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Travis Sawchik FanGraphs Chat

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Travis Sawchik

12:06

Greetings!

12:08

Looks like there was some issue with the queue prior to the start of the chat almost certainly my fault

My apologies. Let's talk ..

Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe

12:08

Is it shocking to you that Alex Rodriguez is currently more popular than Derek Jeter?

Travis Sawchik

12:09

ARod's turnaround as an analyst is a great comeback story

I suspect he's going to have a better run as an analyst than Jeter will as an executive

Waltharius

12:10

Jon Heyman thinks Ohtani goes to SD... What is your take?

Travis Sawchik

12:10

San Diego was the big winner Sunday and it looks plausible

12:11

A former Nippon Ham Fighters trainer is with the club, and it appears Ohtani might prefer a small market on the West Coast

And the weather of course ... Maybe this was always about the weather

Andy

12:12

If (when) the Cards don't land Stanton, where do they go next? Assuming they don't want to pay for a 1 year rental of a 32 year old third baseman (Donaldson), who else could they target? F. Freeman?

Travis Sawchik

12:13

Donaldson makes a lot of sense ... I'd love Freeman in StL

Jimmy Ballgame

12:13

Is it just me or does Ohtani not make much sense. He wants to play in a small market but LAD and CHC are in the mix.....

Travis Sawchik

12:15

It is a little confusing ... maybe the preference is to play in a small market but he's open to being won over by a club during the next phase of recruitment

Jerry Diplo-to

12:15

Would the Mariners really consider putting Nelly Cruz in the OF a few times a week to make room for Ohtani? I understand that teams will take every measure necessary to sign the man, but that seems too far

Travis Sawchik

12:15

Sign Ohtani then worry about everything else

Terry's Sarape

12:16

New Ohtani odds?

Travis Sawchik

12:17

Mariners 5-1, Padres 7-1, Angels 8-1, Giants 9-1, Dodgers 10-1, Rangers 12-1, Cubs 20-1

Lefty

12:17

What are odds of Giants somehow landing both Ohtani and Stanton ?

Travis Sawchik

12:18

40-1

CamdenWarehouse

12:18

What do you think of the Boone signing?

Travis Sawchik

12:19

A person with zero experience in that position is an interesting choice. I generally like what the Yankees have done since 2016, but this seemed curious

Kate Upton

12:19

Surprised at all the Othani's final seven?

Travis Sawchik

12:19

Kate, I thought Ohtani would have a heavy West-coast lean, but I thought the Yankees would still be in the mix

12:20

Also a bit surprised that there are 4 NL teams on the list

Jay

12:20

I saw in Laurila's Sunday piece that MLB could eventually have managers who never even played. Works in NBA I suppose and baseball always seems slower to adapt to changes but baseball's "code" and hierarchy make me think this manager who hasnt ever played would have an uphill battle getting respect from players. What do you think?

Travis Sawchik

12:20

I think that's going to happen down the road. After all, we have quite a few GMs running clubs that have never played

Sterling Malory Chris Archer

12:21

First rule of Fangraphs: Always blame Cistulli for issues. Question: Rhys Hoskins is a top 5 1B this year, yea or nay?

Travis Sawchik

12:23

Hoskins was a good chance to be a top 5 first baseman

Aspergillus Fumigatus

12:24

Every time I hear SD I can't help but think LAA would be the better option in every respect except maybe market-size/media coverage... even then, Mike Trout is on the Angels and he seems to enjoy his peace and quiet.

Travis Sawchik

12:24

The Angels were my pick for Ohtani in doing what would be best for himself AND MLB

I could never blame someone for moving to San Diego, though

12:25

And while there will be less media coverage in SD, Ohtani is going to be a media circus in 2018 wherever he is

Ed in Iowa

12:25

I got Big Data Baseball for my brother for Christmas, except now I'm reading it (it's really good) and with the new crease in the spine it's gonna look like I just gave him one of my old books

Travis Sawchik

12:26

Ha. Ed, I won't tell if you don't. Thanks for reading!

Babe Lincoln

12:27

Are Padres really second most likely of 7 remaining? Or just had the biggest jump in odds? I think most people are surprised they're still in the running, but that doesn't mean they're higher than the Angels (e.g.)

Travis Sawchik

12:27

If he wants a small market on the West coast with familiarity (former Ham Fighter trainer) ... then the Padres should be the favorite

12:28

Is that really what he wants? A small-market on the West Coast? I don't know. It does seem like he wants to be on the West Coast

I think it would be cool if he eliminated one team per day leading into his decision day

Jamison

12:29

I dont understand how Altuve consistently has such a high batting average. I realize it’s a wonky stat, but his BABIP has been high every year. He is fast, but all those IFH can’t explain this. He doesn’t hit the ball hard, and although he sprays the ball pretty well, other guys do it much better. Tell me why he consistently has very high averages? Is it that perfect launch angle right above the infielders??

Connecting…

Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe

5:06

Travis, have you been listening to the Wheelhouse, Jerry Dipoto's podcast?
"They had a roster crunch. If something has to give and a trade is imminent, there is a 60-40 chance you're going to wind up with the Mariners."

Nick S

6:24

New reply feature?

Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe

5:06

How poorly does Jeter have to run the Marlins to have a negative pWAR (popularity WAR) in the mainstream baseball world? What about his pWAR in the New York markets? Like, if Jeter sends Giancarlo Stanton to the BoSox and Dombrowski fleeces Jeter, he's dead to Yankees fans, right?

Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe

5:06

A.J. Preller signs a three-year extension with the Padres. Thoughts?

Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe

5:06

\I know people joke about the "scales" and color scheme on the Diamondbacks uniforms, but why is there a disproportionately low amount of outrage about the jerseys saying "D-Backs?" If you want to put your nickname on your uniform, just make that your name...idiots.

Andy

5:07

Hi there!

Roadhog

5:07

How rude do you have to be to create a list of "west coast, small market teams" and then include the Giants, but not the A's?

5:08

Yankees fans reacting to Ohtani is funniest thing ever

Roadhog

5:09

I could see Oakland working on a deal for both Puig and Grandal, both fill areas of need and seem expendable.

Bagel

5:10

Any chance the Astros make any splashier moves if a team in the division gets Ohtani?

The old professor

5:10

Bichette or Guerrero who has the better offensive career?

Average fan

5:10

If Ohtani comes to Seattle, will we disappoint him as well?

Roger

5:11

Aaron Boone?!?

Nelson

5:11

Did the Stanton contract affect the sale price for the Marlins? Like if he never resigned, would Loria have gotten more?

Bang

5:11

Is there any way to figure out what proportion of the "third time through the order" effect is more due to fatigue or familiarity? It might be harder to get around the fatigue issues, but familiarity could be something that a innovative team could figure out a way to lessen or exploit.

Tony

5:11

Why do you think the Rangers and Cubs were the 2 non-West Coast exceptions to Ohtani's list? Cubs in particular are big market and 3+ hour plan ride from the west coast

Sonny

5:12

Substantial Ohtani news and the parameters of a Stanton trade in one day...is it happening? Is the stove finally on?

CamdenWarehouse

5:12

Is Preller as disliked as Coppy was?

Nelson

5:12

If Otani's making almost no money anyways, better to use SDs pitching environment to boost his stats pre-FA

The old professor

5:13

Tommy Pham a Cardinals 1 hit wonder like Allen Craig, Aledmys Diaz, etc or is this who he is?

Ben

5:13

If Ohtani goes to the Cubs and they sign someone like Cobb, does that put them even with the Dodgers this year?

Scott

5:13

If the Giants can somehow get Ohtani and Stanton without giving up much from the major league roster, where would you project them for next year? Above Colorado but below Arizona and LA?

ChiSox2020

5:13

If Otani and Stanton are not signed/traded by next week do you expect anything to happen at winter meetings?

Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe

5:13

Moving to San Diego in three weeks. Really hope Ohtani beats me there!

I've Made a Hughes Mistake

5:13

With Ohtani narrowing down his list of destinations is there a chance teams like MN try to trade international money? Or do they target the former ATL prospects?

Ben

5:14

If for some reason Ohtani loves Miami, but only wants to play there if they keep Stanton, would Jeter decide not to trade him?

George

5:14

Are the Red Sox the AL East favorites?

Estevao

5:15

Hey Travis, wrote a piece on the AL MVP award, would love to hear your take on it http://maximustake23.blogspot.com.br/2017/12/al-mvp-again.html?m=1

Terry's Sarape

5:16

Exactly what can the remaining clubs offer to Ohtani aside from the international money? Financially, etc...

Guest

5:16

It looks like it's either going to be SF or back to Miami for Stanton right? He's really limited his already very small market

Dan man

5:16

How would the Angels give Ohtani at bats? There's no way they can put Albert at 1B right?

5:18

Are you looking forward to the end of Ohtani questions and the beginning of the offseason?

Alex

5:18

If the Giants get both Ohtani and Stanton, who's jersey should I get?

YDG

5:18

What should the yankees do with all that International bonus pool money now that Ohtani isn't an option?

Estevao

5:19

Hey Travis always a pleasure, wrote a piece on Yandy Diaz and his upside, would love to get your take on it http://maximustake23.blogspot.com.br/2017/12/hey-man-jump-on-flyball-b...

Joey Gathright

5:19

Nelson Cruz will stay at DH bc Dipoto's gonna trade Ohtani

SMITTY

5:19

Now that the Yankees are out on Ohtani, odds they sign sabathia? and how many years does he get

Silly Beane

5:19

The Marlins have basically told Stanton he can pick b/t StL and SF. Reports are he wants to wait on LAD. But if its down to SF or LAD for him, why hasn't he told StL they're out? MIA already has the SF offer, so its not like SF can re-negotiate if StL gets nixed

Silly Beane

5:20

Derrick Goold is reporting that the Cardinals did not want to include Jordan Hicks in a Stanton deal. Who is Hicks and why are the Cardinals valuing him so highly?

tb.25

5:21

Any idea if Otani could influenced by Stanton if Stanton goes to SF? To expand that "I don't want to be the big city star" desire Otani has.

Dylan

5:22

Are you surprised at how little Petit and Boxberger cost?

Geust

5:22

I know you've been saying Angels, but how would you rate the 7 teams in terms of where you hope Ohtani lands?

Estevao

5:22

What is up Travis, saw your appearance on MLB Network talking about Eric Hosmer, wrote an article on him, would appreciate if you could take a look at it http://maximustake23.blogspot.com/2017/11/a-false-premise.html

Big Papi

5:22

As a Red Sox fan, I was really concerned that Ohtani would go to NYY. Fair to say that Boston will now be the better team in 2018?

Garrett

5:22

Stanton and Ohtani on the same team doesn’t feel like it would work, right? Giants should pick on or the other?

Ryan

5:23

How much value does Ohtani add due to him combining Ohtani the pitcher and Ohtani the hitter into a single roster spot? Having him will be almost as as good as having a 26 man roster when everyone else plays with 25.

Smith

5:23

What dirt does AJ Preller have on Padres ownership? What has he done to earn an extension besides being a finalist for Ohtani?

Cam

5:23

"Sterling Malory": imposter or typo?

MIKE

5:23

Are yankees gonna sign a mid-high price DH, or will they rotate for rest?

Jack

5:23

Rangers for OHtani all the way

Cam

5:23

nvm

PTBNL

5:24

If SFG were to somehow land Otani and Stanton, what's the over/under on their # of wins in 2018?

George Weiss

5:24

I'd peg most of Ohtani's worth being in his pitching given his SO ratio in Japan. What do you think?

Mike

5:24

Good thing Yankees fans took the Ohtani news well and respected him and his decision. Not.

Christian

5:24

Who is the best free agent this year in your mind and where does he sign?

Magic 8 Ball

5:24

Of the Ohtani seven and the Stanton meeters, seems Dodgers are flying lowest under the radar as far as rumors go. Are they the bar by which all others are being measured?

Estevao

5:25

Who'll be the bigger disapointment to delusional expectations, Beckham or Avisail?

Sonny

5:26

What are the limits to extra contractual perks an MLB team can add to a first year contract? In the big FA deals we've seen teams get creative but can Ohtani or a draft pick get something like 'use of the team mansion/jet/etc' added in without violating terms?

Estevao

5:27

Hey Travis, among great estabilished FA, this was a remarkable sign right http://maximustake23.blogspot.com/2017/11/a-rare-great-fa-sign.html

hola

5:29

Would Ohtani be the ace on the cubs?

ssf

5:29

Argument against LAA: They're already the luckiest team in a generation simply from having Trout and if they can't put together a winner without another superstar falling in their laps, they don't deserve to win

Rockie Dangerfield

5:29

If the Giants get Stanton and the Padres get Ohtani, how likely is it that the Rockies finish at the bottom of the NLW next season?

Andy

5:30

If Ohtani was over-the-top concerned with getting as much publicity as possible, couldn't he do something like LeBron did? Have an hour-long ESPN special where he sits down and eliminates team ballcaps one-by-one?

Estevao

5:31

Hey Travis i know i'm no Bill James, but i wrote this piece on pitching WAR and i know i'm virtually disagreeing with your employer's version but could you take a look at it and let me know what you think, big fan of the site, especially Cistulli, thx

CamdenWarehouse

5:33

But that doesn't bring Seattle into play because of the potential volcano issues

Joe W

5:33

It almost seems criminal that the cubs underachieved as hard as they did last year, but the more i think about it was 2016 an aberration?

Magic 8 Ball

5:33

Grandal for Britton. a Good start for a trade?

Nate

5:34

If you're the Giants or Cardinals, how long do you allow yourself to get strung along in the Stanton sweepstakes?

drewyBagels

5:34

6x6 dynasty slug % replacing xbh. Regardless, why are Hunter Renfore projecions miniscule and jabari blash so massive?

Joey Gathright

5:34

Kinda funny that Ohtani's potential surplus value could fund like a third of a new stadium for Oakland

David

5:35

Any guesses on why the DBacks were out? Smallish market and west coast-ish.

Mister Puppy

5:35

We may never know w/o the questionnaire or Ohtani himself telling us, but it's very possible that Oakland's stadium situation just cost them a shot at the best international FA in the world. Does that realization force the organization's hand in ramping up their efforts to find a new home?

James

5:36

If SD lands Ohtani how big of an impact does it have on their window of contention?

Wes

5:36

If Ohtani signs with the Padre's, how quickly does the MLB start investigating Preller's conversations with him?

Andy

5:36

Given Preller's reputation within the industry, are the chances that SD remains on the list due to ill-gotten-gains more likely than not?

Kosch

5:37

As an Astros fan, I would prefer Ohtani to the Padres than the Angels or Mariners. I don't think he makes either team better than HOU, but no need to tempt fate. I'd prefer to win the division by a million games and cruise into the playoffs...

Silly Beane

5:37

Does landing Stanton and signing Arrieta make the Cardinals contenders for the NL central?

Magic 8 Ball

5:37

Any idea who which MLB team has the biggest following in Japan? Could that be a factor in maximizing Ohtani's marketing?

3 Stooges

5:38

Who are these rumored 3 teams that didn't make an attempt to sign Ohtani? Obviously the Marlins seem most likely but the other two? KC? BAL?

Sam

5:39

Is Maitan now signed the first days he's available thanks to Ohtani telling so many teams they're already out of contention?

HappyFunBall

5:39

Is Rusney Castillo tradable? He's never going to play for BOS because of the tax. But can't they trade him w/o penalty as long as they don't pay down any of his salary? I feel like JBJ + Castillo is a pretty value-neutral set of players that someone could ask Boston for. Or does BOS just not care about untaxed salary on their books?

Lance Biggerstaff

5:39

Ohtani could go wherever Jayson Werth signs and he moves from earthquake to Werthquake

Sonny

5:39

Roster wise is there a worse fit than Texas for Ohtani? Seem to be a year or two from going full Detroit. Kind of almost say the same about Seattle?

CamdenWarehouse

5:40

you can blame Jeff for the earthquake questions

Pedantic A-hole

5:41

Does Josh Harrison make sense for the Red Sox? Versatile player who could man second while Pedroia is out and then fill in around the diamond over the course of the year. What would it take to pry him away from the Pirates?

Aspergillus

5:42

Re. trading Ohtani

Doug

5:42

If the Padres do land Ohtani do you think they would then aggressively go after Hosmer and try to start contending next year?

Aspergillus

5:42

Re. trading Ohtani... You have to think he wouldn't sign with a team that had the intention of trading him in the near future

Kosch

5:44

There is no way Ohtani hits enough to justify his desire to be a two-way player on a playoff caliber team. Maybe that's why he's picking crappy teams...so he can dictate his usage.

I am the Walrus

5:48

Would a deal built around Benintendi for Sano work? Which party would have to add?

DC-based

5:48

Joe Ross for Delin Betances. Who says no?

STL Dave

5:49

What did you make of the Aledmys Diaz trade? Seemed to me like the Cardinals traded a useful ML depth piece for a lotto ticket.

5:49

Caught up in all the The Ohtani stuff, the jays traded for Aledmys Diaz. Thoughts one of the only trades of note so far?

Matt

5:49

If Ohtani goes to SD, does the fact that they're not expected to be competitive help him? Less pressure to win means they can live through adjustments and try different things out.

Stumped in Texas

5:49

Any chance the Triebe resigns Santana? And if not who--Cardinals maybe?

Wes

5:49

$300k doesn't even buy a house in LA or SF. Cut the Dodgers and Giants.

Will

5:49

If Ohtani goes to an NL team, is the expectation that he would play in the OF, or does he have experience at other positions? Would think you'd want him in left to help preserve his arm a little

Babe Lincoln

5:49

if Ohtani is hitting ~.200 after ______ PAs, we can legitimately begin to worry if he's an MLB-caliber hitter

a different matt

5:49

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. You have to add population of LA and Anaheim together.

Sandy Ravage

5:49

Maybe it's because I hate the Angels, but they don't make much sense IMO. Pujols in the DH slot, Upton, Trout, Calhoun in the OF. Handling of Josh Hamilton situation could be difficult to explain?

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