JotCast | Tim Dierkes chat

Tim Dierkes chat

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Tim Dierkes

2:20

Haha. No, during slower times like now the coverage mostly falls within 8am-11pm central. We expand it during July and most of the offseason, and do 24/7 for the Winter Meetings.

Mike

2:20

Hey Tim. What’s the most memorable game you’ve seen (Live in person or on TV)?

Tim Dierkes

2:21

They are all going to be Cubs-related. On TV...Kerry Wood's 20 strikeout game (I think I got home from school in the sixth inning), Game 7 of the 2016 WS, Tuffy Rhodes hitting 3 Opening Day HR.

2:22

In person...Game 5 of the 2016 WS. Somewhere on the in-person list is the time the Cubs lost on a LaTroy Hawkins pickoff throw that bounced off Jose Offerman's helmet and into the crowd.

Phil

2:22

Braves off to a hot start. If they keep tearing the cover off the ball could a wild card berth be realistically in play?

Tim Dierkes

2:24

I'm going to surprise myself and say yes. They'd basically have to outplay their projection by 10 games. I find that unlikely but not out of the question, especially with powder dry for midseason additions, and no Acuna yet. That said...Markakis, Preston Tucker, Ryan Flaherty, I think these are all below-average hitters on nice little 30-40 PA runs. But for Freeman to win an MVP, Swanson and Albies to fully break out, Acuna to come up and mash, I could see it.

Taillon

2:25

Am I turning into a legit true ace

Tim Dierkes

2:26

Taillon was on a lot of breakout lists before the season. Fair to say that the pieces are there, especially with health and an increased ability to miss bats.

The Casual Fan

2:26

If Cole Hamels stops sucking what can the Rangers get for him at the deadline?

Tim Dierkes

2:26

Just a bit of salary relief, I don't see him returning any real prospects.

Raul Gillette

2:26

Now that you have a team of writers at MLBTR, what's your day-to-day like now? Working on anything new?

Tim Dierkes

2:28

Kind of a jack of all trades, master of none situation. I also have Hoops Rumors, Pro Football Rumors, Pro Hockey Rumors, and Roster Resource. I spend a lot of time trying to improve the traffic and ad revenue. I'm hoping this year to make improvements to the Roster Resource infrastructure, which has taken longer than I'd hoped.

Buddy

2:28

What is the most annoying April overreaction you have heard/read so far?

Tim Dierkes

2:29

Booing Giancarlo Stanton? I mean, I'm not annoyed by it, but it's definitely an overreaction.

Christopher Brown

2:29

what will it take,for the White Sox to fix thier bullpen,as we've already seen Juan Minaya implode,on a rebuilding ballclub whos not expected to contend for at least 2 more years?

Tim Dierkes

2:30

Rebuilding teams generally don't worry about their bullpens too much. More likely they'll be shipping off their three good veteran relievers than adding anyone or establishing long-term pieces. I don't think anyone can predict which relievers will be at the top of the heap in 2020.

Dan G.

2:30

2018 Gregory Polanco: Small sample size? Or finally fulfilling his promise?

Tim Dierkes

2:31

Both! But I do think it's his breakout year, yes.

Dennis

2:31

Michael Fulmer for Robles and Soto....who says no to that???

Tim Dierkes

2:31

Nationals say no.

FirstTimeLongTime

2:31

Hi Tim, Been reading trade rumors for almost a decade now. Now that you have sites for all of the big 4 sports, whats next?

Tim Dierkes

2:32

I think we are done expanding into more sports/sites for the foreseeable future. The focus will just be on building up what we have, creating the best possible content and tools. One area I've always wanted to get into is some kind of MLB contract database.

Sox

2:33

If you could have a real job, what would it be?

Tim Dierkes

2:33

I used to work in search engine marketing before this, and it was a great job. So I think if I had to go to an office, it would be internet-related.

THAT guy

2:34

Why hasn't there been more talk about the Giants signing Harper? they have 2 corner outfielders making ~15mil each coming off the books..

Tim Dierkes

2:35

It's reasonable to think the Giants could fit Harper into the payroll. And they've won some FA bidding over the years. It's a viable fit.

Cobra Commander

2:36

Is Machado really a $400mil guy? I get that he's a great young baseball talent, but it seems that I get can solid defense and an .800ops for a lot less.

Tim Dierkes

2:38

You know what, I've had similar thoughts. If he's a 130-140 wRC+ hitter with strong defense, well, you can't get that for a lot less. But if he's like, 110-115...I'd have to think $400MM is overshooting it. We've seen some teams get burned paying full price for a guy's defensive numbers, like with Jason Heyward and Carl Crawford.

John

2:38

When will baseball writers stop setting unreal expectations for prospects?? Acuna is already destined to fall short of his Trout comps, and its infuriating to me.

Tim Dierkes

2:40

I think it just depends on who you read. I haven't seen anyone suggesting Acuna is the next Mike Trout. But Baseball America did say he's the rare prospect who carries future grades of 60 or better on all five tools.

It's OK to be super excited to see Ronald Acuna, and have high expectations, without comparing him to the best player in baseball.

Melky

2:40

Is there really no market for my skills? Is it because I play below-average defense and have minimal power? No one believes in those RBI totals?

Tim Dierkes

2:41

Melky's not too interesting of a player, but I had expected an MLB deal somewhere. At the least, I'm surprised he can't be someone's fourth outfielder. But maybe teams are seeking more defense there or the ability to play CF.

Dim Tierkes

2:42

What's one of the surprisingly least-successful marketing campaigns/tactics you've tried for MLBTR?

Tim Dierkes

2:44

Long long ago, I made my wife wait while I chalked up the quad at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. But I think I was writing stuff about RotoAuthority. I don't think that drew in the readers. I've tried various things with MLBTR over the years that haven't moved the needle - guest articles elsewhere, Twitter/FB advertising.

Royals fire sale

2:44

Do you think KC does the right thing and blow it up this summer/next off-season or does Dayton decide to cling to scraps in order to "compete?"

Tim Dierkes

2:46

The thing is that they are not loaded with exciting trade bait. If Danny Duffy has three good months, he's the top piece. Herrera and Moose could bring something back. Most others would be unlikely to bring back a rated prospect. So if Lucas Duda is in the midst of a perfectly cromulent 30 HR platoon bat type season, and the Royals don't trade him, I wouldn't fault them for it. To enter another cycle of success, they're going to need to draft well.

6 Hits and a Walk-off

2:47

It was good to see Cutch have a breakout type game, what kind of line do you see him ending the year with?

Tim Dierkes

2:48

Cutch has another 20 HR, .360 OBP type season in him. Solid pickup.

Aspiring Writer

2:48

What advice could you give a wannabe baseball just starting out?

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