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Live Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams: 5/9/17
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Steve Adams
4:00
To this point, there's been no indication that they're looking at moving pieces, and I don't think they'd really make that determination until the summer. That said, deciding sooner rather than later benefits them -- less competition in marketing their players -- so I'd say take them within the next month or so. It won't all happen at once, anyhow, though I suppose it's possible you see some kind of Cain/Herrera combo deal to Washington (or something else along those lines).
DN
4:01
Do you think Jay Bruce has made actual improvements (K% rate has dropped by 5%) or it is just a hot streak?
Steve Adams
4:02
More walks, fewer K's and a lot more fly-balls (fly-ball revolution!) -- all somewhat encouraging signs for Bruce. I think there's some real improvement to his all-around approach at the plate.
Mattimeo
4:03
Lindor best shortstop in AL?
Steve Adams
4:03
He'd get my vote -- sorry Correa and Bogaerts. Gives Seager a run for his money at best in the Majors too
Jd
4:04
What does Seattle to for pitchers now??
Steve Adams
4:06
Try to keep things together until Felix is back, hopefully this month (Dipoto suggested that was possible) and Smyly is back in hopefully early June. They could make some waiver claims, but this is why DIpoto went out and made an effort to add guys like Whalen, Overton, Miranda, etc. -- guys that are near-MLB (or MLB-ready) to step right in should an injury arise. None of those arms are especially impressive, but they play up thanks to the defense. I don't think there will be a major acquisition anytime soon.
James
4:06
Not even a mention of Simmons as a top shortstop? Are you clowning me bro?
Steve Adams
4:06
If we're talking only defense, sure, bu.
Blah
4:07
"...sure, but his offense is far enough behind the others that I wouldn't lump into the very top tier. Lindor is a monster with the glove himself."
Me type goodly.
Jeff Luhnow
4:07
Do I go the Braves' route (veterans on 1-yr. deals) or roll the dice on some big deals (Quintana, Hellickson, etc.)?
Steve Adams
4:10
Well, for starters the teams are in two different spots, so it's a bit of an odd comparison.

That said, Luhnow has proven to this point that he's not going to necessarily lock himself into one way of thinking when it comes to improving the team. The Astros have shown a willingness to look at short-term and long-term upgrades, and I'd imagine, as is the case at any time when they're looking to get better, the decision will come down to maximizing the value they add to the club (even if it's not a spot that readily looks like an are for improvement).

That may sound like an overly simple approach, but it's my way of saying I don't think Luhnow is going to look at one area and look for one type of player with any sort of tunnel-vision.
DN
4:10
Is every rebuilding team kicking itself about not signing Holland? This was pretty foreseeable right?
Steve Adams
4:12
I don't think so. It was one of many on a range of outcomes. If he were on the DL right now with biceps tendinitis or something, a lot of people would be saying "Ugh, this was foreseeable" as well.

There were undoubtedly teams that simply felt the risk on a reliever that hadn't pitched for 18 months was too great for that cost. Remember, even if he'd been healthy and been OK, he could've gotten into 50 games and triggered the player option, meaning the Rox had him at 2/22 with the first year being marginal.

Also, I doubt many teams were offering the ability to step directly into the ninth inning like the Rox allowed him to do.
4:13
Holland has been great, but would it be a shock if a hard-throwing reliever who pitched more than a year with a torn UCL and then underwent TJ suddenly wound up on the DL for a fairly decent stretch tomorrow?
mets fan
4:13
why don't the mets seem in on doug fister they don't have enough depth
Steve Adams
4:14
Yeah -- kind of surprised. But they did watch him throw in March and weren't overly impressed. I mean, it's been awhile since Fister's been any good. People wonder how a team could possibly not want him, and they think of 2012-14. But he was throwing 86 mph -- a drop of about 4 mph -- for the past two seasons. Some teams probably just don't think he's very good anymore.
4:17
Ok, I'm going to wrap up for the week. Jason chats tomorrow @ 6:30pm CT, Jeff on Thursday 2pm CT.

Thanks for joining, and enjoy the rest of your week everyone!
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