Jayson Stark

  (12:03 PM)

Welcome to Chat Land. Sorry I'm a minute late. Let's get started!

Dave (New York)

Trivia today?

Jayson Stark

  (12:03 PM)

There WILL be trivia today, in a half-hour. Stay tuned!

Billy Red (New York, NY)

Given all the turmoil that has been affecting the Mets over the past few years, do you see Wright re-signing with this team? I just don't see how he would stay, given the fact that he'll have a better opportunity to win a championship elsewhere

Jayson Stark

  (12:06 PM)

I wrote a blog on this a couple of weeks ago, and Mets fans reacted angrily to it, but I agree with you. I'm just not getting a vibe, from players he's talked to, that he's ready to commit. He's reached the stage where he wants to win, and as fun as this year's team has been, I'm not sure he's convinced that this Mets team -- and farm system -- would give him the best chance to win. Having said that, let me make this clear: I hope he does stay. I root for all "franchise players" to stay with their team for their entire career. I hope that happens in his case. I'm just not convinced it will.

Dom (NY)

With the extra wild card teams will feel their chances for making the playoffs will be greater and their will be less sellers at the trade deadline.Would a "dead trade deadline" cause MLB to think about moving the trade deadline back to 8/15 or 8/31 in the future?

Jayson Stark

  (12:07 PM)

MLB has kicked around the idea of moving the deadline -- in either direction -- for years, so I'm skeptical this will be the impetus to do that. But you're exactly right. It's very possible we'll have no more than a half-dozen sellers at this year's deadline. And that's going to create a mess on many fronts.

TK (Philly)

Give it to me straight.... is the window closed in Philly? Odds Hamels is here after the trade deadline? BTW... horrible call last night buy Reyburn... Papelbon had that 3rd strike on Gordon to end the inning in the ninth and didn't get the call... cost the Phillies the game.

Jayson Stark

  (12:09 PM)

I don't think "closed" is the right word. There's always a scenario where they sneak in as one of the wild cards, outpitch somebody in the Wild Card Game and just wind up in the right match-ups to keep winning in October. But I think even Ruben Amaro thinks this team is at a crossroads and is about to go on a mission to get younger. I don't see him trading Hamels, though, unless they free-fall in the next month. And BTW, didn't think that call was as outrageous as Papelbon did. Didn't look like a clear strike to me.

Jason (NY)

What do you make of Svuem's comments about benching Starlin Castro if he can't get his head in the game? And does this further fuel rumors of possibly trading him away for the right price?

Jayson Stark

  (12:12 PM)

Talented as Castro is, he frustrates that team no end with moments like that. To be a great player, you need to show up every day, play with focus and energy every inning, and know basic stuff like how many outs there are. That's the one piece of the package this guy is missing, and the manager's comments last night illustrate the level of frustration that exists in the organization. I still think we forget this guy is 22, and he'll grow up and eliminate a lot of this. But it does mean trading him isn't out of the question, even though it's very unlikely.

Nick (Pittsburgh)

Chances of the Pirates winning 82?

Jayson Stark

  (12:13 PM)

Best chance they've had in years, but I still don't see enough offense to run to Vegas and make that bet. On the other hand, the rest of their division is so bad, that's a lot of winnable games on the schedule. I hope it happens. Your fine city needs it to happen!

Les Koenig (East Windsor, NJ)

Regardless of the xtra wild card team, still seems to me unfair to give the W/C team 2 games in the Best of 5 round. Should be game 3, period. Make the division crown mean something. Thoughts?

Jayson Stark

  (12:15 PM)

That'll never happen. Too many owners who want their pay day and say, "Suppose we had a better record than the division winner we're playing. Why should they get four home games and we get one?" It's a reasonable point, actually. Now that we're penalizing those teams by forcing them to play that win-or-go-home wild-card showdown, I think that's penalty enough.

Jeff (Chicago)

Castro would look good in a Pirates uniform. Do they have what it would take to pry him away from Theo?

Jayson Stark

  (12:17 PM)

They do. They just would never trade it Cole and Taillon are The Future in Pittsburgh - not trade bait. And now they could have Mark Appel as a third amigo, if they can find a way to sign him.

Mike (Oakland) [via mobile]

Sorry if you already received this question from you - wonky handheld. If the Giants offered Timmy to the Mets for Wright, do they hang up the phone or is there a long, pregnant pause?

Jayson Stark

  (12:19 PM)

Don't see it. Fun question, but don't see it. The Mets are hanging onto Wright through this season, then trying to figure out if they can sign him after the season. There's a long way to go between now and then. But why would they trade David Wright for a pitcher who's having the worst season of his career and has had his velocity drop as notably as Lincecum?

Adam (Chicago)

Are the White Sox's now the "favorite" in the Central? Can they take the division?

Jayson Stark

  (12:21 PM)

I'm not even sure there is a "favorite" in that division anymore. But I still think there's a great team in Detroit that hasn't shown up yet. I also think, given their $130 million payroll and the investment in Prince, they'll be incredibly motivated to make a go-for-it deal. I also wonder if the White Sox can keep scoring runs at this rate. But this whole division has confused me from the get-go. And I'm not alone!

Justin (UCSB)

If the All Star Game was held today, Mike Trout has to be on the roster, right? A slash line of .338/.388/.559 is incredible for a 20 yr. old.

Jayson Stark

  (12:22 PM)

He'd be on my all-star team. He's been close to the best player in the league since he got called up. I know he doesn't just play center field. But guess the last centerfielder with a .500 slugging percentage as a 20-year-old. How 'bout Mickey Mantle...60 years ago. So that's how special this guy is.

Chris (Broadview Heights, OH)

How frightened do you think the Indians front office is with the way Ubaldo Jiminez is pitching? That trade looks like it might be a trainwreck for a franchise that has little room for those kinds of mishaps.

Jayson Stark

  (12:25 PM)

"Train wreck" is a little strong, considering the way Pomeranz and White have pitched on the other end. But it's getting more and more clear Ubaldo is never going to be that 14-1, sub-2.00 ERA guy again. Not sure what the Indians do to "fix" him that they haven't already done. They sent a conditioning guy to the Dominican to practically live with him last winter. They've tried cleaning up his delivery. They've continually supported him. And you still never know what you're getting from start to start. Too bad. There was just about nobody as fun to watch pitch as he was in 2009-10.

Person (DC)

are the odds 100% that at least one of Trout, Darvish, Harper wins his league's ROY?

Jayson Stark

  (12:26 PM)

The odds on nothing in life are 100 percent, other than maybe the sun setting in the west tonight. But that's as 99.999999999999999 percent as it gets. I know I'll take the Trout/Darvish tag team in the AL, and you can have all the other rookies on earth. One injury can change everything, but I like those odds right now.

JP (Columbus, OH)

Jayson - how bout this - Aroldis Chapman, NL All Star starting pitcher; the starter only goes 1-2 innings anyway - that'd be kinda cool, huh?

Jayson Stark

  (12:27 PM)

I'd watch! It'll never happen. But I'd watch. Aroldis Chapman's season is ridiculous. Pure ridiculosity. 50 strikeouts, 7 hits? Impossible.

Jake (CU)

Quckest impact to the majors from last night's draft?

Jayson Stark

  (12:29 PM)

This really isn't my area of expertise, but I might go with Marcus Stroman. Could be pitching out of that bullpen in Toronto in a hurry, according to scouts I've talked to.

eric (sf)

Can the Giants make a legit run at the title if Timmy finds his way again this year?

Jayson Stark

  (12:30 PM)

Absolutely. Pretty impressive that this team has lost Sandoval, lost The Beard and had Cy Lincecum struggle to this degree -- and is still sitting in a great spot in the West. I picked the Giants to finish first. Still think they will.

ryan (nj)

what do you think of phil hughes and his last start against detroit? Momentum shift for him and the yankees?

Jayson Stark

  (12:32 PM)

I don't know what to make of Phil Hughes anymore. It's starts like that which keep the Yankees dreaming the dream, and keep him in the rotation. But dependability is the most important quality in sports, and he still hasn't demonstrated it. So I'm reserving judgment on him -- indefinitely!

Alex (Anaheim)

Is the AL East going to be a fight to the finish, or do you see some team breaking away soon?

Jayson Stark

  (12:34 PM)

I think the only team even capable of breaking away is the Yankees, but age equals health questions. So I doubt seriously anybody runs away with it. And that's fine with me.

Squall (Balamb Garden)

What's the shape of the Braves? Do they just need to get and stay healthy, or do they need another piece to complete the puzzle somewhere along the way?

Jayson Stark

  (12:36 PM)

I thought they'd need another bat, but the more I see of them, the more I think they need arms. I talked to Frank Wren about this a week or so ago, and he's now leaning in that direction, too. But you're going to see them give Kris Medlen a shot in the rotation before they start looking to make a deal.

Todd (Philly)

Furthering the Mike and Mike conversation this morning - can you expand on why the umpires have that much power in setting the rules for/against replay? It almost sounds they have an equal share of voice/decision - is that correct?

Jayson Stark

  (12:38 PM)

These are major changes that affect their jobs. So I totally understand why those changes need to be negotiated with the umpires' union. But I wonder if they're making a big issue of placing runners as a negotiating ploy, because they have to place runners now, when home runs get overruled or on fan interference. I actually have a big piece on replay that should appear on our site this afternoon.

Nick (Philadelphia )

Saw a stat last night that Hunter Pence is 2-30 with RISP this season. With so many injuries to the Phillies, Hunter is obviously a guy that needs to contribute. Do you see him turning things around soon? To me, he looks way too anxious at the plate - do you see the same thing?

Jayson Stark

  (12:39 PM)

Not only do I see the same thing, but HE sees the same thing. He knows he's trying too hard, but that's how he's wired. Not sure that's fixable, until Howard and Utley return and he's just a piece of the puzzle again. He was much better in that role than this role. Wouldn't you say?

SteveRep44 (Lanham, MD)

What was the Mike & Mike trivia answer?

Jayson Stark

  (12:40 PM)

I'll tweet it right after this chat is over. Got busy writing this morning and forgot!

Jayson Stark

  (12:40 PM)

And by the way, I'll be dropping a trivia question on this chat in the next 5 minutes.

Robert (San Diego, CA (America's Finest City))

what are Tony Gwynn's chances of buying the Padres?

Jayson Stark

  (12:41 PM)

I think they're good, actually. Depends on whether Steve Cohen follows through and makes a bid. If he does, he'd be the favorite. If not, Tony's group is extremely well-positioned.

Justin (CVS in new jersey)

Thanks for giving me something to do at work today... What ever happened to Dom Brown? Is he a trade option now for the Phils?

Jayson Stark

  (12:43 PM)

I think he's gone from top prospect to trade chip. He's had a massively disappointing year in every way. Talked to a scout who just spent a week watching him, and he said, "The only way that guy ever becomes the player he was supposed to become is to go someplace else and get a new start." And increasingly, that's become the prevailing opinion.

Kyle (San Antonio)

Does Adam Dunn have the Comeback Player of the Year award wrapped up already?

Jayson Stark

  (12:44 PM)

I spend very little time thinking about the Comeback Player of the Year. But he'd get my vote. If he rebounds from The Worst Season Of All Time to 40 bombs, that would make for excellent credentials. Don't you think?

RJ (NY)

Are the Mets doing this with smoke and mirrors, or can they hang around for the duration?

Jayson Stark

  (12:45 PM)

No, they've done it with surprisingly good starting pitching, tremendous at-bats, a ton of two-out hits and a bunch of late comebacks that have really been fun to watch. But can a team that ranks last in the big leagues in bullpen ERA make the playoffs? I'm betting that's never happened!

Jayson Stark

  (12:46 PM)

OK, trivia time. Johan Santana is one of three current National League pitchers who are at least 65 games over .500 in their careers. Name the other two. I know you can!

Mike (San Diego)

I think the Mike and Mike trivia answer was Verlander, Lincecum, and Doc, no?

Jayson Stark

  (12:47 PM)

Different question than what I just asked. But that's incorrect. That was Mike and Mike's answer, but not the right answer.

Brian (Philly)

Hey Jayson, huge fan! Can you walk us through why MLB is so resistant to allowing the trading of draft picks? It would add so much more drama to the draft and if they moved the draft back a few weeks it could serve as the springboard to the trade deadline. I don't see why trading prospects is okay, but trading draft picks isn't.

Jayson Stark

  (12:48 PM)

That resistance is dropping, actually. Starting with next year's draft, certain picks will be tradeable. Teams that lose picks this year because they exceed their signing pool will have those picks go into a lottery among low-revenue teams. And those picks CAN get traded. I'm all for trading all picks, but the traditionalists are hung on restoring the draft to what it used to be -- where the worst teams take the best players and sign them. We'll see if this system makes that possible.

Eric (Chicago)

Wainwright and Zambrano (HA HA)

Jayson Stark

  (12:49 PM)

OK, that would be an incorrect answer to that trivia question!

Mike (San Diego)

I would guess Doc and Mark Buehrle.

Jayson Stark

  (12:49 PM)

You got one out of two. Halladay is correct. Buehrle not so much.

Alan (St. Louis)

Halladay and Carpenter

Jayson Stark

  (12:50 PM)

Chris Carpenter is close -- but wrong. Not quite.

Ben (DC)

Answer to the Trivia Q: CC and Halladay

Jayson Stark

  (12:50 PM)

CC is in the American League, so obviously he isn't even eligible!

Person (DC)

halladay and hudson?

Jayson Stark

  (12:52 PM)

You got it! Actually had quite a few correct answers, but you were first. So congratulations. And thanks for playing!

Billy (NY)

Is RA Dickey a legit threat to start the all-star game?

Jayson Stark

  (12:53 PM)

I hope so! One of the best stories of 2012. He's outpitching a whole lot of bigger names. I know that. Anybody know if a knuckleballer has ever started an All Star Game? Let me know.

Mikey Miss (Philadelphia)

Pick me! I read your books and put money in your pocket! How is Carlos Ruiz 4th in All-Star voting in the NL...do people nationally undervalue him because of the presence of all the big names?

Jayson Stark

  (12:54 PM)

One of my rules in life is: Never take the first week of All Star voting results seriously. Get back to me if he's still fourth in three weeks. I'm betting that'll change.

JP (Columbus, OH)

I'd like to add for the record, if he were still in the NL, Roy Oswalt would have qualified - he is 66 games over for his career. Had to mention Roy Oswalt, or it wouldn't be a StarkChat.

Jayson Stark

  (12:54 PM)

Thanks for getting that out of the way, JP!

Person (DC)

Does Matheny get to manage the NL All Stars?

Jayson Stark

  (12:55 PM)

Nope. It'll be a special guest appearance by someone named Tony La Russa. Whatever happened to him anyway?

brett (tallahassee)

Do you think that bourn could hit 10 homer this year for the Braves? he already has 5 after only being projected for 2 homers this year.

Jayson Stark

  (12:56 PM)

I didn't think he could hit 5 in a month, so I guess it's possible. Not sure if it's a good idea, though. One scout who's been watching him as a possible free-agent option told me: "Whoever signs him isn't going to pay him because of his ability to hit balls in the seats." Good point. Needs to get back to being the kind of player he's supposed to be. But that HR trotting was fun while it lasted.

Mitch (New York)

Speaking of RA Dickey, is it possible the Mets get 3 All Star Reps? Dickey, Santana, Wright. And is it possible Duda as backup 2B given weak NL class

Jayson Stark

  (12:57 PM)

Dickey, Wright and Santana all SHOULD be all-stars. I wouldn't hold your breath on Lucas Duda, though.

Jayson Stark

  (12:57 PM)

Sorry to announce this, gang. But I only have time for one more.

Dave (Phoenix, AZ)

Hi Jayson, any idea/speculation on when we'll see Trevor Bauer in AZ?

Jayson Stark

  (12:58 PM)

Wouldn't shock me if it's before the all-star break. It's on their radar screen, anyhow.

Jayson Stark

  (12:58 PM)

Thanks for all the fun questions -- and trivia answers. Seeya down the road in Chat Land.