Archive for Chat

Eric A Longenhagen: Hello from Tempe. Just got back from seeing amateur ball in Southern California. Quick link drop before we start:

Eric A Longenhagen: In which I attempt to approximate Matthew Liberatore’s likely draft range by comparing him to other recent prep lefties: https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/a-glance-at-matthew-liberatores-draft-…

Eric A Longenhagen: In which I dump some relevant big league scouting notes on Corey Kluber and others: https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/scouting-corey-kluber-as-an-exercise/

Eric A Longenhagen: Okay, let’s begin…

Bernie: I’m intrigued by three Cardinals prospects who seem to get little publicity: Andrew Knizer, Adolis Garcia and to a lesser extent Harrison Bader. What are your thoughts on them?

Eric A Longenhagen: I think they all have a chance to be everyday players. Knizner as a bat-first catcher, Garcia needs to be more patient to get there, Bader is sneaky fast and viable in CF.

Dan Szymborski: He passes to the man, shoots it, and boom goes the dynamite!

Gub Gub: Did you hear how the guy who invented Super Mario contacted the GoldenEye people, and said the violence was appalling, and that they should add a scene at the end with the characters shaking hands in the hospital?

Dan Szymborski: I did not.  That is amazing, if true.

Soda Popinski: Rangers fans are grousing about the team’s failure to move on Lance Lynn or Alex Cobb on one year deals, which would allow the team to move Doug Fister or Mike Minor to the pen.  Are the Rangers close enough, and is the upgrade enough, that Lynn or Cobb at 1 year, $12-14M would be worth it?

Dan Szymborski: At this point, not really.  The window for the Rangers is getting really small and I don’t think they’re close enough that Lynn would matter.  Cobb maybe if you can get an option.

Slapshot: Buster Olney retweeted something yesterday about how Zack Greinke’s fastball is only sitting at 84-87 MPH right now.  Is this something the D’Backs or fantasy players should be worried about?

Travis Sawchik: Greetings!

Travis Sawchik: This chat is going to have a delayed start as I’m in the Dodgers clubhouse until 12:30 pm est …

Travis Sawchik: So if you have a question you’d like to ask a Dodger, throw it in the queue!

Travis Sawchik: New estimated start time: 12:35 pm est

Travis Sawchik: Hey, I’m back

Travis Sawchik: Matt Kemp kicked us media hacks out

Jeff Sullivan: Hello friends

Jeff Sullivan: Welcome to Friday baseball chat

Bork: Hello, friend!

Jeff Sullivan: Hello friend

Dylan: I know it’s early and spring training but this is the best you could hope for out of Dan Vogelbach, right? How encouraged can we be?

Jeff Sullivan: .636 OBP, with as many home runs as strikeouts!

Meg Rowley: Hello, and welcome to the chat! It is very gloomy in Seattle. Let’s have some less gloomy fun.

CamdenWarehouse: Do you think this will be Scioscia’s last year with the Angels?

Meg Rowley: He has said publicly that he wants to focus on the season and address it when 2018 is done. I suspect he’ll be back. He seems to have a productive relationship with Eppler. If he isn’t back, I think it’s more likely the result of a retirement than the Angels moving on. That doesn’t seem super likely either, though he’s been doing this so long, and it is such a grind, who knows.

Andrew: Jake Arrieta makes so much sense for my Brewers, what do you think the hold up is?  We’ve been burned by overpaying for aging SP’s in the past (Suppan/Wolf/Garza) do you think this factors into management’s decision to not be more aggressive?  Or is there still hope of moving some combination of Broxton/Santana/Phillips for a SP?

Meg Rowley: It sounds like he (and Boras) haven’t adjusted their demands much, though I expect they will. Teams can always wait longer than individual players. Given that, I’m not surprised the Brewers haven’t been aggressive in moving one of those guys. Why not see where the market ends up?

cheese: The Dodgers have been too quiet and they have too many OFers.  What do you see happening?

Jay Jaffe: From slushy Brooklyn, welcome to today’s chat! Thanks for stopping by

Gsellman: I’ve still got something to give, right?

Jay Jaffe: That late-2016 stint in the majors was promising, but looking back at the lack of success at Triple A, I’m not sure the rotation was the right place for him, and he basically appears to be a guy on the fringes. That sinker got hit pretty hard last year

Dale: Would the Yankees trade Judge for Correa straight up?

Jay Jaffe: Hell yes. Correa’s just 23 and plays a premium position well enough to stay there for a few more years, where Judge is about to turn 26, plays an outfield corner, is likely to regress from last year’s great season (that 2nd half slump notwithstanding) and has a similar player on the roster in Giancarlo Stanton. Brian Cashman wouldn’t give Jeff Luhnow a chance to come to his senses if that phone call came.

David: Mustache grooming tips, I like this addition to the FG repertoire!

How frequently should someone trim his mustache/beard?

Kiley McDaniel: Alrighty my lunch is all set up and I’m ready to listen to selected things from you people

druidiful: You said to come yell at you, but you aren’t here yet!

Kiley McDaniel: I am now be thankful your punching bag has arrived, aggrieved internet citizen

Nat: What kind of player does Cole Tucker become? Is there enough power there for 15 HRS?

Kiley McDaniel: Raw power yes, game power maybe

Larry: Hey Kiley, thanks for the depth of info on the Braves list. Questions on two guys who weren’t listed — any update on the status of Matt Rowland, and is he a guy worth watching? Also, surprised no mention of Braulio Vasquez. I’m obviously scouting the statline, but I’ve been intrigued by him. Is he too small to be a factor?

Eric A Longenhagen: HI everyone. Busy day of games and writing ahead for me so apologies if I cut things short.

Hunt: What kind of upside do you see in Akil Baddoo?

Eric A Longenhagen: Chance to be an above-average everyday player

Bullpen Cart: Bullpen Cart vs pitching prospect in a race to the mound.  Which player you picking?

Eric A Longenhagen: Gose

McNulty: Why is Kyle Cody so underrated? He’s got plus stuff and carried his team to a Carolina League championship this year

Travis Sawchik: Greetings!

Travis Sawchik: Let’s get started …

David: I loved your article detailing the Billy Hamilton idea (and reading the clubhouse reactions to it were priceless), but one issue I have with the idea is basically the incentive for a player NOT to be the first to get on base (and therefore stay in the game).  I wonder if this could actually backfire and hurt the team in the long run

v2micca: Ouch.  Was that conversation with Billy Hamilton as painfully awkward as the article made it feel?

Travis Sawchik: Thanks … And it was a bit awkward, but also kinda fun to get other players to feel compelled to participate

Travis Sawchik: I guess there would be great incentive to be the second Reds player to reach base

Jeff Sullivan: Hello friends

Jeff Sullivan: Welcome to Friday baseball chat

Dan: Do you see new signee Danny Valencia getting playing time in Baltimore?

Jeff Sullivan: Surprisingly yes. Wouldn’t be shocked to see him open as a platoon partner for Colby Rasmus

Jeff Sullivan: In the outfield

Jeff Sullivan: In the major leagues