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Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams: 1/21/25
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Steve Adams
2:52
Chris Young already said he thinks their heavy lifting in the bullpen is done. I don't expect Texas to add another big-name reliever.
Ascended Rangers Fan
2:52
Yes, every team can defer money, but the Dodgers are pretty clearly deferring the most money and it's not even close. Can every team really defer money to the same level the Dodgers can?
Steve Adams
2:52
Like every single Nationals contract for a decade had deferrals.
2:53
Scherzer, Rafael Soriano, Matt Wieters, Jayson Werth -- they deferred some of Jon Lester's $5MM deal, haha.
2:55
Some teams may not want to do it to the extent the Dodgers do. That's true. The Dodgers have more television income and more stadium/attendance than anyone. That's also true. But it's also true that there are owners out there who aren't using the full extent of their financial capability. And that if more owners were willing to do so, the Dodgers would probably get fewer of the players they pursue.

I don't begrudge fans for being annoyed, but the notion that baseball is broken/dying just isn't one to which I subscribe, and I don't think a cap/floor would be the panacea most fans anticipate -- certainly not at the cost of an entire lost season.
Stros
2:55
The Astros have to make a move for an OF, right? They're up against the tax or even a little across it, but if Yordan is playing less LF this year as Espada has indicated, then the Astros easily have the worst OF in baseball. McCormick will probably bounce back some, but Meyers can't hit and LF being some combination of Dubon, Dezenzo, Trammell, and maybe Leon doesn't exactly inspire confidence.
Steve Adams
2:56
I'd be surprised if this was the OF alignment they took into the season, yes.  The extent to which they alter it probably depends on whether they move Pressly or move someone like McCormick/Caratini to just narrowly sneak back under the tax.
Dodgers
2:56
You don’t want it to cost an entire season because it’s bad for your business.  That doesn’t mean it’s bad for the fans
Steve Adams
2:57
I don't want to lose an entire season because as a lifelong, rabid consumer of baseball, that sounds freaking miserable.
Much more miserable than "The Dodgers signed a bunch of dudes again"
Jeff in Jersey
2:58
The Pete Alonso problem: are the Mets the only remaining team that seems like a fit? Will he have to take the lowball offer now? And is this just the market or a Boras misfire?
Steve Adams
2:59
I don't think they're the only team. They're just the primary one that's known to be in on a short-term deal. The Jays have interest. The Giants have been linked to him. If Pete's going short-term, I'd expect one of the Mariners/Reds/Twins to try to move some things around to make something creative work. Again, spring injuries are a thing. In general, I think Alonso will get something Bellinger-esque from a team, and at a higher rate than the Mets' offer.
ClarkeinEcuador
3:01
I developed a hatred for the Yankees when they bought pennants under Steinbrenner. Now I’m hating the Dodgers. IMHO, it’s bad for baseball. Does anyone else have a shot at the World Series this season? If so, who?
Steve Adams
3:01
To suggest "no other team has a shot at the World Series" is to suggest that the Dodgers are incapable of losing a best-of-five series
Athletic Supporter
3:02
Just curious, do you think the A's are perhaps one solid SP away from contending (ie: 85-88 wins)?  Offense seems at least league-average now and I like LeClerc setting up for Mason Miller.  Thanks!
Steve Adams
3:04
I think the A's are probably better than most people would expect. I like Lawrence Butler a lot. JJ Bleday made some nice strides. Jacob Wilson, Nick Kurtz and/or Tyler Soderstrom could all take steps forward/impact the team positively. I think Gelof will bounce back to an extent.

Being one SP away might be a reach. Their top three looks solid/respectable with Severino, Springs and Sears.... but Sears is more of a 4/5 starter than a 2/3, and all pitchers have injury risks. Springs probably more so than your average pitcher. They're also one major injury away from having a real dicey rotation again. Adding another starter makes a lot of sense.
White Sox announced their 1-year deal with Martin Perez. They designated Ron Marinaccio for assignment.
Benny
3:05
If the Jays sign Alonso, do the Mets cash in a couple of their top prospects for Vlad?  Could be a winner all around.
Steve Adams
3:05
Jays aren't trading Vlad
Reds #1 Fan
3:06
Any possible FA signings on the horizon for the Red legs?  They need a power bat and another reliever or two.  Doyers are signing everyone
Steve Adams
3:07
Even with the bump from the TV contract, I don't get the sense they have much money. Just a little more than they had before, which both from public reports and some conversations I've had, was basically zero dollars.
Brad
3:08
Marlins won’t be competing anytime soon Alcántara to the Braves seems like an electric fit. Could Miami be enticed with something to the effect of Smith-Schaver, two to three of their younger arms?
Steve Adams
3:09
Marlins have implied pretty strongly that they don't plan to deal Sandy this winter. If they change course, sure a deal with ATL around AJSS and other prospects would have some merit, but I tend to think they'll wait at least a month or two, let him show he's healthy, and then market him.

I'm genuinely curious as to whether last year's early-May Arraez trade was a one-off, or if Peter Bendix & Co. are going to be open to dealing stars early in the season more than the average team.
Baseball is dead
3:09
Why didnt MLB step in when LA was making a Mockery of Deferred money ? I think it was an enormous opportunity that they failed to act . Do you believe a strike by Owners is now inevitable. Do you believe a Deferred Money will be capped ? Thankyou
Steve Adams
3:10
Because the CBA expressly states that all teams can defer money to their heart's content
Philly Phan
3:11
How does the league calculate the deferred money with regards to the player payrolls and luxury tax?
Steve Adams
Tim wrote about this in the context of Ohtani's contract/deferral structure last year
Padres - O's
3:11
Cease and Arraez for Basallo and Kjerstad.. who's says no?
Steve Adams
3:12
Doubt the O's give up a combined 12 years of those two for a combined two of Cease/Arraez. They should trade for Cease, though. Should've done it last year (after getting Burnes).
Matt
3:13
Any chance we see a Royce Lewis trade this offseason?
Steve Adams
3:14
I'd be shocked. The Twins love him/have him for four more years, he's coming off a really weak second half (and they'd thus be selling a bit low), and he wouldn't really create any payroll flexibility for them to make other additions. Obviously they could get some MLB-caliber prospect talent in return for four years, but I think he'll be in the lineup as often as his body allows him to be at Target Field this year.
Angels fan
3:14
Do you see the angels swooping in and picking up a guy like Pete or flaherty on cheaper deals than expected?
Steve Adams
3:14
Seems perfectly plausible to me, sure.
Cards fan watching paint dry
3:15
Would Arenado and a pitching prospect for Pressly make sense?
Steve Adams
3:15
He already vetoed a trade to Houston, and they've since acquired Christian Walker, pushing Isaac Paredes to third.
Cardinals - Red Sox
3:15
Arenado + $35MM for Casas - who says no
Steve Adams
3:15
Red Sox should
MackyEvenSassier
3:16
"Hi Jed it's Jerry - we're sending you Emerson Hancock for Nico Hoerner" Who says yes>
Steve Adams
3:16
Cubs
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