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Chat With MLBTR's Steve Adams: 12/27/18
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Steve Adams
3:32
Hey all! Realized that Jeff Todd is out for the day and would be chatting, so I figured I'd host an impromptu one in his absence
Will get rolling in just one minute here
John
3:34
Do you think Kluber or Bauer is traded?
Steve Adams
3:35
I really don't, unless they're just bowled over with an offer that includes multiple MLB-ready pieces to step into areas of need (3B, CF, etc.).

There will still be tons of Kluber/Bauer rumors -- because teams will continue to inquire and try to put something together -- but I don't think they're all that motivated to move one just for the sake of further paring back payroll and getting younger.
Nats
3:35
Nats plans?
Steve Adams
3:36
Add a one-year stopgap at second base who can serve as a bridge of sorts to Carter Kieboom. Look for some opportunistic deals at fifth starter and in the bullpen as the market continues to stagnate into Feb.
I like Brian Dozier as a fit for them
John
3:36
Do you like the Cruz signing for the Twins?
Steve Adams
3:39
I don't see how there's any real way to hate on signing one of the most consistently productive hitters at a reasonable price with an even more reasonable club option. They have the money to do it, easily.

Realistically, I think the Twins should be joining the White Sox in genuinely trying to see if they can persuade Harper or Machado to go to an unexpected Midwest location, but that doesn't appear to be in their plans.

Regardless, they have zero dollars on the books in 2020, only $100MM in 2019, and are in a division with two actively rebuilding teams, one barely starting to come out of a rebuild, and a division leader that has taken a step back. I'd be more aggressive than they've been
KluberLang
3:39
What do you think of Quintana and Happ for Kluber?
Steve Adams
3:40
I don't think it gives Cleveland enough incentive to move Kluber, but I'm not a big Ian Happ guy.
reds
3:40
Do we sign Keuchel
Steve Adams
3:41
I've said since the beginning of the offseason that I can't see Keuchel (or any top SP) signing there on the heels of a half-decade of rough results and in a tiny park. Adding Wood/Puig/Roark might make some free agents buy into the fact that they're trying a bit harder, but I think more competitive teams in better pitching environments will offer more.

In short -- no. I'm a big Alex Wood fan, though, and I like that add for the Reds (more so than the Roark pickup)
Bryce Bryant
3:41
Marwin Gonzalez.. can play any position and is a solid bat. Where do you think he signs? And will he be more of a starter or platoon guy?
Steve Adams
3:43
He'll start somewhere. I honestly don't think anyone has a good sense for where he'll sign, because upwards of two thirds of the league is genuinely in on him. He'll sign with a contending club who gives him everyday ABs, though. I like the Braves, Nationals and Brewers as fits, myself. Milwaukee might be my favorite spot but not sure if they'll truly spend enough to get him.
Nick Castellanos
3:44
Aside from the defensive shortcomings am I a good fit in Colorado?
Steve Adams
3:44
Brushing aside his defensive shortcomings doesn't make much sense. He's quite possibly the worst outfielder in MLB, and Coors Field has tons of outfield grass to cover. I don't like the fit at all.
Puig will be a fan favorite in
3:45
Do you think the Reds will try to sign Alex Wood to an extension?
Steve Adams
3:46
They wouldn't be doing their job if they didn't explore the price tag, but he's only a year from free agency, has already made a lot and will clear $9MM this season, so he doesn't have tons of urgency to sign. It's the same spot they were in when they signed Homer Bailey to that ill-fated extension. Not saying Wood would bomb in such spectacular fashion as Bailey did, but he's going to be seeking a relatively fair market price.
3:47
He'll be a free agent at 28, just like Nathan Eovaldi was, and he has a similar history of injuries but tantalizing results when on the field.
He also has the same agency, so you know 100% that Eovaldi's $68MM will be a reference point in any talks.
Cardinals front office
3:47
Is there more bullpen additions coming or are we happy with adding Miller and using starters that don't make the rotation?
Steve Adams
3:48
I bet they'll add another person later in the offseason. See who's on the losing end of the annual game of musical chairs that free-agent relievers play. They did it with Bud Norris last year.
JA
3:48
The Twins have Berrios, Gibson, Pineda, Odorizzi.  Meija is out options. Do you see them signing a Kikuchi or a Gio Gonzalez or hanging with in house options?
Steve Adams
3:50
I don't think Kikuchi would sign in Minneapolis -- it's a pretty remote destination for Japanese players, and I've had people who know/work in NPB tell me in the past that they can't envision a major Japanese free agent agreeing to sign there when he's free to negotiate with any team.

Gio isn't enough of an upgrade over what they have internally to justify spending on him. He's kind of a left-handed Odorizzi. If they add a starter, it'd have to be someone who's a pretty clear upgrade over all of the current candidates for the fifth spot and probably over one or two of the four set starters you mentioned.
(In other words, if they add a starter, I expect it to be via trade)
Curly W.
3:50
Although Dozier would be a fit in DC, wouldn’t they prefer someone like Cabrera or Lowrie who can hit left handed?  They seem a bit RH heavy right now.
Steve Adams
3:51
Perhaps, but I fully expect Lowrie to be much more expensive than Dozier, who seems like an easy one-year deal candidate to prove he can bounce back. I'd prefer Dozier to Asdrubal, as well, though if Cabrera is sitting there at the end of February and you can sign him to a Neil Walker style deal -- that's a nice add.
Jeff C.
3:51
Stroman a good fit for the Stros?
Steve Adams
3:53
He's a good fit a lot of places, but I don't think the Jays will sell low on him. Demand will be there this summer. With another three starters hitting FA after 2019, the 'Stros may want someone with more than two years of control anyhow;
Dan
3:53
How likely is Pollock to Indians?
Steve Adams
3:53
I don't consider it likely at all. It'd undo virtually all of the payroll shedding they've worked to achieve, and it'd cost them a draft pick.
Tim
3:54
What other bats (other than Realmuto) make sense for the Astros? I still don't feel like they've done enough to compete with Boston. They need a solid DH and I really don't think Tyler White is the answer
Steve Adams
3:56
I was pretty surprised they didn't top the Twins' offer for Cruz. But I was also surprised that they didn't bring Morton back when he signed for something totally reasonable. The Astros seem like they place a hard value on a free agent and don't negotiate much (or at all) beyond that point.

I'd dig them as an option for Justin Smoak if the Jays were willing to move him (which seems likely). Nicholas Castellanos (Tigers) and Jose Martinez (Cardinals) make some sense to me as well.
Lou Seal's Big Belly
3:57
What are your thoughts on a Wil Myers/Evan Longoria contract swap?  Would give the Padres their 3rd baseman and save them a little money.  Giants would get to not ever pitch to Myers again.
Steve Adams
3:57
I'd rather bet on the much younger player (Myers), and I imagine the Padres would, too.
Jeff Brdich
3:58
Would I do something crazy like trade Charlie Blackmon and use that money to sign Bryce Harper?
Steve Adams
3:58
Cannot fathom that, but I might move to Denver to watch Harper hit at Coors Field on a regular basis.
Dan
3:59
Encarmacion to Rays?
Steve Adams
3:59
Makes plenty of sense, but every report out of Tampa since that trade has said he's not going there. No reason to doubt that as far as I'm concerned.
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