You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Travis Sawchik FanGraphs Chat
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
AC
12:25
Speaking of that Hicks video, I feel like there have a been a lot more clips of pitches with crazy movement this season. Is this due to focus on spin rate, pitchers using substances, or another unintentional consequence of the ball changing?
Travis Sawchik
12:25
Velo keeps going up and spin is up, too. They are related. ... But there are some that believe the game has a major pine tar/substance problem
Roman Numeral Three
12:26
Would mandating larger minimum field size requirements increase balls in play? I'd think that if each foul pole was at 350 feet, fewer guys would go all out for homers.
Travis Sawchik
12:27
Every stadium that has created larger dimensions (Comerica, Citi) has eventually brought in the fences. Citi has done it like three times
People dig the long ball
So while in theory it might help achieve some goals, I'm not sure fans want the power tradeoff
Michael
12:27
Who are the options for the Rockies to replace Desmond? Bour?
Travis Sawchik
12:28
He'd be on the list along with like every corner on a non-contender
Michael
12:28
Speaking of pitchers and substances, what would your guess be? Do you think Bauer is right?
Travis Sawchik
12:29
I think Bauer is onto something. Check out his first inning spin rate on May 1 (I think it was May 1)
CapnZippers
12:29
DeGrom and Syndergaard: 4.0 WAR combined
Everyone else to start a game for the Mets: -0.9 WAR combined

No question, just... damn
Travis Sawchik
12:30
Do you build around those guys and Conforto/Nimmo/Cespedes etc or blow it up? Tough spot
I'd be exploring what returns deGrom and Thor could fetch
Dan
12:31
How about those Braves! Sure it was the Marlins, but...6 runs in the 9th is still a pretty epic comeback. Are they a serious wildcard or...gasp...division contender?
Travis Sawchik
12:31
Braves look pretty legit. I still like the Nats but the Braves have an incredible amount of young talent and more on the way
Rick Souddress
12:32
Regardless of how good Hader has been, I just don't see how Scherzer isn't the favorite at this point. Max is too dominant. He's putting up a K% that is unprecedented in like double the innings. Hader will be the unfortunate victim of doing crazy things during the Verlander-Scherzer-led 2018 season.
Travis Sawchik
12:33
Max is the overwhelming favorite I just think Hader should be on the list
Roman Numeral Three
12:34
Alright. So, what would be *your* plan to keep homers up, yet also increase pace and balls in play? Fix baseball for the next generation!
Travis Sawchik
12:34
Keep batters in the box at all times, basically ... and maybe lower the mound
Sravis Tawchik
12:34
World series prediciton?
Travis Sawchik
12:35
Astros over some team from the NL
Sonny Slayhern
12:35
Yankees have more quality players than roster spots. In the next week or 2, Kahnle, Warren, and Bird will have to be added to the roster. Off the top of my head, Gallegos (recently promoted for Clint), AJ Cole, are 2 of the easier options. What do you do with Bird? Release Walker outright? Option Torreyes or Austin who both have had great starts to the season. An Austin/Bird platoon at 1B sounds great in theory.
Travis Sawchik
12:35
Good problem to have. I suspect Neil Walker is in trouble
RE: Friar’s Fading Faith
12:37
Probably should look at Tatis’ numbers in May Before you say diminishing returns.  Quite an overreaction to include him there or any of the prospects. Renfroe-Hedges-Margot? Sure okay.
Travis Sawchik
12:37
Have faith, San Diego ... Dave Cameron is there!
Chapultepec Audiorama
12:37
Would you support an NHL/NBA scheduling model of every team having a home and home against every other team? It makes me
Travis Sawchik
12:38
I'm not a fan of the unbalanced MLB schedule. I'd like to see a greater schedule diversity ... and it put some teams at disadvantages in the Wild Card race
Brandon Belt
12:38
Will I be in the MVP conversation at the end of the year?
Travis Sawchik
12:39
Not sure but I don't think you'll be one of the game's most underrated players any longer
Aj
12:39
Ohtani in the belongs in the HR derby.
Travis Sawchik
12:39
Yes!
F-Rome
12:39
Why are we so sure that starters need 4 days rest? Imagine Scherzer making 40 starts a year.
Travis Sawchik
12:40
I don't think any team has figured out a way to optimize pitcher rest. We can look at history of starters on regular, short and extra rest but we also need to know pitch counts, high-stress innings, etc. Max is a freak. Bauer is a guy who could seemingly throw forever, too
JoMama
12:42
So if Trout is on pace to have the best season ever, and Mookie Betts is ahead in WAR, isn't it Mookie Betts who's on pace for the best season ever? Just want to make sure I'm analyzing things correctly.
Travis Sawchik
12:43
Yep. You have it right
cole
12:43
Imagine Hader in a 7 game series. Dude could start, or pitch from the 6th to the 9th
Travis Sawchik
12:43
He'd be an Andrew Miller Plus postseason model
Charles
12:43
Is this Astros rotation on pace to potentially be the greatest ever statistically?  All five starters in the top 50 WAR wise.
Travis Sawchik
12:45
Yeah, they are a threat
Connecting…