You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Chat With MLBTR's Steve Adams: 11/12/19
powered byJotCast
Steve Adams
2:48
The first free-agent domino has fallen! Eric Stamets is a Rockie!

With that objectively hilarious and original intro out of the way -- let's get to some chattin'.
Billy Eppler
2:49
Would a package centered around Andrew Heaney and Brandon Marsh start a conversation with the Mets about Noah Syndergaard?
Steve Adams
2:49
Brodie Van Wagenen, the Mets' GM, flatly said that Syndergaard will be a Met in 2020.

GMs generally don't make those types of on-the-record proclamations and then go back on them. I don't think Syndergaard is going anywhere.
Marcell Ozuna's arm sleeve
2:50
Where do you see me and Marcell signing? and will it be late in the off season?
Steve Adams
2:52
We predicted the Giants in our Top 50 Free Agents / predictions:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/11/mlb-free-agent-predictions-2020...

While those are collaborative and sometimes our own individual opinions vary, I'm very much on board with that pick. Farhan Zaidi, the Giants' president of bb ops, has spoken about adding power that plays at Oracle Park and strengthening the outfield. Ozuna checks both boxes without breaking the bank and wouldn't really be blocking any kind of premier young talent.
Reds Fan
2:52
What usually goes on at the GM meetings? Is this just a place for easy negotiations or is other league business conducted?
Steve Adams
2:53
I've only attended them in person once, back in 2013 or 2014 (can't remember which). There's a lot of groundwork laid for trade and free-agent talks, but they're a more preliminary setting than next month's Winter Meetings. Each GM will also typically have media availability a couple of times there, so you'll see plenty of on-record quotes from executives talking about some broad offseason issues over the next couple of days.
Luis Sojo
2:54
Where will Didi Gregorius be on Opening Day 2020?  Will he be with the same team to start 2021?
Steve Adams
2:57
Yeah I think he's a multi-year deal guy rather than a pillow contract. I like him as a value play for the Brewers, who tend to look for the premium value rather than simply saying "We need a [position], so let's go get that." (In this instance, they also need a SS, which helps!)

A healthy Gregorius is a 4-5 WAR player, and he might sign for more like a 2-3 WAR guy this winter coming off a so-so season.

Other fits I like for him: Reds, Twins (Polanco to 2B), Phillies, Marlins if they can persuade him to sign with a non-contender (aka overpay him)
jj
2:57
what do you think of betances on the mets?
Steve Adams
2:58
They could use the 'pen help, but I think their payroll flexibility this winter will be fairly minimal and someone like Betances is a pretty big question mark when they've already got two wild cards in Diaz and Familia coming off terrible seasons.
Nick Leyva
2:58
Is there a realistic chance Strasburg signs with a non-DC team?
Steve Adams
2:59
Of course there is. Any of the Padres, Angels, Phillies, Twins, White Sox, Braves, Nationals, Rangers and Yankees (off the top of my head) have strong incentive to make a compelling offer.
Phil the man
2:59
Where do you see rich hill ending up
Steve Adams
2:59
Dodgers
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
2:59
Lourdes is an interesting name that's emerged on the trade market. What kind of value does he have? I presume the Jays would want to swap him for a young, controllable, SP. What would be the expectation of the quality of that arm?
Steve Adams
3:00
I don't think he's fetching the kind of controllable young arm you're likely envisioning. He had a nice breakout at the plate but was also injured, doesn't really have a position and hasn't shown the ability to hit in the Majors in a season that isn't shrouded by the happy-go-lucky-funball that led to all the HR records.

I think there'd certainly be interest in him, but I don't think he's going to bring back an established arm, even if the bat is legitimately intriguing and the contract/team control is nice.
Jon
3:01
Does Brian Dozier make sense for a team like the Indians or will he sign with a rebuilding team? (O's or Tigers)
Steve Adams
3:03
Sure I can see him signing in Cleveland. He won't cost much on a one-year deal, they could use a 2B, don't have buckets of cash to spend. It's a fine fit, and he'd probably prefer to get 400-500 PAs on a contender as opposed to 700 PAs on a surefire last-place club.

If he's one of the guys left standing without a team at the end of the winter, I'm sure he'd be more open to a rebuilder -- Detroit in particular could be appealing because Gardenhire is managing there and basically just hired the entire old Twins' coaching staff when he signed, ha. Maybe he's this year's Josh Harrison in that sense (though hopefully with better results)
Tommy F.
3:03
On a scale of 1-10, 10 being most likely/reasonable... Twins move Miguel Sano to 1B full time, and sign Mike Moustakas for 3/$54M?
Steve Adams
3:04
I think you're very aggressive on that Moustakas contract prediction. But the general idea of shifting Sano to 1B and signing Moose isn't outlandish.
John Cena
3:04
I don’t see madbum going anywhere but staying with my giants
Steve Adams
3:04
They've had an awfully long time to try to extend him without a deal coming together. Don't see why it'd be any likelier now that he can talk to 29 other teams.
Nick
3:05
Price for choo and odor who says no?
Steve Adams
3:05
Rangers are still adding $40MMish in payroll with that swap. I don't see it -- especially since Choo is a free agent after 2020 anyway.
Rick Hahn
3:06
do i actually sign a noteworthy free agent?
Steve Adams
3:07
(White Sox GM Rick Hahn)

There's pretty substantial pressure to bring in some notable names this winter. I don't think they're signing Cole or Strasburg, but anyone from the Ozuna, Castellanos, Grandal, Wheeler, Odorizzi, Bumgarner, etc. tier of free agency seems viable. And Abreu will quite likely be back.
Nationals
3:07
Michael A taylor for a reliever?
Steve Adams
3:07
That type of deal wouldn't surprise me. Was wondering if they'd do something like it prior to the trade deadline.
Fan of Tomlinson
3:07
Does Kelby sign somewhere? He’s my favorite player and I haven’t heard a single rumor
Steve Adams
3:08
Kelby Tomlinson is your favorite player?! I suppose I shouldn't judge -- we all have soft spots for some utility type dudes. He split '19 in AAA with Seattle and Arizona and will get a similar opportunity for '20
RedSox
3:08
1. Can the Sox Trade JD, and will they/should they? 2. Is a JBJ trade just a matter of time? 3. Can they pckage some young talent and/or Mookie to rid themselves of one of the bad SP contracts?
Steve Adams
3:10
1. They can try, but the reason Martinez didn't opt out is because there's not a huge market for teams with DH needs and he probably wouldn't have beaten 3/60 (his current contract) in free agency. So demand won't be huge, even though he's a premium hitter.

2. I think JBJ is moved, yes.

3. Using Mookie to shed the Price contract or something seems like a terribly flawed idea to me (not a knock on you -- you're far from the only one I've seen to suggest as much)
Nationals
3:10
Rendon 7/250 who says no?
Steve Adams
3:11
He'd sign that deal. Don't know the Nats would offer it. If they did, there'd be notable deferrals (like basiclally all Nats contracts include)
Jason N
3:11
What would the Cubs be looking to acquire for Kris Bryant?  Would multiple, controllable pre-arb mid-rotation arms work or do they need a stud prospect?
Steve Adams
3:12
If they're moving a Bryant, Contreras, Schwarber, etc. -- I think they're looking for more controllable, cost-effective young players to remain competitive... as opposed to high-end prospects who are further from the Majors. I don't see the Cubs going full rebuild again or anything.
Tyler
3:12
Where do you see Grandal landing? or what are your top 3 teams you can see him landing?
Steve Adams
3:13
Reds, Brewers, White Sox, Nationals (depending on what happens with Stras/Rendon ... not going to sign all three of those guys)
John H
3:13
Are the Braves in on possibly Mookie Betts being traded?
Load More Messages
Connecting…