Klawchat 11/12/15.

My analysis of the Yanks/Twins trade is up for Insiders, as is my buyers’ guide to starting pitchers. As always, questions go in the box here, not in the comments. Thanks!

Klaw: If there’s a new way, I’ll be the first in line. Klawchat.

Brandon: What do the Angels have to give up to land Tehran? Seems like a GREAT buy low guy.
Klaw: What do they have to go get anyone other than Newcomb? System is very thin and much of what’s good is so far away that the trade value is limited.

Nick: What type of ceiling offensively do you see for Conforto?
Klaw: .300+ average, 20 or so HR, high high OBPs. I think he’s a hell of a hitter.

Kevin: What do you think of the return the Padres got for Benoit? Is Nelson Ward a legit SS prospect?
Klaw: Very meh. Ward played six games at short all year, by the way. He’s a 2b.

James: How ridiculous is Simmons not winning the gold glove?
Klaw: Almost as ridiculous as caring about the Gold Gloves. I gave up on them.

Patrick: What’s keeping Christian Colon from being an everyday 2nd baseman? Not consistent enough stick?
Klaw: Yes. Although those high-contact no-power guys often hit their way into more regular playing time.

John: Is Herrera a reasonable upgrade at 2B for the Mets?
Klaw: I think so; what I saw of him in the minors told me he’d be an above-average defender at 2b, but he was erratic in the majors when he played there.

Dan: Not a question, but want to point out to those that call you arrogant that you listed Schilling on your fake HOF ballot. You personally oppose many of his viewpoints (and have had repercussions because of it) yet you are able to put that aside and recognize his accomplishments.
Klaw: I appreciate that, but people who call me this or that aren’t going to change their opinions based on facts because their original opinions weren’t based on facts either.

Addoeh: So no Math 55?
Klaw: Math 21 (multivariate calc with vectors) was it for me. I regret it – I would have enjoyed more math classes but felt burned out on math after HS and didn’t fully grasp what other areas of math (e.g., number theory, topology,, statistics) were out there to study.

Marshall: Speaking of political philosophy, can you recall a presidential primary so devoid of facts as what we have seen thus far on the Republican side?
Klaw: Are any of them ever built around facts? It’s more rhetoric and sound bytes, right?

Jason: Are the Braves truly and honestly rebuilding? Or is there a sense that Liberty Media is in cost cutting mode and mandating some of these trades?
Klaw: They’re rebuilding. I have talked to lots of folks there and no one has said anything about ownership mandating cost cutting.

Sean: 50 games for smoking pot? That has to be one of the most ridiculous things I’ve heard in a long time.
Klaw: And only for minor leaguers. I don’t get why MLB wanted it, or why the MLBPA signed off on it. If they want to come down harder on cocaine, I’d be fine with that – use that and you’re a serious danger to yourself and possibly your teammates, and it can clearly affect your performance negatively. Marijuana? Not so much. And it’s increasingly legal across the states.

Owen (London): What actually gets asked in managerial interviews ? Are GMs and owners looking for dazzling examples of in-game acumen or are they sounding out guys who agree to give good copy and toe the line ? In other words, what magic sentence did Dusty utter to land the gig ? I’m still baffled.
Klaw: I don’t know what exactly is asked, but a lot of those interviews are just eyewash – they’ve already decided who they want to hire, but have to go through the process for everyone else to see it. I do know a few clubs who ask very specific questions on tactics or on developing players, and I think those folks – Tampa Bay is one certain example – get better results.

Todd: Hardest class you took at Harvard?
Klaw: Never took anything that hard (partly my fault; I didn’t exactly seek out the challenges) but had some that were so excruciatingly boring that I didn’t fare so well. I remember a government (political philosophy) class my freshman year where we had to read the classics of the field – Locke, Rousseau, Mill, Huntington – and for the first and only time in my life, I hated reading.

Scott Upham: Alex Meyer had a trying season in 2015 (being polite). What is his future outlook – closer/reliever or starter?
Klaw: Has to be reliever at least for now.

Pat: Lot of angst about giving up Shelby Miller for Heyward, but what people don’t understand is that Heyward now understands what is means to play for the Cardinals. That has to go a long way in getting a hometown discount. Can you see the Cards getting him and a front line starter like Price if both take a little less to win?
Klaw: Hometown discounts don’t exist, and also, it’s not his hometown – Atlanta is, more or less. And by the way, players can get full freight and still go to a winner. It’s not like Heyward would sign with, say, Boston or the Yankees and never sniff the playoffs again.

Marshall: Adam Brett Walker has immense power, but horrid OBP skills – given his age is there much precedent in him developing that ability enough to be a useful MLB player?
Klaw: I can’t think of an example of one. He’ll get an opportunity, but he won’t succeed barring a huge change in approach.

Sam: Do you think Kelby Tomlinson has the tools to play the outfield as the Giants hope?
Klaw: No, nor do I think he’ll hit enough to play every day.

Jay: Chris Young a perfect Schwarber caddy?
Klaw: Yes, but I wouldn’t want to platoon Schwarber – let him face lefties and learn to hit them.

Jason: Keith, did you see Jacoby Jones in the AFL? What do you think is his ultimate position, IF, OF, or both in some kind of UT?
Klaw: Utility only. Don’t think he’ll hit enough to play anywhere every day. And not a shortstop at all.

Archibald Meatpants: How do most scouts weight fastball velocity vs. fastball movement/command when evaluating pitchers? Just asking, because there are some guys in the upper 90s who seem to get smashed, while other guys really make 91-93 play up.
Klaw: Should be two separate categories. You can have an 80 fastball with 30 life. Seriously, you can have it, because I don’t want it.

Todd Benzinger: Would a Betts for Thor trade work for both sides?
Klaw: That’s a lot better although I’d still rather have Betts.

Glen: Is Ian Clarkin going to turn into a decent starting pitcher?
Klaw: If healthy, he should. Still has the size and the breaking ball. Arm actually works fine. Pitching is brutal, man.

Matt: Would you really consider the White Sox having a “surplus of pitching”? Outside of Sale/Quintana/Rodon there isn’t much quality there, right?
Klaw: When I was doing the starting pitcher trade targets today, one thing became pretty obvious: No one has a surplus of pitching, really. Even the Mets are five deep and only five deep. If someone – I’m not even saying a name, not that I believe in such woo but I don’t want to seem like i’m wishing for it – there gets hurt, who steps in? They’ve traded any possible fill-in starter who was close.

Moose: Is Christian Arroyo for real? MLB comp?
Klaw: Can hit, not a shortstop.

Scarface Joe: What kind of package is Chapman going to bring back? He’s dominant, but it’s one year for a reliever. Who’s the team that pays up for that?
Klaw: Dombrowski? Has to be a team with an ardent desire to win now and willingness to move prospects for immediate value.

mike: Haven’t heard the Russell hot rumor but what dj you think about a quintana for baez package?
Klaw: I would want a little more for the White Sox there. Baez has a very high beta – still a good chance he’s not even a regular. Quintana’s very good and cheap.

Flaming Buns: Let’s say Gray and Sale are truly unavailable. Who’s the most logical young #1 starter target for Boston? Carrasco, Ross, Archer?
Klaw: Carrasco. Not saying he’s AVAILABLE, but that I think they’d listen to a rich offer. That’s a guy I’d go after with Swihart.

Tyler: Did you get a look at Manaea in AZ? Possibility for a midseason call-up?
Klaw: Yes. Better than I’d seen him in July. Check my AFL blog posts for more details.

Ken Rosenthal: Benoit to M’s
Klaw: I had this written for the buyers’ guide for tomorrow (and will now be taking it out of the piece): Benoit is a “good when healthy” guy, although even that underrates him a little since he’s thrown at least 54 innings in six straight seasons, just missing most of the last six weeks of 2014. The Padres picked up his $7.5 million option for 2016, which seems awfully steep for a guy who might be worth a win above replacement if he throws 65 innings, but they may also have figured he has some trade value if they agree to pay a third or so of his salary. He’ll show three above-average pitches, with the changeup plus, and was in the top dozen relievers in the majors for contact rate (according to Fangraphs) in 2015. He’s 38 with quite a bit of mileage on him, but would be an upgrade for a lot of teams in the 8th inning.

Ryan: How would you vote with the 10 person limit? Do you just pick the best 10 or do you try to “game” the system and leave off the sure thing to get some other guys in there?
Klaw: Ten best guys because I think that’s the mandate. I don’t like gaming the system even though the system is a bad joke.

JA: What do you think of Baggarly’s proposed trade of Maybin and Teheran for Pagan, Strickland, Beede, and Williamson?
Klaw: Don’t like it for Atlanta. Beede’s value has dropped with his velocity as he’s now a sinkerballer with poor control.

Glen: Thoughts on Mateo possibly moving to 2nd base?
Klaw: Don’t get it – thought he had at least average defender potential at short, maybe more. Certainly fast enough to play anywhere on the field.

Roddy: I truly believe the White Sox are going to surprise people next year. With a surplus of pitching do you see them moving Quintana? Hot rumor is a trade with the Cubs for Russell to replace Alexei.
Klaw: That’s a hot rumor that makes no sense for the Cubs.

Michael: Is the contract Heyward gets a sort of litmus test for how far sabermetrics have come in front offices? It seems like 10 years ago, he would have been way undervalued.
Klaw: I agree … and I agree.

Joshua: Swihart to Nats for Reynaldo Lopez? Start to a discussion, or a complete hang up?
Klaw: Nowhere near enough for Swihart. I think Lopez is more likely to end up in the pen.

Bruce K: My son is 12 years old and a high level reader. It is tough to find books that challenge him that are still age appropriate. Do you have any suggestions?
Klaw: Running into similar trouble with my daughter. Have you tried Fforde’s Last Dragonslayer? That’s a series now, and the vocab is appropriate.

Tyler: Did the Hall Board reject the increase from 10 to 12 names on the ballot as a backdoor way to make it more difficult for PED guys to get in? Otherwise, I don’t get the “not the right time” talking point.
Klaw: There is no question in my mind that that was their intent. All the more reason for us to vote for Bonds and Clemens!

Chris: Any favorite slow cooker recipes?
Klaw: All questions allowed. Still a big fan of throwing a pork shoulder in there for carnitas. Also love short ribs with dried figs and a bright red wine.

Jack: Just curious, at what point after posting a question should I assume that specific one won’t be answered – 5 minutes or so?
Klaw: I could probably stop taking questions now and be set for the rest of the hour. I see all the questions but can’t possibly answer them all. Sorry.

Georgia: Even taking away the “I won’t vote for him first year” crowd, how does a HOF candidate go from 55% to 75% over a few years? Are voters not taking it seriously? If you think Raines is a HOF guy, or not, it shouldn’t change much this year to next.
Klaw: But it does/has over history. The process is awful, and it allows for way too much wanking by the voters over their own ballots. Part of me would like to get that ten years in and get the ballot. Part of me would like to drive the bulldozer that razes the building to the ground.

Mark in Toronto: Have your thoughts on Rowdy Tellez’s chances changed?
Klaw: You’d know the answer if you read my AFL posts…

Chris: Would you trade Swihart for pitching assuming Vasquez comes back?
Klaw: Yes, if the pitching was high-end enough. I think Swihart has a chance to be a star too, a plus defensive catcher who hits. It may take time to get to that value, and that is the only reason I’d be willing to discuss moving him.

Bob Pollard: Max Kepler – star or just a guy?
Klaw: Chance for a star.

Andy: What are the chances of Bagwell getting into the Hall on this years ballot?
Klaw: I think Piazza and Junior – who, by the way, was well-known within the industry as an unpleasant person (I’m being kind) while he was a player, yet is revered by fans who revile other players of higher character – get in, and Bagwell makes a big move up. Raines is the one who worries me most – he needs a big jump this year to get in spitting distance for the final-year bump.

Scherzer’s Blue Eye: Percentage of GM Speak we should believe: 18%. Over or Under?
Klaw: Under. They have little incentive to tell us the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Michael: A lot of Yankee blogs suggest Gary Sanchez has matured–apparently he had a kid. Is that not what you’re hearing or are you basing your opinion on old reports?
Klaw: If they reported he had a kid I’m sure that’s true. I just saw the guy play in the AFL a few weeks ago, so “old reports” doesn’t apply here.

Haymaker: Cubs and Royals are apparently asking Boston about Jackie Bradley, Jr. Do you think his bat will play at the Big League level long-term? Also, what is your best guess as to what it would take from the Cubs to entice Boston to move him (based on your knowledge of both systems/needs)?
Klaw: I think it’ll play, without much power. He’s better when he stays short to the ball and uses the opposite field. When he gets long to try to hit the ball out, the strikeouts pile up. Maybe eventually he can do it all at the same time, but I haven’t seen any of that from him.

Scott Upham: Which current minor leaguers resemble the Mike Trout- / George Springer / Mookie Betts multi-tool profile?
Klaw: Benintendi has a lot of that – CF, run/power combo, people love the feel to hit, although he doesn’t have the explosive speed of the guys you mentioned. Lewis Brinson comes to mind too.

Gary: I’ve scene you review a lot of sci-fi novels. Have you ever read Asimov’s Foundation trilogy? If so, thoughts? I’m getting ready to start Foundation.
Klaw: Read it in HS and loved it. Books 4 and 5 started to slip and I never read the books in the series by other authors.

Michael: What would you realistically do if Mike Trout did what Jose Reyes allegedly did? Would you actually release or trade the best player?
Klaw: I’d trade him, yes. Or I’d quit. But you all know I’m weird like that.

Jake: Would the Padres look to deal Ian Kennedy if he accepts their QO?
Klaw: They can’t until June 15th.

Alex in Austin: Aoki’s $5.5M option seemed like a given. Instead Giants buy it out for $700k? If you exercise, at worst is that not a tradeable asset?
Klaw: Probably a tick overpriced given age/health concerns (just in the sense that he’s probably not a 140-150 game player). But salaries are moving up so fast that it could end up seeming like fair value by February.

Mike P.: Would you move Giles no matter what? Or only if blown away? And what would it take to be blown away?
Klaw: He’s in tomorrow’s buyers’ guide post. Only if blown away.

Scherzer’s Blue Eye: Can the Nats actually expect to field a lineup that has Taylor, Ramos and Escobar/Espinosa and expect to compete?
Klaw: I have a feeling, based on nothing but my own gut, that they’ll do something in CF. Can’t see them running Taylor’s bat out there every day.

Tim: Did you care for the new Grimes album? Any standouts?
Klaw: Loved it – one of the best of the year. Flesh Without Blood, California, the new version of REALiTi, the title track, Venus Fly all great.

Archie: I know you mentioned him in your write up, but do you think Kepler starts Opening Day now that Hicks is gone?
Klaw: I think he’s ready, and he’s already on the 40-man, and this is the team that pushed Hicks to the majors before he was fully ready (so it’s not like they’re wildly service-time conscious). I think there’s a decent chance, at least.

Bob: Thanks for the board game list. However, I’m suffering form information overload here. My wife dislikes board games because I’m too competitive or they’re too complicated. Knowledge-based games are no good because I know so much strange stuff. Therefore, we haven’t played a new game since Trivial Pursuit. Thoughts on a good two-person game that might bridge the gap?
Klaw: I put a list of the best two-player games below the main list. Start at the top of that and work your way down…

Scott Upham: With Hicks now a Yankee, who is the odd men out in Minnesota’s OF between Buxton, Rosario, Kepler, Arcia et al
Klaw: I think Rosario is probably out, and I would guess Arcia is/ends up on the outside too. A lot depends on whether Sano can handle an outfield corner.

Justin (DC): Love the board game lists. I didn’t see much turnover this year over last year though. I think Broom Service at 17 was the highest new board game. Quiet year, or just the best games are already out there?
Klaw: That’s correct. Broom Service won the Kennerspiel des Jahres, so I’m not alone in thinking it was the best of the year. Nothing came along like Splendor to upend the whole market.

Mike: Mark Simon wrote an article today about a hypothetical Mookie Betts for Matt Harvey swap. Good deal for both sides?
Klaw: I’m not dealing five years of Betts for three of Harvey.

Tim: Noticed you didn’t include Jay Bruce in your outfielders offseason guide. Is his value (with the option) so low that trading him wouldn’t get the Reds a decent (#75-100) prospect in return?
Klaw: He might – those guides aren’t supposed to name every single player who might be traded. I pick a few I find interesting/likely but I will miss a few who get moved.

Busty Daker: What do you think the Dodgers would realistically have to give up to make a Simmons trade happen?
Klaw: I’ve talked to a few folks in Boca who said the Simmons stuff is overblown – everyone’s talking every player, but unless Atlanta gets blown away, he’s probably not going anywhere. His contract is so cheap they really can ask for the sun and the moon – Seager and DeLeon too much? OK, we’ll keep Simmons instead. Thanks.

Michael: Do teams use advanced stats from minor league games or is evaluation 100% based on scouting?
Klaw: Lots of advanced analysis on minor league data going on.

Marshall: A team like Detroit seems to be stuck in a sort of purgatory – not going to win their division, not many good prospects, aging players signed to long contracts. Do they keep spending until the wheels fall off of Miggy, or make everyone (including Miggy) available right now?
Klaw: Sounds like they’ll spend to patch the major-league roster now while slowly trying to build the system back up. Dombrowski viewed the farm strictly as currency for trades. Avila views it as a real farm system, one that should produce players for the major-league roster too.

JA: Would you buy low on Doug Fister? Do you believe he can be a quality starter in the rotation again?
Klaw: I would, but recognize the risk. You could get him and he posts a 6 ERA by mid-May and you have to release him. It’s not likely but it is a nonzero probability outcome.

Geoff: What can you tell us hopeless Rockies fans about Antonio Senzatela? He doesn’t seem to get mentioned with the other promising arms in the system but his stats suggest he should.
Klaw: I had him 14th in their system going into the year. Strike-thrower without great stuff, needs a better swing-and-miss offspeed pitch.

Tom: White Sox do have a pretty decent “surplus” of pitching prospects, no?
Klaw: They do? I’m not sure anyone really has that right now, but I don’t think the White Sox do. Houston would have a good argument that they have the biggest collection of potential SP prospects.

Rich: Another thank you for the board game list, specifically the mention of the games for which quality apps are available. I can’t decide if having my books and games on my iPad is progress, or something else, though.
Klaw: I do both – apps and physical games, dead trees and ebooks. Sometimes the ebook is just cheaper. And you can’t exactly bust out Stone Age on the plane.

Bob: When Houston tanked a couple of years ago, did they build up the farm system through the draft or through trading vets for prospects or a combo? My real question is if it’s really possible in this environment to significantly upgrade your farm system through trades?
Klaw: Both. They picked first overall three straight years. They hit on a handful of lower-round picks. They traded sharply. It’s a model for other teams – not THE model, but A model that works if you have the right personnel in your front office and on your scouting staffs.

chris: read that the yankees should sign heyward, where exactly would he fit in with that roster? nobody will take beltran to ellsbury
Klaw: Beltran’s got a year left, so that’s just dead money they could even release. Ellsbury is harder to figure – is he a sunk cost at this point? Could they swap him for a bad pitching contract?

Barry. Florida: Would you describe yourself as a progressive or libertarian?
Klaw: Probably neither. I just am.

John: How far away is Dom Smith?
Klaw: Figure he starts at Binghamton, and if he does what I expect, finishes in triple-A and could make his debut as early as September but more likely next year.

Rob: Do you think you’re going to try Pandemic Legacy, or does that concept not really appeal to you? You ranked Pandemic highly and PL is zooming up the BGG charts.
Klaw: Don’t like the concept of destroying the board. Plus the idea of playing a single game 15 or 20 straight times … have you seen my collection? Not happening. The BGG charts are useful but often bonkers. Lots of 3-4 hour games all over the top of their rankings. Those are not my people.

Chris: Would you tender Ruben Tejada at $2M or so? Read something about Mets considering just going w/ Reynolds and Flores next year. That wreaks of cheapness, to me.
Klaw: Feel like you could tender and trade him. That’s peanuts for a second-tier starter/good UT.

Andrew: Does the Astros IF future have Bregman at SS and Correa at 3B?
Klaw: Doubt it. Correa’s a better defender than Bregman.

Jack: Any update on Nimmo? Feels like he isn’t really progressing. Is he a 4th OF?
Klaw: Yes, I’m in that camp now. Gave him a lot of chances, but can’t play CF and has too little power/doesn’t hit LHP well enough for a corner.

Sam: Should I be concerned that mets prospects seem too far away. By the time they are producing, pitching will be close to free agency.
Klaw: I agree. It was the price of those big acquisitions this summer.

sam: I know the thought of a 6 man rotation seems ridiculous, especially given the diminishing return of a 6th starter, but given all the injury concerns for the Yanks (& Severino’s awkward delivery & small frame), would you try it if you were them to try to keep all 6 as fresh & productive as possible? That way, if one breaks down 2 months into the season, you still have a 5 man rotation that’s had its innings reduced for 1/3 the season.
Klaw: Someone’s going to try it soon. I think we’re coming up on an era of experimentation with the whole pitching paradigm. The Rays had three starters in 2015 who were twice-through-the-order guys. Maybe someone goes with a 4-man rotation where no one ever faces more than 18 batters?

Ryan: Reading Lance Lynn knew there was something wrong in June but refused the idea of surgery. He went on to have a pretty poor September and was a non factor in the playoffs. At what point is it the player’s responsibility to recognize you are injured and stop trying to tough it out?
Klaw: Maybe he thought he was helping the team … I agree that players should speak up when hurt but don’t like the idea of criticizing a player for trying to stay on the field.

Marshall: KLaw you raise a salient point, people act as if there is A singular model to building a team. In the end, the teams that most accurately judge and and acquire talent are the teams that win. In a lot of cases that ability is not something that can continually be sustained over the long haul.
Klaw: For example, what Kansas City just did probably isn’t replicable. It took them nearly a decade to win the WS – not criticizing them, BTW – and they had to have so much go right the last two years, in terms of players all developing at the same time, maxing out returns on major trades (the Greinke deal went from “okay” to “holy crap arrest Dayton Moore for larceny”), and key guys staying healthy. You can’t just put that in a business plan.

Johnny: Where the hell has Top Chef been??
Klaw: December 2nd return. Can’t wait.

Chris: Ugh just remembering the Mets traded Meisner for Clippard AND Robles was probably more effective down stretch is nauseating. How could a club give Clippard more than a year in FA?
Klaw: I wouldn’t – that’s why I didn’t list him on my top 50. Everything pointed down for him in the first half; that’s why there wasn’t much of a market for him until the Mets showed up.

Tom: With your characterization of Griffey below, is the lesson to be learned between him and Bonds is that, if you’re going to be a jerk, don’t do it where the public can see you?
Klaw: No question.

Steve: Hi Keith. A difficult question to answer, I’m sure, but here goes. I’m married to a woman from Vietnam, and she’s interested in learning new approaches to critical thinking and logic, because her formal education in those skills just wasn’t very good (her opinion). Do you have any recommendations that might help her improve in those areas? For example, a certain board game, or book, or anything else you think might help her better develop these specific skills. Thanks a lot.
Klaw: That is a difficult question. Most great board games are built somehow on math or logic, even if it’s not directly visible to the players. Knizia’s games, like Samurai or Tigris & Euphrates, have that as a huge component. I’d also suggest books like The Invisible Gorilla or Think Twice as highly accessible books that discuss things like cognitive illusions and improved decision-making. Oh, and don’t watch the Republican debates.

Andrew: There is a narrative out there which suggests that the Astros have a negative reputation and will have trouble attracting FAs. Is this overblown and/or has recent success diluted this notion?
Klaw: Nonexistent. What a dumb narrative. You know what attracts free agents every time, without fail? Money.

Michael: Do you know what it is about baseball that makes injuries to a star or great player diminish him so much that almost any replacement could be better? Is the difference between being good and bad that small?
Klaw: I would guess – no science here, just a quick reaction – that it is a function of the minuscule degrees of timing required in hitting a baseball or throwing one well enough to hit a spot or miss a bat. Interfere with that in the slightest way and the player is a fraction of himself.

Eric. Florida: Are you for free-speech zones? Do you think this is very progressive?
Klaw: I don’t even know what that means. Free speech is a right guaranteed us all by the First Amendment. It means if you want to run around in blackface, the government can’t arrest you for being a racist asshole. But if you want to run around in blackface on campus, the college can suspend or expel you, because that’s a private institution. Do it at work and your employer can fire you. Do it on TV or on social media and the same can happen. Free speech doesn’t protect you from private consequences. It only means that the government can’t stop you or punish you.

Michael, DC: What do you think is the most efficient way for a small market (read, cheap owner) team like Cleveland to allocate its offseason resources? Trading from SP depth to get a power bat, buying a few mid-low level FAs or continuing to develop from within?
Klaw: Developing from within is always the answer, but isn’t an offseason plan: If the players aren’t there yet, you have to do something else. Trading a starter for multiple young pieces when you know you can’t go buy stars in free agency makes sense. You take on the risk and the time lag (acquiring players who might produce less in 2016 than the established pitcher you gave up) as the cost of doing business with low revenues and a tiny payroll.

Tom: Keith, Zack Greinke is the only free agent who said he went to a team (Dodgers) because they offered him the most money. Every other free agent wants a chance to win. That’s what they say. So I think you’re WAY off there.
Klaw: Oh, well, if that’s what they say, it must be true, because no one ever mouthed a platitude to the media just to satisfy the likes of you.

Forsyth: Does JBJ for Carson Smith of the Mariners make sense for both sides?
Klaw: Not at all.

Alex: Do the Cubs benefit more from trading say Baez or Soler or Castro for pitching, and signing say Heyward? Or signing Price, and holding on to the kids a bit longer and see how things shake out?
Klaw: I say keep Soler, who has the best combination of upside and the probability of reaching it. Trade one of the other two, because there aren’t enough AB to go around otherwise anyway: Bryant 3b, Russell ss, Baez/Castro 2b, Rizzo 1b, Schwarber LF, Soler RF.

Dave: How would you rate the Mets big 5 pitchers going forward? Would you think of trading any of then for a bat?
Klaw: Harvey, deGrom, Thor, Wheeler, Matz. I’d deal Matz, who has the worst history of durability of the group. But then they’re short a starter.

N: Out of the box question klaw. First off, thank you for all the non-baseball stuff you indulge in on your blog, perirscope, twitter and here in the chats. I recently started dating someone who considers herself to have a mild anxiety disorder and has been diagnosed as manic-depressive. We’ve been together for a few months and things have been great and are getting serious. Considering your background with anxiety, do you have any recommendations for someone on the other side of it in a relationship? I don’t suffer from either of those illnesses, but want to be as sympathetic and supportive as I can.
Klaw: That’s not an easy question – and I’d advise you to talk to a therapist who deals with such issues if you can, just to better acquaint yourself. Learning to recognize the signs of someone who’s “off” is probably the biggest key; whether it’s forgetting to take whatever meds she’s supposed to be on or facing a trigger like stress or otherwise losing her routine, it can change her personality, and you have to be ready to provide support while also managing the change in her mood, demeanor, even language.

Drew: Any chance you see Roark bouncing back to anything approximating his 2014 form? Or should the Nats replace him with Cole?
Klaw: Scherzer, Strasburg, Gio, Roark, Cole. Did I forget someone?

Noah: Is Maikel Franco a future superstar?
Klaw: I do not think so. I think he’s an above-average regular.

Richie: Any chance the Mets look to trade Plawecki considering they need a bat and arent likely to trade any of their pitchers? What could a guy like him bring back?
Klaw: I think someone asked me that in the periscope yesterday and I don’t have a good answer. D’Arnaud could be an All-Star, a top 25 player in the league, if he could stay healthy and catch 130 games. I don’t have a ton of confidence that he’ll do that. If you keep Plawecki, you can move d’Arnaud around, give him a few days off now and then when he needs it, and still get production from behind the plate. If you move him, you will get a lot of zeroes from back there.

Jay: Are the Braves in on other international FAS besides Kevin Maitan? And is that handshake deal still legit?
Klaw: I haven’t heard about others but I haven’t looked into it. Those deals are totally illegal and nobody cares.

@RationalMLBfan: Lots of talk in NY about the Yankees trading Brett Gardner. Granted, he’s a LHB in a LHB heavy lineup and has slumped in the 2nd half for 2 consecutive seasons, but isn’t a valuable player valuable, regardless of distribution of success of handedness? And he has an affordable contract. What is the urgency to trade him?
Klaw: I don’t see the urgency. I could see them saying they want to move Ellsbury for another bad contract, but Gardner in LF and Hicks in CF and any non-Beltran solution in RF looks pretty good to me.

Drew: Ross is the other potential Nats starter I had in mind. Does he need more time in AA/AAA?
Klaw: Ah, you’re right, I did forget someone. I’d put him over Cole in the depth chart and probably over Roark, although that may be my longtime affinity for Ross speaking.

Patrick: I must have missed your comments regarding Gary Sanchez. Do you think he can be a backup this season and eventually the #1 in NY?
Klaw: I think he needs to go to AAA and catch every day so he can work on receiving, framing, and being focused on every pitch. The one thing he can really do back there is throw, though.

Sean: Cubs need two SP. Would seem one will come from a trade but instead of huge $ pitcher with Arietta voming up mext year, how about Leake? Seems it would be reasonable $/ouput and be a more consistant Hendricjs type of pitcher with more track record and ground balls. Agree?
Klaw: I do agree, but I think Leake is a fit for about 20 clubs, and also I read that as “Arietta vomiting up” next year, which disturbed me.

Jason: With the latest setback for Reyes is he going to be able to break the rotation next year in St. Louis?
Klaw: Maybe midyear? Stuff is there, command isn’t, also missed a lot of time with that shoulder issue and the delivery isn’t helping matters. Don’t think the suspension costs him that much.

Bret: Keith, I know you’ve written about how medications for your anxiety has made such a difference for you. How would you suggest speaking to someone about opting to try medication for mental health challenges if they don’t seem open to the idea?
Klaw: Send him/her to a therapist first. I was fortunate in the sense that I have people close to me who were already taking SSRIs and I knew how they worked and that that was what I needed. Talking to a professional might help your friend.

Noah: if your the Phillies and you’re picking first, do you draft one of the top players that’s willing to sign below slot?
Klaw: If there is no clear 1-1 on draft day – there isn’t one yet – then you make your board, talk to the top 2-3 guys, offer each of them slot for #2 (or maybe #3) and see who takes it. You want that savings so you can go over slot with your next pick, maybe your next two.

FireDrayton: Sorry for re-posting, but figured I’d try again. What level of starting pitcher has comparable value to an elite closer? In other words, you’d rather have X starting pitcher than Chapman, with X being the worst SP who is still more valuable than an elite closer.
Klaw: I’d rather have a mid-rotation starter than an elite closer. 200 innings vs 60. WAR tends to agree with that. You have to place a very high value on performance in high-leverage spots to favor the closer there.

Jason: Who is the best prospect that no one knew of at the beginning of the year?
Klaw: Willson Contreras?

Jack: Was d’Arnaud exposed defensively in the WS like people seem to think? I mean, it was the Royals after all.
Klaw: The Royals exposed a lot of people this year, by which I mean they were just a really fucking good baseball team. That’s all for this week – thank you all so much for coming and firing so many questions at me. I’ll chat next week on Thursday, most likely, and I’ll reveal my NL Rookie of the Year ballot on Monday when the results are announced. Cheers.