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Klawchat 9/29/17
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Sam
1:35
Keith, if I remember correctly, you mentioned you renovated your kitchen.  I am starting down that path.  Any recommendations?  Also, thoughts on induction vs. gas stove?
Keith Law
1:37
I got a gas stove; never cooked with induction. Expect to exceed your budget by at least 10%, especially if you're taking down drywall (oh, hello, flying splices!). And remember that granite counters help increase resale value. The only thing we couldn't do was a double oven - the wiring wouldn't work for it - but in hindsight that was a luxury item that I would only use maybe twice a year, not worth the extra cost anyway so it worked out.
Juan
1:38
Any thoughts on the Dr. Seuss issue?
Keith Law
1:38
I don't understand why that librarian claims the books are racist, and I thought she really just wanted attention for her (valid) criticisms of Betsy DeVos.
Mike
1:38
A year away, but could you estimate the years and total value on the contracts Bryce Harper and Manny Machado end up signing.
Keith Law
1:38
I'll be surprised if either ends up short of $300 million.
Matt R.
1:39
The painful decline of Albert Pujols sometimes causes us to lose track of how extraordinary he was the first 10 seasons of his career. Taking the last few years into consideration, where would you rank Pujols among right handed hitters of all-time? 1? 2? 3? Lower?
Keith Law
1:39
He's top 3, I think, but I haven't spent a ton of time on it. You know what's weird is how his whole aging curve is shifted to the left by, like, five years.
Anthony
1:39
Really loving the seamless way you approach the inevitable connection of sport to politics. One of the reasons it is said there is less activism among baseball players is the lower percentage of African American players. But given the persecution of Latinos under the current administration, is it at all surprising there hasn't been more action on that front? I also wonder if/when -- particularly in a city like Los Angeles where a large portion of the fans are Latino (Mexican, primarily) -- fans don't begin to engage in peaceful protest.
Keith Law
1:40
A lot of Latino MLBers aren't US citizens, though; I assume that's part of why they haven't been more vocal. And those of Venezuelan birth or descent would likely use their voices to bring attention to the failed state in Caracas instead.
Mike M.
1:40
Hi Klaw - Curious if you've had a chance to listen to the new Wolf Alice record, and if so, any early opinions?
Keith Law
1:41
I've heard the four singles they released, loved "Heavenward," liked "Beautifully Unconventional," found "Don't Delete the Kisses" to be a bit twee, and thought "Yuk Foo" was a decent album track. Also, their name is really Wool Phallus, right? I'm not the only one who hears that?
Dave
1:41
You said you would explore that market for Didi.  I agree with the logic, but what sort of return would you expect?  Comparable to Chapman/Miller deals?
Keith Law
1:42
Two major prospects back? Sure. But he could also be a chip to get a major-league ready starter, with Pineda out, Sabathia old, and Tanaka a potential blowout at any point.
Chris
1:42
Are the Twins a good reason to change the wild card format or a good reason to keep it as is?
Keith Law
1:42
I don't like the expanded WC, but MLB likes it - owners like it, and everyone likes the extra money - so I doubt it's going anywhere. My opinion is that it just devalues the regular season a little bit more.
Gary
1:43
Do you know anything on the Asian prospects Bae that Atlanta signed? Any information to share?
Keith Law
1:43
He signed for just $300K, which is exceptionally low for a player from Korea, not definitive but an indicator that the industry didn't view him as a top prospect. I'll probably catch him in March.
Santos
1:43
Any way to get in touch with you if we want to get an autograph (on a baseball perhaps, provided with a self-addressed stamped package) and send along a donation to one of your charities? I saw your tinyletter about the boardgames and I like the idea, I'd just rather have an autograph than a board game honestly.
Keith Law
1:44
I have toyed with this idea before; I'm just concerned about executing it if a lot of requests come in. I'm not the most organized fellow when it involves anything other than writing or cooking.
James
1:44
The Royals most likely will lose their starting SS, 1B, 3B, CF and their best pitcher by WAR.  We obviously don't have the minor leaguers in AAA to cover all these holes, do you take a Dewees and have him go from AA to the majors to take over CF or take a flyer on a bargain bin veteran?
Keith Law
1:44
He can't throw enough for CF.
Mark
1:44
Did you read the Newsday story about Collins and the Mets? If so, was any of the info new to you or is that a pretty accurate depiction of him?
Keith Law
1:44
This matched most of what I've heard the last few years from within the industry. Lot of complaints about him from the player side.
Matt from Milw
1:45
Is Corbin Burnes a 4th/5th, or potentially better?
Keith Law
1:45
Better.
Mark
1:45
How pathetic is it that people think Puerto Rico is another country?
Keith Law
1:45
I've been to PR (twice) and the USVI (once) and every time someone asked me afterwards if I needed my passport for the trip.
Matt
1:45
I saw you recently said it is just as likely players are using steroids as they are using magic (or something to that effect).  I know you didn't mean that literally, but is it unreasonable to think a small percentage are probably taking HGH or some sort of "PED"?
Keith Law
1:46
We know about 1 in 7 big leaguers is taking a PED with the league's sanction; they get therapeutic use exemptions for the drugs, nearly always Adderall (a mixture of two amphetamine salts). My tweet was in response to a terrible NYT column that argued the rise in HR rates was due to undetected league-wide steroid use, which is obvious bunkum.
Gary
1:47
Pretty much the only successful pitcher Atlanta has called up from their rebuild focused on pitching is Gohara, and it has only been a few starts for him. Any reasons for concern about this rebuild? Is it a problem with their development? Wisler, Blair, Newcomb, Folty, Sims, etc. all have been just alright. Why are we supposed to believe the next round of arms will be different?
Keith Law
1:47
Sims was the only one in that group that Atlanta drafted. The next wave - two waves, I think - are all ATL draftees.
Colin
1:47
Would now be the time to trade Rhys Hoskins? Maybe get some youth in return?
Keith Law
1:48
Don't think so. The 1b market is bad for sellers or free agents this winter, and also I think there's a good chance Hoskins is a core player around whom they can build.
Max
1:48
With his inability to stay healthy, do you think it might be time for HOU to think about moving McCullers to the pen? Possibly as another Devenski?
Keith Law
1:49
I've suggested this many times, and of course been pilloried for it when he's been healthy. He has a high-stress delivery, he does get hurt often, and he's thrown 120 innings in one calendar year in the five since he signed. It's at least a plan worth considering if you're Houston.
Larry
1:50
Would it make sense for Atlanta to deal Inciarte instead of Kemp/Markakis? Gets Acuna in the lineup and you get a good return, whereas Kemp/Markakis wouldn't bring back anything of value.
Keith Law
1:50
That was my argument a few weeks ago. Kemp and Markakis have negative trade value. Moving one of Inciarte or Acuna to a corner creates surplus value you can't capture, because both can play CF.
Scrapper
1:50
Any particular storylines that you will be following in the post-season?
Keith Law
1:50
Yes, I'm curious to see who wins the World Series.
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