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Mark P
8:06
The Weekend Chat is here!  Let's take some baseball questions since.....well, since that's the whole point of this endeavor.
Over the Cap
8:07
Do the Mariners and Cubs get together to make a swap, with Hoerner+ going to Seattle and the Cubs acquiring one of their many arms?
Mark P
8:08
Unless teams get a positive health update on Hoerner soon, the Mariners aren't going to be moving one of their prized arms for him in particular.  Moving a SP for an infielder does seem increasingly likely, however, since Seattle has such a glaring need for infield help
Mark to the Park
8:09
Where do the Phillies go for closer?
Mark P
8:10
Any number of trades or signings seem possible on paper, and simply re-signing one of Hoffman or Estevez might be the easiest option.  Swinging a deal for Devin Williams is the kind of move that fits Dombrowski's M.O., and as the Josh Hader trade showed us, the Brewers are open to moving their talent to a fellow NL contender if the offer is right
Alan
8:11
If the Mets don't get Soto, how do they redirect their offseason? I assume it's like Yamamoto, where they played it smart and safe after missing out.
Mark P
8:12
The Mets have such a drastic need for rotation help that they'll surely re-direct major resources into pitching if they can't get Soto.

Or, this is Steve Cohen we're talking about.  So the Mets could spend even bigger to land Soto plus at least one of the top free agent starters.
Bosox fan
8:12
Are the red sox seriously considering moving Devers to first base?
Mark P
8:15
Devers' third base glovework hasn't been good and it seems unlikely it'll get better, so it would be weirder if the Sox hadn't considered a position change.  People have been theorizing for years that Devers' time at 3B was limited, and now that he's under contract for the rest of the decade, it's just a matter of time before it eventually happens.

Now, whether that's this offseason remains to be seen, as reports have indicated that Devers wants to stay at third for the time being.  I'd imagine Boston is flexible to plenty of scenarios depending on who they may or may not acquire, and don't forget that they have a pile of very promising infield prospects on the way up
Ben
8:15
Entertain us.
Mark P
8:15
Uh...wuzzle wozzle?
8:16
That's right, that's a 30-year-old Simpsons reference.  For those thinking my Arrested Development references aren't timely....
tumtum
8:16
Isn't Soto a DH risk within the next 5 years? Why are teams putting up so much capital for someone that that last 9-10 years of his deal he'll be at DH?
Mark P
8:17
If he continues to post his level of hitting numbers, teams will be more than happy with that production as a full-time DH
daro
8:17
I could actually see a Arenado + cash for hancock as the centerpiece from SEA. Thoughts?
Mark P
8:19
I've posted this before, but if I'm a team looking for third base help, I'm considering a lot of other options before turning to Arenado.  His lack of hitting over the last two seasons is a pretty prominent red flag, and enough of a sign of decline that I'd be very wary about giving up significant prospects in a trade, or taking on too much of his contract.

The M's would probably prefer to move "just" Hancock and keep their starters who are already proven at the MLB level, but even in that scenario, dealing Hancock might be able to get Seattle a player who's less of a question mark.
FantasyYoda
8:20
Bailey Falter for Ryan Mountcastle? Who says no?
Mark P
8:21
Mountcastle would be a nice upgrade for Pittsburgh, but I doubt the O's view Falter as much of an upgrade over their current rotation options. While the Orioles need a starter, a more clear-cut ace type is the priority over just a decent back-end guy like Falter.
Posey
8:21
Am I just gonna sit this year out? Seems like they’re wasting Chapman and Webb prime
Mark P
8:22
That report about the Giants cutting payroll threw a lot of cold water on the SF fanbase, but technically, "cutting payroll" from 2024 levels still leaves Posey with plenty of room to add talent.  I find it hard to believe that they'd make that commitment to re-sign Chapman and then just sit on their hands for the rest of the winter, so some moves are surely coming.
Scott
8:23
Any news on Detroit reaching out to any free agents ?
Mark P
8:24
They've been linked to Alex Bregman, but it has otherwise been pretty quiet thus far.  Broadly, the Tigers are known to be looking for right-handed hitting, as well as pitching help.
Snake Charmer
8:24
What do the dbacks do about 1st if Walker doesn’t sign and Pavin isnt the answer? Do the dbacks work a complex trade(s) involving Monty and outfielders this off season or stand pat until the deadline?
Mark P
8:25
Pursuing a right-handed hitting 1B to work with Smith in a platoon might be a suitable "plan B" if Walker leaves.  The D'Backs are helped by the fact that first base is (relatively) one of the easier positions to address, and Smith's presence means Arizona doesn't even necessarily need to land a full-time bat
8:26
Of course, as you noted, these plans could change on the fly during the season if Smith isn't playing well.  Gurriel has played some 1B and could potentially be an option, which would also free up more playing time in the outfield
BraveDevil
8:27
I hear the Rangers might want to shed salary. Who could the Braves send over for Corey Seager?
Mark P
8:28
Texas already had a lot of money come off their books this winter, and I highly doubt they're going to pursue something as aggressive as a Seager trade. That's the kind of move a team makes if they're looking to basically blow it up and rebuild, and the Rangers have too much talent on hand to go that route
James
8:29
Other than the team you rooted for, who was your favorite team to watch when you were growing up? I’m an O’s fan who grew up in the ‘90’s, but I’m very nostalgic for the Mariners of the mid to late ‘90’s. Griffey, ARod, Buhner, Joey Cora, Dan Wilson, Sorrento, Randy Johnson. Those teams were so good.
Mark P
8:31
I was also a big fan of the 90's Mariners.  Growing up in southern Ontario, we got a lot of Cleveland radio and TV available to us, so I had a soft spot for those great 90's Tribe teams as well.

The Phillies have long been my unofficial "favourite NL team," since as a kid, I always just really loved that cool maroon-ish shade that used to be their primary uniform color
Ian
8:32
Reds have to add an infielder right? Can’t count on Marte and CES being full time/productive players after what they showed last year and McClain is coming off a shoulder which can affect you for a while.
Mark P
8:33
Moving India does seemingly increase the Reds' need for another infielder, since you're right that Cincy can count on only a few members of their position-player core.  Even last year when it seemed like the sky was the limit for their young infielders, they still went out and got Candelario just in case, which ended up being a misfire itself.
Toronto fan
8:34
Why are we not going full rebuild? Assuming we don't get Soto.
Mark P
8:35
Because the Jays haven't yet given up on their current core, and want to give it one more go at contention while Guerrero is still on the team.  If the Jays struggle again in 2025, that's when I suspect the rebuild happens and a new GM blows up the roster.
Dave
8:36
Is there any way for the Cubs to both unload Bellinger’s salary AND get a good prospect return or should they just focus on trading him for peanuts and investing the money elsewhere (like Soto)?
Mark P
8:39
Or they could just keep him, and hope for better performance in 2025.  It's not like Bellinger isn't still a productive player, even if his 2024 production didn't match his salary.  Finding a trade partner for Bellinger is tricky, and since dumping him just to save money also doesn't make a ton of sense, my take is that Bellinger is likely just back with the Cubs next year
No name
8:39
Has a mutual option ever been picked up by both sides?
Mark P
8:40
Off the top of my head, Matt Belisle and the Rockies once exercised both ends of a mutual option.  That is the only one that jumps to mind in all my years of covering baseball since yeah, they're very rare
Mazi0
8:41
D'Backs looking for back end bullpen help.. Who says no Clase for Pfaadt and McCarthy?
Mark P
8:42
That's an interesting one, and my guess is that the Guardians say yes but the D'Backs say no.  Dealing Pfaadt is risky since Gallen/Kelly/Montgomery are all free agents after 2025, so the Snakes are moving one of their controllable pitchers in advance of this possible mass rotation exodus.
Ballyhooed Plausibilities
8:42
Are players who signed arbitration-avoiding contracts (yaz) still able to be traded? Or do we need to wait until June or whenever it is for free agents?
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