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Mark P
8:52
Staying under the tax line was a stated goal for the Padres over the winter, but they're about $13MM under at the moment, giving them some room to "afford" deadline help in some form.  Since relievers are generally less expensive in terms of pure dollars, the Padres could land a bullpen arm or two without much of a payroll hit.  They could also sweeten the prospects offered if the other team covers the bill for the player heading back to SD.
André René Roussimoff
8:52
Which team do you think should go in the biggest at the trade deadline? Maybe the NYY since they may only have Soto for this one year?
Mark P
8:54
The Yankees are definitely on the list, as the last three weeks have really revealed a lot of the roster's flaws.  Beyond the Yankees, there's definitely extra pressure (for various reasons) on teams like the Padres, Cardinals, Phillies, or Guardians to reinforce things, but you're correct that Soto's perhaps fleeting presence definitely makes 2024 a particularly big year in the Bronx
Ryan
8:55
Jackson Merrill being named an all star is awesome. What were the odds before the season stared that he would be an all star before Chourio or Holliday? Pretty cool.
Mark P
8:56
Merrill was a highly-touted prospect in his own right, so it's not like it's a shock that he's already made a quick impact in the majors.  However, it's almost like he's flown under the radar a bit, given that he's not just doing well at the plate, but also adapted really well to center field
Morgs13
8:57
Around the half way point, who is your World Series pick at this point?
Mark P
8:57
My preseason Series pick of Phillies vs. Orioles is still looking pretty strong, so I'll stick with that
CincyJon
8:57
Anything the Reds can/will do? Our outfield has so many holes and we could make a complete roster with the players on the IL. Or is it going to be the standard "player X returning from the IL is just like making a trade"?
Mark P
9:00
The Reds are another team who look more like sellers than buyers, so Montas or Martinez might well be in new uniforms by July 31st.  

It'll only be shorter-term veterans like these on the trade block, however, since the Reds obviously must feel like they can contend by 2025 once they're healthier and once their younger guys get more seasoning.  It would be interesting to see Cincinnati explore "buy and sell" types of moves like landing a longer-term piece like Rooker or (if they want to be really bold) Crochet or Robert
Ken
9:03
Mason Miller and Brent Rooker for Marcelo Mayer and Kyle Teel. Who says no - Oakland or Boston?
Mark P
9:03
Boston says no without a second thought
Hayden B
9:05
I have two questions. I know Christian Walker can still make the all star team but do you think he was screwed over by not making it in the first place? Also, are the Dbacks buyers or sellers or neutral at the deadline, and who will they be trading and for what? Sorry that was more like 3 questions 😂 thank you!
Mark P
9:07
Walker not making the roster stood out as a surprise, though you're right that he seems like a top choice to make it after the inevitable round of replacements are announced.

Bullpen help is the clearest need for the D'Backs, and I do think they'll be "buyers" to a limited extent.  They've already invested a lot into this roster and are hoping to get the Kelly/Rodriguez duo back at some point in the second half.  These two being on the way probably mitigates any trades for rotation help, even if starting pitching is an issue at it stands
ADR
9:08
What would it take from the Cardinals to land someone like Efflin or Fedde?  In your mind, are those reasonable targets?
Mark P
9:11
Both pitchers are under contract through 2025, making them very good fits for a St. Louis team that will again be looking to fill rotation holes this winter.  Eflin/Fedde are the kinds of mid-range, non-blockbuster acquisitions that Mozeliak has favored with his deadline moves over the years.

For Eflin, the prospect cost might not be much if the Cards just took all/most of his salary off the Rays' books.  Even for Fedde as well, the Sox should ask for a decent prospect return, but hardly anything too deep into the Cardinals' minor league depth chart.
Paul
9:12
do you think every team has to be included in the all star game
Mark P
9:13
I don't get too caught up on who makes or doesn't make what is ultimately an exhibition game at the end of the day.  So having every team repped is usually a fine idea, except in those occasional years when a team's "All-Star" is someone only having a very average year.

And, it's very easy to me to say that All-Star nods don't really "matter" when I'm not, say, a player who has never been selected before.  Or, a player who might have a healthy contractual bonus for making an ASG.
MJB
9:15
Do Austin Slater or Mike Yazstremski have any trade value? Would you agree it’s time to move them and give the younger players the A.B.’s
Mark P
9:16
Yaz has more value since he has an extra year of control and he has more defensive utility.  For these same reasons I'd argue that the Giants should probably hang onto him since he's a useful player to have on a roster, if not necessarily as an everyday-ish type guy.

Slater is a rental player having a rough season, so his value is pretty limited.
Bobby Cox
9:16
Wash make it 2 yrs w the Angels or a goner after this yr?
Mark P
9:17
I can't see the Angels firing Washington when this team's performance is absolutely not on him.
Jim
9:18
Do any of the Pirates' offseason free agent veterans on one year deals (Aroldis Chapman, Rowdy Tellez and Michael A Taylor) have enough value to be moved at the deadline?
Mark P
9:20
Taylor's defense will always earn him some attention, and Chapman might draw some interest based on past rep even if his walks have gotten beyond ungainly.

Tellez has quietly been scorching hot at the plate over the last six weeks or so, and has rebuilt his trade value out of nowhere.  His lack of defensive capability and his limitations against LHP will limit what the Pirates might get for him, but getting anything for him seems like a minor victory given how badly Tellez was scuffling after the first two months
AA
9:20
Should the Braves be worried about Arcia?
Mark P
9:21
Justin Toscano's piece made the solid point that the Braves didn't expect big offense out of Arcia in the first place. Obviously they don't want him to be literally the worst hitter in baseball, but below-average offense and a strong glove was all Atlanta was expecting in the first place.
9:22
I don't think Arcia is a long-term answer and it wouldn't be a shocker if Nacho Alvarez made his MLB debut this year, but the Braves have bigger fish to fry at the deadline than worrying about shortstop, probably
Ramp
9:23
The Mariners offense is atrocious and one or two bats added at the deadline won’t fix it. Should this cash strapped be looking to sell at the deadline instead of add? If they could get Mayo and Basallo for Castillo should they do it?
Mark P
9:24
The Mariners' pitching is so great that they definitely won't be selling at the deadline.  As noted earlier, a trade with Baltimore makes sense, and a young pitcher-for-young hitter deal would be a lot of fun
Phil
9:24
Do you think the Phillies aim more for a corner or center field type via trade?
Mark P
9:25
CF maybe, given how Rojas' defense has fallen off a bit.  Since I just mentioned Michael A. Taylor, he's the kind of lower-key pickup the Phils could make that would help the roster
Detective Munch, SVU
9:27
Do you see a trend of more teams letting high-level prospects “cook a little more” in AAA considering the talent gap between majors/minors seems to be widening? For example, Tigers and Cubs (and others) both have some interesting top 100 types in AAA but wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t see any of them until next Summer at the earliest.
Mark P
9:29
Though your point about the talent gap is well made, generally a prospect's situation varies greatly based on the player, the team, and maybe their particular Triple-A environment.  Like, if you're a team with a Pacific Coast League affiliate, you might not want one of your good pitching prospects to work there for too long and have his confidence shaken by a 5.00 ERA.
Angels
9:30
Estevez finished off a great June. His valued has improved. Anderson has shown a great 1st half. How much longer will they be Angels?
Mark P
9:31
Estevez is definitely moving.  Some reports have suggested the Angels aren't as keen about moving players (like Anderson) who are controlled beyond this season because I guess they think they can turn it around next year?  That could just be gamesmanship in trade talks, but it might not be a guarantee that Anderson is dealt, as obvious as a trade candidate as he might seem
Mark P
9:33
Are any of these guys likely to get traded? Happ, Bellinger, Hoerner, Taillon. Do their contract make it unlikely?
Mark P
9:35
Happ has a full no-trade clause, and Taillon has a limited clause.  So those are obstacles right there, to say nothing of the fact that moving any of Happ/Taillon/Hoerner would signal more of a bolder overhaul coming for the Cubs, which maybe shouldn't be ruled out.

We discussed the difficulty in moving Bellinger during our last chat, as how the possibility that he may or may not opt out of his contract makes it trickier for the Cubs and a rival team to work out a trade at a fair price for both sides
AA
9:35
Braves Lopez has to be an Allstar pitcher right?
Mark P
9:35
He made the team, so yes
Blue Crew
9:35
If Rojas continues his current play, does he stay at short full time or go back to utility duty when Mookie comes back?
Mark P
9:37
The Dodgers have a few more weeks until the deadline to weigh this question, but if Rojas does keep hitting, it'll make it a lot easier for LA to simply move Betts to second or even into the outfield
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