JotCast | Dave Cameron FanGraphs Chat

Dave Cameron FanGraphs Chat

Dave Cameron

12:02

Happy Wednesday, everyone. We're going to begin today's chat with a life tip: if you're selling your house, and you have a small child, don't list the house the same week that you don't have childcare. I don't know what we were thinking.

Prates

12:03

Is Chris Archer just extremely unlucky? High BABIP, lowered his FB% from last season, but seems to be unlucky with high homers given up

Dave Cameron

12:04

When walks, BABIP, and HR rate all are all up the same time, it seems like it's probably more "bad command" than "bad luck". He's got enough talent to get things turned around, but I'm guessing he's just locating pitches really terribly right now.

Thatguy

12:04

Who are your early favorites to land Lucroy at the deadline?

Dave Cameron

12:05

Boston and Texas make the most sense. I could see Houston getting involved if they start making a real run at division again.

12:06

The Dodgers could also be in play, if they think that Grandal isn't going to start hitting.

Stenzy

12:06

Would it make more sense for the Giants to pursue Wil Myers over Braun? Giving up talent either way but he is younger with less baggage.

Dave Cameron

12:06

Don't see Padres trading Myers within the division.

Daniel

12:07

How are historic defensive metrics calculated?

Dave Cameron

12:07

http://www.fangraphs.com/library/defense/tz-tzl/

Jeet

12:07

How is the Cutch situation going to play out in Pittsburgh? Austin Meadows looks legit but Paul (Swyndan) noted in his chat last night that Cutch has an incredible amount of goodwill built up.

Dave Cameron

12:07

The Pirates can't afford to re-sign McCutchen, realistically.

12:08

He'd have to give them the biggest hometown discount in sports history.

CamdenWarehouse

12:08

I think it was you who related that a Brewers' FO member stated in a forum that Braun could basically be had for a AAAA type guy. This begs the question why he hasn't been traded to the Giants (or someone else yet). Do you think the calculus has changed based on his play, the rumors are exaggerated, teams don't want the salary, or something else altogether?

Dave Cameron

12:10

That was Gord Ash back at the Pitch Talks event in Toronto back in March. He was joking around, but the reality remains that Braun has negative trade value; he's not worth his remaining contract, and so the Brewers will have to eat money to move him. I wouldn't be surprised if he was an August trade, since he'll pretty easily clear waivers, and doesn't really need to be moved buy July 31st.

ColSnap

12:10

Is Jose Bautista declining or is this just power being slow to stabilize?

Dave Cameron

12:10

He's 35. Guys get worse at this point in their careers, sometimes rapidly.

12:11

It's why the Blue Jays were correct to not just give the contract extension at the price he was demanding.

ColSnap

12:11

Is Duffy, Paxton, or Shoemaker's emergence most legit?

Dave Cameron

12:12

All three have big red flags, but of the three, I'd bet on Duffy.

Dayton Moore Talking Head

12:12

What is the best move the Royals could realistically make to improve their playoff chances this year?

Dave Cameron

12:13

They need a couple new starting pitchers, so they should be in on every starter on the market.

Mike D

12:14

Is it too much to say Kris Bryant is already a superstar?

Dave Cameron

12:14

Not at all. He's an elite player.

Scott

12:14

Dave, I read your article on the Pirates this week. Do you see them looking towards the trade market to add? Taillon's start looked promising last night.

Dave Cameron

12:15

Depends on how they do the next six weeks, but the trick is that a small market team can't really afford to give up a lot of future value for the right to minimally increase their chances of winning a one-game playoff. Because their shot at winning the NL Central is basically zero at this point, it limits the upside of making mid-season additions, and pushes them towards the selling side of the equation. It doesn't mean they will definitely sell, but it's going to take a big run from them over the next month to put them in a spot where being a significant buyer makes sense.

Kyle

12:16

Settle this debate please: Should the Astros trade for Ryan Braun, or definitely not?

Dave Cameron

12:16

I'd say no.

Monte' Max

12:16

So what's expected to happen with Taillon after last night's gem?

Dave Cameron

12:16

He's up for good at this point, I'd imagine.

Bob Dobolina

12:17

How do you see the Washington bullpen situation shaking out? Kelley obviously seems like the guy now, but with that injury history how long do you think he can hold down the closer job for?

Dave Cameron

12:17

They'll add a late inning reliever in July.

Q-Ball

12:18

What is Eric Longenhagen's regular chat time?

Dave Cameron

12:18

He's going to fill in for Sullivan this Friday, and then begin his regularly weekly chats on Monday at 2 pm eastern, starting next week.

Mike

12:18

Dave, when teams sign players away from college commitments we see the dollars they receive but do they get offered anything else? Do teams sometimes also pay for college for players if the MLB dream dies?

Dave Cameron

12:19

Yes, the contracts include money for future college tuition.

The King of Kitsap County

12:20

Which current or former MLB player would you most want to invite to dinner?

Dave Cameron

12:20

Roberto Clemente, probably.

Chris

12:20

Whose offensive skillset projects better in the majors: Trea Turner or JP Crawford?