Eno Sarris Baseball Chat — 11/12/15

Eno Sarris: Be here shortly.

As far as covers go, this is pretty legendary.

Eno Sarris:

Comment From Art Vandelay
Morning Eno

Eno Sarris: GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING EVERYBODY / chris russo voice

Comment From TheDude
I thought this was a baseball chat

Eno Sarris: Is this your first time?

Comment From Andrew
Simmons for Harvey is an interesting thought. Harvey is obviously worth more than just Simmons, but if you were the Mets FO, would you keep talking?

Eno Sarris: I know some people think that this Mets front office values defense as highly as others, but I’m pretty sure that their decisions with regard to misters Cespedes, Flores, and Murphy reflect that they aren’t the kind of team that will trade one of their aces for a guy whose best tool is defense, and whose best tool is post-peak. I agree that now is a decent time to trade Simmons, though.

Comment From The Dude
So I know Dave is like your boss and everything, but would a trade centering around Simmons/Puig have a win-win potential? I feel like someone deeply regrets it. But I’m not sure who.

Eno Sarris: I think, if Simmons doesn’t progress with the bat at all, and the defense becomes ‘above-average’ rather than all world, it could easily be the team giving up on a 30-20 type middle of the order bat that feels badly about it later.

Comment From Adam
Hi Eno! What did you think of the Hicks – Murphy trade? Yanks fan here, and I loved it for NY.

Eno Sarris: Yah JR is a backup, Hicks could be a starter. Sanchez looks ready, and a backup C is an easy thing for a team like the Yankees to find. Hicks finally got aggressive on pitches in the zone and combined it with a good sense of what’s outside the zone, and it’s no surprise he was finally good.

Comment From Adam
Eno, how much money would you have to be paid, in cash, for you to agree to completely give up everything about baseball including watching, writing about, playing fantasy, etc. In other words, to completely eliminate baseball from your life.

Eno Sarris: Well, I do love beer, basketball, and music, and would hope that I could get a career going there if I was set up for a while. $5 million might do it. I do live in Palo Alto. You offering?

Comment From Terrible Ted
Do you ever ponder what your kid will say when he looks back at these archived chats?

Eno Sarris: Yes and… well… I’ll apologize then.

Comment From Bork
So KK can see the catchers signs from center field? Like…WHAT?

Eno Sarris: I wish I’d pushed him more on that, but he is amazing. I bet he can see one finger vs many, and if he pats which thigh. That’s less impossible.

Comment From L. Scott
Will the DH in the NL be discussed at the CBA meeting? Who would be against it and why?

Eno Sarris: Hmmm. Team owners in the NL? It’s another starting job that they’ll have to pay money to fill. Players should like it, especially if it comes with an extra roster slot.

Comment From Ben
Jerry DiPoto recently said: “We’ve defined a nine-point criteria of what we believe a quality at-bat consists of. If you do those things, you can play here.” Somebody at FG should speculate wildly about what those 9-points are.

Eno Sarris: Love it.
O-Swing%
Z-Swing%
HR/FB%
swSTR%
exit velocity
vertical exit angle
horizontal exit angle

seven…

Comment From Bork
I feel like the major difference between Kiermaier and Pillar is their view on being aggressive. The quote from KK about becoming less aggressive and diving less is exactly the opposite of Pillar. Pillar made a lot of great diving catches, but if you watch Jays game regularly there are a lot of diving catches he flat out missed and resulted in extra bases.

Eno Sarris: That was a mature thing that KK said, I thought.

Comment From Optimetstic
Any chance Daniel Murphy accepts the QO and tries to build on his 14HR to get a better contract next offseason?

Eno Sarris: I bet no. Postseason runs are like great NCAA tourneys: someone usually rewards the player above and beyond what a good short run is worth. Just because of the lights. THE LIGHTS

Comment From marc
thoughts on Dogfish Head PA Tuxedo? and is the 75 min as good as its hyped up to be?

Eno Sarris: Have not had the Tuxedo. The 75 minute is the Goldilocks DFH for me. Perfect, right in the middle of the 60 and the 90.

Comment From ImperialStout
So… Do I trade Russell or Lindor this winter? The other is kept. Or, shucks… keep both?

Eno Sarris: To me, Lindor’s bat was above his head, and Russell’s was only getting going. You’ll get more for Lindor. I’d explore Lindor, as dirty as that sounds.

Comment From Bobby Blownilla
I asked last week about potential pitchers who could make the jump to elite and you had Chase Anderson behind ERod and Eovaldi. Though I’ve seen Anderson now being mentioned in a couple of those “best pitches in that category” type articles. Change and maybe curve? So why is he behind those guys? thanks!

Eno Sarris: Rodriguez and Eovaldi have much more velocity, it’s as simple as that. Anderson has a great change, but there’s only so far you can go with one great pitch and so-so velocity. Think of Dan Haren.

Comment From Terrible Ted
Baby call for a #2 and I’ll show you the curve. Don’t expect a long ball, this ones going in the dirt.

Comment From Farva
Are you? Ready to rumble?

Comment From The Dude
Farnsworth’s Arizona prospect list was really fantastic. Not a question. Just really impressed and excited.

Comment From The Dude
SOMEONE HAS STOLEN MY NAME!!!!!!

Eno Sarris: Feeling pretty good about today’s ludes.

Comment From E
Simmons for Harvey or Degrom seems like a high-ball request for simmons. Can you see these teams working out a fair trade for simmons? What would it take- Wheeler + herrera/plawecki? maybe add another lower level prospect?

Eno Sarris: Yeah if we learned anything from the Houston Astros leak, it’s that these guys function the same way the nutso guy in your fantasy team works.

“I WANT YOUR BEST FOR MY WORST!”

“ok I’ll take your second best for my second worst, thanks for doing business on my terms”

Comment From mtsw
Orioles are reportedly interested in signing Jarrod Saltalamachia. Does anyone actually think he’s an upgrade over Caleb Joseph? Is this one of Dan Duquette’s moves designed to torture O’s fans?

Eno Sarris: Do they need someone to pair with Joseph? Because otherwise super meh.

Comment From groucho
Do you see a bourjos or jon jay trade to Seattle? And if so, what kind of return do you think they’d fetch?

Eno Sarris: DiPoto said something about defense recently, so if it’s one, it’s Bourjos, but not for a huge return.

Eno Sarris:

Eno Sarris: I guess it’s a little early for that.

Comment From The Dude
Is it fair to say that the Yankees are better at developing back up catchers than any other team in baseball?

Eno Sarris: Hey! Cervelli is a decent starter!

Comment From Matt
Simmons for Quintana? Who hangs up first? Would fill a need for the White Sox, as we know they were abysmal defensively last season and are in need of a shortstop

Eno Sarris: They ain’t taking Quintana if they asking for Harvey.

Comment From Sean+P
How much better of a defensive right fielder is Heyward than a defensive center fielder? I’m curious how the metrics would increase/decrease his WAR value were he to spend a full season as a team’s regular center fielder.

Eno Sarris: The defensive adjustments:

Left Field: -7.5 runs
Center Field: +2.5 runs

That suggests that a +18 RF like Heyward would be a +8 CF. Of course, it doesn’t work out that way. I think Heyward could maybe be a scratch center fielder. He will get bigger and older at some point. Well, by definition, he is already.

Comment From Gary
Eno, my good man! Have Brinson and Frazier been tearing up the AFL, like a fat man going to town on a plate of ribs? What about Jurickson? Any chance he can become a semblance of what everyone hoped? He’s still just a small baby at 21, but where will Texas play him? Is glove good enough for short?

Eno Sarris: Brinson left early. Frazier has been doing okay, but also striking out too much. Profar has looked good but not like the best player on the field. Also he’s not playing defense right now so I don’t know!

Comment From Jeff
Eno,

Eno Sarris: Jeff,

Comment From Stalker
Trea Turner and Addison Russell are both available in my dynasty league. Which player do you think projects to be a better shortstop?

Eno Sarris: Defense, Russell. Fantasy offense, though, might be Turner. He might steal a ton of bases.

Comment From Bobby Blownilla
As a sell high candidate Kole Calhoun? I’m going to be hitting my roster limit anyway and need to clear space. Do you feel like he’s peaked?

Eno Sarris: He’s 28 and was old for his levels, yeah, he’s peaked.

Comment From RotoLando
If you were a Transformer, what would your alternate form be? Assuming you still have your regular life, and aren’t saving the world, or subjugating a population.

Eno Sarris: Well I hope I wouldn’t be my Honda Fit. I’d rather be a shaggin’ wagon with a kegerator in the back.

Comment From Julio Pepper
Not a beer fan at all, but had the Rodenbach Grand Cru recently and flipped over it. Any other suggestions in that vein?

Eno Sarris: You like sours! Goose Island Halia is the expensive one you can find. The New Belgium Lips of Faith beers. Almanac. Don’t know where you live, but Wicked Weed has some good ones in Carolina, and Jester King (Atrial Rubicite) is great in Texas. Russian River.

Comment From mtsw
Should teams re-evaluate the “green light” system for 3-0 counts? From a purely game theory perspective doesn’t it make sense to have every player swing on a certain percentage of 3-0 counts rather than making it a binary choice?

Eno Sarris: Good idea!

Comment From Art Vandelay
8. average spit distance

Comment From Art Vandelay
9. Grit

Eno Sarris: That’s the old regime, maybe.

Comment From Will
On most recent pod, you mentioned you were a little more in on Clint Frazier… Could you elaborate what that might mean in terms of the player he could become? E.g. 260 avg, 340obp, 25hr, 15sb?

Eno Sarris: Yeah I did say that, and then he went into the All-Star game and looked terrible! The interview was good, the game before the ASG was good, and then he swung at and missed like five breaking balls in the ASG. I dunno. I guess I’ll push up the bust rate to maybe 40% and give him that kind of upside. Before I thought he’d wash out with a 40% K rate, but I’ve seen and heard enough to think he has a good chance.

Comment From JR
Is there any hope for Jon Singleton in 2016?

Eno Sarris: Speaking of washing out with a 40% K rate

Comment From StevO
As far as trade value goes, is JBJ similar to Hicks or is he way more?

Eno Sarris: Better defense is important here. So a little more value, probably.

Comment From E
Conforto long run?

Eno Sarris: I think he could take a step back, and then you’ll eventually see a full season where he does what he just did for 650 PA. That would be a 5-6 win season, which would be awesome.

Comment From RotoLando
What is the best grip for throwing a donut?

Eno Sarris: Frisbee backhand

Comment From Bork
I just spilled my coffee onto my lunch sandwich. This is a sad day.

Eno Sarris: OH NOES

Comment From Pete
Happy birthday Sammy Sosa!!!

Eno Sarris: And the strange, strange looking person you have become!

Comment From Todd
How likely do we think it is that Hicks is actually an everyday player? He’s only had one good month in his entire career and even then he was below average against righties.

Eno Sarris: Right now, they’re banking on him being better than Chris Young, so they don’t need him to be a starter. But I still see the pieces there.

Comment From mtsw
KK interview got me thinking: Oftentimes it’s remarked that MLB players have excellent eyesight compared to the general population, but frustratingly, players who have had LASIK tend to not improve in any meaningful way at the plate. Is it possible the selection mechanism that leads to good eyesight’s prevalence in MLB has more to do with fielding than hitting?

Eno Sarris: I was thinking about this too, with regard to Dan Uggla. I bet it’s not just eyesight in what you can see. It has to be a whole section of the brain. What happens when you see certain things and how well can you translate it into action. People sometimes call it hand-eye coordination.

Comment From Bork
Duquette’s move to torture fans is not blowing the team up before it’s too late.

Comment From Adam
What is a Saltalamachia?

Comment From The Dude
Am I legally allowed to punch someone who says, “Chris Sale is a number 2 starter at best. Look at that 3.41 ERA.” If that isn’t legal, should we petition Congress to change that?

Eno Sarris: luded

Comment From Timmy
A pitcher who can paint the corners is called a Rembrandt. So what pitcher is a Picasso?

Eno Sarris: Like a Tim Lincecum? Throws hot fire, doesn’t know where? Maybe he’s a Jackson Pollock.

OH! R.A. Dickey. Sees the canvas in a totally different way.

Comment From mtsw
Any thoughts on whether Darren O’Day’s approach as a low-velo sidearmer makes him more consistent or durable than a typical elite reliever?

Eno Sarris: He actually told me that he’s ruining his hip labrum, and it’s just like his throwing shoulder labrum. That repetitive motion of driving his hip into the ground and coming over the top is bad for his hip. He’ll need a new hip when he’s done. Still, you’d think he could still hump it up there at his velocities for a while if his shoulder is working.

Comment From JR
What do you expect from Ryu and Buchholz next season?

Eno Sarris: Not much from Ryu. Buchholz, at least it was his elbow. always take the hurt elbow over the hurt shoulder.

Comment From Pete
Where are you on F. Freeman going forward. Is this about what he is (i.e. 20ish HR’s, 80-90 RBI, .280) OR is he going to bust out and become an MVP-caliber 1B? In other words, how much upside does he have left?

Eno Sarris: I’ve always said that this is him. If he has one peak year and hits 30, that’ll be the only time.

Comment From Bobby Blownilla
Overall thoughts on Inciarte? Is he a good fit for the Mets?

Eno Sarris: As a lefty who can play center and platoon with Lagares, he’s a good guy to have on the radar. I’d still like them to add more bat than that somewhere else.

Comment From Ben
Mariners are interested in JBJ. Alex Jackson or DJ Peterson make sense there? I think DiPoto wouldn’t mind shipping off Jack Z’s RH power hitters that barely play defense.

Eno Sarris: Supposedly Alex Jackson got fat, too. Something smells like too much leaving the Angels, but those two prospects really lost their shine.

Comment From Miggy Azalea
What do the Yanks do with Bird? He’s clearly the fix if A-Rod or Tex go down, but if they’re healthy? Does Bird become a bench player or stay in AAA? Trade?

Eno Sarris: Start in Triple-A and wait for a big injury to one of the old guys.

Comment From Lyle
Will Wheeler be better than any of the mets ‘core 4’?

Eno Sarris: No

Comment From Eastern NC
Addison seems to have gap power…..

Eno Sarris: And the plate discipline is improving. May be a better real-life shortstop than a fantasy one.

Comment From Kevin
Dylan Bundy shut down in AFL with forearm stiffness. Looking forward to him being a dead roster spot next season on the 25 man…

Eno Sarris: 60-day DL might be an ideal place to hide him actually?

Eno Sarris: Basically treat him like your own Rule 5 guy lol.

Comment From Miketron
I really need an intern to do my work for me so I devote more time to these Eno chats…

Eno Sarris: “Read these ludes out lout to me while I compose this email” is a decent way to leave a job, probably.

Comment From groucho
who replaces lance lynn in the cardinals rotation?

Eno Sarris: It’ll take a couple since Jaime Garcia is one. Marco Gonzales and a free agent?

Comment From bleepbloop
the “party” mobile from Kill bill

Eno Sarris: Not bad.

Comment From lunch
what the balls trading simmons? being a braves fan has turned into series of considerable bummers with the promise that things will be better in the suburbs. like if your parents started giving away all your toys when you were a kid, and they were just like “dont worry – we’re only doing this so you’ll have more fun when we get divorced.”

Comment From Eastern NC
Would you rather be a Jedi, a Wizard, or Groot?

Eno Sarris: Easy. Jedi. Get a light saber and can do the mind trick.

Eno Sarris:

Comment From Miketron
Who sees more time in the majors in 2016 Mazara or Kepler?

Eno Sarris: Kepler

Comment From The Dude
When does BratGraphs start?

Eno Sarris: After TravelGraphs now that Collette is on the case.

Comment From Pirates Hurdles
How in the world do you drive a honda fit with those kids and all their crap?

Eno Sarris: It got tight quick. It’s my bachelor mobile, we have a bigger one for family outings. It gets me to daycare, and to the ballpark, and to the city, and it’s currently full of so much crap and it stinks because of it.

Comment From Eastern NC
Tried the adult root beer yet?

Eno Sarris: Have had theirs and Mission’s and Your Father’s is probably a little better than Mission’s. Both are fine. I prefer beer if I’m drinking alcohol.

Comment From mtsw
Is there anything besides a couple specific park quirks (Green Monster) that would make someone noticeably better as a RF than LF?

Eno Sarris: Arm! You have to get it to second base from RF, but they want you to be able to throw home from LF.

Comment From Bork
We’re inching closing to the QO system doing exactly what it’s supposed to. Do you think it’ll be scrapped before they even see the results over a few years?

Eno Sarris: Let’s see if someone takes it this year!

Comment From Numbnuts
Whats a Cubs-Red Sox Jackie Bradley Jr deal look like? I honestly cant find a matchup. I cant see the Cubs giving up any their young core, and I cant see the Sox wanting anything but just that.

Eno Sarris: You consider Almora core? Red Sox could take a step back to gain more upside if they like him.

Comment From j6takish
Joe crede wishes he had jon singletons agent

Comment From The Dude
How many roads must a man walk down, before you call him a man?

Comment From Drew
Troy Glaus once said his hitting improved drastically after Lasik. He also said that he hit better after getting a good hair cut so maybe not the guy to ask

Eno Sarris: There is some risk in asking players about this stuff lol.

Comment From Wallykazam
How long will it take the Phillies to become relevant again? After all, they have only now embraced some of the metrics that have long been apart of other MLB teams.

Eno Sarris: I like their young infield. If they can find the right bat or two to add and then find some pitching, they could turn it around quickly. They probably should try to, since Crawford and Franco might be opening a window.

Comment From Derek
This girl I’m dating refuses to drink porters and stouts. What would you recommend that could possibly change her mind? Also, is Odubbel Herrera a top of the order guy or more 7 hole hitter when the Phillies make the playoffs again?

Eno Sarris: I doubt it’s a dark sour that will change her mind, but have you tried milk stouts? The sweetness changes things for some people.

Comment From Wallykazam
If Greinke signs anywhere but with the Dodgers or M’s, would you be wary of keeping him as a 5th rounder next season?

Eno Sarris: Giants are a big rumor, and if he stays in NL, seems like a fine value still.

Comment From Phil
Assuming the O’s cannot extend Machado and they have an epiphany that trading him might be in their best interest… is a Quintana/Tim Anderson/mid-tier prospect trade with CHI a reasonable expectation? There are only three years of control for Manny, so for me it is difficult to judge how much his susperstar status can leverage.

Eno Sarris: More than that.

Comment From Drew
How do I go about getting into a good long term keeper league without being the guy who has a depleted roster?

Eno Sarris: Start one!

Comment From marc
If Melancon stays in Pittsburgh and has another solid year, does he get a QO? does he think about accepting itif he does?

Eno Sarris: They shopping him and I would shop him too. Bottom-five velocity and strikeout rate for a closer.

Comment From Bork
I kind of hope O’Day signs with the Jays and then they write a sitcom involving him and Bautista and how he angers Bautista before every bat so that angry Bautista hits dingers everytime and breaks all the records

Eno Sarris: O’Day is a secret favorite of mine. I had so much fun talking to that O’s bullpen. They were truly special.

Comment From Drew
Any thoughts on whether Alex Reye’s approach as a high-velo overhander makes him more likely to smoke pot?

Eno Sarris: I struggle to even see the dots we are supposed to connect here.

Comment From Robbie Ray
Am I a top 20 SP next year? Admit, you secretly love my upside!

Eno Sarris: No. No.

Comment From Hermano
Thoughts on Dalton Pompey? keeper for the Jays or tradebait for a starter this offseason?

Eno Sarris: Him or Fields seem like they are tradeable or going to be traded. They are being aggressive with Fields and that suggests showcasing or replacing Pompey.

Comment From kevinthecomic
Re: MLB players eyesight: A couple of years ago I took the 25 cent tour of the Louisville bat factory. The guide told us that Ken Griffey Jr. asked them to develop a paint that was the exact color of a wooden bat. The reason? While KGJr like the color of his bat (natural wood), he said that the grain in the wood bothered him as he swung. At first, I was like, pffttttt. But then I figured if your eyesight is good enough to hit MLB pitching at a high success rate, then it is not unlikely that your eyesight is good enough to be bothered by wood grain.

Eno Sarris: Amazing.

Comment From Preston
Do you think the Twins got enough for Hicks? Lot’s of teams could use a CF, seems like they could have gotten a little more.

Eno Sarris: They probably like JR as a starter.

Comment From The Dude
Do the Rockies have a long term plan, or are they just getting pitching and crossing their fingers?

Eno Sarris: Well you could call that a plan, if you were generous.

Comment From Derek
So I’ve been pondering that the Phils should trade Ken Giles to get something while they can. But the more I think about it, I’m thinking they should keep him until he gets expensive. If they’re contending by then and he’s still good, great. If he’s bad, the return on a RP wouldn’t have been a difference between a playoff contender or not. Agree?

Eno Sarris: Yeah, I mean, let’s see what Chapman gets. I bet it’s underwhelming. And if Chapman’s return is underwhelming, what’s Giles going to get.

Comment From Derek
Can you post what the video’s are? Work filters…..

Eno Sarris: So far, Estimated Prophet by Burning Spear. Deer Tick – Let’s All Go To the Bar. Otis Redding – Day Tripper. And Love Will Tear us Apart by Joy Division.

Eno Sarris:

Comment From Bob
What do the Rockies do at 1B next year?

Eno Sarris: Ben Paulsen I guess. Shrugs.

Comment From EnoFan
Hi! Could you rank (for #1 starter ceiling) the following: McCullers, ERod, Severino, Iglesias, Berrios and Matz? Thx!

Eno Sarris: McCullers Severino… Iglesias … ERod Matz Berrios

Comment From BaseBiz
With the ever-expanding bullpens around baseball, could you see ML rosters expanding to 26 with the new CBA? It would be an owner concession, but I can see the point here. You?

Eno Sarris: I think it’ll be tied to the universal DH, but yeah that seems like it’s coming.

Comment From The Dude
How crazy is it that the Cardinals are looking at the FA market for starting pitching? I thought Babe Ruth would come back from the dead and win the HR Derby before that would happen.

Eno Sarris: Could still be a Cardinals move, like signing Leake and fixing his HR problem, or scrap-heaping Dillon Gee and making him a #3.

Comment From Kangs Knowing Stare
What would you expect of me, next season, once I’m healed?

Eno Sarris: What I thought he’d do last year, .280/20 in 5/6 of the playing time.

Comment From JR
Who were the most impressive prospects that you saw in the AFL? How about a couple of sleepers?

Eno Sarris: I thought DJ Peterson was better than his bad year last year, he’s a decent buy low IMO. Especially if he gets traded. Austin Meadows was amazing. Really nice body. (sorry.) Should hit for power later. Alex Blandino looked good and then bad and then good again at the plate. Jake Bauers looked hilarious in the outfield, but he just got there. I liked his approach at the plate. He’s also like 15 or something.

Comment From Beer Snob
Adult root beer is amateur hour

Eno Sarris: And the Mission sales rep I met said it would change the world and put Mission in everyone’s fridge. I was like, yeah, no.

Comment From Tommy
(Team) shocks the world by _________?

Eno Sarris: Reds trade Aroldis Chapman and get better next year? A’s shock the world by locking up Gray instead of trading him?

Comment From Ryan
Brett Anderson makes the most sense to accept a QO, right? He’s only 27, so he could take the QO, prove he’s still healthy and effective, and then still hit free agency next year as once of the youngest starters on the market.

Eno Sarris: Except for that whole staying healthy part.

Comment From Ben
If RF is supposed to have the best arm of the OFers, why isn’t Cespedes a RF? Why is Curtis Granderson a RF?

Comment From Lenny Dykstra
I have some stock tips for you

Eno Sarris: I think it’s the other way around.

Comment From DaMan
Eno, should more batters get into a deep crouch a la Pete Rose with a 3-0 count or not really worth it?

Eno Sarris: I don’t think so. Raimel Tapia does it on two strikes and everyone in Arizona roundly panned that. Was bizarre to see.

Comment From Bork
Rockies shock no one by being relegated to AAA.

Comment From Tommy
We live in a world where The Mike Aldrete is now a 1st base coach! What’s next, Mark Kotsay as a bench coach….oh wait

Comment From The Shockmaster
shocks the world by beating Sid Vicious at the Fall Brawl

Comment From Miketron
Marlins shock the world by getting the city of Miami to build them a new stadium underwater in the Biscayne Bay!

Comment From Who me?
I know you’re not hungover today, you’re classifying your cassettes.

Comment From Bobby Blownilla
What pitcher is Iglesias?

Eno Sarris: Raisel Iglesias on the Reds. Has a mid-90s fastball and a slider and change that got above-average whiffs. Good command despite three arm slots. Could be really good.

Comment From Miketron
So what was the most interesting thing you learned in Arizona?

Eno Sarris: There was a lot of talk about whether or not the Diamondbacks knew that they were going over budget when they signed Yoan Lopez to his deal. Some say they were caught by surprise, but if that’s true, the whole front office should be fired. I think more likely, they really liked Lopez (who varied his velocity from 90-92 in some starts to 94-96 in others, and sometimes shows a good breaking ball, sometimes doesn’t) and were willing to go over. No matter what, everyone agrees that the Toussaint deal and leaving $1.5-2m on the table in the draft were part of paying the budget back for Lopez…

Comment From Lenard
I’m 35 minutes behind, but Eno’s hair would be the shag carpeting in his transformer wagon.

Eno Sarris: Exactly.

Comment From Drew
Going to be in DC next year so I can sit next to you at a game and talk pitching for 3 hours? 2 if Max is pitching.

Eno Sarris: I’m in SF/OAK so you’d have to travel.

Comment From Roger
Wouldn’t Giles potentially fetch *more* than Chapman give the four-year difference in the amount of team control?

Eno Sarris: Yes except you can’t put Giles in that same stratosphere. Generally you don’t get anything great for your reliever, unless you leverage them and trade them before the deadline and get lucky.

Comment From Eric Blair
Do the Jays start Osuna next year and sign some relievers in free agency.

Eno Sarris: That’s what people are saying, and I think Osuna has the pitches he needs. Change doesn’t have great drop, but if he pairs it with the four-seam, it gets enough, and he has a 13 mph difference on it, so that’s good.

Eno Sarris:

Eno Sarris: Baby Monster, City of Lovers

Comment From Pete
Higher upside: George Springer or Puig?

Eno Sarris: It’s hard for me to go against Puig. Dude doesn’t strike out as much. Has shown ability to make massive push/pull adjustments. Has gotten better at reaching already. But did you know that Springer’s reach rate isn’t bad? His problem has been muscling up for the fastball, and I think that’s fixable. I’ll take Springer even though it’s v hard for me.

Comment From Bork
Will Vendette ever be anything beyond a gimmick reliever? He’s probably going to be in the Jays bullpen next year and I don’t know what to think.

Eno Sarris: Gimmick relievers have value, though. If you could have a ROOGY and a LOOGY in one spot, you’d take it. Problem is the velocity, I think. Might make him only a LOOGY.

Comment From uruguayan
Do you know any baseball writers researching the “intangibles” and clubhouse cultures of various baseball teams’ clubhouses? Now that we’re ten years the heyday of Fire Joe Morgan and with every team so exceptionally data-driven, that actually seems like an underconsidered topic.

Eno Sarris: Sam Miller wrote a great piece on it in the ESPN magazine, you should check it out.

Comment From Zonk
Jorge Soler….a little rocky in his first year, but are you a believer? What do you think he is?

Eno Sarris: I love Soler so much I can’t put words on it. Has a strong up the middle approach, has shown the ability to better his plate discipline in the past, is a man child. Honestly think he could do something like Stanton.

Comment From Zonk
The Pirates looks to have a challenging offseason, don’t they? What do they do to address starting pitching, and should they move/non-tender both Pedro and Walker?

Eno Sarris: Think they going to keep those two and try to keep Happ or play in that end of the pool, while hoping that one of the young guys is ready.

Comment From NJ Fan
Eno! Come to NJ at some point. We can have a BeerGraphs meetup at one of the breweries here (Flying FIsh?), talk pitching and fantasy sports. And expose you to the best of the Dirty Jersey

Eno Sarris: Lived in Jersey City for two years, had family in Madison for eight or nine years. Familiar with the Dirty Jers! Let’s go get some Carton.

Comment From Ben
so Mauricio Cabrera was throwing 103 last night like it was nothing. What’s the story there?

Eno Sarris: Everyone’s been saying he’s got a golden arm, but he needs to develop those other pitches to make us really dream.

Comment From JR
What exactly don’t you like about Robbie Ray? He’s a high velo young lefty with a good K%. Isn’t he the type of pitcher that could be a real sleeper with some improvement in his secondary pitches. Doesn’t that happen a lot with high velo young pitchers?

Eno Sarris: The change is terrible and he’s thrown it 320 times. It’s terrible by outcomes, and it’s terrible by shape. If he had a big old roundhouse curve, we could talk, but a lefty fastball/slider guy… that’s a rare combo to ride to success.

Comment From Ben
at a pitching showcase do scouts all bring their own guns because they want to make sure it’s not juiced?

Eno Sarris: Yeah it has to be relevant to all the other readings they’ve taken.

Comment From Gary
Would you feel comfortable at this point saying that the Mariners have a (positional) player development problem? Jackson, Ackley, Zunino, Miller, Franklin. These guys were top prospects, and the list of busts is starting to get long…

Eno Sarris: Lots of teams fail when you look at them this way. How about the A’s?

Comment From Chris S
Do you believe the Nationals will regularly start Turner and Taylor next year?

Eno Sarris: Yes, thought Taylor may be the backup/platoon guy.

Comment From Scott
Do you think the Sox keep JBJ? I know I would want to keep the big 3 together

Eno Sarris: They probably going to trade an outfielder, and even though they’d probably it was rather Rusney, they have to think about who’s going to get them more of a return.

Comment From Bork
Will Hutchison bounce back or will I slip deeper into depression?

Eno Sarris: One thing that was most concerning about his year is that he was much better when he had his better velocity, and pitchers generally lose velocity…

Comment From Adam
Eno, do you think mike mussina will make it into the hall of fame this year? More than deserving in my eyes. That knuckle-curve, or whatever you want to call it, was straight cheese.

Eno Sarris: I think he’s right there but it won’t be easy for him.

Comment From NJ Fan
M’s just traded for Benoit. Does he have enough left in the tank to be an effective RP, possible closer for them?

Eno Sarris: Carson Smiths’ velocity was up and down, Wilhelmsen has lost the job, that’s a hard one to figure without getting anything from management or the manager on what’s going to happen.

Comment From Big Joe Mufferaw
Are you gonna be getting some Hicks shares in your fantasy teams next year?? and why?

Eno Sarris: I’ll buy him for sure in leagues where lineups set daily and I have a long bench. Like ottoneu. Because he will be useful against lefties in a worst case scenario, and has upside beyond. MIght buy him in AL-Onlies for the same reason. Probably not enough upside to buy in mixed leagues unless they thin out that outfield.

Comment From Q-Ball
The Padres have now acquired Jose Pirela and Nelson Ward. Their infield problems are solved now, aren’t they?

Eno Sarris: Eight games at short since 2014 for Pirela, five games at short for Ward. Course, they played Gyorko there last year, so they may be willing to try borderline defensive shortstops.

Comment From Drew
Cardinals just signed RHP Juan Gonzales. They must be confused.

Eno Sarris: Oh god I loved Juan Gonzalez.

Comment From Jimmers
Hicks hit .276 .344 .471 after July 5th (28HR, 18SB pace). Does the move to yankee stadium make you tingly? (If he plays Chris Young time 140games)

Eno Sarris: The games thing for Young is misleading. He pinch hit a lot. 356 PA is a better number to use for Hicks.

Comment From Bork
M’s have a new Rodney in town!!!

Eno Sarris: Benoit has much more command. Less velocity, but more command!

Comment From pete
I think the Mariners draft failures stand out compared to, say, the A’s because they’ve had so many high picks (and the A’s trade a lot of their guys)

Eno Sarris: Could be true, but until Russell breaks out, I don’t think there are a lot of Athletics on other rosters that are regulars.

Comment From RotoLando
I’m starting to wonder if “Insane Trade Proposal Guy” is the rule rather than the exception.

Eno Sarris: yes

Comment From Miggy Azalea
Best 2016 keeper: Urias, Glasnow, Giolito?

Eno Sarris: Urias GIolito …. Glasnow

Comment From Drew
Re: Juan Gonzales. Loved him too. Does it ever make you sad when you look back at the advanced stats on older guys and see that their numbers don’t support the belief that they had great careers?

Eno Sarris: It does, but growing up can be tough.

Comment From pete
point wasn’t that the A’s guys that get traded become regulars, just that because they get traded they aren’t seen as orrganizational failures or w/e

Eno Sarris: Ah, other teams had a part in their failures too.

Comment From Snarfle
Due to something resembling the plot of Quantum Leap, you are Terry Collins. You get a manic call from Fred Wilpon early in the morning. Between his manic ravings about a “can’t lose investment” he mentions that he is signing Price and Greinke with his new “winnings”. How do you handle the rotation?

Eno Sarris: Tell him to use the winnings on Heyward, we have aces. In a rare twist of fate/plot, Terry Collins is the calm one.

Comment From Drew
Growing up isn’t that tough! I’m sitting here at my first job reading a baseball chat!

Eno Sarris: That’s what I did, and I grew up to be a poorly-paid baseball writer with my hand in my pants.

Comment From Drew
Buster mentioned the Cardinals are interested in Zobrist. Doesn’t make sense. Wong, Carpenter…

Eno Sarris: Outfield I guess.

Comment From Miketron
I don’t want to grow up and you can’t make me!

Comment From Joe
Looking at advanced stats on older guys makes me angry Edgar is not in the Hall of Fame.

Comment From Snarfle
I’m still having trouble wrapping my mind around Ruben Sierra’s 7 consecutive years of negative WAR (followed by ~5 of barely positive WAR).

Comment From pete
wait, since when is 16 years in the majors and 35.8 career WAR not a great career?

Eno Sarris: Well maybe not as great as “perennial 150 RBI guy’ made it sound when you were a teenager.

Comment From Ben
Does RHP Chris Young just take the first 2-year offer? Or will he actually get multiple offers of more than 1 year this time?

Eno Sarris: Perpetually undervalued. Doubt he’ll have a ton of offers.

Comment From Nick in ATL
Beer recommendations for Sao Paulo this weekend? Off to see Pearl Jam and Formula One.

Eno Sarris: Don’t. Something like 80% of the beer you see abroad is owned by ABI/MillerCoors now. I’d have a Caipirinha.

Comment From bleepbloop
I love adam eaton. Do you think he could combine the last two seasons and end up .300/.365/.450 with 15hr/20sb/100r?

Eno Sarris: I think he’s found himself. I’d give him 15/15 though.

Eno Sarris: Okay, things are happening, I have a new post up I need to look at… I’ll see you guys after Thanksgiving! Have a good week and don’t murder your extended family.