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Mark P
8:31
The Cubs have to be entirely satisfied with Busch's 2024 season, and I'd agree that it would surprising to see them target someone like Alonso with Busch already doing well as a regular 1B.  Chicago can invest its money towards other needs on the roster than first base.
Sandy
8:33
Do the Marlins trade Alcantara this off season or the trade deadline next year or am i kept long term?
Mark P
8:34
A trade wouldn't be a total shock given how the Marlins have so quickly moved to rebuild their roster, but teams aren't going to pay top prices for a pitcher who's missed a full season.  This seems like another situation where Alcantara is a better candidate to be moved at next year's deadline.
Joc Pederson
8:35
I am the best hitter on my team
What sort of contract will I be looking at next season?
Mark P
8:37
Pederson has a .957 OPS against righties this season, and a very respectable .780 OPS against lefties (in just 27 PA).  Even with the platoon limitations, it adds up to one of the more quietly productive seasons of anyone in baseball, and Joc should certainly be able to top his one-year, $12.5MM guarantee
8:38
As to whether he gets a multi-year deal, I'd maybe lean against it, since it can be argued that he's hitting so well "because" he fits so well into the niche of a DH-only bat against righties.  That will automatically limit his market to some extent.
ClarkeinEC
8:44
With Paxton going down and an obviously taxed bullpen, are the Red Sox done?
Mark P
8:44
The lack of pitching depth seems to be catching up to the Sox, but their lineup is still so good that they can still steal a wild card spot if they can get just average pitching
Matt
8:45
Can you see Cubs trading Hoerner this offseason to open up spot for Shaw, who’d seem to have more offensive upside?
Mark P
8:46
Seems possible.  After this year's disappointment, bolder moves like trading Hoerner might be necessary to finally get the team back into contention.
John
8:46
Do the Orioles trade Kjerstad in the offseason? He seems to be the odd man out. Or does that depend on Santander?
Mark P
8:47
I'd say there's a much stronger chance of Kjerstad being an Orioles in 2025 than Santander.
TexNat
8:47
Nats serious players for Soto this off season?
Mark P
8:49
Aside from Soto joining the Blue Jays, this would be my favourite landing spot for Soto this winter.  As fun as it would be, however, I have my doubts that ownership suddenly kicks back into high spending mode for what will surely be the biggest contract in baseball history*

  • = non-Ohtani deferral division
fascinating
8:49
Giants get a long term deal done with Chapman before the off season?
Mark P
8:50
My guess is Chapman tests the market again, now bolstered by a better platform season.  There is a possibility that he was so turned off by free agency last winter that he re-signs with San Francisco because he's comfortable with Melvin, the area, the team, etc., but I do think he'll hit the open market first rather than just sign an extension
Marky Mark
8:51
They just showed an eagle flying over the stadium on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball. What do you have to offer us Mark?
Mark P
8:51
Uh.....wuzzle wozzle?
8:52
That's right, I've moved on from 20-year-old Arrested Development references to 30-year-old Simpsons references.  I'm the hippest man alive!
Soto
8:52
Actually, it's time for the Nats to spend.
Mark P
8:52
I don't disagree, and they might well decide to start getting more aggressive about competing based on this year's progress.  But spending more and "spending more to land Juan Soto" are two different things.
Call the Dr!
8:54
With all of the injuries the Dodgers have had on their pitching staff over the past few years, does it make you wonder if they need to take a closer look at the pitching coaches and conditioning staff and whether they are properly preparing them for the season?
Mark P
8:55
Surely the team has asked this question itself, and the fact that widespread pitching injuries are such a persistent issue for the Dodgers must indicate that there's something particularly awry (beyond just "pitchers are prone to get hurt).
Jonny Venters
8:56
The Angels are on pace to finish with at least a slightly better record than they had last season, which is impressive considering no Ohtani and very little Trout.   Do you think they could be motivated to shop at the top of the free agent market this offseason?
Mark P
8:58
Throwing a lot of money at star free agents doesn't seem like it'll fix the Angels' more deep-seated problems.  And, if you're a star free agent who wants to win, you'd have some natural misgivings about joining an Angels team that is approaching a decade of losing baseball.
Cardz
8:58
Regardless of the playoffs, the Cardinals haven’t had back-to-back losing seasons since 1958-1959 (not including the strike years).  Do they stay above.500 this year?
Mark P
8:58
Will the Cardinals win at least 82 games?
Yes (53.4% | 191 votes)
 
No (46.6% | 167 votes)
 
Total Votes: 358
Will D. Smith
8:59
Why have I suddenly forgot how to hit?
Mark P
9:01
I feel like this question was designed to provoke a Chris Rock joke, but I will not take that bait, sir!

Smith no longer has the DH open for partial rest days due to Ohtani's presence, so that could be one reason for the dropoff.  Then again, he also cooled off in the second half of last season, when LA did give him more regular time in the DH position when he wasn't catching.
Rox
9:02
What were the Rockies thinking at the deadline? Why hold onto pieces that aren’t part of the future there anyway?
Mark P
9:03
The Rockies seem to evaluate talent in a much different way than any other team in baseball.  In a way, it's refreshing that not every team operates from the same playbook.  In another, more accurate way, it isn't help the Rox get any better on the field.
Artie Artemus
9:04
The Pads just completed an historic run (for the franchise) of winning 16 out of a set of 18 games played. They are neck and neck with the Dbacks for the top NL Wild Card spot, and 3.5 back of the Dodgers for the division. San Diego seems to be firing on all cylinders with the pairing of Preller and Shildt. Any talk of Preller being on the hot seat surely must be off the table at this point, no?
Mark P
9:05
Absolutely.  Padres have entirely corrected the RISP problem that plagued the last season, and it has helped paper over a lot of the injuries, pitching depth issues, etc.
Geoff
9:05
whats the end game for Votto and the Jays with them being sellers? Bring him up to generate some fan interest down the stretch?
Mark P
9:05
Yep
Max Fried
9:06
Should I consider the Qualifying Offer after being hurt again and being inconsistent to go into free agency without it hopefully in another year after a better season?
Mark P
9:07
Fried isn't pitching as well as he has in past years, but I'd call him "good" more than "inconsistent."  If he's healthy and he keeps pitching at this level, he'll turn down the QO and test the market.
Gary
9:08
It’s starting to look like the Phillies’ first half was a mirage that was built on feasting on weak opponents. Nola, especially, is alarming. Are they still favorites to win the NL?
Giants Fan
9:08
What’s wrong w the Phillies?  Worst record since All-Star game?  Of the hotter NL teams (Mets Padres DBacks and Giants who makes the playoffs?
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