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MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: March 14, 2018
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Jason Martinez
4:33
Welcome! I've been updating NFL depth charts non-stop for 2 days straight so it's good to talk some baseball. Pretty sure that half of the free agents had agreed to deals before the official signing period began. Quite a difference from this MLB offseason.
JaCoby Jones
4:33
Do I get a spot on the MLB roster? Reyes has been unimpressive, unlike me!
Jason Martinez
4:35
I just moved you onto the projected roster yesterday ... https://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-detroit-tigers/ The initial thought was that you'd play everyday in AAA and get some much-needed at-bats. But with such an underwhelming offseason by the Tigers and lack of bench options stepping up this spring, it looks like there should be an opportunity for, at the least, 3-4 starts per week, in the Majors.
Maddog
4:37
Do you see Matt Kemp sticking with the Dodgers?
Jason Martinez
4:38
Unless they can convince an AL team to take him (pretty sure the Dodgers would eat the entire salary), I think he's on their Opening Day roster. He'll be a valuable bat coming off the bench. If they trust him to play LF twice per week, he can help them against LHP. That's a really big "IF", though. He can still hit, but he should be a DH.
WhatTheBaseball
4:38
Rangers sent down Willie Calhoun - service time the main reason? When should we expect him back? He struck out 1 time in 39 plate appearances!! I’ve seen worse defense...
Jason Martinez
4:40
If he had a really good spring at the plate, I think they could've lived with his "work in progress" defense. But since he didn't, it makes sense to get him some more time in AAA. Mostly to work on his defense. I can see him called up within a month. Triple-A pitching is no match for him.
JeDi
4:40
Dee Gordon is a natural in CF. Good move by the M's?
Jason Martinez
4:43
Looks like a good move. He's a great athlete with really good baseball instincts and coachable. Dipoto knew what he was doing.
Mark
4:44
What role do you see Teoscar Hernandez playing in Toronto?
Jason Martinez
4:45
He's next in line if Granderson, Pillar or Grichuk get hurt or if one of them just isn't hitting. In the meantime, he has some work to do and he'll benefit from regular at-bats in AAA.
Drew
4:46
Who has the lead for the angels closer job? Parker had another rough outing today. Is there any chance they bring in someone who isn’t on the roster?
Jason Martinez
4:47
Bedrosian is reportedly the favorite for the job. Scioscia went with just about everyone in their bullpen in '17 before finally giving Parker a chance. Maybe he doesn't trust him.
4:49
These days, most teams talk about using their best reliever in the highest leverage situation so are going away from naming a "closer". With that said, I think Bedrosian gets the first chance and gets a chance to run away with the job.
Isaac
4:49
Is there enough room for Jose Martinez to start in STL? He is having a great spring and carpenter has their versatility to be moved back to 2B/3B for a Gyorko/Wong platoon
Jason Martinez
4:51
It doesn't appear that way. In order for him to get semi-regular at-bats, Matt Carpenter would need to play 3B. But keeping Carpenter healthy is so important and having him bounce back from 1B to 3B might not be ideal. Too bad because Martinez was impressive last season.
Jason is my spirit animal
4:52
Is the extra year of service time worth it when you are sending great players that could make a difference in the first two weeks? Especially when wild card spots are usually determined by just 1 or 2 wins.
Jason Martinez
4:54
It's true that 1-2 wins can determine whether a team gets into the playoffs or not. But it's still worth the risk. Most good teams are deep enough to get by for a few weeks without a rookie.
Doctor K
4:54
Do you think that Matt Strahm will have an impact in the Majors this season? If so, as a starter or a reliever?
Jason Martinez
4:55
Not really, but only because a reliever on a non-contender isn't going to make a big impact. I do think he can emerge as the team's 7th or 8th inning guy by the end of the season. Makes sense to use him a a starter in AAA, at least for a couple months.
Vince
4:56
Do you think Steven Duggar will win a starting job this season?
Jason Martinez
4:56
Yes. I'm thinking early June. Earlier if Austin Jackson/Gregor Blanco aren't doing enough in the Majors.
OHtani
4:57
Thoughts so far?
Jason Martinez
5:00
I thought it was going to be very difficult to be a starting pitcher and part-time DH. Now I think it's even nearly impossible. The best players in baseball put in so much work to be the best at their craft. They're obsessive about it. Ohtani can't possibly put in the necessary work to be a great hitter and pitcher. And he's nowhere near being a good MLB hitter right now.
Yankees fan
5:02
Who’s a sleeper prospect that breaks camp with Yankees come opening day?
Jason Martinez
5:04
Billy McKinney has a chance if Ellsbury starts the season on the DL. Slumping lately (5-for-26 overall) but he has 4 HR and 9 BB. Should have a huge season in AAA.
Connor
5:04
What would you do with Ohtani if he signed for a team for which you were the GM? Scouts agree he needs MiLB seasoning to become a solid MLB hitter, but obviously he is a MLB-caliber SP right now (although he is still adjusting to the differences in the mound and the baseball)
Jason Martinez
5:06
He didn't pitch much last season so I'd expect him to have an innings limit in '18. So if I'm counting on him for only 20-25 starts, I'd send him to AAA for 6-8 weeks to start the season. He could get a lot of at-bats as the DH and they could keep him on a strict pitching schedule. At that point, the team would have a much better idea of how he'd be able to help the team for the remainder of the season.
Zac
5:08
Why would the Tigers start Liriano over Daniel Norris?
Jason Martinez
5:08
Norris has options. Doesn't hurt to get some more time in AAA. Ideally, he forces his way to the Majors after dominating the Minors. And, ideally, Liriano has a good season and will be used as a trade chip in July. Important part of a rebuild, which they're kind of sort of doing.
Woody
5:09
Does Jonny Venters have a realistic shot at making the Tampa Bay Rays opening day roster after having 3 1/2 Tommy John surgeries?
Jason Martinez
5:10
Maybe not the Opening Day roster, but I recently added a playing time projection. Great story, as is Tim Collins with the Nationals. Back to throwing 97 MPH. Looked like the next Billy Wagner a few years ago.
Jays Fan
5:10
Hi Jason, does Puk make the rotation with Cottons injury and if so what do you see his line as this season?
Jason Martinez
5:11
Doubtful, but I did recently change his ETA from '19 to mid'18. I have him projected to make 11 starts ... https://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-oakland-athletics/
If he continues to dominate in AAA, he could get an early call-up and make 20-25 MLB starts.
Franklin Barreto
5:12
If I keep hitting the way I have been for the next few weeks could I start the season at 2B over Jed?
Jason Martinez
5:13
Jed's coming off of his best MLB season. And he played 153 games!!! It's a good problem to have, but Barreto can wait his turn in AAA. If the A's aren't contenders, there's a good chance that Lowrie and maybe Marcus Semien could be on the trade block by June.
Nick Senzel
5:15
Do I take over the Starting SS for the Red by mid-season?
Jason Martinez
5:16
Need a few things to happen ... 1) Peraza is having a bad season.  2) Senzel is hitting well in AAA and proving to be at least an adequate SS.  3) Reds aren't really in contention and can allow Senzel to continue learning on the job.
So there's a decent chance.
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