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RosterResource Chat - 4/11/25
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AvatarJason Martinez
2:01
Welcome to the RosterResource Live Chat and Happy Chase Meidroth Day to those who celebrate a guy who has 113 BB and 76 K in his Triple-A career. He should be hitting 1 or 2 in the White Sox lineup for the rest of the season.

And here we go ...
AvatarJon Becker
2:01
BTW, wrote about payrolls this week if you've got any questions related to that! But I'll take the first question from what we've got so far... https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-2025-payrolls-and-beyond/
TW
2:02
What'll happen to the Tigers' rotation when Alex Cobb comes back from injury if none of other starting five are injured by then? Potential six-man rotation?
AvatarJon Becker
2:03
Jobe getting sent down is the most straightforward option, and he'll have a few starts (at least) to prove he's making improvements but right now it's completely justifiable. 18 pitches per inning is a lot and a 1:1 BB:K ratio isn't sustainable.
AvatarJason Martinez
2:06
I also think they have something like 32 games in 35 days starting mid-May (around when Cobb could return) so a 6-man could work for a bit. You can see our schedule grid here ...

https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/schedule-grid
Bullock
2:04
Is Houston where mid-30s first baseman go to die?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:05
One of the problem with mid-30's guys with a strong track record is that they don't like to go on rehab assignments. He probably needed on after missing most of spring training. And Walker has a track record of posting just about every day. I think he'll heat up soon.
Matt
2:06
Seems the skuttlebut is that Festa was already expected to come up on Friday and Zebby will come up to fill Lopez's roster spot. Any idea how that shakes out in the near term? 6-man rotation?
AvatarJon Becker
2:07
It's possible that Festa's just a spot start to give everyone an extra day of rest, and then Zebby will actually take López's spot in the rotation. But if Festa looks good today I could absolutely see them going to a six-man, though they're off both Thursday and the following Monday so that might end up being too much rest.
Fish Bait
2:08
I read somewhere that Matt Mervis said he went back his old swing.  Do metrics or eye test indicate post-hype Mervis may take the 1B job and run with it?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:10
Can't say much about the eye test since I haven't seen him much. But post-hype guys can be fun. We forget why he seemed like a can't-miss prospect. Crushing the ball at every level and then AFL. Some guys just struggle when they arrive in the big leagues and then lose confidence. Then they try to change things up. Sometimes they just need some runway to get everyday at-bats and get comfortable. It's a good situation for him in Miami.
PokeyReese
2:11
Is the A's offense... underrated? Seems like a couple of good young bats
AvatarJon Becker
2:12
I like their offense a lot, especially seeing how Sutter Health Park has played in the early going. I'm curious to see when Kurtz comes up and how they have to reshuffle the defensive alignment, whether it's Soderstrom catching more or Rooker playing the OF, which he hasn't done in the regular season since early last year. And they'll have Gelof coming back within the next month-ish!
Ozzie
2:13
Do the Cubs have Cade Horton debut as a reliever this year and look to work him into the rotation next season?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:14
I think the main goal is to build him up as a starting pitcher in 2025. He only pitched 34 innings last season. So maybe late season, after he's made 20-22 starts in AAA, there's an opportunity to pitch out of the 'pen. But depending on the severity of Justin Steele's elbow injury (should know more soon), they might need him starting games in the majors at some point.
Darren
2:15
What is the point of Dezenzo on the Astros if they're never going to play him? Is there any ray of light into him getting more PT?
AvatarJon Becker
2:17
The one lane for him is Cam Smith continuing to struggle and more RF time opening up, or I guess getting some reps at 2B so he can fill in there as needed. All the other positions are pretty well spoken for, which makes it tough for a young guy to not just rot on the bench. But as the dog days of summer hit there'll be more mixing and matching than there has been; a lot of teams have that 13th position player they're using only sparingly.
Dos Muncys
2:17
What do you think about McKinstry sticking in the lineup?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:18
It's fine for now. Professional hitter who can get hot for a few weeks as evidenced by his .999 OPS over 70 PA last August. Tigers value him as a super-utilityman but I think they're happy with letting him play regularly for stretches. And he's been really good so far.
Ozzie
2:19
Is Caglianone getting any work in the OF? He would be a huge upgrade at the plate over MJ Melendez.
AvatarJon Becker
2:20
Not in games yet, but I saw in the tail end of spring training that the plan was to get him some time out there to accelerate the timeline. That said, it's easy enough to just put India in LF, Caglianone at DH, and use both Melendez and Renfroe less.
question man
2:20
the ANGELS are GOOD!!!!
AvatarJason Martinez
2:22
My pick to win the AL West in our FanGraphs Staff Predictions! Read the comments.  ... https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-fangraphs-2025-staff-predictions/

Not sure it will hold up, especially if Ben Joyce isn't healthy for the entire season, but I thought there was a decent chance they could surprise some people. Mike Trout staying healthy is a big part of it. We'll see.
Max Muncy III
2:22
Do you see Kochanowicz sticking in the rotashe?
AvatarJon Becker
2:24
I do, especially since Detmers' relief appearances have been pretty short, so you can't just stick him back in the rotation on a whim. Kochanowicz isn't going to wow anyone but he's got a pretty high floor since he'll just get a bunch of contact and early outs and should rack up the innings when the BABIP gods are with him.
DR
2:24
Does Noelvi Marte get a shot to take over for Candelario or is he just going to be an extra man until McLain is back
AvatarJason Martinez
2:25
He sat on the bench in the first 2 games since his call-up (vs RHP), so I don't think the Reds had that in mind. And nobody has hit on the team so I think everybody has an opportunity to earn or lose more playing time. Not necessarily Candelario. We'll see if Marte is in there the next 2 games when they face a LHP (Falter, Heaney).
Bullock
2:26
With Vlad's contract, Toronto has to be pretty committed to trying to win now.  But they look like an obvious rebuild to me (average team that is old, expensive, lacking impact prospects).  If they don't rebuild, I can see them becoming the Angels trying to never have a down year with Trout and thus always having a down year.  What do you think?
AvatarJon Becker
2:28
I don't see the Jays as being quite Angels-level "let's try to contend every year by papering over every problem we have with veteran free agents" but yes, they've kinda backed themselves into a corner of always contending that I'm not sure how well-equipped they are to handle. But that said, enough interesting young guys already up (Roden, Wagner) and their farm isn't nearly as bad as the Angels' has been in recent years. Four prospects with a 50 FV or higher, the Angels have two right now.
Bigstrunso
2:28
I think Ian Seymour is ready for MLB. If he dominates again today, is he still dependent on an injury to be called up? Or should TB consider a six man rotation?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:30
I can see a temporary 6-man at some point and either Seymour or Joe Boyle getting the call. Both have been impressive. Boyle still walks too many batters, though, so that could work in Seymour's favor (1 BB, 15 K).
Scott
2:30
Luxury tax computation question. Let's say a deal is $30M over 2 years with a club option for a 3rd year at $15M and a $2M buyout. I understand the first two years get calculated as $16M each. But if the team picks up the option, is that third year charged as the $13M incremental or the original $15M?
AvatarJon Becker
2:31
The third year would be charged as the $13M incremental, because the team was overcharged for the first two years (should have been $15M instead of $16M per year, since it included the buyout they didn't end up paying); they'd get a credit on that third year for the $2M unpaid buyout.
Matt
2:32
Chandler Simpson was apparently "not an option" to get the call. You seeing him as an option at *some* point this year?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:35
Yeah, I've always thought he would be a late-season call-up. Had never played in AAA and I think that type of hitter can struggle in the majors just because the defenses are so much better. He doesn't walk a lot so he's relying on spraying the ball around and beating out infield singles. Fingers crossed that he is a successful big leaguer because those super fast guys are fun. Victor Scott II looks much better in his 2nd year so that's a good sign.
Dos Muncys
2:35
Do you see Curtis Mead carving out a role that isn’t just vs lefties?
AvatarJon Becker
2:36
If he hits lefties, he'll play more against righties too, at least get the chance to prove he can hit them. But so far he's not even hitting lefties, and Aranda mashing against righties doesn't help Mead's case for getting into the lineup against same-sided pitching.
Chris
2:37
Who do you think ends up with most saves in Pittsburgh? Santana seems to have it now but think Lawrence might be a play. Also see Ashcraft as dark horse, thoughts?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:38
My guess is Bednar. He's getting a chance to regroup and work on some things in AAA. They really overused him the last couple seasons. Hopefully, he's healthy and can rebound.

Lawrence looks a lot better. Not sure they'd trust him over Santana yet.
Guest
2:39
this may not be your purview, but is there any chance of 2026 opening day seeing Walcott in the TEX lineup? (Eric hasn't seemed interested in this question, which is fine and just makes me think it's a stupid question lol)
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