Klawchat 9/26/19.

My ESPN+ column listing my (hypothetical) postseason awards ballots went up this morning.

Keith Law: Birth. School. Klawchat. Death.

addoeh: Who would bring back the Cubs a greater return; Baez or Bryant?
Keith Law: I have to think Baez given positional scarcity/flexibility, right?

Sad Canadian: Hi Keith. I live in a country where the voters are probably going to re-elect as Prime Minister a “woke bae” who has been found to have, on at least 3 occasions, worn blackface. Any reason why I shouldn’t dig a very large hole and hide in it for, I don’t know, forever?
Keith Law: It does depend a bit on the alternative, no? I mean, I’d vote for Woke Bae if it were him vs. Trump.

Sam: Who do you think is more likely to still be employed as manager of their current team this time next week: Joe Maddon or Mickey Callaway?
Keith Law: Maddon. Not that I entirely blame Callaway for the Mets missing the playoffs, but I feel like he’ll be the scapegoat.

Brian G: Good day, Keith – CBA expires season after next I believe. Rough odds we’ll have a work stoppage? (Full disclosure: I have cc’d Rudy Giuliani and Willy Barr on this message to you, normal stuff.)
Keith Law: excellent, I can trust those two guys to keep a secret. I say 20% odds. I hope I’m being pessimistic.

Nelson: Despite the juiced ball, why has there has been only 1 50HR season in the past 2 years?
Keith Law: Well, two of the players most likely to get to 50+ missed too much of this season to injuries to do so. We’ve also got a player at 49 this year, and in 2017 we had two guys cross 50 (the same two who missed part of this year). But I think the best explanation is that juicing the ball isn’t going to help every player exactly the same way, right? It’s not some linear function where we just add X feet of distance or multiply every distance by (1+x) where x is somewhere between 0 and 0.2 or something.

Mike: With Giminez coming soon, do you think Rosario can move to CF? Unfortunately, Cano will be holding onto 2nd base for a while longer.
Keith Law: Gimenez had a .309 OBP in AA, and doesn’t project to hit for power. I don’t think he’s coming soon.

mark: My kids are big pancake fans. I find mine tend to be a bit flat. What is the secret to a big fluffy pancake?
Keith Law: Separate the eggs, then whip the egg whites (with a pinch of cream of tartar) to stiff peaks before folding them into the rest of the batter.

Carl: Tommy Edman more than a 4th OF for the next few years?
Keith Law: I think he’s an extra guy, not a regular.

John : What are your thoughts on the dynasty fantasy baseball industry and how it affected your industry? Your articles and rankings (along with others ie. BA, Pipeline) are the main tools used in group chats, trade proposals, etc. etc. Would you participate in some way within this community?
Keith Law: I don’t play fantasy, but of course I am happy to have folks read & use my content for that.

Sedona: Has Tony Gonsolin shown enough to win a rotation spot next year? What do you think his ceiling is?
Keith Law: Ceiling of mid-rotation starter. Five extra points for the hair.

Sam: The Giants will undoubtedly extend a QO to Maddison Bumgarner. Considering his declining analytics, age and the amount of innings he has thrown do you see much a market for him this offseason. Is he going to be this years Dallas Keuchel where he may have to wait until after the draft to sign because of the QO? Thanks
Keith Law: Keuchel was hurt a bit by concerns about his injury history and durability. I don’t think Bumgarner faces either, although I agree with your points about declining fundamentals and general workload.

Buscon Bob: Position players who can draw walks and hit for power are seemingly the must-have for all baseball teams, why does it seem as if Avila is allergic to this in Detroit?
Keith Law: I think the Tigers are targeting different players than the rest of the industry across the board, and I don’t exactly know why. It does seem like, in the draft at least, they tend to take guys who are more famous – and more toolsy – than guys who pass the sort of contemporary filters teams use, which includes Trackman or similar data.

Sedona: Amed Rosario has taken a huge step offensively this year at age 23. He’s improved his #’s year over year. What do you think his ceiling will be?
Keith Law: I think by 26-27 he’ll be a star. I am no longer sure where he’ll play, as he has regressed on defense since reaching the majors, and I don’t know if 1) I overrated his defensive ceiling or 2) the Mets are just not good at developing gloves.

Aaron: Joey Votto recently mentioned that he would rather retire (quit) than struggle thru the last years of his contract. The reds could never publicly support this. Buttttttttttttt, what percentage chance do you think they quietly hope he does this before his play turns into a Albert Pulojis type situation (or do you think it does with him).
Keith Law: I’m sure they hope he does so, or takes a buyout, or there’s an injury that gets them an insurance payment.

JR: I’m trying to reconcile this Mets season. On the one hand, it was very entertaining with some great performances by deGrom, Alonso, McNeil, Conforto. On the other hand, nearly everything went right with the starting rotation and the key positional players were mostly healthy and this is the best they could do (obviously the bullpen weighed them down). There is every reason to expect some regression next year – especially from the rotation and they’ve sacrificed their top prospects in the meantime. In sum, I enjoyed this season but the short term benefit does not outweigh the long term cost they paid to field this team.
Keith Law: I agree, but I think they’ll go all in for 2020 now that they’ve traded Kelenic/Dunn and acquired Stroman (trading Kay and SWR). Because they’ve gutted their system – which still has some prospects of value – they’ve increased their incentive to win in the short term. The long term looks much worse.

Brad: Keith, I think Trump relishes this latest development: (1) He KOs Biden, who he considers the main opponent, with lies and smears; and (2) He again sucks out the room’s oxygen by dominating the news with his persecution complex while Dem candidates and key issues again get bumped off the airwaves.
Keith Law: Thirteen months before the election probably mitigates your second concern. As for Biden, uh, okay, bye.

Corey: If a billionaire with a sports empire who owns one of the richest clubs in pro sports trades off one of the best 5 players in the game in his prime to save $ + get under an arbitrary threshold, i’m thinking it’s time he sell the team Is Boston really going to do something that dumb ?
Keith Law: There’s a good baseball rationale for trading Betts, but they have to get an impressive return for him, and that’s not easy – also, they don’t have a GM yet.

Dean Mavrides: Is Vidal Brujan TB’s future 2b?
Keith Law: Yes.

Craig: Dom Smith for Trent Grisham. Who says no?
Keith Law: Does Grisham fit the Mets? Not a bad deal for value but I’m not sure it addresses a need for NY.

Buscon Bob: Joe Ryan or Shane Baz, better floor and better ceiling?
Keith Law: Baz better both. Ryan’s a prospect though.

Ben: Can Mauricio Dubon be a legit starter, or is he a utility guy at best?
Keith Law: Nonzero chance he starts. Love the player, will get the most out of his tools.
Keith Law: Turns out the electric kettle only works if you plug it in!

Nathan: I noticed Arraez not in the top 3 for AL ROY? How far behind the other 3 was he, and can he be anything more than a good UT going forward? His contact rates are insane and he’s been walking
Keith Law: I only ranked 3, sorry, I didn’t rank anyone past that and I don’t think he’s ahead of any of those guys (not by WAR, certainly). Probably a good UT, chance for a regular (grade 55 ceiling, if you are inclined that way).

Joe: I’m not sure if you want to comment, but: do you have a list of things (not including money) that you’d like to have (e.g. your own podcast) if you returned to ESPN?
Keith Law: I do have a list, but I don’t know that I should share it. The people who would make such a decision know what matters to me.

Ken: with the Orioles farm system in the bottom 5 pre 2019 draft and moving to the mid teens post draft. Is there anything reason they shouldn’t have a top system system this time next year
Keith Law: They’re in the mid-teens? I think they’ve improved, but I haven’t reranked.

John: 2020 Red Sox first baseman — FA signing, or Chavis/Travis?
Keith Law: I could see them trading Betts and then signing a 1b. I’d like to see Chavis get that shot, though.

Dallas: The NBA today has come out and said that everybody has to give their exact age and height; no more fudging. I’m 5’7 and 3/4″; if the NBA doesn’t list me at 5’9″, I riot. Thanks for your support.
Keith Law: Can we do that in baseball? And add weight?

Derek: Is this enough to get republicans to stand up or will they just be concerned about it and move on?
Keith Law: My guess is they just voice concern and continue to confirm appointees. If the House impeaches Trump, however, we’ll actually force everyone to make some public stand.

Brian: Gleyber Torres has a 125 wRC+ on the year but it goes down to 103 if you remove games vs the Orioles. Which do you think is closer to his true talent level?
Keith Law: I think he’s closer to the latter, but his ceiling is the former and then some.

xxx(yyy): Good Afternoon Keith! I have an itch to make some new stuff but not sure what to make…where do you look for new culinary ideas/recipes/food?
Keith Law: Either from things I eat at restaurants that inspire me, or when I see a recipe online/in a magazine that really catches my eye. I did that last night with something I saw in Bon Appetit, chicken legs braised in coconut milk and thai green curry paste. It was good but I think needed more salt and a lot more lime juice than just “serve with lime wedges.” Good with rice to soak up the cooking liquid.

Joules: Hey Keith. If the Braves extend Donaldson should they seek to move Riley or is he more of a bench bat at this point?
Keith Law: Could try Riley in RF, or keep him as Donaldson insurance. I feel like his trade value would be slightly depressed after the rough rookie year.

Eric: My wife and I are thinking about a move from the big city (LA) to a more rural/smaller town within the next few years. We have two little kids. Any advice on a decision like this, since you have made a number of moves over the years, and settled in a smaller city?
Keith Law: I’m really close to Philly, and in the NY-Washington belt you’re never really far from a big city, so I get the best of both worlds. But there are some wonderful small cities around the country that still offer a lot of the art, culture, food, etc. I’d want. Nashville, Louisville, Minneapolis, hell even Omaha (not very diverse, otherwise wonderful) have all impressed me on my travels.

Dave.: Trout or Bregman for MVP?
Keith Law: That column went up today.

xxx(yyy): what is (or should be) the next logical step for Lauren Mayberry?

girl has 70+ grade vocal talent but has probably done all she can with CHVRCHES at this point, right?
Keith Law: Agreed, I think she’s constrained by their musical style and also seemed to mail in the lyrics on the last album.

Jason: Do you have any sense of why you were shut out on awards voting two years in a row? Is it just random or is there some metric by which they select the writers who vote for particular awards?
Keith Law: (shrug)

Kevin: Tigers have 1st pick in next year’s draft. Narrative suggests Torkelson is pick for a position player starved farm system but could Austin Martin uptick in power and be choice? Any other reasonable possibilities now?
Keith Law: Torkelson is famous, not necessarily the clear 1-1. It’s a loaded class with college bats and pitching, and I think it’s folly to just assume Torkelson is the clear top guy right now when there are plenty of other candidates.

Rob: If you’re the angels do you pay Cole $250 million this off-season? I know they need pitching but I’m uneasy, should I not be?
Keith Law: You should be uneasy but he is by far the best fit for them.

Brian: Small sample (less than 50 games), but is there any indication that Bo can stick at short?
Keith Law: I don’t believe he will.

Brian: what’s your top 3 MLB stadiums strictly based on food and drink options
Keith Law: I very rarely eat in MLB stadiums, but if I do I find a local vendor in the park.

Dallas: It’s no secret that HS RHP are incredibly volatile. I know last year’s draft didn’t have a top of the draft HS RHP but do you think the days of HS RHP going in the Top 10 are gone?
Keith Law: Not gone but definitely trending down. There will be years where the college crop disappoints and HS P get elevated, though.

TP: Agree that BVW got fleeced in the Cano/Diaz trade. What should the Mets have offered at the time to get a deal done? Not saying it was a good idea, but how much did they overpay?
Keith Law: It was all Kelenic for me. Take him out of the deal, replace him with some other prospect from their system, it’s nowhere near as bad.

Ben: In your opinion, is an offensive “core” of Riley Greene, Paredes, & Tork (or any other 1-1 bat) a good enough compliment to Mize, Manning, Skubal, Wentz, etc. to make a winning baseball team? The Tigers would have a lot of money to spend as well on additional bats as well
Keith Law: I think you’re overrating that offensive core. They’ll have money, but they’ll have to make better decisions on hitters.

Jerry: I’m a 50-something unapologetic progressive. But even I can see that the upcoming, imminent collapse of the gop is probably not a good thing for the country. Or am I overrating the appeal of checks and balances from opposing sides/povs?
Keith Law: I am hopeful a more rational conservative party will emerge after this is over – one that argues for smaller government, say, but doesn’t deny science or oppose basic human rights for anyone other than straight white men.

Gest : Who do you like more in 2020, Giolito or Paddack?
Keith Law: Giolito, although bear in mind he’ll pitch in the AL in a good hitters’ park, while Paddack will be in the NL in a good pitchers’ park, so if this is a fantasy question I might go the other way.

Phil: True or False: Bryce Harper is having a pretty damn fine season.
Keith Law: True.

Gest : Do you play the Catan expansions? Would you say it’s worth the added investment?
Keith Law: They make the game longer, so while I like their concepts I don’t play with them.

Sage: Any tips to change chords quicker?
Keith Law: Practice, and maybe considering alternate fingerings that set you up for the next chord.

Kendra: I get that reasonable minds can disagree on things, but how did we get to the point where if you are a dem the sky is blue and if GOP it’s green? Objectively speaking both the Muller report and the whistleblower report show impeachable offenses. It’s so sad to see the “greatest country” on earth be a banana republic and “reputable” men behave the way they are. Not one GOP rep asked a question about the actual report today when talking to the DNI. It’s insane.
Keith Law: We got here because it worked for the GOP. Their irrational statements are rational if you assume their sole goal is to get and hold office. If people stopped voting for them when they said climate change was a hoax or handwaved away Trump’s various offenses, they’d change their tune. Political parties are pretty responsive to voter habits. If the GOP gets trounced in 2020, they’ll pivot.

Adam: What band has had the most influence over your musical taste?
Keith Law: I would say Nirvana, specifically with Nevermind, did the most to form my musical taste as an adult, both for the specific sound of the album and in creating a still-ongoing interest in finding new music outside of the mainstream.

FTN: Keith, is Austin Hays back to being a top 25 prospect in baseball?
Keith Law: Well, he never was one, so … no.

Dallas: If the current state of baseball remains, the home run numbers are really going to skew arbitration values. I think we may see a lot of hearings this off-season because players like to go off of good seasons and I think the LRD is going to want to curb values. Only way to do that is to go and win arb cases to prove your point.
Keith Law: It’ll be hard in year one because you use comparables from the recent past and so many current players will have higher HR and SLG than the players to whom they’re being compared from 1, 2, and 3 years back.

Mitchell: I see many (far too many, imo) Brewer fans that do not like to give Craig Counsell any credit for the way he manages the Brewers. I’m not sure how much of an impact a manager can truly have, but it appears his strategy, especially in pitcher usage, has paid great dividends. How much credit does Counsell deserve?
Keith Law: He’s good, no? I think he’s done a really nice job, and has evolved over his tenure.

Mike: Vlad is going to be fine…….right?
Keith Law: Yes.

Mike: Do you (and perhaps your ESPN) colleagues negotiate directly with the company, or do you have an agent?
Keith Law: I have an agent who negotiates with the ESPN talent office. My boss isn’t directly involved, and I’m not really either. It’s better for maintaining these relationships going forward.

Kendra: My son’s friend is a really sweet, kind kid. I was hanging out with his parents and the Dad called a NFL player the n word. I told him that I find that talk objectionable, ended my time with him and don’t plan on hanging out again. I agree with you in cutting racists out of your life, but what would you do if this was your daughter’s friend? Does she still get to play with him?
Keith Law: I’d probably decline to let my daughter go to that house again, knowing that such language is probably typical (you don’t just bust out that word in front of company).
Keith Law: I wouldn’t say she couldn’t be friends with the kid, though.

Sedona: Do you see similarities between Paddack and Jefferies?
Keith Law: I do not.

Ben: Keith, regarding your response about the Tigers, would Torkelson be a more likely 1-1 candidate for the Tigers than anyone else? Famous, and loud tools, but with positional/value concerns that a more modern FO would shy away from?
Keith Law: Heh, I didn’t think of that, but it’s a good point. I think the industry sense is that the Tigers are a good bit behind other teams in the analytics department.

John: Any rumblings about who the Phillies are considering for the Almaraz vacancy?
Keith Law: Yes, but nothing I can share, sorry.

Bill: Can we start with the idea that a U.S. President can’t ever have a conversation with another foreign leader about investigating his opponent…and go from there? I can’t believe we even have to argue that point.
Keith Law: Well, we had previously said that a US President had to divulge his tax returns, and divest himself of most of his assets, and not use the office for personal financial gain, yet here we are.

dave: Did you see bernie sanders tweet saying Billionares should not exist?? smh..
Keith Law: I did. I understand his point, although I’m not sure that sound byte is going to hit well with enough voters to make it beneficial. People get to billion-dollar wealth because our economic system allows it, and because our capital gains tax rate is so low.

Zac: Jack Morris just said if the Tigers rank Torkelson and Hancock the same they should take the pitcher because he says pitching prospects hold more value than hitters…What are your thoughts on that?
Keith Law: I know you’re shocked, but he has it backwards.

jimmyb: As a pretty accomplished home chef, I’m hoping you can help me with something I’m struggling with. I’ve been using (brand) for dinnertime, and really am enjoying the convenience and ease of meal prep, but without sacrificing complexity or flavor. However, I feel like I’m cheating. I’ve got a busy schedule, so meal planning is kind of out of the question – is there something wrong with using these services?
Keith Law: Sorry, I took the brand out just so it doesn’t look like an ad, but jimmyb is talking about one of those companies that deliver ingredients and recipes to you. I see absolutely nothing wrong with using them if you’re happy with the ingredient quality. You’re cooking, and that’s better than eating out or eating lots of highly processed foods.

Chris: Do you see the baseball changing next year?
Keith Law: Yes but I have no idea how.

Ron: Taking my 10 year old daughter to Cooperstown next month – Have not been there for 25 years maybe (all I remember is the who’s on first movie) – any suggestions on exhibits to avoid and must see – thanks
Keith Law: I actually haven’t been since 1989.
Keith Law: It’s not close to me … or to anything else.

Moe Mentum: Which movies from your own childhood (70s or 80s) have you shared with your daughter? And were they met with adulation or contempt?
Keith Law: She bailed on the Dark Crystal! That was a bummer. But she loved Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and I loved it just as much as an adult.

JR: Do you cook as much as you used as a single guy? Obviously if you are with your daughter/GF I’m sure you still do, but do you enjoy “cooking for one” or do you eat out more instead? If so, what’s your game plan when cooking solo? small portions or plan on leftovers?
Keith Law: Plan on leftovers, usually. Good nights to experiment; I can always feed myself if something goes horribly wrong. Now that the season is ending I’ll also probably go see some movies in Philly on those nights and eat up there.

Dallas: According to report from Tim Britton on the Athletic, the Mets worked with Amed Rosario on positioning his feet. Since the work, I’ve noticed his DRS which was horrendous has basically stayed the same while his UZR has improved to just about average. I think a little more experience for Amed may end up in making your grades on him look good.
Keith Law: I didn’t see that, but thank you, I’m glad to hear it as I saw Rosario as a prospect and never thought he’d struggle this much in the field.

Chris: O/U on Wheeler total dollars this offseason: $65M
Keith Law: Buster thinks over and he tracks this more than I do.

Stu: Do either Zach Collins or Jake Rogers have futures besides maybe backup catching?
Keith Law: Rogers is a perfect backup for me – good defensive catcher without much bat. Collins is a really bad catcher with power and I don’t know what that is in MLB today

Chris: O/U McNeil BA in 2020: .300
Keith Law: Probably the under; he’s way under that in the second half. Seems like he’s selling out just a little for power, which isn’t a bad tradeoff.

Nick: Hey KLaw, no question, I just wanted to say thanks for all you do. We had a very slight dustup a few years ago when I was in college over Austin Romine and his defensive abilities at catcher. All these years later, I just wanted to say, you were very right at the time. I subscribe to insider entirely for your content. And your openness with mental health has helped me a lot. Thanks again, I really enjoy reading your work.
Keith Law: You’re welcome. I don’t remember the dustup but I’m glad I was right. (I kid!)

Joe: Do team executives from losing clubs believe the only way to become competitive is to lose as many games as possible for several years in order to build their prospect base? Since Houston and the Cubs were successful, it seems like this is a road map for many teams.
The system has to change – five teams began this season in a race to the bottom and its not likely to change next year. As much as I hate the NBA lottery system, it seems like the way to go – MLB should provide no incentive to build a last place team. Thoughts?
Keith Law: It’s an easy (lazy?) strategy. I would love to see MLB alter the top of the draft to discourage this.

TomBruno23: Great call on Omaha, we took our three kids (ages 7,5,3) there last Thanksgiving weekend and were very impressed with all the things to do and food to eat)
Keith Law: Very walkable downtown with lots to do/eat. Great board game cafe maybe 10 minutes outside of downtown called Spielbound.

Jw: Wait, you were asked a question about coming back to ESPN. What did I miss? You posted a story on espn today. So confused.
Keith Law: Sorry to confuse everyone – I am still at ESPN, but my contract is up on December 31st. I have made no decisions on my future yet.

Todd: Josh Stowers or Caanan Smith legit OF prospects for the Yankees?
Keith Law: I mentioned Smith in a previous chat – I think he’s a potential extra guy, maybe a little more. Not a Stowers believer.

Hector: Would a package starting with Vaughn and Madrigal be enough to get Mookie on the South Side. Would it be worth it for the White Sox with no assurances Mookie re-signs with them
Keith Law: I don’t see what Madrigal does for the Red Sox.

Arnold: Just curious…who are the top high school or college prospects that you hope to personally go see in the Spring?
Keith Law: I’ll decide that as we get closer; it depends as much on budget and my own schedule – I have a book coming out in April, and that will require some of my time too – as anything else.

Drew: Are you a Baroness fan, and if so, what are your thoughts on their latest record?
Keith Law: I’ve listened to a bunch of their previous stuff but nothing ever grabs me. It’s great from a technical perspective but I don’t connect with the songs.

Sedona: Has Brady Singer’s AA performance changed your valuation at all?
Keith Law: No, since nothing about him has changed.

Joey: How do you grade pitchers deliveries? You talk a lot about “bad delivery” but you never once have indicated what it is you like/dislike
Keith Law: That’s utterly and completely false. When I write up players, I explain what I do and don’t like about their deliveries.
Keith Law: If you’re only reading my chats, well, the bulk of my content is on ESPN.com.

Jeff: Is Tatis the most probable candidate to be a perennial MVP the next 10 years?
Keith Law: Acuna certainly gives him a run for his money there.

Ryan: What do you think the floor is for Tatis next season. 30/30 with maybe outside shot at 40/40 if he stays healthy for the whole season?
Keith Law: I wonder if they try to get him to steal a bit less so he doesn’t get hurt.

J.: Weeks ago you mentioned something about the Tigers not having any all-time draft busts – care to share the reason why?
Keith Law: I didn’t say that.

Stu (UK): I’m going to a World Series game! What city should I be hoping for? What would be most disappointing? -Cheers, Stu
Keith Law: I mean, hard to beat NY or LA. Oakland means you can stay in San Francisco. Don’t sleep on Minneapolis which is a wonderful city, even when it’s cold.

Buddy: Scherzer is still great obviously, but lefties roughed him up a bit this year. Any concern on your end?
Keith Law: Not yet. One-year platoon splits can be misleading.

Joey Joe Joe: Jakson Reetz back to being a prospect?
Keith Law: Not really.

Jeff: A lot of comparisons between Judge and Alonso – is Judge the better overall player?
Keith Law: Fully healthy, yes.

Zach: Re: Meal Prep. I used meal prep in the past to learn new recipes and/or cooking techniques. Not to use 52 weeks a year. Sometimes cookbooks can be too intimidating, it’s different when the ingredients are already there and you’re “forced” to try
Keith Law: Great point. I’m never going to shame anyone for cooking their way and not “my” way. Hell, my way is a bit over the top because I work from home and I can start dinner at 2 pm if I want.

Nick: Fan of The Good Place? Final season premier tonight!
Keith Law: I am, but haven’t watched S3 yet. That’s a show I have to binge … the episode cliffhangers stress me out.

Todd: If you think billionaires should exist, something inside you is broken
Keith Law: That’s not helpful either. There is actual research on the harm of income inequality, such as in rising crime rates, but simply attacking billionaires for being billionaires isn’t going to change anyone’s minds.

dave: whens the last time a team had a 1-2 punch like the stros do/ are they WS faves for you?
Keith Law: I would pick them right now but I don’t really think there’s such a thing as a playoff “favorite” since any team that gets into the playoffs can win, and statements about any team being much more likely than another one to win a series/the whole thing are not supported by history.

Buddy: Whatever you decide, PLEASE keep these chats going next year and beyond.
Keith Law: They’ll still be here, trust me.

Jeff: Is Mike Trout the best player you’ve ever seen in all your years of doing this?
Keith Law: Yes.

Mevo: If you are Theo Epstein, would you trade Biaz for luis Severino 1 for 1? Would yanks do that?
Keith Law: I wouldn’t trade for Severino coming off a year where he had a significant shoulder issue.

Buddy: Doesn’t “utterly” mean the same thing as “completely”?
Keith Law: Totally.

Cameron: I asked on periscope what the best restaurant in Houston was and I didn’t write it down and slipped my mind. Can you remind me, please. Thanks.
Keith Law: Xochi. Get the duck and the chocolate river/rocks thing.

Jon: FWIW, I just red Tom Cotton said “no comment” on the allegation of WH trying to bury the report. The fact that a guy like him didn’t jump to “this is all a farse by the democrats to renew the mueller report” is, in my view, a little telling that this is a bigger deal.
Keith Law: That’s interesting. Also, Red Tom Cotton is a pretty good nickname.

Andy: LOL@ Tigers not having draft busts. It was only 22 years ago that 1-1 in the draft was a relief pitcher.
Keith Law: Yeah and they’ve whiffed on a lot of high picks. Scott Moore. Jacob Turner.

Robbie: Hey Keith, appreciate the chat as always. Do you see there being anyone in the braves minor league system with the potential to be a star outside of Pache?
Keith Law: Sure, several guys. Waters maybe, although I’m a little lighter on him with his low walk rate. Contreras could be. One of those pitchers has to be a star … it would be improbable that none of them turns out to be more than an average starter.

JP: Report on Jaleo….amazing (and pricey, obviously). Croquetas, gambas al ajillo, and chorizo were all out of this world, along with the spanish wine. disappointed we didn’t get the paella. highly recommend.
Keith Law: Dying to get down there to support Chef Andres.

Craig: You’ve talked about guys that you got wrong. Which scouting report are you most proud of, where you nailed a guy’s potential (or lack thereof) exactly, while most of the industry was wrong?
Keith Law: Part of why I don’t love talking about that is that so many are of the form that I said a player wasn’t good, got shit for it, and was right. It feels a bit tacky. I am pleased to see Lucas Giolito justify my long-held faith in him, or Jorge Soler finally show at least some of the potential I saw from him back in the AZL.

Diamondbacks: Purely scouting the stat line here, but Jamie Westbrook in the DBacks system put up some pretty good numbers. Very little out there about him though…what’s the story? He’s 25, so maybe a little old for his level. Is he a butcher in the field or something?
Keith Law: Doesn’t really have a position, not a good swing either.

John: What position is Devers long term?
Keith Law: Third base.

Joe: Better than Bonds?
Keith Law: Bonds was already huge when I saw him, and no longer the elite defender he was in the 1990s.

Chris: Your readers enjoy these chats. But why do you?
Keith Law: Why not? It’s fun to talk to you guys (most of you guys, at least!). I get to crack jokes and answer questions that many of you have, and sometimes I learn stuff too, or get ideas for future content. It is tiring, because I have to be “on” for an hour or more, but I do enjoy them.

Ted: More likely to get more starts in the Rangers rotation next year? Brock Burke or Palumbo?
Keith Law: I feel like both guys get 20+ starts.

Tim Robinson: The President basically suggested the whistleblower and source should be killed. Perfectly normal Thursday here.
Keith Law: Yep. And, again, the GOP falls in line. Mo Brooks did. Thom Tillis did. It’s astonishing.

Adam: You should try Crujiente while youre in PHX. Best Tacos I have ever had!
Keith Law: I tried to get there in the spring but there was something … maybe weird hours? … that prevented me. Thanks.

Jeff: Any general advice for a new parent?
Keith Law: Buy “The Happiest Baby on the Block.” And try to get whatever sleep you can. My ex-wife and I eventually settled on alternating nights – I would feed our daughter one night, she would feed her the next – so every night somebody got something approximating a full night of sleep. It worked for us; experiment and figure out what works for you.

Eric: The New York Times just basically gave really specific identifying information about the whistleblower. Dean Baquet should be ashamed of himself for putting that info in the paper of record.
Keith Law: I’ll add it to the list of things Baquet should be ashamed of, behind employing Bret Stephens and Bari Weiss for their opinions.

Andy: Your long-time readers remember the ones you got crap about for saying they weren’t very good. Junior Lake is dominating the Mexican League though.
Keith Law: Yep. Not the only Cub on that secret list of mine, either.

Eric: Advice for a new parent: onesies are stretchy at the top so they can be put on/taken off from the bottom without having to go over the head. helps a lot when a newborn is sleeping.
Keith Law: Oh god, I forgot about onesies…
Keith Law: My daughter is 13, folks. Longtime readers probably remember me talking about her when she was a baby, doing chats while she napped. They grow up fast.

Eric: I don’t know a “Bret Stephens.” Only a “Bedbug Stephens.”
Keith Law: Yep, my mistake. That’s the guy.
Keith Law: Thanks for all the questions this week! I will try to do one more next week and then skip the week I’m in Arizona. I am buried in book-writing right now – past 3/4 of my word count, at least – but I’m trying to at least keep to a regular chat/Periscope schedule for the time being. Enjoy this last weekend of regular-season baseball!