FanGraphs After Dark Chat – 6/9/15

by Paul Swydan

June 9, 2015

5:07	Paul Swydan: Hi everybody! 9 pm ET is the time, right here is the place, the moment will be forever. Or until this chat gets pushed off the main blog scroll. Only time will tell! See you soon!

9:01	Paul Swydan: Hi everybody! Let’s do this.

9:01	Comment From Rabid Rabbit Josh Harrison or Pablo Sandoval ROS? Why?

9:02	Paul Swydan: They’ve been pretty similar thus far: http://www.fangraphs.com/le… I’ll say Sandoval.

9:03	Paul Swydan: I just think he is due to get hot.

9:03	Paul Swydan: And of course as soon as I say that, he meekly grounds into a double play.

9:04	Comment From Rabid Rabbit Cueto, Kluber, Lester, Pineda, Cole… Rank them. Who is are a couple hitters that are of similar value to a Lester type pitcher? Arenado? Pederson?

9:05	Jeff Zimmerman: Hi all, just got back from helping coach my daughter’s machine pitch team. We only lost 7-2 which is a huge improvement

9:06	Paul Swydan: Kluber, Cole, Cueto, Lester, Pineda. But those are all close/relative. I would think Pederson or Arenado for Lester is – if not completely fair – definitely in the ballpark.

9:06	Jeff Zimmerman: Kluber, Cole, Lester/cueto……Pineda I thing you are aiming a little high, but in the ballpark

9:06	Comment From Real Coach I once threw a no hitter in my son’s coach pitch game 🙁

9:07	Jeff Zimmerman: I have seen a couple of those in my life time.

9:07	Paul Swydan: Good times. My son missed the T-ball cut-off this year, but he played soccer. It, uh, was an experience.

9:08	Paul Swydan: He can hit without the T already though, as long as i put the pitch low and on the outside corner. That’s his sweet spot.

9:08	Comment From a eskpert Walter and Randy Johnson are both in your Rotation. Who do you start in Game 1?

9:08	Paul Swydan: I’m going to say Randy. No offense, Wally.

9:09	Jeff Zimmerman: My daughter is Javier Baez, power hitting and K’s with good defense

9:09	Jeff Zimmerman: Randy

9:09

Comment From Real Original
So, since you guys will be getting hundreds of questions about Soriano, I thought I’d get mine in early! Am I wrong for not buying into him? Some fantasy circles seem excited, but I don’t see the brightest future in Chicago for him. Best case, with how his year went last year, I think we’ll see a committee. Thoughts?

9:10

Paul Swydan: I think they would love for either Strop or Rondon to lock down the ninth inning full time, but if that doesnt happen, they have a lot of guys who can be good enough. This is sort of a facisimile of the Red Sox 2003 bullpen, except that Theo and Jed are no longer stupid enough to brand it a closer by committee.

9:11	Jeff Zimmerman: He moves out a worse arm, but not a huge improvement. The Cubs should look to get some failed starters (Wade Davis) and move them to the bullpne

9:11	Paul Swydan: To answer the first part of your question, I wouldn’t get too worked up about Soriano being the Cubs’ closer.

9:11	Comment From Dave+in+London 11-team, AL-only 4×4. playing for this year.Should I sell low on Daniel Norris? Do you think the Jays will use him as trade bait next month? — I lose him if he’s traded to the NL

9:12	Paul Swydan: I don’t see the Blue Jays trading him, but if you are going for it this year, then by all means, deal him.

9:12	Jeff Zimmerman: Yes if going for this year, I don’t see him contributing this season.

9:12	Comment From Ethan Not baseball related, but I believe that this chat is the reason I want and bought a bunch of A Tribe Called Quest CDs. So thanks Paul (if you indeed are a fan and of them!)

9:13	Paul Swydan: Absolutely, theyre my all time favorite. Listen to them in good health, Ethan!

9:13	Comment From hscer Guys, I’ma let you finish, but Walter Johnson is the best pitcher of all time! OF ALL TIME!

9:13	Comment From Johnny5Alive Piscotty time?

9:13	Jeff Zimmerman: Then why isn’t it called the Walter Johnson Award instead of the Cy Young Award

9:14	Paul Swydan: Maybe. Between Bourjos, Jay, Grichuk and Heyward though, they don’t NEED Piscotty.

9:14	Jeff Zimmerman: He is souring on me a bit. Just not enough power.

9:14	Comment From Billy Things I never thought I’d ask: are the Astros the best match for the Reds in a Cueto-Chapman trade? Houston realllly needs another SP and their bullpen is far from elite.

9:15	Paul Swydan: I honestly can’t see the Astros going all-in and acquiring both of them. MAYBE one, but even that seems like a stretch to me.

9:15	Jeff Zimmerman: I think they will get more dividing them up. The Royals really need a SP

9:15	Comment From STiVo Groundball to the cojones or pitch to the dome? I’ll hang up and listen for your answer.

9:15	Paul Swydan: That’s a poll question!

9:16	Jeff Zimmerman: Cojones, I have already taken myself out of the gene pool

9:16	Paul Swydan: I will say head, as it has a better protective case.

9:17	Comment From Shawn Trade Brandon Moss for Jorge Soler?

9:17	Jeff Zimmerman: Redraft, no. keeper yes.

9:17	Paul Swydan: Moss has been way better so far, so…what Jeff said. http://www.fangraphs.com/le…

9:18	Comment From Not so sad Padres fan anymore Clint Barmes has a wRC+ of 99

9:18	Paul Swydan: Will wonders never cease.

9:18	Jeff Zimmerman: Career year

9:19	Comment From Billy Is this (v2015) the real Starlin Castro? Slightly below average defender and below average bat/power/speed for a MI? If not, what’s up with him and how can he fix this slop of mediocreness?

9:19	Paul Swydan: I don’t think so. He just needs to stop hitting so many ground balls. Easily a career high right now.

9:20	Jeff Zimmerman: He is what he is, not much greatness.

9:20	Comment From Yojiveself Mookie betts – unlucky or moved down in the order for good reason?

9:21	Paul Swydan: Both.

9:21	Jeff Zimmerman: We can’t really complain about it. It has be about half way through the season.

9:22	Comment From Gem Should we start Velasquez tomorrow?

9:22	Jeff Zimmerman: Sure ……. (as I look him up)

9:23	Paul Swydan: Yeah, I mean he’s barely been above High-A, but the White Sox offense is bad, so it’s a pretty optimal situation for a debut outing.

9:23

Comment From Doug Ault
Is Brett Cecil still the Jays closer? He has pitched much better over the last month so I see no reason why he wouldn’t be but I’m having a hard time figuring these Jays out. They just never seem to get themselves into a save situation. I guess Soriano signing with the Cubs means he is no longer a threat to Cecil.

9:24	Paul Swydan: It seems like the Blue Jays are the kings of the 4 or 5 run win lately, which is super frustrating for me as a fellow Cecil owner, but I see no reason why he wouldn’t be the closer.

9:24	Jeff Zimmerman: Ask the Bullpen article guys later tonight. They are all over these situations.

9:24	Paul Swydan: It’s true. Jeff means the Bullpen Report.

9:24	Comment From Dick Howser I can’t figure Moustakas out this year. High batting average but next to no power. What is he, the Bizarro Moustakas? What do you see for him in the final half of the season? Can he rediscover his lost power?

9:24	Paul Swydan: One for Jeff.

9:26	Jeff Zimmerman: Maybe, but he is adjusting to how the league is playing him with the shift. I think he will end up being some where inbetween the two players.

9:26	Comment From Kiley McSpaniel barkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbark

9:26	Paul Swydan: Laughing uncontrollably

9:26	Jeff Zimmerman: Every dog has his day.

9:26	Comment From Endy Kang’s days off are getting frustrating, still worth rostering him?

9:27	Jeff Zimmerman: Not in shalllow league. I am stuck with him in some dynasty formats and daily line up leagues.

9:27	Paul Swydan: Yeah. But yeah, it’s frustrating. The good thing is he qualifies as 3B and SS, so you have some flexibility too. But yeah, it’s kind of a 3-for-2 spots situation, you need some depth. Which you should prob have anyway.

9:28	Comment From Johnny5Alive Gee to stros for valbuena? Fits needs for both clubs?

9:29	Jeff Zimmerman: One sec …

9:30	Jeff Zimmerman: … yep. Flores is the 12th highest rated SS. No need for a SS for the Mets.

9:30	Paul Swydan: Well, the site isn’t loading for me all of a sudden, but I don’t see Gee as an upgrade over … anybody, really. So, no, I don’t see that.

9:31	Comment From hscer Desmond now 0-3 with an error tonight, his 14th to go with an 81 wRC+ … it’s so frustrating waiting for an established player to actually hit for 2 1/2 months

9:31	Paul Swydan: Yes, yes it is.

9:32	Jeff Zimmerman: Sounds like every player on my FanGraphs Ottoneu league

9:32	Comment From NotSarcasm How is it possible that the Red Sox offense as a whole has been THIS terrible with so many established players?

9:32	Jeff Zimmerman: The starting pitching staff

9:32	Paul Swydan: Because they are getting nothing out of catcher, Hanley has been hurt, Ortiz stopped hitting lefties, and and and and

9:33	Comment From Guy Incognito Who says no to Jesse Chavez for Jon Singleton?

9:34	Paul Swydan: I actually want to say both teams. I can’t see the Astros already wanting to cut bait on SIngleton, and I don’t think the A’s would see Singleton as an upgrade over Canha, etc.

9:35	Comment From Lorax Okay to drop Ortiz in shallower leagues?

9:36	Paul Swydan: Yeah, I think so. I have moved him to part-time status in my league, which is 5×5, 12 team, 23 roster spots + 2 DL.

9:36	Jeff Zimmerman: I could see it, he has been useless

9:36	Comment From Rated Rookie How likely is it that Stroman throws a pitch for Toronto this season?

9:36	Jeff Zimmerman: Zero

9:37	Paul Swydan: I don’t know, I mean he says he’s not ruling it out, but that strikes me more as the sort of thing a guy says to keep himself motivated during a long and grueling rehab process.

9:37	Jeff Zimmerman: Never trust the player, listen to the team

9:37	Comment From Rabid+Rabbit What does a package from the Red Sox look like for Cueto/Chapman?

9:38	Jeff Zimmerman: Paul?

9:38	Paul Swydan: I would assume Margot and Owens would be involved, and then a couple of other players, depending on the Reds’ needs/wants.

9:38

Comment From Phil
The Red Sox have had three players in the last few years–Victorino, Nava, and Sandoval–who have abandoned switch-hitting despite being established at it on the major league level. Is this a trend? Does it mean anything? The only person I can think to become one-handed as an established player in the past is Reggie Jefferson.

9:39	Jeff Zimmerman: I think it is just a coinsidence

9:39	Paul Swydan: Well I think it means it’s a philsophy of either the Red Sox management or current major league coaching staff that guys shouldn’t switch hit. I don’t know that I agree with said philosophy. It could also be a coincidence, but I doubt it.

9:40	Comment From Rabid+Rabbit I was thinking Owens/Margot/Merrero/and maybe a lower level guy with a higher ceiling-low floor. Just don’t see them moving Devers, and Johnson is too polished for them to move right now.

9:40	Paul Swydan: I think they’d move Marrero or Johnson in a hot second, to be honest.

9:41	Comment From The Big Dipper Hey guys – So Tanaka is back to his dominant self and all of a sudden Stephen Drew turned into Lou Whitaker….things are pretty swell in the Bronx.

9:41	Paul Swydan: Yeah I saw Drew hit his eighth homer tonight and did a double take. I enjoyed my life more when Drew was a punch line.

9:42	Jeff Zimmerman: About time the Yankees are back to dominating the AL East

9:42	Comment From The Big Dipper he hit another one

9:42	Comment From The Big Dipper he has 9 now

9:42	Comment From The Big Dipper 2 on the night

9:42	Paul Swydan: Ridiculous, I say.

9:43	Paul Swydan: That’s already more than he hit last year.

9:43	Comment From Human Jinx So one out away for Heston

9:44	Jeff Zimmerman: Good, I need him to pitch good.

9:44	Comment From Andrew How bad of a move was de Aza for the Red Sox seeing their outfield mess?

9:44	Paul Swydan: I like De Aza, it just wasn’t the optimal move.

9:44	Comment From Jeremy With correra being called up I have an opening in my NA roster spot. What prospects should I target to fill it with?

9:45	Paul Swydan: You want us to just to pick one out of a hat for you? We’re good, but we’re not that good.

9:45	Jeff Zimmerman: A Twin, I could see them think they are in the playoff chase.

9:45	Comment From hscer Something called Chris Heston just threw a no-hitter.

9:45	Paul Swydan: No no, for Heston.

9:46	Paul Swydan: Definitely was a borderline strike, but when you’re one strike away, you tend to get those kinds of calls.

9:46	Comment From Hank Shades of the Hernandez strikezone in the 9th… but pretty damn impressive!

9:46	Comment From Rated Rookie Eduardo Rodriguez labored a bit but still looked pretty great. Your thoughts?

9:47	Paul Swydan: After the first four baserunners he put on, he struck out the next guy. That’ll do, pig.

9:47	Jeff Zimmerman: Not many, I haven’t seen him throw yet.

9:48	Comment From Bridgeport Joe Tougher to hit right now — Chris Sale pitching from official mound, or a replacement level starter throwing from little league distance (say 45′) with no mound?

9:48	Paul Swydan: Uh, probably the replacement level starter?

9:48	Jeff Zimmerman: I am not sure the hitter will have time to physically react in time to the pitch.

9:49	Comment From hscer More likely to have voted for 9 Royals 35 times: Jeff Zimmermann or erstwhile contributor Matt Klaassen?

9:49	Paul Swydan: Oh definitely Klaassen. Jeff is way too lazy for all that voting, but Klaassen is vindictive.

9:50	Jeff Zimmerman: I haven’t vote yet, but people in KC have found ways to vote thousands of times on the same gmail account

9:50	Comment From Rabid+Rabbit Dynasty league: Votto for Agon/Teheran. Teheran too risky to make this trade?

9:50	Paul Swydan: I’d hang on to Votto.

9:51	Jeff Zimmerman: I like Agon over Votto in RBI and R leagues. He will get plenty of chance with the LA lineup

9:52	Jeff Zimmerman: How to stuff the ASG ballot box: http://www.royalsreview.com…

9:52	Paul Swydan: I would say Ortiz should be pinch hit for right here, but the options are De Aza (also a lefty), Bianchi (not sure why he’s on the team) and Leon (backup catcher). Bleak.

9:52	Comment From The Big Dipper Just checked the box score – no walks and no errors, who was the baserunner?

9:52	Paul Swydan: I think they said he hit 2 guys?

9:52	Paul Swydan: Three guys.

9:53	Paul Swydan: Tejada, Duda and Recker.

9:54	Comment From hscer Man Royals fans got full-on anarchic in those 30 years without a pennant

9:55	Jeff Zimmerman: I wish they would have pushed Giavotella instead of Omar.

9:56	Paul Swydan: Not 100% sure I did this right, but if I did, Heston just tossed the first no hitter with 3 or more HBPs: http://www.baseball-referen…

9:56	Comment From Hank So if/when Ivan Nova comes back, who do the Yankees pull out of the rotation – CC, Eovaldi, Warren? (Warren is pitching the best of those three, but why do I think he’ll be the odd man out)

9:56	Jeff Zimmerman: Maybe, I mean maybe Carson is on to something: http://www.fangraphs.com/bl…

9:56	Paul Swydan: I’m sure by the time Nova comes back, someone else will be hurt. But either way, that’s a good problem to have. I would also guess Warren draws the short straw though.

9:57	Jeff Zimmerman: I could see one of the three get a mystery injury, but Nova needs to make it back. Odds are he will not be close to 100% of his previous production.

9:57	Paul Swydan: Oh wow, he was in the original one.

9:57	Comment From Andrew Mike Trout or Bryce Harper for the rest of the season?

9:58	Jeff Zimmerman: Trout

9:58	Paul Swydan: Oh man. So tempted to say Harper, but I’ll stick with Trout.

9:59	Comment From Johnny5Alive Seriously though, the mets are awful.

9:59	Paul Swydan: My how the times have changed. Seems like just yesterday we were getting yelled at for telling Mets fans to simmer down.