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Front Office Chat: 11/22/23
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Anthony Franco
3:00
Hey everyone, hope you're all enjoying your afternoon!
Decent amount in here. Let's get rolling
Josh B
3:00
Does Otani sign before the Winter Meetings start?
Anthony Franco
3:01
I don't have a great feel on it but I'd guess no. Seems like a move that happens at the Winter Meetings to me
Ryan
3:01
It seems like the Reds are interested in Dylan Cease. However,  he only has 2 years of control left, which doesn't really fit what they are trying to do. It seems like, if they trade for someone, they would need to have more years of control than that. Maybe I'm just crazy.
Anthony Franco
3:02
I think two years is fine. They're not that far off the playoff picture as is. They should be making moves to at least enter each of the next two seasons as legitimate Wild Card contenders
The NL Central is also down right now, with the potential to get worse if Milwaukee takes a step back. Not clear that'll still be true in 2025-26
Giants' fan
3:03
Why all the love for Matt Chapman? I know he has a reputation for some strong defense but his UZR, according to Fangraphs, has slipped tremendously the past couple of years and his offensive production the past couple of years is going downward as well. I sense a big overpay by whoever signs him.
Anthony Franco
3:04
I wouldn't say any of us love Chapman or would be enthused to offer the kind of money we think he's going to get. Darragh might be, he's the high guy on him on the MLBTR staff
3:05
But teams have liked this kind of player. Plus infield defense with enough power and walks to make him a slightly above-average hitter. Story and Dansby were this style of player. Javy Báez was more volatile but fit the same kind of profile
3:06
Those guys are shortstops obviously, but it demonstrates that there's a market for guys who have a short-term 3-4 WAR floor based off the infield defense (even if the longer aging profile probably won't be great)
Hi
3:06
Thoughts on the Suarez return for the general market? Is it gonna be a buyers or sellers market based off that trade? I dont know the return well
Eugenio Suarez
3:06
Did his departure leave an even bigger offensive hole in Seattle?
M’s Fan
3:06
what 3b trade targets exist who hit above 110 wRC+ish?
Mariners 2B
3:06
After the Suarez trade, will SEA have players like Rojas, Caballero, and Urias handle 3B and then trade for one of Torres, Polanco, or India at 2B? What would you do?
Anthony Franco
3:07
Vargas throws really hard with little else. Zavala's a fringe 40-man catcher. It's a middling return
3:09
Suárez wasn't an especially valuable player. He's an average regular making $13MM next year (including the option buyout), which is basically average regular money. Not surprised the return was meh
3:10
At the same time, it obviously subtracts another viable player from a Seattle lineup that was already pretty weak. I don't think there's an enormous downgrade from Suárez to Luis Urías, but I'd rather have Isaiah Campbell than either player they got back for Geno
3:11
We'll see how the rest of the offseason progresses. This trade saves a little bit of money. They could make a play for Jorge Polanco or Kyle Farmer to split time between second and third. J.D. Davis is probably available too, although he's not in the contact hitting mold they seem to be targeting
John B
3:11
Happy T-day. Do you think the Chisox are serious about everyone is available? Do you think they would move Robert Jr. and what do you think they would be looking to get back?
Anthony Franco
3:11
Likewise! I think Getz is serious about not hanging up the phone the second another team mentions Robert's name, but I'd be surprised if anyone meets what would be a justifiably enormous asking price
3:13
Four years of cheap control over a down-ballot MVP type is absurdly valuable. They could justifiably ask for any prospect in baseball (not that I think the Orioles would give up Jackson Holliday, as an example) to start talks
Ryan
3:13
I agree with that, but then what?  Just let him go for nothing?
Anthony Franco
3:13
(Re. Cease)
Reds could offer the QO two years from now. If they don't compete as quickly as they expect, they could put him back on the trade market
3:15
I wouldn't let the idea that the player will eventually walk in free agency rule me out on anyone who's controllable for multiple seasons. Even Cease gets them to the postseason once or twice and then walks, that's a successful acquisition
Bob T
3:15
Happy Thanksgiving Anthony. What part of the market do you see the Angels shopping in? I don’t think that top free agents would have any interest in the dysfunctional Angels.
Also, what kind
Happy Thanksgiving Anthony. Do you think any of the top free agents will have any interest in the Angels? They need a lefty bat to platoon at DH with Rendon, who shouldn’t play in he field. Who are some possibilities? As for pitching, I think they might be better served by beefing up the bullpen.
Of course, with this team I don’t see anyway for them to finish above fourth in the AL West.
Anthony Franco
3:16
They should have the money to be in on any free agent. Even if Ohtani walks, they're legitimate suitors for a Snell or Bellinger. The team might not be very good, but money talks and living in Orange County is a nice boost
3:17
Candelario could fit the infield target you mentioned. Switch-hitter, can split time between third base and DH depending on Rendon's health (if they lose Ohtani obviously)
Kevin
3:17
What are the chances that the Cubs could sign Yamamoto?
Anthony Franco
3:18
Sure, I think that's viable. They'd probably be fifth or sixth if I were ranking landing spots, so like 10%?
3:19
That sounds low obviously but I wouldn't put any individual team above 20% given how many will be involved
Guest
3:19
What terms do u think Kevin kermeier signs for? 3-45?
Anthony Franco
3:19
We put him at 2/26 on the Top 50 and I feel ok about it
3:20
Steve pushed for him to get three years (more in the mid-30s than 45) when we were building the list. Tim and I couldn't see it with his injury history and age
Dan
3:20
Without naming any names...what is the highest level of source you guys have used for insider information?
Anthony Franco
3:21
Before my time with the site but I know Tim, Steve and Jeff used to bounce Top 50 numbers off at least one GM
Dan
3:21
Going off of the podcast this week, is there any way to speed up free agency with the absence of a cap/floor?
Anthony Franco
3:23
Guess you could set some kind of transaction deadline? Anyone who's unsigned by January 15 has to wait until Opening Day, something like that
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