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?

Dan Szymborski: And here we go. Sorry I’m late. People flooding my twitter with political talk delayed me.

Comment From TB
JD Martinez: What the hell? Flash in the pan or the next jose Bautista?

Comment From Brules Rules
J.D. Martinez, any of the breakout sustainable?

Dan Szymborski: Flash. No.

Comment From Colletti, Ned
Were you too quick to write off the Dodgers a few weeks ago?

Dan Szymborski: Gave them a 1-in-10 chance at the division. Strongly believe it was well-founded based on the facts at hand at the time.

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

Comment From Schiraldi
Do you prefer Braun or Harper ROS, once Bryce is back? And by a lot or a little?

Nicholas Minnix: Mmmm … It’s very close, either way. I’d gamble and say Harper, because he may be quite motivated to make up for lost time. But that’s a double-edged sword. Have to like Braun going forward, solid production if not elite like you’re used to.

Comment From I Believe we will win !!
dropped Pedro Alvarez for Arenado since I’m seeingh Pedro in a Platoon… Did I do the right thing?? I have Seager.

Nicholas Minnix: If you’re in a shallow mixed league, can’t see a big problem with it, except that there may not be a need to do it right away if it is that shallow.

Comment From Kyle
I am glad Nicholas Minnix has joined the team, finally someone with a cooler name than Eno Sarris

Eno Sarris: yes, chatting during the world cup game, the most important between my mother’s home country and my adopted country ever, yes I’m doing that. I reserve the right to lose focus from time to time, and also to exclaim out loud and perhaps turn into a werewolf.

maxitaxiphone:

Comment From PS
Waiting for the writer to provide content…

Comment From Anthony Kiedis
SLIMMA JIMMA BONG DINGA BINGA BING BONG

Eno Sarris: Why, when I have you?

Comment From person hscer
Nein! Keine…Welttasse?

Paul Swydan: Hi everybody! I’ll be here at 9 pm ET. Jeff might be too, but probably won’t be. Hit me up with questions, and if I survive mowing the lawn, I’ll see you soon!

Paul Swydan: I love to see pitchers and umpires engaged in civil conversation. Good times.

Paul Swydan: OK, let’s do this.

Comment From Ben of Pearl River
MATT ADAMS. oh wait, questions. MATT ADAMS?

Paul Swydan: Our man August wrote about Matt today. Def check that out.

http://www.fangraphs.com/bl…

Paul Swydan: Myself, I have been pleasantly surprised. I did not see him hitting this well again this season. The defense is simply an added bonus. Good times.

Dave Cameron: The trade deadline is a month away, the playoff races are getting a little more interesting, and the queue is now open. Fire away.

Comment From Erik
Do you see Benoit having value as a closer by the end of the trade deadline?

Dave Cameron: I think he has some incentives in his deal that pay him a decent amount of extra money if he racks up saves, so I wouldn’t be surprised if any acquiring team kept him in a setup role.

Comment From Jeff in T.O.
Please tell my Jays to go for either Kennedy or Hammels, don’t empty the cupboard for Samardziga!

Dave Cameron: Yeah, that’s what I would guess they will do.

Comment From Ben
Indians sent down McAllistar.. and chance that 5th spot goes back to Salazar when they need a 5th starter again or is he toast this year?