JotCast | MLBTR Chat With Jason Martinez: August 24, 2016

MLBTR Chat With Jason Martinez: August 24, 2016

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Jason Martinez

5:06

More than they have to offer and more than most teams have to offer. One of the best players in the big leagues. Only 25 years old and 3 years of club control remaining after '16. Even if they gave up their best 5 prospects, starting with Swanson and Albies, I don't think it would be enough.

Mike

5:08

With the angels needing help with young players, could the Phillies start a conversation for Trout, who is entering his $$$ years, with Velazquez, O. Herrera, N. Williams, and one of Alfaro, Knapp, or Rupp?

Jason Martinez

5:09

I think the Angels are at the point where they might as well shop Trout because they're in such bad shape. But the Phillies can't just trade away all of their young talent for one player, even if he is the best in baseball. They'd turn into the Angels with 1 superstar and a mediocre roster around him. And it would take a lot more than Velasquez, Herrera, Williams and Alfaro. That would just be the starting point. Not sure any team has enough to pull off a trade for Trout.

Martini

5:11

Who has a bleaker future: Diamondbacks or Angels?

Jason Martinez

5:11

Angels have the bleakest future in baseball, in my opinion. With a healthy Pollock and Peralta, the Dbacks have one of the best lineups around. And, despite their horrible season, they have Zack Greinke and I think Robbie Ray is going to be very good. They're a few smart moves away from being good.

Cooper towns

5:12

Is Ichiro a first ballot Hall of Famer?

Jason Martinez

5:12

He better be. One of the greatest players of his era.

GARMEN

5:13

ANY CHANCE OLIVERA GETS A LOOK?

Jason Martinez

5:14

Hector? i don't know. The Padres really had nothing to lose by giving him a look and they passed on that opportunity. I'm thinking there is a better chance that Ray Rice gets another chance in the NFL.

Martinez

5:17

Are the Dodgers ready and set for the playoffs with the team they have now as we speak?

Jason Martinez

5:17

Not quite. They need Kershaw back and probably one other starter (Anderson or Kazmir) and they're capable of going all the way. Impressive how well they've played without Kershaw.

5:19

Given what John Coppolella has been preaching, that the Braves will be competitive in 2017, will he make a major splash in the offseason? Possibly trading some prospects??

Jason Martinez

5:19

I think so. Calling up Swanson now and trading for Kemp pretty much indicated that was the case. Sounds like they could make a play for McCann in the offseason and could be in on Wilson Ramos or Matt Wieters in free agency. They really need starting pitching, though, and it might be easiest to trade for one or two.

Ted

5:22

Can the Royals make it back to the playoffs after their horrible July?

Jason Martinez

5:22

Based on their talent/experience, I thought they were the one team that could make up some ground quickly. All their starters are going good, which is necessary to go on long winning streaks. The bullpen has been much better and could get back to dominating if Wade Davis returns to health. They dug themselves a hole, but it's not impossible.

Dan

5:24

Any hope left for Buxton?

Jason Martinez

5:24

Plenty. Sometimes it takes a few years. And it's usually worth it to wait on guys with that much talent. To think that the Red Sox almost (reportedly) traded Jackie Bradley to the Mariners for Charlie Furbush! Can't give up on the high ceiling guys too early because of 1-2 mediocre big league seasons.

Noah

5:28

Does Travis Shaw have a starting spot in next year's lineup once Moncada comes up? How much trade value do you think he has right now?

Jason Martinez

5:28

I think Shaw will be shopped in the offseason. They'll have one lineup spot open with Big Papi retiring. But with Sandoval expected back and likely to take over as the DH, it could get crowded once Moncada arrives. Shaw has produced at the big league level. He can play multiple positions and he's under club control for 5 more seasons. His trade value might not get higher.

DonnieB

5:30

Ruiz and Howard passed thru waivers - Ruiz still sporting a +1.5 WAR - Indians would seem to dumb not to try and get him, he's also always been a good catcher that Pitchers love to throw to. Howard? Having a GREAT August and with still a lot of Pop in his bat. Toronto or Orioles there?

Jason Martinez

5:30

As long as the Phillies are willing to eat some of the remaining $, I don't see why they wouldn't have value for a contender. Even if it's in a bench role.

Pong

5:34

Noticed you don't have Desmond in the Tex starting lineup next year. Do you think he's marketed as a CF or a SS in free agency ?

Jason Martinez

5:34

He has more value as a SS but he's hit plenty for any position. I think his agent will market him as a versatile player who will hit 20+ HR and steal 20+ bases and can hit anywhere in the order. I think teams will play it safe and keep him in the OF, just to keep him in the comfort zone that he's been in this season.

Dave Stewart

5:35

Should I designate Shelby Miller if he does not perform well after being called up again?

Jason Martinez

5:35

Nooooooo! Don't do that, Dave. The kid will be fine. Unfortunately, he might need a change of scenery. The good thing is that he'll still have decent value, even if you never come close to duplicating what you gave up to acquire him.

Chris

5:36

Who is playing catcher opening day next year for the braves

Jason Martinez

5:36

How about former Georgia Tech star Matt Wieters?

Chris

5:38

Favorite baseball related movie

Jason Martinez

5:38

"Major League" and some of the other obvious ones. But I always loved this movie called "The Kid From Left Field". Gary Coleman (Whatchoo talkin' bout Willis) was a kid managing the Padres in the early 80's. It might be bad for all I can remember but I dug it.

Chad

5:42

It seems as though closers aren't seen as important like they did years ago. How many years and how much money do you think Chapman will command for his next contract?

Jason Martinez

5:42

I think teams realize that it's a bad idea to spend a ton of $ on a closer or setup man unless it's the final piece to the championship puzzle. That's why the Indians and Cubs gave up so much for Miller and Chapman. Not sure that will be the case in free agency. But I think Chapman could get 3 yr, $45-48MM or 4 yr, $54-60MM.

DonnieB

5:46

who plays 2B for the Dodgers next year?

Jason Martinez

5:46

The OF could be crowded again, especially if they can't trade Puig, with Ethier, Pederson, Thompson so maybe Howie Kendrick (signed thru '17) is the best option. Maybe Micah Johnson/Chris Taylor get a look. They're never opposed to adding depth, though, so I wouldn't rule out an offseason addition.

Petet

5:49

Hey just wanted to say you guys do an amazing job! Do you think the twins can get anything for plouffe or will it be a salary dump?

Jason Martinez

5:49

Thanks! No reason to trade him for nothing. If they wanted to dump his salary for '17 (probably $8-9MM in final year of arbitration), they could just non-tender him in November. I don't think they'd get back much right now, though, even if a few teams could use a right-handed hitting corner infielder.

Tim

5:50

Who win the AL East and who ends up getting the 2 wild card spots?

Jason Martinez

5:50

Red Sox win the division. Blue Jays and Royals win the Wild Card spots.

AJ Preller

5:53

Are the Padres actually going to win eventually, or am I just in AAA for a future GM gig?

Jason Martinez

5:54

You were brought to San Diego to do exactly what you're doing now. Build a great farm system that will continue to produce young talent regularly. You're on the right track. That "win now" stuff sold some extra tickets in 2015 but I think ownership realizes that it wasn't a realistic route to sustained success. As long as ownership is patient, the Padres will be in a very good position in 2-3 years. If you're let go due to an impatient ownership group, you wouldn't be out of a job for long. But you know that.

Brad

5:56

If Cole keeps getting knocked around, who has a better chance to be the new Pirates ace..Glasnow or Taillon?

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