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Mark P
8:08
The Weekend Chat is here, right in the midst of this corker of a postseason.  Let's take your questions....
Giants
8:09
Who do we target via free agency ?
Mark P
8:10
Broadly, they're likely to check in on basically everyone.  We don't exactly know how Posey will operate as a PBO and a new general manager has yet to be hired, but I suspect that Posey will be a little more aggressive in trying to finally bring some big-name free agent talent to San Francisco
Mark P
8:11
Where does Soto land?
Mark P
8:11
Yankees or Mets is my pick for now
Steve
8:12
Crochet straight-up for either Wood or Crews. Who says no?
Mark P
8:13
It's a hard no for the Nationals if Crochet doesn't sign an extension.  Even if he did sign an extension as part of the trade....if I'm Washington, I want to see what I have in my two big star prospects, not deal them
Bravos
8:13
If his medicals check out, and the price is right, do you think Verlander is an option to take Morton’s place in the ATL rotation?
Mark P
8:14
The Braves have had a lot of success with veteran reclamation project-ish kind of players, and Verlander would fit that mold after his rough 2024 season.  It makes some sense on paper, and Verlander would surely like to join another contender
Yankees
8:15
Does Marcus Stroman eventually get on the playoff roster? If so who comes off for a roster spot
Mark P
8:16
If the Yankees advance, I'd be a little surprised if Stroman never appears in the playoffs, since you'd think some natural attrition might emerge in their pitching staff with injuries.  Cortes might also be an option, if he's a big injury question mark.
Guest
8:18
Dodgers-Orioles WS, eh?
Mark P
8:19
That was my preseason Series pick, and yeah, I think I'm going to be off-base on that one.  :)

For fun, here was my full slate of preseason predictions....

AL East: Orioles
AL Central: Tigers
AL West: Astros
AL Wild Cards: Rangers, Rays, Yankees

NL East: Braves
NL Central: Cubs
NL West: Dodgers
NL Wild Cards: Phillies, Padres, Diamondbacks
Buc oh!
8:19
How does Cherrinton and Shelton (GM and Manager of Pirates) Still have jobs? Also, what is Cherrington"s win loss record as his time as a GM of the sox and bucs?
Mark P
8:20
Cherington's win-loss record is well under .500, though obviously he has been overseeing a major rebuild for the last few years.  And, let's not discount the World Series trophy on his resume from 2013.
While some questions can and should be asked about the state of the Pirates' rebuild, this season brought some big steps forward on the pitching end, at least
Funky
8:22
Do we see Dbacks deal Del Castillo for one of the Rays young pitchers?
Mark P
8:23
It wouldn't be a one-for-one type of swap.  I could see Arizona preferring to keep Del Castillo as the primary backup, and move Herrera in a lower-level deal.
Astros fan
8:25
Chances that GM Dana Brown gets an extension done with Alex Bregman? Framber Valdez? Kyle Tucker?
Mark P
8:27
Bregman is definitely testing the open market by this point unless the Astros overpaid by a lot during their remaining exclusive negotiating period, which doesn't seem too likely.

The "six-year limit" unofficially in place in Houston could be breached in the right scenario, but assuming it's still something of a front office guideline, I don't see Tucker signing an extension of such relatively limited length.  Valdez will be 32 on Opening Day 2026, so I could see a six-year extension being acceptable to him if a deal can be worked out in the next six months.
Thats it, back to Winnipeg!
8:27
If they can’t get an extension done, should the Jays trade Vladdy this off-season?  Hard to see them leapfrogging the entire division next year.
Mark P
8:28
Trading Guerrero is the "blow it up" move the Blue Jays won't make until they absolutely have to.
Miserable Bengal Fan
8:29
Francona is a huge get for the Reds, but can he work magic with the team’s talent as is? The TV deal fiasco will sting that payroll.
Mark P
8:29
I think it's a great hire for the Reds, and we've seen what Francona can do on even tighter payrolls that Cincy figures to have in 2025
Walk Her
8:31
What guarantee do you see Walker Buehler getting on the one year, prove it deal, he’s likely to take?
Mark P
8:32
One year and $10MM guaranteed, perhaps?  I could also see Buehler landing a deal with more years attached via opt-outs and options, and with some incentives baked in to boost that guaranteed salary well beyond $10MM
Bobby
8:33
Who in the world would want to manage the Marlins?
Mark P
8:34
Anibal Sanchez, apparently!

There are only 30 managerial jobs in the majors, so the Marlins will have no shortage of candidates.  It's kind of a no-lose situation for a lot of managers, really, since you'll have at least a few years of develop and build young talent.  If the Marlins don't win, it's not your fault....if they do win, you're a managerial genius!
Ken
8:34
What kind of return would the A's get in a Brent Rooker trade? Who are some likely destinations?
Robbie Baseball
8:34
I like the idea of the Jays going after Brent Rooker via trade - what do you think it would cost in terms of players? Would Horwitz, Schneider, and Loperfido be a good starting point?
Mark P
8:36
Rooker was low-key one of the best hitters in baseball this season, and he isn't even arb-eligible until this winter.  The A's would want a lot more than that from the Jays or any team, but I also kind of doubt Rooker is moved.  The A's have literally no money technically on the books for next season, and they have to fill a roster somehow.
Plus, the A's might even think they can sneak up on contention next year with a few breaks, and if they can strike gold on a few low-cost acquisitions this winter.
Andre Thee Giant
8:39
As a NYM fan, Mark, I'm about to collapse. I really think this series goes five. Do you think so?
Phillies
8:39
That took years off my life
Mark P
8:39
Man, I hope this series goes five games and stays just as wild.  What a lot of fun.
Sad Mariners Boi
8:40
Who are some teams who could be on the receiving end of a salary dump?
Mark P
8:40
Some of the teams that don't have a broadcast deal with Bally Sports?
Bob Gibson
8:43
On Wheeler being pulled in game 1. Let's get back to real commonsense BASEBALL PLEASE!!!!!!!!!
Mark P
8:43
Wheeler had 111 pitches, so it wasn't a totally out-there move.  But yeah, the way he was pitching, why not let him at least start the inning to see what happened before getting the hook ready.
8:44
And obviously, Hoffman has been terrific all year, so Thomson had a lot of faith that he could hold that lead.  That's baseball, as they say.
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