JotCast | MLBTR Chat with Steve Adams 5-18-16

MLBTR Chat with Steve Adams 5-18-16

Steve Adams

3:24

Ahoy. Apologies on not chatting yesterday -- had a scheduling conflict that didn't really leave me much time to do so. As such, spontaneous Wednesday chat!

Seattle Mariners

3:25

So if we are still hanging around by the all-star break what move could you see us making?

Steve Adams

3:29

I expect the Mariners to be hanging around, and it's nice that there isn't really a glaring need for them. I do wonder if they'll look for an upgrade behind the plate, though they could simply turn to Zunino in that regard. I'm with Dipoto in his belief that Lind will start hitting, so I don't know that they'll need to make a huge splash at first base. Biggest moves for them will probably be more depth purposes -- adding some kind of corner bat that hits from the left side makes sense, adding to the back of the 'pen and/or rotation.

If Aoki/Gutierrez continue to struggle, a corner outfield bat is the one spot I can see them going after someone notable.

Spencer

3:29

Is Odubel Herrera legit?

Steve Adams

3:30

He was really good last season, and now he's almost inexplicably become one of the most patient hitters in baseball. I don't know your personal definition of "legit," but he's a well-above-average big leaguer at this point.

Theo the genius

3:30

Do I trade my gold minor league currency for the Troutster?

Steve Adams

3:31

The Trout trade talk is all speculation at this point. And it's fun to speculate! But that doesn't mean the Angels are actually thinking that at this point.

Ryan

3:31

Any thoughts on the Braves signing Fredi Gonzalez at this point in the season??

Steve Adams

3:32

Firing, I assume you mean.
And it's about the time that managers begin getting canned. Mike Redmond and Ron Roenicke were in this timeframe last year as well. It won't do a damn thing for the Braves, so I don't really love the move, but I never feel that midseason managerial changes for struggling clubs accomplishes all that much.

Petet

3:32

If the twins have another 90+ lose season (which looks plausible) does Terry Ryan lose uis job

Steve Adams

3:33

I doubt it, but I doubted they'd ever actually fire Gardenhire, either. Even if he does get the boot, knowing the way the Twins operate, my guess is that they'd just promote Rob Antony to GM, so it's not like they'd be getting a fresh voice in there anyhow.

Lucas Giolito

3:34

How long until I am in the big leagues?

Steve Adams

3:35

He's not even pitching well at Double-A, and the Nats don't have a clear need to add to the rotation right now. I wouldn't expect it anytime soon. Maybe late this summer.

MetsBro

3:35

Who is your long-term stud at SS in the NL.....Russell, Seager, Crawford, Arcia, Turner?

Steve Adams

3:36

Russell is already playing well at shortstop right now, and consensus seems to be that Seager will eventually move to 3B, so give me Addison.

Darth Vader

3:36

Do you think Profar will get another chance to play when Odor's suspension gets finalized?

Steve Adams

3:37

Yeah I can see him popping up for a week or so during that time. There's no permanent spot for him at the moment, though, so I wouldn't expect it to be any more than a brief cup of coffee.

Andrew M.

3:37

I understand we are still months away, but which starting pitchers do you think might be available at the break? Pirates need help on back end of rotation.

Steve Adams

3:39

Teheran, Cashner, Nolasco, Rich Hill, Chacin, Ervin Santana -- there will be more, but I don't think there are any definitive aces or anything that'll be available. Then again, the Bucs don't necessarily need that

3:40

Fister, Feldman perhaps as well

redsoxfan

3:40

Will Benintendi be in the mlb roster after the super 2 date?

Steve Adams

3:41

He's only played two games at Double-A. Let's pump the brakes on that enthusiasm.

JPB

3:41

Do the Braves bring up Dansby soon?

Steve Adams

3:42

Seventeen games at AA. I get wanting to see these guys in the Majors, but they're still really young and have some development left. Might get Albies before Swanson in ATL.

Adams Steve

3:42

Do you think Adam Duvall will come back to haunt Brian Sabean? OPS is .888..Mike Leake trade last year was so meaningless

Steve Adams

3:44

He's struck out in a third of his plate appearances as well, has a .350 BABIP he's not going to sustain and isn't really a standout defender anywhere on the field. I don't think he's even going to end up as an everyday player.

Jon

3:44

With the 1st overall pick in the 2016 MLB draft, the Philadelphia Phillies select __________? Puk/Groome seemed to be a lock not long ago, but a "safer" positional player like Kyle Lewis seems equally as likely now.

Steve Adams

3:46

Seems like they're leaning college player -- lots of Puk/Lewis projections out there from people who, unlike me, are paid to specialize in the draft/prospect realm of the world.

But, it's worth noting that the Phillies probably aren't even 100% certain who they're going to take at this point, and there's still enough time for a player to really boost or tank his stock with a late surge/skid.

Disgruntled Rangers Fan

3:46

What should the Rangers do with Tolleson?

Steve Adams

3:49

They'll drop him to a lower-leverage role and wait for him to sort it out. I mean, I get the frustration, but maybe Bannister shouldn't have used him five straight days to close out the season and had him pitch four days in a row two other times late in the season last year.

On the plus side, his velocity isn't down (it's actually up), so the problem seems to be location more than anything. He's falling behind hitters a lot more this season, and it doesn't seem like he's commanding within the zone as well as he did last year either. I wouldn't label him a lost cause, but I do wonder if he's been overworked. I was appalled with his usage late in 2015.

Michael

3:49

Who brought up the suggestion that the Angels trade Trout anyways?

Steve Adams

3:50

They're a fourth-place team that has been decimated by injuries and doesn't look like it's going to contend. And they have a historically terrible farm system with the game's best player on a reasonable contract at the big league level. It's a natural leap to make.

Gregersn

3:50

Will Giles replace me ?

Steve Adams

3:52

At some point, yeah, though I don't know about the immediate future. Gregerson's had some struggles, but the secondary stats are more or less fine. Giles has had five straight really good outings, but before that, he was pitching considerably worse than Gregerson has been of late.

Jeff

3:52

Besides for Mike Trout, do the Angels even have any other trade assets?

Steve Adams

3:53

Kole Calhoun, Joe Smith, Huston Street, Yunel Escobar, Geovany Soto, Fernando Salas, Jhoulys Chacin ... not all of those guys are going to carry tons of value, of course, but any of them is a reasonable piece to be shopped come July if the Angels are still way out of it. Lincecum, too, if that deal is finalized and he looks decent.

Guadalupe Chavez

3:53

If the Blue Jays aren't contending at the deadline, would Bautista or EE waive there 10/5 rights?

Steve Adams

3:54

I'd imagine so. Doing so not only allows them to play for a contender down the stretch, it'd also eliminate the possibility of being slapped with a qualifying offer this winter, which can only help their free agent stock.

Reyes

3:54

Do I have a job when my suspension ends?

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