Klaw: The bridge you burn is gonna take its toll. Klawchat.

Drake: Who do you think could replace AA as Blue Jays GM? Would they promote LaCava?
Klaw: The name I keep hearing is Ross Atkins, who has overseen the farm system in Cleveland for several years now.

Steve: Since more people are killed by knives than by rifles, do you think there should be laws limiting knife ownership?
Klaw: I think this question further illustrates how bad American public schools are at teaching math.

David: Thoughts on Bud Black to the Nationals?
Klaw: Solid, but how solid depends on whether some of his in-game tactics improve. He gets high marks within the game for his behind-the-scenes work, and I know when Hoyer was GM there Black’s in-game management was better, too.

Bryan: Will Almora be an early season call up next year?
Klaw: To do what? A no-power CF with poor on-base skills isn’t going to help the major-league club.

Aaron Gershoff: It seems like Harvey and deGrom are hitting the end-of-season wall…they were both missing in bad spots (as opposed to missing off the plate). deGrom especially was missing right over the heart of the plate…even the worst MLB teams can hit a 95mph fastball right down the pipe. I also thought deGrom’s arm was at a lower angle…I’m guessing this would take some movement off his fastball and make it easier to track for KC’s hitters. Thoughts?
Klaw: Lower arm slot generally leads to more movement rather than less, but also I think the Mets’ plan of attack vs KC didn’t work: most hitters miss their fastballs, but the Royals’ hitters didn’t and probably won’t.

Sam: Which Astros pitching prospect has the best stuff? Do you still see Appel as a top of the rotation guy?
Klaw: Prospect as in still in the minors? Probably Martes. Appel has more like #2 starter stuff but still needs better command, and the Astros need to let him become primarily a two-seamer guy because pitching up with the four-seamers isn’t working for him.

Derek Harvey: What is your opinion of Josh Hader? I heard he was hitting 97 in instructs and now in the AFL. Do you think that’s a real change for him or is it more likely he’s unloading because he’s only pitching in short stints?
Klaw: I saw him hit 96 or 97 in the C-C All-Star Game here last year. He’s a reliever for sure but filthy with the life on the sinker and the hard slider.

Kingpin: What can you tell us about Byung-ho Park? Can he be at least an average big league first baseman? From what I’ve read, he is limited to 1B so the bat has to be pretty darn good, right?
Klaw: And there’s a lot of swing and miss too.

J: This is a bit of an open-ended question, and maybe one less well-suited for a chat than another forum. You’ve been adamant about the loss of efficacy for a starting pitcher the 4th time through a line-up. At the same time, pitching staffs are already overstuffed to an annoying degree. How can baseball recalibrate to handle what feels like, if not contrary, then at odds thoughts – less complete games and less specialization. Perhaps the answer is in what we’re seeing after two games of the WS with Niese, Colon, and Young – the joys of a good long reliever. In short – how can we get back to an 11-man staff, tops, and accommodate new understandings of pitcher fatigue?
Klaw: Employ some actual “long” relievers – which in this day and age means anyone who can pitch to more than four batters without being hauled back into cold storage.

Jonathan (St. Louis): Randal Grichuk question: The knock on him is that the hit may not be good enough to get to the power. His OBP this year was about 330. To my (uneducated) ear, that sounds good enough. Is it? Is he likely to repeat it, or was that him playing over his head?
Klaw: Playing over his head in a short season with some judicious usage.

My real name is Matt: Hi Keith. Is Schwarber at 3B a crazy idea? Seems like a all-state linebacker candidate in high school would have good quickness/lateral movement- at least enough to man third. Bryant to left. What say you?
Klaw: Yes, it’s a crazy idea. Also a very bad one.

Brian: Any chance the Mets can dig themselves out of this 2-0 hole to win this thing? The Mets look overmatched and their pitchers look frustrated. Thanks!
Klaw: Of course. That’s pure recency bias – they’re the same team that swept the Cubs. And plenty of teams have come back from 2-0 to win seven-game series in MLB history.

Eric: Hi Keith, should Tony LaCava get any consideration for the GM job in Toronto?
Klaw: Yes but apparently he won’t.

Sriram: Did you read the Rosenthal piece on the hiring practices of MLB – agree, disagree, it’s complicated?
Klaw: Agree. We’ve had one Black manager or GM hired this offseason and he’s white.

Derek: Perhaps the best way to improve the Nats’ lineup is to move Harper to CF and buy FA for RF (e.g., Heyward, Gordon, Upton, etc.) What do you think about Harper in CF (it sure seems like a good way to maximize his insane value; he’s been a competent CF in the past)? The reasoning is that the spread of potential outcomes for M.A. Taylor in CF is too much risk for a contending team like the Nats to bear. What do you think? If the plan is to go with Taylor in CF, I think I’d want a premium 4th OF who could step in if he craters. You probably can’t sign a guy like that, so you’d have to trade for him. Do you think AJ Cole could fetch somebody who fits that mold?
Klaw: I agree with you on Harper – I think he can handle it and be at least an average defender. Taylor’s glove is much better, but there’s huge OBP downside risk. Also, I don’t see the Nats (or most teams in this situation) giving three significant roles to rookies – CF, SS, and a rotation spot. Cole could (should) fetch you a fourth OF or better as I think he’s an MLB ready starter right now.

Jason: My buddy is trying to tell me the two best teams in baseball are playing right now, I countered that the Jays are better than KC…. Settle this for us…. He told me that Price just isn’t good in October
Klaw: The playoffs don’t determine better or best. They determine the winners. Once your friend accepts that those two things aren’t the same, and that you don’t have to care about the former if you don’t want to, he’ll enjoy the playoffs much more. And Price looked just fine to me.

Jesse: Granted the trades were probably necessary and Tulo’s got some years left, but on a scale of “coincidence” to “coincidence, my ass,” where do you rank AA gutting the farm, then declining an extension and ultimately moving on elsewhere?
Klaw: Absolutely a coincidence. Your read on the situation is comically wrong.

Blake Guyer: What’s your take on the Royals adding Raul Mondesi Jr. to their World Series roster?
Klaw: Joe Sheehan’s newsletter piece on it was great: if this is indeed a way to cover for Ben Zobrist possibly leaving if his wife goes into labor early, then Yost and company deserve a ton of credit for doing so and for handling it as they did. Because Mondesi has basically no way to help this team right now.

Alex: We know the Cubs will pursue Price and/or Zimmermann, but what do you think the likelihood of a trade is? Do they flip one of the kids for a more reliable bat or do they keep the band together and hope everyone just learns from experience?
Klaw: How about both? They have more bats than they can use. Castro and Baez can’t both be on this roster in 2016.

Pat: Did you notice anything last night that would lead you to believe de Grom was tipping his pitches? It seems like the Royals knew what was coming once he got into the stretch.
Klaw: Many people have said that, but I doubt I would have seen it even if I’d watched the game live, which I didn’t.

Greg: As much as I wish I could read through great novels like you seem to, I prefer comics. Easy quick stories but still complicated plots, great humor, and never ending twists. Did you as a kid or even now read comics?
Klaw: Never – neither comics nor “graphic novels.” I like words.

Scott: Is strikeout rate an improvable skill? Specifically, do you see the Cubs young hitters capable of improving that skill? If you don’t, how much will that hamstring them?
Klaw: The skill is the ability to make contact. It can be improved, although some of it (e.g., hand-eye coordination) is likely innate.

Greg: Assuming Daniel Murphy leaves the Mets, how do you see the infield shaping next year with Herrera, Flores, and Tejada. Would you play Herrera at 2B, Flores at SS with Tejada the back up? Do you see a FA infielder that you think fits with the Mets well?
Klaw: Flores is not an everyday shortstop. Neither is Herrera, though, so they may have to look outside – and may have to decide now if they believe Cecchini is likely to fill that spot for them in the next 24 months, before Rosario becomes a possibility for the major-league job.

Casey: What’s the ceiling for Patrick Wisdom? Is he just a bat off the bench or could be an everyday player?
Klaw: Bench or less.

Casey: Where will Alex Reyes start next season and could he be in the Cardinals bullpen or rotation by the end of the season?
Klaw: I assume he starts in AA or AAA and finishes in their rotation if healthy. He looked outstanding in the AFL but I can see some delivery issues that might have contributed to the shoulder problem.

Rick: Which white Ivy League graduate will replace AA in Toronto?
Klaw: The Ivy League bit really pisses me off, and I think I can go after it because I went to one of them fancy schools. It’s less about white – Harvard’s population is only a little less diverse than the US as a whole, at least in terms of African-American and Latino students – but more about privilege. Ivy League is not a good proxy for intelligence, and it isn’t even a great proxy for wealth, but it is a damn good proxy for privilege. It’s damn hard to get there unless you grew up in the right circumstances. And if we are closing the door as an industry on anyone who didn’t grow up in those circumstances, then I won’t be supporting the industry for much longer.

Alex D.: Did you happen to see Bubba Starling during your AFL visit? If so, have you seen anything different that would lead you to believe he can be an everyday major leaguer, or is the window closing?
Klaw: I did, and it was more of the same. He’s marginally better than he was in 2014, with more consistency to the swing, but not enough that I’d say he could hit enough to be a big leaguer.

Adam (PHX): What are your initial thoughts on Olivera? Needs to improve his approach? Defense to stick at 3rd?
Klaw: All of the above. Defense might not even stick at third, so that has to improve too.

Dino: What are your thought on Jemier Candeliaro and W. Conteras. Are we looking at Major league regulars?
Klaw: Yes on Contreras. Candelario hits enough to be a regular at 3b but is a 40 defender there.

Ray A.: What do you think of Christian Arroyo? Get a chance to see him during your Fall League trip?
Klaw: I did but not enough. I like the swing – I did when I saw him in the AFL in 2013 – and I don’t think he’s a shortstop.

David (San Diego): Gardenhire and Sofield are allegedly the two finalists for the manager’s job in San Diego. Any thoughts on these gentlemen?
Klaw: White guys! I don’t know anything about Sofield but Gardenhire was so bad tactically and showed zero improvement in Minnesota that I think I’d rather take the complete unknown (from a great organization).

Alex: Did I make a good choice?
Klaw: I’m behind anyone who chooses family, job satisfaction, or personal happiness over money or prestige.

Jon V: Cleveland allowed Shapiro to leave for a lateral move and now could lose a top front office guy (albeit to a promotion). Are they being “too easy” to work with?
Klaw: Not a lateral move (he was not involved in baseball ops in Cleveland) and maybe they were OK with him leaving too?

Jeff: Opinions on the Matt klentak hire?
Klaw: I think it indicates that MacPhail will be very heavily involved in baseball ops. Klentak is very sharp and has a strong resume, but I read his hiring as one of Andy choosing someone he knows and with whom he’s comfortable. Given this trend in so many front offices now, MLB has to bear down on hiring of Presidents because they’re becoming the de facto GMs – and I think there’s exactly one of color in any organization.

Anonymous: So, what coaching position will AA get with the Red Sox? But seriously have you ever seen anything like the Amaro move? The closest I can think of is Farrell himself. I believe he was Cleveland director of player development before becoming pitching coach. But that’s neither as high as GM nor as low as 1B coach.
Klaw: I love it. I never cared for Ruben’s work as GM, and my limited interactions with him weren’t positive, but it takes a lot of character to start relatively low on the totem pole (first base coaches don’t have a ton of responsibility) like he is.

Adam D.: Have you ever found yourself giving a prospect the benefit of the doubt simply because you’ve met them and like them as people? The other way around? More harsh on a guy because you know he’s a bad character guy? Any examples?
Klaw: No on the former. I would suck at my job if I did that stuff. A “bad character guy” who has a lousy work ethic or doesn’t listen to coaches is legitimately a worse prospect, though.

Randy Burgess: Since being signed, there has not been much discussion of Yadier Alvarez. Do players in his situation have to wait before working in the minors or do they workout at some kind of extended full-season training?
Klaw: He’s had trouble getting his visa to get to the US.

JR: Do you get a kick out of all these articles we see this time of year about how player X has made/cost himself $$ due to postseason performance? Do they really think GMs are going to toss out years of data based on a 10-18 game sample size (or even smaller for pitchers)?
Klaw: I bet that stuff used to happen 15-20 years ago but now it’s just filling column-inches for lazy writers.

Michael: Where does Cooper Johnson rank among amateur catchers?
Klaw: Among the best. It’s a bad crop, but he look like a legitimate potential first rounder.

Ryan: Is it weird to be at the AFL while the Series is going? i.e Conceptually strange at all to be so completely focused on the future at the cost of the present?
Klaw: I’m back from the AFL but no, it’s not weird to be there in October. It’s my job and one of my favorite trips of the year.

Ryan: As a Rangers fan, where should I set my expectations for Profar?
Klaw: I think he’s all the way back as a hitter. I have no idea what his throwing will look like once he’s cleared in the spring, and of course they don’t have an obvious place to play him.

Mike: If you were Bud Black, what would do on your first day on the job in Washington?
Klaw: Call Bryce Harper and make sure we’re on the same page as much as possible. He’s the center of the team right now, and while you’re his nominal ‘boss’ you want to start that relationship off on the right foot.

JA: Thanks for taking time to answer q’s on your vacation Keith! What have you seen out of Mac Williamson during the AFL? Is he ready to contribute in SF next season?
Klaw: Bat speed looked good, recognition of sliders wasn’t, seemed to be limited throwing (nursing an injury?), still a great athlete who runs well and should be very good in RF.

Austin: What do you make of the comment that Shapiro was upset with Anthopolous for trading so many prospects? Should Jays fans be worried about a decrease in payroll, or anything of the sort?
Klaw: If that’s true, and I don’t know if it is, it seems awfully shortsighted (ironically enough) given the mandate to win and the market’s desire for a playoff appearance. AA used those prospects the right way – to get high-impact players in return.

Ryan: You have a youngish child. Is it a problem that MLB has playoff games ending at 2:20 am EST on a school night?
Klaw: I can’t stay up that late for the end of a game. She wouldn’t either, assuming she cared about baseball.

Hermoine G: Is there any chance that baseball will address its anachronistic and self-defeating blackout policy. It seems that a sport with a declining viewer base doesn’t really want to arbitrarily limit demand.
Klaw: Yes. Really, the whole TV policy is going to have to change as more homeowners cut their cable/satellite subscriptions. We’re going to deal directly with content providers more frequently.

Keith: There’s currently 1 minority manager (Gonzalez) and he’s bad. I don’t buy that there’s just not any good/qualified minority managers, so are teams just failing in their searches and not giving enough minorities consideration?
Klaw: I think like hires like, and people hire people they already know. With whites all over the top of the game, you’re not getting much consideration of minority candidates below them because (I believe) the white execs just don’t know enough people of color within the sport.

Michael: What generally happens to the scouting and front office infrastructure after a move like AA’s? Will the scouts/executives move on and/or get fired?
Klaw: Over the next twelve months you’ll probably see a lot of them move on, either because they wanted to or because they’re not renewed.

Anonymous: You have to think this spells the end for Gibby in Toronto, no? I think he’s done a great job but he was AA’s guy
Klaw: I think it’s the end for him. Look for Shapiro to bring in someone he knows/likes – maybe my colleague Eric Wedge?

Ken: I was surprised with the number of relievers throwing high 90’s, low 100’s in AZ. What is holding them back from being on a big league roster? If they flame out, it seems the best strategy is to get them up and use as many of the bullets as you can.
Klaw: Lack of command and/or secondary stuff.

Tim: The Royals and Giants both strike out at very low rates. Given their recent success, does this weaken the “a strikeout is just another out” thinking by some FOs? I kind of see both sides.
Klaw: The strikeout is just another out thing is true from a direct run-expectancy perspective, but that’s not the same as saying that there’s no added value in making contact, because not all contact is created equal.

Evan: Am I crazy to think the Cubs should do nothing with Schwarber (as in keep him in left)? I have seen way too many people (on the internet granted, not to self: don’t go on the internet) ready to trash him as useless for the Cubs.
Klaw: Play him in LF. He’ll be fine and he’ll hit a lot of homers and everyone will be all YAY SCHWARBER again.

AJ: Hi Keith any thoughts on Chris Shaw? He had a good short season and showed some power the Giants seem to lack in their system
Klaw: Has power, power over hit though, and decent chance he’s a DH not a 1B in the long run.

Justin: Considering Toronto is the only team in Canada, which, while lovely, has a different exchange rate, tax rate, and an additional immigration component, is it harder for the Jays to find front office talent? What about coaching, scouting, and player talent?
Klaw: No, that’s just a myth. You pay very slightly more to cover the tax issues and you’re fine. Plus it’s an amazing city from April to September. As long as I don’t have to spend the winter there I love it.

John: Looking at the Nats’ selection process, Black is clearly a better choice than Baker. Do you think teams game the system with respect to which minority candidates they bring in? Like, “Ok, we checked the box by interviewing Manny Ramierez, but all of you can clearly see that he has some defects compared to our first choice.”
Klaw: There’s no question they do. In many processes it’s more important to get a minority than to get the right one.

Dan: Asking once more then I’ll leave you alone (respecting if you don’t want to answer and I don’t want to bug you) – are there any prospect annuals you would recommend to someone who doesn’t know much but enjoys your yearly ranking columns?
Klaw: No, sorry. I haven’t bought or used any books like that in years.

nb: Keith – Andrew Knapp tore things up in Reading after his promotion. Did you see him in Arizona? Do you see him or Afardo as the Phillies catcher of the future? Thanks.
Klaw: Alfaro. Knapp’s stat line doesn’t match the scouting report. You can beat him pretty easily at the plate.

Julius (Oakland): Have you seen Matt Manning in person yet? He seems to be getting a lot of helium in the fall showcases. Could he be working his way into first round consideration?
Klaw: Longenhagen saw him good this summer and I heard from a scout Manning was 91-95 with a good CB in Jupiter, so I think he’s a possibility for the first round – but it is SO early to make any bold statements on that topic.

Jeff: Keith I am sort of “getting back” into reading but generally prefer nonfiction. Of the little I have read of his, Malcolm Gladwell’s writing appeals to me. Have you reviewed his work in the past? General opinion of him?
Klaw: Tends to gloss over some details to craft a stronger narrative. Michael Lewis does the same; both are wonderful writers but their work doesn’t stand up that well to deeper scrutiny.

AJ: Hi Keith what are your thoughts on Tyler Beede? Is his low K rate a concern? Reports are that he’s lost some velocity. While he did well in high A, he also got hit quite a bit in AA
Klaw: He didn’t lose velocity per se but switched to a sinker and is now 88-89. He no longer misses bats and his control has gone backwards. I think there’s still a big-league starter in there, but the current iteration doesn’t look like one.

Kyle: At the time the Rangers were thought to “sell the farm” for Hamels. IMO I think they actually sold Williams on a high and that Brinson will be a better overall player especially defensively. Thoughts?
Klaw: I’ve always preferred Brinson, for defense, power, and makeup. Williams’ approach at the plate isn’t that good – he had a few weeks of walking and then went back to his old self – although he has made himself a viable major-league glove in CF.

Mike: Likelihood of Price back to Jays smaller now, or nil?
Klaw: It was always nil.

Travis: How high could Ian Anderson go in the draft next year? Between him and Whitley this year, it’s been an unusually strong couple years for upstate NY prep talents.
Klaw: He’s in that group with Manning of possible first-round HS arms, but it’ll all depend on how they pitch in the spring (and who stays healthy).

Bob: I know you were on the radio in Toronto talking about the AA situation. I have seen anything from you in writing yet. Do you have a short capsule you can share here in chat?
Klaw: I’m not going to write about it (I’m on vacaaaaaation) but TSN1050’s Twitter feed has the linnk to the audio.

Michael: Would you be in favor of preferred hiring for entry-level jobs? I’m white (and yes, had a fairly privileged upbringing), but I’d be fairly disappointed–I have tried pretty hard for years to get a job with a club–if someone got a job on less than merit.
Klaw: Plenty of meritorious candidates of all backgrounds out there. Supply far exceeds demand at the entry level.

Kevin: You were always high on the Royals system, Mouse and Hosmer especially. Is this what you envisioned out of them, or did they take a different path from your scouting, but still manage to turn into very good players
Klaw: Hosmer is getting closer to what I envisioned from him but I still think there’s more in there. Moustakas is right about at the realistic ceiling I expected – but both guys took longer than I would have guessed to get there.

Robert: Have you gotten a chance to see Joe Rizzo in action? Wondering where position you would project him as a Pro, not sure he can stay at 3rd base.
Klaw: Saw him a bunch in August, feel very good about his hit tool, not sure on his position either because I didn’t get many reps in the field.

Rob: You seemed to be down on Domingo Acevedo in your quick mention the other day. Does he even project as a MLB reliever at t his point, or am I reading too much into what you wrote?
Klaw: He’s a possible ML reliever. There are a lot of guys with his size and stuff kicking around the minors.

Steve: My problem with having a youngish child and the WS isn’t start/end times, it’s the fear that she’s paying attention to the commercials and is about to ask me what an erection is.
Klaw: Better that than she ask you what “daily fantasy” means.

Hugo Z: Did you mean that Mauricio Cabrera should literally throw all fastballs for the forseeable future? How will he make progress that way?
Klaw: That’s a bit of a straw man, in a couple of ways. He needs to make progress with his fastball command, and because his fastball has life at 98 mph (a little less at 102, natch), he can get away with throwing it an inordinately high percentage of the time.

Tom: Non-baseball question: are there any books that would crack your top 102 if you updated the list today?
Klaw: Looks like I’ve only tagged two that way – Middlemarch and Infinite Jest. https://meadowparty.com/blog/tag/klaw-103/

Sean: Keith, thoughts on why someone like Jason McCloud is not getting more traction for GM positions. Seems like a sharp guy and for those who care, fills the minortity quota.
Klaw: I am still floored that Milwaukee didn’t ask to interview him. He’s 90 miles away, in their division, hits all of their alleged criteria, and is a minority (Pacific Islander), yet they never called – perhaps because, as I’ve said before, they knew who they were going to hire before they went through the whole interviewing process.

Julia: I’m stunned by the number of books you review. You don’t seem to have a lot of down time. Are you catching up or do you really read a book a week?
Klaw: I’m on pace to read over 100 books this year. I think I read fairly quickly, at least when the book engages me. And when I fly, I read. I knocked out nearly all of Inherent Vice on the flights to Phoenix (that was such a great fucking book).

Ed: You often mention that Severino is a reliever for you. In an admittedly small sample size, I see why (physically) you say that. It’s all arm as you say, but his performance was the best on the team besides Tanaka. Do you mean you think he breaks down and they have to put him in the pen because he can’t come back and handle the load? I mean, what is the path by which he becomes a reliever now that he is clearly one of their top starters?
Klaw: Yes, that’s the main thing I mean. I don’t think he’ll ever have good fastball command – he has very good control, though – but the durability is the main concern. They were also very smart about limiting how deep he worked into games. I think guys like him and Reynaldo Lopez will have a hard time staying healthy as starters over multiple years. Perhaps I’m wrong on one of those specific guys, but if you give me, say, 20 minor league starters who throw like that, I would bet more than 3/4 of them end up in the pen. Maybe even that’s too low.

Kevin: Do you see anything in how Aaron Sanchez pitches that makes him so bad against lefties. I imagine he will go back to the rotation next season, but those splits were ugly.
Klaw: His stride is too short. He hasn’t been the same guy since that changed – I once rated him over Syndergaard because he had better raw stuff and just as easy a delivery. Once the delivery changed, the stuff got a tick worse and the effort level spiked.

Addoeh: Staycation then?
Klaw: We went to Disney for 3 days to do Food and Wine at Epcot. My daughter loves that and Soarin. There were some pretty good dishes this year – the pork belly at Brazil, the frozen chocolate mousse at the Chew Lab, the bulgogi at South Korea (although that wasn’t kimchi; those were pickles), the venison at New Zealand. I skipped the haggis though.

Michael: You often point out that people give jobs in baseball to their buddies, but then you praise Eric Wedge and Alex Cora, two people you are very close with. Are you falling into the same trap?
Klaw: No.

Greg: Thoughts on Luke Weaver?
Klaw: Reliever or very back-end starter. Below-average slider.

Dallas: With the World Series almost being over the countdown begins for the Gaylord Opryland hotel; feel the heat!
Klaw: I hate you.

sriram: andy green to sd, thoughts?
Klaw: I’m glad to see someone actually hire a manager who has managerial experience in the minors.

Corey: Speaking of starter/relievers, is Joe Kelly closer material ? if so, should Boston work him into that role or try to trade for Chapman to eventually replace Uehara ?
Klaw: I think that’s his best role in the long run.

Michael: If you were the Yankees though, would you gamble with Severino and keep him in the rotation–even if the odds, as you think, are against him sticking there?
Klaw: Hell yeah – i’ve never at any point advocated they put him in the pen.

Jason: Should left handed hitters spend more of their time in development hitting left handed pitching? It’s amazing how few of them actually hit lefties well.
Klaw: It’s kind of hard unless you know of a parallel universe to which they can travel and face lots of left-handed pitchers for practice.

Greg: Give Lackey a QO?
Klaw: Yes.

Tom: My mom went to Phoenix to visit her sister. I made her go to Cartel to get me some coffee. She texted me a picture of her at the place and brought me back beans. Just wanted to let you know your influence is spreading.
Klaw: I went three times last week, brought home a bag, and sent a bag to a coffee-snob friend of mine recovering from surgery. I miss that place.

Joe Mauer: Should I just catch again?
Klaw: Sure, traumatic head injuries are totally no big deal.

Mike: Why are there no catchers who throw lefthanded? Can it be done?
Klaw: We call them “pitchers.”

Jeff: How would you compare Jason groome to Brady Aiken?
Klaw: Not even close. Aiken was way, way more polished with better offspeed stuff.

JG: How do you not look like the love child of Rich Garces and Bob Wickman with your love of good food and drink?
Klaw: Portion control plus a decent metabolism, a weak stomach, and occasional exercise.

BK: Can the Jays, in fact, NOT have nice things?
Klaw: No, they can’t, but you can just by visiting the dish! Thanks for all of your questions this week – I’ll still be scarce on social media for the next few days but will have posts up here, and am back to work as usual on Monday. Enjoy the rest of the Series … it’s just about all we’ve got until spring training.

Klaw: Time to eat all your words, swallow your pride … Klawchat.

Noah: If you were the Phillies, who would you pick first overall in the 2016 draft?
Klaw: I don’t believe there’s a clear 1-1 candidate in this draft yet. I think if the draft were today it’d be Alec Hanson of Oklahoma, but this isn’t a Harper or Strasburg situation, and even Gerrit Cole, who I thought was the clear 1-1 in his class, didn’t emerge as that until March or so of his junior year.

Darren D.: Not to overreact, but would you give Marco Estrada a QO if you were Anthopoulos? Assuming Price and Buehrle are gone, the ’16 rotation right now is Stroman, presumably Dickey, Hutchison and I guess Sanchez?
Klaw: I probably would not, because I think regression for him is almost inevitable, but I wouldn’t say that it was the wrong choice if they did so. Same for Daniel Murphy – not going to be worth the QO, but I can’t tell you it’s a bad move, just not what I would do.

Mark: How good is Willson Contreras defensively?
Klaw: I’ve heard more than just playable or average. So far I’ve only seen him hit here – two doubles and a homer yesterday – and I love what I see at the plate.

Andrew: Do you ever see Ray Black becoming anything more than an interesting arm in the minors? The BB/9 issues are Crick-esque, and he’s a 25 year old in A+ ball, which makes me think he won’t be much in the majors, despite the great velocity
Klaw: He needs a viable second pitch and then I think they really have something. I’m not concerned about his age because I don’t think it matters for relievers and because he has a good reason (missed 2.5 years with injuries).

Mike in Nashville: THE METS KEITH THE METS! What’s the over/under on Mets World Series appearances the next 5 years?
Klaw: Two? I do not believe this is their last one in this run – they’re only getting better.

Chris Plouffe: Does Jacoby Jones have enough at the plate to be considered even a major league utility player?
Klaw: I don’t think so. Great athlete, could still figure it out.

Jay: Keith, can i get your thoughts on Alex Reyes’ first AFL start of the year and his outlook moving ahead?
Klaw: You can’t, because I wasn’t in Arizona yet, but I will see him in about three hours!

Bob: Did your wife also go to Harvard — or some other highly thought of institution?
Klaw: Nope.

JR: The full Kyle Schwarber was on display in the NLCS: great hitting, not so great defense. Is it something the Cubs keep living with and hope the defense improves, or do they look to trade him to an AL team for pitching?
Klaw: I think he ends up an average or fringe-average defender in LF. I doubt they trade him – the front office believes very, very strongly in his makeup.

Kraig: You have talked several times about players you have missed on, one way or another. Have you adjusted your evaluations based on any of thoses misses, for example did you find yourself over or undervaluing certain attributes? Or is it more than baseball is very hard and things just don’t always turn out like you expect?
Klaw: Both, no question. I pay a bit more attention to certain stats, to certain skills (e.g. questions around hand-eye coordination), worry less about body types, etc. You have to adjust, but you’ll also never get everything right in this business and IMO you can’t try to change your approach for every failure either.

Bob: In the past, someone would have grossly overpaid for Daniel Murphy, a decent regular 2B, based on October. Have GMs gotten smart enough that this is no longer the case?
Klaw: I think it’s much less likely now but not impossible, and there are always owners who want to make the big splash by saying “we signed the World Series hero!”

Julio: What level would you expect Eddy Julio Martinez to be at to start next season (assuming not some EXST for extra ABs, obviously)
Klaw: Probably low-A to see what his approach is like, because I don’t think anyone knows how advanced or raw he is in that regard.

SB: Thoughts on Dan Dakich calling you “lil” Keith in your exchange last night? Not sure what your size has to do with anything.
Klaw: That ended the conversation for me. I am short and slight and I don’t think I need to apologize for either.

TC: I’m excited you say the Mets are only getting better, but how do you see them reloading on offense in the offseason assuming Murphy/Cespedes are gone and the only other bat in the lineup headed for his prime is Conforto?
Klaw: Smith is coming reasonably quickly, Herrera should be a real asset on offense, Cecchini may be as well, Rosario is still a potential all-star. They’ll probably need to add one bat this winter to bridge the gap to those kids.

Logan: Was anybody else in on Dickey when the Mets looked to trade him? d’Arnaud I’m okay with, but including Thor really hurts.
Klaw: We have to give the Mets credit – I think every major trade Alderson and company have made has worked out near the top end of the possible outcomes, like a 90% outcome on just about every deal. I’m sure there’s some good fortune there but credit their pro scouts and analysts too.

alex: Trey Mancini– is he a potential regular, or a 4A guy?
Klaw: I think he’s a 4A guy.

Tim B: Regarding Estrada – isn’t he in line for one of the mid-rotation 4-$50 million contracts now? I think the QO is an easy decision in that case.
Klaw: Woof, I wouldn’t give him that. Maybe someone will and if Toronto thinks so then yes, they should absolutely offer it.

Chris, Larchmont: Thoughts on d’Arnaud defensively? He seemed to steal quite a few strikes with his pitch “presentation” skills in Cubs series.
Klaw: I’ve always believed in his defense – pitchers loved throwing to him, his receiving always looked great, and his throwing was always good. My main concerns on him have been the ability to stay healthy and the ability to get on base.

Bob: Speaking of Harvard, do you think that its reputation was an asset to you in job searching? Do you think that the education was actually better there?
Klaw: Reputation yes. Education, probably not.

Brian: Keith, if the Mets decide Matt Harvey is too much of a headache and decide to trade him. Could the Red Sox put together a package that doesnt include Betts or Bogaerts that could get him? Should they? Thanks!
Klaw: If I were Alderson I’d hold firm on one of those two kids, because I don’t think getting someone farther away like Devers makes quite as much sense for a team that is already a legitimate contender, but in the abstract, Devers and a second prospect of note would be reasonable for Harvey if you agree with me that Devers is a monster in waiting.

Jordan: Have you seen Lucas Sims yet in AFL? What’s the outlook for him moving forward? Completely confused as to his career projections after such a weird year/year-and-a-half.
Klaw: Going to miss him unfortunately – he’s pitching today in the other afternoon game, and I’m going to see Reyes instead.

EC: Have you been to Enrique Olivera’s new restaurant, Cosme, in NYC? Went to Pujol earlier this year and it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had.
Klaw: Yes, went there with Harold Dieterle and had the duck carnitas and the blue corn pavolva … both absolutely mind-blowing dishes.

Andy: Which would be the better job, Dodgers or Nationals? You could easily see both of them in the playoffs next season.
Klaw: Depends on what you want to do as manager. If you want more autonomy, Washington. If you want more input from the front office on moves, tactics, lineups, then LA. I’d actually prefer the latter myself – I want to be more armed with info so I can do a better job.

fats: why did every prospect writer basically miss on pillars defense?
Klaw: He wasn’t anywhere near this good in the minors.

Addoeh: Can a player add a clause to their contract that a team cannot give them a QO?
Klaw: Yes. Most free agents from NPB have no-arbitration clauses that gives them unrestricted free agency when their deals expire, even if it’s before six years of service. Some Cuban FAs have done the same. No reason a US-born player couldn’t do the same.

Jon: Keith, in the baseball cards with your “game used” clothing, what was it that was used? Tie? Shirt?
Klaw: Shirt. Didn’t fit and it was kind of loud so I thought it would still ‘pop’ a bit on the card. I wear too much monochromatic stuff and I didn’t think anything plain would look good on the card.

Dan: Do you believe that players can be on a hot streak? When someone like Murphy is on a hot streak like he is, do you attribute that to small sample size (i.e., he’s just getting luck and bunching his hits together) or do you think he’s actually seeing the ball and swinging the bat appreciably better?
Klaw: A player can be on a “hot streak” in the sense that he’s performed appreciably better than his norm or true talent level in a short stretch, but it has no predictive value. It has narrative value though!

Joe: Do you see Arrietta staying this good? I mean he’s 29 years old already and just finally had his first 30 start season.
Klaw: I see no reason to argue that he won’t.

Mike: Can outfielders be taught to run better routes to the ball?
Klaw: Yes, and I think some fielders can learn better reads – I know I’ve seen players improve in that regard – but neither is easy. You can’t just wave your hand and say “he’ll get better.” It takes the right coach(es) and the right player makeup too.

j: Your thoughts on Domingo Acevedo? Know he throws really hard, but from just watching his delivery (front side opens, max effort) is he destined for the bullpen long-term?
Klaw: Haven’t seen yet – he’s out here – but it does sound from what scouts have told me like he’s a power reliever with big upside in that role.

Young: What do you think of Braxton Davidson so far? Seems to have very impressive discipline.
Klaw: Yes and there’s power in there too. Probably 1B only in the long run so the standard is high for his offense but I do like his chances – thought it was a very good pick where they got him last year.

Dave: Do the Dodgers sign one of the top FA starters?
Klaw: I think so – I think they have to do so even if they retain Greinke. What’s their rotation otherwise? Kershaw, Wood, and, uh, I mean, well, McCarthy will be back at some point…

Jordan: No question here, just follow-up: don’t blame you at all for going to see Reyes. Also, thanks for doing this! It’s great to experience a little piece of your job/interaction with fanboys like us.
Klaw: You’re welcome and thanks for the question. I’m bummed that I won’t see Sims, for myself and because I know Atlanta fans wanted me to see him, but rain on Tuesday killed his game (but not the one on the other side of town, so I raced across Phoenix and got eight innings of the alternative) and he ended up pushed back to Thursday.

Rob: Do you think Jameson Taillon can put it back together and recover enough to become a top starting prospect again?
Klaw: Yes, I do. He’s had some rotten luck but nothing that would prevent him from coming back and eventually working as a starter. Look at how much time Matz missed … he’s still a viable mid-rotation starter.

Bob: IS the philly Cornelius Randolph love justified? he doesn’t seem to have one loud tool
Klaw: That boy can hit. I don’t know where he plays but the hit tool is “loud.”

Andy: On your ESPN page, there used to be a wonderful spot where it linked to your preseason prospect lists, your midseason list, and other various useful prospecty things. As far as I can tell that is no longer there. Can you please let the people who re-did (ruined) the site know that there may be times in October where that sort of information would be nice to be able to access quickly?
Klaw: Unfortunately the redesign did not play well with the formatting of lists. I was told a while back that they’d be doing some retrofitting to restore those, but I know everyone is already rather well taxed by ‘current’ work and I would never expect that to be a top priority. The people you don’t know at ESPN work very hard so that people like me can just do what we do and not have to worry about getting stuff formatted and posted and linked.

Sarah: Have you ever seen a pitching staff with as much stuff as this Mets one?
Klaw: Not off the top of my head. People sometimes complain on the twitters when I post a remarkable velocity number for a pitcher, saying velo isn’t everything … well, no, it’s not everything, but it’s still pretty fucking nice to have.

Bob: Most prognosticators believed that KC would suffer enough regression this year to probably miss the playoffs. Now they’re one game away from the WS which qualifies as a successful season. What’s your take on why they were able to exceed expectations.
Klaw: Development of their young bats, especially Hosmer and Moustakas.

Jake: Wanted to thank you for the Samurai review – it’s now one of our favorites. We’ve played 7 Worlds with 3 people but usually it’s just my wife and I. Worth trying out the 2-player version, or should we stick with the usual 2-person fare (Splendor, Dominion, TTR, Lost Cities, The Camel Game)?
Klaw: There’s a two-player standalone game called 7 Wonders: Duels coming soon. I’m working on getting a review copy.

Ed: Can Duffy keep up a similar level of play at 3rd for the Giants?
Klaw: Probably – the power is a bit surprising, but I spoke to the area scout who signed him for SF who talked a bit about why Duffy showed no power as an amateur (injuries and of course the terrible home park at Long Beach were major reasons) so maybe he can be a 10-12 HR guy going forward.

Andy G: Have you ever read A prayer for Owen Meany?
Klaw: I have not – never read any Irving.

Patrick: Do you see Teheran bouncing back to his 2013-14 type seasons? Regardless he’s a horse who goes out there every 5th day. Three seasons in a row averaging 30+ starts/200+ innings.
Klaw: I don’t have a good explanation for what went wrong this year, and I think I’d need that to answer your question fairly.

JG: Have you gotten to see any of the Twins prospects in the AFL?
Klaw: I’ve seen all six teams already, about half the starting pitchers and maybe a little more than half the relievers, so yes – but it will help me if you have a question on a specific player because I don’t have my notes or rosters in front of me as I do this. (I do have a crepe with pork belly and maple bacon in front of me, though.)

Matthew Sciannella: Currently at the hospital while my wife is in labor. Suggestions?
Klaw: Uh … put the phone down?

Robert: Can you understand why the heck Ausmus is returning to the Tigers? While his team didn’t have enough talent, he seemed to make things worse.
Klaw: I can’t. After he left Norris (best wishes to him in his fight against cancer) out there for nearly 60 pitches in that one inning, he should have been fired on the spot. Like, you don’t even get to use our showers. Just pack your knives and go.

Rob: It is my understanding that clauses to prevent a QO are not allowed. This is from page 90 of the CBA on MLB’s website: ” A Club and Player (or their designated representatives) shall not enter into any agreement, understanding or contract, or make
Klaw: Ah, my mistake. That would not proscribe such clauses for NPB/KBO/Cuban free agents, because those are not “qualifying offer” clauses but disallow offers of arbitration. Thank you for the correction.

Jesse: Any new places to eat you have enjoyed Phoenix during your AFL trip?
Klaw: Welcome Chicken (second visit but still great), Noble Eatery, La Piazza al Forno all great. EVO was kind of a disaster.

Dan: So many Mets fans, and reporters, are giving Omar Minaya all the credit for the Mets this year but completely ignore the collapsing teams he was responsible for in 2007 and 2008 and the horrible teams in 2009-2014. Also left the farm system in ruins, which Sandy has done a great job replenishing. Do you know why people are trying to give Omar credit and was he actually a good GM and I’m just missing something? I get he drafted Harvey and deGrom and Matz but he didn’t develop any of those guys.
Klaw: You can give an old GM or regime some credit while acknowledging mistakes too. I think Omar and his people deserve just that – some credit, but not the bulk of it. Sandy didn’t inherit a winner, but there were assets already in the system around which he (and his group) built a winner. I said on Buster’s podcast this morning that this is actually a good baseball story: they weren’t built with money, like you might expect a large-market team to be, but through good scouting and player development.

Sage: What offseason moves do you see the Cubs making?
Klaw: Add a starter, maybe two (one higher-end, one for depth), use some of that infield logjam to acquire pitching help.

Matt: Hi Keith. I’ve gotten some good board game recommendations from you, thanks. I’m wondering if you grew up playing video games, or if board games were always your thing. Take care.
Klaw: I liked boardgames as a kid but there weren’t really many good ones – it was Monopoly, Risk, Scrabble, and other games that I just don’t like now. I played some video games but was never that hardcore about it – I didn’t have a Nintendo or Playstation or anything.

TedT: Since the Red Sox have pipeline of major and minor league centerfielders (Bradley, Betts, Margo, Benintendi), who do you think the Sox should keep and to trade to get some pitching?
Klaw: I’d work to use JBJ in a trade because of those four he has the lowest upside, yet his trade value should be reasonably high because he’s ready right now. There’s significant value in the ability to say to another GM “I’m giving you a capable centerfielder who’ll earn just $1.5 million over the next three years for you.”

John: What do you do if you’re the Rockies? Trade Cargo and Nolan? Just completely blow it up, grab as many power arms as possible and hope a few make it? They are many seasons away from competing no matter what they do.
Klaw: Trade CarGo for sure. Arenado … god, there’d be a riot in Denver, wouldn’t they? But you’re right in that they’re unlikely to be, say, a 95-win team while he’s still there.

Ryan: Do you think Atlanta’s Maricio Cabrera will ever find enough command and control to be a solid reliever in the bigs? He’s been clocked as high as 102 mph.
Klaw: Yes, I do, and BTW I was one of the folks who got the 102 reading yesterday (twice). He gave up two hits in his inning, both on offspeed pitches. He should just throw the fastball, which has some sink on it, until hitters show they can catch up to it.

Andy: Assuming Greinke is the most sought after starter on the market, who’s #2?
Klaw: Price. Or Price is 1 and Greinke is 2. Take your pick – both are bona fide aces.

Ridley Kemp: Do you think Jacob Nottingham can stay behind the plate, and if not, does hit hit enough to play anywhere else? P.S. Thank you for continuing to sow the seeds of love and do these chats on your site. You’re the highlight of most of my work weeks.
Klaw: I do think he can stay behind the plate, never great but certainly playable there.

Rory: Word on the playground is the Marlins waited on their managerial search to see what Mattingly’s fate would be. Given the history of that position, is it fair to assume a likely highly-sought guy like Mattingly would take ANY job other than that one?
Klaw: Two reasons he might take that job. One, I’m not sure a better offer materializes this winter for Donnie, and he may just choose to take the bird in the hand. Two, the Marlins have a reputation within the industry for paying staffers extremely well, and it’s hard to turn down big money even if you know you might not love the working conditions. I couldn’t do it, but I would never tell you you’re wrong to do so.

Andrew: who’s closer to cooperstown for you? Greinke or Price?
Klaw: Trick question: Neither, because Cooperstown actually isn’t close to anything.

Robert: At what point does Price’s sky high postseason ERA over 7 starts enter a GM’s analysis especially when this post season it’s actually been worse?
Klaw: Any GM who considers that is stupid and will get what he deserves, which in this case is not having David Price.

Kyle: What do the Twins do with Sano going into next year? Dh again, move plouffe and plug him at 3b, or (the unlikely) do something with mauer and put him where he belongs at 1b?
Klaw: I say DH him. Mauer’s not going anywhere, and I think Sano would be below average enough at 3b that they’d end up looking for another solution anyway. Their surfeit of centerfielders has to generate some trade conversations this winter, right? Use one of them to get a better starting pitcher, or maybe to acquire a third baseman who provides more defense and settles Sano in at DH.

Leo: Do you get more or less questions through this form of chat as opposed to the old ESPN model?
Klaw: I think fewer in total but of a much higher quality.

Maple Bacon: Can a pitcher ever develop better control, as in can Nick Burdi learn to throw the ball over the plate?
Klaw: Yes, but it involves a number of variables, from learning to repeat a delivery to developing the mental skills required to execute something consistently and to learn to maintain an approach even when, say, you throw that ‘perfect’ pitch and the hitter still makes good contact.

Bob: Am I right in thinking that AFL includes players who have already been on the Major League team, players who are just about ready to get there, and players who are a couple of years away? All there for different reasons? If so, then it must be challenging trying to scout the player while ignoring the competition.
Klaw: Yes, you are correct, so the focus here is more on tools/skills. I usually note the pitch type when writing down what a hitter did, good or bad, so later I remember, “yes, he hit that homer, but it was a hanging slider” or I can see, “hey, I have him swinging and missing on four fastballs up from same-side pitchers.”

Drew: Do you think Matt Williams has any future as a hitting coach?
Klaw: I promise I’m not picking on the guy, but do we have any idea what he actually does well?

Mark: How soon can Wilson Contreras get a look in Chicago? Montero’s second half and playoffs worries me greatly.
Klaw: I think he can be part of the catching solution there next year, not right away but over the course of the whole season.

John: I have a 9 year-old son who loves baseball and wouldn’t hesitate to play it year-round. I’m inclined to work other sports into the mix for the sake of diversity of muscle movements. Any thoughts or advice?
Klaw: The new consensus among sports medicine folks is that mixing up sports and activities is better for kids’ long-term health than early, year-round specialization.

Andy: Is it weird that I saw a tweet about Adam Miller and thought it was the ex-Indians prospect and I was glad he got his stuff back?
Klaw: Nope, I did the same thing earlier this year when I first heard that he was bumping 100 mph.

Aubrey: Do the Astros have both DH and 1B answered for 2016 with White/Reed (or at least give them legitimate chances to fail)? They should be much better than Gattis/Carter, right?
Klaw: I believe so, and that’s an org that isn’t afraid to play the rookie over the veteran. Maybe Reed starts in AAA but both guys should get significant playing time in Houston in 2016, because that will make the club better.

Brian: Local media in Chicago is already speculating that Kris Bryant will be moved to the outfield next year. But if he can handle 3rd, which the limited data we have on him says he probably can, isn’t there where he would provide the most value? It’s easy to shore up an OF spot than a 3rd base spot, right?
Klaw: Buster asked me this on the podcast too – I think he can play third. Good arm, good hands, range might be a bit limited, but he has instincts and is another great kid with a good work ethic. He’ll never be worse than “adequate” there. FWIW, I like his chances to stay there more than Gallo’s.

Shawn: I think Gabe Kapler and Alex Cora would be good managers
Klaw: I agree on both. Kapler got unbelievable raves when he managed a year in Boston’s system, and you all know I’m a fan of Cora’s. Cora may get a job before LA gets a chance to talk to him, though. LA should also interview Dave Martinez, since Andrew has the relationship with him, and, having coached under Maddon, Martinez should be familiar with the front office-heavy model they’d like to employ.

Aubrey: Did Correa show more power as a rookie than you’d anticipated? How long would you say he should stay at SS?
Klaw: If you’d asked me when he was called up, I would have guessed a lower HR total than he put up, but I knew he had power potential. I’d give him 3-4 years at short, although it’s possible they’ll end up with a better defensive option who pushes him to third even though he’d still be average or better at shortstop.

Andy: Would the Cubs push for a vote on the NL adding a DH in this year’s winter meetings? Between Schwarber, Baez, and Vogelbach they would be able to exploit it better than most teams.
Klaw: That’s a CBA matter and MLB doesn’t want it because it’ll raise player costs.

Frank: Which side of the pitching rubber would you suggest for a guy with good sink and run? I think being on the far glove side would create better angles to hit the outside corner against oppo sided hitters and gives you more of the plate to work with against same sided hitters. My buddy thinks you should be on the arm side, because you can get inside on same sided hitters much easier. What say you?
Klaw: No clear answer. I prefer if guys don’t throw across their bodies, primarily for health reasons but also because it’s hard to locate to your glove side like that, but if the pitcher is more comfortable there and can indeed locate to the other side, then let him stand on the arm side. It has to be individualized and you only make a change when one is required. This is why I’ve been after Showalter for moving Gausman to the other side of the rubber – there was NO GOOD REASON to make that change, and the results have been negative.

Bill: Does the fact that the Mets made the WS change your opinion at all about the deadline moves they made? I know you weren’t a fan of the clippard/ces deals at the time…but while process is important results have to count for something too. Thoughts?
Klaw: No, it doesn’t. One, the Mets couldn’t know at the time of the deals that they would make the WS – they could consider it as a possibility, but the odds of such an outcome were quite low on July 31st. Two, they clearly overpaid for Clippard, and I think they overpaid for Cespedes based on his market at that time – and they couldn’t have known that he’d turn into Barry Bonds for a month. However, is that even if they don’t win the World Series, I don’t think anyone there is going to look back and regret the trades even if Fulmer becomes a number two starter – the process wasn’t great, but the outcome was. It renders what I’m saying a bit academic – fans shouldn’t really care about that while they’re celebrating, should they?

Camden: Does whichever pro scout recommended Sam Dyson to target in trade for the Rangers deserve a raise?
Klaw: Yes, but then again, all scouts deserve raises. Those positions don’t pay very well relative to what they ask scouts to do in terms of giving their time to their jobs. Speaking of time, I’m out of it if I want to get to BP up at Scottsdale. Thank you all, as always, for all of your questions and for reading. I’ll write something up on the AFL as soon as I get another chunk of free time, and I’ll try to work in another chat next Thursday. And happy Alex Reyes Day!

Klaw:Started with a pow, and I’m gonna end it with a bang. Klawchat.

Ray Michael: As a Giants Fan this Eddy Julio Martinez thing is just so strange. What is the latest you are hearing? Who has the edge the Cubs or the Giants?
Klaw: He has an agreement with the Cubs that should be binding, as he didn’t sign the term sheet with the Giants … and I know there’s a disagreement over whether the Giants’ term sheet reflected their initial financial offer to the player.

A Canadian: Have you ever seen anything less Canadian (or generally unedifying) than Toronto fans raining debris and abuse onto the field?
Klaw: Idiots are idiots regardless of nationality, unfortunately.

Jim (on the ledge): Okay, Keith. Washington’s first managerial interview is with Dusty Baker. I’m hoping it’s just a “courtesy” interview, although saying he’s “better than Williams” doesn’t reassure me. Granted the Prior/Wood issues were over 10 years ago, and lineup construction can be overrated, but still, how worried should I be?
Klaw: He’s absolutely not worth hiring. It would be a dumb PR-oriented move that would be more likely to set the franchise back rather than forward, and with the Mets ascendant and only likely to improve from here – it’s pretty easy to forecast them as a 95-win team in 2016 with only marginal changes – the Nats would be shooting themselves in the face by hiring someone so regressive.

Nick: Hi Keith…was Matt Arnold a good choice as Asst. GM for the Brewers? Does his background and/or strengths and weaknesses compliment David Stearns’ in your opinion?
Klaw: Nice guy, extremely well-regarded by his colleagues and the scouts who worked for him in Tampa, but the last part of your question does address one of my questions too – are they too similar in background and philosophy?

Will: Now that Corey Seager has graduated, is JP Crawford the best prospect in baseball?
Klaw: Seager has not graduated; I use rookie eligibility on my lists, so players like Seager and I believe Steven Matz remain eligible despite having some major-league service.

George: Which player would you say most inexplicably barrels-up baseballs (hits the ball hard), in spite of poor plate discipline and/or swing mechanics?
Klaw: Have you seen Hunter Pence hit?

Johnny (Billerica, MA): Would you say that Anderson Espinoza is the most highly touted pitching prospect after Urias?
Klaw: Highly touted is a subjective term; he’s certainly receiving tremendous praise and publicity for a 17-year-old, but neither of those guys is the top pitching prospect in the minors right now.

Derek: What’s your favorite wintertime braise?
Klaw: Favorite is short ribs with red wine and dried figs, but that’s a once or twice a winter thing because they are so unhealthful (and I need to at least pay attention to that stuff).

Derek: True or False: Trea Turner should be on the Nats opening day 25 man roster.
Klaw: True.

Kingpin: I know you wrote an Insider piece on Eddy Julio Martinez, but I don’t have Insider access. (I’m a single dad with 3 teenage sons, so I have incredibly limited disposable income. Thanks for continuing the chats for those of us who can’t afford Insider but really love your work.) Any way, how refined is Eddy Julio’s game? What is his MLB ETA?
Klaw: I appreciate your honesty … I’ve had folks come to me at games and openly mock Insider, saying they could pay for it but refuse to on philosophical grounds, which strikes me as a rather bizarre place to make an ethical stand. Anyway, I don’t have any idea of his plate discipline, but I love his swing, body, and athleticism, and would probably start him in low-A with an eye toward a quick promotion if he shows his approach is advanced.

Dana: Should the Yankees go all in on Jason Heyward even though they have Gardner/Ellsbury/Beltran in the OF next year?
Klaw: Beltran can barely move in RF; you could argue they have Judge almost ready for that spot, but of course you’d rather have Heyward out there. I think it depends more on what they intend to do with Ellsbury; if he’s really this bad a player now, does he become a contract to dump, in which case they could put Gardner in CF and Judge in LF?

Robert: Was Matheny ignoring Siegrist’s reverse splits against lefties the worst managing decision of the Divisional Round?
Klaw: This has been such a huge debate – whether there’s such a thing as a LHP with a reverse split – but from a scouting POV it’s pretty evident that a lefty who has a good changeup/split and almost never throws breaking balls is going to have a reverse or neutral split. Matheny treating him like a lefty specialist is the mistake, because all available evidence, statistical and scouting, says that Siegrest is NOT that.

Jock Thompson: Glad you’re over here and restriction-free on your opinions. And thanks for reminding us of these chats and transcripts over on Facebook. Though we don’t always agree, yours is one of the more valuable on-line voices in informing my baseball opinions.
Klaw: I wouldn’t expect anyone to “always agree” with me, but if readers think I make good arguments then I’m happy.

Christopher: What is the greatest threat to the future of humanity? Climate change, or bat flips?
Klaw: Democrats say … nope, wait, not going there.

John: Why do you so easily want to give away your second amendment right? There are already thousands of gun laws. It’s a slippery slope when citizens give away rights.
Klaw: The slippery slope fallacy is a fun one. Anyway, your bigger error is assuming that your interpretation of that right mirrors mine or everyone else’s. Haven’t we all spent 200 years arguing over what exactly that right entails – whether the “well-regulated militia” part matters, and whether it proscribes any restrictions on the types of guns citizens may own?

Dan: Do the Cubs have another step forward ahead of them? As a Pirates fan I’m afraid they are going to get squeezed between some good (and somewhat lucky) Cards teams and a potential dynasty Cubs.
Klaw: Yes, I think they do. I think they’ll go after a top starting pitcher FA this winter, and there are still a few prospects on the farm who haven’t reached the point where they’re widely known yet.

Alan: Three of four series go to game five. Homeruns that still haven’t landed. Awesome pitchers being awesome. Yet, i haven’t heard a “fyeahbaseball” in forever. C’mon Keith! it’s for the children! (Provided the children are 35 year old men who absolutely should be paying more attention in this meeting they’re in right now)
Klaw: To be honest, and I know this won’t be a terribly popular opinion, I thought the Jays/Rangers’ game sucked. The Rangers took the lead on a freak play – correctly adjudicated by the umps, by the way – that led to idiot fans throwing garbage. Then the Jays tie the game on three errors before Bautista does that thing he does so well. The whole inning took something like 40 minutes and it wasn’t 40 minutes of baseball, but like 15 minutes of talking and arguing and cleaning up. It’s just an aesthetic opinion, but that’s not the kind of game I’m hoping to see in the playoffs.

Adam: Question the world has been debating, unless you are party-killer Sam Dyson: Better bat flip – Yo or Joey Bats?
Klaw: Bautista. There was some serious fuck-you in that flip.

Brint: What is the likelihood that Aaron Altherr becomes an above average regular in OF? Is his defense athleticism enough to overcome his potential shortcomings as a hitter?
Klaw: Very low.

J: Hey now! Do you think Arcia and Crawford break camp with the Brewers and Phils? Or start @ AAA?
Klaw: Both AAA. No reason for either team to promote those players too soon.

Michael: Would you say that fouling off a tough pitch rather than putting it in play softly is a skill or just luck?
Klaw: It’s a skill, IMO.

aaron, houston texas: With astros bullpen being terrible, does that change your thinking on “pay for relievers”?
Klaw: No – they paid for two of those key guys, Neshek and Gregerson. The problem was that they didn’t get guys who miss bats, not in the free agents nor from their own system. They need to figure out which of the hard-throwing prospects is better suited to the bullpen – Feliz, Velazquez, McCullers, etc.

Donnie: Who do you have winning the LAD-NYM series. Your response in last week’s chat conflicted with your ESPN article. Thanks.
Klaw: OH MY GOD I CHANGED MY MIND ON SOMETHING HOW DARE I DO THAT

Nicholas: Thoughts on the Jerry Dipoto hire?
Klaw: Strong choice. Surprised he hasn’t made more changes below him, though.

Kent: Was rangers 7th inning collapse in your opinion the biggest “choke” in post season history?
Klaw: One, no, and two, I hate using that word for the way it implies some kind of character failure. It’s baseball. One team will lose and there will probably be a mistake or two along the way.

KC: Can you explain why you were ok with the bunt in the Toronto game?
Klaw: I’m not exactly sure which bunt you mean. Didn’t Goins bunt vs a LHP at some point? He’s an automatic out vs lefties anyway.

Jim Boden: Hi keith. Khris davis for Aiken and Bobby bradley. Fair enough for both brewers and indians? Indians need a cheap right-handed slugger(empty DH slot) and brewers need high ceiling prospecrs. What do you think?
Klaw: Good grief that’s a stupid trade for Cleveland.

JR: I know I shouldn’t be, but I’m still shocked at the lack of urgency managers will show in important playoff games. For example, it was obvious Mchugh didn’t have his best stuff last night. No way he should’ve started the 5th (and bringing in Fiers to start the 5th would’ve probably been much more comfortable for him). Same thing in Cubs/Cards game 3. It was obvious Wacha was ineffective. Matheny had the opportunity to pinch hit for him in 4th and turn it over to bullpen but sent him out to hit and he got hit hard in the 5th.
Klaw: The Wacha situation was worse because of that AB and because that game was still very much in reach. Had Hinch pulled McHugh after 4 for Walter Johnson they would still have lost that game.

Chris G.: I know you work for a cable network, but it seems really stupid to me that I can’t stream the play-offs live online because I don’t have cable and blackout rules apply in my area. Why won’t the MLB take my money?
Klaw: I agree completely. MLB has to adjust to the increasing number of households who are ditching cable/satellite. I may be joining that number this winter.

Corey: Boston seems to have a group of almost-but-not-quite players who are blocked at AAA – Cecchini, Brentz, Coyle, Marrero, Brian Johnson, etc Do you retain as taxi squad insurance or do any of them have any trade value?
Klaw: I think you shop all of those guys who have value – that’s Marrero, Cecchini, Johnson (if healthy), Holt, JBJ – particularly targeting high-end arms.

Ben: Between the Mets and Dodgers, which team would you say the Cubs have a better shot against?
Klaw: Probably Dodgers. BTW, I didn’t clarify my answer above – when I actually sat down to write my real predictions (which aren’t worth much anyway), I thought the matchup favored the Mets much more than it did at first glance, which is why I picked them to win the series in four. Those odds change a bit now with Greinke pitching again and the game in LA, but I’d still give a very slight edge to NY.

Ethan: RE: last night’s freak play – time to revisit the rules around live balls now that the batter can’t leave the batter’s box? Doesn’t it seem like a return ball hitting the batter will happen a lot more now?
Klaw: I think we’d need to see it happening a lot, or batters trying to sneak the bat out there a little bit to make something like this happen, before we change the rules. It was weird, but it is extremely rare, and the umps got the call right. I do wish Dale Scott hadn’t confused the issue by calling time, but oh well.

Cody: Do you think Javy Baez has raised his stock enough that he can return something interesting this off-season or would the Cubs still be selling low? More likely Baez or Castro is moved or neither?
Klaw: I don’t have a great sense for the market for Castro, but I think I’d rather move him and roll the dice on Baez pulling a Chris Davis. I doubt Castro becomes a star, but he’s very valuable because of his contract. Baez has a higher bust probability but he could become a star much more easily.

Hugo Z: Why DFA Gattis if you can find a trade partner in the AL?
Klaw: What kind of trade value would he have? There wasn’t much of a market last winter, and now it’s even more evident how limited a player he is. I think I said this elsewhere, but he would have been valued more highly and more valuable in fact twenty years ago, when teams had larger benches (and didn’t care about OBP).

TJ: Looking at the number of effective relievers in the majors who failed as starters (both setup guys and closers like Britton, Andrew Miller, etc), is investing in failed starters as bullpen arms be a better strategy than paying big money for “proven” relievers? Any help my beloved Detroit Tigers can get in building a decent bullpen would be appreciated…
Klaw: No question. How many guys drafted and developed as relievers turn out to be great relievers in the majors, at least as a percentage of the guys who were drafted and developed as relievers? The failure rate there is incredibly high, I think in large part because those guys were already relievers (in college, usually) for a really good (that is, bad) reason.

Corey: Do you not trust in JBJ to be a starter compensating for dry spells with an A+ glove or Boston has enough OF options that he’s expendable ?
Klaw: More that they have so many other options.

Gavin: Would you give a QO to Span or Wieters? I assume both teams would hope that neither would accept, regardless, correct?
Klaw: Span, if our medicals said he was OK, then yes. Wieters, probably yes because I doubt Boras would want him to take it, but also a healthy 2016 from him is probably worth something close to that $15.8 million anyway.

KC: Would you take Schwarber 1-1 in hindsight or still too early to tell?
Klaw: Way too early to even suggest that.

ds: RE: Relievers – Which is why the Twins strategy of drafting RP’s and trying to turn them in SP’s makes me cringe.
Klaw: Well it just hasn’t worked. They took Nick Burdi, who legitimately throws 100 mph, last June, and he stunk this year. They took another guy who threw 100 with awful mechanics (Cederoth) and are trying to make him a starter. Then a round or two later they took a more unheralded college reliever in Jake Reed and he’s the best of the lot.

Sal: Keith – thoughts on the mets turning degrom and thor into 3-4 inning pitchers for this game? Let them go all out for those 3-4 innings each and only have them face the lineup 1-2 times through. Both of them threw a lot of pitches in their first start and a shorter outing could maximize their effectiveness…
Klaw: Oh I’m all in on that. Yes, I understand it will cost you one start from Thor in the NLCS, but 1) you have to get there first and 2) it’s not like Matz is Derek Holland. He’s a hell of a fourth option.

JQ: What is your overall strategy for camel acquisition/dealing in Jaipur? Beyond clearing the market when my opponent has a full hand so that they cannot steal all the high-value goods, I am not sure I know when to go after them. For dealing them, is it worth a turn/resources to exchange them for multiple low-value goods or do you stick to dealing them only for silver/gold/diamonds? Thanks K-Law
Klaw: I love that game but I don’t know that I have a clear strategy for that. I try to focus more on the three higher-value goods, both acquiring them and preventing my opponent from doing so.

Chris: If you’re the Dodgers, do you resign Kendrick this offseason or give the job to Peraza? I assume they’re keeping Seager at SS and Turner at 3B.
Klaw: Peraza is the best SS of the group, but doing that would probably require Turner to go back to 2b, where he wasn’t very good in limited MLB time. I’d like to at least see what that looks like before committing to Seager at SS, as I don’t think he’s an average defender there in the long run.

Justin (DC): May I make a plug for Acquire? It has become our go to game for new gamers, and its been very popular. I don’t know if it is because everyone we introduce it to has (fake) fond memories of monopoly or we’re all lawyers (and thus megalomaniacs), but its been a popular go to for us.
Klaw: One of the only classics that holds up well. It’s been on my annual game rankings every year.

Justin (DC): What are your thoughts on the valuation of draft picks and international money? For example, at what price point does a trade or free agent become worth the lost draft pick/international slot?
Klaw: Two thoughts. One, if MLB tries to combine these two, or even create an international draft, they’re going to have a hellish PR issue on the gap between the values of drafted kids (US/Canada/PR) and Latin American kids from everywhere but PR. Two, it depends on two factors that prevent a generalization here – where that lost pick is (pick 11 is worth a lot more than pick 25 in expected return) and where that team is in the success cycle (win now vs still building). In conclusion, don’t give up a pick for Michael Cuddyer.

nb: Keith – I’ll be in Phoenix the weekend of the AFL All Star Game. Will you be there?
Klaw: Nope, going Monday the 19th through Friday the 23rd.

Mike: It appears we are seeing a lot more starters who throw 95+ for 100+ pitches than ever before. What is this attributable to? Is it possible to teach velocity?
Klaw: Pitchers have been getting bigger and stronger for a while now, and I think we select them for velocity and then develop them to do just what you said. The results may include the spike in elbow injuries, of course.

John: Thought on Bogar as favorite for M’s job
Klaw: I don’t know if he’s the favorite – there really isn’t a favorite in these things, right? Someone gets the job and there’s no second place – but I like that he has substantial managerial experience in the minors. We’re seeing more candidates with that experience now – him, Nevin, and Alex Cora, whom I know well and recommend highly.

Fredo in Tahoe: Hi Keith, an ambitious three questions. 1. Any insight into the Dodgers jettisoning Engle and the International Staff? Thought they were well regarded. 2. Have you ever read Metropole by Kermode? 3. Pour over coffee? Aeropress?
Klaw: 1. Yes, limited insight, but I’ve heard they felt they were paying too much for international talent and not getting anywhere near the return outside of Puig and Urias. 2. No, sorry. 3. Pour-over although I’m still an espress guy at heart.

Nicholas: DIpoto has made it clear that the M’s need to get more athletic (which is obvious). The biggest need that I see is CF. Who can you see them targeting to fill CF? JBJ?
Klaw: He’d fit, although I think his defensive ability is more routes and reads rather than athleticism – he’s not a plus runner or anything. By the way, you know why they need to get more athletic? Because they haven’t drafted athletes in years. It’s been more polished, lower-upside guys, which can certainly work out but has not been at all fruitful for them. They need a new draft strategy.

Noah: Who is your guy to go first overall in the draft?
Klaw: Nobody has separated himself for 2016 yet. There are a half-dozen guys who could do so in the spring, and I’m sure we’ll get one or two names out of nowhere the way Jonathan Gray burst on the scene in February of 2013.

Geoff: Who is Kiley McDaniel and why are Braves fans so excited that he’s been hired to their front office?
Klaw: Used to work for me before moving on to other sites, including leading Fangraphs’ prospect coverage this past year. I’m a big believer in his evaluation skills. (Fans are excited because they know who he is, as opposed to someone less well-known like, say, Matt Arnold.)

Corey: Clay Buchholz – pick up the option and trade or keep and consider Owens/Wright as his replacement when he gets hurt ?
Klaw: Pick it up and keep him.

mike: 2-3-2 format in CS, favours Toronto doesn’t it? Steal one of two in KC then you can close out at home.
Klaw: Sure, if you assume you’re never going to lose a home game, even though you lost two of three in the last round.

Steve: After his season will Acevedo end up on your nyy list or are cheching his AFL results before?
Klaw: He’s in their top ten for sure.

Alex in Austin: Any reason why former Cavaliers Papi and Howard struggled in their debuts?
Klaw: Papi was coming off a hand injury and was a zero for two months before playing better (but not as well as he should have) after that. I thought Howard starting was a mistake; I don’t know if that was at all related to his complete loss of control even after he returned to the bullpen. Guys who put up lines like that are often hurt.

Ben: Despite his rather lackluster season, is Raul Mondesi still KC’s top prospect in your opinion?
Klaw: I don’t know. He’s super young and has the most ability of any of their prospects, but they’ve promoted him too quickly, and having him work so much on bunting has retarded his growth as a hitter. It’s probably still him but this isn’t the future I envisioned for him two years ago.

Bret: There is been some speculation in the Toronto media that the Jays feel David Price is “gassed” and/or tipping pitches. Have you seen anything scouting-wise that would indicate that?
Klaw: Doesn’t look gassed. I couldn’t tell you if he was tipping unless I was watching him from behind the plate (and even then I might not catch it). If he were gassed, using him in relief in game 4 would have been an even worse idea.

KC: I wish all kids could sign for whatever they can get, but what is the argument for not putting Latin American kids in the draft? I don’t get why everyone doesn’t have the same rules.
Klaw: Two different scouting staffs, operating on two very different calendars, evaluating 18- to 22-year-old players for the draft and 15- and 16-year-old players for July 2nd. I saw some 14-year-olds take BP in Santo Domingo last week. They were impressive, but I kept thinking, “what the hell am I even looking at?” I’ve seen exactly one U.S.-born prospect that young before – Bryce Harper at 15, who was already Superman – and this is a totally different world of evaluation.

Mike: Of all the possible FA pitchers this offseason, assuming Grienke opts out, who would you be most comfortable giving a long term big money deal to?
Klaw: Greinke and Price. I’m still a big fan of Price’s and I think his skill set will age pretty well.

Wally: Would Rendon and maybe a prospect for Carrasco and Frazier be roughly comparable value? Would that make sense for Nats to supplement the lack of any upper level OF prospects (and a statue in LF)
Klaw: That seems to create one hole to maybe fill another. Even if you rate Frazier more highly than I do, you’re making the 2016-17 Nats worse while you wait for him.

Jim Boden: How about Khris davis and Will smith for Aiken and Bobby bradley? Gattis for Folty and Ruiz. Tumbo for Skaggs and Eaton(Arizona gave two for Trumbo). Are those two trades also stupid?
Klaw: Those trades were stupid, yes, and I said so at the time.

Pat: The difference between the cheapest cable package that includes ESPN and the biggest one that doesn’t include ESPN is $25. Therefore, ESPN costs me $25 per month, regardless of what ESPN charges the cable company. That’s a lot of money.
Klaw: I assume that gets you ESPN plus our other channels plus some others, but yes, I hear you. We watch fewer than a dozen channels frequently. Why are we paying so much for them? More channels with substantial archives need to go the HBO route. If the BBC created an app with their entire archive of video plus new shows, is that not a huge value at $10/month?

JF: Other than AJ Reed, what other prospects in the Astros system could help their offense as early as next year?
Klaw: Don’t sleep on Tyler White. Bad body but ridiculous track record of performance.

Pat: How was the coffee in the Dominican?
Klaw: I didn’t get to explore at all, which was probably for the best as I was an anxious wreck for two days before the trip and much of the time I was there.

Jim: Keith, could you clarify Cora’s experience? My understanding was he has the GM position in the winter league, and can’t find any reference to him working as a manager anywhere (which may be me). Thanks!
Klaw: He manages Caguas.

Mike: Should the Mets give Murphy a QO for $16mm, or let him walk given cheaper and probably better internal options (Flores, Herrera)?
Klaw: Let him walk. Despite the 2 HR this series I don’t think you want him to take that offer at all.

John: I think the Braves did the right thing by getting the rookies into the rotation this season, but the results were less-than-ideal. Should they just keep the same guys next year and bank on improvement, or would they benefit from signing a mid-tier FA starter for some stability? Looking toward 2017, obviously?
Klaw: You can’t bank on improvement but you should have learned something about each of those kids, who’s learned something from the experience, who’s working well with coaches, who might be destined for the bullpen. None of that is a reason to stay out of free agency this winter, though – there’s value in adding a guy who can give you 200 innings and avoid blowing out what is already a not that good bullpen.

KC: Some of these kids get 100k, spend it all in the States, get injured or don’t make it and then go home with nothing. That’s not a service.
Klaw: Better that they stay desperately poor? It’s not like they’re going to school there. They might even learn English in a few years in the US, which is an actual skill.

Anonymous: Speaking of relievers who were starters, is Joe Kelly destined to be a closer? he seems to have the right stuff for the gig
Klaw: I think so. Tough to repeat that arm action 100 times a game enough for fastball command.

TJ: Stephen Piscotti in the playoffs- SSS or a glimpse of what we might see in the future power-wise?
Klaw: Obvious SSS but he can really hit and will hit for more power in the majors than the consensus was for him out of the draft or in the minors.

Ridley: I’m gutted to see my Rangers out of the playoffs, but the future looks pretty bright. Darvish is back next year, and Joey Gallo is going to be fun to watch. How would you work Gallo in to the team? Are there any other youngsters likely to make it to Arlington?
Klaw: Gallo should start in AAA to continue to work on making contact in the zone, and I haven’t given up on him as a 3b long-term. You’ll see Mazara in the majors at some point too.

KC: By that logic, poor kids in the US should also be able to get drafted/sign at 16.
Klaw: Poverty in the DR is a whole different kind of poverty than what we consider poor in the US.

Dan: Do front offices ever reach out to local media to run interference for (give cover to) non-mainstream managerial decisions? I’m imagining Alderson reaching out to Francesca and other NY-area loudmouths prior to tonight’s game to preemptively defend Terry if he decides to piggyback deGrom and Syndergaard (irrespective of how well deGrom is pitching).
Klaw: Don’t know. I haven’t run into that before the fact, but I do hear from folks afterwards to discuss questionable decisions, which I find helpful because often there’s a variable I didn’t know (e.g., Joey Bagodonuts woke up with a sore shoulder and wasn’t available) or consider (e.g., something in batted-ball data that we don’t have) before.

Chris: Assuming the Dodgers get past the Mets (big assumption) and they don’t use Kershaw on three days’ rest again, would you start Brett Anderson or Alex Wood in Game 1 of the NLCS?
Klaw: Anderson. But maybe get Ellis behind the plate because Grandal’s pitch-calling has left a bit to be desired so far.

Dave: Love the questions about SP moving to RP — the Reds have about 4000 young-ish guys who are nominally SPs. If you are the Reds, who do you abandon as SPs?
Klaw: I think Lorenzen and Finnegan are relievers for sure. Howard is already in the pen. Give Garrett, Mella, and Travieso more time to start; Mella may end up in the pen too. Reed can start.

Chris: Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Clarkin, Austin, and Sanchez after your visit to the AFL. All have something to prove. Clarkin unspecified injury, Austin generally disintegrating and Sanchez supposedly improving behind the plate.
Klaw: Saw Austin (no bueno) and Sanchez (same maddening combination of skills and disinterest) this year. Sanchez just isn’t that much better behind the plate, but I also never thought he was as bad as reported online either. He came out of the womb a better receiver than Montero.

Alex (CA): Who is more likely to reach his ceiling, Hedges, Sanchez, or Alfaro?
Klaw: Hedges … if they ever let him play.

Ridley Kemp: I’m gutted to see my Rangers out of the playoffs, but the future looks pretty bright. Darvish is back next year, and Joey Gallo is going to be fun to watch. How would you work Gallo in to the team? First base? DH? Third base? Left field? Are there any other youngsters likely to make it to Arlington?
Klaw: Gallo should start in AAA to continue to work on making contact in the zone, and I haven’t given up on him as a 3b long-term. You’ll see Mazara in the majors at some point too.

Klaw: That’s all for the chat this week – thank you all for joining me, as always. I’ll be in Arizona next week, where I hope to see many of you in person. I’ll try to do a chat one morning local time near the end of the week once I’ve seen everyone take BP. Keep an eye on Twitter and my Facebook page for details.

Señores y señoras, nosotros tenemos más influencia con sus hijos que tu tiene. Peros los queremos. Creado y regalo de Nueva York … Klawchat.

Jaypers413: Do you think Cal Ripken could do a competent job of managing the Nationals?
Klaw: I don’t see any reason to think he could. He has zero experience managing anywhere, and we’ve seen that those hires have a very high failure rate. Meanwhile, AJ Hinch, who was not good as a first-time manager with Arizona, has been one of the best in the game the second time around. Experience needs to trump the interview, or, in Cal’s case, the name value.

Jason: So are you not chatting on ESPN anymore? If not what is the point of insider anymore?
Klaw: Well, since my articles are all Insider, and my chats were not Insider, nothing has changed.

Mark: Did Manny Machado have one of the quietest ~7 WAR age 22 seasons ever? Seems like he was constantly overlooked due to the usual suspects of Harper/Trout (deservedly so) and a massive graduation of top prospects to the majors.
Klaw: Yep, I was even shocked when I looked at his stats in early September and saw how good his year was; the Orioles’ disappointing year dampened coverage of how good he was. He’s no longer a future star – he is a star, a top 5 player in the AL. And if he goes back to shortstop full-time … whoa.

Bob: Fun game last night (except for Pirate fans). On Twitter, you seemed uncomfortable with Arrieta facing the lineup a third and fourth time. In this game, the results were no worse the third and fourth time. Can elite pitchers be trusted to go longer into games or do you think this was the wrong move that just happened to work out? Also, do we factor in that Maddon may not trust his bullpen?
Klaw: Calling it the “wrong move” might be a little strong; going to a fresh reliever vs letting the starter go through a lineup the fourth time is the higher-probability move. You’re playing the odds here. If you’re betting on the roll of a regular (fair) die, and I tell you that you can bet on 1-2 or 3-6 with equal payout on both, which bet do you take? If the roll comes up 1 or 2 and you lose, did you make the wrong move?

Double Stuf Oreos: Heyyyyyy buddy where you been? We miss you.
Klaw: Go away. You are an abomination.

Alan: The Washington post ran a column titled the “7 decisions that got Matt Williams fired” – I think 6 of the 7 were pitching changes. I don’t get it. Aren’t the countless runs he lost during the season through bunting and intentional walks more important than getting some 50/50 pitching changes wrong?
Klaw: I actually think what got him fired was the team missing the playoffs. Had they taken 5 of 6 from the Mets in those two key series instead of losing all six, even with all his awful tactical management, they might have made the playoffs and saved his job.

Drew: Is Bud Black the best fit for the Nationals’ Manager gig?
Klaw: I think he’s a good fit. I think Alex Cora (whom I know personally, which isn’t true of many of the top candidates) would be a better fit.

Bill (Thpftt): How did you mange to score MeadowParty as your domain? You must have been an early adopter of this www thing. Can I get it back for my campaign?
Klaw: I’ve had the domain since 2000. And I’m happy to run some campaign ads for you and Opus.

Jeff: Is there any defense for Cuddyer over Conforto against Kershaw? Better yet, any reason for Cuddyer over Lagares?
Klaw: Can you give me a reason for Cuddyer? That would be a good start.

Charlie: Kyle Schwarber or Addison Russell for the 2015 postseason. Who do you take?
Klaw: I have a few of these questions in the queue but I’m not sure what exactly you’re asking for. Bat? Schwarber. total value? I mean, give me the shortstop with the plus glove.

Derek: Keith, do you think Wilmer Difo has a future as an MLB regular? How big a setback is the hand injury?
Klaw: Yes, at least an everday 2b for me. Broken hand sucks, can sap power for up to a year, but players who have hand/wrist injuries do recover fine in time.

Chris: Clint Frazier turn a corner in the second half?
Klaw: Saw him in the playoffs, looked exactly the same – swing and miss in the zone, not recognizing offspeed. You should expect any minor league player to play better in the second half if he’s not promoted because of promotions of other prospects – so for example, Frazier didn’t have to face Giolito, Lopez, Pivetta for Potomac in the second half because they were all in AA.

Dave: How dumb do you have to be to intentionally hit a batter and put a man on base when you are down 4-0 in a winner take all game? Not even getting to the “unwritten rule” aspect or the fact that the guy you hit is a friggin’ pitcher.
Klaw: I heard it on radio – was driving home from the airport – and Boog and Chris both expressed no doubt it was deliberate. Going off their opinion, yeah, that was pretty stupid. I hope that was just Watson being an idiot.

Ken: By the way, this is just a thank you for continuing to do these chats. You and Buster Olney are the main reasons that I continue to pay for Insider. You are able to explain the analytic stats in a way that older fans like myself can understand and I always learn something new from your chats and columns. Keep up the great work!
Klaw: You’re welcome, but really, I continued them because of you guys. No readers, no chats, no Klaw (well, no writer Klaw … I think I’d continue to exist).

Anonymous: What did you think of Archer and Mendoza in the booth? I thought they were both fantastic.
Klaw: I didn’t hear any of it (travel) but Archer did show plus-plus hair.

Mike Charlotte,NC: What kind of ceiling to you project for Lindor? Is a Barry Larkin type career out of the question or am I just an over excited Indians fan here. Thanks.
Klaw: Hall of Fame comps are kind of tough, no? High average/OBP, modest power, plus-plus defense and baserunning, great instincts, fans will adore him. I think that’s good.

Dan: Thoughts Dave Martinez as manager?
Klaw: His reputation within the game is strong, and players love him. I have two questions: One, why has he interviewed for six different gigs, including one with the club that employed him for six years, and never gotten a managing job? Two, is seven years’ experience as a bench coach for a great manager equivalent to actual managing experience? I’d like to think it is.

Adam: Wait, if you like Oreos, how do you not like Double Stuff Oreos?
Klaw: It’s the ratio, man. It’s all wrong.

Nick: What are your expectations for Carson Fulmer in 2016? Is it reasonable for him to be called up midseason, and will it be as a reliever or starter?
Klaw: I think he ends up a reliever. I don’t know of a big-league starter with a delivery that violent. It makes Alex Wood’s look clean and simple.

David: Does Cora have managerial experience? Isn’t that your #1 criteria?
Klaw: Yes, he does. He manages los Criollos de Caguas in Puerto Rico every winter and handles a lot of the GM-type duties in assembling the roster.

Alex: Are you not doing Periscope anymore? Also, any update on Profar’s rehab? Where does Baez play next year? Mazara top 5 prospect?
Klaw: Maybe try the decaf? Periscopes will return soon but I have been traveling – I was in Santo Domingo Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Profar will DH two days a week in the AFL. I bet Baez is someone’s second baseman next year … but I don’t know if it’s for the Cubs. Mazara was in my top 10 when I did my last update.

Adam Trask: Can we all just stipulate that Jessica Mendoza is very good at what she does and the fact that she is hotter than Ashley Judd is irrelevant?
Klaw: There is no such thing as “hotter than Ashley Judd” for me.

michael: hey klaw – how would you rebuild the SFG rotation? Assuming that bum, heston, and cain will have spots, would you spend your money on leake and another 3rd/4th starter type, or would you rather spend it on an ace (a price type) and a 5th starter?
Klaw: Not sure why Heston would have a guaranteed spot, but I do think Leake is a great fit there and very much in line with what they seem to like in starting pitchers. I think they need quantity as well as quality, and if that means foregoing an “ace” FA to sign two mid-rotation guys, so be it. They have a great defense and the offense should be better if everyone is healthy next year.

Joe: Watching the AL Wild Card game, Tanaka was in trouble in the second with bases loaded, two out, and the 9-hole hitter coming up. All I could think was, “Thank God this isn’t an NL game where Tanaka would basically get a free pass out of the jam.” Isn’t that the perfect argument for the universal DH?
Klaw: It’s not one I’ve made, but it’s a very good one.

Adam D.: Are you hearing anything else about why the agreement between Eddy Martinez and the Giants fell through? Do you think the Giants will still pursue him after this?
Klaw: I have one side of the story, much of it off the record, but I think I can safely say that the two parties do not agree on what the actual agreement was in the first place. He is looking for more than that $2.5 million figure and, having seen him take BP on Tuesday, he is worth it.

Mike P: Thoughts on David Ross admitting to grabbing Sean “Karate Kid” Rodriguez by the throat in the scrum on the field yesterday? Doesn’t that seem like something that MLB almost have to suspend him for (even a meaningless game)?
Klaw: You would think so. There shouldn’t be a ‘good guy’ pass for choking someone.

JP: top candidates for 1st pick in the 2016 draft?
Klaw: Hansen, Ray, Groome, Rutherford, maybe Puk (I think that’s a reach). There isn’t really a clear 1-1 guy right now, just a lot of guys who are easy top 5-10 picks.

Adam Trask: Si quieres credibilidad en español, tienes que aprender usar la ñ (además de los accentos)
Klaw: Yes, but they don’t display easily in HTML because you have to use special codes (usually & + the letter + a few letters indicating which accent); I’ll replace them manually in the transcript afterwards.

Mark: Starling Marte has been pretty consistent for the past few years now as a high 700’s OPS guy with speed and plus defense. Do you think there’s still potential for a Carlos Gomez-type breakout season in there (ie OPS in the high 800’s/low 900’s while retaining his speed and defense) or is this who he is (which is still a great player)?
Klaw: Potential, yes. Probability, low. Never liked his approach at the plate and I haven’t seen a ton of improvement there.

Ridley Kemp: Is Eppler a good hire for the Angels? If so, what’s the outlook?
Klaw: Good hire, but big question is how much autonomy he’ll have. If Scioscia is really going to run player development from Anaheim, it’ll be a big challenge for Eppler.

Michael: And Ausmus managed Team Israel in the WBC, but that didn’t qualify as experience?
Klaw: If you’re trying to claim that’s equivalent to managing a team in a winter league, I am openly laughing at you right now. It’s like telling me you can beat Solitaire on your computer so you’re ready to take on Deep Blue.

JR: RE your Ashley Judd comment, hopefully Mrs. Klaw doesn’t read these chats….
Klaw: She knows the deal.

Jeff: Regarding the bonehead from Atlanta and all of the internet misogynist warriors that claimed there were dozens of “more qualified” people than Jessica Mendoza….I gotta say, that’s a misnomer. You are either qualified or you aren’t. And she is qualified to do the job she has. Period.
Klaw: I agree – and that bonehead made it ten times worse by referring to her by a body part, which is a great trick if you want to dehumanize your target. Her gender is irrelevant to her qualifications, and now that she’s doing the job, even her qualifications are irrelevant. She’s performing her job right in front of us – judge her on that and nothing else.

Michael: Does Tyrell Jenkins start next year in the Braves rotation or because he was shut down for a few weeks at the end of this year, does he start in Gwinnett for a month or so before he gets the call??
Klaw: No rush, still better stuff than command/feel, unsurprising for a guy who missed so much time over the last few years.

Mike: Any chance we’ll ever get meaningful gun regulation in this country? Not no guns, but no guns for citizens that can spray bullets. Limit it to hunting rifles and hand guns.
Klaw: I do not believe there is any chance of that happening.

Dan: Ellsberry worst contract in baseball? Think there is anyway the Yankees could trade him this offseason?
Klaw: Bad contract, not sure I’d go with worst. I don’t think he’s movable except for another really bad contract.

Zach: Who do you have in the World Series?
Klaw: Toronto vs LAD.

Michael: Is there a reason why clubs don’t allocate more money to scouts, executives, and interns. Seems like more bang for the buck than a couple middle relievers.
Klaw: Supply and demand, but I do think that’s starting to change a little bit. Their salaries are creeping up.

Matt: Are your new chats a curse free zone or can we let the expletives fly?
Klaw: Go for it. I won’t say anything goes, but it’s not G-rated here.

Eric. Tampa, Florida: Could you argue that Baseball is just as popular as the NFL? If you took out gambling and fantasy, how many people would watch an NFL game?
Klaw: Bit of an academic point there. Baseball is still popular, and has work to do to grow or maintain its popularity in certain demographics – and to maintain accessibility for people with less disposable income. NFL/NBA are more popular abroad, which is a tougher road for baseball to hoe because it’s so much more complicated than basketball, American football, soccer, or hockey. All other major team sports involve one team trying to move an object straight down a field to put it in a net or a specific area of the field, and the other team tries to stop them. Baseball defies such easy explanation.

Josh: What is Angels Tyler Skaggs ceiling assuming a health comeback for next year?
Klaw: I thought he was headed for #2 starter when he got hurt.

Mike: Did you know that the Orioles traded away Arrieta? As an O’s fan I’ve only been reminded of it 1000 times today. My real question is do you get any sense that the Orioles see they need to change their approach to developing pitchers? Shouldn’t they get the message by now that they need a new philosophy?
Klaw: Really? I hadn’t heard that (in the last five minutes). I get the sense that Buck believes his way is the right way and nothing is changing while he’s there. You can draw your own conclusions as to whether that is the best thing for the Orioles.

Andy: With the current trend in bullpen usage, “damning” someone to a bullpen arm isn’t that bad. Wade Davis is just a bullpen arm, but I bet he makes more money in his career than he would have if he had stayed a mediocre starter. Heck, Joe Blanton has resurrected his career by being a bullpen guy. If you can’t be an above average starter, turning into an ace reliever may be a good personal move.
Klaw: Nope. I try to remind people of that when I say that I think guys like Severino, Reynaldo Lopez, Carson Fulmer, etc are all relievers in the long run. You can be a 3 WAR reliever and make $10 million a year. The game has changed and if anything it’s shifting further in that direction.

James: Which manager are you most surprised kept his job so far – Ausmus, Price or Weiss?
Klaw: Price, although Ausmus keeping his job after the Norris debacle was ridiculous.

Mike P: Do you think any club goes to the GM meetings without having a GM?
Klaw: No, I think the Phillies will wrap theirs up by the end of the month, although MacPhail could certainly handle the GM meetings by himself. They’re just going to be very discreet about their process.

JR: IOW, in the chat we’ve upgraded from #fyeahbaseball to #fuckyeahbaseball?
Klaw: Fine with me. Can’t say that on Twitter though. I don’t swear for its own sake, but you know, if you’ve ever talked to a scout or an exec, you’ve probably heard that such-and-such a pitcher has “good shit.” It’s a technical term.

Steve: I know you’re not a fantasy player but where do you stand on the legality of DFS. Also, do you think MLBs heavy endorsement of it is good/bad for the game?
Klaw: It’s legal gambling, right? If we try to make it illegal it’ll just move offshore, so you might as well regulate and tax it. More transparency is good for the consumer. Then again, I think state lotteries should be illegal because they’re just a wealth transfer from the poor to the middle- and upper-classes, so my views here aren’t simple.

Imre: Who ya got between my beloved Cubs and our arch-enemy Cardinals?
Klaw: If the Cards were totally healthy I’d pick them. Now I’m not sure but I’m leaning slightly toward the Cubs.

Steve: Speaking of Wade Davis, how well do you think he holds up w/ that velocity? He effective for several years?
Klaw: We’re entering a new era with some of these relievers; Kimbrel and Aroldis have held up longer than most top-end closers ever did, so perhaps the paradigm is shifting. Two years ago I would have said “not much longer.” Maybe that’s no longer true.

Steve: Sox will have lots of SP candidates under contract for next year (Buchholz, Eduardo, Kelly, Porcello, Miley, Owens, Brian Johnson, Steven Wright) but no true ace. Think they’ll a) invest $200+ mil in Price, b) sign someone from the text tier (Zimmerman, etc.), c) trade for an ace, or d) go with existing options?
Klaw: My guess is they sign one top-end starter and trade for one. I hope for their sake that they keep Rodriguez, who has ace upside, and try to package some of these major-league ready guys like Marrero, Cecchini, JBJ, etc. who have no obvious places to play in Boston any time soon.

John: How do you scout players with unconventional mechanics, but good results? I’m thinking Johnny Damon’s swing, Jared Weaver’s motion or Hunter Pence’s Hunter Pence.
Klaw: Good question without a simple answer. To some extent, you have to consider whether the player can make the unconventional mechanics work for him – can the hitter with a big hitch in his swing still get the bat head to the zone quickly enough to make hard contact and/or adjust to changing speeds? Can the pitcher repeat that delivery and command the fastball without getting hurt or wearing down? Those guys are the hardest to evaluate because scouting is so much about heuristics – general rules of thumb that, when they break down, often do so spectacularly (e.g., Chris Sale).

Thomas Feeley: Travis Shaw – Small sample size? Can you think of any comparable guys who’ve put up pretty “meh” numbers in the minors only to find their mojo at the major league-level? Should the Sox pencil him into the lineup at 1st next year? I know you’ve had some nice things to say about him in the past, I’m just trying to get a realistic sense of him going forward.
Klaw: Don’t think he’s a star or as good as his MLB line would indicate but he is probably in that group with Marrero and JBJ of guys who could start for someone else, but probably not Boston. It hasn’t hurt his trade value any to have him up and performing, at least.

Evan: What do you think of Moustakas’s season (fluke or real)? His walk rate was the same. His K rate was a bit down but not drastically. He gained 20 points in BABIP, but this also corresponded with a large reduction in his pull rate.
Klaw: He hit LHP well too, if I remember correctly, and if that’s not a one-year fluke, that would tell me more about his evolution as a hitter than anything else. I’m inclined to think it’s real, especially because he’s not trying to pull everything any more, which means a lefty spinning a breaking ball away from him doesn’t get that free rollover to second base.

Jordan: When Smoak was a prospect, did he profile as a true switch hitter?
Klaw: I thought so, but pretty much everything I thought about Smoak turned out to be wrong. At least I know a lot of scouts agreed with me, but, still.

Dave: Where’s Aaron Judge starting the 2016 season: Scranton, or New York?
Klaw: Scranton, working on plate coverage.

Dave: Better long term outlook at shortstop, Gleyber Torres or Orlando Arcia?
Klaw: Arcia but I think both are stars.

James: Do you have any postseason award ballots this year?
Klaw: NL Rookie of the Year. Filed last Friday.

JR: I live in Vegas and a Shake Shack just opened 1 mile from my house. Over/under number of lbs I gain in the next year?
Klaw: That’ll leave a mark. Although I lived close to In-n-Out in Arizona and after a couple of months the novelty wore off. Shake Shack is way better, but still, I can’t eat like that on even a somewhat regular basis.

Chad: I have hated the Ellsbury contract the minute it was signed. Garder is the same (better?) player at 1/3 of the price, and they are redundant. Following on your reply below, what about sending him to SD (needs a real CF) for Shields (terrifies me in Yankee St admittedly) and Gyorko to play 2B? Or maybe to Cubs (Theo conn, will need a CF) for Castro if they even out the money?
Klaw: Why not offer to take Melvin Upton back from the Padres too? Put him in LF, Gardner in CF, evens out the money a bit more. I like the idea of getting Gyorko; I’m not a huge fan, but I think he can be an average regular, while I don’t think Refsnyder’s defense will permit him to do that.

Enad Girondian: I have two good friends who are college baseball head coaches. Both have independently told me that a particular MLB starting catcher who often gets critical praise “calls an awful game.” Is there any objective way to discern this or is it just perception?
Klaw: I don’t know of an objective way to measure that, but some teams might. The problem I can see is that you don’t always know how much the catcher is determining the game plan.

Bill: If you had an NL CYA vote who would you have given it to?
Klaw: Kershaw. I get the arguments for the other guys and I don’t feel that strongly about it, but he missed more bats than anyone in the league and didn’t walk a lot of guys and really we’re talking about some tiny differences between these guys. It comes down to whether you think BABIP and HR differences are all about the pitchers.

Dara: Do you have any amount of Trekkie in you? If so, what percent?
Klaw: I think as a kid I saw the entire original series, and I probably watched 2-3 seasons’ worth of TNG, but then nothing after and none of the films.

James: Are the A’s ever going to get to move, even if it’s not to San Jose?
Klaw: Ever, yes. Soon, no, although I hold out far more hope of Manfred allowing franchise moves than I ever had under Selig. Manfred is going to get some things done that Bud never would have. I hope that means we get the Rays out of St. Pete and a team in Austin.

Jay: Would you have the Mets over the Dodgers if it was a 7-game series? LAD have a better 1-2 combo, but Mets have better pitching depth
Klaw: In that case, though, you’d get an extra start from Greinke too, and I don’t know if Harvey would get that second start.

Frank: Before year’s end, Manfred will decide on Pete Rose. Predict the outcome for us.
Klaw: No change in status.

JR: Thoughts on the one game wild card? I’m OK with it. Don’t need to extend.
Klaw: I don’t particularly like it, but this year it turned out to be a great thing because the Cubs deserved to be in the playoffs (and it was good for fans to have them in the playoffs). I don’t want longer playoffs; this isn’t the NHL or NBA.

Imre: Kershaw also is 1st in fWAR by 2.4 1st in xFIP by .51…………BUT, stats are stupid and I like Jake and his beard and his yoga and his riding home from games in rickshaws while jamming some Beck.
Klaw: I don’t disagree but fWAR assumes BABIP fluctuations are entirely out of the pitcher’s hands, and that may not be true and certainly isn’t something the voter pool is comfortable with yet.

Mike P: In front office thinking, what defines a “successful” draft? I’m talking, 10 years later. Like, hitting on your 1st rounder and another player? Having 3 average regulars out of 1 draft? Just curious as to what the “standard” might be.
Klaw: I think any draft where you either hit on your first rounder or find a star in a later round (a Goldschmidt in the 8th round) is a successful one, although from a process standpoint you should always examine and question why you missed on your first pick. You should get 4-5 big leaguers, including guys who are just up-and-down types, from a typical draft, with one or two of them regulars or more.

Joe: I know the Cy Young is a full season award…but philosophically, do you think it’s okay to give extra weight to Arrieta’s amazing second half? Would that really be any different than considering peak vs. longevity on a Hall of Fame ballot?
Klaw: Yes, it would be very different, like, Shake Shack vs McDonalds’ different.

Jay: Any new TV series that you like?
Klaw: We liked episode 1 of The Muppets. That’s the only new show I’ve seen so far.

Jay: What should the Yankees do with Bird?
Klaw: Full-time DH next year with Teixeira back at 1b.

Bruce: Thoughts on the Brewers new GM?
Klaw: Very sharp, personable guy. Need to see who he hires to fill some key positions and whether he gives that player development staff the overall it needs. Also he needs to stop reminding us how young he looks. Never apologize for something you can’t control!

Jason: How good is Bobby Bradley?
Klaw: Good but not great. He’s a solid prospect but not an elite one. 1B only and I don’t know that he’s going to be much of a power hitter.

Danny: Do you think if Jagielo plays a fringe 3B, he would be an upgrade on Headley?
Klaw: I don’t think he can play a fringe 3b.

Andy: Do you remember when Arizona won the Justin Upton trade because they got to re-sign Martin Prado? Going through old chat archives is fun.
Klaw: Exactly. That trade was so bad on its face and yet we had a lot of people trying to defend it for AZ.

Chris: Does that mean you think they can trade A-Rod?
Klaw: No, but if Bird is better, isn’t that who you play? A-Rod was a cipher in the last two months and looked every bit his age – and I’m a fan of his. His salary should not be a factor at all in determining his playing time.

Tom: Why would Odor not be suspended for that “slide” into Giavotella? Looked like a deliberate and malicious intent to injure to me.
Klaw: Has anyone been suspended for a slide like that? My understanding is that the players themselves are fine with such slides and don’t want to see them curtailed or banned.

Mike S. Carolina: Any thoughts with Cleveland’s front office moves?
Klaw: I think they are mostly paper moves – the reporting structure and responsibilities aren’t changing dramatically. We’ll see how that plays out.

Dan: So do the Mets just let Murphy walk at season’s end and install Herrera as the evryday 2B next year? Will the end of Lucas Duda’s usefulness and the arrival of Dom Smith align nicely?
Klaw: Yes, and probably.

Chris: Cashman said yest that Sanchez can now be a high end major league catcher. Is that just inflating his trade value or was there real improvement this year behind the plate (and between the ears)?
Klaw: Not in what I saw but there is no physical reason why he couldn’t be at least an average receiver. He has a 70 arm and can hit.

Matt: I know you’ve been very vocal with “if you need help, please get it” when it comes to mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, etc. In light of CC’s admission of a problem and action to seek treatment, I can’t stress enough how important getting help is. As someone going through alcohol abuse recovery currently, getting treatment from professionals is critical. If you think you have a problem, be honest and be good to yourself. (steps down from soap box)
Klaw: Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. And I cannot send enough good wishes your way. For whatever it’s worth you have my support.

Andy: That plan would also keep A-Rod and Teixeira fresher. A-Rod getting 300 ABs, Tex, with 400, Bird with 450 doesn’t seem like it would be a terrible plan.
Klaw: A fair point as well. Might sit Bird vs some LHP.

Brian: Can you speak on Travis Shaw’s potential at 3B? I always assumed he was an emergency only option at third, but a quality source cited him as a 55 defender at 3b with growth potential. If so, he seems like the perfect Hanley/Sandoval insurance.
Klaw: First base only for me. Not a 55 defender at third now.

Jay: What are your thoughts about Puerto Rico and the draft?
Klaw: I agree with the industry consensus that putting it in the draft hurt baseball in Puerto Rico, and that even today players drafted from there are unfairly discounted relative to US-born and Canadian players. Next year is a bumper crop in Puerto Rico, the best since 2012 and the best or second-best in the last twenty years or so, and if players there are still getting cheated on their bonuses like that then it’s time for MLB to step in and make it right.

Greg: You’d rather see a team in Austin than back in Montreal?
Klaw: Yes, for a variety of reasons, but the biggest one is that the Expos were just not that well-supported by the population there. MLB needs to go for growth markets, too, and the Austin/San Antonio corridor has over 3 million people and lots of corporations to buy luxury boxes and stadium signage.

Jeff: Is the pocket watch (in the picture above) a reference to game (1 min to make a move)? Or is it because you actually like pocket watches? Or something else?
Klaw: Stopwatch, for timing players’ running speeds or catchers’ throws to second base.

Jay: Do you think there will ever be a MLB team in Mexico?
Klaw: No. All due respect to Manfred, who probably has more info on this than I do, but I don’t think you can possibly guarantee player safety there, and the income gap is enormous. You are more likely IMO to see a team in Havana in the next 25 years than in Mexico – and it would be easier for MLB to effectively subsidize such a move.

Mookie: What possible line of thinking underlies the Rangers’ announcement that Martin Perez will start game 3? An assumed 2-0 lead going back to Arlington?
Klaw: I missed that announcement. I think I like it – betting on stuff rather than veteran presents, perhaps?

Dave: Speaking of the Dominican, when will see your 15 year old rankings? It really boggles my mind the bonuses teams give those young kids. Just joking about the rankings but how can you really tell at that age?
Klaw: I watched three 2017 prospects – fourteen years old – take BP and field a little. It’s insane that we’re even looking at them now, and that they can even look like that taking batting practice.

J: Chat’s going into extras today
Klaw: Yeah, but I have to wrap it up and take care of about a million other things, including making sure my ALDS preview post is OK (I filed before the chat). Thank you all, as always, for all of your questions and for continuing to read these chats every week. I can’t say enough to express my gratitude. I’ll chat again next Thursday ahead of my Arizona Fall League trip.

Klaw: Snarky action at a distance … it’s Klawchat.

MikeyMike: Lindor your choice for AL RoY?
Klaw: Yes, he would be, slightly over Correa, with Sano a distant third after those two.

@outfieldgrass24: Thanks for the chat Keith! When a player makes his stateside debut in Instructs at 18, should that signal that the org sees particular value in him or are they sometimes just getting him extra work?
Klaw: I wouldn’t read into it because, as you just hinted, the club may simply have wanted him to work with a specific coach or get some extra games. But I will say that there’s no negative to it. It means something good, I just don’t know exactly what.

Dan: Ausmus says he doesn’t care what people say about his handling of Norris because they don’t know the game like he does. Can the Tigers hit the reset on their decision?
Klaw: Except that all available evidence is that he doesn’t know the game. That was unconscionable; two AGMs texted me during that first inning to ask what the fuck (their word) Ausmus was doing.

Chris: Our country is petrified by the threat of terrorism, but we’re 1000x more likely to be killed by our own citizens with guns. At this point, what sort of disaster is required to enact any meaningful change to gun regulation?
Klaw: Barring the child of a prominent politican getting killed in such an event, I do not expect to see meaningful gun control laws enacted in my lifetime. Our gun culture is truly the only thing that would cause me to want to leave the U.S. to live in another country.

Jay: What kind of hitter will Andrelton Simmons be in the next couple of years? Is that 22 homerun year a complete aberration or will he find some of that pop again?
Klaw: I don’t think he can hit for that kind of power and simultaneously do much else at the plate. His ideal profile is a very low-K, low-power season where he hits in the high .200s just by putting the ball in play all the time.

Damon: Who’s your NL Cy Young? I don’t remember if you answer these questions or not
Klaw: I’ll answer on any award except NL ROY (which I have – and the form explicitly states DO NOT REVEAL YOUR BALLOT). I’d have Kershaw first, but I don’t think Greinke or Arrieta are a ‘wrong’ choice here.

Bob: Have you seen Jerad Eickhoff, yet? I realize the change up is making lefties hit him, but it looks like a huge mistake for the Rangers to almost let him be a throw in on the Hamels deal. Can he stick in the rotation? Slider is a plus pitch according to Pitch fx and well the amount of strike outs.
Klaw: He wasn’t a throw-in, not according to either side at the time of the deal, but he was not as highly regarded by scouts I talked to who saw him this year. He’s clearly something – maybe a mid-rotation guy if that changeup improves substantially (or he adds a splitter or something along those lines).

Justin: Is evolution going to make your top board games list? I saw your paste article and I’m intrigued.
Klaw: It’s OK, not great; if I take my all-time list to 100 it’s on there. I may not go that deep.

Tim: who should the Twins start in the OF next year? They should let the youngsters out there and let hunter walk right?
Klaw: Yes, Hunter has been terrible (and man he needs to stop saying stupid stuff). If he’s that great a ‘leader’ in the clubhouse, which I find hard to believe given what comes out of his mouth, make him the bench coach.

Walewander: Hi Keith. Thanks for the chat. Do you think Michael Fulmer or Ryan McMahon will make impacts at the big league level next year? Have you read The Heart is a Lonely Hunter?
Klaw: Fulmer yes, McMahon no shot, and I love that book – it’s in my top 50.

Drew: After this utter disaster of a season, what do the Nationals have to do to be competitive next season? Is that just a pipe dream?
Klaw: Fire the manager and probably add one starter while letting the kids play (Turner, Taylor, using their various rookies in the rotation) and firing Papelbon into the heart of the sun.

Anthony: Hey KLaw. Did Beane get 100% hosed on the Donaldson deal? Is Barreto going to be a good pro, in your opinion? Seems like it might be the worst trade of the decade, no?
Klaw: Barreto is going to be a star (he’s already a pro, BTW, if you’ll allow me to be pedantic for just a moment … you’re asking about the big leagues), and I hated the deal at the time for Oakland. I didn’t like the Shark trade either because Semien is not an everyday player, esp not at SS.

Tim: Do you have any issue with people reporting matt Williams is going to be fired before it is official?
Klaw: This isn’t exactly Deep Throat secrecy here.

Haymaker: Arrieta beats Cole in the Wild Card play in game, right? Cubs go on to win the NL, then the World Series? The curse will finally be broken and “Back to the Future 2” writer Bob Gale will be revered as a prophet? Just nod your head and smile, Keith. It will make me feel better.
Klaw: (nods while making ‘crazy’ circular motion around my ear)

Garren: Have you heard anything about “Lazarito”, the latest buzzed about Cuban defector?
Klaw: Only what you’ve heard from folks like MLB’s Jesse Sanchez.

Chris H: At this point I feel bad for Matt Williams, and I’m a Mets fan. That Washington Post article was brutal. Can you remember a Manager-to-be-fired who has been this universally derided?
Klaw: It’s his own fault; I have no sympathy for folks like him and Ausmus who are so obstinate about their way of doing things. You want to succeed in this game, you make adjustments. They haven’t.

Anonymous: I don’t know what to think about Wilson Contreras. Obviously, his stock went up this year, but how does he project at the MLB level?
Klaw: Above average regular behind the plate.

White haired clown: Is fair to be skeptical of coppolella in Atlanta because he worked for clown wren for so long ?
Klaw: Grossly unfair and, frankly, kind of dumb.

addoeh: Not baseball related, but L. Fournette should at least have the option of playing in the NFL now, right?
Klaw: Absolutely. I hope he fights it; it could help baseball players break the NCAA’s three-year BS rule too (which MLB has agreed to, for no good reason at all).

Pat: Bundy, Harvey, now Branden Kline — are arm injuries to O’s prospects just fluky or do they do something wrong?
Klaw: I don’t think it’s entirely coincidental.

Ed: Aren’t Arrieta’s and Greinke’s ERAs within the range of error at this point? I keep hearing Greinke’s ERA as his trump card in the Cy Young race. Seems to be splitting hairs at this point.
Klaw: Yes, although Arrieta has had some absolute joke opponents of late too – that Brewers game where they started a AAA lineup comes to mind. Again, I don’t think either guy is clearly better.

Woodman: Rumor here is that the Giants want to coach up Kelby Tomlinson to be a CFer. While he’s done an admirable job filling in for Panik at 2B, does he have the skill set to be an everyday CFer?
Klaw: I don’t see it – he’s not even as good as the Duffy/Panik group who’ve been better in the majors than they were in the minors.

Ryan: Kyle Zimmer threw over 60 innings after returning from injury this year and was pretty effective. Is that enough for him to jump back up into your top 50 or even top 25 ranking like he was previously?
Klaw: I’d be too leery of his injury history to stuff him like that but he’s definitely a mid-100 guy.

Alex: Joe Musgrove–how much has he grown in your eyes?
Klaw: Not at all.

TedT: Travis Shaw or Greg Bird – expectations and upside?
Klaw: Bird’s the better prospect but Shaw is a legitimate big leaguer with a chance to be a regular at 1b. I don’t see him being able to handle another position.

David Saba: In 2016, can JP Crawford make an impact the way Lindor has this year? Or will the Phillies hold him back no matter what?
Klaw: I think he can and probably will, because he’s going to be ready to do so by midyear.

David Saba: Has the performance spike of Jerad Eickhoff, Nick Williams & Jake Thompson since the Hamels trade altered your view of the haul? Or is it just SSS?
Klaw: For the last two, you’re looking at about a month of playing time, which is SSS for anything we might look at. I liked the trade a lot at the time, though.

Ken (Ann Arbor): Is Tyler Collins a: a) MLB regular corner outfielder
b) A regular till he gets expensive in arbitration
c) 4th outfielder who can play some CF
d) 4th outfielder — corners only
e) 4A

Klaw: Probably d.

Mark: Tyler White is supposedly moving back to catcher, and the last time he played it, he was 50 pounds lighter. What do you think of the Astros’ decision?
Klaw: Worth a try but awfully unlikely to work. Granted, the downside is limited (injury risk?) but the upside is substantial.

Bill: Can Conforto be a .280 30 hr hitter? too much on the power?
Klaw: I think he’s more likely to post a .400 OBP with 20 bombs.

John: Do you think Reynaldo Lopez can be a frontline starter in time?
Klaw: I think he’s a reliever. It’s all arm, no lower half, and his secondary stuff isn’t great.

Michael: I know Kim Ng has very little scouting experience, but do you think she is qualified to be a GM? Is gender a factor in her not getting hired?
Klaw: She’s as qualified as someone like David Stearns, certainly; his background is similar to hers, all office-based/administrative, although I can’t speak to either of their skills in terms of analytics awareness or people management.

Forsyth: Is Conforto a reasonable comp for Benintendi?
Klaw: Benintendi’s a better runner with more power and a chance to play CF. Conforto has the better eye and simpler swing. Both great players but I think Benintendi may have the higher chance to end up a star.

Michael: I know it’s the rule, but I’m not crazy about guys who clearly beat the throw being called out on replay because they lost touch with the base for a split second. Any way to fix this?
Klaw: I agree – it’s the rule, and it’s a bad one that has only come up because of replay. I don’t know a simple fix but I think it’s one to address.

Jeff: Thanks for the insight and wisdom, Keith. Have you seen anything with Corey Seager that indicates that he could remain a shortstop?
Klaw: No, not for the long term. It’s like Severino being a starter – they could hold their present roles for a little while, but when we look back in five or ten years (maybe ten is too long) it’s much more likely IMO that Seager will have spent the bulk of the time at third and Severino will have been in relief.

Andrew: Do you think Tyler White would be more productive in 2016 than Evan Gattis as the Astros primary DH? Team needs upgrades at 1B, 3B, DH…
Klaw: Yes. They should non-tender Gattis and let Reed and White play.

Andy: While you would never actually want a player to get hurt, if Severino goes down next year will you be finding everyone who’s asked the same damn question on Twitter and pestering them about how you could do their job better?
Klaw: It’s one of the most awkward aspects of my job – if I predict a player will get hurt or won’t be able to do something, and I’m right, I can’t say a word without appearing to gloat over injury or failure.

J: Last month NPR did a 9 minute piece on Spandau Ballet and last week USA Today used half the fold on Korn. Does mainstream media have a duty/obligation to give time to new up and coming music instead of that old and tired stuff? Most people think music sucks now (logic fail) because they don’t know what’s out there
Klaw: I didn’t see/hear either of those pieces (Spandau Ballet? Really?) but I do make an extra effort to find more obscure artists for my monthly playlists because does the world really need Pitchfork to review the latest Taylor Swift album?

Michael: If you were commissioner, would you allow any roster expansion in September? A lot of people propose a set 25 man roster for each day in September, but then 4 starting pitches would just be left off.
Klaw: The number would have to be 20-22.

RBI, Saves, & Wins: Our first comment on the new chat! Just give the Cy young to the pitcher with the most wins. It works with RBI for the MVP…
Klaw: Welcome back now please go away.

Derek: Does Dusty manage again in 2016?
Klaw: I would bet against it and I don’t understand the media members who appear to be pushing his candidacy. He got worse at every stop and had enough history of misusing young arms that we shouldn’t want to see him manage – and I say that as someone who has tried to help a few candidates of color get more consideration for managerial openings.

Charlie Lapin: Would you ever be interested in returning to the front office of a Major League club? Why or why not?
Klaw: I’ve answered this before and my response is still the same: I don’t close any doors, but I will only take a job that makes sense for my family. My daughter is 9 now and I don’t regret any of the time I’ve been able to spend with her rather than sitting in an office or an airport.

Nick: Kyle Schwarber appears to have some adjustments to make now that pitchers have exposure to him. Can’t imagine his struggles hold up though. Thoughts?
Klaw: He got to the majors awfully fast – we’re not even having this conversation with other kids from his draft class. I do think he’ll be fine in time, just perhaps not the MVP type that the early hype bestowed upon him.

Jay: Any optimism for Rio Ruiz next year? Is it still likely he is the 3B of the future for the Braves
Klaw: After this year I’m pretty down on him. How does anyone hit for that little power and hope to play a corner in the majors?

John: What are your thoughts on Domingo Santana? Average regular or 4th outfielder or more?
Klaw: Star tools, but fourth outfielder approach.

Anonymous: Between J Parker and Williamson, do the SFGS have a future starting outfielder?
Klaw: I think it’s more likely Williamson than Parker.

Tim: Who is the better prospect going forward G. Torres or Y. Moncada?
Klaw: Moncada has more upside at the plate, but Torres is definitely a shortstop. I’d take Moncada right now because of his age and physical maturity, and I think we know more about his bat than we do about Torres. They’re both studs though.

Matt: If you ever emigrated from the US it would be to (where) and (why)?
Klaw: Either some place warm or some place with great food (Italy, probably, since that’s where my people come from too). But any other country will likely have its own problems as a tradeoff.

Tom: So our big lesson of the week is that Harper needs to learn to play the game the “right way.” But just once, I want to see a guy play the game the “wrong way.” What would he do? Run to third after hitting the ball? Chuck the ball in the stands to stop the clock because his team is out of timeouts? Take a dive at the plate so the ump awards a penalty kick?
Klaw: Barry Svrluga’s piece from the other day covered this well, defending Harper in a way without coming off as unfavorable. Harper’s makeup is not and has never been a concern, except to idiots.

Andy: Cy Young ballot is only 3 deep right? If so, there should only be three people who get votes.
Klaw: It was expanded to five after the whole imbroglio in 2009 that some tiny fraction of Cardinals fans still can’t get over or get right.

Adam Trask: Is Starlin Castro more valuable as a second baseman or as a trade piece for a team that needs a shortstop?
Klaw: I don’t think many teams view him as a shortstop; he just wasn’t very good there defensively. But he might have a lot of trade value to a team that needs a second baseman.

Glen: How good can Kaprielian be?
Klaw: Mid-rotation starter good? It’s not a huge fastball, but there are a lot of quality mid-rotation starters or better who work with average to slightly above-average fastballs because they have at least two of command, life, or secondary weapons.

Tom Christopher: Will Jacob Gatewood ever make enough contact to even sniff the big leagues, or is there way too much swing and miss?
Klaw: My guess is he gets to the majors but doesn’t become a regular for the reason you outlined. He’s like Michael Gettys: if it clicks, you get a star, but the probability that it clicks is low.

Liam: Is Rougned Odor the next breakout 2B in the same way that Cano emerged without great fanfare at first? What do you think is Odor’s ceiling at this point?
Klaw: All-Star ceiling.

Papelboner: I thought you don’t believe in clubhouse chemistry. If true, then why should the Nats get rid of Papelbon?
Klaw: Choking a teammate is not a clubhouse chemistry issue. It’s assault and freaking battery.

Skippy: Thank you for reffering to it as a “tiny fraction”. As a cardinals fan I get sick of being judged as arrogant because there’s a group who always refers to themselves as “the best fans in baseball”. Likely the same group who complains about it. My experience with them is those ones are the worst fans but every fan base has to have black sheep
Klaw: Exactly – every fan base has its clown car. They just come out more when the team is winning. Except for the Cubs’ fan base, where the clown car had “Junior Lake for MVP” bumper stickers on it.

TJ: Which would you rather have going into 2016- Detroit with Ausmus as manager and that bullpen full of gas cans or the Nats with Williams at the helm and a bullpen that still includes Papelbon? Death not an option…
Klaw: Woof. I actually think the Nats could have won in spite of Williams if they’d been healthy all year. They weren’t healthy, so they weren’t good enough to overcome his derpity derp.

Enad: If you could have one of these become a reality tomorrow which would it be: DH in both leagues; Banning the Phantom DP; Banning the 3-0 “Gentleman’s Strike;” Robotic Ball/Strike ump machine?
Klaw: I want them all, of course. I think the DH in the NL is the easiest to implement and does the most to enhance the fan experience.

NICK: What are your thoughts on Jake Bauers?
Klaw: It’s a really tough profile. A prospect, not an elite one. Wish he was a better athlete and/or played another position.

Jim: Do you think the M’s made the right choice with Dipoto over Eppler or Jeff Kingston?
Klaw: I think DiPoto was an excellent choice, but that’s no knock on Kingston or Eppler. They wanted someone with experience, and DiPoto has had to deal with a similar payroll issue (heavily invested in a few players who may not earn their pay) before.

Ridley Kemp: I don’t think “narrative” is a good way to pick a Cy Young or MVP since we can measure the value of players with a reasonable degree of certainty. That doesn’t seem to be true of managers, though. Is “narrative” as good as any way to pick a manager of the year? Just pick the guy whose team overachieved and give him or her credit for it? Is there a better way to go about it?
Klaw: There is no good way to pick MOY in my opinion. Honestly if someone told me they voted for the guy who called for the fewest non-pitcher sac bunts regardless of team record I’d shake his hand.

Rick: Coppolella seems like a smart guy, but needs a whole lot of work on public speaking.
Klaw: I don’t think public speaking is a critical part of being a GM. People often confuse eloquence with intelligence. I can think of at least one former GM who is highly articulate but is an empty suit, and I feel very strongly that Latino candidates for GM spots are at a huge disadvantage because they interview in their second language and their interviewers subconsciously downgrade the candidates’ acumen.

Wade: We know your love of CHVRCHES and other synch-pop type music, but have I missed your thoughts on Purity Ring’s newest album?
Klaw: You may have since I wrote about it in the spring. I liked a few singles but the deeper tracks were very disappointing, and I hate the production through which they put her voice.

El Chapo Jr: Roasted Cheese filled squash blossoms? Yes or no?
Klaw: Deep fry them suckers.

Scott of Lincolnshire: For all of these questions on “can prospect xyz hit 30 home runs in the MLB?”, note that Rizzo just barely got past 30 home runs and Bryant isn’t going to get there this year. And those are two guys who have legit power. Bottom line: 30 home runs are hard to hit in a single season.
Klaw: They are now, but I’ll forgive fans who got very used to 30 HR during the first decade of the century.

Derek: Hey Keith, love your chats. See that you like metal–my 15yr old son and I recently got to watch Metallica FROM THE STAGE. Pretty amazing deal–my kid has no clue how lucky is is.
Klaw: That’s amazing because as far as I’m concerned Metallica vanished from the face of the earth before the end of the first track on the black album.

Enad: If you were a GM would you offer Rich Hill a guaranteed, incentive-filled, $2M MLB contract with a top end of, say $12M based on starts or or $5M based on appearances?
Klaw: I like your thinking. But i bet someone guarantees him more than that. I truly don’t know what to make of his September. It has to be fool’s gold, right? Right? Who’s with me here?

Brian G.: Has your music taste changed over the years? If so how? Obligatory thanks for continuing to host these chats!
Klaw: Absolutely it has. I’ve become much more open-minded as I’ve aged, and I also tend to steer away from more derivative stuff because I’ve been an avid music fan for more than 30 years now and it’s easy for me to hear something and think “I’ve heard this before.”

Theodore Williams: Confusing eloquence with intelligence….sounds like you were talking about the POTUS.
Klaw: That’s a different fallacy: confusing someone holding differing political or economic views from yours as a sign of a lack of intelligence. You may dislike Obama’s policies, but I think he’s one of the most intelligent Presidents we’ve had in my lifetime. Jimmy Carter is pretty bright and many of his policies ran from bad to disastrous.

JF: What’s the ceiling on Erick Fedde, and how do you think he has looked so far?
Klaw: Third starter, maybe fourth. Slider hasn’t come all the way back yet. More volatile than most because we don’t know if there’s more to come as he works his way back.

Matt: Do you have a recommended source to discover new music?
Klaw: Me! Seriously, I don’t have a single source, but part of why I spend time hunting is to curate these lists so readers don’t have to do it.

Adam Trask: Even smart, analytical GMs choose “leader of men” managers over strategists. Could it be we underrate the Mathenys of the world?
Klaw: I’d say we don’t know how to rate them. There is absolutely a black box aspect to the job that can’t be measured or even fairly discussed by outsiders, so we focus on we can see, which is OH MY GOD STOP BUNTING.

Aaron: Anything to get excited about for the Phillies next year?
Klaw: A lot, right? Nola, Eickhoff, Franco, maybe Crawford, possibly Thompson and Williams, maybe Knapp – there’s a lot on its way. They do need some impact starting pitching, but this is a great free agent market for that and it would make sense to look at grabbing one of those guys.

Khal Drogo: Do you ever play any of the longer-form board games (that aren’t really meant to be played in one sitting)? Do you enjoy that kind of experience?
Klaw: I’m not sure what games you mean; I haven’t played anything longer than Agricola, which is two hours or so and I would consider very long.

Jason: Hi Keith. Thanks for hosting all of us. Do you think the Tigers have enough in place to bounce back into contention next year?
Klaw: I don’t, and I don’t think that’s the right strategy at the moment. The division should be very tough, with Cleveland not far off, KC still strong, and the Twins maybe one good starter away from a possible 90 win ceiling with full seasons from Sano and Buxton. Plus the Tigers have too many holes to fill in one winter.

Stinky Rodney: Is there a type of prospect that is the most “fun” to scout? Insane power? Nasty breaking ball? Incredible fielding?
Klaw: I love seeing guys who do anything that seems superhuman like that. Jose Iglesias fielding, Andrelton Simmons throwing, Bryce Harper’s power, Billy Hamilton running. Part of why I love JP Crawford as a prospect is that he does everything so freaking easily.

El Chapo Jr: How soon until your FA rankings come out?
Klaw: After the World series, I think. I do have to write those soon.

Rick: Is Lucas Sims’ stock back up for you at all? They aggressively promoted him after he returned from the bus crash, and he held his own. He’s gotten his strikeouts back.
Klaw: He’s been better, yes, although I may have rated him too highly after that first year.

Derek: Do you think Michael Reed can handle CF?
Klaw: I’d try it. He’s a pretty good athlete and that’s a hell of a player (with those OBP skills) if he can even be average.

Stan: Pretty amazing season NOBODY is talking about: Abreu joined Pujols as the ONLY person in MLB history with 30HR/100RBI. I know Donaldson/Trout will win MVP, but Abreu 3rd?
Klaw: It wasn’t an amazing season at all; he’s a DH with a .348 OBP and a .506 SLG playing half his games in a good HR park. He wouldn’t make my top 20 if I had an AL MVP ballot.

Greg P: Do you think Miguel Almonte helps the Royals anytime soon? Reliever or Starter?
Klaw: I think he ends up a starter. Maybe a reliever in the short term.

Jason: How does traffic on this chat compare with the old ESPN chats?
Klaw: I don’t know, but these are much easier for me to handle, and when I need to reschedule I can just do it myself.

Andy: When did you start HP with your daughter? I’m worried about starting too soon because of the darker later books.
Klaw: Three months before she turned 8. We finished seven months later. She did fine.

Matt in Portland: The Astros could potentially play sunday in Arizona, Monday in Minnesota, Tuesday in Anaheim and Wednesday in New York. Can we take a vote to make this happen?
Klaw: I’m only a member of Team Entropy – Jay Jaffe is President for Life – but sign me up.

El Chapo Jr: Why havent more franchises taken over minor league franchises from a ownership point of view? It seems like the development process could be streamlined even more.
Klaw: It is the inevitable outcome. I also think it’s high time MLB leans on the Carolina League to add two more teams; owners there have resisted it because they are propping up their own franchise values, but we don’t need teams in Bakersfield or High Desert, and there are plenty of towns in the VA-NC-SC corridor that can support A-ball clubs.

Alex in Austin: The move of the year was the kid writing his thesis on how GM’s are undervalued. Guaranteed internship. It’s like winning an Oscar for a movie making heroes out of Hollywood.
Klaw: And that happens only … oh, every year, actually. That’s all for this week. I believe I’ll be able to chat on Thursday next week and the week after that as well. No Periscope this week due to Bristol travel. Sorry about that, but thank you as always for reading and for all of your questions!

Re-education for the infants. It’s Klawchat.

Bill Brewtown: Brewers on the Upgrade with new GM ?
Klaw: I believe they are, although I have a real issue with a process where the candidate was apparently selected before they even discussed or interviewed other candidates. It’s a death knell for candidates of color. That’s absolutely nothing against Stearns, but against ownership. That said, they needed better analytical capabilities, which he’ll bring, and an overhaul in player development, which I don’t know if he brings.

Chris: With a very strong AFL performance — could Lucas Sims get into a top 100 prospect list?
Klaw: I can only speak to my own list, which doesn’t have anything to do with small-sample performances like the AFL would present.

Jay R.: Keith, I don’t disagree with you on this, I’m just curious as to your logic: what’s the difference between your stated rationale that potential future career success should factor in to Rookie of the Year voting, and another voter who thinks an MVP candidate should get a boost for playing on a contending team?
Klaw: The MVP rules say explicitly that the winner doesn’t have to be on a playoff team, and considering his team’s record introduces his teammates into an individual award. For the record, though, I’ve never argued that potential future success should be a major variable in ROY voting. I think player age should be a major one – a 28-year-old and a 20-year-old having the same season statistically aren’t equally impressive.

Dana: How good is Greg Bird? Seems like he’s a star in the making with patience, power and at least adequate D at first.
Klaw: Below average defense, probably a low average hitter, but 25-30 homers with a slew of walks is still a hell of a player and maybe a star.

Hudson vs Zito!!!!: Hey Keith! I apologize if you’ve answered this already, but your thoughts on Sean Nolin in Oakland? Do you think he could be a solid “middle of the rotation” guy?
Klaw: Nope, back-end starter at best for me. Big guy with iffy stuff and below average athlete.

John Houser: The Reds are featuring all rookies in the rotation. Any of these guys a long term solution?
Klaw: Lamb for sure. Iglesias probably. Finnegan is a reliever. Desclafani I’m not sold on but he has had an excellent season.

drew: Do you have any concerns over letting Arrieta finishing the game last night? I see a 29 year old who keeps himself in ridiculous shape and is completely capable of going 120 once in a while. His chances on CY?
Klaw: I don’t. He was facing a AAA lineup anyway.

Matt: It’s only been 30 or so games but how concerned are you about Buxton?
Klaw: Zero percent concerned because it’s only been 30 or so games … but it’s clear that Correa was the right call at 1-1 over him back in 2012.

Matt: Better career: Dansby or Brendan Rodgers?
Klaw: Rodgers.

HawkTalk: Keith, play Kreskin for us. When and where will Tony Kemp get his big league shot?
Klaw: Why should he? I don’t get the fascination. Poor defender, zero power, probably 5’4″, and didn’t hit in AAA.

Jay P.: Keith, do you think Harper will be a unanimous MVP this year?
Klaw: No because of narratives and because there are definitely writers who dislike him for having a personality.

Kevin: How high could you see Anderson Espinoza getting to next year? Is AA out of the question?
Klaw: My guess is he’ll be on some sort of workload limit that will keep him from advancing that fast.

Kyle: Does McCullers have a chance to stick as a starter or do you still see him as a closer long-term?
Klaw: Has the three pitches to start but not the command right now.

John: Bogaerts has been hitting for a little bit more power recently. Can he be a 20-25 HR guy?
Klaw: I think so – ball comes off his bat well, has the bat path to hit for power.

Howey: Just started college this week. During undergrad or graduate school did you ever envision yourself working in/around baseball for your career?
Klaw: Never. And I’m not sure if I would have done anything different if I had. Obviously playing baseball would have helped but with my size and metabolic disorder that wasn’t in the cards.

Anonymous: What do you think was Mets thinking in taking Cecchini over Seager in the 2012 draft?
Klaw: Seager would have required an over slot bonus and the Wilpons just don’t do that.

Ben: Before watching Lindor over the past few months would you have said the offensive profile of JP Crawford was similar? We can’t expect this of JP, right?
Klaw: Yes, I would have, and yes, I think we can.

Dave: Do you think Miller and Betances control issues are linked to their usage this season?
Klaw: I think it’s a fair question to ask but impossible to prove either way. I would love to see them get a few days off before the playoffs though.

Dan: More success in the next 5 years: Cubs or Astros?
Klaw: Cubs. Astros might have more talent in the system but Cubs have more predictable talent and will likely have a lot more money to spend.

Christian: Who should Braves target early in next year’s draft?
Klaw: Best player available, regardless of position. There’s no clear 1-1 in the draft right now, or even clear top two, so I wouldn’t pin them down to any player or class of players.

Chris, Larchmont: The playoffs are all about riding the hot hand. Am I crazy to think the Mets should start Matz in Game 1 of NLDS? He’s got plus stuff and, at the moment, has less questions than Harvey or even deGrom.
Klaw: The “hot hand” does not exist. It’s a myth. The few studies that purport to show that it does all end up exposed as having major methodological flaws.

Daniel: Do you support reseeding after the regular season, or sticking with current playoff format? NL Central is gonna get screwed by the current format, but this is a pretty rare circumstance
Klaw: I don’t like changing rules in response to one outlier circumstance that is just a question of (subjective) fairness.

Frank: You generally had positive things to say about Schwarber, but you justifiably ranked him low on your lists due to defensive concerns and whether he’d find a spot on the field. Are there any guys in the near future who might be low on your ranks but have a similar high floor if they can get on the field?
Klaw: Bird would have been higher if I thought he could play good defense at first (on which I’m not sold). AJ Reed still isn’t very good at first but obviously he can hit.

James: About when should we expect your offseason prospect extravaganza on espn?
Klaw: End of January. Takes me a good month to put it all together.

Nick: What would be a reasonable trade package for the Red Sox to give up for Matt Harvey?
Klaw: If I’m the mets I’m insisting on one of the big 3 of Bogaerts, Betts, or Swihart, plus two other guys from the system. Ask for the moon and you might get it. The problem is that Boston can just say screw you, we’re going to go sign two elite starter free agents.

Godd Till: Have you read Underworld? Have you caught Norris’s last two starts? Thoughts on either?
Klaw: Haven’t and won’t read it. Norris looked so much better last night – stuff seems to be all the way back now.

Will: Who’s the next breakout stud from the Cubs after Torres and Contreras this year?
Klaw: Cubs fans gettin’ all greedy now.

Seth: Tim Anderson’s ceiling?
Klaw: Above-average everyday shortstop. Good defense, avg, low OBP, some pop.

Django: Chance that Appel turns out to be a better 1-1 than Bryant? (And is it true the Cubs preferred Appel?)
Klaw: Don’t think there’s a chance of that, and I have mixed intelligence on their prefs so I don’t know.

Tony: Any scouting updates on Luis Ortiz from the end of the season?
Klaw: Heard he was 95-97 again but in short bursts. Still a big fan.

Nick: Frazier or Zimmer the better Indians OF prospect right now?
Klaw: Zimmer, not close for me. Saw Frazier in the playoffs – same issues with swinging and missing at stuff in the zone, not picking up spin. Reminded me of Michael Choice although choice was older.

Bobby: Hey Klaw. Corey Seager is a bad a**. That’s all I got.
Klaw: He is absolutely a badass, and over here you don’t have to censor yourselves!

Eric: Can the voters be wrong if any of the following 3 win the NL Cy Young between Greinke, Kershaw or Arrieta?
Klaw: I’m fine with any of them, but I don’t like Arrieta getting pushed up for the win total. Let’s do it for the right reasons, shall we?

Dave: Do they Mets re-sign both Murphy and Cespedes? I can’t see them sending Conforto down to make room next year.
Klaw: I think neither. Murphy isn’t worth the cost anyway and Cespedes seems likely to be overpaid based on August.

J: Starting Marilynne Robinson’s Houskeeping this week. If I remember correctly you liked it?
Klaw: Loved it. I adore her writing, and the prose in that book has this haunting sparse quality that I will never forget.

Mrs. Grichuk: Injured recently, but has Grichuk moved up to a legit daily corner OF as opposed to a platoon/4th OF?
Klaw: Not for me. I don’t think you can be an everyday corner guy with plate discipline that poor.

Chris Wilcox: How does Michael Conforto only have 12 PA vs lefties in almost 2 months in the majors? Considering the problems that Murphy, Duda, and Granderson have against left handed pitching, is he really any worse of a candidate to face lefties than they are? He seemed to hit lefties reasonably well in the minors, no?
Klaw: He’ll never learn to hit them if they don’t let him face them … and they’re winning that division so it’s not like they have to bench him to help the team right now.

MJ: What do you think the Jays SHOULD do with Osuna next year? Leave him as closer or stretch him out to start? If they start him, how would you manage his innings? Start him in the bullpen and stretch him out by ASB, shut him down early, skip starts, or some other way?
Klaw: Can’t just jump him to 180 innings, so I’d consider making him a sort of long reliever early in the season to stretch him out. I do think he should get a chance to start again.

Ed: I’ve heard that Dillon Cease’s fastball is looking good, but that his control isn’t there at all. Does this line up with where he was at pre-TJ? Is he progressing as you’d expect or is it still too early to tell? Thanks!
Klaw: He walked 16 in 25 innings about a year off surgery. I don’t think that’s remotely alarming or surprising. If he’s still walking 6 per 9 in 2017 I’d be worried.

Phil: Do you think the Mets are going to trade Harvey in the offseason?
Klaw: I think they’ll entertain offers, but if they do so, they almost have to get a young starter back because they traded away their depth in Fulmer and Meisner. Without Harvey they’re at five starters, with Colon presumably gone as a free agent, and of the five remaining three have had some kind of significant injury in the past.

Dave: Do we see james kaprielian up at some point next year?
Klaw: I think he could but the Yankees don’t always move recent draftees aggressively. He’s more command than pure stuff so I think he’ll rip apart A ball next year.

Tom: I think it’s interesting that Twitter/Chat Klaw says that Arreita shouldn’t get pushed up for the Wins total, but BBTN Klaw last night mentioned Arrieta’s 20 wins as something that could be considered. Is it harder in a live forum like that to dispel certain stats especially when your co-hosts are bringing it up?
Klaw: Hold on a minute. I specifically said on the show that won-lost records shouldn’t be considered, but that some voters do consider them and that would help his candidacy. There’s a difference between me arguing who should win and me predicting who will win.

Dan: How did Jake Thompson look when you saw him pitch against Bowie?
Klaw: 90-93, above avg cb, avg-ish SL, handful of mid-80s changeups. Fourth starter who could end up a three or better due to his command and control. Delivery works too, very compact and online to the plate.

Rob: Thoughts on Molly Knight’s comments regarding Yadi?
Klaw: I think she’s generally right in the sense that they are not the same team without him calling games. They’re not dead, but it’s hard to replace what he does with that staff.

Dan: If anybody is going to pull away from the pack and be the clear-cut No. 1 overall pick next year, who’s most likely to do that?
Klaw: The one guy I haven’t seen in this group, Alec Hanson at Oklahoma, was up to 98 in their fall scout day with an above avg slider. Listed at 6’7″, 235. He could end up pulling a Gerrit Cole and separating himself quickly.

Scott: Do you think the Giants re-sign Marlon Byrd? Relatively cheap, and while he isn’t awesome, he’s likely better than anybody else they’d throw out there in LF? Horrible contact rate, but does have some pop.
Klaw: Not on Williamson? I think he can be more productive than what’s left of Byrd, who can’t play defense and as you said is a one-trick guy at the plate.

Rob: How did Kang do vs. what you thought he’d do, and how do you think his success will affect the bidding on Park?
Klaw: I rated him pretty highly – top 15 free agent last winter, thought he’d get about twice as much as he did. I don’t think anything will fully convince GMs that Korean hitters or Japanese hitters are safe bets.

Lars: What have you heard about Nick Gordon. Seems like he really raked for the last 3 months of the season. Do you think he’s a top 100 guy?
Klaw: He was a top 100 guy last winter and he still is one for me. High-contact SS with a chance for more pop than Dee.

Chris H.: Heard the new Chvrches yet (it’s streaming on NPR)? If so, initial thoughts?
Klaw: I’m streaming it right now. I’d already heard 4-5 songs though – “Leave a Trace” might be my favorite song of theirs.

Scott: Good call on Williamson, from my earlier question. Are Beede or Crick ready to join the rotation next year? Thanks again for keeping these chats going. I’m sure I’m speaking for many when I say “thank you.”
Klaw: Don’t think so. Crick has to go to the bullpen; Beede is now throwing 88-89 mph sinkers, his slider has backed up, and he had a 5.60 ERA in AA with bad peripherals.

Justin: Thoughts on Stephen A’s tweet about Andrew Miller as non-closer? Don’t know how you deal with working for that network.
Klaw: It was a scorching hot take. You’d have to be quite ignorant of baseball to think of Miller as some generic reliever; he’s been elite for a little while now, and the comparison to Rivera is absurd because Mo is the best one-inning closer in history.

Nick: From a “readiness” standpoint, who would you feel more comfortable slotting into your opening day rotation next year between Urias, Giolito, or Appel?
Klaw: Appel over Giolito way over Urias.

Jay: Re: Coghlan’s slide, something being commonplace and accepted also doesn’t make it ok.
Klaw: Also true. Like, say, ~39 states lacking any laws banning discrimination against transgender people.

Bob: How highly do you rate Yogi Berra? Not to speak ill of the dead, but it seems that some of his ranking by most is due to his being on some great Yankee teams. Looking at the stats, none of his three MVP awards was deserved. Ted Williams smoked him twice but didn’t play on a championship team those years.
Klaw: I think he’s been overrated because of the teams on which he played, the city in which he played, and his personality. His teammates adored him, the media adored him, the fans adored him, he even got a boost because George Steinbrenner treated him like garbage. Definitely a HoFer though.

Kirk: How does Max Kepler fit into the Twins plans over the next year? Don’t expect him to start the the season in the bigs, but by July I would think he’d be banging on the door…
Klaw: Right field? I know they want to re-sign Hunter, but he’s terrible – as predicted – and they need to move on from that nonsense.

Javier: Hot take: Wu-Tang Clan is or is not something to fuck with?
Klaw: Sources say they are not.

Jeff: Didi Gregorious has been a pleasant surprise after a rough start to the season. He will probably finish with a 3 fWAR season. Is that a reasonable expectation for him or is there more upside?
Klaw: Maybe a little more avg. Otherwise this is what I thought he would be.

Tom: I know you disdain the IBB in nearly all cases, but last night Scioscia IBB’d the winning run with 2 outs in the 9th to face Gattis, a guy who strikes out a lot and doesn’t get on base much. And, presto, he struck out to end the game. Because this actually worked, does it make it good strategy for the situation?
Klaw: I think the math on that one – and like it or not, the IBB is a math question, not a question of what your gut flora tell you – is complex, because Gattis isn’t really a major league hitter. Guys with .275 OBPs (or .500 OBPs) probably fall outside the probability distributions covered by run expectancy charts. Gattis vs any RHP with a decent breaking ball is a bad matchup for Houston, to the point where they should be PH for him late in games.

Chris H: physical newspapers or digital?
Klaw: I haven’t gotten a physical paper in over a decade. I do still read physical books as well as e-books.

Bob: Regarding take-out slides, isn’t the concept of physically interfering with a fielder doing his job contrary to the entire spirit of the game? It’s not a contact sport. For instance, we don’t let players use their hands to knock the ball out of a fielder’s glove (like A-Rod a few years ago).
Klaw: It’s also against the rules. If you’ve been called out, and then go walk over to the guy with the ball and put him in a chokehold, you’re going to get suspended. Why wouldn’t sliding into the guy with your knees up get the same response?

Jonny Bison: I have a ten-month old daughter, and I have found myself throttling back career ambitions so that I can devote more time/energy to fatherhood. I know that you have made similar decisions. Do you think there is an age your daughter will reach where you will start considering career options that you aren’t currently?
Klaw: She’s nine and I’m not really there. If anything I want to be home more than ever because we can do so many more things together. We cook together, we read together, we play boardgames together, we’re going apple picking this weekend, I want to teach her to ride a bike this fall … I’d be nuts to want less time at home.

Zach: Astros DH next season is……?
Klaw: Reed or White.

Troy: pretty sure you’re the biggest brewers hater I’ve ever seen? Why is that? You hate the process for hiring a new gm, but they interviewed brooks, bloom, kantrovitz and Montgomery too. you hate the players, hate the former GM, hate the farm system, hate the owner. Why are you so negative? did gord ash do something to you in Toronto? You’re like a little girl.
Klaw: Sorry, I had to stop laughing before I could answer this. You’re the one having a tantrum in my chat, but I’m “like a little girl” (which is offensive to me as the father of a little girl who could quite easily put you in your place). As for the interview process, I know a lot more about it than you do – including where your list of candidates is wrong.

Ben: Keith, why do we still hear the title “best hitter in baseball” assigned to Miggy? He’s had an extraordinary career, but isnt BHIB currently pretty clearly Number 34 in red? (Unless one thinks he has had a career year at age…22.
Klaw: It’s like an honorific or some crap like that. Miggy’s a great hitter still but not what he was a few years ago and of course not likely to stay healthy for 160 games any more.

Joe: Just saw Neftali Feliz pop up with Detroit, hadn’t seen his name in a while. What went wrong/never materialized for him?
Klaw: Wasn’t quite the same after injuries. Maybe wasn’t that good to begin with but the arm was so electric we were all seduced by it.

JP: Klaw – if your daughter is with a friend’s family and they say, “hey we want to take the girls to McDonalds” how do you respond?
Klaw: Fine with me. My daughter might not be pleased though.

JP: Joe Sheehan tweeted that there are now 4 NL Central teams with analytic front offices…..and the Reds. True or False?
Klaw: Brewers aren’t there yet. Maybe in a year.

Pat: Would you sign Jason Heyward to play CF, or just keep him in a corner?
Klaw: Probably in a corner, to avoid a risk of injury.

Chuck: Who is one player that the media fawns over that really drives you nuts? Someone they waaaaay overrate?
Klaw: Francoeur came up earlier this summer. Torii Hunter. Not a player but the idea that Showalter can do no wrong here – when every one of his previous stops has seen him wear out his welcome faster than a vegan in a butcher shop – perplexes me.

Ben: Keith, why do we still hear the title “best hitter in baseball” assigned to Miggy? He’s had an extraordinary career, but isnt BHIB currently pretty clearly Number 34 in red? (Unless one thinks he has had a career year at age…22.
Klaw: It’s like an honorific or some crap like that. Miggy’s a great hitter still but not what he was a few years ago and of course not likely to stay healthy for 160 games any more.

Kris Bryant: Better question is, why is Coghlan playing almost every day which leaves Soler or Baez (or both) on the bench.
Klaw: Veteran presents?

JP: Joe Sheehan tweeted that there are now 4 NL Central teams with analytic front offices…..and the Reds. True or False?
Klaw: Brewers aren’t there yet. Maybe in a year.

Ryan: What are your thoughts on the new developments in the Patrick Kane case and do you think he should be allowed to still play while he is being investigated for these charges?
Klaw: NHL has the right to suspend him pending resolution and then to conduct its own investigation to determine his fitness to play. And they should.

Oliver Samuel: How would you rank Conforto’s tools and has his performance in the majors increased what you think his fielding ceiling is?
Klaw: No, I thought he could be a solid avg defender in left even on draft day. (Thanks to Rising Apple Blog for digging that up earlier this week.) 60/65 hit, 55 power, 50 glove, I think a 50 or better arm, and while it’s not a tool his plate discipline is plus-plus.

Robert: Coghlan plays because he has a 3.1 fWAR this year, while Soler and Baez have combined for a 0.5 fWAR.
Klaw: Soler and Baez had lower WARs because they were hurt/in the minors. On June 15th Kyle Schwarber had a 0.0 fWAR. Maybe they shouldn’t have played him at all after that?

Pat: Is Jorge Posada a HOFer?
Klaw: Not for me, but he’ll get 30-40% of the vote or so. The sad thing is he would have a much better case if they hadn’t buried him behind Girardi till Jorge turned 26.

Ryan: I really enjoyed the movie reviews you used to do more frequently here on the Dish. What some of your favorite movies you have seen in 2015?
Klaw: I lost my movie buddy (Nick Piecoro) when I left Phoenix. I’ve seen Inside Out and Birdman and I think that’s it. It’s awful.

Jeff: One of my favorite articles you wrote was Tim Raines and the HOF. On that note, do you think that Harper’s season is easier to overlook because Trout accomplished these numbers 2-3 years prior?
Klaw: Thank you. That’s possible, although I think Harper having a personality has hurt him more. Remember when Boswell called him the 7th-best player in their lineup? I don’t know how you look at his skillset and say something like that.

Chris H.: Hot dogs: (a) avoid at all costs; (b) fine, in moderation; or (c) more please?
Klaw: I eat maybe one or two a year.

Will: Why does it seem like the O’s have so much trouble with young pitching (Matusz, Arrieta – before he left, Gausman, Tillman, injuries to Harvey/Bundy)? Is it just the natural risk involved with young arms or do you see an issue in their system?
Klaw: Any time you see that many arms fail to pan out in a short period of time you have to at least consider the most likely explanation that it is a systemic problem, and try to rule that out before accepting that it’s a fluke. Showalter has definitely moved too many guys on the rubber to their detriment. And I’ve now heard a few times from different sources about him and their former pitching coach getting into huge arguments with Arrieta.

Chris H.: Do you or does someone else decide the “sports coat, no tie” look on BT?
Klaw: The exec overseeing BBTN this year dispensed with ties. I’m thrilled – I have always found them uncomfortable and I think dressing more casually lends itself to us being more loose on set. Eduardo and I have been joking around on the show a lot this week and I don’t think that’s a coincidence.

Harrison: Does Austin Meadows develop 25 homerun power? Still a Jay Bruce comp?
Klaw: It is in there but he has to hit the ball on a line more and less on the ground. I’m still a believer because he’s young and the pirates do develop players well.

Ed_____: Wow. And so another kitten is lost needlessly.
Klaw: When the current mass extinction event hits Felis catus, you’ll know who to blame. That’s all for this week’s chat – thank you so much as always for joining me. I’ll be on the late BBTN tonight right after the Dodgers/Dbacks game, and on Thursday night as well. Next Periscope and Klawchat will be next week and my annual “players I got wrong” piece will go up tomorrow. Thanks again!

Klaw: Flying in the face of fashion … it’s Klawchat.

Nate: Does Jorge Lopez make your top 100? If so, what range would you slot him?
Klaw: I don’t know if he’s a top 100 guy – I won’t really sit down to work on that until December – although I do like him for what he is, an average FB/good CB guy who can really pitch and has a good delivery.

Jeff: Is Albert Almora going to be good enough offensively to be a big league regular? He finished strong at AA but I would think his glove can only carry him so far.
Klaw: If he doesn’t walk or hit for power, he’ll have to hit .290-.300 on a regular basis to be a quality everyday player. AJ Pollock did something along these lines, but he could also really run, and I think he’s always had better plate discipline than Almora.

Willy: What changed with Jake Thompson since the trade to make him perform so much better with Reading?
Klaw: I don’t know if anything changed, but I’m going to see him tonight at Bowie in their playoff game, which will be fairly loaded with prospects (him, Nick Williams, JP Crawford, Andrew Knapp, Chance Sisco, Trey Mancini). If any of you decide to come to the game, please swing by and say hi.

Jon V: Keith – are you a bit surprised at Lindor’s offensive numbers for his first half year in the big leagues?
Klaw: No, not really. He could always hit and his approach has been very advanced since he was in high school. I had some doubts about him his senior year, but in hindsight I think I was channeling industry fatigue from seeing him so much. He may actually have been *over*scouted.

Tim: DJ Davis…still a prospect?
Klaw: Still not a player. (I never liked that pick. Second or third round, sure, but first, way too risky a profile.)

Cody Rhoads: I liked your suggestion of Ray Montgomery for Phillies GM. Chaim Bloom is interviewing in Milwaukee today, is he another option for Philadelphia?
Klaw: I haven’t heard any specific names in Philly at all. Jayson Stark said last Thursday that MacPhail hadn’t made any calls yet on that spot.

Marcus: Do you think the Angels took away the running game away from Trout or was it his own decision?
Klaw: More the former. Supposedly it bothers Pujols to have Trout running in front of him.

Ben: Is there any chance we’ll get to see a sneak peek of Orlando Arcia in Milwaukee once Biloxi’s playoffs have concluded?
Klaw: He’s not on the 40-man now, so unless he has to go on this winter to protect him from the rule 5 (I don’t know offhand), I would say no.

Mike: Besides Tyler Kolek and Josh Naylor, is there anyone we can actually get excited about in Miami’s system?
Klaw: I’m not sure you should get that excited about those guys either.

JR, Connecticut: Hi Keith, hope you got to see some of the abhorrent nonsense on vaccines during thaat clown show of a debate last night. Do you see the Mets resigning Cespedes in the offseason and if so what would you think a fair contract would be?
Klaw: I didn’t watch the debate, because a room full of science deniers like that isn’t reallly the place for me. I’m not a “single-issue” voter, but I will say that if you deny the basic science on vaccines, evolution, or climate change, I can’t vote for you. Accepting facts is sort of a necessary condition. I don’t think they’ll re-sign him – I think he’ll get wildly overpaid by the market relative to his projected output, probably well north of $20MM/year.

Wally: What would you do this offseason if you were Nats GM – plug in behind the departing FAs, or even more dramatic reconstruction? Let’s assume the manager goes (might not be a slam dunk for them, but is for most fans)
Klaw: Turner to SS, AJ Cole and Tanner Roark to the rotation, Giolito to AAA, Reynaldo Lopez to the major-league bullpen. The tough one is CF: Michael Taylor’s glove is exceptional, but can you live with a year or two of offensive struggles? I can, but ownership might disagree.

C Hoffman: Can I play with madness?
Klaw: There’s no vision there at all.

John Houser: The Rangers have been aggressive with Brinson and Mazara. Is there room for both of them in Arlington next year? I am thinking Brinson could use a full AAA season.
Klaw: Brinson’s glove is ready but I agree with you at least to the extent that Brinson should start in AAA with a goal of maybe 200 or so AB. Mazara seems more ready, but where does he play? Can they dump Choo’s contract on someone? He’s an awfully expensive platoon player, and since they’re both LHB you can’t even work them both in.

Tally Dave: Keith, Jake Arrieta has a 2nd half ERA of 0.90, which if holds up would be the lowest in MLB history…just crazy about his dominance over an extended period…to me it’s a no-doubter but what would be your order between Arrieta, Kershaw, Greinke?
Klaw: Kershaw, Greinke, Arrieta, although if you want to flip the first two I’m fine with that. I don’t see why the second-half ERA should count more than the first (in fact, it should count less as the second half is usually shorter).

Jonathan: As a Red Sox fan do I have a right to be concerned that Dombrowski is going clean out the farm AND bring Frank Wren in as GM?
Klaw: You absolutely have that right, at least until proven otherwise.

Dave: Bryan Mitchell’s 67 ERA+ … SSS slump, not that good, or not ready?
Klaw: Not that good.

Jeff: Travis d’Arnaud looks like a superstar. Is this his ceiling if he can ever stay healthy?
Klaw: I think so. He was my #7 or #8 prospect one year with the Mets, before the injuries started. I’m not sure he will ever be healthy enough to catch 130 games in a season, but I hope I’m wrong.

MSW: So it seems like ESPN isn’t killing chats after all? Schoenfeld and Karabell have held their normal chats this week. Just wondering what’s going on with them in general.
Klaw: I have no idea. Klawchats are here now, and only here.

Larry Dodger: Does Urias hit majors in 2016? It seems like Dodgers have limited his innings so much it does not seem like he goes over 125 IP next year.
Klaw: He also was horrible in a brief AAA stint. Why push him? He should come up when he’s ready to contribute in some role, not when the fans (or the owners, who I imagine see dollar signs with him) demand it.

JR, Ct: Hi Keith, noticed only one New Haven pizzeria on your best of list. Whatof the other big hitters (Sally’s/Modern)?
Klaw: Haven’t been. Might try one next week.

Dave: It is clear the Reds think Michael Lorenzen has a lot of potential. It is also pretty clear he is a pretty bad MLB pitcher right now. What does he need to fix, and do you see him doing it?
Klaw: I think and have long thought he’d have to go to the bullpen. Big fastball without enough life, no above average secondary pitch.

Jerome Seinfeld: If a player who pitches in 30-35 games can win the MVP, why not Cespedes?
Klaw: False analogy time! A pitcher has more impact on the outcome of a game he starts (facing 30 or so batters) than a position player does (about 4 plate appearances and a couple of plays in the field).

CJ: Is Aaron Altherr turning into a pretty good player? Or will he be an average regular?
Klaw: Great athlete but probably an extra/bench guy in the long run. Still young enough to surprise, though.

Corey Anderson: If mlb changed roster sizes and had an active roster and inactive roster for a specific game, how many players would you like to see active on game day? How many player should each team carry as inactive?
Klaw: The real question there is how many bench players and relievers – you need 8 (NL) or 9 (AL) hitters and one starting pitcher as a given. Is a 5-man bench and 6-man bullpen sufficient, giving a little more flexibility to managers in September as they cope with tired/sore players?

Bryan: You’ve talked a lot about position on the rubber for Gausman, Should different pitchers start on different spots on the rubber?
Klaw: Yes. Whatever works for them – some guys want to be on their glove side (1b for a RHP) so they’re more online to the plate; some guys (e.g., Arrieta) want to be on their arm side to get that cross-body deception.

hankpsu: Keith, did you see the slide by Coghlan that (more than likely) ended Kang’s season? Legit play?
Klaw: No, I was here, but if that ends Kang’s season that sucks.

BM: What is your opinion of Servino now….Still think he will end up as a RP? Thanks
Klaw: Yes, I do. Now that everyone has had a chance to see him a few times, don’t you see the same delivery concerns I did – the lack of use of the lower half, the big arm speed generated entirely from his torso and shoulder?

Erix: Hi Keith! Can you tell me a bit about Toronto RHP Connor Greene? The Jays seem to be quite bullish on him.
Klaw: Saw him in HS against Dominic Smith – Greene was a skinny little guy, 89-90 with some control but all projection. He’s been hitting 97 this year, so good job by the Jays with that pick.

MSW: You’ve always been one of the highest on Gavin Cecchini, and it seems like his bat is coming along. However, he has posted 28 errors at SS. Since I can only scout the stat line, I’d love your opinion on his future. Can he stick at SS? Future utility guy? Thanks Keith!
Klaw: Shortstop. Hands, range, instincts all there. Has the arm strength but had trouble with throws in the first half – very erratic, not Steve Sax bad but not good. That tapered off in the second half – I think he had 21 errors in their first half (about 70% of their season), 7 in the second.

BJInIndiana: What are your thoughts about rehab stints during MiLB playoffs? I’m a Cubs fan, but Soler starting for the Pelicans felt a little off to me.
Klaw: Yeah, I’m not a fan, although with Soler playing about half effort level when I saw the game here on Monday it didn’t matter.

Thomas: More upside Adam Warren or Ivan Nova?
Klaw: You guys know my position on this: hitters shouldn’t get ‘time’ except in extraordinary circumstances.

Chris: would Kevin Maitan even at such a young age come anywhere close to a top 100 list?
Klaw: Absolutely not.

Josh: Have you had a chance to watch Mychal Givens pitch? Future closer?
Klaw: Yes. Sidearm guy, though, and had some trouble with LHB in the minors. Great stuff, but if lefties continue to get to him he won’t be able to close.

Dan: No question, just a thanks. Your chats are fun to read, thanks for finding an alternative way to do them.
Klaw: You’re welcome – thank you all for sticking with me and coming over here to keep them going. The chats would be very boring without readers asking questions.

Jake: Iran Deal. Good or bad.
Klaw: Good. Not perfect, but what treaty ever is?

aj: what was your thought on Zagunis when you saw him in Delaware?
Klaw: Saw several games and he was never in the lineup.

John: How far has Wilson Contreras moved himself up the prospect list this year? Is he getting close to a top 100 guy? Thanks!
Klaw: He’s legit and one of the top catching prospects in the minors right now. Really, if you can catch and throw and hit just a little, you’re a top 100 consideration guy at this point. The scarcity of catchers pushes up the value of the few who can really do it.

Ryan: Kang was just taken out of the game on a way-out-of-the-baseline slide in the Bucs-Cubs game. If we’re addressing the Catch collisions, this has to be addressed at some point right? No idea how Kang is doing yet, but someone could easily tear up a knee ligament on one of these.
Klaw: Did Coghlan go for the player not the base? (I don’t want to pause the chat to go watch – I’ll look after) To me that should be an automatic ejection and suspension. Sliding at the fielder while just sticking a hand out at the base doesn’t clear you. Intent to “take out” is intent to injure. Let’s not be naive here.

C Stone: It seems like all the Orioles SPs have regressed like crazy in the second half, after improving greatly during the second half last year. Bad luck? Bad coaching? Or are they just pitching to their true talent now?
Klaw: I have raised the question or even the criticism of Buck and his coaching staff’s culpability and was told I was nuts or biased or whatever. He’s a good manager overall, but if what he’s doing there isn’t working and in fact is actively hurting the team, then that’s a problem. From pitchers there regressing or failing to develop to Arrieta leaving and making simple mechanical adjustments that turned him into an ace, at some point Buck should have to answer for what’s gone on.

Guesto: Not baseball related but writing/journalism related: thoughts on the major layoffs at NYDN, NOLA Times Picayune? Are we watching the death of journalism?
Klaw: Newspapers have been dying for a long time anyway. I’m more upset about NOLA in effect losing its one newspaper than NYC potentially losing one of three. Plus, all this handwringing over the ‘big names’ at the NYDN … first of all, don’t weep for the big names, weep for the little names who never made that much money to begin with. And, second, has everyone forgotten that Bill Madden was an unrepentant strikebreaker back in 1990-91?

Doug: Can you tell me a bit about Ryan O’Hearn. Lead the Sally in HR before being promoted and still finished 1st. Then had a 125 wRC+ in a tough Wilmington park/league. K’s will be a concern, but seems like a perhaps first division profile role 50 possibly. How’s the defense look?
Klaw: He’s not a regular or close to it, power over hit without much of an approach, 1b only … and I don’t know where you got that silly scouting lingo but it makes no sense to me.

Tom: Any other read-aloud suggestions in addition to Jasper FForde? We really liked Sheila Turnage’s stuff.
Klaw: We’ve done the Harry Potter series and all of the Paddington books as well. She also liked Around the World in 80 Days after its somewhat slow start. Treasure Island didn’t grab her so we ditched that.

Mike: I know you aren’t big in to what veteran presence or clubhouse chemistry can bring to a team. I’ve been reading The Happiness Advantage and it says that the biggest factor in team success (granted they mean corporate world) is how well everyone works together. Thoughts on how that applies to baseball and is there a way to measure it?
Klaw: And other books, including Jonah Lehrer’s now out of print Imagine (pulled because he fabricated a bunch of stuff in another chapter), and studies have shown that conflict in the office produces more creative results. Amazon is a good example of that – that NY Times article arguing it’s a horrible place to work (and in some cases it might be) didn’t consider the effect that this crazy internal competition is what has made the company both innovative and successful.

Scott: What are good projections for Trea Turner? I want to know just how bad the Padres are going to regret that trade.
Klaw: That’s going to be some grade 70 regret for them and grade 80 for the Rays.

Daniel Zaudtke: Can we stop and admire the formation of the next great player in Bryce Harper?
Klaw: Works for me. Everyone take a moment. … okay, moment’s over. Thanks.

Schiraldi: Interested in Dom Smith vs Jake Bauers as prospects. Seems like would pick Smith first; is his power simply more likely to come?
Klaw: Yes, and a much better hitter and defender.

Chris: I know he hasn’t pitched this year. Thoughts on ian clarkin when healthy?
Klaw: I liked him quite a bit but at this point anything I say on him seems like empty speculation.

Jim, Rockville: Keith, you suggest AJ Cole to the Nats’ rotation in 2016. Earlier (the off-season? 2014?) you opined that Cole may be better in the ‘pen, since his stuff may not be good enough as a starter. What changed your view? Thanks!
Klaw: I think I said he should break in as a reliever, for a couple of reasons, not least of which is the wobbly command he showed in that one start this spring where Matt Williams decided to burn him at the stake by having him issue an IBB while he was already having trouble throwing strikes.

ar: Why are people so bullish on McPhail? Because he seems to be a good manager? He doesn’t strike me as a particularly progressive thinker. He may be open to new ideas, but are his sabermetric chops really that impressive?
Klaw: Are his “sabermetric chops” the ones that matter? If he surrounds himself with smart people, isn’t that the key?

Frank: What did you make of Harper backing Matt Williams? Does it have any impact of Williams future in DC?
Klaw: A smart kid saying the right things when he knows the manager is dead man walking. What would Harper have to gain from burying the guy?

Mike: I appreciate you doing this, but FYI, the reverse scroll is hard to follow.
Klaw: The transcript I post after the fact (thanks to reader Patrick for the Python script) clears that up. I can’t fix the software I use, but we’ve worked to make the transcripts more user-friendly.

Jon: Who would be the closest comp you can think of for JP Crawford?
Klaw: Oddly enough, he reminds me a lot of Jimmy Rollins, but with more polish at the plate than Rollins had at the same age.

Craig: Should the Twins start Buxton in AAA next year to work on his bat or his the defense simply too good to not have up in Minnesota?
Klaw: I would. Don’t rush the guy if he’s not ready. It nearly derailed Aaron Hicks.

Matt burks: Keith, this may be a stupid question but, do you like dumping on people? I follow you on Twitter and I have to say when you sh*t on people it is hilarious
Klaw: I only dish out the snark when it’s harmless (e.g., impersonal … I avoid personal insults or foul language) and I think it will entertain the bulk of the audience. I’ve had a lot of scouts and MLB execs tell me that’s their favorite part of my Twitter output. If I find I’m getting mean or vicious, though, it’ll be time to stop.

Scott: have you had a chance to see jairo beras at all? do you think he will ever be worth the controversy?
Klaw: Yes, probably worth it, not Mazara/Brinson level good.

Rick: Can Austin Riley stick at 3B?
Klaw: Sounds like it.

NMN: Please make more fun of Cespedes for MVP people. Harper’s season could be unmatched by non-cheaters in the last 50 years.
Klaw: This is driven by media members looking for attention and people who dislike Harper because he plays the game too much the right way. Both groups are worthy of derision.

Chris, Larchmont: Given Mets hold on, do you think they should just keep Harvey off postseason roster. Given the Inning Limit distractions and fact he’ll only pitch 5 innings per outing, why not just ride Matz, Thor, deGrom (who’s getting tired)? Is Harvey more harm than good at this point?
Klaw: That’s a good question without an easy answer. If deGrom is tired, isn’t he at higher risk of injury too? Should he be given the NLDS off in favor of Harvey, and then perhaps you switch them if you get to the LCS?

E.H. Zwick: Are you coming to Toronto for any games down the stretch and if so what restaurants are going to hit? Lots of change since you lived here.
Klaw: No, I don’t travel to playoff games or the like – I’ll be in Bristol next week and a bit of the week after, then I will write up my top 50 free agent rankings before heading out to the AFL in mid-October.

Stephen: What is your favorite Iron Maiden song? For me, I break it down into categories of live and recorded, and it’s Fear of the Dark (live) and The Wicker Man (recorded).
Klaw: Ever? The Number of the Beast, Wasted Years, The Trooper (mostly for that intro riff … the lyrics are not their best). I like the hits.

mi: Travis Snider just homered… What kind of player did you see him becoming as a prospect?
Klaw: Thought he’d be a star, that he’d hit and hit for power and play good corner OF defense. He never could figure out where to get his hands to cover both the inner third and the outside corner.

Frank: Is Mac Williamson a bench guy or does he have potential to be an everyday player?
Klaw: Everyday potential – power, speed, glove, arm, might not hit that much … but the Giants do have some positive history on that front.

Mike: Keith, I know Blake Snell is a top prospect but why is it never mentioned that he only pitches 5 innings and doesn’t ever turn the lineup over a 3rd time I would think this would be a bigger deal
Klaw: Why would it? If that’s a new trend in MLB anyway, and it helps keep pitchers healthy (healthier), I don’t see the problem.

Chris, Larchmont: Marcos Molina start in AA next year?
Klaw: If his elbow hasn’t blown, maybe, but I think that arm slot and delivery are destined for the pen if they don’t give him further trouble.

Andrew: Why does Evan Gattis continue to start for the Astros? At what point do the Astros look for other options (Tucker)?
Klaw: Between Tyler White and AJ Reed, Houston has two good reasons to non-tender Gattis this winter.

Steve: Gary sanchez getting traded? Package of refsnyder and sanchez get anything good?
Klaw: I don’t think that gets you a big impact guy in return. Refsnyder is a great kid and a good story but none of that helps his defense at second.

Scott: Thoughts on Mattingly removing Wood at 78 pitches thru 8?
Klaw: I thought it was great.

Frank: I know it will not impact your vote but do you believe voters for ROY take into consideration or are influenced by pre-season hype or expectations on the players under consideration for the award?
Klaw: Probably, but maybe in both ways – some voters seem to vote against hype.

JR: How worried should KC be about Cueto? Is this SSS that he will work out, or is something else causing his recent troubles? And how much $$, if any, is this costing him?
Klaw: I worry about his health. His free agency will be fascinating – you have to want an MRI before you sign him, right?

Jim, Rockville: Keith, just for historical context, Coghlan also blew up Iwakuma’s knee back in 2009. In that instance everyone said the slide was legit, but it does perhaps show a pattern?
Klaw: Is that true?

Scott: Will Friedman/Zaidi really allow Rollins over Seager to start in playoffs? (I hope not)
Klaw: I want to say I doubt it, but I wonder if this is a situation where they are trying to get Mattingly and perhaps Rollins himself on board.

Charles: Favorite HS position player not named Rutherford in the 2016 draft?
Klaw: Kiriloff, Rizzo, McIlwain, Tuck … but I really liked Bo Bichette at the Metropolitan Classic. He’s way better than his brother – more athletic, better approach, doesn’t have that back-side collapse at the plate.

Steve: Is it possible for a guy with average arm strength to refine his mechanics enough to generate the velocity necessary to succeed on a high level?
Klaw: Sometimes, but it’s not universal. Changing mechanics in general is not simple; we hear about the successes but never the failures.

steve: Have you read Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven? Beautiful book.
Klaw: It’s on my to-buy list. Currently finishing Alison Lurie’s Foreign Affairs, then going to read Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd. I also have All the Light We Cannot See coming up in the queue.

Rob: What do you think of Dilmot so far? Worth the price? Would recommend?
Klaw: A little pricey but easy to use and very good customer service so far.

Michael: Will you laugh or cry if Cespedes wins the NL MVP?
Klaw: Laugh. Always laugh – this stuff is hilarious. I get mad over licensed doctors in California helping people avoid vaccinations.

Chris: Where does the Dodgers farm system rank? Still top heavy and lacking in depth?
Klaw: Yes, although the big july 2nd haul helps, or will help in a year or so when we see if any of those kids is any good.

Joe: Wife and I started playing Slendor together. Love it. What game should we add next, knowing that we liked Splendor?
Klaw: How about Samurai? New edition comes out later this month, very simple rules, works for 2 players as well as 3-4. I’ll have a review on Paste next week.

Brad: When’s your next periscope? Thanks!
Klaw: So the plan is one Periscope a week and one Klawchat a week, always on different days. Usually I’ll do the Klawchats Thursdays, but when traveling I’ll move them around and will always let you guys know on Twitter and Facebook.

sammy: are both corey ray and jason groome top 5 picks next june? thx
Klaw: Potentially, yes. No locks for me right now.

Jon: I know you thought highly of Scott Kingery during the draft process, any thoughts on his performance so far and when he could see the majors?
Klaw: Small sample, but I’m glad they pushed him to the Sally League right away. He walked about twice as much there as he did in the spring, which is a good sign. If he stays at second base he could be a year or so away.

Josh: Keith, Is Dbacks SS Isan Diaz a legit prospect? Great numbers in short season at 19, but not sure if a guy or GUY
Klaw: He’s definitely a prospect.

Brad: If severino is a reliever, can he be Betances good?
Klaw: Betances’s stuff when starting was not as good as Severino’s stuff is right now.

Brad: Prospects you say you don’t think Weill be good, do you end up rooting against them or the hope they prove you wrong?
Klaw: Oh God, I never, ever root against a prospect. Those are human beings chasing their lifelong dreams.

Joe: How close was Orlando Arcia to making your prospect of the year list?
Klaw: There wasn’t any “close.” I didn’t do a long ranking or anything.

Pythagoreas: I’ve seen it suggested that run differential is a trailing indicator — that teams whose W/L records don’t match their run differential will, going forward, see their W/L performance stay the same and their run differential correct to match that, rather than the other way around. Do you think there’s any validity in that?
Klaw: That hurt my head just to read it. I see no validity at all to that.

Anonymous: Why don’t we see many prospect for prospect trades in baseball?
Klaw: Now I would make this illegal.

Bob: Does it seem that this chat software allows you to answer questions more quickly?
Klaw: I think the software itself is much more responsive.

Jon: Do you think McIlwain gives up football and goes baseball full time?
Klaw: I hope so. He’d be very foolish to turn down a potential $2 million bonus now to go get the crap beaten out of him in SEC football.

Scott: On taking out Wood: You like it because t was good for Wood? Mattingly said would’ve left him with 4-0 lead. Right move, wrong motives?
Klaw: Hah, yes, right move, wrong motives. I liked it because it was good for Wood and good for the team’s chances to win anyway.

Michael: Keith, I know you said this chat service runs at a cost to you, but thanks for doing it. Usually it seems like lip service a bit when a chatter says “they enjoy doing it” because they of course aren’t going to say they hate it, but you paying essentially to chat with us is awesome. Respect brah
Klaw: Word.

Andy: Why don’t all teams have an MRI machine and check players all the time? Every pitcher gets an MRI every two weeks. It won’t prevent traumatic injuries, but could help with wear and tear.
Klaw: They’re expensive, not simple tests, may have some long-term health concerns, and in some cases (where a dye is injected) put the player on the shelf for a few days.

Robert: Has everyone forgotten about Tyler Skaggs? Hoping to see him, Newcomb, and Richards in the same rotation.
Klaw: Their rotation in 2016 won’t be the problem. They have a lot offensive holes to patch and probably need to shore up the bullpen.

Bob:Is your ranking of prospects based on future ceiling, how close they are to the major leagues, or a combination?
Klaw: Much more the former than the latter – otherwise I’d never have an Anderson Espinoza type on the list, and I feel like you guys need to know about him. That’s all for this week – thank you all so much, as always, for joining me here and for reading. I hope to see a few of you in Bowie tonight and I will hold another Klawchat next week, probably on Wednesday. Thanks again.

The question is, what kind of chat is it? It’s Klawchat.

Jim: Thoughts on Anderson Espinoza and Francis Martes? I’ve been hearing a lot of high projections of them lately.
Klaw: I think I know more about Espinoza now – a non-Boston exec told me “he might be Pedro” than Martes, but both are pretty clearly top 100, probably top 50 prospects

Andy: How bad do you feel for Eddie Collins? Congrats you have the third best age 22 season of all time. And it’s the second best in the league in 1909, which means you’ll be forgotten by history.
Klaw: I already forgot about him.

Mark Attanasio: Who should be my top 3-5 candidates to be our new GM?
Klaw: It’s a lengthy list, but they have an ideal candidate right there in Ray Montgomery. I did see the Rockies’ Danny Montgomery (no relation) come up in a list of top candidates of color, and I’d love to see him get some more attention; sometimes the best guys don’t get the most press.

Phil: Hi Keith. If the Phillies offered, would you take the GM job? -Thanks!,
Klaw: I can’t even fathom that happening. I’ve been out of a front office for nine years! But I think it’s a very appealing job and can’t imagine any serious candidate turning it down.

Andy: Would Yoenis Cespedes for NL MVP, with a pretty good two months of work, be the worst MVP vote of all time?
Klaw: Yep. This absolutely reeks of a few writers violating the cardinal rule of journalism: Do not make the news, just cover it.

Brian: Once Jackie Bradley Jr cools off, what would you expect is normal level to be? Can he be 75 or 80% of what he’s doing now?
Klaw: I buy the average/contact more than the power.

Kelly: Severino has been great. I know that you loved his stuff, but questioned his durability. Specifically, what are your concerns? Do you think he will struggle to stay healthy for an entire season? Do you think he won’t be able to consistently pitch deep into games? Both?
Klaw: More long-term than individual games. It puts so much stress on your arm – shoulder, elbow, everything – to pitch like that, without generating velocity from your legs. Mind you I’m not rooting against the kid in the least; my job is to give opinions, and guys who pitch like he does, as does Reynaldo Lopez, are generally not able to last as starters.

Joseph K: What percentage of responsibility for the Nats 2015 debacle would you assign to the manager?
Klaw: 30%?

Joe: Any developmental reason why the Nats wouldn’t have put Giolito on their September roster? Innings limit, fatigue, etc? Seems as if all they needed was 5 good innings from him this month to make up for the disastrous Bridge to Nowhere.
Klaw: I know of no fatigue reason, and he was held back in April (as was Lopez) to give him some flexibility for this point in the calendar. I don’t get what they did at all – their gravest need was middle relief, and they had a bunch of candidates sitting right there in their own system to fill that spot!

Bob: I saw a piece recently discussing the advancement of Aaron Nola’s curveball, does this raise his ceiling at all… or just help him reach it?
Klaw: Got a great report on that from the other night, too … if that’s the swing and miss pitch he’s been lacking, then it would raise his ceiling. As a general rule, curveballs don’t have the same potential for improvement as sliders; you might improve your command of a curveball, but its shape is determined so much by your hand and wrist that it’s hard for it to get materially better.

Jon: I must admit, I wasn’t in love with trading Fulmer for 2-months of Cespedes. Still, I was excited to get a power bat in the middle of the line-up. It’s also been pleasantly surprising that a lot of things have gone right of the Mets: d’Arnaud is healthy and mashing, Wright is healthy and hitting, Johnson and Uribe proved to be good pick ups, and Clippard has been effective. This has culminated in a strong run by the Mets. So, what I’m getting at is: At what point do you say, it’s worth it to give up a talent like Fulmer for a short-term rental (even if Cespedes is re-signed, he was a rental)? Just getting to the playoffs? Does winning the World Series trump everything and make Fulmer an afterthought? One World Series victory has to be greater than 6 years of control of a mid-rotation starter. But is there a gray area? It’s a strange predicament.
Klaw: I agree with everything you said – there is a point where you say, screw it, it was worth the cost. I would have bought into this more if the Mets were at the end of a run, if this were the last gasp of a dying contender, rather than an early arrival by a team that looked (really still does look) primed for 4-5 years of strong contention. Their starting pitching depth just took a hit, and you can just ask the Nationals if you can ever have enough starting pitching.

Kyle: Lewis Brinson stayed healthy this year and impressed me when I saw him in Frisco. Can he be the 5-tool unicorn, or will he not hit for average?
Klaw: I think given enough time – he may struggle with contact at first – he’s a five-tool player. I have always liked him over Nick Williams even when the latter performed better.

Dale: What are your thoughts on Domingo Acevedo of the Yankees system?
Klaw: I’ve heard a few times that he’s been up to 99 and sitting a lot of mid-90s as a starter, but I’d like to see the delivery in person.

hyshai: Do you think Eovaldi’s new splitter could have caused the elbow issue? Is the split a pitch which is hard on the elbow (Tanaka)?
Klaw: Some pitching coaches/execs think it is. I also think it’s not a coincidence that he hit 101 or 102 the start before his elbow screamed.

Zach: A.J. Reed missed the top 50 prospect list, but where would he rank now that he’s performing at double-A?
Klaw: Top 50 for sure. Might have raised his stock more than any hitting prospect in baseball – him or Wilson Contreras with the Cubs.

Josh: Do you really think Buck Showalter should be fired for the Orioles collapse? You had a tweet that alluded to that potentially.
Klaw: That’s too strong an interpretation. I’m surprised at the lack of ire directed at him, and how much blame seems to be directed at Dan Duquette. Is it a question of personalities? Buck plays well with the media, and Duquette might be the worst of the 30 GMs at dealing with the press.

Rich: Sano’s K rate realistically puts him at about a .270ish hitter long term, yes?
Klaw: Or he drops the K rate. But yes, your point is valid.

JP: On Moncada: Said one scout: “He’s the closest thing to [Mike] Trout I’ve seen.”
Klaw: Crazy talk. But he’s a legit star-caliber prospect. Trout was just otherworldly.

Josh: Do the Giants have any arms in the minors that might make a meaningful contribution to the rotation next year? Or will they need to rebuild the rotation via trades and/or FA?
Klaw: Trades/FA. Some back-end types in the system, but nothing more, even given their #GiantsDevilMagic history.

Jay: I know you dabble in progressive metal. Thoughts on Between the Buried and Me’s new(ish) album?
Klaw: Strong. Maybe a little too prog-rockish for me, but overall very tight and clever.

Patrick: Does Didi still have room to grow or is he about maxed out potential right now? Is he currently a top 10 SS in the game?
Klaw: I think this is about his offensive potential barring a swing change – he loads deep and I think tries to hit for more power than his body will permit. He’s an elite defender though.

Jeff: The Astros have graduated a few of their top prospects, but given the draft haul and pop up guys, how many top 100 players would you estimate them having in your top 100? Bregman, Tucker, Cameron, Martes, Reed must all be top 100 guys, right?
Klaw: Not sure about Cameron; his fame outstrips his reasonable potential, as his scouting report is all 50s and 60s, not 70s and 80s. The others are. Appel (still just 23, inconsistent, but with premium stuff and control) and Feliz are also probably top 100 guys.

Nick: What is a reasonable expectation for Trayce Thompson? Is there a chance he breaks out?
Klaw: Given his plate discipline in the minors and very long swing, I think these 50 major league at bats are giving people false hope. He’s a 70 defender in center with probably 20-25 homer power but I don’t think he’ll hit enough to get to that power upside.

trike mout: Did you ever have any formal culinary training, or just all self-taught? Any resources you recommend?
Klaw: All self-taught, unless you count watching every single episode of Good Eats as formal training. I keep emailing Alton to ask for a diploma but he only sends back videos of farting sock puppets.

jesse: Should I be at all worried about Aaron Judge’s high strikeout numbers in AAA? Just seems like he always whiffs on off-speed stuff
Klaw: I think he’ll always be a high-strikeout guy, 150 or so a year. It’s a huge strike zone to ask anyone to cover. He’s also made a ton of adjustments already and I think the current problem he has, covering soft away, is something he can address with more repetitions/exposure.

Chris, Larchmont: Who is most at fault in this Matt Harvey situation? I begrudgingly have to say Sandy shouldve knows this was coming!
Klaw: Here’s who I think is least at fault: Matt Harvey. He has the most to lose from misuse or overuse and had nothing to gain by this becoming public.

James: Harper should be unanimous, But who’s second for MVP in NL? I might go Arrenado, you?
Klaw: Goldschmidt, probably.

Jonathan: Thank you Klaw! Your chats are a big reason I pay (paid?) for Insider. I really appreciate you finding another venue.
Klaw: You’re welcome. Readers have asked about helping defray the cost for the software. As far as I’m concerned, if you all keep reading them over here, it’s money well spent.

Justin: Any chance we see Baez make a big jump next year? K% seemed to be down a bit, but it’s still absurd.
Klaw: Killing the leg kick should help, but there’s a big mental adjustment to be made too and I don’t see evidence that’s happened yet.

Steve: What happened to the periscope chats? Loved that format. Much more interactive
Klaw: Nothing – I did one yesterday.

Justin: Hi Keith, what site do you host this blog on? Super cool that you’ve got the chat going on over here.
Klaw: The software is from Dilmot, and the chat appears on their site too, I believe.

JR: Glad to have klaw chat back. We need a location option though – I’ve been hoping to use “Straight Outta Klawmpton” as a location for over a month now.
Klaw: Well I can at least take the question so you can get your pun in.

Ciscoskid: I find it sad that there are writers advocating that Harper shouldnt be punished for the Nationals collapse in the MVP race, which I agree with. These are also the same writers who said the Triple Crown, and that Miggy was on a playoff team made him a more viable candidate that Trout. Just sad.
Klaw: There is always a strong anti-intellectual streak in these arguments. Writers who long held the exclusive right to tell you what players were good have lost that podium with the explosion of statistics and of independent writers who have greater insight on the question, so their way to rage against the dying of the light is to deny the facts.

Tim: If the Phil’s were going to fire RA, why not do it before he is makes a trade that is going to shape the future of the franchise for the next 5 years?
Klaw: I thought he did a really nice job with the rebuild, actually. Not enough to keep him – that whole department needs new blood, and people didn’t like working for Amaro anyway – but I don’t want that to be forgotten as we shovel dirt on the grave of his tenure.

Louis: Will Cory Seager play a pivotal role in the playoffs for the Dodgers this year? Can he stick at SS?
Klaw: This year he’s probably a bench bat or not on the playoff roster. Long term he doesn’t have the range he’ll need for shortstop.

AJ: Clayton Blackburn finished the season strong in the PCL. Is he a fringe prospect or more? What’s his projection?
Klaw: It’s fringe stuff with major-league command. I think he can be a big-league starter, probably a fourth or fifth guy, just without upside because he’s not going to miss a ton of bats. He’s better than Eric Surkamp.

Chris: Between Gselman, Ynoa and Pill among others, are any of the Mets minor league arms close to filling the void created by fulmer and meisner departures, or are those guys more back end types?
Klaw: Back end types. Nice to have, but if the Mets have a bad rash of injuries to their major-league rotation – again, not rooting for that in the least – they are going to sorely miss what they just dealt.

Louis: Whats Blake Rutherfords ceiling? is he in line for 1-1 this draft?
Klaw: I don’t think anyone is in line for 1-1 right now. He’s one of a half-dozen likely lads for that spot – Corey Ray, Alec Hansen, Jason Groome, maybe AJ Puk. Someone brought up Avery Tuck for that the other day – I think he’s too raw right now, but if he blows up in the spring don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Doug: Hello Keith! Is Max Kepler’s breakout year this season legit? When should we expect him full time with the Twins. Also heard some questions about his defense in the outfield prior to this year, has he improved in that aspect? Thanks!
Klaw: Totally legit. I think the biggest thing is that he got healthy, and now he’s moving so well he might even be able to handle center, not that the Twins need that.

Tim: How good do you think Christian arroyo is going to be and where does he play considering the one thing the Giants are not lacking is young middle infielders?
Klaw: Has to play second – can’t play short. Legit shot at a 70 hit tool, so a frequent .300+ hitter in the majors.

David: Who has the higher ceiling — JBJ or Mookie?
Klaw: Mookie.

Jay: Keith, your thoughts on Stephen Piscotty long term – can he maintain contact rate and add power as he matures?
Klaw: There’s 20-25 homer power in there, but I think Stanford worked so hard to force him and all thier other guys to go the other way that he’s still not totally comfortable dropping the bat head and pulling the ball.

Greyson: How much seasoning does Fulmer need before he’s ready to start in Detroit next season? The tigers seem to have two holes in next year’s rotation (Verlander, Norris, Sanchez, ?, ?) and it sure would be nice if he could fill one…
Klaw: I bet he makes 20+ starts for them next year, if healthy, which he wasn’t in 2014.

Cw: After yourself… What are some names MacPhail should look deeper into to fill the GM role?
Klaw: I mentioned Ray Montgomery above. Ben Cherington would be an outstanding fit. John Coppolella has to be on everyone’s list at this point given what he’s managed to do with Atlanta. Jason McLeod should too – if the Brewers decide to go outside, he should be on their short list as he’s also a minority candidate. Mike Elias is getting a lot of buzz within the industry because he’s been so successful in Houston and his staff speaks very highly of him.

Paul Furlong: Carl Edwards (Formally CJ) Is he a closer? MR? Would you put him in high stress situations now?
Klaw: He’s a reliever, not sure if that’s the seventh inning or the ninth. Just don’t think he can start.

Ananth: Is this a realistic path to contention for the M’s in the next 2 years. Management refusing to rebuild has to scare of a lot of candidates right?
Klaw: I think you can patch that major-league roster in a weak division, but whoever comes in has to fix what might be the majors’ worst farm system. Their drafts haven’t been productive, their international efforts haven’t been much better, and the handful of decent prospects who’ve come into the system have regressed.

Joe: What is the rule about eligibility for the postseason? Wouldn’t Stroman have had to been made active before September to be eligible?
Klaw: No, just had to be in the organization on 8/31.

USMNT’S BRAK SHEA: Guess this answers my question from the other day on whether Klawchat would continue now that ESPN is killing their chats (and I presume you are pleased to be free of their chat software/interface?)
Klaw: This seems less buggy, at least. But ESPN’s was free and this will be a tiny bit more work for me. Reader Patrick threw together a Python script I can use to try to turn this into a straight HTML transcript when we’re done.

Brad: I know you get tons of questions each chat, do you have any issue with submitting a question 2-3 times? Or should we take you not responding after the first ask as an indication that you don’t find it to be an interesting question/answer?
Klaw: Just don’t go too crazy. Two or three times is fine. Ten is annoying. I’m getting a ton here which is fantastic but of course i can’t get to all of them.

Mikeleelop: Any thoughts on Tulo’s struggles with the Jays? it seems as if his pitch recognition is struggling
Klaw: I think a lot of it is small sample size noise … but there’s something to a hitter leaving 81 games a year in Colorado and, whoa, hey, why is that fastball moving all of a sudden?

CJM: Read someone say that in a 2015 re-draft Verdugo might go first round, do you agree?
Klaw: No. He didn’t go first round in large part because of serious concerns about his makeup, not his ability.

Jack: Off Topic – Just wanted to thank you for the board game recommendations you gave me on Twitter last month. Very happy with Ticket to Ride and Dominion Intrigue
Klaw: Awesome, glad they worked out. We don’t play Dominion enough in my house … too much time spent trying out new games to review.

NMN: Thank you for ignoring the Cespedes for MVP complete and utter NONSENSE in this forum.
Klaw: I am allergic to bullshit.

V: Giolito was named the top RHP on Insider today. Is he the top prospect heading into 2016
Klaw: Top pitching prospect, yes.

Josh: With so many top-100 graduations, is Chance Sisco a top-100 candidate for you this off-season? Still a chance (pun intended) to stick at C?
Klaw: I get mixed reviews, but I think he’s going to be a catcher, and that makes him a top 100 guy. Kid can rake.

Jeff: Is a package headlined by Javier Guerra and Manuel Margot good enough to land a top of the rotation pitcher or does Devers need to be involved
Klaw: That should get you any starter who’s on the market. This would be my fear if I were a Red Sox fan – you have to give up some value to get the pitching you need, but strip-mining the majors’ best farm system isn’t ideal.

Alex: The NBA announced Wednesday it would seed its playoffs by record. Do you believe MLB will follow suit? (Asked as a Cubs fan both hopeful and heartbroken over the 1-game wild card.)
Klaw: No. MLB is still too hidebound by tradition. I’d rather just eliminate the three-division format and drop it to two. That won’t happen.

Jason: Is a cowbell actually a good prescription for a fever?
Klaw: I’m not into alternative medicine.

Chris: Braden Shipley struggled in the first half of the season but was much better in the second half after improved control. Do you still see him as a above-average starter down the road?
Klaw: Yes.

Ands: Clint Frazier a top 50 prospect after cutting the strikeout rate?
Klaw: No.

Gavin: any idea why the DC media refuses to criticize Matt Williams, or Rizzo for that matter? Since Rizzo has refused to criticize MW himself, do you anticipate the Lerners will force Rizzo to fire him or be fired himself?
Klaw: DC media has not impressed over the last few years. Remember when a certain writer called Harper the seventh-best player on the team? As for Rizzo, I’ll say this: Any ownership would demand answers on how the team ended up with such an incompetent manager when there were many more qualified candidates available at the time of the hire.

Kevin, Manhattan: What happened to the chats at over on the WWL?
Klaw: Dead. Deceased. Not resting, not pining for the fjords. Dead.

Josh: Is Dylan Bundy a lost cause? Or is there still hope?
Klaw: Ask me when he’s healthy again. I really don’t know. I’ve heard he and Hunter Harvey are throwing again and will pitch in instructs.

JD: First Periscope, now a meadowparty chat. How long before we’re chatting with you on Twitch while you play Carcassonne?
Klaw: I have a hard time understanding the appeal of Twitch. I like games, including some video games, but to watch someone else play them?

Josh: How do you like Django Django’s second album?
Klaw: Good, not great. Probably top 20 or so for the year, but I wish there were more standout tracks besides “Shake and Tremble” and “4000 Years.”

Brad: I know its a stretch to ask since you haven’t seen either at the position, but do you think its possible Castro or Baez could play average CF next year?
Klaw: Neither.

Connor: Is Alex Bregman beating expectations by a little bit or is he really just this advanced? In high-A already and doing bad (given it’s a hitters park) & striking out under 10% of the time.
Klaw: He’s really advanced, and incredibly bright, and as hard a worker as you’ll come across.

Brian: Do you know of any other team that has a position like what the Red Sox just created for Brian Bannister?
Klaw: No, but I think this is a rapidly spreading trend. Good front offices are just grabbing all the smart people they can and figuring out roles for them later – like the Cubs adding Jared Porter but keeping Joe Bohringer. I think this can also help some execs maintain some work/life balance in an industry that typically has been murder on families.

Tim: Thoughts on Braves draft class? Austin Riley?
Klaw: Got such middling reports before the draft and such good ones afterwards. Seems like a great call by their staff – kid can hit, good athlete, more advanced than most prep bats from Mississippi.

Matt: What city would you pick to host top chef that has not yet done so?
Klaw: Nashville. Or Philly, but that’s just me being selfish.

Wes: Does Blake Snell deserve a spot in the Rays’ 2016 rotation after tearing up three different levels this season?
Klaw: Yes, but they’ll hold him back till July for money reasons.

Patrick: Got a Super Bowl prediction?
Klaw: Sure, here you go: I predict I won’t care.

Robert: Do you see Newcomb developing into a #2? Seems like the control is the only obstacle. Raw stuff and delivery is all there
Klaw: Yes to all three.

Nick: I have a weekly game night with some friends. Historically is has been Catan night, but based on some of you reccommendations I have been able to introduce Carcassone, Splendor and the current favorite, Ticket to Ride, into the mix. Any suggestions for another good game for 4 people?
Klaw: Dominion, 7 Wonders, Samurai, Castles of Burgundy. Lot of great options these days.

Kelly: Should Judge and Bird both start the season with the Yankees next year? If the Yankees keep one (or both) down in favor of Beltran, A-Rod, and Teixeira, will it hurt their development?
Klaw: Given how Judge finished in AAA, planning to return him there in the spring isn’t a bad idea. I’d rather see him close up that hole on the outer edge there before coming to the big leagues.

Bob: In your opinion who will have a better career, JP Crawford or Corey Seager
Klaw: Seager over Crawford primarily due to offense, but I think both guys are longtime stars.

Chris: Favorite Saturday Night Live alum (if you watch/watched the show)?
Klaw: Phil Hartman. There’s actually no other correct answer to this.

Gregg: Any thoughts on recent Red Sox front office changes. Is Wren a given or does Hazen have a shot.
Klaw: Wren would be the worst imaginable choice; he was awful in Atlanta, ran off a lot of good people, and alienated a number of other execs around the league. The Red Sox need to hire someone who works well with people and who will retain the strong front office staff they already have.

Marc: Hey Keith, could you talk a little about AJ Pollock? I remember him being thought of as a 4th OFer and now he’s a star. What changed?
Klaw: Defense improved substantially, which is sustainable, and he’s suddenly become a .340 BABIP guy, which may not be.

Brian Milford, CT: Keith, Peter Gammons just made a great point about this ridiculous MVP discussion. If Harper wasn’t have the season he is, Cespedes would still be in Detroit.
Klaw: I like that. On the other hand, given what has happened since 7/31, would the Mets be any worse off if, say, they hadn’t traded for Clippard, Uribe, and Johnson? Or if they’d made no moves at all? They’re so far ahead of the Nats now that even deleting those four players’ contributions wouldn’t (on paper) push them back to second place.

Joe: Do you think Alderson took into consideration that Fullmer already had elbow issues when dealing him? And in a more general sense, do you think it would be smart for GM’s to trade young pitchers who have had minor arm issues since that would seem to indicate something bigger could be coming down the line?
Klaw: Here’s the thing: You have to operate as if they’re all going to get hurt, which gives you incentive to trade them all, but if you do that, then you have no pitching, so you have to keep a bunch of them, even though you think they’ll probably get hurt.

Cubbie: Is Addison Russell a super hero? Some of his plays on defense and the sweet beauty of his wrists turning on a ball make me think so…
Klaw: I’ve had him stuffed in my rankings since he was drafted – and some of you might remember how I got ripped for ranking him so high that first year – but I’ve always believed his hands were special, that he’d be both a plus fielder and a plus hitter because of them.

RJ: You don’t seem as high on Nick Williams as others. Do you still feel that way even after his great season, and crazy bat speed?
Klaw: I don’t know or care what “others” say about a player. I’m only concerned with my own evaluation of him. His plate discipline is poor, as are his instincts. He’s got great hand-eye coordination (but not “crazy” bat speed – he’s not Baez or Frazier) and power, and it looks like that will play even if he lacks the less tangible tools.

GT: Throwback Thursday to the guy who said you should have to disclose that you’re not a doctor when talking about anxiety
Klaw: good Lord I forgot about that one

Lyle: Is there any reason to still think of Luiz Gohara as a legitimate prospect other than his age?
Klaw: Age and stuff, but some performance would be nice.

chad: Can Jake Arrieta sustain this amount of success through the next few years?
Klaw: Yes. Why isn’t his trouble in Baltimore ever connected to the coaching staff? The Cubs made minor adjustments – gave him a cutter, slowed his tempo – and made him an ace.

Linus Chan: What would be your prediction on how the use of relievers will develop- are we heading even more to hyperspecialization, or will there be some pushback (whether for pace of play reasons or others)
Klaw: If I were a GM, I’d be trying to change that whole paradigm to stop using relievers so often on back-to-back or, worse, three consecutive days. It can’t help their arms.

Michael: You don’t particularly seem to follow or like any other sports. What is it about baseball that you enjoy so much? What do the other sports (basketball, football, hockey, soccer, etc.) lack?
Klaw: So much of it comes down to my parents. My dad didn’t like basketball at all, so that was out. My mom only liked baseball, but she and her mother (who lived near us and just passed away last year at 100) were rabid Yankee fans. So it was always baseball in our house, and I was obsessed from a young age with everything about it – watching it, playing in the yard, collecting cards, reading stats, keeping track of trades and signings. No other sport had all of that going for it.

Brandon Warne: What is this amazing software, and were you able to use it for free? (or at least a reasonable price?)
Klaw: It’s $50/month.

@Jaypers413: Mayo answered your hot dog question in his Inbox today. Just figured you’d want to know.
Klaw: Fantastic. He said he might and I told him to go right ahead.

Jay: Bregman serviceable at 3B for the Astros? Or will he end up as trade bait?
Klaw: Arm doesn’t look like it’ll play at third.

Todd Boss: Stephen Strasburg has 13 Ks through 7 innings and is on 103 pitches. Is this the right time to bring in a guy who walked 3 straight batters the previous night and who gave up the back-breaking bases-clearing double to the same batter (Yoenis Cespedes) that he was set to face. Matt Williams: 2014 Manager of the Year!
Klaw: The part I hated was bringing back Storen, who looked like an absolute mess the night before. Physical, mental, whatever – is THAT the well you want to drink from?

Brian Milford, CT: Excited for Top Chef to return? Will you writing recaps?
Klaw: Yes and hell yes.

Aaron: Are you concerned at all about the lack of power from Dominic Smith this year?
Klaw: No – led FSL in doubles and that’s a terrible park and league for power. Now if he hits 5 HR in AA in 2016 I’ll be worried and kind of annoyed.

Fresh: Victor Robles – how high does he go on the Nats prospect list for you next year?
Klaw: He’s a stud. Margot with power.

AJ: Mac Williamson had somewhat of a disappointing season. Was that due to coming off TJ surgery? Or was he overmatched in AAA? Do you see him being a solid big leaguer?
Klaw: I don’t think it was a bad season after he missed a whole year; he had a .368 OBP across AA and AAA, after never playing above high-A before he got hurt.

Chad: Football has concussion issues. What issue do you see baseball long term having to fix that they’ve completely ignored that could have long term effects on the game?
Klaw: The increasing cost to play youth baseball in the US. It is a major cause of the whitening of the sport.

Danny: What do you think happens to Jagielo?
Klaw: I don’t see where he fits, because he’s not a 3b.

dcell: Is it possible to have the chat go from top to bottom to it’s easier to scroll through? Sometimes there will be things referenced from earlier in the chat and it’s hard catching up when going in reverse and new questions push things down. Saw that you mentioned an HTML possibility post-chat though, good idea. Thanks!
Klaw: Yes, and I think we’ll get that resolved in the transcripts.

Matt: You had Benitendi fairly low in your draft rankings. Has anything changed your mind since then, even with an extremely small sample?
Klaw: Yes, a lot, including his performance in pro ball, which gave us some wood bat data we didn’t have before, and a few scouts saying to me post-draft that was their “guy” going into the draft.

TedT: Are your ESPN chats done forever? One of the reasons to pay to be an “Insider” is gone
Klaw: They are gone forever, but the chats were free, weren’t they?

AJ: Fellow pizza lover and connoisseur. What is your go-to pizza order?
Klaw: If I am at a place for the first time, I like to get a margherita just to taste the basics – the crust, the sauce, the cheese. But I am a sucker for homemade sausage or for arugula and some kind of cured pork.

BC: Is Gregory Polanco still gonna be a star?
Klaw: Yes, absolutely.

Lyle: Does Drew Jackson have a major league future? Or is he just an org guy/utility man?
Klaw: I think he’s an org guy. Don’t believe he’ll hit.

Matt: Do you see Kris Bryant lowering his K rate going forward or is he going to settle in as a Chris Davis type? Valuable but top 5 in strikeouts every year
Klaw: His plate discipline is excellent – I think he’ll bring the K rate down.

Adam: ESPN chats were free.
Klaw: I thought so. These chats will be free too … but this one is over. I can’t thank all of you enough for your patience the last few weeks and for following me over here to keep the chats rolling. I do lots of fun non-baseball writing here too, so if any of you are new to this site, please poke around. There’s probably something here you’ll like. I’ll get back to doing this weekly now, so look for another Klawchat next Thursday. Thanks!