Dave Cameron: Happy Wednesday, everyone. We’re coming up on the trade deadline, but more and more, I get the feeling that this isn’t going to be a particularly exciting few days.

Dave Cameron: Sonny Gray is going to go. A bunch of solid relievers will get moved.

Dave Cameron: But I don’t know that we’re going to see any blockbusters.

Ned Yost: Altuve leads Judge in both bWAR and fWAR, plays a premium defensive position, and is on a team that is significantly better than Judge’s. There is no saber-metric or old school argument you can use against him. He’s the MVP.

Dave Cameron: They’re tied at +5.5. Position is already included in WAR. Team strength is irrelevant.

Dave Cameron: Congratulations for taking a hard-line stance on something where it’s perfectly reasonable to pick one or the other, though.

Paul Swydan:

Paul Swydan:

Paul Swydan:

Paul Swydan: Hi everybody!

Paul Swydan: Jeff may be here but he is also at a ballpark, so maybe not.

Attila the Hunplugged: Is David Dahl an MLB regular by 8/15?

Eric A Longenhagen: Good morning, This is the water and this is the well.

Eric A Longenhagen: Links!

Eric A Longenhagen: Today’s daily notes: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/instagraphs/daily-prospect-notes-725/

Eric A Longenhagen: I have posts in the queue about the Royals/Padres and Braves/Twins trade. If they get posted during the chat, I’ll add them in here.

Eric A Longenhagen: Also, I’m writing up all the trades that happened while I was away for posterity. Here’s the Quintana deal: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/belated-trade-analysis-white-sox-acquir…

Eric A Longenhagen: Ok, let’s drink full and descend.

Travis Sawchik: Greetings!

Travis Sawchik: Happy Monday, and happy trade deadline week …

String Cheese: Yesterday it was reported that the Tigers could be done dealing. Do you think a “stand pat” deadline strategy would be wise for Detroit?

Travis Sawchik: I’d be looking to move Justin Wilson …. lot of teams have been interested in impact bullpen guys

Jacket: Hey Travis, how well does Devers need to hit for me to keep him over Rob Ray or Alex wood at the same price?

Travis Sawchik: Quite a bit better than his Steamer projection

Dave Cameron: Happy Friday, everyone. Jeff and I switched days this week because he wanted to go climb something this weekend. I fully expect there to be 20 trades in the next 24 hours since he’s gone.

Charles the Cat: If the Cubs are to get one more starter, who do you think they get?

Dave Cameron: The rumor of the morning put them on Darvish, but there are diminishing returns on adding another guy at that level. You’re starting Lester/Quintana/Arrieta in the postseason, so if you pick up Darvish, one of those guys makes just one start in a seven game series.

Dave Cameron: So I’d think it would be more like an Estrada type, a guy who could potentially be a buy low and would give them depth if Hendricks has more problems, then could maybe be a reliever in October.

MK: With everyone focused on Nats bullpen issues, is adding a starter or left fielder the main priority now?

Dave Cameron: I don’t think they need a starter. They basically have a playoff spot locked up, and Scherzer/Strasburg/Gio/Roark is fine for the postseason.

Eno Sarris: This guy danced like this, sang like crazy, and ended up in a tree at some point last weekend at Pitchfork and we should all live so intensely

TimMorris: 7 game series who you got, Dodgers or Astros?

Eno Sarris: I’m going to take the Dodgers. Kershaw gives them two wins (I know it doesn’t work like that, but humor me) and that’s a nice bank. Not sure Sonny Gray changes that calculus.

Nick: Got offered Kyle Tucker and Schebler for Stras and Cahill and a keeper? Take it or leave it?

Eno Sarris: Eh. This run environment seems to create Scheblers left and right and if Stras is a keeper he’s best in deal.

Senor Crabs: I hate to be this guy, but I traded 4 years of Kris Bryant for 4 years of Gregory Polanco and 5 years of Maz and Aaron Nola. Did I do ok?

Dan Szymborski: MAIN SCREEN TURN ON

The Average Sports Fan: Do you think David Wright ever gets another MLB AB?

Dan Szymborski: I think he’ll make an appearance, but not many of ’em.

Guest: If you’re a White Sox fan, who would you rather not see blow games as their closer… Swarzak or Clippard?

Dan Szymborski: Clippard because you’ll directly remember Robertson

Nick: Outlook for Mags Sierra? Can he be an above average hitter?

Jeff Sullivan: Hello friends

Jeff Sullivan: Welcome to a weird one-off Wednesday baseball chat

Jeff Sullivan: Back to normal scheduling next week. I’ve just wound up with two straight Fridays out of the house and off the grid

Carson Cistulli: Jeff Sullivan, making his weekly Friday appearance, On a Wednesday….? This commenter is intimidated – Dare I say – Threatened, yes threatened by change!

Jeff Sullivan: I should also note that Dave will be taking the Friday chat again. Next week, he’s back to Wednesday, and I’m back to Friday

Jeff Sullivan: Normalcy resumes, to whatever extent it ever can

Paul Swydan:

Paul Swydan:

Paul Swydan:

Paul Swydan:

Paul Swydan: Hi everybody!

Jeff Zimmerman: Yo

Travis Sawchik: Happy Monday, folks

Travis Sawchik: Let’s get started ….

Travis Sawchik: Oh, and this is a GoT-free zone

Hot Dogs are Sandwiches: Should the Jays buy, sell, or retool for ’18?

Travis Sawchik: We have the Jays with an 11 percent shot to reach the postseason http://www.fangraphs.com/coolstandings.aspx

Travis Sawchik: Not great