JotCast | Jeff Sullivan FanGraphs Chat -- 7/29/16

Jeff Sullivan FanGraphs Chat -- 7/29/16

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Jeff Sullivan

9:22

To take this very literally, before the year Hedges was projected for a .257 wOBA. Now he's projected for a .280 wOBA

But he's clearly doing a better job of tapping into his power. The power has never been in question, in raw form -- just a matter of his consistently getting the barrel where he wants. He's doing that, and he's made himself look like a potential regular

Michael

9:23

Is the Chapman deal going to be the biggest deal of the deadline?

Jeff Sullivan

9:23

I'll say no

Rob

9:24

Have you ever seen a team with as much sequencing luck as the Rangers?

Jeff Sullivan

9:25

Not very many. They've cooled off of late, but their timing has been fantastic.

Ronnie

9:25

How would you grade prime Ichiro's tools? 80/40/80/80/80?

Jeff Sullivan

9:26

Well I'm definitely not a scout, but...80 hit, 35 power, 80 running, 70 arm, 60 fielding

9:27

That was stupid. 70 fielding

I'm not *quite* convinced he was a true 80 out there. Didn't spend enough time in center

MikeMilligan

9:27

Better to move Urias + for Sale, DeLeon + for Archer or neither ?

Jeff Sullivan

9:28

I don't think either is necessary. That being said, I try not to fall in love with too many pitching prospects, so depending on what else it would take, I wouldn't be opposed to Urias going for Sale. Sale is great *now*. Urias might be a 200-innings type in a few years

Nick

9:29

The pirates seem like a good fit for a Chris Sale trade considering his affordable contract and their prospect pool. Would Meadows, Bell and Glasnow be a reasonable framework for the deal? Maybe a guy like Zach Duke and few lower rated prospects involved as well? Tell me if I'm far off because I really don't know if this is fair. Thank you

Jeff Sullivan

9:29

Just in general, while the Pirates could financially afford Sale, I don't think they could afford concentrating so much of their farm talent into one major leaguer. They need that constant churn, that stream of reinforcements. I feel like that should be their priority

mtsw

9:31

Where's America's Greatest Hitter Steve Pearce end up?

Jeff Sullivan

9:31

Good fit for the Indians

Good fit for lots of teams, but good fit for the Indians

SDinSEA

9:32

Have you ever seen or heard of a true 80/80/80/80/80 player? Ever scouted anyone with that type of potential?

Jeff Sullivan

9:32

Prime Bonds or prime Alex Rodriguez would get you in the vicinity, but I'm sure that level has never been reached.

crystal pepsi

9:33

are you going to partake when i return?

Jeff Sullivan

9:33

I don't drink soda

unless it's in a cocktail

I do drink cocktails

does anybody else want a cocktail

ArtVandalay

9:33

The Cubs are done trading right? With Soler and Cahill coming back at some point (and I guess Coghlan too, though I don't understand his presence whatsoever) they seem to be set. Why pay a high price for a guy like Walker or Archer now when you can get him in the offseason?

Jeff Sullivan

9:35

The Cubs definitely don't need to do anything else. They do still have the resources to acquire a cost-controlled effective starter, and if they want, it wouldn't hurt. Gotta brace for the eventual departure of Arrieta, if it comes to that. And the current rotation could be better, even if it's already amazing. But the Cubs should have less urgency than anyone at this writing

9:36

Say you were given control of the Rockies right now. What year do you expect to contend, and what's your strategy to get there?

Jeff Sullivan

9:37

If I squint I could see them in the hunt next season. They really are starting to see the fruits of their pitching development. I really want them to have a better catcher -- if only Wolters could hit at all. I'd be trading Gonzalez, because I don't love him, and I'd market him as this year's Yoenis Cespedes. I wonder if the Dodgers might be open to taking Gonzalez and giving up Austin Barnes

Sean

9:38

Yasmany Tomas has a 162 wRC+ on the road and a 42+ wRC+ at home. Usually splits like this have little value but it's pretty easy to see that he's much more comfortable on the road. What gives?

Jeff Sullivan

9:39

Gotta figure it's nothing. He didn't have that split last year. It's just crazy, crazy noise. Like a marmot shriek!

Reginald Denton III

9:40

Who's this Luis Castillo the Padres just got from Miami? Is that son of former leaguer (and former Marlin) Luis Castillo? If so, the kid is like 15 years old according to his dad's wiki page.

Jeff Sullivan

9:40

He's at least the 13th minor leaguer named Luis Castillo. I'd never heard of this Luis Castillo before, but he seems like a control-oriented starter candidate in High-A, so, whatever. Fringe-y prospect. Odds are you won't hear of him again

Friar

9:41

Thoughts on Cashner trade?

Jeff Sullivan

9:42

I don't really like it for the Marlins. They must've really soured on Naylor, or else there's no great explanation. And to give up Capps -- you know I love Carter Capps. Now that being said, Naylor might not ever amount to anything, and Capps might not ever stay healthy. Easy to see how this return busts for San Diego. But I don't think Cashner is good, and I don't think Rea is good. The Marlins needed a starter but I'd be surprised if they couldn't do better than this

NYTT

9:42

Trying to get an idea of what people think of Folty's year and future. How promising has his progression been this year and is a #2 starter easier to see than before the season?

Jeff Sullivan

9:43

Big step forward. I wrote a little thing about him not long ago. He's made that difficult leap for a power pitcher into being someone with control, and so while he's not yet polished and complete, he's at least a No. 3 at present. Lots of room to grow. Like him

Matt

9:43

Tell me why the Cubs do not deserve to be mocked for this Chapman trade?

Jeff Sullivan

9:43

He's a really good pitcher

That's the counter-argument

Reginald Denton III

9:44

Is the fact that Bryce Harper is hitting .236 not getting enough discussion? I mean, what the hell is going on there?

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