You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams: 12/12/23
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Thiccy Minaj
1:20
How do the Braves improve the rotation?  Any chance at Yamamoto?
Steve Adams
1:23
The Braves continue to demonstrate over and over that they have minimal appetite for the type of long-term free agent deal that Yamamoto will command. If there's anyone to make an exception for, it's the 25-year-old FA ace, but I don't think it'll happen.

Also, their convoluted sequence of Kelenic/Stassi/Fletcher trades pushed them into the second luxury tier, so any deal to which they sign Yamamoto would be taxed at an extra 42% under the CBT.

Side note: I do not understand the Braves' sequence of trades, which added about $31MM to the payroll all for the sake of swapping out Nicky Lopez for a worse/more expensive version of the same skill set (David Fletcher) and rolling the dice on Kelenic.

I wrote about that at far greater length for Trade Rumors Front Office subscribers today (cheap plug)
pete s
1:23
Does KC have a legit shot at Strohman, Giolito, Lugo or Flaherty?
Steve Adams
1:24
I don't see why not. They have money to spend, and I think Lugo/Flaherty are particularly in their financial wheelhouse.
COP
1:24
Best Free Agent bat left and why
Steve Adams
1:25
Cody Bellinger was the "best" FA bat coming into the offseason (non-Ohtani division) and still is. Teoscar Hernandez, Matt Chapman, J.D. Martinez, Justin Turner are all still out there, too.

(I say "best" for Bellinger because he has the best FA case given his defensive value, age, etc. If you wanted to say you think JDM will out-hit him in 2024 alone, I could buy that, but Bellinger should be the better all-around value ... albeit on a much longer and more lucrative overall contract)
Kris
1:26
What do you see being the orioles most probable starting pitching addition?
Steve Adams
1:27
A trade pickup -- Cease makes more sense to me than the one-year guys (e.g. Bieber, Glasnow, Burnes). O's could also get a little cute and add someone who's not widely viewed as a lock to move. Kopech, Luzardo/Cabrera/Braxton, etc.
Corey
1:28
Max fried going to see a contract offer before spring or be a free agent next year
Steve Adams
1:28
At this point I expect him to become a free agent. The Braves and Fried have talked extension plenty, but he's still unsigned. A healthy Fried could get into Rodon/Nola territory or even higher, depending on how 2024 goes. I don't think the Braves are willing to go to those lengths.
Cleve
1:29
The guardians signing rotation depth mean a Bieber trade is imminent?
Steve Adams
1:30
Think it just means several teams probably wanted Lively on a minor league deal, and Cleveland shrugged and said "we'll put you on the 40-man," recognizing both the possibility of a Bieber trade and the fact that Bieber and McKenzie both had significant injury troubles last year, and their depth could use some padding
Who says no?
1:30
The Yankees need to free up money. The Angels need a DH. Tylor Anderson and Jose Suarez for Stanton?
Steve Adams
1:31
I think the answer to the overwhelming majority of "who says no" scenarios (this one included) that see Stanton being traded somewhere can be answered by saying "the team acquiring Stanton"
Connor💪🏼
1:31
Do Mets add infield help with Mauricio news?
Steve Adams
1:32
Mauricio news sucks. He's a fun young player. They still have Baty and Vientos to compete for 3B time, and Joey Wendle has plenty of experience there. I can see them maybe adding a depth option or something that they might not have pursued before, but nothing major. Minor league deal type of situation -- maybe someone who can bounce around to a few different spots.
Harry
1:33
Does Jonathan India have any positive value at all? He's below league average with bat and glove right?
Steve Adams
1:34
He has value, sure, but not to the extent that he'd command a notable rotation upgrade for the Reds on his own, I don't think. As you said, he's been a league-average hitter for two years now and isn't a great defender. He's also into arbitration and "down" to three years of club control.

The value was quite high after the ROY win, but he's taken some steps back since.
John
1:35
Is Hader still in play for the Orioles?
Steve Adams
1:35
Nothing in Mike Elias' history or in the history of ownership since John Angelos took over for his father as control person suggests the O's would spend at that level
Scott A
1:35
will the Padres go after Rhys Hopkins or CJ Cron to fill in a first base spot and move Croenworth and his salary?
Steve Adams
1:36
You make moving Cronenworth sound much easier than I think it'll be in reality
If they could get a Cronenworth taker, sure I think Hoskins would be in play. But that's not an easy task.
Thunder Dan
1:36
Morel for Clase?
Steve Adams
1:38
I'm not as big on Morel as a lot of Cubs fans. Don't like the lack of contact and marginal OBPs, particularly given that he's not a standout defender at any one position. I'm sure there are teams that like him a good bit more than me, but I'd rather have Clase on his contract, even with last year's red flags. Doesn't mean the Guardians agree, but that's my view.
Rickey
1:38
Nats say they want a power hitting corner OF or 1b. What are the odds they come away with Hoskins/Soler/someone else? And if you're Mike Rizzo, how much of an investment in starting pitching are you ready to make? Possible candidates?
Steve Adams
1:39
Their recent free-agent activity, this winter included, just hasn't been in that tier. Dom Smith, Nick Senzel, Trevor Williams. I'd be surprised if they signed Hoskins or Soler -- both because I don't see them spending to that extent on guys already in their 30s, and because Hoskins/Soler will probably have offers from win-now teams.
1:40
I like the Nats as a fit for someone like Jung Hoo Lee, but we haven't seen any meaningful connection between them yet.
Upset Brewers and All MLB Fan
1:40
what do you think about ohtani,
Steve Adams
1:40
Scroll to the top of the chat
Jables
1:41
Michael Busch and Emmet Sheehan for Glasgow - who says no?
Steve Adams
1:41
Too much for one year of Glasnow, for me
BJ
1:42
Do the Giants have the means and the will to sign any noteworthy free agent?
Steve Adams
1:42
Yup and yup. I'll be surprised if they don't come away with one of Yamamoto, Bellinger, Chapman, etc. -- the pressure would really be on them to make a meaningful trade if they strike out at the top of the FA market
Rich
1:43
Sorry, just saw comment pending,  first time here, thought it was live.
Steve Adams
1:43
It's live! But there's more than 1200 people asking questions, haha. I'll get to as many as I can but it's obviously only a tiny portion.
Wyatt Langford
1:43
What are the odds I make the team out of spring training?
Steve Adams
1:44
I know the Rangers said they're open to it but I'd still be surprised if it happened. He tore through AA and AAA, but it was a combined 17 games. Wouldn't be the fastest hitter from the '23 draft  to reach the Majors though, after the Angels' move with Schanuel
Fire Ryan Spillbourghs
1:45
What is more likely? Dodgers trading for Cease or Burnes?
Steve Adams
1:45
I think Cease is likelier to be traded in general, so that one
Connecting…