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Travis Sawchik
12:23
I don't know that many guys have tried changing their swing paths significantly as GB/FB rates across the game have been stable. But we are probably only hearing about the success stories
Rick Hahn
12:24
Please tell me who surfaces in the Quintana sweepstakes. I'm getting a bit antsy.
Travis Sawchik
12:24
Patience is a virtue, Rick. And that contract allows for patience and for an ideal market to develop ... Of course with every pitcher, you risk injury and depletion of market
Hector
12:25
How do you personally feel about Bryce Harper? Do you think his down year last year was more due to his injuries or the league adjusting to him (or a mixture of both)? I find it hard to believe that a guy who posted a wRC close to 200 in 2015 all of a sudden doesn't have it anymore. His BB rate was elite last year and stole some bases under the great tutelage of the first-base coach so should we look at that and say he can turn it around if healthy next year?
Travis Sawchik
12:25
I suspect he was hurting last year. I think he's a generational talent but I do worry about the amount of injuries he's suffered
jon
12:25
Mike Montgomery and $10 million or Jason Hammel, 2017 only?
Travis Sawchik
12:26
I want to say Hammel, but the Cubs are really smart and know a lot more than anyone else about this decision so Montgomery
Ian
12:27
Gary Sanchez is going to bust. I am right because _______. I am wrong because ______.... ?
Travis Sawchik
12:27
He's not going to sustain a 40% HR/FB mark but he's a star and just about every team would love to have him
Von Schloss
12:27
Who do you think has a better season, the Marlins or Rays?
Travis Sawchik
12:27
Rays. I like the SP and their SP depth
Czechjustin
12:28
Knowing the Pirates clubhouse, how does an all star player such as Andrew McCutchen handle the move? What are the clubhouse dynamics/ disruptions of this outfield realignment in Pittsburgh?
Travis Sawchik
12:30
This is a great question. It's interesting how teams handle that dynamic with the raw, cold data. Why didn't the Yankees move Jeter to 2B like 15 years ago? McCutchen did not want to move off the position, which is likely in part why we didn't see it earlier. But it's a four-year trend and the small-market Pirates need to create as much value as possible. Also, he's not a long-term fixture in the clubhouse
Pinstripe Wizard
12:30
With so many times trying to improve their defense, is offense the new market inefficiency? Is this why Billy Beane appears to not care about defense?
Travis Sawchik
12:30
I think this is true to an extent. There's always a balance there and few two-way, impact players
Pinstripe Wizard
12:31
Which franchise is in worse shape: Padres or Tigers? Sure the Tigers are better this year, but in overall outlook, I'm not convinced.
Travis Sawchik
12:31
I'm intrigued with the Padres' farm system, not so much with the Tigers'
5 Run Homer
12:31
So about the Pirates changing the OF (Polanco LF, Marte CF, McCutchen RF)... why McCutchen in right? Doesn't he have a noodle arm?
Travis Sawchik
12:32
He does have a poor arm, but the idea is it's easier to hide a suspect OF in right field at PNC Park and Mike Petriello had some great research showing McCutchen is better going to his right
12:33
But maybe McCutchen and Polanco should switch spots at certain road venues
Kiermaier's Piercing Green Eyes
12:34
I want expansion to happen so division realignment kicks the Rays out of the AL East into a much weaker division with the Braves and Marlins or something. Is this a reasonable thing to root for?
Travis Sawchik
12:34
In a 32-team future, the Rays belong with the Braves and Marlins in a division
Ryan
12:34
What's a better strategy in a new startup 26 man roster dynasty league..? We get a $260 auction budget but players monetary values go away after the drafts completion. Go for cheaper young talent to fill the roster, or go heavier on multiple stud guys I love like mookie and supplement roster with dollar players later?
Travis Sawchik
12:36
Everyone loves Mookie, but is going to take up a fifth of your budget .... As a generally philosophy target youth, maybe some vets coming off down seasons (or Harper), and invest in a couple corner young, position-player stones
E
12:37
the NBA keeps separate stats, available publicly, of players after 0, 1, 2 days rest etc. Seems weird if it isnt available somewhere
Travis Sawchik
12:37
Someone help us out if it is available for MLB ... Resting players has been 'a thing' for more years in basketball than MLB
Andrew
12:38
How do you think GMs and Agents communicate nowadays? Mostly texting? Phone calls? Both?
Travis Sawchik
12:38
Like anyone else these days, mostly texts .... but depends on age of exec and agent, too
Steve
12:39
Not sure if you do fantasy questions but as a Gary Sanchez owner I'd probably be foolish to not sell high on his hype in light of his 40% HR/FB rate, no?
Travis Sawchik
12:39
Explore the market, and seek an outrageous return, but don't sell just to sell
BillyF
12:40
Dear Mr. Sawchik: What do you think will be the future of the Marlins franchise for the next 5 years? Won't it be time for it to change ownership despite the latter managed to make profit out of this franchise?
Travis Sawchik
12:41
There's not been many franchises for sale despite the skyrocketing values, I suppose that tells us that owners are doing quite well. .... especially with no payroll floor to worry about and player age declining
Hector
12:41
In an OBP/BB league, what do you think of a strategy where you stock up on positions with players who were consistent the last few years yet your OF is high-risk high-reward (I am thinking Harper, McCutchen, Pollock, Bautista)? So I will have an elite infield yet my outfield could look like that.
Travis Sawchik
12:42
I like it. I really like Harper, Pollock and Bautista to return profit in 2017
Nobody Important
12:42
Will the DH in both leagues happen before an expansion?
Travis Sawchik
12:42
I'm not a DH fan, but it seems like we're headed there
Bri Guy
12:43
Do you think the league figured out Jake Lamb in the 2nd half or are you comfortable chalking it up to regression/wrist injury?
Travis Sawchik
12:44
His plate discipline remained stable in the second half but his SLG dropped from .612 in the first half to .380 in the second, so that suggests it could be injury related
Nick
12:45
So I was looking at Brian McCann's Baseball Prospectus page and.... does he at least have a bit of a HOF argument? His 2008-2011 was incredible and he's approaching 60 WARP. I guess the question is are we confident enough in BP's framing numbers to say he's been that awesome of a player?
Travis Sawchik
12:46
I haven't explored this, but his peak was great. Can't wait for the framing aspect of HoF debates in the coming years
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