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Front Office Chat: September 19th, 2025
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Darragh McDonald
10:35
Hello, everyone. Anthony is off today, so I'm doing the Friday chat this week. Sorry to the Francoists out there.
We'll be getting started a bit earlier than usual since I'm covering the afternoon news. Apologies to the West Coasters if that's annoying.
10:36
Anyway, feel free to drop questions and I'll be back at 11 Central to answer them.
12:00
Okay, happy Friday, everyone.
If you're at work, I hope you're doing a good job pretending like you're doing something.
Let's talk baseball.
Joe Baseball
12:01
Will Zach Eflin will get a multi year contract if he doesn’t get a QO from Baltimore, or have to take a one year prove it deal? He should be fully recovered by January and he had back surgery, and his arm isn’t a problem. Thoughts?
Darragh McDonald
12:02
I would guess one-year prove-it deal. He's been fairly injury-prone in his career and is coming off a pretty rough year.
Michael
12:02
Do you think a trade between the Pirates and Mets for Mitch Keller is possible? Mets seem to have a glut of young infielders they could spare between Acuna, Baty, Mauricio, Acuna, etc that would be an immediate upgrade over what the Pirates have been trotting out there
Darragh McDonald
12:02
I suppose there's a chance. Stearns kept adding more starters last offseason even when it seemed like they had plenty.
12:03
Going into 2026, they've got McLean, Tong, Sproat, Holmes, Peterson, Senga, Megill, Manaea, Scott, and others.
Doesn't seem like they need much more but I could have said the same thing last year when they kept adding Montas, Canning, etc.
I wouldn't be surprised if Keller is available but I probably wouldn't pick the Mets as the most likely landing spot.
Remaining prospect call-ups?
12:03
With Bryce Eldridge getting called up on Monday, are there any other surprise callups you’re expecting with pennant races coming down to the wire? If so, who?
Darragh McDonald
12:05
Hmm. I guess the Phils could call up Andrew Painter. He's Rule 5 eligible this winter and will need a 40-man spot anyway. He hasn't been amazing but perhaps his stuff could play up in shorter stints out of the bullpen.
12:06
The Marlins are kinda making a long-shot push here, so maybe Joe Mack? Again, he's Rule 5 eligible this winter anyway. Agustin Ramirez is an awful defender behind the plate but they keep running him out there.
Nothing to do with pennant races but Emmanuel Rodriguez is already on Minnesota's 40-man roster, so perhaps he could get a few at-bats before the winter comes.
Roki high-leverage reliever?
12:06
It looks like Roki is taking to being a reliever. With the Dodgers pen being a mess, any chances he could close or set up?
Darragh McDonald
12:07
Well, I believe he's only made one appearance as a reliever thus far.
12:08
I doubt he would be immediately thrown into the highest-leverage spots but I suppose there's a scenario where he keeps getting tested in the coming weeks, performs well and moves up the depth chart throughout October.
Optimistic Giants Fan
12:08
Giants bullpen needs some work next year. Who are some good high leverage arms that would make sense? Bringing back Tyler Rogers would be cool but they would also need a lockdown closer with Rodriguez out for the whole year.
Deb
12:08
Darragh thank you for today's chat. This question is a constant for me. Im a Giants fan  and very disappointed in how this season has gone. I know the so called experts said the giants should finish in 4th place. Well it looks like that will be the case. Yesterday Posey went on record saying hed love to have Verlander back. Do you think he might return. To me the giants has some big holes to fill. Ive watched JH Lee play center and I see him more as a corner now. Gilbert who i believe is the best outfielder of the bunch could play center easily. Ramos has been terrible. Could he be a trade target for someone? The giants need pitching. Roupp was starting to come into his own pre injuries. Last night the got 1 hit struck out 12 times and walked 10. What is the matter. A little frustrated as a fan today.
Darragh McDonald
12:09
If you are the same Deb who sent an email question to Tim's mailbag this week, check your email! I sent you a long answer yesterday.
12:10
I think Verlander could return, sure. His season got out to a slow start but he has really picked things up lately. The Giants definitely need starting pitching.
12:11
I guess I'm a bit more skeptical than you with regards to Gilbert. I wouldn't guarantee him a job on next year's club. He hasn't hit much yet. The scouting reports on him from the minors suggest he could play center but is a bit stretched there. I think he's fine as a fourth or fifth outfielder right now but wouldn't count on him being an everyday guy.
12:12
As for the bullpen stuff, the closer market is going to be very strange this offseason.
12:13
Devin Williams and Ryan Helsley were supposed to be the top guys but both are having rough seasons. They might end up looking for bounceback one-year deals, or longer pacts with opt-outs.
Edwin Diaz can opt out but the Mets might just re-sign him.
12:14
Then there are a few guys who are randomly having really good years. Brad Keller is perhaps the more notable. Is anyone going to buy in with the limited track record?
12:15
There are also a few guys who are on the older side but still somewhat decent. That includes the Rogers brothers but also Raisel Iglesias and guys like that.
12:16
In short, there are lots of options who could maybe be closers but there's no clear top-of-the-class Josh Hader type.
Reynold
12:17
A hypothetical. I am not a Rays fan, but I respect the organization. If the Pirates and Rays swapped rosters, how long before the new Rays would challenge for the AL East. O/U 2,3?
Darragh McDonald
12:17
Ooh, interesting.
12:20
I actually think the Pirates have a path to being semi-decent next year, by NL Central standards. But for the AL East, I think the Pirates' current roster would be the worst in the division pretty easily. I guess I'd put the over/under at 2.5, as you suggested, but then would probably take the over.
Pirates
12:21
Thoughts on the Pirates prospects this season? Seems like Griffin is a major asset moving forward, but how about the rest of the system, especially the hitters. Seems like a few have had good seasons (Florentino, Blanco Jr.), and a few trade returns have hit as well (Flores, Moss). Does this change the narrative that the team can't develop hitting, or is it too soon to say?
Darragh McDonald
12:21
Since we're on the Pirates...
12:22
I wouldn't change the narrative based on things happening in the minors. That's actually been the problem. Guys like Henry Davis, Jared Triolo, Nick Gonzales, etc., have crushed the minors and then done nothing in the majors.
Guarded Indian
12:22
I can't quite figure out if Gabriel Arias is the answer, he is so good and bad in long spurts.  Free agent SS options seem weak, especially in Cleveland's price range.  Do they roll with him next year and wait for Genoa or do they try and bring in some competition?
Darragh McDonald
12:23
I would guess they just wait on Genoa. He's been in Double-A for most of this year. He's Rule 5 eligible this winter, so he'll be on the 40-man next year.
walterj23
12:24
With the Cubs not spending on Tucker this winter , how much money will the Cubs have to spend and what are some likely targets they would spend their money on ? starting pitching and bullpen ?
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