JotCast | Chat With MLBTR's Steve Adams: 12/19/19

Chat With MLBTR's Steve Adams: 12/19/19

Steve Adams

2:16

As we all process the news that Cheslor Cuthbert is now a member of the White Sox, let us commence a chat.

Louis

2:17

Do you think a swap of Lindor for Bryant would ever work out?

Steve Adams

2:17

It wouldn't solve anything payroll-wise for either team, and Lindor is a better overall player, so there's little sense for the Indians to do that.

Osi

2:18

I hear many teams in Mike clevenger. I hope my braves get involved

Steve Adams

2:18

I went out of my way in that post to stress that teams calling on Clevinger is very different from the Indians shopping/looking to move Clevinger. And once you saw the probable price tag on what the Braves (or any team) would have to give, I assume you'd be less excited.

A quality name

2:19

What are the chances you think the Rangers actually have in getting Castellanos

Steve Adams

2:20

If the rest of his market is really the Cubs, who won't pay to sign him, and the Giants, who are rebuilding without broadcasting "WE'RE REBUILDING," then I'd say they're pretty dang good. I imagine the Reds and some others are still involved, but the Rangers look like a good fit right now.

WhiteSoxFan33

2:20

Is Cuthbert on a Majors deal or Minors? Not gonna lie I'll be upset if this forces Mendick back down to AAA

Steve Adams

2:20

I'll be stunned if it's not a minor league deal

Conner

2:21

LETS GET LINDOR TO CINCY

Steve Adams

2:21

There'll be buckets upon buckets of Lindor/Clevinger rumors over the next several weeks/months. I think they're both with the Indians on Opening Day

Josh Donaldson

2:22

What am I waiting for in choosing the Nats or the Braves??

Steve Adams

2:22

A team to actually offer a fourth year.

Matt

2:23

All these Lindor rumors to Reds making this Reds fan a bit nervous. Yeah, he would be great while there, question is, would it be short term or long term? Not sure I would want to give 3-4 top prospects for 1-2 years of Lindor. Tell me I'm wrong?

Steve Adams

2:25

There aren't really "all these rumors." One reporter, Mark Feinsand, said they've reached out (as have probably half the teams in the league). All of the usual caveats -- unclear if there's traction, others have inquired, etc. -- applied. There's no sense in running wild with one mention of preliminary talks.

But there's not much, prospect-wise, I wouldn't give up for two years of Francisco Lindor.

2:26

Seriously, there are probably a dozen-plus unreported teams who've done just as much work on Lindor as the Reds, Dodgers, etc. But Indians president Chris Antonetti and GM Mike Chernoff have repeatedly said they think he'll open the season in Cleveland. (Note that they never made any such claim regarding Kluber, that I saw)

Kevin

2:27

Where do you see Donaldson signing? And how do the teams that miss out on him respond? (ATL/WAS)

Steve Adams

2:28

I think he'll sign with the Nationals once they make a sound 4-year offer. The Braves just haven't shown a willingness to spend at that level in free agency under Alex Anthopoulos (or really, in general). The Rangers are already reported to be out. The Twins are similar to the Brewers in their aggressive preference for short-term deals -- which is silly right now, to be clear, because this is the time when the flexibility those deals maintain should be leveraged.

Ross

2:28

Do the A’s extend both Semien and Chapman?

Steve Adams

2:29

I doubt they'll extend either. Semien will be one of the top free agents on next year's market and could realistically look to crack $100MM next winter if he repeats (or comes close to repeating) his 2019 production.

Chapman is represented by Boras.

Over/Under

2:30

Corey Kluber pitches 150 innings in 2020

Steve Adams

2:31

I'll take the over. He was only limited by a fluke broken arm -- hit by a comebacker line drive -- and then an oblique strain in 2019. His elbow/shoulder are fine.

YankeesFan1978

2:31

Do you think the Yankees are done shopping, or do you expect them to add more via free agency or by trade?

Steve Adams

2:31

No team is sitting back at this point and thinking "Cool we're done for the winter. Take the next two months off boys."

2:32

Gio Gonzalez to the White Sox -- probably not the lefty Sox fans were hoping for

Shogo

2:32

CHC or AZ?

Steve Adams

2:33

When discussing the possibility of spending money on anyone remotely interesting -- and Shogo Akiyama certainly qualifies -- I basically rule the Cubs out at this point. Tom Ricketts has been crying poor for more than a year, which is objectively hilarious (unless you're a Cubs fan, in which case it is an astonishing amount of bullshit to be asked to swallow)

ESTRADA22

2:34

Padres why not doing a big trade ? A nother los season... Whats your opinion..

Steve Adams

2:34

More than three months until Opening Day

Stearns

2:34

More sensible at this point to trade Hader for solid prospects or MLB ready talent?

Steve Adams

2:34

Most sensible just to hang onto Hader.

2:35

Again -- someone drawing interest or being discussed doesn't mean a team is looking to trade him. I'm sure the Brewers would move him if someone overwhelmed them with MLB-ready talent, but I don't expect that to happen.

Falvine

2:35

What pitching do the Twins target via trade when Eddie Rosario is what they offer?

Steve Adams

2:35

I don't think Eddie Rosario can net them an impact starting pitcher.

2:36

After all the rumors, what are the chances the Pirates stand pat?

Steve Adams

2:36

Pretty clear that this is the apex of both Marte's trade value and the league-wide demand for CF (at a time when the supply of CFs is at a shocking low).

I'll be surprised if he opens the year in Pittsburgh.

EPPLER

2:37

Thinking of signing Teheran and Keuchel would that put us in contention?

Steve Adams

2:38

The Angels should aim higher than that.

Rocky

2:38

Heard any rumors on Billy Hamilton or Scooter Gennett?

Steve Adams

2:38

I doubt either is anyone's Plan A or B (or even C). Both seem like minor league deal guys