JotCast | FanGraphs After Dark Chat

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Springer am Rand

9:28

Does the timing of Fangraphs After Dark Chat vary depending on things like the latitude of the correspondent and whether daylight savings time is in effect?

Paul Swydan

9:29

No, the timing of the chat is set for two reasons - 1) to give people on the west coast a chance to participate in a live chat that doesn't happen right when they get to work in the morning and 2) gives me a chance to chat when my kids are in bed.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:29

It is supposed to be every Tuesday at 9 EST.

Paul Swydan

9:29

I honestly can't tell if that was a real question or just someone trolling, but I answered it honestly anyway.

tribly wearing goon

9:30

Looking to move Eduardo Rodriguez off the DL in a 14 team h2h keep 6. My potential drops are Giles (3 other closers right now), Iwakuma, and Snell. Who should I send to the wire?

Paul Swydan

9:31

That's a tough one. Iwakuma, I guess.

He seems the least likely to bite you later on.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:32

Trade Giles (maybe for a draft pick - get something out of him). I like the idea of a player you will drop for a pick. At least you get something for them. Iwakuma otherwise.

Scott

9:32

Who is the best outfielder on the Pirates roster?

Paul Swydan

9:32

It's still McCutchen, but the fact that we could have an honest discussion about it is pretty wild.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:32

McC

Paul Swydan

9:33

Did you guys see the article the other day where Polanco credited David Ortiz for helping him with his swing this winter? Papi over everything!

APODionysus

9:33

What do you guys think of Eduardo Rodriguez's outing so far? The velocity is still down which is concerning and he's been leavign a few balls up in the zone. Have the Red Sox rushed him back?

Paul Swydan

9:34

He topped out at 94.5, and on a night where Orioles pitching has allowed four homers, Rodriguez allowed none, didn't walk anyone, and allowed only a baserunner per inning. I'd like to have more Ks, obviously, but for his first night back, that's a perfectly acceptable and encouraging outing.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:35

I don't get the hype around him. He is a 3-4 starter

Paul Swydan

9:35

It's Boston. Even Marco Hernandez gets love.

hscer

9:35

are these stupid "real people" Chevrolet ads running everywhere or are those of us in the DC area just incredibly unfortunate?

Paul Swydan

9:35

They're everywhere.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:36

and horrible everywhere

Slade

9:36

Does Profar stay when Odor gets back? If so where does he play? Thanks.

Paul Swydan

9:37

I think so. They're running out Ryan Rua and some dude named Jared Hoying in left field right now. The real question is does he stay when Delino DeShields is ready to come back? We'll see.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:37

I think he gets sent down and possibly moved for a starter at the deadline with 1.5 or 2.5 years left.

Murdoc

9:38

Do you think Ian Desmond finishes the year with a career best in WAR?

Jeff Zimmerman

9:39

No, but it will be close

Paul Swydan

9:39

He's got a shot. But I'll say no for the above reasons - there's a lot of dudes to play on that team and if they don't trade anyone, ultimately Desmond is going to need to sit more often to accommodate who the team controls long term.

Tony

9:39

Greater comeback: 2004 Red Sox or 2016 Warriors

Paul Swydan

9:40

Tony is trying to make me angry, it appears.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:40

Red Sox

Stevo

9:40

This weekend, I noticed that Nate Jones of the CHW reveals the ball high in his windup, essentially removing any chance of deception. I'm sure he could gain some velocity, but wouldn't it be smarter to hide the ball better for off speed pitches?

Paul Swydan

9:41

One thing you read over and over the more baseball you read is that while a guy might get better this or better that if you change his delivery or mechanics is that you can't think of these things in a vacuum.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:42

Yes it is smart to hide the ball, but it is still hard to see the exposed ball and make the decision.

Paul Swydan

9:42

What works for that guy is what works for that guy, and is what makes him special. Trying to homogenize his delivery or mechanics is often a recipe for making him *less* effective, not more effective, because he has 10-15 years of muscle memory doing it the way he does it.

9:43

Some guys can change on the fly, and are always tinkering. Cal Ripken Jr seemingly had a new batting stance every season. Most guys aren't like that though.

Nick

9:43

For those of you who can, tune in now Mookie Betts back up with a chance to hit his 4th HR.

BobbMcPhelps

9:43

Odds on a 4th dong from Mookie?

Paul Swydan

9:43

I want to believe.

Guest

9:44

Any reason why fangraphs classifies Jansen's cutter as a fastball?

Paul Swydan

9:44

We aren't the ones doing the classifying. It's the algorithm from either BIS or PITCHf/x.

No homer for Mookie. Grounder to second.

TheDudeofNY

9:45

Bigger fleece: the Shelby Miller trade or the Dodgers dumping Kemp on San Diego?

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