Front Office Chat: 6/15/26
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Anthony Franco
3:01
Good afternoon, hope all is well!
Steve's off today so he'll take the Friday afternoon one of these in addition to his usual Tuesday main site chat
Let's get rolling
Wordan Jalker
3:02
Afternoon Anthony . Noot to the Phillies ? They are looking for outfield help. Obviously the Caeds are looking for pitching.
Anthony Franco
3:03
I could see it if the Cards drop out but have a tough time picturing them trading Nootbaar to a direct Wild Card competitor if they're still holding a playoff spot in late July
Wild Cards
3:03
In your opinion, which race in September will be more compelling? The NL where a midmarket team will miss their opportunity at playoff glory because of a stacked field or the AL where we may end up with more than one team under .500 sneaking into the bracket? Obvs once the playoffs begin, the NL will hold all the allure, but September? I see persuasive reasoning for either.
Anthony Franco
3:04
Yeah NL seems much more compelling to me because they're more deserving playoff teams. Still skeptical we actually get a sub-.500 AL Wild Card club
RAGBRAI
3:05
Does it seem like more minor leaguers are being called up than in the past? Seems like every week there is one or two arriving.
Anthony Franco
3:06
Yeah teams are a little more aggressive with the top prospect promotions now, more examples of college draftees getting to MLB within a year or so
PPI has definitely helped in that regard
Mets Man
3:06
Who has a more realistic shot getting back into the playoff picture? Mets or Tigers
Anthony Franco
3:07
I'm still not ready to bury either but Detroit feels more surmountable given the different competition levels between the leagues
Let's Go Bucs
3:07
Is there any bullpen help out there for my Pirates to try to snag pre-deadline?
Anthony Franco
3:09
Yeah they'll get multiple relievers. Definitely need a better righty setup arm than Santana
3:10
It's still early but by late July there'll be more than a dozen relievers who move. Marlins have some guys they could dangle (Lake Bachar, Tyler Phillips), Baltimore could move Yennier Cano. If Detroit does end up selling, no real reason for them not to listen on Will Vest. Still think San Diego could trade a reliever for a controllable starter and would match up with Pittsburgh well there
Buctober
3:11
Is JP Crawford available via trade. Seems like he may have lost the starting SS job there in Seattle. Would love to see him in Black and Gold. Go get him now. Let him play SS until Griffin comes back, then slide over to 3b
Anthony Franco
3:11
Nah not seeing this one. Mariners are good, he's willing to play third, and they adore him as a clubhouse leader
RoxTalks
3:12
How do you expect the Vegas stadium to play when it opens? It’s an indoor stadium so obviously not as hitter friendly, but do you think it will be generally hitter friendly?
Anthony Franco
3:13
Yeah it's indoors and at slightly lower elevation than the Triple-A stadium so not laughable like the past week but would expect it to be closer to Coors Field than to any other stadium
Beano
3:13
Hi Anthony! Thanks for the chat. How will the DBacks utilize Tommy Troy with Gurriel back? He's gone stone cold and I wonder if they will continue to give him ABs. In fantasy baseball, I have the chance to replace him with successful bids on Corrigg or Blaze Jordan - both of whom, I think, have a clearer path to PT. Your thoughts?
Anthony Franco
3:14
Yeah I'd option Troy back to AAA if I were them. Would prefer Carrigg and Jordan to him
Mike
3:14
Any chance they let Stanton play some right when he returns?  It would keep Goldy’s bat in the line up.  Or start transition Rice to the everyday catcher.  Wells is useless.
Anthony Franco
3:15
I doubt it. Stanton's already a statue and any time he runs, it feels like you're holding your breath hoping he doesn't pull something
3:17
Rice is hitting too well to start dabbling with him back at catcher, just have to trade for someone better than Wells. Goldy back to the bench on most days but he's not hitting RHP much anyway, so you're only really losing his value against lefties
3:18
Stanton's going to need rest days anyway and he's more platoon neutral, so mix in Goldy more heavily at DH versus lefties again (occasionally at 1B to give Rice a breather) and have him as a weapon off the bench when teams start a righty
Layne
3:18
what should the padres do at the deadline?
Anthony Franco
3:20
I'd shop Adrian Morejon or Jeremiah Estrada to try to get a starter. Need to add a corner outfielder (Taylor Ward, Jo Adell, etc.) and a bench bat but that's easier to accomplish from the middle of the farm system
Chief
3:20
A couple of months ago, I read an article by a respected national writer (either Rosenthal or Verducci, I believe) who suggested a ball be called for any pitch over 95 MPH. Whomever it was acknowledged it would never come to pass, but I thought it was a terrific idea. since it would very likely significantly reduce the number of arm injuries. My Google search revealed 430 MLB pitchers have undergone TJS in the past five years, and many pitchers are having the procedure more than once. Your thoughts?
Anthony Franco
3:23
Yeah I've seen this idea -- think Tim Dierkes has floated it before as well -- and hate it. Just fundamentally opposed to directly making players play worse for injury prevention or entertainment purposes. There are other ways to try to get at that goal (e.g. dropping to 12-pitcher limit, tighter roster restrictions on recalls/options)
3:24
Would it work? I really don't know. The power pitchers would just throw more breaking stuff
3:25
Probably get deeper counts and more walks, could actually see it leading to more swing-and-miss since hitters typically want fastballs anyway. I can't really speak to whether throwing more 90 mph sliders or 98 mph fastballs is better or worse for arm health
The Willies of SF
3:26
Luis Arraez has been everything and more than the Giants expected, both offensively and defensively. I want the Giants to resign him, but so will other teams. What do you expect he'll get on the open market this winter (even if he's dealt at the deadline)? And what do you expect the Giants will get at the deadline if they're open to moving him?
Anthony Franco
3:27
I'd guess four years in the $55-60M range. Pretty sure Steve Adams is more skeptical he's getting paid, which I understand. I wouldn't want to give him that contract personally
3:28
He's been about as expected offensively, really just comes down to the defense. He's gone from fringe first baseman to Gold Glove caliber second baseman in one offseason, that kind of thing never happens
3:29
I don't doubt that Ron Washington has been a big part of that, but does that then continue if a non-Giants team signs him? Even if it does, probably have to assume he's losing a step once he gets into his 30s
3:31
I do expect him to be traded and think the Giants will get a couple solid prospects for him. Not anyone in the top 100 overall given the lack of contractual control but someone who could land at the back of their top 10 organizational list
Daniel
3:31
What is a realistic expectation of Cooper Pratt?
Anthony Franco
3:33
Brewers seem higher internally than basically any public prospect given the extension. Right now, I think it's plus shortstop defense with an offensive profile that looks pretty similar to what they've gotten from David Hamilton this year
3:34
Modest average, minimal power with a pretty good K/BB profile. Obviously you're hoping he grows into more long term given the prospect pedigree and age but it's not like the minor league offensive production has been overwhelming
Monstah
3:35
Duran to the Phillies? What would make sense for a return? One of Bohm or Stott with a minor leaguer or two?
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