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Shane
9:46
Any idea on how much the Twins will increase their payroll for next season?
Mark P
9:49
The lockout and CBA changes obviously throw a lot of confusion into payroll projections, especially when it comes to a more moderate spender like the Twins.  In a vacuum, I don't see them boosting spending to any huge extent, but maybe something like a $10-$15MM increase isn't out of the question given Tom Pohlad's eagerness to win?
Adley
9:50
Were you surprised he got dealt in the same division?  Did the O’s get enough back in your opinion?
Mark P
9:53
I think it was in last week's or the previous week's chat when I wrote something like "very unlikely Rutschman is dealt at the deadline, and zero chance the O's move him within the division."

So, it looks like I really had to eat my words on that one.  Boston's offer was very good, and in my view probably an overpay for a player who looks probably more like a decent everyday catcher than a real superstar
Bryan C
9:53
Why is there talks about SD may be trying to trade Tatis?
Mark P
9:54
Since the Padres started cutting back on spending, there have been persistent rumors about whether or not the team will try to move any of its biggest contracts, Tatis included.
Do I think a Tatis deal is feasible?  No.  Do I think Preller would jump at the chance to move Bogaerts or Cronenworth if he could?  Absolutely.
J Ram
9:55
Am I the most underrated MLB player?  Where would the Guards be without me?
Mark P
9:56
In the broad view of the last decade, Ramirez might well be the most underrated.  But there's some irony in posting this while J-Ram is on pace for his worst season in over a decade.
CHISOX FAN
9:57
Does the big bump in attendance mean Reinsdorf will be willing to spend money on a front line pitcher?
Mark P
9:57
I'll need to see it to believe it, given Reinsdorf's history of limited spending
Cards Fan
9:58
Angels next GM from MO's St. Louis friends.
Mark P
9:59
I think this is very possible.  Girsch and Randy Flores were mentioned as speculative candidates basically from the moment Mozeliak was hired in LA
Down With the Dodgers
9:59
Are you worried about the Dodgers because of their 2nd half so far?
Mark P
9:59
Nah, it's the Dodgers
Cardinals Fan Rob
10:00
Can someone explain how the Cardinals crashed so hard in the 2nd half?
Mark P
10:01
Reality caught up to a team that probably overachieved in the first half.  And, St. Louis is still only at .500, so there's still plenty of time to get on track and still make some kind of run at a wild card.
The Burt
10:02
Craig Kimbrel should really retire, but at this point I swear he’s going to become the player who plays for all 30 teams
Mark P
10:02
The Royals will be his 12th, so Kimbrel isn't far off the Edwin Jackson/Rich Hill record of 14.  Frankly, if I was a player in Kimbrel's situation, I would make it my business to break this record just for kicks.
Paul Skenes
10:04
Is my dip in velocity and results at all worrying?
Mark P
10:05
MLB.com's Travis Sawchik had a good breakdown on Skenes the other day, so for the link....
https://www.mlb.com/news/paul-skenes-2026-metrics-comparison-deep-dive
10:06
On top of Sawchik's points, we also shouldn't overlook the fact that Skenes is still just 24 and in his third big league seasons.  Maybe it just took the league a little while to start to figure him out, and now it's on Skenes and the Pirates to make the necessary adjustments
Tim
10:07
Melton and Jobe the Tigers new 1-2 punch for years to come….  The next Verlander/ Scherzer duo?
Mark P
10:07
I like Melton and Jobe, but let's pump the brakes before we start the comps to two of the best pitchers of all time, eh?
Sleepless in Cincinnati
10:08
Should the Reds trade Elly this offseason?  What would a trade package look for him right now?
Mark P
10:09
Moving Elly would signal a rebuild for the Reds, and that's very likely not a step the franchise wants to take.  EDLC just becomes arb-eligible this winter, Burns was just signed to a big extension, and the Reds have a lot of money coming off the books.
10:10
Obviously dealing him would bring back a massive haul of young talent, with at least one or two players that could contribute immediately to Cincinnati's 2027 team.
Pirate maximus
10:11
What's the deal with the reds? How is singer still there? What about Stephenson?
Mark P
10:12
Stephenson's probably the player I'm most surprised to see stay put at the deadline.  Between the BoSox getting Adley, the Rays getting Hicks, and (to a lesser extent) the Rangers getting O'Hoppe, perhaps that left the Yankees as the last real suitor standing, and the Reds didn't like the offer
Ang T
10:13
Any chance deGrom accepts a trade to ATL in the offseason?
Mark P
10:14
Only JDG knows the answer to that question. His no-trade clause keeps the decision up to him, and it could be that he's more open to a deal (to Atlanta or anywhere) when it doesn't mean uprooting his family in the middle of the year.
Rip adley
10:15
What’s your view on the Adley trade from balts perspective
Mark P
10:16
Seemed like the writing was on the wall the moment Basallo signed that extension.  With the Red Sox making such a strong offer now, maybe the O's jumped at the chance to sell high (especially with Rutschman still on the IL)
10:17
As much as the trade is something of a symbolic end to an Orioles era that never really launched, I return to my earlier point about Rutschman not really looking like a star in the last few years.
Gwynning
10:18
True or false: Jo Adell gets traded in the Offseason.
Mark P
10:19
Leaning towards true.  He's owed a raise on a $5.2MM salary for 2026, and he is having a replacement-level season.  The Guardians could even feasibly non-tender him, rather than trade him.
10:20
We've hit the two-hour mark, so it's time to call it a wrap.  All of the questions were greatly appreciated, as always!
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