You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Front Office Chat: 12/21/23
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Anthony Franco
4:26
I haven't seen the Reds/Giolito ties but I agree he'd be a poor fit for them
I also think that about Emilio Pagán though. Bizarre move in an offseason I've otherwise liked quite a bit
Ethan
4:26
What are your expectations for the upcoming Pirates SP addition that's supposed to "upstage" bringing back McCutchen?
Anthony Franco
4:27
Can't find it in the queue now but I saw you asked a similar version of this question with regards to Luzardo
4:30
I'd be surprised if they push in to that extent. I don't think the roster supports that. I'd guess more of a Patrick Sandoval Trevor Rogers type -- a good pitcher with affordable control but some question marks
Willie
4:30
The Red Sox finished last in the A L East in 2023 with Turner, Duval and Verdugo.  They look weaker for 2024 and do you see another last place finish?
Anthony Franco
4:30
Still a lot of offseason to go
Captain Dunsel
4:30
Kudos to the Phillies for making Yamamoto a formal offer. What do you think the chances are they will be successful? If so, will they look to offload salary elsewhere (Walker or Castellanos, perhaps) or just accept the added penalties and taxes for exceeding the third or fourth CBT thresholds? Thanks for answering.
Anthony Franco
4:31
Seems like a long shot. Even as Gelb and Coffey were reporting that the offer was on the table, they downplayed the chances that 1) it'd be the highest Yamamoto receives and 2) that he'd prefer Philadelphia to the other teams in the bidding regardless
Dollar General Mo
4:31
Where do the Redbirds look for relief help? Hicks? Neris? Maton?
Anthony Franco
4:32
I think the latter two are more likely than a Hicks reunion with where the budget is at this point
Anita
4:32
HI there - Jays signing Bellinger to a long expensive contract just seems like a bad idea, even bringing back Chapman at a high cost despite his defense makes me nervous.  Just signing a name for the sake of a "big move" is not a good thing. Trade market offers various options like 1) getting Brandon Drury from the Angels 2) getting Ryan McMahon & Sean Bouchard OF from the Rockies for Manoah, Jimenez & Zulueta or even 3) getting Christian Yelich & Willy Adames for Espinal & Otto Lopez (possibly George Springer instead)... thoughts?
Anthony Franco
4:34
Drury's a viable target, sure. Sean Bouchard is just a throw-in type but I don't expect the Rockies to move McMahon. Milwaukee's not going to package Yelich and Adames to tear everything down
John
4:34
Why have financial concerns become so important in Houston this year?
Anthony Franco
4:35
That's not really a new thing for them. They've exceeded the luxury tax threshold once, and it was by a marginal amount in 2020
4:37
It seems like ownership is content to go right up against the tax line but prefers to draw the line there, at least before the start of the season. They just entered this offseason near that mark for a couple reasons: 1) guys like Valdez and Tucker earning escalating arbitration salaries and 2) a lack of impact free agents coming off the roster/payroll this year
Rangers13
4:37
Would Duran, Taveras, Zavala, and Acker be enough for Bieber/Clase combo?
Anthony Franco
4:38
I like Leody a lot but I still think that's well light. Clase is so valuable
Rangers13
4:38
If you were CY would you add Duvall to the roster? Seems like he would cheaper than J.D. Martinez and Soler, and could DH or rotate through the OF.
Anthony Franco
4:39
Duvall's fine but unless they're out of money, I don't see why they won't just bring back Garver to play the same role he did in '23
Dan
4:39
Should we expect to see some overpay blockbuster trades after the top FA starters come off the board?  It seems like a lot of teams will be left out in the cold and may be forced to give up top pieces for less desirable trade options
Anthony Franco
4:40
I don't expect a ton. The tough thing about the trade market -- and this was the case last year too -- is that the number of outright rebuilding teams is really low
4:41
The A's don't care but they also have almost nothing to offer at this point. The White Sox are doing a reboot type of thing in which they're very likely to move Cease, but it's not a full tank where they're planning to trade Robert
4:43
So even if there are teams that want to make a major upgrade via trade, there's not a lot of talent out there after the Soto trade. That's particularly true offensively, where it's really hard for a team to trade away a productive veteran (Milwaukee with Adames, for example) and backfill cheaply because there aren't many good hitters in free agency
Kelenic Killin-it
4:43
What are your expectations for the Jar Bear
Anthony Franco
4:46
Nothing to suggest the strikeout rate is getting notably better at this point. The power and plate discipline are good, and I think there's a Joc Pederson-lite offensive profile in here, but I don't have any more hope of the true breakout
dodgers1866@gmail.com
4:46
Didnt appreciate Darragh McDonalds opinion of the Dodgers signing of Ohtani saying they ruined Baseball and then shoveled dirt on major league baseball for signing Tyler Glasnow if you want more paying customers of which Iam he shouldnt be giving his opinion taking the chance of one of your subscribers canceling out that was one of the stupidest I have ever heard
Anthony Franco
4:47
Is this in reference to the podcast intro? That was tongue in cheek
Official Gary Gaetti Fan Club
4:47
Ohtani and Yamamoto teamed up to make this the most boring off season since Harper and Machado formed a similar pact.
Anthony Franco
4:48
Very slow start but at least this means January should be better than usual?
In addition to the Ohtani/Yamamoto stuff, I think the lack of rebuilders I referenced earlier is a huge factor
4:49
It's probably better for most fanbases to have reason for optimism going into the season, but having 5-6 teams actively trying to get worse makes for a more entertaining offseason for everyone else
Adam
4:49
I keep reading teams shouldn't sign star players until their contention window opens but those players aren't available every year. I look at Texas signing Semien and Seager before their window was open as a good investment and foresight as those two wouldn't have been available the following year. What are your thoughts about teams making a splash prior to their respective contention windows opening?
Anthony Franco
4:51
I generally agree that being rigid about when you anticipate your contention window opening is too simplistic, but there's no one in this free agent class beyond Yamamoto that I'd be motivated enough to make an exception for
M’s Fan
4:52
Pick 2 one year deals and 1 milb deal to help boost the M’s offense for 2024’s race to 51%
Anthony Franco
4:53
Ha, I think it's impossible to build a marginally above-average offense out of Seattle's current group and two guys who'd sign for one year
4:54
Justin Turner and Tommy Pham gets you part of the way there?
Tom S
4:54
I don’t recall hearing Tim Anderson’s name in any rumor this off season. Where’s he gonna end up and for how much?
Anthony Franco
4:55
Expect $8-10MM for one year. I'll take the Giants
Hits Like Rays
4:55
With the ridiculous levels of spending that only a handful of teams are capable of in the last few years, I hope to see a drastic realignment of leagues soon.  I think the leagues should be divided according to which teams spend over $200 million or so on their player payroll.  One league that spends over that amount, and the other league that spends less.  That way the super-spenders could beat up on each other all year and have their own playoff bracket to get to the World Series, and the lower-spenders could still have a real chance at competitiveness.  And the fans would be guaranteed to have at least one true underdog to cheer for in the World Series each year.  Your thoughts???
Connecting…