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Mark P
7:41
The Weekend Chat is underway! Let's kick off March by talking some baseball....
Desperate Yankees fan
7:42
Is my optimism this year valid?
Mark P
7:42
Sure.  New York is bringing back largely the same roster that won 94 games last year, plus Gerrit Cole will be healthy.
John
7:43
Is Starling Marte a good fit with the Royals?
Mark P
7:45
If he can duplicate even his 2025 numbers, that's a big step up from what the Royals got from most of their lineup last year.  I doubt Marte will be physically able to play the outfield on the regular, but even from a DH slot, that's not bad.  Signing Marte raises the floor of the K.C. roster, if nothing else
McGonigle’s
7:45
Chances I go north with the Tigers out of spring training.
Mark P
7:46
It may not happen without a pre-career contract extension.  Even if McGonigle doesn't sign a deal or starts the year at Triple-A to get more seasoning, he'll be in the bigs at some point in 2026
Brady
7:47
Trade idea for you- Marsh plus prospects (say Dante Nori and Jean Cabrera) for Isaac Paredes and Jake Meyers, then Phillies move off Bohm. Thoughts?
Mark P
7:48
This isn't a fit, but I like the idea in general of the Phillies and Astros matching up on some kind of a trade to address their mutual needs.  

"Moving off Bohm" may be a bit easier said than done at this point in the offseason, however, since a lot of teams have their 3B positions filled. Maybe a team like the A's steps in, or maybe it's a three-team trade from the jump.
KC Pain
7:49
Do you think we will see another early trade like we did with Priester last year? Teams like the Rays..and well the Brewers seem to have a large glut of arms that can't possible all fit and have talent waiting in the minors.
Mark P
7:49
It's only March 1, so it would be unusual if there WASN'T at least one more prominent trade before Opening Day.  All it takes is one injury to suddenly make a team more willing to shake up its roster
Jays
7:51
I think the Scherzer signing by Jays was good as most of the salary is based on incentives.  As a Jays fan, what do you think ?
Mark P
7:52
I like the signing a lot, more for "you can never have too much pitching" reasons than thinking Scherzer can turn back the clock in 2026.  If he covers some innings, posts something like a 4.30 ERA, and continues being a clubhouse leader, that's more than worth it.
AA
7:53
All the pitching concerns with Atlanta are a bit overblown. Will have players returning in second half of the season. Also, JR Ritchie has the opportunity to be a legitimate contributor to the team this season.
Mark P
7:53
I mean, maybe?  But, after Atlanta just had a season wrecked by pitching injuries, it's obviously not great to have two starters already down less than a month into Spring Training.
Nolan McLean
7:55
Chances the Mets and I could get together for an early extension? Are they a little trickier for pitchers?
Mark P
7:56
I'd be stunned if the Mets hadn't broached the subject already, but these deals often come down to personal preference.  If McLean would like to lock in some security and a big payday right now, he might amendable if the Mets put a fair offer on the table.  Or, he might prefer to bet on himself and count on big paydays in his arb years, and into free agency.
Gary
7:58
I know we have four outfielders, but how does trading Duran help the lineup?  Wouldn’t it make us a bat short?
Mark P
7:59
In theory, trading Duran would open up the DH spot as a revolving door for multiple players, if not Yoshida specifically.  Or, someone like Campbell gets another crack in the majors and hits better enough to stick, so Boston is able to fill some of the Duran void from within.
Jimbo
8:01
It’s a week before the trade deadline. The Tigers are playing a game below 500. They are 3-4 games out of the last wildcard. Do they break it down and try to get a package for Skubal? And others?
Mark P
8:01
How far out of the AL Central lead are they in this scenario?  Actually, that may not even matter, since even if they're 3-4 games out, that's still close enough for Detroit to still make a run.  Don't forget their late magic in 2024.
8:02
In short, Skubal is only dealt at the deadline if the Tigers have an absolute nightmare of a season.
Oaktown
8:07
The A's seem to be the polar opposite of where they usually are at this point in a rebuild after tear down cycle with incredible hitting but not much pitching
Mark P
8:07
Their ballpark situation is certainly a factor in that, as it was easier for arms to thrive in the pitcher-friendly old Coliseum.
Big D
8:08
Do you think that the MN twins will exceed exceptions? Better won loss than loss loss?
Mark P
8:08
I think the Twins are in for a rough year.  Last place in the AL Central isn't out of the question.
Pirates1Fan
8:09
Any hope for McCutchen signing with ANYONE? Maybe he should go to Japan or Korea?
Mark P
8:10
Starling Marte's deal may be a sign that teams are now starting to look closer at some of these veterans still on the market.  A reunion with the Pirates seems less likely at this point, but Cutch can still land with a big league roster.  Going overseas doesn't seem to be in the cards at all.
MiraclesNeverCease
8:11
Do you think the Blue Jays could make one more significant move before the regular season, possibly for Ketel Marte? Or will they wait till the summer trade deadline to address any team needs?
Mark P
8:13
The ship has long since sailed on the chances of a Marte trade.  With Arizona bringing Gallen and Kelly back, they're all in on trying to win in 2026.

The Jays do feel a bat short, but a deadline move (or a trade earlier in the season) to give them time to truly access their needs seems likelier.  If Okamoto immediately adjusts to the Show, Barger and/or Clement continue their October hitting, etc., suddenly the offensive needs aren't as glaring
Natitude
8:14
What’s the latest on a potential CJ Abram’s trade?
Mark P
8:15
Nats aren't hanging up the phone to any offers, but they'll need a lot to move him now.  Abrams having (another) big first half in a Nationals uniform only increases his value, and adds to the team's asking price for a potential deadline trade.
Charlesco
8:16
Can I count to see Schwellenback this year? What to expect?
Mark P
8:17
Perhaps midseason for he and Waldrep?  It's tough to say since "loose bodies" type of elbow surgeries can vary wildly from pitcher to pitcher.  A midseason return is probably a best-case scenario.
The offseason bob got pretty
8:19
Who is more likely to extend Skenes or Griffin?
Mark P
8:20
Since there's zero chance of a Skenes extension, Griffin is the answer by default.  And to be fair, I could see the Bucs locking him up to a pre-career deal.
TO Mike
8:21
Do you think that Vladdy will have a breakout season?
Mark P
8:21
....Vladdy hasn't broken out already, in your view?!
Beer District
8:22
Is Megill on the trade block or do the Brewers use he and Uribe as a one-two pinch in the closer role?
Mark P
8:22
Megill drew some trade interest earlier in the winter, but if he is dealt, it'll probably be on the Brewers' usual timeline of a year before free agency.  So, Megill could be a popular trade chip next winter.
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