Mark P<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s open up the Weekend Chat! We\u2019ll delve into the bees, beads, and baseball after we get a few questions in the queue\u2026<\/p>\n
BhamBrave<\/p>\n
What sort of deal is Marcel Ozuna looking at after this season?<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
One year, worth maybe around $10MM or so?<\/p>\n
He\u2019s entering his age-35 season, and is coming off a solid year that has seen him greatly increase his walk rate, even as his other numbers are basically all down from 2024.\u00a0\u00a0(Though still above average.)\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s a DH-only player, and his past off-the-field issues will also limit his market to some extent.<\/p>\n
Kyle Schwarber<\/p>\n
Do you think i\u2019ll resign with Philly?<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
Yes.\u00a0\u00a0The Phillies have shown a tendency to retain their favored internal free agents, and Schwarber is beloved by everyone from ownership on down.<\/p>\n
intl signings<\/p>\n
What is a better strategy in the intl signing period- sign one top prospect using most of your pool or sign a few second tier guys and spread the risk ?\u00a0\u00a0Should you alternate the two strategies ?<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
It\u2019s hard to say since the international market is such a crapshoot.\u00a0\u00a0When dealing with prospects at such a young age, it\u2019s so hard to view a kid as such a \u201csure thing\u201d that it\u2019s worth committing most of your pool towards a signing.\u00a0\u00a0We\u2019ve seen plenty of highly-touted int\u2019l signings over the years fizzle out in the minors, let alone in the big leagues.<\/p>\n
Rockies Fans<\/p>\n
It appears on paper we\u2019re beginning to see a core group developing in Colorado: Hunter Goodman, Brenton Doyle, Ezequiel Tovar, Jordan Beck, Warming Bernabel, Kyle Karros, and Mickey Moniak.<\/p>\n
Rockies future<\/p>\n
Are we beginning to see a young core develop in Colorado?<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
The Rockies have quietly played some respectable baseball over the last month or so, giving them a chance of avoiding the single-season loss record. I wouldn\u2019t say the team is exactly on the right track since the organizational structure will always hold the Rockies back, but there are a few slivers of hope for the future<\/p>\n
Blue Jays fan<\/p>\n
would you consider giving Berrios a rest with an IL stint now that Bieber is ready to pitch?<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
As Billy Eppler could tell you, teams can\u2019t just put a guy on the IL for non-specific injury reasons.\u00a0\u00a0I suspect that when Bieber is ready, the Jays will just go to a six-man rotation to give everyone extra rest days.
\nKeep in mind that these plans can always turn on a dime.\u00a0\u00a0The Phillies thought they had a six-man rotation all lined up just over 24 hours ago, before the news broke about Wheeler<\/p>\n
Dub<\/p>\n
Mark: Good evening. Is Jacob Marsee a present and future fixture in the Marlins outfit rls?<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
Based on speed and defense alone, it\u2019s looking this way.\u00a0\u00a0The book on Marsee was whether he can hit enough to stick as a regular outfielder, and the early returns have been obviously incredible.
\nNobody should go crazy over an early-career hot streak, since Marsee \u201cprobably\u201d isn\u2019t the next Willie Mays.\u00a0\u00a0But he\u2019s absolutely doing enough to win himself a job for the foreseeable future<\/p>\n
Sad Reds Fan<\/p>\n
Tell me why I shouldn\u2019t be completely disheartened by our performance this weekend. Should\u2019ve swept the Brewers, instead looked like we never played baseball before<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
Winning one game against the hottest team in baseball is no mean feat.\u00a0\u00a0I think the Reds just caught the wrong team at the wrong time, hence the series loss.<\/p>\n
A\u2019s<\/p>\n
The A\u2019s couldn\u2019t fix Cusick either as a starter or reliever.\u00a0\u00a0Why would they claim his former college teammate Shuster who was also a Braves #1 pick the year before ?\u00a0\u00a0Shuster has better control, but doesn\u2019t throw hard enough so what are they thinking ?.<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
It costs the Athletics almost literally nothing to claim Shuster and take a look at him.\u00a0\u00a0For a rebuilding team in need of pitching, why not take a flier on a guy and see if you can find a fix?<\/p>\n
Mark<\/p>\n
Red Sox will need another higher end starter in the off season. Of Gore, Ryan and Alcantara who do you think makes the most sense for them if they can swing a deal?<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
The Sox and Twins had some talks about Ryan already, with reports indicating that the two sides weren\u2019t particularly close on a deal.\u00a0\u00a0However, it could be that those talks laid some groundwork, and perhaps at least gave both sides some idea of what the other wants in such a deal.\u00a0\u00a0The Twins were reportedly prioritizing MLB-ready talent in trades, and while Boston wasn\u2019t willing to make such a move at the deadline, their perspective might be changed during the winter.<\/p>\n
Angel Fan<\/p>\n
Do you think Nolan Schanuel has a future ceiling of a Mark Grace like career?<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
I\u2019m going to say no, not out of disrespect to Schanuel but more out of respect to Grace\u2019s career.\u00a0\u00a0Grace was a terrific player for a long time, and it would be a huge success for Schanuel and the Angels if he can get even in the ballpark of a Grace-esque career<\/p>\n
McGonigle ETA?<\/p>\n
When do you think Kevin McGonigle will get to DET and why?<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
It would be quite surprising if he isn\u2019t in the big leagues before 2026 is over<\/p>\n
Redsfan<\/p>\n
Do you think the Reds pass the Mets and make the WC?<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
The two teams have a three-game series in Cincinnati in September and looms large.\u00a0\u00a0The Reds are up 2-1 so far this season for tiebreaker purposes.<\/p>\n
I think the Reds haven\u2019t been fully able to capitalize on the Mets\u2019 slide to this point, yet they have more momentum than New York at this point.\u00a0\u00a0On paper, the Mets should be able to get it together, but the chalk hasn\u2019t amounted to anything for them over the last several weeks.\u00a0\u00a0Frankly, I wouldn\u2019t even count out teams like the Cardinals, Giants, or D\u2019Backs from making a late run just yet.<\/p>\n
Also, every Mets has undoubtedly noticed that the Braves have quietly been red-hot over the last week<\/p>\n
Nancy\u2019s Friend Sluggo<\/p>\n
Dylan Cease has had a nightmare platform year. Does he sign a one-year pillow contract with a team that\u2019s good at fixing pitchers? Do you think he can get a second-year player option?<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
This looks like the classic case of a Scott Boras short-term contract with multiple opt-outs.\u00a0\u00a0Cease\u2019s secondary metrics are better than his ERA indicates, but you\u2019re right that he isn\u2019t exactly heading into free agency on a high note, unless he really turns it on in September.<\/p>\n
No NY baseball?<\/p>\n
How likely is it both NY teams are sitting at home in October?<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
Will both New York teams make the playoffs?<\/p>\n
Both make (32.6% | 199 votes)<\/p>\n
Both miss (26.8% | 164 votes)<\/p>\n
Yankees make, Mets miss (24.4% | 149 votes)<\/p>\n
Mets make, Yankees miss (16.0% | 98 votes)<\/p>\n
Total Votes: 610<\/p>\n
Bosox Fan 1<\/p>\n
Does time on the IL count as Major League service tim<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
Golfer<\/p>\n
Will the return of the injured Astros be enough to keep them in the playoffs?<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
My guess is that Houston makes it, since they\u2019ve done a terrific job of at least treading water with so many key players missing<\/p>\n
bobthebuilder<\/p>\n
Mike Elias has led the Orioles to 3 winning seasons in a row for the 1st time since the 70\u2019s. I think his leash has to be longer than this offseason. Are the cries to fire him overblown or are you getting into that camp?<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
Some serious questions need to be asked about the Orioles\u2019 roster-building, but overall, I lean more towards 2025 being a \u201cyear from hell\u201d than a sign that this team is going to spiral back into long-term irrelevance.<\/p>\n
My guess is that Elias has earned more time from ownership, but keep in mind that Rubenstein is still something of a wild card.\u00a0\u00a0Maybe he has a mind to hire his own GM to see what a fresh voice can do with all of the talent within the organization.<\/p>\n
Phree Phallin\u2019<\/p>\n
put aside the potential seriousness of the situation; big picture we all want wheeler just to get healthy. But purely baseball, if he\u2019s out for an extended period or the rest of the yr, does that cost the Phils making the playoffs with their inconsistent offense?<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
Philly is a virtual lock to make the playoffs, but losing Wheeler obviously is a huge blow to their chances of actually winning a championship.<\/p>\n
Boys in Blue<\/p>\n
Does the Dodgers\u2019 sweep of the Padres say more about the status of the Dodgers or Padres? Or neither?<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
It\u2019s another sign that the Dodgers aren\u2019t going anywhere.\u00a0\u00a0All the momentum in the world seemed to be on SD\u2019s side going into the series, but now the Dodgers have clinched the season series in emphatic fashion.<\/p>\n
6 into 4<\/p>\n
Assuming the Jays rotation stays injury free (big if of course) who are the going to the odd men out in the postseason?\u00a0\u00a0Presume Lauer will go to the pen despite the impressive season but who else of the other five will be dropped?<\/p>\n
Jesse Barfield\u2019s Arm<\/p>\n
Should Jays fans pump the breaks on presuming Bieber and Scherzer are locks for the 3 man rotation in Oct?\u00a0\u00a0Shane is still recovering from TJ and Mad Max is a thumb injury away from the 60 day IR.<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
The Blue Jays are in the odd position of both having \u201ctoo many\u201d starters on paper, and also having Gausman as the only one of those six guaranteed to be a playoff starter.\u00a0\u00a0As noted in these messages, Bieber hasn\u2019t pitched a big league game in over 16 months, Scherzer is an injury risk, Lauer is the easiest to transition to a relief role, and Berrios\/Bassitt have had their shares of shaky outings.<\/p>\n
The good news is that the Jays have several weeks to figure this out.\u00a0\u00a0Perhaps the situation solves itself in a positive way (two starters get red-hot in September and become obvious locks for a playoff rotation) or in a negative way (injuries, struggles, etc.)<\/p>\n
Canada<\/p>\n
Day for Night or Trouble At the Henhouse?<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
Dean<\/p>\n
Likely or unlikely that Rays new ownership moves on from Neander and Cash?\u00a0\u00a0I, for one, think it\u2019s time for a leadership change.<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
Reports indicate that the new owners are likely to keep everything intact in the baseball ops department, and with good reason.
\nIf the Rays actually let Neander or Cash go, both would find new jobs within minutes.<\/p>\n
Neto<\/p>\n
What does my extension look like?<\/p>\n
Mark P<\/p>\n
Neto is a Super Two player, and will only be arb-eligible for the first of four times this upcoming offseason.\u00a0\u00a0So with team control already established through 2029, the Angels might not feel the need to lock him up just yet.<\/p>\n