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Mark P
10:01
That seems awfully unlikely, as moving Steele is the kind of trade a team would make only if it was blowing things up, which the Cubs obviously aren't doing.  Steele is controlled through the 2027 season and isn't even arb-eligible until this coming winter, so he brings a ton of value to Chicago.
UncleMike1526
10:03
Maybe you could settle something for Cubs fans with a poll. Who is running all the transactions for the Cubs?  Hoyer is GM and Hawkins is GM in Name only? Or Hawkins actually has a say in what goes on and is responsible for his fair share of this mess? I'd appreciate it. Thanks as always.
Mark P
10:03
Hoyer is the president of baseball operations, and Hawkins is the GM.  As such, Hoyer is the one with final say on moves, and Hawkins is handling the day-to-day stuff and also obviously giving his two cents on how the Cubs operate.
Guest
10:04
Is there a better deadline addition for the Sox than Casas coming back?
Mark P
10:05
The problem is that Casas won't be back until well beyond July 30, as per the latest reports.  I realize that "versatile infielder" is a fit on basically any team, but the Red Sox are another club that could use such a multi-position player who could handle some first base while Casas is still on the bend, and could also chip into the middle infield picture.
Josh
10:06
Twins need another left-handed reliever. Tanner Scott would be a great fit. What do you think Miami's asking price would be?
Mark P
10:08
Scott is a rental player, and his excellent ERA belies some shaky secondary numbers (big walk, and he's getting a lot of BABIP/strand rate luck).  The Twins and other teams will therefore maybe be a little measured in their offers about Scott, since he isn't quite the hard-throwing sure thing he appears on the surface
10:09
Which makes it trickier for the Marlins, naturally, as Scott is an obvious trade chip for them.  He'll still merit a good return since the talent is there and so many teams need relief pitching, but I don't think it'll be anything that beats, say, what the Nationals got for Harvey
Andrew Friedman
10:11
What kind of return could I see sending away Dalton Rushing?
Mark P
10:12
Quite a bit.  BA (32nd) and Pipeline (48th) have Rushing ranked highly on their top 100 lists, and he's helping his stock with a nice year at Double-A.
Pumpsie
10:12
Will Christian Walkers FA deal be a good comp for Vlads deal the following year?
Mark P
10:13
Walker will be 34 on Opening Day 2025, while Guerrero will only be 27 on Opening Day 2026.  Vastly different stages in their careers and thus a vastly different contract situation, so Guerrero's next deal should far surpass Walker's next deal.
Sad White Sox fan
10:13
Andrew Benintendi for Taijuan Walker in a bad contract swap. Who says no?
Mark P
10:14
Phillies.  Like I mentioned earlier, even a struggling Walker provides the Phils with necessary pitching depth.  That's preferable to an outfielder who has fallen off a cliff production-wise.
brian
10:16
What is your take on Jurrangelo Cijntje? Gimmick or can he really be a starter in the league?
Mark P
10:16
He seems to have plenty of potential, even if it might be more realistic to see him settle on throwing from just one side over the long term.
lilbean
10:17
how will the A’s Sacramento plans effect free agency? More offense but less of a major league atmosphere I assume is bad for palyers
Mark P
10:18
The A's aren't likely to spend anyway, and veteran players with options aren't likely to be keen on spending a season at a minor league ballpark.
I'd say spending seasonS but the A's aren't likely to sign anyone to a multi-year pact
Elias
10:20
Mountcastle gets moved for a RP.  Just a hunch
Mark P
10:22
And then Mayo is called up as the new first baseman, or be the new RHH in the timeshare with O'Hearn?

It's not out of the question, though this again puts a lot of pressure on Mayo to immediately play a big role in helping a contender challenge for the World Series.  It can be argued that any O's prospect is in this position anyway, and as Evan Carter could tell you, sometimes adding a prospect for a pennant race/playoff run can provide a huge spark.
Moving Mountcastle, however, also seems like the kind of move that might shake up the clubhouse, which is something the O's naturally want to avoid.
SF “pitching”
10:24
Do we expect the rotation to be healthy and effective next year? Or has the attempt to mimic the Dodgers boom or bust arm strategy with iffy players completely screwed the foreseeable future of baseball in the Bay?
Mark P
10:25
Next year's rotation projects as Webb, Ray, Harrison, Hicks, and take your pick of the younger pitchers.  Or, maybe Snell if he doesn't opt out.  That's a pretty solid group on paper, and with good health, the Giants will be able to field a "normal" rotation for the first time in a few years, rather than their patchwork pitching staffs
Draft
10:27
Who would you rather draft, assuming you know each players future: A) a player who makes it to the majors, but provides negative WAR, or B) a player who never gets above AAA but is good in the minors?
Mark P
10:27
Uh, am I obligated to keep either player?  Why wouldn't I just trade the guy who's posting good Triple-A numbers?
Eye of the tiger
10:29
Any weight to the Skubal trade rumors?
Mark P
10:30
As noted earlier, the Tigers are rolling and suddenly getting themselves back into contention.  Moving Skubal didn't seem likely even before this hot streak started, and it looks even less likely now.
Hoof hearted
10:30
Pedantic? Webster would be proud
Mark P
10:30
I talk English good
Hotlanta
10:31
I hope AA legacy isn’t letting Freddie go and trading for Murphy
Mark P
10:32
I'm going to say his legacy will be that 2021 championship banner that will forever hang
Adam
10:32
Who had the best draft in your opinion?
Mark P
10:33
The Pittsburgh Steelers in that one draft in the 70's when they landed like three or four guys who made the Hall of Fame.

If you're talking about the 2024 MLB draft, it is far too soon to tell.  Ask that question again in 10 years.
Math4Ball
10:33
Which is the most vital area of improvement for the Yankees?
Mark P
10:34
Lineup depth, since everyone not named Judge or Soto has gone into a deep slump.  "Versatile infielder" has become a theme of this chat, but such a player would bolster a number of different positions, while still allowing for the in-house guys playing time and hopefully time to get on track.
10:35
We're up to the two-hour mark, so it's time to wrap things up.  Thanks for submitting your questions, and things will only get more wild as we get nearer to the deadline!
10:36
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