JotCast | Trade Rumors Front Office Chat

Trade Rumors Front Office Chat

Prev Page View Full Chat

SteveM

2:25

The recent slumps of the TWINS and the YANKEES...injuries or simply better division rivals (ie CWS, DET, KC, TB Baltimore? LOL)?

Connor Byrne

2:26

A combination, especially in regards to the vastly improved AL Central. In the Yankees' case, you can only have so much success with so many injuries. Their lineup has been decimated of late, though like I said before, their rotation's not very good. They're pretty flawed even when healthy.

RMR

2:27

Laureano hot streak coming? He's been awful since the suspension.

Connor Byrne

2:28

Four hits in his past two games & his overall numbers are pretty close to those from the previous couple seasons (130 wRC+ in 2018, 126 last season, 125 this year). He's not someone I'm worried about.

SteveM

2:29

If the Wins-Loss rule was changed to reflect the most effective pitcher of the game how many more wins would he have had? This would be a great "just for the heck of it" stat to look into this winter.

Connor Byrne

2:29

I don't know off the top of my head, but the question itself makes me wonder how many wins Felix Hernandez left on the table because of the Mariners' offensive incompetence

SteveM

2:30

San Diego has really churned up their roster. They will never catch the Dodgers but maybe make a little noise in the playoffs? Does this have an adverse affect on chemistry?

Connor Byrne

2:30

Can't say for sure because I'm not in the locker room, but winning's a lot of fun and I think the Padres are in better position to do that now than they were before the deadline. So, I think their chemistry will be just fine.

Frank

2:31

I very much enjoy the chats featured on your site. But despite the addition of your front office chat, the total number seems to have declined.. Hopefully, it was just a summer scheduling issue, and the number will again increase.

Connor Byrne

2:32

Thank you! We have had some scheduling changes of late. We'll try to get back to normal soon.

GangGreen23

2:32

A’s still lack a bona-fide Ace, to pitch a pivotal Must-Win game. I’m worried we’ll get bounced out of the Playoffs early again. Montas, Manaea, Luzardo have all been up and down.

Connor Byrne

2:34

Montas went from Cy Young contender to horrific over the course of a few starts. I'd like to believe he'll get past this. Until then, your concerns are legit.

Bruce

2:34

Shouldn't Alex A and the Braves load up and make an offer to Angels for Mike Trout, and let him enjoy a decade of post-season contention in Atlanta?

Connor Byrne

2:35

Well, every team should, but Trout's not going anywhere. By the way, when you're 12-25 with Trout, Rendon and Fletcher taking up a third of your lineup, that's really pathetic. I'll be surprised if GM Billy Eppler is still there next season.

Kirt Bennett

2:36

Who is your pick to win the AL?

Connor Byrne

2:36

I said Yankees coming into the season, but I'm going to the Rays now

Albert Pujols

2:37

When my contract expires with the Angels, will another team offer me a chance to break Barry bonds homerun record?

Connor Byrne

2:37

He still has another big-money year left with the Angels. Best Pujols will do after that is a minor league contract. He's a soon-to-be 41-year-old in the midst of a fourth straight awful season at the plate.

Braves20

2:38

Any idea where the better offer was coming from that prompted the Padres to up the ante for Clevinger?

Connor Byrne

2:39

My guess would be the Braves, as last I checked, the Padres and White Sox were the other favorites. I guess CLE never had any intention of trading Clevinger to a division rival.

Keith

2:39

I know it is unlikely, but should the Angels trade Adell for pitching?

Connor Byrne

2:41

Depends on the "pitching" they'd be getting back. They could listen to offers if an ace type with a few years' control is on the table, but otherwise, don't see it happening. Their outfield's not even that much of a strength anymore (Trout aside, obviously). Calhoun and Goodwin are gone, and Upton's career has gone in the tank.

2:42

Although Marsh could be in the mix soon, which helps

Ted

2:42

Hard to figure out the Cardinals’ strategy. They may have traded their best outfielders in Piscotty and Grichuk. Gonzalez for O’Neill appears to be a disaster, as were the Grichuk and Piscotty deals. And then nothing at the deadline. Are they just content to make it to the watered down playoffs? Where is the accountability to the great Cardinal fans?

Connor Byrne

2:45

I don't think those were ridiculous trades for STL at the time. Piscotty was sent to Oakland in part because the Cards wanted to put him near his mother, who was dealing with ALS (she has since passed). The Grichuk move turned out horribly, but he never put it together with the Cardinals. Gonzales-O'Neill ... Gonzales had some bad injury concerns then and O'Neill was a touted prospect

2:46

In other words, I'm not going to kill STL for those trades. I still think they're a well-managed franchise

RMR

2:47

How much of what Winker is doing is real? He seems to be making much better contact, but it seems to have cost him a bunch of whiffs and he's still not getting the ball in the air a ton.

Connor Byrne

2:49

He was a highly regarded prospect who was very productive at the plate from 2017-19, whose numbers this year have been incredible, and whose Statcast figures are off the charts. He's hitting the ball way harder this season and has seen his exit velo climb by 4 percent since 2019. All that said, I'm bullish

Is he 180 wRC+ per year good? No, but I like him a lot

Kodos

2:50

How much of the Blue Jay's dumb mistakes on the coaching staff and how much are on the players.

Connor Byrne

2:51

A combo is the answer, although it sounds like a cop-out. However, Toronto's staff is doing a mighty good job, so I'm loath to bash any of them

GBS42

2:51

Not a question, but thanks to your team for typically listing full-season and prorated salaries for players when relevant. It's good to know what their full-season value is/was as a frame of reference, as well as the actual money they're being paid this season, especially at the trade deadline when the remaining salary was important to many acquiring teams.

Connor Byrne

2:51

Glad to hear that. Thank you!

2:52

Now, after an hour, I have to take off and prepare to handle the site for the rest of the afternoon/evening. Thanks so much for your questions and your membership! Steve will chat next Thursday at the same time. Take care.

Connecting…

Message History

On Off

Your current subscriptions

None

E-mail Address	Chat Owner	Status	Remove

Enter your email address to be notified when Steve Adams hosts a chat