JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat with Steve Adams -- 3/14/17

MLBTR Live Chat with Steve Adams -- 3/14/17

Steve Adams

3:58

Hey all! Free agent power rankings are out, as is our yearly out of options list... feel free to ask questions on either or on whatever else is on your mind. Let's get underway

John

3:58

Does Kelly Johnson make sense for the Indians since Kipnis might be out. They already had a need for a utility infielder.

Steve Adams

4:00

I don't know if they had a huge need -- Erik Gonzalez is a useful option, and they seem to really like Ronny Rodriguez, one of their NRIs. Johnson makes sense there as some additional depth. Just don't know he's 100% an upgrade over Erik Gonzalez. They could also move Ramirez to 2B for a bit and go with Urshela at 3B

Rockies Fan

4:00

Rockies players for Norris now that Murphy is out for a bit?

Steve Adams

4:00

Once he clears waivers, yeah I think that fit makes plenty of sense

Kerry

4:01

Any truth to he rumor of Longoria to ATL?

Steve Adams

4:01

I haven't seen anything on it (haven't been at the computer this morning, admittedly), but I wouldn't put any real stock in the idea -- especially at this point in the winter

4:03

Looking further -- it seems like Dave Schoenfield from ESPN just wrote a column on how he's a great fit there. That's true, but it doesn't mean there's been any actual talks between the two sides, and there's no way the Braves would want to meet TB's price (which would probably begin with Swanson)

NatsFan

4:03

Think Tom Murphy will start back in the Majors after he returns from his injury? Or minors?

Steve Adams

4:04

He'll have a fairly notable minor league rehab assignment, I'd imagine, and depending on the results there and the performance of whoever they replace him with, I could see him staying in the minors for a bit

Steve is my spirit animal

4:04

Do you play fantasy baseball? Would you draft Kershaw in the 1st round?

Steve Adams

4:04

Yes to both. MLBTR League's draft is tonight, in fact.

Statman

4:05

Still think the RBI is a meaningless stat?

Steve Adams

4:05

Has anything changed that should make me think otherwise?

Guest

4:05

do rehabs assignments count as an option?

Steve Adams

4:05

Nope

Jimmy the Freak

4:06

Could this buildup to the season go any worse for the Rockies?

Steve Adams

4:06

It's been a pretty shockingly rough week for them. Lot of bad news on a lot of players to take on a span of 7-10 days

Brandon

4:06

Machada, Arenado, Harper, rank them in order as to who is likeliest to sign an extension before FA?

Steve Adams

4:07

I'd put the odds at any of them somewhere under 5%... I'd be pretty shocked to see any of the three take an extension. Maybe Machado over the others since he's not with Boras? I just don't think it's likely in any of their cases

Mickey

4:07

Could you see the Rockies trying Dahl at 1B when he comes back since Desmond is injured?

Steve Adams

4:08

I don't know why they wouldn't try CarGo or even Parra there first. Dahl brings more defensive value in the outfield

Ryan

4:08

What would have to go wrong for Clint Fraizer to make the Yankees ooening day roster

Steve Adams

4:08

Even if two of their starting outfielders were injured, I think they'd still use other options because they don't deem Frazier MLB-ready yet. He's played 30 games above Double-A.

Matt

4:09

Who do you see as the Met's 5th pitcher to start the season?

Steve Adams

4:09

Gsellman with Wheeler and Lugo in the 'pen

Angel Pagan

4:09

So now that I have apparently failed a physical does that essentially guarantee I have to take a MiLB deal?

Steve Adams

4:10

Well, it was the Orioles' physical, which is the toughest in the sport to pass. I still think he could land somewhere on a minors deal. Seems like the sticking point might be more him hoping to get $5MM... I can still envision someone offering him $2MM or something.

On a not-entirely-unrelated note: the A's just lost Jake Smolinski to shoulder surgery.

Adam Steves

4:11

Kershaw first?!? Only if I have a pick after 8!

Steve Adams

4:12

I said I'd take him IN the first round at some point. Not first overall. It depends on the format, of course, but he'd be a defensible pick anywhere from 5th on, probably.

Snitker

4:12

I know only Competitive Balance picks can only change hands once --- so does that mean the Astros can't trade the Comp Pick they "inherited" from St. Louis? Or are the rules different for that one?

Steve Adams

4:13

I'm not 100% sure, but I'd imagine the league would allow them to trade it, if they wished. They didn't "acquire" it in the first place, they were awarded that pick.

Slint

4:13

Who starts @ CF for the ChiSox on opening day?

Steve Adams

4:13

I'd bet on Peter Bourjos at this point, now that TIlson's out of the picture.

4:14

Who has a better bounce back season? Harper or Cutch

Steve Adams

4:14

Harper's younger, and his best season was better than any of McCutchen's (which is more a testament to Harper's 2015 dominance than a knock on Cutch, who has been amazing virtually every year). I'd go Harper

Edgrrrrrr

4:15

Do I belong in the HOF?

Steve Adams

4:15

I think so, yeah.

Timm

4:15

Who has the highest upside of those competing for the Yanks rotation (cessa, green, warren, Mitchell) outside of Severino?

Steve Adams

4:15

I like Green the best of the bunch.