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Front Office Chat: 2/6/26
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Anthony Franco
3:00
Hey all, hope you're doing well!
3:01
Steve and Darragh are getting killed by the waiver deluge today so I'll keep this one right around an hour to chip away at that after
Let's get it rolling
Tigers lover
3:01
Thanks for the chat, Anthony! Scott Harris and the Tigers finally finally finally put their chips in and got Framber... and they had to, this next year might be their biggest opportunity, before they lose the best pitcher in the game. With these guys now as Tigers' one-two punch, how do you rank American League contenders?
Anthony Franco
3:02
Yeah love this for them, finally showed a sense of urgency to win now. I expected them to add a starter but figured it'd be more in the Bassitt/Giolito range
3:04
Clear team to beat in the Central. They were before really, but this just widens the gap. I don't think there really is a hierarchy of AL contenders. Guess I'd give the edge to Seattle as the best team but it's as muddled as any year I can remember
3:05
If you wanted to argue for the Tigers or any non-Rays team in the AL East for that spot, I wouldn't have much pushback. Baltimore's probably a stretch with that pitching staff but wouldn't be all that surprising if they mash their way back to the top of the division either
Rays Apologist
3:05
Do the Rays still sign one of the free agent lower tier starters or are they pretty much finalized as a squad now? Was hoping for a Littell reunion.
Anthony Franco
3:07
I think there's one more coming. Boyle's probably not a starter. I like Seymour but there's not much after that if he wins the fifth starter job. Littell would make sense, sure
Paul
3:07
Hello Anthony. The Red Sox can’t be done can they? I know the pickings are getting slim. They need a RH power bat desperately. Are Tyler O’Neill or Nick Castellnos options? I’m assuming it wouldn’t cost much of a package to acquire either one of them.
Anthony Franco
3:08
Seems like Contreras was the righty power bat. TON or Castellanos wouldn't get much playing time
3:09
If you want to wait for the Phillies to release Castellanos, sign him for the minimum and cut Yoshida, maybe that could work. It'd add a little bit of balance. Is Castellanos signing up for that when he can decide where he wants to go because everyone's offering him the same salary? I don't know
Tom Rickets
3:09
Does 6 years and $120 million get Nico Hoerner back to the Cubs?
Anthony Franco
3:11
Yeah I think he'd take that. Could see a case for the earning power to get closer to Dansby if he has a big walk year and someone loves him as a shortstop, but the market could really fall out from under him if he puts up a 90 wRC+ this year or something
Sultans of Swing
3:11
Why does Dean Kremer get the love as the Orioles' 5th starter when Tyler Wells's numbers are so much better? They really want Wells pitching once a week in the pen as a long man?
Anthony Franco
3:13
I'd go with Wells if they're all healthy but someone's going to get hurt and it'll even out anyway. Kremer's just the default pick because he's been healthy the last couple years
3:14
Kremer's a fine fifth starter, to be clear. I think Wells is a little better but fell out of mind a little when he had the elbow surgery
MBV
3:14
Is there still room for JV on my Tigers team?
Anthony Franco
3:16
I don't see it. They've got five good starters and need to keep Anderson on the MLB roster. Melton hanging around as a high-upside depth play with Jobe potentially back in the second half. The payroll's also getting up there -- need to see what happens with Framber's deferrals but plausible that JV would push them into luxury tax territory
BluesCardsCity
3:16
Will the Cardinals still trade Romero and possibly pick up a starter (e.g. Canning)
Anthony Franco
3:17
I think yes to both. Feels like even in a rebuilding year, you'd want Pallante and Leahy to earn rotation spots rather than locking them in out of camp
Texas Ranger Suarez
3:18
Think the Royals and Padres could line up on a Laureano deal this late in the winter? Seems like KC is missing one offensive piece, with pitching and young catching to spare. (Former Royal Freddy Fermin isn't the long-term answer.)
Anthony Franco
3:20
I'd appreciate the irony of this but don't really see the match. Some of the pitching that K.C. has to spare are the guys the Padres traded them for Fermin. They're not doing Cameron or Carter Jensen for Laureano
3:21
Unless you're talking about a one-for-one with Bubic (wouldn't do it if I were K.C. but it'd be fun as hell), I don't think it works. Padres trading for Blake Mitchell doesn't help them this year
LFGM
3:21
Do any other FAs get a multi year deal at this point or will they all be 1 year/pillow contracts?
Anthony Franco
3:22
Still expect two with an out for Gallen. Beyond that, it's probably all one
3:23
Bassitt should get two but I feel like if 2/34 were out there, he'd have jumped on it by now
3:24
I guess Shelby Miller could get a backloaded two-year deal for no money, but that's only because he's going to miss the entire season
Trout Phishin'
3:25
Philly fans are upset about the Phillies offseason (or lack of).  How would you rate their offseason and have some NL teams passed them by?
Phillies Fan
3:25
What would it take to sign Luzardo now before he reaches free agency? Luis Castillo feels like a very good comp as far as his last season before free agency and Luzardo's year last year; he got 5yr/$108M. Is that the starting point for the negotiations?
Anthony Franco
3:27
The offseason's fine. Broadly similar to the Yankees in that it's not super exciting to mostly run it back but they have a 90-plus win team in place already. Don't expect the Schwarber or JTR deals to age all that well but didn't see a better path to replacing them right now when the window's open
No issue letting Bader walk and giving Crawford a look. Can't say he hasn't earned it
3:29
Don't think Luzardo's taking Castilo money. That seemed light for Castillo even at the time, and he was a couple years older than Luzardo is now
3:31
Starting point is a little above Suárez money for me, ironically. Certainly not offering him $200M right now but he's got a shot at that if he gets through the year healthy
3:32
He's a better pitcher than Dylan Cease, and the durability concerns aren't as pressing if he reels off back-to-back full seasons before he hits FA
Brewer Fan
3:32
Assuming at least 140 games played, o/u 29.5 homers for Jackson Chourio this year?
Anthony Franco
3:33
If he stays healthy, I do think he's getting to 30 this year
Yarrrr
3:33
Pirates have another move left? I really, really wanted an upgrade at 3rd but there's not much left. Ramon Urias? Trade for a Jung brother and hope he rebounds?
Ethan
3:33
Pirates clearly have some money to spend still given their Suarez/Valdez pursuits. Is there a better way for them to spend than by signing Ozuna and Quintana and trading for Vientos (Mets recoup some upper level prospect value)?
s45d64
3:33
What would it take for the Pirates to get either Baty or Vientos? The Mets seem to have a glut of infielders.
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