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Mark P
9:19
While the strikeouts are certainly a concern, Munetaka's other metrics are all so impressive that the swing-and-miss is the only hole in his game --- he's walking a bunch, and making a ton of hard contact.

If you're the White Sox and you've got what seems to be a legit MLB hitter in your lineup, immediately flipping him at the deadline might send the wrong message to both future foreign free agents and your fans in general.  Trying to extend Munetaka might be the team's move before they even consider any trades.
Jack W
9:20
How did you feel on the guardians offseason and only getting a couple of guys
Mark P
9:21
I thought it was a terrible offseason, given the team's glaring offensive needs.  Now, the Guards have kept winning over the years despite a lackluster lineup and they're off to a good start now, so maybe (just maybe!) the front office knows more than I do
Desertdan
9:22
What is wrong with the Red Sox. They do not seem to be a cohesive unit at all!
Mark P
9:24
Obligatory "it's still early" and "the entire AL is struggling" answers

But in general, you're correct that most of Boston's roster is either outright playing poorly, or at least playing below expectations.  Ironically, after all the months or years of trade speculation, Yoshida has been one of the team's best hitters, and if anything is making a strong case for more playing time.
Mariners All The Way
9:25
Which M’s players slow start is the most concerning?
Mark P
9:27
A few good candidates here, but I guess I'd go with Raleigh?
Kujhawker88
9:28
How long of rope does Matt Q have if the Royals losing streak  continues?
Mark P
9:29
Quatraro signed a contract extension over the winter that runs through at least the 2029 season. So he's not going anywhere, and I feel he shouldn't, given how the Royals' issues seem like much more of a roster construction problem than a manager problem
Happy Padres Fan
9:30
Do you think rather Alex McCoy or Kash Mayfield leap up to AAA or the MLB this year?
Mark P
9:31
Both are at high-A ball, so making it to the majors before 2026 is over seems awfully aggressive.  

Triple-A is my guess between the two options.  It also shouldn't be ruled out that one or the both are in another organization by the trade deadline.
Angels Fan since 1983
9:32
Please give all of us long suffering Angels fans that now that it looks like they have actually developed a starting pitcher to be their ace that they will sign Jose Soriano to a long term contract.  I still fear Arte will force them to trade him instead of paying him.
Mark P
9:35
Soriano is under team control through 2028, since he only gained arbitration eligibility this past winter. So you very likely have at least three more years to enjoy him.  

While Soriano's not going to keep posting a sub-1.00 ERA or anything, his secondary numbers (beyond the walk rate) suggest that this breakout is legit. Angels fans deserve some good news, and Soriano looks like the real deal.
George
9:36
What type of trade value does Dalton Rushing have?
Mark P
9:37
A ton.  The Dodgers have the luxury of keeping Rushing as an overqualified backup since why not, but if they did look to shop him to address other needs, there will be plenty of interest
I.M. Worried
9:39
Will Crochet ever be good again? Should the Sox trade him for a 30-HR hitter?
Mark P
9:40
No reason to panic after a pair of bad starts, even if that 11-run outing was a particular nightmare.
Mets infield
9:40
When if ever can we expect to see Baty sent down? He’s been pretty much unplayable; would rather have Mauricio get the rope he gets or trade him for a bounceback relief candidate to an infield-needy team; Polanco also looks completely cooked and the Mets should probably consider just eating that contract outright if his bat speed is this bad with injuries
Mark P
9:42
In Polanco's case, he's been playing hurt all year, so he might well look like his old self once he returns from the IL.  (If anything, the Mets probably should've put him on the IL earlier rather than let him struggle for a couple of weeks.)

Baty's off to a very rough start, and I can't help but wonder if New York's attempt to turn him into a super-utility guy is affecting his hitting.  Things only seemed to click for Baty with the bat last year, but now he has a lot more on his plate by prepping to be a fill-in at more positions.
Ryan
9:42
You commented on where blame should be in KC and roster construction. Do you feel the same about Boston? I feel they have too many outfielders and the IKF signing at 6 mill a year forces them into a tough spot....with Mayer, Durbin, Monastario, and Story.....plus IKF......you run into the same problem as the OF....if a guy gets hot you're pigeon holed! Plus the Sox love the right lefty matchup
Mark P
9:44
The IKF signing didn't make a ton of sense for a team that already seemed to have a good deal of infield depth.

Ironically, the Royals and Red Sox were linked to each other for much of the winter as logical trade partners ---- KC badly needed outfield and had some extra pitching, whereas Boston had the outfield surplus and needed extra arms.  The Sox instead turned to other trade options and signed Suarez to address the rotation, but still kept the OF logjam in place.
choose
9:45
What change do you enjoy more? Pitch clock or ABS?
Mark P
9:46
I'm a fan of both, but the clock has had a bigger-picture impact on the in-game experience, so that's my pick.
Disaster 3B
9:48
Brett Baty, Isaac Paredes, Nolan Arenado: bad metrics = cooked or just slow starts
Mark P
9:49
Paredes' struggles could also be related to his lack of a true everyday spot, if that's had a mental impact on him.

Arenado I'm afraid might just be cooked.  His bat has been in steady decline for the last couple of years, and at least in the early going, the move to Arizona didn't spark a bounce-back
BaxterattheBoB
9:50
Does Jordan Lawler have any trade value?
Mark P
9:51
Speaking of change-of-scenery candidates, yeah, Lawlar has a good deal of trade value.  Small sample size alert here, but his good start at the plate this year indicated he might have turned a corner, so his broken wrist was a real bummer.
But, it doesn't make a ton of sense for the D'Backs to trade him
Jeff Greenberg
9:52
Should I try to move Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline no matter what? And if so what teams have the best prospects for the Tigers to stay competitive.
Mark P
9:53
Pedantic note: Greenberg is the Tigers' GM, but Scott Harris is the president of baseball operations.  So Harris would be making the call on trading Skubal, though for a deal of that magnitude, it would have to be run by ownership

This is all a moot point, since Detroit is only trading Skubal if they're absolutely out of the playoff race (which doesn't seem likely)
Giants
9:54
Which is more likely: Patrick Bailey getting sent to the minors to work on hitting the ball, or him getting DFA'd or traded for another catcher?
Mark P
9:54
If the Giants have actually struck gold here in Susac, the answer is keeping Bailey as the glove-first backup
CHISOX FAN
9:55
How long before Hagen Smith is in the rotation?
Mark P
9:56
Fantastic start in Triple-A, so if he keeps this up, a promotion by the All-Star break seems reasonable
Bailey Ober
9:56
Am I more more likely to get traded or demoted to the bullpen this year?
Mark P
9:58
Assuming Minnesota is out of it at the deadline, Ober is a decent trade candidate, since teams are always looking for rotation depth even if that pitcher is struggling.  The diminished strikeout numbers are a concern for any trade suitor, of course, in addition to the Twins themselves
9:59
We're over the two-hour mark now, so time to call it a night.  Thanks for all the questions and comments!
10:00
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