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Trade Rumors Front Office Chat

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Rap-Soto

2:25

The Nats are retooling so hesitant to take on a large long term salary comittement, but would they consider buying a prospect from the reds by taking on Moose's contract and an additional prospect? If healthy he could be a short term bridge a 3rd base?

Anthony Franco

2:26

Eh, I'd rather just let Kieboom sink or swim one more time

I like the concept of trying to "buy" prospects, although it's not very common in practice. But even in that case, I wouldn't feel motivated to play Moustakas

Bob

2:26

Do any shortstops sign before 12/1? If so, who?

Anthony Franco

2:27

I'll take the over on 0.5 of the top five shortstops signing. Ken Rosenthal and Andy Martino both suggested this week that Corey Seager might sign early, so I'd peg him as the likeliest

Joshua

2:28

Would Josh Bell (if available) be a solid fallback option for teams that aren't able to land Matt Olson (of Freddie Freeman for that matter)? If so, what type of package would a team like the Yankees have to give up for him? Thanks.

Anthony Franco

2:28

I don't think there's a ton of surplus value with Bell. Outside of 2019, he's been more of a good than great hitter for his career

2:29

And he's a bad defender projected for $10M in his final year of arb control. I'd rather just keep Voit if I were the Yankees

BillGoyette

2:29

When does a minor league player become a member of MLBPA? Do they maintain membership when optioned back to the minors or when a free agent signs a minor league contract?

Anthony Franco

2:30

My understanding is that you become a member of the MLBPA once you're selected or sign onto a 40-man roster

2:31

You remain a member if optioned back to the minors, but if you're outrighted off the 40-man and hit minor league free agency, you're no longer in the union

Duffy

2:31

Not so much a trade or free agent question, but wanted your take: who do you see getting into the Baseball HOF this year?

Anthony Franco

2:31

Hmm, give me one sec to refresh who's on the ballot

2:32

I think David Ortiz might be the only player who gets in this year

2:34

I'd vote for far more than him personally, but it's not a great class of first-time guys. The Bonds/Clemens types have kind of stagnated, I'm guessing A-Rod will have the same problem. (Ortiz could too, in theory, although it seems he's generally more well-regarded than the rest of that "guys with PED questions" group)

And nobody else seems close enough to make the leap this year. Rolen's an easy yes in my book and probably gets there eventually, but I doubt it's this winter

Jeremy

2:34

Baez to the tigers? Should tigers aim higher

Anthony Franco

2:35

I would, but I'm also probably lower on Báez than most

The approach and swing-and-miss scares the hell out of me, but he's an incredible defender with power and marketability

He'll actually do better than I'd personally be willing to go

Joshua

2:36

Marlins send Elieser Hernandez to the Nats for Victor Robles, Riley Adams, and Jackson Rutledge......who says no?

Anthony Franco

2:36

I think that's too much from the Nats perspective. Had Hernández stayed healthy in 2021, it's a different story

But he's still never had a full season where he was both healthy and good

Jeremy

2:36

Who is most likely to leave their current team? Freeman or Scherzer

Anthony Franco

2:37

I picked Freddie to leave ATL at the start of the offseason. I'll stick with that

George Hunt

2:37

Do you think more pitchers sign deal before Dec 2

Anthony Franco

2:38

Yep, market's moving quick. Morosi reported that Jon Gray might sign in the next couple days

Giants fan

2:38

For the same price, would you prefer stroman or gausman (with SF infielders)? Or is it worth signing both?

Anthony Franco

2:38

At the same price, I'd prefer Gausman. But I also expect him to do better than Stro

magrupe

2:38

Let's say I'm a GM from Team A. I trade for a player from Team B and then flip that player to Team C.
Do I tell (or am I morally obligated to tell) the GM from team B that I intend on flipping their player - potentially to a team in their division? Or Is it none of their business what I do?

Anthony Franco

2:38

I've never worked in a front office, so I don't know about the unwritten rules aspect of this

2:39

But I'd guess you probably would want to give Team A a heads up. I don't know if you're morally obligated to, but if Team B immediately flips the guy for more than they gave Team A, it makes Team B look pretty bad

2:40

That's their fault, of course, but it also feels like something that could impact their willingness to trade with Team B again

Jeremy

2:40

Who is the best catcher in the AL East in 2 years?

Anthony Franco

2:40

Adler Rutschman

Mike Rizzo

2:41

What does a seven-year extension for Juan Soto look like?

Anthony Franco