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Zach
8:23
Who are your mvp picks if you cant choose Othani or Judge?
Mark P
8:24
Fun question!  Let's say Jose Ramirez in the AL, and a spite-fueled Bryce Harper in the NL.
Steve
8:25
I get the “you can’t have too much pitching” mantra, but eventually that has to not be true when you sign say a Houser and block your pitching prospects from meaningful development right?
Mark P
8:28
If the Giants hadn't signed Houser, they'd be counting on one of their younger arms stepping up immediately as a reliable big league pitcher.  Or, it basically puts two rotation spots into that category, since Roupp is also not a sure thing.

With Roupp penciled in as the fifth starter behind the more experienced top four, it allows the Giants to perhaps explore a six-man rotation, or at least gives them lots of depth options in the event of injury.  The Giants are trying to win in 2026, remember, and can only give so much leeway to a young pitcher in the rotation.  Also, frankly, SF doesn't have the kind of obvious up-and-comer who is knocking down the door for a rotation job.
BigTimeTimmyJams
8:29
The O’s held back, and were non-competitive for so long and turned that period into a farm system coveted by all other MLB teams. Their grave mistake to me seems that they didn’t spend enough when the prospects matured into unproven but ready MLB talent. Is the Orioles plight an example of believing that every top prospect will turn into above average production, and more importantly
Mark P
8:31
"Plight" is maybe too strong a word.  The O's had a rough 2025 season, but it wouldn't be surprising if they bounced back to contend this year.

In terms of not spending, the ownership instability was some poor timing, as the front office might've normally had a bit more of a green light to spend once the team starting developing into contenders earlier than expected.
Zach
8:32
Does Trout have a top 5 mvp finish left in him?
Mark P
8:33
If Trout can stay healthy, I think he still has a couple of big seasons (if not necessarily a top-tier MVP run) in him.  That kind of special talent is hard to entirely write off, even after all these years of injuries.
Astros71
8:35
Looking Back At Last offseason: Should we have signed Kikuchi and not signed Walker?
Mark P
8:36
Hindsight is 20-20, but sure, that would've helped a lot on paper.  

I've written this before, but Walker's dropoff was a big surprise for me.  I thought that was one of the cannier signings of the offseason, and a blessing in disguise for the Astros once the Arenado trade fell through.  And to be fair, there's still time for Walker to get back on track, but his underwhelming 2025 is a big red flag.
Olives
8:37
Thoughts on the Oli Extension?
Mark P
8:37
The Cards are writing off the next couple of years anyway on a rebuild, so it makes for them to stick with a familiar (and trusted) voice in the dugout.
Regret
8:38
Do you think Lucas Giolito regrets his option year in Boston?  Does he admit his mistake and take a lower one year pillow contract at this point or will he hold out?
Mark P
8:40
Giolito had a mutual option, as he pitched enough innings to turn Boston's club option into a mutual.  It's a moot point since the Sox would've likely declined their club option anyway, or would've declined their end of a mutual option if Giolito had chosen to stay in the deal.
8:41
At this point, Giolito will almost certainly have to settle for a one-year deal.  I wonder if teams just don't like what they see in his medicals, or if his asking price is too high, or any number of other factors that have contributed to his long wait in free agency
Zach
8:42
Whats next for the Rangers if they miss the playoffs in 2026? Will they do what they did this offseason and make changes and tweaks or could they enter a rebuild if they finish bad enough?
Mark P
8:45
Another .500-ish season probably means more tweaks.  Obviously it depends on how the season would play out and why exactly Texas played middling baseball, but on paper, the team's blend of intriguing younger talent and bigger-name veterans still seems like a solid mix.  As much as ownership has closed up the pocketbook, I don't see the Rangers entirely blowing it up unless they have a total disaster of a season.
Poutine Dream
8:46
Would you rather have 10 straight divison titles or 1 World Series win?
Mark P
8:47
A World Series win

Put it this way....my favorite football team is the Packers. They've won the NFC North a bunch of times, and suffered a bunch of gut-wrenching playoff losses.  But, because they've won two Super Bowls during my fandom, those championships help make up for a lot of other playoff pain.
Cal
8:50
Very slim chance the Brewers are willing to pay up for a Contreras extension. Do we see them trading him next offseason like we’ve done with Burnes and Peralta?
Mark P
8:50
Very likely, which is why Jeferson Quero is a real intriguing player to watch for Milwaukee fans
Marco
8:51
Who are your Cy Young picks if you can't choose Skubal, Crochet, Skenes or Yamamoto?
Mark P
8:51
Hunter Brown, Freddy Peralta
Nick
8:52
Are you surprised that Danny Coulombe and Michael Kopech are both still available?
Mark P
8:54
Kopech not overly due to all of his injuries.  

Coulombe yes because he's just been so generally good, but his age and tough finish to 2025 are certainly factors.

The relief market is always hard to gauge since I feel in many cases, teams evaluate a bunch of these guys on the same general level.  So whether a club targets one particular reliever over another might come down to salary demand, or how many minor league options remain, or maybe even a personal connection (i.e. pitching coach used to work with the guy).
Justin Turner
8:55
Any chance I get picked somewhere up this year?  Also, when I’m ready to retire, will the Dodgers give me a one day contract so I can retire a Dodger?
Mark P
8:57
For a ceremonial contract, sure, why not.  Maybe the Dodgers have already signed him to such a deal but have deferred the ceremony to when Turner choose to retire.

On a more serious note, if the roster crunch is tough on veterans like Marte or McCutchen who had okay numbers in 2025, it's even harder for guys like Turner who struggled.
Alex
8:58
Is Sale a Hall Of Famer if he retired today or is he still 1 or 2 solid years away?
Mark P
8:58
Sale's definitely getting in.  The Cy Young Award removed any doubt as to his Cooperstown chances.
Mr Kow
9:00
I’m excited about the Mets prospects getting opportunities to contribute. What position players have a real shot at making the team or getting called up this season? Could Benge start opening day at the third corner OF spot?
Mark P
9:03
Call Mr. Kow, that's his name, that name again is Mr. Kow

Anyway, all signs are pointing to Benge breaking camp with the team.  He's the only sure thing, plus McLean will naturally be in the rotation and Tong and Scott will definitely be part of the pitching mix.
Friedman is Evil
9:04
True or false - Dodgers are bad for baseball
Mark P
9:04
False
Ebenezer_Batflip
9:05
Thoughts on the approach to trades from Craig Breslow, he made like 14 trades but refused to trade from his top 5 prospects and didn't deal Mayer or Duran or any other big MLB talent. Dealing away substantial quantity vs the top trade chips, does this seem like a good plan or should Craig have been willing to pay for an established star?
Mark P
9:06
This isn't exactly an accurate description, as Breslow moved Teel (one of Boston's "big four" at the time) to land Crochet. And, reports indicated that the Red Sox have also approached the White Sox about acquiring Teel back, indicating some buyers' remorse.

In general, Breslow's plan is sound. Keep the prospects your staff views as the real building blocks, and deal the prospects you have a few more questions about.
Ebenezer_Batflip
9:07
Oh I just meant this offseason he made 14 trades, not his entire time in Boston
Mark P
9:09
Ha, okay then!

Based on just this offseason, I think the Sox have done quite well to add talent without giving up much in return.  In the multiple Cardinals trades, for instance, just taking on extra money helped the Red Sox add Gray/Contreras for only okay returns going back in the Cardinals' direction.
Ted Turner
9:09
Does Braves Vision mean more payroll for Braves? Seems like that announcement and Sale extension wasn’t coincidence. Not to mention highest one year guarantee ever for the Braves
Mark P
9:10
Atlanta's got a lot of money coming off the books after 2026, so Sale's new deal basically just replaces a lot of those expiring contracts.

Over the long term, however, BravesVision seems like it can be a very strong revenue stream for the club.
HUVIE33
9:12
How long of a leash does Grissom get if he goes back to his no hitting ways with Jones waiting?
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