JotCast | FanGraphs After Dark Chat

FanGraphs After Dark Chat - 2/9/16

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Paul Swydan

4:06

Which spring training state do you like best?

Arizona (49.5% | 92 votes)

Florida (39.8% | 74 votes)

I wouldn't set foot in either of those states unless you paid me (10.8% | 20 votes)

Total Votes: 186

4:12

Either/or

Manny Machado (63.8% | 134 votes)

Kris Bryant (36.2% | 76 votes)

Total Votes: 210

4:13

Either/or

Brandon Belt (43.8% | 88 votes)

Eric Hosmer (56.2% | 113 votes)

Total Votes: 201

9:01

Hi everybody! I'm here, and Jeff will be along in a minute.

9:01

Who does better in Japan? Jason Pridie or Jonny Gomes?

Paul Swydan

9:01

Jonny Gomes? He just seems to have a way about him.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:02

Ghomes

Dude99

9:02

If you had a 40 man roster of 0.0 WAR players and you played a simulated season, what would their avg record be? this would really help define WAR for us non math dudes.

Paul Swydan

9:02

I believe it is in the 40s? Jeff? We get this question all the time and I can never remember the exact number because I'm a moron.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:03

42 or 48 Wins right?

Paul Swydan

9:03

One of those.

Nate

9:03

If the Royals didn't win the World Series last year, would we still see an over-reliance on bullpens?

Paul Swydan

9:03

I think so, yes. We've been trending that way for awhile.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:04

The strong bullpen allows bad starting staff to look OK

Devin

9:04

With all the Dodgers depth, how do you see it impacting young prospects trying to break into the major leagues?

Paul Swydan

9:05

Well, I think Seager is going to get plenty of run. I think Pederson is the real place we'll see their faith tested. The Dodgers have a lot of outfield options, so it will be interesting to see how much run Pederson will get if he struggles.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:05

It could, I am just surprised the Dodgers haven't tried to bundle up some and get some better pieces.

Paul Swydan

9:05

As far as their pitching prospects go - pitchers always get hurt. That's why you build up that depth.

Sneaky Good

9:05

Do you think the Rays have improved their chances of making the playoffs this year with their offseason moves?

Paul Swydan

9:06

I do. I still don't they're favorites or anything, but they're better than they were.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:07

Not enough. They need to add some difference makers. I think Dickerson may struggle with the plantar faciitis (sp?)

Joshua Michael Lacey

9:07

What are your thoughts on Adam Eaton this year. Is he more like his first or second half from last year?

Paul Swydan

9:07

He's more like the second half, but he's not THAT good.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:08

Full season (or 2014). He is no .400 BABIP hitter. Really no one is.

Nate

9:08

Brandon Belt had a higher wRC+, wOBA, more DRS, and a higher WAR than Hosmer last year.

Is it really a question which guy teams should want?

Paul Swydan

9:09

And yet, more people seem to want Hosmer. Curious, that.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:09

I would go with the projection which may lean Hosmer ... looking now.

Nate

9:10

On a scale of 1 to putting a fork in an electric outlet, how bad will Tyler "Oh Look, another fly ball" Clippard be in Arizona?

Jeff Zimmerman

9:10

Looks like Belt on projections also.

Paul Swydan

9:11

It doesn't seem like an ideal fit, but Clippard has managed to keep his home run rate down for a long time. He probably deserves the benefit of the doubt for now.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:11

4. The D-Backs have a good OF and that helps turn the non-HR fly balls into outs

A Tribe Called Kipnis

9:12

Cleveland adds another CF and 3B (Uribe?) before spring training ends, right? Or is Joey Butler going to get a lot more playing time than anyone expects (at least until Brantley comes back)?

Jeff Zimmerman

9:12

BTW: FSWA awrds being announced right now with a few RotoGraphs authors up for some.

Paul Swydan

9:13

I would feel more confident about them adding a Fowler if their first round pick was protected. I have sort of given up trying to predict teams' moves this offseason. Just tell me when they sign.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:14

I swear I have no idea what teams from Ohio will do (the Reds are a little better this year).

iron wolf

9:14

Hello: a couple of weeks ago I asked you what I should do with the #1 pick in the prospect draft of an AL-only league. Since the team needs a complete overhaul, I decided to flip that pick for Barreto and the #4 pick. I then traded Gardner for Moncada. Having improved the prospect roster, I'm wondering what to do with the #4 pick. Hold or shop it aggressively? Do you like A.J. Reed as much as I do? The chatter in the league suggests that Bregman and Benintendi are probably going to be 2 of the top 3 picks. Thanks!

Paul Swydan

9:15

Certainly, Reed would be a good pick there. However, if you can flip the number four pick for a young player who is already productive in the majors, you should consider that. Easier said than done, I realize.

Also think about Max Kepler, if he's on the board.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:15

or Devers

The Gyorko Store Called

9:16

Excluding the Royals (because magic), which team that Fangraphs currently projects to win under 80 games do you think has the best chance to win 90 games? (To save time, the list is AZ, MIN, BAL, OAK, COL, SD, CIN, MIL, ATL, PHI)

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