2:00
: Welcome to the RosterResource Live Chat! Another fun day of baseball ahead of us with the return of Ronald Acuña Jr., just in time to face a Padres team that might be playing even worse than the 2023 Padres. And that’s difficult to do.
Here we go …
2:01
: Thoughts on Parker Meadows upon return? Worth rostering over any of Hays, Stowers, Mullins or Cowser in roto?
Jason Martinez: This version of Javy Baez, a great CF who can hit, did not exist when Meadows was last on the field. And while Baez can still bounce around and get at-bats between SS/3B/CF, Meadows is not in a spot where he’ll likely be handed everyday at-bats. And those guys you listed are all close to everyday players (when healthy).
2:02
Jason Martinez: This version of Javy Baez, a great CF who can hit, did not exist when Meadows was last on the field. And while Baez can still bounce around and get at-bats between SS/3B/CF, Meadows is not in a spot where he’ll likely be handed everyday at-bats. And those guys you listed are all close to everyday players (when healthy).
2:03
: When does Bubba Chandler debut? I feel like they’re just pushing this as far as they can because they’re afraid he might win ROY
Jason Martinez: I don’t think that’s the reason, but I think people underestimate how much value teams lose on an elite player who gets that extra year of service time. Makes it more difficult to sign them long-term and also gives them less value on the trade market. I think Chandler will still debut no later than mid-June. But it’s also worth getting a look at some guys on the 40-man (Burrows, Ashcraft), as well, before Bubba is locked into that rotation for good.
2:04
Jason Martinez: I don’t think that’s the reason, but I think people underestimate how much value teams lose on an elite player who gets that extra year of service time. Makes it more difficult to sign them long-term and also gives them less value on the trade market. I think Chandler will still debut no later than mid-June. But it’s also worth getting a look at some guys on the 40-man (Burrows, Ashcraft), as well, before Bubba is locked into that rotation for good.
2:05
: How realistic do you perceive the threat of Otto Kemp getting called up to replace Bohm?
Jon Becker: Unless Bohm is injured, no threat whatsoever. Still not much pop, but he’s got a 147 wRC+ this month. There’s not an obvious opening for Kemp, though he’s playing some outfield now so maybe they swap Weston Wilson out for him.
2:06
Jon Becker: Unless Bohm is injured, no threat whatsoever. Still not much pop, but he’s got a 147 wRC+ this month. There’s not an obvious opening for Kemp, though he’s playing some outfield now so maybe they swap Weston Wilson out for him.
2:07
: How long do the Pads roll with the below-replacement level veterans? Even if the org doesn’t believe in Ornelas or Campusano, they can’t be much worse than what’s currently rolling out there and could be much better.
Jason Martinez: If things go badly again this series in Atlanta, I think a shakeup will happen by the time they return to San Diego. Campusano for Maldonado seems inevitable. You can only hide how bad that catching duo is at hitting for so long.
2:09
Jason Martinez: If things go badly again this series in Atlanta, I think a shakeup will happen by the time they return to San Diego. Campusano for Maldonado seems inevitable. You can only hide how bad that catching duo is at hitting for so long.
The biggest issue for this team is when Machado tries to do too much. It happened at the end of 2022. All of 2023. And now again. His approach was perfect for a few weeks. A lot of hard contact up the middle and right field and he was hitting over .300 with a lot of doubles. Now he and Merrill are both trying to do too much to make up for the weaknesses in the lineup and both are completely lost. Having veterans around like Heyward would seem to help in this case, but it’s not currently.
2:10
: Hi guys! I’m currently stashing Dalton Rushing on my fantasy team, hoping he’ll get more playing time. Thus far it looks like Roberts is pretty much treating him like a “normal” backup catcher. Any insight on whether or not he’ll start to get some OF play? In an incredibly small sample size he’s looked good at the plate.
Jon Becker: The plan when they called him up was to have him focus on catching and getting acclimated to speaking up in pitcher/catcher meetings before series, etc., and I don’t think that plan has changed. OF is very full anyhow, with Conforto, Pages and Teoscar all OF-only and Edman and Kim able to play there too.
2:11
Jon Becker: The plan when they called him up was to have him focus on catching and getting acclimated to speaking up in pitcher/catcher meetings before series, etc., and I don’t think that plan has changed. OF is very full anyhow, with Conforto, Pages and Teoscar all OF-only and Edman and Kim able to play there too.
2:12
: What does the Braves outfield look like with Acuna’s return? Is Eli White the biggest playing time loser?
Jason Martinez: Yes, at least initially. Not sure it will be a straight platoon with Verdugo, but I think he’ll be limited to 2-3 starts per week with an occasional start in CF (Michael Harris II hasn’t hit much) and maybe even 2B. Having someone on the bench who deserves to start isn’t the worst problem to have.
2:13
Jason Martinez: Yes, at least initially. Not sure it will be a straight platoon with Verdugo, but I think he’ll be limited to 2-3 starts per week with an occasional start in CF (Michael Harris II hasn’t hit much) and maybe even 2B. Having someone on the bench who deserves to start isn’t the worst problem to have.
2:14
: If Stanton returns, how much will Rice’s PT be impacted?
Jon Becker: At least somewhat, only because Stanton’s PT has to come from somewhere. But I think to do more than be a short-side platoon guy Stanton’s going to have to either hit his way into more playing time or wait for an injury. Rice was apparently taking grounders at 3B the other day “just for fun,” but maybe they’ll actually consider it if the 1B/OF/DH logjam just has too many guys.
2:15
Jon Becker: At least somewhat, only because Stanton’s PT has to come from somewhere. But I think to do more than be a short-side platoon guy Stanton’s going to have to either hit his way into more playing time or wait for an injury. Rice was apparently taking grounders at 3B the other day “just for fun,” but maybe they’ll actually consider it if the 1B/OF/DH logjam just has too many guys.
2:16
: Any Mariner prospect promotions to the big club coming soon?
Jason Martinez: If they feel comfortable defensively with Dylan Moore/Jorge Polanco at the hot corner, I think it’s only a matter of time before Cole Young takes over as their starting 2B. He has a 217 wRC+ and 1.260 OPS over his last 78 PAs.
2:17
Jason Martinez: If they feel comfortable defensively with Dylan Moore/Jorge Polanco at the hot corner, I think it’s only a matter of time before Cole Young takes over as their starting 2B. He has a 217 wRC+ and 1.260 OPS over his last 78 PAs.
2:17
: angels bullpen has been their weakest part during their win streak, worsened by injuries. what do you see as their future? wait for guys to come back from injuries? or trades? something else?
Jon Becker: That Joyce season-ending surgery really, really hurt. As for what they do now, it completely depends on whether or not they’re contending at the end of July; if they are, they’ll make some trades. For now, might just have to work the waiver wire and hope they hit on someone, because they don’t have anyone waiting in the wings in the minors ready to make an impact.
2:19
Jon Becker: That Joyce season-ending surgery really, really hurt. As for what they do now, it completely depends on whether or not they’re contending at the end of July; if they are, they’ll make some trades. For now, might just have to work the waiver wire and hope they hit on someone, because they don’t have anyone waiting in the wings in the minors ready to make an impact.
2:19
: Nathan Lukes has a 135 wrc+ with underwhelming batted ball metrics and a .269 babip. What is going on here.
Jason Martinez: Not sure what the Blue Jays think about it, but he did the same thing last season in around the same number of at-bats. So that’s an .813 OPS and 134 wRC+ over his last 193 big league PAs. They just have to roll with it. Whatever he’s doing, it’s working.
2:21
Jason Martinez: Not sure what the Blue Jays think about it, but he did the same thing last season in around the same number of at-bats. So that’s an .813 OPS and 134 wRC+ over his last 193 big league PAs. They just have to roll with it. Whatever he’s doing, it’s working.
2:21
: Do you have Misiorowski promoted before the All star break?
Jon Becker: I think so, yeah. Patrick and Henderson have both been really good but I’m not sure how long that’ll last, nor do I buy that Priester is someone you want in the rotation if they have better options, which Miz is. But they’ve also got to work Woodruff in pretty soon, so maybe Miz comes up as a spot starter for a doubleheader or long stretch of games rather than being in the rotation for multiple turns.
2:22
Jon Becker: I think so, yeah. Patrick and Henderson have both been really good but I’m not sure how long that’ll last, nor do I buy that Priester is someone you want in the rotation if they have better options, which Miz is. But they’ve also got to work Woodruff in pretty soon, so maybe Miz comes up as a spot starter for a doubleheader or long stretch of games rather than being in the rotation for multiple turns.
2:23
: Curious if you think brand new call-ups Denzel Clarke (ATH) and Nick Loftin (KC) will carve out regular playing time
Jason Martinez: I don’t think the A’s would promote Clarke unless he was going to be their everyday CF. We’ll see. His defense is supposed to be elite and he was putting up big numbers in AAA.
2:24
Jason Martinez: I don’t think the A’s would promote Clarke unless he was going to be their everyday CF. We’ll see. His defense is supposed to be elite and he was putting up big numbers in AAA.
Loftin has been up and down a lot over the past couple of seasons and never really plays much. He’s replacing Renfroe, who had already seen his playing time diminish. So probably not much to see there.
2:25
: It’s going to take an injury for Baldwin to get more PT? He’s been crushing, is a top prospect, but is stuck at 50% of games?
Jon Becker: An injury or Murphy tanking, yeah. Not a whole lot of catchers who are good enough to be starting 80% of games or more, but the Braves just happen to have two of those guys, so they both get the short end of the stick. If they didn’t have a full-time DH in Ozuna they could DH one of them sometimes, but they can’t do that, either.
2:26
Jon Becker: An injury or Murphy tanking, yeah. Not a whole lot of catchers who are good enough to be starting 80% of games or more, but the Braves just happen to have two of those guys, so they both get the short end of the stick. If they didn’t have a full-time DH in Ozuna they could DH one of them sometimes, but they can’t do that, either.
2:26
: Any indication Toglia is going to continue losing playing time? Is he a drop in 12 tm or ride it out?
Jason Martinez: Not really. Sounds like they’re giving him a few days to reset and work on some mechanics. But unless they think Keston Hiura is the answer at 1B (he’s crushing the ball in AAA this month), there’s not a lot of options. Kyle Farmer has played 1B the past 2 games.
2:28
Jason Martinez: Not really. Sounds like they’re giving him a few days to reset and work on some mechanics. But unless they think Keston Hiura is the answer at 1B (he’s crushing the ball in AAA this month), there’s not a lot of options. Kyle Farmer has played 1B the past 2 games.
2:29
: Which would you say is more dire, Pirates hitting or Orioles pitching?
Jon Becker: Pirates hitting, and pretty clearly to me. The O’s pitching has been awful but it’s a combination of the injury bug and underperforming free agents who won’t be on the 2026 O’s, so it’s not hard to imagine Elias attacking this coming offseason differently and ending up with a much better pitching staff. The Pirates don’t exactly have an upper-level hitting pipeline and they’ve shown no inclination to spend in FA to fix the offense, either.
2:30
Jon Becker: Pirates hitting, and pretty clearly to me. The O’s pitching has been awful but it’s a combination of the injury bug and underperforming free agents who won’t be on the 2026 O’s, so it’s not hard to imagine Elias attacking this coming offseason differently and ending up with a much better pitching staff. The Pirates don’t exactly have an upper-level hitting pipeline and they’ve shown no inclination to spend in FA to fix the offense, either.
2:31
: I know the Pirates aren’t trading skenes anytime soon. But, let’s say he gets traded today. What would a potential return even look like? Something like Campbell, Anthony, Mayer from the Red Sox as a base and add from there?
Jason Martinez: I think that sounds about right. Those 3 would be the starting point. And the Red Sox would probably say no because even 4.5 years of (maybe) the best pitcher in baseball is risky because he could easily lose 2 of those years to injury. But that’s also why he’s not gonna be traded. Pirates can’t take less than what he’s worth and most teams don’t have what it takes (or would be willing to give up that much). Even the Padres have to regret how much they gave up for 2.5 years of Soto. But they might have been the only team in baseball with a trade package that was good enough to acquire him and they went for it.
2:33
Jason Martinez: I think that sounds about right. Those 3 would be the starting point. And the Red Sox would probably say no because even 4.5 years of (maybe) the best pitcher in baseball is risky because he could easily lose 2 of those years to injury. But that’s also why he’s not gonna be traded. Pirates can’t take less than what he’s worth and most teams don’t have what it takes (or would be willing to give up that much). Even the Padres have to regret how much they gave up for 2.5 years of Soto. But they might have been the only team in baseball with a trade package that was good enough to acquire him and they went for it.
2:34
: why isn’t David Robertson on a major league roster?
Jon Becker: I’m sure teams wanted to sign him and made him nice offers, but when you’re his age with his experience, you can be picky about money and team, as well as when you actually sign. Maybe his number he’d play for a full season was, for example, $12M, and nobody offered him more than $10M, but he’d be fine taking $5M to play for half a season and a playoff run. At a certain point, I suppose he could just take the whole season off and try again next year, though it’s not like he’d make more money that way.
2:36
Jon Becker: I’m sure teams wanted to sign him and made him nice offers, but when you’re his age with his experience, you can be picky about money and team, as well as when you actually sign. Maybe his number he’d play for a full season was, for example, $12M, and nobody offered him more than $10M, but he’d be fine taking $5M to play for half a season and a playoff run. At a certain point, I suppose he could just take the whole season off and try again next year, though it’s not like he’d make more money that way.
2:36
: Jesus Tinoco still seems to be the main guy in Miami, but the most recent blowup came in middle relief. He single-handled killed my ratios for this week. What’s the read there, and can I safely drop that poison pill back onto the WW?
Jason Martinez: I thought he had lost the job a few outings ago, but they went right back to him. I would stay away from that situation entirely, although Ronny Henriquez is a guy to keep an eye on. Has been quietly having a terrific season (1.90 ERA, 12.2 K/9, 6 holds).
2:38
Jason Martinez: I thought he had lost the job a few outings ago, but they went right back to him. I would stay away from that situation entirely, although Ronny Henriquez is a guy to keep an eye on. Has been quietly having a terrific season (1.90 ERA, 12.2 K/9, 6 holds).
2:38
: Hypothetically, who stays and who goes from the Cardinals; Ivan Herrera, Pedro Pages, or Yohel Pozo?
Jon Becker: If/when they go down to two catchers, would think Pozo’s the one to go down. But Herrera’s only caught twice since coming off the IL, and they surely want to see him catch back-to-back days at least once before going down to two Cs.
2:39
Jon Becker: If/when they go down to two catchers, would think Pozo’s the one to go down. But Herrera’s only caught twice since coming off the IL, and they surely want to see him catch back-to-back days at least once before going down to two Cs.
2:40
: With the Brewers desperate for offense do you think Anthony Seigler rides his hot start all the way to Milwaukee in the near future?
Jason Martinez: Probably not, although it’s interesting that he’s split his time evenly between C/2B this season after not catching at all in 2024. I’d think 3B might be where they eventually upgrade. Brock Wilken is putting up big numbers in AA. I’d expect him to be in AAA soon and possibly on the Brewers’ radar later in the season.
2:42
Jason Martinez: Probably not, although it’s interesting that he’s split his time evenly between C/2B this season after not catching at all in 2024. I’d think 3B might be where they eventually upgrade. Brock Wilken is putting up big numbers in AA. I’d expect him to be in AAA soon and possibly on the Brewers’ radar later in the season.
2:42
: How do you see playing time shaking out in the dodgers outfield now that Edman and Teoscar are back?
Jon Becker: Roberts has been pretty committal on Pages continuing to play regularly, so it should be a Conforto-Pages-Teoscar outfield with Edman at short. Kim should get occasional starts against righties.
2:44
Jon Becker: Roberts has been pretty committal on Pages continuing to play regularly, so it should be a Conforto-Pages-Teoscar outfield with Edman at short. Kim should get occasional starts against righties.
2:44
: Why is Braden Montgomery still in A ball? I get the White Sox have nothing to play for, but they are really slow playing things.
Jason Martinez: Not really. He started his pro career in Low-A and they promoted him after 84 PAs. Now he’s up to 89 PAs in High-A. He should be in AA at some point this season but he’s not going to reach the majors in 2025 so the only thing that matters is his development. If he puts up big numbers once he reaches AA, I think his ETA to the majors will definitely be 2026.
2:46
Jason Martinez: Not really. He started his pro career in Low-A and they promoted him after 84 PAs. Now he’s up to 89 PAs in High-A. He should be in AA at some point this season but he’s not going to reach the majors in 2025 so the only thing that matters is his development. If he puts up big numbers once he reaches AA, I think his ETA to the majors will definitely be 2026.
2:46
: How is David Fry going to fit into the lineup when he comes back? Manzardo and Santana means no room for a guy who really hit last year
Jon Becker: Fry isn’t a good defensive outfielder, but they need all the help they can get in RF, so he might end up playing there almost every day, certainly against lefties.
2:48
Jon Becker: Fry isn’t a good defensive outfielder, but they need all the help they can get in RF, so he might end up playing there almost every day, certainly against lefties.
2:48
: Kerkering gonna be a pretty good SOLDs guying going forward?
Jason Martinez: Phillies have pretty much settled in with Strahm and Kerkering as the primary setup men for Romano. But the Phillies should win a lot of games and those two guys should also be in line for the occasional save. So, yes, Kerkering is in a good spot for a heavy dose of holds and a few saves here and there.
2:50
Jason Martinez: Phillies have pretty much settled in with Strahm and Kerkering as the primary setup men for Romano. But the Phillies should win a lot of games and those two guys should also be in line for the occasional save. So, yes, Kerkering is in a good spot for a heavy dose of holds and a few saves here and there.
2:50
: My understanding is that Fry’s elbow means he literally cannot play the field?
Jon Becker: Oh, yes, this is correct, forgot he’ll only be DHing this year. So they’ll have to get creative! Maybe Manzardo plays some RF? Though I can’t see that ending well.
2:51
Jon Becker: Oh, yes, this is correct, forgot he’ll only be DHing this year. So they’ll have to get creative! Maybe Manzardo plays some RF? Though I can’t see that ending well.
2:52
: With an impending logjam in Detroit once Vierling, Meadows, and Perez return from injuries, who do you expect draws the short straw from the current roster? Baddoo seems likely, and probably Malloy as well, but after that… Keith? Ibanez? Sweeney? The answer seemed more straightforward when it was assumed Javy was cooked, but the additional depth has given Detroit a good problem to try and solve for
Jason Martinez: My guess is that they keep it simple. Once Vierling and Meadows are back, Baddoo and Malloy are optioned. Malloy has done his job (141 wRC+ vs LHP) but could still use everyday at-bats. I think they’ll take their time with Wenceel and he could go to AAA if there isn’t a need. Of course, injuries happen.
2:54
Jason Martinez: My guess is that they keep it simple. Once Vierling and Meadows are back, Baddoo and Malloy are optioned. Malloy has done his job (141 wRC+ vs LHP) but could still use everyday at-bats. I think they’ll take their time with Wenceel and he could go to AAA if there isn’t a need. Of course, injuries happen.
2:55
: Now that Correa is back, what role will Kody Clemens play? He has eye popping expected stats
Jon Becker: He should play just about every day against righties, probably mostly DH, though he’ll get some 3B time when they want Lewis to DH instead. I wouldn’t bet on those xStats holding, but maybe he’s just a late bloomer, and as long as he’s hitting well they’ll work him into the lineup somehow.
2:56
Jon Becker: He should play just about every day against righties, probably mostly DH, though he’ll get some 3B time when they want Lewis to DH instead. I wouldn’t bet on those xStats holding, but maybe he’s just a late bloomer, and as long as he’s hitting well they’ll work him into the lineup somehow.
2:56
: Any update on a return date for Bradish? The O’s looked pretty cooked, so not sure his return will even make an impact at this point.
Jason Martinez: The worse things get for the O’s, the less likely he is to return this season. Maybe he gets a couple starts in September. He still has 3 years of team control so the O’s will want to make sure he’s ready to lead their rotation in 2026-28. If the O’s can somehow turn things around (it’s possible), maybe he’s back in August.
2:58
Jason Martinez: The worse things get for the O’s, the less likely he is to return this season. Maybe he gets a couple starts in September. He still has 3 years of team control so the O’s will want to make sure he’s ready to lead their rotation in 2026-28. If the O’s can somehow turn things around (it’s possible), maybe he’s back in August.
2:58
: Do you think Haseong Kim means the end of Taylor Walls time, or is this finally the year the Rays trade Brandon Lowe?
Jon Becker: Walls’ defense is too good to take off the roster, IMO, even if it’s a little redundant with Kim also playing really good defense. Mead’s spot is in much more peril, since he’s not hitting and can only play the corners.
2:59
Jon Becker: Walls’ defense is too good to take off the roster, IMO, even if it’s a little redundant with Kim also playing really good defense. Mead’s spot is in much more peril, since he’s not hitting and can only play the corners.
3:00
: Does Sam Haggerty have a shot at a regular spot in the lineup?
Jason Martinez: He’s playing every day now. 5 starts in a row in CF even with Kevin Pillar back on the roster. And with Evan Carter already back on the IL, I think they’ll take their time with bringing him back. So this might be Haggerty’s best chance ever to prove he’s more than a super-utilityman who bounces between MLB/AAA.
3:01
Jason Martinez: He’s playing every day now. 5 starts in a row in CF even with Kevin Pillar back on the roster. And with Evan Carter already back on the IL, I think they’ll take their time with bringing him back. So this might be Haggerty’s best chance ever to prove he’s more than a super-utilityman who bounces between MLB/AAA.
3:02
: Do you think the Cardinals buy at the deadline? They really shouldn’t, right?
Jon Becker: Well, I would’ve said at the start of the season that they shouldn’t buy at the deadline, but that decision kinda gets made for teams depending on how they’re playing and how the odds look, right? If it’s a 2022 Orioles situation and they’re very fringy I could see them selling but if they’re in a playoff spot by multiple games they almost have to buy, even if it’s nobody of massive impact.
3:03
Jon Becker: Well, I would’ve said at the start of the season that they shouldn’t buy at the deadline, but that decision kinda gets made for teams depending on how they’re playing and how the odds look, right? If it’s a 2022 Orioles situation and they’re very fringy I could see them selling but if they’re in a playoff spot by multiple games they almost have to buy, even if it’s nobody of massive impact.
3:03
: When does Basallo get a shot with the Orioles?
Jason Martinez: You could make a case that there are enough at-bats right now between C/1B/DH, especially with Gary Sanchez’s recovery going slowly. But he’s only caught 3 games in AAA so far in 2025. Unless they are very certain that he won’t be a catcher in the big leagues (his bat plays at 1B/DH only), I think they’ll keep him down there to keep working on that part of his game. Realistically, trading Mountcastle or O’Hearn would open up everyday at-bats for him whenever that is.
Jason Martinez: That will do it for today. Thanks for joining us and thanks for all the great questions. We’ll be back next Friday. Have a great weekend, everyone.
3:06
Jason Martinez: You could make a case that there are enough at-bats right now between C/1B/DH, especially with Gary Sanchez’s recovery going slowly. But he’s only caught 3 games in AAA so far in 2025. Unless they are very certain that he won’t be a catcher in the big leagues (his bat plays at 1B/DH only), I think they’ll keep him down there to keep working on that part of his game. Realistically, trading Mountcastle or O’Hearn would open up everyday at-bats for him whenever that is.
3:07
Jason Martinez: That will do it for today. Thanks for joining us and thanks for all the great questions. We’ll be back next Friday. Have a great weekend, everyone.
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