JotCast | FanGraphs After Dark Chat

FanGraphs After Dark Chat - 12/20/16

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Paul Swydan

9:18

But in terms of realistic dreams, it'd be something like trading Blackmon and a prospect or two for Stroman/Matz/that type of 2-3 starter, moving Dahl to center and Desmond to LF, and then signing Edwin Encarnacion at a deep discount.

9:19

Then it'd also involve finding another 2-3 good RPs. The one they signed isn't really moving the needle, unfortunately.

Chase Kimura

9:19

I'm starting to see some, everybody braces yourselves, optimistic pieces on the Angels? They're going to add another outfielder, I still think they need relief help, and the SP needs to stay healthy, but I like them competing for a Wild Card spot.

Paul Swydan

9:19

The pitching is thin to begin with, and any injuries will further deplete it. I don't see it, to be honest.

Glasnow Half Full

9:20

Pirates/Daniel Hudson deal: Yay or Nay?

Paul Swydan

9:20

Definite yay. Happy he got the opportunity he wanted. If you read Jeff Passan's book, The Arm, you know he worked his ass off to get it.

Glasnow Half Full

9:20

Does Andrew McCutchen become Andrew McCutchen again in 2017?

Paul Swydan

9:20

I still believe in him, yes.

JCurrie

9:21

Looking back at the Toussaint and Arroyo, for Gosselin trade, I've concluded that the D backs got the better end of the deal, saving about 10 mil and getting an MLB player (tho uninspiring). My question is, in today's day and age of Sabermetrics and advanced scouting, will we see more trades like this, essentially a salary dump, or less trades of this nature? Also, side question, but if hypothetically the Angel's possessed a top prospect, say Yoan Moncada, would that be enough to clear a guy likes Pujols contract from the books, or would that just not make sense for either the acquiring team, or LAA? Thanks, love fangraphs, Merry Christmas.

Paul Swydan

9:22

First question - No, because for this trade to work for the Dbacks, they had to whiff spectacularly on a first-round draft pick, and no one wants to do that, or even admit to doing that.

9:23

Side question - It probably wouldn't make much sense for the Angels to pair Pujols with a Moncada-type player. Arte Moreno has the money to pay Pujols.

Mariners

9:23

What starter could the M's go after? Ivan Nova, Tyson Ross, Jason Hammel? Any others?

Paul Swydan

9:23

I'd sign Ross personally, because I think he has the most upside. But I don't know his medicals.

Jordan

9:23

Why do you guys take up to 3 people to answer less questions in the same amount of time as the daytime chatters? Are you guys special?

Paul Swydan

9:24

There are generally only two of us. Also, if you don't like the chat, why did you come here? Door's on the left.

Jeff

9:24

$200 OBP keeper. Keep Villar for 12/14/16 and assume regression to 10/40 with a .330 OBP?

Paul Swydan

9:25

That seems like a steep price for Villar. If you're assuming that much SB regression, then he doesn't really do anything special for you, does he?

Dan

9:25

Of the 20 teams interested in Tyson Ross, are the Royals one of those teams?

Paul Swydan

9:25

Probably!

Brian

9:26

Hey Paul. Out of curiosity, how often do you look for new writers at THT? And, if you accept applications/example work, where can that be found? Thanks!

Paul Swydan

9:26

I am always recruiting new writers for THT. My email address is publicly available on THT's website, and am always happy to get emails from potential writers.

Kyle G

9:27

Who is someone likely to become a household name this season?

Paul Swydan

9:27

That's a hard question to answer, because I don't think there are many baseball players who are household names. For instance, I don't think my mom would know who Mike Trout is. So, let's start with Mike Trout, I guess?

Sox Rox

9:27

Who likely offers the best package for Quintana talent-wise? Rockies, Astros or Yanks?

Paul Swydan

9:28

Oh I don't think it will be the Rockies. The Astros and Yankees have both shown they have that killer instinct when it comes to landing their guy though, and I would never bet against Brian Cashman.

Bobby

9:29

In a philosophical sense, why do you care so much about basrball?

Paul Swydan

9:29

Because it brings me joy.

Cybo

9:29

Tell me something good about my Tigers. It's been deppressing these past couple years and the out look is bleak =[

Paul Swydan

9:29

They haven't yet wasted any money in the free-agent market!

Tomas

9:29

Are you buying the Ray's as a dark horse candidate to land Bautista, perhaps on a one-year, value rebuilding deal?

Paul Swydan

9:31

I can't see why Jose Bautista needs a pillow contract to rebuild his value. Once he came back from injury in August, he was the same guy we're used to seeing, more or less.

134 wRC+ in September.

I'm sure teams are aware of this, and how good he is. I see him just waiting out the market, a la Prince Fielder, etc.

Not everyone needs to sign in November and December.

9:32

IF he DOES need to take a 1-year deal though, I still wouldn't expect the Rays to offer the most money in that situation.

Tim

9:32

Who's a first-time HOF candidate who won't make it, but who nonetheless deserves a few token votes to recognize a surprisingly good career? I'd personally go with Mike Cameron

Paul Swydan

9:33

Loved Mike Cameron. He'd be my pick too. Only 3.6 fewer WAR than Guerrero, who is basically a slam dunk for induction...

Robby

9:33

if you were a GM would you rather have young pitching or young hitting?

Paul Swydan

9:33

Young hitting, without a doubt.

Young hitting can be the 2016 Cubs. Young pitching often becomes the Mets' Generation K.

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