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Front Office Chat: 1/30/26
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Chris H
4:19
Could you see and Angel's reunion with Griffin Canning and doesn't Walker Buehler seem like a good fit for the Angels as well?
Angels Fan
4:19
Do you think Kwan or Alek Thomas would be an upgrade for the Angels OF, and if so, what would it take to get either of them?
Anthony Franco
4:21
Doubt they're bringing Canning back one year after what was basically a non-tender. I don't hate Buehler in a vacuum but on top of the GrayRod and Manoah ones, it's not encouraging
4:22
If ownership won't let them sign any of the legitimate mid-rotation guys, I guess I'd rather they chase the 3% chance you get peak Buehler over giving the money to Jose Quintana
4:23
Don't see Cleveland moving Kwan. Their outfield is rough already, they have basically no money on the books after the Ramírez restructure and with a Clase suspension looming. Thomas feels very Angels and I'd like him over Adell and Lowe in center
4:25
Doubt it'd cost much, especially if the Diamondbacks think Lawlar can play center. Swap him for Aldegheri or something
Joe Baseball
4:25
how easy it for a team that isn’t ready yet to trade close to MLB ready prospects for some that are a little farther away, in order for them all to debut at the same time? Sounds like it would solve a lot of problems for the team that has ONE outstanding prospect that will be wasted on the current team. Jus5 look at the Angels and trout
Anthony Franco
4:28
Making more than one or two of that kind of move is probably overthinking. There's a six-year club control window. If you're not expecting to be competitive within that amount of time, your process is wrong.

The error bars are obviously higher for prospects further away from the majors, so you run the risk of being in a perpetual rebuild if you commit really heavily to this strategy and don't hit on enough of them
Red Sox R Us
4:29
What does Breslow have to give up for Nico Hoerner and can the Sox condition the trade on extending him? Does MLB allow them a short window in which they can try?
Anthony Franco
4:31
This rarely happens. Can't think of an example since the Reds/Yankees Sonny Gray trade seven years ago. Gray really wanted out of New York though. No reason for Hoerner to sign for less than open market value at this point, and if the Sox are open to paying him that, why compress negotiations into a tight window?
4:34
Cubs should have a prohibitively high ask anyway. If we're talking Early or Franklin Arias, alright, but I can't see Boston doing that. Unless the Cubs are absolutely blown away by the offer, just hold Hoerner and try to win the division. Make him a QO if they want Shaw as the long-term second baseman
CC
4:34
What are the chances the Astros really start the season with Paredes and Walker? If they do, are they more likely to surrender and put Altuve back in left or just juggle at-bats until to an injury (in Houston or elsewhere) makes a trade unavoidable?
Anthony Franco
4:37
Walker will still be there. I lean towards a Paredes trade. They've talked about playing him at second but the whole thing is so clunky unless they swap him for an outfielder
Still an A
4:37
Player you think breaks out this year?
Anthony Franco
4:41
Not sure if Braxton Ashcraft still qualifies but I expect him to be really good as a starter. Hoping for an All-Star caliber season from Noelvi Marte. I'll back Cleveland's Juan Brito for as long as he's playing anywhere in the world professionally
4:42
Alright I need to wrap up here and take over the David Robertson retirement post because Steve needs to run
4:43
Thanks for all the questions this week! As always, happy to take more on X @affranco10 if you want to throw anything else at me before next Friday
Have a great weekend!
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