You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Klawchat 8/30/18
powered byJotCast
Keith Law
2:02
Sayonara, tomorrow, now he's blood on the ground. It's Klawchat.
Go Go Gadget Hamate Bone
2:04
Any noticeable change to Luis Urias’ hitting profile since adopting the leg kick tweak?
Keith Law
2:04
No, not that I think he really needed one. If anything changed, it's that he got to hit in El Paso.
Joe
2:04
Keith, is it fair to question Showalter's handling of young players?  He sat Sisco on the bench for long periods earlier in the year and now he is sitting Mullins to get a look at some guy named John Andreoli.
Keith Law
2:05
I think it's fair, yes. He certainly seems like he's never taken a liking to Sisco, at least. He hasn't been the same with young pitchers, though - if anything he might have used them too much.
Dana
2:05
How stupid do the Yankees fans who booed Stanton in April look right now?
Keith Law
2:05
Any fans who boo players in April look stupid. I'm not big on booing players period, but every year, a handful of great players will get off to 'slow' starts. So to answer your question, they look grade 80 stupid.
Gene
2:05
Keith, a couple of contracts remain to be shed or survived, but is there any way to accelerate the rebuild in Baltimore?  With their luck with the draft and player development, I can't foresee any return to competitiveness within the next three to five years.  The farm, with a few exceptions seems to be littered with spare parts, fourth outfielders, relief pitchers, and offensive pieces without defensive positions.  Is there any light at the end of the tunnel?
Keith Law
2:06
They've drafted better the last few years, I think. Certainly a lot of arms in the lower levels right now. They need to do something more on the international front, of course. My argument has been that ownership waited too long to trade Machado, and as a result, the return was just OK, but seems unlikely to deliver them any cornerstones.
Pathmark
2:07
What is the optimal Sep/Oct use of Justus Sheffield in terms of what is best for him and the team?
Keith Law
2:08
I'd like to see him get some long relief outings. One, it's a good way to break in a young starter. Two, what I have heard from multiple scouts this year is that he's not showing the command he'll need to be a mid-rotation starter or better. He's super athletic and very smart, and the delivery is fine, so there's no real reason he can't get there - but he's not there yet. Reps in the majors could help.
James
2:09
Before Chris Paddack was shut down his fastball was apparently touching 98. Is that just a blip or is that a newfound velocity post TJ?
Keith Law
2:09
I saw 95 or 96 in March. 98 wouldn't shock me but I don't think he's going to pitch there. The question around his upside revolves around his breaking ball anyway, not his velocity. I don't think he's markedly different with a 92-95 mph fastball or a 92-98 mph fastball.
Pathmark
2:10
Do you watch the LLWS? Thoughts on the quality of play or perils of the excessive breaking balls?
Keith Law
2:10
I don't watch it. Don't care as much about breaking balls as I do about kids trying to throw too hard.
Nick
2:10
I read your recent report on Adam Haseley; is there reason to be concerned about the Phillies' ability to develop hitters given your report as well as Moniak and Randolph's struggles? Or is this just bad luck?
Keith Law
2:10
Neither was a great pick for his spot. I think if there's been a weakness in the Phillies' rebuild, it's been in the draft. Their trades have been solid and their international amateur department keeps finding gold.
Joe
2:10
Good afternoon, Keith. Roy Halladay: Hall of Famer?
Keith Law
2:11
I've given my provisional ballot before - he's on the bubble. I had seven definites for ten spots, I think, and then 6-7 guys I'd consider for the last three. He's in the latter group.
Jason
2:11
As an Oakland fan I still can't believe this team is competing. They are bringing up guys that I have never heard of and they keep coming. First off is this one of the worst lineups from a talent aspect that you have seen competing for a playoff spot this late in the season? Who should get credit for this (besides the players) front office? manager? organization as a whole?
Keith Law
2:15
You can credit all of those plus acknowledge they've had a lot of luck this year. They've collected a lot of guys who probably wouldn't be as good without the juiced ball to help. They've had guys like Matt Chapman make enormous (but apparently very real) development leaps in the majors. Sean Manaea is 2 innings short of qualifying for the ERA title for the year, which is either luck or credit to the training staff or both. But also picking up discards for the rotation seems more like when the Yankees acquired Aaron Small and he had two months that were completely out of nowhere.
The Killer Klaw
2:16
There are a lot of ‘dudes’ that Padres fans want to keep track of. Should Tucupita Marcano be one of them?
Keith Law
2:16
He is; he was mentioned in my preseason Padres writeup, and it's very rare for me to mention DSL guys at all because we really know virtually nothing about them.
Nick
2:16
If you're Josh Donaldson, do you sign a one-year "prove it" deal in hopes you returns to form (4-5 win players) and sign a better deal in 2019? Or is that too risky given his age and injury?
Keith Law
2:17
He might not get any long-term offers after this year, so if he's just getting one- and two-year deals he should consider taking the one-year deal and hoping he's healthy enough for 140 games.
Reuben Amaro Jr.
2:17
Considering the Phillies have outperformed their run differential this year how would you approach next year if you were management?  Do you think their young pieces will be ready to make that leap next year or would you target 2020 as the year to go all in?  Asking for a friend...
Keith Law
2:18
I think they already started to go in with Arrieta and Santana; there's no reason to stop now, especially in a huge free agent class with plenty of cash available. I do think they'll have some real decisions to make, like whether JP Crawford, who seems not to have clicked with the new coaching staff, is part of the future or needs a change of scenery. I don't think their top prospect arms are going to be ready till the middle of next year, which could also inform their decision-making.
Jed
2:18
Any info on Robert Puason? Top 2019 J2 guy?
Keith Law
2:19
I don't follow that market, sorry.
The BigSauce
2:19
Eloy Jimenez raking and the call up watch is T- 1.5 days. Do they do the right thing and make the call for the next series home opener? Sticking in the central does Lovelady get the call too?
Keith Law
2:20
I think they'll call up Eloy, since he's already on the 40-man. No clue on Lovelady - he's a reliever, not someone you manipulate service time on.
Trevor
2:20
I refuse to believe Arenado has 3 DRS this year when he’s never had less than 16 in a season. The baseline defensive stats are there so is the statistic flawed or is he having a down year defensively?
Keith Law
2:20
He's been having a down year defensively. You've sort of made the argument from personal incredulity - it isn't true because I can't believe it's true.
Trevor
2:21
Can we please give the creator of the opener a raise. Hearing the Braves announcers bash the idea, whilst citing Teheran’s 1st inning struggles and the Rays AL best ERA since it’s inception, is laughable.
Keith Law
2:21
Given what's gone on this year down there, it's a good night if those guys aren't laughable.
Bill G
2:22
Hi Keith.  Seems like expansion to 32 teams is inevitable.  Would you favor 4 divisions of 8 teams, or 8 divisions of 4 teams (like NFL).  Would you favor geographical alignment or a more traditional AL and NL.  Thanks!
Keith Law
2:22
Fewer divisions. Adding divisions increases the chances of a sub-.500 team making the playoffs.
Abed
2:22
The Pirates farm system seems pretty barren, and I thought this before the Baz inclusion was announced. Now, outside of the core group (Keller/Hayes/Swaggerty, and to a lesser extent, Tucker/Cruz) is there anyone else worth getting excited over? Someone who has made a major leap in your eyes this year?
Keith Law
2:23
Cruz has made the biggest leap. Hayes has really established himself as at least a solid average hitter with a 70 glove. I might have said Calvin Mitchell earlier this year but he cooled off quite a bit and doesn't offer any value beyond the bat.
Zach
2:23
I know Trevor Williams isn't a 3.30 ERA (his 2018 figure) caliber pitcher, but going back to last season, as a starter, he sports a 3.99 FIP (50 starts). Is it stretching it to say he's a high-3s/low-4s ERA caliber starter?
Load More Messages
Connecting…