You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams: 2/24/26
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat
Steve Adams
2:00
Sucks for CLE fans
Coop
2:00
Hey Steve, thanks for the chat! Are there any smoldering embers that could turn into sparks over a Nico Hoerner trade or does it seem to be dead now? I figured it was dead but then I read Fansided saying the Yankees had promising talks with the Cubs recently. Please tell me Cubs are keeping him for the season.
Steve Adams
2:00
Never felt Hoerner was likely to go, given how much he means to the 2026 roster when they're clearly pushing to win now.
I'd be shocked to see him traded this year.
TxDude
2:01
Thoughts on the Rangers offense? I feel like it has to be improved almost by default
Steve Adams
2:03
I don't think it's great, but I agree that it'll be better than last year. Feels like a middle-of-the-pack group to me. Not much faith in Jansen, Smith or Burger providing a ton, and I've begun to sour on Josh Jung.

But Nimmo-Langford-Seager is a really talented trio, and there's just no way Joc is as bad as he was last year
I know Jack
2:03
Would I be way off base to predict Detroit being this yrs Rangers, All Pitch No Hit?
Steve Adams
2:05
I think each of Colt Keith, Riley Greene, Gleyber Torres, Spencer Torkelson, Kerry Carpenter (against righties) and Dillon Dingler can be above-average hitters, and they've got Kevin McGonigle and Max Anderson hustling toward the majors.

So, while I would have liked them to add another bat, I also think you're looking at comfortably better offense than the Rangers got last year
Buster
2:05
DO you think the Giants have done enough for a return to postseason play this year?
Steve Adams
2:05
I do not
2:06
Bullpen is bad. Rotation is exceptionally top-heavy.
Prince
2:06
Which Dbacks hitter is primed to break out this year, Jordan Lawlar, Alek Thomas or Pavin Smith?
Steve Adams
2:06
Give me Lawlar among the three.

I don't think Smith really "needs" a breakout. He kind of is what he is. He can beat up right-handed pitching but needs a platoon partner. He's a useful player, but it sure seems like Arizona fans have other views on him based on these chats, haha
Ludwig’s New Glove
2:07
In all the moves the Braves DIDNT make, I am all the more perplexed at extending Sale. This maddening. Does this move make sense in the absence of no other starting pitching moves?
Steve Adams
2:08
I don't think the lack of additions is especially related to this extension. The Sale deal impacts the 2027 roster.

The Braves, to me, feel like they were bullish on Schwellenbach, Waldrep and some other in-house guys, spent their money elsewhere, and now don't have much financial breathing room to add in the wake of those surgeries.
Twins Fan
2:08
Emmanuel Rodriguez should be on the Twins roster on Opening Day. Agree or disagree?
Steve Adams
2:10
Eh, he's only 22 and has minimal AAA experience, where he K'ed at a 32% clip. He's always going to K a lot, which is fine, because he walks SO much and has so much power, but I'd want to see him at least curb the K's a bit in AAA.

I imagine you're looking at Wallner in one OF corner. They should have non-tendered Trevor Larnach, though maybe they can trade him to a team seeking a LH OF (hi Astros!) and then give a look to Alan Roden in LF while Rodriguez keeps working in St. Paul.

Regardless, his MLB debut will be this year as long as he's healthy (which is no small caveat for Rodriguez)
Sam_Horn_Legendary_Slugger
2:10
Grichuk signing anywhere? Royals make sense?
Steve Adams
2:12
Think they view that as Lane Thomas' role. I could see the Yankees or Cardinals. Twins have like 100 LH OFs and don't really have someone filling the role Bader did last year. (I guess Austin Martin, kind of)
Josh E
2:12
Do you think the padres are getting ready to trade Sheets?  Seems they have alot of guys that can do the first base/dh/corner outfield (in a pinch) job and Sheets might be the only one with any trade value.  If so, what are they trading for?  Pitching??
Steve Adams
2:13
I don't really think that, no. He's easily their best LHH option at first base and really one of the only three LHH bats on whom they can rely for above-average production. You hope you get that from Song, but no way to know yet.
2:15
Alright, I've got to wrap up for the week. I'm on X @Adams_Steve and Bluesky @adams-steve.bsky.social for more questions.

If you want more opinions and analysis from the MLBTR staff, you can sign up for our Trade Rumors Front Office subscription package, which removes ads, gives you access to a pair of subscriber-only chats each week, to Tim's weekly mailbag, to multiple weekly articles from Anthony and me, plus our Contract Tracker, agency database, GM database and more.

Have a great week, everyone!
Connecting…