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Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams: 2/4/22
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Steve Adams
12:06
I think one of the three -- if not two of them -- is going.
B-rad
12:06
Does Katel Marte with a salary dump of Bumgarner to the Braves for a lesser prospect package intrigue you?
Steve Adams
12:06
It would not intrigue the D-backs, so there's little point in setting your hopes on it.
Aaron
12:07
With the work stoppage, it's hard to think up new questions. Favorite reCAPTCHA image challenge? For me, I'd say tractor; It's hard to miss a tractor.
Steve Adams
12:07
Stoplights and crosswalks all the way
#1 Angels fan
12:07
Is there any way the Angels could get Montas or Castillo without giving up Marsh or Adell?
Steve Adams
12:08
Sure, but you probably wouldn't be super excited to give up Detmers or Patrick Sandoval, I'm assuming.
Guest
12:09
Being left handed do you think Max Fried can be the next Tom Glavine?
Steve Adams
12:10
I think the criteria there is a bit more extensive than "pitch left-handed and wear a Braves jersey," ha. It's not fair to any young pitcher (or position player) to just comp them to an icon and Hall of Famer. If Austin Riley were a switch-hitter, would we be comparing him to Chipper Jones?

Max Fried is good -- very good. Let him be the first Max Fried rather than the "next" anyone, and enjoy what he brings to the table.
Rizzo
12:10
Do I go 4 years 80 Million for Schwarber? More if the DH is in play?
Steve Adams
12:11
I don't think the Nats will spend that much on anyone, but I wouldn't be stunned if Schwarbs' contract landed in that general vicinity (even if it's steeper than I feel a team should go)
Tman
12:11
Why is the Commissioner so pro-owner?  He clearly is against the MLBPA.  That doesn't seem in the best interests of baseball.  Shouldn't his job be to be more neutral and focused on growing the game?  He is just a puppet.
Steve Adams
12:11
The owners vote on the commissioner. He is representing their interests.
Royals
12:12
Any chance they trade Mondesi or are they Royals just going to stay pat with some minor league relief pitching or depth pieces?
Steve Adams
12:14
I can see some long-shot scenarios where they make Mondesi available. Dayton Moore spoke walked back some of those "we can't count on him as an everyday player" from last summer, but just looking at things on paper, Mondesi is a free agent in two years and the Royals could go Merrifield (2B), Lopez (SS), Witt Jr. (3B) around the infield (with Pratto taking 1B).

Maybe they like the idea of Mondi playing a super-utility role and using that to keep him fresher/healthier... target 100-110 games rather than trotting him out everyday. But if you're the Yankees, Astros, Twins, Phillies, etc. and have an opening at SS, you're going to call and see what it would take.
Thomas
12:14
Who needs Willson Contreras and what will they need to give up to get him from the Cubs?
Steve Adams
12:18
Giants are my favorite fit there. Give them an immediate starter to replace Posey, help them ease Joey Bart into things. Scott Harris (their GM) came from the Cubs' FO, and the Cubs did a lot of homework on the Giants' system in last summer's Bryant talks.

I think Cubs fans would (or will, as I do think he'll be traded) generally be a bit discouraged by the return on Contreras. I don't imagine him netting anyone from a team's very best prospects. It's one year of him. Probably looking at a couple of mid-tier guys who'll deepen the system but not completely overhaul the top end of it.
No Shame
12:18
Following the end of the lockout, how quickly do you see free agents starting to sign, and do you expect any high profile free agents to sign in the first week (feeling pressure)?
Steve Adams
12:18
I think trades and free-agent signings will start happening, in droves, within a day or two of lockout ending.
Drought
12:19
How many "big name" players away are the Mariners from contending?
Steve Adams
12:19
I think they're already Wild Card contenders. I fully expect them to sign a notable bat, though (Bryant, Story or Suzuki) and to add another starting pitcher, though.
Troy C
12:20
Who are your Home Run leaders in AL & NL this season?
Steve Adams
12:21
I wouldn't get too cute with my picks. Vlad in the AL, Bryce in the NL. I'd pick Tatis, but the shoulder worries me a bit. Lots of IL potential there.
Abe Fromen
12:22
Is Adam Engel a viable trade candidate for a CF needy team like the Mets or Philies to get back a 2B piece?  Elite defense and an offensive profile that has improved slightly every year.
Steve Adams
12:23
Sure, some teams might look into that. He's also a pretty valuable guy for the White Sox, though, as he's currently projected to log notable time in RF. Even if the Sox add a big-name right fielder (I'll say Conforto, just as an example), Engel is a cheap bat to pick up some ABs against lefties and can help out by spelling Eloy in left field late in games. (Or pinch-running for Abreu, Vaughn, whoever)
Mo - BIG TRADES
12:24
Juan Soto for the Cardinals 3 Top 100 Prospects (Gorman, Liberatore, Walker)
Steve Adams
12:24
If the Nationals were actually going to make Soto available, someone would beat that package for him. They won't make him available, however -- fun as it is to think about.
The Final Boss
12:25
Is there a chance spring training is played with players not on 40 man rosters?
Steve Adams
12:25
Minor league spring training will happen
Joshua
12:26
Any decent fits for Victor Robles out there? Maybe Colorado?
Steve Adams
12:27
Rox are a decent fit there, yeah. Phillies, though you've got the whole intradivision trade angle to consider there. Astros, Guardians, Rangers, Cubs all make sense to me.
Scuba Steve
12:28
Are MLB personnel allowed to communicate with agents during this lockout, to talk deals and potential trades when it's all over? Or is that also not allowed? Just curious what front office and scounting people have been doing this whole time since they're not allowed to talk to players.
Steve Adams
12:29
Negotiations on Major League free agents and on trade talks with other clubs are supposed to be barred. Obviously, there are ways to circumvent that even if the league is tracking communications to the best of its extent.

That said, you still have minor league free agents signing deals. The Dodgers didn't just mail Sam Gaviglio a contract and hope he'd sign it. The D-backs didn't just announce Dan Straily was joining the team and assume he'd show up. So there's some negotiation happening between players/agents at least -- it's just supposed to be confined to minor league free agents.
Guest
12:30
Correa-nice player- but $30m+ for 7-10 years is absurd for his numbers.
Steve Adams
12:31
Defense matters immensely here, as does age. Most free agents aren't signing until they're 30 or 31 years old. Correa will be halfway through a 10-year deal by that point.
12:34
Unsurprisingly, the MLBPA issued a statement declining the league's request for federal mediation.
12:35
"Two months after implementing their lockout, and just two days after committing to Players that a counterproposal would be made, the owners refused to make a counter, and instead requested mediation.

After consultation with our Executive Board, and taking into account a variety of factors, we have declined this request.

The clearest path to a fair and timely agreement is to get back to the table. Players stand ready to negotiate."
Lou
12:35
Royce Lewis for Mackenzie Gore, who says no?
Steve Adams
12:36
Doubt the Twins give up Lewis. Gore is still overflowing with potential, but his stock is down quite a bit. Twins badly need pitching, but that's a hell of a risky prospect to bank on -- particularly when they're parting with a former 1-1 pick who is still pretty well regarded.
Liberatore's Chances
12:37
Does Liberatore crack the rotation for Cards this season? Or, do you see another year in Minors?
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