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Klawchat 8/28/25
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Keith Law
2:02
I heard a funny thing, somebody said to me ... Klawchat.
RH
2:02
Hi Keith, thank you for chatting, what should the Nationals do this offseason under their new admin?
Keith Law
2:04
The first step is hiring the right person (or persons). I'm worried that ownership wants to be too involved, which would mean hiring some sycophant or otherwise compliant GM/POBO rather than bringing in a strong candidate with, I'd hope, some player development experience. There's a lot of talent in the system now after the last two drafts and the trade deadline, but I'd say overall they need better results from the development side than they've had to date.
Aaron C.
2:04
With the caveat that ALL Hall of Fame debates are kinda annoying these days, who's HoF candidacy debate is gonna be more annoying: Yadier Molina or Salvador Pérez?
Keith Law
2:04
Oh Molina's for sure. Unrelated, but I would really like to see him get a shot to manage somewhere - and it doesn't have to be St. Louis.
Guest
2:04
Cubs personnel allowed white nationalist Charlie Kirk on to the field at Wrigley. Busch and Shaw took pics with him with big thumbs up. And yet no coverage from the Chicago media or others. Fear of Ricketts family? Coming White Nationalist Bobblehead Day at Wrigley?
Keith Law
2:05
I don't have any background on that one but 1) I would not have allowed him close to the field and 2) I would also imagine that they feared a backlash if he complained publicly, like they all do, about cancel culture or whatever if they denied him a pass.
Steven
2:05
Any thoughts on Jeremiah Jackson with the O's?
Keith Law
2:06
Not a guy. Used to be a prospect, never developed any semblance of a plan at the plate.
The Tone
2:06
Whats your projection on AJ Ewing’s hit tool? Is it good enough to make him a potential impact guy or is he more of a speed and defense guy like Morabito in that system?
Keith Law
2:06
Big fan. He can hit. Future regular.
Chris
2:06
Hi Keith,
A lot of Red Sox fans, as well as some in the media, have soured on Kristian Campbell since the Red Sox sent him back to AAA. Has your opinion on him changed as well?
Keith Law
2:06
No. Recency bias strikes again.
Joe
2:06
Is it too soon to lower expectations for Jackson Holliday?
Keith Law
2:08
Jesus. He's 21 and in his second year in the majors. Witt Jr was 22 in his rookie year and was only worth 0.9 WAR. Now he's a top 5 player in baseball. Why on earth would you be talking about "lower expectations" for Holliday?
Ryan
2:08
Is Rob Manfred really recruiting Bud to carry water for a salary cap concession? Was Mr. Burns not available? Won't anyone please consider helping the poor team owners.  Please tell me that no one will buy this hogwash.
Keith Law
2:08
I don't think players are buying it, but the media will. They have never failed to fall for owner propaganda.
Alek
2:08
Yohandy Morales has adjusted reasonably well to aaa the last 2 months. Do you think he can be a solid bat for this washington core that needs more pop?
Keith Law
2:09
That is false.
Aaron C.
2:09
Is a late 2026 A's rotation of Arnold, Morales, Jump and Perkins (a) realistic and (b) enough to get me and the 50 A's fans left excited?
Keith Law
2:10
Realistic, yes, although Jump's delivery is terrifying and he's already blown out once. But if they all stay healthy it's a solid to above-average group.
addoeh
2:10
How sustainable is this version of Cade Horton?
Keith Law
2:12
I don't think it is sustainable - I think he's a starter, but more like a league-average one. He's had some very good fortune on the four-seamer that I don't think is going to last. The secondary stuff is legit, with three 55s or better, but I don't think he can throw the four-seamer half the time and continue to get away with it.
Michael
2:12
Hindsight and all, but would the Cubs have been better off keeping Bellinger, Paredes and Smith?
Keith Law
2:13
Given the goal of contending in 2025, trading for Tucker was the right move, giving Bellinger away probably was not.
Kevin W.
2:13
How sad are you as an American at the moment?
Keith Law
2:13
Embarrassed and disappointed would be better words.
Hoss (Austin)
2:13
Should Red Sox stick Tolle or Harrison into the pennant race as either starters or relievers, or would team and player be better served to continue their development in AAA?
Keith Law
2:14
Not sure what the plan is for Tolle's innings, since it's his first full year and he's throwing harder than ever right now. I'm a fan of breaking in young pitchers in relief, like the Pirates seem to be doing with Chandler (credit to them, so few teams do this any more).
Patrick (WI)
2:14
Thanks, as always, for ALL.THE.CONTENT.
Keith Law
2:14
You're welcome. Thanks to all of you for reading.
Patrick (WI)
2:14
Now, on to the question....what should I be looking at for my favorite team's MiLB development over the last month of the season? Who they move up? Who they don't? More?
Keith Law
2:15
Yes, who they move up is important, as that's often about setting a guy up for where he's starting next year - although sometimes it's about getting a player into a pennant race to help a certain affiliate. Just bear in mind that the competition level these last few weeks can be very wonky as players are promoted or shut down.
Guest
2:15
Keith, who is playing where and who is getting traded?  Benge CF, Williams 2b, Baty 3b, Vientos DH, Mauricio? Reimer?
Keith Law
2:16
Reimer's not in that group. Nice player, but below Elian Pena and Ewing among their position player prospects, at least. Benge keeps getting better.
Bill G.
2:16
In spite of the rules changes, offense is still down in MLB.  You and others have stated that the gap between AAA and MLB is larger than ever.  Is there really enough of a talent pool to support expansion?  Won't expansion make offense degrade even more?  Thanks!
Keith Law
2:17
I think expansion might boost offense - there's never enough pitching to go around anyway, so we'll get a lot of 'worse' pitchers throwing more innings in the majors, right?
davealden53
2:17
In one of your recent chats, perhaps the most recent one, I asked about reducing pitchers' injuries.  You replied with smaller staffs.  I agree that injuries would like be lessened if pitchers had to focus on longer outings.  But wouldn't offense go up with pitchers not pushing to their physical limits?  Would another adjustment be required to keep baseball at +/- 9 runs per game?  If so, what changes?  Deadened baseballs?  Enlarged strike zone?  Taller mound?  (I lean toward strike zone changes.)
Keith Law
2:18
I'd be fine with offense going up, though. Offense is down overall, and it's too HR-driven. That's not the most marketable version of the sport. I don't need MLB to mimic the Savannah Bananas here - just lean into the best things innate in the sport itself.
Matt V
2:18
Any intel on Jonathon Long of the Cubs? Heard good reviews on the bat speed. Something there, or just a good statistical performer at AAA?
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