JotCast | FanGraphs After Dark Chat

FanGraphs After Dark Chat - 12/22/15

Paul Swydan

9:01

HI EVERYBODY!

It's the last chat of the year, and I'm flying solo because Jeff has a Rotoworld mock draft. Let's get to it!

ben

9:01

Betts or buxton for rest of career

Paul Swydan

9:03

Definitely Betts. He's only a year older than Buxton, and already has two productive seasons under his belt. I'm not really bullish on Buxton in general.

Mets Fan

9:03

How excited should I be about Alejandro de Aza?

Paul Swydan

9:04

Not very. It's a move that doesn't have much potential for failure - which makes it similar to the Walker and Cabrera moves - but like those moves, it doesn't have a big chance for success.

It actually has even less chance for success than the infielder moves because De Aza is no longer really qualified to play the outfield.

9:05

Sorry, center field.

ben

9:05

How well do you think chapman would do as a starter? I could see an Era below 3

Paul Swydan

9:06

Definitely not, sorry. A) That'd make him one of the best starting pitchers in the game, which is a stretch. B) If even half of the stories about his "work ethic" are true, I doubt he'd be able to handle the more regimented workload that comes with being a starter.

Jimmy

9:06

Why don't the Indians just go out and sign a free agent or two? They don't have a major league lineup at this point. Are they that cheap?

Paul Swydan

9:07

I mean, kind of, yeah. It doesn't help that their past free agent moves have flopped pretty hard (Swisher, Bourn). But they really need to find a center fielder and at least one corner outfielder. Their situation there isn't really tenable.

A. Chapman

9:07

Whoa Whoa Whoa What are the stories about my "work ethic"?

Paul Swydan

9:07

There was that long profile a couple years back about how much of a chain smoker he is.

Dave

9:08

TB won't really consider trading a cost-controlled, in-his-prime SP like Odorizzi for hitting, would they?

Paul Swydan

9:09

I mean, there's plenty to not like about Odorizzi. His K rate was down last year, and he's never tossed 170 innings in a season. I wouldn't be opposed to dealing him.

Dennis

9:10

Do you think Arte Moreno comments about the Angels being "probably out" on the big free agent OFs is more of a statement about their current high contract demands or about his lack of intent to spend any more money this winter?

Paul Swydan

9:10

I'd suspect more the former - posturing, and the like.

Minty

9:10

For fantasy, how would you rank equal $ values of 1 year of Sale, 3 of Archer, or 4 of Sonny Gray?

Paul Swydan

9:11

3 of Archer

Vic Oden

9:11

what are the realistic expectations for Marcus Stroman in an AL only league for 2016 and beyond?

Paul Swydan

9:11

I think they're pretty high. His injury last year wasn't arm-related.

Matt

9:12

Do the A's have another move left this offseason, whether it be by trade or free agency (presumably the former)?

Paul Swydan

9:12

Oh yeah, just about every team does. Plenty will happen in January. We're just pausing for the holidays at this point.

Trent

9:12

Can you tell me why the Tigers had the 2nd pick in the 2004 draft despite having by far the worst record in 2003? They lost 119 games

Paul Swydan

9:13

Huh. No idea! But it all worked out, thanks to the Padres horrible pick.

9:14

Did it go AL-NL back then? I don't remember that...

Edge O

9:14

All has been quiet on the FBI investigation into the Cardinals. Any chance it negatively impacts the product on the field this year?

Paul Swydan

9:14

I sincerely doubt it. I don't think the FBI has the authority to dock the Cardinals players or anything like that.

anon

9:15

There are a lot of good hitters (spec OF) left on the market and seemingly not enough spaces. Who takes a 1 year deal and comes back in next years weak market? Upton, Davis, Cespedes, Gordon

Paul Swydan

9:15

I don't think those are the guys who will take one-year deals. The players who will take those deals are the guys like De Aza (he did already!) and Parra, people like that.

anon

9:15

Is there much separation in talent between dodgers, giants and dbacks?

Paul Swydan

9:16

Yes, the Dodgers are still ahead, and until the Dbacks prove they're not sort of a joke, the Giants get the nod. They've been better for much longer.

Norrin Radd

9:16

Who is the worst team in the AL right now?

Paul Swydan

9:17

At this juncture, I'd probably say the Tigers.

Adam

9:17

I'm interested in attending the Caribbean Series this year, but I can't find out much information about it. Do you know of any resources for information about tickets and the general scene in Santo Domingo?

Paul Swydan

9:17

I don't, sorry. But going to it is on my bucket list as well!

dfp

9:18

Springsteen or McCartney?

Paul Swydan

9:18

I guess McCartney, but I can't say I listen to either at all.

hanna

9:18

In another chat today someone said that the A's could win the west. Any possibility of that on paper?