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Chat With MLBTR's Steve Adams: 1/8/19
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Steve Adams
3:16
Greetings all -- hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday season! The holidays and the time off we took kind of threw a wrench into our chat schedules here at MLBTR, but we'll be getting back on track
SCOTT
3:16
Is Theo going to do anything this off season?
Steve Adams
3:19
I really don't expect a ton from the Cubs, short of a creative trade. I know there's all the stories of them lurking on the Harper market, but that seems more beneficial to Harper's camp than anything else. There are constant reports that the Cubs need to move money to even add a marginal free agent -- Rosenthal just suggested as much regarding Adam Warren yesterday -- and I was told earlier this winter that they basically told one of their players' reps to not even bother bringing up an extension because the money wasn't there. I genuinely believe that ownership just isn't giving them much financial leeway.
Hunter
3:19
Hey Steve- what are the chances Boston signs both Ottavino and Kimbrel?
Steve Adams
3:20
Both? Next to nil. I think they're somewhat reluctant to even sign one, as it'd put them back into the top luxury tax bracket (thus dropping their top pick 10 spots in the draft, incurring the highest tax rate, etc.).... it's a small price to pay for another World Series run, but I do think the demand for Ottavino will lead to stronger offers for him elsewhere
Machado
3:21
Am I going to the White Sox?
Steve Adams
3:22
I've said all along that I don't think the Sox will sign either Harper or Machado. It's too tough of a sell given their recent performance, and I think the Phillies will bid a good deal more (as will the Nationals, in Harper's case)
Tebow
3:22
Am I going to see the majors this season?
Steve Adams
3:22
He shouldn't ever see the Majors based on his minor league performance -- he struck out in 35% of his plate appearances as a 31-year-old in Double-A last season
Count Olaf
3:23
Why would the Twins not be in on Harper and Machado?  They have the money to spend, and both would be good fits
Steve Adams
3:25
This question will get tons of eye rolls, but there's really no good reason for them not to be if they're aiming to be competitive. They have ZERO dollars on the books beyond 2019. It sounds stupid to say and would never happen, but they could easily afford to sign both of them -- though it'd obviously hamstring their future maneuverability.

All that said, it'd be a tough sell to convince either to go to Minneapolis on a long-term deal. It's sort of the same reason I keep saying I can't see the Reds signing Keuchel ... it's just historically not all that desirable of a destination for free agents, and their recent play doesn't help matters.
3:26
For what it's worth, I think they should be in on both -- not that that matters, ha.
Derek
3:26
Apparently the Brewers have been in talks with the Giants for Bumgarner. What are the chances they get a deal done and at what price for the Brewers?
Steve Adams
3:27
I don't think anyone's going to trade for Bumgarner this offseason because I don't think teams are going to look at him as a premium starter based on the past two seasons, and the new regime in the front office doesn't want its first big move to be trading a franchise icon for an underwhelming return
DeadArmDandy
3:28
is Colo set to use Hampson at 2B, or could a move of J Gray for a Gennett type plausible?
Steve Adams
3:28
They're not moving Jon Gray for a one-year rental
M's Fan
3:28
Will we be a 70 win team?
Steve Adams
3:29
I think they'll win more games than most people expect after their offseason and do think they'll top 70. For all the pieces they've subtracted, they've also added some useful 2019 assets (Mallex, Narvaez, Kikuchi, probably Sheffield and possibly Swanson). They're not contenders, but they're not the 2018 Orioles, either.
Rick Hahn
3:30
You wanna bet dinner . I get Machado !?
Steve Adams
3:30
I will happily take you to dinner if you sign Machado, Rick Hahn. You choose the restaurant.
mlb1225
3:31
Should I expect the Pirates to sign anybody else this offseason?
Steve Adams
3:31
Sure -- but probably no one all that exciting. Could add a low-cost 'pen option or a budget OF or middle infielder.
Kiyo
3:32
Will we see Jo Adell in Anaheim in 2019?
Steve Adams
3:33
He's 19 and only has something like 15 games above Class-A Advanced
It's possible he decimates AA for two months, moves to AAA and is up mid-summer, sure, but I don't think too many guys are going to successfully take the Juan Soto skyrocket path to the Majors
Scuba Steve
3:33
What happened to the "Real Money" that Brodie Van Wagenen said he has left?  Did the Coupons lay down the law?
Steve Adams
3:35
There are probably 30ish candidates for multi-year deals still on the open market, plus trade options, and we're six weeks from Spring Training. The Mets have added Cano, Diaz, Ramos, Familia ... it's not like they've been inactive.
And they have plenty of time left to continue adding
Kris Bryant
3:35
Are the rangers in play for Kimbrel?
Steve Adams
3:36
They're out there trading for competitive balance picks and trying to bolster their farm -- there's no reason for them to surrender a pick to sign Kimbrel to a near-record deal to close games on a 60- to 70-win team.
SawxChamps
3:36
Who closes for Sawx if they don't sign another reliever?  Brasier?  Barnes?  If that stand pat do they have enough?
Steve Adams
3:36
I fully expect them to add at least one reliever of some note, be it via free agency or trade
SoxFan27
3:37
Does signing Jay and trading for Alonso really have that big of an effect on if Machado would choose the White Sox?
Steve Adams
3:37
I don't really see how it would.

But they're also sensible one-year pickups that raise the team's floor and aren't prohibitive in terms of cost, so I can't really knock either acquisition.
Ross
3:38
Will the A’s sign another SP? Fiers as the OD starter does not look good.
Steve Adams
3:39
Yeah I'll be surprised if there's not another starter or two headed to Oakland. It won't be Keuchel or anyone especially expensive (salary-wise), but even if they're going to go headfirst into the "opener" tactic and be extremely bullpen-heavy, they need another source or two of some bulk innings.
3:40
I also wonder if they'll give someone like Petit a bunch of three-inning starts or something this season, since he has so much experience pitching multi-inning stints. That'd be a bit more than an "opener" but still less than a traditional starter's workload, thus helping soak up some more innings
Marwin Gonzalez
3:41
Will I be a NY Met?
Steve Adams
3:43
A little surprised we haven't heard more on Marwin, because he fits every team so well. But then again, that's probably the reason Boras & Co. don't feel the need to chat him up through the media all that much. He makes sense for the Mets but also does for just about any team in the league. I'd imagine more than half the league would make an earnest attempt at trying to sign him. Put up a list of the top 15-20 teams in the game on your wall, close your eyes, and throw a dart at it, haha.
Stros
3:43
Is the Brantley signing and JD Davis trade a precursor to a blockbuster trade?
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