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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?

Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

New reply feature?

Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe

7 years ago

\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

7 years ago

Hi there!

Roadhog

7 years ago

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?

7 years ago

Yankees fans reacting to Ohtani is funniest thing ever

Roadhog

7 years ago

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

Bagel

7 years ago

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

The old professor

7 years ago

Bichette or Guerrero who has the better offensive career?

Average fan

7 years ago

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

Roger

7 years ago

Aaron Boone?!?

Nelson

7 years ago

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

Bang

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

CamdenWarehouse

7 years ago

Is Preller as disliked as Coppy was?

Nelson

7 years ago

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

The old professor

7 years ago

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

Ben

7 years ago

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

Scott

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

I've Made a Hughes Mistake

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

Are the Red Sox the AL East favorites?

Estevao

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

Guest

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

Alex

7 years ago

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

YDG

7 years ago

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

Estevao

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

SMITTY

7 years ago

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

Silly Beane

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

Are you surprised at how little Petit and Boxberger cost?

Geust

7 years ago

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

Estevao

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

Ryan

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

Cam

7 years ago

"Sterling Malory": imposter or typo?

MIKE

7 years ago

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

Jack

7 years ago

Rangers for OHtani all the way

Cam

7 years ago

nvm

PTBNL

7 years ago

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

George Weiss

7 years ago

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

Mike

7 years ago

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

Christian

7 years ago

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

Magic 8 Ball

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

Sonny

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

Would Ohtani be the ace on the cubs?

ssf

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

Joe W

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

Grandal for Britton. a Good start for a trade?

Nate

7 years ago

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

drewyBagels

7 years ago

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

Joey Gathright

7 years ago

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

David

7 years ago

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

Mister Puppy

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

Wes

7 years ago

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

Andy

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

Magic 8 Ball

7 years ago

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

3 Stooges

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

HappyFunBall

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

Sonny

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

you can blame Jeff for the earthquake questions

Pedantic A-hole

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

Re. trading Ohtani

Doug

7 years ago

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

Aspergillus

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

DC-based

7 years ago

Joe Ross for Delin Betances. Who says no?

STL Dave

7 years ago

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.

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

Wes

7 years ago

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

Will

7 years ago

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

7 years ago

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

a different matt

7 years ago

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

Sandy Ravage

7 years ago

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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