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Murdoc

9:18

Should Gerrit Cole alter his pitch selection? He doesn't seem like a guy that should have a slightly below average SwStr%.

Paul Swydan

9:20

His K% isn't that far off from his career marks, but IIRC he has always tried to get weak contact over Ks. And he certainly gets his fair share of grounders. 29th among qualified SPs this year.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:20

Looking at his pitch mix and results, I would have him drop the sinker (only 50% GB%) and the change. Otherwise, he just above average, not elite

joe

9:21

Is severino the third best pitcher in the AL? What is his future outlook

Paul Swydan

9:21

On history, you'd probably say Verlander. But yes, Severino is in the mix with Carrasco, Archer and Verlander for third best behind Sale and Kluber. I like Severino a lot, actually.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:22

No on third. Verlander is up there. I like him a lot. The third pitch saved him from going to the bullpen

Morris Buttermaker

9:23

Espn and mlb network are going crazy over the season homecrun record falling. If they break the record again next year does anyone care?

Paul Swydan

9:23

I don't care *this* year.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:23

No, not at all. Juice the ball and batters will take advantage

John

9:24

What about Paxton for AL pitchers?

Paul Swydan

9:24

Health is a skill. Paxton's never even sniffed 150 IP in a season. Until he does, he wouldn't be on my list.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:24

I think McCuller's skill is more than Paxton but LM needs to stay healthy

Emmett

9:25

Gary, Kieth, and Ron were just talking about having umpires call high strikes as a possible countermeasure to the HR-rate. Is there any chance there is data on umpires who call higher strikes and batters' HR rates?

Paul Swydan

9:25

I'm sure that could be dug up, yes. Not sure that we'd see anything concrete come out of it, but the data should be there at the very least.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:26

Any increase in zone will drop HR totals (increase strikeouts) but I think the HR/contact (which should be an actual stat) would stay constant.

9:26

Aaron Nola or Jimmy Nelson long-term as the better top young NL pitcher?

Paul Swydan

9:26

For now, I'll say Nola, just because shoulder injuries scare me.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:27

I like Nola more. I don't totally buy into the Jimmy Nelson transformation

John

9:28

Dave Cameron wrote about the potential end of Jose Bautista's career today. Do the Jays have another veteran nearing his end in Tulowitzki and if so, is his contract even remotely moveable?

Paul Swydan

9:28

Never say never, but I wouldn't anticipate the Blue Jays being able to move Tulo's contract.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:28

It depends if they gain an advantage moving it. They will have to pay most of it if he is traded.

Who is Stubby Clapp?

9:29

Jeeze, sorry, accidental send. I watched the Cubs-Cards series this weekend and have a question. (Full disclosure: I am a Cards fan.) How do we weigh the balance of a player like Rizzo crowding the plate vs. the absurdity of the "unwritten rules"? If a pitcher tries to come inside and take back the inside corner he hits Rizzo and then a bean ball feud starts. But if the pitcher doesn't establish the inside corner, Rizzo takes a base for a grazed sleeve. I am against the intentional beaning of players. What say you?

Paul Swydan

9:30

I think the way you back guys up is to bury sliders at their feet, like Pedro used to do to Posada, but I'm not the expert on that type of game theory.

What I mean is, I think guys that crowd the plate like Rizzo and Bonds are always ready for the inside fastball. You have to figure out a way to challenge/trick them with other stuff.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:31

I'd give pitchers a ball or two inside. I don't like guys who crowd. Now, the Molina HBP was crap. I wish umps wouldn't give them the bases on those.

Archie Graham

9:32

What 3 baseball books do you consider "must reads"?

Jeff Zimmerman

9:33

Ball Four, anything by Roger Angell, Moneyball for the references related to it.

Paul Swydan

9:33

Well, I'm not comfortable with the concept of a must-read. Even the baseball umbrella of books is wide-ranging. Do you want instructional? The Science of Hitting by Ted Williams. Do you want historical? Ball Four, The Teammates, etc. Do you want sabermetric? The Book. There are lots in each category, and we didn't even get to biographies -- my pick there would be Clemente by David Maraniss.

Minty

9:34

You expecting anything out of Francisco Mejia? Torn on him as my last OBP keeper

Paul Swydan

9:34

Not this season, but as a keeper, absolutely. I expect him to be a stud.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:35

Keep him. I am worried he may not produce next season

Dres

9:35

Only 2 close division races, and both could be clinched by the weekend. Bummer? Or not a big deal?

Paul Swydan

9:35

I think it sucks, to be perfectly frank.

9:36

But, not a whole lot you can do about it. Hope next year is better.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:36

Not a big deal. They won all year and deserve a break from the actions.

Kiermaier's Piercing Green Eyes

9:37

Adeiny Hechavarria over the last 30 days: 92 PAs, .313 AVG, 5 HR,164 wRC+. BABIP of .350, but the biggest deviation seems to be that his HR/FB over that span is 23.8%, compared to a career 3.7%. Obviously he's overperforming, but his glove is good enough that 85 wRC+ Hech is still a valuable player. Is he playing his way into a starting SS job for 2018?

Paul Swydan

9:37

I was under the impression that the Beckham trade was made specifically to clear room for him to be the starter in 2018...

Jeff Zimmerman

9:38

I've liked him before. He will struggle but should have job somewhere in the majors.

Dominic

9:38

Is there a good way to reach out to teams with jobs posted that you know you cannot take the position? Many of the recent internships you posted are appropriate for me, but I'm still in school.

Paul Swydan

9:39

I would tell you simply to apply for the jobs and get your resume on file for when the positions DO become appropriate for you.

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