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Chat With MLBTR's Steve Adams: 4/12/22
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Steve Adams
2:36
As long as he's healthy and productive, he'll opt out, regardless of what he was previously offered. That's the whole reason behind this Twins contract. He wouldn't have signed it without the opt-outs. It's a glorified one-year deal.
2:37
The only way he's playing in Minnesota next year is if he gets hurt, has a terrible season, or if he produces and the Twins say "hell with it" and just sign him to the $300MM+ deal he wants.
2:38
Lots of questions about Justin Upton, who has been worth exactly 0 WAR over the past three seasons while batting .211/.299/.414 with zero defensive value.
2:41
He'll sign somewhere if he wants to keep playing, and sure the Twins and Reds are among the teams who make a modicum of sense as an on-paper fit. But I don't see why the Reds would push Pham aside for someone who's been less productive in recent years -- particularly after paying Pham -- and he'd be at best a bench option in Minnesota.

I can see being a little optimistic about the exit velo and hard-hit rate, but Justin Upton isn't going to go back to being 2017 Justin Upton at this point.
Ghost of Klentak
2:41
how long before Dombrowski is forced to try to get "SOME" defense on the field for us?
Steve Adams
2:42
The Phillies have ignored defense for like a decade, spanning multiple front office regimes.
Blue in the Lou
2:43
Any future for Taylor Trammell?  No room in Seattle, and on his third organization.
Steve Adams
2:44
I agree that there doesn't appear to be a huge path to playing time for him in Seattle, but he's 24 and has played all of 74 games in AAA so far.
2:45
Definitely would not say he doesn't have a future SOMEWHERE. And with Haniger up for free agency at season's end, it's not impossible that it still ends up being in Seattle. Depends on Rodriguez, Kelenic, Lewis, etc.
2:46
Mets just put Taijuan Walker on the IL due to bursitis in his right shoulder.
Hedges
2:46
MJ Melendez or Shea Langeliers seem like good but blocked young catchers the Cubs should be targeting.  Neither the Royals nor A's have a need for Willson Contreras but who else would be a big league match to either team for either catcher?
Steve Adams
2:50
I don't think the Royals will move Melendez; I'd expect it's likelier he'll be worked in at catcher, DH, 1B, etc. and kind of share time with Perez and Pratto in that regard. The Royals have even worked him at out at 3B a little, I believe.

I'd also expect the A's to hang onto Langeliers and eventually look at moving Sean Murphy. Murphy will earn an actual MLB salary through arbitration next winter, after all. Murphy would be a reasonable enough for the Cubs, though, and he's controlled three years beyond 2022.
Guest
2:50
The Brewers look lost.  I know the season is young but do you see them making an early season trade to bring in a bat to anchor the lineup?
Steve Adams
2:51
I've had various iterations of this question about the Brewers, Mariners, Dodgers, Yankees ..... it's not even a week of games. No team is going to panic and make a blockbuster deal to bring in a marquee bat (none of which are likely even available right now).
Guest
2:53
Does the shortened Spring Training benefit Pitchers or Position Players in the early part of the season?
Steve Adams
2:54
Generally speaking, we're seeing a lot of arms that aren't built up yet, which leads to excess of short starts and a pretty heavy usage of the bullpen -- oftentimes meaning teams are using their fifth, sixth, seventh-best relievers early. Better for the hitters.
Rally Monkey
2:54
Is Kwon dark horse ROY candidate?
Steve Adams
2:56
FanGraphs ranked Kwan 58th among MLB prospects heading into the season after he hit .328/.407/.527 between AA and AAA last year. I don't think he was a huge dark horse guy heading into the year, and he definitely isn't now.
Farhandrew Zaidman
2:56
Do you have any response to Steven Souza’s allegation that “over half the league” is/was cheating and the Astros were scapegoated?
Steve Adams
2:57
Souza is far from the first player to suggest that elaborate cheating schemes were not unique to Houston.
Chris
2:57
Do you like some of the new rule changes?
Steve Adams
3:00
I grew up watching mostly AL ball (although plenty of NL ball as well, with a Chicago-born dad who still cheers for the Cubs). Universal DH is beyond welcome for me. I don't want to watch pitchers hit, and there's more strategy in baseball than ever before, so I don't care that it removes the double-switch component. I think when people say that it "eliminates strategy" they're really just upset that it eliminates the age-old "should've stuck with this pitcher!" or "should've pulled him/pinch-hit for him!" second-guessing of managers that many fans have loved their whole lives.

But we have openers, insane defensive shifts, constantly shifting lineup construction, larger rosters than ever, etc. -- maybe those fans don't like more modern versions of strategy, but the game is as strategic as ever, if not more.
Short answer: Yay DH
Tim
3:01
What does the tigers outfield look like when Riley greene returns?    4 OFers only 3 spots.
Steve Adams
3:02
Can't assume everyone will be healthy. If they are, it'll just be more matchup-based. They'll still find at-bats for Grossman, Meadows, Baddoo, Greene.
Jimmy flintwhistle
3:02
I found the Rogers for Paddack deal absurd…paddacks elbow gonna blow. Am I the only one?
Steve Adams
3:03
I'll take the three years of a controllable starter and two of a solid reliever in exchange for one of Rogers, who was injured himself last year. I get why the Padres made the deal, but Rooker doesn't do much for me and I'd prefer to gamble on Paddack's health/Pagan bouncing back.
Ghost runner
3:04
Steve this is not baseball.
Steve Adams
3:04
Yeah, I strongly dislike the extra-inning runner.
3:08
Ok, I have to wrap up for the week. I'm on Twitter @Adams_Steve for more questions if you like.

Sorry for all of the questions I couldn't get to. For those interested, we do offer a monthly subscription that has exclusive chats on Fridays, plus a weekly email mailbag from Tim, weekly email articles from Anthony and myself, exclusive fantasy baseball advice from Brad, card/autograph giveaways and more. It does cost a few dollars a month, but we always appreciate the support.

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Thanks for chatting and have a great week!
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