I believe they are, although I have a real issue with a process where the candidate was apparently selected before they even discussed or interviewed other candidates. It's a death knell for candidates of color. That's absolutely nothing against Stearns, but against ownership. That said, they needed better analytical capabilities, which he'll bring, and an overhaul in player development, which I don't know if he brings.

I can only speak to my own list, which doesn't have anything to do with small-sample performances like the AFL would present.

The MVP rules say explicitly that the winner doesn't have to be on a playoff team, and considering his team's record introduces his teammates into an individual award. For the record, though, I've never argued that potential future success should be a major variable in ROY voting. I think player age should be a major one - a 28-year-old and a 20-year-old having the same season statistically aren't equally impressive.

Below average defense, probably a low average hitter, but 25-30 homers with a slew of walks is still a hell of a player and maybe a star.

Nope, back-end starter at best for me. Big guy with iffy stuff and below average athlete.

Lamb for sure. Iglesias probably. Finnegan is a reliever. Desclafani I'm not sold on but he has had an excellent season.

I don't. He was facing a AAA lineup anyway.

Zero percent concerned because it's only been 30 or so games ... but it's clear that Correa was the right call at 1-1 over him back in 2012.

Rodgers.

Why should he? I don't get the fascination. Poor defender, zero power, probably 5'4", and didn't hit in AAA.

No because of narratives and because there are definitely writers who dislike him for having a personality.

My guess is he'll be on some sort of workload limit that will keep him from advancing that fast.

Has the three pitches to start but not the command right now.

I think so - ball comes off his bat well, has the bat path to hit for power.

Never. And I'm not sure if I would have done anything different if I had. Obviously playing baseball would have helped but with my size and metabolic disorder that wasn't in the cards.

Seager would have required an over slot bonus and the Wilpons just don't do that.

Yes, I would have, and yes, I think we can.

I think it's a fair question to ask but impossible to prove either way. I would love to see them get a few days off before the playoffs though.

Cubs. Astros might have more talent in the system but Cubs have more predictable talent and will likely have a lot more money to spend.

Best player available, regardless of position. There's no clear 1-1 in the draft right now, or even clear top two, so I wouldn't pin them down to any player or class of players.

The "hot hand" does not exist. It's a myth. The few studies that purport to show that it does all end up exposed as having major methodological flaws.

I don't like changing rules in response to one outlier circumstance that is just a question of (subjective) fairness.

Bird would have been higher if I thought he could play good defense at first (on which I'm not sold). AJ Reed still isn't very good at first but obviously he can hit.

End of January. Takes me a good month to put it all together.

If I'm the mets I'm insisting on one of the big 3 of Bogaerts, Betts, or Swihart, plus two other guys from the system. Ask for the moon and you might get it. The problem is that Boston can just say screw you, we're going to go sign two elite starter free agents.

Haven't and won't read it. Norris looked so much better last night - stuff seems to be all the way back now.

Cubs fans gettin' all greedy now.

Above-average everyday shortstop. Good defense, avg, low OBP, some pop.

Don't think there's a chance of that, and I have mixed intelligence on their prefs so I don't know.

Heard he was 95-97 again but in short bursts. Still a big fan.

Zimmer, not close for me. Saw Frazier in the playoffs - same issues with swinging and missing at stuff in the zone, not picking up spin. Reminded me of Michael Choice although choice was older.

He is absolutely a badass, and over here you don't have to censor yourselves!

I'm fine with any of them, but I don't like Arrieta getting pushed up for the win total. Let's do it for the right reasons, shall we?

I think neither. Murphy isn't worth the cost anyway and Cespedes seems likely to be overpaid based on August.

Loved it. I adore her writing, and the prose in that book has this haunting sparse quality that I will never forget.

Not for me. I don't think you can be an everyday corner guy with plate discipline that poor.

He'll never learn to hit them if they don't let him face them ... and they're winning that division so it's not like they have to bench him to help the team right now.

Can't just jump him to 180 innings, so I'd consider making him a sort of long reliever early in the season to stretch him out. I do think he should get a chance to start again.

He walked 16 in 25 innings about a year off surgery. I don't think that's remotely alarming or surprising. If he's still walking 6 per 9 in 2017 I'd be worried.

I think they'll entertain offers, but if they do so, they almost have to get a young starter back because they traded away their depth in Fulmer and Meisner. Without Harvey they're at five starters, with Colon presumably gone as a free agent, and of the five remaining three have had some kind of significant injury in the past.

I think he could but the Yankees don't always move recent draftees aggressively. He's more command than pure stuff so I think he'll rip apart A ball next year.

Hold on a minute. I specifically said on the show that won-lost records shouldn't be considered, but that some voters do consider them and that would help his candidacy. There's a difference between me arguing who should win and me predicting who will win.

90-93, above avg cb, avg-ish SL, handful of mid-80s changeups. Fourth starter who could end up a three or better due to his command and control. Delivery works too, very compact and online to the plate.

The one guy I haven't seen in this group, Alec Hanson at Oklahoma, was up to 98 in their fall scout day with an above avg slider. Listed at 6'7", 235. He could end up pulling a Gerrit Cole and separating himself quickly.

I will read it at some point. Not crazy at all. If they had had Hamels or someone like him from Opening Day this year, they're probably around a wild card spot now, and Cherington might still be GM.

Not on Williamson? I think he can be more productive than what's left of Byrd, who can't play defense and as you said is a one-trick guy at the plate.

I rated him pretty highly - top 15 free agent last winter, thought he'd get about twice as much as he did. I don't think anything will fully convince GMs that Korean hitters or Japanese hitters are safe bets.

Oh good Lord no. If that happens hide your children.

He was a top 100 guy last winter and he still is one for me. High-contact SS with a chance for more pop than Dee.

I'm streaming it right now. I'd already heard 4-5 songs though - "Leave a Trace" might be my favorite song of theirs.