JotCast | Dan Szymborski FanGraphs Chat

Dan Szymborski FanGraphs Chat - 7/8/21

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Dan Szymborski

12:22

They're in a bit of a tougher spot as they don't have obvious expiring contracts like they did in 2016; I think it's just Kluber unless I'm forgetting someone.

I think they're going to be one of the teams taking the decision as close to the deadline as possible

Estevão

12:23

Elvis Andrus and Mark Ellis have a higher combined WAR (63.3) than Ryan Howard and JImmy Rollins (62.3)

McVittie's Chocolate Digestives

12:23

Has your opinion of Brian Cashman dropped after seeing the Yankees' results this season?

Dan Szymborski

12:23

Not really

tgt969

12:23

With the NL Playoff teams basically decided is anyone on the Pirates (other than Hayes & Reyolds) tradable?

Dan Szymborski

12:23

I think so. And I think Reynolds is too

Jack

12:23

Is Myles Straw for real?

Dan Szymborski

12:25

I know Myles Straw sounds like some creature from folklore from Iowa, who captured a thunderstorm in a net made of straw and grew stalks of corn that reached the moon and took all the cheese leaving just the rock. But I've seen him play and I know he's for real.

12:26

He'll get on base, play some defense, hit for no power. As long as the Astros remain realistic about his upside, he's just fine

Bradley

12:26

If you have 2 players who crush in miLB, one in AA at say age 22, the other in AAA at age 23, how does ZIPS make sense of this? Will AAA performAnce matter more even accounting for age?

Dan Szymborski

12:26

It depends!

12:26

Hey Dan, I greatly appreciate your work. Curious of your thoughts about Luis Urias going forward as his offense continues to get better with power and average.

Dan Szymborski

12:26

He was on my breakout hitters piece this year, so I was already still hopeful!

At least I think he was

Hold on, let me make sure I'm not a big liar

12:27

Hurray, I'm not a filthy fibber!

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/szymborskis-2021-breakout-candidates-hitte...

Chris

12:27

How much money will the Cubs spend in December-Jan free agency? Any guesses who they sign?

Dan Szymborski

12:28

I couldn't find a GIF with the proper quote! lol

Just remember it in you rhead

EvanC

12:29

Who do you think is/was the better MLB Catcher - Jason Kendall or JT Realmuto?

Dan Szymborski

12:29

Overall? Realmuto

Baseball Guy

12:29

OK so the Rockies generally stink, as ZiPS and others predicted. But what do you make of their absolutely insane home road split? I mean, their pitching staff's ERA is something like a run and a half BETTER at Coors than elsewhere. What is going on?

Dan Szymborski

12:29

A blend of Coors and fortune. 40 game home/road splits are REALLy volatile

Cynthia

12:29

Do you think we'll ever see a 108 mph pitch? Velocity continues to rise, and we've already seen 105 from Chapman and Jordan Hicks.

Dan Szymborski

12:29

I think it's possible, but you probably need to consult someone with direct expertise on physiological limitations

12:30

I'm guessing there's a ceiling somewhere for people.

But again, I took physics as my science in college. I took biology in 9th grade and my knowledge of the human body is a vague idea of how babies are made and that you shouldn't drink bottles of poison.

12:31

Hell, I full-on legit fainted in 6th grade dissecting an eyeball. Like literally waking up in a wheelchair and the whole class looking at me.

Oddball Herrera

12:31

Welcome to the Thursday Fangraphs Chat, in which we enrage Dan by accusing him of making too many fat jokes

Dan Szymborski

12:31

I'm so confused by this ongoing gag!

I don't generally make fat jokes.

12:32

And if I did, I consider that one of the rare perks of *being* a fat guy. Gotta have something fun to cancel out the long-term risk of diabetes.

EvanC

12:32

Is Carlos Correa underrated as a defender? I was surprised when I was looking at his page and saw his defensive numbers. It feels like no one ever talks about his defense.

Dan Szymborski

12:32

I suspect big shortstops get a lot of underrating still, though probably not as bad post-Ripken

12:33

but even with Ripken, whose late career SS defensive numbers were terrific, people are more likely to praise him for being smart and positioning than for making amazing plays

Mike Fetters

12:33

Jace Peterson is providing the Brewers with some much-needed offense, and the FB/GB rates suggest it might hold some water if there’s a mechanical change behind it. You think he’s finally become an avg everyday starter at 2nd?

Dan Szymborski

12:33

I did say he was one of the best NL central FA signings!

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