JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: January 18, 2017

MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: January 18, 2017

Jason Martinez

4:32

Since our last chat, there are 3 new Hall of Famers (should've been at least 4-5!!!), several contract extensions have been given to young players and a few more big names off the free agent board. Spring Training is almost here!

Guest

4:34

ASKED THIS YESTERDAY, WHOS YOUR SURPRISE TEAM, UNDERDOG AND DARKHORSE

Jason Martinez

4:34

I'm intrigued by the Rockies, although it will be tough to surpass the Dodgers and Giants in '17. Building a strong pitching staff will always be a challenge but I think they could be good enough with Gray, Anderson, Chatwood and a few of their younger guys on the way. I think they can challenge for a WC spot.

4:36

Thoughts on Posada not even making 5%?

Jason Martinez

4:36

Bummer. One of the best catchers in the game for a decade. Maybe longer. Hurt by so many good candidates this year.

Fish

4:38

What is your favorite statistic?

Jason Martinez

4:38

I usually start with OPS and BB/ K rates for hitters and ERA, H/9, BB/9 and K/9 for pitchers. That tells me enough in a short amount of time. I'll dive deeper if I have more time or if I'm researching a specific player.

Spencer

4:39

Do you think the jays should go after angel pagan for LF?

Jason Martinez

4:39

For sure. Angel Pagan is way better than Ezequiel Carrera. He's getting up there in age but still had a very solid season in '16.

Nate

4:40

Who has a better 2017, Bautista or Encarnacion?

Jason Martinez

4:40

I'll go with EE, hitting in the middle of a very talented lineup. I have some concerns with Bautista regressing at the plate unless he can DH more often. Probably not happening with Kendrys Morales on the roster.

bravesball

4:42

how does sean rodriguez fit with jace peterson in atlanta?

Jason Martinez

4:42

I think Rodriguez will play 2B versus LHP and start occasionally at 3B, SS and LF. That should give him 3-4 starts per week. Once Ozzie Albies arrives, he could lose some at-bats.

4:43

Peterson will play 2B against RHP, but I don't think he'll have a long leash. Once Albies arrives, he's going to have to prove his value as a super-utility guy. Might need to go to play CF and get re-familiarized at SS in AAA.

Chris

4:44

What do you think will happen to Jung Ho Kang. Is his starting 3rd baseman job intact? What do you think he'll hit next year?

Jason Martinez

4:45

Yeah, I think it's his job to lose. Despite his obvious problems off the field, he can hit. .838 OPS in 837 MLB plate appearances. David Freese is a good backup plan, though.

Zach Cozart

4:47

Anybody need a starting shortstop out there?

Jason Martinez

4:48

Padres and Twins are possibilities, although I don't know if they're willing to trade for Cozart when they can probably sign Erick Aybar for cheap. Or even Stephen Drew. Adam Rosales had a huge season (nobody noticed) and he can handle SS. I think Cozart will be with the Reds on Opening Day.

Country Breakfast

4:48

What about me?

Jason Martinez

4:49

Hope you're OK with an MiLB deal. Even the 1B/DH guys with decent value aren't getting a ton of interest.

Jeff Bagwell

4:51

1. Did it take to long for me to get in the HOF? 2. Which current astro(s) have the best chance to get in HOF?

Jason Martinez

4:52

Yes it did. Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve, if they continue to be stars for at least another 7-10 years. Carlos Beltran should get some votes, especially if he can get to 3000 hits (383 to go!).

Ken

4:54

Is Toronto better off looking to pick up some relief help via trade or to pick over what remains in Free Agency?
Lefthanded options particularly are pretty slim, no?

Jason Martinez

4:55

I thought the Rangers had the depth to pull off a trade (maybe Jeffress), but the loss of Diekman probably changes that. So Jays will probably go the free agency route. Greg Holland, Sergio Romo, Boone Logan, Jerry Blevins, Luke Hochevar, David Hernandez and Travis Wood still out there. That's a pretty good group.

Dick Williams

4:56

How do I get Brandon Phillips to accept a trade?

Jason Martinez

4:57

Wouldn't accept a trade to play with his former manager (Dusty Baker). Wouldn't accept a trade to his home state (Braves). I'm guessing he really wants to take advantage of that no-trade clause, meaning he's not waiving it unless he gets more $ in return. And no team is going to give him a contract extension in return for waiving it. Might need to bench him for a few weeks and hope he caves in.

Darrell

4:57

Mallex Smith ... do I have a full time job in Tampa?

Jason Martinez

5:00

He might not even have a job on the 25-man roster. At least not yet. Kiermaier is entrenched in CF. Corey Dickerson, Cory Rasmus and Steven Souza have the OF corners covered. Mallex needs regular at-bats in AAA since he missed most of the '16 season. If he hits in AAA, It will work itself out. Someone will get hurt or traded.

Steve G

5:03

Yeah, shocked by the lack of interest for Chris Carter who could be a low risk high reward player

Jason Martinez

5:03

Rangers and Orioles seem like the best fits. But there are so many options: Napoli, Trumbo, Carter, Brandon Moss, Logan Morrison, Adam Lind, Mark Reynolds. Bad time for a 1B/DH to be a free agent.

Jim

5:05

Forsythe to the Dodgers for Bellinger straight up?

Jason Martinez

5:05

My assumption has been that the Dodgers' unwillingness to give up Bellinger is why the Dozier trade hasn't gotten done. I'll assume that also applies in potential deals for Forsythe or Kinsler.

Bernie Lomax

5:07

Who do you think wins the 1st base job in Houston? White? Reed? Gurriel? Marwin?

Jason Martinez

5:07

They gave Gurriel a lot of $ and he's not a kid. It's his job to lose. Marwin is most valuable as a super-utility guy. Reed and White will likely be in AAA, barring injury, where the Astros will hope they can rebuild their value after both struggled in the majors.

Quintin

5:08

Will the Red Sox give Rusney Castillo another shot? Or has that ship sunk...

Jason Martinez

5:08

He was invited to big league camp. That's something. But he didn't do very well in AAA last season as a 28 year old. I doubt they're expecting much.

Jon Daniels

5:11

Hows Tyson Ross gonna do

Jason Martinez

5:11

If healthy, he can dominate. A healthy trio of Yu Darvish-Cole Hamels-Tyson Ross would be tough to beat in the playoffs.

Darrell

5:12

Do you think Pablo Sandoval is ready to prove he can handle Beantown? And does he go back to switch hitting? I personally think he does... he looks like he's worked hard...

Jason Martinez

5:13

Wouldn't be a surprise if he has a good year. Also wouldn't be a surprise if he took next offseason off, gained a lot of weight and sucked again in 2018. Kind of a pattern. I thought he had returned to switch-hitting before his injury.

Load More Messages

Connecting…

Your current subscriptions

None

E-mail Address	Chat Owner	Status	Remove

Enter your email address to be notified when Jason Martinez hosts a chat