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Mark P
8:33
Welcome to the Weekend Chat!  We'll get to it in a minute, once a few questions start piling up...
CASHMAN
8:35
How fast do I sign Bednar and Morejan?
Mark P
8:37
You'd think the Yankees would have a strong interest in a reunion with Bednar, first and foremost.  So he might be the priority over any other major bullpen additions, but Morejon will certainly also be on NY's radar.

Heavily investing in two top-tier relievers makes sense given the team's needs, though I think it's likelier that the Yankees spend big on one reliever and then make lower-level spends or swings trades to fill out the rest of the pen
Chev Chelios
8:38
Harrison Bader for Danny Jansen, who says no?
Mark P
8:39
Texas.  Bader is a bigger question mark health-wise, and catcher is a harder position to fill if Jansen is moved.
Grizzled Righthander
8:39
Are there "confidence-building" items that MLB and MLBPA could agree on, or is the first stage of this all muscle?
Mark P
8:40
This isn't really publicized much, but the two sides are regularly meeting, and will continue negotiating right up until the CBA expires.  None of the big-picture details will be settled, of course, but some lower-level items that aren't directly related to the idea of a salary cap, player movement, etc. might've already been agreed upon, for all we know.
Florida Braves fan
8:41
assuming that he was in the trade market, would you consider a trade for Ketel Marte of Gunner Henderson for the Braves? I know especially with Marte, there would have to be talks about salary the dbacks would have to take on and all, but assuming itx
Mark P
8:43
From a pure baseball standpoint, I'd want Marte because he's a more proven talent.  But overall, I'd prefer Henderson because he's younger, cheaper, doesn't have a no-trade clause, and lacks the off-the-field controversy that Marte brings.
Bernie Brewer
8:43
Do the Brewers go against past precedent and extend Contreras? Do they have unexpected additional funds further their extended playoff / WS run?
Mark P
8:44
At the very least, I suspect there's very little chance Contreras is dealt this offseason.  Whether that means the Brewers are open to an extension or they'll just keep him for another run in 2027 and let him walk next winter remains to be seen.
8:45
The extra money from the playoff run certainly helps, but the Brewers might prefer to use that bonus revenue towards extending their next young cornerstone (i.e. Jesus Made) rather than investing in a veteran catcher, even one as important to the organization as Contreras
Atkins
8:46
Do I have the money to sign two outfielders? I’m thinking Seiya and Sato. Japan north so to speak
Mark P
8:47
Broadly speaking, I think the Jays "have the money" for all sorts of bold moves.  Ownership is willing to spend, the team is desperate to win, and some extra reinforcements might be viewed as necessary in the wake of 2026's disappointment
Zach
8:47
Will Evan Carter be moved uf the Rangers get a good enough offer?
Mark P
8:48
Depends on what "good enough" means, but if Texas gets a decent offer for an oft-injured player who has just had a hip surgery, I don't think they'd say no.
8:49
Not to say that Carter still can't break out, but the Rangers know his medicals better than anyone.  If the Rangers have doubts about his long-term viability, trading him now while he still has some value or sell-high buzz makes sense.

But, given that hip surgery, Carter's trade value is very low right now
Ryan
8:51
What’s in store for the Phillies? They have an aging roster and needs at 3B, OF, and RP. Do they go after the bigger names or stick with internal promotions and lower level additions?
Mark P
8:54
The minor league system is pretty bare in terms of guys who can provide immediate help.  Miller is closest but he's a question mark after missing so much of 2026 on the injured list.

Just lower-level additions doesn't feel like it would be enough to patch over an increasing number of glaring holes.  The Phillies are still a good team as currently comprised, but short of being a real World Series contender due to the needs you mentioned.  Making more big moves and spending more money is a little dangerous if this team has already missed its window, but Dombrowski may have no other choice
Stan Musial
8:55
Will the Cardinals sign a free agent pitcher
Mark P
8:55
Yep!  Nobody big, but another version of last year's Dustin May signing.  Maybe even literally Dustin May himself again.
Guest
8:56
Would G Kirby net Acuna?
Mark P
8:56
Not in a one-for-one swap.  This would be an intriguing starting point for some kind of a multi-player deal, but moving Acuna would leave Atlanta even thinner in the outfield.
David Stearns
8:58
Would it make any sense for the A's and Mets to swap Luis Severino and Jorge Polanco in a change-of-scenery deal? Severino is two seasons removed from a workhorse season with the Mets, Polanco is one season removed from a strong showing in the AL West, and salary is a wash...
Mark P
8:58
The A's need pitching a lot more than they need a veteran stopgap at second base.  An infielder can be found on the cheap.
8:59
Severino is an imperfect answer in Sacramento, but who isn't?
Harley
9:00
Who do you think ends up being the Red sox starting shortstop Franklin Arias or someone outside of the team such as Elly or C J Abrams.
Mark P
9:02
"Am I a joke to you?" -- Trevor Story

Arias being the Opening Day starter wouldn't shock me, but don't forget about Story still being under contract.  Either of these options seem more likely than a blockbuster deal for Elly (which would have to involve Arias anyway, surely) or going with a real defensive question mark in Abrams.
Romaine Lettuce
9:03
The Cardinals have plenty of payroll flexibility. Would they consider taking on Ryan McMahon's salary for a stop-gap platoon role at 3rd if the Yankees threw in a low-level pitching prospect?
Mark P
9:04
McMahon is owed $16MM next year.  The Cardinals will want a better prospect than just a lower-level arm if they're agreeing to eat all that money.
JDB
9:05
Brent Rooker for Bello who says no?
Mark P
9:07
As the guy who wrote the A's offseason outlook, I noted Bello and other Red Sox pitchers as potential trade candidates, just because of the Taylor Smith connection and how new GMs often swing deals with their old organizations.  Bello would make a lot of sense for the A's in particular since he's a groundball pitcher.

Moving Rooker is a pretty interesting idea, but if you're the Red Sox, Rooker's last two seasons are a big red flag.
Guest
9:08
Will Kanzler be a good hire?
Mark P
9:10
Maybe?  Impossible to say right now.

The online buzz from Mariners fans hasn't been positive, perhaps because they expected an experienced manager (or because they're just so disgruntled about the front office in the wake of the 2026 season).  But for all we know, Kanzler is the next great manager who is just now getting his first chance.
RJ
9:11
I understand that there are a lot of unknowns with the Angels this off-season. But why are the Angels not really being mentioned to any of the top relievers? When building a Bullpen should be their top priority?
Mark P
9:12
I mean, their "top priority" is finding a GM and manager once the sale is approved.  Even then, they've got bigger roster needs than the pen, which figures to be more of a back-burner issue for a non-contender.
Mehts
9:13
Kwan seems like a perfect fit for the Rays.
Mark P
9:13
Wouldn't surprise me at all if Tampa swung a deal for him, definitely
WV
9:14
Have NYY ever considered Stanton at 1b?
Mark P
9:15
Hey, it's a Stanton question on his birthday!

Stanton just turned 37, has a litany of lower-body injuries over his career, and he has never played even a single game at first base in his pro career.  I don't want to use the "tell 'em, Wash...." line here, but...
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