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Jeff Sullivan FanGraphs Chat -- 5/6/16
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Jeff Sullivan
9:38
Feels like a problem of fastball command. That's not a very insightful answer -- it's usually fastball command. I don't think he's hurt, which would make this mechanical. I think he's acknowledged as much. But Giles doesn't have a big repertoire. He doesn't have a lot of other options. If, as a hitter, you eliminate the slider early, then you can look for a fastball that right now Giles isn't locating
9:39
It's usually a good fastball, but it's easy to hit if you hunt it
Ross
9:41
Is Marte a legit answer at SS for the Mariners?
Jeff Sullivan
9:42
He has so little power. And because of that, pitchers have been aggressive, and he hasn't been walking. Marte needs to make the most of himself to look like a starter. Now, lately, he's been able to do that, which is encouraging. But assuming he never becomes a power threat, he needs to do one of two things: make more contact, or play better defense. As long as his defense is above-average, he's manageable, toward the bottom of a lineup
9:43
I'll say this could be going a lot worse. And Chris Taylor is back on the radar, so that's supportive
Meowmix
9:44
Re: Dave Cameron's article, what teams beside the Dodgers could you see even putting together a realistic package for Trout?
Jeff Sullivan
9:44
The Red Sox could do it, the Cubs could do it -- the usual teams could do it. But they're not going to do it
Erik
9:44
Are there any historical comps for Mike Trout, where young top 2 or 3 player was stuck on a team without any realistic short or long term shot at a World Series? What have teams done in that situation in the past?
Jeff Sullivan
9:44
This is my own bias but as I think about Trout on the Angels I can't help but think about where Felix has been on the Mariners
9:45
The Mariners, of course, kept Felix and gave him hundreds of millions of dollars. I don't think any fan of the team would tell you that was the wrong call
9:46
The Expos had Vladimir Guerrero until he walked as a free agent. Maybe that kind of counts
Ross
9:46
1-10 scale of worry for the King?
Jeff Sullivan
9:47
5 or 6? He can succeed like this, but I know better than to just ignore a two-mile velocity dip
Hire Jack Z
9:47
Though I'm guessing the chances of this are infinitesimal, would trading Trout to a contending team at the deadline land the Angels the largest trade package ever?
Jeff Sullivan
9:47
Actually it feels like the kind of thing that's so big it would be best handled in the winter
MikeMilligan
9:48
Dodger starters seem to be ok. Bullpen still a mess. Bring up Urias to pitch late inning relief ?
Jeff Sullivan
9:49
They could, but I feel like they'd want to try to keep their top prospect comfortable. Maybe it means Wood to the bullpen
And then if the Yankees keep sucking the Dodgers can just trade for Chapman again in July
Ross
9:51
If you were grading Taijuan Walker's stuff on the 80 grade scale how would he grade out?
Jeff Sullivan
9:51
Well, I'm definitely not a traditional scout, so I don't know all the ins and outs of using these grades. But I'd say 65 fastball, 60 changeup, 50 curve, 45 slider
Erik
9:52
Stephen Strasburg has the top career xFIP among qualified active starters. I always thought he was considered to have not lived up to his reputation. What's going on there?
Jeff Sullivan
9:52
His ERA is higher than his xFIP
9:54
Since 2010, Strasburg is #1 in xFIP, but he's not in the top 10 in ERA. Also, there are just so many other good young starters now, attention has been diluted. Strasburg felt special at the time. He still is special, but there are dozens of special arms
Seaquest
9:54
If Ray Searage were a free agent, do you think he could get a bigger contract than J.A. Happ?
Jeff Sullivan
9:54
He wouldn't. No precedent for that
Mike T.
9:54
Jeff, maybe this is not fair but could you actually name players from the Dodgers that could land Trout?
Jeff Sullivan
9:55
You know the good young ones? Take a handful of those
If you start with Seager you don't need to even add all that much. But then you're losing Corey Seager
@RationalMLBfan
9:56
Select Vin Mazzaro outings:
5/5/16 (as a Giant vs. Rockies): 0.1 IP, 6 H, 9/7 R/ER, 1 BB, 0 K
5/16/11 (as a Royal vs. Indians): 2.1 IP, 11 H [1 HR], 14 R/ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Jeff Sullivan
9:57
Take those outings away and his career ERA drops from 4.82 to 4.35!
A month after the 14-run appearance, Mazzaro blanked the Angels over seven innings, with five walks and zero strikeouts
Ross
9:58
When was the last time you were this excited about the Mariners?
Jeff Sullivan
9:58
The end of the 2014 season was exciting
Before that, that week where they got Cliff Lee and dumped Carlos Silva
Bork
9:59
Predictions for when Kershaw pitches to the Jays for the first time in his career this weekend?
Jeff Sullivan
9:59
Kershaw wins
Sailor Jerry
9:59
Any advice for someone graduation from college in a week?
Jeff Sullivan
10:00
Don't spend the next several months panicking about your long-term future. It doesn't feel like it now but down the road you'll look back on this particular summer and it'll be a damn blink of an eye
If you don't yet have a big professional commitment, take advantage of this freedom and flexibility. These opportunities don't present themselves often
Erik
10:01
Who finishes the year with higher WAR, Dexter Fowler or Jason Heyward?
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