Excerpts from Baseball Chat with ESPN's Keith Law

Keith Law held his weekly chat Thursday morning over at ESPN, and here's some excerpts:

Rich (Toronto): Is Anthopolous that good, or is Mozeliak that dumb?

KLaw: Anthopoulos is good. Mozeliak is not "dumb" - far from it, as he's very bright. But he was backed into a corner AND it looks to me like he has less authority relative to his manager than most GMs. (Reagins might be in a similar situation.) I understand that there's an inclination here to bash Mo, but take one step back and you can see where he might have done the best he could given the constraints of his job.

That trade definitely doesn't look like what a young, cost controlled power hitting center fielder should return, but it's a tough spot for a GM when he doesn't have the final say in comparison to his manager. 

Alex (Philly): The Astros reportedly turned down a deal where they would receive Cosart, Singleton and another prospect and they would trade Pence to the Phillies, what else do they want? and will Amaro ultimately ante up and give the Astros what they ask for?

 

KLaw: I'm not sure I believe that story, since as much as I mock Ed Wade for being one of the game's least effective GMs, even he would have to recognize that deal as good value. However, if it's true, doesn't it indicate that the Phillies share my concern about Cosart's ability to hold up as a starter?

I'd be hard pressed to imagine that even Ed Wade would be unwilling to take a package like that. He'd be smart to keep listening, but that seems like a pretty good offer for Pence. There may be more here, but Wade is behind the 8-ball since ownership will be changing sometime in the next few months. 

More about Jean Segura, Ryan Lavarnway, and Matt Moore after the jump...

Tom (LA): You have Jean Segura quite high in your mid-season top 50 even though he's played very little. Any chance he comes back soon and if not does he fall right out of the top 50?

KLaw:  I'm not going to drop a guy just because he's suffered a non-chronic injury. If a pitcher tears his labrum, that's another story, but Segura's skill set should remain intact.

 

I really liked Segura coming into the season, after he hit double digit homers and stole 50 bases last year in the Midwest League. He's been out most of the season with an injury, but he is still young and there's no rush for middle infielders at the big club right now.

Mickey (Boston): Ryan Lavarnway is MASHING at AAA right now. The Red Sox think he can catch in the bigs, you think he certainly cannot. Are they posturing or are you being overly tough on the guy?

KLaw: If I had any scout anywhere tell me he thought Lavarnway could catch in the big leagues, I would tell you that and would offer more optimism. I don't talk to every scout or every team, but so far, no one is buying him behind the plate.

Lavarnway is having a great year, as he has now hit 27 homers between AA and AAA for the Red Sox. I haven't heard a lot about his defense, but what I have heard hasn't been glowing reports. I wouldn't be surprised if the Sox tried to keep him there, but he sounds like he could be similar to Jesus Montero in that his position will change before he makes it as a Major Leaguer.

Eric (Fresno CA): Any chance Matt Moore gets a Sept. callup?

KLaw: I'm assuming only if they have a real need, which right now they don't. If they trade someone this weekend, it becomes more likely.

Moore has been slowly going up the levels in the Rays' system, and is looking like he will be an ace when he gets settled in the Majors. There's no real rush at the moment, and the Rays aren't exactly known for moving their young pitching quickly. I'd be more inclined to think we will see him sometime next season.

Wes (Oakland, CA): Keith, any opinions on Green's Defense in Center field yet?

KLaw: Way too soon to say anything - have to give him some time to learn the position. But I see no physical reason why he couldn't be above-average or better - +5/year, at least

The A's recently moved Grant Green to CF in AA, but Keith's right - this only happened like 2 weeks ago now. I imagine that if he takes to the position quickly this could move his timetable up a bit, as the reports on his defense at shortstop were not particularly good.