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Jeff Sullivan FanGraphs Chat -- 4/15/16
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MN Ben
10:07
do you have High expectations of Gausman this year?
Jeff Sullivan
10:07
Expectations, no
Ronnie
10:07
If you could have the career (regular/postseason performance & accolades, ca$h earned/guaranteed in the future) of Clayton Kershaw or Madison Bumgarner which would you choose?
Jeff Sullivan
10:08
I'll take Bumgarner right now
(Do not take this as a sign that I think Bumgarner is the better pitcher)
Phelps
10:08
Is Adam Lind broken
Jeff Sullivan
10:09
No, but it wouldn't be a surprise if he became such
Reginald Denton III
10:09
Is right now about the time we start talking about how the Cubs haven't played anybody decent yet?
Jeff Sullivan
10:09
The Angels are decent. The D-Backs are at least supposed to be decent
Jeffrey
10:09
All the talk seems to be about the weight of Kung Fu Panda, however,the big problems seems to be their starting rotation. How do the Red Sox fix this problem?
Jeff Sullivan
10:09
Time
Bad Hermit
10:10
Since chasing a starter early doesn't do much good for that particular game (given the strength of relief pitchers), are the Cubs hurting themselves by benefiting short-term future opponents of their current opponents (no matter how small the effect)? Could check bullpen performance after Cubs series relative to normal bullpen performance, once a sample size is established, right?
Jeff Sullivan
10:10
If the Cubs are helping other teams by beating the crap out of their opponents, I think they'll take that
nicko
10:10
Twins come back from the dead against the Angels pitching this weekend, or more of the same?
Jeff Sullivan
10:10
I think they'll win once or twice!
Hal
10:11
So, Vince Velasquez: I know it was against the Padres, but a start that good can't be flukey, right? (please say yes even if you disagree, I have so little to be happy about right now)
Jeff Sullivan
10:12
What I like so far about Velasquez: he's one of the league leaders in zone rate. He's pitched very aggressively. Now, the Padres didn't give him much of a reason not to, but he trusts his stuff and he comes right after the opponent. He can throw strikes without getting them punished, and that gives him a leg up for as long as he has this velocity
j6takish
10:14
It's April, he hasn't walked yet, his babip is 400 but nick castellanos has looked good. He made some pretty significant changes to his swing and had a good 2nd half last year. Once the small sample Tom Foolery stabilizes, do you think he will finally have a decent year?
Jeff Sullivan
10:14
I don't love him, but I can see him pulling off a 2 WAR year. He'll need enough fly balls to sail over the fence. I'll never buy him in the field
Jaack
10:14
Rank these jobs in terms of how much you want them: Managing Editor of Fangraphs, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom or Coach of the Ottawa Senators?
Jeff Sullivan
10:15
1. FanGraphs
2. Senators
3. literally anything else
4. UK
Mark
10:15
Looking towards the deadline, what high leverage relievers will be available. I'm a dodger fan
Jeff Sullivan
10:15
Let's see if Will Smith gets himself back and healthy
That's...well that's almost it
Maybe you can grab one of the Twins
Zonk
10:16
Once again, the Rockies are leading the league in slugging, and their pitching is a mess. Every year it's the same, and not just at home; they always have some good hitters, and never have a decent pitcher. Does Coors really destroy the psyche of every pitcher, or do you have a different theory?
Jeff Sullivan
10:16
Simple theory is that the pitching has sucked
10:17
They could really, really use Jon Gray back
Zach
10:17
Imagine a fastball. Imagine this fastball has essentially no break, and the pitcher throwing it is not in any way deceptive. How fast does this fastball need to be in order to be a viable pitch in the majors?
Jeff Sullivan
10:17
103
10:18
97-98 if the pitcher has something else
Brett Lawrie's Empty Redbull Can
10:18
Who do you see as the biggest FIP-buster in the league? If you believe such a thing exists.
Jeff Sullivan
10:18
Maybe Cueto
Dave
10:18
I was planning to buy low on Vince Velasquez. That plan has gone to shambles. You thoughts on this?
Jeff Sullivan
10:18
Your bad
JKD
10:19
Is there a good metric that exists on the relative value of a team beating up on/not losing to the bad teams on their schedule? Thinking specifically of the NL East right now - it's beneficial for the Nats to be beating the Braves, but it seems way way more bad in absolute value, for the Mets to be losing to the Marlins and Phillies. How to express that, in less tortured language/with numbers?
Jeff Sullivan
10:19
I mean, I guess you could look at our playoff odds, since they account for schedule. Losses to teams you should beat will be extra damaging
JC
10:20
How worried are you about Felix's declining velocity? The changeup is still filthy, but it feels but it feels like the 89-90mph fastball will make him increasingly hittable. I'd hoped this trend was due to last year's injuries, but I guess this is just age catching up to him?
Jeff Sullivan
10:20
I'm still going to give him more time, but the velocity trend is generally worrisome. Working to his advantage: he's still throwing as hard as Keuchel just did, and Felix's secondary stuff is second to almost none. He can be successful at this level. You just have to hope it's not a physical ailment.
nicko
10:23
What is wrong with Rubby's approach? His stuff looks so good at times and then the wheels fall off.
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