JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: January 17, 2018

MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: January 17, 2018

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Pitchers

6:19

Which starting pitcher who signs for less than $5M has the best season?

Jason Martinez

6:21

I think it will be Trevor Cahill. In 11 starts with SD, he had a 3.69 ERA, 3.5 BB/9, 10.6 K/9. Sinker looked really good. Command was good. He just kept getting hurt and then he was traded.

Braves

6:24

Any chance the Braves sign Moose and move Riley to OF?

Jason Martinez

6:26

If they happened to sign Mous to a multi-year deal, I don't think they would move Riley to the OF right away. His trade value would be much higher as long as he's a 3B so I think he'd stay there for all of '18. If he's not traded, I think they would transition him to LF next offseason.

6:26

best minor league free agent reliever signing of the offseason prediction?

Jason Martinez

6:26

Bruce Rondon.

6:27

Just kidding. I don't really believe that. I'll go with Kevin Siegrist or Shae Simmons, assuming they get MiLB deals.

Mahogany

6:28

The Pirates had 20 straight losing seasons when rebuilding and then they were very good and made the postseason for 3 seasons. And now they're back to not contending. Seems to me that success after a rebuild (especially that long) should last longer. What went wrong for the Pirates?

Jason Martinez

6:29

I thought they had made it to that "one player away from being a WS contender" level prior to '16. They played it safe.

6:30

Doesn't mean that was the wrong move. A lot went wrong in '16 and '17 so trading away top prospects or spending a ton of $ on an impact free agent might not have made a major impact. But I thought that was their window to be aggressive.

Mlb535 - Bucky O'hare

6:31

What are the chances of the Jays flipping a healthy Tulo at the trade deadline??

Jason Martinez

6:33

Not great. Still guaranteed $38MM for 2019-20 (ages 34-35 seasons). And let's be honest. The chances that Tulo is healthy at the trade deadline are very low.

Ya Mon

6:33

Everyone is talking like the Yankees are a lock to make the playoffs in 2018. Give me an argument for them not making the playoffs.

Jason Martinez

6:35

Tanaka's elbow ligament finally snaps. CC is done. Judge and/or Sanchez take a step backwards. If those three things happened, it would be difficult. Still, they have tremendous depth and still likely to add a SP and another bat. They have more room for error than most teams, which is why they're a playoff favorite.

6:36

whats a logical (head, not heart) projected line for The Almighty Acuna this season? im thinking... .275 65 18 70 10

Jason Martinez

6:37

This is my current projection ... .285/.345/.479; 20 HR, 29 2B, 25 SB, 74 RBI. So I'm slightly more optimistic.

Tom

6:38

Does Jake Bauers have a shot at starting for TB Opening Day?

Jason Martinez

6:40

Sure, especially if they trade Span or Dickerson. I also have Brad Miller penciled in at 1B. After the season he just had (.664 OPS), he won't be handed a starting job in April.

Honey

6:41

When do we get a look at Honeywell in the Rays' rotation?

Jason Martinez

6:41

I'm guessing no later than early May.

Doug

6:42

I’ve read and agreed with all the anti-Hosmer information. But I still want the Padres to sign him despite all the red flags. What’s wrong with me?!

Jason Martinez

6:45

It makes perfect sense to me. Gotta look ahead to '20, when they expect to compete for a playoff spot. They're counting on a wave of pitching talent arriving in '18-20 so they're not planning on spending a ton of $ on pitching. None of their core position players (Margot, Hedges, maybe Renfroe, Urias, Tatis) will be making much $ either. Therefore, they can afford to pay Myers and Hosmer a combined $40-45MM with Hand making $9MM and still have some $ to add 1-2 impact players.

6:46

At least that's how I see it. Hosmer and Hand would be the old guys at 30 years old. They'd be counting on a lot of young players to develop over the next few years, but there are so many good options.

Tyler

6:47

Any options for a platoon option with forsythe at second base?

Jason Martinez

6:49

Not really. I can see a scenario where Joc is playing well and Verdugo or Toles force their way into the lineup, moving Chris Taylor to 2B and Forsythe to a bench role. He would play 2B vs LHP and Taylor would play CF. Not sure if they want Taylor bouncing back and forth from 2B to CF, but it didn't seem to bother him last year.

Paul Nelson

6:49

Stat line for Gleyber Torres if he wins the starting 2b job?

Jason Martinez

6:50

I don't think he'll be in the Majors until late April/early May. This is my current projection ... .271/.328/449; 17 HR, 29 2B, 60 RBI.

Seth

6:51

Am I crazy for thinking the Reds have a shot at a wild card spot this year?

Jason Martinez

6:56

Little bit. Rotation is the main concern. A lot would have to go right. If 4 or 5 of these guys can give them 20-30 starts and at least 140+ innings each ... Homer Bailey, Anthony DeSclafani, Brandon Finnegan, Tyler Mahle, Luis Castillo, Robert Stephenson, Amir Garrett, Jose Lopez ... I wouldn't be surprised if they were way better than expected.

Tanned Tom

6:57

How is your logic for Hosmer different than the flawed thinking that led SD to sign Shields? It makes no sense to commit such a high amount for a player who is likely to be average at best for his position. Players are worth what they produce, not what we hope they produce.

Jason Martinez

7:00

They got a 33-year-old Shields with a lot of mileage on his arm for a "win-now" season. It was risky because he wasn't going to get better. They overpaid because they thought he was the final piece and the window was closing. Didn't work out. Hosmer just had his best season and they're offering him a contract to be the face of the franchise for what I'm assuming is well below his asking price. And it's for his ages 28-34 seasons. They expect him to not decline much, if not at all, during that time.

Michael Jack

7:02

Since you're dishing out projections tonight ... JP Crawford, please.

Jason Martinez

7:02

This is what I got ... .258/.346/.393; 12 HR. 25 2B, 71 BB, 9 SB. I'm expecting him to hold his own as a rookie and play great defense.

Ryan

7:04

What are the chances of the Mets signing Nunez? I favor him over Frazier but would rather Nunez. Who would you want?

Jason Martinez

7:05

I think it's a good fit. Gives them a starting 2B and protection at SS in case Rosario struggles as a rookie. He can also shift over to 3B, if necessary, in '19 if he gets a multi-year deal.

Dal

7:07

What do you think the orioles should do about catcher and right field? Personally I’m fine with playing Hays in right and Cisco at catcher, but I keep hearing about the possibility of them pursuing veterans at the positions.

Jason Martinez

7:08

Wouldn't hurt to give either more time in the minors. Hays made the jump from AA and struggled in his short stint. Sisco can probably hang, but I think splitting time with Avila or Lucroy would be beneficial. Better to ease him in that way.

ZYo

7:08

Why weren't other teams in on Reed... He should be gotten at least 3/30

Jason Martinez

7:10

I thought he was the best non-closer available (and youngest, I believe), but looks like the Rockies were the only team giving out 3-year deals to relievers. I was surprised.

Monacan Chiefs baseball

7:11

What’s your Adam Eaton projection for 2018, will he hold down LF?

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