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Front Office Chat Jan. 31, 2025
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Darragh McDonald
1:18
That's an interesting stat but the 2021 season is doing a lot of heavy lifting there. Hays was worth 3.2 bWAR that year and Santander just 0.3.
In 2024, Hays was worth -0.1 bWAR and Santander 2.9.
1:19
Hopefully, Hays bounces back because it sounds like he had a really bad time off the field in 2024 with the kidney infection and its numerous side effects. Would be great if he can put that all behind him.
Salt Twinkie
1:20
Are the Minnesota Twins going to be sold anytime soon or is that just bad rumor?
Darragh McDonald
1:21
Even if a sale is agreed to soon, it would take months to become official. Probably won't impact the club's offseason moves this year.
buck
1:22
Are the Cubs done this winter?
Darragh McDonald
1:22
I don't think so, no. They're reportedly hanging around the Bregman market. They were connected to Cease this week. Seems like they're still trying to do more.
Gadzooks
1:22
Are the Reds moves enough to win the NL Central?
Darragh McDonald
1:23
I think the moves are fine but it seems their chances will hinge mostly on the incumbent guys. They need McLain, CES, Jeimer, etc to be better.
Cubs Roster
1:23
Why did the Cubs DFA Luis Vazquez instead of somebody like Rob Zastryzny or Gavin Hollowell? Vazquez is a plus glove at short with speed and options remaining.
Darragh McDonald
1:24
Yeah, my colleague Steve Adams and I were both working when that DFA dropped. He DM'd me and was basically said "Uhh, why are the Cubs cutting this guy?"
Maybe they already have a trade involving him semi lined up?
1:25
Or maybe he said something mean about Jed Hoyer and didn't realize Hoyer was standing right behind him. I made that up but you can't rule it out.
baseball gods laugh and laugh
1:26
Thanks, Darragh. What would it take for Mets to get Cease?
Darragh McDonald
1:26
MLBTR's Anthony Franco wrote about the Cease price a few weeks ago.
1:27
In short, Cease is pretty similar to Corbin Burnes last winter. The O's sent two borderline top 100 guys and a competitive balance pick to Milwaukee.
Alan
1:27
Is kiki not getting any offers or is he waiting to see if someone is traded or gets hurt and he goes back to the Dodgers. He is a great clubhouse guy and clutch in the Playoffs.
Darragh McDonald
1:28
Lots of part-time/depth guys like that sign late. He himself signed on February 26th last year.
Maybe the Dodgers would wait for spring to start so they can use the 60-day IL and open a roster spot.
Michael
1:29
Who do you have as the team who offered a 6-year agreement to Bregman?  Doesn't sound like he is enamored with it or he would have signed already, right?
Darragh McDonald
1:30
I guess I would pick the Jays. There have been reports that the Red Sox and Cubs want to stay on short-term deals. Based on how Harris has been operating, I'm guessing they would prefer short-term as well.
Michael
1:30
Darragh is pinch-hitting today!  Nice!  Hey, who do you think AA signs next for the Braves....we still need an upgrade in the pitching corps?
Darragh McDonald
1:30
Anthony and I talked about this a bit on the podcast, in relation to the Profar signing.
It seems like their thought on the rotation was something big or nothing.
1:31
They've got four candidates for playoff starts in Sale, Lopez, Schwellenbach and Strider. They probably don't consider adding a Jose Quintana-type a meaningful upgrade over the cluster of Ian Anderson, Grant Holmes, etc.
Dano
1:32
How are the Marlins going to spend the $40 million they need to add to their payroll to avoid a loss of revenue sharing money?  Personally, I think they desperately need C and OF help (and a SP too) and probably a couple of guys in the bullpen too.  They don't need to spread it out too much because they do have a number of young guys they should be playing to see what they have.  They won't get anyone really good to go there because they'd have to overpay to get them, and they aren't seriously competing anyway.  I could see something like Kyle Gibson ($13M), Manny Margot ($10M), Yasmani Grandal ($3M), John Brebbia ($5M), and Andrew Chafin ($5M).  That would get them close.
Darragh McDonald
1:33
First of all, RosterResource has their CBT number at $84MM. If they need to get it to $105MM, they're only $21MM away.
Secondly, I don't think they would lose revenue-sharing money immediately. It's just that the MLBPA could file a grievance, which could potentially lead to losing the money down the line if they do it repeatedly.
1:34
But yeah, the cluster you listed, those guys are all logical.
60 day IL
1:34
Why don’t they keep the 60 day all year? Waiting for ST to put players on the IL just slows things down.
Darragh McDonald
1:36
It is a little odd. I guess it's to stop shenanigans? You wouldn't want a team moving guys onto the IL to open up spots and then say "Wow, he's all better" just before the season starts. But you could have the same rule now where the 60 days doesn't start until Opening Day.
Buster Posey
1:36
Am I being setup as the friendly face so that fans are not upset as we trim payroll?
Darragh McDonald
1:38
It's pretty normal for a new leader of a front office to slow play things a bit. Usually, a front office change means things weren't going well before, so that leads to adjustments, pivots, etc. He might want a year to get a feel for things. I'll reserve judgement a bit for now.
Rizzo
1:38
At this point, why would the Mets offer opt outs to Pete in the deal? There are not a ton of options for him. Make it 3/$75 with no opt outs
Darragh McDonald
1:39
Pete would want the opt-outs, so that he could potentially go back to free agency with a better platform and no QO attached. I don't see him accepting a three-year deal with no opt-outs.
Dave
1:40
Here is a cheery question for this Friday’s chat. What are the chances that the lockout for the next CBA causes regular season games to be canceled?      Thanks
Darragh McDonald
1:40
I'll run a poll on this in a second, but I'll give my thoughts first, because I'm actually optimistic and don't think games will be missed.
1:41
I know that there's a lot of negative vibes about the spending disparities and whatnot, but I also think a lengthy lockout that cancels games would be so bad for business.
Baseball has a bit of positive juice right now. Since the pitch clock, ratings are up, attendance is up, etc.
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