RosterResource Chat – 6/5/25

Jason Martinez: Welcome to the RosterResource Stay Chat! We’ve formally moved from Friday to Thursday, permitting us to deal with this chat on the slowest roster day of the week as an alternative of the busiest. So long as there are questions coming in, we will stick round longer than the conventional 60 minutes.

Right here we go …

Lowe Distribution System: Ha-seong Kim getting reps at 2B in rehab.  How a lot do you assume he performs there within the majors?

Jon Becker: I don’t assume a lot in any respect, it’s simply a part of his rehab/throwing development. Can’t recall seeing this finished with a place participant on arm/elbow/shoulder (in his case) rehab however the concept is to present him much less difficult and shorter throws earlier than sliding him over to brief for the remainder of his rehab.

Pink Sox: Blaze Jordan popping out of nowhere by way of the Pink Sox system. Any probability he’s their 1B by season finish?

Jason Martinez: I really added him to the enjoying time projections yesterday … https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?place=ALL&teamid=3

Gave him only some % simply because something can occur when there are like 8 choices proper now. Attention-grabbing profile (has some pop; doesn’t strike out a lot) and a minimum of has an opportunity to drive himself onto the Pink Sox’ radar if he continues to mash at AAA.

Pokey Reese: Roki Sasaki value stashing? What can we anticipate upon return?

Jon Becker: With the disclaimer/caveat that this isn’t a fantasy chat, neither of us play fantasy, and we don’t know your league/roster scenario, I’d say sure as a common matter, although I’m not anticipating a lot totally different from him when he comes again. I don’t assume he was coping with the shoulder all season so I don’t assume he’s going to be robotically pumping 97+ when he’s again. He and the Dodgers have a number of work forward of them making his non-splitter pitches viable, work that’s finest finished within the offseason .

Fantasy Fiend: Any dudes that could possibly be in line to grow to be arrange/excessive leverage guys and get a number of holds that I ought to regulate?

Jason Martinez: Two guys that I most not too long ago tagged as “Reliever On The Rise” on the Nearer Depth Chart are Brad Lord (WSN) and Braxton Ashcraft (PIT) … https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/closer-depth-chart

And I’ll in all probability take a a lot nearer look later at present to see if just a few others ought to be.

Brandon Hyde: Predict the Orioles 2026 opening day lineup — not projecting free agent choose ups, simply the present churn of roster? Is Bradfield CF?

Jon Becker: When you’re holding me solely to inner guys, I’ll say:

Holliday 2B
Adley C
Henderson SS
Westburg 3B
Cowser CF
O’Neill LF (he’s not opting out at this charge)
Mountcastle DH
Kjerstad RF
Mayo 1B

I’m an enormous fan of Bradfield however he simply hasn’t been capable of keep on the sector (solely 23 video games this 12 months in AA), so going from that to Opening Day CF subsequent 12 months doesn’t strike me as very probably.

Jason Martinez: I’ll solely add that buying and selling Mountcastle (if not this season, within the offseason) ought to open at-bats for Basallo on the DH spot.

Visitor: what’s the RR normal for a platoon, or is it by really feel? Barger was sitting vs LHP, then bought 3 straight begins, then sits once more at present. I see at the moment he’s not marked as in a single, I assume that occurred in some unspecified time in the future throughout the 3 in a row?

Jason Martinez: I take a look at each lineup every day and decide as finest as attainable if that’s going to be the plan shifting ahead or only a one-day factor for some motive or one other. On this case, I’m going with “one-day factor for some motive or one other”. Blue Jays have confronted a number of lefties these days and Barger has been in there for many of them. For an early recreation going through one other LHP at present, I feel it’s simply a chance to present him a relaxation so I received’t make a change. However we’ll see what occurs subsequent time.

M. Elias: Andrew Kittredge has seemed good up to now — ought to/will he grow to be the first arrange man, or sharing duties with cano? Looks as if he could have higher stuff. Or perhaps he slides into ‘excessive leverage each time it occurs’ position?

Jon Becker: He’s their most dependable setup man for positive, however groups are by and huge going away from “main setup males” anyway. When starters solely go 5-6 innings it’s extra a query of “who’s in my circle of belief to get to the nearer within the ninth?” and “who’re my guys to make use of once we’re trailing?” with in fact different issues for who wants work, who’s pitched an excessive amount of these days, who’s bought one thing nagging, and so on. That bullpen doesn’t have a lot variance (Bautista himself has seemed the shakiest at occasions, and he’s the nearer!) so there’s going to be a number of mixing and matching relying on matchups and freshness.

Bullock: There are zero methods the Guardians can get Santana, Manzardo, and Fry within the lineup on the identical time, proper?  Appears such a waste to have Fry as a small-side platoon

Jason Martinez: Right. I feel Fry is again before anticipated so the Guardians needed to plan within the offseason to be with out him for a minimum of the first half and certain as a DH-only when he returned. Haven’t heard something definitively about Fry’s skill to throw, however I wouldn’t anticipate him within the OF or C anytime quickly. In order that scenario in all probability isn’t altering barring an harm or commerce.

Chicks Dig the Fundamentals: Pete Crow-Armstrong has began each recreation at CF for the Cubs, they usually actually don’t have one other apparent CF candidate on the roster. If PCA missed time, who’s the the more than likely to get the lion’s share of the CF reps?

Jon Becker: Relies upon how a lot time, I feel. If it’s a “he’s sick and he’s out for a day” or “he’s banged up so he’ll miss a pair days however we’re not making an IL transfer” it might in all probability simply be Bruján on the market. If he needed to hit the IL then Alcántara is essentially the most believable call-up since he’s on the 40-man, although he’s been below-average at AAA. Christian Franklin can be at AAA and enjoying loads of CF, although not on the 40-man.

Deep-Fried Twinkies: Phrase is Pablo López will miss 2-3 months with David Festa getting the decision to take the spot within the rotation. If one other Twins starter goes down, who’s subsequent up from AAA in your opinion? Simeon Woods-Richardson, Travis Adams, and Marco Raya are all on the 40-man; Andrew Morris isn’t however he’s another choice from St. Paul as effectively.

Jason Martinez: Boring reply however they’d in all probability simply return to SWR. Of all their SP prospects, solely Morris has been pitching 5+ innings in his begins. I assume they’re being cautious with all of the others with a number of 3-4 inning outings. So, SWR or Morris can be my guess. If it’s only a spot begin, I may even see Dobnak getting a shot.

Lowe Distribution System: Assuming Devin Williams remains to be flamable, who’d be subsequent up?

Jon Becker: Cruz has been nice all 12 months and (homer to Manzardo on a fairly respectable pitch however) seemed nice yesterday in his return from the IL, they usually’ve bought the depth within the bullpen to face up to taking him out of his fireman position and putting in him because the nearer if Williams simply can’t string collectively just a few good outings in a row.

Jim: Ought to Kristian Campbell go right down to AAA for a bit? Appears to be like like he wants a reset.

Jason Martinez: Campbell in all probability does want a reset. However undecided there may be another choice that’s value risking him shedding some confidence if demoted. I assume swapping Campbell for Vaughn Grissom could possibly be an choice. I feel they’re hoping that shifting Campbell to the underside of the lineup takes some stress off and will get him going. But when demoting him helps get Roman Anthony to the majors (transfer Rafaela to 2B?), perhaps it’s value sending him to AAA.

AH: When will the yankees begin platooning goldschmidt? He hasn’t hit in opposition to RHP in any respect

Jon Becker: I knew he was mashing lefties, however didn’t understand how drastic the platoon splits had been till I checked… 313 wRC+ in opposition to lefties and 88 in opposition to righties! Each time Jasson’s finger feels higher I feel they need to get thinking about sitting Goldy extra in opposition to righties, and if Stanton appears good upon his return they’re virtually going to have relaxation Goldy much more. I’m positive Goldschmidt wouldn’t love that however they should do what’s finest to win video games, in fact.

George: How would you go in regards to the Nats OF logjam? At some point, Wooden, Crews, Hassell, Lile, Younger, and Name might all affordable be competing for main league OF ABs. Particularly if Bell stays locked into DH till a minimum of the deadline.

Jason Martinez: Hassell and Lile each have a sub-.300 OBP and it appears like Crews is gonna be out some time. So, I’d assume it is a late-season query the place the Nats are actually making an attempt to get a greater concept of whether or not or not they need to add an OF this offseason to go along with Wooden and Crews. Can Younger hit sufficient to be greater than a 4th OF. Hassell and Lile are younger so their struggles will be anticipated. However each ought to have a great probability in Aug/Sept to show they could be a starter in 2026.

NTK: Bradish is head to the MiLB quickly, any probability he will get known as up in July, or do you assume August is the soonest?

Jon Becker: Even August may be early — appears like he’s not even going to throw reside BP till early July, after which from there he’ll want a minimum of a month on rehab (and TJ sufferers can get 60 days as an alternative of 30 on rehab). So perhaps mid August to early September, and contemplating that they’re unlikely to be in competition they won’t need to push him too laborious to convey him again this 12 months in any respect.

Lowe Distribution System: An inexpensive group would commerce Taylor Ward this 12 months.  Do you assume the Angels do it?

Jason Martinez: Affordable technique, in my view … Don’t store him proper now as a result of they’re solely 5 video games out within the division. However hold an open thoughts as a result of they’re 5 video games beneath .500 and set the worth tag very excessive. Nonetheless, Ward’s worth is peaking due to his energy surge over final month they usually’d danger it taking place in the event that they wait till late July.

In all probability, they’re going to attend till mid-to-late July and commerce him in the event that they decide that they’re a non-contender. You by no means know with that division. They’re not a nasty group. If Joyce and Stephenson had been wholesome, that bullpen can be scary and I’d like their probabilities. However they’re not wholesome and the bullpen just isn’t the energy it might’ve been in any other case.

Dan: How a lot do you assume shedding a robust hit device/nice strategy man like Freddie Freeman is liable for the failings of the Braves’ lineup? Freddie’s a line drives over the shortstop man in BP and I feel was in all probability a little bit of a coach on the sector. Appears like their precedence ought to be getting a robust hit device in that lineup. Perhaps even when it means buying and selling a man like Harris…Inform me if I’m being dumb although, please.

Jon Becker: I feel it’s simple to take a look at what Freeman is doing in distinction with what the Braves are doing and say that Freeman would repair loads, however keep in mind, that they had among the finest offenses in post-integration MLB historical past in 2023 with out Freeman. I don’t need to fully low cost the worth that Freeman can have for instance for different gamers or one thing of an additional coach, however on the finish of the day he’s not standing within the field for Harris to make the swing selections for him.

Tito: The place is Noelvi Marte ? And When will he return to my lineup ?

Jason Martinez: He had an indirect harm in early Could and nonetheless hasn’t even began a rehab project. So it in all probability wasn’t a gentle pressure. I’d nonetheless anticipate him again by finish of this month. Even with Jeimer Candelario again quickly, I’d anticipate Marte to get the beginning 3B job again when he’s wholesome. After that 10-RBI recreation, his confidence was excessive and he was fairly good for about 2 weeks earlier than the harm.

Sacremento Unhappiness: A’s cleaned home during the last couple weeks, considerably shaking up the roster and lineup, however they’ve continued to lose. Any last-ditch levers you see them making an attempt to tug to cease the bleeding? Completely nothing has labored up to now.

Jon Becker: They’re kinda operating out of levers to tug, proper? They bought aggressive with Kurtz (who was heating up earlier than getting damage) once they really had been profitable, Muncy and Clarke haven’t hit (although Clarke is pleasant to observe in heart), and the pitching pipeline isn’t actually there on the excessive ranges, although I suppose they may convey Luis Morales up. A Gage Bounce recall can be a complete different stage of aggressiveness however perhaps they determine to do this, anyway.

Damaged Bat: Alcantara remains to be a Cub at 12 months finish due to the Tucker unknown, proper?

Jason Martinez: I don’t assume they’re it that manner. At the least they shouldn’t. They’ve the sources to re-sign Tucker or add one other influence participant to switch him within the lineup. So I feel they’d commerce Alcantara if the return was a beginning pitcher who might  pitch Sport 1 or 2 of a playoff sequence. I really like their roster. However, trying forward, I feel they’re lacking that frontline man to pair with Imanaga in a playoff sequence. I additionally assume they’ve just a few different actually good commerce chips (Ballesteros, Caissie, and so on) in order that they in all probability don’t must commerce Alcantara to get that SP.

Pete Alonso: What sort of contract do you assume I’m within the offseason? I’m actually having a bounceback season + I received’t have the qualifying provide.

Jon Becker: If he retains this up, I feel the Freeman contract with the Dodgers (6y/$162M) is an honest comp, however Alonso shall be re-entering FA a 12 months youthful than Freeman was for his FA, plus inflation needs to be an element, so perhaps one thing like 7y/$196M on the high finish of risk? I simply don’t see 1B contracts getting significantly larger any time quickly and groups aren’t going to fully overlook about Alonso’s 2024, both.

Yeah Effectively Hiura Towel: How lengthy a leash does Sawyer get within the Tigers’ rotation?

Jason Martinez: Ought to be a minimum of 3-4 begins except they need to begin doing bullpen video games. Doesn’t sound like Cobb or Olson are near returning. Jobe looks like he’ll be out a minimum of one other 6 weeks. Manning has been pitching out of the bullpen in AAA for the previous few weeks.

Damaged Bat: what are the %’s Strider can get again to 97 mph?

Jon Becker: He was up round there in his first inning of his first begin in opposition to the Jays, so it’s in there, and I’d anticipate it again increasingly typically because the 12 months goes on, the additional faraway from the surgical procedure he will get. The larger challenge with him has been fastball command, simply can’t get by at 94-95 down the center the identical manner he did at 98-99. The form of his fastball remains to be loads adequate to get whiffs on the high of the zone on the decrease velocity, although.

J: How do you assume issues play out for Horton this 12 months? He’s seemed the half however simply has so few profession innings.

Jason Martinez: Like I discussed earlier, I feel the Cubs ought to goal a frontline SP on the deadline. Barring another accidents, that may take a number of stress off of Horton and the Cubs having to decide about his utilization down the stretch and into the playoffs. Ideally, he’s a man who remains to be accessible throughout the post-season however the Cubs would have the ability to use him out of the bullpen. In all probability not very best in the event that they want him to begin video games in Sept/Oct.

Beano: Ought to the Dodgers put Casparius within the rotation? Make him the nearer? Depart him be?

Jon Becker: If it ain’t broke, don’t repair it. They’re about to get Kopech and Yates again, too, so perhaps Casparius is required for a number of innings much less typically and perhaps they will tamp down his workload a bit of bit so he’s not gassed by August.

AH: Is there any probability that off-days shall be accounted for within the bullpen utilization charts in order that we don’t have it trying like pitchers had been on the IL/in AAA for all however in the future with a spot on an off-day?

Jason Martinez: It’s a type of bizarre issues that’s not very best, however in all probability not a simple sufficient repair for such a small challenge. Precedence is to only record pitch counts for AAA video games each time we do have entry to that information.

Yeah Effectively Hiura Towel: Are Zebby and Festa now each rotation mainstays till they falter?

Jon Becker: Yeah, completely, and with López out 8-12 weeks they’ve each bought a number of runway to have a hiccup and even downright unhealthy begin right here and there.

Beano: What do you make of all of the strikes in SF? Will DJohnson, J Encarnacion play often? Will D Smith 1b-block Eldridge? Will Adames ever recall hit?

Jason Martinez: Typically, you simply must shake issues up as a result of issues are going so unhealthy. And including Johnson, a journeyman who was enjoying within the Mexican League a month in the past, was in all probability the distinction in yesterday’s win. So it labored out nice. After all, there’s additionally an opportunity he’s not on the roster in a month. However, for now, he provides them one other OF choice with Yastrzemski struggling. Smith at 1B is sensible as a result of he received’t be horrible and he additionally received’t block Eldridge if he’s forcing his manner onto the roster in a pair months.

Showbusiness77: what do we expect the Royals do with their 6 wholesome starters?

Jon Becker: May be time to consider shifting Lorenzen to the bullpen if Cameron retains pitching effectively (he’s by way of 5.1 shutout innings as I sort this). He’s bought expertise there and has at all times been right down to do no matter’s requested of him to assist his groups win, so it’s not like it might go over badly, both. (They need to additionally take into consideration letting him hit.)

Scott: Finest guess for an under-the-radar huge identify that might get moved this 12 months as we begin to transfer into commerce season?

Jason Martinez: That’s powerful to do, a minimum of when having a dialogue with baseball followers who play shut consideration to baseball information on day by day foundation. Any good gamers on a nasty group shall be mentioned in rumors. So it’s simpler to take a look at groups which are surprisingly unhealthy — Braves, Rangers, Pink Sox — and have enjoyable their payroll pages and which gamers may be accessible if issues don’t flip round in a month.

https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/payroll/braves
https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/payroll/rangers
https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/payroll/red-sox

Marcell Ozuna, Mahle, Aroldis, Whitlock can be fascinating names on the commerce block. These are the names that stood out at first look.

Rocky: Between c, 1b and DH, does Liam Hicks play full time vs RH?

Jon Becker: That appears to be the case proper now for positive. He doesn’t hit the ball laborious however he optimizes his contact rather well, pulls the ball within the air a great quantity, and doesn’t strike out a lot with a wholesome stroll charge. Good participant to get out of the Rule 5 draft.

Fantasy Buddy: Again to the relievers on the rise — any center aid varieties on Prime 10 groups which are value snagging in fantasy to get further H/S alternatives plus the potential to slip into extra belief arrange roles with others goign down with accidents?

Jason Martinez: A few the Padres’ late-inning guys appear to be operating on fumes these days, particularly Jason Adam. Undecided if Shildt ever provides them a break or 1-2 of them get an IL stint in some unspecified time in the future. However Sean Reynolds and David Morgan are subsequent up for a high-leverage position.

Mariners’ late-inning scenario can be unsettled outdoors of Muñoz/Brash. There’s a chance for somebody to step up. Jackson Kowar has an opportunity.

RAGBRAI: Does Milwaukee do something to alter their IF or do they hope Durbin and Ortiz begin selecting it up from the gradual begins they’ve had?

Jon Becker: Anthony Seigler is having his finest professional 12 months ever down in Triple-A and has been enjoying in every single place (each at catcher and shortstop this 12 months!) so I ponder in the event that they’re toying with the thought of a call-up. That mentioned, Durbin and Ortiz have really hit fairly decently these days so they may simply keep the course with them so long as they hold profitable anyway.

Jason Martinez: I used to be simply Seigler’s web page earlier than Jon took the query. Aside from his defensive versatility and his actually good numbers in AAA, he’s additionally listed as a (S) batter and (S) thrower. Undecided that’s helpful throughout a recreation, but it surely’s a enjoyable tidbit. Giving him on a regular basis at-bats at 2B would drive Turang to SS, although, so I ponder if he might deal with 3B.

Jason Martinez: That can do it for at present. Thanks for becoming a member of us on this new day of the week for us. We’ll be again subsequent Thursday. Have an amazing remainder of the week!