Dan Szymborski FanGraphs Chat – 2/9/17

by Carson Cistulli

February 9, 2017

2:02	Dan Szymborski: The troublemaker Cistulli didn’t sabotage me today, so away we go!

2:04	RotoLando: Is it Monday already?

2:05	Dan Szymborski: I’ll normally be on Wednesday.

2:05	Robin: Are Thursdays going to be your new regular time? Dave keeps telling us on Wednesdays that you’re up next

2:05	Dan Szymborski: See on top.

2:05	Open Meadows: Austin Meadows = Benintendi with less power more speed. T/F?

2:05	Dan Szymborski: A little simplistic. They’re both really advanced hitters skillwise and have pretty swings.

2:05	Dan Szymborski: But I guess it’s not the worst comparison in the world

2:05	New Guy: Do we see Miguel Sano take a step forward this year, or is there too much swing and miss in his game? If yes, should he have a shot to hit 35 homers with an acceptable BA?

2:07	Dan Szymborski: His power upside is just insane. He does miss a lot, but he’s at least swinging and missing against good pitches.

2:07	John: Will the Christian Bethancourt experiment work out?

2:07	Dan Szymborski: The pitching? No idea, but it’s the kind of thing rebuilding teams should be exploring.

2:07	TKDC: Why do you think there are so many players getting terrible free agency deals this year, compared to what was expected?

2:08	Dan Szymborski: I’m not sure they are – I think reality’s starting to set in on these offense only old corner outfield types

2:09	John: Will Luis Perdomo start the year in AAA?

2:09	Dan Szymborski: I think he does, actually – there’s no rush.

2:09	Slamboni: Napoli supposedly turned down more money from Minnesota to go to Texas. Do you think that he saw an opportunity to get more playing time or another ring?

2:09	Dan Szymborski: Both to an extent.

2:10	Dan Szymborski: Napoli’s pretty clearly the 1B in Texas, something that would not happen in Minnesota.

2:10	Dan Szymborski: He’d be fighting with Vargas for DH time really.

2:11	Dan Szymborski: And the Rangers will likely be better than the Twins

2:11	Beagle: Who starts for the Dodgers after Kershaw, Hill, and Maeda?

2:12	Dan Szymborski: Urias, Kazmir, whoever has their arm attached.

2:12	Jaime: Who leads the Yankees in home runs this year?

2:12	Dan Szymborski: Sanchez

2:12	ZiPS Fan: I use customized ZiPS projections for my fantasy team cheat sheet — what are some key ‘weaknesses’ of ZiPS/projection systems in general that i should account for when using these forecasts? (besides the obvious injuries/playing time)

2:12	Dan Szymborski: You hit the obvious ones.

2:13	Dan Szymborski: Players with shorter track record will be harder to project, but you’ll have that problem with any estimation of players with shorter track record.

2:13	Albert Almora Jr. : Over under 1.5 WAR for me in 2017?

2:13	Dan Szymborski: Over actually. Let’s bank on good defense.

2:13	Papers Please: Does CJ Wilson suck as a race car driver and attempt a pitching comeback in 2018?

2:13	Dan Szymborski: Not sure how to evaluate a race card driver

2:13	ryan: is there a circumstance in which the Orioles could trade Machado this year? what sort of package would he demand? 2 top 50 prospects and an additional top 100? is that totally naive?

2:13	Dan Szymborski: I think no.

2:13	RotoLando: Jesus Aguilar was picked up by The Brewers. Do you have to go back and start all over?

2:13	Dan Szymborski: Yup.

2:14	Yuk Yuk Puk: Profar playing LF for the Netherlands in the WBC. Does that mean he is in left for the Rangers next season?

2:14	Dan Szymborski: It’s a Mazara, Gomez, Choo outfield most likely, Profar will be all over the place.

2:14	Austin: Better long term outlook Mets or Yankees and why?

2:14	Dan Szymborski: Yankees now that they’ve retooled their farm system.

2:14	Sean: Do you believe in Bundy’s new (old) cutter and a 2017 breakout?

2:15	Dan Szymborski: I believe in Bundy’s ability. Bundy’s health, I’m not a daydream believer until he proves me wrong.

2:16	zandy : Should the Pirates have Drew Hutchison as the 5 starter? I think he’ll do better than Chad Kuhl..

2:17	Dan Szymborski: They could actually have both in the rotation – I’m not certain Glasnow doesn’t start the year at AAA.

2:17	Dan Szymborski: Hutchison’s out of options, so he’ll be around either way likely.

2:17	Zach: Steve Matz or Julio Urias in 2017 and going forward?

2:17	Dan Szymborski: I love Matz, but we’re talking Urias here.

2:17	CarrotJuice: So, wait, is your chat on Wednesdays or Thursdays? And is it weekly or biweekly? I AM SO CONFUSED

2:17	Dan Szymborski: Wednesdays at 2 PM.

2:17	Dan Szymborski: CC forgot two of last three weeks and the third I was busy in Baltimore

2:17	Dan Szymborski: So that’s why we’ve had two Thursdays

2:18	John: Would you rather build a team around Andrelton or Kiermaier?

2:18	Dan Szymborski: Andrelton

2:18	YOAT: What do you see happening with Franklin Gutierrez?

2:18	Dan Szymborski: He gets a NRI or a one-year deal as someone’ s 5th outfielder maybe.

2:18	RotoLando: Which Christopher was the better Klingon: Lloyd or Plummer?

2:18	Dan Szymborski: Plummer

2:18	Rob: Assuming Quintana stays healthy and pitches well, do you think the offers Rick Hahn will receive will be better in June or July than the ones he has received thus far?

2:18	Dan Szymborski: WITH that assumption, better.

2:18	Dan Szymborski: But that assumption isn’t guaranteed.

2:19	marklxndr: Can ZiPS do projections for historical stars as though they were entering their rookie seasons? Like an all-time top 100 prospects list?

2:19	Dan Szymborski: I can, but it’s a lot of work!

2:19	Gregory: Has anyone yet taken a stab at the shaky Wilmer Difo / Willem Dafoe joke waiting to happen?

2:19	Dan Szymborski: Haven’t

2:19	Dan Szymborski: seen

2:19	Chopper Dave: How much does playing in the AL East hurt Jose De Leon?

2:20	Dan Szymborski: Not IDEAL of course, but at least it’s the right park.

2:20	RotoLando: If you tried to sketch Lionel Richie in MS-Paint while blindfolded, how would it turn out?

2:20	Dan Szymborski: Terribly.

2:20	Dan Szymborski: Even seeing my sketching skills are bad.

2:20	Rob M : When does the full ZIPS drop?

2:20	Dan Szymborski: Soon™

2:21	Dan Szymborski: I was away last week and I’m rather sick at the moment.

2:21	Adam: Do you believe Odor can continue to excel and advance as a hitter?

2:21	Dan Szymborski: Yes. Why not?

2:21	Eli: How do you rank the following defensively in CF: Springer, Marte, Eaton?

2:21	Dan Szymborski: MES

2:21	Alex: Gleyber Torres + Lewis Brinson or Alex Bregman in dynasty?

2:21	Dan Szymborski: Bregman is safer, but if ceiling is what you’re looking at, the former, since both could hit big

2:21	hungryG: Correa or Trea Turner & Scherzer in dynasty league H2H league? Which side would you prefer?

2:22	Dan Szymborski: The latter. I love Correa but the difference between the two is smaller than Maxwell’s Silver Hammer

2:22	Cat Fancy: Cat update now!

2:22	Dan Szymborski: Galileo was bothering me while I was making a Bryce Harper WWE video.

2:22	Dan Szymborski: Not sure what Pandora and Mercutio are doing right now.

2:22	Chaps: Is there a logical reason why major league teams don’t spend more money on their minor league clubs? It seems like a small investment could pay huge dividends.

2:22	Dan Szymborski: Well, some are trying to do that.

2:22	Jean Genie: Is Billy Hamilton like others who, in their later 20s, start to lose their speed, or will he be stealing 40+ until he is 40+?

2:22	Dan Szymborski: A lot of those fast guys last forever.

2:23	Matt: How often do you see someone’s projection and then go back and dig through to see if you have a mistake in your code or their inputs?

2:23	Dan Szymborski: Very rarely, I don’t count.

2:23	Dan Szymborski: Sometimes a reader catches something

2:23	I MAKE THE ZIPS: Forgive me if I am being ignorant, I know very little about these things: Someone translates PECOTA projections into projected team records & those popped up this week. Does someone do this with your ZiPS projections? Would it even work that way?

2:23	Dan Szymborski: I do ZiPS team projections every year

2:23	Cleon Pardeau: As far as nonsense words go, I prefer gorf.

2:23	Dan Szymborski: Damn you guys are asking a lot of Qs, I’m already 15 minutes behind.

2:24	Run: Is Corey Seager going to top 30 home runs this year?

2:24	Dan Szymborski: I’ll say no.

2:24	Sterling Mallory Chris Archer: Something something Nick Markakis. Can we just get this out of the way already?

2:24	Damian: What do you expect from Dylan Bundy this year? I can believe a pretty wide range of possibilities for him.

2:24	Dan Szymborski: I think he’ll be good, for somewhere between 0 and 180 innings

2:25	Steve From Human Resources: Can i find room in the Toronto budget for Angel Pagan?

2:25	Dan Szymborski: Meh. Pagan’s not that interesting if he’s not in center.

2:25	Jeff in T.O.: Help me Dan, you’re our only hope. Positions and salary don’t really matter, keep two in a deep 15 teamer. Dahl, Bregman, Buxton, Mazara, Willson Contreras. First two right? Thanks!

2:26	Dan Szymborski: Yes. Buxton will get too much value in D, I love Bregman, and Dahl will be a good player but in Planet Coors.

2:26	Darth Redbird: Aledmys Diaz: real talent or flash in the pan?

2:26	Dan Szymborski: I think there’s real talent.

2:27	Papers Please: Can the Netherlands win their WBC pool? I see Korea as their main competition.

2:27	Dan Szymborski: I think it’s tough. Netherlands has a few terrific players, but the depth drops off very quickly

2:28	HappyFunBall: If the Padres picked up Jorge De La Rosa, would he be their #1 starter?

2:29	Dan Szymborski: I’m not sure Jorge Posada wouldn’t be their #1 starter.

2:29	AJ: Over/under 3.5 WAR for Bautista in 2017?

2:29	Dan Szymborski: I’ll say under.

2:29	RotoLando: I would think that the hardest thing for ZiPS to predict would be Korean DUIs

2:29	Billy Beane: If I don’t claim Byung-Ho Park I’m dumber than a dummy, right?

2:29	Dan Szymborski: Yes. YOU’RE VOLUNTARILY PAYING YONDER ALONSO

2:30	KCH: Any insight on Alec Mills?

2:30	Dan Szymborski: Changes speeds really well, good control. He could very well put up what I expected Kyle Hendricks to do before Hendricks went insane.

2:31	Nomar Mazara: 110 wRC+ fair o/u for me?

2:31	Dan Szymborski: Would probably slightly take the under.

2:31	CarrotJuice: BREAKING: Park cleared waivers. Are you surprised that he cleared waivers? Shouldn’t a rebuilding team have taken a flier on him?

2:31	Dan Szymborski: Yes and yes.

2:31	simborsky: What are your opinions on the Tiger’s young pitchers? (Fulmer, Norris, Boyd, Rondon…etc) Do you think they can take further steps forward to make the Tigers rotation comparable to the Indians?

2:31	Dan Szymborski: That’s a bit aggressive, I don’t think the group is all that good

2:31	Ampersand: Would you rather name your child Andrelton or Kiermaier?

2:31	Dan Szymborski: Andrelton Szymborski sounds better than Kiermaier Szymborski

2:31	Darth Redbird: What did you think of Rogue One?

2:31	Dan Szymborski: A lot of fun.

2:32	Run: If Trout and Kershaw were on the same team, would they need any other players?

2:32	Dan Szymborski: They’d still be 100 losses with replacement level teammates.

2:32	Irritated Idiot: If I don’t like the projections coming out of my classroom overhead projector, you’re the guy I tweet at, right?

2:32	Dan Szymborski: Apparently, yes.

2:32	Ampersand: Girlfriend going to Africa for work for a week. What show should I binge watch while she’s gone? Leaning toward Stranger Things

2:32	Dan Szymborski: Luther? It’s Always Sunny because it’s always sunny.

2:32	Dan Szymborski: I have a lot of things to binge watch on my list

2:33	Hannah Hochevar: I know the O’s have bullpen depth, but it seems like throwing $ at Blanton and then dealing him at the deadline would be useful either for contention or boosting the farm system.

2:33	Dan Szymborski: Eh, it’s a take it or leave it.

2:33	Sandy Kazmir: Why do people think that Byung-Ho Park is a good hitter? Have they ever seen him swing? Ocean liners move faster than his bat.

2:33	Dan Szymborski: I don’t think he’s a good hitter. But he’s a gamble for a bad team.

2:34	Dan Szymborski: I don’t think putting my life savings on 23 in roulette is a smart investment. But if my other choice is putting my life savings on Yonder Alonso…

2:34	Billy Beane: If the US Government sued you and made you rename Zips (because ZIP was taken, dammit!) what would you name it?

2:34	Dan Szymborski: SZYPS?

2:34	Garçon: Is Yelich power for real, hearing many don’t believe in his numbers from last year

2:34	Dan Szymborski: Power may not be, but I sexpect him to hit 15 homers a year even if he doesn’t match

2:34	Boo Radley: Would you rather build your future around Benintendi or Sanchez?

2:34	Dan Szymborski: Gotta go with Benintendi because pitchers are scary

2:35	The Him: If you could give Kershaw a new arm, whose would you use?

2:35	Dan Szymborski: I’d make him a voltron by harvesting the partes of his J. Crew Crü

2:35	976: Is Jaso getting a C rating? Asking for a friend NOT in the LWNN.

2:35	Dan Szymborski: Not even thinking about this yet

2:35	RotoLando: Are you seeing a lot of weirdness overflow from the Eno chat that just ended?

2:35	Dan Szymborski: Not sure, I summon my own weirdness.

2:35	John: What’s your best case scenario for the Padres 2017 season?

2:35	Dan Szymborski: Everybody lives and is healthy.

2:36	Joe: The first episode of Legion was sooooo good.

2:36	Matt: Oh – I almost forgot. Hi Dan. I missed you.

2:36	Sandy Ravage: If the Rangers are out of it and decide to sell, could they get a similar haul the White Sox got for Sale/Eaton selling Darvish/Lucroy/Gomez? Maybe more?

2:36	Dan Szymborski: Not more.

2:37	Dan Szymborski: Much less.

2:37	Dan Szymborski: Sale/Eaton fetched that much because of tehir contract situations.

2:38	Dan Szymborski: You can’t expect to get near that for Darvish/Lucroy on expiring contracts.

2:38	Dan Szymborski: And as for Carlos Gomez, he’s a stopgap, not something who gets a haul.

2:38	Matt: Danica Patrick is a race car driver. Al Sharpton is a race card driver.

2:38	John: Time to sell on Sonny Gray in dynasty fantasy?

2:38	Dan Szymborski: Depends what you’re selling.

2:38	CarrotJuice:

2:39	976: Do your cats share a litter area? Or are they separate and you’ve literally opened Pandora’s box?

2:39	Dan Szymborski: Yeah, the litter boxes are in the downstairs bathroom

2:39	Papers Please: If Manfred expands into Mexico which city is more realistic to land a team? Monterey with less of a surrounding population or Mexico city with a 7000 ft elevation?

2:39	Dan Szymborski: Probably Mexico City, but I think we’re a few decades away.

2:39	The Him: Dodgers 6-10 starters better than whatever the Padres have at the moment?

2:40	Dan Szymborski: Oklahoma City 6-10 starters may be better than the Padres

2:40	Jk: They say Otani is both the best pitcher & hitter in his league. If Trout could also pitch as well as Kershaw, what would his WAR look like? It’s not as simple as adding Trout + Kershaw because it’s one less roster spot, but you also don’t have Trout in center when he is pitching. Any idea?

2:40	Dan Szymborski: You don’t really lose CF value that much, simply because Trout’s offense is even more valuable while pitching

2:41	Dan Szymborski: You lose what, 2 runs of defense relative to average at most while giving Trout 4/5 the games in CF?

2:41	Andrew: You are watching your favorite team this year, would your prefer a team that can hit some HR but for the most part can manufacture runs, play great defense, and have solid pitching. Or have your team hit 300 homeruns combined and be below average-average everywhere else?

2:41	Dan Szymborski: I mostly prefer just winning.

2:41	Dan Szymborski: Depends how good the things are.

2:42	Pip: Do you think the Nationals see something Enny Romero they can fix? Or is more a situation where they are going to try to start scooping of lottery tickets and hope one wins big?

2:42	Dan Szymborski: If you throw 96 and haven’t murdered someone, teams will try to fix you forever

2:42	Edward Van Halen: Regarding Mexico expansion… I’m a little confused as to how MLB expects a team in Mexico generate any revenue, nonetheless how players would feel about living there for half the year. Seems like it would be a pretty big deterrent for players. Any insight?

2:42	Dan Szymborski: I don’t think it actually h appens in th enear future

2:42	The Average Sports Fan: Do you like Mazara or Dahl better?

2:42	Dan Szymborski: Dahl

2:42	Connor: Most surprising playoff team in 17?

2:42	Dan Szymborski: Rockies are at least a possibility

2:43	Dan Szymborski: I think they’re run poorly at the MLB level and they’ve missed a ton of opportunities, but they may brute force their way with some of the talent they have

2:43	Sandy Ravage: Projections on Domingo Santana are .252/20/63 with 6 steals. Is that his ceiling?

2:43	Dan Szymborski: Ceiling? That’s a l ittle pessimistic

2:43	1060: Byung Ho might be sh!tty

2:43	Dan Szymborski: Yonder is.

2:43	Matt: Dan – what’s your email password?

2:43	Dan Szymborski: A string of characters

2:43	976: The guy whose girlfriend is going to Africa should read Rothfuss.

2:43	Matt: Has Congress approached you about heading their newly created Department of Hot Dog Classification?

2:44	Dan Szymborski: I wouldn’t get Senate approval.

2:44	war2d2: thoughts on the Marlins going to “A New York real estate developer with not a lot of liquid assets”? It’s going to be a Trump kid, right?

2:44	Dan Szymborski: It would be entertaining

2:44	Yelich: you typed “sexpect” and it was probably not an accident?

2:44	Billy Beane: Wow. I’m dumber than a dummy.

2:44	Jonesing: Would you rather have peak Barry Bonds or peak Mike Trout? Team/league context notwithstanding.

2:44	Dan Szymborski: Trout. That’s evidence of how much I love Trout.

2:44	Matt: Do you let your boy cats pee in the same litter box as the girl cats? If so, explain to me Dan, how do you stop the pervert cats from killing all the kittens?

2:44	Dan Szymborski: Heh

2:44	Matt: High praise for Dan: I’m holding in a poop because I don’t want to miss any SzymChat

2:44	Matt: A friend in my dynasty league wants to trade me Jake Lamb for my Alex Reyes. Contract situations aside (Reyes situation is FAAAAAAAAR superior), how silly is this friend of mine?

2:45	Dan Szymborski: Get him some help.

2:45	Cam: I’m having Kershaw withdrawals. I’m on the edge, Man.

2:45	Eric: Need some help with keepers in a 12 team league. Which 3 pitchers would you keep? Edwin Diaz (keep in 9th round), Michael Fulmer (15th), Carlos Martinez (16th), Danny Salazar (17th), or Jharel Cotton (27th). Thanks

2:45	Dan Szymborski: Probably hte middle three.

2:45	Bojack Horseman: Ampersand should binge watch me, BoJack Horseman (THE MOVIE STAR), while his stupid girlfriend is in stupid Africa.

2:45	Wil Myers: Do you believe my 1st or 2nd half numbers?

2:45	Dan Szymborski: Why do I have to choose one?

2:45	Von Schloss: Who would you rather have on their current contract, Joey Votto or Giancarlo Stanton?

2:45	Dan Szymborski: Votto

2:45	The Him: Who is the next Casey McGehee?

2:46	Dan Szymborski: I dunno. Rob Refsnyder?

2:46	Dan Szymborski: Maybe Rob Segedin?

2:47	Dan Szymborski: Richie Shaffer in the not-Rob category?

2:47	Steve From Human Resources: Looking at Melvin Upton and Zeke Carrera as a LF tandem makes Angel Pagan look very interesting according to my vs RHP binder.

2:47	DMB: Where is Matt Wieters going to end up?

2:47	Dan Szymborski: I could see him with the Rays

2:48	DMB: These questions need to be censored.

2:48	Matt: Brett Gardner for Mike Trout. Who hangs up first?

2:48	Dan Szymborski: How many Brett Gardners are you offering?

2:48	Matt: If Mike Trout was a fish, would ya eat him?

2:48	Dan Szymborski: Matt has done well.

2:48	Sandy Kazmir: Yonder doesn’t come with a $10M pricetag over the next three years.

2:48	Dan Szymborski: $10 million is petty cash in MLB now.

2:48	Hannah Hochever: BH Park cleared waivers. Most FG people (and myself) seemed to be certain he’d get taken. What am I missing?

2:48	Dan Szymborski: Slow bat speed

2:48	Jean Genie: Mike Trout is the best player in baseball for the next (blank) years.

2:48	Dan Szymborski: all of the

2:49	Ron Gant: Desclafani ($6), Inciarte ($7), Peraza ($4). Need to keep 2 and cut 1 in NL Only keeper. Who you like least?

2:49	Dan Szymborski: Peraza least.

2:49	Jeff in T.O.: Thanks Dan. What about keeping a $4 Mazara (for up to 4 years) over a $24 JD Martinez who will be lost after the next season? 15 teams, $260 cap. You’re just the bestest!

2:49	Dan Szymborski: Oh, I’d go for Mazara there.

2:50	Matt: How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck was Nick Markakis?

2:50	Dan Szymborski: Enough wood to be the same weight as Kemp and a better fielder.

2:50	Tragically Hip: Who would you rather? 1) Dahl/Polanco 2) DeGrom/B Hamilton/A Duvall 3) T Story/K Hendricks

2:50	Dan Szymborski: 3

2:50	Big Time Timmy Jim: Will Nolan ever be consider the best player in fantasy?

2:50	Dan Szymborski: No

2:50	Ben: To that Benintendi or Sanchez question, I suspect that asker meant Gary Sanchez

2:50	Dan Szymborski: I’ll still benintentionally take Benintendi.

2:51	1060: Brewers sneak into a WC #Alternativefacts?

2:51	Dan Szymborski: Not yet, but I think their road is better than some of the rebuilders.

2:51	Dan Szymborski: The Brewers didn’t wait until their roster was just cans of wadded beef and cream of toast before rebuilding

2:51	DMB: Who would you rather have: Manny Machado or Kris Bryant?

2:51	Dan Szymborski: Machado.

2:51	Dan Szymborski: Assuming you let me play him at short

2:51	Maddon: Happy to see it, but you buy this PECOTA prediction of Cards at 77 wins?

2:51	Dan Szymborski: I have to PAY for it?

2:51	Dan Szymborski: ZiPS will have ’em higher

2:52	Matt: Pick one: Kyle Hendricks or Christina Hendricks?

2:52	Dan Szymborski: Baseball or dating? If I pick the wrong one fo the question, things could get awkward

2:52	Someone Sign Zach Walters Pls: Wait – aesthetically, you’d prefer Trout over #peakbonds, or you think that peak Trout is going to be hella better than ZiPS does?

2:52	Dan Szymborski: I just like having a CF

2:52	Jose Q: WOULD SOMEBODY PLEASE TRADE FOR ME ALREADY?!?!

2:52	Matt: How would you feel about renaming the strikeout to a pitchslap?

2:52	Dan Szymborski: No

2:53	Ron Gant: Who finishes with more saves, AJ Ramos vs Shawn Kelley? You a fan of either one?

2:53	Dan Szymborski: Kelley’s got the better situ

2:54	Ben: 1 Book, 1 Movie, 1 Symphony…go!

2:54	Dan Szymborski: How to Make a Raft, by somebody I presume

2:54	Dan Szymborski: How to Make a Raft, video step-by-step guide for the movie

2:54	Dan Szymborski: And I guess Bruckner 9th, unless someone wrote a symphony about making a raft.

2:54	Pirates: Is Ivan Nova for real?

2:54	Dan Szymborski: I’ve seen him existing.

2:54	Andrew: Higher OPS this year Gomez or Mazara?

2:55	Dan Szymborski: Mazara

2:55	RSOXWIN: How insulated do baseball players / coaches need to be to say that pace of play should not be improved?

2:55	Dan Szymborski: They’re focused on their feelings, not necessarily what the product needs.

2:55	Matt: I’m torn. As someone who appreciates people testing waters on everything while ignoring preconcieved notions, I have a serious problem with the things that Manfred seems to be targeting to speed up the game.

2:55	Zach Waltsing Guild: I also appreciate centerfielders, particularly ones who also have the ability to play shortstop and did so through the minors and have a perfectly acceptable offensive projection.

2:55	Huphrey: Pablo Sandoval for Gary Sanchez and Gleybor Torres? Who would the yankees have to add for the red sox to accept this deal?

2:55	Dan Szymborski: Heroin?

2:55	Jeb: 1 symphony = Symphony of the Night!

2:55	Andy: Will AJ Pollock and David Peralta play like its 2015?

2:56	Dan Szymborski: Gotta take the under on Pollock simply because of uncertainty

2:56	Dan Szymborski: Same with Peralta

2:56	Dan Szymborski: Pollock more likely to be 2015y

2:56	Andrew: Chris Davis gets anywhere near 7/161 this offseason?

2:56	Dan Szymborski: No

2:56	Tim: You ever go back and regress the various, major progressions (ZIPS, BP, ESPN, etc) to see which one consistently more accurate?

2:57	Dan Szymborski: I do lots of roundups, some ZiPS wins, some ZiPS doesn’t. I keep them to myself because I have an insurmountable conflict of interest.

2:57	Jose Q: We had a lot of pent-up questions, Dan….we missed you!

2:57	Ron Gant: Are you stuck on an island and didn’t tell anyone?

2:57	Dan Szymborski: I hope not, my car is useless if I’m on a desert island.

2:57	Dan Szymborski: Can I be on a dessert island?

2:57	Matt: Dan Szymborski – hosting this week’s chat on a deserted island somewhere in the Pacific

2:57	Hippothetical : If you could eat any animal, without affecting the survival of the species, what would it be?

2:57	Dan Szymborski: Cow. Why mess with success? I know I like steak.

2:57	Whoa Nelly: Should robots be allowed to play in MLB? How about cyborgs?

2:58	Dan Szymborski: I’d say no, but I don’t want to be accused of organicism if someone finds this in 50 years.

2:58	Zach Waltsing Guild: Ah, Huphrey with the classic, ‘have you stopped beating your non-Euclidian geometries as they close in and overwhelm your brain’s magnetic fields’

2:58	RSOXWIN: What if you were on a desserted island, would the car be a problem?

2:58	Dan Szymborski: No, but at least I’d have whipped cream.

2:58	Matt: If you could eat any animal, guaranteeing you have an effect on the survival of the species, what would it be?

2:58	Dan Szymborski: Jeff Loria

2:58	Papers Please: With the talk of pace of play being brought up, why doesn’t Manfred make the umpires enforce the batter keeping 1 foot in the box at all times rule?

2:58	Dan Szymborski: Manfred seriously considers any sentence he sees.

2:59	Dan Szymborski: Banning shifts? Considering it.

2:59	Dan Szymborski: 26-man roster? Considering it.

2:59	Dan Szymborski: Make extra innings one of those gauntlets with the pain stick things from Klingon episodes of Star Trek The Next Generation? Considering it.

3:00	Dan Szymborski: Making a plane out of meat and invading Narnia? Considering it.

3:00	Dirk Diggler: Would you drive a German car?

3:00	Dan Szymborski: Sure, why not?

3:01	Dan Szymborski: Thanks for coming everyone! I normally like to stretch the chat to 75 or 90 minutes, but I’m really feeling quite poorly.

3:01	Dan Szymborski: Interesting colors are coming out of my nose.

3:01	Dan Szymborski: On that gross note, thanks for coming! As a reminder, you can find work at ESPN.com, chats and projections at FanGraphs, and at DSzymborski on Twitter.

The Pitchers Hurt Most by a Higher Strike Zone

2016 Hitter Contact-Quality Report: NL Catchers

Carson Cistulli has published a book of aphorisms called Spirited Ejaculations of a New Enthusiast.

2 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

whiptydojoe

7 years ago

Did this chat ever close or is Dan waiting to see if people post more questions?

0