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RosterResource Chat - 2/28/25
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AvatarJason Martinez
2:02
Welcome to the RosterResource Live Chat! A lot of new developments after only a week of spring games.

You can check out the latest Opening Day roster projections here ...

https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/depth-charts/tigers

And playing time projections here ...

https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=ALL&teamid=6

And ask as many questions as necessary to get you all caught up on everything.
E
2:02
Thoughts on if Drake Baldwin or Dalton Rushing could make their respective teams out of spring, outside of injuries? If not, when/what might it take for them to get the call?
AvatarJon Becker
2:04
If we assume everybody's healthy, then no chance for Rushing, I think it's really just Pages, Kim, or Outman for that last spot.

As for Baldwin, I suppose him tearing it up for the rest of the spring and forcing the Braves' hand is possible, but I've read a bunch of times that they want Murphy catching a lot and you're not going to roster Baldwin to only catch once or twice a week. But if Murphy struggles again he'll be the first guy up.
Cubs
2:05
Brujan or Workman, who’s the first guy out the door once Nico is healthy?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:07
I think it will really depend on Matt Shaw. If they don't think he's ready, then there is room for both. Workman would probably get a lot of time at 3B. Brujan's biggest value right now is that he can play CF, along with most other positions, so I think he gets the nod over Workman if the Cubs are ready to let Shaw play everyday.
Tea for the Cantillerman
2:07
Should I read anything into Triston McKenzie coming out of the pen for his first spring appearance? Asking as a Joey Cantillo fan...
AvatarJon Becker
2:08
It's commonplace early in Spring Training for starters to piggyback with each other since they're only going to throw 1-2 innings each and some teams have a bunch of guys they want to keep stretched out and audition for spots. So I don't think it's indicative of anything re: McKenzie yet, who should be considered the front-runner for the fifth spot since he's out of options. Was good to see his velocity was up a couple ticks.
Chris S.
2:09
Do you think Kerry Carpenter projects to a full time role this season?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:11
Probably not, although I think there's probably a window early on (especially with Vierling starting the season on the IL) that gives him a chance to play in the OF and face LHP more often. I don't think he's reached the point in his career yet where he's a Joc Pederson type who is mostly a DH vs RHP. But he's probably close to becoming that and Tigers probably want to find out if he's capable of more.
AvatarJon Becker
2:11
Hinch said at the start of Spring Training that they're going to give him those opportunities during exhibition games but he's got to earn them during the regular season, and so far in his career he hasn't really done anything to show he's deserving of facing lefties often.
Zebulon
2:11
Do you think Zebby or Festa have a chance of cracking the Twins’ opening day rotation?
AvatarJon Becker
2:13
Not a 0% chance, but I wouldn't call it likely. López, Ober, and Ryan have three spots for sure, and SWR and Paddack are heavily favored for the last two. But even the most healthy teams need 7+ starters throughout the year, and every year there are a bunch of starters who didn't make the cut on Opening Day who end up being super important.
Chris S.
2:13
How do you project Zack Neto this year with the injury?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:17
Projection systems are typically conservative with players with only 1 full season. I think most are showing him to be about the same this season with less stolen bases. So just because he had 23 HR/30 SB as a 23-year-old in his 1st full season doesn't mean it thinks he's gonna be even better and go 30 HR/35 SB or something like that. Second full big league season is difficult and the sophomore slump can be real. But, with that said, the Angels think he's going to be a superstar. A SS who can be a 20+HR/20+SB guy with plus defense is usually a superstar. Hopefully the shoulder surgery doesn't slow him down too much.
Mayo never goes bad
2:18
What would it take for Coby Mayo to start in the bigs? Or get back to the bigs?
AvatarJon Becker
2:19
Right now, probably an injury or Kjerstad looking so awful in Spring Training that he squanders his Opening Day spot that he's been all but guaranteed of. But it's also not a completely insurmountable roster for him midseason if he keeps hitting in Triple-A and shows he has nothing more to prove. For example, Mountcastle and O'Hearn were more good than great last year (though Mountcastle should be aided by the wall moving in), and Laureano was a DFA under a year ago.
Worried Perez
2:20
What is the over-under on Eury Perez major-league starts this year?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:21
Sounds like he'll be back around mid-season. They'll also be cautious with him once he's back so I'll say 15 starts is probably a good over/under. That's where I have him ... https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=ALL&teamid=20
shortstops
2:21
I find it fascinating that both the dodgers and braves, elite at roster construction as they are, don't really go after elite shortstops, excluding the trea turner era. Who do you see as more likely to take a SS job, Nacho Alvarez or Alex Freeland?
AvatarJon Becker
2:23
Alvarez, I think. Freeland is more highly regarded than Alvarez, who looked awful in his limited MLB action last year, but Betts is so, so much better than Arcia and the Dodgers seem really committed to him as the starting SS. But if it goes badly defensively for Mookie or a corner outfielder is hurt I suppose he could change positions yet again.
matt
2:23
Do you think Dylan Moore will start at 2B for the Mariners?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:26
My guess is that the Mariners would prefer Ryan Bliss taking hold of the job so they'd be able to utilize Moore in a super-utility role. But if that doesn't happen, I think Moore plays often early on but he'd really just be keeping the spot warm until someone else (probably Cole Young) gets a shot later in the season.
drplantwrench
2:26
what is the likelihood that Nelson Rada plays CF for the angels this season? im really hoping jo comes together, but....
AvatarJon Becker
2:28
Right now it'd be a late-season mini-audition at best. The Angels are as aggressive as anyone at promoting prospects but promoting a 19-year-old who just put up an 87 wRC+ in AA would be extreme even for them. Outside of the three starting OF they've still got Moniak, Soler can play some OF, Rengifo is getting some reps in CF this spring, and also Lugo and Campero on the 40-man.
Jjp
2:29
Luisangel Acuna, worth rostering now?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:31
I'd say probably not. His value is tied to whether he can get a good amount of playing time at 2B. Jeff McNeil had a strong finish and he makes a lot of $ in 2025 and 2026 so he'll get every opportunity to be the everyday guy. But even if he struggles again or gets injured, Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio could also get consideration for at-bats at 2B. Acuña is an electric player with a lot of upside, which showed up in that very short stint last season. But important to remember that he wasn't having a great season in AAA when they called him up.
Chris S.
2:32
All your chips on the line, what Dodgers reliever do you want to own now? How about end of season?
AvatarJon Becker
2:33
Scott for both. Dave Roberts said he'll be top of the list for saves to start the year and he's been excellent for back to back seasons now. Should be an awesome bullpen if everyone's all healthy at the same time.
Just Trying
2:33
How do you see the Reds infield playing time shake out to start the season? How do you think Francona will manage playing time? Looking at CES and his odds of getting 500 PAs.
Kevin
2:33
Matt McLain is only projected for around 550 PA, is that more of a function of injury or the number of mouths to feed at 2B (i.e., Lux). If it's the latter, how do you see a strong spring impacting that number?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:39
Still so much is TBD. I'd imagine a lot of mixing and matching early in the season. Sounds like Steer has some shoulder discomfort so he could be the DH if he avoids the IL.That would allow Candelario to play 1B with Lux getting a long look at 3B. That's how I have it lined up now with CES playing vs LHP. I think Espinal will play a lot more than anyone expects because his defense is so much better than anyone else. CES or Noelvi looking like their 2023 versions as opposed to 2024 would shake things up greatly.

McLain missing the entire season and giving Lux time at 2B are a big part of his current PA projection. But it could easily be closer to 650. He's so talented. If he's healthy, it will be difficult for Francona to not pencil him into the lineup everyday.
Carson
2:39
Noah Cameron or Kris Bubic, who makes it in the rotation in Kansas City?
AvatarJon Becker
2:41
It sounds as if Cameron is in the SP5 competition, but more on the periphery nonetheless. Likelier to be Bubic, Marsh, or Lynch, and I think that's the order I'd put the three in from most to least likely. Bubic had a great few starts in 2023 before his Tommy John.
AvatarJason Martinez
2:42
Royals know Bubic can be very good out of the bullpen. So once they move him back there, it might be for good. It makes sense to give him some time to prove himself as a SP before handing the job to someone else.
Jackson
2:42
What do you make of the Phillies offseason? Their rotation is great, but I don’t know why they didn’t do more to fix their needs (mainly the outfield but also maybe a backup catcher). With their starts beginning to age and the window closing, I thought they would do more than sign Kepler
AvatarJason Martinez
2:45
I'm fine with their offseason. They have a wave of young talent who should make an impact in 2026 (Painter, Justin Crawford, Aidan Miller, Gabriel Rincones), if not sooner, and their current roster is a WS contender. Mostly running it back and adding Luzardo and Kepler to a very talented core. Yes, they're getting older but that championship window isn't closed. Also sounds like they like Rafael Marchan a lot so he could get a chance to prove himself with Realmuto sitting more often.
Will Wagner
2:46
Combining all of the positions he plays, how many starts does Will Wagner get this year? Is he a platoon starter, a regular who rotates positions or more of a backup / utility type?
AvatarJon Becker
2:48
I'm a fan of his, and I think 100+ games between 1B/2B/3B/DH is plausible, though right now we've got him projected for 87. He historically hasn't been great against lefties in the minors so he probably ends up as more of platoon guy, especially since they have Clement, Schneider, maybe Orelvis to work into the lineup, too.
drplantwrench
2:49
what do you think happens to the angels bullpen when Robert Stephenson comes back?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:51
They already put him on the 60-Day IL so he's out until at least June. I imagine that they'll ease him back into a high-leverage role. If Jansen and Joyce are healthy and Stephenson returns to his 2023 form, that bullpen will be fun to watch. I'd expect Stephenson to be in the mix for the closer's role in 2026, depending on how Joyce holds up in his first full MLB season.
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