Mark Polishuk's NL Central comments

[mikechamp]

These comments came from a chat with MLB Trade Rumors' Mark Polishuk that occurred on July 12.

Almost the same number of questions as last time, with 3 bonus questions: one about movies, one about an impending lockout and one about MLB popularity. Enjoy the read!!

The link to the entire chat can be found here: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/07/ ... t-135.html
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Anything on the Pirates?

Mark Polishuk
The Gonzalez/Eisert deal is a sign that the Bucs are prepared to be aggressive, though naturally getting Cruz and Horwitz back ASAP is a must. If those two bats are back by the deadline, the Pirates can focus more directly on adding more relief pitching. Another innings-eater of a starter is also increasingly becoming more of a need. It’ll be fascinating to see how the Bucs operate in buyer mode for the first time under Cherington, and just how far they’re willing to go (prospect capital-wise or money-wise) in putting the final touches on their competitive team.
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Still dedicated to the rebuild? Or shifting into buy mode after the Wetherholt extension?

Mark Polishuk
I’m more bullish on the Pirates than I am on the Cardinals, even though St. Louis is a game ahead of Pittsburgh in the standings. I’m just more impressed with the Bucs’ roster overall and can more clearly see the case for them as a buyer, whereas the Cards have more holes to patch in the rotation and even in the lineup. Wetherholt’s extension doesn’t really have much impact on the situation. Locking up a top prospect on such a hot start to his career would’ve been a priority even if the Cards were well under .500.

This all being said, if the Cards are still only a game out of a wild card spot by August, they absolutely should make some (at least lower-level) buys to take a run at contending. “Learning how to win” is an underrated factor for any rebuilding team, and getting some high-pressure experience in a pennant race is a good learning opportunity for the roster.
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Any under the radar power bats, platoon or otherwise, that Milwaukee could consider? While they’re still scoring well enough now, having to string together 12 hits for four runs in the postseason...

Mark Polishuk
I’d consider this unlikely given how the Angels don’t want to rebuild, but if I’m the Brewers, I’m on the phone with them every day about Neto. Milwaukee has enough minor league depth to at least get the Angels’ attention about such a trade, and perhaps Mozeliak can talk Arte Moreno into the viewpoint that trading Neto can help over the long term.
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Of the 5 teams with no World Series title, which one would you say is most likely to get it next?

Mark Polishuk
Who will be the first team to win its first WS title?

Brewers (50.7% | 501 votes)

Mariners (19.4% | 192 votes)

Padres (5.2% | 52 votes)

Rays (23.1% | 229 votes)

Rockies (1.4% | 14 votes)

Total Votes: 988
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Just one of those middle of the season, just get to the break kind of weekend for the Brewers, or something more?

Mark Polishuk
Brewers fans should absolutely be concerned by these mounting rotation injuries. What was looking like a strong rotation that could use some back-end help is now more clearly in need of someone that can start a playoff game.
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Is Spencer Steer a Red on August 3rd?

Mark Polishuk
I’m leaning towards Steer playing elsewhere. The Reds’ pending free agents only have limited appeal and none of the real building-block types are likely to be available. Steer represents kind of a middle ground, and as a multi-positional bat controlled through 2028, he has plenty of trade appeal.
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Which team would be more dangerous if one of Phillies or Brewers get Skubal?

Mark Polishuk
Hmm, interesting question. As noted earlier, Milwaukee is suddenly in major need of pitching, and Skubal would obviously more than address that need. Likewise, putting Skubal in a playoff rotation with Sanchez, Wheeler, and Luzardo is awfully scary. I guess I’d say the Phillies in this circumstance, just because of the greater SP depth.
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With so many teams still within striking distance of playoff spot, do you agree with me that there are only 5 teams that are going to be sellers?

Mark Polishuk
It’ll be a much higher number than that. If one of the teams on the outskirts of the race has a seven-game losing streak or something, they’ll throw in the towel and turn to selling.What might happen this year is that a lot of teams will both buy and sell, rather than slotting distinctly into one category or another. We just saw something akin to this with the Gonzalez/Eisert trade, as the White Sox did some building for the future and shedding of expendable parts before (probably) looking to buy closer to August 3.
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Project Hail Mary or Disclosure Day?

Mark Polishuk
PHM by a wide margin. I was pretty underwhelmed by Disclosure Day.
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Baseball is so fun, but I am worried a work stoppage/lockout will take all the wind out of the sails. Is there hope?

Mark Polishuk
The lockout is 100 percent happening. The issue is whether or not the lockout will stretch into the regular season and actual games will be lost. If it’s a replay of 2021-22 and the season is just delayed a week by a lockout, fans aren’t likely to mind (some may not even notice or care). Once actual baseball games start getting canceled, it’s a real bad look, and you’re right that it would be a big setback for a sport that has been having a bit of resurgence in popularity over the last few years.
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Speaking of that resurgence in MLB’s popularity over the last few years, what would you say have been the main contributors to that? Is it just fatigue of the other major sports leagues? Or what has MLB done right to regain popularity?

Mark Polishuk
I’d say the two chief factors are…
a) the pitch clock, as countless casual-fan friends have told me
b) Ohtani as a uniquely captivating superstar, and the Dodgers in general as a super-team commanding a lot of attention
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