Klawchat 2/14/19.

Keith Law: Klawchat. How can you run when you know?

Dante: Thoughts on the Nola extension? It seems this type of deal is becoming less common, but maybe they come back en vogue with FA now panning out well recently for even the best players.
Keith Law: Definitely less common – I think I said that on the BBTN podcast a few weeks ago? – so I’m glad to see it. I can’t imagine low-revenue teams have decided they’re willing to ride players out through arbitration without even trying to buy out a year or two of free agency. This current market slump is not sustainable, not with industry revenues where they are.

Aaron C.: As an African-American fan and father of a 15 y/o ballplayer, I feel this whole Kyler Murray thing quietly highlights how poorly MLB markets its sport and creates inclusive support structures for players of color. I cringe at the reported pitch the team of MLB officials made to Murray last month. Did they hand him one of those silly “Whole Squad Ready” spring training hoodies? Ugh.
Keith Law: Also, maybe pay minor leaguers a living wage. Maybe it doesn’t matter for Murray, who 1) will make a shit-ton more in the NFL draft and 2) may just prefer football, period, but it will matter to a lot of other players with that choice going forward.

Scott: How important is positional value in your prospect rankings? If Nico Hoerner was projected by the Cubs only as a second baseman instead of a SS, would he have been rated higher?
Keith Law: I have read this three times and I’m still not sure I understand it. I don’t care if the Cubs think Hoerner is a SS; my rankings are based on where I think Hoerner will play, and I don’t think he stays at shortstop. Plus moving from SS to 2B reduces a player’s value.

Richard: The Jays have collected a slew of prospects who seem more like depth guys or second-division regulars than real GUYS. Do any – like Kevin smith or Ronny Brito – have a chance to be more than that?
Keith Law: No, I don’t think so. Their prospects with a chance to be GUYS are the teenagers in short-season – the Orelvis, Hiraldo, Pardinho, Groshans group.

Aaron C.: I don’t mean to sneeze at the draft pick slot dollars, but the BEST thing the A’s could offer Kyler Murray to entice him to play professional baseball is…a chance to play amateur football. Has baseball lost the two-sport athlete for good?
Keith Law: Oh, sorry, meant to hit this earlier too. Again, a living wage for minor leaguers is the first answer. Baseball should also use the NFL’s refusal to admit its connection to CTE against the sport.

DH: social media fix: take away anonymity. If the gatekeepers verify their users (and people could turn off unverified users on their feed) it adds accountability. And that would remove most of the vitriol, and all of the bots and false identities.
Keith Law: I tend to agree – Twitter without anonymity would be a much safer, less irritating place – but we see it through the lens of a country with free speech and a free press (for now), whereas users in authoritarian countries who might wish to use the site to connect with other dissenters would have to stop using it.

Eric Dongenhagen: Any chance you kept up with Fangraph’s prospect week this week? I know in the past you say you don’t look at other lists but that you do respect the guys over there.
Keith Law: I looked at their top 100-something, but I’d also talked to Eric a few times in the previous two weeks so I knew some of the rankings already (and he knew mine before they were posted).

Dan: Harper this, Machado that.. what about Keuchel? First off, is his remaining unsigned about the same market factors arguably driving the situations for the other two? Or is it more about his performance? Very low strikeout rate for today’s game. Second, where does he likely end up? Back in Houston seems like a no-brainer, doesn’t it?
Keith Law: I wonder if there are concerns about his healthy history/prognosis.

guren: Are there any particular ingredients that will automatically cause you to order the dish when you see them on a menu? For me, it’s oysters, soft-shell crabs, and cilantro.
Keith Law: Duck. Beets (especially with goat cheese). House-made pasta, especially gnocchi. I would say 90% of the time if there’s a dark chocolate dessert on a menu, that’s what I’m ordering.

2020: Do you think Wander Franco’s the #1 prospect in baseball this time next year?
Keith Law: It’s the most likely outcome.

Mike: Not a question – Used your search bar here to see if you’d ever had a Ryan Adams song on a music update list in light of the recent NYT article. Ended up reading your entire “Best of the 2000’s” music list, which led me back to an album I hadn’t heard in over a decade – Doves – The Last Broadcast. I completely forgot how incredible this album is, and am already on a second spin through, perplexed how this hasn’t been a constant in my life. It will be now. Thanks for the reminder!
Keith Law: They’ve apparently reunited, too, although I’ll reserve judgment until i hear some music. Jimi’s solo album was a big disappointment.

Fuzzy Dunlop: Are you planning on going to see Witt in person at all? If you see him during the HS season, make sure it’s when he’s playing the team I coach so I can get the Twenty One Pilots playlist ready for you.
Keith Law: Yes, preferably before spring training, just to check him off the list. Texas HS teams start Tuesday.

Scott: Will you be visiting any spring training sites this year?
Keith Law: Yes, every year.

Mike: You give a lot of current music updates here, and I was curious if you ever uncover older stuff you either missed or misjudged initially? Do any stick out in your memory? Would love to see a list of songs/artists you missed, similar to your list of players you were wrong on. Thanks!
Keith Law: Yes, happens often, usually I hear something I don’t know, assume it’s new, and then find out it’s from some point in time when I wasn’t that into music. I didn’t hear the Electric Six’s debut album Fire until maybe ten years after it came out. Just missed it.

Mark: Have you ever considered doing a top 100 movie list in the same style as your book list ?
Keith Law: I tried to do one a few years ago, but realized I was missing so many ‘classic’ movies that the list seemed inherently incomplete.

Bob Loblaw: What are your thoughts on the Twins extending Polanco for 5 years in the wake of his 80 game PED suspension?
Keith Law: Are those connected?

Mark: Do you ever make Lasagna ? If so ,do you use a bechamel sauce ?
Keith Law: I don’t make it. I really haven’t eaten that style of pasta al forno – with tomato sauce and a lot of dairy, usually ricotta – in 15-20 years. It’s too heavy for me.

Doug: I’ve read in a few placed Nimmo played over his head last year but his plate skills look elite. Leading off for a decent Mets team is 100/15/15 with a 380 obp reasonable?
Keith Law: I don’t know what the slash line is. He can post a .380-.400 OBP vs RHP for sure.

Aaron C.: Any high school or collegiate talent in San Diego County worth keeping an eye on/watching play this spring?
Keith Law: Spencer Jones at La Costa Canyon is the best name I know out your way – same HS as Mickey Moniak. Don’t hold that against him.

Bob Uecker: What kind of performance do you think Keston Hiura can offer in his rookie season? A LeMahieu-esque line a reasonable projection for now?
Keith Law: God I hope he’s better than that.

TjF: James Kaprielian – officially another John Savage overuse casualty?
Keith Law: Although Savage overworked a lot of pitchers, I don’t recall him specifically overusing Kaprielian.

Chris: I’m curious if you read the interview in the Athletic with McGuirk and AA. It came across as remarkably condescending towards Braves fans. It’s almost like they’re upset the team won the division last year because it has increased pressure on them to keep it up when Liberty has debt to pay.
Keith Law: I haven’t read it.

Mark: I know you are a proponent of Lou Whitaker for the Hall. Do you feel Bobby Grich has a strong case as well ?
Keith Law: Very much so.

Rick: Apologies if you’ve covered this before, thoughts on the Reds off-season? As a fan I’m glad to seeing them going for it, even though the rational part of me says it’s too soon/they didn’t get enough to make the post-season. It doesn’t feel like they significantly impacted their farm system, and they could always flip a few of their acquisitions mid-season if the season goes haywire?
Keith Law: If the season goes haywire, it likely means their acquisitions flopped, which is the most likely outcome.

Ken: Guy whose music you like turns out to be (at minimum) manipulative jerk. Toss his albums and don’t look back?
Keith Law: Little easier for me since I only liked a few of his songs – it would be hard for me to say that to someone who, say, had a particular memory or emotional connection with certain tracks.

Rodney: Does Joe McCarthy have a future with the Rays? He seems ready to contribute at the major league level, assuming he stays healthy. Will he find a spot with the depth of young talent that team has?
Keith Law: Yes. Has to keep his back healthy and stop punching walls.

Nick: You’re an Econ guy, what’s the book say on what the Athletics do with Kyler Murray? If he plays football you lose a top 10 pick for no compensation but there has to be a limit on how much to increase their offer before there is no value surplus. What’s the value of that pick? 10 million? 15 million?
Keith Law: The pick is sunk. The question is whether Murray would be worth some enormous additional sum of money. I think the risk of no return there is high enough that he’s not.

Dave: Any soon to be released board games you’re looking forward to?
Keith Law: I already have the new Villainous expansion (which is also a standalone game) and liked it quite a bit. I have Wingspan too but haven’t cracked it yet. Same for Comanauts.

SeanE: Does KeBryan Hayes has what it takes to potentially make the switch to SS? He is clearly a plus plus defender at 3b and I know that does not always translate but wouldn’t his value be off the charts if he could hand the position?
Keith Law: No.

Henry: Keith, no question but just want to thank you for the outstanding write-ups on prospects and farm systems over the past few weeks. I could see the care and diligence you invested in it which was a product of great interviews and research. Well done!
Keith Law: Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed them. I was happy with the outcome overall.

No one: Is it true you’re getting a divorce because you were unfaithful?
Keith Law: Well that’s a new one. No, it’s not true.
Keith Law: People are so weird.

Mark: Do you think the slow free agency is bad for the game? If so, do you have any ideas to fix it?
Keith Law: I think it’s terrible for the game, but I don’t think there is a quick or simple fix for it. I believe ultimately the league will need to guarantee some percentage of revenue goes to the players, like in the NBA.

Brad: The Rockies haven’t had a good catcher in years. Is it due to poor drafting, poor player development or something else?
Keith Law: A little bad luck, too. Murphy couldn’t stay healthy.

Joseph: Afternoon, what’s best case scenario for Dodger OF issues? Verdugo showcase for a trade?
Keith Law: Other than signing Harper? Trading one of the catchers for OF help. Verdugo’s trade value is very low right now.

john: detroit tigers question, is Funkhouser a sleeper prospect? overshadowed by Manning, Faedo, Mize
Keith Law: Has yet to have a full, healthy, effective season.

Quez: How did the Mets do this offseason? Will McNeil get regular ABs in the OF? Thoughts on Alonso?
Keith Law: Mixed bag this offseason. Did poorly in trades, well in free agency overall (other than Familia). Would like to see either Alonso or Smith get everyday AB at 1b – both are ready, and blocking either one with veterans is counterproductive.

Mark: There seems to be a lot of criticism of owners/front offices not wanting to spend, but do players get any blame for free agency too? It seems like Machado and Harper “not wanting to sign first” could be holding up many other dominos from falling.
Keith Law: I don’t believe that’s true.

Alex: What was your favorite part of living in Pittsburgh when you attended CMU, and which area did you live in?
Keith Law: Shadyside. My favorite part was leaving each May because the gray winters killed me. I had no idea that was a thing at the time, but now I know (and have a light box right here next to me).

Grant: When you talk about how front offices hire people that know coding, what do you mean? Python?
Keith Law: That’s a nice place to start but teams are hiring people with advanced degrees in computer science & related fields.

John: If you had to guess, where will the Rays and A’s be in their stadium searches a year from now?
Keith Law: Exactly where they are now.
Keith Law: Sorry, had to go get the Samoas.

War biscuit : What have you heard on Will Holland and are you gonna go to auburn again to scout him?
Keith Law: doubt I’ll go to Auburn – more likely I’ll see him on the road against a potential first rounder.

Nick: Feel like the market is ripe For a team to get real creative to try and land Machado or Harper. Something like 9 years 300 million (110m over first 3 years) and player opt outs every season after year 3). The player could pocket 9 figures and still hit free agency in their 20’s, or essentially go year by after that for $32m a year and wait til they come off an MVP type year and then hit free agency again. Don’t think a contender would complain of 3-6 years of their prime if they walked at any point.
Keith Law: Agreed.

Quinn : Vlad Jr.’s wRC+ was 70 points greater then Tatis’ in AA last year. So, when you put Tatis above Vlad Jr. in your top prospects ranking is it because the difference in defensive ability really is that great or because you expect to improve comparatively more then Vlad Jr.?
Keith Law: wRC+ is utterly useless for prospect evaluation. So that’s your first problem. The differences are position, defensive value, baserunning, physical projection, and probability of improvement.

AGirlHasNoName: Am I wrong that a team made up of the remaining free agents could win 90 games?More even? Certainly more than the Marlins, right?
Keith Law: I can’t be the only one who thinks if the free agents wanted to they could put together a baseball team and dominate the troops.

LD: A few weeks ago, you tweeted that you were giving your daughter guitar lessons. How are you going about it? Is there a set time weekly? Nylon vs. steel string guitar? Hoping to start doing the same with my kids soon… Many thanks for all your writing and thinking.
Keith Law: Steel strings. I hate the sound of nylon, and it’s not going to sound like what she wants it to sound like (for pop songs). I haven’t pushed her at all – when she wants to practice, we practice.

Chris: Hi Keith, I was surprised Moises Gomez, wasn’t mentioned in the Rays write-up. Are there defensive or approach concerns that limit his upside?
Keith Law: Massive approach concerns.

SeanE: Adam Frazier still a utility guy in your mind or can he hit enough at 2b to cover for the below average defense. Or should they just give the job to Kramer and see what he can do?
Keith Law: Utility guy.

Alex Anthopoulos: What’s the one big move I can make, either now or in July, that would push the Braves from the 85-90 win range to actual world series contenders?
Keith Law: Signing Harper, certainly. I don’t see Liberty doing that.
Keith Law: Also, aren’t you Cobb County taxpayers glad you built the team that stadium to line Liberty’s coffers? Much better than funding schools or improving your roads or employing more first responders.

Tom: Why wasn’t Daulton Varsho on your list of D-backs prospects? What do you think his ceiling is?
Keith Law: He was on there.

Guest: I know you dont like to speculate – but do you think there has been collusion among owners or just a bad CBA?
Keith Law: I could never prove collusion, but teams all deciding to hold the line on spending at once is an awfully large coincidence.

JP: Would it be a good idea to let Tanner Houck break into MLB in the bullpen? I’m oddly optimistic of the young gun bullpen with Mata, Feltman, Lakins.
Keith Law: Yes. I still think it’s the most likely outcome for him but he did show more than I expected as a starter in the last 2/3 of 2018.

Zach: Amazon pulls out of NYC. Oh no, now who can we give billions in tax breaks to?
Keith Law: Right? don’t let the door hit you on your way out through the Holland Tunnel at 15 mph.

Dan: How big of a concern is Victor Robles’ exit velo? He’s in Tony Kemp territory in both of his MLB stints.
Keith Law: Tiny sample size.

Gabriel: Considering that I don’t think draft pick trading will happen anytime soon, do you think draft pick swaps would be an easier sell? They could limit it to the same round and get rid of the “small market teams will just sell their picks to the large market team” debate
Keith Law: The reason I don’t believe it’ll happen is that neither side has any real incentive to push for it. CBA changes involve a gain for one side or the other, and each side pushes ideas to the center of the table that will benefit them. Nobody clearly benefits from trading of draft picks, not enough for either side to push for it.

Tom: What are your critiques of Spider-verse beyond it being silly and derivative? I usually agree with your movie reviews, but I thought that movie was very well done
Keith Law: The whole film relied way too much on violence to solve every problem. Fine in a big superhero movie, not fine in an animated movie aimed at kids.

Nacho: Curious about Nolan Watson, 1st rounder few years back for Royals. Do you see any future for him, as either reliever or sp? Thanks!
Keith Law: Non-prospect.
Keith Law: Saw him last year, FYI.

Matt: Considering their relatively young age and the fact that they should be in their primes for several more years do you think a team should try to sign Machado or Harper even if they don’t plan on competing until say 2020 or 2021?
Keith Law: Yes, I think that’s reasonable, especially for a team looking to compete in 2020. And then maybe you sell a bunch more tickets in 2019, or pick up more stadium revenue from ads and suites and sponsorships, so you can go buy another big piece in a year.

Rob: Out of curiosity, non Tatis division, who is your *favorite* Padres prospect? The one you hope most hits his potential because you want to watch that career?
Keith Law: I love watching Tirso Ornelas hit. It’s just a great, great swing.

Tony B: Wait photographic memory isn’t real?
Keith Law: No. People who claim to have eidetic memories may have very good memories, but will still make mistakes on details and even fabricate such details when asked to recall images or scenes.

Chris P: Anyone show up to camp in the “best shape of their life” yet?
Keith Law: I just got back from the gym! then I ate three samoas.

Reader: How do we as fans reconcile different prospect lists having different pitches for the same pitcher, especially when it comes to breaking balls?
Keith Law: I don’t think it matters that much when it’s CB vs SL. They function the same way, and often one of us will be going off what the pitcher calls it and another writer will go off what it looks like from the hitter’s perspective. It would matter if we were talking about confusing a changeup for one of those pitches, because they serve different purposes. Similarly I don’t really care if we call a pitch a cutter or slider – I care how it works.

Sam: I muted Trump on twitter and my quality of life has improved drastically. I would recommend this to anyone, however by muting him is that the equivalent of burying my head in the sand? I don’t want to be ignorant of his lies and vitriol, but at the same time I like it when my blood doesn’t boil
Keith Law: If you want to know what he said, there are plenty of places to read about it. I find his tweets infuriating, but they don’t set policy, and he could drop the n-word and his adherents wouldn’t blink, so what’s the point in listening?

Grant: Keith, have you read The Woman in The Window, or read the recent articles about the author, Dan Mallory (A.J. Finn)? If you have, I’m curious what your thoughts are. Thanks.
Keith Law: I haven’t and don’t plan to, especially not after the story this morning that accused him of plagiarizing large portions of the novel.

Chris: With Michael King on the Yankees being shut down for at least 3 weeks with an elbow injury after ‘feeling pain’, this significantly hurts his chances of being an option in 2019 for the Yankees, doesn’t it? Seems ominous
Keith Law: Just a bullpen piece anyway. Not something to worry about.

Keith: Are the differences in Madrigal’s rankings across multiple lists simply a difference of opinion on his future power, or are there other skills/issues in question as well?
Keith Law: I don’t know. I can only tell you why he didn’t make my list.

Eric: Hi Keith. I just want to remind people to Vaccinate Your Kids and stop giving attention to those dolts who say otherwise.
Keith Law: Yep. And call your legislators to demand they eliminate all non-medical exemptions for children who wish to attend school.

Noah: Jasson Dominguez apparently is going to sign with the Yankees for their whole bonus pool. Any thoughts on him/what have you heard?
Keith Law: Ask me in July if and when he signs.
Keith Law: I don’t even bother tracking those guys now. Plus Kevin Maitan was supposed to be the best July 2nd guy since Sano and he’s barely a prospect 2.5 years later.

Andy: How much impact did Kolby Allard’s 8 bad innings for Atlanta have on his stock? He was terrific in AAA in his age 20 season but his stock has seemingly plummeted (as has his velo, I understand).
Keith Law: The stuff matters, the 8 innings don’t. Teams are smarter than that now.

Alex: Will baseball (and/or the other major sports leagues) ever realize that incentivizing teams to lose in order to get the best amateur talent via the draft is a really bad way to get fans excited about your product? Why would I shell out ticket money to see my local team try to lose 120 times?
Keith Law: I do think the next CBA will alter the top of the draft somehow. Maybe a lottery for the top ten picks. Maybe a modified free agent pool for the same top ten picks. Maybe reverse order of finish for non-playoff teams – so the team with the best record that misses the playoffs picks first.

Mark: When will you have 2019 draft coverage up?
Keith Law: Hoping to do a preseason top 30 by next Friday.

Ethan: Not a question, but, enjoyed your review of High Flying Bird. I enjoyed it a bit more than you but generally agree with your takeaway that it’s worth a watch more for the ideas and arguments it introduces than for the way it presents them.
Keith Law: I’ve recommended it to a lot of people in the industry for that reason. A good film, not a great one, but hits a lot of key issues for us as baseball fans.

Dan: I know you’ve professed to care not a whit for the other major American sports, but have you tried to get into world football/soccer at all?
Keith Law: I’ll root for Italy in the World Cup but that’s about it. Forza Azzurri!

guren: Would Curt Schilling get your Hall of Fame vote on a binary ballot?
Keith Law: No.

Dr. Bob: Negotiations are a two-way street. Is there a chance that the top FAs are getting several terrific offers and the players are just turning them down?
Keith Law: I feel like we’d have heard about one of them if that had happened.

Todd: Yankees Domingo Avevedo have any future in the bigs? Hes already 24 and hasnt been promoted up
Keith Law: Reliever. Might be a good one.

Andrew: As a microbiologist, I can’t thank you enough for all that you do in promoting vaccine safety and squashing trolls. It’s always great when somebody with as large of a following as you do stands up for what is right (and scientifically proven). It’s incredibly frustrating when the deniers seem to put more stock in the claims who have no scientific background (reminds me of a certain group reveling in electing a president with no experience or qualifications whatsoever).
Keith Law: You’re welcome. I feel like my platform, modest as it is, is a responsibility, and using it to remind people that science is real seems like a good use of it.

Tim: Does Boras take a credibility hit over the Murray situation? He had to rep to the A’s Murray was fully committed to playing baseball for them to have picked him where they did and agree he could still play football. Is his word any less valuable with teams goin forward?
Keith Law: Doubt it. Not sure why you’d pin this on Boras when the kid changed his mind after having an out-of-nowhere fall season on the gridiron.

Todd: You still believe or think Luis Medina can garner command?
Keith Law: I think it’s possible. Delivery and athleticism are there. But it’s a long way to average.

JP: Breakout player column coming this month or March?
Keith Law: That column is always in late March.

john: curious, are you an actual fan of any team, or just an observer?
Keith Law: Haven’t been a fan of any team since I left the Blue Jays. Can’t be in this job.

The Darkness: Can a healthy Kyle Lewis jump back into the top 100?
Keith Law: Unlikely, but not impossible. Lot of missed development time there.

US Grant: Who do you like in the Democratic primary at this early stage?
Keith Law: I don’t. I really just can’t at this point – too much posturing, too little discussion of policy. And way too much discussion of bullshit like likeability.

Steve: Why is Roma going to win best picture? This is the exact reason why no one watches the Oscars anymore
Keith Law: Because it was the best picture? If *that* is your complaint about the Oscars, we are not going to line up very well.

Jerry: RE: Musicians who turned out to be jerks (and worse). I’m a child of the 70s and 80s. I destroyed my Nugent and KISS CDs when I found out what kind of disgusting POS’s Nugent and Gene Simmons were.
Keith Law: Nugent is one I never understood because his music always sucked. So people overlooked him marrying an underage girl so he could legally sleep with her, which is gross no matter what music he makes, but I particularly can’t understand people stanning for him when the music is crap.

Colin: Seriously – how upset/jealous are you that Gritty doesn’t belong to MLB
Keith Law: He’s great. Very jealous.

Pat D: Regarding Trump’s tweet that referenced The Trail of Tears, do you think he actually knows what it was, our just that his hero Jackson caused it?
Keith Law: 100% that he knows what it is.

Brett: Hi Keith. With every news organization/channel slanted either left or right (how much of slant varies by network), do you think there is a strong appetite in this country for a truly unbiased news channel that is 100% committed to factual news only. Take 100% of opinions out of things and only sticks to facts. I bet, if done right, with out current political climate, it would be the most watched news channel within one year.
Keith Law: Well, I don’t agree that “every news organization” is slanted, and I definitely don’t believe that purely unbiased facts-only news would sell.

Mac: I read Ashe Russell is going to try and make a comeback. Great if he can but unfortunately have to think the odds are pretty low.
Keith Law: Almost nobody comes back from the yips and his case was severe.

Jimbo: Chances are nobody makes a Juan Soto type rise, but who is your pick to shoot up the ranks this year?
Keith Law: People ask this sort of question regularly but I answered it – every team has at least one prospect I’ve tabbed as a ‘sleeper’ to make a big jump in 2019.

Bobba: Do you think Harper and Machado are reluctant to commit to Philly because each would prefer to play somewhere else if the money is even somewhat similar? Given ownership’s ludicrous statement at the beginning of the process about going “stupid,” it sure seems like the agents could get some pretty good numbers out of Klentak and the Phillies by now. I just don’t think it’s either player’s first choice destination…
Keith Law: Don’t believe that for a second either. Good city, fans will show up when the team wins, they’re competitive now. What’s not to like?

Rueben: Was Jacob Degrom ever a top 100 prospect back when he was a prospect?
Keith Law: No. Made my Mets top 10 one year (for which I got grief from Mets fans for having him over … Hansel Robles, maybe?) but that was it.

Chris: Speaking of the psychotic anti-vaxxers, did you hear up here in Maine they slipped false vaxx side effect flyers w federal and state CDC emblems on them into kids products at Wal Mart? Atrocious.
Keith Law: I did. I’d like to see the people involved prosecuted … that sounds like terrorism to me.

Jeries: Who do you like more at this point: Reynaldo Lopez or Lucas Giolito?
Keith Law: Giolito.

Jim: Do you read true crime books? If so, any recommendations?
Keith Law: I don’t, sorry.

Jeff: Do you have any confidence that Domingo German can still be an effective starter for the Yankees? He has shown spurts of dominance, but obviously has been very inconsistent.
Keith Law: No, never thought he was a starter.

Rueben: No one watches the Oscars or Steve doesn’t watch the oscars?
Keith Law: Lot of that. “Nobody does X” usually means “I don’t do X.”

Rob K: It seems like the problem with the past two off seasons is that profitability is no longer correlated to winning, at least in the short term. Maybe it never was but owners cared less about profit. I don’t know. Do you see any realistic rule changes to incentivize winning? I for one would love to see publicly traded companies disallowed from owning a majority stake in a team.
Keith Law: That is largely true due to leaguewide revenues from MLBAM, and revenue sharing, but I don’t know if that’s necessarily true in the long term – there was a large windfall in there from the sale to Disney.

Desperate Os Fan: When did you stop beating your wife? (Rehtorical. This phrase popped in my head when they guy asked you about being unfaithful. Worth a Google if you have no idea what I’m talking about)
Keith Law: That came to my mind too. Which always reminds me of the awful ‘joke’ a reporter told about Wes Gardner in the ’80s when he was accused of beating his wife – you could google it, but it is offensive – and how no one at the time seemed to realize why the joke wasn’t funny.

DH: Re: social media fix. I agree that we want dissenters in authoritarian countries to have a voice. Problem is, authoritarians have figured out the game and flood the zone with bs so the truth is drowned out. These platforms have a responsibility.
Keith Law: Hang on, Jack will be right with you after he finishes polishing Candace Owens’ shoes.

AZ: Who do you think should win Best Actress among those nominated? My pick would be Gaga
Keith Law: In order of the five nominated, I would go Colman, Gaga, Aparicio, (gap), McCarthy, Close. I thought Rosamund Pike deserved a nomination for A Private War.

Ken Lay: Did you ever like Pantera? I loved them in high school…..that hasn’t aged well. And in hindsight, there were plenty of signs in the 90s that I overlooked as well.
Keith Law: Never a fan … their influence exceeded the appeal of their music.

Ryan: I’m a big fan of Alek Thomas, but your report is the first I have read that he may have 25 or more home run power, which is fantastic. He sounds like a potential star in the making. Do you expect to see him on the top 100 next year? Thank you!
Keith Law: I do, assuming he does what I think he’ll do in full-season ball.

HugoZ: The stadium is costing Cobb County taxpayers a net of around 5 million in a budget of 405 million. You really think it’s the biggest part of their budget problems?
Keith Law: Did I say it was the biggest part of their budget problems? I don’t think I did. I do think $5 million pays a lot of ‘loser teachers,’ though.

Ken : ever a fan of the band Cinderella?
Keith Law: Yeah, guilty. One of my favorites during the hair-metal halcyon days.

AGirlHasNoName: St Louis really is boring, right?
Keith Law: That whole meme has cracked me up because it is probably my least favorite city to visit among the 26 MLB metro areas. Not a great food scene, not a lot to do, and on a personal level not many people I know in the area.

Andrew: Are you an advocate of moving the pitching mound back?
Keith Law: Aw hell no.

Hank: Re: Nugent: He didn’t marry her, he became her legal guardian! Even grosser.
Keith Law: Oh god that’s right. And her parents signed off on it! I’m sure that was all legal and cool.

JP: Rather have Devers or Andujar for the next 5 years?
Keith Law: Devers.

Ryan: Just from reading your report on Chisholm, you seem really high on the hit tool. Are you at all concerned about the strikeout rate? Thank you!
Keith Law: I am not.

Marques: I’m half black, your candor on race motivating our current political positions gives me hope that some white people can hear the blaring dog horn. Thank you. Do you think the others really can’t hear it or are that many people cool with it?
Keith Law: I think many people who look like me and grew up like me are fine just ignoring the dog whistles and fog horns of modern racism because it doesn’t touch their daily lives. I’m hopeful enough people hear them to snuff out this rising tide of white nationalism before it becomes entrenched in Congress like it has in many European legislatures.

Bobba: Nick Pivetta improved his control to the point he shaved a full point off his walk rate, but he still gives of a lot of hard hit balls. Does he take another step forward this season?
Keith Law: Not without a better pitch for LHB.

Brett : O/U Games played in the bigs this year for Byron Buxton: 130
Keith Law: I’ll take the over.

Garrett: What is your max spend on restaurant dining? French Laundry levels?
Keith Law: That’s like $200something a person, right? I’ve done that once in my life. I have bought dinner for friends where I paid $200 for the two of us.

JP: T/F: Troy Tulowitski
Keith Law: F.
Keith Law: Although that would make him Froy Fulowifzki, I guess.

Gabe: Wouldn’t pick trading or swapping be a better marketing tool than bringing in Kyler Murray? I mean hell I’d be excited to watch you go on TV to talk about how you saw say both Dombrowski and Cashman at a game for the perceived #1 pick. Now that would be must watch TV
Keith Law: Yes, and it would make the draft better to watch, too. Don’t we all remember David Stern saying “there has been a trade…” for the Chris Webber/Penny Hardaway deal on draft night? (Bet you didn’t think I’d pull that reference out.)

Eric: Hey (white) people, stop saying “I don’t see color.” It’s a stupid trope that’s insincere and untrue. It is 100 percent OK to admit you do see color. It is not OK to dismiss what those of color are saying affects them, though.
Keith Law: It’s also impossible to not see color.

JP: Rank ‘em: Sopranos, The Wire, Breaking Bad, The Americans
Keith Law: The only show on that list I’ve watched for even two seasons is The Wire.

Fan boy : Thoughts on the potential 3 batter minimum rule?
Keith Law: I was good with two. I’d also like to see managers required to designate five relievers as ‘active’ for each game, and only able to use other pitchers if the game goes extra innings (or perhaps if the starter is injured early?).

Tim A: Most likely bust from 2018 MLB draft??
Keith Law: Too soon for that. I hate that term, BTW. You’d have to be bad for a long time before I hang that word on you.

Jake: What’s the logic behind no vaccination? I know they don’t cause autism, but even if you believe that was a possible risk, is autism worse than polio, brain damage, death, etc.?
Keith Law: That’s their belief – or that vaccines cause other ailments. It’s all bullshit, fomented by people who are seriously delusional or who want to sell you panaceas.

Pat: I always Cinderella after Night Songs & Tesla as more “blues” type bands than hair metal.
Keith Law: That’s why I liked their style and Whitesnake’s more than the pop-oriented acts like Poison or Winger. All horribly dated now, and I assume most of them have died from particulate matter clogging their alveoli, but at the time that was what we had.
Keith Law: OK, that’s all for this week. Thank you all, as always, for reading, for your questions, and for all of the kind words about my work on the prospect rankings. I may have to move the chat day next week if I do travel to see some draft players, so look for an announcement on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram. Happy Valentine’s Day and have a great holiday weekend.