A Narrowing Range of Options
While opinions range on Adams, there are some who see him as having front-line starter stuff and attitude. But Brian Cashman has so far proven to not be one of them. Given numerous opportunities throughout last season, Cash never called Chance up.
And that’s because he sees a pitcher with not as good of raw stuff as Severino, but some of the same challenges.
Time for the facts of life: You can get away with inconsistent command in the minors, but not in the majors. Plus, in today’s game, the hitters are looking for an exact outcome; Adams seems to lean into the modern philosophy on hitting in the wrong way. As Severino once did.
Now with Spring Training approaching, Cashman will finally have to reveal his hand.
Face Value
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Has he been hiding Adams because he knows he cannot make it as a starter, and any preview would lower his value? If so, he will trade Adams before he faces any real challenges in Spring Training.
Or did he not want to rush a prized talent, and not repeat the mistakes of Sevvy? If so, he will not trade Adams below the market value of his ranking. And he will make sure new manager Aaron Boone gives him every chance to shine against the best competition in ST.
Maybe Cash has finally decided Adams will never be more than a reliever, but at least a good one. Chance will get a few starts at the beginning of camp but will be moved to the bullpen by the last week, if that is what is going on.
Next: Find out How Giancarlo Stanton is the Anti-Cliff Lee
But only Brian knows. While some advanced metrics are lukewarm on Adams, his performance on the field seems to have everyone excited; once again, the exception is Cashman. He went from hopeful to hesitant, to never actually using Adams at any point.
No one seems to know what Cashman is playing at. Or where Chance Adams will be playing in 2018.
Soon, though, all the cards will be revealed.