JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: August 23, 2017

MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: August 23, 2017

Jason Martinez

4:33

Manny Machado walkoff HR. Rajai Davis to the Red Sox. Zach Britton's save streak ends. Trevor Rosenthal needs TJ surgery. And it's only 4:30 PM where I live. Covering baseball is never boring.

Tyler

4:33

Do you see the Phillies going after the moose in the offseason

Jason Martinez

4:35

I do not. Maikel Franco is a bounce-back candidate—he'll only be entering his age 25 season—and it sounds like they're getting a pair of their top prospects (2B Scott Kingery and SS J.P. Crawford) familiar with the 3B so their should be a decent backup plan in place.

Jordan

4:36

Best guess , in five years who is the face of the franchise/ star of the San Diego Padres .

Jason Martinez

4:36

Franchy "The Franchyze" Cordero

4:38

And I'm only half-kidding. That guy has big-time power/speed potential. Wasn't ready for the Majors, but could break out in 2-3 years. Fernando Tatis Jr. would also be a popular pick after the year he's had.

Sam Horn

4:38

Why Rajai Davis?????

Jason Martinez

4:41

Experienced veteran who gives them speed off the bench can be valuable in the playoffs. For not, Brock Holt/Davis in LF is an adequate replacement while Bradley is out. I would've been interested in seeing what Rusney Castillo could do. He's having a pretty good season. He's on the DL, though, and Dombrowski didn't give him all that $ so he probably isn't too interested in getting any production from that investment.

Halo

4:42

Odds the Angels trade for dee gorden and a reliever?

Jason Martinez

4:43

Probably not very good this month, but I can see something happening with Gordon in the offseason.

4:44

What's your take on Renfroe being sent down?

Jason Martinez

4:45

I thought he should've been sent down earlier in the season, but he got out of his slump just in time. With the emergence of Pirela and Alex Dickerson/Jankowski back in the picture in '18, he has some work to do if he's going to be a lineup regular.

Simon

4:46

Could Pittsburgh get a McCutchen trade done now that they've fallen out of the race?

Jason Martinez

4:47

No, he wouldn't make it thru waivers. The Pirates are ecstatic that he regained his value as an elite CF so they'll have some leverage in trade talks this offseason.

Corey

4:47

How do you think the mets 2018 season looks like if everyone is healthy, maybe a wild card?

Jason Martinez

4:49

Most teams are good enough for a Wild Card if enough goes right. See Brewers, Dbacks, Rockies. If their pitching staff can stay healthy—and that's a very big "if"—they're a playoff contender.

Matt

4:51

Thoughts on Giolito's start?

Jason Martinez

4:51

Considering how bad he looked early in the season, it's very encouraging. He was one of the best pitching prospects in the game for a reason. Even if he's not an ace, White Sox need him to step up and be a good mid-rotation starter in the next season or two.

Zac

4:53

Should the Indians be worried about Andrew Miller?

Jason Martinez

4:53

Sure, but not nearly as worried as they should be if it was an arm injury. Some injuries, such as tendinitis, can linger. But should be good to go for the playoffs if he rests for the next few weeks.

Larry

4:54

Is the lack of conversation between the Astros and Tigers a leverage battle or no interest at all on both sides?

Jason Martinez

4:56

It's a staring contest. It's pretty much the only impact trade a team can still make, buthe price is high (both in salary and asking price). I predicted a week or two ago that Verlander would be traded very close to the deadline.

CHISOX FAN

4:58

Why is Derek Holland still getting the ball every fifth day??

Jason Martinez

4:59

If he has 1-2 good starts, White Sox might be able to trade him before 8/31. Plus, they don't have many other options. Lopez and Giolito are in the majors (Lopez is on the DL). I don't think they have anyone else that needs to get a look. Kopech is in AAA now, but he's not getting called up.

Jim

5:00

What do you see Neil Walker getting in free agency? Injury history and age have to temper his market a bit but his bat is still valuable.

Jason Martinez

5:00

My early guess would be 2 yr, $18-24MM.

Mike

5:01

Cubs going to be 3.5 up after tonight. Are they finally getting close to running away...

Jason Martinez

5:04

Yeah, just like I told everyone 3 months ago! I do think they'll slowly pull away but it will be interesting for another 3-4 weeks. The Brewers are the real deal. Not quite there yet, but they're a solid team. I don't think they'll fall apart down the stretch. And you can never count the Cardinals out.

Rangers

5:05

Give us your prediction, what's the Rangers rotation next year?

Jason Martinez

5:08

They should have 3 opens spots with Hamels and Perez returning. I think they'll re-sign Andrew Cashner. He's been good and his extremely low K/9 rate should keep him from getting a huge offer in free agency. He's also from Texas so I think he'd be happy to stay. That would leave 2 spots between one of their internal candidates (AJ Griffin, Yohander Mendez, Nick Martinez) and maybe one FA/trade acquisition.

5:09

Who's my closer? Oh?

Jason Martinez

5:11

Probably Oh, but Tyler Lyons should get a look soon. They need to look ahead to '18 with Rosenthal no longer an option. Lyons has given up something like 2 runs and 7 hits over his last 18 IP with over 20 Ks.

Jack Vainisi

5:12

Who will join Lester, Quintana, and Hendricks in the rotation next year?

Jason Martinez

5:13

Montgomery has a good shot. Jen-Ho Tseng is also someone to keep an eye on. He has a 1.67 ERA in 7 AAA starts with good peripherals.

M.J.

5:15

Hey Jason. Do you think the Indians could re-unite with Brandon Phillips? Kipnis has been on the DL three different times this year, if I recall correctly. Also, who are some other players they could acquire via waiver claim the next few days?

Jason Martinez

5:17

I don't see why not. Kipnis needs to get healthy. Phillips' ability to play 3B helps his trade value in any case.

Jake

5:19

Is Greg Bird the missing piece the Yankees need for a postseason run?

Jason Martinez

5:20

Yes, but only if it's the 2015 version of Greg Bird (.871 OPS, 11 HR in 178 plate appearances).

Andrew

5:20

Josh Hader has been downright dominant out of the bullpen for the Brewers. Do they really give him a rotation look next season?

Jason Martinez

5:22

Yes, I think he has a good chance to win a rotation spot. Guys who are used like this (Chris Devenski) are becoming so valuable, but not as valuable as they are as starting pitchers.

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