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Mark P
4:44
I'm told there's a football game of some note coming up, so let's launch the Weekend Chat a bit earlier than usual this evening.  Let's talk some baseball!
Fore
4:45
Do I have anything to look forward to for the Nats this season outside of prospect development and the #2 pick?
Mark P
4:46
Perhaps the sale of the team, if all of the MASN complications can be ironed out.  Figuring out the ownership situation is the biggest long-term issue facing the Nats at the moment, since until that is settled, it's hard to predict a path for them beyond just "rebuilding."

In terms of on-field stuff, seeing if Joey Meneses is for real?  Seeing if Strasburg can return to action?
Curt
4:47
Winker bounce back season coming?
Mark P
4:47
It wouldn't be a shock, given that Winker just never seemed comfortable on or apparently off the field in Seattle.  A change of scenery and a move back to the NL Central might be just what he needs
Ed
4:48
Will the rays increase there payroll over 100 million  when they move  into new park in 2028
Mark P
4:50
It seems like the Rays are slowly stretching their budget (by their standards) already, perhaps in response to the CBA being settled and maybe a bit of an influx in league-related revenues.  In theory, with a new ballpark in place, there would be no reason why the Rays "couldn't" break the $100MM threshold.
Mariners Fan
4:51
Chris Flexen: Kept or dealt before Opening Day? Starter or reliever? And if traded, what’s his return value?
Mark P
4:52
I tend to agree with 60 percent of MLBTR poll voters, in thinking that Flexen will ultimately stay with the M's.  Even if the rotation can avoid injury, having a decent extra starter on hand is important for sheer depth purposes.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/02/mariners-trade-rumors-chris-fle...
Angels
4:53
Why Drury over Andrus?
Mark P
4:54
Drury has a bit more positional flexibility, and I wonder if the Angels might have more concerns about 1B than SS, given how Walsh is covering from TOS surgery
The Big Game
4:54
Chiefs or Eagles?
Mark P
4:54
It's hard to pick against Patrick Mahomes
Chris Young
4:55
Why did I waste a draft pick on Eovaldi when I have no left fielder and a mediocre center fielder? Garcia is the only real outfielder on the team.
Mark P
4:57
That's an unfair knock on Taveras, who is at least a strong defensive CF and a good player to have.  The Texas rotation was a much bigger problem than the outfield, so it isn't surprising that the front office made a point of loading up on pitching this winter.  A left fielder is easier to find than a quality starter, and the Rangers might yet add someone else (whether in free agency or an in-season deal) if none of their in-house LF candidates are working out
Hahn
4:58
Andrus back to the White Sox?
Mark P
4:59
You'd think such a move would've already happened if it was going to happen, but it could be that Andrus wants to exhaust all options to remain at shortstop before exploring a position change.  Or, perhaps the White Sox don't see Andrus (2022 notwithstanding) as a big upgrade over what they have, at least not for the extra cost
Chris
5:00
with that said, do you see the Padres winning the NL West over the Dodgers? Dodgers appear to be trimming payroll this offseason for a possible Ohtani pursuit next year.
Mark P
5:01
There was an awfully big gap between the Dodgers and the Padres last season, and even with both offseasons in mind, I'm still not sure SD has done quite enough to entirely close that gap
Bird
5:03
Any chance you see pivetta getting traded if Sale and Paxton look healthy out of spring training? Sox have a fair amount of fifth starter type depth. What could pivetta return?
Mark P
5:04
I'd lean towards no, since as noted earlier with the Mariners, starting pitching depth is important to have.  And it's even more pressing for a team like Boston who has a lot of starters with health questions.  Just because Sale/Paxton make it through camp healthy, for instance, isn't any guarantee either will make it through the season.
Dr Dback
5:04
Who will be the DBacks' most consistent closer this season?
Mark P
5:06
Maybe just a closer committee, if the D'Backs are fortunate enough to get good contributions from multiple pitchers.  It'll at least start the season in committee form, but I suspect the D'Backs would like to see Ginkel or Mantiplay take the reins as the closer
Myito
5:06
Is the Yankees offense worse of better than last year?  With Judge most likely not repeating last monster season, but still play well and no additions to the lineup
Mark P
5:08
Even if Judge doesn't match his epic 2022, the Yankees have a healthy LeMahieu, Cabrera/Peraza/maybe Volpe all contributing, a theoretically healthy Hicks, Donaldson might rebound, Harrison Bader seems to have taken to hitting in Yankee Stadium....there should be plenty of offense for the Bombers, on paper
Boba chette
5:09
With Bichette’s arb years locked down, what would it take to buy out some free agency years? Another 10/300?
Mark P
5:11
That would certainly be the ballpark figure for a further extension.  I think the current three-year extension (basically a bridge deal, to borrow a term from hockey contract lingo) is a good move for both sides.  The Jays get a little more time to determine whether or not they want to make a bigger investment in Bichette, while Bichette locks in a major payday now without surrendering any future FA years
Market
5:11
Can you help explain Chafin's deal? I'm struggling to understand how the Strahm deal would tank the LHRP so much he wasn't able to get more than his original option amount. Are there other factors involved?
Mark P
5:13
This is just speculation on my part, but Chafin was perhaps willing to give the Diamondbacks (a team he is very familiar with) a bit more of a discount than he was willing to give to other suitors.  

Hypothetically, if Chafin is pitching well at midseason, he might have more faith that the D'Backs would work another extension --- picking up that 2024 option and perhaps tacking on another year for 2025, for instance.
Daryll’s brother
5:13
Does it annoy you, when someone uses a GM or owner name as their screen name, forc  in
Mark P
5:13
Nope!
JCL
5:15
Who do you think will win the Puk and Bleday trade?
Mark P
5:16
Puk has already shown signs that he can be a quality big league reliever, he just needs to stay healthy.  Just because he is a bit more proven at the MLB level, I favor the Marlins in this deal
Cardinals
5:17
Possible starting pitcher trade candidates at the deadline? Dark horse for me is Dylan Cease if Chicago has another bad season.
Mark P
5:18
the ChiSox would have to significantly crater before they think about moving Cease, since trading a controllable ace is the kind of move that signals a rebuild, not a reload.  Even if the Sox did become deadline sellers, there are a lot of other players they'll move before trading Cease
Yo Adrian
5:19
What % of HOF votes do I get in my first year of eligibility?  And how much do I get in by?
Mark P
5:19
I would think Beltre pretty easily crosses the 90% threshold, since there isn't any reason why voters wouldn't check his name.
Mariners
5:20
With 3 top 40ish picks in the draft will that help reset our minor league depth
Mark P
5:21
Yes, though don't forget, the M's can trade their competitive balance round pick.  Even as the offseason starts to wind down, that might still be a trade chip Dipoto could use if he wants to make a late splash
BhamBrave
5:21
Is Kyle Wright an extension candidate for the Braves? What would it take?
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