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Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams: 6/6/23
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Steve Adams
8:45
Good morning everyone! Looking forward to another chat. We'll get started in a few hours, but feel free to submit early questions if you'd like!
1:00
Normally I'd say Happy Tuesday, but we'll swap that out for Happy DeLaCruzDay instead
1:01
Seems appropriate to start with this question from earlier!
Redlegs
1:01
EDLC won’t be up until August based on super 2. Please tell me I’m wrong
Steve Adams
1:01
I trust that you are quite happy to hear this: You're wrong! :)
Ha
Pirate Scott
1:01
Nolan Arrenado may be the best defensive 3B in MLB history, but today is Ke’Bryan Hayes better?
Steve Adams
1:02
Arenado's up there in terms of all-time defensive 3Bs, but I don't think it's all that controversial to say Hayes is better right now. He's the best 3B in MLB dating back to 2020 in terms of both Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average, and it's not close. He has the fewest errors among qualified 3B in that time as well. He's exceptional over there.
Insert Witty Name Here
1:02
Rhys was in the dugout last night rocking a nice beard.  He’s sorely missed in the Phillies lineup. Do you think someone would sign him to a multi year deal or would he go for the one year pillow contract to prove he’s good from the ACL injury?
Steve Adams
1:03
Increasingly, straight one-year deals aren't even necessary for players seeking make-good opportunities. Michael Conforto (like Hoskins, repped by Scott Boras) just got two years and $36MM after missing an entire season due to shoulder surgery, with the ability to opt out after year one so long as he's healthy enough for 350 PA this year.
1:04
Hoskins' ACL surgery is probably less concerning than Conforto's shoulder surgery, and you can argue that Conforto's a more complete player (I agree), but that type of framework could still be feasible for Hoskins.
Marcell
1:04
Hi Steve! Do you think Smith-Shawver gets the chance to make a few starts in ATL until Fried returns?
Steve Adams
1:04
Anthopoulos said this morning that he's going to start this weekend. I imagine it'll be more than just the one opportunity.
Tyler
1:05
When do you see the rangers making a trade? Could you see them being involved in any big trades?
Steve Adams
1:07
I don't see many (or any) teams making trades of real note until the middle of next month. Lot of focus will be on the draft.

Maybe you'll get a clear, full-blown seller like the Royals making an early trade or two -- they've done it in the past -- and it's at least feasible the Rangers would be on the other end since their needs align (namely, bullpen help ... and the Royals have Chapman and Barlow).

But that's speculative and I still wouldn't even expect that type of swap until later this month. Today's front offices tend to push major decisions until the latest possible minute, whether that's in regard to the trade deadline, the non-tender deadline, the deadline to protect players from the Rule 5, etc.
Guest
1:08
Hey Steve, Do you think Louie Varland MINN will stay in the rotation for the remainder of 2023?
Steve Adams
1:08
Barring injury, I think it's a decent bet. Even when Maeda returns later this month, Varland has outproduced him and earned that spot.
yankeejoel
1:08
been offered Arraez and Clase for McClanahan - who wins
Steve Adams
1:08
In fantasy? I very comfortably take the McClanahan end.
Matt
1:08
What happened to Simon?
Steve Adams
1:10
Simon was with us on a part-time basis and received a good full-time offer elsewhere. It sucks for us, as I thought he was outstanding both hosting the podcast and in terms of his writing/analysis for the site. I'm very bummed out to lose him, but I think Darragh's going to do an awesome job hosting the podcast as well in his place.
Arte Moreno
1:10
Should I take best offer for Ohtani even if it's from Dodgers?
Steve Adams
1:10
I'll just use this as my launching pad for my weekly: "I don't think the Angels are trading Shohei Ohtani under virtually any circumstances" comment.
Arte Moreno
1:11
Are you going to get tired of all the Ohtani questions?
Steve Adams
1:11
Meh, there's someone like this every year. "Will XYZ be traded?"
"No"
Next week: repeat.

I get it. And hey, one of those years it was Juan Soto, and the Nats sure proved me wrong.
Guest
1:11
Who will have the best offensive career between Ke'Bryan Hayes, Owen Miller, and Nolan Jones?
Steve Adams
1:12
Put me down for Hayes by a pretty wide margin
Dayton Moore
1:12
Maybe I wasn’t the problem in Kansas City after all; the guys responsible for the poor drafts and player development are all still there minus me. What can they do to fix the mess the Royals are in?
Steve Adams
1:14
The Royals just feel like a team that needs some wide-reaching modernization. I appreciate that they still make their share of win-now moves even amid soft rebuilding efforts, but it is beyond alarming that nearly every prospect on whom they've staked their latest wave of those efforts has underperformed (or just flopped entirely). Dropping Moore never seemed like it'd change much, and it hasn't.
Concerned in KC
1:16
Thoughts on report of Royals maybe packaging Chapman with Barlow OR Salvy in a trade
Steve Adams
1:17
I've seen nothing to suggest that's any type of real consideration. I doubt the Royals are closed off to much of anything, but I have a hard time envisioning them moving Perez in general, unless he specifically asks out (which I also doubt). His defense has tanked, the contract isn't cheap, the Royals love him/made him their captain, etc.
Mets/Guardians
1:17
Does Nido for Plesac make sense?
Steve Adams
1:18
I don't really know that the Guardians would feel like Nido's a marked upgrade over the current catching options. If you're going to trade Plesac, I think there'd be a better outcome than that. But the Guards do LOVE them a defensive-minded catcher.
Pete Rose
1:18
Who sits for the Reds between Steer, McLain, and India ?   They have all been good.
Steve Adams
1:19
Steer spends more time at 1B/DH and is used in more of a utility role. The other infielders all have higher ceilings and profile more as everyday options than Steer. Could try him out in the OF corners some, too, I suppose.
Keller
1:20
Would he be in the cy young conversation?
Steve Adams
1:22
Yeah I don't think I'd pick Mitch Keller to win it or anything at this juncture -- wouldn't stun me, but he's a current frontrunner -- but he seems likely to get some down-ballot votes at the very least.
AD
1:22
Where do you see Matt Chapman ending up when he's an unrestricted FA this winter?  Or does he get traded?
Steve Adams
1:25
I don't think he'll be traded, but that has no bearing on where he'll be in free agency this winter anyhow. He's going to reach the market whether it's as a Blue Jay or following a quick deadline rental deal.

Tigers, Yankees, Cubs, Dodgers, Mets, Giants, Phillies come to mind as deep-pocketed teams who could add a 3B (even if it means trading another young 3B option or playing him elsewhere)
RabbidRangerFan
1:25
Is Duran the Rangers answer in LF moving forward?
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