Mark Polishuk's NL Central comments

[mikechamp]

These comments came from a chat with MLB Trade Rumors' Mark Polishuk that occurred on August 30.

A couple more questions than last week, and I included 2 bonus questions this time: one about a lockout and one about expansion. Enjoy the read!!

The link to the entire chat can be found here: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/08/ ... t-916.html
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With JJW in the IL, Stewart is going to be ROY isn’t he?

Mark Polishuk
Seems like this might be the turning point for Stewart in the race. Wetherholt has the sizable WAR lead, but if he misses too much time on the IL, it allows Stewart to entrench himself in the minds of voters. It would’ve been a close vote anyway if both guys had remained healthy.
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Jake Bauers needs more love. Does he get a multi year deal in the off-season?

Mark Polishuk
Bauers is entering his age-31 season and he strikes out a lot, plus the market isn’t always friendly to first base-centric players. But, Bauers has been crushing the ball all year, the advanced metrics love him, he’s productive against both lefties and righties, and he can play some corner outfield.

So he’s absolutely scoring a multi-year commitment, but it’s just a question of how many years. A three-year deal seems reasonable given how I suspect a lot of teams will still have some questions about Bauers as a longer-term lineup add.
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What kind of deal does Woodruff sign this off-season? Will he be back in MIL again or elsewhere?

Mark Polishuk
If Woodruff keeps pitching, he’ll likely stay in Milwaukee. Something like a one-year, $8MM deal with a club option for 2028 seems feasible.
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You have to choose Mark Grace or Joey Votto as your first baseman – who are you going with?

Mark Polishuk
Mark Grace was a terrific player, but the answer is clearly Votto.
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Right now PCA's extension looks like an absolute bargain. What do you think his chances are of winning the NL MVP?

Mark Polishuk
That extension was six years and $115MM, which covered his final four years of team control and his first two free agent years. Needless to say, this extension is a candidate for “move of the year” given how PCA has absolutely broken out. He’s the clear NL MVP favorite at this point.
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What about Edmonds batting lead off and moving Othani down a few spots?

Mark Polishuk
I don’t think 56-year-old Jim Edmonds should supplant Ohtani as leadoff man, and neither should Tommy Edman.
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Moments ago, in tonight’s nationally televised Cubs/Reds game, Joey Votto made the claim he’s never eaten nachos in his entire life. I don’t see how that’s something that’s possible. Your reaction to Joey’s claim?

Mark Polishuk
…..what?

You mean to tell me that I’ve eaten more nachos during this very chat than Votto has eaten in this whole life? Is it too late to change my answer to Mark Grace?!
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Is PCA getting close to a lead off homer record? Feels like he’s hit a 1st inning homer every game for a month.

Mark Polishuk
Tonight’s was his ninth of the season, so he’s still behind the MLB record of 15, set in 2024 by…..drumroll please….Kyle Schwarber.
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Odds Contreras is dealt this off-season? What return would he net?

Mark Polishuk
Chances are he’s traded, given how Milwaukee usually operates with stars in their final year before free agency. The Brewers’ faith in Jeferson Quero is certainly a factor since Quero will be counted on to take at least a part-time share of the catching duties in 2027.
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If you had to put a percent on it, what are the chances the season gets cancelled?

Mark Polishuk
Zero. A fully lost season would be devastating to the sport, and neither the league or the players want that. I’m not even yet convinced any games will be lost at all.
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If the league expands, how does a new team fill out a full minor league system? Do they draft for a few years before the expansion draft?

Mark Polishuk
Correct. Looking back to the last round of expansion teams, the Diamondbacks and (Devil) Rays had their first drafts in 1996, but didn’t start play until 1998.
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