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RosterResource Chat - 12/20/24
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AvatarJason Martinez
2:51
This is a great example of what I was discussing in my previous question/answer. I see McCray as the obvious "TBD" but I think it has thrown a few people off when they see him there. I'm probably going to move Wilmer Flores to DH and Ramos to LF -- Wilmer had a great offensive season in 2023 -- but the Giants have said they want to keep the DH spot open and rotate it between a bunch of guys. So they have some flexibility to add one more bat, regardless of position.

Not easy to show that on the RR page, but I guess that's a good reason to host these Live Chats.
Hunter
2:52
Is there another move coming for the Phillies after signing Kepler? I'm not sure I understand the fit.
AvatarJon Becker
2:53
It didn't make a whole lot of sense to me either. Kepler's a very good right fielder but hasn't played left in the majors, and Castellanos barely has, so someone's going to be out of position. And I'm not sure Marsh is much of a center fielder, either, so overall the defense is worse than it was yesterday. Maybe they're more confident in their ability to move Castellanos?
SH, Jr.
2:53
Projection systems still seem to think kindly of Tyler Freeman. Fans see launch angle problems. Do you project a path to regular playing time or at least non-26th-man status for him?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:55
He probably has to wait in line for another opportunity. Similar to Gabriel Arias. Very good prospect. Got a chance to play a lot. Never hit. Now he's out of options and the Guardians will have to prioritize him a bit. Freeman is a good prospect. Fast. Versatile. But he didn't hit enough so I think he gets buried down in the depth chart for now. Especially because they seem to favor Juan Brito or Angel Martinez at 2B until Bazzana is ready. He'll still get a chance to win a bench job.
YorDaddy
2:57
Would it be smart for the Astros to move Framber sooner rather than later for a bigger haul?
AvatarJon Becker
2:58
If the goal is only to get a bigger haul, then they should move him now to make that happen, yeah. But while Kyle Tucker is impossible to fully replace, they could at least replace his homers (and then some) with Paredes + Walker. There's not an ace-level pitcher they're going to add if they move Framber, since they don't go beyond six year deals (so no Burnes), so moving Framer would leave a bigger void, IMO.
Bullock's
2:59
Mariners need at least two infielders.  Gleyber Torres seems about their speed.  Anyone else a better fit for him?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:00
The 2B market is so weak. Mariners seem like the best fit but I'm not sure they want to pay him what he's worth. Same with a few other teams who could use a 2B upgrade. Maybe he'd take a 1-year deal and try again next offseason. Still seems like the Yankees are the best fit for him.
George
3:00
Would you move CJ Abrams to the outfield if you're the Nats and look to move Jacob Young? or just say you're going to not win this year might as well see if he can stick at short?
AvatarJon Becker
3:01
I think that's something to consider down the line, but without anyone who's pushing him for SS time right now, might as well keep him there. Second base could also make sense.
Trade Simulator
3:01
Hey Jason, wanted to circle back on my trade simulator question from a couple weeks ago. Did that get any traction during your FG meetup?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:04
We discussed some smaller projects and one very big project that would pretty much cover a lot of things of this nature. Not exactly a trade simulator but you'd be able to filter a lot more roster and RosterResource-related data and compare players by contract, WAR, projected WAR, age, etc. Not sure of the ETA but I'm hoping to have something like this by next offseason.
Phil
3:05
Who is the likeliest opening day second baseman for the Red Sox?
AvatarJon Becker
3:06
Even though we've got Hamilton projected, I'd say it's probably Campbell. We just don't love to project top prospects to win a job until we get some more clarity during Spring Training, especially if there's someone around like Hamilton who played pretty well.
I'll take a few in a row here while Jason's away from his keyboard...
Phil
3:06
With Dan's Tigers ZIPS forecast coming out today, what do you 2 think the Tigers should do this offseason? Seems like a .500 team with room to improve, but, also a # of young guys you may not want to block. Seems like an SP, 1 IF, 1 OF (Teoscar?) would go a long way.
AvatarJon Becker
3:08
I agree with you that they feel .500ish. I think Hinch did a really good job of mixing and matching and getting the most out of his roster, but that's not inherently repeatable. SP depth looks pretty good but they could use another higher-floor guy to pair with Skubal, and they definitely need a big bat for the middle of the order.
Doc
3:09
If you're the Mets and you need to use a corner INF position for a power bat, do you:  (a) resign Pete, (b) sign Bregman and shift Vientos, (c) look to the trade market (e.g., Arenado, Naylor), or (d) something more interesting?
AvatarJon Becker
3:10
I would probably go with (c), assuming I can line up with Cleveland for Naylor on a fair package. Much lower risk than signing an older free agent for multiple years.
Dr. J
3:10
Mookie can't play SS again, can he? Edman is ok for a fill in--but he's not full-time...and the SS FA market looks to be pretty slim.  What do you see as realistic options for the Dodgers at SS?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:12
Mookie as the SS didn't go great last season and, yet, they say they're doing it again. So I'm going to take their word for it. And also trust that Mookie knows it didn't go well and he's the kind of player that will put in the work to improve. There weren't very many options if they weren't willing to go all in on Willy Adames so I think they figured this was the best route. At least for 2025.
Dodgers Blue
3:13
Are you buying Clay Holmes, Starting Pitcher?  Rumors are Mets are still looking at FA Market - and they already have Megill/Peterson (both with 1 option left) and who looked pretty good last year, and Blackburn/Canning (both with no options left). I get none of these names are game-changers, but especially IF the Mets sign another locked in rotation arm to go with Montas and Senga, which guys are the odd men out in this equation?
AvatarJon Becker
3:14
It sounds like the Mets have a plan for him and it's not just "we're going to stretch you out and see what happens" so sure, I buy it. I think Senga, Peterson, Montas, and Holmes have four spots, and they could go to a six-man. So two spots for Blackburn, Canning, and Megill. Blackburn could be traded and either or both of the latter two could end up in the bullpen, though
Jules
3:14
Jason, do the Astros trade Framber Valdez for OF?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:15
No, I still don't think the plan was to trade both. They'll keep Framber and wait out the free agent market for an OF. Jesse Winker makes sense. Maybe Alex Verdugo. David Peralta was really good last season. All would be good fits in LF.
YorDaddy
3:16
I know the Dodgers just won with pretty much wire to wire dominance, but with this new "half the teams make the playoffs" era of MLB, do you see team-building dynamics change a bit where more "okay" teams try to marginally improve to a 85-90 win team, sneak into the playoffs, and make some noise ala 2023 Rangers?
AvatarJon Becker
3:17
I think we're already seeing a lot more of this, which seems to be good for players getting signed sooner/to bigger contracts, as well as players wanting to go somewhere there's a reasonable expectation of them winning. The Marlins and White Sox are the only two teams with no real intention of winning in 2025, and I think there would be quite a few more if there were only 8 or 10 playoff teams.
josh
3:18
i might be in the minority, but i really like what the astros have done. The first option would have been to extend Tucker and Bregman, but since the owner is unwilling to do that, this plan seemed the next best option. They increased MLB and prospect depth and now have payroll flexibility next year and beyond. From a resource allocation/roster building perspective, it all makes sense. Am I crazy?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:20
They've been to the playoffs in 9 of the last 10 seasons and have two WS rings during that span. It's not that they don't make bad moves but they've done what most teams can only hope to do. Be a playoff contender every season. Not sure I like the return for Tucker, but I don't fault them for making the trade.
Justin
3:20
Do either of you have a virtual hall of fame ballot that you'd like to share? Thanks!
AvatarJason Martinez
3:22
My answer is boring because I don't really have any issues with voting in any of the guys who are likely going to fall short or will go down to the 10th season (Wagner, Abreu, Buehrle, Utley, etc). Let them all in!
Dodgers Blue
3:22
Braves BP on the surface looks like they need help. IF during ST, a guy like Waldrep looks lights out, do you consider him for a major big league 'pen role - or simply let him continue to develop as a starter on the farm?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:25
Sounds like they're hoping Daysbel takes a step foward and locks down a high-leverage role. Depending on how things shake out, I think Holmes could end up as a very valuable bullpen arm if he's not needed in the rotation. Waldrep and Smith-Shawver have the potential to dominate out of the 'pen but they'd have to force the Braves' hand. I think they're fine letting them continue to develop as starters.
Desperate pirates fan
3:25
How do you think playing time is divided at catcher for the pirates? Does the most RF playing time go to a player currently in the org or someone yet to be signed?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:27
Depends on how Endy looks as he returns from TJ surgery. My current projection ... https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/depth-charts/pirates ... assumes that he'll need to be eased back on defense but his bat needs to be in the lineup. He can hit! Thus, Endy at DH and Jason Delay as the backup catcher. Only thing we know at this point is that Joey Bart earned the starting job and should be in line for at least 55% of the starts and they really like Delay in a backup role.
Daniel
3:27
The Padres are eerily quiet, yet as always, their roster is... eccentric. Any pathways forward that make sense for them?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:31
Other than the Soto trade that had a predictable trade partner and return, they did almost nothing last offseason either. Waited until the last minute to bring back Profar for $1MM and then didn't trade for Cease until they were about to leave for the Dodgers series in South Korea. I was afraid this was going to happen but my guess is that they want to stay under the luxury tax threshold and they're already right up against it. It's possible they can't do anything unless they trade Cease and/or Arraez. And it's possible that they'll wait until the Sasaki decision before they do anything at all.
RosterResource Fan
3:32
Just wanted to say Thank You! The Roster Resource is one of my favorite parts of the subscription. I used it more than Leaderboards thanks to the Walkoff.
AvatarJason Martinez
3:34
Thank you for reading! It's always nice to know that other people out in the world love this stuff as much as I do. And it's the reason why this is my job now.
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