MLBTR Chat Transcript

Mark P

• We’re off and running with the latest edition of the Weekend Chat!

James

• Jung Hoo Lee to the Astros?

Mark P

• It’s an interesting idea on paper, but Lee is probably too expensive given Astros ownership’s wariness about the luxury tax.
• Some money could change hands as part of a hypothetical trade package, but the Giants probably feel they shouldn’t or couldn’t have to eat money as part of a JHL deal (or, they can move him to a deal willing to take on the contract)

Roy C.

• What do you think realistically the Pirates will do to add to the current roster?

Mark P

• Relief pitching is a must, and bringing in another veteran starter would be another interesting move.

Devers

• Can I pinch-run the chat tonight?

Mark P

• lol, I’m not one to talk, as Devers would destroy me in a race.  I’m not known for my speed.

Mitch

• It doesn’t seem like it but does Byron Buxton end up waiving his no trade clause

Mark P

• Buxton has said multiple times (including a few days ago) that he isn’t waiving the clause

Clem Fandango

• You only can pick one team — who is Jaron Duran playing for in late August?

Mark P

• Boston

Restless Yankee fan

• Any chance we get Tarik Skubal or Hunter brown at the deadline?

Mark P

• Zero chance the Astros trade Brown.  I can see the Yankees at least making a play for Skubal, though their rotation is already so good that starting pitching doesn’t seem like a tremendous need.  (Yes, I realize that it’s Skubal)

DING DONG

• who says elmer and jones and wells 4 dingler

Mark P

• Detroit with an emphatic no. Even if the Tigers sell at the deadline, Dingler isn’t going anywhere.

Howdy Doodie

• I’m surprised the Marlins didn’t bring up Agustin Ramirez when Liam Hicks went on the DL today.  Has Brian Navaretto shown promise as a catcher in Miami’s system?

Mark P

• Navaretto is just a depth guy, but the Marlins probably don’t expect Hicks to be out for very long.Navaretto is also a catcher, whereas Ramirez’s glovework is so mediocre that I’m not sure he really qualifies as a playable option.  He also hasn’t been hitting since his demotion, so Ramirez isn’t exactly in a good position for a call-up

Mr. Dressup

• Do the Jays upgrade at SS at the deadline?

Mark P

• The easier move would be to land a second baseman and move Clement to shortstop.  The issue is Gimenez’s salary, since that’s a lot of money being devoted towards a player who would suddenly be a backup.Gimenez still isn’t hitting, and his shortstop glovework hasn’t gotten the across-the-board raves one might’ve expected coming into the season.  The public metrics are split — OAA loves his defense, but DRS has him average.

FJF

• What players do you expect the A’s to sell off this summer?

Mark P

• I think the A’s are more likely to be buyers than sellers at the deadline.  If they do happen to fall out of the race, expect moves like trying to trade pending free agent types, even if Springs, Civale, McNeil, etc. have limited to no trade value.Since teams always need pitching, Springs or Civale might have a market since some clubs might feel they just need to get out of Sacramento.

  Severino’s injury ends whatever trade value he might’ve had, fwiw

George

• Does Atlanta get a clear cut #2 starter behind Sale?

Mark P

• How about a world where Sale becomes the #2 behind, say, Tarik Skubal?  Making a big splash for Skubal is definitely within Alex Anthopoulos’ range, and the Braves probably (?) have enough minor league depth and young talent to get Detroit’s attention in the event of a Skubal sale.
• Also, how fun is a headline of “Tigers’ Skubal sale results in Skubal/Sale”?

Walter

• You forgot about Travis Bazzana and Sal Stewart big day on Saturday in your  opener post this morning.

Mark P

• There’s only so much Opener space to go around, given our three-point format (or four points, if you count the intro paragraph)

Draft

• Do you think with the upcoming negotiations in the CBA, that the draft will get an overhaul?  Specifically, trading picks, removing high school players and setting up a pay system that is more like the NFL in which each slot is worth a certain amount of money instead of giving each team a specific amount of money and picking players who will ask for less to be drafted higher?

Mark P

• The draft will be altered in some form, and if you’re looking at an easy solution, making all picks tradable seems like the simplest “why aren’t they doing this?” fix that both the league and the players can agree on.Pretty much everything else in the owners’ proposal from earlier this week is an obvious non-starter from the MLBPA’s end.

Angels Fan

• Who brings back a better haul of players? (Assuming Arte greenlights any meaningful trades/improvements) Reid Detmers or Zach Neto?

Mark P

• Who has more trade value? Detmers (43.3% | 178 votes) Neto (56.6% | 233 votes) Total Votes: 411
• Interesting question, and I’d lead towards Neto because of the extra year of team control.  Teams love pitching, but teams also love cost-controlled players just a little bit more.Unfortunately, the real answer to your question is that the Angels aren’t going to move either of those guys since ownership doesn’t see a rebuild as necessary.

Mike

• What is more fun than Kyle Schwarber hitting bombs?

Mark P

• Not much, though Bryce Harper legging out triples is right up there

JeRRy Dipoto

• If you’re going to have a platoon system, you need guys who can actually do the job. What RHB’s can the Mariners pick up to replace Refsnyder and Joe, who aren’t getting the job done against lefties? I’d rather they just play Raley and Canzone every day.

Mark P

• Things will get more loaded from the LHH side once Donovan is back from the injured list, so a righty bat (or two) should be at or near the top of Seattle’s wishlist at the deadline.  The good news is that due to the platoon situation, the Mariners only “need” a part-timer, and those types of players come at a lower trade cost than a regular.Off the top of my head, Lane Thomas seems like a logical target when and if the Royals start selling.

Josh

• Why is there a separate 7 day IL for concussions? Does it act any different to the 10/15 day IL?

Mark P

• Due to the nature of head injuries or concussion symptoms, a player can be completely fine within a day or two.  So, putting them on a full 10-day or 15-day IL can be a little unnecessary, hence the creation of the concussion-specific seven-day IL.

Alec Bohm’s Mom

• Is that Brandon Marsh character really this good?  That .396 BABIP is pretty high.

Mark P

• Even beyond the BABIP, Marsh is really outperforming his peripherals, so some regression in the second half is likely inevitable.

Vogter

• Am I going to win the manager of the year for a third straight time?   I have no bats and we are still atop the AL Central

Mark P

• Will Venable would be the runaway winner if the vote was held today.

Cards fan

• what does the pitching market look like for May? Trade or extend?

Mark P

• An extension doesn’t really fit what the Cardinals are trying to do long-term.  If STL is still in the race by August 3 they’ll just keep him and see how things play out in a postseason run.In the event that the Cards are out of the running, May has quietly turned himself into a very nice trade chip.  Teams aren’t going overboard with offers for a rental pitcher with May’s injury history, but the Cardinals should be able to recoup a nice return on their free agent investment

Bryan C

• I do not understand why teams trying to get into the playoffs don’t try hard to trade for help in June and July? You will have the player for a longer period of time to help your team?

Mark P

• The problem this season is that 27-28 teams are still trying to get into the playoffs at this point, so there aren’t many clearcut sellers. And the teams who are selling have the leverage to demand big asking prices for their assets.

Pirates

• Do you see the Pirates playing meaningful baseball in August/September this year or still a year away?

Mark P

• The Bucs have enough to stay in the wild card race, even if winning the NL Central is probably already out of reach.  I guess it depends on what you mean by “meaningful,” since having a winning record is a nice step forward for the club even if it obviously pales in comparison to making the playoffs

Burleson

• Some have suggested Burleson from the Cardinals could be dealt this summer.  Does he have value and what could he fetch?

Mark P

• Burleson would have a ton of trade value, as a big bat who is under team control through 2028.  The three years is just lengthy enough that I wonder if the Cardinals view him as an actual trade chip, since this year’s success might have St. Louis thinking they’ll be proper contenders well before Burleson’s control window is over.

Reds fanatic

• Who goes down when Elly comes back? McLain? Arroyo? Do you see the Reds as a potential landing spot for Aroldis, we need bullpen help, and I don’t see Boston still contending, though I could be wrong.

Mark P

• Arroyo is probably the likeliest candidate to be sent down.  As for trading for Chapman, it’s not out of the question, but the Reds are going to need to start banking some wins before we talk about them as deadline buyers

Clearing House

• Ray to the Phillies, Chapman to the Yankees, Arraez to the Dodgers, Devers to the Blue Jays, Adames to the Braves, Ramos to the Mariners, Which one of these has legs?

Mark P

• Ray/Phillies and Ramos/Mariners both seem plausible. Chapman to the Yankees is unlikely but not totally inconceivable.  The other suggestions, no dice.

B-Wild

• Is Alcantara a sure thing to go?

Mark P

• Not all, given how the Marlins are in the thick of the wild card race.
• Er, not AT all

Grady’s lady

• Could you see Houston sending Parades to Cleveland for 4 years of SP Logan Allen and a prospect ?

Mark P

• Nope.  Houston would want more for Paredes, plus I don’t think the Astros will be selling at the deadline anyway

Chris

• What might a trade for Garret Whitlock cost?

Mark P

• Whitlock is owed the remainder of a $7.5MM salary this year, and he has two club options for 2027 and 2028 worth a little under $19MM in total.  That’s a very reasonable sum for someone who has shown he can be a lockdown reliever at his best, so the Sox would be within their rights to ask for quite a bit in a Whitlock trade.If you’re a rival team in need of relief help, who would you rather pursue if you’re calling up Craig Breslow?
• Chapman or Whitlock?

Elan

• Does Kyle Teel get called up tomorrow?

Mark P

• He’s banked five games on his current rehab stint, so if not Monday, Teel returning this week seems very likely.  Getting him back for the start of this big series with Cleveland would be a boost.

ponopoly

• White Sox are completely cooked and breaking the loss record again correct?

Mark P

• I love that it’s June 21 and Chicago is only two victories away from matching their 2024 win total.

Maizel

• Change of scenery trade; Dylan Crews to Cleveland for Bo Naylor and Kahlil Watson

Mark P

• The Nationals likely aren’t ready to move Crews so soon.  While he has yet to show he can hit MLB pitching, front offices usually don’t move players of that draft pedigree, even if the Nats’ current front office weren’t the ones who picked him 1-2

Tom

• How bout Wilson Contreras to the phillies

Mark P

• Philly doesn’t want to move Harper to the outfield again, so 1B/DH types aren’t on the menu

MaxClark

• Do you think the Tigers will call me him up anytime soon?  Seems to be heating up a little last two weeks

Mark P

• The Tigers would prefer to see Clark dominating rather than “heating up a little” against Triple-A pitching.  He’ll be up at some point in 2026, but I’d guess probably not before the trade deadline.

Guest

• Is Roki Sasaki part of the rotation in October?

Mark P

• If (and it’s a big if) everyone else is healthy, Sasaki is probably slated for the bullpen.  Yamamoto, Ohtani, Snell, Glasnow are kinda locked in as the top four if everyone is available.

Lovable losers

• Do you think Chicago would trade away an asset like Suzuki or Happ knowing their not World Series contenders but could still make the post season?

Mark P

• If the Cubs had faith in Ballesteros and/or Alcantara to help fill the offensive void, it would be a lot of fun to see Chicago and another contender swing a need-for-need “baseball trade” of an outfielder for a pitcher.Since we’re talking teams who need outfield help, I immediately loaded up the Guardians roster to see if I could work a trade fit, but I don’t think these two clubs exactly line up

RJ

• As an Angels fan, who has been waiting a long time for, for young good starting pitchers. I would rather the Angels sign Detmers and Soriano to extensions. Trade position players, to bolster the farm system. Am I wrong for thinking that way?

Mark P

• For all of the criticisms one can level at Arte Moreno’s decision-making, you don’t hear much about the lack of contract extensions.But, Max Stassi is the last player who get an extension from the Halos, and that was in March 2022.

  https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/contracttracker?name=&team=LAA&position…

• For a team so keen on bringing their top prospects to the majors as quickly as possible, you’d think the Angels might look into locking up some of these building blocks early in their careers (or even before they reach the Show).But, that would probably run counter to the Angels’ desire to get cheap and (in theory) quality production from controllable prospects.

Cashman

• Should I buy out through Schlittler’s arbitration years for sixty million with 3 reasonably priced option years tacked on at the end?

Mark P

• The Yankees don’t extend players, as a general team rule.

Jays

• Spencer Miles, a Rule 5 pick, has been a darn good pitcher for the Jays—but he’s now in middle-relief limbo. Will he ever start (or be a bvulk reliever) another game this season?

Mark P

• The way Toronto pitchers keep getting hurt, Miles will absolutely get more starts before 2026 is over

Royals

• I hate baseball. And injuries.  And baseball.

Mark P

• Tough year for KC fans, I feel your pain.  At least the Chiefs are….uh….

Just a Bit Outside

• If the 27 season is lost, what national tv outlet would want MLB, they know fans will walk away, it’s not 1994, too much to do for fans to come back.

Mark P

• Baseball offers so many games and so much content that they’ll always draw interest from broadcast outlets.  But you’re right that an extended work stoppage will be brutal for fans and casual viewers who will get used to watching other things

MSG

• Knicks in 5. You heard it here first.

Mark P

• Danhausen?  Is this you?

Prid50

• When Barger returns the Jays will have 5 left hand hitting outfielders. Which is about two too many. How do you think they will address the logjam?

Mark P

• Pinango has cooled off so he’ll just get sent down, leaving Toronto with Barger, Varsho, Sanchez, and Lukes.  It’s not an ideal situation, and I could see something creative like Sanchez being shopped as a trade chip to address other needs.
• Using Barger at 3B once in a while to spell Okamoto against some RHP is another answer.

SteveinAZ

• Right now do you think McGonigle would be the favorite to win AL ROY?

Mark P

• For sure, especially with Murakawi on the IL. We maybe shouldn’t rule out Bazzana as a dark horse if he can keep this up the rest of the season.

Preller Jr

• Do you see Padres keeping Tatis at 2nd and trying to package Cronenworth for a RF? Tatis seems to stay engaged more playing the infield.

Mark P

• At his best, Tatis is perhaps the best defensive right fielder is baseball.  So moving him to 2B doesn’t seem like an ideal answer for the Padres, especially since Cronenworth has basically zero trade value.

Nick Kurtz

• Wild guess just for fun… which team am I playing for in 2032?

Mark P

• This is the least fun answer possible for most fans, but….the Dodgers

fascinating

• what kind of return could Webb bring back to SF, and why on Earth wouldn’t the Giants be open to trading him? There’s no way they’re in contention during his current contract

Mark P

• Trading Webb would mean the Giants are blowing things up completely, which is something the front office surely doesn’t want to do

Bernard Brewer

• Why isn’t Chad Patrick in the rotation?

Mark P

• Milwaukee seems to value Patrick’s ability to work in whatever role is required more than his ability to work as just a regular starter. There’s nothing saying that Patrick might end up back in the rotation proper before the season is out, as there’s still a lot in flux with the Brewers’ pitching situation

Bill James

• What is your favorite random stat line? Either single season or career.

Mark P

• Stan Musial having 1815 career hits at home, and 1815 career hits on the road

Snakebit

• When do the DBacks give up on Lawlar? This dude can’t stay healthy and they have other young OF like Waldschmidt in their system.

Mark P

• The recurring hamstring injuries are certainly a concern, but fluky injuries like having a wrist broken from a HBP can happen to anyone.  It’s obviously not helpful that Lawlar hasn’t been able to stay on the field, yet the D’Backs are a long ways away from parting ways

Curious George

• Have there been more injuries than normal this year?  I hear the mediocre AL being blamed on injuries to the Jays, Orioles, Royals, Tigers, etc.

Mark P

• As someone whose job requires a lot of writing about injury-related posts, I don’t feel 2026 has been a particularly weird outlier of a year?  It may seem that way just because some bigger names have been sidelined

Vic

• When the Royals open for business will they listen on Mikael Garcia and what would they expect in return?

Mark P

• Garcia signed a pricey extension just six months ago, so he’s not available

AbefromanJr

• Has Andrew Benitendi played well enough to have any trade interest this year and would the Sox be willing to deal him since they are playing for the post season?

Mark P

• Benintendi has a 95 wRC+ through 237 PA, and he has about $8.5MM-ish remaining this year plus $14.5MM owed in 2027.In short, his trade value is still very minimal to non-existent.  If the ChiSox stay in contention and Chris Getz wanted to get creative on the trade front, he could maybe explore moving Benintendi as salary offset if the Sox took on a larger contract in a bit of a win-now move.

Zero

• When will Joshua Baez get called up?

Mark P

• Baez’s strikeouts have again spiked upwards and his walk rate has dropped against Triple-A pitching.  So there are some legit reasons why the Cardinals might want to see him get a little more seasoning in the minors, but it’s just a matter of time before Baez is up in St. Louis
• Time to call it a night.  Thanks for all the questions and comments, and more chattin’ will be had next weekend (in addition to all the other free and subscriber-only chats on MLBTR throughout the week).Speaking of which, 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-6-21-26