Nicholas Minnix: Hello, folks, I’ll be with you at the top of the hour.

Comment From Eminor3rd
A LIKELY STORY

Nicholas Minnix: Isn’t it?

Comment From Ethan
Nick! Keeper league where we get to keep 13. Would you keep these 6 OFs: Puig ($19), Marte ($18), Cespedes ($17), Hamilton ($5), Yelich ($1) and Springer ($1)? Thanks!

Nicholas Minnix: Hey! Probably. I’d say without any other context, they all seem like potential keepers. If you could get any back for less, then you may change your mind. Obviously the cheap guys you couldn’t.

Comment From BEER BARON
Do you also answer beer questions?

Neil Weinberg: Hi all. Queue is open and we’ll start at three. Basic reminder that this chat favors stat/FG/sabermetrics questions, but regular baseball stuff is cool too.

@NeilWeinberg44 is my Twitter handle if you want to get in touch another way.

Neil Weinberg: Alright, let’s discuss baseball and baseball stats. We could also pretend a baseball game happening, although that might get complicated.

Comment From Rob
Do you think Adam Eaton will consistently be a 4 to 5 WAR player, assuming he stays healthy?

Neil Weinberg: Was about a 3 WAR player in 538 PA this year, so he’d have to add 10-15 runs of value to do so. I think the 115-120 wRC+ range is about right, so he’d have to really start impressing the base running and defensive metrics. I think he’s good enough to do it in theory, but we’re talking about the stars all lining up. Expected a 2-3 WAR guy, be thrilled if he reaches that 4-5 WAR ceiling

Neil Weinberg: But I am generally fond of his skill set.

Comment From Jesse
Would a trade involving Jose Quintana and Mookie Betts make sense for both teams? The White Sox could potentially have Sale, Rodon,Danks and perhaps sign Shields or a lower tier guy like McCarthy.

Dave Cameron: We’re going back to being on time this week. The queue is now open. Fire away!

Comment From Gary
The games in the playoffs this year have been some of the more exciting and entertaining of any in recent history. It’s too bad the series themselves have been so short.

Dave Cameron: Agreed. We’ve had some fantastic games, but the lack of a Game 5 is disappointing.

Comment From Mike
Any thoughts on Robert Refsnyder taking the NYY 2B job next spring?

Dave Cameron: I’d just give it to Martin Prado.

Comment From Ned Yost
To avoid pitching Vargas/Duffy in the launch pad that is Camden Yards, should I plan on using Shields in Games 1/4/7 and strictly limiting his pitch counts?

Jeff Sullivan: Hey guys, and welcome to live chat

Jeff Sullivan: I’m going to be chatting during the first game. Dave will be chatting during the second game! If the games do not overlap, then there will be a dead zone in the middle

Comment From Brandon
Hi Jeff

Jeff Sullivan: Hi Brandon!

Comment From Only potatoes
Missed your Chat this morning; Tell me good thing about Christian Yelich and his future

Jeff Sullivan: Excellent discipline, consistent line-drive contact, power will continue to develop

Jeff Sullivan: Hello friends! Welcome to FanGraphs chat

Jeff Sullivan: Let’s talk about baseball, or what’s stressing you out

Comment From Carl Sbad
Is Stephen Drew a worthwhile player in 2015?

Jeff Sullivan: For real-life purposes, he’s probably a bottom-10 shortstop but a reasonable shortstop

Comment From Vslyke
Is trading Kimbrel the best way for the Braves to reload for next year? He’d bring in a nice haul and it would save a lot of money.

Jeff Sullivan: As great as he is, he’s not *that* cheap for a closer, and he’s got another three guaranteed years. The Braves could turn him into shiny bits, but not the most shiny bits

Dan Szymborski: Boom.

Dan Szymborski: Will keep this fairly strictly to an hour. Dan got his yearly flu early this year and wants to sleep so that he doesn’t sleep during games.

Dan Szymborski: And yes, I realize I should probably get the damn flu shot.

Comment From Los
The orioles and royals are playing way over their heads. I guarantee they regress and neither reaches the world series.

Dan Szymborski: heh

Comment From Del Martin
Where does Detroit throw all that Little Cesar’s money after this embarrassing exit?

Dave Cameron: So there’s four games today, and we’re going to live blog all of them. Brad Johnson will be here for O’s/Tigers game, and will be joined by Carson, so you’ve been warned. Mike Petriello will take over for the Nats/Giants game, and then Eno will show up for Cards/Dodgers, with Swydan pulling the late shift and grabbing Angels/Royals. Prepare for 12+ hours of playoff live blogging. Baseball!

Brad Johnson: Alright, let’s kick this off. The cable guy just left my apartment and I can now watch playoff games on all channels (previously ESPN and FS1 were dead).

Comment From Guest
Do front offices use fangraphs/b-ref or does MLB have its own historical database they keep for team use?

Brad Johnson: Each team has its own behind the scenes statistics, but I’ve spoken to mid-level executives in several front offices who have referenced stats from FanGraphs and BRef. I’ve also talked with them about specific FanGraphs and BPro articles.

Comment From 1990JaromirJagr
i watched o’s game last night with a bunch of baltimore dudes. they kept sounding off about opposing pitchers “being scared of Schoop” all year. Really confused by this. What are your thoughts on him? peak line?

Brad Johnson: Hmm. This is never noticed, although I maybe watched 15-20 O’s games closely.

Dave Cameron: The schedule for today’s live blogs: Wendy Thurm and August Fagerstrom have the Orioles/Tigers game, and then I’ll be joined by David Temple for the Royals/Angels game at 9:30. We’ve got ~7 hours of baseball in front of us. Let’s have a good time.

Wendy Thurm: Welcome.

Comment From Alex
Hi Wendy!

Comment From Santiago
Can the Royals make a this a competitive series? Can they get to a fifth game?

Wendy Thurm: Royals’ opening is with the Angels’ starters. But Angels have same opening with Royals’ starters and have a much more potent offense. It does appear to be a mismatch, but that’s why you play the game.

Comment From Bil Tharpe
I bet the royals wish they hadn’t traded away Wil Meyers for a 2 year Shields rental. I mean their fan base must be so upset right now.

XkalibaBeats:

Eno Sarris: Why you wanna get funkee with me

Comment From Brian
Thanks for chatting, Eno! What do you make of Yost’s decision to start Vargas over Guthrie tonight?

Eno Sarris: Just looked this up: Angels best in baseball against lefties, and best in baseball against changeups. I don’t love either pitch, but that sorta stands out.

Comment From Bobby Blownilla
Thanks for the chat. Dominated my 5×5 Roto OBP league this year. Won all 5 offensive categories. I like to stay ahead of trends and I’m wondering if I should be shopping Adam Jones this offseason. Good idea or am I tinkering too much since I already led the league in OBP?

Eno Sarris: I’d shop him. This seems peak value. No more power coming, and speed dropping off, and his batting average needs to have all of these skills peaking or it’ll get worse.

Dang. I’m having trouble seeing things I post. This sucks. Refreshing screen.