ESPN

Keith Law

  (1:03 PM)

You can forget all future plans. It's time for a Klawxons chat.

Kirk (Mpls, MN)

Which team are you planning on being biased against this week?

Keith Law

  (1:04 PM)

We should put this up for a vote. I'm open to suggestions. I've been accused by Angry Sean - the Carlos Gomez fan from a few weeks ago - of persistent anti-Twins bias via email. That might be a good candidate.

David (Boston)

Hey Keith I am heading down to watch some Cape League action next week and one of the games I am seeing is Bourne v. Orleans. Which players should I be paying particularly close attention to on those teams? Thanks

Keith Law

  (1:07 PM)

Saw Bourne the other day, not a good club. Two best players are 2011 grads (so 2010 draft-eligible), Justin Grimm and Ross Wilson. Kevin Landry's interesting - touched 92, threw one filthy curveball, but he's more throwing than pitching and could benefit from some good pitching instruction. Dusty Coleman and Jordan Henry are probably day one drafts. Haven't seen Orleans yet - Cole Figueroa's a top guy for next year.

Tim (NYC)

Vitters/Moustakas: A year out, who would go first (with Heyward clearly going before both)?

Keith Law

  (1:08 PM)

Vitters. I've heard from people who've seen him this year that he looks outstanding in the NWL.

Chris B (Decatur, IL)

Would Colby Rasmus, Brian Anderson, and Jamie Garcia be enough for the cardinals to pry Hanley Ramierez away from the Marlins? Does Anderson (a Catcher) have pretty good value right now?

Keith Law

  (1:09 PM)

No, Hanley just signed a long-term deal and isn't going anywhere. For Anderson to have value, another team will have to buy into him as a long-term catcher, which I don't.

Eric (Cleveland)

Who should the Indians choose as the PTBNL of the names mentioned (Green,Brantley,Cain)?

Keith Law

  (1:09 PM)

Can't go wrong there. Cain's probably got the best chance to have big-league value; Green has the upside.

Ben (SF)

I agree Keith, the Twins ARE the worst team in baseball! Speaking of bad teams, please tell me the Giants won't delude themselves into thinking they are anything but sellers. Have you heard any rumors with them?

Keith Law

  (1:10 PM)

More that they intend to be strategic buyers, no major deals, just some complementary players.

jason st louis, mo

Vitters is finally startin to come around. I know he's battled some injuries, and started his career slowly- but he still has to be their top prospect, huh? do you think beane even attempted to get him?( i know it hasnt been a year yet, but couldnt he have been a player to be named?)

Keith Law

  (1:11 PM)

He could have been a PTBNL, yes, since he could be named within six months of the trade (he signed 8/15/07). No idea if the A's asked for him, but my understanding from talking to Oakland folks is that they have been going after depth to continue restocking a depleted system, especially on the pitching side.

Rick (Boston)

Hi Keith,I know you were unimpressed with Michael Bowden, but do you think he can be an asset in the Sox pen for the stretch run? Would his stuff play up?

Keith Law

  (1:12 PM)

I think they've been pumping his name up to use as trade bait. I don't see his FB playing up in the pen, no.

Jay (Boston, MA)

Can you tell me, from a scouting prospective, why Jason Varitek went from a .296 hitter a few years ago to a .220 with arguably a better lineup? Did he decline that much due to age or is it mechanical? How many years above the mendoza line do you think he has remaining?

Keith Law

  (1:13 PM)

He's lost bat speed. It's been going for a few years now, and it finally went over the cliff.

jason st louis, mo

the reds have used a few good rooks this year, and still seem to have a glut of talent down low. really @ shortstop. with valaika, frazier, and soto- how do you this shakin out? position moves? and who is the better prospect?

Keith Law

  (1:13 PM)

Frazier is no more a shortstop than I am an NBA center. Valaika's legit defensively there.

Kyle (DC)

I know it's not a lot of at bats, but Weiters is STILL tearing it up. Any chance of a move to AAA this year followed by the bigs next year?

Keith Law

  (1:14 PM)

I assume so. Why leave him in AA if he keeps destroying it?

Kevin (DRaysBay)

I know Davud Price is clearly better than both, but can Tampa Bay really boot Edwin Jackson or Andy Sonnanstine out of the rotation, or will Price just come up in a bullpen rule?

Keith Law

  (1:15 PM)

I think upgrading on Sonnanstine is one of the easier fixes available to them right now. That said, I'm pretty sure they'll be keeping an eye on Price's workload and would be more likely to use him in relief in the majors this year, especially with their season likely to go into October.

Jason (NY)

Keith, an article on ESPN.com today suggested the Mets would be significantly better if they signed Barry Bonds. What do you think?

Keith Law

  (1:15 PM)

The Mets would be significantly better if they signed Barry Bonds. And my house would be significantly cooler if I put the A/C on.

Mason (Boston)

Keith, I don't understand your bias against the Red Sox. Why do you hate us? Who has the most upside among the unsigned RS prospects--Kelly, Westmoreland, or Meyer?

Keith Law

  (1:15 PM)

Kelly. But all three have upside.

Chris Tillman and Jake Arrieta

Are either of us good enought to be a LEGIT #2 or even higher? and how soon?

Keith Law

  (1:16 PM)

Tillman yes. Arrietta's more of a 3/4, but closer to the majors.

Steven (Toronto)

What have you heard about this potential FBI investigation into the international signings?

Keith Law

  (1:16 PM)

That other teams are involved, including one GM, and it may get pretty ugly when the investigation leads to charges.

Angry Sean (Des Moines)

Oh, and yes I vote for you being a hater of the Twins (or biased) So count it on the board. That's one.

Keith Law

  (1:17 PM)

But how do I stand in terms of superdelegates?

Craig (PA)

I know its not a scouting question, but what is wrong with the Dodgers front office? Is it just the GM that is dysfunctional or does it go all the way up to McCourt?

Keith Law

  (1:18 PM)

I think there's a schism there between the scouting group that was there pre-Colletti (and largely pre-Depo) and acquired most of the good young players on the Dodgers now, and Colletti, who favors veterans and has no particular attachment to Kemp, Loney, Billingsley, etc.

Jack (Toronto)

KLaw, Marcum, Burnett, Ryan, Janssen and now McGowan have all had arm trouble under the tutelage of Brad Arnsberg. Even though he's regarded as one of the better pitching coaches, is he teaching poor mechanics that are causing these pitchers to have these injuries?

Keith Law

  (1:19 PM)

McGowan had already had arm trouble before Arnsberg. Ryan was destined to blow out his elbow. Janssen was worked pretty hard last year. Anyway, to your specific question, a pitching coach doesn't have THAT much impact on pitchers' mechanics. He's not rebuilding them like they're the $6 million dollar man.

Devin (Napa)

The Good Face, KLAW... I need to know your thoughts!

Keith Law

  (1:20 PM)

I don't even know that means. Is it a new album? An indie film? A blog?

Sara (Vermillion, SD)

Enough of your anti-Joyce bias! Get yourself a copy of Blamires? The New Bloomsday Book and read Ulysses already!

Keith Law

  (1:21 PM)

I'm totally intimidated by that book. They teach entire classes on that one text alone. Speaking of which, if anyone has read Nabokov's "Pale Fire" and has advice on how to tackle it, shoot me an email or post a comment on the dish. I have a copy and I'm completely confused.

Nick(Boston)

Ha! Go back to scouting 17 yr olds Sonnanstine's a stud!

Keith Law

  (1:22 PM)

Yeah, most studs allow 10.5 hits per 9. I suppose Carlos Silva's a stud too?

Muzzy (Leicester)

I'm sure you're tired of Chris Davis questions, but...what do you make of him? High-strikeout, high-batting average, unreal power, and he zoomed through the minors. What's he going to look like when the dust settles?

Keith Law

  (1:25 PM)

The power is huge, and I think he'll cut the Ks enough to hit .270-.280 when he's fully developed. But that's a few years down the line. He isn't ready to hit major-league pitching consistently - I mean, on a regular enough basis - but leaving him in AAA was pointless. Someone might have gotten hurt.

Andy (New Jersey)

Donde estas Anibal Sanchez?

Keith Law

  (1:27 PM)

Se dañó el hombro el año pasado, pero espera de volver a las ligas mayores en este mes.

Jacob (Amherst)

Good thing the Braves sent Jeff Francouer down. Those 4 days in the minor leagues really straightened him out.

Keith Law

  (1:28 PM)

That was unreal. How about his comments about feeling a little betrayed? Gee, Jeff, don't be afraid to look in the mirror at how completely useless you've been at the plate this year. By the way, I thought the AJC's removal of his comments from their site was ... interesting, to say the least.

John (Erie)

KLaw, I've noticed that Brad Lincoln, while in only in Low A, is putting up some impressive outings for someone coming off serious arm surgery. Do you think there is hope for him to be a legit starter down the line, or is he just another wasted arm to be tossed onto the scrap heap of wasted arms in the Pirates minor league system?

Keith Law

  (1:28 PM)

I think he's a potential #2 starter down the line. Time to move him up, though.

Stan (St. Louis)

Realistically, shouldn't the Cardinals be sellers?

Keith Law

  (1:30 PM)

Yes, but how would you sell that to the fan base? They have the third-best record in the NL. It would be better for them if they slid back a little in the standings first.

Jim (NYC)

Nick Hernandez from Tennessee on Cotuit...how good is he?

Keith Law

  (1:31 PM)

5th starter type, fringe fastball, pounds the zone, good feel, no real out pitch.

Patrick (Chicago)

Keith, seriously not accusing you of any anti royals bias, but why Vitters over Moustakas? Vitter's numbers are in SS, Moustakas's are in Low A.

Keith Law

  (1:33 PM)

Well, Vitters has almost a 200-point OPS edge. Plus I've always considered Vitters the better prospect from a scouting viewpoint.

Kirk (Mpls, MN)

How serious is McGowan's injury?

Keith Law

  (1:34 PM)

Torn rotator cuff. It's not good.

Kevin (San Diego)

The SD Union Trib reported that the Padres are actively searching for buyers for Wolf, Giles, Clark and Maddux (if he waives his no-trade). Do these guys have any value?

Keith Law

  (1:35 PM)

Wolf does, absolutely. Upgrade over a lot of teams' fifth starters, although I wouldn't take him to a good HR park like Comiskey or TBIA.

Fred (CA)

Gee where are those guys who thought Joba should be in the bullpen? They have been very quiet lately.

Keith Law

  (1:36 PM)

Indeed. That includes a lot of writers, analysts, ex-players ... none of whom had seen him work as a starter in the minors, obviously.

Alon (Brooklyn)

What do you think of Pelfrey's emergence?

Keith Law

  (1:37 PM)

Cautiously optimistic. He's been getting tons of groundballs - almost a 3:1 ratio over his last five starts. Still not missing bats, though. He'll need a better second pitch to go with the sinker.

ro (NYC)

How does an organization (the Mets) have "leaks" from meetings that involves only a handful of high level people (ie, the GM, his advisors and the manager)? Steve Philips says that leaks within the Mets' organization date back to his days. How can a billion dollar enterprise be run like this!!! Companies like GE and Walmart must have hundreds of meetings concerning strategy involving dozens of high level executives and you rarely hear of leaked information.

Keith Law

  (1:38 PM)

That might - just might - be a reflection of the relative level of interest in those two types of information, and the penalties for leaking it. I'm just guessing.

John T (Eagan)

Why does Gardenhire continue to bat Gomez 1st and Span 9th? I think Span's OBP is something like 150 points higher than Gomez's. I know batting order isn't that important, but still...

Keith Law

  (1:39 PM)

That's a team that has really never respected the value of OBP, at least not in its decision-making. Span's really only shown this great eye in 2008, though, not before this year, so I'm not sure he's a leadoff guy either ... but he's better suited to it than Sir Hacks-a-Lot.

Keith Law

  (1:40 PM)

Ha, "ro" who asked the question above responded to my response with a one-word note. The word rhymes with "bassbowl" (thanks, Bill).

Matt Antonelli

I am a 2nd Base stud for the padres, have you heard of me? What do you think of my game?

Keith Law

  (1:41 PM)

Again with the "stud" moniker. You're hitting .192 in AAA.

Ben (Washington, DC)

K-Law - I'm two days early with this question, but I gotta know. Are you working for the Bosox? Optioning Masterson to prepare him to be a reliever? Seriously - are you undercover?

Keith Law

  (1:42 PM)

Just seemed like the right thing to do. And the Red Sox do frequently do the right thing.

Mark (Moscow, ID)

Baseball Prospectus has Evan Longoria 15 runs above average at third already; no other player third baseman is very close to that. Is it possible that he's the best in the league already, or is that fielding system just sort of screwed up?

Keith Law

  (1:42 PM)

THT has him above-average but not tops at 3b (Rolen is lapping the field), but making a ton of "out of zone" plays. So he's obviously very good.

Mark (Moscow, ID)

I know Jason Kubel was one of your breakout candidates at the beginning of the season, then he tanked for the first two months. He OPSed over 1.000 in June, though, and seems to be playing up to his potential. Any reason this won't continue?

Keith Law

  (1:44 PM)

I'm a believer, obviously. He's one of the few hitters in that lineup who tries to pull anything he can reasonably pull. Too many Twins try to just go the other way - looking at you, Delmon - and don't make use of their power.

Sean (MA)

I imagine a .260 hitting shortstop who can't field has a lot of possible suitors. But, hypothetically speaking, if the Red Sox designated Lugo for assignment, would they have to pay the balance of his contract?

Keith Law

  (1:44 PM)

Yes, unless he was claimed.

Nik (Dallas)

Neftali Feliz reportedly hit 101 twice in his AA debut and was in the high 90's most of the game. Wheels came off a little in the 5th but still an impressive debut for a 20 year old. It looks like BA will have him in their midseason top 15 with people jumping on the bandwagon by the day. What's your opinion of him?

Keith Law

  (1:45 PM)

I confirmed that with someone in Texas. It's hard to see him not being in the top 20 or so by year-end. My only concern, even back in ST, was that it's a reliever's delivery/arm action.

Andy (Baltimore)

Will there be any takers for Aubrey Huff at the deadline?

Keith Law

  (1:45 PM)

I doubt it. Seems like there are better corner bats available, both offensively and defensively.

Ryan(madison,wi)

I have been reading some reports that say the brewers should deal hardy for burnett/eckstein. As a brewers fan I find this crazy. Why would the brewers trade hardy?

Keith Law

  (1:46 PM)

Why would they want Burnett or Eckstein?

Jimmy (Chicago)

Thoughts on Mark Mulder?

Keith Law

  (1:46 PM)

I've assumed for a while now that he was done.

Bo (Honlulu, HI)

What's Gallagher's ceiling?

Keith Law

  (1:46 PM)

I said in the offseason his ceiling was as a 4, but he's a 4 now at age 22, so his ceiling is higher than that, probably a very good 3.

jason st louis, mo

more liekly to leave at teh deadline- holliday or holliday?

Keith Law

  (1:47 PM)

Trick question?

Mike (Brookline, MA)

Hey Keith... I'm counting on your expertise on two fronts: 1) which teams should I watch when I hit the Cape next weekend and 2) what are the can't miss restaurants/bars on the Cape? Thanks!

Keith Law

  (1:48 PM)

Go see Dustin Ackley and Harwich, and eat at Ay Caramba before the game. Also got a good rec from a friend who moved down there on Wimpy's in Centerville - good burgers/fries place, apparently.

Michael Hollimon (Toledo, OH)

What are the Tiger's plans with me?

Keith Law

  (1:49 PM)

You might be trade bait. I do think you could end up an average regular at shortstop because of your glove.

Corey (Philadelphia)

Are the Phillies going to actually be a player in the trade deadline for once?

Keith Law

  (1:49 PM)

I assume so - Gillick's in his last year, there's a clear win-now strategy. I'd cash in Golson pretty quickly, maybe Donald because 2b and ss are well filled in Philly, definitely keep Marson.

Dan (Buffalo, NY)

Klaw, LaPorta will be a middle of the order hitter and should be up by next July, but his defense is questionable. Sum it up?

Keith Law

  (1:50 PM)

His glove will be fine at 1b.

Ryan (PA)

In a fantasy chat earlier I read that Parra might be dropped from the Brewers rotation. Can they really bounce him? He has been argueable their best pitcher as of late.

Keith Law

  (1:50 PM)

They used him in relief earlier in the week ... but yes, that would be insane. Let's not get too giddy over a few good starts from McClung, okay? He's Seth McClung. He's going to be Seth McClung for a long time - probably the rest of his life. And being Seth McClung means walking guys.

Will (Milwaukee)

Keith, what's the latest with the Vanderbilt signees (Moore and Westmoreland) and the Sawx?

Keith Law

  (1:52 PM)

I think I wrote in last week's chats that they're watching Moore closely this summer. I expect they'll sign Westmoreland; no news on that front.

Nate (Madison)

Where are these guys getting these rumors? Hardy for Burnett and Eckstein? Dropping Parra from the rotation? If the Brewers wanted to make the playoffs they'd never do those two things right now. Parra was in relief Monday because he had not pitched in four days and doesn't pitch until tomorrow. They didnt' want him going 8 days without throwing.

Keith Law

  (1:52 PM)

That makes a lot more sense.

Sean (Des Moines)

I hear that pitchers getting hitters to foul a lot of balls instead of putting them into play is good. But isn't that a sign they can't put them away?

Keith Law

  (1:53 PM)

Yes, that's how I usually see it when I'm scouting a pitcher. At some point, he's got to be able to get a hitter to swing and miss.

Michael(New York City)

Knuckleballer(Charlie Zink)s and Ambidextrous(Pat Venditte)..legitimate MLB potential, or examples of throwing stuff against the wall to see what sticks?

Keith Law

  (1:54 PM)

Zink's legit. Venditte less so, unless some team likes him as a strategic option. His stuff is below-average.

Rumor Mill

Brewers fans - Welcome to being relevant after June. Rumors are all part of the package.

Keith Law

  (1:54 PM)

And 90% of them are nonsense.

Michael (St. Louis)

Keith love the chats and wanted do get your opinion on my Redbirds. Looks like Mo is going to play it smart and realize this team probally can't contend and doesn't have the chips to make a major trade. Agree? Also what can I expect from garcia now that he has been called up I'm worried about hsi control issues and has Todd passed Ottavino and Herron on the fast track to the majors? Thanks for your insight.

Keith Law

  (1:57 PM)

You threw me there - I had to check Garcia's stats. His walk rate in AAA was fine, and I've never heard a bad thing about his control. I like his chances to help right away because of how well he sinks his fastball. Todd has definitely passed Ottavino, who has been even worse than I expected, and Herron. Todd's slider is clearly too good for low-minor-league hitters.

Hillary (Seattle)

Have you seen Steve Strasburg yet this summer? Just looking for a scouting report in the likelihood the Mariners end up wtih the No. 1 pick.

Keith Law

  (1:58 PM)

I did see him. 94-97 with some life, gets in on hitters quick, quick arm, doesn't have a knockout second pitch - maybe an average slider. The very top of the draft looks fine for next year - Strasburg, Gibson, Oliver, Ackley, Green, Davis, maybe White if his arm is still attached. It's the middle of the first round where the weakness of the college crop is going to start to show.

Nick(Tampa)

Has ESPN asked you to do anything for their fantasy section? You do realize half of the insiders only subscribe and pay your salary because they play fantasy baseball?

Keith Law

  (1:59 PM)

I'm pretty sure that fantasy players use what I write. You don't have to be talking about auction values to address fantasy questions.

Ryan V. (San Jose, CA)

I don't know about "Ulysses"... I haven't read it yet, but I'm in the middle of "Gravity's Rainbow" - billed as the "Ulysses" of the second half of the 1900's - and, while I'm enjoying it when I understand what's going on, that consists of less than 1 in 3 pages. Why do "good" books have to suck so much?!

Keith Law

  (2:00 PM)

I wonder if the fact that they suck and are hard to read is why critics/academics call them Great Books. My list of great novels weighs readability a lot more than those "other" lists seem to.

Jeremy (NY)

Do you ever cheer at ballgames? Do you develop a rooting interest as the game goes along?

Keith Law

  (2:01 PM)

I'm a big fan of strike one. That's my favorite part of every baseball game.

Dave (Somerville, MA)

I saw UCLA LHP Rob Rasmussen pitch for Orleans when I was at the Cape. I thought he was impressive and he missed a ton of bats. Do you know anything about him?

Keith Law

  (2:01 PM)

Heh, was just told last night to go see him, that he's got an average FB and can really spin a tight curveball.

Jon (DC)

With this season gone, McGowan out for the year, not much in the system, would you consider trading Halladay for a monster haul? Say two or three A grade prospects?

Keith Law

  (2:04 PM)

He has a blanket no-trade that would have to be addressed. I'd stick his name out there, certainly, but that's probably a better deal to make in the offseason when all teams can get involved and budgets for 2009-2010 are more open.

Jacob (Brooklyn)

The Cardinals are losing. Already.

Keith Law

  (2:04 PM)

Hater.

JC (NY)

Do you see Fernando Martinez in one of the corner OF spot for the MEts next year?

Keith Law

  (2:05 PM)

2010.

Braves fans

Tex is awesome, but do we trade him?

Keith Law

  (2:06 PM)

If you can get an impact prospect back, yes. How about the Angels? Teixeira is, well, exactly what they need? Better hitter than Kotchman, at least comparable defensively. Probably a 2-3 win upgrade for this year.

Howell (Memphis)

Keith, did you have a favorite team growing up, or always just enjoyed the game for the games sake?

Keith Law

  (2:08 PM)

Grew up a Yankee fan. I've probably told this story here before, but one of my great-grandfathers, an immigrant from Italy, was on his deathbed in the Bronx asking for the Yankees' score. I think I was the first member of the family born outside the Bronx (in the US, that is). But then I went to Toronto and the Yankees were the enemy, so I stopped rooting for them. And it's not something you pick back up. I had to go through four years of rehab. I'm afraid if I start rooting for them again, soon I'll be doing things like sticking my finger in the ice cream bucket.

BK

I dont do anything but surf the internet and read insider chats at my job. And I am a freaking executive. Should I quit?

Keith Law

  (2:08 PM)

Sounds like you have a great job.

Kyle (Elmhurst, IL)

Harden: over or under six starts?

Keith Law

  (2:09 PM)

Joe Sheehan set the line at 27 innings and I took the over. The Cubs will run him out there until he collapses.

John (NF)

Who is the best catching prospect in the minors outside of Wieters? Come on Keith, throw me a bone!

Keith Law

  (2:10 PM)

Teagarden, Marson, Conger.

Not Adam (Not in Seattle)

I also do nothing all day but surf the net . What was the work world like before computers? Did people actually DO stuff for a living?

Keith Law

  (2:11 PM)

I would have to say that aside from a few brief periods of activity, I have never worked harder at any job than I have at this one ... because what am I going to do when I'm not at a game, surf the net and read about baseball to take time away from surfing the net and reading about baseball?

Fran (Helsinki)

Hey Keith, I was wondering if you could give me an example of one player's skill we might be familiar with that registers as an 80 on the scouting 20-80 scale?> Thanks

Keith Law

  (2:12 PM)

Carlos Gomez' speed.

Lee (Dallas, TX)

Keith- The Braves are top 10 in hitting and pitching VORP as well as run differential. They are third in defensive efficiency. Can we expect the luck to turn, or are the injuries going to be too much?

Keith Law

  (2:13 PM)

They're not exactly out of it - the issue is more leaping two teams (no, I'm not a believer in Florida) than it is the sheer size of the deficit in the loss column. But I am assuming they'll be sellers rather than buyers, due to the injuries and their W-L record.

Doug Melvin

Seriously, what should I do with Rickie Weeks? Is it too early to give up on him and trade him for a more consistent player?

Keith Law

  (2:14 PM)

If the Brewers trade him, they had better get a real impact rental in return. Horrid start notwithstanding I still say he's going to be a great player.

Pat (Boston, MA)

Can I get a scouting report on Jholuys Chacin?

Keith Law

  (2:14 PM)

Haven't seen him, sorry.

Kyle (DC)

Any chance the O's are actually buyers despite being out of it to show the fans they're serious about winning?

Keith Law

  (2:15 PM)

No, and that's a good thing.

Mike (On The Road)

Keith I know your a bookworm and wanted to get your thoughts on the beat generation of writers such as Ginsberg, Kerouac and Burroughs. Also, thoughts on "gonzo" journalism and HST.

Keith Law

  (2:15 PM)

On the Road was great. Naked Lunch was not. Never read any HST.

Luke(CT)

Would JP run if Dunn came after him?

Keith Law

  (2:16 PM)

Hell, I would.

VK (DC)

Is Matt Weiters potentially Mike Piazza good?

Keith Law

  (2:16 PM)

Potentially a better overall player. Has defensive skills Piazza didn't.

Rod (Chicago, IL)

Your hatred for the Twins led to your hatred for the Reds because that;s where Rivsy came from. Is Rivsy going to end up winning the Kearns/Lopez for Majewski/Bray/Thompson trade?

Keith Law

  (2:17 PM)

In the sense that four of those players are just awful now and Thompson is not, yes. Of course, I don't think anyone could have foreseen all of those players (except Majewski, whose injury had been reported in a newspaper Rivsy forgot to read) going bad.

Mike (San Jose, CA)

When can us A's fans expect to see Simmons, Cahill, and Gio in the rotation together?

Keith Law

  (2:18 PM)

Simmons and Gio sooner, 2009, Cahill a year behind.

Terrence (Milwaukee)

Who is better suited to centerfield Corey Hart or Ryan Braun?

Keith Law

  (2:18 PM)

Braun.

Tim (ATL)

What in the world could the Angels offer the Braves that is "impact". Certainly you don't mean Brandon Wood or Nick Adenhart. Their stocks have dropped big time.

Keith Law

  (2:19 PM)

Adenhart is what, 21? And in a hitters' park with a lot of hitters' parks on the road schedule. If the Angels are as down on him as you are, it's time for someone else to come take him off their hands.

Mike (SLC, UT)

How about giving us an example of a player's lack of skill that registers as a 20 on the 20-80 scale. Then we can see how biased you are against that player.

Keith Law

  (2:20 PM)

Jason Tyner's power.

Mike (Albany)

Biggest All-Star snub.....David Wright?

Keith Law

  (2:20 PM)

John Danks and/or Jon Lester. Wright, Reyes, Burrell too.

scott (chicago)

What's the upside for Michael Saunders? Is he the next LF in Seattle?

Keith Law

  (2:20 PM)

Potential above-average regular.

Dan (CT)

Favorite type of bias accusation?

Keith Law

  (2:21 PM)

That's a good one. I like the twin accusations, where I'm simultaneously accused (by two people) of favoring a team and being biased against it.

Ryan (Boston)

What of Chandler's do you recommend outside of The Big Sleep? And what oh what shall I do about the sexy minx that sits at the end of my aisle at work?

Keith Law

  (2:21 PM)

The Long Goodbye.

Keith Law

  (2:21 PM)

And I'm not touching the second part of that.

Dave (Tucson, AZ)

Love the chat, Keith. What pitchers and position players have impressed you/disappointed you through the first half of the season?

Keith Law

  (2:22 PM)

Weeks is the biggest disappointment, obviously. Danks has probably been the most pleasant surprise, in that I was losing faith in him as a prospect and he took a big step forward.

Tim (ATL)

Adenhart's K rate has declined every year since he entered pro ball. He isn't enough "impact". I'd rather Jordan Walden and Casey Kotchman.

Keith Law

  (2:23 PM)

That's a good package too, but Adenhart's stuff is very good, he's been young for almost every level, and there's some merit to buying low, even on a prospect.

Stephen (Louisville)

Reading Gravity's Rainbow is like visiting your senile, genius uncle. No, you don't understand what he's saying half the time, and have no idea what point he's trying to make, but he says it in such a fun way. And every once in a while he says something that's so painfully profound that you know you're going to come back next week, even though he might again start talking about what it's like to be flushed down a toilet.

Keith Law

  (2:23 PM)

I have no response. I just thought it was RDF.

nate (philly)

Lester seems to have gotten a handle on his KK/BB rate since the first month of the season. Was this expected or somewhat surprising?

Keith Law

  (2:24 PM)

His command was good pre-cancer, and his control average. It just took him a long time to get it all back to that level, and now his control has progressed beyond it.

Dan (Windsor, CT)

Do you go to the all star game fan fest?

Keith Law

  (2:24 PM)

Futures Game for me and that's it.

john (MPLS)

If you had to give Mark Shapiro one piece of criticism for what he has done since the ALCS, it would be?.....

Keith Law

  (2:25 PM)

The plan to go with Dellucci, Gutierrez, Michaels, Francisco, etc. as the outfield corner solutions.

Bobby, NY

If you had one major league at bat which song would you walk to the batter's box to?

Keith Law

  (2:25 PM)

The opening guitar riff to "Who Was in My Room Last Night?" by the Butthole Surfers.

Lee (Toronto)

Do you think Mariano Rivera should/will start in the all-star game?

Keith Law

  (2:26 PM)

Honestly? That's the biggest non-story since A-Rod slept with some old singer chick.

Ryan(IA)

How did you type those accents and tildes?

Keith Law

  (2:27 PM)

It's a windows feature - the language bar, I think. I can set it to allow me to type accented characters.

Hoss (Austin)

The "readability" question is tricky: who is the arbiter? isn't the reader obliged some dilligence? what level of "reader" should the author have in mind, if any? isn't "popular" art transient?

Keith Law

  (2:28 PM)

It's a valid point, but a novel needs some modicum of readability, or it won't be read. I'm told Finnegan's Wake might as well be printed in cyrillic.

Nik (Dallas)

The Rangers appear stacked in the lower minor leagues pitching wise. Care to rank Feliz, Beaven, Main, N. Ramirez, Kiker, Holland, M. Perez, Poveda, Castillo, K Gomez?

Keith Law

  (2:29 PM)

Feliz, Main, Beavan, Kiker, Ramirez are the top five on that list.

John, Madison, CT

Josh Reddick-- do you think he is on the Sox 'untouchable' list? Starting LF in 2010?

Keith Law

  (2:29 PM)

Not untouchable, especially not with that walk rate. He's behind Lars Anderson.

Jay (NYC)

A-Rod cheats and he's getting divorce. Wow, what next A-Rod is gonna order a hamburger and the front cover is gonna say he's a animal killer.

Keith Law

  (2:30 PM)

Morrissey did say meat was murder.

Jon (DC)

Have you read any EM Forster? Thoughts?

Keith Law

  (2:31 PM)

Liked Room With a View. Passage to India was OK, kind of a bleak view of humanity, and there's something discomfiting about the idea that East and West cultures can't blend. Couldn't wait for Howards End to end.

Will (Milwaukee)

Who gets called up first: Casey Weathers or David Price?

Keith Law

  (2:32 PM)

Weathers. Maybe after they trade Fuentes.

Josh (Sheboygan, WI)

The Brewers announced today they aren't unloading Mota, and think his problems are mechanical, and they hope to work with him to correct them. Frustrating as that is to hear, when that experament fails miserably who are they going to bring up to get some life into the pen? I keep hearing about Luis Pena, anything too this other than rumor?

Keith Law

  (2:32 PM)

That's funny. The fact that he stunk last year is irrelevant, I guess.

Hillary (Seattle)

Keith, just to folo up on my Strasburg question, with no great second pitch and that big a fastball is he a better RP prospect than SP? He pitched outta the pen his year year at SD St.

Keith Law

  (2:32 PM)

There's enough breaking ball there that he should remain a starter for the time being.

Tad (Bakersfield, CA)

Hey Keith. What's your projection for Dexter Fowler? Potential all-star? And could he be manning CF for the Rockies by mid 2009? Thanks.

Keith Law

  (2:33 PM)

He reminds me of Arizona's Chris Young, and not in a good way - so much going on in his swing that he may just swing and miss too often.

Jon (DC)

Keith, you should check out The Hold Steady. New album in stores next week. Previous albums also excellent.

Keith Law

  (2:33 PM)

Will do.

Keith Law

  (2:33 PM)

OK, that's it for this week. I'll be at the Futures Game on Sunday if anyone else is attending, and I'll be back next week.