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Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams: 4/22/25
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Jerome
1:42
Who cares about Triston McKenzie?  That HAS to be one guy asking all those questions
Steve Adams
1:42
When Triston McKenzie was DFA'ed, I think I saw replies on social media for fans of all 29 other teams pleading with their front office to go get him.
So ... a lot of people.
Jack
1:43
Who says no, Arenado for Stroman?
Steve Adams
Bendix
1:44
If Triston McKenzie generates this much interest, I should be shopping the heck out of Edward Cabrera
Steve Adams
1:44
Fan interest does not equal front office interest, haha
Wook
1:44
Could Brady House be the answer to Washington 3b woes?
Steve Adams
1:46
He ca be, and I think he will be! Though I'm not loving the high K% he's shown in his sample of AAA games thus far. Granted, he's still only 21 and will probably never have a plus hit tool, but you'd still like it to be a few ticks lower than the ~30% rate he's shown in his first 70 games
CHISOX FAN
1:47
Should we DFA Vaughn and turn it over to Elko?
Steve Adams
1:50
I thought they should've non-tendered Vaughn in the offseason. At this point, I imagine they're hoping he hits so he can be traded. But if he goes another month or so without turning it around, I'm not sure what the wait is. You have 2300+ plate appearances of Vaughn being basically an average hitter with poor defense at the lowest position on the defensive spectrum.

Then again, I don't think Elko and his annual 30% strikeout rates in the minors are going to be a major improvement. He's only about eight months younger than Vaughn.
Look into your Crystal Ball
1:50
Who will be the biggest name traded at the deadline?
Steve Adams
1:50
Sandy Alcantara
Guest
1:51
Is Logan Evan’s not ready? Was surprised he didn’t get a spot start
Steve Adams
1:52
A spot start today? He pitched in AAA two days ago. I think he'll debut this season. Another good looking arm coming down the pipeline in Seattle.
Lucifer Morningstar
1:52
Is Max Meyer primed for a breakout season?
Steve Adams
1:55
Everything he's doing so far looks good. Velo is back up. Swinging strikes and chases way up. In-zone contact down (though you'd like it a bit lower still).

He's still giving up a lot of hard contact, and some of those K/SwStr numbers are skewed by a huge game against a Reds lineup that has struggled for the most part, but in general I am a Meyer believer. Concerned about durability, since the track record of hard-throwing, 6'0" righty starters isn't great. But stuff-wise and pedigree-wise, yeah, I'm a fan.
Medium Sized Mike
1:56
With Roupp and Birdsong emerging, what are the chances Harrison ends up a Giants trade chip?
Steve Adams
2:02
Harrison is a good example of someone that I feel like fans give up on too quickly. (Not saying you, specifically -- this is a general point.) He came up at 21, has had some modest big league success (4.40 ERA in 159 innings for a 21-22 year old is success, yes) ... but because he didn't hit the ground running as an immediate No. 2 or No. 3 starter, some Giants fans seem ready to move on.

I don't think the Giants would wholly place him off limits, but he's 23 with two minor league option years remaining beyond the current season -- and his value is down from its peak.

Other teams would surely want him, but I'd be reluctant to sell low. Verlander is on a one-year deal. Robbie Ray is signed through 2026 but looks rough (17% walk rate, velo down a bit).

Roupp looks good, but it's four starts. Birdsong is pitching only in relief.

Trading Harrison is more possible than it was two years ago, but the Giants shouldn't be scrambling to find a trade partner or anything.
David Lo Pan
2:02
Is Bubba Chandler going to be on a Paul Skenes level?
Steve Adams
2:03
I wouldn't expect anyone to match what Skenes has done so far. That's not remotely fair to any prospect.
Philly OF
2:03
Any chance Bryce Harper returns to RF?  Or do they not want him throwing with intensity?
Steve Adams
2:04
I don't think in the short-term, but he's said he'd be open to a move back to the OF down the road if the team wants to pursue a long-term 1B. Maybe less compelling a notion now that Vlad signed in Toronto, though.
Preller Jr
2:04
With all the injuries on the Padres, don’t think it’s time to cut loose older players who aren’t producing and see what we have with the younger guys? Gurriel and Heyward aren’t showing much. And the catcher combo has been dismal.
Steve Adams
2:07
In general you just don't see teams cut guys after three shaky weeks. But yeah, Yuli has been brutal and I never really got that signing anyway. It's hard to look at what he's done and feel good about him picking it up.

I'd give Heyward a bit longer leash, I guess.

But in general, I didn't love either signing and think they'd be fine to turn things over to younger players sooner than later (again, especially in Gurriel's case)
Devers & 1B
2:07
Is there a plan in place to get him reps at 1B? Casas is really struggling. Can Devers be a better defensive 1B then he was at 3B?
Steve Adams
2:10
Casas' struggles don't concern me a ton. He's not chasing much more than he typically does. His contact rate in the strike zone is actually up. His hard-hit rate, exit velo and line-drive rate are all in line with last year's marks. His bat speed is still plus.

Obviously a bad stretch, but it's 83 PAs. I think he's a good hitter who's just in a tough spell.

The Sox have said Devers isn't playing the field this year. He's going to DH.
2:12
I've got to wrap this up for the week. I'm on X @Adams_Steve and on Bluesky @adams-steve.bsky.social.

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2:13
Thanks everyone and enjoy the rest of your week!
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