JotCast | Klawchat 11/16/18

Klawchat 11/16/18

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Keith Law

1:22

I had that thought too - the Orioles have so long been the punch line for ownership jokes, but they hired one of the best candidates and interviewed at least two more very good candidates (even with some folks declining interviews), while the Mets did something I can't really justify.

Frank

1:22

What do you think the ceiling for Alex Lange is? Could he be a bottom or mid rotation guy for the cubs? Thanks.

Keith Law

1:22

Always been a reliever for me.

Josh

1:22

Lucas Giolito is only 24 but its feeling like he's at a real crossroads. What does he need to do to be a useful ML pitcher?

Keith Law

1:23

I had him as a breakout candidate this year, only to see his mechanics fall apart right out of spring training, but I'm going to double down on it for 2019. It's really about mechanics and staying healthy this year.

Ryan

1:23

Is Joe Mauer a Hall of Famer in your eyes?

Keith Law

1:23

He's very borderline for me. I think he'll have a hard time getting in, though.

Jennyfer

1:23

I read a lot, not as much as you. Do you finish everything you start? I get books based off recommendations, but if after 25-30 pages it doesn't grip me, I'm out.

Keith Law

1:24

I bail on books too - not that often, but I do. I've quit books after a page or two if the prose really bothers me, or if there's something early in the book that I find really distasteful.

Nolan

1:24

As a Padre fan who hated the Hosmer signing, how worried should I be about a deal for Thor? He’s better than Hosmer, obviously, but do you see any way the prospect cost would be worth it for a team in SDs position?

Keith Law

1:25

Probably not. I don't see the point in such a deal right now, but maybe ownership is demanding more wins in 2019.

Dan

1:25

I know you're not the biggest Gimenez fan, but say the Indians value him as a top 35/40 prospect, does Gimenez, Justin Dunn/Peterson, Matz and Dom Smith make some sense as a Kluber package for both teams ?

Keith Law

1:25

No.

I mean, he's not a top 35/40 prospect for anyone. I'm not sure how to just assign the guy value he doesn't have.

Alex

1:25

Hi Keith, seeing as though the Mets probably won’t sign Manny where do they go for impact bat? I don’t think trading Thor is the answer as I think his best days are still ahead of him. Do you think wheeler could get a good bat or maybe a buy low guy? Missing out on cain for leadoff and CF last year was a huge mistake. Also do you see new GM considering such things as I don’t know, defense being important?

Keith Law

1:26

If BVW has the same payroll restrictions Alderson has, then he's better off trying to build from within. The system is in good shape; a deGrom trade would help that tremendously. But the free agent market would just be a waste of money for them, since they'll be playing in the dangerous middle tier, not the top.

Raphael

1:26

Your take on the Mariners/Lorena Martin situation?

Keith Law

1:26

I know absolutely nothing beyond what's been published and don't feel qualified to comment.

Joe

1:27

Keith, thanks for the awesome insights. Interested in your take on a "change of scenery" swap of 2 underperforning young pitchers with some past health issues and equal number of years of control left…Dylan Bundy for Vince Velasquez. Fair deal for both sides?

Keith Law

1:27

Bundy's health issues don't seem "past" to me. I wouldn't do that if I were the Phillies.

1:27

Did you see Will Craig in the AFL? What do you think his floor/ceiling are?

Keith Law

1:27

I did, and saw him in August too. I think below-average or fringe regular.

Joe

1:27

Did we see enough of Julio Urias at the end of the season to better gauge his chances of being a starter again?

Keith Law

1:28

I didn't. Besides, it's a medical question, not so much a baseball one.

addoeh

1:28

Regarding the Braves not having an intl scouting department because they currently can't sign anyone, would make any sense to have a few just to provide some evaluation baselines for players they could to trade for in the coming years?

Keith Law

1:28

Probably not worth the expense, although at some point they have to ramp up because there are already July 2nd, 2021 players getting locked up by teams.

Kevin

1:28

What’s the appropriate amount for a HS kid to pay for a weekend showcase ?

Keith Law

1:28

Nothing. Don't pay for showcases.

1:29

Vlad Jr and Robles the clear favorites for 2019 ROYs?

Keith Law

1:29

Vlad Jr. yes. Tatis vs Robles would be a fun debate; Robles has the job, clearly, while Tatis is the better player but may not be up until June.

Dave

1:29

Some Pirate fans seem to be overvaluing Tucker and Craig based on their AFL performance. Despite all the evidence this couple weeks doesn't matter, do they have anything else to hang their hats on?

Keith Law

1:29

Both fringe prospects. AFL performance is really not reliable.

1:29

What is the market for Nelson Cruz. Seems like it's bottoming out for aging players of this type even though he's been successful

Keith Law

1:29

Very limited - what contenders have a full time DH spot open?

Kacey

1:30

I coach high school soccer. It's not apples to apples with baseball of course as it's more of a team game, but we have so many different personalities, effort levels and a ton of kids with emotional development issues. Do you find it hard to scout high school players because other than asking around (and if a scout asked me, I'd probably tell her most of my kids are great in order to support the kids) it's hard to find out their true make up or know what it's going to be? The difference of our kids who come back after one year of college is incredible.

Keith Law

1:30

I think that's one of the hardest and most important parts of an area scout's job, and something teams like the Astros, who have virtually eliminated area scouts, will miss on badly in the draft.

John

1:30

If the Braves trade Pache will they regret it? Why?

Keith Law

1:30

Yes, because he's going to be really good?

Dee

1:31

Do you think Steven Avery did it?

Keith Law

1:31

The Atlanta lefty did something?