JotCast | MLBTR Chat: 1/18/23

MLBTR Chat: 1/18/23

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Anthony Franco

6:29

I don't know enough about the GM candidates to weigh in there. Tough to compare Dana Brown, who's never run an MLB team, with Michael Hill and Bobby Evans (who have)

On the first question: LH relief and a lefty-hitting utility type would be the final luxury buys for me. I don't think they need to make a move at catcher

6:30

Others on the MLBTR staff -- see: Adams, Steve -- disagree

Ebbets Field

6:30

Adley Rutschman C-BLT: More likely Top 10 MVP or 20 HR's?

Anthony Franco

6:31

Ha I guess I'll say the MVP one? Could be both

6:32

If Adley gets to 20 homers, think he'd have to be in the MVP conversation considering the glove and on-base skills. Could see him getting some MVP support with like 15-20 homers anyways, so I'll take the former

6:32

Really feels like there aren't any other good options out there for the Braves to improve LF and SS. We really rolling with Rosario (LF) and Grissom (SS) for the time being?

Anthony Franco

6:33

Yeah I think so. They'd both be deadline priorities if no one steps up internally

6:34

They've made some moves in left field (Hilliard, Luplow, Eli White) to kind of throw a bunch at the wall and see what sticks. At shortstop, just seems they're really confident Grissom will be good pretty early in the season

Also not Alkaline

6:34

Who wins the NL West...Pads, Dodgers or the field?

Anthony Franco

6:34

I'd probably take the Dodgers

6:35

Followed by San Diego and then the field. I like the Arizona and SF rosters enough to buy them as fringe Wild Card teams but it's hard to see them sticking at the top of the division

Mike

6:35

What do you make of the Rays quiet off-season?

Anthony Franco

6:36

Surprised they haven't done more on the trade market and certainly wouldn't have expected their biggest acquisition to be a starring pitcher (Eflin). Still have a couple months though

Would be very surprised if they still haven't traded for a left-handed hitter by Opening Day

Always a Cards fan

6:37

As I am a lifelong Cardinals fan, should I quit reading MLBTR as the Cardinals never make any moves.

Anthony Franco

6:37

They did sign easily the best FA catcher available

6:38

Not saying you're wrong in being generally underwhelmed by the offseason after they touted all their payroll flexibility at the start. They're more of a deadline-focused club that one that traditionally builds through free agency, though, and this offseason's trade market is pretty rough by and large

6:39

They're well-positioned for a consolidation deal in a couple months when teams start falling out of the standings and more players become available. There just aren't that many teams completely punting on the 2023 season right now, and the ones that are have mostly already torn things to the studs

the dude

6:40

Do you think Keegan Thompson will be pen only this season or will he get an opportunity to start? Also favorite sauce for wings?

Anthony Franco

6:41

Whether he's in the season-opening rotation depends on whether Kyle Hendricks is ready for Opening Day. Thompson's probably the first who steps in midseason thanks to injuries even if they start with Taillon, Stroman, Steele, Hendricks, Smyly

6:42

I don't really like wings, which makes me a horrible Buffalonian. Just hot sauce with chicken fingers though

Farhandrew Zaidman

6:42

Come playoff time, do you expect Lux or Rojas to be LA's starting SS?

Anthony Franco

6:43

Rojas or a deadline pickup

Think Lux is better suited at second with the throwing concerns

sox rox

6:43

Lambert only was in the pen because the sox needed pen arms. Davis Martin showed he's mlb ready, and Crochet was drafted as a starter and the sox still see him as a future starter. Maybe theres a 3rd team that can come in and help out with more rotation help in the deal?

Anthony Franco

6:45

I get that but none of those guys has established themselves as an MLB-caliber starter yet and I don't think it's a lock any of them are. Martin and Lambert have always been seen more as depth starters. Crochet's a potential high-impact arm but had starter/reliever questions even before he blew out and missed all of last year with Tommy John surgery

Guest

6:46

Why not sign a bunch of guys with a obp greater than .360 throughout your lineup than a bunch of 30 Hr high strikeout guys. Seems to me you'd win more games that way. After all the name of the game is getting on base.

Anthony Franco

6:47

.360+ OBP guys aren't readily available

Guest

6:47

Most boring question ever. Mets need a backup 1B. Who are some good choices

Anthony Franco

6:48

Do they really need a backup first baseman? Alonso plays every day and if he gets hurt, Vogelbach could step in for a little bit

Ryan

6:49

Royals said early that they wanted starting pitching, bullpen help, a backup catcher, and a right handed bat that can play 2B and 3B. Who's left that would make sense for them?

Anthony Franco

6:50

The catcher's probably just a Robinson Chirinos depth type. Feels like Yarbrough and Lyles were the rotation additions

6:51

Obviously there's not a whole lot in terms of righty-hitting infielders. Josh Harrison, Donovan Solano are out there. Could probably get Matt Duffy on a minor league deal

6:52

Bullpen still has a bunch of options, especially left-handed. Chafin and Will Smith are the best ones available IMO but could look to a Zack Britton type if they're really squeezed from a payroll perspective

Seranthony

6:53

What remaining OF free agents best fit the Phillies roster as a possible Harper bandaid?

Anthony Franco

6:54

They don't need a starter with Castellanos, Marsh and Schwarber out there anyways. Would be nice to add a center field capable depth option though, even if it's just Albert Almora or something on a minor league deal

Twins23

6:54

Does this Twins team win 88 games?

Anthony Franco

6:55

The current roster? I'd take a slight under, but they're not done this offseason

A Painter

6:56

Do the Phillies have a 5th SP? Serious question

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