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Chat With MLBTR's Steve Adams: 6/25/19
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Steve Adams
3:02
Greetings all! A heads up -- this is the first of multiple (hopefully only 3) chats that I will be conducting with a broken pinkie on my left hand, ha. Apologies in advance for the slower-than-usual response times!
That said, we're 5-6 weeks from the deadline with plenty of topics to cover, so let's get underway!
GMDM
3:03
Realistic return for Whit Merrifield? Chances I actually pull the trigger and trade him?
Steve Adams
3:05
I don't think Dayton Moore/the Royals would move Merrifield and that contract for anything short of a heist. Multiple MLB-ready pieces and/or a top 25-type prospect. Can't see him attaching Whit to a bad contract (i.e. Kennedy) to lower the ask, either. I don't think he's moved. There's so much surplus value on that contract and the Royals seem to genuinely believe they're not THAT far from contending. I disagree, but the division is weak, so maybe with a few breaks in 2020 they'll be in better shape than it looks like right now.
Eppler
3:05
Calhoun or Goodwin make sense for CLE? Would the get anyone in CLE’s top 30?
Steve Adams
3:07
(That'd be Angels GM Billy Eppler and Kole Calhoun/Brian Goodwin)

Indians aren't going to add Calhoun's remaining salary, and I don't think they'd give up a ton for Goodwin based on a couple hundred PAs that have been buoyed, to an extent, by some good luck on balls in play.
Deadline
3:08
Madbum Stroman Boyd are only 3 pitchers available that would command a decent amount. Am i missing someone
Steve Adams
3:11
There's a definite lack of high quality SP on the market, but there are others that could be moved. It depends on your definition of "decent," I suppose, but we could see the Reds or Pirates shed a rental (Wood if healthy, Roark, Lyles), the Rangers could still put Minor out there if they collapse suddenly. It's not insane to think the Mets could shop Thor or Wheeler. Lots of time for that market to develop yet.
White Sox
3:11
Dylan Cease getting a call up before August?
Steve Adams
3:11
I'd bet on yes. Early August, if not.
Tab
3:12
Has anyone checked on Jerry Dipoto? We haven't heard from him in a week, he might be locked in the bathroom or something.
Steve Adams
3:12
I'll fire off some concerned texts and calls. We're approaching record territory for gap between Mariners trades
Dombroski (Boston GM)
3:13
Is there any chance I blow things up at the deadline to try and clear payroll while bringing in some reinforcements for the farm system?
Steve Adams
3:13
I suppose if they go like 6-24 over their next 30 games or something, but barring an utterly epic meltdown, I can't see it.
Hiram
3:13
What will Indians do now that they're playing much better?
Steve Adams
3:14
They're still 7.5 games back in the Central. I don't think they'll be aggressive buyers unles they're within five or so in late July.

Could add Bauer to that previous list of "could be available depending on how things play out" SPs, also.
DS
3:15
When's the Stro Show going to being moving on from TO?  Also, can you give examples of a reasonable return for him.
Steve Adams
3:16
No rush to do so -- depends when demand for him reaches its peak. I'd think another couple of weeks at the least.

He's not in a position all that dissimilar to Sonny Gray a couple of years ago when the Yankees traded Dustin Fowler, James Kaprielian and Jorge Mateo for him. That was a stronger package then than it looks to be now, of course. Oakland hasn't really gotten anything from that trio yet.
Reds Reds
3:17
Any word on Galo?
Steve Adams
3:17
The Rangers announced not 30 seconds ago that he's been activated from the IL and will start tonight in CF
Morales
3:17
More of a general DFA question but since it's topical: if the Jays were to pick up Morales again would they be obligated to pay him the league minimum again? Even though they are still on the hook for the remainder of his overall salary?
Steve Adams
3:18
Can't recall an instance of this happening, but they wouldn't add anything to their existing obligation to him, no.
Farhan
3:18
Do Phillies reach a desperation point and make Bohm available in a MadBum/Will Smith traded?
Steve Adams
3:19
I cannot envision the Phils moving their top pick from the 2018 draft for a pair of rentals, no.
Sam
3:20
Who do you think the Tigers can move at the Deadline?
Steve Adams
3:21
I wrote a lot of words about this two weeks ago. Here they are:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/06/tigers-trade-rumors-matthew-boy...
Mr Met
3:21
I know Callaway's gone at the end of the season. How about Van Wagenen?
Steve Adams
3:21
Callaway should be gone today. I doubt the Mets move on from Brodie after so emphatically patting themselves on the back for their great outside the box hire.
Me
3:22
Any idea where Trevor Rosenthal goes from here?
Steve Adams
3:23
Basically every team within a stone's throw of contending wants bullpen help. Throw a dart at that list of 18ish teams (minus the Nats) and pick him to go there on a minor league deal
Phil
3:23
Do you see the Rangers parting ways with Asdrubal… if so any takers or DFA'ed?
Steve Adams
3:26
I read Evan Grant's piece on it, and as usual with Evan, it was a sound, well-reasoned look at the situation. I can definitely see him being moved even with Texas still trying to win, and he'd be a decent bench piece for an NL club who likes the pop and doesn't mind shoddy glovework at a couple infield spots. I don't think he'd bring anything back in a trade, but maybe Texas could save a bit of cash.
matthew
3:27
How do player options work? Does a player have options so long as they haven't reached a certain amount of service time?
Steve Adams
3:29
Players generally have three option years once they're added to the 40-man roster (and being optioned to the minors out of Spring Training counts). He can be sent down and called up as many times as the team sees fit in a season and it still counts as just one "option"

Once a player has exhausted his three option seasons -- Tyler White and Tony Kemp with the '19 Astros, for instance -- he'd have to be passed through outright waivers before he can be sent down.
It's possible for players to get a 4th option year based on minor league injuries as well, though that's more rare.
Me
3:29
How about a poll: will Mickey Callaway finish the year as Mets manager?
Steve Adams
3:30
How much longer does Mickey have as Mets manager?
He'll manage the Mets in 2020. (6.2% | 60 votes)
 
Fired at or near the end of the season (32.3% | 311 votes)
 
Fired at the All Star break/early second half (32.2% | 310 votes)
 
Fired in the next couple of weeks. (29.2% | 281 votes)
 
Total Votes: 962
CubbieBlue
3:31
Is Happ's days as a Cub coming to a close?  He's got to have more value than Descalso, who's OPS is lower than the number of grey's on his chin. If you can't replace Danny Boy at this point, things can't look good for your future with the team.
Steve Adams
3:33
It seems like they've always been concerned about the K's and defense. I don't think he's necessarily a clear change-of-scenery guy, but I have to imagine they're more open to a move than they've been in years past
C. Frazier
3:34
The Yanks should hold onto him, because they need the OF depth in case of injuries. Agree?
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