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RosterResource Chat - 1/10/25

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TRANE

2:45

any chance we see Nolan Gorman traded? not sure what the Cards on doing on the whole this offseason

Jason Martinez

2:47

Sounds like they're really trying their hardest to trade Arenado, which I assume would open 3B for Gorman. Now, if they determined that Arenado was staying put, I'm sure they'd consider it. But, even with 4 years of control, it might not be worth it if his trade value has decreased too much after his poor 2024. He does have minor league options so maybe they'd let him rake in AAA before shopping him.

AL Central Casting

2:47

The Twins now have 4 catchers on their 40-man (5 if you count Gasper). Do you see them trading anyone, and if so, who? Cartaya isn't ready and Carmago seems like the depth guy behind Jeffers and Vazquez, but not so sure they like him enough to be part of their catching time-share if they trade one of the MLB guys.

Jon Becker

2:49

Vázquez would be the obvious guy to move since he's due to make $10M (they'd have to cover some of it to make a trade work). I agree that Cartaya and Camargo might not be as ideal as a veteran like Vázquez as the backup, but if cutting salary is the primary goal, I think they'd rather just roll with one of the two pre-arbitration guys rather than spend a few million on a different backup.

jaygray007

2:49

I truly truly promise to never ask an annoying question like this again, but can you please consider putting IKF low in the Pirates' lineup and putting Horwitz or McCutchen or anyone else at leadoff lol? I know you have your reasons for having it how it is, but the aesthetic would just feel so much better to me as a Pirate fan. Hes just such a below average hitter.

Jason Martinez

2:52

One more addition to their lineup and I'd move him down to 7th-ish. He was their leadoff man for the last 2 months of the season and Cutch was the cleanup hitter for the last month. Probably more about the quality of his at-bats rather than the result. But, I agree, it is not aesthetically pleasing with IKF at the top of the lineup.

Ham Fighter

2:52

Cal Raleigh, Adley Rutschman, and William Contreras were born like 14 months apart, each have 13 point something WAR over the last three years, and are all slated to hit FA at the same time. You see any of them extending early (Raleigh is the only Boras guy) or are they all hoping to become the first $200M catcher in free agency?

Jon Becker

2:54

Just playing the odds here, but I'll guess that at least one of them does, sure. Catchers' greater injury risk makes locking in an extension, even if they're potentially leaving money on the table, appealing to them, more so than it is for other position players. But the closer they get to FA the less likely they are.

John B

2:54

Do you think the number of arm injuries to the Dodgers young SP will affect Sasaki's decision?

Jason Martinez

2:57

It's a great question and, as a Padres fan, I hope that's the case. But, unfortunately, I think torn elbow ligaments are just part of a pitcher unlocking the best version of themselves. And I don't know if it matters because it's happening to some extent with every team. Dodgers were an extreme case, at least in 2024, but I don't know if any pitcher would think they're more likely to get injured because of the way that the Dodgers do things.

Chris

2:57

Gut feeling, Yanks make an IF addn or go with what they have?

wheelhouse

2:57

under-the-radar candidate for yankees' 3B (or 2B)? would the pirates move ke'bryan hayes to get out of that commitment, and is he fixable?

Jon Becker

2:58

I would be very surprised if they just stuck with what they have, and to answer the second question, not sure about Hayes for them (as much as I love his defense I'm just not sure he'll ever lift the ball enough). Jose Iglesias makes sense as a guy who could bounce around between 2B/3B/a little SS, we haven't heard much at all on him this winter.

Claxon

2:58

Is Sasaki holding up the SP market for the week? It seems like what I'm seeing.

Jason Martinez

3:01

Yep, and not only the SP market. For teams with a limited budget (SD), whether they sign Sasaki or not will make a huge difference in how they fill out their roster. Signing Sasaki allows them to put whatever $ they have to spend towards other areas. And if they don't get Sasaki, they likely have to spend $ on a SP. And for teams that can afford someone like Jack Flaherty, they're probably holding off in case they get Sasaki for almost nothing. And then they'd have some payroll flexibility to add to other parts of their roster.

Ace

3:01

What on earth do the Blue Jays do?

Jon Becker

3:02

Someone has to take their money at some point, right? Not sure it'll be Alonso, Santander, or Bregman, but maybe they bring Pivetta back home to Canada and add someone like Profar?

Guest

3:03

When do you think we will see Colby Thomas for the Athletics? Seems that Seth Brown is his competition. Is it better than a 50% chance that he starts on the roster?

Jason Martinez

3:04

As things stand, I would say that's the one spot in the lineup that's pretty much up for grabs in the spring. And Thomas and Denzel Clarke would be in the mix to win the job from Brown. But there's still a long way to go. Very likely to be at least one more addition before spring training.

Twins

3:05

Any chance the Twins trade Larnach?

Jon Becker

3:06

Don't think so. He's cheap ($2.1M) and unless they want to be really aggressive and promote Emmanuel Rodriguez, anything they do to replace him would cost more.

Billy

3:06

Hi guys! What do you think Arizona ends up doing with their DH spot? Pavin Smith had a nice year last year but he's not exactly a name that strikes fear, and it seems like they could probably use one more guy like that

Jason Martinez

3:08

Small sample but he was very good last season (.896 OPS in 158 PA) and Dbacks will likely want to see if it carries over if given regular playing time (at least vs RHP). Also, they probably want to leave open the possibility for Adrian Del Castillo and Jordan Lawlar to earn some at-bats. Lawlar (former top prospect) wouldn't necessarily be the DH, but he could bounce around the infield (2B/3B/SS) with Ketel Marte and Eugenio Suarez getting off their feet occasionally.

3:09

What SP do you think makes sense for the Cubs to target via either trade or FA?

Jon Becker

3:10

Flaherty's the big name in FA and wouldn't cost a draft pick, though not sure the Cubs want to spend probably $20M+ per year over multiple years. In trade, Dylan Cease is the top option by far, but there's also Luis Castillo and one of the Diamondbacks' extra guys (most likely Montgomery).

Sanford

3:11

Do you realistically think Orioles will platoon Holliday, or are you just hedging? If he's still not ready for the full-time job, I'd imagine they'd just send him down again rather than platoon him

Jason Martinez

3:12

The most important thing will be to build up his confidence so he doesn't get sent back to AAA again. Keeping him away from tough LHP (and maybe all LHP for a while) will be part of that. He's not the type of player to need a platoon once he settles in. I just think they'll be very careful about when they decide he's an everyday player.

Hugh

3:14

If the Angels finally realize they need to tear-down, what do you think they could reasonably get for Trout? Is he just a $$ dump at this point?

Jon Becker

3:15

Sad to say it, but I think he'd just be a money dump at his age and with his injury history. Worth noting he has a full no-trade and has never shown any indication whatsoever of waiving it, too.

Phil

3:15

I keep hearing Boston is in on Bregman- How does that work? They're not going to have Bregman play 2B & block Campbell are they? Devers has to move to 1B, right? Then they trade/DG Casas?

Jason Martinez

3:17

Bregman might be open to playing 2B for 1-2 seasons before Devers moves to 1B. But it's more likely that Devers moves to 1B, Casas moves to DH, and Yoshida (plus $) gets traded.

The Oberamtmann

3:17

I know Waldo, Peraza, and DJLM are all uninspiring options, but am I wrong to be frustrated that the Yankees are checking in on players like de Jong? Like, it is too much to ask that, if the tires you're kicking are not so great, maybe you commit to the tires you have at home?

Jon Becker

3:18

Checking in on players is just part of the job — they've probably at least reached out on dozens of free agents, just like every team has. Wouldn't read too much into it unless a deal actually happens, in which case I'd agree with you that they ought to be aiming higher.

Weird1@Portland

3:18

Will Dubon be the HOU 3B starter?

Jason Martinez

3:20

Isaac Paredes is their 3B and Dubon should continue to be a super-utilityman. The Astros have one hole to fill in the OF and maybe even 2-3 holes so Dubon could be in the mix for regular playing time out there.

Freeman, freeland, who gives a hoot

3:21

what do you think are the chances Alex Freeland gets the call and +200 PAs this year

Jon Becker

3:22

Pretty low, since that's about two months of regular playing time, and he'd have to do better than he did at Triple-A last year to really force the issue. He's behind Betts and Rojas on the SS depth chart and Taylor and Kim are capable of playing there too.

Pumpsie

3:22

Thank-you so much for all your work on the Depth Charts/Payroll! With the arb deadline yesterday, I'm wondering if on the Payroll tab you could move the final-year arb guys (Guerrero, Tucker, etc) up into the Guaranteed section once they've gone through arb for the last time. I'm sure you've weighed pros and cons; if I had a vote, I'd vote to have those guys in the upper section.

Jason Martinez

3:23

I believe I've done this in the past, at least as we get closer to the trade deadline. Feel free to remind me around May if it hasn't happened.

Ham Fighter

3:24

I was kind of confused by the Brewers leaving Shane Smith unprotected in the Rule 5 so they could take Connor Thomas instead. When it comes to the Brewers and fringe pitching moves do I just need to trust the process?

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