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Chat with MLBTR's Anthony Franco: 11/30/22
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Steve Adams
8:41
Greetings all! Anthony will be taking questions today at 5pm CT, but feel free to leave a question here in advance, if you like!
Anthony Franco
4:59
Hey everyone, hope you're all having a good one!
Have a decent amount to discuss with the Winter Meetings on the horizon, let's get going
John
5:00
We aren’t expecting the Orioles to acquire any top tier free agents, but what can we expect them to do at the deadline? Would it be possible that they go all in for a true ace in July?
Should the Orioles be more aggressive this offseason than anticipated due to a “weaker” free agent class next year?
Anthony Franco
5:00
I wouldn't really worry about the relative strength of future free agent classes. So much of that changes in the six months of the season itself
5:01
I'll say that generally it feels like the appropriate time for the Orioles to get a little more aggressive because they're trying to take the next step from "frisky post-rebuild team" to legitimate playoff contender
5:02
To do that, they'll need a couple starting pitchers, and it feels like attacking the mid tier of the market this winter makes sense. As for the possibility of trading for an ace next summer, that depends on how the first half looks. If they're right in it and the Brewers are bad and put Woodruff or Burnes out there, sure, check in
Astros fan
5:02
Do you think the Astros should go after a outfielder or a catcher? I know they can't get both.
Anthony Franco
5:03
I think they will add a player at both positions, although you're right they're probably not going to make huge splashes at both
I like Maldonado enough I'd pivot away from Contreras, attack the middle tier of the free agent corner outfield market, and then add a depth catcher
Jimmy K.
5:04
The Rangers have had teams show interest in Ezekiel Duran and Josh Smith. Is there a trade out there for either both for SP or OF help and if so what teams would match up well with the Rangers on paper?
Anthony Franco
5:06
Miami and Milwaukee stand out as teams that could leverage their rotation depth for infield help (particularly if the Brewers trade Kolten Wong first). Arizona kind of fits from an outfield perspective, but neither Durán or Smith is going to headline a deal that gets one of their outfielders. As secondary pieces, it's viable
Preller
5:06
What do you think the odds are the Padres actually sign Bogaerts or another of the big SS's?
Anthony Franco
5:07
Pretty slim. Feels like one of those "don't count out Preller on anything" situations but other teams just have more pressing infield needs and San Diego would have to push spending dramatically higher than even the last two years' levels to get it done
I still think the rotation's the area they'll end up making their biggest moves when it's said and done
clay
5:08
Will the Jays trade a catcher this off season.......and if so, which one?
Anthony Franco
5:08
Sure seems like it. Jeff Passan wrote again this morning that's on their to-do list
Feels like Jansen's the guy who goes. The others are just so valuable it'd be tough to give them up
zoolander
5:08
If Rays actually gets either nimmo, murphy or deGrom, how much of a surprise would it be on a 1-10 scale?
Anthony Franco
5:09
deGrom would be a 10. That's a due diligence check-in; even the Rays themselves are pessimistic on the chances they're doing that
5:10
Nimmo, like a 7.5. It's a lot of money but dispersed over five or six years, it's viable and they could use a key bat like that
Murphy, a 2? I think they're a very strong fit to trade for him given the farm depth and their need for a catcher
Jason
5:10
Hi Anthony, thanks for doing the chat.  New Tigers PBO Scott Harris talked about calculated risks.  Can you identify a few perhaps bounce-back candidates or other players that might both fit his description and the Tigers' needs?
Anthony Franco
5:12
Think they're in good position to identify priority targets from the middle of the rotation market. They need innings, have some flexibility. Pick one of the fairly young mid-market starters they like the most (Taillon, Walker, Syndergaard, Manaea) and make a run
5:13
Sort of a similar thing on the position player side, although I think at a lower level. Brian Anderson/Edwin Ríos types who've shown some promise in the past but got non-tendered
David
5:13
See the Atlanta Braves making a big move either as a free agent or a trade for an LF or SS?
Anthony Franco
5:14
I expect they'll trade for a left fielder -- Lourdes Gurriel, Jesse Winker, etc. Shortstop still seems like Swanson or bust in free agency. Could trade for Amed Rosario, but I'm increasingly leaning towards them just turning to Arcia and Grissom if Dansby walks
Guest
5:14
If the Yankees don’t resign Judge, what direction do you see them going?
Anthony Franco
5:14
Top of the rotation market plus a real run at Nimmo
5:15
Doesn't seem like they want in on the shortstops, but if Judge walks, you're probably going to have to bring in  multiple impact pieces at other positions
Twin Bill
5:15
Will Myers seems like a good fit for the Twins. What sort of contract will he end up with? Will he be one of the early signers?
Anthony Franco
5:16
One year at like $5MM probably. Don't think he's getting an everyday job anywhere
BrewCrew
5:17
What type of contract will it take for the Brewers to bring in Trey Mancini to fill corner outfield/1st base/DH roles with Yelich and Tellez?
Anthony Franco
5:18
We went back and forth on whether Mancini would get two years while putting together the top 50. I still lean yes at like 2/16 but wouldn't be all that surprised if he ends up at 1/10
Ready4Summer
5:18
In your opinion, is acquiring a player via free agency truly worth it? It seems silly to pay high value for someone who is on the tail end of their prime and then get locked up with a contract while getting diminished return.. wouldn't it be wiser to have a strong developing team where you get good prospects coming up and trade (using some of those prospects) to get players in their prime?
Anthony Franco
5:19
It's not an either/or thing. No one is going to construct a team entirely through free agency, but "just draft and develop an excellent 26-man roster" isn't practicable either
5:20
Teams obviously share your concern about committing too deep past a player's prime, which is why we've seen them go increasingly away from deals that push deep into players' 30's while juicing up the per-year salaries to maintain long-term flexibility
Giants Jottings
5:20
Seems that Judge's situation has to be settled before Giants and Yankees can move forward.  If settled do you agree Correia is next for Giants followed by possibly Haniger?  Why do you suppose they seem luke warm on Rodon and are forced to look elsewhere for a top starting pitcher?
Anthony Franco
5:22
Turner or Correa make the most sense as the Judge fallback to me. Haniger's a tougher fit since you're still not really addressing center field. Guess you can play an outfield of Pederson/Yaz/Haniger with Slater and Wade mixing in but it'd be rough defensively
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