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Ryan S
9:16
Better fit for STL, Bohm or Crawford?
Mark P
9:16
Crawford, as I just think he's a better player
Mike
9:17
Loaded veterans ballot. Who gets in?
Mark P
9:19
My assumption is that Baker and Bochy are locks.  Piniella, Maddon, Sabean, Alderson, and Bill White will get a lot of votes.  Ted Turner is the least-likeliest to get in, in my view, but he won't get shut out on the ballot.

Beyond the top two, the sheer number of other good candidates might create enough of a logjam and it's just Baker and Bochy getting 75 percent of the ballot
9:21
Jayson Stark pointed out in a recent column that voters might take a strategic element to their ballot.  If someone thinks Bochy/Baker are locks, they could use their three votes elsewhere, so other candidates can either get over the line, or at least amass enough votes for consideration on the next veterans' committee ballot for execs and managers
AA
9:22
Mahle and Gray to ATL?
Mark P
9:22
Distinct possibility.  Braves are a very popular pick for Gray's next team due to proximity to his Nashville home, and Mahle has stated he'd love to return.
9:23
The ripple effect of signing these two is that the Braves would then perhaps feel safer in dangling a depth arm or two in trade talks.
OriolesFanHere
9:23
What do you think the off-season has in store for Baltimore
Mark P
9:24
The O's might be an underrated choice as busiest team of the offseason.  I wouldn't be shocked if they swung some huge blockbuster like moving Henderson or something, and a big signing can't be ruled out in a world where the team has shown they're willing to invest in a name free agent (i.e. Alonso)
Tony
9:25
Would the Red Sox be ill advised to package Arias in a deal for a slugger and further deplete their farm system?
Mark P
9:25
I don't think there's any chance Arias is dealt unless it's for an absolutely premium star like Elly.  As noted earlier, Arias could viably be in Boston's Opening Day lineup.
Kanzler
9:26
Will I successfully lobby for the M’s to add familiar pieces from the Astros or Cubs?
Mark P
9:27
I'd be stunned if the pitching-needy Cubs weren't already in touch with the M's about their starters well before Kanzler's hiring.  Trades between the Astros and Mariners will be tougher to swing due to the division rivalry alone.
Gary Templeton
9:32
Any chance we'll ever compare the 27' Yankees to the 27' Yankees?
Mark P
9:33
(mind blown)

Is it just me, or is it going to be very weird to one day refer to this decade as "the 20's"?
RoxTalks
9:33
Re: Mahle and Gray. Braves can’t be dangling arms after the amount of their rotation injuries in recent years right?
Mark P
9:33
The "you can never have too much pitching" argument is totally valid.  And the surplus that the Braves would technically have could be mitigated by putting guys into the bullpen, or keeping Fuentes in the pen.
Challengeinthe4th
9:34
Padres-Rockies-Rays whose the first to win their first WS?
Mark P
9:34
Mariners fans just irate at this comment, haha
Who will be the next first-time World Series winner?
Mariners (18.2% | 99 votes)
 
Padres (35.8% | 195 votes)
 
Rays (42.4% | 231 votes)
 
Rockies (3.7% | 20 votes)
 
Total Votes: 545
Gregg
9:35
Paul Toboni has already made a bunch of minor moves this offseason, do you believe there is a chance that he could go after a big name free agent this year?
Mark P
9:36
I could see the Nats taking on a semi-large salary as a gateway to also acquiring some good young talent in such a trade.  As in, a team unloading an unwanted contract on the Nationals, and throwing in a prospect or two to make it worth Washington's while
Marky mark
9:38
The Elly/ arias trade has come up a bit. What else could be included in that trade, established outfield help?
Mark P
9:39
The Reds would justifiably demand a big return for Elly.  Beginning with Arias, Cincy could ask for Gonzales (Boston's top OF prospect) as well, plus an excess starting pitcher with MLB experience.

If by "established" outfield help you mean Duran, sure, as a throw-in.  But his trade value is low enough that he might just be non-tendered, rather than dealt for anything of real worth
Yankees-Cubs
9:41
Is there a possible Matt Shaw for Will Warren deal to be had here?
Mark P
9:43
That deal makes some sense for both sides.  Moving Shaw does create more pressure on the Cubs to address their corner outfield situation, but since the rotation is such a glaring need, Chicago surely wants to get that addressed first
Or, if they dealt Shaw, maybe the Cubs put more focus on re-signing Suzuki (or Happ)
Paul Toboni
9:44
Pushing back on the Nats not pursuing a bigger name free agent, they have one of the lowest payroll commitments and the team did truly take a big step forward. Michael King was college teammates with Blake Butera. No chance?
Mark P
9:45
The chances aren't exactly zero, but it's very unlikely.  If the Nats signed King, they'd have to believe they're ready to make a run at a playoff spot in 2027.  As much as the offense looked good last year, their rotation and especially the pen needs a lot more than just King joining the pitching mix.

If you're King or another frontline type of pitcher who will have plenty of options this winter....it'll take more than an old college buddy to get me to join the Nats over another team that looks like a more clear-cut contender.
kurt the hurt
9:47
If Tigers Kevin McGonigle wins the rookie of the year award this week, does the team get a draft pick or anything for the reward ?
Mark P
9:48
Indeed, the Tigers would get a bonus draft pick as per the PPI rules
John
9:49
Who is the top reliever you could see the Tigers acquiring in the offseason? Is Pagan an option for them?
Mark P
9:49
Pagan makes sense.  His homer-allowing tendencies might be kept in check by Fifth Third Park.
9:50
(And yes, it's going take some time getting used to writing that ballpark name)
Gaclianone
9:51
Is Raisel Iglesias an option realistic for teams that aren't looking for a closer but rather just a high-leverage back up closer?
Mark P
9:52
Iglesias was still very effective last season.  I don't see why he'd take a set-up role when he'll surely get plenty of offers for closing jobs.
Brewer Fan
9:53
Morbid curiosity based on an earlier response, if you had to pick 1-10, 1 being no chance, 10 being he's currently putting pen to paper we speak, how likely is a Made extension?
Mark P
9:54
Wait, is this question technically WWJD?

Made's signing bonus was $950K, so substantial but still well short of life-changing money.  Maybe he's open to locking in his first fortune right off the bat with a pre-career extension, or maybe he's prepared to bet on himself by playing out his arb years and aiming for free agency.  Or, Made and his reps might first want to see what the next CBA brings before committing to an extension.
Zach
9:56
What are the odds we see a 2027 Texas Rangers roster without one of or multiple of these players - Seager, deGrom, Evo
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