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Klawchat 3/21/18
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Keith Law
1:31
I'm OK with starting Norris in the bullpen for now, but he should end the year with 20+ starts.
Darrell
1:31
Is Jordan Hicks projected to be a starter?
Keith Law
1:31
He has the potential to be a very good starter. He could also never find enough command for that.
Chloe
1:32
What are your thoughts on the WBC? I love it but it seems like a number of participants had crummy years afterward. When else could it be played that might have less of a negative impact? A week off for the All-Star break and a quick tournament?
Keith Law
1:32
I would much prefer that All-Star Break WBC schedule to the current one, which is also too spread out. I do like the event for global marketing; the US audience doesn't care, but they also don't matter as much because baseball is already popular here.
Rob
1:32
What are your thoughts on FIREPOWER? I never would have guessed that a bunch of guys nearing 70 could put out a metal album that good from beginning to end.
Keith Law
1:33
Oh, God, no, I thought it was incredibly disappointing. After that lead single it's just so tame.
ScottyD in Snowy Malvern, PA
1:33
Concerning Houston's OF uberprospect Kyle Tucker - is a mid-2018 ETA too early?
Keith Law
1:33
No, I think on merit he'd probably make the club right now, so late June is about right.
John
1:33
Thanks for the chat Keith! Joey Lucchesi and Eric Lauer have both put up solid numbers this spring, do you see either progressing past a 4/5 starter ceiling, or are their numbers due to the level of competition faced in ST?
Keith Law
1:34
Probably both back-end starters, yes. Again, ST stats are not useful.
BRIAN
1:34
Thanks for the chats!  They are the highlight of my week.  Boring "salary" question.  My understanding is the salary cap amount is the AAV of the total contract.  So why wouldnt a team (Yankees/Dodgers/Sox) up against the cap sign a player (example of Moustakis earlier this off season) for 5 years - $32million - with $20m first season and 3 miliion in years 2-5... with an opt out after year one.  The salary cap hit is only 6 million this year (with the rest put over to the following year following the inevitable opt out -- and after a year of getting "under" the cap)?  Is this not allowed??
Keith Law
1:34
No, I believe that is not allowed. And probably a good way to get fined, too.
DR
1:34
Matt Olson's ratio of HR to doubles (24:2 in the bigs) has to normalize, right?  Is he more or less a Chris/Khris Davis clone (guy that hits many homers, low average, with the occasional high contact season where he's an all star)?
Keith Law
1:35
I don't think that high contact season is in there. Has years where he's an average regular, and years where he's not. Chris Davis is a fair comp, but Olson is less athletic and won't add value on defense.
Sally fan
1:35
Any minor league teams that you are looking forward to seeing this upcoming season?  Based on presumed rosters, of course
Keith Law
1:35
I won't look at that until camp breaks, sorry. No point in guessing now.
Marlon Bundo
1:35
Am I crazy for thinking Soroka can develop into 1/2? How do you account for maturity when evaluating a pitcher like him who is maximizing his stuff at an early age?
Keith Law
1:36
Crazy, no, but I disagree. If he's that mature right now, then you're saying he has less growth potential.
Mountain Man
1:36
Read an interview that the Nats are starting Kieboom and Soto back in Hagerstown to start the season.  That seems a little conservative to me...they should be up in Potomac rather quickly, right?
Keith Law
1:36
Potomac's field is kind of terrible. They skipped Harper over that level entirely because the outfield conditions were so poor.
Zach
1:36
What does Blake Rutherford have to do to get himself back on the prospect/top 100 radar? Is it as simple as....hit?
Keith Law
1:37
Not just hit, but have the ball actually go somewhere when he hits.
Sean
1:37
Mitch Haniger or Mex Kepler: who has the bigger year offensively?
Keith Law
1:37
One of them is in my breakouts column. I hope I picked the right one.
Ryan
1:37
What would you have done differently if you were Alderson this offseason? Not everything, but are there a couple of different avenues you would have explored/
Keith Law
1:40
Certainly would not have signed Gonzalez for anything. If they wanted another starter, they should have signed Lynn rather than Vargas, given what those two guys signed for.
Evan
1:40
Is a .360 OBP with 20 HR unattainable for Jeimer Candelario? Does putting him in the two hole make sense for Detroit?
Keith Law
1:41
I'm taking the under on that OBP.
Dan410
1:41
Do you think Flaherty was ready to break camp in the rotation? Or does he need some more seasoning in Triple-A?
Keith Law
1:41
I'm fine with the demotion, but also think he can be a fine fifth starter right now.
Chris
1:41
It looks like Marco Gonzales is finally getting back from TJ. What kind of starter do you think he can be for the Mariners?
Keith Law
1:41
The last I'd heard on him his stuff was still down this spring.
JK
1:41
You often point out that small sample sizes don't change your perspective on a player. Some of the June draftees shot up the rankings with a small sample post signing (Adell, Hiura). What's the difference?
Keith Law
1:42
There is no difference. The change in ranking has little to nothing to do with performances. After they sign, they're seen by new sets of scouts and executives, and more information (e.g., Hiura didn't need/have TJ) becomes available.
Brad
1:42
What do you think of Dipoto's approach of dealing high-ceiling, younger minor league players for higher-floor, closer to MLB-ready players?
Keith Law
1:42
Wouldn't be my personal approach.
The Bilmo
1:42
I always prefer to see the film before reading the book. I do't have to compare the film to the production in my head. You?
Keith Law
1:42
Other way around. Book first. Book is nearly always better anyway.
Matt
1:42
Hey Keith. What are your thoughts on Keibert Ruiz what does he project for longterm?
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