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Klawchat 11/16/17
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Keith Law
1:16
I had no intention or expectation of changing his mind. I want to provide a factual rejoinder for any other readers who might see his tweets. If you don't fight ignorance or falsehoods, they spread.
Alex A
1:17
So there are rumors that the Braves are going to lose prospects. I personally don't believe Maitan will be one of them but what do you think? If you had to put a percentage chance on it, what would it be?
Keith Law
1:19
From what I heard this summer, losing Maitan wouldn't be the devastating blow it might have seemed a year ago. As for what will happen, it really depends on what the infractions were, and I really have no idea what gossip to believe any more. Earlier this week, I had one source tell me he heard the infractions were deep on the draft side as well as amateur ... and an hour later, someone else called and said he heard the amateur side wasn't involved at all.
John
1:19
When a high level exec is hired out of a big time analytics operation like LA, how much of the organizational "secret sauce" can they feasibly or legally bring with them? I'd imagine any actual models are proprietary, but it's not like he can just forget player valuations or concepts, right?
Keith Law
1:19
I believe that's part of what gets people hired from other orgs - you're brought on because of who you are and because of what you know.
Mike
1:19
Do you think there is any chance the Rockies turn first base over to McMahon next year?  Bonus question: odds Helton is one-and-done in hall of fame balloting on a crowded ballot?
Keith Law
1:20
They should, and I don't think he'll be one and done but I don't think he'll get in either.
Jake
1:20
What would the Padres signing Hosmer accomplish? They already have Myers (you can debate who’s better but I’d argue that the difference isn’t worth what Hosmer would cost) and I feel like they would be smarter to go after positions of need (SP, SS). Besides, if you’re willing to spend that much, just go for Ohtani IMO. Thanks.
Keith Law
1:20
Makes zero sense. Terrible use of limited funds for them.
Meadow Party
1:20
Thoughts on Austin Meadows? I think he can rebound from injuries. Would an offensive profile similar to prime Hunter Pence be realistic? More/less?
Keith Law
1:20
Can't project him to Pence's power until he starts driving the ball more consistently.
Jon
1:20
Sandy Alderson on Dom Smith: "He didn't win it [Starting 1B job] in September, let's put it that way." Will go into ST competing for the gig....what to even make of this?
Keith Law
1:21
My hope is that this is a motivational tactic; I know there were questions about his work ethic in the big leagues, and of course he has to keep an eye on the scale as well. My fear is that they're overreacting to two mediocre months and ignoring the previous body of work (and his age).
Steve
1:21
Does one WS title validate trading of Torres, Jimenez, Candelario?
Keith Law
1:21
Yes. Is this even a question?
Nils
1:21
Hi Keith, loved your book.  It got me thinking about prospect evaluation.  We always hear about a "5 tool prospect", where hitting is always one of the important tools.  But if a .230 hitter (with poor hit tool) can get on base at a .330 clip, and a .300 hitter (with a great hit tool) also gets on base at .330, then shouldn't plate discipline be a 6th tool?  Or is it viewed less important with a prospect with the idea it can be learned?
Keith Law
1:22
Plate discipline is seen as a skill rather than a physical tool, but at this point, it's on many scouting report forms anyway and the five-tool rubric is a bit of an anachronism.
Justin
1:22
Did the A's get enough for Healy? I know he is a liability in the field, but a relief pitcher doesn't seem like a great return for a competent bat under team control
Keith Law
1:22
Liability in the field and poor OBP skills.
Joseph P
1:22
Are there any prospects from the 2017 Draft that have surprised you or is the sample size too small to mean anything?
Keith Law
1:23
Too small for most guys. I will say I was pleased to see the Twins push Brent Rooker, who turned 23 two weeks ago, to high-A out of the draft, and to see Rooker respond with very strong results in 160 or so AB there.
Jeff
1:23
Brandon Woodruff a solid mid-rotation guy? Chance to be more?
Keith Law
1:23
That's about right.
Jibraun
1:24
Every team seemingly now has a "Quality Control Coach," but none of them can seem to give a clear delineation of the job duties. Can you clear it up?
Keith Law
1:24
I don't know of any standardized description of that role.
Nate
1:24
Do you have (or know people in the industry that have) any concerns about Michael Fulmer for next season? Looked to be pitching hurt his final handful of starts. Rest all that is/was needed?
Keith Law
1:24
He was hurt. Elbow injury. Supposed to be fine for spring training.
KLawGod
1:24
I've heard a lot of people blaming the MLBPA during this whole Otani situation. As someone who is not familiar with their role, why are they at fault here in the situation? I thought the MLBPA is advocating for Otani so why are they catching flack?
Keith Law
1:26
The MLBPA was involved in the CBA negotiations, and didn't fight to carve out any sort of protection for Ohtani or players like him, probably because he's not a union member and any money spent on him would, in theory, not be spent on union members. However, the clearest beneficiary of the cap is the team that signs him, and you would like to think the union would recognize that even if Ohtani isn't currently a member, the moment he signs a contract here he will be one, and the more he's paid the more it bumps up the top end of the starting pitcher salary scale.
Eric
1:26
Griffin Conine or Seth Beer?
Keith Law
1:26
Leaning Conine, but that's based more on secondhand reports.
Xavier
1:26
When you were in college, what did you envision yourself doing for the rest of your life?Did you ever consider becoming an investment banker or entering the finance industry in any way?
Keith Law
1:26
I did not. Many classmates did. I heard the hours those people were working and I was very not interested.
Greg
1:26
True or False: The Red Sox Opening Day 1B will be Sam Travis
Keith Law
1:26
False.
Aaron Boone
1:27
Do you have any particular opinion on Aaron Boone's potential as a manager?
Keith Law
1:27
He's never managed, right? So we just don't know.
Gene Mullett
1:27
Kershaw, Kluber, Scherzer, & Sale really seem to be the elite of MLB arms & have been for a while now.  With the exception of Strasburg's health & Verlander's hit-or-miss seasons, which SP do you think is most capable of joining them?
Keith Law
1:28
Archer has the potential - the stuff, the athleticism, the intelligence - to join them, but has never had the consistent command for it. Carlos Carrasco might be the next tier, but he's quietly been excellent for a few years now.
Seath
1:28
ok last question.  If Maitan is one of the prospects that is forfeited by the Braves how would his FA work (or any lost prospect for that matter)?  Would teams need to use their International pool money or is it a free for all?
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