SweetSpot's Schoenfield
Welcome to Sportsnation! On Tuesday, ESPN.com's SweetSpot blogger David Schoenfield stops by to chat some baseball.Schoenfield is a senior writer for ESPN.com and he's been with ESPN.com since 1995 and has served in a variety of roles, including baseball editor, Page 2 senior editor and writer, and even interim soccer editor. He grew up in Seattle rooting for the Mariners, believes Edgar Martinez should be in the Hall of Fame and had no issues with Felix Hernandez winning the Cy Young Award despite a 13-12 record.Send your questions now and join Schoenfield Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET!
David Schoenfield
OK, I'm not in Kansas City, but let's talk some baseball. Great first half, looking forward to tonight's game ... let's go to the questions.Tarek (NYC)
Booooooooooooooo! Sorry I thought you were Robbie Cano.Derek (Iowa City)
The ASG shouldn't count toward home field advantage in the World Series. As a baseball fan, I've always loved the ASG, understanding it is just an exhibition game, where talent alone is put on display. For that reason, it is never boring, though maybe a bit too long. Sound about right to you??David Schoenfield
Sounds about right. I still enjoy watching the game. Wish the managers would actually manage like it counts (since it, sadly, does), but otherwise it's still a fun night.Marcus (Richmond VA)
David, what do you think the Cards need to give up to get Huston Street? if they got him who would be the 'high leverage reliever' (not using C word) Street or Motte?David Schoenfield
Street would probably cost a couple of Grade B prospects. Not too expensive. I'd make him the high-leverage guy and use Motte to come in for the seventh/eighth.Mike (Virginia)
I know the NL MVP frontrunners are Votto, McCutchen, and Wright, but can we get Ian Desmond in the convo? He has been clutch on offense and defense, plus he is on the best NL team.David Schoenfield
He's been great, but I think that's stretching things a bit far. His OBP is still very low. I'd venture without looking that no MVP hitter has had an OBP as low as his. And you're comparing him to three guys having SUPERLATIVE seasons. Desmond isn't in that class.Sean (Phoenix)
Am I the only that thinks the Dbacks are insane for looking to trade Upton? He has lost a lot of popularity among fans who claim he isn't good and he has poor attitude, despite never meeting the player. He was 6th among MLB OF between 2009 and 2011 in WAR, ages 21-23. What the heck is going on?David Schoenfield
Two things: Bad organizations sometimes project their disappointment on their best players. Two, just because he isn't Ken Griffey Jr. or Ryan Braun doesn't mean he isn't a great player. Even if you FEEL like he's not reaching his potential for whatever reason, that doesn't mean you sell, especially if it's for 85 cents on the dollar.Andrew (SF)
Underreported story on how different of a hitter McCutchen has become? Used to be a patient, high-walk lower average guy, now he's hitting .350 or whatever while swinging at more pitches outside the zone. Is this sustainable?David Schoenfield
It is interesting that his walk rate is lower. I haven't checked the numbers to see how much more he's been expanding the strike zone. My guess is he'll have to start talking more walks again, simply because why give him much to hit right now? But you're right, probably *not* sustainable, although Josh Hamilton does pretty well as the biggest free-swinger in the game. But he's obviously the rare exception.The Freak (San Francisco)
Why am I struggling so much? I shouldn't be seeing such a drop in fastball velocity at such a young age. And my control is horrible. Do i need to cut my hair so I can see Posey's target?David Schoenfield
No command on the fastball right now. None. Velocity a bit of an issue, but the command is the problem. To me, looks like a pitcher with absolutely no confidence right now.Derek (Iowa City)
@Sean in Phoenix...also he is linked to his brother, fair or unfair. To me, it's just a case of merely a slump leading to a quick overwhelming negative reaction. Justin will be fine. We Braves fans just went thru this with Heyward.Gary (Houston)
I cant be a fan of McCutchen because he does not run out all hits. Needs to hustle.Jason (St Louis)
I'm not sure who is more amusing, the KC fanbase being mad at Cano for not picking Butler or the NY fanbase for getting mad at the KC fans for booing.David Schoenfield
The whole thing was kind of amusing. Next year, just put the hometown guy in the HR Derby so we can avoid the melodrama.Person (DC)
Fangraphs says HR/FB stabilizes at 300 PA, FB% at 250 PA. Ian Desmond is well past both those PA marks. I've felt the power is fluky, and it still is relative to his career before 2012, but perhaps his HR numbers aren't totally absurd.David Schoenfield
He also has 24 doubles. On pace for more than 80 XBH. I think the power is for real. I mean, he may end up with 25 home runs, not 30+, but seems legit to me.Jason (St Louis)
Beltran has a better shot at MVP than Desmond. That's not an insult either.Clay (Charlotte)
Can we get a moment of silence for not getting to see Simmons make other-worldly defensive plays for 6 weeks?David Schoenfield
Yes, tough blow for the Braves. Our Braves blog had a good idea for an interim solution: Trade for Brendan Ryan of the Mariners (defensive whiz). Pastornicky really struggled at SS the first two months.Patrick (Chicago)
If you were KC, would you trade Wil Myers for Upton & Collmenter? Obviously Myers is cheaper than Upton and could turn out to be better. But KC has a lot of risk with all of its prospects, and Upton gives them some certainty, and Collmenter a back end rotation guy.David Schoenfield
No, I'd keep Myers. He's cheap and you get six years of him versus three years. Yes, there is a small risk he doesn't turn into a star, but it seems like he's 90 percent likely to be one.Jason (St Louis)
I say it takes Taillon and Marte to get Upton to Pittsburgh. What do you think and is that too much?David Schoenfield
I heard that rumor. I think Arizona would be foolish to make that trade. Not sure you want a Class A pitcher to be the centerpiece. So much risk there. Yes, I know Taillon is highly rated. Marte is interesting, alhough a guy I see as having OBP issues in the majors.Clay (Charlotte)
Thing is, how many players would actually have taken 2nd on the play Simmons was injured on? 99.999% of players would have taken their single and not even tried to stretch it. Great hustle play, bad result.Brandt (FL)
Clearly Gary from Houston doesn't watch the Pirates on a regular basis...nobody on that team hustles game in and game out more than McCutchen.Patrick (Chicago)
If not Myers, what about Starling, who's much further away?David Schoenfield
Bubba Starling? For Upton? No way Arizona does that deal. D-backs probably looking SS and 3B help anyway.
