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MLBTR Chat with Steve Adams 2-23-16
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Steve Adams
2:14
[Insert witty chat-commencing comment here]
Let us begin
2:15
Scratch that -- let us begin in like 30 seconds, sorry
Ok for real now.
Jacob
2:15
With Gallardo out, do the Os still sign Dexter Fowler?
Steve Adams
2:16
It's not fair to call Gallardo to the O's dead or impossible now; if that were the case, those reports would be out there and Gallardo's agents would probably be doing as much damage control as possible in the media. So, perhaps something gets done at a reduced rate or with some kind of conditional option clause added. There are plenty of workarounds.
2:18
That said, the Baltimore Sun has persistently reported that there are some in the O's organization who prefer Fowler to Gallardo anyway, and if they can get him on a two-year deal, my guess is they'd be willing to do so, as it's clear that Duquette and Co. feel Fowler is an upgrade and also feel a need to improve the club. Personally, I'd go 3/36 or 3/39 and punt a pick for Fowler, especially considering what the O's would trot out in right field otherwise.
Tru
2:18
Do you see Angels trying to construct an other trade?
Steve Adams
2:20
Really liked Saunders as a target for them -- I'm a huge fan of Saunders' abilities, the guy just can't stay healthy. If he really isn't the holdup --and the reports on that are conflicting -- then I really like him as an option there. As crazy as it sounds, the Halos would probably still need to drop a bit of salary to stay under the luxury tax even though Saunders is only making $2.9MM.
That could be solved by bailing on either Gentry or Alburquerque's contract, though, as both are non-guaranteed.
Adam
2:21
What type of extetion should beltre get?
Steve Adams
2:24
I wouldn't be comfortable going beyond two additional years. The Rangers' ideal scenario probably is similar to the David Ortiz situation -- give him a one-year extension with a sort of rolling, escalating club option. That said, it's Boras, so I can imagine Carlos Beltran's 3/45 being thrown out as a floor. (Beltre is the vastly better defender and a better hitter still).
Rick Hahn
2:24
What was I thinking in taking Rollins over Desmond?
Steve Adams
2:25
That you didn't have to guarantee Rollins a roster spot or any money, whereas Desmond comes with a guaranteed 40-man spot, 6x the salary or more (if Rollins even makes the club) and a forfeited draft pick?
2:26
I liked he Rollins minors deal for the Sox. His K%, B%, hard-contact % and line-drive % are all still solid, and he hit pretty well over the final three months last year. If the BABIP rebounds -- and there's no reason to assume it won't, at least to some extent -- he's an upgrade with the bat over Saladino and lets Saladino be the defensive-minded swiss army knife he's best suited to be.
Jake
2:26
Who blinks first? Joey Bats or the Blue Jays?
Steve Adams
2:26
Can't imagine the Jays just cave and pay him top-of-the-market money.
Drew
2:26
Are you shocked no team has signed Dom Brown?
Steve Adams
2:28
He's been good for all of six weeks as a Major Leaguer. I mean, I thought he'd have signed by now, but entering the offseason if you asked me my expectation as to when any single free agent would sign, I'd say before Spring Training starts, as it's really difficult to predict which guys will linger -- especially those looking at Minors deals or those without QO compensation. Brown's just never really delivered on his promise, and the things people loved about him 4 years ago are just that -- 4 years in the past.
Ryan
2:28
Do you think Cliff Lee will pitch in the MLB again?
Steve Adams
2:28
My assumption is that he will not.
Chandler
2:29
In regards to Mark's article that was just recently published, who in your opinion should the Rangers target to roam LF in 2016?
Steve Adams
2:31
Easy answer is Dexter Fowler, since he's the best outfielder left, but the Rangers aren't going to spend at the level at this point, and I'd be surprised if they even spent at an Austin Jackson level. A realistic candidate is probably someone like Shane Victorino or David DeJesus.
Matt Thornton
2:32
Why am I still jobless?
Steve Adams
2:34
Doesn't seem to want a minor league deal and clubs, for whatever reason, are hesitant to give him a 40-man spot. Maybe they sought out too big of an amount early on or something, but I can't imagine Thornton was ever asking all that much as a 39-year-old specialist. At this point, most clubs have filled their 40-man roster with guys they're not willing to cut. I think the Angels make an easy fit, though, as the Christian Friedrich debacle opened a 40-man spot and Scioscia was talking to the media the other day about wanting a LOOGY type of guy. Throwing a million bucks at Thornton isn't a terrible idea.
Jeff
2:34
Does John Ryan Murphy take over starting catcher duties from Suzuki at some point this year?
Steve Adams
2:35
Barring a return to 2014 form for Suzuki -- and that's not likely, as it was largely a BABIP fluke -- yeah he will. Zook has a vesting option that the Twins I'm sure don't want to trigger, though it's at a pretty steep 485 PA threshold, so all Murphy would need is 40-50 starts and it wouldn't even be close for Suzuki. They'll probably ease him in early on, but I'll be very surprised if he doesn't out-hit Suzuki, and Murphy doesn't have to do much to be a better defender, either. I'll guess Murphy's getting more regular time by late June.
Devin
2:36
Where does David Murphy land? Can he still get a ML deal at this point?
Steve Adams
2:37
Minor League deal seems a lot more likely to me, though maybe a camp injury creates a spot for him on a 40-man roster with a low base. Return to the Rangers would make sense. White Sox are still looking for OF help and could add him to the mix as a platoon option with Garcia, who is considerably better against lefties than righties.
Garth
2:38
Josh Reddick to Angels, Jose Bautista to the A's, prospects to TOR?
Steve Adams
2:38
Puts the Halos over the luxury tax and weakens the Blue Jays at a time when they're clearly playing to win.
caseysternslovechild
2:39
did joey bats just guarantee he is traded this year?
Steve Adams
2:40
By -- gasp -- not giving some boring stock answer when asked about his contract? Nah. I loved his comments and wish players would actually speak their minds more often, personally. He's a Blue Jays legend, and they'll keep him in Toronto all year and enjoy a comp pick for him unless the Jays fall apart and someone makes a big offer in July.
Dusto
2:40
alex guerrero to texas?
Steve Adams
2:41
Do the Rangers really consider him an upgrade? Does any team? It seems like the Dodgers are eventually just going to release him -- I don't see a huge reason to trade for him or take on his remaining salary.
Jay
2:42
Storen or Osuna as your closer?
Steve Adams
2:42
I'd rather have Osuna available in higher-leverage situations earlier in the game and also suppress his eventual arbitration salaries by limiting his save accumulation. Storen for me.
Bobo
2:43
What will the Red Sox do with Hanley and Pablo, any chance of trading one or both? Hard to imagine Hanley playing a good first base.
Steve Adams
2:43
Can't be worse at first base than he was in left field.
If the Sox were able to trade either one of them, it'd have happened by now. It's not a fun answer or one that Sox fans want to hear, but I can't imagine any other course of action than just hoping that one or both of them rebound somewhat.
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