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Before I start, longtime baseball blogger Dave Cameron (of USSMariner and Fangraphs) is up for a $10K college scholarship that is determined by fan vote. (Better that than a BBRAA vote, I guess.) Voting ends today, so if you like Dave's stuff or just like doing whatever I tell you do to, vote for him here: http://tinyurl.com/5o3hd5. Thanks.
Keith - the Indians have some interesting decisions when it comes to the 40-man roster. Do you think the protect Rondon and De La Cruz?
Absolutely. Rondon is a no-brainer - pitched in the Futures Game, showed a great arm, good life, no way that guy doesn't get claimed in the Rule 5 Draft.
What do you make of the relative slow start of free agency? Is this because the economy? I keep checking ESPN to see who has signed, but nothing is ever happening.
This isn't a slow start. This is completely normal.
Got to give Moose credit- he left on a high note. That's the way to leave.
Agreed 100%. I suppose getting to 300 wins might have satisfied the dinosaurs, but there's also a risk of going all Steve Carlton and leaving on a low note.
Hi Keith, what's your take on the Coco trade. Secondly, do you think the Red Sox have a shot to sign Texeira and possibly Burnett? Good job with your chats.
My analysis of the trade is on my ESPN blog. The Red Sox certainly could sign both players, but I don't think they'll do that and there's a pretty good chance they'll sign neither but will drive up the prices for other bidders.
Klaw! You've been somewhat critical of Morneau winning the MVP this year. Yet he was second in the AL in Win Shares (to Mauer, who passed him w/2wks left in the season). My understanding is that win shares take everything into account. So while I understand not voting for him, why would voting for him by a mistake or a bad choice?
Win Shares are a waste of time. I have never used them to analyze any player, award, team - nothing. Among the system's many flaws is its outdated way of evaluating defense. Morneau was 12th in VORP, to choose but one superior metric.
Keith it turns out Chase Utley was hurt most of the season and will have hip surgery next week and could miss the start of next season. Do you think Jason Donald could fill in nicely if needed to?
Yes, he could, and he'd probably increase his trade value for a midseason deal once Utley returns. It's not as good as actually having Utley, but there's a silver lining.
Moose a HOFer?
For me, yes.
Keith, Do you think JD Drew, George Kottaras, and Michael Bowden get it done for the Cubs Soto?
No. And, after more thought, no.
Keith, love your work. Why did the Rockies take Huston Street in the Holliday deal? As it stand now, he's only the third best reliever on their team, maybe 4th behind Grilli. Also, do you think Buchholz can close? Thanks, I'll hang up and listen for your answer.
I think Street has to be a flip candidate. Try to deal him this offseason to a team looking for a veteran late-game arm, or use him judiciously for three months next year and flip him in July. Buchholz can close, but he's not going to be an elite closer or even an average one; Corpas is their only in-house candidate with a chance to be plus.
I think I have a problem. Saw the news of the Coco-RamRam deal on the bottom line, and instead of jumping to an opinion, my first thought was, "I wonder what KLaw thinks about this trade."
RamRam?
What are the Jays up to? Haven't heard of them much....am I in for a disappointing offseason?
The Canadian dollar's slide has hurt them financially, and they've always been a bit gunshy about second-tier free agents after Batista (disclaimer: I was there at the time and was in favor of the Batista signing). Most of what I've read/heard about Toronto so far hasn't checked out.
Please settle and argument for me.....Who is the better FIELDING 3rd Baseman.........David Wright or ARod?
Wright.
If I produced a shirt that said "Fans don't let their team deal with Boras" would you wear one? Or how about the old ghostbusters logo and I would swap the ghost with a picture of boras?
That's a dumb thing for a fan to wish for. Boras represents many of the best players in the game. And he does a good job for his clients.
Keith, Pedroia has to be the "worst" AL MVP in at least the last 20 years. In the AL, he finished 43rd in HRs, 27th in RBIs, 18th in OPS, 11th in OBP, 19th in Slugging, and while his defense is good, he's hardly a young Alomar in the field. Sizemore, Longoria, Quentin and Mauer all would have been better choices. These post season awards have really become a mockery.
I understand that point of view, but I can't really buy into it. The problem isn't that Pedroia's raw stats are unimpressive compared to past winners; the problem is that the BBRAA has been getting all priapistic over RBIs for 30 years and ignoring things like defense or positional value. Pedroia is, in some ways, one of the smarter MVP choices, even if perhaps he didn't get it for all the "right" reasons.
Can Aaron Heilmann have any value as a starter? Its a small sample but he's 5-13 with a 5.93 ERA in 25 career starts.
No. Two-pitch guy with iffy fastball command and no real breaking ball. Good luck with that.
What do you like to drink during Thanksgiving dinner? Are Texas's four catchers good trade chips?
A nice spiced beer, like a Harp winter warmer. My MIL found a recipe years ago in Bon Appetit for a spiced-cranberry drink that's about 75% rum ... those are pretty good too, and I generally don't bother with mixed drinks outside of a dark and stormy. All four of Texas' catchers have value; the challenge for Daniels is finding the optimal solution among all the permutations of keeping two and trading two or keeping three and trading one.
Is Phil Hughes a non prospect now?
Only in the sense that he has too much major-league time. He's still a prospect if we're just talking about a talented young player with a good future if he stays healthy.
Is Exposito a major league catching prospect? if so, what is his potential and ML arrival timeframe?
I'm still leaning towards "good backup" on him but he's coming along nicely and has the upside to make that assessment look light.
Great endorsement of Dave Cameron from USSMariner..go vote people! Keith, now that the M's have a manager, what will happen first, they make a trade or they sign a FA? Thanks for your chats!
They've got a lot of trade possibilities. I have to assume Beltre gets dealt at some point - his trade value is probably at a peak this winter because of his impending FA status.
Keith when does your top prospect list come out?
Sometime in January. I have to survive the hot stove league first, and then do my Christmas baking.
Peter Abraham (who I love) has said a few times that because the GM meetings are in Vegas and Giambi lives out there, he wouldn't be surprised if some GM wakes up on Giambi's couch after a long night of partying to discover he agreed to sign Jason for something like 3/$36M. What do you think?
I think Peter Abraham is a funny guy.
How good can Logan Morrison and Mike Stanton be?
Morrison's way ahead of Stanton for me. Stanton's got big power, LONG swing, good chance he ends up a 4A guy, or maybe just a Russell Branyan type. Morrison has more polish, better pitch recognition, with plus power of his own - potential All-Star, probably a top 20 prospect in all of baseball right now.
Keith, the Yankees can't go into the season with the lineup the have right now, right??? I mean, the only real power threat they have is A-Rod.
This was my argument after the Swisher deal. Nady, Damon, Gardner, A-Rod, Jeter, Cano, Swisher, Posada, Matsui. How many runs is that? 850? I see as many players coming down in performance as coming up.
"Today's secret ingredient is... MIDDLE RELIEVERS!!! Let the battle begin!!"
I've got a garbage soup recipe around here somewhere...
Your ESPN.com picture makes you look 10.
I look about 12 in person, so it's not that bad.
Mr. Law, I have an idea on free agency. Using CC as an example. Brewers can try to sign him to any contract. If CC doesn't accept he goes before a board (similar to arbitration)who decides he is worth X$ for X yrs. Teams willing to pay then submit their names. CC picks where he wants to go. If nobody agrees to that contract he can sign with anybody who offers a contract not to exceed the boards contract. Not exactly a salary cap and would even the free agency field for all teams. This from a diehard Yankee Fan.
That is one of the most awful anti-player ideas I have ever seen.
When does Canseco give me that late 1980s MVP trophey?
When your PR firm stops spamming me with your whiny rants.
Could the Rays land Peavy without giving up their top five or so prospects if they wanted?
I couldn't work within that limitation unless I was giving up Upton or Longoria. And that ain't happening.
so the story about the Jays shopping Doc to the Dodgers in the NJ Star Ledger is fabricated ? Or is it a JP plant to get the wheels in motion ?
I'm not saying "fabricated," just inaccurate. Doc has a full no-trade clause and last I heard he was very happy in Toronto.
A lifetime ago, some people believed that Shawn Bowman was going to move David Wright off third base. Injuries have really slowed his progress, and now he's Rule V eligible. Should the Mets look to protect him, and do you think he can fulfill the potential he once had?
I want to know who those people were. I have some investment banking stock to sell them - it's a steal right now!
With all the dead weight and a couple of openings on the Pirates' 40-man roster, should they look into taking a few fliers in the Rule V draft?
Yes, and I would bet that they will take at least one flier. You can usually scratch up a bullpen arm or two, although the last CBA made a dramatic cut in the Rule 5 talent pool.
i hear i am looking for a barry zito type deal. will the yanks give it to me?
No.
KLAW, Tom Boswell has a piece in today's Washington Post basically clamoring for the Nats to sign someone/anyone in the FA market. (one of the) Problem is, most of the people he touts were hot commodities maybe 5 years ago (Rentaria, Hudson, Pettitte), old (Moyer, Moose, Maddox, Griffey, Kent, Thomas) or inappropriate for them/the NL (Bradley, Ibanez, any of the above). This smells like bad juju all the way around. Thoughts?
That's two dud columns from Boswell this week. (If you haven't seen Posnanski's light-FJM treatment of Boswell's MVP column, go read it. Best mainstream baseball piece I've read this month, if not longer.) Teixeira I could sort of understand - local guy, going to be a great, productive player for most of his contract - but even so, why sign that guy unless you expect to be competitive in the first half of his deal?
Just voted for Dave Cameron. Is a free agent truly free if his own union tries to strong-arm him into always taking the Yankees....I mean....the highest offer? Admittedly, it's not the worst problem in the world to have.
They can't force him, only push him (and his agents). And in pushing players to take the highest offers, they are doing the right thing for their membership as a whole.
Do you think it is a waste of time for the Yanks to go after starting pitching when their defense is so bad. Shouldn't improving pitching and defense go hand in hand? It's all about run prevention baby!!
I wouldn't skip one just because I couldn't fix the other. And they could try both - if they sign Sabathia and Burnett, they could trade one of Hughes/Kennedy for a hitter who offers a defensive upgrade - perhaps for a good CF who hits more than Gardner?
Don't sell yourself short, Keith. You were at almost all the Spring Training games I went to last year, and you looked at least 14. What are the odds on Bobby Crosby being the A's short stop next season. If not him, whom?
I actually haven't been carded in about six months, which is a record. Then again, I don't go to the liquor store very often. They're in on Furcal, and I wouldn't be shocked to see them convert a guy - take a great 2b whom they could move back to ss.
does VORP take defense into account?
No, but it does factor in the player's position, comparing his value to the "replacement level" (I think 80% of the average) for that position.
Tommy Hanson (Atl) is he a future ace?
Yes.
Speaking of FJM, your thoughts on them hanging up their spurs gracefully?
It was time. They said it themselves - it became repetitive.
The Mets claim they will not trade Beltran, Wright, or Reyes, but that "core" of players doesn't seem like they know how to win. Would you consider breaking those three up just to shake it up a little bit? These guys have been no-shows in September two years in a row now
No, those guys aren't the problem. The problem is all of the bad players they've been surrounded with.
Keith, What are your thoughts on Alberts second MVP? Do you think he deserved it or what? I mean the guy is a consistant machine, hes crazy!
He deserved it, and there wasn't a compelling argument for anyone else. Oh, except for the "I'm voting for three of my local team's players so I can keep getting quotes and access" logic exemption.
If Carlos Santana is so great, how did the Indians land him for Blake?
The Dodgers have Martin, Colletti doesn't value prospects that highly, and Santana (like a few other prospects dealt midyear, like Tabata) really took off after the deal.
I see you're high on Morrison. How does he compare with other 1B prospects - Smoak and Lars?
I'm back and forth on how to compare Smoak (of whom I am a huge fan) to two guys who are right around his age but have pro track records we can examine. Lars' plate discipline puts him a little ahead of Morrison for me.
Keith, any word on whether the Royals are going to make Grienke available?
If he won't sign a long-term deal, then yes, but not before then.
Klaw need advise on Thanksgiving. Going to my girlfriends house where I found out they are serving ham not turkey and they don't even watch football. Should I come down with something or suffer?
Dump her.
Keith, thanks for the chat. With the Red Sox's recent trade, do you think Masterson will start and if so, what is his ceiling as a starter?
Gammons - who would know - has written a few times that they want to try him in the rotation again. I don't see it; he's a low-slot guy without an anti-lefty pitch, and even with luck on balls in play he gave up nearly an .800 OPS (heavy on OBP) to lefties this year. Opposing managers can just load up with lefties, and they'll face Masterson two or three times ... that seems like a bad plan.
I've always been bothered by fans complaining about player salaries and agents whose name rhymes with Doris. Don't they realize that these sports owners are just playing with their toy money when they buy these franchises? Hate the owners that convince cities to sacrifice good social programs for new ball parks, not the players, some of which were at one time dependent on those social programs, that are being cut.
I don't get the way that fans resent players. The players, by and large, are the ones like the fans. Very few of them grew up rich; many grew up very poor. The owners, on the other hand, are all obscenely wealthy, and most started out life rich or well on their way there. I'm not saying we should all bash the owners, but if we're bashing someone, the players are the underdogs here, the sympathetic protagonists of the baseball novel.
Burnett is as good as gone. Should the Jays trade Halladay, Ryan and Rios anmd just start over?
Only if ownership demands a cost-cutting. I don't object to them going all-in one more time this year, and if it fails, then they could look at trade options in July or the offseason.
Mr. Law, I checked out your personal website and was suprised to find how scholarly you are. Makes me feel kinda stupid for always bashing you. Yankees rotation and lineup next year please?
They get one of Sabathia or Burnett, and if they don't get both, I still think they'll jump back in on Teixeira (even though Cashman was dismissive of that idea after the Swisher trade). That means a rotation of Sabathia-Wang-Joba-Pettitte?-Hughes. If you don't deal Hughes, you should probably get him into the rotation and try to restart his development.
You really loved the Santana-Blake deal for the Indians when it happened though. What did you see in Santana that the Dodgers apparently missed?
A catcher with good plate discipline, good defense, and a short contact-oriented swing. I doubt that the Dodgers missed it, so much as didn't value it properly.
People hate the players because they're getting paid to play a game. Somehow, that means it isn't "earned" like the owners have "earned" their money. That's perception anyway. Also, people are morons. Ok, so is it worth it for the Cubs to trade what's left of their farm system (Vitters, etc.) for Peavy?
Yes. Once the cupboard is nearly bare, if the big-league team is great, I have no problem with a team emptying it completely or almost completely to get another piece, especially when he's under control for several more years. I love Vitters and I think he'll be a star, but he is at least two years away.
Love your insight Keith. I know you dont think too much of Peavy but do you think a deal gets done to one of the new clubs he's added to his list or eventually the Braves' deal gets done? Is Escobar, Flowers, Rohrbaugh and Locke too much to ask for a Triple Crown Cy Young arm? Thanks
That's not accurate. I think Peavy has been overrated by the media and many fans. I still think he's a well above-average pitcher. Atlanta remains the most likely landing spot, but I'd balk at that offer you listed. You're talking about two everyday players by 2010 plus two very, very good arms.
Keith, who has the biggest upside among Purcey, Romero and Cecil? Which of these guys can we expect to see in the rotation next year?
Cecil has the biggest upside and is the least likely to start the year in Toronto's rotation. I'd take Romero over Purcey.
Your guess on the Mets top two acquisitions?
Fuentes. And I wouldn't be shocked if they ended up with Orlando Hudson and/or Juan Rivera, although the latter two are just my guesses.
What is keeping the Astros from getting Peavy, he has clearly shown interest in wanting to come here.
Having the worst farm system in baseball really limits your ability to make trades.
I am interested in purchasing an audio book. What types of books do you think works best for that format? Any recommendation for a first timer?
I listen mostly to nonfiction, although I did McCarthy's The Road as an audiobook, and it was extremely well done and creepy as hell.
Keith, I have decided to no longer trust facts or objective analysis. Is this a good long term plan?
Your BBRAA badge is in the mail.
I read if I brine the turkey, I shouldn't stuff it. What's up with that? I think I like the stuffing better than the turkey! Oh, and what are the Cubs going to do - have a Fuku/Johnson platoon in center and bring in Teahan or someother schlub to play RF? Why not just sign Edmonds for one year and platoon him again with Johnson, hope Fuku figures it out, and if he doesn't make a trade mid season? Edmonds had the highest OPS on the team!
Don't stuff it, period. By the time the stuffing is at a safe temperature, the meat will be overcooked. The Cubs would like to deal Fukudome if at all possible - Lou can't stand him - but there are no buyers. More likely they'll acquire a RF and bench or platoon him.
Hey Keith, is MIke Aviles for real?? Can he really be for real in KC?
I'm not sold on his defense - numbers were good, but it sure doesn't look it - but at worst he's an above-average second baseman. He deserved more RoY consideration than he got.
Its in the past but what about the writer who kept Pedroia off his ballot? He writes for some newspaper in Texas I believe and to keep the winner out of the top 10 must be penalized by the association.
That is so far from being the worst offense of the week that I don't even think it's worth talking about. Grant made a solid point about Pedroia's stats. Penalizing a writer for failing to consider positional value enough is silly. We have bigger problems here.
Why is there no one in the Yankee front office who has realized Jeter should have been moved off SS 2 years ago?
Oh, they realize it. But they haven't found the jaws of life big enough to pry Jeter's ego off of shortstop yet.
If you were Omar, which relief pitcher would you sign? Would you go 4 years on any of them or let the market play out & see who signs for 3?
Fuentes (whom they're on) or Wood (whom they're not), either for three years. K-Rod won't sign for three years, at least not yet.
And to sort of follow that up, with relievers, I'll take a small hit in quality for a deal that's 33% shorter.
Am I an idiot for trading for Kevin Gregg for a prospect that was too good for 1 year of him? And also letting Kerry Wood leave when he made it really clear he'd sign for way less in Chicago?
Another FO exec wrote to me after my reaction was posted, saying that Gregg was a Type A each of the last two winters, so you could argue that the Cubs get one year of Gregg plus two picks in the 2010 draft. That's a good point, but it's also possible that Gregg will be bad enough to either slip to a Type B or to make the Cubs pass on offering him arbitration, a la Bobby Howry.
If Papi to 35 HR and around .300, along with a (relatively) healthy Drew, Youk, Pedroia, and Bay, isn't that enough offense to stay competitive?
They'll also get more production from shortstop with a full year of Lowrie, and you hope Lowell bounces back, but yes, their offense isn't a major concern. Except behind the plate.
Keith, sorry to correct you, but as a CIA trained chef, your stuffing assessment is actually incorrect. 325 at 15-20 minutes per pound will cook the bird and stuffing perfectly.
That's the advice you'll get in most cookbooks. It's wrong, not least because the cooking time-weight relationship is nonlinear.
Love the chats. I want to run an idea by you. I believe that the internet has vastly increased the average fan's understanding of his team's prospects, which has changed their mindset from "Trade anyone to get me a Proven Veteran" to "You can't trade Prospect X!!" And since fans put pressure on their teams (illustrated by the Nationals looking to FA's), I'd say folks like you have swung the pendulum towards teams hoarding prospects. Agree?
The Internet has absolutely raised fan awareness of prospects (and their capacity to overvalue them, and their ability to make fools of themselves by yelling at handsome baseball analysts who don't overvalue those prospects). But I'm not taking any credit for the sea change in baseball's trading landscape - I think that's economics combined with an increase in the number of smart guys in front offices.
OK, that's weird. Since I sat down to chat, Gmail went bananas. They changed the color scheme completely.
Wilmer Flores or Tim Beckham?
Good question. Probably Beckham.
Just read the Posnanski column. I suggest anyone who thinks Pujols doesn't deserve the MVP go read it. Let's ask those people another question. Do you think the Phillies would be better with Pujols over Howard, therefore making him more valuable? If Albert's in that lineup he may break Hack Wilson's record.
Good point.
I understand the Type A argument, but why would any team that aspires to be World Series Champions even consider Kevin Gregg to be their closer?
That's just a bad evaluation by the Cubs. Gregg shouldn't be pitching in leveraged situations for a contender.
Keith: How many games in the majors for Travis Snider in 09 ? Will the Jays deal Lind ?
100+. No.
Mr Law, with reports suggesting Brett Wallace's defense is improved enough that most believe he will be able to stick at third base, what do the Cards do with David Freese, and was last year an aberration or is he a major league quality hitter?
I like the passive wording. Whose reports? Who are these "most" who believe he can stick at 3b? I like Wallace a ton, and even I don't think he'll ever be average there - he might end up a -10 (runs) guy whose bat more than makes up for it. Freese isn't an everyday player for me. The power looks like an aberration to me.
Mr. Law, what is the one side dish that you cannot live without next Thursday? Also, you see the Yanks going after Cameron?
Stuffing, made from scratch with chicken stock and fresh herbs. That's really on Milwaukee; the Yanks have some interest, but the Brewers seem to be inclined to keep him. I've said before that I think trading him and moving Weeks to CF, playing Escobar at 2b, is the best use of the talent on their roster right now.
while you do seem pompous and arrogant, it's hard to down play your knowledge, so I ask you, do you have a scouting report on the young Cuban Dayan Viciedo, any major league comparisons?
Nobody pays attention to you if you're meek and uncertain and qualify every statement. I haven't seen Viciedo, and called/emailed a number of scouts last week, none of whom had seen him either. I am forced to conclude that he doesn't exist.
KLaw, okay, drawing brain-dead, what's FJM? And what's an easy (ie cheap ingredients) dish to make for Thanksgiving at the in-laws?
Any good vegetarian thanksgiving day dishes you can think of?
Alton Brown's mashed sweet potatoes with chipotle peppers. I add a little brown sugar and some cream for texture. Recipe is on Food Network's web site.
What I've never gotten about "runners in scoring position" stats is, what about a guy who hits a double with a runner on first who scores? Do we simply pretend that doesn't matter? Or what about the guy who hits a solo homer in the bottom of the tenth with no outs - is this a meaningless at-bat? It seems like random cherry picking to me - RISP is not unimportant, I guess, but it sure is only a tiny part of the overall picture.
Agreed. Giving a separate value to BA or any other stat with RISP gives undue weight to those PA and underweighing that whole getting-on-base thing.
Any chances Cahill and Anderson are in the A's rotation next year at some point?
Second half, perhaps. Anderson could come pretty quick - polished guy, good feel, stuff is good enough to play right now.
Should the Chisox offer OCabrera arbitration? They clearly don't want him back; he clearly wants multiple years; their farm system could benefit from compensation picks. What would you do in the Sox's shoes?
Offer. If he accepts, great, trade him.
Fmart or Flores? If it's Flores, is that more of a compliment to him, or a red glad on Martinez?
Martinez. Much more advanced with plenty of upside of his own.
I think I've reached the limit on the times I can listen to someone claim David Wright didn't show up in September. 2008- .340/.416/.993 in 97 ABs, 2007 - .352/.432/.602 in 108 ABs. If you think that production warrants being run out of town then you're stupid enough to have your own show on WFAN.
It's what he did in a very small number of PA with men in scoring position. That's it. It's tinybrain logic.
You going to buy Chinese Democracy?
I would have been very excited for this record in about 1992.
Keith, Disregarding the trades Moore has made, how do you think he is doing with the minor league system via the draft and Latin America.
Draft this year was great, one of the best in the game. I did hear Melville was only so-so in instructional league, but I'm not giving up on him. They haven't been huge players in Latin America, only spending around $1MM internationally, I think.
Is Jonathan Sanchez a prime breakout candidate? He made a huge jumop last year...does he make another jumo this year and gain consistency. Is stuff is electric!
Yes, he's a breakout candidate to me as well.
Can JP Arencibia learn how to take pitches and have a OBP over 310? Or is he doomed to have a low 300 obp his entire career?
Unless he becomes a .300 hitter, he'll be a low OBP guy. But with power and good catch/throw skills he could probably play every day. The standard for offense back there is pretty low.
Keith, Gmail started integrating themes into their interface. If you go to your settings, you can choose from about 20 different ones. Check out 'terminal'
That's hysterical. I feel like I'm back in college at unix prompt.
Is Gordon Beckham good enough to play 2B for the White Sox in 2009?
Might be a stretch on Opening Day, but maybe by June or so. He's pretty polished, but I wonder about him adjusting to stuff inside. Guys with hitches, even if they show they can make their swings work, worry me.
Any chance you quit answering questions about crappy 80's hair bands and Thanksgiving day recipes and get back to baseball? Thanks
No, sorry. I'm in extra time now. I'll answer whatever I want to. I am, however, done with questions from Little Rock for the day.
Your board game list is all over the place. Risk and Monopoly are probably the most overrated games of all time (they take 3+ hours and leave people sitting and watching). But then you go and put Setters of Catan that high and it makes me want to have a game night with you. You should try Carcassonne (also a German board game of the year) or the Kill Dr.Lucky by CheapA** Games they are a lot of fun.
Many people have recommended Carcassonne, as well as Puerto Rico. I'll check both out. Carcassonne's very appealing because it's two-player.
Keith, please settle an office debate by providing your thoughts on Carlos Lee. Thanks.
I think the two best of the six years on his contract are now behind him. Very good player, going to be paid like a star as he fades down to average, and he's never been an asset on defense. If they could trade him now, on the heels of two very good seasons, they should do it, but I bet the contract makes that impossible.
Keith, what do you think of Travis D'Arnaud?
Future everyday catcher.
You post every yahoo that insults you, but I just want to praise you for you informed and entertaining chats and ask about my Dodger's infield and I can't catch a break? Ouch.
I'm not going to fill the chat up with Klawpraise.
No love for "Scrabble"?
I hate that game.
Keith, please settle an office debate by providing your thoughts on Homer Bailey
Might be damaged goods with the reduced velo. Could also be a change-of-scene guy - should be a target for other clubs looking for an upside play on an arm.
If Wallace can't play 3rd effectively enough, what's the best move for the Cards with Pujols at 1st?
Leave Wallace at third for now and see how and if he improves. Pujols isn't under contract forever and there's no saying that he'll take another discount to stay in St. Louis. I know this is heretical, but if the Cards put Pujols out there - say that they did it now - can you imagine the haul? What if they do it after 2009 when Wallace is ready to play first? That's just one option. Another is to sign Pujols and play Wallace at 3b, living with subpar defense because he hits like he's possessed. Another is to play Wallace in the majors at third for half a year, show he can really hit, and trade him to a team that wants a 1b. They have options.
Your surprise trade or FA signing this year is ______ to the _______
Can we top Holliday to Oakland? I think the Giants will do something unexpected.
Why no mention of Adam Dunn, anywhere? And why don't yanks consider him?
Second-tier option for a lot of clubs. And I can understand that; 2008 wasn't a great walk year for him, and you have to buy into the thought that there's some upside there, a couple of .270/.390/.550 years in his next five seasons.
Klaw, will you be in Vegas for the GM Meetings? have you been to them before? As a fan, would it be worth loitering around the Bellagio that week to check things out?
Winter meetings, yes, and no, I think fans who come to "see" them will be disappointed.
Do you think Marrero's little brother (Deven) will be a 1st round pick in '09?
Top two rounds is more likely.
If you're looking for a two-player game, a fun variation of "Puerto Rico" is "San Juan." Same designer, nearly the same game, and since you're playing exclusively with cards, you don't have the 25000 little pieces of Puerto Rico. Safer to play with the baby around!
Good to know - thanks.
You have a pumpkin, banana cream, coconut, apple and lemon pie in front of you. Which one do you go for? Holiday stays all year with the A's or Beans flips him for prospects?
Apple. Stays, but even if the A's are contending, Beane/Forst could do one of their patented midseason shuffles, trading him for prospects then using those or other prospects to trade for someone else, and ending up with a better package of prospects than they started with.
Who's taller: Keith Law or Ken Rosenthal?
I am.
Klaw! Do you see my Royals moving David Dejesus? Who could be a match? What would he bring in reurn? Thanks!
It's possible, and they would want young pitching. I was told today that they're not interested in dealing Butler - they want to platoon him at DH instead - which, in addition to being a bad way to develop a player, is kind of a waste of an asset too. So I don't really know what their strategy is.
How would the FA compensation work with the Yankees if they signed both AJ and CC? Which team would get the Yanks 1st rounder? How is that determined? Thanks
Brewers would - Sabathia had the higher Elias rating. In fact, the only way the Brewers wouldn't get the Yanks' first-rounder if they sign CC would be if they also sign Teixeira.
About to head off to lunch... Can't decide between Chick Fil A or Arby's. Please help!
You're in Scottsdale with a hundred better choices. You need more help than I can give you here.
Does Furcal make sense for the O's at SS?
No.
Is Kevin Towers a victim to his situation or just playing this Peavy deal really horribly? Would he have been best off taking the Braves supposed package and now looking to shop Greene or Giles?
I wouldn't have told Peavy I was going to trade him. The process seems to have gotten out of San Diego's control, which is bad. It could still work out reasonably well if, say, Atlanta whiffs on its FA pitcher targets.
Your thoughts on Dodgers P James McDonald: thanks.
Could probably be their 5th starter in 2009. Upside isn't high but he's close and very likely to succeed as a 4/5.
Saw on the ESPN rumor section that the Giants will get involved in the CC sweepstakes. What are the chances of that and should they be signing more pitching? Maybe trade Cain for a bat.
They're going to make an offer, but the Yanks will blow it away.
Have you read 'Atonement?' The movie was good - how about the novel?
Hated it. Can't quite say why without spoiling it, although I imagine the movie had the same issue.
A Confederacy of Dunces - yay or nay?
Double (burp!) yay.
Does Matt Cain put it together this year? Seems like his problem is focus and mental toughness for the whole game.
His main problem for me as been run support. But I do think there's another step forward in there.
If you were the brewers what would you do with JJ hardy and Alcides Escobar. Can Matt Gamel play a decent enough 3rd base to stay there?
No, Gamel can't. If they don't like trade offers for Hardy, keep him, move Weeks to CF, Escobar at 2b.
Please don't tell me you actually liked The Road.
I've got a mixed and complicated opinion of it. It was incredibly bleak and hard to take, and the cellar scene was just awful. But the core story of the father's love for his son and the way he pushes himself forward to his limits just to secure an uncertain future for the boy ... maybe you have to be a parent to understand, but when I look at my daughter, I get it, I get it completely.
That's all for this week - go vote for Dave today, and have a happy, safe, and fat-and-calorie-laden Thanksgiving!