Eno Sarris Baseball Chat — 2/16/17

Eno Sarris: was listening to some old school Lupe and he’s not too far off the mark these days

Gucci: What’s your take on Blake Snell this year? I’m not expecting ace like numbers but as a super late round pick maybe a profitable opportunity

Eno Sarris: Decent floor, but yeah maybe ace like upside. The slider was a big deal last year, giving him four pitches I believe in… command of course is the question.

Minty: OBP keeper. Trade Beni for Dahl? They’re both sexy time bc of lineup or park

Eno Sarris: I think in OBP I’d keep Benintendi. Huge, UGE, floor.

Michael Waka Flaka: How many at bats for Matt Holliday this year? Think he’s worthy of an OF5 spot in a points league?

Eno Sarris: 500 or so? Between DH, 1B, and RF, there’s a ton of opportunity for him. He hit the ball hard last year, he’s not done.

Hannah Hochevar: Unhappily reading your O’s depth piece. It felt like there was cheap, if not exceptional, pitching to be had this off-season. Why did the O’s refuse to add any? The paranoiac in me feels like they’re preparing to tank to make a midyear fire sale more palatable/inevitable…

Eno Sarris: At least a guy like Jorge de la Rosa, right? I don’t get it.

Brian: Why do you like baseball? Had a hard time putting into words why when talking to friends.

Eno Sarris: I actually like the slower pace but I love baseball for so many reasons. I love sitting in the stands with a friend and a brew, not paying attention to every single pitch, and enjoying the weather and the company. I love sitting behind home plate and trying to figure out what each pitch is, what the pitcher is trying to do, what the hitter is thinking. I love sitting at home and having the tools to know exactly what is happening. I love thinking hard about baseball and I love not thinking about baseball.

Erik: Let’s say that 50 years from now, the WBC is the baseball equivalent of the World Cup. All the best players play in it, and every baseball fan watches it. What steps have been taken to get it there, and is baseball better and more popular because of it?

Eno Sarris: Finding a way to get good pitching in the tourney without hurting them all is the way forward. Baseball would be better for it, yes.

Paul: Padres bullpen looks like the most interesting in baseball with the return of Capps, the experiment of Bethancort, and guys like Hand, Buchter, Quckenbush, and Maurer still there. Who gets the saves? Capps?

Eno Sarris: Capps if healthy. Best trade value.

Prince: What would you pay for Ryon Healy in AL-only and mixed leagues?

Eno Sarris: As much as $18 in only. Doubt I go further even though I like him because there’s still a decent amount of talent at the position. Probably only $5-7 in mixed.

Erik: Do we know enough to give a rough estimate as to what percentage of ERA is attributable to the pitcher, the catcher, and the defense?

Eno Sarris: We’re getting better, but no I don’t think so.

Dr. Spaceman: Thoughts on Gerrit Cole? regarding the injuries he had last year- do they explain his struggles? Should we expect 2015 Gerrit Cole in 2017?

Eno Sarris: Maybe, but why did his slider percentage go down, why did he lose swinging strikes. Maybe I was wrong about cole. I always thought he was going to be an ace.

Eno Sarris: Personal lude. Here’s one of my favorite rap tunes of all time. I dunno, maybe it’s a guilty pleasure, maybe people hate it, but it hits the right notes for me and I’m usually a conscious rap guy.

Eno Sarris: Anyway, we were listening to another one of his tunes. The one with Snoop. In the car this morning.

Eno Sarris: and my son literally said these words:
“Dad, I like Snoop! Dad, he said drink too much, that’s silly! You can’t drink too much! That’s silly.”
“…”
“Dad, did you hear that why did he say drink too much hahah”
“Maybe he had to pee too much because he drank too much”
“Yeah maybe he had to pee too much because you can’t drink too much water.”
“yeah”
“oh, look dad, there’s Snoop Dogg the Tree!”

Michael Waka Flaka: I keep finding myself grabbing TB and A’s SPs late (snell, Cobb, manaea, cotton). Do you like these guys are am I really shooting myself in the foot with low run support and win probability. I play in a pts league where wins are +10.

Eno Sarris: Tampa might be okay, but this is a problem I’ve had on staffs. I don’t know what to do about it except make sure your aces are on good teams? You have to think about it a little but wins are terrible to project.

PF: What do you make of the Blue Jays bullpen with Smith and Howell? Still crying out for Blanton?

Eno Sarris: I see two or three bullpens that need Blanton.

Hank: Which Twins player do you believe will have a better 2017: Miguel Sano or Byron Buxton?

Eno Sarris: Sano. Although what’s the judging factor. By wRC+, easily Sano, so easily. By WAR, dunno, Buxton will be a good defender.

Maxamuz: Eno Eno Eno can’t you see – Lucas Duda is gonna hit 53 – I just love his flashy ways – I guess thats why I’m broke and he gets paid.

Alex Jose Reyes: Who takes the job for the cards: Weaver or Wacha?

Eno Sarris: Wacha. Easy. Weaver still has options and that’s a perfect sixth starter situation.

PF: Matt Latos is signing with the Jays. Thoughts?

Eno Sarris: THE CRITTER IS COMING.

bl27: Expectations on Tyler Glasnow and Joe Musgrove.

Eno Sarris: Glasnow is revamping delivery, which makes him hard to project but also more interesting than I would have thought. Musgrove has really unique movement. I bet he has Smyly-like fits and starts.

Husk: If I’m looking to target a few teams that will be the first to switch closers this year, am I right to target TEX and MIN?

Eno Sarris: Minny for sure, but Dyson has a really high floor with that Britton-esque sinker. I think Rockies could be in flux, depending on Holland’s velo when he comes back, Nationals obviously, Athletics, Marlins maybe, Brewers. Dbacks, Phils, Angels. Last two probably first on the list with Minny.

Miketron: Are you into Jamacian twerk music? I’d imagine you are.

Eno Sarris: I’d call it dancehall but it is pretty fast-tempoed!

Alex Jose Reyes: I did a mock yesterday and found that by the middle of the draft (rds 10+) there just wasn’t anyone I really wanted. Didn’t want to reach too far for guys but had zero need for guys like Brad Miller or Samardizja. What’s ur strat for when you have this same feeling? Pivot to closers? Is the ESPN adp data just off/due for a correction?

Eno Sarris: There are always weird rounds and yeah this is the problem with adhering too closely to ADP. It has its uses, but at some point you just get the guys you want.

Who? Mike Jones: Can you name some good middle round sp targets for a points league where wins are very important? I’ve been looking at guys like E Rod, Montgomery etc

Eno Sarris: Ed Rod hurt himself so he’s a bit down for me. I saw recently that Paxton is in the top 30 so that’s tough to get in the middle rounds now. Samardzija, Moore from SF are interesting. I wonder where Nola will go. Garret Richards. If you’re talking later, Gausman, Gray, Joe Ross. Later: Eickhoff, Cotton, Wacha.

Eno Sarris: I’m working on my rankings today.

Guest: At an airport lounge, what beer would Eno have?

Bodhizafa IPA / Roger’s Pilsner / Georgetown Porter

or red/white/bubbly?

Eno Sarris: Probably the IPA but I know Gtown is good so might go that way.

Sonny: Picked up some Easy Jack and wasn’t impressed, any other recs in the <6% session IPA realm?

Eno Sarris: You may not love the style. All Day is the grandpa, Stone Ripper is the newcomer.

Merv Throneberry: Will Straily be a useful 5th starter in fantasy this year? Or…not?

Eno Sarris: I think his makeup and pitchability are off the charts. Homers were a big problem and now he’s in Florida. I think he’ll be useful.

Bork: Hello, friend!

Raindog: Enoooo, enjoyed the article today, which just further confirms my belief that the Orioles needed to sign at least one of Fister / Lewis / Peavy like yesterday. These guys have got to be pretty cheap, what’s holding things up?

Eno Sarris: Dunno. Money?

Jeff: What starting pitcher outside the top 30 ranking with FanGraphs are you most excited about?

Eno Sarris: Nola, but Greinke is 31 so I still like him a ton.

baby bull : What will Miguel Sano’s career low k% be (excluding 2014’s 0%)?

Eno Sarris: 28% in peak year.

ryan: do we know enough about spin to say something like, “mauricio cabrera should start throwing a sinker since he has below average spin”?

Eno Sarris: I think so. You could also say “Cabrera has a flat boring four-seamer and his sinker has a ton better movement and averages 100 as well” but then you have to think about command. But for a guy that averages 100, his K rates have been poor, so there are a lot of ways you could come to this conclusion.

Brad: What am I missing about Fulmer being ranked by RG around 40? He has 3 good pitches and clearly learned how to pitch (not throw) better last year. I know his ks were down, but with 3 good pitches, and high velocity, shouldn’t it go up? Where would you rank him? Thanks.

Eno Sarris: Maybe some injury worries? I’ll probably rank him higher.

PF: What’s your take on the Biagini debate? Depth Starter or Reliever?

Eno Sarris: They need depth. I say both, but the real need is depth starter, and he actually has the pitches.

Riley N: A fangraphs writer (not going to name names) has said multiple times in his chats that “Robert Gsellman is not good” and “nothing more than a 5th starter.” When a well respected outlet such as BP names him the #4 pitching prospect and #17 overall prospect in baseball (with and OFP of 70, likely 60), does that normally cause one to maybe look at some more tape and reevaluate their stance?

Eno Sarris: The velo spiked. If it goes down, I could see him being less interesting. At 94… he still has the aura of kitchen sink about him. The change doesn’t have good movement or velo gap. He did throw a cutter and a curve, though, and that could still make him p good. I’d shoot in between the two assessments. Not many top five pitching prospects boast a cutter as their best secondary pitch.

baby bull : Give me a reason to believe Wacha will bounce back? please

Eno Sarris: Release point back to where it was in 13/14, still has plus velo, still has That Change.

Catchers Mitt Romney: Which of the lower ranked (20 and below) catchers can you recommend in roto or h2h this year?

Eno Sarris: Cervelli is fine in OBP, Gomes and D’arnaud are interesting health bounce back candidates, as is Mesoraco, and Rupp is fine.

anonymous: Why do I like Jameson Taillon more than anyone else in every draft room I’m in?

Eno Sarris: Great sinker curve combo but the change looks meh by velo and movement. Could dig a cutter or slider.

Gub Gub: Gub gub: Gub gub gubgub gub gub guuuuub __________?

anonymous: You gotta run around if you want win championships.

Snowflake: Nick Markakis is a hall of famer if you use alternative stats

Logan: Last year you had 17 SPs in your top tier i think… how many this year??

Eno Sarris: Fewer. 13-14.

Aaron: I’m just starting to explore the world of sours but not sure where to start. Can you think of a couple widely available decent ones to get me going, or am I unfortunately relegated to liquor stores with good craft beer sections?

Eno Sarris: They are expensive, but the easiest to find ones are Rodenbacher Grand Cru (really mellow), Goose Island Halia/Juliette/madame rose (really awesome actually) and Almanac (which is more affordable even though similar priced by ounce because they are in smaller bottles — get the hoppy sours).

Ryan: would the Reds benefit from converting some more of their arms into solid relievers like they did with Iglesias, instead of trying to make starters out of them?

Eno Sarris: They have to keep making starters until they actually have a rotation though.

anonymous: Talk me out of ordering a pizza for lunch and eating the leftovers for dinner

Eno Sarris: Can’t do it. If my stomach let me eat pizza, I would do this sort of hting.

Halfmer: It seems like fantasy experts either love Fulmer or expect a big regression, with few opinions in between. Why such drastic opinions?

Eno Sarris: Projections. The projections are blah because his strikeout rate was blah. But his swinging strike rate wasn’t blah, and his pitches… his pitches were anything but blah.

Youngman: How do you see Brandon Phillips playing for the Braves? Between a 1-2 WAR guy?

Eno Sarris: Yeah. I think he’ll have a 600 PA season of 1.5 ish work.

Bork: Which side of the Morales fence are you on? People seem to either think he’s going to be a huge bust or a huge success.

Eno Sarris: I’m a fan.

Eric S: Where do you stand on Jharel Cotton? Is he a fantasy 4 or 5?

Eno Sarris: This must be your first chat of the year. I lust after him.

hooha: In Soviet Russia, the players draft you

anonymous: What would the baseball version of the Harlem Globetrotters look like?

Eno Sarris: a bunch of knuckleballers and trick bunters?

Hannah Hochevar: With the glory days of SS/2B upon us, is $23 for Xander ALOnly too much?

Eno Sarris: Nope.

The Ghost of Wade Boggs: If you had to build a team of active managers and coaches, what would it look like?

Eno Sarris: Dave Hudgens, Dan Warthen, Bob Melvin.

Kooter: Is Sonny Gray likely to bounce back?

Eno Sarris: Still fiddling for that third pitch. Some health bounce but not sure about beyond that.

Eric S: How good do you think a full year of Edwin Diaz is? Top 5 closer? 10?

Eno Sarris: Top 5.

Reginald Denton III: wOBA or wRC+?

Eno Sarris: wRC+. There are some problems with park factors but you have to account for park.

Eric S: If you had to roll the dice with a late round bat and bet on upside, would you rather have Bronson, Domingo Santana, or Mazara?

Eno Sarris: In a redraft? Mazara for sure. Love him.

Bob: We know that Trout and Betts are #1/#2 AL outfielders. Who are #3-5?

Eno Sarris: Springer and uh, well, uh, huh, maybe well uh I guess uh Upton and Jones? Maybe Curz.

PF: Does Dalton Pompey finally put it all together and take the Blue Jays LF job? If so, what would you expect from him?

Eno Sarris: it’s wide open and he’s 24, so the time is now. If he can find the power and beat his projection there, to the tune of league average power, he could take the job. Switch hitter with patience, league average power, speed, and better D in the corners… sounds like an Adam Eaton type to me. Maybe not as much OBP.

bosoxforlife: Capps appears to have added a double jump to his delivery this year. When does baseball have the guts to call it cheating?

Eno Sarris: God I hope that’s just a practice thing.

Best answer, thank you! : Your why you love Baseball answer is wonderful. I love it because it’s science and art and history and culture and math and fun all in one. It’s beautiful

Eno Sarris: Also a good answer.

Joe: Have we gone overboard in the pitch frame statistic? I mean Jason Castro has a $24 million deal from MIN, but Wieters can’t get a sniff of a contract? I understand he might have been looking for a lot of money initially, but this is getting out of hand. All because he’s considered a bad pitch framer? There is no comparison between him and Castro yet pitch framing is winning the day? Makes no sense.

Eno Sarris: Think about how many pitches a catcher frames vs how many he gets to swing at.

Snoop Dogg the Tree: Where’s your bathroom?

Eno Sarris: lol

Eno Sarris: wut

Mike: fantasy question – two years of Rodon or three of Manaea? (and is one year of Arrieta better than either of those?)

Eno Sarris: Rodon

mike sixel: When you travel, do you often, sometimes, rarely, bring back a bottle or two that you can’t get locally?

Eno Sarris: Often. Very often. And more like 48.5 pounds since I’m paying anyway.

kevinthecomic: Randy Choate just announced his retirement — say something nice about him!

Eno Sarris: He helped us understand that certain arm slots had platoon splits and that’s beautiful.

Q-Ball: It seems like Beer is literally the only beverage that is popular in every country, every culture around the globe (except abstinence ones). Is that true?

Eno Sarris: Wine?

Big Dave: Call me crazy but if Lourdes Jr can out hit Smoak in the spring he’s playing 1st in Toronto. I’m calling it Eno write it down.

Eno Sarris: Seems early.

roger: Can u tell writers to stop using phrases like bearish or bullish? Former or Latter. quit speaking in riddles.

Eno Sarris: I always have to google bear and bull haha. Former and latter I’m cool with.

Raindog: Dylan Bundy: return of the top prospect, average starter, or arm falls off?

Eno Sarris: I’m pretty excited actually. I wonder how much cocking his arm behind him was adding to fatigue.

Bob: Jeffress, Bush or Kela if Dyson loses the closer’s gig?

Eno Sarris: Bush.

Matt Damon: MATT. DAMON.

Keith Hernandez: You think we see Dom Smith in Queens before year end?

Eno Sarris: No

Marty: A few years ago we switched from saves to saves+Holds. man what a mighty great switch

Eno Sarris: I’m a fan. Forces you to just get good relievers.

Marty: Learned that Hawaiian reggae is like Jamaican reggae but needs far more reggae horn…as in some…any reggae horn…

Eno Sarris: Hawaiian reggae is super super soft. But that’s aight, I guess. Fewer problems in Hawaii.

Keith Hernandez: Tried a Space Dust IPA for the first time this week based on this chat. You the real MVP, Eno.

Eno Sarris: In terms of Safeway beers, it’s the best.

Marty: Session IPAs are often the best breakfast beers.

Eno Sarris: Or shower.

Modern Times: Hey Eno, we are releasing Booming Rollers this week. Just thought you should know.

Eno Sarris: YAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Dr. Frank Jobe: Are you girding your loins for 100 mph sliders from Noah Syndergaard?

Eno Sarris: I think I might have to wear adult diapers. At least if I had to step in against it.

ResumeMan: I am creating a spreadsheet for ranking players for the upcoming Scoresheet season. I’d like to include some Statcast batted ball information. Is there one or two most-informative items I could include as columns in my evaluation of hitters? Pitchers?

Eno Sarris: Be very careful with pitchers, though I guess four-seam spin is worthy. With hitters, I recommend Perpetua’s xStats.org stats.

Miketron: Session IPA recommendation: Hobo Life by Lord Hobo?

Eno Sarris: Haven’t had yet. Jack’s Abby’s Hoponius Union I have, that should go on the list.

Eno Is “Win” In Mandarin: Hey, Eno! With all the years of baseball analysis under your belt, what are the top two tips you’ve cultivated for discerning “one-hit wonders” from genuine/sustainable skill improvements? I’ve been wracking my brain over Jonathan Villar, and would appreciate any insight you can offer. =)

Eno Sarris: I’d say other than BABIP stuff, a one-year jump in power, especially if it’s all in HR/FB and not in GB/FB changes, that’ll get my eye.

Walt: I’ve been undecided on Nomar Mazara all winter. 20 hr’s in rookie campaign at 20-21. 262 ba How do you see his season 2017 numbers at 21-22?

Eno Sarris: .280/25 back of napkin.

Maverik312: Whaaa?! Just skipping right over Rosenthal as an option? He could take that 5th spot.

Eno Sarris: yes. I’m skipping over the career reliever in favor of the established three-pitch starter who still has 93 mph gas and one bad year on his ledger.

Hannah Hochevar: I’m a generally (ie, entirely) non-violent person, but is it wrong for me to enjoy it when Mobb Deep says ‘Rock you in your face, stab your brain with your nose bone’?

Eno Sarris: I think art and sports are there to channel the violent energy that used to fuel us and is now useless for most of the population. Enjoy it.

Hank: Yu Darvish for AL CY YOUNG!! How surprising would that be to you? I think he’s undervalued and could be the top SP (not named Kershaw) in the majors.

Eno Sarris: Not surprising at all. He’s so good.

Riddle Me This: Consider a pitcher with 50 grade command and control, with 4 50 grade pitches. Is he an average player? Spot starter? Non-rosterable?

Eno Sarris: Sounds like an average starter. Here’s the thing though. Since teams use ten starters on average, the fifth starters are often two-win pitchers. Think about the bullpen as part of the pitching staff, and it makes sense. So that sounds like a 4/5 to me.

J Lee: What is the best way to sort spin data on Statcast

Eno Sarris: Four-seamer or curve, descending.

Nelson: Any good Kolsch recommendations? I need to make use of these Kolsch galsses I got as a gift.

Eno Sarris: Fort Point makes a great one. RJ Rockers, Blue Jacket, Other Half.

J Lee: Eno, are you going to release Arsenal Scores for 2017, or did I miss them?

Eno Sarris: I think Chamberlain did a good version.

Bobby Loops: Do you forsee Addison Russell continuing to improve his K/BB numbers and having an OBP around .330 this season? I’ve seen some people drafting him well after Tulo, which seems crazy to me.

Eno Sarris: Obvious to me that they are going in different directions, and I think Add’s makeup is off the charts, and that he’s going to get the most out of his skillset and improve again this year.

Marty: Scott Boras compared Matt Wieters to Carlton Fisk which was….something to hear.

botchatheny: have you ever fallen thru a barn?

baby bull : who was best pitcher you got to watch behind homeplate? Ive seen Scherzer in Philly a few rows behind home plate, that was special

Eno Sarris: I went down to the field to see Verlander vs Gray in the playoffs, that was fun. I’ve seen Bum a ton from behind home plate.

Korona: over/under on this 2017 Gary Sanchez slash: .250/.330/.450

Eno Sarris: Over.

ChiSox2020: What is Charlie Tilson’s ceiling? Can we Sox fans hold onto a small glimmer of hope that he’ll be Odubel Herrera?

Eno Sarris: Doesn’t have same hit tool. I think you’re hoping for Billy Hamilton at best.

hooha: a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush – you gotta use special shampoo to get rid of them

Josh: You frequently get a chance to talk to players, right? Would you mind apologizing to Alex Reyes for me? I’ve had him in a dynasty fantasy league for a few years and I just want him to know that I’m sorry for what I’ve done.

Ron: If you punch yourself and it hurts, are you strong or weak?

Eno Sarris: Well that was a real upper decker of an interlude.

donnie: Podhorzer had Buster Posey with a big Babip vs. xBabip discrepancy suggesting a regression that could lead to a big season? Your thoughts on the 30-year-old catcher this season?

Eno Sarris: I think he’ll hit .300 this year?

natsfan: I can keep Mazara, Kepler, Charlie Tilson and M’s centerfielder (dammit forgot his name!) for $19 total. 5 OF, 2 utility/dh spots. Do this and snag best available OF or toss somebody back?

Eno Sarris: I’d toss Tilson.

Eric: Does Jesse Winker capture some serious playing time in Cincinnati? He has pedigree as a 1st rounder that Longenhagen put a current 55, future 70 on the hit tool. He had the nice 1:1 BB:K rate in AAA last year. It isn’t the sexiest fantasy profile with the lack of real power and speed, but he seems to being overlooked to some extent.

Eno Sarris: Any power comes back and he’s interesting again. I’d keep my eye on him.

Tim Whatley, DDS: You were in my dreams last night with a buzz cut. Thoughts?

Eno Sarris: 7th grade it me.

Curtis: Jim Carrey as a third base coach

Jim: Matt Wisler..done with him or no? And Severino..reliever you think?

Eno Sarris: Done with Wisler myself. Severino… maybe done with him too. Doesn’t have a second pitch let alone third.

Eno Sarris: loafers

Frank: Does Alex Bregman finish the season as a top 7 3B?

Eno Sarris: Projections alone have him 13th… and though I believe in him, that’s a far jump to make. I’d say top 10.

Tom: Believer in domingo santana?

Eno Sarris: yes.

J. Peterman: Better signing for the Jays: Mat Latos or Cat Latos?

Eno Sarris: Cat.

bosoxforlife: Dan Warthen or Ray Searage?

Eno Sarris: I wonder how much of Searage’s genius left for Miami. Might be an organizational thing there. I won’t give the Mets the same organizational credit.

RM: Puig bounces back or continues his underperformance?

Eno Sarris: I’m on team bounceback. The book was to throw him inside and he actually did well on those pitches.

Chaco Chicken: Are you a good fantasy baseball manager?

Eno Sarris: I often ask myself this. I dominated until I started playing in the big leagues. Could be Quad A haha. I think what I do is play too hard to my strengths and make them weaknesses – a la I’ll spend nothing on my pitching staff or bullpen because I can find those guys and then I have a weak staff. I usually average 3rd or 4th out of 15 in all of my leagues, and honestly I think that’s where you want to aim, because every winning season has a little bit of luck.

Eno Sarris: Even the Cubs one.

Mike: We get cat updates in Dan’s chat. Will we get a sandwich update in Eno’s?

Eno Sarris: My damn cats scratched up my computer screen how’s that for an update. Also, I’m thinking about crisping up the sweet curry salmon skin I had, putting that back on the salmon, and putting that on soft baguette with cucumber today.

Dan: Bodhizafa IPA is brewed by Georgetown.

Eno Sarris: So I’d take the IPA.

Maxamuz: What’s your take on Christian Yelich?

Eno Sarris: Never going to be a ton better than he was last year, I doubt he’ll change his launch angle a ton because it works for him.

Joe: Castro is an auto out in the lineup though. And there’s no evidence that his pitch framing ability will translate to more than a win or two as long as MIN has marginal pitching talent. So that’s worth $24 million? That makes zero sense. I could understand if he could get the bat on the ball occasionally, but he’s a consistent .210 hitter. Pitch framing is a skill, but it can’t be your only skill.

Eno Sarris: Batting average? Castro is 6% worse than league average for his career, which is above-average with the stick for a catcher. Last three years he’s been about average for a catcher with the stick.

Pat: How deep of a league would it have to be for you to draft Chad Green? His stuff kinda plays sometimes (fine, one time)…

Eno Sarris: I’m interested in him. I’d like him to throw the splitter more and he had more Ks than the last Green(e) in the minor leagues.

bosoxforlife: Syndergaard couldn’t pitch in Las Vegas, deGrom couldn’t pitch in Las Vegas, Gsellman looked like a different pitcher when he left town. How much of a problem do the Mets have in evaluating pitchers in the heat and altitude of that city?

Eno Sarris: Actually I wonder if it has some value as a finishing school. “So you dominated Double-A, here’s a hell hole.” Thor learned his change there, maybe there are some benefits for the other two guys.

Guest: Hoponius Union is an IPL to be clear:)

Eno Sarris: I know but if we’re talking sessions it goes on the list for me.

Hannah Hochevar: In terms of Rap Life and the satire of that world, you can’t beat Big Tymers – Still Fly.

Eno Sarris: is that… is that a gold trash can?

pirates hurdles: Junior Guerra’s 2017, closer to 2016 or his FIP?

Eno Sarris: Closer to his FIP than his projections.

JKD: The way to get good pitching in the WBC is probably to have baseball just continue to evolve towards a bullpen-game approach at all times. Which of course has its own impacts on the game, but even a longer midseason WBC would be less disruptive.

Eno Sarris: Sheds a tear for the starter.

Made in Taijuan: The industry seems to have soured significantly on Taijuan Walker, and there are some good reasons for that, but can you make a case for him rebounding/breaking out/being a good pitcher? Or is he a lost cause?

Eno Sarris: He’ll get to face the pitcher some, and also took 15 bone spurs out of his foot?

El Duderino: on a scale of 1 to 10, how interested are you in my sandwich. Slow Top: Slow Roasted smoked beef, arugula and tomatoes with peper, a garlic aoli on a Ciabatta bun, with a side coleslaw and pickle

Eno Sarris: 8

phat tires: Does Loria sell the Marlins or take the French Ambassador job?

Eno Sarris: cough cough corruption cough cough

$200 hot dog: I was working on an article about the lowest exit velocity on a home run and came upon a Joe panik shot that landed in the 60mph Range off of Aaron Blair. Could that possibly be right?

Eno Sarris: I bet that’s a mistake.

Joe: Are you a believer in Jake Lamb?

Eno Sarris: Yes.

Dan: Have you ever had any beer from De Garde Brewing from Tillamook, OR? They have some of the best sours I’ve ever had.

Eno Sarris: So. Good.

Miky: Is Sonny the best pitcher in the A’s rotation this year?

Eno Sarris: No.

El Duderino: I had a problem last weekend… I brought some brewskies ice fishing and just couldn’t drink them before they froze!? When they were in the “cooler” they were fine, but you had to drink them within 5 minutes until they became slushi! What should I do?

Eno Sarris: Light beers that taste fine with ice or higher alcohol beers/hard alcohol that won’t freeze.

Weedpuller: what does your crystal ball have for Wheeler this year?

Eno Sarris: I’m so afraid to look into that ball.

Ed: Hey Eno, who is the first reliever to make a sam dyson like impact this year?

Eno Sarris: Blake Treinen has his same fastball.

Papers Please: Thoughts on players who refuse to adjust to being shifted on constantly?

Eno Sarris: There is some validity to the idea that if you turn a power hitter into a slappy other way singles guy, you still won some.

Greg: Believe in Harvey this year? Lynn, Richards?

Eno Sarris: Harvey Richards Lynn because if they’re all crapshoots, go with peak value.

Joe: How could anything involving Raekwon be considered a guilty pleasure? Dude’s a rap legend.

Eno Sarris: True. I don’t think people think of Tash in the same regard though.

TampaRay: Wine goes better with pizza than beer.

Eno Sarris: whoa whoa whoa

James: I know you liked Triggs a little last year..what do you see this year?

Eno Sarris: I’m into it. Just the idea that someone from that arm slot could throw a changeup and start is v exciting.

El Duderino: Is Tebow going to ST?

Eno Sarris: Don’t really care. More power to him for trying something, but doesn’t mean I think he’s going to be a big leaguer.

Curtis: Beer goes better with beer.

Eno Sarris: Natch.

El Duderino: Why is Syndergaard trying to throw harder??? Pretty much all the late 90’s and early 2000’s Aces use to no throw at 100% until needed and sat at the lower range of their velocity. (Pedro, Clemens, Smoltz, Glavine, Haladay, Maddux, Schilling, Etc)

Eno Sarris: Harry Pav has some evidence that this helps a pitcher stay healthier, too. But I couldn’t find evidence that pitchers are pitching closer to their max in general, at least not in the Pfx era.

The Decadent Moose: The Sadies
It’s Easy Like Walking (feat. Kurt Vile)

Have you heard yet?

Eno Sarris: Yeah. Interesting.

Eno Sarris: Sometimes he’s too low energy, so something like this has upside for me.

Pomeranz: Gregory Polanco – repeats stats from 2016, a little better in 2017 or big jump in 17/

Eno Sarris: Maybe a little more power, but not a huge jump. He’s already very good.

BOBBBY: Which team’s FO do you think is most risk-averse? Perhaps to the detriment of their overall standing?

Eno Sarris: The Mets actually come to mind, but they’ve also signed Yo and Wright to long deals. I think of the Orioles and their lack of SP depth.

Orange President: Do you think Domingo Santana will do enough to be valuable in a 10 team league?

Eno Sarris: Dunno, but decent last round pick because you’ll know quickly if his shoulder is healthy and he’s lifting the ball. If he improves his FB rate, watch out. Hits the ball hard, and GB/FB becomes meaningful v quicky.

Lone Wolf: Cascade Sours — All hits, all of the time.

Eno Sarris: Lots of singles in that lineup. Russian River hits homers, but Cascade has one or two triples and homers in that lineup for me. I like them, don’t get me wrong.

El Duderino: I remember back when Zumaya was pitching, people were saying that he was already over the natural capability of a human. But is there evidence that a 100MPH fastball is better than 95 with sink or wicked run/fade?

Eno Sarris: Flat 100 < 96+ with fade < 96+ with ride I think.

El Duderino: Why do I like Starlin Marte so much? (I am not a Pirates fan)

Eno Sarris: Dripping with tools?

Will Graham : Any growth left in odubel Herreras bat?

Eno Sarris: More likely some regression because that walk rate didn’t hold into the late season.

Eno Sarris: Okay guys I gotta go! Thanks for hanging out!

Andy: Please help with my final keeper. Have to drop one of Story, Gary Sanchez, or Villar in OPS league. All basically same price. Thank you.

Eno Sarris: Villar.

Eno Sarris: Okay later people.