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Trade Rumors Front Office Chat With Anthony Franco
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Anthony Franco
3:12
It's a good question, wish I had an answer
3:13
As for the second part, I don't think there'd be a ton of motivation for either side in changing that number. The union would probably be really concerned about the idea of requiring a full 187, since service time manipulation would be so easy
3:14
And the league has just been a flat no on five-year free agency, steadfastly enough that it was basically the first thing the union dropped
3:15
Some of the "awards packages earns service" stuff the union has been kicking around would lower that 172-day threshold for certain players. It doesn't seem the league wants to open that door either, and I'd be surprised if the MLBPA gets its way on that ultimately
Bruce
3:15
Dozens of FA’s need to find a team in a hurry and even established players have to find housing and get their families set for spring training.  How will teams and players deal with this flurry of activity?
Anthony Franco
3:15
Everyone knows the situation, so they'll all have to be prepared to move very quickly
3:16
There'll probably be a lot of teams telling prospective free agents "hey, we like you, here's the offer but we've got two other offers out at the same time and if someone beats you to it, we're moving on"
3:17
Teams have increasingly waited later in the offseason to move on free agents anyways, since there's a leverage imbalance there. But this time, it'd obviously be less about the front office trying to nickel and dime the player as opposed to just needing to sort out multiple roster issues in a very short amount of time
There'll be a lot of all-nighters
Don
3:18
Any idea for what the Mariners are going to do with their multiple, proven closers—Ken Giles, Diego Castillo, Drew Steckenrider, Paul Sewald—and a future one, Andres Munoz? Manager Servais seems to like a single closer so long as he's effective.
Anthony Franco
3:18
Probably Steckenrider's job to start, with the other guys used in the middle to late innings
3:19
If Steckenrider struggles or if the other guys (Giles, in particular) are excellent, then they'd pivot
3:20
I'd be curious to see research on how many teams stick with the same primary closer for an entire season. Unless you have one of the big-money closers (Jansen, Chapman, Kimbrel, etc.), I'm guessing most clubs will cycle through two or three guys in that role
Akil Baddoo
3:20
Given all of the other difficulties that this lockout has caused, how do foreign players address the issues of visa delays that appear to occur every year?  Is there any way that these visas can be accelerated?
Anthony Franco
3:22
This is a good question. Dennis Lin of the Athletic wrote this week that "the league is making preparations that could help accelerate the process of players reporting to camps" but didn't seem to have much detail as to exactly how
But it does seem to be something they're aware of and planning on addressing. How successful they'll be is anyone's guess
Darragh
3:22
I just watched the film Z (1969) and liked it a lot. Have you seen it and, if so, what are your thoughts?
Anthony Franco
3:23
I have not but I'll add it to the watchlist. Thanks for the rec!
Jeremy
3:23
Are the Red Sox going to add Correa? Isn't their IF crowded enough?
Anthony Franco
3:23
Could push Boagerts to second and keep Hernández in center field for a year, then let Boagerts walk if/when he opts out next winter
3:24
I don't think it's the likeliest outcome for Correa, but it's not all that far-fetched
Crazy trade idea that will not happen
3:24
What would it take for the Angels to get Willy Adames
Anthony Franco
3:24
This one, on the other hand...
3:25
As the questioner acknowledged, I can't see it happening. Doubt the Brewers would even have interest in something centered around Adell or Marsh
Hits Like Rays
3:25
What would the Rays have to give up to get Moustakis from the Reds and take on only a tiny part of his salary?
Anthony Franco
3:26
I think not taking on payroll kind of defeats the whole purpose from the Reds' perspective
3:27
If they're not shedding payroll, they'll probably just give him a chance to bounce back. Going to have a DH spot to juggle now, and it's not like Suárez is a sure thing at third base either
Paul
3:27
What do you think about the proposed new playoffs format
Anthony Franco
3:27
I prefer the current 10-team format, which seems like it's not staying
3:28
Or would only stay if labor talks deteriorate to the point the union takes playoff expansion off the table out of spite. I'd much rather have 12 than 14 playoff teams
Juan Soto
3:29
What team will I suit up for in 2025?
Anthony Franco
3:29
Haha we're putting the cart way before the horse here. Ask me again on February 25, 2024
Jeremy
3:29
Do you think some of the big FAs already have deals done verbally that will be announced shortly after the lockout ends? KInda like NBA deals that always are announced too early
Anthony Franco
3:30
I'm not familiar enough with the NBA to compare the two sports, but I don't think this'll be the case with MLB
The league has really stressed the idea that teams can't communicate with players, their reps or the media about players
3:31
Some are surely doing it behind the scenes, but I doubt it's as many as people think
Baseball fan
3:31
What do you think about players putting advertising on their uniforms
Anthony Franco
3:31
Was always going to happen at some point
I'd prefer it not but it's a cheap way to make money that won't really detract from my enjoyment of the sport
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