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Klawchat 11/9/17
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Sterling Malory Chris Archer
2:57
So I started reading The Master and Margarita based on the fact it’s your number one book.  Any suggestions on what to pay attention to while reading?
Keith Law
2:58
Remember that Bulgakov wrote it as an anti-communist fable while he was writing as a state playwright for the Soviet government.
Dan
2:58
I know that injuries kinda derailed Isan Diaz's 2017 but is he still a top 100 caliber prospect for you?
Keith Law
2:58
I think so, since the hamate probably wrecked his year.
Tom
2:58
I realize I run the risk of being struck by a lightning bolt, especially where I live, but when I heard Vin Scully's national anthem comments, all I could think of was "89 year old white grandpa misses the point completely." (Ducking)
Keith Law
2:59
Yep. I felt the same. Met Vin once, as nice a man as you'll come across, but that was quite ignorant given the players he covered in his career.
Dan
2:59
Is a line of .280/.350/.400 a pretty accurate projection for Kevin Newman?
Keith Law
3:00
A year ago I would have said yes. Given how little power he showed in AAA, just in terms of hard contact, I'm thinking less now.
PD
3:00
Really sad story about Daniel Flores. I was looking at video of his release and swing and he looked really good. Where would he had ranked for you?
Keith Law
3:00
As with Halladay/HoF, I would simply prefer not to discuss the recently departed in those terms. I'm sorry.
Andy
3:00
The last two WS winners have largely done it with home grown hitters carrying the bulk of the load. If you want to throw the Dodgers and Indians into the mix, they also did it with more homegrown hitters (with Kershaw being an exception.) Do you think that the additional certainty with a hitter could make teams value bats above pitching in the top of drafts?
Keith Law
3:01
Some teams, notably the Cubs, have argued that you want bats in the top 10-15 picks, then go pitching later. They've drafted that way quite a bit. I think the Dodgers have too. There's more predictability in their performance and lower attrition rates.
Nick
3:01
What's the ideal path for the oriole's at this point? I say Trade Manny and Brach now, and Britton mid season hoping he stays healthy the first half, sign a couple bounce back candidate starting pitchers to high AAV short term deals and hope to flip them as well? Don't see a path to winning next year so maybe try to rebuild on the fly without completely tearing it down?
Keith Law
3:01
Trade Britton and/or Brach now. If they intend to compete this year, then they keep Machado and ride it out. If they intend to rebuild, then trade everyone now.
Sage
3:02
Everyone mentions the ball is juiced, but I've heard the seams are not raised like they used to be, causing a decline on effective pitching, and spike in distance a ball does.  Are these same thing, or am I misinterpreting ?
Keith Law
3:02
Two different things. The coefficient of restitution has changed too (the ball is bouncier).
Chris
3:02
interesting trade idea on RAB today: Yelich for Acevedo, Adams, Solak, and Frazier. I know youre not super high on the first two, but what do you think? Obv Denbo knows their system well.
Keith Law
3:02
Supposedly they don't want to deal Yelich at all. That seems like a bunch of quantity over quality.
Andrew
3:03
Would a solution like Toastmasters help me with a problem with my public speaking?
Keith Law
3:03
I know people who swear by them, but I've never participated in it (or done anything for public speaking).
JJ
3:03
Keith, weird question, but with as health conscious as players/teams are today, are there players who are major smokers (similar to Leyland)?  I know smokeless tobacco is still popular among players and isn't healthy but was curious how much of that is hidden from public image.
Keith Law
3:03
The answer depends completely on what leaf we are discussing.
Joe
3:04
Do the minor league use the same balls as the major leaguers?
Keith Law
3:04
They do not.
Nick
3:04
Greatest mankind accomplishment of all time? Moon landing? Building of Pyramids? Internet? Something else?
Keith Law
3:04
Eradicating smallpox.
Andrew
3:04
I know you mentioned in one of these chats or your twitter that the interview process isn't a good way to evaluating a potential hire (Dave Martinez). What is a good way of seeing if someone is a good hire?
Keith Law
3:04
Resume and references.
Nick
3:04
Who is the most surprising top 10 draft pick you've seen since covering the draft?
Keith Law
3:08
Hm. Most surprising first rounder was Hayden Simpson, but I think he was 15th or 16th overall. DeShields Jr at 8 to Houston in 2010 was a surprise, just that he went that high, although I think I had him projected to them at pick 19 (they took Foltynewicz there). Hobgood in 2009 and Townsend the second time around to Tampa Bay in 2005 come to mind too.
Jock
3:08
Austin Beck - do you think he was a reach at #6 last year or do you think that he represents a good departure for the A's as they aim to develop more "toolsy" and "high reward" players in hopes of landing a new stadium in a few years? Thanks, Keith.
Keith Law
3:08
Not a reach, but huge risk huge reward type of guy.
JJ
3:08
Care to make an early prediction on the 2018 ROYs?
Keith Law
3:08
I do not, thanks.
Ed
3:08
There's no way Davis doesn't accept the QO, right?
Keith Law
3:08
If he thinks he can get multiple years elsewhere, then he would decline it.
Nathan
3:08
Keith! Love your work ... I need some help. I'm trying to acquire the taste for straight black coffee. Can you give me some tips on what roast or brand I should start with? Much appreciated…
Keith Law
3:09
I never drank my coffee black until I tried Intelligentsia, and from there branched out to other "third wave" roasters (very light roasts, usually from single estates or small regions). Adding dairy to coffee introduces fats that block the bitter receptors on your tongue, but really good coffee that is properly roasted has very little to no bitterness.
yankees fan
3:09
I know you have been impressed by sheffield recently. Has he considerably improved since last years trade? If yes, in what way?
Keith Law
3:10
He has. He's throwing harder and has switched to a slider.
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