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Mark P
8:32
First I had to double-check that Dobnak's past extension with the Twins was finally entirely over, ha!

Secondly, I think you're underselling Dobnak's rough secondary numbers.  Not saying the Royals wouldn't bring him back just as a depth option, but I think he's the type of pitcher KC (and most other teams) view as a Plan C or D when their other rotation options fall through.  Getting a guaranteed deal would be a nice result for Dobnak this winter.
mcg
8:36
Do the Cubs sign an Infielder to fill in why Swanson out.
Mark P
8:37
Nah, they should be fine with Ramirez and Triandos to play 2B while Hoerner goes to shortstop.  "Fine" if Swanson only misses some time, of course.....if it's a bad oblique strain and his season is over, that becomes more problematic.  Chicago might still be okay if Ramirez keeps hitting and Shaw is eventually back to help, but trading for another infielder doesn't seem likely.
DD
8:38
Have many free agents will sign before a potential labor stoppage? Or will everyone wait?
Mark P
8:38
As we saw with the 2021-22 lockout, there was plenty of free agent action before the December 1 freeze.  I'd imagine something similar happens this time around, where some of the bigger names sign earlier but plenty of stars are still available once the transaction freeze begins
Told you so
8:39
Do you take pride in what Rengifo is doing for the Padres
Mark P
8:39
*self high-five*

I'm never wrong....but sometimes it just takes me a while to be right. :)
8:40
(Am I overreacting to like 100 plate appearances?  NOPE. Rengifo for MVP!)
Vlad the ??
8:40
Will I be the first half a billion dollar player to not hit a single homerun in my own ballpark?
Mark P
8:41
Truly the most baffling stat of the 2026 season.  While any trip to the concussion IL is a concern, maybe it can be the reset that Guerrero so desperately needs.
Brian
8:42
Worrying signs for Cal Raleigh or is this season just a blip?
Mark P
8:43
If this is just a blip, then it's the biggest blip since Thanos snapped his fingers.  Raleigh's hard-contact rate has fallen so drastically that it can't be ignored as just bad luck or random chance, and the Mariners should be very concerned (just as the Jays should be about Guerrero)
Yaz fan
8:44
Sox will likely make playoffs but will they go far?
Mark P
8:45
Boston has the pitching to make noise in the postseason, though the offense needs to be more consistent.

And I'm assuming you were referring to the Red Sox given your screen name, but just in case......Chicago has the hitting to make noise in the postseason, though the pitching needs to be more consistent.
Ross Atkins
8:46
If I have to pick one is Lowe or Suzuki my better signing this offseason?
Mark P
8:47
As a Jays fan, and since it isn't my money, why not both?  The offense needs all the help it can get.

Lowe is probably the cleaner fit since if Suzuki is signed, that basically means Suzuki/Santander are splitting the DH spot and a corner outfield spot on a daily basis.
Restless baseball fan
8:48
If you were to put a percent on it, what would you say are the chances the entire 2027 season is completely cancelled?
Mark P
8:49
Zero.  I'm not entirely convinced any games will be lost, let alone a full season.  Losing an entire year may well destroy the sport, and I find it hard to believe that both sides are willing to go that route.
fascinating
8:51
Do you expect the Dodgers to resign Skubal (or at least make a competitive run at it)? Lots of folks on social media seem to think it’s a foregone conclusion, but I just don’t see it at all. Where do you think he lands?
Mark P
8:52
It's the boring answer, but probably the Dodgers.  They're one of the few teams that can afford his asking price, and in the event that multiple teams submit similar bids, Skubal may well pick LA because they're the likeliest to win, and because he's familiar with the organization already
My Name is Judge
8:53
did the WBC break a bunch of stars or just a coincidence?
Mark P
8:55
I probably should've cited this when discussing Raleigh earlier.  Not just for the weird handshake stuff with Arozarena, but Raleigh might've been one of several players whose season was thrown off due to the disruption in their spring routine.

Obviously it isn't true for everyone (i.e. Arozarena himself is having a good year), but ballplayers are such creatures of habit that playing high-intensity games in March might've hampered their prep just enough
And just as I type that, Raleigh goes yard for the M's
Redbirds
8:56
How about Baez debut in STL.  What are some other memorable debuts?
Mark P
8:57
Bumpus Jones threw a no-hitter in his first Major League game.  This was back in 1892, and I don't think I had a shift on MLBTR that night
Bobby Cox
8:58
I think Braves can go deep in playoffs if Suarez comes back and one of young pitchers step up. Although I am concerned strider is finished.  Maybe a closer on his resume
Mark P
8:59
While the Braves aren't without their flaws, I love their chances of winning the NL pennant. We've seen some of the other NL contenders hit some struggles lately, but the Braves just keep quietly rolling along, and they've got a shot at the top seed if the Brewers stumble at all.
Lou
9:02
How will a possible lock out/strike alter the timing to the trade market this off season?  Could it change possible trades and even possible manager/GM changes by organizations?
Mark P
9:04
Teams generally have GM/manager hirings finished by mid-November, so that shouldn't change the timeline a ton in a lockout offseason. A lot of coaching hirings will be left in limbo, however.

It could be that we see some teams on the fence fire their front office execs or managers before season's end, just to get an early jump on the interview process.  Perhaps that was part of the impetus for David Forst getting fired now and not in October
Salvador Perez
9:05
what’s next for me after this year? Retirement? Return to KC? Go elsewhere?
Mark P
9:06
He's under contract for $9MM in 2027, and I doubt Perez just walks away from that money into retirement.  It's hard to see him playing into 2028, however, and next year should see Perez continue to be the clear-cut backup behind Jensen
Grizzled Righthander
9:07
Given the Yankees flaws, does bringing back two of Bellinger, Stanton, and of course Judge materially change their chances of overall sucess?
Mark P
9:08
As long as Judge is one of the two, then yeah, that's obviously a big boost to the New York offense.  Bellinger/Stanton alone help things, but Judge naturally is the special ingredient that makes the lineup truly dangerous again
Geoff G
9:09
Will bo bichette become a free agent this off season?
Mark P
9:11
He's starting to hit well again, but Bichette's overall numbers are still well below his career norms.  Walking away from $84MM guaranteed is a tougher call given his stats, plus there's the uncertainty of the lockout.  Bichette's likeliest play is staying with the Mets in 2027, and hoping for a bounce-back year that allows him to opt out next fall
Baz
9:12
Compared to the others in my draft class, am I a bust?
Mark P
9:13
Baz was the 12th overall pick in 2017, and he currently ranks tied for 10th in career bWAR of all players taken in the entire 2017 draft class.  So he's not remotely a bust, and given how inconsistent most of the 2017 class has been, I'd be a lot more comfortable with Baz on my roster going forward than almost anyone else from the year.
Cards Fan
9:15
Why is Mo waiting to name a new GM for the Angels?
Mark P
9:15
Mozeliak's only had less than two weeks to fully devote himself to a GM search, since he first had to deal with the draft and then the trade deadline.  The Angels' plan is still to have someone in place before season's end, so stay tuned.
Spuds
9:17
Do you think Vladdy's numbers are indicative of an injury he's been playing through or just a rough season?
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