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Jeff Sullivan FanGraphs Chat -- 10/28/16
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Jeff Sullivan
10:42
That is my current leaning
Zach
10:43
In 2016 LFers put up 97 wRC+, the worst mark since the 1800s. Random fluctuation, offense moving away from LF, or something else?
Jeff Sullivan
10:44
My usual guess about these things is that we're probably seeing a greater emphasis on defensive ability
carter
10:44
Who are you closest with on FG? Do you hang out?
Jeff Sullivan
10:44
Dave
We'll hang out more now that he lives three hours away instead of three time zones
carter
10:45
If you had a chance to take over a GM position, any idea which team would be your top choice, Jeff?
Jeff Sullivan
10:45
Give me low pressure and low expectations. San Diego!
HappyFunBall
10:46
If there's a game 7 and it's virtual copy of game 2, would the added excitement of !!!!!!GAME 7!!!!!! make it more bearable? Cause that was awful...
Jeff Sullivan
10:46
I don't remember Game 7 in 2011 being particularly exciting
10:47
It would be better, but still bad
botchatheny
10:47
"There's a separation between resource utilization and reward" - does that mean you guys loathe the live playoff blogs?
Jeff Sullivan
10:47
I will say one of the challenges of live-blogging a game is that it makes it more difficult to pay close attention to details
So writing *after* a live blog isn't so easy
Waspo98
10:48
On the topic of transactions, can you foresee the Cubs making any big deals this off-season? Trading for young, controllable pitching, signing Chapman/Jansen, etc.?
Jeff Sullivan
10:48
I can see them putting money toward the bullpen and a stronger fifth starter
Wouldn't surprise me at all to see Soler on the move
Erik Guy
10:49
Trying to convince a fellow Cubs fan that a lot of their rebuild had to do with very good fortune and luck, and that it wasn't all Theo genius, i.e. rookie Rizzo to incompetent Padres for Cashner, Russell for nothing at the trade deadline, Hendricks rather than Delgado for Dempster, Bryant falling to them rather than Appell. It just seems like they rebuilt to perfection, has to be a lot of luck, right?
Jeff Sullivan
10:50
Theo Epstein has built a wonderful organization from top to bottom. That much is true. The Cubs have also strongly benefited from circumstances that weren't totally under their own control. That much is also true. This is kind of like your typical 7 or 8-WAR season -- awesome player, who also over-achieved
10:51
The Cubs weren't supposed to be this good yet. They were supposed to be, I don't know, Astros-good. Which is good! But they're even better. By so much
Tea Leoni for Third
10:51
Which reliever should the M's target?
Jeff Sullivan
10:51
Healthy versions of their own relievers, and a lefty if Furbush is toast
Alex
10:52
Aaron Blair for Shelby Miller?
Jeff Sullivan
10:52
Just like the Diamondbacks expected, Miller finished with the better ERA by a run and a half!
Great trade!
chris
10:53
Are WS ticket prices this year, specifically the insane markup on the secondary market in Chicago a signal of how future big games will be valued or an aberration?
Jeff Sullivan
10:53
This isn't an area of expertise but I have to figure this is a Cubs-related aberration. People are paying to see something potentially extraordinary. The Cubs' championship drought is a story that transcends ordinary baseball fanhood.
Guest
10:55
Is tomlin homer-prone or just unlucky? What does it mean to have a high HR/FB?
Jeff Sullivan
10:56
He's both. Kind of reminiscent of Josh Towers. Kind of a fly-ball pitcher who isn't also a pop-up pitcher. Throws a lot of hittable pitches around strike-y areas. Very little margin of error and will be aggressive in three-ball counts. So you see the walks low and the homers high
Travis Wood Stan
10:57
What's the difference between having a bad glove in left for one game vs a whole season? Like if the idea behind it is "he might only get 1 or 2 balls hit his way" couldn't that be applied nightly? Isn't this just banking on variance?
Jeff Sullivan
10:57
Yeah, realistically, it's just the full-season expectation divided by 162. But in theory you can try for better matchups that might yield fewer balls in play on a given day just based on the pitcher or the opposing hitters
Clucker
10:57
If you played baseball what number would you be and why?
Jeff Sullivan
10:57
23 because I like it
John M
10:58
Who will the Cubs try to get as closer next year? Chapman again? Jansen? Or back to Rondon?
Jeff Sullivan
10:58
I don't think they go back to Rondon. I feel like they'll try for one of the big two
Dominik
10:58
I have seen people suggest trying schwarber at third. at third you need reflexes more than range and historically bigger guys have handled third (panda, cabrera). could that work given Bryant's flexibility? how bad could he be at third? at least worth a try next year?
Jeff Sullivan
10:59
Now that Schwarber has busted a knee I don't think you really want him at any infield position like that
hammy
10:59
Do you see the cubs trading schwarber in the near future due to his lack of defense and versatility in the field? He doesn't seem to fit the type of position players the cubs are building around and if so what do you think they could get for a player like him?
Jeff Sullivan
10:59
It's so hard -- he's not going to be a good defender but the Cubs love him so much. Assuming the DH isn't coming to the NL next year, I think they just have to run with him in left field and hope for the best
carter
11:00
What do you usually do for lunch, Jeff?
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