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Anthony Franco

2:29

I do think he'll turn it down and they'll be involved in that market. But there's plenty of other options out there too. Ray, Gausman, Stroman at the top. Guys like DeSclafani and Matz are good mid-rotation options

Guest

2:29

Where does Rizzo sign?

Anthony Franco

2:31

We were just kicking this around yesterday in our early talks about the top 50 free agents. Steve suggested the Brewers as a fit and I kind of love that one

Ella Fo Fi

2:31

Braves and Brewers.Who you like?

Anthony Franco

2:32

Speaking of the Brewers -- this one's tough, because I think I had the Braves coming out of the NL preseason. But once Acuna got hurt, I flipped and went with Milwaukee as my NL favorite

So I'll stick with the Brewers at this point

J J

2:32

Which FA SS will be the most disappointed when all is said and done?

Anthony Franco

2:32

Andrelton Simmons

2:33

But I'm guessing you mean of the top group. I think they'll all do well ultimately, but Báez is the one I'm least confident in

2:35

There's just so much risk with a guy who strikes out as often and whiffs as often as he does without ever drawing a walk. I think somebody will buy into the power, defense, energy he brings -- there's a lot he does really well too -- but there'll probably be teams who are also just out of his market completely

daddydeerist

2:35

Despite Cashman's support during the season I can't see a new contract of Aaron Boone. Could any of Mattingly, Beltran or Showalter be viable again in the Bronx? Also, Willie Randolph was at one time considered a managerial prospect. Has that ship already sailed?

Anthony Franco

2:36

I expect Boone will be back. I don't think the front office is going to put too much stock into a one-game playoff, and they've had a lot of success over the past few years

But if they were to move on and look for a more "old-school" type, Ron Washington and Bruce Bochy seem like they'll be in consideration

2:37

Dusty Baker's contract is up in Houston. I think they'll get something done to bring him back ultimately, but they probably should've already and haven't. If he's let go, maybe he lands somewhere else

Ryan S.

2:37

I know that 75% of Cardinal's nation wants to sign a big name SS. I think DeJong might bounce back, and if not they could do worse than Sosa. I'd really like a front of the rotation starter. I don't think Flaherty will sign long term. Hudson is promising, but not an ace yet. And Waino will be Waino (we hope) but age catches everyone eventually. Who would you target? Money will be available. I love Scherzer, but like I said, age catches everyone. I suppose a trade is always an option, but I'm not sure that's the route I'd personally pick.

Anthony Franco

2:39

I'll take the shortstop part of this first. I do think they'll keep an eye out there. It's not an egregious need, I agree, but a DeJong and Sosa is probably in the bottom third of the league at the position. If they were to make any position player changes, that's where I'd look

2:40

But if they roll it back with those two and focus on pitching, I like them as a dart-throw type on Verlander. Immediate contender that should appeal to him, he's got a chance to be a top-of-the-rotation starter

2:41

Otherwise, I think everybody should be in on an Eduardo Rodríguez buy-low (to the point that it won't really be buying low anymore, but you get the idea). I wouldn't be in love with going to nine figures for Gausman or Ray personally, but somebody will

Dave

2:41

Any chance of the Marlins going after the high-end hitters they clearly need? If no, a follow-up question: are the Marlins under Sherman any different from the Marlins under Loria?

Anthony Franco

2:42

Depends on what you mean by "high-end," I guess. Craig Mish linked them to Castellanos, and while I'm sure they'll poke around, I just don't see that happening. That kind of investment would be really out of character for this ownership group

2:43

They low-balled Marte before they traded him. Not a great look, but you could argue they're not really in position to be investing heavily in a 33-year-old center fielder right now and I wouldn't argue

2:44

So I think they'll wind up in between. Targeting pretty good players (Avi Garcia, maybe they look into Rizzo if they move on from Aguilar). But I don't think we're talking top-of-the-market stars, no

Keith

2:45

Shouldn't they reseed the teams after the Wild Card games? The Giants and Dodgers should meet in the LCS.

Anthony Franco

2:45

I'm fine with post-WC game reseeding, sure. Dodgers/Giants NLCS sounds more fun than an NLDS, true. But the flip side is you can't just assume they'd both get there

2:47

Milwaukee and Atlanta are good, and more to the point, any MLB team can take 3 of 5 from any other MLB team. Had they reseeded, we might not have (probably not have, really, since both SF and LA would have had to win) gotten that matchup at all

Joey Votto

2:48

What do my beloved Reds need to do to contend for the NL Central in 2022? Do they jettison Sonny Gray and Wade Miley and trust Lodolo and Greene or do they make those two force their hand? Do they turn over catching to Stephenson and let Barnhart walk? Do they continue to trust Farmer or do they go with Barrero? And finally, with Castellanos likely to opt out, Winker looks like the only above-average outfielder on the roster, so do they let Senzel (made of glass) try one more time and bring back Naquin? Since so many teams need bullpen help, I decided not to address that gaping hole. Let's be honest, too, given that most pundits did not expect the Reds to do as well as they did in 2021 and I believe they have a shot next year with just a couple of strategic moves.

Anthony Franco

2:49

This is a lot to cover in a chat setting, but I'll try to check most of the boxes in this question. I don't think they bank on Lodolo and Greene, no. Break them in at some point, but you can't just plug those guys into the season-opening rotation and count on 175 innings

2:50

The Tigers are a good example. Manning, Mize and Skubal were similarly highly-regarded than the Reds guys. They had to monitor their innings this year to keep them from getting hurt, and Mize was the only of the three who was really good. Similar story with the Royals' group of pitching prospects

2:51

Stephenson, on the other hand, yeah. I think they buy Barnhart out, which is unfortunate since he had an OK year and has gone on record about how much he'd like to stay. But Stephenson's ready for a regular job and they can find a cheaper backup

2:52

I wouldn't trust Senzel at this point and think they'll add one or two outfielders, probably bottom of the market or non-tender types

K long

2:52

give me a right handed bat that needs a pillow contract - I'll put him in front of Soto and he'll have a career year just like Rendon, Turner, even Escobar

Anthony Franco

2:54

I love Conforto as a fit there. Seems like a good buy-low option generally, still young enough he should still be really good in 2023 when they look likelier to contend

But he's left-handed obviously

If you're looking for a righty specifically...

2:55

Mark Canha? Andrew McCutchen after the Phils buy him out

They're not really bounceback or pillow contract types since they're older, but they're useful players who hit right-handed and could plug the corner OF opposite Soto

Isaiah's Kinda Falafel

2:56

Going to Cooperstown this weekend. Ever been? Any tips?

Anthony Franco

2:56

Lol at this username

I actually can't help you there. I've still never been

2:57

I commuted back-and-forth between Boston and Buffalo regularly while I was in school, drove by Cooperstown every time. Had it as a bucket list stop at some point but kept putting it off

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