Paul Swydan: Hi everybody! Tonight, since there’s this fancy game up in Minneapolis, the FanGraphs After Dark chat has been supersized into the All-Star Game Live Blog.

We’ll start earlier than usual, 8 pm ET, to coincide with the start of the game. I’m going to be flying solo on this one, because Jeff is off on a family vacation this week. So, I’m not sure I’ll last the whole game, especially if there are stupid rain delays like there were last night. But I’ll give it the ole’ college try!

I’ve got some polls set up, and the queue is open. I’ll take the normal questions we take each week too, if you want to ask those. But we’ll try to focus on the action, Jackson.

See you soon!

Paul Swydan: Hi guys. Just settling in. We’ll get started in a few minutes.

Comment From Pale Hose
I was expecting a chat, but I get a live blog instead. This is probably the highlight of my week…

Paul Swydan: Me too!

Well, I am going to a De La Soul concert on Thursday, but this is right up there!

Comment From mike
How good is Cutch? His numbers are unreal am I reading them right.

Paul Swydan: You are in fact reading them right.

Jeff Sullivan: Hello there, friends

Jeff Sullivan: Hello there, friends of friends

Jeff Sullivan: Let’s chat baseball. I chat at a slower rate than Dave does for a variety of reasons. Don’t ask me fantasy baseball questions because I don’t know how to answer them. You know, the usual stuff

Comment From Peter B
Thoughts on Aiken and the Astros?

Jeff Sullivan: From the outsider perspective, it’s easy to say, oh, they’re just trying to make the numbers work, and they found something of a medical facilitation. But while I don’t know the severity of what Aiken might be dealing with, it sure seems like he isn’t really hurt, so I understand why people are upset

Jeff Sullivan: I think it was Olney who was talking about what Aiken might get paid as a free agent. Which is interesting, but also unhelpful since all high draft picks would get bank as free agents

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.

:

:

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?