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Paul Swydan

9:23

Philly will be a real threat by then. Kind of similar to how the Celtics were this offseason. Maybe they don't get Harper/Durant, but they'll get a good prize, and there are a lot of them to be had in that class.

Ryan

9:24

People talk about the Blue Jays' window closing, but the main players they'll lose to free agency this off-season are Bautista, Dickey, and Encarnacion. The last of those three is obviously a substantial loss, but the other two have contributed virtually nothing this year. Is there any reason to think the Jays can't replace Encarnacion and challenge for the AL East again next year?

Paul Swydan

9:25

Well, replacing him is no easy task, but I think beyond replacing those three guys, there is also the matter of vets like Martin and Tulowitzki being a year further from their primes. In other words, it's not JUST replacing those three guys.

Roger

9:25

Padres, White Sox, Diamondbacks: which of these erstwhile contenders reaches the post-season first?

Paul Swydan

9:25

I'll say White Sox, but I don't feel super confident about it.

Trent

9:25

If the season ended tonight, who would be your pick to win the WS?

Paul Swydan

9:25

Dodgers? I don't think it'll be the Cubs.

Roger

9:25

Is Brian Dozier in the top 50 in trade value now? Seems like the Twins have a great opportunity to sell high on a quality player under control for 2 years for a total of 15 million.

Paul Swydan

9:26

Maybe toward the bottom. He's also 30 next year, and this is pretty clearly going to be his best season ever.

Ryan

9:26

The Angels have a lot of salary coming off the books this year, but their farm system remains barren. Can they rebuild themselves without trading Mike Trout?

Paul Swydan

9:27

Not easily. They need to take a bunch of gambles and hit on a lot of them, similar to how the Brewers did. Easier said than done.

EccentricChemist

9:27

If the Angels could go back in time and change one...maybe two decisions, what would they be so they wouldn't be as awful as they are now? (One has to be Hamilton contract right?)

Paul Swydan

9:27

You would absolutely think one would have to be the Hamilton contract, and the other would almost certainly be the Pujols contract.

Mattingly's Sideburns

9:27

Why is Ryan Hanigan still a thing?

Paul Swydan

9:28

Because ole Johnny Farrell loves him some veterans. Even veterans who allow Baltimore to steal their 17th base of the season.

Raj

9:28

We used to think the Royals always find a way too....

Paul Swydan

9:28

No, I've never thought that. The Royals got to play Terry Collins in the World Series. Big difference between that and the good managing Bruce Bochy has exhibited time and again.

Jim Lonborg

9:29

All-time leaders in fWAR for African-American pitchers: Gibson (82.6), Jenkins (80.5), Sabathia (62.9), Gooden (56.7), Blue (49.2), Price (36.6), Newcombe (35.9), Richard (32.4), Downing (28.5), Stewart (27.4), L. Smith (26.6), S. Jones (24.1). Where on that list do you think Price will end up? Any young pitchers you can think of likely to join it?

Paul Swydan

9:29

Between Gooden and Sabathia would seem to be most likely. I don't think he gets all the way to Jenkins. He could clear Sabathia, but then Sabathia's number is still a moving target.

Kevin

9:30

do you think the Oakland A's read The Fringe Five?

Paul Swydan

9:30

I like to think that all the front offices read the Fringe Five, if for nothing else than the entertainment value of reading Carson's words.

Phantom of the Chakras

9:30

Why do you (not you personally, but you the manager of the A's) let Jh. Cotton pitch the 6th when he's given you a solid 5 and is at 90 pitches?

Paul Swydan

9:31

Why is 90 pitches now the limit? Let the kid go out and see if he can give you six. I have no problem with that.

Grace

9:31

Paul Swydan

9:31

Hi Grace! Are you still under fire?

Grace

9:31

Do you think the Tigers will snag a wild card spot?

Paul Swydan

9:32

Oh, I see, there's the question. I don't, sorry. I think both of the Wild Cards will come from the AL East. I am thinking right now it'll be Toronto and New York, but you never know.

Mattingly's Sideburns

9:32

Travis Shaw's throw just hit my house.

Paul Swydan

9:33

Yeah but did it hit your sideburns?

Grace

9:33

Under fire, sir?

Paul Swydan

9:33

Sorry, I guess I'm dating myself with that reference. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106017/

Jo-Jo Reyes

9:33

Freddie Freemannnnnnnnnn home run number 30!

Paul Swydan

9:34

Have a second half, Freddie!

Jim Lonborg

9:34

Did the Red Sox screw up with Moncada? I know FGers were generally in favor of the call-up.

Paul Swydan

9:34

I think they have, yes. As Tim Britton mentioned to me the other day, they anointed him too quickly, and then cut bait on him too quickly. Newsflash - striking out nine times in a row is incredibly rare even for the worst hitters. Moncada isn't going to strike out every plate appearance.

9:35

I know, take a minute to digest that shocking and breaking news.

Emmett

9:35

What is making Addison Reed so dominant? His fastball is nothing overpowering, yet he gets strikeouts on it. Is it a delivery thing? or something else (I haven't done much reading into his stats, this is based on watching him)

Paul Swydan

9:37

I haven't watched him much myself, but my guess would be the movement he is getting on that pitch in contrast with his other pitches.

Stu

9:37

Is there reason to believe a slugging 1b type with no defensive/base running value would be more valuable on a team filled with speedy defense guys?

Paul Swydan

9:38

Huh.

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