Klawchat 2/25/16.

My ranking of the top 25 prospects by 2016 impact is now up for Insiders.

Klaw: I take this more serious than just a poem. Klawchat.

Chris in London: Some articles and John Henry have revived the analytics vs scouting debate? Why is there even a debate? Surely an organisation should exploit both. They’re not mutually exclusive.
Klaw: Analytics are an easy scapegoat. Remember Frank McCourt blaming them when he fired Depodesta and hired Colletti? It’s a combination of Trumpian pandering and the misconception that “analytics” are not actually produced by people the way scouting reports are.

Matt: Some warm weather in Louisville encouraged me to catch the Cardinals playing this weekend. Corey Ray was really impressive offensively and defensively (Feb. competition notwithstanding). One of my friends tried to comp him to Ken Griffey Jr. (we aren’t friends anymore), but I thought Jacoby Ellsbury is more realistic projection of his ceiling. Or am I way off as well?
Klaw: Less speed/defense than Ellsbury, more power. Bear in mind that Louisville outscored their opponentss 53-7 in those four games. I don’t think playing Pencil State and Little Sisters of the Poor counts the way some of their in-conference opponents will.

Anonymous: What do you think of Rangers’ David Perez? Beyondtheboxscore called him one of the best underrated prospects in the game. Would you agree?
Klaw: That’s silly, he’s been on the radar for at least four years and has no history of staying healthy. Great arm, of course, and if he ended up throwing 40 good innings for Texas’ bullpen this year I wouldn’t be surprised.

Matt: Since your last chat (as I’m sure you saw), Umberto Eco passed away. Did you ever read any of his works? The Name of the Rose remains the best and most challenging book I’ve ever read. An incredible blend of murder mystery fiction with medieval history, semiotics, philosophy, and religious studies all mixed in.
Klaw: Loved Name of the Rose for all the reasons you mentioned. Foucault’s Pendulum was a huge disappointment, primarily because he could not finish the plot.

Bob: Do you think Braxton Davidson has the hit tool to make enough contact to be a quality corner bat in the majors?
Klaw: Yes. He’s also got more power than stat-line scouting might lead you to believe.

Ben: I take it you don’t like Robert Stephenson’s chances of being a fulltime SP for Cincy this year?
Klaw: Is there a spot in their rotation for him? I don’t see one.

Ciscoskid: I found your comment about Gray not having little deception interesting. Is deception a skill, or attribute that you would focus on finding pitchers who had it for the Rockies rotation. So despite the stuff not being great a big deceptive fast ball might be highly effective?
Klaw: Deception comes from the delivery. If the hitter can’t see the ball till fairly late in the delivery, the pitcher gets a substantial advantage. Gray has as little deception as any pitching prospect I saw all last year, and a hard, straight fastball without deception is … well, that’s been one of Mark Appel’s problems, too.

Casey: Do you think Luke Weaver has the ceiling of a number 3 or 4 starter?
Klaw: I think he’s a reliever. FB-CH but not even a fringe-average breaking ball. Smaller guy too.

Brandon: How do you see the major league playing time for Gallo, Mazara, and Brinson playing out this year? Does Profar get first crack in the outfield?
Klaw: I don’t know, but I hope they do something like that, playing Profar, rather than acquiring a veteran to play LF. They have enough internal options to cover them until Hamilton is healthy (j/k) or one of those kids is ready to come up and perform.

Nick: Thoughts on Boras’ elite draft idea?
Klaw: He described something very much like this to me maybe four or five years ago, and I think he has the concept right. He’s absolutely correct that in any draft class there are only a few players whose market value would blow away these slot bonuses, and for most other kids, the draft shaves a little off their potential earnings but not a ton. His idea is focused on getting the Strasburg/Harper talents paid, and I support that without reservation, even though I think implementing his idea would be tricky because it creates opportunities for teams to manipulate the pool.

Jack: Will you travel to see Jason groome this year?
Klaw: He’s like 80 miles from my house, so, yes.

Alex: Does the fact that Anthony Alford has limited pro experience to date mean he could advance up prospect lists with a strong performance this year? With so few pro games he could be undervalued due to lack of exposure… What do you see his ceiling being?
Klaw: I do not believe he’s undervalued at all, nor is there a “lack of exposure.” He was a first-round talent in HS, and just played a full year in two full-season leagues. We got him. But he could shoot up into my top 10-15 this year because he’ll go to AA and now has a full season of at bats under his belt, as opposed to last year when he came in somewhat cold, with only about 150 pro AB before 2015.

Dave M: As a Cubs fan I loved your ranking of G. Torres. Are you at all concerned with his relatively high(21%) SO rate at low A?
Klaw: Well, no, or I wouldn’t have ranked him there. Also, that’s not that high a K% and he was exceptionally young for low-A.

Michael: Do you still think Foltynewicz can be an effective starter or with all the arms they’ve acquired is he just destined now for the pen??
Klaw: After the injury he might need to go to the bullpen for the interim anyway. I’d rather see him in the 8th or 9th and Blair in his rotation spot.

Jason (DC): You once were high on Dalton Pompey as a prospect. Still believe a breakout could come if given the opportunity?
Klaw: Yep, still a fan, haven’t really changed my view of him.

Dan: Understanding right now it seems unlikely. Should the Angels trade Trout? Is there any team in the league that has enough to trade for him?
Klaw: No, and just for the record (I know you’re not saying this), I never said the Angels should trade Trout. I said they will have to look at this if they don’t improve the system dramatically in the next 2-3 years or win a title in the meantime. But as long as he’s here, in his prime, and affordable, the mandate should be to build as good a team around him as possible.

PhillyJake: In Scottsdale many years ago I ate at Grimaldi’s, a brick over pizza place. When I lived in Brooklyn Heights, I used to go to his place under the Brooklyn Bridge. It was great. Wondering if the place in Scotssdale is still there and if it’s still any good?
Klaw: It’s a chain of about 20 places now, mostly in the southwest, although there’s no longer any formal connection with the locations in Brooklyn. I have tried both and actually prefer the pizza at the AZ places.

Andy: Does it worry you that someone putting together Time’s literature list may not know literature that well? I agree, Evelyn Waugh has a female sounding name, but no one looking at the list noticed that maybe he shouldn’t be on a list of top female authors.
Klaw: On the bright side, people are talking about Evelyn Waugh, and his work definitely deserves to be read. Scoop is just timeless.

Bret: With Jose Bautista’s negotiating stance making it seem highly likely he’ll be a free agent after this season, would you say that the Blue Jays window to contend will end after this season?
Klaw: I tried to say something like this but in less dramatic terms on TSN 1050 yesterday. If they get to July 15th and are not in the hunt, they should trade Bautista and begin a retooling, although they still have enough of a core that they might be able to turn it over into a contending team in 2017 if they trade shrewdly.

Scott of Lincolnshire: What in the eff are the Cubs going to do with their OF? Baez and/or Soler trade coming?
Klaw: I don’t understand the responses from fans about Baez. He hadn’t earned a thing. If this sends him back to AAA, so be it. A good September against largely non-contending teams shouldn’t change our opinion of the player.

Chris: Do you think players often read scouting reports of themselves from outside sources such as you or BA? And if not, do you think they should?
Klaw: I would hope not. I don’t write these for players. I write them for you.

Sam: Should Mazara be the Rangers LF this year?
Klaw: Doesn’t even have 100 AB above AA, right? I don’t think his bat is ready.

Derek Harvey: Just a heads up if you aren’t already aware, the link you tweeted doesn’t go here, but to an article on ESPN.
Klaw: Fixed, thanks. Too many links. (too many liiiiinks)

Jim: Obviously lots of info still trickling in, but what’s your reaction to the Brooks trade/Fowler signing and possible trades the Cubs might pursue with their outfield surplus?
Klaw: I’ll add that it’s a nice pickup for Oakland. Brooks is an up-and-down guy for me, and deployed properly Coghlan can be worth a win or two.

Matt: When it comes to teams like Atl, Philly, Cincy, etc., would you be in favor of playing the young players/prospects that are close to MLB ready or stop-gap veterans? For example, Jenkins or Blair in Atlanta rather than Kendrick or Chacin. It seems like it would make sense to get the younger players ready and lose that way instead of losing with retreads. Just my thoughts. Thanks, Keith
Klaw: I’d rather play the kids if they’re ready. I would never advocate rushing a kid to a non-contending team just for the sake of not paying a veteran, but I might argue that, say, the Twins should give Buxton the CF job now because his glove and speed will help them even if his bat isn’t quite ready.

Chris: How should qualifying offer process change? I think it’s brutal as is but not sure what would make more sense.
Klaw: All ties between free agency and the draft should be severed.

Alex: How does Aaron Judge not make the top 25 prospects by 2016 impact list? Have to assume he gets promoted when a Beltran or Ellsbury hits the DL.
Klaw: Do we have to assume that? What if he’s striking out 30% of the time in AAA? I’m a big fan of Judge’s, but there’s a significant hurdle for him to clear before he’s ready. Even AA pitchers were exploiting him on the outside edge when I saw him last summer.

Mel Judd: How long before Ray Montgomery gets a GM gig?
Klaw: Really thought the Brewers would promote him, but that whole search process seemed rigged from the start. Attanasio decided who he wanted before it began.

Jon: Is the situation with Lazarito scary and cause to finally clean up/change the international signing process?
Klaw: Not scary, just typical for down there. Lots of people have “invested” in him and want to get paid. MLB should step up its presence in the DR even further, though, because that’s the only way we’ll get more transparency in the process.

ECinDC: In the Impact Players column you mentioned that Danny Espinosa is a poor defender at SS. From the eye test (which admittedly isn’t great), he looks fantastic and had great numbers at 2B. Why the negative assessment, as I have always thought the knock on him to be the weak average/obp?
Klaw: He’s good at 2b but not at short. Also can’t hit. Other than that, great player.

Ed: Do you think Will Benson and Delvin Perez are to HS players that will end up going top 5 this year? Seems like a better HS bat crop than initially reported.
Klaw: Perez might have the best tools in the class, but his makeup is getting a lot of criticism from scouts, directors, even two GMs I asked. He doesn’t always play hard, and there have been some attitude questions even off the field. So he could go top five – he could go top 2 or 3 – or he could slide because teams worry he won’t have the commitment to be a big leaguer. Benson is in the top group of HS position players with Rutherford, Moniak, Nolan Jones.

Ben: Where would have betts and swihart ranked in your top 100 if eligible?
Klaw: Betts just had a 5-WAR season in the majors, right? You can’t put that guy on a top 100 prospects list. It’s like asking where Mike Trout would rank.

Matt B: Which Phillies prospect has the highest ceiling other than Crawford?
Klaw: Kilome. Maybe Randolph, just because he can really hit, but the bar is pretty high for his bat now that he’s in LF.

Tom: Is there any main reason that the Angels have earned their #30 ranking? Bad drafts? Constant giving up their #1 draft pick to sign past their prime free agents?
Klaw: Some bad drafts. Some drafts without high picks. Lots of trades. Some non-development of guys like Cowart, who was a legit first-round pick.

Joe: Why have you fallen of on Moancada?
Klaw: I don’t think I fell off anyone. And this is making me uncomfortable.

mike: what is the Bluejay obsession with Jay Bruce? Jacoby was hitting instructor during his most successful year, but the rumoured acquisition did not match the required additional salary for a limited budget team like Toronto
Klaw: I don’t understand it either. He’s not that good of a player.

John Uskglass: Do you ever, or how often, do you get discouraged when writing about a topic (sports) that always is looking to predict future and find answers on why things are, yet is almost entirely unpredictable because of the ever fluid nature of an athlete’s skills & inherent randomness?
Klaw: No. I recognize the nature of what I’m doing is as much entertainment as anything else. I try to do my job to the best of my abilities, but failure is built in and I’ve come to terms with that.

JT: What is your gut feeling on how Dylan Bundy performs this season?
Klaw: My gut feeling is that he’s hurt and barely pitches if at all.

Matt B: If you had to make a comparison to what Scott kingery could be, what player would you compare him to?
Klaw: Altuve. Now, that’s projecting to an unreasonable extent on Kingery’s hit tool, but bear in mind I had him as a first-round talent in June, so I’m fairly optimistic on him. It’s a similar profile, but Altuve was in the big leagues at Kingery’s age.

Dane: Having an arguement with a friend, i think a trade involving Bogaerts for Harvey straight up is awful. Pitchers are always a questionable investment. Bogaerts is a once in a lifetime player. Thoughts?
Klaw: I would not trade Bogaerts for Harvey, but I don’t think Xander is a “once in a lifetime player.”

Ted: JBJ + for Soler. Both OFs align nicer this way. Any chance?
Klaw: Makes no sense for the Cubs. The hell would they need with another outfielder?

Nate A: Keith your thoughts on the slide rule change, particularly the change in ability to review neighborhood plays?
Klaw: If this causes umps to get the neighborhood play right more frequently, great. If this means 200 more replay delays this year to overturn stubborn umps who refuse to call the neighborhood play as it should be, not great.

Thomas: What is a realistic ceiling for Max Kepler? Could he be a 300/370/450 guy with 50 XBH a year?
Klaw: Think there’s a little more power in there.

cw: Delvin Perez, AJ Puk, or Jason Groome to Philly? I’m leaning Perez
Klaw: I would bet you right now it’s none of the above. I see virtually zero chance it’s Groome, not much more it’s Perez, and if you’re offering me Puk or the field, I’m taking the field. Ray, Jefferies, Jones, one of those prep bats I mentioned – plenty of other options.

Jason: Do you see the “top” college arms like Puk and Hansen falling this spring behind the draft’s HS bats and possibly arms?
Klaw: Hansen needs to pitch well, stat. He came into the year with a red flag on his elbow, and then was awful week one. Puk will go pretty high as a “safe” college lefty with size and stuff.

Jason: Remember during the last CBA negotiations how the new IFA restrictions were to prevent large teams from throwing money around and helping to protect smaller markets. Funny how that ended up.
Klaw: Every time MLB has tried to tweak its tax code to implement social policies, it has backfired. I’m shocked, shocked to find this.

Alan: Any feedback regarding catcher Sean Murphy from Wright State?
Klaw: He seems like a solid first rounder.

RAW: I notice you didn’t mention Vogelbach in your Cubs top ten+. Is he simply a non-prospect?
Klaw: For me, yes. DH only who hasn’t hit for much power.

Alex: If Groome and Perez are picked 1-2, what names should the Braves look at with the 3rd pick? When will you post your first mock draft?
Klaw: Those guys are not 1-2. Again, I see virtually no chance the Phillies take Groome, or any HS pitcher, at 1. My first mock draft will be about three weeks before draft day, so early to mid-May. Anything too far before that is a fabrication.

Josh: Tough board game question: I have an 8 year old daughter, recently diagnosed with ASD. As part of her therapy it’s been suggested that she play board games. What are some suggestions that won’t bore me to tears? She has attention and sensory issues. Long waits between turns is bad. Things she can interact with by touch are good. She is very bright, so that’s not an issue.
Klaw: That’s a really good question. Of the games I know, many of which are aimed at older kids or adults, Splendor is pretty quick between turns and has thick plastic tokens as well as cards and cardboard badges. Jaipur, which is just a two-player game, has similar components. They’re also both simple for an 8-year-old to learn. I’ve also played Splendor with a kid about that age who has sensory processing disorder, and she liked it.

Ray: I know you value defense highly, but what kind of hitter can we expect Nick Williams to be as a big leaguer? 20 HR, 20 SB, .280 BA type bat?
Klaw: Not sold on that kind of average, and I think he’ll always be a low OBP guy. Could see that 20/20 profile though.

James: Do you believe Groome will go #1 to the Phils? Local guy , they love him.
Klaw: /slams head into kitchen table

BD: A few years ago in chat, you actually suggested the Nats move Espinosa to SS, because he could handle it, and because it would improve his trade value since there was more scarcity at SS. Just saying.
Klaw: A few years later, he’s no longer very good there. Let’s not pretend players never change or that defense doesn’t get worse as a player approaches or passes 30. Just saying.

Thomas: Just read Moneyball again recently. Do you agree with the Athletics on not taking high school players due to the risks involved? Or is it more of a case by case basis for you?
Klaw: Never. It was a good idea, briefly, while college players were being undervalued by the industry. That window closed fast.

JakeInCanada: Does Anthony Alford’s particular skillset give him a chance for a high ceiling, high floor, or both/none? He’s been impressive, considering his time away from baseball.
Klaw: High ceiling especially because I think there’s more power to come.

Kevin (DC): The Yankees are trying Refsnyder at 3B. It will likely end in disaster, but I kind of like the idea that they at least tried. Are other teams looking at this approach for player development?
Klaw: I agree. They don’t get enough credit for trying out players at different positions where they might have more value. Doesn’t have to work all the time to be a good strategy. Cardinals have done this a little, with Carson Kelly the most notable example.

Ed: Regarding your mention of Delvin Perez’s makeup concerns, would you draft a player with a great skill set hoping he will mature or would you not waste a top 10 pick on a potential headache?
Klaw: If it’s just immaturity, I’d take the risk, especially since I think he has 1-1 caliber tools (at least in this class he does). If the kid had anger issues, or a drug problem, or something else worse – none of which is true about Perez to the best of my knowledge – I would pass. I remember when Elijah Dukes was in the draft class, and I was with Toronto; he had first-round tools but we wanted no part of him.

Tom: My 9 year old son and I finished all the Kazaam books on your Jasper Fforde suggestion a couple of months ago. Any other readaloud suggestions?
Klaw: Diana Wynne Jones’ Howl’s Moving Castle and Castle in the Sky have both been hits with my daughter.

@Jaypers413: Don’t most managers and pitching coaches take more than 30 seconds just to make it to the mound?
Klaw: Well, you know, hurry the fuck up already.

John Uskglass: With regards to top prospects, what do you think a reasonable expectation is of them? I know everyone thinks a player ranked in the top ten of top 100 prospects list is destined to be a superstar, but the odds of that are way lower than people think. I would think the front office looks at it as a success if a top prospect turns out average to above average WAR seasons for multiple years and fans are disappointed in anything less than multiple 6+ WAR seasons. Like if Byron Buxton’s WAR then next 5 years (assuming regular playing time) were: 1.3, 1.6, 3.6, 3, 2.4. How many people would take that right now?
Klaw: I think the Twins would see that as very disappointing. I would too. He might only be a 1-2 WAR player now, because I’m afraid he’ll post a .290 OBP this year, but he has 4+ WAR upside and I would hope after 1000 major league PA he’d have made some adjustments at the plate.

Stu: Would Kyle Lewis be too big of a reach at #3 for Atlanta?
Klaw: Hell yes. Can’t take a college kid with that noisy a swing and that much swing and miss at 3 overall.

BD: If you were to do one… overspend your rule 4 draft budget (and take penalty), or overspend your IFA budget (and that that penalty)?
Klaw: The IFA penalty is just money, so that’s the easy choice. That said, if Bryce Harper were in the draft class, and I was picking 2nd or 3rd, you’re damn right I’d call him and offer him $20 million and take the penalty.

Chris: Matt Bowman gonna stick on Cardinals roster?
Klaw: I don’t see how. Nice pitcher, great AAA depth starter, but where does he fit for them?

Alex_NY: If you could pick one Mets starter to pitch a do or die game, who would it be?
Klaw: Harvey. No disrespect to Thor or deGrom. You could do a lot worse.

Michael: Correct me if I’m wrong, but I assume you were a baseball fan before you got into the industry. For those of us interested in sports as a career, does having baseball as a job take away some of its enjoyment and turn a hobby into a job or hassle?
Klaw: It is a job now, not a hobby. I still enjoy the sport, enjoy watching it and following it, but you see how many other hobbies or interests I have, and that is in part because I want things in my life that are not work. Baseball is work now.

David: You ever read the Game of Thrones books?
Klaw: First one. Hated it. Lurid, rapey crap.

Goldenface: Do you believe there are any analytics (velocity, pitch type, pitch F/X data, etc.) that can crack the mystery of predicting injuries, or are injuries just a thing that are too dependent on the specifics of the player in question and we won’t be able to accurately apply a large data analysis?
Klaw: I lean towards the latter. Of course, we should keep trying, but I think genetics play too big a role for us to ever get to a level of certainty that makes us comfortable with the type of decisions we make around estimates of future health.

Alex_NY: What should the Mets strategy be in the draft? Best player available, young, top HS talent, more developed college players, etc?
Klaw: Every team’s strategy should be best players available. I say “players,” because sometimes you’ll cut a deal at pick #6 to get a better player at pick #38, and that’s how you end up with the best portfolio of players.

Ryan: Can Sam Tuivailala be an above average reliever? I’ve heard that he could potentially be a closer some day. Are people only saying this because he throws hard or is that potential there?
Klaw: Slider is legit when it’s on. I think he could be a closer some day too. The sample is too small to mean much, but I like that he missed more bats in August and September last year, at least.

Daniel: You know deception is valuable when pitchers Like Chris Young and his 84 MPH are still relatively successful.
Klaw: Yep. It’s going to be a big part of Sean Manaea’s success in the majors too. Left-handed hitters especially won’t see the ball.

Dave: For the child with sensory issues, try King of Tokyo. My 8 year old loves it. Vibrant board, fun monsters, lots of dice rolls, etc.
Klaw: Thank you. Time between turns might a little long.

Jason: Blake Snell isn’t going to make an impact this year?
Klaw: I never said that.

Dan: Thoughts on the Twins saying Sano won’t play any third base this year?
Klaw: I don’t blame them.

Drew: What do you think Connor Jones’ ceiling is?
Klaw: I’m going to see him tomorrow afternoon. I think mid-rotation starter with good probability. Maybe a little more if that sink is as good as I think it is.

Michael: Do you agree with MLB’s handling of Jose Reyes? Does the result of his criminal case really matter?
Klaw: I wonder if they are hoping the criminal case solves the problem for them. If he’s convicted, or pleads to anything, they can just point to that and suspend him for a long time.

Braves: Think this news regarding Lazarito bodes well for the Braves signing him? A duo with him and Maitan would be an impressive haul…
Klaw: I think Lazarito is highly overrated by folks who have never seen him play.

cw: Are you worried about Trump being President?
Klaw: I’ll put it this way: I don’t want him to be President. But Sinclair Lewis told me it can’t happen here.

Matt: In comparison to the every-year 16 yr dominican/venezuelan J2 pitchers, how good a prospect is Adrian Morejon? i know there was a report of an 8-figure bonus, is this purely a cuba-tax? is his talent even close to justifying it?
Klaw: From what I’ve heard, he’s worth it, or something close.

Keith: If Matz stays relatively healthy moving forward, what is his ceiling? Also, is he so injury plagued? Delivery looks relatively easy, seemingly somewhat durable build…
Klaw: Look at the history of injuries. I only mentioned some of them in the top 100 capsule and there were more I omitted. It’s probably a #2 starter if you think he can handle 180+ on a regular basis. He’s never reached 150, though, and he’s been in pro ball since 2009.

José (not Peraza): I read from several sources that José Peraza was an elite defensive SS not that long ago. What happened? Is ti all mismanagement, poor evaluation or something else?
Klaw: Don’t think he was elite, but I think he could have been elite had he stayed there. Now he’s two years off the position and hasn’t developed much if at all with the bat.

Raphael: Hey Keith. How come Correa (listed at 6’4, 210 lbs) doesn’t face the same questions about being able to stick at SS as Seager does?
Klaw: Seager’s bigger and less agile. Correa faces those questions too, by the way. I don’t think Correa’s still a shortstop in five years.

Drew: If possible, while in Charlottesville,
Klaw: Love it. Been twice. Cool space too, although last time I was there it was overpacked.

PhillyJake: KLaw for President?
Klaw: Eric B. for President. I’ll be VP.

TJ: 20-80 scale, how difficult will the next round of CBA talks be between the owners and the players be? Would either side be willing to risk killing their golden goose?
Klaw: 30. Everyone’s making bank. The sticking points are all around the margins.

Paul: With 12 man pitching staffs, do you think more teams featuring staffs with lower K/9 and stuff should adopt the Rays / 3 times through the order approach for their worst starters, supplanting them with long-men? I think about the Twins rotation, and with health and their youth, you could maximize many 120 IP for the guys by turning like Nolasco/Milone/May as a caddy for the starter.
Klaw: I think that you’re going to see more teams employ long men and keep starters on shorter workloads not just for the TTO penalty, but to try to keep them healthy by just plain using them less.

Nate: Ever stayed at any of the DVC properties while at WDW? (Wondering about Old Key West in particular)
Klaw: Yes. Pricey, but high quality.

Stu: Do you have any thoughts on Jeren Kendall as a prospect, or is it too early?
Klaw: Guy was a top 20 talent out of high school. He’s only gotten better, but he’s been well-known and very well-regarded for about three years now. Could have had $1.5MM at least out of HS.

Rob: Was Gary Sanchez under consideration for your list? I gather lack of obvious playing time is an issue.
Klaw: He was not, for that very reason.

Jon: What is the best way to clean a cast iron grill pan? Steel wool?
Klaw: No, a non-abrasive pad like a Dobie. Clean right away with soap and hot water, rinse, dry FULLY, then heat with a little oil to retreat the surface.

Andy: So assuming that at the least, Reyes’ trade value is shot, the Rockies traded a possible top 15 player in MLB for extra money in 2018-2020 and 3 pitching prospects who currently rank as two possible #3’s and a future reliever. That’s bad asset management.
Klaw: Well, clearing the money was probably the priority there.

Corey: Do you think Pat Light will make a contribution in the pen this year or more likely next season? What about Marmol, Sox have identified a delivery issue supposedly and think they can fix him.
Klaw: I’ll believe in Marmol having value when I see it. This strikes me as more “the games haven’t started and we need something to write about” than “hey, this guy who hasn’t been good in six years is good again.” Light is ready to help in middle relief.

Craig: Is Eric Thames that much better than when he was a major leaguer or is the KBO that bad?
Klaw: The KBO is a lot worse than MLB and it’s a very high-offense league.

Scott of Lincolnshire: Going to NOLA for the first time (the city, not the Phillies pitcher). What’s your #1 place to eat there?
Klaw: Cochon.

mtsw: Britton for Soler make sense for both side on paper?
Klaw: Not for the Cubs.

Mike: Jason Heyward being the first MLBer younger than me was enough to make me feel old, but j2’ers born in 2000? That’s too much.
Klaw: I’m old enough now that the HS kids in this draft were all born when I was in grad school.

Scotty G: Could Carlos Martinez become an elite, Cy Young candidate pitcher this season – what is his ceiling in your opinion?
Klaw: Might put him in the Matz category of “great when healthy but not often healthy.”

Jimmy: Do you think Jorge Polanco can handle SS as soon as this season? Or is he the eventual successor to Dozier? Maybe they can just bench Dozier post-ASB since he hits like Brian Dennehey in the 2nd half.
Klaw: You’re eventually going to want more defense at short than Polanco will provide, but he might be their everyday guy there by the midpoint.

Justin: Thoughts on Isan Diaz? Does he eventually end up at 2B?
Klaw: I think third base. Not a shortstop. Looks like he’ll hit enough for 2b or 3b.

Dana: Seems like a Brett Gardner trade to the Angels for young pitching makes a lot of sense for both sides. Am I missing something?
Klaw: You’re missing the part that helps the Angels.

Bill: What is it about Devon Travis, on the field, that you are not high on? What are his major flaws?
Klaw: Don’t like the swing or the defense.

Kevin: Hi Keith, Jays Fan. Please tell me Shapiro is smart enough to not pay Bautista for his past? He has averaged about 4.5 fangraphs WAR the last 4 years. What would have been fair value for that? $20m/year? Use him for a playoff run this year and take the compensation pick for the qualifying offer at year end.
Klaw: No chance. I think Bautista made Shapiro’s life easy.

Jeff: I am very interested in your thoughts on Billy Hamilton. Does he generate enough productivity with speed and defense that it is worth playing him every day, or do you think the bat will put him on the bench?
Klaw: He does, but he should hit 8th or 9th.

Rob: It seems from Twitter that you and Jonathan Mayo are on one side of the Amed Rosario divide. Is he divisive because his profile has seemingly changed? What’s the good outcome here? Alcides Escobar with a little more bat?
Klaw: I think we’re both big believers in him, no? Rosario can hit and he’s going to come into some power. It’s bat speed and strength. He went from short-season right to St. Lucie, which dampens power considerably.

Alex: I picked up Section Eleven on your recommendation Monday after work. I finished it Tuesday, it was fantastic, thank you. Do you have any recommendations for similar books? I have read most of David Mitchell.
Klaw: Bel Canto by Ann Patchett.

Nils: Hi Keith, who is the best defensive OFer in your top 100? Maybe Brinson? Alford?
Klaw: Buxton, Brinson, Margot, Almora, Alford.

Chris: Thoughts on cooking with a slow cooker?
Klaw: I’m cooking a pork shoulder in mine right now.

Jake: What’s your feeling on expensive restaurants with lengthy tasting menus (to name a few in NYC, Ko, Blanca, Chef’s Table) – great experience, colossal waste of money, or something in between?
Klaw: I’ve had the nine-course-plus-little plates meal at the Catbird Seat in Nashville, which featured amazing food but was also very much an experience in presentation, show, and technical skills. I would have a hard time spending that kind of money on even an infrequent basis, though, as great as that meal was. I can only eat so much.

John: Please break down the Fowler deal and how it effects the Cubs and the O’s please. Thanks. Really want to get your opinion here
Klaw: There’s nothing to break down. He went back to where he was, and he was never an Oriole anyway.

Michael: How far would you be willing to go on Bautista right now? 4 years/$80MM?
Klaw: Nope. Less.

Tom: Just how bad are the Phillies going to be this year? I have some hope for a little more excitement and a few more wins than last year.
Klaw: I think they’re going to be very interesting by the second half, when a bunch of the kids should be up and playing. It may not mean more wins, but it would be a much better product to watch. I’ll probably go to some games myself once the Crawfords and Appels and Thompsons are up.

Klaw: That’s all for this week – thank you all, as always, for the questions. I will be traveling for most of March, but will do my best to chat weekly, just adjusting the day around my movements.