JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez

MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez

Jason Martinez

4:32

Thanks for joining me. So many interesting topics (Sept. call-ups, August trade deadline, playoff races, the offseason is so close!, bright spots for non-playoff teams, etc.). Let's get this started.

Sam

4:34

Yankees or Mets have better shot at playoffs

Jason Martinez

4:34

I'll take the Mets. Yankees are a great story and are right in the mix, but I think the teams ahead of them are too good. I don't see them jumping 4 of those teams and into a Wild Card spot. Mets have so many injuries, but they're still right there. Enough talent and the teams ahead of them aren't that great.

Aquizno

4:35

Dodgers getting Braun in the coming hours?

Jason Martinez

4:35

No, because plenty of teams chasing the Dodgers would put in a claim just to ensure it doesn't happen.

Carrotjuice

4:35

Major move over the next four and a half hours?

Jason Martinez

4:35

Don't think so. Too difficult to get a good player through waivers.

Macy

4:36

Any word on who or what the dbacks are getting in return for Michael Bourn?

Jason Martinez

4:36

Orioles don't have much and Bourn's not worth much. I'd guess one low-level guy you've never heard of with some upside.

Dodgers Suck

4:39

Why trade Ellis when Ruiz could have been acquired without giving him up?

Jason Martinez

4:39

Don't know if that was the case. Phillies made it sound like Ellis was an important part of the deal. With Ruiz leaving, they wanted a veteran mentor for their young pitching staff over the last month. I suppose the Dodgers could've waited until yesterday so Ruiz could report when rosters expanded. But it's possible other teams were after him and Dodgers needed to make the deal ASAP.

Chris

4:41

Are Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman future MLB starters?

Jason Martinez

4:41

Looks like it to me. Small sample, but it's a good sign when they can hold their own after being thrown into the fire in the middle of a pennant race.

Michael

4:45

Do you think Tyler Naquin's emergence was a factor in the Indians trading Frazier/ for Miller? Long term thing the trade + Naquin = Good deal for Indians?

Jason Martinez

4:45

I'm sure it helped a lot. Not sure what they thought of him before this season. He was already a good prospect. Don't think they would've traded Frazier, though, unless they were certain that Naquin would be at least a solid MLB regular. Brantley, Naquin, Zimmer in 2017 should be really good.

Dookie Howser, MD

4:48

Which September callous will have the biggest impact on the pennant race and/or,in October?

Jason Martinez

4:48

If there was a guy who was going to play everyday or start every 5th day, I think they'd already be in the majors. Not sure how much a guy like Moncada would play. He's valuable enough with expanded rosters because of his speed. I thought Bradley Zimmer had a chance (because Almonte will stop hitting at some point) but the acquisition of Coco Crisp indicates that it probably won't happen. Joey Gallo should be up there but not sure how much he'll play.

Jeff

4:50

With rich hill scratched today, who is going to pitch for the Dodgers Saturday? De Leon maybe?

Jason Martinez

4:50

I'm guessing Hill will pitch this weekend. Sounds like he thought he could go but the Dodgers are playing it safe. They've passed over De Leon so many times this season. I'm getting the feeling they'd rather not rely on him, regardless of how dominant he's been as of late. I think he'd be worth a look in a relief role.

Ben

4:53

Am I the only one who thought a Kemp for Puig deal would of been fun to see?

Jason Martinez

4:54

Not fun for the Dodgers. Pretty sure they were glad to have traded him. As long as Puig isn't a distraction (he won't be while he's in AAA), I don't think there's any urgency to trade him. I think there will be plenty of interest this offseason. Kemp admitted he was out of shape and so did the GM that traded for him. I'm guessing that's not news to the Dodgers.

Michael

4:57

Who ya got for AL

Jason Martinez

4:57

Royals got so much momentum behind them. I'd be worried if I was any team in front of them. If Wade Davis is effective when he returns (probably Friday), they'll be tough to beat down the stretch.

Madera

4:59

Hunter Dozier expect call up soon by royals

Jason Martinez

4:59

I don't think they'd clear a 40-man spot to add him just so he can sit on the bench. If Cuthbert wasn't playing well, maybe.

Dookie Howser, MD

5:03

Will we ever find out what teams put in waiver claims on Puig?

Jason Martinez

5:03

Nope. It really isn't a surprise or a big deal so I doubt any reporter is digging for that info.

Bork

5:06

Who gets a better contract in the off season, Saunders or Bautista?

Jason Martinez

5:06

The guy with a much better track record (Bautista). And Saunders needs to finish strong or else it won't even be close. He has a .672 OPS in August and a history of injuries and not anywhere near this much power. His overall numbers will still get him a great deal but he would be a risk, in my opinion.

Cody

5:09

Since the free agency is so bad this offseason should the Tigers unload alot of players to stock there farm system like jd krod sanchez pelfrey kinsler maybin boyd norris

Jason Martinez

5:10

JD and Kinsler are probably the only 2 you mentioned that will have great value. And I don't think they'd want to trade either. They're not the rebuilding type. They still have a lot of elite talent and they're not a particularly old team. Avila needs to make some smart moves to improve their bullpen and pitching depth.

Jameson

5:12

Would an MLB team be willing to let Shohei Otani play left field twice a week and start every five days?

Jason Martinez

5:12

Just because he might be good enough to do that in Japan doesn't mean he could do it in the Major Leagues. And I doubt any MLB team believes that an player is capable of doing that successfully.

yanksfan827

5:16

Do you see Cashman making any bold call-ups tomorrow? Or just the standard Goody, Refsnyder, Severino, etc.?

Jason Martinez

5:16

Not really. Sounds like they already have some tough decisions this offseason with having to protect some good minor leaguers from the Rule 5 draft . So guys who could help now but aren't eligible (Chance Adams, Jonathan Holder, Clint Frazier) aren't expected to be added to the 40-man roster until sometime in 2017.

Ryan

5:19

Where does Yangervis Solarte rank among underrated players?

Jason Martinez

5:19

I see him play regularly and I think he's the real deal. He hits the ball hard consistently and has a ton of energy, which rubs off positively on his teammates. He won't hit more than 15-18 HR so he'll always be underrated. I'm sure the Yankees regret trading him for Headley.

Mark

5:21

Orioles acquiring outfielders...really?How about going after someone that can get people out...your thoughts?

Jason Martinez

5:23

I'm sure they're asking. Most contenders need pitching so it's almost impossible to get a good pitcher through waivers. Not sure how much longer they can go with Bundy. They're in really bad shape so it's amazing that they'd actually make the playoffs if the season ended today.

Mike Rizzo

5:27

Will my trade of Steve Souza for Joe Ross and Trea Turner go down as one of the best trades this side of Swanson to the Braves?

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