Eno Sarris Baseball Chat — 2/12/15

Eno Sarris: I’ll be here soon! For now, an aptly-named song.

{“author”:”Ingrid Smith”}:

Comment From Guest
enoooooooo I can’t make this chat so make sure it’s a boring one

Comment From Guest
or take this opportunity to say mean things about me behind my back

Eno Sarris: That Guest is the worst.

Comment From mymaus
Pod wrote a great article about drafting Billy Hamiton at #20. I’ve heard people say to avoid drafting one category guys. Why is that? Do you agree?

Eno Sarris: Value is value, and he seems to be a one-category monster that won’t hurt you in two more. I prefer to take five-category guys because it leaves your options open, though. Think of a team with Billy Hamilton on it as it enters the middle rounds. A possible 20/20 value, maybe Choo drops way too far, becomes less exciting, and you end up maybe reaching for power because of a wobble you started in the second round.

Comment From Bomok
In a dynasty league, who’s a better long term piece Blake Swihart or Hector Rondon?

Eno Sarris: Rather have Swihart. No idea if Rondon makes it through this season in one piece even.

Comment From Roy Munson
12 team AL only with lots of inflation, who do you like as a last keeper, Keutchel 3, or Smoak 4?

Eno Sarris: Keuchel. Smoak’s a possible sleeper and Keuchel’s no ace, but in an AL-only, he’s a strong number two type, and super high floor.

Comment From Shawn
What do you think of Sporer/Collette’s decision to draft Kershaw #3 overall in LABR? While I agree there may not be much difference in hitting between mid 1st and say 3rd, pitching just seems so deep

Eno Sarris: Kershaw separates himself from a deep position by being that much more excellent. That said, it’s not for me. I see plenty of number two types that put in Cy seasons in any given year. I’ll go for quantity at the end of each tier, and a five-category bat in the first round, if possible.

Comment From AL Pitching Coach
Any chance you want to make my day and rank the following starting pitchers in 2015? McHugh, Smyly, Hahn, Eovaldi and Kazmir.

Eno Sarris: Smyly McHugh Hahn…… Kazmir … Eovaldi

Comment From Johnny Bench
Hi Eno. It would be greatly appreciated if you can rank your top 4 American League fantasy Catchers in order for me. Thanks!

Eno Sarris: Evan Gattis… Brian McCann ……… Yan Gomes, Russ Martin, Matt Wieters

Comment From Minty
I skeptically own Polanco in a dynasty, but would like you to teach me why you’re so optimistic.

Eno Sarris: He did everything he was supposed to, at 22 years old in the major leagues. Now, he did it at about 80%, but he’s pre-peak. In other words, he was supposed to be above-average by patience, contact, power, speed. Power wasn’t quite there, but it wasn’t not there at all, and it was only 300 plate appearances, so power is the least useful thing to look at.

Comment From mtsw
Can Jonathan Schoop fix whatever it is that’s wrong with him and become the league-average hitter he has the potential to be?

Eno Sarris: I have little hope for his walk rate. Maybe he can make a little contact and iron out that popup problem. But the popups keep his BABIP down, and Simmons hasn’t figured them out yet.

Comment From Guest #3
Better last round selection: House or Greene?

Eno Sarris: Greene closer to role, IMO.

Comment From Minty
Are you as optimistic as Dan about Kang, or has he been eating too many brownies?

Eno Sarris: Dan is the reason I’m optimistic about Kang.

Comment From Chin-Choo Soo
Are you feeling confident about Shin-Soo Choo this season?

Eno Sarris: Not his steals but I do like him to be useful in all categories.

Comment From Ben
Is Brandon McCarthy any better than a SP5? Weighing the injury risk and horrible first half last year against his performance with the Yankees.

Eno Sarris: Yes he is.

Comment From guest
your family all up to date on their measles shot?

Eno Sarris: I’m not one to argue against science. But! Maybe you saw that the Google offices are around 50% up to date on their shots? Boggles. The. Mind.

Comment From Maxamuz
I can’t seem to agree with the fact that ZiPS projects Donaldson to be better than Joey Bats.

Eno Sarris: Does PA play a big part in that? I love love Donaldson in Toronto.

Comment From Maxamuz
Does Joc P post a higher WAR than Padre Kemp?

Eno Sarris: Probably

Comment From Curtis
Will Rickie Weeks have a job on Opening Day? (will it be in major league baseball?)

Eno Sarris: righty platoon man for first base and DH in Seattle? Is there room for him and Ruggiano?

Comment From Matt
There isn’t a right or a wrong answer to this: But you have the “turn” pick in a draft: Do you target two riskier player with potential top of the 1st round upside or two safer picks with top of 2nd round floor?

Eno Sarris: Don’t overthink it: two top 20 players is an advantage.

Comment From Larry Bernandez
Hey Eno. Rank these styles of beer from favorite to least favorite: 1) Belgian White 2) imperial stout 3) sour 4) roast porter 5) IPA

Eno Sarris: 1) Sour 2) IPA 3) Imp Stout 4) roast porter ……….. Belgian White

Comment From Steve
I’m in SF for beer week! What events you hitting this weekend?

Eno Sarris: Two kids dude. Was planning on Monk’s Kettle for the HenHouse thing tonight, but will settle for Sour Sunday in Palo Alto at the Rose & Crown on Sunday.

Comment From Bobby Blownilla
I traded up to the #3 pick in my draft. It’s a keep forever OBP league. Grapevine says Moncada and Schwarber will go 1 and 2. Huge man-crush on Pompey, but am I crazy to pass over Alex Jackson or someone else for him?

Eno Sarris: Bryant?

Comment From Curtis
Blue Jays starters look fairly blah past Stroman, who has essentially a years’ worth of MLB sample size… Should a Jays fan be worried? is 2B more of a hole? (are you buying Dickey and Buerhle? … sounds like a CBS Police Comedy)

Eno Sarris: Norris and Sanchez are two decent lotto tickets.

Comment From ljc
Because SABR is in Chicago this year, can we count on there being a Chicago-area Fangraphs/Beergraphs/RIP Notgraphs meet-up at some point?

Eno Sarris: There’s always a Chicago meetup, around Pitchfork in July.

Comment From LudeBurger
It’s Lude o’clock!

Comment From Meth addict
my new name is Tweak and Avery Brewing and I are ready to change your life

Comment From Art Vandelay
Mariano Rivera’s heatmaps make me so happy.

Comment From Guest
Since you weren’t involved, what are your feelings on the Mixed LABR? Any teams,picks,or approach you like?

Eno Sarris: I liked a lot of the lower-round picks that our boys Collette, Sporer and Podhorzer made. My draft wouldn’t have Kershaw or Hamilton in it, but I’m excited to see how they do.

Comment From John
My boss wants to meet with me at 1230. Right in the middle of my lunch/fangraphs chat break. Should I quit?

Eno Sarris: Yes

Comment From rizzos toe
Who do i start on opening day?

Comment From Shawn
So Kang…Boing!

Comment From Pale Hose
After a hot valentine’s evening Mrs. Sarris reflects, “Eno, were you looking at grip pics again?”

Eno Sarris: Not bad.

Comment From Paul
So after having two 6 ounce pours of the Younger at 7 bucks each, I had one can of beer for 14 bucks…Shoulda just bought a Sculpin 6er.

Eno Sarris: Hey but now you’ve had Younger. I like it a lot, but I hear you about waiting and paying.

Comment From David
Have you looked at Blake Treinen at all? Jeff Zimmerman had a piece on him recently and about the insane movement his sinker has and he throws hard.

Eno Sarris: Yeah I like him for possible closer if Storen falters. Not sure he’ll pass Roark on the depth chart though, so he’s a deep sleeper.

Comment From jake
Are you on the AJ Pollock breakout train this year?

Eno Sarris: Last year was his breakout. I think he’ll regress — he was always thought of as a vs LHP platoon guy — but his counting stats will help him as his rate stats fall back.

Comment From Big Picture
Why do you hate Charles Barkley?

Eno Sarris: god I love Charles Barkley. A man that size, and all those boards?

Comment From natdog
Better fantasy strategy: pay $14-18 for solid closer or try to go high K’ s and high upside/low cost with guys like Miller/Davis/Clippard?

Eno Sarris: Pay $10-14 for an established closer or two and take an extra crazy peripheral setup guy that might close with the extra money.

Comment From Highway 61
Bautista or Rizzo, just for this year?

Eno Sarris: By steamer with Bautista at 653 PA, he outpaces Rizzo by like six bucks. Here’s my problem. I don’t believe in that projection for playing time. And I’ll take the over on Rizzo’s .271. That narrows it considerably. Probably still Bats.

Comment From jake
Although not a “craft” beer, you interested in Blue Moon’s Cinnamon Horchata beer ?

Eno Sarris: I mean I love horchata so I’ll try it.

Comment From Matthew
Is Longoria becoming a bit undervalued this year? I mean is he really that much different from Donaldson, minus a couple homers?

Eno Sarris: R/RBI might be vastly different, too, but it’s certainly possible. I’m inclined to wait on third base in almost any league this year.

Comment From Pat G
As a Mets fan is my optimism misguided. I think a healthy Wright, Harvey. A step forward from Wheeler. I don’t see a lot of regression coming Duda’s way. Granderson can’t be worse, can he?

Eno Sarris: The pitching looks great, and there are fewer holes this year, and TDA could make some waves. But shortstop. Woof.

Comment From Nelson
Have you ever used your press privileges for anything other than baseball?

Eno Sarris: Attended San Francisco’s Beer Week opening gala as a member of the press and interviewed Almanac and Rare Barrel brewers (up today on BG), and Pitchfork’s festival, where I interviewed Ira Kaplan (on NG).

Comment From Pink Phloyd
The team is the same in a relative way, but they’re older/shorter of breath and five games worse than the rest/every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time/trades that either come to nought, or half a page of scribbled lines/hanging on in quiet desperation is the Phillies way/The time is gone, the season’s over, thought they’d some more games to play

Eno Sarris: slow clap for the one man lude

Comment From Jose
Eno, I know you are more of a “fantasy” guy, but please answer this real-world baseball question. Which team will have a better infield this season: the Iowa Cubs or the San Diego Padres?

Eno Sarris: It’s almost always the major leaguers.

Comment From Nolan
What are you thoughts on DJ Peterson long-term? Wondering if he’s worth keeping.

Eno Sarris: I like him. Good power without bad K%, always gets my attention.

Comment From jake
Am I foolish for thinking Cliff Lee can get back to being an Ace-level pitcher again?

Eno Sarris: Number two with considerable health risk, but he’s probably going for cheaper than that, so your overall point is right.

Comment From Jose
Do you know if there’s research done about the distance to the plate in which a breaking ball starts breaking, and its relation to the effectiveness of the pitch?

Eno Sarris: Look up Jon Rogaele and ‘tunneling.’ He killed it with that.

Comment From Steve
It seems like Cobb is getting no love from projections… whenever I see him pitch he’s amazing. What’s he going to look like this year?

Eno Sarris: Only one concern for me with him is innings. Hasn’t really put together a 200 inning season, like ever. He’ll Jed Lowrie one year, but which one? Pay for 165 and enjoy if there’s more.

Comment From Guest
Is Cabrera becoming a first round value? I’ve seen him going in the later half of the first round in a couple cases, even the LABR draft. but Abreu has some issues and Goldy/Stanton also have injury issues.

Eno Sarris: Leg injuries are less worrisome for hitters, and he did well even while injured, so yes, I think he’s a value outside of the top three. Even if he’s looking bigger than an

{“author”:”Modular People”}:

Comment From Guest
can you recommend any good articles or references on how to position adjust auction $ values?

Eno Sarris: Google Zach Sanders Value above Replacement, and Jeff Zimmerman Standard Gains Points. Two different approaches, but they represent the industry standards.

Comment From Big Picture
Do you think TJ House will make the rotation in Cleveland, and is he a candidate for a breakout season?

Eno Sarris: I love House. But he’s battling Salazar and will have to wait for Floyd to hurt himself I guess.

Comment From Mt. Vesuvius
over/under 30.5 stolen bases for Dalton Pompey this season?

Eno Sarris: Under. Usually takes a guy a bit to get to know pitchers.

Comment From Curtis
When I played in HS, it seemed like many teams’ best hitters were also catchers….and yet the hitting catchers in MLB seem so few…is this a small sample size or really the case?

Eno Sarris: You get moved off of the position if your bat is really great (look at Schwarber and what they’re thinking of doing), and then the defensive bar is really high so many get moved off because of their glove.

Comment From Matt
Do you use SGP to calculate draft values? If so do you use st-dev to calculate value above replacement or straight subtraction ($value-$replace value= $above replacement)? New to SGP and want to make sure I apply it correctly, thanks.

Eno Sarris: I think SGP is valuable in keeper leagues or in industry-type leagues where the players are the same year after year. But if you’re in a new league, z-score is better.

Comment From Kingpin
Does Peter O’Brien get signiciant playing time for the D’backs this year?

Eno Sarris: Not like anyone keeping him down.

Comment From Cooly
Over/under 15 homers for Michael Saunders? I’m going over – love the Toronto park factor.

Eno Sarris: Over. Also like him.

Comment From Bruce Willis
How come everyone seems overly-down on Jay Bruce?

Eno Sarris: Strikeout rate means his upside is probably .250/28. But hey, at the prices he’s going at…

Comment From zwibi
Eno, what are your thoughts on Jon Gray this year? is he worth picking up in a 10 team mixed? He was one of the top guys to get last year and now you rarely hear him mentioned.

Eno Sarris: Nah, you want to take guys in the rotation opening day in a ten-team mixed.

Comment From Mike Fitz
I just traded away Alexei in my keeper league. Assuming the top 8-10 SS are held, who should I be targeting?

Eno Sarris: I think you should take two guys. Assuming Xander is kept, pair Kang with someone like Segura, Aybar, or Escobar — depending on your taste for risk.

Comment From Curtis
What is your opinion on SD infield? is there any possible upgrade (NOT Kemp to 1B!) available via trade or FA pickins?

Eno Sarris: Hilariously, Everth Cabrera never mind

Comment From Biggy
In a keeper, would you prefer Rougned Odor to Kevin Gausman? Have Carrasco, Gio, richards as my other pitchers, and all other hitting spots filled.

Eno Sarris: I really like Odor, especially in batting average leagues. Gausman still needs another pitch imo

Comment From natitude
trade proposal: my Arenado keeper (@ $12) for any 2 of his Nelson Cruz ($15), Josh Donaldson ($29), Dee Gordon ($10). thoughts?

Eno Sarris: Well Donaldson Gordon is pretty sexy but no because Arenado is the best value in the group.

Comment From Lou Pinella
Who are the first few closers to lose their jobs based on performance?

Eno Sarris: Hawkins. Broxton. Feliz.

Comment From hscer
now that Espinosa is officially trying right side only, will a question about whether this changes anything at all attract an answer

Eno Sarris: Well it makes the platoon at second more awkward I guess, since they are both right-handed.

Comment From Curtis
What would the “Fangraphs” starting position player lineup look like, based on what you know about the bulk of the writers here? any positional consensus?

Eno Sarris: We will have a whiffle ball game in Arizona and then I will be able to answer this better. All I know now is that Jack Moore can take a pitch like Adam Dunn.

Comment From Biggy
Sorry to flood you with keeper question, but really, I’m not. So, sixth keeper, already keeping Godie, Harper, Cutch, Rendon, Puig. Last one, and It’s a doozy: Soler, Machado, Dickerson, Shark?

Eno Sarris: SOLER

Comment From guest
the weeks signing prolly has more to do with willie f bloomquist health than anything else

Eno Sarris: Yes I did scroll over to Bloomquist with my eyes. But if he’s not needed at short (they have two guys there), I think Weeks the better bat.

Comment From Tom
Favorite IPAs right now … GO!

Eno Sarris: Toppling Goliath pseudo Sue, Maine Lunch, Three Floyds Zombie Dust, Alpine Nelson, Firestone Walker Double Jack

Comment From hscer
Are dry wines really drinkable (I mean that in the most literal sense), or is everyone just pretending?

Eno Sarris: When I could stomach them, I liked dry. Sweet gets cloying. Dry is refreshing.

Comment From Old Belgium
How do you rank La Folie in your sour ranks?

Eno Sarris: Up there but not in the inner circle.

Comment From leeor
talk to me about zach wheeler eno. what are the chances he breaks out this year, and what’s the long-term ceiling if he does?

Eno Sarris: He’s got ace-like breakers and fastballs, so he could Richards if he gave up on the change. But his change is better than Richards was, and his command is worse. I don’t think he’ll ever be an ace.

Comment From Roy Munson
If you had to pull 3 names out of your butt for this years Carrasco, who would they be?

Eno Sarris: Anthony DeSclafani, Allen Webster, Randall Delgado, Shane Greene. Less deep in butt: James Paxton, Jesse Hahn, Trevor Bauer.

Comment From Dan
I hear a lot of Mets fans complaining about Collins. How many wins does a manager effect over a full season?

Eno Sarris: Impossible! Cameron wrote a great piece on this, but it’s really hard to figure out. Also: managers themselves are not always consistent in how they approach the bullpen and starting lineups. So you can’t even type them that easily. (I don’t love Collins.)

Comment From channelclemente
Great piece on the Giants midweek. Are you going to followup with more?

Eno Sarris: I had that piece on fairness Japanese baseball that Vogelsong and McGehee inspired, and then I’ve got a followup on those guys and what they learned in Japan.

I also talked to Righetti for a long time, part of that was in the piggybacking starters piece, but there’s more. He yelled at me a bit when I asked him about Strickland tipping pitches — why would I answer that question? I was like, dunno, the pitcher talked to me about it, and Righetti shook his head.

Vogelsong punked me too. Walked into his room and he was like “I”M NOT TALKING BOUT STATS OR ANY OF THAT STUFF” and literally turned around, but he was playing.

{“author”:”4AD”}:

Comment From El Guapo
Leonys Martin or AJ Pollock?

Eno Sarris: Martin for floor.

Comment From Beer Me!
Alpine IPAs>Russian River IPAs. That is all. San Diego wins again.

Eno Sarris: well Younger is close, but love love Alpine Nelson, Duet, Hoppy Birthday.

Comment From Curtis
Who has the biggest gap between fantasy and reality value? Simmons?

Eno Sarris: Yeah or a framer, even one on the way up, like Austin Hedges.

Comment From Matt
Is there enough upside left for Allen Webster in a dynasty league that I should not just use him as a throw in to get a trade done?

Eno Sarris: I think so yes

Comment From Spaceghazi Coast 2 Coast
What’s your take on the Birchwood Brothers’ post from yesterday, and on Ender Inciarte as a breakout candidate specifically?

Eno Sarris: Yeah I like looking at zone percentage, fastball rates, that sort of thing. Inciarte paired with an old breakout in Peralta, big side of platoon, and could play center if Pollock stumbles. Lots to like, but not a mixed leaguer unless super deep like NFBC.

Comment From Cube Jockey
Martinez or Gonzales for the StL fifth starter spot? Seems Martinez has more upside as a starter, buthe can also be used more effectively now out of the bullpen by spotting him against righties.

Eno Sarris: Gonzales also missing a third pitch, though. This is poop or off the pottie for Martinez, so I’ll take some shares cautiously.

Eno Sarris: By the way as the father of a soon-to-be three year old, poop or get of the pottie is REAL.

Comment From Michael Wacha
How do you see my not-so-typical shoulder injury impacting my Changeup usage? Throw it less? No effect? Also, will I be able to bounce back this year?

Eno Sarris: Changeups supposed to be the healthiest pitch. I like him.

Comment From Spaceghazi Coast 2 Coast
In a Fangraphs points league, what’s the highest you’d bid on Kyle Seager? I wouldn’t go above $12-15, and my league seems to value him much more highly than that.

Eno Sarris: Steamer z-score says $15… so looks like you right.

Comment From Curtis
Why do people drink Budweiser? And why do they go to so much effort to show that they enjoy drinking it?

Eno Sarris: The people in ads?

Comment From Jeff Gross
Why hasn’t Brandon Beachy signed with the Cubs yet? Wouldn’t he ideally fit the model of their reclamation pitching projects under the new regime? Or have the Cubs been burned too much by INJURED reclamation projects such as Scott Baker to be seriously interested?

Eno Sarris: I guess a 40-man roster spot is the reason. Whoever they dropped Germen for is the guy you’re looking at.

Comment From trabajo
Favor Soler or Betts more next year as a keeper?

Eno Sarris: Soler I guess. Floor way higher this year and ceiling not much worse.

Comment From Andrew
Has this become “release your most ambitious IPA” season purely because of annual PtY release?

Eno Sarris: Gotta go get that big new Modern Times IPA…

Comment From Jeff Gross
Have you tried the new Barrel Aged Speedway Stout collaboration between Alesmith and Mikkeller? Any good? How does it compare to Dexter Fowler’s defense?

Eno Sarris: No but now I desire it. I’m sure it tramples it.

Comment From mymaus
“No idea if Rondon makes it through this season in one piece even.” Did you say this because he’s a pitcher vs a hitter or do you think Rondon is injury prone.

Eno Sarris: Rondon had a lot of injuries coming up through Indians system. Without looking, at least one surgery. Not many innings.

Comment From Joe
There are roughly 100 breweries coming to Cincinnati this weekend for Beer Fest. I don’t know a lot about beer but I recognize Sweetwater – any good? Any other names to keep an eye out for?

Eno Sarris: I’m biased, but really you couldn’t do badly just looking at this list http://www.beergraphs.com/l…

Comment From Pair-a-dice
In dynasty, we have 28 spots and I have Votto, Laroche, and Kennys Vargas. What do I do with Vargas? keep, trade, drop?

Eno Sarris: Trade LaRoche. We don’t know if he can DH and he’s old. I bet he has better trade value than Vargas even.

Comment From Beer Me!
What is the lowest ranked SP you would be comfortable as having as your number 1?

Eno Sarris: I try to get one around 15-18 at worst. Try to get two top 20 guys.

Comment From Sir Nerdlington
Headed to AZ for spring training in mid-March. What’s your recommendation for beer joints? When is the FG team heading out?

Eno Sarris: We there the first week in March. Go to Papago. but also Arizona Wilderness and http://ohsobrewery.com/

Comment From jocephus

Comment From Sir Nerdlington
When is the best time to arrive at the ballpark to catch some interesting backfield action

Eno Sarris: Early! Like ten at least!

Comment From Cooly
For the Chicago meetup this year, might I suggest Begyle Brewing? They will have a tap room. I’m a member of their CSB (like a CSA), and they should be able to hook you up.

Eno Sarris: noted!

Comment From guest
How much is Moncada worth in Ottoneu 4×4? is $20 insane?

Eno Sarris: Yes. Won’t play in bigs this year. Legs part of vaue. I wouldn’t go over $8 because he’ll be $10 before you get value from him imo.

Comment From Thorn
Does Brad Miller get 450+ AB’s this year?

Eno Sarris: Still bigger side of SS platoon, so yes imo.

Comment From Charlie
Heading to SD for vacation. Couple of must-hit beer bars? Already hitting green flash and ballast point tomorrow

Eno Sarris: Monkey Paw. Toronados. Pizza Port Ocean Beach. Bottlecraft across from Ballast Point Little Italy. Hamilton’s. Neighborhood.

Comment From Nolan
Long term, rank Henry Owens, Heaney, Syndergaard.

Eno Sarris: Owens Syndergaard …. Heaney

Comment From mtsw
Will Delmon Young be a full time player for the Orioles at DH or is he half a platoon again?

Eno Sarris: Half

Comment From KC
I literally can’t buy an opinion on Marisnick. Doesn’t matter what form the question takes. No one cares… WOMP WOMP

Eno Sarris: I think he’s a fourth outfielder, backup CF type, and that Grossman takes the job from him, and then maybe Gattis takes the job from Grossman.

Comment From Becktacular
Is Richards being undervalued this year? I dont know much about those knee injuries.

Eno Sarris: He might even be ready near opening day. I’d bump him down to 180 IP but not much more.

Comment From RotoLando

Comment From jocephus
i saw a guy pull 3 names out of his butt in cirque du soleil

Eno Sarris: i’d buy that for a dollar

Comment From trabajo
How much regression are you expecting out of Victor Martinez next year?

Eno Sarris: Misses some time, hits .300 like he always does, 16-18 homers.

Comment From egl
I am in a league with mult year contracts. How would you rank Richards, Carrasco, Arrieta over the next 3 years?

Eno Sarris: Not sure I’d give any of them multi-year contracts unless everyone does. Pitchers are so volatile.

Comment From klof
what pitch should carlos martinez use to defeat his platoon splits?

Eno Sarris: Well he’s got the change, and it goes 90 and looks mostly like his sinker. If he used that for grounders vs lefties, which he kinda does, he could be a be a ground baller vs LHB, strikeout dude v RHB.

Eno Sarris: THERES A MOUNTAIN LION LOOSE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD

{“author”:”marloes5″}:

Comment From Guest
Rickie Weeks would have been the perfect signing for the Blue Jays too…

Eno Sarris: No idea why that didn’t happen.

Comment From klof
hunter strickland should get a shot to close at some point? when will this be?

Eno Sarris: Maybe not until next year, but yes I think he has the stuff. Split-change, good breaker, good command, great velocity.

Comment From klof
are you down on derek holland too?

Eno Sarris: Yes, a bit. Because he’s all gas, command and slider. Doesn’t even really have a good curve. What happens as gas goes, which it always does.

Comment From Rated Rookie

Victor Martinez on his way to rehab!

Comment From klof
AZ beer destinations: Angel’s Trumpet

Comment From John
I have Polanco at 271/342/413 slash with slightly below average defense and 2.5 WAR. Do you think that’s way too high?

Eno Sarris: Nope.

Comment From Steve
Sanders did the steamer values based on a 5×5 $260 budget… how does that relate to FG Points and $400 budget?

Eno Sarris: Super hard to do that. Just use these http://www.fangraphs.com/fa… or play with them at least

Comment From Jeff Gross
Need a recommendation for how you establish player pools for auction values. In the past, my EYES system evaluated everyone with >400 PA and using Z-Scores of that large pool narrowed it down to a pool of X, where X equaled the number of hitters drafted, re-running the Z-Sums. To account for position, I do like the “last player picked” analysis, but how do you decide who the “last player picked” should be in the first instance (or the general player pool) to avoid bias in the selection of the sample. Please do not forget to carry the 1.

Eno Sarris: Look at strength of the positions, perhaps by something as simple as an average of the starters at their positions (top 12 3Bs in a 12-teamer) and then compare them for positions where they are both eligible. How many shortstops will play MI, how many third basemen will play CI and UT — it’s still guestimmating, but you’ll be reasonable.

Comment From zwibi
eno. you forgot to mention stone brewery in liberty station for the guy going to SD

Eno Sarris: Truth.

Comment From ScoKo
Who leads TB in saves this year?

Eno Sarris: Kevin Jepsen? Probably still McGee.

Comment From jeff
The FG+ article on Kang was very positive but is it too risky to draft him as my only SS due to potential playing time issues? I worry because of the lack of replacements available on the waiver wire throughout the year

Eno Sarris: I would like to have a second option. Forgot to mention Chris Owings.

Comment From rustydude
Wise to use “mountain lion” vs cougar to avoid confusion amongst readers.

Eno Sarris: Right cause who knows if my wife is watching.

Comment From David
Bryce Harper wants Strickland to close

Comment From guest
wheres the ludes

Comment From Marty
Listened to the sleeper and the bust, have you changed your catcher strategy entirely? At what point does the Talent drop off where the position is a Lost cause?

Eno Sarris: I just don’t want a complete hole in my catcher slot. Going to try and get two starting catchers.

Comment From klof
why do you think elite relievers are relatively cheap in FG points leagues?

Eno Sarris: Because holds only one point less.

Comment From egl
I should have said, Richards, Carrasco and Arrieta are already on 3 year deals. How do you rank them? They seem very similar to me, Once top prospects, who had years of meh, but were outstanding last year.

Eno Sarris: Arrieta biggest injury risk to me.

Comment From Guest
You can take one for 2015: Harper or Puig? I just love Harpers ceiling and doesn’t his floor kinda look like our expectations for Puig? Steamer likes him for 25/10/.280ish

Eno Sarris: I’ll take Puig. Better batting average for me than that projection.

Comment From ScoKo
Favorite NYC bar for a brew (dont say McSorley’s)?

Eno Sarris: Been a while but I liked Pony Bar for beer selection. Bierkraft if it’s day time.

Comment From rustydude
pick 2 of Salazar, D. Holland, Porcello

Eno Sarris: Salazar Porcello

Comment From John
so when will dandy sandy finally realize that he has possibly the worst offseason he possibly could have, based on where the mets are on the trajectory curve? and what date does he really regret not ponying up the ~15 mil for kang, but giving cuddyer 22 mil? april 13th?

Eno Sarris: They must have translated his numbers and just been very unimpressed. But I think at some point, you can only do what you can do in an inferior league. Would Mike Trout hit 100 homers in Double-A?

Comment From Art Vandelay
THE A’S OWN THE BERNIE LEAN.

Eno Sarris: of course

Comment From Jack
Freeman or Puig…who ya got

Eno Sarris: Puig, much more comfortably.

Comment From All About that Bass(ball)
Did you try Younger this year?

Eno Sarris: Yup, at the gala. It’s really good but there are some big pale ales out there with more aroma, more fruit, more juiciness.

Comment From Shawn
I’ve often wondered why teams don’t piggyback starters more often. There are so many guys who seem like 3-4 inning arms. Why does everyone have to be a 6 IP or 1 IP guy?

Eno Sarris: I think it might have to do with the worst case scenario. Who’s your long man if the piggybacks both suck? Do you need to go to 13 pitchers to make it work? it’s a roster construction issue, I think. But I think someone should try it.

Comment From Curtis
Who is your favorite player to throw out early for bids in an auction draft? Why? heavy bidding? other reasons?

Eno Sarris: I do usually throw a big-name player I don’t want early on. If nobody wants him, then I’ll be okay with getting him cheap. Not obvious who that is this year, though. I suppose V-Mart, maybe Freeman.

Comment From Guest
I meant Steamer sees Harper at 26/10/.280 with a couple more RBIs and Puig at 22/13/.294. So you are taking Puigs floor over Harper’s upside?

Eno Sarris: yah because I see a lot of upside in Puig too.

Comment From Beer Me!
What do you read when not reading about beer and baseball?

Eno Sarris: Sometimes I read the economist. Sometimes I read longform sports stuff. Don’t have a ton of time on my hands though. Lots of times I just play a little Castle Clash and go to bed.

Comment From Rated Rookie

Never forget what else the A's own.

Comment From klof
i don’t have much cash on hand in my auction. should i only toss out big names who will suck up cash or should i nominate a cheap favorite early and hope my competition wants to hold out for the elite options?

Eno Sarris: In the case of keeper auctions, I say throw the names who will suck up cash, because some of those auctions will get nutty time.

{“author”:”Keith Block”}:

Comment From hscer
Schoenfeld’s got the Mets at #10/30 this year…seems high, esp. w/Miami in his upper 20’s…

Eno Sarris: I’ll give em a shot at the second wild card, so I guess I’d make them 12ish or so.

Comment From Art Vandelay
Their arms are literally bigger than their heads.

Eno Sarris: PYTHONS

Comment From Don
Where are you comfortable taking Kang in a dynasty league rookie draft? Is he top-12?

Eno Sarris: Is this one where the minor league farms already existed?

Comment From ar
what do you think are the most important things to keep in mind when you are the, like, 10th pick in a 12-tm draft? just positions remaining for teams 11 and 12?

Eno Sarris: Yeah got to just keep their teams on tabs, judge what they are thinking about. It’s fun!

Comment From rustydude
My keeper league is changing it’s inflation rules to thwart my 3 time winner led by Trout and Felix. Do I throw my hat after the idea of big inflation so my neener neener’s can be twice as loud after a 4th consecutive championship, or should I hold my cockiness in check and argue for the lowest increase in inflation?

Eno Sarris: If you think you can keep picking them, go for the neener neeners

Comment From Pat G
Dynasty League no contracts. Homer Bailey or Braden Shipley and Derek Fisher?

Eno Sarris: Gosh I like Shipley but I’ll take Bailey, more proven, still good, not old yet.

Comment From hscer
and his top 6 in some order coming out tomorrow are WAS, STL, LAD, CLE, SEA and PIT. about half of those teams have snuck up on me if they are that good…

Eno Sarris: I picked Cleveland to win their division last year, and I love love Pittsburgh. Seattle just been improving slowly I guess.

Comment From klof
My team name is Yelich Bin Ein Marliner. As a German speaker, can you tell me if that is grammatically correct?

Eno Sarris: Well done.

Comment From neal
do you have any idea what hector olivera might be?

Eno Sarris: He’s almost 30 and looks post-peak in his Cuban stats. But his Davenport Translation (.289 .344 .420) looks very useful.

Comment From Curtis
Was Dalton Pompey in Roadhouse?

Eno Sarris: I mean probably.

Comment From Rated Rookie
Polanco or Dickerson the best complement to an OF that already has Trout, Harper and Betts?

Eno Sarris: Dickerson has more power, gotta take him first.

Comment From hscer
would be Yelich Ist Ein Marliner, but being closer to the reference is more important here IMO

Comment From hscer
closer to the reference *and* more punny

Comment From RotoLando
Would you rather have a 6’2″ Cuban second baseman, or a 6’2″ Cuban sandwich?

Eno Sarris: Six feet of sandwich is too much. And I love sandwiches.

Comment From gimpy
we just bet 2000 bucks on Yordano Ventura era. Over/under 3.65 Which side got the better of it?

Eno Sarris: I’m taking the under. Dude has nasty stuff, and it’s not all velocity.

Comment From 🙁
I’ve been struggling for too long to find a good dynasty team name that doesn’t have to do with a certain player. Please advice!

Eno Sarris: Think of obscure plays like Walkoff Balks, maybe combine with popular figures… boom WALKOFF BALKIE

Comment From Shawn
Thoughts on Starling Marte this year? I know they strikeouts, but if someone goes Brantley this year, could it be him?

Eno Sarris: Very different player than Brantley, I’d say. Way lower BA/OBP floor.

Comment From Curtis
The LogFloggers or HandLoggers….

Comment From 🙁
Genius. Thank you for saving me from an infinite loop of misery.

Comment From Brandon Belt
Hi Eno, any book tecommendations from the past year? Doesn’t have to be about baseball. But can be

Eno Sarris: I think the last book I read was Jonah’s Up Up and Away. Borrowed a Denis Johnson book from the library and didn’t have the time, had to give it back before i owed penalties.

Comment From mtsw
Should I start making my own seltzer water? Seems nuts to pay $.50/can for it, but buying a huge tank of C02 also seems like a crazy person thing to do.

Eno Sarris: Start brewing and then you’ll need the C02 anyway. Wait, brewing is expensive.

Comment From John
sodasteam

Eno Sarris: This is like when you poop in an outhouse and

Comment From Guest
Two pitchers are on the board: Stroman and Pitcher X?_who is pitcher x that would make it tery very close for you

Eno Sarris: Maybe Ryu and Cobb? Take Cueto ahead of him though.

Comment From hscer
library fines are the worst, but https://librarycartoons.fil…

Comment From RotoLando
Do German outhouses have a wooden poop shelf?

Comment From Guest
run out of tp?

Eno Sarris: Knew I could count on you guys.

Comment From Eddie Brock
Last week you said you didn’t care for fat tire, is there anything from new belgium that you like?

Eno Sarris: Yes, their sours!

Eno Sarris: okay guys! Gotta go!

Eno Sarris: It’s been real and or fun!

Comment From Greg
Eno, thanks for all the great info. I can only keep two of Rendon ($0), Rizzo ($1), Abreu ($11). $260 budget so all three are great bargains, and I have two utility spots. Do I go with two 1B? I’m so confused, please help.

Eno Sarris: Rendon Rizzo!

Comment From rustydude
thx Eno