Nicholas Minnix Baseball Chat – 6/27/14

June 27, 2014

8:45	Nicholas Minnix: Hello, everybody! I’ll be with you at the top of the hour, as usual!

8:59	Comment From Schiraldi Do you prefer Braun or Harper ROS, once Bryce is back? And by a lot or a little?

9:00	Nicholas Minnix: Mmmm … It’s very close, either way. I’d gamble and say Harper, because he may be quite motivated to make up for lost time. But that’s a double-edged sword. Have to like Braun going forward, solid production if not elite like you’re used to.

9:00	Comment From I Believe we will win !! dropped Pedro Alvarez for Arenado since I’m seeingh Pedro in a Platoon… Did I do the right thing?? I have Seager.

9:01	Nicholas Minnix: If you’re in a shallow mixed league, can’t see a big problem with it, except that there may not be a need to do it right away if it is that shallow.

9:01	Comment From Kyle I am glad Nicholas Minnix has joined the team, finally someone with a cooler name than Eno Sarris

9:01	Comment From Luke Lightsaber to your head, who will be in the World Series in 2014?

9:02	Nicholas Minnix: If the force is with me, it’ll be Baltimore and … the Dodgers. I’m going to say Oakland and LA, however.

9:03	Nicholas Minnix: And, yes, I realize that the A’s will probably choke. But I don’t like any of the other AL candidates. It’ll probably be Detroit.

9:03	Comment From Hrkac Circus It sounds ridiculous, but is it possible that Stanton’s power hasn’t peaked yet?

9:03	Nicholas Minnix: LOL, I think it’s possible. But virtually unlikely, although peak output may not hit yet.

9:03	Comment From taylor Hosmer a buy low or sell low candidate?

9:04	Nicholas Minnix: Hosmer is what he is. There’s not much of either with him anymore, IMO. He’ll improve this season, IMO, but by how much? I guess you could call that buy low.

9:04

Comment From Bradley
I saw utley wasn’t a trade chip on dave’s table but Jroll was. he said because utley says he won’t waive no trade clause but jroll said he might. My question to you is why do phillies fans give jroll grief for saying he most likely won’t waive clause and teflon utley gets no grief for saying there is no chance. Thanks. ps I love utley and rollins equally but don’t understand why phillies fans treat them differently.

9:06

Nicholas Minnix: I wish I could answer that, Bradley. J-Roll has always been my favorite player on that club. Only jersey I own. Rollins says things fans don’t like sometimes, Utley doesn’t ever talk, and they’re losing. There may be a little more to it than that, besides, but there’s no one reason.

9:06	Comment From Brett Rubby de La Rosa: what do you expect the rest of 2014 & then in the future? Can he control the slider? Can he keep his BB rate low enough to be a viable starter? thanks.

9:07	Nicholas Minnix: Yes, I believe so, to both of those questions. About 75 IP, an ERA around 3.50, but a WHIP that may sit as high as 1.30 or worse may be the recipe, because BBs still a problem even if he’s viable.

9:07	Comment From Nostradamusburger Baseball has seen a lot (of crappy) changes over the last 20 years: interleague, wild card, some expansion, etc. Predict some major changes over the NEXT 20 years, thanks.

9:08	Nicholas Minnix: DH in both leagues, team relocation (Rays?), an additional wild card team. 🙁

9:08

Comment From Ryan
Thanks for chatting Nick. H2H Points Redraft where managers value pitchers highly- I was offered his Bruce and Ortiz for my Jansen and Cole. Would help fill empty OF and Utility spot. Do you think Bruce has turned a corner after his injury/slump and is this a good return for those pitchers?

9:09

Nicholas Minnix: They value pitchers highly, but are they highly valuable? If that’s less so, sounds like a great return to me. If you’re just worried about Bruce, I’d be willing to take the shot. 2012 #s more in line with his expectations than 2013’s, should have been the case prior to this season.

9:09	Comment From Jake What does Martin Prado net the D-Backs? Do they get a guy off someone’s top 10?

9:10	Nicholas Minnix: I can’t imagine so, but it depends on the team whose list you’re talking about, surely. Someone near the bottom of the list, possible.

9:11	Comment From Vandy Commodores Can you rank these SP’s based on future fantasy value: C. Martinez, Gausman, J.Nelson, Heaney, R.Ray and Ventura

9:12	Nicholas Minnix: ROS? Ventura, Gausman, Heaney, Martinez, Nelson, Ray. Keeper? They’re young pitchers, oy. I like Martinez, long-term.

9:12	Comment From Luke Duke Seems like Guerrero is gonna return this season. Any chance we could see Hanley move to 3rd, gordon to short and guerrero up? Is Gordon that bad of a SS that they can’t do this to fill the black whole at 3rd?

9:13	Nicholas Minnix: I think they seem pretty determined to avoid using Gordon at SS. Suppose it’s possible, but I haven’t seen anything to suggest it’s likely.

9:14	Comment From Ernie What starting pitcher is most likely to land in Oakland before the trade deadline? Will a middle infielder be joining him?

9:15	Nicholas Minnix: I think it’s too difficult to say, honestly. They don’t go after big names, not much low-hanging fruit clearly available yet. A.J. Burnett perhaps interesting, or Jason Hammel.

9:15	Comment From Vandy Commodores Pick a side: Castellanos or Ventura

9:16	Nicholas Minnix: ROS: Ventura, Keeper: Castellanos

9:17	Comment From Blue Cheese Mafia Hi Nicholas Minnix, provide me with a ‘Thought of the day’ (baseball related). Thank ya!

9:17	Nicholas Minnix: When life hands you curveballs, make curveball-onade.

9:17	Comment From Jobin Why has Carson Cistulli stopped the Daily Notes? Is it because of poor oral hygiene?

9:17	Nicholas Minnix: LOL. I do not know, but I don’t think it’s that.

9:17	Comment From The Borg I traded Keuchel and DooLittle for Sonny Gray in dynasty. How’d I do?

9:19	Nicholas Minnix: Fair enough. I’m less inclined to deal for pitching, but Gray is a good property, and you dealt pitching to get it, so no harm done. I’m a bit of a believer in Keuchel, though. If this is AL-only, I’d rather have the other side, to be truthful.

9:19	Comment From Big Joe Mufferaw Do you know if FG is going to bring back the Prospect Chats? Those were fun!

9:19	Nicholas Minnix: I haven’t heard anything, but I will mention it to Eno!

9:20	Comment From Big Joe Mufferaw PLEASE NO MOOKIE BETTS QUESTIONS! We dont know when he will be up, and we dont know what his impact will be! It didnt change from the last time you asked the question… YESTERDAY!

9:20	Nicholas Minnix: Thanks for the PSA, Big Joe!

9:20	Comment From joey Hi Eno!

9:20	Comment From Big Joe Mufferaw Can the Marlins please trade Giancarlo Stanton to the Rockies so we can see him hit in the mile high air 81 games per year?

9:20	Nicholas Minnix: Fingers crossed

9:21	Comment From Guest Thoughts on Nick Castellanos ROS? If I’m dying for some HR/RBI production, would giving up my Bourn for Castellanos be wise? (Knowing that Nick isn’t gonna hit a ton of HR, but still.)

9:21	Nicholas Minnix: Bourn doesn’t run often anymore, I see nothing wrong with taking that chance.

9:22	Comment From Big Joe Mufferaw Not sure if you are a prospects guy, but is Miguel Sano more like Stanton or Chris Carter?

9:23	Nicholas Minnix: I’m no expert, but I believe that he’s closer to Stanton, based on what I’ve read about him and seen of his #s. Closer doesn’t mean close, just closer.

9:23	Comment From Ryan Could you rank ROS: Hahn, Taijuan Walker, Stroman, and Shoemaker

9:23	Nicholas Minnix: I love Walker. Walker, Hahn (close), Stroman, Shoemaker

9:23	Comment From Teddy Is Mookie Betts already a better player than Billy Hamilton or Dee Gordon? Or is he Bonifacio?

9:24	Nicholas Minnix: Better player, perhaps yes. Not Bonifacio, definitely.

9:24	Comment From Elias Thoughts on Ender Inciarte, seemingly the leadoff hitter for the Dbacks, in deep leagues?

9:25	Nicholas Minnix: If you need SBs, fine in short term for a stab. Trumbo in the near future returns, changes things, probably.

9:25	Comment From Jake Martin Prado, what’s the return for the D-Backs?

9:25	Nicholas Minnix: Not great. Not an everyday player.

9:26	Comment From JC 14 team 5X5 mixed. Taveras is a free agent. Would you drop Duffy or Singleton to stash him?

9:26	Nicholas Minnix: Keeper? Yes. Otherwise, no.

9:26	Nicholas Minnix: I would want him if possible, though, had to choose, I guess Duffy, but it’s close, just assuming it’s easier to replace the pitcher.

9:26	Comment From Anello Nelson Cruz a worthy trade target for a #2 OFer or is this a mirage

9:27	Nicholas Minnix: More about health for him, so the risks are the same as they’ve always been.

9:27	Comment From Mookster I’m becoming mildly obsessed with the impending arrival of Mookie Betts to the majors. Should I seek professional help?

9:27	Nicholas Minnix: Yep.

9:27	Nicholas Minnix: at the 9:02 mark, folks

9:27

Comment From Albert Pujols droppable?
Hi Nick…12 team, 5×5 roto league and I have Pujols, Encarnacion and Carlos Santana at 1B. I’m a little weak at OF b/c often times one of mine seems to be taking the day off…is it worth it to drop Pujols for a Calhoun or should I just take the missed games at OF. (Wanting to keep Santana over Pujols b/c of positional flexibility.)

9:28	Nicholas Minnix: You should trade one of them. No way you can’t trade one, really?

9:28	Comment From Jake Parsley is good. I never buy parsley, but I’m always happy when there’s some in the house

9:28	Comment From b2b Should M’s go after Rios??

9:28	Nicholas Minnix: Would be a good addition.

9:28	Comment From Big Joe Mufferaw Is Betances and Robertson the nastiest late inning punch in the game? Combined 15.5 K/9 and 50+ GB%, and over 3.1 Ks per hit allowed.

9:29	Nicholas Minnix: Pretty close.

9:29	Comment From Alex Do you think papelbon will be traded at the deadline? If so, do they throw the young gun Giles out there, consistently throwing 101 and missing bats…

9:29	Nicholas Minnix: No, I don’t, the Phils will want more for him than they can get.

9:29	Comment From Elias Familia, Giles, Ottavino or Frasor as stashes for saves for the rest of the season in case of injury, ineffectiveness, trade, etc?

9:30	Nicholas Minnix: Ottavino, Frasor, Familia, Giles

9:30	Comment From fivehead Do I take Hosmer or Duda off the wire if I can convince someone to take Allen Craig?

9:31	Nicholas Minnix: Hosmer, better overall producer, but depends on your needs, I suppose, too. Duda has OF eligibility, a bit more power probable.

9:32	Comment From Jake Billy Hamilton’s OBP, over/under LA?

9:32	Nicholas Minnix: Under .300. LA?

9:33	Comment From Guest start jake odorizzi tonight @ baltimore?

9:33	Nicholas Minnix: I don’t like it.

9:33	Comment From Chris What are a couple starting pitchers that would be fair value for Greg Holland and David Robertson?

9:35	Nicholas Minnix: Combined? Separate? Geez. Any of the top ones, really. Price, Hernandez. Not sure what else to tell you. You have to ask your league mates who they’ll trade.

9:35	Comment From Anahigh Closer to finish the year for the Halos’? Smith? Frieri? Street, or Benoit?

9:35	Nicholas Minnix: One of the SD pitchers is as likely, I think, as either of those two. Street.

9:35	Nicholas Minnix: No one stands out, I mean.

9:35	Comment From Sven Hunkstrom Mookie getting the call soon? Will he have 2B,SS, and OF eligibility?

9:36	Nicholas Minnix: No, and no

9:36	Comment From Sean Casey 5-7-3 out Am I crazy to hope that Gallo and Bryant will both be fantasy productive 3B next July?

9:36	Nicholas Minnix: Probably. Overly hopeful. If only prospects succeeded that often that you’re right.

9:37	Comment From Alex Tonight’s battle of AL East pitching prospects who you got for tonight, ROS, and rest of career: Gausman v. Odorizzi

9:37	Nicholas Minnix: Gausman

9:37	Comment From AL Pitching Coach In your esteemed opinion, who will have the best major league career: Stroman, Gausman or Meyer?

9:37	Nicholas Minnix: Risky, but I’ll say Meyer.

9:37	Comment From Justin Got and offer of his Hanley for my Dee Gordon? Both would be a SS for me, thoughts?

9:38	Nicholas Minnix: Seems like a hefty price to pay for SBs, but if you REALLY need them.

9:38	Comment From Guest Re: predictions: laser strike zones!!!!

9:38	Nicholas Minnix: Yes, good call, some kind of tech in the next 20 years will make that possible, I expect.

9:38	Comment From Joe What are your thoughts on a couple of players so far this year? Holliday, Javier Baez, and Trevor Bauer?

9:40	Nicholas Minnix: Holliday is in slow decline, will hit a bit better as season goes on. Baez won’t be up until September, is riskier than I realized. Bauer can still be quite special, IMO, just one or two adjustments away.

9:40	Comment From Philly Guy Regarding Utley and Rollins, race has always played a part in fan treatment of local athletes – at the very least on a subconscious level. This will certainly open up a can of worms.

9:42	Nicholas Minnix: Maybe I shouldn’t have pubbed this one, but I think it’s probable. No debate here, fans are humans, they’re emotionally affected. Don’t condone it, of course.

9:43	Nicholas Minnix: No judgment here, in other words. I judge only judgmental people. 😀

9:43	Comment From john Now theres talk of the Mets possibly extending Murphy. Look, I am a fan of Murph, but it would be another huge miscalculation by Sandy to not trade him at peak value when a bunch of competing teams need a 2B.

9:43	Nicholas Minnix: Agreed

9:44	Comment From Devin Gregory Polanco for Adam Jones in a 5×5. Who wins?

9:44	Nicholas Minnix: ROS: Toss-up, depends on needs, speed or power, Jones the winner on pure value. Keeper, duh, Polanco.

9:44	Comment From BX When do you start benching Mauer in mixed leagues? I have a suitable catcher-replacement most days OBP/HR/RBI/R/SB H2H points league.

9:45	Nicholas Minnix: Points league, any time is fine. No doubt. I’d keep him on bench tho.

9:45

Comment From Jake
You been following Rob Refsnyder? Just, a weird 2014. 23 Years, in 2013 A+, 15.4 BB%, .121 ISO, 140 wRC+. 2014 AA, 5.7% BB%, .206 ISO, 156 wRC+. In 2014 AAA, in 16 G, 15.4% BB%, 18.5% K%, .167 ISO, 169 wRC+. BABIP’s through the roof on all of them. How do you see a guy like that going forward? Seems like he’s ready for MLB, just don’t know what the hell he looks like when he gets there

9:46	Nicholas Minnix: I’m sorry, I don’t know him. Not an everyday player tho IMO, from what I see.

9:46

Comment From Curious George
Lloyd McLendon gets a fair amount of criticism thrown his way, but couldn’t it be said that he was right in staying with Brad Miller even through the worst? He gave Miller time to figure things out, rather than giving up on him and letting him stew in the minors, and who knows what would have happened then? Could more managers benefit from such patience in the future?

9:46	Nicholas Minnix: I believe so, yes, agree with you generally speaking. Each case is different.

9:46	Comment From season tickets traded my todd frazier for Yasiel puig…i have kuung fu panda to play 3rd now, did i do good?

9:46	Nicholas Minnix: I’d say, yeah, nice.

9:47	Comment From Brules Rules Should I trade Longo for Daniel Murphy + Rendon in a 16 team 6×6 (OBP, Holds) roto league with 8 keepers? I know that is a run on sentence, but I just couldn’t stop!

9:47	Nicholas Minnix: I would, yes. Rendon I like more than Longo, maybe even now, def long-term.

9:48	Comment From Ronald Reginald Swanson Paul couldnt chose.. Rashida Jones or Aubrey Plaza?

9:48	Nicholas Minnix: Oooh, I wouldn’t have known them, but I’d be more of a Plaza man … we talking looks, right? Haha.

9:48	Comment From Brules Rules Keeper league, need SB, when/if Betts is called up, drop J.D. Martinez for him?

9:48	Nicholas Minnix: I could certainly see that, yes. But I wouldn’t be in a rush to do that. Worry about who you’ll drop when it’s about that time.

9:49	Comment From Kyle Is Cuddyer nearing the end of fantasy relevence? He plays well when on the field still but he can’t seem to actually get out on the field.

9:49	Nicholas Minnix: Relevance, no, but last year was a career year. It happens.

9:49	Comment From Alex Joe Panik being sent back down soon? I just traded for him in a 20 teamer keeper and I’m worried that’s going to backfire.

9:50	Nicholas Minnix: Depends on Scutaro, how Panik does. Soon? No. By July 31? Definitely possible. Panik has to tread water, at least. I think he will.

9:50	Comment From Vliet do you see Kennedy and H. Bailey as buy low candidates or s/b left alone?

9:50	Nicholas Minnix: Kennedy is just a guy, to me. Bailey, I think so. Not super low buy, but yes, a possible target.

9:51	Comment From Alex Do you know anything about LF Cuban Yasmani Tomas? For example, when we can see him in the majors, what type of contract, or with who?

9:51	Nicholas Minnix: I do not, sorry.

9:51	Nicholas Minnix: 9:15 folks, I’m a slow poke.

9:51	Comment From Snid How can it be allowed for a gov agency use it’s position, or the current administration’ position to pressure a sports franchise to change it’s name? What will the Braves or Indians become? And what next beer companies fending sensitivity in regards to the Brewers?

9:51	Nicholas Minnix: I can’t believe they allow a team called the Draft Dodgers! How unpatriotic.

9:52	Comment From john Murphy and Niese to LAD for Joc. Murph can play 3rd, they need a pitcher. Mets need outfielder and offense, especially moving forward. Seems like win-win?

9:52	Nicholas Minnix: It does, sure. I suppose that would work, think LAD might balk at that.

9:53	Comment From Cheech & Chong At the next CBA, will the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in CO and WA impact drug testing for marijuana in MLB? We think it should be eliminated (duh)

9:53	Nicholas Minnix: Can’t see that happening.

9:53	Comment From season tickets Thanks for the chat, Nick! GO O’s –speaking of them do you think they make any moves before the deadline?

9:53	Nicholas Minnix: They’ll try to acquire a pitcher. They’ll talk to anybody and everybody. So, yes, they’ll get a pitcher. Which one, IDK.

9:53	Comment From Sandy Nick, rank ROS: Jansen, F. Rodriguez, Street, Doolittle…also, Shark, Ventura, Keuchel, Alex Wood.

9:54	Nicholas Minnix: Jansen, Doolittle, Street, K-Rod.

9:55	Nicholas Minnix: Wood, Shark, Keuchel, Ventura (really a tough call for me tho)

9:55	Comment From Guest Buy Alex Cobb?

9:55	Nicholas Minnix: I would. Vacuum. No deep exploration. Much better than his results.

9:55	Comment From I Believe we will win !! Better chance for saves??? Benoit or Putnam??

9:55	Nicholas Minnix: Benoit

9:56	Comment From Guest it would be just great if the Dodgers lost the WS to a team with half (or 1/3!) its payroll.

9:56	Comment From Jobin Can you ask Carson Cistulli about the Daily Notes? I would stay away from his mouth, just in case.

9:56	Nicholas Minnix: You bet.

9:56	Comment From Mike 16 team mixed H2H 5×5 league. Large # of bench slots puts rosters around 28 players each. I am rocking a CJohnson/Asche platoon at 3rd. Any useful call ups or 3 baggers I can keep my eye out for? Also, thanks Nick! I love the podcast!

9:56	Nicholas Minnix: Thanks, Mike! We expect to get better, thanks.

9:57	Nicholas Minnix: No one comes to mind. I think pickings at the position will remain slim. Maybe Franco in September.

9:57	Comment From Alex Is trading Gausman (to be kept in 14th Round next season) and Odorizzi (to be kept in the 20th round next season) too much to get Mejia, D’arnaud (to be kept in 13th round) and jay bruce

9:57	Nicholas Minnix: Long-term keeper? No. I want the hitters, not the pitchers, generally speaking.

9:58	Nicholas Minnix: Closer more reliable for health, probably, just my guess.

9:58	Comment From PBJ Good morning, Nick. What’s your take on Zack Wheeler? I’m reluctantly thinking I need to drop him stead of C Morton when Cole comes back this week.

9:58	Nicholas Minnix: Oy. I like Morton, but I wouldn’t go that far.

9:58	Comment From Matt Who do you like Leake or Gallardo rest of season in a league that includes Losses.

9:58	Nicholas Minnix: Gallardo

9:58	Comment From Troy We’ve waited 1/2 a season for T. Walker. What can we expect from him in the 2nd half?

9:59	Nicholas Minnix: 3.50ish ERA, 8-9 K/9, 1.25ish WHIP.

9:59	Comment From Phil Redraft roto ROS – Would you trade Heyward/Heaney or Dickerson/Heaney for Hamels? Thanks.