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Mark P
8:39
Is this the last chat of the regular season, or (since the games are now all over) technically the first chat of the postseason?  And, if this chat exists in both planes at once, could this be called....Schrodinger's Chat?

As we ponder these questions and more, let's take some questions!
Alex
8:40
Is this the perfect storm for the Braves to finally get the playoff Phillies monkey off their back?
Mark P
8:41
Atlanta certainly would seem to have the edge, but you never know once the playoffs begin.  Just looking back to last year, the Guardians seemed to have all the momentum over the collapsing Tigers, but it was Detroit who advanced in the WCS
Peter Bendix
8:43
WHO am I adding to the team next year? Extend Sandy, Eury, Mack?
Mark P
8:44
Miami has virtually nothing on the books, so they could all of this with ease, from a financial perspective. Maybe for Mack, they wait until they see something from him as a hitter, and there's no rush since Mack is still a couple of years away even from arbitration eligibility.
8:46
Perez is only arb-eligible for the first time this coming offseason, and next season is his age-24 campaign.  Locking him up to something like a six-year deal gives the Marlins control over three FA years and still allows Perez to test the market heading into his age-30 season.  

As for Alcantara, the Marlins will obviously exercise their club option for 2027, and extending him again is a wise move. Miami may not be far away from making a real move into contention, and cementing Alcantara as the face of the franchise is a good idea for both baseball reasons and as a popular move with a beleaguered fanbase
Holly A
8:47
Who is your biggest surprise of the post season
Mark P
8:48
They've been good for so much of the season that it's not longer quite as shocking....but it's still wild that the White Sox actually made the playoffs.  Virtually nobody saw that coming back in March.
Kevin in Mo
8:48
Arenado’s turn around season is fun to watch.  If he finishes his career with 400 hr’s would that round out his HOF election?
Mark P
8:49
Arenado has 383 for his career, but frankly, I think he already has a clear path to Cooperstown as it is
Not Mo
8:50
I'm thinking that Mike Soroka would be a good off-season target for the Cardinals.  Thoughts?
Mark P
8:51
Would definitely help, sure.  Soroka's bounce-back year will get him a lot of attention in free agency.  It's a matter of whether or not his asking price puts him outside STL's comfort zone, or if the Cardinals are willing to spend a little more on rotation help this winter.
offseason deadlines
8:52
will deadlines such as non tenders proceed normally up  until the lockout?
Mark P
8:52
Yep
Posting Windows
8:52
do these freeze during the lockout?
Mark P
8:53
Yep.  So if Sato, Taira and company haven't signed with a new team by December 1, they've got to wait out the lockout like every other free agent.
8:54
The latest reports indicated that NPB teams might post their players a little earlier than usual, to provide more time for the players to find a big league contract before Dec. 1.

The possibility exists, however, that any of these players might get fed up with the wait and just decide to return to NPB for 2027
Too long Cincy
8:54
Will organizational changes be made? Same thing happens every year. If nothing changes, they basically confirm they are OK with mediocrity.
Mark P
8:55
Ken Rosenthal and C. Trent Rosecrans of the Athletic had a heck of a piece on the Reds this past week, which was both eye-opening and maybe a little depressing for Cincinnati fans...

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7622943/2026/09/24/cincinnati-reds-ca...
8:57
The shortened version is that the front office would love to try a Rays/Brewers/Guardians-esque approach of trading players before free agency and restocking with younger talent, but ownership has balked at this idea.  

Not that the front office is blameless, of course, since it's not like the Reds are drafting and developing their own prospects at nearly the success rate of those other smaller-payroll clubs.
Ghost of Bud Black
8:58
Should the Rox trade Goodman this offseason?
Mark P
8:59
Goodman is arb-controlled through the 2029 season.  Since I doubt the Rockies will be good at any point in the next three years, I'd lean towards selling high on him right now and getting as many prospects as possible into the fold.
Josh E
9:00
When a player on a playoff team gets sent down like a week before the playoffs start, where do they go?  Do they just hang around the big league club, do they go home?
Mark P
9:01
All teams have an unofficial camp going to keep minor leagues in game shape, once the minor league season (and postseason) is over.  So demoted players either so here, or to the complex league affiliates at a team's Spring Training camp.
Drew Thorpe
9:03
Why didn’t the White Sox give me a chance to start a game down the stretch?
Mark P
9:04
Thorpe hasn't pitched at all since the Sox activated him from the 60-day IL in mid-September and then optioned him to Triple-A.  Maybe there was an injury situation again, but the simpler answer is maybe just that the White Sox didn't want to throw Thorpe into the high-pressure environment of a playoff race.
D'Backs Fan
9:04
Tough decisions for Hazen and company. First sign Torey to a 3 year contract, he deserves it.
Mark P
9:07
I can see the arguments both for and against keep Lovullo.  Maybe a new manager can get the D'Backs over the top.  But, it's not Lovullo's fault that the club has dealt with so many injuries (particularly on the pitching front) in the last few years.  

And, it bears noting that while Arizona hasn't made the playoffs since 2023, it's not like they've been a bad team.  89 wins in 2024, 86 wins this year, and even the 80-win 2025 team didn't miss the postseason by much.
Dave
9:09
Do the Hiants tender Doval a contract and risk paying 6 million?
Mark P
9:10
The fact that SF claimed him at all makes me think he'll be tendered a contract, and that number will be at least $7MM since he earned $6.1MM in 2026.  

It's possible the Giants might non-tender Doval and then look to re-sign him at a lower number, taking advantage of the fact that he has been so open about wanting to stay in San Francisco.  But, a non-tender then just opens the door to another team swooping in to make Doval an offer.  Tending Doval is perhaps the easier move for a Giants team that badly needs bullpen help anyway
DCN
9:12
Josue dePaula on LAD playoff roster?
Mark P
9:14
Between Rushing and De Paula, the Dodgers seem willing to devote one roster spot to a pure pinch-hitter, since neither will be playing in the field (or at DH with Ohtani back).  Rushing has more experience but also has barely played in two months.  JDP might be the better choice based on lack of rust alone
Dave
9:15
Since Alec Bohm’s offensive numbers are similar to Bo Bichette’s, what kind of market can he expect in free agency?
Mark P
9:15
Even in a market thin on position players, Bohm isn't going to get a ton of attention.  I'm guessing a one-year contract in the $8MM range at most.
Padres
9:16
Can we really beat the mighty Cubs?
Mark P
9:16
Given how San Diego has been red-hot for two months now, absolutely.
Ted Turner
9:18
Thoughts on a Devers for Riley swap? Eat some of the Devers money in deal or provide a prospect to buy down Riley contract in the deal?
Mark P
9:19
I realize that Braves fans are getting desperate to unload Riley, but let's try to stick to realistic options here, lol
Luis Arraez
9:19
I really wanted that 4th batting title!
Mark P
9:20
I kinda think Moreno is a more fun winner, just because it's pretty rare for a catcher to win a batting title.

Also notable....Yordan Alvarez fell short of the triple crown, but he did win the slash line triple crown for leading MLB in average, OBP, and slugging percentage
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