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Chat With MLBTR's Steve Adams: 10/9/18
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Brian
4:21
Am I crazy for wanting the White Sox to sign Donaldson to a 1-year "pillow" type of deal so he can play for a multi-year deal for next off-season? They can give him a day off in the DH spot once or twice a week too.
Steve Adams
4:22
I don't think so -- that'd be a fine fit for him, and if he hits well he'd be a heck of a trade chip, especially since the Sox' limited payroll would allow them to include a bunch of cash to offset some or all of the remaining salary.
Drew Pomeranz
4:22
Over/under 3/36?
Steve Adams
4:23
Under by two years and something like $26-30MM. Pomeranz had an objectively terrible season in terms of health and results.
Dennis
4:24
Chances Indians sign Donelson and Brantley?
Steve Adams
4:24
I don't think they'll spend at that level
Blah Ze
4:24
Ryu and Eovaldi targets for Cincinnati?
Steve Adams
4:25
They're going to be targets for everyone since they're both relatively affordable and teeming with upside. The Reds are going to have to dramatically overpay to get any starting pitcher to go pitch in a bandbox for a club that was buried in the cellar of a competitive division.
AA
4:26
Whatever Harper's next contract is, won't it most likely be a mistake?
Steve Adams
4:26
Probably, but that's true of basically every top free agent every year.
Eileenyanks
4:26
FIRE EVERYONE ! WE LOST 16-1 !
Steve Adams
4:27
Seems like a rational take, haha.
They also won 100 games and are still very much alive in the ALDS. Might be some coaching changes, but I doubt Boone goes, and Cashman obviously isn't going anywhere.
A dude
4:28
Who should the Angels look to for bullpen help?
Steve Adams
4:29
I think the rotation is a greater issue than the 'pen. They'll have Parker, Bedrosian, Buttrey, Alvarez and Robles back next season, which is a nice start.

But, there's no shortage of quality arms in relief:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/12/2018-19-mlb-free-agents.html

I'd just prioritize the starters first.
4:30
And catching.
Bless You Boy
4:30
Adrian Gonazalez on a 1 year team friendly to Detroit?
Steve Adams
4:31
Any deal he signs will be team-friendly. He's looking at a minor league contract this winter.

There are players with way more upside for the Tigers to look at in a 1B/DH role than A-Gon. I don't think they should be interested.
Cole Hamels
4:32
No chance I'm not a Cub next year, right?  I mean, they have to pick up my option, I was awesome these last few months!
Steve Adams
4:32
I wouldn't say "no chance" but I do expect them to pick up the option.
Billy Eppler
4:33
Did you just include Hansel Robles in that "nice start" bullpen?
Steve Adams
4:34
36 innings with a sub-3.00 ERA, 3.22 FIP, a strikeout per frame and a two mph jump in fastball velo after coming over from the Mets. I did indeed.
SoCalBrave
4:34
Do you think the Tigers or White Sox could be part of the Harper sweepstakes?
Steve Adams
4:34
I do not.
Dallas Keuchel
4:34
Should I follow the money and go to the highest bidder or stay in Houston and accept a QO?
Steve Adams
4:35
He'll reject a QO and get himself a pretty nice multi-year deal in free agency. He could command $18MM+ on a four-year deal. I think we have him around 4/80 right now.
Mile High Man
4:35
Could Jack Flaherty be the centerpiece of a deal for Arenado?
Steve Adams
4:36
Great as Arenado is, I wouldn't trade Flaherty for one year of him.
ScrewThat!
4:36
What sort of deal do you see Brantley getting?  more than 3/36M?
Steve Adams
4:39
Less just because of the injury history. I like him at two years and a larger AAV, though I admit that may be underselling him. He's such a good hitter, but he barely played from 2016-17. I suppose Jay Bruce got $39MM, and Brantley is a much better hitter than him. It'll just depend on a team's tolerance for risk -- Brantley is among the riskiest bats out there. I certainly wouldn't be shocked if he got something like 3/39 or even 3/45
Hats to the left
4:40
Is Pedro Strop the most underrated reliever in baseball? He's been excellent for a half-decade, but it took until September of this year for most Cubs fans to appreciate it
Steve Adams
4:40
I dunno about most underrated, but he probably doesn't get the credit he's due
SoCalBrave
4:40
Does 5/85 sound about right for AJ Pollock?
Steve Adams
4:41
Heading into the season, I'd have said yeah, but more injuries and only a so-so year at the dish with an uptick in K's has me a little less optimistic. Still think he pulls in four years at a nice rate -- $15-18MM or so.
Hard knock life
4:41
Does Jose Bautista get a job next year?
Steve Adams
4:41
If he'll take a minor league deal, sure
A ridiculous what if...
4:42
Sale and Betts for Trout...who hangs up?
Steve Adams
4:43
Red Sox wouldn't send both. Mookie's cheaper, and adding Sale into the equation just wildly skews the value. Mookie + Sale >>>>> Trout + whoever you'd bring up to fill that 25th roster spot in his place.
Johnny 5
4:43
Would MLB punish the Cubs if they declined Hamels' option and then signed him for 14mm (effectively picking up the option but making TEX float over 25% of the bill)?
Steve Adams
4:44
No, but the moment they declined his option, Hamels would go sign for way more than $14MM. I had someone repeatedly ask me about this scenario on Twitter -- perhaps it was you -- but it just makes no sense. Hamels could probably clear $30MM on the open market. He wouldn't take a one-year, $14MM deal.
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