JotCast | Chat With MLBTR's Steve Adams: 4/2/18

Chat With MLBTR's Steve Adams: 4/2/18

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redsfan

3:33

i realize you hate the Reds but what do you think of Mahle?

Steve Adams

3:34

Not thinking the Reds are good -- of which I am guilty -- doesn't translate to me hating them. Joey Votto is one of my favorite players on the planet, and I think Luis Castillo is a star in the making.

Mahle had a strong debut and should be in the rotation all season as a serviceable mid- or back-end arm. He's not as good as Castillo, but I think he's in the starting five to stay.

Bryce H.

3:35

Am I really “overrated”?

Steve Adams

3:35

The notion that a 25-year-old with an MVP under his belt and something like 30 career WAR already on his track record can be "overrated" is hilarious to me.

Harper is incredible.

Jay

3:35

Where's Drew Storen?

Steve Adams

3:35

Had Tommy John last September.

3:36

Do I sign Josh Donaldson this offseason to hold down 3B in Atlanta for a couple of years?

Steve Adams

3:37

Anyone who signs JD this winter will be signing him for a lot more than a "couple of years." I know this past FA market was insane, but I can scarcely fathom a scenario where Donaldson remains healthy and only gets two years. If he's healthy, he should be a $100MM+ player, even if he'll be 33 in 2019.

Eric hosmer

3:38

Why did I sign here, is This team good

Steve Adams

3:38

Best (or one of the best) minor league system in the game and they also offered more money than anyone else, which has a way of influencing folks.

Brewers!!!

3:38

Assuming Darvish and Arrieta just wasn't going to happen, do you think this team would be substantially better (far more favorable chances of reaching postseason) had they added Lynn or Cobb?

Steve Adams

3:40

They'd have been better, but looking at what Cobb got -- that contract is utter insanity to me -- I think they were wise to stay away. Re: Lynn, the 1/12 he got was a good deal for the Twins, but I just don't think he's a massive difference-maker, as I've been saying since the deadline last season. If the Brewers think he's a two-win pitcher, or thereabouts, then they may just think he's not enough of an upgrade over giving Woodruff or other internal options 30 starts.

Julian Fernandez

3:40

Since I am a rule 5 pick on the DL for the year, do Giants still have to roster me next year or am I a (permanent) member of the SF org?

Steve Adams

3:40

Rule 5 status will carry over to 2019. He needs to have 90 days on the active roster before he can be optioned without being exposed to waivers.

Reeses Pieces

3:40

How troubling is Piscotty's horrible start to the year?

Steve Adams

3:41

It's like 5 games into the season, so no player's horrible start is troubling -- nor is any player's surprisingly productive line especially meaningful.

Eric

3:42

Twins have over $50 million coming off the books after this year. Some will obviously be spent on arbitration raises and some might go to new deals for Mauer or Dozier, but could the Twins be big spenders this upcoming offseason?

Steve Adams

3:43

They tried to be this offseason with Darvish, and they still wound up spending a fair amount between Reed, LoMo, Lynn, Rodney and Duke. I have to think they'll be open to aggressive attempts in free agency again, but I also think that many free agents still don't see Minneapolis as a highly appealing destination.

Cardinals just placed Gyorko on the DL

Harrison Bader up

Steve Adams

3:43

What happened to Henderson Alvarez

Steve Adams

3:43

He worked out for teams a few weeks ago. I imagine he'll land somewhere on a minor league deal eventually.

If not, could always go back to indy ball. Worked for him in '17 -- got him to the Phils

Adams, Steve

3:43

Has anyone signed Rosenthal? Offered?

Steve Adams

3:44

He's going the Greg Holland route and not signing until he's healthy next offseason.

Orioles

3:44

95 losses?

Steve Adams

3:44

They're not that bad. But they won't contend in the East or for a Wild Card spot, I don't believe.

3:45

Just realized that was a whole lot of Steve Adams variants in a row, ha

Royalsfan

3:45

Why did the Royals claim Abraham Almonte? I thought they were rebuilding

Steve Adams

3:46

Because the outfield depth on their club was awful. I don't really see how adding Almonte deviates from their rebuilding status. They DFA'ed their own Almonte because he, once again, isn't healthy enough to pitch. They'd probably have cut bait on him whenever a player they liked hit the wire.

JAKE

3:46

Machado is traded at the deadline, yes?

Steve Adams

3:47

If the O's aren't contending, he absolutely should be, but I'm not going to pretend to be able to guess whether O's owner Peter Angelos will give Duquette the green light to market him and accept an offer.

Cubs fan

3:48

Can you give me the distilled version of the new International FA rules? Cubs can spend as much as they want on individuals next year but have a hard cap on totals?

Steve Adams

3:49

Correct. They have a $4.9385MM pool in 2018-19. Period kicks off on July 2 as always. They can trade for up to 75% of their original allotment. Can't exceed the cap no matter what, though.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/04/mlb-release-2018-19-internation...

4.9835**

Nats

3:50

What is our glaring weakness?

Steve Adams

3:50

Fifth starter, catcher.

Aaron

3:51

Daniel Hudson is literally Brandon Morrow, right?

Steve Adams

3:51