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Mark P
11:14
I'd guess the Cardinals still think enough of Martinez's potential that they won't accept anything less than a strong offer, and other teams won't make such an offer (perhaps justifiably) after Martinez spent a year-plus outside the rotation
fitz9
11:16
Can't believe Sox zero in on catcher with Padres given some lower level but high upside talent.. Restocking outfield seems to be more of developmental black hole.
Mark P
11:16
Outfielders are much easier to find than quality catching
GOAT
11:17
Ia Trout having the best first 9 seasons in history? If not, where would he rank?
Mark P
11:18
Awfully high on the list.  His "similar batters through age 27" comps on Baseball Reference include Mantle, Frank Robinson, KGJR, Aaron, Miggy Cabrera, Eddie Matthews, Pujols, Ott, Andruw Jones, and DiMaggio.  That's some bonkers company.
Old Timer
11:19
The A's have been very quiet this winter. As a fan, I am concerned that they are being too complacent especially given the improvements in the Angels and the Rangers.  Do you see them making any moves  prior to opening day?
Mark P
11:20
I still ultimately see the A's adding a veteran player at second base.  Maybe a reliever or something on a minor league deal.  

Despite Oakland's quiet winter, I'd say they're still closer to Houston than they are to Texas and LAA.
Quick, I need to get ready for c
11:21
Why wouldn’t the Mariners take on Price from th Sox if they get some salary covered? Hed be a nice piece for them as the young staff matures.
Mark P
11:22
$96MM is a lot of salary to cover, unless Seattle sent someone like Dee Gordon or maybe even Seager (though Seager isn't a fit in Boston with Devers at 3B) back as salary offset.
11:23
Not saying the M's don't have some sense as a Price suitor, but the Red Sox don't seem to be in pure salary dump mode with Price, and the Mariners seem to be playing wait-and-see with their youngsters before making any big splashy moves
Nelson Cruz
11:25
If the TWINS dangled Kiriloff who could bite and with what?
Mark P
11:26
A ton of teams would be interested if Minnesota made Kiriloff available, he's good enough to be the centerpiece of a trade for a notable star player.  But that said, I somewhat doubt the Twins would move him
Halos
11:26
O/u 84.5 for the Angels
Mark P
11:26
ooh, survey time!
11:27
84.5 wins for the Angels in 2020?
Over (45.7% | 356 votes)
 
Under (54.3% | 423 votes)
 
Total Votes: 779
Halos
11:28
Is Pujols in the lineup opening day? Fletcher at 2nd, LaStella at 1b, and Ohtani DH?
Mark P
11:29
It's difficult given his contract and his stature in the game, but the Angels should really be playing Pujols as little as possible from now on
Indians
11:29
I don't see why the indians aren't interested in castellano he'd be a perfect fit
Mark P
11:30
Indeed, though Cleveland has been so cautious about payroll in the last couple of years that I don't think they would meet his asking price
YOY improvement
11:31
Are the Marlins the favorite for the best year over year improvement? With all the free agents brought in and a top 5 farm, they should be in the 70s for wins, right?
Mark P
11:33
There's nowhere to go but up when you lose 105 games, but going from 57 wins to 70 might be a tall order.  The NL should still be very competitive as a whole next season, and things will be particularly tough in the NL East.

That said, good on the Marlins for making a legit effort to add veteran players and put more respectable product on the field
Guest
11:34
Do the 2017 Astros hitters have problems getting into the HoF like the Steroid users have had?
Mark P
11:35
The hard feelings over the scandal might have faded in 10-15 years' time.  Someone like Bregman is young enough that he puts up big numbers for another decade, the scandal will fade into the background for him, whereas it might more directly hurt a more experienced player like Altuve
Stevil
11:36
Do you think Toronto is actually trying to break out of their rebuild in 2020? They'll get some more help from the farm soon, but soon enough? Outfield will still need work as well.
Mark P
11:37
You don't sign Ryu to all that money to just play wait-and-see in 2020.  Clearly the Jays are expecting to be much better next season, even if they probably want to see how good their young core actually is before deciding to push their chips into the center of the table
Ruban Amaro
11:38
Biggest of Fame snub this year?
Mark P
11:39
Bonds and Clemens are the obvious answers, though it's understandable why there's so much reluctance around them.  I was hoping Scott Rolen would've garnered more support on the ballot, he's a clear HOFer in my view
Corey Seager
11:39
Why do the Dodgers want to trade me?
Mark P
11:40
I don't think they really do, unless it was to get someone truly elite like Lindor
Curious
11:41
Are all these owners and GM's actually using this forum to ask you for advice about their teams?  If so, congratulations!
Mark P
11:42
It's a well-known fact that all activity at the Winter Meetings halts whenever there's an MLBTR chat.  "Sorry Scott Boras, can't talk now, I have to ask Mark whether I should sign your client or not."
Jerry Dipoto
11:43
Would taking McGee off Colorado's hands plus their Comp B pick next year for someone like recently DFA'd Reggie McClain work?
Mark P
11:44
Packaging the Comp-B pick along with one of their bad contracts seems like a good move for Colorado, if the Rox really as hamstrung payroll-wise as they claim
Jeets
11:45
Will we ever find out who the one person who didn't vote me in is?
Mark P
11:46
I must say, I don't understand the HOF's stance on keeping the voting private when the BBWAA has overwhelming voted to make all ballots public.
Mo
11:47
I keep saying I like our team and don’t need to do anything else. A lot of knowledgeable Cardinal fans aren’t buying what I’m selling. What can I do now to create a roster that doesn’t look full of question marks?
Mark P
11:49
(Mo = Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak)

The Cards are relying a lot of bounce-back years from Carpenter and Molina, and relying on their younger guys to either step up or continue their good 2019 performance (i.e. Edman).  It's a risk, no doubt, and I wouldn't close the door on the Cards still pulling off some type of notable trade.  I also wouldn't be surprised to see the Cards go into the season with this roster and then re-evaluate in a couple of months on the trade front if a clear weak spot develops
Martin
11:51
Considering the Twins will be giving a lot of innings to rookie starting pitchers early this year, will any of them exceed expectations and stick in the rotation once Hill and Pineda start playing? If so, which?
Mark P
11:51
This would fall into the "good problem to have" category.  Minnesota would love it if at least one of Smeltzer or Dobnak stepped up as a legitimate MLB-caliber pitcher
King Kelly
11:52
The Jays have largely filled their rotation with veteran arms (Ryu, Roark, Shoemaker, Anderson and possibly Yamaguchi), potentially leaving their young guns (Thornton / Borucki / Kay / Zeuch / Wags / Merry / SRF / etc) out in the cold.  Is this the best strategy for a rebuilding Jays team, or should they be giving reps to the kids hoping for a breakout?
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