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MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: February 28, 2018
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Jason Martinez
4:35
Welcome! Spring Training is finally here!!! On a down note, three No. 1 starters (Felix Hernandez, Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman) are questionable for Opening Day with injuries and one of the best pitching prospects in baseball (Brent Honeywell) has undergone Tommy John surgery.  Baseball is a rough sport.
Jorge Soler
4:35
What's my deal? Am I done? Can I still make good on my Cubs-prospect potential?
Jason Martinez
4:36
For sure. Only 26 years old and should get 550+ PAs. I have a very conservative projection (.760 OPS, 23 HR), but Soler's capable of doing more. If he does less, he might not get another shot to be a MLB regular.
Rob
4:37
Does Matt Kemp make the Dodgers Opening Day Roster?
Jason Martinez
4:38
If he has a good camp (so far, so good), I think so. Only reason he wouldn't is if Trayce Thompson plays a lot better. I believe he's out of options so it appears to be a Kemp vs Thompson battle for one bench spot.
Just a random commenter
4:38
Does mark Reynolds sign with Tampa bay?
Jason Martinez
4:40
Even with CJ Cron there, I can still see a fit for Reynolds. 4 left-handed hitters in their regular lineup and not really any RHH bench options ... https://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-tampa-bay-rays/
Wito Conde
4:41
The Twins needs to trade Kennys Vargas ASAP
Jason Martinez
4:41
Ask Logan Morrison and Lucas Duda how the market is for 1B/DH. And those guys were regulars who hit 38 and 30 HR, respectively. Even a guy like Jesus Aguilar, who hit 15 HR in 300 PAs for the Brewers last season, might be the odd man out.
Joe
4:43
Hi Jason, as of now, do you think Acuna starts in the majors or minors?
Jason Martinez
4:43
I would think AAA, although I'm surprised that they haven't brought in a clear option to be the starting LF for at least a few weeks before moving into a 4th OF role.
That's why I still have Acuña on the projected roster ... https://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-atlanta-braves/
4:45
Of course, they might feel totally comfortable with Preston Tucker/Lane Adams. Free agents Jon Jay and Seth Smith seem like decent options. Or maybe they're waiting for someone to become available closer to Opening Day.
Weston Prince
4:46
As a Tigers fan, what should I expect to see out of Liriano? Is he a starter or is he coming out of the pen?
Jason Martinez
4:48
Who knows which version of Liriano will show up? He had an amazing 3-year run with the Pirates. I wouldn't trust him in either role.
Jays OF
4:49
Who fills in for Stroman if he misses a couple weeks?
Jason Martinez
4:49
Probably Biagini or Borucki. Hopefully he doesn't miss any time. Jays need Stroman. MLB needs Stroman.
That Girl
4:50
Do you think the Reds should get rid of Billy Hamilton or don’t you have an opinion?
Jason Martinez
4:52
Sounds like they were open to moving him this offseason, but didn't get the offer they wanted. I'm fine with that. I don't think his value is all that high after he had a .299 OBP.
Casey
4:55
Any idea who the giants 4th outfielder will be?
Jason Martinez
4:55
If Duggar makes the Opening Day roster, Austin Jackson is the 4th OF/Duggar's platoon partner in CF. If not, it will be Jarrett Parker or Gregor Blanco. Gorkys Hernandez is also there, but I think of him more as the 5th OF.
Royals
4:56
Why did we pick up Duda? Feels like Brandon Moss 2.0.
Jason Martinez
4:58
Have you seen their lineup? It's bad. https://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-kansas-city-royals/ Duda is probably their best hitter now. I did have Hunter Dozier penciled in as the starting 1B prior to the signing. He could turn out to be a good player, but Royals have too many question marks as it is. Adding Duda gives them a proven middle-of-the-order bat.
Ketel Marte
4:58
Do I lock down a starting roll in the Arizona middle infield?
Jason Martinez
5:00
Shortstop is yours to lose. Need to hit, though, because Nick Ahmed is a much better defender.
CJ
5:02
Going back to first principles... Jake Arrieta has to sign _somewhere_. Pick 3 teams where if you're right you win $1000.
Jason Martinez
5:03
Nats, Phillies, Brewers still seem like the best fits and most often mentioned in rumors. But how about the Angels as a darkhorse? Since they got Ohtani so cheap, maybe they can convince Artie Moreno to open up his wallet for Arrieta.
Alex Claudio
5:04
Am I in danger of losing the 9th inning you Timmy Jim?  Or did I never really have a hold of the 9th?  Or am I paranoid and I’m the man in Texas to open the year?
Jason Martinez
5:07
The fact that you ended up as the Rangers' closer in '17 (also Scott Alexander, Bud Norris, Juan Minaya, Matt Belisle, etc.) should tell you that most closers don't have a hold on the 9th.
5:08
I have a feeling that Claudio's role will be multi-inning setup man with the occasional save opportunity. But if Kela/Lincecum/Bush can't lock down the closer's job, Claudio will again get the chance to be their main guy.
Jeff
5:08
Who finishes with the most Saves on the Mets?
Jason Martinez
5:11
The guy who had a 2.20 ERA, 9.4 K/9 and 99 saves from 2014-16 before missing most of '17 with an injury. I find it odd that there are questions about the Mets' closer situation. Familia is very good. As long as he's healthy, the job should be his to lose. AJ Ramos was effective as the Marlins' closer but very shaky at times. No one else on that team has any closing experience.
Sultan
5:12
Do you see Danny Duffy being moved?
Jason Martinez
5:12
He'll be shopped as soon as the Royals fall out of the WildCard race. So maybe mid-to-late June, at the earliest.
Benji
5:15
Any idea who you think will be the Red Sox's fifth starter with Wright and Rodriguez Hurt?
Jason Martinez
5:15
Brian Johnson is out of options. I think he has the best shot. Hector Velazquez has the next best chance, in my opinion. He was good in his 24 MLB innings and also had good numbers in AAA.
Dbacks
5:15
How would you utilize Tomas? (In my opinion I’d see if I could get him to play third because Lamb can’t hit lefties and he is familiar with that position)
Jason Martinez
5:16
If he makes the team, I can see him relegated to pinch-hitting duty with an occasional start in LF vs LHP (not a straight platoon because they lose too much defense). I doubt he'll every play 3B again.
Jeff Samardzija
5:19
Is my trade value positive or negative?
Jason Martinez
5:21
If not for the $59.4MM he's due over the next 3 seasons, there would've been plenty of interest. His durability (200 IP) and effectiveness (1.4 BB/9, 8.9 K/9) are worth a lot. But age and contract probably limited the trade offers.
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