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Mark P
7:56
We don't know how much the front office is authorized to spend, and their $30MM payroll increase over last year might already represent all the extra money in the coffers
Scottie B
7:56
Wait ... you mean WS teams aren't determined by who spends the most in the offseason?
Mark P
7:56
"Well, maybe not THE most, but...." --- the Texas Rangers
Braves fan
7:57
with teams seemingly not playing boras games anymore does this help Braves possibly bring back fried
Mark P
7:58
If Fried has a healthy and normal 2024, he'll be in a great position to score a huge deal next winter, and he'll lack the red flags tied to the Boras Four
Guest
7:59
I think teams are using the DSG situation as a way of not adding players and money to the books.  I have a hard time believing that a team like the Rangers won't be able to get $80-$100 million for their media rights next year and for  all years in the future.  I get the tax thing but they can afford it and resign Montgomery.  Even on weekdays they're near a sellout each night.  Plus they get all the extra money for the new throwback jerseys even if they are ugly?  Am I wrong?
Mark P
8:02
If a major revenue source is in doubt, I can understand why teams are hesitant about spending more until they have a bit more certainty over when the broadcasting money (and how much) will be coming back in.  And it's hard to call the Rangers cheap or anything, given how they splurged the last two offseasons and brought home a championship for their efforts.

That said....it would be naive to think that some teams aren't at least somewhat exaggerating their financial situation as leverage in free agent talks.
Rob
8:03
I liked what the Brewers did with Brandon Woodruff! Even if he never plays again or isn't the same, it still feels good!
Mark P
8:04
I mean, let's hope he pitches again and is back to his old form, geez.  No reason to write Woodruff off or anything.

Here's another instance where familiarity and comfort helped.  No doubt Woodruff was approached by many teams offering similar contracts, but he opted to stay in Milwaukee and trust in the team he knows best
Kramer
8:04
Cards fan here that doesn’t understand why they traded Palacios to now need a backup SS. Couldn’t Palacios and Carlson been enough in CF to keep edman as the SS backup plan?  Not like kittenridge has been a beacon of Heath and consistent in the bullpen (and is a FA at EOY). Thanks!
Mark P
8:05
Because it's the Rays, and because of the Cardinals' recent history of trading away hitters....would it surprise anyone if Richie Palacios is one of the breakout stars of the 2024 season?
Mystic CT
8:08
If the Yankees refuse to trade Spencer Jones, who do you think the White Sox would accept in his place in a potential swap for Dylan Cease?
Mark P
8:10
Jones and Dominguez aren't going anywhere, but maybe NY is more amendable to moving Hampton or Arias as the centerpiece of a Cease trade.
8:11
It could be that the White Sox ultimately know they're not getting Dominguez or Jones, and it's just a matter of whether or not they can get the Yankees to move down into the second tier of their prospect list rather than into the third tier
Park M
8:12
Have you ever heard of Vancouver being mentioned as an expansion team? Could get the rest of Canada more interested in the sport, I understand they have a minor league team, being on the other side of the country. Wouldn’t be as bad of travel for teams if they can play Seattle then Vancouver, yet it would only work for a few times.
Mark P
8:12
Vancouver has never seemed to garner all that much serious momentum as an expansion site.  Montreal is the only other Canadian city that gets frequent mention.
Redbirds
8:13
Montgomery to STL makes so much sense it's maddening.  Cards brass claimed they would increase payroll this year but they are still $20M short of that number.  Assuming they pay Monty $25-30/year.  Any chance Monty just didn't enjoy his time in the Lou?
Mark P
8:15
By all accounts Montgomery and the Cards had plenty of mutual admiration, so I don't think that's the case.  Obviously STL would love to get Montgomery on a type of Bellinger-esque shorter contract, but even just signing him to a five-year deal or something would make sense.  Lynn and Gibson are both free agents next year, and Mikolas/Matz after 2025
Chris
8:16
Mariners are going to sign Matt Chapman right?
Mark P
8:16
I still lean towards no, just because Jerry Dipoto is generally not prone to big free agent deals, and because the payroll space might not be there
Expansion ideas...
8:18
Charlotte, Orlando, Nashville, or San Antonio...and would it mean four divisions per league?
Mark P
8:19
The next expansion round will be two teams to make it an even 32, and eight four-team divisions
Oriole fan
8:20
I personally think this is year Rays don’t make the playoffs.. I predict 76 wins.. too much has been traded .. while they have good players still they aren’t anywhere near last years team and they began to show signs then as well
Mark P
8:20
Never underestimate the Rays.  I have them penciled in for 90 wins and a playoff berth, not any doubt in my mind
Columbo
8:20
Do you feel that MLB GMs are possibly catching onto Boras negotiating tactics - and are wising up and not as likely to bid against themselves, as well as not believing every rumor that possibly gets leaked?
Mark P
8:22
Boras has been doing this for decades, so it's not like his strategies are any great secret.  It could be that just in this particular offseason, there were plenty of factors working against his top clients.  And, it doesn't mean the big three can't still land big contracts
Immaculate Eichelberger
8:23
How was Hosmer able to retire and still be owed by the Padres? Aren’t most contracts structured that you at least have to be an active player?
Mark P
8:23
My assumption is that some kind of buyout was quietly worked out
Spencer Jones
8:23
Am I the real deal with the small sample size of the last two pre-season game?  I give the Yanks no reason to sign Soto to a long term deal.
Mark P
8:24
Yes, based on two Spring Training games, it seems 1000 percent certain that Spencer Jones will be better than future Hall-of-Famer Juan Soto.
BP
8:24
Are the Cubs done or do they make a 3B addition?
Mark P
8:25
With Bellinger now getting regular at-bats, it seems likelier Chicago just sticks with Morel, Madrigal, Wisdom and company at the 3B mix
Hoof hearted
8:26
If M's did sign chapman, rojas and Urias would be surplus. Along with Haggerty and  Moore, that's alot of ult. players. Dipoto is banking on a combo of those to produce close to what chapman may produce. Chapman in '23 wasn't and isn't worth whatever he's asking.
Mark P
8:27
In writing the Chapman/Mariners post last week, I was admittedly surprised when looking up the stats and realizing that Chapman/Rojas/Urias haven't been too far off in production over the last three seasons

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/mariners-have-discussed-signing...
The biggest plus Chapman would bring is defense, and that's no small thing given how Seattle's infield is otherwise pretty shaky with the glovework
Guest
8:28
Odds on Walker staying in AZ next year?
Mark P
8:30
He'll be 34 at the start of the 2025 season, so even if he keeps hitting and delivering Gold Glove defense, there might be a natural cap on how much teams are willing to offer Walker in years or dollars.

This is a recurring theme of this chat, but this could provide an opening for Arizona to re-sign Walker. Perhaps not on a hometown discount, necessarily, but if Walker is offered a similar deal by multiple teams, the D'Backs could have the advantage of familiarity if they swooped in with a comparable offer
Bret
8:32
Petition to have all free agents release a four team finalist list like Enrique Hernandez. He should have a press conference and pick a hat like a college recruit.
Mark P
8:33
I prefer a rose ceremony, but I like your style.

Of the four teams linked to Hernandez, the Padres and Angels offer the much clearer paths to playing time, so my prediction is that he signs in SoCal rather than in Minnesota or San Fran
Swerst
8:34
How much does Las Vegas infringe on the DBack fanbase and tv market
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