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Mark P
1:43
The Mariners have rarely spent in free agency under Dipoto, likely due to a relatively narrow payroll.  That has left Dipoto to be (very) active on the trade front over the years, but i wonder if his hands are a little tied this winter since literally everyone is asking for one of his starting pitchers.
1:44
Dipoto even publicly commented recently about how so many teams are focused on adding MLB-level talent, not simply prospects.  Despite the Mariners' deep farm system, trade chips like Ford, Montes, etc. might have less value in a market when only a few teams are openly rebuilding
Santandar
1:44
What are the chances that the guardians sign me? They need an OF with power
Mark P
1:45
Seems well outside of the Guardians' price range
Desperado
1:45
Since last week’s Athletic article came out, do you think desperate teams (cough, Mariners… cough, Mitches) have been bombarding the Marlins about one year contract dumps? Or have that already probably been happening?
Mark P
1:47
Speaking of rebuilding teams the Mariners could reach out to...

The trouble with attaching a prospect to Haniger or Garver is that they're both free agents after 2025 anyway.  It's one thing if Seattle was open to moving a prospect to get really big contract off the books, so moving a notable controllable asset for just a one-season savings isn't very efficient
Tiger Tears
1:49
Are the Tigers doomed to only signing minor league and short term lower tier players?  Most fans fear Chris Ilitch is more concerned with his wealth than paying for winners - true?
Mark P
1:50
While i agree that the Tigers should be spending more this winter (and again, there's plenty of offseason left), keep in mind it was only a few years ago that Detroit splurged on Baez and E-Rod.  Given how those contracts turned out, one can't blame Ilitch or the front office to be more cautious about pursuing bigger-name talent.
Random
1:52
Is it possible the blue jays swing in and land a big name like Santander or Sasaki?
Mark P
1:52
Santander makes a lot of sense for a team in need of offensive help.  Sasaki makes sense for basically everyone but I highly doubt he'll wind up in Toronto.
Ryan
1:53
If Pittsburgh is looking to trade Jared Jones, wouldn't Baltimore be an ideal fit? They have so many MLB ready position players to fill holes on the Pirates roster. Jones and Colin Holderman for Coby Mayo and Heston Kjerstad seems pretty fair, imo.
Mark P
1:54
If the Pirates actually were willing to move Jones, you're right, it would seemingly only be to land another premium young talent (very likely a hitter) with many years of remaining control.

But I highly doubt Jones will be dealt.  It could be that the Bucs are done trading pitching altogether now that Ortiz has been moved
Larry
1:55
Are any of the Dbacks pitchers ever going to get traded away? It feels like if one of them, like Momtgomery, was going to be traded it would have happened already
Mark P
1:56
They did move a pitcher in Cecconi as part of the Naylor trade.  Teams with a pitching surplus generally prefer to not deal "too" much of that pitching away, since as the 2024 D'Backs could tell you, injuries can quickly thin out a rotation.

This said, I'm sure the D'Backs would be happy to move Montgomery is an acceptable trade offer could be found.
Brent
1:57
Please explain how Utley or Kinsler could get into the HOF but Jeff Kent is already off the ballot?
Mark P
1:59
Utley had a better fWAR in over 300 fewer games than Kent. Kinsler is never reaching the HOF so I'm not sure why he's part of the debate here.

If we're focusing on second base candidates, let's get Lou Whitaker and Bobby Grich into Cooperstown in the next veterans' committee vote and go from there
Brian P
2:01
Would the Mariners be wrong for making no moves? They have a roster that can fill the empty spots, not deplete arguably the best rotation in baseball, expect bounce backs from Randy and Julio, and were very close to making the playoff last year
Mark P
2:02
Running it back seems unnecessarily risky.  What if one of the starters gets hurt?  What if J-Rod and Arozarena get hurt?  What if other solid performers suddenly have a down year?
2:03
I can understand Dipoto's logic in not wanting to subtract from the rotation, but if that's the case, then he needs to get creative in getting this lineup the help it clearly needs
GM Meeting People Is Easy
2:03
Should I watch a fish called Wanda? I only remember the ads in the paper for it when it was in theaters. What's the next reliever turned successful starter like Crochet
Mark P
2:05
I wouldn't have considered turning Clay Holmes into a starter, but given Stearns' track record with finding pitching, don't rule out Holmes for suddenly becoming a solid member of NY's rotation.

A Fish Called Wanda is one of my favorite movies of all time, and arguably the funniest movie I've ever seen.  Well worth a watch.
Mets Fan
2:05
Can you see the Mets resigning Alonso for 1B, moving Vientos to DH, and bringing in one of Bregman or Arenado to play 3B?
Mark P
2:06
That sequence of events pretty much locks Vientos into the DH spot for years, however.  I don't think the Mets want to cut back on their lineup flexibility in such a fashion.  Getting one of Alonso or Bregman/Arenado is certainly possible, but not both Alonso AND a third baseman
Twins Fan
2:06
How is cutting payroll, trading stars, and just putting together a worse team supposed to entice potential buyers?
Mark P
2:07
These are far down the list (if they're on the list at all) of things a potential buyer would consider
Christmas
2:08
How was your Holiday!
Mark P
2:09
It was delightful!  Had a great dinner with the family, watched some football and basketball, etc.
Yankees Fan
2:10
According to Roster Resource, the Yankees have 11 relief pitchers on the 40-man roster. That includes Clarke Schmidt who is listed in the bullpen. Everyone is listed as right-handed. What would be a reasonable number of left-handed relief pitchers? Any idea of Yankee targets?
Mark P
2:10
Tim Hill is on their radar, as Jon Heyman reported the other day.  Generally teams like to have at least two lefties in the bullpen but this isn't an absolute.
Mariners
2:12
How bad is it that the mariners offered more money and years to Carlos Santana only for him to sign resign in Cleveland
Mark P
2:14
Santana had a lot longer history in Cleveland than in Seattle, so that might've played a factor.  Turning down a second season is bold for a player of Santana's age, but we also don't know the financial terms of the Mariners' offer.  Could be that Santana preferred to just take the $12MM from the Guards and then bet on himself to play well enough that whatever he makes next offseason will ultimately put him ahead financially over the two-year span
Marky Mark
2:14
It's not the Sunday chat but what's on the Playlist?
Mark P
2:15
"The Good Life," by Weezer
Dave
2:15
The assumption was that this was the offseason for the Nationals to start spending again and possibly try to recreate the Jayson Werth signing that helped turn the early-aughts team around. So far, it hasn’t happened. What are they doing?
Mark P
2:18
"Assumption" isn't really the right word.  It was an educated guess that the Nationals MIGHT look to start making a bigger push towards competing and spending now that Crews and Wood are both in the majors.  

The Lowe trade is certainly a step towards making the team better in the near future, and it's an example of how DC doesn't necessarily have to spend big in order to improve.  It could be that Rizzo and ownership will give it one more season to see where the young core is, and then look to opening the wallets next winter or even at the trade deadline if the Nats are contending already
Roki Sasaki
2:18
I hereby announce my intention to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Mark P
2:19
While this isn't likely to happen whatsoever, wouldn't it be fun?  Sasaki is just like "pitching alongside Skenes and Jones seems fun, let's do it."
Julius
2:20
Vlad has reportedly turned down $340 million from the Blue Jays (though for how many years we don’t know). If the Jays aren’t willing to pay him what he wants, and they pass his spring training deadline without a deal, should they move him, regardless of what else their offseason looks like to that point? Would it be possible to get a good return for him at that point?
Mark P
2:22
While fan excitement in Toronto isn't exactly at a high point anyway, trading Vlad this offseason would mean a big hit to ticket sales and TV ratings.  Even if the Jays got a win-now piece or two back in return, the bigger-picture narrative wouldn't be favorable for the team.

I realize that such factors shouldn't stop a team from making a good baseball move on paper, but it is also naive to suggest that an organization wouldn't consider all of these things before making a seismic move like trading a homegrown star
Boras' Tactics
2:24
Scott Boras likes to wait a long while for his best to sign, hoping they make a ton extra from a desperate team. Last year that (sort of) blew up in his face spectacuarly. Will this change his client's desires moving forward? Will the likes of Bregman or Alonso be more willing to accept "early" offers because of the deflated value of Snell/Monty/Belli/Chapman's 2024 salaries and subsequent failure to launch for 50% of them? It has to have at least entered the mind right? Better to be Javy Baez than Jordan Montgomery?
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