JotCast | Chat With MLBTR's Steve Adams: 10/25/17

Chat With MLBTR's Steve Adams: 10/25/17

Steve Adams

7:28

Jason's out tonight, so I figured what the heck -- I'll host an impromptu chat in his place for the Wednesday evening regulars out there. Hopefully those who chatted with me yesterday don't mind being stuck with me on consecutive days

And if you do, well... tough!

Chad

7:30

Could Lorenzo Cain possibly sign in Anaheim if Upton opts out?

Steve Adams

7:31

I don't see any reason they wouldn't at least kick the tires on him, though they might prefer to get a left-handed bat into the mix at some point. He's a more affordable alternative to Upton and arguably almost just as valuable, albeit in different ways.

Carl

7:31

What do you think is the best landing spot for Cobb? Seems like a potential 4/5 year deal could happen with weak FA class.

Steve Adams

7:33

I believe Brandon McCarthy became the first pitcher ever with only one season of 180+ innings to get a four-year deal back when he signed with the Dodgers. Alex Cobb has never even thrown 180 innings in a season. I don't think there's any chance he signs for five years.

He'll be attractive to a lot of teams looking for SP help but unwilling to pay top-of-the-market dollars for Darvish, Tanaka, etc. The Brewers, Cubs, Twins, Orioles, Ranger, Dodgers and about 6-7 other teams all make plausible sense.

Pitching1

7:33

What kind of contract does Morrow end up with?

Steve Adams

7:34

I have him at three years in the $6-8MM range annually. Ryan Madson got that when he came back from a long layoff and dominated with the Royals, and Morrow's been even better. He looks like an absolute monster, with durability really the only concern

Brendon

7:35

Any updates on the ATL front office/investigation situation? Is MLB waiting for the WS to end before announcing anything?

Steve Adams

7:35

I don't think the league will announce anything until the World Series is over -- correct

The league generally frowns on news announcements detracting from the World Series. I mean, I was honestly surprised to see the Mets announce five outrights a couple hours before Game 2 kicked off

7:36

I can't fathom MLB making that type of announcement during the WS

Mark

7:36

any chance sabathia leaves yankees?

Steve Adams

7:37

Sure there's a chance -- but I think the two sides have a definite level of comfort with one another and mutual interest. But, if he's set on two years and the Yankees prefer one, while Sabathia's hometown Giants are offering two or something -- yeah I can at least envision him moving on. I do think he's likely to return to the Yankees, but I wouldn't call it a sure thing by any means.

Guest

7:37

Hello from Australia Mr. Adams! Your thoughts on a creative upgrade to the Giants OF picture? Do they have the pieces to trade for a Yelich or Stanton maybe? Is a Braun trade still possible?

Steve Adams

7:38

Braun said at some point recently that he pretty much can't envision anywhere but the Dodgers. I don't think the Giants are very much in the picture there. I know there's been tons of speculation about the Giants' interest in Stanton, but I don't see any way they can really make it work. They want to get under the luxury tax, and Stanton alone would basically run them into it. And other teams can offer more in terms of prospects while also not having to fret over luxury tax considerations.

Yelich just seems like a pipe dream for the Giants to me, as well. It's not as if they don't have ANY prospects, but I have a hard time believing a club with a better farm wouldn't top the Giants' best offer.

7:39

(I'd have said the same about Andrelton Simmons and the Angels though, so weird crap happens sometimes!)

dart

7:39

Yanks move on Stanton rather than Harper--more immediate, cheaper, and possibly only on hook until 2020?

Steve Adams

7:40

I don't think any Yankees fans should get their hopes up re: Stanton after both Cashman and Steinbrenner have said they're going to get under the luxury tax threshold next year.

John

7:40

Do the cardinals have the money and prospects o go after Stanton?

Steve Adams

7:41

IT'S STANTON-MANIA. (I mean, I expect most offseason chats to be until something shakes out there though)

And yes, to both.

Trixie

7:41

Do you see the Padres signing any major free agents during the off-season? I realize they are rebuilding, but they have plenty of money to spare on their payroll.

Steve Adams

7:42

The same was true last offseason and they signed four starters for $3MM or less. I don't think they're necessarily going to be QUITE as frugal, but I'd be surprised if they even shelled out $10MM annually on a player. Maybe a one-year, $10MM rebound type of guy -- a Chris Tillman, I suppose. (With eyes on flipping him in July, of course)

Van

7:43

With cubs not committing to Almora they should go all out for Lorenzo Cain

Steve Adams

7:44

If the Cubs are giving four-year commitments to any free agents, I'd expect them to be of the starting pitching variety. I suppose they could go for Cain and try to pair Almora and Happ for rotation help.

The Cubs will be fun to watch just because there are genuinely so, so many avenues they can take this offseason given their surplus of interesting, controllable, MLB-ready talent and the cash they have on-hand.

Cardinal Way

7:44

Should the Cardinals tap into their younger SP depth and go after a trade for Machado?

Steve Adams

7:46

Machado is a free agent after the 2018 season, and I can't imagine him taking an extension just one year from the open market. Maybe if the Cards just ponied up market value right away, but you're talking $350-375MM as a starting point.

Hang onto the pitching talent unless you're pursuing someone with several years of control. If they want Machado, push to sign him a year from now.

David Sterns

7:46

Am I in the market for Alex Cobb?

Steve Adams

7:48

I honestly think the Brewers should be aiming higher and go after Darvish. They have the blank payroll slate for the most part, and teams that'd normally be in on him (Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers, Giants, maybe the Dodgers) all have reasons not to pursue that large of a financial commitment.

I'm not saying it's going to happen, of course, but there's a damn good case for the Brewers (and Twins, who are in a similar spot) to make those kinds of pursuits.

More to your actual question: I do think the Brewers will be in on Cobb to some extent, but there will be a lot of teams in that mix.

Liam

7:48

Any notable moves this winter for Mets?

Steve Adams

7:49

I'm expecting them to pick up Asdrubal's option and then make a fairly notable add either at second base or third base (there are about two dozen options they could reasonably pursue in that field)

More bullpen help, some rotation depth pieces.

Joe

7:49

Would Bradley and Rodriguez be enough for Stanton if sox talk all salary

Steve Adams

7:50

The Marlins will want controllable, long-term assets that they can hang onto for six years. Not arb-eligible guys like JBJ who are already earning $5-6MM and will be a free agent in a couple of years.

OaklandAsbreakerofstreaks

7:50

Whats the Oakland As record in 2018

Steve Adams

7:50

Let's see what they do in the offseason before making any kind of proclamation

Eppler

7:50

If Upton goes how much would Lorenzo Cain cost 3 for 45 mill.

Steve Adams

7:51

Way light. I think he'll beat Alex Gordon's four-year, $72MM deal.