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RosterResource Chat - 2/7/25

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2:30

Will Freddy Fermin see a steady increase in the number of games he catches? Or, to put another way, is Sal Perez the Royals first-baseman of the future?

Jon Becker

2:30

It sounds like (per MLB dot com) Arenado talk has picked back up the last week or so, so I think he'll be moved by Opening Day. I also think the Padres more or less have to make a significant sell-side trade (Cease, King, or Arraez, probably... maybe Suarez?) to fill their needs elsewhere on the roster. Mariners feel done to me, they maxed out their budget and kept all their starting pitchers, and Dipoto always said moving one of them was Plan Z.

Dave

2:28

Pitchers and catchers start reporting in a couple of days, do you expect significant trades in during Spring Training, or are the Cards, Padres and Mariners likely fairly set for the season?

Jason Martinez

2:27

I really hope so! We've seen players with that kind of speed (or close) who just didn't have the on-base ability to take advantage. You'd think Billy Hamilton would have value as a 4th OF but apparently no team thinks he's even good enough for a MiLB contract.

In the case of Simpson, we'll see how he does in AAA. It's possible. Sounds like they believe in Deluca and he'll get a long look in CF. But not much else in Simpson's way if he puts up good numbers in AAA and Deluca doesn't improve much offensively.

Tampa question

2:25

Chandler Simpson is either a 60 or 70 hitter with 80 speed. He has no power, but that's still a valuable player. Will be see him in Tampa this year? And is his future as a regular?

Jason Martinez

2:25

Before I go to the next question, I apologize for changing the view of the chat from top to bottom. I thought that was for our view only so we could see new questions at the top. Can't fix now. Will return to normal next week.

Jon Becker

2:22

I'm pretty sure we're now in the third offseason of people wishcasting Taylor Ward onto the Pirates, but he'd be a really great fit for the Royals too. Not sure how attainable he is but the Angels adding Moncada further clogs the offense and they might want to keep a spot open for Adell. Ward's arguably their second-best hitter after Trout, though, and they're trying to contend.

Skip

2:21

Is there any attainable hitter on the trade market the Royals can get to help their OF deficiencies?

Jason Martinez

2:21

We added ZIPS to the formula this week. Previously, it was only Steamer. ERA is a tough one to project so I can imagine different projection systems having much different numbers. Check out the player pages and you can see them all together.

Dodgers Blue

2:19

Jason - I noticed a wide uptick in FGDC projections on ERAs over the last few days. Was this a reaction to anything specific?

Jon Becker

2:18

Tigers are the cleanest fit with the most long-term need for him (for example, if the Red Sox got him I don't know where Campbell, Mayer, and Anthony factor in as soon as 2026), but evidently whatever offer they have out there isn't good enough. They're really lefty heavy and could use a middle of the order RHH, for sure.

comish4lif

2:17

Is there any one team with the money and the need for Bregman at this point?

Jason Martinez

2:17

I like to use the Padres as an example since they're the team I watch the most. But their 2023 and 2024 lineups were some of the most extreme versions of themselves that I've ever seen. I wouldn't describe them exactly as your Lineup A and B, but the difference was more in the lack of balance between guys who are more all or nothing (Machado, Tatis) and guys who are good at "moving the line" and "taking a professional at-bat". Soto was probably the only guy in 2023 who was good at moving the line. In 2024, they had Profar, Merrill, Arraez, Solano, and Peralta all balancing out Machado, Tatis, Bogaerts, Cronenworth. Made a huge difference. Lineup felt much deeper.

Ice Cream Helmet

2:13

Lineup A: 9 hitters, each 100 wRC+ true talent
Lineup B: Top-loaded with studs, bottom 3 hitters all < 80 wRC+, lineup averages 100 wRC+ as a whole

I've always felt, all else being equal, Lineup A will perform better. But it's just my gut telling me that terrible hitters with "easy outs" in the lineup do more harm irl. Is there any data to back me up?

Jon Becker

2:13

Neither of these would surprise me, though I'd lean more towards "trading Kjerstad for an impact pitcher" than "moving Mullins just to save money" based on how they've operated this offseason; a year of Mullins isn't going to bring back the impact starter that a lot of people, myself included, think they could use. Trading Mountcastle or O'Hearn and rotating DH around more + playing Kjerstad at first more often is another plausible way to get Kjerstad playing time.

Yark

2:12

Orioles seem to have plenty of OF Kjerstad in a package for a Cease type or could they drop Mullins to save some $ and add something before he walks

Jason Martinez

2:12

That's how I have it projected based on how things ended last season (Smith was really good). But they could quickly go in a different direction if he doesn't hit. They're better defensively with Alex Thomas in CF on most days and I think they'll have to adjust if Jordan Lawlar forces his way into the lineup. In those cases, I think the DH spot will change on a daily basis.

PJ in JC

2:09

What’s your sense on Pavin Smith’s season in Arizona? A straight platoon with the newly resigned Grichuk?

Jon Becker

2:08

Assuming your league values saves highly, probably Helsley. Baldelli isn't afraid to flip-flop Duran and Jax, and Doval could end up regaining the closer job at some point to free Walker up as more of a fireman.

Skip

2:08

Have a keeper league and need to decide between Ryan Walker, Duran, and Helsley. They're all ranked so close who has a better year?

Jason Martinez

2:07

I think they'll take their time to determine whether Joey Bart's breakout was real while allowing Endy to be eased back into action (likely in AAA). I think they will eventually get him time at other positions (1B, maybe 2B, maybe LF/RF) but would be a lot to have him do that early on. With Henry Davis, I really have no idea other than he'd boost his trade value if he rakes in AAA. Obviously, it would help if he improved his defense at C or OF.

Jordan

2:04

How do you envision the Pirates using Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez? Strictly as C? Or will they try to get some versatility out of them and carry them plus Bart?

Jon Becker

2:04

I think fitting Bregman in wouldn't be particularly easy, but it's never a bad thing to have nine starting-caliber hitters for eight spots. Maybe Shaw is in a soft platoon with Busch at first and fills in at 2B/3B? Hoerner might also not be ready to start the year, or could be traded.

2:02

I for one do not buy the rumors of the Cubs being serious about Bregman, but were he to go to the Cubs, how do they even reconfigure to let Shaw get some playing time too?

Jason Martinez

2:02

Welcome to the last RosterResource Live Chat before football season ends and the focus turns towards baseball. Still plenty to discuss with the big news of the week being Yoan Moncada signing with the Angels!

Connecting…

Ice Cream Helmet

6:54

I've always felt that, all else being equal, a lineup of nine 100 wRC+ batters would perform better than a lineup that has studstop-loaded with studs

comish4lif

7:17

First, thanks for Roster Resource and for doing these chats.
But also, Why is the chat putting th enewest questions and comments at the top?

Chris

7:22

Why do the Yanks seem so keen to move Jazz back to 2B, I thought he passed the eye test at 3B and I believe the metrics back it up. Isnt finding a 2B somewhat easier?

7:23

The chat history is flipped for me today (new messages appear up top and you have to scroll down for old ones). Is this just a me problem or did this recently change? (I do not like it one bit)

Mike Elias

7:30

How many outfielders do we get to play again?

Ice Cream Helmet

7:32

Any managing or front office changes this year that you think significantly change the stolen base outlook for any teams?

comish4lif

7:33

Billy Hamilton played a full season in the Mexican League last year and stole 75 base. But he whiffed 116 times in 527 PA with a 324 OBP. Doesn't seem like he's adjustred his approach...

Guest

7:35

Will a Padres fire sale of pitchers effect the stud bats motivation? Like "why should we try" Any thoughts?

BC26

7:35

Who plays 3B for the Yankees on Opening Day?

Fish

7:36

how do you feel the marlins rebuild is going?

Mulligan

7:40

Any chance Mick Abel gets a shot in the rotation? Or are his control problems insurmountable?

Mr. Burrito

7:51

What's the biggest legitimate roster question on a contending team going into spring?

Mize

7:57

Speaking of Mize, is he now who he has become, or is there another level up for the former top prospect?

Bubba

8:09

Who leads of for the following? NYY, KC, Bos? Thanks! Have a great weekend.

Potato Sack Girl

8:11

Does Soderstrom get platooned this year or full run at 1b/DH? I'm assuming he's not a catcher anymore and does he block Kurtz in the future?

Dodgers Blue

8:11

With the re-signing of Alonso, are there enough ABs left around the diamond for Acuna - who was rumored to be in the mix for starting 3B with Vientos moving to 1B? Or are they better off letting him get every day at bats and developing in the minors and use someone like Madrigal as the utility infielder on the major league roster?

Potato Sack Girl

8:13

Does Yainer Diaz get less ABs this year w/the Walker signing?

Potato Sack Girl

8:15

Do you think Tena holds on to 3b all year? Is he also the primary backup for 2b/ss?

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