JotCast | Chat with MLBTR's Anthony Franco: 7/17/21

Chat with MLBTR's Anthony Franco: 7/17/21

Anthony Franco

8:48

Hey everyone! Didn't get a chance to run a chat as expected yesterday with the flood of transactions coming out of the All-Star Break.

8:49

I'll let the queue build up and be back in about two minutes to start answering questions

8:54

odds buxton gets traded at the deadline?

Anthony Franco

8:55

I'd be surprised

8:56

Rosenthal's report that they offered him an extension included the nugget they'd consider moving him at the deadline if they don't agree to terms. But that feels artificially rushed for a guy controllable through 2022 and I think it's better to try to negotiate again over the offseason

DannyDuffy

8:56

When am I going to be traded, and will it be to San Diego?

Anthony Franco

8:57

He's not a lock to move. 10-and-5 rights give him the right to block any deal, mutual love between him and the organization

8:58

I think there's a reasonable chance he gets traded -- can always re-sign with K.C. over the winter and gives him a chance to play in a pennant race -- but I know Steve Adams is more of the opinion they'll just keep him

8:59

As for a destination: Joel Sherman reported he'd prefer somewhere on the West Coast. All three of the NL West teams make sense, Angels if they buy, maybe even the Mariners

robaguirre9139

8:59

thinks the braves can swing a trade for benitendi?

Anthony Franco

9:01

Not sure they want another lefty-hitting corner outfielder after getting Joc. But I could see K.C. moving him and he's a useful enough stopgap option, so it's not a horrible fit

Fair Deal Dean

9:01

Which catchers are on the trade market?

Anthony Franco

9:02

Not much

Stallings would make sense but no indication Pittsburgh wants to move him. I feel like Cubs are more likely to move Contreras over the winter

9:03

Maybe the Angels make Stassi available if they have a bad couple weeks? I imagine Cincinnati would listen on Barnhart to give Stephenson more playing time

Nick Krall

9:04

Who are some bullpen arms I can try to get?

Anthony Franco

9:04

(Krall's the Reds GM, but this is applicable to everyone really)

9:05

Ryan Tepera, Pirates have Rodríguez and Stratton, Baltimore duo of Sulser/Fry, Scott Barlow, Marlins have a bunch of guys (Bleier, Bender, Curtiss), still some chance Seattle listens on Graveman or Sewald

9:06

Tigers have Soto and Cisnero too, Twins have a few high-end guys

Jerry

9:06

Potential Cardinals moves?

Anthony Franco

9:07

President John Mozeliak suggested yesterday they're not keen on selling. But they're pretty far out of contention to buy either. I think they'll end up mostly standing pat

Fan

9:08

What is the reason for Castillo’s resurgence

Anthony Franco

9:09

Assuming this is Luis Castillo, it's an interesting question. Don't have time to really examine it with a chat format but a quick glance at his game logs, it mostly just looks like opponents' BABIPs are way down

9:10

Boring answer and there's probably more at play, but the off-the-cuff take is that it helps when some stuff hit off you finds your defenders

Ross Atkins

9:10

What’s the next two weeks look like for me?

Anthony Franco

9:11

(Blue Jays GM)

Imagine it's more bullpen targets. Depth starting pitcher could help too

I think the offense is mostly fine

Maine

9:12

Mr. Franco, what do you see the Red Sox doing, before or at the Trade deadline?

Anthony Franco

9:12

Starting pitching and a first base upgrade in the C.J. Cron mold

Brooke

9:13

How good a deal was the Lance Lynn extension?

Anthony Franco

9:13

Makes mutual sense IMO. Think he would've landed three years on the open market but probably at a lower AAV

9:14

Might have left a bit on the table but it's going to be a good team for a while and by all accounts he loves the city and org

TRB

9:15

Based on the Degrom and Lindor news, what's your prediction about the moves the Mets make at the deadline?

Anthony Franco

9:15

Yeah, tough day for them. Hard to say regarding deGrom since I have no idea how long he's out, but I think a stabilizing force for the rotation made sense anyways

9:16

As for Lindor, I think there's a real argument they should be in on Story now. Can slide him over to third base when Lindor gets back and work Davis into the mix at multiple positions

GLW

9:16

Give me division winners now that we are half way…

Anthony Franco

9:17

Rays, White Sox, Astros, Mets, Brewers, Dodgers

Cubs

9:17

Rizzo re-signs in the offseason for 5/$90 mil, Baez for 6/$120, Contreras offseason extension for 5/$105. Sound legit?

Anthony Franco

9:18

Under on both Rizzo and Baez. Haven't given a Contreras extension much thought but my first instinct is that might be a little high on him too