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MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: December 27, 2017
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AvatarJason Martinez
5:22
CarGo and Bruce would fit, but I think they want a right-handed bat to balance things out. So maybe Carlos Gomez.
Glen
5:23
Jim Leyritz predicted the Stanton deal 4 days in advance calling it a done deal. Apparently he knew. Now saying same thing about Cole. Any thoughts?
AvatarJason Martinez
5:26
Not sure if he has inside knowledge, but Yankees appear to be the favorites (and only team that has really been mentioned in connection with him) and probably the best fit. Also, Leyritz was so clutch with the Padres in '98. 4 HR in NLDS/NLCS. Little-known tidbit for non-Padres fans.
Cashman
5:29
Do i really need to trade for another SP?? I just got us Stanton and CC is back! Let my children be!
AvatarJason Martinez
5:29
Yes. Tanaka has been pitching with a partially-torn elbow ligament for a few years, which is always concerning, and I think he had 8 or 9 starts where he gave up at least 5 ERs last season. Never know with Sabathia. He pitched way better than expected in '17, but who knows what he'll be in '18.
5:30
Not enough depth, in my opinion. Need another guy who they can rely on for 30 starts/180 IP. Montgomery deserves a spot, but he has options and can pitch in AAA until they need him. That's how WS contenders operate. Need 8-10 reliable starting pitchers.
Prospecting
5:31
Who is an under the radar rookie or two that could break through in 2018?
AvatarJason Martinez
5:33
I'm keeping a close eye on what the Rockies and Rangers do this offseason in regards to adding another bat. As things stand, Ryan McMahon and Willie Calhoun are in line for regular at-bats and it's well-deserved. Both destroyed AAA last season.
5:35
Corbin Burnes should get shot in the Brewers' rotation at some point in '18. He's still a bit under the radar and might not make it to the Majors until June or July.
KJ
5:35
Will the Giants top 3 prospects plus Stratton or Blach get Cutch AND Cole?
AvatarJason Martinez
5:37
If we use Baseball America's '18 rankings, that would be Heliot Ramos, Chris Shaw, Tyler Beede and Stratton/Blach. I think that's enough for McCutchen, although the Giants would probably try to exclude Ramos in any deal for a 1-year rental. For both, I don't think it's enough and I don't think the Giants have enough to get that done.
Matt
5:38
Should the rangers look into JT Realmoto? I mean they don't have the best catching depth...
AvatarJason Martinez
5:40
Yes, they should look into him. Their farm system is a bit weak, though, and they have bigger priorities. Also, Robinson Chirinos can hit (.866 OPS in '17) so they're probably fine with letting him be the regular catcher for at least one more season.
Maybin Maybe?
5:41
Cameron Maybin rates as a decent fielding CF and has tools to make a lineup contribution. Does he make sense in a Giants or Royals uniform in 2018?
AvatarJason Martinez
5:43
Cam got his World Series ring so I have a feeling that playing time will be his top priority. At least right now, he'd be the starting CF on both of those teams you mentioned.
Jason
5:44
Do you see Ryan Borucki making the rotation for the Blue Jays this year?
AvatarJason Martinez
5:47
At some point. Probably not right out of the gate. I was surprised he didn't get a call-up in '17 since he was already on the 40-man roster. Appears to be a great fit as back-of-rotation lefty who works quickly and throws strikes.
Ram
5:48
Do you see the Braves trading for Craig Kimbrel or waiting til he becomes a free agent next winter for a reunion? We haven't had a closer since his departure.
AvatarJason Martinez
5:50
Red Sox aren't trading Kimbrel. Arodys had a few shaky outings, but was pretty effective for the most part. I think they're comfortable with him for now. With all of their young pitching on the way, there's always a chance that a few of them end up in the 'pen. And those that do will throw hard and have a plus secondary pitch. So you never know. Not sure if A.J. Minter will end up getting save chances, but he looked good in '17.
Drew
5:52
MLBTR just put out a poll for "pillow" contracts. Who of the top 10 FA would you think would be the most likely to sign a pillow contract?
AvatarJason Martinez
5:54
Only Moustakas. And only because there aren't many teams with a 3B opening that can pay him what he's worth after his best season. Many of the top free agents are in their early 30's. Not ideal to take a pillow contract because value starts to decline. Mous will be heading into his age 30 season in '19 so his value won't drop because of age.
5:55
Still, it would be a shame if he doesn't capitalize on the season he had. I think he'll get a 4-year deal. Just not enough teams to start a crazy bidding war. But that can be said for most position players.
I am the walrus
5:57
Cubs trade Happ, Russell, Carantini and Alzolay for Archer. Done deal?
AvatarJason Martinez
5:58
That would get it done. I don't think the Cubs would offer that much and I don't they'd have to offer that much. Happ, Caratini, Alzolay and another prospect, maybe.
Kcblue
5:58
Bubba Starling is royals opening day cf. Book it!
AvatarJason Martinez
6:00
Can't predict baseball, so I guess anything is possible. But I'm just going to leave his career numbers in AAA right here ... .223/.270/.338; 26 BB, 129 K, 9 HR, 6 SB in 479 PAs.
6:01
Safe to say that Bubba is a bust. He's not the only Top 5 pick to not pan out.
Dennis
6:02
Are you on board with Phillies trading Altherr or Williams.
AvatarJason Martinez
6:04
Sure. They are definitely in a position to deal one of their OFs. They wouldn't be selling low on either. Or Odubel. And especially not on Rhys, although I don't think they'd trade him after the year he had. Should be a fan favorite in Philly. We'll see how he does in LF.
Adrian
6:04
Any possibility Ben Revere returns to the angels as the 4th outfielder?
AvatarJason Martinez
6:06
Sure. They need a 4th OF. Not a lot of ABs there, but also not a lot of opportunity for a backup OF right now. I'm sure he'd be happy to stay. Should be a fun season in Anaheim.
Keith Santee
6:06
Duffy and Merrifield to Yankees for????!
AvatarJason Martinez
6:09
That would be huge for both teams. Royals need to rebuild. Yankees need another SP and Merrifield would be a great fit with his versatility/speed/ability to hit anywhere in the lineup.  Royals would definitely ask for Gleyber, though.
6:11
I don't know if Royals would do that deal without Gleyber, but the Yankees have the ability to put together a very strong package centered around Clint Frazier.
Cody
6:13
Can the A's shock everyone and land   Yelich by using Barreto as a center piece
AvatarJason Martinez
6:14
A's probably have the prospects to acquire Yelich. I wouldn't be that shocked.
Chris
6:14
Assuming Hamilton is traded, what short option could the Reds persue for CF?
AvatarJason Martinez
6:15
Maybin, Dyson, Austin Jackson, Jon Jay.
Ryan McMahon
6:15
what are the odds im the starting 1B in 18?
AvatarJason Martinez
6:17
Pretty good right now. We'll see if the Rockies can hold off on adding a veteran (Mark Reynolds, Mike Napoli, Lucas Duda) who could take ABs from him.
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