JotCast | Klawchat 10/22/21

Klawchat 10/22/21

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Keith Law

1:37

Depends on your alternatives, no? Teams play below-average defenders at SS, CF, etc. because that's the best option (sometimes to get a bat in the lineup).

1:37

Best newish board game for 10 year old son to play with parents? We like cooperative games but he's gotten better about losing recently (we're Cubs fans).

Keith Law

1:39

How about Juicy Fruits? That's my review from August or so. One of the best new games I've played this year and definitely good for a 10-year-old.

Jay

1:39

Given the Red Sox' history with Mookie Betts (deciding to deal him, rather than give him a long term contract), do you see them shopping Devers this winter, when his value will be at its highest, rather than next winter, when he'll be eyeballing free agency after the 2023 season?

Keith Law

1:39

My guess is they'll try to extend Devers. Sounded like Betts was always determined to get to free agency.

Shane

1:39

Still reason to believe in Jeter Downs?

Keith Law

1:39

Yes. Two-level jump was probably too much to ask.

3EB

1:39

Is Anthony Volpe headed towards being one of the top 10 prospects in all of baseball to start the season next year?

Keith Law

1:39

No.

Dan

1:40

Have you been following the local Ben Simmons drama? I generally always on the players side - holdouts, strikes, opt-outs - go get your money while you can and don't let the team take advantage of your rare talent. But I can't understand Simmons' perspective here. It seems like he thinks some valid criticism of his play have made his team relationship irreparably damaged (as an outsider with limited inside knowledge, of course). I'm curious as to your thoughts given your experience with team-player relationships.

Keith Law

1:40

He plays basketball, right?

Chris

1:40

Keith, I don't know what to make of Tristan Casas. I know a lot of people are very high on him, but stats-wise, the numbers aren't there. I saw he hit a HR in the AFL the other night, but then also saw it was on a 93mph fastball. What's the proper expectation for him next season, and then in the future?

Keith Law

1:41

I like him, obviously, given past rankings, although I think there's a fair amount of projection involved there - that he's going to hit for more power as he gets older. Looking back, I'd compare him in that way to Freddie Freeman, who didn't get to power until several years into his MLB career (around when the league-wide HR spike began, too). Freeman was a solid producer in the minors, then a solid big leaguer for a few years, then became a superstar. That used to be a pretty typical career path. I'm not saying Casas will be Freeman but I could see a similar slow trajectory towards his ceiling.

Gerry in Philly

1:41

Preston Mattingly a good hire by Philly? Minor league system is seriously flawed

Keith Law

1:42

I've heard excellent things. Met him a few times but never chatted more than casually.

Dave

1:42

I recall you being extremely bullish on Derek Hill when the Tigers drafted him. He obviously hasn't lived up to expectations, but seemed (to my untrained eye) to hold his own in the majors this year. Is there still room for growth there and/or reason for optimism?

Keith Law

1:43

Loved the swing, the defense, the speed. He's disappointed for two reasons - he's been hurt a lot, and he has refused to develop any kind of patience, which his sort of hitter absolutely has to have. You can't be a fast low-power low-OBP guy unless you're Andruw Jones on defense.

1:44

That said, he could still do it. I'm a Hinch fan, and I'd like to see what he and his staff can do with Hill over a full season.

Matt

1:44

Thanks for the chat, and the recent AFL writeup. As a Cleveland fan, I'm curious about Palacios. Kind of a guy who popped at the upper levels, and from everything I've read, finding a defensive home might be the biggest issue. I know AFL is a short look, but do you see him at 2B? Chances he could hit enough for LF? Or is this just an "interesting" guy who probably fits somewhere on the bench?

Keith Law

1:45

More than a bench guy for me. Maybe a Tampa Bay-style multi-position guy. He can hit/get on base, though. I'm in.

Ryan

1:45

Will the owners lock out the players? It would be really stupid to do so since the owners are making so much money on their teams, franchise values … and those greedy greedy players… how dare they want more money for the services they provide.
I just hope CBA talks stall we get a more balanced take on what’s going on as opposed to every

Keith Law

1:45

I think we get some kind of interruption, but I am just hopeful that the two sides see there's too much money at stake to lose a chunk of the season.

Tony

1:45

About two years ago, I wrote to you in a chat asking about how you feel about prospects who you doubt certain skills. And how, you don't take pleasure in saying, "See, I told you guys he wouldn't make it." It was actually centered around Austin Riley when his bad speed was getting majorly exposed at the MLB level. I believe your response was along the lines that you are delighted when you are proven wrong because that means a kid made it. I'm sure that has to be what you feeling for Riley now considering how much he really did struggle out of the gate. I'm glad that his team gave him the chance to keep working on his game to make those adjustments.

Keith Law

1:47

Absolutely. Can't believe you remember that (I didn't), but I appreciate you bringing it back up. Having spoken to Austin for my story, too, I can tell you he's someone you want to root for. And I told him how proud he should be of himself for doing something so unusual - very, very few hitters can make this big of a change to their approach in the majors, and especially now with pitching as good as it's ever been. It's incredibly impressive and I'd say it's one of the things I most love about my job - watching players grow and improve, whether I predicted it or not.

Jeff

1:47

Were you able to see CWS prospect Jose Rodriguez at the AFL? If so, thoughts?

Keith Law

1:49

Yes, a little. (Sorry, just went to grab my notebook.) Kind of a slap hitter, bit stronger than that but below-average power, with no approach. See ball, hit ball.

Matt

1:49

What should our endgame for COVID be? I don't see the virus ever fully going away, and I don't want to carry on with restrictions forever, either.

Keith Law

1:50

The restrictions are the price of ignorance. If everyone were vaccinated, the virus wouldn't go away but its circulation would be diminished enough that we could get back to semi-normal. I'll probably wear masks for a long time, though. (It's nice to not get the flu or many colds, either.)

Mike Trout

1:50

Feels like a while since I've seen a movie review on your blog. See anything good lately?

Keith Law

1:51

Nothing in a while now. We'll do more movies when the season ends.

Ted

1:51

FWIW, I agreed with your take at the time that the Cubs didn’t get enough for Darvish. Looking at it now, do you see any of the four prospects obtained becoming a “guy”?

Keith Law

1:51

Preciado stands out. Still think the return was light, though.

Michael

1:51

My kid is a freshman in college. He seems depressed. Loves school, having a ton of fun, but not going to class and has trouble getting out of bed. I can't make an adult go in to therapy and am trying to be supportive and also give tough love from afar. Any tips?

Keith Law

1:52

You did mention the one thing I'd push for - there should be tons of resources for him. You could reach out to the school as well. Not going to class is a big red flag, to say nothing of the possibility he fails a class or two.

Ryan

1:52

Saw the headline "MLB clubs plan to give housing to minor leaguers" this week. It was great that they cut all those minor league teams so teams had more to spend on things and do that to start this year... oh wait, MLB had to be dragged through the mud and see other teams use it as an advantage before telling everyone to do it. Those stories about minor league life are terrible and MLB should be ashamed for how they've treated minor leaguers... just because they were treated this way in {pick a year} doesn't mean it's ok now.

Keith Law

1:52

Yep. It's a good step. Still too little and way too late. Call your Congresspeople if you care. The hashtags and wristbands are cute and all, but they aren't going to create real change.

1:53

You know what got the housing policy changed? News stories about players sleeping in cars and the like.

Clayton K

1:53

Most healthy water for you?

Keith Law

1:53

I shoot for a hydrogen to oxygen ratio of 2:1. I try to avoid heavy water, though. It doesn't deu any good.

Jon

1:53

What are your thoughts on the Eagles this season?

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