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Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams 6/1/21
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Steve Adams
2:31
Hey all -- sorry about the lack of a chat last week. To call the past couple weeks chaotic for me would be an understatement, ha. Hoping to get back into the usual routine here. Let's chat!
AstrosFan94
2:33
With limited payroll left to spend and not a deep farm system, do you see the Astros going outside the organization to get bullpen help?
Steve Adams
2:35
They should be able to. While their farm system isn't what it once was, of course, most summer trade pieces in the bullpen don't command overwhelming returns. The bigger hurdle for them, as you said, would probably be payroll since they obviously don't want to exceed the tax line. But there are always some surprising pre-arb arms available, and getting a rental like a Yimi Garcia or Kendall Graveman or Ian Kennedy on a low-cost deal would make sense for them.
Nats Fan
2:35
Whats up with the Nats? Buyers or sellers at the deadline?
Steve Adams
2:36
The Nats are one of probably 10 teams that could go either way right now. Twins, Reds, Cubs, Phillies, Marlins ... lots of teams up in the air at the moment, and no need to declare any direction yet.
Tyler
2:36
Should the Royals trade Michael A. Taylor and let Olivares and Dyson handle center field?
Steve Adams
2:37
They should be open to moving MAT and Dyson. Neither is a long-term piece and either could be viewed as a short-term upgrade on a contender. Either NY team, in particular, could conceivably use MAT.
IL Question
2:37
Steve, is there a limit to the number of players a team can put on the 60 day IL?    Last week Jason Adam broke his ankle and the Cubs DFAd him as opposed to putting him on the 60 day.     As 60 day IL relieves a team from a spot on the 40 man roster--is there a limit to avoid teams from tinkering with rosters?
Steve Adams
2:37
There's no limit, but calling him to put him on the MLB 60-day IL would've required paying him a Major League salary while he rehabbed.
2:38
And you can't outright an injured player.
I would think they'll release him and try to re-sign him to a minor league deal
PhilliesFan
2:38
Could the Phillies end up trading for Ketel Marte?
Steve Adams
2:40
I think the D-backs will be open to listening on a good chunk of their roster, but Marte will have the highest asking price given that he's signed cheaply through 2024 (with the final two seasons being club options). The Phillies' system isn't great. It's possible, but I think their offer would probably be topped if the D-backs were really intent on moving him.
J J
2:41
What are the odds Brian Cashman realizes the errors of his ways and kicks Aaron Boone to the curb in favor of a real MLB manager?
Steve Adams
2:42
Aaron Boone tells umpire his guys are savages: "ALL HAIL THE KING"
Aaron Boone skippers a team that is decimated by injury (again) and not performing well: "FIRE THIS MAN"

I rarely think a manager has as much of a role in his club's fortunes -- both in good times and in bad -- as fans tend to suggest. And I don't see Boone getting fired.
Don
2:42
Is deGrom even human?
Steve Adams
2:42
Cyborg perhaps, but def not 100% human
Trying to love the game
2:42
Who are the PTBNL'S in the Benitendi trade?
Steve Adams
2:43
If I (or anyone else) knew that, I'd have reported it! The Red Sox probably haven't completely decided yet.
Charlie R
2:43
Why should a team like the D'Backs wait until the trade deadline? Why not start the process today?
Steve Adams
2:45
Could make that argument about any clear seller (Pirates, Tigers, Orioles, etc.)

Generally speaking, I agree. There's no reason to wait if they can drum up a market for a player. That's the issue, though; a lot of clubs aren't going to plot their actual trajectory until the week of the deadline (or even the 24-48 hours leading up to it), and that's going to impact demand.

I still think it'd be better to be aggressive early, though. Why shouldn't the D-backs be shopping Eduardo Escobar and David Peralta hard, right now? Why wouldn't the Pirates be offering Adam Frazier to any of the clubs that are currently reeling from infield/corner outfield injuries? Etc.
Blank name
2:46
Are you guys aware of a problem with the app not updating with new articles? I still get new notifications but the articles in the app are over a day old.
Steve Adams
2:46
Yeah. I emailed to have it looked at. Not something I can do anything with myself, but looking into it.
Padres458
2:47
Does the luxury tax take into account the fact a player was only with a team for a third of the year?
Steve Adams
2:47
The money paid to the player by his new team would count against the luxury tax
As opposed to his entire salary
Dipoto
2:48
Is Jarrod Kelenic the next Dustin Ackley?  Struggles abound, small stature, wonky swing.
Steve Adams
2:49
Ackley was still in college at the same age Kelenic is in the Majors. Judging any 21-year-old on his first 75 MLB PAs is never a good way to look at things.
Jeff
2:49
What is the projected Super 2 deadline, and does Wander Franco get called up as soon as it passes?
Steve Adams
2:50
There's no set deadline, as it's all contextual given that "Super Two" is based on the service time of a group of players (the top 22% of players with 2-3 years of service). Waiting until late June will pretty much assure the Rays that Franco avoids it. I doubt he'll be in AAA long beyond that point, personally.
Jacob
2:50
Steve Do you think the dodgers can fix Yoshi Tsutsugo and make him a top player?
Steve Adams
2:51
Make him a top player? No. I didn't talk to anyone when he was in the process of free agency who suggested he'd be a star.

Could they help him become a decent power-hitting, platoon corner guy? Sure, it's pretty rare that I'll write anyone off after 300ish plate appearances.
Ozuna
2:52
Can my contract be voided with the Braves?
Steve Adams
2:52
No, but he won't be paid for any time spent on the restricted list (aka for the duration of a potential suspension)
Bob
2:53
Why aren't the Pale Hose pulling the trigger to get an OF or 2?
Steve Adams
2:54
There are lots of teams that need outfield help and no trades happening. I doubt there are too many difference-making ones available just yet. We're not even to the point where this offseason's free agents can be traded yet (June 15)
Pick em
2:54
Ohtani or Vladdy to start a franchise with
Steve Adams
2:55
Who would you rather build a franchise around?
Vlad Jr. (55.9% | 375 votes)
 
Shohei (44.1% | 296 votes)
 
Total Votes: 671
Nick Krall
2:55
The game is nothing if not ironic ... Any idea of quality bullpen pieces that might be available at some point before the deadline -- the boss of course had me give Raisel and Bradley away not to long ago.
Steve Adams
2:56
Castellini made Krall dump Iglesias, Bradley and Casali, and then decided it was better to move Suarez back to SS rather than spend any money. I don't expect that the Reds will be adding any actual salary this summer. Maybe they could look at some pre-arb bullpen arms from the Orioles, Pirates, Tigers or another obvious seller.
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