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Mark P
5:56
I liked the "Chaturday Night Live" pun so much that I'm reusing it for another Saturday chat this week.  Originality, thy name is Mark!
Cubs
5:58
Is Heyward finally tradable? Not for a large return but for some salary relief at least?
Mark P
6:00
Heyward has no-trade protection, so it might be a moot point.  But sure, the Cubs could probably move him without eating ALL of the contract, but they'd still have to eat quite a bit...I'd guess at least $50MM of the $65MM remaining
Doug
6:01
If the Angels want Blake Snell, is it an absolute must that they include Adell? Does Marsh+Fletcher and/or Ohtani get a conversation started?
Mark P
6:02
Marsh and Fletcher would definitely get Tampa's attention, so Adell wouldn't have to be moved to land Snell.  Trading Ohtani would be a bold and intriguing move, but not one I'm sure the Angels are necessarily exploring since they'd be selling very low
Mike in TO
6:02
How exciting is it that the Jays might be getting a new stadium!
Mark P
6:03
A new ballpark might yet be several years away since there are a lot of logistical issues to be addressed.  But yeah, it's a real game-changer for the Jays and Toronto fans.  As someone who has seen literally hundreds of games at the Rogers Centre, I'll miss the place.
I Wander what will happen
6:04
Do you think Franco's injury will delay his debut?
Mark P
6:05
It has yet to be confirmed that Franco's injury is particularly serious, so it might not have any impact whatsoever.  Barring any big setback, I would still guess we see Franco in the big leagues late in 2021
That said, Tampa isn't hurting in the infield, so Franco's debut might not happen until 2022 if the Rays wanted to hold off his service clock until absolutely necessary
Kay
6:07
Biggest name you think gets non-tendered next week?
Mark P
6:08
Of the big names, I think there's at least a decent chance Schwarber or Sanchez get cut
Gary Sanchez, that is
Preller
6:08
What tricks are up my sleeve this off-season that nobody expected
Mark P
6:09
(AJ Preller = Padres GM)

I'm not sure if it's "not expected" per se, but San Diego suddenly has a much bigger need for pitching since Clevinger is out.  Wouldn't be shocked to see the Padres gather some prospects in a deal for a notable front-of-the-rotation arm.....maybe Snell, since the Rays and Padres have collaborated on several trades
Young talent
6:10
Who is better - White Sox or Padres
Mark P
6:10
Who has the better core of young players?
Padres (55.3% | 550 votes)
 
White Sox (44.7% | 445 votes)
 
Total Votes: 995
WhiteSoxFan33
6:11
Which former Yankee is the best fit for us? Tanaka, Paxton, or Happ?
Mark P
6:12
I'd tend to say Tanaka just based on pure upside.  You could argue Paxton has as much or more upside but I just can't rely on him to remain healthy.
Sweetlou
6:12
Aren’t you able to release or trade an arb eligible player after tendering him a contract? If yes, why would the Cubs even consider non-tendering Bryant, despite what he’d likely earn in 2021?
Mark P
6:14
You can still release tendered players prior to Opening Day, and only owe them a fraction of their salary.  So you're right, the Cubs could do this to at least buy themselves more time to find a Bryant trade partner.

But I ultimately still find it hard to believe they'd non-tender or release Bryant outright.
Minasian
6:14
We are not trading Fletcher or Ohtani. for Snell.
Mark P
6:14
I'm not saying the Angels would do it, I'm just saying that such an offer would get Tampa Bay's attention.
Aj preller
6:14
Is Diehard a christmas movie?
Mark P
6:14
Obviously.
Mikey B
6:15
When can we expect Lindor to get moved? As an Indians fan I want this over with now so we can move on with our lives.
Mark P
6:17
Might not be for a while yet, as a lot of teams might wait to sign a shortstop before looking into Lindor.  Kim will probably be the first shortstop signed, which might spur things depending where he lands.  

If Kim signed with a would-be contender that was a viable spot for Lindor, Semien, etc., it will impact the market.  If Kim signed with a team like Texas or Detroit who weren't looking at one of those other shortstops anyway, the wait will continue.
Braves
6:19
Any truth to Braves interest in Kris Bryant? If so, what would a trade look like?
Mark P
6:19
Atlanta has a whole lot of young pitchers, and arguably a surplus in that department now that Morton and Smyly are slated for the rotation.
Greg
6:21
Would Ruiz and a couple low level prospects be enough for the Dodgers to get 1 year of Lindor?
Mark P
6:21
Ruiz is a nice start, but I'd guess Cleveland would want one more significant prospect included
Yankees Fan
6:22
If Franco's injury keeps him out next season doesn't he still get service time since he was in the major leagues when it happened? Isn't that what happened with Miguel Andujar as well?
Mark P
6:23
Franco is on the Rays' 40-man but he has yet to appear on their big league roster
Ra's al Ghul
6:23
Did the Mets shoot themselves in the foot in their front office search?
Mark P
6:27
I think their problems are twofold.  As Cohen mentioned, teams aren't crazy about granting permission to a Mets club that might be a burgeoning power (and, more immediately, competition for free agents this winter).  

If you're an executive being courted by the Mets for the GM job, you have to ask them what exactly the position will entail.  Is the GM the number two under Alderson for all baseball moves?  Will the GM become the heir apparent to become president of baseball operations once Alderson moves into an advisory role (after 2021, 2022, whenever?)  If the Mets hire another POBO next offseason, would a new GM have any guaranteed job security if a new president wanted to install his own general manager?
6:28
So there are some logistical issues at play here, which is why we haven't seen a hire yet.  I can believe the rumors about Alderson maybe just settling for getting his old group together to get the team on the right track before the Mets hired a new president eventually
BhamBrave
6:29
MLBTR posted a poll asking readers to rate the two Braves signings. How would you rate the Smyly and Morton signings?
Mark P
6:29
Morton signing was very good, I think he's a real asset for any team.  Smyly showed some interesting flashes with the Giants last year, and he's also a good fit considering Atlanta isn't asking him to be anything more than a fourth or fifth starter.
Joshua
6:29
Nats send Robles, Kieboom, Crowe and Denaburg to Tampa for Snell.....who says no?
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