JotCast | MLBTR Chat With Jason Martinez: April 11, 2018

MLBTR Chat With Jason Martinez: April 11, 2018

Jason Martinez

4:33

Welcome! Almost 2 weeks into the season so it's cool if you ask me if a particular player should lose their job if they've been bad so far.

Just a random commenter

4:33

Does it happen a lot to where players serve their suspensions right away instead of appealing?

Jason Martinez

4:34

They usually will appeal unless it's convenient to start it right away. A catcher (Molina) gets occasional days off anyways so the only risk was not having a backup on the roster. I'm guessing they feel comfortable enough with whoever is their emergency catcher (Muñoz or Garcia?).

Braves fan

4:34

Does Acuna come up on Saturday?

Jason Martinez

4:37

A lot can happen in 3 days, but Preston Tucker is 0 for his last 12 and Acuña had a 2-hit game on Tuesday. In any case, Tucker's hot start allows them to be more patient with Acuña is they choose to do so.

Alan

4:37

Are these Mets for real?

Jason Martinez

4:38

As long as "these Mets" continue to stay healthy, they are definitely for real. Their roster is full of proven veteran talent and a couple of young stars in the making (Syndergaard, Conforto). They just have to stay healthy and they have a lot of players who have been injured in the last year or two.

AJ Puk

4:38

Do you think tommy john surgery might be over-prescribed and should more pitchers seek alternate treatments similar to those taken by Garret Richard and Masahiro Tanaka?

Jason Martinez

4:40

Nope. Those cases are rare and probably not out of the woods yet. See JC Ramirez and so many others who have put it off, made it through the offseason and then ended up having the surgery the following season. I recommend having it as a teenager (only half-joking).

Smith

4:41

Hey Jason which relievers do you think the Dodgers should target this summer?

Jason Martinez

4:42

Best available, which could include Raisel Iglesias, Brad Hand, Blake Treinen, Kelvin Herrera.

Artvandelay

4:42

With Darnaud likely out for the season,do the Mets look to make a trade for a catcher? Who would be available?

Jason Martinez

4:44

Not anytime soon. Plawecki should get at least a couple months to show what he can do. Nido is a very good defender. If he can hold his own at the plate, he could also help. Lucroy could be available in June or July. Not sure if they have enough to get a deal done for Realmuto.

Cws

4:45

Whose the Sox closer, Jones or Joakim?

Jason Martinez

4:45

I think they're co-closers until Jones is healthy enough to get pitch back-to-back days/3 of 4 days. They're being cautious with him early on.

S. Ohtani

4:46

I'm not doing too bad so far....am I?

Jason Martinez

4:49

I guess we shouldn't be surprised. A lot of smart people said he was capable of doing this. It's a long season, though. Being great for 2 starts/25 plate appearances is a big deal, but I won't be convinced until he's still doing it after 15 starts/200 PAs.

Just a random commenter

4:49

Lewis brinson has been really struggling lately. Could he be sent to triple A if he continues to struggle?

Jason Martinez

4:51

Yep. He's still pretty raw. The trade to Miami sped up his MLB arrival, but it doesn't mean he was ready. He'll get every chance to get it going again, but he might need some more time at AAA.

El gato

4:52

Assuming rehab goes smoothly, so you see Urias being a permanent fixture In the Dodgers rotation starting in 2019?

Jason Martinez

4:54

If everything goes smoothly and he returns to full health, he'll be one of the best young pitchers in the game. He was one of, if not the best, pitching prospects in baseball at age 18. Easy to forget when a guy misses so much time. I wouldn't assume anything when it comes to shoulder surgery, though. Very unpredictable.

Tyrion Lannister

4:55

Are the Orioles really as bad as they've seemed this year so far?

Jason Martinez

4:58

It's not a surprise that they've been bad, but it's early. I still think they can be a .500 team. Bundy and Cashner look really good. Bullpen is fine. Gausman needs to be better.

Scott Kingery

5:00

Can I get 400 AB's this season?

Jason Martinez

5:00

Looking that way. I think he's started in 7 or 8 of the team's 11 games so far.

Colton

5:01

Are the Rockies hindering McMahon by not giving him regular playing time?

Jason Martinez

5:03

I think so. Bud Black obviously doesn't think so. I'm sure McMahon doesn't mind the MLB paycheck and better accommodations, but I'm sure he wants to play. I understand giving Desmond and Parra regular playing time early on. They're proven vets who make a lot of $.

5:06

But they could've had filled the bench spot that McMahon is filling with a veteran who is used to a part-time role and offers some defense/speed. McMahon is only being used as a pinch-hitter, but he's not very good at it because he doesn't get enough at-bats.

Landon

5:06

Do you think Dansby Swanson can keep up his current avg/production? Or we see him fall into the troubles of last year?

Jason Martinez

5:08

He was the No. 1 overall pick in the draft for a reason. But he's not going to hit over .350. It's a good sign that he's off to a good start, but I think the Braves will be ecstatic if he slashes .275/.340/.460 with 15 HR and 35 2B.

Brad

5:09

So, you think Hand could be available this season depending how the Pads are doing? Think his value is higher with his team-friendly contract?

Jason Martinez

5:10

I think his value is higher, but I also think the Padres are less likely to trade him. Whatever Preller was asking for last season, it will be more now.

Jay

5:11

What do you make of Mac Williamson's production in spring and AAA with his new swing? Could he really be a breakout candidate?

Jason Martinez

5:12

Intriguing, but we won't know unless he gets to play regularly. If Hunter Pence hasn't started hitting by May 1st (he's 7-for-36 so far), I think Mac will get his shot.

Kingery

5:13

What were your projections for me? Have I done anything to make you think that I might exceed them?

Jason Martinez

5:15

This was my final projection ... .277/.326/.450; 11 HR, 19 2B, 13 SB in 370 PAs. Nothing has changed. I'm not trying to predict a breakout, only come up with a realistic projection for a rookie who will likely be in a super-utility role. A Kingery "breakout" is much better.

Jacob DeGrom

5:15

Why do people list me as the second best pitcher on my own team? It is always Noah this and Thor that. Is he really that much better than me?

Jason Martinez

5:16

1A and 1B.

5:17

I think deGrom is the 1A, but Noah can probably be slightly better if they both make 30+ starts.

Bob

5:17

What kind of projections do you have for Joey Luchessi?

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