JotCast | Klawchat 10/4/18

Klawchat 10/4/18

Keith Law

1:02

I'm at the wrong end of the looking glass. It's Klawchat.

Patrick

1:02

Keith, anything specific you watch for when playoff time comes around?

Keith Law

1:02

Nope, I just watch the games for themselves.

Andy

1:02

Will the current trend of bullpening, especially in the playoffs, kill the lower to mid tier starting pitching market? Sure, he'll be useful during the season, but if I'm not starting a Chase Anderson or Mike Fiers in the playoffs, is that worth 6 or 7 million a year?

Keith Law

1:03

Yeah, they're still worth quite a bit more than that for the value they can provide over 160+ innings. If bullpenning affects that market it'll be through arbitration, which is still substantially driven by the dumbest stats.

Dr. Bob

1:03

At the end of the Periscope chat yesterday, a chatter suggested Led Zeppelin's "Over the Hills and Far Away." Have you learned that one? As difficult as it sounds, it is remarkably simple. If you don't know it, there are a couple of really good YouTube videos showing it.

Keith Law

1:03

I mentioned that song in my latest newsletter as my standard warmup - the opening to that is a great way to loosen up your fret hand & fingers before playing.

Moe Mentum

1:03

Who’s the odd man out in the Phillies infield next season if they land Machado?

Keith Law

1:03

I would think Franco.

Mike

1:04

"Openers" may be a clever was of describing this new approach, but it does little to enhance the fan experience. (It does, however, add another half-hour or so of air time for advertisers)

Keith Law

1:04

I would agree with that. What's good for the team isn't necessarily good for the product's aesthetics.

Dan

1:04

Jomar Reyes had a good finish to 2018. Still a rising prospect for O’s?

Keith Law

1:04

No, that ship has probably sailed.

Nick

1:04

What is your opinion of Milwaukee going with a bullpen game in Game 1 of the NLDS? I know they're trying to mitigate a weakness (starting pitching), but aren't they running the risk of unnecessarily blowing out their bullpen? Why not throw a starter and just keep them on a short leash if they wind up in trouble?

Keith Law

1:04

Tend to agree with that, although their bullpen is so damn strong maybe it's less of a concern?

Rob

1:04

Tony Santillan had a nice season for the Reds in the minor leagues this year. Do you believe that he is a top 100 prospect? Do you think that he could be more then a back of the rotation type of starter? Thank you for the chats.

Keith Law

1:05

Too much reliever risk to be a top 100 guy.

squeeze bunt

1:05

Is hitting suppressed in playoff baseball? Do teams put together more detailed plans to attack hitters with all their resources focused on one lineup?

Keith Law

1:05

Pitching tends to be better in October - you don't see fifth starters or 8th relievers.

Trevor

1:06

Is there any precedence of the MLBPA winning a grievance that allowed a player from the Rule 4 Draft to become a FA like Stewart / Boras filed for?

Keith Law

1:06

Yes, Barrett Loux.

Gene

1:06

Keith, where do the Orioles go next? I was more a Showalter supported than a Duquette supporter, but now they are both gone and there doesn't appear to be much left to rebuild around.

Keith Law

1:07

I'm very curious to see where they go; I thought Showalter had to go, but Duquette had to do that job with one hand tied behind his back, and there was a credible argument that he should stick around to get to fully execute his vision with a manager of his choice who wouldn't work at cross purposes to his own. I can certainly think of a few names of GM candidates who'd be great fits.

squeeze bunt

1:07

Saw an interesting question on Twitter the other day, and thought you might have a good answer. Has there been a book that changed your opinion on something? I think it was implied that this was relating to political things, but answer however you please.

Keith Law

1:07

Tons. That's one of the great pleasures of reading - it opens your mind.

Shaun

1:07

Is the AL group of playoff teams as good top to bottom as any recently? The Red Sox won 108 games and could arguably be an underdog in a series against any of the other 3 teams.

Keith Law

1:08

It does seem exceptionally strong, at the expense of any decent playoff races this year.

Darren

1:08

There have been big arguments among people I know regarding the 1 inning starters. I see the logical and understand why teams like Oakland and TB would attempt this strategy. Some are saying it's a terrible ideas ruining baseball and point to last night as proof. My point is Oakland used the wrong guy. Hendriks isn't even a very good reliever and was hot in the month of September when he's not facing the lineup one would see in the playoffs. I would have seen Petit and Trivino getting trough 4 to 5 innings and then letting any one not named Rodney take over. Would love to hear some of your thoughts on the practice and Oaklands execution last night. Thanks for everything Keith.

Keith Law

1:08

I would agree with this - Hendriks was a weird choice, one I haven't seen explained, but that doesn't invalidate the strategy.

Ridley Kemp

1:08

Am I wrong for feeling like we're on the verge of the total breakdown of our democratic system? I remember Watergate and this is so much more open and obviously corrupt that I feel like the checks and balances have utterly failed.

Keith Law

1:09

It certainly feels that way, with the party in power willing to overlook absolutely anything - sexual assault, perjury, propaganda, foreign interference, environmental destruction - to get what they want (tax cuts and banning abortion).

Fuzzy Dunlop

1:09

What's your guilty pleasure food? Like restaurant or even just a processed food item that you genuinely enjoy but doesn't fall in line with your generally awesome tastes.

Keith Law

1:09

I have no idea what you're talking about. (munches on Oreos)

1:09

Pick one that will be a an all star : Kelenic, Gorman or Liberatore?

Keith Law

1:10

Kelenic. BTW I forget to mention Vientos when reviewing the Mets' farm system last week - another guy drafted by the current scouting department who looks very good so far.

Alex

1:10

Does Ryan Mountcastle have enough of an arm to stay at 3B? Does Grenier have enough of a bat to be a regular SS? Thanks

Keith Law

1:10

Probably not, probably yes, in that order.

Ian

1:10

Thoughts on the Let the Kids Play ad?

Keith Law

1:10

Much better than the previous campaign, Don't Let the Kids Play.