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Mark P

8:11

Is this the final Weekend Chat of the first half, or technically the first Weekend Chat of the second half? While I ponder this mind-bender, feel free to send in some questions about, y'know, baseball or something

BuccoFan35

8:12

Anything on the Pirates

Mark P

8:15

The Gonzalez/Eisert deal is a sign that the Bucs are prepared to be aggressive, though naturally getting Cruz and Horwitz back ASAP is a must.

If those two bats are back by the deadline, the Pirates can focus more directly on adding more relief pitching. Another innings-eater of a starter is also increasingly becoming more of a need. It'll be fascinating to see how the Bucs operate in buyer mode for the first time under Cherington, and just far they're willing to go (prospect capital-wise or money-wise) in putting the final touches on their competitive team

Bloomin Cardinals

8:15

Still dedicated to the rebuild? Or shifting into buy mode after the Wetherholt extension?

Mark P

8:18

I'm more bullish on the Pirates than I am on the Cardinals, even though St. Louis is a game ahead of Pittsburgh in the standings. I'm just more impressed with the Bucs' roster overall and can more clearly see the case for them as a buyer, whereas the Cards have more holes to patch in the rotation and even in the lineup.

Wetherholt's extension doesn't really have much impact on the situation. Locking up a top prospect on such a hot start to his career would've been a priority even if the Cards were well under .500.

8:19

This all being said, if the Cards are still only a game out of a wild card spot by August, they absolutely should make some (at least lower-level) buys to take a run at contending. "Learning how to win" is an underrated factor for any rebuilding team, and getting some high-pressure experience in a pennant race is a good learning opportunity for the roster

Guest

8:21

Love the chat, Mark. Any under the radar power bats, platoon or otherwise, that Milwaukee could consider? While they're still scoring well enough now, having to string together 12 hits for four runs in the postseasin

Mark P

8:22

I'd consider this unlikely given how the Angels don't want to rebuild, but if I'm the Brewers, I'm on the phone with them every day about Neto. Milwaukee has enough minor league depth to at least get the Angels' attention about such a trade, and perhaps Mozeliak can talk Arte Moreno into the viewpoint that trading Neto can help over the long term

Zach

8:23

Of the 5 teams with no World Series title, which one would you say is most likely to get it next?

Mark P

8:24

Who will be the first team to win its first WS title?

Brewers (50.7% | 501 votes)

Mariners (19.4% | 192 votes)

Padres (5.3% | 52 votes)

Rays (23.2% | 229 votes)

Rockies (1.4% | 14 votes)

Total Votes: 988

Tim C

8:25

Redsox coming off a 9-0 road trip. Buyers or sellers at the TDL if they’re 500’or better?

Mark P

8:27

Buyers for certain. Boston's pitching (injuries notwithstanding) is firing on all cylinders, and the offense is starting to click.

We've been saying for weeks that the crowded AL field meant that almost nobody was out of the running, and now the Sox have gone on a run to get right back into the mix

Rob Manfred

8:28

Mark... I'm just confused on the best expansion draft options for two new teams, so we can have four 4-team divisions in each league, so I'm leaving it up to you. What are the two best cities for two new future expansion teams?

Mark P

8:29

I will award the teams to whichever two cities are willing to name their club either the Bees or the Beads.

Actually, since Salt Lake City is rumored to be a top expansion candidate and their Triple-A team is already called the Bees, it's a perfect fit. And the "Nashville Beads" can work, since many a country star has performed in an outfit with beads, sequins, frills, etc.

Ken

8:30

If the A's made Shea Langeliers available, what kind of return would he command? Yankees and Rays could both use a better catcher.

Mark P

8:33

Langeliers has been quietly slumping pretty badly for the last month or so, yet he'd draw a ton of attention in the unlikely event that the A's actually shopped him.

Langeliers is under arb control through 2028, and isn't one of the players the Athletics have yet locked up an extension. This could just be because Shea is a Boras client, but the team did at least broach some extension talks in the past.

As noted, it is very unlikely Langeliers is shopped at this deadline, since the A's hope to be contenders while he is still under team control. It would take a blowaway offer of young talent to convince the A's otherwise

Squints

8:34

Juat one of those middle of the season, just get to the break kind of weekend for the Brewers, or something more?

Mark P

8:35

Brewers fans should absolutely be concerned by these mounting rotation injuries. What was looking like a strong rotation that could use some back-end help is now more clearly in need of someone that can start a playoff game.

nick krall

8:35

do you think the reds will sell on steer?

Walter

8:35

Spencer Steer a Red on August 3rd?

Mark P

8:37

I'm leaning towards Steer playing elsewhere. The Reds' pending free agents only have limited appeal and none of the real building-block types are likely to be available. Steer represents kind of a middle ground, and as a multi-positional bat controlled through 2028, he has plenty of trade appeal

Blue Heaven

8:40

Which team would be more dangerous if one of Phillies or Brewers get Skubal?

Mark P

8:41

Hmm, interesting question. As noted earlier, Milwaukee is suddenly in major need of pitching, and Skubal would obviously more than address that need. Likewise, putting Skubal in a playoff rotation with Sanchez, Wheeler, and Luzardo is awfully scary.

I guess I'd say the Phillies in this circumstance, just because of the greater SP depth

Brian M

8:42

The Mets have to be sellers at this point no?

Mark P

8:43

No doubt. They won't blow things up since they want to contend in 2027, but the Mets can and should be open to all possibilities at the deadline as they try to get this team back on the rails.

Aroldis Chapman

8:43

I’m headed to PNW right? Seattle looks good on me

Mark P

8:43

At this point, the Red Sox will be holding onto Chapman for their own playoff push, not trading him

Mcg

8:46

Should of draft been on TV both Days,Also ABC/ESPN,Guys in Greenroom so when drafted like on day one could shake Manfred hand,on Wednesday and Thursday instead,more of like C. Balance been Traded and Fans making a sound for Trade to be annouced.

Mark P

8:47

I'm not sure there's anything MLB can do to make its draft more of an "event," since it can't escape the simple fact that a baseball draft is just inherently so different than other sports' drafts. Football, basketball, or hockey fans are much more familiar with star up-and-comers than baseball fans are with top draft prospects, as a #1 pick in the NFL/NBA/NHL can immediately turn a team around within even one season.

IoneSkyDome

8:49

The Blue Jays are now bottom of the AL East and continue to look fully deserving of being there. I'm confident they'll be in a selling position come the deadline but will they actually move anything? I don't think they'll trade Gausman without his permission. I'd be surprised if they traded Varsho even though they should. Springer would have to give permission. They shod at least consider selling high on Lukes and/or Clement but almost certainly wont5

Mark P

8:53

The Jays are another team firmly planning to contend in 2027, even if things aren't going their way this year. I suspect that they won't make a decision about selling unless the absolute last minute, and only if they're still in this similar spot in the standings.

You're correct that there aren't a lot of obvious trade chips around. Springer, Varsho, Bieber, maybe Straw, Yimi Garcia, or Jeff Hoffman are all realistic candidates. Gausman wouldn't be moved unless he is okay with it, since I suspect the Jays have interest in re-signing him for 2027 or beyond. They might feel trading Gausman and then trying to re-sign him is trickier than just keeping him in the organization

Dave

8:54

Chances of Gage Wood joining the Phillies this summer?

Mark P

8:54

He's only just arrived in Double-A, so bumping him up to the Show would be a tall order, even if the Phils viewed him as a bullpen arm more than a starter

Luis Arraez

8:55

What kind of package will it take to acquire me?

Mark P

8:57

He's only under contract for the rest of 2026, so Giants fans hoping for a haul will have to temper expectations. However, Arraez isn't too pricey, as he has only around $5MM remaining on his 2026 salary....that can be fit into pretty much any budget, so lower-budget contenders (i.e. the Rays) can get involved.

Arraez has done enough offensive and defensively to merit possibly a back-end top-100 type of prospect, but that's about it.

Gordon Ramsay

8:58

Mark, does ketchup belong on a hot dog and or eggs?

Mark P

8:58

A hot dog, yes
Eggs, no

Angels rebuild?

8:58

Will the Angels finally pull the plug and tear it down?

Mark P

8:59