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RosterResource Chat - 6/5/25
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Broken Bat
2:50
Alcantara is still a Cub at year end because of the Tucker unknown, right?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:53
I don't think they're looking at it that way. At least they shouldn't. They have the resources to re-sign Tucker or add another impact player to replace him in the lineup. So I think they'd trade Alcantara if the return was a starting pitcher who could  pitch Game 1 or 2 of a playoff series. I love their roster. But, looking ahead, I think they're missing that frontline guy to pair with Imanaga in a playoff series. I also think they have a few other really good trade chips (Ballesteros, Caissie, etc) so they probably don't have to trade Alcantara to get that SP.
Pete Alonso
2:54
What type of contract do you think I'm looking at in the offseason? I'm really having a bounceback season + I won't have the qualifying offer.
AvatarJon Becker
2:55
If he keeps this up, I think the Freeman contract with the Dodgers (6y/$162M) is a decent comp, but Alonso will be re-entering FA a year younger than Freeman was for his FA, plus inflation has to be a factor, so maybe something like 7y/$196M at the top end of possibility? I just don't see 1B contracts getting considerably bigger any time soon and teams aren't going to completely forget about Alonso's 2024, either.
Yeah Well Hiura Towel
2:56
How long a leash does Sawyer get in the Tigers' rotation?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:58
Should be at least 3-4 starts unless they want to start doing bullpen games. Doesn't sound like Cobb or Olson are close to returning. Jobe seems like he'll be out at least another 6 weeks. Manning has been pitching out of the bullpen in AAA for the last few weeks.
Broken Bat
2:58
what are the %’s Strider can get back to 97 mph?
AvatarJon Becker
2:59
He was up around there in his first inning of his first start against the Jays, so it's in there, and I'd expect it back more and more often as the year goes on, the further removed from the surgery he gets. The bigger issue with him has been fastball command, just can't get by at 94-95 down the middle the same way he did at 98-99. The shape of his fastball is still plenty good enough to get whiffs at the top of the zone at the lower velocity, though.
J
3:01
How do you think things play out for Horton this year? He's looked the part but just has so few career innings.
AvatarJason Martinez
3:03
Like I mentioned earlier, I think the Cubs should target a frontline SP at the deadline. Barring any other injuries, that would take a lot of pressure off of Horton and the Cubs having to make a decision about his usage down the stretch and into the playoffs. Ideally, he's a guy who is still available during the post-season but the Cubs would be able to use him out of the bullpen. Probably not ideal if they need him to start games in Sept/Oct.
Beano
3:03
Should the Dodgers put Casparius in the rotation? Make him the closer? Leave him be?
AvatarJon Becker
3:04
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. They're about to get Kopech and Yates back, too, so maybe Casparius is needed for multiple innings less often and maybe they can tamp down his workload a little bit so he's not gassed by August.
AH
3:06
Is there any chance that off-days will be accounted for in the bullpen usage charts so that we don't have it looking like pitchers were on the IL/in AAA for all but one day with a gap on an off-day?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:07
It's one of those weird things that's not ideal, but probably not an easy enough fix for such a small issue. Priority is to just list pitch counts for AAA games whenever we do have access to that data.
Yeah Well Hiura Towel
3:08
Are Zebby and Festa now both rotation mainstays until they falter?
AvatarJon Becker
3:08
Yeah, absolutely, and with López out 8-12 weeks they've both got a lot of runway to have a hiccup or even downright bad start here and there.
Beano
3:09
What do you make of all the moves in SF? Will DJohnson, J Encarnacion play regularly? Will D Smith 1b-block Eldridge? Will Adames ever recall how to hit?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:12
Sometimes, you just have to shake things up. Adding Johnson, who is a journeyman playing in the Mexican League a month ago, was probably the difference in yesterday's win. So it worked out great. And there's also a chance he's not on the roster in a month. Smith at 1B makes sense because he won't be terrible and he also won't block Eldridge in a couple months.
Showbusiness77
3:12
what do we think the Royals do with their 6 healthy starters?
AvatarJon Becker
3:13
Might be time to think about shifting Lorenzen to the bullpen if Cameron keeps pitching well (he's through 5.1 shutout innings as I type this). He's got experience there and has always been down to do whatever's asked of him to help his teams win, so it's not like it would go over badly, either. (They should also think about letting him hit.)
Scott
3:14
Best bet for an under-the-radar big name that could get moved this year as we start to move into trade season?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:17
That's tough to do, at least when having a discussion with baseball fans who play close attention the news on daily basis. Any good players on a bad team will be discussed in rumors. So it's easier to look at teams that are surprisingly bad -- Braves, Rangers, Red Sox -- and have fun looking at their payroll pages and who might be available if things don't turn around in a month.

https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/payroll/braves
https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/payroll/rangers
https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/payroll/red-sox

Marcell Ozuna, Mahle, Aroldis, Whitlock would be interesting names on the trade block.
Rocky
3:18
Between c, 1b and DH, does Liam Hicks play full time vs RH?
AvatarJon Becker
3:19
That seems to be the case right now for sure. He doesn't hit the ball hard but he optimizes his contact really well, pulls the ball in the air a good amount, and doesn't strike out much with a healthy walk rate. Nice player to get out of the Rule 5 draft.
Fantasy Friend
3:20
Back to the relievers on the rise -- any middle relief types on Top 10 teams that are worth snagging in fantasy to get extra H/S opportunities plus the potential to slide into more trust set up roles with others goign down with injuries?
AvatarJason Martinez
3:23
Padres' late-inning guys seem to be running on fumes lately, especially Jason Adam. Not sure if Shildt ever gives them a break or 1-2 of them gets an IL stint at some point. But Sean Reynolds and David Morgan are next up for a high-leverage role.

Mariners' late-inning situation is also unsettled outside of Muñoz/Brash. There's an opportunity for someone to step up. Jackson Kowar has a chance.
RAGBRAI
3:23
Does Milwaukee do anything to change their IF or do they hope Durbin and Ortiz start picking it up from the slow starts they've had?
AvatarJon Becker
3:24
Anthony Seigler is having his best pro year ever down in Triple-A and has been playing all over the place (both at catcher and shortstop this year!) so I wonder if they're toying with the idea of a call-up. That said, Durbin and Ortiz have actually hit pretty decently lately so they might just stay the course with them as long as they keep winning anyway.
AvatarJason Martinez
3:26
I was just looking at Seigler before Jon took the question. Other than his defensive versatility and his really good numbers in AAA, he's listed as a (S) batter and (S) thrower. Giving him everyday at-bats at 2B would force Turang to SS, though.
3:27
That will do it for today. Thanks for joining us on this new day of the week for us. We'll be back next Thursday. Have a great rest of the week!
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