JotCast | Front Office Chat: 1/20/23

Front Office Chat: 1/20/23

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Bones

4:22

In 2023 who has a better year and why? Devers or Riley?

Anthony Franco

4:24

Still like Devers a little bit more, just based on the contact skills

They're both great obviously

Mike D

4:24

Does a trade of J. India (and maybe a prospect) to the Red Sox for Tanner Houck and J. Durran make sense for both teams?

Anthony Franco

4:24

Don't think the Red Sox would do it

Jay Man

4:24

Vladdy Guerrero got a big raise in arbitration. Have the Jays approached him yet on an extension? I can ask the same question about Bo Bichette as well.

Anthony Franco

4:24

Guerrero said today they haven't had any extension talks this winter

4:25

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., in town for Blue Jays winter tour, says "this year we haven't had conversations yet" on a long-term deal.

"I'm going to stay focused on working hard and let my team take care of that," he added through interpreter Hector Lebron.

I assume that's also true of Bo so far, though I imagine they'll be in touch with both by the time Spring Training ends

Guest

4:25

Which of the rules changes for 2023 are likely to result in competitive advantage/disadvantage for teams and specific types of players?

Anthony Franco

4:26

Shift ban is the one I assume will have the most impact, likely by helping left-handed power hitters who can still turn some rolled over grounders into singles

4:27

Don't think the pitch clock will impact performance much. Pickoff limits probably marginally increase the value of guys with above-average athleticism

4:28

And the shift ban makes range on the infield a little more important

I don't think the rules changes will take guys from replacement-level to average or average to All-Star caliber though. Expect we're talking very small bumps to certain players' values around the margins

Chip

4:28

I've been waiting for someone else to ask so I guess I'll ask what is the story behind Bees vs Beads ? Thanks

Anthony Franco

4:29

Running gag in Mark's chats specifically, not sure how it first came up

My understanding is it's an Arrested Development reference of some kind? I've never seen that show, so I don't get it

Marty

4:29

Will the red Sox sign Elvus Andrews to play ss? It almost seems with the Duvall signing that they have to sign a full time SS and move Kike to 2b. I don't like the Josh Harrison idea. I believe a full time experienced ss is absolutely necessary, not someone who CAN play that position as well as others.

Anthony Franco

4:30

Yeah I agree, Andrus to Boston is the best fit IMO

charlie window

4:30

Andrew McCutchin - HOF?

Anthony Franco

4:32

Hmm, interesting edge case. He's a little short for me right now, although he's not completely done obviously. He should easily surpass 2000 hits and 300 homers, probably gets to 3000 times on base and 50+ WAR

4:33

At that point, it becomes pretty close considering he was like the third-best player in the game during his five-year peak

Jay Man

4:33

What ever happened to 9 inning pitchers. I grew up with pitchers throwing 10 or more complete games in a season. When a pitcher took the mound it was with a complete game in mind. The "closer" came in if needed. These 14 pitcher bullpens are ridiculous. Is it all about analytics only or money?

Anthony Franco

4:34

It's analytics in the sense that it's clear relievers, on the whole, are better than starters when they face a hitter for a third or fourth time in a game

4:35

But the more direct "issue," I'd say, is how good velocity and pitch movement has gotten over the last 10 years or so. Relievers are so good now, even compared to 10 or 15 years ago, that teams have a strong incentive to get those guys in there and let them cut it loose for an inning or two

4:36

I don't begrudge them for doing that -- it makes them more likely to win that game -- but I agree with you that it takes some of the drama out of the game from a spectator perspective

4:37

Part of the reason I like college baseball so much is that this hasn't really translated there. At the amateur level, the best pitchers usually are the starters, and teams let them work a lot deeper into games accordingly (which increases the possibility for fluky stuff and comebacks to happen at the end)

Bob T.

4:37

Back to the Angels, have you ever seen a team with four lefty starters? I think they need more balance in the rotation. Also, the four lefties have very similar stuff. What kind of return could they get for Jose Suarez?

Anthony Franco

4:38

I don't have an example that immediately springs to mind but I'm guessing this isn't as uncommon as it seems. Having a little more balance would be nice, I guess, but I don't see it as a huge priority

4:39

Suarez would have some value as a plug and play back-end guy, but I don't think the Angels have the kind of rotation depth they'll want to move him

Guest

4:39

Jays done? if so, better or worse than end of last season?

Anthony Franco

4:41

Maybe one more bullpen pickup but I think they're mostly done, yeah. Like them a little more now than I did before

I'd take Varsho and Bassitt over Teoscar and Strip (obviously losing Moreno hurts long term but doesn't have a huge impact on the 2023 outlook specifically), and the bullpen's a little better than it was

Hits Like Rays

4:42

Hi Anthony! MLBTR writers keep arguing that the Twins and Diamondbacks should look to trade an outfielder for starting pitching. What would the Rays be able to get for either Jeffrey Springs or Drew Rasmussen?

Anthony Franco

4:43

Twins are probably out on that kind of move after Pablo. Could still trade an outfielder but think it's more for bullpen help at this point

4:44

Might be the same situation with Arizona already trading Varsho. I'd give real consideration to moving McCarthy for one of Rasmussen or Springs if Tampa Bay also threw in a mid-level prospect or something, but it seems the D-Backs front office likes McCarthy more than I do

Guest

4:44

Bryan Reynolds to Braves for Jared Shuster, Ian Anderson, two more young arms, and Atlanta pays Marcell Ozuna full salary. Any shot?

Anthony Franco

4:44

Not enough going back to Pittsburgh

The Rangers fan

4:44

Are the Rangers going into the year without a left fielder

Anthony Franco

4:45

They'll bring in somebody