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Mark P
8:16
It's a baseball chat on the weekend, so logically, it must be the Weekend Chat.  Let's take some questions!
Trey B
8:17
do you anticipate a 2026 lockout?
Mark P
8:18
Yes.  The fact that there is already (or, maybe more accurately, "still") a lot of unrest amongst owners about the game's finances, it doesn't bode well for the next set of CBA talks
Kevin
8:18
Will the Cards target a “big name” at the deadline as they did in Soto last year?
Mark P
8:19
Probably, though given the Cardinals' success at finding so-called smaller-name veterans at the deadline, landing a star doesn't seem to be a necessity
WhiteSoxFan
8:19
I feel a lot better about slotting Andrus in at 2B and in the 9 spot every day. Great culture fit too. Underrated aspect was who would’ve been the backup SS without him? Great value at $3M.
Mark P
8:20
It seemed like an obvious enough fit that I kind of wonder why it took so long for Andrus and the Sox to line up a deal.  But, both sides might've wanted to first explore as many options as possible, and might've mutually seen each other as a fallback plan
Joshua
8:21
Do you think the redsox will finish with a 500 record this upcoming season?  Or fight for a wild card spot possibly?
Mark P
8:22
I wouldn't be surprised at either scenario.  The Red Sox have demonstrated a knack for bouncing back with quality seasons (or even championship seasons) after subpar years.
Tony Fernandez Forever
8:23
I keep hearing the Blue Jays talk about Kikuchi bouncing back this season & having a lot of upside. As a Jays fan, I look at his track record and see one good half of pitching in his career, the first half of 2021. I don't have the same optimism as the Jays front office and have serious concerns as him as the #5 starter. Am I wrong to be concerned?
Mark P
8:25
There's plenty of reason to be concerned, which is why Toronto has White, Hutchison, Zach Thompson lined up as depth options.  Plus, by season's end, the Jays certainly hope a healthy Ryu or perhaps Ricky Tiedemann will be in the mix
Gary
8:26
Will Shane Bieber be traded by Cleveland at the deadline this summer?
Mark P
8:27
Only if the Guardians totally fall out of contention
Closer
8:27
Who will be the Angels opening day closer?
Mark P
8:29
Speculation on my part, but I think Herget will emerge as closer as the season goes on.  I'm not sure the Halos will have a set closer to begin things, as they'll give Herget, Estevez, and probably Moore and others a shot at save situations
Redhaze
8:30
With talk of expansion, would it not make more sense for the A’s to relocate to Nashville?
Mark P
8:31
The Nashville group seems to have an ownership team lined up, whereas there hasn't been any indication that John Fisher actually wants to sell the A's.  

Maybe if the Vegas relocation plan falls through and a new ballpark deal isn't struck in Oakland, Fisher might throw his hands up and cash out.
Jed
8:33
Would Happ, Brennan Davis, Kevin Alcantra, and Jordan Wicks be enough for Manny
Mark P
8:34
Machado?!  No, not even close.  Plus, the Padres aren't going to turn around and trade Machado just before a season where they're clearly going all-in on a World Series bid
Lucas
8:35
How worried should Brewers fans be after hearing Corbin Burnes comments about how his arb process went
Mark P
8:36
I've said in this chat before that of Burnes, Woodruff, or Adames, at most one will be signed to a contract extension.  So realistically, Brewers fans probably shouldn't be too worried about Burnes leaving since there was only a minor chance anyway that he would've stayed with the team
JCC
8:37
Did the Mets make a mistake not adding another dependable lefty to their bullpen?
Mark P
8:38
On paper, you'd think a team would want more than one southpaw in the bullpen.  Then again, TJ McFarland is in camp on a minors deal and could make the club.  Or, the Mets might again stick with one primary LHP in the bullpen and make an in-season add if a big need arises
John
8:39
Orioles ownership is really gonna blow this wave of talent, aren’t they?
Mark P
8:40
I realize that John Angelos' comments may not have exactly energized the fanbase, yet it's unfair to say that the Orioles have in any way "wasted" a wave of talent that hasn't even truly emerged.
Scott
8:40
Is a salary cap ever a serious topic for MLB.
Mark P
8:41
The league and the owners would desperately love a cap, but it's a complete non-starter for the players union.  The luxury tax system is as far as they'll go
PadresFan9800
8:42
Should Padres play Soto in '23, go for a Title and than Trade him after 2023 to recoup some of the top young players they gave up to get him?!  And, should the Padres let Manny Machado walk after the season, move Baegarts to 3B, and get ready for top prospect Jackson Merrill @ SS. No use loading the team with "anchor contracts"...
Mark P
8:44
Given how committed the Padres are to winning, it's hard to see them having a competitive or championship season, and then parting ways with both Machado AND Soto in rapid succession.

It certainly seems possible that Machado will test free agency again, and potentially leave San Diego.  Certainly the Soto trade and the Bogaerts signing were the Padres' way of planning for this scenario, so some starpower remains if Machado did depart
Oscar
8:44
You think Mariners sign Teoscar to a long term deal or let him walk after the season
Mark P
8:47
I'd be a little surprised to see a Teoscar extension happen soon (as in, during Spring Training) since the Mariners probably have some of the same reservations about his long-term viability that the Jays did.  

Kelenic and Trammell are factors here, since if at least one of them establishes himself as an MLB regular in 2023, the Mariners might feel they have the outfield depth to let Teoscar walk, and they can obtain another shorter-term addition for 2024.  Or, if Hernandez has a huge season this year, maybe the M's just embrace him as a great fit and lock him up
I'd also be remiss if I didn't at least mention Ohtani's name here, in case Seattle is holding back on any big-money deals with an eye towards making a heavy run at Ohtani next winter
Guest
8:48
DJ LeMahieu is a backup/utility player?   Behind Donaldson ..why
Mark P
8:49
DJLM will play pretty much every day at one position or another, and I suspect the bulk of that time will come at 3B at Donaldson's expense.
Kim Ng
8:50
should I still give up what it takes for Reynolds now that Jazz is in CF?
Mark P
8:51
Acquiring Reynolds might be an all-in move (judging by the Pirates' sky-high asking price) for a team that isn't necessarily approaching 2023 as an all-in year.  Plus, moving Lopez already thinned out the rotation....since landing Reynolds would further cost the Marlins at least one MLB-ready arm, upgrading the lineup might come at the cost of suddenly weakening the pitching staff.
Andy
8:54
Yanks can’t really go with German in fifth spot for most of season can they!?
Mark P
8:55
The Cortes injury is a bigger issue for the Yankees since that thins out the depth even further, but there are a lot worse options for a fifth starter out there than German
Big Fan
8:56
Jared Walsh for Ha Seong Kim. Who says no?
Mark P
8:56
Padres, since why trade for a guy coming off TOS surgery?
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