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Mark P
7:10
I usually don't start the polls myself, but....
7:11
Will Mark have to pause the chat at some point to write about a Walker Jenkins call-up?
Yes (16.9% | 61 votes)
 
No (63.7% | 230 votes)
 
"PLEASE YES" -- Twins fans (19.4% | 70 votes)
 
Total Votes: 361
With that posted, let's get to your questions!
Phillies Fan
7:14
Are the Phillies peaking too early?
Mark P
7:15
Their season has been so streaky that it's hard to predict.  Fans should be pleased that the division title is now again a possibility, especially with seven more head-to-head games between the Phils and Braves in September
Jay
7:16
How can the Rockies be fixed? At this point they might need a dome/controlled environment to give the pitchers a chance.
Mark P
7:18
There's no easy answer to the problem, but I can't help but think that getting some fresh voices like DePodesta in charge of the front office will help point things in the right direction.  Part of the Rockies' problem was that no new ideas to address the altitude situation were seemingly getting into the organization, so maybe someone (a pitching coach, a coordinator, a Driveline guru, etc.) out there has a bright idea.
Finance
7:18
Can you tell us in layman's terms what the Dodgers financial situation is like recently? Is it serious enough to warrant an MLB investigation? Apologies if MLBTR has posted about it and I've just missed it. Looks like something worth doing a deeper dive into, to see if the allegations are material or not
Mark P
7:19
Anthony Franco had a good broad summary of the situation in a recent post, so I'll fire up that link...

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/08/kasten-dodgers-not-being-sold.h...
Jo Adell
7:20
5/$75 get an extension done for me?
Mark P
7:21
Adell and his reps would take that deal in a heartbeat, but there is no chance the Guardians are offering it.  While he's been doing great since the trade, Adell still has a 95 wRC+ for the season as a whole.
Ang T
7:22
Do the White Sox extend Murakami in the offseason?
Mark P
7:23
The lockout will complicate this, but I think Chicago should definitely explore a longer-term deal.  The vibes are great on the South Side right now, Murakami is showing that he belongs as a big league hitter, and spending some extra money would show that ownership is committing to supporting a team that may be ready to win right now.
sluggo
7:25
It is finally evident that despite  a lofty outlook not to long ago that Atlanta could miss the  playoffs,no?
Mark P
7:26
Too early to panic just yet, as Atlanta still has a cushion on the wild card field.  But yeah, they're definitely in need of stringing together a few wins just to keep this from becoming an actual race.
Reds fanatic
7:28
Please tell me that Krall won’t give a qualifying offer to Singer. It’ll be worse than Nick Martinez and his qualifying offer. What are the chances they resign Stephenson?
Mark P
7:31
Yeah, I don't see Cincinnati being willing to pay Singer $23.1MM in 2027.  The thing about issuing a QO is that you have to be prepared for the player to possibly accept it, and that's not out of the question given Singer's so-so at best numbers.  Especially with a lockout looming, I can certainly see him taking a QO to lock in some money and save himself a lot of uncertainty over the offseason.

btw, the $23.1MM for the qualifying offer is the estimated figure provided by MLBTR contributor Ethan Hullihen.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/06/mlbtr-estimates-2026-27-qualify...
7:32
Stephenson will get attention from all the teams in need of catchers, and maybe the Reds have a bit of an edge out of familiarity.  That might help the team if it turns into any sort of bidding war, since Cincy likely won't have a lot of spending ability
Snake
7:33
What are your takes on Marte? Does he play out the rest of his contract in AZ?
Mark P
7:38
What a bizarre situation. There's obviously still a lot of unknown details about what exactly is going on here, but the issue with moving Marte is that he has full no-trade rights as a 10-and-5 player.  This was seen as a potential reason why the D'Backs might've moved him last winter, since now Marte has veto power over any deal (he previously had only a five-team no-trade list).

If you're another team interested in Marte's on-field skills, surely you're taking pause over the off-the-field controversy, not to mention the $87.5MM still owed to Marte through the 2031 season.  The D'Backs would likely have to eat a very big chunk of that deal to accommodate a trade, even if one can be arranged with another team.

fwiw, Marte's previous extension would've run through just the 2027 season in terms of guaranteed money, and Arizona had a $3MM buyout of a club option for 2028.  Can't help but think there's some regret in the front office about inking Marte to this latest extension in April 2025
CHISOX FAN
7:39
When Cholowsky is ready( maybe late 2027) what do you see as the Sox infield? Does Colson move to 3B? Vargas to 1B and Murakami as full time DH?
Mark P
7:41
If it wasn't for Vargas' strange lack of production as a first baseman, this would seemingly be the most logical direction.  I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a trade of Meidroth or even Colson Montgomery depending on how the Sox decide to arrange things, and if Murakami isn't extended, then there's suddenly room to just keep everyone
CHISOX FAN
7:41
We will have the same questions when Bonemer gets the call.
Mark P
7:42
"Oh no, where will we fit all our good players" is a pretty nice problem for the White Sox to have
Bobby witt
7:42
Can players be outright sold nowadays like with babe Ruth?
Mark P
7:44
We see player-for-money trades happen all the time, i.e. whenever a team gets "cash considerations" back for someone in a waiver deal or something.

We also see bigger-money salary dump trades happen on a regular basis, with clubs agreeing to take on a big salary for just a token prospect return.  The league must approve all trades, however, so some kind of blatant "buying a player" move probably wouldn't fly.
Chad
7:45
Obviously someone will buy the Dodgers for a record price, if it comes to that. But with an aging core and having to pay Ohtani’s full deferred salary not too far down the road, would a buyer be getting fool’s gold?
Mark P
7:46
Owning the Dodgers is a license to print money.  Even as the current core gets older, this is still a team that has shown it's very good at developing MLB talent from within.
I'd be more concerned about LA's future if Friedman left the front office, but even then, it's possible the structure he has put in place can continue to thrive if one of his lieutenants takes over as a CBO
Garrett
7:47
We're approaching 800 career plate appearances for Dylan Crews with a sub .650 OPS that includes lots of chase and whiff. With a new regime in Washington who didn't draft him, how long of a leash do you think Crews has left in DC? Especially if the new staff seemingly can't unlock the potential? Feels like if he wasn't named Dylan Crews he'd probably be back in AAA or at the very least playing just a few days per week.
Mark P
7:48
Crews is a prime candidate for a change-of-scenery trade.  It wouldn't surprise me at all if the Nats moved him this winter.
Chandler Simpson
7:48
Is Chandler Simpson the player we currently see….over .300 hitter with great base stealing ability or is there a chance he can develop a little power that could turn him into a 30 doubles hitter and a handful of home runs to round out his game?
Mark P
7:51
If I'm a hitting coach working with Simpson, I'm probably focusing more towards the idea of more doubles and hard contact than I am towards trying to unlock any home run power (that might well not be there).

Simpson's a very interesting player in his current form, especially since he's been a strong defender in left field.  If he's merely a subpar hitter in terms of contact --- like in the 25th or 30th percentile rather than in the 1st percentile --- that would already make him more dangerous at the plate
Mets fan
7:52
Is a Ketel Marte —> NYM blockbuster potentially on the table? Mets’ pieces seem to really fit AZ’s pitching and corner infield holes (Baty/Vientos both change of scenery candidates albeit with low value) and Marte would do tons for NYM (if he waives his NTC); feels like there’s something here
Mark P
7:54
Even given how Marte's trade value has dipped in the last few days, Arizona is going to want something more than just spare parts for an All-Star caliber player.

As I noted earlier, however, the bigger issue with a potential Marte trade is that it doesn't come down to just finding a roster fit.  If you're the Mets and have already dealt with some clubhouse turmoil in recent years, are you comfortable bringing Marte into the extra pressure of playing in New York?
Rico not carty
7:54
With judge coming back and two new offensive players from trades. Any chance we see rice at catcher
Mark P
7:55
Feels like the ship has sailed on Rice as a catcher.  If it was going to happen, you'd think the Yankees would've used him behind the plate at least a couple of times already this year.
Frank Crosetti
7:56
Who is playing 2B for the Yankees next season?
Mark P
7:58
I wonder if New York would try with Garcia as a second baseman again, with the idea of then having Caballero step in as a backup plan if Garcia struggles defensively.  If that's the case, then the lineup has Caballero (and probably a midseason addition) at 2B, Garcia and Rice at 1B and DH, and Stanton at DH when and if he's available.  Or, if Stanton is even on the roster.

The simpler solution might be that the Yankees just sign or trade for another second baseman, especially in the world where Stanton is let go.
Wally World
8:00
Assuming John Mozeliak is part of any off season rebuild with the Angels, do you see Albert Pujols as someone that will be added as either a manager or to a front office position to try to build the Angels in the Cardinals image?  Have you heard any other names for either manager or GM?
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