Eno Sarris Baseball Chat — 8/29/13

Eno Sarris: Top of the hour!

Eno Sarris: lyrics of the day from a band I liked from the opening sounds of this song

Hey, what’s the matter? Nothing’s the matter.
That’s why I can’t leave my house.
You must get lonely. No. I don’t get lonely. So…
That’s why I can’t leave my house.
Well… Head into the city? Well, I guess it can’t hurt.
Nothing’s on the television. On the networks.

Comment From Jeremy
In a dynasty: Choo and Rendon or E5?

Eno Sarris: E5 even if he doesn’t have the long-term upside. I saw some behind the scenes decline in Choo’s numbers last year and he’s not the most athletic guy.

Comment From Bkgeneral
Will Matt Kemp provide any value this year? Or will he play just enough to tempt me to put him the lineup and then continue to disappoint as he has all season?

Eno Sarris: I think he’ll play every day fairly soon. They’ll need him to be hitting on all cylinders in the postseason, and the time off for his ankle probably helped his shoulder some.

Comment From Razor
Seeing anything with Hiroki Kuroda? This is a terrible time for him to be melting down.

Eno Sarris: It’s not his velocity, even if velocity is not super important to him. I think it’s just a bad stretch. He can be a little susceptible to home runs at time, but he’s proven he can handle the AL and NYC, so I don’t think there’s a fundamental problem here.

Comment From Goat
Hey Eno!! What do you reckon the probability that a real life team like the one in ‘Major League’ could win their division? We’d have to consider that not all the team were complete replacement level- Dorn, for example, was supposed to be all right, albeit old and lazy… Also the possibility that some of the minor leaguers could have had sneaky good peripherals that were not appreciated by the owner Ms Phelps. Also they got lucky with injuries- even though they talked a lot about them, I don’t remember anything actually going wrong with Tom Berenger’s knees…

Eno Sarris: Sure! In a bad division…

Comment From zack
Better in a keeper league: Latos or Greinke?

Eno Sarris: Would have said Greinke before the year, but Greinke’s use of the cutter over the slider, his velocity loss, the collarbone, and Latos’ good year has me thinking Latos now.

Comment From Milhouse
Just got back from west coast. Eno at noon is WAY different than Eno at 9am.

Eno Sarris: And yet it’s the same Eno!

Comment From Kris
Who would you rather keep for next year? 21nd round Xander, 16th round Starling Marte, or 2nd round Pedroia?

Eno Sarris: Pedroia is probably at value or a half-round of surplus, so it’s not him. Starling is comfortably a top-10 round type guy, so he’s the ‘safest’ best value. If you have to decide now, might take him. But if you can wait until you know more about Boston’s offseason plans, that’s the best way to go.

Comment From Evan
Thoughts on Anthony Rizzo in a dynasty? Worth trading Kipnis for?

Eno Sarris: I love Anthony Rizzo as a .280/30 guy. I love Jason Kipnis even more, I think he might 30/30 one year.

Comment From JEB
I feel for Mets fans, but seriously, what about me?! I’m actually in the playoffs right now and Harvey was one of my keepers, dammit.

Eno Sarris: I had him on six of my twelve teams. It totally sucks.

Comment From Maxamuz

Lucas Duda is back with the big league club ladies and gentleman!

Eno Sarris: But not playing trombone sound

Comment From Jonathan
I need an OF off the waiver wire, stat! Josh Willi or D-R Stubby ROS?

Eno Sarris: Wilingham plays most days so I’ll take him.

Comment From Evan
Ellsbury has bounced back big time this year, how do you like him in 2014? Top ten OF?

Eno Sarris: Yeah, I love him. I mean, the injury thing is a problem, but do we know that he’s prone?

Comment From JEB
Allen Craig worth keeping? Or will his regression not be worth it?

Eno Sarris: I think he’s comfortably a .300/25/90 type guy.

Comment From juan pierres mustache
On my commute, I saw a guy drinking a Budweiser tallboy all casual like while driving. This was my commute to work. 8:45 in the morning. It took me a while after that to be convinced that I wasn’t having one of those dreams where I dream about getting ready for and going to work and then wake up just as I arrive at the office. Anyway, did you shotgun a beer with Swish?

Eno Sarris: That’s terrible. Swish felt insincere. Too many one-liners, cheshire cat smiles and then dude bro.

Comment From Goat

Jarvis is a Mets fan like you 🙁

Comment From RotoLando
You seem like a flip-flops guy

Comment From Civics101
I had jury duty yesterday and told the judge I had to be excused from serving so I wouldn’t miss this chat. It worked!

Eno Sarris: Solid first interlude.

Comment From Truth
As a writer, what is an average day for you? Are you researching/writing 8 hours a day? I’ve always been curious if being a writer and working from home is as awesome as it sounds.

Eno Sarris: More like 10-12 hours with BeerGraphs involved. There’s a surprising amount of not-writing time in my day. Researching, traveling to the park, tweeting, editing, calling people for background or fact checking. I love it. It’s exhausting. I do wear flip flops and right now it’s pajamas.

Comment From Goose
Have you tried Jack-O Traveler beer yet? A Pumpkin Shandy, I find it quite delicious ol’ chap.

Eno Sarris: Yeesh. It’s taken me like three weeks to get through this sixer of grapefruit shandy, and I like grapefruit. I kinda feel like I might hate that beer.

Comment From Spencer
$4 Nova for $1 Porcello?

Eno Sarris: Rather have Nova.

Comment From Marcus A.
I have a theory: Clayton Kershaw is not some magical DIPS defier, but it has more to do with the Dodgers. My evidence: Zack Greinke and Ricky Nolasco. Both were notorious for underperforming their peripherals but are now exceeding them. Possible we’ve been overrating Kershaw’s ability to outperform his peripherals?

Eno Sarris: Their D has some great numbers. But I don’t get it when I look around the field. Ethier in CF some, Puig has flaws on D, Hanley’s pretty much terrible at short with the glove… Ellis and Gonzo can’t be doing it all…

Comment From Marcus A.
Should I drop Harvey in a keep four where I’ll be going to the playoffs? I would be keeping Votto, Bautista, Wright, and Harper if I did.

Eno Sarris: Sure, I don’t think I’d keep a pitcher in a keep four anyway.

Comment From Jake
Chris Sale with double-digit strikeout games against the Astros, is it as impressive as Chicago sports beat writers make it out to be? I guess he’s got to hold on to something when his shoulder tears apart, due to iffy mechanics & is the human stick-figure in body-frame.

Eno Sarris: Hole on. He’s awesome. Don’t kick em while they are down. Sale is a great thing to hold on to. But yeah, I’m a little worried about the mechanics and body type, always have been.

Comment From Marcus A.
Dustin Ackley! Any chance he’s turned/turning it around, or is this SSS theater?

Eno Sarris: Someone said recently that he’s been doing a great job keeping his head still. Obviously he has some pedigree from his draft stock, but even his minor league numbers suggest that his upside is limited. At least for fantasy. He could be a decent center fielder if he can handle the position defensively.

Comment From Just a friend
Enooo who should I be starting at 2b/ss (5×5). Junior lake, uggla, asdrubal, infante or andrelton?

Eno Sarris: Asdrubal’s LD% is still good, I think the hits will begin to fall. I’ll take him easily. At 2B, needs can determine it. Power for Uggla, batting average for Infante. Lake for both if you can handle an iffy BA.

Comment From Doug
What plus Oscar Taveras would I need to trade in a Dynasty for Giancarlo?

Comment From Maxamuz
Miggy has the chance to win HR, RBI, BA, OBP, SLG and H. That’s incredible.

Eno Sarris: On the Oscar: Add a young pitcher and I like it.

Eno Sarris: On Miggy: yuuuuuup.

Comment From Things Rick Sutcliffe says
It takes 10 ABs to know whether a batter can hit well against a particular pitcher.

Eno Sarris: …

Comment From RotoLando
That’s clearly the lyrics to the theme song from Riptide

Comment From Malone
What should people who own Harvey for a great price in a keeper do?

Eno Sarris: Keep him. Outside chance he pitches through it. And if it’s a great price, probably still a good price in ’15.

Comment From The Straw
Who would you choose in a 3-year keeper league: Gyorko, Yelich, Bogaerts?

Eno Sarris: Might take chance on Bogaerts here. Gyorko is safest.

Comment From The Straw
Better Harvey replacement in keeper league, Alex Wood or Gerrit Cole?

Eno Sarris: Both pretty good. I’ll take Cole. Better mechanics, and when he starts using his secondary pitches more, more Ks to come.

Comment From dude
Michael Morse claimed on waivers

Eno Sarris: And the world yawned?

Comment From Joe Maddons Spectacles
Has Wil Meyers hit a rookie wall? If so, did Harper hit one as well and did they occur roughly around the same time?

Eno Sarris: He was riding a bit of a BABIP wave, I think it’s a slow down. But all rookies find that the league adjusts to them and then they need to adjust back.

Comment From Dirk
I turned 21 today, and I can finally buy my own beer and other wonderful adult beverages. Any suggestions? I’m also looking for a whiskey – something I’ve never tried – know anything about those?

Eno Sarris: Awesome. If you’re buying for yourself, start slow and get your local IPA. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale if you need. You probably don’t have much cash at 21, I didn’t lol. There’s plenty of beer and you’ve got plenty of time to earn the cash to blow it on it. As for whiskey, get someone to get you a lagavulin or laphroig for your birthday. That might blow your mind.

Comment From Marcus A.
E3 (he’s a first baseman now) worth a $30 keep?

Eno Sarris: I think he’ll be worth that next year.

Comment From redd
Is there hope left for Chase Headley? Can this year be blamed on the thumb? Was last year just fluke?

Eno Sarris: It’s hard for me because I talked to him and believed that his improvement was due to pulling the ball more. So this year he continued to pull the ball and everything went away. Maybe the word got out to the league, maybe the thumb hurt. I’ll call him a true talent .270 20/15 kind of guy with more power upside.

Comment From John V.
Better C in the stretch run/playoffs: a scorching Sal Perez or Mike Napoli?

Eno Sarris: Napoli is riding a high BABIP right now, which is crazy considering his batting average. That 30+% K rate scares me some. I feel like Sal will get you more steady contributions despite Napoli’s advantages in power and plate appearances.

Comment From BigJohn
Do you normally try to get positional players on the bench to get max games out of offense or do they not matter? ie if you leave 10 games unplayed for C/SS

Eno Sarris: I find that bench spots are best spent on upside and pitchers. A great matchup from a pitcher that you have on your bench is priceless.

Comment From kevinthecomic
Looking for a #5 SP for playoff run in a 6×6 redraft daily league: Martin Perez or Jon Niese or Erasmo Ramirez or someone else?

Eno Sarris: Niese is safest.

Comment From Jake
Chris Archer has had one hell of a transformation at the MLB level. He’s gone from nibbling around the zone to being a cold-blooded killer armed with a lethal duo of heat & an X-rated slider. Is it foolish for me to say/think that he could be the Rays best SP right now?

Eno Sarris: That’s getting ahead of yourself a bit. Price is awesome and his stuff says he’s healthier again. The changeup is important. I just published a piece WHILE WE WERE CHATTING on Getting Blanked about changeups and Archer’s changeup showed up. Hint: I was skeptical, but there are good signs in his changeup’s peripherals. That’s a nerdy sentence right there.

Comment From Graham
I’m attempting to trade for Kris Bryant, however, I’m concerned about him being moved off 3B. Do you think the Cubs would move Bryant to OF before they’d move Baez to 3B, or would Baez be moved to the OF first.

Eno Sarris: I think they’d keep Baez on the infield first. But Bryant’s bat probably plays anywhere.

Comment From Maxamuz
Jake Taylor’s in MAJOR LEAGUE knees helped up mostly fine but in one of the final scenes when hes legging out the bunt, you can clearly tell they have been bothering him by the way he fell at the end. He toughed it out because hes the leader.

Comment From LarryA
Whats your philosophy on going all in…for 2nd place. !st is out of reach, but if I sell the farm I can still finish in the money

Eno Sarris: I think you should build on it. Especially if there’s a ‘return-your-fee’ reward for third. Work the wire, stay alert, but don’t sell the farm for second.

Comment From Travis
Let’s talk about how the Braves are the first team to reach 80 wins despite the fact that they’ve had more DL stints than any other team in baseball.

Eno Sarris: Done. (Did I mention that I called them as the division winner?)

Comment From zl5xez
Is Dan Haren’s recent string of good showings something we can expect to continue, especially with the weak schedule?

Eno Sarris: Matchups pitcher with great matchups coming up.

Comment From Justin
Re: Major League — The 1988 Dodgers. One dominant pitcher (Hershiser), one out-of-nowhere ignition-switch outfielder (Gibson), one iffy power-hitting outfielder (Guerrero), one creaky catcher (Scioscia), and a bunch of scrubs (Hatcher, Stubbs, Griffin, etc.).

Comment From Razor
I dunno about the Indians in Major League being a great team. Questionable decision making it seems. Stealing and bunting with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th in a playoff?

Comment From Goose
Welcome to the Danger Zone

Comment From GSon
To Truth: self motivation and discipline mark the best home workers…. and a pony keg contract with the local microbrewer doesn’t hurt..

Eno Sarris: “pony keg contract with local microbrewer’ and ‘discipline’ in the same sentence but not in my head.

Comment From n00b
any suggestions for someone who doesn’t know much of anything about fantasy and wants to get into it but doesn’t know anyone currently doing it? are there any low-level leagues online where someone can give things a shot?

Eno Sarris: Check out our daily fantasy pieces, use the link to go to draftstreet and try them out? It cost a bit of money, but not much, and you only have to play when you want to play. A little late to get into a league for this year. Next year? Try a public league on Yahoo. competition is lower and you’ll get a sense of whether or not you like it.

Comment From Just a friend
Eno is adrubal worth a pickup? I have junior lake starting. Could also pick up uggla

Eno Sarris: like AsCab.

Comment From gregory
Do you see an ERA rebound for Lincecum next year?

Eno Sarris: I still don’t see much fastball control. Maybe high-threes, low fours, but not much better than that.

Comment From Justin
Puig has been all over the map this year. Any sense of his true talent level for 2014? .300/20/15 seem legit?

Eno Sarris: Less BA more power. I think .275/25-30/15.

Comment From JB
Gomez/Henderson/Buchholz too much for Harvey in a keeper? Worried that Harvey won’t have results until 2015, which would be after 2 rounds of inflation.

Eno Sarris: If the third piece was worse than Gomez I’d do it. You won’t miss the other two.

Comment From JB
Should I be looking to trade Jed Lowrie or is he a potential keeper in a keep 15 league? Good year at a tough position, but the injury history has me worried.

Eno Sarris: In a keep 15, he’s right there in the final couple rounds. But someone might value him higher. I don’t think you can pencil him in as a starter without a good handcuff.

Comment From LarryA
I tried soooo hard to get into Saisons this summer, but I dont think it ever really clicked for me. Oh well, more for you

Eno Sarris: Some people don’t like it. Peppery. It’s fine! I don’t love dubbels and tripels.

Comment From Jake
Eno, if I bought/gave you the 1st season of “Welcome Back, Kotter”, Would you watch it??

Eno Sarris: LOL. I bet I can find it. I’ll do it for you.

Comment From Bill
Fun: Can you name the 4 players this year with 20hr/15sb??

Eno Sarris: Choo. Did Wright make it? I don’t think Gomez has 20 homers.

Comment From howling wolf
Ozuna recently dropped in a 16 team league. Should I pick him up and make him one of my 12 keepers? I’m in rebuilding mode. My other OF candidates are Cespedes, Carlos Gomez and Schierholtz. I’ll try to move Schierholtz for IF help. I have Taveras on MiL roster. Pts. league with -.4 deduction for Ks.

Eno Sarris: Ozuna Ks, so that’s not great. But it’s worth picking him up in case September works out, and he’s way better as a keeper than Schierholtz.

Comment From Chicago Mark
Hey Eno from Chicago. Care to give an over/under on home runs for Chris Davis….NEXT year? 40?…35?

Eno Sarris: I’ll set it 40. I’m guessing he makes less contact next year.

Comment From Yoenis Cespedes
What am I really? I looked like a .290-30-20 type guy at the end of last year…..

Eno Sarris: .265/25/10

Eno Sarris: The swinging strike rate matters, and it’s also why I think Puig is more .275ish next year.

Comment From Toucan
Better dynasty keeper for me this year, 8$ Chase Utley or 9$ Jedd Gyorko?

Eno Sarris: I’ll take Gyorko because he doesn’t have a degenerative knee condition.

Comment From Keeper? I hardly know her
Do you agree with the Indian’s treatment of Salazar? Would it be better to just shut him down than limiting him?

Eno Sarris: He’s way past his IP total from last year. I don’t know what I would do with an arm like that and a chance at the postseason.

Comment From Alex Wood
I challenge Chris Sale to a lefty-only Funk Off.

Eno Sarris: Nobody can beat Wood. I called it “A Toddler Melts Down on the Mound.” Sale’s more “I Put Together This Slingshot With Two Stick Bugs And a Rubber Band.”

Comment From gregory
Are people forgetting about the Braves because of the Dodgers’ recent run?

Eno Sarris: Wait now who are the Braves again?

Comment From Bob Loblaw
What metric do you prefer to use in deciding teams against which to stream? R, wOBA, K%? Full season vs. last 30? The main reason I ask is because the Astros have been a top 5 team in the last 30 in RS and wOBA and wRC+ while obviously being a prime stream candidate all season long. The Yankees were similarly terrible before the last month or so. How much do you trust last 30 team stats?

Eno Sarris: The only reason to like last 30 over full season is when the team has made fundamental changes to their lineup, IMO. So the Houston one might actually matter. Their lineup is probably like 60% different in the last month.

Comment From Chris
Is Tai Walker worth a start at the Stros tmrw?

Eno Sarris: Yes, but it’s a little iffy to pick him up for the rest of season considering he probably has 15 innings left.

Comment From JT
Start A-Rod or Crisp at UTIL for the ROS? OPS and BA count.

Eno Sarris: Steals probably still count, so I’ll take Crisp’s overall work.

Comment From RotoLando
How often do you buy a homogenous 6-pack vs. a mix-a-six or just a couple bombers?

Eno Sarris: Almost always the bombers. I buy a lot of beers I haven’t tried, and I hate getting stuck with five beers I don’t want to drink. Mix a six works if they don’t overcharge.

Comment From JEB
Ok so in a keep 4 league: Harper/Trout/Y. Molina and Craig? Or Rizzo? Or Zobrist?

Eno Sarris: Zob is starting to look his age a bit. Rizzo v Craig… Craig’s safer, but at .280/30, Rizzo worth more probably.

Comment From Chicago Mark
Jacoby Ellsbury games played 2014. o/u 130

Eno Sarris: I’ll take the over.

Comment From Guest
It makes me happy to know that Joanna Garcia Swisher understands the finer points of BABIP regression.

Comment From juan pierres mustache
harper DID hit a rookie wall. we all saw it. it looked painful

Comment From juan pierres mustache
Think the Mariners actually trade Morse to the Ori *head explodes from inability to care*

Comment From zack
Will Eric Hosmer remain alive?

Eno Sarris: Pretty sure he doesn’t have some sort of terminal illness.

Comment From Jax Teller
Evan Longoria is a true talent .290-35HR type guy. I was told he’s a .270-25HR type guy. Am I in the wrong?

Eno Sarris: His batting average your power.

Comment From Keeper? I hardly know her
If you could only keep one who would you keep out of Zimmer, Syndergaard, and Stephenson?

Comment From zack
Pitchers suck

Eno Sarris: Asked and answered. Oh. I’ll take Syndergaards’ great fastball and the NL.

Comment From Bob Loblaw
Billy Hamilton projection? Does he even come up as a pinch runner in September? Would he be startable in that role?

Eno Sarris: And D replacement… 10 PA a week, three SB? Maybe as a deep league H2H late-week speed guy?

Comment From Evan
Thoughts on Eric Hosmer for next year and beyond? Been fantastic the past few months.

Eno Sarris: Oh. Right. I think he can true talent .280/20/10 but he doesn’t hit enough fly balls to be a top-end first baseman.

Comment From Jimbo
Mike Olt has been hitting and walking a bit lately. Do the Cubs call him up, or just shut him down and hope he can win the job next spring?

Eno Sarris: I bet they bring him up since his arb clock was started anyway. I doubt he’s going to be the kind of guy that you need years and years of options on. He’s either going to be able to make enough contact to make the patience and power work, or he won’t.

Comment From RotoLando
Why the hell did Johnny Five remove his laser in-between the events of Short Circuit and Short Circuit 2? I mean, even if you were morally against hurting people, there’s still a million uses for a military-grade laser gun, right?

Eno Sarris: SMDH. Johnny coulda ruled.

Comment From Mike at The Ted
Dan Duffy, last 2 starts has looked impressive. Thoughts ROS?

Eno Sarris: I love guys with fastball velocity, changeups, and swinging strikes. Obviously the walks problem is long-term, so we can’t say it’s gone after a few good starts. In mixed leagues, I’d put him on my bench unless he’s facing a Twinkie type lineup. He’s a pickup in all dynasties.

Comment From Mark
Lagavulin – the cognac of whiskeys. It hits you like a depth charge. Pew!

Eno Sarris: I have JOhnny Five’s laster in my head. Pyew pyew pyew pyew

Comment From Marlon Byrds unbuttoned jersey
Sam Adams Hazel Brown is my new favorite fall seasonal beer. I also never acquired a taste for IPAs. Do you have a suggestion on an IPA I should try to help change my mind on IPAs?

Eno Sarris: Wonder if you’d like rye ipas like Wookie Jack from FW. Or just love yourself some browns. Moose Drool from Big Sky or Turbodog from Abita are good.

Comment From Evan
Thoughts on Braun and Kemp for next year? How early are you taking them and what do you expect assuming both are fully healthy?

Eno Sarris: I can’t take them before the end of the first round. It’s not that I don’t think they can be great, but that there’s risk, and the front of the first round is all about risk. If Braun truly gets off the juice, I’d rather buy him in the second actually.

Comment From Jay
J. Gyorko confuses me. I suppose it’s just a rookie thing but what do you see for next year?

Eno Sarris: I thought he’d steal a bit more. But I like what I see. Short, compact, powerful swing. Not too many Ks. Could pair good BA with 20+ HR next year.

Comment From Bobby
Traded for Rizzo early on in the season. Time to cut the cord? I can slot in Brandon Belt. OBP and SLG instead of AVG head to head league

Eno Sarris: If it’s not a keeper league, I could see doing this. Belt’s been better since he changed his grip and will always be an OBP boon. But keeper league, I’d rather have Rizzo.

Comment From Vic
Billy Butler may very well finish 20 HR 90 RBI .305 AVG despite a pedestrian 1st half. Do you think he’ll top those numbers in the future? Or, is 2012 the outlier?

Eno Sarris: 2012 power output the outlier. He told me he looks for the low pitch, so that means he’s going to hit GBs, which don’t generally leave the park.

Comment From Guest
Do you rank every beer on untappd or just the good ones? That was an interesting read

Eno Sarris: Every beer that has more than 50 check ins is on our leaderboard. Skip head to the last part of the leader board and you’ll see Boatswain, the $1.99 IPA at Trader Joes. That beer is Not Good.

Comment From John
Im just going to throw it out there… the new Iron Maiden beer – the Trooper – a very nice ESB

Comment From Schlitz-The best selling beer in the US in the 1970s
My suggestion to the recently turned 21-year-old on Fangraphs chat: PBR, Schlitz, Blatz, Old Milwaukee. Really good cheap beer.

Comment From Rig
Do you pronounce your name “Ee-Know” or “Eh-Know”?

Eno Sarris: Ee. German family calls me Eh.

Comment From Rig
Half of my league never logs in 🙁

Eno Sarris: Condolences.

Comment From ar
why do people not do roto for football?

Eno Sarris: I’ve seen it!

Comment From Guest
As a member of the press do you get to go to the ws?

Eno Sarris: BBWAA sells world series tickets to it’s members. And if there are postseason games here, I can apply to be credentialed.

Comment From howling wolf
Can you tell me what playing in Ottoneu is like? I’d like to give it a try, but drafting 40 players in an auction league sounds like a brutally long process.

Eno Sarris: Yes, the first draft takes forever. Like spread over two days forever. Once that’s done, though, it’s great. You own players at a price. That price inflates at a regular rate, and so you know that you need young cheap hitters, just like in real life. It’s like being a GM, but still fantasy baseball. And it’s open for business 365 days a year.

Comment From beemo
Thanks so much for the Aroma Coma rec. It made me see Jesus (Montero). ROS OPS lg: pick 2: M.Montero, Avila, Ramos, Chooch, d’Arnaud, Zunino.

Eno Sarris: Ramos. Montero!

Comment From TJ
Is Brandon Beachy done for 2013? Looking to drop him…but don’t want to miss out on a potential start or two during the fantasy playoffs…

Eno Sarris: I’m not his doctor. I’d drop him if things were getting hectic, but I’m holding on my teams where I’m in first and coasting.

Comment From Goat
The Scottish spelling of whisky has no ‘e’. I have heard the e was originally put in by Irish distillers sending their wares to the states in the late 19th century; the Irish stuff was much better than the Scotch at the time so they wanted to differentiate their product. I was taught to put the ‘e’ in for Irish and US whiskey and for everywhere else (including Canadian) it is ‘whisky’. And yes, a good Islay or west highland malt to start if you like the peaty, smoky stuff! (incidentally a few weeks ago one of the readers recommended Highland Park 10 or 12 as a great value, all round crowd pleaser and I could not agree more)

Comment From Maxamuz
The Indians team in Major League was a talented team. They had a David Ortiz (Cerrano), Jason Varitek (Taylor), Ellsbury/Damon (Willie Mays Hayes), Dorn (I don’t know a good comparsion really here) was a above-average 3B, a shut down closer in Wild Thing (Vaughn) and not to mention a great coach in Lou Brown who knew how to inspire his team. SOLID right there if you ask me, not to mention they had a solid vet starter in Eddie Harris.

Comment From Rig
Khriss Davis – secretly Chris Davis’s stripper name? HAVE WE EVER SEEN THEM AT THE SAME TIME?

Comment From Shark Mapiro
How ironic is it that Loria now is basically Rachel Phelps without the motivation to move the team and without the stripper background (that we know of).

Comment From Bill
RE Run: 4 players with 20HR/15SB: Trout, Cargonzalez, Soriano….Will Venable!

Eno Sarris: Letting the inmates run the asylum here.

Eno Sarris: And I didn’t get a single one. Although to be fair, Cargo and Trout were obvious. Soriano!!

Comment From Marty
Do you have a guess on a timeline for wright?

Eno Sarris: I think he’ll come back and play for two weeks.

Comment From JT
I traded for Verlander and King Felix this year in dynasties. Please whisper me some sweet nothings.

Eno Sarris: I have nothings for you.

Comment From JT
Can I just drop A-Rod rather than parking him on my bench? Pitching matters here (holds league).

Eno Sarris: I’m upgrading my true talent estimation for him to .275/25/5 because his hip looks healthy.

Comment From teddy
Weirdest 4 consective starts for a pitcher by strasburg? 9, 1, 8 2/3, 2

Eno Sarris: One was a rainout.

Comment From SeaBass
There’s some rumbling among White Sox fans that Chris Sale should ease up, miss a few starts, and prepare for a minor shut down to preserve his arm. Do you agree with this? Won’t this prevent him from building arm strength and the stamina for October pitching if it ever happens?

Eno Sarris: As long as he pitches more than he pitched last year, he’s making progress.

Comment From Spencer
You think with Harvey down, Syndergaard starts the year with the big club?

Eno Sarris: Mejia if the surgery goes well, then Syndergaard later imo.

Comment From PaulM
Had a carnitas with corn and squash taco last night. Better than 95% of sandwiches.

Eno Sarris: Blasphemy but wait I want.

Comment From Joe
Had an awesome Coors Light last night. Cant believe how cold they get that beer to taste.

Eno Sarris: SO COLD

Comment From Rated Rookie
What do you mean Hosmer *can be* a true talent .280/20/10 guy when is that (and slightly better) already? .300/25/10 seems a bit more in line with what he is already doing.

Eno Sarris: I don’t think he’s necessarily earned a .300 batting average yet. I don’t see enough in the spray charts or the K% to say, yeah, this is a .300 hitter.

Eno Sarris: And I meant, can be next year, or ‘what I would draft him as.”

Comment From Mark
My list of good pumpkin beers (I’ve seen the first wave show up) is 2: Avery’s Rumpkin and Elysian’s The Great Pumpkin. Am I missing anything, or gimmick beer that is just not that good?

Eno Sarris: My list of good pumpkin beers:

Comment From Marty
Puig benching, yay or nay?

Eno Sarris: I mean sure, do it. I think it did help Andruw a bit. But pair it with a good conversation with him that’s not adversarial. A conversation that says, hey dude, we love you, we love your flair, you are talented. But the players that stay in this game the longest, stay healthy, get the most out of their talent, those players listen to everyone around them and try to be their best on every play. Maybe Gonzo does the talking.

Comment From Dr. Met
What’s up with STL’s Kolten treatment, and also Nick Franklin’s slow Ackleyesque demise? Seattle should play all their young guys cuz they’re not going anywhere even thru massive struggles no? Wong shouldn’t be up unless he’s going to start against righties… le sigh

Eno Sarris: Eh, at least Wong is playing more regularly than Bogaerts, and the Cards are getting the most from their young player while remaining competitive, and also giving him a taste of majors and letting them evaluate him for next year. Seattle seems to be playing their young guys fine.

Comment From mister eff
i hate this comment box. keep 8, min 3 max 5 for both pitchers and hitters. hosmer, braun, bautista, bourn, austin jackson, beltran, tulo, r zimmerman for hitters and harvey, wheeler,g cole, iwakuma, a cobb for pitchers. who do i drop?

Eno Sarris: Keep the minimum for pitchers. Cobb is a lock. Cole. Iwakuma is older and actually has been injured more often than people know. Might go with Weeler, or might just bite bullet and keep Harvey. Hitters: Braun, Bautista, Tulo Zimm. Hoz.

Comment From Marty
Are IBBs included in WAR calculation? Miggy getting free passes adds to his value, but I dont think it’s included in WAR.

Eno Sarris: Yeah they are in wOBA, so they are in batting runs.

Eno Sarris: His WAR problem is all on D.

Comment From dude
I am currently dealing with too many real life things to be invested in today’s chat. And it hurts. It hurts.

Eno Sarris: Figure it out, it’s all good. We’ll be here again when all is right again.

Comment From beemo
I flick the pickle juice. FOR FLAVOR.

Comment From dude
Drafting 40 players sounds like a wonderfully long and fulfilling process.

Comment From Guest
Pennsylvania Style Light is now last. i tried that trader joe beer once they all suck

Comment From Dr. Met
Who said Schlitz and beast are good cheap beers? I’d rather drink PBR and / or coors banquet than that crap. Might as well drink American ice!

Comment From Maxamuz
I fixed the Waffle Button by the way.

Eno Sarris: HITTING THE WAFFLE BUTTON

Comment From Matt
Why are ryes summer beers? They are a little more spicy / herbal than most beers, but not in a way that I think of a summery. Rye bread? Not summery. Rye whiskey? Not summery. But all delicious.

Eno Sarris: Are they? I think of them as fall beers too.

Comment From Jay
Snydergaard has a better fastball than Stephenson?

Eno Sarris: This sounds like something I need to research. App, get me a flight!

Comment From Doug
Drop Parnell if you have Harvey already taking up your DL? In a Keeper.

Eno Sarris: Two weeks until we even know if he’ll rehab. Yeah.

Comment From Guest
Traded Puig for Goldschmidt. Please tell me I’m not an insane person.

Eno Sarris: I’d rather have Schmiddy

Comment From Goose

Eno Sarris: “Goose”

Comment From Jake
You gotta link me the “Getting Blanked” article on Archer to my twitter, Eno

Eno Sarris: http://t.co/gR1MjbrQi3

Comment From Hogwagn
Be wary, old friend, The Kluber stirs in the distance, His return is nigh…

Eno Sarris: But his fan group is ready.

Comment From Iron Balls McGinty
Hey Eno, love the chat as always! Between the chat and the early A’s game, just missing a Hop Rod Rye to get my through the workday. Could you rank as keepers for next year (assuming I only need one SP): Donaldson, Gyorko, Segura, Lawrie, Eaton, Wheeler, Gray?

Eno Sarris: Segura, Donaldson, Lawrie (real close), Gyorko… Eaton Wheeler Gray (although the pitchers are a pick em almost. Gray’s command is nice, but Wheeler’s arsenal is more complete).

Comment From ICK
COORS LIGHT IS NOT AWESOME! NO LIGHT BEER IS

Comment From dude
It’s not as if Hosmer has made some actual change to get these results. He isn’t as bad as last year, but he isn’t some 300-30 guy now. The madness.

Comment From gregory
Beer snobbery is worse than wine snobbery.

Comment From RotoLando
A local beer bar sent out an email announcing the arrival of ST Pumking. That’s right, a pumpkin beer in mid-August in Florida. Nothing says fall like 95-degree heat, 100% humidity and gourdy aftertaste coating your tongue. Mmmmmmm.

Comment From Kris
Southern Tier Pumking ahhhhhhhhh

Comment From Jax Teller
Your selling Eric Hosmer low. He leads the league in HR distance this year and I remember when they first drafted him….he was supposed to be monster. Awesome tools…….Hosmer looks to me like a 35 HR type guy. Publish that, and reap the praise!

Eno Sarris: You have to include fly balls in your distance. why would you just cut off half your sample? All the balls that go in the air to the OF, how do they do? He has a 297 average. 24th in the league. Behind Uggla and Raburn and ahead of Trumbo. That’s actually better than I thought. But it’s not league-leading.

Comment From Boof
Re: your player interview tidbits… I’m sure you’re asking good questions but I have trouble taking them seriously. Seems like odds are it’s just noise, and it’s more likely to confuse than to illuminate. Like: Butler ‘looks for the low pitches’… Do you think that insight has truly has value when it comes to projecting Butler in 2014?

Eno Sarris: Totally get you and still disagree on some level. For Butler, it’s important. He hits tons of ground balls. If he told me, I know that, but I’m looking all over the zone, and working on hitting more fly balls, I might think, oh look, his GB% has actually fluctuated some, with tiny incremental improvement, maybe he’ll continue that. Knowing that he looks for low pitches, and therefore hits GBs, makes me think, no, his GB% will stay the same and he’ll always have less power than it looks like he should. Jason Castro told me that he was tinkering with his swing plane and looking to hit more fly balls. Look at his numbers. He’s hitting more fly balls and the power is nice. On the other hand, Kevin Gregg told me all that stuff about his base being wider and having more control and yeah well, then he turned out to be Kevin Gregg. To me, the interviews are more about taking our stats to the players and getting an insight about how they think versus the stats or incorporating the stats.

Comment From Jake
So, why exactly did Brandon Phillips go all ass-hat on C. Trent Rosencrans yesterday?

Eno Sarris: Oh god, I haven’t watched that yet. I like Trent. That sucks. I’ve had players react badly. Stats are an iffy subject matter.

Comment From Rated Rookie
How much do you factor into your trades the relative position in standings between your team and that of a trade partner? In a dynasty league, how much to factor in the relative talent quality?

Eno Sarris: Pretty much my first approach. Who’s buying and who’s selling is the most important question in a keeper league trade. Pretty much any trade. Even in redraft, you can’t go to a top-three team with a two-for-one. But you could go to them with a one-for-two.

Comment From dude
I don’t have time for real life problems anymore, I’m stuck eating waffles. Thanks Maxamuz.

Eno Sarris: Solved.

Comment From juan pierres mustache
some breweries do ryes in the summer so they can do rye shandies, but i dunno rye they’d want to do that

Eno Sarris: I see what you did there.

Comment From Marty
When’s the ideal time to join an Ottoneu league?

Eno Sarris: If you can, now. Because now is when the rebuild starts. You jettison some overpriced keepers and start picking up $1 prospects for net year.

Comment From Goose
Whats with the “Goose” comment EhNo

Eno Sarris: Something strikes me as Maxamuzian about you. Apologies if I’m wrong.

Comment From George Springer
Am I a good speculative add for the September call-ups? Can I help a team to fantasy glory or will I waste away on the Astros bench?

Eno Sarris: No, if they call him up he’ll play. And he’s exciting. But so many strikeouts. For redraft mixed leagues, I’ll stay away. He could be overrated in dynasties too. No way he’s a sure thing.

Comment From Bkgeneral
Jerrod Dyson is a base stealing machine. Why does Yost hate him?

Eno Sarris: He’s kinda flawed in real life. I don’t think he “needs” to play considering his various shortcomings. For fantasy, yeah, it would be nice.

Comment From dude
Jax Teller: Hosmer’s FB distance is very good, but he doesn’t hit enough flyballs for it too matter. That will have to significantly change. And if it does, then he can hit 30. Right now? No. But maybe he can get lucky like Butler did that one time.

Comment From Mike at The Ted
Last night a bird pooped on my leg at the Braves game as we welcomed back Dan Uggla. Surely a positive sign.

Comment From nick
Would Tim Lincecum be a good fit on a team like the Orioles?

Eno Sarris: They do need top-end upside, and could use him as a closer too. But if he’s doing *this* in the NL, doubt it’ll get better in the AL.

Comment From Smell the Glove
Do you think anything has happened to Gyorko’s hitting approach since his injury? Never had a BB% below 7.5% at any level, including the first half of this year, but is at 1.6% in 2nd half (2 walks in 130+ PA) (I asked DC but he blew it off as SSS)

Eno Sarris: Probably SSS. But I got the impression from talking to him that he’s eager to impress in rookie season. Donaldson calmed down after his first year, and I think Gyorko will walk more next year.

Comment From Owen
Let’s all go around and say something we have learned about Wilmer Flores in the last month.

Eno Sarris: Not a second baseman or a shortstop.

Comment From gregory
Do major league teams use video monitoring for players’ swings or pitching mechanics in-game? Seems like something that has potential.

Eno Sarris: They can, and some check previous plate appearances in-game, but it’s under-used. Particularly, I’d like to see starters’ mechanics overlayed late-game over early-game. If a starter is losing his release point or falling behind his leg plant, yank him before he tears something.

Comment From Goose

Damn, My game is over. I am Maxamuz. Dancing bear to prove. DUDA LIVES!

Comment From Jax Teller RE: Eric Hosmer
Eric Hosmer came into his own in June. Eric Hosmer hit .300+ in all 3 months. Eric Hosmer hit 14 HR in that span. Eric Hosmer’s FB rates are trending up with his GB rate trending down. Eric Hosmer doesn’t strike out. Eric Hosmer steals bases as a 1B. Eno, we are looking at Eric Hosmer, the .300-30HR-15SB bat.

Eno Sarris: This is super awkward for me because I took all sorts of heat for ranking Hosmer in the top ten early and mid-season and now I’m getting crap from the other direction.

Comment From Theo
Whats your take on Wil Myers. I have read he is not a superstar but an everyday star. His comp is Matt Holiday or a right handed Jay Bruce. What do you say?

Eno Sarris: Looks exactly like Longo at the plate actually. I could see similarties there. Unsure about the batting average. Bruce has some platoon splits and is a bit more platoon happy, so I think that’s a low-end comp. Holliday doesn’t seem to fit, Myers has more power, Ks more.

Comment From Jake
What are your thoughts on Year 1 of Yunel Escobar w/ the Rays. Started slow & sloppy, but has been in a nice groove since June-July

Eno Sarris: He’s strong on D. Surprised to hear he was every sloppy. Put him in a clubhouse that’s strong without him, and he can thrive.

Comment From cass
IBB’s contribute nothing to wOBA, right? They do not count as PAs as far as I remember. Neither help nor hurt.

Eno Sarris: Oh. Just called it up. You’re right. Interesting. IBBs not in wOBA.

Comment From juan pierres mustache
That concludes this episode of CSI: internet chatrooms.

Eno Sarris: puts on sunglasses YEAAAAAAAHHHH

Comment From Juan Nightstand
Once Kluber returns, who do you trust more? Kluber, Niese, Gray, or Tillman?

Eno Sarris: Kluber

Comment From dude
His FB rate is only trending up in August. It has been below his career average the entire time this year.

Eno Sarris: Hoz battles.

Comment From Marty
you could probably use a shep diagram for comparing pitcher mechanics in-game. PATENT PENDING! PATENT PENDING!

Comment From gregory
Seems like there’s a lot of potential for biomechanical analysis with all the video we have of the game. I wonder if teams could overlay swing mechanics to see if a guy is struggling or to point out an injury a guy isn’t talking about.

Eno Sarris: I wonder if the hitting thing is being done. From hat I’ve heard in the clubhouses, hitting uses less science than pitching side.

Comment From Dr. Met
Robbie Grossman a faster version of Brantly?

Eno Sarris: Oh, faster. Yeah, maybe. Dunno if Brantley’s a great comp, but if you mean muted power but not powerless, okay batting average, some speed, sure. Grossman’s true talent K% is something I’m watching for.

Comment From Spencer
With all the contact that Andrelton Simmons makes, and his projection to possibly build on his 15 HR pace, could you see him as a .300/15/15 guy? If he does that, is he an MVP candidate?

Eno Sarris: In a great BABIP year, he’ll hit .290 or something and we’ll all be talking about his defense… but MVP… If he peaked at .290/15/30 and was on the highlights every night… even then, it’s hard for d-first guys.

Comment From Karl Cheese
Keep 3 — Votto, Ells, Harper, Kipnis, Hanley, Longoria

Eno Sarris: oh man that’s tough. Oh wow, what a list. I kind of want to buy into the MI and take Kipnis there. Votto seems like a must-keep. Does that leave the OFs off the list? Longo or Hanley are pretty attractive. I’ll put Harper and Longo in the battle for #3.

Comment From Jay
Gardenhire just got tossed in the 2nd inning. Do you think managers sometimes just say “I’m tired of watching this crappy team” and go get themselves an early afternoon off?

Eno Sarris: Virtual guarantee.

Comment From Dr. Met
What’s Leonys Martin’s true talent level? 280/15/40? He looks like he’s still learning how to run and his power shows up in spurts.

Eno Sarris: He has athleticism and will slowly get the most of it, IMO. Dunno about the steals, but that’s close to how I’d describe him.

Comment From JAL
Why is Rizzo still batting .231? Just BABIP related or what is it? Why still the .280 hopes? (PS, I want to believe). Thanks!

Eno Sarris: There’s no reason he should have a .255 BABIP. He has power, he can run, he’s not a max fly ball guy, he’s not a big pull guy, he strikes out at a rate that’s better than league average. Rest of season projections like him at around .265, but they give him a .285 BABIP, I don’t know why he would need to be there.

Comment From gregory
Braves fans in a .300/15/15 year for Simmons would be about as disappointed in the MVP ballots as Angels fans were last year…

Comment From Bart
Thoughts on Matt den Dekker and Reymond Felton?

Eno Sarris: Rey Felton can run a mean point. Rey Fuentes can steal some bags, I like the way his plate discipline is going and I don’t think Amarista is a CF. Den Dekker is already 26, and his bat finally showed some signs of maybe playing in CF. Except Lagares is younger and has more upside and is playing a great CF. I actually don’t have much hope for Den Dekker beyond defensive replacement at this point.

Comment From Guest
i know it didnt work out but will we find out who claimed Morales?

Eno Sarris: Not unless someone leaks it.

Comment From Andrew
Thoughts on Mark Reynolds playing 2B last night?

Eno Sarris: I don’t think it’ll happen again.

Comment From Marty
What colleague from outside of FG do you most look forward to seeing / speaking with when you go to national events?

Eno Sarris: Sam Miller, Jonah Keri, Keith Law… I love going to the winter meetings and other national events, I’m a people guy.

Comment From RICH G
Trade Price($35 for 2014) for E5 ($16) in a keeper league ($5 yearly inflation) even if your pitching isnt the strongest? (will have the likes of Cingrani, Salazar, Peavy, Ryu as options to keep next year all for about $10 each)

Eno Sarris: If Price ends up in the NL next year as the rumors go, that would be rough. But generally I’d rather have the hitter, and the cheaper one here…

Comment From SeaBass
What is the most valuable position in baseball? What about with regard to fantasy?

Eno Sarris: Still shortstop on both. Worst offensive baseline, so a guy who can hit and field there is so important.

Comment From Thompson
Is Brad Miller worth pursuing in a keeper league? I have to cut Tulo in the offseason and I don’t have anyone behind him. SS is always so thin. Basically can Miller be a top 12 guy next year with potential to be top 8 in a couple of years?

Eno Sarris: Normally this is a really bad idea, but I believe he can do what he’s doing right now, so .260/15/10 over a full season (prorated from what he’s doing now). That looks more like top 15, chance to sneak into top 12. More upside in OBP remains.

Comment From Marty
That’s a solid list. Mark Simon seems cool too…totally underused at his current employer

Eno Sarris: I like him. Talks good baseball.

Eno Sarris: Mets fan.

Comment From Jax Teller
And his FB has been trending for 4 months now (if you want to count his May). This guy had a weak swing before he made the mechanical change. He would always just slap the ball on the ground….

Eno Sarris: I believe it’s worth watching mechanical changes, but Hozmer is still hovering around 30% fly balls, and the only guy with 20 homers under 30% fly balls is Joey Votto.

Comment From channelclemente
There have been a host of articles on Brandon Belt this month. What’s your take on his current outlook and upside?

Eno Sarris: The fact that he changed his grip (finally!) makes me think he can really be a .275/.380/.480+ 25/10 guy.

Comment From Malone
Hey Maxamuz, have you decorated your van with Greg Minton fatheads yet? http://www.fangraphs.com/not/spotted-greg-minton-customized-van-driven-by-enos-cabell/

Comment From jose oquendo
four Hopslams in two hours is ___________

Eno Sarris: Wasting a chance to savor.

Comment From Marty
Who wins the AL East? I still say Rays bc of their pitching depth.

Eno Sarris: Boston’s lineup has something to say. If Clay comes back… I think you’re right.

Comment From dude
Hosmer’s current FB% is 24.5%…less than last year. What is being said about Hosmer is just wrong.

Eno Sarris: It’s all Hozmer all the time here! Here’s the list of hitters with double digit homers under 25% fly balls: Eric Hosmer, Gerardo Parra, Jean Segura, Howie Kendrick. Under 28%, you add Starling Marte, Chris Johnson, Joe Mauer and noted power hitter James Loney.

Comment From Kalamazoo
The Trout for MVP debate isn’t as hot as it was last year. Did we enlightened observers just give up?

Eno Sarris: We danced this dance and we know how it goes.

Comment From Malone
Despite all the garment rendering about injuries and slumping, Stanton has a .367 woba this year. He’s still 23. First round pick next year?

Eno Sarris: In batting average leagues, he’s still a bit of a risk and he doesn’t steal bases. End of first round, beginning of second, maybe even later in second. About where I had him this year.

Comment From Mike
Keep three of: Pedroia, Seguera, Wright, Braun, Kemp

Eno Sarris: Another toughy. Segura. Wright. Pick an outfielder. Am I wrong? I want the shortstop.

Comment From Mike
Marte for $3 or Puig at $10?

Eno Sarris: Puig. Similar batting average risks, Puig has more power.

Comment From Inside Scoop
FYI…. Baltimore claimed Morales…. Seattle just didn’t want to get raked again after losing Adam Jones and Chris Tillman!

Comment From RotoLando
Hudson Hawk is one underappreciated film.

Comment From Dr. Met
Keep pedroia… 2b harder position to fill than a corner OF

Eno Sarris: Yeah but I don’t know if it’s age or the thumb when it comes to Pedroia’s power.

Comment From Kris
on a scale of miguel cabrera to jp arencibia how bad are the new yahoo pages

Eno Sarris: Josh Thole.

Eno Sarris: Alright guys! Promised you two full hours of nonsense, and I gave you an hour and a half of Hozmer and a half hour of Maxamuz, so my job is done.

Eno Sarris: Thanks!

Comment From Malone
Thanks Eno.

Comment From dude
thanks eno!

Comment From dude
@rich_migs if you wanna continue this hosmer debate!