(*) FANALYTICS: Asking the right questions

You are reading this website because you are looking for information. And as an information source, that's what our job is. However, you might also say that we are an advisory service, and when we conduct chats, post to forums or answer emails, our job is to give you advice.

And I have to tell you, this is one of the most difficult jobs there is. It's not that we don't know the answers to your questions. If you ask us, who is the better pitcher, Jordan Zimmerman or Ross Detwiler—we can do that. Of course, it will just be our opinion based on statistical and scouting information, but it's a question we can at least take an educated shot at.

The problem... is context. With so many different types of league formats, rules and situational variables, it's nearly impossible to give an accurate answer without immersing ourselves in the intricate dynamics of your particular league.

Every Wednesday at 11 am, I conduct an online chat at USAToday.com. In these chats, I often find myself answering almost every question with a response that starts with "it depends."

One person might ask, "Is it a good time to swoop in and pick up Bud Norris?" My answer: It depends. Who would you have to drop? What are your other options? Do you have room to stow him on a reserve list for bad match-ups? Are you in an AL-only league where you'd lose a player if he was traded to the NL?

Another person might ask, "Which of these would be the best replacement for Carlos Ruiz—Suzuki, Buck, Hundley, Kratz, Pena, Ross, Mesoraco or Navarro?" Well, it depends. Do you need power? Can you sacrifice batting average? Are you trying to minimize damage? Do you want someone with future upside? Do you want someone who you could hang onto as trade bait when Ruiz comes back?

I have become so obsessed with trying to answer these questions while tip-toeing around the context that—quite honestly—I occasionally blow one. I remember last September, someone asked me, "Should I pick up Jurickson Profar today?" and my response was a resounding YES!

But wait... what if this guy was in a daily league and needed to know if Profar was going to be recalled in time for that night's game, and was facing a favorable pitcher? I hadn't thought of that, and the question gave me no reason to consider it. Or should it have? Should I have read into the fact that his question included the word TODAY? I don't know. And without that little piece of context, it's quite possible that I gave out some bad advice.

Online chats are terrific venues to connect readers with the writers and get personal questions answered. But remember that you are not going to get the right answer unless you ask the right question.

Join me and the other BaseballHQ.com writers in our weekly chat, each Wednesday at 11 am ET. And remember to ask the right questions!

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