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Craig Edwards FanGraphs Chat--1/7/2021
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Craig Edwards
2:49
It's possible. Gimenez is more likely the shortstop so maybe they try the outfield and see what happens. Cleveland has long been in need of quality outfielders.
Guest
2:50
Thoughts on the Mets' pen now? This presumably makes sending Lugo back there a bit easier. There's always a lot of year-to-year variation in relievers, but I see quite a few high-end arms not too far removed from their most effective years.
Craig Edwards
2:50
The pen looks pretty solid right now. I don't think you can rule out anything with the Mets right now, though.
George
2:51
Re: Mets in Padres/LA tier If you were to do quick tiers of NL Contenders how would they shake out? Something like 1.Dodgers/Padres  2. Mets 3. Braves/Nats/Cards 4. Phillies/Marlins/Cubs/Giants
Craig Edwards
2:52
I don't think the Cardinals are up with the Braves right now, and until Washington makes a move, they aren't there either. The Brewers and Reds are right there with the Cardinals and Cubs.
Concerned Baseball Fan
2:53
As a Mets fan, this is bittersweet - we got Lindor, but only because a billion dollar franchise got cheap.
Craig Edwards
2:54
It's definitely bad for baseball, but the change in ownership in New York means there's one less cheap franchise out there. The Mets have been more cheap compared to their resources than the Indians over the last decade.
Concerned Baseball Fan
2:54
How many other teams will pull money-saving, lose-now deals like this ?
Craig Edwards
2:55
We'll see if the Cubs are done, and maybe the Reds move payroll. Rockies are the wild card.
LINDT
2:55
So what happens to Jose Ramirez?
Craig Edwards
2:55
He leads Cleveland to the fourth wild card?
Zaque
2:56
How are you feeling about where Saints are in the table right now? Feels like they have a non-zero chance of making Europa.
Craig Edwards
2:59
It looked like they might start sliding a bit after having a great run of play, but then they beat Liverpool. Losing a two-goal lead to Man U could haunt them at the end of the season when it comes to qualifying for Europe, but as long as Ings and Ward-Prowse keep kicking the ball like they are using a remote control, they will be dangerous.
Mike Rizzo
2:59
Am I now the GM of the fifth best team in my division? Am I the Angels all over again?
Craig Edwards
3:00
Juan Soto plus Max Scherzer is going to keep you ahead of the Marlins and the Phillies still haven't replaced some quality outgoing players.
LINDT
3:00
Advice from a long-suffering Mets fan: never, ever be fooled into thinking that the Mets will actually be good, no matter what your lying eyes try to tell you.
Craig Edwards
3:01
Low expectations help you to be surprised, but high expectations sure do create a lot more excitement on a daily basis. Also, the Mets are good.
Kate
3:01
Who gets the first shot at Carrasco's spot in the Cleveland rotation (I'm assuming it's Quantrill or Logan Allen)?  Any upside in either of them (especially given Cleveland pitching magic)?
Craig Edwards
3:02
I imagine they will both be starting games at some point next year. I'm not sure there's a ton of upside in either one, but Allen does seem more likely to get some Cleveland magic.
Bill
3:02
Would you bet on the over or under on Kyle Lewis' WAR zips projection of 1.3? I mean come on, Luis Robert projects for a 3.9 WAR and they're only 2 years apart in age...
Craig Edwards
3:03
I'd go over, but Lewis is pretty streaky and strikes out a ton. Those two years make quite a bit of difference and Robert is one of the best defenders in the game.
Padres fan here
3:03
Basically everything went right in 2020. But if Hosmer and Myers regress a little, this team is not all that. Agree?
Craig Edwards
3:04
They don't really need Hosmer and Myers to stay at that level. Look at the depth charts. https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=ALL&teamid=29
3:05
The pair are projected for 1.8 WAR and the Padres are still right there with the Dodgers. If those two don't regress, the Padres might win 100 games.
LINDT
3:05
Are there still gonna be four wild cards?  Jesus, what a joke this sport is becoming
Craig Edwards
3:06
that was just a joke. but Cleveland will have a tough time making the playoffs without a bunch of things going right in addition to Bieber and Ramirez playing at MVP levels.
Lex
3:07
What do you make of Altuve? Does the power surge in the playoffs redeem what seems like a negative trend in BABIP skill
Craig Edwards
3:10
He's one of the main examples to consider postseason play when looking at 2020 numbers. He increased his plate appearances by 29% with the playoffs. The 77 wRC+ in the regular season was bad, but if you incorporate the playoffs, he's at 112. Steamer projects 115 while ZiPS says 123. I would lean more toward ZiPS.
Leo
3:10
Any chance Padres look at Schwarber?
Craig Edwards
3:10
Possible, but I wouldn't think it is likely.
Braves Fan
3:11
How does the Lindor trade change what Anthopoulos needs to do/should do with the rest of the FA market? Who's the best bet for a Donaldson/Ozuna-type make-good deal?
Craig Edwards
3:12
They might be a good fit for Schwarber. I'm not sure looking at the free agents I see a Donaldson/Ozuna type situation. Joc Pederson would make some sense as well.
LINDT
3:12
Seriously, though, Manfred has said he wants a 14- or 16-team playoff situation.  Why?  Because almost every team is trying to lose, and he's hoping to make it impossible!  Then there'll be even less incentive to spend - you can post a sub-.500 record and still make the 'yoffs!  Outrageous
Craig Edwards
3:13
He wants more playoffs because playoffs bring in more tv money. Having the illusion of more teams in the playoff race probably helps some, too as it might sell more tickets.
Chris
3:14
Madison Bumgarner. Hall of Famer or nah?
Craig Edwards
3:14
I don't see it. He's a playoff hero, but he's never been that great in the regular season.
Bob
3:14
Does Adley Rutschman come up this year? If so, how many PA does he get?
Craig Edwards
3:15
Probably at some point, but not sure it happens before June.
Bob
3:15
Projected role in 2021 for Brusdar Graterol?
Craig Edwards
3:15
likely late-inning reliever.
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