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Mark P
7:16
As to the contract, Sasaki is still subject to international bonus pool rules because he's 22 and only has three NPB seasons under his belt.  So he'd be joining a Major League club for only a few million bucks as a bonus, like the January 15th prospects.
7:17
That low salary probably isn't an issue for Sasaki since he'll be making millions on the side in endorsements anyway, and he stands to make a fortune in future MLB contract down the road
Rocktober 2025
7:18
If you watch the rockies' fanfest media conference it's like the front office is living in a parallel universe, Schmidt seemed to speak about guys on the back of the 40 man as future closers and 3+ war utility pieces who will anchor a dynasty as well as some serious wishful thinking surrounding Bryant and Freeland. To be fair the younger guys are promising and we do have a good borderline great farm. Will this season at least be fun in terms of the young guys getting reps and is there hope in the future?
Mark P
7:19
In fairness, every GM speaks highly of their prospects.  It's kind of all the Rockies can do right now is hope that they strike gold on at least a couple of these kids, and they can spark some more winning baseball
M’s Fan
7:20
How much would Jorge Polanco or Matt Chapman increase your confidence in the 2024 M’s roster?
Mark P
7:21
Either would be a very solid upgrade on the current 2B/3B options.  Chapman is probably too expensive for a Mariners team looking to keep payroll in check, but since Seattle has pitching depth and Minnesota needs arms, those teams might match up on a Polanco trade
Mr. B
7:21
Bees?
Mark P
7:21
Beads?!
Curious
7:21
What is the deal with the bees/beads thing? Never understood that.
Mark P
7:21
It's a very obscure joke from an Arrested Development episode from almost 20 years ago.  

The important thing is....at least I find it funny.
Rangers
7:22
Does Jordan Montgomery still prefer coming back. Or would he go to Boston despite them not being a contender.
Mark P
7:24
The fact that Montgomery's wife is doing a dermatology residency in Boston has had the media trying to link Montgomery to the Red Sox for months now.  If the Sox aren't willing to spend much and Montgomery isn't willing (or doesn't see the need) to drop his price into Boston's comfort zone, I think that carries more weight than a possible family tie.
7:25
Also, as someone who knows literally zero about medical residencies, could Mrs. Montgomery simply transfer to another hospital in wherever city her husband happens to sign?  I have no idea.
Oscar
7:25
Best Picture winner?
Mark P
7:26
Oppenheimer is a lock to win.  It was a good movie, but of the nominees I've seen so far, The Holdovers was my favourite.  

Holdovers or Across the Spider-Verse are my two favourites of 2023, but I'm slacking on my movie-watching.  Too much baseball!
Jimbo
7:27
What do you think of Pete Crow Armstrong's chances for appearing in the Opening Day lineup for the Cubs?
Mark P
7:28
I tend to think Bellinger is re-signing in Chicago, so maybe around only 50% depending on how the Cubs decide to make up the roster?  It could be that the Cubs give Crow-Armstrong a bit more Triple-A time before calling him back up for good
Exec
7:29
We have now heard players openly admit the week long layoff after 162 game season is a problem for hitters. Teams like the Phillies and Dbacks can't rely on injuries and layoffs to get past the NLDS every season.
Mark P
7:30
It's hard to shake up the playoff format without making it an even eight teams in each league, and expanding the playoff field might create larger problems in terms of watering down the talent level and making the regular season mean less.
Patrick Mahomes
7:31
Should I have played baseball?
Mark P
7:31
Seems like playing football has worked out pretty well for him
Ben Cherington
7:32
What type of package to I need to put together to get Cease to the Burgh??
Mark P
7:33
Obviously Skenes is off limits and the White Sox would know that.  But if Chicago is asking for something like Termarr Johnson and two of the other top pitching prospects, that's not something Cherington is likely to entertain
7:34
The timeline also has to factor in here.  Since Cease is only under team control for two seasons, is it worth Pittsburgh giving away significant minor league talent for just a two-year window?  My feeling is that Cherington doesn't think it would be worth it
Tyrone Shoelaces
7:35
Is Billy Wagner a shoe in for hof next year! Is Ichiro unanimous?
Mark P
7:36
I have to imagine Wagner finally gets the last few votes necessary to get over the 75% line.  Ichiro won't get 100% but it'll be close to it, and deservedly so.

Andruw Jones should get another couple of steps closer to 75%, same with Beltran.
Scoot Dee
7:36
Please explain the mets offseason to me. I don't understand the small market mindset.
Mark P
7:38
The Mets are cutting back the spending and the big splashy moves and just trying to build depth.  2024 is essentially going to be a developmental year for their younger players, and if any of them take a step forward next year, the Mets will feel more comfortable returning to "go for it" mode next winter.
Eric
7:38
So AA has been an amazing GM and the Braves are set up for a while, but how come he never hit the same level  when he was with Toronto?
Mark P
7:41
The Blue Jays weren't in great shape when Anthopoulos took over the team, so he had to do a lot of work (with a few failed attempts) to finally turn the team into a contender in his last season with the club.  He was also learning on the job himself, as Anthopoulos has said in several interviews.

With the Braves, Anthopoulos stepped into an organization that already had lots of talent either in the majors or on the cusp of the majors.  He has also benefited from the new ballpark and subsequent revenue boost, and ownership's willingness to greatly increase payroll.  There's also a built-in structural advantage that many players from the southern USA would like to play closer to home or grew up as Braves fans, which makes it easier to attract veteran players or convince guys to sign extensions
Bill
7:42
More moves coming for the Pirates?
Mark P
7:43
Yeah, I fully expect them to add another starting pitcher.  Ideally someone with fewer question marks than Gonzales or Perez
Ooklah the Mok
7:43
So how many Ssaki q's will you get? Mine is: The Phillies went so hard in the Yamamoto signing to show Sasaki that they are serious in adding a Japanese superstar. Do you think that was/is the reason?
Mark P
7:44
There have been several reports about the Phillies' increased efforts to raise their profile in Japan, in terms of both scouting and fan interest.  The Yamamoto pursuit was ultimately because they (like a lot of teams) obviously love his potential, but certainly it helps establish themselves as serious bidders for top Japanese talent.
Walleye Wade
7:45
Thoughts on the halls picks??   Lord of “experts” on mlb  sites complaint about Helton and Mauer.     As a twins fan I saw 1st hand joe winning 3 batting titles as a premier defensive catcher.      Your thoughts ?
Mark P
7:46
I've got no issue with their inductions.  Some complain that Helton benefited from Coors Field, as if there aren't lots of guys in the HOF who benefited just as much or more from different-friendly ballparks (or eras).
Roki Sasaki
7:47
Could he sign with a team next year as an international prospect then sign an "extension" for what he's actually worth the next day to get around the rules regarding international free agents?
Mark P
7:47
The league would surely veto this as an obvious end-around of the rules
Make Me An Offer
7:47
Realistically, how could one team make a better offer than another for Hicks?  No one is going to offer more money than his existing contract.
Mark P
7:48
Playing time, location, how well a team can sell Hicks on their chances of contending.....lots of factors play into it, though you're right that pitching to Hicks takes some creativity beyond just money
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