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Front Office Chat: 4/3/26
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Anthony Franco
3:00
Good afternoon, hope you're all well!
3:01
Looking forward to another of these, let's get it going
Brewer Fan
3:01
Is it weird that the Brewers haven't actually announced the Pratt extension? And on that topic, if it does get done, it wouldn't rule out a Made or Pena extension right?
Anthony Franco
3:03
It's a little atypical but I don't think any cause for concern. Adam McCalvy hypothesized yesterday that it's just a logistical holdup on completing the physical
3:04
Which would make sense. He played for Nashville through March 29, the extension report came out on the 30th, and he hasn't played any of their past three games despite being on the active roster. Could just be a travel thing to get him to Milwaukee and get final sign-off on the medical
thebeatlesshow
3:05
Anthony,  Thanks again.  Is the complete game no hitter on the way to being extinct (if it isn't already)?
Anthony Franco
3:06
I don't think so. Less common, yes, largely because teams are more concerned about pitch counts and there's a decent chance you're running a pretty high number in a no-hitter because it's probably coming with some strikeouts
3:07
But it's still a hell of an accomplishment for a pitcher and managers care about that
3:08
Whoops, just realized I didn't answer the second part of that first Brewers question:

Don't see why Pratt would take a Made or Pena extension off the table, no
Cubbies
3:08
What are the Cubs gonna do with their OF after this season? Happ and Seiya both FAs and Cassie was traded for Cabrera.
Anthony Franco
3:09
QO to both, ideal if one of them accepts and takes that decision off the table. Feels like Happ is the likelier of the two to return if they're signing one to a three-year deal
3:10
If they believe in Kevin Alcántara at all, have to give him a real opportunity next year. He'll be out of options and the strikeout questions aren't getting answered if he's only playing twice a week
Little Texas
3:10
I’m my way to the Rangers home opener to see Gore pitch, Here’s to his CY Young season.
Anthony Franco
3:11
Enjoy!
3D-space ABS
3:11
Why would the Mariners forgo managing a signing like Emerson's so that PPI was still in play?
M
3:11
now that he's signed an extension and thus no longer eligible for the PPI, how long before Emerson is up with the Ms?
Anthony Franco
3:12
We talked about this on the podcast this week but I just don't think there's regular playing time for him right now. No benefit to swapping him in for Rivas in a bench role
3:14
They're committed to Crawford at SS for this year. Young's obviously getting some run at second base and looks great. Donovan's versatility is a plus but he's a better infield fit than corner outfielder. Even if you wanted to move Donovan to RF -- where he's less valuable than at 3B -- Raley and Canzone have both come out on fire
3:15
Once any of those guys suffers an injury that'll last longer than a week or two, they can bring Emerson up. Raley's the likeliest to play his way to the bench, I guess
3:17
As for the PPI aspect, it's a nice bonus if you want the player up anyway but I wouldn't hold off on getting a deal done with Emerson just for that. Part of the appeal for him is that he's getting an $8M signing bonus and $1M salary this year instead of playing on a Triple-A salary
If the M's aren't sure there's an MLB opportunity for him until May or June, no guarantee he's still taking this deal at that point
walterj23
3:18
Seeing that Taillon's velocity is down this year would Giolito be an upgrade over Taillon ? would a Giolito contract put the Cubs over the first threshold ?
Anthony Franco
3:19
They're right on the border already. Even if they're not already over, their trade deadline activity is pushing them past $244M
3:21
I just don't think Giolito's doing much for them. He's going to need at least a month before he's ready to start MLB games. Even if you're out on Taillon at this point -- Cubs aren't pulling the plug  after one start but early returns aren't encouraging -- they could put Rea back in the rotation or recall Assad
TigerFan
3:21
Does McGonigle play more 3B or SS this year?
Anthony Franco
3:23
I still think it'll more shortstop at the end of the day. Just not going to be able to live with Javy as a regular for much longer
Ca$hman
3:23
has any team had two players accept the qo in the same offseason?
Anthony Franco
3:24
Nope. Plenty of examples of a team issuing two QO's -- Padres as recently as last offseason -- but none where both players accepted
3:25
Giants had a player accept three years in a row (Gausman, Belt, Joc) between 2020-22, which is kind of weird
Sandy at 90
3:26
Will Jackson Ferris pitch at Oklahoma City this season?
Anthony Franco
3:27
Don't see why he wouldn't. Not sure why they haven't assigned him to an affiliate yet
Richard
3:27
Who do you see as top targets for trade bait this season that will be FA after this year?
Anthony Franco
3:28
The players on the Power Rankings that we dropped this afternoon would be the most notable impending FA trade targets if their teams fell out of it
3:30
Trevor Rogers, Taylor Ward, Kris Bubic, Nick Pivetta, Adrian Morejon jump out as players on teams that might be fringe contenders. I think the Padres will be good but they're willing to do crazy stuff at the deadline even if competitive and need to find some way to trade for controllable starting pitching either at the deadline or next offseason
3:32
The obvious non-contenders are mostly shopping role players or relievers. Ryan Jeffers should be a pretty good starting catcher for someone. Ramón Laureano, Luis Arraez, Cedric Mullins, Chris Bassitt, Pete Fairbanks
Joshua
3:33
Do you believe Joey Wiemer has a chance to be a Ryan O'Hearn or Justin Turner Turner type who can be a solid MLB pro after struggling earlier in his career? Obviously, he's not going to continue how well he has been doing during this small sample size, but can he be a true MLB everyday player in your mind?
Anthony Franco
3:34
I don't. The tools have been huge dating back to college but the contact just hasn't been there. Need a lot more than a week to buy in on that
M
3:34
Do you play out of the park baseball at all? If so, what is your favorite part of the game?
Anthony Franco
3:35
I played it a little during Covid and enjoyed it but I'd get way too invested if I really dove in
3:36
It's great but baseball can't take literally all of my time haha
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