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Mark P
9:31
Welcome to the weekend chat!  We took last week off since, you know, every transaction in the world was happening, but it may have slowed just enough that we can take some questions.
(Knock on wood)
Jaxson Street
9:32
So…not to be a Debbie downer…should we expect another lockout in 2026/27?
Mark P
9:32
No more lockout questions for at least four more years, I forbid it!
Carolina Braves Fan
9:32
Are the Braves big spenders now? What is going on?!? I love it!
Mark P
9:33
Alex Anthopoulos said last fall that ownership was prepared to raise payroll, and that has indeed been the case.  Perhaps even better for ATL fans, there's a lot of flexibility built into that payroll, as the only major long-term deals are Olson and the bargain deals for Acuna and Albies
Rays fan
9:34
Any chance rays trade for Jose Ramirez?
Mark P
9:35
This would be the kind of bold move that feels right up Tampa Bay's alley.  If they were willing to spend outside their comfort zone for Freeman or Olson, surely Ramirez's deal is well within even the Rays' limitations.  The Rays also have the minor league depth to get the Guardians' attention.

As I've written many times, however, it'll take a real knockout offer to get Cleveland to budge.  They're a team that plans to contend this year....
Guards Fan 3.3
9:35
Thoughts on the guardians lack of moves and why they aren’t making any moves? They said payroll would go up and it hasn’t. Are they entering a rebuild?
Mark P
9:36
....well, at least I thought they planned to contend this year.  The near-total inactivity has been surprising, unless the plan is to let all the big free agents fall into place and then delve into trade possibilities.
Bloom
9:37
Do I entertain offers for Xander now that I have Trevor Story signed.
Mark P
9:38
I'm sure like many execs, Bloom is always open to hearing offers.  And dealing Bogaerts to a team that missed on one of the other shortstops would be an interesting pivot for Boston, though that would kind of leave them right back at square one (in needing a 2B).
Derek Falvey
9:38
What else do I need to grab to be a World Series contender?
Mark P
9:38
Falvey = Twins CBO

A lot more pitching
Keyser Soze
9:39
Is someone going to sign Pujols?
Mark P
9:39
Yes.  At least one team will swing a deal before now and Opening Day
When
9:40
Whats taking so long on the Manaea and Montas trade front?
Mark P
9:41
Probably two-thirds of the teams in baseball are making offers, so the A's can take their time in picking the ones worth exploring
Guest
9:41
where are the Yankees going to play lemahieu
Mark P
9:42
They'll find time for him cycling through DH and the non-shortstop infield spots.  Between injuries, rest days, and situational usage, DJ will find plenty of at-bats
Martin
9:43
Twins signings and trades feel unbalanced. Is this off-season a failure if they don't get another top 2 starter?
Mark P
9:43
"Failure" is a reach, but it does seem like the Twins still need at least one more front-of-the-rotation type.
Jaxon
9:43
Flaherty and Reyes…. what are the Cards doing to fortify the staff?
Fredbird
9:44
Rumors seem to have died down regarding an imminent trade between the Cardinals and Athletics for one of their pitchers.  Is the trade off the table now?
Mark P
9:44
If anything, you'd think the Cards might have more interest in Montas or Manaea given that injuries are already cropping up
Quan
9:44
Any credence to the Austin Meadows to Philadelphia trade rumors?
Mark P
9:45
I have no doubt the Phils asked out of due diligence at least, but I'd imagine that's probably off the table now that Castellanos and Schwarber are in the fold
Conforto
9:45
What's taking so long?  Where does he end up?
Mark P
9:46
If you'd told me in October that Conforto would be the last top-50 free agent remaining on the board, I wouldn't have been surprised.  He's a tough guy to gauge given his 2021 output vs. his career numbers, exactly why last year's downturn happened, plus he has the qualifying offer hanging over him.
9:47
A Scott Boras special of a three-year deal with multiple opt-outs could be a fit somewhere, or maybe just a one year deal
Dave Stieb
9:49
Blue Jays staff looks really good, but how do you build a lineup with Biggio (who was pretty bad last year) as the only left handed bat?
Mark P
9:49
The Jays could or should have more balance in the lineup, but....pretty much all of their RH hitters are good to great.
Bill
9:50
Why would Correa take a short term deal instead of a long term deal? Correa switched agents to Boras during the off-season and the agents had to spilt the commission on his deal. Could Boras be the reason Correa switched agents so Correa could opt out in a year or two and he could get full commission on his deal?
Mark P
9:51
I've seen this theory floated around but I think the simplest answer is the likeliest.....Correa wanted to top Lindor's contract and that kind of an offer just wasn't materializing.  Since Correa is set on such a big offer, he'll take the shorter-term deal now, still bank at least one year of huge AAV, and try again next year
Brian
9:52
Do you expect the Cubs to pick anyone up via trade before the season starts? I’m thinking specifically about Hosmer, but doesn’t have to be.
Mark P
9:52
I kind of think the Cubs' equation on a Hosmer deal has changed.  They don't really seem to be in prospect-buying or contract-absorbing mode anymore, and they're trying to win in 2022.
9:53
Not to say that such a deal couldn't still happen if the Padres make a sweet enough offer, but if the Cubs to plan to contend this year, having Hosmer doesn't seem like a great step in the right direction given how he's struggled
Dodgers
9:54
Are we done? The back end of the rotation feels really weak at 4 and 5. Guys like Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heany can’t be relied upon to be up to Dodger standards. I keep waiting for a trade. Am I wrong?
Mark P
9:55
The Dodgers are never "done."  Keep in mind that Anderson and Heaney are probably being viewed as first-half pitchers, with Gonsolin in the wings, May probably coming back at some point, Danny Duffy, and the next wave of prospects
Somewhat Hopeful Twins Fan
9:56
Twins get Sean Manea, Frankie Montas, A’s get Dylan Bundy, Nick Gordon, Austin Martin, SWR another top 20 prospect. Who says no?
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