Apologies for the slightly late start. I blame Eric Young, Jr. for making me write a brief note on his minor league deal. Inconsiderate, is what it is. Let's get underway with what I assume will be the final chat of 2015. (Though maybe Jeff has a New Years Eve chat in him!)

29/12/2015 20:20
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Steve Adams

3d84fe9c4d2201c27a1ba1631bee3f68?d=identicon

Michael Ganci

Is there any chance the Mets sign Yoenis Cespedes?

There's never really been much of a chance of that -- not back in August, nor in November, nor now. They're just not going to spend that type of money on a free agent, I don't think, and they don't have a great spot for him anyway. He's not a very good center fielder. He's a damn good left fielder though.

29/12/2015 20:21
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Steve Adams

7c1f90bd9bdc70cc059640a7a6209389?d=identicon

Matt

Think Reddick gets traded? This offseason or closer to the deadline?

Not this offseason, no. Maybe in July if things go south in Oakland, but I do believe that Beane and Forst want to extend him. Doesn't mean he'll bite; Reddick is young and looking at a very weak free-agent class next winter, so he may want to test the market. Back to the actual question: Deadline for me, if he's traded at all.

29/12/2015 20:23
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Steve Adams

8d070cf9e0822238f689a1dd1acb326d?d=identicon

Joey Romansky

Do you think the White Sox would be better off with Cespedes or Gordon? Do you think they will be able to land one of them?

I like Gordon as a better fit there, personally, because I'm more sold on his consistency than Cespedes' big 2015. Not that Yo was bad before that, but he has some OBP concerns, and if his bat slows down in his mid-30s, that's an ugly looking contract for a guy that doesn't walk and by that point is probably more above-average than great in left field. Plus, a lefty bat seems like a little better fit there, and he'll be cheaper.

29/12/2015 20:25
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Steve Adams

B70e2a0d855b4dc7b1ea34a8a9d10305?d=identicon

Gabriel

What was the point of getting cespedes (mets) if ur not going to resign him?

Trying to win the 2015 World Series? Teams rent players every year.

29/12/2015 20:25
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Steve Adams

24bf9af4ce411a2412cb0d6148d28002?d=identicon

O's fan in MT

Jay Bruce a fit for Baltimore? Left handed corner outfielder

Yeah there's a match there. You could make the case for one of Colorado's outfielders or Alex Gordon, too, and I'd like that better just because I think they're all better players than what Bruce is at this point.

29/12/2015 20:27
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Steve Adams

4d236810821e8e83a025f2a83ea31820?d=identicon

Brian

Will the Cardinals trade for an outfielder or sign a free agent or do they stick with Holliday, Grichuk and Piscotty?

It seems like Heyward was a special case for them, and they're more or less content with the alignment you mentioned in the outfield. If they add an outfielder, I'm not expecting it to be anything more than a backup at this point.

29/12/2015 20:28
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Steve Adams

35be17dbec21388c78809dbdf5ff5825?d=identicon

Anonymous

How come no one knows about Ketel Matte yet? #StudOnTheRise

I think plenty of people who follow the game with any reasonable level of closeness know Ketel Marte. "Stud" might be taking it a bit far as there's not much power there, but I like him well enough as a guy who can provide average-ish offense and play a passable shortstop (even though he might be better suited to play second base). He's a nice regular player, but I don't foresee him hitting superstardom.

29/12/2015 20:31
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Steve Adams

083d9a270e6e16b2fbb08d35067aae5f?d=identicon

Dave

What are the chances Alex Gordon stays in KC?

If they're really sticking to offering him barely north of Nick Markakis money, zero.

29/12/2015 20:31
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Steve Adams

9639a3cf1f865cbf90a537245e3deb2e?d=identicon

Abby

What would the Twins have to give up to land Andrew Miller?

A significant amount -- more than Terry Ryan has shown a willingness to part with and more than they reasonably should part with, honestly. Yankees would want a controllable starting pitcher, so I don't see anything getting done without including Berrios, May, Duffey or Gibson as a starting point and then adding some further pieces around that pitcher.

29/12/2015 20:34
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Steve Adams

45798f269709550d6f6e1d2cf4b7d485?d=identicon

ron

due to his advanced age is Bartolo Colon a good signing for the mets?

He hasn't shown many signs of falling apart just yet, and at $7MM it's not like they have him a huge, detrimental sum anyway. I thought the deal was fine, though admittedly a little expensive for a guy who isn't even going to spend the year in the rotation.

29/12/2015 20:35
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Steve Adams

Ba0e0cde1bf72c28d435c89a66afc61a?d=identicon

Sam

Do you think the Blue Jays are the best fit for Chris Davis

Orioles, Padres or Cardinals are a better fit, in my estimation. Pirates would've been the best fit I could think of, but they obviously were never going to spend like that. I don't see first base as a huge need in Toronto. I'd be more focused on the bullpen right now.

29/12/2015 20:36
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Steve Adams

318b2739ddc2c16c97b33c9b04b79f3e?d=identicon

Me

Imagine this 3 team deal:
Tampa gets: Javier Baez(from CHC), Chase Dejong(from LAD) and Trayce Thompson(from LAD)
Dodgers get: Jake Odorizzi(from TB), Eric Joksich(from CHC)
Cubs get: Jake Mcgee(from TB), Brandon Guyer(from TB) and Zack Lee(from LAD)
Deal or no deal?

You have the Rays getting Baez, DeJong and Thompson for Odorizzi, McGee AND Guyer (who, while not a star, is a fine complementary outfield piece). Not enough for me, and it's not close.

29/12/2015 20:38
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Steve Adams

5cb978bb09b2d6a6892a1e413725c4ea?d=identicon

Brian Cashman

Should I buy a starter or trade for one? Or maybe stick with what I have.

I think the Yankees should be in on someone like Kazmir, personally, but I don't expect them to do anything more than add a veteran on a minor league deal. Roll the dice on Chad Billingsley or something, perhaps.

29/12/2015 20:40
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Steve Adams

4243a686b5d8b6441dda1abe3dd07732?d=identicon

jpl

FA market at 3B seems quiet. Is Freese the best available option, and where do you think he might land?

Yeah, he is. I can still see him back with the Halos, with Yunel sliding over to second base. Padres make some sense as a team with a need at 3B. Otherwise, there aren't a ton of contending clubs with big needs at third base. If he ends up getting to the point where he'd take a one-year deal, I'd say Houston and Cleveland make some sense, too. Maybe Pittsburgh, since they could put Kang back at SS over Mercer, who I just don't like all that much as a starter.

29/12/2015 20:42
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Steve Adams

04d1a1371750a1c58933d7498a6e8902?d=identicon

Frank Kuchno

Why hasn't some AL team snatched up Pedro Alvarez?

He's a pure DH that can't hit lefties and doesn't even post great OBP marks against right-handed pitching. He's just not that exciting a player outside the homers

29/12/2015 20:44
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Steve Adams

7efd721c8bfff2937c66235f2d0dbac1?d=identicon

Adam

How far can Lewis go for the Rangers!

He threw 200 innings in 2015 -- seems like they'll keep bringing him back on one-year deals until he's not able to continue. As far as a reasonably successful innings eater goes, Texas could do a lot worse, especially at his price.

29/12/2015 20:45
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Steve Adams

Eee7ac208064d408e84ab5e26d24b278?d=identicon

Tony

Steve, its my birthday! Any chance my diamondbacks give me one final present and sign/trade for one more starter to complete their rotation?

You already got Greinke and Shelby Miller -- stop being greedy! I don't think they're adding another starter. At this point, Greinke-Corbin-Miller-Ray and a fourth option, maybe Chase Anderson, is a solid rotation. They'll probably give Rubby De La Rosa another look in the rotation, which is fine, but I'd really like to see him dropped to a high-leverage relief spot where he can unleash all of his velocity and not have to worry as much about the fact that he doesn't have a good enough third pitch to retire lefties as a starter.

29/12/2015 20:47
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Steve Adams

3bf3311630c9dba4f9f5df138de287ec?d=identicon

Jimbo

Who gives Dom Brown a shot in a platoon situation?

Don't see the harm in it for the Reds. They don't have a ton of guys they'd be blocking, though they apparently like Scott Schebler for that role. Can't blame a team for not falling over to grab Brown... he's had plenty of chances and looked entirely lost for some 90% of his Major League tenure.

29/12/2015 20:48
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Steve Adams

7df875f1aedc53ca9045760ce358f98d?d=identicon

J-Jo Rayes

Did the Reds get enough for Chapman?

Not even close, but the domestic violence allegations submarined his value. But, if that's really all you're going to get, I'd just as soon hold onto him to see if offers in July are better, and it not, take the comp pick, honestly.

I really can't understand why they didn't trade him -- and Frazier, for that matter -- in July. Sure there's some hindsight in the mix now, but it was obvious back then that they were going to end up trading both eventually anyway, and we discussed and even advocated for as much on the MLBTR Podcast in early June.

They didn't get nearly enough for either player, and the returns in July would've been enormous. I don't get it.

29/12/2015 20:52
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Steve Adams

192ac18fda6a8c862577f2274a91d741?d=identicon

Devin

Any suitors for Nova? If so what could he bring in terms of talent?

I'm sure there are clubs that wouldn't mind him at $4-5MM for one year, but they're not going to give up anything of real note to get him.

29/12/2015 20:52
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Steve Adams

E4ea6b3f71787bf10f1530259e7e5d52?d=identicon

Dave P

Do you think the Giants wish they had picked up Aoki's 4.5 million option at this tiime?

I think the plan there all along was to pursue a fairly large-scale upgrade, and I think they're going to come away with one of the top-tier outfielders still. If not one of Upton, Cespedes or Gordon then someone like Fowler.

I did think they could've picked up the option and traded him though. Considering the fact that Seattle paid him the same as what he'd have made in San Francisco, it's easy to see them throwing some kind of quasi-useful minor leaguer their way in a trade.

29/12/2015 20:54
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Steve Adams

3fda39e5c2aef6b2d9173f407ea609d4?d=identicon

Jeff in Akron

Answer an Indians question please

Truthfully: There haven't been many good ones asked -- or many at all.

29/12/2015 20:55
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Steve Adams

381f153a0e6e6dc7d3bf5dbef251b370?d=identicon

SMC

Are the Rockies' outfielders overrated?

I tend to think so. Gaudy numbers, to be sure, but their park-adjusted offensive numbers aren't as impressive, and Blackmon/Dickerson have huge home/road splits and platoon splits. Not saying they aren't useful, but I don't think they'd look as enticing had they come up with another org.

29/12/2015 20:56
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Steve Adams

1ddeacd1e32a30e4377e54d90a07ab65?d=identicon

Rockies Faithful

What type of players can you see Cargo bringing back? Carrasco maybe?

I'm not giving up five cheap years of Carrasco for two expensive years of CarGo.

29/12/2015 20:56
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Steve Adams

Dd98c1624306c20ea5abfd4b4755d953?d=identicon

Steven St Croix

Lets say Baltimore signs one of the outfielders for $150 mil and that takes him out of the Chris David market, if he were to sign a 1 year deal, what would it look like?

Chris Davis isn't signing a one-year deal.

29/12/2015 20:57
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Steve Adams

2d8d73c4c06d2636e27cc3a27c3c2ab0?d=identicon

Anonymous

What do the Nats do in CF after missing out on Heyward?

Will Venable to platoon with Michael A. Taylor? I'm sure Rizzo likes Parra -- Arizona connection -- but there seem to be genuine concerns about the notion of him playing center field. Honestly, I'd add a corner bat like Upton and just play Bryce in center for a couple of years until Werth is off the books.

29/12/2015 20:59
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Steve Adams

067a4d140ec4b2e9214773579a235613?d=identicon

Cameron

Who will be the next team to completeley rebuild and fire sale the team

Rockies? I think they should already be shopping their bats more aggressively. I can see the Orioles getting to that point eventually.

29/12/2015 21:00
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Steve Adams

6b5f26f3f27268a3f00cbaf759b9f3e6?d=identicon

Anonymous

Does Brandon Phillips have a full NTC?

He has 10-and-5 rights, which is 10 years of MLB service time with the five most recent coming on one team. Once a player reaches that point, the team has to get his approval on any trade.

29/12/2015 21:01
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Steve Adams

24dbc2b917472b089a5052b23f11f30f?d=identicon

Tyler

Any chance the Rangers get cespedes?

Sure there's a chance, but it doesn't seem like something that's going to be high on their list of things to do. More like something they'll do if his price falls to a certain point where they feel it's too good an opportunity to pass up.

29/12/2015 21:02
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Steve Adams

Ae151702d8c1c4c6064d807160acbec5?d=identicon

Anonymous

Which team is the best fit for Kenta Maeda?

Dodgers make the most sense -- boring answer, I know, but they have a huge need and the money won't be a huge deterrent for them.

29/12/2015 21:02
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Steve Adams

6317b540f0238192fa319e176be68028?d=identicon

Baseball Chatter

Why no Cliff Lee rumors?

His agent isn't feeling overly chatty with the media? He'll probably need to do some kind of open workout or at least throw privately for a number of clubs before his market picks up, and I'd imagine a lot of clubs are looking at him as a fourth or fifth option in the event that Plans A through D don't work out.

29/12/2015 21:04
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Steve Adams

131b98dac8609f781484f08c22a8abaa?d=identicon

Ryan

Would a Omar Infante for Matt Garza trade make sense for Royals?

Yeah I think we've tossed that out in one of these chats and on the podcast before. They'd do well to free up second base for a more viable alternative, and they could use some additional rotation options.

29/12/2015 21:06
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Steve Adams

B6d635c73b4dcf057f24c9ce4bc1fa6a?d=identicon

Brian Duensing

Twins gave my number to Byung Ho Park so I guess I'm a goner...any interest?

Probably a minor league deal somewhere, sure. Duensing is serviceable against lefties and terrible against righties. Someone will give him a look, and I can see him making a club in Spring Training.

29/12/2015 21:07
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Steve Adams

86a62a3b88614db00a6c3d44060ba65c?d=identicon

Peter G

Do you see Andrew Miller getting shipped out of town now that Chapman is in NY?

Nah, I just see a really intimidating bullpen for a year in New York (or, most of a year, depending on a Chapman suspension)

29/12/2015 21:07
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Steve Adams

367ff0cc22a4cce22ce52dfc1601241f?d=identicon

Y. Cespedes

Hypothetically, who would you want, 2 years of me at a higher price or 2 years of Cargo with his current contract?

Cespedes at two more expensive years, probably, but there's no way he's taking a two-year deal if you're insinuating that.

29/12/2015 21:09
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Steve Adams

A07fb6a306c9f92e0066036ac667570a?d=identicon

BIG MIKE RIZZO

Nationals sign Chen 5yr $90M and trade Gio, Paps, and Storen for Blackmon

I don't think Nats are going to pay top dollar for a starting pitcher -- more looking to be opportunistic. And Gio/Papelbon/Storen probably doesn't get Blackmon. Papelbon has negative value, Storen is a free agent after one season, and Gio would be gone after 2018. Rox would want more controllable assets for Blackmon.

29/12/2015 21:11
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Steve Adams

I do think Chen ultimately costs around 5/90 though.

29/12/2015 21:11
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Steve Adams

4d236810821e8e83a025f2a83ea31820?d=identicon

Brian

Haven't heard much of the market for Guillermo Heredia. Seems like a solid CF

More like a fourth outfielder from a couple of scouts/team employees I've spoken to. That's not to say he isn't useful and can't get paid, but I don't think he's going to land some big Rusney Castillo/Yasmany Tomas style contract or anything.

29/12/2015 21:13
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Steve Adams

2ea54fed1e72ef861b85e0ab2050e760?d=identicon

The Vessel

Does Miami hold on to Ozuna?

I still think they end up trading him at some point this winter.

29/12/2015 21:14
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Steve Adams

B46489c11cc0cf01e2f987c0237263f9?d=identicon

Craig

Are the Mariners a contender now, or what else would they need to do?

I think they have a chance in the AL West, yeah, but it's a pretty deep division. I'd look harder at adding to the bullpen. I still think trading Carson Smith was weird, even though I've generally been behind a large portion of Dipoto's moves this winter.

29/12/2015 21:15
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Steve Adams

7efd721c8bfff2937c66235f2d0dbac1?d=identicon

Adam

Could Grichuk be the real deal...He looked good before injury.

Define "Real deal." He can probably play a passable CF and hit for power, but he also got extremely lucky on balls in play (.365 BABIP) and K'ed in nearly a third of his plate appearances. Without correcting the K's, he could end up hitting .220ish once his BABIP inevitably regresses.

29/12/2015 21:17
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Steve Adams

6aa9a90248b962030dade128d3c92588?d=identicon

Joe M.

Don't the Cubs have to get a CF? What's the point of signing a guy who made bones on D then switching his position?

The threshold for passable offense in center field is considerably lower than it is in right field. Heyward's bat is considerably better than the league-average CF, and if he can play above-average or even competent defense there for a few seasons, he'll still be plenty valuable.

29/12/2015 21:18
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Steve Adams

Afb8bb9755c9c2a4da38ad29ccd5dde9?d=identicon

J Brown

Is J Upton damaged goods at this point? Bad club house guy? Why is he still out there?

There are tons of notable free agents still on the market... don't see why we need to single out Upton like he's some kind of pariah just because he's yet to sign.

29/12/2015 21:19
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Steve Adams

900aaab886b1c22ab4ad6a5c6d127eab?d=identicon

Sy

Gardner and Refsnyder for Heaney or Skaggs, who hangs up first?

Doubt the Angels are big on moving young pitching for a 32-year-old coming off an injury and a second base prospect that can't play second base all that well.

29/12/2015 21:20
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Steve Adams

7f15f1ad99c489dc0314952535e424d5?d=identicon

Jeff

Jose Fernandez for Trevor May, Max Kepler, Tyler Duffey, Kennys Vargas, Kyle Gibson...who says no?

The Marlins reportedly asked for Corey Seager, Julio Urias and Joc Pederson plus two others -- that package isn't getting close for the Twins. Miami would probably ask for both Buxton and Sano.

29/12/2015 21:21
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Steve Adams

7de1830fc5587dcd4b9cb0ed776b2b7b?d=identicon

John H

Reddick to the Angels makes a ton of sense. What's holding back a deal like that?

The Angels have a terrible farm system and the A's don't want to trade Reddick anyway.

29/12/2015 21:22
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Steve Adams

E61e34b450f37e2668daf2318dcaf978?d=identicon

Chip

Kazmir to Yanks, what's it going to take, price-wise?

Something like $52-56MM over a four-year term.

29/12/2015 21:23
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Steve Adams

B08c5a0f666c5f8a83a7bcafe51ec49b?d=identicon

Seth

Among the remaining free agents, who do you see as the most underrated?

I'm a big fan of a healthy Denard Span, but to this point we don't know what to make of his hip. Ryan Raburn can help a team in a platoon role -- Mets make a lot of sense -- and I'd like to see Steve Pearce get 600ish PA in a season and see what happens. On the pitching side of things, Shawn Kelley would've been my answer, but I don't know off the top of my head now that he's signed.

29/12/2015 21:26
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Steve Adams

7efd721c8bfff2937c66235f2d0dbac1?d=identicon

Adam

What's your outlook for Raisel Iglesias?

Love the guy -- plenty of grounders, tons of strikeouts, reasonable control... he checks all the boxes you want to see out of a guy in his first impression. I'm a little skeptical of the control since that was a knock on him at one point, but I think he's a real nice looking mid-rotation piece for them moving forward.

29/12/2015 21:29
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Steve Adams

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