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Jeff Sullivan FanGraphs Chat -- 10/14/16
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Stevil
9:27
The question on everyone's mind after last night must be "What would Mattingly have done?" Am I right?
Jeff Sullivan
9:27
J.P. Howell would've somehow appeared three different times
Outta my way, Gyorkass
9:28
With CHC's 9th and LAD's 7th having come in innings when the opposing manager was quick to yank bullpen pitchers, is this something that will affect strategy moving forward (i.e. be more patient and let your RP's work through trouble), or was this just fluky "can't predict baseball" stuff?
Jeff Sullivan
9:29
Flukey stuff. Managers will forever try to play the matchups in the playoffs. Especially when they're in all-hands-on-deck situations. You won't see behavior like that with any legitimate high-level relievers, but the Nationals, for example, were flipping between lesser options. So were the Giants.
And for whatever it's worth, Kelley probably wouldn't have come out if it hadn't been for his nerve issue, which seems to have been thankfully resolved
Brett W
9:30
The Blue Jays won the World Series 23 years ago. The Dodgers won 28 years ago. There are 30 teams in MLB. Therefore, we should stop referring to these titles-less stretches as droughts.
Jeff Sullivan
9:30
Strong agree
Outta my way, Gyorkass
9:30
This is really a woeful FA class, what's your best bet on who gets the biggest deal of the offseason, Hill? Cespedes?
Jeff Sullivan
9:30
Almost certainly Cespedes
Hill might get three years, but Cespedes might get six or seven
CamdenWarehouse
9:30
What is your take on Dipoto's first year?
Jeff Sullivan
9:31
7.5/10
More good than bad, but maybe the biggest good was addressing the consistency of the messages delivered throughout the farm system.
Nick
9:32
Baker on if the Dodgers' use of Jansen tonight could turn into a trend: "It’s not a trend that I’d like to be a part of anytime."

If you're his GM, is this a "Hey Dusty, we need to discuss some things" moment, or not a big deal?
Jeff Sullivan
9:33
I think you have a conversation or two with Dusty in the coming weeks, but I don't think you hire Dusty Baker because you're looking for someone to break from tradition in terms of bullpen management. I think the Nationals probably just accept that Baker is what he is, and then they try to always have a bullpen that's deep enough that Baker won't run out of options
Matt
9:33
It's been a hell of a baseball week
Jeff Sullivan
9:33
And by duration the playoffs aren't even half-over
I think the first round always feels the zaniest. It's like the first couple days of March Madness
Kristen
9:33
TEX has no SP beyond Hamels and Darvish. Who do you think they target in the offseason?
Jeff Sullivan
9:34
Well, they do have Perez, who doesn't completely suck, and I don't think they've made up their minds yet on Holland. I think they're going to resume having conversations with Tampa Bay about one of those options. And they could definitely elect to bring back Colby Lewis
I wouldn't count on the Rangers finding a new ace, however. I think they're going to aim lower
Jedidiah
9:35
When does Andrew Triggs win his first Cy Young?
Jeff Sullivan
9:35
2016
Brandon
9:35
Do you think the Cubs are going to absolutely poop on the Dodgers cause of their pitching?
Jeff Sullivan
9:35
No?
The Dodgers' pitching is arguably just as good as the Cubs' pitching
Kiermaier's Piercing Blue Eyes
9:36
Kershaw uses the bullpen day to get the save. Did this factor into the decision to use him in game 4? I previously agreed with Dave on starting Urias in game 4 but if this was considered I respect the gutsy call.
Jeff Sullivan
9:36
From all indications, the Dodgers had zero plans to use Kershaw in Game 5. That was all his idea
Fister I hardly know her
9:36
How much does the extra workload on Kershaw, Hill, Jansen, move the needle as far the Cubs chances of winning the NLCS? 5%?
Jeff Sullivan
9:37
I don't know about Jansen, but with Kershaw/Hill looking to get started a little later in the series than would be idea, that definitely provides the Cubs with a few extra percentage points
Of course, Kenta Maeda is quite good
Tacos
9:37
How screwed is the Dodgers pitching staff?
Jeff Sullivan
9:37
Not screwed
9:38
I'm not trying to be stubborn. Just, man, the Dodgers are good
Erik
9:38
Do you think Rob Manfred was happy with last night's game, or will he find ways to discourage 4.5 hour games in the future?
Jeff Sullivan
9:38
I think he was happy with last night's game, specifically, but last night made the absolute most of some baseball scenarios that do have a tendency to drag on
9:39
Most games that go 4.5 hours are going to suck
Matt
9:41
What does a trade for Kevin Kiermaier look like? Is the headliner of the trade package a top 50 prospect? Top 25?
Jeff Sullivan
9:42
Last November, Andrelton Simmons fetched Sean Newcomb, who BA ranked at No. 24. The situations aren't identical but that tells you a little something about how the market values elite defensive players with more questionable bats. Kiermaier seems to have some better offense, and he has four more years of affordable team control. So if he got moved, I'd look to start with a prospect in the 10-25 range
libre
9:42
How long does Washington's window stay open?
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