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Trade Rumors Front Office Chat With Anthony Franco
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Anthony Franco
2:01
Hey everyone, looking forward to another chat!
Decent number of questions in the queue today, let's get into it
Reynold
2:01
Assuming the Padres trade from their depth at catcher, would they prefer to trade one over the others?
Anthony Franco
2:02
Feels like it'd have to be Campusano if you're talking a notable trade. Don't think they'd move Nola coming off the down year, Caratini and Alfaro wouldn't bring anything back
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, it's possible (maybe probable) they just cut bait with one of Alfaro or Caratini
2:03
But they liked Alfaro enough to swing a deal for him in the first place despite the logjam. Wouldn't surprise me if that's preemptively backfilling the depth because they're amenable to moving Campusano for help somewhere else on the roster
Duffy
2:03
1 for 1 player swaps are pretty rare…do you think that’s just because it’s hard for 2 teams to find equal value in 2 players? And do you see any potential 1 for 1 player swaps with any of the big names on the trade market?
Anthony Franco
2:04
They're tough to line up from a salary/roster fit perspective if you're talking about swaps of big leaguers
2:05
If it's "good MLB player for a prospect," typically the team giving up the big leaguer will want to diversify their risk by acquiring a couple guys they like, although the Marte - Lizard swap last year shows that kind of one-for-one, present-for-future swap isn't impossible
2:06
As for as the second question, Steve's pushed Kimbrel for Kiermaier a couple times this offseason. That makes sense to me
Bones
2:06
What are you expecting from Daulton Varsho this year?
Anthony Franco
2:08
Slightly above-average hitting (something like .260/.335/.440) with good baserunning and plus defense in the corner outfield. I doubt they abandon him at catcher, but between scouts' question marks on his work back there and the presence of Carson Kelly, I'd bet he sees more time in the outfield
He might get some time in center, but he's probably a better fit for the corners. Even without a ton of innings behind the plate, that'd be a quality everyday player. I like Varsho quite a bit
Rangers13
2:09
Allard, E.White, Apostel, Solak enough for Santander, too much or too little?
Anthony Franco
2:09
I doubt the Orioles would want four guys near the MLB level in any trade, since it adds some 40-man roster pressure
2:11
At the same time, there's not a whole lot of appeal with Santander coming off the down year. I could see them taking a shot on Solak and a lower-level lottery ticket for him or something, sure
Bill
2:11
So, OK, at some point the lockout is lifted and there is a “on your mark, get set, go” proclamation. How does a team immediately approach filling a specific need or needs  ? How do they assure that they are not going to be left without achieving that goal? For example, NYY have a need at both SS and 1B. Do they simultaneously make offers to Freeman and Rizzo and to Oakland for Olson? Do they make offers (despite their public denials) simultaneously to Correa snd Story? How do they avoid having too much “success” or no success? They don’t want to pay BOTH Freeman and Story. Nor do they want to end up with Voit as their top 1B and Andrelton Simmons as their SS. What do you think?
Anthony Franco
2:12
Yeah I think teams are going to have a mad scramble to get a bunch of offers out there, let players/agents know they're juggling multiple balls at once, and pivot quickly to Plan B as the dominoes start to fall
2:13
So yeah, I think they'll have concurrent offers out there they'll have to be willing to pull on short notice if someone accepts. It's going to be a lot of long hours for team personnel and agents
Guest
2:13
Who is your favorite player that the majority of fans do not like
Anthony Franco
2:13
I like the vast majority of MLB players, and I'm guessing most fans don't have much of an opinion on a bunch of them (utility guys, relievers, etc.)
2:14
So I can't answer this question perfectly, but I think what you're getting at is "are there specific 'villains' I like?" And if that's the case, then yeah
2:15
Basically anyone on the 2017 Astros; I'm over the sign-stealing thing entirely, don't care anymore. Plenty of people dislike Harper and Machado. I love watching them both
Giants
2:15
In a best case scenario where spring training isn't delayed too much, how likely is the Rule 5 draft this year?
Anthony Franco
2:16
I'd guess like 95%? Baseball America reported it was expected to happen shortly after the lockout began. I see no compelling reason it shouldn't happen, unless we're already deep into the minor league season before MLB resumes
Bearded Texas Hulk
2:16
Thank you for hosting this. Just off today's current situation do you think the Rangers will contend?
Anthony Franco
2:16
Nah, I still think they're the worst team in the AL West at the moment
2:18
Much better than they were, obviously. But they've got question marks at catcher and arguably all three outfield spots (at least the two around García)
And the starting rotation's still a mess. That's not to say I didn't like the Seager signing in particular as a way of laying the groundwork for a real push in 2023, but I don't think they'll contend this year\
Bearded Texas Hulk
2:18
What is your favorite position on the baseball field? Asking as a former catcher.
Anthony Franco
2:19
Somewhere up the middle. Probably center field but I could see an argument for catcher or shortstop
Joey
2:19
Can you explain what exactly is going on with steroid testing? I don't really understand it. Were they basically testing wrongfully before because of the lockout?
Anthony Franco
2:20
I believe they stopped drug testing as soon as the lockout started on December 2. It just wasn't reported that that officially happened until last week
Crash
2:20
Has thomas hatch fallen of the jays radar? Could he be in the mix for the 5th spot in their rotation?
Anthony Franco
2:20
I don't think he's off the radar. Had a nice season in Triple-A, general scouting consensus seems to be that he could be a useful back-end starter or multi-inning reliever
2:21
I don't think he'll be in consideration for the season-opening #5 starter job. I'd rather give that to Stripling right now, and they'll probably add another arm
2:22
But at some point in the season, after injuries or workload concerns thin things out a bit, I could buy Hatch making 8-10 starts, sure
Giants fan
2:22
Which starting pitchers on the trade market would be especially good fits for Giants coaching? I've wondered a lot lately about Patrick Corbin/victor Robles as a rebound candidate package that could have a soft prospect cost. Also, Jake Odorizzi
Anthony Franco
2:23
Corbin would require the Nats paying down the vast majority of the remaining money, which I don't think they'll want to do. I do like Robles as a fit for that ballpark if Washington's ready to give up on him though
2:24
Odorizzi makes sense there as a fallback, although I think they'll take a run at the A's/Reds' higher-impact arms first. As far as free agents go, Greinke for one year feels like a Farhan kind of move
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