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Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams 10/19/21
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Steve Adams
2:30
Salutations.
Let's talk about all the baseball and such.
Brian
2:31
Realistic chance the White Sox can add a 2B and RF this offseason?
Steve Adams
2:35
There's no reason they shouldn't be able to. They're projected around $155MM right now in total payroll, which is a lot by their standards, but they've spoken in the past about upping their threshold when the time is right -- which it is now. The second-base market in free agency is typically a buyer's market because supply outweighs demand. It should be more of the same this year, and that's largely true in the outfield as well.

The Sox also don't have tons of other areas to address with so much talent in place already. I think they'll look to do better than Cesar Hernandez at 2B and be open to trade possibilities in right field. (They'd make a hell of a bounceback spot for Michael Conforto if he wants to go that route, too.)
Jeff
2:35
They won’t, but should the angels see what kind of offers are out there for Ohtani?
Steve Adams
2:36
I don't think so. I know Halo fans are tired of the same refrain, but it's also true ... you've got Trout, Ohtani and Rendon (who had a bad year in '21, of course, but is among the better players in the game when healthy).

They obviously need pitching, but the foundation of a good team is here. They shouldn't be looking to move Ohtani, they should be looking to add some useful arms around him.
Danny
2:36
Could the Pirates sign a Dylan Bundy/Zach Davies type? How much $ do you think they’d command?
Steve Adams
2:38
In terms of bounceback pitchers, yeah the Pirates will probably sign one. I don't think Bundy and Davies are particularly similar, though. Bundy can't seem to keep the ball in the park, but he misses bats at a high level and should be far more popular than Davies.

Davies had one of the worst K-BB% marks in all of MLB this season and has primarily been a fifth starter outside that big 2020 in San Diego.

They're both one-year deal guys, for me. Davies at $5MM or less, Bundy a few million more because there's actual upside and bat-missing abilities there.
Brodie Jr.
2:38
Can you ask Steve Cohen and Sandy to call me. I have trade ideas
Steve Adams
2:38
Steve Cohen is super active on Twitter. Just tweet at him!
Great
2:39
Billy Eppler as Mets pobo?
Steve Adams
2:39
Eppler just took a job with Carlos Correa's agency, WME. Maybe he'd welcome the chance to get back into baseball ops, but it'd be a pretty brief dalliance into the other side of the negotiation pool for him.
Bruce
2:40
What is a realistic starting pitching return the Giants could expect if they dealt Bart to the Marlins?
Steve Adams
2:41
I think they could justifiably try to build an Alcantara package around Bart, but Miami is trying to extend Sandy as well. If they get that done, they're not moving him. Pablo Lopez is a real solid arm controlled another three seasons though, and the Bart/Marlins fit makes a lot of sense.
Carter Hawkins
2:41
The Cubs sold off at the deadline, but the pitching was the true issue in the second half. Do you think they have a shot at a guy like Stroman or more one year bounce back types?
Steve Adams
2:43
They're the Cubs. They have a "shot" at any pitcher they want. Their pockets are immensely deep. I don't think they're going to play for that caliber of free agent, though. I think they'll be looking somewhere between the one-year guys and the five/six-year guys (and I do think Stro is a five-year deal). Matz, Gray, DeSclafani, etc. seem reasonable enough, depending on QO decisions. I would imagine they'll be reluctant to part with draft picks as they look to also build up their farm.
Lobo Sr.
2:43
Steve: Good Afternoon. Do you think the Marlins offering of Sixto and Meyer could fetch Mullins and Raushmann from the Orioles?
Steve Adams
2:45
I don't. Rutschman is the best prospect in baseball -- better than either a slightly damaged Sixto Sanchez or Max Meyer. And Mullins is an immediate upgrade in center with four years of control.

I can't see any scenario where Baltimore moves Adley Rutschmann right now. Sanchez and Meyer for Mullins alone would be a hell of an offer for the O's to ponder, though.
Robbie Ray
2:45
Where am I playing next year and can I top 150 million in total value?
Steve Adams
2:48
I'm not personally predicting 150, but I have him north of 125, so it's possible. As for where he'll pitch -- even he doesn't know that right now, but teams that could be in the mix.... Jays, Giants, Angels, Mariners, Dodgers, Red Sox, Twins
Zach
2:48
didi + cash to Yankees for ptbnl, who says no?
Steve Adams
2:49
The Yankees didn't move Gleyber to 2B just so they can trade for a similar defensive problem at shortstop.
From Paris with Love
2:49
Do you see the Athletics tradng Bassitt or Manea ? Cards a good fit?
Steve Adams
2:51
Manaea will be more expensive and feels likelier as a result. I think they'll move at least one of Bassitt, Manaea, Olson or Chapman this winter, though. Manaea/Cardinals is a fine fit, sure. Cards could use some more options in the rotation. Their depth almost sunk them this year.

Wainwright, Flaherty, Mikolas, Hudson is a nice start, but can't expect everyone to stay healthy.
Guest
2:51
Miami is a very intriguing team in my opinion. Aside from getting a starting catcher, do you envision any big splashes from Kim Ng to really end the rebuild and start to piece together a consistently competitive team?
Steve Adams
2:52
Marlins have more young pitching than anyone in baseball, which sets up tons of trade scenarios. They also have a largely blank payroll and ownership/front office saying it's willing to spend some this winter. I agree they're a fascinating team to watch. Beyond catcher, which I do expect them to prioritize via trade, they have to add at least one outfielder. They'll spend a but on bullpen help, too.
Monkey C
2:53
will expansion be part of the new CBA?
Steve Adams
2:53
Very much doubt we get serious about expansion while the A's and Rays are still trying to sort their stadium issues.
The Imposter
2:54
If the Reds don't pick up Barnhart's option, what do you see him landing on the open market?
Steve Adams
2:56
There aren't many palatable options out there in free agency. I could see a two-year deal with a modest AAV ($5-7MM?)

The Reds should pick it up, though, even with Stephenson. Or just trade him to a team that needs a catcher on a short-term deal. A year and $7MM or so for Barnhart is pretty decent value.
Cash man
2:57
Am I signing a big name SS or am I going cheap until one of the two kids are ready
Steve Adams
2:58
Sign someone. Volpe and Peraza aren't sure things, and even if they push for MLB time at SS by 2023-24, they'll be athletic enough to handle other positions or the Yankees can just move a Corey Seager/Trevor Story/Marcus Semien to third base or second base.
BlackAce57
2:58
Should Cashman and Boone's fates be linked together now going forward with the extension? I know a lot of focus has been on Boone, but when will Cashman be on the hot seat for his roster building?
Steve Adams
3:02
Lots of Yankees questions, but it's a Yankee-heavy news day.

Some of it's on Cashman, some of it's on Boone, some of it's on Hal Steinbrenner. I doubt Cashman enjoyed having to limbo under the luxury tax because ownership mandated it -- which it obviously did.

The Yankees could've gone over the line by $20MM and been hit with a $10MM while their top pick next year dipped by ten places. It's not nothing, but for a big-market team that didn't miss home field in the Wild Card game by much and had some obvious depth issues, maybe that should've been acceptable?

Anyhow, bottom line: it's not just a Boone issue. It's not just a Cashman issue. It's not just an ownership issue. It's all of the above, and it's on the players and coaches, too.
3:03
Also, for the record ... I don't really think four straight winning seasons, an ALCS run, two ALDS appearances and a Wild Card loss is a bad four years. I know it's "World Series or bust" in the Bronx, and I know it's been more than a decade since their last World Series, but we've seen plenty of high-payroll clubs struggle quite a bit more than that with consistency.
Morgs13
3:04
Do u see Phillies signing a top FA SS?  DD seems to want one
Steve Adams
3:04
I like them as a fit for one of the top shortstops, yes.
Kyle Schwarber
3:04
Will the Red Sox extend me or let me hit the FA market? If so, what does my market look like?
Steve Adams
3:07
He's been a monster since June, but the defensive limitations are real and he's more platoon-y than the market's other top bat-first corner OF (Castellanos).

I still think Schwarber should get a strong four-year deal, and we've at least touched on the possibility of whether he'd get five in out free agent planning sessions (I don't think he will)
Shane
3:07
What a find Whitlock is! Props to Bloom.
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