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Rox

9:12

The 8 Year, $80 million deal the Rockies gave to Tovar one of their savvier moves in recent memory?

Mark P

9:12

While Tovar is still kind of raw at the plate, he has definitely played well enough to make that extension look like an early win for the Rox

Preller is a Genius

9:13

Who plays shortstop for the Padres next season?

Mark P

9:15

Shouldn't discount the chances of Kim re-signing, but my guess is that the Padres move on. Merrill has played so well in CF that there's no real reason to move him back to shortstop, but it is his natural position.

Purely speculative on my part, but if Toronto did consider moving on from Bo Bichette, Preller is the kind of aggressive GM I can absolutely see making a play

bmcferren

9:16

Any teams interested in KeBryan Hayes this offseason or he´s become a lost cause to back injury?

Mark P

9:16

Between the contract, the injury, and the total offensive dropoff, Hayes doesn't have much (or any) trade value at the moment.

Connor

9:17

Who’s the biggest FA that changes teams?

Mark P

9:19

Using the last set of MLBTR free agent power rankings as a guide to "biggest FA," there's a good chance Soto stays in the pinstripes. #2 Corbin Burnes probably signs elsewhere but the Orioles are kind of an x-factor since we don't know yet how much the new owner is willing to extend payroll.

9:20

Honestly, wouldn't be surprised if the entire top five (Soto, Burnes, Bregman, Adames, Snell) all change teams. But consider it a lock that #6 Matt Chapman is staying in San Francisco!

(Related: the last set of power rankings was written in late August)

DavidCNYC

9:21

Which of the top Red Sox prospects gets traded for pitching?

Breslow

9:21

How do the Red Sox navigate the off season given that they are no longer attracting premium free agent talent?

TxDude

9:21

When does the Red Sox ownership finally take that hard look in the mirror and realize whatever strategy they’ve been using the last few years is not working? I guess they’re just content with losing 80 + games every season.

Mark P

9:24

While the Red Sox haven't exactly been "rebuilding" in the classic sense, there's no doubt that ownership has taken the foot off the gas pedal in the last few winters in order to focus more on rebuilding the farm system.

It's a bit of a misnomer that they "can't" attract premium talent any more, since if the Sox started spending at or near the top of the market again, obviously players would have plenty of interest. But, such expenditures might not necessarily come until the Sox see what they have in the new core of Anthony, Mayer, and company.

9:25

While a new front office boss is perhaps more prone to trade prospects from the past regime, my guess is that the Sox and Breslow hang onto their big four prospects and look to upgrade in other ways

Re Nats

9:26

The CJ Abrams situation seems to underscore the Nats’ need for a multi-year veteran leader. Could Christian Walker be that guy? Who would be the likely candidates?

Mark P

9:27

If a Soto reunion is more of a fun pipe dream than a realistic option, signing someone like Walker might be more feasible. It ultimately depends on whether or not the Nationals view this winter as the time to officially start "going for it" again, or if they'll wait one more year to further evaluate what they have in their young core.

Twins

9:29

Any chance buxton gets traded after the season

Mark P

9:31

Still owed $60MM through 2028, still battling a lot of persistent injury problems, and his glovework is still good but has clearly declined from his prime.

Buxton has enough talent that I wouldn't be entirely shocked if the Twins worked out a creative trade with a team wowed by Buxton's potential, but I'd say it's certainly unlikely

9:32

Gut instinct: do the mariners sneak in?

Mark P

9:33

The Royals/Twins are in a such a rut that both Detroit and Seattle getting in can't be ruled out. But, the Mariners can't be losing any more games like their gut punch of a loss today.

9:34

Mariners also have a tough series with Houston coming up, but then a relatively easy finish with a series against the A's

9:34

Chances we make the playoff?

Mark P

9:36

The Braves can win at least two out of three in this upcoming series with the Mets and regain a lot of momentum.

So there's certainly still a good chance Atlanta gets a wild card

Rex Hudler's Pleated Pants

9:37

Couldn't disagree with that Royals "fan" more. We've been begging to watch competitive baseball since Cain and Hosmer left, and we're entering the final week in a playoff spot. At the very least, does this spark the Royals to go after a major corner outfield bat seeing how much the loss of Vinnie affected them? Does Santander make sense?

Mark P

9:37

Santander makes a lot of sense, but it remains to be seen if the Royals are willing to spend to the level it'll take to land one of the bigger bats available

Michael Bluth

9:38

Bees?

Mark P

9:38

Beads?!

JeffyM

9:39

If Atkins, Shapiro and Schneider are given one last kick at the can, do you see them going all in this offseason and trading away most of the kids they’ve been giving playing time to for the last month?

Mark P

9:42

While I have doubts about how many of the Jays youngsters can be counted on for regular roles next year, it's probably unlikely you'll see a lot of trades. The Jays surely view that young depth as critical given how the team has been so lacking in depth over the last few years, so it's more likely that Toronto makes a new addition on top of that depth.

For instance, an everyday 1B/DH type can handle one of those positions along with Guerrero, with Vladdy also spending some time (a quarter of the season? a third?) at third base.

KS Rangers

9:43

Assuming health of course, Texas looks poised for a solid 25. With *some money coming off, does Texas look for another SP? deGrom, Bradford, Rocker, Leiter, Gray and? That Japanese phenom?

Mark P

9:45

Mahle, Dunning and Bradford add to that rotation depth. I addressed this in the Scherzer post on the site earlier tonight, but Texas might feel somewhat comfortable enough with their group to not feel the need to pursue anything more than a pure depth arm.

But, if payroll is still limited due to the uncertainty over the broadcasting contracts, the Rangers might be limited to depth arms anyway. Scherzer is more than a "depth arm" if he's healthy, of course, but he's also a known quantity that could be had on a short-term, relatively inexpensive contract.

Guest

9:46

assuming braves miss playoffs, do they sell some and restock the minor league teams?

Mark P

9:46

Unlikely. Atlanta's in clear win-now mode, they won't be retooling to any great extent.

Snarfle

9:49

Mets win! Just thought you should know.

Mark P

9:49

Grimace is elated!

Tony

9:49

How many legit contenders do you see for Soto?

Mark P

9:51

If it's true that Soto prefers to play on the east coast (which hasn't been confirmed, btw), that might limit the realistic field to the two New York teams, and the longer-shot candidates of Washington, Philly, Toronto, and maybe the Cubs.

So watch this, he'll sign with the Giants or Dodgers or someone

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