JotCast | Chat With MLBTR's Steve Adams: 10/3/17

Chat With MLBTR's Steve Adams: 10/3/17

Steve Adams

3:31

Greetings! Happy playoffs. I'm on a shorter window than usual today, sorry. Have been juggling mu;tiple things and got a late start. I'll extend next week's chat in compensation! Someone remind me next week.

3:32

I'm also coming to you live from a neighborhood coffee shop today, so let's hope the Internet connection holds up!

3:32

Who do you like for tonight's game?

Steve Adams

3:33

I'm admittedly a born and raised Twins fan, so my heart will be with them, but I can't say I realistically favor them over the Yankees. It's one game, so "anything can happen" caveats and all that -- but if Severino can even go four to five solid innings and turn it over to some combo of Green, Kahnle, Robertson, Betances and Chapman, it's deadly for the Twins

Their 'pen just can't stack up, so they need a good performance from Ervin as well as an early homer or two

3:34

I also fear Paul Molitor continually playing small ball and forfeiting outs with sac bunt attempts when they should be playing for a big inning or two... I don't think Ervin and the Twins' pen hold the Yankees' lineup in check over nine innings in the Bronx

Patty O'Furniture

3:34

What type of penalties are the Braves realistically looking at? International restrictions obviously, plus loss of draft picks? What else?

Steve Adams

3:36

I'm just as curious as everyone else. Frankly, we've never seen a scenario that resulted in a GM stepping down, so I'm sure we're also looking at unprecedented penalization from the league as well. It sounds like the loss of a prospect like Maitan or other players deemed to have been illegally acquired/convinced to sign in Atlanta could be a potential outcome.

Jerry

3:36

Cardinals first move? Bullpen or bat?

Steve Adams

3:36

Generally speaking, relievers that sign early do way, way better than those that sign late. I'd prioritize the lineup and wait out the 'pen market. The Cards gave Brett Cecil 4/30 on Nov. 21 last year and then watched Blevins and Logan sign one-year deals two months later.

Jerry Dipoto

3:37

Do we have any chance at playoffs next year? Or should I tear it down?

Steve Adams

3:38

Weren't THAT far off in 2017 with terrible health in their rotation. Still have Cano, Segura, Seager, Cruz, Haniger, Paxton -- there's some pieces to like there. I imagine they'll make another run at it and, like the Orioles and Blue Jays, sell in July if things aren't panning out in season.

Steve

3:38

Why are both the teams tonight carrying 10 and 11 pitchers for 1 game (including multiple starters)

Steve Adams

3:39

Matchups, length. It's an AL game -- they don't need to make a lot of substitutions on the position-player front and they want the depth in case Ervin or Severino gets shelled or in case things go to extras. There's just not a huge need for them carry a hugely deep bench, I don't think

Bret

3:40

Does Lorenzo Cain aim for Dexter Fowler's deal in free agency?

Steve Adams

3:40

He's older than Fowler was in free agency and not as good of a hitter, though he's a better defender. I think he's more in the four-year range though. His old friend Al Gordon's deal might be a target area though

CHISOX FAN

3:41

What are the chances that M. Gonzales comes back to the White Sox and they flip him again?

Steve Adams

3:41

I can see it, but it'd probably have to be a late-offseason kind of deal. Gonzalez by all accounts enjoyed himself with the Sox, but he's a free agent that won't have to come into camp and earn a rotation spot or anything; he'll probably be looking to join a contender earlier in the winter.

JSix

3:42

Will there be too many home run hitting OFers available for the Reds to get any value out of Duvall in a trade?

Steve Adams

3:43

Duvall has more power than most of them and is cheaper, but the OBP is going to drag down his value. He's basically a league-average bat with really strong power due to his lack of on-base skills. Plus with four years of control left they don't really have to trade him.

I'd bet against him getting moved this winter.

Nate

3:44

Bobby Evans said today he's prioritizing OF defense and hinted that they prefer the trade market over FA signings. Who should be on their radar?

Steve Adams

3:45

I haven't seen a full transcript of his comments but if it's really a defense-first kind of thing in CF, Billy Hamilton is a plausibly available target for them to pursue.

They'd need to find other spots to add some offense to that lineup, though.

OaklandAsbreakerofstreaks

3:45

How good are the Matts on the As?

Steve Adams

3:46

On a scale of Not Very good to a scale of Very good they're somewhere closer to Very Good. #Analysis

Really, though, that should be Oakland's corner infield for the next half decade. (Standard UNLESS THEY TRADE EVERYONE AGAIN caveat applies)

Kevin

3:47

O's and Jake Arrieta reunion?

Steve Adams

3:47

If you're Arrieta are you really itching to go back to the org that insisted on you pitching a certain way that was clearly not conducive to your success? I don't see it.

Dale

3:47

Did Billy Butler retire from baseball as he was never signed this past season?

Steve Adams

3:48

Don't think he ever filed any paperwork. Could still resurface somewhere down the line.

3:48

Do the nationals attempt to reaquire Felipe Rivera

Steve Adams

3:49

They can try all they want, but they'd look pretty silly paying the ridiculous prospect price it'd take to pry him out of the Pirates' cold, dead hands. Rivero has increased his trade value something in the vicinity of a bajillion-fold since the Nats gave him up for Melancon

Rocktober

3:49

Rockies or Dbacks?

Steve Adams

3:49

Based on your name, I don't think you'll like my answer.

Sam

3:49

How bad will this GM exit put the Braves back rebuild wise?

Steve Adams

3:50

There's no way of knowing until we see what the penalties are. If they keep Maitan and just get hit with some fines and draft limitations, meh -- the farm is still loaded.

Rick

3:50

Are there any shortstops available through trade this off season?

Steve Adams

3:51

Aledmys Diaz, Jurickson Profar, Jed Lowrie if you count him. Hechavarria maybe?

Slick Rick

3:52

How stoked are you to play with Russ, PG13, and Melo?

Steve Adams

3:52

Ha -- I get the Steven Adams thing a lot. I'll be watching KAT, Wiggins and Jimmy Buckets more closely this season though :)