Dave Cameron: It’s Wednesday, so let’s talk some baseball. It’s awards week, so while I can’t talk about the NL Cy Young race too much until after the ballots are announced in ~6 hours, we can talk about all the other awards. Or, we can speculate wildly about what kinds of trades and free agent signings might be coming down the pipeline. Or we can talk about dogs. Up to you.

Dave Cameron: The queue is now open, and we’ll get started in 20 minutes.

Comment From John
What would a Jose Fernandez trade to the Red Sox look like?

Dave Cameron: Going to write about this in the next few days, but I think people are somewhat overstating Fernandez’s value. It’s three years of a pitcher coming off arm surgery with basically zero chance at a long-term extension. Yeah, he’s a great pitcher when he’s healthy, but right now, you don’t know that he’s 100%, and there’s a decent chance he might not be available for a deep postseason run next year. So if it’s just 3 regular seasons and 2 postseasons, it’s not quite as valuable as people are speculating.

Dave Cameron: Really, though, there’s no reason for the Marlins to trade him now, unless they know he’s broken. If they’re reasonably confident he’s healthy, let him throw 100 dominant innings and trade him in July when there aren’t other FA pitchers for teams to sign.

Comment From The Average Sports Fan
How much influence do you see Williams having in 2016 for the Reds?

August Fagerstrom: hello, people!

August Fagerstrom: the thing you do is start typing questions about baseball and life into the little box. the thing i do is come back in 15 minutes and begin answering them

August Fagerstrom: today’s chat soundtrack will be Cannibal Ox – The Blue Vein. an all-time classic for hip hop heads. haven’t been able to stop lately

August Fagerstrom:

August Fagerstrom: ok!

August Fagerstrom: let’s begin

Dan Szymborski: It has begun.

Dan Szymborski: The chat, that is.

Comment From Andrew
Are ZiPS projections a bell curve of possible high/low outcomes with the mean being the final projection, or is it merely a single, most likely value that gets spit out?

Dan Szymborski: ZiPS gives a whole distribution of outcomes. However, it’s not a predetermined curve like a normal curve.

Comment From Allen R.
Begun it has!

Dan Szymborski: Now, it’s normally reserved for the commencement of a plot of dastardly deeds, so not quite applicable.

Jeff Sullivan: Hello friends

Jeff Sullivan: Welcome to baseball chat

Jeff Sullivan: Within we shall discuss baseball and your experiences with it

Comment From uruguayan
Played that way, is Brock Holt a league average shortstop?

Jeff Sullivan: Let’s kick it off with some Brock Holt questions

Jeff Sullivan: I think the answer is no. For a while it could seem like yes, when Holt is riding a wave of singles, but I don’t find him particularly gifted in the middle infield, and I don’t actually like his offense that much

Eno Sarris: Be here shortly.

As far as covers go, this is pretty legendary.

Eno Sarris:

Comment From Art Vandelay
Morning Eno

Eno Sarris: GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING EVERYBODY / chris russo voice

Comment From TheDude
I thought this was a baseball chat

Eno Sarris: Is this your first time?

Dave Cameron: Okay, we’re opening the queue up a few minutes early today.

Dave Cameron: With the off-season underway, let’s talk free agents, trade speculation, roster planning, or awards stuff, if you really want to, I guess.

Dave Cameron: Alright, let’s do this.

Comment From Jerry
More likely: Brewers deal Lucroy this winter, or let his health increase value and further leverage a playoff team in need in July?

Dave Cameron: I’d guess they move him now. It’s not that common that teams are looking for starting catchers in July, and I think teams put a pretty big value on letting their catchers work with the pitching staff all year, rather than coming in mid-season and changing batteries.

Comment From Tim
What would Frazier cost the Braves?

August Fagerstrom: hello, fine people of the internet!

August Fagerstrom: get your questions in and we’ll fire this thing up in about 15 minutes or so

August Fagerstrom: let’s have a weekly soundtrack to the chat. this is something I did on Twitter for my daily commutes to the stadium during the season. i enjoy sharing music and having it shared, so what’s the harm

August Fagerstrom: today’s chat soundtrack will be Beach House – Devotion

August Fagerstrom:

August Fagerstrom: here I am

Dan Szymborski: Monday: A Time for Chats.

Comment From Ben
Is Billy Burns a reasonable comp for Boog Powell?

Dan Szymborski: Naw, I think Burns is faster and has better baseball skills.

Comment From RotoLando
All right, let’s just get this out right now. Bung-Ho Park. Go on, get the giggling out of your system, and let’s have a mature discussion of topical themes.

Dan Szymborski: Wait, is this a Twins joke? I never promised not to make Twins jokes.

Comment From ronnie
One keeper spot left for next year. Who do you keep, Rendon or Springer?

Jeff Sullivan: Let’s all baseball chat

Jeff Sullivan: If you want to, that is. I understand if you’re not ready for the offseason. I’m not either. The World Series literally just ended!

Comment From Ahem.
You’re late!

Jeff Sullivan: Every time!

Comment From Sad Brad Miller Fan
Can you make me feel better about this, Jeff?

Jeff Sullivan: Well, one way to put it — if you’re specifically a Brad Miller fan, then you should be pleased he’s going to a strong organization that will return him to his natural position

Eno Sarris: Because baseball died:

Eno Sarris:

Comment From LarryA
Wont Aoki make more than the 4mill option the Giants turned down?

Eno Sarris: I don’t get that move! I guess the only way to really look at it is that they want that $4m for a bigger acquisition that will make a bigger splash. Greinke? an outfielder?

Comment From Hairgame

HELLO BROTHER

Eno Sarris: Josh Johnson, right? I should talk to him about hair care.