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Jeff Sullivan FanGraphs Chat -- 4/21/17
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Josh
10:19
If Eric Thames continues to mash, what do you think the odds are that the Brewers would entertain trading him? Would the sample size be large enough to warrant a return that would make a trade worthwhile? His contract looks like a steal, but he isn't exactly young.
Jeff Sullivan
10:20
This is going to be one of the most interesting questions leading up to the deadline, and it's also going to depend on how the rest of the Brewers develop. If they feel like they're getting close, Thames will stick. But if the younger players are taking their time, Thames could be a massive trade asset, given how little he costs
bosoxforlife
10:20
Have you seen Nate Silver's "Goose Egg" concept for valuing relief pitchers?
Jeff Sullivan
10:20
Heard about it, read a synopsis, decided it wasn't going to mean anything to me
Lars
10:21
Bird still the word?
Jeff Sullivan
10:21
One of the words
one of several words, actually
Robin
10:21
Now that the season has started, are we allowed to know where August went?
Jeff Sullivan
10:21
I actually thought there would be a formal announcement around opening day. Color me surprised!
Beisbol
10:22
So... Jason Vargas is an ace now I guess?
Jeff Sullivan
10:22
I like how he has one of baseball's very lowest Z-Contact rates.
I mean, whatever
10:23
There's a real conflict here. It pits the substantial lack of interest in writing about Jason Vargas against the substantial amount of interest in writing about surprising performances
Erik
10:24
At the end of the season, what will be a higher number: Clayton Kershaw's WAR, or James Paxton's WAR plus 2?
Jeff Sullivan
10:24
Let's see. Paxton already has a 0.5-WAR edge
Kershaw's projected to end up at 7.5. Paxton, 4.5
10:25
But I'm the high guy on Paxton. So, dammit, I'll take Paxton!
Wil Myers
10:25
How come Strasburg doesn't get attention for being a top-20 pitcher by rate stats?
Jeff Sullivan
10:25
ERA hasn't matched his peripherals
That, plus the burden of unfair expectations
Guest
10:25
Who do you see as buyers and sellers in the relief market at the deadline and some arms on the move?
Jeff Sullivan
10:25
Pretty much every competitive team will have a need for a reliever of some kind. That's how it always goes
10:26
The Padres will sell. The Brewers will sell. The A's will sell if they're out of it. The White Sox, of course, will sell
RMR
10:27
What's your read on Kenta Maeda? Eno sounded lukewarm on him yesterday (basically saying he's been just ok since the first month last year), but I look at his player page and I see more velocity across the board and more whiffs this year. Are you expecting a turnaround here?
Jeff Sullivan
10:27
It does interest me that his stuff is up a little, and he's still generating plenty of bad swings. I don't know if Maeda will ever be considered reliable, given his health-related red flags, but while he can pitch, I buy him as more good than bad
Michael P
10:27
Scale of 1-10 how intrigued are you by Oakland's pitching staff, especially considering Sonny's return is coming up?
Jeff Sullivan
10:28
Considering the rotation and the bullpen combined, I'd say 7 or 8. They're undersold as a group, and the pitchers are why I think the A's will surprise some people
Robert the Bruce Banner
10:28
1-100%, how much do you believe that the Cubs as a whole are intentially doing something that results in a lower velocity? If so, is it being too cute?
Jeff Sullivan
10:29
60-70%. I haven't seen something like this before, so I can't pass judgment on it yet. To this point the results have been okay, Hendricks aside
Hendricks might not be able to sacrifice speed and still remain effective
Kris in Seattle
10:29
With the success of the Cubs teardown, and Astros to a lesser degree, has the volume of chat questions surrounding "What could X team get for X asset?" increased on the site?
Jeff Sullivan
10:29
I don't think so. I think people have always been interested in thinking about blockbusters
Scott
10:30
So far I have found that Taylor Motter and Brad Peacock have already reached their Steamer projections for this year. What are some other guys that weren't suppose to contribute much this year that have done this?
Jeff Sullivan
10:30
I think Avisail Garcia has already been worth more WAR than the projections thought
10:31
Jose Leclerc comes to mind
daro
10:31
blue jays offense has being a disaster. any hope?
Jeff Sullivan
10:31
Some hope
Long track records of success in there
Robert the Bruce Banner
10:31
Does Schwarber catch at all this year?
Jeff Sullivan
10:31
Not more than rarely. Not worth it
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