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MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: February 28, 2018
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Ambassador of Quan
5:23
Any chance Mitch Keller gets a call-up this year? He looks like he’d be the Pirates #3 right now
AvatarJason Martinez
5:24
2019 is more likely, but he can force his way onto the roster if he dominates in the upper minors and the Pirates are in playoff contention/in need of rotation help. If the Pirates are bad, I think they'll just be patient with him.
Rob
5:25
For the Padres, is there any value in their new surplus of OFs (Pirela, Renfroe, etc) or are they better off stashing who they can at AAA and hoping for building value?
AvatarJason Martinez
5:28
Renfroe and Franchy Cordero can build value by crushing AAA pitching. Not sure if there is a big market for Pirela after a few really good months in the Majors. If he hits like he did in '17 and shows improvement in LF/ability to play a decent 2B, I think his value will be on the rise as we approach the trade deadline.
Dan
5:30
With Honeywell out with TJ. Who will be the Ray's 5th starter later in the season?
AvatarJason Martinez
5:30
Banda is probably the leading candidate, but the Rays have a few pitchers who did well in AAA last season. Yonny Chirino and Ryan Yarbrough should be in the mix.
The competition will stretch into the regular season, though, since the Rays don't plan on adding a 5th starter until sometime in May.
Paul
5:32
How long before Addison Reed is the closer?
AvatarJason Martinez
5:32
Gotta give Rodney some leash. He nearly lost his job early in '17 and recovered to have a really good season. I think the Twins give him one rough patch and then go to Reed if he has another.
5:33
By rough patch, I mean they won't remove him from the closer's role the first time he blows back-to-back save opportunities.
Billington
5:34
Jason can I get a question answered for the 1st time EVER?  Andujar plays by end of April and goes 70/25/80 .280?
AvatarJason Martinez
5:37
Lots of hype for a guy with 8 MLB plate-appearances and 250 Triple-A plate appearances under his belt. I think he'll play a majority of the season in AAA. In reality, it's Gleyber Torres vs Andujar for a regular spot in the lineup no later than late April/early May. My $ is on Gleyber.
Cody Kendall
5:37
Do you think the Brewers should shop Thames or one of the extra outfielders for rotation help?
AvatarJason Martinez
5:38
I think they have been. Not a lot of starting pitchers available right now. Indians have 6 good MLB starters, but Salazar had shoulder inflammation last month. They might not want to trade from their depth (Salazar, Clevinger, Tomlin). Astros have SP depth (McHugh), but don't really a MLB hitter in return.
Sasquatch
5:39
What’s with all the injuries already?
AvatarJason Martinez
5:40
Totally normal. There are usually well over 100 players on the DL to start the season. I have less than 70 players on my injury report so far who will either start the season on the DL or are questionable for Opening Day ... https://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-injury-report
Tyler Naquin
5:41
Am I going to make the opening day roster this season? Bonus Question!! Besides Kluber/Carrasco/Bauer what does the rotation look like?
AvatarJason Martinez
5:43
Maybe. Brantley is questionable for Opening Day, I believe, so that can open the door. Bradley Zimmer needs to earn the CF job. Might only be a 3-man bench, which would make it more difficult. I'm projecting an 8-man bullpen, which would allow them to keep Ryan Merritt (out of options) and add Matt Belisle (non-roster invitee) ... https://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-cleveland-indians/
5:44
I'm starting to think Salazar will start the season on the DL and Tomlin/Clevinger will be in the last 2 rotation spots.
Frank Menechino's Estranged Son
5:45
Real talk: do you see the A's making a weird dark horse move before Opening Day? They have a lot of payroll space and they love getting creative in strange markets (Encarnacion offer). Do they sign Lucroy? Do they take on Matt Kemp for Alex Verdugo?
AvatarJason Martinez
5:47
Sure. It's easy to forget about the A's because they seem like a rebuilding team. But their roster isn't bad. They could use a veteran starter (not sure they'd bid on Arrieta, but maybe Cobb or Lynn) and Lucroy would be a great fit.
EbenezerBatflip
5:48
Swihart is looking good so far! I know its just spring training, but if he keeps hitting, is he going to displace Sandy Leon as backup catcher?
AvatarJason Martinez
5:50
Swihart is out of options and the Red Sox don't want to lose him. Sandy Leon is also out of options, but he also wasn't very good last season. Should be an easy choice as long as Swihart is healthy.
Franklin Barreto
5:50
Will I be wearing green and gold opening day?
AvatarJason Martinez
5:52
Barring an injury to Lowrie, Semien or Chapman, probably not. But injuries happen. Chapman has an injured hand, I believe.
That Girl
5:53
What does it to mean out of options?
AvatarJason Martinez
5:56
A player on the 40-man roster who has been optioned to the minors (and spent at least 20 days there) during 3 different seasons can't be sent to AAA without clearing waivers. So if a player who is out of options doesn't make the Opening Day roster, they will either be traded or designated for assignment.
5:57
It's very relevant in regards to Opening Day rosters because teams have more incentive to keep players who are out of options rather than risk losing them. Players with options are valuable because they can be stashed in the minors.
Mike
5:58
Who do you see winning the Yankees 2nd base job to start the season?
AvatarJason Martinez
5:59
Tyler Wade/Ronald Torreyes platoon. That's my current projection ... https://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-new-york-yankees/  And that would be very temporary with Gleyber taking over early in the season.
6:02
Gotta run. Chat again next week, same time and place. Feel free to send more questions to me @mlbdepthcharts.
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