JotCast | Klawchat 2/8/18

Klawchat 2/8/18

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Keith Law

2:31

There is no answer to that. It differs for each player.

Jaipur rules

2:31

Rather than a six year $150 million offer to Darvish/Arrieta do you think someone like the Cubs should look into trading a decent prospect to the Dbacks and take on Greinke and say 75% of his remaining contract? Arizona could potentially resign JD then. Not sure how much Greinke has left in the tank.

Keith Law

2:32

If the Dbacks want to contend again this year, they have to keep Greinke. I don't see them being competitive without him, because any trade would likely be one to shed his salary rather than bringing back talent.

Jesse

2:32

Your thoughts on the game Broom Service? I love the cowardly/brave mechanic but it has never gone over well when I bring it out on a games night.

Keith Law

2:32

I think it's fun and very clever, but we find its length is a little tough for weeknight play.

Sparhawk

2:32

What does Joey Wentz need to do in order to establish himself as one of the best LHP prospects?

Keith Law

2:32

He made my top 100. He's already one of the best LHP prospects.

mike sixel

2:32

I understand that long term deals stink at the end, generally, but they are often good for the team at the beginning.....from a $/WAR stance. If teams are really going to balk at long term deals, which we'll see probably isn't true still this spring and next year, won't they almost "have" to pay more on an AAV basis? If I was an agent, that would be my argument.

Keith Law

2:34

The $/WAR stuff is so overblown - getting a 'good deal' is nice, but if your team isn't in a position to capitalize on those marginal wins, then ... you got a nice deal, congrats? If I were running a team within range of a wild-card spot or division title, I'd be less concerned about getting the most efficient deal specifically and more about getting the marginal wins I need to get into the playoffs. So I'd be fine overpaying on an AAV basis - and if anything I'd overpay in the short-term to try to get one or two fewer years at the end of the contract, when, as you said, most of them have long gone bad.

Andrew

2:34

Can you explain what is meant when a pitcher is described as athletic?

Keith Law

2:35

It means he's a good athlete. I am a bit befuddled by your question. There's no secondary connotation here - some pitchers are good athletes, some are not. I like good athletes in general because I think they can repeat their mechanics and have more physical potential to make adjustments.

2:35

You're understandably down on Ray and Rutherford''s prospectness. What do you think they need to do to get back on course/do you think they can make those corrections?

Keith Law

2:36

Ray needs a stance/setup overhaul. Rutherford just didn't impact the ball at all last year. Not sure how to fix that one.

Kay

2:36

Frazier at $8.5 million is a steal right? The average has to come up some and he seems to have no other obvious flaws as a player.

Keith Law

2:36

Why does the average "have to come up some?" He didn't hit for average at all in 2016 and was only a little better in 2014. I think there's a good chance he's just a sub-.240 hitter now.

Tyler

2:36

I've been wanting to get into board games for quite awhile and finally convinced my friend group to try Catan. We all loved it! I know you put out your list of top board games, but what are 2-3 other "beginner" games like Catan?

Keith Law

2:37

Carcassonne, Splendor, Ticket to Ride are all good 'gateway' games that still hold up even though I've probably played 200+ other games since I got into the hobby.

Eric

2:37

Keith, loyal insider subscriber here. I know the draft is far off and nobody knows this but do you think Nolan Gorman makes it to the Padres pick at 7? I would love to see them add another impact bat to go with all of the developing arms. Thanks for all your work.

Keith Law

2:37

He's a great prospect but nobody has any idea where players are going.

Tom

2:37

Assuming Moniak returns to Lakewood, would you advance Haseley to keep him in CF?

Keith Law

2:37

I would, but I don't know if Moniak is returning to Lakewood. I think it would help him, and keep Haseley on track, and if Haseley rakes in Clearwater you just move them both up.

Tom

2:37

Have you used Chris Bianco's cookbook? Do you have any thoughts on it?

Keith Law

2:38

I own it - I received an advance copy from the publisher - and it's beautiful with some very fun writing (if you've ever heard Chris talk, you can 'hear' him while you read it), but the non-pizza recipes have not worked out well for me at all. I don't think they were sufficiently tested.

Chris

2:39

Vimael Machin, SS in the Cubs' system, is he anything more than just an org guy?

Keith Law

2:39

He's not a shortstop - only played 6 games at short last year - and was 23 in low-A. Just an org guy.

Darren

2:40

Hello Keith,
Sorry to hear you and your daughter had to quit red meat, but hopefully you will be better for it. My wife and I stopped eating meat months ago and now we are both off medications, lost weight without trying, have less pain and just feel better in every way. I found quitting meat was much easier than I expected. For people that have time to cook and prepare good healthy food it is well worth it. As for money, you may spend more on healthy food but we save money and time on medication and doctor visits. Best decision I ever made, even better than getting Acuna for a buck last year in my roto league.

Keith Law

2:41

We couldn't trace eating beef (which is what we gave up, not all red meat) to any specific medical issues, but given our metabolic disorder, it seemed worth trying to see if our shared sense that we felt lousy after eating it was real and not just psychosomatic (or guilt-induced). I miss it sometimes, but less than I expected. Mostly when I go to Shake Shack.

Drew

2:41

If the Twins were to opt for a trade as a way to get SP help would a Kepler/Gordon package for Archer be enough and/or a good use of their resources?

Keith Law

2:41

My guess is the Rays would insist on more, probably Romero too. Although Gordon fits the Rays' m.o. of acquiring shortstops who don't project to stay at shortstop.

Eric

2:41

Tirson Ornelas turns 18 in March and he would likely be a high school senior if he had grown up in America. If he was in this year's draft class, how would he stack up against this year's class and what round do you think he would go in?

Keith Law

2:42

First rounder. Billy McKinney was a first-rounder even though he was a fringy runner limited to LF, because everyone loved his swing. Ornelas can play RF and has more pop, plus one of my favorite swings in the minors.

Darren

2:42

How would you rank?
Brent Rooker Peter Alonso Lewin Diaz

Keith Law

2:42

Just like that.

Benjy

2:42

For someone who says they weren't going to watch the Super Bowl, you sure had a bunch of tweets about it.

Keith Law

2:43

Virtually none of which were about the game, Lassie. And my wife wanted the game on; I don't dictate what other family members get to watch just because I might prefer something else.

Justin R

2:43

Is it fair to say regardless of how free agency shakes out that the Yankees, Red Sox, Indians, Astros, Nationals, Cubs, and Dodgers are playoff locks for 2018?

Keith Law

2:44

Anyone discussing "playoff locks" right now is probably asking for fate to prove them very, very wrong. If you give me that prop bet on those seven teams making the playoffs I will gladly take the other side of it.

Moltar

2:44

I know you're "out" on the show but I miss your top chef recaps.

Keith Law

2:45

Thank you - I appreciate the kind words from folks who say they miss them, but I do not miss losing the 2-3 hours a week those posts required.

Darren

2:45

Hey Keith,
Thoughts on Richard Urena? Even if Tulo wasn't signed into the next millennium do you see him being a starting SS? Thanks.

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