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Jeff Sullivan FanGraphs Chat -- 8/17/18
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Jeff Sullivan
9:06
Hello friends
Welcome to Friday baseball chat
Jack
9:07
Concern level for Kevin Kiermaier? Just hasn’t been able to get going offensively this year, and doesn’t really seem like the same otherworldly defender anymore, either
Jeff Sullivan
9:08
Wouldn't be a surprise if the defense were beginning to slow down -- that's the way it goes -- but I think Kiermaier basically just needs an offseason reset. Seems like he's never found his swing and timing since coming back from the torn ligament, and it doesn't make sense to me that he would've just fallen apart for no other reason
9:09
I think he'll get back to being a pretty good player next season, but the Rays would be wise not to count on him to play 140 games
Ross
9:10
Offseason trade idea: Marlins trade J.T. Realmuto to the Yankees for Gary Sanchez. Who says no?
Jeff Sullivan
9:10
I think the Marlins say no. It's not that it's a terribly lopsided trade, since Sanchez would come with more years of team control, but if the Marlins were going to trade Realmuto I think they'd be looking for a package of younger players
9:11
It'd be ballsy, though. Sanchez, obviously, could become a franchise player
Oakland Coliseum
9:12
I can haz championship???
Jeff Sullivan
9:12
Probably not
But it would be a gas
Jake Junis Priest
9:12
Mike Zunino or Mike Zuniyes?
Jeff Sullivan
9:13
Mike Zuninehhh
Kiermaier's Piercing Green Eyes
9:13
With how little money they have on the books for next year, the Rays can be active in free agency if they want. Think they do anything more exciting than another Sergio Romo reunion? They could afford Ramos, Grandal might be a stretch.
Jeff Sullivan
9:14
I think the Rays know it doesn't really make sense for them to be paying many free-agent prices. But they'll be active looking for a handful of bargains, and/or, failing that, they could opt to take on someone's overpaid player in addition to a prospect or two
Could be used as an opportunity to effectively boost the upper farm
Brandon Belt
9:16
Will I ever hit 20 homers in a season or am I forever cursed to hit 17-18?
Jeff Sullivan
9:16
I'm always amazed whenever I look at Brandon Belt's splits
9:17
He feels like a guy who's been crippled by his home ballpark, and indeed, home Belt has 42 homers, while road Belt has 70 homers
But then, home Belt has a .362 wOBA, while road Belt has a .348 wOBA
9:18
Road Belt isn't better; he's just different
That didn't answer your question
The answer to your question is yes
Tim
9:18
Mallex Smith: pretty good?
Jeff Sullivan
9:18
Not actually sold on the hitting yet, but I'm getting there
9:19
I've had the loose idea to eventually write about him, just as an exercise in appreciating a different kind of hitter successful today
It's fun to focus on something other than a guy who's learned how to tap into his power like everyone else
Nate
9:21
What are your thoughts on a hypothetical re-alignment system that bases divisions on the previous season's final standings? So the top four teams all in one division, worst 4 in one division, etc.. 6 playoff spots, with the top two seeded divisions receiving byes. Bottom two divisions would play the next two best non-division winners in KBO knockout style where the division winner is the top seed
Jeff Sullivan
9:22
I'm going to be honest with you
I don't like it
This feels like something that's different without being better
9:23
Nevermind the travel nightmare of it all; I also don't think I like how it rewards teams for being really bad, while penalizing teams for being really good
9:24
The teams in the good division would play a much tougher schedule than the teams in the bad division
John
9:24
Ready to declare the Nats toast yet?
Jeff Sullivan
9:25
I don't really traffic in absolutes, but, yeah, they've obviously put themselves in a terrible spot
I will point out they have a better run differential than the Phillies, Brewers, and Cardinals. Too bad for them!
9:26
Been the fifth-best team in the NL according to BaseRuns, but BaseRuns doesn't put you in the playoffs
Nate
9:27
Who are some potential bargain FA signings to keep an eye on this offseason?
Jeff Sullivan
Hey look, Steve Pearce! Someone should sign Steve Pearce
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