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Travis Sawchik FanGraphs Chat

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Travis Sawchik

12:29

It's a lot of those things adding up ... and he has elite zone-contract and swinging strike marks

12:30

Basically, he makes consistent, quality contact as well as anyone and is one of the fastest RHH in the game

Mister Puppy

12:31

How much do you think the threat of a major earthquake in CA will influence Ohtani?

Travis Sawchik

12:31

He's lived with that threat his entire life in rural northern Japan

Jefé

12:32

If the Cubs land Ohtani are they back on the Dodgers level?

Travis Sawchik

12:32

It would help close the gap. But Ohtani might need to be a 10-win player to close the entire gap

12:33

10-wins is pretty aggressive, right?

I have him as a 6- or 7-win, two-way player in 2018

Magic 8 Ball

12:33

Any guesses as to why Oakland didn't make it an Ohtani eight?

Travis Sawchik

12:33

Ballpark probably didn't help

12:34

Remember, this is a recruitment. Facilities matter!

Garrett

12:34

Is Ohtani’s decision the biggest decision since The Decision?

Travis Sawchik

12:34

I think so. I think Ohtani's debut season will also be the most interesting in all of US sports since LeBron's

12:35

Is the Boys and Girls Club available?

John Beasley

12:35

True or false: If Ohtani signs with San Diego, the wisest thing the Padres could do from a long-term organizational perspective is trade him before spring training given its place on the win curve.

Travis Sawchik

12:36

False. In a vacuum you could make that argument but I suspect owners want to sell some tickets and spike TV ratings. Ohtani will be the greatest draw in the sport in 2018 and perhaps beyond. And then there's the freak talent....

12:38

Everyone has a trade value but I think you at least have to hang on to Ohtani in 2018 (and for hopefully 10 years beyond that). I'd be looking at him as a top 5 trade value player immediately -- and that's just based on talent, age and contract. Tough to move that.

CamdenWarehouse

12:38

So for the first time in his life Ohtani could get out of an earthquake hot zone, don't you think he would want to?

Travis Sawchik

12:39

It's part of who he is. Living on the edge. Seeking danger.

Mike Rizzo

12:39

Okay, smart guy: so what would I have to give the Barves to get Tyler Flowers?

Travis Sawchik

12:40

I assume it would not be cheap ... but for a team that is probably more "All in" than most in 2018, I'd go for it

Dunt

12:40

Now that teams are out of the Ohtani sweepstakes, do you expect to see the market surge this week?

Travis Sawchik

12:40

I just don't see why that would have created a slow market since he's so cheap .... Unless everyone was busy building presentations to him over the last two weeks

Hmm

12:41

What if Ohtani is a huge bust? I really, really hope he destroys the league personally.

Travis Sawchik

12:42

I think only injury is going to prevent him from being a top-of-the-rotation arm. The bat? The probability of a bust is higher with that skill, but I think he'll hit

Sleepy

12:42

The Angels *do* play in a small market--Anaheim is the 56th largest city in the US.

Travis Sawchik

12:42

Angels might want to note that in their pitch

Bart

12:43

What is your comparison of Ohtani's batting skills to Bumgarner's?

Travis Sawchik

12:43

Much better

12:44

I know there is some debate about how good the bat is, but the translations love him. 130 wRC+! That's probably a bit aggrressive

Henry

12:44

Hard to believe a former trainer is going to have much sway on where he goes

Travis Sawchik

12:45

If he likes his program/thinks he can keep him healthy ... it's not insignificant

Stumped in Texas

12:45

Travis Sawchik

12:45

Was this video part of the Cubs' pitch?

Stumped in Texas

12:45

all the Cubs need do to land Ohtani is to show this opening day HR from Kosuke Fuludome

Wes

12:46

Who do the Rangers grab next if they get Ohtani and want to go with a 6-man rotation?

Travis Sawchik

12:46

Darvish?

Daniel

12:46

If Ohtani is doesn't pitch like Kershaw and hit like Mike Trout, is he a failure?

Travis Sawchik

12:46

Well, if the expectation is he's going to be a 16-win player out of the gate .... He will fail

Pedantic A-hole

12:47

Was it K. Law who said he had an 80 on Ohtani's speed?

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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