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Mark P
7:55
There's enough money committed to Kikuchi that he'll get first crack at a rotation spot again, but if the Blue Jays were willing to pull him from the rotation last year, they won't hesitate to do it again early if he struggles.  White isn't exactly the most reliable option as a fifth-starter replacement, but Toronto might also hope he can make a leap in his second year with the team.

The general lack of starting depth is certainly a concern for the Blue Jays, and I suspect they'll land at least one more starting pitcher this winter (whether it's a re-signed Stripling or a new face).  Even getting two pitchers and relegating White and Kikuchi to relief/sixth starter duty might be more feasible for a team that wants to win
DJ
7:56
Who do you see as viable targets for the Pirates on multi-year deals? Speculation I've seen (including on MLBTR) revolves around Wacha and Manaea, but the latter definitely seems like more of a one-year deal. Do you think a reunion with Quintana could be in the cards? He was loved by the other pitchers, seemed to like Pittsburgh, and his style would seemingly age well in PNC Park/the NL Central. I've been assuming he'll go to a contender, but he seems like the main multi-year target that's viab;e
Mark P
7:58
You're probably right about Quintana, he'll move onto a bigger contract elsewhere.  But in terms of finding the "next Quintana".....Wacha might be feasible, since his secondary metrics weren't great and other teams might balk at a multi-year pact
Too expensive of a multi-year pact, I should say. If the bidding even gets to a second year.
Al Kaline Battery
7:59
How do MLBTR shifts work? Obviously, with West Coast based teams, breaking news can happen pretty late.
Mark P
7:59
Most days, someone is monitoring the site from 7am-11pm CT.  During busier times of the year, those hours will be extended either way.  During the busiEST times of the year, we'll be doing 24/7 coverage....like at the Winter Meetings
Kevin
8:00
Do you see the Rays locking up Curtis Mead this year?
Mark P
8:02
That would be an intriguing move, and not out of line with the Rays' past efforts to lock up their star young players early.  I'm not sure Mead is exactly in the "can't miss" pile as guys like Franco, Longoria, Lowe, Archer or (ummmm) Matt Moore in the past, however.
Guest
8:04
Who was better overall Piazza or Pudge?
Mark P
8:04
Who was better?
Mike Piazza (35.3% | 343 votes)
 
Ivan Rodriguez (64.7% | 628 votes)
 
Total Votes: 971
JP
8:05
What moves do you see the Kansas City Royals making this offseason? Sounds like a Greinke return is possible, but do you see them signing someone like Taillon or Manaea? Or trading pieces like Taylor and Pratto for a SP or RHB?
Mark P
8:06
I think I had Manaea going to KC in the free agent picks contest, just because of his past history in the organization.  It probably won't be anything too big for the Royals this winter, but a Manaea-esque signing might work, with a player looking for a bounce-back perhaps seeing KC as a chance to gain regular playing time.
Guest
8:07
Rangers going to trade the farm for a Ace?
Mark P
8:07
More likely they sign one
Marlin Man
8:07
Do the fish sign Jazz long term?
Mark P
8:08
Probably not until they get a healthy season out of him
Ace of Braves
8:09
If the Braves sign Swanson do you see them continuing to add but not exceeding tier 1 of the luxury tax?
Mark P
8:11
Re-signing Swanson would already put the Braves pretty close to a $253MM tax number, which is the start of the next tier.  Given some money (Morton, Rosario, several other club options) is coming off the books after 2023, I can see the Braves making more additions now with the knowledge that they'll have some flexibility to duck back under the tax threshold next year
8:12
But, that's assuming the tax is a big obstacle.  Ownership has already increased spending so much that they might be willing to exceed the threshold two years (or more?) running, if it means the team remains in contention
Guest
8:13
Doesn't Winker make sense for the NYYs?
Mark P
8:14
Winker and the Yankee Stadium short porch could be really dangerous.
Guest
8:14
Has there been any interest for Cueto yet? You'd think someone would look to get the next year out of him as their #4 or 5.
Mark P
8:15
Not much buzz so far, but you'd think most teams see Cueto as a backup plan, rather than a pitcher they need to immediately rush out and sign
Joey bats
8:15
could u see a scenario where Bo bichette for alcantra happens?
Mark P
8:16
It would take that level of player to get the Marlins to even consider moving Alcantara, who seems next to untouchable
Ang T
8:17
Is Eppler being strategic about saying he doesn’t want to move top prospects or is that something that’s very well on the table for the Mets?
Mark P
8:18
No team "wants" to move top prospects, so it isn't like Eppler is being untruthful.  If a great offer came along, I'll bet the Mets would be open to moving anyone short of Alvarez, but it would have to be a "great" offer
Dog's
8:19
What are the chances of a Verlander/Dombroski Reunion?
Mark P
8:20
Phillies make a lot of sense as a team that has both an immediate need for Verlander, and can afford him.
Phil
8:20
The Jays supposedly almost landed Verlander last offseason. Will they repeat the Gausman experience and land Verlander the second time around?
Mark P
8:22
Signing Verlander puts the Jays into luxury tax territory for the first time.  Due to the lack of history, we don't know if ownership is willing to go quite that high with spending, or if they're cool with it for a big-time name and talent like JV.

As a Jays fan, my feeling is that Verlander might be out of Toronto's price range...though, Hernandez' contract did just get dealt....
Bosoxon
8:22
Any rumors on Tampa shopping B.Lowe? or anyone to either salary dump or buying talent?
Mark P
8:24
Because it's the Rays, it would surprise nobody if Lowe was dealt.  Frankly, it might even lean into the "likely" category for me.  Tampa has enough other good MI candidates that Lowe could be replaced at second base, and then dealt for perhaps another bat (probably in the outfield or at 1B)
Jays Fan
8:26
Am I still allowed to be upset about AA being in Atlanta. Atlanta has a locked up young core and a WS. The Jays have locked up 30 somethings and no playoff wins.
Mark P
8:28
As someone who has had to explain the Jays' side of this debate for several years now.....Anthopoulos had a very nice advantage going into Atlanta since so much of the Braves' core (Acuna, Albies, Fried, Riley, Wright, Contreras, Swanson, Freeman) was already in the organization or on the big league roster.  If AA had stayed in Toronto, he would've had to rebuild the aging 2015-16 roster, and who knows how that would have worked out
Not saying that Anthopoulos isn't an excellent GM, but I do tend to think that Toronto fans underrate the work that Atkins and Shapiro have done
Jim
8:28
Why do we not see more three team trades?
Mark P
8:29
They're very difficult to arrange
Actually Mark P
8:29
Which team(s) get the most Q’s sent to you?
Mark P
8:29
Generally the bigger-name teams, but it tends to ebb and flow depending on what clubs are in contention, on the verge of contention, or are rebuilding.
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