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MLBTR Chat: 9/7/22
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Anthony Franco
8:01
Hey everyone, looking forward to another chat!
Going to give the queue a minute or two here and then we'll get rolling
Will
8:03
What pitchers do you think the Rangers will target this off-season?
Anthony Franco
8:03
I think they'll play at all levels of the market really. They'll look for an impact guy like deGrom or Verlander, and I expect them to sign someone of that ilk. Another run at Kershaw probably too, even with Woodward gone
8:04
At that point, then you probably dip into the mid-tier market for the Taijuan Walker/Ross Stripling types to round out the rotation
KramSF
8:04
ideal sf giants offseason? Power right hand bat or more pitching?
Anthony Franco
8:05
I think it's both. Re-signing or replacing Rodón is necessary, and they'll have to revamp the bullpen after kind of patching it together (unsuccessfully) last winter
8:06
That should still leave room for a run at an impact position player. I don't know that it has to be a power righty bat per se -- Trea Turner would awesome even though he's not a power hitter -- but they should get a star
8:07
There's a ton of payroll room, and this is really the first time Zaidi's front office looks like it's in position to dramatically shake up the roster. I think Giants fans should go into the winter with really high expectations
Guest
8:07
Who do the Braves send down with Soroka, Albies, Stephens, and Tromp, if healthy, all excepted to return to the team later this September?
Anthony Franco
8:08
I don't know that they have to carry Tromp or Stephens anyways, but I think it's probably best to get Grissom some regular playing time back at Gwinnett once Albies is back
8:09
Doesn't mean you can't carry him on the postseason roster in a reserve capacity if you want, and I think giving him some outfield reps in Triple-A is likelier to pan out than doing it in a division race
Bucco71
8:10
Stanton having an off season or in decline?
Anthony Franco
8:11
A little of both but more so the latter. I think the injuries have just taken enough of a toll the MVP caliber Stanton isn't coming back
Still a good power hitter, but not an impact overall player considering his lack of defensive value and the general durability concerns
Chris
8:12
Where you stand on the Julio vs adley Roy debate?
Anthony Franco
8:12
I'd go Julio but don't think there's a true right answer. They've both been awesome
Braves Fan
8:12
Odds on repeat? 20%?
Anthony Franco
8:13
Lower than that, I'd probably put it closer to 10%
8:14
That's not an indictment of the Braves, to be clear. The team's awesome, maybe the second-best in baseball. But they're also not guaranteed to win their division, meaning there's a good chance they have to play a three-game series against the Padres or the Phillies in the first round
8:15
Obviously a three-game series between any two teams could go either way, and that's particularly true once you get into the playoffs where everyone's a varying degree of good. If the Braves win the East, they probably go into the postseason with a 20-25% shot at repeating
Chris
8:15
Where you stand on the Hyde vs servais moy debate?
Anthony Franco
8:15
I just hate that award
8:16
So much of what managers do is out of public view that voters are just throwing darts and default to the team that most exceeded expectations. In that sense, it's the Orioles for me, but I don't think that inherently makes Brandon Hyde the AL's best manager
8:17
Maybe he was. I'm sure he's done a great job. But it's impossible to really compare him to Servais, Cash, Francona, etc. because we get to see like 5% of their overall body of work
Armchair GM
8:17
Could you see the Astros trading away Garcia or Urquidy in a packaged deal for Mullins (Orioles) or Reynolds (Pirates)?  And would either one of  those teams be very interested in one of them?
Anthony Franco
8:18
I doubt Urquidy's headlining a deal for either of those guys. Garcia was more appealing before his rough second half
8:19
Could I see the Astros including him in a deal for an impact center fielder? Yeah, but both Pittsburgh and Baltimore would need more
Bucco71
8:19
Most likely landing spots for Bogaerts?
Anthony Franco
8:20
Giants, Dodgers, Phillies, maybe the Mariners?
8:21
That's not an exhaustive list but those are the teams that jump out as the best fits for me. Obviously Boston makes sense too but they've been far enough apart in talks so far I expect him to go elsewhere
Bob
8:21
Do you think the O's make any meaningful moves to help the offense or will they let the kids come up and see what they can do, even if it means not contending in 2024
Anthony Franco
8:22
I think the more meaningful moves happen on the pitching staff. Maybe they grab a solid veteran infielder to guard against Henderson or Westburg not hitting the ground running, but the position player core there already looks like a potentially competitive one to me
Jeremy
8:23
What kind of contract will Matt Carpenter command?
Anthony Franco
8:23
I really have no idea. He's such a fascinating case. I think it has to be one year given his age and 2019-21 struggles. $8-10MM?
PADS FAN IN TX
8:24
No way we re-sign Bell. Who plays 1B for us next year?
Anthony Franco
8:25
Yeah I expect Bell to walk. They make sense for Mancini if they're willing to spend there, maybe a Sanó bounceback if they want to go cheaper
Joshua
8:25
One of the things I love about baseball are stories like Joey Meneses. How do you think the Nats should view him for their 2023 and future plans? Thanks.
Anthony Franco
8:26
Yeah what he's doing is really cool. Might as well give him an opportunity next year to see if he can carry it over but I wouldn't expect him to
8:27
It feels a little like the Josh Rogers situation from last year, although I think Meneses is more likely to stick around in some capacity. If the Nats were contending, they'd upgrade. With no hope of competing next year anyhow, give him a shot to see if the late-career breakout sticks
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