You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Travis Sawchik FanGraphs Chat
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Jim
12:27
The Braves should and will trade anyone for the right price. Every team should.
Travis Sawchik
12:28
Yeah, in theory. But if a team became a high-volume trader then it might become more difficult to sign FA among other considerations
not fast fastballs
12:28
Any reasons to be optimistic on these former aces that now can't throw more than 90 (felix, greinke, etc) and have shown sharp declines over the last year?
Travis Sawchik
12:29
Greinke was hurt by poor OF and C defense last season. Both should be improved in Arizona. I'd be more concerned about Felix, but the best day for each are in the rear view
American League boyz
12:29
Kipnis out for 5-6 weeks. how bad does that hurt the Tribe?
Travis Sawchik
12:30
Not too much if that turns out to be his timetable for return to normal performance. But after Brantley last season, I understand if Tribe fans are freaking out
Craig
12:30
If Lucroy can regain his elite framing numbers what kind of contract would he be looking at in FA this coming off-season?
Travis Sawchik
12:32
No one's framing numbers will have ever been followed so closely as Lucroy's in 2017. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/what-can-a-full-season-of-lucroy-do-for-the-rangers/ It will be interesting to see if he was just really hurt by an erratic and poor Brewers staff. Framing is supposed to age well not drop off a cliff, but maybe it's less of an independent skill than we realize
Hank
12:32
How would you set up the Astros lineup? I feel like Springer is somewhat miscast as a leadoff guy, because of the high K rate, although the OBP is really good. I feel like an Altuve/Bregman/Correa/Springer top of the lineup would be more advantageous.
Travis Sawchik
12:33
I actually like Altuve in a position where has more opportunity to drive in runs...but probably not a ton of value to extract regardless of placement
fresh basil
12:33
Love having a Bucs guy on FG! But I have a dumb fantasy question. I'm torn between keeping Jose Ramirez or Piscotty. Both same $. Love them both can only keep one.
Travis Sawchik
12:34
I prefer Ramirez due to the infield glove ... and he might become 2B eligible this season
Kristen
12:34
How unique is TEX's total inability to develop starting pitching, and is there something inherently wrong with the franchise's philosophy/scouting/coaching that their SP prospects only excel once they've moved onto other teams, e. g., Tanner Roark, Eickhoff, Hendricks, etc.? They gave up on Dillon Tate so quickly due to a drop in velocity, yet once the Yanks got him his velocity jumped back up to pre-draft levels.
Travis Sawchik
12:35
We know Texas is generally thought to be a tough place to pitch, but maybe there is something to drill down into here. Certain clubs due have superior or lesser development plans and philosophies
Jim
12:35
Mitch Keller. What can you tell us? The BB and HR supression looked real last year and he's not without his Ks. What's not to like?
Travis Sawchik
12:36
Top pitching prospect in the system and one of the club's most valuable overall assets. I prefer him to Glasnow
Wes
12:36
Do you read anything into Duffy's velocity being down 1.5 mph from last year? Do you believe in Duffy this season even if his velocity is down?
Travis Sawchik
12:36
Guys are still working arms into shape at this point, but that's a little concerning. More velo is always good. But Duffy does have two other quality pitches in his curveball and change to navigate through a lineup
Boston Jones
12:37
Can you further explain the Red Sox catching situation? Is Swihart really not good enough/ better than these other options that he's not going to make opening day roster
Travis Sawchik
12:37
Could be a case of Swihart has milb options and club just wants to maintain flexibility. But I'm a little baffled why he doesn't seem to have more trust of the FO (assuming those throwing issues are behind him)
Steve
12:38
There's always talk about shortening the regular season. Why not just make spring training shorter. Everyone seems to agree it doesn't need to be this long.
Travis Sawchik
12:38
I think you'd find a lot of players on board with this. While clubs don't make a ton of cash off spring training games, the local economies in Fla and Zona would not be in favor of fewer games
CamdenWarehouse
12:39
Kristen, the Orioles starting pitcher development woes say hello
Travis Sawchik
12:39
True ... But let's see Dylan Bundy's next chapter, which hopefully will include more pitching up in the zone
Marc
12:39
Hey Trav, I'm in a 14 team dynasty league that uses DRS as a category, and I'm thinking of offering up Kevin Kiermaier in exchange for passes to the premier of the Emoji Movie, in theaters August 4. Should I go for it?
Travis Sawchik
12:40
Man, if you're that hard up for a ticket I will buy you one
Joe
12:40
Shouldn't a higher strikeout rate be an argument in favor of Springer hitting leadoff? Leadoff hitters probably hit with runners on base less often than any other spot in the lineup, so it seems like excessive strikeouts would have the least impact from that spot.
Travis Sawchik
12:40
Agreed
Phantastic
12:40
I saw the post about Smyly's velocity in the WBC. Do you believe in that sample and his ability to translate that to the regular season (possibly 30+ starts) or am i wise to stay away
Travis Sawchik
12:41
I think it's an interesting data point ... but I would make huge changes in your opinion based up that alone. Smyly might have been pumped up to pitch in that game. I'd more excited about his willingness to pitch up in the zone and playing in the AL West
12:42
Excuse me while I warm-up my coffee ...
12:44
OK, I'm back. (Grind your own beans, and employ the french press, folks)
Spicy Felix!
12:44
Looking at the auction calculator, all the elite closers are near the most expensive pitchers in my league. Chapman is the 4th hiighest valued pitcher for example. Standard 5x5 plus K/9 and OPS with only "P" slots instead of SP and RP. Does this seem right? Should I really be targeting top relievers that early? Sort of makes sense that I could heavily stream starters, but it seems strange they are all valued so high
Travis Sawchik
12:45
Yeah, but hasn't this always been a thing? Think about 1990s LABR auction prices for closers. I do think there's something to be said about paying an extra dollar or two for a closer in a stable situation ... but I can also see the strategy of not wanting to pay for saves. I think we should all just agree to kill the save in fantasy
Sim
12:46
Would you take Paxton over Hill?
Travis Sawchik
12:46
Not for 2017
CamdenWarehouse
12:46
Don't SPs usually say they need the full spring to get ready? Hitters, on the other hand, don't.
Travis Sawchik
12:47
True. But I
'm not sure teams really best know how to get pitchers ready for a season
All 30 teams seem to adopt the same practice, but is it really the best approach?
Connecting…