JotCast | Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams: 2/6/24

Steve Adams

8:33

Good morning, all! We'll get this started at 1pm CT, but as always, feel free to submit questions ahead of time if you like! Looking forward to it.

1:01

Let's get underway!

Cerebrus

1:01

What are your thoughts on the Mariners' trade for Gregory Santos?

Steve Adams

1:04

Mildly surprised just because Seattle has excelled at finding this type of reliever on the cheap (Sewald, Topa, Steckenrider, etc) so it felt a little out of character to see them instead pay a relatively substantial price to acquire him in a trade. But it's five years of a guy who looked very good last season and is still only 24 years old, so I understand the interest and the asking price. I thought the White Sox did fairly well in the deal, although with a second dominant season the ask could've perhaps been larger. But he's a reliever with plenty of volatility, so securing a nice return right now isn't a bad thing.

Big Lar

1:04

do you think Johnny Cueto would be a good signing for the Braves?

Steve Adams

1:04

I assume Cueto's going to sign a minor league deal, so he'd be a good signing for pretty much any contender

Marlins

1:04

I’m a little disappointed we missed out on Garver, could we still make a surprise move to really solidify the catching position

Steve Adams

1:05

I'm sure the Marlins didn't view Garver as an option at catcher. The Mariners signed him to be their regular designated hitter. He might catch a handful of games still, but I'd be surprised if it was even 20. With the injuries he's had, I just don't think clubs were looking at him as a guy who could be counted on to go out and catch the lion's share of games in a full season.

Carter Hoyer

1:06

Matt Mervis for Shane Bieber...who says no?

Steve Adams

1:06

I'm down on Bieber's trade value but that's still not getting it done for me.

MLB Trade Rumors Fan

1:06

Emmanuel Clase to the Cubs still on the table?

Steve Adams

1:07

I don't think Clase to anyone was ever "on the table" in the sense that it was likely. The Guardians listened to offers on him, presumably had a sky-high asking price, and haven't found an offer to their liking so they'll very likely just keep him

Rox

1:08

Could the White Sox look to move Kopech in a surprise move? Or does he not have enough value right now?

Steve Adams

1:09

They'd be selling so low coming off the command troubles he had last year. They'd do better at the deadline or next offseason if he has any kind of rebound -- particularly in terms of walk rate

Brandon P

1:09

Any chance the Phillies realistically sign Montgomery or Bellinger?

Steve Adams

1:11

I don't expect them to make an addition of that magnitude, no. They obviously have the money to do so, but they also want to extend Wheeler and already have three guys (Harper, Turner, Nola) signed through at least 2030.

Francisco

1:11

Any noise on the Mets right now? Things have been pretty quiet since missing out on Yamamoto.

Steve Adams

1:12

They've been focused on smaller-scale pitching additions since Yamamoto went to L.A. He was always viewed as an exception to their spending plan. At this point after re-signing Ottavino and signing both Jake Diekman and Shintaro Fujinami in a week's time, I imagine the bulk of their heavy lifting is done.

Billy

1:12

Angels getting snell?

Steve Adams

1:13

Feels plausible to me, Moreno's longstanding aversion to long-term deals for pitchers notwithstanding

Bendix

1:13

Should we just sign Anderson or trade for Adames?

Steve Adams

1:14

Between the two options, signing Tim Anderson makes more sense for the Marlins. Adames would command a huge return and then just leave after one season to go test free agency, where Miami surely isn't going to pony up and make the type of offer he'll receive elsewhere.

1:14

If the Giants sign Soler, would a Austin Slater for Emerson Hancock trade make sense for both sides?

Steve Adams

1:14

Doesn't feel like nearly enough for the Mariners, no

Braves Man

1:15

With Burnes going to Baltimore, where does that leave the NL Central race?

Steve Adams

1:16

Pretty wide open.

Who will win the NL Central?

Cardinals (19% | 198 votes)

Brewers (9.9% | 103 votes)

Reds (35.2% | 367 votes)

Cubs (29.3% | 306 votes)

Pirates (6.7% | 70 votes)

Total Votes: 1,044

1:18

I think people are generally underrating Milwaukee, who I had as the favorite pre-Burnes trade, but it's hard to project as much confidence in them now. I think they'll be better than people expect but feel it's pretty close between STL, MIL, CHI and CIN (sorry Pirates fans). We'll see how the rest of the offseason plays otu

out

1:18

Are the Giants truly a good fit for Soler? Also of the clients of Snell, Bellinger, Chapman, and Montgomery, does SF sign 0, 1, or more?

Steve Adams

1:19

They're a fine fit, sure. Primary DH. Occasional reps in a corner to spell Conforto/Yaz. San Francisco was pretty anemic against LHP last year, and Soler was one of the best hitters in baseball against lefties.

I think the Giants will sign at least one of the Chapman, Monty, Snell and Bellinger.

gavin

1:21

who is still in for Ha Seong Kim? padres should move him

Steve Adams

1:22

At this point I think it's likelier that they keep him, but any of the Jays, Tigers, Cubs make some sense to plug him in at 3B. Mariners too, though getting Polanco tightens up the infield a bit.

sam

1:23

I keep scrolling down thinking i will see that the Rangers are signing JM, is that goin to work out? what do you say?

Steve Adams

1:24

I've long thought the presumption that Montgomery goes back to Texas is at odds with the team's comments and spending patterns this offseason. Maybe if the resolution on the TV deal has given ownership more peace of mind than has been publicly let on, but I tend to think Montgomery will go elsewhere. His price point is just so far beyond anything else the Rangers have done this winter

JD Harmeyer

1:24

Is there any planet where the Guardians and JD Martinez agree to a one year deal?

Steve Adams

1:25

Sure, I can see it. I feel like he'll get a bigger offer elsewhere, but there's an obvious on-paper fit and I don't think he's going to get the two-year deal I was expecting back in November at this point.

Jerry DiPoto

1:26

I can flip a pitching deal to Cincy to get Noelvi Marte back, right?

Steve Adams

1:26

There could very well be scenarios where that'd be possible, but I imagine that by this point in the winter, those have been explored and discussed without the two teams agreeing on valuation.

Lucas

1:26

What happens to the Randy trade rumors

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