JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: February 1, 2017

MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: February 1, 2017

Jason Martinez

4:31

Welcome. Only 61 Days Until Opening Day! Let's get this chat started.

Emiliano B

4:32

Which team ends up with Quintana

Jason Martinez

4:33

I have to think it's between the Astros and Pirates. Whether it gets done before Opening Day, I think it's a matter of either team giving in to the White Sox's asking price. White Sox can't be that motivated to drop their price until at least July.

Romo

4:34

Where do I play in 2017?

Jason Martinez

4:34

I'll go with the Jays. Since they went cheap on their lefty (Howell at 1 yr, $3MM over multi-yr deals for Logan or Blevins), maybe they'd be willing to pay up for a very good right-handed setup man.

Ben F

4:35

Tyler Duffy or kennys vargus for Hernan Perez?

Jason Martinez

4:35

Not much value in Duffey or Vargas right now. Perez's value is probably at its peak.

Mark from PA

4:36

Considering his off field issues, do the Pirates move Kang? If so, who'd be interested and what could they get for him?

Jason Martinez

4:36

Considering his off-field issues, their won't be much interest right now. And as we've seen this offseason, not much of a market for 3B. He can hit, though. They need him to just stay out of trouble.

Tom

4:38

Likelihood of Chris Carter signing in Japan?

Jason Martinez

4:39

0.0001%. Not much of a market so adding Japan to the mix of possibilities is just posturing.

P.O.

4:40

Do you have any news on the Royals chances of aquiring Jason Hamels? If not do you see them going after another starter?

Jason Martinez

4:40

I think they will definitely go after another starter. Not sure how much they'd be willing to spend or how much Hammel is willing to take, but he's the one free agent that would be an upgrade to their rotation. I think they'll keep an eye on the trade market, but it might not be so clear until mid-March.

4:43

Does Utley end up back in LA?

Jason Martinez

4:43

After they acquired Forsythe, those chances have likely dwindled. Maybe KC. Maybe TB. I thought Dodgers and Angels were his best bet at the start of the offseason. Not anymore.

A's Pitching

4:45

Are Oakland's starters overlooked? I feel like full seasons from Gray, Manaea, Cotton + others could have a high ceiling.

Jason Martinez

4:46

Gray was bad and hurt last year. Sore elbow is a huge red flag. Manaea and Cotton looked great, but hard to know how young pitchers will do in 1st full season. I think Manaea will take a step forward and Cotton will be up and down. The grind of a 162 games is tough enough for a veteran. These guys haven't done it before. A guy like Graveman has the best chance to take it up to another level and give them 30 pretty good starts.

Broken Bat

4:46

Who will lead the league in HR's this year?

Jason Martinez

4:46

Giancarlo Stanton.

4:47

I'm assuming he stays healthy, though, which might not be the best assumption considering his track record. If he plays at least 140 games, I think he'll hit 40-45 HR.

Pirate Home

4:48

If McCutchen was at 60% of peak Cutch last year, what % of peak Cutch do you think we will see this year?

Jason Martinez

4:49

60% of Cutch wasn't that bad. If he can bounce back to 85%-ish, which I think he will, he's still one of the better players in the NL.

Ceyheyjay

4:51

Blanton getting more than 1 year

Jason Martinez

4:51

The fact that he still hasn't signed makes me think he won't get more than one year. He deserves two, despite his track record of mediocrity and age (36). Just over 6 H/9 last season. Must've figured something out.

Dan Vogelbach

4:54

Between Me, and Mitch Haniger, who is more likely to win ROY

Jason Martinez

4:54

I'll go with Haniger, but only because I think he has the longer leash. The M's have been raving about his ability. On the other hand, Vogelbach deserves a shot but I have to think they'll end up with a veteran 1B on a MiLB deal who can be called up if Vogelbach struggles. And all players struggle at some point during the season, especially the youngsters.

ATX Halo

4:55

Who wins Angels closer role to start season?

Jason Martinez

4:55

I think Street gets the job to open the year. He has been mostly really good during his career and injuries might have contributed to his struggles in 2016 so he gets the benefit of the doubt. But the way Bedrosian looked last season, it shouldn't be long before the closer job is his.

Lou

4:57

Over/under 35.5 homers for Miguel Sano this year?

Jason Martinez

4:57

I'll put him in the low 30's. But he's capable of 40 in the near future.

Steve Adams Jr

5:00

Should the Rockies trade for a starter? They do have lots of minor league tlent

Jason Martinez

5:00

I think they'll see how things go and make that decision in June or July. They have the trade chips to do something. Still tough to acquire a pitcher to pitch at that ballpark. "Change of scenery" is a real thing that can affect a player negatively or positively. For a pitcher changing from any home park to Coors, it's a risk.

Safeco

5:02

Favorite sushi? Or more of a bbq guy...

Jason Martinez

5:02

Sushi is OK, but it's usually my 7th or 8th choice so it's a rare meal for me. Plus, it's expensive and not filling. I need value.

ol82nd

5:05

braves win 81 games this year

Jason Martinez

5:06

I think they can. Getting to .500 is a more realistic goal than the playoffs, anyways. After losing 93 games, a .500 record should be the next logical step on the road to being a playoff team, no matter how good of an offseason they've had.

Brian

5:09

Can you list some of the best short stops that may be available through trade and free agency?

Jason Martinez

5:09

This offseason? Erick Aybar is available and he's been OK, I guess. Zack Cozart can be had in a trade. I think the Rangers would give up Jurickson Profar in the right deal. I think guys like Jose Iglesias and Freddy Galvis could be available at the trade deadline if their teams are out of the playoff hunt.

5:10

A few more options next offseason, but still not a great market: Cozart, Alcides Escobar, Danny Espinosa and maybe J.J. Hardy.

David

5:13

astros first base.... does AJ Reed get another shot?

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