Mark P

• I usually don’t start the polls myself, but….

• Will Mark have to pause the chat at some point to write about a Walker Jenkins call-up?

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  Yes (16.8% | 61 votes)

  No (63.7% | 230 votes)

  “PLEASE YES” — Twins fans (19.3% | 70 votes)

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  Total Votes: 361

• With that posted, let’s get to your questions!

Phillies Fan

• Are the Phillies peaking too early?

Mark P

• 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

• How can the Rockies be fixed? At this point they might need a dome/controlled environment to give the pitchers a chance.

Mark P

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 5/$75 get an extension done for me?

Mark P

• 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

• Do the White Sox extend Murakami in the offseason?

Mark P

• 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

• It is finally evident that despite  a lofty outlook not to long ago that Atlanta could miss the  playoffs,no?

Mark P

• 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

• 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

• 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…
• 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

• What are your takes on Marte? Does he play out the rest of his contract in AZ?

Mark P

• 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

• 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

• 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

• We will have the same questions when Bonemer gets the call.

Mark P

• “Oh no, where will we fit all our good players” is a pretty nice problem for the White Sox to have

Bobby witt

• Can players be outright sold nowadays like with babe Ruth?

Mark P

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• With judge coming back and two new offensive players from trades. Any chance we see rice at catcher

Mark P

• 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

• Who is playing 2B for the Yankees next season?

Mark P

• 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

• 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?

Mark P

• Randy Flores and Mike Girsch both drew some speculation as possible Angels hires under Mozeliak, but that was more just because of their past history with Mo than any concrete news.As per Jon Heyman, the Pujols/Angels talks last winter broke down because of disagreements over “coaches, resources, and compensation.”  For the latter, I can understand why Pujols would’ve balked if Arte Moreno was only offering something like the one-year deal Kurt Suzki signed.  While Pujols would surely want more security no matter who’s running the front office, having Mozeliak in there would seemingly help smooth things over if there is still any hope of Pujols becoming the Halos’ skipper
• Ultimately it’ll be down to Arte Moreno making the call, so it’s anyone’s guess as to how he’ll proceed with either the front office search or a likely managerial search

Brian

• which team has the biggest concern? Mariners with Raleigh, Toronto with vlad, dodgers with Diaz and turner or the pirates with Skenes drop in velocity?

Mark P

• Diaz is easily fourth of four on this list, since his struggles haven’t slowed the Dodgers down at all.#1 has to be Guerrero given the sheer size of his contract.  While Guerrero and Raleigh aren’t the only reasons their teams have underachieved, it’s hard to see the Jays or M’s making a late push if both continue to struggle like this.

Pope Donn Pall

• Any concerns about Roch’s up and down few weeks in high A?

Mark P

• Nope.  It’s the first few weeks of his pro career.

Jesse

• Does Bo Bichette Opt out? Yes or no?

Mark P

• Heavily leaning towards no.  Bichette would have to get nuclear hot in September to make an opt-out a serious consideration, since even with his recent surge, he’s still a below-average hitter for the season

John Schneider

• Steve said in the FO chat on Friday that Lukes and Bateman are redundant.  Do you agree?  Is there a spot for both on my 2027 roster?

Mark P

• I lean towards agreeing with Steve’s take, even if the Jays’ 2027 outfield is such an open book that having both Bateman and Lukes seems like a possibility.  Barger will be back for RF, Santander is technically a LF possibility but will probably mostly be a DH, and so that leaves LF and CF open.  The Jays will surely bring in some kind of bigger bat (likely a RHH) into the outfield mix, and since Bateman is better suited to center field, Lukes would be the odd man out

SF

• Do we regret the Bailey trade, especially down two other catchers to injuries?

Mark P

• Trading Bailey isn’t in the top 25 things that went wrong with this Giants season, so probably not

Dodgers fan

• Any chance Tibbs is called up in wake of the Pages injury?

Mark P

• Tibbs has never played center field, so no

Guest

• For the Murakami question earlier, wouldn’t it make sense to make it club option filled, as hitters like Murakami can disappear massively in the next few years, ahem Luis Robert Jr

Mark P

• That may be true, yet if you’re Murakami, why sign an extension with a lot of non-guaranteed money involved, when you can lock in secured money as a free agent after 2027?  Murakami might well take the approach of “I already signed one ‘prove-it’ deal, and now I’ve proved it, so pay me.”

Stephen NH

• As a Red Sox fan, do I have a right to be excited that the Sox getting a host of players off the IL at the right time just before the playoffs and if we do, does that qualify as “pulling a Dodgers”?

Mark P

• I think “pulling a Dodgers” is technically having 60% of your pitching staff injured at all times, but you keep winning anyway.The thing about Boston’s reinforcements is that Anthony, IKF, and especially Story weren’t exactly playing well before they went on the IL.  This isn’t to say they couldn’t improve, or that they’re better options than guys like Siegler or Monasterio who may be playing over their heads.  But, it does create some questions since the impossible-to-quantify measure of clubhouse chemistry could be thrown off

Derek

• Is Cavalli really this good or just lucky? Did he finally figure it out?

Mark P

• It’s less “figuring it out” than Cavalli finally being healthy.  He was a former first-round pick and a top prospect, so it’s not like he’s coming out of nowhere as a quality player

Preller Jr

• Should the padres pick up the team option on Pivetta even though he’s been on the IL basically all year?

Mark P

• His performance in September will answer that question.  If he returns and looks decent, it’s an easy call to exercise for $14MM, in my view.Even Pivetta doesn’t pitch great, the Padres may still be inclined to pick it up.  They don’t have much else locked into the 2027 rotation anyway, and taking a $14MM flier (that they had on the books anyway) isn’t that expensive for a pitcher with Pivetta’s resume.  Especially if you consider how much the Padres would have to pay another comparable free agent to fill that rotation hole.
• Probably the only thing that would give SD serious pause about Pivetta’s option is if he still isn’t healthy.  But even then, we’ve seen teams take pricey fliers on pitchers with injury questions in the past.

Peter Bendix

• Do you see the Fish grabbing a wildcard spot? Or is 2027?

Mark P

• 2027 is more probable.  The Cubs, Phillies, and Padres are all surging, so it would likely take something like one of those teams really falling off or the Braves collapsing to really open the door for Miami.  Plus, the D’Backs are still ahead of the Marlins in the WC race, so Arizona would have to fall back as well.But, the Marlins have done well to hang around, and Stowers is back from the IL tomorrow.  Stranger things have happened than the idea of the 2026 Marlins as a playoff team, so stay tuned.

Blake

• Do the Rangers extend Joc for another two-three years or is it not worth it?

Mark P

• Joc is entering his age-35 season and is basically a DH-only platoon player.  Getting a second guaranteed year would be a nice result on his next contract, though he has hit well enough to score a decent amount of guaranteed money on another one-year pact.A return to Texas can’t be ruled out, especially if their payroll restrictions keep the team from going after any pricier bats.

Guest

• you’re the pirates GM in 2027 – what is the first position you address?

Mark P

• The assistant GM spot, since wow would I not be qualified to run a big league baseball team.Serious answer: the bullpen.

literally not a rockies fan

• Are we actually still dogging on the Rockies? I get it, the defense is horrible and the pitching is pure garbage, but we’re not looking at the positive aspects offensively. They’re ranked #7 in runs and hits, #5 in BA, #4 in SLG and OPS. They’re offense is cooking, not so hot on the other sides. I really see this as a situation (not 100% parallel to) quite like the Nats. I’d say the Nats may have some more young superstars in James Wood and Abrams (which has also translated to a better defense). Is it just those two aspects or am I seeing something wrong (minus the altitude).

Mark P

• That earlier Rockies question specifically regarded their pitching, so I didn’t bother noting that the team’s offense has been quite good.The issue with the Nats comp is that there aren’t any inherent problems preventing the Nationals from having better pitching as early as 2027.  Colorado has to figure out some way to get even adequate pitching in the most hitter-friendly environment in the majors, outside maybe Sacramento (which is only technically “the majors”)

AA

• Am I being extremely hardheaded to not DFA Kim and admit it was a $20million mistake?

Mark P

• A DFA any day now wouldn’t be a surprise.  Maybe as soon as the Braves have the need for a 40-man roster spot.

Big Nasty

• Who is your NL ROY: Stewart or Weatherholt?

Mark P

• JJ has a 4.5 fWAR to Stewart’s 2.1 fWAR.  Stewart is the better hitter of the two, though not by as much as you’d expect given the counting numbers — Stewart has a 114 wRC+ and Wetherholt a 107 wRC+JJ is my pick if I had a vote.

Sleepless in Seattle

• Has Jerry Dipoto finally run out his string in Seattle? I know his hands are somewhat tied financially by ownership, but he’s really struck out overall in his off-season acquisitions over the past few years to complement the younger players coming up through the system. Now the core of pitchers is beginning to “age out” without a full core of younger offensive players to bolster the offense. Having one of the top rated farm systems year after year is fine, but at some point, that has to translate into sustained contention in the majors… which hasn’t happened in Seattle. Time for a new voice?

Mark P

• Firing Dipoto a year after the Mariners almost reached the World Series would be something of a harsh move.  While I agree that he has surely made his share of poor moves, this roster certainly looked as good as anyone’s in baseball on paper.  Things like Raleigh’s inexplicable dropoff or Donovan’s injury-riddled year couldn’t have been reasonably foreseen, so it’s hard to fault Dipoto in that sense.It seems like part of the Mariners’ problem this year is that the kids weren’t quite ready to step up.  Maybe Emerson and Young break out in 2027, but their lack of production this year stood out, especially since Donovan hasn’t been around to provide cover and JP Crawford had a pretty average year.
• This isn’t to say that Dipoto is entirely blameless, of course.  It’s hard to believe the Mariners are this mediocre, especially in a year that the AL West seemed absolutely theirs for the taking.  Dan Wilson‘s job seems to be in serious jeopardy, but I doubt Seattle will overhaul the front office as well.

Ethan

• How many people in Pittsburgh lose their jobs after this collapse?

Mark P

• I wouldn’t be surprised by a total housecleaning after the season.  To be fair, the Pirates were playing well before so much of their lineup got hurt, but I think another losing season will cost Cherington and Kelly their jobs.

Time to Fly

• Do the Red Sox finally move on from Jarren Duran this offseason? Does Arias break camp as there everyday SS next spring?

Mark P

• Probably, and probably.  The time to move Duran was last winter before his trade value cratered, but the Red Sox will now have to bite the bullet and take a lesser return.

Dave C

• Will Dana be the only one to get fired if we don’t make the playoffs?

Mark P

• I doubt Brown or Espada are with the Astros in 2027 unless the team makes a deep playoff run. Just getting to the postseason won’t be enough to save their jobs.

Guest

• Hi Mark.  The Dbacks pulled one out late today.  Again.  Your thoughts 30 + games out?  Will they make the playoffs?  If no?  Are Torrey and Mike Hazen gone?  Excessive injuries and the yearly Ketel Marte absence nonsense.  Thanks!

Mark P

• The glass half-full view is that perhaps this Marte situation can be a galvanizing force for the rest of the clubhouse, and the D’Backs can go on a run.  It would be rough if the team barely missed out on a playoff spot for the third straight year, but that seems like a distinct possibility with Marte’s issues arising just as the Phillies and Padres continue to play well

Qualifying Offer

• Who gets one? Names I could think of: Arozarena, Chisholm, Suzuki, maybe Happ. Not Brandon Lowe because it’s the Pirates.

Mark P

• Arozarena/Suzuki/Lowe are all easy yesses in my view, Happ is leaning towards yes but it’s close, and Jazz is a no.Lowe has been good enough for the Pirates that I don’t think they would mind a scenario where he accepts the QO.  Also, they can pretty safely assume that Lowe will be turning a QO down

Monday Morning

• Off the top of your head, what was the best trade acquisition from this past offseason, to date? Sonny Gray?

Mark P

• With all respect to Gray, he might not even be the best trade acquisition on the Red Sox, given Contreras’ big numbers
• Thanks for all the questions, gang! Time to wrap tonight’s chat
• And thanks to the Twins for holding off the Jenkins promotion for at least a couple more hours
• If you’re interested in more baseball Q&A, one of the many benefits of our Trade Rumors Front Office subscription is the exclusive weekly live chats. The more limited field means you’re about 10 times more likely to get a question answered, as opposed to battling for space with hundreds of other questions in today’s chat. For more on our memberships, check out this link:https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/membership?ref=chat-8-23-26