Eno Sarris Baseball Chat — 12/1/16

Eno Sarris: do you… dub?

Jake: Should the Jays trade veterans?

Eno Sarris: Not yet. Still a window with Tulo/Donaldson IMO.

Aladdin Sane: Could you see the Cubs prying De Leon away from the Dodgers with a package that fills multiple positional needs lone term? Some combination of Soler, Candelario, Happ, Zagunis, etc.

Eno Sarris: The Cubs seem obsessed with either buying pitching with money or finding undervalued pitchers in trade, so I’d say probably not.

Erik: Looks like a ton of what we thought was going to be in the CBA is not in there (international draft, 26th man). Where did those rumors come from, and why did we believe them? Were they leaks from the negotiations themselves, or just random musings by random writers which somehow got elevated to the level of truth?

Eno Sarris: I bet they were all on the table and we were used as part of the negotiation. But sources or something!

JimLindeman15: What should the Cardinals do with Alex Reyes to start 2017? Wainwright/Martinez/Lynn/Leake/Garcia can cover the rotation with Reyes as a pen weapon, right? Right handers behind Oh on the depth chart look iffy, at best

Eno Sarris: Will Lynn be ready to go from day one? Will Garcia be healthy? Seems like this will sort itself out.

Craig (DC): Thoughts on the potential Mccutchen trade to Nationals? Victor Robles +prospect

Eno Sarris: Maybe it has to be Robles, huh? Have been thinking about this one for a while. They seem to want ready pitching, so Reynaldo Lopez would probably be in the deal. Lopez and Robles? Too much for Nationals, for two years of Cutch, who represents maybe $15-20m surplus value on a two-year, $28m deal?

Erik: The stricter luxury tax is probably the element of the CBA with the largest impact, right? How strong do you expect that impact to be? Will it noticeably increase parity? Noticeably slow the growth of top-tier salaries?

Eno Sarris: I hate a lot of parts of this deal, dunno why every league has trended towards a salary cap. I’m not sure it helps parity. Football, to me, is a mess. Maybe it’s parity, but there’s also no continuity. If you win, your team is dismantled within a year or two. And their players have the worst contracts. I wouldn’t want to be more like football.

Ned Yost: If the Astros sign Encarnacion, where would their offense rank in baseball?

Eno Sarris: First or second. But then they might take a hit on offense to trade for a cost controlled young ace. I do think that’s what’s going on. Either that or they sign Hill, maybe.

Coppy: Who on the Braves roster now is the most likely not to be there come opening day?

Eno Sarris: Ender Inciarte? Seems like Mallex Smith can do about the same thing.

Brad: Hey Eno, I’m in a dynasty league and I need a CF for position purposes… would you trade Hosmer and Gallo for Blackmon?

Eno Sarris: Yes, but I’m not a big fan of huge K prospects.

Larry Bernandez: Over the summer Fangraphs published an article suggesting that the Red Sox (I think) would be better off adding to their already formidable offense than they would trying to bolster their pitching. The theory was that offense builds on offense, so there is somewhat of an exponential effect to adding an offensive piece to a good offense vs trying to balance their offense with improved pitching. Do you think the Mariners are following this strategy with the Walker/Segura trade?

Eno Sarris: I think they had seen enough of Walker to doubt he had upside remaining, and maybe something similar with Marte. So they saw Segura as the best piece in the deal.

Stevie B: Conforto-Hero or zero?

Eno Sarris: I love him still. I see a guy that can cover the plate with power and patience and spray power. But my love for him as grown more complicated with more study.

Not Eno Sarris: Who would win in a fight between the Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers?

Eno Sarris: The frigging mutants duh.

Petey: International spending now has a 5 mill hard cap and now the players covered by caps is now 25 instead of 23. The top international talent has to be pissed right?

Eno Sarris: yeah it’s so petty. “They get more than our home grown draft prospects wah wah wah.” Jealousy, and they’re jealous of people leaving much much harder situations. This sucks.

Eno Sarris: At least we can listen to Ki-oku by DJ Krush and Toshinori Kondo, which is the really really great.

BarryBaker: Hi Eno, can you see Joyce becoming a regular and an everyday player in the Athletics or continue to platoon?

Eno Sarris: He’ll platoon. And be about 10% better than league average with the bat.

Marc: Asked you about Hawiiain Beers on twitter the other day. Thanks for the heads up! Went to Maui Brew Pub and in one word Incredible. CoCoNuT Imperial Porter and Double Overhead DIPA were phenomenal!

Eno Sarris: They good! Big Island Brewhaus up there too.

Larry David: Eno! Huge fan of all of your stuff. Great work man. Wanted to get your thoughts on an off-season trade I have brewing. 14tm H2H points league dynasty, no contracts. My Kipnis/Sal Perez/Isan Diaz, his Dozier/Gleyber Torres/some pick. Pick not important, I have G. Sanchez at C already. I just can’t see Kip hitting 20+HR again and I’m super in love with Torres. KLaw said he *could* be top 10 in MLB given his skillset. Crazy. Thx.

Eno Sarris: I think the pick should be a good one, or actually a prospect.

tommylasagna, esq.: diapers and hairballs are the bane of my thirties

Eno Sarris: and now a frigging bad back are you kidding me with this crap

Ron: Could you see the Royals being players in a lot of cheap power bats? Chris Carter? Matt Holliday? Brandon Moss?

Eno Sarris: Yeah they’ll sign one of those. Not sure if more, it’s actually hard to understand their feelings about Jarrod Dyson. Maybe two bats and Dyson is their fourth OF.

Rick: Is Kyle Zimmer’s ceiling an elite reliever when healthy?

Eno Sarris: If actually healthy, he has the pitches to be a starter. Starting to wonder about that big if though.

not my name: Headed to NH and Portland, Maine next week…..what breweries should I visit? Oh, and I bought your beer/stadium book. Nicely done!

Eno Sarris: Thanks! Allagash in Portland, but also Maine Beer Co and also Bissell Brothers with the bros actually having the best IPAs maybe (!). NH I don’t know as much about. Maybe Portsmouth Brewery?

I’m 80 Grade: What do you think the market is for Jay Bruce and Curtis Granderson? Should the Mets trade both?

Eno Sarris: Just said before chat started that if they trade one, maybe it should be Granderson. I liked that deal going in, but he’s seven years older than Bruce and everyone seems more interested in Granderson. I’d make Bruce my OF4/DH/PH if he didn’t get me much back.

Xolo: How is the new international spending caps gonna work? Can teams offer $5M AAV or a $5M total contract? And if it’s total contract, can players sign just one year deals?

Eno Sarris: I guess it’ll all be a signing bonus to get them in the system, and then they’re a regular arb case when they get up.

Bud Selig: The new CBA seems like something that I would design, the international cap won’t help small markets just hurt signees, and the compensation changes will just encourage bigger markets to hand out bad contracts to aging players. Why can’t MLB and Manfred do better?

Eno Sarris: Yup.

Blaine: Do you expect Coppy to make a few more trades this offseason in effort to improve our 2017 outlook for the new park?

Eno Sarris: Yes.

Kerry: Chatty chat chat time! Ok so thoughts on the “best record” home field advantage happening so fast? I know was inevitable, but did you see Anthony Castrovince tweet pointing pointing out Cubs v. Indians record vs sub .500 teams? Indians beat more winning teams than Cubs

Eno Sarris: I’m happy for it. One game is random enough, we don’t need one game that’s half-assedly played in the middle of summer determining anything about the World Series.

tommylasagna, esq.: “get out of my dreams and into my car” is the best pickup line i’ve never used

Eno Sarris:

Vince: Would Acuna, Wisler, and Minter be enough to acquire McCutchen for Atlanta?

Eno Sarris: No

Snowflake: What’s the difference between Segura and Villar? Everyone seems to expect Villar to repeat, but you sounded down on Segura on the pod. Is it just the move to Seattle?

Eno Sarris: I think Villar will regress on Ks and Segura will regress on power and both will be useful average/above-average regulars at tough positions!

Roadhog: What do the A’s offer for Billy Hamilton?

Eno Sarris: I’m pretty sure the Reds still want pitching.

Roadhog: Billy Hamilton seems like what the A’s were hoping Burns would pan into. Are they trying to get him?

Eno Sarris: Man Burns really looked like he was it for a second too.

Tani Cantil-Sakauye: My brother wants to learn about advanced stats, but isn’t a “math-guy” any recommendations on a book I can get him for the hollidays?

Eno Sarris: Best opener is always The Book by Tom Tango.

CamdenWarehouse: When should Christmas lights go up?

Eno Sarris: If you got kids, it’ll be on the early end, I’ve discovered. We put them up the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Pat: Brandon Drury looks very close to a right handed Michael Conforto, lots of oppo pop, what are your thoughts? If he can find 500 ABs, can he .280 with 20 bombs?

Eno Sarris: A few too many ground balls. Will have to lift the ball more to get to 20.

Jon: Should a team still perceive McCutcheon as a premium player? One bad year, but it was really bad. Do you think its a blip for him or did he fall off a cliff? Any comps?

Eno Sarris: He’s just getting older. Exit velo was down this past year, he dealt with injuries that sapped his power, his defense is in a three-year decline, was bad on the basepaths. He can bounce back maybe, with better health, but he’s just post-peak.

Andrew: Is it worth going to the Winter Meetings just to hang out in the lobby and/or hotel bar? I’m not a job-seeking or media member or anything – just an interested fan from the local area.

Eno Sarris: It’s pretty decent actually, especially if you don’t have that desperation of needing a job. I love the bar scene. Drank with Bochy one year, and you often end up just talking with someone with a really interesting job.

Erik: How do you think we were used as part if the negotiation? I would think that in particular the negative reaction to the 26th man could have been what whoever leaked that wanted so that they had more leverage to oppose it. Do you think that is what happened?

Eno Sarris: We are always being used by these leaks. Testing the waters, but also leaking things that aren’t on the table yet as a warning sign. The lockout thing, I’m guessing they didn’t say anything about a lockout directly to the other side. They used writers instead.

Andrew: Conforto to the Reds for Hamilton + bullpen arm. Thoughts?

Eno Sarris: That would make me a little sad for the Mets. I know Hamilton has his strengths, but I feel like Lagares can put up plus defense again.

Jeb: When McCutchen gets traded, does Meadows start for Pirates right out of Spring Training? How good can Meadows be?

Eno Sarris: There’s actually a decent glut of corner outfielders on the market. They could sign someone like Angel Pagan and go with Adam Frazier and Angel Pagan in a corner, and let Meadows play his way onto the team.

JimLindeman15: By all accounts Lynn will be ready, and let’s assume (haha) that Garcia is healthy. Do you stick Garcia in the pen and Reyes in the rotation to start? Matheny is the skipper, so it’s not necessarily going to sort itself out.

Eno Sarris: I stick Garcia in the pen, yes. Reyes has the ace like upside.

Jaff: Are the Giants a match for Bruce or Granderson?

Eno Sarris: Yes.

Snowflake: You’ve said you try to avoid drafting $1 guys. I get it, trying to avoid holes in your roster. But it’s hard to draft the top guys and not end up having to draft $1 guys. Last year I struck out on a bunch of $5-$10 guys and ended up getting nothing or dropping them. And doing so meant I didn’t draft top guys. Looking back I’d rather have spent the $40+ each on Arenado and Goldschmidt for example and try my luck with a bunch $1 guys filling it out. At least you know you’re getting the top guys…

Eno Sarris: Yeah you have to have some dollar guys somewhere, for sure. For me, that’s SP 5, 6, RP 3, and Util or OF. Definitely don’t want a one dollar catcher or MI though, especially in an only team. Those guys are real woofers.

Reds: Why would big market teams not spend 39-million over the tax as long as they stay under 40-million. Seems like that’s what LA, BOS and NY will do.

Eno Sarris: Yes.

James: Do you think that the giants would actually invest in two of the major free agents? The ones that have been tossed around the most have been Melancon/Fowler, but are there any other logical fits for their bullpen and closer holes? The giants have tended to find some bargain pieces lately like Mike Morse or Nori Aoki.

Eno Sarris: They were so bad in the bullpen, I think they might actually splurge on the closer and get Jansen. Then find a stop-gap to help Mac and Parker along in LF.

Pat: Looking at Zach Davies, I think there is a little Kyle Hendricks potential given the change-up and groundball profile – do you think Davies could be a sneaky sleeper?

Eno Sarris: Yeah he’s very Hendricks like, except the fastball is even slower and home park is tougher and he doesn’t have two changeups.

Carl: Granderson is 7 years older than Jay Bruce?

Eno Sarris: Six I guess.

Marty: Hosmer finished with one of the worst WARs in the game. Do you think he’s one of the least valuable players in baseball bc of all the PAs he gets in KC?

Eno Sarris: I don’t think he’s a top tier talent. I also don’t think the defensive numbers from last year are true talent. He looks fine at first. I think he’s a league-average type player. 10% better than league average with the bat, but a first baseman, where that’s about average.

BarryBaker: Is Rob Whalen a number 5 starter for the Mariners of a multiple inning reliever this season?

Eno Sarris: Sixth starter swing man type.

Will Graham: Dynasty league with K/9 and innings as categories. Quick thoughts about Chad Green, Tyler Anderson, Junior Guerra, and Tyson Ross?

Eno Sarris: Guerra easily best. Ross probably second, and though Anderson is interesting, his K9 menas he’s last for me.

CamdenWarehouse: Is it inevitable that the Orioles sign Chris Carter to a 1 year $6 million deal to play LF?

Eno Sarris: Yeah they’re doing that.

joedcamp: Mitch Haniger seemed intriguing in high minors and last year but you didn’t mention as part of Walker deal. You don’t have hope?

Eno Sarris: Oh right, they probably also like Mitch more than projections because he made a swing change and might be a legitimate power threat.

Pliny the Middle Child: Do you cellar BA stouts or drink them “fresh?”

Eno Sarris: Try to cellar, and am succeeding with a few Firestone Walkers and KBS right now, because some of them are too ‘hot’ — too alcoholy — at first for me.

Corey Seager : What do you see in my career crystal ball, barring injuries?

Eno Sarris: Awesomeness at short and then awesomeness at third.

Ian: You don’t view Ender as a player they keep? 25 years old, 4 years of control, top flight defender in CF, 290 hitter.

Eno Sarris: I think they want to get a pitcher and he’s one of their better pieces to build around.

Olly: So is Otani gonna have to sign a $5M contract when he comes over?

Eno Sarris: No, he’ll wait until he turns 25 in three years and then sign a monster deal.

Matt: Dynasty league – would I be overpaying for one year of Goldy if I gave up 1 year of Cruz and Carson Fulmer still in my minor leagues?

Eno Sarris: No.

Jim: Trading from depth to address need – Soler and Candelerio for Newcomb and Allard. Who says no?

Eno Sarris: Braves.

Futures Short: Amed Rosario or Orlando Arcis – who ends their career with a higher WAR?

Eno Sarris: Rosario for me.

Marty: The union members likely see the money going to intl FAs as being taken away from their coffers, when in reality, it’s just less money the owners have to spend now meaning it ends up in their bank accounts, and not the MLBPA members’.

Mike: Polanco 20/20 in 2017?

Eno Sarris: There on power, but speed?

Youngman: Is it starting to look like the Braves have lost just about all faith in Matt Wisler, Aaron Blair, Tyrell Jenkins, and John Gant?

Eno Sarris: I can tell you for sure no on at least two of those.

Fat Kenny G: The Astros are looking for SP, I don’t think it makes perfect sense, but could a Aaron Nola for George Springer or Bregman deal be a starting point?

Eno Sarris: I think they’re looking for Sale building with those pieces.

DN: Best brewery/tap room in or around NYC?

Eno Sarris: Singlecut (Astoria) or Threes (Brooklyn).

DN: What do you do now if you are Sandy?

Eno Sarris: Trade em both.

Eno Sarris: And quickly, before the OF signings happen.

Marc: If you’re the redsox, would you rather part with Moncada or Benintendi to get Sale?

Eno Sarris: Moncada, further away from helping.

John: Who do you like more Springer or Yelich?

Eno Sarris: Springer. I don’t think Yelich is going to add much more power than he has. This is him.

John: Outlook on Matt Harvey? Can he be the same guy we saw even post TJ or is Thoracic outlet too much to overcome?

Eno Sarris: Projected into a 3.66 ERA with 8 K/9, if you expect that sort of outcome, I think you won’t invest too heavily and might find a reward. He clearly wasn’t right last year.

Marty: Didn’t realize you had Hawaii recs…Just booked Kauai and Maui. Suggestions?

Eno Sarris: Just know those islands less. Been to Big and main island more often. Kauai is so mazing, don’t worry about the beer. Maui has Maui so.

joedcamp: U a fan of Siracha sauce?

Eno Sarris: Especially with honey and mustard together.

Sulzer: Hey Eno, what are your thoughts on Musgrove? I know you touched on him a bit during the podcast when talking about Cotton…who’d you rather if cost were the same? Thanks!

Eno Sarris: Cotton. I see a more legitimate out pitch for him in that changeup.

Zonk: Can plate discipline be learned, or is it mostly innate?

Eno Sarris: Every batter, on average, takes more pitches as they age. I’m not sure they *see* the ball better, I think that’s innate. But they anticipate better.

Marty: Re: portland breweries Bissell Bros is a must-visit (best brewery in ME IMO). Fantastic beer. If you like saisons go to Oxbow. Liquid riot has a cool atmosphere and is right in the center of it all.

Q-Ball: Cubs now have 6 OFs on their roster. Theo is planning to trade someone, right? Do you think that’s Schwarber, Soler, or maybe just Matt Szczur?

Eno Sarris: Soler.

Marty: Oh and when in Portland, go to Eventide. If you think you dont like raw bar or lobster, you’ll rethink it after that experience.

Andrew: Eno is 80-grade at ____. Eno is 20 grade at ____.

Eno Sarris: 9pm. 6am.

Jose: If you’re the Red Sox, do you try to replace Ortiz with Encarnacion or Joey Bats, or do you use the DH to rotate guys and give them some rest?

Eno Sarris: If anyone thinks that DHing is a skill and that it’s worth buying one, I bet it’s them.

HappyFunBall: I don’t know how I’m going to have any interest in the ASG now that it no longer counts for anything….

Eno Sarris: Take the significant other out.

J. Peterman: re: NH Breweries. Stoneface all day everyday

Andrew: On a scale from 1 to 10, how stupid is it to go out of your way to align team success the opening of a new ballpark?

Eno Sarris: I’m not going all the way to 10 if that’s stupid. You get attendance bounces two ways: new park and winning, from what I’ve read. If you can be good in year two or three of a new park, you can ride the wave into some sustainability.

Lure of the Animal: Which players are surprisingly more physically imposing in person than on the telly?

Eno Sarris: Brett Lawrie’s 18-pack.

Will Graham: Nats give Kelley a chance to close? Doolittle, Neris, Nate Jones?

Eno Sarris: They sign someone.

Bork: FYI the International Signing isn’t a hard cap of 5 mil for ALL teams. It’s dependent on revenue. 15 smallest get 6 mil, 15 largest get 5 mil.

Eno Sarris: HANG ON TO THAT MILLION BUCKS BOYS

Shawn Coleman: The Braves want a cost controlled top of the rotation arm, and the A’s want a centerfielder. Does it make sense for both to do something around Inciarte for Gray? I know the pitcher is more valuable than a defensive first centerfielder, but is the extra cost now worth it since it may be less with Gray coming off a down year? It just seems to be a really good match that checks off each teams top priority, and that seems to be a point that would attract beane to make a move, especially when the Inciarte is still cheap for a few years.

Eno Sarris: I’m sure they’re talking, and I’m sure that Gray is not number one on the Braves’ list.

Tom: You mentioned earlier you felt Mallex could do about the same as Inciarte. Are you saying you feel Mallex could be a 2-3+ win a season player? Or do you feel Inciarte is overrated?

Eno Sarris: I think Mallex has enough speed, defense, and patience to be an average major leaguer yeah.

MITT ROMNEY: Entering my first dynasty league ever in 2017. We’re transitioning from a keeper league and get to take over 4 players. I’m locked in on Corey Seager and Gregory Polanco but need to pick two out of Gary Sanchez, Kyle Schwarber & Nomar Mazara. Who ya got?

Eno Sarris: Gary… and this may anger people but Nomar is sexy time for me.

John: Do you think Yelich’s 20 HR power is real? or is he more a 10-15 HR guy

Eno Sarris: 15 but difference between 15 and 20 is just the vagaries of weather and luck.

Q-Ball: Apparently no takers for Zach Grienke in trade. How much do you think the snakes would have to eat to move him, out of the 5/168 left on the contract? Would whittling it down to 5/100 be enough?

Eno Sarris: I’d buy Greinke for 5/100 for sure.

Kristen: Will TEX’s window be closed after ’17 when Darvish and Lucroy leave as FA’s? It’s an oldish team and the farm system is empty of near-ready stud prospects.

Eno Sarris: Projections have never liked that team and the pipeline seems to have born its fruit in trade or regulars, so it does seem like a window is closing there.

Cubbies: You a fan of the Cub’s signing Jay? To me it’s alot of “meh”,. $8 mil for a year seems pricey for a backup with no pop. Even if Almora is the starter there’s still a logjam in the OF. And trading Soler now seems like selling low.

Eno Sarris: yeah it’s a bit weird for me. And he’s the lefty so he’s the starter I guess.

Logan: Hey Eno! What is your take on the Alex Jackson trade?

Eno Sarris: I think the Braves have more use for a lotto ticket like Jackson than two useful arms that might pitch on the back end of a staff.

Q-Ball: OK, why are the A’s phased out as a revenue sharing recipient? I don’t get that one. Market size? Did the A’s get something in return, like permission to move to another market?

Eno Sarris: I wonder if there was some sort of stadium-related promise there. The Bay Area is not a small market, so this is something other teams wanted I think. This is a murky thing. Maybe with a good stadium they can fill the stadium with East of SF visitors… the thing that I think overview misses is that the East Bay is not as rich as SF. I think that’s important. All very complicated, though, because in the past rev sharing and national TV deal has mostly paid the A’s salaries in full ($85 million in, $87-90 out), so it really looks like owners pocketing profit from attendance…

Adam: Is now the time to target Meadows in fantasy before McCutchen gets traded? What is your take on Meadows??

Eno Sarris: I think he’ll combine the best patience and power to be a guy that walks at league-average or better rate, strikes out around league average, and has .175+ ISOs with plus corner outfield defense and speed. Now’s the decent time, unless the other owner thinks he’s going to definitely just BE Cutch going forward. That’s asking a bit much.

The Cincinnati Kid: Is Greg Bird a Keeper in Rd 27 (10 man league, can keep 10)

Eno Sarris: yes

Ryon Healy: Could I turn into a poor man’s Donaldson?

Eno Sarris: I love Healy. I see a .280/22-25 HR guy in there. Can push and pull and hit the ball hard in the air.

Hannah Hochevar: Xanadu and Sweet Lady covering Rapper’s Delight

Eno Sarris: hah. fun.

Colin: So if the Cubs decide to acquire pitching via a trade/prospects and with Jake Arrieta being more free to sign with the new QO system next year, is it not crazy to think Arretia could get moved at the meetings already?

Eno Sarris: In, like, a three-way trade? The more pieces you try to put together, the less likely it becomes.

Bort: Worst manager on a talented team? It Matheny, isn’t it?

Eno Sarris: I… I think it might be. He showed up at the bottom of many of the metrics I tried to put together.

gbaked: should the mets be concerned with their pitching depth? Harvey, deGrom, Thor, Matz, Wheeler, Gsellman, Lugo
then a whole lot of meh.

Eno Sarris: Seven deep is pretty good. Teams use ten but get significant innings from the top 7.

Mike: A penny for a lude?

Rufus T. Firefly: Do you believe in destiny, Eno?

E: Spent all of last in Punta Cana, DR…drank a lot of Presidente…it is not great (but unlimited at the resort)

Eno Sarris: Tough crowd for an interlude!

Billy Haywood: Hey Eno, trying to do some research on teamwide multi splits (i.e. at home vs. LHP). The interactive splits tool works on the individual player level, but are you aware of a way either here on Fangraphs or elsewhere that I’d be able to do it on a team level?

Eno Sarris: Just chill a bit.

But srsly… : Athletes spouting off on twitter, arguing with fans and trolls alike. How much do teams really care? Do they have any sway over their player’s social media presence?

Eno Sarris: The Cubs did come out and say something about talking to their players after Arrieta’s tweet… I would say that PR is mostly about stopping bad news, and bad tweets are bad news, so yeah they care. But what can they do other than workshop the young guys and stop by the old guy’s locker with a look?

Pip: Am I crazy for thinking Robles is too much for 2 years of Mccutchen? Robles could be here as early as 2018, and your counting on Mccutchen could just be the same one he was last year.

Eno Sarris: He’s 19 and just hit A-ball, where his production was actually fairly lack-luster, if only in 200 PA. I didn’t include him in the first trade I built because I thought the Pirates wanted pitchers, but he’s probably a good fit for this deal.

James: You’re the first person to answer one of my questions! Thanks, Eno! What is your opinion on FIP-WAR vs. RA9 WAR? Also, does fangraphs have any intention of adding catcher framing to their WAR calculation?

Eno Sarris: Nobody talks to me about these things so I don’t know. I saw something from Dave suggesting that we are, and then something today about DRA appearing on FanGraphs at some point. DRA is the best pitching metric I’ve seen, so that’s great. Better than looking at both RA9 WAR and FIP WAR and trying to shoot for the middle somewhere.

anonymous: We know what makes a hitter “better in fantasy than real life” (lots of SB, good AVG with a bad OBP). What are the markers that make a pitcher better in the fake game?

Eno Sarris: Maybe ground balls? Better ERA, but often similar RA9s, because of errors.

Nick: Hey Eno, what do you think about the Yankees position this offseason? They have money to spend but no obvious holes in the roster or places to upgrade, but too many average players to be a real contender. What should they do and what will they do?

Eno Sarris: Act small market and be in on everyone that’s cheap, maybe buy a Beltran or Napoli type to help at DH, and talk to every arm?

gbaked: to piggyback on the $1 question… I ALWAYS budget $1 for UTL players in every auction for every sport. You will always drop and pick up players. No need to spend for those slots.

Eno Sarris: Sometimes you have to move this around in AL-only because of DH-only guys, but yeah.

ChicagoCardinal: Eno, Are you an OttoNeu guy? In my first league with what probably is a mid-low roster with plenty of cap space. Best players are Miggy, JV, Posey, Rich Hill. A lot of contracts should shake out into the auction. Better to chase at high price or hold on to cap space?

Eno Sarris: Don’t hold on to cap space going into the season, there’s always someone to cut.

Tonti: If the Nationals end up non-tendering Danny Espinosa in a Cutch trade, should the Pirates take a run at him?

Eno Sarris: To take the Sean Rodriguez role for cheaper haha.

John E: Ever try Gingerbread Stout or any of its many variants from Hardywood Park in Richmond, VA?

Eno Sarris: Yes I’ve had original and BA and it’s great!

Eno Sarris: I might get Brandy this year.

Curious George: I live near DC. If I go to National Harbor on Sunday and just walk into the lobby of the hotel, what can I expect? Will everyone be in suits? Will there be lots of chances to actually talk to insiders, or will that mostly be reserved for the back rooms?

Eno Sarris: You won’t get a GM or an AGM, but you’ll find lower level front office guys, advance scouts, video guys, desperate agents, occasionally very desperate players, and even the other job seekers will talk baseball with you. Can always ping me.

Roadhog: Is Jharel Cotton just Marco Estrada with 2MPH more on the fastball?

Eno Sarris: I mean… yes, I think so. Not quite there with the high spin fastball, but a lot of other comps fall into place there.

pirates hurdles: More hope for Clevinger or Brock Stewart getting and producing quality starts this year?

Eno Sarris: Brock Stewart. Well, in his stuff. Has a high spin curve and fastball and good other pitches and pushed his velo over 93 this year. Really like him. Dunno if opportunity is there.

Cody: Whats your opinion on the Thames signing?

Eno Sarris: Decent. People miss that Carter was going to cost more than ten mill a year, so even if Thames is “just” Carter again, he’s half as expensive.

Bork: Eno is 80 grade at 9 PM eh…so how many kids do you have again?

Eno Sarris: okay maybe 8pm.

Eno Sarris: used to be 11pm.

Rich : Gausman a top five vote getter for cy young one year or Conforto hits 30 bombs one year

Eno Sarris: Conforto.

Matt: Eno. I got the habanero sauce on my burrito bowl. I told them to go lite, but we apparently have different definitions of the word. My face is going to fall of.

tommylasagna, esq.: life tip: don’t fart while sitting down.

anonymous: Dat novella tho

Eno Sarris: better.

Lil’ Dicky: Scrabble to the M’s on a 2-yr deal – should be pretty good in the ball park. What say you?

Eno Sarris: Sure!

Pomeranz: any reason for optimism that patrick corbin can be the pitchr of a few years ago?

Eno Sarris: His changeup got a tiny bit better? I don’t think that Corbin is coming back.

Brian: What do you see from Dylan Bundy next year and in general? Can O’s fans squint and see three plus starters next year (with Tillman and Gausman)?

Eno Sarris: Well good enough in front of a good offense. I actually think a healthy Bundy would be the best of the three but

Matt: Regarding imposing players, I saw a picture Clint Frazier Tweeted yesterday with his shirt off. Holy crap did that make me feel terrible about myself…

Eno Sarris: He’s yoked.

Erik: If you cellar a beer, should it be totally dark for months, or can you cellar it in a cabinet that gets opened once or twice a day?

Eno Sarris: It’s okay as long as it’s not direct sunlight shining on it.

Guest: Best treatment for back pain is back strength: https://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2016/11/30/back-pain-and-back-strength/

Eno Sarris: Yeah I’m working on core strength, but that’s tough while you still have pain!

BK: I live in a city of 200,000 people and other than TacoTime (Canadian Taco Bell) there is not a single Mexican restaurant. Why does the world hate me?

Eno Sarris: That seems impossible. We had Mexican restaurants in London! They were bad, but we had them.

Harry’s Law: how many terrible trade ideas do you get each chat? that said what do you think of: mike trout for james shields, drake laroche and chris sales cut up jerseys?

Eno Sarris: You guys are way better than out there.

Maverik312: re: Trading Gallo and Hosmer for Blackmon
“Yes, but I’m not a big fan of huge K prospects.”
Trevor Story would like to speak to you. 😉

Eno Sarris: Brandon Wood will take the call!

Maverik312: “Who would win in a fight between the Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers?”
Okay, but how would the Turtles counter Megazord??

Eno Sarris: Megaturtle.

Marty:

Mark: If the Dodgers fail to retain Turner, how do they address 3B?

Eno Sarris: Trade?

Scott: Better path to making it as a writer (i.e., latching on with a big outlet): working for pennies at someone else’s site or starting your own. Currently doing both, where should the effort go?

Eno Sarris: Depends on where the readership is. Develop loyalty at your own place, but make sure to give some good stories to the other one in case they can go viral? This is an ongoing dance you will do if you become a writer at many outlets.

Scott: Are you also a bourbon guy? I’ve been into beer for years and am trying to test the waters of the other fancy boozes.

Eno Sarris: Scotch. Lagavulin, Laphroig, Caol Isla.

Erik: I ate Mexican in Germany and the meat tasted both like German meat and Mexican meat at the same time. It was odd.

Eno Sarris: oh man I gotta go get acupuncture for this back thing. Thanks for hanging out! I’ll be back from the Winter Meetings next Thursday!