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Dave Cameron FanGraphs Chat
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Dave Cameron
12:00
Happy Wednesday, everyone.
12:01
Everyone is in camp, games are happening shortly... baseball is almost back.
Let's talk about the 2017 season, or just about anything else on your mind.
The Average Sports Fan
12:02
What pace of play initiative are you most in favor of? Most opposed to?
Dave Cameron
12:03
I'm pro-pitch clock. Almost every pace/length problem gets solved if we shave 2-3 seconds off the time between pitches. In 2015, when players actually were trying to speed things up, it was really noticeable, and the game was way more enjoyable to watch. And then it all went away last year for no reason.
In terms of most opposed, no one thinks that runner on 2nd in extra innings thing is a good idea.
ChiSox2020
12:03
What is holding up a White Sox-Nats trade? Sox need C Nats need CP. Seems perfect, make the cash work.
Dave Cameron
12:05
I don't think the Wieters signing does anything to make a Robertson trade more likely. They could have already traded Severino for Robertson and cash if they wanted to; having Wieters around on a one year deal doesn't change that calculation at all. And Norris/Lobaton have very little value around the league, so the White Sox aren't going to be jumping at the chance to land either.
If the White Sox want to just take Norris, maybe they'll make a small trade, but Washington now has less money to spend, and the White Sox aren't going to pay Robertson down to get a meh catcher.
bl27
12:06
Robbie Ray was solid in 2015 with a 3.52 ERA and a good HR/9 rate. What to expect from him in 2017 ?
Dave Cameron
12:06
I think his strikeout rate and quality of contact allowed were directly related. I wouldn't be surprised if he stopped throwing the ball down the middle so much, so he threw fewer strikes, and both his BABIP and K% went down.
Charlie
12:06
What do you think about the new/proposed rules?
Dave Cameron
12:07
No one will miss the intentional walk once games begin; the yelling about it now is just because people don't have anything else to talk about. I would have liked to see the strike zone raised, because it's simply gotten too big.
The Cincinnati Kid
12:08
With quite a few divisions being so top-heavy, could you see a lot of sellers this year and less buyers at the deadline?
Dave Cameron
12:08
No, because the wild card contenders are all meh, so there are going to be a lot of .500ish teams thinking they have a chance.
Pinto
12:08
Seems like the Tigers were holding on to all their stars to see if they could give Illitch a title. With his passing, does the plight of their future now change?
Dave Cameron
12:08
I think 2017 is probably the last hurrah for this group. If they aren't winning this summer, J.D. Martinez is an obvious trade chip, but I'd bet they listen on Verlander too, and then shop Miggy next winter.
Jose Q
12:09
I'm REEEEAALLY starting to think I'm still gonna be oitching for ChiSox on OD - please advise.
Dave Cameron
12:09
All depends on spring training injuries. If one of the teams that was kicking the tires on Quintana suffers a big injury, talks could heat back up quickly.
Brett W
12:10
Dave, would it be rude to tweet at players in friendly and respectful language that fans would like the union to cooperate with the league on pace-of-play issues? There should be limited concern among players because these issues would presumably affect all teams and players equally.
Dave Cameron
12:11
If you're friendly and respectful, and just send them one message, that's probably fine, but I think most people are self-interested, and players aren't going to want to change their routine just because you'd enjoy it more.
Chuncey Wiggins
12:11
Would you be on board with limiting pitcher/catcher conferences to just once an inning or once a batter as a better way to speed up the game?
Dave Cameron
12:11
Yep. No other sport has unlimited timeouts; MLB doesn't need them either.
mtsw
12:12
What exactly is Rob Manfred doing with this intentional walk nonsense? Seems like a good way to turn hardcore fans against him for an EXTREMELY marginal return on game length.
Dave Cameron
12:12
If you're turning against him because he got rid of the intentional walk, you need a therapist.
Jeff
12:13
If Justin Upton has a more usual JUp year (3-4 win player) will he opt out considering Cespedes got $110M (Upton would have 89 mil left)
Dave Cameron
12:13
Depends on if he really wants out of Detroit. He's unlikely to get a raise unless he has a monster year.
Jeff
12:14
Where do you see Derek Norris ending up now with the Wieters signing?
Dave Cameron
12:14
I wouldn't be surprised if the Rays took him.
mtsw
12:14
The arbitration system rewarding saves seems pernicious because it not only screws players, but also messes up the on-field product by encouraging teams to use their bullpen sub-optimally to prevent arb-eligible guys from accumulating saves. Should baseball's management re-examine this even if it results in a net loss to owners?
Dave Cameron
12:14
It doesn't have to be a loss for owners. Both sides have an incentive to make sure that players are compensated in a way that makes sense. This shouldn't be that hard for the league and union to agree on.
Natitude Adjuster
12:15
Wieters over/under wRC+ in 2017 with the Nats: 85?
Dave Cameron
12:15
I'll take the over on 85, but not by a lot.
Youngman
12:16
Assuming the Braves are not in the playoff picture by the mid-point, do they attempt to flip most of their short term pieces like Colon, Garcia, Markakis and so on? Could an absolute dreadful 1st half push Coppy into trading core pieces like Teheran, Freeman, and Ender?
Dave Cameron
12:17
I think they'll probably end up keeping most of their short-term guys, just because no one is giving up much for a Colon or Dickey type, since those guys wouldn't start a playoff game anyway. Garcia maybe if he has a good year. At this point, it seems pretty clear that the organization thinks their rebuild is almost over, and they won't be trading core pieces.
Kiermaier's Engaged Green Eyes
12:17
True or false: it's best for baseball if Trout spends his entire career as an Angel.
Dave Cameron
12:17
False. It's best for baseball if he plays in October.
Erik
12:17
Currently, six teams (Cubs, Dodgers, Red Sox, Indians, Astros, Nationals) are projected for 90+ wins, with a decent-sized gap separating them from the rest of the pack. What team from outside that 6 would you be least surprised to see having the best record in the league at the end of the season?
Dave Cameron
12:18
Probably the Mets. We have them at ~85 wins with no starter throwing 200 innings, and only Thor throwing more than 180. If they get good pitcher health, they should push 90.
Von Schloss
12:19
Does Mallex Smith have a much of a chance at playing time or does he need the Rays to make some moves to clear that logjam?
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