JotCast | Front Office Chat: 6/14/24

Front Office Chat: 6/14/24

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Anthony Franco

4:13

The counterargument is that more fanbases (including the Cardinals) have legitimate reasons to be invested, but it essentially works as an incentive for teams to try to build 85-win rosters because the playoffs are so volatile

4:14

I preferred it at 10, but it's not coming back and even 12 is less than what the other major sports leagues have going

Wayne

4:14

Do you think anything will ever be done to change MLB's ridiculous blackout rule? It's pathetic.

Anthony Franco

4:15

It's not really an MLB rule. Manfred hates blackouts because they interfere with his dream of building a one-stop streaming platform with every game. They're written into the contracts that teams sign with their RSNs because the networks want to incentivize people to pay for cable packages

4:17

The RSN system is dying, so I think most teams will eventually move from blacking out every game in-market. But they'll increase stuff like selling exclusive broadcasting rights to varying streaming services that function somewhat similarly (but on a lesser scale)

Clark and Addison

4:17

With a slow first two months does Bellinger stick with the Cubs for another $30 million?

Anthony Franco

4:18

No, I'd be really surprised if he doesn't opt out. He'll be a top five position player in next year's FA class, going to take another swing at the long-term deal

Brian Cashman

4:18

I'm looking to upgrade at the corner infield and RP. Is the top of the market for relievers (besides Mason Miller) going to cost two top 10 organizational prospects or more? What 3rd basemen can I focus on?

Feet Of Clay

4:18

Clay Holmes scares me in a big spot. Who can the Yanks target to be their closer in October?

Anthony Franco

4:20

Man, I love Holmes. There's a good portion of the Yankee fanbase that never seems to fully trust him, but I don't think there's anyone who might be available beyond Miller that I'd have more confidence in than him. Maybe Helsley?

4:21

He would cost more than a couple back of the top 10 org guys. St. Louis should get a Top 75-150 overall type as a headliner to consider it

4:23

Third base is pretty bad unless the Rockies reverse course on McMahon. Nick Senzel has been alright for Washington. Luis Rengifo can really hit but it'll be an adventure on defense

Feet Of Clay

4:23

If you watched every game he pitches, your opinion might change. It's a high-wire act.

Anthony Franco

4:24

Ha yeah, I just feel like that's the case for about 95% of high-leverage relievers

Joshua

4:24

What type of contract do you think Bregman will get this offseason? Thanks.

Anthony Franco

4:27

I'd loosely put him between 100-150MM right now, but we're going to do a refresh of the free agent power rankings soon. We'll take some time to look into the top of the free agent class and line him up against Adames, Kim, etc., so I'll have a more defined answer to this in a couple weeks

CurtisLeskanic

4:27

Can Arrighetti stick in the rotation when everyone is back and healthy?

Anthony Franco

4:28

He'd be the odd man out for me. Could keep him stretched out in multi-inning relief in case they need him to step back into the rotation with any injuries

The recent results have been alright but he's on a tightrope every time with all the walks

Erik

4:28

Should the Padres mortgage their nearly empty farm system even more for rotation/bullpen upgrades?

Anthony Franco

4:30

Not sure I agree with the premise. It's not a deep system but there's real high-end talent. They also seem to have a legitimate knack for scouting -- particularly in the international market -- that gives them an advantage in landing impact talent despite continuing to tap into the system for huge trades

4:31

Getting conservative now isn't Preller's operating style, and it'd just feel like a half-measure after pushing in for Cease and striking early on Arraez

Guest

4:31

Mariners question here. It’s painfully obvious that the Mariners need some help offensively and in the bullpen.
The starting staff is keeping them in games with very little run support. What realistically can the Mariners do to improve the situation considering the ownership’s budget constraints?

M's fan for 40+

4:31

Is there a national narrative out there to make you think that the Mariners will actually make a trade that moves the needle enough to make a difference? Cause local history doesn't suggest it's gonna happen.

Anthony Franco

4:33

It's not like the Mariners have been gunshy about making trades. The Winker deal didn't work, but that was a big push for what looked like an impact bat. Obviously they pulled Castillo at the deadline a couple years ago

4:36

With that said, there's not a ton out there in terms of clear offensive upgrades -- particularly if they're working with limited financial flexibility. Paredes isn't expensive and the M's certainly have high-end talent in the farm system. Rays would need a lot to make it happen obviously

4:36

If the Astros decide to sell at the deadline, could Frambar and Hensley for Coby Mayo be the framework for a mega deal?

Anthony Franco

4:37

I don't think Baltimore would give up Mayo for a year and a half of Framber

PTBN

4:37

Can there be 2 buckets of players depending on how the traded player performs?

Anthony Franco

4:38

Can't make it conditional on performance

Fun idea

4:38

two random teams switch divisions every year.

Anthony Franco

4:39

It'd be initially interesting but I think this would wear out its welcome within a couple years

4:40

Eventually they'd just all be scrambled and there'd be fewer longstanding division rivalries and it'd make for longer travel times by pairing teams that aren't anywhere close geographically

Buff

4:40

Who is likely to get first crack at the closer’s job in Miami when the Fish trade Tanner Scott? Do you see anyone on the current roster who might be able to hold the job?

Anthony Franco

4:41

Puk if he's not also traded. Andrew Nardi if Scott and Puk both go

4:41

I meant Frambar and Presley 🤦🏼‍♂️

My bad

Anthony Franco

4:42

Ah, that's a little more interesting. I thought David Hensley was a weird throw-in there haha

4:43

Still think Baltimore would balk at giving up Mayo though

Alright, I've gotta wrap this one up