JotCast | Klawchat 11/18/22

Klawchat 11/18/22

Keith Law

1:01

When I get free, you won't see me, here for dust. Klawchat.

Richard

1:01

Happy Thanksgiving Keith!! Just a quickie: with Jeremy Pena generally flying under the radar pre-season (not making the 100 prospects, etc...), was his strong season a credit to the major league staff, or rather he just wasn't seen often enough by scouts in his brief minor league career? Thanks!

Keith Law

1:03

I disagree with your premise. I had him second in the Astros' system coming into the year and noted the jump in his exit velocities in 2021. He was hurt almost all of that season, though.

Signing Nimmo

1:03

It strikes me that Toronto wouldn't have traded Hernandez without having a fairly certain replacement. Do you think they made the trade expecting to land Nimmo (he seems like the best fit) or do teams regularly gamble on this sort of thing?

Keith Law

1:04

I wonder if they believed Teoscar was more likely to repeat 2022 or regress and felt he wasn't worth that expense given what else they could do with that cash in free agency or trade. He's a solid player but hardly irreplaceable.

Signing Nimmo

1:04

Are Bellinger's struggles mainly related to the shoulder injury or something else?

Keith Law

1:04

At this point, it seems odd to still blame the shoulder injury, but I suppose it's possible.

TomBruno23

1:05

How can I enjoy the World Cup without thinking about how terrible Qatar and FIFA are?

Keith Law

1:06

You shouldn't. I might watch a match or two, but my interest is low anyway with Italy out, and I won't do anything to promote the event. The entire thing is repulsive.

addoeh

1:06

Any chance for a video chat, on whatever platform allows it, for your annual spatchcocking your turkey?

Keith Law

1:06

Yes, not sure when but I plan to carry on this annual tradition

The World’s Best Soundsystem

1:07

It seems like Miguel Vargas is going to get a legitimate shot to make the Dodgers roster out of Spring Training. Do you foresee anyone from the Busch-Pages-Outman-Amaya group getting regular ABs by mid season?

Keith Law

1:08

Busch seems like the closest/most likely of those four. Amaya's not a regular, and I'm not sold on Outman as a regular given his swing and miss issues.

Noveau

1:08

Bit random, but putting aside the money they made, did the Upton brothers have disappointing careers?

Keith Law

1:09

I'd say so. Justin was done after age 30. How many highly athletic players like him are done that early without a catastrophic injury?

Jackie

1:10

When you BBWAA types gather in your secret clubhouse, do you ever question each other's awards votes? Do you go up to that one random voter who put Julio Urias 3rd on their ballot (and Daniel Bard 8th on the same ballot), and same, "Um, what?" Or do you as a group just not care about the individual oddball votes, as long as the award ends up in the right place?

Keith Law

1:11

I care to some extent, like if a writer appears not to take his responsibility seriously, or has a history of favoring the home team (Tom Gage of Detroit, who of course won a Spink award, had Tigers atop his ballots several times when they were demonstrably not the best candidates). But it's not like we all see each other very often.

Jamie

1:11

What happened to Bobby Miller last year and has it affected the way you view his potential?

Keith Law

1:11

Um, nothing? what do you think happened to him?

KLB

1:11

Are you going to do a write-up of your NL ROY vote?

Keith Law

1:12

No, just because I had a couple of other things to write right as the award came out, and I've been busy with some family stuff. I had Strider over Harris because Strider's season was so historic, but I have no issue with Harris winning.

PhillyJake

1:12

Pirates fan here. Why does the owner of my team hate the the team?

Keith Law

1:13

Are you kidding? Bob Nutting loves the Pirates. He loves the free cash they generate even when they lose!

Sandra

1:13

Is AJ Preller’s approach going to lead to a sustainable contender or will shipping off every good prospect bite him in the ass by 2025?

Keith Law

1:14

Well, they contended in 2020, were in the race for a decent chunk of 2021, and then made the NLCS this year without their best player, so I'd say he's already done that - but they could also hit a cliff in 2025 too.

Ray

1:14

Is Nick Gonzales the Pirates 2bman in 2023 and beyond?

Keith Law

1:14

I don't think so.

Krontz

1:14

How do you think the Oakland stadium saga ends up?

Keith Law

1:14

In some way that screws over the taxpayers.

Moon Man

1:14

Do the Rays have significant lineup fixtures developing with Carson Williams and Mason Auer, or just some very smooth defense?

Keith Law

1:15

Auer has huge tools but I don't think the contact skill is there to project him as a regular right now. Williams does too, but he was just 19 last year and he's a shortstop, so he has a lot more time to improve and his position helps buoy his chances.

Guest

1:16

Hi Keith, thanks for the chat! Seems the Mets really screwed up trading Endy Rodriguez for Joey Lucchesi. Endy did not seem to be on anyone's radar-was this a case of poor evaluation by the Mets?

Keith Law

1:19

Yes, it was a bad trade at the time that only looks worse now with Lucchesi getting hurt and Endy continuing to improve. He was enough of a prospect then that I praised the Pirates for snagging him in that deal (which sent Joe Musgrove to San Diego). I think Brodie just didn't bother - he dealt prospects for big leaguers without regard to the relative values.

Mtd

1:19

Dave dombrowski calls you and makes you the GM starting now. What is your first player-related move you make?

Keith Law

1:21

They certainly don't need me - they're in very good hands with Sam Fuld. I'd say either work out an extension with Nola or go after Trea Turner or Xander Bogaerts to play 2b.

Bill

1:21

Dodgers have until 5pm today. What would you do with Bellinger

Keith Law

1:21

Seems like a non-tender.

seans

1:21

Keith, what are your thoughts on Colt Keith and his performance in AZ?

Keith Law

1:21

He wasn't very good for me ... still young, but I wish I'd seen more from him at the plate.