Dan Szymborski: We built this city, we build this city, we build this city for economy of scale and more efficiently administered public service.

Dan Szymborski: You thought I was going to say rock and roll. But that’s a poor reason to form a city, there’s no particular governmental unit that’s more suited to rock and roll.

Dan Szymborski: But let’s start out with our usual business.

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Comment From Tim
Thanks for chatting, Dan! How would you configure the O’s rotation out of the break?

Nicholas Minnix: What’s up, everybody? I’ll be with you at the top of the hour, looking forward to answering some questions.

Nicholas Minnix: Rock n roll

Comment From Sizzle
Not sure if you can answer during the chat, but here’s an interesting question: What’s the longest hitting streak during which the guy’s AVG was under .300?

Nicholas Minnix: You’re correct, haha, that’s something for Google or a greater power.

Comment From Matthew
I traded Votto for Lawrie. Talk me off the ledge that it wasn’t a bad deal. Not keeping either of them and have Rizzo/VMart.

Nicholas Minnix: Not bad at all. Could turn out to be a good deal, you’re in good shape at 1B already it seems.

Eno Sarris: will be here at noon ET, but enjoy some Drums

Radijo86:

Eno Sarris: Hey Ho Let’s Go

Comment From JAL
Eno, good day. Do I throw Hudson out there today? Thanks.

Eno Sarris: Yes I trust him, and this offense can be pitched to.

Comment From Fister? I hardly know her!
Do you think Junior Lake ever figures things out? The guy has great physical tools, but no plate discipline.

Dave Cameron: The All-Star Break is almost here, so you know what that means; the trade value list is next week! Oh, you didn’t know that’s what that means? Well, that’s what it means to me anyway.

Dave Cameron: The queue is now open, so feel free to get your questions in now, and we’ll chat starting at noon or so.

Comment From Semperty
Are there any bats on the market (outside of Zobrist) that could help St. Louis, or are they kind of on their own offensively?

Dave Cameron: I think acquiring either a Zobrist-type or a third baseman who could push Carpenter back to second base is their best path forward.

Comment From Pale Hose
Hey Dave. Can you explain how to scale FIP to runs allowed? I’m trying to replicate the walkthrough but it’s hard to follow.

Dave Cameron: Short answer is divide by .92. The league average earned runs to total runs ratio is usually right around there.

Paul Swydan: Hi everybody!

I’m sure you didn’t miss us last week, but we missed you. Join us at 9 pm ET, when hopefully word of a Jake Peavy trade will have leaked and I’ll finally have some good Red Sox news to digest!

Until then, fill up the queue. See you soon!

Comment From hittfamily
Germany just scored again. 9-1.

Jeff Zimmerman: Breaking newz: Royals sign J. Buck and A. Soriano

Paul Swydan: More Breaking news: Steve Lyons has no idea what he’s talking about.

Comment From AFK
Really hard up for power. Should I stash Alfonso Soriano and hope for the best…or add a player like Cory Hart or Mike Moustakas (UTIL spot)? Thanks.

Paul Swydan: If those are your options, I’d just stash Soriano.

Jeff Sullivan: Ahoy there!

Jeff Sullivan: It’s time for us to talk about this, where “this” refers to major-league baseball

Jeff Sullivan: Standard caveat: I’m not the guy to ask your fantasy questions. I can’t really give any good fantasy baseball advice

Jeff Sullivan: or regular fantasy advice

Comment From zurzles
can we just remove that kershaw start from history? pretty please?

Jeff Sullivan: Our minds are not capable of understanding a pitcher with 11 runs allowed over a dozen starts

Dan Szymborski: You’re about to spend an hour with Dan Szymborski! Reason #34 you may be squandering the precious time remaining in your life.

Dan Szymborski: Was out all morning, so no presidents this week.

Comment From MI with lots of a’s
In OBP H2H league from when Alcantara comes up drop Aybar for him? Think he’ll be in the OF?

Dan Szymborski: If this is a re-draft, I wouldn’t. I love Alcantara (and so does ZiPS, he was *way* up in the ZiPS prospect rankings relative to consensus), but some of the BABIP’s going to be wrung out in the majors and I don’t think he’s going to be super awesome *this* year.

Comment From Andrew
Any SPs currently in the minors that you think will factor into an MLB rotation in the second half? Like Kingham, May, Wisler, etc.? Thanks for your time.

Dan Szymborski: Likely doing an article on this one in the near future.

Nicholas Minnix: Hey folks! I’m filling in for Eno, today, and I won’t be chatting tomorrow, FYI. I’ll be with you at the top of the hour!

Comment From J
Eno: I think our banter is getting better.

Comment From J
Nick: I agree.

Nicholas Minnix: I’m asking for a little of your patience, as well. I’m surely not as quick (or as knowledgeable for that matter) as Eno! But I’ll do my best.

Nicholas Minnix: Rock. And. Roll.

Comment From AL Pitching Coach
Top 3 current AL closers that could be moved at the deadline?

Dave Cameron: Today’s chat will be a little abbreviated, as I’m traveling this afternoon, but I’ll try to get through as many questions as I can before I have to run.

Dave Cameron: Reminder: I’m not a fantasy guy, and I don’t know if you should trade three mediocre players for one big named guy.

Comment From person hscer
I mostly agreed with the Harper/Span/Espinosa piece, but Espinosa should get at least some starts vs. LHP. Career wRC+ vs. LHP: Espinosa 118 (416 PA), Span 102 (1113 PA)

Dave Cameron: Of course. Nothing wrong with playing Espinosa a few days per week.

Comment From AJ
Hey Dave. How much could the ChiSox realistically get in returns for Alexei, Beckham, Viciedo, and Danks? Thanks.

Dave Cameron: I think Ramirez will get them a decent prospect, Beckham a flyer, and Viciedo and Danks are worthless.

Jeff Sullivan: Well that’s the latest I’ve ever been, probably

Jeff Sullivan: Now I’m kind of embarrassed. Only solution is to start chatting posthaste!

Comment From Guest
Since it’s the thing to talk about this morning, what do you make of Bryce Harper’s comments?

Jeff Sullivan: One thing to understand: being out west, I have far less time to digest these things before the chat than people out east do. But I did run across this in the last 20 minutes or so. It’s actually one of the reasons I’m a little late

Jeff Sullivan: Harper just needs to be quiet. If he’s got opinions, he should be able to feel free to share them in private with his manager, but you can’t go around talking to the media about things like this. Lines get drawn, walls go up, colleagues are put off. I don’t care if Harper was just being honest — this was dumb of him. Dumb and young

Comment From Brian Henry
Raul Ibanez makes little sense in the Royals outfield. Is he Eric Hosmer’s replacement at first if a trip to the minors is needed, or is he Billy Butler’s replacement if Butler is at first?