Eno Sarris Baseball Chat — 3/2/17

Eno Sarris: this is what I want to sing when I miss a pull up three on the break

The Average Sports Fan: If a team is true 85 win talent. Do they have equal chance for winning 70 or 100 games?

Eno Sarris: That’s pushing the spectrum really far. The answer is maybe ‘yes’ but neither is very likely. Standard deviation is about five wins. so that 85 win team could win 75 or 95 without ‘breaking’ the model.

natsfan: Please give me 3 targets for AL-Only endgame corner guys

Eno Sarris: It’s actually pretty bad. Take a shot on Pedro Alvarez? Trevor Plouffe? Danny Valencia? If Matt Duffy and Pedro Sandoval count, them.

Feast and Famine: Hi Eno. In your opinion, which positions are the deepest and which are the shallowest in terms of production for this year? (5×5 roto.) Thanks!

Eno Sarris: Second base seems worse than shortstop to me this year. First base less deep than it looks.

Eno Sarris: Deepest in general is probably outfield. Deepest with respect to history is shortstop?

The Decadent Moose: I was drinking Zombie Dust at the Death By Unga Bunga show last night. No question, just sayin’ stuff.

hscer: I don’t even know how to phrase an actual fantasy question.

Keith Hernandez: Does Seth Beer automatically become your favorite player once he’s drafted?

Eno Sarris: Right off the bat today guys!

ChiSox2020: If Price goes down for the season do the Yankees go on the offensive?

Eno Sarris: I think reaction like that only happens in-season, around the deadline.

Bill: Eno! Really struggling with whether to keep Tommy Joseph over Taillon in a keep forever. What would you do?

Eno Sarris: Taillon IMO. Joseph seems like he’s replaceable by his team, which isn’t a great look.

Pinto: Would you be so kind as to share your thoughts on Bregman vs Benintendi? I have to choose between the two in my AL-only and I’m super torn. Thanks!

Eno Sarris: I think Bregman will steal more and will cut his Ks and may have more power and plays a better position. Phew. And I like Ben.

Towel: 9 am Eno? Cotton and Triggs struck out everybody. Posey told Maxwell that Manaea CU is filthy.Then Sonny struck out everybody yesterday. Oakland’s rotation is gonna be a thing.

Eno Sarris: Sonny was up to 94.5! That’s a big deal.

Matt: Cody Reed sitting 96 in his first spring start. Should we be excited?

Eno Sarris: He has nasty stuff. Three good pitches. Some command and sequencing issues, but I’d bet on that arm. Joey Votto once pointed him out to me as the future.

Beans: Anyone fighting for the Tigers’ CF job worth targeting for fantasy purposes?

Eno Sarris: I know Gose is on the outs, but he’s the only one people should be rooting for, fantasy wise.

Choi Boy: Wait I thought you left us….. quit acting like an ex with attachment issues and just leave already!!

Eno Sarris: I love both baseball and beer, and I still do both. It’s an open marriage.

George: Who wins the LF job in Texas?

Eno Sarris: Everyone. Choo, Profar, Rua. Delino probably more of a true backup CF, but if he puts his head on right…

Jeff: I think Scott Kazmir is an interesting sleeper, I know the change had great movement, velo was flat YOY and he was banged up, could we see 8 K/9 3.5ish ERA over 150 innings?

Eno Sarris: it’s not possible. He even has the whiff of an exit velo suppressor.

John: Who do you like better this year between Keon Broxton and Michael Brantley? Concerned about Brantley’s injury? Think Keon can make the leap?

Eno Sarris: Very concerned about Brantley.

HDos: Projections on Keon Broxton are all over the place. What do you expect from him?

Eno Sarris: I don’t know. He’s not usually my type because the Ks make him super high risk. I think I’d like him better in shallower leagues as final OF/ bench play. Then he’s droppable. If you take him in shallow you may need to play him all year for a .210 average and 25/20 type stats. Still good, but a category killer in that case, and if he is that bad with Ks, replaceable with tons of guys already on the 40 man.

Ryan: Heading out to Arizona for Spring Training during the week of March 12-17. Can you give me some tips on how to maximize my enjoyment of the whole experience? Any assistance you can provide is much appreciated!

Eno Sarris: Go to Arizona Wilderness after a Cubs game. Go to mcFate and Papago after a Giants game. Avoid the night games for the most part, because of traffic.

Maxamuz: Looks like Carter Capps is going to have to change his delivery now eh?

Eno Sarris: Only the one where he hops twice, that first video we saw. The old one is fine.

Robin: Why do you think there is a difference between the minor league balls and the MLB ones? I know of one pitcher that hasn’t been able to “feel” his change up since moving up and it just seems like it’d be better for everyone if the balls were identical

Eno Sarris: Yes the balls are different. Seams are lower I think. I’ve heard this before. Paco Rodriguez developed his crazy delivery because the MLB ball kept slipping out of his hands.

James: Eno – what is stopping us from completing the “arm quality” metric and making that next step to quantify throw accuracy? We have an origin point, and we have a very clear target area (1st, second, third base, or a cut-off man).

Eno Sarris: I’m sure that’s coming.

ChiSox2020: Who’s the next White Sox player to get traded?

Eno Sarris: Robertson. Not sure anyone really wants a DH with Melky’s bat.

Joe: Who do you think objectively is the better Kevin on defense, Kiermaier or Pillar?

Eno Sarris: I’m partial to Kiermaier after he told me he can see the catcher’s sign. Gives him a head start.

mario mendoza: So….. why was Profar so highly regarded? Just on ability to play SS and hit like a regular?

Eno Sarris: He had some years that suggested that better power and patience were coming. Projectability thing. Not sure all that is over or anything.

Mt Lebo Blue Devil: How likely are the Nats to just keep Norris to cover for the risk in Wieters and Zimmerman?

Eno Sarris: I don’t think they’ll be able to trade him.

RABBINICAL COLLEGE GUY: can the Red Sox win their division with no David Price?

Eno Sarris: They have the offense.

Maxamuz: I’m the Dude, so that’s what you call me. That or, uh His Dudeness, or uh Duder, or El Duderino, if you’re not into the whole brevity thing.

tommy lasagna, sr: I once listened to bruce springsteen break down the lyrics to blinded by the light. this is why writers shouldn’t read their work aloud, especially if it’s shit.

Otis Redding: ENO FEENO BO BEENO, beer me!

Eno Sarris: classic.

Billy: Will Ryon Healy be starting every day this year? The acquisition of Plouffe made me slightly skeptical…

Eno Sarris: I don’t get it. But between third, first, and DH, I’ll still give Healy 500+.

v2micca: I know I’m indulging knee-jerk reactions here, but Newcomb has looked pretty overwhelmed by major league hitters thus far. He appears destined for the bullpen to me. Am I missing something?

Eno Sarris: One thing that Eric said that’s interesting to me is that a guy like that has all the tools/body but might also take the longest to get that body in the right places at the right time.

Anthony: Maybe this is intuitive, but I don’t see it, so I’m going to ask. Why does a sinker generally involve a trade-off between whiffs and grounders? Shouldn’t a heavier sinker be tougher to elevate and also easier to swing over the top of for a whiff?

Eno Sarris: The thing that differentiates the sinker almost more than the sink is the horizontal movement, and horizontal movement brings it along the barrel, which gives you contact but also ground balls.

Johnny5Alive: now that loneghan’s list is out, are you finally going to appreciate gsellman? cameron already started changing his tune

Eno Sarris: yeah I mean I admitted that Gsellman had the better fastball, and I might be biased (in a bad way) towards guys with elite secondary pitches or great secondary arsenals. Framed as “best secondary” vs “best fastball” I guess you take best fastball. Talked to a guy that helped draft them both and he picked G.

Ethan: Is Mazara at $11 too much? Already keeping Marte ($23), Betts ($18) Benintendi ($12), Yelich ($8) and Springer ($6) out of a $260 budget. We start 5 OF so I could roll the dice and try to get him cheaper (I have a lot of $ tied up in other keepers too). Thanks!

Eno Sarris: Short of a trade, I do it. You drain the pool and you have excellent bats at good prices.

Logan: What are some saves guys you are targeting after the top 10-15 have been taken?

Eno Sarris: Ramos, Feliz, Iglesias, and then later Jones, Neris, Treinen.

warm, kakie center.: got me some hill farmstead bottles to go with some weekend spring training games. what’s your favorite of theirs?

Eno Sarris: Have only had Arthur and loved it.

Anthony: What do you think of the FIP failures? Ray, Pineda, Nola, etc.? Are they actually bad, or ridiculously unlucky?

Eno Sarris: Mostly unlucky but the first two are two-pitch pitchers that gave up really hard contact in the air and pitched in places that are friendly to fly balls..

Nelson: Wow, Some of the juiciest Juicebombs are coming out of Florida these days. I recently had a pint of Tropicana Homestyle – An unfiltered BOMB!! 4.5/5

Eno Sarris: seriously

Ben: Going to Tampa for Spring Break. Planning to visit Cigar City, anything else to look out for while there?

Eno Sarris: Cycle, Green Bench.

Joe: Is Dahl worth a keeper in a standard 12 team points league as a 10-12th rounder?

Eno Sarris: yes.

Big Tuna: What type of year do you expect for AJ Pollock? Anything close to his career year two years ago? Is he actually a 20 HR guy?

Eno Sarris: I believe in his power, yes. Speed is interesting as he gets older.

Rasta: Brooklyn’s limited release Sour? $12 6 packs. Gotta be worth my time just because it’s cheap, right?

Eno Sarris: Gonna suck if you don’t like the first, but $12 is the price of entry on most sours.

Big Tuna: If the worst is confirmed for David Price, who takes that rotation spot? Does that affect your ranking on any other Sox pitcher?

Eno Sarris: Wright, and I guess he goes up.

tommy lasagna, sr: I’m thirty-five. is that old?

Eno Sarris: I’m thirty seven. When the kids don’t give me enough sleep I feel super old. Last night they slept till 7 and I feel great.

Nelson: How many leagues are you in this year?

Eno Sarris: I CUT IT DOWN! 10.

Hunter: Do you think position player throwing velocity will ever be a stat?

Eno Sarris: Already is. Look at Petriello’s pieces about outfield arm velo, and in particular, seems he sussed out Harper’s second-half throwing woes and injury.

v2micca: Disney owns ESPN. Disney owns Marvel. A new Thor movie comes out this year. Why are we not seeing a ton of This is Sportcenter spots featuring Noah Syndergaard and Chris Hemsworth trying to one-up each other? The bits practically write themselves.

Eno Sarris: Who’s to blame? Maybe at ESPN they don’t think baseball moves the needle enough.

another bad dynasty manager: Eno: Who do u like more: Jr. Guerra, T. Skaggs or Manaea in a pts. league where IPs matters most?

Eno Sarris: Sean I guess, but Junior is compelling.

Art Vandelay: Most of these articles complaining that MLB doesn’t do a good enough job promoting Mike Trout are kind of ignoring the fact that casual and non-fans don’t really care about how good he is, and that he’s got the personality of of a saltine cracker right? I mean his love of meteorology and his tweet punctuation is funny, but it’s not exactly a selling point to the general public.

Eno Sarris: Yeah, but there are other guys, like see the Thor comment above.

Big Tuna: How much do you take some spring training stats? What do you pay attention to and what do you ignore when altering your rankings?

Eno Sarris: Very little. Velocity, extra pitch actually being thrown, and for position players, maybe at the end, a little bit of K%, just because that becomes stable quickly.

First Time Poster: Does AJ Ramos hold the closer role all year? Who is the handcuff? BearClaw or Dr. Z?

Eno Sarris: BearClaw. If they aren’t good, I think they keep Ramos in the role all year even if he stumbles.

John: Hey Eno, I think I’m going to Denver the first weekend of the season, probably staying near Coors and Great Divide. Any other recommendations for where to drink/eat?

Eno Sarris: buy my book (www.beergraphs.com/book) or just go to Crooked Stave, Falling Rock Tap House, Work & Class resto.

Merril Streep: Do you think Musgrove enters 17 in the rotation? Do you think Cotton has a ceiling of a #2? Or is that wishful thinking?

Eno Sarris: Musgrove is a six behind three guys with injury issues and two other old guys. I’d give him a 40% chance. Cotton to me has number two upside but I’ve always been a backer.

Jim: Aren’t we going a little crazy on Cotton? He ran a FIP over 4 in AAA last year.

Eno Sarris: I’m betting that his pitches are great and he won’t have as much of a homer problem. He also struck out 11 and walked 3 per nine in that stint you’re talking about.

ChicagoCardinal: Is there enough correlation of previously injured pitchers to predictive injury to truly discount guys with “injury history” in a roto league?

Eno Sarris: The best thing to predict future injury is past injury, yes.

Guest: What do you make of the new tunneling stats That came out at Baseball Prospectus?

Eno Sarris: Good 2.0 on what came before from Roegele.

First Time Poster: So I read a lot of fangraphs and ended up with a rotation of Thor, Quintana, Fulmer, Nola, DeSlafani, and Cotton in a 6×6 (with QS). I’ve got Jensen, Osuna, Ramos, and Capps to round out my P.

Eno Sarris: Love it.

Al Coholic: KLAW says he’d be worried about a friend if he were drinking more than 10 drinks per week. Expect an intervention soon…

Eno Sarris: Eh I’m around 10 a week, probably not beyond it unless I’m traveling/visiting/special occasion. And I don’t live my life worrying about what people think of my habits.

ChicagoCardinal: Do you prefer 2-3 top 25 pitchers or one of the top 4 guys and maybe another $10 guy?

Eno Sarris: This year I see around 30 guys I really want and then a whole bucket of other guys, so if I could get three up front and then a bunch of sleepers I’d be happy.

Dumpster Dan: I got Soler in a trade in an AL-only league. I have to offer him a “contract” or release him. My options are: 1yr@$6, 2@$12 or 3@$19. You seemed pretty optimistic about him on the podcast. Thx!

Eno Sarris: 2/12 I think is fine. You get the extra year if he’s good, you don’t pay too much otherwise.

Eno Sarris:

Eno: Do you see any value in Justin Smoak

Eno Sarris: If the fielding metrics are better for the Blue Jays, maybe he’s a one win guy getting paid like a one win guy?

Eno Sarris: actually being paid like a half win guy.

Dave: If Bregman and T.Turner qualify at MI positions in my league. Are they more valuable there then at 3B and OF respectively?

Eno Sarris: Yes.

Lance Ass: Give me what you think Trea Turner is going to produce this year? Is he truly the next ‘guy’? or is he being too hyped off of a really good breakout season?

Eno Sarris: On projections that give him 15 homers and 40 steals, he’s a top 15 guy. He got really close to that in half a season last year, and projections bake in regression, so yeah man, I’m on board.

JT: You’ve heard of FanGraphs, now get ready for CatGraphs! Our Eno discusses the ideal launch angle when tossing kittens.

AJ: Thoughts on Gausman this year?

Eno Sarris: Still has velo, developing command of his three-pitch mix, still young, I’d give him some breakout and a decent floor. Just don’t pay too much.

Milky Way Galaxy: Please tell our galaxy who you forecast as our AL and NL HR leaders? Don’t get cheeky.

Eno Sarris: Bryant and Trumbo?

CaptainPeanutbutter: Why do people expect the braves to win 81-85 games? That seems like a massive leap

Eno Sarris: Projected for 73, I think those are rosy glasses.

tommy lasagna, sr: ever been involved in fisticuffs? did you win?

Eno Sarris: Man I am really not that guy. One time choked my friend over video games in college. That’s it. And that’s kind of a punk move, but I had gone over the edge. I think it was about ‘camping’ in Bond.

Christopher Devenski: Im the best Astros pitcher no ones talking about, when will I get my chance?

Eno Sarris: Man they love you in that multiple inning middle inning role. I really think your slider was coming on and that’s an elite change.

ChicagoCardinal: Would you expect power spike to continue?

Eno Sarris: yes.

Towel: Kazmir topped out at 84 yesterday. Sat 78-82

Eno Sarris: Well that’s not good.

Electronic Strike Zone: Have you ever calculated the actual time of a baseball and NFL game after removing all “dead time”?

Eno Sarris: I have seen it and baseball comes out ahead.

Marty: Are you a fan of Joc Pederson? Dave Roberts has said that he does not plan to platoon him. Could he be a 30 homerun CF this year?

Eno Sarris: I am a fan.

Maxamuz: Joe Ross or Sonny Gray?

Eno Sarris: Gray if his velo is up this much.

Jankowski: How surprised would you be to see Margot his .270, 10HR, 40SB this year?

Eno Sarris: Only mildly surprised that they played him all year.

Sim: Hey Eno, big fan. All of the writers are saying they love Cotton and Paxton. Can you name a pitcher who you think can be a sleeper that no one has really mentioned?

Eno Sarris: I like these guys more than consensus: Finnegan, Glasnow, Montgomery, Gsellman, Reed, Berrios, Triggs. http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/enos-2017-pitcher-ranks/

Los Pantalones: Just read Sully’s piece on Yelich. He seems to be one tweak away from being a superstar and I feel as if nobody appreciates that – what’s stopping this guy from elevating more and hitting 25+ HR for the rest of his career? After all, his exit velocity and contact quality are all-star caliber.

Eno Sarris: It’s just hard to up that launch angle a ton. I think I’ll give him Votto-esque, Votto-lite, with 20+ HR.

Eno Sarris:

Mike: Going forward would you prefer Conforto or JD Martinez? I heard the Mets were considering a trade with these two before the season.

Eno Sarris: This year JDM until Bruce gone. Career? MC.

Jeff in T.O.: Xander at $18 for this year and next or Bregman at $2 for this year and next? Thanks Eno!

Eno Sarris: Bregman.

Eno’s Hair Is: Sweet! Is Berrios capable of being a top shelf starter with his stuff or even if he figures it out is he going to be a 4ish ERA guy?

Eno Sarris: I see top shelf upside. Floor is… real low.

What’s that Odor: If someone asks me for a sip of my sour and I say no they’re just sour that I’m sour at the idea of them having a sip of my sour.

Erik: How are you interpreting the Carter Capps rule to still allow him to take one hop? It says you can’t “reset your pivot foot”.

Eno Sarris: It’ll be a drag like it used to be.

What’s that Odor: In the same thought if I purse my lips do you think it’s because I’m drinking a sour or because I’m sour that the same person called me sour

ctw: how do you feel about using the auction calculator in a straight draft league (no snake)? I love the valuation of it, but its hard to combine P and H into one list without historical auction data to set the $ split between P/H

Eno Sarris: If it’s not an auction, I use it to create rankings, might combine with RG rankings, maybe find ADP, do some this minus that to find sleepers.

Eno Sarris: Work within positions, in other words. By the seventh or so, that’s what you’re doing anyway.

Erik: Do we know for a fact whether historical screwballs weren’t just sinkers? I saw a Carl Hubbel clip recently and it looked pretty much like a two-seamer.

Eno Sarris: Good point! Honeywell’s looks legit to me. Braden’s.

Justino: Do you remember what your thoughts on Junior Lake as a prospect were? He was one guy that I thought had a bright future, and now not so much.

Eno Sarris: Not that big on toolsy guys with little production and bad plate discipline in general.

Maxamuz: I’ve done a bit of smuggling, I’ve run my share of grass. I’ve made enough money to buy the Miami Marlins but I pissed it away so fast. It was never meant to last.

Riots in SF: Does Mazara hit 25+ this year? Do you think the depth of the Rangers OF will create a problem for his PT in 17?

Eno Sarris: Yes and no. He’s a star to me.

AO: Fort Point brewery in SF any good?

Eno Sarris: Their kolsch is, and the beer called Park is a fruity session pale that uses a saison yeast, v interesting.

Pete: Should Byungho Park owners rejoice or look for a sucker in our league to trade him to before he turns back into a pumpkin?

Eno Sarris: Nobody’s buying. Just hold and hope that something definitive starts happening between him and Kennys.

botchatheny: have you ever been in 20,000 leagues?

Eno Sarris: Up around 17 it felt that way.

BelgianDip: Sour Monkey by Victory is a better 6 pack sour than Brooklyn’s Limited realease

Larry A: Which of two numbers is Going to be Higher – 6 or 8?

Eno Sarris: Depends on league settings.

Dago: Your thoughts on an experiment like the one that the Friars are trying to make work with Christian Betancourt. What are the odds that he becomes a 2-WAR player (combined on both sides). I know reliever WAR is hard. But what are the chances he becomes the “New Market Inefficiency” that every teams wants going forward?

Eno Sarris: Considering his roles, I think one win would be a victory. Very few relievers and backup catchers worth more than half a win. I doubt that this is The Future, but I also KNOW that if the Athletics were a National League team, they’d be trying this.

Sonny: Pitcher mustaches v Deep V first basemen. who ya got enoooooooooo?

Eno Sarris: Mustaches ALL THE WAY. MENGDEN >>>>>

Eno Sarris: Music thing. I always thought “I’m F’ing you tonight” by Biggie was hilarious because of the soft hook and the hard language. In the same way, Ben’s My Friend from Sun Kil Moon makes me laugh. “The crabcakes…. the crabcakes”

CaptainPeanutbutter: MLB should just make a commercial that is Brett Phillips laughing. I don’t even care what the point of it is, I’d watch.

Eno Sarris: Like a dying seal. Like a whooping cough.

Moltar: The reason these articles about marketing keep coming out every year is that MLB doesn’t even seem to have *tried* to market the best players. Or anything for that matter. A new season is starting up, this is a multi-billion dollar industry, and I’ve seen no kind of marketing of any kind. It’d be one thing if they ever tried and it didn’t work, but they never tried!

Eno Sarris: Yes, having never tried is worse than failing.

Nick S: Why aren’t the Braves more heavily connected to Robert? They spent too much money on Colon and Dickey to lead the Braves to 78 wins, and now can’t afford the top international prospect not named Otani?

Eno Sarris: Financial report just came out that the Braves lost money last year, could be relevant.

Philip: Am I the only person that thinks the Nationals bullpen is overblown and think they are a borderline top 10 bullpen?

Eno Sarris: Don’t get me started on Treinen, and they went and did the obvious thing with Blanton. It’s a good pen and they can always trade inseason for Robertson if they want.

Jack: Just a quick q: Kelley was only asked 6 times to pitch a full inning on consecutive nights. another 7 times – but it was 1 out sit and a full inning the next night or V/V – why is he considered the front runner for the closer roll?

Eno Sarris: This is a great question. Early on last year, he was even a ROOGY, and wasn’t allowed to face lefties. His K-BB is really good and he’s a good pitcher, but Treinen and Dyson are the same guy, and Treinen won’t give up homers in the same way. Super high floor.

Mike: Out of your 10 leagues, what team name are you the proudest of? Or do you have the same name in all/most of the leagues?

Eno Sarris: They’re like mostly dynasties and I hate changing names every year, but I still have my Pitchfork team to name (always a baseball/music pun, usually Brian Eno I think it was Here Come the Warm Vets last year) and my team with a bunch of politicos which I try to use a political term with a baseball player in it. My favorite is It’s a Perm, though. That’s what my grandma in law said while my wife was walking up the aisle.

Malcolm: Do the A’s accidentally compete this season? Rajai as an upgrade might be bigger than we thought.

Eno Sarris: Projected for 78, but there’s a lot of variance/upside in that rotation, that’s the source of optimism.

Phantastic: do your best to justify keeping Cotton over Hamels

Eno Sarris: Oh I can’t do that. don’t take my love for foolishness.

E5: Eno and Paul discussing pitching rankings

mike sixel: I highly recommend Eno’s book on beer and cities/stadiums if you plan to visit a baseball stadium.

Eno Sarris: Well thank you very much.

Slurm: not sure if you answer fantasy questions, but i’ll ask anyways. Which side do you prefer in a dynasty, keep forever, no price tags: Arrieta, J. Ramirez, Mondesi Jr., Ju. Sheffield for M. Fulmer, R. Ray, Senzel, Brinson, Leyba?

Eno Sarris: Fulmer, Ray, Brinson. I like the position player prospects on the second one, and it’s a bit like a pitcher for hitting prospects, which is something I like to do.

E5: Are you totally out on Cashner? Can’t I hope just a little for that stuff to turn into results again?

Eno Sarris: Like Kramer with the five dollar bill.

Snowflake: That Brooklyn sour is good. Get it Rasta

E5: Watching the baseball on TV in Spring Training makes me think that they either have slow guns or pitcher Velo is way down at this point. Hardly see anyone register at 90.

Eno Sarris: I think there are one or two ticks left between now and April. Gsellman just pumped 94, so it’s still there a bit.

Eno Sarris: (he was sitting more 92)

Jaypo : If you could choose two current mlb players and combine their strengths into one player, but you had to pay him the combined salaries… Which two players would you choose?

Eno Sarris: Chris Carter and Kevin Kiermaier.

Erik: I dislike Statcast-based metrics because they can’t be used to compare current players with previous eras. I worry that the rise of Statcast as this cool new toy will lead to a de-emphasizing of stats like WAR and wRC+ which can compare Mike Trout to Mickey Mantle. Is that a legitimate worry or am I an old curmudgeon already?

Eno Sarris: It’s all about perspective. I love statcast stats because they allow players to use them to improve.

john: FYI it’s confirmed that Healy will be in the lineup everyday. DH vs RHP, 1B vs LHP, and 3B when Plouffe needs a day. Will play more in the field once Alonso and/or Plouffe are gone midseason.

Eno Sarris: phew.

Steve: 10 drinks per week? I do that on a Friday/Saturday night in 3 hours

Eno Sarris: Age and situation is important here too. I was wilder before. I don’t think there’s a prescriptive number.

mike sixel: Have you talked to brewers about why we get so many bombers for the rare beers? I’d kind of like to only drink 12 or 16 ounces of them at a time…..and not 22 ounces. There isn’t always someone to share with.

Eno Sarris: Firestone Walker just switched to 12s for their rare beers! They hear you!

Eno Sarris: (I hear you)

dave in slc: al only do you keep Paxton at 15 or throw back and try to get at same cost or cheaper?

Eno Sarris: He’s going to go for that, so it’s an awkward price.

Simione: How do you decide which questions to answer? Asking so you answer my questions more often.

Eno Sarris: Try to answer questions about players we haven’t talked about, try to avoid things that are too specific to one team or league setting.

E5: Jarrett Parker hit a lazer off Kazmir last night. Then a HR against some nobody. Is he the favorite in LF? What if he can hit LHP too?

Eno Sarris: He’s an exit velocity type. Terrible BA, but he hits jacks that leave the stadium.

Malt Man: What does mike folty need to do to become a front end starter and how close is he?

Eno Sarris: Throw the curve or change more? Command increase to avoid homers? I get a bit of a Pineda vibe from him, but at least he has more pitches.

Ryan: Will you be in Charlotte for the October kickoff w RTJ (though it’s too bad it doesn’t coincide with a Knights game featuring Chicago’s influx of AAA talent)

Eno Sarris: Really want to be, but I’ll be in Hawaii covering a beer fest for October so life is super tough.

Doug: Way too many dumb-ass nerds with too much time on their hands posting on this chat

Eno Sarris: That’s the name of our forum.

Snowflake:
I believe the chorus of this song says “Gimme the chlamydia”

Eno Sarris: I hear ‘wookie wookie wookie money”

Larry A: I read the cellaring piece up on Oct. I dont want my beer to age poorly, but I would also like to always have a decent selection available for when Im too lazy to go to a store. Or if to save some special one-time only or hard to get releases.

Eno Sarris: hah we’ll also have a ‘reasons to cellar’ piece coming so we’ve got all corners covered. I keep things aroudn for trades too.

Matt: Archer bounceback?

Eno Sarris: Unless he was injured, yeah. Fewer homers, more wins, otherwise similar season.

Dago: Saw that Drew Pomeranz leads a tier in your rankings. I listened the the pod, and you did not delve into how you feel about him, not that I recall (my long commute consist of about 3 different podcasts, they all mix at times). But do you feel that he can be a factor with his “Rich Hill” trick?

Eno Sarris: Ends a tier. He’s v much Rich Hill.

Sleepless in Seattle: Dr. Eno… I desperately need advice. In a 10 reamer that counts hitter KS….Betts struck out much less than Trout…Would you consider him No. 1 overall over Trout with hitter KS counting?

Eno Sarris: Yeah try the auction calculator but I bet he gets in front.

Hannah Hochevar: My sister just told me her new dentist’s name is Steve Pearce. Good sign or great sign? Should I pick him up in my fantasy orthodontics league?

Eno Sarris: Depends on if you’re a lefty or not.

Tom: speaking of your SP ranks, will you update / tweak them in March?

Eno Sarris: Maybe just do another podcast where we talk about movers?

Dago: What are your projections for Jonathan Villar this year? I feel that he is about to regress big time, and I am not really willing to pay the high price that he is going for. I got him on the waiver wire last year.

Eno Sarris: I wrote a long piece on him and feel like he’ll regress against righties. Still be decent, but I don’t see enough change against righties to go all in.

pirates hurdles: Is it crazy to see sneaky value in Jim Johnson? He had career best rates last year and ATL paid him multiyears to go with their delusion of being near contention.

Eno Sarris: Deep league teams. I’m p sure they’ll run him out there longer than people assume because he’ll keep other guys cheap.

lyndon: Soak it in ’cause it’s the last you’ll ever see. C’est la vie mon Eno. .

Eno Sarris: The movie was good.

Andrew 2.0: How do you pronounce your name?

Eno Sarris: Like Ed Harris with an S. I don’t get worked up over the version that rhymes with dinosaur.

Dan: What MLB ballpark has the best surrounding area in terms of bars, restaurants, etc.?

Eno Sarris: San Diego?

Art Vandelay: I’m probably wrong, but I thought screwballs did move a lot like dirty two-seamers. It’s just the arm pronation that makes them a screwball

Eno Sarris: Yeah but that’s what we’re looking for. Curve-like drop. Or at least more than a sinker.

Chris Devenski: I’m actually Chris Devenski. That other guy is an imposter.

Joshooa: I see the. Boys playing baseball, I see them. Get injured I am like “oh no oh dear”

Steve: how would 17 leagues even be fun? you’re basically rooting against yourself

Eno Sarris: It wasn’t really.

Eno Sarris: 2 hours setting lineups a day.

lyndon: My 2-year old daughter loves Moana (mostly for the songs). But have yours seen Secret Life of Pets? My goodness. Every day.

Eno Sarris: That one is secretly for the adults. The bad bunny? Hilarious.

E5: Damn. It’s that time again. That time that I have to go and education the future of America. That time when I say goodbye and read the rest on the Transcript. That time when I post something stupid and walk out the door.

Alan: Let’s pretend Michael Fulmer ends the year as a top 10 starter. What took place for that to happen?

Eno Sarris: The strikeout rate regressed to the swinging strike rate, he threw more sliders but kept the changeup around.

Art Vandelay: you going to p4k this year? What am I saying, you’re probably a super VIP now, huh?

Eno Sarris: Been going to P4k for like four straight years and YES I”M GOING TO SEE LCD SOUNDSYTEM

Early lunch: Can you give me any names of non-closers who have the best chance at becoming their teams closer either later this year or the start of next year? Thanks

Eno Sarris: Neris, Treinen, Knebel, Bush, Ottavino, Barraclough, Jones, Storen. Deeper: Bailey, Nicasio.

Rasta: Assuming health, who gets more PAs: Joc or Puig?

Eno Sarris: Joc is a lefty.

Marc: Any concern in the craft beer industry that the supply is outpacing the demand? It seems like there are new breweries opening at an incredible rate.

Eno Sarris: There is, but the concern is more about that’s happening at the store. Many of those new breweries are super local, which is still fine. Plenty of hoods need a better brewpub.

Ferris Buehler: I’m arguing with this fool that thinks Belle is a HOFer. Does he have any argument? I don’t see one.

Eno Sarris: Not particularly close, no. Had a great four year peak, but wasn’t a good defender and didn’t get the longevity.

botchatheny: how would you prepare a passport sandwich?

Tony Plush: Eno! Very excited for Phoenix Pitch Talks on Sunday … Another brewery recommendation for Spring Training visitors: Wren House in central Phoenix – not near any parks but brewing the best stuff in the area right now IMO

Eno Sarris: I’m going to Wren House tomorrow night!

Marc: How much optimism should there be for Heywards “mechanical overhaul”?

Eno Sarris: Considering his history. some.

bananastand: I’m looking for some advice. I am a college student about to graduate soon. I have accepted a software development job at a large tech company but I have been interviewing with a front office for a software systems position. I do want to work in baseball, but more in an analytical position that I wouldn’t get to do here. Do you think it would be a lot easier to slide over from a different position in the front office or to come from a prestigious tech company in a couple years

Eno Sarris: Stick with tech. Work baseball on the side.

LudeBurger: Lude me up, when you go go!

Dumb-ass nerd: Thoughts on Oh?

Eno Sarris: rhymed.

tommy lasagna, sr: can one be a dumb-ass and a nerd at the same time?

Eno Sarris: two thumbs, typing in a chat bot right now.

Marc: Still love for Domingo Santana? Or has the injuries changed your tune?

Eno Sarris: Still love… or is there new word on something this spring lol.

JB: Do you think Shelby Miller can bounce back? He’s on 26. Could last year be more mental than eroding skill?

Eno Sarris: Velocity up a bit, and he’s making poor decisions with his pitching mix IMO. Something of a good bounce coming, just not sure if it’s to like a 4 ERA or better.

Ron Burgundy: Eno what tips can you give the average fan on how to identify what pitch a pitcher is throwing. I struggle knowing the difference between a cutter and a change up. I think most fans are unable to recognize pitches and it’s a cool part of the game and I would like to learn more about it.

Eno Sarris: The best thing to do is sit somewhere behind the plate where you can see the velocity readings on the scoreboard. Then you can easily separate cutter from the change because the cutter will be 2-4mph less than fastball and change should be 7+. Curve is easy. Sinker should fade — go to arm side — four-seam should look straight and pop.

Peter: What’s your general approach to steals in mixed auctions? Seems like pre-season valuations for them are always below what you have to pay, but then by EOS steals guys end up earning more (per your 2016 Top 20 piece). Thanks!

Eno Sarris: I’m turning a bit. Steals so precious now. I used to wait on them and just try to get steals with my power early but I think I’ll target them a bit. In dynasty, it’s super hard to get steals because they come from young players, so the ‘fade prospects’ strategy gets dinged there.

Buff: Like what you see from Gsellman today?

Eno Sarris: Yeah. I wish I’d seen a few 95s but it looked good.

Literal dogsitter: Like, I literally sit on your dog.

Eno Sarris: And with that… I gotta go. Big day. Gotta do all the errands, including getting growlers from Cellarmaker for the AL LABR crowd. off to Arizona, Pitch Talks Sunday night, panel at SABR on Thursday. Thanks for hanging out, this was a fun one!