JotCast | Travis Sawchik FanGraphs Chat

Travis Sawchik

11:17

Who is going to win AL MVP?

Aaron Judge (46.4% | 52 votes)

Mike Trout (17% | 19 votes)

Aaron Hicks (1.8% | 2 votes)

Mookie Betts (7.1% | 8 votes)

Carlos Correa (19.6% | 22 votes)

Francisco Lindor (4.5% | 5 votes)

Miguel Sano (0.9% | 1 vote)

Corey Dickerson (1.8% | 2 votes)

Xander Bogaerts (0% | 0 votes)

Gary Sanchez (!) (0.9% | 1 vote)

Total Votes: 112

11:18

Rockies will finish with an ERA- of 90 or better (90 is franchise best, they sit at 80)

Yes (41.3% | 43 votes)

No (58.7% | 61 votes)

Total Votes: 104

11:19

If you're the Pirates do you keep or move Gerrit Cole?

Trade (73.9% | 88 votes)

Hold (26.1% | 31 votes)

Total Votes: 119

11:21

Best show on TV/Streaming

Homeland (4.5% | 5 votes)

Better Call Saul (21.4% | 24 votes)

Fargo (12.5% | 14 votes)

Bloodline (Disregarding last three episodes) (3.6% | 4 votes)

Other (58% | 65 votes)

Total Votes: 112

12:03

Howdy, folks

Thanks for polling! I'm seeking out some new TV/Netflix programs, so feel free to send some recs ...

12:04

Now to baseball ...

Joe Douglas

12:04

Hi Travis, Happy Monday.

Travis Sawchik

12:04

Happy Monday, JD ... Nice to see you at PitchTalks!

Leefoo

12:04

What is wrong with Gregory Polanco both offensively and defensively and can it be fixed? Also, Hurdle has come out and said that he has gotten tentative on defense due to his injuries. Thx!

Travis Sawchik

12:05

Lee! Nice to hear from you .... Polanco's development has to be a major disappointment for the club. I think we saw what he's capable in the first half last season, but injury has played a role and he looks like a player who has lost confidence and developed some poor habits

12:06

I always thought LF in PNC Park was a poor fit given that he looked rather awkward in right, which is the easiest space to play there .... The good news is he doesn't a Jason Heyward swing rebuild. But he's got to be better and he can be

Daniel

12:07

Nick Markakis is closing in on 2000 hits. He has a legit shot at 3000, right?

Travis Sawchik

12:07

This is the last Markakis question ... ever

Joe Douglas

12:08

What's the most difficult part of your job that most people don't realize?

Travis Sawchik

12:09

Good question. I think consistency is a challenge. FG writers have to generate many ideas, and compared to life as a beat writer , there are not game stories and notebooks to lean on for bylines

Joey

12:09

How do you view Thames following his strong week last week? Does it validate Injuries we're slowing him down in May/June?

Travis Sawchik

12:10

There is always ebb and flow to a season. I don't think Thames 2.0 is Barry Bonds. But I do think he's going to continue to be really good. He had begun to expand his zone a little bit in May and June

DTH

12:10

Best show on TV/Streaming is Rick and Morty, no contest

Eric

12:10

American Gods should probably be in conversation for best show. First season just wrapped and it was unbelievable

Travis Sawchik

12:11

I will add them to the list, thanks!

Jake

12:11

Do you think players like Nolan Arenado have significantly different approaches at home compared to on the road because of the park effects of their stadium? I was looking at his home/road splits which I know are always noisy but it looks like he's had a much more patient approach away from Coors (.56 BB/K) ratio than in Coors (.28 BB/K). The patient approach looks like it's working better

Travis Sawchik

12:12

I have never asked him ... but BB/K splits always favor the home player (umpire bias!) ... but those do seem a little extreme

Matty P

12:12

Jose Ramirez a write in vote for MVP. Especially if the Indians pull away with the divison. Lindor

Travis Sawchik

12:14

Ramirez had an incredible weekend and if there is such a thing as an under-rated player, he is probably one. He ranks 22nd among position players in WAR (6.8) since the start of 2016 ...but he's overshadowed on the left side of his own infield. His contract makes him one of the more valuable assets in the game

Hooha

12:14

If the Pirate's trade Cole, would it make sense to move Felipe Rivero while his value is sky high as well?

Travis Sawchik

12:15

Only if you're going into a DisAstros-like rebuild ... Felipe has four years of control left. I'd keep him.

Joey

12:16

Streaming Options: The Americans, Silicon Valley, Goliath, The Wire...

Travis Sawchik

12:16

I was limiting it to current shows ... The Wire is an all-timer, Americans was very strong until this last season ...

Erbin Lejind

12:17

Bucs are hardly out of playoff pix so they cannot deal Cole.

Travis Sawchik

12:17

Same logic as to those wanting to hang onto Melancon

12:18

Pirates believe in advancing to postseason in as many years as possible. With that logic, it probably makes sense to trade Cole and his two remaining years of service if there's a quality offer out there. (And all contenders need pitching)

Sonny

12:18

Is there a fringe contender you could make a compelling case to sell? If the Mets decided everyone was on the table they could alter the SP market.

Travis Sawchik

12:19

Mets are one, Pirates are another ... Rangers, Royals, Rays and Orioles

One step back today, for two steps forward tomorrow. I'd be thinking that way

Larry

12:20

The Braves have the top farm system and everyone talks about its depth. So in this draft, they pretty much got three prospects -- Kyle Wright, a HS OF and a HS RHP. The rest was cheap signs. Do you like that quality over quantity approach?

Travis Sawchik

12:20

I'm a quality/upside guy myself. I like what the Braves have done in taking on risk to chase upside

Daniel

12:20

If Nick Markakis finishes with more than 2500 career hits, he'll be the only one of with 2500+ hits in the modern era who hasn't received an AS Game nod or an MVP vote. Not a question. A fact.

Travis Sawchik

12:21

Still accepting Nick Markakis Facts

Bart

12:21

Andrew Miller picked up a save yesterday. Is Francona thinking about using Miller more in the ninth or is this an anomaly?

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