You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
MLBTR Live Chat
powered byJotCast
Mark P
6:33
Who needs the Oscars when you've got the Weekend Chat?  I'm just as witty as Conan O'Brien, right?

/crickets

Oh well.  Better stick with baseball questions....
jonnyk321
6:35
Who has the best chance to play 3rd for the Yankees?
Mark P
6:36
At this point it looks like Peraza or Cabrera, perhaps in a timeshare.  There's still reason to be optimistic over LeMahieu not missing much or any time, but calf injuries are tricky
Guest
6:36
Tigers now taking Lions approach to have all players injured… any last minute hitting signings for Detroit?
Mark P
6:38
The unusual nature of Meadows' nerve injury makes a new signing difficult, as Meadows might wake up tomorrow feeling better.  If we go a couple of weeks and there's still no improvement, I think Detroit might look more seriously at bringing a new outfielder into the mix.  By this point, the Tigers could also choose from a few extra outfielders who have been cut in other camps.
Russell
6:39
Have you heard any buzz on Jack Leiter this spring?
Mark P
6:40
He's one of a few pitchers who is experimenting with a "kick change," as described in this Dallas Morning News piece.  Early returns seem positive.

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/rangers/2025/02/28/texas-rangers-jac...
Queen City
6:41
Was 2023 a mirage and 2024 a reality check for Reds fans, or is the truth somewhere in between? It feels like a roster that could win anywhere from 70 to 90 games depending on health and the direction young guys go
Mark P
6:44
I'd put their win total a lot closer to 90 than 70 based on Terry Francona alone, plus the fact that last season might've been a Murphy's Law type of year, or the team just wasn't ready for increased expectations.

As someone who picked the 2024 Reds to make the playoffs (oops!), maybe I have a higher ceiling for the team that others.  But Cincinnati taking that expected step forward this year wouldn't be a surprise, especially in a division full of question marks.
Astros Outfield
6:44
Hi Mark, first off thank you for taking my question. It seems like these days we have to be crystal clear about giving our thanks, otherwise our intentions may be misconstrued. What's your opinion on the Astros outfield depth, and what's the most likely route they will upgrade and how far into the season will they have this "let's see what happens" mindset instead of adding at least league-average MLB talent?
Mark P
6:45
If Altuve can handle LF on a regular basis, their outfield picture suddenly looks a lot more stable.  It probably still leaves the door open for at least a fourth or platoon-type OF brought in closer to the deadline just to add more depth, but the Astros might move earlier if Altuve isn't acclimating well to outfield work.
Mike Trout
6:46
Will I ever get an at bat in the post season?
Mark P
6:47
You already had 15 plate appearances in the 2014 postseason, and now you want MORE?!
Alastor Moody
6:48
Better player to have never made an all star team: Tim Salmon or Juan Pierre?
Mark P
6:48
Salmon
Henry Dodger
6:48
If Luis Gil is out for a significant period, do the Yankees have enough depth to cover for the loss?
Mark P
6:49
In theory yes, since Stroman can just slide right into the rotation.  It would also be ironic if one of the younger guys pulled a 2024 Luis Gil by pitching well in place of 2025 Luis Gil.
Jim
6:50
Are you surprised there haven't been any big salary dump trades like Jordan Montgomery, Marcus Stroman, Taijuan Walker, or any number of Cardinals?
Mark P
6:51
Somewhat, though it's a lot easier to speculate about "bad contract swaps" than it is to complete them.

As many execs have observed, this winter is tricky since just about every team thinks it can be competitive in 2025.  And the few that are clearly rebuilding (i.e. Miami, the White Sox) are loath to spend money.
Caz
6:53
I saw a wild rumor about Vlad Guerrero to the Red Sox for Tristan Casas Wilbur Abreu ...any legs with this one?..
Mark P
6:53
  1. The Jays aren't trading Guerrero
  2. The Jays aren't trading Guerrero to the Red Sox, in particular
MLB Fan
6:54
Why do people keep thinking the Padres are going to trade Cease to the Braves? If it was a possibility, it would have happened by now. The Braves do not have strong enough prospects to package for a trade, and the Braves won't trade for him unless they have a 100% certainty they will be able to extend him.
Mark P
6:54
Feels like the ship has sailed on the possibility of a Cease trade, since the Padres now seem ready to roll with current roster in the hopes of capturing a ring
SP Depth
6:56
Phillies with Painter working back and with Luzardo under control, there is flexibility to move Suarez if they need an impact bat. Would they move him over prospects?
Mark P
6:57
This is another move that probably would've already happened by now, if it had been close at any point.  There was some (idle) speculation that the Phils might've tried to add Suarez to a Castellanos or Walker trade package to get their contracts off the books, but as noted earlier, those types of deals are hard to swing
KC Pain
6:58
Can the Guardians really make it work with low offense and low end pitching playing up? Lively another year? Cecconi somehow for Naylor gonna turn it around? Bieber healthy, etc.?
Mark P
6:59
I tend to think Cleveland will be competitive again, but it'll be tough to hold off improving teams like the Tigers or Royals.  Especially since I don't think the Guardians did much to obviously make their lineup better, and a good case can be made that it'll be worse
Bzzzz
6:59
Bees?
Mark P
6:59
Beads?!
Tommy Nickels
7:02
If Cubs can’t sign Tuck to a long term deal, do they pivot to Guerrero Jr.?
Mark P
7:02
Guerrero is younger and might have an even higher asking price than Tucker, so that doesn't seem like a fit for the Cubs if they're working within some kind of ownership mandated payroll limit
CardsMan
7:04
Is Bloom the right man for the job in STL?
Mark P
7:05
Hard to say, since his tenure in Boston was so tricky to evaluate.  It could be that Bloom will, uh, bloom in a new environment when he has full control over a front office, rather than inheriting a largely set operation in Boston
Giants
7:09
Would the giants be talked about differently if they were in a different division. Say the nl central
Mark P
7:09
Absolutely
Cool Mama Bell
7:10
Are you surprised that Kyle Gibson remains unsigned?
Mark P
7:12
A little, since teams always need to cover innings.  But, veteran innings-eater types like Gibson seem to have less value than ever, as front offices feel they can make up those innings with relievers, and want to save rotation spots for more higher-upside arms.

I wonder if the Cardinals' plan was to pivot back to re-sign Gibson after dealing a starter this winter, because the Cardinals changed course and didn't trade anyone
Jim
7:12
Who ya got for Best Picture: Anora? Conclave? Does Dylan steal it?
Mark P
7:13
I've seen only three of the nominees, so I'm not qualified to judge at this point.  Anora was far and away the best of the three I saw, however, with Conclave/The Substance being the others.
Jim C
7:13
Is it too late for people like Gibson and Lynn to end up on an Opening Day roster?
Load More Messages
Connecting…