You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
MLBTR Live Chat
powered byJotCast
Boomer
6:18
With the “I know it’s just Spring Training” caveat in mind, any chance DeVries breaks camp with the big club?  I get that he hasn’t had many AA games even, but he looks pretty comfortable right now…
Mark P
6:20
He'll probably be in the majors by the end of 2026, unless the A's are worried about starting his service clock in advance of a 2027 season that might have a work stoppage.

A's fans should be very happy with what they've seen from De Vries so far, but there's no reason for the club to rush him just yet.
Hello mark
6:21
It’s only spring training but I can be excited about Matt McLain right?
Mark P
6:22
Go for it!  McLain getting back to 2023 form would be a gigantic boost to Cincinnati's season.  Maybe karma owes the Reds some balance after Greene's injury.
Boaz W
6:23
Do you have any “surprise” team(s) to win a division titles? If so, which team(s)?
Rangers fan
6:23
can we win the division?
Mark P
6:25
I've paired these two questions together since Texas would be my pick as a solid potential "surprise" winner.
Kevin
6:26
I know the Cards are going for a kids movement. They have more tee ball players than ever before. However, this team has the possibility of being super bad this season. Defense, offense and pitching could be at historic lows. Will they retreat not adding even some passable major league experienced talent?
Mark P
6:28
Adding a more reliable veteran arm than Dustin May would've been beneficial to the rotation.  

Overall, however, St. Louis is a bit different than other recent rebuilding teams.  A lot of the Cards players aren't "kids" in the sense that most of them have at least a couple of seasons of MLB experience, and with some success at the big league level.
While the Cards aren't going to be good this year, I don't think they're staring at some ugly 100-loss record or anything
Guest
6:30
Is there any chance the Cardinals will send walker to aaa since he has been bad for 2 years and bad this spring
Mark P
6:33
In keeping with the youth movement, this is Walker's year to show what he can do in the majors with the Cards.  He doesn't turn 24 until May so I hesitate to call it a "last chance" or something, but if Walker continues to struggle against MLB pitching, Bloom might consider trading him or demoting him.

What's interesting about Walker is that his career Triple-A numbers aren't particularly good, either.  Injuries have played a role in this, but perhaps giving him another extended look in Triple-A can be beneficial if it gets Walker a chance to be dominant.
6:34
And, if he can't hit much in Triple-A, that's another red flag
Tyler
6:34
Has Joc Pedersen played himself out of a role with the Rangers, especially looking at what Cutch has done since he signed last week?
Mark P
6:35
Joc was always going to be a part-time player, and I don't think the Rangers' plan of having a Pederson/Cutch DH platoon has deviated all that much.
Bill
6:37
Max Muncy for Max Muncy who says no?
Mark P
6:38
The Dodgers just signed their Max to a new extension, so they'd probably say no.
Steve111
6:39
Do you think that the Royals can win the AL central this year, with Kauffman Stadium fences moving in
Mark P
6:41
Related to the earlier question, I guess the Royals would count as a "surprise" division winner?  But though I consider Detroit the favorite in the ALC, I wouldn't actually be surprised if KC or the Guardians won the crown.

The Royals' hitting is the big question for me.  If one or two more players start producing quality offense, that might be enough if the pitching stays healthy
Mr KLC
6:41
Is Jake Meyers still looking like a possible trade candidate for outfielder needy teams?
Mark P
6:42
Probably not, given how the Astros' outfield is such a big question mark even in its current state.
Rays
6:42
Can Chandler Simpson be a viable starter caliber player without any power?
Mark P
6:44
If he can get on base, absolutely.  Anything that gets him on the basepaths and allows him to run wild with steal attempts.
Benny The Jet
6:44
Sandlot or Major League?
Mark P
6:44
Sandlot, but it's close
SoxWIn2027
6:46
Good evening Mark,
Reading a lot about the White Sox infielders of the future.  How do they work in Carlson, Bonemer, Antanucci, Lodise and soon to be #1 draft pick Kochlowski?  Vargas, Montgomery, Sosa/Meidroth seem to be locked in at 3rd, SS and 2nd base.
Mark P
6:47
None of Sosa, Vargas, or Meidroth are locks for Chicago's future plans.  If any of them break out and firmly establish themselves in 2026, that's great for the Sox.  As it currently stands, the White Sox should have no worries finding room for their up-and-coming infielders down the road.

There's also the strong likelihood that not all of the infield prospects pan out as big leaguers.
6:48
This comment maybe sounded a little more negative than intended, haha.  The Sox are in good shape overall in terms of their infield's future, but it's way too soon to say they have any sort of real surplus.
mlbfan
6:49
in a span of 24 hours, jackson holliday, lindor and corbin carroll broke their hamate bones. all had surgery around same time. yet corbin + lindor are back in ST and seem ready for opening day. why was holliday ruled out? different type of break? different type of surgery? or just the org made the decision to hold him out longer?
Mark P
6:52
I think a little of all three scenarios.  It might well be that Lindor and Carroll are making a mistake by trying to push for Opening Day, but every player responds to hamate injuries (and surgeries) in a different way.

The O's don't want to rush Holliday since he's had less development time as a pro anyway, so missing a full Spring Training at this point in his career is more detrimental than it is to Lindor or even Carroll.
Zach
6:52
Are the A's capable of finishing at  .500?
Mark P
6:53
Yes.  Their pitching is a big question mark, but the A's have enough bats to slug their way to a winning record.
fan
6:55
World series predictions
Mark P
6:56
Gather round, one and all!  It is time for Mark's official preseason World Series prediction, which I believe has never been correct in the six years I've been doing these chats.

Mariners vs. Dodgers is my call for 2026, so apologies in advance to the Seattle/LA fans for jinxing at least one of your clubs.
Mike
6:57
who takes mound tuesday if usa makes it to finals?
Mark P
6:58
Nolan McLean will start, which is a heck of a spot for a young pitcher (albeit a talented one).  It will be close to an all-hands-on-deck situation as the format allows, of course.
Jake Jortles
6:59
Are you surprised that there hasn't been any announcements about Schneider and Atkins signing extensions?
Mark P
7:00
Not really.  Extension announcements (for players or execs) are usually saved for closer to Opening Day.
Gaurds.
7:01
Are you on the Delauter train? Or are you drinking the armbar injury  prone haterade?
Mark P
7:03
I don't think it's being a hater to point out that DeLauter simply hasn't played all that much as a pro.  As talented as he is, counting on him to immediately be good in 2026 is a risk.  Even if he stays healthy, CDL might struggle just like a lot of rookies struggle in their first extended taste of the majors.
Connecting…