JotCast | MLBTR Chat with Steve Adams 2-9-16

MLBTR Chat with Steve Adams 2-9-16

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Chris

2:53

More likely to be a catcher long-term: Schwarber, Alfaro or Peter O'Brien?

Steve Adams

2:53

Alfaro

Craig

2:54

Rosario have the sophomore slump or breakout year for the Twins? He seems like an under the radar kinda guy.

Steve Adams

2:55

Needs to learn to take a pitch and actually draw a walk. I think he was at something like 2-3 percent last year. I like the bat well enough, and he's a strong defender in left field, but his approach needs some significant refinement.

Timothy

2:55

Is Zunino a lost cause? Or can he still be the above average catcher he was touted to be?

Steve Adams

2:55

I don't see him as a lost cause. He's a strong defender and the power is legitimate. He was definitely rushed to the Majors, and some time back in the minors could prove beneficial.

Ryan

2:56

While fly balls in Arizona do scare me, Clippard and Reed comparisons do not seem fair to Clippard coming into AZ with an ERA+ of 138 while Reed came to AZ with ERA+ of 102

Steve Adams

2:58

Clippard's 2015 ERA was one of the largest mirages of any reliever this past season. He's traditionally been better than his peripherals, but everything took a huge step back last season. You could just as easily point out that his FIP and xFIP were nine and 34 percent worse than the league average, respectively.

larry

2:59

Are the NYY doing the right thing in signing no Free Agents and no power acquisitions?

Steve Adams

2:59

I'm surprised they didn't make any kind of rotation upgrade. There's so much uncertainty there.

Danny

3:00

Power isn't needed as much in today's game. Royals last in HRs in 2014, 25th in 2015

Steve Adams

3:01

I don't know that it's fair to say it's not "needed." There are just multiple ways to structure a winning team. Stacking up on power can certainly be beneficial. If the Astros' hadn't blown that lead in catastrophic fashion in the ALDS, the narrative probably would be that Kansas City didn't have enough power or starting pitching or something, and that the speed/bullpen/defense emphasis didn't work. Then you would've had MLB's two HR-leading teams -- Houston and Toronto -- slugging it out in the ALCS.

Craig

3:02

Rays have made some good offensive moves this winter but still need a shortstop. Not sold on Miller-who's left?

Steve Adams

3:04

Career .256/.327/.429 hitter against RHP with half his at-bats coming at Safeco. I actually like Miller quite a bit as a platoon option there. Even if he isn't an elite defender, he's at least capable with the glove

Tony

3:05

Reed was solid after being traded to the Mets. Does he continue that trend?

Steve Adams

3:06

Moving to a larger park will be of help, and the Mets moved him away from his slider quite a bit. I don't know if he simply had better control of his fastball in New York, and that was the reason for its increased effectiveness (I'd have to do more research on that front), but I do think some of the improvement following the trade will stick. I doubt he's a 1.70 ERA guy or whatever he did in his 18ish innings there, but he can probably justify his arb salary, yeah.

TimmyPinDC

3:07

Any chance they Nats are still able to unload Papelbon? Everyone in town hates that guy and never wanted that deal to happen in the first place.

Steve Adams

3:07

I think they're more or less stuck with him -- who's taking on his $11MM, or even a significant chunk of it? Plus, he's still a decent reliever and the Nats aren't teeming with those.

Doug

3:08

Any chance the Pirates try for Jimmy Rollins as infield backup ? Much better than the Pedro Florimon's of the world you think ?

Steve Adams

3:10

I don't know what makes him markedly better than Florimon at this stage of his career, personally. He's not as good defensively, and that gap erases a fair portion of the offensive value. I can see preferring Rollins as a sort of veteran influence in the clubhouse, but he may not want to sign to be a clear backup either -- or at least, he may prefer to sign in a slightly less crowded infield mix. I think the makes sense for the Phillies on a cheap one-year deal, personally, though he might prefer a contender.

Emmett

3:10

Any remaining moves for the Cardinals?

Steve Adams

3:11

Sure, in the sense that they're slated to bank on two young, unproven outfielders that benefited hugely from BABIP spikes in 2015 (Grichuk and Piscotty). They were in on Heyward, so they clearly have some modicum of interest in outfield help. That said, I don't consider it a glaring need for them to add Fowler. (Having added two draft picks from Lackey and Heyward makes it easier to picture)

Jim Leyland

3:11

Your thoughts on J.D.M"s 2 year deal?

Steve Adams

3:12

I'd have expected him to get a couple million more, personally. But, it's an arb deal so the ceiling on it was always limited and it was always going to fall within a pretty slight window as long as it stuck to two years.

Abe

3:13

Which padres catcher is not gonna make the roster? Bethancourt, Hedges, or Norris?

Steve Adams

3:13

Hedges still has options, I believe, so he seems like the easiest odd man out.

Brian

3:14

Brewers Closer: Jeffress, Knebel, or Smith?

Steve Adams

3:15

I'd bank on Jeffress, Smith, Knebel in that order, though there's a chance Smith gets the gig.

D. Freese

3:15

Are you surprised that I have not been signed yet? No draft pick compensation. What is the holdup?

Steve Adams

3:16

Yeah, I have a feeling I'm going to be pretty stunned by whatever he signs for, as I was with Latos. I don't love Freese, but I thought he was an easy 2/20 type of guy, and he might end up with a one-year deal well south of $10MM at this point.

Jim Leyland

3:16

What's your surprise team this year in the American league?

Steve Adams

3:16

There's so much parity throughout the league that I don't think any one team would be a huge shocker if it contended. I think the Mariners will be better than people expect, though.

Joe

3:17

Who finishes with more saves for Braves: Grilli or Vizcaino?

Steve Adams

3:17

Vizcaino. Even if Grilli does close early on, he'll be traded if he's healthy and pitching well. And if he's not healthy or not pitching well, he probably won't be closing.

Josh Reddick

3:17

Am I the next player to get a two year contract?

Steve Adams

3:19

Reddick's a free agent in seven months. These other players were just buying out their final two years of arbitration. Totally different scenario. No way Reddick signs a two-year deal. He already avoided arb at $6.575MM anyway. If he signs an extension, it's going to be five-plus years.

Xyrak

3:19

Are there any LH relievers left out there that Toronto can pick up to complete the bull-pen, or is hoping for a bounce-back year from Aaron Loup the best option available?

Steve Adams

3:20

Wouldn't mind them or some other club throwing $1MM at Matt Thornton. Neal Cotts seems like a guy who could land a big league deal yet as well.

Rockies Fan

3:20

Which Rockie's pitching prospect has the biggest impact this year?

Steve Adams

3:20

Gray

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