You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jeff Sullivan FanGraphs Chat -- 1/18/19
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Jeff Sullivan
10:31
Let's keep in mind, also, that Harper has been a good player, but not a truly great one, outside of one season. He clearly deserves some manner of enormous contract but he is not a performance lock in the way most teams would like
Money Machado
10:31
Which teams in the AL Central can overtake the Indians and what would they have to do to make it realistic?
Jeff Sullivan
10:31
This year, only the Twins
10:32
I'd like to see them go get Robbie Ray or something
Byron Buxton, of course, would be required to be playable
Guest
10:33
Thoughts on Sonny Gray landing spots? I feel Giants make sense for a potential salary dump play if the Yankees can package Ellsbury and prospects with Gray.
Jeff Sullivan
10:34
I think I lean toward the Brewers, because they could use the rotation help, plus they're an actual contender
Mike
10:34
Jeff, jeff, jeff.  I am so bored.   Help.  Help.  Save me from this offseason
Jeff Sullivan
10:34
See, I've come around to a different perspective
I know things seem really slow. Things *have been* really slow
10:35
But by spreading it all out, we still have a Harper contract to look forward to. Ditto Machado. Ditto Pollock, Kimbrel, Keuchel, etc. And there will probably still be a Realmuto trade! So much!
When something actually happens, it's exciting for a day, then we all move on. When something has yet to happen, there's the potential to be captivated on a regular basis
10:36
Now, in reality, I'm also getting sick of all the Harper/Machado rumors and speculation. But the light at the end of the tunnel is still in front of us
Still Waiting
10:36
When will Jose Martinez finally end up a Ray?
Jeff Sullivan
10:36
I feel like it would've happened by now, if it was going to happen. Guess they must not think much of his defense
JV
10:37
Is the new market inefficiency mid-tier FA? I feel you could build a competitive team through FA at this point.
Jeff Sullivan
10:37
That is probably not the new market inefficiency
J. Peterman
10:37
Hey Jeff! Where does Derek Fisher stand in terms of a future with the Astros. Do they still see him as a future starter?
Jeff Sullivan
10:37
Probably not in Houston, no
Andrew
10:38
Teams are increasingly focused on tweaking players to make them better and therefore gain a competitive advantage. Will this make projections less and less relevant?
Jeff Sullivan
10:39
In theory, yes, but I think in reality it will or would be true only to a small degree. Most players at the major-league level are going to remain similar to what they've always been. The most dramatic adjustments are likely to take place in the minors, where projections almost don't matter
I'd expect to see more pop-up prospects, in other words
Frank
10:40
What are your thoughts on Jeff McNeil: outfielder?
Jeff Sullivan
10:40
I still don't see a route to much playing time
Conforto, Nimmo, Broxton, Lagares -- how many innings will McNeil really spend out on the grass?
Scherzers_Blue_Eye
10:41
5th starter for the Nats this year: Fedde or Ross?
Jeff Sullivan
10:41
Both of them will make several starts
caesarsolid
10:41
Blake Snell had the 2nd highest LOB% of all time in 2018 at 88%. How much does this impact your assessment of his overall performance?
Jeff Sullivan
10:42
Last year, he was extremely successful with runners on base. That's a credit to him and his defenders. I do not believe it reflects a true ability that's in his permanent possession
Spaceman
10:43
Astros will start 2019 without McCullers, Keuchel and Morton. So far they did nothing to replace them. Are they playing the same game as the Indians saying : "We'll take that division easily so there's no need to improve anymore"?
Jeff Sullivan
10:44
That's part of it. They also just have this overabundance of resources on account of their unparalleled player development. McHugh slides back into the rotation, where he belongs. James emerged last season as a wonderful pitcher. And then you get to mix and match between Peacock, Whitley, Valdez, Bukauskas...the Astros are very good, and I doubt they're particularly worried about their pitching
Bruce
10:45
Looking back no with hidsight....what were the yankees thinking when they traded for Stanton? Do you think they thought at the time it wouldnt hurt their chances of getting Harper/Machado?
Jeff Sullivan
10:45
They probably thought his 2017 was more real than it was
Stanton at 24% strikeouts is different from Stanton at 30% strikeouts
10:46
And because of who he is and how he plays, Stanton had -- and still has -- the potential to be a genuine superstar in NYC
Syndergaardians of the Galaxy
10:47
Can I find third order wins on FG somewhere?
Jeff Sullivan
(We don't host historical BaseRuns anywhere, to my knowledge)
Pudges Fisk and Rodriguez
10:47
Although I want minor leaguers to make actual money, I wonder how much it would change things if those guys got an actual wage.   maybe the ridiculously bad wages really push guys to fight hard to improve and make the majors.   Does it seem to you that a living wage for minor leaguers would have some sort of deleterious effect on the process?
Jeff Sullivan
10:48
I have heard that argument presented, when I asked. (I was not talking to an owner.) It's possible that the system now selects for the players with the greatest drive, and I'm sure that contains some kernel of truth
Connecting…