Eno Sarris Baseball Chat — 3/30/17

1:20	Eno Sarris: was going to play some mac dre, but this is close enough, and has better visuals

12:00

Borkins: Ello, mate!

12:00

Borkins: Cody Reed to the bullpen because…..????

12:01

Eno Sarris: They have too many starters! I dunno. I figure Feldman or Arroyo will flame out or Rookie Davis won’t have enough secondary stuff and he’ll be back.

12:02

Ragingtwig: I think this decision is ridiculously easy, but am waffling nonetheless: can keep Yoan Moncada ($3) or David Dahl ($8) in keep 6, $2 inflation, both for the next three years. OBP and SLG league. It’s Dahl right?

12:02

Eno Sarris: You get at least a half year more PT, and then Dahl also offers much more floor. I’d do him. Pause.

12:02

Phanatic: Cain or Blach as 5th starter in April?

12:02

Eno Sarris: Blach for me. Cain doesn’t trust his fastball any more.

12:03

Angus: I am struggling to come up with my 2 final keepers: D. Hudson, Ottavino, Glasnow or Ty. Anderson. I am in a NL Auction league, $260. cap. Any of these guys a must keep? Thanks.

12:03

Eno Sarris: Glasnow’s upside makes him a must keep. I think ty Anderson’s floor is a good pairing.

12:03

Mort: I have a ridiculous lineup, very good RPs, and meh starting pitching after my first dynasty start-up. Lots of variables but would you be comfortable trying to win with a Greinke/Hill/Fulmer/Shoemaker/Richards/Guerra/Finnegan rotation?

12:03

Eno Sarris: More in roto than H2H. In H2H, you might have three of those guys in the playoffs.

12:04

Pops: Yandy Diaz looks like the starter at 3b for The Tribe- why no love in the prospect ratings? All he does is hit- (Maybe that’s the problem?)

12:04

Eno Sarris: Not much power and a little old to be lumped in with traditional prospects. I’ve bought a few shares, but the team has also been pretty down on his D. I know he’s working hard on it.

12:04

TotesMcGoats: Who has a better season… Matz or Gsellman?

12:04

Eno Sarris: Per inning I take Matz by far.

12:04

Borkins: Your take on pancakes as a form of sandwich bread?

12:05

Eno Sarris: Have done it a few times with sausage and egg, kinda like a mcGriddle, is fine, doesn’t blow me away. Maybe with bacon and some sriracha you’d have some spice and crunch to go with your sweet and soft.

12:05

Big Tuna: My leaguemates are giving me a hard time because I’ve used 5 of my 6 bench spots on arms. They claim “you can always find pitchers on waivers.” What do you think? Is it better to fill a bench early on with arms or bats?

12:06

Eno Sarris: I’m with you. You’re not going to get a lot of PA from a bench guy in most leagues, and if you’re talking long shots, I’d rather buy more established bats for my lineup and take a bunch of arm long shots because pitching is more volatile and more random pitchers turn in great seasons than do hitters.

12:06

natsfan: Hello Eno! Traded $7 Kennedy and $8 Devon Travis for $10 Jose Ramirez. Couldn’t keep both guys. Good move, bad move or a wash?

12:06

Eno Sarris: Good move.

12:06

Eric: Do you think Ryu can get back to 2013/2014 levels? Also I know you are high on Finnegan, do you like him more or less than Ryu now that he’s supposedly healthy?

12:06

Eno Sarris: I guess I like Ryu better, certainly per IP.

12:07

Borkins: Where did my name come from?

12:07

Eno Sarris: Bork had a baby?

12:07

The Yankee ginger: Thoughts on Jordan Montgomery?

12:08

Eno Sarris: I’ve picked up a few shares since I wrote him up. I see a deceptive fastball that should get a lot of pop-ups, a great curveball, and the slider is suddenly a possible out pitch. Fastball up over 92 average now too. Lefty, so that’s like 93.

12:08

Tig: Better bet to reach upside this season — Dylan Bundy or Eduardo Rodriguez?

12:08

Eno Sarris: Bundy.

12:08

Minty: Even with FB regression, do you think we see about the same from Schimpf this year?

12:08

Eno Sarris: not on a perPA level, but if you mean like .230 with 30 HR type power, sure.

12:09

Big Tuna: What are your thoughts on Amir Garrett now that he has a starting job? Around what other arms would you place him if you ranked now?

12:09

Eno Sarris: late 90s, early 100s. Has decent velo, average movement fastball, good change by velo gap, good slider. Needs command to make it all hum.

12:09

Jimbo: Optimistic about Mejia now that he’s made the Twins’ rotation?

12:10

Eno Sarris: There are things to like about Mejia for sure. His four-seam has good spin. He’s developed a feel for his change, and it has good gap. Slider is an out pitch. Command is decent I think. I put him ahead of Garret because of that last point.

12:10

Dean: Greg Bird or Tommy Joseph in a keeper league?

12:11

Eno Sarris: In keeper, Bird. He’s younger and has more upside and this year diff isn’t even that big.

12:11

Beefcake: Hi Eno, thanks for the chat as always! So I panicked and “accidentally” drafted Harper after Miggy was taken the pick before me, but I don’t really trust Harper to anchor my fantasy team. Should I be worried or cross my fingers and hope for the best?

12:11

Eno Sarris: I think he’ll have a big year. Was hurt for the second half last year, played through it.

12:11

pirates hurdles: Did you see this – http://www.sbnation.com/a/mlb-2017-season-preview/game-length

12:11

Eno Sarris: Yes and I actually don’t have a problem with pitch clocks. Way better than all that other crap they were coming up with.

12:11

Big Tuna: Do you have a philosophy on the amount of players you roster from a given team? I have Turner, Rendon, and Eaton and am wondering if I’m too reliant on the Nationals offense.

12:12

Eno Sarris: Eh, only really matters in H2H, and even then only a few times a year.

12:13

Erik: How much parity is good for baseball? And how much does baseball need dynasties for the storylines and continuity they create? If Rob Manfred could have his way, how many of the next five World Series would the Cubs win?

12:14

Eno Sarris: I think football’s version of parity is not compelling. Teams change a ton, and though a few teams have found a way to continue being effective year in and year out, the rest of the teams can’t keep a four-man core together for more than two years it seems like.

12:15

Eno Sarris: Baseball is actually the sport with the *most* parity, judged on the game level. Which is fine, it means we’ll see interesting game-by-game outcomes. And no cap means teams can stay together. I think if the Cubs win two of the next four or five, that’s still a fun sport with parity and also a compelling team that stayed together.

12:16

B: Eno, could you check on my starting rotation? Am very interested to hear any thoughts or concerns you may have please (H2H 5×5 Categories):

Archer, Cmart, Keuchel, McCullers, Rodon, Cotton, Gsellman

12:17

Eno Sarris: Not really in on Keuchel, so if you could package him with Archer for an upgrade on your ace, I’d do it. Doubt you’ll find a team, though, unless someone got a couple good aces and peaced out too long on pitchers. Otherwise, it’s a high-variance staff with a ton of upside where so much could go wrong.

12:17

Jewel: Bellinger, Bird, or Josh Bell?

12:17

Eno Sarris: Long term Bellinger. Short term Bird.

12:18

Big Tuna: With the season about the start, is there a general amount of time you try to give yourself before making roster moves? Something to prevent an itchy trigger finger from ruining what could have been a good roster.

12:19

Eno Sarris: For starters, I want to see at least three starts because that’s when velocity stabilizes. I’d also be looking at swSTR. For hitters, at least two weeks. And I’d be looking at swSTR, exit velo, and gb/fb for them early on.

12:19

Hannah Hochevar: With his move to the rainiest city in America, how worried are you about Smyly’s “soggy” arm?

12:20

Eno Sarris: GET THE RICE OUT. Dunno, he threw really hard in the WBC and we liked that, but maybe it was early to do that. There has been a slight link between injury and WBC use if I remember right. They have to ramp up earlier. I still like him but might drop him in to the 50s or so.

12:21

Erik: Jerad Eickoff was basically a non-prospect, but is now a completely adequate third starter. Should we have seen that coming, and can we identify the next Eickoff? Or can basically any fringe prospect turn into a number three, and it would be a total crapshoot to figure out who will?

12:21

Eno Sarris: I think it’s a little bit about elite pitches. If you have a starter with one elite pitch like his curve, you give them a really long leash with starting.

12:21

Dr Hoist: Enooo. Great article on the Yankees. Do you think Chad Green ends up getting the gig?

12:22

Eno Sarris: It’s him or Montgomery, IMO. Mitchell’s fastball has gas but is super hittable and his command comes and goes. Might be a sweet reliever with that awesome hammer curve.

12:22

gaedel: Under the new MLB rules, if a pitcher has an 0-2 count and wants to waste a pitch, does he just wave a finger?

12:23

Maxamuz: I know it’s only Spring Training but I’m started to get worried that Lucas Duda will only hit 48 HRs this year.

12:23

Bill Z. Bub: How do you feel about the perception that Paul Sporer is cooler than you due to his musical taste?

12:24

Eno Sarris: Nice lude HEY WAITAMINUTEWAT. Eh, he’s younger and single, has more time for music. Y’all don’t like my music picks?

12:24

Eno Sarris: boo.

12:25

dave in slc: which surprise OF in AL only do you think will have the most value of Hicks, May or Jones? Or someone I am missing?

12:26

Eno Sarris: May is going to get the most ABs, so I guess him. I like that he’s a switch hitter! He has no power, though, so it’s a bit like having a healthy Tilson. With less patience.

12:26

Pitchers: Daniel Norris seems to be getting lots of love lately. Would you take him over a Joe Ross or Shoemaker at this point?

12:26

Eno Sarris: Over Ross not Shoemaker, not with the dead arm right now.

12:26

Dean: Who has a better chance at a breakout season, Alex Cobb, Daniel Norris or Robert Gsellman?

12:26

Eno Sarris: Norris, has a full set of pitches and velo.

12:27

John: When can teams start putting players on the disabled list?

12:27

Eno Sarris: NOT SOON ENOUGH. They always wait until the last minute, so Sunday and Monday.

12:29

Electric: Macadocious… Do you know of any good basketball writers I should be following?

12:30

Eno Sarris: Tom Haberstroh, Hardcourt Paroxysm, the Shrillest.

12:30

Hannah Hochevar: Bullpen Revolution Applied to Everyday Life: changing outfits throughout the day so that no single item of clothing gets all that dirty and can thereby be reworn without doing laundry.

12:30

Hannah Hochevar: (Optional corollary: refer to “going to the closet” as a “call to the bullpen.”)

12:30

Eno Sarris: side benefit: strange looks all day.

12:30

Maxamuz: What pitchers will be hurt the most if they league does in fact raise the strike zone this year / next? I know they “can’t” this year but I think it’s already begun.

12:31

Eno Sarris: Sinker types like Stroman, Keuchel.

12:31

Chad: Read your piece on Chris Owings, whats his final line at the end of the year?

12:32

Eno Sarris: .275/.310/.440 in 500 PA

12:32

Rusty Kuntz: Hey Eno, with Matt Harvey reportedly throwing 97mph in his last start, do you have any reason for optimism? Or is this a wait and see how he performs in his first couple “real” starts?

12:32

Eno Sarris: I’m feeling way better about him now yes.

12:32

Neel: What do you think ends up happening with Kang? what do you do if you own him in a dynasty league?

12:33

Eno Sarris: I think he eventually comes over, so you have to hold for now.

12:34

Eno Sarris: You guys know how much I’ve loved Treinen, and now he’s the closer. So operation

12:34

GERB: Is Joc Pederson a good comp for what to hope for when Bradley Zimmer comes up?

12:35

Eno Sarris: Hope he has that power, should have a bit more speed.

12:35

Luke: Who’s worth more of a flier for a bench spot or last OF spot… Kiermaier or Heyward?

12:35

Eno Sarris: Kiermaier. Way higher floor IMO.

12:35

JP: Will Byung-ho Park be called up for big league later? It seems MIN made a wrong decision, or more of political decision by the new GM.

12:36

Eno Sarris: I think it might be more of a 40-man situation. Didn’t want to release anyone, Park still a free asset until you put him on the 40 man and have to manage him. I guess they give Vargas a couple weeks to a month before he’s down for Park. Or maybe injury clears the 40-man spot.

12:37

B: Grab Zach Wheeler as replacement while Carlos Rodon goes on the DL? (Musgrove, Norris, Finnegan also available)

12:37

Eno Sarris: Norris for me.

12:37

HeaterRicky: Are you aware of any research on pitchers in Japan and other international leagues regarding TJ surgeries? Is the frequency similar to mlb?

12:38

Eno Sarris: Less frequent in Japan where they more rest, but the problem is they don’t go to the surgery as often as they should, don’t keep the same records, and don’t have the same accountability to the media, so it’s hard to trust the numbers completely.

12:38

Sonny: everybody talkin bout correlation, extrapolation, ligament aggravation all we are saying is give Niese a chance

12:38

Eno Sarris: no

12:39

Maxamuz: Greg Bird should walk up to “Come fly with me” right?

12:39

The Average Sports Fan: How much PT do you think Conforto ends up getting?

12:39

Eno Sarris: Full time at some point in the season? Just seems so obvious. maybe 300-400 PA on the season.

12:39

Pat S: Going to Toronto, but unfortunately when the Jays are on the road. Any thoughts on activities? Steam Whistle?

12:41

Eno Sarris: I really liked Bellwoods and there’s Left Field, the baseball-themed one. Find the ravines, like Glen Stewart Ravine, and walk through them!

12:41

Eno We Have to Know: After last week’s chat we know you are sensitive about certain personal questions but still I have to ask: ARE YOU AN ANTI-DENTITE?

12:41

Eno Sarris: …

12:41

Ryan: A website to rank all interations of Sausage. It is time!

12:41

Estuve: Have you heard anything new on Taillon’s changeup?

12:42

Eno Sarris: Watched it, didn’t find it impressive.

12:42

LeylandLand: Do you see substantial regression ahead for Villar? Any chance he tries add even more power at the expense of getting on base & steals?

12:42

Eno Sarris: His work against right-handers last year seemed BABIP driven.

12:42

JT: What’s your take on Max Kepler this year and going forward?

12:43

Eno Sarris: As a German I love him. But as a exit velo guy, he’s lacking there. Want to see him hit the ball hard this year or he’s a .275/15/15 guy with good OBP, better real life asset.

12:43

kdallas: Loved your writeup on Nola. Any concerns about his spring (knowing that spring stats don’t matter)? I like that his velo is up and he’s getting whiffs.

12:43

Eno Sarris: Yeah I like that he’s healthy.

12:44

bombsquad rabbi: doing/drinking anything special in jubilant celebration of Opening Day?

12:44

Eno Sarris: Chatting, here, for the 4pm games.

12:44

Matt: What do you expect out of Ryan Dull this year? Are you a fan?

12:44

Eno Sarris: Great slider. Could get some saves!

12:45

barry: hi eno, long time reader, first time writer…. how much does greinke’s spring velocity worry you?

12:45

Eno Sarris: A fair amount.

12:45

Ryan: Traded Kintzler for Matz yesterday. Cashing in on panic, or just buying a broken arm?

12:46

Eno Sarris: Great trade. I don’t think Matz is broken yet. Although he did

12:46

Hugh: School project- any helpful articles or sources of information regarding BAMTech?

12:46

Eno Sarris: There’s a glossary at MLB, a few intro articles from Mike Petriello, and Jeff Long wrote some intro type things over at Baseball Prospectus, if you’re talking about the tech. If you’re talking about the company… dunno.

12:47

Sam: I’ve never played fantasy before but have a snake draft on ESPN later. How do I best prepare with the 2 hours I have?

12:47

Eno Sarris: Identify some late pitchers — closers and starters — that you like, so that you can have those q’ed up. It allows you to pick other players. Also, run the auction calculator on your league and have it as a tab that you can quickly use to compare a few players at one position.

12:48

LarryA: Im trying to decide whether to trade away JD martinez seeing that hell miss a month. Is trying to get back someone like Max Kepler or Joc selling too low?

12:48

Eno Sarris: Lisfranc can be a bummer. I really like Joc, so I might do that actually.

12:48

i mean: you have to be odd to be number one

12:48

Eno Sarris: like my motto or something

12:49

2-D: Still play Mac Dre! I vote for Dredio!

12:49

Eno Sarris:

12:49

Eno Sarris: We’re doing music today because of that Sporer comment lol.

12:50

Steve Pearce : I’m having an allergic reaction to happiness

12:50

Eno Sarris: or could be the spring, that’s what I’m blaming

12:50

LarryA: Delino Desheilds as the new Rangers lead off hitter- you buying? Can he match Rajais stats?

12:51

Eno Sarris: Against both hands? Won’t match the power.

12:51

Mike: Is Greinke done?

12:51

Eno Sarris: Too much command, too many good pitches to be done. Unless you mean what Felix Hernandez is doing these days is done. Greinke should be able to do something similar.

12:51

Eno Sarris: (at worst, if the velo is not coming back)

12:52

joedcamp: Expect anything from Hwang in SF this year?

12:52

Eno Sarris: Playing vs lefties, maybe some BA, maybe some early season burn if Nunez isn’t healthy.

12:52

dude: Which team-employed hitting coaches are embracing the new fly-ball approach & trying to get most of their hitters on board?

12:53

Eno Sarris: Fly ball team leaders: Rays, Mets, Orioles, Cas, Blue Jays, Indians, Twins, Nationals. I’d say some of those are personnel driven, like the Nationals are on there because Murphy talks to everyone. From experience talking to hitting coaches, I like what I hear in Chicago and Houston most.

12:54

Houzer : Guinness Brewers Project .. I know, big box beer. But the Milk Stout, Irish Wheat, and West Indies Porter are delicious

12:54

Eno Sarris: I’ll give it a shot I don’t care.

12:54

Jake D: Best waiver pickup DeShields/Almora/D. Santana?

12:54

Eno Sarris: Domingo for me, but speed is precious and if you need it, if Delino really going to start every day he’s v interesting here.

12:55

Mort: Do you place any additional emphasis on bench bats in dynasty leagues or do still you allocate most of your bench to arms?

12:55

Eno Sarris: I might up it a bit so I can keep a few young guys on my roster but not in the lineup.

12:55

CamdenWarehouse: Are with Jeff in being excited to see Triggs start?

12:56

Eno Sarris: Want to see more changeups. By the way, who’s your fifth starter.

12:56

Evil Goatee Eno: When is the last time you thought about Gil Heredia?

12:56

Eno Sarris: When I was standing in their clubhouse looking at his locker and wondering if I should interview him for the Mariners’ three center fielders piece.

12:56

Maxamuz: Good news out of Maxamuz land – the woman in my life doesn’t have cancer. Beers tonight to celebrate!

12:56

Eno Sarris: Whoooohooooooo

12:56

Robert Deer: Any chance of Peraza doing this year what Villar did last?

12:57

Eno Sarris: fewer homers. Not no homers, but fewer homers.

12:57

Guest: True or False: Using Jalapeno juice to make your nose run will provide you with the necessary lubricant to get an extra 2″ of drop on your curveball?

12:57

Eno Sarris: Much better than Vagisil.

12:57

westcoastpete: Was there any news on Yasmani Grandal making swing changes last season? FB%, HR/FB%, and IFFB% all made big improvements starting in July

12:57

Eno Sarris: That was a health change. His shoulder has been screwed up.

12:58

Saga: Eno, love listening to your pod. Where would you rank Matt Boyd now that he’s the 5th starter?

12:59

Eno Sarris: All of his pitches — and he has a bunch — are decent, but I’m unsure he has an outpitch. I’d rank him in the high 80s, just outside of 12-team relevance.

12:59

apples: Who is more primed for a bounceback, Franco or Sano?

1:00	Eno Sarris: I don’t think Sano needs to bounce back as much as stay healthy. A healthy year last year gets him to 30+ homers, and he has 40 homer upside. I don’t think he’s injury prone yet. Franco I think has .285/28 type upside, and he was so close last year. So I guess Sano?

1:01	Eno Sarris: In that he has more space between last year and his upside.

1:01	Black Beard’s Delight: Hey Eno, headed to Fenway next week. Where would Eno eat, in or around the park?

1:01	Eno Sarris: It’s a bit of a walk, but Mead Hall across the river in Cambridge has the best beer and really good food, and then you can walk across the bridge to the park…

1:02	Motion Granted: Does Aaron Judge getting the nod in RF for Opening Day, plus apparent strides this spring, change your outlook on him this season?

1:02	Eno Sarris: Sullivan convinced me that his power is there. I see some meh ISOs for such a big man, but I’ve bought a couple shares in deeper leagues.

1:02	Roundabout Kick: Name an animal that could beat a silverback Gorilla in unarmed combat. Go ahead. I’ll wait.

1:02	Eno Sarris: Like an Elephant maybe?

1:02	Zumbo: DEAR TWINS – FREE BYUNG HO PARK

1:02	propjoebaltimore: What to make of Liriano … ? Striking dudes out at a crazy rate this spring. Okay as a 5th starter? You seeing anything different since the move/better numbers in Toronto. He is who he is at this point I think, but thinking of buying some shares.

1:03	Eno Sarris: yeah he’s interesting. So cheap. So great every other year.

1:03

TJ: Question re: David Phelps + Alex Wood. Both are pitchers with experience both starting and in the pen and both are superior pitchers to SP that “won” spots in the rotation…does this represent a larger league-wide trend in having stronger pitchers available for versatile bullpen roles or are they just getting screwed over?

1:03	Eno Sarris: There’s some trend here. I bet we see a record number of pitchers with 90-110 type IP totals. i’m going to check on that later today!

1:04	Tim Tebow’s Thunder Thighs: My favorite euphemism for pooping is “emptying my recycle bin”

1:04

python-r: Re: Jordan Montgomery – saw him pitch against the Rays in ST. Didn’t get deep into the game (4.2 IP, I believe 8K 0BB), but he struck out the side in the 4th and was doing cognitive battle with real MLB hitters – back-foot sliders, spotted change-ups, cutters on the hands, fastball as high as 95. He made Longoria look silly. Have love for this man.

1:04	Tommy L: Hi Eno- how do you see the Pirates going on their 5th starter – Glasnow or Trevor Williams. Thanks

1:04	Eno Sarris: Glasnow.

1:05	joedcamp: I like Oakland’s staff but their defense and batting (run support is bad). Will that have a major fantasy impact on Cotton, Manaea, and Triggs?

1:05	Eno Sarris: They seem to have collected a group of fly ball pitchers in a big park… let’s see what Rajai’s D is really like these days!

1:07	Prancer: Do I drop a part time closer with great ratios for a full time closer with meh ratios? Do I drop Reed for Treinen?

1:07	Eno Sarris: I do, for the upside of an all year closer.

1:07	westcoastpete: Do you agree that the strike zone changes depending on the count?

1:07	Eno Sarris: yes that has been shown fairly reliably.

1:07	Eno Sarris: score changes it too.

1:07	Don: Whats the most important thing you look for in a pitcher? (Control, command, velocity, deception, movement,etc.)

1:08	Eno Sarris: Velocity, movement, control, command in that order. Command the hardest to quantify, which is relevant.

1:08	Too Many CI: I overspent on J Turner and got caught price enforcing on Rendon. I already have Arendado. While I love all three, what type of SP could I expect for Turner or Rendon?

1:08	Eno Sarris: Just guessing from my drafts, you can probably get a better one for Rendon, so I’d shop him.

1:09	Trea Turner: My manager never planned on drafting me but I fell all the way to 38 in a points league, what do you see my season looking like this year?

1:09	Eno Sarris: You’ll be very happy. I think it’s like Gary Sanchez — even with regression he’ll be great. So what if it’s ‘only’ .280 with 12 homers and 35 steals. That’s hawt.

1:09	Roundabout Kick: Every second without real baseball is like a thousand kicks to the crotch. – Aristotle

1:09	Eno Sarris:

1:10	CamdenWarehouse: Similar to Erik’s question – how much parody is good for baseball?

1:10	Eno Sarris: Just enough to make us laugh, not enough to make us hear about how people don’t respect the game because gosh is that a boring conversation.

1:10	Art Vandelay: Eno I have to say thank you. Thanks to your Blake Treinen belief I picked him up as in almost every league as my last pick, and now it’s all paying off!

1:10	Eno Sarris: I will accept your thanks graciously and humbly, for I am handsome and intelligent.

1:11	Lucci: Word on the street is that your March Madness bracket is unblemished

1:11	Eno Sarris: Never existed so it’s AMAZING.

1:11	Eno Sarris: GOOD LORD I JUST MADE 12:14…

1:11	baby bull : who are the top 5 for my scoresheet rotation? Pineda, Shoemaker, Bauer, Skaggs, Morton, Boyd, Cobb, Cotton

1:12	Eno Sarris: Shoemaker, Cotton, Pineda, Bauer, Boyd at first (see more on Morton, see health/velo and PFx drop on the splitter for cobb)

1:13	SPJ: In a 13 team AL only keeper league where the only 2 closers available are Chapman and Robertson. I have Cam and $99 (out of $260) to draft with a decent starters and bats already. How hard to I push for the 2nd closer with little dollars available?

1:13	Eno Sarris: Inflation is crazy hard to gauge. $25 might be totally reasonable.

1:13	John: Had a 4 man draft last night just to test out a new platform. Pretty entertaining.

1:13	Eno Sarris: YOU GET A STAR YOU GET A STAR YOU GET A STAR

1:13	Roundabout Kick: Which ball player could pull a cool hand Luke and eat 50 eggs in an hour?

1:13	Eno Sarris: Adam Dunn?

1:14	Braves Fan: when a SP is moved to the bullpen, how does this change the timeline for reaching the ML? With all the Braves young arms (high A), some are destined for the pen. Will they arrive quicker than they would have as starters?

1:14	Eno Sarris: For sure. They only need two pitches, less stamina, even less command.

1:15	MLB 2017 The Show: If you could choose to be GM of any rebuilding club right now, which club would you pick?

1:15	Eno Sarris: Phillies. I like the Braves players, but the Phillies have money to spend and I like their rotation better.

1:15	Jake: Eric Longenhagen put a future 70 hit, 70 speed, 40 power on Ozzie Albies. Is Dee Gordon’s 2015 a reasonable expectation for peak Albies if he reaches those tools?

1:15	Eno Sarris: I wouldn’t call it reasonable in general, but yes if he hits those benchmarks.

1:16	Tuna Tirner : I like mangoes

1:16	Sonny: Archer not getting a ton of ink, if I pair with him Cmart, Hill, JGray and Paxton behind Yu is that enough in a H2H 10t to win most weeks?

1:16	Eno Sarris: That’s a super sexy rotation. Good luck on Hill’s health timing.

1:16	big boy: hey eno – what do you think about corbin and/or miller this year? i own both at $1 with karns and triggs still on the wire. How would you lineup all 4?

1:16	Eno Sarris: Corbin for Karns seems reasonable to me. You’ll be moving guys around.

1:17	Goody 2 Shoes: Serious question – how come you mispronounce the names of MLB players? Scherzer, Yelich, etc.

1:17	Eno Sarris: I pronounce them as my German mother would, I guess.

1:18	Seven Costanza: Rookie Davis pretty much has to be NL ROY, right?

1:18	Eno Sarris: Well if you take the name of the award literally

1:18	powder: How real is Junior Guerra?

1:18	Eno Sarris:

1:19	Eno Sarris: I mean I know he’s had a bad spring, but the splitter is great, the velo is good, the command aight, and I think that other thing is a curve and is good.

1:19	Caldwell: Happy Thursday to us all. Considering the fact that I do not exist, I do not have a birthday every year, but I do have Thursdays. Thursday is public property. Thus I say, happy Thursday – be well, dears.

1:19	Eno Sarris: Thanks!

1:19	Aaron: E-Rod, Daniel Norris or Joe Musgrove?

1:19	Eno Sarris: Norris

1:19	Tim Tebow’s Thunder Thighs: Would you rather fight the Philly Phanatic or a drunk, 3 foot tall Albert Bell?

1:19	Eno Sarris: The Phanatic is soft.

1:20	Mike M: Yelich & Finnegan for Benintendi, Renfroe, Teheran & Davies. Who wins this?

1:20	Eno Sarris: Ben side. Renfroe could hit 30 this year easily.

1:21	Chano: Who has the best hair in baseball?

1:21	Eno Sarris: Lindor?

1:21	HomebrewJ: Eno, I have my first Ottoneu draft on Saturday. Any last minute tips?

1:22	Eno Sarris: Spend $395 at least. Platoon, but only in two or three spots, or you’ll lose out. Don’t pay more than $5 for a prospect unless they’re going to play a lot this year. Don’t carry more than 8 prospects, that would be a lot for me.

1:23	JOJO: Who is your favorite current pitcher to watch?

1:24	Eno Sarris: Hendricks, Kluber, Salazar. for different reasons.

1:24	Confused Guy: Trade my $15 A Miller for his $1 Swanson? Can be kept indefinitely at $5 increases each year. (OPS and SVHD league)

1:24	Eno Sarris: I’d do it.

1:24	Habaneri Sculpin: Received a great suggestion today. Use it for crock pot chili! Way better than actually drinking it. I’m thinking maybe a sweet chili with a little zing

1:24	Eno Sarris: If I ever find that in my house I’ll do it haha.

1:24	SPJ: In a keeper league, how do you approach a draft where you have an obvious hole but limited funds and players to fill the hole (Ex. Saves) ? Do you spend max out on the money to get a player or do you add to a strength and trade from there?

1:25	Eno Sarris: I try to never rely on a trade going into the season.

1:25	Rated Rookie: Hasn’t Luis Severino been named the Yankees’ 5th starter?

1:25	Eno Sarris: 4th.

1:25	5 Run Homer: Evian water is just naive spelled backwards, bottled water companies are playing us for fools, Eno

1:25	Dan: Should Duda and Flores be platooned?

1:25	Eno Sarris: I think so. Flores is borderline great against lefties.

1:25	python-r: A bit of irony: Eickhoff response was “if a guy has an elite curveball, give him a long leash as a SP.” Very next response: Bryan Mitchell would make a great reliever with that sweet curveball of his.

1:26	Eno Sarris: oooh you got me haha. And Mitchell has more velocity than Eickhoff. I guess I’d add that every team is just trying to judge their windows, and I think the Yankees are closer than the Phillies, though I like both.

1:26	Mike: Is a circle change grip usually better with a 4 seamer and a 2 seam change grip better with a 2 seamer?

1:27	Eno Sarris: Both can be circles, but there is a thought that the 4-s change grip produces similar spin to the 4s fastball and makes it a good pairing. Maybe! I don’t know. I do know that it makes the movement more similar to the fastball, which seems less than ideal.

1:28	HAM SANDWICH: HAM SANDWICH

1:28	Eno Sarris: ok i will

1:28	kevinthecomic: had our fantasy draft yesterday (12-team rotisserie, 25 players per team) — Gsellman, Musgrove, Graveman and Folty are on the waiver wire — do they need to be picked up NOW?

1:28	Eno Sarris: Gsell for me.

1:29	Biff: Do you see a platoon now in Milwaukee with Thames & Aguilar unless Thames just rakes?

1:29	Eno Sarris: yes

1:29	Lance Lynn: Memba me?

1:29	Eno Sarris: Only question is innings…

1:29	An AL GM: Should I try to trade for Byungho Park today? Maybe even attempt to lowball the Twins? They apparently don’t like him very much.

1:29	Eno Sarris: Everyone had a shot on him on waivers…

1:30	Beefcake: Cheapest player you think will reach 100 RBIs without demolishing my batting average (>.265)?

1:30	Eno Sarris: Matt Kemp?

1:30	Kris: Blake Treinen has been named the Nationals’ closer. WUT

1:30	Eno Sarris: Should have been hanging out more here, where I said he was my new Dyson pick.

1:32	Eno Sarris:

1:34	python-r: Eno never plays Katy Perry 🙁

1:34	Eno Sarris: IT”S NOT FAIR

1:34	Sonny: any idea how platforms will handle bethancourt? preview for Otani where one player can slide across hit/pitch in a given day

1:35	Eno Sarris: I know scoresheet can’t handle it. I don’t think any other platform is ready for it other than having the player listed twice and taking up two roster slots.

1:35	Erik: Who is a bigger injury risk, a pitcher who has already has TJ surgery, or a pitcher who really look like he’ll need TJ surgery?

1:36	Eno Sarris: If we’re talking currently injured in the second case, the second case.

1:36	Dan: What Grade is Lugo’s curveball?

1:36	Eno Sarris: I’d give it a 60. Maybe 70. It’s high spin, but it’s not as clear how important that is for a curve, and it’s only 77/78, the best curves are 81+.

1:37	Josh: Do you think we’ll see more pitchers throwing higher in the zone, e.g. Rich Hill, as it seems like more batters are going for an upper cut swing?

1:37	Eno Sarris: yes.

1:37	Joe: Which pitcher frustrates you the most being significantly worse than their rate stats?

1:37	Eno Sarris: Interestingly, when seen in tandem with my enjoyment answer, a guy like Danny Salazar comes to mind. I think I know why, but it’s frustrating that a guy with that frigging raw stuff isn’t dominating despite iffy command.

1:38

JJG: Am I crazy to think the A’s are kinda interesting as a sleeper? I love the pitching depth, the bullpen could be nasty, and the offense doesn’t have stars, but does have a bunch of league average players. They’d have to stay healthy in the middle infield, but if they do, 1B is the only obvious major weakspot, and if Alonso’s swing changes don’t work Maxwell can come up and push Vogt and Healy over.

1:39	Eno Sarris: I think it — once again — looks like an 81-83 win team. If they do break out, it’s because Cotton and Manaea are ace-like, quickly, and Healy AND Alonso break out.

1:39	Tom Selleck: Odds that Otani is here playing by opening day 2018?

1:39	Eno Sarris: The word on the street is that he’ll post, but it’ll cost him money with the current system, so I dunno.

1:39	kevinthecomic: pitch clocks have been around forever in some minor leagues — i remember in the old northern league back in the mid-90s, they had a 45 second clock that started once the ball got tossed back to the pitcher — games were plenty competitive and entertaining

1:40	The Big Chill: The guys at CBS keep saying DeLino has won the LF job and is leading off. DO you have reason to believe either of these are true? Seems like when Gomez get’s back he’ll lead off and Lino will platoon with Profar/Rua?

1:41	Eno Sarris: I hadn’t heard this yet, so I don’t know what to believe. Seems like he’d be the vs LHP part of a platoon, but it’s not like Rua and Profar have made the decision for the team.

1:41	kakie!: tfw ween 4ev lol for fact of the dream making work — never not #hustle. And why the dream always think to drink MILK. practise grip and practsie fungoe and the speeth/streng WILL COME. always #dream, kakie bryan

1:41	Eno Sarris: he’s back.

1:41	cowboy babip: please explain why your team name was “Dress for More” last season I truly don’t get it

1:41	Eno Sarris: I had both Ross brothers.

1:41	Eno Sarris: One of my worst!

1:41	pair-a-dice: How stupid was it to take matz and rodon as my 3rd and 4th pitcher. They already are broken.

1:41	Eno Sarris: Hold tight till they come back.

1:42	Lake: Where are you on Matt Carpenter?

1:42	Eno Sarris: Good year to trade him in fantasy, since he’ll likely be a first baseman and not as sexy there. In real life? Great OBP guy with demonstrated power.

1:42	CamdenWarehouse: For Heater – a good chunk of The Arm was spent on Japanese pitchers

1:42	Eno Sarris: Yeah I thought Japan was better off before I read that.

1:42

Maxamuz:

1:43	Jeff: Do you feel secure enough in Greg Holland to drop Ottavino for Trenien? Have Herrera and K-Rod in-house already

1:43	Eno Sarris: I’d rather have a closer than a not closer.

1:43	Jim Wiser: Blue Eyes – finally some real music

1:44	Eno Sarris: Yes that other stuff is just pots and pans banging.

1:44	THE WORST: Is there anything worse than when you click submit to add a guy that is available and you get the message that the player is now on another team?

1:44	Eno Sarris: Especially if you were just spending that extra second trying to decide which guy to drop.

1:44	sh!te catchers: who has better season mike zunino or austin hedges

1:44	Eno Sarris: Zunino.

1:44	Addictionis no laughing matter: I used to be addicted to the hokey pokey…but then I turned myself around!

1:44	Eno Sarris: Dad joke.

1:45	hodor: not a joke. do you know of any teams who dissuade their pitchers from masturbating with their pitching hand/wrist? i had forearm tightness the other day after a particularly long weekend, and thought this could be a thing. i’ll hang up and listen now.

1:46	Eno Sarris: Um well no but there was that whole stop playing video games, Carlos Zambrano.

1:47	Greg: Is Zombie Dust in your top 5 craft beers?

1:47	Eno Sarris: Might have been once. Is not now. Too many great new beers.

1:47	python-r: Triple-slash for Matt Holliday this year? .270/.360/.450 sound reasonable?

1:47	Eno Sarris: Could have more power. Exit velo was great last year.

1:47	Aspergillus: I used to believe in the unconditional rationality of man. And then I did an auction draft.

1:47	unplanned hangover: Knowing the ABV > Not knowing the ABV

1:48	Texas fan: What do you expect from Mazara this year? Rising star or platoon bat?

1:48	Eno Sarris: Rising star. Headed at some point to .320/30 type years.

1:48	Babe Lincoln: It’s 12:44 and you still haven’t answered a beer question. Highly unusual.

1:48	Eno Sarris: We got to some eventually but my god I’m still an hour behind.

1:49	Bob: What do you think of a staff of Darvish, Cueto, Paxton, J. Ross, Cotton and Liriano?

1:49	Eno Sarris: I’d like to kiss it.

1:49	daniel: Bradley Zimmer or Andrew Toles…who should I own now to help me best this upcoming season

1:49	Eno Sarris: Toles.

1:49	Bartleby: My buddy was at SABR in AZ and sang your praises Eno, saying you spent a lot of time talking to students. Kudos.

1:49	Eno Sarris: Man I should have spent MORE time. But I had to get on a flight to Hawaii for a beer fest. LIFE SO HARD

1:50	IRabbit: What are the implications of a switch from Stolen Bases to Net Stolen Bases and how should that change my drafting strategy in a shallowish league?

1:50	Eno Sarris: Eh. It works itself out. Just don’t expect a lot of steals from guys with bad Net SB… one exception: I believe Cesar Hernandez will improve there and go like 24/30 this year.

1:50	Greg: Matz over Gsellman? Do not get me wrong, I love Matz and he is filthy but don’t those “elbow problems” scare the hell out of you?

1:51	Eno Sarris: Well I’m going on talent here, and an expectation that Matz can still put up 150. Kershaw was the second-best SP in fantasy baseball last year. Not quite the same thing, but I’d rather have talent and am not as scared about Matz as someone like Price right now.

1:52	Hans Focker: Someone wrote about your write-up on Nola. Can you link? not seeing it in the player search

1:52	Eno Sarris: Read the player profile under the links!

1:52	Bart: How much regression do you expect from Rick Porcello?

1:52	Eno Sarris: Back to 3.70/1.2 type work. Still good, not close to Cy.

1:53	Jim Wiser: Rap is NOT music

1:53	Eno Sarris: Weird, I hear singing and instruments and there are harmonies and melodies and all

1:54	Diggy: Nothing screams opening day like:

1:54	python-r: How much money do players make, percentage-wise, of their listed contracts? How much goes to agents, taxes, etc.?

1:54	Eno Sarris: I think it’s probably like 60%? 30ish to taxes, 10ish to agents?

1:54	Bert Campaneris: Did you get to read Sullivan’s piece on the “D-Backs Could Have a New Pitching Approach”? How flawed can that “approach” when it is being implemented in their Spring Training facility versus “Chase Stadium”?

1:55	Eno Sarris: New swings are actually designed to hit homers on low pitches. Read this to see how a guy with a modern swing thinks about the high pitch: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/brandon-moss-on-the-anatomy-of-a-slump/

1:56	Hans Focker: When do strikeout rates stabilize for the season? I read something like 80 AB’s, does that sound right?

1:56	Eno Sarris: About.. 100 PA better.

1:56	CMo: Dexter Fowler is my most boring best pick in the mid rounds. What boring vet do you find yourself grabbing most?

1:58	Eno Sarris: Jarrod Dyson, Lucas Duda, Stephen Vogt, Luis Valbuena, Brian McCann?

1:58	Marcus Banks: Is Michael Pineda still the best pitcher in New York City?

1:58	Eno Sarris: Welcome back dude!

1:59	Diggy: What Rays hitter is likely to surprise us this year not named Kiermaier

1:59	Eno Sarris: Dickerson!

1:59	Mort: A homeless man recently approached me and screamed “GREEN BEANS!”

1:59	Eno Sarris: Did you have any?

2:00	Chet Steadman: Current bottom-rung closer most likely to reach 30 saves?

2:00	Eno Sarris: AJ Ramos too high? How about Neftali Feliz? Teams not going to be good enough to go to Knebel yet.

2:00	ManBearPuig: Why is Jeanmar Gomez the Phillies closer? Do they just not care because they know they aren’t contending? Do they want to keep Hector Nerris’s value down by being able to say he isn’t a closer?

2:00	Eno Sarris: It really looks like that way to me.

2:01	eno: imo if u rly like brian eno u should name your team “Here Come the WARm Betts”

2:02	Eno Sarris: Here Come the Warm Vets was one year. Then came Blackmon Airlines Give you Soler More. This year: Enter Judge’s Jungle.

2:02	Evil Goatee Eno: When are you going to give cider its due? Graft Cidery produces the drippings from a she-angel’s nether regions.

2:03	Eno Sarris: Need to drink more of it. Like dry ciders.

2:03	Joe: Ynoa for the Os fifth starter, I’d reckon.

2:03	Eno Sarris: That’s what I was thinking when I looked last night.

2:03	CamdenWarehouse: Bet the O’s go four man through the 16th. If they don’t have a better answer by then it will be Wright or Wilson.

2:03	Eno Sarris: Yech.

2:03	Andrew: Eno – huge fan of sleeper and bust – do you think Treinen will be Nats closer all year?

2:03	Eno Sarris: I do.

2:03	Stewie Griffin: Who do you see as the primary 8th inning guy in STL, SF and LAD? Love Dayton for holds if he gets the job.

2:04	Eno Sarris: Siegrist, Law, Baez or Dayton?

2:04	Eno Sarris: I think I’d take a shot on Dayton just in case.

2:04	botchatheny: did you ever try any of billy butlers sauce?

2:04	Eno Sarris: that’s dirty, dude.

2:04	Elevation Nation: Do you buy all the swing change “fly ball” swings that players are employing?

2:05	Eno Sarris: I believe in what Votto says: set up your swing to best hit the pitch that pitchers throw the most. That’s low and outside.

2:05	Kev: Would it be fair to describe Red Sox pitching as a glass cannon? If anyone goes down… is a trade likely?

2:05	Eno Sarris: Yes bad depth.

2:05	Snarfle: What are you doing with Villar this year? Are you in on the round 2 hype?

2:05	Eno Sarris: too high for me.

2:05	Tiggy-winkles: What to do with Soler in a 12t dynasty? ?

2:05	Eno Sarris:

2:06	big dummy: Grizzly Bear > Silverback

2:06	Evil Goatee Eno: Would you rather watch Yoan Moncada eat 85 Twinkies or watch Rey Ordonez take 85 cuts in the batting cages?

2:06	tommy lasagna, sr.: i’m both the kind of man who would never let his wife sleep on the couch, and the kind of man who would do something to prompt his wife to sleep on the couch

2:06

Maxamuz:

2:07	Eno Sarris: come on tell me an elephant wouldn’t be a good bet.

2:07	Donny B.: Stronger hold on their closer role – Oh, Diaz, Colome?

2:07	Eno Sarris: Diaz.

2:07	tommy lasagna, sr.:

2:07	adam: I have a dollar and a roster spot: Ryu or Park?

2:07	Eno Sarris: ryu

2:08	CMo: Favorite section to catch a game in your favorite park is…

2:08	Eno Sarris: behind home plate, can be up high if I have to. AT&T.

2:09

Bert Campaneris: Nathan Karns as fifth starter in KC!!!! I’ve been so hyped about the guy since he signed. I’ve watched almost all of his outings. I remember your article when he was signed and your hypothesis of a possible injury along with the suggestion of a tweak to the release point. Could this be a breakout season (by anyone’s definition of it). What are your expectations? Thanks Eno

2:09	Eno Sarris: I don’t see his old rise coming back this spring, but the change looks better than usual and he’s been healthy. I’ll buy in deeper than 12.

2:09	DDSP: What’s the most important part of a player’s butt the top or the bottom thx

2:09	Eno Sarris: Bottom. #nosag

2:10	JT: Better hitter for average over career: Kepler or Conforto?

2:10	Eno Sarris: Conforto hits the ball the other way and I’ll take his power, so I’ll take MC.

2:10	Ryan: Any thoughts on the pecking order in the Cubs bullpen? I’m worried about Wade Davis. Thanks.

2:11	Eno Sarris: Rondon looks a bit cooked to me. I think Strop and then Carl Edwards.

2:11	rustydude: How much is fantasy baseball about luck? I pursued Smyly on the only two leagues I play in, but decided against it at the last second.

2:11	Eno Sarris: Injury is the source of luck I think.

2:11	tommy lasagna, sr.: sometimes it feels weird to put shorts on over boxers

2:11	Eno Sarris: shorts on shorts

2:12	Rookie: What is difference between command and control?

2:12	Eno Sarris: Command is the ability to put it where you want, sometimes outside of the zone. Control is ability to hit the big box, the zone. It’s a little silly because what is control except mediocre command?

2:13	Erik: Are the 95th percentile pitches of each type approximately equal? Or are some types of pitch objectively better than others?

2:13	Eno Sarris: Well you throw the fastball more than any other so it has to be more important.

2:13	Hot Takes are Dumb: Jon Gray clearly has the best hair in baseball, Eno. He’s basically a Targaryan.

2:13	Dylan: Syndergaard has the best hair in baseball

2:14	Eno Sarris: Dude needs conditioner. I take deGrom hair over Syndergaard. #flow

2:14	Andrew: What do you make of Charlie Morton? Buying the renaissance or just a spring hype guy?

2:14	Eno Sarris: Velo up, can’t wait to see how often he’s throwing his splitter. Hold on. No pfx data from spring yet.

2:14	ned flanders: Just read the Rotographs piece about concerns over Kepler’s exit velo / HR rate. I own him for 4 more years cheaply in a 16-team keeper league with distinct RF spots. Time to shop him while the shine’s still on?

2:14	Eno Sarris: I’d at least float it.

2:14	Donny B.: How about a < 5.5% alc brew to draft by?

2:15	Eno Sarris: Founders All Day, Firestone Walker Easy Jack, Pinkus Ur-Pils…

2:15	Shaun: Mike Foltynewicz turns into an ace this year?

2:15	Eno Sarris: 3 maybe?

2:15	Donny B.: Who do you take first, Encarnacion or Sale?

2:15	Eno Sarris: Edwin.

2:15	Marty: I generally focus on my team every night, while bouncing around to the hot pitchers of the night. how do you optimize your MLBTV usage

2:16	Eno Sarris: Yeah always looking to see a pitcher I haven’t seen much of!

2:16	Sean: Are you still in Seattle? I just moved out here a few months back and am still searching for a go-to brewery or two. Any recommendations?

2:16	Eno Sarris: Just visited, but go to Holy Mountain for sure. Also, Cloudburst is fun.

2:16	PD: Doesn’t Albert Belle have a pretty serious hip condition?

2:16	Eno Sarris: I was picturing peak three foot tall Belle.

2:17	Sean: What are your thoughts on Shelby Miller bouncing back this year?

2:17	Eno Sarris: 3.70/1.2 possible, wonder about the k9 tho.

2:17	RJ Rockers: Carlos Carrasco gonna be OK?

2:17	Eno Sarris: Pitching second game of season. Will miss time at some point, he does.

2:17

Bert Campaneris: Chris Owing is the new Ben Zobrist? I appreciated that article. Read it during sustained silent reading (part of homeroom), and was trying to remain silent while building up excitement for a possible fantasy grab. Who doesn’t love position flexibility? Would you grab him with one of the first supplemental draft picks of a 14-tm keeper league?

2:18	Eno Sarris: I wouldn’t go nuts. We don’t know how much he’ll play!

2:18

Get up again: Walking home from work and bought 3 bottles of ipa from the only place that sells decent beer, to get ready for my draft tonight at 3am barcelona time. Halfway home i hit a pothole on my scooter and all three broke. This means i should change my entire draft strategy right? Its a freaking oracle type event.

2:18	Eno Sarris: This is the saddest story. You must win to turn it around.

2:19	tommy lasagna, sr.: sometimes i wish i had more saliva, then i eat a sour patch kid and remember i hate drooling

2:19	English Bob: Nathan Karns? Really? I’m seeing a lot of love for him all of a sudden. Does moving from Seattle to KC really make that big of a difference?

2:19	Eno Sarris: He was hurt. Hoping for a healthy version.

2:19	Eno Sarris: Okay okay I should get to work. Thanks for hanging out!!

BAL	CHW	LAA
BOS	CLE	OAK
NYY	DET	SEA
TBR	KCR	TEX
TOR	MIN	HOU

ATL	CHC*	ARI
MIA	CIN	COL
WSN	MIL	LAD
NYM*	PIT	SDP*
PHI	STL	SFG