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Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams 8/3/21
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Wildcard
2:47
Reds jumping in front of Padres. Yes or no?
Steve Adams
2:48
Will the Reds win a Wild Card spot?
Yes! (26.2% | 179 votes)
 
Nope. (73.8% | 503 votes)
 
Total Votes: 682
2:49
For the record, I agree with the early majority here. I don't think Cincinnati has the bullpen for it. Their additions weren't especially impactful, and even the brief absence from Castellanos hurts.

I know their schedule is weak, which does help them. I'm still sticking with the NL West clubs.
2:50
Yankees say Jordan Montgomery has also tested positive. Yikes.
That rotation is not looking great at the moment.
Confusing Story
2:50
Does not trading Trevor make much sense?
Steve Adams
2:51
It makes virtually no sense to me. Same with holding onto Gray. And to Marquez, for that matter. Or I should say that not even bothering to listen on Marquez makes no sense.
cool 7
2:52
Their owner, Dick Monfort, seems to think the Rockies are close to contending. He might be the only person in the state of Colorado or within the baseball industry who believes that.
The Rox can get a comp pick back for Story, but we should also remember that's only a post-first-rounder if Story signs $50MM+ after rejecting the QO. What if Story finds a harsh market and opts to follow the Semien route?
2:54
If Story signs for one year or some sub-$50MM pillow contract, the Rockies are going to get the 70-something-th pick for him in 2022.
Adames
2:54
What is going on with Willy Adames? Is it just better protection in the lineup? A lucky streak since being traded? Do you think he can keep it up or is this a fluke?
Steve Adams
2:59
Adames was a Top 25 prospect in baseball who was very good at the plate with the Rays as recently as 2020 (.259/.332/.481).

The Brewers found a way to cut down his strikeout rate and get him to walk more. The discipline improvements have led to more hard contact, more barrels, better all-around performance. He's chasing out of the zone less, making contact in the zone MUCH more.

I don't think he's going to sustain this pace, but the risk that they sold low on a clear, everyday shortstop was always palpable with that trade. I'm buying Adames as an above-average bat with plus defense. It was a great trade for Milwaukee.
thescrewguy
2:59
Does the royals have the guns to win the Central next year or whom do they have to get to get them over the top???
Steve Adams
3:02
They need a strong utility option who can play both middle-infield spots, since you can't count on Mondesi to play a full season. They also need multiple arms in the rotation and the 'pen, and I'd like to see them add an actual center fielder as well rather than continue to trot out Michael A. Taylor, who is a fine player but more of a fourth outfielder. Then they'll need some combination of Singer, Lynch, Kowar and Bubic to break through as legitimate MLB starters.

All of which is to say ... I don't like them as AL Central contenders in 2022. But let's see what they do this offseason. Teams can turn the roster over and change their outlook in a hurry.
Jorge78
3:02
Are MLBTR Staff caught up on sleep yet?  You guys did a great deadline job!
Steve Adams
3:03
Ha, thanks! I can't speak for everyone, but I woke up at 5am that day, worked until 6pm, and was asleep from around 11pm until 9am the next day. So I'm good! It's always a long day but in kind of a fun and exciting way. Thanks to all who chose to follow along with us!
Ed
3:04
Is Eric Hosmer a trade candidate in the Winter?
Steve Adams
3:04
I imagine the Friars will again be looking for creative ways to move him. That type of deal does seem easier to pull off over the winter, when there's less of a deadline on talks and when fewer teams have such pressing luxury-tax concerns (at least early on in the winter)
Mr. Nat
3:05
When will Ruiz be the full time catcher in Washington?  Will he be a top 5 (hitting) catcher next year in the NL?
Steve Adams
3:07
I'd be surprised if he doesn't get an audition in 2022. He has that upside, but he only just turned 23 and doesn't even have 300 AAA plate appearances yet. Catchers can be slower than others to see their offense carry over to the next level, as well -- not that that's universal. Will Smith has been awesome since he debuted, pretty much, for instance.
Old Timer
3:08
Any chance Kyle Isbel is that CF the Royals need?
Steve Adams
3:10
I wouldn't say there's no chance, but I'd put the odds under 10% or so. Isbel is making a tough jump from A-ball to Triple-A/MLB this season, so he probably deserves a bit of slack for his so-so season. But he's been a league-average bat in Omaha and fanned in 15 of 36 MLB plate appearances (41.7%). Seems more likely that he's a decent fourth OF who's better suited for the corners but can handle some CF on occasion.
Angels fan
3:10
Can we still get more pitching help
Steve Adams
3:12
For this season? Teams can trade for veterans on minor league deals who've yet to be on a big league roster. They can also mine the independent leagues for some late upgrades, claim guys off outright waivers and sign players who've been released. But the options are pretty limited, especially if you're looking for avenues to acquire impact upgrades.
August waiver trades?
3:13
Since MLB went back to the 2019 rules this season shouldn't that mean they still allow August trades for players that make it through waivers?
Steve Adams
3:14
August waiver trades were eliminated after the 2019 season:
Er, sorry
After the 2018 season
They were eliminated FOR the 2019 season. Typing is hard, apparently. Apologies.
Pizza!Pizza!
3:14
Why aren't Akil Baddoo and Eric Haase getting more love for ROY?
Steve Adams
3:15
If the season ended today, I'd say Baddoo should win the award.
cool 10
Jorge78
3:15
What do those emogis you use (thumbs up guy and the peanut) mean?
Steve Adams
3:16
I probably just accidentally bumped the "peanut gallery" feature of Jotcast, ha, which just allows you to use emojis to react to my replies and whatnot. I turned them off forever ago because people said they were annoying. Whoops.

(Or maybe not whoops! Maybe people like them now?)
cool 8 laughing 7 angry 6 crying 3 vomit 1
Angels4life
3:17
Would a 3 year 15 million extension get it done to keep Cobb? How about a 3 years 24 million extension for Raisel Iglesias?
Steve Adams
3:17
No way either player signs that contract.
Confused
3:17
With all these teams supposedly needing SP, why hasn't any ofvthem signed Cole Hamels?
Steve Adams
3:19
I'd imagine he'll sign soon-ish. He was never an immediate rotation piece. Most clubs viewed him as a late August addition because he'll need to build up. Some teams probably wanted to wait to see where their luxury number sat after the deadline and what their overall rotation picture looked like. Now that all that's settled, and now that Hamels himself might feel he has a better idea of knowing who the contenders are likeliest to be, I wouldn't be surprised to see him ink a deal sooner than later.
Cashman
3:19
Rizzo FA contract 5 yrs 140 mill get it done?
Steve Adams
3:20
Of course he'd sign that, but that seems like a massive overpay given his overall 2020-21 production, his age and some back issues on his track record.
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