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Trade Rumors Front Office Chat

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Bauer destination

2:24

Whose your likeliest destination?

Connor Byrne

2:25

Those are fair choices, but I think the Dodgers are the favorites. Yes, they're deep in the rotation, but their depth hasn't stopped them from making blockbuster moves (Betts, Darvish, Machado, to name a few). Bauer has said in the past he wants to be a Dodger, and they're the sort of forward-thinking, contending team he's a fit for

and they certainly have the money to pull it off

Mr Roctober

2:26

Have there been any recent updates on ERod's health?

Connor Byrne

2:26

Last I saw, which was several weeks back, he was just returning to walking. Pretty scary, but there was optimism then.

Mike L.

2:26

Seems like Billy Beane whiffed on keeping Vimael Machin on the team instead of Jorge Mateo, who is more of a pure Shortstop. Looks like a bad decision with incumbent Marcus Semien about to leave via Free Agent. From the outside looking in, it appears Machin was kept over Mateo solely because he bats Left-handed.

Connor Byrne

2:27

I don't think Machin or Mateo is any kind of a solution, so whichever one the A's kept, they'd be in this situation. They have their work cut out for them in the middle field and in general this offseason with so many notable free agents and a low payroll.

Dtownwarrior78

2:27

Good afternoon Connor. Quick question on the hiring of AJ Hinch by my Tigers. Do you see this as a good fit? And more importantly, now with a proven skipper like Hinch on board, do you see Chris Illitch opening up the check book a little more like his dad did in maybe say 2022 (I believe 2021 will be another year of struggles)?

Connor Byrne

2:28

I do like the Hinch move. Despite his past transgressions, he's a good manager. 2022 seems like a good target for the Tigers to attempt to return to contention. Hopefully, their young players will keep progressing next season.

Baseball Pickers

2:29

The White Sox adding La Russa has resulted in a lot of 'win now' speculation for the South Siders. How do you see the Tigers hiring Hinch impact them this offseason?

Connor Byrne

2:29

I think the White Sox would've been in win-now mode no matter which manager they hired. They're coming off a terrific season, have a lot of talent and some money to spend.

The North

2:30

Can Jays land Bauer and DJ?

Connor Byrne

2:30

I think they'll at least be in on them and some of the other top FAs.

King Kelly

2:30

Cleveland has announced that they will be trading Lindor. How high a prospect cost will he command? Hard to see a major bidding war - the possible destinations all have more pressing needs - and a projected $21.5m-ish salary in a potentially still covid-limited 2021 is nothing to sneeze at. The BoSox package for Betts was good but not wow, and that was pre-covid. Use my Blue Jays as an example if you like - what would a Lindor trade look like?

Would Lindor sign a mega-extension as part of a trade? Like Halladay and Dickey did? I know that players often prefer to wait for FA and a bidding war, but might (a) covid (b) CBA and (c) a powerful SS FA class in 2021-22 make Lindy more receptive?

Connor Byrne

2:31

Cleveland hasn't really announced it. There was a report the other day saying it's probably going to happen, which isn't any kind of surprise. I think the odds are overwhelmingly in favor of a Lindor trade. What would it cost? Not a Betts return, but maybe one top 100 prospect and a couple ancillary pieces.

2:32

And yes, I think an extension would be plausible for the reasons you mentioned

Maui Bill

2:32

It feels so inequitable and discriminatory to allow the off season signings of free agents and trades to occur without resolving the DH in the NL issue. It is certainly not a level playing field with that question unanswered

Connor Byrne

2:32

I totally agree. It makes no sense that there isn't an answer on this yet. Guys like Ozuna and Cruz need to know, as do teams.

Bruce

2:33

Does Trout stay an Angel through his remaining contract, or is he eventually moved when past his prime and no post-season in his future?

Connor Byrne

2:33

I'm not going to bet on a Trout trade ever occurring.

Joseph Girardi

2:34

Who do you envision will be my pitching coach in 2021? Any chance we make a play for Lindor?

Connor Byrne

2:34

I'd need more time to think about potential pitching coaches for the Phillies, but yes to Lindor. That's a reasonable fit for sure.

Dallas

2:35

Give me hope as a Mets fan, do we sign a big name free agent? Do we make a bid trade? Do we give Conforto an extension? Does deGrom go to the HoF (kidding on that one)?

Connor Byrne

2:35

Yes to the first question. Maybe to the next two. DeGrom has had a HOF career in terms of year-by-year production, but he debuted at a pretty late age. It's an uphill battle there.

Brian Cashman

2:36

What would I have to give up for Joe Musgrove?

Connor Byrne

2:38

Probably not a ton. Musgrove has typically been a decent 3/4 type (though he may have found another gear this season), but you're only getting one year of control. That's a good trade candidate, though.

Toronto may be a team to watch out for after nearly acquiring him in the summer.

Mr Roctober

2:39

How will the pending CBA affect team's decisions this offseason? Will they be incentivized to lock-up long-term contracts for younger players now? Will they be more interested in 1-year deals with free agents because of the uncertaintity of the CBA renewal? Will contracts address the possibility of a strike/lock-out if a new CBA cannot be agreed upon?

Connor Byrne

2:40

I'd say the answer to the first two questions is yes. Possibly to the third. Between the pandemic and the CBA, this is going to be an offseason of uncertainty.

Mr Roctober

2:40

How long does Brodie continue as GM of the Mets? Given the situation, how much power/influence does he have in this year's offseason decisions for the Mets?

Connor Byrne

2:41

We'll go back to Mr Roctober one more time and then I'm going to have to duck out to handle the site.

To answer your question, I don't expect Brodie to keep his job. Cohen/Alderson will probably want to bring in their own people.

That's all. Thanks to everyone for supporting the site and participating in the chat! Steve will be here next week. Have a nice weekend!

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