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MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: February 15, 2017
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Jason Martinez
5:15
It's more about depth since they still have a starting 5. Having Reyes was perfect, because they could've managed his workload in AAA and called him up when needed. If they were to add another pitcher on a MLB deal, they'd probably have to either send Wacha to the minors or the bullpen.
MNFan
5:18
Buxton a Bust? Trade? #Minnesota
Jason Martinez
5:20
You should've kept watching the Twins late in the season. Buxton had a 1.011 OPS, 9 HR, 6 2B and 2 3B in September. Of course, that's not sustainable for a full season, but I think he'll hold his own enough to stay in the lineup on a regular basis. With his power/speed, I'd project him to hit 18+ HR and 30+SB with plus defense. Even if he strikes out 150+ times and hits .240, that's a lot of production.
Matt (Pittsburgh)
5:23
Jason enjoy your site and the work you do for MLBtraderumors. Have to ask about the buccos and there young guys. If Glasnow in June can come up and solidify the rotation. And Josh Bell takes a step forward offensively and defensively. If Cole and McCutchen bounce back they could be a sleeper. They had a great 3 year run but had the Cards now they have the Cubs. Could you see them in the Wild Card?
Jason Martinez
5:24
Their pitching staff (rotation and bullpen) concerns me more than anything. I liked Watson better in the 8th inning role. Is Gerrit Cole healthy? Elbow soreness is a huge red flag. Counting on Drew Hutchison. Need Ivan Nova to keep pitching like he did post-trade. Glasnow should be a stud once he's ready, but not sure if it all comes together for him in '17. I think they'll be very good if most of the aforementioned guys pitch well and very bad if not.
Nick
5:25
Who gets the last two spots in the Pirates rotation?
Jason Martinez
5:26
Kuhl and Hutchison are the safe picks. One of the other guys (Glasnow, Brault, Williams) would need to out-pitch them by a wide margin this spring to make the Opening Day roster.
Matt
5:27
If Frazier has a better spring and judge bombs who's starting right field?
Jason Martinez
5:27
I don't think we'll see Frazier until at least June. If Judge struggles, I really think they'll go with some combination of Hicks and either Tyler Austin or Rob Refsnyder.
Angel Pagan
5:29
Why would I even want to go to Toronto?
Jason Martinez
5:29
I hear it's a lovely city. And they might be the only team remaining that gives you a chance to be a lineup regular.
Chris
5:30
Over/under- Schwarber catches 20 games
Jason Martinez
5:31
Barring injury, I wouldn't expect more than a few starts, if that. Sounds like he'll be the emergency catcher behind Contreras and Montero.
Bruce Bochy
5:32
Will David Hernandez make my pen, and if he does, who loses their spot?
Jason Martinez
5:33
Seems like he would've had a better chance elsewhere, but I can see him beating out Cory Gearrin. Surprised he had to settle for MiLB deal.
Enrique Martinez
5:34
Does Arizona have a legit chance of getting a wild card spot?
Jason Martinez
5:34
Unless their pitching staff is way better than it looks on paper (not out of the question; baseball is unpredictable), I don't think they have a chance.
Jacob
5:34
who will Matt wieters sign with. Angels?
Jason Martinez
5:37
Angels are the best fit, in my opinion. Maybe the Mets. Maybe the Rays. They can shop him once Wilson Ramos is healthy enough to catch again. Boras/Wieters might just keep their price high in hopes that a team gets desperate this spring.
Rory
5:39
Is Ryan Schimpf capable of holding down 2B for the Padres all year??
Jason Martinez
5:40
I think so. He did what he did (.869 OPS) for more than half-season and he's not a kid so I think he's mentally prepared for a 162-game grind. He won't sustain those numbers, but I think he's capable of a .750 OPS, 20+ HR season. Very good numbers from a 2B.
ACE30
5:42
What are your thoughts on the Royals rotation heading into the season
Jason Martinez
5:43
I think they'll be fine. Signing Hammel and Wood should help a lot. Minor, Wood, Karns give them solid depth. Strahm is a wildcard, but I think he's too valuable out of the 'pen right now. But he's an option, if needed. And if Kyle Zimmer can finally get healthy, he's close.
Bob
5:44
Top 5 cities in need of a baseball team are:
Jason Martinez
5:44
Montreal, Montreal, Montreal, Montreal, Montreal. Mostly because I'm nostalgic about baseball from the 80's-90's (Raines, Dawson, Pedro, etc. etc. etc.) and I really like Jonah Keri's passion on this subject.
TSny
5:45
Is a DRob to Nationals deal officially dead, or is there a chance those talks could be rekindled?
Jason Martinez
5:45
At this point, I have to think the Nats want to get a better look at the guys they have (Kelley, Treinen, Glover, Solis, etc.) before making that decision. So maybe revisit in a few weeks.
Mike in Orlando
5:47
Best rotations in the American League East?
Jason Martinez
5:47
Red Sox. I think the Blue Jays' rotation is a strength, but not at the Red Sox level.
Ben M
5:49
I think your are the first writer to say that the Braves are gonna have a pretty good team, besides their own reporters. I agree with you on that but what do you see that a lot of people are saying we don't like Fangraphs or the other projection sites that have them down in the 70 win territory? Thanks
Jason Martinez
5:49
I've been saying that the next step in their progression is .500 or slightly better. They have the veteran lineup and the rotation depth to be at least that. I'd call them a dark-horse WildCard candidate, as well.
Steve
5:50
Peraza or Herrera at second to start the year
Jason Martinez
5:51
Peraza at 2B, Cozart at SS to start the season. Cozart traded in July. Peraza moves to SS, Herrera to 2B.
I also think they'll give Peraza time at SS and Cozart at 2B to show off versatility that could boost his trade value.
AJ
5:54
Who's a realistic right handed bat the Rays can add at this point in the year?
Jason Martinez
5:55
I actually think they're good in that area. I believe Tim Beckham and Nick Franklin both did quite well against LHP in '16 and Rickie Weeks crushes LHP. That's their bench. They could still sign Jeff Francoeur, I guess.
JC
5:57
On your depth chart for the Reds you have them carrying 3 catchers, do you believe Mesoraco cant go?
Jason Martinez
5:57
They have so few options to fill out the bench, I finally figured that 3 catchers was a possibility since they got Stuart Turner as a Rule 5 pick. As of now, Mesoraco is expected to catch 50-60% of the time, I believe. When he doesn't start, they can only utilize him as a pinch-hitter if they have a 3rd catcher.
PPlama
6:00
How likely is it we see Quintana, Tanaka, Archer, Darvish, Gray, Odorizzi and Verlander all being shopped in July?
Jason Martinez
6:00
Rangers are too good to not contend. So no Darvish. I also think the Yankees' rotation will be just good enough to keep them in contention. So no Tanaka. The others could be.
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