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Mark P
7:21
I get what you're going for in the comparison of their pitching styles, though I'm not sure Hendricks really really "broke out," per se?  In that he was good in his rookie year, had a light sophomore slump, then kicked it up a level in the Cubs' championship year.
7:22
Maybe it's just parsing terminology, but when I think "breakout," I think a guy who went from being blah or average to really good.
Blake
7:22
What’s on the playlist tonight
Mark P
7:22
"Because The Night" by Patti Smith
Expansion
7:23
I know there’s drawbacks but one of the benefits of expansion is more opportunities. Unsigned guys(Turnbull, Lynn), career minor leaguers, knuckleballers, scrappy guys without the most talent all get more shots with an expanded field. Do you think we see the stadium situation in Tampa resolved in the next couple years?
Mark P
7:23
Given the ticking clock that is the lease at the Trop, it HAS to be resolved sooner rather than later.  I've got my doubts at this point that the Rays are still playing in the Tampa area by 2029
Guardians
7:24
Do you think we can stay in contention in the AL Central until Beiber gets back and Bazana gets called up?
Mark P
7:24
Yeah, but I don't think Bazzana is getting the call this season. He's only just started at Double-A ball.
AA
7:25
I see that Baldwin might be available what can I get for him who would be interested
Mark P
7:27
There's any number of teams that would have interest in such a promising young catching prospect.  Assuming Atlanta gets on track and is looking to buy at the deadline, pitching is probably a need, depending on where things are with Lopez or how Strider's return is going.  The outfield is also probably a target area since we don't know how Acuna will look, and Profar is now a total question mark.

Also, trading Baldwin hardly seems like a sure thing.  Murphy's long contract notwithstanding, the Braves probably want to see how he's faring in the wake of his 2024 disappointment before moving a possible future building block behind the plate
What about Ann?
7:28
Who's Ann?
Mark P
7:28
Her?
Melchez
7:28
Tigers are fighting injuries to outfielders... why not deal some pitching prospects to the Rockies for Brenton Doyle?
Mark P
7:28
Doyle might be just about the most untouchable player on the Rockies roster.
Bipolar
7:30
How did the Cardinals ever let Tommy Edman escape?
Mark P
7:31
STL had other multi-position types like Edman on the roster already, plus don't forget that Edman literally hadn't played last season at the time of the trade.  His offseason wrist surgery had kept him out of action entirely in 2024 until he got healthy just after the deal took place.
7:32
The Dodgers, as usual, made the right call on a trade and ended up with two players (Edman and Kopech) who helped them win that championship.
Bob Carpenter
7:32
How do the Dodgers stay good constantly? It can’t just be money
Mark P
7:34
Most of their trades and signings are good.  They draft and develop their own prospects in impressive fashion.  They're very good at finding random unheralded guys and reviving their careers.  The Dodgers are basically good in every aspect of running an organization.
Eric
7:35
I know this part you won't post but I agree I think I give slow starts more leeway since some players take a bit. I think it's easier to start hotter than one's true talent level than having a longer time to adapt to a season. Though by July I think a cold start becomes a down year
Mark P
7:36
As Blake Snell can tell you, even a cold first three months can be quickly forgotten if you're great for the next three months
Nolan Ryan
7:36
Is there a way for the Rangers to extend Wyatt Langford this season without it affecting their luxury tax payroll?
Mark P
7:37
Sure, if whatever extension he signed didn't start until the 2026 season.
binky
7:37
Seems time for a new rule when a player gets caught for PED or other such offences, the club should have the option to void the contract. If the $$$ are really on the line then maybe they stop playing the game of chicken.
Bobby Cox
7:37
Can the Braves get out of Profar deal? I know we saved 7 Million with 80 games
Mark P
7:39
This is one of those situations where I could see the sides of both ownership and the MLBPA.  If you're an owner who spent big money on a player who suddenly fails a PED test, it is totally understandable that you'd feel ripped off.  If you're the union, it is totally understandable that they'd feel hesitant about providing any mechanism where a contract can be voided, for fear of any chicanery on management's part.
Brian
7:40
The ms are now 3-7 with a -16 run differential is it too early to tell diopto we told ya so that he needed to add a couple bats? It’s early but they are the ONLY team to never make a World Series missed the playoffs for 21 years straight and do not care to put a winning team on the field so they need to answer these questions.
Mark P
7:43
Justin Turner's public comments about the Mariners offseason made plenty of headlines, but Ryan Divish's follow-up article didn't get as much play, since Divish got some anonymous quotes from several Mariners players along the lines of "he's not wrong."

Since we discussed clubhouse vibes earlier, I wonder if some of this has just started to weigh on the Mariners players.  Not to say that they can't turn it around after just 10 games, but it has to feel a little demoralizing as a player to be on a talented team with a clear flaw that simply isn't being addressed in its full measure.
7:44
And ironically, this has happened even with Polanco (whose re-signing was much maligned) tearing the cover off the ball in the first week
Doghouse Riley
7:44
If the Cubs do retain Tucker, will it be an extension or a re-sign? Thanks Mark.
Mark P
7:45
It would be stunning to see Tucker sign an in-season extension when he is so close to a mega-payday.  He is almost surely going to hit the open market and field offers from multiple teams.  Put it this way....the Cubs would have to make a pretty outrageous offer to keep Tucker from testing free agency.
7:47
Time to wrap things up for this week's chat.  Thanks for all your questions!

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