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Travis Sawchik FanGraphs Chat
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Travis Sawchik
12:01
Greetings from the media workroom at the Cincinnati Reds spring training complex in Goodyear, Arz.
12:02
Let's get started ...
Howdy
12:02
Any chance Senzel breaks camp with the Reds?
Travis Sawchik
12:02
zero chance due to service time issues but the bat might be ready and the shortstop experiment is pretty interesting
Jordan
12:03
Travis, how hard do you have to squint to see the Pirates being a legit wildcard contender? Are they REALLY that much worse than STL/MIL/COL? They could have a really strong bullpen, starting pitching should be okay, if not spectacular. Offense could struggle, for sure.
Travis Sawchik
12:04
Everything went wrong for the Pirates a year ago ... If enough breaks right they could be in the WC mix, but I think the 75-win forecast seems pretty reasonable
Rabbit
12:04
What is the trade value of guys like Glasnow, Giolito, and Jeff Hoffman?
Travis Sawchik
12:04
Depressed but there's still some value there depending on a club's risk tolerance
Moltar
12:05
It's NHL trade deadline day, which is usually so much fun. I remember when the MLB trade deadline was fun, but now it seems like the deadline is meaningless and everybody just goes for "waiver" trades in august. I mean, if Verlander can get dealt after the "deadline" then what's even the point? Why not scrap the idea of waivers deals and just move the deadline back a few weeks?
Travis Sawchik
12:05
I'd be all for one actual, true deadline ... It would be more interesting and action-packed, for sure
Peter
12:06
Are you a believer in the Rays model? Seems like they have a good eye for talent in trades/draft and accumulate depth of guys that can be solid MLB players but not stars. Eventually for them to break the trend of mediocrity don’t they need to start acquiring/drafting players with star upside?
Travis Sawchik
12:07
At some point, the Rays need more star-level talent or 2- 3-win players everywhere on the 25-man roster
Vermont Sox Fan
12:07
How do you see Blake Swihart fitting into the Red Sox Opening Day roster? Will the upside of his bat be behind Vazquez and Leon on the depth chart?
Travis Sawchik
12:08
I'm still something of a believer. He needs to stay healthy. The bat will play and the glove might be good enough
Trader Andy
12:08
which rookie SS do you like more Tatis or Bichette and Why?
Travis Sawchik
12:09
How spoiled are we at the SS position right now ... and then we get Tatis and Bichette? I'd take Tatis but love both
resumeman
12:10
In an AL Scoresheet keeper league, if both Ohtani and Rafael Devers are available in the first post-keeper round (14th player), which would you prefer? In the context of this season, I've got 5 starting pitchers ranging from average to Kluber, and the left side of my infield is pretty weak. But I do need to look to the future too. Thanks!
Travis Sawchik
12:10
While I think the inherent risk of any pitching prospect makes Ohtani somewhat overrated in fantasy (compared to the hype), I'd rather have Ohtani
resumeman
12:11
Which Statcast stat do you think provides more useful information: Total batted ball distance or FB distance? The former would seem to incorporate ground-ball rate, but the FB distance tells you (duh) how far a guy actually hits the ball. Any thoughts?
Travis Sawchik
12:11
FB distance. I want to know how far the actually hits the ball when he hits it in the air
Quentin
12:11
Is there an argument for the Reds to be a surprise team this year and hang around the WC race?
Travis Sawchik
12:12
The Reds are becoming more interesting, for sure. Perhaps a year too early on WC hopes, though
Charles Finley
12:12
What's it gonna take for my boy Neil Walker to get a job?
Travis Sawchik
12:12
There are a ton of quality free agents still remaining which is insane and Walker is one of them
12:13
For of our top 11 FAs are still unsigned
Gary
12:14
Are the Reds really going to bat a sub 300ish OBP atop their lineup again with Billy? He should be batting 9th. Winker is really the best option up there. Thoughts?
Travis Sawchik
12:15
That OBP is a killer at the top spot. I've wondered if there is a way to make Hamilton a bench player -- but have him be the first guy off the bench early in games a pinch-runner to artificially inflate his OBP
SWSmith
12:15
Opinions seem to be all over the place on what to expect from the Toronto Blue Jays this year. What's your take?
Travis Sawchik
12:16
They've had a sneaky good offseason and I think they have upside as a wild card team in that mix with the Angels, Twins, Mariners and Yankees or Red Sox
CamdenWarehouse
12:16
Are you going to watch Stephenson pitch today?  I'm intrigued by the complete turnaround he had after being moved to the rotation last year.
Travis Sawchik
12:17
I might. Nice think about Arizona ST is you can bounce around from camp to camp pretty efficiently. He's worth monitoring this spring, for sure
The Law
12:17
Why are people suddenly acting like Harper to the Yankees cant happen anymore? Gardy is a FA after this year and there's no reason why the Yankees can't run a tri-rotation of LF, RF, DH with Harper, Judge, and Stanton, right?
Travis Sawchik
12:18
I think the Yankees are still the favorite followed by the Phillies and Cubs
tb.25
12:18
Have you been to both grapefruit and cactus leagues, and which do you prefer to travel to?
Travis Sawchik
12:19
Arizona is more convenient, but I prefer Gulf to desert
Tommy Lastella
12:20
Great idea Travis. I could lead off for the Reds in road games and leave after my first at bat for Hamilton.
Travis Sawchik
12:20
Something like this could be pretty interesting
Slapshot
12:20
Are you taking hockey questions today since it's NHL trade deadline day?
Travis Sawchik
12:20
Ha! Nah, but sounds like MLB ought to borrow from NHL trade deadline
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