JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: November 23, 2016

MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: November 23, 2016

Jason Martinez

4:31

Welcome! Lots of recent actual signings/trades to discuss and, as always, plenty of rumors and speculation.

Mitch

4:34

Did the twins overpay for Jason Castro

Jason Martinez

4:34

Nope. I think we had him at 2/15 but there were rumblings that it would be more. Very good defender but a bit underrated because of overall hitting numbers. He was very good against RHP (.757 OPS). Just can't have him out there often against LHP. Not too hard to do since catchers need a day or two off per week anyways.

Dayton

4:36

How about the Rockies as a random dark horse for Sale? Rodgers/McMahon/tapia/Dahl a starter? The cargo extension talks make me think they are trying to go for it.

Jason Martinez

4:36

They would definitely qualify as a darkhorse and they definitely have some interesting trade chips. Also not far from being a serious contender. Always more risk with the Rockies, though, since they have no idea how any pitcher would do at Coors Field.

Metsfan

4:38

Mets sign cespedes, sign fowler, trade Bruce. Sounds good?

Jason Martinez

4:38

Sounds great to Mets fans but who knows if they'll be willing to spend that kind of $$$ now. That's going to cost them in the $200MM range. They haven't been very aggressive in free agency in a long time.

Mike Trout

4:38

% chance I'm traded?

Jason Martinez

4:38

0.0000000001%

Brendan

4:40

What off-season moves do you see the Nationals making?

Jason Martinez

4:41

Word on the street is they'll be aggressive. They have $. They have very valuable trade chips. I think they'd be willing to move Bryce Harper to CF for 1 season if they can sign Cespedes. I wouldn't rule out anything, though. As far as what they really need, it's closer and catcher. Trading Gio also makes some sense.

John

4:43

Hey Jason, if the Cardinals are unsuccessful in bring Fowler in, do you think they would be open to trading for someone like a Brett Gardner? Perhaps a Gardner + Low-Level Prospect for Michael Wacha would be a fair deal?

Jason Martinez

4:44

I can see something like that. Trading Gardner would also free up some $ for the Yankees and free up LF if they sign Cespedes. Wacha's value is down because of injury concerns but there's enough upside that he's still a good trade chip.

Andrew S

4:45

Could Napoli be an option for Yanks at DH?

Jason Martinez

4:45

Yes. That DH spot is wide open. I wonder if they have their eye on a bigger prize (EE), though.

Hunter

4:46

Any chance the Red Sox go after Robertson from CWS to setup Kimbrel? Had success setting up Rivera and struggled a bit as closer

Jason Martinez

4:46

If White Sox eat some of that remaining salary (2/25MM remaining), it's possible. Not enough legit late-inning arms to fill all the needs around the league so there will be some trades.

Ross Not The Boss

4:49

Thoughts on this trade proposal? "Baltimore sends Ubaldo Jimenez, Jimmy Yacabonis, and 4 MM to the Padres for Derek Norris and a A+ level pitching prospect."

Jason Martinez

4:50

Norris-for-Ubaldo and $ makes sense if the O's aren't able to sign Hundley, Wieters or another FA who they like more than Norris. I think Norris could hit 20 bombs in Baltimore and he's a decent catcher. Just a bit streaky.

Sawyer

4:50

Do you see the Jays trading Stroman or any other starter for a OFer?

Jason Martinez

4:50

I don't. Too many options in free agency for them to go down that road.

Trane

4:54

Marlins clearly the worst team heading into next season?

Jason Martinez

4:55

Not looking good. If they can add two good mid-rotation type starters, they might hang around in the playoff chase for awhile. I don't think they want to rebuild but it might be the right decision considering how bad their farm system is.

Larry

4:57

Who's the best pitcher the Cubs are looking at?

Jason Martinez

4:57

Kenley and Aroldis

Wes g

4:58

Soooo, with Castro gone who do the braves go after? Could a trade for Colorados Tom Murphy be possible?

Jason Martinez

4:59

Murphy is unproven and might not be a better option than Flowers at this point, especially away from Coors. I've thought Matt Wieters all along. Wilson Ramos is also a possibility, considering that they have enough (Flowers, Recker, Gosewisch) to get them thru a few months until Ramos is healthy.

Matt H

5:01

Whither Carlos Beltran?

Jason Martinez

5:01

A lot of teams in need of a good DH. He's gonna get paid well on a 1-yr deal. Had an .850 OPS and 29 HR during his age 39 season!

Jimmy

5:01

What team is the front runner for Chris Sale?

Jason Martinez

5:02

Teams that probably have the trade chips to get it done: Nats, Cubs, Red Sox, Dodgers, Yankees. Depends on who wants him bad enough.

Fred wright

5:04

What are you hearing about the Astros and trades or EE

Jason Martinez

5:05

I know they have the resources to spend a lot more. Their farm system is very good, although I'm not sure they have what it takes to trade for a staff ace unless Alex Bregman was part of the deal. Luhnow has hinted that another big move is possible. Lineup is getting crowded so my guess is that move would likely involve a pitcher.

Jerry k

5:08

Carlos Gomez, a goodPlanB if Mets can't sign Cespedes.

Jason Martinez

5:08

Yep, although I think he feels very comfortable in Texas and they have the need. Still has the ability to put up big numbers. Wrote about him here ... http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/11/free-agent-profile-carlos-gomez.html

ABK

5:11

What is the difference (in players) between trading for dozier and Forsythe? Do the dodgers have the pieces to entice the rays since the rays will be looking for position players that can contribute next year?

Jason Martinez

5:11

The answer was not much difference at all until Dozier put up those huge numbers in the 2nd half. I think that will ensure the price is much higher for Dozier. Dodgers have the pieces to get either. Forsythe might be more likely since it would cost less and because Friedman knows him well. Rays will want Bellinger, though. He's really good.

Jeff

5:13

Better long term ML player: Albert Almora or Dalton Pompey?

Jason Martinez

5:13

Almora by far. Pompey came out of nowhere a few years ago. Hasn't done much since. Almora was a high draft pick and instantly one of the top prospects in the game. He'd be penciled in as a starter on most teams in the majors. Only entering his age 23 season!

DEREK

5:15

Look into the future and say who will be Angels 2B on opening day....

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