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Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams: 2/3/26
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Steve Adams
1:49
They make a late addition every year, it seems. I don't know that a veteran like Quintana, Tyler Anderson, Patrick Corbin is going to want to head there when they have so many rotation options. Someone like Montgomery, who probably isn't ready for Opening Day anyhow, makes some sense. They'll probably have other injuries by the time he's ready.

Regardless, some form of cheap veteran depth seems fair to predict.
Astros71
1:49
Do you think we will still trade Matthews?
Steve Adams
1:49
I never thought the Astros were going to trade Brice Matthews and wouldn't expect them to do so.
Bobby Z
1:49
What are your thoughts on the Suarez deal? Will this have any real impact for Cincinnati or just another feel-good reunion for the fanbase? That starting rotation won't be around forever!
Steve Adams
1:50
Great price. Hard not to like it. Gives them some cover for Hayes at 3B (hurt a lot) or Stewart at 1B (limited MLB experience). If they're both healthy and hitting (well, as much as Hayes is ever going to hit), then Geno mashes as a DH. Nice deal all around.
1:51
Wouldn't bank on 49 homers again, but 30-35 homers? Sure. Probably a low OBP and obviously negligible defensive value, but he can still be an above-average offensive contributor overall.
Christian Walker
1:51
If O'Hearn is worth 2/29, I'm worth more than 2/10 as you say. My number were near career norms after a brutal start. Expect me to push for 30 homers again, even if I only hit .250
Steve Adams
1:52
Pirates bought ROH's age-32 and 33 seasons. Walker's next two seasons are age-35 and 36.

MLB teams hate paying guys in their mid/late 30s (hence Suarez's one-year deal)
Joe
1:52
If the pirates still don’t contend this year, do you think they considered Trading Skenes next off-season?b
Steve Adams
1:52
No
Maybe by the time Skenes has only one year left, but not anytime soon.
Walter
1:53
Bassitt or Buehler to solidify Cleveland's starting 5?
Steve Adams
1:56
If they're going to spend money, it should be on a bat. But they keep sitting back while bats are flying off the shelves via free agency and trade, so maybe they're just going to be this cheap this year. I don't know, but it's been a brutal offseason for them.

I thought Suarez as a once-a-week sub for Ramirez at third (DH day for him), a platoon partner at 1B for Manzardo and a DH otherwise would've been a great fit, and the 1/15 price point wasn't major. Cleveland would've had to beat that, sure, but feels like something they should've tried to do.

I know he spurned the Pirates on a two-year offer, but Cleveland is coming off a division win. Their park is also terrible for RH power, just like Pittsburgh though, so maybe Geno wouldn't have had interest.

Regardless, the Guards need to do something to improve that lineup.
Canaryville Mike
1:57
watching Edgar Quero I see a good defender. Not sure about the framing, but I can remember numerous times last year him throwing and picking off runners with his arm. What am is missing?
Steve Adams
1:58
Bottom-of-the-barrel framing grades and a 15% caught-stealing rate (with a lighter caught-stealing above average than that even)
1:59
He might get there, or maybe the advent of ABS will nerf some of the concerns about his framing. But he's not great back there.

Arm strength not great either.

We (myself included) often tend to remember the good plays and form an opinion of someone based on that recency bias while forgetting or overlooking some of the negatives.
Fernando tatis
2:01
am I delusional for thinking I’m not gonna be on the padres by the deadline? And if not, who is gonna pursue a deal for me?
Steve Adams
2:01
I don't see him being available, no.
Seth B
2:01
Why is everyone still so intrigued by Buehler?
Steve Adams
2:02
I personally wasn't even intrigued by him last offseason, but I listed him as an "upside" guy because he's relatively young and was good awhile ago.

I think just because he was a former top prospect who had a big few moments in the postseason in '24, primarily.
He was just ... not good .... in 2025.

I'm similarly out on Dustin May, but hey, the Cardinals gave him $12MM. Really, really don't like that deal but let's see what they can do with him.
Little for Littell
2:03
Why the seemingly small interest in Littell? Not the best of numbers post-trade last season but only 30 and plenty of teams could use 185 innings of 3.81 ERA ball
Steve Adams
2:04
He has something like an 18% strikeout rate over the past three seasons and sits 91-92 mph with his fastball. Right or wrong, teams pay for velo and punchouts.
Jack Lazorko
2:04
So is Rendon still on the Angels roster an insurance thing?
Steve Adams
2:04
Perhaps? I'm not entirely sure, but it won't matter soon. Once camp opens he'll go on the 60-day and his 40-man spot will be freed up
Bob Cobb
2:04
Will the Cardinals have an all home grown starting 8 on opening day?
Steve Adams
2:05
Bloom's out here saying he wants to add an OF from outside the organization
John
2:05
Is Jeremiah Jackson going to get a chance to start this year? Or will he be used as a platoon/utility guy? Feel like he’s been written off too soon
Steve Adams
2:08
Probably a utility guy. I don't really buy into his 2025 performance anyhow. Fanned in 27% of his PAs and only got to the .276/.328/.447 line with a huge .365 average on balls in play.

He hit .350 on grounders last year, which would be the highest mark in MLB, despite having only average speed. The only guys close to him were 70 and 80 runners like Brice Turang, Bobby Witt Jr. and Jake Mangum
Jay
2:08
Davis Schneider, Joey Loperfido and Adam Macko for Steven Kwan.  Who says no ?
Steve Adams
2:08
Cleveland. Quickly
2:11
Alright. I've got to call it for the week. I'm on X @Adams_Steve and Bluesky @adams-steve.bsky.social.

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Have a good week, everyone!
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