JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: April 18, 2018.

MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: April 18, 2018.

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Jason Martinez

4:33

Welcome. Jose Bautista finally signed! He'll be the 3B for the Gwinnett Striders soon. I love baseball.

Yaz

4:33

What has happened to Jed Lowrie?

Jason Martinez

4:34

He's only stayed healthy for a full season twice in about 10 seasons and he had close to 50 doubles both times. He's off to a great start and he'll cool off. But he's a really good player when healthy.

James

4:34

Tajuan Walker seems like a huge blow to the Dbacks, think they can still hang around?

Jason Martinez

4:36

They're still good enough to hang around, but their SP depth is about to be tested. They have one of the best 5-man rotations and those guys made about 145 starts in '17. Next up is probably Braden Shipley.

4:37

By the way, I've updated MiLB sections for all NL teams (still working on Nats) on the Roster Resource pages. Have a look at the new format ... https://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-arizona-diamondbacks/

Scotty Z

4:38

Is Ken Giles still the "closer" in Houston?

Jason Martinez

4:39

Pretty sure Hinch's explanation would be that he'll use whoever he feels like using at that particular time. Sure doesn't seem like trust Giles very much. Devenski got the last 2 saves.

Talking chop

4:39

The Joey bats signing took me by surprise. Do the braves not believe in their internal options at 3B?

Jason Martinez

4:41

He's not going to be a lineup regular unless there's an injury so he'll be more valuable if he can play a few positions. Doesn't hurt to find out how well he can handle 3B. Likely scenario is that he's primarily a pinch-hitter who will get occasional starts in the OF and possibly 3B.

Patrick Corbin

4:42

Am I pitched myself to one of the bigger SP contracts next off-season?

Jason Martinez

4:42

Looking that way. Tim just published his '18-19 FA Power Rankings ... https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/04/2018-19-mlb-free-agent-power-ra...

Corbin is No. 6

Kyle

4:43

Franchy Cordero seems to have way more upside then the other SD of's, who losings playing time first when people get healthy?

Jason Martinez

4:44

Most upside, but still a long ways to go. Best OF in '18 is Pirela, Margot, Myers. Renfroe/Franchy have too many holes in their swing right now. Both need regular at-bats.

Dwayne Too Tall

4:45

Who do you see as potential trade candidates at the deadline?

Jason Martinez

4:47

Machado will be the biggest name. Danny Duffy. Kelvin Herrera. J.T. Realmuto. Chris Archer will probably be available.

Tim

4:47

Mark Melancon- how serious is his injury?

Jason Martinez

4:49

Anything related to forearm/flexor/elbow is a big concern. Melancon's injury has lingered and there's not really a lot of reports on his progress. All bad signs.

4:50

In other words, I wouldn't count on him for '18. But I do think the Giants can make a strong run once they have MadBum/Cueto/Samardzija all back at the same time and Longoria/Cutch hitting. They just need to keep their head above water for now.

Christian

4:51

Is Hader going to be the normal closer for the Brewers at least until Knebel comes back?

Jason Martinez

4:53

Nope. It's still a committee. Since Hader usually pitches more than 1 inning, he's not always available on back-to-back days. They went with Barnes for the 2-inning save today. Any game that Hader is available and enters after the 7th inning, he has a chance to finish the game.

Greg Holland

4:53

Will i get a save for the Cards this season?

Jason Martinez

4:54

Yep. Probably shouldn't have rushed to the Majors after missing Spring Training, but you'll get the gig after you can string together 4-5 scoreless appearances.

Joey

4:55

Do the dbacks make a trade to fill the rotation? Who could be available?

Jason Martinez

4:56

Way too early. This is the time to find out what Shipley can do or maybe even Taylor Clarke. Or find out if Kris Medlen still has anything left in the tank. I doubt they'll trade for a SP until at least June.

Reds fan

4:58

Is the Senzel situation a case of having too much depth? The kid needs to be in the majors

Jason Martinez

5:00

Nope. If they thought he was ready, he'd be playing 3B now instead of Cliff Pennington. Plan was for him to play 2B in AAA. Now he's probably just a hot streak away from being in the Majors at 3B.

5:01

He's off to a slow start (10-for-43, 1 HR, 11 K), but has 6 hits in last 18 at-bats.

Bobby

5:01

Any chance that Bautista, Mark Reynolds or Adam Lind get called up this season?

Jason Martinez

5:03

Yes. Yes. Yes. Signing a MiLB deal in April allowed them to pick the situation that gave them the best shot. Bautista is a great fit on the Braves' bench. Ryan Zimmemann probably won't get 500 PAs in Washington. And Greg Bird's injury opened things up for Lind.

Concerned fantasy player

5:03

Is it just me, or are a lot of players breaking their hand/fingers due to HBP? It always seemed to be a freak thing but a lot of guys seem to be going down with some sort of hbp injury. Is something different with the balls (again?) Or is everyone's hand bones getting softer?

Jason Martinez

5:05

I think it's just that most guys throw 95+ MPH and there is less reaction time for the hitters. But I don't have any numbers to back that up. Just a guess.

Bartolo colon

5:05

How many starts do I make for the rangers this year?

Jason Martinez

5:05

I'll say 15.

Bill

5:08

Is there a good chance that Ichiro will get released by the Mariners soon?

Jason Martinez

5:08

Hope not, but he's not really a great fit on the bench when everyone is healthy. I'd rather see him retire and they can plan a celebration for his last game. But Ichiro thinks he can play into his 50's.

Jeff

5:11

Who you got as the best non rookie stuck in the minors

Jason Martinez

5:11

Mac Williamson is making a pretty good case (19-for-39, 6 HR, 7 BB, 5 K in AAA).

George

5:12

Has colome hurt his trade value?

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