Episode 691
Dave Cameron is the managing editor of FanGraphs. During this edition of FanGraphs Audio, he discusses the future of the closer role in light of the nearly optimal bullpen usage exhibited during the current postseason, marvels at Javier Baez’s ecstatic combination of talent and creativity, and attempts to explain Clayton Kershaw to people who don’t know better.

This episode of the program either is or isn’t sponsored by SeatGeek, which site removes both the work and also the hassle from the process of shopping for tickets.

Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @cistulli on Twitter.

You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things.

Audio after the jump. (Approximately 39 min play time.)

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Free agency begins five days after the end of the World Series. As in other recent offseasons, FanGraphs is once again facilitating this offseason a contract-crowdsourcing project, the idea being to harness the wisdom of the crowds to the end of better understanding the giant and large 2016-17 free-agent market.

Below are links to ballots for five of this year’s free agents — all of them starting pitchers, in this case.

Other Players: Pedro Alvarez / Erick Aybar / Jose Bautista / Carlos Beltran / Billy Butler / Rajai Davis / Ian Desmond / Edwin Encarnacion / Dexter Fowler / Carlos Gomez / Matt Holliday / Austin Jackson / Jon Jay / Matt Joyce / Brandon Moss / Mike Napoli / Angel Pagan / Steve Pearce / Wilson Ramos / Colby Rasmus / Josh Reddick / Michael Saunders / Kurt Suzuki / Mark Trumbo / Justin Turner / Chase Utley / Luis Valbuena / Neil Walker / Matt Wieters.

Andrew Cashner (Profile)
Some relevant information regarding Cashner:

• Has averaged 146 IP and 1.7 WAR over last three seasons.
• Has averaged 2.3 WAR per 200 IP over last three seasons.
• Recorded a 0.4 WAR in 132.0 IP in 2016.
• Is projected to record 2.1 WAR per 200 IP**.
• Is entering his age-30 season.
• Made $7.2M in 2016, after avoiding arbitration in January.

*That is, a roughly average number of innings for a starting pitcher.
**Prorated version of final updated 2016 depth-chart projections available here.

Click here to estimate years and dollars for Cashner.

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Episode 690
Jeff Sullivan is a senior editor at FanGraphs. He dedicates nearly all this edition of FanGraphs Audio to the very entertaining Game 5 of the NLDS between the Dodgers and Nationals.

This episode of the program either is or isn’t sponsored by SeatGeek, which site removes both the work and also the hassle from the process of shopping for tickets.

Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @cistulli on Twitter.

You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things.

Audio after the jump. (Approximately 1 hr 4 min play time.)

Read the rest of this entry »

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Free agency begins five days after the end of the World Series. As in other recent offseasons, FanGraphs is once again facilitating this offseason a contract-crowdsourcing project, the idea being to harness the wisdom of the crowds to the end of better understanding the giant and large 2016-17 free-agent market.

Below are links to ballots for four of this year’s free agents, including exclusively some DH-types.

Other Players: Erick Aybar / Jose Bautista / Rajai Davis / Ian Desmond / Dexter Fowler / Carlos Gomez / Matt Holliday / Austin Jackson / Jon Jay / Matt Joyce / Brandon Moss / Mike Napoli / Angel Pagan / Steve Pearce / Wilson Ramos / Colby Rasmus / Josh Reddick / Michael Saunders / Kurt Suzuki / Mark Trumbo / Justin Turner / Chase Utley / Luis Valbuena / Neil Walker / Matt Wieters.

Pedro Alvarez (Profile)
Some relevant information regarding Alvarez:

• Has averaged 437 PA and 0.4 WAR over last three seasons.
• Has averaged 0.6 WAR per 600 PA* over last three seasons.
• Recorded a 1.1 WAR in 376 PA in 2016.
• Is projected to record 1.8 WAR per 600 PA**.
• Is entering his age-30 season.
• Made $5.8M in 2016, as part of a deal signed in March.

*That is, a roughly average number of plate appearances for a starting player.
**Prorated version of final updated 2016 depth-chart projections available here.

Click here to estimate years and dollars for Alvarez.

Read the rest of this entry »

Free agency begins five days after the end of the World Series. As in other recent offseasons, FanGraphs is once again facilitating this offseason a contract-crowdsourcing project, the idea being to harness the wisdom of the crowds to the end of better understanding the giant and large 2016-17 free-agent market.

Below are links to ballots for five of this year’s free agents, including more corner outfielders.

Other Players: Erick Aybar / Jose Bautista / Rajai Davis / Ian Desmond / Dexter Fowler / Carlos Gomez / Matt Holliday / Austin Jackson / Jon Jay / Matt Joyce / Brandon Moss / Mike Napoli / Angel Pagan / Wilson Ramos / Kurt Suzuki / Justin Turner / Chase Utley / Luis Valbuena / Neil Walker / Matt Wieters.

Steve Pearce (Profile)
Some relevant information regarding Pearce:

• Has averaged 337 PA and 2.4 WAR over last three seasons.
• Has averaged 4.3 WAR per 600 PA* over last three seasons.
• Recorded a 2.0 WAR in 302 PA in 2016.
• Is projected to record 2.7 WAR per 600 PA**.
• Is entering his age-34 season.
• Made $4.8M in 2016, as part of a deal signed in January.

*That is, a roughly average number of plate appearances for a starting player.
**Prorated version of final updated 2016 depth-chart projections available here.

Click here to estimate years and dollars for Pearce.

Read the rest of this entry »

Free agency begins five days after the end of the World Series. As in other recent offseasons, FanGraphs is once again facilitating this offseason a contract-crowdsourcing project, the idea being to harness the wisdom of the crowds to the end of better understanding the giant and large 2016-17 free-agent market.

Below are links to ballots for five of this year’s free agents, including all corner outfielders, probably.

Other Players: Erick Aybar / Rajai Davis / Ian Desmond / Dexter Fowler / Carlos Gomez / Austin Jackson / Jon Jay / Mike Napoli / Wilson Ramos / Kurt Suzuki / Justin Turner / Chase Utley / Luis Valbuena / Neil Walker / Matt Wieters.

Jose Bautista (Profile)
Some relevant information regarding Bautista:

• Has averaged 629 PA and 4.0 WAR over last three seasons.
• Has averaged 3.9 WAR per 600 PA* over last three seasons.
• Recorded a 1.4 WAR in 517 PA in 2016.
• Is projected to record 3.1 WAR per 600 PA**.
• Is entering his age-36 season.
• Made $14.0M in 2016, as part of a deal signed in February 2011.

*That is, a roughly average number of plate appearances for a starting player.
**Prorated version of final updated 2016 depth-chart projections available here.

Click here to estimate years and dollars for Bautista.

Read the rest of this entry »

Free agency begins five days after the end of the World Series. As in other recent offseasons, FanGraphs is once again facilitating this offseason a contract-crowdsourcing project, the idea being to harness the wisdom of the crowds to the end of better understanding the giant and large 2016-17 free-agent market.

Below are links to ballots for five of this year’s free agents, all of them center fielders or something like center fielders.

Other Players: Erick Aybar / Rajai Davis / Mike Napoli / Wilson Ramos / Kurt Suzuki / Justin Turner / Chase Utley / Luis Valbuena / Neil Walker / Matt Wieters.

Ian Desmond (Profile)
Some relevant information regarding Desmond:

• Has averaged 655 PA and 3.0 WAR over last three seasons.
• Has averaged 2.7 WAR per 600 PA* over last three seasons.
• Recorded a 3.3 WAR in 677 PA in 2016.
• Is projected to record 2.3 WAR per 600 PA**.
• Is entering his age-31 season.
• Made $8.0M in 2016, as part of a deal signed in February.

*That is, a roughly average number of plate appearances for a starting player.
**Prorated version of final updated 2016 depth-chart projections available here.

Click here to estimate years and dollars for Desmond.

Read the rest of this entry »

Episode 689
Dave Cameron is the managing editor of FanGraphs. During this edition of FanGraphs Audio, he discusses (specifically) Boston’s decision to use Clay Buchholz as their starter for Game 3 against Cleveland and (more universally) which sort of adjustments and changes ought to be regarded as permanent and which merely a fleeting tactical advantage. Cameron also examines baseball’s slide rule and briefly considers the 2016-17 free-agent class.

This episode of the program either is or isn’t sponsored by SeatGeek, which site removes both the work and also the hassle from the process of shopping for tickets.

Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @cistulli on Twitter.

You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things.

Audio after the jump. (Approximately 39 min play time.)

Read the rest of this entry »

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Free agency begins five days after the end of the World Series. As in other recent offseasons, FanGraphs is once again facilitating this offseason a contract-crowdsourcing project, the idea being to harness the wisdom of the crowds to the end of better understanding the giant and large 2016-17 free-agent market.

Below are links to ballots for five of this year’s free agents, including a collection of outfielders and then Rajai Davis.

Other Players: Mike Napoli / Wilson Ramos / Kurt Suzuki / Chase Utley / Matt Wieters.

Neil Walker (Profile)
Some relevant information regarding Walker:

• Has averaged 544 PA and 3.3 WAR over last three seasons.
• Has averaged 3.6 WAR per 600 PA* over last three seasons.
• Recorded a 3.8 WAR in 458 PA in 2016.
• Is projected to record 2.7 WAR per 600 PA**.
• Is entering his age-31 season.
• Made $10.6M in 2016, after avoiding arbitration in January.

*That is, a roughly average number of plate appearances for a starting player.
**Prorated version of final updated 2016 depth-chart projections available here.

Click here to estimate years and dollars for Walker.

Read the rest of this entry »

Free agency begins five days after the end of the World Series. As in other recent offseasons, FanGraphs is once again facilitating this offseason a contract-crowdsourcing project, the idea being to harness the wisdom of the crowds to the end of better understanding the 2016-17 free-agent market.

Below are links to ballots for five of this year’s free agents, including some catchers, a first baseman, and a second baseman.

Wilson Ramos (Profile)
Some relevant information regarding Ramos:

• Has averaged 463 PA and 1.8 WAR over last three seasons.
• Has averaged 1.8 WAR per 450 PA* over last three seasons.
• Recorded a 3.5 WAR in 523 PA in 2016.
• Is projected to record 2.3 WAR per 450 PA**.
• Is entering his age-29 season.
• Made $5.4M in 2016 after avoiding arbitration in January.

*That is, a roughly average number of plate appearances for a starting catcher.
**Prorated version of final updated 2016 depth-chart projections available here.

Click here to estimate years and dollars for Ramos.

Read the rest of this entry »