You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams 7/14/21
powered byJotCast
Steve Adams
2:07
Greetings all. I've got about an hour or so here, so let's get through as many questions as we can!
2:08
Well, that is, if the software would show me questions.
I'm going to log out and log back in quick.
2:09
Heyyyyy!
Questions.
Hooray
Joey Gallo
2:09
I’m destined for San Diego, huh?
Steve Adams
2:10
I don't think he's necessarily "destined," but if I were going to pick one spot I considered likeliest, that'd be it for me. Maybe I overstate this in my own mind, but I just can't think of a GM who gravitates toward his former players as much as A.J. Preller does with former Rangers.

Plus, adding Gallo to that lineup would be a huge boost over both Hosmer and Wil Myers. I'm sure they don't want to relegate Hoz/Myers to a straight platoon, but I'd have Gallo in right field everyday and sort out the ABs for Hosmer and Myers based on matchups.
Hmm…
2:11
If a team eats up Donaldson’s money, what is the return like?
Steve Adams
2:12
If a team were to take on all of the money owed to Donaldson, the return would be negligible. The Twins beat the rest of the market to sign him to that contract; it's already been established that they were willing to pay the most for those years. Market context has changed a bit since that time, but the Twins aren't going to get anything of note back if they insist on someone taking the whole contract. Really, they probably wouldn't find anyone willing to do so.

That's the other thing, though, is that the Twins don't need to feel pressured to just dump the money. Donaldson is hitting quite well right now, and they'd probably be perfectly happy if he did this again in 2022 when they take another shot at contending.
Guest
2:13
predictions on who all is on the move from the Royals?  they have to be active with such a disappointing first half
Steve Adams
2:13
They haven't been that active in the past when they've similarly underwhelmed. I think they'll be open to moving Greg Holland and Michael A. Taylor. They'll listen on Duffy, thoguh that's complicated by his no-trade rights and their fierce loyalty to homegrown guys. They'd move Soler but probably won't find a taker.
2:14
I don't expect them to seriously entertain more interesting guys like Merrifield or Salvy or something though. Could listen on Benintendi, but I honestly  don't think the return would be that great.
Danny
2:15
Who all do you see the Pirates trading. Frazier, Rodriguez, Anderson? Anyone else?
Steve Adams
2:16
All three of those guys, yes. Maybe Chris Stratton if there's a team willing to give up some quasi-useful piece for him. I like Jacob Stallings, but not sure there's a ton of contending clubs looking for catching upgrades.
James SALAZAR
2:16
What did you think about those uniforms last night? I hated them! So did grandpa!
Steve Adams
2:16
I thought they were ugly, but I also don't really care what the players wear during the ASG, so eh.
Jose Berrios
2:17
Am I any more or less likely to be traded since your last chat?
Steve Adams
2:17
I still look at him as the best pitcher who could plausibly be traded, so the price would have to be pretty overwhelming. If anything, I guess the Twins beat up on the Tigers to pull back closer to .500. Maybe they're back in the "So you're tellin' me there's a chance" mode
2:18
(I doubt it)
Charles
2:18
Do the Braves sell or buy at the deadline?
Steve Adams
2:19
Pre-Acuna injury, I expected them to be buyers under almost any circumstances (barring something extreme, like a 12-game losing streak). I think it's much likelier now that they're at the mercy of how they perform coming out of the break. The Acuna loss is devastating.
Deep Friar
2:19
Do I smell a mega trade between the Padres and Rangers?
Steve Adams
2:20
It's the Padres, so you can probably expect a mega-trade with someone. Rangers, Twins, Cubs, etc.
The Cubs Core
2:20
Odds we stay together past the deadline?
Steve Adams
2:20
I expect they'll at least move Bryant. And I doubt you're counting Kimbrel among the "core," but I feel he's likely to go as well.
Frazier
2:21
Do you think I can fetch a currently listed top 100 prospect?
Steve Adams
2:21
Maybe, but I think in general people tend to get a little too married to those rankings when they want to evaluate prospects this time of year. Top 100 lists are a snapshot in time, and especially with the draft having just happened, those rankings are now completely different.
2:23
When the Jays traded Stroman a couple years ago it was "They got a borderline top 100 guy in Anthony Kay and this Simeon Woods-Richardson guy, and that's it?!" even though in reality, Woods-Richardson's stock had risen considerably and he was already more well-regarded than Kay by some. I understand wanting to grade every trade as soon as it happens, but initial impressions based off weeks- or months-old rankings are going to be inherently flawed. The only rankings that really matter are the acquiring team's internal rankings of the players, and whether they're correct in that assessment of the prospects' future value.
Frazier II
2:24
Why would the Pirates trade Frazier unless they are getting AT LEAST two top 100 prospects and one being a lot higher.  He's good---they need to GET good players, not get rid of them.   He's an all star----you better be getting at least one back.
Steve Adams
2:26
Because he'll turn 30 this offseason and become a free agent next winter. And if you extend him now, his best years (and the dollars spent on them) will go toward seasons when the rest of the roster isn't ready to contend.

Besides, I don't think the Pirates or any other club expect Frazier to keep up this production. That's not a knock on him -- he's a good player who I've said many times prior to 2021 is probably underrated -- it's just how he'll be viewed at the deadline.
Long-suffering Reds Fans
2:26
Any chance that we could get Rogers from the Twins or another strong bullpen piece?
Steve Adams
2:28
If they wanted a $6MM reliever they shouldn't have non-tendered Archie Bradley.

I'm sure Reds fans get sick of me saying that and pointing it out, but this team wouldn't spend a combined $15MM on two good relievers (Raisel Iglesias and Bradley) this winter. Maybe with a bit more certainty regarding attendance, Bob Castellini is willing to spend now, but I have a hard time seeing them taking on meaningful salary.

I hope they prove me wrong. The Reds have a nice core and should be a better team than they've been. To me, it seems likelier they'll look at more affordable 'pen options.
Ny Mets
2:29
Bryant to Mets?
Steve Adams
2:29
Wouldn't shock me at all.
Al Kaline
2:30
With the draft playout like it did with Jobe, do you agree that it appears the Tigers will be players in the shortstop free agent market? Chris Ilitch promised to spend when the time was right. I think the right time is nearing.
Steve Adams
2:30
I don't think the draft has any bearing on what the Tigers will be doing this winter. Even if they'd drafted Marcelo Mayer or Jordan Lawlar, you're looking at four-plus years before those guys are big league factors.
2:32
You don't let an 18-year-old who's barely played in pro ball stop you from signing a Seager, Semien, Story, etc. if you want that player.

I can certainly see the Tigers getting aggressive this winter, but it's also tougher to convince one of those premium free agents to go to a team that hasn't won in a half decade.
Derek Falvey
2:32
Any chance I buy a few pieces from teams with further to go than mine, with an eye toward next year? I'm thinking maybe someone like John Means?
Steve Adams
2:32
(Twins president of baseball ops = Derek Falvey_)
Load More Messages
Connecting…