Klawchat 11/6/15.

My top 50 free agent rankings are up for Insiders.

Klaw: Too late to beg you or cancel it, though I know it must be Klawchat time.

David (Fort Worth, TX): If offered will Gallardo be the 1st to ever accept the Qualifying Offer?
Klaw: I’m thinking Estrada might be the first to accept. If anyone makes him a better offer, I hope they have some prayer beads.

George Evanko: What, in your opinion, is Lucas Giolito’s ETA in the big leagues? And how does he compare in terms of long-range career projections and immediate impact to Harvey, deGrom, and Syndegaard?
Klaw: Mid-2016. I think he could help sooner, but there’s no reason to rush him and there are things he could still work on (e.g., command and feel for the changeup).

Zack: On the 20-80 scale, how would you rate your arrogance? Advance scouts are saying you’re a first ballot HOF.
Klaw: Big talk from a guy who obviously doesn’t know what advance scouts do (or that they barely exist any more).

Marc (Las Vegas): I have a quick book question for you as you read about as often as anyone I am personally aware of. I love reading, but have a tendency to become extremely tired within the first 10-15 pages. Even if the material is right up my alley I just can’t seem to avoid this. Any chance you have any advice on overcoming this and being able to actually enjoy the books I read without being half asleep? Thanks again and your chats are as insightful plus entertaining as anyone out there.
Klaw: No joke: Better lighting. And try getting more sleep in general, of course, but I’ve noticed (as someone who can often fall asleep at the drop of a hat) that lighting makes a huge difference.

Jack: If you were a GM would you ever sign a top 25 free agent? I don’t disagree with your assessments, but your ideal contracts are very far below what they will actually receive. If there’s a good fit for a winning team do you just need to bite the bullet and realize you’re getting ripped off?
Klaw: Those numbers I offer are pretty abstract because the marginal revenue product of a win varies from team to team. If you’re the GM of an 87-win team on paper, adding a six-win player is worth a hell of a lot more to you than that same player is to a GM of a 70-win team. And market size matters too, and revenue elasticity relative to win total. Add to that the winner’s curse – in an open auction, the bidder with the most optimistic (and therefore likely too favorable) projection is the probable winner – and you will find nearly all of my “recommendations” are lower than the actual market values.

Owen (London): Hello Keith- While the Lerners seem to make their fair share of new owner mistakes, shouldn’t we give them credit for batting .500 in minority hires for manager ? That comes with the obvious caveat that it appears Bud Black was offered the job first but when that fell through they didn’t try to lure Davey Johnson back and win a PR exercise. It would be nice if other clubs did more than just go through the motions.
Klaw: I have no complaint with that. But how about giving one of the many qualified, not-famous managerial candidates of color a chance, rather than the guy who has shown no ability to improve or adjust over his last three jobs?

Nick (DC): Yesterday in his introductory press conference, Dusty Baker said: “Supposedly I ruined [Cubs pitcher Mark] Prior. There was no such things as pitch counts, and we had unwritten pitch counts ourselves.” No one called him out on this, but I find it hard to believe that in 2003, pitch counts were not on everyone’s radar as a major concern. Any thoughts on this?
Klaw: There were absolutely pitch counts, and Dusty ignored them. Worse, in my mind, is that game 6 when Prior was visibly laboring in the 7th and Dusty sent him out for the 8th with no one up in the pen. If you couldn’t see that Prior was done, you can’t manage a team.

Brady: Not a question, but I was worried you left ESPN. No chats on there any more and no content for a bit until the organizational rankings. Glad you’re not gone and that I found this chat. Can you post something on ESPN telling people where to find your chats? Thanks!
Klaw: I’ve been chatting here for two months, but since I don’t have any editorial control at ESPN (I don’t even post my own articles), I can’t help you with the latter point.

Dan K.: I know you were high on soler’s upside. Do you still feel the same after watching his defense this past year? Would you trade him if you were the Cubs for pitching? Thanks for your great insight.
Klaw: Still a big believer in the offensive upside. Defense has been less than expected. I would be willing to make him, Baez, Castro available in trades just because I think they have a surplus of bats.

Andrew: Overall thoughts on Reds naming Dick Williams GM ? I know Walt will still be in an “advisory role”. Have you had any interactions or what others are saying about the move ? Thanks !
Klaw: Don’t think there’s any substantial change in direction there, although it does allow them to skip a full GM search next offseason when Jocketty was expected to retire.

James: Hey Keith thanks for the chats, I’ve always loved them. So Dave Cameron predicted the Rangers sign Yoenis Cespedes for a huge deal, but do you really see them adding another 100 million dollar player to their roster? I mean it’s impossible to get rid of Fielder’s deal, and Choo’s in the same boat it seems.
Klaw: I wouldn’t recommend they do so given the presence of Mazara, Brinson, and perhaps Gallo as cheap, productive outfield options.

Tyson: How much is a prospect’s stock affected by how well they do in the AFL?
Klaw: For a significant prospect, not at all. For a fringe guy – maybe someone you’re considering protecting from the rule 5 draft – it can make a difference because scouts are bearing down a little more. Most AFL scouts have lists from their teams of guys to focus on because they might be exposed to the rule 5 or otherwise available in trade.

Anthony: Recommended course of action for the Mets this offseason? I presume it doesn’t include resigning golfing enthusiast Yoenis Cespedes or GLAAD award nominee Daniel Murphy, right?
Klaw: Nope, but spending on one bat wouldn’t be the worst idea. The problem I see is where: You probably want Herrera at 2b, Conforto and Granderson are locked in the corners, finding a CF who’s a real upgrade over a healthy Lagares (grade 80 defense with a smidgen of bat) isn’t easy. Shortstop isn’t easy to upgrade either.

Konk: Didn’t know you were into craft beer. Your stock is rising Mr. Law
Klaw: Zack the Coward thinks I should only drink Arrogant Bastard, though.

Aaron (Texas): KLAW, how did the “bathroom” scare tactic obtain almost 2/3rd of all votes? Also what are your thoughts on turducken?
Klaw: Because there are a lot of bigots out there and equal rights should NEVER be up for a popular vote. Turducken is an abomination, though, no matter which bathroom it uses.

Hermione G: What is the best thing to cook in a slow cooker? And why don’t you post the recipe for that pie you use as your twitter avatar?
Klaw: The pie is the peach pie from Baking Illustrated, and the easiest/best slow cooker meal is carnitas – slice some onions, season a boneless pork butt (shoulder), rest it on the onions in the slow cooker and give it 6-8 hours on low.

Alex: Is this the year someone accepts a QO and if so who do you think is the most likely to do so?
Klaw: Yes, see above.

Ivan: Will Hayward get interest from teams looking for a center fielder
Klaw: Yes, but I would not sign him there. I think you’re giving up a huge advantage from having his glove in RF and I would worry about him staying healthy in CF as well as he’s done so in right.

Derek: Would Melvin Upton’s poor performance the last few years give you any pause in signing Justin Upton at a similar age? One part of the process is looking for comps, and there are plenty of reasons to think Melvin and Justin aren’t good comps. But isn’t it possible that the bloodline provides some insight into aging that we might not get from using statistically similar comps? What I’m saying is not that Justin is going to play like Melvin, but that maybe Melvin’s experience should cause us to think Justin might “get old” faster than some of his similar comps.
Klaw: I believe a huge part of Melvin’s problem was Atlanta’s hitting coaches, who screwed up quite a few fine young players through 2014, including Heyward and Justin too. Melvin actually had a decent season for San Diego, I think his best since before he left Tampa.

Brian: Loved a Confederacy of Dunces. Any similar books you would recommend? Ever read Lucky Jim? Thanks!
Klaw: Loved both. ACoD stands a bit alone in that I’m not sure I’ve ever read anything quite like it, but I think Infinite Jest, Inherent Vice, and some of Philip K. Dick’s works have similar elements.

Kyle: I may have missed this, but what are you reactions on the M’s front office moves? After such a horrible string of player development, I have to admit that I’m excited. Thanks!
Klaw: Progress, certainly. Tom Allison deserved another shot to oversee amateur scouting; his results in Arizona were good then and only look better in hindsight. I know nothing about the guy they hired to oversee player development. I also know they let some good people go in the shuffle this summer and fall.

Chris: Please rank these options for next year at Mets SS: Tejada, Drew, Rollins.
Klaw: Tejada, no, no.

Mike: Joey Bats trade value will never be higher, do you think Shapiro would trade him to restock the farm System based on his comments.
Klaw: I speculated that on TSN 1050 the other day. You’re not re-signing him or Edwin, so do you trade one for prospects, or do you just ride out the window and go for it one more time? I’d choose the latter. I think Shapiro would choose the former.

Tom: When Klentak says the Phils need to strengthen their pitching as step #1, aside from their arms getting promoted here and there would that include some fliers on mid level guys like bringing Happ back? Based on your description on his presumed price/commitment and potential to firm up positive results from last year is that the kind of arm we’re looking at? Does Thompson get called up sooner rather than later to the big league rotation?
Klaw: I think that’s exactly the kind of move they’d make – sign some depth guys without big upside but who won’t hurt financially, maybe adding one more significant starter to a 3-4 year deal who’ll still be able to help when the big club is better. I don’t think Thompson will be rushed in that scenario, especially with Nola and Eickhoff probably locked into rotation spots.

Silv: In anticipating the Dodgers offseason plans as to pitching a couple of weeks ago you neglected to include Ryu’s return at (anticipated) full strength in 2016. Given that, and making the reasonable assumption that Greinke is resigned, do they really need to put added dollars into Kershaw/Greinke/Ryu/Wood/McCarthy? Lee, Bolsinger, and even potentially DeLeon and Urias are there if anyone falters. This also goes into my question as to how much roster flexibility the Dodgers actually have? Peraza and Seager seem locked at 2b and SS for 2016 (assuming Kendrick doesn’t accept the QO, which he won’t). If they can’t move an OF or find a substantial upgrade at 3b (and Turner is pretty much fine there), do you see them completing any material transactions?
Klaw: I didn’t neglect him; I wouldn’t count on Ryu at all. He had surgery to fix a torn labrum, not TJ, and if he comes back with less velocity he’s not going to be close to his prior level of production. I also don’t think Lee or Urias is likely to contribute anything in 2016, and McCarthy may be back in late April but I wouldn’t pencil him in for 27-28 starts in his first year back. They absolutely need some depth. I could also see them upgrading the outfield and wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if they traded Puig.

Anonymous: I realize it is early, but what is Dylan Cease’s ceiling and probability? Thanks Keith!
Klaw: Number two starter, still a long way off especially due to command.

Dave: Is it frustrating that you basically have to re-write your Top 50 Free Agent intro to answer questions about it right after posting it?
Klaw: No one ever reads the intro, ever.

Derek Harvey: Last week you said you think Josh Hader is a reliever. Is that because he doesn’t have a good change-up? His command? His delivery/mechanics? Something else?
Klaw: Delivery/mechanics. He’s a max effort near-sidearmer.

Tom: Do you have any information on what Bud Black was asking for and what the Nats offered that they could not reach a deal? I cannot remember anything like this happening in the past. Thanks.
Klaw:All secondhand info, but it sounds like the Nats lowballed him and he justifiably balked.

Rob: Did you ever read Grantland? And, if so, what were your favorite aspects of the site?
Klaw:Sometimes, but never their sports stuff – only the pop culture and entertainment material. I loved the concept of the site – hire good writers and let them go long, rather than hewing to the dead model of column-inches as a scarce resource – but if it wasn’t profitable, I can’t blame my employer for shutting it down. (Disclaimer: I know nothing of Grantland’s financials beyond what’s public.) I feel terrible for the writers affected, though. In a tough environment for professional writers, watching a good, seemingly secure job vanish in a matter of months has to be devastating.

Bill: Unfortunately, when you reference a previous chat answer we have to “see below.” Any chance you could fix the direction of the scroll?
Klaw:I can’t – not my software. I post a full text-only transcript after the chat is done.

Kingpin: Did you get to see Patrick Wisdom? Derrick Goold reported that Wisdom had made significant swing changes. If you observed Wisdom, do the changes make a huge difference? Is he still a fringy, at best, prospect?
Klaw:Yes. Not good.

Michael: I’m pro-LGBT rights, but equal rights should never be put up for a vote?! America’s foundation–both good and bad–is built on letting the people decide for themselves.
Klaw:No. We’re a republic, not a direct democracy. Besides, the 14th Amendment kind of cleared this up forever: Everyone gets equal protection under the law.

MJ: Was Juan Uribe considered for the back end of the top 50? What are your thoughts on him as a player and prediction for the deal he’ll sign (and team)?
Klaw:No, because it’s all character and makeup but no production. I’d hire him as a bench coach straight off, though.

Huh?: Bad contract swap: Bourn, Swisher, Maybin for Hanley? Boston takes on more money but for only this year while Braves take the 3 remaining years of Hanley.
Klaw:Maybin’s isn’t a bad contract.

DO: I’ve seen varying reports on Moncada’s timeline — some say not until 2017-2018. Is it possible that he could get to the big club at the end of 2016 (provided he gets to at least AA)?
Klaw:It’s the “provided he gets to at least AA” part that stops me. He’s not that advanced yet, and he might just get to AA and stop there in 2016. He didn’t tear the Sally League apart, and while I still rate him very highly as a prospect I have no tangible reason to forecast a big step forward in productivity (or just in approach) now.

Tito: Klaw, if you had to pick between Gleyber Torres and Franklin Barreto for the first 6 years of their major league careers is one a better choice than the other? Who has more offensive upside?
Klaw:Torres has more overall upside, Barreto has more of a now hit tool.

Scherzer’s Blue Eye: What’s your opinion of Anthopolus trading the farm this past year?
Klaw:All good with me. You trade the farm to put your team in the playoffs. You don’t trade the farm to save your job or make a bad club mediocre.

Patrick: Will this Mets generation of pitchers redefine pitching for the next century?
Klaw:This pretty much never works out, right? Atlanta’s big 3 is the last example, and even they were the big 2 for a while when Smoltz got hurt and went to the pen.

Dave: Were you to be the GM of the Red Sox, what is the approach to adding pitching this offseason? One “ace” and fill out the rest with their in house options, or trade/sign 2 front line starters?
Klaw:Sign one, trade all this offensive depth for one.

Hugo Z: Melvin’s OPS in the first two months of his first season with Atlanta was .476. Those coaches must be fast workers.
Klaw:They altered his swing right away, that first spring training.

Jay: Sorry…but I lost track of your chats while moving and traveling for the past six months. I found this on FB…is this the place to look?
Klaw:All chats are here now. Click the “klawchat” tag below this post to get the archive of all of the past ones (I think this is the 9th one since we moved here).

Bob: In games 1 and 2 of the WS, the Mets seemed not to make pitching adjustments against KC. Only two Ks for each starter and the constant contact by Royals’ hitters eventually turned into runs. In game 5, Harvey seemed to make adjustments and pitched a shutout through 8 with 9Ks. Surely, advanced scouting had prepared them for the way that KC hits. Why were they unable to make those adjustments ahead of time? That may have been the key factor in the WS. Do you agree?
Klaw:I don’t agree. If it were that simple…

Tommy: Klaw I saw Harrison Bader hit some this season… He looks like he could be an impact hitter…Am I what you call a bad scout or does he look like a good hitter?
Klaw:I was not a big fan – saw a very stiff body and just adequate bat speed.

Jimmy: Dombrowski is talking about bringing Barnes in as a reliever in 2016. Is that a good move?
Klaw:Yep, two-pitch guy who throws a lot of strikes, should succeed there. But I also think he could have value as a starter for another team.

Allan: Would you skip High Desert with Luis Ortiz and Dillon Tate? Or would experience in that environment benefit them?
Klaw:It might help them the way Mark Watney’s experience helped him.

Fred: Is Miller for Karns an equal opportunistic swap for both parties involved? (No tread on the other guys)
Klaw:Seattle got the best guy (Karns). Rays filled two, possibly three smaller holes on the roster and had the depth to deal Karns. Seems reasonable for both sides, if not very significant.

JR: I realize you don’t watch much TV, but I would highly recommend adding Fargo Season 1 and Season 2 to your list – it’s a really, really good show.
Klaw:No interest. I didn’t love the movie … very well done and smart, but so grim and misanthropic.

AN: This is a few years old so you may have already read it: http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/the-curse-of-reading-and-forgetting I thought of how much you read in a given year while reading it and wondered whether you experienced forgetting something you’d read pretty recently given how much you read? Is it something that concerns you? Lastly, Span to the Mets make any sense?
Klaw:I keep (mentally) what I enjoy, and forget what I don’t. It’s not a system, but just how my head works. Span to the Mets might make sense on paper but if his medicals give the team any pause about him staying in CF I’d stay away.

George: Another Nats prospect: Victor Robles. What are your thoughts on him?
Klaw:Haven’t seen but have gotten rave reports. I wrote a sentence or two on him in the Future Power Rankings.

Rob: What would the White Sox need to give up to get Profar (assuming he’s possibly available).
Klaw:I don’t believe he’s available at all, but if he were, hypothetically, I’d probably ask for Rodon (and expect to be shot down).

Michael: If the Jays made Osuna a starter, how quickly do you think he could get back to the big leagues?
Klaw:Midyear? I think the year closing would prove to be very valuable experience, but I would also be ultra-cautious in stretching him back out. That’s a great arm that has already blown out once.

Ray: How many “scout wanna be’s” do you see when you are scouting? Are there people that want to be a scout traveling the country or just local games?
Klaw:Not that many. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be a scout, certainly, but yes, I do see folks who are trying to play the role.

Casey: Did you get a chance to take a look at Chad Pinder and/or Renato Nunez? Thoughts?
Klaw:Pinder looked like a 4A guy. Nunez still has a chance to be an everyday player thanks to the pop.

Roy: Was it a mistake for me to pre-order an Anderson Espinoza Jersey last week??
Klaw:Nah, you should be good.

Steve: Enjoyed the Top 50, as I do every year. Quick questions: Assuming no Maeda because we don’t know if he’ll be posted? And do you not think David Freese is worth even a few million dollars on a one-year deal?
Klaw:What little info I have made me think he won’t be posted. There are a lot of guys who didn’t make the 50 but would be worth that 1 year/$3 million or so hypothetical offer I suggested.

Ben: Any thoughts on Peet’s buying up Intelligentsia?
Klaw:It’ll be in the Saturday links post (and they only bought a majority share).

Gus: Keith, this year will be the first that I am deep frying a turkey for Thanksgiving. Have you done so before and do you have any tips/recommendations (aside from defrosting the turkey)?
Klaw:Yeah. Get a good fire extinguisher and don’t do this anywhere near the house. I’ve never done it because I don’t want to burn anything down.

Mark: You have mentioned many times how the Jays’ shortening of Sanchez’s stride has resulted in higher effort and less command. Two questions, 1) why do you think they made the change and 2) does this make it less likely for him to be a viable starter long term?
Klaw:I don’t know if they did it or he did it, and I really don’t know why he hasn’t changed it. You don’t see short-stride starters stay healthy.

smith: Eduardo Rodriguez. Possible #1, 2? something else?
Klaw:It’s ace stuff. I think he will get there in time.

Bob: Who makes a good scout? Former players? Former coaches? Or just people with good observational skills? I doubt that I could do it, but I’m not sure what kind of mind works.
Klaw:I think good observational skills, critical thinking, and an understanding of the vagaries of “the game” are all key. You don’t have to have played, but of course I’ll say that as someone who probably couldn’t turn on a 40 mph fastball.

Mike P.: If Alfaro doesn’t stay at catcher, where could you see him playing? I’ve heard “too athletic for 1B” a couple of times – so I’m just curious where else you could see him playing?
Klaw:I’d put him in right field. He’s still not that great a receiver.

Kevin: A couple years ago you had Montreal Robertson as a sleeper for the Tigers. He is older now (26 I believe) but seems to had a bit of a comeback after a very rough minor league start. Have you seen him at all and think he still has a shot as an effective bullpen arm in the next couple seasons?
Klaw:Saw him, great great stuff, below-average command.

Michael: Do you ever read a book, such as a classic, just because you think you should read it? Plenty of classics imo are boring (see Moby Dick and A Tale of Two Cities), but I still feel somewhat obligated to read them.
Klaw:I’ve read a ton of them – I was going to say “most” but I don’t know what the actual total list would be – and some turned out to be shockingly good (Return of the Native, Middlemarch) while some were abysmal (Moby Dick, An American Tragedy).

Andy: One of the things that I noticed most about Kang in spring training and from reading about him in Korea, he had really good power to right center. Does Park have that or is he all pull power?
Klaw:Looks like more pull power.

Owen: In response to Gus about the turkey; heat your oil to 400 degrees before (slowly) lowering the turkey in – that will keep the skin crisp and non-greasy. I fry one every year.
Klaw:Thanks. BTW, I assume “Gus” was a reference to Delirious. It’s my house…

Joel: It seems almost inevitable that Grienke goes back to the dodgers but don’t the Giants have to be involved if nothing else but to drive up the price the dodgers have to pay?
Klaw:Every team that is near contention and needs a starter should be involved. So, not the Mets, but every other contender.

Tom: I understand the need to be patient but for a big market team with a much improved farm system when do you think it’s advantageous for the Phillies to go for it in free agency? Not trading prospects but make moves that get them closer to an 80 win non embarrassment as they wait for the kids. This offseason or 2017?
Klaw:Be opportunistic now, “go for it” after 2017 probably when more of the kids have arrived and started to establish themselves.

Jack: Cecchini/Herrera middle infield by the All Star Break?
Klaw:I like Cecchini, but if his throwing doesn’t get to be more consistent they’ll hesitate to hand him the shortstop job. He’s definitely feeling for the ball a little bit.

JR: In 2012 when you wrote your “re-draft of the 2002 draft” (one of my favorite annual columns, btw), you wrote something to the effect that Kazmir was done (not criticizing as that was the common view at the time). How impressive has his comeback been these last few seasons? He’s gone from being toast to being on your top free agent rankings and will be getting one more nice payday. Impressive.
Klaw:Absolutely unbelievable – and a great story. BTW, that’s a completely fair criticism. I said he was done, and he wasn’t. I don’t feel bad about that mistake, because how on earth would I have foreseen it … but holy cow, he’s remade himself completely AND seems to have gotten over some chronic arm problems too.

Ray: Alex Verdugo: org guy, avg big leaguer or future all star?
Klaw:Huge beta. If he’s a big leaguer he’s probably an above-average one (or more).

Tom: When teams sign players in their 30s to 7-10 year contracts, is their logic that they are paying a total sum rather than thinking they’re going to get actual value from the players in the last few years of the contract?
Klaw:Yes, but they can’t even think of it as “logic,” right? Those deals don’t work out and often you’re fired or gone before the deal even hits the midpoint. Jack Z won’t be around for years 3-10 of Cano, and DiPoto will have that but won’t have years 6-10 of Pujols

Gus: Would you say that deGrom was the Mets best starter this year, Harvey will probably be the best in 2016 but Thor has the potential to be the best of the 3?
Klaw:I think that’s a reasonable possibility, but if you asked me which guy I think provides the most total value over the next five years I’d take Harvey.

Michael: You are outspoken about violence against women. How do you view a person like Patrick Kane after his accuser refused to go forward with the case and there isn’t too much public evidence?
Klaw:My personal opinion is that the vast majority of rape accusations are true (the false accusation rate isn’t known precisely but is somewhere under 5%), rapes are underprosecuted to begin with and are difficult to prove, so in any specific case I’m more likely to assume guilt than innocence. To put it another way, I think the guy walking around two weeks ago at Epcot in a Patrick Kane jersey (while charges were still possible) was being an asshole..

Andy: So Clippard pitched 32 innings of perfectly fine relief ball for the Mets and 7 innings of poor relief in the playoffs. It’s odd there were people arguing that trading a pitching prospect for that wasn’t overpaying.
Klaw:You said it, not me. 0.2 rWAR, too.

Rob K: Mets added Josh Smoker to the 40 man. Possible he starts the year in the big league pen?
Klaw:Another great story, BTW. I assume it’s a possibility entering spring training, depending on how he pitches.

Sean: No Aoki or Byrd in the FA rankings, were their options declined too late to be ranked, or neither made your top 50?
Klaw:Neither made it. Aoki would have fit, Byrd no.

Ray: Who has the better career: Nick Williams or Brett Phillips?
Klaw:I’ll take Phillips. Big fan of that toolset and makeup.

Bob: If Shapiro trades major league talent to restock the farm, then he is not only repudiated AA’s work, but is punting on 2016. They were so close in 2015. I think I would be upset if I were a Toronto fan.
Klaw:Absolutely you should be. This process was poorly handled from the start.

Chris: Is Mickey Jannis any good? I’m hoping he has some Dickey in him!
Klaw:I didn’t think so – but knuckleballer development is like quantum entanglement. Even people who understand that stuff don’t always know exactly how it works.

Kevin:
What moves would you make to help improve the Padres? Is there hope in the near term?
Klaw:Get a shortstop and a centerfielder, get some balance in the lineup, either play Hedges or send him to AAA every day, see if you can trade Shields for a few (lesser) individual pieces and try to develop some of your own starters again since your home environment is so favorable.

Michael: It was a long time ago, but did you get a sense that any of the corporate suits at Rogers knew anything about baseball? That’s my fear as a Jays fan…
Klaw:No but they left us – really, Paul Godfrey and JP Ricciardi, not me – alone.

Adam: Is Pierce Johnson destined for bullpen duty?
Klaw:IMO yes.

Corey: Gordon worth giving up the 12th pick if you’re Boston? and then including JBJ in a trade for pitching ?
Klaw:I hate giving up draft picks … but if you’re going to give one up, maybe do it for a top-end starter? That seems like a bigger need.

Kevin: Does Michael Fulmer have a #1 starter ceiling, or is that a bit bullish?
Klaw:I think a #2 is more realistic.

Franklin: Do you see S.F.’s refusal to pick up the options on both Aoki and Byrd a sign that they are going to be in the market for a bat like J. Upton or Heyward?
Klaw:I read it as a recognition that neither guy was likely to be worth the cost. Byrd especially seems to me like a guy who’s nearly out of value.

Anthony: I was surprised to see that Soria didn’t make your Top 50 Free Agents list. Is he really not a better player than Rich Hill?
Klaw:Soria was down across the board this year – stuff and results. I gave him a lot of consideration but couldn’t put him in the top 50. I think I was quite clear on what Rich Hill is (or, that we have no freaking idea what he is).

Ian: Have you read Kenji Lopez Alt’s article on spatchcocking a Turkey? Having successfully tried that approach with a chicken, I would imagine its equally as impressive with a turkey. Have you tried anything similar?
Klaw:No but I think I’m going to do this for Thanksgiving now, since I am feeding more people than usual and will want more empty oven time.

Esau: Carson Fulmer, Dillon Tate, Blake Snell, Sean Newcomb. What order would you rank them as future starters?
Klaw:Snell, Newcomb, Tate. Fulmer is a very very likely reliever for me. Yes, I’ve said the same on others who made it as starters … but I still can’t believe that high-effort delivery and lack of command is going to work in the rotation.

Scott: The Padres had Trea Turner………………..ugh!!!!!!
Klaw:Yes, yes they did. That’s all for this week. Our chat has ended, let us go in peace. I’ll see you all next Thursday (most likely).