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Front Office Chat: August 15th, 2025
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Darragh McDonald
12:59
Hello, subscribers.
Thank you, as always, for being so wonderful to us. It is greatly appreciated.
1:00
Anthony is off this week. Sorry you're stuck with me.
Let's talk baseball.
Arthur Dent
1:00
What’s your prediction on how things are going to shake out in the AL West?  Can the Stros tread water enough the rest of the season to take the division?
Darragh McDonald
1:00
It's obviously pretty tight but I would lean Seattle at the moment.
1:01
Houston has had so many injuries. They've somehow managed to win in spite of them, but it's possible there's a point where they run out of steam.
Seattle, on the other hand, made some nice deadline upgrades and has some juice.
Just a guess though. It could obviously go either way. Can't predict this sport. Baseball is dumb/amazing like that.
Wyatt Langford extension?
1:02
With Roman Anthony getting extended by the Red Sox, have you heard anything re: Chris Young looking into signing Wyatt Langford to a long term deal? I think this would be a great time to do it before he breaks out and before players like Acuña will be seeking new contracts. Thoughts? What would his deal look like?
Darragh McDonald
1:02
I haven't heard anything concrete but it would make sense for them to try. He's only going to get more expensive as he pushes towards free agency.
1:03
He'll have two years of service after this year. The top guys in that service class are Tatis and Witt, who got to $300ish.
1:04
Langford hasn't quite got to the superstar level of those guys, however.
1:05
He'd probably come in underneath them right now. But like I said, he'll get more expensive if he keeps playing well and pushing towards the open market.
Pete
1:05
I know there is a lot that we don’t know, but if you had to handicap it today - Do you think we’ll ever see Clase throw another MLB pitch?
Darragh McDonald
1:05
I would guess no.
Like you said, we need more facts to come out.
1:06
But altering the outcome of a game for gambling is a hard red line. Shoeless Joe, Eight Men Out, you know?
baseball gods laugh and laugh
1:06
How likely do you think it is that the Cubs miss the playoffs and both the Mets and Reds get in?
Darragh McDonald
1:06
Cubs are still in a decent spot. Four up on the Mets and 4.5 on the Reds.
1:07
FanGraphs gives the Cubs a 96.4% chance of making the playoffs. That feels high but they've got some wiggle room.
Danny
1:08
While the Braves would not outright say it, it seems like Anthopolous was told he had to reset the tax status (especially since this team was supposed to get better this year anyways due to a snakebit '24 season). Given that they had no issue going over it the years prior, do you think the Braves come out swinging in free agency this year in regards to their clear roster holes now that their status will be reset?
Darragh McDonald
1:08
Atlanta's chairman said in February that they had dry powder. He said again recently that they could had spent money at the deadline but ended up as sellers.
1:09
He might be lying but I think it's kinda normal for teams to go into the year near the line and then decide whether or not to go over based on how things are going.
In this case, things weren't going well, so might as well reset.
Arthur Dent
1:10
Any explanation for Nathaniel Lowe‘s struggles at the plate this year?
Darragh McDonald
1:11
Some of it could be luck. He has a career .328 BABIP but is at .267 this year.
Batted ball metrics are pretty similar to last year.
1:12
Walk and strikeout rates moved in the wrong direction, which isn't great, but I lean that it's mostly luck.
Joakim
1:13
What’s your take on Nathaniel Lowe’s (unexpected?) short stint with the Nats and his future stock?
Darragh McDonald
1:14
Should have lumped this one in with the other one.
Ken M
1:15
How much was Bloom involved in the Cardinals trade deadline moves, and will the team’s philosophy change under the new regime or do the DeWitts control that?
Darragh McDonald
1:16
As far as I can tell, Mo was still making the decision but Bloom was one of the voices in the room.
As for going forward, that's a fantastic question and I wish I knew the answer. One of the things I'm most looking forward to this winter. Really hard to peg the Cards right now.
Top 100 Prospect Callups?
1:17
Which top 100 prospects do you expect to be called up? Any chance McGonigle could get a cup of coffee since the Tigers are struggling offensively? What about Bubba Chandler?
Darragh McDonald
1:18
I would be surprised on McGonigle since he's not yet at Triple-A. It's only been 24 Double-A games.
Chandler, for sure. I thought he'd be up months ago. I guess the Pirates were waiting for the mid-August rookie cutoff.
1:19
Others, off the top of my head, Basallo and Beavers. Sproat. Justin Crawford. Probably a bunch of other ones I'm forgetting.
Deb
1:19
seems like the giants are cooked for this season which is disappointing to say the least. I know changes need to happen. Does it start with the manager?.They certainly need some sort of direction going forward.  What are your thoughts..
Luc
1:19
Is Bob Melvin the problem or is he just being blamed for the Giants losing?
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