Mark Polishuk's NL Central comments

[mikechamp]

These comments came from a chat with MLB Trade Rumors' Mark Polishuk that occurred on September 27.

A lot more questions this week. I also included 3 bonus questions: one about a former Cardinal, one about destinations and another about retractable roofs. Enjoy the read!!

The link to the entire chat can be found here: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/09/ ... t-919.html
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I’m thinking that Mike Soroka would be a good off-season target for the Cardinals. Thoughts?

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

Mark Polishuk
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/762294 ... nt-office/

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.
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Can the Padres really beat the mighty Cubs?

Mark Polishuk
Given how San Diego has been red-hot for two months now, absolutely.
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Benge should win the ROY right?

Mark Polishuk
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.
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Your thoughts on the possibility of a Cubs-Sox World Series…

Mark Polishuk
Very unlikely, but crazier things have happened.
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Do you see the Buccos signing Lowe?

Mark Polishuk
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 come pretty close to a top offer.
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Suzuki or Happ returning to Cubs next year?

Mark Polishuk
One at most, almost certainly not both. Of the two, I’d prefer to retain Suzuki.
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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 Polishuk
A Clement/Gimenez platoon at shortstop and Lowe (or another bat) acquired to play 2B would make a lot of sense for Toronto.
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What do the Brewers need to do to get over the hump in these playoffs?

Mark Polishuk
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.
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What’s more impressive: Naylor stealing 30? or PCA 40?

Mark Polishuk
Naylor inexplicably becoming a legit base-stealing threat is one of the low-key funniest storylines in baseball over the last couple of years.
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The Dodgers want De La Cruz, and are prepared to offer CIN 3 of our top prospects for him. Who says no?

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

Mark Polishuk
Arenado has 383 for his career, but frankly, I think he already has a clear path to Cooperstown as it is.
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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 Polishuk
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 go here, or to the complex league affiliates at a team’s Spring Training camp.
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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 Polishuk
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?
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[CardsofSTL]

Don't like baseball under a roof.

[Popeye_Card]

A retractable dome seems like a huge expense (usually for taxpayers) to avoid the uncertainty of rainouts.

Plus, yes, baseball inside of a dome is awful.

[dmarx114]

A retractable roof should be a requirement. No one wants to sit through uncomfortable weather.

I don't agree dome baseball is awful. It's not my preference, but significantly more enjoyable than sitting through rain or massive heat. Or better yet, if you're traveling in from out of town, you wouldn't have to worry about your game getting rained out and ruining your trip.

[Popeye_Card]

"Some days you win. Some days you lose. Some days you wait for the retractable roof to close so that you can play a baseball game in a building that now closely resembles a Costco."

Doesn't have the same ring to it.