FanGraphs After Dark All-Star Game Live Blog – 7/12/16
| 8:11 |
: Hi everybody!
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| 8:11 |
: Sorry I’m a little late!
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| 8:11 |
: Well, the game hasn’t started yet
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| 8:12 |
: And Altuve was only slightly taller than the girl he ran out with…
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| 8:13 |
:
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| 8:13 |
: Awesome.
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| 8:13 |
: This game actually doesn’t seem close to starting?
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| 8:14 |
: I guess it’s closer than it’s ever been.
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| 8:14 |
: Nope, I was knocking out a couple data requests for some other writers
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| 8:14 |
: Are you buying the commissioner’s response to the question of why there are more fly balls?
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| 8:15 |
: I honestly don’t know. I haven’t thought about it that much. But if you’ll recall, home runs were up in August and September of last year as well, and it seems unlikely that the commish slipped juiced balls into circulation in the middle of the season.
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| 8:16 |
: For more on last September, you should read Jon Roegele at THT’s website and Jeff Sullivan in last year’s THT Annual.
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| 8:16 |
: lol commercials… “all-star” Jacob deGrom
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| 8:16 |
: No! I missed that.
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| 8:16 |
: Does Fox bring back the cartoon talking baseball?
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| 8:16 |
: Has there ever been such an increase before …. now if there was only a website which tracked this stat
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| 8:16 |
: God I hope so.
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| 8:16 |
: For fantasy purposes, what’re your overall thoughts on what Moncada will do?
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| 8:17 |
: I think Moncada could be a monster, especially if they grandfather him in with the 2B eligibility and then he earns 3B eligibility.
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| 8:17 |
: Any updates on Kyle Zimmer?
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| 8:17 |
: I am the low man right now
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| 8:17 |
: Jeff?
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| 8:17 |
: Zimmer is still hurt
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| 8:17 |
: damn
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| 8:18 |
: Joe Buck has a lot of makeup on tonight.
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| 8:18 |
: Ottoneu 5×5. In first but still prospect hunting, cause it’s fun. It’s not totally dumb to keep a couple minor leaguers, right? Please rate in order of what you think their next year value might be… Ian Happ, Austin Meadows, Bradley Zimmer, David Dahl. Thanks!
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| 8:19 |
: Loving Dahl right now. He should be starting for Colorado next year, especially if they trade CarGo.
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| 8:19 |
: Dahl now ….. Happ ….. Meadows and Zimmer
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| 8:19 |
: Do you think this current crop of All-Stars could beat the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant softball team circa 1992?
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| 8:19 |
: Oh wow, can I use this for an article tomorrow? Because that sounds like a very fun exercise.
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| 8:20 |
: Every year Joe Buck looks a little more like the non-athlete little brother of John Elway
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| 8:20 |
: Just neighing.
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| 8:20 |
: I just can’t handle buck
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| 8:20 |
: what does teheran have to do for some respect? previous 4 years plus this half…3.30 career era!!
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| 8:20 |
: Pitch in the AL?
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| 8:21 |
: His career FIP- is 104. As in four percent worse than league average. Getting to pitch a lot against crappy Braves and Marlins teams does wonders for the ERA, but isn’t that impressive on the whole.
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| 8:21 |
: IMO, he is a step below the big aces and all those guys are good, just not great
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| 8:22 |
: His career xFIP- is 103.
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| 8:22 |
: whoa, i don’t know how that trophy happened.
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| 8:22 |
: Why doesn’t anybody like me?
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| 8:22 |
: Because you got your job because of your daddy.
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| 8:23 |
: For most people, myself mostly included, it doesn’t matter how good you became at said job subsequently.
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| 8:23 |
: Where do you think Moncada plays positional
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| 8:23 |
: Where ever he is needed
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| 8:23 |
: Third. Shaw will move to first and split time with Sandoval, with Hanley becoming the DH. Holt will go back to being utility.
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| 8:24 |
: Emojis are turned on
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| 8:24 |
: Yeah I turned them on but I didn’t do that intentionally.
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| 8:24 |
: Someone gave me a poo icon – I hope that was a complimentary poo, or I’ll be devestated
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| 8:24 |
: Are you saying you sometimes have to pay for your poos?
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| 8:26 |
: this chat’s PEAR (poop emojis above replacement) is unmatched
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| 8:26 |
: And San Diego fans go crazy, for they are one step further to home field advantage in the WS
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| 8:26 |
: Kris Bryant shouldn’t be an All Star. His batting average is only .286. He strikes out way too much. That homerun was a fluke. The Giants are the best team in baseball, I want winners in the ASG.
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| 8:27 |
: I realize this is satire, but the Giants still might have the best team in the NL.
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| 8:27 |
: I’m not sure why everyone has decided that the Cubs are this juggernaut of a team before they’ve proven that they are.
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| 8:27 |
: Who do the Royals trade for?
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| 8:27 |
: Jeff?
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| 8:28 |
: I will disagree. The one huge advantage the Cubs have is prospects in the minors to get another pitcher.
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| 8:28 |
: No one, the Royals sold the farm to win last year.
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| 8:29 |
: Watching the BT sports european broadcast. I miss JOE BUCK!! 🙁
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| 8:29 |
: Who’s doing that broadcast?
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| 8:29 |
: will teheran be moved before deadline? what kind of return would u expect?
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| 8:30 |
: A top 30 prospect
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| 8:30 |
: As I said, Teheran is having his best season and the pitching market is thin and the Braves have spent the past two years trading everything that isn’t nailed down. So if he isn’t moved I’d be very surprised.
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| 8:31 |
: Two top 75 prospects. There’s no way the Red Sox are giving up Moncada or Benintendi for Teheran. I wouldn’t even give up Devers for him.
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| 8:31 |
: You guys are crazier than that idiot in Atlanta who gave up an ace with an ERA of 3 for a prospect and a guy who can’t even hit. The Royals don’t have to trade for anybody. Anyone with half a braaaaain could see that they have the heart and the courage to win the world series again.
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| 8:31 |
: I think he will go to Texa
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| 8:31 |
: It was funny the first time. The second time, it wasn’t. Enough of that.
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| 8:32 |
: awww, paul, are you mad that theo left?
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| 8:32 |
: Three fastballs down the middle
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| 8:32 |
: ?
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| 8:32 |
: No, I’m just not in the habit of crowning champions prematurely. Any – and I mean any – look at the World Series winners since the turn of the century will confirm how foolish doing that is.
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| 8:33 |
: How good will Bregman be?
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| 8:33 |
: Very good. He landed on today’s portion of Dave’s trade value list. 36 or 37, I think.
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| 8:34 |
: can i pry away benintendi for teheran and vizcaino?
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| 8:34 |
: LOL
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| 8:34 |
: I think any informed baseball fan knows that. But saying that the cubs were the best team on paper before the season, was just that. ON paper. That is why baseball, is, well, baseball.
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| 8:34 |
: I think it is fair trade, Paul is over valuing his prospects
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| 8:35 |
: Right, and now on paper we have the Giants and the Cubs as both 96-win teams.
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| 8:35 |
: I’m not overvaluing anybody. I just don’t want Teheran.
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| 8:35 |
: cueto quick pitching and toying with his windup vs trout is awesome!!!!
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| 8:35 |
: It didn’t work, but it was cool.
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| 8:36 |
: Clutch
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| 8:36 |
: Nice play from Rizzo.
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| 8:36 |
: Worst All-Star? Rodney? Nunez?
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| 8:36 |
: Probably Nunez.
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| 8:37 |
: perhaps then, we disagree, on a jugernaut. I think a 96 win team (cubs or giants) counts as one.
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| 8:38 |
: Last year’s Cardinals won 100 games. Were they a juggernaut?
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| 8:38 |
: They only won 1 playoff game.
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| 8:38 |
: I don’t know who they are but neither has a British accent so I don’t care.
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| 8:39 |
: Tough times. Sorry bloke.
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| 8:39 |
: They weren’t projected to win 100, paul. They were lucky.
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| 8:39 |
: Oh I see. More qualifications.
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| 8:40 |
: What percentage of 95-win teams would you say earned it? I think most 95-win teams or better are inherently lucky.
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| 8:40 |
: Are you going to go with final outcomes or projections?
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| 8:40 |
: Well, no one would call a projection lucky.
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| 8:41 |
: Few projections will have a team at 95, if ever …. I have a data with some going back 10 years, let me check
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| 8:42 |
: And right now there are 3 teams currently projected to be at 95 or 96 wins at the end of the season. I wouldn’t say there are 3 teams per season capable of being a juggernaut.
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| 8:42 |
: A juggernaut is “any large, overpowering, destructive force or object”
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| 8:43 |
:
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| 8:43 |
: It’s also that guy.
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| 8:43 |
: Juggernaut was a great X-man
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| 8:43 |
: Was he in X-Men? I only know him as a Spider-Man villain.
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| 8:44 |
: kluber’s slider is filth
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| 8:44 |
: His fastball is pretty good too.
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| 8:44 |
: Since it started tracking in 2007, Cairo has projected 6 teams with 95 or more wins, Yankees ’07, ’09, ’10, Dodgers ’15, Mets ’08, Nats ’15
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| 8:44 |
: He’s xavier’s step bro
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| 8:44 |
: Ah. X-Men is a big blind spot for me. I just never liked them.
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| 8:44 |
: Hey guys, what are you expecting out of the Marlins in the second half?
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| 8:45 |
: A wild card run, but they end up falling short
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| 8:45 |
: If the NL wasn’t so strong, I’d say they could sneak into the playoffs. If they make some moves, they could get past the Mets if those injuries are all longterm.
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| 8:45 |
: But I’m not holding my breath.
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| 8:45 |
: Joe Buck is a jugular knot
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| 8:45 |
: hahahhaa
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| 8:46 |
: luhnow seems content with letting bregman play minor league baseball…what do I need to add in with teheran for him?? freeman, albies, swanson, bregman sets up nicely around the infield….
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| 8:46 |
: Not sure. Luhnow made a couple of shortsighted trades at the deadline last year. Maybe he wants to do so again?
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| 8:46 |
: Vinnie Jones as the Juggernaut might have been the worst thing in the 3rd XMen movie, a movie full of the worst things ever.
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| 8:46 |
: That bad, huh?
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| 8:47 |
: I’ve never seen an X-Men movie.
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| 8:47 |
: Can you guys tell how much Jeff is loving all this comic book talk?
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| 8:47 |
: You aren’t missing much Paul
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| 8:47 |
: What makes you say Moncada will go to 3B instead of OF? Simply curious
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| 8:48 |
: I like some. I give a big thumbs up to the Jessica Jones show.
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| 8:48 |
: Mookie in right. JBJ in center. Benintendi in left. If Benintendi gets dealt, we’ll talk.
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| 8:48 |
: Some Xmen movies are good, some are ok. But that one was Blues Brothers 2000 or Caddyshack 2 level awful.
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| 8:49 |
: Wow that is really throwing down the gauntlet of awfulness.
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| 8:49 |
: HOSMER!
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| 8:49 |
: OPPO!
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| 8:49 |
: Wait until Salvy does it also
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| 8:49 |
: The only good xmen are 1, first class, and whatever the one after that is called
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| 8:50 |
: There’s like at least 3 other movies though, right?
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| 8:50 |
: as an east coast guy, i don’t see this much of cueto, does he do this much changing of pace in his wind-up during regular season games???
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| 8:50 |
: I believe he does, yes.
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| 8:51 |
: Also, I want to note that Ceuto’s cleats are so bright I can’t conclusively decide which colors they are.
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| 8:51 |
: KUNTZ as 1B coach
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| 8:51 |
: Jeff called it! Sort of!
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| 8:51 |
: Called it, my evening is done
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| 8:52 |
: told you he wouldn’t go oppo
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| 8:52 |
: Mint chocolate chip is an overrated ice cream flavor, yes?
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| 8:52 |
: Disagree. It’s properly rated.
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| 8:53 |
: That’s a heck of a roll for JBJ.
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| 8:53 |
: Prediction for Gallo’s 2016? Stretch-run help for the Rangers or playing ______ (position) for another team?
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| 8:53 |
: I’ve given up trying to figure out that particular riddle. Jeff?
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| 8:55 |
: Not sure, but as I have said before, I think the Rangers will be the biggest movers.
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| 8:55 |
: Does Dahl get called up before September if Gonzalez is traded?
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| 8:55 |
: I think so, yes. I think the Rockies will do the math on how to maintain his rookie eligibility and then have him up after that. Sometime in late August.
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| 8:56 |
: Is Rosenthal standing in a pit? Or is he really just that short?
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| 8:56 |
: That short
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| 8:56 |
: He’s really that short. I’m only 5’10” and I’ve got 3-4 inches on Ken easy.
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| 8:56 |
: From Daren William: 47.8 MPH… -78 degree launch angle on the JBJ hit.
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| 8:56 |
: He makes up for it by being one of the nicest people alive.
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| 8:56 |
: -78 lo
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| 8:56 |
: l
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| 8:56 |
: My Shaw (Rd 14) for his Lamb (Rd 10?)
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| 8:57 |
: Lamb by a mile
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| 8:57 |
: I mean, if you can get that deal, do it. But that’s not really a fair trade, Lamb is much better.
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| 8:57 |
: “Unbelievable” is an overused word, yes?
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| 8:57 |
: Unbelievably overused!
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| 8:57 |
: Assuming everything heals properly, does Bird have 1B to start the season for the Yankees? What kind of season could we have? How much will that injury affect his power?
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| 8:58 |
: I wouldn’t be calling that right now. Yankees might actually spend money in free agency this winter, you never know!
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| 8:58 |
: I think it will be Bird and some injured vet at 1B
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| 8:59 |
: Jeff can speak to his injury better than I can.
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| 8:59 |
: Well, Jose will get to face Ortiz. Wonder if he really will groove him 3 fastballs.
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| 8:59 |
: Bird is on his way back with no setbacks so far
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| 8:59 |
: (Picks were also exchanged in the Lamb/Shaw deal)
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| 8:59 |
: Well OK.
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| 9:00 |
: Guess it will have to wait.
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| 9:00 |
: Jeremy Guthrie tweeted that he grooved Papi fastballs his whole career
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| 9:00 |
: “only” 5’10” ?
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| 9:00 |
: Hahaha Guthrie
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| 9:00 |
: I must just know a lot of tall people. I’m usually a couple inches shorter than my friends.
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| 9:01 |
: Paul, I don’t like Teheran as more than a #3, but as a redsox fan, what would you think is an actual return for him
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| 9:01 |
: If they follow what they’ve been doing, I’m sure they’ll ask for Anderson Espinoza, who’d I’d have no problem trading.
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| 9:01 |
: Probably him and a couple of down ballot guys like Kopech. That ilk.
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| 9:02 |
: I think a team will way overpay this year with no pitching on the market.
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| 9:02 |
: Yeah I think the Braves will find a better package than the Red Sox will give up.
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| 9:02 |
: As a Yankee fan, I had to triple check that it was THE Eduardo Nunez who is at the all-star game. I couldn’t believe it. It’s astounding.
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| 9:03 |
: It really is.
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| 9:04 |
: Really? I figure with Hill and likely Pomeranz that the braves ridiculous asking price (if coppella is to be believed) will ultimately end up in him staying in atl
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| 9:04 |
: No, I don’t see that. This is the best time to move him. Unless they think they can compete in ’17 they need to deal him.
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| 9:05 |
: Update: Ned Yost just said “funnest.”
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| 9:05 |
: This is a man who is paid to speak on camera ~250 days a year. Good lord.
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| 9:06 |
: Whoa, the available pitching is horrible when Hill and Pomeranz are the best choices. Two All-Stars, who have already thrown tonight, were traded last year.
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| 9:07 |
: CarGo really wanted to make sure that Altuve saw his neon green cleats.
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| 9:07 |
: Ned Yost hates the camera and will just say some stuff to meet his media requirement.
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| 9:07 |
: That doesn’t mean he should actively be trying to sound like a moron.
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| 9:07 |
: Coppy said today that Atlanta isn’t moving Teheran. Do you believe him?
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| 9:07 |
: no
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| 9:08 |
: Nope
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| 9:08 |
: And if you do, I have some lovely oceanfront property in Wyoming for sale.
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| 9:08 |
: Are there any comments from the commish today that you found interesting?
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| 9:09 |
: I’ll be honest, I was out playing with the kids all day and then went to my dad’s house for dinner. I hadn’t read anything online until I sat down with ya’ll.
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| 9:09 |
: I haven’t had a chance to read them all, I just saw the one on the increase in FB%
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| 9:09 |
: Is Swihart done as a MLB catcher or does he just need a different team (a la trade?)
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| 9:10 |
: He’s probably done. If you can’t crack this Red Sox catching situation…
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| 9:10 |
: KB’s contact issues are due to the red cleats.
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| 9:10 |
: Yeaaaaaaaah, that’s it.
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| 9:10 |
: “Everybody’s friends here in San Diego.” “This time it counts!”
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| 9:11 |
: If you don’t have neon cleats, you are a ZERO
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| 9:12 |
: Jim Bowden is reporting that we will be calling up Bregman sometime this weekend. This is not a drill
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| 9:12 |
: Jimmy Dollars!
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| 9:12 |
: If you guys have never read the Jimmy Dollars post, get on that right now. Dayn Perry at his finest.
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| 9:13 |
: “This is the closest some of these folks will have been to playoff baseball” or whatever Smoltz said is the second dumbest thing that’s been said tonight after remarking on how Ortiz leads in OPS, SLG, _and_ OPS, right?
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| 9:13 |
: On Manfred comments, I was just looking back at the FB% data. If my quick check is correct, this is the first season when FB% and HR/FB have both increased in the same season
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| 9:14 |
: I haven’t been the biggest Smoltz booster, but I’ve heard good things about him this year. Cautiously optimistic.
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| 9:15 |
: Forget Robot Umps, can we get Robot Announcers to replace Buck?
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| 9:15 |
: What are your two guys favourite style of articles on fangraphs (not written by yourselves)? Batting adjustments, potential trade articles, right fielder positional rankings, fantasy stuff?
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| 9:16 |
: My favorite stuff is usually the stuff that Jeff or August or Dave do where they pull out something random and go really in depth on it, but not so in depth that it doesnt feel trivial.
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| 9:16 |
: Nice send off for Papi!
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| 9:16 |
: I like prospect stuff and whenever we can get Bill Petti to write something
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| 9:17 |
: Yeah, but that’s down to almost once a year now.
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| 9:17 |
: So on a real note, why does this exhibition game count for something that (at least seems like) is a big deal like hofa in the ws?
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| 9:18 |
: Because baseball is slow to change and no one wants to say that Selig was wrong.
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| 9:18 |
: that Dayn Perry link is wonderful
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| 9:19 |
: It truly is.
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| 9:19 |
: Great stuff
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| 9:19 |
: Hosmer making a bid for MVP.
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| 9:20 |
: Not until Salvy doubles
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| 9:20 |
: Am I the only one who doesn’t get the Ortiz love? Between PED stuff, calling out media and umps and temper tantrums on the field he comes across as a jerk
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| 9:21 |
: No you’re not the only one. Lots of people believe in PED boogeymen because old guard media trained you to believe in them. It’s not your fault.
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| 9:21 |
: Because most people care about the game on the field, not the rest of the crap
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| 9:21 |
: Which FG writer has the single biggest grade tool?
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| 9:22 |
: It’d be hard to have a higher generall baseball knowledge tool than Dave Cameron. Dave not only knows everything about every player and team, but he also knows the industry’s opinion on them because he has contacts at every team.
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| 9:22 |
: Cameron’s speed. His ability to type an article is insane, inhuman.
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| 9:23 |
: And his talking too. My wife and dad and sister came to Pitch Talks last week, and none of them could get over how fast he talked. I don’t even notice it anymore, but he does talk really fast.
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| 9:23 |
: Paul, one a scale of 1-10, how pissed should we be as Sox fans if Wright doesn’t get at least an inning tonight?
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| 9:24 |
: 1, I see him as the extra innings guy
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| 9:24 |
: 1. He’s not pitching tonight. He’s the emergency guy. No one wants to catch a knuckleball in an exhibition game if they don’t have to, and this is Wright’s first time.
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| 9:24 |
: Yeah Jen McCafrey actually reported earlier today that he’s the emergency guy.
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| 9:24 |
: His playoff hitting and public actions after the Boston Bombings brought Ortiz a lot of support. His HOF case will be fascinating
|
| 9:25 |
: It won’t be fascinating. He’ll get in first or second try. By the time he’s eligible, Edgar will be in, and no one will be stigmatizing the DH as a Hall of Famer anymore.
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| 9:25 |
: Ortiz won 3 World Series and is in the top 25 in home runs all time. He’s more or less a shoo in.
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| 9:26 |
: The “Wil” fact was useless
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| 9:26 |
: No way you can rationalize the DH being out but not relief pitchers.
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| 9:26 |
: august’s weirdness has to be an 80
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| 9:26 |
: Poor August, he’s just young. He’s only 21-22, and most of the rest of us are much older. At least among full timers.
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| 9:28 |
: Sanchez seems a mess right now
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| 9:28 |
: 50% of these comments are probably from August furiously changing his username. Not really much else to do in Cleveland other than internet.
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| 9:29 |
: I’m just noticing that all these hats have different bills. I don’t like them.
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| 9:30 |
: Pass a diving Eric Hosmer
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| 9:30 |
: There goes Hosmer’s MVP.
|
| 9:31 |
: His D on ground balls is horrible
|
| 9:32 |
: it’s because hosmer’s cleats aren’t neon
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| 9:32 |
: why didn’t sale pitch all 9, rabble rabble
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| 9:32 |
: Better question, why is Sanchez the second guy in?
|
| 9:32 |
: Third guy. Still.
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| 9:33 |
: Fourth guy. Whoops.
|
| 9:33 |
: He looks like a wreck out there. He’s shaking
|
| 9:33 |
: Yeah this AL pitching staff leaves a lot to be desired, at least in terms of name recognition value.
|
| 9:34 |
: Quintana and Wright are the only SPs left.
|
| 9:34 |
: Can they take Sanchez out already? I don’t want to see him wasting his arm on this game.
|
| 9:34 |
: Pitching in the AL is a mess right now and not many guys coming up.
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| 9:35 |
: One year Salvy will get a day off I PROMISE.
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| 9:35 |
: Leaving you with Paul for a bit.
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| 9:36 |
: I could do without these Intel ads with the guy from Big Bang Theory.
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| 9:36 |
: Obviously the lady is running after her computer because all her FILES ARE ON IT you twit.
|
| 9:36 |
: Also not everyone has laptop money at their disposal.
|
| 9:36 |
: What a horrible, privileged ad.
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| 9:37 |
: I’m just curious, do you get the, “they took our jobs” reference?
|
| 9:37 |
: Let’s say I did but that not everyone does, why don’t you tell us.
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| 9:39 |
: Man these hats are hideous.
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| 9:40 |
: It’s very weird seeing a Padres pitcher in PETCO in a visiting uniform.
|
| 9:42 |
: Have you guys noticed players customize their jersey sleeve lengths?
|
| 9:42 |
: The whole uniform selection failed this year
|
| 9:42 |
: Yeah that is a comfort thing I think.
|
| 9:43 |
: I think there is wiggle room on that part of the uniform.
|
| 9:43 |
: Jokes on you, MLB. I get to go to the bullpen in the 5th inning just like every other KC game I manage, but I get to run other teams relievers into the ground this time. Ha!
|
| 9:43 |
: I laughed.
|
| 9:43 |
: I bet he uses Herrera though
|
| 9:45 |
: And is there a schedule for these chats? I only happen upon them accidentally.
|
| 9:46 |
: Our FG After Dark chat is 9 pm ET on Tuesday.
|
| 9:46 |
: Tuesday nights in-season for ours at 8CST
|
| 9:46 |
: We started early tonight because of the game.
|
| 9:46 |
: Unless you’re going add the DH to the NL, I don’t think overall record is a good idea. I’d rather have a coin flip then any of the above choices.
|
| 9:46 |
: Get rid of the DH!
|
| 9:46 |
: The coolest would be Robot Fences that punch outfielders who try to leap over them for the purpose of robbing home runs.
|
| 9:46 |
: That’s next level. Literally.
|
| 9:47 |
: <robot voice> Go team.
|
| 9:47 |
: Replay at the Asg
|
| 9:47 |
: Safe
|
| 9:47 |
: Hi guys – So many articles about the Cubs and Dodgers and the NL/AL East … So few about the Giants, Indians and the rest of the league … It is surprising that Fangraphs writers are just like mainstream media: it is all about the narrative and the big media markets
|
| 9:48 |
: It always blows me away when people make these complaints. We’re literally putting up 8-10 articles a day for FREE but that isn’t enough for some people.
|
| 9:50 |
: Nice play there
|
| 9:50 |
: In the last two days there was an article on the Tigers, one that focused on Nomar Mazara and one on Jake Lamb.
|
| 9:50 |
: The first three articles on Friday focused on the Cardinals, Rangers, Reds and then one shortly thereafter was on the Pirates.
|
| 9:51 |
: But you’re right, we’re totally biased. Just Cubs Dodgers and AL/NL East.
|
| 9:51 |
: I don’t think my option of “Battle royale between each league’s chosen combatants” should be relegated to “Other” for your poll question.
|
| 9:51 |
: You should have spoken up sooner!
|
| 9:51 |
: Would robot pitchers or robot hitters have the advantage?
|
| 9:52 |
: Depends on the programmed biases of the robot umps.
|
| 9:52 |
: So as a Yankee fan, I was clearly not bothered by the whole Mariano and Jeter lovefests that occurred during their final season. Were they as annoying as the Ortiz one is now? If so, I’m sorry
|
| 9:52 |
: Yes, yes they were.
|
| 9:52 |
: Baseball loves its history.
|
| 9:52 |
: Also, Jose Quintana is very good.
|
| 9:52 |
: Also Cistulli wrote about the Brewers. That’s as anti-mainstream as it gets
|
| 9:52 |
: The lovefests were horrible
|
| 9:53 |
: on the real though, please don’t say your iz is free if you have ads on your site. I respect you guys, but saying its free is not true when there are ads.
|
| 9:53 |
: Seriously? Would you prefer we just do all this work for free? How do you think we pay our writers? If you want to read the work of lots of unpaid writers, SB Nation is that way.
|
| 9:53 |
: Do we know why the NL is wearing gray? To distract from the hats maybe?
|
| 9:54 |
: They awarded the game to 2 consecutive NL parks because Petco had been kind of passed over. You’re supposed to get the game soon after you open a new ballpark.
|
| 9:54 |
: I don’t say you should do it for free, but i also don’t think you should count it as free?
|
| 9:55 |
: You don’t have to pay money to look at ads the last time I checked. In fact, you don’t even have to look at them.
|
| 9:57 |
: Is this the real Wil Myers moving forward, a guy that can be a 4-5 WAR guy each year now that he is finally healthy and has found a home at 1B?
|
| 9:57 |
: I think he’s probably closer to 3-4 WAR, but yes, for a few years at least, this should be who he is.
|
| 9:58 |
: That was very nonchalant by Ramos. I though that was landing in the stands.
|
| 9:59 |
: Now that Myers got a double, does he get taken out or is he playing all night?
|
| 9:59 |
: I’m sure he’ll come out soon.
|
| 10:00 |
: Will jason heyward be this pedestrian through his prime years or can we expect more offensively from him? If so, what’s the realistic ceiling we’re looking at?
|
| 10:01 |
: No, this has by far been his worst offensive season. I would expect him to be better moving forward, and he has been better since June started.
|
| 10:02 |
: Why did Rod Carew get the naming rights to the AL batting title…weren’t there a few better average hitters then him over the years?
|
| 10:02 |
: That’s a good question. Anyone know the answer to that?
|
| 10:03 |
: “This time it counts!”
|
| 10:03 |
: “This time we’re having a random song sung during the middle of the game!”
|
| 10:03 |
: Not sure, was Brett higher. Brett was the only player to win the Batting title in three different decades
|
| 10:05 |
: I admit it. I come to Frangraphs every day and downvote every comment.
|
| 10:05 |
: FranGraphs!
|
| 10:05 |
: Who is the best Fran? Fran Drescher?
|
| 10:05 |
: Paul, you don’t need to post this, I’m serious if you’ve ever tried to visit this site via mobile and had the ads just totally lock up your phone. You guys do a pretty good job of eliminating predatory ads, but they do happen, wich i imagine you don’t see because of your fangrpahs position
|
| 10:06 |
: Creating a better mobile site is on the top of our priority list. Unfortunately we only have a full time staff of 9 people, and most of those people are tasked with writing.
|
| 10:06 |
: The predatory ads are just a fact of life. When they are reported we do our best to eliminate them. If you see them, please report them.
|
| 10:07 |
: I had to double check that it wasn’t suddenly the 7th inning stretch. Why is this happening?
|
| 10:07 |
: It’s a nice gesture, but this was not the right way to go about it. As with most things MLB does, it was nice idea, horrible execution.
|
| 10:08 |
: And yes, I have experienced the predatory ads. I know the frustration like all of you do. And I am in Appelman’s ear every time I see them. FWIW, it’s been awhile.
|
| 10:08 |
: Carew won a bunch of batting titles. You don’t want to name it after Cobb.
|
| 10:09 |
: Fair enough.
|
| 10:09 |
: So did Boggs
|
| 10:10 |
: Maybe someday it’ll be the Miguel Cabrera award.
|
| 10:11 |
: Why not name it after Cobb, he already has the Humanitarian Award named after him…and Gywnn gets the award over Hornsby? Was this just a thing for people that were still alive/should have been alive to enjoy it.
|
| 10:11 |
: I’m sure that had something to do with it.
|
| 10:14 |
: How nice is Petco, and San Diego? Not rhetorical
|
| 10:15 |
: Great, If anyone said it is the best, I couldn’t argue with them
|
| 10:15 |
: I enjoyed it a great deal. When I went, which was …. 2005? 2006? Probably 2005, I was struck by how many ads the ballpark had, because at the time I was living in Denver and the Rockies were very slow to allow ads on the outfield walls. Now, I probably wouldn’t notice them as much.
|
| 10:16 |
: What new features will fangraphs be implementing in the near future? I would really like to advocate for being able to filter by beginning and end dates.
|
| 10:17 |
: Filter where? You can do that in the player game logs…
|
| 10:17 |
: You can already by going to the game logs
|
| 10:17 |
: If you mean the leaderboards, yes, I agree, that’d be fantastic.
|
| 10:17 |
: But not that simple.
|
| 10:17 |
: How close is Mookie Betts to the Trout/Harper discussion? I know it might sound crazy, but outside of Goldschmidt and Altuve there aren’t many guys with the potential to hit .300 and get 55-60 SB+HR.
|
| 10:18 |
: I love Mookie, but he’s a step down from those guys. There may come a time when he works his OBP to an elite level, but right now he’s not there.
|
| 10:18 |
: The issue is that SB (in real life) aren’t that valuable.
|
| 10:18 |
: so, the MVP (al) is going to be the Mike Trout trophy?
|
| 10:18 |
: Well played.
|
| 10:19 |
: Max Scherzer, top 15 pitcher, just comes in, meanwhile the AL just threw Kelvin Herrera. Woof.
|
| 10:19 |
: With Clevelands starting rotation locked for the short term at a steep discount vs market rates, does it make sense for them to push all in and trade unproven guys like Zimmer and Frazier to upgrade with a guy like Wil Myers who is young and has multiple years of control? (Just using this as an example)
|
| 10:20 |
: I mean, I think it does, but their moves over the offseason should tell you that they are never going to push in like that.
|
| 10:20 |
: PITCH looks good.
|
| 10:20 |
: With her ponytail behind her hat, she reminds me of Kima Griggs from “The Wire.”
|
| 10:20 |
: I think they can bring in some 1-year stop gaps and hope the younger hitters can contribute once the pitching gets expensive.
|
| 10:21 |
: You’ve run out of questions, just like I’ve run out of prospects to trade. I won.
|
| 10:21 |
: We didn’t run out!
|
| 10:21 |
: SD is a military town i.e. terrible
|
| 10:21 |
: I dunno, I was there for less than 24 hours, but I had a great time. And I hear good things on all fronts except cost of living.
|
| 10:22 |
: The ballpark and surrounding neighborhood were great, and it has the beach and warm weather. And tacos. So many tacos.
|
| 10:22 |
: Dave said new FG shirts were given out at Staten Island. What do they look like?
|
| 10:22 |
: Not sure, I had to leave early
|
| 10:23 |
: They’re great. They’re minimal in design. New t-shirts, raglan t-shirts, hats, hoodies and even baby onesies will be on sale soon.
|
| 10:23 |
: And we also got women’s sizes in the t-shirts and raglan t-shirts.
|
| 10:23 |
: I hate missing pitches
|
| 10:24 |
: Beaches are the most overrated landscape.
|
| 10:24 |
: Hmmmm. Interesting. Sounds like a good late game poll.
|
| 10:25 |
: And I still hate those AZ uniforms
|
| 10:25 |
: I pulled those landscape types from here FYI https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landscape#List_of_different_types_of_landscape
|
| 10:26 |
: I have to say, the Dbacks unis are growing on me. I like that they’re different, at least.
|
| 10:26 |
: Even if so many individual elements — especially the leg piping — make no sense whatsoever.
|
| 10:27 |
: So about last night… Can Manfred enforce a rule that Giancarlo has to participate in the HR Derby every year until death? I’d love to see a 68 year old Stanton sock a few dingers
|
| 10:27 |
: This has to be the worst fielding OF ever
|
| 10:27 |
: Are you saying that Stanton is going to die at age 69? Because that’s pretty cryptic.
|
| 10:28 |
: It’s Trumbo-Desmond-Beltran, for the record.
|
| 10:28 |
: you didn’t even include beach…
|
| 10:28 |
: I figured it was covered under coast.
|
| 10:28 |
: For landscapes…what falls under other…the craters of the moon?
|
| 10:29 |
: Obviously.
|
| 10:29 |
: Coastal rainforest on a mountain?!
|
| 10:29 |
: Where is there a coastal rainforest on a mountain? Chile?
|
| 10:29 |
: Sounds like Hawaii
|
| 10:29 |
: Coast and beach are definitely different. Coasts are much more rugged and not sandy.
|
| 10:29 |
: Beach wasn’t on the Wikipedia link so you got coast. Deal with it.
|
| 10:30 |
: Other = Taiga
|
| 10:30 |
: Yeah I don’t even know what that is.
|
| 10:30 |
: Only cow, he is qualified in both surface ships and submarines (the singer). Pretty rare.
|
| 10:30 |
: I’m tempted to make a joke like “Taiga is the guy dating Kylie Jenner” but I respect you all too much for that.
|
| 10:31 |
: How can you tell that Jeff? Something on his uniform or did they actually say that?
|
| 10:32 |
: (Jeff was in the Navy, FYI)
|
| 10:32 |
: I think New Zealand may have a coastal rainforest on a mountain.
|
| 10:32 |
: Respect for us shouldn’t enter that equation. You should simply respect yourself too much for that.
|
| 10:32 |
: If I respected myself I wouldn’t be a writer.
|
| 10:33 |
: The silver pins on his chest
|
| 10:33 |
: Yep, I did see he kept the submarine one on top
|
| 10:33 |
: Cool.
|
| 10:33 |
: I’m not a monster, it’s just a 69 year old trying to hit homers might not be too nice
|
| 10:34 |
: Yeah but if he’s a cyborg…
|
| 10:34 |
: wow coast making a late surge
|
| 10:34 |
: Mountain and coast are neck and neck!
|
| 10:35 |
: Trumbo with the hustle!
|
| 10:36 |
: Or was it more Seager with the bobble and the extra step? Either way, impressed by Trumbo.
|
| 10:36 |
: Source for 1st/2nd half splits by games 1-81 & 82-162 instead of ASB?
|
| 10:36 |
: I’m pretty sure it’s pre and post ASB.
|
| 10:36 |
: July 1st if I remember correctly
|
| 10:37 |
: See, if you go to it now, there are no results for 2nd half.
|
| 10:37 |
: Boom.
|
| 10:37 |
: Trumbo: best bargain off-season acquisition? And if not, who is?
|
| 10:37 |
: If he’s not the best he’s up there. Desmond has a case.
|
| 10:37 |
: Murphy?
|
| 10:38 |
: Oh ya Murphy is a good one too.
|
| 10:38 |
: I know most sites have it split that way, but is there somewhere that has it by game #s
|
| 10:38 |
: Not to my knowledge. Though if you are doing team stats, it’s not that much extra work to just look at each month and sum them to make the splits you want.
|
| 10:39 |
: Trumbo at 4.5 secs to 1B
|
| 10:39 |
: Fowler seems like a pretty good offseason bargain
|
| 10:39 |
: Yes he is another one.
|
| 10:39 |
: Jeff should be all about these costal regions? Or only volcanoes
|
| 10:40 |
: Do you mean Jeff Sullivan? That’s a completely different person.
|
| 10:40 |
: Wrong Jeff
|
| 10:40 |
: why’d you join the navy, Jeff?
|
| 10:41 |
: It was about 20 years when I would young and dumb. Now I am old and slightly smarter.
|
| 10:42 |
: When we see highlights from this game in 10 years, our collective thought is going to be, “Cleats were hideous then!”
|
| 10:42 |
: I could see that
|
| 10:42 |
: That’ll probably be the second collective thought after “man this game is boring”
|
| 10:42 |
: Although I have to say, I love the neon cleats.
|
| 10:42 |
: Sullivan is all about the mountains
|
| 10:43 |
: No he’s actually all about volcanoes. If he could retire tomorrow and just go study volcanoes the rest of his life, he would absolutely do so.
|
| 10:44 |
: Sullivan knows the most minute things about volcanoes the same way he does about baseball.
|
| 10:45 |
: Was like 8 seconds of hang time on Donaldson’s pop up?!?!
|
| 10:45 |
: 8 seconds is VERY rare, right Jeff?
|
| 10:45 |
: Yea, 8 is about impossible.
|
| 10:46 |
: I’ve sat next to Jeff when he has his stopwatch out, and I’ll go “wow that must have been 7 or 8 seconds!” and it’ll be 3 or 4.
|
| 10:46 |
: In case you didn’t know, I’m an idiot.
|
| 10:47 |
: If you put together a team of the best all-star snubs and had them play 100 games against the NL or AL all-stars, how many games would “team snub” win?
|
| 10:47 |
: I’d say at least 40 percent.
|
| 10:47 |
: 33% at least
|
| 10:47 |
: Because it’s hard to lose more often that.
|
| 10:47 |
: Wow
|
| 10:48 |
: I mean, realistically, a team of All-Star snubs would be way better than the Braves this year, and they’re at .348 winning percentage.
|
| 10:48 |
: Daniel Murphy. Who knew?
|
| 10:49 |
: being a vulcanologist probably pays better than writing for fangraphs
|
| 10:49 |
: Well, sure, if you’re an accredited geologist or something similar. I don’t think Sullivan is. But maybe someday.
|
| 10:49 |
: Hey, listen, don’t give him any ideas. I don’t want to write 2 posts a day.
|
| 10:50 |
: Vulcanologist = person who studies Star Trek aliens?
|
| 10:50 |
: I mean, I was going to let the typo slide since it’s late, but Ryan is having none of it!
|
| 10:51 |
: Baseball, Star Trek and volcanoes. We have taken this chat to full nerd.
|
| 10:51 |
: full nerd? You dismissed my xmen comments, hahah
|
| 10:52 |
: ah touche
|
| 10:52 |
: If a team has a player on their 40 man and agree to send him to KBO, do they get paid a posting fee? (Like the opposite direction than we’re used to.)
|
| 10:52 |
: Yes? I think so, but I’m not 100% sure. Usually those kinds of contracts happen after the season when a player has become a free agent.
|
| 10:53 |
: I think a little.
|
| 10:53 |
: Sometimes teams sell players to Japan or Korea but I don’t know if that is technically a posting fee or what.
|
| 10:54 |
: What about the All-Stars vs the Braves for 162 games (Braves can have Teheran I guess)
|
| 10:54 |
: Posting fee is not the right term, they are just sold. I know some Indy Ball teams get 4K for any player who goes the majors
|
| 10:54 |
: How generous of you. I think Rob Arthur actually just wrote about this for 538.
|
| 10:55 |
: After tonight no games until Friday, that’s going to stink.
|
| 10:56 |
: It is indeed.
|
| 10:56 |
: AAA All-Star game tomorrow
|
| 10:57 |
: Is this going to be kind of a unique trade deadline? Low supply, high demand, and the high-end teams have really good farm systems.
|
| 10:59 |
: I think so. I could see a team out of it like the Phillies trade a young pitcher for a stud hitter like the Rangers Profar. I think some trades could happen which have more of an impact then just this year.
|
| 10:59 |
: Should the Reds sell high on Duvall? The K rate makes me think he might be in for a second half that could tank his trade value
|
| 10:59 |
: Yes they should.
|
| 11:00 |
: I am not sure what they could get. Maybe an NL team could be looking for PH/DH for the post season.
|
| 11:00 |
: They are further away from sustained competitiveness than every other team in their division. They should be selling everyone not named Votto.
|
| 11:01 |
: jeff, expand on phillies profar please
|
| 11:02 |
: Speaking of profar, do you see him getting moved? Or is he still going to be a super utility guy for Texas for the time being (although he has a better bat than everyone besides maybe beltre).
|
| 11:03 |
: My hope is that a) he gets traded or b) the Rangers finally just swallow the Fielder contract as a sunk cost and play Profar at first full time.
|
| 11:03 |
: like Nola for Profar or Bendie. One of the contenders trade off some excess young hitters for young pitchers. Hitters are probably more reliable so the non-contender probably gets more long term help and the contender gets some needed pitching
|
| 11:04 |
: How can the Rockies fix their franchise-running pitching problem? My solution: have a home rotation and an away rotation. (Chatwood immediately goes to the road rotation.) Wouldn’t guys ONLY pitching in that environment not have the drastic effects from breaking pitches?
|
| 11:04 |
: If MLB moves to a taxi squad roster, this could be plausible. Until then, there’s no way to make it work under the roster limits.
|
| 11:04 |
: No, they just need good pitchers
|
| 11:05 |
: “This time it counts!”
|
| 11:05 |
: “This time it’s Will Harris vs. Aledyms Diaz!”
|
| 11:06 |
: Hey, back off Harris
|
| 11:07 |
: Hey you’ve been making me think about both eating pie and Felix Pie all night, I’m not taking orders from you!
|
| 11:07 |
: How are you not swinging at that pitch?
|
| 11:07 |
: I demand a bartolo colon At Bat in the 9th inning
|
| 11:07 |
: I too have demanded things.
|
| 11:08 |
: What does everyone think about Suicide Squad? It seemed horrible initially, but between reshoots and better marketing it might not be that bad?
|
| 11:09 |
: I think it will be tough to pull off. I am keeping my expectations tempered
|
| 11:09 |
: For the record, I know what it’s supposed to be. Just wondering if ya’ll think it will be good or not.
|
| 11:09 |
: A not as good Deadpool but with a team
|
| 11:09 |
: they also got real writers…which, helps
|
| 11:10 |
: it should be good. It’s dc’s attempt at guardians of the galaxy.
|
| 11:10 |
:
|
| 11:11 |
: It should be bad – they made man of steel and bvs
|
| 11:12 |
: Right, that’s where I’m pausing.
|
| 11:13 |
: Will be interested to see if they know what humor is after the other DC movies. Which had no humor at all
|
| 11:13 |
: Now that E-Rod has fixed his supposed tipping of pitches, are you buying?
|
| 11:13 |
: Not anymore. I’m in wait and see mode.
|
| 11:14 |
: What do you think of Conforto Long term? .280 25HR?
|
| 11:14 |
: That seems reasonable.
|
| 11:14 |
: I never got the hype behind E-Rod. He hasn’t been productive in years ….. checking to see if memory is serving me right
|
| 11:14 |
: I don’t think he’s a superstar, but the Mets have mishandled him. Joe Sheehan had a great column on him in his newsletter.
|
| 11:15 |
: The Mets basically arbitrarily decided that Conforto couldn’t hit lefties earlier this year. And he’s sucked ever since.
|
| 11:15 |
: batman v superman is probably the biggest failure in recent history (despite box office results) but dc actually got different peeps to do sss
|
| 11:15 |
: Yes but the same people are still ultimately in charge. Writers have very little influence over the final story.
|
| 11:16 |
: Kenley Jansen has never pitched in an All-Star Game.
|
| 11:16 |
: Until now!!!
|
| 11:16 |
: Which contender can most reasonably rely on its internal replacements/prospects for the second half, as opposed to trading for second-half help?
|
| 11:17 |
: The Red Sox certainly can promote Benintendi if they want. Maybe Moncada. That’s a good question though, I’m not entirely sure.
|
| 11:17 |
: As a mets fan, I think they need conforto back. This offense has just struggled big time and who knows with the health of cespedes. Conforto did seem a bit overmatched against lefties but you gotta throw him in the deep end and see if he can figure it out.
|
| 11:17 |
: I like the Nats with Giolito
|
| 11:17 |
: Agree with all of that.
|
| 11:17 |
: And with the Giolito part.
|
| 11:18 |
: Conforto won’t solve all their issues, but is part of the solution.
|
| 11:18 |
: How do you guys see Yu Darvish performing in the second half? Cautiously optimistic?
|
| 11:18 |
: Jeff has a better read on that than I do.
|
| 11:20 |
: Not high at all. Shoulder and elbow issues with less and less time to build up strength. He may need someone to piggy back him in the playoffs.
|
| 11:20 |
: What do y’all see as the Astro’s biggest offseason/long term need? I’m thinking a RF, since Springer has the range to slide into CF.
|
| 11:21 |
: I think if they wanted Springer in center, they wouldn’t have traded for Gomez.
|
| 11:22 |
: Britton is just nasty
|
| 11:22 |
: Stupid Terry Collins not pinch hitting Colon.
|
| 11:22 |
: Is piggy-backing a big deal in the playoffs, though? As Cameron would explain to us, going to your bullpen early in playoff games is typically best
|
| 11:22 |
: Yes, but that’s not how the players see it.
|
| 11:23 |
: Of course Murphy singled.
|
| 11:23 |
: He just may be productive for 60 pitches
|
| 11:24 |
: Fair point, but at this point I think it’s safe to say Gomez won’t be back. Unless the market is so dryfor him we get him back on the cheap
|
| 11:24 |
: And it very well may be.
|
| 11:24 |
: Re: Britton–are there any current starting pitchers who you think could thrive if converted to a reliever?
|
| 11:25 |
: Tons of them. Relieving is a lot easier than starting.
|
| 11:25 |
: Another Oriole, Gausmann
|
| 11:26 |
: I think the Ross brothers could be dominant
|
| 11:26 |
: Other – Yost
|
| 11:26 |
: Yost is the funnest!
|
| 11:26 |
: Britton’s pitches look fake.
|
| 11:26 |
:
|
| 11:26 |
:
|
| 11:27 |
: Well, that is it for me tonight
|
| 11:28 |
: Blergh. Arenado couldn’t provide fireworks. Oh well.
|
| 11:28 |
: Alright folks, that is going to do it for us tonight. Thanks so much for hanging out, you’re all fantastic.
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Paul Swydan used to be the managing editor of The Hardball Times, a writer and editor for FanGraphs and a writer for Boston.com and The Boston Globe. Now, he owns The Silver Unicorn Bookstore, an independent bookstore in Acton, Mass. Follow him on Twitter @Swydan. Follow the store @SilUnicornActon.