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Mark P
6:11
Let's enter the Weekend Chat, a mysterious realm of beads, bees, and (occasionally) baseball questions.  To the queue!
Parker
6:11
Realistic expectations for Oneil Cruz in 2024?
Mark P
6:13
Besides the obvious answer of "stay healthy," it would be a nice step forward for Cruz if he has just solid numbers befitting a big league regular.  Remember, Cruz has only 98 career games under his belt, so he's still very much an known quantity.  Expecting superstar numbers is a whole lot to ask
Brian Cashman
6:13
Am I done adding pitchers?
Mark P
6:13
Nope.  At least another reliever will be added on a big league deal, and given the most recent reports, Blake Snell doesn't seem out of the question either
Rox
6:14
Could Arenado and Goldschmidt be on the move this summer if STL starts out slow?
Mark P
6:16
Since Goldschmidt is a free agent after the year, he definitely feels like he'd be a trade candidate.  Arenado maybe not so much given the complexities of his contract, but it would depend on how the Cards organization would view a "slow start."

It seems like they view 2023 as somewhere between a wakeup call and a blip in their run of competitive baseball.  Two straight disappointing seasons might lead to larger questions about whether a larger shakeup/rebuild/retooling/etc. might be needed, and in that case, Arenado (among others) could be realistic candidates to be moved
Student-Athlete
6:17
What's the likelihood of a Gavin Cross rebound, the former #1 pick the Kansas City Royals?
Mark P
6:19
Cross was the ninth overall pick of the 2022 draft, and he struggled at high-A ball last season.  As per Baseball America, he had something of a swing overhaul in the instructional league, which perhaps bodes well for better results next year.
Thee Seattle mariners
6:20
The Mariners really need to add a second or third basemen. Your best bet? Any ideas? Trade for the Twins Polanco? Free agent Whit Merrifield?
Mark P
6:20
Polanco makes a lot of sense, once the Twins finally get out of their RSN-related holding pattern.  I'd rather have Polanco than Merrifield if I'm Seattle, even if Polanco will obviously come at a trade cost
JaysFan
6:21
Which of the four likely DH bats (Hoskins, JDM, Soler, Joc) do you see as the best fit for the jays? (and most likely, if different answer)
Mark P
6:21
Don't rule out Justin Turner from that group, and he'd actually be my pick since he could help out at 3B or even 2B in a pinch.
Brian Cashman
6:22
Seen surprising reports that Luis Arraez is available. Am super skeptical but just for fun, what would it take to acquire him? Thinking Arias, Jones, Hampton, Oswald, and Pereira. Is that too much or just right?
Mark P
6:24
I hope you're floating all those names as individual trade chips, because there's no way on earth all five are packed into one trade for anyone, let alone two years of Luis Arraez.

New York isn't really a great fit for Arraez anyway given their crowded infield.
JS
6:25
I am guessing the opening day shortstop for the Dodgers is not on their current roster?
Mark P
6:25
The likelihood is that the Dodgers will see what they have with Lux before deciding whether or not a shortstop upgrade is necessary.  They can roll with Lux/Rojas/Betts until looking for possible adds closer to the deadline
RAGBRAI
6:26
Do the Reds trade from offensive surplus for a SP? Does seem like are looking very strong there to start the season.
Mark P
6:27
This has seemingly been the plan for much of the offseason, but for now, the Reds might roll with the pitching they've already added, and they'll wait and see with all their young hitters to see who sticks
Beltre
6:28
Am I going into the hall as a Ranger or Dodger?
Mark P
6:28
Ranger, no doubt about it
Chaim Bloom
6:29
Was I done dirty by the Red Sox?
Mark P
6:31
In modern baseball, giving a GM/PBO/CBO only four years doesn't seem like a great deal of time.  Especially for Bloom, whose specific mandate was to rebuild the farm system, and it appears as though he did just that given the evaluations of some of Boston's top prospects.

While Bloom isn't blameless for the last two seasons, the Red Sox ownership group has been so cavalier with their front office leaders that it's fair to way Bloom got something of a raw deal
Perry M
6:33
I feel like I've raised the floor of this team, but obviously my celing is a lot lower. With health, can we sneak into a wild card spot this year? And I feel like I'm going to be a huge spender in 2025 once I see what my young core has, right?
Mark P
6:33
It's hard for me to see the Angels as a playoff team in the post-Ohtani season. Good health is a must, sure, but a lot else would have to break right for the Halos to even get a winning season, let alone a postseason berth
Brian
6:34
What does a Gleyber Torres extension look like?
Mark P
6:35
The Yankees don't really do extensions, so this might be a moot point.  And frankly, I think Torres just gets let go in free agency after the year, and the Yankees move on with Peraza/Volpe as their middle infield combo
Kara
6:36
When will the Rangers figure out their TV situation/finances? Is that the only thing holding up Jordan Montgomery from signing or are other teams still seriously in the mix?
Mark P
6:37
"Early February" seems to be the deadline for the Rangers (and Twins and Guardians) to figure out something with Diamond Sports, so we'll know more by then.  Once the situation is settled one way or the other, Montgomery might sign fairly quickly if the Rangers end up not getting too much of a cut to their TV rights money
6:38
But obviously nothing is stopping another team from making a bigger offer in the interim, if Montgomery is attracted enough by another opportunity.  There is a general assumption that Texas is his first choice, but they're likely not his only choice
Jays fan
6:38
Could Varsho get traded since the All-Defense approach for TOR last year wasn’t successful and Keirmaeir is back?
Mark P
6:38
Maybe, except Varsho's trade value isn't high after his dismal year at the plate
Mister E. Person
6:39
Could a Mike Clevinger or Michael Lorenzen signing be in the cards for the Orioles? Would that really improve their rotation?
Mark P
6:40
I'd prefer either of those two to Cole Irvin and company in the fifth starter role.  It raises the floor for the rotation at the very least, yet if the Orioles are looking for a surefire "guy who can start a playoff game" type, neither really fits the bill
Executive
6:41
You lost all credibility when you said the Phillies had a good off-season after doing absolutely nothing but bringing back the same exact team.
Mac
6:42
Any expectations that the Dbacks will add any additional notable pitching this off-season?
Mark P
6:43
Oops, I'll get to that Phillies question first.  Basically....if it ain't broke, don't fix it?  There's enough of a good core in place that I can understand why the Phils don't think they have to do too much
6:44
As for the D'Backs, adding E-Rod is enough of a boost that any further pitching adds might be a veteran on a minor league deal or something.  Between Gallen, Kelly, E-Rod, and Pfaadt, that's a pretty nice top four, and the hope is that one of the young guys might also emerge as the fifth starter.
GabeOfThrones
6:45
Were you surprised Michael Brantley retired? I feel like he could have at least played DH for a contender for a few more years with his hit tool and plate discipline…
Mark P
6:46
Brantley has had so many injuries that it isn't surprising that he's hanging up the cleats.  The last two years especially must've been a grind for him with all the setbacks
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