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MLBTR Chat: 1/3/22
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Player Chat
4:40
So far retired/FA players hosted chats here. Is there a possibility for players under contract to also host chats, or are they contractually not allowed to do it etc.?
Anthony Franco
4:41
The player we should have lined up for Wednesday is on a team
And coming off a really good year actually
Matt
4:42
Do you think a team like the Dodgers could have better success with Yusei Kikuchi. His ground ball rate, K %, and K-BB rate are all above league average. He does seem to give up the long ball. Is Seattle a homer-heavy park?
Anthony Franco
4:42
It's not, it's actually quite pitcher-friendly. We talked about Kikuchi a lot during the deliberations, and I think Tim and Steve are both more bullish than I am
4:43
You're right that the velocity, K/BB numbers and grounders are all great, and he'll do better than a lot of people might think because of all that
4:45
But the homer troubles are really alarming to me. His FB spin is in that weird middle ground where it doesn't really hop or sink, he throws a bunch of pitches down the heart of the plate, and he gets hit hard by right-handed hitters
Whoever signs him will have a better player development plan for Kikuchi than I'd be able to come up with, but I wouldn't want to pay the kind of money I think he'll wind up getting if I were a GM
Yanks
4:45
Oswald Peraza for Contreras? Who says no
Anthony Franco
4:46
Yankees
One year from free agency, I doubt Contreras brings back a top 100 guy
A's
4:47
Why does Austin Allen get overlooked? The guy seems to have monster numbers at a tough position (catcher).
Anthony Franco
4:47
Not well-regarded defensively by prospect evaluators, it seems like
4:48
That's the downside with catchers. If they can't catch, it's usually first base or DH and the offensive bar there becomes huge
Metrics
4:48
Who is the best ML pitching coach?
Anthony Franco
4:48
Man, good question. Really hard to have a defined answer from the outside but my instinct is to go Brent Strom
4:49
I've never heard anything but glowing reviews about Strom, and the Astros have been really good last year at turning non-elite pitching prospects into above-average rotation arms
Dodgers Fan
4:49
What were your odds (percentage) of not missing games at the beginning of the lockout compared to now? Seems like this thing isn't going to get settled any time soon and the odds of missing games keeps increasing. Should we be worried?
Anthony Franco
4:50
Slightly lower, I guess, but I'm not too surprised December and early January are dead
If there's nothing happening by like January 20, I'll start to worry a little more
In the Cards?
4:50
Gio Gallegos always impresses when provided the closer role...so why is there constant talk about finding a "true" closer in free agency? If his stuff is nasty and he seems confident and reliable in the role, why are we looking to greener pastures?
Anthony Franco
4:51
I don't think they need to supplant Gallegos, but finding a new closer means they can just push him into high-leverage seventh or eighth inning roles
Adding to the bullpen's easy since you can always just push everyone down a peg. There are plenty of important outs to go around
Whitesox
4:52
Andrew Vaughn is an everyday player?
Anthony Franco
4:53
Yeah sure, he can DH on most days and rotate through the corner outfield and first base on occasion
Bucco Fan
4:53
Stratton has been pretty good out of the Bucs bullpen for 3 years? What might he get in a trade (40 level prospect?)
Anthony Franco
4:54
Yeah that feels right. Not a franchise-altering return or anything but a future utility type or an A-ball guy with some power projection and strikeout concerns
Robert Larice Jr
4:54
I think Kris Bryant is a perfect fit for the Blue Jays.  Do you agree?
Anthony Franco
4:54
Sure, if they're willing to make another long-term commitment this offseason, Bryant fits
D Ross
4:55
Who do you think will be my opening day 2B this year, Hoerner or Madrigal?
Anthony Franco
4:55
Madrigal. Hoerner's at shortstop now but could move to third if they sign Correa
Hahn
4:56
Realistically, is there any chance I get someone even half as good as Madrigal back in Kimbrel trade?
Anthony Franco
4:56
Nah, a huge chunk of the value at the deadline with Kimbrel was that you were getting two postseason runs. Now you're only getting one and he's coming off a bad couple months
4:57
I also think Madrigal/Heuer was too much to give up to begin with, but the Sox were hamstrung there a little bit because their farm system's not good
Ryan
4:57
Do you think the Reds will sign an outfielder?  Someone like Tommy Pham?
Anthony Franco
4:58
Yeah, we had Pham on the Top 50 free agents list at one point during the process and the Reds were my pick
Osfan
4:58
what year where we be competitive?
Anthony Franco
4:58
It seems like they're shooting for 2024
Alex R
4:58
where is Carlos Martinez going to sign? Haven’t heard much on him lately..
Anthony Franco
4:59
Yeah, there's been almost nothing on him this offseason, but Derrick Goold said he's probably going to sign as a reliever for 2022 in hopes of transitioning back to starting the following season
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