Eno Sarris Baseball Chat — 10/16/14

Eno Sarris: I’ll be here at the top o’ the hour!

Eno Sarris: In the meantime… chill out with URoy

nicolas Bonnet:

Comment From Shep
Wil Myers projection for next year and beyond.

Eno Sarris: Without looking, I still like him for like .275/.360 25 homers next year, with a peak of .280+, 30+. We’ll be talking about that Shields trade forever.

Comment From Vslyke
Enooooo, let’s talk about La Stella. Not the debut I wanted as a Braves fan, but where do you see his future going? Can he hold off Gosselin and Peraza?

Eno Sarris: I used to really think so, but apparently he has bricks for hands. I still like him best of the current duo. know less about the third.

Comment From Shep
Is Carlos Martinez a high end reliever or does he have a future as a SP?

Eno Sarris: Here’s a theory, backed only by anecdote right now: You can survive / thrive as a (righty) fastball/slider guy if you have good command. The whole reason sliders have bad platoon splits is because if you try to back foot it and miss, it goes right into the lefty wheelhouse. But if you don’t miss a lot… Martinez misses a lot. HIs observed platoon splits are bad. The movement on his change is less than the movement on his sinker. It does go about six to seven miles slower than his sinker (at 90!!) but… given how they’ve used him, looks like a reliever.

Comment From Shep
If Dayton Moore and Ned Yost are WS champions is this one of the signs of the Apocalypse?

Eno Sarris: Gonna look into contact rate and postseason win percentage. Feel like the Giants and Royals actually spotted market inefficiencies and we were just too slow to pick up on it.

Comment From Pale Hose
Eno’s back! How’s the baby? Name?

Eno Sarris: Calvin Orion! Also: I’m so very tired.

Comment From SuedePumaMoistCooter
I regretably purchased Magic Hat Hefeweizen as it seemed like the only decent choice at the store the other day. I then launched an aggressive twitter campaign condemning said beer, as it was a miserable excuse for a hefe. tased like Busch ice.

Eno Sarris: Yeah, Magic Hat was like a late nineties craft beer, back with Pete’s Wicked, one of the first. But they didn’t stay relevant like Stone, IMO.

Comment From Guest
Who would have a more impact on offense Gattis or Melky?

Eno Sarris: Both about 125 wRC+ last year, Melky projected for a slightly better number next year. Funny that neither really is great at walking, but Melky’s contact ability (with some power) is actually rarer in today’s game.

Comment From Stephen
I love how the playoffs are a different, but yet the same animal compared to the regular season. It’s like you still have to take into account past history, but accept what’s going on now and just run with it. Sometimes the best explanation is simply: “Baseball!”

Eno Sarris: Yeah I mean if you think about just one month during the season, there were times when the A’s were unstoppable. The Braves had a great month.

Comment From hscer
Procrastination: yay or nay

Eno Sarris: Let me think about it a little.

Comment From mtsw
Given the 2015 Orioles have a large set of kind of average starters, would they be an ideal test case for a tandem starter experiment?

Eno Sarris: I’d love it. They sorta did it with Gonzalez and Gausman this year. Free agent pitchers might not like it…

Comment From Geust
I haven’t been free during one of your chats for the longest time; today I was, but now something has come up. Why must things always get between us, Eno!?

Eno Sarris: We’re a regular Tristan and Isolde.

Comment From Geust
Anyway, just cracked a consecration last night and it’s making me want to move back to norcal right now

Eno Sarris: Best. Beer.

Comment From Nick
Do you expect Kris Bryant to mash the ball out of the gate (assuming he opens the season on the roster, as it’s been implied), or will there be an adjustment period?

Eno Sarris: Higher strikeout rates suggest some breaking in period. Also, he’s a little iffy with the glove at third…

Comment From juan pierres mustache
excuse me sir, but I must ask if we can kick it

2pacShakurImmortal:

Eno Sarris: YES WE CAN

Comment From LarryA
Will you bring goggles to the park tonight?

Eno Sarris: No but definitely a raincoat. Learned from Victor Martinez and Miguel Cabrera champagne showers.

Comment From Pale Hose
Top 5 Eno Sarris anagrams: 5.) Arson Sire 4.) Rain Sores 3.) A Snorer Is 2.) Senora Sir 1.) Ass Ironer

Eno Sarris: Uh I’d move Rain Sores up to second just because wut.

Comment From Bruce
I couldnt do it last night on a work night, so Friday I will have my Boulevard Saison Brett to honor the royals.

Eno Sarris: Great beer. That, Rye on Rye and the Imperial Pils make their double wide series a must grab IMO.

Comment From Stephen
At this point, it seems once the Royals get a lead in a game it becomes a race against time. Is the key to beating them simply scoring early, because of their bullpen?

Eno Sarris: Yeah the sixth inning is the key, instead of the seventh.

Comment From Stanatee the Manatee
Eno, I’ve heard great things about Schlafly’s TIPA, but I haven’t been a fan of IPAs I’ve had in the past. Should I give it a try, or am I setting myself up for disappointment?

Eno Sarris: Gotta try it. They’re supposedly really good. Then send me some.

Comment From Mark
Fuck / Marry / Kill: Laugunitas, Dogfish Head, Firestone Walker?

Eno Sarris: I’m going to kill DFH. I love some of their stuff, but so much of it is weird and not great. Very much like Mikkeller to me. I’ll marry Lagunitas just because you can have Sucks every night forever.

Comment From Paul Rudd
Thanks for the chat Eno. How do you see the playing time splitting between Inciarte/Pollock/Peralta for 2 spots in the Dbacks outfield next year? Should they trade one?

Eno Sarris: Inciarte is the backup to me. Peralta showed some pop and they seem to really like Pollock.

Comment From Marty
Should i be trying to trade for Puig in a keeper league?

Eno Sarris: Yes.

Comment From Guest
You gettin any sleep?

Eno Sarris: No.

Comment From Shawn
I live in CT- what are some good Sours that may be available in my area?

Eno Sarris: Almanac just made it out there, but dunno if you’ll see much of it. You might be able to see Lost Abbey from California. If you ever see Cantillon from Belgium, run don’t walk. Founders has some sours. But the most likely for you to see is New Belgium’s La Folie series. They’re pretty good.

Comment From Vslyke
Thanks for the answer! No one from FG has scouted Peraza yet but he has really solid OBP skills, low Ks, apparently plays good D, and is blazing fast (60 SBs each of the alst 2 years). http://www.fangraphs.com/st…

Eno Sarris: The good D may make him win out. TLS really suffered there, I thought he could do well enough.

Comment From Keith Tkachuk
Eno, what’s a good beer for a classy affair? Im going to an event at the Waldorf Astoria tonight with Brian Williams and want to impress him with a classy beer selection

Eno Sarris: Where do you live? New York? Maine’s bottles look really nice and are great.

Comment From Sal
After many years of schooling and feelings of untapped potential, I’ve entered the workforce and spend hours staring at a computer screen doing ostensibly “impressive” work that’s hollow and boring and lonely. Is this being an adult?

Eno Sarris: Sounds very familiar. So I spent all that paid time at work writing about baseball so that I could have a job that was more like my childhood. Shh don’t tell my wife.

Comment From Guest
Are you bullish on Bailey?

Eno Sarris: yeah most of his stats were just about the same. Shouldn’t have a huge HR/9 number, IMO, and he kept his velocity. Good #2 I think, in most fantasy leagues. If you pick him as a #3, even better.

Comment From Stephen
Lude Lude Lude, Lu-lude’s the word. Lu-lu-lu lude lude lude, lu-lude’s word. Lude Lude Lude, Lu-lude’s the word. Lu-lu-lu lude lude lude, lu-lude’s the word. Lude Lude Lude, Lu-lude’s the word. Lu-lu-lu lude lude lude, lu-lude’s the word. Lude Lude Lude, Lu-lude’s the word. Lu-lu-lu lude lude lude, lu-lude’s the word.

Comment From hscer
Today’s Sporcle! Comes with a question: should LA count? http://www.sporcle.com/game…

Comment From Terrible Ted
“Baseball!”. Stop it.

Eno Sarris: It was an interlude but not everyone was happy about it.

Comment From Bruce
If the dodgers wanted to steal Joe Maddon away fromt the Rays, is Joc Pederson enough? Too much?

Eno Sarris: way too much. Last manager cost what, Randy Winn?

Comment From Shawn
Any advice on a newborn with a soon to be 1st time father?

Eno Sarris: Save up your sleep. Clear as much paternity time as you can, or save work at home days so that you can nap and work on your way back. Get your mom in law to come for like a month, unless she’s super controlling.

Comment From juan pierres mustache
Thoughts on the Pretty Things / dirty lines thing going on in Boston?

Eno Sarris: Dunno, maybe you should write about it.

Comment From Mooking for Love
It’s that Victory Moonglow time of year in Philly. HOW PUMPED ARE YOU FOR ME!?

Comment From Pirates Hurdles
Best surprise traveling yesterday, Heady Topper at Burlington Airport! What a nice way to sit out a delay.

Eno Sarris: These people are pumped. /beerlude

Comment From Jarrod Dyson
Am I a starting OF in KC next season? If so, could I be a huge fantasy asset?

Eno Sarris: Aoki’s a free agent, but really? A Dyson/Cain/Gordon outfield with Gore as the fourth guy would be taking the no power thing pretty far.

Comment From Twinkie Toes
Is Alex Meyer likely to start the 2015 season in the minors?

Eno Sarris: Yeah and be up by super two.

Comment From Tom
Should teams pitch different when they have the shift on? I ask because whenever I see a shift against Matt Adams the pitcher still pitches him away.

Eno Sarris: Pitchers say they shouldn’t because the batter might be expecting it.

Comment From Guest
Happy wet hop season, Eno. I picked a hell of a week to cut down my weekly beer budget.

Eno Sarris: You and me both, buddy.

Comment From Bruce
Whiich Cards starter will be mysteriously kidnapped in the 2015 playoffs, following Shelby last year and Wacha this year

Eno Sarris: Marco Gonzales.

Comment From Guest
What did you get the Daves for boss’ day today?

Eno Sarris: Crap. Uh. This… pencil sharpener?

Comment From Bruce
They should have named it Saison George Brett

Eno Sarris: Yes. yes they should have.

Comment From Slavin33
Can you rank the following tools on how important they are to a pitcher’s success? (Maybe in terms of percentages or a ratio). Fastball – Command – Secondary pitch – 2nd secondary pitch – 3rd secondary pitch.

Eno Sarris: Command has been shown to lead to better health outcomes. Command ages better than any other skill. I’ll take Command first and then Secondary Pitch and then Fastball, even though I know everyone scouts Fastball first. But there are the Fierses of the world.

Comment From Re: BLVD
Has anyone tried the Bourbon Barrel Quad? Saw it in my local shop @ $15/750ml and considered it…a bit steep if it’s not awesome though

Eno Sarris: It’s amazing. It’s also super boozy.

Comment From Guest
Just curious, but do you ever bring up the topic with players about their experiences in the minor league? Things like hoops they had to jump through, contradictions about player development, what they had to prove to get the call up, etc…

Eno Sarris: Yes. Wrote about it a little for fox… looking for link. In that piece, I asked about throwing a pitch they didn’t believe in, but I started out asking them about how the team communicated with them about their timetable. http://www.foxsports.com/ml… They said mostly it’s handsoff, but they do get a meeting in spring where the team gives them some idea of the plan, and maybe what they need to work on. The roving pitching guy then becomes the soft voice of the front office.

Comment From Mark
Sucks > Double Jack? Brazen choice. Also, what is with sucks only in bombers now?

Eno Sarris: Well, no I guess. But something about Lagunitas is easier to take every day. So many of FW’s stuff is so boozy.

Comment From Shep
Schoop’s D at 2nd was great. Does he become an All Star?

Eno Sarris: There’s a lot of growth left in him, particularly in contact rate and power I think. Not maybe in walk rate though.

Comment From Tom
Live in StL, Schlafly’s IPAs are amazingly good, Tasmanian, American (probably my fav), and Export. Try them all!

Comment From Guest
Yost – Most

Comment From Fronk
Ebola is scary

Comment From The Ghost of Yost
boo

Eno Sarris: Weird lude, dudes.

Comment From Go KC!!!
Is it fair to say that the Royals will be the odds-on-fave for the World Series regardless of who they face? If so, how awesome is that!!!!

Eno Sarris: Yeah our numbers say that now.

Comment From Steve Perry (solo) fan
Can you pull some strings with the Giants to get them to play “Oh Sherrie” tonight for the mandatory Steve Perry appearance?

Eno Sarris: It’s getting super old.

Comment From Guest
What’s up with Austin Jackson, will he be better next yr?

Eno Sarris: Maybe bringing back the leg kick was a bad idea. He’s not a great fantasy asset, but I do think he’ll be better and he’s a really good real-life player.

Comment From Rationality
Is all of the hype about how awesome Bochy is a bit much? Starting Vogelsong over Petit doesn’t strike me as a good decision.

Eno Sarris: I’m not saying Vogelsong is better in the postseason because of his results. I am saying that Vogelsong throws 92-93 in the postseason, and that can change your appraisal of him, especially since the fastball is his best pitch.

Comment From Pale Hose
How changeable do you think pitcher’s grips are? Does it make sense for pitchers to throw slightly different grips during games to get different effects?

Eno Sarris: Sonny Gray said he does it, but he also doesn’t think grips are a big deal, he says. Command is important, though, so I would save the grip altering for bullpen sessions.

Comment From Someone not from CT
CT? Don’t care about sours, drink all the NEBCO!

Comment From that guy
NB’s *Lips of Faith series; La Folie is but one example. Le Terroir is also quite tasty.

Comment From John Farrell
True or False: the Red Sox starting outfield in 2015 will be Cespedes, Castillo and Betts.

Eno Sarris: Victorino fourth guy and Craig as backup 1b/of/dh? Not sure if the roster works like that, but it could, and it reallly seems to be headed that way.

Comment From Kent Brockman

ENO'S BACK!

Comment From Tony G.
Think Kevin Gausman will add a new pitch in the offseason? I feel like his ceiling is so high, and yet I’m torn if he’ll ever come anywhere close to it.

Eno Sarris: Was talking to Keith Law about it and he thought Gausman could just throw the slider more. He does need a new pitch, but his team won’t teach him the cutter. So maybe just work on the breaker. Maybe try a knuckle curve?

Comment From ThePuck
Kyle Bryant is iffy with the glove? Why did baseball America name him the best defensive third baseman in the PCL? Are they all just bad there?

Eno Sarris: Talking mostly from what I saw in spring, what people were saying early on. Maybe he has really improved, but ‘best defensive’ awards don’t always mean a ton. Think of gold gloves. And if he really was that great at third, maybe he would have been up last year?

Comment From mtsw
Should the Orioles tender Chris Davis at (presumably) $10M?

Eno Sarris: Yes. On a one year deal? Yes.

Comment From Marty
Rodenbach grand cru is the easiest good sour to find in connecticut.

Comment From that guy
As an east-coaster, the sours aren’t mind-blowing. RR sours make it to philly but you need to be lucky; if Cantillon is around it’s gone in seconds or priced at $50/275ml (no joke I’ve seen that) so I wouldn’t bank on it; Drie Fonteinen isn’t impossible to find and it’s not too steeply priced, same is true for Hanssens stuff (a little easier to find). Tilquin also shouldn’t be impossible to find. For American stuff, The Bruery gets pretty wide distro and make nice sours, Jolly Pumpkin and Goose Island too. BLVD Love Child might be around. Also RIP Cascade online ordering.

Eno Sarris: Nvm Cascade, it’s sang Noir or bust. Get Boulevard Love Child or Goose Island Halia over Grand Cru for me.

Comment From Jake deBomb
could Pollock be made available? Pollock-Wheeler swap??

Eno Sarris: Wouldn’t do that if I were the Mets. Pollock a righty with defense as one his better assets, Mets have a center fielder.

Comment From Jake deBomb
Pale Hose: you missed Sino Rears !

Eno Sarris: Even weirder.

Comment From Ryan
Wasn’t John Ferrell to the RSox for Aviles?

Eno Sarris: Who was better, Aviles then or Winn back in the day? Winn I think.

Comment From Guest
What do the Nationals do about their 2B spot next year? They could feasibly look for a 3B and move Rendon to 2B if necessary, but you don’t typically move an almost 7 win player. Not many 2B out there though.

Eno Sarris: They still have Zimm and LaRoche, so I think they play the Espinosa/Zimm game again.

Comment From Bob Hamelin
There was some talk the Royals might look to trade one of the Filthy Boys (H-D-H) this offseason for a position player. Any chance that still happens after this postseason run?

Eno Sarris: I mean, I’d trade a reliever for a position player any day, but would anyone do the opposite?

Eno Sarris: maybe they could get Craig

Comment From Free Scott McKinney
Who is a good AL below the radar starting pitcher to target in trade before his name starts popping up in every article?

Eno Sarris: TJ House?

Comment From 33Salvin
can you rank the following tools on how important they are to the Royals’ success? (Maybe in terms of percentages or a ratio). Moustakas – Hosmer – Butler.

Eno Sarris: Well worded! Moustakas has the biggest gap between expectations and output, and plays the most important defensive position.

Comment From Marty
But if the batter is expecting a pitch in another location, and the pitcher knows this, then the batter would no longer expect it, in which case the pitcher can indeed do that. I think this scene was in the princess bride…

Eno Sarris: Yeah it’s a rabbit hole.

Comment From Guest
Whats the big deal about pay to play for Somerville anyways? Seems fine to rserve a tap spot.

Eno Sarris: All I know is you don’t blow up your dirty laundry on twitter like that.

Comment From Houzer
who hangs up first … Kemp for Verlander and Famer?

Eno Sarris: Dodgers now?

Comment From Boss Day
Hi boss, since you make more than me I thought you deserved your own day, for once!

Comment From Pale Hose
Any links for calculating fantasy dollar values?

Eno Sarris: http://www.fangraphs.com/fa… on Sander’s z-score based approach, Zimmerman’s Standing Points Gained http://www.fangraphs.com/fa…

Comment From Bryce Harpers mom
If Trout decides to work on hitting high pitches this offseason, could that screw up his swing in other ways?

Eno Sarris: Look at Dozier. He can’t hit stuff low and away because his swing is flat. He loves high pitches. Moss said he worked on fouling off up and in and not swinging at up and away. Maybe something like that could work for Trout’s swing.

Comment From Follow up Re: BLVD
BBQ good with some age on it, do you know/think? I’ve got a decent backlog of stuff already…

Eno Sarris: I like aging the boozier Quads anyway.

Comment From Gromble Tom
I heard someone pose a Cespedes for Wieters trade the other day (with some tinkering) – decent starting point for a trade? Sox have an outfield jam and a need for C, Wieters is getting expensive and almost a FA, O

Eno Sarris: I do think a trade is in the Red Sox future. Craig won’t bring back much, and could be an okay vs LHP fourth OF/1b guy. Victorino won’t bring back much, and Betts and Castillo seem too valuable to trade…

Comment From Richie Rich
Who did you agree with last night? Should Adams have gone home after touching first to make sure he prevented the run, or just made a better throw to second to get the double play?

Eno Sarris: If he touched first, doesn’t he lose the force? Maybe just home first for one? The problem is, he showed the play before he has a problem with throwing. .Good D, not great arm. Should have made the easiest throw, which was probably to second based on his momentum.

Comment From Gromble Tom
What do you see for Donaldson in the future? Has he peaked? Will he settle at ~5 WAR? Less?

Eno Sarris: He’s 28 so a year with better BABIP could give him another seven-win season. One or two more great years, then some fives and fours after that.

Comment From Marty
How many more years do you think we must endure these god-awful broadcast booths with former athletes spewing nonsense?

Eno Sarris: Man if only the FS1 stat cast had been a regular broadcast. I felt like we saw the future, but ratings matter most. Also, seniority and other stupid political things.

Comment From Gromble Tom
When do the Red Sox make Webster a reliever? I think he could really thrive in that role. Starting does not become him.

Eno Sarris: Not yet. By the per pitch metrics, he has four (4!) above-average pitches. I know I know command. But four!

Comment From Mooking for Love
You see Wong’s leaping turn of the dp yesterday? As much as I despise the Cards, that made my balls tickle.

Eno Sarris: Plus the big leg kick mammoth homer. What a day for him. Opened my eyes a bit, I always had a lower ceiling for him.

Comment From Dan
MY WIFE’S PREGNANT! NEXT YEAR: NEW BABY, CUBS WORLD SERIES HERE WE COME!

Eno Sarris: Congratulations!

Eno Sarris: (about the baby)

Comment From hscer
I think Bochy’s best decision was having Strickland face Harper in Game 4.

Eno Sarris: Well, you would.

Comment From Rated Rookie
Have you ever thought about starting a CoffeeGraphs site?

Eno Sarris: All you need is data. Could be Yelp data.

Comment From RhetoricPJ
Shout out from Atlanta! The beer here sucks. I would rather my work trips took me to san fran.

Eno Sarris: Terrapin is okay! You might be able to get Cigar City, no? Sweetwater? Red Brick is okay?

Comment From Rationality
The thing is, when comparing Petit to Vogelsong, due a player A to player B comparison. Player a: FIP 2.78 WHIP 1.017 ERA 3.69. Player b: RYAN VOGELSONG! case closed(for me, at least)

Eno Sarris: Is that a one year number on Petit?

Comment From Guest
whose the odd man out in OF for LAD? gotta think Joc starts next yr

Eno Sarris: Ethier is the obvious one.

Comment From Keith Tkachuk
sometimes the chat box wont let me post anything, i have to exit and reload. is this my computer or the chat?

Eno Sarris: I had to reload myself.

Comment From Guest
Back to Carlos Martinez for a minute, because I made a trade for him earlier this year…with the struggles of Rosenthal this season, any chance he at least closes in the future? I can’t cut bait, but I’m pretty annoyed I spent pieces on him.

Eno Sarris: Yes. That I think is more possible. But he does still need to work on command for that.

Comment From hscer
An Orioles pitcher with a knuckle curve? Perish the th–oh.

Eno Sarris: I mean, right? It’s too obvious.

Comment From Curious
Why are the Orioles anti-cutter? Is it a health risk?

Eno Sarris: They think it diminishes fastball velocity. Some pitchers agree that the Baby Slider cutter makes you go around the side of the ball and can steal velocity, but it’s a Savior pitch, one you go to when the career isn’t working out.

Comment From Kris
BA didn’t name bryant as the best defensive 3B, the PCL managers in the survey did…

Eno Sarris: Which to me says it’s less valuable.

Comment From Guest
Who’s a better pick to play more than 120 games next year, Quentin or Morse?

Eno Sarris: Um yeah about that um

Comment From Ryan
What ever happened to Tony Cingrani? Expected back in the bigs in 2015?

Eno Sarris: Shoulder trouble, secondary pitches didn’t develop. What about Chapman to rotation and Cingrani to close? Cingrani was a closer in college.

Comment From Bree Olson
Who makes more sense for the Red Sox: Headley or Sandoval? How much more, if any, would you pay for Sandoval for the uptick in offensive production?

Eno Sarris: I think Headley .. well I was going to type that Headley would stay healthier but now I wonder.

Comment From Jake deBomb
I thought Mets looking for RHed OF bat. Sacrifice a little power for D

Eno Sarris: Yeah I mean getting Craig for cheap might work for them. Depends on what Sawx want.

Comment From Mark
All this talk of sours has inspired me to crack my Avery Oputina tonight (prickly pear sour aged in tequila barrels). Apparently Avery are developing a mass produced widely available sour for next year.

Eno Sarris: Yeah I saw Avery on the list of sours too, but have never had one.

Comment From Jake deBomb
Why would anyone trade for a damaged Craig?

Eno Sarris: Because he’d be cheap, under team control and has demonstrated major league hitting ability.

Comment From hscer
LaRoche is gone-er than gone now. There was talk of Espinosa using the offseason to see what RHP’s look like from the right side. But they are still probably going to look for outside help. Or, apparently Cabrera isn’t 100% opposed to playing 2nd. There are possibilities. But going FA would mean probably for a 3B and moving Rendon–the 2B crop is terrible.

Comment From Guest
LaRoche is gone next year. Free agent. Mutual option, but even LaRoche has said he knows he won’t be back. So Zim to first opens up either 3B or 2B, depending on Rendon

Comment From Bruce
I have Dish Network, I havent been able to watch a single game of the NLCS. Thanks MLB.

Eno Sarris: or thanks Dish

Comment From Guest
Which team is better equipped to beat the Royals?

Eno Sarris: Well I think the Giants and Cards both have the bats and gloves they need, and MLB supplies the balls.

Eno Sarris: (sorry)

Comment From Bruce
Why do double IPAS need to be drunk immediately, but triples, or Barleywines, can be aged for years?

Eno Sarris: Hops dies out. DIPAs built on hop character.

Comment From GK
Haven’t the Rays been doing the no power, defense thing for years now? They’re the darlings of fangraphs, but the Royals have been a punching bag. What’s the deal?

Eno Sarris: One part manager decisions, one part trade decisions?

Comment From LarryA
Hi high a price on Oscar Taveras in Otto before hes dropable?

Eno Sarris: I wouldn’t want to pay ten bucks.

Comment From Derek
Moustakas and Hosmers 200ish wRC+ is why the royals are scoring runs not the damn bunts

Comment From Marty
how greatly do you factor in a potential injury / mechanical issue on wainwright when deciding on keepers? so tough without in-game visibility.

Eno Sarris: I always devalue pitchers as keepers, and yes I would tick him down a bit. Especially given history.

Comment From Kris
Get to NC for that Wicked Weed if a sour fan. only a 4 hour drive

Comment From Carl Eephus
What do the Red Sox do at C? Vasquez all the way or do they look elsewhere?

Comment From Marty
Why would the Red Sox trade for a catcher when they have an excellent pitch framer in Vazquez and a better-projected all around catcher in Swihart on his heels?

Eno Sarris: Asked and answered.

Eno Sarris: I doubt they trade for Wieters. Maybe they sign a veteran stopgap.

Comment From Andy5
You seemed to be out in front of everyone regarding your support for Keuchel and deGrom. I listened on Keuchel and picked him up on the waiver wire, but dragged my feet on deGrom and lost out. Any early targets for sleepers next year based on whiff rates?

Eno Sarris: Still looking but guys like Allen Webster, Randall Delgado, Chase Anderson keep showing up. Cory Rasmus and David Hale in deep leagues.

Comment From Pail Hoes
Who plays 2B for the White Sox next year?

Eno Sarris: Semien?

Comment From Kris
All keepers as a 24th rounder, choose 2: Mookie Betts, javier Baez, Gregory Polanco, Corey dickerson

Eno Sarris: ohmanohman. Well I love me some Betts so he’s in. Y’all know I’m looking at Javy Baez with the jenky eye. Dickerson.

Comment From Pail Hoes
Next draft, Jose Abreu should go in the Top __?

Eno Sarris: Ten.

Comment From Houzer
Do you think that there may be some hitting philosophy in the Royals organization to hit with flatter swings? Seems like both Hosmer and Butler should be hitting more flyballs

Eno Sarris: But they’ve changed hitting coaches. Butler looks for low pitches, so that’s why there. Dunno about Hosmer, he’s slowly hit a few more fly balls but not much. And then Moose used to be top-ten in FB%…

Comment From ThePuck
How long can the Twins get away with justifying payroll where it is when this team has lost 92 or more games four years in a row with nothing to suggest next season will be any better?

Eno Sarris: I mean they’re not spending a ton in acquisitions, so are we talking about trading Mauer?

Comment From Guest
Do you think Seager gets any better? is his peak Donaldson-esque?

Eno Sarris: Seager studies hard and is 26. Yeah I think we can see a couple six-win seasons from him. Not sure he has Donaldson’s power.

Comment From Carl Eephus
Who do you take: Shields at 5/90, Lester at 7/150 or Scherzer at 7/180

Eno Sarris: Cheapest shortest.

Comment From hscer
Nats should be all in on 2015 (right?), but might they actually consider trading Desmond and/or Zimmermann — they can’t get much for rentals though, right?

Eno Sarris: Just spend a little more.

Comment From mtsw
Given how valuable major league franchises are now, why don’t they try to buy a controlling interest in their AAA affiliates? Seems like having control and not having to worry about affiliate changes would pay dividends in the long run.

Eno Sarris: Some are doing it, but I think in terms of ins and outs on the minor league level, it’s not the easiest business. As in, I wonder how profitable MiLB franchises are.

Comment From Brad
advice about first time newborn. don’t be afraid to ask for help unless it is super controlling super useless mother-in-law, then suck it up.

Comment From Pail Hoes
There is no reason to draft any White Sox pitchers beyond Sale, Quintana, and whoever closes, right?

Eno Sarris: yup.

Comment From Guest
you look like sideshow bob

Comment From Guest
fatter version

Eno Sarris: Or a fatter Kenny G.

Eno Sarris: But I’m 6’2″ 185, feel like I only need to lose five pounds or so. It’s all beer and baby weight.

Comment From Nick
So, with all this chatter on major metropolitan areas… any thoughts or experiences with North Dakota? We have baseball here! Independent league fare, but still.

Eno Sarris: I know absolutely nothing about North Dakota! I do want to go!

Comment From Dylan
DO you have any faith in Cameron Maybin bouncing back? He was awful over 2/3 of the season, but I still feel the breakout coming.

Eno Sarris: He’s 27 already, projected for .240/.300 with 8/12 full season HR/SB. He doesn’t make contact like Brantley and Brantley stayed healthy for the most part. I’m not super into it.

Comment From Rich C
Adam LaRoche will be a free agent. Who do you think will be interested in him? He didn’t have a lot of teams interested in him 2 years ago.

Eno Sarris: Gotta be AL, right? Just not a lot of NL teams looking for first base help. Maybe Miami?

Comment From Houzer
if the goal of your late innings bullpen arms, are to have them face the toughest part of someones lineup late in the game … then why not always throw your closer out there whenever the meat of the lineup comes up at the 7th inning or beyond? Seems crazy that sometimes your 3rd best late inning arm is facing the top of the lineup, and your closer gets 7-8-9

Eno Sarris: Not at all crazy. Lots of smart people think this is the way to go. It would have monetary implications for players (saves are rewarded) and some backlash about ‘knowing roles.’ But it should be the future, I think. You know who did it some? Ozzie Guillen.

Comment From Carl Eephus
I don’t think the Sox are going to part with Craig for nothing. I’m not saying he’s worth anything right now, but they made that trade betting that he’d regain his form. Not gonna sell on him now.

Eno Sarris: Which is why I think people start to look at Yoenis.

Comment From Little man syndrome
I like the inferior TV analysis. Makes me feel like a real man.

Comment From Keith Tkachuk
had Finback Starchild grapefruit sour, and finback plumb and proper at Pony Bar UES last week… amazing. love the brewery now.

Comment From Guest
I have Dish Network and havent missed a game no special package either

Comment From Derek
Wainwright will get hurt again, he has sub optimal mechanics in regards to staying healthy http://www.chrisoleary.com/…

Eno Sarris: He’s also been hurt in the past, which predicts future injury.

Comment From Derek
Prediction: Kluber goes down in 2015 with Arm Injury

Eno Sarris: Decent amount of breakers coming out of that arm. Lots of pitches too.

Comment From Carl Eephus
Fun fact about Vazquez: his Off value was -7.8, and his Def value was +7.8

Comment From Nick
Semien? Such an unfortunate last name.

Eno Sarris: One important letter in there.

Comment From Hercs man crush
sophomore slump for Abreu next year? that strikeout rate is scary

Eno Sarris: you mean the swinging strike rate, right? Because 21.1 is about average these days. I’m a little worried about a 27% HR/FB rate, but he could also hit more fly balls, and he’s got big power. I think a little batting average regression is all that will happen.

Comment From Ryan
Do you give a QO to Liriano if you’re the Pirates?

Eno Sarris: Yes. If only for the picks.

Comment From hscer
Is the NFL MVP system (one vote per voter, count ’em up) better or worse than MLB’s?

Eno Sarris: Worse. At least there are ten slots in MLB.

Comment From Derek
Royals have created less than 1 full run from SB in the playoffs

Comment From Matt
What could I get in speedy outfield return for Cueto in an 18-team keep all dynasty? My pitching is pretty stacked, so I can move someone and he seems to be a good sell high guy especially with his injury history after pitching 243 innings this year. And I feel like I can find a pitcher in the draft. Maybe an Ellsbury type?

Eno Sarris: Start there, move down the list slowly.

Comment From klof
Theo said the Cubs are in it to win in 2015. Doesn’t this mean they should roll out Kris Bryant on opening day? To do so might they lock up a long term deal with him before the season starts so they don’t have to worry about service time nonsense?

Eno Sarris: That sounds fairly likely!

Comment From Hercs man crush
is there any truth to the notion that the cardinals are stealing signs? peralta’s swing at romo’s slider in yesterdays game suggests it might be. posey told romo to shake him off every time he put the sign down for slider but throw it anyways. peralta ended up taking a terrible swing at it. could this also explain why they were so good with RISP last year?

Eno Sarris: With runners on only? How are they doing it on the road? I doubt it.

Comment From Pail Hoes
Are there any relievers with a deep enough repertoire who you could see becoming average or better starters?

Eno Sarris: Rasmus, Chapman, Hale.

Comment From Los
I don’t drink beer but I wanted you to know I love making fun of my friends when they love a beer with a negative BAR.

Comment From Rated Rookie
Rodon should probably be drafted.

Comment From Keith Tkachuk
kenny g is a legend. saw him at a beer garden in LA and the waitress asked him what he wanted- he responds “a beer thats smooth…like my jazz”

Eno Sarris: wow I kinda love that. I looked exactly like him when I put on a mock turtleneck and blazer for a fischerspooner halloween show. Even thought about going out on the town and trying to pretend I was him.

Comment From Pail Hoes
Does Bud Norris improve, stay the same, or get worse?

Eno Sarris: Get worse. Still no third pitch and the fastball velocity only going to get worse.

Comment From Guest
Milwaukee for ALR

Comment From zmiko
LaRoche to Brewers?

Comment From Hoz and Moose
DON’T ASK ENO ABOUT OUR SWINGS.

Comment From Forsyth
Just had a baby myself (8/21). Key to sleep = swaddle, and do it tightly. 5 S’s from Happiest Baby on the Block have been life savers (Swaddle, shush, lay on side or belly, shake (not shake shake, but tiny shakes to vibrate their cheeks), and suck (pacifier). Halo has great swaddles that are velcro so they can’t get out of them at night. Highly recommend.

Comment From Jake deBomb
And Craig isn’t cheap relative to what his output looks like now. major riskiness there.

Eno Sarris: I think this is fairly attractive
15:$5.5M, 16:$9M, 17:$11M, 18:$13M

Comment From Nick
Back in 2007 – 2008, Carlos Marmol was the Cubs’s best reliever, but he was deployed in high leverage situations, and not as the closer.

Eno Sarris: It happens with guys on their way into closing. Betances this year.

Comment From hscer
Would a study bear out that yo-yo’ing UZR’s are more common than wRC+’s?

Eno Sarris: Year to year correlation is lower yes.Had to check that real quick.

Eno Sarris: (but actually not much better amazingly)

Comment From David
When Scott Boras can get holds to be worth as much as saves in someone’s contract, that pitcher will become the “relief ace” we’re all waiting for.

Comment From Nick
What research has been performed to support the theory that position prospects should be more highly touted than pitching prospects?

Eno Sarris: It’s a little old but good http://www.royalsreview.com… (and I did some light work on SS prospects to update it, and it wasn’t much different).

Comment From Brandon
Is Untapped the best source of your beer rating information, or just the largest such database and easiest to access?

Eno Sarris: It’s the largest and easiest, and the other sites weren’t willing to partner.

Comment From Grey
Better pick for 2015: Cashner or T. Ross?

Eno Sarris: I’m taking Cash. Just don’t believe in Ross’ mechanics. Both had issues this year.

Comment From mtsw
Velcro: underused, overused or properly used?

Eno Sarris: In my house, it’s everywhere.

Comment From bud black
I know petco isn’t doing him any favors, but with gyorko’s improved walk and k rate in 2014, do you see any reason he can’t hit 20+ HRs again in 2015?

Eno Sarris: Yeah I think with a more one-to-one gb/fb ratio and better health, he could 20 again.

Comment From Jake deBomb
how is that fairly attractive? that’s fairly ugly for a guy with chronic foot problems.

Eno Sarris: I’m not an appeal to authority guy, but a pretty smart team just traded for him. It’s not a ton of money, and if you can look past the most recent stats, he’s established hitting ability.

Comment From Flo
All this love for Davis and Petit is a little frustrating, they have been great out the pen.. but I mean they became relievers for a reason.. they weren’t very good

Eno Sarris: Well Petit at least has a starter’s arsenal.

Comment From cass
I missed your HBT article about interviewing players in the clubhouse when it came out, but looked it up after seeing people say they didn’t like the Royals because of it. Gotta say that people seem to be taking the wrong message from it. I thought it was thoughtful and insightful. I appreciate you opening up about a tough situation. I also wonder if you, like me and many other people, have trouble recognizing faces – I know the image search when wrong, but from reading the article and the comments, this seemed like it might be the case. Can be really tough when you see people in different contexts.

Eno Sarris: I don’t hold it too much against them. I also live in the visitor’s clubhouse. I watch a lot of baseball and I don’t know what these guys look like until I’ve seen them a couple times. Last year, it was all new to me. But yeah, I made mistakes.

Comment From Guest
Think the Giants wrap this up tonight?

Eno Sarris: Bumgarner is nasty. If Wainwright isn’t right…

Comment From mtsw
Does the rise of analytics make agents less important? More informed front offices makes for a more efficient market which should mean fewer opportunities for middlemen like agents to take a cut of the transactions, right?

Eno Sarris: I’ve seen many well-reasoned arguments like this that say you should just sign a lawyer to dot the I’s. There’s even a new agency that is working like this, just helping you do paperwork, for less of a cut. So it’s happening. Progressive players are into it too. But the ones that don’t want to think about it, probably will still like the full suite.

Comment From hscer
Hate opening a velcro bag in a library.

Comment From Geust
Velcro was inspired by those annoying plants that stick to your pants when you go hiking. I refuse to use it on principle

Comment From Guest
Is Nick going to shift to focusing more on podcasts and no more chatting unless hes a fill in?

Eno Sarris: He’ll chat regularly next year, on Mondays I think.

Comment From Guest
Craig just has to be a 2 win player to be worth his salary in literally every single season. If he completely sucks, sure it’ll look ugly, but 2 wins isn’t a very high bar to clear.

Comment From juan pierres mustache
possible that the sox look to trade napoli instead and play craig at 1B?

Eno Sarris: I think the Sox will be one of the most fun teams to watch this offseason.

Comment From The Oriole Bird
I need to send my buddy a 6-pack of (good) Baltimore beer for an ALCS bet I lost. Suggestions?

Eno Sarris: Can you get a stillwater six pack?

Comment From Funkyfresh
Do you think that Luke Hochevar has a chance to start next year

Eno Sarris: no.

Comment From David
The rise of analytics make agents MORE important. Their job is to help the players, not the front offices. A smarter front office means the players need more help, not less.

Eno Sarris: No I think the argument is that the offers will look more similar. So just pick one and sign.

Comment From Jake deBomb
sure, the Sox are attempting a “buy low” bounce back wrt Craig and bonus points for RHed bats playing in Fenway. the Sox taking that chance is far far different than the Mets doing so.

Eno Sarris: It’s true, but if the price is low in terms of prospects, it’s a lot better than most of the free agent market.

Comment From Dr. ZifZaf
Do you think MLB would prefer a delay between the LCS and WS in order to…asdjf…bgwgap…. DON’T STOP BELIEVIN OMG I AM STEVE PERRY

Comment From guest
i’ve heard natty boh is a good baltimore beer

Comment From Guest
Do you ever check out college baseball games?

Eno Sarris: Stanford!

Eno Sarris: Also! I have to write before i leave for the park!

Eno Sarris: So, toodles!!

Comment From Guest
*awkward high five*