JotCast | MLBTR Chat With Jason Martinez: August 17, 2016

MLBTR Chat With Jason Martinez: August 17, 2016

Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page

Darrell

4:56

Welcome Jason, thanks for the chat. I know every team needs that cornerstone guy but is it time for the Rays to trade Longoria in the offseason to rebuild?

Jason Martinez

4:56

I think the Rays are open to it. Some help is on the way but they don't have the impact prospects who are going to make this team much better right away or the $$$ to spend on free agency in the offseason. Seems like they need to take a step or two backwards and trading Longoria would do just that.

TCB

4:59

More valuable going forward: Benintendi or Musgrove?

Jason Martinez

5:00

Both great young players but I'll take the guy that plays everyday and doesn't have to throw a baseball 95 MPH repeatedly for a living. Elbow ligaments don't seem to be responding too well to it these days.

Jon Daniels

5:02

Do I make a panic move and take on some salary to get a decent starter this August?

Jason Martinez

5:02

You can always use more pitching. But with Derek Holland close to returning and Colby Lewis also expected back in a few weeks, I think they're good enough to hold on with that current 6.5 game lead.

Gogerty

5:03

A bonus chat this evening?

Jason Martinez

5:03

No, you guys have requested more chats so this one will be happening weekly.

carrotjuice

5:06

So Eovaldi is an obvious non-tender. What kind of contract does he sign this offseason?

Jason Martinez

5:06

Mike Minor and Kris Medlen would've been good comps, but neither is doing Eovaldi any favors. Medlen has been hurt most of the year and Minor is still working his way back from his shoulder issues.

Guest

5:10

What will be the Angels plan this offseason? Sign veterans to flip in the season and plan to bust, or mah retool with calculated risks, or even go big fish hunting because salary is starting to come off of the books?

Jason Martinez

5:11

It was going to be hard enough with their weak farm system but losing Heaney, Tropeano and probably Richards thru 2017 makes this a very difficult situation to recover from. If Moreno doesn't open up his checkbook and make some big moves this offseason (not ideal), Eppler has a very challenging offseason ahead of him. Makes sense to shop Trout, but not sure any team has what it takes to get him.

Austin Wells

5:14

The Jays are going to need to pick up another outfielder for next season.... puig and gomez are looking good! Do the jays pick either of them up?

Jason Martinez

5:14

I wouldn't rule it out. Puig will be expensive since the Dodgers don't have to trade him. As long as he continues to destroy AAA pitching and if he can stay out of trouble, I believe their will be significant interest this offseason. Only challenge with acquiring Gomez is that there seems to be at least 3-4 teams that could use him. Plus, he was awful this season so they'd be banking on him turning it around with a change of scenery.

John Conway

5:17

Chris Sale traded in the offseason?

Jason Martinez

5:17

With Sale, Quintana, Rodon at the front of their rotation, they can compete in 2017. Trading Sale means they're "rebuilding", but I don't think they're so far away from competing that a rebuild is necessary. Of course, they'll listen and I'm sure they're open if the price is right. The price would be really, really, really high, though.

Boof Bonser

5:21

How do you think Oakland's rotation shapes up next year? Barring any offseason acquisitions of course, which would probably be a bad assumption given Beane/Forst's usual activity.

Jason Martinez

5:21

Assuming Gray's injury doesn't result in TJ surgery, I'd go with ... 1. Sonny Gray 2. Sean Manaea 3. Kendall Graveman and then Hahn, Cotton, Mengden, Alcantara, etc. etc. etc. for 4/5 spots. A lot of depth. Not a lot of proven guys. I'd expect Beane to make a trade or two. He's sort of unpredictable.

Pirates

5:25

Can the Pirates make a run once their pitching gets healthy?

Jason Martinez

5:25

I think Glasnow is the only guy hurt right now and I wouldn't count on him down the stretch. They'll be very cautious with him. They're relying on a lot of young guys, as it is. They can make a run but they'll need some of the youngsters to step up. Not sure if there is a good enough veteran starter worth acquiring.

Jason

5:27

How do you think the Rangers will do without Prince and choo? Relying more on the young guys.

Jason Martinez

5:27

I think they'll be fine. Opens the door for Profar, who was once the best prospect in baseball. And Gallo will get his shot, eventually. This is why you hold on to prospects even if there doesn't appear to be a spot when they're ready. Injuries do happen often.

12 to 6

5:29

What sleeper team makes it in as a wild card?

Jason Martinez

5:29

I thought the Rockies were the lone intriguing team that no one was talking about. Just not quite there yet. They had the trade chips to do something big at the deadline but it would've been risky. No team within reach of a playoff spot is sneaking up on anyone at this point.

Section 118

5:31

Any rumors surrounding Danny Valencia?

Jason Martinez

5:31

Not really. Gonna be tough to get him through waivers. Having another solid season and valuable to any contender because of his versatility.

Adam

5:33

Are the Rangers A.L contenders or is Cleveland better?

Jason Martinez

5:33

For me, it really depends on Danny Salazar's health. He's coming back quickly from a sore elbow. And a sore elbow is almost never nothing. If he doesn't have any more issues, I'd go with Cleveland by a nose. If he isn't healthy, easy call for me. I'd go with Texas.

Brett J

5:35

Thoughts on the Dodgers success without Kershaw and getting nothing from Reddick/Hill? Is it sustainable?

Jason Martinez

5:35

When a team loses so many guys, especially when one is the best pitcher on the planet, they can only hope to stay afloat until they're healthy. They've done more than that. But it's probably not sustainable. They'll run out of gas eventually. They'll need Kershaw and/or Hill back if they want to make a run deep in the playoffs.

Ray Ray

5:38

What are your thoughts on the Rockies OF overflow (Blackmon, CarGo, Parra, Dahl, Tapia)? Who stays and who goes in 2017?

Jason Martinez

5:38

I think they're fully prepared to go with Parra as a very expensive 4th OF in 2017, which is valuable with CarGo's injury history. And if they get the right trade offer for Blackmon or CarGo, Parra also gives them a decent backup plan. Tapia can force his way into the picture, as Dahl did this season, but I don't think the Rockies will plan on it.

MLB Pipeline

5:39

Ozzie Albies a September call-up?

Jason Martinez

5:39

I don't see that happening, but no one saw the Swanson call-up happening either. Maybe they want to get their fan base excited for 2017. If that's the case, I would rule it out. But probably early 2017.

Aaron

5:41

Fred McGriff HOF?

Jason Martinez

5:41

The Crime Dog would get my vote. A lot of great years, including a few with my Padres.

Sean

5:42

Does Mattingly have a shot at NL Manager of the year or is it a two horse race between Maddon and Baker with Bochy and Mattingly too far back to make up ground?

Jason Martinez

5:43

Mattingly has to be in that race. And if his team gets into the playoffs without Giancarlo, give him the award.

12 to 6

5:44

Should the Angels start Cowart for the remaining games once September callups happen? They need to find out for sure whether or not he has staying power right? Could make trading Escobar easier too.

Jason Martinez

5:44

Yes. I think they have to find out if anyone in the farm system can help in 2017. Cowart is one of the lone position player candidates, if not the only one.

Connecting…

Your current subscriptions

None

E-mail Address	Chat Owner	Status	Remove

Enter your email address to be notified when Jason Martinez hosts a chat