Front Office Chat: 10/23/26
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Anthony Franco
3:01
Good afternoon, hope you've all had a good week!
3:02
Looking forward to another of these, let's get it going
BB
3:02
Do you think Sato, Ralphy Velazquez, or Emmanuel Rodriquez will be valuable in 2027?
Anthony Franco
3:02
I think Ralphy will be, more skeptical on the other two
Attic Wombat
3:02
I read that there might be a free agent signing frenzy before the lockout deadline. Can you imagine any possible resolution that could make jumping in early a bad move?
Breaker
3:02
What are the latest rumors about the lockout? Is there any kind of a frame work or anything in place.
SandyG
3:03
Hey Anthony, Thanks for the chat! Do you believe the conventional wisdom that we will see a pre-lockout frenzy of free agent signings? And where do you predict Skubal will sign?
Anthony Franco
3:03
There'll be a lockout, there's not going to be any kind of framework in place until late February or early March in the best case scenario. Neither side has much incentive to move off their asks until there's an actual threat of losing games
3:04
I do expect a frenzy, though not to the same extent as '21 because this free agent class isn't good. I don't really expect the CBA structure to immediately make any of the November free agent/trade activity look bad
3:05
The only concern I could really see is that a team signs Skubal for like $50MM+ annually and then the cap comes along and they have to find other ways to cut spending to comply, but there'd be at least a one- or two-year grace period for the huge spenders to get under anyway
Sandy at 90
3:05
Chances Skubal signs with LAD before lockout on Dec 1.
Anthony Franco
3:06
As for Skubal, I guess right now I'd lean Mets but do expect him to sign pre-lockout and obviously wouldn't be surprised if he stays in LA
Rusty Shackleford
3:06
Will Warren seems prime trade bait to me. Young controllable pitcher for young controllable bat. Where is a good destination?
Anthony Franco
3:07
Would make sense as part of a return from the A's for Langeliers. Guess he could be involved in a deal with Arizona too if the Yankees want to take the risk-reward play on Ketel
3:09
Agree he's a decent trade piece but I'm probably a little lower on him than "young controllable bat" given the home run concerns. White Sox need starting pitching but I'm not giving up any of Miguel Vargas, Chase Meidroth or Colson Montgomery for Warren
3:10
A Tristan Peters sell high maybe? Yankees should probably hedge on Spencer Jones in CF
Former A's fan
3:10
Is Dave Forst a good fit for the Angels GM position?
Anthony Franco
3:11
Yeah I think Forst would be fine there. Tough to be super excited about what the A's did the last few years but it's not like he ever really had a fair shake during the relocation between the payroll and the ballpark
Arizona LHH 1B
3:11
What would it take to get Manzardo (or less likely) Velazquez from Cleveland? Could Marte be involved?
Anthony Franco
3:13
Can't see Cleveland taking the Marte money, nor would I expect them to move Ralphy. Manzardo as a change of scenery flier seems reasonable and isn't going to cost much. I think he's kind of run his course there
Swap him for Blake Walston or something
AI Slop
3:13
I was looking to see why Dominick Canzone sits so often vs lefties, and he hit .292 against them last season.  He needs to play every day, yes?
Anthony Franco
3:14
I've always a Canzone skeptic but he just keeps hitting, the approach has held up against LHP, and Seattle needs offense anywhere they can find it
3:15
He's earned himself an everyday role at this point
Greg
3:15
Colorado trades Hunter Goodman to Yanks for Will Warren, Elmer Rodriguez and Carlos Lagrange. Who says no?
Anthony Franco
3:16
I'd be tempted by it personally but think the Rockies will aim a little higher
Tarik
3:16
Am I making more than Yamamoto?
Anthony Franco
3:16
Yeah I think by at least $100M
Josh E
3:17
Do you think, because of how popular the winter meetings have gotten with fans, that the lockout would be delayed until after the meetings?  Instead of December 1 or 2 it is pushed back til like the 10th.  I am assuming the winter meetings would be cancelled if they are in a lockout, correct?
Anthony Franco
3:17
No, I just expect the Meetings to be canceled again like they were in '21. I'm holding out some hope that the league agrees to bump the Rule 5 draft up a couple weeks this time though
3:18
That doesn't cost the teams any money and it's just going to be the difference for a handful of players in ever reaching the majors or not. I understand it's technically a player initiative but I hope MLB will give a little on that one
Monty Hall
3:18
Given Colson Montgomery’s power and defensive value, but also his strikeout concerns, would the White Sox consider trading him this offseason for controllable starting pitching, or is he too important to their long-term core? What kind of return would make a deal worthwhile?
Christ Getz
3:18
Hey Anthony, thanks for chatting! First, what should I do about Colson Montgomery? How do I fix his plate discipline?
Also, Caleb Bonemer should be on the Sox's opening day roster, no?
Anthony Franco
3:21
I'd be open to it but only for a pitcher you think has #2 caliber upside and I'm not sure that's out there given the strikeout issues and the terrible finish. The upside is immense though and I'm not looking to cut bait for a league average starter on a plus defensive shortstop with 70-grade raw power
3:22
Bonemer just turned 21, hasn't reached AAA yet, and is just getting his feet wet in the outfield. I'd start him in Charlotte
cmac1973
3:22
Do you expect the Red Sox to trade Jarren Duran? If so, what would they get back with him coming off a subpar season?
Anthony Franco
3:23
Like 60% chance of a trade trade, 25% non-tender, 15% chance he opens the season in Boston
3:24
Just don't see how they can bring him back. The offense collapsed down the stretch and left field/second base are the only places where they can fit another bat
They're not going to get anything of note for him but it's time to move on
Detmers
3:24
If you ran Anaheim's front office, what would you be looking for in exchange for Detmers? Obviously good young players, but like arms? Bats? Middle Infield? Outfield? Catching? Levels? "los angeles" is too big a market to just accept a 5 year rebuild starting now.
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