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MLBTR Chat: 5/17/23
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Anthony Franco
5:59
Hey everyone, hope all is well!
6:00
Season's really getting rolling now, let's discuss
Madag
6:00
Since the Astros don't seem to believe in long extensions, why did they hire a GM from a franchise that is noted for them?
Anthony Franco
6:01
Interesting point considering owner Jim Crane's aversion to long-term deals and GM Dana Brown coming over from an Atlanta organization that handed out quite a few of them
6:02
I wouldn't say Crane's necessarily averse to extensions -- they signed Lance McCullers to a five-year deal under James Click, they've done with Jose Altuve before -- but he does seem to be pretty firm about capping things in the five-year range
6:03
As to the actual question, it's probably not a bad thing to have a GM who's willing to challenge an owner on his thinking at times, and there's obviously a lot more that comes with the job (amateur talent acquisition being a big one) than doling out long-term contracts
Pontiac Bandit
6:04
When do we see Jordan Westburg?
Anthony Franco
6:05
Adam Frazier and Jorge Mateo are playing reasonably well. Don't think we're at the point where they'd consider optioning Gunnar Henderson. They've already had trouble finding regular AB's for Joey Ortiz
6:07
Westburg's playing as well as can be expected in Triple-A and would probably be up for most teams by now, but the O's have a ton of infield depth. Might take an injury or an extended Frazier slump to force their hand
Eriepopcorn
6:07
Does Cleveland trade beiber this July.   If yes what kind of return do you think they would get.  In my mind they need some power in this lineup other than jose
Anthony Franco
6:08
Division's still open for them to play their way out of this, but I'd lean towards yes on a Bieber trade right now. The Guardians' offense isn't giving a ton of reason for optimism
6:10
Bieber's swing-and-miss is down a little relative to past seasons, but he's still showing elite command with a low-3.00s ERA. Last year's trade of Luis Castillo while he had a year and a half of club control (two borderline top 50 prospects and a couple mid-level types) feels reasonable
BrewCrew
6:10
Brewers biggest need at the deadline?  Starting pitching to ward against more injuries (although hoping all are back before deadline)?  A bat to help, particularly versus LHP?  A late inning reliever to add to D. Williams?  And who is that player that fills that biggest need?
Anthony Franco
6:11
Lineup for me. I think they'll probably need to get two bats. Would like a little more certainty in the outfield with Wiemer off to a shaky start. Could see second base becoming a target area too. Turang's defending well but he's striking out a lot without much offensive impact
jack
6:11
Who do you think the Giants should go for in next years free agency (aside from Shohei)? I'm thinking Urias or Tim Anderson would be good options, unless the Giants give Crawford another contract
Anthony Franco
6:12
Anderson won't be a free agent; the White Sox have a club option for next season. Urías will but the Giants have shied away from big-ticket free agent starting pitching investments
6:13
Matt Chapman's the clear top non-Ohtani position player right now. That'd be a pretty clean fit for San Francisco. Could check back in on Cody Bellinger if he plays out a full bounceback year
Mike
6:13
Will the giants be sellers? Joc Pederson seems like a perfect fit for the Yankees to lengthen a rather mediocre lineup after Judge
Anthony Franco
6:14
I still think they're good enough to compete for a Wild Card spot in the National League
Shelby Miller
6:14
Will I get a big payday this offseason if I continue pitching well? Maybe a Joe Kelly type contract?
Anthony Franco
6:15
I don't think he's all that appealing right now. The ERA is nice but he's walking over 18% of opponents with a well below-average 8.8% swinging strike rate. Feels more likely he takes a minor league deal than tops $10MM
KCR
6:16
can the royals pull a top 100 guy when they trade Chapman
Anthony Franco
6:17
David Robertson was the top rental reliever last year. The Cubs traded him for Ben Brown, whom BA named their #6 prospect over the winter. The Tigers traded one full season of Joe Jiménez for Justyn-Henry Malloy; BA slotted him tenth in the Detroit organization
6:18
I think that's more the range you're at with Chapman. A good mid-level prospect and maybe an extra lottery ticket, the kind of guy who'd go into the middle of the K.C. top 30. I wouldn't expect a top 100 overall talent for a rental reliever though
Brenton Doyle
6:18
Am I able to remain a regular the rest of the season?
Anthony Franco
6:20
I'm skeptical he'll keep hitting with that plate discipline profile but Colorado has no reason not to give him an extended leash. He's a good defensive center fielder and they don't have much other outfield talent. Think he'll play regularly mostly by default but I'd be surprised if he's better than a low-end regular
B Snit’s Bongos
6:21
Which contract would you prefer on your books? B. Reynolds or M. Harris II?
Anthony Franco
6:24
That's a tricky one. Think I'd take Harris at 8/72 over Reynolds at 7/100 based on the youth and defensive edge, but I can see the argument for just going with Reynolds' bat. He's the more stable of the two
Pedro4eva
6:24
Do you think what yoshida is doing is sustainable? What is it that the other teams missed that the Red Sox saw?
Anthony Franco
6:25
Yeah I buy it. Elite strike zone awareness, plenty of hard contact, he's getting the ball off the ground more than he had through his first couple weeks
6:26
I don't know that other teams "missed" necessarily. Like a month ago, there were a bunch of chat questions about whether the Sox should be panicking about Yoshida. He offers almost no defensive value, so it just comes down to how much faith you have in the bat
6:28
I'm in on him but I get why some evaluators would be bearish on a bat-only player who's listed at 5'8" and 176 pounds
Mini soda
6:28
I guess you can say the twins completely botched the Mahle trade right
Anthony Franco
6:30
Yeah that one's going to hurt. I didn't think it was egregious at the time, although the inclusion of Encarnacion-Strand made it feel like a bit of an overpay. Could say that Mahle's health history just made it a bad move but I think it's more of a calculated gamble that just blew up on them
Sam
6:30
Can Rosario get a 6 year deal this offseason?
Anthony Franco
6:31
Assuming this is Amed and not Eddie? I'd have him at like 2/20 right now
6:32
Thought he was in the 3-4 year range at the start of the season. None of us were super bullish on the profile but he was the clear top shortstop in a rough class at the position. He's not playing well on either side of the ball so far though
spencer n
6:33
The Dbacks have been great so far, but McCarthy and Thomas are now in Reno after looking like building blocks. Does the future still look bright and when can we possibly expect Lawler?
Anthony Franco
6:34
Jake McCarthy always felt like a quality role player than a building block to me. Alek Thomas continuing to struggle is more frustrating because it did feel like he could be a core piece and the offense just hasn't been there
6:36
Future's obviously still very bright though. Carroll and Moreno should be really good. Lawlar and Jones are top-tier talents behind them. The long-term pitching seems a little iffy but they've got a top five starter right now in Gallen and a potential mid-rotation arm in Brandon Pfaadt
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