JotCast | Jeff Sullivan FanGraphs Chat -- 10/28/16

Jeff Sullivan FanGraphs Chat -- 10/28/16

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Jeff Sullivan

9:36

The organization has very little present rotation depth anyway

Zonk

9:37

Eric's first prospect list on the D-Backs was really strong. Obviously, the D-Backs system is really weak. How much of the blame for that should we put on Dave Stewart?

Jeff Sullivan

9:38

There's no overlooking what he did with just the Miller trade alone, subtracting from the very top of the system, but the system has recently graduated a handful of big-league players, and you also have to fault the actual player-development people if you see a weakness. Stewart would ultimately be responsible for the rest of the organization but it's been about a lot more than one dude who made a few bad trades

Leone for Third

9:38

Does Vogelbach take over the M's 1B job (at least against RHP)?Is his bat/defense good enough for that role?

Jeff Sullivan

9:38

They're going to look for someone better but he will be a platoon option

Dan

9:38

Carlos Santana in 2014 (his only non-C/1B defensive innings) was the worst 3B by UZR / 150

Jeff Sullivan

9:38

And I don't think anyone was surprised

Hank

9:39

What would my Cardinals have to surrender to acquire Ender Inciarte? Carlos Martinez and a prospect? Ender does have 4 years of control left.

Jeff Sullivan

9:39

I wouldn't be shocked if you could get him for Martinez alone

9:40

Question is, would the Cardinals want to do that? But the Braves would love to add that sort of arm and Inciarte has probably peaked

Tim

9:40

Should Chapman start using his slider/changeup more or is his fastball that good that he doesn't need another pitch?

Jeff Sullivan

9:41

He's not exactly hurting for success, but overall in the playoffs he's at 89% fastballs. I'll guess he's "optimal" around 75-80%

But of course it depends on whether he has any sort of feel for those other pitches. The colder it is, the less likely that is

His fastball, though, is the best pitch in the world

v2micca

9:42

Why does everyone assume the Braves need to trade Inciarte? He's young, cheap, under team control for another 3 years, and its not like the Braves have a lineup of Outfield prospects knocking on the door to take his place. Unless someone is offering crazy trade deals, I say ride out his 3 fWAR per season production.

Jeff Sullivan

9:43

They don't need to trade him, but they *could* trade him, and he'd have market value, and they've got Mallex Smith around in the pipeline.

Scott

9:43

T/F: Indians win each game started by Klubot and Cubs win each game started by human pitchers for the Tribe

Jeff Sullivan

9:43

Kevin

9:44

What would you ask for in return for Ender if your Coppy? We could cash in on his high value and insert Mallex Smith in CF?

Jeff Sullivan

9:44

Cost-controlled big-league starting pitcher

Of course, if I were in charge, I'd love Inciarte, but I recognize he's probably at his best when the Braves are not. I doubt he's going to improve

Mick D

9:45

If Texas uses Choo as their DH, will that be enough for him to play 140 games? Or is he a hbp injury or pulled calf muscle waiting to happen?

Jeff Sullivan

9:45

He played a full season as recently as 2015

Tanner

9:45

Hey Jeff, thanks for the chat. Crazy question, but what, if anything, could MLB and baseball do to close the gap/overtake football in popularity?

Jeff Sullivan

9:46

Well football has already been doing plenty to damage itself. But it's starting from such an advantageous position that it would take a long time for the sports to narrow the gap. Baseball does need to find ways to better market its young superstars. I saw yesterday that Ken Griffey Jr. is on the cover of MLB: The Show 2017. I know that's the game's own decision, but, like, what the hell?

9:47

I want Mike Trout's face to be plastered everywhere. Everybody needs to know that Mike Trout is the very best.

buh

9:47

What do you expect out of Carter Capps post Tommy John?

Jeff Sullivan

9:47

Strikeouts, walks, and eventually another injury

weezy

9:47

I am hearing lots of complaints from friends that are fans of both teams about how the announcers "sound like the [opposing team]'s broadcast." Is this inevitable?

Jeff Sullivan

9:47

Yes

Dustin

9:48

True or False: Every fan base in America is convinced Joe Buck hates its team.

Jeff Sullivan

9:48

Some fan bases have never had a game covered by Joe Buck? Like, I bet Rockies fans don't really mind him.

Mike

9:49

Sale and Abreu for Benintendi, Moncada, Swihart, Kopech... who says no?

Jeff Sullivan

9:49

Don't see the Red Sox doing that

Eli

9:49

Apparently NYM have some money to spend this offseason, but probably not for Cespedes assuming he gets 5yrs in the 30/yr range. How else do you see them spending it? JBats make sense?

Jeff Sullivan

9:49

Bautista would be a huge defensive liability

9:51

I wonder if they'd be interested in making a big run at Justin Turner

v2micca

9:51

So, I'm looking at Joey Votto's season splits and it is just absurd. Was he nursing an injury the first three months?

Jeff Sullivan

9:51

No, he wasn't hurt

He was just in a bit of a mechanical rut there. He clearly worked himself out of it