RosterResource Chat – 8/21/25

Jason Martinez: Welcome to a different RosterResource Dwell Chat! Samuel Basallo is lastly an enormous leaguer. Bubba Chandler day on Friday. Feels like Carson Williams will debut at present in TB. A whole lot of enjoyable subjects to debate. Right here we go …

Visitor: Is it worthwhile for the Chisox  to surrender on Vargas and play Curtis Mead? Thx!

Jon Becker: I’m shocked by how little Mead has been taking part in since they known as him up, however I don’t suppose they should “surrender” on Vargas, who’s bought a 96 wRC+ and has proven flashes of much better. I’d in all probability sit Benintendi greater than they’ve been and see if Mead can hit righties.

Nik: Is Grant Taylor a SP subsequent yr?  Does he have high of the rotation upside?   Thanks for all you do with RR, it’s a lot appreciated!!!

Jason Martinez: In the event that they go along with the Chris Sale plan — I do know there’s going to be a comparability — he’d be a reliever for all of 2026 after which begin in his 2nd full massive league season (2027). He’s solely thrown about 50 innings this season so he in all probability isn’t fairly prepared for a full SP workload, anyhow.

diadem: Is Lord the actual factor or only a blip?

Jon Becker: I’m unsure he’s really a true-talent 3.5 ERA man (FIP has him at 3.65, xERA at 4.37) however I believe he’s a high-floor back-of-the-rotation arm as a result of he has a pleasant starter pack of stuff you need in a starter: throws mid-90s whereas nonetheless being below league common in stroll price, and will get a ton of grounders.

victoria: When Amaya comes again is it lastly time to DFA Justin Turner or will Caissie return to Iowa?

Jason Martinez: Barring harm (or Tucker not having the ability to play via his harm), I don’t see a path for Caissie to get at-bats. And Turner’s position is already fairly restricted. He may no less than get an essential pinch-hit AB within the playoffs for considered one of their lefty hitters (PCA and Busch each have unhealthy numbers vs LHP). His post-season expertise can be precious, I’d suppose. I doubt he will get DFAd.

Bobdoesfantasy: Castellanos…Rotoworld blurb appeared to suppose that that is the beginning of a brief aspect platoon position for him. Ideas?

Jon Becker: I wouldn’t go as far as to say it’s a strict platoon, however he’s been sitting much more these days (I believe three of the final 11 video games?) as a result of Bader’s been taking part in fairly nicely and Kepler has been respectable sufficient these days. It’s in all probability extra of a rotation with 4 outfielders for 3 spots, however Castellanos must hit to have any worth in any respect.

Adam Friedman: Which contenders challenge to be most pitching needy in 2026?

Jason Martinez: I needed to say the Mets, however Jonah Tong-Nolan McLean-Brandon Sproat ought to all be there in 2026. Can be fascinating to see how they strategy the offseason with these 3 being so shut.

Padres are dropping Michael King and Dylan Stop however Musgrove can be again. And perhaps Mason Miller goes to the rotation.

Mojave Miracles: If the Brewers maintain serve and end with one of the best report in MLB, who’s their highest MVP finisher and do they even crack the Prime 5? Guys like Frelick and Contreras are simply contained in the Prime Twenty right here and even with the DRS enhance Turang is barely Prime Ten in NL place participant WAR at BRef.

Jon Becker: Yeah, they’re not going to return near having somebody within the high 5 except somebody is totally on fireplace for the remainder of the season. Voters nonetheless think about efficiency of the staff as an entire for MVP voting however not practically as a lot as they used to, so having one of the best report in baseball isn’t going to spice up anybody a lot. Their calling card is their depth and maneuverability, not having a star-level efficiency from anybody specifically.

jake from state farm: Any bets on whether or not Sasaki makes the Dodgers playoff roster?

Jason Martinez: I’ll give him a 1% probability. Snell, Yamamoto, Glasnow, Kershaw/Ohtani can be the starters. Sheehan might be subsequent in line. Would take a number of accidents and Sasaki wanting much-improved when/if he returns to the majors in September.

Bruce: Assuming he continues to pitch nicely within the roles out there to him ROS, does Troy Melton have a transparent shot at an SP position for the Tigers subsequent yr?

Jon Becker: Completely. Flaherty’s a assure to decide out assuming he ends the yr wholesome, so Skubal and Mize are the one two with spots subsequent yr for certain. Reese Olson in all probability has one assuming his shoulder is wholesome, so from there it’s two spots for Melton, Gipson-Lengthy, Montero, Hurter, and Jaden Hamm, in the event that they make no different additions.

RAGBRAI: If/when Lawlar comes again does he have any influence this yr? Beginning 3B subsequent yr for AZ?

Jason Martinez: Blaze Alexander has really been superb at 3B since he took over after the Suarez commerce. He has a 133 wRC+ in August. Lawlar is wholesome once more and has been taking part in in AAA for the previous week. The Dbacks have an essential choice to make within the offseason, although, and it appears completely crucial to present Lawlar all of September to audition at 3B so that they have a greater concept of what sort of choices they’ve in-house.

Nervous M’s Fan: You shopping for the Royals or Guardians as playoff groups?

Jon Becker: It’s a detailed sufficient race the place both of them may get in, certain, however I don’t suppose both of them would do all that nicely. Something can occur in a brief sequence however neither of them have a deep lineup nor the rotation firepower they’ve had in years previous.

Invoice: I must make a number of drops coming as much as activate Yordan from IR and Basallo from NA. Are you shopping for Doyle’s resurgence? Two of Helliot Ramos, Andy Pages, Luis Robert and Doyle most definitely to go. Basallo keepable however in all probability least probably to assist this yr however want him off NA to make extra strikes.

Jason Martinez: Pages and Heliot have haven’t hit a lot this previous month. However I additionally don’t see both of them dropping taking part in time and will simply bounce again in September. Doyle has performed all of his injury in opposition to LHP. In all probability belief him the least.

Vlad’s Dad: What’s your outlook on Shane Bieber?

Do we predict he strikes Lauer to the pen for good or do you see the Jays transferring to a 6 man rotation after this sequence?

Jason Martinez: Jays are in a great place with a considerably comfy lead within the division. They’ll make the most of Lauer to present their beginning 5 an additional day of relaxation. Berrios would possibly want a flip skipped sooner or later. A lot of choices.

Metropolis By The Lake: Probabilities of Shaw profitable NL ROY?

Jon Becker: It’s very extensive open so he has a good shot (20%?), I’d say, however Collins and Baldwin have been higher so he must preserve doing what he’s been doing in tandem with each of these guys slumping.

Ash: Any guesses on whether or not the three AL wild card groups change between now and the playoffs?

Jason Martinez: I don’t suppose the Royals or Guardians are ok to make the sort of run wanted to surpass one of many present WC groups and I don’t suppose the Yankees, Crimson Sox, or Mariners are unhealthy sufficient to fully tank and fall out. I hope it stays fascinating, although.

Justin Crawford: Will I ever get an opportunity?

Jon Becker: Yep. CF needs to be extensive open subsequent yr with Bader and Kepler hitting FA. He’ll get a pleasant lengthy look in Spring Coaching.

Miller Park: Chad Patrick within the Brewers rotation in ’26?

Jason Martinez: My preliminary 2026 projection will in all probability be Freddy Peralta, Jacob Misiorowski, Quinn Priester, Chad Patrick, Logan Henderson with Robert Gasser/Tobias Myers subsequent in line.

Mojave Miracles: Ortiz / Durbin are completely cromulent gamers, however do you see the Brewers attempting to improve an IF spot this offseason or simply wait it out till Pratt, Made, Pena are prepared?

Jon Becker: I believe the latter. They’re not massive spenders and such as you stated, they’re completely superb gamers. The kind of participant of their finances in all probability isn’t a transparent improve over these guys anyway.

Beano: What are the Giants ROS plans for his or her staff? It doesn’t appear they’ve sufficient beginning pitchers to final every week! Is Birdsong coming again?
And when does Eldridge get a glance see?

Similar in AZ  – why play P Smith over Locklear when they should see if Locklear is their future?

Yearly groups both don’t promote their farm guys or promote them after which don’t play them -even when they’re out of the working. I don’t perceive it.

Jason Martinez: I used to be at yesterday’s sport. It’s getting ugly. I’d think about Birdsong is within the rotation for the ultimate month (if not sooner). Roupp’s injured. Tidwell is injured. I believe Whisenhunt will get one other look sooner or later. Perhaps Mason Black.

Smith is having a great season and he’s below staff management for one more 2 years. And I believe their total group of place gamers (apart from James McCann) are all below management for 2026 so probably not any simple choices to bench. Locklear must earn his method again into a daily position (moderately than present platoon vs LHP).

Okra: A’s have began to sit down L. Butler vs lefties.  appears very stunning given they don’t have anything to play for, gave him an enormous extension, and he’s nonetheless younger.  ideas?

Jon Becker: Yeah, I don’t love them shielding him from lefties of late both, although with Colby Thomas hitting like he’s I get wanting to verify he performs too. If Butler hit higher in opposition to righties he’d in all probability play extra in opposition to lefties, so maybe the considering is “let’s give him one aspect to concentrate on and go from there.”

Mac: Any probability Braves name up David McCabe to play 3B? Doesn’t sound like Riley can be again anytime quickly.

Jason Martinez: He simply bought to AAA however I wouldn’t rule it out. He’s been crushing the ball. Braves are in all probability superb with Nacho getting on a regular basis at-bats for now. And he’s beginning to look extra comfy. 8 hits in his final 5 video games.

RAGBRAI: Singer has pitched decently this yr. Projections put him with a a lot increased ERA subsequent yr. Do you see regression coming subsequent yr or will he be about the identical as this yr?

Jon Becker: His xERA, FIP, and ERA are .37 runs, so in that regard I believe he’s more likely to be roughly the identical subsequent yr because the complete level of ERA estimators is to raised predict future ERA. He’s a superbly common starter and no purpose to suppose that’ll change a lot in both route at his age.

Mike D: Robby Snelling time in Miami?

Jason Martinez: Is likely to be probably the most deserving pitcher within the minors in the intervening time. However I’m not so sure he will get the decision. The largest purpose why not is that he doesn’t must be added to the 40-man roster this offseason. And with out doing any analysis, I’m guessing that each one the prospects that the Marlins have traded for will trigger a little bit of a 40-man crunch this offseason. In different phrases, they could have a number of prospects they need to shield who can be eligible for the Rule 5 draft if not on the 40-man. Groups just like the 40-man flexibility, anyhow, even when there wasn’t a roster crunch.

Visitor: Who begins a sport 3 and 4 for the Yankees

Jon Becker: I’d go along with Warren and Schlittler as of now, Gil’s management scares me an excessive amount of. Cruz is again quickly so I’m certain they’re planning for a postseason with a number of bullpen innings when these two are beginning. They may even break up up Fried and Rodón to tax the bullpen much less.

Opifijikl: Ought to the Crimson Sox name up Tolle and every other high pitching prospects (even starters) to pitch reduction for them this season? Watching I. Campbell is getting previous.

Jason Martinez: Richard Fitts can be within the bullpen for at present’s sport. He’s first up. David Sandlin is getting ready in AAA, though outcomes aren’t nice to date (7 ER, 10 H in 5.2 IP). It doesn’t sound like that’s the plan for Tolle, however perhaps that would change if Fitts struggles and Sandlin continues to wrestle.

Shea Stadium: Can Carson Benge play CF within the majors?  Looks like his path to NY is straightest if he can play acceptable CF.

Jon Becker: From what I’ve learn I believe he can, sure. The medium-term outfield plan is Nimmo-Benge-Soto; I believe Benge may very well be up pretty early subsequent yr if he’s wholesome.

Pokey Reese: How a lot is “The Password” really going to play in Boston? Is that this a long-term factor? Additionally, at what level do you sit Rafaela for extra hitting?

Jason Martinez: Ideally, Rafaela would transfer again to CF and the Abreu harm makes that a straightforward transfer. However that will imply a number of David Hamilton at 2B and I’m unsure the Crimson Sox need that. So my guess is that Jhostynxon begins a majority of time for now at one of many nook OF spots. Looks like the sort of hitter who can spark a staff. And he has a cool nickname.

Jason Martinez: That may do it for at present. Take pleasure in the remainder of the week! Bubba debut. Password debut. Carson Williams debut. We’ll be again subsequent Thursday.