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Mark P
8:25
I don't think it's super common, and in Murphy's case, the Brewers will surely work out an extension in the next couple of months.  Don't forget, teams routinely table all extension business (for players, managers or executives) until closer to the midpoint of Spring Training, when almost all the offseason work is done.
8:26
If you want a rundown of which managers and top front office executives are entering their lame-duck year, well hey, a certain MLBTR writer published a post on this topic the other day....

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/managers-top-front-office-execu...
SC Nats Fan
8:28
Abrams to Seattle makes so much sense… what am I missing? Seattle has prospects, Nats have a ton of young hopeful SS, although years away and Seattle is in the cusp.
Mark P
8:29
It does seem like a decent move.  The Mariners are known to be wanting to trade prospect depth, and the Nationals (as one of the few teams not aiming to contend) should be looking to add longer-term young talent.  The hold-up might be that perhaps the Nats are asking for too much for Abrams, or maybe Seattle isn't sold on Abrams as a clear answer to their infield needs
JaysFan
8:31
Now you've got me 'birling down and down white water'. Thanks lol
Mark P
8:31
That song is such a nostalgic earworm.  If Carney wanted to make it the new national anthem, I wouldn't complain.
Ben Krett
8:33
What are the chances Konnor Griffin starts the season in Pittsburgh?
Mark P
8:34
He has never played a day at Triple-A, and he has only 21 games of Double-A ball to his name.  It would be mighty bold of the Pirates to have Griffin break camp, even if he has a huge spring.  The PPI might be tempting for the Pirates, but I'd lean towards Griffin starting the year at Triple-A
RedSox4Life
8:35
Am I completely off base thinking Masataka Yoshida could thrive in a place like Pittsburgh or Colorado?  Boston could send some salary relief and a decent prospect.  Everyone wins right?
Mark P
8:37
The DH spot is already too full for Yoshida in Pittsburgh, but since the Rockies are an open book, sure.  

The issue with dealing Yoshida, however, is either that the Red Sox will have to eat a lot of money, or sent more than "a decent prospect" to get the other team to cover more of Yoshida's contract.  Look at the Hicks trade as a model, then consider that Yoshida makes $12MM more than Hicks does
Guest
8:38
The O's gave Ramirez a legacy contract as the Cards did with Yadi and Wainwright.  Good for PR but bad for the team as aging players disappoint.
Mark P
8:40
As noted, the restructuring gives the Guardians more money right now, plus the deferred money allowed them to kick the financial can down the road to some extent.

J-Ram hasn't at all started to slow down, so it's not out of the question that he'll keep being a productive player for some time yet.  Also, the organization surely doesn't mind giving Ramirez a bit of "legacy" money if it comes down to it, since he's been such a galactic bargain for them over the years
Zach
8:40
How will the Rangers go about adding one more right handed bat that can play either 1B, 2B or 3B ?
Mark P
8:41
How about a switch-hitting bat in Luis Rengifo, who remains unsigned?  I've had Rengifo pegged as a good bounce-back candidate all winter, but maybe front offices don't share my opinion, lol
Carl
8:43
How does the Reds starting lineup shake out after the Suarez signing? Who is the odd man out? Bleday, Steer, Stewart, others?
Mark P
8:44
Bleday didn't hit at all last year, and there's no guarantee he'll bounce back.
Maybe because he's "the new guy," the Reds are also less committed to giving him at-bats than their own prospects or a big signing like Suarez
8:45
Correction: Steer isn't really "their" prospect, but you get my drift
Stu
8:45
Interesting moves by the White Sox. Do they see Hicks as a tradeable commodity or do they want the pitcher at the term?
Mark P
8:46
If Hicks pitches well enough to draw attention at the deadline, the ChiSox will absolutely move him
Pavin Smith
8:47
Why is everybody looking for a platoon partner for me when I haven't proven I'm even worthy of being the long side of a platoon? Should the Diamondbacks be looking for a better full-time 1B?
Mark P
8:50
This is a fair point.  Smith hasn't played all that much over the last two years, due to both his platoon usage and the injuries that cost him basically the entire second half of 2025.  

He has done enough damage against RHP that he makes sense as at least a platoon first baseman, so I can understand why the Snakes still want to give him regular playing time.  Don't forget, Smith is a former seventh overall pick, so there's maybe some institutional desire to see such a high draft choice (Hazen's first pick as Arizona GM) make good
Yusuf B
8:52
Is the goal for the athletics to essentially target to actually be competitive next season? If they are competitive this year its a bonus
Mark P
8:52
If the A's get more from their pitching staff, they can absolutely contend in 2026
8:53
The issue is that it's February 1 now, and the A's have still not done a thing (apart from Mark Leiter) to add to their rotation or pen
Pawpaw
8:55
Any news on who will broadcast the Braves this year?
Mark P
8:55
For old time's sake, they should be at 7:05 on the Superstation
Jarvis
8:57
Is Freddie Freeman a HOF lock when eligible?
Mark P
8:57
Most definitely
AA
8:58
Market has fallen for gallen and valdez can i afford them now ?
Mark P
8:59
This would be an interesting pivot for the Braves, and we can't entirely rule it out given how Valdez/Gallen are both still available.  While signing a Verlander or a Bassitt would be a cleaner fit due to the lack of draft pick compensation, Atlanta might see Valdez/Gallen as having a higher ceiling.
Dana Brown
9:01
Need trade advice!  Do I get the best return I can for Parades, save some salary with Walker and get nothing in return, or just deal with my infield mess??
Mark P
9:03
If there's a salary dump kind of trade out there for Walker, I'd consider taking it.  But my answer is really "just deal with it," since it is entirely possible that at least one of the infielders gets injured, thus solving the playing-time issue.
9:05
After two hours of chatting, time to shut things down for another week.  Thanks so much for reading and submitting questions!
9:06
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