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Chat with MLBTR's Steve Adams: 7/9/24
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Steve Adams
8:22
Good morning! Three weeks out! Let's talk deadline. I'll get going at 1pm CT, but feel free to submit questions in advance, as always.
12:59
Hello!
Let's get right into it.
Chris
12:59
If the Mariners trade for Jazz do you think they’d target Burger too? Also would the M’s shift Jazz back to 2b?
Steve Adams
1:01
Jazz fits there whether he's in the OF or at 2B. They could try to use him in both spots; depends on whether Polanco can break out of this surprising season-long slump. Second base has been a curse for the M's recently.. He's much better at 2B, but I'd be curious to see how he looks in a less-demanding OF position like LF as well.

As for Burger, he's kind of the skill set they tried to move away from this past offseason. Lots of strikeouts, middling OBP, etc. I honestly don't think Burger has much trade value. I was surprised the Marlins gave up Jake Eder to get him last year, so some teams clearly like him, but the value's down with how he's played this season.
Guest
1:01
I’m not sure what the hype is for the Cardinals Lars Nootbar. He’s usually in the low 200’s in average. If I were the GM I would trade him. There’s teams out there that need outfielders. What could he bring back in a trade? Can you look in your crystal ball and tell us Cardinal fans what trades specifically would the Cardinals make? Thanks!!
Steve Adams
1:04
Draws tons of walks, hits the ball hard, plays good defense across multiple OF spots, decent speed in the past (less so this year). Teams don't really care about batting average. I'm a big Noot guy and get the reluctance to trade him, but I'd still be open to it if it brought back a starter with multiple years of club control.

As for specific trades, even John Mozeliak doesn't know the answer to that right now!
Rox
1:04
Could Gausman be on the move if the Blue Jays decide to blow it up? He seems like an easier piece to part with than Vladdy or Bichette due to his age. Thanks!
Steve Adams
1:06
I just don't think the Jays are going to "decide to blow it up." They could move Kikuchi, Jansen, Turner, Yimi, Green, Kiermaier, Richards, etc. -- but even though I can see the argument in favor of a more dramatic rebuild that's not my expectation for how they operate this month.
Ender Inciarte
1:06
Will the Braves nab an outfielder before the deadline? Harris comes back probably before deadline and Kelenic has definitely earned his spot. Only question now is RF. I personally think we should just keep Duvall in RF and platoon with Rosario/Ramon/White/Wall
Steve Adams
1:07
I think they should and will aim higher than those platoon options for Duvall. Jesse Winker is a pretty interesting name for them to consider
The Ugandan Giant
1:07
With the Nats “officially” in sell mode, could Luis Garcia Jr be on the block? While only 24 he has been in the league for several years and is out of options. Yankees make sense.
Steve Adams
1:08
I'd be pretty surprised. He's still controllable for three more years. He's long been one of the system's top young talents, and this season he's started to piece things together on both sides of the ball. I expect the Nats to try to more earnestly try to contend next year, and I think Garcia will be their second baseman in '25.
queuebd
1:09
Do you see the Giants making an offensive add (SS?) to compliment all the soon-to-return pitching? Carson Whisenhunt for Bichette?
Steve Adams
1:12
I can see them adding a bat, but I don't love the Bichette fit there, particularly if they're giving up Whisenhunt. The Giants have prioritized defense, and Bichette isn't a great shortstop. He's also not hitting this year. Maybe a change of scenery gets him going, and I know Whisenhunt has struggled some in AAA too. But he's 23 in an extreme hitter-friendly setting... nearly MLB-ready rotation arm. It's a lot to give up to hope Bichette can rebound.
Guest
1:12
Realistically, who do you see the White Sox trading by the deadline?
Steve Adams
1:14
Garrett Crochet, Erick Fedde, Tommy Pham, Paul DeJong, John Brebbia, Michael Kopech. I guess Chris Flexen but not a ton of trade value there.

Luis Robert is less certain to me, but he's obviously possible and I wouldn't at all be surprised. It's going to be a Chicago-heavy deadline
GutterBall
1:14
Who is better: Lane Thomas or Jazz Chisholm
Steve Adams
1:15
I'd rather have Chisholm. He's younger, more affordable, more controllable and has more upside overall as a hitter. They both have some notable platoon issues, but Jazz hits on the bigger side of the platoon and he's also a plus 2B defender, where Thomas is average at best in the OF.
PATigersFan
1:15
Recent back issues ruin Detroit’s return on Flaherty?  Or does the next start tell the tale?  What is the most likely destination?
Steve Adams
1:17
Nah, we see guys with minor injury issues get moved all the time. It doesn't always go well, ha, but it's still common. A's moved Montas after some shoulder issues, for instance. Ditto Reds and Tyler Mahle. Next couple starts will be crucial, as you alluded to.

There's no real shortage of viable fits. Astros, Dodgers, Brewers, Padres all come to mind.
Seaver41Dobbie
1:18
Baty to Fish for Scott?
Steve Adams
1:18
Mets aren't giving up Baty for a rental
Kirilloff Blues
1:18
Will Kirilloff pan out or is he destined to disappoint (with his play and injury issues)?
Steve Adams
1:20
Kirilloff increasingly seems like an odd man out in Minnesota, which is a shame given his early upside. But multiple wrist surgeries and shoulder surgery in a span of three to four years is a lot for a hitter to come back from.

Between Royce Lewis, Carlos Correa, Brooks Lee, Jose Miranda and Edouard Julien, the Twins have plenty of infield depth. Kirilloff could follow the Miranda path and reemerge as a big piece once he gets healthier following surgery, but he fits in a lot less cleanly now than he did two surgeries ago.
will
1:21
with hendriks coming back do red sox trade jensen for a sarter?
Steve Adams
1:21
I don't think:

A) Jansen gets them an MLB starter of much note
B) Hendriks' return to form is so certain that you'd want to move Jansen just because Hendriks is coming back.
Natitude
1:22
Sounds like the Nats will be sellers at this point which is the smart move long term. Which single player of theirs available on the trading block would receive the greatest prospect return?
Steve Adams
1:24
At this point, probably Kyle Finnegan, which forces me to eat some of my words earlier in the season. I've never thought Finnegan was devoid of value by any means, but Harvey has long been the preferable guy to me and Finnegan has gotten by in the past with a lot of BABIP/strand rate magic. But he's really improved his command over the past couple months and upped his K% in the process. He looks better now than he did early in the season.

I prefer Harvey's stuff overall, and he's less expensive from a salary standpoint, but the injury history is a concern and his recent struggles are going to create some pause with so many health troubles on his track record.

Still think both should net solid returns, as long as Harvey's medical reports don't raise major red flags for an interested party.
Big Red Nightmare
1:25
Will the Reds be trying to move Frankie Montas and Nick Martinez at the Deadline?
Steve Adams
1:27
The Reds' upcoming schedule is light. They get the Rockies and Marlins prior to the break, then come out against a reeling Nats club that could have potentially traded a player or two by the time they square off. I think there's a decent chance the Reds enter the deadline around .500 and make some modest additions.

Even if the Reds slump here and ultimately go for a soft sell, I don't think Martinez will have much value. The opt-out/player option is just going to be too risky for any interested team (which is broadly true of all player options/opt-outs). It's pure downside.

Montas would be an easy trade candidate if Cincninnati selle.s
Sells*
Ryan McMahon
1:27
Are the Rockies really going to foolishly hold onto me?
Steve Adams
1:29
Sure sounds like it. Rox love their own guys. On the one hand, you could say with McMahon signed all the way through 2027 of course they should hang onto him. Three and a half years is a long time!

On the other, more realistic hand, this Rockies club is so far from being a real contender that they should be willing to move anyone and everyone drawing interest, perhaps with the exception of a Tovar or Amador. It feels like a missed opportunity, but there's no shortage of those in the Rockies' recent history.
Andre Dawson
1:29
Does Dylan Crews get the call-up after the trading deadline?
Steve Adams
1:29
I don't know if he'll be up the literal day after, but yeah I think he'll be called up in August probably.
Cards
1:30
Winn have any chance at the ROY or is Skenes a 100% lock?
Steve Adams
1:30
Even if Skenes got hurt tomorrow and didn't pitch again this year (please no), I don't think Winn is any kind of lock. NL field is loaded. Jared Jones, Jackson Merrill, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shota Imanaga, Joey Ortiz, etc.
1:31
Winn will be in the mix but it's a really deep rookie class. I don't think he's close to a favorite, nice as his debut has been.
Guest
1:32
I see people saying the Red Sox are legit, but I'm skeptical. They've been a streaky team all year and injuries haven't helped. Will they be able to sneak into a wildcard spot?
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