Anthony Franco
- Hey everyone, hope you had a good weekend! Chat swap this week since Steve wanted off for the holiday, he'll run Friday's instead
Clad in plaid
- Is it possible that Cleveland's lack of free agent activity is because they are concerned about a lockout next spring? And if that is the case, would they keep guys like Bazzana off the 40 man roster this year so they can get another year of development in the minors during a lockout? It seems risky to waste another year of Jose Ramirez. Can they compete for a playoff birth with the current roster?
Anthony Franco
- This is the usual offseason for Cleveland. They're not going to run payrolls that allow them to do much in free agency
- Bazzana should be up pretty early in the year, though I imagine they'd like to get him a little more Triple-A work first (ideally with an early look at Brito there). They're a viable playoff team again for me but that's more about everyone in the AL Central remaining content to be the worst division in baseball for like the 15th straight season
Tough Times In Anaheim
- Jo Adell (2 years of control) and Reid Detmers (3 years of control) for Noah Cameron (5 years of control). Who says no?
Anthony Franco
- This is the rare chat proposal that I think is skewed in favor of the team that you're not a fan of
- I get the logic on both sides but I'd want more than just Cameron in this framework if I were the Angels. He's cheaper but not convinced he's a dramatically better starter than Detmers in 2026
Youkyluptus
- Is the Red Sox rotation top 5 in the sport? Who’s i n that t ier?
Anthony Franco
- Yeah I'd have them top five, probably top three. Dodgers probably most talented but obviously plenty of injury questions with them. Cincinnati's in there, Pittsburgh's has a crazy high ceiling but it requires a lot of projection on Ashcraft/Chandler to have them in that tier already
- Obviously Seattle would be a pretty popular pick for this and they are very good 1-5, depth behind that just isn't great. Toronto's really well positioned if you assume Bieber's healthy
Dan S.
- Thinking 2/40 or 3/60 with an opt-out for Gallen?
Anthony Franco
- I'd lean two in the mid-40s probably but neither of these outcomes would surprise me
- Assuming you're also putting an opt-out in the 2/40 deal. Can't see him taking a straight two-year contract
What a Mets
- Does it make sense for the Mets to offer Bellinger a Bichette-type deal- substantial overpay, but short commitment? If so, chances he accepts say 3/126 vs 5/160 from Yankees?
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