Front Office Chat: 6/12/26
powered byJotCast
This chat is available to members only. Please log in to participate.
Anthony Franco
3:50
I think he's more .285 with 20 HR than a 30-homer bat. He's strong enough to sell out for the latter if he wanted it but it's more of a "rip line drives all the over the field" approach
The App
3:51
Hey Anthony! The App is gone, and now I can’t download it. The Beta version seems to have expired, and now it just says it’s not available in my country or region. What to do? I really liked it.
Anthony Franco
3:52
Not sure, I don't have any part of the development side. I can pass this along to Tim if you want to drop your email in here or you can send in something to the contact form here:
What's in a name?
3:54
Tork, a change-of-scenery guy?
Anthony Franco
3:55
Coming around on it. His arbitration price is climbing to a point where this kind of production isn't cutting it anymore
3:57
They've been reluctant in the past, at least in part because they didn't have other sources of RH power. That's less an issue now that Dingler's amazing so Tork could be a little more expendable even if they avoid truly selling
Lefty
3:57
Giants aren't making the playoffs this year. Not much MLB-ready pitchers in minors. They need to trade Webb - is he worth a Top 100 guy or two plus some hard throwing 19 year old fliers?
Anthony Franco
4:00
Yeah one clear headliner, another arguable Top 100 type, couple mid-tier development plays. Even with the strikeouts down, two and a half years of someone with Webb's durability and track record is really valuable
Remain skeptical they'd actually do it
walterj23
4:00
I'm hoping the Cubs don't push all their chips in trying to make a go of the rest of the season . They just don't  have the ability to make a deep run of the playoffs . How far do the Cubs need to be out of the wildcard in order to be sellers at the deadline  ?
Anthony Franco
4:02
Five or six? Also depends on how many teams they have to jump. If they're five back and only need to catch one of Arizona or St. Louis, that's a different calculus than if it's the same gap but they need to jump half the National League along the way
4:03
Generally speaking, I don't expect the Cubs to sell and figure the front office is more optimistic about their chances this year than you are
4:04
Going to need to add two starters, at least one of whom fits in the middle of the rotation, but they don't add Alex Bregman to an already veteran-heavy lineup if they don't see themselves as real contenders
Bruce T
4:04
Anthony, put on your GM hat. If Mike Trout wants to play in October and agrees to a trade to Atlanta, how much money does Arte eat and what Braves fo to the Halos?
Anthony Franco
4:06
Tough one to answer off the cuff and haven't given it much thought since there hasn't been any indication Trout would actually do this (or that the Angels would unless he actively demands a trade)
4:07
Still has four years and nearly $142MM left on the contract after this season, runs ages 35-38. Shouldn't be playing center field anymore but remains a high-end bat
4:10
I don't think he'd get four years if he were a free agent this offseason given the defense and the injury history. Someone doing $70-80M, maybe
Market didn't materialize for Eugenio Suárez but we've seen José Abreu and Christian Walker get paid over and Trout's better than them
M
4:11
for that all guy, I had the same issue, I was able to just download the app from the normal App Store.
Insert Name Here
4:11
Just wanted to add that the Nationals and Pirates are potentially right there in line with the Cardinals and the White Sox as being in a tricky spot at the deadline. It should be a lot clearer by the time the ASB rolls around. If the Nats are still within a game of a WC spot, how do you think Toboni & Co will handle the deadline?
Anthony Franco
4:12
Would quibble with that on Pittsburgh. Their rebuild is over. They should be aggressive for bullpen help
4:13
I remain more skeptical on the Nats than on either the White Sox or Cardinals, but it'd be a similar approach for me if they're thinking about flipping Foster Griffin for a 40 FV prospect
4:15
Add a rental reliever or two, maybe a better multi-positional infielder than Jorbit Vivas who can take second base reps from Nasim Nuñez
4:16
I still think the pitching staff is bad enough that they'll be 5-6 out by the deadline and then it's clearer that they should sell
PhillyPope
4:16
With Garcia hitting the 60 day IL, what viable options are available to the Phils via trade?
Anthony Franco
4:20
Giants should trade Jung Hoo Lee with the opt-out looming after 2027. Phillies have a clear RF need even if Adolis comes back. I know they were kind of up against the budget over the offseason but they've got Walker and Castellanos off the books after the season
4:22
More boring answers: Trevor Larnach, Taylor Ward, Steven Kwan
It's not going to happen but Mickey Mo return would be hilarious
Robin Williams in 'GM, V' was next level
4:23
Has anyone ever received a CY vote after pitching a season without a start or a save?  Could Dylan Lee become the first?
Anthony Franco
4:23
Ryan Tepera got an MVP vote!
4:24
On accident, but still
4:25
Lee's awesome but the NL starting pitching field is so loaded that I can't see anyone justifying him top 5. Writers will sometimes throw a bone to a guy they cover but barring that, no
Trout Farm
4:26
The White Sox are in first place in the AL Central in 2026. ChiSox have been a fun team to watch this year and they're going from a team that everyone would have assumed to be sellers at the trade deadline, to possibly buyers. If you're Getz and you're gonna make some moves to go on a playoff run, what positions are you looking to upgrade and do any particular names stand out as fits?
Anthony Franco
4:27
Starting pitching, maybe a RH leverage reliever. Feel pretty good about the position player group assuming Murakami and Teel stay on track
4:29
Not sure how much to buy this Tristan Peters season but doubt there'll be anyone clearly better available on the center field market. TBD on right field, glad they called up Montgomery when they did to give him six weeks before deciding if they need to get a stopgap there
Could the Rangers become buyers? Targets?
4:29
The Rangers seem to have figured some things out and the West is anyone’s to take. What are some realistic targets they could go after given their budget and somewhat depleted farm system?
Anthony Franco
4:31
Still would like to see them add a lefty bat at 1B to give them an alternative/platoon partner to Burger. I know he had a good May but he kind of is what he is
4:33
Bringing Nathaniel Lowe back unironically makes a lot of sense to me. Kody Clemens could work
4:35
Plenty of bullpen possibilities out there. Senzatela, Daniel Lynch, Brooks Raley, A.J. Minter, Sam Moll, Tyler Phillips a few that come to mind
Connecting…