of moves in first few hours?
Mark P
12:39
We've been discussing this a lot at MLBTR, and basically we're prepping like it'll be a Winter Meetings --- three or four days of just nonstop moves and rumors
Honestly, it's hard to know exactly what to expect, since this is unprecedented for us
Bo and Vlad
12:40
Is there any chance the Jays can keep us both long term?
Mark P
12:41
In theory, yes.  Neither are free agents until 2026, and the Jays have managed their payroll so that Springer and Gausman will be off the books following that season.  So 2026 itself might be a real balloon year for the Jays payroll, and whatever the luxury tax ends up being that year, they might be willing to take a one-year hit.

Or, conceivably, maybe any of Springer, Gausman, or Berrios might be traded by then, who knows.
12:42
You can also certainly make the case that the Blue Jays are gunning hard to win in the next four years while Bichette and Vlad are still around, since having at least one ring will lessen the blow if either leave
Guest
12:44
Hi Mark, much of the attention regarding the Braves have been centered (of course) on what will happen with Freeman. But talking about starting pitching, do you think they will  be content to have Morton, Fried and Anderson and leave the 2 open spots to Wright, Davidson, Ynoa, Strider, Muller, Elder, or will they search for a more established veteran?
Mark P
12:45
Yeah, I can see the Braves going for another Drew Smyly type of acquisition to provide some certainty
Confused of London
12:45
So if you're John Mozeliak and want the Reds to part with Tyler Mahle, can it be done without losing a top 5 prospect?
Mark P
12:46
Probably not.  Especially since the Reds will probably want a premium for moving Mahle within the division
ooklah the mok
12:46
Phillies' ownership says it will go over the threshold for the right deal....What say you to a deal with the Sox for Keuchel AND Kimbrel....
Mark P
12:46
If I'm the Phillies and willing to exceed the tax threshold, I'd want to do it for a player or players with a lot fewer question marks than those two White Sox arms
Iverbure
12:47
Why can’t fans understand how teams operate? Oakland for example has been operating like this for years and have been quite successful. Spending a extra 10-20-30 million doesn’t equal winning playoffs are a crapshoot.
Mark P
12:48
You can certainly win without having a big payroll, that's true.  But considering that the A's are about to (again) unload a bunch of their best players because they aren't even willing to pay relatively modest arbitration salaries, it's an issue.
I may have had too much to drink last night
12:50
Any news on the Orioles pursuit of Correa?
Mark P
12:51
The O's have been mentioned as a theoretical what-if for Correa, based mostly on the Correa/Elias ties from their days in Houston.  There is zero indication that the Orioles are actually considering signing Correa, or any player to even a multi-year deal
Juan Soto
12:51
Does signing Carlos Correra make sense for my Nats?  We need a shortstop,  he is young and provides huge protection in the lineup.
Mark P
12:52
The Nationals seem to be trending towards taking one more year to semi-rebuild, so a Correa signing would be pretty surprising.  Adding Correa to the books would also perhaps impact their ability to sign Soto over the long term
Al
12:53
Do you collect baseball cards?
Mark P
12:53
Only back when I was a kid
Greg
12:53
Do you think Cherington has a shot to turn the Pirates organization around?  Specifically in player development and putting together a roster in the next 2-3 years that could compete?
Mark P
12:54
The Pirates have already added a bunch of young prospects under Cherington, and their farm system has steadily risen in organizational rankings.  As frustrating as this must be for Pittsburgh fans, some pieces are being put into place.
old man
12:55
Food for thought. Betty White was alive for every Yank championship.
Mark P
12:56
That might be my favorite Betty White trivia item yet of the last 24 hours.  RIP to that legend, I've enjoyed watching on her TV for my entire life
Twilight Zone
12:58
Time Enough at last, The Monsters are due on Maple Street, The Mighty Casey (since it's baseball oriented). If you enjoy those you'd like the series I think.
Mark P
12:58
It's a sign of how influential Twilight Zone was that I already know exactly which episodes those are, even though I've never seen the show.
George
1:00
Some GMs/FOs operate more "outside the box" than others, but I am curious why we haven't seen a more extreme example of this in MLB considering the disparity in revenue amongst the member clubs.  For instance, couldn't SD rid themselves of a bad contract and take on a very good young player and top prospects if they were to trade Tatis?  They could then sign Correa for a draft pick.  The initial "Net gain" would be enormous and could potentially set them up for a several year run at the WS.  I am not saying this particular example is a good idea, but why don't we see more of this from mid market teams ready to win?
Mark P
1:01
Tatis has a full no-trade clause and isn't a "Bad Contract," so that specific example doesn't really fly.

Also, it isn't a good look for teams if they sign a guy to a huge contract and then deal him a year or two later.  It lessens trust from players and agents.
Mark shapiro
1:01
Interesting to see my owner is by far the wealthiest in baseball.
Mark P
1:02
The catch there is that the Blue Jays are just one piece of the larger Rogers Communications empire, however.  So obviously all those billions aren't available to be directed towards baseball payroll.
Evan
1:02
Is their a chance the new CBA won’t include a Luxury Tax?
Mark P
1:02
I highly doubt the tax will be scrapped entirely
Altered maybe, but certainly not scrapped
Angles
1:03
Do you see the Angels making a big trade for pitching and including Adell and or Marsh?
Mark P
1:04
Wow, it took almost an hour for the first Jo Adell question.  2022 is a whole new era!

I wouldn't be entirely shocked if one of Adell or Marsh were dealt, but there is zero chance both are moved.  And even trading one seems like a longshot given how the Angels could badly use some young talent to infuse into the lineup, especially outfielders to replace Upton
John
1:04
Can you see Kershaw going to New York and joining Degrom and Scherzer to make the nastiest 1,2,3 combo in baseball
Mark P
1:05
There has been virtually no indication Kershaw is going anywhere besides the Dodgers or Rangers, or retirement
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