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Trade Rumors Front Office Chat With Anthony Franco
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Dave roberts
3:25
The dodgers have some pitchers getting ready to return soon. How will they make room
Anthony Franco
3:26
Heaney's on the IL with shoulder discomfort but it doesn't seem like a long-term concern
3:27
I think the other guys coming back will sort itself out organically. Some guys will get hurt or have brief IL stints for moderate stuff. Guys like Anderson or Gonsolin can work multiple innings out of the bullpen
Bones
3:27
Is Andrew Vaughn going to get regular playing time?
Anthony Franco
3:28
I think there are 550 plate appearances to be had between DH, 1B, cover for Pollock in RF
Kevin J
3:28
Should the Rangers hold onto all the rookie infielders or work a trade
Anthony Franco
3:29
Too early to start dealing those guys just for its own sake. Not saying you have to make Ezequiel Duran off limits if you're putting together a package for a controllable starting pitcher or something, but a lot of that group just isn't going to pan out as everyday infielders
Having depth guards against that attrition
3:30
If enough hit, you can kick some into the corner outfield. I think Justin Foscue's good enough offensively that he'd be fine in LF, for example. Once you've got a little more certainty, you can start thinking about whether it's worthwhile to trade some of those guys
GBS42
3:30
Reading Tim' Mailbox comments about the Blue Jays' catcher situation, I wondered if it would make sense for the Cardinals to try to acquire Alejandro Kirk to step into their starting catcher role in 2023. I know Ivan Herrera is in Triple-A, but prospects often don't work out.  And Andrew Knizner doesn't seem to be a starting-caliber catcher.  Do you think this would be a reasonable path for St. Louis, and do you think a trade would require one of Nolan Gorman, Matthew Liberatore, or Jordan Walker to make it happen?  Thanks!
Anthony Franco
3:31
Kirk's such a tough player to value because there's no question he can hit, but scouting reports on his defense are not great. There are probably teams out there who just have a binary "no" on "is this guy a big league catcher?"
3:32
And if you feel that way, he's not particularly valuable. Because then you're looking at a DH-only who makes a ton of contact but doesn't have power
3:33
As for the Cardinals specifically, I have no idea how they feel about Kirk, but given their emphasis on team defense over the years, he doesn't feel like their type of player to me. I'd be surprised if they parted with any of those guys you mentioned to get him, but I also think it'd be totally justifiable for the Jays to demand one if St. Louis wanted him
Will
3:33
With AJ Pollack coming off the IL this weekend, how long do you think it may take for him to "get up to speed" from a hitting perspective?
Anthony Franco
3:34
He only missed ten days. I think it's fair to expect him to hop right back in and be successful
He also has plenty of experience returning from injury, for whatever that's worth (probably nothing)
The Buck stops here
3:34
When DeGrom and Walker return who ends up in the bullpen?
Anthony Franco
3:35
deGrom isn't expected back until June. The unfortunate reality is that one of the Mets' other starters will have probably gotten hurt by then and this'll be a moot point
3:36
If all seven of their starters are healthy at the same time, though, I think Peterson and Walker are the odd ones out
Alan
3:36
Thanks again for these chats!  I'm trying to understand the protocols for the Covid IL. It is a bit confusing with the call ups and the impact on 40 man rosters. If you've explained this before, sorry, I'd be grateful for a link.
Anthony Franco
3:36
Yeah, there's the weird substitute distinction this year that can be kind of confusing
3:37
So, anyone who goes on the COVID IL (whether because they test positive, are close contacts, etc.) don't count against your 40-man. That's also true of the guys who are on the restricted list because they can't get into Canada
So you can select a player onto your 40-man in their place
3:38
The "substitute" thing comes into play when you try to take that guy back off the 40-man. The commissioner has the sole discretion to determine whether the virus is having enough of an impact on the team that substitutes are warranted
3:39
If he decides there are, you can designate guys as COVID substitutes, add them to your 40-man, then send them back to the minors and off the 40-man when the other players return from the IL. This will probably happen to Christian Lopes when the A's get healthy again
3:41
If there's not enough of a team-wide impact, you can still a new player to your 40-man, but he has the same restrictions as anyone else if you want to take him back off when the other players come back. That's why the Phillies had to put Jeff Singer on waivers even though they initially called him up to replace a player who was on the COVID IL. That was just one impacted player, and the commissioner didn't give the Phils authority to add a substitute
PETER
3:41
Hypothetical question about MLB top ten prospects currently  at AAA who will be Major League ready by mid May, do such players progress more in the Majors or at AAA? For my question, service time is not relevant and the team, e.g. The Orioles, is not a contender. Thanks
Anthony Franco
3:41
I can’t really answer this question as generally as you’re asking. If it’s a pitcher, what does the raw stuff look like? If it’s a hitter, is he chasing pitches outside the strike zone, swinging and missing a lot against minor league arms? What kind of personality does he have that’ll dictate how he handles failure for the first time in the majors?
3:42
Generally speaking, I’d want non-contenders to push their best young players in bad seasons. Test their mettle when the team isn’t playing super meaningful games. Let your starters face the middle of an opposing lineup a third time, push guys up the defensive spectrum if you think there’s a chance they can handle it. But there’s so much player-to-player variability that could change the calculus
Kevin J
3:42
Do you see Joey Gallo getting traded
Anthony Franco
3:43
I'd be surprised. If he turns things around, the Yankees will probably keep him. If he doesn't, who's going to trade for an impending free agent who isn't performing?
Chriss
3:43
any concerns about Justin turner? Hasn’t been the same since first half of last season…what do you think the dodgers can reasonably expect from him for the 2022 season
Anthony Franco
3:44
Yes and no. I don't think his first 12 games this year are that concerning. He's chasing pitches outside the zone, swinging and missing more than usual. That just feels like he's in a bit of a rut, too good a hitter for me to believe his plate discipline has evaporated
3:45
But as you mentioned, he also was just alright during the second half of last year. His exit velocity dipped in August, power was down
3:46
I think that's more of a concern given his age. So overall, I don't think he's bad now, but I also think the days of him being an elite hitter are probably behind him. Feels like a 105-115 wRC+ guy to me, still solid but not as good as he was
PETER
3:46
This question is about PTBNL in a trade. Does the receiving team already know the name of the player the team is getting? Or does the receiving team get to select from a list provided by the trading team. Thank you
Anthony Franco
3:47
Typically the latter. Team wants a little more time to evaluate the prospect involved, both teams agree to a list of a handful of guys they'd have the right to choose from down the line
3:48
There are some exceptions. Everyone knew Trea Turner was the PTBNL in the three-team Steven Souza/Wil Myers deal, but they had to include him as a PTBNL to work around a (since closed) CBA loophole
3:49
But more commonly, it's a list
Joey
3:49
Don’t the Rockies extensions that have happened in the past year all seem like overpays? I respect that they’re retraining their own guys but I feel like they’re going to trap themselves in mediocrity
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