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Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams: 3/29/22
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Steve Adams
2:02
Barely a week until Opening Day -- words that, just a few weeks ago, I did not think I'd be writing at this point. Little bit of offseason left, too! Let's chat.
Lost and confused
2:02
So… Conforto gonna sign or…
Steve Adams
2:04
He will at some point, but neither he nor the team that's eventually going to sign him probably knows where it'll be yet. At this point, I'm wondering if Conforto and Boras are waiting to see whether a prominent injury to a team's corner outfielder pushes them to jump into the mix. It doesn't seem like the most obvious fits (White Sox, Guardians, etc.) are motivated to make a big push.
Mr. Mustache
2:04
Since it's about the only thing we Reds fans have to look forward to this year, do you have any thoughts on who the PTBNL in the Reds-Mariners trade might be? DiPoto says losing this player "will hurt."
Steve Adams
2:07
I question the extent to which it'll truly "hurt," honestly. The Mariners took on $35MM of Eugenio Suarez in that deal. Williamson is a decent prospect who kind of hurts already. I don't think you're getting any of the Mariners' very top prospects as that PTBNL -- so no Rodriguez, Kirby, Marte, Hancock -- maybe a Levi Stoudt or Zach DeLoach type?

That's speculation, to be clear, but if you're sitting here hoping for George Kirby or something, I would recalibrate your expectations.
Josh
2:07
Do you see the Twins still trading for a frontline starter before Opening Day? Rotation is a big question mark outside of Gray.
Steve Adams
2:09
I don't think the absence of a second notable trade is for lack of effort. It's always possible the A's are kind of bluffing with the harder lines they've drawn on Manaea and Montas, and they'll drop the asks a bit when Opening Day is closer yet. Oakland knows it has the two highest-profile names on the market and can justifiably hold out in hopes of an overpay for now. Manaea, in particular, would be risky to hold heading into the season.

That said, Derek Falvey (Twins' president of bb ops) said this morning that while he's open to a trade still, it's looking more and more like the current group is where they'll be at come Opening Day
2:11
The Twins have a good number of near-MLB pitching prospects with some decent ceiling, even beyond likely Opening Day rotation members Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober. Still in the upper minors are Josh Winder, Jordan Balazovic, Jhoan Duran (though he'll probably work in relief this year) and quite a few others. It's not ideal, but Minnesota will probably also be active in trying to add pitching help earlier in the season than most clubs in a given year.
Mustache Mark
2:12
Surely the Dodgers are going to trade for a closer...right?
Steve Adams
2:13
I don't think the Dodgers care too much about assigning specific bullpen roles, and they already have Blake Treinen (who was one of the best relievers in MLB last year) and Daniel Hudson (who was quite good in '21 and closed out the World Series in '19).
Guest
2:13
Do you guys think the Reds are one of the worst teams in baseball
Steve Adams
2:15
Not at all. They're worse than they were in '21, but they were in the Wild Card race for a good chunk of time last year. The Orioles and Pirates aren't even trying to win right now, and I think the D-backs and Rockies (offseason additions notwithstanding) are in for some tough times this year.

I don't like Cincinnati's playoff chances, and I suppose if your definition of "one of the worst teams" is "bottom third of the league," then sure they're in there. But there's still talent on the club
Maz01
2:15
What is Clint Frazier's role going to be with the Cubs or do they trade him?
Steve Adams
2:16
They signed him to a Major League deal as a free agent. He can't be traded until mid-June at least.

He'll get his looks as a part-time left fielder, probably seeing more time against lefties early on but also getting increasing opportunities if he hits well in the earlygoing.
Danny Duffy
2:16
Am I a legit rotation piece in LA?
Steve Adams
2:17
Duffy himself has said he expects to come back sometime in June and pitch out of the bullpen this year, so no.
Bundy vs Archer
2:17
Who is more likely to still be in the Twins Rotation Aug 1st. Bundy or Archer?
Steve Adams
2:17
I'd give Bundy the better chance at staying healthy, so him.
Phillies
2:18
Why did we trade Adam Haseley? It could have been nice to have some defense in the outfield.
Steve Adams
2:20
They're going to need a 40-man spot for Bryson Stott sooner than later, and while you could easily argue there are others who were more deserving of being on the chopping block, the Dombrowski/Fuld-led group probably just isn't as high on Haseley as the prior regime and felt this an opportunity to get something they value for him.

I'm as perplexed as anyone by the Phillies' complete indifference toward defense -- I wrote about that subject last week for MLBTR Front Office subscribers -- but I don't think the Haseley trade is especially damning.
2:21
If they really want a lights-out defender, Jarrod Dyson's still sitting out there unsigned. It's not like Haseley is an all-world defensive player. He's an above-average glove but he's not Kiermaier, Buxton, vintage Kevin Pillar, etc.
Lets Play Two
2:22
So, with the Rockies making some moves, can we assume they have a plan? As a fan of them, I hate seeing everyone just say "lol rockies" and make fun of them making moves or not. Can you picture them making any other moves?
Steve Adams
2:24
I think it's admirable that they're trying to field a contender when many organizations in their spot would completely tear it down and rebuild by tanking for 3-4 years.

That said, I don't really think the moves they've made have been great, and the foundation of their belief that they can contend seems predicated on immense confidence in this group of starting pitchers which, outside of German Marquez, I do not share.

I can see them making some more moves around the fringes, deepening the bench or bullpen or rotation depth. If you're asking something major like signing Conforto, I think their heavy lifting is mostly done.
I shouldn't say "mostly done." I think they're done with major outside additions. Sorry for the lack of clarity.
BigRedBaseball
2:24
Why wouldn't Reds do a 1 year pillow contract with Conforto?  Seems like a win, win and the fans would be happy.  Maybe with him and Pham they would be pretty good.
Steve Adams
2:25
The simplest answer is probably because he will cost more money than their owner cares to spend.
Maz01
2:25
Is Tarik Skubal the best starting pitcher on the Tigers ahead of Mize?
Steve Adams
2:26
Nah, I'm a big E-Rod fan and think he'll bounce back nicely from last year's pedestrian ERA. The underlying numbers on him were all good (hence the nice free-agent contract).

I think both Mize and Skubal will take nice steps forward this year, but if you make me choose, I'm a bit more bullish on Mize.
Cosmo Kramer
2:27
What are the chances Zack Greinke gets to 200 IP with the Royals this year?
Steve Adams
2:28
He'd have been close last year were it not for the stint on the Covid list and the minor neck injury late in the year. I doubt Matheny is going to be hooking him super early and fret over times through the lineup with Greinke, either. If I were to make a list of the ten pitchers I consider likeliest to reach 200 innings, I think I'd put Greinke on it.
Julio
2:28
Am I the starting Centerfielder for the M's opening day?
Steve Adams
2:29
No, I don't think so. He's had a nice spring, but he also only has 200 PAs above A-ball and has yet to even play in Triple-A.
Random dude
2:29
I'm really hoping Pujols can get the 21HR he needs to get to 700 for his career. It'd be a nice milestone to retire at. And kudos to the Cardinals for bringing him back. I was hoping he'd get to retire as a Cardinal.
Steve Adams
2:30
It's a fun story to watch. I hope he gets to the 700 mark, too, but I'm a little skeptical. He hasn't hit right-handed pitching well for awhile now. Still crushes lefties, but will he get the at-bats needed for 21 homers? Not sure.
Beer Team
2:31
Do the Brewers trade Hader? And what type of return could be expected?
Steve Adams
2:31
I've never bought into the idea of trading Hader in past seasons, but this offseason, with his salary creeping into the eight-figure range, I did think they'd take a hard look at moving him. Now that the season is close and he seems to be staying put, I don't think the Brewers would move him unless they're completely out of contention.
2:32
With the expanded postseason field and a rotation headed by Burnes/Woodruff/Peralta -- I don't expect that to be the case.
Ben
2:32
These Nationals will seriously challenge for the #1 pick.
Steve Adams
2:33
Woof yeah, the Nats -- even with Soto and Cruz -- are in for a rough season. Really surprised that they spent the money on Cruz and a bunch of stopgap infielders but just ignored the rotation
2:34
If Strasburg and Corbin don't bounce back, that could be a bottom-two starting staff  in all of baseball.
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