JotCast | Chat With MLBTR's Steve Adams: 5/22/18

Chat With MLBTR's Steve Adams: 5/22/18

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Steve Adams

3:58

Because they spent too much money to add three pitchers who weren't very good last year to an already-bad starting rotation.

Clint

3:58

When's Willie Calhoun coming ?

Steve Adams

3:59

He's not even hitting in Triple-A. I mean, I guess he's had a little hot streak for a few days here, but his overall body of work there isn't impressive. There's no reason to rush him in what's already a lost season.

Bryce Harper

3:59

If I continue to hit .230 will I still get the richest contract ever?

Steve Adams

4:00

He's walking at a 21% pace and has the second-best power output of his career (.301 ISO). And he's still only 25. Teams aren't going to care about the average, and he's not going to keep hitting .230 anyhow.

Jon Daniels

4:00

What could I acquire realistically from Yankees for Hamels?

Steve Adams

4:01

Depends entirely on how much of the contract you're eating. Also depends on how much Hamels holds them hostage in negotiations. He can block a trade to the Yankees, meaning he'll probably want next year's option exercised in advance. The Yankees will say they're not willing to part with as much because of all that money he's owed ($44MM from 2018-19), and it'll impact negotiations. I'm not sure he's the best target for the Yankees anyhow, given his home run woes in '18

Stubby

4:01

Does Rusney Castillo deserve another chance at the majors?

Steve Adams

4:03

Maybe, but he won't get one. He's not counting against their luxury tax right now because of how the previous CBA was structured when he was dropped from the 40-man roster, so there's no way they'll bring him back up. And another team would have to be willing to take on all that money in order to get him off Boston's books via a trade, which they of course won't do. He's in Triple-A purgatory.

Bryce

4:03

What's going on with Soler?

Steve Adams

4:04

He just seems legitimately better. Contact rate on pitches in the zone is way up, hard contact way up, pulling the ball more, etc.

4:05

He's still hitting it on the ground way too much, and his BABIP is going to come way down, but I'm buying that he's an above-average hitter they can rely upon as a DH at the very least.

Don

4:05

Chances Hader gets Cy Young if he maintains this pace? Granted Scherzer has been ridiculously good, even for him.

Steve Adams

4:05

He'll get some love, though as incredible as Hader has been, it's really hard to see him maintaining a pace where he K's like 58% of the hitters he faces.

Cesar

4:06

The Mariners need an infielder with the loss of Robbie Cano and now Dee Gordon is headed to the DL. Why are they not on the phone with the Padres yet?

Steve Adams

4:07

Yeah I like the fit very much. Spangenberg or Asuaje would be a nice get for them, though perhaps the Padres don't want to move either just yet given the remaining club control and, presumably, a lack of other clubs also inquiring to drive up the price

manny machado

4:07

why is bryce harper still talked about getting the largest contract ever? I am a better player at a more valuable position.

Steve Adams

4:08

They'll both break Stanton's record this offseason, but Harper has the better track record at the plate by virtually any measure, though obviously Machado is having the better year in 2018 so far.

Machado also has multiple knee surgeries already on his record.

PATigersFan

4:08

"The Detroit Tigers, with the first selection in the Rule 4 Amateur draft, select " ______________________________ ??

Steve Adams

4:08

No reason to believe it's anyone other than Casey Mize for now.

4:08

When will Tigers trade Liriano, and who gets him?

Steve Adams

4:09

I'm sure they will, but there's no great way of knowing right now. Anthony Fenech with the Freep linked the Red Sox to him yesterday, but there'll be multiple clubs poking around by the time Liriano is moved.

Twins33

4:09

If the Twins fall out of it, what do you see Brian Dozier going for? A top 5 organization prospect with a throw in?

Steve Adams

4:09

Don't think they'll fall out to the point where they'd consider moving him, but something along those lines is reasonable.

Phil Hughes

4:09

Now what?

Steve Adams

4:10

Feel bad for Hughes, who's worked his ass off and tried to completely reinvent himself with different pitch selections on multiple occasions now. But undergoing one TOS surgery is a killer for most pitchers, and he's now had TOS in both 2016 and 2017. Not optimistic.

Nick

4:10

Gennett to Mariners?

Steve Adams

4:11

Probably a cleaner fit than one of the Padres' infielders just because Gennett is more expensive and has less team control remaining.

Cory

4:11

When do you think we see Vlad Jr.?

Steve Adams

4:13

I was saying later this summer as recently as two weeks ago, but given his continued dominance and the persistent futility of Morales, I feel like the issue could be forced sooner than that. But it's also reasonable that the Jays don't want to play him at DH regularly. Perhaps they'll talk to Donaldson about seeing more time at SS and 1B

Chris

4:13

Is Mikolas a FA after 2019 or is he a super 2?

Steve Adams

4:14

He wouldn't be a Super Two even if he remained under club control via arbitration. I believe he'll be a free agent, but I suppose that's worth clarifying to be sure. I'll look into that this week.

Diceman

4:14

Next Reds Manager?

Steve Adams

4:15

I have a feeling their "exhaustive, comprehensive" search will lead them to the former Manager of the Year they hired as a scout this offseason (John Farrell), further shining a light on the farce that some of these searches are. I'll happily admit to being wrong on that one if that proves to be the case.

michael kopech

4:15

Why am i not up yet? The white sox obviously need my help

Steve Adams

4:16

At this point probably waiting on Super Two status to pass. Plus his control isn't exactly amazing in AAA

Rafael Palmeiro

4:16

Hit my first homer with the railroaders! Is my comeback legit?

Steve Adams

4:16

I wish.