JotCast | Dave Cameron FanGraphs Chat

Dave Cameron FanGraphs Chat

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Ben

12:22

Hey Dave, I listened to you on Toronto radio today and you were discussing increases to average team salary and what it costs to roster a perennial contender. KC proves there's no hard-and-fast rule, but what would your floor number for this be? Do you think that the ill-timed pathetic Canadian dollar could close this window for winning in Toronto?

Dave Cameron

12:23

On a multi-year sustained basis, I'd guess a perennial contender needs to be in the $150M range. Less than that, and you'll have to cycle between good and bad. If you're above that and well run, you can have a legit chancing at winning most years.

Eldridge Cleaver

12:23

I feel like the White Sox have been trying to go from 90 losses to 90 wins for a few years now. Have they finally done enough to be in the wild-card discussion?

Dave Cameron

12:24

They still need another outfielder, a shortstop, and preferably one more starter. They're up to .500ish, but they shouldn't be done yet.

CamdenWarehouse

12:24

Do you think Javier Baez moves before Opening Day?

Dave Cameron

12:24

Less likely now that McGee got traded elsewhere; he made a lot of sense for CHC.

Not that it would have been a one-for-one.

Toby

12:25

Grichuck or Piscotty - who stays closer to their production from last year or ends up being the better player?

Dave Cameron

12:25

Piscotty

GSon

12:25

Yuliesky Gourriel is a perfect fit for the Indians at 3B.. what could go wrong with this plan?

Dave Cameron

12:25

He won't be cleared to sign in time to make an impact in 2016, most likely.

Elonbrave

12:27

Can Mallex Smith and Ender Inciarte coexist on the Braves' MLB roster?

Dave Cameron

12:27

Sure. It's not like the Braves are overflowing with quality OFs.

Fitz

12:28

Donaldson extension fair? Could he had broken $20M in arbitration next year?

Dave Cameron

12:28

No, he was going to end up in $16-$18M range. No one gets a $9 million raise.

Lee

12:28

Have you heard from the opinion of any scouts on the Gourriels?

Dave Cameron

12:29

Yeah, and not everyone is as sold as some of the public commentary.

Fitz

12:29

So apprently the Gallardo deal will include an opt-out. How on earth is this a good deal for Baltimore?

Dave Cameron

12:29

It won't be, most likely.

Paul Blart

12:30

Do the Buccos ever see Polanco as a middle-order bat, or does he stay at lead off? I don't think he has the OBP to be effective there.

Dave Cameron

12:30

Seems like the power probably won't ever come around to that degree. Seems more likely that he'll have to make it as an OBP guy.

Derek

12:30

If you had to offer a major league contract to a reliever available right now in FA, who would it be? Or is it a starter conversion like Lincecum?

Dave Cameron

12:30

Tommy Hunter

Mike

12:31

What should people anticipate from Andrew Heaney for this year and in the future?

Dave Cameron

12:31

Back-end starter.

Joel

12:31

Is going to cactus league spring training any fun?

Dave Cameron

12:32

Depends on your goals. If you want to sit in the sun and see some baseball, yeah, it's great. But after going to Phoenix for the better part of a decade, I'm looking forward to not making that trek this year.

Tom

12:32

With some players being stuck in free agency with draft pick compensation, do you think teams may consider more sign-and-trades? Are they legal? The buying team could get the player they want for a lower prospect price and the selling team could still get something in return.

Dave Cameron

12:33

Sign and trades are not allowed; MLB recently issued a memo to all 30 teams to remind them of this and state unequivocally that they won't be allowed if teams try to get around the QO system with any of the remaining FAs.

12:33

We are stopping in Asheville for a couple days on the way to Hilton Head for spring break this year. Any suggestions for things to do with a couple 7 year olds? Good restaurant suggestions?

Dave Cameron

12:33

I can't guarantee your kids will like it, but Curate is our favorite restaurant in town.

And I don't have any seven year olds, so I'm not very helpful there.

Ben

12:33

Who is the better hitter: Bryant or Schwarber?

Dave Cameron

12:34

Bryant, by a lot.

Joel

12:34

Do you think they'll ever be a salary cap in baseball?

Dave Cameron

12:35

Ever is a long time, but no, I don't think owners have an appetite to push for one any time soon.

Larry Bernandez

12:35

When a minor league player gets traded, is there any compensation given to him for having to move and find a place in a new city? Or is he on his own financially?

Dave Cameron

12:35

They aren't given cash, but teams help them relocate.

Zorak

12:36

Who would be your pick for baseball's version of the Broncos? Anemic offense with run prevention so good that they can win a championship.

Dave Cameron

12:36

This would have to be the Indians, though I'm not quite as high on their run prevention as everyone else.

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