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Klawchat 12/20/18
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Hank
12:12
You've made fun of the fact that the Jays (and others) view their system differently than you do. Where approximately do you place them, and what are the major differences between what you think and what they think?
Keith Law
12:13
To be clear, I've only made fun of the team's own overly optimistic view of their system, and how sensitive Mark Shapiro was when I disagreed with them. I don't have them top 5, or particularly close, but beyond that I'd prefer to wait until I have my actual rankings done.
Jeff
12:13
What were your thoughts on the Mets hiring of Jared Banner?
Keith Law
12:14
I only know Jared a little bit but have heard nothing but positive things from his colleagues in Boston.
Ron
12:14
You think Kepler will put it together this year? If he does can he be a 4-5 win player? Buxton just needs to be healthy, right?
Keith Law
12:14
I thought he was going to put it together in 2018, so I guess yes, I still do. Buxton needs to get healthy. Sano needs to get in shape. There's a lot of upside on that team, which is one reason I don't agree with fans who think Cleveland has the division on lockdown.
nb
12:14
Hey Keith - Happy holidays to you and your family!  When do we start receiving the present of prospect evaluations and rankings n ESPN.com?  Thanks!
Keith Law
12:15
I believe the last full week of January. That's a decision for my editors, but I'm already working on the phone call portion of the project.
J
12:15
Discuss my complicated emotions around the actually reasonable Wilson Ramos signing by Brodie van CAA and the implicit get over yourself to the Marlins.
Keith Law
12:15
Thought it was a very smart deal on its own merits, and much smarter than sending prospects for Realmuto, who is just marginally better than Ramos.
Rob
12:16
Trevor Cahill a good case for just using for multiple innings a couple times a week rather than as a "starter"?
Keith Law
12:16
I think he is.
Jim
12:16
Will Bubba Thompson garner top 100 consideration? Love his athleticism
Keith Law
12:17
I don't think so, but I'm still working on it.
Chris
12:17
I saw Roma in a theater the other night and I experienced anguish and anxiety for much of it, incl the very last climb, and I dont even have issues with anxiety generally. I hear you re the surf noise.  Great piece of filmmaking though.
Keith Law
12:17
I'm glad I didn't see it in a theater for that reason, but am also glad Netflix did the wide theatrical release to give people the choice.
Rich J
12:17
Which team will sign Gritty? Which team SHOULD sign Gritty?
Keith Law
12:17
Doesn't every team need Gritty, really?
Zac
12:18
is the 18 year old the Blue Jays took in the rule-5 a legit major league pitcher?
Keith Law
12:18
Is he right now? No. That's a huge problem I have with the rule 5 draft today - it encourages teams to take players whose development will be stalled or even hurt by the jump to a level for which they're not ready.
12:19
OK, it's time to get serious: I am now eating Oreos.
Jackson
12:19
My pick for biggest lower level MiLB bat to rise in 2019 is Jhon Torres. Am I too optimistic?
Keith Law
12:19
He's a very good prospect.
Foster
12:19
Is how batters fare against different arm slots tracked at all my front offices? Do you consider it to be valuable/meaningful?
Keith Law
12:20
I doubt the sample sizes would be large enough.
Dave
12:20
As a Cubs fan, I'm beyond appalled at the continued employment of Addison Russell.  Melisa Reidy-Russell's account of his abuse is sickening, and I'm especially bothered that Theo likely knew those details when he tendered him a contract.  I realize baseball has had its share of bad apples from the beginning, so maybe I'm just being sanctimonious now.  But Russell is my line in the sand.  Either he goes, or I find another team to support.  If only I could guarantee the next team will respond to such issues more appropriately.
Keith Law
12:20
I personally do not understand the team continuing to employ him at this point. If enough fans make their displeasure clear, maybe they'll reconsider.
Brett
12:21
Does Scott Kingery make solid progress in 2019 or should we expect more of 2018?
Keith Law
12:22
I was hoping the Phillies would give him regular reps at one position, probably 2b, that he can truly play well, so that he wasn't simultaneously trying to play a position where he had no experience/lacks the skills while also learning to hit major league pitching. I don't know that that's likely right now.
nelson
12:22
With teams less likely to hand out huge contracts to flawed players and teams also less likely to hand out longer term contracts to players in their 30s, how do you think this affects the future of the sport? Do you think this will lead to fundamental changes?
Keith Law
12:22
I think the union will/should push for fundamental changes like getting players to free agency sooner.
Tyler
12:22
Mo is a no doubt HOF for me because of the playoffs.  However I do not have him even in the top 12 or 13 on this ballot based on regular season numbers.  I struggle with how to evaluate RP and how much weight to put on playoff numbers.  For example if I was starting a team I would take Oswalt over Mo.  Oswalt was one of the best pitchers in the game for 10 years in a row.  I do not think Oswalt is a HOFer and do think MO is, but I do think Oswalt was the better pitcher.  I am glad Mo is going to get in I just have a hard time putting him in the top 10, is this me under stating his importance in the playoffs?  Or is it me not valuing Closer enough in general?
Keith Law
12:23
Perhaps, and I'm only playing devil's advocate here, you aren't valuing Rivera's performance relative to any other reliever over such a long period of time highly enough. Whether you believe Hoffman or Wagner was his best contemporary, Rivera was worlds better than both of them.
HOF voting
12:23
Do you make a distinction (as others have) between voting for highly credibly PED accused- like say Bonds, Clemons- and someone like Manny who was actually caught?
Keith Law
12:24
I do - and I have mentioned it before, so my view there remains the same. I won't be consistent just for its own sake but in this case I've been consistent.
Mike
12:24
How many more years do the Indians have before anyone (or everyone) in the AL Central catches up?
Keith Law
12:24
like I said above, they may be the favorites but the division isn't just theirs in 2019.
Sean
12:24
I'm almost through The Master and Margarita. I've thoroughly enjoyed it, but I hadn't even heard of it before I saw it on your top book list (and I like to think I am relatively well-read). Seems to me that it's not one that is touted much in America despite it's clear place as a literary classic, could you speculate as to why this is?
Keith Law
12:24
It wasn't written in English, and the anti-communist satire within the novel probably doesn't land for American audiences.
John
12:24
Should I be terrified the Reds are going to trade Senzel and/or Trammell for Kluber?
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