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Nick
9:27
Over/under on years until the Rays open a new stadium, now that they have a new owner?  Maybe 3.5?
Mark P
9:28
If the current new ballpark plan has been abandoned by this point, it'll take more than 3.5 years for the new owner to settle negotiations and get everything up and rolling construction-wise.  

First step should be figuring out if the Trop can be playable by 2026, and then perhaps tacking an extra year or two onto the lease to give all sides some leeway.
Rayban
9:30
what kind of return would Taj Bradley and Zack Littell bring the rays?what kind of return would Taj Bradley and Zack Littell bring the rays?what kind of return would Taj Bradley and Zack Littell bring the rays?
Mark P
9:32
...Jack Torrance?

Littell's return would be limited since he's just a rental, and because his peripherals are all pretty dicey apart from his incredble walk rate.  Bradley would bring back a lot more due to the added control, and the upside he possesses as a former top prospect from just a couple of years ago
Bendix
9:33
Are the Marlins buyers? We’ve been on the best teams in baseball since June.
Mark P
9:35
I'm going to post this comment just so people can look up the Marlins' record and do a double take.  

While I don't think they're going to be buying, Miami's rebuild seems to be quietly moving along pretty nicely
Bustin Aarnes
9:35
So what’s up with Dalton Rushing? The dodgers DFA’s franchise legend Austin Barnes just to give him 75 not good plate appearances over two months?
Mark P
9:37
The idea seems tied to Rushing's development, in that having him in the catchers' room working on game plans alongside Smith, the coaches, and the pitching staff will help him evolve behind the plate.

Frankly, I suspect Rushing might be on another team after July 31, and this promotion might've been something of an extended showcase.  While Rushing hasn't exactly been tearing it up, that won't stop teams from being very interested in him as a trade chip.
The Old New School
9:38
How much has the use of analytics really changed the nature of scouting? I know it can help find diamonds in the rough, but those diamonds in the rough would still stack up well to the eye test, right?
Mark P
9:39
Analytics can tell you stuff like "this pitcher has a really good slider, he should use it more."  Whereas scouting can tell you why a pitcher isn't already using his slider more --- it could be because he just isn't comfortable throwing it, or it hurts his arm, or he's stubborn, etc.

Teams will always, always need scouts to access the actual human element, since players aren't numbers and metrics.
John
9:40
What’s your take on Adley?
Mark P
9:42
As much as teams draft by "best available," it was a little eye-opening to see Baltimore take catchers on back-to-back picks with such high selections.

Evaluators aren't super-high on Irish or Basallo remaining at catcher, so that might factor into future plans.  But just by perception alone, common sense would seem to say the O's either are losing a little faith in Rutschman, or perhaps simply aren't confident in their ability to lock him up for the long term.
9:43
I'd posted about this before, but it stands out as odd to me that despite all these top prospects and building blocks, the Orioles have yet to sign any of them to an extension.
Jake
9:45
Royals should trade Estevez; what might they be able to get for him?
Mark P
9:46
The Royals just traded for Adam Frazier, so they're not in sell mode yet.  Estevez would draw a ton of interest if he was shopped, but since he's also under contract for 2026, moving him would set KC back for next year, in addition to throwing in the towel on 2025
Reddy
9:46
Chances there will be a “bombshell” trade at the deadline a la Doncic in the NBA? And if that does happen, what team and/or player do you see involved?
Mark P
9:47
The Doncic trade was so singularly shocking that it's hard to imagine what the MLB version of that would even be.  The Devers trade was already pretty big on the "wait, what??" scale, yet it wasn't a complete shocker given the bad blood that was clearly present between Devers and Red Sox management.
Aroni
9:47
Does Ben Rice have any trade value?
Mark P
9:48
Tons, but chances are the Yankees move one of their catchers
Curt
9:48
Could you see the Brewers going for Naylor or O'Hearn?
Mark P
9:50
Both would be good additions.  I like Naylor's bat better, but O'Hearn is probably a better pure fit since he can play the outfield if necessary once Hoskins is back.  Since Naylor is 1B-only and Yelich is primarily the DH, that would create a logjam with Hoskins.

....unless the Brewers and D'Backs got creative and sent Hoskins back to Arizona, with Milwaukee taking on some salary offset (Montgomery?) from the Snakes?
9:51
Haha, that came to me in two seconds with zero research, so it probably isn't that feasible
Stowers
9:51
If Marlins decide to sell, would they part with Stowers in a trade and what would he cost?
Mark P
9:52
Miami is on a roll, in large part because Stowers is looking like a cornerstone of the rebuild.  No way is he being dealt.
Guardians fan
9:53
What type of move if any do you Cleveland doing?
Mark P
9:55
I'm not sure if I explicitly wrote this in the Guardians deadline preview, but the Guards rarely do that big in terms of buying or selling at midseason.  They tend to save their major moves for the winter, apart from dealing rental free agents.

So with the assumption that the Guards will take advantage of their easy schedule and be over .500 by the deadline, I think they'll pick up a middle infielder and an outfielder.  Not necessarily a full-time starter in either position, but at least a platoon bat that can provide some offensive spark.
Appa Yip Yip
9:55
Jake Bloss for Eugenio Suarez?
Mark P
9:56
Arizona would want way more than just Bloss for Suarez
Nats
9:56
Do I have any one of value to trade for a somewhat decent return outside of a long shot Gore? I have this suspicion someone might just offer a haul for him that the Nats just couldn't refuse.
Mark P
9:58
DeBartolo basically closed the door on the idea of Gore being traded today, even if the interim GM left a sliver.  This is another type of trade that, if it happens, is likelier to happen in the offseason and at the purview of whomever the next full-time Washington GM/PBO ends up being
Eric A
9:58
Schwarber has to be a priority extend for the Phils, right? I know the age thing but after watching him blast a homer to win the ASG from one knee, think you have to do it, right?
Mark P
9:59
I agree.  It's an imperfect roster fit, but Schwarber has been so good for them that a new contract seems like a semi-must.
Justin Verlander
9:59
Are my days with the Giants numbered? Will I be traded at deadline to a contending team who needs post season pitching experience ?
Mark P
10:00
Unless it's the Astros, I'm not sure what contender would jump at the chance to get a 42-year-old who looks like he might've finally hit the wall.
NMK
10:02
Should the Mets acquire a mid-rotation arm (potentially longer-term) with the goal of moving Clay Holmes back to the pen? Assume that wouldn't preclude a trade for another reliever as well.
Mark P
10:04
In theory, Manaea's return gives the rotation a shot in the arm, but you're right in that Holmes is already into uncharted territory innings-wise.  Moving him back into the pen might work as an obvious answer, yet I'm not certain if moving Holmes back to relief and then rebuilding his arm strength back up next winter is necessarily something the Mets want to do
Ben Cherington
10:05
What does a successful deadline look like for me in Pittsburgh? Please help, I need ideas.
Mark P
10:05
Bring in some quality hitters who start producing immediately.
Adam
10:05
The Phillies’ window is closing. They have Wheeler for two more years and who knows what’ll happen with 2027. I say go all-in and trade two out of Miller, Painter and Crawford. Agree?
Mark P
10:07
The thing is, the Phillies see those three prospects as key elements in keeping the window open beyond just Wheeler's time in the organization.  That isn't to say none of them will be dealt, but just going all in and purely sacrificing the future also isn't wise.

Besides, who's to say Crawford or Painter can't help the Phillies this very season?
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