JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat

MLBTR Live Chat

Mark P

7:50

Welcome to the Weekend Chat! Lots to discuss in the wake of the winter meetings, so let's open up the ol' question box....

fascinating

7:51

Whats up with Burnes? Felt like him going to SF was inevitable and it’s just been radio silence the last few days. Is this just Boras milking every last dollar, or are mystery teams making a run?

Mark P

7:53

With so many pitchers leaving the market, it wouldn't be a total surprise if Burnes has gotten a bit of late attention from teams still looking to make a big pitching upgrade. Based just on recent reports, I'd still probably lean towards SF as the favorites, but Toronto is aching to make a big move, you can't rule out the Mets, Baltimore might still be lurking, etc.

Junior

7:54

Did Nick Krall sleep through the winter meetings?

Mark P

7:55

Just because the Reds or any other team didn't do anything major over a four-day span hardly means their offseason is a bust.

Jeff

7:55

What do the Mariners actually end up doing? Castillo+ for something big? They seem to believe they are vying with the Dodgers for Sasaki. Do you think there's big changes if he signs with them like they believe?

Mark P

7:58

Sasaki won't be signing until after January 15 so he can be part of the next international signing window. So for any team looking to add or trade pitching, they might consider holding off for a month until they know where Sasaki is going. If Seattle got him, that would make trading Castillo (or anyone else) from the current rotation a lot more feasible.

Also, as others have pointed out, the Mariners don't have a ton of starting pitching depth beyond those top five. Hancock steps into the rotation in the event of a trade, but then if an injury or two emerges during the season, the M's are in trouble. So while dealing a starter makes sense, it's understandable why Dipoto is being very wary about depleting the team's clear strength.

Orosko

8:00

Does a Starling Marte for Jordan Montgomery make sense for both sides?

Mark P

8:02

Marte is owed $19.5MM in 2025 and Montgomery is owed $22.5MM, so the money is pretty even. I'm of the opinion that Montgomery is going to be pretty good in 2025 with the benefit of a normal offseason, whereas Marte's numbers and injuries over the last couple of years hint more clearly at a decline.

Moving Monty for another "bad contract" is what Arizona might eventually end up doing, but I'd prefer to have Montgomery on my team next season than Marte

8:03

What am I up to? Should Braves fan be worried that I've lost my mojo?

Mark P

8:04

Bryan De La Cruz doesn't move the needle for you?!

Anthopoulos typically operates in radio silence, so just when you think the Braves aren't doing much, suddenly they emerge with a big move that nobody saw coming. Stay tuned.

Russell

8:06

Who is a the top of the RP trade market Devin Williams off the market?

Mark P

8:06

Ryan Helsley, as much as the Cardinals seemingly insist they're planning to keep him

Adam

8:08

How soon could a Twins sale happen? Would love for the Ishbia bros to buy them

Mark P

8:09

It takes a while for all the paperwork and league approvals to be finalized, so even if a sale was announced today, it wouldn't be official until at least April.

Julius

8:09

What the heck are the Blue Jays waiting for?

Mark P

8:10

They've made one big trade already, so it's not like they've been sitting on their hands. It should be noted that Ross Atkins' M.O. has been to wait until later in the offseason to make most of his moves.

Guard Guy

8:10

The Browns looked terrible today. Do I have anything to be happy about?

Mark P

8:11

The Cavaliers are having a heck of a season. And I wouldn't be too worried about the Guardians, they'll be contenders again in 2025

Desmond

8:11

Do you think the disconnect in Alec bohm trade talks is Phillies want other teams to pay he was a star price and teams want to pay the Phillies benched him in the playoffs price ?

Mark P

8:12

If they're asking for Logan Gilbert, Kirby, or Mason Miller, those deals simply aren't going to happen. I'm probably more bearish on Bohm than most, since while he isn't a bad player, I agree that he's a lot more "decent everyday player" than star.

Scott Harris

8:13

Do I sign Bergman or do I go try and go the trade route. Flarehty and Buehler are still out there will Chris Illitch open up the check book and let me bring one in?

Mark P

8:15

The Tigers are apparently done with the rotation after signing Cobb, though that could be a smokescreen. And Bregman's reported asking price in the $200MM range is too high for the Tigers' liking.

In my view, the team showed enough last season that they should be more aggressive in adding at least one really notable player, probably a hitter.

Ken from Steel City

8:16

it seems apparent the Pirates aren’t willing to increase payroll. They missed out on some decent free agents like O’Neill or Conforto that really would have helped the team. Instead they got Horowitz. How do you view the trade? It seems most people in Pittsburgh believe it was an overpay.

Mark P

8:17

I don't mind that trade for the Pirates, since investing in a younger guy with upside makes a lot of sense. Horwitz isn't your traditional 1B slugger but he has shown potential at the plate, and has already gotten some results at the big league level.

Astros fan

8:18

Ryan Pressly for Nolan Arenado plus a little cash…who says no?

Mark P

8:18

The Cardinals, since that deal doesn't make much sense for them.

Finn

8:19

Pirates McCutchen reunion possible

Mark P

8:19

Probably just a matter of time before a new contract is finalized

Hyder

8:19

Will the orioles continue to completely strike out on starting pitching additions this offseason?

Mark P

8:20

I think the Burnes trade happened on February 1st last offseason? Plenty of time left for the Orioles

Christian Walker

8:20

Nationals the best guess at this point?

Mark P

8:21

I think there's enough interest in Walker from contending teams that the Nats might have to really outbid the market to convince Walker to be the new Jayson Werth

Adrian M

8:22

Will the Astros sign Enrique Hernandez since he can play third base?

Mark P

8:22

I keep assuming Hernandez will end up back with the Dodgers eventually, but his skillset makes sense for a lot of teams, Houston included

Matt

8:23

What do you think of the rumors of the Red Sox with regards to switching devers to 1B/dh? I feel like it makes sense due to him being paid for his hitting not poor fielding. I have seen a lot of hype around a casas trade but his value is pretty low. What do you see the Sox doing to address these options?

Mark P

8:24

Sean McAdam had a column up about Devers today, with the general premise being "it would be silly if the Red Sox got Arenado or Bregman and had them play out of position while Devers stayed at 3B." I agree with this sentiment, since it seems like Devers will have to change positions at some point in the future anyway.

Adam

8:25

Can KC and Detroit repeat their seasons? Nobody picked them to make the playoffs

Mark P

8:26

Will KC or Detroit return to the postseason in 2025?

Both will make it (19.6% | 247 votes)

Both will miss out (27% | 340 votes)

Just the Royals make it (31.8% | 400 votes)

Just the Tigers make it (21.6% | 272 votes)

Total Votes: 1,259

Ross Detweiler