Neil Weinberg: Hey all, we’ll chat at 3pm. Remember priority to stat, data, FG questions, but happy to take regular baseball talk as well. I’m @NeilWeinberg44 on Twitter if you want to get in touch.

See you soon!

Neil Weinberg: Alright, hey everyone!

Neil Weinberg: Let’s do some chatting.

Comment From Tim Whatley
I would obviously take Pedro over Kershaw in terms of level of peak years (those dominant yrs during the PED era is insane). But in terms of sustained greatness over a longer period of time….have to give it to Kershaw if he does this a few more years…Agree?

Neil Weinberg: Big if, Pedro was amazing for a nice amount of time. To be determined. He has been good enough for this to be a plausible question.

Comment From Pete
Hey Neil, thanks for doing this. As a batted ball type, how stable is IFFB%? What kind of sample size thereof might be meaningful?

Dave Cameron: It’s Wednesday, so let’s chat. The queue is now open.

Dave Cameron: Alright let’s get this party started.

Comment From Kris
Where do you think the Braves go from here?

Dave Cameron: I’d expect a lot of change this winter. Maybe a new GM/manager, lots of trades, and a very different roster next spring.

Comment From Dan
rational mets being being irrational: would a smith,plawecki,niese (+flores/herrera) offer get it done for tulo? adds integrity (when healthy) to lineup w/ a formidable quartet (syndy/matz,wheeler,harvey,degrom)

Dave Cameron: Not even close.

Jeff Sullivan: Hi friends

Jeff Sullivan: Let’s baseball chat

Comment From Tom
Jeff, when CoverItLive asks for an e-mail address so they can send a reminder for this chat, would you like me put in yours?

Jeff Sullivan: I was at my computer on time, too, I just had to read through Blengino’s latest before I opened this up. Didn’t want to wait

Jeff Sullivan: Blengino’s latest! http://www.fangraphs.com/bl…

Comment From CuriousGeorge
Jeff did you see the community article yesterday on stealing bases? In it there was a little model for figuring out should you steal, and i couldnt get it to work. the first box where you like 2x0x never worked for me! any insight?

Dan Szymborski: Salt peanuts.

Dan Szymborski: First things first, our usual president-related business.

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Comment From jocephus
how crazy would it be if KC fired yost in the next week or so

Dan Szymborski: It would be a little weird. It’s not as if he’s anything new. It’s like someone who suddenly decides to stop burning his hand on the stove every morning for 4 years because it hurts. Well, why’d you stop now? Didn’t it hurt before?

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

Comment From Guest
Hey Nick, Im in need of a Slg boost in 4×4, im looking at Pearce, Vogt, Rasmus or Stubbs? Unless you have any better suggestions. Thanks

Nicholas Minnix: SLG boost, gotta be Pearce, I think. Vogt may not play again reg season, also.

Comment From Hamilton Porter
Over/under: 3.5 MLB homers for Sano next season

Nicholas Minnix: I’ll take the under.

Comment From Brad
Hi Nick: Hh pts league weekly lineups. Next week for ss? Peralta 6 games, Aybar 7 games, Xander 6 games or Rutledge 7 games at coors. Thanks.

Eno Sarris: I’ll be here in fifteen!

Tycho:

Comment From Guest
so, um, is Alex Guerrero ever going to get a start?

Eno Sarris: They still trying to win games and they are pretty set at third, second and left field I guess. Maybe he’s next year’s third baseman or fourth outfielder, guessing utility guy.

Comment From Tony G.
Eno!!!!! What was the best baseball-related thing you saw over the past week? In terms of non-baseball related, please tell me you saw Mike Tyson’s interview with a local Toronto TV station!!!

Eno Sarris: Hah that was pretty sweet. Baseball? Dunno. Affeldt showed me what a fosh grip looks like, Panik told me he misses on purpose, Chase Anderson told me he has two changeups really, and Inciarte splashed down in San Francisco as the best live baseball thing I saw.

Neil Weinberg: Hey all. It’s Wednesday afternoon, so let’s chat.

Remember, this chat focuses on questions about advanced stats, FanGraphs data/features, etc, but you’re more than welcome (encouraged?) to ask regular baseball questions as well. Fantasy and prospect questions aren’t banned, but I’m just not very good at answering them.

I’m @NeilWeinberg44 on Twitter if you want to reach me other times.

Also, my dog usually isn’t at home on Wednesdays, but he is today. That may mean a slight “please take me outside” delay, or it might not. I’ll make up for any pauses on the back end.

Neil Weinberg: Alright. Let’s discuss the events of the day. Current dog status: sleeping

Comment From Mike
why did so few teams recognize Abreu’s abilities as a hitter?

Neil Weinberg: I don’t think anyone did. Not even the White Sox. Players who come up against competition different from the normal MiLB are harder to judge because you have no idea how his numbers and performance is skewed by the opponents he faces.

If I got to play against 8 year olds, I’d look great. I don’t think we’re good at determining the talent of all Cuba opponents.

Comment From Guest
Does a foul out that occurs in the infield count as an IFFB? For example, a ball count one step in foul territory next to first base.

Neil Weinberg: Theoretically, yes. Although it’s my understanding that it is at the discretion of the stringer to call something a “popup” or not

Dave Cameron: It’s Wednesday, so let’s chat. Final few weeks of the regular season are upon us, so we can talk pennant races, playoff expectations, postseason awards, offseason speculation, or about how awesome my dog is. Up to you.

Dave Cameron: Queue is now open and we’ll start chatting in 15 minutes.

Dave Cameron: I will note that I’m going to have to leave right at 1:00 today, as I’m doing a segment on MLB Now at 2:15, and have to actually look presentable. Tune in and count the blinks.

Comment From THE average sports fan
Straight to the point, should Jocketty be fired?

Dave Cameron: I think he’s done more good than bad, but it depends on what the organization’s plans are. If they try to win in 2015, then keep him around and let him finish the job. If they’re going to blow it up, maybe it is time to let someone else do that job.

Comment From Tyler
Are Trout’s increased K rate and decreased BB rate a serious concern?

Paul Swydan: Hi guys, join Jeff and myself at 9 pm ET, and we’ll chat with you live during the big KC-DET matchup tonight. We’ll take all our normal questions too, so the other 95% of you who don’t care about that game needn’t worry!

See you soon!

Paul Swydan: Hi everybody! I just helped my neighbor move one of those old, heavy TVs, so the adrenaline is FLOWING!!!!! Woo!

Comment From Pale Hose
Will complete teardown rebuilds go out of style? It seems like if a team stays mediocre-ish they will have quicker turnaround time and might even luck into a playoff spot.

Jeff Zimmerman: Paul – Want to move 9 railroad ties with me tomorrow?

Paul Swydan: YES!!!!!

Jeff Zimmerman: Depends if they have anything to rebuild around. The key is staying mediocore

Jeff Sullivan: Let’s baseball chat!

Jeff Sullivan: On today’s menu: baseball, of the real kind!

Jeff Sullivan: Is there even still fantasy baseball at this point in the season?

Jeff Sullivan: I might never know!

Comment From Sam
Since Marcus Stroman has developed his new sinker and is getting an impressive amount of groundballs is he a legit number 2 starter?

Jeff Sullivan: There’s the usual stuff about having to prove yourself for longer before you can be a legit anything, but I remember being surprised when I found that Stroman’s breaking ball compares well to that of Jose Fernandez/Yu Darvish/Corey Kluber. So that made me particularly curious, and while Stroman doesn’t throw that pitch very much, I like his overall profile quite a bit. Remember the height questions? I always hate the height questions.