JotCast | Travis Sawchik FanGraphs Chat

Travis Sawchik FanGraphs Chat

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Travis Sawchik

1:14

That might be a little aggressive ... but I love what the Braves are doing and things could come together quickly for them

Joe

1:14

Because JD Martinez broke out so late in his career, would you expect a different aging curve for his career?

Travis Sawchik

1:14

Yeah, he's an outlier so his mid 30s production could be on a different level

Rick Hahn

1:14

Who will end up being the best of the prospect haul? Moncada, Kopech, someone else??

Travis Sawchik

1:15

Moncada might struggle early with contact ... But you have to like the tool set and overall skill set

Andrew

1:15

If Andrew Cashner throws 150 innings with an ERA around 4.10 that's a success, right?

Travis Sawchik

1:15

Yes, but it didn't happen in the NL West, I don't think it's happening in Texas

Matt

1:16

Hypothetically, let's say I have Byron Buxton on my fantasy team, and I live down the street from Byron's - a great Italian beef spot in Chicago. Which Byron provides more value to me in 2017?

Travis Sawchik

1:16

Can't go wrong but you can enjoy a mild Byron Buxton breakout while enjoying great Italian beef. Win-win

Erik

1:16

What makes you say that it seems like we're headed towards a DH? That statement gets repeated often, but since having the DH is basically binary (it exists or it doesn't exist) it's rather difficult to make incremental progress.

Travis Sawchik

1:17

It gets the MLBPA another job in a starting lineup and owners and fans generally seem like like run scoring

The Dark Knight

1:18

Do you think I have a full recovery to ace status this season?

Travis Sawchik

1:19

I miss the 2013 You....I haven't seen much evidence of that returning, but some players take longer to get it back post TJS

Steve

1:19

At a certain point doesn't the HOF get big enough that it loses it's exclusivity?

Travis Sawchik

1:20

No. Not as long as it's still a small percentage of the playing population of a given era. I think 90s are probably under-represented as Brian Kenny and others have noted

Yinzer Dave

1:20

Has the crossing guard asked if you agree with the Pirates decision of moving Cutch to RF? (It's obviously the right choice, just want to know the buzz on Washington Blvd).

Travis Sawchik

1:21

The Crossing Guard does not think McCutchen is long for Pittsburgh. I believe he likes Marte in CF. A full year of Marte in CF should be fun for the locals here in Western Pa.

Czechjustin

1:21

Travis, You've mentioned Malcolm Gladwell before. Have you read "Blink"? Do first impressions (scouting, evaluating) have a high value in MLB?

Travis Sawchik

1:23

Yes! I love Gladwell's work. I have to think there is some type of initial bias formed that is hard to get beyond. I think that's true of our everyday experience. Teams might do well to self-scout their scouts on this and try and make adjustments (More important in amateur scouting, I would suspect)

Todd

1:23

not being a fan of the DH is like being a fan of watching a punter try to throw a pass - stupid

Travis Sawchik

1:25

Disagree. I like the extra decisions for managers and it should also produce quicker games, which MLB seems to want.... Moreover, if a team really gets into bullpening you could produced an advantage through more PH at-bats ... Also, if a pitcher is buzzing people up-and-in he has to step in the box. And Bartolo Colon! Too much good stuff

Dan

1:25

Please rank young corner OF for dynasty purposes: Benintendi, Dahl, Mazara, Judge

Travis Sawchik

1:25

Ben, Mazara, Judge and Dahl

Jordan

1:26

I'm a big Pirates fan. Doesn't it seem to make more sense to have Marte play LF in PNC rather than center? How many times do we see him get the guy trying to take second on a base hit down the line? Or run balls down in the notch?

Travis Sawchik

1:26

Left field in PNC Park is a really difficult place to play...With this move, the Pirates are risking moving two strengths (LF, RF) to cover up for one weakness

Frank

1:26

Robinson Cano hit a career high 39 home runs at age 33. I don't have a question, I just think that's amazing.

Travis Sawchik

1:27

That is amazing

Erik

1:27

Watching punters throw passes is awesome. In any game where a punter throws a pass, that pass is probably the most exciting play of the game.

Travis Sawchik

1:27

Agreed!

Joe

1:27

Better ex rays(haha x-ray) lefty in 2017: Matt Moore or Drew Smyly?

Travis Sawchik

1:27

Smyly

A cat

1:28

Baseball is emphasizing youth, but will careers become shorter because teams will try to manipulate arb clocks?

Travis Sawchik

1:29

Teams are managing clocks ... which is a logical, rational approach to business. MLBPA didn't do much to help itself in the new CBA

Ben

1:29

Do you play ottoneu? If so, what do you think of $5 Lamb for $10 Britton in the FG points format? Thanks.

Travis Sawchik

1:29

I don't, but perhaps I should as a new FG employee

Frank

1:30

Which surprise player in both the NL an AL would you pick to lead each league in HR's this season? My picks are Miguel Sano in the AL and Joc Pederson in the NL. Post hype sleeper alert!!

Travis Sawchik

1:30

Sano could do it with 600 at bats

Boom Baby

1:31

Biggest surprise 20 hr hitter for 2017? Nick Markakis

Travis Sawchik

1:31

You win

Dan

1:31

Mexico City, Montreal...what other expansion sites seem obvious?