JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: October 4, 2017

MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: October 4, 2017

Jason Martinez

4:35

Thanks for stopping by before the Wild Card game gets started. My offseason work is officially under way. 1st offseason page (Detroit Tigers) will be ready at Roster Resource tomorrow!

Brian

4:35

Do you think today’s WC game will be a tight one or lopsided?

Jason Martinez

4:36

If this was a Best-of-Five series, I'd take Dbacks in 4. A one-game battle between Gray vs Greinke could go either way, but I'll take the Dbacks in a close one with Rodney holding on for the save after making things interesting in the 9th.

Sean

4:36

I want your playoff predictions!

Jason Martinez

4:38

I had gone back and forth between the Dodgers and Nats early in the season but I'm convinced the Indians are winning it all after coming so closer last season. Too much talent and experience. I'll take CLE over HOU and WSH over LAD in Championship Series.

Joseph

4:41

What will White sox 2020 rotation look like?

Jason Martinez

4:41

A lot can happen between now and then, but I'll predict Giolito, Rodon, Kopech, Alec Hansen and Dane Dunning will fill out 4 spots. Reynaldo Lopez and Carson Fulmer will be late-inning bullpen arms and they'll spend $ or trade for a frontline starter.

DAVE H.

4:41

twins need 3or4 power arm pitchers,but who?

Jason Martinez

4:45

I like Ervin, Berrios at the top of the rotation and guys like Gonsalves and Fernando Romero to break through in 2018. Adding one more arm will help, but not sure how easy it would be to add more than a mid-rotation guy. Definitely need a closer, but not sure they need to break the bank for one of the top free agents (Wade Davis, Greg Holland).

4:45

twins are done? what's next for the team?

Jason Martinez

4:47

Pretty much everyone on the '17 Wild Card team is coming back. Lots of young talent. Sano, Berrios, Buxton can be stars. A few more good prospects could reach the Majors in '18. They should be able to spend in free agency. They'll be just fine.

A. J. Preller

4:48

If we get a SS (via trade) what player will I grab -- not named Profar?

Jason Martinez

4:49

Profar is probably the only non-boring answer because I don't think they're willing to give Cozart a 3-year deal. Probably Alcides or J.J. Hardy. It won't be hard to upgrade from the production they've gotten over the past several years.

ThatDude

4:51

Who gets the better contract on the FA market between Upton and Martinez? (If upton opts out, that is...)

Jason Martinez

4:52

As of now, I'd say it's a toss-up. Very similar players. Upton is the more established guy, but I think JDM's production in Arizona has really boosted his stock into the $100MM contract range. If he has a few big hits in the playoffs, he's definitely getting more than Upton.

Buc Fever

4:53

Does Gregory Polanco blossom into star or semi-star that the Pirates need or not?

Jason Martinez

4:56

He's only entering his age-26 season and has a ton of upside. I don't know he's got MVP-type talent, but he can easily be a 25 HR, 25 SB guy with an .800-.850 OPS. I'm assuming that his poor performance in '17 had a lot to due with all the DL stints. It is concerning, though, because being "injury-prone" is a real thing. Needs to have a good offseason.

Diamondbacks

4:58

Is this our best chance for a while? Our weak system got weaker with the loss of Lugo. And we're almost certain to lose Martinez. We've got Goldschmidt... and Lamb, I guess. Nobody else to build around!

Jason Martinez

5:01

They were playing well before the JDM acquisition. Everyone else is returning. Goldy, Lamb, Peralta, Pollock, Marte, Owings. The offense is still stacked. The entire rotation is under contract. Archie Bradley should close next season. I think they can re-sign Martinez. They'll be fine either way. Probably need another late-inning reliever.

Andrew

5:02

When do you see senzel making his debut in 2018?

Jason Martinez

5:04

Mid-season. I'd guess he'd be up by mid-season. Maybe earlier if they trade away Suarez this offseason.

Stephen Strasburg

5:04

Should I start game 1?

Jason Martinez

5:04

Yes. Won't hurt to give Scherzer and extra day or three.

John

5:05

CarGo- one year $6mil. deal sound about right?

Jason Martinez

5:06

No, I thought he would've gotten $10-13MM on a one-year deal if he continued to struggle. But he had a .921 OPS in the 2nd half. Should put him back in the mix for a multi-year deal, although he still could opt for a 1-year deal in order to try and rebuild his value. His stock has definitely fallen.

Vlady and bo

5:09

Chances we help the old men kays make it to the post season in 2018?

Jason Martinez

5:09

Always a few elite prospects who reach the Majors earlier than expected. Once they're ready, it's hard to keep them in the minors for very long. Blue Jays can't plan around it this offseason, but it would be a pleasant surprise if it happens. 2019 is more likely.

White Sox

5:09

Should we take a flyer on Siegrist? Need LH Relievers and he'd be cheap.

Jason Martinez

5:12

I'm guessing most teams will be trying to sign him to a cheap deal in hopes that his struggles in 2017 were due to injury. He was great in 2015-16, but pitching in 148 games over those two seasons probably contributed to his struggles/injuries.

Cesar

5:14

Is Fernándo Tatis Jr truly a star or is it just people putting a lot of thought into because of the season he had in the minors?

Jason Martinez

5:17

The season he had as an 18-year old was amazing. He has the tools. I saw him in the Padres vs Rangers prospects game last week. Lined a double in his 1st AB. Hit it off the RF wall for a double in his 3rd AB. Dude can fly on the base paths. Looked smooth at SS. Even if I didn't already know that he was the best prospect out there, it would've been obvious that he was.

A Guy

5:17

Do you think we have seen the end of mega deals for aging first basemen?

Jason Martinez

5:23

I think teams are definitely being more cautious and trying to lock their top players up early on. I wouldn't say it's the end, though. There are a lot of superstar 1B. Let's use Goldschmidt as an example. He will be a free agent after 2019 and he'll be entering his age 32 season. No one is giving him 10 years, but would teams be willing to give him a 6-year, $150MM deal for his ages 32-37 seasons? Probably.

Steve

5:25

Let’s be honest here. Do the Reds really actually have a shot at otani or is Dick Williams just vacationing in japan to start his off season

Jason Martinez

5:28

Otani could probably get a $200MM contract if he waits two years and he still doesn't care. Very low-key. Kid just loves playing baseball and wants to play in the Majors in '18. That should give all 30 teams hope. Familiarity (playing with Darvish or Tanaka) could be a key. If he really wants to hit and pitch, it might be easier to do it in the AL so he can focus on pitching/hitting as opposed to pitching/hitting/fielding in the NL.

wvpirate

5:30

Who is the Pirates 3Rd baseman for 2018?

Jason Martinez

5:32

With Kang's status up in the air, I think they're fine with David Freese there. Maybe SS prospects Kevin Newman or Cole Tucker work their way into the mix. Josh Harrison can move to 3B if one of them or Max Moroff can take over at 2B.

Lance Lynn

5:34

Would you give me a qualifying offer?

Jason Martinez

5:34

Yes, because you'll decline the offer. You're entering your age-31 season. Landing a multi-year deal for big $ won't get any easy next offseason. This is your best chance.

Nick

5:34

Does it make sense for the Jays to move Donaldson?

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