JotCast | Live Chat With Tim Dierkes

Live Chat With Tim Dierkes

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Casey

2:26

What do you think about MLBTR staff writers having arguments with fans within the comments section of a post?

Tim Dierkes

2:27

Our writers should not do that. I will admit that sometimes it can be tempting, to have someone challenge what you wrote not always respectfully. But this is the Internet and our writers need to have thick skin and engage only with respect.

Worried Dodger fan

2:27

Kenley Jansen is no the same the last two years velo is down and he is giving up home runs at an alarming rate. Any chance after the draft the Dodgers go get Kimbrel?

Tim Dierkes

2:29

They are a front office known for rational decision-making, but I think they'd be in the Kimbrel post-draft mix.

Ernesto Figueroa

2:29

IF Pete Alonso hits 40 HR?

Tim Dierkes

2:30

Well, we can't just take what a rookie did over his first 165 PA and project that out as fact. He's hitting HR at say a 47-HR pace, and there are very few big leaguers who get that type of projection year in year out.

Matt Boyd

2:30

Do you think the Tigers cash in on Boyd this summer seeing what happened with Fulmer? What kind of return does Boyd bring?

Tim Dierkes

2:31

I don't think Fulmer is a good reason to do it. There's really no rush here on a guy controlled through 2022 who is not making a lot of money. Might make more sense to see what offers are floated in the offseason when there are more potential suitors.

Guest

2:32

At his peak, do you agree that MadBum was never more than a mid rotation (no. 3) arm?

Tim Dierkes

2:33

This is what our writer Ty Bradley said a couple days ago, to prompt this question: "Bumgarner, even during his heyday, was always closer to third starter than ace."

2:34

I saw that and thought, "Wow, Ty is really on an island with that take." So I talked to him about it and it was his somewhat clunky way of saying he saw MadBum as more of a #2 at his peak, setting aside the postseason. So I looked at MadBum's "heyday" from 2011-16, and while I'd say he was a #2 and borderline ace, Ty's point is that Bumgarner was more of a compiler/durability guy than a high peak guy like Kershaw or Arrieta.

2:35

So while I disagreed with Ty, he had logic behind it but not the best phrasing. He's a Giants fan by the way, so it's not some kind of fan bias thing.

Joe

2:36

Who's your early pick for AL RoY?

Tim Dierkes

2:36

Brandon Lowe makes sense to me here on May 13th, but I don't have a lot of confidence in anyone.

MadBum in his heyday

#1 starter (49.5% | 157 votes)

#2 starter (45.1% | 143 votes)

#3 starter (5.4% | 17 votes)

Total Votes: 317

2:37

Pete Alonso 2019 HR total

40+ (11.2% | 35 votes)

Fewer than 40 (88.8% | 277 votes)

Total Votes: 312

Central Station

2:38

Twin will the Twins be players as buyers if they keep winning? Any guess who they would go after like MadBum?

Tim Dierkes

2:40

Absolutely, they should be buyers. 3B makes sense if Sano doesn't help the situation. I think the best spot to add could be the bullpen though.

Bill Lambeer

2:40

What do you think about Yu Darvish maybe getting a chance as Cubs closer?

Tim Dierkes

2:41

Given the huge walk numbers, his margin for error is much smaller in the ninth inning of a one-run game, or worse yet entering with runners on base, so I don't see the bullpen as a savior for his issues. Nor do I think he'll keep walking 19% of batters faced, but I just don't know if his control can settle in at a tolerable level.

Dwight Smith Jr

2:42

Do you think he'll keep this up all year?

Tim Dierkes

2:43

I think he can be an above average hitter from here on out, though probably not 124 wRC+ like he has. All in all an excellent pickup and from a division rival no less.

Arrieta

2:43

Can I pitch my way into the Hall of Fame still?

Tim Dierkes

2:43

No...the 2014-15 peak was magnificent, but the overall body of work isn't close to HoF material.

Alex

2:44

Any players in your opinion that aren't in the HoF but should be?

Tim Dierkes

2:45

This doesn't really answer the question but the Hall has a consistency problem on its PED stance. I feel like once Bud Selig is in the Hall it has lost the moral high ground.

2:46

I don't have a HoF vote though, and only then would I really have to sit down and grapple with whether I want to vote in a known PED user. I'm not as cool with that as most under-40 baseball writers seem to be.

John Lackey

2:46

I didn't come into this chat for a haircut.

Goldy

2:46

Would I have gotten 6/145 if I were a free agent this off season?

Tim Dierkes

2:47

No, nor do I think 5/130 would have been offered in the 2019-20 offseason.

Chi Sox

2:47

If Eloy starts to hit, will this be a team that can get hit in the second half? They seemingly need to get another starter though?

Tim Dierkes

2:48

Seems like the division will require 89-93 wins, but even getting the White Sox to .500 would require many things breaking their way.

Assistant to the General Manager

2:48

Any chance you could post a weekly article with chat times/writers? I really enjoy them, but I know things change often and can’t always find the new info. Thanks for the help!

Tim Dierkes

2:49

This seems wise. Unfortunately we do sometimes have to make late alterations to the schedule, though, so I don't know that we would be able to stick to it.

It’s Ya Boy

2:49

I think he was probably a little more tougher on Bumgarner because he is a Giants fan but he was probably a #1 starter in his heyday. He also does pitch half his games in the most pitched friendly ballpark in baseball

Tim Dierkes

2:50

Yes, if you're a big believer in park factors (and the blunt hammer way they're deployed even in advanced stats), then you'd have to ding MadBum significantly.

Alex Anthopoulos

2:50

So, what does a contract for Kimbrel look like now after the draft? Since its not a full year and all.

Tim Dierkes

2:51

If you're signing him in June I feel like it's in the $7-8MM range for the rest of the season.

Kimbrel rest of season $ requirement if he signs in June

$8MM+ (54.7% | 98 votes)

Less than $8MM (45.3% | 81 votes)

Total Votes: 179

Egg

2:52

I think compiler/durability guys are still aces. Arrieta's peak was so short you would almost miss it if not for the ability to check Fangraphs in hindsight. Actual managers wouldn't have information on his dominance long enough to use it. It would be tough to look forward and say "I can count on this guy to be an ace again this year.".... On the other hand, Bumgarner was a sure thing to give you great pitching for several years. When you can pencil in great pitching from start to finish, that is an ace.

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