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MLBTR Chat With Mark Polishuk
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Mark P
10:46
Good morning all, the Sunday chat is coming bright and early this week.  (I'm on the morning MLBTR shift today instead of my usual evening beat.)
And what goes better with Sunday brunch than a few baseball questions?  Nothing, I say
Phil
10:47
Do you think it would be more feasible for the Phillies to go after Bumgarner and or odorizzi instead of spending the money on Cole
Mark P
10:48
It's not a bad strategy, since the Phillies need more than one pitcher and might decide it more logical to spread the money over two guys rather than just one.  MadBum and Odorizzi combined likely won't cost as much as Cole will make by himself in free agency
Mike
10:48
If the Nats win the World Series, do you think that will impact Strasburg's decision to opt out?
Mark P
10:49
I think he's opting out regardless of what happens in the rest of the Series
Positive Yankees Fan
10:49
Morning Mark, what do you think should be the main priority for the Yankees this offseason, and what players do you think they should get to achieve the goal?
Mark P
10:51
Starting pitching is the obvious answer, and I'd expect NYY to be in on every big name on the market (Cole, Strasburg, Ryu, Keuchel, Bumgarner, Odorizzi, you name it) to some extent.  But GM Brian Cashman was pretty firm this week in saying that he doesn't see a need to alter course from the Yankees' plans, and since those plans no longer to seem to involve huge splashy reactionary signings, I wonder how much the Yankees will do
Beyond the rotation, outfield depth is a concern with Hicks out, though I think everyone expects Gardner to be re-signed
Cash
10:52
Can a team win a World Series with just a good bullpen? Seems at least two aces are required.
Mark P
10:52
"Yes" --- the 2015 Kansas City Royals
Ander Casey
10:53
how many future hall of famers might be playing in the current WS?  Seems like a lot of these guys could end up in Cooperstown, probably more than an average WS...
Mark P
10:55
Hmm, interesting question.  

Off the top of my head, Verlander and Scherzer have their Cooperstown tickets already punched.  Altuve seems like a very strong bet at this point.  Beyond that.....Strasburg, Rendon, Springer, Bregman, Correa, Soto all need more years but they're interesting projectionable candidates
Rockin Ron
10:55
do you think Brewers will retain both Grandal and Moustakis?
Mark P
10:56
Highly unlikely.  They'd have to make a much bigger spend for Grandal than the Moose, so Moustakas is probably the likelier of the two to return, unless Milwaukee just decides to make the splash to really lock up its catching situation for the next four years
Oh? Hi! Mark,
10:56
Is Zack Greinke a HOF lock?
Mark P
10:56
D'oh!  I knew I forgot someone!  Not a lock, but Greinke's case is very solid
King Kelly
10:57
Castellanos' defense in the OF is <ahem> "not great".  Any chance he would move to 1B, for the right price?
Mark P
10:57
He should be at least open to it, if his lack of glovework starts to impact his market
Mets4ever
10:58
Why are the Mets focused on so many underwhelming, unqualified people for their managers job?  Only Beltran seems worthy but has no coaching experience at all.  They screwed up last year with the GM job and now look poised to do the same now.
Mark P
10:59
Just curious, what makes Beltran more "worthy" than the other four guys who may or may not be finalists (Perez, Bogar, Rojas, Shelton)?
11:00
Managing is one of those jobs that you can't predict until a person is actually in the job.  I don't see any reason on paper why any of the Mets' choices are particularly unusual, or why any of them couldn't be good big league managers
Padres SD
11:00
Kind of a weird hire for the manger? Seems like it's Andy Green Part 2. Mr. Fowler wants to compete against the Dodgers or else he says. How do you make up 36 games?
Mark P
11:02
As others have said, it seems like AJ Preller (the Padres' GM) knows this is probably a make or break season for him, and if this is the case, he wants a manager he is personally most comfortable with.
11:03
It seems like Preller genuinely thinks Tingler is the best guy for the job, and is willing to take the risk on another first-time manager when Ron Washington would've been the safer hire (but one Preller wouldn't have been as 100 percent set on)
Johnny Cueto
11:03
Will Howie Kendrick have a starting job next year? I like the idea of non-tendering Cesar and signing him to play 2B until Bohm is up to move Kingery over.
Mark P
11:04
Kendrick would be a good fit on the Phillies, as he would on a lot of teams.  His big season is going to result in a lot of interest
EL
11:04
What would it take for a team to get Mazara out of Texas?
Mark P
11:05
As much as Mazara has underachieved, the Rangers still aren't going to trade him for peanuts.  Maybe Texas could look into other post-hype prospect types, sort of a dual "change of scenery" trade for all parties involved
White Sox
11:06
Is it realistic for the White Sox to sign JD Martinez if he opt-up?
Mark P
11:07
Sure, it's definitely a fit on paper.  Even if JDM commands a four-year deal in the $80MM range, that's not too far beyond the White Sox comfort zone.  Plus, there aren't a ton of AL teams that have an opening at DH, so Chicago should absolutely be in on Martinez if he opts out (as expected)
Ross Atkins
11:08
What sort of starting pitching can I receive if I were to part with Vladdie?
Mark P
11:08
(Ross Atkins is the Blue Jays' GM)

The Jays could get any number of high-quality young arms for Vladdy, but.....why would you trade Vladdy?
TX new leader
11:09
Does Coke or Rendon improve Teas more in the long term
Mark P
11:10
I'm going to assume you mean (Gerrit) Cole and not Phil Coke, since otherwise my answer is pretty obvious.  :)

In general, an elite position player is more valuable than an elite pitcher due to the everyday production factor, so I'd prefer Rendon.  I don't think the Rangers would go wrong in signing either guy, however
Wil Myers
11:10
The padres must not be happy they have 3 years and 60 mil going to Wil Myers. Do you see him having a comeback year or is he done and making bank?
Mark P
11:12
The ominous thing about Myers is he's only been a really good player in two of his seven seasons, so there isn't really an elite level for him to "comeback" to
Not to say he couldn't be at least a decent, 108 wRC+ type of guy, but I don't think Myers will ever be an All-Star type
Guest
11:13
Mazara for, say, Clint Frazier (plus a little more, maybe)?
Mark P
11:13
I think the Yankees have a higher valuation on Frazier than on Mazara, just my opinion
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