JotCast | Dan Szymborski FanGraphs Chat

Dan Szymborski FanGraphs Chat - 11/21/19

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Dan Szymborski

12:14

It makes more sense for a rebuilding team.

Esoteric Jeff

12:14

Okay so here's how it works, Dan: you're gonna put this buzzer in your shoe and every time I want a question of mine bumped to the head of the queue and answered you will feel a mild but memorable shock. Nobody will be the wiser.

Dan Szymborski

12:14

TORTURING ME SLIGHTLY IS AGAINST THE RULES I THINK

Marc

12:15

As a baseball writer who presumably wants every player to succeed, how do you rationalize the idea in your head that baseball is a zero sum game? Over the past year I've gotten a bit sad seeing players I want to improve while recognizing that batters' success will come at the expense of pitchers' failures and vice versa.

Dan Szymborski

12:15

I want every player to get a chance to succeed.

I don't expect a Lake Woebegon talent distribution

Eel Ffilc

12:15

What happened to Joc's steals once he got to MLB? 114 in 464 minor league games but only 16 in 705 MLB games.

Dan Szymborski

12:17

That's not unusual for non speed guys

Adam Dunn stole 20 bases twice in the minors and 19 in his rookie year.

12:18

Big DOnkey was surprisingly agile when young.

But it's not a real net positive, so why risk it for a guy who contributes offense in other ways?

Peter Thomas

12:18

Yesterday I did my daily deep dive into the horror that is Eric Hosmer and found something I can't explain. In 2019 Hosmer sported a 19.6 k% against LHP and 26.1 k% against RHP. Maybe a one year thing? His total career K rate is only 17.4%, and he has historically been good against RHP. Is there some weird way that this gives us hope that he just has to make a single adjustment to go back to being a 130 wRC+ kind of guy?

Dan Szymborski

12:18

At the risk of being cruel, he only hit a 130 once.

12:21

And a third of 2019 vs. 2011-2019 is league difference.

I think the problem is that Eric Hosmer just isn't very good.

12:22

He's a meh contact hitter at this point who hits a lot of groundballs hard.

Baseball Guy

12:22

Heard a bit about Lindor, maybe Seagar, maybe Story, being available. Aside from musical chairs and the Reds (who might get Didi anyway) is there a SS trade market for them, good as they are?

Dan Szymborski

12:22

I'd be shocked if Seager or Story were available.

I don't think Lindor is likely to be unless the team's bowled over

Josh

12:22

Looks like Grandal to the White Sox... do they have a shot at the AL Central this year?

Dan Szymborski

12:23

Still a stretch I think, but we don't know what else is going on this winter.

Hot Stove

12:23

Hey Dan can we get your real-time reaction to Grandal -> White Sox (4 years 73 mil)?

Dan Szymborski

12:23

Doing an InstaGraphs after the chat!

Which also means that I'm going to have to be strict about the one hour time limit.

Adam

12:23

How close are we to pitchers and catchers using some sort of technology to eliminate the need for signs in the first place?

Dan Szymborski

12:23

Just use a damn headset.

12:24

I think MLB will eventually just let them have earpieces

12:25

I’m sorry, I can’t hear your allegations over the sound of this trash can *bangs trash can louder*

Motown Oden

12:25

One of my favorite Thanksgiving leftovers is what is universally accepted to be an Open-Faced Hot Turkey Sandwich. Question is, do you enjoy said meal, and if so what do you call it?

Dan Szymborski

12:25

I like leftover turkey cold.

tom

12:26

the way P framed that comment, i'm concerned that P thinks taubman stuff was a positive.

Astros

12:26

I can see not caring (people do a lot of things in this life), but I have no idea how this would... make you believe MORE in their talent.

Post Malone

12:26

How much can you bench?

Dan Szymborski

12:28

When my fatass goes to the gym, I do stuff that's more geared towards weight loss/cardio like treadmill and rowing machine.

Esoteric Jeff

12:29

Let's assume that Anthony Rendon isn't returning to the Nationals. Which would be a better signing for them to fill the hole at 3B, Donaldson at a presumably inflated price or Moustakas at something lesser?

Dan Szymborski

12:29

It really comes down to just what the prices are. Both have merit!

Desperate Times

12:29

Re: Bryant Grievance delay, they wanted to rob it of its service time before hearing the case.

Billy Beane

12:29

Hey Dan, where does the ZiPS top 100 prospects fall on your to-do list? Presumably after the elegies (which are great, by the way) but the lack of KATOH & Fringe Five has left a gaping hole in my heart for stats-only MiLB analysis. Dan, I cannot afford a cardiologist.

Dan Szymborski

12:29

I've got an organized offseason plan this year!

Desperate Times

12:29

Re: Biggest Contender Need - Astros @ Catcher.

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