JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: January 11, 2017

MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: January 11, 2017

Jason Martinez

4:32

Thanks to Jerry Dipoto, the offseason has started to pick up some steam again. I was starting to lose my mind with how slow things were. Let's chat.

Mike

4:34

what are the Indians going to do with the outfield situation?

Jason Martinez

4:34

Indians are set in the OF. Assuming Brantley is ready to go on Opening Day, they'd go with Brantley in LF, Naquin in CF and Chisenhall/Guyer in RF. Almonte is also in the mix and top prospect Bradley Zimmer should force himself into the picture at some point in '17.

4:35

Chances the Yankees make another Move

Jason Martinez

4:35

Good, although it might just be another back-of-rotation starter. That's their biggest need. Doesn't sound like they're willing to do anything big.

Dan Duquette

4:36

Michael Bourn - Do the Orioles need him after the addition of Seth Smith?

Jason Martinez

4:37

Not really. I can see them adding another OF and going with Seth Smith as the DH. But i think it will be a power hitter who can be the primary DH and play some OF (Brandon Moss/Mark Trumbo).

Jason Hammel

4:38

Where will I be next year

Jason Martinez

4:38

Cross the Mariners off the list. I think he'd be a good fit with the Yankees. Rangers could also be a fit. And since the A's are adding veterans to their roster, maybe the next move is to upgrade a very weak rotation.

Sam

4:40

Are the Mariners legitimate AL West contenders after today?

Jason Martinez

4:40

I think they have been. The core of talent is strong. I think Felix, Iwakuma, Paxton have the potential to be a very strong front of the rotation. With all of his trades, Dipoto has made this team extremely deep with guys who can help in '17 and also have some upside. If you like stolen bases (I do), Dyson and Segura could be fun to watch.

Bob Hunt

4:41

Are Trumbo days over in Baltimore?

Jason Martinez

4:41

I wouldn't say that. It's obvious that he's not getting the contract he wanted. As his price falls, the O's chances of retaining him increase. It's not like there's a bidding war going on right now so no reason for the O's to drop out of it.

David F

4:43

Any chance the A's are still looking into signing Bautista or Trumbo? Would make some of their players more expendable and help to build their farm system.

Jason Martinez

4:44

I think the addition of Plouffe probably decreases the chance that they add another bat. Of course, they have one of the least productive 1B in the league so they can still make a major upgrade by adding a guy like Trumbo. But if they didn't like Yonder Alonso, they would've non-tendered him last month.

Mike

4:46

I'm seeing a few teams being tied to Korean Jae-Gyun Hwang. Who do you think is the best fit?

Jason Martinez

4:46

Not a lot of great fits because there aren't really any starting 3B jobs open. I think he's looking for an opportunity where he can play at least semi-regularly. I'm sure he has some very good offers to remain in Korea.

Ricky V

4:47

Are you looking forward to the day when Giovanni Soto pitches to Geovany Soto for the Pale Hose?

Jason Martinez

4:47

Very much so. Giovanni needs to have a better season in AAA in order to get the call and Geovany needs to avoid the DL.

John

4:49

what is your take on Mallex Smith? Elite speed but will he be able to hit enough?

Jason Martinez

4:50

Minor League track record shows an ability to get on base (.382 OBP in 5 seasons), so he has a chance despite the lack of power. Still leaning towards 4th OF, but hopefully he'll get a chance at some point to prove he can be an everyday guy. Don't see much room for him in TB right now. Maybe they'll be willing to trade Kiermaier at the deadline if they're having a bad season.

Emiliano B

4:51

Quintana For Meadows/Glasnow package 📦 DO IT!!

Jason Martinez

4:52

Pretty sure the Pirates aren't willing to part with both and that's why it hasn't happened. I have a feeling it's Glasnow, Josh Bell and another top prospect not named Austin Meadows that the Pirates would trade for Quintana. Quintana is under contract for a long time, so Sox can hold out for a better offer now without hurting his value too much.

Broseph

4:53

Who spends more time as the Mets closer in 2017: Familia or Reed?

Jason Martinez

4:53

Familia. I think the assumption is that he will get suspended for around 30 games. He also gets a rehab assignment leading up to his reinstatement so I'd imagine he'd be closing games again by mid-May.

Sitting on Tax

4:55

Jason, which teams are the most stymied from making deals by the Luxury Tax penalties? I see BoSox, Yanks, Angels ... who else? Thanks.

Jason Martinez

4:55

I think it's keeping the Giants from spending on a LF. I'm keeping a list of payroll projections here ... http://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-team-info-tracker/

Tony

4:57

Is Andrew Tholes the real deal?

Jason Martinez

4:59

My gut tells me no. And that's why I wouldn't count the Dodgers out from acquiring a LF. There have been so many guys who come out of nowhere and play way better than expected for a couple of months and never show it again during a full season. Toles was never a top prospect. Released by Rays after not doing much in Hi-A. He's going to need to make adjustments now that teams will have a better idea of how to attack him. MLB season is long.

Sean Beard-itch Doolittle

5:00

Now that Forst added Casilla, how long before I'm traded? Shoot me a guess where.

Jason Martinez

5:01

I think teams would like to see you stay healthy and pitch effectively for 2 months before they're willing to offer a good enough package. No telling which contenders will be in need of a lefty reliever in June/July, but there should be plenty of interest.

5:03

Are the twins being unreasonable or are the Dodgers?

Jason Martinez

5:03

I don't know what the Dodgers are offering so it's hard to say. I do think they have more to lose than the Dodgers if this doesn't get done. Dozier probably isn't going to be as good as he was in '16, so value could dip if they wait until the trade deadline. Dodgers have the Chase Utley fallback plan and probably a few others (Scooter Gennett or Luis Valbuena, assuming he can play an adequate 2B). So they're not in desperation mode, although Dozier fills 3 major needs for them (2B, leadoff hitter, production vs LHP).

Nick

5:05

Do you see the Cardinals making a run for Frazier?

Jason Martinez

5:05

They already have three 3B (Carpenter, Peralta, Gyorko). Carpenter will play 1B, but that puts Matt Adams on the bench. Don't see them adding to that logjam.

Nate

5:07

Should the dodgers be trying to get cutch over dozier

Jason Martinez

5:08

I think Dozier fills the bigger need (2B), but I could be wrong. If the Dodgers don't think Toles will continue to be productive and have reservations about Puig bouncing back, as they should, OF would likely be the priority. Also depends on how much they like 2B prospect Willie Calhoun and how close they think he is to the majors. He had a huge season in AA.

Eric Thames

5:10

What type of numbers do I put up for the Brewers?

Jason Martinez

5:10

Still have some tweaking to do, but this was my initial 2017 projection for Thames ... .784 OPS, 27 HR, 22 2B, 44 BB, 149 K in 540 plate appearances. Might need to bump up K's some more.

Pitt fan

5:13

With the Dodgers talks for Dozier slowing, would a deal with Pirates for Harrison be reasonable? Potential for package of McCutchen and Harrison to Dodgers for assets to trade for Quintana and maybe Frazier?

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