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PhilsPhansince1965

7:58

Has the JT Realmuto / Phillies standoff become a real concern, or is it still strictly business?

Mark P

7:59

As noted in a recent chat, Realmuto's last free agent deal with the Phillies wasn't signed until late January 2021. We're still over a couple of weeks away even from that point, so I wouldn't get too antsy about things yet. Until Realmuto actually signs elsewhere or the Phils obtained another catcher, the greatest likelihood is that JTR will be back in Philly

Guards fan

7:59

Guardians reporter for the Athletic, Meisel, has been linking Austin Hays to them as a right handed OF bat to try to help balance their lefty heavy lineup. Have you heard any thing about this or another right handed bat, perhaps?

Mark P

8:00

Hays would be a really good fit to give the Guardians some cover in case the kids aren't ready for the majors yet.

Larry Wayne

8:01

AA has systematically addressed all the needs and the roster looks Opening Day ready. He has said he wants a little more starting pitcher depth but our starting 5 are really good IF they stay healthy (one of these years they have to, right?). We also have Holmes, Elder and about 10 minor league starters who could get a look and chance to stay. Some with big upside. Another experienced starter would be a luxury and not a necessity at this point. All of that being said, he will not sign anyone with a draft pick attached so give me a best shot FA name other than Bassit that could fit the mold.

Mark P

8:03

I kinda joked about this earlier, but the Braves having such a deep bullpen now makes their need for a starter a little less glaring. As you noted, Atlanta has a lot of rotation options at least from a pure depth perspective, even if obviously adding another proven starter would help alleviate the injury concerns over Sale, Lopez, etc.

Bassitt would basically a perfect fit for Atlanta. Verlander too.

WBC

8:03

I know a lot of fans bellyache about the Classic but I really enjoy it and think it’s great for the game. What are your thoughts?

Mark P

8:04

I'm a big fan of the WBC, and am eagerly looking forward to this year's tournament

Mark P GM

8:05

You need an ace-type SP. Would you feel more comfortable signing Framber Valdez or Ranger Suarez if the contract were the same?

Mark P

8:05

I'd prefer Suarez.

8:06

Imagine a team of five Ranger Suarezes in the rotation and nine Luis Rengifos around the diamond. I'd never lose!

Guest

8:09

Barger to the Pirates? Good move? Or is Bohm more likely?

Mark P

8:09

There is basically zero chance the Jays would trade Barger. Bohm is vastly more likely, and while that's technically an upgrade for Pittsburgh, I think they can do better.

8:10

guardians picking bazzana first overall instead of nick kurtz has to get some ppl fired right?

Mark P

8:10

Seems drastically early to be making that call

Cool

8:10

Is it just a weird coincidence that the Red Sox have not signed a free agent to a major league deal, or is there something deeper there?

Mark P

8:12

Boston has gotten weirdly conservative in free agency, but it's not like they haven't been actively making notable moves on the trade front.

Tonight's chat queue has plenty of "the Sox are doomed" types of messages, but I disagree. Maybe this is 25 years of watching things just seem to work out for Boston sports teams, but the Red Sox are still a good team as presently constructed, and there's still plenty of time left in the offseason to make a few moves. Bregman leaving is hardly the end of the world.

Drew Rasmussen

8:13

Will the rays let me throw more pitches this year? I'm sick of being pulled on low pitch counts.

Mark P

8:14

"Twice through the order, then out" has become a common tactic throughout the sport, but in Rasmussen's case, the Rays were naturally being cautious given his health history. Rasmussen still tossed 150 innings last year, so if all goes well, he should be used somewhat more normally in 2026

Hunter Green

8:14

Do I play for Cincy or somewhere else

Mark P

8:15

Cincinnati. The Reds aren't moving him unless they got an absolute haul in return.

Elias

8:17

Why am I not adding more to the bullpen given all the other additions I've made?

Mark P

8:17

Helsley and Kittredge are already notable additions. Still plenty of time for the O's to get after more relievers, if even some lower-cost types

Blue Heaven

8:19

Was it the toughest PO lost for Packers, especially lost against Bears?

Mark P

8:20

Green Bay's season was over the moment Parsons got hurt, so I didn't think they beating the Bears anyway. It's funny, people don't usually mention the Packers when it comes to gut-wrenching playoff losses, but they've had some doozies in the last 20 years. Granted, that one Super Bowl win eases the pain a bit...

8:20

Who should I reasonably ask Breslow for Tatis?

Mark P

8:22

Tatis has a no-trade clause, which might turn off the Red Sox as much as Tatis himself might it use it to block any deals
The Padres aren't moving Tatis, as Preller said last month.
The asking price would be so high that I don't see the Sox meeting it, even if Preller threw in Yoshida/Hicks as salary offset.

Zach

8:23

What kind of contract is Marcell Ozuna going to get?

Mark P

8:24

If anything, a one-year deal worth maybe $8MM or so?

Reflection of his age, down numbers in 2025, and lack of defensive value

Guest

8:25

How come guardians and dodgers hardly do a deal together?

Mark P

8:27

Because I'm a big baseball nerd, I've absolutely spent time on B-Ref's baseball trade histories page, to idly check out which teams are or aren't common trade partners.

The Amed Rosario/Noah Syndergaard deal from 2023 is the only player-for-player swap between the two teams in the last 11 years, though they've had some cash considerations deals. I can only assume the lack of action is lingering hate from the 1920 World Series.

Tony Vitello

8:27

If the Giants signed Bichette would the talk of their poor offseason flip completely? Would that move be enough?

Mark P

8:28

No question. These chats all winter have been full of comments ripping on the Cubs for their lack of action, but unsurprisingly, those have dried up this week.

Mike Trout

8:29

Doesn’t seem like we’ll be good anytime soon. Any other HOF caliber players to play on such bad teams their entire career?

Mark P

8:29

Ernie Banks leaps to mind

Luis Arraez

8:31

Am I still an option at 2B? While they should be concentrating on power, the Red Sox have a need at second base…

Mark P

8:33

Arraez can play 2B, but he's just not a good defender. In addition to providing zero power and few walks, Arraez's limited skillset makes him a tough sell

Angels Fan

8:33

After restructuring the Rendon contract to pay out over five years and shedding Taylor Ward’s salary, Angels fans were hopeful Arte Moreno would sign an impact free agent. Instead, he has so far committed less than $15M in free agent spending this year. Perry Minasian refuses to discuss payroll or spending levels but it certainly seems the Angels are reducing payroll, possibly significantly. Am I right?

Mark P

8:35

You're right.

I'd stated in the past that the Angels are in the position where they'd have to overpay a premium player to sign, since a premium player who has options elsewhere will or should naturally have misgivings about playing for a franchise that is stuck in such a rut.  And if you're the Angels with their track record, "overpaying" for a free agent target is a particular risk.

So now they're in this limbo of not really wanting to pay big prices in the first place, but needing to in order to attract even second-tier free agents, let alone top-shelf guys.  And, the cupboard is pretty bare in terms of trade chips.  Tough situation for the Halos (and, even moreso, their fans)

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