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Chat With MLBTR's Steve Adams: 9/11/18
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Steve Adams
3:10
'Tis Tuesday. Let us chat about things and stuff.
Ryan
3:11
Will Trevor Story get some MVP votes? He is having a pretty phenomenal year.
Steve Adams
3:12
I'm sure he'll be on some ballots, but I don't think he's going to win by any means, either. His own teammate will probably finish higher than him.
Sad Mr. Met
3:12
You buying McNeil as a solidly above avg piece? And Nimmo as a 4 WAR OF?
Steve Adams
3:14
I'd like to see more than 150 PAs or whatever McNeil has to this point, but I do think there's reason for some optimism, even if he's not *this* good. He's striking out in fewer than 10% of his PAs and making hard contact at a decent clip. I don't know that I'd expect much power out of him, but if he can keep making contact at this level, he could very well be a useful bat.
I'll take the under on Nimmo as a perennial 4-win OF
gary
3:14
Why does Mookie have such a big lead in MVP standing over Martinez?
Steve Adams
3:15
There's no real "MVP standing," but if you're asking why he gets more hype, it's because defense and baserunning exist -- and Mookie excels at each, while JDM can't do much of either.
Oof A's fans
Shoulder surgery for Manaea
3:16
Team just announced
Stan Lee the Manly
3:16
Does Matheny land a managing job next year or does the negative press about his clubhouse keep teams away?
Steve Adams
3:19
I don't know why someone would hire him -- he never impressed me as a manager. Didn't seem to have a good handle on bullpen management, would ride the "hot hand" to extreme levels and have short leashes on playing time as a result. I've talked to multiple agents who hated the manner in which he'd abruptly cut down a player's role based on a minuscule slump, and while that doesn't necessarily preclude him from getting hired elsewhere, I do wonder if other teams would scratch their heads when trying to determine the reasoning behind those changes. The recent stuff about his clubhouse woes doesn't do him any favors.
Bryan
3:20
what would a fair extension look like for Acuña look like this off-season
Steve Adams
3:23
I don't think there's a good way to judge. That sounds like a cop out, but the fact is he'll have less than a year of service this winter. The largest extension ever given to a player with under one full year of MLB service was Paul DeJong's six-year, $26MM deal this past offseason. I doubt Acuna's camp goes for that type of guarantee and the two cheap options that DeJong settled for -- nor should they.

He's not going to make anything for the next two seasons, and then he'll be paid substantially as a Super Two player in arbitration -- quite possibly setting some records along the way.

Extensions are often semi-impacted by historical context, but there's no real precedent for a player of Acuna's upside and immediate success signing a deal.
3:24
You also have to wonder if the service time manipulation has any negative impact on these talks -- or potential talks, I should say. The Braves didn't exactly endear themselves to him by deliberately pushing back his free agency by a year.
Frankly, I don't think he'll sign one. If he does, it'll shatter the current record.
Kenny Powers
3:25
I have Ronald Acuna, Miguel Andujar, Gleyber Torres, and Corey Seager in a fantasy keeper league.  I can only keep 2.  What are your thoughts?
Steve Adams
3:26
I'd keep Acuna and Torres. I love Seager but am worried about the pair of surgeries he's had. Andujar is fourth of the bunch for me... his 2018 season has been great but I question his long-term ability to hit for this kind of average with his plate discipline (or lack thereof). Some guys have been able to sustain it, but most people who swing and chase that frequently aren't .300 hitters.
Bad Swap
3:28
Miggy for Pujols. Angels get some production while they still have Trout, Det saves some money.
Steve Adams
3:29
Both players have full no-trade protection, and it's tough to see 38-year-old Pujols deciding he wants to go finish out his career on a rebuilding club. Plus, Miggy's contract is just much worse than Albert's at this point given the remaining years on the deal. Doubt the Halos are anxious to further bog down their books by taking on someone whose health makes him a total wild card at this point.

I'd bet on Cabrera out-hitting Pujols next season, of course, but I don't think the difference in productivity is enough to balance out the long-term ramifications.
Chase
3:30
What do you think of Sonny Gray as a buy-low candidate for the Angels? His numbers seem to reflect the change in pitch usage the Yankees implemented (less fastballs, more breaking balls/offspeed). I wonder if that's a reason why his BB% and HR/9 and HR/FB rates are higher than his career norms.
Steve Adams
3:31
I would like virtually any team in a neutral to pitcher-friendly setting to take a chance on Gray. I do think there might be something to the change in pitch selection, but it probably extends beyond that as well. Regardless, it's tough to see him in the Yankees' plans beyond 2018. He's a definite buy-low candidate for someone this winter.
Adios Pelota!
3:31
Give me something to look forward to next year as a giants fan... Joey Bart? Heliot Ramos? Diamond in the rough pitcher (ex: Dereck Rodriguez)
Steve Adams
3:34
I don't think either Bart or especially Ramos will make it to the Majors. You'll get a full season of Duggar and maybe get a longer look at Shaw and Slater, plus another full year of Bumgarner. Giants brass will probably spend some dough this offseason, which could either be exciting or could be Samardzija/Cueto/Melancon redux -- depending on who they target. Honestly, I don't think they're going to contend, but it's not really in Sabean/Evans' blood to bite the bullet and rebuild -- nor should it be, with the fanbase they have and the three recent World Championships. Fans get so anxious for a rebuild until they realize how much it sucks to watch a 55- to 60-win team for three years.
Jackson
3:34
Patrick Corbin to the Angels for 5/60-80?
Steve Adams
3:36
I think you're underestimating what Corbin can make this offseason. I'd put $80MM on the bottom of his spectrum. Tough to say how teams will act following last year's free-agent freeze, but he's pushing $100MM in a more traditional free-agent market.
Mark
3:36
Do you believe the Rangers and Braves might be a good match to make a trade this winter? Rangers need pitching and the Braves need OF help. Mazara for a guy like Fried or Allard?
Steve Adams
3:37
I just wouldn't do it if I were Atlanta, unless there were other pieces coming back. Mazara is a good-looking young hitter, to be sure, but corner bats are the easiest commodities to find right now. Controllable starting pitching is about the hardest.
Tyler
3:38
Chances Stevie Y is new GM for the Wings by the end of the week #hockeysbackabby
Steve Adams
3:39
Ha! I have no idea. Better question for Gavin over at Prohockeyrumors.com. I may be Minnesotan, but I am nonetheless one of the last people you should ask about hockey. Sorry
Leo
3:39
Where were you when the world stopped turning, that september day?
Steve Adams
3:40
I was home sick from school with a fever north of 100 degrees. Mom woke me up crying. Spent all day watching the news. It was surreal, and I remember it vividly. Can't believe it's been 17 years.
Tim
3:40
When will you be publishing your free agent predictions?
Steve Adams
3:41
We typically publish them late October/early November. It depends somewhat on the timing of the World Series.
Lou4hof184
3:41
Is the Stewart call up the beginning of his tigers career or just for this year
Steve Adams
3:42
He wouldn't have been called up if they didn't think he was at least a somewhat viable option in 2019 and beyond. He should get a real look this month.
Guest
3:42
If Yankees sign Machado for 3B, does that mean Andujar at 1B and no more Bird?
Steve Adams
3:43
Could slide Andujar to 1B. Could explore the possibility of moving him and some of their minor league depth for some pitching help. Lot needs to happen before they even have to ask themselves that question, though.
Lou
3:43
Do you see the Twins spending big this off-season? They only have like $30 million guaranteed on the books for 2019.
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