Chat with Rob Neyer

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Welcome to SportsNation! On Tuesday, ESPN.com MLB Insider Rob Neyer will drop by to chat some baseball.

Neyer's book, "Rob Neyer's Big Book of Baseball Legends," can be ordered now!

Send your questions now and join Neyer on Tuesday at noon ET!

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Ryan (Portsmouth NH)


I'm hearing all this Prince Fielder to the Sox talk all over talk Radio..If this does happen...does Beltre have to go in a corresponding trade?

Rob Neyer
  (12:02 PM)


I don't really get it, Ryan. Unless the Sox would be thinking about next year and the year after more than this year. Because right now they're better with Beltre than Fielder. You know what wouldn't shock me, though? Youkilis in LF for a couple of months, with Ortiz leaving next year and Fielder taking over as DH.

Ryan (Dallas)


You can get hurt throwing pie at a teammate, but you can also get hurt carrying deer meat up stairs, walking down the street, playing with your kids, closing your car door, etc. etc. etc. Should we really ban celebrations, or is it better to just chalk it up to a freak accident and move on with our lives and try to have a little fun along the way?

Rob Neyer
  (12:02 PM)


We should ban celebrations not because they cause injuries, but because they're lame.

Shlomo (NY)


Why have you written the Mets off? Don't you think that Beltran and Bay getting hot (which is likely) should turn the team around?

Rob Neyer
  (12:04 PM)


I'm already second-guessing my fourth-place prediction. But they have a LOT of ground to make up, and the Braves and the Phillies are simply better clubs.

Joe (Tampa)


Hi Rob, big fan of yours and have learned at lot from the "new stats" you and others have turned me on to. To be honest though, I personally still value RBI and Wins for pitchers more than you and others seem to. You wouldn't really want HOF'ers and CY Youngs etc. decided for pitchers on stats like FIP XFIP if they had losing records etc.? Would you?

Rob Neyer
  (12:06 PM)


I don't believe in strict statistical benchmarks as basis for any awards or honors. But can I imagine voting for a pitcher with a losing record? I can.

Brett (Hot Springs, AR) [via mobile]


Rob, how in the world do you put the Twins 6 or 7 games better than the ChiSox with these teams as presently constituted? The Twins have a good lineup with a mediocre starting staff led by a luckmeister and a sinking bullpen. The White Sox have a decent offense with a very good pen and a solid 1-4 starting staff. These teams are close, but in roughly the last 7 weeks the Sox are 19 games over .500. When will you finally give the ChiSox some real respect?

Rob Neyer
  (12:09 PM)


I don't think that's what I said. I think I said the Twins *might* pull away and finish with a big lead in the Central. A three- of four-game lead is more likely. But your point about the luckmeister is well taken.

Jonathan (Grand Rapids, MI)


Should we discount Garza's no-no a little since he was basically pitching against Miggy and the Mudhens?

Rob Neyer
  (12:10 PM)


Yes. A little. That was one pathetic lineup. I mean, I know everyone was trying (until the ninth inning, anyway). But, sheesh.

Andrew (New York)


Rob, the Phillies have started platooning Raul Ibanez more lately and he's been pretty effective (270/360/430 on the year against righties, 310/380/470 in July). Think that they can continue doing this to get some production out of him through next year?

Rob Neyer
  (12:10 PM)


They pretty much have to, right? If they're unwilling to flat-out release him?

Kev (NYC)


Why are we looking to "diminish" a no-hitter? Go back on any no-hitter in history, is the opposing line-up ever mentioned or remembered?

Rob Neyer
  (12:12 PM)


Gee, doesn't that depend on who's going the mentioning and remembering? I still remember thinking that when Darryl Kile no-hit the Mets in 1993, that weren't much of a lineup. Does that make me a meanie?

Mickey (NY)


Can we stop making such a big deal over no-hitters? Jon Niese and Armando Gallaraga both had better outings this year (1 hit, 28 batters faced) than Edwin Jackson who walked 8, but Jackson gets celebrated? It's a joke. It's like celebrating the cycle but ignoring the guy who goes 4 for 4 with 2 HR's and 2 triples

Rob Neyer
  (12:13 PM)


Point taken, Mick.

doug (new rochelle, ny)


Robbie Cano got to 1000 hits pretty quickly. Is he one of the better bets to get to 3000 one day?

Rob Neyer
  (12:18 PM)


Sure. Historically, second base has been a pretty tough position, though.

Luke (St. Paul)


Rob- You can tell Brettthe Twins have had a tougher first half, and have the easiest 2nd half. They are basically done with the AL East, and their interleague schedule consisted of the Braves, Mets, Phillies, Colorado and the Brewers(All good with the exception of the Brewers) and the White sox played the Pirates, Cubs, Nationals, Marlins and Braves(Only Braves are good). Its not really a coincidence they made up a lot of ground during the interleague series. Throw in that the Twins are 25-15 vs the Divison(Sox are 17-20, Tigers 16-21), Including 6-3 vs Sox and 7-5 against Detriot and have one of the easiest 2nd half schedule its pretty easy to see why the Twins could pull away.

Rob Neyer
  (12:19 PM)


Thanks, Luke! (I must have known all that, subconsciously.)

Mike (Boston)


I think Ryan in Portsmouth might be mistaking the voices in his head for the radio. I've been listening to Boston sports radio all day and haven't heard Prince Fielder's name mentioned once.

Rob Neyer
  (12:20 PM)


It happens.

doug (new rochelle, ny)


Rob, it appears that Mariano Rivera is up a couple of ticks in terms of mph. Could he conceievablt continue to do what he is doing for another 3-4 years. The guy is a freak.

Rob Neyer
  (12:22 PM)


Actually, his fastball's averaging 92, just like last year (before that, in the 93-94 range). Obviously, he's fine at 92 and I don't know how to predict when he'll drop enough to matter.

Brett (Hot Springs, AR) [via mobile]


Luke must know that the ChiSox and Twins have played a lot of very close games so far (most that I've watched or listened to) and these teams at this moment are very even. The division will be tight throughout. 2008 revisited but both with more wins.

Rob Neyer
  (12:25 PM)


Maybe, Brett. But the Twins have played the tougher schedule *and* they've got the better run differential. Then again, Baseball Prospectus does predict, as you do, a dead heat...

Billy (MA)


How can you claim it is hard to say the Red Sox did anything wrong? Theo Epstein seems to think you win ballgames by accumulating the most best-value signings. Unfortunately there is no prize for most bang for your buck. At the end of the day it is about winning baseball games even if you have to overpay at times like *cough* Mark Teixiera. When will the media realize like us Sox fans that Theo is not as smart as you think he is?

Rob Neyer
  (12:27 PM)


I'm not sure what your point is, Billy. Mark Teixeira this season hasn't been as good as David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis, or Adrian Beltre, all of whom make less money than Teixeira. How exactly would that signing have helped the Red Sox win in 2010? The Red Sox are in third place because they've suffered a huge number of injuries.

Owen (Great Neck, NY)


Rob - heading to KC in a few weeks and will catch the Royals, but more importantly, I need some great bbq recommendations! Thanks!

Rob Neyer
  (12:28 PM)


I don't eat the stuff, Owen. But the easy answer is Arthur Bryant's, which has the added attraction of being just a few blocks away from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

JD (Boston)


Would allowing the trading of draft picks require a CBA change or could Selig impliment the change if he wanted to....

Rob Neyer
  (12:36 PM)


I believe that's a CBA issue, as is everything else related to the draft.

James (PA)


Rob, with all the Oswalt and the Phillies. Regardless if it happens or not, do you think it's a good move for the Phils? Back issues and Money? Seems that some are starting to think it's not a good move.

Rob Neyer
  (12:37 PM)


I think if Oswalt's healthy for the next two years, it's a perfectly decent move for a team that can afford his salary. You just gotta think he'll be healthy.

Rich (Bayonne, NJ)


hey Rob, I know you love Jeter questions. His BABIP is .303 this year, while his career BABIP is .360. Do you think it's tough luck, the beginning of an incremental decline, or a little of both? And do you expect him to hit .300 by the end of the year?

Rob Neyer
  (12:39 PM)


I think he's been a little unlucky, but this season isn't appreciably different from his 2008. Maybe this is just fairly close to who he is now. Nothing wrong with a shortstop who's also a league-average hitter.

RJ (NY)


FYI - The Negro League Museum is awesome, but I got thrown out for holding my camera too close to my face and they thought I was taking a picture (which I wasn't). So if you go (and I recommend you do) don't even think about taking pictures. I almost served 15 years for my offense

Rob Neyer
  (12:40 PM)


Hey, I didn't take any photos in the Science Fiction Museum yesterday because I was afraid the flash would go off. So I'm right there with you, except even more afraid of getting busted.

Matt (Chinatown)


You've been referring to the halos lately as "Orange County." I've thought for years that they should rebrand themselves as the "SoCal Angels." Tell me every LA celeb wouldn't want a nice SoCal hat. Has a much nicer ring than Los Angeles of Anaheim.

Rob Neyer
  (12:42 PM)


I've been using the 'Orange County' tag since they assumed that ridiculous name. I don't think SoCal works well enough, because of the Padres. To me, Orange County says it all.

WHY (DC)


Would you hold a camera to your face if you were not taking a picture?

Rob Neyer
  (12:43 PM)


Was wondering about that myself...

Josh (Lincoln, NE)


But there's a problem signing a league-average hitter and below-average defender at short stop to a contract that will carry him to his 40s at $20M/yr, right?

Rob Neyer
  (12:43 PM)


Not if you're the Yankees, for whom that sort of money is a rounding error.

Doug (NYC)


Just a little point of contention, Rob....Tex's WAR (2.3) is higher than Ortiz's (1.9). Ortiz has been the better bang for the buck, however.

Rob Neyer
  (12:44 PM)


Wow. On a scale of 1 to 10, my level of surprise is 8.73. Thanks.

Eric (IA)


Since 1952, there have been 159 no hitters, compared to 23 players with a 5+ hit and 7 RBI game. And Garza is all over the news and not Mauer?

Rob Neyer
  (12:44 PM)


Go figure, huh?

Keith (South Dakota)


Matt Garza throws a no-no, while Delmon Young goes 4-6 to keep his average for July in the .400s. Who got the better end of the trade 2 years ago?

Rob Neyer
  (12:47 PM)


I think you have go with Garza (Rays) at the moment, because 2009 counts. But we'll have to check back next year (and beyond).

Doug (NYC)


Can we trust the WAR metric if Marlon Byrd's (4.1) is higher than Albert's (3.8)?

Rob Neyer
  (12:49 PM)


Hey, Byrd's having a great year and defense does count. I do think Albert will finish the season a few runs ahead of Byrd.

Shaun (MI)


Been thinking of moving to Portland in the next few years. One of the pluses was that they had at least a triple a team downtown, and that they were probably one of the next in line for a major league team. I've noticed you tweet and / or mention lately this will be their last season. I read online they may be sold (or have been). So will there not be any baseball in Portland for awhile?

Rob Neyer
  (12:51 PM)


It's true. The next baseball in Portland will probably be Class A, short-season (Northwest League). And it'll probably take two or three years, at least.

Brett (Chicago)


You seen Alexi Rameriz's defense lately? Dude is throwing some major leather. UZR from Fangraphs has him at 4.5 runs better than the next SS in all the majors. Jeter still probably wins gold glove though right?

Rob Neyer
  (12:51 PM)


I'm going to try really hard to not care.

Larry (Charlotte)


What the heck is WAR?

Rob Neyer
  (12:51 PM)


Wins Above Replacement, Larry. All the kids are doing it these days.

Steve (Coors Field)


From today forward, does Ubaldo have an ERA between 3.25-3.50?

Rob Neyer
  (12:54 PM)


Impossible to predict an ERA within such a narrow range ... but, yeah. That's essentially the pitcher Jimenez is. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but now it's OK to be amused by all the pundits who said he was the best pitcher in the majors.

Paul (San Francisco)


So does the minor league team departure prompt you to consider moving? I imagine if baseball is your profession you're probably better off somewhere with a team, right?

Rob Neyer
  (12:55 PM)


Yes. I do love Portland, though. Tough one. I guess Bay Area's the next-best thing, right?

Chasbo (MI)


WAR? Good God y'all! What is it good for??

Rob Neyer
  (12:56 PM)


Absolutely something!

Paddy (St. Louis)


Rob, Any thoughts on Jansen for the Dodgers? Not bad considering he was catching 360 days ago.

Rob Neyer
  (1:02 PM)


Great story, huh? You see his strikeout ratio in the minors? Thanks for the questions, everyone. Until next time, remember what Bertrand Russell said: "Certainty is an intellectual vice."

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