JotCast | Trade Rumors Front Office Chat

Trade Rumors Front Office Chat

Anthony Franco

2:00

Hey everyone, hope you're all doing well!

2:01

Looking forward to another one of these. Might as well start with the timeliest news

grover

2:01

Is it fair to say that with Oakland letting Bob Melvin out of his contract to sign with the Padres there's a good chance a Fire Sale is on the way?

Las Vegas

2:01

Are we about to see a sell off of the A’s before the move to Las Vegas?

Anthony Franco

2:02

I don't think the A's will go full tear down and multi-year rebuild, no. It's just not how Billy Beane and David Forst have ever been willing to operate since they've been in charge there

But there'll be turnover for sure. Steve wrote a few weeks about how the big arbitration class meant a couple of Chapman/Olson/Manaea/Bassitt were probably getting moved, and I expect that to be the case

2:04

Letting go of a manager generally regarded as one of the league's best to save a couple million dollars is a bad look, but I also don't want to extrapolate and say they'll cut $40M off the payroll or whatever. I don't doubt that finances played some role, but I also think they probably let Melvin walk as a sort of loyalty thing, a nod to how successful and beloved he's been there for a decade.

Grif

2:04

If there is a lockout, how long do you think it will last?

Anthony Franco

2:05

Cautiously optimistic we're back by the end of January and no Spring Training games are impacted

2:06

To be clear, that's based on nothing but hope that there's too much at stake for everyone involved to let a work stoppage affect the season. All the reporting that's come out on the situation has been pretty pessimistic

Nate Pearson

2:06

Am I a starter in 2022? A reliever? What's my innings limit next year? How much has not pitching any significant number of innings the last three years impacted my development? (Personally I could see myself as a hell of a setup guy next year)

Anthony Franco

2:08

I'd guess he's a five-and-dive type of starter, don't think they'll push him too deep into games but would like him to face lineups a second time through. Pearson worked a little under fifty innings this year, career-high of 83 in the minors. In an ideal world, maybe you get 100 from him next year?

Levi

2:08

Assuming Hader gets traded, could we see a Kimbrel for Cain or Bradley trade

Anthony Franco

2:09

I don't think this would hold much appeal for the White Sox. If they want to move on from Kimbrel, they can buy him out and reallocate the $14M elsewhere

2:11

Maybe they'd take a shot on Cain being healthy over signing, say, Tommy Pham and Brooks Raley with that money, but I'd rather go into free agency. Can't see any reason why they'd want Bradley after he was so unbelievably bad this year

daddydeerist

2:11

Cedric Mullins would look awfully good in pinstripes. What would the Yanks have to give up to acquire him? Torres and Garcia? More?

Anthony Franco

2:12

I don't know the Orioles would listen on Mullins at all, but if they will, then significantly more. Gleyber only has three years of control left, so I don't think he fits Baltimore's preferred timetable anyways

2:13

If they're moving Mullins, it's for top prospects. I'd assume a package from the Yankees starts with whomever of Volpe or Dominguez the O's prefer and builds from there

Dave

2:13

What is the likelihood that Byron Buxton will remain healthy, put it all together, and take the next step to superstardom in 2022?

Anthony Franco

2:14

I don't even know that he needs to take another step, per se. He was incredible this year already, it's just about staying healthy

2:15

As for the chances that happens, seems like it's less than 50% since he hasn't done it yet. But his biggest absence this year came on a freak thing where he fractured his hand on a HBP

2:16

If you could guarantee me he'd get 600 plate appearances next year (I'll arbitrarily say he's got a 40% shot of getting there), I'd probably take Buxton to win AL MVP

daddydeerist

2:16

I fear that the NYY might pursue Carlos Correa as a free agent. Given the cheating scandal, bad blood and the size of his ego wouldn't Seager or Semien be better targets and let Correa spend His Time somewhere else?

Anthony Franco

2:17

I guess your opinion on this depends entirely on how much you're upset about the sign-stealing scandal. Personally, I don't really care about it and think Correa would be a great fit for the Yankees, but I know a large portion of the New York fanbase feels differently

2:18

I do ultimately think they look elsewhere, since they have options with less baggage as you mentioned. But Correa's the best player of that group in my book

Blue Jay Way

2:18

Would Atlanta be interested in keeping Eddie Rosario for another season or 2? Would Minnesota bring him back?

Anthony Franco

2:19

I'd guess Atlanta wants to keep him around, assuming his market isn't outlandishly inflated by a great two weeks in the playoffs

Minnesota? I think that ship has sailed. They cut him last year and still have a bunch of cheap younger outfielders on hand

Blue Jay Way

2:19

The Blues Jays are better off signing Semien or Ray? Keeping Matz could be a good option. Let Ray, regarless of his great season, sign elsewhere and keep Semien in the lineup, albeit as the 2nd baseman but to stay on this team with that dugout, locker room, manager, THE HR JACKET! and that enthusiasm, fans and all...he makes more sense to me than Ray.

Crash

2:19

After hearing Shapiro say that the Jays will be better, but not necessarily the same, it sounds like they will explore trades and free agents not named Ray and Semien. With the trade history with the A’s and lining up well with the Marlins, am i wrong to assume that its far more likely this is the path they take? Perhaps Matz is the free agent they bring back, QO or not.

Anthony Franco

2:21

On Crash's point, I think they can do both of those things. They've got about $27MM in payroll space before hitting this year's mark and Shapiro said it's going up. They can re-sign one of Semien/Ray and still line up for one of the A's arbitration-eligible players, for instance

2:22

As for which one to prioritize? Man that's tough. I'd probably prefer Semien but think it's more likely they keep Ray given the glut of infielders they have in the system and potential trade options

George Hunt

2:22

Does Ramírez get traded and to who!

Anthony Franco

2:24

José Ramírez certainly makes sense for Toronto if Cleveland would listen. I ultimately think he stays put, but if he gets moved, half the league should be in on him

2:25

Yankees, Mets, Phillies, Mariners, Giants, White Sox, Jays all fit at first glance

Bill

2:25

Freeman extension inevitable?

Anthony Franco

2:26

I'm in the minority on this one at the MLBTR staff. I don't think so, since it hasn't happened yet and a Freeman deal alone will push the Braves' payroll above where they've been over the past few seasons

But Steve and Tim both think it gets done

Horace Fury

2:26

Many commenters seem to think JD Martinez's situation is a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush. Meaning: he will stay for the $19.375MM rather than opt out to test FA. However, do you agree that it might be best for him to opt out now in advance of his 34-y-o season rather than play out his contract, maybe have his performance fall off a little more from 2021 levels, and emerge as a 35-y-o looking for high-paying work? Maybe he should start now at the younger age . . . .

Anthony Franco

2:27

Yeah I'm with you. We're likely projecting JDM to opt out and sign a two-year deal elsewhere on our Top 50 free agents

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