Mark P

• Is this the last chat of the regular season, or (since the games are now all over) technically the first chat of the postseason?  And, if this chat exists in both planes at once, could this be called….Schrodinger’s Chat?As we ponder these questions and more, let’s take some questions!

Alex

• Is this the perfect storm for the Braves to finally get the playoff Phillies monkey off their back?

Mark P

• Atlanta certainly would seem to have the edge, but you never know once the playoffs begin.  Just looking back to last year, the Guardians seemed to have all the momentum over the collapsing Tigers, but it was Detroit who advanced in the WCS

Peter Bendix

• WHO am I adding to the team next year? Extend Sandy, Eury, Mack?

Mark P

• Miami has virtually nothing on the books, so they could all of this with ease, from a financial perspective. Maybe for Mack, they wait until they see something from him as a hitter, and there’s no rush since Mack is still a couple of years away even from arbitration eligibility.
• Perez is only arb-eligible for the first time this coming offseason, and next season is his age-24 campaign.  Locking him up to something like a six-year deal gives the Marlins control over three FA years and still allows Perez to test the market heading into his age-30 season.As for Alcantara, the Marlins will obviously exercise their club option for 2027, and extending him again is a wise move. Miami may not be far away from making a real move into contention, and cementing Alcantara as the face of the franchise is a good idea for both baseball reasons and as a popular move with a beleaguered fanbase

Holly A

• Who is your biggest surprise of the post season

Mark P

• They’ve been good for so much of the season that it’s not longer quite as shocking….but it’s still wild that the White Sox actually made the playoffs.  Virtually nobody saw that coming back in March.

Kevin in Mo

• Arenado’s turn around season is fun to watch.  If he finishes his career with 400 hr’s would that round out his HOF election?

Mark P

• Arenado has 383 for his career, but frankly, I think he already has a clear path to Cooperstown as it is

Not Mo

• I’m thinking that Mike Soroka would be a good off-season target for the Cardinals.  Thoughts?

Mark P

• Would definitely help, sure.  Soroka’s bounce-back year will get him a lot of attention in free agency.  It’s a matter of whether or not his asking price puts him outside STL’s comfort zone, or if the Cardinals are willing to spend a little more on rotation help this winter.

offseason deadlines

• will deadlines such as non tenders proceed normally up  until the lockout?

Mark P

• Yep

Posting Windows

• do these freeze during the lockout?

Mark P

• Yep.  So if Sato, Taira and company haven’t signed with a new team by December 1, they’ve got to wait out the lockout like every other free agent.
• The latest reports indicated that NPB teams might post their players a little earlier than usual, to provide more time for the players to find a big league contract before Dec. 1.The possibility exists, however, that any of these players might get fed up with the wait and just decide to return to NPB for 2027

Too long Cincy

• Will organizational changes be made? Same thing happens every year. If nothing changes, they basically confirm they are OK with mediocrity.

Mark P

• Ken Rosenthal and C. Trent Rosecrans of the Athletic had a heck of a piece on the Reds this past week, which was both eye-opening and maybe a little depressing for Cincinnati fans…https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7622943/2026/09/24/cincinnati-reds-ca…
• The shortened version is that the front office would love to try a Rays/Brewers/Guardians-esque approach of trading players before free agency and restocking with younger talent, but ownership has balked at this idea.Not that the front office is blameless, of course, since it’s not like the Reds are drafting and developing their own prospects at nearly the success rate of those other smaller-payroll clubs.

Ghost of Bud Black

• Should the Rox trade Goodman this offseason?

Mark P

• Goodman is arb-controlled through the 2029 season.  Since I doubt the Rockies will be good at any point in the next three years, I’d lean towards selling high on him right now and getting as many prospects as possible into the fold.

Josh E

• When a player on a playoff team gets sent down like a week before the playoffs start, where do they go?  Do they just hang around the big league club, do they go home?

Mark P

• All teams have an unofficial camp going to keep minor leagues in game shape, once the minor league season (and postseason) is over.  So demoted players either so here, or to the complex league affiliates at a team’s Spring Training camp.

Drew Thorpe

• Why didn’t the White Sox give me a chance to start a game down the stretch?

Mark P

• Thorpe hasn’t pitched at all since the Sox activated him from the 60-day IL in mid-September and then optioned him to Triple-A.  Maybe there was an injury situation again, but the simpler answer is maybe just that the White Sox didn’t want to throw Thorpe into the high-pressure environment of a playoff race.

D’Backs Fan

• Tough decisions for Hazen and company. First sign Torey to a 3 year contract, he deserves it.

Mark P

• I can see the arguments both for and against keep Lovullo.  Maybe a new manager can get the D’Backs over the top.  But, it’s not Lovullo’s fault that the club has dealt with so many injuries (particularly on the pitching front) in the last few years.And, it bears noting that while Arizona hasn’t made the playoffs since 2023, it’s not like they’ve been a bad team.  89 wins in 2024, 86 wins this year, and even the 80-win 2025 team didn’t miss the postseason by much.

Dave

• Do the Hiants tender Doval a contract and risk paying 6 million?

Mark P

• The fact that SF claimed him at all makes me think he’ll be tendered a contract, and that number will be at least $7MM since he earned $6.1MM in 2026.It’s possible the Giants might non-tender Doval and then look to re-sign him at a lower number, taking advantage of the fact that he has been so open about wanting to stay in San Francisco.  But, a non-tender then just opens the door to another team swooping in to make Doval an offer.  Tending Doval is perhaps the easier move for a Giants team that badly needs bullpen help anyway

DCN

• Josue dePaula on LAD playoff roster?

Mark P

• Between Rushing and De Paula, the Dodgers seem willing to devote one roster spot to a pure pinch-hitter, since neither will be playing in the field (or at DH with Ohtani back).  Rushing has more experience but also has barely played in two months.  JDP might be the better choice based on lack of rust alone

Dave

• Since Alec Bohm’s offensive numbers are similar to Bo Bichette’s, what kind of market can he expect in free agency?

Mark P

• Even in a market thin on position players, Bohm isn’t going to get a ton of attention.  I’m guessing a one-year contract in the $8MM range at most.

Padres

• Can we really beat the mighty Cubs?

Mark P

• Given how San Diego has been red-hot for two months now, absolutely.

Ted Turner

• Thoughts on a Devers for Riley swap? Eat some of the Devers money in deal or provide a prospect to buy down Riley contract in the deal?

Mark P

• I realize that Braves fans are getting desperate to unload Riley, but let’s try to stick to realistic options here, lol

Luis Arraez

• I really wanted that 4th batting title!

Mark P

• I kinda think Moreno is a more fun winner, just because it’s pretty rare for a catcher to win a batting title.Also notable….Yordan Alvarez fell short of the triple crown, but he did win the slash line triple crown for leading MLB in average, OBP, and slugging percentage

Halo Fans

• Could we be playoff hopefuls in less than 8-10 years? Or is that bare minimum?

Mark P

• Look at how hopeless the White Sox looked in 2024, and look where they are now.  With competent ownership and a front office in place, it shouldn’t take eight-plus years for the Halos to return to contention.

Danny Heep

• Carson Benge NL ROY?

Benge

• Benge should win the Roy right?

Mark P

• I think Stewart will still take the award, but Benge put on a big surge to really make it an interesting vote.  Either would be a respectable choice.

Ross Atkins

• Has a team ever gone from last place to League champions back to last place in a 3 year period?

Mark P

• Off the top of my head, Boston finished last in the AL East in 2012, won the World Series in 2013, and then finished last in both 2014 and 2015

Beff Jagwell

• What does Espada need to do in the playoffs to keep his job?

Mark P

• Don’t forget, Houston fired James Click after they won the WS.  So if Jim Crane has made up his mind about a managerial change, he’ll make it no matter how far the team goes

champdo

• Of Torkelson and Keith who do you think is most likely to play for another team next season?

Mark P

• Keith is under contract until at least 2029, so he’s much more likely to be sticking with Detroit

Juan Soto

• Did I have a quietly very good year?

Mark P

• Shortened by injuries, but yeah, yet another year with a .900+ OPS

Zach

• Should the Rangers rebuild? I do not really see a path for them to be a competitive team. Astros will always be decent, mariners will likely be good at some point again, and the Athletics have a pretty bright future. With their aging roster I dont see them competitive anymore.

Mark P

• I view Texas as a team that can still be competitive in 2027, which is the final guarantee year for both deGrom and Eovaldi.  Maybe the front office gives it one more push to try and win with those pitchers still in the fold, but I agree with you in general that the team as a whole doesn’t appear terribly close to “contending” in the sense of vying for a World Series.Beyond the injuries and the decline in some of the older guys, it doesn’t help that Jung keeps getting hurt, or that Langford and especially Carter have yet to really break out.  Again, maybe it takes one more season of experience for this group to all click and stay healthy, plus the Rangers can augment the lineup with other additions.
• The positives of 2026 includes Latz’s emergence, Foscue and Duran playing well, and the Nimmo-for-Semien trade is looking like a steal.Maybe I just see the glass as slightly more than half-full rather than half-empty, but I don’t see it as quite time to blow things up just yet in Arlington

Giants Fan

• Will there be a 2027 season?

Mark P

• Yep

Zach

• Is Chris Young on the host seat? Sure, they wont their first title under him but there are very little teams, if any, to be below .500 three seasons in a row after winning it all.

Mark P

• I’m not going to pretend that the Rangers have been a great team in the last three years, but like with the Diamodnbacks, some context matters.  Texas won 78 games in 2024, 81 games last year, and 80 this year.  It’s not like they’ve completely cratered, even if this steady mediocrity is probably even more maddening for fans.Young signed an extension in September 2024, so he’s probably not in danger just yet.  This is perhaps a grain-of-salt take since Jon Daniels was fired in somewhat surprising fashion in August 2022, so I shouldn’t rule out Texas ownership making another major change

Guest

• Mets have the established stars….and I hear that a flood of young talent has arrived or will soon, although farm system is 19th. Payroll $350m. Nats have no established stars but have a few in the making and also a flood of young talent, 6th best farm system. Payroll about $75m. Nats won 2 of 3 this weekend; Mets are in last place. Will either team be better next year?

Mark P

• Which team will be better in 2027?

  ---

  Mets (47.5% | 146 votes)

  Nationals (52.4% | 161 votes)

  ---

  Total Votes: 307

• I like this question so much that I put it to a poll.  Obviously it depends a ton on the two clubs do this winter, but I lean in favor of New York.  The Mets will be actively trying to win in 2027, whereas the Nationals might still be in rebuild mode for another year

Hot Seat

• Seattle has moved on. Houston and Philly may make managerial changes. Anyone else that should be afraid to pick up the phone tonight?

Mark P

• The next A’s GM might want to install their own manager, but Kotsay could also be retained through 2027 as a placeholder until the move to Vegas

Crosstown Classic

• Your thoughts on the possibility of a Cubs-Sox World Series…

Mark P

• Very unlikely, but crazier things have happened

Yankees

• Do you think either Judge or Stanton play in the wildcard round?

Mark P

• It kind of seems like Stanton may be a bit closer than Judge, since Stanton is at least facing some live pitching.  But, Stanton would be used solely as a pinch-hit option, and even that’s a risk since he hasn’t played in a Major League game in over five months.There’s also the distinct possibility that the Yankees know exactly whether or not Judge and/or Stanton will be available, but there’s some gamesmanship at work.  We likely won’t know for sure until Tuesday when rosters are announced, so until then, the Red Sox will have to prep as if both hitters will be playing

DailyDoseOfCarsonBenge

• Will I get an extension?

Mark P

• Benge, McLean, or maybe Ewing could all be viable extension candidates.

Guardians

• Don’t they have the easiest path to the LCS? They get the winner of Astro/Chipotle. For example, Tampa is waiting on Yanks/Boston winner.

Mark P

• On paper, absolutely.  MLB probably should re-seed after the first round to avoid such scenarios.

Charlie Condon

• Do I make the big league roster out of Spring Training? What other moves do the Rockies make to take us into White Sox territory?

Mark P

• I worry that the White Sox will now create a lot of unrealistic hopes for losing teams, haha.  Colorado plays in a much tougher division and league than the ChiSox, so a return to form for the Rockies seems to be seems awayCondon looks like a very solid candidate to break camp.  I wonder if the Rox would sign him a pre-career extension just to solidify things and gain some cost certainty.

Asking for a friend

• Which number one starter in the playoffs do you have the most confidence in getting it done in a must-win game?

Mark P

• Yamamoto

Johnny

• Ha ha ha what a story, Mark. Does Morejon get the QO?

Mark P

• If Morejon accepted, it’s certainly not ideal for San Diego to spend around $23MM of payroll on a setup man.  Between the lockout and maybe some uncertainty over his market, Morejon might have a case for accepting the QO if the Padres offered.My take is that San Diego probably still issues the offers.  If he rejects it, no problem.  If he accepts, at least the Padres still have a strong reliever in the fold, and maybe they could even think about using him as a starter.  If Morejon wasn’t issued as QO and he walked for nothing, that’s the least favorable outcome for the Padres.

Poll

• Who wins the World Series?

Mark P

• In a bit of insight into my thinking here, I posted the “who will make the World Series” polls earlier on the site so the “who wins” poll can be saved for when we actually know the matchup.

Fans of Mark

• Are you better at shooting pool or throwing darts?

Mark P

• Pool, which makes sense since my last name isn’t far off from “Pool Shark”

Dylan

• If springer decides to play one more szn, is he a jay?

Mark P

• Re-signing Springer locks up the DH spot, which then locks Santander into an everyday outfield role.  Since the Jays have no idea what they’re getting from either Santander or Barger next season, signing another corner outfielder and keeping the DH spot free for Santander (or general lineup flexibility) might be the wiser move.

Kevin in Mo

• Why are the Royals not including a dome roof similar to the Chiefs new stadium? The oppressive heat in Mo is killer plus the heavy downpours. Seems to make sense.

Mark P

• I don’t understand why “every” new ballpark doesn’t have a retractable roof.  Why subject fans or players to poor weather, or the uncertainty of rainouts and other cancellations?

Paul’s Boutique

• There was some life in the Baby Twins. Is Minnesota in a position to add (attract?) any veterans to be at least AL Central-competitive?

Mark P

• Given ownership’s desire to win, the Twins could certainly be aggressive in adding some (relatively) higher-priced players to next year’s roster.  They can’t count on the AL Central being as mediocre as it was in 2026, of course.My pessimistic view of the Twins is that their lineup is very thin on players I really trust heading into next year.  Plus guys like Jenkins or Culpepper haven’t proven themselves at the MLB level yet, and might still be at least a year away from doing so.  That means the Twins are in the more awkward position of balancing that prospect development with adding more win-now pieces.

Dodgers

• If/when the Dodgers sign Skubal do they trade one of their starters to further bolster their farm system or maybe add a major league outfielder?

Mark P

• “You Can Never Have Too Much Pitching”Not to say that trading a starter is entirely out of the question if the right offers emerges, but LA has a larger need for rotation help than most.  Between working with a six-man staff and having at least three big health question marks in Snell, Glasnow, and Ohtani, signing Skubal doesn’t mean anyone else has to be bumped.

Guest

• Do u see the buccos signing lowe?

Mark P

• I’ll have to see it to believe it.  Nothing in the Pirates’ recent history makes me think Lowe will be re-signed, especially since a thin free agent class will increase his asking price on the open market.  Maybe the Bucs feel they’re close enough to take the plunge, or maybe Lowe is keen enough on Pittsburgh that he’d accept an offer if the Pirates at least some pretty close to a top offer

Nick

• Suzuki or Happ returning to cubs next year

Mark P

• One at most, almost certainly not both.  Of the two, I’d prefer to retain Suzuki

Tim

• Ernie Clement is a solid ball player. Very popular with the fans. However I can see the jays moving on from him. Brandon lowe?

Mark P

• A Clement/Gimenez platoon at shortstop and Lowe (or another bat) acquired to play 2B would make a lot of sense for Toronto

Squints

• What do the Brewers need to do to get over the hump in these playoffs?

Mark P

• Not have multiple starters get hurt immediately before the playoffs?  Or, not have their entire lineup go ice-cold at the same time?  (Granted, the Dodgers’ pitchers make a lot of hitters look bad, but still.)
• Milwaukee fans may tire of the “small sample size” talking point, but there’s been no one easy answer that explains all of the Brewers’ playoff shortcomings. Maybe this is the year when it all just clicks and the breaks fall the Crew’s way.

ultramod2

• If you had to QO one of Bednar and Chisholm, which one?(I’ve got Chisholm.)

Mark P

• Bednar, easily

Guest

• You think Mize might come back to Derroit for a 1 year prove it deal

Mark P

• Can’t be ruled out.  Teams have given healthy contracts to pitchers with shakier track records than Mize, but his rough stretch in San Diego has surely hurt his asking price.The lockout is an obstacle in this scenario.  Mize would surely prefer to land a multi-year contract, but if nothing acceptable is on the table by December 1, taking a one-year offer might be seen as hasty. A compromise could be a two- or three-year pact with at least one opt-out clause.

HOF

• Does someone give Kenley Jansen a shot at 500 saves next year?

Mark P

• Yep.  Jansen got a lot of batted-ball luck this year, but his 3.96 SIERA is still respectable and he missed a lot of bats.

kim

• what’s more impressive Naylor stealing 30? or PCA 40?

Mark P

• Naylor inexplicably becoming a legit base-stealing threat is one of the low-key funniest storylines in baseball over the last couple of years.

Brian

• Is Mike Elas back next year for the O’s?

Mark P

• It would appear that way, yes

Freddy in Anaheim

• Do the Angels finally do something cool this Winter?

Mark P

• Between the lockout and the fact that the ownership transfer won’t be approved for a few months yet, it’s probably safer to point to the 2027-28 offseason as the more probable date for some real game-changing types of moves in LAA

Andrew Freidman

• We want De La Cruz, and are prepared to offer CIN 3 of our top prospects for him..Who says no?

Mark P

• The Reds.  “Only” three top prospects isn’t enough for a superstar player who is controlled through 2029.
• Not that the Reds would move Elly anyway, but at minimum, they’d want the equivalent of the Juan Soto trade package

Ca$hman

• why haven’t I taken the PBO title and hired a new GM yet??

Mark P

• The specific title doesn’t really matter within a front office.  Cashman is the top dog, no matter if he’s the GM or the PBO.  The Yankees have two listed assistant GMs, so one or both are the second-in-command who probably handles a lot of the day-to-day stuff that a GM would do working under a PBO
• Fun fact, the team’s assistant director of baseball ops is a player on Survivor this season

Ronk

• What are the chances the Diamondbacks clean house? What are the chances they keep both Lovullo and Hazen?

Mark P

• I think there’s very little chance Hazen is fired.  Lovullo is 50-50

Marlins man

• Does Arozarena make a perfect fit for Miami this winter? Especially with new cba probably introducing a salary floor.

Mark P

• “Probably” is doing a lot of heavy lifting there.But, even without a salary floor, there’s no reason the Marlins couldn’t (shock of shocks) actually spend some money anyway on a premium player.
• We’ve hit the two-hour mark, so it’s time to close things down.  Thanks as always for all the questions, and I hope everyone enjoy the coming week of postseason madness!
• 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-9-27-26