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Jeff Sullivan FanGraphs Chat -- 3/25/16
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Jeff Sullivan
9:05
Hello friends
Welcome to baseball chat
9:06
To think, one week from now, we will finally still have spring training
Also, it feels weird to me that on Sunday, April 3, we'll have three home openers, and one spring-training contest
9:07
Anyway. Chatting!
Josh
9:07
Please tell me the D'Backs have a Plato and Aristotle coming through the pipeline as well!
Jeff Sullivan
9:07
And they're both going to be athletic 3-win outfielders
Randy Randerson
9:07
Who do you think gets the most playing time in left for LAA this year?
Jeff Sullivan
9:07
Someone not on the roster yet
9:08
There's a statistical argument to be made they can work with this platoon but they've already tried to make a trade to cover it up. They'll try again
Might even try in the next week to get Bruce or something
JDogg
9:09
predictions on Lucas Giolito's MLB contributions this year?
Jeff Sullivan
9:11
A number of pretty good 5-6 inning starts. No questioning the quality of his stuff but he'll be used conservatively, plus he still has gains to make with regard to his command
Randy Randerson
9:11
Do you like any under the radar prospects to come up quickly this year in the AL?
Jeff Sullivan
9:11
Dave has talked about Tyler White potentially getting a chance with Houston
9:12
Naquin looks like he's going to get a shot in Cleveland
9:13
I'd be interested in Rickard if his playing time weren't mostly blocked
9:14
Just wrote about Cody Anderson, who I like now
9:15
Chris Bassitt isn't a prospect but people don't really know who he is yet
That's probably enough
George Harrison
9:15
Chances the Astros allow the fewest runs in the AL for a second consecutive year?
Jeff Sullivan
9:16
I think the main challenge would come from the Indians given that now they have defense to go behind the pitchers. Let's call it...35%?
9:17
Holy crow am I ever seeing a bunch of fantasy questions
It's been a while since I said this, so: I'm not good at answering fantasy questions because I don't play fantasy baseball. I am not your expert
Randy Randerson
9:17
Is Shawn Tolleson the closer in Texas for the foreseeable future?
Jeff Sullivan
9:17
Fantasy question!
9:18
The answer is yes, sort of. Banister just said earlier he's thinking about playing the matchups, but you always give the edge to the incumbent
Minty
9:18
If Baez can get 425 ABs as the super utility, what do you think his power/speed numbers would look like?
Jeff Sullivan
9:18
15 homers, 10 steals
Pale Hose
9:19
If, as a practical joke, two teams fielded their AAA teams in a major league game, how long would it take you to notice based on quality of play?
Jeff Sullivan
9:20
You mean they're playing each other? I don't know if I would. Like, for one thing, it's not like I pay super close attention to everything when I'm watching a game. But even though I'd probably notice the level is a little worse overall than I'm used to, I'd never think, "well, of course, this is a practical joke, and these are not major-league players"
9:21
I'd just think "these are some bad major-league players today"
Ryan
9:22
In a vacuum (forget contracts, seniority, etc.) what should the Nats outfield look like against lefties and then against righties?
Jeff Sullivan
9:22
Pertinent to this:
"Revere made an adjustment to his swing in the offseason, bringing his hands closer to his body to allow him to hit the ball with more authority, the Washington Post reports. "The ball coming off the bat sounds a lot louder, like the big boys," Revere said."
This makes me smile
9:23
Anyway, I'd give Taylor some starts against lefties in center, and I'd also give him time to spot-start in place of Werth so he can get rest. I wouldn't have a strict R/L lineup preference, but I'd have Taylor batting 200 or 300 times
Erik
9:24
Are there roster construction market inefficiencies in baseball today, similar to the lack of appreciation for walks documented in Moneyball? Or are data-savvy teams innovating more through on-field strategies, like shifts or shorter starter outings?
Jeff Sullivan
9:26
It's more about strategy, because now front offices mostly evaluate players in the same ways. But even today, it feels like defense remains undervalued, especially when it comes with a lighter bat. Teams would still prefer the offense. Tomas vs. Brito becomes interesting because you could view it as an offense vs. defense decision
I think we're seeing more teams lean toward super-utility players. Probably going to see more of those
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