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Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams: 1/12/21
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Steve Adams
2:01
Greetings! Back from a week off and ready for our first chat of 2021. Slow offseason pace or not, there's still plenty to talk about
Austin
2:01
Nationals next big move?
Steve Adams
2:02
I think Schwarber and Bell are probably their two largest moves, unless the Realmuto market just really doesn't come together and they get him at a lower price than was expected at the onset of free agency.
2:03
They'll probably add an affordable fourth starter and tinker with the 'pen, but I don't think they have a Corbin/Scherzer-style addition in them at this point.
Benintendi
2:03
Where do you think I’m getting shipped?
Steve Adams
2:04
Of the teams he's been connected to, my bet is on the Astros. They have the best blend of an immediate need, a desire to win in 2021 and some available payroll space
Ebbets Field
2:04
Thought this gentleman posted an eye opening comparison to put Trevor Bauer into context:

Dan Clark

@DanClarkSports
·
Jan 2

Trevor Bauer - Career
• 205 games
• 75-64 record
• 3.90 ERA
• 1.26 WHIP

Tanner Roark - Career
• 224 games
• 76-67 record
• 3.83 ERA
• 1.26 WHIP
Steve Adams
2:05
I think that context is useless. Who cares what Trevor Bauer did in 2015? They're different players at different points of their career. Whoever signs Bauer doesn't care what he did when he was 25, nor should they. They're worried about what he's going to do in 2021 and possibly up through 2025 or so. His early career has no bearing on that.
2:06
The White Sox sure didn't care that Liam Hendriks was a journeyman who'd been DFA'ed four times.
They care who he is now and what he'll do in the near-term future.
Cards
2:06
Will the Cardinals ever do anything? One of these days their minor league sleepers luck is going to run out
Steve Adams
2:07
I'd imagine they'll sign some combo of Yadi, Wainwright and (if not Wainwright) a marginal fourth/fifth veteran SP. Someone in the J.A. Happ mold.
Rick Hahn
2:07
What is my big trade gonna be for?
Steve Adams
2:07
They already traded for Lance Lynn!
Jacob Robertson
2:07
how do the braves retaliate lindor trade to mets?
Steve Adams
2:09
Teams don't really make counter-moves to each other anymore. Few general managers get reactionary, and Alex Anthopoulos has been anything but that since taking the reins in Atlanta. If they make a big move, I imagine it'll be a move they'd have done with or without Lindor/Carrasco going to the Mets.

Possibilities for the Braves at this point would be re-signing Ozuna, acquiring Bryant, signing Brantley ... any of the three seems viable to me, but I doubt even they know which direction they'll go right now.
South side pride
2:09
Chances of Bauer signing with the White Sox?
Steve Adams
2:11
The more win-now moves they make, the better the chances. He wants to win a World Series. I think his earnest desire to pitch every fourth day probably isn't something the Sox can really offer with Giolito, Keuchel, Lynn, Cease and Kopech each already on board. Also worth wondering if Jerry Reinsdorf wants to take what would already be a franchise-record $131MM payroll (give or take a couple million) and add another $30MM+ in annual salary.
2:12
I ultimately lean against it and think he'll go elsewhere, but it's more plausible to me with each notable addition the Sox make. Winning, and a commitment to keep trying to win, seems like a major point of focus for Bauer.
Jason
2:12
what do you see Brewers doing?
Steve Adams
2:13
Making a whole bunch of low-cost, one-year dice rolls and hoping they keep them afloat in a division that no one seems to want to win.
2:14
The NL Central is the most boring division in baseball. Any one of the Cubs, Brewers, Reds or Cardinals could step up and absolutely seize it, and instead the Cubs are shedding payroll, the Cards are hemming and hawing about whether they can afford to pay two franchise icons, the Reds are salary dumping their bullpen and the Brewers are just sitting in idle.

That division is a microcosm of the competitive issue that is really hurting the game more than anything else, in my view.
Paw Paw
2:14
Whats the hold up on the DH in the NL decision?
Steve Adams
2:15
The relationship between MLB and the MLBPA is so broken that they can't even agree on things they both want. Both sides are surely using it to try to leverage something out of the other, and it's hurting the offseason, hurting the players and hurting the teams simultaneously.
Stevie Buckets
2:15
Am I really out on Springer? Lindor move came out of nowhere, feel like the relaxed media noise with the mets and springer makes them more likely to sign him
Steve Adams
2:16
I doubt the Mets are out on Springer, no. Cohen hasn't made any hard declaration that he won't go over the luxury tax threshold. Even if they do prefer to do that, the Mets could trade Matz, Nimmo, Brach and others to try to duck back beneath.
Orioles
2:16
Do you have any idea what starting pitchers the orioles might look to pick up?
Steve Adams
2:20
I doubt they'll pursue anyone of too much note. I believe Elias' largest free-agent signing is still Jose Iglesias, unless I'm completely blanking on someone. I could see anyone from Tyler Anderson, Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez, Anibal Sanchez, Trevor Williams... veterans on minor league deals or something under $2MM guaranteed.

Would be nice to see the O's at least try for SOME upside with a guy like Alex Wood or Mike Foltynewicz, but they haven't really shown any level of aggression in adding arms under this regime.
Ozuna
2:21
Back to the Braves?
Steve Adams
2:23
My answer on that continues to be no; we haven't seen this front-office group make that type of long-term expenditure on a free agent. Depends somewhat on the NL DH, too, for several reasons:
  • NL DH makes it easier for the Braves to keep Ozuna
  • NL DH opens up the market for Cruz, who could appeal to the Braves on a shorter term as the Twins gravitate toward a younger option (Ozuna or Brantley)
Cubby fan
2:23
You are dead wrong. Not everyone wants the universal DH. People who actually care about tradition don't want anything to with the universal DH.
Steve Adams
2:23
I didn't say everyone wants the DH. I said the league and the MLBPA both want the DH.
Mikey Mike
2:24
Giants have almost no one under contract after this year, and the rotation will have quite a few openings at that point. Will they sign a starter for multiple years this offseason?
Steve Adams
2:24
I could see them extending Gausman, but I'd look to next winter for more aggressive long-term spending.
Matty G
2:24
Contreras to the Marlins seems like a deal the Fish need to make, no?
Steve Adams
2:25
I wouldn't say Contreras specifically so much as generally upgrading behind the plate. There are multiple ways to go about that; a Contreras deal certainly seems viable.
Trying to be an optimist in CLE
2:25
Do you see Cleveland actually "reinvesting" in the team.  Jbj, brantley, someone?  Please give me hope.
Steve Adams
2:27
I think JBJ and Brantley will both have fine markets and sign for more than Cleveland wants to spend. They'll "reinvest" in some lower-cost assets I'm sure, but probably someone on a one-year deal with a spottier record -- Adam Duvall perhaps? That sort of thing.
Drudge28
2:27
turner back to the dodgers on a 3 plus option year ???
Steve Adams
2:27
If L.A. were willing to go three years on Turner, I think that'd be done by now.
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