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Dodgers
8:36
How do they year after year trade for guys that are horrible with their teams then go to LA and play like all stars??!!
Mark P
8:37
The Dodgers have an excellent coaching/development staff, plus I think playing for a consistent winner rejuvenates a lot of players
8:38
As simplistic as it sounds, "wow, the Dodgers think I can turn it around" can be a real mental boost to a struggling player
AI Aaron
8:38
do You think Gerrit Cole opts out?
Mark P
8:41
Cole can opt out of his deal following the 2024 season, so he'd be leaving four years and $144MM on the table.

Cole turns 34 in September 2024, so even if he keeps pitching like an ace, some teams will naturally be wary of committing even bigger money to a pitcher that old.  Then again, we've already seen Scherzer and Verlander land even bigger AAV paydays at even older ages.

My guess is that Cole does opt out (assuming good form and good health, of course).  He can then gun for at least a $40MM AAV, whether over four or five years
TNSTAAPP
8:42
What to you think of the White Sox picking up every available post-hype/failed pitching prospect -- e.g., Touki Toussaint, Luis Patino, Brent Honeywell, Deivi Garcia?  What are the chances that a change of scenery will lead to (significantly) better results from at least one of these guys?
Mark P
8:43
Striking paydirt on just one of those pitchers would be a big help to the White Sox, whatever the next direction of their team might be.
A guy like Honeywell has barely even played due to injury, whereas any of these pitchers might get a second wind in their career by becoming relievers
JD
8:44
If Cole opts out it just triggers the Yankees ability to add a 5th year at the same pay rate, the opt out is basically making the yankees decide on a 34 mil option 4 years early
Mark P
8:45
You are correct, I missed that detail!  Then yes, Cole will certainly opt out if he's still pitching well
Appa Yip Yip
8:49
Would the Yankees trigger that clause then? Hal is not George and he might want to get money off the books. They're paying a lot of dudes more than they're worth til 2026
Mark P
8:50
But Cole is one of the stars who is living up to the big contract, so the Yankees should have no problem paying a big salary to a major contributor.  I don't expect the Yankees to ever rebuild, so letting an ace starter walk to save money is very implausible
Mark P
8:50
Do you think it’s possible the Cubs could get deals done with Bellinger, Candelario, and Tauchman to stay?
Mark P
8:53
Tauchman still has arbitration control remaining, so he won't be a free agent unless there was some specific language in his minor league deal.

Re-signing the other two might be a tall order, since Bellinger is absolutely going to be looking for a huge multi-year payday this winter.  Candelario as well will want a good multi-year pact after rebounding from his rough 2022.

The Cubs have shown a willingness to spend over the last two years, but my guess is that Candelario was seen as just a rental and will be go.  They'll at least be in the running to re-sign Bellinger, but could get outbid
Walter
8:54
With Guardians having a down year, do you see Terry Francona retiring after this season?
Mark P
8:55
Francona's health is the biggest factor in his future, moreso than the Guardians' play.  But there are some parallels to 2021, when Cleveland had a down year due to pitching injuries but then rebounded to make the ALCS in 2022.

If the rotation is healthier in 2024 and the Guards get even half-decent offense, they can get right back into the hunt next year
kurt the hurt
8:56
What do Tigers do with Baez's 4 more years on his contract, he's been awful at the plate and his throws often go for errors ?
Mark P
8:57
My hot take is that Baez isn't opting out of his contract after the season.

There isn't much the Tigers can do besides hope that he can turn things around.  It's still too early into the deal to just release him and eat the money.
Rob
8:59
Will Johan Rojas be a full time starter next year
Mark P
8:59
Not unless there's a trade.  If the Phillies chose to just have Harper as more or less a full-time first baseman, that opens up some space in the outfield since one of Castellanos/Schwarber (likely the latter) will mostly be the DH
D
9:00
Could Donovan be shifted to the outfield full time next year? Free up some room in the infield if they move Carlson and/or O’Neill?
Mark P
9:01
Donovan's versatility is such a plus that it almost seems like a waste to lock him into a single position, notwithstanding how St. Louis already has a lot of options at other positions
He might end up playing a lot of outfield, but the Cards probably don't want to him a full-time outfielder, if that makes sense
AdrianP84
9:03
Do you think Ohtani will go to the Dodgers in spite of the Angels or just stay where he is?
Mark P
9:03
I think money and the Dodgers' history of winning are larger factors for Ohtani than spite
Baseball conspiracy
9:04
Marcus Stroman purposely pitched bad to stay on the Cubs?
Mark P
9:05
"We're through the looking glass, people." -- Milhouse
Marky Mark
9:05
Bees?
Mark P
9:05
Beads?!

Wow, we almost went the full two hours without this beloved running joke!
Big Green Guy
9:06
Can the Phillies minor league system produce prospects to offset the cost of expensive free agents? Painter, Abel, and McGarry are the popular names but what position players are next in line to help as trade bait or main roster? Does Rojas make Marsh expendable in the off-season?
Mark P
9:09
The Phillies aren't ready to anoint Rojas after 23 game and a heavily BABIP-influenced batting line, but if he can prove enough to be a backup outfielder, that's still a nice result.

A lot of Philly's best position player prospects are still at least a couple of years away, but Muzzioti has already been in the majors, Carlos De La Cruz should be in the majors at some point late in 2024...some backup options exist, even if an injury or trade might be required to really make room for anyone as an everyday option
9:10
And, the Phils are so star-focused that it is likelier that Dombrowski might be more apt to offer some of these guys in trades, particularly outfield types given the depth at the MLB level
Dane
9:12
The Twins AAA team has been the Saint Paul Saints for a couple years now, and I feel it's been such a great thing for the organization and the fans.  Do you see other organizations following suit with having their AAA teams near their major league ball clubs?
Mark P
9:13
Minny/St. Paul is a unique situation, but yeah, all teams would ideally love to have their Triple-A affiliates nearby, for logistical reasons if nothing else.  

However, there are only so many minor league franchises and facilities that are Triple-A quality, leading to a bit of musical chairs sometimes when clubs are finding new affiliates
Garrett
9:14
You said Jayson Werth isn't walking through the door to Washington, but what about Rhys Hoskins? Maybe not a longterm contract but something short to prove he's healthy and stay in a familiar division?
Mark P
9:14
Hoskins makes a lot of sense for the Nats, as they've targeted veterans on one-year contracts for the last few years.
Guard
9:14
What uniform is Shane Bieber wearing on opening day next season. guardians or the field
Mark P
9:15
Bieber will be traded.  It fits Cleveland's usual strategy to move him before his final year of arbitration eligibility.
Nick
9:16
Who did you have for Royals-Brewers in today's Immaculate Grid? I got Yuniesky Betancourt without even having to chat
Mark P
9:16
Alcides Escobar was the first name that leapt to mine
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