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Front Office Chat - November 28th, 2025
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Phillio
1:22
With the Blue Jays acquisition of Dylan Cease, the Red Sox addition of Sonny Gray and the Yankees still with Judge for a long while, what percentage chance do you give the Orioles to finish anywhere other than last?  I realize the off season has only just begun, but it feels a lot like Syd Thrift is back in the GM’a chair trying to sign players
Darragh McDonald
1:22
I know there's a lot of focus on winning the offseason but the results in 2026 will be about so much more than that.
1:23
Let's wind things back by a year. In 2024, the Blue Jays finished in last place.
1:24
Going into 2025, the Yankees added Max Fried and Devin Williams. The Red Sox got Crochet and Bregman.
1:25
The Jays got Santander, Andres Gimenez, Jeff Hoffman, Max Scherzer. Some decent guys but not as sexy as what New York and Boston did.
Still, the Jays ended up storming through 2025 because of internal improvements, guys getting healthy, prospects developing, etc.
1:26
The Orioles had a really good team in 2023 and 2024. A lot of things went wrong in 2025 but there's still a lot of talent there.
Lloyd
1:26
What happens to the minor league season in 27 if the lockout drags on?
Darragh McDonald
1:27
I'm not 100% sure on this but there's a separate CBA for minor leaguers now. It was a five-year deal signed in April of 2023. I would guess the minor leaguers keep playing. That would presumably mean any player not on a 40-man roster. But I will stress again that I'm not 100% sure on that.
Vote Andruw and Dale in to the HOF
1:28
Any chance AA makes a run at the Brewers for Peralta or Woodruff. We have started to build a little depth in the minors and might be able to pull off a deal.
Darragh McDonald
1:28
Woodruff can't be traded without his consent until June 15th. That's true of all guys who sign a free agent deal, including QO guys.
1:29
Peralta, sure. I imagine every contender would want him. He's really good and only costs $8MM. But that's also true of the Brewers, so you'd have to offer enough that they give him up.
Wandering Chief
1:29
The Astros look like an old team needing a refresh. They aren't going to spend big because of the CBT and need a lot of everything. Would they move Pena for a prospect payload?
Darragh McDonald
1:29
A few weeks ago, my colleague Steve Adams brought this up when he was on the podcast. Let me find it real quick.
41:30 mark.
1:32
Steve made the argument there.
I don't think they will do it but I also didn't think they would trade Tucker, so I can't say it's impossible.
Sox fan
1:33
Even after Gray trade, you don't think Sox might still trade for a clear #2 starter (eg, Ryan or Gore)? I agree they don't have the payroll room to sign a top-free agent (nor should they given the quality of talent and QO penalty), but still seems like room to trade Duran or Abreu plus a prospect for starter to slot between Crochet and Gray.
Darragh McDonald
1:34
Sonny Gray had a 3.6 fWAR season in 2025. Joe Ryan was 3.1. Gore was 2.9.
Maybe the Sox aren't done but I think you're underrating Gray a bit. I've seen a lot of complaints from Boston about this deal but Gray is very good.
Brandon Marsh
1:34
Am I playing LF or CF next year?  And who will join me in the starting outfield on opening day?
Darragh McDonald
1:35
I'm really wide open about what the Phillies do in the outfield. All indications are that they are done with Castellanos.
They clearly want Schwarber and JTR back but they're also not rushing.
1:36
On the Top 50, I predicted them to sign Kyle Tucker, which is a bit less obvious than some of the the clubs, but I think it's possible.
1:37
I think they probably have Justin Crawford in center eventually, so Marsh will probably spend more time in left.
Lloyd
1:38
You never answer my question. Why am I pying for premium service?
Darragh McDonald
1:38
It's in there!
Los Doyers
1:40
Do you think the Dodgers could trade Teo & use those packages to try to upgrade defensively in the outfield ?
Darragh McDonald
1:40
I can see it, sure.
1:41
Teo's playoff run was pretty hilarious because, every other day, he would make some kind of defensive or baserunning blunder. But then he would immediately hit a three-run home run to make up for it.
1:42
I could see the Dodgers looking to shake things up but there have also been some signs they might just wait to see which of their outfield prospects break through.
1:43
They have four Top 100 prospects who are outfielders. All four of them are either not yet at Double-A or just recently made it to Double-A. The Dodgers might wait to see what happens in 2026 before making changes.
JeffyM82
1:43
Is there a scenario where the Jays could get Marte without having to give up Barger?
Darragh McDonald
1:44
The Diamondbacks need pitching more than anything else, so sure. But I'm also skeptical Marte is really available.
Mike Hazen, Arizona's GM, has said they'll listen if teams call but doesn't expect to move him. I think that's probably true.
Mike
1:45
What would it take for the Yankees to get Brendan Donovan ?
Darragh McDonald
1:45
Probably something similar to the Jazz trade.
1:46
Jazz had two-plus years of control at the time, whereas Donovan is now just two, but they are somewhat comparable.
1:48
To get Jazz, the Yankees sent out three prospects. Agustin was divisive at the time but some considered him a Top 100 guy.
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