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Front Office Chat: 9/8/23
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Anthony Franco
4:34
I preferred the Arizona end to the Varsho/Moreno swap, since I had some questions about Varsho keeping up his power pace. But again, I think it was at least a calculated strategy. They wanted to upgrade the outfield defense, so they moved Teoscar and brought in Kiermaier. They had the catching surplus, so they flipped Moreno for an elite defensive outfielder
4:35
As with DeJong, I'm sure they expected more offense out of Varsho, but I don't see it as a reactionary trade so much as one that just hasn't worked the way they anticipated
4:36
Manoah, I don't know. I doubt that shuttling him between affiliates and the complex and a couple spot starts in Toronto is best for him, but they also couldn't keep running him out there to get killed every fifth day when they're on the fringe of contention
Matt
4:36
Stroman now likely to opt into player option for ‘24?
Anthony Franco
4:36
I think so but I believe that's a minority opinion at MLBTR
Buffy the Umpire Slayer
4:36
When will Tom Murphy return to Seattle?
Anthony Franco
4:38
He has been participating in baseball activities but no rehab stint yet. No clear timetable but it seems like they're hoping to get him back before the end of the season
Matt
4:38
Cubs clearly have a competitive group this year. What moves do you see them making in offseason to get to the next level  of competitiveness?
Anthony Franco
4:41
Upgrade over Madrigal at third base, either by bringing Candelario back or making a run at Chapman. Depending on Stroman's status, they could need to bring in another starter. A lot of it is just retaining or replacing Bellinger, Candy and Stroman while waiting for Crow-Armstrong, I think
Lunch Angle
4:42
So is Michael King a starting pitcher now? (Very) early returns have been encouraging. What would your expectations be for him next year if the Yankees keep starting him?
Anthony Franco
4:44
Still haven't seen him turn a lineup over more than twice, so I don't know that he's a true "starter." He has the command and the repertoire depth to do it but the Yankees value those 2-3 inning relief types and King's going to set a new career high with like 95 innings this year. I imagine they'll push him back to the bullpen to begin next season
Question Mark
4:44
There is a little noise, but not much about Twins OF Emmanuel Rodriguez.  Your take on him?
Anthony Franco
4:46
Seems like he has massive physical tools with significant whiff concerns and a likely corner outfield fit. It's a relatively common high-variance prospect profile
Chip
4:46
Isn't there a limit of 5 times you can send a player down ?
Anthony Franco
4:47
That's specifically for options -- sending down a player without putting him on waivers. There's no limit on outrights, which requires the player to go unclaimed on waivers every time
Buffy the Umpire Slayer
4:47
I doubt if anybody had King and Schmidt in the Yankees starting rotation back in April.
Anthony Franco
4:48
Schmidt maybe but yeah, if you were projecting King as a starter, you would've (correctly) guessed that things had gone horribly wrong with a couple of the Yankees' top arms
RAGBRAI
4:48
Is MLB and players happy with the pitch clock and increase in SBs? Any rule changes being discussed that would impact either? Also has increased SBs led to more scoring?
Anthony Franco
4:50
The players union isn't thrilled with the pitch clock, but MLB seems quite happy with the results. They're not making any changes for the postseason. They're still tinkering with ways to improve it in the minors by leveling the amount of time on the clock with and without runners on base
4:52
I went into your last question in more detail during last week's chat, so I won't fully rehash that here. Broadly speaking, I think the league is happy with the stolen base uptick from an entertainment perspective but its effect on run-scoring is pretty marginal
Scoring is up, but that probably has a lot more to do with the other rule changes (shift limits, etc.) and a livelier ball than with more aggressive baserunning
RAGBRAI
4:52
Does Hader and Snell stay in SD. If Hader moves on is there in house candidates?
Anthony Franco
4:54
Snell feels likelier of the two to stay since San Diego has so much uncertainty in the rotation. I think the roster has too many flaws  to invest over $100MM in a closer
4:56
They guaranteed $46MM to Robert Suarez last winter. He's had a horrible year -- elbow injury cost him the first half, currently serving a foreign substance suspension -- but he should be able to take on a larger role next season. Scott Barlow's eligible for arbitration one more time and had closing experience in Kansas City
tigersFan
4:56
Will Jace Jung and Colt Keith be in the tigers infield next year?
Anthony Franco
4:58
I expect Keith to be the third baseman more or less from the start of the season. Jung's probably later in the year. He's hitting for power and walking a ton in Double-A but striking out a decent amount still. And with how slowly they've played things with Keith and Justyn-Henry Malloy this season, I'd be surprised if they aggressively move Jung
wvpirate
4:58
Who might be some of the non-tendrer players in the off season
Anthony Franco
5:02
I'll have a better feel for this once we get rolling with the Offseason Outlook series in a couple weeks. Nobody super notable jumps out to me on first glance. Austin Meadows, Nick Senzel, Victor Robles perhaps. Who knows what'll happen with Domingo Germán?
5:03
Alright that's all the questions for today. Timing worked out well
Thanks for hanging out every Friday and obviously for continuing to support the site! As always, feel free to reach out on Twitter throughout the week
Have a great weekend! Until next Friday
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