You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
MLBTR Live Chat
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Bob
7:12
Who gets the better return? One year of Hoerner or two years of Donovan?
Mark P
7:12
Donovan
Tim
7:12
is Alec Burleson the Cardinals first baseman next year? Or did the Cardinals spend 5 to 6 million for rhys hoskins?
Mark P
7:12
Burleson will get every opportunity for everyday at-bats.  St. Louis is in a rebuild and will prioritize giving their younger guys chances.
7:13
Put another way, the Cards aren't moving Contreras to open up first base just to sign someone like a Hoskins to cut into Burleson's playing time
A.Judge
7:13
Realistically how many solid years do I have left before my inevitable decline? One, maybe two?
Mark P
7:15
Define "decline."  Judge is one of the biggest multi-year heaters in baseball history.  If he drops back to being only (only!) the 155 wRC+ player he was from 2017-21, that's both a decline on paper, and still numbers that put Judge into the MVP race.

The point is, Judge is such a special hitter that he may be beyond the realm of normal aging curves.
David
7:16
Why don’t the Dodgers just make Rushing the full-time LF and sign a true backup catcher?
Mark P
7:17
Rushing played 31 minor league games in left field in 2024, and two in 2025.  It seems like the experiment is probably over, plus it's asking a lot of Rushing to take on an everyday role at what is still a new position while he is still figuring out how to hit MLB pitching.
Beano
7:18
What's the latest on Louis Robert and K Tucker? I really thought the Sox would've move Robert by now and I certainly thought Tucker and Bellinger would have new homes by now?  I can't recall - is it odd that the some of the  top names in the FA/to be traded group are still out there?
Mark P
7:19
It's not at all unusual, especially since Boras represents so many top guys and he is not shy about letting his clients' markets play out deeper into the winter.  And even then, you saw Boras clients Cease and Alonso both sign relatively early.
Guardians
7:20
What do you expect from Cleveland for the rest of the offseason?
Mark P
7:21
One or two low-tier acquisitions, probably one for the lineup and for one for the rotation.
Chicago Fan
7:21
Better chance of winning a championship in the year 2026: Cubs or Bears?
Mark P
7:22
As a Packers fan, this question really made me grit my teeth.  My answer is the Cubs, since the Bears' next opponent probably won't decide to phone in a half of football.
Bendix
7:24
What would you grade the Marlins in the Cabrera trade? Caissie seems like another young player to add to a nice young core.
Mark P
7:24
I like the deal for Miami.  Caissie is the kind of blue-chip prospect you want to get back for a pitcher with Cabrera's upside and years of team control.
Southside Sox Fan
7:25
Good evening Mark, Go Bears first off.  I think the White Sox take a few steps forward this season and possibly (with some luck) challenge for a wild card entry in the playoffs. Do you see the White Sox winning 80+ games this season?
Mark P
7:26
The Sox will need to do a lot more with their roster to get anywhere close to 80 wins.  This club still lost 102 games last year, don't forget.
Dodger Dog
7:28
Do you think transitioning Shohei to play 1st base when Freeman's contract expires would work? It would free up a spot for another bat at DH, and he could still pitch.
Mark P
7:29
Ohtani is a good enough athlete that he could probably adjust to 1B pretty easily (/insert Moneyball clip here), or play some outfield.  But, the Dodgers also aren't going to do anything to overload Ohtani's already-historically unusual workload
Nationals Fan
7:29
There was a lot of buzz earlier this offseason that MacKenzie Gore would be traded, but there hasn’t been much news about it since. Do think it is still likely?
Mark P
7:29
My stance on Gore hasn't changed.  Washington isn't going to move him unless they get the moon and stars in return, since the Nats have no immediate need to move him now.
Baffled by the Bay
7:30
Darragh and Steve laughed about the Giants’ offseason during the most recent podcast.  Do you think they’ll do anything that isn’t laughable this offseason?
Mark P
7:31
I find it hard to believe that the Giants won't do anything kinda notable, but it has been an extremely quiet offseason.
Maybe they're lurking in the Bellinger (or even the Tucker?) markets. Acquiring a second baseman also suddenly makes their winter look at lot better.
WSoxFan
7:32
Any chance the White Sox trade Robert before the season begins?  I'd really like Braden Montgomery to have a chance to break camp as the new Sox CF, but with Robert there is no need for the additional OF.
Mark P
7:34
Montgomery has only 34 Double-A games under his belt, so bringing him right up to the Show by Opening Day seems aggressive.  As with the Rockies and Condon earlier, Chicago should be in no huge rush to get their top prospects in the majors in early 2026.

If Robert is still the White Sox beyond the trade deadline, Montgomery could be called up to play another outfield spot, to ease him into the big leagues.  Or, Robert could be moved into a corner spot.
Teddy
7:36
Christian Walker for catcher Keibert Ruiz and infielder Luis Garcia (INF)? Astros get luxury tax relief, a backup catcher and a solid bat. Nationals clear their books and make room for Harry Ford behind the plate.
Mark P
7:38
Walker has $40MM left on his contract and Ruiz $35MM, so the Nationals wouldn't be saving all that much money, even with Garcia added.  Also, the Nats have barely anything on the payroll ledger anyway, so it's not like they need to clear salary space.

The answer to the Ford/Ruiz situation will just be that Ford starts and Ruiz is (an overpaid) backup.  While the Nats do need a 1B, they're more likely to pursue a Rhys Hoskins type as a stopgap.
And, not to pile on, but another flaw in this proposal is that Garcia doesn't have a place to play in Houston
Guest
7:38
Do you think the Royals stand pat, or is there a legitimate trade partner for Kris Bubic or Noah Cameron?
Mark P
7:39
Plenty of teams would or should be in on both pitchers.  It's just a question of finding a match that also lines up with what KC wants (i.e. offensive help)
Arthur Rhodes
7:40
Luis rengifo the perfect buy low for the M’s to help the young guys at 3rd and 2nd?
Mark P
7:41
I may be the president of the Rengifo fan club, so I'd personally like that signing for the M's.  Seattle fans may be underwhelmed considering the alternatives of Polanco, Donovan, Marte, etc., and I wonder if the Mariners' own front office evaluates Rengifo highly enough to give him playing time over the in-house prospects
G
7:42
Braves are going to get a SP right????? Who you got going to Atlanta for their staff?
Mark P
7:42
At this rate, I think the Braves will simply sign every reliever in baseball, and solve their run-prevention issues that way.
Lylesbay
7:42
whats the holdup with tucker, with soto last year it got done quickly, are teams mulling over tucker's projection? it seems what reporters said about him has many gm's scared, even his supposed $400M ask is slipping into $300's
Mark P
7:43
Soto has a much stronger track record than Tucker, plus several big-market teams involved in his bidding war.  This offseason, the Mets, Yankees, etc. aren't as keen to spend big money, leaving Tucker's market more than a little uncertain.  

For all of the reports that Toronto might be a frontrunner for Tucker, for instance, the Jays might not be willing to offer him a desired contract if they feel they're bidding against themselves.
Johnny 5
7:45
Shouldn't the Rockies of all teams be the team willing to take on bad contracts for prospects? They have room and roster space. Take fliers to pick up lottery prospects and if any value is recouped flip the player?
Connecting…