Mark Polishuk's NL Central comments

[mikechamp]

These comments came from a chat with MLB Trade Rumors' Mark Polishuk that occurred on May 31.

More questions than last time, so we're trending in the right direction. There are 6 bonus questions: one about IL shenanigans, and 5 about the new CBA. Enjoy the read!!

The link to the entire chat can be found here: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/05/ ... t-129.html
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What do the Pirates do with Mlodzinski? Leave him on the restricted list or trade him?

Mark Polishuk
While Mlodzinski isn’t happy with his current situation, I don’t think this is an Eric Lauer situation where there are hard feelings “and” the pitcher isn’t performing. I’m sure a few teams have checked in with the Bucs on trade offers, but if you’re Pittsburgh, Mlodzinski is a valuable depth arm.
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Why don’t the Reds send Mclain and Friedl to the minors?

Mark Polishuk
That question may have to be put on hold if Elly is going to the IL.
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How many years and money do Walker and Wetherholt get? Thank you!

Mark Polishuk
JJW and the Cards reportedly had some extension talks in the spring but nothing came of it. So in that sense, the Cardinals may have missed a window for a relative bargain since Wetherholt has now amassed a solid MLB record in his first season. His agents have a case for something in the realm of Jackson Merrill‘s extension, depending on how the rest of the season proceeds.

Walker is interesting since he’s only breaking out now, right in time to nicely boost his first arbitration payday. Assuming Walker keeps this up over the full season, the Cardinals may feel comfortable enough to put forward a notable extension, or they may want to play “wait and see” a bit deeper into 2027 before considering a long-term deal.
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What would it take for Reds to acquire Aroldis Chapman?

Mark Polishuk
Chapman is working on a $12MM salary for 2026, and he has a mutual/vesting option for 2027 that triggers a $13MM guaranteed payday if he pitches at least 40 innings this year and is healthy at season’s end. So Chapman is in pretty good shape to hit that 40-inning threshold, and I’d think that may make him a little too pricey for the Reds’ liking.
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What relievers do the Pirates have their sights on?

Mark Polishuk
Too early for any specific names to be thrown around. Probably like most contenders, the Pirates will be vaguely “in on everyone” when it comes to relievers, though Pittsburgh will be operating at a lower price point. If the Bucs can remain in the race, it’ll be fun to watch them operate at the deadline since it’s been so long since they and Cherington have been buyers.
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Wrigley or Fenway?

Mark Polishuk
Wrigley is one of my very favourite ballparks, so it gets the nod.
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What’s with Bregman? Is he having growing pains adjusting to the NL? Is Wrigley just a bad park for him?

Mark Polishuk
Bregman’s road splits are better than his home splits, if still below his regular standard. There isn’t much difference metric-wise between Bregman in 2025 and 2026, but he’s hitting the ball with a lot less authority and thus generating less power.
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Realistically, what can the Cubs do to add 2 starters?

Mark Polishuk
Cabrera and Boyd won’t be out for much longer, and Justin Steele is still expected to be back in late August, even if there’s still a lot of uncertainty about his status: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/05/ ... teele.html

So in theory, there’s some light at the end of the tunnel of pitching injuries here, which will impact how hard Chicago goes for rotation help at the deadline. One can certainly argue the Cubs could use two more arms even with Boyd/Cabrera joining the mix, but the Cubs might feel they have enough pure depth to go for more mid-rotation type than someone like Skubal.

The question the Cubs must be asking themselves is whether they’re fine with Imanaga, Boyd, and Cabrera being their top three starters in a playoff series. I’d argue they should aim higher to at least test the Skubal waters.
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If a MLB contract clause states X amount of time on the IL for an “arm injury” voids the opt out, does that include a shoulder injury? Or what if he goes on the IL for a shoulder injury then stays on it because of a lat issue, does that void the opt out? Asking for a friend.

Mark Polishuk
Ha, a friend named Craig?
That’s an interesting question, and I’m sure the actual contract has more official language covering the specifics.
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Under the current CBA, a team can only option a player up to 5 times a season, without exposing him to waivers. Might two teams agree to swap relievers midseason, just to reset with a fresh set of 5 options?

Mark Polishuk
A player has only five options per year no matter how many teams he plays for.
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After seeing the players and owners proposals I fear games missed in 2027 is definitely possible and would be the worst outcome for owners and players alike. Thoughts?

Mark Polishuk
Agreed that it would be devastating to baseball, and a case of cutting off the nose to spite the face. My guess is still that the two sides reach an early-March agreement a la 2022 and we still get the full 162 games played, since hopefully some common sense will prevail in the labor talks.
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So if there were a cap, how would that work for teams that are already over? Would they have to fire-sale players for less than full value just to get rid of money? Kyle Tucker for a bag of peanuts to be named later?

Mark Polishuk
I would imagine some kind of grace period would be granted, rather than the Dodgers, Mets, etc. having to immediately slice tens of millions from the payroll within like a week or two.
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I wonder if the league would also institute an NBA 2011 era amnesty program, wherein each team could remove one contract from their cap (while still paying the player).

Mark Polishuk
This seems like a possible compromise, but then some smaller-market teams might prefer to have a player with a big AAV on their books to help them reach a hypothetical salary floor.
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Do you think the new CBA will address anything like rule changes which might limit all the pitching injuries?

Mark Polishuk
There’s no simple rule that will stop pitchers from getting hurt. There may be an adjustment to the 13-13 roster setup, but having a 14th pitcher available isn’t going to save anyone’s arm.
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