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RosterResource Chat - 2/5/26
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Torrence
2:54
how incredible of a spring would McGonigle need to have in order to break camp as the starting SS?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:58
Having a .850 OPS in Spring Training isn't incredible for someone like McGonigle but I think that's probably the bar to clear for what he can control. It's a big decision for the Tigers because calling up one of the best prospects in the game means you think he's up for good. So there will be a lot more evaluation other than a few weeks in ST stats. The roster is kind of crowded, too. If no injuries occur, my guess is that either Jahmai Jones would have to be DFAd (out of options and was really good last season) or one of Matt Vierling, Wenceel Perez, or Parker Meadows would have to be optioned to make room.
Nuxie
2:59
What’s baty,s outlook for playing time?
AvatarJon Becker
3:00
He's got a really clear path at least against righties, especially because he's versatile. I'd expect him to get time at DH, third, second, left, and maybe even a little first.
Mendoza's dilemma
3:00
Aren't the Mets better off DHing Polanco and putting Baty at 1B?  Let Polanco focus on hitting and build off of last season, while the younger more athletic player is in the field.  Baty being a natural 3B should make the transition to 1B fairly smooth, no?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:02
Sounds like Baty, if he's not traded, is going to bounce around so I don't think there is a plan to stick him at one spot. Polanco will get some DH time, but I know he's been working at 1B and maybe exclusively there since the Mets probably won't use him much at 2B/3B (if at all).
Oaktown Steve
3:03
Thanks for the time!  Will the Angels go "give it to the old dude with closing experience" and make Yates the guy or is Stevenson a real option there?
AvatarJon Becker
3:03
I think they'll see how everyone looks in spring, especially since Yates, Romano, and Stephenson all ended the season with injuries. Ben Joyce is of course the x-factor here but I haven't seen anything on his timetable from shoulder surgery.
Guest
3:04
is there a way to see default lineup vs. lefties on the RR team pages?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:05
We have projected platoon pages. One of our newest features that Jon built ...

https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/platoon-lineups/tigers
Thanks!
3:05
Does a Vientos/Keller framework make any sense?
AvatarJon Becker
3:06
Not really for either side. The Pirates probably need to add SP innings rather than trading more away now that Burrows is in Houston, and the Mets have a lot of starting pitching around the skill level of Keller so I'm not really sure what adding him would accomplish for them. I would think the Mets would want one of the prospects with minor league options, Harrington perhaps.
JB
3:08
Can you explain how (and why) you think the cards will give playing time to saggese, Gorman, and JJ after moving Donovan?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:11
My current projection ... Wetherholt (532 PA), Gorman (532 PA), Saggese (385).

If Wetherholt wins the job out of Spring Training, that will easily go to 600-650 range. But the uncertainty of it at the moment (I have him making the team but he has competition) requires that projection be lower.

Gorman has a clear path to play everyday. But there is potential to be really bad, which is why I don't have him over 600 PA.

Saggese is probably Wetherholt's top competition at 2B, but it sounds like they plan on utilizing his defensive versatility (2B/SS/3B/OF) so I think he'll get plenty of at-bats even if he's in a bench role.

Updated projections here ... https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=ALL&teamid=28
Biscuit
3:11
What is stopping Cole Young from getting 500 AB?
AvatarJon Becker
3:12
Colt Emerson. I think he'll have every chance to win a spot out of camp and even if he doesn't he should be up early on. Young had a nice stretch for a few weeks but otherwise didn't hit at all and Emerson looks like he'll be a stud.
Phil
3:13
I feel like every week someone asks you what the heck the Red Sox are doing, and I guess this week it will be me. Kiner-Falefa is definitely a useful supplement to Romy González and David Hamilton (I'm now seeing rumors that González might be traded, but as always I take those with several buckets of salt). In some sense, you can kind of squint and see a daily mix of Mayer, Story, K-F, González, Hamilton, and Contreras as a defense-first infield that will hit just enough to support a team with all of its best hitters in the outifield. But that still requires us to overlook the fact that, with this roster, especially against righthanded pitchers, either one of the best overall defenders in the league (Rafaela) or one of the four best left-handed hitters on the team will be on the bench every day, while an 85 WRC+ guy is playing on the infield. Right?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:19
I changed the roster projection 3 times after it was reported so I was also thinking "what the heck are they doing". Here's the latest ... https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/depth-charts/red-sox

I eventually listed him in a platoon with Mayer but that more about Mayer's uncertainty and lack of track record and IKF likely to get his playing time somewhere. He doesn't have good numbers vs RHP or LHP. I also moved David Hamilton to the roster to give them another left-handed bat for 2B. So the other platoon options (Sogard, Eaton) didn't fit anymore.

Not an easy one to figure out. Still have to assume they're not done.
Ryan
3:20
Can the red sox has a tenable infield with their current players (and avoid Rafaela leaving CF), or do they need to aid a 3B or 2B?
AvatarJon Becker
3:21
Depends what qualifies as tenable to you, but at least they have options. Story and Contreras are locked in at SS and 1B of course, and they've got Mayer, IKF, Gonzalez, Hamilton, Campbell between 3B and 2B. I totally get how disappointing it is to miss out on Bregman and all the other targets but they have to be cognizant about not blocking Campbell forever, too.
Friars
3:21
The return of Joe Musgrove is not getting the proper amount of hype it deserves.  It's feasible he could re-emerge as an ace-level starter.  Agree?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:24
He missed all of last season and was pitching thru a partially torn ligament the previous season. Understandable if people forgot how good he was from 2021-23. And then inconsistent performances like Sandy Alcantara after returning from TJ surgery remind us that they don't always return to form right away. But I'm hoping he does resemble an ace again, at least by May or June. Padres need him.
3:25
That will do it. Thanks for joining us! Back next Thursday.
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