JotCast | Chat With MLBTR's Steve Adams: 3/5/19

Steve Adams

3:19

Harper-mania is finally over, though still plenty of names out there. And real baseball will be here in just over three weeks. Lots to talk about so let's chat!

Mike

3:20

How are the Nats talking to Kimbrel But also not willing to go over luxury tax? The two seem pretty mutually exclusive

Steve Adams

3:20

My assumption is that the front office wants him and has discussed parameters in the event that ownership gives the green light to exceed the luxury tax line.

Guest

3:20

1 year 12 million for Kimbrel from the Nats possible?

Steve Adams

3:21

If the price for Kimbrel dropped to 1/12, I think there'd be about 10-12 teams in on that ... at which point, of course, bidding would go higher. I can't see the price dropping that low, no.

Angels

3:22

So the first time, Bryce hinted. Now he straight up did Trout's name.. tampering????

Steve Adams

3:23

He also spent New Year's Eve with Kris Bryant and talked to dozens of others throughout the offseason, I'm sure. People seem to be overreacting/fretting over because of the longstanding Trout/Philly connection.

(minus "over")

Ben

3:24

Top 3 free agents left not named Dallas or Craing? And where do you think they'll go?

Steve Adams

3:28

Sorry -- back end of the chat software froze on me there

Think this is working now

Gio Gonzalez, Martin Maldonado and then probably one of the remaining relievers (Sipp, Madson) ... maybe CarGo, I guess, but he hasn't been that good in awhile.

I can see Gio as a one-year option for a team that suffers a rotation injury in the next few days. Maldonado to KC makes tons of sense with Perez going down, though the Mariners like Maldonado as well.

At this point there aren't THAT many clear fits for some of the guys who are left -- at least not to the extent of something like Maldonado/KC where a team just lost its starter at a scarce position.

There are those who call me Tim

3:28

I know spring doesn't count but could Lewis Brinson be the Marlins all star this year?

Steve Adams

3:29

He was considered among the 25 best prospects or so in the game for awhile and is still only 24. It'd be nuts to call him a bust after one bad season -- though that is, of course, everyone's reaction in a tiresome age of social media HAWT TAKES.

Lunch Break

3:29

Do the Twins extend Odorizzi or Gibson?

Steve Adams

3:30

Gibson seems likelier, as he's been there longer and is just plain better.

Robbie Baseball

3:30

Who should be more worried about the Clay Bucholz signing - Clayton Richard or Ryan Borucki?

Steve Adams

3:31

I guess Borucki should be more worried, because if Buchholz takes his rotation spot, he's going to the minors. If Buchholz takes Richard's spot, Richard will just go to the 'pen.

Borucki should get a chance after a solid effort in '18.

hi!

3:32

Do you think JD Martinez is a top 5 fantasy draft pick?

Steve Adams

3:33

He's on the borderline there -- I certainly wouldn't let his bat get much further than the back half of the first round. But I'd also say Betts, Trout and Arenado are pretty clearly ahead of him, and if you wanted to argue for any of Scherzer, Jose Ramirez, Bregman and a few others, I wouldn't put up much of a fight.

Nick N

3:33

Ya' think a 5 year and $150 million offer would get Goldschmidt immediate attention (to sign in-season with the Cardinals)?

Steve Adams

3:34

It would, but you don't see many teams lining up to sign guys through their age-36 seasons right now, and I don't think they'd offer it.

Ryan

3:34

If the news does not come back good on Severino do the Yankees look at Dallas or Gio?

Steve Adams

3:35

If they found out Severino was going to be down for a couple of months or even worse, needed surgery, yeah I think they'd at least look into it.

Jeff

3:36

Just what in the Hell are the Braves doing?

Steve Adams

3:36

Not nearly enough, from my vantage point. I don't really understand why they haven't upgraded their rotation or bullpen, nor is it clear why a low-upside Markakis reunion was the preferred option in right field. I think their offseason has been weak and fans are right to be irritated.

3:36

Which platform do you use for Fantasy baseball?

Steve Adams

3:36

I play on both Yahoo and ESPN

Pete

3:37

Tribe needs outfielders, are they basement bargain shopping or what ?

Steve Adams

3:38

CarGo, Jones, Span ... some decent options out there. I imagine the Indians, supposedly being pressed for cash, will just see which one's willing to take the most substantial lowball offer and add one of the three.

Brazilian BB

3:38

It's a weird market: Terrence gore got a major league deal, Jose Iglesias didn't

Steve Adams

3:40

Gore getting a MLB deal was nuts; Iglesias having to settle for a minor league deal might be even crazier, though. This offseason and last have obviously been wildly unpredictable in terms of free agency's middle class.

I'll find it even sillier if Maldonado, one of the game's five or so best defensive catchers, can't find a guaranteed deal. He's better than almost every team's backup catcher.

sighern

3:41

Who's the MOST IMPROVED team in the NL East?

Steve Adams

3:41

Most improved team in the NL East?

Nationals (7.1% | 49 votes)

Mets (15.2% | 105 votes)

Phillies (75.3% | 519 votes)

Braves (2.3% | 16 votes)

Total Votes: 689

Phillies get my vote -- which seems to be the popular opinion here.

Angello

3:43

Would you say the Braves have had the worst offseason of all five NL East teams?

Steve Adams

3:43

I wouldn't say it's been worse than the Marlins. I liked the Donaldson addition.

Bob

3:43

Michael A Taylor for Will Smith-- a trade which helps both teams ?

Steve Adams

3:43

I think the Giants would prefer an outfielder with more control than Taylor (and certainly one who didn't have a disastrous 2018 season)

Dallas

3:44

If Keuchel signs this week do you expect he'd be ready to go anytime in April?

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