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MLBTR Chat With Mark Polishuk
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Mark P
9:05
Live from....well, not New York, more like my office desk....it's Saturday Night!  We're making a scheduling change this week for the chat rather than the usual Sunday 8pm CT timeslot, and it's possible that next week's Sunday night might also be moved.  Stay tuned.
9:06
For now, however, let's take your questions!
Robby
9:06
Is it time for the Cardinals to panic?
Mark P
9:07
It's only been a week, too early to panic.  Besides, the Cardinals aren't even in the worst shape (or even second-worst shape) of anyone in the NL Central
gunnysaxon
9:08
What ails the Cardinals?
Mark P
9:09
A lack of consistent hitting, for one.  Goldy, Wong, and DeJong are off to wonderful starts but pretty much everyone else is scuffling
Plus, the pitching just hasn't really been there yet.  But again, it's only a week into the season.
Neal hungintons roommate
9:10
Will Trey Mancini or Bundy get the Orioles a nice return?
Mark P
9:12
Bundy has some value, though he wasn't good last season and will need a big first half to really turn himself into a solid trade chip.  Mancini is off to a nice start and is a player I feel would benefit from Trumbo or Davis leaving the roster....Mancini seems like the type who would blossom in a 1B/DH role rather than having to deal with outfield work.
Mancini isn't even arb-eligible until this coming winter, though he's still a trade chip if he hits well.  I can't see Baltimore being good within the next three seasons (i.e. Mancini's arb window)
Dtownwarrior78
9:13
So do you think the Tigers can keep up this torrid start pitching much longer? Much less winning with an anemic offense?
Mark P
9:14
Nope.  The Tigers were helped by facing the anemic Blue Jays offense for four games, then facing the injury-riddled Yankees.  The pitching numbers will come back to earth eventually, though I would project them to end up as decent rather than actually bad
Jon Daniels
9:15
If Volquez retires, would there be any chance the Rangers could sign Keuchel to a 1 year pillow contract?
Mark P
9:16
Jon Daniels is the Rangers GM, by the way, though I *somehow* doubt this is really him.

Anyway, I doubt Keuchel would be on Texas' radar.  Even on a one-year deal, he'd be too expensive for them
DAVE H.
9:16
i was kind of surprised twins let Austin go were you?
Mark P
9:17
Technically, he hasn't been let go....he was just designated for assignment.  If nobody claims him or nobody works out a trade with the Twins, Austin can remain in the org and just be outrighted
Brewers!
9:17
How the hell did we get Grandal on a one year deal?  Is this as amazing as it seems?
Mark P
9:18
Just seemed like a perfect storm of circumstances that allowed the Brewers to scoop up one of the game's better catchers at a relative bargain price.
Beast mode
9:19
Assuming an extension could be worked out, which strategy do you prefer for Jays, a Stro-stension or a deal for prospects?
Mark P
9:20
Depends on the both the dollars in an extension and what prospects the Jays are able to bring back in a deal.  In a vacuum, though, I'm leaning towards a trade.
Castellanos
9:20
Thoughts on the Tigers seeming disinterest in extending him? Seems like a wasted opportunity to not lock him up given the current market conditions. He’s young enough to be part of the core they build around. I get the defensive concerns, but the bat plays wherever they play him.
Mark P
9:23
The defensive concerns are a bigger problem than you realize.  Castellanos has looked borderline unplayable in the outfield already, and so if he required a move to 1B/DH in the next year or two, then the Tigers have those spots totally filled through 2023 thanks to Miggy's presence.

Teams greatly prefer to have a rotating DH spot, or if Miggy ends up being DH-only himself, the Tigers will need some kind of a rotating first base situation.
If Cabrera wasn't around, I'd feel more optimistic about the chances of a Castellanos extension, but it doesn't seem to be in the cards
The Garv
9:25
Hey Mark, thanks for chatting? What are your thoughts on the Padres rookies so far? Paddack, Tatis have looked fearless. And with much in the mid to upper minors could they compete in say two years time?
Mark P
9:26
Two years?  I wouldn't be totally shocked if the Padres were this year's version of the 2018 Athletics.  

Realistically, tho, your 2021 timeframe seems pretty solid.  I can see a couple of those upper-level prospects being dealt away for one solid everyday veteran, maybe as early as this trade deadline
oldmannearthesea
9:26
Is there any start, good or bad, that surprised you so much you've reevaluated the team's chances?  I realize it's a small sample.
Mark P
9:27
Not after barely a week of games.  An unusually great or terrible start can definitely torpedo a season, but the sample is just too small at this point
John
9:27
Thoughts on the Phillies early success? If they can get their pitching fixed (albeit a big fix), their offense is lethal.
Mark P
9:28
I was a bit surprised the Phillies didn't do much with their pitching in the offseason, though they were in on a lot of big names.  Their lineup is pretty scary, and they'll win their share of slugfests until the rotation gets on track
Sid Sandwich
9:29
Who's going to replace Bochy?
Mark P
9:29
I sent in my resume, fingers crossed!
Justin Bour
9:30
How much leeway do I have in Anaheim if I continue to struggle?  Thaiss is waiting in Triple-A
Mark P
9:30
I don't think the Angels will do much with the 1B/DH situation until Ohtani is back.  Then some re-evaluation might happen.
Queuebd
9:31
What are the chances the Giants keep Pillar past the trade deadline? What about keeping him into next season?
Mark P
9:33
Pillar is making $5.6MM this season, which is maybe a bit steep for a defense-only guy.  Plus, the Giants ultimately want Duggar playing every day, but Pillar has value as a fourth outfielder who can back up everywhere.  I don't think Pillar is going anywhere this season, though 2020 in San Francisco is a question mark
Mat foley
9:34
I was on snl one time!
Mark P
9:34
That sketch makes me laugh every time I see it.
Scott
9:34
How popular are the jays at the deadline? and who gets a bigger return between Stroman and Sanchez.
Mark P
9:35
Given the Morales and Pillar trades, I'd imagine the Jays are very popular right now.  They might not have any veterans left by the deadline at this rate
9:36
My instincts say Sanchez would get a bigger return because I feel he's perceived as having a wider arsenal.  His health is the biggest question mark.
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