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Front Office Chat: 2/16/24
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Jeff
3:28
If Urias didn’t have legal problems, what kind of contract was he looking at this winter?
Anthony Franco
3:28
I think he basically cost himself Nola money
Guest
3:29
I'm the guest with the question about restricting the free agency period: I don't see how fans would benefit. We are on this publication for the drip/drip....how is the situation evolving....hot stove speculation. Its crazy talk that two weeks of hyper frenzied transactions would be good for the game or the fans.
Anthony Franco
3:30
I mostly agree with this but don't think everyone's as patient as you or me. There's something to be said for the pre-lockout frenzy where you felt like you could miss something if you put your phone down for five minutes
Dewey
3:30
Are the Red Sox just waiting for next year's bumper crop of free agents?  Could they realistically land Soto? Just trying to figure out why they're operating like a small market team (although technically they are a small market...).  I mean, there must be a plan, right?  John Henry's not an idiot...
Anthony Franco
3:32
I don't think ownership's stupid but it's clear they didn't want to continue spending the way they were in 2018-19. They've been trying to scale back payroll for a few years now
3:33
Feels like they've generally tried to get a little too cute in recent years. Most of that was under the previous front office obviously. Now they're sort of stuck in a middle ground where they're not firmly in contention but talented enough to convince themselves they could hang in the Wild Card mix if things break right
AA
3:33
Why are people not talking about Ian Anderson battling for the 5th spot in the rotation?
Anthony Franco
3:34
Still only 10 months removed from Tommy John surgery. He'll start the season on the injured list
Could battle for the final rotation spot at some point in the middle of the season though
Who do you love more?
3:34
This is sort of like asking a parent which child they love more: If you were a parent of these players, would you love Jhoan Duran or Andres Muñoz more?
Anthony Franco
3:36
I like Munoz marginally more -- think there's a little more reliability in him missing bats -- but as you said, can't go wrong there
Job security
3:37
Alex Kiriloff doesn't seem to have a lot of love in the Minnesota front office, saying he'll be platooned with Santana and Miranda. Yet his rap sheet as a prospect promoted his hit tool. What's wrong with Kirilloff: his defense or something else?
Anthony Franco
3:38
He hasn't hit LHP in a brief MLB look, so that's part of it, but the bigger thing is just the injury history. The wrist and shoulder have kept him from playing a full season
3:39
I'm sure the front office would love it if he stays healthy and proves he can handle LHP, but with each year that passes where he misses significant time, the likelier it is that they'll have to manage his reps. If you're going to keep him on a somewhat limited workload to stay healthy, might as well maximize the looks he gets against righties
Speed vs hit
3:40
Many, if not most, analysts despise Esteury Ruiz noting that you can't steal first. But he hit over .300 in the minors in 2022, and did .254 last year. What's not to like?
Anthony Franco
3:41
I think it's more about the defense actually. Scouting reports were lukewarm on his CF instincts. Wildly different reviews from DRS and Statcast about how effective he was out there last year
3:42
He's not a great hitter. Minimal power, low OBP because he never walks. But between the contact skills and the baserunning, he'd be a really valuable player if he develops into the kind of center fielder that you'd expect from a player with his speed. It's a lot tougher profile if you're not convinced he's even average out there
Boston arms
3:42
Boston pitching is iffy, but the Sox seem to be messing around with the roles for Bello, Houck, and Whitlock. What's your take on the three and how it'll all shake out?
Anthony Franco
3:44
Still think Bello's got mid-rotation upside, just feels like he got worn down at the end of last season. I've never bought into Houck as a starter because of the platoon issues but he's clearly a good reliever
3:45
Whitlock has starting upside but the durability is still a question. I don't mind giving him another shot at it but if it doesn't happen this year, probably time to move him back to relief for good
Tom the Raptor
3:46
The Blue Jays don't yet have a set 4th outfielder.  Which of their infielders would make the best defensive outfielder -- IKF or Biggio or Schneider or someone else from Buffalo (assuming they're not bringing back Merrifield)??  Thank you very much.
Anthony Franco
3:47
IKF's the best athlete of the group and has some experience in CF. I'd take him out there over Biggio or Schneider in a vacuum, but he's also probably a better infield defender than either of those guys
Ross
3:47
Is there any indication that public arbitration projections (like Matt Schwartz’s) are used as evidence in arbitration hearings?
Anthony Franco
3:48
Can't use it in the hearings themselves but I'd be surprised if it's not a factor for a lot of teams and agents when they're deciding on filing figures
3:49
So I think it has an indirect but tangible effect on some player salaries, yeah
Padre Jonathan
3:49
Kim to SS to increase his trade value?
Anthony Franco
3:50
I don't think it affects his trade value. Teams already knew he can play a really good shortstop since he did it in 2022
3:51
It's somewhat odd timing but it probably makes the Padres marginally better this year and if Kim walks next offseason, they can slide Merrill in there without technically bumping Bogaerts off the position for a rookie
Frank
3:51
Red Sox owner John Henry has indeed played it cute but is getting what he wants.   Greatly reduced payroll and despite fans sharp complaints, Fenway Park still gets crowds (more as a cultural destination than a ballpark for many attendees) and the team shows a profit .   Plus Henry’s got an organization with numerous outlets in various sports.   It was admitted by the organization with the hiring of Theo Epstein as an advisor that the company, Fenway Sports, neglected the Sox.   Henry’s gotten away with it which I’m afraid may signal that his devotion to development of the Red Sox will only be there if profit is truly in jeopardy.
Anthony Franco
3:53
I'm sure there's some truth to this but I'm not quite as cynical as you are. I think ownership might've rested on its laurels a little bit after the '18 World Series but the goodwill only extends for so long
Dodger Dave
3:53
Sheehan Stone or Grove for #5 starter?
Anthony Franco
3:54
I'd give Sheehan the first shot at it but given the injury histories of almost everyone the Dodgers have, all these guys probably get looks at some point throughout the year
Rays
3:54
Osleivis Basabe has a good minor-league track record of batting average and speed. But the Rays don't show a lot of confidence in him given their trade for Caballero, the return of Walls, and the emergence of Caminero. Is he doomed to the bench or being traded?
Anthony Franco
3:56
Yeah I was a little surprised that Neander came out to basically proclaim Caballero the starter before Spring Training even started. Always felt like Caballero was getting the first shot at it but I thought they'd at least pay lip service to Basabe competing for the job in camp
3:57
I don't think he's doomed to the bench or trade bait, though. Caballero/Walls is pretty limited offensively. If Basabe rakes in Durham for two months and the Rays are getting nothing offensively from their shortstops, he should still be able to play his way in there
John B
3:57
Which teams do you see having the resources, desire, and payroll space to add a major free agent? Thanks
Anthony Franco
3:58
Giants, Cubs, Angels. Outside chance of the Red Sox if the market drops for one of those guys, probably Montgomery
Farhan
3:58
Has the Giant's offseason been a successful one? They've spent some money and seem to be improved in some areas, but wonder how many more wins they really expect from the current roster.
Anthony Franco
4:00
Not over yet but if we assume they're done, it's underwhelming for me. I like the Soler fit but think they needed to come away with a legitimate star player on top of that. They're counting on Jung Hoo Lee to be that guy but it's riskier than I'd have liked
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