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Front Office Chat: 9/30/22
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Anthony Franco
3:00
Hey everyone, hope you're wrapping up a good week!
Pretty robust queue today so I'll move a little quicker than usual
Reds Shortstop
3:01
Barrero did not hit in his audition, unsurprisingly.  So what do the Reds do about shortstop this offseason?  Sign an Iglesias type?  Move Farmer back to shortstop for another year?  And what becomes of Barrero - give him another chance if he starts hitting in AAA next year?
Anthony Franco
3:02
Yeah I think they add a stopgap type and start Barrero back in Louisville. If he hits there, he gets one more chance at extended MLB run. If he flops again, he's no longer a key part of the plans and they have to look elsewhere during the 2023-24 offseason
3:03
Also kind of depends how Elly de la Cruz develops defensively. Doesn't seem like a lock he stick at short but if he's trending that way next year, eventually he just becomes an option
Guest
3:03
Nats' future? Is there anything else left to sell for prospects? Who can they leapfrog next year not to be the worst team in baseball?
Anthony Franco
3:04
It's pretty bleak obviously. No one left to trade, the farm system is better but a lot of the talent they got back from San Diego is at the lower levels. I think it's a three-year rebuild
3:05
Could they be better than the A's or Rockies next year? Sure. I see no way they won't lose 90+ games
Astros fan
3:05
Who are the best options to replace Brantley and Yuli next year
Anthony Franco
3:06
Rotating Yainer Diaz into the DH mix while getting Yordan a bit more defensive run in left and at first should help alleviate that somewhat, but I do think they'll have to dip outside the organization for a bat
3:07
Maybe that's bringing back Mancini. Could trade for Rhys Hoskins or sign Dom Smith after the Mets non-tender him. I don't think they'll make a huge move but they should do something
Bob T
3:08
Anthony, have you heard  any rumors on the Angels sale? Angels fans can’t wait until Arte the Meddler is gone.
New ownership will have to decide to either spend over the tax limit to win now or go in the other direction and opt for a full rebuild. I think that the whole organization needs a full rebuild. Your thoughts?
Anthony Franco
3:08
Nothing firm yet. It's a months-long process
3:09
I tend to agree that the rebuild's coming. Expect they'll try to make one last go of it during Ohtani's final arbitration season, but post-2023 they tear it down
roster prospects
3:09
How do you feel about Jordan Diaz and Connor Capel?    I'm looking to load up on some prospective players and these two appear to have offensive potential.   The A's may give Capel and Diaz a strong chance to show what they can do.
Anthony Franco
3:10
I like Díaz a lot. Not sure where he fits defensively but I think he's a really promising offensive player. I think Capel's more of a fourth/fifth outfield type, but you're right that the A's are in position to give him the playing time to see if he's more than that
Bill G.
3:10
Please tell me Ben Cherrington still has his touch.  SP, bullpen, catching, first base, all were a cluster blunder this year.  Almost no hope to contend next year.  Will he trade Reynolds and our closer for more "never will be"s?
Anthony Franco
3:11
I think the rebuild's going fine. They weren't trying to compete this year. Roberto Pérez and Yoshi Tsutsugo not panning out was always the likely outcome (although Pérez's injury was unforeseeable)
3:12
They've drafted well lately, that's the more important thing. I doubt they trade either of Reynolds or Bednar this winter, things are proceeding mostly as expected
Ron
3:12
Hello Anthony,  We are getting close to the playoffs now and I think the Dodgers' starting pitching has some question marks.  What are your thoughts on that?  And the lack of hitting with the regulars at the wrong time?  Thank You!
Anthony Franco
3:13
Zero concern about the offense. Still the best lineup in baseball in my opinion. The rotation's a bit more alarming because of the injuries to May and Gonsolin and the general uncertainty about Kershaw at any given time, but it still has the potential to be pretty good
Also helps that they've got their best bullpen of this front office/managerial regime
3:14
They're still the best team in baseball pretty easily for me. Doesn't mean they'll win the World Series, of course, but they've got so much margin for error with injuries or slumps because the roster is so deep
Guest
3:14
What do you think contracts for Benintendi and Taillion will look like.  Another starter, especially with Montas' shoulder issues, and left field seem to be the Yankees main needs for next year.  I assume they'll also add a reliever or two.  I don't think there is a scenario where Judge doesn't end up back in pinstripes.
Anthony Franco
3:16
I'll have a better answer for you on the Benintendi/Taillon contracts in the next few weeks as we get started on our Top 50 list. Was lower than most on Benintendi to begin with because his production's so BABIP-dependent, and now he's got the injury stuff. Not clear to me he's better than Canha, who got 2/$26.5MM last year (albeit much older)
Could see Benintendi getting three years at a lower AAV, maybe in the $33MM range
3:17
Taillon's broadly in the mid-tier free agent starter bucket that all got between $25MM and $44MM last winter. I'd have him at the lower end because of the two Tommy John surgeries in his past
3:18
I tend to agree with the needs you highlighted. Could see them upgrading at third base as well, and they'll have to figure out what to do at first if Rizzo opts out
mlbfan
3:18
Will the royals cut kris bubic this offseason
Anthony Franco
3:18
I'd be surprised if he's DFA'd but he certainly shouldn't be in the Opening Day rotation
Still has options remaining, send him back to Omaha
tigersfan
3:18
Will the tigers be better next year?
Anthony Franco
3:19
A little bit. Báez shouldn't be this bad, Austin Meadows theoretically should be ready to return by then. Whichever stopgap catcher they pick up can't possibly be worse than Tucker Barnhart was, and you've got potential development from Torkelson and Greene
3:20
So I doubt they lose 95 games again, but I also have a hard time seeing them above .500 or anything. Too much health uncertainty on the pitching staff and holes to plug in the lineup
Kevin H
3:20
If you caught the home run ball for both Albert Pujols 700th home run and Aaron Judge's 62nd home run. Which ball would give you more money if you sell it?
Baseball fan
3:20
What would you do if you caught judges 62nd homer
Anthony Franco
3:21
My guess is the Judge ball is worth more? I really have no idea though
As for what I'd do with the Judge ball, I'd probably return it in exchange for some signed memorabilia, then regret it every time I got my student loan bill
3:22
I'd feel too bad to keep it and try to run out of Yankee Stadium though
Outlook
3:22
Is the outlook sunny for Sonny Gray next year, or is he on a downward spiral of injuries?
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