You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Travis Sawchik FanGraphs Chat
powered byJotCast
Travis Sawchik
12:01
We need to talk
So let's get started ...
Bork
12:01
Would the MLBPA be wise to fight for a payroll floor more than anything?
Travis Sawchik
12:03
An article I researched related to this very subject was just published on the Site so please check it out....But, yeah, I'm surprised the MLBPA has not fought for a floor given where the owners' share of revenues has gone, given there is a tax on payroll spending.
While it's not a perfect comparison, if MLB had an NBA-style soft cap and floor, there would have been 19 MLB teams under the floor in 2015
Erik
12:04
What happens first, an MLB expansion or an MLB relocation?
Travis Sawchik
12:04
Both are likely inevitable, but I'll be optimistic and assume stadium deals get done in Oakland and Tampa and we see expansion first
Erik
12:05
Of the list of "top remaining free agents" you included in your latest post, who would you actually want your team to sign for the money they're likely to get?
Travis Sawchik
12:06
Hammel, maybe? It's a tough time to be a decent but not great 30-something in the game
Closet Sox fan in Wrigleyville
12:06
Hey Travis. Is Yoan Moncada another overhyped prospect from Cuba? How do you see his first three years progress on the Southside? Is he the second coming of Robbie Cano?
Travis Sawchik
12:07
Patience will probably be a virtue in regard to Moncada
The K rate is troubling but I'm with Dave Cameron in believing he'll eventually polish off some holes in his game allowing the overall skill-set to shine.
Blake
12:08
Love the chats so far, Travis. If Michael Conforto were still prospect eligible, where do you think he'd fall on a top 100? (I'm trying to gauge his value)
Travis Sawchik
12:09
Thanks! Conforto would be a top 30 guy for me. Eno has written some interesting stuff on his batted ball profile you should check out if you have not. I believe he is one of the better exit velo guys in the game. Some impressive underlying skills
Zonk
12:10
Matt Wieters......where do you see a potential match?
Travis Sawchik
12:12
Wieters picked an awful time to become a FA for the first time ... A time when teams know how poorly he receives pitches. He'll find a job because teams need catchers and he can throw and hit a little bit. Maybe a reunion with the Orioles makes some sense. Reds, Rockies, Mets, Angels have all been connected. Sadly the 2009 PECOTA dream that was Wieters is not happening
SouthSider
12:13
Zips projection just came out for Pirates. Starting pitching looks shallow. Glasnow/Bell seem to be contributors in 2017. If Pirates are TRULY in a win-now mode, wouldn't a Quintana for Meadows, Keller, Newman/Hayes trade make a lot of sense for them? They don't lose anything in 2017, keep two great farm pieces they can build a future around. Get a quality pitcher for 4 years! If they rebuild in 2 years they can flip Quintana and get something back. It's perfect!
Travis Sawchik
12:14
Quintana does make sense for the Pirates... But the Pirates love Meadows and Keller and I don't think they would part with both. The Pirates do have the assets to be a legit trade partner with Sox so I wouldn't rule out a deal from happening.
Tommy B
12:15
With rumors a punishment might finally be coming down soon on the cardinals for hacking the Astros, In your opinion what should the punishment look like?
Travis Sawchik
12:16
There's no real precedent for cyber crime in baseball and the Cardinals did try to get out in front of this ... Maybe a loss of an early-round draft pick for future deterrence?
Aaron
12:17
People have probably asked this question before, but oh well. How good/bad would Babe Ruth be if he played today? Do you think he could hit consistently even against #5 starters?
Travis Sawchik
12:18
Would he becoming via time machine or would have grown up with 21st century strength training and development practices? I think if you can hit you can hit, to a degree, so I'll bet on the Babe
Sonny
12:18
Beyond Tony Clark how did player's union team reps perceive their importance and the import of the MLBPA overall? Are player reps aware of role and history of the PA in American labor?
Travis Sawchik
12:19
I think players are generally aware of the history and strength of their union, especially in relation to that of other pro sports. I know the Pirates' union reps took their role seriously.
Andrew
12:20
What do you think the Braves' front office was thinking when it was first presented with Swanson and Inciarte (and then some) for Shelby Miller? Was there a "this can't be real, right?" or "how are dumb are these guys?" moment?
Travis Sawchik
12:22
That offer would test your poker face but I'm guessing it occurred via message/phone .... It looks like one of the great trade heists of the 21st century. To try and be balanced, I don't think anyone saw Miller performing the way he did last season
Q-Ball
12:22
Does the industry feel like maybe they underestimated the quality of play in the KBO? Once you get past the bat flips, is the competition better than we thought?
Travis Sawchik
12:24
I think the competition is better than many thought ... Recall many doubted Jung Ho Kang's ability to hit velocity and he's been one of the best fastball hitters in the major since his arrival ... That said, there's still more unknown than answers in S.Korea/KBO in regard to talent but unknowns are where opportunities reside
Mike
12:24
Hi Travis, I've been a fan of your work for a while now and I thoroughly enjoyed "Big Data Baseball." I just want to know when we are going to see your book hit the big screen? I think it would beat "Moneyball" for "Best Sabermetric Related Book to Become a Movie."
Travis Sawchik
12:25
Thanks, Mike! I am a fan of this idea. Would you like to be involved in casting roles?
J
12:25
Would you rather have a Bondsesque 10 WAR season or a one from Trout? Basically a monster hitter that scares pitchers to death or a great all around player?
Travis Sawchik
12:27
I will say Bonds. We've never seen an offensive force like that. I think there was a fear factor there though probably impossible to quantify what it meant.
Mike M
12:28
What are your top 2 cities that should have an MLB team?
Travis Sawchik
12:29
Montreal and probably a domestic spot.
I think a team would do well in Charlotte or Portland while filling a geographic void on the map for MLB
12:30
Eventually, as it should, MLB wants to get into Mexico.
John Middleton
12:31
It would be great to read an article about how the Phillies rebuild is going faster than anyone could have expected. Would you like to stay at my Palm Beach mansion for a couple of weeks and write that article? Our chef is an amazing cook.
Travis Sawchik
12:31
Hey, John. Would love to.
Zonk
12:32
Is it too soon to think about what Ventura's passing means for the Royals? They were on the fringe of contention as it was, but have to think they are going to be active sellers now at the deadline with Cain, Moose, and Hosmer hitting FA.
Travis Sawchik
12:32
Too soon. Huge loss on and off the field. We've seen too many of these recently (Taveras, Fernandez). Just awful.
Load More Messages
Connecting…