JotCast | Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams: 10/27/20

Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams: 10/27/20

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Steve Adams

2:55

Middleton has known his price for quite some time now and still not gotten a deal done. The JTR situation isn't on Klentak; it's on ownership. I tend to think he signs elsewhere at this point.

Chaim Time

2:56

What do you think about JD Martinez to the Braves, to replace Ozuna, and play left in 2021, and then transition to DH when it goes back into the NL in 2022 and as the Braves ease in Drew Waters?

Steve Adams

2:56

I think if the Braves want someone who fits that mold they should just sign Michael Brantley, who was a better hitter than JD in 2020, has long been a better fielder, and will cost less.

No one is taking that JDM deal right now -- especially not an NL club.

Death 2 Bunting

2:57

Why wouldnt Oakland offer QOs to Semien and Hendriks? Both could get more money on the open market and they can always trade either one to get more value. Oakland gave $30M to a very washed-up Billy Butler and paid Nakijima $6M to never get out of AAA.

Steve Adams

2:58

I don't think it is at all a lock that Semien would reject a QO. I do think Hendriks would.

You can't trade someone who accepts a QO until June 15 of the following season. It's the same as signing a free agent.

2:59

Semien accepting would be directly because his agent looked around in the 10-day window they have to decide whether to accept/reject and then saw that the market didn't value him at that rate. So even if they COULD conceivably trade Semien post-accepting, the market wouldn't be there.

Tribefantheman

2:59

any chance Lindor stays in cleveland til the trading deadline?

Steve Adams

2:59

I'd be shocked if he's not traded this winter.

Matt_Messana

3:01

Seems JT Realmuto carries no blame for the 6.00+ Philly pitching era. I think he should and that he is not a great pitch caller or framer, what is your analysis.

Steve Adams

3:04

Phillies relievers stunk regardless of catcher, and framing data is highly quantifiable at this point -- it points to him being quite good.

If he were to blame for the bullpen's struggles, then why did Nola and Wheeler have sub-3.00 ERAs in 50+ innings pitching to JTR? Your theory seems rather anecdotal

Matt

3:04

Most likely player on the Rays to be traded? I feel like they're a lock to make 2-3 trades every offseason.

Steve Adams

3:05

Agree. I guess Renfroe isn't a lock to be traded since he's a non-tender candidate, but he could change hands. If you want someone likely to be traded, I'd almost always gravitate toward their few players on guaranteed salaries ... Kiermaier in this instance.

Angelitos

3:05

When are we getting the top 50 free agents with predictions?

Steve Adams

3:06

We never publish until after the World Series. We usually put them out within a few days of the World Series ending. I don't have an exact date this year but it is in the works as we speak (and has been for awhile)

JT Realmuto

3:06

Steve, I was on your fantasy baseball team(s), this past summer, wasn't I?

Steve Adams

3:06

Nah I had Will Smith in most leagues.

Gallo 13

3:06

Would White Sox trade Madrigal for Lynn?

Steve Adams

3:06

Nope

CGM

3:07

Will there be a contest again this year for predicting where the top free agents sign?

Steve Adams

3:07

I believe so.

Wild Thing

3:07

Do you see the Tribe trading Brad Hand for offense and handing the closer gig to James Karinchak?

Steve Adams

3:07

Yeah, I think Hand will be shopped around as well.

Guest

3:08

Should the Rays have brought up Wander Franco for the World Series? And is the reason that they haven’t his service time clock?

Steve Adams

3:08

He wouldn't get service time for playing in the postseason (which is silly, but them's the rules)

3:09

Franco is 19 and has played 52 games at High-A. None at Double-A or Triple-A.

The Rays will probably manipulate his service when the time comes, ha, but I don't think that was the rationale this year.

Sean

3:10

The Mariners seem to be taking progressive strides to become competitive again. Do they let the kids keep proving themselves, or will they dip their toes in free agency?

Steve Adams

3:10

They'll spend some in free agency, but I wouldn't expect major names. An affordable SP on a one-year deal perhaps, several relievers.

Dave

3:11

Whats your take on the Twins this off season?

Steve Adams

3:12

Trade or non-tender Rosario to cut payroll/make room for Kirilloff. Re-sign Cruz. Look for more bargain relievers in the Clippard/Romo price range -- one-year guys. Explore some high-end, rebound SPs (Kluber, etc.) and look at some possible middle-infield upgrades. I don't think most people peg the Twins in the market for a shortstop, but they'd be a good landing spot for a Gregorius or Semien to upgrade the infield defense. One of Polanco or Arraez could slide into Marwin's vacated super-utility role.

Mazzy Star

3:13

When you all compile your top free agents with predictions list do you go strictly off of pure free agents on day 1 of the off-season or do you consider guys like Chris Archer who most likely won't have their club option picked up, etc.

Steve Adams

3:14

We consider guys like Archer, but our list is largely based on earning power. Archer is coming off TOS surgery and a pretty miserable run in Pittsburgh. He's a one-year deal guy who probably won't get a lot of love in FA this winter. He won't be on the list.

Padre Place

3:15

What kind of moves are in store for San Diego? Roster seems kind of "set" at the moment...

Steve Adams

3:17

They'll still look to add to the 'pen. I think they'll try to get out from under the remainder of the Myers deal -- or the bulk of it -- and probably at least explore the possibility of Bauer even though he's obviously not a true *need*. I wonder if they'll be willing to move on from Pham after a tough season and with his arb price tag, as well. Between that and Myers, there's room to look to add an outfielder.

There'll be tons of moving parts in SD, as always, which is part of the reason Preller makes baseball so fun.

Molina

3:17

Am i just posturing? Would I really leave St. Louis?

Steve Adams

3:18

I think his preference is to remain in St. Louis, of course, but if someone offers him a two-year deal that's better than whatever the Cards are bringing to the table, yeah I think he'd go.

Rville Tim

3:18

Do you think the White Sox will extend Giolito this offseason

Steve Adams

3:18

I think they'll attempt to do so, yes.

CEPT3

3:19

Will Houston's cheating have long lasting impact heading into the new decade?

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