Jeff Sullivan FanGraphs Chat — 4/13/18
9:06 |
: Hello friends |
9:06 |
: Welcome to Friday baseball chat |
9:06 |
: Shohei Ohtani tripled yesterday |
9:06 |
: It was good |
9:07 |
: What the hell is with Giolito’s start to season? His velo was up in spring and his curve was back but now he’s throwing 91 and his curve only 5%? |
9:08 |
: Yeah, this has been really disappointing. Especially since it’s clear he’s followed through on his mechanical adjustment, lowering his arm slot significantly |
9:09 |
: He’s thrown only 55% strikes, which is terrible. His velocity hasn’t rebounded. The curve isn’t there. Maybe Giolito just…isn’t…good. But I will say this: his three game-time temperatures have been 45, 32, and 47. He hasn’t yet been able to pitch comfortably, which *might* be a factor |
9:09 |
: On the other hand, pitching under the same conditions yesterday, Jose Berrios was fantastic |
9:10 |
: I really, really liked spring Giolito, but now I’m running out of patience |
9:11 |
: What should the Mets do with catcher? |
9:12 |
: For now, I don’t think there’s anything to do. Nido and Lobaton are going to have to hold it down, and thankfully it seems like Plawecki will only be out 2-3 weeks. That’s not so bad, and he’s deserving of more playing time when he’s healthy, anyway |
9:12 |
: Clearly, though, the depth has been challenged. It’s too early in the season for any team to be thinking about trades, but after the draft has passed, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Mets get, say, A.J. Ellis or someone |
9:14 |
: Ellis would fill that role of respected veteran backup, and it’s not like the Padres are going to have any real use for him |
9:14 |
: Last 2 calendar years, wRC+ leaders go Trout, Votto and Freeman (which includes post broken wrist 2017). Freddie needs to be thought of as one of the best hitters in baseball. |
9:14 |
: Is he not? |
9:15 |
: If he’s not, well, he should be, absolutely. He is amazing |
9:15 |
: Freeman also hasn’t hit a pop-up since 9/7/16 |
9:16 |
: More and more like Votto by the day |
9:16 |
: KEON BROXTON is too good for AAA. The Brewers need to promote this man. |
9:18 |
: Victim of circumstances. At this point he probably needs a trade or for someone to sustain a major injury. There’s no outfield in baseball with more talent and depth |
9:19 |
: I’m, let’s say, 40% surprised he never wound up dealt to the Giants |
9:20 |
: Maybe the Brewers and Royals could work something out |
9:20 |
: Not that the Royals have very much pitching to dangle |
9:21 |
: I know the Giants will never trade them but who would say no to MadBum and Posey to the Nats for Robles and Turner? |
9:22 |
: MadBum and Posey |
9:22 |
: Pitchers who don’t wear sleeves in cold weather, yet they still put on a warm up jacket when they reach base? |
9:22 |
: When you’re on the mound, you know you’re going to remain very active. When you’re a baserunner, you don’t know that |
9:23 |
: On the mound, you’re doing something every 20 seconds or so. On the bases, you might be standing there for 12 minutes |
9:23 |
: How concerned are you about JD Martinez’s K rate? |
9:23 |
: 0% |
9:24 |
: Do you care at all about schedule at this point in the season? The Yankees play 12 straight games against Angels/Astros/Indians/Red Sox soon, which is a worry for them given how they’ve been playing. |
9:25 |
: I’ll notice schedules sometimes, but I never think much about them since eventually things mostly balance out. And I don’t think there’s too much predictive power in the fact that the Yankees are 6-7 |
9:26 |
: Even despite some struggles, the Yankees have a top-10 wRC+, and while the team ERA is lousy, the team FIP- ranks fifth |
9:26 |
: The Yankees are great, no matter what’s happened the last two weeks |
9:27 |
: The one schedule I feel bad about is Tampa Bay’s. They started 1-8, because they played their first nine games against the Yankees and Red Sox. That does mean they have fewer such games remaining, but what a horrible way to begin |
9:27 |
: Is Josh Hader going to be for the Brewers what Chris Devenski was last year for the Astros? |
9:28 |
: That’s the idea, basically. He’s really super good |
9:28 |
: And Hader, unlike Devenski, hopefully won’t melt down down the stretch |
9:28 |
: Hader figured out strikes somewhere last August or whenever. He’s been untouchable since |
9:29 |
: Are you watching playoff hockey with the Senators not participating? Playoff hockey is the best. You should still watch |
9:29 |
: I’ll watch some of it, but the thing about hockey is it’s emotional, and you come to hate every single team that isn’t your own |
9:30 |
: So I’m not actually rooting *for* anyone. I want them all to suffer |
9:30 |
: Thankfully, almost all of them will! |
9:30 |
: haha! |
9:31 |
: What should the Reds do with Amir Garrett? He looks dominant in relief, but he’s also healthy than he has been since the start of last year. Should they try him out in the rotation again? |
9:31 |
: Let’s face it: the members of the rotation aren’t exactly making a case for keeping their jobs |
9:31 |
: But then, neither are the members of the bullpen |
9:32 |
: The Reds can’t even act like they’re putting out fires, because the entire pitching staff is like one whole massive conflagration |
9:32 |
: David Hernandez is returning from the DL sometime soon. Ditto Michael Lorenzen. At that point, with the bullpen deeper and healthier, it should be easier to stretch Garrett out so that he can get his rotation innings |
9:32 |
: Which parts of this Mets thing is real? Which parts aren’t? |
9:33 |
: Conforto, clearly, is back and 100%. Maybe even more than 100% |
9:34 |
: And Syndergaard looks very good, as if he didn’t miss any time. That’s as much as you could hope for |
9:34 |
: I’m willing to buy that Gsellman can be an effective reliever |
9:35 |
: Outside of that, few things have changed my mind. But the Mets were always going to be strong as long as they had a healthy pitching staff |
9:35 |
: Why did Mike Trout’s (and presumably other players) WAR change in previous seasons? I’m assuming it has to with park factors or something. |
9:35 |
: Recently there was a big UZR update |
9:36 |
: I don’t know enough about it to say more, but that’s the explanation |
9:37 |
: Arrieta, Nola, and Pivetta have a solid grasp on their rotation spots. When Jerad Eickhoff returns, who’s the odd man out – Vince Velasquez or Ben Lively? |
9:37 |
: Probably Lively, but then he can come back when Velasquez ends up on the DL for something |
9:37 |
: What will it take for Brandon Phillips to latch on to a team and log some playing time? |
9:37 |
: a mass extinction event |
9:39 |
: I don’t see a single team that would meaningfully benefit from an addition like this |
9:40 |
: Any hope that Profar will regain some of his lost luster? |
9:41 |
: Not much. Nothing wrong with his eye, but his quality of contact is just so mediocre |
9:41 |
: And now that he’s realistically not a shortstop, the offensive bar is even higher. I haven’t completely given up, but he’s done nothing to impress |
9:42 |
: Why is Anthony Banda in AAA? I’m not buying him as an inferior pitcher to guys like Yarbrough or Kittredge. |
9:43 |
: Last year in Triple-A, Yarbrough was very good, and Kittredge was also very good. Banda was not very good |
9:44 |
: So that more or less explains how this year has begun. But clearly, it won’t take very much for Banda to move up, since last year’s numbers are decreasingly relevant |
9:44 |
: trout and ohtani have combined for more WAR than like, a half dozen team’s entire WAR so far this season. are they the best duo to watch in baseball? |
9:45 |
: For now, definitely, since we haven’t yet begun to take Ohtani for granted. We’re all still full of wonder |
9:45 |
: But, I mean, there’s Correa/Altuve, and there’s Stanton/Judge, and there’s Bryant/Rizzo, and Harper/Rendon/Scherzer/Strasburg/etc… |
9:46 |
: …Gosselin/Peraza… |
9:48 |
: Is Nicky Delmonico a good hitter? |
9:49 |
: Probably not, but the White Sox have plenty of opportunity to allow the world to find out |
9:49 |
: A lineup with Albies, Acuna, Freeman, Swanson and Inciarte has a ton of upside, right? |
9:49 |
: Well, I don’t think Inciarte or Swanson have huge offensive upside. They should be roughly average-ish hitters. Not good, not bad |
9:50 |
: The others, though? Yeah. It’s starting to happen |
9:50 |
: Nationals are playing like a stars and scrubs roster |
9:50 |
: They usually do, because they usually are |
9:50 |
: It works, though, because they probably have more stars than any other baseball team |
9:52 |
: While some of the Pirates’ start is undoubtedly luck/SSS/April, there’s also at least some evidence that young players have developed well. When should we start considering them “real”? |
9:52 |
: While the Pirates just played the Cubs pretty tough, they’re also being propped up by going 6-1 against the Tigers/Reds. I don’t much care about how a team plays against the Tigers and Reds |
9:53 |
: Keep watching for another month or so and we’ll see how indicators start to settle down. I think the Pirates came into the year kind of underrated, and I’m excited by what I’ve seen from, say, Polanco and Moran, but for now this still isn’t quite a playoff team to me |
9:54 |
: I wish Tyler Glasnow would throw some damn strikes 🙁 |
9:54 |
: 20 years from now, how many two-way players will be on major-league rosters? Am I crazy to think it’ll be at least 15 or so, with more teams having one than not? If Ohtani proves that it can work, more and more guys will be brought up that way in the minors. And with teams wanting as many relievers on the roster as possible, the ability to have effectively two players occupying one roster spot will only get more important. |
9:56 |
: I don’t feel this way. I think there are very, very few players with the skills to handle both responsibilities. Now, there might be more position players who are just skilled enough to throw a bunch of mop-up innings — the Chris Gimenez types. But if anything, 20 years from now, rosters will have expanded, so teams won’t need so much flexibility |
9:56 |
: Does Bryan Mitchell suck? It seems like Bryan Mitchell sucks. |
9:56 |
: I think that, as a starting pitcher, Bryan Mitchell sucks |
9:57 |
: It was a worthwhile attempt, and I thought there was some upside there, but even through three starts, this is pretty conclusive. Three strikeouts and 14 walks? That’s almost impossible. So, so bad |
9:57 |
: He should be moved to the bullpen post-haste, but for the fact that the Padres don’t have any other starters |
9:57 |
: How much do you buy into Chase Anderson’s finish to last year? |
9:57 |
: He’s no ace, but I buy him as somewhere in between a 2 and a 3 |
9:58 |
: I love that changeup |
9:59 |
: I saw Ozzy Albies swing at a 3-2 fastball the other day that was pretty much middle middle. He swang right thru it. Have you watched any Ozzie at bats and seen same load and swing? From that one at bat it looked like he’s trying to hit 30 this year. |
9:59 |
: For such a little dude, it more or less requires max effort to hit a ball out of the yard |
10:00 |
: Albies, to this point, has shown enough power. But the Braves have to keep watch and make sure he doesn’t go the way of Rougned Odor or someone |
10:00 |
: I’m not too worried. Albies is so young and so good, and he’ll find his compromise |
10:01 |
: Addison Russell ever hit above .270 for a full season? |
10:01 |
: He’ll fluke his way there once or twice |
10:02 |
: What is your favorite early-season storyline? If it’s Ohtani, what’s your second-favorite? |
10:03 |
: This is going to sound like a cop-out answer, but: it’s everything. I love having baseball just wash over me completely. There’s something to investigate everywhere I look. *Everything* is interesting (except the Tigers) |
10:04 |
: A month or so from now, certain storylines are going to begin to emerge more prominently. And certain teams are going to fade into the background, rarely to be considered. Not there yet. Still in that honeymoon period where I just love that baseball is back |
10:05 |
: When Max Schrock wins the MVP, will he be the first MVP to have been traded twice before debuting? |
10:06 |
: Not the same thing, but Josh Hamilton was technically employed by the Devil Rays and the Cubs before the Reds |
10:07 |
: Did the Padres make a mistake paying such a high price to obtain Bryan Mitchell? |
10:08 |
: I mean, it definitely looks like it now. Mitchell is bad. But it only took the $13 million to cover one year of Chase Headley, and Headley is a useful player on his own. Plus, the Padres were never going to contend this season, so that money might not have been otherwise spent. It clearly didn’t prevent them from, say, signing Eric Hosmer… |
10:09 |
: Think Newcomb will get improve his control? Lots of potential there |
10:10 |
: Already has. As a major leaguer, he’s been close to a league-average strike rate, which is a step forward from where he’d been in the minors |
10:10 |
: I don’t think his control will ever be plus, but it’s good enough as is for him to remain in the rotation |
10:11 |
: Do you have thoughts on Jarlin Garcia? |
10:11 |
: Not yet |
10:11 |
: Let me quickly develop some |
10:13 |
: I’m not seeing much |
10:13 |
: Standard repertoire, seems to let his changeup get away from him. I don’t see a pitch I like to generate consistent swings and misses |
10:14 |
: How worried are you about Ohtani getting worn out from trying to play 162 games as hitter/pitcher? I feel like above any attributes, scouting, skill questions, it’s my biggest fear for him. |
10:14 |
: Well, he’s not doing that, right? The Angels have played 14 games. Ohtani has pitched in two of them and batted in seven of them |
10:15 |
: That’s a 104-game pace. Two-thirds of the season, basically |
10:16 |
: Ultimately, he’ll play more than that, if he stays good. But remember that, as recently as 2016, Ohtani batted 382 times, and threw 140 innings, in a 140-game season |
10:16 |
: He’s *already* made this work for him. This isn’t as much of an experiment as it seems like |
10:17 |
: Will Sano ever get his strikeout rate below 30%? |
10:18 |
: Maybe once, but he has that blend of swings and misses, and patience. So he already gets into deep counts, which makes the prospect of striking out ever present |
10:19 |
: If Freddie Freeman is Joey Votto can I be Freddie Freeman? |
10:19 |
: I’m afraid that Ryan Flaherty is Freddie Freeman |
10:19 |
: you can be Ryan Flaherty |
10:20 |
: Have you heard anything about the Brandon Drury situation? |
10:20 |
: Not a word. These things always make me a little uneasy |
10:20 |
: With FB velocity consistently rising at what point does player safety have to be re-addressed? |
10:20 |
: I think it’s constantly under consideration |
10:21 |
: You see more players now wearing more protective helmets |
10:22 |
: If you got in a fight, are you more of a Joe Kelly or Luis Perdomo |
10:23 |
: Definitely Perdomo. I’d throw my glove. Improvise with what you’ve got. Maybe the glove would scrape the dude on the cheek |
10:24 |
: Big fan of Perdomo’s backpedaling maneuver. Athlete! |
10:24 |
: Chances Schwarber becomes the most valuable stick in the Cubs lineup this year? |
10:24 |
: The Cubs lineup that already includes Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo? |
10:24 |
: That Cubs lineup? |
10:25 |
: 5% |
10:25 |
: Think Colome gets dealt mid season? If so, think Alvarado gets a shot to close? He’s got the best stuff in the pen. Or do they hand the keys over to Romo? |
10:25 |
: Right now, Colome sucks |
10:25 |
: This is one of the reasons he didn’t get traded |
10:26 |
: No one wanted to pay a high price for a guy whose strikeout rate collapsed |
10:27 |
: In his brief 2018 sample, he’s been very bad. He might lose his job before he ever changes teams |
10:27 |
: Which player’s SSS Slow Start do you think continue throughout the year? Why? |
10:27 |
: I’m not worried about any hitters yet, but Chris Tillman is toast |
10:28 |
: Bryan Mitchell, as a starter, is toast |
10:28 |
: I’ve lost most of my Giolito enthusiasm |
10:28 |
: And that Felix Hernandez start the other week was dreadful |
10:28 |
: If you want to know what I think about pitchers, look at the guys with bad K/BB ratios |
10:29 |
: Am I an idiot for ever thinking LoMo was actually a good baseball player at some point? |
10:29 |
: Checking in on the 2017 breakouts: Alonso has been bad. Morrison has been bad. Smoak has been fantastic! That’s 1 out of 3 |
10:30 |
: Morrison will get going at some point, but this is ugly. You can see why the market didn’t bend over backwards for these guys |
10:30 |
: Is Adam Ottavino fixed? |
10:30 |
: I’ll say yes |
10:31 |
: I was looking at him closely the other day. Couldn’t spot much of anything mechanically, but there’s just no way to ignore 1 walk and 16 strikeouts |
10:31 |
: This is one of those small samples that’s so impressive it carries actual weight |
10:32 |
: Bryan Mitchell. Oof. |
10:32 |
: Clayton Richard is the best starting pitcher on that team |
10:32 |
: Thank god for Joey Lucchesi |
10:32 |
: whoever that is |
10:33 |
: What’s more believable to you, that since the start of the season the Mets have added 22.2% to their playoff odds (now at 67%) or that the Angels have added 24% (to 51%) to theirs? |
10:34 |
: I’d say the Angels because of Ohtani, but then, Ohtani was already projected to be pretty good. And the team has lost JC Ramirez, and possibly Matt Shoemaker already |
10:34 |
: So I’ll go with the Mets. All concerns about Michael Conforto are basically out the window. That’s huge |
10:35 |
: That Pirates offense is for real |
10:35 |
: Second in baseball in expected wOBA! |
10:36 |
: I’m very happy to see Polanco and Moran swinging well |
10:36 |
: Moran especially, since Musgrove is still out indefinitely |
10:37 |
: Hi Jeff! Wondering if you think Mike Soroka’s timeline could be moved up for his arrival in Atlanta? I previously kept hearing September call-up — maybe it’s sooner now after his strong start in AAA? |
10:38 |
: Newcomb was up after starting just 11 games in Triple-A. Gohara was up after starting just seven |
10:38 |
: The Braves will try to be patient, but with Soroka only one level away, his performance can force their hand, absolutely |
10:39 |
: Who are you cheering for in the Stanley Cup Playoffs? |
10:39 |
: Whoever is playing the Leafs |
10:40 |
: That Kadri hit was horrifying. Unspeakably awful |
10:41 |
: The Mariners are down on playoff odds despite going 6-4 out the gate. I imagine this is mostly because of the Angels’ strong start, making the bar to clear likely higher for WC2? |
10:41 |
: Yeah. Even though the Mariners are a decent 6-4, that’s still worse than the Angels, Twins, and Blue Jays, who have been expected to be the strongest WC2 competition |
10:42 |
: Do I have anything to worry about Josh Donaldson going forward offensively? |
10:42 |
: Shouldn’t |
10:42 |
: What’s minimum velo you like to see out of starters before you worry the rest of skill set has to be perfect? 92? 93 for righties? Maybe a tick or two less for southpaws? |
10:42 |
: I think it’s more like 90. Just depends on the secondary stuff. If someone has a really good changeup, then I’m not too worried about fastball velocity, because it’s playable |
10:43 |
: Brent Suter throws 86 and he’s fairly good without being perfect |
10:43 |
: Re: your Freeman article. Without using projections, throw out a number. He finishes 2018 with a wRC+ of _____ ? |
10:43 |
: I don’t know. 160-170? |
10:43 |
: What should the Senators do with Erik Karlsson |
10:43 |
: Player/owner |
10:44 |
: Why does Ohtani bat 8th? |
10:44 |
: Easing him in |
10:44 |
: You don’t want to overreact to anything, good or bad. Stay the course for at least a few months |
10:44 |
: I am a depressed Rangers fan. Any hope for me? |
10:44 |
: There are people who love you very much |
10:46 |
: I noticed Kurt Suzuki has been good since joining the Braves. Real good. Seems to coincide with marked changes in his batted ball profile and plate discipline as well. Is there something here? I know. It’s Kurt Suzuki (!). But at what point does he warrant some research? |
10:49 |
: He’s definitely a guy who’s quietly benefited from putting his bat-to-ball skills in the air. He could always make contact; now he’s making more fly-ball contact, which has pushed him toward triple-digit wRC+ marks. At 34, he’s nearing the end of the line anyway, but this is an impressive way for his career to wind down |
10:49 |
: Ohtani or Trout – higher WAR this season? |
10:49 |
: Trout |
10:49 |
: Jeff! How deeply/shallowly do you believe in Jose Martinez, Elite Hitter? |
10:50 |
: I believe he is a good hitter, and not an elite one |
10:50 |
: Ask me again in a month if he continues to basically never strike out |
10:50 |
: If he suddenly starts running an Altuvian strikeout rate, then, my god |
10:51 |
: anything concerning with alex wood? his fip, xfip, siera are all superb, and he hasn’t given up a walk, but I’m not sure what to make of his 5+ era with a .241 babip |
10:52 |
: I believe he made his most recent start while still recovering from a bout of food poisoning, so I’ll give him a pass for that |
10:52 |
: His velocity continues to perplex, and he’s not throwing 93, but when he’s all right he’s still quite good |
10:55 |
: So how come the BBWAA didn’t like CYA incentives in Tyler Chatwood’s contract, but then was ok with the same incentives in Jake Arrieta’s deal? |
10:55 |
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-sullivan-tyl… : Some background: |
10:55 |
: “The latest drama began at the winter meetings in Orlando, Fla., when the Cubs included a contract clause that provided Chatwood with an automatic $2 million salary boost in 2019 if he received one vote for the NL Cy Young in 2018, and a $4 million raise in 2020 if he received one in both ’18 and ’19.” |
10:57 |
: Arrieta has a Cy Young-related incentive. So does Yu Darvish, with the same Cubs |
10:58 |
: I’m going to guess it’s a matter of the specific language. With the Chatwood contract, initially, there was money to be gained based on a single vote. With the more familiar Cy Young incentives, it’s based on where the pitcher finishes in the overall voting, which requires more participation than one writer |
10:59 |
: This is speculation on my part. Maybe I should know more, since I’m in the BBWAA and everything |
10:59 |
: Last year eight pitchers in the AL got Cy Young support, and nine pitchers got support in the NL. So it takes multiple voters to get up to even fifth place |
10:59 |
: Is there reason to worry about Stanton’s start to the season(the K’s)? |
10:59 |
: No |
11:01 |
: Is the Astros increased strikeout numbers a cause for concern or just a product of small sample size? |
11:01 |
: Part of it comes from a bunch of playing time going to Marisnick, Fisher, Stassi, Davis, etc. Guys with histories of striking out, who didn’t play so much in 2017 |
11:02 |
: Springer’s rate is up a lot, which is something to watch, but I won’t worry about that for at least another month or so |
11:02 |
: Loved your Freddie Freeman article. I know it is a really small sample size and I could end up looking silly by making this declaration. But it feels like he has added patience to his approach at the plate this year. |
11:03 |
: A few commenters noted that he had Lasik over the offseason. Historically, that hasn’t really mattered, but it’s a fun coincidence! |
11:03 |
: Ummmm is it time to give up on Bryan Mitchell after only 3 starts |
11:03 |
: With any other starting rotation, it would be |
11:04 |
: So are we ready to say that Ohtani is a legitimate beast of a hitter yet? Or do we still need to keep our expectations in check? That guy might be kind of talented at baseball |
11:04 |
: I need more than 29 plate appearances, but the way he turned around on that inside fastball last night was fantastic |
11:05 |
: I’ve seen enough to believe that Ohtani won’t be a *bad* hitter. I had been somewhat concerned, during the winter |
11:05 |
: Are the Angels good? |
11:05 |
: Yes |
11:05 |
: xwOBA is up significantly this year and sitting at .334 vs .321 last season. Is this sustainable? Are we going to see another huge increase in run scoring? |
11:06 |
: I don’t think we’ll see a *huge* increase, but cold early-season weather has probably been causing a bunch of issues. Home runs are down, but walks are also up, because pitchers are having problems throwing strikes, and fly balls are having problems getting over the fence |
11:06 |
: All right, I need to get rolling |
11:06 |
: So thank you everybody for hanging out, and I’m sorry for what I didn’t or couldn’t address. We’ll do it again next week at the same time, and until then, be well and have great days |
Jeff made Lookout Landing a thing, but he does not still write there about the Mariners. He does write here, sometimes about the Mariners, but usually not.