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Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams: 4/19/22
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Sean Newcombe
2:56
Where should I go ?
Steve Adams
2:57
It's not up to him. Braves will try to trade him -- which hasn't worked in the past -- and failing that, he'll land on waivers.

Given the cheap salary and two years of control beyond 2022, I think a team would claim him and try to correct things. It's easy enough to make a case for any team claiming him.
Mark
2:58
What will the Rangers do with there pitching? Looks horrible right now?
Steve Adams
2:59
It didn't look good on paper coming into the season, either. I don't think anyone should be surprised by this. Outside of Jon Gray, it's a bunch of stopgaps until Jack Leiter and Cole Winn are ready for the big leagues and Jose Leclerc and Jonathan Hernandez are back from Tommy John surgery to help save the bullpen.
3:00
I would imagine the Rangers, who have one of the best waiver positions in MLB, will be active on the waiver front over the first month or more while they try to evaluate in-house guys and wait on Leclerc/Hernandez.
Andrew Heaney
3:01
Would you also consider my strong start no fluke?
Steve Adams
3:04
Huge starts are more meaningful when the player in question is exhibiting a tangible change in skill set. In Heaney's case, he's gone from four-seamer, changeup, curveball to four-seam and slider only, and the slider looks outstanding. He's throwing it as much as his fastball. I'm not picking him as a Cy Young candidate or anything, but as an above-average starter, absolutely.

Heaney's K-BB% in the past has always been strong. I liked him as a bounceback candidate and wasn't particularly surprised to see him get a strong deal -- or to have strong interest. I know multiple teams offered him a deal right in line with what he got in Los Angeles. A lot of people wanted him.
For whom the bell tolls
3:04
Josh Bell - breakout year?  Right in time for free agency!
Steve Adams
3:05
Bell was awful in April 2021 then hit .279/.364/.501 over his next 508 plate appearances.
His hot start is mostly just a continuation of that. Well timed indeed, but he's been an above-average hitter every season of his career except 2020.
Michael
3:06
do you think posey will be elected to hof?  If so will he be a first ballot or will take a few years?
Steve Adams
3:06
I do think he will, and I think he should.
Bucs
3:07
O'Neil Cruz will be up in May... Right?
Steve Adams
3:08
Wouldn't be surprised if the Pirates wait until later in the summer, both to avoid Super Two status and to ensure he doesn't win Rookie of the Year (which would grant him a full year of service regardless of when he was called up). He's out to a poor start in AAA, so I'm sure they'll use that to justify it (while simultaneously ignoring that his 2021 performance and spring production probably should've earned him a spot on the Opening Day roster)
Andres Muñoz
3:10
Outside of one HR given up to Buxton, he's been off to a good start. The slider looks like it's really improved and is now a legit weapon. Do you buy his good start and could he take over the closer role this year?
Steve Adams
3:10
Munoz is filthy. Sure I could see him closing at some point, be it 2022 or sometime down the road.
3:12
Rockies just extended Kyle Freeland, per Jeff Passan. Really working hard to keep a group that has consistently underperformed together.
Guest
3:13
Manny Machado is only 29 and is at 46 bWAR for his career. Will he be a Hall of Famer?
Steve Adams
3:13
I don't see any reason right now to think he won't be.
Kelly cheez
3:14
Who’s one free agent, that you’re still surprised hasn’t signed with a club yet, other than Conforto?
Steve Adams
3:14
Yusmeiro Petit and, until yesterday, Tony Watson.
OttoBTeaching
3:14
If you are ATL, are you more concerned about the back of your rotation or the bottom of your batting order?
Steve Adams
3:15
I wasn't a fan of either coming into the season, but the Braves have some young arms who could step up and help. Dickerson, Duvall, Rosario, Pina, Arcia, Heredia was not an appealing group for me and it's hard to replace that many bats in-house during the season.
3:18
Ok, I've got to wrap up for the week. I'm on Twitter @Adams_Steve for more questions if you're so inclined.

Sorry for all the questions I couldn't get to. If you're interested, we run weekly exclusive chats and mailbags for members of our Trade Rumors Front Office package, plus weekly email articles from Anthony Franco and me, exclusive fantasy baseball advice from Brad Johnson, autograph giveaways and more. It's a few dollars a month of $30/year, but we always appreciate the support:

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Thanks for chatting! I'll do another one next Tuesday, 2pm CT. Enjoy your week!
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