JotCast | Trade Rumors Front Office Chat With Anthony Franco

Trade Rumors Front Office Chat With Anthony Franco

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Anita

2:27

JRam is an expensive dream but even before Matt Chapman wouldn't Ryan McMahon (Rockies) or Jeimer Candelario (Tigers) be a better option for 3rd base for the Jays and maybe cost Kirk with Biggio???

Anthony Franco

2:27

Candelario's an interesting fit. Saw somebody propose a swap involving him and Kirk in the mailbag this week. I don't think I'd do that if I were Toronto, but it's not crazy

2:28

McMahon, I just can't see Colorado trading. They're going for it in 2022, and he might wind up being their starting shortstop when all's said and done

RAGBRAI

2:28

How much does the lock out effect free agents. The few elite left I assume get well paid, but do the mid and lower tier FA suffer?

Anthony Franco

2:28

Have to imagine there'll be a few guys who get left out in the cold, yeah

2:29

We saw a bunch of players who clearly wanted to avoid that uncertainty signing before the lockout, and it happens every year that some guys sit around and settle for less than expected or hoped by the end

mmddyyyy

2:29

Were any recent contracts nixed by the MLBPA?

Anthony Franco

2:30

No, a few didn't get approved before the lockout but there's no expectation any of them are in actual danger

neil

2:30

who has a better '22: Dylan Carlson or Tyler O'Neil?

Anthony Franco

2:32

Interesting question. I'm inclined to lean Carlson but it seems like the projections favor O'Neill

2:33

It is kind of weird that Carlson didn't hit the ball particularly hard as a rookie. But prospect evaluators pegged him with above-average power, and he slugged a bunch in the minors

And obviously his feel for hitting is already really advanced. I think he'll take the next step

2:34

And I think O'Neill's swing-and-miss end up with him closer to his career 120 wRC+ range (still really good!) than last year's 145. And I'd take a very slight over on 120 for Carlson next year

Whit Merrifield

2:34

Do you think I am finally traded before the conclusion of the 2022 season? And what kind of return would the Royals get for me?

Anthony Franco

2:35

I do not. The Royals just never seemed motivated to trade him even when they were bad, and they should be more competitive next year

2:36

I also wonder if the return would be all that great. I thought Pittsburgh's get for a year and a half of Adam Frazier last summer (Tucupita Marcano, Michel Million and Jack Suwinski -- all alright but not top prospects) felt kind of light

2:37

And if that's the range teams are willing to give up for Merrifield, I don't think the Royals would be swayed

Peter

2:37

What is the biggest obstacle for MLB MLBPA to overcome? I think it’s reducing Free Agency to five years. I favor the players but I don’t see the owners giving in.

Anthony Franco

2:38

I agree that's the biggest roadblock to a deal and I also agree the MLBPA won't end up getting off six-year free agency

Liptowi

2:38

Tim responded to my request for a very specific trade proposal acceptable to both sides in a deal that relocates Matt Olson to The Bronx: Volpe, Clarke Schmidt, Austin Wells and international signing pool $ for Olson. That seems steep to me and also de-emphasizes Oakland’s constant need for multiple cheap pitching prospects. Does Oswaldo Peraza, Medina, Deivi Garcia, Randy Vasquez, and Waldichuk make sense to you?

Anthony Franco

2:40

That's heavy on quantity, lighter on impact talent. I think it's a little shy of landing two years of Olson ultimately. Broadly similar to what the Yankees sent Texas for a year and a half of Gallo, who's not quite as good a player (but was a bit cheaper)

Scott

2:40

What’s a good player comparison for Seiya Suzuki?

Anthony Franco

2:41

Don't love player comps but the consensus we got on Suzuki was "fine defensive right fielder with well-rounded offensive profile and good but not top-of-the-scale power"

2:42

That feels sort of Avi García-ish to me, albeit with a better approach probably

Question Asker

2:42

There seemed to be a flood of minor league signings in the last day or two. Was there any particular reason for the spike right now -- maybe something tied to the resumption of CBA talks? Or just randomness?

Anthony Franco

2:43

It's more that Baseball America just rounded a bunch from the last two months all up at once

mmddyyyy

2:43

What is the most exciting way a ballgame could end?

Anthony Franco

2:43

That Brett Phillips/Will Smith World Series game

Anita

2:43

If the Jays trade an outfielder (Grichuk or Gurriel), who would be a better replacement Seiya Suzuki or Kyle Schwarber?

Anthony Franco

2:44

I think they're both good fits, but Schwarber's lefty bat probably balances the lineup a bit more

2:45

Not a huge deal, but that plus Schwarber's established MLB track record would have me lean in that direction for Toronto if we're talking similar prices

Dan

2:45

Does a trade package headlined by Marsh for Pablo Lopez make sense for the Angels?

Anthony Franco

2:45

I don't think the Angels would do that with López coming off the shoulder issue in the second half

mmddyyyy

2:45

When you predict free agent contracts, is it easier to guess where or how much?

Anthony Franco

2:46

Price point, which is our primary focus

For that, we spend a ton of time poring through old contracts. "How does Player X who signed for this much last year compare to Player Y this offseason?"

2:47

Picking teams is a dart-throw, which we all know. Particularly with pitchers, basically everyone can use more help. You take some time, consider the rosters and payroll situations, etc., but that's basically just educated guesswork

Arise, Sir Loin of Beef

2:47

What would the Mets have to give up to get one of Oakland's starters? Would Jeff McNeil and Ronnie Mauricio do it?

2:48

What would the Ments have to give up for Frankie Montas?

Anthony Franco

2:48

Yeah so I think that's light for two years of Montas but too much for a Bassitt or Manaea rental

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