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Chat With MLBTR's Steve Adams: 11/6/18
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Steve Adams
4:34
I think you're of the mind that a player has to do a lot more than is necessary to justify a $30MM annual salary. Mike Trout is probably worth something like $60MM annually despite only being paid 30. If Harper was worth 5 wins annually for the next half decade he'd already be well on his way to justifying that level of commitment, and the ceiling of some 9-10 win juggernaut season only makes him more enticing.

Outside of Harper/Machado, there's no one single player who is likely to give you that as consistently in the next 5-8 years. Sure, the end of the contract will look awful, but I'd rather give Bryce 400 right now than sign any of the guys who got 10-year deals after they'd already turned 30.
Squad of Pads
4:34
Which team will have the largest jump in the standings from this past season to the next?
Steve Adams
4:35
That's more of an Opening Day question than a "four days into the offseason" question. We have no clue how the winter will play out.
Matzabal
4:35
Is Pollock a good fit in Colorado? Seems like it to me.
Steve Adams
4:36
He'd fit, sure, but I don't know how that the Rox will want to spend at that level with Arenado's salary booming, so many high-priced bullpen flops and more obvious needs (catcher especially).
4:38
Giants have offered Farhan Zaidi their president of baseball ops role, per Jon Morosi and Jon Heyman. Going to get a quick paragraph up on the site. One minute.
Drew
4:44
Keuchel would be a pretty nice rotation upgrade for the Nats, huh?
Steve Adams
4:45
He'd be a pretty nice rotation upgrade a lot of places. But they can afford him the Boras connection never hurts, and they have a clear need. I personally like the Angels as a fit and tried to sway our official team prediction in that direction, but our Top 50 is a collaborative effort and we don't all get our final picks as the one that gets put out there.
Brian
4:45
With zaidi possibly taking over. Do the giants try to contend or rebuild a little (trade belt, Crawford, or anyone not named bumgardner/Posey)?
Steve Adams
4:46
Going to be more ownership's call than Farhan's call. I think Baer will want to contend.
Matt Klentak
4:46
Should I focus on starting pitching rather than Harper/Machado? Btw I think both would put more butts in the seats which can help justifying paying a little more, what do you think?
Steve Adams
4:47
I'd focus more on Harper and Machado, who will be more impactful than any plausible rotation addition.
Xander Bogaerts
4:47
Any chance I receive a long-term deal from Boston before I hit free agency next Winter?
Steve Adams
4:48
As I noted in the White Sox question above, there's some degree of chance for almost any scenario you can concoct, so sure there's a chance. But I think it's extremely unlikely and full expect Xander to get to free agency.
old guy
4:48
What 2 cubs are the most likely to depart in trades this off season?
Steve Adams
4:48
I'd bet on them finding a way to dump Kintzler and Chatwood.
USAUSAUSA
4:48
Did you vote today?
Steve Adams
4:48
I voted early, on Sunday.
Go vote, folks.
g
4:49
If you were the Nationals, would you try to resign Harper, or sign LeMahieu + Grandal + maybe somebody like Markakis (to a short term deal)?
Steve Adams
4:50
I don't think they need to add an outfielder if Harper departs. They'd still have Soto, Eaton, Robles and Taylor, which is a nice bunch. Bryce would be the priority, but they should absolutely be looking at 2B, C and SP as well. Lots of work to do for the Nats this winter.

Worth bearing in mind that if they DO re-sign Bryce, they could move one of their outfielders to help address those other holes.
Tim Tebow
4:50
Do you think I will ever become a MLB All star?
Steve Adams
4:50
I do not.
Damn Orioles Fan
4:50
Should the O's just not spend any money in free agency this year? What's it matter going from a 50-win team to a 60-win team?
Steve Adams
4:51
I don't love the notion of tanking, as I do like trying to at least field a competent product, but I see what you're saying. The two don't need to be exclusive, though. If the market collapses for someone where they don't have a great option -- maybe DJ LeMahieu is sitting there in Feb. for some reason and will take a one-year deal -- why not add the guy, let him give the fans a decent player to watch for 3 months, then try to trade him in July?
Yasiel Puig
4:52
My bff is now the reds hitting coach.  Think I can get traded to the Queen City?
Steve Adams
4:52
I don't think the Reds hiring Turner Ward makes them any likelier to trade for Puig. If he were a free agent, maybe that connection would give them a modest leg up, but even in those cases, the connections are more narrative than reality.
Meat Puppets
4:53
"I think you're of the mind that a player has to do a lot more than is necessary to justify a $30MM annual salary" The more that I reflect upon this quote from above, the more absurd it appears to be. No offense, of course.
Steve Adams
4:54
And 20 years ago people would've said that about a player earning a $12-15MM salary. It is what it is. Baseball is loaded with more money than ever -- give the money to the players and stop worrying about if they're "worth" that kind of cash. A $30MM player in today's game just isn't that outrageous, nor should it be, when the alternative is the rich old guy sitting in the box further lining his pockets.
Mark
4:54
Who will get more money this offseason Manny or Harper?
Steve Adams
4:54
Bryce gets my vote
4:55
Bigger contract?
Bryce Harper (81.6% | 480 votes)
 
Manny Machado (18.4% | 108 votes)
 
Total Votes: 588
Tomahawk Chop
4:55
The braves pay up of one big free agent this winter. Who's it gonna be?
Steve Adams
4:55
I don't think they'll do that. Trade is likelier if we're looking at a big name plausibly being added to the Atlanta roster.
David Johnson
4:56
Corbin, Harvey, Descaflani, Castillo, Gray.  Is this a realistic rotation or no?
Steve Adams
4:57
I really don't think Reds fans should get excited about the possibility of Patrick Corbin signing there. He's going to be connected to 20-some teams between now and when he signs, and most of them didn't lose 93 games while playing their home games in a bandbox.

Harvey is certainly possible, yes. Gray ... Sonny? Sure. Jon? I don't think he'll be moved, though he'd be a really interesting trade candidate if he did go elsewhere.
RedsFred
4:57
Your twin Jeff thought we lost "100+" just few hours ago. At leSt yoecked his math
Steve Adams
4:58
Nope. That was me. I admitted in the comments that I inexplicably looked at the Royals record instead of the Reds'. It doesn't change my general point.
John
4:58
Wil Myers and Hunter Renfroe for Evan Longoria?
Steve Adams
5:01
I don't think the Padres are getting enough out of the deal. They're not saving much money, even with the Rays being responsible for part of Longo's remaining money. I don't think Renfroe has tons of value, especially not with the logjam there, but it seems like if they're going to dump Myers they need to save more money and/or not part with a controllable OF -- even if it's one whose OBP skills look poor.
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