Mark Polishuk's NL Central comments

[mikechamp]

These comments came from a chat with MLB Trade Rumors' Mark Polishuk that occurred on August 11.

More questions this week than last. I also included 3 bonus questions; one about offseason prognostications, one about the 2028 Olympics and one about possible waiver wire moves. Enjoy!!

The link to the entire chat can be found here: https://live.jotcast.com/chat/mlbtr-liv ... 18942.html
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Do you think the Brewers have any hope of keeping Adames if they make it to the World Series? It is very hard to imagine this team without his energy.

Mark Polishuk
They've got Yelich on the mega-contract, Chourio on the big pre-career extension... seems unlikely that the Brewers would splurge again for Adames, since that's a lot of payroll for a mid-market team to commit to just three players.

With some extra money in the coffers from a long playoff run, maybe there's a shot, but it's more likely Adames is let go in free agency.
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How on earth are the Brewers hanging on to the NL central lead? Will they keep keep the lead through the end of the season?

Mark Polishuk
Nobody else in the division is exactly pushing them, so the Brewers (despite their flaws) are my choice to end up as division champs.
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MIchael Busch leads first basemen in DRS....hitting at a very acceptable level.... does his production on both sides remove the Cubs from Alonso sweepstakes? They DESPERATELY need a thumper next year.

Mark Polishuk
The Cubs have to be entirely satisfied with Busch's 2024 season, and I'd agree that it would surprising to see them target someone like Alonso with Busch already doing well as a regular 1B. Chicago can invest its money towards other needs on the roster than first base.
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Can you see Cubs trading Hoerner this offseason to open up spot for Shaw, who’d seem to have more offensive upside?

Mark Polishuk
Seems possible. After this year's disappointment, bolder moves like trading Hoerner might be necessary to finally get the team back into contention.
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Regardless of the playoffs, the Cardinals haven’t had back-to-back losing seasons since 1958-1959 (not including the strike years). Do they stay above .500 this year?

Mark Polishuk
Will the Cardinals win at least 82 games?

Yes (53.4% | 191 votes)

No (46.6% | 167 votes)

Total Votes: 358
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Dodgers signing Adames make sense?

Mark Polishuk
Absolutely. If Lux keeps hitting the rest of the way and the Dodgers become sold on him as a regular going forward, they might opt to keep him at 2B and stick with another glove-first option at shortstop. But, since it's the Dodgers, can't rule out another big acquisition.
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Can the Cubs move Happ, even with his NTC? Seems to me, that Pittsburgh (hometown) or Cincinnati (hits like like a monster there), both would be very interested.

Mark Polishuk
Trading Happ within the division seems like a non-starter. Trading him altogether isn't out of the question, since like I mentioned earlier, the Cubs might be more bold in shaking up the team.
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I just saw my first game at Target Field on Saturday. What is your favorite park to see a game live? What park haven't you been to that you most want to visit?

Mark Polishuk
PNC Park is my favourite stadium I've ever visited, and Dodger Stadium is atop my bucket list of ballparks I've yet to visit.
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Reds management blew their chance. What say you?

Mark Polishuk
If the Reds had swung some big trade or made some big signing last winter, I'm not sure it would've been enough to overcome almost their entire position player core (except Elly) getting hurt or playing poorly.
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GM Ben Cherrington has to be on the hot seat, no? Poorly ranked farm system with a few decent arms but really no offensive help coming. Is the issue really as simple as ownership not opening the checkbook?

Mark Polishuk
The emergence of Skenes and Jones is a step forward for the Bucs, even if questions certainly need to be asked about the rest of the roster. Definitely understand why Pittsburgh fans are frustrated in waiting for the team to really start winning, but there's light at the end of the tunnel. I don't think Cherington is in any big trouble of being fired.
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Do you expect this offseason to be like this past offseason? Meaning as slow with the biggest names waiting to be signed into spring training again or do you think last year's market will cause more urgency on the players part?

Mark Polishuk
Last winter might've been a bit of an outlier due to the uniqueness of the Ohtani and Yamamoto situations, plus a few traditionally bigger-spending teams not being all that active. I could see Scott Boras perhaps changing tactics a bit after last offseason, but every player and every market is different, so Boras clients won't suddenly be jumping at contracts in November or anything.
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What do you think baseball looks like for the 2028 Olympics? Minor leaguers play? Major Leaguers play with a shortened season?

Mark Polishuk
There's obvious appeal to big leaguers playing in Los Angeles, but it would seem like such a logistical issue to interrupt the season. There's plenty of time for the league, the MLBPA, and the IOC to figure things out before 2028, but I'd lean against it for now.
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Are there going to be any waiver wire moves this August? Or was it a one year trend with Angels trying to get under CBT threshold?

Mark Polishuk
Probably not to the wild extent that the Angels did, but we'll definitely see some teams waive contracts if they have some concerns over whether or not they'll get under the tax line.
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