JotCast | Travis Sawchik FanGraphs Chat

Travis Sawchik FanGraphs Chat

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Erik

1:17

Would it be a significant positive for the growth of baseball if the MLB convinced all its stars to go to the WBC and then market it heavily? Seems to me that more kids would be drawn to baseball by rooting for a home team filled with Trout, Harper, etc. than any of the pace of play proposals I've seen recently. Also, it's hard to crown a world champion of baseball in a tournament where Mike Trout isn't participating.

Travis Sawchik

1:18

WBC has some growth opportunity for sure, but it comes at an awkward point in the season. Might it make more sense to have it played in the middle of the season and have the game shut down for, say, two weeks and no All-Star game?

Erik

1:18

So should the Angels offer Mike Trout for the Braves entire farm system? Who hangs up first?

Travis Sawchik

1:19

Braves, and Braves call back and counter by asking for two Trouts.

Hank

1:21

Jose Bautista bounce back this year? He seemed to struggle solely due to injury last year. When healthy, he raked.

Travis Sawchik

1:21

I like Bautista's bat to be better in 2017, he was also unlucky last season. He still made a lot of quality contact

Scott of Linconshire

1:21

Let's talk about health. How far are teams pushing the HIPPA rules to try to get into genetic testing in order to try to gain some sort of advantage over other teams in predicting/preventing future injuries? I'll hang up and listen for your answer!

Travis Sawchik

1:22

Genetic testing/data is going to be a big story line at some point later this century for MLB/MLB players.. how much later, I'm not sure

Guilliume

1:23

Would you rather have a #1 pick or a #10 & #20 pick?

Travis Sawchik

1:23

1. Better odds for a franchise player

Erik

1:23

Interesting comment on Yankee stadium's fences. Are teams obligated to report accurate dimensions to the league?

Travis Sawchik

1:24

Good question. I believe MLB demands that certain depths are met in new ballpark construction

andrew

1:24

Would Zach Britton gotten 90MM this offseason?

Travis Sawchik

1:24

I believe so, at least close to it

Raindog

1:25

The depth charts have the Orioles giving 350 PA at DH to Christian Walker / Trey Mancini, and another 192 PA at C to Caleb Joseph. As a win now team, it actually wouldn't be so crazy for them to sign Wieters at this point, would it?

Travis Sawchik

1:26

A return to BAL probably makes some sense for both parties, especially since BAL has a better handle on whatever intangibles Wieters provides

Zac

1:26

You stated that you loved the De Leon pickup for the Rays. Is that because you expect big things from him, or was Forsythe just that expendable for the Rays?

Travis Sawchik

1:27

I love getting that control over a young, talented arm for what was a short-term asset in Forsythe, and the Rays had a number of competent 2B replacement candidates internally. Plus the Rays love changeups, and that's De Leon's pitch

CatDog

1:27

If King Felix comes back and has a 5 win year can the mariners win the west or are they too far behind the stros?

Travis Sawchik

1:27

I don't have a lot of confidence in King Felix being King Felix again

Donovan!

1:28

Do you foresee an end to blackout restrictions on game broadcasts? I'm an Orioles fan living in the Ray's "territory," and those few games per year that I have to watch the Orioles on cable are entirely insufferable. Sorry, Rays fans, but your announcers are dull and outright annoying.

Travis Sawchik

1:29

I think so. Let's get the product, and varieties of it, to more people that want it

Totes McGoats

1:29

What's your expectation for Josh Bell in '17?

Travis Sawchik

1:30

I love the plate discipline, bat-to-ball skills, burgeoning power and switch hitting. I'm a big fan, though we have to see how the glove plays

Donovan!

1:31

Do you see a time stamp on questions in your queue? If so, how long before a chat ends is it basically futile to submit a question because you just won't ever even see it?

Travis Sawchik

1:32

They are placed in queue in order of submission, but I scroll down to the latest to make sure I'm not missing any 80-grade questions

andrew

1:32

Odor o/u 35 HRs in 2017?

Travis Sawchik

1:32

under

CamdenWarehouse

1:33

What are the top 5 baseball related tabs you keep open all day?

Travis Sawchik

1:33

FanGraphs, FanGraphs, FanGraphs .... MLBTR, Baseball Savant, Baseball Prospectus

Sam

1:34

Is there a young player out there that you personally feel is going to take the next step towards being considered a star in the league?

Travis Sawchik

1:35

He's already star-y .... but Addison Russell is going to hit more than he has

Totes McGoats

1:36

Renfroe or Margot for 2017?

Travis Sawchik

1:36

Real-life value? Margot

IsIt2015Yet?

1:36

How many MLB players lose their 2017 season to WBC injuries this year?

Travis Sawchik

1:36

Over/under 1.5

soaktherich

1:37

What are the Mets thinking? They can't be seriously considering Conforto in AAA. Has he not proven enough there already? That Bruce trade is the hot mess that won't cool down.

Travis Sawchik

1:37

I, personally, would like to see Conforto play everyday

Donovan!

1:37

What would you, personally, name an expansion team in Portland? Mexico City? Montreal? Las Vegas? Charlotte?

Travis Sawchik

1:37

Montreal is coming back as the Expos, right? The cap is still selling well

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