Eno Sarris Baseball Chat — 10/24/13

Eno Sarris: Be here at the top of the hour, is what Baba Ram Dass said.

Eno Sarris: Lyrics!

nobody knows what they are doing
it’s beyond your control, an’ friday night’s a ruin
if you wanna survive you better learn how to lie

Comment From JEB
Lester cheated, Lester cheated!

Eno Sarris: What I find most interesting about this episode is how nobody cares. Even Adam Wainwright says, oh yeah, it was just for grip. Okay! If this is accepted… perhaps we should change the rule to allow stickum? Wait. That seems crazy.

Comment From Swing and a Miss Puiggy
Oh man, had Founder’s wet-hopped Harvest Ale last night. A must for hop-heads. So crisp and complexly delicious.

Eno Sarris: SHUT UP. Well, actually, I’ll report in from the Public House tonight where I’ll watch Game Two. hopefully they’ll have some nice wet hops on tap because I’m finally feeling healthy.

Comment From Tristan
“MLB has no problem with pitchers using sunscreen. Hitters don’t, either. Because their pitchers use it, too. This shouldn’t be a big deal.” – Passan

Eno Sarris: See? Everyone’s doing it! Shrug. Remember when steroids where like that? Oh the hallowed days of yore.

Comment From person hscer
So Clemens got 38% of the HOF vote, even though without the steroids that figure is probably 95% or so. Gaylord Perry got 68% of the HOF vote his first year…but who knows if he’d have been as good as he was without being such a slick (pun intended) cheater? Hooray HOF voters.

Eno Sarris: I guess they are saying that Clemens’ cheating was more effective. Is that an interesting question? Maybe we should have me throw BP to some hitters for a control. Then get some vaseline, throw some more. Then get an emery board, throw some more. Then get jacked on steroids for a couple months, and come back.

Comment From Milhouse
Thoughts on Cliff Lee? Sell high or ride out another year?

Eno Sarris: the problem I have with shopping Cliff Lee, and I am, sort of lackadaisically in my 20-team dynasty, is that he made some well-publicized comments about maybe retiring when he’s done with his contract… which is up next year. In terms of production, I still think he could do what he does (in the NL) for two-to-three more years. But if you shop him, you get people treating him like he has a year left.

Comment From JEB
You hear about the Schlafly / Sam Adams bet? Pretty cool, love it when my two favorite things come together.

Eno Sarris: Tell me!

Comment From Marty
It’s been a long time since I chatted with Eno,
It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten advice, yo.
Ooh, let me get it back, let me get it back,
Let me get it back, baby, where I come from.
It’s been a long time, been a long time,
Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time. Yes it has.

Comment From smp1354
The Chevy banner ads on FanGraphs are now showing up in French for me. I blame Cistulli.

Comment From Rothbard
Spent $850 at the emergency vet for my poor dog. But hey, at least there Sox won.

Eno Sarris: Even the interludes got an early start today.

Comment From Hogwagon
Would you feel comfortable enough about Hosmer’s production (in a points league) to trade away Fielder? Or better to trade away Ellsbury (who’s closer to peak value than Feilder, and I have plenty of OF depth)?

Eno Sarris: When Hosmer’s in his peak, he’ll be fine. I bet around 30 or so he will begin hitting the ball into the ground again. But something Helton-esque, without the ballpark boost? Maybe. Fielder doesn’t seem like he’ll really get it going again, and anyway, if they hit for the same average, 20/10 is just about the same as 30/0 anyway. Maybe even better, given the scarcity of steals these days.

Comment From Marty
Since your last chat, we learned some valuable lessons: grapefruits & antibiotics dont mix, babies in diapers should stay away from Mexican food and the Cardinals can’t field. Thoughts?

Eno Sarris: It’s just a normal crazy week in the household.

Comment From Brad
Serious and Geeky question: Taylor Jordan 21% swinging strike on his Slider, and Changeup 21%

Eno Sarris: How many pitches? Because those are great numbers.

Comment From juan pierres mustache
I was actually kinda disappointed by Founders Harvest…was good, but I didn’t think it was clearly an improvement over a traditional dry-hop. Not saying it isn’t worth the try, but don’t go in expecting anything revolutionary. I do wonder how long it spent in the bottle…seems like an enjoy by type of beer, hops might lose flavor quickly

Eno Sarris: Well it’s early in the season for it, and Founders was a top ‘solid’ brewery by our mean square error test, so I still want it.

Comment From David
Let’s say the Nationals sign either Jordan Zimmermann or Ian Desmond to a contract extension this winter. Which is it, how much do they get and are they worth it?

Eno Sarris: Sign the hitter at a premium position. Yeah, his defense at the end will suck, and without patience, his bat not play awesomely at another position, but at least he won’t be a pitcher.

Comment From Tristan
Cardinals SS = Black hole. Time to match up with the Dbacks for an offseason trade?

Eno Sarris: There are Tulo rumors, Drew rumors, and I guess now D-backs rumors. And yet, they seem fine with having a black hole there. I guess they did sign Furcal once. I say they get back in with any free agent SS and try to sign em for cheap. Unless the D-Backs like David Freese.

Comment From person hscer
Top 5 possible ballpark destinations for 2014 Fangraphs meetups? I only require you include Nats Park somewhere so that I can come.

Eno Sarris: SafeCo so I can go, I want to. PNC? Same reason. SF/SD just because they so awesome on beer. And the Trop! Cigar City baby.

Comment From JEB
Fantasy question: I’m in a 4 man keeper league, 2 spots are already taken, I only need 2 more between Yadi, Carpenter and Craig. What do?

Eno Sarris: Yadi and Carpenter. Craig is already thirty, isn’t guaranteed to hit more than 20 homers, and plays two un-premium positions.

Comment From Tom
People aren’t talking about Lester “cheating” if Kozma and Carpenter make a few plays they didn’t, right? Just making sure.

Eno Sarris: Cookie crumbled that way.

Comment From smp1354
Even as a Cardinals fan, I’m glad the umpires eventually got the call at 2nd base right in the 1st inning. However, I think they’re getting way too much credit for it. Not one umpire said a word about it until Farrell basically begged them to get together. Clearly someone saw conclusively that DeMuth got it wrong since they overturned it, but that person wasn’t going to say anything until a manager argued. That’s pathetic. #robotumpsnow

Eno Sarris: Inter-umpiring-team politics?

Comment From Doug
Do you see Bryan Price taking the Reds further in the postseason than they made it under Dusty Baker? Price got inked for the 3-year deal, and as a Reds fan I’m quite pleased with the hire.

Eno Sarris: They could have probably gotten an extra win this past year just by playing a better lineup and making some better personnel decisions. So it’s on the GM to figure some stuff out too.

Comment From my 152nd fangraphs name
Barry Bonds 92-94 or Mike Trout 2012-2014

Eno Sarris: Well, Bonds was already not a CF by then, but sames for Trout… so I’ll go Bonds, who was the best hitter I’ve ever seen with my own eyes, without a single doubt in my mind.

Comment From Guest
12 H2H 5×5 (QS and K/9 swapped), Keep 3. I already have Trout locked in, who should be the other 2? Scherzer, Strasburg, Kipnis, Prince, Carlos Gomez

Eno Sarris: I wouldn’t keep a pitcher in a keep three. Kipnis and Gomez.

Comment From Swing and a Miss Puiggy
In a dynasty league can I project enough PA out of Xander Bogaerts/Jordy Mercer in 2014 to consider moving Zobrist this offseason while he’s still SS eligible and very marketable as such? (I’m set at 2B/OF)

Eno Sarris: You can always draft a veteran to make sure, but I have a feeling Mercer takes the shortstop job for good next year. That gives you a little bit of leeway with XB.

Comment From Marty
This postseason has been a pretty blatant display of how bad base-running and poor fielding can negatively affect a team. MIGGY FOR MVP!!!!

Eno Sarris: Which is weird because I thought we were all primed for, look, the Tigers don’t care about baserunning and defense and look how good they are.

Comment From juan pierres mustache
when the studies showing the deleterious effects of sunscreen come out, MLB’s really gonna be in a jam

Comment From Guest
I don’t follow this suncreen talk, can I get some context?

Eno Sarris: Pitchers use sunscreen, sweat and resin to create a pine-tar like substance that allows them to grip the ball better.

Comment From JEB
Here you go http://beerstreetjournal.com/craft-brewers-make-world-series-bet/

Comment From Swing and a Miss Puiggy
Harpoon and Schlafly bet is cool too: the loser keeps a keg of the winner’s beer in their tasting room in November

Comment From Pale Hose
How many prospect “hits” do the Astros need to compete? It has to be beyond average prospect success rate.

Eno Sarris: Well, no, because they can sign free agents, eventually.

Comment From juan pierres mustache
Could science develop a robot with a better curveball than clayton kershaw?

Eno Sarris: Can science achieve a unified theory of complex systems? (I love you Kool Keith)

Comment From Brad
Burch Smith has such an amazing swinging strike %, what do you think of this guy?

Eno Sarris: I thought he had a crazy fastball, but our pages say he averaged 92. But! His four-seam gets 15% whiffs! That’s almost twice the average. And his change gets 24%. So that’s a pretty good combo there, and he pitches in a nice park.

Comment From Marty
$850 on a vet visit!? This is why I have a $4 beta fish that lives in a vodka bottle.

Comment From Milhouse
Shin Soo Choo. Sell high or keep it going? Obviously dependent on where he lands.

Comment From Marty
How much of your valuation of Ellsbury and Choo next year will depend on what place is his home park?

Eno Sarris: Published right after each other…

Eno Sarris: Cleveland was a pitcher’s park, but I saw some degradation of his numbers going into last season, so it’s possible that if he lands in a less friendly park, he’ll get back into that decline mode. After all, he’s the most un-cut dude in a clubhouse, and he’s post-peak. But his plate discipline will always give him value.

Comment From LarryA
Over/under 350 Major league ABs for Taveras this year?

Eno Sarris: I’d say under, because the Cards take their time with everyone. But Jay hasn’t been great at the plate or in center, so there is a chance. He has to prove he’s healthy, probably get past super-two… I’ll take the under.

Comment From Swing and a Miss Puiggy
is Iwakuma a top 30 starter for 2014? (add in QS for fun)

Eno Sarris: that matters, considering his team. He was a top-twelver this year, but there’s some worry about his injury, he got injured in Japan some. In terms of on-field production, yes.

Comment From Preston
It’s rumored that the Giants are looking to shift Posey to 3b and trade Panda. Do you think this will happen, and is it a good move?

Eno Sarris: Hector Sanchez is not really good. At D or O. But! Panda is going into his last season, and considering he makes his bones on O-contact, which ages terribly (thank you Josh Hamilton), I think it would be bad to keep him, see a great season, and then pay for that great season. And! The team has very little to trade and probably not a lot of dollars left to spend. So this is a way they could spruce up the team without losing youth in the minors. Also, they could sign AJ Pierzynski to catch and that would be hilarious.

Comment From person hscer
Is Kozma on any MLB team in 2014? 2015?

Eno Sarris: Could make a fine backup.

Comment From Brad
Taylor Jordan throwing 19% sliders (143 total), 16% Change ups (119 total) also Groundball rate of 57.5% and 5% walk rate. 13.2% k rate gotta go up right?

Eno Sarris: It’s not a ton of pitches. And sometimes pitchers choose GBs over Ks. But he did have 20% K rates in minors, and if he can get his mLB one up to 18% or so, he has the control and GBs to matter.

Comment From David
Danny Espinosa to Cardinals to play SS? Cards could pick him up for cheap, probably, his defense is great and he has offensive upside.

Eno Sarris: Well hello good idea.

Eno Sarris: I mean, Espinosa is not great, but that’s a cheap one with upside.

Comment From Gila Monster
Reading Dave’s article on teams using xFIP over FIP or ERA, doesn’t a point come when the sample size for HR/FB% is large enough and we have to admit it is a problem. Like Joe Blanton. Is Timmy approaching that point?

Comment From Gila Monster
A classic. Cheat- The Clash

Eno Sarris: You got it right so I take your question. Or I just give you propers because I would have taken this one anyway. Yes I like xFIP in smaller samples myself. And if you watch Timmy, the curve is fine, the splitter is fine, great even, and that’s why he gets Ks. But his fastball command is terrible, and I don’t see it getting better unless he changes mechanics, and probably won’t. And bad fastball command seems => homers.

Comment From Cardinals Fan
Which is more likely to make a big comeback, Nats or Blue jays?

Eno Sarris: Nats. They just needed more depth this year. Pretty sure of that, if you look at their team, the holes don’t seem like a huge deal. The Jays still looking for pitching.

Comment From wes
Thoughts on Ike Davis or LoMo being mixed league starters next year?

Eno Sarris: Probably not, but back-end util not impossible. .250/30 from Ike, .275/25 from LoMo, it seems impossible, but these things are still possible.

Comment From Mosquito Valentino
can we get a lube lude to talk about lester’s glove

Comment From Rothbard
I would have traded for my dog not getting hurt for the Redsox never winning a game.

Comment From person hscer
If Espinosa goes to the Cardinals I will be sad.

Comment From Swing and a Miss Puiggy
Aren’t the Giants possibly the least likely team to “reject ERA” in their FA analysis (well OK aside from the phillies)

Eno Sarris: No, the Giants actually have an in-house analytics team and I think they actually listen to them from time to time.

Comment From Guest
Is Jackie Bradley Jr a starter next year?

Eno Sarris: Replacing Ellsbury? I think if that happens, they try to trade JBJ with Barnes and maybe another piece for a studlier CF.

Comment From Hogwagon
does home park really matter with Ellsbury though? he’s not hitting for power again, even in Comiskey/GBA/etc. speed plays everywhere, no?

Eno Sarris: Yeah I don’t think it’ll matter much. Maybe turf would matter for legs, but people say the new turf is nice and springy.

Comment From Guest
Jose Abreu: average, OBP, SLG?

Eno Sarris: The Davenport Translation is something like .330/440/.600 which is like wow. But Brian Cartwright gave me an MLE of .275/.330/.475 which sounds fine. If you give him a Cell boost, .280/.335/.485 maybe even .500 is possible. Better than Kendrys Morales.

Comment From David
You think Tanner Roark can be a decent #5 for the Nats or was his sudden emergence this year a mirage?

Eno Sarris: he can be a real-life 5/6, but they might need to sign a four to make sure he’s not pitching 200+ innings.

Comment From Swing and a Miss Puiggy
Please rank these relievers for 2014: (league that counts saves and holds): Blake Parker, Jared Burton, Chris Withrow, Casey Fien, Matt Belisle, Manny Parra (yes this league is absurdly deep).

Eno Sarris: Parker Withrow, Belisle, Fien.

Comment From Marty
Why do you think it took this long for Koji to reach his peak?

Eno Sarris: I don’t think he’s peaking. He was absurd in Japan, he was great in Texas. And it was Texas, so he probably got burned for a homer or two more than he would in any other park. He is who he has been, and then you add in the natural variance of 60-IP samples.

Comment From Swing and a Miss Puiggy
thoughts on James Paxton for 2014? meh ERA/WHIP w/ decent K/9?

Eno Sarris: Actually, since he figured out his knee problem, his mechanics have looked better. I think he might be okay even in the WHIP department. And if he keeps up the 94, it’s only about if the changeup is there for him that separates him from being really interesting.

Comment From Preston
What kind of prospect haul does one year of Sandoval get? He isn’t that cheap, and comes with a lot of risk?

Eno Sarris: Imagine if they’d traded him after he hit three homers in a World Series game.

Eno Sarris: Take a look at the o-contact line on this component aging curve. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/hitter-aging-curves-plate-discipline/ It bottoms out like real quick.

Comment From Harry
Carlos Beltran is playing for ____ in 2014.

Eno Sarris: An American League team. The… Orioles, Indians or Yankees.

Comment From Schmiggy
What about that yummy Seymour’s Blue Chestnut Oktober Wheat Toucan GoogleMoogle

Comment From JEB
Getting a bottle of Velvet Merkin tomorrow, then I should have a box for shipping…you know…a promised beer…wet hopped APA specifically.

Comment From Hogwagon
how about a KlubeLude to talk about Kluber Love?

Eno Sarris: Done. Done. And It’s been done.

Eno Sarris: (in reverse order)

Comment From person hscer
Yeah the Nats regular lineup should, I think, have 8 at least serviceable players. if there’s a weak point, off+def…it’s probably laroche now…

Eno Sarris: Exactly. And the top three SPs are great, the back end of the bullpen is fine. I think a few targeted smaller signings could do wonders for this team.

Comment From LarryA
Bounce back for Dickey next year? His Velo was up at the end of the season, but who know if he starts slow again or not.

Eno Sarris: He told me that he thought that pitching in the WBC and sustaining an injury there led to his problems this year, for what it’s worth.

Comment From Mark
Was I disappointed by FSW’s Pilsner (PIVA) because it wasn’t hoppy enough or I just don’t like pilsners?

Eno Sarris: That’s a decently hoppy pilsner. It’s hard to get hoppier and stay in the style, sooo… Have you tried Dogfish Head’s Imperial Pilsner?

Comment From Miketron
Is Pujols really done? I hate to bet against a guy with his track record.

Eno Sarris: health is a B. If he was healthy, maybe he’d have been vintage. But as you get older, it’s less likely you’re healthy.

Comment From Hogwagon
do you ever watch movies about gladiators?

Eno Sarris: yes.

Comment From person hscer
besides Trout and, if he’s 100% back, Cabrera, does anyone really have a shot at .330/.440/.600 next year?

Eno Sarris: right.

Comment From LarryA
For theyre relative open fantasy market costs – Cueto (maybe 12-15$)or Jaime Garcia (3-5$ish) next year?

Eno Sarris: I bet Garcia is a one dollar pitcher next year. Cueto.

Comment From LarryA
Koji was always great, but it was more an issue of his teams not allowing him to go back-to-back

Eno Sarris: That too.

Comment From person hscer
Will Balentien try to come back to the US when his NPB deal is up?

Eno Sarris: He can try but I think MLB has closed the book on him mostly.

Comment From SMC
Re: Defense and baserunning and Tigers. The reason is that broadcasters associate slow, plodding sluggers with moneyball/new stats/people who don’t “understand” how the game is played. So they shoehorn pitching and defense and baserunning into their “old stat” narrative . . . even if it’s inconsistent with Trout/Miggy.

Eno Sarris: And the ideas that are at the forefront of analytics right now, like shifting to get the most of your d (Pirates) or fitting your d to your staff like the A’s (bad infield, good outfield, FB pitchers).

Comment From Guest
Does Craig play in RF in any WS game? 1B?

Eno Sarris: Might *actually* depend on how he looks today in the game.

Comment From Gila Monster
What are the White Sox doing with the Abreu signing? They have no farm system. Chris Sale is their only good player. And it is quite clearly they won’t be close to competitive become Abreu declines. Are they gambling that he is good and then trade him?

Eno Sarris: They think they’re closer to contention than other people, I guess. Or they, like Cameron, feel like every team should build every year just in case. It’s not crazy, I guess. I didn’t think the Indians were a playoff team this year.

Comment From Guest
I’ve enjoyed a few Wet Hop ales myself thus far…Terrapin So Fresh and So Green Green and The Great Divide Wet Hop. Enjoyed either one? Both amazing imo. Heading to a Founders tap takeover tonight for the Harvest ale and Breakfast Stout

Eno Sarris: Not here in California, and I’ve been sick for three weeks, so I’m itching to go.

Comment From Marty
You think Koji is the same guy? The fly ball rate has gone from 58% to 48% in three years and the K rate has gone from 32% to 38%. SSS?

Eno Sarris: I mean, maybe he’s made some adjustments, but to say a late-thirties dude is peaking ignores the facts of our bodies, IMO.

Comment From David
I think one of the most important signings for the Nats this year (outside of a #4-5 starter) is going to be quite minor. It seems like Rizzo’s idea for the outfield is: Werth, Span, Harper to start and then a platoon for if/when one of those guys goes down. Scott Hairston vs lefties and TBD against righties. Not sure who is out there.

Eno Sarris: Problem is that lefty bench bats are not so easy to find. Mets have been looking for years. Andrew Brown.

Comment From Daniel W
Buddy just gave me a bottle of Sierra Nevada Narwhal. Should I be excited because coffee/cocoa stout or skeptical because Sierra Nevada?

Eno Sarris: Sierra Nevada’s special beers are excellent and Narwhal is no different.

Comment From Guest
Garcia for $1 is a great deal. Even with the risk.

Eno Sarris: Oh I’d buy him there, I just don’t see people bidding him up much.

Comment From Mark
DFH’s Burton Baton worth the $18/4? 61 wasn’t.

Eno Sarris: See I didn’t love the 61, and I don’t love the Burton Baton. Weird tasting beers for me.

Comment From SMC
Re: .330/.440/.600. Votto could do it too, I think.

Comment From SMC
Re: .330/.440/.600: Goldschmidt could do it with some BABIP luck.

Eno Sarris: Would take some BABIP love for Goldy and a power surge from Votto. Point is, probably Abreu won’t do that.

Comment From Preston
What do you think the Sox do this off-season, re-sign Ellsbury and Napoli, or look into trades FA?

Eno Sarris: Try to re-sign those guys but if it gets too expensive, sign one free agent and make a big trade. They have some nice trade chips.

Comment From person hscer
Wouldn’t most lefties who can hit start?

Eno Sarris: Exactly.

Comment From juan pierres mustache
Narwhal is really good, but it kinda struck me as a low-rent Expedition Stout. Not that you shouldn’t drink both, of course

Comment From Swing and a Miss Puiggy
oh, it was the DFH 75 that you really liked right?

Eno Sarris: Yeah. 75 is my goldilocks DFH IPA.

Comment From Mike
alex wood a keeper in NL only?

Eno Sarris: Yes! He’ll break at some point, but not right away. And they might trade a pitcher this offseason.

Comment From Marty
I just saw Shelby Miller on a Milk Carton. What’s the deal there?

Eno Sarris: I mean I guess there were more IP this year… Maybe he just needed a rest. They must have seen something (sudden velo loss?).

Comment From Swing and a Miss Puiggy
.330/.440/.600 David Ortiz basically did this in 2012

Comment From Mike
Do you play in AL/NL only leagues? Nothing is worse than the offseason to see your top prospects get shipped off to the other league.

Eno Sarris: Some leagues I’ve played in allow a number of exceptions, although that, too, messes with the player pool.

Comment From Swing and a Miss Puiggy
Corey Hart back to some semblance of prior form in 2014?

Eno Sarris: I always thought his body type and swing-and-miss game would age poorly, but not *this* poorly. Yeah I think he can boucne back a bit.

Comment From David
You think Nats-legend David DeJesus would return? I could see them paying him a little bit extra in exchange for him accepting a bench role.

Eno Sarris: Really good idea.

Comment From Sweet Brown
Hey Eno, why don’t you Joe Buck yourself?

Comment From Tristan
Isn’t Wainright over 270 innings now? Maybe he needs some rest too.

Comment From Tristan
Uhhh http://gawker.com/texas-mom-ripped-off-sons-scrotum-and-then-superglued-1451459077

Eno Sarris: Mind-boggling interlude.

Comment From person hscer
sometimes, the URL is enough re gawker thing

Eno Sarris: yeah not clicking

Comment From Swing and a Miss Puiggy
re: Corey Hart’s body type and aging….give me nightmares of Richie Sexson….

Eno Sarris: Exactly.

Comment From Matt
Local brewery releasing coffee milk(only a thing in RI) stout. Should be interesting….

Eno Sarris: Great idea. They do go in different directions, taste-wise, but it might be glorious. I had a Vietnamese Coffee Speedway Stout at AleSmith in SD and it was maybe a top-three beer experience for me.

Comment From Freest Rolexes
Do people look down on Sierra Nevada? Sure, they’re not making barrel aged sours and double IPAs in the hinterlands of Vermont, but they make great beer. I can pick up a Sierra Nevada pale ale and basically not care about when it was produced because it is always good. I cannot think of any other craft brewer with that level of quality control.

Eno Sarris: And hey, they do make Brux, Terra Icognito, Narwhal, and some of the country’s best Barleywines.

Comment From Guest
Tigers fit their staff to their D though. All Ks.

Eno Sarris: hah. not bad. I actually think the Miggy injury was their biggest problem, maybe they could have bought a reliever even if relievers aren’t great values.

Comment From Marty
I thought I hated all IPAs because I disliked Sierra Nevada so much. Turns out, I just hate SN IPA.

Eno Sarris: Hey that was my college beer you’re talking about.

Comment From Prince Fielder
I’m stout, with all connotations or denotations that implies.

Eno Sarris: Prince Fielder Stout.

Comment From Beau
Summit brewery is the same way in Minnesota…consistenly great beer but not as “cool” as some of the other newer micros whose beer is not nearly as good.

Comment From Jon
Thoughts on Kris Bryant’s future. He finished the season strong and is crushing the AFL. Star in the making for the Cubs? Will he stick at 3B and be a fantasy monster?

Eno Sarris: There are some K% issues there. They’ll leave him at 3b as long as they can, but K%s over 20 in the minors can be an issue in the majors.

Comment From Eno Montoya
Ackley had a decent 2nd half, think he’s coming around?

Eno Sarris: Shared for the handle. Ackley. Huh. If the power comes back to where it could, I think he could .260/.330/.400 which is probably a 15/10 season at best. meh.

Comment From 2ndHS
Any thoughts on type of prospect Brewers could get for Aoki?

Eno Sarris: Unsure. Itoi is out there, a team could just buy him instead and keep their prospects.

Comment From Rothbard
It’s all about the session brews now. Founders All Day Session IPA is one of my new favorites. 4.5% with all the great taste. Can drink them all day.

Eno Sarris: hence the name!

Comment From Mark
Thinking of starting home brewing. I will likely be the only one drinking. Is it worth making batches any larger than 1gal?

Eno Sarris: No. Plus if you 1Gallon it, you don’t have to buy all that propane/outdoor stuff and make more space.

Comment From Hogwagon
the bowling alley by my house has DFH 90. #gloooooooooooooooooory

Eno Sarris: Lucky/drunk man.

Comment From Rothbard
21st Amendment makes a fantastic session bitter too. American Bitter that is around 4.5% too and tastes great.

Eno Sarris: In my fridge right now.

Comment From Swing and a Miss Puiggy
Have you had Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Stout? Better than the ale IMO and makes more sense w/ the style.

Eno Sarris: Crap. I had one of them when we were in Nashville for the winter meetings, but can’t remember which. Probably not the stout, since it was for lunch.

Comment From person hscer
is there a nonalcoholic beer called the 18th amendment?

Eno Sarris: I’d buy it just to take it home and boo it.

Comment From Beau
1 gallon = 128 ounces. Even the equipment required for a 1 gallon batch of homebrew is worth just doing 5 gallons. Its essentially the same stuff. Granted I have a large electrical brewery in my basement and have 6 beers on tap right now, but it really isn

Eno Sarris: Yes but then he’ll be drinking the same beer for months.

Comment From Mike
What will Tyler Skaggs do this year? Is he busted or yet or am I overreacting to Fernandez/Miller/Harvey starts to their careers?

Eno Sarris: I think he’s busted. I never liked him. 90 mph fastball, has to throw high in the zone so that hitters don’t spot his curveball right away, means homers in AZ.

Comment From Freest Rolexes
If you don’t brew hop-forward beer and bottle the homebrew, it will last as long as you want it to. Brew 5 gallons of stout and drink it over a few years.

Eno Sarris: Or have more fun brewing small batches of different beers without building up a reservoir of undrunk bottle downstairs which risk exploding.

Comment From SMC
Tyler Skaggs = Ted Lilly

Eno Sarris: “Best case scenario”

Comment From Mark
Space is always an issue. Don’t have room to shelf stuff for years.

Comment From Schmiggy
Duda, Flores, Tejada for Everth & Maybin?

Eno Sarris: I think they might have to spice that one up on the Mets side, even with the buying low.

Comment From Frank
Silly question but do you believe in closers mentality?

Eno Sarris: No. And other than the reams of evidence that you can take a good reliever and make it him a closer, I posit this idea; pitching on the mound in the major leagues is super stressful. Whether you’re talking the seventh or ninth is then just a small degree more stressful.

Comment From Schmiggy
throw Familia or Tapia in?

Eno Sarris: I mean, sure. I think there’s little risk in that from the Mets side, and maybe Flores would be attractive to the Padres. Problem is, if they scout him, they can see he can only play first, which is a huge problem.

Comment From Steve
Did you watch Triumph at the Craft Beer Festival? Good stuff

Eno Sarris: Yeah and oh man watch out when he goes to the fantasy baseball conference.

Comment From Frank
OK thanks. Was wondering if you’d be on board with the Mets acquiring a good setup man and using him as closer instead of signing a “proven closer” and overpaying (ie Rodney or Hanrahan). Maybe Peralta? Anyone else you would target?

Eno Sarris: With Black and Parnell, I’m not sure they really need a ‘closer.’ I think it might be interesting to buy a reclamation project like Joba. Maybe Michael Bowden? And invite a bunch of guys. Someone always finds it for a year. The bullpen is not the priority imo.

Comment From juan pierres mustache
I think Eno’s experience with too-bubbly bottles has led him to support small batches mainly to avoid all that unexploded ordnance lying around

Comment From Schmiggy
Lilly had a darn solid career

Eno Sarris: Yeah but he was throwing harder than 89/90 when he broke in. Plus he had elite control.

Comment From Schmiggy
Huh? Flores looked fine as 3B. I think you’re off there. Thing is that they may give Forsythe 3B. I think the Pads would def like to upgrade at 1B tho and Duda could fit there.

Eno Sarris: So you’re assuming that they trade Headley? And that Duda is an upgrade over Alonso? I don’t know about those assumptions. If those things happen, then maybe. Obviously, I’m on board with trading Flores and one of the first basemen, yes.

Comment From Razor
What round would you be targeting Jose Abreu? I feel like he’s going to go way early… but maybe he’d be ok for 6-7th round?

Eno Sarris: Where you would pick Kendrys Morales with 30-homer upside?

Comment From Steve
“Familia or Tapia” sounds like Tilapia. I wish there was a player named Tilapia, he’d be great on a team with Mike Trout, Mike Carp, Robert Fish, and Tim Salmon

Comment From person hscer
Brett Fav no wait sorry

Comment From thomas
Is this offseason the time to move HanRam in a dynasty league? Even without another option?

Eno Sarris: Would be better if Hanley hadn’t just hurt himself again. I might try to draft a flier shortstop or two and then trade Hanley after a good start next year…

Comment From Schmiggy
yeah don’t they pretty much have to trade Headley? 1 yr from FA unless they extend him. They are at least a yr from contending so he almost certainly will get dealt I have to think…

Eno Sarris: Given his up and down numbers, they might be able to extend him for a decent price. And they didn’t trade him last offseason, when they really could have gotten something for him, so if they can’t get a good offer, they might play the QO/extension game with him.

Comment From Paccus
speaking of tulo rumors, who hangs up first: martinez/adams for tulo?

Eno Sarris: Colorado.

Comment From Jake
Who is more overvalued in drafts next year: Wacha or Carpenter?

Eno Sarris: Wacha might go in the top 12 pitchers, even if Carp… well, someone said they saw him go 16th overall, so I guess Carp.

Comment From Skeete Kozma
In light of last night’s events, should Waino have tired to throw harder? He has maybe 1 more start and the Sox can’t handle the gas?

Eno Sarris: Pretty sure he was trying as hard as he could!

Comment From Lars SlanderSon
Looking at the article about Sox struggling against velocity. Should teams look at a player like Donnie Murphy as a 25th man/velocity specialist? Dude eats velocity like chicken (or turkey)

Eno Sarris: Seems a pretty specific use of one roster spot. But! Since he can play a position or two, and you always need a bench bat, it might be something they could consider if they consider their old-ish lineup a risk against gas.

Comment From Doug
I remember all the cuban defectors who did well…have their been any busts similar to some of the Japanese stars who came over?

Eno Sarris: There are guys in the minors that you haven’t heard of, and there are guys in the minors now that could bust. Yuniesky Betancourt…

Comment From Ian
Slow down Eno! I’ve been trying to catch up for half an hour.

Comment From Ian
How do I ask questions if you keep responding so quickly I can’t catch up?

Eno Sarris: Ooh boy, but then when you got here, those were the questions you asked? I’ll wait. You think of something.

Comment From Guest
Which of the Cubs stud prospects make it to the majors next year, if any?

Eno Sarris: I don’t think they’ll be in a hurry. Did any of them even make Double-A yet?

Comment From Marty
Bronchitis meds = Performance Enhancing Drugs?

Eno Sarris: Still coughing a bit. This is upsetting.

Comment From David
All this talk of moving Zimmerman to 1B and Anthony Rendon to 3B. Am I the only one who thinks Rendon might actually be a better fit and more valuable at 2B? He played it respectably well (for a guy who learned it at the major leagues) and his offense plays more there, no?

Eno Sarris: Well, unless you bring back Espinosa or have a better opinion of Lombardozzi, who plays second then? Cano? Ellis? Brian Roberts?

Comment From Kris
Did Jarrod Saltalamacchia steal your hairstyle, or vice vera? Thanks.

Eno Sarris: Hey, look, man. I was first. Like, I was born first. When you have curly hair you either have to go real short (think boxtop fade, which was me in middle school), middle (malcom gladwell) or long (kenny g). I’ve been kenny G’ing it since high shool.

Comment From Eric
Honestly Eno’s hair is closer to Brandon Crawford’s…

Eno Sarris: when we get greasy. Before he cut his hair, there was a comp in Cleveland in Asdrubal Cabrera.

Comment From Marty
Breaking: Eno Sarris compares self to Kenny G….

Eno Sarris: Oh man you shoulda seen me dress as him with my fake alto sax. I had an entire subway car stomping their feet. KENNY G KENNY G KENNY G

Eno Sarris: Guy pissed himself at the urinal when he saw me next to him.

Comment From Marty
How much change did you get?

Eno Sarris: Dammit should have asked.

Comment From Marty
Gotta pass the hat around, bro

Comment From David
I mean, my point is that I think Rendon is a better fit at 2B than at 3B, regardless of how everything else shakes out. He’s a pretty small guy too. He just doesn’t look like a 3B to me and I’m not sure how much his power plays there. And I think moving him to 3B would weaken you at 2 spots (Zimmerman’s bat is less valuable at 1B and Rendon’s less valuable at 3B).

Eno Sarris: I dunno. 2b and 3b, the difference is mostly arm on defense. And there are plenty of d-first three-Bs with iffy power these days. I think it’s about best use of personnel, and since

Comment From juan pierres mustache
zimmerman isn’t worth more at 3B if he can’t throw it to first

Eno Sarris: and

Comment From person hscer
I’ve had more Lombardozzi than I can take. He’s basically Kozma. I could give Espi one more shot. Otherwise…

Eno Sarris: it makes sense.

Comment From Razor
what’s your Halloween costume this year?

Eno Sarris: I’m screwed. I’ll probably Pick my fro out and wear some 70s stuff and go as disco stu’s busted cousin or something.

Comment From Guest
Could Brian Roberts be a good value for a team next year? This is assuming he’s healthy which who even knows.

Eno Sarris: Maybe for a team with a prospect ready to go at the position, on a super cheap contract… a team like the Orioles?

Comment From Jake
Best St. Louis brewery? I’ve been to Schalfly Bottleworks a few times, but I’d like to expand around the city when I’m there for Thanksgiving

Eno Sarris: Looks like you should go to Perennial or Urban Chestnut: http://beergraphs.com/leaderboards/?cc=US&city=St+Louis&state=MO

Comment From David
I don’t mind Lombardozzi as a guy off the bench. He’ll never do anything very well, but you can move him around and he’s a pretty good pinch hitter. As far as Zimmerman’s throwing, that’s the wildcard. He looked much, MUCH better throwing at the end of the season. He even had a natural-ish motion.But need to see it sustained.

Eno Sarris: He’s done some funky stuff throwing.

Comment From Frank
Any chance Dioner Navarro starts for a team next year? Or do you not buy into him?

Eno Sarris: Not buying it really. Power needs big samples and his was small.

Comment From David
I like Navarro as a backup for Ramos in Washington.

Eno Sarris: yeah backup job somewhere.

Comment From Guest
can you please help me choose what TWO movies to see this weekend – 12 Years a Slave, Captain Phillips, The Counselor?

Eno Sarris: With the baby, I’ve seen like two movies in theaters in the past year-and-a-half. I’d see the first two.

Comment From person hscer
so i have to prepare for this guy coming in 1/2 who’s probably going to have my job soon or what’s left of it. so yeah

Eno Sarris: yeesh and I got stuff to do! Like get ready to head into the city — if you’re in SF, I’ll be watching Game Two at the Public House this evening.

Eno Sarris: Thanks guys!

Comment From Guest
bye eno!