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Mark P
8:56
After years of "Jo Adell trade suggestions" as a running joke in these chats, I saw Adell play live for the first time last night.....and he hit two homers.  You can't make this stuff up, folks.

Onto the questions!
Henry
8:57
Yo! Was wondering how y’all felt about the tigers GM opening? Is it intriguing, and who are some good candidates for the job? Thanks!
Mark P
8:59
It's certainly intriguing, since Detroit has talent on that roster and ownership has shown a willingness to spend.  The trick is, figuring out how exactly "how much" talent is really there, since obviously a lot of people either took a step back or made no progress this season, and the Tigers don't look close at all to a playoff spot.

Many of the names suggested as possible candidates as either internal names, or executives who have a past connection to A.J. Hinch, since they'll be inheriting him as manager.  It'll be interesting to see how ownership approaches this search, and whether they thought Avila himself was a problem and they'll promote from within, or if they'll make a totally new hire with a totally fresh approach
Julio
9:00
What do you think of the structure of my contract
Mark P
9:02
That question assumes I understand the structure, and I think my eyes started to glaze over.  :)

It's quite a deal, and I think a decent one for both sides.  Obviously Rodriguez locks in a ton of money before his career is even a season old, and already has a future "best player in baseball" type of fortune built in if he does go on to achieve superstar status.
For the Mariners, if J-Rod does end up a superstar, they'll be happy to pay him that big money, even at those record price.  If he struggles, that's obviously a big risk and setback for the organization, but this looks like a special kind of player.
Comet
9:03
How bad was the Josh Donaldson trade for the Yankees?
Mark P
9:04
Considering they're 78-48, not very?  Donaldson and IKF haven't played well, but one might argue that there was some "addition by subtraction" in moving Sanchez
Kristopher
9:05
When do we see Torkelsom get called back up?
Mark P
9:06
Probably on or a little after September 1st, though I'm not sure if Toledo is in any kind of a playoff situation.  (This is sometimes a factor, since teams like to give minor leaguers some seasoning in "bigger" games.)
Joshua
9:06
Do you know when the Draft Lottery is actually being held and when we'll know the draft order? Asking as a concerned Nats fan.
Mark P
9:07
That's a good question, I don't think the league has announced an official date for the lottery yet.  I'd suspect a couple of months before draft day, to give clubs time to prepare
Ryan
9:07
Why do you think most relief pitchers are up and down year to year? While starting pitchers are more stable.
Mark P
9:08
Relief pitchers are relief pitchers for a reason, so they're prone to more variance.  Plus, when dealing in the small sample sizes that make up relief appearances, one or two bad outings can skew the numbers can turn a good season into a "mediocre" season.
Grover
9:09
Starting pitchers are more stable year to year?
Mark P
9:10
Ha, another fair point.
BerthaPalmer
9:10
Who do you think the Red Sox might bring in to add some power to the outfield during the off season ?
Mark P
9:11
Hunter Renfroe has 23 homers, maybe Boston should get a guy like him!

Cheap jokes aside, it's hard to make predictions about Boston's approach since their moves have been all over the place.  It doesn't seem like Bloom is prone to big splashy moves, but then again, he's also the same guy who signed Trevor Story.
Scott S
9:12
Bo  Bichette for Corbin Burnes in the off season. Who says no?
Mark P
9:13
Intriguing.  Does Adames or Bichette move to second base in this scenario?  I'm not sure either team necessarily says yes, but this is the kind of bold blockbuster fans (and MLBTR writers!) love to see
Joe
9:14
In the Julio presser today Stanton said they were looking to lockup a few more players soon. Any chance one is Castillo and what do you think that would look like?
Mark P
9:15
It's generally more the Mariners' M.O. to lock up younger playes, so perhaps guys like Kirby or Raleigh might be likelier extension candidates.  Extending Castillo a year before he hits the open market seems less probable, but then again, I thought the same thing about Berrios last year before he signed his long-term deal with Toronto
Ed Begley
9:16
Who ya got winning the WS: Dodgers vs the field?
Mark P
9:16
The field.  Far too many good teams have a legit shot.
White Sox fan
9:17
Could we have gotten Christian Walker, Austin Hays or Chad Pinder if Hahn was more aggressive at the deadline?
Mark P
9:19
The D'Backs and Orioles would've wanted a lot for Walker and Hays, so sure, the Sox could've really paid a hefty price and landed either player.  But, Abreu's presence limits Walker's effectiveness a bit, and locks down the 1B/DH positions entirely (making it an issue is Eloy or someone needs to DH, or if someone gets hurt and can't field but can still hit).
I don't think Oakland would've wanted much for Pinder, but I'm also not sure Pinder is necessarily a big upgrade that would've solved Chicago's needs
Blue Jays
9:19
Can the Jays rotation get them to the post season?
Mark P
9:20
I'm not sure the rotation is as much of an issue as this lineup that is prone to going completely ice cold for days at a time.
Vaughn Grissom
9:21
Is he up to stay once Albies returns?
Mark P
9:22
He's played so well that I don't see how Atlanta can send him down.  There has been talk of a move to the outfield, which is kind of a risk since Grissom has yet to play as an outfielder during his entire pro career.
Sad Crew Fan
9:23
It kinda feels like the Brewers need some new voices in the FO and the dugout. This team doesn’t believe in themselves anymore, and the FO basically told them not to.
Mark P
9:24
There's still several weeks left for the Brewers to get on track and make the playoffs, but for now, you're right --- the Hader deal looks like one of those cautionary tales we'll be mentioning at trade deadlines for years to come.

Whether that merits a change in leadership is another question, given how successful Stearns and Counsell have been in Milwaukee.  Of course, there's also the lingering Mets question in regards to Stearns and his future.
Mgr Hot Seat
9:25
If their teams don't make the playoffs, do you see Counsell, Baldelli, and LaRussa in Job Jeopardy? Anyone else?
Mark P
9:27
Like I said, Counsell has done a good job overall in my view, and I doubt he'd be fired.  Same with Baldelli, who has gotten the Twins back to respectability after a Murphy's Law year in 2021.  For La Russa, it's hard to gauge since Jerry Reinsdorf has so much faith in his friend as the guy to lead the Sox back to glory, so it remains to be seen how the last two seasons have shaken that faith.  If the Sox miss the playoffs, it's possible La Russa moves into an advisor job or something, and steps away from managing rather than being "fired."
9:29
Besides that trio, John Schneider is in trouble if Toronto misses the playoffs.  I suspect Don Mattingly's time in Miami is probably up.

For slightly more surprising names, how about Dusty Baker or Terry Francona deciding to retire, if either of their teams wins a World Series?  Either guy might decide to go out on top.
Daro
9:31
I just dont see how the Rangers can be competitive in the near future. They have Jung who can be the next Michael Young? But they need more Starters, Relief and at least a OF. And they are in a division with Houston and a raising mariners. Can they make the playoffs in the near future?
Mark P
9:32
I don't think it's that out of the question.  They obviously need pitching help, but ownership is definitely aggressive and willing to spend, so some big moves are surely coming this winter.

Obviously they need to hit on those moves, but on paper, I wouldn't be shocked to see Texas in the race as early as next year.  The extra wild card allows more breathing room even for teams in a division with two other strong clubs.
Ohtani MVP
9:33
What would Ohtani have to do to create real debate for MVP if Judge were to hit 60+ HRs?
Mark P
9:34
Voters are always kind of influenced by narrative, and I think the "story" of Judge hitting 60 homers and leading the Yankees to a huge season will net him the award.  Even if Ohtani's achievements are still incredible, the fact that he won an MVP last year might make some voters want to go in another direction in 2022
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