Eno Sarris Baseball Chat — 2/19/15

Eno Sarris: good morning! good morning music.

{“author”:”Pitchfork”}:

Comment From Harry Porter and the Voldemalts
Ennnnooooo come to Asheville and drink Wicked Weed and talk baseball with me!

Eno Sarris: sourisly

Comment From OK
Degrom, Garrett Richards, or Tyson Ross as my final keeper?

Eno Sarris: As much as I like Richards… deGrom is deBomb.

Comment From Barney
Why has the hype cooled so much on Gregory Polanco? I mean all/most rookies go through what he did in ’14. Is there something about his struggles that should make me more concerned about him?

Eno Sarris: People focused too much on his power output. Everything else was there, and we don’t actually know too much about his true talent power from ~400 PA. I still love him.

Comment From Bookie Metts
How excited should we be about the news that Mookie put on 17 pounds? I don’t know if I can contain myself right now!!!

Eno Sarris: Has to be good news for his power. Not like he Ron Gant/d and won’t be able to hit the ball.

Comment From steve
You guys have Gattis as the 3rd catcher…how many spots does he drop in OBP league? Gotta be at least 4-5 lower right?

Comment From JT
are you going to post your rankings?

Eno Sarris: Should have something that will help you answer this question soon.

Eno Sarris: JT: Moving a bit towards the interviews I’m doing, so maybe not full rankings. But people want my pitching rankings, apparently, so I’ll do those.

Comment From Guest
can you list your fav rapper, reggae group and band?

Eno Sarris: Changes all the time. At least the last one. Yesterday it was Tupac, Toots, and Morrisey. Today it’ll be different.

Comment From Shawn
I want to own Josh Donaldson this year, but 3B also seems very deep- what to do1?

Eno Sarris: I’m having the same conundrum. I think you take Donaldson if he’s there in the second round. There are a lot of first-rounders that are more established.

Comment From Guest
will Cobb ever pitch 200 innings?

Eno Sarris: He would point out that many of his injuries have been freak, so I’ll say yes.

Comment From MM
Would you trade Puig for a slightly cheaper Harper in Ottoneu? Puig is universally ranked higher on Roto lists… and Puig has him in BA, for sure. But Harper’s batted ball profile seems more conducive to XBH, no? With a 50% ground ball rate, it seems like Puig is already playing at his ceiling.

Eno Sarris: But GB% ‘improves’ — it declines — until you around 26. If it’s only slightly cheaper, I want to see what Puig does this year.

Comment From Guest
is theira scouting report on Rougned Odor’s brother named Rougned Odor the Rangers signed?

Eno Sarris: Seems slightly familiar.

Comment From George is Curious
Would you pay $25 for Brandon Moss in an AL-only league, if power sources were super scarce going into the auction?

Eno Sarris: Too rich for my blood. That’s Pujols/Fielder/Beltre territory.

Comment From Spaceghazi Coast 2 Coast
I’ve been doing mock drafts to test my rankings for this year, and I keep finding that all closers are consistently selected far above where I have them ranked. Is this a sign that I should bump up closers on my rankings, or should I just be prepared to troll for saves on the waiver wire?

Eno Sarris: Another decision I face yearly. I think tiers are the answer. Try to get the cheapest okay closer. You’ll be working the wire anyway, but you do want to get one foot in the bin with better outcomes.

Comment From Nelson
Can you please rank these old dudes for overall production this year: Beltran, Torii, Allan craig, Carl Crawford?

Eno Sarris: Torii Beltran close. Crawford next. Craig way last.

Comment From Guest
When you gonna drop your sleepers list?

Eno Sarris: Did my mixed league pitchers Tuesday.

Comment From Bobby Blownilla
Why no love for Gio? The rotographs article at seasons end was very favorable about his changeup development and he ended the season on a high note.

Eno Sarris: Age, curve usage, history of bad command is all I can come up with.

Comment From Maxamuz

I'm happy I inevitably won the war between me and Juan Pierres Mustache.

Comment From Art Vandelay
Not that it really matters, but McCutchen likes Polanco a lot too.

Comment From Guest
Ive been bumping toots since last chat

Eno Sarris: There’s a lot of love out there lude.

Comment From chimmy
Keep 3: Jorge Soler in the last (duh), Corey Dickerson in the last (duh), Ian Desmond in the 21st, Alex Wood in the 8th, Tyson Ross in the 10th, Dellin Betances in the last, Ken Giles in the last. H2H league THXXXXXXXXXX

Eno Sarris: Desmond. You can find pitchers again.

Comment From Kris
Cano or Bryce in a ‘keep forever but at an increasing cost’?

Eno Sarris: Bryce at a better age/price point, I’m guessing.

Comment From Jeff Gross
The result of my zsums of the streamer projections results in a top 10 overall, among batters, of the following, in order – how far off is this from your estimates

Miguel Cabrera 7.6
Edwin Encarnacion 7.2
Mike Trout 6.7
Paul Goldschmidt 6.2
Anthony Rizzo 6.0
Giancarlo Stanton 5.9
Adrian Beltre 5.9
Josh Donaldson 5.6
Evan Gattis 5.6
Carlos Santana 5.3

Eno Sarris: The names are all there except Gattis a bit high and Edwin too. looks like you valuing power highly, maybe too much so.

Comment From eelz
Hopslam or Heady Topper?

Eno Sarris: Hopslam!

Comment From Josh I
Hypothetical pitcher throws 100% strikes with pinpoint accuracy. How hard must he throw to be usable? How hard to be an ace? And the alternative – hypothetical pitcher throws triple digits, awesome stuff, but 0% strikes. How many strikes must he throw to be good? How many must he throw to be an ace? In the end, which ace would you rather have?

Eno Sarris: Maddux didn’t throw very hard but when he dropped below 87/88 it got iffy. Henry Rodriguez didn’t work out. I’m a stuff guy though.

Comment From Jim
Tomas, Valbuena, Prado or Alvarez in Scoresheet? Platooning obv

Eno Sarris: God if they put Tomas at third it’ll be bad for his D numbers. And I’m not super hopeful about him. I might take Tomas and shop him… otherwise… Valbuena best platooner with 3B glove combo I bet, without looking at stats.

Comment From Brett
I have a question about Travis Snider. He had a good 2nd half last year & is now playing in a much more favorable park. Yet the buzz on a potential breakout isn’t there. A 275 average with 25 homers seems a real possibility. What do you think he’ll do this year? Thanks.

Eno Sarris: We liked him on the podcast. I think he can get the platoon corner outfield job, and if you put him down for .260/18, you’ll probably own him while assuring you don’t pay too much for him.

Comment From Bean Tammison
Over/under: My stanky or my cranky?

Comment From STiVo
Growlers: Yay or nay?

Comment From Stu
you down with OBP?

Comment From Ryan
Stay golden ponyboy

Eno Sarris: We’re ready for baseball.

Comment From The Oriole Bird
Guys, contrary to the initial reports, the Orioles offseason has been momentous: They signed one of the Nix brothers and they’re close to signing Everth Cabrera. Win-now-mode switched on!

Eno Sarris: Gausman and Bundy provide hope. Snider might be sneaky pickup in that park. Another former pirate, this time he’s lefty.

Comment From Nelson
Worth taking a 1$ shot on CC Sabathia?

Eno Sarris: Definitely.

Comment From Richard
Does Nathan Eovaldi take the next step this year? Or, are we looking at a guy who is who he is at this point?

Eno Sarris: I’m hopeful for a two-breaking-ball and gas approach, like Richards, but you can’t pay for that.

Comment From Eric
Is a Kang / Flores tandem good enough at MI in ottoneu 5×5?

Eno Sarris: Risky. I’d try to pick up one more. Maybe something as unsexy as Mercer — in order to bring up your floor.

Comment From Marty
Broadly speaking, do you think the changes to the strikezone will have a fundamental impact on fantasy pitchers a) now b) a few years from now?

Eno Sarris: What’s weird is that some pitchers are already throwing higher in the zone because everyone else is throwing low. So maybe we’ll see more high fastballs as the rest of the league adjusts.

Comment From HopHead
Who is the odd man out when the Orioles finalize the Cabrera deal? Flaherty or Schoop?

Eno Sarris: Flaherty.

Comment From Nelson
Are you finally going to make it to AZ wilderness this year?

Eno Sarris: Really want to.

Comment From bill
In Snake mocks do you find you’re chasing a stars and sleepers model and fall asleep in the middle rounds?. I’m scared I will go from the Kipnis’ in the 5/6th and then the Pollocks in the 7th

Eno Sarris: My solution is to take pitching in between.

Eno Sarris: Hitting Stars
Pitching Star Tier Scrubs
Hitting Sleepers
Pitching Sleepers

Comment From Colby
With Rizzo saying the cubs will win the central and him finally having a decent lineup around him, do you think an MVP type season is in order?

Eno Sarris: possible, not ‘in order’

Comment From eeb
So I chose Brandon Beachy in the 10th round of my 14 man dynasty league’s inaugural draft last season. Yeah. He’s still on my team, is there any reason he ought to be?

Eno Sarris: Wait for spring to start unless you need the spot. On the right team… He had nice stuff.

Comment From John
I recently had a manuscript accepted for publication… well the exact words from the editor were “essentially acceptable.” should i be happy or should i take this as some sort of insult?

Eno Sarris: 1) Toast yourself. 2) Next one will make him take more notice, that B. (Editors! Pffft.)

Comment From eeb
guess you can say i’m a “BEACHLIEVER”

Comment From guest
how can there be 4 lasts

Comment From eeb
I mean he’s a real “BRAND” name

Eno Sarris: …

Comment From Maxamuz
So I paid for FG+ last year, and this year I went to re-up cause its fantastic, but ah…I didn’t have to pay. I just have my sub still. I’m not complaining, I love it, but you may want to check that out if you want to make money.

Eno Sarris: It’s a yearly subscription, so it’l run out a year after whenever you last paid for it…

Comment From kevinthecomic
To the guy with the closer question: last year, i didn’t draft a single closer, but took RPs with solid peripherals who could reasonably be expected to get the closer’s gig based on talent — I ended up leading my league in saves — remember, draft skills not roles

Eno Sarris: Agree mostly. I want skills+role for one spot, or I end up with too many scrubs and it does hurt my bottom line (ERA or WHIP) a bit.

Comment From bill
Is there a Cueto among us this year? (increasing k-rates annualy, injury history, with great value if can put together)

Eno Sarris: Cobb?

Comment From Simmy
How many bags will jose peraza still this year? O/u 24.5

Eno Sarris: Under. Might keep him down until July even if he’s ready.

Comment From Steve
Trying to nail down my 6th keeper. Normal roto categories, $260 budget, and trying to decide between a $3 Cliff Lee or a $4 Kipnis. Already keeping a $1 Betts, $34 Stanton, $14 Harper, $1 Springer, and $1 Donaldson. Please help?

Eno Sarris: Six keepers, I’ll take six hitters.

Comment From Jack
I’m seeing a wide range in rankings for P. Alvarez and Gattis probably because of projected AB’s in each case. Will either or both get full time AB’s?

Eno Sarris: Way more likely for Gattis, IMO.

Comment From Snid
Eno, I went to Wisnooski VT to try to acquire some Heady Topper and almost got laughed out of town. Only sold at certain places at certain times… good grief…

Eno Sarris: Wait till they get bought

Comment From emanuel
How does TJ House play in a 14 man universal QS league. Will his k/9 hurt me? Also, can he change his initials from TJ plz?

Eno Sarris: I think he’ll be fine, but he has no role yet.

Comment From J
So Adderall is a drug some players can get an exemption for taking, but it’s also a PED, according to MLB. If MLB is willing to allow exemptions, why not just make it legal for all players? Surely some are using it solely for performance enhancement.

Eno Sarris: Well, I know it’s not the same thing, but Cortisol is a steroid. And we get prescriptions for steroids too. So there is some precedent for “you not you.”

Comment From Jeff Gross
Interestingly enough, if you scale Mookie to 600 PA, he ranks in the top 15. Billy Hamilton is right around 50 overall, and David Ortiz rates just as valuable as Posey (and Joc Pederson projects to be better than both). Any reason Power would be valued any higher than the other stats since Z-Scores should weight based on scarcity and separation? Each player has a replacement level based on their position subtracted for apples-to-apples comparison…

Eno Sarris: Just commenting on the fact that some power hitters were higher. But your playing time estimates for Gattis and Edwin might have also pushed them higher.

Comment From Guest
Is Hill Farmstead really that good?

Eno Sarris: Never had, but I’m guessing yes.

Comment From Jim
BCBS or CBS?

Eno Sarris: CBS

Comment From bill
My Yahoo leagues have DL slots–do you know if i can draft an injured guy and not a catcher at all? Would like to then DL the guy and pickup a C.

Eno Sarris: yes believe you can do this, at least I have in past

Comment From Bart
What to you expect AROD’s line will look like this season? Is he worth a flier in a deep league?

Eno Sarris: I think he could .260/18 or thereabouts.

Comment From Guest
Why so much more love for Rizzo than Freeman?

Eno Sarris: Power! I think Freeman’s at his ceiling.

Comment From Dr. Zizmor
I was ruminating on your article of yesterday – I think it’s so interesting that, while eminently obvious, we rely on projections so much when we know that a pitcher/human being can changIOEH IOTh oH Fshti HSIT SHTUUG I”MK I”M A WERRFOWL

Comment From Guest
If Everth Cabrera sign with the O’s who will be the better 2nd baseman him or Lawrie in 4×4?

Eno Sarris: Lawrie, assuming you took SBs out. Those two

{“author”:”Midnight Raver”}:

Comment From jocephus
how do i know your twitter is you since its not verified

Eno Sarris: inoright could be anyone

Eno Sarris: (would be a lot of effort for strange reward)

Comment From Bart
The Yankees, better, worse or about the same this season?

Eno Sarris: Better. Full year of Headley, better shortstop, killer pen.

Comment From STiVo
Why is Oswaldo Arcia the top MLB player in the Fangraphs search bar right now?

Eno Sarris: Someone writing about him? If he can cut that K% down to even 24%, he’ll be good. Worried at 30% though.

Comment From Guest
Are projections by their nature ill-suited to prospect evaluation? Preference for a median outcome is in some ways antithetical to prospect development,, is it not? Projecting Javier Baez for 1.5 WAR is a nice hedge, but if he’s not performing well enough he’s unlikely to get the MLB reps to achieve 1.5 poorly-accrued WAR.

Eno Sarris: It’s a good point. Much more boom or bust. I do enjoy bust% calculations for this reason. Gives me better idea of floor/ceiling.

Comment From bill
12-team snake if you go Tulo first round, you better back him up with a player such as ____

Eno Sarris: Eh. Kang or something way later. With Tulo, you betting on wire anyway, don’t want to spend a ton on bench player to back him up.

Comment From rougned odors brother
damn it i hate it when i break the yoke while cooking eggs

Eno Sarris: TEH WURST

Eno Sarris: I made a trade! I gave up Matt Kemp, Derek Norris, Hisashi Iwakuma, Mike Foltynewicz (pr) and Manny Banuelos (pr)

he gives up

Buster Posey and Jason Castro.

Now I’m deciding between Castro and Will Smith (holds league) or Tropeano as my final keeper.

Check out my starting lineup in this league, which I started like ten years ago (OPS added):

Buster Posey
Joey Votto
Jose Altuve
Troy Tulowitzki
David Wright
Corey Dickerson
Mookie Betts
Jayson Werth
Pablo Sandoval
Jose Reyes

Comment From Biggy
Keeper question: Last one, keeping Trout Miggy cutch. I need two of: Strasburg, Rizzo, Puig, what to do?

Eno Sarris: Keep five hitters.

Comment From Jeff Gross
Top 5 breakout brewery candidates for 2015 (in no special order):
1. Funk Factory (WI)
2. Plan Bee Farm Brewery (NY)
3. Trillium (MA)
4. CASA Agria Specialty Ales (CA)
5. Jonathan Wakefield (FL)

Eno Sarris: Trillium I’m on board with. The Rare Barrel is killing it out here.

Comment From Guest
more like SNLOL amirite

Eno Sarris: Haven’t watched in years. I thought about watching for classic yucks, but so many of their skits go on like 150% longer than they should. Painful.

Comment From Ryguy
If the hypothetical pitcher throws 0% strikes, then how many strikes would he have to throw to be good? mind blown…

Eno Sarris: Moving away from zero, I’d guess.

Comment From Guest
I dont really do fantasy baseball, but I’ve got to pick the scoring stats for my league. As a sabr-inclined individual, saves/holds make me cringe — but is there any other way to make RP relevant?

Eno Sarris: K/9? K%?

Comment From John
does it seem dumb to you that the mets are essentially going to have to waive puello after spring training since he is out of options and there is no roster spot, because john mayberry jr.

Eno Sarris: Yes but also Puello has crazy low floor considering the positive test and the peripherals.

Comment From The Bureau
HEY I GOT BETANCES GILES MILLER MELANCON HEY I GOT RIZZO DICKERSON MCCUTCHEN YELICH HEY I GOT ARRIETA ROSS UHHH HUGHES HEY I GOT THE BEST MILB SQUAD IN SIGHT RUSSELLSWIHARTSYNDERGAARDGLASNOW HEY I TRADED WAINWRIGHT FOR BOGAERTS I’M AFTER YOU BEN I’M GONNA GET YOU BEN THANKS FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT ENO I’M GONNA KILL YOU BEN

Eno Sarris: some punctuation would help me understand if you want to kill me or are thanking me for support

Comment From Natitude Adjuster
Assuming no starting pitcher injuries to the Nats core 5, do you think Roark gets sent to AAA or does he come out of the Nats’ bullpen and pick up any spot starts as required?

Eno Sarris: It’s fine. He’s the best #6 in the league, and that’s a real role.

Comment From Steve
Thanks Eno. Also, Steve is my fake name because my a-hole buddies in the league also follow you on twitter. So anytime I tweet and you tweet back, my plot is ruined. Just remember, next time you need a fake name, Steve derives power. Steve gets answers.

Comment From Guest
FYI fellow commenter — you can get heady topper to drink all over the place. getting heady to take home is a bit tougher, and yes indeed often means being at a store when the delivery truck arrives. there’s an app or website that tracks it iirc

Comment From Jake
Do you think Delino Deshields jr will ever be an everyday big leaguer?

Eno Sarris: I think he’ll get a chance. And he’ll have to take to it a little better than he’s taken to his previous chances.

Comment From Jake
Do you think Oakland could use a piggyback rotation?

Eno Sarris: I don’t know who it’s easier to convince to do it — young guys (otherwise you in the minors or pen) or veterans (you got your money already) — but the bay area should create one of these situations.

Comment From Boar
are Ken Giles & Cody Allen top 10 closers 2015?

Eno Sarris: Cody Allen yes. If they trade Papelbon, yes on Giles, but iffier because of command.

Comment From John
when will baseball stop suspening people for smoking pot? how many states need to legalize it before it changes in sports culture

Eno Sarris: man no idea.

Eno Sarris: but I’m with you.

Comment From L. Scott
Enoooooo! Rank these team offenses: Angels, Blue Jays, Red Sox

Eno Sarris: Blue Jays Red Sox Angels

Comment From Andy5
When rounding out your depth chart, do you prefer to have safety in knowing exactly what your backup is going to give you (good or bad) or do you prefer the upside plays? For example, would rather have Granderson or M. Saunders as your #4 OF?

Eno Sarris: I think for #4 I might want the floor. But for #5, I want ceiling.

Comment From Optimetstic
Cuddyer was a solid .280+ hitter on the road during his tenure with Colorado. If he manages 500 AB what do you expect?

Eno Sarris: I’ll take the over on his projected average, so I’m with you a bit. And he could hit 18-20 if he was actually healthy all year, so it’s all about that health.

Comment From Nosferatu
Hey Eno, Do you think it’s worth keeping deGrom at $4 over Bumgarner at $25?

Eno Sarris: Yes I do. I’d have them about ten spots apart, and that’s more than 21$.

Comment From Dave Yaunetitegraine
Is Ellsbury a 1st round talent in a non-keeper mixed league?

Eno Sarris: No. Barely second rounder, IMO.

Comment From Ys Guy
I’m thinking I can produce mid-level C #’s by ‘platooning’ D’Arnaud/Grandal (picked in the 20;s) in my 12 team 5.x5, thoughts?

Eno Sarris: Better. I bet you get a top-five guy out of those two.

Comment From Andy5
I know IPAs are better when fresh. But what style beers tend to age well?

Eno Sarris: Imperial Stouts, Russian Stouts, Double Stouts. Anything that seems a bit too hot — alcoholy — when you have it.

Comment From Dave Yaunetitegraine
Do you drink a lot of Canadian Beer (micro brews, not the common stuff) and what is the biggest difference between US and Can Microbrews?

Eno Sarris: Have not had a lot. But have had a bunch of Unibroue and from visiting Montreal, the impression was that Canada craft leans a bit more Belgian at times.

Comment From Big Joe Mufferaw
What will you be drinkin on opening day?

Eno Sarris: Whatever they got at the Public House, maybe.

Comment From Bob Loblaw
Do you like Sale or Stroman more this year? Next year?

Eno Sarris: Sale still. Keeper league might change the calculation at some point this year.

Comment From Adam
How much more do you value closers in ottoneu? They seem even more scarce due to the 5 RP set up.

Eno Sarris: Yeah but you don’t want to pay a lot for them. I battle for the $4-6 young relievers that could close, and then hold on for dear life.

Comment From Guest
Was speed legal for players back in the day? Doc Ellis loved the stuff

Eno Sarris: I think it’s possible they were taking them before they were strictly illegal, and that they were just abusing prescriptions. Not sure of the legality. They were everywhere though.

Comment From Guest
If the Yankees were to enter a prolonged period of mediocrity, while someone like say the Nats had a run of 15+ years of great core pieces and flashy acquisitions and success, would nationwide Yankee fandom be less of a thing while that team gets more followers? Or are the Yankees just so much of a thing? I came of age ca. 96 so don’t really know a time when the Yankees weren’t permanent goliaths.

Eno Sarris: They are an icon abroad, a bit like Manchester United. I think that aura will last a long time.

Comment From Adam
In rebuild in ottoneu traded $3 Storen for $4 Kris Bryant. Good?

Eno Sarris: yes.

Comment From MM
What do you think of Farnsworth’s analysis of Kang? Are you a believer?

Eno Sarris: Enough of a believer to pay for .260/18 and reap the cream if he’s right.

Comment From Guest
there exists a variety of coffee that is perpetually blasted with water while grown in order to simulate the conditions of being in a monsoon

Comment From RotoLando
Narwhals, narwhals, swimming in the ocean…

Comment From Guest
that is all

Comment From Steve
August wrote about Arcia.

Eno Sarris: there we go.

Comment From Bart
What is your strategy for a keeper league? My 5 keepers are Stanton, Rendon, Freeman, Springer and Teheran. Would you replace Teheran with a batter like Billy Hamilton or d’Arnaud?

Eno Sarris: TdA too low, but yes on Hamilton.

Comment From Guest
how do you calculate BAR?

Eno Sarris: Find the 70% most available beers in a style by volume of checkins. Take the worst beer score. That’s replacement level in the style. It usually works out to be a beer you see all the time but isn’t great.

Use a log function to reward beers for more checkins so that the 50K checkin five star beer > 50 checkin five star beer, but use a log function so that it’s not just straight most popular beers.

I know there are problems with this, but we in version 1.0 and we are working and thinking all the time on it.

{“author”:”TheMusicalInsight”}:

Comment From Dave jaimitameredanslcue
What do you normally do with your final pick in a non auction draft? Lotto ticket, best player available, or position of need?

Eno Sarris: Lotto ticket, hopefully at position of need. Dude won’t last long on your team.

Comment From Guest
My wife and I are thinking of making the plunge on having a second kid. How has it gone so far?

Eno Sarris: Exhausting. Ask me once the second one sleeps through the night. Was up last night from 2 to 4 dealing.

Comment From Jeff Gross
One more player valuation question. You subtract a replacement level that varies by position to allow for apples-to-apples marginal value comparison. To round out the analysis, should all players be scaled to 600 PA, where AB are added/subtracted based on projected PA using the replacement level as the differential to get you to 600 PA? Does that make any sense, or does it assume you will be entirely too active in daily leagues?

Eno Sarris: We’ll have a setting where you can test this. But, just looking at ottoneu points for instance: Basically you compress the value of players if you add back in replacement level, making the “replacement level” for each position matter less. This shows up a lot for starting pitchers where there is a fairly wide range of playing time. Because playing time gets compressed for starting pitchers, it then bumps up reliever value considerably because there isn’t that much “replacement” playing time for relief pitchers. Also, taking one of these players requires you carry an extra roster spot, which has to in some way be docked from the original player. I’m not sure if docking the player with partial playing time the minimum bid is enough, because I’m not entirely sure how to calculate the value of just using up a roster spot.

Comment From Phillip
Why are so many people saying the turf in Toronto is going to have an impact on Donaldson this year?

Eno Sarris: I guess because Brett Lawrie and the whole Donaldson and Beane argument about playing hurt. No idea if it’s a real thing though. My betting on Lawrie (at cheap prices) is more based on the idea that he’s still young and could still put together a healthy year.

Comment From John
re: eggs, thats why i dont even cook them!

Comment From Guest
de voorst

Comment From Guest
problem w snl is that they always want to be sure you get the joke, a painful fixation on showing off just how smart they are while ironically making their jokes less smart/subtle in the process

Eno Sarris: de voorst.

Comment From Ryan
K/9 goes too far – Aroldis basically a 2nd rounder in that format

Eno Sarris: It’s an option.

Comment From Marty
I’ve finished in second place in my roto league 3 years running, once by .5 and once by 2.5. Tell me this is my year, Eno!

Eno Sarris: All you can do is be good enough to be top three every year, and then one will fall your way.

Comment From eelz
Nice trade, though I like Norris better than Castro. I think Jayson “I Can’t Drive 55” Werth still useful especially in OBP/OPS guys

Eno Sarris: yeah wasn’t really planning on keeping Norris. Might trade picks or just keep another pitcher.

Comment From Guest
Plan Bee + Rare Barrel are two to watch; Fremont in Wash and Revolution might also get their due, finally?

Comment From Jeff Gross
Rare Barrel – solid, but unremarkable, among what I’ve had — and all of it is pricey. Also forgot to mention 3 Sons. Corey is doing some amazing stuff down in FL.

Eno Sarris: I had a raspberry sour from Rare Barrel at the opening gala at SF beer week that inspired a longer line than Pliny the Younger, and did exactly what they said it did: tasted like eating the entire raspberry, down to the seeds, because they used a non-sweet dark malt. One of the best sours I’ve ever had, on par with Europe’s sours, might beat Russian Rivers’ best.

Comment From Big Joe Mufferaw
I’m very confused as to where Jose Fernandez should be drafted… Help me out.

Eno Sarris: I’d like him around round ten, when I’m buying SP2s and SP3s that could still be SP1s.

Comment From Guest
people like White Oak Ja Alai, but an aged IPA sounds questionable

Eno Sarris: I don’t love aged IPAs (do have my enjoy after downstairs) but I loved that White Oak.

Comment From e
if everyone is waiting on pitching; does it make sense to do the opposite?

Eno Sarris: You can make an argument that the top pitchers are just as projectable as the top hitters, but you’ll never get around the fact that once a hitter or pitcher is hurt, the pitcher gets hurt for longer.

Comment From Ys Guy
Some thanks to the whole RG crew, I used your top-300 in 4 Yahoo drafts last night (positions 3,9,9 & 12) and ‘finished’ (by their calculations) 1st, 1st, 1st & 3rd!

Eno Sarris: Yeah I stand by those ranks, they look good to me.

Comment From Grady
Is pitching deep enough in fantasy this year that you could viably draft most position players with your first 7-10 picks and pick up decent enough pitching to fill your roster out?

Eno Sarris: I think so. I usually crack among experts in the 5th/6th though, because the experts crowd is pushing top pitching up closer to the top these days.

Comment From bill
Do you know of a pitching metric that deals with only the “luck” metrics specifically? (BABIP above/below .290; HR/fb 10%; LOB 80% with caveat of highK% can sustain his LOB). Been interested in this for sometime now

Eno Sarris: SIERA is kind of like that. But there are more aspects, it gets funky because it uses GB% and found some other correlations between skills. High K% is correlated with high LOB%, for one, and GB%s over 50% start improving your BABIP.

Comment From I Punched Mickey Mantle
In my 12 teamer, I probably won’t end up with a top 5 SS. I’m kinda digging Chris Owings a little but am I crazy to get him for a buck and start him or should I shoot a little higher and pair him with someone?

Eno Sarris: I want Owings, but I want Owings along with Kang, or along with Segura. Just get two guys at the bottom that have some upside.

Comment From Big Joe Mufferaw
What job do you think you would be the best fit for in an MLB organization?

Eno Sarris: Just talked to someone that is liaising between the analytics team and the players and that’s just about the only thing I could do.

Comment From Jill
Do you know if Steamer adjusts their projections based on recent injury issues — e.g. Victor Martinez? If so, how quickly does this get done?

Eno Sarris: Steamer playing time comes from our depth charts, which are operated by humans and so get updated as soon as our humans get on it.

Comment From Bob Loblaw
My local brew place stopped carrying Alvinne Undressed. What should I replace it with, or should i just threaten the owner until he stocks it again? I have one of those mini-baseball novelty bats from when I was a kid, if it comes to threats.

Eno Sarris: I’d love to see you come in with a keychain bat yelling about a beer.

Comment From Big Joe Mufferaw
1st RP off the board should be ___________________. Non keeper NSH hold league

Eno Sarris: Chapman.

Comment From Jobas Refill
In a long term keeper , would you rather Yelich or Machado?

Eno Sarris: Yelich I think! Doesn’t have a popup or knee problem.

Comment From Phil
Have you personally had a bad beer by Stone? Untappd shows me at 14 different brews by them, and all were 3.5 stars (decent) or better with most being exquisite. The Stochasticity Master of Disguise recently blew my mind.

Eno Sarris: I think there are better blonde stouts out there, and yeah if you go to their locations in San Diego as much as I have, you’ll have some duds. They are studs, no question. Love Enjoy By. But once you make that many, some fall between the cracks.

Comment From Dan
What’s your opinion of the Mets bullpen this year?

Eno Sarris: I like it. I see some people slagging on Mejia, but he has multiple pitches and made a big arsenal change recently. I think he’ll have better command and velocity this year, healthy and full time in pen. Familia is sexy time with velocity. Parnell boring but good. And then some of the kids in the starting rotation will end up in the pen.

Comment From Greg
Nobody at SS really jumps out at me. Seems like a slim pickins. I’m contemplated going with Jung Ho Kang at SS and then we have an NA slot that I can use as a minor leaguer as my contingency plan—perhaps Seager. Thoughts?

Eno Sarris: Can’t you take a late major leaguer and then draft Kang, put him in NA, and gather information before you depend on Kang?

Comment From Guest
krautrock v. reggae v. mike moustakas singing

{“author”:”ApriliaRS125″}:

Comment From FRANK
Adam Jones, Bautista or Carlos Gomez. Who you taking as your first pick?

Eno Sarris: Joey BATS

Comment From Eno!
Related, would you trade $8 Russell for $1 Soler?

Eno Sarris: yes give me cheaper soler in my belleh

Comment From st roll
For someone who hasn’t played fantasy baseball before, what’s the best kind of league to get started with (in your estimation)? Pros and cons of the different formats?

Eno Sarris: yahoo public 5×5. Get your feet wet in the classic style.

Comment From FRANK
My dad likes dunkelweizens. I don’t. But then again, I don’t like hefeweizens and he does. Your thoughts?

Eno Sarris: Stay away from wheat beers, or try a wheat IPA and then quit.

Comment From Guest
what are your least favorite beers?

Eno Sarris: Fat Tire.

Comment From bill
Got any tried and true auction nomination strategies? Plan them in advance?

Eno Sarris: Usually have a first rounder or two I throw but don’t want. Then I start with my decision tree — important players that I think I might be able to get for price or cheaper, that will determine where I go with sleepers.

Comment From John
hwo can we incorporate dizzy bat races into the actual game, seems like that would make for some entertaining baseball

Eno Sarris: Easy. Make the sausages and presidents do it before their race. BOOK IT. PROFIT.

Comment From Richard Hidaldo
How come people talk about Brady Anderson’s great 1 season and not my (2003?) season w/ 40 some HR’s?

Eno Sarris: Oh people do talk about Hidalgo sometimes. Amazing.

Comment From Sal
Eno, can you please give a brief explanation of how you create position tiers? Do you do it more on gut feeling or is there any scientific methods you use? Thanks for the help.

Eno Sarris: There’s an FG+ thing on it, doing it graphically, but I usually do it by managing my queue in snakes, even in auctions. Gather guys that seem comparable, when that list gets low, jump in.

Comment From Guest
Rank the Russian River sours

Eno Sarris: Consecration
Sanctification
Supplication

Comment From Big Joe Mufferaw
Will you be stashing any minor leaguers in your non keeper leagues this year?

Eno Sarris: If Souza or Pompey count, yes. Maybe a Syndergaard or Owens in the right setup.

Comment From RotoLando
Are you rooting for A-Rod to fail miserably, or triumph mightily? I’m leaning towards triumph, just to watch the heads explode

Eno Sarris: Triumph. The HEEL!

{“author”:”TEEDinosaurs”}:

Comment From Guest
i thought mlb players dont get tested for pot on milb?

Eno Sarris: yah still, quit ending minor league careers over pot.

Comment From John
I see Javier Baez below replacement level this year. Do you think that is a realistic possiblity?

Eno Sarris: yes. I’ve never been on that train and I’ll continue looking at his K% with the jenky eye.

Comment From Guest
can we stop and appreciate the youth of Manny Machado, Starlin Castro, and Chris Sale? none of them are appreciably older than Kris Bryant

Eno Sarris: And… done.

Comment From Guest
If Zito makes the A’s roster he worth a $1?

Eno Sarris: No

Comment From Natitude Adjuster
Going to Germany: Freiburg, Hamburg, or Bamburg?

Eno Sarris: Family’s from Hamburg, so I’m partial. I hear Bamburg has some real nice craft beer spots.

Comment From Dave toutptitdincullote
Biggest problem in my life right now is that I cant drink beer outside.. It freezes on me.. In summer you struggle to keep it chilled and in winter you struggle to keep warm. The struggles are real in Canada bro

Eno Sarris: I played basketball outside yesterday. Wait, that’s the wrong response.

Comment From Guest
had rum barrel-aged coffee beans from Modern Times in SD — a very curious flavor, would consume again

Eno Sarris: Modern Times is the bee’s knees.

Comment From Dave graineminiature
GIMME THE LUDE GIMME THE LUDE! (Biggie fans will get it)

Eno Sarris: from the Beretta, putting all the holes in your sweater

Comment From Guest
What would you describe as the quintessential replacement beer, the same way we think of Frenchy as the quintessential replacement player?

Eno Sarris: Stella Artois.

Comment From Guest
forget monsoon coffee what about Kopi luwak? a cat eats eats the coffee berries then poops it out and its like $75 a cup

Eno Sarris: they make beer with that too

Comment From STiVo
re Yankees’ international fame: My friends who lived in Germany/Italy for a couple years developed a game to play internationally. Count all baseball-style hats for North American sports teams. Put them in two columns: (1) Yankees; (2) all others. Yankees normally has more hits over a reasonable sample, like 1 week. Fun times.

Comment From Dave tontroudecueeststretcher
If you had to write about just 1 subject (Beer or Baseball) what would you chose?

Eno Sarris: Probably baseball but let me tell you, covering a beer event as a journalist was pretty f’in great.

Comment From Guest
I was worried when I went to Flanders that I wouldn’t be able to communicate with anyone; then read a sign on the bus: “verboden de eten en de drinken op de bus”

Eno Sarris: You should hear platt deutsch, very English.

Comment From Titegraine Cameron
(reaches through screen to feel Enos’ hair) quietly whispers… ”Nice”

Eno Sarris: Creepy!

Comment From Guest
K/9 + IP minimum that forces full performance from 5 SPs all week could make RPs relevant but depress influence enough?

Eno Sarris: Yes, I play in a league just like this.

Comment From Guest
Enjoy After smh; I appreciate a beer that can be aged, and maybe even gets better with age and the brewery admits this. But if you’re going to tell me enjoy it after a date, age it in house until that date and/or don’t charge me full price for an expensive bomber to do your aging for you

Eno Sarris: MY STORAGE IS WORTH SOMETHING

Comment From Grainedinfaisse Cameron
Next 5 years… if you could keep 1, Odor or Profar??

Eno Sarris: I’m feeling Odor. Like I think more power is coming. Pitchers certainly started being more afraid of him late in the year.

Comment From G
better season. Jimmy nelson/Hahn/Pomeranz/Cingrani?

Eno Sarris: Hahn.

Comment From Jeff Gross
“What job do you think you would be the best fit for in an MLB organization?” — Eno’s correct answer is beer buyer

Eno Sarris: Except I still haven’t found a craft lover.

Comment From Guest
FLANGRAPHS

Comment From Guest
FANGRAPES

Comment From Guest
PANGRAPHS

Comment From Munchkin
Eno: VP Beer Sommelier in charge of selecting beer rotation for Citi Field

Eno Sarris: Well hold on that’s a job I could do. I’m not even a wale hunter, so I’d be able to find some good affordable available ones too.

Comment From Guest
you’re quite high on hopslam, eh?

Eno Sarris: Lower on Heady. Hopslam very honey to me. Neither in my top five.

Comment From Shawn
Stone Collaboration Xocoveza is phenomenal

Eno Sarris: I believe it was a top-five entrant for BeerGraphs Rookie of the Year.

{“author”:”crazydogg829″}:

Comment From Guest
omg at this moment a tiny scooter/boat is propelling itself across a frozen river more updates as the situation develops

Comment From Prison Mike
Lets be honest, did you or did you not say that Drew Pomeranz would be the next Greg Maddux? In all seriousness, how confident are you in his future and do you think he can become a solid #3 despite his lack of changeup? Thanks!

Eno Sarris: Haha did not. I do want to look to see if he’s hiding two breaking balls in there. But there are more and more FT/FF/BB guys out there. He’s a lefty, but his curve is huge, it’s not a slider. I like him as a back end guy, especially if you can avoid bad parks.

Comment From Shawn
Who plays Eno in the made for TV movie about his life?

Eno Sarris: Justin Guarini.

Comment From Randall Simon
Did someone say sausage race?

Comment From Shawn
Is it me or is the Carlos Carrasco hype getting insane? I’ve seen him ranked as high as mid-teens. There’s only room for loss at that point

Eno Sarris: Agree. He didn’t have great command before, and what happens when he loses some of that velocity. I did notice he flipped his slider and change usage, though, and his slider has best ball rate. Could be part of his breakout.

Comment From Soladoras
Narhwal or Old Raspy?

Eno Sarris: Rasputin is a solid solid available stout.

Comment From Guest
have you ever been to burning man

Eno Sarris: I seem like that kind of guy, right? No, though.

Comment From Guest
are temptation and beatification hard to find even in the bay area? have never seen in philly

Eno Sarris: I once found a beatification on my shelves down here. Once.

Comment From Boar
Souza or AJ Pollock, which is more fool proof?

Eno Sarris: Pollock way higher floor. Souza more ceiling.

Comment From Guest
BAMBURG

Eno Sarris: I know a few people who would say Bamburg, so this doesn’t surprise me. But Hamburg’s port is beautiful.

Comment From Guest
better heel Arod, Braun or lance Armstrong?

Eno Sarris: One of these guys kissed a mirror.

Comment From Guest
I like to imagine any use of “beretta” is actually “buratta” like they’re having a little cheese break

Comment From Dyldobaggins
WARNING FANTASY QUESTION: What do you think about using early round draft picks solely on hitters and drafting starters and relievers in quantity late?

Eno Sarris: I’m still on this train. I know people are changing, but I have faith in my ability to find the right pitchers.

Comment From RotoLando
I AM THE DREADED SITZPINKEL.

Eno Sarris: wut

Comment From War2d2
FRANGRAPHS — ALL FRAN DRESCHER ALL THE TIME

Comment From Guest
kopi luwak is…not good. its history is actually pretty funny: locals on indonesian coffee plantations weren’t allowed to eat the cherries they picked/try coffee from the beans, so they found an end-run: wash the Luwak poop off of beans that went undigested. Learning that the people they were attempting to oppress were finding a rather disgusting way to at least try the thing they spent their days working toward, the europeans not only put a kibosh on it — they decided (against almost objective taste) that it was the finest coffee in the land. Colonialism.

Eno Sarris: oh man like I wanted to try it anyway

Comment From WillySilly
What is Kang’s likely position for the pirates?

Eno Sarris: Platoon third base / used elsewhere? I do think Mercer’s meh enough that his spot is available.

Comment From Maxamuz

Danny Espinosa everybody!

Comment From John
remember when derek bell played for the mets? he lived in a house boat at the flushing marina… Classy!

Eno Sarris: I did not know that, but it almost redeems Operation Shutdown.

Comment From Joe
What line would you give for Jorge Soler in 2015? What about Rusney Castillo?

Eno Sarris: .280/28 and .275/12/28, spitballing.

Comment From Guest
only pick oNE: house boat in flushing marina v. van on the beach

Eno Sarris: Rod Beck.

Comment From Guest
jose abreu — better in 2015 with more time to adjust, or worst in 2015 with more tape on him? or a wash

Eno Sarris: Lotta weird peripherals but I believe in the power at least.

Comment From G
which (if any) would you keep in a standard $260 auction league for the 2016 season. goldy($54), beltre (42), or carlos sanata ($33)

Eno Sarris: None. If it was OBP, maybe Carlos, but probably not.

Comment From Guest
wait who lives in rod beck

Eno Sarris: All of our hopes and dreams.

Comment From Guest
Jerry Springer v. Judge Judy

Eno Sarris: Drunk Uncle vs Stern Mother?

Comment From Soladoras
Need to pick 2 of 3, Marte, Kluber, Strasburg in a 10 team 5×5 mixed. Steamer likes Strasburg and Kluber more than Marte for value, but…HITTERS!

Eno Sarris: Stras and Marte.

Comment From Guest
pizza my heart v. di fara

Eno Sarris: Di Fara

Comment From KB
I already own McCutchen and Marte in a H2H keeper. How crazy would it be to target Polanco in the draft as well?

Eno Sarris: In H2H, might run into buzzsaw pitcher / park at wrong moment, but if Polanco cheap, why not.

Comment From Guest
mccutchen v. harper

Eno Sarris: Cutch. Floor super important at the top where all the ceilings are MVP like.

Eno Sarris: Okay, gotta do some work I guess.

Comment From Maxamuz
What should I have for lunch today?

Eno Sarris: cat poop coffee

Comment From Taco Escobar
THIS IS YOUR WORK!

Eno Sarris: well stuff that feels more like work at least.

Comment From Maxamuz

You got it.