Front Office Chat: 10/16/26
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat
This chat is available to members only. Please log in to participate.
Anthony Franco
4:10
A's took the opposite approach when they were really good in the early 2020s and knew Fisher was going to rip it all down. Tried to be really aggressive, overpaid in giving up Luzardo for Starling Marte when they felt they had one more shot with that group
Royal
4:10
Don’t forget the ghost of James Shields for Fernando Tatis Jr.!
Anthony Franco
4:11
Ah yes, how could I forget that gem
Pip
4:11
Every year a team comes out of the blue with a playoff run, thrills its fans, and then vanishes back into mediocrity. We saw it with Seattle and Toronto, but it really looks like Milwaukee won’t fall into that trap, and is set up for multiple years of elite contention. The White Sox will, though. Back to the abyss. What do you think?
Anthony Franco
4:14
Milwaukee's going to be good for a long time. ChiSox have that downside if they don't hit on their pitching acquisitions, yeah. "Back to the abyss" feels a little harsh haha -- the lineup core is pretty strong -- but that leap from upstart to perennial contender is the toughest one in the rebuild cycle
ScottHarris
4:14
Between Colt Keith, Max Anderson and Hua Yo Lee we have three similar players competing for two bat-first infield jobs. Who stays, who goes, and who brings the most in return on the trade market?
Anthony Franco
4:15
I think they'll all be back and Torkelson goes. None of those three is going to have huge trade value
Supreme Court Justice Brian Cashman
4:15
Can JP Crawford handle 3B, or could the Yankees shift Lombard to the hot corner (he seems to struggle with the glove at SS, but has a very good arm), and sign JP as their stop gap SS?  Thanks.
Anthony Franco
4:16
Crawford's range is an issue at SS at this point. Just have to give Lombard some time to clean things up, clearly has the tools to be a plus defender
4:17
Crawford as stopgap 3B seems fine though. I'd definitely take him over McMahon
Don Draper
4:17
Lets play the game of "hypothetical blockbuster trade that will never happen."  Thoughts on a trade that sends Elly De La Cruz to Dodgers for a package thats headlines by Mike Sirota and one of Davalan / Zazueta as well as 1-2 lesser prospects?
Anthony Franco
4:18
Reds aren't doing it this offseason and if they were, should be a rigid ask that the Dodgers are starting with De Paula
Cactusflair
4:19
Where do you see dustin may in 2027?    Is a St. LOUIS RE7NION IN THE CARDS?  THANKS!
Anthony Franco
4:21
Doubtful, imagine he's getting a multi-year deal this time. Cards hit on the classic one-year deal/flip guy, turned him into a really good low minors prospect in Alexander Frias. Let him sign the bigger contract with Atlanta or San Diego
Darragh, sitting in an airport
4:21
How much should we increase our Bauers prediction based on his playoff heroics?
Anthony Franco
4:22
The Steve Adams propaganda machine is real
AJ in SD
4:22
What kind of "bad contract swap" can I pull off for Cronenworth?  Maybe a potential SP like Bello or Senga?  I constantly surprise with maneuvers.
Anthony Franco
4:24
Still think this one's a bridge too far. Signed another four years for ages 33-36 and the Mets can get off Senga after next season. Bello's number seems fine to me, he found it down the stretch
4:26
Could still see Boston moving on but not as a pure salary dump. If they're swapping for a much worse contract in Cronenworth, going to need to make it worth their while with bullpen help/prospect value
Ranger13
4:26
If we consider best positions texas has to upgrade are CF, 2b C and CF who are the best FA or trades that would be considered dynamic and gritty players.
Anthony Franco
4:28
With you on those being their top position player needs, probably not going to add regulars at all three. Could do Tyrone Taylor or Robert as a RHH platoon CF for Carter or just move on from him and take a shot on Trent Grisham and have him split LF/CF with Langford
4:29
Daulton Varsho's out there too and probably closer to the dynamic/grit thing you're looking for but he can't hit, so I guess depends on the tradeoffs you're willing to make
4:30
Arraez makes the most sense at 2B to me. Could look into a Carson Kelly reunion behind the dish
Brandon Suzuki or Seiya Lowe
4:30
who has the clearer fit for the Blue Jays next year?  Could they realistically go after both?
Anthony Franco
4:31
Definitely Seiya Lowe
4:32
In all seriousness, both those guys make sense but Brandon Lowe would be the priority for me. Push Clement to UTIL or move on entirely, marked power upgrade for a lineup that needs it
4:34
Would be fine with more of an Ian Happ mid-level move in the outfield. Still have Barger coming back, Lukes in the mix, maybe you get a couple hundred innings out of Santander. Would certainly understand if they went with Suzuki but 2B would be preference for me -- especially since Lowe seems more likely to be limited to three years
Myron
4:34
Is Manny Machado the best non-Ohtani free agent contact of the last decade? Franchise cornerstone, signalled intent to win now, going to the HoF....
Anthony Franco
4:35
He and Bryce both worked out phenomenally. Schwarber's in that mix too
4:36
Judge, technically, though it feels a little different when you're re-signing your own guy
Late for dinner
4:36
Thanks for this chat!
Anthony Franco
4:37
Enjoyed this as always but do have to wrap up here and scrounge up something for dinner
Happy to take anything else on X @affranco10 over the weekend, still had a decent amount left in the queue from a pretty busy chat
4:38
You'll be surprised to learn that most of you were very happy about the NLCS result
4:39
Thanks as always for all the questions and continuing to support the site! Steve will be back on Monday, I'll do this again next Friday as usual
Have a great weekend and enjoy the rest of the ALCS!
Connecting…