Baseball Prospectus - Chat with Marc Normandin

Chat: Marc Normandin

Welcome to Baseball Prospectus' Thursday October 14, 2010 1:00 PM ET chat session with Marc Normandin.

Chat with BP's Marc Normandin about the postseason, fantasy considerations for the offseason to come, and more.

Marc Normandin: Afternoon, all! Today is a sad day--it's the second consecutive day without any baseball. But we'll do our best to remedy that situation by talking about the game we adore here, starting...now!

saccabbee (Austin, TX): I don't have a question, I just wanted to point out that I just saw that Donovan Tate was born in 1990. I feel really, really old.

Marc Normandin: My first realization that I would never be a major leaguer came when Justin Upton was drafted at 17 years old. Felix Hernandez is about two weeks younger than I am.

JoshEngleman (Wilmington, NC): If you were the Padres or Mariners, wouldn't you be doing whatever it takes to pry Ricky Nolasco from Florida?

Marc Normandin: Mariners, yes, absolutely. Padres, no, but for a very specific reason. Nolasco has four years of arbitration, and is entering his third year in 2011. He made $3.75M in 2010, and that number is going to nearly double before he is a free agent. That's a lot of coin for the Padres to be handing out to someone who will be there for two years before he bolts.

chip416 (Portland, OR): Which one would you rather have for the next two years in a OBP-tilted roto league: Snider or Wieters?

Marc Normandin: As Snider cuts more whiffs out of his line his average should rise, but he doesn't have the same positional scarcity bump as Wieters. Kind of a tough call on that. From a pure numbers standpoint I would take Snider.

Adam J. Morris (lonestarball.com): Rangers and Yankees, ALCS...who ya got?

Marc Normandin: Thanks for stopping by, Adam. Rangers in five, they will drop game four when Tommy Hunter starts and A.J. Burnett plays the role of Good A.J. long enough to redeem his second half, but otherwise, it's all Rangers.

nicety (ca): i'm assuming you dont think the padre bullpen will have anything like a repeat performance, right?

Marc Normandin: It's probably hard to believe without accusing me of being a biased fanboy about it, but I see them performing pretty close to that level. Here's the thing--Bell/Adams/Gregerson are all legitimately excellent pitchers, and the kind of guys who can replicate their success from year-to-year. Edward Mujica was unlucky in 2010, and is much better than his ERA indicates--have a look at his K/BB ratio of 12.0 for proof of that. Ernesto Frieri is a young pitcher with some promise who did well in his first stint in the bigs, and I expect him to be a bit better. Joe Thatcher should be there all season long in 2011. Ryan Webb has some upside and is the last option in the pen. This is a collection of fantastic pitchers who, if they are all together again, can perform just as well.

Will they *definitely* repeat? I'm not saying that. But if you asked me to pick one pen that could replicate its previous season, my money would be on the one in San Diego.

Casey (Memphis): Great work on Red Sox Beacon! Assuming Beltre doesn't come back, who do you see playing 3B next year?

Marc Normandin: Thanks! That's much appreciated. Patrick Sullivan and I are enjoying our new outlet, and I'm excited to be able to spend some more time on the Red Sox with my writing.

I'm pretty convinced Adrian Beltre isn't coming back, which was kind of a sad realization. My guess is that Kevin Youkilis will play third for the Sox next year, and they will set about finding a first baseman--either a permanent solution (which will probably cost them Anthony Rizzo in a trade) or a one-year stopgap so they can insert Rizzo into the role in 2012.

Mountainhawk (Salem, MA): At this point, is there any WS matchup where the AL is the favorite? Seems strange to think that, but I think the two best teams left are in the NLCS.

Marc Normandin: The Phillies and Giants are both good, but let's not forget about the quality of competition differences between the AL and NL. I think the Rangers can take either of them (yes, the Phillies, too) and while NY has some problems in the rotation, counting that lineup out against anyone would be a mistake.

Bud Black (Rancho Santa Fe): Hey, every team would like to be in our position, fighting for the playoffs, competing in meaningful games in Sep.....wait, that was the last game of the season? I gave Scott Hairston how many at-bats that weekend? Shark farts!

Marc Normandin: I feel bad for Scott Hairston, as he played through a lot of the second half with an injury that no one mentioned that killed his production. He's not a bad player, though he is probably a non-tender candidate given the Padres plethora of inexpensive outfield options.

ted (the cubicle): I felt old when I compiled this list in April. Tweleve 2010 MLB players were older than me. How many will be back next year? 1 Jamie Moyer -- Phillies --18-Nov-62 2 Tim Wakefield -- Red Sox --2-Aug-66 3 Omar Vizquel -- White Sox --24-Apr-67 4 Trevor Hoffman -- Brewers -- 13-Oct-67 5 Matt Stairs -- Padres -- 27-Feb-68 6 Brad Ausmus -- Dodgers -- 14-Apr-69 7 Arthur Rhodes -- Reds -- 24-Oct-69 8 Ken Griffey Jr. -- Mariners -- 21-Nov-69 9 Mariano Rivera-- Yankees -- 29-Nov-69 10 Takashi Saito -- Braves -- 14-Feb-70 11 Jim Edmonds -- Brewers -- 27-Jun-70 12 Mark Grudzielanek -- Indians -- 30-Jun-70

Marc Normandin: Most of them, I think. Next year is Wakefield's last season though. Matt Stairs wants to come back for one more year, at least. Arthur Rhodes is a reliever, so he'll pitch until he can't.

JD Sussman (Torts Class): The Sky is Blue; The Mets are a mess; Jay Bruce is a ____;

Marc Normandin: beast. Jay Bruce is a beast.

Will (Mactaquac): I have a deep team, so my last cut in my keeper will stink, suck, and hurt. In a deep keeper league, put Johan (he's my 7th best SP considering the injury), Roy Oswalt (was 7th 'til Johan got hury), Torii (my backup CF behind Rasmus), or Beckham (I also own Weeks) back in the pool? Please don't say Beckham. I love him and remember the hype of the spring ever so wistfully.

Marc Normandin: I'm keeping Beckham in one of my leagues with a deep roster, so I definitely won't be saying him. Johan Santana or Torii Hunter is probably the way to go. Given Santana's injury history I might choose him, just because he'll be the easiest to reacquire next season.

Scott Hairston (Contractual Limbo): But can't you also blame Bud and I for hiding how bad my shoulder was (according to stories in SD papers)? My production didn't suffer because I was slacking off, but I was still hurting the team every time I took the field.

Marc Normandin: Oh, I didn't mean to imply I was happy with the decision to keep trotting him out there. In a season full of excellent decisions by Bud Black, who I do believe is an excellent manager in a league with very few of those, continuing to trot Hairston out there was awful. Just that during the last weekend of the season I didn't mind so much, because he had all that time off to rest and heal.

Aaron Cunningham probably should have been the one getting that playing time if they were that desperate for another outfielder, and it's a shame he didn't. So it goes.

TLivingston (Sonoma): Marc, first off, what have you been playing lately? Secondly, the Giants lineup has really been struggling outside of Buster and facing that pitching staff, I really don't see it improving. Anything I should watch for that would change my mind?

Marc Normandin: I just finished Valkyria Chronicles II on the PSP. I enjoyed it, but it was nowhere near as good as the first one for a few reasons. The combat held up--may have actually been better on the PSP, honestly--but the skits in between devolved in my opinion. While there was a civil war going on, the students (who are soldiers) were busy worrying about how funny it was that the main character falls asleep during class and haha he eats a lot! The tone was just...out of place. And the characters were much more shallow than in the original offering, as well. I still enjoyed the experience though, thanks to the combat, which was as difficult and as involved as I hoped it would be.

The Phillies lineup is better than the Giants, but not by as much as the Phils reputation leads people to believe. I think the main advantage the Giants have is in the bullpen, but their rotation can cause as many problems for the Phils as they to the Giants, so that pen may come into play in each game in the series.

andyfoy (Rochester, MN): Hey Marc are you a Nails fan? Or any "industrial" for that matter? Ministry, etc.?

Marc Normandin: I do enjoy Nine Inch Nails. Downward Spiral remains in my most-oft played albums rotation. I'm picky about my industrial--NIN is the class of that genre to me, and while I love Downward Spiral, most of it I can live without.

Mike (Boston, MA): Is Baltimore about to turn the corner? A lot of their young players showed good things this season, especially in the second half.

Marc Normandin: I had Baltimore down for somewhere around 77-79 wins this year, which, given their play under Showalter, doesn't seem as insane as it did after the first four months of the season. They still have some moves to make, and some contracts to move around, but I have no trouble saying they should be as relevant as the Blue Jays in 2011.

Adam (Rochester): Which of these guys is most likely break camp as a starter next April - Jerry Hairston, Bonifacio, Bogusevic, Burress or Nady?

Marc Normandin: Jerry Hairston. The Padres are looking to bring him back, and since they aren't sure what to do about Everth Cabrera yet (send him back to Triple-A? Time share?) Hairston very well may end up as the starting shortstop.

dianagramr (NYC): Hi Marc ... thanks for the chat ... Coming Spring 2011, Cliff Lee will be pitching for _____. If Lee signs with the Yanks, will he make a higher AAV than CC? Will Lee's signing (wherever that may be) have an impact on CC's opt-out possibility after '11 (since he loves his West Coast roots).

Marc Normandin: Rangers. I think that TV deal they just signed for mega-revenue is going to make Cliff Lee a Ranger for a very long time. I expect the Angels to open their wallets this offseason and make a splash. The Rangers might be playing catch up even if they win the World Series, so retaining Lee would go a long ways towards keeping the score even.

Sabathia isn't going anywhere, even if he opts out. He'll pull an A-Rod and get more money and years out of New York, which very well may solidify his chance for 300 career wins.

Sully (Boston): Hi Marc - talk to me a little bit about Soul Crushing Despair.

Marc Normandin: Hey there Sully! My favorite part about the "soul-crushing despair" tag we have on Red Sox Beacon is the reaction of small-market fans who yell at us for complaining about having a better-than-.500 season. Just because Boston has money and success doesn't mean I am void of emotional devastation.

andyfoy (Rochester, MN): Nothing will ever beat Downward Spiral. Unrelated to industrial, I trust you like the Melvins, so I don't even need to ask...

Marc Normandin: But of course. I saw the Melvins with their original lineup two years ago in Boston, which was quite the treat.

Will (Mactaquac): Memo to Orioles fans from a Jays fan: Marc's comments above about the rosy outlook for Baltimore in 2011 should also come with the disclaimer that good year or bad year for the team, the Jays always get playoff-blocked by the big 3 and respectability blocked by baseball fans' unwillingness to consider strength of schedule. IOW, congrats on escaping hell, but purgatory sure ain't heaven.

Marc Normandin: Despite this, you don't know how much I am pulling for a five-way race for the AL East division title in the near future. I need this to happen.

Padre Fans (Hell on earth): Damn your equanimity!!!

Marc Normandin: I just had to post this because it made me laugh.

Matt (Chicago): What is to be expected out of T Colvin next yr with 500+ ABs?

Marc Normandin: I think he needs to cut down on his strikeouts a little, but I don't know why he couldn't repeat 2010 once again. As for whether his OBP is going to climb, well, that's a whole 'nother story.

MemphisRedSox (umm. . . ): We all know now that Lackey is going to be a loud-mouthed albatross for years to come, but how concerned are you about Beckett being just as awful?

Marc Normandin: With Beckett, it all comes down to the health of his back. I am kind of disappointed in Boston for deciding to break their rule on five-year contracts for pitchers back-to-back with Lackey and Beckett, two arms with question marks surrounding their health.

Charlie (Chicago): Who should the Cubs hire as their manager? Or does it really matter at all...

Marc Normandin: I say keep Quade. The players seem to like him, which is about all you can ask for assuming he isn't losing games for them with his decisions.

Will (Mactaquac): Pretty Hate Machine. That is all. And industrial music? Fire and brimstone? BP's first ever goth chat.

Marc Normandin: I'm not huge on industrial as a genre, but I can't deny that NIN is excellent either way. I was just listening to a a grindcore vocalist's singer/songwriter solo album, which is one of those things you don't know exists until you hear it and go, "Huh. How about that."

SprungOnSports (Long Island): How do you think Texas will do in games 1 and 2 with CJ Wilson and Colby Lewis on the hill?

Marc Normandin: Huge, huge C.J. Wilson fan. I think the Rangers are going to surprise a lot of people and take down the Yankees pretty swiftly thanks to those two arms, never mind Cliff Lee.

andyfoy (Rochester, MN): I won't bog down the chat anymore with non-baseball stuff, but I saw the Melvins a couple years ago in Madison, WI and they actually played Honey Bucket. Greatest concert moment ever.

Marc Normandin: Bog it down at will! I'm choosing what goes up, after all.

They played Honey Bucket at the concert I went to as well, which is great since it's my favorite Melvins tune. And with that, I'm loading Houdini into Winamp.

lynchpin (CA): So, Fantasy Guy (that came out a little wrong), I was asked to join a Strat league for next year. I've never played. I know it's supposed to be all saber-friendly: what are your thoughts about it? Worthwhile?

Marc Normandin: My business card can say, "Fantasy Manager", which is just about as awkward sounding, but I'll take it.

Strat isn't my thing. Not in the sense I don't like it, but I haven't played. Rob McQuown would probably be able to answer this better than I.

jnelson33 (Office Desk): Why did Jonathon Broxton help ruin my fantasy team's chance at a 3-peat this year? Can you see him bouncing back next year? Which is a better Nintendo cover band, the NESkimos or Power Glove?

Marc Normandin: I just got off the phone with Jonathan Broxton, and he told me it's because he doesn't like you. He also said he doesn't like me, and wanted to ruin my fantasy closer rankings. Then he said something about not having a "closer's mentality", and how he think he left it in some pants that were stolen from him at the laundry mat.

I think he can bounce back, but I've learned my lesson to rely on a closer that isn't Mariano Rivera, Heath Bell, Joakim Soria or Brian Wilson at the top spot in my rankings. Or anyone named Jonathan.

Hank (Elwood, IL): I realized I was video game vain when zombies killed me as I tried on a wet suit in Dead Rising 2. Any examples from your gaming experience?

Marc Normandin: It is so easy to forget about what you're supposed to be doing in Dead Rising. "I'm running low on time to finish this mission--wait, is that a store full of Servbot hats? I want a Servbot hat! Oh, a juice machine! I can make juice that will help me fight...oh dear. Zombies. That's right."

goodwine10 (New York, NY): I think you might be letting your Boston fanboy get to you. The Yanks owned Wilson in 3 starts this year.

Marc Normandin: I don't think I've ever been accused of being a Boston fanboy before. Usually everyone thinks I'm far too mean to them.

Casey (Memphis): So, what the hell happened to Lars? I know Rizzo's passed him on the depth chart, but what's your explanation (or Kevin's) for his lack of progress?

Marc Normandin: I kind of gave up on the idea of Lars Anderson: Future Red Sox First Baseman after 2008. He was still young enough where the power could come, but he hadn't shown any to that point, and the kind of hitter he is (and the kind of swing he has) didn't have me convinced it was going to develop. I know I'm not the only one who was down on him either, as Kevin had Rizzo ranked ahead of Anderson even before this season.

Every time Lars Anderson is mentioned as an important, potential trade chip by a fan to a beat writer on Twitter, I giggle a little, because that's just not his value.

Beards 'R Us (SF): Battle of the Beards: Tommy Bennett vs. Brian Wilson ... who wins?

Marc Normandin: Brian Wilson can't handle Tommy's beard. It's actually too much beard for any one man to handle for long periods of time, which is why Tommy has to take it off and cage it at night in an Ecto-Containment Center he has built in his basement.

residue007 (mass): Will rangers stomp the nyy? �i hope so.

Marc Normandin: I'm going to use this question to attach a little note to my previous answer of Rangers in five games, because I was warned by Joe Pawlikowski of the excellent River Avenue Blues that I awoke a slumbering beast mad up of disgruntled Yankees fans. I can see the series going seven games easily--I can see the Yankees winning, too! The teams are pretty evenly matched in a lot of ways, as the Yanks have the lineup but the Rangers have the arms. Saying it will go seven is kind of boring though, and I picked one of the many instances that could happen that no one seems to be talking about, because I find it highly plausible.

Basically, all of these series are just four-to-seven coin flips in a row, and I picked an outcome that was five of them.

ted (the cubicle): Battle of the Beards (undercard): Sergio Romo or Liza Minnelli?

Marc Normandin: [slow clap]

andyfoy (Rochester, MN): Great call on Houdini. I miss the days of good music (sigh)...

Marc Normandin: What, like yesterday? There is a nonstop flow of good music that I am constantly discovering. It's just different. Discussing genres without using hyphens these days is pretty much impossible, and I'm totally okay with that.

JoshEngleman (Wilmington, NC): How much does the order teams use their starters in the playoffs affect their ability to win the series? For example, would the Giants be better off not throwing Lincecum in game 2 and not against Halladay in game 1? Ignore the possibility of pitching 3 times in the series.

Marc Normandin: That's one of those topics that has fascinated me for awhile, but I don't have the math chops to figure it out. Like if you use an inferior pitcher in a game you may lose to their ace anyways, in order to do the same to them, does that increase your odds at winning since you may pull out the other game and beat the odds that are stacked against you?

buffum (Austin TX): Should the Indians be more resigned (Jayson Nix), hopeful (Cord Phelps), risk-taking (Lonnie Chisenhall), or irrationally imaginative (trade prospects for Chone Figgins + much cash, or Travis Hafner for Figgins straight up) with their third base situation? I am not excited about a potential Brandon Inge Era.

Marc Normandin: When you are where the Indians are, I think a combination of hopeful and risk-taking is the way to go about things. The last thing we need is to bring Figgins aboard so we can have this conversation again in three years when his contract is expiring.

Todd Kaufmann (BleacherReport.com): Padres' GM Jed Hoyer has made it clear that they would like to keep Adrian Gonzalez but his value seems to be far too high for them to reach. Thoughts??

Marc Normandin: They won't deal him unless what he brings back brings them a lot of major-league ready talent. That may happen, but Padres' fans can be assured that Hoyer is not just going to give him up because they feel like they can't afford him. The return will be huge.

andyfoy (Rochester, MN): Really? Can you toss some recommendations out there(even via email if you want). I'm talking good hard clean heavy rock music, other than QOTSA (post-2005, we'll say). I used to be on top of my game with this stuff, but I gave up...

Marc Normandin: Big Business. Clouds. The Giraffes. Mastodon. If you already listen to those (I think two of them should be new though) then we'll try again.

Jed Hoyer (San Diego): Know where I can find an OBP-heavy second baseman?

Marc Normandin: Jed Lowrie! Though his defense at second base may leave something to be desired. He can swing it, at least.

Re-signing David Eckstein for around $1M for the third time in a row seems the safest bet. Plenty of surplus value there, and he's an average player thanks to his defense.

DrManhattan (NYC): Rumor is the Red Sox open up the vault for Crawford. Does that make sense, as the Monster means he has that much less room to cover LF, with his top-flight defense thus being less valuable in Boston than elsewhere?

Marc Normandin: The Red Sox won't sign him for seven years, which seems to be the number everyone is repeating. They will be in on Jayson Werth though, since he can be signed for five years in what will probably turn out out to be the 2011 equivalent of a J.D. Drew contract.

It is an easy left field to play in the sense that there is less room to cover, but you still have 81 road games to play, and just as important as his speed and range are his defensive instincts. I would expect him to be able to cut off a lot of shallow outfield singles and turn them into outs if he played in Fenway. There are ways to use the lack of area to cover to your advantage with his skillset--even Manny Ramirez used to be able to rob people of singles or hold them to them.

Rob (Alaska): What's your take on the next few seasons for the Rays? I think they might still have a wildcard appearance in them. Losing CC is a big hit, but Soriano and (the 2010 version of) Carlos Pena are replaceable. That's a pretty great rotation.

Marc Normandin: I think they will win 90 games in 2011 but miss the playoffs, as Boston/New York/Tampa Bay continue to rotate the role of odd man out. I'm not worried about them long-term, that's for sure. They aren't going anywhere as long as that front office is in charge.

andyfoy (Rochester, MN): Thanks, I like Big Business and Mastodon, never heard of the other two. I'll check 'em out and get back to you.

Marc Normandin: Clouds second album is the better one. For The Giraffes, look for "Prime Motivator" and the self-titled album from 2005.

singledigit (San Diego): What do the BoSox give the Tigers for Miguel Cabrera? Everything they got?

Marc Normandin: If they trade for a first baseman, it's going to be Adrian Gonzalez. But in order to get Adrian Gonzalez, they are going to have to give up a ton, and I'm not sure if Theo is ready to do that. You can't exactly pull one over on Hoyer when it comes to Red Sox prospects.

Miguel Cabrera would look pretty great in a Boston uniform, but that's because he would look pretty good in anything but Cardinal or Cincy red and Padre blue.

Matt (San Diego, Ca): Have you played Civ 5 yet? Any thoughts?

Marc Normandin: I haven't, as I need a new PC before I can do it. Since I'm working on BP2011, I'm doing myself (and editor Steven Goldman) a favor by not upgrading it until I've met my deadlines.

Aaron (YYZ): What PS3 game do you use to get a significant other to share your interest in video games? So far Civ IV (on PC) and Little Big Planet have been utter failures.

Marc Normandin: It depends on the person, but Mario is time-tested in this role. I think I've been pretty lucky dating ladies who are already interested in video games and need just the slightest push to be more into it.

Will (Mactaquac): Would you trade Ubaldo for Dom Brown and Matt Moore in a deep keeper? That would mean Johan, Roy Oswalt, Roy Halladay, CC, Gallardo, and Wainwright would be my staff? Otherwise, it's cutting Johan or Torii, as referenced above. Thanks.

Marc Normandin: Do you have contracts/limits on how long you can keep players? Brown is supposed to be great, but he's at a pretty deep position.

Matt (Chicago): Can we expect Aramis Ramirez to rebound into form next yr?

Marc Normandin: His second-half went well (.276/.321/.526) so I guess that injury he went on the DL for was bothering him more than people suspected. Health is a skill too though, and Ramirez has missed significant chunks of the past two seasons. I'm more leery of him from that perspective than from a production one. If he's healthy, he'll mash.

jnelson33 (Still at my desk): Being near the Boston area, I'm sure you've dabbled in the post-hardcore melodic tones of The Receiving End of Sirens (TREOS) and The Dear Hunter? A Wilhelm Scream is also from your area, I believe.

Marc Normandin: I haven't, but that's because moving out to western Massachusetts a bit ago kind of put a damper on my checking out of the Boston scene. A problem I hope to remedy by early next year, since I'm back east but not in Boston again yet. I'll keep an ear open, as I'm always up for some post-hardcore melody.

Reej 3000 (Dell Warehouse): You didn't start the chat with, "Yo"?

Marc Normandin: Hey, I have in the past.

Moneyball16 (Calgary): I know you don't talk movies much, but have you seen The Social Network yet? Its fantastic fwiw.

Marc Normandin: I haven't, though I keep hearing good things. It's tough to get me into the theater unless it's something I've been waiting for (Inception, Scott Pilgrim) or I need a night out and want to watch things explode and eat popcorn. I would probably be more willing to see the Social Network if it had giant robots, at least in theaters.

dianagramr (NYC): Could Adam Dunn be the Dave Kingman who actually makes the Hall?

Marc Normandin: Dunn is already more valuable than Kingman was in his entire career (thanks, OBP!). If he hits a ton of homers like he has (and like I wrote about here!) then I can see it happening. It's going to be tough to turn down a player with nearly 600 bombs and no steroid allegations, regardless of his defense.

Patrick (DE): Are you familiar with Black Mountain? That might be something else for andyfoy to look into.

Marc Normandin: The name, yes, but I can't name a tune to save my life despite knowing I've heard them. Should I be paying more attention?

Henry (Fairport): How confident are you in Ervin Santana matching or building on this year's success? And who is the Yanks DH next year, Damon, Montero or other?

Marc Normandin: His strikeout rates were average and his K/BB wasn't that much better than average, so his ERA should probably be closer to 4.2 or 4.3 next year assuming the Angels don't overhaul their defense like you know they will via free agency this winter. If he repeats a 3.9 ERA, it will be with great glove work behind him, and not entirely his doing.

Quiznos (Del Taco): Now that C Young is gone, if A Gonzalez leaves, the greatest string of flips in the history of baseball will end! (B Hurst>>A Ashby>>A Eaton>>C Young & A Gonzalez)

Marc Normandin: So if they get Rizzo/Lowrie/Other/Other, does that keep the streak alive?

Silv (NY, NY): Brox Apr 8, 2010 to Jun 26, 2010: 0.83 ERA, .217 BAA, 48 K and 5 BB in 32.2 innings. Brox June 27 (when Torre left him in for *48* pitches against the Yankees for no apparent reason, even after he blew the save; Brox had also pitched at least a full inning in three of the preceding four games) to the end of the season: 7.58 ERA, .325 BAA, 25 K and 23 BB in 29.2 innings. Clearly Torre's fault, clearly an act of managerial negligence. Will not be surprised if Brox shredded something in his arm as a direct result.

Marc Normandin: For your reference.

Michael Bay (Lounging atop a pile of money): Thank you for talking about how seizure-inducing movies based on random brightly colored metal are better than, you know, movies with plots or characters.

Marc Normandin: Whoa, whoa. Let's not put words in my mouth. Michael Bay flat out sucks, and I despise him for what he did to the Transformers franchise. I like plot on my couch, I like explosions on a big screen. I like Michael Bay in neither format.

Dan (Brooklyn): Any thoughts/insights on where Kosuke Fukudome ends up next year, and in what role? He has pretty good value in OBP-based leagues and sims -- if he has an everyday job.

Marc Normandin: $13.5M in 2011 makes him tough to move, since he's never performed at a level that made him deserve that kind of cash. The OBP is nice, but he has no power, especially not for the position, and he's not a great defender either. That makes him kind of stretched as a starter but also difficult to use as a fourth outfielder since he's not much of a defensive replacement. He's more valuable in an OBP-based fantasy league than he is in real life.

JoshEngleman (Wilmington, NC): I have a Wii but I rarely play it. Any recommendations? Looking for an RPG but I'm not really picky.

Marc Normandin: It's not the system for RPGs (though you could say that about anything that isn't a DS this generation) but I would say if you haven't played "Little King's Story" or "Sin & Punishment 2", you're missing out. Little King's Story is like a combination of Pikmin and Harvest Moon, and the humor is pretty dark despite a colorful, cartoonish art style. S&P2 is kind of like Star Fox 64 and Ikaruga had a baby, so if you like bullet hell type games at all, you won't be disappointed.

Rob (Alaska): Care to offer an opinion about the keepability of Ian Stewart in a deep league? Or just his future in general? I'm torn between 'signs that he might be putting it all together' and 'this is what he is'.

Marc Normandin: I'm not keeping Stewart in the league I have him in despite a low price tag, but we're allowed very few keepers. I think this is pretty much who he is, but that's not necessarily a bad thing given the lack of quality at his eligible positions. Not a ton of batting average, but he'll get on base and hit for plenty of power. If he could stick for a full season we wouldn't be having this discussion, he would be a no-brainer.

Moneyball16 (Calgary): Which if any free agents do you see the Rays going after this winter?

Marc Normandin: Under-the-radar moves. Look for them to continue to try to build a pen made up out of recovery projects with high upside/risk with a low price tag. They have a bunch of part-timers from 2010 (Joyce, Brignac, Rodriguez) who can take on more of a role in 2011, which keeps them from having to open up their wallets to remain competitive.

Moneyball16 (Calgary): What are you hearing about Fable 3?

Marc Normandin: Not much, but I'm not paying attention to it either. Fable 2 kind of bored me, and I never bothered to finish playing it. I think about picking it up used every now and again to give it another shot, but so far I have resisted.

karp62 (upstate NY): Two days without baseball? Try 18 years as a Pirates fan. Give me some words of hope on this boring day. Who would you have manage them and why?

Marc Normandin: I think the Pirates could use someone in the Buck Showalter vein, and I'm not just saying this because the Orioles picked things up under his watch. The culture in Pittsburgh is, understandably, not one of winning, and I think they need a manager who can remind them that they need to play for their jobs every single day. I'm not sure who that person is, but that would be my goal.

Marc Normandin: Thanks for the afternoon chat here at BP, everyone! That puts us two hours closer to another baseball game than we were when we started. Good luck if you still have a team in the race, and the rest of you, enjoy watching what looks like it could be two great series.