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Mark P
9:36
With a few hours still left in the weekend, the Weekend Chat is here! Let's let the questions filter in, and we'll get started in a minute....
Guest
9:38
Padres 2nd in NL west?
Mark P
9:39
I think the Diamondbacks have the edge over the Padres at the moment.  Now that Sasaki's situation is settled, the Padres can move onto the plan B for the offseason
Dodgers
9:39
Do you think Kim will be the starting 2B for us?
Mark P
9:40
The Lux trade made that pretty abundantly clear, yeah.  If Kim struggles in his first taste of MLB action, the Dodgers could use Edman or Rojas at 2B, acquire Enrique Hernandez again, or pick up another middle infielder at the deadline
ScoobsDad
9:42
Does Scott’s contract surprise you?
Mark P
9:42
Not overly, given how free agent prices have generally been higher than most expectations
Guest
9:42
Is it actually a possibility the 2027 season is cancelled or was that pure speculation by Tim?
Mark P
9:43
Tim's title of that poll was purposeful.  If fans want a salary cap so badly, the cost is going to be an extended labor war, since obviously the MLBPA is going to fight like hell against it.

There is very likely going to be another work stoppage in some form after the next CBA is up. It's just a question of how long it lasts.
Blue jay suffering
9:45
When can we be first for an impact player?
Mark P
9:47
In some ways the Jays are a victim of timing, since their bids for generational stars are coming at a time when the Dodgers and Mets are willing to be even more aggressive in spending.

But beyond just money, why would a top free agent look at the 2024 Blue Jays and think they're a team on the cusp of turning things around?
Guest
9:47
What remaining moves will the Guardians make before Spring Training?
Mark P
9:49
The Guardians picked up enough long-term salary relief from the Gimenez and (to a lesser extent) Straw trades that in theory, they might be more open to a shorter-term, higher-AAV value deal for a guy like Santander.  I still feel like they need a bat or two, and even an outfielder like Santander (whose free-swinging ways don't fit Cleveland's offensive model) might not be as big a need as a middle infielder
MakemeBo-lieve
9:49
Since Cleveland trade Straw and Gimenez and dumped those contracts, does Bregman fit in Cleveland? Bregman said he was open to a position change. 2nd base is calling.
Mark P
9:50
Getting Bregman at 2B would be a heck of a bold move, but Bregman isn't open to shorter-term arrangements just yet.  Even if so, the Guardians then would be bidding against other teams that will flock to Bregman if he's taking short-term offers
Rox
9:51
Torkelson a good fit for the Rockies? A cheap buy low candidate with former top prospect pedigree
Mark P
9:52
Rockies seem committed to giving Toglia a shot.  This isn't to say that Torkelson wouldn't also be a fit since Colorado basically needs all the help it can get, but the 1B/DH situation is a little crowded since the Rockies need the DH spot for Bryant
Post Malone
9:52
What would a package look like for Arenado? Are 2 top 100 prospects enough? Too much?
Mark P
9:53
If a team just offered to take Arenado's full contract, the Cardinals probably accept a minimal return in terms of actual players.
Mo
9:54
Have you seen a more disfunctional offseason than the Cardinals?  We're doing a "reset", not a rebuild!  We tried to trade away all our players with big contracts, but were blocked by NTC's we gave to our last two FA's.  We're trying to trade Arenado, who has a full NTC, but are not talking to him.  We don't want to trade tradeable pieces from our rotation, because we value pitching depth in a season we have said we are going to play the youngsters...Talk about head spinning!
Mark P
9:56
It's more than a little confusing.  In a piece for Front Office subscribers this week, Anthony Franco had a nice summary of the "what's going on here?" approach the Cards are taking.

It all basically just hinges on whether or not they can unload Arenado's contract, but the Cardinals might have cost themselves what little leverage they might've had in any trade talks by pretty much just openly admitting this.  STL might now be waiting on Bregman's decision to then try and deal Arenado to the Tigers or Red Sox or whatever team is still looking for a big-ticket infielder.
Red Dye
9:58
Are the Dbacks seeking a right handed bat at DH? If so, what are some options still out there? There’s no way they roll with Pavin Smith and Blaze Alexander right? Right?!
Mark P
9:59
If Smith keeps up his 2024 performance, he's a fine regular as the left-handed hitting side of the DH platoon.  So if the D'Backs have confidence in Smith, it somewhat lessens their need for a righty platoon partner, but obviously the team is still looking
Ideally it would be another Grichuk type, who can play the outfield when not DH'ing
Bob Uecker’s last Chat!!
9:59
what is your favorite Bob Uecker memory?
Mark P
10:01
On pure instinct, I say "jussssst a bit outside" whenever I see a wild pitch.

Some friends and I were on a baseball road trip years ago to Chicago and Milwaukee, with a Brewers game as our last stop.  We left the game after six innings for two reasons --- to get an early jump on the long drive home, and to hear some of Bob Uecker on the radio.  

RIP to a legend
Red Sawks
10:02
Will the Red Sox feel obligated to give Vaughn Grissom every chance to take the 2B job?  Justification of the Sale trade is at stake.
Mark P
10:03
I'm sure the Sox would love to see Grissom emerge as a viable regular, yet it's perhaps telling that there's already so much focus on the upcoming star infield prospects.  Between Campbell's quick rise and Grissom's dismal year, it already kind of feels like Boston has moved on
Jeff
10:04
What’s your take on the Dodgers, are they ruining baseball like a lot of fans are saying?
Rob
10:05
Which side of the argument are you on? Dodgers good for baseball or not?
Mark P
10:07
Up until last October, most fans' take on the Dodgers was how they always choked in the playoffs, with these fans also discounting the 2020 season.  And now after one title, the Dodgers are some kind of "unfair" dynasty?

I'm not buying it.  The Dodgers are using their financial advantage to the best of their ability, and the "best of their ability" also happens to be better than other top spenders who seem to make more misfires with their big investments than L.A. does
Dips and Dingers
10:07
Have they ever floated an international draft? Pros? Cons? Thanks!
Mark P
10:08
It's definitely been a subject in past CBA talks, and it might become slightly more of a front-burner issue in the next set of negotiations given the spotlight of the Sasaki deal.
Cantro
10:10
Are the Reds still in the market for a proven bullpen arm?
Mark P
10:10
Yep, but recent reports have them shopping at a lower tier, since Carlos Estevez is out of their price range
Matt V
10:11
I think teams like the White Sox and A's, who don't even pretend to be interested in competing, are much worse for the game than teams who are trying really hard like the Dodgers and Mets. What say you?
Mark P
10:14
To adjust your comment slightly, the A's and White Sox front offices absolutely care about competing.  The Athletics' front office has done a remarkable job of getting the team back into contention several times over the last two decades despite having to then tear it all down every few years.

Fun statistic: the A's and White Sox have combined for as many World Series rings as the Dodgers and Mets since the start of the 1987 season.
Natitude
10:15
The Nats were terrible at player development for years, and it cost them. Over the past few years they've revamped the staff and poured money into analytics. Do you feel that the performance of the kids in the rotation (Irvin, Herz, Parker) and turning Garcia and Finnegan from FA/waiver pick ups to useful players a sign that the team has turned a corner? I'm not saying they're the Guardians, but I'd like to hope fhat they're no longer DFL
Mark P
10:16
I think the Nationals' future is pretty bright.  They've got some nice up-and-comers now on the big league roster, and adding Lowe and Bell is a step towards making more of a fuller push towards competing maybe as early as this season, and (one would think) certainly by 2026
John Middleton
10:17
Will we extend JT Realmuto this spring? How long for how much?
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