JotCast | Craig Edwards FanGraphs Chat--6/13/2019

Craig Edwards FanGraphs Chat--6/13/2019

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Doug

2:48

what would the Braves need to give up to get Yates from the Padres?

Craig Edwards

2:50

It's hard to know what the Padres want. They need to do some consolidating of their own, but I would guess a top-50ish prospect would do the trick with extra going San Diego's way depending on the first player. I don't know if the Braves are going to be willing to part with what San Diego will want, which would be like Waters or Contreras.

HappyFunBall

2:51

Rays have led the league in BABIP on offense is, I think, Chuck's question.

Craig Edwards

2:53

my mistake as they also do quite well on the pitching side. I think it is possible as they have a lot of guys who hit the ball hard but aren't necessarily huge home run hitters. Their ISO is closer to middle of the pack. I wouldn't necessarily expect their BABIP to drop a ton.

Juan Soto

2:56

What do you think of the Nationals recent success? Indicative of the team, or simply a blip?

Craig Edwards

2:58

It's a good team with a lot of talented players. They had some injuries with Turner and Rendon missing time, but their recent run is closer to general expectations than a lucky string of success.

Kiley DcManiel

2:58

Would the Cardinals have ruined Voit?

Craig Edwards

3:00

I don't know that he would have been this good had he stayed in St. Louis, but he probably would have been a solid contributor. Keep in mind that even if the Cardinals had kept Voit, he'd still be on the bench right now. Even if they hadn't traded for Goldschmidt, they would have gotten a new third baseman and kept Carpenter at first base. Their wasn't a realistic way to keep Voit, give him playing time and improve the team this past offseason.

Definitely Not a Cubs Fan

3:00

The main culprit in the Cardinal's string of mediocrity the past four seasons? What do you change as GM, right now?

Craig Edwards

3:04

There isn't really a main culprit. The Cubs and Brewers being really good hasn't helped. They've had bad luck not having one good outlier 90+ win season from a team projected to win 85ish games every year. They used to have a bad manager. Their generally conservative approach to acquisitions has hurt them because they don't have an in-house superstar and spending money on average players and relievers hasn't helped on the field and only served to decrease flexibility. If there is a single main culprit, it is a lack of a superstar, and there's not much they can do about that right now. What they need to do right now is fix the rotation, and that's something they can do.

3:05

Who are reasonable targets for the Brewers to add in the next few weeks? I think two bullpen arms would be ideal, but doubt it's any of the top guys.

Craig Edwards

3:06

Any add should be on the pitching side. I agree they aren't likely to get a top bullpen guy because they aren't likely to want to meet that price. They'll get somebody in the pen though reinforcements could come from within the organization. It wouldn't surprise me to see them get one of the available starters.

Matt

3:07

Why have the phillies' bats been so quiet? Is it the fault of the hitting coach? both santana and alfaro have been much better outside the organization.

Craig Edwards

3:09

They haven't been exactly terrible. Kingery has played really well. Hoskins is still hitting and McCutchen was hitting really well before he got hurt. Harper and Realmuto aren't that far away. Franco is an enigma so I'm not sure if the staff can be blamed. Alfaro is just young and he might be hitting this well if he were still with the club.

Voldemort

3:09

Any chance the cubs give Adbert Alzolay a rotation spot this season?

Craig Edwards

3:10

If there is an injury and Montgomery and Chatwood aren't available, he might get a shot.

3:10

How would you solve Pittsburgh's logjam in the outfield?

Craig Edwards

3:11

Give everybody a few days off per week to keep players fresh but also playing a bunch.

Big Alv

3:11

Yordan Alvarez has better splits against lefties from the minors, probably because of his opposite field approach. He's not going to have to platoon if that's any indication of his talent.

Craig Edwards

3:12

He's just advanced so quickly, it's hard to know how he'll do against the game's best and if he'll even get those types of opportunities in Houston this season.

Richard

3:12

Assuming Giles can quickly regain his health, would he or Stroman have more trade value?

Craig Edwards

3:12

Stroman.

LGM

3:13

Best offense, rest of season: David Bote, Bryan Reynolds or Garrett Cooper? Thanks

Craig Edwards

3:13

I'll say Cooper, Reynolds, then Bote.

BillyB

3:14

Right now the Astros 3rd and 4th starters (Miley and Peacock) are better statistically than Bumgarner or Stroman. Is it worth pursuing a starter for the Astros? Or should they be focused elsewhere, like bullpen or first base?

Craig Edwards

3:14

Pursuing a starter should help the bullpen, too. I don't think the Astros have to do anything, though I'm sure they will trade for someone in the bullpen as their needs develop in the next six weeks.

Doug

3:16

Austin Hedges is hitting 181/249/316 yet is on pace for a 2.7 fWAR season. Really?

Craig Edwards

3:17

Catching is hard, but it is less hard for Hedges, who makes up for his bat by stealing a lot of strikes. He probably doesn't get to 2.7 WAR, but he should be an average player.

Voldemort

3:18

Craigory, quick fantasy question for you. Does it bother you that Harry and Hermonie didn't end up getting married in the end?

Craig Edwards

3:21

No. I think Hermione's future is better without being saddled to Harry.

3:22

Guess that will do it for today. Almost...

tom

3:22

LET'S GO BLUES

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