RosterResource Chat – 12/20/24

Jason Martinez: Welcome to a different RosterResource Stay Chat! It’s been one other enjoyable offseason. Lots has occurred and nonetheless a protracted methods to go.

Be at liberty to browse round RosterResource if you happen to want some inspiration for a superb query or two. Right here’s the up to date projection for the Houston Astros with their new 1B … https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/depth-charts/astros

Thanks for the chat!: How a lot is a greenback/warfare roughly? How overwater (surplus) is Decide’s contract? Are there any research on the best surplus profession gamers (Jram? Braves gamers?)

Jon Becker: We now have a Worth metric that presently values every win at $8M, although a part of our group dialogue on the Winter Conferences was about $/WAR in all probability isn’t linear. I imagine when spitting out contract numbers ZiPS makes use of one thing like $5.5M for the primary win per 12 months after which $9M for every win thereafter. Irrespective of the way you slice it, Decide has been value a ton greater than he’s earned: https://www.fangraphs.com/gamers/aaron-judge/15640/stats?place=OF#…

Hunter: Walker signing appears to just about rule out a Bregman return to Houston, the place do you see him ending up? Yankees, Cubs, Tigers?

Jason Martinez: Loads of nice suits however I’d suppose the Yankees and Blue Jays should be the most probably groups. Undecided the Cubs need to add extra $ and block Matt Shaw. If it’s not Shaw to start the season at 3B, I’d suppose they get a veteran stopgap who may step right into a bench position as soon as Shaw is prepared. Tigers are a terrific match. However, except they’re maintaining their curiosity very near the vest, it positive doesn’t look like they’re gonna spend massive on a free agent. Purple Sox is also a terrific match, however I believe that may be down the highway if he’s nonetheless out there in a month.

Mr Pasta: Hypothetically, if Toronto has by far the best provide for Burnes however he’s hoping for SF to extend their provide however they don’t budge, do you suppose he’s extra more likely to take the Jays’ cash or settle for regardless of the Giants are providing?

Jon Becker: Any reply I may give right here could be a complete guess; each participant’s going to have his personal priorities and $ distinction required to take the best provide even when it’s not his most well-liked touchdown spot.

wheelhouse: Ben Rice: projections actual or not a significant leaguer

Jason Martinez: I believe he generally is a strong massive league common. Perhaps as quickly as 2025 in the event that they let him play on daily basis and hit on the backside of their lineup. However the query is whether or not the Yankees need to go into the season with that a lot uncertainty. Loads of good veteran 1B choices proper now (Santana, Goldschmidt, Alonso).

Ryanfromtapps: Thanks for taking the time at this time and for being so usually out there to speak roster building! The Mariners claimed Raposo (C) from the Blue Jays yesterday and I’m curious to get your ideas on M’s catchers. Garver solely caught in 25 video games final 12 months – they’ll’t anticipate Cal to shoulder a lot of the load once more… can they??

Jon Becker: I haven’t seen any indication that they’re taking a look at including a 3rd catcher (or a second one and bumping Garver again to extra of an emergency position), however yeah I don’t suppose Raleigh can realistically catch 80% of the time. Garver was Kirby’s private catcher down the stretch so I’m guessing he sticks with that, and perhaps one other easier-to-catch arm (Woo?) half the time, to make it 70/30.

Brownpants: Likeliest 1B path for AZ now that Walker’s gone? Re-sign Joc and have him play there generally?

Jason Martinez: Looks like Pavin Smith is the man. Small pattern however he was pretty much as good as he’s ever been in 2024 (.896 OPS, 9 HR in 158 PAs). In addition they want to determine a approach to get Jordan Lawlar his at-bats as soon as he’s prepared. If a part of that equation is that he performs some 3B, Eugenio Suarez may probably transfer throughout the diamond and play some 1B.

Thanks for the chat!: Assuming one other elite season, who finally goes after Vlad subsequent offseason? Doesn’t staying in Toronto take advantage of sense from a match and contract standpoint?

Jon Becker: I agree with you that Toronto makes probably the most sense, a minimum of proper now. If he has one of the best season of his profession in 2025, although, I believe much more groups are prepared to miss that he’s a primary baseman and provides him $400M+.

Dodgers Blue: If the Oneil Cruz in CF state of affairs bombs, what strikes do you suppose they make with him?  Attempt in a nook OF spot, transfer again to the filth – and if that’s the case, again to SS?  Or do you are feeling they’re absolutely dedicated to this for a full 12 months (plus)?

Jason Martinez: I believe they’re 100% in on him being their CF for the subsequent 4 seasons earlier than free company (or till they commerce him). Appeared snug on the market and his athleticism makes the adjustment simpler. Looks like shifting him once more in the course of the season wouldn’t be excellent. And it’s not like they’ve many different choices on the market.

DET: Do you suppose Bregman or Ha-Seong Kim is a greater slot in Detroit?

Jon Becker: Bregman, I believe. There’s actually threat in giving him a protracted deal contemplating how his stroll charge tanked, however he’s rather more of an affect bat than Kim and that’s what the Tigers want proper now greater than something.

Jules: How are you feeling concerning the Astros offseason?

Jason Martinez: They’ve a lot extra work to do. For now, I believe they’ve achieved OK. Paredes/Walker can mix for 60 HR. Shedding Bregman and Tucker will harm. Their projected OF is Meyers-McCormick-Taylor Trammell. So they may want so as to add 2 extra OF and one other SP.

query man: how a lot of your arcane roster data comes from enjoying OOTP

Jon Becker: Shockingly, I’ve by no means actually been in a position to get into OOTP. I spend an excessive amount of time studying and enthusiastic about the true stuff happening to keep up a complete different faux league together with it!

Bullock’s: It appears to me that groups do much more mix-and-match with their lineups and lot much less straight platooning.  Equally, extra of biking everybody by means of the DH quite than having a single one.  So the query: what’s your course of for marking lineups / positions / platoons / and many others, and has it gotten more durable?

Jason Martinez: Yep, it has gotten rather more troublesome. Clearly, I transfer issues round fairly often in the course of the season as a result of you may decide up on tendencies. And in the course of the offseason, I’m solely displaying what could be a workforce’s Opening Day lineup. I at all times attempt to emphasize how necessary the enjoying time projections are along with the roster projection. Groups actually can have two “bench” gamers with over 400 PAs and 2-4 “lineup regulars” with underneath 500 PAs. However I’m at all times making an attempt to think about higher methods for all of it to make sense to readers with out having so as to add much more rationalization.

Thanks for the chat!: The place does Stroman find yourself?

Jon Becker: The Yankees don’t *should* commerce him, however I’m positive they’d wish to. He’d be one other means for the A’s to get nearer to the $105M magic quantity to be compliant with income sharing, or perhaps the Yankees can work out an iffy-contract swap with somebody. The Reds might want one other starter and would possibly need to eliminate Candelario, for instance.

Cubbie Rubby: Do you suppose both Cassie or Alcantara grow to be full time gamers this season?

Jason Martinez: Not on the Cubs, barring an harm or commerce (perhaps Suzuki however in all probability not). They’re set with Happ-PCA-Tucker-Suzuki. A commerce to a different workforce may make it extra doubtless. Each have good commerce worth for the time being.

Victoria: How a lot cash do you suppose the Ms could be prepared to eat in a Castillo commerce?

Jon Becker: Relies upon so much on what they’d get in return and the way they’d wish to facilitate that, IMO. If they’ll get an actual affect bat like Casas again, perhaps they’re prepared to pay nearer to half. If it’s extra a want simply to eliminate the cash and purchase offense on the FA market, perhaps they solely pay a number of million a 12 months. $22M a 12 months actually isn’t unhealthy for Castillo contemplating what FA SP have been getting this offseason, so that they wouldn’t should cowl a lot in any respect to maneuver him.

SJ: If the Twins are shifting Royce Lewis to 2B and should put Brooks Lee someplace, does that imply Julien is useless within the water?

Jason Martinez: I presently have Lee at 2B and Lewis at 3B with Julien on the bench (part-time position as 2B/1B/DH) … https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/depth-charts/twins

Not acquainted sufficient with Lee to know whether or not the Twins would like him at 3B over 2B. He’s a SS so I assume he’d be effective at both spot. Undecided why Lewis would transfer to 2B in any other case. They don’t seem to have a MLB-ready 3B prospect and so they barely appear to be taking part within the offseason. It’d simply be to provide them another choices.

Dodgers Blue: I believed the A’s made probably the most sense for Yoan Moncada on a 1-year bounce again contract.  Now that they signed Urshela – are they out of the image?  Or is it nonetheless attainable they might signal Yoan to play third and transfer Urshela to a again up position?  If not the A’s, do the Marlins now take advantage of sense for Moncada?  And if that’s the case, would you see them utilizing him at 2B – or shifting Norby there and giving Yoan 3B?

Jon Becker: I’d a lot quite signal Moncada than Urshela since there’s precise upside there, although they nonetheless may, I suppose, since Urshela can play slightly brief and first too. I just like the Marlins as a match for Moncada, I’m guessing they’d attempt each 2B and 3B out throughout spring coaching and determine which alignment they like greatest.

Kave Dingman: How do you go about filling out a roster slot when the Opening Day resolution just isn’t on the roster but? For instance – Nationals nearer is presently Regulation/Ferrer/Garcia.

Jason Martinez: It’s one among my favourite facets of the offseason RosterResource pages … “if we fast-forward to Opening Day with the present roster, that is doubtless what they’d go along with”. Some are far more apparent holes and would possibly as effectively have a “TBD” however that’s no enjoyable. Some folks simply neglect that now we have months to go and nonetheless loads of free agent and commerce potentialities.

Ryan: What precisely is occurring in Arizona, 89 wins final 12 months however radio silence up to now this offseason and now they lose one among their higher gamers

Jon Becker: A very good chunk of groups haven’t achieved a lot of something this offseason, and I can get by no means being all that in on bringing Walker again when he ended up signing for 3y/$60M and he’s 33. I believe they’ll, at minimal, commerce away a starter, add a reliever or two, and add some bench depth.

John B: On the Giants, I’m curious concerning the pondering in having McCray in left and Ramos DH. It looks as if there are extra apparent suits at DH (Flores, Encarnacion) and most of the people suppose McCray may use extra time at AAA given his strikeout charge. Thanks

Jason Martinez: This can be a nice instance of what I used to be discussing in my earlier query/reply. I see McCray as the plain “TBD” however I believe it has thrown a number of folks off once they see him there. I’m in all probability going to maneuver Wilmer Flores to DH and Ramos to LF — Wilmer had a terrific offensive season in 2023 — however the Giants have stated they need to maintain the DH spot open and rotate it between a bunch of fellows. In order that they have some flexibility so as to add yet one more bat, no matter place.

Not simple to indicate that on the RR web page, however I suppose that’s a superb purpose to host these Stay Chats.

Hunter: Is there one other transfer coming for the Phillies after signing Kepler? I’m undecided I perceive the match.

Jon Becker: It didn’t make a complete lot of sense to me both. Kepler’s an excellent proper fielder however hasn’t performed left within the majors, and Castellanos barely has, so somebody’s going to be out of place. And I’m undecided Marsh is far of a middle fielder, both, so general the protection is worse than it was yesterday. Perhaps they’re extra assured of their capacity to maneuver Castellanos?

SH, Jr.: Projection methods nonetheless appear to suppose kindly of Tyler Freeman. Followers see launch angle issues. Do you challenge a path to common enjoying time or a minimum of non-Twenty sixth-man standing for him?

Jason Martinez: He in all probability has to attend in line for an additional alternative. Just like Gabriel Arias. Excellent prospect. Obtained an opportunity to play so much. By no means hit. Now he’s out of choices and the Guardians must prioritize him a bit. Freeman is an efficient prospect. Quick. Versatile. However he didn’t hit sufficient so I believe he will get buried down within the depth chart for now. Particularly as a result of they appear to favor Juan Brito or Angel Martinez at 2B till Bazzana is prepared. He’ll nonetheless get an opportunity to win a bench job.

YorDaddy: Wouldn’t it be sensible for the Astros to maneuver Framber sooner quite than later for an even bigger haul?

Jon Becker: If the purpose is simply to get an even bigger haul, then they need to transfer him now to make that occur, yeah. However whereas Kyle Tucker is inconceivable to completely change, they might a minimum of change his homers (after which some) with Paredes + Walker. There’s not an ace-level pitcher they’re going so as to add in the event that they transfer Framber, since they don’t transcend six 12 months offers (so no Burnes), so shifting Framer would depart an even bigger void, IMO.

Bullock’s: Mariners want a minimum of two infielders.  Gleyber Torres appears about their velocity.  Anybody else a greater match for him?

Jason Martinez: The 2B market is so weak. Mariners look like one of the best match however I’m undecided they need to pay him what he’s value. Similar with a number of different groups who may use a 2B improve. Perhaps he’d take a 1-year deal and take a look at once more subsequent offseason. Nonetheless looks as if the Yankees are one of the best match for him.

George: Would you progress CJ Abrams to the outfield if you happen to’re the Nats and look to maneuver Jacob Younger? or simply say you’re going to not win this 12 months would possibly as effectively see if he can stick at brief?

Jon Becker: I believe that’s one thing to think about down the road, however with out anybody who’s pushing him for SS time proper now, would possibly as effectively maintain him there. Second base may additionally make sense.

Commerce Simulator: Hey Jason, needed to circle again on my commerce simulator query from a pair weeks in the past. Did that get any traction throughout your FG meetup?

Jason Martinez: We mentioned some smaller initiatives and one very massive challenge that may just about cowl loads of issues of this nature. Not precisely a commerce simulator however you’d have the ability to filter much more roster and RosterResource-related information and examine gamers by contract, WAR, projected WAR, age, and many others. Undecided of the ETA however I’m hoping to have one thing like this by subsequent offseason.

Phil: Who’s the likeliest opening day second baseman for the Purple Sox?

Jon Becker: Regardless that we’ve obtained Hamilton projected, I’d say it’s in all probability Campbell. We simply don’t like to challenge prime prospects to win a job till we get some extra readability throughout Spring Coaching, particularly if there’s somebody round like Hamilton who performed fairly effectively.

Jon Becker: I’ll take a number of in a row right here whereas Jason’s away from his keyboard…

Phil: With Dan’s Tigers ZIPS forecast popping out at this time, what do you 2 suppose the Tigers ought to do that offseason? Looks like a .500 workforce with room to enhance, however, additionally a # of younger guys chances are you’ll not need to block. Looks like an SP, 1 IF, 1 OF (Teoscar?) would go a great distance.

Jon Becker: I agree with you that they really feel .500ish. I believe Hinch did a very good job of blending and matching and getting probably the most out of his roster, however that’s not inherently repeatable. SP depth seems to be fairly good however they might use one other higher-floor man to pair with Skubal, and so they positively want a giant bat for the center of the order.

Doc: When you’re the Mets and you have to use a nook INF place for an influence bat, do you:  (a) resign Pete, (b) signal Bregman and shift Vientos, (c) look to the commerce market (e.g., Arenado, Naylor), or (d) one thing extra attention-grabbing?

Jon Becker: I’d in all probability go along with (c), assuming I can line up with Cleveland for Naylor on a good bundle. A lot decrease threat than signing an older free agent for a number of years.

Dr. J: Mookie can’t play SS once more, can he? Edman is okay for a fill in–however he’s not full-time…and the SS FA market seems to be to be fairly slim.  What do you see as reasonable choices for the Dodgers at SS?

Jason Martinez: Mookie because the SS didn’t go nice final season and, but, they are saying they’re doing it once more. So I’m going to take their phrase for it. And in addition belief that Mookie is aware of it didn’t go effectively and he’s the sort of participant that may put within the work to enhance. There weren’t very many choices in the event that they weren’t prepared to go all in on Willy Adames so I believe they figured this was one of the best route. Not less than for 2025.

Dodgers Blue: Are you shopping for Clay Holmes, Beginning Pitcher?  Rumors are Mets are nonetheless taking a look at FA Market – and so they have already got Megill/Peterson (each with 1 choice left) and who seemed fairly good final 12 months, and Blackburn/Canning (each with no choices left). I get none of those names are game-changers, however particularly IF the Mets signal one other locked in rotation arm to go along with Montas and Senga, which guys are the odd males out on this equation?

Jon Becker: It sounds just like the Mets have a plan for him and it’s not simply “we’re going to stretch you out and see what occurs” so positive, I purchase it. I believe Senga, Peterson, Montas, and Holmes have 4 spots, and so they may go to a six-man. So two spots for Blackburn, Canning, and Megill. Blackburn might be traded and both or each of the latter two may find yourself within the bullpen, although

Jules: Jason, do the Astros commerce Framber Valdez for OF?

Jason Martinez: No, I nonetheless don’t suppose the plan was to commerce each. They’ll maintain Framber and wait out the free agent marketplace for an OF. Jesse Winker is sensible. Perhaps Alex Verdugo. David Peralta was actually good final season. All could be good suits in LF.

YorDaddy: I do know the Dodgers simply received with just about wire to wire dominance, however with this new “half the groups make the playoffs” period of MLB, do you see team-building dynamics change a bit the place extra “okay” groups attempt to marginally enhance to a 85-90 win workforce, sneak into the playoffs, and make some noise ala 2023 Rangers?

Jon Becker: I believe we’re already seeing much more of this, which appears to be good for gamers getting signed sooner/to greater contracts, in addition to gamers eager to go someplace there’s an affordable expectation of them successful. The Marlins and White Sox are the one two groups with no actual intention of successful in 2025, and I believe there could be fairly a number of extra if there have been solely 8 or 10 playoff groups.

josh: i could be within the minority, however i actually like what the astros have achieved. The primary choice would have been to increase Tucker and Bregman, however because the proprietor is unwilling to try this, this plan appeared the subsequent best choice. They elevated MLB and prospect depth and now have payroll flexibility subsequent 12 months and past. From a useful resource allocation/roster constructing perspective, all of it is sensible. Am I loopy?

Jason Martinez: They’ve been to the playoffs in 9 of the final 10 seasons and have two WS rings throughout that span. It’s not that they don’t make unhealthy strikes however they’ve achieved what most groups can solely hope to do. Be a playoff contender each season. Undecided I just like the return for Tucker, however I don’t fault them for making the commerce.

Justin: Do both of you will have a digital corridor of fame poll that you just’d wish to share? Thanks!

Jason Martinez: My reply is boring as a result of I don’t actually have any points with voting in any of the fellows who’re doubtless going to fall brief or will go right down to the tenth season (Wagner, Abreu, Buehrle, Utley, and many others). Let all of them in!

Dodgers Blue: Braves BP on the floor seems to be like they need assistance. IF throughout ST, a man like Waldrep seems to be lights out, do you think about him for a significant massive league ‘pen position – or just let him proceed to develop as a starter on the farm?

Jason Martinez: Feels like they’re hoping Daysbel takes a step foward and locks down a high-leverage position. Relying on how issues shake out, I believe Holmes may find yourself as a really priceless bullpen arm if he’s not wanted within the rotation. Waldrep and Smith-Shawver have the potential to dominate out of the ‘pen however they’d should pressure the Braves’ hand. I believe they’re effective letting them proceed to develop as starters.

Determined pirates fan: How do you suppose enjoying time is split at catcher for the pirates? Does probably the most RF enjoying time go to a participant presently within the org or somebody but to be signed?

Jason Martinez: Is determined by how Endy seems to be as he returns from TJ surgical procedure. My present projection … https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/depth-charts/pirates … assumes that he’ll must be eased again on protection however his bat must be within the lineup. He can hit! Thus, Endy at DH and Jason Delay because the backup catcher. Solely factor we all know at this level is that Joey Bart earned the beginning job and ought to be in line for a minimum of 55% of the begins and so they actually like Delay in a backup position.

Daniel: The Padres are eerily quiet, but as at all times, their roster is… eccentric. Any pathways ahead that make sense for them?

Jason Martinez: Aside from the Soto commerce that had a predictable commerce associate and return, they did virtually nothing final offseason both. Waited till the final minute to carry again Profar for $1MM after which didn’t commerce for Stop till they have been about to depart for the Dodgers collection in South Korea. I used to be afraid this was going to occur however my guess is that they need to keep underneath the luxurious tax threshold and so they’re already proper up towards it. It’s attainable they’ll’t do something except they commerce Stop and/or Arraez. And it’s attainable that they’ll wait till the Sasaki determination earlier than they do something in any respect.

RosterResource Fan: Simply needed to say Thank You! The Roster Useful resource is one among my favourite elements of the subscription. I used it greater than Leaderboards due to the Walkoff.

Jason Martinez: Thanks for studying! It’s at all times good to know that different folks out on the earth love these things as a lot as I do. And it’s the rationale why that is my job now.

Jason Martinez: That’ll do it for at this time. Benefit from the vacation and we’ll be again subsequent Friday for some post-Xmas/pre-New 12 months’s baseball speak.