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Trade Rumors Front Office Chat With Anthony Franco
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Anthony Franco
2:44
I think defense is a huge factor, both in general and the 2021 Cardinals in particular. It's also the area I think we're worst at publicly measuring (at least on an individual level) and projecting
2:45
But I think one of the big reasons the Rays consistently outperform preseason expectations is that they run out high-end defenses year after year
we want baseball
2:45
Would you agree that the players are doing more negotiating than the owners and that the owners are more of the reason that we are locked out?
Anthony Franco
2:46
Well technically, the owners are the only reason we're "locked out," since they initiated that. But as for the lack of progress on a CBA, I think the players have shown far more willingness to negotiate
2:47
Their proposals also haven't moved a lot from the lofty goals they've set out -- dropping the pre-arb bonus pool from $105MM to $100MM was as much a farce as any of the non-offers the league has put forward
But the players do seem to want to get back to the table, and they've made their counterproposals quite a bit faster than MLB has made theirs
P
2:48
If you had to update your prediction on Yusei Kikuchi what would it be? I remember you had him at like 2/26. what would a fit with the yankees look like. They might want to bet on his upside but maybe not for two years
Anthony Franco
2:48
Jon Heyman reported Kikuchi's got three-year offers out there, so something in the 3/27 range feels about right to me
2:49
Personally, I wouldn't go there and I'd let him sign somewhere else. Between the command, home run propensity and issues with right-handed hitters, I just don't find him especially promising at this point
2:50
But I was lower than both Steve and Tim during the initial deliberations. They both pointed to the velocity, grounders, swing-and-miss rates as reasons he could be a good buy-low
2:51
And I think they'll ultimately prove right when it comes to the contract he receives, even if I don't expect he'll be worth the investment
Rizzo
2:51
Where will I end up signing?
Anthony Franco
2:51
I lean Braves, but if Freeman re-signs there, I could see the Cubs or Marlins jumping in
Rangers13
2:52
At what level do you Leiter beginning the year?
Anthony Franco
2:52
Probably High-A
Guest
2:52
What would the Rockies need to give up to acquire Joey Gallo?
Anthony Franco
2:53
Yeah this is a really interesting one. I honestly have no idea. I think Gallo would still bring back a solid return, even if it'll fall short of what the Yankees gave up for him, since he had an overall nice season
2:54
But if the Yankees acquire an outfielder, then he's kind of squeezed out and maybe they just cut bait for a mid-tier prospect and chalk it up as a loss
2:55
As for the Rockies specifically, they're not giving up Veen or Romo. Maybe they end up doing something like Michael Toglia for him, but that's probably only the case if the Yankees find another outfielder first
neil
2:55
When the lockout lifts, Manfred says they'll need a week before camp starts and camp should be about 4 weeks.  That leaves two weeks realistically for FAs to sign.  Sure Correa and the like are gonna get paid, but baseball's middle class is going to get utterly &%$@ed aren't they?
Anthony Franco
2:56
Some guys will fall through the cracks, but a bunch of the free agent heavy lifting is already done
2:57
Only seven of the free agents we had between 20-39 on our pre-offseason Top 50 remain unsigned
I think that suggests those guys were afraid of the exact scenario you suggested, so the bulk of them signed early
Bob T
2:58
Anthony, It is nice to get rid of the draft pick compensation and have the Universal DH, but I don’t consider those two concessions by the owners something that will move the needle much. The key economic issues need to be itratioresolved to get the players back on the field. Do you see the players giving in a little on arb
Anthony Franco
2:59
Universal two-year arb seems like it's not happening. I don't see why the league should be so opposed to expanding the Super Two eligibility so it's like half the 2-3 guys as opposed to 22% though
Honestly, the revenue sharing cuts strike me as the bigger ask on the PA's perspective
3:00
On those, I totally get why MLB's just like "no," because Manfred otherwise has to get approval from say, Bob Nutting or Stuart Sternberg, to cut money they've been counting on and receiving for years
3:01
That's a tough sell. Expanding Super Two eligibility a little bit? Doesn't strike me as all that meaningful, and it'd be a strong gesture on the league's part that they're actually willing to move on something the union's prioritizing
3:02
I'm taking over coverage of the main feed from Steve. I'll stick around to a while longer but give me one minute to get things set up on that end
Rangers13
3:03
How many starting pitchers would you try to add to a very weak rotation? I think if they do not get Kershaw some combination of Greinke, Rodon, Pineda for spots 2 and 4 and Archer or Velasquez for 5-6 spots makes sense, unless Cincy or Oakland would be amenable to trades of people like Solak, W. Calhoun, IkF, B. Martin etc and fewer prospects.
Anthony Franco
3:04
That's a ton of heavy lifting to do in one offseason, and I still don't think it makes the Rangers all that strong a contender
Rich
3:05
What would raise have to give up to get one of the reds starting pitchers? Also do you believe the Phillies might be the number one place for Keirmaier?
Anthony Franco
3:05
Phillies, Giants and Braves feel like the top tier of plausible suitors on Kiermaier
Abe Froman
3:06
Keuchel and Kimbrel for Jeff O'Neal and what?
Anthony Franco
3:06
I don't think the Mets would have much interest in either of Keuchel or Kimbrel. Don't really see a workable deal there
Abe Froman
3:06
Does O'Neil Cruz get a shot at cracking the opening day roster and if so, where does he play?
Anthony Franco
3:07
He's only played six games at Triple-A. I'd expect him to spend a month or two there to start the year
If he's playing well, then he should be the regular shortstop by May. Kevin Newman's not standing in the way
3:08
Maybe Cruz is too lanky to play shortstop, but what better time for the Pirates to find that out than a season where they're going to lose 100 games anyways
Ricky Hahn
3:08
If the White Sox can make only move, what should I focus on?
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