Probably a lot, but as I tweeted the other day, the $ figure isn't the point in EA's suit - or I guess in Bollea's suit either. In Andrews' case, it's a clear message to hoteliers that this shit will not fly. She could have been raped or killed by the same stalker without any additional help from those same idiot hotel employees that put him in an adjacent room. In the Gawker case, though, I think the message at stake is freedom of the press, so even though I'm not entirely sure that what Gawker did is specifically necessary for or covered by the first amendment, I'd much rather see them win and preserve those rights than see Bollea win and potentially reduce them.

I think they'd say a playoff appearance. But if they win 85 games and miss the playoffs, didn't they get more or less what they paid for?

Who trained those employees - or failed to train them?

I don't want to give up on him entirely, but I had some doubts about him going into the draft, rating him as more of a second rounder because of the body and lack of defensive value. It doesn't look good right now, though.

If you read his entire comments, then I'm in complete agreement. I love players with energy and personality. McCutchen's another one - I wish we had a hundred more guys like him and Harper and Fernandez.

I don't think the "too right-handed" thing is a big issue - it's easier to be too left-handed because of what it means late in games when opponents can hit you with LH relievers - but the lack of rotation depth looks like a potential problem. They have two, maybe three starters who seem really unlikely to get through a full season unscathed and other than Fulmer they don't have adequate replacements available.

I think so, but I also don't think it's at all a given he moves off catcher. I don't think he'll ever be more than barely average on defense at catcher, but with his bat that'd be enough. The power should play anywhere and he has more than enough feel to hit to get to it.

I thought he'd spend all of last year in the minors, so, no, I'm not worried about it.

Somewhere, yes, not sure if it'll be Fenway given the presence of Hanley and Pablo and their unmoveable contracts.

Given their tax brackets, most MLB players probably vote Republican, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if many supported Trump.

You're welcome. I'm chatting from a Cartel right now, and they're playing the entire Grimes album Art Angels, so I'm feeling pretty good.

I'll bet on the bounceback.

Not really. Mark Wohlers had it and sort of came back but was never as good after as he was before. The problem is that no one really knows what causes the yips so no one can agree on a potential remedy.

I haven't vilified Kane, although he probably deserves it, given unpublished details I've heard. I've vilified SI for making the guy the subject of a feature and cover story that whitewashes the allegations and even paints them as a positive for him. That's a failure of ethics.

Berrios will probably get twice the opportunity, so I'd say him.

Star potential, approach is more JAG right now. Tools will play somehow, but he won't get close to his upside unless he gets more selective at the plate.

Same concern there was last year: There isn't a clear reason why he doesn't throw more strikes or how to improve his control because his arm action is so easy. You can't just say you'll clean up his delivery or get him to work on repeating it, because it deosn't get any cleaner.

I spend much more time watching prospects. MLB is fun but I'm not learning anything watching Harper or Trout hit.

Yes, I've written a few times I think Thompson's going to get a shot if Pederson doesn't come out of the gate strongly - I think they acquired Thompson with the idea that Pederson might need to return to AAA.

There's no scientific evidence that they work or even stay in your system. If you want to improve the health of your gut, you need to eat better so that the population of flora can increase. And while I don't take probiotics I do like fermented foods, such as yogurt (which I eat almost every day) or kimchi, and they're definitely good for you.

I don't think that's crazy even if it's a bit of a longshot. It's not like he's lacking anything you'd want to see in a CYA candidate.

No, I think they'll continue to draft best player available. Limiting yourself to just one thing - pitchers only, college players only, whatever - is a good way to have some really shitty drafts.

No, and to be honest, even if I had I'd probably say we need to see it in some games first anyway. Otherwise it's just more "best shape of his life" nonsense.

Probably not quite ready but close enough that I'd let him learn on the job. They're much better off on defense with him.

Seemed like a no-brainer for the Cards. I think he's going to end up an average regular and if that happens it's a screaming bargain for the club.

Take your time. We've got another half hour at least.

Not a huge Diaz fan - saw him in AFL, thought he was a utility guy. Don't think there's an average bat there, and when I saw him on defense I didn't think he'd be an above-average defender (although bear in mind a lot of players are gassed by then and don't look as good on defense as they might in June).

Albies is definitely a shortstop; Peraza hasn't played it in two-plus years. Albies is much stronger and will end up with more extra-base power. I think Albies' approach is better. Peraza's a better runner.

That's backwards - if you look at my top 100, you'll see more on these players, but DeLeon is a low-ceiling, high-probability starter, a command/deception guy with a plus change but lacking an average breaking ball. Urias has three above-average to plus pitches, still growing, lacking DeLeon's command right now. If they need a starter today, I'd take DeLeon, although I'd rather see both guys get more time in the minors, DeLeon to work on the breaking ball and on keeping the fastball down in the zone, Urias to work on consistency of delivery and command.

Ross. Big Joey Rozay fan.

I wish he walked more, although they did rush him to the majors. I've always loved the swing and power potential, and I think his defense would be excellent at second or third (occupied). I don't know if he'll be on my breakout column but he's a strong consideration.

Do you think voters would care? I kind of don't. It just doesn't seem like an issue that will score any points. Secret email servers, though - that's where it's at.

Dunno, seems a bit wishful thinking - I never thought it was mechanical, but more about decision-making, and recognizing locations a little earlier. He has to attack pitches inside and outside rather differently because his arms are so long. I do believe he can do it, but I'm not sure how a leg kick would change that.

An oligarchy? You must be confusing me with Vladimir Putin. (I get that a lot.) We have many fundamental rights clearly delineated in the Constitution, and while I don't necessarily agree with all of them - why do we all need the right to own a gun? - they're there, and the process to change that document requires substantial majorities, not the decision of a chosen few. I'm good with that process.

If it doesn't affect his performance on the field or behavior off of it (e.g., missing practices or something) this spring, then I'd say not at all. I personally do not care if a player smokes weed as long as he shows up for work and does what's asked of him.

Right now, I don't think so.

I ranked him somewhere in the middle of those two scenarios because I anticipate a boost in his performance this year. He's a potential top 20-25 guy if he blows up in AA this year. It's explosive bat speed.

Yes, he's getting way overrated. But there's some value in his speed and contact.

As good a solution as any. I don't understand why people are acting like Altherr is a big loss. He was probably a below-average regular anyway.

I think it's directionally correct, but I don't know if it has the precision that's often imputed to it. If you want to answer that question, you should examine the components: the batting runs, the fielding, the baserunning, and satisfy yourself that those are at least directionally correct. I think the biggest problem with WAR is the R (replacement level, not Rakim Allah), which may not be the right baseline, and is not calculated the same way by everyone.

no, I have to live through that shit every year, why would i play it

I am writing a book. It's about baseball. More details to follow.

I don't think the ROI is typically there for the private schools. It does depend a bit on the student's major and career plans - but those can change anyway. I think I got the ROI from my alma mater, but that's because Harvard has an enormous alumni network and a good global brand. Lots of very good private schools don't have those two things, so you're getting a great education (as good as what I got) but not those fringe benefits. I certainly won't push my daughter to go to a private school just because of prestige.

Fisher's not like the other two, who are both more electric and are better at translating their tools into performance. Alford's still got untapped power; Robles could grow into power, but hasn't developed it yet. Also, those guys can play center, while Fisher is still not that good in a corner despite 70 speed.

Not in any order. College: Hansen, Puk, Connor Jones, Jeffries, Tyler, Dunning, Sheffield. I'm forgetting 1-2 guys there. HS: Groome, Whitley, Pint, Velez, Anderson, Lawson, Manning, maybe Speas.

Guy just hits everywhere he's played. They'd be fools not to give him a shot, and they are not fools in Houston.

I'm not buying that one at all. He was never that good a prospect even when he was a prospect.

Well I've never met the kid, but he seems like a pretty good pitcher.

Majority of scouts I talked to said "reliever," and that's even before you get into the medical questions - he has some kind of shoulder issue, and had a back problem before the draft. Big fastball, very inconsistent slider that would be plus one week and barely average the next, low slot, no real changeup. Healthy for two years since he didn't sign with Toronto, though, and holds his stuff deep into games. I could see the argument that he's got #2 starter upside, but I see more red flags too.

I've heard that before and it's mostly BS. Plenty of prospects have good plate discipline. They don't all struggle like he did. That doesn't mean he's a bust or anything, but I think the jump from a Michigan HS prep conference to the GCL was a huge one.