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Kevin
12:27
I feel like the Dodgers winning the West is anything but a given.  The Giants and Padres still have moves to make and could field very competitive teams.  ‘Zona is still good.  What is your take?
Mark P
12:28
I'd be very surprised if the Dodgers didn't once again win the division.  A rival would have to have basically every break right for them to top the Dodgers, a la the 2021 Giants
Guards Fan
12:28
If you hat to pick between Bo and Josh Naylor who would you extends.
Mark P
12:29
I think it would be Bo based solely on how the Guardians usually operate with extensions.  Cleveland locks up players earlier in their careers, and Josh might already too close to free agency to meet the Guards' price point
Jays fan
12:30
Traditional stats like HR, runs and RBI’s are easy to understand and track. Do you feel advanced stats make it difficult for new fans to understand and follow?
Mark P
12:32
Yes and no.  Some of the advanced stats I feel are pretty easy to understand once fans learn what the baselines are....like how for years, a .300 average was the benchmark for being "a really good hitter."

Something like wRC+ is designed to be pretty easy to interpret, using the 100 threshold as average
HOF Poll
12:32
Hi Mark, I saw an interesting take by a commenter on MLBTR calling Kluber a HOFer. Not to take away from his career, but in my opinion, Tim Lincecum had an arguably similar, if not, better career. Any chance we can do a poll?
Mark P
12:33
Both guys aren't HOFers in my view, since their primes were just too short.

Since these discussions come up often, I should say that "not a Hall of Famer" is hardly some great insult towards a player.  Kluber and Lincecum had awesome careers with awesome peaks, even if I wouldn't put either among the very best of baseball's all-time best
MLBTR reader
12:35
Is DuVall to the Pads possible, or is he more likely for Boston?
Mark P
12:35
If Duvall wants more playing time, San Diego would seem like the better opportunity given their lack of OF depth.
12:36
There hasn't been anything directly linking Duvall to the Padres this offseason, but you'd have to imagine Preller has at least checked in with Duvall's camp
Tony Fernandez
12:37
Setting aside their pursuit of a unicorn like Shohei, do you think it is possible that the Blue Jays have imposed some kind of constraint to limit new free agent signings to short term contracts ending in 2025 to line up with Bo’s and Vlad’s contracts?  (For example, maybe they plan to rebuild if Bo or Vlad leave?  Or maybe they need to save that money for Bo or Vlad? Or maybe Atkins is on thin ice and they do not want to saddle a new GM with a long term contract…?)
Mark P
12:39
I don't think it's any secret that the 2025-26 offseason will mark some kind of transition period for the Jays, whether it's reloading for another run in contention or (gulp) rebuilding since the Vlad/Bo era didn't work out.

Berrios is signed through 2028 and Gausman/Springer through 2026, however, so it's not like Toronto has put a hard deadline on contracts beyond 2025.  Also, it's fair to wonder whether the Jays have enough faith in Bichette or Guerrero to give them the big extensions, given how both players have been rather inconsistent
Tom Kelly's blues
12:40
Brooks Lee start a Luzardo trade with Miami?
Mark P
12:41
My guess is that the Marlins would be keen with that, and that probably every team the Twins have talked trade with this winter has asked about Lee.  It might be that Minnesota views Lee as basically untouchable since he could contribute as early as this season, yet for a controllable front-of-rotation arm, Lee might be the more realistic return
Ford Focus
12:42
Most underrated player in baseball history, go
Mark P
12:42
These probably aren't the best answers, but Bobby Bonds and Ken Griffey Sr.  Outstanding players in their own rights, but a little overshadowed now because their kids became legends
Cincinnati’s Pitching Problem
12:43
Am I being set up for a trade deadline fix or will I bring down the higher expectations of this young team?
Mark P
12:45
We don't know how much of a "problem" the rotation is yet, since it's entirely possible one or more of the Reds' young arms establishes themself as a true frontline pitcher.
12:46
I also would've preferred to see the Reds get a little more aggressive with their pitching moves this winter, but obviously teams were asking for the moon in trade talks.  And, Cincy's market was more limited since the Brewers likely weren't moving Burnes within the division.
REDS
12:47
What do you think the Reds are planning with 300 IFs on the roster? Is a trade in the rumors? Or are they going to stymie the growth of their young guys by having them sit too much?
Mark P
12:49
Nick Krall has made the point that it's not yet a sure thing that all of the Reds players are quite big league-ready yet, so that depth might suddenly thin out naturally if some players need more time at Triple-A.  

The Candelario signing is further proof that the Reds aren't entirely sold on their young core just yet, or at least they need more time to see who is really ready to be part of that core.  While a trade now wouldn't shock me, it makes sense if Cincinnati waits until closer to the deadline to see what they have before making a move for pitching
MLBTR’s #4 fan
12:51
Favorite ballpark?
Mark P
12:51
PNC Park
Redsfan43
12:52
The Reds bringing in Josh Harrison, with a already crowded infield,  makes me think he us insurance if India in the Outfield experiment fails and he is traded? I still like to see a Duvall over Fairchild as Right backup Outfielder(he can play 1st and 3rd as well), and a power bat off the bench
Mark P
12:52
Bench insurance, plus maybe Harrison was signed to fill some of the veteran leadership gap now that Votto is likely gone
Sabres 3277
12:53
Do you think the Tigers should continue the platoon at 3B or go after Matt Chapman?
Mark P
12:54
Sticking with the (four-man?) platoon seems far likelier.  Keith is now locked up as the second baseman of the future, and Jung might be ready for regular 3B duty sooner rather than later, so signing Chapman to a long-term deal probably doesn't fit Detroit's plans
Any Advice
12:54
I have a date with a special someone later in the week. Turns out she's a massive Phillies fan. I've been a Braves fan all of my life. Does this have any chance of working?
Mark P
12:55
"My only love sprung from my only hate..."
Up in the air
12:55
I am surprised Santander is still in the orange and black. Will the O's offer him a QO? Will they offer Means a QO? We all know Burned
Mark P
12:57
It's possible Santander is moved at the deadline, if one of the young outfielders proves they're ready for everyday duty.

But Santander is an intriguing QO candidate, and whether or not Baltimore would issue the offer might hinge more on how their payroll develops under the new ownership.  If Santander replicates his 2023 numbers, he likely turns the QO down and heads into free agency, so it's a no-lose situation for the O's.  Likewise, if he struggles, Baltimore just lets him walk.
12:58
But a more borderline kind of season makes it an interesting chess game for both sides
Rays
12:59
We’re rolling with Pinto and Alex Jackson as our catchers aren’t we?
Mark P
12:59
Nope.  Tampa will add someone else, even if it's another veteran on a minor league deal
Bobsince1955
1:00
After Nolan Ryan had two no-hitters and a truckload of strikeouts in one of his early seasons, what do you suppose he would have commanded in free agency?
Mark P
1:01
It sounds quaint now, but Ryan's four-year, $4.5MM free agent deal from the 1979-80 offseason was a record at the time.  And back then, you still heard the same "Baseball salaries are out of control, why doesn't this sport have a salary cap" criticisms from pundits and fans outraged that a player could make over a million dollars per year
Marky Mark
1:01
Based on your earlier comment, it seems like you don't feel Texas will break camp with Langford. I've heard otherwise. Do you feel it's a possibility? I know they wouldn't want him to sit...
Mark P
1:02
Oh it's certainly a possibility, I'm just doubtful that the Rangers would immediately trade Leody to make room, given how they likely want to keep the depth and have a DH spot relatively open to get people at-bats
Not so hot stove league
1:04
Do you think it's time to put a Final date before Spring training, where you can sign free agents., If they don't sign, they have to wait until after opening day to sign
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