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Mark P
9:05
The Weekend Chat is underway! I had some trepidation about starting a chat tonight since I can't help but feel like another managerial firing might happen any minute now, but let's take the plunge....
Rene
9:06
Bigger disappointment? Mets or Phillies
Mark P
9:06
Bigger disappointment?
Mets (57.9% | 564 votes)
 
Phillies (42.1% | 410 votes)
 
Total Votes: 974
9:07
This might be as close to a 50-50 result as we've had on any poll
Castellanos
9:08
Are the pads really going to keep me on the roster with andujar and France there too? Really seems like a lefty bat would make way more sense…
Mark P
9:09
Castellanos probably isn't long for the roster.  The Phillies are covering virtually all of his salary, making him just a flier for San Diego.  If Castellanos can't get things turned around quickly, the Padres can cut him without a second thought
Thunderwriter
9:09
What is the value of a MLB draft pick if they were allowed to be traded?

Give a player a qualifying offer and that will dampen his market. Teams are basically saying that they don't want to lose the draft pick to sign the player. The pick is too valuable.

My Phillies tried all offseason to unload Nick Castellanos' contract and couldn't find any takers. Are you going to tell me that if they were able to attach a third-round pick that half the league would all of a sudden been interested in him ... even teams like the A's and Rays?
Mark P
9:10
The qualifying offer only tends to impact free agents whose markets were a little tenuous in the first place.  Likewise, attaching a draft pick to a bad contract wouldn't do a ton to improve the trade value of that player of his deal.
Kegger
9:12
Was there a better solution for the red sox than firing manager? Just patience better?
Mark P
9:14
Can't help but think there's some real behind-the-scenes intrigue that went into Boston's decision.  Cleaning house on the manager and coaching staff just a few weeks into the season is a bold move, notwithstanding how mediocre the Sox have been.

It is also worth noting that the Sox are exactly 3.5 games out of a wild card slot, since most of the American League has also been struggling.  So there was still lots of time for the team to turn things around with Cora in the dugout.
9:15
But, obviously the front office felt that a change was needed. Barring a big turn-around, one has to think Breslow's time as CBO might not last the season
Lefty Shellhammer
9:17
Has Landon Roupp reached Ace status's on this team? I’m genuinely concerned that Logan Webbs best days are slowly disappearing. What you say?
Mark P
9:18
I'm more keen on Roupp's emergence than I am down on Webb.  I think Webb will ultimately be just fine, at least as a top-of-the-rotation guy if not THE ace.  But, Roupp's nice start is a very good development for SF
Atl
9:18
what’s that mean for my Bravos
Mark P
9:20
April is awfully early to be crowning a division champion, but the Braves are already in incredible shape to win the NL East.  The Mets and Phillies are in freefall, the Nationals are rebuilding, and the Marlins' ceiling may be .500.

Perhaps Miami could also be the big beneficiary (bene-Fish-iary?!) here, as they've got second place staring them in the face.  Depending on how the rest of the NL plays out, the Marlins might be able to sneak into a wild card slot
Chris
9:20
Now that Jasson is coming up who do you think goes once Volpe is activated (maybe Fri)?
Mark P
9:22
It's possible the Yankees just send Dominguez right back down to Triple-A once Volpe is back.  New York wants Dominguez playing every day, and if that kind of regular time isn't available in the majors, Triple-A is in theory the better place for him.  (Apart from the fact that Dominguez is clearly beyond Triple-A pitching at this point.)

In terms of a pure "have the best players on the big league roster" move, cutting Grichuk or Goldschmidt is probably more productive for the Yankees at this point
Cambo
9:24
What are the chances Cora heads a new dugout this season? Buster Olney had floated an off-the-wall mgr trade to the Phillies last week before the news.
Mark P
9:26
It all depends on Cora's own feelings in the wake of this surprise firing.  Maybe he wants to take some time (i.e. the rest of the year) to decompress, with an eye towards having a wide range of offers waiting for him in October.

Despite the past Dombrowski/Cora link, Cora might not want to immediately jump right back into managing with a whole new team.  Not to mention a team that is in even deeper hot water than the Sox were
Trout
9:27
Can I PLEASE get my batting avg out of the .220-230range?? Striking out once or twice every game is not cool.
Mark P
9:27
If his OBP and SLG remain as elite as they are, Trout and the Angels (and everyone) should be more than accepting of a low average
Dave Roberts
9:28
We need relievers badly. What can we get for Rushing & maybe Edman if he'a healthy at the deadline?
Mark P
9:30
Rushing has tons of trade value but L.A. isn't likely to move him for relief pitching.  Edman's trade value is basically nil given his injury and his hefty contract, and if the Dodgers hadn't earned the benefit of the doubt ten times over, there would be a lot more criticism about the wisdom of Edman's extension.
9:31
Also, the Dodgers have a bunch of starter candidates on the IL who can be moved into bullpen duty once healthy.  I don't have much concern over a relief corps that is only a relative weak link.
Dinger
9:32
Cautiously optimistic about Dollander after his last few outings?
Mark P
9:33
He's looked quite sharp, either as a traditional starter or behind an opener.  Whether this is due to the organizational and coaching changes or just a talented young pitcher getting use to the majors, Dollander living up to his potential would be a game-changer for Colorado
Orioles Marlins
9:35
Chances Os trade for Alcantara? Certainly have the prospects to offer..
Mark P
9:35
Chances are probably low, since Miami may be more likely to be in a playoff race by the deadline
Sad Boy
9:36
Thoughts on the Angels?
Mark P
9:36
"Mike Trout's average is too low" is not in the top 300 problems with his team
Kevin McGonigle
9:37
How might the Tigers upgrade the bullpen? Will they finally trade from their depth of infielders or will they continue to look within?
Mark P
9:40
What, you don't want more Pitching Chaos?!

Detroit seems likely to make a couple of bullpen adds at the deadline, but they likely aren't spending a significant amount of trade capital on relievers. Last year's deadline is an example of how hit-or-miss things can go when adding relief pitchers.
Ethan Salas
9:41
Am I doing anything of merit in the minors anymore?
Mark P
9:42
Currently enjoying a very nice season at Double-A
Lt Data
9:43
Which of the following big-market clubs will be deadline sellers: Mets, Phillies, Astros, Giants, Red Sox
Mark P
9:46
It's a fascinating question. As noted, the AL has enough parity that I can see Houston and Boston getting back into the mix.  The Giants are hampered by the fact that they're playing for third place at best in their division, so their route to the playoffs is narrowed to one of two wild cards.

Same can be said of the Mets and Phillies, since Atlanta is borderline running away with the division already.  

For any of these five teams, I'd imagine they'd have to be entirely out of the running (like, at least six games back of a wild card) in order to be true deadline sellers. If things really continue to crater, it's possible ownership or the front office start a fire sale early of at least the impending free agents
9:47
And there's also the associated questions of....

  • will these teams just be selling at this deadline with an eye towards reloading for 2027, or considering more of a full-on fire sale?
  • if the latter, will the current front offices remain in place to oversee such a franchise-altering set of decisions?
JeffyM
9:48
Any chance Max Scherzer announces his retirement after getting his 3500th K?  He looks cooked, and according to Schneider he’s not hurt.
Mark P
9:50
Scherzer did have that minor forearm issue earlier in April, which could still be a lingering problem even if he isn't "hurt," per se.  There's also the fact that Scherzer didn't sign until early March, so he didn't have a full and normal Spring Training build-up.

Or, there's also the possibility that time has finally caught up to Scherzer at age 41.  I don't think he's going to just abruptly retire or anything, but it feels like 2026 will be his last hurrah
PADRESFAN9999
9:51
ASJ Preller have a few aces up his sleeve to land RHSP Joe Ryan of the Twins? Could it happen in May or June?
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