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Ludwiggy
12:55
on behalf of scores of us who missed the original post that led to the Bees/Beads comments on these chats - what the heck is it so we can finally comprehend it when someone drops a fresh one in a chat?
Mark P
12:55
It is a very obscure Arrested Development reference, and I genuinely forget how it became a running joke in this chat for so many years.
Bregman
12:55
Am I playing 3rd in Detroit or 2nd in Boston?
Mark P
12:57
My guess is that he ends in a Tigers uniform.  As much as Bregman might be open to a position change, my guess is that all things being equal, he'd rather stick at his usual third base position.  Detroit can offer that, whereas the Sox seem committed to keeping Devers at 3B.
Rangers fan
12:57
Will the Rangers make the playoffs? On paper, the rotation and lineup looks good but I'm nervous about the bullpen.
Mark P
12:59
I think Texas has had a pretty solid offseason.  Despite the overhaul required in the pen, I like the pitchers they've brought in thus far, and don't forget that we're not even two years removed from the Rangers winning a title despite a shaky bullpen.

The relative weakness of the American League also helps the Rangers in getting on track enough to at least return to the postseason.
Jackson Barrels
1:00
I miss all your Simpson references you used to do in your chats. It’s been a few years but they were hilarious.
Mark P
1:00
It's not a comedy
Your Name
1:00
Do the Packers have a chance?
Mark P
1:01
If Hurts isn't 100 percent, then maybe.  But I'm expecting a pretty comfortable Eagles victory to cap off a
"what might have been" type of season in Green Bay
darin617
1:02
Any updates about the MN Twins possible sale? I would love to see the Ishbia bros buy the team. I would even be happy with a 150-170M payroll. Pretty sad when fans are willing to settle.
Mark P
1:03
The most recent report indicated that a sale could be finalized by Opening Day, though it wasn't mentioned if the Ishbias are the favorites or who any other bidders might be

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/sale-of-twins-could-be-reached-...
Seattelite
1:03
Johnny Marr (of The Smiths) played Seattle last fall and did a version of Lou Reed's Satellite of Love.
Mark P
1:04
Johnny Marr is maybe the most underrated guitarist ever
Will Smith LAD
1:04
Will I bounce back this year and have an All Star caliber season??
Mark P
1:06
Smith seemed to wear down as the season went on, so the news that Rushing is being moved back to catching duty probably indicates that the Dodgers are hoping Rushing can step in as a part-time option as early as this season.  If nothing else so Smith can get a bit more rest.

Perhaps just about the only downside of the Ohtani signing is that since he's taking up the DH spot, there's less space for Smith (or other veterans) to get a partial rest day
St Louis
1:08
When will they actually realize they can’t compete and need to trade Helsley? He’s not getting a serious return, but he could net a controllable average MLB player which is precisely what they need. Is Mo playing games to leave Bloom as little as possible while saving ownership some face?
Mark P
1:10
Keeping Helsley doesn't seem to make a ton of sense for what STL is planning for 2025, unless the Cardinals now think they can make a run in the NL Central
1:11
Again, it's only January 12 and a trade can happen at any time.  But I'd be quite surprised if Opening Day rolls around and Helsley is still in a Cards uniform
Scooter
1:11
With the signing of Rea do you think the Cubs are still going after Flaherty? And who knows Sasaki just might choose the Cubs.
Mark P
1:13
Rea operates as a swingman, so his presence wouldn't prevent the Cubs from obtaining another starter.  If they did get Sasaki or Flaherty, I could see the Cubs perhaps then trading one or two of their depth arms as part of a larger deal.
1:14
Or, if Sasaki/Flaherty aren't signed, a surefire starting pitcher could be the target for the "two young depth starters" trade package
Original Bees
1:17
I am the first to ask, "Bees?"  Honestly, I just wanted to ask a question, but had no idea what, so I tossed that random nugget out there, and Mark P responded appropriately.  Thus the tradition was born.
Mark P
1:18
I hope you wrote the question while dressed as the Bee Girl from the Blind Melon "No Rain" video.

....that's right, what's more obscure than an old Arrested Development reference?  A BLIND MELON reference here in the year 2025
Guest
1:19
why were cardinals so cheap with their arbitration with donovan and nootbar
Mark P
1:21
For the Cardinals and every team, there isn't much appetite for budging on arbitration salaries.  Though it seems like common sense to just meet in the middle if there's a difference of a few thousand dollars or something (gap between St. Louis and Nootbaar was $500K, Donovan's $450K), teams are strict in their evaluations due to the broader implications.  If one player gets a slightly higher arb number than expected, it raises the bar for future players of that ilk.
Tom
1:22
Mark, do you see the Pirates making any “significant” moves to address some of their weak areas from last season? Addressing the right field situation, perhaps??
Mark P
1:23
Grichuk and Verdugo are both reportedly on Pittsburgh's radar, and I like Grichuk in particular as a platoon bat.  As much as it would make sense for the Pirates to do something more "significant" with Skenes now on the roster and dominating, it still doesn't seem like ownership is willing to give the front office much to spend.
George Michael
1:25
Is a 72-90 record too optimistic as an Angels fan?
Mark P
1:26
After winning only 63 games last year, at least it's a step in the right direction?

I actually like some of the Angels' moves this winter, but that team still feels lacking in becoming a real contender.
Ooklah the mok
1:27
Chase Utley HOF? My guess is yes and year 8...
Mark P
1:29
He got 28.8% in his first year on the ballot, and in year #2 he currently has over 53% of the vote.  Obviously that number will come down since not even a third of HOF ballots have been made public, but that still represents a nice spike for Utley in his second year.  I suspect he gets voted in, and it won't take as long as eight years
Time to wrap this chat up, and thanks as always for everyone's questions!
1:30
If you're interested in more baseball Q&A, one of the many benefits of our Trade Rumors Front Office subscription is the exclusive weekly live chats. The more limited field means you're about 10 times more likely to get a question answered, as opposed to battling for space with hundreds of other questions in today's chat. For more on our memberships, check out this link: 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/membership?ref=chat-1-12-25
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