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MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: February 14, 2018
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Jason Martinez
4:32
So I was wrong when I said this slow offseason was going to conclude with the most exciting last 2 weeks of the offseason ever (or something to that effect).
At least Darvish signed.
4:34
And at least players are reporting to camp. In between all of the stories about how a player is in the best shape of their life, there will be relevant roster-related news on regular basis.
Matt
4:34
Is the lagares for panik rumors legit and do you see the Mets making any more offseason moves?
Jason Martinez
4:35
Looks like that was shot down before it was even a rumor. Giants have Austin Jackson, who is expected to fill the role that Lagares needs to be in. And the Mets have Asdrubal Cabrera and Jose Reyes to play 2B. Adding a starting pitcher is their priority.
Loren
4:35
Could Brad Hand be dealt just before the season a'la Craig Kimbrel?
Jason Martinez
4:37
Doubtful. Padres got him at a reasonable rate for 4 more seasons and they're hoping that they'll be playoff contenders for at least 2 of those seasons. Plus, the market for late-inning relievers isn't all that great at this point.
Jim
4:37
I predict Moustakas winds up with the braves on a deal way less than originally predicted. Thoughts?
Jason Martinez
4:38
Way less than originally projected is very likely. Braves have to be one of the last teams standing that are waiting for his price to come down far enough.
Dick Williams
4:39
Where should I play senzel when he comes up. Suarez is locked in at 3rd, dilson Herrera is out of options, senzel can't play short
Jason Martinez
4:40
That's a problem they'll worry about when he's a bit closer. I don't think there's a chance he makes the team out of Spring Training. If he crushes the ball in the upper minors in April, I think they'll either move him to 2B or LF and get him ready for a mid-season call-up.  My initial thought was that they'd move Suarez back to SS when Senzel was ready, but there has been no talk of that at all.
Tony Clark is to Blame
4:41
Do the Brewers trade for a SP? or sign a FA?
Jason Martinez
4:42
Still a chance for either. They have the trade chips to do something big and I'm assuming they're at least in the bidding for Arrieta. I'd count on them adding one more guy who could potentially start on Opening Day in front of Anderson, Davies, Chacin, Gallardo.
wounded duck
4:44
Giants starters not of the big 3, how do you handicap Stratton, Blach, Holland, Beede, Suarez?
Jason Martinez
4:46
Holland will get a long look and should get a chance to prove he can still be an effective starting pitcher. Stratton and Blach both have MLB experience and options. Both pitched pretty good at times. Suarez and Beede have no experience and would have to be added to the 40-man roster so those factors probably make them the long shots.
Tork
4:48
Why would the twins give a pile of talent for Archer? Yeah he has great games but he's also had quite a few clunkers. Era between 4 - 4.1 last two year. I mean even Nick Blackburn did that lol
Jason Martinez
4:50
A few things ... Don't worry about ERA. He had 3 really bad starts in '17. Even the best in baseball have a few clunkers each season. Aside from that, he gives his team a chance to win in most every start. He pitches deep into games. And he has one of the best BB/K ratios in baseball. Also young (entering age 29 season) and under team control for a few more years at reasonable cost. He makes the Twins a lot better.
4:51
Twins are one of the teams, in my opinion, that are close enough to take a risk to add an impact player. And Archer really isn't that risky.
Drew
4:52
Lance Lynn a fit for phils?
Jason Martinez
4:53
Sure. They need to pair Nola with another reliable starter. They have so many options, but none have experience and/or have health concerns. They have a ton of payroll space. I believe they're still in the mix for Arrieta. I'm guessing Lynn is also on their radar.
Mike matheny
4:54
Is my bullpen good enough.
Jason Martinez
4:56
Probably not. At this point, you're probably relying heavily on a healthy return from Reyes, who might not be back at full strength until mid-season, and/or one of the young starting pitching prospects (Jordan Hicks and Ryan Helsley have been mentioned) stepping up as Roberto Osuna did with the Jays a few years back.
Tony Watson
4:57
If I go to the Phillies, where will their bullpen rank among the rest of the league?
Jason Martinez
4:59
Very deep. I don't know if I trust Neris enough to say that the Phillies have a Top 5-10 bullpen. He was really good in the 2nd half, as well as a few others who finished strong last season (Morgan, Garcia, Ramos). They can be really good. Watson would help.
Darren
4:59
Story today about Braves signing an outfielder, any idea who?
Jason Martinez
5:01
Not sure if that was a mistake because they announced the signing of Chris Stewart right after that report. In any case, it's  very likely that they'll add another OF who will start the season in LF so Acuña can get at least a few more weeks in AAA. So many free agents who would fit.
J Smoltz
5:02
Why am I so salty about Angels going to a 6 man rotation? Am I just jealous because they get paid more to make less starts?
Jason Martinez
5:04
I can tell you why I don't like it. There are some really good pitchers on that team who should be pitching every 5th day as long as they're healthy. Pitching every 6-7 days isn't normal for them. This is a different situation because one of those starters (Ohtani) is likely going to DH a couple games per week. But still not ideal.
Billington
5:05
All reports have Kela as the expected closer going into the camp, what happened to Claudio?
Jason Martinez
5:07
Haven't seen those reports. Needs to prove that he's healthy, but he's at least in the mix. Claudio is more valuable in a role that isn't set, in my opinion. He can pitch multi-innings. He is un-hittable against lefties. They don't have to limit him to 9th inning guy. Kela can be. Needs to earn it this spring.
Jesse Winker
5:09
Are the Reds still trying to deal an outfielder to make room for me? Who pairs well with them at this point?
Jason Martinez
5:09
I got Winker, Schebler, Duvall all getting ABs in LF/RF ... https://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-cincinnati-reds/ Schebler and Duvall were terrible in the 2nd half last season.
5:10
By the way, I'm adding projected PAs/IP and a few other projected stats for '18 to the depth charts at Roster Resource. Still have about 12 AL teams to go.
Ed
5:11
Where will Eduardo Nunez end up if you had to guess?
Jason Martinez
5:12
A few good fits. I think Atlanta would be a good landing spot. Gives them coverage in LF until Acuña is ready and then he can play SS (if Swanson doesn't impress this spring) or 3B.
Connor
5:15
Do the Phillies really start the season with all four of Hoskins, Odubel, Williams, and Altherr in the outfield mix?
Jason Martinez
5:15
Looks that way. Altherr starts vs LHP and occasionally vs RHP. I have him getting close to 300 PAs with the other three getting around 600 ... https://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-philadelphia-phillies/  A... that can change depending on injuries/production. But I see that as probably worst-case for Altherr.
Joe
5:15
Hey! Good stuff. Do the Reds have too many options for the pitching staff? Lots of 3 to 5 starters and lots of middle relief. What would you do with that dearth?
Jason Martinez
5:16
Not at all. Amir Garrett is the only guy who is out of options and he can be used out of the 'pen if he doesn't win a spot. Just let it play out. The more options, the better chance that a few of them can give the MLB rotation some quality innings. There will be some busts in the group and some injuries, but also some surprises.
Atlanta O’s Fan
5:17
Do you think the O’s will actually sign a SP? Trade for one? Three open spots, and a bunch of relievers and Rule 5 guys are the only options right now.
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