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RosterResource Chat - 3/5/26
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Al
2:52
What are your current feelings on Deyvison de los Santos?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:54
A bit over-hyped after he hit 40 HR between AA/AAA in 2024. He's struggled in AAA since Miami acquired him. But he's only 22 and has a couple options remaining. So there's still not a sense of urgency.

Doesn't appear to be in the mix for the 1B spot in early 2026, despite it being unsettled and lacking any intriguing candidates. If I had to guess who gets the most starts there in 2026, I'd guess Graham Pauley and he's the guy that never gets mentioned when asked about 1B.
A Boy Named Yu
2:54
When do teams generally make the first round of roster cuts?  Will it mostly just be prospects who were in camp for some experience?
AvatarJon Becker
2:56
There were a few last week, mostly injured players getting reassigned or super-obvious cuts like the sixth-string NRI catcher. But Keider Montero, who we (briefly) had on the projected roster, got optioned by the Tigers yesterday. So it's starting to be that time where teams' decision-making processes will actually affect ours!
Josh Hartnett
2:56
Does Kaelen Culpepper have a path to playing time this year? Is he the next man up at 3B with Royce Lewis being made of glass?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:59
Not the next man up to fill in during an IL stint. And I'll guess that his ETA is 2027. But I think he can position himself to be the next infield prospect called up if he puts up big numbers in AAA once he gets there (he might start in AA).

Whether it's 2B or SS, I think there's a spot for him because of Keaschall's defensive versatility. Maybe that's part of why they want to get him time in the OF.
millvillemeltdown
3:00
what's gonna happen with atlanta's outfield? platoon? late fa signing? what happens if (baseball gods forfend) acuña goes down?
AvatarJon Becker
3:01
I lean towards sticking with what they've got, because they can't option Eli White to the minors and I don't think they'd be able to do significantly better than him by signing someone who opts out at the end of camp. I'd think Dubón gets plenty of OF time against LHP when Kim is back, too.
Catcher
3:01
Setting injuries aside, how much does Rushing play?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:04
For his talent level, not nearly enough. But maybe more than you'd think. Will Smith, if not for the late-season IL stint, probably would've made around 105-110 starts last season. I think that's going to be his ceiling and the Dodgers, very confident that they'll be playing deep into October, are very likely to ease his workload. Getting Rushing more playing time is also part of that, though. It wouldn't surprise me if he got 70-80 starts.
JoeS
3:05
What does the Yankees' acquisition of Paul Goldschmidt mean for Ben Rice's playing time at 1B? Or anywhere else?
AvatarJon Becker
3:06
I think his overall playing time should be about the same, bringing Goldschmidt back just shifts some of that PT out from 1B to behind the plate. I don't think it's implausible that they start the season — or go through stretches — with Escarra in the minors and Wells and Rice as the only two catchers. They could start the season with Escarra but if Volpe is back and everyone's healthy and someone like Grichuk is playing too well to cut, it's nice to be able to send Escarra down and keep that flexibility.
Tacoby Bellsbury
3:07
What have been the most interesting on-field developments of spring training for the two of you so far (discounting injuries, of course)?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:10
Not a huge surprise, but Kevin McGonigle appears to be on the fast track and could be in the Tigers' Opening Day lineup. Maybe even leading off. In fact, I changed the projection last night ... https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/depth-charts/tigers

The interesting thing would be how they shuffle the roster to make it work. I'm not sure what they'd do yet.
Guest
3:10
Is Cam Smith in line to get full time AB's?
AvatarJon Becker
3:12
The Astros infield is a mess because they've got five regulars for four starting spots, and the Astros outfield is a mess because they've got no set-in-stone regulars for the three spots. Meyers will be on the roster and figures to, at minimum, play against lefties, but from there any of the three of Cole, Loperfido, and Smith could play regularly, start the year in Triple-A, or somewhere in between. There's also these questions: what do they think about Brice Matthews in center so far? How often will Altuve play LF? How about Yordan? So to circle back to your Smith question, I think it's too early to tell.
will in vero
3:12
you’re Dave Roberts. do you find a consistent role for Tanner Scott in the 7th or 8th? or do you put him into an Andrew Miller type deal of letting the highest leverage situations dictate when he’s in?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:15
My guess is that Roberts is going to utilize Scott as if he's still one of best relievers in baseball (see 2024 version), cross his fingers that he pitches that way, and adjust if he struggles again.

Between Vesia, Dreyer, and Wrobleski, I think they have enough lefty options who can pitch in high-leverage. Dodgers' goal will be to get Scott on track by late season/playoffs. Dodgers bullpen completely imploding would be fun but that's what happened in 2024 and they still won the division. i don't see them over-reacting much to anything these days.
3:16
That will do it for today. Thanks for joining us. We'll be back next Thursday. Enjoy the weekend!
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