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MLBTR Chat With Mark Polishuk
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Mark P
7:34
Hi everyone, let's talk some baseball on this Mothers' Day!  (Is it Mothers' Day, or Mother's Day? The debate rages on.)
7:35
Is this holiday called...
Mothers' Day (25.1% | 102 votes)
 
Mother's Day (74.9% | 305 votes)
 
Total Votes: 407
Monkey with a halo
7:36
Angels on the right track? Second wild card seem likely?
Mark P
7:37
They're certainly playing better, though "likely" is a stretch
7:38
Between the three very good AL East teams, the two AL wild card slots may be already spoken for.  Still early, obviously, but if the Rays/Yankees/Red Sox are all still rolling by July, it might stifle a lot of trade deadline action for mid-tier teams like the Angels
Rusty Greer Extravaganza
7:39
When do the Marlins pull the trigger on Mattingly? Where does he land next?
Mark P
7:39
It's hard to blame Mattingly whatsoever for the Marlins' woes, which is why even though he was a Loria hire, it wasn't a shock that he was retained as manager once Jeter's regime took over
7:40
But if I had to guess, I'd say Mattingly won't be in Miami's dugout come 2020.  Just a guess on my part, I should stress.  As to where he might go next, he'll get looks about other managerial vacancies, though who knows where a fit could emerge
Sad Mike
7:41
How does Altherr even fit with the Giants with their assertion that Mac will be starting in LF, and Austin not getting enough playing time.
Mark P
7:41
The Giants really have nothing to lose by seeing what Altherr has, since they're so desperate for any sort of OF production.  They'll find space.
Jimmy Buckets
7:41
Sixers or Raptors?
Mark P
7:42
I'm biased since I'm based out of Toronto, but I'll pick the Raptors due to home-court advantage.  What a weird series....I can't remember seeing two teams who look so hot and cold on any given night
Desperate Mets fan
7:43
Sorry, accidentally sent the last message in. What's keeping the Mets from picking up some pitching? Do you think they have a shot at the playoffs if they don't add in either the 'pen or rotation?
Mark P
7:44
Don't forget, it wasn't long ago that the Mets looked like they had one of the better rotations in the league.  My guess is they're waiting to see if their top four return to form before making any huge moves.
That said, Vargas was a question mark even before the season began, so adding at least one starter should definitely be on the Mets' radar
stewienation
7:45
Ryu has been good when not injured. Who's career was most affected by injury?
Mark P
7:46
There is a long list of players who could be in Cooperstown today were it not for an ill-timed injury.  Heck, even someone like Mickey Mantle could've achieved even greater heights if he hadn't blown out his knee early in his career
Flipperoneous
7:47
JBJ - the defense is worth it, right?  Right?
Mark P
7:48
Bradley took a 21 wRC+ into today's game, so obviously that needs to improve.  But yeah, if he gets into even the 80-85 wRC+ range, he's still worth keeping on glovework alone.  Boston has plenty of other guys who can hit
Sam
7:48
Why hasn’t Vlad Jr been raking?
Mark P
7:49
Lots of hard-hit balls, but a lot of grounders and warning-track shots.  Nothing to worry about.
7:50
Most top prospects struggle against their first taste of MLB pitching.  That's why cases like Acuna, Soto, etc. are so rare, because it's unusual for a guy to just arrive and hit from day one
Dan
7:51
Will Rick Hahn be out of a job if the Sox are under 500 at seasons end ?
Mark P
7:52
Doubtful.  I think Chicago's outlook about contending would've changed if they had landed Machado, but without him, they're still in rebound mode
The advances made by the likes of Anderson and Moncada represent good progress for Hahn's front office
Bart
7:53
Over under 2 top international players Elias signs in his first year
Mark P
7:54
I guess it depends on what you mean by 'top,' but I'll take the over.  Baltimore has been prioritizing its international scouting department (a long overdue move), so they'll be pushing hard once July 2 hits
A Guy
7:55
Reds Run differential is really good. Do you consider them a contender still?
Mark P
7:56
Sure, it's still early.  They face an uphill battle in the NL Central, however
Anthony Rendon
7:56
Do I sign an extension, or hit the FA market?
Mark P
7:58
My guess is free agency.  While Rendon didn't have the "Opening Day or bust" deadline for extension talks that a lot of players have, by this point I'd be surprised to see an agreement happen so deep into the year
Trouble in San Francisco
7:59
What do you make of the apparent rift between players and front office?
Mark P
8:00
Some background on this situation, which I'd stop short of describing as a full-blown "rift"
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/05/giants-move-derek-holland-to-bu...
8:01
Zaidi's comments today probably hit the nail on the head...it's a lot of frustration on both sides about a struggling team.  Players aren't pleased at a lack of wins, or lack of personal success or playing time.  Could also be some growing pains about long-time Giants getting used to a new guy running the front office.
Aussie Giants Fan
8:02
What do you see happening with Mad Bum? Traded? Held for rest of the season? Resigned by the Giants? Signs elsewhere in 2020? Part of me wants to make him a Giant for life, another part wants to cash in for whatever we can get... help me out
Mark P
8:02
I'd suspect Bumgarner is pitching elsewhere after the trade deadline
Andujar
8:03
Is it possible that Keukel or Kimbrall could already have deals sowed up and are waiting til after the draft to announce? Or is that kind of thing bending the rules.
Mark P
8:04
Beyond the fact that the league would definitely frown on such an arrangement, if you're a team, why sign either now and then just sit on that deal for a month?  What if Keuchel or Kimbrel get hurt between now and the draft?
Desperate Mets fan
8:04
Hey you answered my question! First time in like 5 years, wahoo!
Mark P
8:05
Wait, were you desperate because you're a Mets fan, or desperate because you wanted a question asked?  Either way, you're welcome!
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