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Mark P
8:09
Sunday night, and it's time for some baseball chat!  We'll let the queue build up and then get to some questions....
AJ Glick
8:10
Is there a chance Madrigal beats out Wisdom, Morel, and Rios for the starting 3B job?
Mark P
8:11
I'm doubtful there actually is a "starter," per se, unless one of that group really breaks out.  The Cubs will probably give everyone ABs, with Rios having some edge as the only left-handed bat of that group
CTemp
8:12
How realistic is a Soto extension next offseason post Machado extension. Padres have a lot of money coming off the books next offseason..
Soto money
8:12
Do you think the padres go after extending Soto first or try to tie up snell+hader?
Mark P
8:14
While some short-term money is coming off the books, the Padres also have to understandably think about locking down Soto to yet another major deal with Machado, Bogaerts, Tatis, Darvish, and Musgrove (and Suarez, to a lesser dollar figure) all in the fold.  Tying up such a big portion of the payroll in just a handful of players may not be feasible, unless Padres ownership really is prepared to keep spending in the top tier for a long while to come
8:15
Given the Machado extension, my hunch is that Soto might be let walk, in no small part also because Boras clients generally test the market.  So, unless the Padres give Soto a record-breaking contract right now, Soto/Boras will want to see if such a landmark deal is available in free agency.
Dk
8:15
Thoughts on the quickness of games so far? Blink and you miss two outs!
Mark P
8:16
It's a nice pace, and what's cool is that it's not some abnormal pace.  There have always been quicker games over the course of a season, it's just that there have been relatively fewer of them (especially in recent years)
Still very early in this new era, but so far so good!!
Let’s go John Angelos
8:17
Do the comments from Angelos mean anything in regard to extensions of Adley and Gunnar?
Mark P
I assume you mean the payroll-related comments, and to be fair, Angelos didn't say the O's weren't willing or able to spend.  Even in his citation of teams like the Rays, Brewers, or Guardians, all of those clubs have been able to lock up young talent to extensions
PiratesFan1981
8:20
What’s the newest on the A’s? I read Mandfred doesn’t believe there is a solution between Oakland and the A’s. Can the commissioner and MLB intervene and allow the A’s to break the lease with Oakland to move to Las Vegas, per se?
Mark P
8:21
The lease is up after the 2024 season, so the A's wouldn't need to break anything to make a relatively quick exit to a new city.

There haven't been a ton of new details yet on an Oakland ballpark, as the city/county/state all seem to be working through considerable layers of red tape.  It remains to be seen if this Howard Terminal project will become a reality, and at this point, I'd lean towards the A's playing elsewhere in 2025
Mozman
8:21
Jordan Walker ROY
Mark P
8:22
Ha, the hype train has already started after today's performance, eh?  That said, nobody should be surprised if Walker is in the ROY discussion by season's end
Jurickson Profar
8:22
Am I gonna become this year's Conforto?
Mark P
8:23
Unless Profar has suffered some notable injury we don't know about, nope
Mr.Plow
8:24
Where are the padres getting all this money to sign players? Weren’t they considered small market years ago. Now they have acquired players like the Yankees did when George was running the team.
Mark P
8:26
San Diego is considered a smaller market in the broader baseball sense, but it isn't exactly a "small market" in terms of corporate support in SoCal.  Plus, it has been pointed out by many people that the Padres are able to garner all of that available support as San Diego's only team in the four major sports.

Between that revenue, higher ticket and merch sales, ownership's own resources, and other money coming in (i.e. league TV and BAMtech deals), the Padres have plenty of cash on hand, and they're choosing to redirect it towards payroll.  Are they actually losing money in this push to be competitive?  Only the team knows for certain, but at least for now, ownership doesn't care
Jays for days
8:27
Pearson 101 again today. Now that he is confirmed a reliever, is he finally going to make an impact?
Mark P
8:28
Health is the biggest factor for Pearson.  If he is able to avoid injury, he might have a very nice second act as a high-leverage reliever.
Joseph
8:28
I know its early in spring ofc, but how much stock do you put in spring training numbers? It seems like every year there are guys that put up huge numbers but it does not replicate to the reg season
Mark P
8:29
I put little to no stock in preseason numbers.  Every single year, for every player whose spring numbers reflect his regular season performance, you get another player or two whose results vary wildly
Kevin
8:29
I cannot help but believe the Cards will circle back to check in on Soto at the deadline. I can’t help but believe the Padres will want to replenish their younger players at some point and the Cards can accommodate that thru a trade.
Mark P
8:31
This isn't totally inconceivable, but only if the Padres are somewhat struggling.  If they're cruising towards a playoff spot, I find it hard to believe that they'd make some major shakeup like a Soto deal (especially to a Cardinals team they might be facing in a couple of months in the postseason).
SD moving Soto next winter might be more realistic, if a Soto trade happens at all
Ivica Zubac
8:31
Who's gonna win the NBA Finals?
Mark P
8:32
The Bucks are my pick if everyone is healthy.  Denver or Boston also have a shot, you can't count out Golden State, and I think I'd be surprised if it was anyone else in the Finals
Enjoying the changes
8:33
It seems like teams are going to need even more pitching depth with the changes. I think pitchers will get tired working at that pace. Deep bullpens and contact hitters are the way to go. I’m happy to see more of an attention put on hitting (not just homering), defense and base running. It’s almost like it was meant to be played this way.
Mark P
8:34
Since the pitch clock has been used in the minors already, we've already got some pitchers who are familiar with the pace.  But you're right, it's possible some veteran arms might need some adjustment time, or their conditioning could be a factor as the season wears on
SODO MOJO
8:34
Kelenic hit 2 beautiful looking bombs today. Over/under .400 batting average for Jar Bear this year?
Mark P
8:35
I hate to make wild hot takes in these chats, but I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that Kelenic will hit under .400 this season.
fed up in KC
8:35
How long will I have to wait for a contending team in Kansas City? Will it be another 30 years?
Mark P
8:37
At least your football team is great!

In a more serious answer, the Royals have some interesting young talent, but not enough of them have broken out to date.  The change in leadership might have been necessary to get some fresh ideas into the club, and help smooth the path for these important young cornerstones.  A breakout in 2023 wouldn't be a total shock, even if I think 2024 is more realistic
Darth Taber
8:38
In terms of win totals compared to last year, the most improved team this year will be             ?
Mark P
8:38
Texas.  They were probably bound to improve just by dint of sheer luck, since their record in one-run games was so poor last season.  But, they've done a lot to improve their pitching staff.
Spud
8:40
Will Steve Cohen's actions finally cause MLB to level the playing field for everyone?
Mark P
8:40
It seems like the Padres' spending is causing a lot more consternation among owners than the Mets' spending
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