You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
MLBTR Chat with Steve Adams 4-6-16
powered byJotCast
Steve Adams
2:24
Back from vacation and slowly adjusting to reality -- give me one minute and we'll get started. In the meantime, feel free to start asking questions.
Mike
2:26
Welcome back Steve. Hope vacation was good. What do you see happening with Michael Bourn?
Steve Adams
2:27
Thanks, it was! Though the Caribbean is much warmer than New York at the moment. Coming back to 20s/30s temperatures isn't ideal.

Atlanta tried to trade Bourn all winter and presumably couldn't find someone that wanted to even pick up a couple million of the deal. No reason to think that'll change now. He'll get released and sign for some club with the minimum. Arizona makes the most sense -- not an exciting answer, but if I had to wager a guess, that'd be my pick.
Dave
2:27
Thoughts on Bautista's slide last night?
Steve Adams
2:29
I've long been against takeout slides, so I was glad MLB cracked down on them this year. I realize Bautista didn't take Forsythe out in a traditional sense, but there was no reason to reach out and grab at his foot like he did. That slide was illegal before the "Utley" rule and it's illegal now. I have no problem with the umps reversing the call.w
Matt M
2:29
I know its just one game, but David Hernandez barely could throw the ball over the plate, and his velo was down even from ST.
Steve Adams
2:31
Yeah that was an ugly way to follow up an ugly spring. If he keeps throwing 89-91 instead of 93-95, I don't think he'll last all that long in Philly. I didn't mind the signing (though there were probably better arms to be had if the Phillies would've simply waited the offseason out a bit more), but it's not looking good early on. The Phillies' bullpen is going to be an ugly scene this year.
Joe
2:31
Will Greg Holland ever sign a contract this season?
Steve Adams
2:33
When he signs is pretty inconsequential. He's not going to pitch this year, so any deal he signs will probably be a two-year contract that pays him the prorated minimum in 2016 and a more meaningful sum in 2017. I imagine he'll sign in the next couple of months, but don't expect him to get on a big league mound this year.
El Tigre Rojo
2:33
Lowe and K-Rod both left some meaty pitches for Marlins to make their comeback yesterday. Curse of the Tigers bullpen continues...
Steve Adams
2:35
I liked the K-Rod trade well enough for the Tigers, but the Lowe deal didn't make much sense to me. I wouldn't sweat the early struggles too much, but I can definitely see the Lowe contract looking questionable in the end. That said, I do think they have a better relief unit this year, and I loved the Justin Wilson pickup.
Adam
2:35
Greinke and Miller, panic or patience?
Steve Adams
2:37
It's one start each against a team that's going to be one of the better hitting clubs in baseball. Greinke signed a six-year deal and Miller, if all goes according to plan, is going to make around 100 starts in a D-backs uniform. No need to overreact.
Zach
2:37
A.J. Jimenez was being looked at by several teams during Spring Training. Now today is last day on his DFA any news on where he might be going?
Steve Adams
2:39
At this point you have to assume he's on outright waivers. Considering he's out of options, a club would have to carry him on its big league roster or simply DFA him again right away to try to pass him through waivers themselves. I'd imagine he just clears, personally.
sean
2:39
Should Giles be closing?
Steve Adams
2:41
I actually applaud the Astros; Giles is their best reliever and he should be used in their highest-leverage situations, not withheld until the ninth inning to pick up an arbitrary statistic and coming into a fresh inning every time. They'll probably get more value out of him this way, even if people will rag on them for parting with five pitching prospects to get "just" a setup man. (For the record, I still think they overpaid, but the narrative will be that they overpaid more by getting an eighth-inning reliever; I disagree with that latter portion.)
Mark
2:41
What kind of punishment if any should Jose Reyes expect from MLB?
Steve Adams
2:42
Chapman got 30 games when he didn't even have charges filed against him. I don't see how Reyes escapes with less than half a season on the shelf, and I could easily see it being a full year. I mean, really, shouldn't the punishment for the things he allegedly did be worse than the punishment for performance enhancing drugs? Some would probably disagree with me, but I vehemently say yes.
Daniel
2:43
With 3 HRs in 3 games, is Cano's power back, or is this just a bright spot in a continuing decline?
Steve Adams
2:45
Cano hit .303/.351/.492 with a .189 ISO from June 1 through season's end last year while playing through a hernia. His power was never gone; he just had a poor April and May last year. I'm expecting a stronger season than 2015 and a typically excellent year from Cano (much to Andy Van Slyke's chagrin).
Have yourself an opening series, Trevor Story. Just drilled his fourth homer.
Zach
2:45
Do you see anyone taking a chance on Justin Morneau or is his career over?
Steve Adams
2:45
Someone should sign him midseason once he's recovered from the elbow surgery in December.
Mike
2:46
Are Rockies hoping Reyes is out longer to feast on Story?
Steve Adams
2:46
If Reyes came back tomorrow, the Rockies would probably still be starting Story over him the way his season's begun.
Jacob
2:46
Should the Rays be concerned with Conger's inability to throw out runners?
Steve Adams
2:47
I don't know how they couldn't be. I know he's a great framer, but man, that's a clear weakness that can be exploited all year. I was surprised that they were willing to give him semi-regular time after catching just one base stealer in Houston last year. No idea what's happened to him, but I'd be concerned by it, yeah.
Mike
2:48
Markakis and Freeman combine for 45 HRs over/under?
Steve Adams
2:48
Well, I don't see Freeman hitting 35-40 HRs, so I'll take the under.
Michael
2:48
Would Rockies be smart to become "while iron's hot" buyers in April/May and find some more talent to put around Story/Arenado/Blackmon/LaMahieuetc.? Seems they could easily be contenders in the NL West with a bit of help.
Steve Adams
2:49
They'd need to find virtually an entire rotation and half of a bullpen, probably. That's not happening.
Travis
2:49
Wheres the freak? will he be on a roster before June?
Steve Adams
2:50
At this point I've just given up trying to tell what's happening with Tim Lincecum. Remember when his showcase for clubs was going to be in January or early Feb.? April 6 and still nothing. He'll throw when he's ready and sign a one-year deal with a club in a big park if he looks good.
Josh
2:50
What sort of extension could Keuchel land?
Steve Adams
2:53
He's already made nearly $7MM in arbitration, so figuring on raises to something like $12MM and $17MM in the two final years (which could be light) and then throwing $22MM+ salaries on his free-agent seasons, and you'll start to get some kind of an idea. It'd be really expensive since he's already began making money (in record-setting fashion, no less).
Mark H
2:53
Steve, welcome back! At what point in a season do you start to panic about a team or a player? A month for a team? 50 AB for a player?
Steve Adams
2:55
It all depends on context. If a guy is hitting .200 on May 15 but is having horrible luck on balls in play despite strong walk rates and a nice batted-ball profile, no big deal. If he's hitting .200 on May 15 because he's striking out in 29% of his plate appearances, dealing with shoulder pain, showing a complete lack of an ability to drive the ball, etc. -- that's another story.
Jack
2:55
Listen, I'm so tired of mookie killing us, what can Cleveland do to get this kid!
Steve Adams
2:56
Nothing? Sox aren't trading him. I mean, I guess if you wanted to send Kluber, Zimmer and a couple other minor leaguers maybe Boston would listen, but that's not realistic of course.
Load More Messages
Connecting…