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Mark P
10:46
After a one-week hiatus, the weekend chat returns! Let's dive into some questions....
Jon
10:46
When will the first big-league contract be signed: before or after Thanksgiving
Mark P
10:47
Before.  "Any" big league contract covers a lot of ground, and in terms of bigger-picture stuff, there's a non-zero chance that one of the qualifying offer guys accepts their deal.
Chris
10:48
Stroman and gausman? They gonna take the QO or not?
Mark P
10:49
Case in point!  There's a decent chance for both.  Stroman I would say is less likely, just because he has so open for so long about landing a big long-term deal.  That said, he didn't pitch at all last year, so he might prefer to just stick with the Mets for a season, check out their new ownership/front office operation, and play for a contender (?) before testing the market again
10:50
With Gausman, he might accept the QO but then work out an extension with the Giants afterwards, not unlike Abreu and the White Sox
Chaim Bloom
10:50
Did I really want Cora back or was this a hire I had no control of?
Mark P
10:53
Don't forget, Bloom was fully expecting to work with Cora heading into last season, so it isn't like he's a completely unfamiliar figure.  

By all accounts, Bloom apparently had final say over the managerial hire, though ownership apparently liked Cora.  So, I guess that's maybe a bit of a hedge on how much 100% freedom Cora had --- if Cora hires Fuld or Rowson and they aren't good, the Sox owners will remember that.
Kevin
10:53
Why would Angels trade top level talent for Lindor when you could sign DJL?
Mark P
10:54
In an offseason where money is tight, the Angels might prefer to give away some prospects for a year of Lindor rather than pay big money for 3-4 years of LeMahieu.

Plus, given how tight Cleveland's budget seems to be, I wonder if they'll be willing to accept something like a B+ package for Lindor rather than a truly major offer.  (Plus, offers will be somewhat limited anyway since Lindor is only controlled through 2021.)
Zaidi
10:55
Will I be able to trade away any of the veterans I have with a year or two left on their contracts?
Mark P
10:56
Farhan Zaidi = Giants president of baseball operations

A lot of no-trade clauses complicate matters.  Plus, the Giants' need to move money is lot less pressing this winter since so many of these players are coming off the books....Longoria is the only player officially signed for 2022.
10:57
And, guys like Belt or Crawford are coming off good seasons, so they're players the Giants are suddenly likely keen on keeping as part of their 2021 roster
Mickey
10:59
Who do you think Sandy Alderson will hire for his general manager
Mark P
11:01
Lot of speculation so far about Billy Owens or Bobby Heck, so I guess I'd say they are my favorites at the moment.  But really, Alderson will have a ton of choices given how attractive this job seems to be.  Also, I wouldn't entirely rule out the Mets just promoting John Ricco.
Mariners
11:01
Will we just go after bullpen pieces?
Mark P
11:02
That doesn't sound like a Jerry Dipoto offseason!  You'll see the M's involved in more than just relief signings.  They could use another veteran starter, for one.
Mike Girsch
11:03
Cardinal's going to address their dumpster fire of an outfield? They apparently are content on letting Wong walk, and I'm not 100% convinced they won't totally low ball Molina and let him walk. He's 106, but he never strikes out and still passable defense. Is Springer a reality, or a trade more likely, or are they really content with the entire OF slugging 200.
Mark P
11:04
I don't see St. Louis signing Springer, or making any truly big signings this winter.
11:05
Not to say that they won't look at add to the outfield in some way, but for a lower-tier type of veteran than Springer.  The Cards still have every expectation that Carlson will be an everyday player, and the same goes (to a slightly lesser extent) for Bader/O'Neill
NIkoli1
11:05
What type of a return would the Yankees expect for Andujar?
Mark P
11:07
They would want a significant return, as they still see him as a quality young player.  That said, he's only young-ish at this point (turns 26 in March) and his value almost couldn't be lower after two non-seasons.  So by this point, the Yankees might be better off keeping Andujar and actually giving him some playing time to rebuild his value rather than selling low
Robert Larice Jr
11:07
Nelson Cruz to the Nationals if universal dh is in play.  Yes or No
Mark P
11:08
My guess is that Cruz will just re-sign in Minnesota.  Maybe he'll re-sign in part because I kind of doubt a decision on the universal DH will come any time soon.
Djc
11:09
Can the Angels trade Upton even by eating salary and replace him with a better defensive/offebsive
Mark P
11:10
Upton has a no-trade clause, so that's one obstacle right there.  And the Angels would either have to eat a lot of money to trade him, or pick up another equally struggling and expensive player.  I doubt a trade happens.
John
11:11
What would Michael Hill bring to the Angels as GM?  Would a package of Marsh,Rodriguez, and Rengifo. Be enough to bring Lindor to Angels?
Mark P
11:13
I think Cleveland would be on board with an offer like that, except I kind of doubt LAA gives up Marsh for just one year of Lindor.

As for Hill, I think he is seen by many as an underrated executive, given how much drama and ownership interference he had to constantly work with under Loria.  Arte Moreno is another hands-on owner, but at least the Angels job would promise to be more "normal" than it was for Hill in Miami
Earl
11:14
Could you see the jays signing springer and trading for a guy like edwin rios to fill cf/3b? What would the cost be to get those guys?
Mark P
11:16
Signing Springer isn't out of the question, assuming the Jays indeed have money to spend.  

Rios has never played center field so he isn't a help on that front, but as a corner infielder, sure.  That said, I highly doubt the Dodgers would be interested in moving Rios.
Tony
11:16
Gavin Lux has looked overwhelmed and unprepared. Is he the real deal?
Mark P
11:16
He's 22 and didn't have any minor league development this season.  Some growing pains shouldn't be unexpected.
John
11:17
Won’t players be likely to not take the qo so they don’t risk no contract during a potential lockout?
Mark P
11:17
That's definitely another factor, no question.
Drew W
11:18
Do you see Mike Fiers re-signing with the A's?  What would he command for one or two years?
Mark P
11:20
Fiers is 35, so I'd imagine it would only be a one-year deal.  Wouldn't cost all that much either, so a reunion would definitely seem plausible.
Cubs
11:20
Did you ever think in yourrm lifetime you'd see the cubs win the world series?
Mark P
11:21
I'm not THAT old, so sure!
11:22
In the last two decades alone, we've seen the Angels, Red Sox, White Sox, Giants, Royals, Dodgers, Phillies, Nationals, Astros, and Cubs all win their first championships, or break long (30+ year) droughts
Mike in TO
11:23
Mark Buerle and Torii Hunter are up for HOF consideration.   Are they getting in?
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