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MLBTR Chat With Mark Polishuk
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Mark P
6:20
Hi gang, time for a Thursday night chat sesh before Game 4 of the ALCS gets underway.
Yo
6:21
Bold off season moves for the nl west ?
Mark P
6:23
I'd think the Padres are in position to be boldest, since they seem to have the most win-now pressure, perhaps even moreso than the Dodgers.

L.A. doesn't *need* to make a big shakeup since they're such a good team already, but you wonder if they'll make at least one big addition to try and put themselves over the top.  I'd be surprised if the Dodgers have another relatively quiet offseason
Cubs fan
6:23
Could the cubs resign castellanos, move him to 3b and trade Bryant?
Mark P
6:24
Re-sign Castellanos, sure.  Trade Bryant, mayyyyybe.  But I think the ship has sailed on Castellanos as a third baseman
LAD
6:24
Could Cole or Strasburg hurt their value by pitching badly the rest of the postseason?
John
6:24
How much does a pending free agents playoff performance factor into their offseason contract?
Mark P
6:25
It's a bit of a factor, though teams generally won't let one poor start overshadow an otherwise excellent season (or vice versa).
Same old mets
6:26
Looks like the Mets are going to have payroll issues this year...any chance DeGrom gets traded for a haul
Mark P
6:27
I'd be very surprised if JDG was traded.  It seems like Syndergaard would be the pitcher dealt, if any
NYM
6:28
Trade Ramos, sign grandal?
Mark P
6:28
It's a possibility, sure.  Mets made a push for Grandal last year, don't see why they wouldn't try it again (especially if they have a line on unloading Ramos elsewhere)
Dan
6:29
Do the Yankees still have the same appeal to free agents as they had before? Or is it other teams spending more money in the market?
Mark P
6:30
NYY definitely has a lot of appeal to free agents --- a perpetual contender, unmatched history and tradition, the biggest market possible, and they can afford anyone
Rays Fan
6:30
Rays need a closer for a year. This would allow Pagan and Anderson to be groomed for closer in 2021. What closer would be a realistic option for Rays??
Mark P
6:31
Why not just use Pagan or Anderson in 2020?  I'm not sure how much grooming is necessary, though it wouldn't hurt if the Rays brought in a veteran Sergio Romo-type with closing experience
Cards fan
6:32
What kid of moves do you see the Cardinals making during the off season? Do you see Ozuna returning?
Mark P
6:33
My feeling is that Ozuna will be playing elsewhere in 2020.  As for what the Cardinals could do this winter....maybe a starting pitcher (especially if Wainwright retires or, less likely, signs elsewhere), some bullpen help, perhaps some outfield help if they want more experience rather than just calling up Carlson or someone.
Harry Doyle
6:34
What's it like inside the MLBTR war room?
Mark P
6:34
Basically a lot like that scene in Dr. Strangelove
Zaidi
6:34
Once I have a manager I am going to need to get rid of salary and make moves. Who is realistic that someone would take even if I have to eat money?
Mark P
6:37
(Giants president of baseball ops Farhan Zaidi, btw)

No-trade clauses complicate matters, but I'd guess the Giants could get something of value for the last year of Samardzija's contract.  A longer shot would be someone taking Belt or Longoria, though I doubt either would happen since neither are coming off particularly good seasons.  Then again, I wouldn't have expected the Braves to eat all of Mark Melancon's deal, so I guess you never know.

By and large, however, I'm not sure it's the end of the world for the Giants if the team can't unload another big contract.  Shark is only signed through 2020, Cueto/Belt/Crawford only through 2021.
Dave P
6:37
Marte from Bucs to Friars for Hedges/Margot. Who says “no”?
Mark P
6:38
If the Pirates didn't say no, I think Pittsburgh fans would start an open revolt
Southside Marc
6:39
J.D. Martinez to the White Sox?? Would 4yrs/$100mil get it done?
Mark P
6:39
I suspect JDM would happily take four/$100MM over the current three/$62.5MM on his current deal.
The Observer
6:40
If the Mets want to trade a pitcher wouldn't it make more sense to trade Stroman than Syndergaard? (not an established fan favorite in Queens, less upside and one year closer to free agency)
Mark P
6:41
Thor would bring back a much larger trade haul.  If Stroman was dealt this winter, I doubt he'd bring back as much as the Mets gave up for him in July
Jeff H-Town
6:42
What do you make about all this pitch tipping and sign stealing with the Astros?Jeff
Mark P
6:43
Stealing signs and picking up on tipped pitches have been a part of baseball forever.  I don't see what the big deal is, as long as the Astros aren't using any electronic means to their advantage (and there's no evidence of such actions)
Brian
6:44
And the next manager of the Phillies is.....
Mark P
6:45
Seems like Showalter, Baker, and Girardi are the final three.  Based on nothing but my own opinion, I'll pick Girardi
Arte Moreno's Winter
6:46
What do you think about the Angel's trading none of their top prospects but simply signing free agents SP G.Cole, SP Baumgartner or Hamels and C Grandel
Mark P
6:47
LAA's farm system isn't super-deep, as good a job as they've done of rebuilding the pipeline over the last few years.  The Angels haven't been shy about spending in the past, so a splurge like you're suggesting isn't out of the question
Johan
6:47
Can another team speak with Stras or JDM before he officially opt out
Mark P
6:47
Nope
King James
6:48
Will the Dodgers ever go for it?  I’m convinced if they had traded for Verlander they would probably have 2 World Series trophies.  Instead they seem hell bent on helping Kershaw get the post season monkey off his back
Mark P
6:48
This is the same team that added Darvish and Machado at the deadline, don't forget.  You can question the value of such moves, but it's hard to say the Dodgers haven't been aggressive whatsoever
Canadian Padre fan
6:49
Let's see. Scioscia, Girardi, Bochy, and (until recently) Maddon are available. And the Padres are hiring Jayce Tingler?? Please tell me I'm not the only one bothered by this.
Mark P
6:51
Every great manager was a first-time manager at one point or another.  Given the pressure Preller is likely under to get San Diego into contention, he obviously believes in Tingler a great deal if he's a preferred candidate over more established (and safer) choices
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