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Front Office Chat - November 7th, 2025
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Manufactured Controversy
1:23
I really enjoyed your podcast interviews with GM/POBOs Jerry Dipoto, Mike Elias, and Ben Charington. (Thanks for hitting up my two favorite teams, by the way!)
...hit send too early! Meant to ask what went into those cool GM/POBO interviews. Did you agree on some set questions? Did they ask you not to bring up any sore spots like the M's bungling Scott Servais's firing or the O's weird habit of not giving certain prospects any playing time but also not trading them, or the Pirates...um...owner?
Darragh McDonald
1:23
Thanks! Glad you liked them!
We've been too busy lately with Top 50 prep and other stuff but we should circle back to those soon.
1:24
None of those guys asked for any kind of pre-interview look at the questions, so they were going in pretty blind. I guess guys in that job are accustomed to reporters asking them tough questions.
New Fan
1:25
If someone came to you and said they were just starting to follow MLB and were looking for a team to cheer for, who would you choose? Not necessarily the best team, but just most interesting, or exciting, etc...
Darragh McDonald
1:25
I am in the Toronto area and grew up a Jays fan. During this recent World Series, I told myself that I would switch to the Mariners if the Jays had won.
1:26
Personally, I always root for the teams with the longest droughts, the longest suffering fans, etc.
1:27
If the Jays had won it here in 2025, the 32-year drought would have added so much to the enjoyment. That wouldn't be there for any future titles.
1:28
For the Mariners, they are the only active franchise to never make it to the World Series. They've had so many close calls and heartbreaking moments. They are lovable mid-market team with no reason to be hated, as far as I'm aware. Someday, they are going to win it all and it's going to be amazing. I would sign up for that.
Bo knows baseball
1:28
I agree with you guys that the Blue Jays hold on to Bichette, but what teams do you think will really try to pry him away
Bob Loblaw
1:29
As Ha-Seong Kim opted out of his option with Atlanta, you guys mentioned in a few team that might be in the market for a SS like Ha-Seong Kim.  His old team in San Diego, the Giants, Tigers, Royals, Pirates and Brewers.  Wouldn't the Blue Jays make sense as a strong suitor assuming the don't come to terms with Bichette?
Western BlueJay
1:29
With all the extra money Rogers has made during the World Series run, the Blue Jays will resign Bo Bichette right?
JeffyM
1:29
Do you think Bo comes off the board fairly quickly?  Or do you think he could linger into 2026?
Darragh McDonald
1:31
I do think the Jays should be active. They have been really trying hard in recent offseasons, even though they've often come up just short. As you mentioned, Western, they presumably banked millions from TV ratings and attendance and everything else this past month-plus. They also now have some proof of concept. Free agents should be less skeptical of signing with Toronto.
1:32
I have no idea if Bo comes off the board quickly. He should have lots of interest but maybe teams wait a bit to make sure the knee is fine.
1:33
Beyond the Jays, Bichette should get interest from the Dodgers, Yankees, Giants, Tigers, Angels. Maybe a few others.
The Jays would make sense for HSK, sure, but probably more as an IKF replacement than a Bo replacement.
Demon Hunter
1:34
Who is your favorite member of HUNTR/X?
Darragh McDonald
1:34
I had to Google this one.
Lance
1:34
Who has the market hampered the most by the QO? Grisham?
Darragh McDonald
1:34
I think Gleyber probably just accepts it. Not sure if that counts as hampering though, since he may be happy to get over $22MM. That's a nice raise for him.
1:35
Grisham could be impacted, sure, but Shota is another one.
Burleson
1:35
Burleson to Seattle!!!
Darragh McDonald
1:35
Another good option I didn't mention!
Tiger Fan
1:35
Assuming the Tigers whiff on Bregman again, would an attempt to obtain Paredes via trade with the Astros make sense as a way to fill their 3rd base need?
Darragh McDonald
1:36
Paredes would make sense, sure, though I assume Houston would rather move Christian Walker and keep Paredes to play first.
Duffy Scliff
1:36
Not sure if you guys have done it, but would you consider doing a Top 10 Players Available in the Rule 5 Draft right before that happens? It’s one of my favorite offseason moments because a nobody could become a somebody.
Darragh McDonald
1:37
First off, I agree. Love the Rule 5.
1:38
Secondly, Baseball America already does stuff like this and they are way more dialed in on prospects than we are. As the Rule 5 is getting closer, they always go a lot of good preview posts, so I would recommend heading over there in December.
Rangers13
1:38
Mlbtr staff had a prediction of Bellinger to Texas as well as Arraez. Can TX do those contracts and kept under CBT? Personally I think it is a great solution to their high contact approach they want to evolve to, but do not know if the money works.
Texas is on the Clock
1:38
Did the Rangers go over the Luxury tax for a third strike, is that why the owners are penny pinching and let our pitching coach walk. And Boachy left as well, was it money
Darragh McDonald
1:39
These are good questions. The Texas payroll is tough to gauge right now.
1:40
Evan Grant's writing suggests that money is going to be tight. He seems to believe that may have played in a factor in Maddux leaving. Not sure about Bochy.
1:41
On the player payroll, they were at $224MM this year, per RosterResource. They are projected for $198MM in 2026 but might move on from Adolis, Heim, Burger, Jung. That could add another $20MM of payroll space. Does that give them the ability to do something or are they just pinching pennies? Hard to say at the moment.
Demon Hunter
1:42
You clearly do not have a daughter aged 4-9
Darragh McDonald
1:42
That is correct.
Braves Fan
1:42
Beat writers are acting like it’s Ha Seong Kim or bust. 6mo ago his name wasnt even mentioned. I dont understand the obsession. This feels like an overreach.
Darragh McDonald
1:43
Well, it's due to a couple of things.
They claimed him off waivers and payed him a few million bucks in a lost season, seemingly with the hope that he would stay for next year. So, obviously, they want him.
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