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Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams: 8/21/17
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Steve Adams
2:44
Impromptu bonus chat!
2:45
Today is a preposterously slow news day as the entire world fawns over the eclipse, and I've spent much of the day editing and working on some content for later this week, so rather than have a giant lag in content today, I figured I'd field questions for the next 30-60 minutes. I'll still chat tomorrow, as usual, but hey why not bonus chat when there's not much going on?
2:46
(I'm sure now there'll be 7 transactions announced by teams in the next 15 minutes)
Chris
2:46
Do you see Boston making any more moves before the playoffs?
Steve Adams
2:47
Probably nothing too impactful -- always the possibility of another bench/bullpen option, but there aren't really any impact starters out there, and Devers quashes any needs they might've had at third base. What they have is largely what they'll take into October, though.
Joseph
2:48
Bonus Round questions? exciting, where does Granderson fit in?
Steve Adams
2:50
For the time being he'll basically take Pederson's at-bats... Joc has really struggled since that huge burst coming off the DL, and I see Granderson as a precautionary measure in case he's not able to right the ship. In the event that Joc does get back on track pre-October, Grandy is a nice insurance policy for when Taylor's .400 BABIP craters. Overall, deepening the OF mix is a good thing with few obvious needs up and down the roster.
Rod
2:50
Is there a contender who would be interested in Brandon Phillips?
Steve Adams
2:52
The Angels make some sense but reportedly don't have much interest, which is at least a mild surprise. I'd have said the Jays a week or so ago, but they're playing themselves out of Wild Card contention.

I struggle with this for both Phillips and Cozart... both are playing well enough to help a contending club, but there aren't many teams with clear-cut infield needs. The Rays have been looking for an RH bat, but they're fading themselves as well.
2:54
Difference between Phillips and Cozart, of course, is that the Reds can (and should) get draft compensation for Cozart if an offer materializes. Phillips wouldn't bring much in a trade, and his salary is so minimal that the Braves might just prefer to keep him for good ol' #VeteranPresence rather than take some nominal return to save a couple hundred grand.
Danny devito
2:54
If Jp Crawford does well when he comes up could he spell out galvis next season?
Steve Adams
2:54
I don't see why not. Crawford is the future there. Galvis is primarily a stopgap at this point, and I'd expect the Phillies to shop him around this winter whether Crawford makes an immediate impact in September or not.
Giancarlo
2:55
Will I be in Miami next year?
Steve Adams
2:56
It's going to depend heavily on how much of the contract new ownership is going to absorb. If they're looking for top-shelf prospects and full salary relief, then yeah, Stanton stays.

I think it's likely either way, honestly, but I can at least picture a move if new ownership is willing to work with potential trade partners to bridge what's likely to be an enormous gap on the financial component of the deal.
Stormy
2:56
Are there any relievers with any worth left to be traded?
Steve Adams
2:57
Brad Ziegler has a 78% ground-ball rate and eight straight scoreless appearances since coming off the DL. Miami would need to eat some cash probably, but he'd help a contender. Jim Johnson, if he made it through waivers earlier this month. (My guess is that he did not.)
Several teams will also probably pivot in the final week or so of the month
2:58
The Pirates, for instance, are 6.5 back in the division and 7 back in the Wild Card. Juan Nicasio would be plenty appealing, I'd imagine
Hudson and Benoit to lesser extents. Santiago Casilla is a passable middle reliever, though he's struggled lately.
2:59
(I realize Casilla is on the A's -- was just listing another that popped into my head)
Matthew
2:59
Will the twins be trading for any Pitching help this August?
Steve Adams
3:00
Doubt they make any kind of significant rotation addition, and their presence in the second Wild Card slot means most of their immediate rivals would have the opportunity to block them. I don't think they'll do much, though they could risk doing something like claiming Ziegler or Casilla, I suppose -- two guys that would likely pass through waivers due to their 2018 salaries.
3:01
They'll probably get some help from the farm next month. Could see Gonsalves up as a starting option and maybe John Curtiss as a 'pen option? Just speculation there. Both would require 40-man adds
Klay Thompson
3:02
Why don't the Dodgers trade my brother Trayce since their Outfield is loaded?  Bellinger, Puig, Joc, Verdugo, Toles, etc.  Send Trayce to the A's or Giants.
Steve Adams
3:03
I'd imagine that right now they don't mind having the depth. But the OF mix is packed, and Trayce hasn't hit a lick in AAA this season, so I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him moved this winter. I doubt he'd survive the winter on L.A.'s 40-man otherwise.
FFM
3:03
The Pirates have struggled all season long just to get to .500. Marte misses half a year, Kang isn't here at all, middle bullpen shows up when they want and Pirate bats can't drive in runs. Yet the Pirate front office refuses to make a significant move. Are they really this "cheap"?
Steve Adams
3:05
What single move did you have in mind that would fix all of those problems? They lost their starting 3B and CF early in the year (before, in Kang's case), and ownership has never given the front office much in the way of resources anyhow. Low-payroll teams are probably always going to be the norm in Pittsburgh until they get some new TV money and/or new ownership... but even then, few owners are going to spend well beyond their revenue over an extended period of time.
Adam Steves
3:05
Where does Lucroy end up next year?
Steve Adams
3:06
Cleveland?

I kid. I can see him re-upping in Colorado if he continues to hit well there. Wolters hasn't provided any offense in 2017, Murphy hasn't done much in the Majors, Garneau is gone to waivers, Hanigan will be a free agent, etc.
Josh Meyer
3:06
Does Rajai Davis make sense for the Twins as a 4th OF with Grossman being on the DL?
Steve Adams
3:07
Yeah I don't mind that fit -- he'd be a nice RH complement to Kepler and/or Rosario as well. (Rosario is hitting for average against LHP but zero OBP/power against them for the most part)

Davis would fit a few teams though (Cleveland for real this time). I think he has a good chance to go in the next 10 days.
Acuna
3:07
I am dominating AAA. When do you think I will get the call to the Big Show?
Steve Adams
3:08
Next year sometime. The Braves don't have to add Acuna to the 40-man to protect him from the Rule 5 this offseason, but they do have about a dozen interesting prospects they *will* have to protect. Giving one of those spots to Acuna to placate fans for a month in a losing season isn't a good long-term move
Your face but slightly askew
3:09
Any FA you see this winter that could really appeal to the Cards?
Steve Adams
3:09
They've been itching for OF help and a big bat for the middle of the order. J.D. Martinez will be a free agent and Justin Upton may well opt out of his contract.
RedsFan
3:10
I believe the Reds are an Archer-type starter from contending. Am I overly optimistic?
Steve Adams
3:10
I think they're multiple starters away from contending. And probably a catcher and several relievers away as well. We're not on the same page -- sorry.
Andrew
3:11
Kinsler to angels? Or a solid closer we really need it!
Steve Adams
3:11
Kinsler was already claimed and pulled back from waivers. He's not going anywhere until the offseason or next summer.
3:12
And there aren't really any solid closers that are going to be available on waivers for the Angels to acquire. Best hope is for one of Norris, Parker or Bedrosian to hold that spot down for the final month.
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