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Front Office Chat: 6/2/23
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Anthony Franco
3:58
Hey everyone, hope you all enjoyed your week!
3:59
Looking forward to another of these after taking last week off. Let's get started!
Go Birds
3:59
What is jordan westburg's ETA?
Anthony Franco
4:01
I'd be surprised if he's not up this month, maybe in the next week or two. He's tearing up Triple-A and Mateo has gone ice cold so April looks like a mirage. Mateo's a better defender but I think Westburg's the superior overall player right now
First Chair Picollo
4:02
Although the A’s appear to be on the move, several stadia issues remain.It seems like Tampa has at least a few viable proposals. Milwaukee was recently cited by Manfred as needing $450 million of renovations. I’m starting to wonder if the owners are purposely having the commish continually shilling for upgrades for existing teams while simultaneously using that as an excuse to avoid adding 31 and 32. Surely the rights fees for, say, Nashville and Charlotte will be too much to resist in the next few years?
Anthony Franco
4:04
I don't know about the conspiracy theory you're proposing. Manfred has said they eventually want to go to 32 but hasn't put any timeline on it beyond post-COVID and then after the A's and Rays get their stuff sorted out. They don't really need an excuse not to go to 32, they can just say it's not financially viable right now and kick the can down the road
4:05
To your broader point, though, the league office is generally angling for some kind of funding to facilitate stadium projects somewhere at any given time. That's part of the job and definitely a way for the commissioner to appeal to the owners involved
Mike
4:05
The Marlins have managed to stay over 500 through out the season so you think they could keep it up?
SteveM
4:05
Miami is quietly having a pretty good season so far. Can they maintain in a division that includes Atlanta, the Mets and last year's WS runner up Philadelphia? Even Washington is a bit more competitive so far.
Anthony Franco
4:07
I don't think the offense is good enough to keep a .500+ record for a full season. They've got the second worst run differential in the National League right now. They're 16-4 in one-run games, and we've seen time and again that it's hard to be consistently great in close games like that
4:09
Those wins are banked and it's not like they're going to go 4-12 in one-run games now to counterbalance it. So credit to them for pulling those out. But they're 27th in run scoring despite Jorge Soler being on a two-month heater. Sandy Alcantara has looked ordinary. I'd like to buy into Miami because it's been so long since they were good in a full season but I'm not there
Go Birds
4:09
When will we see Elly?
Anthony Franco
4:11
I assume this is Elly De La Cruz, the Reds' #1 prospect. Both Jeff Passan and Ken Rosenthal wrote this week that that promotion looks to be imminent. He's striking out a little more than you'd like at Triple-A but the walk rate is huge and he's got the best toolset in the minor leagues. Also feels like this is probably happening this month or just before the All-Star Break
4:12
Reds have Matt McLain playing really well at shortstop right now but they could start bouncing him around the diamond in a super utility role once De La Cruz is up
Kirt
4:13
Why isn't Trout attempting to steal bases?
Anthony Franco
4:14
I haven't seen anyone say this, so it's just a guess, but it feels like a mitigating injury risk decision
Anita
4:14
Good afternoon, I think Matt Chapman is going to be too expensive for the Jays to bring back but Kevin Kiermaier (albeit comes with injuries) would be a great extension and not as much in cost... thoughts?
Anthony Franco
4:15
They're in different stratospheres financially, yeah. Chapman's probably going over $150MM. He's 30, a good hitter and one of the best defensive infielders in the sport. Trending towards being the #2 free agent position player available even with a mediocre May
4:17
Kiermaier's a 33-year-old with a really long injury history whose game is built around athleticism and center field defense. He's playing well this year on both sides of the ball but I think he's looking at a two-year deal in the $20-25MM range as the ceiling
4:19
I don't see why Toronto wouldn't have some interest in bringing him back, although the initial signing felt like more of a stopgap before they turned center field over to Varsho
Dmytro
4:19
What do Yanks do next year for CF? FA is sooo dry!
Anthony Franco
4:20
Yep, it's bleak again. That's been the case for a few straight years, which is part of the reason Brandon Nimmo gets $162MM. Kiermaier's the stopgap option. Cody Bellinger's probably the top guy. It's within the range of outcomes for Bader but he just hasn't stayed healthy
Kirt
4:21
Is Gunnar Henderson going to turn it around soon?  Although he does have a 97 ops+, that seems like a big disappointment.
Anthony Franco
4:23
Feels like he might need a reset in Triple-A. The bottom line results are ok but he's clearly capable of better. He's gotten really passive offensively and the contact rate has dropped off considerably when he does swing
4:24
Not worried long-term. He's a really talented player with an understanding of the strike zone who hits the ball hard. I still expect him to be very good, just don't love the approach right now
tigersFan
4:24
Is mckinstry a keeper or a flash in the pan?
Anthony Franco
4:26
I don't think he's a franchise building block but I like him as a quality role player. Good plate discipline, capable defensive infielder, very good Triple-A track record
4:27
Above-average super utility guy for me. That'd be a great result for a player they acquired from the Cubs' roster bubble at the end of Spring Training
Hits Like Rays
4:27
Should we assume that the Rays should trade for dominant relievers to go for a championship this year?  If so, is Kyle Manzardo their biggest trade chip (since Yandy Diaz is now signed for several years)?
Anthony Franco
4:28
Hard for me to see them dealing Manzardo. He could work in at designated hitter, Yandy can moonlight at third base. Feels like a guy they'd want to keep around
4:30
I don't know where Jonathan Aranda fits though. He's a guy I'd be thrilled to get if I were a retooling team, especially if you're talking about a deal for a reliever with a year and a half of club control or something
bill
4:30
Michael Harris II is struggling  needs some attention
Anthony Franco
4:31
Not great! Obviously he's not this bad. The BABIP luck has swung completely in the other direction from last season -- .361 to .215 -- so it'll come up
4:33
Generally speaking, though, I just don't think he's a particularly good hitter. Super aggressive approach, a ton of ground balls. The center field defense and baserunning are incredible and he's a valuable player overall, but the rookie year offense always felt a little over his head. He's more of a bottom-of-the-lineup type, I think
Kirt
4:34
Is Wander Franco the MVP thus far in the AL?  He leads in WAR.
Anthony Franco
4:35
I'd go Judge personally but the margins are always razor thin this early in the season. If you want to go with Wander, it's defensible. I'd probably lean Arozarena among Rays specifically
Big Bob
4:35
if and when Trace Thompson gets the axe who replaces him?
Anthony Franco
4:37
Outman's already got the strong side of the platoon. Could just give CT3 a few more center field at-bats against lefties and recall Luke Williams
John B
4:37
Welcome back! What do think will happen when Joey Bart comes off rehab since it looks like Bailey has claimed the job. Do the Giants platoon the two and use Sabol in the outfield, or do they send Bart to AAA to get some at bats and try to improve his trade value?
Anthony Franco
4:38
Thanks! I'd option Bart. I just like Bailey longer-term anyways and would rather give him consistent run, at least while he's playing well
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