RotoGraphs Audio: The Sleeper and the Bust 07/01/2014

Episode 136

The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is now live! Eno Sarris and Nicholas Minnix get hyped for #USMNT today before they discuss Jake Arrieta’s short- and long-term value; Sergio Romo and the Giants’ other options at closer; a bit more on the White Sox’s mess at closer; Neftali Feliz, Joakim Soria and how likely RPs are to be traded in general; Salvador Perez, by request; Domingo Santana; Oscar Taveras; Mookie Betts; and the demoted Jonathan Villar, new SS Marwin Gonzalez and the exciting Carlos Correa.

As usual, don’t hesitate to tweet us or comment with fantasy questions so that we may answer them on our next episode.

You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or via the feed.

Thanks to Ian Miller, aka Teen Archer, for the intro music. Approximately 52 minutes of joyous analysis.

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Nicholas Minnix oversaw baseball content for six years at KFFL, where he held the loose title of Managing Editor for seven and a half before he joined FanGraphs. He played in both Tout Wars and LABR from 2010 through 2014. Follow him on Twitter @NicholasMinnix.

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froglegs_jackson
11 years ago

I don’t think the White Sox are one of the organizations that care about making young relievers expensive. They’ve put Sergio Santos, Addison Reed, and briefly guys like Chris Sale and Hector Santiago into the role before transitioning them into starters. If one of Webb, Putnam, or Petricka can establish themselves as a competent reliever, I’d expect that’s the guy who ends up landing the closers gig.

And to be honest, how many current examples are there of teams keeping young relievers cheap? McGee just became a closer on a team that’s going nowhere with a sabr savy front office. The Indians are letting Allen rack up saves, etc. I think you guys may be putting too much emphasis on the impact that has on determining a closer.

Mike Wimmer
11 years ago

To be fair McGee hasnt been officially named the closer, he probably should be, but Peralta got the chance last night.

I agree the White Sox dont seem to be an organization afraid of that though, I think they would love for Webb to have the job so they could eventually flip him like they did Reed and Santos, but his control is terrible right now.

Eno SarrisMember since 2020
11 years ago

Could be true. But either way, there’s no obvious guy in that pen. Guerra getting holds and actually has best mix of velocity and strikeout rate…