You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
MLBTR Live Chat
powered byJotCast
Mark P
7:51
After a couple of weeks of scheduling issues, the Weekend Chat is back!  Next week's chat might also be at a different time due to the draft, but for now, let's dive into some questions....
Kim Ng
7:51
Who should I target to go to the playoffs? Who should I relinquish?
Mark P
7:52
Lineup depth is a must, particularly in the infield.  As unlikely as this would've sounded before the season, the Marlins could also use some pitching, given their injuries in the rotation, Eury Perez's probable innings cap, and Sandy's struggles.
Not a top-tier arm, but an innings-eating starter type might be a nice boost for Miami
Ed
7:53
Cards will dominate trade deadline?
Mark P
7:54
Potentially, if they're both buying (for 2024, not necessarily the far future) and selling.  They can operate on a lot of different levels and there's no shortage of possible moves out there.

Like many have said, the Cards aren't going to blow it up.  They want to return to contention as early as next season.
JJ Picollo
7:54
Why did I part with Chapman this early? Why not the package deal with Barlow that was reported?
Mark P
7:55
It could be that the Royals wanted to sell high on Chapman early, in case he got hurt or he started to struggle between now and the deadline.  In moving Barlow and Chapman in separate deals, the Royals will likely end up getting a larger return than they would've from sending both Barlow and Chapman to Texas (or in a package elsewhere)
Perry Caravello
7:56
Bees?
Mark P
7:56
Beads?!
Luke
7:56
  1. if you’re picking 1.1 in the draft, are you taking Paul Skenes or Dylan Crews?
  2. When drafting, the Pirates typically look for under slot deals (like Henry Davis was). How likely could this lead to them selecting someone like Skenes, or even Langford first overall to get them under slot, rather than Crews?
Mark P
7:59
Being a vastly underqualified college scout, both pitchers have a lot of upside to me, so there isn't necessarily a "wrong" answer for the Pirates.  All things considered I'd lean towards Skenes, but Crews would also be a justifiable and solid pick.

Picking someone else at 1-1 can't be ruled out, but there seems to be enough of a consensus that the LSU pitchers are the top two picks that the Pirates would have to really love another prospect to make that alternative choice.  They'd get criticized for being "cheap," but then again if they truly like another player more than Skenes or Crews, can't blame them for going for it
Sox
7:59
The Reds need starting pitching help obviously….are the younger guys in the system enough to get a quality SP…like maybe Jay Allen, Acuna, Hector Rodriguez, maybe Rece Hinds after his recent 🔥 streak? I don’t like the idea of trading CES, or guys like Conner Phillips or Chase Petty.
Mark P
8:00
I'd be pretty surprised if CES is moved, but the Reds could have enough minor league that they can offer a tempting package of "both" a big league-ready type of prospect as well as one or two longer-term assets. It all depends on what the trade partner is looking for, or how they've evaluated certain prospects in Cincy's farm system
8:01
It should be noted that the Reds aren't going to go all in at the deadline this year, since they see 2023 as (hopefully) the first of several seasons in contention.  So a big blockbuster swap for an ace pitcher probably isn't happening.
Deke
8:02
Going back to spring training expectations, who is the most surprising all star in the NL and AL?
Mark P
8:02
Soler and Rooker stand out
A's fan
8:02
With the All Star Game selections announced, I would've loved to see Esteury Ruiz make the team just to enter as a pinch runner. 42 stolen bases at this point is just awesome
Mark P
8:03
I was a little surprised Rooker made it over Ruiz for this very reason.  Rooker has severely cooled off since the first month of the season, whereas Ruiz is still a constant threat on the bases.
Rob
8:04
Jays offence has been a struggle nearly all year.  Each individual player is pretty good though.  Is there an acquisition that would make sense?
Mark P
8:05
Acquire a starting second baseman, preferably a left-handed hitter.  Getting a 2B who plays every day pushes Merrifield into a part-time role, pushes Biggio and Espinal into strict bench roles, and pushes Clement to the minors
The Jays are in a tough spot since by the numbers, most of their hitters are doing pretty well.  It's just that they all completely vanish with runners in scoring position, leading to a lack of actual offense.
Skenes or Crews?
8:06
Did you misspeak?  Crews is an OF…
Mark P
8:07
I did misspeak, twice over in that post, as it happens.  Unless Crews is the next Ohtani, yes, he is an outfielder
Ryan S.
8:07
Why haven't Girsch and Mo signed Montgomery already? Would you personally make changes in the front office? Or do fans overreact?
Mark P
8:09
Montgomery might not want to sign an extension this close to free agency, when he'll be pulling in what looks to be a major payday on the open market.  

I think St. Louis fans are right to be upset over this season, since it's been such a drastic disappointment.  While some of the criticism of the Cards have been a bit over the top in the past given how successful the team has generally been, this season has been a total misfire.  That being said, Mozeliak and company have a strong enough track record and I wouldn't clean house after one poor year, but if 2024 is also a struggle....
DD
8:10
What are the odds Lane Thomas gets moved?
Mark P
8:11
Pretty solid. Jesse Dougherty recently wrote a good argument for why Thomas could or should be dealt, since he's a prime trade asset and the Nats are still a ways away from competing....

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/06/29/lane-thomas-nationals...
Ethan
8:12
Instead of Andrew McCutchen, for the Texas Rangers, calling the Padres for a Nelson Cruz reunion seems like it would cost nothing for Texas.
Mark P
8:13
As fun as a Cruz return to Arlington would be, he isn't hitting particularly well, and the Rangers would seemingly want a more surefire upgrade
Mr baseball
8:13
What team is the most frustrating to watch ?
Mark P
8:13
Mets, Padres, Cardinals fans, make your cases!
Alex A
8:14
It’s great having 8 All Stars but what should I focus on going into the trade deadline?
Mark P
8:15
Fried and Wright should theoretically fill in the rest of the rotation, but pitching in general obviously helps.  The Braves will probably add at least one bullpen arm for more depth.  Probably a bench bat as well.

Atlanta's in the nice position of not really "needing" anything at the moment, with the proviso that Fried and Wright indeed return healthy and in good form.
Chris
8:16
Does Urias take a 1 year deal and try to rebound and get a big contract for 2025?
Mark P
8:17
With three months left, there's plenty of time for Urias to pitch well and set himself up nicely for a big multi-year contract.  That said, if he only pitches okay, accepting a qualifying offer might be a feasible plan.
TheGuard
8:18
Doesn't it make sense for Cleveland to trade Bieber regardless? There's no way they're going to resign him after 2024 and so many teams are needy for an SP and Guardians have a lot of holes(relievers, OF, power).
Mark P
8:19
It's always seemed likely that Bieber would be dealt, it was just a question of whether it would be at this deadline or during the offseason.  With the Guardians still in contention and McKenzie's health a question mark, I'd still lean towards the club waiting until the winter to move Bieber.

Dealing him now puts a lot of extra pressure on Quantrill, Civale, and the youngsters going into a playoff stretch.
Carlos Estevez
8:20
How bad was I snubbed from the All Star game?
Mark P
8:21
There will be enough players missing due to injuries that Estevez will surely end up in the game
Load More Messages
Connecting…