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Mark P
6:05
The Weekend Chat is here!  Let's take some questions as we hit the midway point of January....
Andrew Chafin
6:08
What team needs me the most and what team am I most likely to end up playing for this season?
Mark P
6:09
There hasn't been much public buzz about Chafin, which is a little strange since he was one of the better relievers on the free agent board this offseason.  The Cubs are the only team publicly linked to him so far, and they make a lot of sense given their need for more lefties.  Off the top of my head, the Mets also seem like a fit due to their similar lack of LH relief depth.
Chris
6:10
What will the white Sox do at 2b? I think they should trade for Sam haggerty
Mark P
6:11
That would be an interesting addition, but I'm not sure if Chicago necessarily sees Haggerty as a big upgrade over its current options.

I still tend to think the White Sox add someone new to the mix, and by that I mean someone more prominent than Hanser Alberto
Orioles pitching
6:11
Why have we not seen the Orioles more aggressive in getting starting pitching?  Is it still to soon or too many young arms to give a chance first?
Mark P
6:12
The O's entered the winter looking to spend, if not go wild with a huge payroll boost.  As such, given that the price of most pitching contracts went through the roof, Baltimore might've found itself priced out of a lot of targets.
6:13
Kyle Gibson was a reasonably inexpensive addition, if not a front-of-the-rotation type that Baltimore fans were hoping for.
Dave Roberts
6:14
Is Friedman going to get me another outfielder or am I going to start the season with Taylor, Outman and Betts in the outfield? That group doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence.
Mark P
6:16
Don't forget about Trayce Thompson, or Vargas playing some outfield, or Busch or Pages getting a longer look, or the veteran minor league contract brigade of Heyward, Zimmer, and Duggar.

To be fair, this isn't the depth that the Dodgers have had in the outfield over the last few years, so it wouldn't be surprising if they did bring another multi-position type (or maybe just a straight-up outfielder) into the mix before Opening Day.
Markus
6:16
What else do the blue jays need to do?
Mark P
6:18
While Zach Thompson adds to the Jays' list of fifth starter candidates (https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/01/mlbtr-poll-blue-jays-fifth-star...), I'd prefer to see a bit more of a sure thing added to the rotation.  I don't really consider pitchers like Hatch, Francis, or even Pearson to be real options, so they're kind of starting "depth" in name only.
Tim
6:19
Speaking of not a lot of confidence, are the Dodgers going to trot out there an infield of Muncy, Lux, Rojas, and Vargas?
Mark P
6:20
Uh, I think you left a certain star first baseman out of the infield mix there.  And within that group, again, you'll see Taylor, Busch, Eddys Leonard, etc. all factor into things
Chaim Bloom Burner
6:21
Who do you think that I can get for the least amount of money
Mark P
6:22
I'd be willing to play for just a Major League minimum salary.
Jesse
6:22
How likely is Manny Machado to opt out this offseason?
Mark P
6:24
Machado is owed $150MM from 2024-28, and if he had another Machado-esque season, he'll earn well beyond five/$150MM on the open market.  I'd say it's very likely he opts out, unless the Padres work out a deal beforehand where Machado agrees to forego the opt-out for a few extra lucrative years tacked onto his deal
Vegasborn
6:25
Why does it seem like the same teams always sign the top international prospects? I’m an angels fan and I don’t think we’ve ever signed a top international prospect ranked in the top 20
Mark P
6:26
Some teams just simply have a better int'l scouting and development structure in place than others.
Craig
6:26
What the heck are the Rays doing (or not doing)? They need bats and have plenty to offer but no major moves for an embarrassing offense.please give me hope!
Mark P
6:27
I've written this before, but the Rays always seemed like a team that would upgrade via trades rather than via free agency, for both payroll and strategic reasons.  Now that most of the biggest free agents are off the board, teams with holes to fill are more prone to pick up the phone and talk trade, so the Rays should have plenty of opportunity to land the hitter or two that they need
Farhan
6:28
Should I sign a first baseman? Adam Duvall looks good to me!!
Mark P
6:29
Duvall hasn't played first base since 2018, so I doubt he's exactly at the top of the Giants' wishlist
Cheating?
6:29
I read that Devers only counts for $17 million against the cap this year and his extension money starts in 2024. This can't be correct, right? Otherwise, you could sign a bunch of 1 year contracts varying the amount.
Mark P
6:30
It is correct, and the league would certainly crack on any team that tried to get too clever with dodging CBT payments.  For just a one-year situation like Devers, it's fine.
bravesfansince1966
6:30
Would the Braves have interest in Andrew Chafin?
Mark P
6:31
He'd certainly help the bullpen, but I suspect Atlanta might be done with any major reliever additions, unless Chafin's asking price drops
Brewers
6:32
Do the brewers trade Lauer or Houser
Mark P
6:34
Woodruff, Burnes, Lauer and Houser are all free agents after 2024, and obviously Milwaukee isn't extending or re-signing all of them.  There's a chance the Brewers deal one of Lauer/Houser now to address other needs, and then explore a Burnes or Woodruff deal more seriously next winter....or perhaps this summer at the deadline, if the club isn't in contention
Mack
6:35
On the Orioles, it seems they could have added some good clubhouse veterans that would have both increased win probability and taught the kids.  They have plenty of money.  Do you think this is an opportunity lost?
Mark P
6:36
Frazier, Gibson, and McCann are veterans who could fill that clubhouse mentor role.  Plus, it's still only January 15....there are a lot of veterans still available that could be brought in on shorter-term deals, who can help the O's both on the field and in the clubhouse
Julius
6:36
I don't understand the Mets' obsession with "brand" talent (e.g. Correa, Machado) when they keep talking about the farm at the same position (Baty, Mauricio). Is there an actual plan or is it just outspend everyone?
Mark P
6:37
The Mets want to win now.  Period.  Baty and Mauricio are good prospects and the Mets would love to see them blossom into reliable big league regulars, but given the team's desire for immediate success, naturally the Mets will explore proven stars rather than wait and see on youngsters.
Pat Gillick
6:38
My understanding is that Corbin Carroll & Gabriel Moreno are approximately rated the same as prospects by Baseball America etc.  That being the case, why weren’t the Jays able to do an even up deal for Carroll vs adding Guriel and only getting Varsho?   Overpay?
Mark P
6:39
Carroll is probably seen as a safer prospect since catchers have a higher attrition rate than outfielders.  That might've been the reason why Carroll was the one outfielder Arizona was adamant about keeping.
BhamBrave
6:40
Since MLB and MLBPA didn't work out the Qualifying Offer/International Draft thing last year, will we have the existing QO arrangement through the rest of this CBA, or could they still work something out?
Mark P
6:41
I believe the QO/international signing rules will now remain in effect for the rest of the CBA.  That said, if the players union suddenly changed their minds and were open to an int'l draft, the two sides would figure out a way to get things changed sooner
Cal Naughton, Jr
6:41
Will St. Louis offer Flaherty more than the qualifying off at the end of the season?
Mark P
6:42
If Flaherty pitches well during the season, I'm sure the front office will engage his camp about an extension, but by that point Flaherty might prefer to test the market.

Some might say it's even a make or break year for Flaherty!  Self-promotional plug:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/01/make-or-break-year-jack-flahert...
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