You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
MLBTR Live Chat with Steve Adams -- 3/30/17
powered byJotCast
View Full Chat Next Page
Steve Adams
3:31
Greetings! I'm back from a week-long vacation and filling in for Jeff today, as he apparently did so for me in my absence! Thus begins our chat. I'll start tackling questions in a minute -- gonna pour some coffee quick
Harry
3:33
Should the Jays try to extend Kevin Pillar?
Steve Adams
3:35
I'd certainly look into it, though if I'm the Jays I'm trying to keep it closer to Odubel/Ender money than to Kiermaier money. Kiermaier's younger and better with the bat. It's a bit surprising to me that Kiermaier was able to pull in $54MM after the other two (Herrera and Inciarte) took just over 30, though he's got an extra guaranteed year tacked on there.

At any rate, I'd certainly make the effort, but he's already 28, so tread a bit more carefully and all that.
Tony T.
3:35
Does Hwang get a roster spot in SF?
Steve Adams
3:35
Right now it sounds more like he'll head to AAA to play some 3B, 1B, LF, etc. -- work on his versatility and then emerge later in the season perhaps.
Say Hey Kid
3:35
What kind of coffee? And who will be the #5 starter for the NYY?
Steve Adams
3:36
A dark roast my girlfriend and I picked up in Costa Rica over our vacation. It's outstanding.

I think they'll eventually settle on Green, though I also don't think there's any way we see CC, Pineda & Tanaka hold up for a whole season, so guys like Montgomery, Cessa and Mitchell will get chances throughout the year as well.
Rbase
3:37
Best unsigned player?
Steve Adams
3:38
Pagan and I suppose FIster on the pitching side. Pagan seems like he could still be a serviceable, if unspectacular starting option in left field. Fister could maybe throw 150-180 not entirely terrible innings. March free agency is HOT.
12 to 6
3:38
How soon does Ben Revere replace Maybin in LF if they both keep up their spring training trends?
Steve Adams
3:40
I wouldn't really assume that either player (or any player) is going to maintain his Spring Training trends if you're just solely looking at numbers, because there's so much small sample noise. If a pitcher is getting whiffs with a new pitch or arm slot, sure that's one thing, but spring batting lines are largely trivial.

I won't be surprised if Revere plays more than Maybin this year, though I'd imagine that's because Maybin spends a good chunk of the year on the shelf with some form of injury.
Rick Hahn
3:40
Will Zack Collins stay at catcher?
Steve Adams
3:40
I am not a scout nor have I seen Collins play, but I've yet to read any scouting report that thinks there's a better than even chance he'll stay there. Most are pretty pessimistic
Coppy
3:41
Am I going to pick up a bench piece or a more offensive minded 3b or Catcher any time soon? Shouldn't I be dealing some of you MiLB pitching depth?
Steve Adams
3:43
He did deal some MiLB pitching depth and did try to address the bench: Jaime Garcia trade and Sean Rodriguez signing (and, to a lesser extent, the Phillips trade -- both of which pushed Jace Peterson to the bench).

I think the Braves could still use a true fourth outfielder, but there's no real urgency at any of those spots. This isn't a year to contend for the Braves -- it's more about getting the younger guys some experience and taking that first transitional step toward contending.
Sam
3:43
more extensions than usual this offseason. why are so many teams pulling the trigger on extensions for players with low service time?
Steve Adams
3:44
Just going off my gut feel here, but this doesn't seem like an especially heavy winter for extensions. I'd have to go back and look at the exact numbers, but I don't think we're seeing a particularly abnormal amount of long-term deals. Clubs always try to sign their players to these types of extensions... it's not so much that the teams are pulling the trigger; it's more that the players are willing to do so, I'd say.
ME
3:44
Do you think Chris Coghlan will sign with a MLB team?
Steve Adams
3:45
Sure, but probably on another minor league deal -- maybe just somewhere that he feels there's a better path to the Majors (or more consistent ABs in AAA to showcase himself).
Aaron
3:46
Assuming he plays everyday and is healthy, how many home runs does Judge hit this year?
Steve Adams
3:46
I'm not convinced that he'll make enough contact to stay in the Majors, but even if he still punches out in more than a third of his plate appearances he could still hit 25+ with a crappy average and OBP
Carnac in Vegas
3:47
Which do you take: the Cubs/Indians to repeat, or the rest of the field? Why?
Steve Adams
3:47
Field, simply due to the randomness that occurs over a full 162-game season and several shorter, even less-predictable playoff series. Injuries, fluke declines, fluke career years, etc.
Dave
3:47
Rookie of the year?
Steve Adams
3:47
A fine film, but I'm a Little Big League guy.
3:49
I kid -- I'll take Benintendi in the AL and one of Swanson or Margot (if the Padres give him the playing time). Hardly earth-shattering picks, I know.
Johnny U
3:49
Why was Scooter Gennett let go, he seemed like a player going in the right direction and very young on a rebuilding team? At the least couldn't get at least a mid-level prospect in a trade...Just curious
Steve Adams
3:51
He's 26 years old, has never been able to hit lefties and is at best an average defender at second base. I figured they'd just non-tender him. K's were up last season as well. I don't think there's much to be excited about for the Reds or much to miss for Brewers fans.
ME
3:51
Could Chris Coghlan be a good option for the braves?
Steve Adams
3:52
Sure -- could play some 2B/3B and all over the outfield... reasonable bench piece, though as I recall they were more on the hunt for a right-handed-hitting OF.
TheGreatPablo
3:52
Good move on rangers 4 locking down Odor?
Steve Adams
3:53
I'm not as high on Odor as most Rangers fans probably are due to the nonexistent walk rate and lackluster defensive ratings. If he can remedy one of those two things then it's a fine deal, but it's not like those are just small concerns that can be entirely glossed over.
JR
3:54
Fister to the M's if Smyly is broken?
Steve Adams
3:54
If he's very, very broken then yeah I can see that coming together. If Smyly's going to miss 2-3 weeks or something, then no.
12 to 6
3:54
Did you do any hiking on your vacation?
Steve Adams
3:55
Did not -- but did whitewater raft for the first time, in Costa RIca, which was awesome. And went monkey watching/kayaking in the Panama Canal -- also very cool. It was a good trip.
Jeff
3:55
Biggest FA xontract next offseason is...?
Steve Adams
3:55
My pick goes to Arrieta
BoMel
3:55
Are the A's really going into the season with Alcantara and Triggs in the back end of the rotation?
Steve Adams
3:57
Triggs got throttled in a pair of spring starts, but I'm pretty bullish on him. Obviously not the largest of samples, but nearly a K per inning last season with just over two walks per nine and a ground-ball rate over 50 percent. In his time as a starter he had a ludicrous 23-to-1 K/BB ratio in 26 innings, I believe.
Connecting…