JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: January 10, 2018

MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: January 10, 2018

Jason Martinez

4:32

Welcome to the chat. So, how about that Gerrit Cole trade? Oh wait. That wasn't real. Never mind.

4:33

So, how about that Rene Rivera signing? That should get the offseason going.

Show Hey O’Tawny

4:33

When are things going to start happening?? Jason, I’m begging you, give us some transaction news

Jason Martinez

4:34

I can say with confidence that no one follows this stuff closer than I do over the last decade. And I can tell you that this is not normal so I can't predict when it will actually start.

4:35

But it will be really interesting with so many teams trying to get their offseason done in a matter of weeks before Spring Training.

steve

4:35

What's more realistic for the Mets?? A Frazier/Moose signing or a Harrison trade?

Jason Martinez

4:36

I have a hard time seeing them trading for a regular position player. Their farm system is so bad. And even if Harrison won't cost an elite prospect, he's versatile enough that I think the Bucs can shop him to several teams. Not just the few teams looking for a 2B.

4:38

Of course, I don't know how much $ they're going to spend so I don't know if they'll pay Moustakas. But a free agent seems more likely. Maybe Eduardo Nuñez or Yunel Escobar would are in the mix since they'll be much cheaper.

4:38

how will the Sano allegations affect the twins offseason, if at all?

Jason Martinez

4:41

Probably not much. Eduardo Escobar can hold down 3B for a few weeks (I don't think a suspension would be more than 30 days. Overall, I think they have enough depth to survive without him. Vargas, Granite, Grossman could get more ABs. They're in trouble if he misses more than 1-2 months, though.

Jeff Luhnow

4:41

Why did my talks break down with the Pirates for Cole?

Jason Martinez

4:44

Don't know if the talks broke down. Just sounded like the reported jumped the gun for whatever reason. Not sure why.

Seems like a good fit. My take: Astros don't want to give up Tucker or Whitley for a good pitcher (potentially great but who knows if it will happen) with only 2 years of club control remaining. I do think they have enough talent outside of those 2 to get a deal done. Maybe the Pirates don't agree.

Scott

4:44

Will the phillies get pitching?? Lowpay can spend $ now and next year

Jason Martinez

4:46

They're one of my darkhorse picks to land Arrieta or Darvish. They have the $. Not many teams do. They only have to convince themselves that they can be a playoff contender in '18. If not, might not be a great value since those guys aren't getting younger/better.

Gerrit Cole

4:47

Am I really the number 4 starter when I am traded to Houston?

Jason Martinez

4:48

I had him penciled in behind Verlander/Keuchel, but managers have different criteria on order (experience, track record, match-ups, etc.). If we're talking about just talent in '18, he might even be their 5th best starter if Morton/McCullers can stay healthy.

EKlein

4:48

What contract is Lucroy going to end up having to settle for? 4/40?

Jason Martinez

4:50

Starting to look like he won't get anywhere close to that. I'd be surprised if he gets more than 2 yr, $20MM. And he might even get less. Not a great market for catchers.

Giants OF

4:51

Anymore moves from the giants?

Jason Martinez

4:52

They signed 3 ex-Padres to MiLB deals a few days ago (Hector Sanchez, Chase d'Arnaud, Jose Valdez). Sanchez back to SF is big news, right???

4:53

Angels sign Cashner and Garcia and let them duel out for the 6th rotation spot, they still have 10-12mm under the cap. Where else do they spend it?

Jason Martinez

4:54

They really need a reliable starting pitcher. Both Cashner and Garcia will get guaranteed MLB deals and Cashner should get at least 2 years. So they wouldn't compete against each other. Not a bad idea, though. Enough of the Angels' SP candidates have options and pretty much all of them have injury concerns.

Mason Jar-tinez

4:55

Please tell me the Orioles are kidding about Cashner. Have they learned nothing from hellickson/Gallardo/ubaldo/Miley?

Jason Martinez

4:58

Cashner is the best available after the guys who will get 3--5 year deals (Darvish, Arrieta, Lynn, Cobb). And he does a good job of keeping the ball in the park so probably a good fit there. It's risky, regardless, but the O's are in really bad shape. They need someone to give them some quality innings. It's currently Bundy, Gausman and a bunch of guys who wouldn't even be in the conversation for an MLB rotation job on most teams.

Confused

4:59

Most clubs view the Mets farm system as middle of the road, not bad any stretch....

Jason Martinez

5:01

I'd be surprised if any of the experts (BA, BP, Keith Law) rank them higher than 25th in the offseason farm system rankings. I promise you that it's not good ... https://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-new-york-mets/

Corey

5:01

If Cole gets traded for Kyle Tucker, what do the Pirates do with their glut of OF'ers (meadows, cutch, marte, polanco, tucker, etc)?

Jason Martinez

5:03

If Cole is traded, there's almost no chance that McCutchen stays. And they don't have to worry about Meadows or Tucker for at least a few months. Tucker hasn't played above AA and Meadows missed a lot of time in '17 due to injury and wasn't very good when he returned.

Donkey

5:03

Will RR have a 1-page roster grid for 2018 or are you moving to individual depth charts only?

Jason Martinez

5:04

Yes, I was trying to create something that had more info than the past version but I'm not making much progress. I'll probably post something by this weekend since a few people are asking about it.

Jonnymin

5:05

Please tell me there's no chance Jays part with Vladdy and/or Bo. IMO those are guys you build around and hope for the best. Big league team has too many holes and Yellich alone ain't gonna fix them.

Jason Martinez

5:09

They're probably in the same "almost untouchable" category as Gleyber Torres. I don't think they'd trade either one for 5 years of Yelich, but it wouldn't totally surprise me.

bob

5:10

Who will have worse attendance in 18 than Miami?

Jason Martinez

5:10

Tampa Bay will still be lower.

Jason

5:11

Doesn't peacock deserve a shot in the rotation?

Jason Martinez

5:12

Yep, but the Astros (and most teams these days) see a lot of value in guys that can pitch multiple innings and step into the rotation, if necessary. Maybe he would've been part of a deal with Pittsburgh. My guess was that either Peacock or McHugh would've been in the deal.

Nosaj Zenitram

5:13

what year will the Padres contend?

Jason Martinez

5:15

2019. Of course, I thought they were going to be good in 1994 after the fire sale that sent away Sheffield, McGriff, Benes, Hurst, etc. But I'm more realistic about my team these days.

David

5:17

Kluber, Cookie, and Bauer are locks for the starting rotation for the Tribe. Who gets the final two spots and what do they do with the odd man out (Clevinger, Tomlin, Salazar)?

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