JotCast | Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams 8/4/20

Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams 8/4/20

Steve Adams

1:37

Greetings world -- let's get this week's chat underway

Andre

1:37

Hi Steve!

Steve Adams

1:37

Hi Andre!

Pirates Suck

1:37

Any chance Kirby Yates is moved before the deadline?

Steve Adams

1:39

I doubt it. The Padres haven't moved him in the past when they were further from contention, and they'll be closer than ever under Preller this year. He's obviously off to a rough start, but don't think that'll sway them. Besides, the price teams give up for rentals -- particularly of relievers -- will probably be smaller than ever. I can't see teams giving up much of note for one guaranteed month of a reliever

Andre

1:40

Hi Steve! With the promotion of Patino....all of 20yrs old, that leaves open a few questions to me. Does Gore come up next? Will Patino potentially take Davies spot? Will the Rays consider Franco seeing as he’s not much younger and by all accounts, as advanced

Steve Adams

1:41

Ha, I didn't even realize that was two from Andre -- don't take it personal everyone.

I'd say Franco is completely independent of Patino.

Patino or Gore seems likely to eventually take over Luchessi's spot, and given the rate of pitcher injuries this year, there'll probably be ample opportunity to work both into the mix.

Click Me

1:41

Will Lindor be moved this year?

Steve Adams

1:42

This calendar year, perhaps. I don't think the Indians will move him this summer with 16 teams making the playoffs.

In the offseason, though, I think it'll become increasingly possible -- if not likely.

BiggStallion

1:42

Any trade candidates that the Red Sox could possibly add to their pitching staff...???

Steve Adams

1:43

I don't think the Red Sox are going to give up anything to make any notable additions at this point. They didn't address their staff much in the winter; everyone knew they were going to struggle -- not to this extent, but still -- and they're now 3-7. This isn't a team that looks like a contender. They're not 1-2 pitchers away.

Mr Roctober

1:44

Are the rosters still going to drop to 28 then 26 as planned, or will they keep them at 30 for the season (or at least for a few weeks longer)?

Steve Adams

1:44

I expect that they'll keep them at 30 a bit longer with all the injuries and the outbreaks on the Marlins and Cardinals.

Guest

1:44

Should their be a baseball team in Hawaii?

Steve Adams

1:45

Travel schedule would be a nightmare for MLB clubs -- particularly east coast teams.

Edisito

1:46

Hello, are we going to see Dylan Carlson anytime soon?

Steve Adams

1:46

With their offense struggling like it is, I can't see the Cardinals keeping him down much longer. Service cutoff has passed -- I think he'll get a chance sooner than later.

Guest

1:47

Do you see the Mets trading Stroman or Matz this year, assuming Stroman get healthy?

Steve Adams

1:49

Stroman's injury makes that pretty tough to see. As I said before, I think the acquisition price for rental players will be pretty muted in general, and he'll be coming off a notable leg issue with little to no time to show he's healthy -- depending on his return date. Salary is a factor, too. Mets would be better off just making him a QO. If he accepts and is healthy in 2021, that's not a bad outcome. If he rejects and signs elsewhere, the pick is more than they'd get at the deadline.

Matz is controlled another year, so he could perhaps fetch something more appealing, but the Mets haven't really operated as sellers under Van Wagenen.

Cobb Salad

1:50

With all the new pitching staff holes, do the o's find a buyer for our expensive Cobb?

Steve Adams

1:50

If they absorb 80-90% of the salary, perhaps, but the return wouldn't be anything of particular consequence even at that point.

Guest

1:51

Odorizzi/Bailey/Hill have all hit the injured list early on for the Twins. Do you see them trading a bat for another starting pitcher at the deadline? I still think they need to add a true ace to the rotation.

Steve Adams

1:52

Most teams need a true ace for their rotation. It's rare that they're ever available in trade. I don't see one on the market this year and think the Twins' rotation depth is generally fine. None of the injuries appear long-term in nature. Everyone had to expect Hill to miss some time even beyond his known absence to finish rehabbing the elbow surgery.

queuebd

1:53

the Giant's offense is for real! their defense on the other hand, is absent :(

Steve Adams

1:56

I'm pretty skeptical of the offense over a longer period, too. Dickerson can hit but has longstanding durability issues. Solano is rocking a .500 BABIP and has no track record outside of last year's own crazy BABIP spike, and Yaz's power seems legitimate but he's not going to maintain his own average on balls in play (.417).

BullJive

1:56

Nick Markakis a HOFer if he reaches 3000 hits? He has a outside shot at it IMO

Steve Adams

1:59

I see so much suggested about Markakis and 3k, which just seems outrageous. I feel like his reps pushed that notion last year to try to build his stock amid a hot start. But the guy is 645 hits shy and will turn 37 this winter. Teams in general aren't signing that type of player to fill an everyday role ... he'd need another five seasons to get there, and even now, he's at 34 career WAR.

I'm not trying to disparage Markakis, who has been a very good hitter in a very fine career, but I really don't think there's even a slight chance he makes it to the Hall.

Robbie Ray

1:59

Should I start looking for apartments in Atlanta?

Steve Adams

2:00

Given the D-backs' start to the season and the Braves' injuries, yeah, I can get behind that fit.

Guest

2:00

Do you think Cespedes is done, or will someone give him a shot next year? Mets?

Steve Adams

2:00

He's done with the Mets.

If he wants to play, yeah, another team might give him a look as a part-time OF and DH.

Brad

2:00

I'm super pumped about the Cubs hot start, but it can't really keep up with a bullpen like this. Can it? Please tell me it can.

Steve Adams

2:01

There's 50 games left, so sure anything *can* happen -- but I'm expecting their lack of bullpen depth to really haunt them eventually.

2:02

The 8-2 start is in the books, though. If you assume even a .500 record gets to the playoffs, they need to go 22-28 to make that happen. They're in good shape.

2:04

Sorry -- phone rang

Back

Steve (a different one)

2:04

The Pirates seem horrific. Any rumors about an ownership change? We Pittsburghers need some sliver of hope to cling to.

Steve Adams

2:05

The Pirates' roster is so barren -- particularly with Archer out for the year and Keller on the IL right now. Nothing about a potential ownership change though, no. If there was anything about that out there, it'd be on the site. Fans will have to keep on dreaming for now.

Load More Messages

Connecting…

Your current subscriptions

None

E-mail Address	Chat Owner	Status	Remove

Enter your email address to be notified when Steve Adams hosts a chat