JotCast | MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: September 13, 2017 | 9/13/2017

MLBTR Live Chat With Jason Martinez: September 13, 2017

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Jason Martinez

4:33

Thanks for stopping by! Just for fun, I've run the 2nd half numbers into my Power Rankings machine. Before I start answering questions, I'll share some of the results ...

Best Hitters: Giancarlo Stanton (NL), Manny Machado (AL)

4:34

Most Surprising Hitter in Top 20: Whit Merrifield

4:35

Best Starting Pitchers: Corey Kluber (AL), Stephen Strasburg (NL); 3 other AL pitchers are ahead of Strasburg.

4:36

Biggest surprise in Top 20: Dinelson Lamet

Best Relief Pitchers: Corey Knebel (NL), Alex Colome (AL)

Biggest surprise in Top 20: Chad Green, Tyler Lyons.

Smile

4:37

Are any teams possibly going do a full rebuild this offseason?

Jason Martinez

4:39

I'm hoping the Orioles' season continues to finish badly. They need the motivation to shop Machado. Blue Jays are a possibility. Pirates probably won't, but that would be fun with Cutch, Cole, Rivero on the trade block.

Carrie Waters

4:40

Is Servais on the hot seat this winter? For that matter, is Dipoto? Is 2018 a make or break for them?

Jason Martinez

4:42

Dipoto is only 2 years into the job. It only seems like 10 because he's made so many trades. Not sure about Servais. He's Dipoto's guy but maybe they go in a different direction. Someone has to take the blame for going backwards after an 86-win season in '16.

Sodo

4:43

What kind of prospect would it take to get Matt Moore from the Giants?

Jason Martinez

4:46

Not a really good one, but I don't think they're going to give him away. He's a 2 yr, $19MM investment and a team can cut ties at 1 yr, $9.75MM if he doesn't bounce back. Guys with good arms and previous success still have value after bad seasons. See Andrew Cashner/Tyson Ross. Sometimes it works out (Cashner) and sometimes it doesn't (Ross).

Michael

4:47

Do you think the Indians are reminiscent of the 2007 Rockies?

Jason Martinez

4:48

Part 2007 Rockies, Part 2015 Royals. They've caught fire at the right time like the Rockies did, but they also have the playoff experience and motivation from losing the WS the previous season.

Paul

4:49

Your thoughts on Moncada's first season.

Jason Martinez

4:52

Not quite ready, but not a big surprise. Some players with superstar potential take longer to put it all together. Not that Byron Buxton has put it all together yet, but it's fun to see it happening right before our eyes after he struggled badly at time. I can see Moncada on a similar path. Maybe another up-and-down season and then an All-Star in 2-3 years.

Itto

4:52

Kyle Schwarber has been hitting lately, do you see the Cubs trading him in the offseason?

Jason Martinez

4:54

I think they'll shop him but I don't know if they'll pull the trigger. The price should be high even though his value has probably dropped some. If an AL team really believes in his bat, maybe something gets done.

Patrick

4:55

Will Miami sign any secondary pitchers and if so will volquez resign with miami

Jason Martinez

4:57

Volquez is under contract in 2018 and also not expected to pitch after TJ surgery. That's a bummer because they need mid-rotation guys who can give them innings. Dan Straily is one. Wei-Yin Chen can be one if healthy. I think Dillon Peters and Trevor Richards can help next season. They need a staff ace, though. Not sure how that happens in '18 since they're not expected to spend big in free agency and they don't have a great farm system.

Brian S

4:58

Braves will not trade Acuna and do not want to trade Albies or Swanson. Any way they could still get Machado?

Jason Martinez

4:59

They don't want to trade any of their top prospects. Fortunately, their farm system is so deep that they can still acquire an impact player without trading away Acuna. I believe they have about 10 guys who could be considered Top 100 prospects.

A Guy

4:59

Royals should rebuild

Jason Martinez

5:02

Maybe, but their window to trade away top talent for prospects has passed. Hosmer, Moustakas, Cain, Vargas, Escobar all headed for free agency. Kelvin Herrera's value will be down because of late-season injuries.

Matt Olson

5:03

When are people going to start to talk about the tear I am on?

Jason Martinez

5:05

Matt Olson has 14 HRs in 113 PAs since taking over as the starting 1B of the A's!

There you go. I'm talking about it.

Preller' pals

5:07

Will Pads finally cut ties with Schimpf, Blash and Cosart this off season? I'm not seeing what they bring to the table with so many other options.

Jason Martinez

5:08

Decent organizational depth, but all 3 are on the 40-man bubble. I think Cosart will be DFA'd. Blash has probably done enough to stay on the 40-man, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was removed. OF picture will be crowded in '18. Schimpf was bad after the demotion (something like 100 K in 270 PAs). I think they'll try to get him thru waivers.

5:10

K/BB rate in Majors would be more of a concern if not for the high BB numbers in the minors (100+ BB's in HiA and AA). Should translate well with the HR power he's already showing.

Connor

5:11

Thoughts on Jose Martinez in STL? He is old for a rookie but is absolutely raking. Can they build around him? And will Grichuk or Piscotty get traded?

Jason Martinez

5:15

I wouldn't get too excited over a 28-year old rookie. Still a small sample size and teams should have a better idea of how to pitch to him next season. With that said, he looks really comfortable out there and has easy power to all fields. Saw his recent series in SD. Dude looks way bigger than 6'6". Looked about a foot taller than Wil Myers, who is 6'3. Cardinals have had some nice surprises (Pham, DeJong, Lyons) despite a sort of disappointing season.

Jay

5:17

You mentioned Toronto as a possible full rebuild. Who would you trade deom

Jason Martinez

5:17

Stroman, Donaldson, Pillar and Osuna would be the big names. I think they'd have to eat salary on some of the other veterans (Martin, Morales, Tulo).

Chris

5:19

What is the motivation to trade your best player to do a full rebuild ala Baltimore? Wouldn't you want to keep your best player and try to build around them?

Jason Martinez

5:20

Machado is a free agent after the '18 season. Motivation is to get talent back in a trade unless they can sign him to an extension. I think they'd prefer to do that, but Machado might not be interested. He's going to be make so much money in free agency so I doubt he and his agent would be willing to negotiate a deal before then.

Japan Ace

5:20

Wich teams are in front to sign Otahni in the offseason ?

Jason Martinez

5:25

I have no idea, but this is such an interesting case because, for once, it appears that $ isn't the motivation. We know this because he can't make very much if he comes to the Majors in '18. I'm guessing he wants a talented team where he can pitch in the spotlight. Yankees would be the favorite, in my opinion.

Toby

5:25

Asuaje/Solarte to the Angels for prospects in the off-season?

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