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Mark P
8:01
Things were too busy on the news front to launch a chat last Sunday, but with a quieter (jinxing it now) night seemingly in store, the Weekend Chat will make its triumphant return. Let's take some questions...
Guest
8:03
Do you think Judge can keep this up and what do you think his numbers will be for the year
Mark P
8:04
As long as he stays healthy, there's no reason to believe Judge doesn't have another all-world season in store.  He's not hitting 62 homers again, but a 50+ season is definitely realistic
MLBTR’s #4 fan
8:04
Do you still see the cardinals as sellers at the deadline if they are a .500 team? If so, who do you think gets traded.
Mark P
8:06
This statement could be made about the Cardinals about lots of other teams right now, but a .500 record at the deadline might still keep St. Louis in the playoff picture.  There is so much parity in the NL that it's too soon to write off anyone besides Miami and Colorado
8:07
I think the Cards in particular would have to be decidedly out of it to consider doing any heavy selling, since last year's disaster has the organization extra motivated to contend and hopefully return to the playoffs
Jason
8:07
Will the tigers be buyers? If so what do you see them acquiring?
Mark P
8:08
In a word, hitting.  Depending on how they approach Torkelson, I can see Detroit picking up a short-term 1B bat to add some pop to the lineup.  Another bat in the outfield would also help, with Vierling getting more time then at 3B if he stays hot
Brian O
8:09
The trade market seems murky because the NL has so many mediocre teams. O
Mark P
8:10
Bingo.  It'll be at least another month before we have a clearer picture of buyers and sellers
Guest
8:10
Will the nationals be sellers again?
Mark P
8:12
See my answer about the Cardinals, since Washington right now is in the midst of a playoff race. While I don't think they're going to abandon their rebuild plans to take a shot at a wild card, I could see the Nationals try to both buy in some limited fashion and perhaps sell some of the shorter-term veterans they intended to move heading into the season.

It's a tough needle to thread, admittedly.  Plus there's also the x-factor of what James Wood might bring to the table when he's eventually called up
Bronx Johnny
8:13
Is Juan Soto being foolish by refusing to sign an extension? His massive payday was almost blown up by injury. If I’m Cashman, I offer him $400 million right now and I bet he takes it.
Mark P
8:14
Keep in mind that Soto has already banked $80MM in his career, so he has the financial security to bet on himself.  Soto isn't taking any extension that doesn't begin at at least $500MM.
Guest
8:16
Whats up with Kyle Tucker in Houston?
Mark P
8:16
He's hurt, though seemingly not with any kind of a major injury.  He should be back in a week or so
Guest
8:16
Odds Houston trades tucker?
Mark P
8:18
Ohhh, this might be what you meant by "what's up with Tucker"

I'd say pretty slim.  Dana Brown is on record as saying that he sees the team being buyers at the deadline, so Houston would have to completely fall apart for the team to change its direction in such a drastic way.  Remember that trading Tucker is also a big move for 2025 as well as the rest of 2024, and entering more of a rebuild rather than a reload likely isn't something the Astros want to pursue
Pitcher
8:19
How does a player like Arozarena get evaluated when offense across the league is down?
Mark P
8:20
Advanced metrics beyond just the bottom-line numbers. For instance, Arozarena's barrel rates and hard-hit ball rates have drastically dropped since last season, so there's more to his specific decline than just "well, pitching is better"
Pitcher
8:21
What's it going to cost the Braves to trade for the time machine to go back and save Strider and Acuña's seasons?
Mark P
8:21
Doc Brown isn't giving up the DeLorean at any price, but Marty could be swayed by a (surprisingly thin) almanac of 50 years of sports results
Guest
8:22
Should Cubs pursue Alonso or Vlad?
Mark P
8:22
Alonso is more clear-cut trade candidate, even though the Mets are yet another NL team still on the outskirts of the wild card race
wendmill
8:25
The Braves seem to be in a nosedive and it does not seem its just due to the loss of Acuna and Strider.  What can they hope to do in the near future in terms of trades to turn things around or is it just the fact that their explosive offense is just not hitting, or a combination of things?
Oz
8:25
How confident are you that the Braves offense gets untracked at some point this season?
Mark P
8:27
I'm not the first to write this, but it could be that the Atlanta's everyday players are starting to feel the effects of playing almost literally every day.  The Braves so rarely use their bench and therefore put so much extra (and unnecessary?) wear and tear on their regulars that it might just be catching up to them
8:29
Naturally there's a catch-22 in sitting guys because now the Braves need those stars more often if they're going to catch up to Philly.  But, given the mediocre state of the rest of the NL, I don't think it would really hurt Atlanta to give their regulars more of a break, to keep them fresher for the stretch run and into October
Sun
8:30
Masyn Winn an extension candidate?
Mark P
8:31
He's been playing really well for a month now, and looks like the kind of future star the Cards were expecting to get.  I'd certainly think St. Louis would be open to talking extension, if Winn's camp is up for it.
Baseball Fan
8:32
Do Tigers trade Skubal for a haul? Or is he their next big star?
Mark P
8:32
The weekly "should the Tigers trade Skubal?" questions in the chat never fail to amaze me.  He is just about the last guy Detroit would trade right now.  He might be the best pitcher in the league.
Bob
8:33
Will the Pirates trade for some bats to go along with their solid pitching or wait another year before actually going for it?
Mark P
8:34
They might get some low-level offensive help at the deadline, but "actually going for it" will be held off until next year at the earliest.  Or if ever, since an all-in push doesn't seem to fit Cherington's style or the fact that payroll will always be an issue.
Addicted to the Mariners
8:34
Who are some outfielders who will likely be available at the deadline? Could Taylor Ward be in play for the Mariners?
Mark P
8:35
The M's and Angels haven't made a trade together since 2012, plus there's the Jerry Dipoto/Angels past history.  So I doubt Ward specifically will be on the Mariners' target list, though getting other outfield help would certainly help
Scott S.
8:36
Is the problem with the Twins team chemistry? Something seems to be missing there.
Mark P
8:37
I don't think it's a chemistry issue as much as it is Minnesota (like many teams in baseball) not doing much hitting.  A lot of their regulars have been running hot and cold this year, and the hot streaks only seemed to line up during that one big winning stretch they had when inspired by the rally sausage.
Friedman
8:39
Who do I target this year at the deadline? 2B help or SS? Lux has 30 days to change my mind.
Mark P
8:39
It'll probably be a shortstop, since I suspect LA might prefer the flexibility of then moving Betts to 2B or the outfield.  Or, the Dodgers could get a multi-position type who can be moved around along with Betts based on situations
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