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Zach

8:40

With all the extensions going on lately do you see a Langford extension happening soon? If so how long would it be?

Mark P

8:44

Langford becomes arb-eligible next winter, and a free agent after 2029, when he's entering his age-28 season. Texas would surely want an extension that covers at least 3-4 of those free agent years, but for Langford, he might want to go whole hog with a decade-long "face of the franchise" type of contract.

Maybe some opt-outs could also be part of the mix, but overall, I'd expect at least a six-year extension at minimum. Who knows if a deal may or may not be reached, and the next CBA could be a factor. Langford might prefer to lock in some money and security now before free agency or payroll structure is perhaps altered in some form.

Royals

8:45

Did anyone claim Luis Matos?

Mark P

8:45

Not yet

Zach

8:46

Are we seeing the Trout comeback? (Even though it is early)

Mark P

8:47

I think I speak for all fans* in saying that it'd be great for Trout to have more full and healthy seasons, in order to see if he has some more HOF-level years left in the tank

= maybe not Astros, Mariners, Rangers, or A's fans

Chaim Bloom

8:48

When do I start to get and consider offers on jojo Romero? Blue Jays…..

Luke

8:48

Do the Blue Jays just go out and get JoJo Romero? What would it take?

Mark P

8:50

Romero still being a Cardinal is one of the big surprises of the 2025-26 offseason. Plenty of teams were linked to him in trade speculation, though the Jays weren't one of them.

Romero isn't a perfect pitcher by any means, as he has had control issues and has allowed more than his share of homers. It could be that the Cards were simply asking for more than other clubs were willing to give up for a good (but not great) reliever

The Big Q

8:51

You've linked a lot of other MLBTR posts here, is it ever difficult to find them on the spot?

Mark P

8:51

Not with our handy-dandy search bar, located above the 'top stories' menu!

Ryan S

8:52

Seems like Estevez has something wrong. Who's closing for you? Lange or Erceg? I know the OF has been a subject since seems like 1901, but they didn't do enough. Can they fix it?

Mark P

8:53

Estevez's ankle contusion doesn't seem super-serious, but if he did need an IL stint, Erceg would be the next man up.

8:54

As for the outfield, maybe something shakes loose on the trade front well before the deadline, since waiting until the end of July might be too late. Or, maybe I'll be surprised and Lane Thomas has a bounce-back year to prove me and many others wrong.

8:55

What do you make of Baz extension?

Mark P

8:57

It was an awfully bold move, and one that I probably wouldn't have made if I was the Orioles. Waiting for Baz to pitch well and stay healthy over the 2026 season would've upped the price tag on any extension talks, but also given the O's more security that they were making the right call in locking Baz up.

That said, the O's have signed so few extensions that it says something that they were willing to go the extra mile for Baz so soon after the trade. They clearly love what they've seen, and think the big healthy breakout year is coming right away.

Doritos Locos Tacos

9:00

Does Jackson Jobe pitch in August/September this year?

Mark P

9:01

That's the plan for August, as Scott Harris said today. Jobe had his TJ surgery last June, so that 14-month rebab timeline fits.

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

9:05

Beginning rant. If MLB wants to increase viewership why are they making it so difficult to watch games? I have had to sign up for two new apps just to watch M's games. Games are on Netflix, Peacock, Apple and I'm sure at some point ESPN and Fox will be in the mix. Out of market games now cost even more to watch on MzlB. Hard to bring in new fans when it's this difficult to watch. Hard to keep us old fans engaged with all these hoops to jump through. End rant.

Mark P

9:06

The flip side of this is that if you're a casual fan who randomly decides one night "hey, let's check out a ballgame," you'll probably be able to find one even if your viewing habits are limited to just one app.

It's surely annoying that one can't watch literally all of their teams' games, yet MLB is also seemingly accounting for the fact that it's pretty rare for someone to follow literally every one of the 162-game schedule.

Tim

9:07

What is the difference between selecting a contract and being called up?

Mark P

9:07

Selecting a contract means a player is being added to the 40-man roster, as well as usually the active roster. Being called up is when a player is already on the 40-man man.

Tim

9:07

Lou Whitaker, Bobby grich HOF?

Mark P

9:07

Yes and yes

Tigers

9:08

If the Tigers are contending, as expected, come the break, where do you see them trying to improve?

Mark P

9:08

Obviously any number of injuries and under-performance might skew these needs, but as it stands, I'd say bullpen and outfield depth

Nate

9:09

Think the Phillies ever play Harper in the OF again? I never got why they kept him at 1B once he got healthy again

Mark P

9:10

The thinking seems to be that keeping Harper at first base will keep him healthier. Harper has offered to go back to the outfield if necessary, though the Phils seem resistant

Cubbies

9:12

I know I know, it's one series and I'm not actually worried. But just out of curiosity, we miss the playoffs. Craig has to be on the hit seat no?

Mark P

9:13

Firing Counsell means that the Cubs have to eat the last two years and $16MM of his contract. Which I guess can't be ruled out if the team has a truly disappointing year, since expectations are high.

If it's a winning record and a near-miss, Counsell likely stays

Brewer Fan

9:13

It's the white Sox I know, but by that same logic it's also the Nats so... Brewers just going to ho hum their way to exceeding expectations again eh?

Mark P

9:14

Nobody should be counting out the Brewers. They're still a playoff team in my view.

Rangers44

9:15

I feel like the Rangers are not getting enough love for the rotation. DeGrom, Eovaldi, Leiter, Gore is a pretty great top four and they were arguably baseballs best rotation by the numbers last year. Yet I have seen almost no lists with them in the top 6 or 7 even. Gore was a sneaky good add

Mark P

9:15

It's a very strong rotation on paper, yet the obvious issues are the health of JDG/Eovaldi, and Leiter's lack of an established track record

Bobby Cox

9:17

Dom Smith big knock. Although with Murphy and Kim back in May any shot he stays on roster? Also we adding Lucas G if rehabs dont go as planned?

Mark P

9:18

Murphy replaces Heim and Kim replaces one of Farmer or Smith, most likely. Smith and Farmer are both playing for their jobs for now, and Smith has an edge since he'll get more at-bats in the DH role.

Canada

9:19

Bigger fan of The Hip or Rush?

Mark P

9:19

The Hip

David

9:21

How long a leash does Roki have in the rotation?

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