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Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams: 1/10/23
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Barbarino
2:02
Does Matt Mervis have a real shot to make the Cubs roster out of spring training?
Steve Adams
2:03
After the year he had in AA/AAA last year, I don't see why he wouldn't.
Mike R.
2:03
The White Sox resigning Andrus and moving him to 2B makes too much sense for them to actually do, right?
Steve Adams
2:03
I don't think it'd be super exciting for Sox fans, but yeah, I think it makes them a better team and probably does so at a reasonable price
Minnie Paul
2:04
Germán Márquez available via trade for the right price?
Steve Adams
2:05
Rockies have maintained over and over that they believe this group can contend. They haven't traded away anyone of note under Bill Schmidt. No, I don't think Marquez is particularly available. Maybe if they're out of it at the deadline since he's in his final guaranteed season on the contract, but they still have a 2024 option, and it's the Rockies, so they might just hang onto him and try again in '24
Landing Spots
2:05
Story having brace surgery means the Sox are going to find a SS before ST?
Steve Adams
2:05
I think it definitely adds urgency to acquire one or more infielders -- even if it's something relatively boring like just signing Elvis Andrus.
Tiger fan
2:05
Are the Tiger's going to make moves of consequence?
Steve Adams
2:07
They already traded two good relievers for a decent collection of talent and signed a pair of decent starting pitchers. Wouldn't mind seeing them grab another bullpen arm (Chafin, Moore, etc.) but I think they've already made moves of consequence.
Evan White
2:07
I've had some injuries, yet I still have a ton of untapped potential and a gold glove. What's my future hold? Do I have trade value or am I going to be organizational depth for the foreseeable future?
Steve Adams
2:08
White still has something like $20MM remaining on the extension he signed and no real place on the active roster. It wouldn't shock me if he were passed through outright waivers at some point. I doubt anyone's claiming that $20MM.

To your broader point, no I don't think he has much trade value, if any, but he's an interesting candidate to swap out for another bad contract -- maybe one that's overpaid but could at least net the Mariners some degree of on-field value in 2023 (and perhaps one that comes off the books sooner).
Tennessee
2:08
Are we getting a MLB team???
Steve Adams
2:09
Dave Stewart's group has been lobbying and advocating for this for a few years now. Today's announcement regarding Mattingly doesn't change much. Nashville will be considered prominently if/when expansion talks begin in earnest, but I don't think that'll happen before the A's/Rays stadium situations are resolved.
2:10
Music City Baseball isn't the only organization of its kind, for what it's worth. There's also the Portland Diamond Project, similarly pushing for MLB to come to Oregon.
Scott B
2:10
Is Nelson Cruz a good fit for Cubs and how much $10 mil??
Steve Adams
2:11
Gets in the way of them getting a look at Mervis, and I don't think Cruz would push them to the playoffs this year or anything. There's certainly a spot for him -- just depends whether the front office is actually intrigued by Mervis' 2022 season or not.

I tend to think there are better fits for Cruz than the Cubs, though.
And $10MM feels steep coming off the season he had.
Story Time
2:11
How does Story's surgery affect his availability at the beginning of Spring Training? Are they still looking for a SS (Andrus)?
Steve Adams
2:12
Story should be sidelined for months. He's not going to be ready for Spring Training or Opening Day.
I haven't seen a timeline from the team or anything but imagine he'll be out into the early summer, if not through the All-Star break.
Mike721
2:14
I like the way the NBA does free agency? 95% of the top 30 players sign within 48 hours of free agency.  Is this a good thing or bad thing?
Steve Adams
2:14
Personal preference, I suppose. I like the slog of the MLB offseason, ha. Always some interesting stuff to follow from Day One up through Spring Training.
How
2:15
How is $10 mil steep for Cruz but 9.3 isn't for Belt?
Steve Adams
2:15
Belt got more than I thought he would, too.
Just saying for my taste; teams might disagree.
Dave Dombrowski
2:16
What are your thoughts on our offseason? Any glaring needs?
Steve Adams
2:18
Been a very Dombrowski offseason. Straightforward, big acquisition to fill a clear need (Turner, Walker). Some notable bullpen help picked up, including a big bet on a once-prominent reliever (Kimbrel).

I think it's generally been a fine offseason. I thought they paid too much for a pitcher I don't love (Walker), but they'll be a better team in 2023 than they were for most of 2022 (and they didn't have to gut their farm system to get there!)
Victoria Blue Jay
2:18
Could you Toronto making a trade still for a Miami  starting pitcher?
Steve Adams
2:18
There are very, very few teams who I'd say are implausible as a trade partner for the Marlins. So sure, Blue Jays work.
Still amped Mets fan
2:20
Of course Steve Cohen is never out on anybody, but does he have a pivot move in him this offseason after the Correa deal fell through? Prior to Correa, Billy Eppler did indicate the "heavy lifting was done" for the offseason. Do they go into the season with what they have, giving Baty more opportunities? Or will they still add an impact bat? If so, who?
Steve Adams
2:22
There just aren't many "impact" names out there. Maybe they overreact and go overpay for Bryan Reynolds, I suppose. But I just don't see many star-caliber bats out there. Correa was kind of unique at this stage of the offseason, and perhaps that's what attracted the Mets partially in the first place.

I won't put it past them that they could go crazy with a trade to pry away someone we don't at all think of as "available," but I wouldn't call it a likely scenario, either.
Big Fan
2:23
Why is there little buzz about Trey Mancini?  Is he asking for too much?
Steve Adams
2:24
I think fans just think he's better than front offices do. I imagine he'll sign for a year in the $8-12MM range. He's basically been a league-average hitter (by measure of wRC+) for two years now, he finished poorly with the Astros, and he doesn't have much defensive value.

I actually like the player (even though that all makes it sound like I don't, ha) and think he'll be a decent bargain at whatever he signs for.
joe
2:25
Are the astros still thinking about trading a starter? Or has that kinda went away since Verlander signed elsewhere
Steve Adams
2:26
I'm sure they'd listen for the right offer. They have Framber, McCullers, Garcia, Javier and Urquidy, with Hunter Brown waiting in the wings. They can definitely "afford" to move someone if they get some MLB help at a position of need, but it's hardly a worst-case scenario to have five solid big league starters and one of the sport's top prospects (Brown) waiting as MLB-ready depth in AAA.
Bbcardinalfanatic
2:27
Do you think the cardinals will do anything else this off-season
Steve Adams
2:27
I'd be surprised if they don't. They could use a lefty in the 'pen and some SP that's controlled beyond 2023. I expect they'll find a way to add both.
Emergency SS alert
2:28
How about the Red Sox take Paul DeJong off the Cardinals hands (maybe the Cards kick in a lottery ticket).  Clears a spot on the Cards 40-man and gives the Sox a change of scenery guy on a 1-year deal
Steve Adams
2:29
The Cardinals would have to give up some kind of prospect to get the Red Sox to take DeJong, but not one of their very best farmhands or anything. I wouldn't hate it for them, but it's not the most exciting move for Boston.

That said, the Red Sox have "bought" a prospect (or multiple prospects) in each of the past two offseasons by taking on JBJ's contract and Adam Ottavino's
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