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

MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: November 23, 2016

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Jason Martinez

5:15

Someone needs to give Sean Rodriguez a chance to start after the year he had. Would be a cool story if he returns to the Angels, the team he broke in with, as the starting 2B.

Arlie TenHove

5:19

Hey Jason, Arlie TenHove from MichiganSports.com do you expect the Tigers to chase any free agents this offseason. And if they make trades what will they do?

Jason Martinez

5:19

I would never rule them out from making a splash, but I don't think they'll go after any of the top free agents. I think Avila will take a chance on a few of the mid-tier free agents to fill out the bullpen and maybe the OF (Jon Jay, Angel Pagan, Rajai Davis are good players who probably won't cost a ton). I think they'll maintain a high asking price for JD and Kinsler. If someone bites, then they'd free up some $ and would need to fill their spot.

Ross Not The Boss

5:23

Could you see Michael Saunders value plummet sure to questions of his durability and lousy second half? I feel three years, thirty million to overpaying for him.

Jason Martinez

5:23

It definitely plummeted. More likely to get a 2-yr deal in the $20MM range. Still had career highs pretty much across the board but it became harder to ignore his track record once he finished so poorly.

Javier

5:26

Do you think the Padres will be contenders in 2017?

Jason Martinez

5:26

Not quite there yet. Maybe 2018. 2019 more likely. Lineup is talented but young. Maurer, Hand, Buchter are capable of closing out games but won't have many leads. Starting rotation is nowhere close to being good and Tyson Ross is recovering from thoracic outlet surgery.

Jered Weaver

5:28

Where do I end up? 1 year $8 million?

Jason Martinez

5:28

I don't see it, man. Maybe half of that with incentives, if you're lucky. If you threw 89 instead of 84, I think teams would be willing to give you that. Andrew Cashner was awful and he got 10MM because he throws 95. Good news is that so many teams are looking for starting pitchers. You should find a job if you want to keep pitching.

Theo Epstein

5:30

Do i have to think Fowler or Elite closer? Or, with such young controllable talent, can I still have both?

Jason Martinez

5:31

OF is already so crowded. I think they're moving on from Fowler unless they plan on making multiple trades to free things up. Kenley or Aroldis have to be on their radar. They have the pieces to trade for a closer, too. So not sure there is a huge sense of urgency to overpay one of the top guys.

OriolesFan

5:33

Should the Orioles try to reel Nick Hundley back into the organization, and what would Hundley offer to the team?

Jason Martinez

5:33

Decent hitter. Lots of experience. Not a good defender. But options are limited so it sounds like he's on their radar.

Mike

5:38

If James shields is required to be included in a Chris sale trade, how many prospects will need to be included with the trading partner?

Jason Martinez

5:38

White Sox aren't strapped for $ but I'm sure they'd be happy to have the $22MM or whatever they owe Shields off their payroll. It would still take 2 elite prospects and more to get a deal done.

Ben D

5:40

Cubs looking to deal Montero? Braves would seem like a good landing spot.

Jason Martinez

5:41

Teams that could be looking for catching help: ATL, BAL, TB, CWS, LAA, WSH, MIL. Not enough good free agents to fill all those needs. Cubs know this and I'm sure they'd be happy to talk Montero trade.

Clin Turtle

5:44

If Andrew McCutchen is traded, is if possible that Josh Bell could regularly play in the outfield and the Pirates could acquire another option at 1B if they are dissatisfied with a Freese/Jaso platoon?

Jason Martinez

5:44

It's possible, although it probably wouldn't be a long-term move since top prospect Austin Meadows is closing in on the majors. I wonder if they'd look to move Bell to an AL team. Has made some improvements at 1B but still not very good there defensively.

Hayden

5:46

Jays interested in Blevins. Your thoughts on the likelihood they sign him to a good deal?

Jason Martinez

5:46

I'm sure Blevins and Boone Logan celebrated after Cecil got 4/30.5MM. They should both get very good deals. Jays make sense for Blevins.

ABK

5:49

What kind of money does Blanton get? 2/14?

Jason Martinez

5:50

As hard it is to think that Joe Blanton will get 2/14, I can't ignore the numbers. He was terrific. Only 55 hits allowed in 80 IP. Good BB and K rate. Durable. Reliable in late innings. He'll get at least 2/14.

Mike in Orlando

5:53

Assuming Boston does not want to invest long-term with EE and all things being equal Carlos Beltran re-signs with the Yankees, Who does that leave for the Red Sox?

Jason Martinez

5:54

If they're not interested in investing long-term on any free agent, that leaves guys like Brandon Moss, Mitch Moreland, Logan Morrison, Adam Lind who they can probably get for cheap on a short-term deal. They could just stick with Panda and Travis Shaw to fill 3B/DH. Moncada will eventually take over at 3B and Panda/Shaw would just need to fill DH.

ABK

5:57

What's the chance De Leon starts the season in the Dodgers rotation? Kershaw Maeda Urias Kazmir McCarthy Ryu Wood already crowded....

Jason Martinez

5:57

Really depends on injuries, but not good. I'd say that Kershaw, Maeda, Kazmir are locks. Urias is a near lock. McCArthy and Ryu will be ahead of De Leon, if healthy. But these days, 8th on the depth chart means he'll probably be in the majors by early June. Injuries to pitchers happen. Often.

Nick Campione

6:00

Do you see the Mets signing Cespedes and going to the 5 years to seal the deal?

Jason Martinez

6:02

If they know they can trade Bruce to free up a corner OF spot and to free up some $, I can see it. Very little guaranteed $ on the books after 2017.

PEB

6:04

Who's your favorite announcer?

Jason Martinez

6:04

Vin, of course. I listened mostly to Jerry Coleman growing up as a Padres fan but also Harry Caray since Cubs games were broadcast nationally on WGN. Hearing their voices brings back great memories.

6:06

Thanks for chatting, everyone and always feel free to send any questions to me at @mlbdepthcharts on Twitter. Enjoy the holiday!

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