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Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams: 1/9/24
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Steve Adams
8:21
Good morning! Always feels odd to type the new year in the dateline for my first chat of the year, ha. We'll get started at 1pm CT, but feel free to start sending in questions anytime you like!
12:55
Let's get started a few mins early
CBLCardinals
12:56
Mariners seem to have budget for maybe another smaller free agent move. What makes most sense? Whit Merrifield for 2B/LF, Amed Rosario 2B, bullpen arm, or other?
Steve Adams
12:57
Yeah I think the budget/need is there for someone like Merrifield. We don't know the extent to which ownership is willing to increase payroll -- only that Dipoto said it could increase slightly -- but I expect Whit to land in the 2/20-ish range, and the M's could always slightly backload the deal or defer some cash if they don't want to pay $10MM in 2023.
2024
Dangit, still going to take awhile to get used to writing 2024 instead of 2023, haha
Garrett
12:57
Discussion of the Nationals looking for a LH bat with power makes sense but do you think that's more of a preference than a necessity? I doubt Washington would limit themselves if a righty who fits the same description can do the same job, if not better.
Steve Adams
12:58
Yeah just because the preference is for a LH bat doesn't mean they'll ultimately go that route. Soler's market won't collapse to this point, but if he were willing to sign there for like 1/10, for instance, I can't imagine the Nats pass on that.
Sad Cards fan
12:58
Read the interview where STL is done spending.  But they committed to spending MORE than last year and it sure seems they are at less than last year and there are some fan concerns about the bullpen.  Say it ain't so.
Steve Adams
1:00
Their payroll is basically right in line with the 2023 payroll. I imagine they're still open to some smaller-scale pickups (bullpen, bench depth). Could perhaps still find a Carlson trade though that seems less likely as time goes on.

Even if they enter 2024 with a payroll that roughly matches last year's, there's the possibility of adding in-season during trade.

Not saying Cards fans don't have the right to be frustrated. I certainly thought they'd do something more than Lynn/Gibson with at least one more spot. I figured someone like Gray, one trade acquisition, and then one innings eater in the Lynn/Gibby mold.
Lorenzen
1:00
Do I get a 2 year deal?
Steve Adams
1:02
Certainly could. Probably comes down to a matter of preference. I imagine he'll have interest around one year and 12-13MM or maybe some two-year deals at a slightly lesser AAV. But in a world where Jordan Lyles gets 2/17, yeah, Lorenzen can (or should be able to) top that mark.
Guarded Indian
1:02
Is someone like Adam Duvall out of Cleveland's price range?
Steve Adams
1:02
Doubt it
Guardians won't spend much but I don't think Duvall's going to be overly costly and he'll probably be capped at two years (with a good chance for it to just be one year)
Dodger Dave
1:03
Would Hader take a 1 or 2 yeer deal with high AAV (25-30  million) from LAD for chance to win championship?
Steve Adams
1:03
I doubt his market will stifle to that extent, but if the long-term deal he's seeking isn't out there, I can see the Dodgers trying that and him being interested in a shot at a ring and setting the new reliever AAV record, sure.
AbeFromanJr
1:04
Do the White Sox hold onto Cease to start the season?
Steve Adams
1:04
Still fully expect him to be traded.
Go O’s
1:04
Is Thor’s arm done?  Good bounce back candidate for the Orioles?
Steve Adams
1:04
He's flopped with two straight bounceback opportunities. The stuff just isn't what it was pre-surgery. Someone will probably sign him for a few million, but the O's should be aiming higher.
Steve Cohen
1:04
Despite repeated denials, why do I have the sinking feeling as a Mets fan  that David Stearns is definitely going to trade Pete Alonso to fill a bunch of holes. The Brewers need a power hitting first baseman  and he knows their organization very well. Do you think my gut feeling has validity?
Steve Adams
1:06
It is extraordinarily rare for a baseball ops leader to publicly state a player will not be traded and then trade him just months later. Mike Rizzo did it with Juan Soto, but that's about the only case I can recall. I realize Stearns didn't concretely declare "I'm not trading Alonso" -- only that he "expects Alonso to be our Opening Day first baseman" -- but that's about as close as he could come. He didn't need to say anything on record, he could've no-commented. The fact that he put his name next to it says to me that Alonso isn't moving.
At least not this offseason. If the Mets are out of it in July, that'll be another situation worth assessing.
I want your opinion
1:06
Do you think Stroman screwed himself by opting out? Considering it’s January and Snell and Montgomery still haven’t signed, it’s starting to look like there’s not as much interest as he thought. I’m not saying he won’t get a deal, just not one worth the 21 million a year he was already making.
Steve Adams
1:07
He doesn't need to get a $21MM AAV for it to be worth it. He could sign for like 3/50 or 2/38 and still come out ahead.
C4
1:07
Crickets on Eddie Rosario. Any thoughts on where he might end up?
Steve Adams
1:08
Nats want a lefty with some power. Padres could use a cheap corner OF
fascinating
1:09
What the heck is up with the reporting on Imanaga?
Imanaga
1:09
Are the Red Sox in or out, conflicting reports day to day
Steve Adams
1:10
Lots of questions like these. Teams are actively bidding on the guy. Of course the perceived favorite is going to change. I always try to frame things in that manner when writing about the situation. It's perfectly feasible that two days ago, teams believed the Giants were going to win the bidding, and the Cubs said "screw it" and added an extra year or an opt-out or something, and now they're the likelier landing place.
1:11
That's just a made-up hypothetical, to be clear, but there's 4-5 teams bidding on the guy with 48 hours to go. Owners will bite the bullet and green-light their front offices to bid higher or make more concessions, etc.
Melchez
1:11
Tigers go out and trade for Canha early... wouldn't it had been better to go after a guy like Ramirez or O'Neil?  Younger guys that can play decent OF.  If you have a young team, build on that instead of picking up these guys that have no chance of helping out beyond this year.
Steve Adams
1:12
O'Neill is also a free agent after this season. Ramirez (assuming you mean Harold) shouldn't be anyone's everyday LF, for defensive reasons. Canha is a solid, underrated player who gets on base, has a little power and was available on the cheap. I thought it was a fine move to jumpstart the offseason, and they probably preferred the one-year route so as not to block any in-house options who might emerge.
Tl5
1:13
Could you see the Cubs trying to re-acquire Kris Bryant to fill 3B hole?
Steve Adams
1:13
Nope
No one's taking that contract, and the Rockies aren't even playing him at 3B. He's going to be their first baseman this year. I doubt many (or any) teams view him as a viable option at third base by this point.
ALZABARB
1:13
Can players who sign QOs be traded? Seems the Ms could have offered one to Teoscar and traded him one he signed.
Steve Adams
1:14
Players who accept a qualifying offer are treated as a free agent signing -- and free agents cannot be traded by their new team, without their consent, until June 15 of the subsequent season.
So no, you cannot just trade a player who accepts a QO
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