JotCast | Trade Rumors Front Office Chat

Trade Rumors Front Office Chat

Connor Byrne

1:59

Hey everyone. We'll get underway in a minute or two.

Cohen’s Mets

2:00

I would expect that Cohen will want to make a big splash. Do you think the splash is more likely to be via trade or free agency? Kindle / Arenado? Or a Bauer or Realmuto? Or, why choose?

Connor Byrne

2:01

Neither would be surprising, but it's easier to say free agency. I expect the Mets to shop at the top of the open market with Cohen aboard. He'll be ready to throw some money around and make at least one big splash. Realmuto's the obvious pick, I think.

Also, I don't see Arenado ending up on the move this winter. His contract's not desirable and he's coming off a bad year.

Kodos

2:02

General question-why do people link Blue Jays to a catcher. While Jansen and McGuire were lame this year, we have Kirk and Moreno coming out and I see OF & SP as a priority

Connor Byrne

2:03

Speaking of Realmuto, I think the Jays will kick the tires on him and pretty much every big free agent. But I agree with you that they won't necessarily prioritize catcher. It could be get Realmuto or just stick with what you have in their case. And I'd infield as a potential priority spot. We like LeMahieu there. He and Biggio are versatile enough to move around.

*I'd add infield

Ron’s son

2:03

The Cubs need at least one high OBP guy in that lineup and at least one more starter. Will Theo go the FA route or trade for it. Do you think Baez and Contreras are off the table?

Connor Byrne

2:04

I wouldn't really expect any big-time additions. Brantley makes some sense, but are they going to spend that high? Between Baez and Contreras, I'd say Baez is more likely to stay. I'll be surprised if Bryant's still a Cub next season.

2:05

Here's Tim's offseason outlook: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/11/offseason-outlook-chicago-cubs-...

And one on potential Bryant suitors: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/11/kris-bryant-cubs-trade.html

Griffin

2:06

Of Carlos Carrasco, Lance Lynn and Joe Musgrove who is the likeliest trade target for the Yankees

Connor Byrne

2:06

Lynn's the best target for them (not that Carrasco isn't, but I haven't seen any scuttlebutt there). He's a solid 2/3 who doesn't make much money, and the Yankees already know him. I was surprised they let him walk a couple years back.

Paw Paw

2:07

Why cant the Braves just sign Ozuna and wait for the DH in 2022?

Connor Byrne

2:07

It's not impossible, but I think he'll find a richer payday elsewhere. Not really sure where yet, as we don't know about the universal DH situation. If it sticks around and the Phillies actually spend, I could see them as Ozuna suitors. The Nationals also make sense.

Dallas

2:08

Rank your order who the Cubs move, most likely to least? And why is Bryant the most likely?

Connor Byrne

2:08

Back to Bryant, I think he's the most likely because of his salary. Schwarber, Contreras and Baez is probably how I'd finish the rankings.

Nuts n Bolts

2:09

Do you or Tim utilize some mathematical calculations and/or algorithms that factor various aspects(reduced revenues, market size, rebuilding vs going all in) in your projections?

Connor Byrne

2:10

Tim, Steve and I don't use mathematical calculations/algorithms, though Steve did put together a payroll projection to help us figure out who may be able to spend. Everything else you mentioned is certainly part of the consideration. If a team owner comes out and says "revenues are way down" or whatever, it's hard to put a top free agent(s) there

DJ No Way Jays

2:10

Cant see the Blue Jays going long term on an IF with Jordan Groshans and Austin Martin coming. Could see them as a player in a Kris Bryant trade or a shorter term cheaper FA like LaStella

Connor Byrne

2:11

This has turned into the Bryant chat. He definitely makes sense for the Jays, as a short-term option who can play 3B/OF

Bryant-Bichette-Biggio-Vlad would look pretty good

Harry

2:11

Best guess on when and in which cities expansion will happen?

Connor Byrne

2:12

Seems like Nashville may be the favorite.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/11/angels-rumors-dave-dombrowski-s...

Mets choices

2:12

Between the Realmuto and Springer choices, which do you feel is more a success story in the end? As a Giants fan I've watched how quickly Posey's decline happened into his 30's, for good reasoning being its a difficult position. But Springer has been elite, still a great defender. With a possible DH in 2021+ and the corner positions available later on, seems decent?

Connor Byrne

2:14

It's hard to bank on a catcher for the long haul, as you said. Lucroy's another example of a guy who went from great to off a cliff almost overnight. The Mauer deal didn't really pan out for Minnesota, though that was thanks in part to injuries. All of that said, I think Springer's the safer choice. But I'm not saying Realmuto's going to be a bust. The team that signs him should at least get 2-3 excellent seasons.

Mr Roctober

2:15

Assuming the White Sox non-tender Mazara, but fail to sign Springer, there don't seem to be any good back-up FA options for RF (since Eloy is pretty locked into LF). Adding Brantley and Ozuna in RF would make the overall OF defense too bad, Joc's platoon splits and sub-par performance in 2020 aren't that appealing, if they were interested in Puig they would have signed him last year, and I can't see them going back to Adam Eaton. Who does that leave? JBJ? Anyone else?

Connor Byrne

2:16

You're right that it's not a great OF class after Springer (and I guess Ozuna, but who knows how much OF he'll play). I don't mind a Joc signing there. They did have interest in the past & this could be a good buy-low opportunity. I think he's a solid bounce-back candidate.

Rick Hahn

2:16

If I am able to sign one big ticket free agent this winter, should plan A be try to get George Springer locked down ASAP or risk coming away with nothing from the circus that will be Trevor Bauer's free agency? I still have PTSD from the Machado Free Agency debacle, and I have a feeling that no matter the offer I make for Trevor, his free agency is going to be drawn out to at least the middle of January so he could get more content for his youtube channel.

Connor Byrne

2:17

I'll stick with the White Sox here and say Springer's the more likely pickup. There's a bigger need in the OF and he should cost less than Bauer, assuming Bauer doesn't sign some zany one-year deal or something

Life Bloom

2:18

What potential starters are the Red Sox looking at? Chris Archer? Corey Kluber?

Connor Byrne

2:19

Probably pitchers along those lines. I think we have Jose Quintana there. I was pushing for him to Boston in our FA discussions because he should be relatively inexpensive & is a proven innings eater. The Red Sox desperately need a sure thing or two in their rotation with Sale and E-Rod on their way back from health problems.

and obviously Eovaldi has had his share of injuries during his career

Guest

2:19

Good morning, is Josh Fuentes the everyday first baseman for the Rockies next year, how do you see his career developing? Thanks.

Connor Byrne

2:21

I don't see a lot to get excited about there. He has 49 strikeouts and 3 walks in the majors, and a lot of his .306 average in 2020 came thanks to a .406 BABIP. He didn't offer much else at the plate (low OBP, low power). Unless Colorado really wants to give Fuentes a full season, they could kick the tires on someone like Smoak or Thames in free agency. It's a pretty weak class of FA 1B, so that could help Fuentes' cause.

Braves20

2:22

Your top two or three landings spots for Lindor?

Connor Byrne

2:22

I wrote this a couple of weeks back: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/10/looking-for-a-match-in-a-franci...

2:23

Teams like the Yankees and Angels make a lot of sense to me. They have the payroll for it and the middle infield need. Torres/Fletcher could just go to 2B.

Bauer destination

2:24

I doubt it will be the Dodgers (Price coming back along with all their young pitchers), but the either NY team, Phillies, and Angels as likelier options.

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